US4120299A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snore-prevention article and process for manufacturing the same
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-12-22
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Granted: 1978-10-17
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Expires: 1996-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A snore-prevention article is provided which is intended to be worn in a person's nose while the wearer sleeps, and which serves to prevent snoring by creating a laminar rather than a turbulent air flow through the nose. The article is formed of a piece of cotton batting, or similar material, having a dumbbell configuration with a ball at each end and an elongated flexible thin interconnecting central portion integral with the balls. The invention is also concerned with a simple process for manufacturing the article.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph J. Russo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A snore-prevention device comprising: a pair of cotton balls, said cotton balls being of a size and shape to fit into the vestibule of the human nose to block the flow of air through the nostril beneath the tip of the nose, leaving the area of the nostril immediately above the lip substantially open, an elongate thread joining said cotton balls to form a dumbbell-like configuration, said elongate thread having a length slightly longer than the distance between the vestibules of the human nose whereby said thread prevents the cotton balls from being drawn into the nose and permits easy removal, and non-toxic securing means for securing said cotton balls to said elongate thread whereby said balls and said thread form a dumbbell-like configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A snore-prevention device comprising: a pair of cotton balls, said cotton balls being of a size and shape to fit into the vestibule of the human nose to block the flow of air through the nostril beneath the tip of the nose, leaving the area of the nostril immediately above the lip substantially open, an elongate thread joining said cotton balls to form a dumbbell-like configuration, said elongate thread having a length slightly longer than the distance between the vestibules of the human nose whereby said thread prevents the cotton balls from being drawn into the nose and permits easy removal, and non-toxic securing means for securing said cotton balls to said elongate thread whereby said balls and said thread form a dumbbell-like configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said cotton balls have a hole through their center, and said elongate flexible thread passes through said holes and is firmly secured.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device according to claim 2 wherein said securing means is a non-toxic adhesive securing said elongate thread to said cotton balls.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of preventing snoring comprising: forming a soft material such as cotton batting or the like into a substantially ball shape, attaching an elongate thread-like material to each ball whereby said balls may be easily removed from the nose after use by a gentle pull on said thread-like material, inserting said ball-like shape material into the vestibule of the nose to block the flow of air through the nostril beneath the tip of the nose, leaving the area of the nostril immediately above the lip substantially open, whereby air is caused to flow into the nose preventing turbulence and thence eliminating snoring effects.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of preventing snoring comprising: forming a soft material such as cotton batting or the like into a substantially ball shape, attaching an elongate thread-like material to each ball whereby said balls may be easily removed from the nose after use by a gentle pull on said thread-like material, inserting said ball-like shape material into the vestibule of the nose to block the flow of air through the nostril beneath the tip of the nose, leaving the area of the nostril immediately above the lip substantially open, whereby air is caused to flow into the nose preventing turbulence and thence eliminating snoring effects.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 4 including: connecting said thread-like material together and to both balls whereby a gentle pull on said thread-like material dislodges both balls simultaneously and said thread-like material prevents said balls from being accidentally drawn into the nose if dislodged during sleep.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method according to claim 5 including the steps of:
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
forming said cotton balls with small holes therein, threading an elongate piece of thread-like material into the holes of each of said balls, securing said balls to said thread with a non-toxic securing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
forming said cotton balls with small holes therein, threading an elongate piece of thread-like material into the holes of each of said balls, securing said balls to said thread with a non-toxic securing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-10-16 | 1982-04-17 | 1982-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-16 | 1986-04-17 | 1986-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-16 | 1990-04-17 | 1990-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |