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External nasal dilator and methods of manufactureExternal nasal dilator and methods of manufacture description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080097517, External nasal dilator and methods of manufacture. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/862,548 filed Oct. 23, 2006. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002]Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]1. Field of Invention [0004]The invention relates to external devices for dilating nasal passageways and to the manufacture thereof. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005]The external nasal dilator of the present invention generally comprises a resilient sheet, an adhesive layer, and an adhesive-protecting sheet. Some embodiments also include a sheet of adhesive tape. The resilient sheet is superposed on the adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer is superposed on the adhesive-protecting sheet, which is removably adhered to the adhesive layer. In those embodiments that comprise the sheet of adhesive tape, it is superposed and adhered to the resilient sheet. [0006]The resilient sheet comprises a resilient thermoplastic material (e.g., PET, boPET, PETG, HDPE, and polyester). Generally, (1) the adhesive layer comprises a hydrocolloid and (2) the adhesive-protecting sheet comprises polypropylene, a similar thermoplastic resin, or a paper-based material. In at least some embodiments, the resilient sheet defines at least one groove for reducing the peel force that results from bending the dilator (namely, the resilient sheet) over the bridge of the nose. Either or both major surfaces of the resilient sheet can define a groove. In addition to the groove or in lieu thereof, some embodiments of the external nasal dilator comprise a nasal passage region having a reduced width. This serves to reduce the peel force, including any peel force that originates from the bridge region of the external nasal dilator. Finally, in some of the embodiments of the dilator that include the sheet of adhesive tape, the resilient sheet and the adhesive layer each have a lesser area than the sheet of adhesive tape. Thus, when the sheet of adhesive tape is superposed on (and adhered to) the resilient sheet, which in turn is superposed on the adhesive layer, some of the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape still is available to adhere to the nose upon application (which follows removal of the adhesive-protecting sheet). Generally, the adhesive tape comprises an acrylic adhesive, which is fast-acting. Thus, these available adhesive surfaces function as an "instant tack surfaces," thereby facilitating application of the dilator. [0007]The present invention also includes various methods of making the external nasal dilator. At least some of the embodiments of the external nasal dilator disclosed herein are amenable to continuous and automated manufacture. For example, in one embodiment of the method, a roll of a three-layered material is used as the starting material, the three layers consisting substantially and respectively of (1) a resilient sheet, (2) an adhesive-protecting sheet, and (3) an adhesive layer between the resilient sheet and the adhesive-protecting sheet. A series of dies are used to cut the three-layered material into the appropriate shape and (when necessary) to impress grooves in the resilient sheet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0008]The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which: [0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the external nasal dilator of the present invention adhered to a person's nose; [0010]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of the external nasal dilator shown in FIG. 1; [0011]FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the external nasal dilator taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2; [0012]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the external nasal dilator shown in FIGS. 1-3; [0013]FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1; [0014]FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 1; [0015]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the external nasal dilator comprising (1) "choked down" nasal passage regions and (2) a peripheral groove; [0016]FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the external nasal dilator taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7; [0017]FIG. 9A is a top plan view of an embodiment of the external nasal dilator comprising (1) end regions that are rounded and flared and (2) curved grooves; [0018]FIG. 9B is a top plan view of an embodiment of the external nasal dilator comprising curved grooves; [0019]FIG. 9C is a top plan view of an embodiment of the external nasal dilator comprising "choked down" nasal passage regions and curved grooves; Continue reading about External nasal dilator and methods of manufacture... Full patent description for External nasal dilator and methods of manufacture Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this External nasal dilator and methods of manufacture patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like External nasal dilator and methods of manufacture or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Devices, systems and methods for treating disorders of the ear, nose and throat Next Patent Application: Vein filter Industry Class: Surgery ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the External nasal dilator and methods of manufacture patent info. 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