Patent

CLAIMS – UNDER EXAMINATION

1. (Amended)    A nasal inhaler band for releasing vapors to a user’s nasal openings and allowing inhalation of the vapors along with ambient atmosphere, the nasal inhaler band comprising:

a main body comprising;

a base layer adapted for applying to the user’s upper lip, a shaped main body sized and adapted to fit flush on a user’s upper lip below the user’s nostrils and  in contact with the user’s  columella and both nasal wings alas at the nasal crease, the base layer being in the form of a sheet being made of flexible impermeable material; and an outer layer being in the form of a sheet and comprising air-permeable and absorbent material capable of storing a vapor releasing substance and allowing vapor produced by the vapor releasing substance to exit the outer layer in the vicinity of the user’s nasal openings and,

 wherein each of the base layer and the outer layer are elongated to extend horizontally beyond the user’s nasal alas;

and, further comprising a pair of elastic retaining straps attached to opposite ends of the main body respectively and configured for fitting around the user’s ears and,

 wherein the outer absorbent layer is attached to the base layer leaving a horizontal and vertical exposure of the base layer below the upper edge of the base layer where this edge is adapted to be in contact with the user’s columella and nasal alas.

       2 (Previously Presented)        The nasal inhaler band of claim 1, wherein the outer layer comprises a plurality of sublayers stacked one on the other, wherein a material of each of the sublayers is selected from the group consisting of woven fabric, non-woven fabric, felt, or open cell foam

3. (Currently Amended)    A nasal inhaler band for releasing vapors to a user’s nasal openings and allowing inhalation of the vapors along with ambient atmosphere, the nasal inhaler band comprising:

a main body including,

a base layer adapted for applying to the user’s upper lip, a shaped main body wherein each of the base layer and the outer layer are elongated to extend horizontally beyond the user’s nasal wings sized and adapted to fit flush on a user’s upper lip and wherein an impermeable base layer is in contact with the user’s columella and both alas (flares) at the nasal crease, the base layer being in the form of an elongated sheet and being made of flexible impermeable material; and  an outer layer parallel to and positioned adjacent to and attached to the base layer, the outer layer  adapted to be held directly below the user’s nostrils, the outer layer being in the form of a sheet and comprising air-permeable and absorbent material for capable of holding a vapor releasing substance and allowing vapor produced by the vapor releasing substance to exit the outer layer in the vicinity of the user’s nasal openings;  and wherein the main body is fitted with a pair of elastic retaining straps attached to opposite ends of the main body respectively and configured and adapted for fitting around the user’s ears and,

wherein the outer layer is positioned within the boundaries of the impermeable base layer and wherein each of opposite end portions of the outer layer are attached to the base layer, a main central portion of the outer layer is spaced from the base layer, and the main central portion of the outer layer and the base layer cooperatively define   a horizontal pocket, having an opening at top and bottom  thereof,  or the bottom of the pocket may be sealed and the pocket is configured to fittingly and removably holding a matching cartridge containing vapor releasing substances that can be inserted by the user.

4. (Previously Presented) The nasal inhaler band of claim 13, further comprising the matching cartridge.

5. (Currently Amended)         The nasal inhaler band of claim 1, wherein the main body is an elongated rectangle and substantially straight when not applied to a user, the base layer includes  flexible tabs at opposite ends thereof, wherein the tabs extend obliquely outward from a body of the base layer toward each other, and sockets are located below the tabs, with the tabs configured to grip the outer layer such that the outer layer is resiliently, and firmly held in place between tabs and sockets on the base layer.                                     
6.   (Currently amended)    The nasal inhaler band of claim 1, the base layer consisting of flexible plastic or silicone material and wherein the main body is elongated and curved when not applied to a user; the base layer is curved so that a concave side of the base layer matches an overall convex curvature of a user’s upper lip; the base layer includes flexible tabs at opposite ends thereof; the tabs extend obliquely outward from a body of the base layer toward each other forming sockets under the tabs; and configured so that the tabs can grip the outer layer such that the outer layer is resiliently held in place  between tabs and sockets and against a middle of  the  face of the base layer..                             
7. ( Previously Presented) The nasal inhaler of Claim 1, wherein the elastic ear loops are attached to the main body by way of through holes located at opposing ends of said device.