Method and apparatus for filtering air entering an animal's nostrils

• US 20060032196A1
• Filed: 08/03/2004
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ann H. Moss, John A. Shirreffs
• Original Assignee: Ann H. Moss, John A. Shirreffs
• Inventors: Shirreffs, John A., Moss, Ann H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,260,923 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 54/80.300
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 13/006 Protective coverings Elastic soles or covers for hoofs A01L5/00, A01L7/02; for veterinary purposes A61D
• CPC Class Codes: B68B 7/00 Horse protectors, e.g. resilient attachments protective covers B68C5/00

Abstract

A method and apparatus for filter air entering an animal'"'"'s nostrils include a filtering element operatively disposed with a lower portion contacting the animal'"'"'s nose region between the animal'"'"'s nostrils and upper lip. A nose mask may be secured against the animal'"'"'s nose region with adhesive or one or more stretchable bands extending around a portion of the head of the animal.

Claims

1. A nose mask for an animal, comprising a flexible, air-permeable filter element having a central region surrounded by a peripheral region, the filter element shaped to be operatively adaptable to fit a nose region of an animal such that the peripheral region generally corresponds to the contours of the nose region and a lower portion of the peripheral region contacts the nose region between the animal'"'"'s mouth and nostrils.

2. A nose mask according to claim 1, an edge of the filter element being curvilinear.

3. A nose mask according to claim 2, an upper edge of the filter element being arched upwardly away from side edges of the filter element.

4. A nose mask according to claim 1, the central region of the filter element being spaced apart from the animal'"'"'s nostrils when operatively disposed.

5. A nose mask according to claim 4, the central region having an outer surface that is at least partially convex and arches from the peripheral region, providing clearance between the central region and the animal'"'"'s nostrils when the mask is operatively disposed.

6. A nose mask according to claim 4, the central region being spaced approximately one inch apart from the animal'"'"'s nostrils.

7. A nose mask according to claim 1, the filter element including a filtering material including at least one of a group including a non-woven polyester fiber, an electrostatically charged polypropylene, activated charcoal, natural fibers, a foam, a mesh, a gas-absorbing material, a webbed material, a porous material, or a material having an open-cell structure.

8. A nose mask according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first securing member connected with and extending between a first attachment point and a second attachment point and releasably securable to the animal'"'"'s head to secure the filter element against the nose region, the first and second attachment points being spaced apart on the peripheral region of the filter element; and

a second securing member connected with and extending between a third attachment point and a fourth attachment point and releasably securable to the animal'"'"'s head to secure the filter element against the nose region, the second and third attachment points being spaced apart on the peripheral region of the filter element.

9. A nose mask according to claim 8, the first and second securing members including a band of stretchable material.

10. A nose mask according to claim 8, the first securing member operatively disposed to extend away from the nose region and pass around an animal'"'"'s lower jaw.

11. A nose mask according to claim 8, the second securing member operatively disposed to extend around the animal'"'"'s head near the animal'"'"'s ears.

12. A nose mask according to claim 8, the second securing member operatively disposed to be secured to a halter.

13. A nose mask according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive material disposed along at least a portion of the peripheral region of the filter element.

14. A method for filtering air entering an animal'"'"'s nostrils, comprising the steps of:

providing a nose mask comprising a flexible, air-permeable filter element having a central region surrounded by a peripheral region, the filter element shaped to be operatively adaptable to fit a nose region of an animal such that the peripheral region generally corresponds to the contours of the nose region;

disposing the nose mask over the animal'"'"'s nostrils such that a lower portion of the peripheral region of the filter element contacts the nose region between the animal'"'"'s nostrils and mouth; and

releasably securing the filter element against the animal'"'"'s nose region.

15. The method according to claim 14, the central region being spaced apart from the nostrils.

16. The method according to claim 14, the step of releasably securing the filter element against the animal'"'"'s nose region including:

extending a first securing member around the animal'"'"'s lower jaw, the first securing member being connected with and extending between a first attachment point and a second attachment point, the first and second attachment points being spaced apart on the peripheral region of the filter element; and

securing a second securing member, the second securing member being connected with and extending between a third attachment point and a fourth attachment point, the second and third attachment points being spaced apart on the peripheral region of the filter element.

17. The method according to claim 16, the step of securing the second securing member including extending the second securing member around the animal'"'"'s head near the animal'"'"'s ears.

18. The method according to claim 16, the step of securing the second securing member including securing the second securing member to a halter.

19. The method according to claim 14, the step of releasably securing the filter element against the animal'"'"'s nose region including disposing an adhesive material along at least a portion of the peripheral region of the filter element, and contacting the adhesive with the animal'"'"'s nose region.

20. A nose mask for an animal, comprising:

a flexible, air-permeable filter element having a central region surrounded by a peripheral region, the filter element shaped to be operatively adaptable to fit a nose region of an animal such that the peripheral region generally corresponds to the contours of the nose region and a lower portion of the peripheral region contacts the nose region between the animal'"'"'s mouth and nostrils, the central region of the filter element being spaced at least one half of an inch apart from the animal'"'"'s nostrils when operatively disposed;

a first securing member connected with and extending between a first attachment point and a second attachment point and releasably securable to the animal'"'"'s head to secure the filter element against the nose region, the first and second attachment points being spaced apart on the peripheral region of the filter element; and

a second securing member connected with and extending between a third attachment point and a fourth attachment point and releasably securable to the animal'"'"'s head to secure the filter element against the nose region, the second and third attachment points being spaced apart on the peripheral region of the filter element.

21. An equine nose mask for protecting the nostrils of a horse from particulates and contaminants, the equine nose mask comprising:

a filter structure containing non-woven air-permeable elastic material,

said filter structure including a first portion configurable to fit over the horse'"'"'s nostrils, said first portion having a central region with a shape which conforms to the horse'"'"'s nostril area, said first portion also having an edge which extends along an area between the horse'"'"'s nostrils and the horse'"'"'s upper lip, leaving the horse'"'"'s muzzle free when the equine nose mask is placed on the horse,

said filter structure also including a second portion which extends around the horse'"'"'s lower jaw in an area removed from the horse'"'"'s muzzle to assist in holding said first portion of said filter structure over the horse'"'"'s nostrils without blocking the horse'"'"'s mouth, thereby creating a filtering screen which prevents particulates and other contaminants from entering the horse'"'"'s nostrils when the equine nose mask is placed on the horse, said second portion being sufficiently stretchable to permit the horse to open its mouth when the equine nose mask is placed on the horse, thereby minimizing interference with the horse'"'"'s feeding.

22. An equine breathing mask as set forth in claim 21, wherein said first portion of said filter structure further includes a securing member opposite said edge of said first portion, said securing member having a configuration adapted for attachment to a halter worn by the horse.

23. An equine breathing mask as set forth in claim 22, wherein said securing member opposite said edge of said first portion of said filter structure is formed as a strap.

24. An equine breathing mask as set forth in claim 21, wherein said second portion of said filter structure includes a securing member configured to extend around the lower jaw of the horse.

25. An equine breathing mask as set forth in claim 24, wherein said securing member configured to extend around the lower jaw of the horse is formed as a strap.

26. An equine breathing mask as set forth in claim 21, wherein said shape of said central region of said first portion of said filter structure conforms to the horse'"'"'s nostril area such that clearance is provided between at least part of said central region and the horse'"'"'s nostrils when the equine nose mask is placed on the horse.

27. An equine breathing mask as set forth in claim 21, wherein said shape of said central region of said first portion of said filter structure conforms to the horse'"'"'s nostril area such that part of said central region is in substantially continuous contact with the area surrounding the horse'"'"'s nostrils, enabling air to flow through said filter structure into the horse'"'"'s nostrils rather than in between said filter structure and the horse'"'"'s nostril area.