PROTECTIVE FACE COVERING

Abstract

A nasal covering configured to cover a human nose and a method of conditioning air. The nasal covering may include a housing having a generally concave shape corresponding to the human nose, an edge portion extending a distance from an outermost perimeter of the housing; an inner space defined by the housing, and a bendable member that is a length of bendable material, the bendable member including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion defining a first length, the second portion defining a second length, the first portion secured to a distal portion of the inner space, the distal portion spaced apart from the edge portion of the housing, the second portion being generally orthogonal relative to the first portion, the bendable member bendable such that the relative dimensions of the first length and the second length with respect to one another are adjustable.

Description

FIGURE SELECTED FOR PUBLICATION

FIG. 7E

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to personal protective equipment, and more particularly to devices for filtering, warming, and/or humidifying air entering a person's air passage.

Description of the Related Art

People tend to be prone to respiratory illnesses during the winter months. Scientists postulate that viruses, which include outer layers that are normally liquid in warm conditions, harden into a protective rubbery coat when chilled. The cold hardened protective rubbery coat of the pathogen increases the odds that the pathogen will survive. As such, when the weather is warmer than 60 degrees Fahrenheit, viruses have difficulty surviving when traveling through the air. However, in colder weather, pathogens have an increased likelihood of traveling through the air and reaches a host's body. When the pathogen enters the body, the body heat melts the toughened viral coat, thereby enabling the virus to infect cells.

Not only does cold air facilitate the delivery of pathogens to a host body, but cold air is also known to provoke respiratory symptoms in people who suffer from respiratory illnesses such as asthma. While the effect of cold air on the skin is mainly cooling, the effect on the airways is cooling and drying. When an individual is exercising, e.g., running outside, the skin tends to sweat. The resulting moisture of the skin causes the skin to cool more rapidly. When the skin around or near the airways is cooled, the air that is breathed tends to cool and dry the airways more rapidly. For an adequately clothed person, only the skin of the face is exposed to the cold air. During heavy exercise in cold weather conditions, the facial skin, nasal mucosa, oral mucosa, pharynx, larynx, and lower airways are possible trigger sites for cold air-provoked respiratory symptoms. The short-term response for nasal breathing of cold air may include congestion and sneezing. Such respiratory responses for facial skin cooling may include bronchoconstriction, which makes breathing challenging. Even if the effects of the cold air are short term and do not result in illness, the cold air may effectively preclude a person from exercising in such weather at least because heavy breathing is difficult when the airways tighten in response to the cold air.

Furthermore, conventional masks that are not in direct, sealed contacting relationship with the skin are prone to have the problem of mask fogging in which eyewear collects condensation. Mask fogging results from warm, humid air from the breath of a user meeting a cooler surface. This is because warmer air has a greater capacity to hold more water vapor (water in gas form) than cooler air. As the warmer air seeps out from under the mask, the warmer air comes into contact with the colder eyewear, thereby causes the lenses of the eyewear to fog.

FIG. 1 is a partial cut-away view of a human head illustrating the frontal sinus A, the sphenoid sinus B, the superior turbinate C, the middle turbinate D, the inferior turbinate E, and the auditory tube opening F. The sinuses A, B help to balance the body by avoiding an excess build-up of fluid in one place. The auditory tube opening F helps keep the middle ear healthy by equalizing pressure, clearing secretions, and protecting it from pathogens. It is slightly below the posterior end of the inferior turbinate E. The turbinates C, D, and E are bony processes that extend inwardly from the lateral walls of the nose and are covered with mucosal tissue, thereby increasing the interior surface area of the nose such that the air is warmed, filtered, and humidified prior to reaching the lungs. The turbinates C, D, and E provide an insulating function to protect the lungs from the relatively cold and unfiltered air as the convolutions of the turbinates C, D, and E provide pockets in which the air is trapped much in the way that an insulating material such as wool has pockets in which air is trapped and warmed. In embodiments, the filter material is formed from a natural fiber such as wool.

There is a continuing need for a device that would inhibit the skin surrounding the airways from cooling and/or that would inhibit the entry of pathogens into the airways, particularly in cold weather conditions. The background section is provided to more fully explain the advantages provided by the presently disclosed invention and to explain the problems that it addresses. Nothing in the background section should be construed as an admission of prior art.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to a protective facial covering and a method of use thereof.

In an embodiment, a nasal covering may be configured to cover a human nose. The nasal covering may include a housing having a generally concave shape corresponding to the human nose; an edge portion extending a distance from an outermost perimeter of the housing; an inner space defined by the generally concave shape of the housing; and a bendable member that is a length of bendable material, the bendable member including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion defining a first length, the second portion defining a second length, the first portion being secured to a distal portion of the inner space, the distal portion being spaced apart from the edge portion of the housing, the second portion being generally orthogonal relative to the first portion, the bendable member being bendable such that the relative dimensions of the first length and the second length with respect to one another are adjustable. The housing may be comprised of an adjustably moldable material. The filter material may be disposed within the reaction chamber. The filter material may include or may be a natural fiber. The natural fiber may be wool. An adhesive lining may be a backing for the edge portion such that the nasal covering may be adhered to the nose and the surrounding anatomical structures, e.g., cheeks.

A reaction chamber may be defined within the inner space, the bendable member being adjustable to adjust the configuration of the reaction chamber. An opening may be formed in the housing, the opening being disposed at an underside of the human nose when worn in proximity to nostrils of the nose; and the filter material may fill the opening and the reaction chamber. The second portion may extend from the distal portion towards the edge portion; and the filter material may be secured to the second portion. The nasal covering may further include a fabric patch, and the fabric patch covering the opening and securing the filter material within the reaction chamber. The housing may be formed from a filter material. The adjustably moldable material may comprise a silicone impregnated fabric. The inner space may include a first portion that is configured to approximate a nasal bridge when worn; and a second portion the extends downward toward an upper lip such that when worn the inner space defines the reaction chamber as an area between a lower portion of the nose and the upper lip.

A method of maintaining facial temperature and conditioning air when exercising may include providing the nasal covering as described above. The nasal covering may include a moisture wicking material; and a filter material. The method may include: securing a nasal covering to a nose; maintaining the moisture wicking material in contact with a nasal bridge of the nose; and maintaining the filter material adjacent to nostrils of the nose.

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the present invention can be obtained by reference to a preferred embodiment set forth in the illustrations of the accompanying drawings. Although the illustrated preferred embodiment is merely exemplary of methods, structures and compositions for carrying out the present invention, both the organization and method of the invention, in general, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, may be more easily understood by reference to the drawings and the following description. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, which is set forth with particularity in the claims as appended or as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplify the invention.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial cut-away view of a human head illustrating nasal structures.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a facial protective covering shown relative to a human face in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the facial protective covering of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a facial protective covering in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another facial covering in accordance with a still further embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a facial protective covering in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a kit including the facial protective coverings of FIGS. 3-4 and an adhesive tape.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a facial covering in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7B is a side, see-through view of the facial covering of FIG. 7A shown as worn by a person.

FIG. 7C is a front view of the facial covering of FIG. 7A shown as worn by a person.

FIG. 7D is a bottom view of the facial covering of FIG. 7A shown as worn by a person.

FIGS. 7F-7G illustrate the facial protective covering of FIG. 7A in a first adjusted configuration and a second adjusted configuration, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, a detailed illustrative embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. However, techniques, systems, compositions, and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, forms, and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiment for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein which define the scope of the present invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, up, down, over, above, below, etc., or motional terms, such as forward, back, sideways, transverse, etc. may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, a facial covering 100 is secured atop a nose N of a head H of a person. The facial covering 100 may be formed of a plastic or a latex or a polyurethane material and is configured to make a sealing contact with the skin. In particular, the facial covering 100 may be adhered to the skin via glue or a tape (e.g., double stick tape) such that the facial covering 100 is brought into a close, sealing contact with the skin. The material forming the facial covering 100 may be generally clear such that when placed onto the skin pf the face, it may be aesthetically pleasing and may permit the skin underneath the covering to remain visible. Alternatively, an exterior surface 101 of a material, such as a fabric, may be secured to the outwardly facing surface of the facial covering 100. The material forming the exterior surface 101 may be a fabric or textile having a pattern, for example.

The facial covering 100 may include apertures 105 for each of the nasal openings. These apertures 105 permit the wearer to continue breathing through the nose even though the skin near the nasal openings is covered. A filter material 110 may cover the apertures 105. The filter material 110 may be formed, for example, from a gauze and/or cotton material. The filter material 110 may capture fine particles in the air being breathed and/or warm the air that is inhaled through the nostrils. When only wearing facial covering 100, it may be desirable for the wearer to breathe through his nose and to keep his mouth closed so that the cold air is not breathed in through the mouth. However, the facial covering 100 may be shaped to extend down from the nose N toward the mouth and/or toward or around the chin without covering the mouth itself such that the skin around the mouth may also be substantially covered and not directly exposed to cold air. As the facial covering 100 may be formed from a substantially flexible material, the normal functioning and movement of the mouth and the face may continue unimpaired by the wearing of the facial covering 100.

The facial covering 100 is configured to fit flush against a wearer or user's skin in a sealed relationship. To accomplish this, the facial covering 100 may be custom molded to fit the wearer's face. A kit may include a plaster material that is to be placed on the wearer's face to form a mold. When removed from the wearer's face, the resultant cast can be used to provide a surface on which a liquid latex or the like can be placed such that when it hardens a perfectly molded latex or the like covering is formed. Alternatively, the facial covering 100 may be provided in a variety of common sizes and shapes corresponding to a variety of facial shapes (e.g., narrow nose, wide nose, etc.).

With reference to FIG. 3, a facial covering 200 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described. The facial covering 200 may include a first layer 202 that may be formed, for example, from a latex or polyurethane material which may be secured or adhered to a second layer 203 that may be formed from a fabric or textile material, for example. The first layer 202 is configured to be adhered to a skin of a user's face, for example, by using glue or tape (e.g., double stick tape). The facial covering 200 may include a nose ridge 204 that is configured to approximate the shape of the user's nose. A portion 202a of the first layer 202 may be separated from the second layer 203 such that the portion 202a may be secured to a user's upper lip U, such that a space 200S between the first and second layers 202, 203 provides a space for the nostrils of the nose.

A fibrous element 205 may be disposed within the space 200S. Each fibrous element may extend through openings 200x extending through the first and second layers 202, 203. A knotted or bulbous portion 205a of the fibrous element 205 may prevent the fibrous element 205 from being removed from the opening 200x and separated from the first and second layers 203, 205. Alternatively, the fibrous element(s) 205 may be secured or glued to the first layer 202 within the space 200S.

The fibrous element 205 may include a plurality of filaments 205b that functionally mimic nose hairs in that they are configured to filter, trap, and/or warm air entering through the space 200S prior to entering the nostrils of a user when the facial covering 200 is worn. Just as nose hairs function to filter foreign particles and preventing moisture from entering the nose, so do the filaments 205b. The filaments 205b may be formed from a fabric, cotton, a natural material or other suitable material. Each of the filaments 205b may be a hair-like or string-like member that has a length and a relatively narrow diameter. The filaments 205b may be clustered together to have a density that facilitate trapping substances in the air and/or warming of the air.

Advantageously, the non-rigid, movable nature of the filaments 205b create less of an obstruction for breathing than would a rigid filter such as the filters 110. Since a user who is exerting energy, for example, while running has a greater oxygen need than one would while at rest, it is advantageous that few obstructions to breathing are created while still providing a warming and filtering function.

As shown in FIG. 4, a mouth covering 300, may be secured to either the facial covering 100 or 200 or directly to the skin surrounding the mouth by an adhesive, for example. The mouth covering 300 may have a generally conical or ovoid shape such that when placed over the mouth it does not interfere with breathing and/or talking. If material were to be placed directly against the mouth, the movement of the air in and out of the mouth would cause the material to move and would interfere with the breathing and speaking function. Instead, the mouth covering 300 includes a hollow inside 305 to provide a space between the material and the mouth when the covering is placed over the mouth and the outer surface 310 is bowed outward away from the mouth. The outer surface 310 may be formed from a material capable of filtering such as, for example, a cotton or a gauze material.

The filter material of the coverings 100 and 200 may be capable of removing or trapping particulate and/or pathogens from the air. Advantageously, unlike conventional masks which are held in place relative to the air passages (e.g., nasal or mouth) by a friction fitting or tensioning, the coverings 100 and 200 when worn do not move relative the air passages and no gaps exist through which matter (e.g., particulates or pathogens) may pass.

As shown in FIG. 5, a facial covering 400 may include an upper portion 402 for covering the nose and surrounding facial skin that is similar to the facial covering 100 and a lower portion 404 for covering the mouth and surrounding facial skin such as the chin, for example. The lower portion 404 may be outwardly curved to facilitate breathing and speaking without the material of the lower portion 404 blocking such functions. Optionally, small openings (not shown) may be formed in the lower portion 404 such that some air may pass therethrough to facilitate breathing and speaking while still blocking most air from contacting the skin lying underneath. The upper portion 402 may be substantially similar to the facial covering 200 as described above and the lower portion 404 may be substantially similar to the facial covering 300 described above with the exception that the upper portion 402 and the lower portion 404 may be provided as a monolithic, unitary structure.

Each of the facial coverings 100-400 may include an adhesive backing (not shown) to facilitate securing of the coverings to the skin. When stored, a plastic or paper material may cover the adhesive backing, and when ready to be applied to the skin, the adhesive backing may be exposed by removal of the plastic or paper material. Furthermore, the coverings 100-400 may be configured to be used once and may be disposed thereafter in a similar manner to an adhesive bandage, for example.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a kit 500 may include at least one of the protective coverings 100-400 (as shown the kit 500 includes protective coverings 200 and 300) and adhesive tape 505, which may be a double-sided tape, for securing the protective coverings to the face of a user. Although shown as including double-sided tape, the kit 500 may additionally or alternatively include any suitable adhesive. Alternatively, the protective coverings 100-400 may themselves include an adhesive backing that is already secured to skin contacting surfaces of the protective coverings 100-400. A material (e.g., paper or plastic) not shown may be releasably secured to the contacting surfaces and when the protective covering(s) is ready to be applied, such material may be peeled or otherwise removed exposing the self-adhering surfaces.

Various means for securing the protective coverings 100-400 may include means other than traditional adhesives such as for example a hydrophilic gel which adheres or sticks to a wearer's skin while also having various skin beneficial properties such as moisturizing and the like.

A facial covering 600 is shown in FIGS. 7A-7G. The facial covering 600 may be generally formed from a fabric material. In an embodiment, the fabric material may be impregnated with a silicone material such that the fabric material is moldable into a shape. In particular, as shown best in FIG. 7A, the facial covering 600 may include an inner space or cavity 602 that has been molded into a shape or configuration that generally approximates the shape of a human nose such that the inner space or cavity 602 may receive the wearer's nose therein, and preferably in close approximation with the bridge of the wearer's nose and lateral nasal structures when worn (as shown in FIG. 7B). Preferably, the fabric material may be further shaped and/or molded by the wearer to better approximate the unique anatomical characteristics of the wearer. As such, the material is preferable deformable by the wearer in a way that the material substantially retains the deformed shape unless acted upon by the wearer by pressing, pushing, or otherwise manipulating the material.

A bendable semi-rigid member 604 may be secured within or onto the inner space or cavity 602 to facilitate a customized shaping of the facial covering 600 by the wearer. For example, the member 604 may include generally orthogonal sections 604x, 604y, the length of which is adjusted by the wearer bending and manipulating the facial covering 600 until a desired fit is achieved depending on unique anatomy of the wearer, such as the length of the nose Ln and the width of the nose Wn such that a variety of faces and nasal anatomy can be comfortably accommodated.

A first portion 602x of the facial covering 600 may closely approximate the bridge of the nose N, and a second portion 602y may define an inner space or cavity 602 may include a reaction chamber 602C. The reaction chamber 602C is the portion of the space that is not occupied by the nose N when the facial covering 600 is worn, i.e., the space between the lower portion of the nose N where the nostrils Q would be and the upper lip L of the wearer. The facial covering 600 may define an opening 605 extending through the lower portion of the facial covering 600 to facilitate entry of ambient air through the opening 605. A filter material 606, e.g., a wool or a wool-like material, may be disposed within the reaction chamber 602C. The filter material 606 may be secured within the reaction chamber 602C, for example, via an adhesive bonding the filter material 606 to the lateral surfaces of the reaction chamber 602C. Instead of an opening 605, the fabric material comprising the facial covering 600 may be breathable and/or the opening 605 may be covered by a patch 607. The bendable semi-rigid member 604 may be adhered or otherwise secured to a surface of the second portion 602y of the interior cavity 602. The filter material 606 may provide a surface or substrate to which to mount the filter material 606. For example, the filter material 606 may be secured, e.g., adhered to the bendable semi-rigid member 604 such that the filter material is maintained within the reaction chamber 602C.

The facial covering 600 may include an adhesive edge 608 that is configured to be adhered to the lateral facial structures on either side of the nose N. The adhesive edge 608 may start from the top of the nasal septum, between the eyes, and extend on both sides of the nose, on the cheeks, and terminate at the upper corner of the upper lip L. The adhesive edge 608 may have a width that defines an inner edge or perimeter 608x of the adhesive edge 608 and an outer edge or perimeter 608y of the adhesive edge 608.

Similar to facial coverings 100-400, which may include an adhesive backing to facilitate securing of the coverings to the skin, the adhesive edge 608 may include a plastic or paper material that covers the adhesive backing when stored, and when it is ready to be applied to the skin, the adhesive backing may be exposed by removal of the plastic or paper material. Also similar to the coverings 100-400, the facial covering 600 may be configured to be used once and may be disposed thereafter in a similar manner to an adhesive bandage, for example.

The facial covering 600 is configured to condition ambient or environmental air prior to reaching the nostrils. As discussed above, naturally, the turbinates of the nose provide pockets in which air is trapped such that during each breath, the air that is trapped has an opportunity to be conditioned, e.g., warmed, prior to reaching the lungs. Nose hair and the mucous lining of the nose also play a role in conditioning the air (e.g., filtering particles out of the air). The filter material 606 is configured to provide pockets in which air is warmed prior to reaching the nostrils Q. For example, the filter material 606 may be formed from a material such as wool or a wool-like material. Wool is a material that provides a good balance between insulation and breathability, and it is resistant to mold and mildew. Wool is a particularly good insulating material because of tiny pockets of air within each wool fiber.

As such, when the facial covering 600 is worn during cold winter months, the cold ambient air will be drawn into the filter material 606 and the tiny pockets within its fibers. The warmer air that is exhaled will also be breathed into the tiny pockets of air. The successive breaths will cause the air to be warmed when it is finally breathed through the nostrils. The filter material 606 will thus insulate the wearer's air passages from the harsh cold air. Rhinitis or runny nose is a condition that often happens to runners who run in cold weather. The filter material 606 will not only absorb nasal drip or discharge but will alleviate the root causes of that condition.

The facial covering 600 may be formed from a fabric material, such as wool, such that the facial covering has moisture wicking properties. Ordinarily, during physical exertion, a person may sweat and during the cold months, the portion of the facial covering 600 that approximates the underlying skin (e.g., portion 602x atop the nasal bridge) serves to wick away the moisture that is generated during sweat. If sweat were not wicked away from the skin surfaces, the unprotected skin would be cooled by the ambient air, thereby creating discomfort. As such, the facial covering 600 advantageously wicks away moisture and insulates the nasal air passages from the harsh, relatively cold air via the warming action of the filter material 606.

Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely exemplary and that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes, modifications, and adaptations may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The scope of the invention, therefore, shall be defined solely by the following claims. Further, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and the principles of the invention. It should be appreciated that the present invention is capable of being embodied in other forms without departing from its essential characteristics.

Claims

1. A nasal covering configured to cover a human nose, comprising: a housing having a generally concave shape corresponding to the human nose;an edge portion extending a distance from an outermost perimeter of the housing;an inner space defined by the generally concave shape of the housing; anda bendable member that is a length of bendable material, the bendable member including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion defining a first length, the second portion defining a second length, the first portion being secured to a distal portion of the inner space, the distal portion being spaced apart from the edge portion of the housing, the second portion being generally orthogonal relative to the first portion, the bendable member being bendable such that the relative dimensions of the first length and the second length with respect to one another are adjustable.

2. The nasal covering of claim 1, further comprising: a reaction chamber, the reaction chamber being defined within the inner space, the bendable member being adjustable to adjust the configuration of the reaction chamber.

3. The nasal covering of claim 1, wherein: the housing is comprised of an adjustably moldable material.

4. The nasal covering of claim 2, further comprising: a filter material, the filter material being disposed within the reaction chamber.

5. The nasal covering of claim 4, wherein: the filter material is a natural fiber.

6. The nasal covering of claim 5, wherein: the natural fiber is wool.

7. The nasal covering of claim 4, wherein: an opening is formed in the housing, the opening being disposed at an underside of the human nose when worn in proximity to nostrils of the nose; andthe filter material filling the opening and the reaction chamber.

8. The nasal covering of claim 7, wherein: the second portion extends from the distal portion towards the edge portion; andthe filter material is secured to the second portion.

9. The nasal covering of claim 7, further comprising: a fabric patch, the fabric patch covering the opening and securing the filter material within the reaction chamber.

10. The nasal covering of claim 1, wherein: the housing is formed from a filter material.

11. The nasal covering of claim 3, wherein: the adjustably moldable material comprises a silicone impregnated fabric.

12. The nasal covering of claim 2, wherein: the inner space includes: a first portion that is configured to approximate a nasal bridge when worn; anda second portion the extends downward toward an upper lip such that when worn the inner space defines the reaction chamber as an area between a lower portion of the nose and the upper lip.

13. The nasal covering of claim 1, further comprising: an adhesive lining, the adhesive lining forming a backing of the edge portion.

14. A method of maintaining facial temperature and conditioning air when exercising, comprising: providing a nasal covering, the nasal covering comprising: a moisture wicking material; anda filter material;securing a nasal covering to a nose;maintaining the moisture wicking material in contact with a nasal bridge of the nose; andmaintaining the filter material adjacent to nostrils of the nose.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein: the nasal covering further comprises: a housing having a generally concave shape corresponding to the human nose; an edge portion extending a distance from an outermost perimeter of the housing;an inner space defined by the generally concave shape of the housing; anda bendable member that is a length of bendable material, the bendable member including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion defining a first length, the second portion defining a second length, the first portion being secured to a distal portion of the inner space, the distal portion being spaced apart from the edge portion of the housing, the second portion being generally orthogonal relative to the first portion, the bendable member being bendable such that the relative dimensions of the first length and the second length with respect to one another are adjustable.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the nasal covering further comprises: a reaction chamber, the reaction chamber being defined within the inner space, the bendable member being adjustable to adjust the configuration of the reaction chamber.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein: a filter material is disposed within the reaction chamber.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein: filter material is wool.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein: the housing is comprised of an adjustably moldable material.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: the adjustably moldable material comprises a silicone impregnated fabric.