WO2008043132A1

WO2008043132A1 - An adhesive strip

Info

Publication number: WO2008043132A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/001516
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Davis
Original assignee: Robert Davis
Priority date: 2006-10-10
Filing date: 2007-10-05
Publication date: 2008-04-17
Also published as: WO2008043132A8

Abstract

An adhesive strip (10) to be placed between the lips of a user to aid in retaining the user's lips closed so that user is forced to breath through their nose. The strip (10) is formed of flexible sheet material (11) and is of an arcuate configuration when flat so that it has a radially inner edge (20) and a radially outer edge (21). The strip (10) has a first major surface (14) and a second major surface (15), with the surfaces (14, 15) having an adhesive to engage the lips of the user.

Description

AN ADHESIVE STRIP

Technical Field

The present invention relates to adhesive strips, and more particularly to an adhesive strip that is to be placed between the lips of a user to aid in retaining the users lips closed.

Background of the Invention

There are health problems associated with sinusitis, snoring, dry mouth, sleep apnoea, teeth grinding and asthma. There are many medications and devices aided ameliorating the problems associated with these issues. However previously known approaches have not been fully successful, are frequently expensive and often entail side effects.

Object of the Invention

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention

There is disclosed herein an adhesive strip to be placed between a users lips to aid in retaining the users lips closed, the strip is of an arcuate configuration and is foπned of flexible sheet material so as to provide two major surfaces, and wherein the major surfaces each include an adhesive so that upon a users lips being engaged with the surfaces, the adhesive aids in retaining the lips closed.

Preferably, said strip is arcuate so as to have an approximate radius of about 20 to 50mm.

Preferably, said strip has a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge and a transverse width extending therebetween, with said radially inner edge having a radius of at least 20mm, and said outer edge having a radius of less than 50mm.

Preferably, said strip has end extremities, with said end extremities being angularly spaced by between 100° and 140°.

Preferably, said end extremities are spaced by about 120°.

Preferably, said strip has a thickness of 1 to 3mm. Preferably, said strip includes polyethylene oxide, microcrystalline wax, polybutene, carboxymethyl-cellulose sodium. There is further disclosed herein a method of treating a patient, the method including providing a flexible strip including an adhesive, having the strip applied to their lips so as to be located therebetween, said strip to aid in securing the patient's lips together to inhibit the patient breathing through their mouth and therefore encouraging the patient to breath through their nose.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A form of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an adhesive strip; and Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of the strip of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted an adhesive strip 10 to be placed between the lips of a user to aid in retaining the users lips closed so that the user is forced to breath through their nose. The strip 10 is formed of flexible sheet material 11 and is of an arcuate configuration when flat so that the strip 10 has a radially inner edge 20 and a radially outer edge 21. The edge 20 has a radius 12 while the edge 21 has a radius 13. The edges 20 and 21 join end edges 18.

As mentioned above, the strip 10 is formed of flexible sheet material and therefore provides a first major surface 14 and a second major surface 15 separated by a transverse thickness 17.

Preferably the strip 10 is of an arcuate configuration so as to define an angle 16. Preferably the radius 12 is at least 20mm and the radius 13 less than 50mm. More preferably the radius 12 is between 25 and 35mm and the radius 13 between 30 and 40mm. Most preferably the radius 12 is about 30mm and the radius 13 about 36mm.

Preferably the angle 16 is 100° to 140° and more preferably about 120°. Preferably the transverse width is of about 6mm. Preferably the thickness 17 is 1 to 3mm. The surfaces 14 and 15 provide an adhesive suitable to be placed between the lips of a user. For example the adhesive may be a water soluble adhesive, with the strip 10 including polyethylene oxide, microcrystalline wax, polybutene, carboxymethyl- cellulose sodium. When wet the strip 10 becomes a gel that acts as an adhesive to secure the lips together.

In use of the above described adhesive strip, a patient places the strip between their lips to thereby aid in securing the lips together. This inhibits the patient breathing through their mouth and therefore encourages the patient to breath through their nose. This addresses the health problems previously described.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An adhesive strip to be placed between a users lips to aid in retaining the users lips closed, the strip is of an arcuate configuration and is formed of flexible sheet material so as to provide two major surfaces, and wherein the major surfaces each

5 include an adhesive so that upon a users lips being engaged with the surfaces, the adhesive aids in retaining the lips closed.

2. The strip of claim 1, wherein said strip is arcuate so as to have an approximate radius of about 20 to 50mm.

3. The strip of claim 1, wherein said strip has a radially imier edge and ao radially outer edge and a transverse width extending therebetween, with said radially inner edge having a radius of at least 20mm, and said outer edge having a radius of less than 50mm.

4. The strip of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said strip has end extremities, with said end extremities being angularly spaced by between 100° and 140°. s 5. The strip of claim 4, wherein said end extremities are spaced by about

120°.

6. The strip of anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein said strip has a thickness of 1 to 3mm.

7. The strip of anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein said strip includesQ polyethylene oxide, microcrystalline wax, polybutene, carboxymethyl-cellulose sodium.

8. A method of treating a patient, the method including providing a flexible strip including an adhesive, having the strip applied to their lips so as to be located therebetween, said strip to aid in securing the patient's lips together to inhibit the patient breathing through their mouth and therefore encouraging the patient to breath5 through their nose.

9. An adhesive strip substantiates as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.