Nasal Spray Carrying Cases

The present disclosure relates to nasal spray carrying cases.

A nasal spray is a medication delivery system used to administer medicine through the nasal passages. It typically includes a small plastic bottle with a pump and a thin tube, often with a nozzle at the end. When the pump is pressed, the medication is released in the form of a fine mist or spray, which is then inhaled through the nostrils. Nasal sprays can be used to deliver various types of medications, including decongestants for relieving nasal congestion, corticosteroids for reducing inflammation in the nasal passages, antihistamines for treating allergies, and saline solutions for moisturizing and clearing nasal passages. They are commonly used to treat conditions such as allergies, sinusitis, nasal congestion, and nasal dryness.

A nasal spray carrying case is a small container designed to hold and protect nasal spray bottles when the bottles are not in use or being transported. Such cases can come in various designs, materials, and sizes, but their primary function is to provide a secure and convenient way to carry nasal spray. Some nasal spray carrying cases resemble simple pouches or sleeves. Others may be more elaborate, with compartments or pockets for additional items like tissues or allergy medication.

Besides administering medicine for less critical treatments, nasal sprays can be used for limiting, preventing, or reversing drug overdose or other life threatening circumstances or reactions to drugs, medications, food, etc. For instance, a naloxone nasal spray is a medical device used to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. Opioids, such as heroin, morphine, and prescription pain medications like oxycodone, can slow down or stop a person's breathing in overdose situations, leading to potentially fatal consequences. Naloxone works by binding to the same receptors in the brain that opioids bind to, but it does not produce the same effects. Instead, naloxone can displace opioids from these receptors, reversing opioids effects and hopefully restoring normal breathing. Naloxone can essentially act as an antidote to opioid overdose. The nasal spray formulation of naloxone is particularly useful because it can be easily administered by lay people, such as family members, friends, or bystanders, without the need for specialized medical training or equipment. Naloxone comes in a pre-filled, ready-to-use nasal spray device, which makes it convenient for emergency situations where time is critical. Naloxone nasal spray has been credited with saving lives by reversing the effects of opioid overdose until emergency medical help can arrive. It is a needed tool in efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and reduce overdose deaths.

Although administering medicine for critical treatments via nasal sprays is known, many improvements could be made for the carrying or transporting of such treatments regularly so that the sprays are more readily available for a person who may need them at any time, especially for a moment that is not foreseeable and has become an emergency situation.

Disclosed herein are novel improvements for nasal spray carrying cases. Some examples are or include nasal spray carrying cases that can resolve some of the problems discussed herein or not mentioned in this disclosure (such as the need to have medication available anytime just in case of an emergency). For example, an apparatus can be or include a novel spray case that can improve the regularity with which a person carries a nasal spray with them. In some embodiments, an apparatus for regularly carrying a nasal spray (e.g., sec apparatusesandshown inrespectively) includes a first body (e.g., sec first bodyor) and a second body (e.g., see second bodyor) for containing a nasal spray bottle (e.g., see nasal spray bottle) while the bottle is in transport or being carried by a person. The first body includes a first cavity configured to contain a first portion of a nasal spray bottle (e.g., see first cavityor). The second body includes a second cavity configured to contain a second portion of the nasal spray bottle (e.g., see second cavityor). And, the second cavity is configured to align with the first cavity such that the first cavity and the second cavity secure the nasal spray bottle when the apparatus is closed by mating a first mating part of the first body (e.g., see first mating partor) with a second mating part of the second body (e.g., see second mating partor). In some examples, the first body and the second body attach vertically at a vertical plane of the apparatus to close the apparatus (e.g., see vertical plane). In some other instances, the first body and the second body attach horizontally at a horizontal plane of the apparatus to close the apparatus (e.g., see horizontal plane).

In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a device coupler (e.g., see device coupler) configured to couple the apparatus with a device or another apparatus (such as a keychain, shackle, carabiner, or similar device). The apparatus can also include a body coupler (e.g., sec body coupler) configured to couple the first body to the second body when the apparatus is closed (e.g., see) or open (e.g., see). In some embodiments, the first body and the second body are configured to at least partially contain the nasal spray bottle when the apparatus is closed. In some cases, the first body and the second body are configured to contain the nasal spray bottle completely when the apparatus is closed. In other examples, the first body and the second body are configured to contain the nasal spray bottle almost completely when the apparatus is closed except for a spray opening formed at a spray end of the apparatus when the apparatus is closed.

In some embodiments, such as shown in the, the first cavity has a larger volume than the second cavity. In such examples, the first body can contain a larger portion of the nasal spray bottle than the portion of the spray bottle contained by the second body when the apparatus is closed. Not shown, in some examples, the respective cavities can be the same value roughly or the second cavity can have a larger volume than the first cavity.

In some embodiments, the first body and the second body can each include a plastic material. In some embodiments, the first body and the second body can each include an elastic polymeric substance. In some embodiments, the elastic polymeric substance includes a type of rubber. In some embodiments, the elastic polymeric substance includes a silicon rubber.

In some embodiments, an outer surface of the apparatus includes branding (e.g., see “THE CASE” brandingshown in, which is part of the second outer surfaceof the apparatus). In some embodiments, an outer surface of the apparatus includes a code linked to online instructions on using a spray bottle held by the apparatus (e.g., see areashown in, which is part of the first outer surfaceand configured to receive a sticker with a code linked to online instructions on using a spray bottle held by the apparatus).

These and other important aspects of the invention are described more fully in the detailed description below. The invention is not limited to the particular assemblies, apparatuses, methods, and systems disclosed herein. Other embodiments can be used and changes to the described embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the claims that follow the detailed description.

The present disclosure will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various example embodiments of the disclosure.

Disclosed herein are novel improvements for nasal spray carrying cases. Some examples are or include nasal spray carrying cases that can resolve some of the problems discussed herein or not mentioned in this disclosure (such as the need to have medication available anytime in case of an unforeseeable emergency). For example, an apparatus can be or include a novel spray case that can improve the regularity with which a person carries a nasal spray with them. In some embodiments, an apparatus for regularly carrying a nasal spray (e.g., see apparatusorshown inrespectively) includes a first body (e.g., see first bodyor) and a second body (e.g., see second bodyor) for containing a nasal spray bottle (e.g., see nasal spray bottle) while the bottle is in transport or being carried by a person. The first body includes a first cavity configured to contain a first portion of a nasal spray bottle (e.g., see first cavityor). The second body includes a second cavity configured to contain a second portion of the nasal spray bottle (e.g., see second cavityor). And, the second cavity is configured to align with the first cavity such that the first cavity and the second cavity secure the nasal spray bottle when the apparatus is closed by mating a first mating part of the first body (e.g., sec first mating partor) with a second mating part of the second body (e.g., see second mating partor). In some examples, the first body and the second body attach vertically at a vertical plane of the apparatus to close the apparatus (e.g., see vertical plane). In some other instances, the first body and the second body attach horizontally at a horizontal plane of the apparatus to close the apparatus (e.g., see horizontal plane).

In some embodiments, as shown in, the depicted apparatusand apparatus(or the depicted novel nasal spray carrying cases) are attachable to a keychain or the like and compatible with a nasal spray (such as a Naloxone nasal spray). Such apparatuses can encourage more people to carry the nasal spray with them. And, the apparatuses may bridge the gap between those who own the spray and those who carry it with them regularly. In some instances, it is important to carry the spray regularly just in case of an emergency. And, such apparatuses make the regular behavior of carrying the spray at most times more likely to occur. This is especially important with critical medicine nasal sprays, such as a Naloxone nasal spray, which can reverse an overdose but is often left behind and not carried regularly by a person that may need it.

illustrates a perspective view of the apparatuswhen it is open, showing two bodies (i.e., first bodyand second body) of the apparatus and respective cavities of the bodies (i.e., first cavityand second cavity), in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.illustrates another perspective view of the apparatuswhen it is open, showing the two bodies (i.e., first bodyand second body) of the apparatus and the respective cavities the bodies (i.e., first cavityand second cavity), in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.illustrates another perspective view of the apparatuswhen it is open, showing the side of the apparatus opposing the side that shows the cavities (i.e., first cavityand second cavity), in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

illustrate other perspective views of the apparatuswhen it is closed showing the first outer surfaceof the first bodyand the second outer surfaceof the second body, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.also shows brandingon the second outer surface. And,also shows area, which is part of the first outer surfaceand configured to receive a sticker with a code linked to online instructions on using a spray bottle held by the apparatus.

illustrates a perspective view of the apparatuswhen it is open, partially showing the cavitiesandof the apparatus as well as a nasal spray bottlethat fits into the cavities, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. With the apparatus, the first bodyand the second bodyof the apparatusattach horizontally at a horizontal planeof the apparatus to close the apparatus. Whereas, with the apparatus, the first bodyand the second bodyof the apparatus attach vertically at a vertical planeof the apparatus to close the apparatus.

Specifically referring to, apparatusincludes the first bodythat includes the first cavity. The first bodyand first cavityare configured to contain a first portion of a nasal spray bottle (e.g., see nasal spray bottleshown in). The apparatusalso includes the second bodythat includes the second cavity. The second bodyand second cavityare configured to contain a second portion of the nasal spray bottle. The second bodyis also configured to align with the first cavitysuch that the first cavity and the second cavitysecure the nasal spray bottle when the apparatusis closed by mating a first mating part of the first body (e.g., see first mating part) with a second mating part of the second body (e.g., sec second mating part). As shown in, first mating partof first bodyis a tongue and the second mating partof the second bodyis a groove of a tongue-and-groove mechanism for joining the bodies together when the apparatus is closed. Not depicted, in some embodiments, other mechanisms can be used to join the bodies together when the apparatus is closed, such as hook-and-loop fasteners or snap fasteners.

The apparatusalso includes a device couplerconfigured to couple the apparatuswith a device or another apparatus (such as a keychain, shackle, carabiner, or similar device). The apparatusalso includes a body couplerconfigured to couple the first bodyto the second bodywhen the apparatus is closed (e.g., see) or open (e.g., seeto). In some cases, a coupler of the apparatus(or apparatus) is a long and narrow strip of material such as a long narrow strip of fabric, e.g., a flexible ribbon. Any one of the depicted couplers,,, andcan be or include a flexible ribbon, for example.

In some embodiments, the first body and the second body are configured to at least partially contain the nasal spray bottle when the apparatus is closed. For example, and specifically as shown by the apparatus, the first bodyand the second bodyare configured to contain the nasal spray bottle completely when the apparatus is closed. Not shown in the drawings, in some examples, the first body and the second body are configured to contain the nasal spray bottle almost completely when the apparatus is closed except for a spray opening formed at a spray end of the apparatus when the apparatus is closed.

In some embodiments, such as shown by the apparatus, the first cavity (e.g., see first cavity) has a larger volume than the second cavity (e.g., see second cavity). In such examples, the first body can contain a larger portion of the nasal spray bottle than the portion of the spray bottle contained by the second body when the apparatus is closed. Not shown, in some examples, the respective cavities can be the same value roughly or the second cavity can have a larger volume than the first cavity.

In some embodiments, including the apparatusor apparatus, the first body and the second body can each include a plastic material. In some other cases, one of the bodies can include a plastic material and the other body includes a different material. In some embodiments, including the apparatusor apparatus, the first body and the second body can each include an elastic polymeric substance. In some other cases, one of the bodies can include an elastic polymeric substance and the other body includes a different material. For example, in some cases, the apparatus has a body with a plastic material and another body with an elastic polymeric substance. In some embodiments, the elastic polymeric substance includes a type of rubber. In some embodiments, the elastic polymeric substance includes a silicon rubber.

In some embodiments, including the apparatusor apparatus, an outer surface of the apparatus includes branding (e.g., see brandingshown in, which is part of the second outer surfaceof the apparatus). In some embodiments, including the apparatusor apparatus, an outer surface of the apparatus includes a code linked to online instructions on using a spray bottle held by the apparatus (e.g., see areashown in, which is part of the first outer surfaceand configured to receive a sticker with a code linked to online instructions on using a spray bottle held by the apparatus).

In some embodiments, such as shown in, the first body and the second body can attach vertically at a vertical plane of the apparatus to close the apparatus (e.g., see vertical plane). And, in some embodiments, such as shown in, the first body and the second body attach horizontally at a horizontal plane of the apparatus to close the apparatus (e.g., see horizontal plane). Also, shown in, horizontal planeis depicted with vertical planeto show the relationship between the planes and clarify the different ways the bodies can attach to each other.

Specifically referring to, apparatusincludes the first bodythat includes the first cavity. The first bodyand first cavityare configured to contain a first portion of a nasal spray bottle (e.g., see nasal spray bottle). The apparatusalso includes the second bodythat includes the second cavity. The second bodyand second cavityare configured to contain a second portion of the nasal spray bottle. The second bodyis also configured to align with the first cavitysuch that the first cavity and the second cavitysecure the nasal spray bottle when the apparatusis closed by mating a first mating part of the first body (e.g., see first mating part) with a second mating part of the second body (e.g., sec second mating part).

The apparatusalso includes device couplersandeach configured to couple the apparatuswith a device or another apparatus (such as a keychain, shackle, carabiner, or similar device). Although not depicted, the apparatuscan include a body coupler configured to couple the first bodyto the second bodywhen the apparatus is closed (not depicted) or open (e.g., seein which the apparatusis open). In some embodiments, the first body and the second body are configured to at least partially contain the nasal spray bottle when the apparatus is closed. For example, and specifically as shown by the apparatus, the first bodyand the second bodyare configured to contain the nasal spray bottle completely when the apparatus is closed. Not shown in the drawings, in some examples, the first body and the second body are configured to contain the nasal spray bottle almost completely when the apparatus is closed except for a spray opening formed at a spray end of the apparatus when the apparatus is closed.

In some examples, the bodies of the apparatus (e.g., see bodiesandor bodiesand) have a space or cavity, e.g., see cavitiesand, that matches the geometry of a certain type of spray bottle (e.g., a naloxone nasal spray bottle). Also, in some cases, the bodies include additional material that provides durability, support, or structure for the apparatus such as when the apparatus is closed (e.g., see additional structures,,, and, in which both pairs of additional structuresandand additional structuresandalign to provide structural support to the apparatuswhen the apparatus is closed; and, e.g., sec additional structures,, and, which provide structural support to the apparatuswhen the apparatus is closed).

In some examples, the bodies of the case or apparatus can be produced from molding. For example, the first body can be derived from a primary mold and have more negative space than the second body and thus hold the nasal spray, while the second body covers the remainder of the spray. The second body can be derived from a secondary mold.

With the use of the case or apparatus, a user could remove the nasal spray from its original packaging and push it into the negative space of the first body. In some examples, the user can bend a coupler of the bodies (such as a connective ribbon) to bring the internal faces of each body together (e.g., see internal facesandof bodiesandrespectively). The inward-facing lip of the second body (as shown inas lip) can be pushed to fit around the outward-facing lip of the first body (as shown as lip), closing the apparatus to carry the nasal spray.

In some examples, a square cutout on the back of the first body can be designed to mate with a QR code sticker (e.g., see areaof first bodyshown in). The sticker can provide a link to instructions on how to administer the case or apparatus or a spray that would be carried within the apparatus.

In some examples, the top of the first body includes a rounded extrusion with a thru-cut hole on the top of the extrusion designed to mate with a keychain ring or another type of coupler of another device such as a couple of a shackle, carabiner, or similar device (e.g., see device couplershown in). In order to open the case or apparatus, the user can pull down a tab at the top of the second body (e.g., see tabshown in). In some of such examples, the opening of the case detaches the lips on each body and makes a carried spray bottle available for administration.

One of the example benefits of some of the embodiments described herein is that it resolves the bulkiness of naloxone nasal spray and its packaging. The bulkiness can make the combination of the spray bottle and its packaging cumbersome to carry in a pants pocket or small handbag, for example. It is perceived as too bulky for most people carrying the spray bottle regularly and offers no added layers of discretion for those who do not want to be associated with opioids. Because the apparatus is compatible and connectable with a small and common device such as a keychain, the regular carrying of the spray is easier. Also, the material of the carrying case, in some examples, can be opaque to hide the contents of the case and avoid embarrassment from being associated with opioids. Thus, a person who is in need of carrying the nasal spray regularly on them does not feel the pressure to leave it behind. By using a discreet and opaque design that is smaller than the original packing and having it be durable and attachable to common devices carried in a pants pocket, on a belt, or in a small handbag it may be rare that the spray is left behind. And, thus available for an emergency situation that may be unforeseeable and happen at any time.

The case or apparatus can be durable via the material that makes up the case. It can also be waterproof or water resistant. It can be small enough to fit in just about any pants, jacket, or shirt pocket, or small handbag. Also, it can be small enough to fit into a holster or carrier case of a safety worker such as a medic or police officer in case of an emergency situation such as an overdose.

In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the disclosure have been described with reference to specific example embodiments thereof. It will be evident that various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of embodiments of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.