One of the problems I have when trying to fall asleep in cooler weather is my nose gets cold.

I modified a Zippo lighter and converted it to a mini reusable nose warmer. I plan to make a small fleece sack for it and hang it around my neck to have it close by to warm my nose/face. My son says I'm a pansy:confused:

It uses lighter fluid just like a regular hand warmer. On one filling it stays warm for about an hour.

I hav'nt weighed it yet. I have a lot of in process photos showing the steps in the modification, will post at a later date.

Photo number one (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/obijiwa/zipminiwarmer020.jpg)

Photo number two (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/obijiwa/zipminiwarmer019.jpg)

Photo number three (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/obijiwa/zipminiwarmer018.jpg)

Fumes, CO, flammabilty aren't going to be issues with this near your nose? Just wondering.:-?

Hey Zelph....you're not a pansy...I actually can't sleep at night because my nose gets so unbearably cold, so I feel your pain. My solution (which works for the most part) was adding an OR Balaclava to sleep in that covers the nose yet has a port for you to inhale/exhale so you're not breathing hot breathe. Here's a link to it. http://www.orgear.com/home/style/home/headware/cold_hats/balaclavas/83130

I'm really curious about your idea though. Keep the info coming!

A burning lighter around your nose as you sleep?!

SCARY!

My thoughts too. Especially a "home engineered" one. "Jone" (sp?) makes both lighter fuel and solid fuel varieties. They're cheap, and they are manufactured - not modified - for hand warming purposes. I would opt for the solid fuel, but even so would be concerned about carbon monoxide and other combustion gases so near my intake port.

Pansy, huh?

Your son should try going to sleep with a fire on his face.

Don’t you move about while you sleep?

Birds sleep with their heads under their wings, dogs and cats with their noses beneath their tails when it’s cold. We aren’t as well suited.

I use something to cover my face - bandana, scarf, shawl - when it’s cold. I sleep quite comfortably in fairly cold weather, surrounding my head with the sleeping bag hood and covering my face either partially or completely with a wool shawl. Your exhalation warms the fabric which in turn transfers retained heat back to your face and, when your nostrils are covered, your inhalation.

Plus, it never so much as smolders.

BTW, have you considered the flammability of the fleece, or any other material used as the cover?

Not trying to be a killjoy here, just trying to save face - yours.;)

Holy Moly. Sleeping near a heat source can result in severe burns, especially on the face. Please be careful.

Hmmmm. Interesting concept.

I merely use mine to light Camels. :-?

It's an ingenius multi-use application.

It makes cigarette lighters and nose hair trimmers redundant.

My interest in the technology of the hand warmer goes way way back. I'm usually careful when I persue a project such as this. The history of the hand warmer goes way way back. The invention is awesome, mind stimulating and beneficial to all. Read a little the info that I quote here:


HAKKIN Legend

HAKUKIN-kairo was invented in 1923 by Niichi Matoba, the founder of the Company.
Obtaining a patent for applying the principle of an oxidation reaction that produces
heat by means of platinum catalysis, he devoted himself to research and experiments
over many years to make it suitable for practical use and eventually commercialized
it. When he finally succeeded in manufacturing a prototype, he named it
HAKUKIN-kairo (HAKKIN warmer). Our Company, since then, has engaged in
manufacturing and sales of HAKUKIN-kairo, while adding new ideas to improve it. Our
zeal for improving HAKUKIN-kairo has expanded beyond the medical field into the
leisure- and sports-related industry, to produce products that warm both body and
soul. Supported by the concept that health is an essential factor for people's better
life, our company has developed its business by providing people with warmth in the
literal sense of the word, promoting people's good health. Long lasting healthy life,
bright smiling faces in daily life, and wonderful life for everybody, this is what
we have sought and will continue to seek. HAKKIN hopes to further help people
maintain their health so as to live happy lives.

The comfortable warmth that our kairo (pocket warmer) provides is made possible by
platinum catalyst technology. This was an innovative technology when it was invented
in the Taisho period (1912 - 1926) and is still considered very advanced even in this
high-tech era. The word "kairo" comes from "kaichu kairo" in Japanese, meaning a
portable pocket warmer. An oxidation reaction usually produces intense heat. When
such reaction is caused by platinum catalysis, heat at a lower temperature can be
obtained and lasts longer. Considering such characteristics as ideal for "kaichu
kairo", we were quick to apply it for commercialization. Thus, we successfully put
our innovative product, HAKUKIN-kairo on the market. After seventy-seven years have
passed since its first appearance, HAKUKIN-kairo serves to maintain people's health
around the world more than ever. Especially at present, as people becomes
increasingly environmental-conscious, the product's economical aspect, durability,
and environmental-friendliness have been highly accepted. In this way, we now enjoy
our product's unchanged great popularity. Platinum catalysts are now also used in
the most advanced fields (especially in measures to protect environment). Platinum
catalyst technology is utilized in an automobile exhaust gas purification system and
has been introduced in chemistry plants as well. HAKKIN has been greatly advanced
since its founding.


The above was located at this site (http://www.mathaba.net/shop/pocket-heater-history.htm)

I feel comfortable using this mini warmer in close proximity to my face. It is not intended to heat the air I breath, nor is there a fire hazard containing it in the fleece sack/pouch.. As long as I can remember hand warmers have been kept in cloth pouches when in use or in your cloth pants, shirt pocket etc. I spoke a little to soon about using lighter fluid, my main intent was to use "everclear". Sometimes I leave out a lot of little details thinking that most of you wont go into the above reactions. I realize now that most of you don't know how a hand warmer works.

I can't stand wearing a hat while on a hike or in a sleeping bag. Sweat bands are my choice of head gear.

Michelle!!!! are your eyes blue like the ones in your avatar? I really like her baby blues. Thanks for your suggestion

I'm a "Stovie" If it's capable of being lit, I'm interested in it.

I'm greatful for all of your concerns for my well being. I'll be careful, promise!!!!

Platinum Catalysis, some of you may do well to google into more research on the process. Have fun!!!!!!

I'm a "Stovie" If it's capable of being lit, I'm interested in it.

"If it's capable of being lit, I'm interested in it."

We don't call yaw type "Stovies" up noth heah - we call ya Pyros. (joking):D

I was reading my new copy of Lightweight Backpacking & Camping by Ryan Jordan. He suggested using one of those lightweight masks used to keep out dust and other allergens, as a way to warm up the air you're breathing as well as your nose. Here's one from CVS (http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/detail?prodid=293482&previousURI=/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/search?page=1^Query=mask^ActiveCat=65).