CA2177224A1 - Personal ear cleaning device - Google Patents
Personal ear cleaning deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2177224A1 CA2177224A1 CA002177224A CA2177224A CA2177224A1 CA 2177224 A1 CA2177224 A1 CA 2177224A1 CA 002177224 A CA002177224 A CA 002177224A CA 2177224 A CA2177224 A CA 2177224A CA 2177224 A1 CA2177224 A1 CA 2177224A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cleaning device
- ear
- ear cleaning
- formation
- loop
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 21
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 210000000613 ear canal Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000011538 cleaning material Substances 0.000 claims abstract 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920003031 santoprene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 210000003813 thumb Anatomy 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 210000005224 forefinger Anatomy 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 210000003811 finger Anatomy 0.000 claims 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 210000003454 tympanic membrane Anatomy 0.000 claims 1
- 241001406277 Darna Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000974840 Ellipes Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000134884 Ericales Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000282326 Felis catus Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000575946 Ione Species 0.000 description 1
- LTXREWYXXSTFRX-QGZVFWFLSA-N Linagliptin Chemical compound N=1C=2N(C)C(=O)N(CC=3N=C4C=CC=CC4=C(C)N=3)C(=O)C=2N(CC#CC)C=1N1CCC[C@@H](N)C1 LTXREWYXXSTFRX-QGZVFWFLSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241001282736 Oriens Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000282320 Panthera leo Species 0.000 description 1
- 102000018062 Taperin Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108050007169 Taperin Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- ZZUFCTLCJUWOSV-UHFFFAOYSA-N furosemide Chemical compound C1=C(Cl)C(S(=O)(=O)N)=CC(C(O)=O)=C1NCC1=CC=CO1 ZZUFCTLCJUWOSV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000007775 late Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F11/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand
- A61F11/006—Ear cleaners, e.g. curettes
Abstract
This invention relates to an ear cleaning device in the form of an elongate member having a collecting formation at one end and a handle at its opposite end. A stop formation is located intermediate the handle and the collecting formation. Intermediate the stop formation and the collecting formation is a resiliently deformable, soft plug of cleaning material for engaging and cleaningthe ear surface in the region of the entrance to the ear canal.
Description
PERSONAL EAR Ct ~INOE D~VICF
FIELD ~F THF IIIVENTION
THIS INVENTION r~lates to a pe~ n~l car clr~rmlng devlcs whlch is c~pnbla of ~s;n~ us~d safoly by ~ person to clean hls own e~rs ~s end when requlred. More particulsrly, th3 Invsntion reiates to an oar cl~aning dovic~ of the ~cneral type described In rny carlier patent no. 83/681a.
B~CKG~OUN~ TO THF IN~FI`ITION
S In my said ~arlier patent no. 83/68181 described and claimad an ear c'car,'~
d~Yice ~uhich ~imply Wlllpll~d ~n ~p~r~ti~ nd for il~ iull int~ th~ e~r pa~s~e or cansl to collect wax or other dirt thsrain; ~ manipulatin~ handls whereby th~ ~qulpm~nt may b~ hcld; and mcans whereby the Introduction o~ the elon~ate d~vice was lin~Xed to a d3pth insuffici~nt to caus~ darna~e to tho ~ardrum and, in tact, whereby the operativr~ ~nd Is mr~lntained ~ safe d;~t~nc~
away from the osrdrum. Such means ar~ most convon'~ntly a stop suitably ;~osi~ione~ ri~,;~liate th~ op~rativ~ and handls ~nds ~f th~ dcvlc6.
A drawback ot the ear cle~ning d3vice desc~bed in my earlier patent ig that no mcans is provldcd tor cle3nin~ the outer regions of the sar canal 80 that, even after cle~ning using that device, wax or oth~r dirt can remaln ~t the ~ntr~nc~ ts the ear canal, or a ~hort di~t~nce inwardiy ~rsfrom, which may be unsi~htly.
Or~,lFCT OF T~ FyENTlON
It is an object of th~ present invention to o~ercon)s ~his ~isacivantagG.
~UMMARY OF T~E INVENTION
In acc~r~ianc~ with this invention there is provided an ear cleaning cievice comprWng an 610n3ate member formed at onc endl the operatlve ~nd, wlth a collection formation; at t~e opposite end with a handle or tinger ~rip; a stop tormation i~,t~r,l,ed.~le tho ~nds Of tha e~on~ate memb~r add~Jtad to llmlt th~
_ 21 77224 ~xt~nt to whlch the op~rative end can i~ in6srted into an ear canai; and, po~ilioned bstween the stop tormation and th~ ccllç~ n,~ ~o~",a~ionl ~ rosili~ntly d~forl"ab'~, soft plu~ of cleanln~ mr~erl~l for ~n~aS~in~ and cloanin3 tho ~ar surf3ce in the re~ion of th~ e"~l ~nc~ to the ear canal.
S Furt~er features of th~ inv~ntion provlde for th~ plu~ of çleanin~ mat~rial to ~
mad~ o~ a mat~rial s~l~ct~d frorn the ç;r~up c~n~pn.inçt ~oam ptastic or rubber l"~terlal, wtlun/~ool, or 8 mzt of suitablo fibr~s optior~lty bondad to oach othor to form th~ plu3 o~ materlal; tor the shape of th~ plug of mat~rial to bo s~lact~d from part-~pl~erical, trunca~ed coni~al, truncated conlcal wlth concave sides, or ellipsoid~l, optionally with d~ep ~rooves ~orrr~d in the surfaco of ths ~olid shape for co"~ wax or other dlrt; for the oollection form~tion to be d~fln~d by a~
least one loop (a first loop) located at th~ on~ of ths e,~n~b element with ~n optional second loop orien~tc~d at ~n angl3 to the first loop in eaGh of whlch ca898 th~ r~mote end or end~ of thc loop or loops mey bo ;n~onlsd, alt~matiYely the c~ tion forrnation is defined by at l~ast onB ~rcuat~ scraper (a nr~t ~Grapgr) locat~d at t~ End i3f the ~,on~ala ~ rll w~ ~n i2~iianai s~Qn~
scraper orie~ l.,d at an an~ls to the flrst loop; for th~ stop to be locatod Bt e distance from the extr~e operative end of the co'l~ on ~r"l~tion eciual to approxi, ~ y one half of ti~3 dlstence iwt~ o~n the entran~o te the ear canal and zo the e~rdrum of an aver~ p6rson; and, for th~ ~longate devlce Itseif to be injection mouldod fr~m soft, rl~idly d~f~l",-~e, plastics material pf~f~r~i ty SANTOPRENE.
Preferably, the stop formation assumes th~ form of a disc, conveni~nty ~ dishod disc, such that a smooth pa~ spherl~al sur~a.,e i~ pr~s~r.l~d to the ~ anc~ to ~s the ear canal. Also, a region of the handle is p,~ rc~ly subst~ntlally clrcular in cross-se~tion and suitably knurled or other~ rou~hened to en~ble th~ devic~
to be rotated, sur~h as between r~ forefinger and thumb.
In ~rdQr th~t th~ inv~ntlon m~y ~ fully i ~d~r~luod ~riou~ nl ~mbodimgnt~
thereof wlll no~ be descri~eci wlth r~ferenc~ to the a~ompanyin~ drawings.
~o ~ ` 21 77224 ~2IFF DFSCRIPTION C)F THE ~AWINGS
In th~ dr~win~s:-F~gure 1 is a ~ at;c ~levation illustratin~ en ear cloanln~ devieeto the invention in the operativ~ posltlon in an eu canal:
Flgure 2 is an ~r,l~r~ed elevation illustr~ting on0 embodimsnt of th~ invention;
S Figure 3 ~,blc,d ~nd e each Illustrgte, In l~",et(lc vlew, ~ different form of oper~tive end or co' :~'lon for",~ion which is (~ cl as being suitablc for implei"enti"~ the invention; and, Fi~-ure 4 a, b snd c illustrr~te three alt~n~allve forms of clcanin~ plu~ for inst~llation ~ct~ th~ stop and co'l~ion fol ~ ~lon.
DETAlLEi~ n~RIPTlnN OF T~IE Di~AWlNGS
As de~ l in n~y said earlier patent, and ~s illustrated most dearly in Fi~ure 1,the general prlnclples of the Inventlon ~re thAt an eer cleaning device col~,prlscs an clor,~ eml~or (1) havinc; ~ one ~nd thereot, an operatlve collsction ~urmidl;on (2) an~, at the opposite end, a handle (3~. A convsx ~top (4) is locsted Tnterrnediate the en¢ls and is position~d such that the cc"~ on formation (2) can only onter the ear canal (5) to the extent of about one half of the length thereof.
This 19 consld~rtzd to be adequate ~or the remov~l of most ~ax ~Je~oe;t~ ~nd thelike. Tho convox stop ~4) is ~rran~d to pr~v~nt further insertlon of th~ d~vlce es shown clearly in Fi~ure 1.
AS provided i~y this invention there is inte~posed i~ehNeen the stop (4) and the ~o cc'le~ n fomation (2), a plug (6) cf clsanln~ m6terial which may as Indlcat~d above, bs a foam plastlc "~atcrlal or a matted flbrous ma:terlal v~ r~o~ the fi~res are pl efe, ~bly gtuck loy~ h9r 2nd sp~ced apar~ consider~iJly to provide a porous nature to the plu~ plu3 may also be made of C~ OI INool if required Th~ ou1er surface (7) of the plu3 may have a varbty of clffl~fent sh~pes ons ot whid~ is shown in Figur~ 2. In this case the shape Is slmply ~n elong~t~, convexplug taperin~ Iy from the stop towards th~ ^tion forma~ion (2).
Flnaliy, the c~ntral re~bn ~e5 o~ th~ handle Is o~ reduc~d di~rne~r and knurled Of 5 otherwise tou~hened so that it can be twirled betw~en a fin~er and thumb hr exampl~.
In ~s~, it will b3 ~",d~rstoo~ that th~ ear cl~anin~ devic~ i8 hdd by ths ilandl~ and the operatlve w~x c~ Gllon fc~r",~tlon In~ d Into the o~r canal until ~uch t;m~
8S ths stop ~n9Rg~s the o~r ear. At thi6 stage the cle~ris~ u~ (63 w~tl l,gî;t~y10 en~a~e the entrance to the ear canal for a short dl~tdnC~ from said ent~n¢o.
The element is th0n manlpulated usln~ th6 hendl~, and twirl~ as requlr~d, so that wa~ can be collact6d In th~ coll~ctlon forl~latlol~ (2) and, slmultan~ously, the out~r re~lon and ~ntranc~ to th~ ear canal Is clean~d by means of the ptu~.
Ths actual confl~uratlon ot the c-"a~tlon ~ullatlon may vary widely. Fiv~
15 dlfferent proposal8 are Illustr~ted In ~i~ur~s 3a, b, c, d and e respecti~ely~ In the case of the vsri~ion mustfat~ in Fi~ure 3a, ~wo substantially circular 8h6ped loops (9), each locsted in a plans !ncludin~ the aXiB of the cle~nin~ dsvice, but an~ularly offset at 90n to each other, are provided. Th~se loops sre resili~ntlyde~ol",ab'e and, as with the r~malnder o~ the ~l~n,ent, made of soft injsction 20 moulded plastics mat~rial such as SANTOPRENE.
It Is also wlthin the scope of this Inv~ntion that a sln~le clrcular loop (10) be usod as illustrated in Figure 3b. The free end of the loop may also b~ dent~d as indicated by nurneral 11 in Fi~ure 3c.
It may be that a spiral formation such as is il-c"cat~d ~y numeral 12 in Fi~ure 3~, 25 will be desira~le because, in such a case, c'ean:l~ of the collec~ion ~u"nrllion ;~
very much facilitated as it can simply be drawn throu~h a cloth or wa~ of cottonwool to ren~ovc wa~( 11 ,er~f,u~
As ~n a~ dti"c to the hollow centred loops dsscribed In l~lgures ~ to d, arcuate scl~p~ (t8~ can b~ us~d a~ shown In Floure 30. In this cmbodlmont two such s~,i,,.o.~ (18) are iocated in a plane includin~ the a~ois of ths cieanino ~GYiG~ an~ ~r~ ~n~ul~ir~y ~ff~t ~t 9~ Gh ~r, T~ ~UP~ e fiQIi~
5 and projoct from a discoid ~asc (19), Fiçiures 4a, b and c illustrab three ciHf~r~n~ ~hap~ of plu~ whlch can be us~d.
Figure 46 illustrates a truncated ellip~oidal shape of piu~ (13). Fl~ure 4b illustrat~s n tmncated ccn~cal shaped pluo wlth concave sld6s as illustrat~d by numeral 15. This fiiure also illustlates tho coMept of havln~ ~rooves (~6) 1~ extendin~ desp into the plu~ and providina 6pace for ~ccon~,noci~tln~i w~x or other dirt removed by the plug during use.
Fi~iure 4c illustrates a simp!e truncated conical shapcd plug (17).
!t ~v!!! b~ un~ t.~Q~ th~.t nYm~rQY~ vair!~t~n~ m~y ~ç ~.~ t~ th~ ~n !b ~ ! !ents of the invention ~escribed abov~ without departin~ from th~ scopc h~r~of. In 15 particular, the ccl~ c ~n fu~ aliun and portion of the elon~dle ~l~ nenl pasain~
through the plug may be rnade rsmovabb from the handle in order to provlde dispo.sa~ end pieces. ~he product itse~f rnay bs made e~ther as a dispos~hle product or ~9 a more elabor~te re-usabls product. The exact shape and confi~uration of the c~ t ~n for" ,~lion may be v~ried widely as can the shape of 20 the plu~ end the materl~l from whlch it Ts made.
FIELD ~F THF IIIVENTION
THIS INVENTION r~lates to a pe~ n~l car clr~rmlng devlcs whlch is c~pnbla of ~s;n~ us~d safoly by ~ person to clean hls own e~rs ~s end when requlred. More particulsrly, th3 Invsntion reiates to an oar cl~aning dovic~ of the ~cneral type described In rny carlier patent no. 83/681a.
B~CKG~OUN~ TO THF IN~FI`ITION
S In my said ~arlier patent no. 83/68181 described and claimad an ear c'car,'~
d~Yice ~uhich ~imply Wlllpll~d ~n ~p~r~ti~ nd for il~ iull int~ th~ e~r pa~s~e or cansl to collect wax or other dirt thsrain; ~ manipulatin~ handls whereby th~ ~qulpm~nt may b~ hcld; and mcans whereby the Introduction o~ the elon~ate d~vice was lin~Xed to a d3pth insuffici~nt to caus~ darna~e to tho ~ardrum and, in tact, whereby the operativr~ ~nd Is mr~lntained ~ safe d;~t~nc~
away from the osrdrum. Such means ar~ most convon'~ntly a stop suitably ;~osi~ione~ ri~,;~liate th~ op~rativ~ and handls ~nds ~f th~ dcvlc6.
A drawback ot the ear cle~ning d3vice desc~bed in my earlier patent ig that no mcans is provldcd tor cle3nin~ the outer regions of the sar canal 80 that, even after cle~ning using that device, wax or oth~r dirt can remaln ~t the ~ntr~nc~ ts the ear canal, or a ~hort di~t~nce inwardiy ~rsfrom, which may be unsi~htly.
Or~,lFCT OF T~ FyENTlON
It is an object of th~ present invention to o~ercon)s ~his ~isacivantagG.
~UMMARY OF T~E INVENTION
In acc~r~ianc~ with this invention there is provided an ear cleaning cievice comprWng an 610n3ate member formed at onc endl the operatlve ~nd, wlth a collection formation; at t~e opposite end with a handle or tinger ~rip; a stop tormation i~,t~r,l,ed.~le tho ~nds Of tha e~on~ate memb~r add~Jtad to llmlt th~
_ 21 77224 ~xt~nt to whlch the op~rative end can i~ in6srted into an ear canai; and, po~ilioned bstween the stop tormation and th~ ccllç~ n,~ ~o~",a~ionl ~ rosili~ntly d~forl"ab'~, soft plu~ of cleanln~ mr~erl~l for ~n~aS~in~ and cloanin3 tho ~ar surf3ce in the re~ion of th~ e"~l ~nc~ to the ear canal.
S Furt~er features of th~ inv~ntion provlde for th~ plu~ of çleanin~ mat~rial to ~
mad~ o~ a mat~rial s~l~ct~d frorn the ç;r~up c~n~pn.inçt ~oam ptastic or rubber l"~terlal, wtlun/~ool, or 8 mzt of suitablo fibr~s optior~lty bondad to oach othor to form th~ plu3 o~ materlal; tor the shape of th~ plug of mat~rial to bo s~lact~d from part-~pl~erical, trunca~ed coni~al, truncated conlcal wlth concave sides, or ellipsoid~l, optionally with d~ep ~rooves ~orrr~d in the surfaco of ths ~olid shape for co"~ wax or other dlrt; for the oollection form~tion to be d~fln~d by a~
least one loop (a first loop) located at th~ on~ of ths e,~n~b element with ~n optional second loop orien~tc~d at ~n angl3 to the first loop in eaGh of whlch ca898 th~ r~mote end or end~ of thc loop or loops mey bo ;n~onlsd, alt~matiYely the c~ tion forrnation is defined by at l~ast onB ~rcuat~ scraper (a nr~t ~Grapgr) locat~d at t~ End i3f the ~,on~ala ~ rll w~ ~n i2~iianai s~Qn~
scraper orie~ l.,d at an an~ls to the flrst loop; for th~ stop to be locatod Bt e distance from the extr~e operative end of the co'l~ on ~r"l~tion eciual to approxi, ~ y one half of ti~3 dlstence iwt~ o~n the entran~o te the ear canal and zo the e~rdrum of an aver~ p6rson; and, for th~ ~longate devlce Itseif to be injection mouldod fr~m soft, rl~idly d~f~l",-~e, plastics material pf~f~r~i ty SANTOPRENE.
Preferably, the stop formation assumes th~ form of a disc, conveni~nty ~ dishod disc, such that a smooth pa~ spherl~al sur~a.,e i~ pr~s~r.l~d to the ~ anc~ to ~s the ear canal. Also, a region of the handle is p,~ rc~ly subst~ntlally clrcular in cross-se~tion and suitably knurled or other~ rou~hened to en~ble th~ devic~
to be rotated, sur~h as between r~ forefinger and thumb.
In ~rdQr th~t th~ inv~ntlon m~y ~ fully i ~d~r~luod ~riou~ nl ~mbodimgnt~
thereof wlll no~ be descri~eci wlth r~ferenc~ to the a~ompanyin~ drawings.
~o ~ ` 21 77224 ~2IFF DFSCRIPTION C)F THE ~AWINGS
In th~ dr~win~s:-F~gure 1 is a ~ at;c ~levation illustratin~ en ear cloanln~ devieeto the invention in the operativ~ posltlon in an eu canal:
Flgure 2 is an ~r,l~r~ed elevation illustr~ting on0 embodimsnt of th~ invention;
S Figure 3 ~,blc,d ~nd e each Illustrgte, In l~",et(lc vlew, ~ different form of oper~tive end or co' :~'lon for",~ion which is (~ cl as being suitablc for implei"enti"~ the invention; and, Fi~-ure 4 a, b snd c illustrr~te three alt~n~allve forms of clcanin~ plu~ for inst~llation ~ct~ th~ stop and co'l~ion fol ~ ~lon.
DETAlLEi~ n~RIPTlnN OF T~IE Di~AWlNGS
As de~ l in n~y said earlier patent, and ~s illustrated most dearly in Fi~ure 1,the general prlnclples of the Inventlon ~re thAt an eer cleaning device col~,prlscs an clor,~ eml~or (1) havinc; ~ one ~nd thereot, an operatlve collsction ~urmidl;on (2) an~, at the opposite end, a handle (3~. A convsx ~top (4) is locsted Tnterrnediate the en¢ls and is position~d such that the cc"~ on formation (2) can only onter the ear canal (5) to the extent of about one half of the length thereof.
This 19 consld~rtzd to be adequate ~or the remov~l of most ~ax ~Je~oe;t~ ~nd thelike. Tho convox stop ~4) is ~rran~d to pr~v~nt further insertlon of th~ d~vlce es shown clearly in Fi~ure 1.
AS provided i~y this invention there is inte~posed i~ehNeen the stop (4) and the ~o cc'le~ n fomation (2), a plug (6) cf clsanln~ m6terial which may as Indlcat~d above, bs a foam plastlc "~atcrlal or a matted flbrous ma:terlal v~ r~o~ the fi~res are pl efe, ~bly gtuck loy~ h9r 2nd sp~ced apar~ consider~iJly to provide a porous nature to the plu~ plu3 may also be made of C~ OI INool if required Th~ ou1er surface (7) of the plu3 may have a varbty of clffl~fent sh~pes ons ot whid~ is shown in Figur~ 2. In this case the shape Is slmply ~n elong~t~, convexplug taperin~ Iy from the stop towards th~ ^tion forma~ion (2).
Flnaliy, the c~ntral re~bn ~e5 o~ th~ handle Is o~ reduc~d di~rne~r and knurled Of 5 otherwise tou~hened so that it can be twirled betw~en a fin~er and thumb hr exampl~.
In ~s~, it will b3 ~",d~rstoo~ that th~ ear cl~anin~ devic~ i8 hdd by ths ilandl~ and the operatlve w~x c~ Gllon fc~r",~tlon In~ d Into the o~r canal until ~uch t;m~
8S ths stop ~n9Rg~s the o~r ear. At thi6 stage the cle~ris~ u~ (63 w~tl l,gî;t~y10 en~a~e the entrance to the ear canal for a short dl~tdnC~ from said ent~n¢o.
The element is th0n manlpulated usln~ th6 hendl~, and twirl~ as requlr~d, so that wa~ can be collact6d In th~ coll~ctlon forl~latlol~ (2) and, slmultan~ously, the out~r re~lon and ~ntranc~ to th~ ear canal Is clean~d by means of the ptu~.
Ths actual confl~uratlon ot the c-"a~tlon ~ullatlon may vary widely. Fiv~
15 dlfferent proposal8 are Illustr~ted In ~i~ur~s 3a, b, c, d and e respecti~ely~ In the case of the vsri~ion mustfat~ in Fi~ure 3a, ~wo substantially circular 8h6ped loops (9), each locsted in a plans !ncludin~ the aXiB of the cle~nin~ dsvice, but an~ularly offset at 90n to each other, are provided. Th~se loops sre resili~ntlyde~ol",ab'e and, as with the r~malnder o~ the ~l~n,ent, made of soft injsction 20 moulded plastics mat~rial such as SANTOPRENE.
It Is also wlthin the scope of this Inv~ntion that a sln~le clrcular loop (10) be usod as illustrated in Figure 3b. The free end of the loop may also b~ dent~d as indicated by nurneral 11 in Fi~ure 3c.
It may be that a spiral formation such as is il-c"cat~d ~y numeral 12 in Fi~ure 3~, 25 will be desira~le because, in such a case, c'ean:l~ of the collec~ion ~u"nrllion ;~
very much facilitated as it can simply be drawn throu~h a cloth or wa~ of cottonwool to ren~ovc wa~( 11 ,er~f,u~
As ~n a~ dti"c to the hollow centred loops dsscribed In l~lgures ~ to d, arcuate scl~p~ (t8~ can b~ us~d a~ shown In Floure 30. In this cmbodlmont two such s~,i,,.o.~ (18) are iocated in a plane includin~ the a~ois of ths cieanino ~GYiG~ an~ ~r~ ~n~ul~ir~y ~ff~t ~t 9~ Gh ~r, T~ ~UP~ e fiQIi~
5 and projoct from a discoid ~asc (19), Fiçiures 4a, b and c illustrab three ciHf~r~n~ ~hap~ of plu~ whlch can be us~d.
Figure 46 illustrates a truncated ellip~oidal shape of piu~ (13). Fl~ure 4b illustrat~s n tmncated ccn~cal shaped pluo wlth concave sld6s as illustrat~d by numeral 15. This fiiure also illustlates tho coMept of havln~ ~rooves (~6) 1~ extendin~ desp into the plu~ and providina 6pace for ~ccon~,noci~tln~i w~x or other dirt removed by the plug during use.
Fi~iure 4c illustrates a simp!e truncated conical shapcd plug (17).
!t ~v!!! b~ un~ t.~Q~ th~.t nYm~rQY~ vair!~t~n~ m~y ~ç ~.~ t~ th~ ~n !b ~ ! !ents of the invention ~escribed abov~ without departin~ from th~ scopc h~r~of. In 15 particular, the ccl~ c ~n fu~ aliun and portion of the elon~dle ~l~ nenl pasain~
through the plug may be rnade rsmovabb from the handle in order to provlde dispo.sa~ end pieces. ~he product itse~f rnay bs made e~ther as a dispos~hle product or ~9 a more elabor~te re-usabls product. The exact shape and confi~uration of the c~ t ~n for" ,~lion may be v~ried widely as can the shape of 20 the plu~ end the materl~l from whlch it Ts made.
Claims (16)
1. An ear cleaning device comprising an elongate member formed at one end, the operative end, with a collection formation; at the opposite end with a handle or finger grip; a stop formation intermediate the ends of the elongate member adapted to limit the extent to which the operative end can be inserted into an ear canal; and, positioned between the stop formation and the collection formation, a resiliently deformable, soft plug of cleaning material for engaging and cleaning the ear surface in the region of the entrance to the ear canal.
2. An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 in which the plug of cleaning material is made of a material selected from the group comprising foam plastic or rubber material, cottonwool, or a mat of suitable fibres.
3. An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 2 in which the material from which the plug of cleaning material is made is bonded to form the plug of material.
4, An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 3 in which the shape of the Plug of material is selected from part-spherical, truncated conical, truncated conical with concave sides, or ellipsoidal.
5. An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 4 in which deep grooves formed in the surface of the solid shape for collecting wax, or other dirt.
6. An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 in which the collection formation is defined by at least one loop (a first loop) located at the end of the elongate element.
7. An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 6 in which the collection formation has a second loop orientated at an angle to the first loop.
8. An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 7 in which the remote ends of the loop or loops may be indented.
9. An ear cleaning device as claimed in any one of claim 1 to 5 in which the collection formation is defined by at least one arcuate scraper (a first scraper) located at the end of the elongate element.
10. An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 9 in which the collection formation has a second arcuate scraper orientated at an angle to the first scraper.
11. An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 in which the stop is located at a distance from the extreme operative end of the collection formation equal to approximately one half of the distance between the entrance to the ear canal and the eardrum of an average person.
12. An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 in which the elongate device itself is injection moulded from soft, rigidly deformable, plastics material.
13. An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 12 in which the plastics material is santoprene.
14. An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 in which the stop formation assumes the form of a disc.
15. An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 14 in which the disc is dished such that a smooth part-spherical surface is presented to the entrance to the ear canal.
16. An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 in which a region of the handleis substantially circular in cross-section and suitably knurled or otherwise roughened to enable the device to be rotated, such as between a forefinger and thumb.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZA954200 | 1995-05-23 | ||
| ZA95/4200 | 1995-05-23 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2177224A1 true CA2177224A1 (en) | 1996-11-24 |
Family
ID=25585094
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002177224A Abandoned CA2177224A1 (en) | 1995-05-23 | 1996-05-23 | Personal ear cleaning device |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5715850A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0744168A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH09471A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU5247796A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2177224A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2213179T3 (en) * | 1996-07-04 | 2004-08-16 | Jacob Begun | DEVICE FOR EAR HYGIENE AND NOSE. |
| FR2761259B1 (en) * | 1997-03-28 | 1999-09-24 | D Estais Mathias Tenaille | CERUMEN CLEANING AND EXTRACTION DEVICE |
| GB9707806D0 (en) * | 1997-04-17 | 1997-06-04 | Winner Tolleck | Item of personal hygiene |
| US5888199A (en) * | 1997-12-29 | 1999-03-30 | Karell; Manuel L. | Ear cleaning device with a flexion part |
| US5938673A (en) * | 1998-05-14 | 1999-08-17 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Tongue cleaning device |
| US6045561A (en) * | 1998-06-23 | 2000-04-04 | Orthopaedic Biosystems Ltd., Inc. | Surgical knot manipulator |
| USD428489S (en) * | 1998-09-09 | 2000-07-18 | Bionix Development Corp. | Ear curette |
| USD421123S (en) * | 1998-12-09 | 2000-02-22 | Welch Allyn, Inc. | Speculum for otoscope |
| US6736826B2 (en) * | 1998-12-28 | 2004-05-18 | Jacob Begun | Ear hygiene device |
| USD423669S (en) * | 1999-01-08 | 2000-04-25 | Bionix Development Corporation | Curette |
| US6155987A (en) * | 1999-02-11 | 2000-12-05 | Scherl; Michael | Assembly for removing ear wax from one's ear canal |
| US6042572A (en) * | 1999-02-17 | 2000-03-28 | Fowler; Glenda H. | Device and method for cleaning artificial body passageways formed between two openings by piercing |
| USD432239S (en) * | 1999-06-03 | 2000-10-17 | Kunio Shimizu | Ear cleaner |
| US6432117B1 (en) * | 1999-12-16 | 2002-08-13 | Jonathan Aidan Muir Murray | Ear cleaning device |
| EP1138292A1 (en) * | 2000-03-27 | 2001-10-04 | Luca Federzoni | Instrument for cleaning body cavities, typically the acoustic meatus |
| US6939360B2 (en) * | 2002-01-16 | 2005-09-06 | Healthy Enterprises | Ear cleaning appliance and method of manufacture |
| US7074230B2 (en) * | 2002-02-21 | 2006-07-11 | Olson Richard C | Ear cleaning device |
| US7658745B2 (en) | 2002-02-21 | 2010-02-09 | Olson Richard C | Ear cleaning device with an integral bulbous end |
| US7070603B2 (en) * | 2002-03-22 | 2006-07-04 | U.S. Premier Marketing, Inc. | Ear cleaning apparatus, tip and a method for cleaning an ear |
| US6695802B1 (en) * | 2002-10-29 | 2004-02-24 | Annette F. Thompson | Ear cleaner device |
| CN1327819C (en) * | 2004-11-09 | 2007-07-25 | 王�华 | Biting and drawing earpick |
| US8956333B2 (en) | 2005-04-22 | 2015-02-17 | Alternamedics Llc | Medication delivery device |
| US20060253087A1 (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2006-11-09 | Aner Vlodaver | Medication delivery device |
| US7500981B1 (en) | 2005-06-21 | 2009-03-10 | Lucy Jubrail | Ear cleaning device |
| US7563239B1 (en) * | 2005-09-02 | 2009-07-21 | Rebecca W. Hudson, legal representative | Ear exfoliating swab system |
| US20070066984A1 (en) * | 2005-09-21 | 2007-03-22 | Ralph Kennedy | Ear cleaning device |
| US20070299457A1 (en) * | 2006-06-26 | 2007-12-27 | Diamantina Morales | Ear cleaning device |
| US20080142385A1 (en) * | 2006-12-18 | 2008-06-19 | Stein Michael J | Twist tip cleaning devices for ear wax removal |
| EP2234549A2 (en) * | 2007-12-20 | 2010-10-06 | Cavanaugh Medical Devices, LLC | Multi-purpose tool for minor surgery |
| US8808317B2 (en) * | 2008-11-06 | 2014-08-19 | Carl Braunagel | Apparatus for cleaning a nasal cavity |
| WO2010140144A1 (en) * | 2009-06-02 | 2010-12-09 | Ilanit Maayan | Safe ear cleaning device |
| USD701600S1 (en) | 2011-03-30 | 2014-03-25 | Steven B. Kauffman | Ear swab |
| US8551031B2 (en) * | 2011-05-03 | 2013-10-08 | Colson Edme | Swab applicator and methods of use |
| US9826920B2 (en) | 2012-01-20 | 2017-11-28 | Deepak Pahuja | Disposable dual tipped ear curette incorporating depth measurement system |
| AU2013203991B2 (en) * | 2012-04-30 | 2015-02-12 | ISMIEL, Samoel | Wax applicator |
| US20140200600A1 (en) * | 2013-01-14 | 2014-07-17 | Marc Blatstein | Ear brush cleaner |
| USD771814S1 (en) | 2013-04-26 | 2016-11-15 | Nina Deyhim Farzin | Nose and ear clearing device |
| US9549854B1 (en) * | 2013-05-29 | 2017-01-24 | Jorge Crespo | Safety cleaning tip |
| US9278030B2 (en) | 2013-07-15 | 2016-03-08 | Olson Ip Technologies, Inc. | Ear cleaning device |
| US9480605B2 (en) * | 2013-11-05 | 2016-11-01 | Nina D. Farzin | Device for extracting dried nasal mucus or earwax |
| WO2015110714A1 (en) | 2014-01-24 | 2015-07-30 | François Chevalier | Earwax extraction device with disposable tip |
| US9526659B2 (en) * | 2014-03-17 | 2016-12-27 | Beniamino Pagán | H2O cilia head swab |
| USD757938S1 (en) * | 2014-09-26 | 2016-05-31 | Joel Jackson | Ear cleaning device |
| US10639214B1 (en) | 2014-11-17 | 2020-05-05 | Jack J. Britvan | Ear cleaning device with personal and medical applicator uses |
| US10813792B2 (en) * | 2015-06-12 | 2020-10-27 | Nd Products Inc. | System and method for removal of earwax and particulates |
| US10869782B2 (en) * | 2015-11-18 | 2020-12-22 | Wares World Wide Llc | Ear cleaning device with whisk-like bulbous ends |
| US11957543B2 (en) | 2015-11-18 | 2024-04-16 | Wares World Wide Llc | Ear cleaning device with whisk-like bulbous ends |
| AU2017252462A1 (en) | 2016-04-21 | 2018-11-22 | Fingertips Enterprises, Llc | Fingertip cleaning apparatus |
| US9867738B2 (en) | 2016-05-09 | 2018-01-16 | John J. Lenig | Ear wax remover and cleaner |
| USD847993S1 (en) * | 2016-06-14 | 2019-05-07 | Quest Products, Llc | Ear cleaner |
| US10531986B2 (en) | 2016-06-14 | 2020-01-14 | Quest Products, Llc | Ear cleaner |
| CN106618859A (en) * | 2016-07-13 | 2017-05-10 | 深圳超眼科技有限公司 | Ear-cleaning device and display method |
| US10105264B2 (en) | 2016-09-22 | 2018-10-23 | Frederick W. Trombley | Ear cleaning device |
| USD947456S1 (en) | 2020-06-08 | 2022-03-29 | Fridababy, Llc | Combined multi-head grooming and cleaning tool |
| US11896266B2 (en) | 2020-06-08 | 2024-02-13 | Fridababy, Llc | Multihead grooming and cleaning tool, particularly for an infant |
| FR3114962A1 (en) * | 2020-10-13 | 2022-04-15 | Macire Kebe | NOSE AND EAR CURE |
| USD926981S1 (en) | 2020-10-27 | 2021-08-03 | Nina D. Farzin | Nose and ear cleaning device |
| USD972900S1 (en) * | 2021-11-25 | 2022-12-20 | Heifeng Zhizao (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd | Ear spoon |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3110304A (en) * | 1962-06-08 | 1963-11-12 | Berhard H Hartman | Ear speculum and otoscope |
| US3259128A (en) * | 1964-06-11 | 1966-07-05 | Howard S Leight | Ear protector from noise and dirt |
| FR2277557A1 (en) * | 1974-07-12 | 1976-02-06 | Choppy Etienne | Device for cleaning external air passage - has scoop on end of shaft with entry limit disc |
| DE3024381A1 (en) * | 1980-06-26 | 1982-01-14 | Mario Dr.med. 1000 Berlin Marcuse | Cotton wool bud for cleaning ears, nose etc. - has bending construction between tip and stem to avoid pushing blockages further into organ |
| FR2560519B1 (en) * | 1984-03-05 | 1989-05-05 | Collin Marcel | STICK FOR CAVITY CARE OF THE "NEZ-EARS" BODY |
| IT211842Z2 (en) * | 1987-09-25 | 1989-05-25 | Sisma Spa | CLEANING STICKS, PROVIDED WITH CLEAN PARTS PRESENTING A DOUBLE STOP STOP. |
| US5209757A (en) * | 1991-07-15 | 1993-05-11 | Krug John A | Illuminated ear cleaning device |
| US5509921A (en) * | 1993-11-17 | 1996-04-23 | Karell; Manuel L. | Safe ear wax remover |
| US5334212A (en) * | 1993-11-17 | 1994-08-02 | Karell Manuel L | Ear wax extractor with depth control |
| US5374276A (en) * | 1994-02-04 | 1994-12-20 | Lay; Wuu P. | Ear wax remover |
-
1996
- 1996-05-22 US US08/651,086 patent/US5715850A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-05-23 EP EP96303670A patent/EP0744168A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1996-05-23 JP JP12869296A patent/JPH09471A/en active Pending
- 1996-05-23 AU AU52477/96A patent/AU5247796A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-05-23 CA CA002177224A patent/CA2177224A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5715850A (en) | 1998-02-10 |
| AU5247796A (en) | 1996-12-05 |
| EP0744168A2 (en) | 1996-11-27 |
| EP0744168A3 (en) | 1997-02-12 |
| JPH09471A (en) | 1997-01-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |