Abstract: An earplug of the slow recovery type is described, which has open cells for expelling gas to the outside during compression, but which resists the entry of water through the outside and the soiling of the outside by dirt. The earplug includes a body formed of pressure-molded slow recovery resilient foam material forming multiple gas-filled shells. The plug body has a surface region forming a skin wherein the average cell cross-sectional area is less than half that of cells at the center of the body, and is less than one-tenth millimeter, the surface region being primarily continuous.

Abstract: An elongated earplug of slow recovery material has one end portion (14) for use in large ear canals to effectively block noise therein and an opposite end portion (16) for use in small diameter ear canals to block noise while maintaining a moderate comfort level for the wearer. The opposite end portions of the earplug are of different colors, to enable a person picking up the earplug to quickly determine which end to place in the ear as well as to identify the earplug as a dual type. The larger end is preferably of a lighter color such as yellow, then the darker end which is of a darker color such as medium to dark green or orange, to emphasize the largeness of the large end and the smallness of the small end. One dual earplug has a small end portion which is tapered along most of its length, at an included tapered angle (B) of about 15.degree.

Abstract: An earplug is described, which includes an elastic earplug body (12) and a metal part (14) mounted to the body to form an earplug that can be detected by a metal detector. The metal part (14) is in the form of a band that is clamped around the body. Where the body includes a narrow stem (24) and at least one flange (34) extending from a position (56) on the body and at a radially outward and rearward incline therefrom, the band can be attached to a location (62) lying a small distance rearward of the position where the flange emerges from the stem, so the band is hidden and is prevented from directly engaging a person's ear canal.

Abstract: A combination of earmuff and eyeglass assemblies (12, 14) are provided, that facilitate adjustment of the position of the eyeglass (40) on the wearer and the raising and lowering of the eyeglass, in a construction that avoids interference with movement of the earmuffs (20, 22) against each other. The eyeglass assembly includes a pair of temple bar devices (46, 48) that each comprises two pivotally connected bars (50, 52), with the first bar having a rear end (56) pivotally mounted on a top portion (134) of an earmuff shell (24), and with the second bar pivotally connected about horizontal and vertical axes (74, 81) to one side of the eyeglass. A ball-and-socket coupling (80) is mounted on the top portion of each earmuff shell, with each socket (102) having a vertical slot portion (110) that allows the temple bar devices to be pivoted up and down, and with each socket having a horizontal slot portion (112) that allows the earmuffs to move together.

Abstract: An earplug of the slow recovery type is described, which has open cells for expelling gas to the outside during compression, but which resists the entry of water through the outside and the soiling of the outside by dirt. The earplug includes a body formed of pressure-molded slow recovery resilient foam material forming multiple gas-filled shells. The plug body has a surface region forming a skin wherein the average cell cross-sectional area is less than half that of cells at the center of the body, and is less than one-tenth millimeter, the surface region being primarily continuous.