Aural Protectors (e.g., Ear) Patents (Class 128/864)
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Patent number: 8113207Abstract: A self-conforming sound attenuation earplug for location in an ear canal. The earplug includes a stem. At least one support is joined with the stem and located between the stem ear end and the stem user end, and extends radially outward from the stem. A shell is made of a deformable-resilient shell material and has a tapered exterior that increases in circumference when moving from the stem ear end to the stem user end. The shell engages at least a portion of the support and engages at least a portion of the stem located between the stem ear end and the stem user end. At least a portion of the support is free from contact with the shell and the support material is a different type of material than the shell material.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Steven Craig Gehling, Waihong Leong
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Patent number: 8113208Abstract: An earlobe protector is described. The earlobe protector may be adhered to an athlete's ear when the athlete is wearing an earring. The protector can allow the athlete to participate in contact sports without removing the earring.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Inventors: Barbara Ann Chaisson, Alye Terese Chaisson
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Patent number: 8107638Abstract: A semi-insert hearing protector includes a thin-walled enclosure sized substantially to that of the outer ear of a wearer, the enclosure being made from a rigid or semi-rigid material and secured to the head of said wearer by means of an adjustable headband. A short tube extends from the enclosure for communication with the ear canal, the short tube being made from a rigid or semi-rigid material and including a flexible cuff disposed over the tube made from a resilient material. The enclosure contains sound absorbing material configured to vary the frequency characteristic of sound attenuation by the semi-insert.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2008Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Syracuse UniversityInventor: Jozef J. Zwislocki
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Publication number: 20120000474Abstract: An apparatus to reduce the sensitivity of the vestibular system to stimulation. The apparatus comprises a plugging device configured to constrain the movement of endolymph fluid within a semicircular canal, and a control module coupled to the plugging device that causes the plugging device to maintain a set actuated position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: Massachusetts Eye & Ear InfirmaryInventors: Daniel M. Merfeld, Wangsong Gong, Steven D. Rauch, Richard Terry
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Patent number: 8079366Abstract: An earplug includes a body, a post and a magnet. The body is made of a pliable material and includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is shaped to be positioned proximal to the user's middle ear and a distal end is shaped to be exposed to the external environment of the user's outer ear when the body is inserted into the user's ear canal. The post is at least partially embedded within the body and includes a first end, a second end and a socket located at one of the first and the second ends. The magnet is positioned in the socket of the post and is capable of producing a permanent magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2009Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Inventors: Timothy R. Collins, Brian D. Collins
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Publication number: 20110303227Abstract: A spherically-shaped ear plug is described. The ear-plug is formed of silicone to provide pliable and malleable properties. Additionally, because the ear plug is made of silicone, when it is positioned and depressed into the ear canal, the front end of the ear plug is pushed out and deeper into the ear canal to create a safe seal. Finally, the tacky consistency of silicone creates an airtight/watertight seal between the ear plug and ear canal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Inventors: Douglas Pick, Scott Malkoff
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Publication number: 20110271965Abstract: An earplug formed of a plurality of materials having different hardnesses by use of a multi-material rapid prototyping (RP) system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: RED TAIL HAWK CORPORATIONInventors: John W. Parkins, Mark DeWilde
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Patent number: 8047207Abstract: Methods and devices for sealing an orifice are provided. A sealing element is inserted into an orifice. A fluid is transferred into the sealing element. Fluid transfer into the sealing element is restricted when a pressure in the sealing element is greater than a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Personics Holdings Inc.Inventors: Moises Perez, John Patrick Keady
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Publication number: 20110253153Abstract: A hearing protection process comprises (a) providing at least one hearing protection device comprising at least one sound barrier comprising at least one substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density different from the first density, wherein one of the first and second media is a viscoelastic medium having a speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave and a speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, the speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave being at least about 30 times the speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, and wherein the other of the first and second media is a viscoelastic or elastic medium; and (b) interposing the hearing protection device between an acoustic source and an acoustic receiver in the form of a human ear.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2009Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventors: Ali Berker, Sharon R. Garber, Richard W. Greger, Marie Aloshyna ep Lesuffleur, Smarajit Mitra
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Publication number: 20110240041Abstract: A method of fabricating an anti-noise earplug having an inner tip serving as a core and an outer tip coupled to the inner tip to surround the inner tip and inserted into an ear includes the steps of: (a) shaping the inner tip; (b) fixing the inner tip to an upper mold for shaping the outer tip; (c) disposing the upper mold to face a lower mold having a cavity for shaping the outer tip; (d) injecting a resin composition for forming the outer tip into the lower mold; (e) pressing down the upper mold to the lower mold; (f) curing the resin composition to couple the outer tip to the inner tip; and (g) separating the upper mold from the lower mold and then separating the earplug, in which the outer tip is coupled to the inner tip as a body, from the lower mold. In fabricating the earplug, the inner tip and the outer tip can be molded in an in-line process, thereby improving the fabrication efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Inventor: Ja Heon Koo
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Patent number: 8025120Abstract: An anti-infective stethoscope is described that comprises a tube member; a head member operably connected to the tube member; and first and second earpieces operably connected to the tube member, wherein the tube member and head member include an antimicrobial barrier mechanism. The earpieces may also include an antimicrobial barrier mechanism. According to one embodiment, the antimicrobial barrier mechanism may be provided in the form of a cover comprising an antimicrobial substance wherein the cover operably covers the tube member and head member of the stethoscope. In a preferred form, the antimicrobial barrier mechanism is an antimicrobial substance applied to the tube member, head member, and optionally the earpieces.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2010Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Inventor: Patrick E. Eddy
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Patent number: 8020563Abstract: An ultra thin ear plug enables sound protection to be conveniently carried inside a wallet. The ear plug is made of a slow-recovery thin foam strip. The user rolls the strip into a cylinder, compresses the cylinder and inserts the compressed foam cylinder into the ear canal. The foam strip can incorporate a pressure sensitive adhesive on one surface so that the ear plug retains the cylindrical shape after being rolled up. Tapered ends can assist sealing by minimizing the existence of an air gap at the center of the cylinder and on the ear canal. A flexible envelope about 0.008 inch thick and of credit card dimensions can provide packaging for two or more ear plugs and can provide a large surface area for promotional advertising. Total thickness of the packaged ear plugs can be thinner than 0.050 inch or the thickness of a credit card.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Inventor: John Pfanstiehl
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Publication number: 20110197899Abstract: An apparatus for preventing hearing loss having a body made of a soft compliant material having first and second ends and a channel extending therethrough, an acoustically limp material adjacent one of the ends of the body with the acoustically limp material having a hole therein aligned with the channel extending through the body, and a component film, disc or other structure covering or sealing the opening in the acoustically limp material. The film or disc may be formed of a high-strength polymer material and may be less than 10 micrometers in thickness. Rather than having a single channel extending through the body, a plurality of channels may extend therethrough and a plurality of corresponding holes may be provided in the acoustically limp material. The film, disc or other structure covers or seals the plurality of holes in the acoustically limp material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2007Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGEInventors: Rick Rogers, Brendan Clifford, Robert M. Westervelt, John W. Hutchinson, Howard A. Stone
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Publication number: 20110155147Abstract: The in-ear device is shaped to fit a wearer's ear morphology. The device includes a main body having at least three generally convex sides, an innermost face and an outermost face. A first side is shaped to fit the tragus of a wearer's ear, and a second side is shaped to fit an antitragus of a wearer's ear. At least three tips, generally rounded, join respective two adjacent sides. The main body is within an outer ear plane substantially perpendicular to an entrance of an ear canal of a wearer's ear.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2010Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventor: Ian McIntosh
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Patent number: 7967015Abstract: An earplug has a single very long main flange with a maximum diameter that is at least 80% of the length of the main flange, and at least 55% of the entire length of the earplug except for the stem. This allows the outside of the long flange to extend at a very small angle to the axial direction, and apply a constant force against the walls of the ear canal, for good and comfortable sealing to the ear canal.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2007Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Sperian Hearing Protection, LLCInventor: John Allen Jenkins, Jr.
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Publication number: 20110131709Abstract: One example embodiment includes a system for protecting a worker in a dangerous environment. The system includes an eye protector. The eye protector includes one or more lenses, where the one or more lenses are configured to be positioned in front of the user's eyes and configured to protect the user's eyes. The system also includes a hearing protector, wherein the hearing protector is configured to protect the user's hearing from damage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2010Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventor: Fernando Caraballo
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Patent number: 7935131Abstract: The present disclosure relates to Shape Memory Polymers (SMP's) comprising function groups that allow the polymers to be elastically deformed, utilized in the elastically deformed state, and subsequently returned to the original polymorphic shape.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: University of RochesterInventors: Mitchell L. Anthamatten, Jiahui Li
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Publication number: 20110094007Abstract: An eyewear temple arm apparatus for an eyewear device including an elongated body member having a proximal end portion configured to mount to the eyewear device. The temple arm apparatus includes a functional element, an elongated flexible tether; and a guide base. The base is movably mounted to the elongated body member for movement thereof along a fixed path in a direction generally longitudinally therealong between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the guide bas is positioned proximate to a proximal portion of the body member, while in the second position, it is oriented proximate to a distal portion thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: STREAMWORKS, INC.Inventors: Bill E. Brauner, Eivind Clausen
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Patent number: 7931027Abstract: An earplug for a hearing aid adapted for engagement with earpieces made of materials with a comparatively high hardness. The earplug comprises a resilient sleeve and a shell, the shell having an outer portion adapted to fit within a user's ear canal and a central bore, the central bore having a first abutment shoulder adapted for retaining the resilient sleeve inside the shell and a second abutment shoulder adapted for providing a stop for the resilient sleeve and for the earpiece. Hereby the resilient sleeve is able to combine relatively relaxed manufacturing tolerances with precise positioning of the earpiece inside the earplug.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: WIDEX A/SInventors: Jan Topholm, Casper Hojstad Hansen
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Patent number: 7913696Abstract: A self-fitting device for location in an ear canal. The device includes a body having a body ear end, an opposite body user end, and a shaft extending from the ear end to the user end. A resilient bladder is joined with the body ear end and a chamber is defined inside the resilient bladder. An elongate plunger is located in the shaft. The resilient bladder is deformable between an at-rest position and an in-ear position. The elongate plunger actuates between the at-rest position and an insertion position to assist the resilient bladder to be deformed into the in-ear position. The plunger actuates in the insertion position without extending a front end portion of the bladder forward of a position of the front end portion when the bladder is in the at-rest position.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.Inventors: Ricky Wayne Purcell, Kenneth Michael Ross
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Patent number: 7891360Abstract: An earplug that includes a piezoelectric element that converts electrical signals into oscillations; and a deformable material of which at least one segment is insertable into an external auditory canal of a person to ensure an acoustic seal by deformation, the piezoelectric element being disposed inside the deformable material and in fixed contact therewith, the deformable material being able to transmit the oscillations at a periphery and ensure conduction of the oscillations through cartilage and soft tissue of the auditory canal.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2006Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Institut Franco-Allemand de Recherches de Saint-LouisInventors: Karl Buck, Markus Christoph
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Patent number: 7886745Abstract: A self-fitting device for location in an ear canal. The device includes a body having a body ear end, an opposite body user end, and a shaft extending from the ear end to the user end. A resilient bladder is joined with the body ear end and a chamber is defined inside the resilient bladder where the chamber is in communication with the shaft and the resilient bladder has a wall portion and is deformable from an at-rest position to an in-ear position. The resilient bladder has a variable strength profile in the wall portion of the bladder.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ricky Wayne Purcell, Scott M. Belliveau, Thomas A. Wozny, Kenneth Michael Ross
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Patent number: 7886744Abstract: An earplug and a method of manufacturing the earplug are provided, the earplug including a sound attenuating element and a stem where the sound attenuating element includes a flange which extends rearwardly over a portion of the stem, and where the sound attenuating element and the stem are integrally formed of a resilient compressible material.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2006Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Richard Knauer
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Publication number: 20110019834Abstract: A hearing protector comprises two protective muffs (1) with passive noise damping, a microphone (3) disposed in at least the one protective muff (1) and connected to an analog and a digital signal processing device (5 and 7, respectively), the signal processing devices (5, 7) being connected to loudspeakers (4) disposed interiorly in the protective muffs (1) for extinguishing interior noise in the protective muffs (1). The analog signal processing device is rehearsed for processing non-repeatable noise, while the digital signal processing device is rehearsed for processing repeatable noise. According to the invention, a further microphone (8) is disposed outside the passive noise damping and is connected to the digital signal processing device for tracing and locking onto repeatable noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2009Publication date: January 27, 2011Inventor: Henrik Fransson
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Patent number: 7861723Abstract: An airway obstruction correction apparatus including an expandable bladder configured to fit within a user's external auditory canal, a pump configured to expand the bladder with a pumped fluid, a passage coupled with the pump and with the bladder and configured to convey a fluid between the pump and the bladder, a microcontroller coupled with the pump and configured to affect an activation condition of the pump, and a reservoir coupled with the pump and configured to retain sufficient fluid to expand the bladder into contact with a surface of the auditory canal when transferred to the bladder by the pump. At least one of a local data processing means and/or a remotely located data processing means can be configured to receive data from the apparatus and transmit data to the apparatus via a data networking means and/or at least one of a wired or wireless signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Inventors: David L. Dedrick, John Barney
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Publication number: 20100300461Abstract: An improved EarTip may result from the distribution of PTFE throughout a slow recovery foam. Such an EarTip may have a finer, more uniform cell structure that aids in insertion within a user's ear canal. It may also have a smoother skin, with a lower kinetic coefficient of friction, and may provide improved sound attenuation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: SPERIAN HEARING PROTECTION, LLCInventors: Stephen D. Gilder, David B. Mulvey
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Publication number: 20100300460Abstract: An earplug is provided and includes a tip for use in forward and lateral sealing, which is formed to define a rearward recessed cavity, and a stem. The stem includes a user graspable elongate portion configured with a stiffness in a first direction that is greater than a stiffness in a second direction, which is transverse to the first direction, and a member, disposed at a forward end of the elongate portion and configured to be insertable into the cavity, the member including a surface to be adhered to an interior facing surface of the cavity and on which a channel is defined to allow for outflow from the cavity, and the member being formed with a shape to complement that of the cavity to axially and circumferentially align the tip and the stem.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventors: Robert Nicolo Falco, Jeffrey L. Hamer
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Publication number: 20100275931Abstract: An earplug for an ear canal includes a cap for plugging the ear canal. The cap has a cover tapered at one end and a hollow post extending centrally from the end. An air gap is formed between the cover and the post. The cover further includes a flexible rubbery material that adjusts shape to match a shape of the ear canal and seal the ear canal. An inner spring holds the cap in the ear canal. The inner spring has a plurality of spring leafs about a central axis to fit within the hollow post where the spring leafs are compressed about the central axis and a force of the spring leafs flexes the cap to hold the cap in the ear canal. A base is joined to an end of the inner spring for gripping the earplug for insertion and removal of the earplug from the ear canal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Inventor: Saeed Seyed
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Patent number: 7822219Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an in-the-ear-canal device comprising: an insertion element; and at least one non-circumferential protrusion, where the at least one non-circumferential protrusion is operatively connected to a surface of the insertion element and provides a stabilizing force for maintaining the position of the insertion element in an ear canal.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Inventors: Lawrence K. Baker, John G. Casali
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Publication number: 20100229877Abstract: Disclosed is a method and article for protecting an ear by reducing intensity of sound audible to an individual using the article and/or by preventing foreign objects from entering an ear canal of the ear. The article includes a surface configured for removably securing the article to a tragus of the ear and urging the tragus to at least partially cover the ear canal, thereby protecting the ear.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Marilyn J. MANCE, Frank R. MANCE
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Patent number: 7793663Abstract: Disclosed is an earplug that includes a sound attenuating portion and a feature formed by laser ablation, wherein the feature comprises a cavity formed in a first end of the sound attenuating portion including a cylindrical shape extending into the sound attenuating portion, along a longitudinal axis of the sound attenuating portion, toward a second end of the sound attenuating portion opposite the first end, the earplug further comprising at least one of a cord, a stem, and a detectable insert disposed in the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Duncan Taylor
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Patent number: 7793662Abstract: An earplug (100) having an adjustable sound deadening rating is disclosed. The earplug (100) includes an ear piece (102) adapted to fit within a user's ear canal and a core (104). The core (104) has a predetermined sound deadening rating. The ear piece (102) includes a coupling assembly (106) for removably coupling the core (104) to the ear piece (102) such that the core (104) may be removed from the ear piece (102) and replaced with another core (108) having a different preselected sound deadening rating to adjust a sound deadening rating of the earplug.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2006Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Inventor: James Carson Elliott
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Patent number: 7779844Abstract: Self-fitting device for location in ear canal, including first end portion joined with second end portion. First end portion including first resilient bladder and first chamber of fluid and second end portion including second resilient bladder and second chamber of fluid. The bladders are in communication via the chambers. First bladder is deformable between at-rest position to in-ear position to insertion position such that first bladder has first cross-sectional area in at-rest position, second cross-sectional area in in-ear position and third cross-sectional area in insertion position. First cross-sectional area is greater than second cross-sectional area which is greater than third cross-sectional area. Second bladder is deformable to cause first bladder to be deformed from at-rest position to insertion position before device is located in ear canal.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ricky W. Purcell, Gregory J. Rajala, Ki Bok Song, Scott M. Belliveau, Sena S. Corbin, Toriono A. Granger
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Patent number: 7743771Abstract: A hearing protection device is provided including a stem, a protrusion formed on the stem, an articulation point formed on the stem, and a sound attenuating element including a cavity, where the protrusion is disposed in locking engagement within the cavity to releasably attach the stem to the sound attenuating element, and where the stem is configured to at least partially articulate about the articulation point.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Robert N. Falco
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Publication number: 20100132721Abstract: An apparatus including a housing forming a protective head cover and a hearing protection mechanism coupled to the housing is defined. The apparatus further includes an attachment mechanism coupled to the housing and the attachment mechanism is to connect the housing to an external air supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2008Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: RPB, Ltd.Inventor: Garth Graham Ivory
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Patent number: 7712469Abstract: Earplugs (22, 24) and a combination (20) of a pair earplugs and a cord (26) that joins them, each can be detected by metal and/or magnetic detectors even if the parts of the combination becomes separated and fall into a batch of food, etc. Each earplug includes an earplug core (32) formed of a first elastomer with a multiplicity of metal-mag detectable particles (36) (particles detectable by electrical or magnetic detectors) embedded in the first elastomer, and an earplug covering (32) of a second elastomer (that may be the same as the first one) that is devoid of such particles. The cord includes a cord core (50) formed of a first flexible polymer with metal-mag detectable particles embedded therein, and a cord covering (54) formed of a second polymer that is devoid of such particles. The particles are preferably of iron, which is magnetically detectable but that can mark skin or clothing that it contacts, but which is isolated from the skin and clothing by the earplug and cord coverings.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2005Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Sperian Hearing Protection, LLCInventor: John Allen Jenkins, Jr.
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Patent number: 7697706Abstract: A hearing protection device and a method of manufacturing thereof is provided. The device includes a sound attenuating portion for being disposed within an ear canal of a user to obstruct the passage of sound and a channel formed through the sound attenuating portion for allowing sound to pass through the sound attenuating portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2003Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Marc Doty
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Publication number: 20100071707Abstract: A middle ear insufflation device to relieve pressure differential across the tympanic membrane resulting from rapid changes in altitude or intrinsic Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, the device having a compressible bladder member and an ear canal sealing member such that the bladder member can be compressed and released to reduce or increase pressure within the ear canal that is then translated across the tympanic membrane affecting internal pressure within the middle ear space, thereby helping to facilitate normalization of middle ear pressure through the Eustachian Tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventor: Daniel L. Wohl
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Patent number: 7681577Abstract: An improved ear tip for earphones and hearing protection is provided where comfort and occlusion of the ear are of most importance. The ear tip comprises an elastomer polymer resin material molded to form the material to the shape of the ear canal. A chamber is defined having a proximal and distal end, the distal end engages the acoustic exit of the transducer, sound source or sound attenuator and the proximal end of the bore is adapted to be disposed adjacent an eardrum. The inner body attaches to a nozzle, or audio playback orifice to naturally transition the acoustics from the transducer or sound attenuator to the eardrum via the ear canal. The ear tip can have a plurality of flexible annular flanges disposed at spaced intervals of the body with decreasing circumference as the flanges transition to the proximal end. Each flange tapers in a radius or curvilinear geometry as it progresses to the end of the object.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2006Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Klipsch, LLCInventor: Mark A. Blanchard
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Publication number: 20100043806Abstract: A self-conforming sound attenuation earplug for location in an ear canal. The earplug includes a stem. At least one support is joined with the stem and located between the stem ear end and the stem user end, and extends radially outward from the stem. A shell is made of a deformable-resilient shell material and has a tapered exterior that increases in circumference when moving from the stem ear end to the stem user end. The shell engages at least a portion of the support and engages at least a portion of the stem located between the stem ear end and the stem user end. At least a portion of the support is free from contact with the shell and the support material is a different type of material than the shell material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2008Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventors: Steven Craig Gehling, Waihong Leong
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Publication number: 20100030131Abstract: A system and method for use in iontophoretic anesthesia of a tympanic membrane are disclosed. The system generally includes an earplug and an electrode device. The earplug includes at least one sealing member for sealing the earplug in an ear canal. The method involves using the system on a human or animal subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2009Publication date: February 4, 2010Inventors: John H. Morriss, Greg Liu, Rohit Girotra, Bernard H. Andreas, Scott J. Baron, Paul G. Hayter, Thomas Jenkins, Richard R. Newhauser, JR., Jeffrey A. Walker
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Patent number: 7641334Abstract: The ear protection apparatus is provided as ear protection with various means of attachment to existing eyeglasses and also as ear protection including eyeglasses. Various embodiments provide multiple means for multiply adjustable positioning of the ear protection. Multiple plane adjustments are provided, with flex tubes with memory comprising a part of those adjustments. Refined earplug design provides for relaxed fit to a variety of ear sizes and shapes.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Inventor: Gregory A Goldie
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Publication number: 20090320859Abstract: A self-fitting device for location in an ear canal. The device includes a body having a body ear end, an opposite body user end, and a shaft extending from the ear end to the user end. A resilient bladder is joined with the body ear end and a chamber is defined inside the resilient bladder. An elongate plunger is located in the shaft. The resilient bladder is deformable between an at-rest position and an in-ear position. The elongate plunger actuates between the at-rest position and an insertion position to assist the resilient bladder to be deformed into the in-ear position. The plunger actuates in the insertion position without extending a front end portion of the bladder forward of a position of the front end portion when the bladder is in the at-rest position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Ricky Wayne Purcell, Kenneth Michael Ross
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Publication number: 20090320858Abstract: A self-fitting device for location in an ear canal. The device includes a body having a body ear end, an opposite body user end, and a shaft extending from the ear end to the user end. A resilient bladder is joined with the body ear end and a chamber is defined inside the resilient bladder where the chamber is in communication with the shaft and the resilient bladder has a wall portion and is deformable from an at-rest position to an in-ear position. The resilient bladder has a variable strength profile in the wall portion of the bladder.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Ricky Wayne Purcell, Scott M. Belliveau, Thomas A. Wozny, Kenneth Michael Ross
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Publication number: 20090321176Abstract: An ear piece device made of pliable material dimensioned for fitting the ear canal of a user. In one embodiment, one canal extends through a portion of the ear piece to provide an opening for communication between a person's inner ear and an environment outside the person's ear. The ear piece has at least two fold lines to facilitate the reversible collapsing of the device into a star-like configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: Westone Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Kristopher L. Cartwright, Richard B. Morgan
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Publication number: 20090320860Abstract: An earplug comprises a plug body composed a material such as silicone, petroleum jelly, or cotton impregnated with petroleum jelly, which exhibits plasticity and can be deformed freely at ordinary temperatures. A plastic film cover enclosed the plug body. The plug body is in the shape of a bullet, with a tapered end adapted to point toward and enter the user's ear canal. The end of the cover at the end of the plug opposite to the tapered end is formed into a removal extension, which can be grasped manually for removal of the earplug.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventor: Yuichiro Shirai
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Publication number: 20090277814Abstract: An earplug assembly 10 that includes an earplug system 20 that has an earplug 12, 12? and a package portion 32 such as a deformable sheath 14 that individually surrounds at least the body 31 of the earplug 12, 12?. A securement portion 28 is joined to the packaging 32 to enable the assembly 10 to be secured to another object such as a worker's helmet 30. In this manner, the earplugs can be readily available to the user in a protected condition. Opportunities for misplacement of the earplugs are reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2008Publication date: November 12, 2009Inventors: Michael E. Hamerly, Sharon R. Garber, Lance E. Behymer, Philip G. Martin
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Publication number: 20090277463Abstract: Contraceptive methods, systems, and devices generally improve the ease, speed, and reliability with which a contraceptive device can be deployed transcervically into an ostium of a fallopian tube. The contraceptive device may remain in a small profile configuration while a sheath is withdrawn proximally, and is thereafter expanded to a large profile configuration engaging the surrounding tissues, by manipulating one or more actuators of a proximal handle with a single hand. This leaves the other hand free to manipulate a hysteroscope, minimizing the number of health care professional required to deploy the contraceptive device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: CONCEPTUS, INC., A California CorporationInventors: Christian Lowe, Don Gurskis, Ashish Khera, Monica Barnhart, Steven Bacich, Betsy Swann, Roberto Silva-Torres
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Publication number: 20090277462Abstract: An earplug system 10a, 10b that includes a foam earplug 12a, 12b and a deformable sheath 14 that individually surrounds at least the body 16 of the foam earplug 12a, 12b in a noncompressed condition. The deformable sheath 14 allows the earplug to be compressed with a person's fingers in the sleeve before being placed within the user's ear. In this manner, the earplug can be inserted into the ear canal without being soiled or otherwise contaminated from a wearer's unclean hands.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2008Publication date: November 12, 2009Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Michael E. Hamerly, Philip G. Martin, Lance E. Behymer, Mark K. Nestegard, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Daniel D. Anderson
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Patent number: 7614867Abstract: An earplug shaping device shapes a compressible earplug prior to insertion of the earplug into a user's ear canal. The device includes upper and lower structural elements which slidingly engage one another. Each of the upper and lower structural elements include a shaping surface. The shaping surfaces oppose one another and are inclined relative to one another. Various embodiments of the earplug shaper employ a slot in communication with a receiver which allows for the shaping of earplugs attached to a cord.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Inventor: Daniel R. Schumaier