US5715850A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Personal ear cleaning device
Assignee: TODDLING PRODUCTS Pty Ltd
•
Filing: 1996-05-22
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Granted: 1998-02-10
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Expires: 2016-05-22
Abstract
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 cleaning the ear surface in the region of the entrance to the ear canal.
Inventors
- 👤 Etienne G. Markgraaf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F11/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An ear cleaning device comprising an elongate member formed at one end having an operative end with a collection formation, and an opposite end with a handle; 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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
An ear cleaning device comprising an elongate member formed at one end having an operative end with a collection formation, and an opposite end with a handle; 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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
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 consisting of foam plastic, rubber material, cottonwool, or a mat of suitable fibres.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 3 in which the shape of the plug of material is selected from the group consisting of part-spherical, truncated conical, truncated conical with concave sides, or ellipsoidal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 4 in which deep grooves are formed in the surface of the solid shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 in which the collection formation is defined by at least one loop located at the end of the elongate member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 6 in which the collection formation has a second loop orientated at an angle to said at least one loop.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 7 in which said at least one loop is equipped with an indentation adjacent said operative end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 in which said collection formation is defined by at least one arcuate scraper located at said operative end of the elongate member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 9 in which said collection formation has a second arcuate scraper orientated at an angle said at least one arcuate scraper.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 in which the stop is located at a distance from the operative end of the elongate member equal to approximately one half of the distance between the entrance to the ear canal and the eardrum of an average person.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 in which the elongate member is injection molded from soft, resiliently deformable, plastics material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 12 in which said plastics material is a thermoplastic rubber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 in which said stop formation assumes the form of a disc.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 14 in which said disc is dished such that a smooth part-spherical surface is presented to the entrance to the ear canal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
An ear cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 in which a region of the handle is substantially circular in cross-section and suitably knurled to enable the device to be rotated, such as between a forefinger and thumb.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3110304A
Cited
US3259128A
Cited
US5209757A
Cited
US5334212A
Cited
US5509921A
Cited
US5374276A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-02-09 | 2001-08-11 | 2002-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-02-09 | 2005-08-11 | 2006-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-02-09 | 2009-08-11 | 2010-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |