Water-tight ear enclosure
US4660229A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 1985 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F11/06
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A water-tight ear enclosure having a water-impervious membrane secured to a flexible, inelastic strip about a portion of an opening in the membrane and an elastic strip secured to opposite ends of the flexible, inelastic strip and to the remaining portions of the opening in the membrane. The strip is formed of a thin, polymeric material in a J shape which is adapted to be received in front of the tragus of the ear and below and behind the lobule of the ear. The elastic strip is adapted to extend around the back of the external ear and in one embodiment includes an extension extending below the ear to form a secondary seal. The flexible, inelastic strip includes an adhesive for attaching the strip to the skin of a person adjacent the ear. The membrane is a flexible plastic film. The seal is established by the combination of the adhesively secured plastic strip and the inward biasing force of the elastic strip bearing upon the back of the external ear.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.