Patent · US Expired

Foam earplug with non-permeable elastomeric coating

US5904143A · kind A · utility

46Cited by
32References
26Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 21, 1996
Grant dateMay 18, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 21, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61F11/12
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A foam earplug for reception at least partially within the ear canal, including a body portion formed of resilient foam plastic material. The foam material has an open cell structure, a size and shape for at least partial reception within the ear canal. The earplug has an outer thin coating of a non-permeable elastomeric material and with the coating forming a skin bonded on the body portion, non-permeable to air, at least in the area of the body portion received within the ear canal for providing an increase in attenuation of sound as compared with the attenuation of sound produced by resilient foam plastic material without the thin coating of the non-impermeable elastomeric material.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.