Abstract
An ear/nose cleaning device comprises of a plastic framework, having a pair of arms/handles, a pair of scoops/bulbous-shaped portion at the distal end of the arms/handles, and a U-shaped swab at proximal end of device. Cotton (or other absorbent material) is tightly and finely adhered to plastic body/framework of scoop and U-shaped swab. The scoops have a hollow inside and flat oval edges for scraping and collecting ear wax/debris or nasal mucous and depositing within the hollow portion. Each arm has a gripping/roughen portion to the lateral side to prevent slipping of device when in use.
Claims
1. An ear/nose cleaning device comprising: One-piece plastic body framework; a pair of arms/handles; a gripping/roughen portion to the lateral sides of both arms; a pair of scoops/bulbous-shaped portion at the distal end of the arms/handles; the pair of scoops/bulbous-shaped portion have a hollow inside; upper edges above the hollow insides for scraping and collecting ear wax/debris or nasal mucous and depositing within the hollow portion; and U-shaped swab at proximal end of device;
2. An ear/nose cleaning in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pair of scoops/bulbous-shaped portions are comprising: a plastic body/framework; and cotton (or other absorbent material) tightly and finely adhered to plastic body/framework.
3. An ear/nose cleaning in accordance with claim 2, wherein scoops have a hollow inside and flat oval edges.
4. An ear/nose cleaning in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pair of arms/handles are comprising; gripping/roughened portion to the lateral sides of both arms
5. An ear/nose cleaning in accordance with claim 1, wherein the U-shaped swab is comprising: a plastic body/framework; cotton (or other absorbent material) tightly and finely adhered to plastic body/framework; and a slight bend at the U-shaped swab for easy removal of debris.
6. An ear/nose cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein with the scoops brought together in use may grip or grab debris/material there-between and keep them trapped in the hollow center.
7. An ear/nose cleaning in accordance with claim 1, wherein the device is disposable.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the device in its open position at rest.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of ear/nose cleaning device with a pair of scoops brought together.
[0013] FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of the side view of the invention
[0014] FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration with a more detailed representation of a cross-sectional view of the scoop
[0015] FIG. 3C is a schematic illustration of the top view of one scoop
[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an alternate side view of ear/nose cleaning device.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the plastic framework of device, without cotton (or other absorbent material) attached to the scoops and U-shaped swab.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] In FIG. 1, the ear/nose cleaning device 10 is at rest with two arms/handles 30 separated from each other. The device 10 is comprised of three main portions, a pair of scoops/bulbous-shaped portion 20, pair of arms/handles 30, and a U-shaped swab 40. The pair of plastic arms/handles 30 have scoops/bulbous portion 20 at the distal end also made of flexible plastic, and is tightly and lightly woven with cotton (or other absorbent material) 22, such that it leaves the edges 25 and outer surface flat/smooth. The pair of scoops or bulbous-shaped portions 20 have a hollow center 15 for grabbing and collecting ear wax/ear debris or nasal mucous. Both arms 30 meet proximally to form a U-shaped swab 40, also made of flexible plastic which is tightly and lightly woven with cotton (or other absorbent material) 22. Numeral 45 indicates the place where cotton (or other absorbent material) 22 on the U-shaped swab 40 is designed to stop. U-shaped swab 40 is designed to be slightly indented for easy removal of debris. The gripping of device 10 by a user is enhanced by the addition of a gripping/roughened portion 35 to the lateral portion of both arms 30.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows device 10 closed, when pressure is applied to both arms 30. With the pair of scoops 20 brought together and their flat edges 25 in contact, a smooth continuous outer profile is formed, resembling a conventional single cotton bud, but with a hollow inside 15. The hollow inside 15 is designed to hold debris, wax or other material when scooped with pair of scoops 20.
[0020] Device 10 is illustrated in FIG. 3A in side view such that only one arm 30 is visible, the other arm is hidden in view. The gripper/roughened portion 35 is schematically shown on the lateral portion of arm 30 in view. The gripping portion 35 is designed to help with gripping of device 10 when in use. Also shown is the lateral side of the U shaped swab 40, illustrating its slight curvature at the of the tip of the U shaped swab 40. The smooth other portion made of cotton (or other absorbent material) 22 can be seen, wherein the cotton (or other absorbent material) 22, tops 28 before the plastic arm 30 starts.
[0021] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side-view illustrating one scoop 20 with its hollow center 15 and flat border edges 25. Also schematically shown in FIG. 3B is the plastic framework 24 of the scoop 20 embedded within the cotton (or other absorbent material) 22.
[0022] FIG. 3C is a top view of scoops 20 further showing its hollow interior 15 and flat oval edges 25.
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate side view of the scoop 20. The cotton (or other absorbent material) 22, is designed to make the scoops 20 feel soft and provide comfort to user. Without the cotton (or other absorbent material) 22 thinly and tightly adhered to the plastic framework 24 of scoops 20, the scoops 20 might feel rough/hard on user's skin in nostril or ear canal. As shown in FIG. 3, when a user applies pressure to arms 30, they will move inwards towards one another so that the pair of scoops 20 may be used to grip or grab objects there-between and keep them trapped in the hollow center 15. In this side view, only one of the gripping portion 35 is in view. Numeral 45 indicates the place where cotton (or other absorbent material) 22 on the U-shaped swab 40 is designed to stop.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the plastic framework of device, without cotton (or other absorbent material) 22 attached to the scoops 20 and U-shaped swab 40. The plastic is to provide make device sturdy yet flexible. The device 10 in a lateral plane field such that only one grip/roughen portion 35 is visible.
