Finger Sleeve for Ear Cleaning

Abstract

A finger sleeve for cleaning or drying the outer human ear.

Claims

1. An ear-cleaner adapted for use on a user's finger, the ear-cleaner comprising: a tubular body having an open proximal end, a closed distal end, a hollow interior, and an exterior; the exterior having a texture; the hollow interior adapted for receiving the user's finger extending through the open proximal end towards the closed distal end; the open proximal end having a diameter adapted for receiving the user's finger; and a non-rigid tip adjacent to the closed distal end.

2. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 1 where the tubular body is comprised of an absorbable fabric.

3. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 1 where the texture of the exterior is at least one of a waffle, honeycomb, flocked, gabardine, or twill texture.

4. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 1 where an at least one ridge extends from the exterior of the tubular body adjacent to the closed distal end.

5. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 1 where the non-rigid tip is affixed to the closed distal end of the tubular body.

6. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 5 where the non-rigid tip is comprised of a polymer.

7. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 5 where an at least one groove extends from the exterior of the tubular body into the non-rigid tip affixed to the closed distal end.

8. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 5 where an at least one ridge extends from the exterior of the tubular body adjacent to the closed distal end.

9. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 7 where an at least one ridge extends from the exterior of the tubular body adjacent to the closed distal end.

10. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 1 where the non-rigid tip is integrated into the closed distal end of the tubular body.

11. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 10 where an at least one groove extends from the exterior of the tubular body into the non-rigid tip integrated into the closed distal end.

12. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 10 where an at least one ridge extends from the exterior of the tubular body adjacent to the closed distal end.

13. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 11 where an at least one ridge extends from the exterior of the tubular body adjacent to the closed distal end.

14. An ear-cleaner adapted for use on a user's finger, the ear-cleaner comprising: a tubular body comprised of an absorbable fabric; the tubular body having an open proximal end, a closed distal end, a hollow interior, and an exterior; the exterior having a texture; the hollow interior adapted for receiving the user's finger extending through the open proximal end towards the closed distal end; the open proximal end having a diameter adapted for receiving the user's finger; and a non-rigid tip integrated into the closed distal end.

15. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 14 where the texture of the exterior is at least one of a waffle, honeycomb, flocked, gabardine, jersey, or twill texture.

16. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 14 where an at least one groove extends from the exterior of the tubular body into the non-rigid tip integrated into the closed distal end.

17. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 14 where an at least one ridge extends from the exterior of the tubular body adjacent to the closed distal end.

18. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 16 where an at least one ridge extends from the exterior of the tubular body adjacent to the closed distal end.

19. An ear-cleaner adapted for use on a user's finger, the ear-cleaner comprising: a tubular body having an open proximal end, a closed distal end, a hollow interior, an exterior, and a non-rigid tip; the non-rigid tip integrated into the closed distal end; the exterior having a texture; the hollow interior adapted for receiving the user's finger extending through the open proximal end towards the closed distal end; the open proximal end having a diameter adapted for receiving the user's finger; and an at least one groove extending from the exterior of the tubular body into the non-rigid tip integrated into the closed distal end.

20. An ear-cleaner as claimed in claim 19 where an at least one ridge extends from the exterior of the tubular body adjacent to the closed distal end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the finger sleeve when used to clean a user's ear.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a plain view of the finger sleeve and a cross-sectional view.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the finger sleeve with an alternative textured construction.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a view of one embodiment of the finger sleeve with grooves in the operative end in a decorative construction.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a view of the same embodiment of the finger sleeve demonstrating how wax or other debris is trapped in the grooves.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the same embodiment of the finger sleeve with grooves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing showing a user 100 cleaning their ear 104 with the invention 102 placed on the user's finger 106.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a plain view and a cross-sectional view of the finger sleeve 202. The tubular body of the finger sleeve has an interior 206 and an exterior 204 made of an absorbent, flexible material. The exterior 204 has can be adorned with images and patterns and has a textured finish that traps wax or other debris. The textured finish can be integral to the material of the body, for instance, if the body is made of woven fabric the texture would come from the weave of the material. The textured finish can also be imprinted into the exterior of the body through a mold or other process that produces a texture on the body's exterior. The body 202 extends in a longitudinal direction from a proximal open end to a closed distal end. The hollow cavity it creates is adapted to receive a human finger. Adjacent to the closed distal end is a tip 208 that is integral to or affixed to the closed distal end. The tip is comprised of a flexible material that can be the same or different from the material of the body.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section view of an alternate embodiment of the finger sleeve 300. This embodiment has an alternative textured finish for the body that extends from the exterior 304 to the interior of the device 306. The flexible tip 308 at the closed distal end of the device is made up of the same material as the body.

[0030] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a before and after image of an alternative embodiment of the finger sleeve. The body 400 and 500 contains grooves 404 and 504 and ridges 406 and 506 that dislodge wax and other debris and collect it 508. In this embodiment, the flexible tip is integrated into the body of the device and the grooves 404 and 504 are cut into it, molded from it, or made by some other means. The grooves can be made in such a way that it forms a decorative face or other design, in this embodiment it is a frog's face, that is pleasing to the user and children.

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section view of an alternate embodiment of the finger sleeve 600. This cross-section shows the integrated tip 608 at the closed distal end of the device where the grooves 604 and ridges 606 are formed. The flexible tip is made up of the same material as the body.

[0032] While the invention has been described with respect to various presently preferred constructions, still other constructions may be suggested to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description should be construed to include all those embodiments within the spirit and scope of the following claims.