Ear Cleaner

Abstract

The present invention is an ear cleaner designed to have limited insertion into the ear canal so as not to impact ear wax, also known as cerumen, or damage the ear drum. The ear cleaner has several possible embodiments. All of the embodiments are designed to be fit over the user's finger. The user's finger is the limiting factor in how far the ear cleaner is inserted. The ear cleaner has a limited surface area. The ear cleaner can have one or more features to entrap ear wax. The ear cleaner is made from a coarse fabric to entrap ear wax. The ear cleaner may be treated with antimicrobial agents, a lubricant, or both.

Claims

1. An ear cleaner comprised of one or more layers of flexible material wherein at least the outer layer is a coarse cotton or coarse blended polyester cotton material, such as cheesecloth or gauze, with a substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical shaped lateral surface, between 25 and 75 mm in height, connected to a substantially circular top surface; wherein said ear cleaner is sized to fit over a user's finger and be inserted into the outer portion of said user's ear canal.

2. The ear cleaner in claim 1, wherein said coarse cotton or coarse blended polyester cotton material is impregnated with a stiffening agent.

3. The ear cleaner in claim 1, wherein said coarse cotton or coarse blended polyester cotton material is impregnated with a topical microbial agent.

4. The ear cleaner in claim 3, wherein said topical microbial agent is comprised of one or more of hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, tetracycline, bacitracin, neomycin, and polymixin B.

5. The ear cleaner in claim 1, wherein said coarse cotton or coarse blended polyester cotton material is impregnated with a lubricating agent.

6. The ear cleaner in claim 1, wherein said top surface has a dimple.

7. The ear cleaner in claim 1, wherein said top surface has a through hole.

8. The ear cleaner in claim 1, wherein said ear cleaner has a flange around the circumference of said open end of said lateral surface.

9. The ear cleaner in claim 1, wherein said coarse cotton or coarse blended polyester cotton material has a thread count of between 10 and 30 threads per inch in the warp direction and between 10 and 30 threads per inch in the weft direction.

10. An ear cleaner comprised of one or more layers of flexible material, formed into a circular or semicircular planar shape, wherein at least the out layer is a coarse cotton or coarse blended polyester cotton material, such as cheesecloth or gauze; wherein the maximum surface area of said ear cleaner is 200 cm.sup.2; wherein said ear cleaner fits over a user's finger and is insertable into the outer portion of said user's ear canal, when draped over said user's finger.

11. The ear cleaner in claim 11, wherein said coarse cotton or coarse blended polyester cotton material is impregnated with a topical microbial agent.

12. The ear cleaner in claim 12, wherein said topical microbial agent is comprised of one or more of hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, tetracycline, bacitracin, neomycin, and polymixin B.

13. The ear cleaner in claim 11, wherein said coarse cotton or coarse blended polyester cotton material is impregnated with a lubricating agent.

14. The ear cleaner in claim 11, wherein said coarse cotton or coarse blended polyester cotton material has a thread count of between 10 and 30 threads per inch in the warp direction and between 10 and 30 threads per inch in the weft direction.

15. An ear cleaner comprised of one or more layers of flexible material formed into a substantially cylindrically shaped lateral surface, between 25 and 75 mm in length, open at one end and connected to, and continuous with, a dome shaped surface at the other end; wherein said ear cleaner is sized to fit over a user's finger and be inserted into the outer portion of said user's ear canal; and wherein at least a portion of the outer-most layer of said flexible material of said lateral surface is comprised of coarse cotton or coarse blended polyester cotton material.

16. The ear cleaner in claim 17, wherein said ear cleaner has a seam or ridge, extending from the apex of said dome to said open end of said lateral surface.

17. The ear cleaner in claim 17, wherein said coarse cotton or coarse blended polyester cotton material is impregnated with a topical microbial agent.

18. The ear cleaner in claim 19, wherein said topical microbial agent is comprised of one or more of hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, tetracycline, bacitracin, neomycin, and polymixin B.

19. The ear cleaner in claim 17, wherein said coarse cotton or coarse blended polyester cotton material is impregnated with a lubricating agent.

20. The ear cleaner in claim 17, wherein at least a portion of said cylindrical lateral surface is comprised of a piece of planar material that is stretchable or elastic, which is connect to, and continuous with, said coarse cotton or coarse blended polyester cotton material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention, an ear cleaner, is illustrated with nine figures.

[0021] FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 1B is a lateral in situ side drawing of a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a top view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a top view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a top view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a lateral in situ drawing of a fourth embodiment of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following descriptions are not meant to limit the invention, but rather to add to the summary of invention, and illustrate the ear cleaner. The ear cleaner comes in four embodiments, each of which will be discussed.

[0032] FIG. 1A shows the first embodiment of the present invention, an ear cleaner 100. This embodiment of the ear cleaner 100 is thimble-like, with a top surface 3, a lateral surface 9, a lateral edge 5, a rim 8, a flange 6, and a flange perimeter 7. The shape of the ear cleaner 100 is a frusto-conical with a flange. A frusto-conical shape is a cone with the top removed. The top surface 3 has a dimple 1. The periphery 2 of the dimple is coplanar with the remainder of the top surface 3. The rest of the dimple 1 is indented, and therefore not coplanar with the top surface 3.

[0033] The ear cleaner 100 is made from a cotton or polyester and cotton blend fabric. The exterior surface of the ear cleaner 100, specifically the lateral surface 9 and top surface 3 are made from coarse, open-weave fabric. A coarse, open-weave fabric is more likely to entrap cerument. A stiffener, such as phenol, is used to help the material hold its shape. The ear cleaner 100 may be impregnated with common over-the-counter antimicrobial agents such as hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, tetracycline, bacitracin, neomycin, or polymixin B. Additionally, the ear cleaner 100 may be impregnated with a lubricating agent such as glycerin, mineral oil, or baby oil.

[0034] FIG. 1B shows the present embodiment of the ear cleaner 100 used in situ on the end of a finger 200. The lateral surface 9 and flange perimeter 7 are visible in this view. When inserted into an ear canal (not shown), the size of the finger limits the penetration of the ear cleaner 100 into the ear canal (not shown). In this way, the ear cleaner 100 is assured of stopping well short of the ear drum. Additionally, the combination of a cerumen collection dimple 1 and coarse fabric entrap significantly more cerumen than a cotton swab.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the first embodiment of the ear cleaner 100. The top surface 3, dimple 1, the periphery 2 of the dimple 1, the lateral surface 9 and the flange perimeter 7 are all visible. FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the first embodiment of the ear cleaner 100. The interior of the lateral surface 9, the interior of the top surface 3, the interior surface of the dimple 1, the periphery 2 of the dimple 1, and the flange perimeter 7 are all visible.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows the second embodiment of the present invention, an ear cleaner 100. This embodiment of the ear cleaner 100 is thimble-like, with a top surface 3, a lateral surface 9, a lateral edge 5, a rim 8, a flange 6, and a flange perimeter 7. The shape of the ear cleaner 100 is a frusto-conical with a flange. A frusto-conical shape is a cone with the top removed. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, instead of a dimple 1, the second embodiment has a through-hole 20 in the top surface 3. The through-hole 20 is defined by a perimeter 22. The cylindrical surface 23 of the through hole 20 is determined by the thickness of the top surface 3. The through hole is coplanar with the top surface 3.

[0037] Like the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the ear cleaner 100 is made from a cotton or polyester and cotton blend fabric. The exterior surface of the ear cleaner 100, specifically the lateral surface 9 and top surface 3 are made from coarse, open-weave fabric. A coarse, open-weave fabric is more likely to entrap cerument. A stiffener, such as phenol, is used to help the material hold its shape. The ear cleaner 100 may be impregnated with common over-the-counter antimicrobial agents such as hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, tetracycline, bacitracin, neomycin, or polymixin B. Additionally, the ear cleaner 100 may be impregnated with a lubricating agent such as glycerin, mineral oil, or baby oil.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the second embodiment of the ear cleaner 100. The through-hole 20, lateral surface 9 and the flange perimeter 7 are all visible. FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the second embodiment of the ear cleaner 100. The interior of the lateral surface 9, the through-hole 20, and the flange perimeter 7 are all visible.

[0039] FIG. 7 shows a top view of a third embodiment of the ear cleaner 302. The ear cleaner has a surface 300 and a perimeter 301. The ear cleaner is 150 mm in diameter, maximum, giving it a maximum total surface area of 177 cm.sup.2 or 17,700 mm.sup.2. FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of the third embodiment of the ear cleaner 302, showing that it would drape or wrap around a finger. The top surface 300 and thickness 303 can be seen.

[0040] Like the first and second embodiments, the third embodiment of the ear cleaner 302 is made from a cotton or polyester and cotton blend fabric. The exterior surface 300 of the ear cleaner 302 is made from coarse, open-weave fabric. A coarse, open-weave fabric is more likely to entrap cerument. No stiffener is used with the third embodiment of the ear cleaner 302. The ear cleaner 302 may be impregnated with common over-the-counter antimicrobial agents such as hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, tetracycline, bacitracin, neomycin, or polymixin B. Additionally, the ear cleaner 302 may be impregnated with a lubricating agent such as glycerin, mineral oil, or baby oil.

[0041] FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the ear cleaner 400. This embodiment of the ear cleaner 400 is shaped like a finger 402. The ear cleaner 400 has a ridge or seam 403, that helps to trap cerument. Due to the size of the finger 402 the tip 404 of the ear cleaner 400 cannot touch the ear drum (not shown). The primary cleaning surface 401 and the extended surface 405 cover the first knuckle of the finger 402. The edge 406 of the ear cleaner 400 is a perimeter, which intersects with the ridge or seam 403.

[0042] Like the first, second, and third embodiments, the fourth embodiment of the ear cleaner 400 is made from a cotton or polyester and cotton blend fabric. The primary cleaning surface 401, the extended surface 405, the tip 404 and the ridge or seam 403 are made from coarse, open-weave fabric. A coarse, open-weave fabric is more likely to entrap cerumen. A stiffener, such as phenolic, may, optionally, be used with the fourth embodiment of the ear cleaner 400. The ear cleaner 400 may be impregnated with common over-the-counter antimicrobial agents such as hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, tetracycline, bacitracin, neomycin, or polymixin B. Additionally, the ear cleaner 400 may be impregnated with a lubricating agent such as glycerin, mineral oil, or baby oil. The fourth embodiment may also have a top surface (not shown), on the outside of the finger, that is made from a flexible fabric in order to allow the ear cleaner 400 to fit to the finger 402 snugly.