CN1285326C - Extruded earplug - Google Patents

Abstract

Earplugs produced by extrusion of a foamable polymer through an extrusion head opening (14), are severed and shaped to produce a largely symmetric rounded end (27, 28) and/or compression bands (190, 192, 204) for stiffening. Severing of an earplug at the extrusion head is accomplished by two or more cutting blades (50, 52) that move in largely opposite directions across one another to provide a symmetric cut that foams into a largely symmetric rounded earplug end. Compression bands are formed along the earplug to stiffen it, by two or more compression dies (221-224) spaced about the axis of the earplug. An earplug with a stiffening sleeve (116) that is surrounded by a foam covering (124) and that is filled with a string (122) of the same foam, is severed so at the opposite ends of the earplug the covering ends (160) and string ends (162) are rounded even though the sleeve end (164) is cut perpendicular to the earplug axis (166).

Description

Extruded earplug

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of earplug, relate in particular to a kind of extruded earplug device.

Background of invention

A kind of known type of disposable earplug comprises a roughly cylindrical body, and this body is all made by slow recovery foamed materials.This earplug is depressed into one by sth. made by twisting between finger and lays than minor diameter, and is inserted within the auditory meatus, and here, perhaps earplug expands and be resisted against on the auditory meatus through the time in 30 seconds.This earplug can punch out a cock body by the plate that is formed by slow resilient material from, independently is molded into each independently earplug and form by material being pushed and it being cut into a plurality of earplugs in the mould at each.PCT bulletin WO 02/26465 has described and has used a rotary cutter cutting means at the die face place of extruder extrusion to be cut.Proceed after cutting to foam and form the surface of a slightly circular although but expanded material can be the die face place, the end of earplug tends to form an asymmetric rounded ends.Even circular, asymmetric end also can form a second-rate outward appearance.Do not belong to the foam earplugs of slow recovery type for those, eccentric rounding phenomenon (an off center rounding) can hinder earplug is inserted within the auditory meatus, and the earplug of described slow recovery type needs to be twisted with the fingers to be depressed into one than minor diameter.Though it is pointed out that slow restorative earplug is easy to use, its shortcoming is to twist with the fingers when pressing between the dirty workman's finger of hands before inserting auditory meatus, and they tend to dirty.

Another earplug commonly used is made by quick recovery elastic foam material.This earplug can be pressed within the auditory meatus need not to twist with the fingers to be depressed under the condition than minor diameter, but being not used under the condition of it being strengthened resist the measure that column collapses, is difficult to lay.A kind of approach that earplug is strengthened is that a core body that extends along the earplug axis is set, and this core body is made by the material harder than coating layer material, described clad be looped around core body around, and be subjected to the compression of auditory meatus.U.S. Pat 5753015 has been described by an extrusion head and has been infeeded a shaft-like core body than minor diameter, simultaneously elastic foam material be compressed in this core body around.The extrusion that is obtained cuts into each independently earplug by blade.Other measure that is used to cut comprises hot water radiation wire, current and laser.Although this piece patent has been described the device that is used for preformed ear plug, because need carry out rounding to their end when foam is still uncured handles, so this point is difficult to carry out under the hardened condition of foam not making, thereby make the loss of elasticity at its place, compression end.

The method and apparatus of extruded earplug can provide roughly symmetric earplug if extruded earplug and being used to is shaped, and this will be valuable so, because roughly symmetric earplug can be inserted within the auditory meatus easily.

Summary of the invention

According to one embodiment of present invention, provide a kind of extruded earplug device, it has symmetric shaped portion, such as the end that is inserted within the auditory meatus, and is easy to structure.In a kind of technology, wherein extrusion is along with it discharges each earplug independently of cropped one-tenth from extrusion head, the operation that cuts to extrusion utilizes at least two to cut blade and realize that the described blade that cuts moves along the transversal extrusion of roughly opposite direction.This will make that the end near extrusion head roughly deforms symmetrically on the earplug, thereby make roughly symmetry of the extra foaming of earplug ends and rounding phenomenon, produce the earplug that has high-quality apperance and be easy to insert.

One type of extruded earplug comprises cover tubular core body and restores elastic foam material fast that these foamed materialss cover described sleeve and are filled in described telescopic inside.At the place, an end of extrusion head, sleeve is cut out perpendicular to the earplug axis, but the rope form foam in clad and the sleeve all becomes circle.Make in installation course the scratch auditory meatus like this with regard to having avoided the core body projection to come out and produce uncomfortable sensation.

The earplug of being made by quick recovery elastic foam utilizes one or more belt-like zone to strengthen fully, is compressed at these belt-like zone place foams, and these belt-like zones extend in the plane perpendicular to the earplug axis.Belt-like zone utilizes a plurality of compression moulds to form, and these compression moulds compress described foam symmetrically in the position near extrusion head.

According to the present invention, a kind of earplug device is provided, comprising: earplug, this earplug comprise be extruded pass the extruding opening the elastic foam polymeric material, this earplug has axis, and has local cylindrical outer surface; The outer surface of most of described earplug is not radially inwardly compressed, the outer surface of described earplug comprises that at least one is the zone at center with described axis, in this zone, described elastic foam polymeric material is by the radially inwardly compression from least two roughly relative sides, and in this zone, described elastic foam polymeric material is harder by the elastic foam polymeric material that the position of radially inwardly compressing is located than the outer surface of described earplug.

When reading in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the present invention will be able to best understanding by following description.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the local side sectional view of an extrusion head and an extrusion, and described extrusion is subjected to cutting and forms an earplug.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of utilizing the finished product earplug of the formation of technology shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view along Fig. 1 center line 3-3, only show be in the closed amputation position cut blade and actuator.

Fig. 3 A is a view that installs shown in Fig. 3, has the blade that cuts that is shown in an open position.

Fig. 4 is the front elevation view of the extrusion shearing device in another embodiment of the present invention, is in first rest position.

Fig. 4 A is a view that is similar to Fig. 4, and this moment, described device was in second rest position.

Fig. 5 utilizes single blade to cut off the three-dimensional view of the earplug that extrusion obtained.

Fig. 6 is a pair of sectional perspective view that cuts blade, and this cutting edge that cuts into two exact halves is rotated according to another embodiment of the present invention in the opposite direction.

Fig. 7 is extrusion head, compressor and the local side sectional view that utilizes the earplug string (a chain of earplugs) that described extrusion and compression process obtain.

Fig. 7 A is the side elevation of an earplug on the string of earplug described in Fig. 7, and this moment, it was cut off from this earplug string.

Fig. 8 is the extrusion head in another embodiment of the present invention and the local side sectional view of compressor, and overlap the middle part that the tubular core body is passed extrusion head this moment, also shown is a part of utilizing the earplug string that this technology obtains.

Fig. 9 is the local side sectional view of an earplug on the string of earplug described in Fig. 8, and this moment, it was cut off from this earplug string remainder.

Figure 10 is a cutaway view that is similar to the extrusion head shown in Fig. 8, but has the blade that cuts that is used for cutting out from extrusion a position near extrusion head each independent earplug.

Figure 11 is the cutaway view that utilizes a complete earplug of the formation of technology shown in Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a cutaway view along Figure 11 center line 12-12.

Figure 13 is an extrusion head and a bit of partial sectional view that is used to form the extrusion of an earplug, and shows and be applied to cut blade and compression mould on the described extrusion.

Figure 14 is the cutaway view that utilizes the earplug that technology obtained shown in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a view along Figure 13 center line 15-15, shows one group of four compression mould that are shown in an open position.

Figure 16 is the view of one group of three compression mould that are shown in an open position.

Figure 17 is the cutaway view of earplug in another embodiment of the present invention and the compression mould that is applied thereon.

Figure 18 only is the cutaway view of earplug shown in Figure 17 along Figure 17 center line 18-18.

The partial sectional view of the compression mould that cuts blade and be shown in an open position that Figure 19 is an extrusion head, be shown in an open position, described device be used for the being shaped earplug of another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 20 is the side view of an earplug that forms according to technical construction shown in Figure 19.

Figure 21 is the front view that is applicable to the equipment in the earplug production process, and described earplug is cut off at the extrusion head place.

Figure 22 is the side sectional view of the earplug in another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 23 is the side elevation of the earplug in another embodiment of the present invention.

The specific embodiment

Fig. 1 shows the extrusion head 10 and a certain amount of foamed polymer material 16 that flows that have extrusion die 12, described extrusion die 12 has a rounded basically opening 14, and described polymeric material is discharged from extrusion head along direction of advance F under pressure.Along with material is discharged, these material fast foamings, and meanwhile its diameter increases to final diameter A, and perhaps final diameter A is two to five times of circular extrusion die opening 14 diameters.On behalf of foamy bubble (bubbles), the foaming process utilization of polymeric material occur and density increases and represents.In technology shown in Figure 1, a plurality of earplugs of the cropped one-tenth of extrusion, each earplug all have the length of 30 millimeter (10 millimeters to 50 millimeters).It is desirable for very much near the flat board 24 that is positioned at the extrusion head front end extrusion 22 is cut off, described extrusion 22 stretches out 1 centimetre in the place ahead of extrusion head at least, is formed by the material of discharging from extrusion head.At off-position 26 places, but expanded material foaming fully as yet, and when cutting when cutting here foaming will be continued in the surface and change is justified.Circular earplug ends is desirable, because this will form a conical surface, helps earplug is inserted within the auditory meatus.

But the mode that a kind of expanded material that is used for extrusion 22 and extrusion head cuts off is to utilize a blade, axis 30 fast moving of this blade transversal extrusion in 26 places in the position.Although the blade across position 26 fast moving will cut off the material of extrusion from the extrusion head opening part reliably, this will produce an asymmetrical earplug ends.Fig. 5 shows an example, and one of them blade cuts off an earplug ends, and a side 40 that causes this earplug ends is with respect to opposite side 42 projection more forward.This asymmetry can be given second-rate impression.Also have, the projection 40 that is positioned at a side can make and be inserted within the auditory meatus earplug slightly difficult.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the applicant utilizes a plurality of cut or shear-blade cuts off extrusion shown in Fig. 1 22 from the material of being discharged by extrusion head opening 14.Fig. 3 A show be shown in an open position cut blade 50,52, wherein cut middle part 54,56 separated the opening at edge 60,62, pass between the described blade to allow extrusion.Fig. 3 show be in the close position cut blade 50,52, wherein they have moved to mutual intersection, but the expanded material that just begins to foam is sheared.A pair of actuator 64,66 makes and cuts blade in opposite directions or opposing moving.Compare with the speed that material is extruded from extrusion head, described mobile more quick.

Fig. 4 and 4A show another cutting means 61, and it comprises a blade 63,65, and each blade 63,65 all has two and cuts or sheared edge 71A, 71B, 73A, 73B.In Fig. 4, realize cutting operation by making blade 63 move down and make blade 65 move up the extrusion between them 69 cut off along arrow 68 along arrow 67.Described blade ends at the position shown in Fig. 4 A.From Fig. 4 A, blade 63 moves up simultaneously that blade 65 moves down, and comes once more the extrusion between them 69 to be cut off.Because blade 63,65 need not to pause and reverses direction,, and avoid too much extrusion to flow against blade so they can cut extrusion more apace.

Use a plurality of cut or scissor blade can cause forming a comparatively symmetric earplug ends in moment that the material that earplug is gone out from initial compression cuts off, cause shearing the end and in foaming, grow into a comparatively symmetric structure.As previously mentioned, one can make earplug have the outward appearance of better quality around the comparatively symmetric earplug ends of earplug axis 30, and is easy to be inserted within the auditory meatus.Have been found that but the expanded material that just begins to foam can not stick to steel and cut on the blade.The bending that preferably is recessed at the middle part 54,56 that cuts the edge shown in Fig. 3 and the 3A.Recessed edge can be tending towards the material of both sides of edges is pushed to the axis of earplug, thereby more symmetrical.Can use the blade that cuts of three or more, they move in opposite directions along different directions, obtain better symmetry.But, in general surpass six blades and not only be no advantage, and only can be more complicated.Fig. 6 shows a pair of blade 70,72 that cuts, and they are rotated around the axle 74,76 of correspondence in the opposite direction, and the extrusion between them is cut, and preferably utilize cut mode.Come the rotation of blade 70,72 to carry out time control according to the speed that extrusion shifts out from extrusion head, so that produce earplug with predetermined length.Fig. 2 shows a finished product earplug 27 that utilizes described technology to obtain, and has rounded ends 28,29.

Extrded material 16 shown in Fig. 1 and 2 is that a kind of quick recovery elasticity can foam or foamed polymer material.Compare with slow recovery foam, restore foam fast and can in a second, return to its original-shape from the moderate compressive state, for slow recovery foam, when moderate is compressed (be compressed into its original thickness 30%), need just can return to 95% of original size tens of seconds.The external diameter of earplug is approximately 0.4 inch (10 millimeters).The end that at first enters in the auditory meatus of finished product earplug is known as leading section.

Fig. 7 shows and uses extrusion head that but expanded material is squeezed into extrusion 84, and this extrusion 84 has formed a string earplug element or earplug 88, they can cropped one-tenth each earplug independently.With certain interval, the front F that a plurality of compression moulds 90,92 are close to extrusion head is compressed extrusion.Final result is, each earplug on the described earplug string all has relative end 94,96, and except folder was pinched position 100 (a pinch location), end 94,96 was rounded, pinch 100 places, position at folder, but compression mould clamps expanded material.When the workman needed earplug, last that earplug on the described earplug string was pinched 100 places, position and is cut at folder, itself and this earplug string remainder are separated.As shown in Figure 7A, except length was the mamelon or projection 102,104 of B, each earplug all had rounded ends 94,96, and wherein Fig. 7 A shows an earplug that separates from described earplug string.The diameter that folder between the adjacent earplug circular portion is pinched position 100 is much smaller than half of earplug maximum gauge C, and preferably less than its 1/4th, thereby make projection 102,104 generally can not hinder earplug ends is inserted within the auditory meatus.Because but projection 102 made by softish elasticity expanded material, so even the scraping auditory meatus they can not cause damage yet.

Fig. 8 shows another method that is used to form earplug string 110, and wherein each earplug all has a core body 112, and these core body 112 opposings are collapsed along the column of axis 114.The specific form of core body 112 is sleeves 116 of being made by a kind of like this material, and promptly this material is than having foamed and to solidify the first kind of material 120 that foam that forms behind a kind of flexible foaming polymeric material more hard.Telescopic inside is filled with a rope 122 that is formed by elastomeric material, described elastomeric material preferably be looped around core body around clad 124 in material identical.

Along with extrusion is discharged from extrusion head, a plurality of extrusion die 132,134 presss from both sides it to be pinched.Consequently a string earplug has and runs through the core body 112 that this earplug polyphone renews and stretches.Last that earplug in the described earplug string cuts it and is cut off from this earplug string by pinch 136 places, position at folder.Fig. 9 shows one and has cut the earplug 140 that gets off from described earplug string.The end of this earplug has bigger smooth position 142,144.Also can compress or press from both sides and pinch, thereby make that pinching the position at folder does not exist clad 124 position 136.

Elastic foam material in the clad 124 preferably has 1 to 10 Shore A hardness, is 2 such as Shore A hardness.The material of core body has the Shore A hardness about 30, thereby makes that the hardness of core material is the twice of clad material at least.The elastomeric material of core material preferably a kind of solid (non-foam structure) is such as the softish thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) of a kind of moderate.

Figure 10 shows another and is similar to the method that Fig. 8 is used for preformed ear plug, and one of them core body 112 passes extrusion head 130 with foamable first kind of material 120.But, replacing end to each earplug and press from both sides and pinch, the applicant utilizes a pair of blade 150,152 that cuts with its cut-out.As this result who cuts operation, the clad 154 of close extrusion head 130 expands with the projection shape, as the rope 156 that is filled in the sleeve core body 112.Finished product earplug shown in Figure 11 shows, has finally formed the raised type rounded ends 160 of outside clad 161 and the raised type circular protrusions end 162 of rope 156.Sleeve ends 164 is cut by the axis 166 perpendicular to earplug.

Figure 12 shows the sleeve 112 with C shape cross section, has the gap 170 of about 60 degree, pass this gap 170, but foamed polymer material can enter telescopic inside from telescopic outside.Replace and use a cover tubular core body, also can use a solid core.In Figure 11, telescopic external diameter is 4 millimeter, and the external diameter of clad is 10 millimeter.Selectively, can use a diameter is the solid sleeve of 2 millimeter.

Figure 13 shows another method that is used for preformed ear plug 180.This method comprises that applied compression die assembly 182,184 forms narrow belt-like zone 190,192, and here the earplug material is subjected to radial compression.Squeeze operation was carried out before the expanded material full solidification.The enterprising part of going into auditory meatus of earplug is strengthened in this squeeze operation meeting, collapses with the opposing column, but need not to make the earplug part hardening that comes in contact with auditory canal wall.The enterprising end of going in the auditory meatus 194 of earplug is cut down from extrusion by a pair of blade 200,202 that cuts at extrusion head 204 places.The end that is positioned at the auditory meatus outside 204 of earplug is compressed by a plurality of axial roomy compression moulds 210,212, so that earplug ends 204 is formed with higher density and bigger hardness, is used for pushing when being inserted into a part of earplug in the auditory meatus.

It is pointed out that described mould the place ahead (along the extrusion travel direction) than short distance in (such as greatly within one centimetre), but expanded material can under unhardened condition still, be shaped easily, and keep higher elasticity.Within a moderate distance of extrusion head downside (greatly between one or two centimetre and several inches), expanded material can pass through compression and permanent deformation, not too have elasticity (promptly more hard) although described material will become, it is hard like that to be not so good as the sleeve core material.

Figure 14 shows the earplug of having made 180, and it has rear portion 204 and the banded constricted zone 190,192 that is compressed.The enterprising leading section 194 of going in the auditory meatus of earplug is rounded.Forward each belt-like zone of earplug all has an axial bandwidth G, and this axial bandwidth G is less than the diameter H of belt-like zone, and preferably less than its half, perhaps more preferably be no more than its 1/4th.

Figure 15 shows formed parts or the compression mould assembly 182 that includes four compression mould 221-224.Shown mould belongs to mutual stacked type, and has the recessed compressed edge 226 that forms earplug belt-like zone 190, thereby makes it rounded basically.

Figure 16 shows another compression mould device 230, it includes three mould 231-233, they have a plurality of side surfaces 234,236, when they all move together when a belt-like zone on the earplug is compressed into belt-like zone 190 mutually against.Each such as 231,232 or 232,233, mainly is to move along roughly opposite direction (angular separation each other surpasses 90 degree) orthoscopic mould.

Figure 17 and 18 shows another earplug 240, and its front portion 242 that enters in the auditory meatus utilizes a plurality of narrow depressed parts 244 to be strengthened, and collapses with the opposing column.Rear portion 246 is subjected to bigger compression.

Figure 19 shows device 250, and this device 250 is used for being shaped and has the earplug of structure shown in Figure 20 252.In Figure 19, extrusion 254 is cut by a pair of blade 256,258 that cuts of being close to extrusion head 260 the place aheads.Extrusion is compressed by a plurality of compression moulds 262, and perhaps described a plurality of compression moulds 262 comprise that three or four compression moulds in type shown in Figure 15 and 16 form the compression rearward end of earplug.

Figure 20 shows the rearward end 264 that is compressed except rear tip 266.Compression rearward end 264 can make leading section 170 be pressed within the auditory meatus.Compression mould 262 must with the spaced apart enough distances of extrusion head so that the front portion of earplug rear end portion 264 is strengthened.

Figure 21 shows one and is used for cutting the device 280 that blade 282,284 cuts off them to produce earplug by utilizing at extrusion head 286 places.Along with the length-specific extrusion that cuts off drops down, under the effect of the hot-air 292 that roughly makes progress that passes from directed opening 294, their speed of falling reduces, and the extrusion of described length-specific is used to form earplug 290.Hot-air is upwards discharged with a temperature that is lower than extrusion temperature, and allows the temperature of earplug to descend comparatively lentamente, arrives conveyer belt 296 until them.

Figure 22 and 23 shows has difform earplug 300,320, and they can utilize the method among the present invention to make.In Figure 22, the rearward end 310 of earplug utilizes several banded constricted zones 312 to strengthen, at belt-like zone 312 places, earplug is radially compressed to a diameter less than its maximum gauge 75% and comes end is thereafter strengthened with respect to its axis 314, collapse with the opposing column.

Figure 23 shows an earplug 320 that has front portion 321 and rearward end 330, described anterior 321 have the banded constricted zone 322,324 that leading section is strengthened, described rearward end 330 is compressed into one than minor diameter by belt-like zone 332, form a more hard rearward end, with the opposing phenomenon of collapsing.Earplug shown in Figure 22 and 23 has leading section 334,336, and they are cut from the extrusion near extrusion head.

Therefore, the invention provides a kind of extruded earplug device, and building method and equipment.Described extrusion can be cut off by a plurality of blades that cut at the extrusion head place, these cut blade and move along roughly opposite direction, form a roughly symmetric grooving, foam and grow to a roughly symmetrical circular end in the end of permission earplug, this is preferred for earplug.Can utilize compression mould a string earplug that is shaped, described compression mould compresses extrusion with certain interval, form a plurality of compressions position, thereby make when each earplug is cut by the end from this earplug string, except less mamelon, earplug has the end of circular, and at described mamelon place, each earplug quilt cuts off with the adjacent earplug on this earplug string.Earplug can utilize a core body to strengthen, but described core body passes extrusion head with foamed polymer material, is looped around core body clad on every side but described foamed polymer material has formed one.The extrusion that is obtained can be cut off at the extrusion head place, and each independently earplug that is shaped immediately perhaps can only compress at the extrusion head place, forms a string earplug that has rounded slightly end.Described core body can be form of sleeve, wherein is filled with foamed polymer material, and described sleeve can have a gap, but allows the foamed polymer material identical with covering the material that overlaps the tubular core body also to be filled into telescopic inside in this gap.Extruded earplug can utilize the compression mould that is applied thereon to formalize.Can use some narrow compression moulds between the opposed end of earplug, the axial width of these compression moulds comes foamed materials is carried out the local radial compression less than half of earplug maximum gauge, collapses so that it is strengthened resisting column.The rearward end of earplug can be compressed into a diameter that is no more than earplug maximum gauge 60% and form a comparatively hard handle.Described compression mould preferably includes at least two moulds.The applicant can use pin shape mould to form tiny area, and here earplug is compressed it is strengthened.In fact, having pushed the earplug that forms can be evaluated by it is carried out precision measurement.

Although here specific embodiment of the present invention is described and illustrates, but should be realized that,, can improve easily and modification for the those of skill in the art in present technique field, therefore, wish that claim is interpreted into this improvement of covering and equivalent.

Claims (8)

1. earplug device comprises:

Earplug (27,88,140,180,240,252,290,300,320), this earplug comprise be extruded pass the extruding opening (14) the elastic foam polymeric material, this earplug has axis (30,166), and has local cylindrical outer surface (22);

The outer surface of most of described earplug is not radially inwardly compressed, the outer surface of described earplug comprises that at least one is the zone (100 at center with described axis, 102,104,142,144,136,160,162,190,192,242), in this zone, described elastic foam polymeric material is by the radially inwardly compression from least two roughly relative sides, and in this zone, described elastic foam polymeric material is harder by the elastic foam polymeric material that the position of radially inwardly compressing is located than the outer surface of described earplug.

2. earplug device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

Described earplug has along described axis spaced opposed ends (194,204,334,310,336,330), and described at least one zone comprises a plurality of belt-like zones (190 between described end, 192,264,312,322,324,332), each described belt-like zone all is no more than half of diameter (H) of this belt-like zone along the length (G) of described axis.

3. earplug device as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

Be used to form the rear portion belt-like zone (204,246,264,312,330) of handle, its cross-sectional area perpendicular to described axis be no more than earplug the maximum cross section area 60%.

4. earplug device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

Described earplug has the maximum gauge position, and described earplug has anterior in the auditory meatus of entering and as the rear portion of handle;

Described a plurality of belt-like zone comprises along described forward belt-like zone (190,192,322,324), here the external diameter of earplug be decreased to earplug maximum gauge 60% to 90% between.

5. earplug device as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

Earplug element string (88,110), each earplug element all has 10 to 40 millimeters length, and the earplug element that is arranged in order along this earplug element string is by separated part (100,136) separately local, the diameter of described separated part (100,136) is reduced by at least 50%, thereby the feasible earplug element that is positioned at the place, end of this earplug element string can separate with the remainder of this earplug element string by a separated part is cut;

Described earplug is in the earplug element on the described earplug element string.

6. earplug device as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that:

Described earplug element string has a maximum outside diameter, and comprise that is strengthened a core body (112), the core outside diameter of this reinforcement core body (112) is no more than half of described maximum outside diameter, and each described earplug element includes and is looped around described core body elastic foam polymeric material on every side;

At described separated part place, the thickness that is looped around the elastic foam polymeric material around the described core body less than described elastic foam polymeric material along about 1/4th of the average thickness of earplug leement duration.

7. earplug device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

Described earplug has relative end;

Described at least one zone be by described elastic foam polymeric material form radially to the form of enterolithic belt-like zone (190,192,264,312,322,324,332), the described end part interval of this belt-like zone and described earplug is opened.

8. device as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that:

Described at least one belt-like zone comprise that a plurality of and described relative end part interval opens radially to enterolithic belt-like zone (190,192,312,322,324,332), described here elastic foam polymeric material is than hard at the elastic foam polymeric material at described maximum outside diameter position.

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