CN217448586U - Ear cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

An ear cleaner and ear cleaning system includes a movable wand that pivots relative to a convenient handheld unit containing an electrically powered pump and a reservoir. The wand has a tip at one end thereof having a flared outer side and a narrower tip for dispensing fluid into the ear as a blind bore. The tip also contains a recess for draining the cleaning fluid from the ear. The handheld unit contains a replaceable and/or rechargeable battery. And includes a power level and a usage indicator. For ease of use and transport, the reservoir has a sealed inlet. The hand held unit includes a recess for pivotally receiving the movable wand during use, minimizing damage and facilitating storage.

Description

Ear cleaner

Technical Field

The utility model relates to an electronic ear cleaner and washing unit, which is provided with a movable rod and an onboard water storage device, and is convenient to operate by hands and more portable.

Background

Ear irrigation systems for cleaning blind holes such as ears comprise a number of structures. Known in the art is US6,707,023(Hutter), an eartip device that enters a blind ear hole for cleaning. The eartip device has a flared outer member to prevent accidental penetration into the orifice; a central water passage for fluid distribution and a plurality of openings to allow drainage of the material during use. The focus of the present disclosure is on its tip itself.

Also known in the art is US 8,062,216(Raghuprasad) which provides an otoscope having an attachable cerumen removal device and an on-board fluid supply and fluid dispensing mechanism. In addition, a vacuum pump is provided for recovering fluid and debris from the ear canal. There are a variety of actuators for operation. There is a visualization mechanism and viewfinder system for the user to use to guide the cleaning dispensing.

Also known in the art is US 10,342,903(Baker), a complex irrigation and aspiration device for aspiration of the nasal cavity in a doctor's office, in the form of a closed-end orifice for removal of earwax and other debris. This system requires a fluid distribution box and a fluid debris suction box and a control vacuum and pumping system. This arrangement is complex and fixed and not portable.

Finally known in the art is US 4,108,074(Murry), a more complex surgical use of ultrasound to simultaneously aspirate and irrigate a patient's cavity and administer medication. The physician controls the ultrasonic energy during dispensing and aspiration while controlling the amount of aspiration and irrigation of the patient.

The continuing disadvantages of such systems include the complexity and cost of such devices, lack of portability, and failure to achieve true consumer convenience. Those systems that are inherently intended for surgical use involve significant maintenance costs and lack of user portability and convenience. None of these systems include rechargeability or battery operation, nor do they allow the dispensing wand to be held compactly in a convenient form and shape.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

According to an alternative and adaptive aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ear cleaner and ear cleaning system comprising a movable wand which is pivoted relative to a convenient handheld unit containing an electric pump and a fluid reservoir. The wand has a tip at one end thereof having a flared outer side and a narrower tip for dispensing fluid into the ear as a blind bore. The tip also contains a recess for draining the cleaning fluid from the ear. The handheld unit contains a replaceable and/or rechargeable battery. And includes a power level and a usage indicator. For ease of use and transport, the reservoir has a sealed inlet. The hand held unit includes a recess for pivotally receiving the movable wand during use, minimizing damage and facilitating storage.

According to another alternative aspect of the invention, a removable and replaceable tip is provided, the tip comprising a flared side and a tip at the bottom for fluid dispensing. The tip may be pivotally attached to the end of the wand or may have other attachment mechanisms, such as a press-fit or secure fit mechanism, so as to be safe to use while being easily replaceable to clean the ear cleaner and the wand and tip.

According to another alternative aspect of the invention, a rechargeable battery and/or a replaceable battery is included in the battery compartment. The rechargeable battery may be any type of battery and the handheld unit receives a plug charger from any convenient form of wall-mounted voltage outlet, including USB, USB-a, B, or C or related

A charging system or any other convenient charging system for a handheld electronic device.

According to another alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hand held body further comprising a recess for receiving the pivot rod extension for ease of packaging and transport and convenient and safe transport during use.

According to another alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ear cleaner system comprising: a body member having an inner fluid tank member in operable communication with a fluid dispensing apparatus and a pump, a power source retained within the body and being one of a rechargeable power source and a replaceable power source, the fluid dispensing apparatus further comprising: a fluid tube in fluid communication from the fluid tank member to a wand pivotably connected to the body, and a replaceable tip mounted on the wand for releasing fluid from the fluid tank, the fluid pump being interposed between the fluid tank member and the wand and receiving operable power from a power source, a power controller controlling operation of the power source and the fluid pump between use and non-use conditions for dispensing fluid, the body including an outer groove formation in an outer surface thereof, the wand being pivotably and removably positionable for receipt in the outer groove of the body in the non-use condition, and a sealable outer groove for providing access to the internal fluid tank to permit refilling of the fluid tank.

According to another alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ear cleaner system, wherein: a fluid tube extends from the bottom of the internal fluid tank to a fluid tube tip, the fluid tube tip in fluid communication with the fluid pump, and a fluid connection between the fluid pump and the wand allows for complete fluid distribution from the fluid tank to the wand.

According to another alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ear cleaner system, wherein: the tip is removably replaceable on the distal end of the rod, the tip comprising an outer flared member defining a distal tip, the outer flared member having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the distal tip, a fluid path from the rod through the flared member to the distal tip, and at least one opening in the flared member to allow backflow of dispensed fluid released from the distal tip during use.

According to another alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ear cleaner system, further comprising: and the charging port is positioned outside the main body component and is used for providing charging power access to a power supply.

According to another alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ear cleaner system, further comprising: a charging mode and use mode indicator located on an exterior of the body member providing visual indicia of at least one charging mode and at least one use mode of the ear cleaner system.

According to another alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ear cleaner system, wherein: the sealable external access to the internal fluid tank includes a pivotable inlet hinge member, and the pivotable inlet hinge member is flush mounted on the body member, providing a surface for easy gripping by a user.

It is understood that the various embodiments of the invention can be implemented individually or in any combination to achieve improvements. In particular, the features mentioned above and those mentioned here or below can be used not only in the specified combinations but also in other permissible combinations or individually without departing from the scope of the invention.

Further explanation, advantageous details and features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention and the corresponding parts thereof, which are schematically illustrated in fig. 1-12.

The above and other aspects, features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an ear cleaner device and system according to the present invention, with the outer cover in place.

Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of fig. 1 with the cover and rod and tip removed for ease of imaging.

FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 1 with the wand in an extended use position.

Fig. 4 is a side view of fig. 3 with the wand in an extended use position.

Fig. 5 is a rear view of fig. 4 with the wand in an extended use position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along section A1-A1 in FIG. 3, with the wand in an extended position, showing the internal components positioned.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along section B1-B1 in FIG. 4, with the wand in an extended position, showing the internal assembly positioned.

FIG. 8 is a front view of FIG. 1 with the wand in a retained storage position.

FIG. 9 is a side view of FIG. 8 with the wand in a retained storage position.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of FIG. 8 with the wand in the retained storage position.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A2-A2 of FIG. 8 with the stick in a retained storage position.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B2-B2 in FIG. 9 with the stick in the storage-retaining position.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The figures are in simplified form and are not drawn to precise scale. The term "connected" and similar terms do not necessarily denote a direct or immediate connection, but also include a connection through intermediate elements or devices. Directional (up/down, etc.) or kinematic (front/back, etc.) terminology may be used with respect to the drawings for convenience and clarity only. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope in any way. It is also to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention, and that the detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and that elements may have different orientations or may be identified in the claims without requiring the written description thereof as required.

Referring now to fig. 1-12, ear cleaner 100 or ear cleaner system 100 is shown and may be provided in any alternative shape suitable for performing the function of the systems herein, such as circular, polygonal, undulating, etc., so that one skilled in the art would recognize that the outer shape of ear cleaner 100 is not functional.

Outer cap body 1 is positioned relative to top cap 2 and base 4 is positioned relative to fluid tank 3 as shown, fluid tank 3 having a tank bottom and a battery inlet 17, battery inlet 17 having a tank fill inlet opening 17A that provides a silicone seal inlet opening 17B to allow a user to fill fluid tank 3 during use.

There is a pivotable wand 10 having a fluid passage to the fluid chamber 3 and a removable tip 40 with flared edges to prevent over-insertion into the ear hole.

There is an on-off switch 20 and a charging port 21, the charging port 21 being a plug-in charging port for one version of the invention, which plug-in charging port accommodates a rechargeable battery or is provided in this way. A power indicator lamp mode lamp 22 is provided on the outer surface of the main body 1 and a mode indicator lamp assembly 23 is provided so that the user knows when the charging is finished and when to use the power source to rinse the ears during use.

The outer body 1 comprises a groove 50 in the outer profile for receiving the rod 10 in the tilted retracted position as shown in fig. 11.

The fluid tube 11 extends from the water tank 3 to a fluid tube end connection 12 which fluidly connects the fluid tank 3 to an electric pump 13, the electric pump 13 providing suction from the fluid tank 3 to the wand outlet 10A (see fig. 2) and being in pressure connection with the end of the wand 10 for fluid dispensing.

The battery chambers 30A, 30B (depending on the configuration) contain rechargeable batteries 31 or replacement batteries 32 (through the cover inlet 17) to power the pump 13 to provide a flow of pressurized fluid from the fluid tank 3 to the wand 10 and tip 40.

Elastomeric member 35, which is retained in outer cap body 1, is exposed to facilitate retaining rod 10 in a retracted position within groove 50 during use. In this manner, the ear cleaner 10 allows the wand to be pivoted to be securely retained within the recess 50 during use.

Having described at least one preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various modifications and changes may be made to the system disclosed by the invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (6)

1. An ear cleaner, comprising:

a body member having an internal fluid tank member in operable communication with a fluid dispensing apparatus and a fluid pump;

a power source retained within the body and being one of a rechargeable power source and a replaceable power source;

the fluid dispensing device further comprises:

a fluid tube in fluid communication from said fluid tank member to a wand pivotably connected to said body, and a replaceable tip mounted on said wand for releasing fluid from said fluid tank;

the fluid pump is disposed between the fluid tank member and the wand and receives operational power from the power source; a power supply controller controlling operation of the power supply and the fluid pump between a use and a non-use state for dispensing the fluid;

the body including an outer groove formation in an outer surface thereof;

in the non-use condition, the wand is pivotally and removably positionable to be received within the outer recess of the main body; and

a sealable external access to the internal fluid tank allowing refilling of the fluid tank.

2. An ear cleaner as claimed in claim 1,

the fluid tube extending from the bottom of the internal fluid tank to a fluid tube tip;

the fluid tube tip is in fluid communication with the fluid pump; and

a fluid connection is made between the fluid pump and the wand to achieve full fluid distribution from the fluid tank to the wand.

3. An ear cleaner as claimed in claim 2,

the tip is removably replaceable on the distal end of the wand;

the tip includes an outer flared member defining a distal tip;

the outer trumpet member has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the distal tip;

a fluid passageway from the wand through the trumpet member to the distal tip;

at least one opening in the trumpet member to allow backflow of a dispensing fluid released from the distal tip during use.

4. An ear cleaner as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a charging port located on the exterior of the body member for providing charging power access to the power source.

5. An ear cleaner as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a charging mode and use mode indicator located on an exterior of the body member providing visual indicia of at least one charging mode and at least one use mode of the ear cleaner system.

6. An ear cleaner as claimed in claim 2,

a sealable external inlet to the internal fluid tank comprising a pivotable inlet hinge member; and

the pivotable inlet hinge member is flush mounted on the body member providing a surface for easy gripping by a user.

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