GB2380122A

GB2380122A - Safe ear cleaner

Info

Publication number: GB2380122A
Application number: GB0123482A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter John Myatt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-29
Filing date: 2001-09-29
Publication date: 2003-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2021-09-29
Also published as: GB2380122B; GB0123482D0

Abstract

An ear cleaner comprises a longitudinal body 1 of plastics material having a flange at each end and an axially extending duct 2 and slot 3. A cotton bud device 7 is inserted into the duct by way of the slot such that a cotton bud projects from each end of the cleaner. Each flange provides a flexible axial limit to the amount by which a cotton bud can extend into the ear canal.

Description

CLEANER This invention relates to a safe ear cleaner.

There is no easy, convenient or safe way of cleaning the inside of the ear canal or earhole in either humans or even animals. The nearest to an ideal solution for this regular requirement is a cotton bud, these are inexpensive and readily available, but the medical profession strongly advise against the insertion of cotton buds or anything else for that matter, inside the ear canal when cleaning, as accidental over insertion can damage the very delicate tissues in and around the eardrum.

According to the present invention there is provided a safe ear cleaner comprising a single piece soft rubber body with flanges at both ends and a hole running through the centre which is interconnected to a slot running the whole length of the the body, into which a cotton bud can be fitted. The rubber body then forms a handle for the cotton bud and because of the unique design of the flanges either end, it makes the use of cotton buds for cleaning inside the ear canal easy, convenient and totally safe.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which :- Figure I shows in perspective, the one piece soft rubber body of the safear cleaner.

Figure 2 shows in perspective, a cotton bud being fitted into the body of the safear cleaner Figure 3 shows in perspective, a human ear and also depicting the ear hole and the ear canal.

Figure 4 shows in perspective, the safear cleaner positioned inside the ear hole and ear canal.

Referring to the drawing Fig 1 the safear cleaner comprises a one piece soft rubber body 1 with a hole 2 running through the centre interconnected to a slot 3. There are wide flanges 4 at either end of the cleaner to prevent any over insertion. The middle of the handle has several grooves 5 which are moulded into the surface for ease of handling and grip.

Before the safear cleaner is functional, a cotton bud 7 has to be fitted into the body 1. This is done by prizing the slot 3 open as shown at 6, far enough for a cotton bud to be pushed securely into the central hole 2 and the safear cleaner is then ready for use as shown in Fig 4.

Fig 3 shows a human ear 9, the ear hole 10 and the ear canal 11. Fig 4 shows the cotton bud 7 fitted correctly into the hole 2 in the centre of the body I forming the safear cleaner. Fig 4 also shows the cleaner inserted to the safe maximum depth in the ear canal 11 and being prevented from over insertion by the flange 4.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 According to the present invention there is provided an ear cleaner comprising a longitudinal body of plastics material having a first flange at one end and a second flange at the other end, a duct running the length of the body, the slot serving to enable a known cotton bud device of known type comprising a stem with an individual cotton bud at each end to be inserted into the body by way of the radial slot so that with the stem located in the duct, with one cotton bud projecting from one flange and with the other cotton bud to the one projecting from other flange to the one flange; the first and second flanges each extending radially from the body so as to provide a flexible axial limit to the amount by which a cotton bud associated with the flange can extend into an orifice such as an ear.
2 Form of flange in two parts with an outer part of conical shape and an inner part extending radially further than the widest part of the outer part.
3 A flange adapted to receive a cotton bud (i. e. without a stem) can be mounted.
4 An ear cleaner as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4 An ear cleaner as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 An ear cleaner comprising: a longitudinal body of plastics material having a first flange at one end and a second flange at the other end to the one end, a duct running the length of the body, a radial slot in the body serving to enable a cotton bud device comprising a stem with an individual cotton bud at each end to be inserted into the body by way of the radial slot so that with the stem located in the duct, one cotton bud projects from the one flange and with the other cotton bud to the one cotton bud projects from the second flange; the first and second flanges each extending radially from the body so as to provide a flexible axial limit to the amount by which a cotton bud associated with the flange can extend into an orifice such as an ear.

2 An ear cleaner as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each flange is in two parts with an outer part of conical shape and an inner part extending axially away from the remainder of the handle and radially further than the widest part of the outer part.

3 An ear cleaner as claimed in any preceding claim having each flange adapted to have mounted on it a cotton bud without a stem.