NL2031761B1 - Earplug - Google Patents

Earplug Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2031761B1
NL2031761B1 NL2031761A NL2031761A NL2031761B1 NL 2031761 B1 NL2031761 B1 NL 2031761B1 NL 2031761 A NL2031761 A NL 2031761A NL 2031761 A NL2031761 A NL 2031761A NL 2031761 B1 NL2031761 B1 NL 2031761B1
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NL
Netherlands
Prior art keywords
chamber
earplug
solid material
ear canal
flowable medium
Prior art date
Application number
NL2031761A
Other languages
Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Gijsbert De Koning Abraham
Original Assignee
Pro Dev B V
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Publication date
Application filed by Pro Dev B V filed Critical Pro Dev B V
Priority to NL2031761A priority Critical patent/NL2031761B1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2031761B1 publication Critical patent/NL2031761B1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F11/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand
    • A61F11/06—Protective devices for the ears
    • A61F11/08—Protective devices for the ears internal, e.g. earplugs

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Psychology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)

Abstract

An earplug (1) for sleeping, comprising a resilient elongated outer casing (2) having a first end (3) for insertion into a user’s ear canal and an opposing second end (4) configured for holding the 5 earplug (1) when inserting or removing the earplug (1) from the ear canal; wherein the outer casing (2) comprises one or more circumferentially extending flanges (5, 6) arranged between the first and second end (3, 4), and wherein each flange of the one or more flanges (5, 6) is configured to resiliently engage an inner circumferential skin portion of the ear canal; Wherein the outer casing (2) further comprises a first chamber (7) arranged at the first end (3) and a second chamber (8) 10 arranged at the second end (4); Wherein the first chamber (7) comprises a flowable medium (9) and wherein the second chamber (8) comprises a resilient solid material (10). [Figure 1]

Description

Earplug
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to an earplug, in particular an earplug for sleeping.
Background art
US application US 2008/0173315 A1 discloses an earplug including an elongated stem including opposite first and second ends, a flange element disposed circumferentially on the stem and extending from the first end toward the second end delimiting a space between the flange element and the stem, a rib support element formed on an inner surface of the flange element in the space between the flange element and the stem, and a stem component disposed in a cavity formed in the stem, wherein the elongated stem, the flange element, and the rib support element are integrally formed of a resilient polymeric material and wherein the stem component is formed of a semi-rigid material and is bonded with the resilient polymeric material at the cavity.
Prior art earplugs such as those described above provide good acoustic sealing and attenuation, but prolonged use of such earplugs may cause considerable discomfort to the ear canal, which is in part caused by the stem component.
Summary of the invention
The present invention relates to an earplug, in particular an earplug for sleeping. The earplug of the present invention provides improved resiliency and compressibility for soft and snug engagement with the ear canal whilst maintaining good acoustical attenuation. The earplug is particularly advantageous for prolonged use as it eliminates discomfort of the ear canal.
According to the present invention, an earplug of the type mentioned above is provided comprising a resilient elongated outer casing having a first end for insertion into a user's ear canal and an opposing second end configured for holding the earplug when inserting or removing the earplug from the ear canal; wherein the outer casing comprises one or more circumferentially outward extending flanges arranged between the first and second end, and wherein each flange of the one or more flanges is configured to resiliently engage an inner circumferential portion of the ear canal; wherein the outer casing further comprises a first chamber arranged at the first end and a second chamber arranged at the second end; and wherein the first chamber comprises a flowable medium and wherein the second chamber comprises a resilient solid material.
The flowable medium in the first chamber allows the earplug to be sufficiently flexible to follow the shape of the ear canal in snug fashion for good acoustical attenuation whilst preventing too much pressure on the ear canal, thereby eliminating discomfort during prolonged use. The resilient solid material in the second chamber prevents the flowable medium from escaping the first chamber and also provides sufficient resiliency and flexibility to allow the earplug to snugly but softly engage the ear canal at the second end for good acoustical attenuation without causing discomfort during prolonged use of the ear plug.
Brief description of the drawings
The present invention will now be described by way of reference to a number of illustrative embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a three dimensional view of an earplug according to an embodiment of the present invention; and wherein
Figure 2 shows a cross section of an earplug according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed description of embodiments.
Referring to the Figures 1 and 2, showing a three dimensional and cross section respectively of an earplug 1 for sleeping according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the earplug 1 comprises a resilient or flexible elongated outer casing 2 having a first end 3 configured for insertion into a user's ear canal (not shown) and an opposing second end 4 configured for holding, e.g. manually holding, the earplug 1 when inserting or removing the earplug 1 from the ear canal. Therefore, when the earplug 1 is to be used, the first end 3 is inserted into the ear canal first and where at least a part of the second end 4 is used to push the earplug into the ear canal for example.
The outer casing 2 of the earplug 1 comprises one or more circumferentially outward extending flanges 5, 6 arranged between the first end 3 and the second end 4, and wherein each flange of the one or more flanges 5, 6 is configured to resiliently engage an inner circumferential portion of the ear canal.
In an exemplary embodiment as depicted, the one or more circumferentially outward extending flanges 5, 6 may be arranged next to each other along a lengthwise axis L of the earplug 1. In a further embodiment, an outer diameter of each of the one or more flanges 5, 6 may be different, e.g. increasing in a direction from the first end 3 to the second end 4, which is advantageous as an ear canal tends to become increasingly narrower at greater depth toward the eardrum. The figures also show that in even further embodiments each of the flanges 5, 6 may have a circumferential arched or spherical shape, e.g. circumferentially spherically curved in a direction from the first end 3 toward the second end 4, wherein each of the curved flanges 5, 6 enclose a corresponding annular cavity 5a, 6a. The annular cavity 5a, 6a allows the corresponding flange 5, 6 to flexibly and resiliently bend inward and/or outward for achieving snug but soft engagement with the ear canal at any point along an inner circumferential portion of the ear canal, thereby achieving good acoustic sealing and attenuation.
As depicted, the outer casing 2 further comprises a first chamber 7 arranged at the first end 3 and a second chamber 8 arranged at the second end 4, wherein the first chamber 7 comprises a flowable medium 9 and wherein the second chamber 8 comprises a resilient solid material 10. Here, the first chamber 7 and the second chamber 8 may be seen as inner cavities or pockets of the outer casing 2 filled with the flowable medium 9 and resilient solid material 10, respectively.
According to the present invention, the flowable medium 9 in the first chamber 7 allows the earplug 1 to be sufficiently flexible for following the shape and bends of the ear canal in snug fashion for good acoustical attenuation whilst preventing too much pressure on the ear canal. The flowable medium 9 in the first chamber 7 further allows each of the circumferentially arranged flanges 5, 6 to snugly engage the ear canal without excessive pressures on inner circumferential portions thereof. These advantages eliminate discomfort during prolonged use and as such the earplug 1 can be used comfortably when sleeping.
Another advantage of the flowable medium 9 is that the first chamber 7 still exhibits some resistance to compression such that the earplug 1 can be inserted without unwanted collapse thereof in the ear canal, thus ensuring that the earplug 1 remains fully extended in the ear canal to achieve an optimal fit.
The resilient solid material 10 in the second chamber 8 prevents the flowable medium 9 from escaping the first chamber 7 and provides sufficient resiliency and flexibility to allow the earplug 1 to engage the inner circumference of the ear canal in snug but soft manner at the second end 8, thereby further improving acoustic sealing and attenuation without causing discomfort during prolonged use of the earplug 1, e.g. when sleeping.
According to the present invention, the earplug 1 is able to provide good acoustic sealing and a snug but comfortable fit along an inserted length of the earplug 1 and as such sufficient friction is provides so that the earplug 1 remains at the required position in the ear canal when sleeping.
In an embodiment, the flowable medium 9 is movable along a first chamber surface portion 11 of the first chamber 7 and wherein the resilient solid material 10 is affixed to a second chamber surface portion 12 of the second chamber 8. In this embodiment, the flowable medium 9 is able to freely move along the first chamber surface portion 11 during deformation of the earplug 1, e.g. deformation of the first end 3. As a result, shear forces acting along the first chamber surface portion 11 by the flowable medium 9 are kept to a minimum such that the earplug 1 is able to flexibly deform as needed for achieving a snug fit in the ear canal. Note that the flowable medium 9 provides some reduction of compressibility of the first end 3 of the earplug 1, which is advantageous to achieve sufficient engagement of the one or more flanges 5, 6 with inner circumferential portions of the ear canal for acoustic sealing. The resilient solid material 10 is affixed to the second chamber surface portion 12 to prevent leakage of the flowable medium 9 and also prevents the resilient solid material 10 from dislodging from the second chamber 8.
To further ensure that the flowable medium 9 and the resilient solid material 10 remain firmly in place in their respective first and second chambers 7, 8, an embodiment is provided wherein the outer casing 2 further comprises an inner circumferential edge 13 protruding into the second chamber 8. This embodiment further prevents the resilient solid material 10 to loosen after repeated use of the earplug 1 and numerous deformations thereof, and as such also further prevents leakage of the flowable medium 9.
Further embodiments are conceivable that provide for a reliable earplug 1 in that the flowable medium 9 remains in the first chamber 7 and thus leakage is prevented. For example, in the embodiment as shown in Figure 2, the outer casing 2 may further comprise an inner wall 14 separating the first chamber 7 and the second chamber 8. Here, the inner wall 14 may be seen as an inward protruding wall portion and can, but need not, be used to control e.g. compressibility of the outer casing 2. In particular, the inner wall 14 may be advantageous for reliably keeping the flowable medium 9 in the first chamber 7 so that not all forces of the flowable medium 8 are imposed on the resilient solid material 10 in the second chamber 8 as the flowable medium 9 moves through the first chamber 7 during deformations of the earplug 1. Therefore, the inner wall 14 may in part absorb compression forces of the flowable medium 9 so that the resilient solid material 10 is able to reliably prevent leakage of the earplug 1.
In a further embodiment the inner wall 14 may comprise an aperture 15, to maintain access to the first chamber 7 when manufacturing the earplug 1. For example, to allow the flowable medium 9 to be injected/pushed into the first chamber 7. The aperture 15 may also be advantageous to achieve a desired or required level of compressibility of the outer casing 2. In exemplary embodiments the aperture 15 may be a round, oval or rectangular aperture depending on requirements.
Figure 2 further shows that in an embodiment the outer casing 2 may comprise a protrusion 16 extending into the second chamber 8, wherein the protrusion 16 is arranged between the inner wall 14 and the inner circumferential edge 13. This protrusion 16 may be used for firmly fixing the resilient solid material 10 in the second chamber 8 and as such prevent dislodgement therefrom.
As mentioned earlier, the flowable medium 9 in the first chamber 7 allows the earplug 1 to be sufficiently flexible for following the shape and bends of the ear canal in snug fashion for good acoustic attenuation whilst preventing too much pressure on the ear canal, i.e. surface skin thereof, by the circumferentially arranged flanges 5, 6.
To achieve a good balance between flexibility and compressibility of the earplug 1, in particular the first end 3 thereof, there is an embodiment wherein the flowable medium 9 in the first chamber 7 is a gas. Utilizing a gas is advantageous to provide optimal movability of the flowable medium 9 along the first chamber surface portion 11 of the first chamber 7 so that high flexibility of the first end 3 is maintained yet some resistance to compression of the first chamber 7 is provided to allow each flange of the one or more flanges 5, 6 to engage the inner canal in snug but soft manner for acoustic sealing without inducing discomfort. In an exemplary embodiment, the gas may be air or an inert gas.
In an alternative embodiment, the flowable medium 9 in the first chamber 7 is a viscous medium. In this embodiment the flowable medium 9 has a higher viscosity than gas as mentioned above. In particular, the viscous medium is able to provide a somewhat higher resistance to compression of the first chamber 7, thereby further preventing collapse thereof. However, the viscous medium is movable along the first chamber surface portion 11 of the first chamber 7 to enable sufficient flexibility of the first end 3 to deform as needed for optimal fit of the earplug 1. The viscous medium also facilitates insertion of the earplug 1 and prevents collapse of the first chamber 7 when doing so.
In an exemplary embodiment, the viscous medium may comprise Vaseline or silicone, which may provide a required deformability and flexibility of the earplug 1 and facilitate insertion without collapsing the earplug 1.
In a further embodiment, the viscous medium may comprise gas bubbles 17, so that the flowability and movability of the viscous medium in the first chamber 7 can be influenced, e.g. modifying resistance to shear as well as free movement along the first chamber surface portion 11.
It is further conceivable that in an alternative embodiment the flowable medium 9 in the first 5 chamber 7 is a liquid, so that good flowability and movability of the flowable medium 9 in the first chamber 7 is achieved yet the first chamber 7 is prevented from collapsing when the earplug 1 is inserted in the ear canal. The liquid still provides flexibility and necessary deformability of the first end 3, thereby enabling the earplug 1 to fit in the ear canal in snug but comfortable manner.
As for the resilient solid material 10, in an embodiment the resilient solid material 10 comprises a thermoplastic elastomer having a hardness equal to or lower than 15 Shore A. This provides for a resilient solid material 10 that is also very flexible and compressible, but wherein the resilient solid material 10 can be reliably affixed to the second chamber surface portion 12 of the second chamber 8 for internally sealing the earplug 1 and prevent leakage of the flowable medium 9.
In an embodiment, the outer casing 2 and the one or more flanges 5, 6 are integrally formed of a thermoplastic elastomer having a hardness between 15 and 40 Shore A, thereby providing sufficient flexibility and compressibility to the outer casing 2 such that an optimal and comfortable fit of the earplug 1 is possible.
As further depicted in Figure 1, in an advantageous embodiment the second end 4 of the outer casing 2 may comprise a projecting tab 18 to simplify and facilitate manual insertion and retraction of the earplug 1. In a further embodiment the tab 18 may comprise one or more ridges 19 to provide additional friction when manually holding the tab 18 when inserting and retracting the earplug 1.
The earplug 1 of the present invention allows for efficient manufacturing and as such a method of manufacturing the earplug 1 is provided, wherein the method comprises the steps of a) injection moulding the outer casing 2 and the one or more circumferentially outward extending flanges 5, 6 as a single piece component; b) providing the first chamber 7 with the flowable medium 9; c) injection moulding the resilient solid material 10 into the second chamber 8.
This method allows the earplug 1 to be manufactured through efficient and convenient techniques for both the flowable medium 9 and the resilient solid material 10. For example, the first chamber 7 may be provided with a gaseous flowable medium 9 by allowing a gas, such as air, to enter the first chamber 7 passively as soon as the outer casing 2 has been completed. Alternatively, the first chamber 7 may be provided with a viscous medium or a liquid through the use of a nozzle, for example. The resilient solid material 10 may be efficiently injected into the second chamber 8 using a nozzle.
Another advantage of the earplug 1 is that the sequence of method steps as mentioned above, particularly step b) and c), can be chosen as needed. For example, in a first embodiment the step of b) may be performed before the step of c). So when the outer casing 2 has been obtained, the first chamber 7 may be provided with the flowable medium 9 first. In this case the resilient solid material 10 is not yet present in the second chamber 8 and as such the first chamber 7 is readily accessible through the second chamber 8. Once the flowable medium 9 has been provided in the first chamber 7, the resilient solid material 10 can be injected in the second chamber 8. Once step c) is complete, the flowable medium 9 cannot escape from the first chamber 7.
As suggested above, the flowable medium 9 may be provided to the first chamber 7 passively, so where the flowable medium 9 spontaneously enters the first chambers 7 once the outer casing 2 has been obtained. This may be the case when the flowable medium 9 is chosen to be a gas, such as air, which can simply enter the first chamber 7 as soon as the outer casing 2 is obtained. Alternatively, the flowable medium 98 may be provided to the first chamber 7 in active manner by means of e.g. a nozzle when the flowable medium 9 is a viscous medium or a liquid for example.
In a second embodiment, the step of ¢) is performed before the step of b), wherein the step of b) further comprises pushing a needle through the resilient solid material 10 into the first chamber 7 followed by injecting the flowable medium 9 into the first chamber 7 through the needle. In this embodiment it is possible to inject the resilient solid material 10 into the second chamber 8 first, followed by injection of the flowable medium 9 into the first chamber 7 using a needle, wherein the needle is pushed through the resilient solid material 10 and into the first chamber 7. When injection of flowable medium 9 has been completed, retracting the needle will not leave a leak as the resilient solid material 10 will tightly close the hole therethrough by virtue of resiliency. This embodiment is advantageous as it allows injection of the flowable medium 9 to also provide an overpressure in the first chamber 7, thereby adjusting the size of the earplug 1 accurately. It is even possible that, once step c) is completed, the earplug 1 is subsequently positioned in a user's ear canal and that step b) follows thereafter, i.e. the flowable medium 9 is injected into the first chamber 7 to obtain optimal fitment of the earplug 1 as it sits in the ear canal. Note that in this embodiment it is further possible to inject a gas (e.g. air), a viscous medium or a liquid in the first chambers 7 by means of the needle.
In view of the above, the present invention can now be summarised by the following embodiments:
Embodiment 1. An earplug (1) for sleeping, comprising a resilient elongated outer casing (2) having a first end (3) for insertion into a user's ear canal and an opposing second end (4) configured for holding the earplug (1) when inserting or removing the earplug (1) from the ear canal; wherein the outer casing (2) comprises one or more circumferentially outward extending flanges (5, 6) arranged between the first and the second end (3, 4), and wherein each flange of the one or more flanges (5, 6) is configured to resiliently engage an inner circumferential portion of the ear canal; wherein the outer casing (2) further comprises a first chamber (7) arranged at the first end (3) and a second chamber (8) arranged at the second end (4); wherein the first chamber (7) comprises a flowable medium (9) and wherein the second chamber (8) comprises a resilient solid material (10).
Embodiment 2. The earplug according to embodiment 1, wherein the flowable medium (9) is movable along a first chamber surface portion (11) of the first chamber (7) and wherein the resilient solid material (10) is affixed to a second chamber surface portion (12) of the second chamber (8).
Embodiment 3. The earplug according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the outer casing (2) further comprises an inner circumferential edge (13) protruding into the second chamber (8).
Embodiment 4. The earplug according to any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the outer casing (2) further comprises an inner wall (14) separating the first chamber (7) and the second chamber (8).
Embodiment 5. The earplug according to embodiment 4, wherein the inner wall (14) comprises an aperture (15).
Embodiment 8. The earplug according to embodiment 3 and embodiment 4 or 5, wherein the outer casing (2) further comprises a protrusion (18) extending into the second chamber (8), wherein the protrusion (16) is arranged between the inner wall (14) and the inner circumferential edge (13).
Embodiment 7. The earplug according to any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the flowable medium (9) in the first chamber (7) is a gas.
Embodiment 8. The earplug according to any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the flowable medium (9) in the first chamber (7) is a viscous medium.
Embodiment 9. The earplug according to embodiment 8, wherein the viscous medium comprises vaseline or silicone.
Embodiment 10. The earplug according to embodiment 8 or 9, wherein the viscous medium comprises gas bubbles (17).
Embodiment 11. The earplug according to any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the flowable medium (9) in the first chamber (7) is a liquid.
Embodiment 12. The earplug according to any one of embodiments 1-11, wherein the resilient solid material (10) comprises a thermoplastic elastomer having a hardness equal to or lower than 15
Shore A.
Embodiment 13. The earplug according to any one of embodiments 1-12, wherein the outer casing (2) and the one or more flanges (5, 6) are integrally formed of a thermoplastic elastomer having a hardness between 15 and 40 Shore A.
Embodiment 14. A method of manufacturing the earplug according to any one of embodiments 1- 13, comprising the steps of: a) injection moulding the outer casing (2) and the one or more circumferentially outward extending flanges (5, 8) as a single piece component; b) providing the first chamber (7) with the flowable medium (9); c) injection moulding the resilient solid material (10) into the second chamber (8).
Embodiment 15. The method according to embodiment 14, wherein the step of b) is performed before the step of ¢).
Embodiment 16. The method according to embodiment 15, wherein the step of c) is performed before the step of b), wherein the step of b) further comprises pushing a needle through the resilient solid material (10) into the first chamber (7) followed by injecting the flowable medium (9) into the first chamber (7) through the needle.
The present invention has been described above with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments as shown in the drawings. Modifications and alternative implementations of some parts or elements are possible, and are included in the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (16)

CONCLUSIESCONCLUSIONS 1. Een oordop (1) voor het slapen, omvattende een veerkrachtige, langwerpige buitenmantel (2) met een eerste uiteinde (3) om in de gehoorgang van een gebruiker te worden gestoken en een tegenoverliggend tweede uiteinde (4) dat geconfigureerd is om de oordop (1) vast te houden bij het inbrengen of het verwijderen van de oordop (1) uit de gehoorgang; waarbij de buitenmantel (2) een of meer zich in de omtrek naar buiten uitstrekkende flenzen (5, 6) omvat die zijn aangebracht tussen het eerste en het tweede uiteinde (3, 4), en waarbij elke flens van de een of meer flenzen (5, 6) is geconfigureerd om veerkrachtig aan te grijpen op een binnenomtreksgedeelte van de gehoorgang; waarbij de buitenmantel (2) verder een eerste kamer (7) omvat die is aangebracht aan het eerste uiteinde (3) en een tweede kamer (8) die is aangebracht aan het tweede uiteinde (4); waarbij de eerste kamer (7) een vloeibaar medium (9) omvat en waarbij de tweede kamer (8) een veerkrachtig vast materiaal (10) omvat.A sleeping earplug (1) comprising a resilient, elongated outer shell (2) having a first end (3) for insertion into a user's ear canal and an opposing second end (4) configured to hold the earplug (1) when inserting or removing the earplug (1) from the ear canal; wherein the outer casing (2) comprises one or more circumferentially outwardly extending flanges (5, 6) arranged between the first and second ends (3, 4), and each flange of the one or more flanges ( 5, 6) is configured to resiliently engage an inner circumferential portion of the ear canal; wherein the outer shell (2) further comprises a first chamber (7) disposed at the first end (3) and a second chamber (8) disposed at the second end (4); wherein the first chamber (7) comprises a liquid medium (9) and wherein the second chamber (8) comprises a resilient solid material (10). 2. De oordop volgens conclusie 1, waarbij het vloeibare medium (9) beweegbaar is langs een eerste kameroppervlakgedeelte (11) van de eerste kamer (7) en waarbij het veerkrachtige vaste materiaal (10) is bevestigd aan een tweede kameroppervlakgedeelte (12) van de tweede kamerThe earplug of claim 1, wherein the liquid medium (9) is movable along a first chamber surface portion (11) of the first chamber (7) and wherein the resilient solid material (10) is attached to a second chamber surface portion (12) of House of Representatives (8).(8). 3. De oordop volgens conclusie 1 of 2, waarbij de buitenmantel (2) verder een binnenste omtreksrand (13) omvat die uitsteekt in de tweede kamer (8).The earplug of claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer shell (2) further comprises an inner peripheral rim (13) protruding into the second chamber (8). 4. De oordop volgens een van de conclusies 1-3, waarbij de buitenmantel {2) verder een binnenwand (14) omvat die de eerste kamer (7) en de tweede kamer (8) scheidt.The earplug according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer shell {2) further comprises an inner wall (14) separating the first chamber (7) and the second chamber (8). 5. De oordop volgens conclusie 4, waarbij de binnenwand (14) een opening (15) omvat.The earplug of claim 4, wherein the inner wall (14) includes an opening (15). 6. De oordop volgens conclusie 3 en conclusie 4 of 5, waarbij de buitenmantel (2) verder een uitsteeksel (16) omvat dat zich uitstrekt in de tweede kamer (8), waarbij het uitsteeksel (16) is aangebracht tussen de binnenwand (14) en de binnenste omtreksrand (13).The earplug of claim 3 and claim 4 or 5, wherein the outer shell (2) further comprises a protrusion (16) extending into the second chamber (8), the protrusion (16) being disposed between the inner wall (14) ) and the inner peripheral edge (13). 7. De oordop volgens een van de conclusies 1-6, waarbij het vloeibare medium (9) in de eerste kamer (7) een gas is.The earplug according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the liquid medium (9) in the first chamber (7) is a gas. 8. De oordop volgens een van de conclusies 1-6, waarbij het vloeibare medium (9) in de eerste kamer (7) een viskeus medium is.The earplug according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the liquid medium (9) in the first chamber (7) is a viscous medium. 9. De oordop volgens conclusie 8, waarbij het viskeuze medium vaseline of siliconen omvat.The earplug of claim 8, wherein the viscous medium comprises petrolatum or silicone. 10. De oordop volgens conclusie 8 of 9, waarbij het viskeuze medium gasbellen (17) omvat.The earplug according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the viscous medium comprises gas bubbles (17). 11. De oordop volgens een van de conclusies 1-8, waarbij het vloeibare medium (9) in de eerste kamer (7) een vloeistof is.The earplug according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the liquid medium (9) in the first chamber (7) is a liquid. 12. De oordop volgens een van de conclusies 1-11, waarbij het veerkrachtige vaste materiaal (10) een thermoplastisch elastomeer omvat met een hardheid gelijk aan of lager dan 15 Shore A.The earplug of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the resilient solid material (10) comprises a thermoplastic elastomer with a hardness equal to or less than 15 Shore A. 13. De oordop volgens een van de conclusies 1-12, waarbij de buitenmantel (2) en de een of meer flenzen (5, 6) integraal zijn gevormd uit een thermoplastisch elastomeer met een hardheid tussen 15 en 40 Shore A.The earplug according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the outer shell (2) and the one or more flanges (5, 6) are integrally formed from a thermoplastic elastomer with a hardness between 15 and 40 Shore A. 14. Een werkwijze voor het vervaardigen van de oordop volgens een van de conclusies 1-13, omvattende de stappen van: a) het spuitgieten van de buitenmantel (2) en de een of meer zich in de omtrek naar buiten uitstrekkende flenzen (5, 6) als een onderdeel uit één stuk; b) het voorzien van de eerste kamer (7) van het vloeibare medium (9); c) het spuitgieten van het veerkrachtige vaste materiaal (10) in de tweede kamer (8).A method for manufacturing the earplug according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the steps of: a) injection molding the outer casing (2) and the one or more circumferentially outwardly extending flanges (5, 6) as a one-piece part; b) providing the first chamber (7) with the liquid medium (9); c) injection molding the resilient solid material (10) into the second chamber (8). 15. De werkwijze volgens conclusie 14, waarbij de stap van b) wordt uitgevoerd vóór de stap van C).The method of claim 14, wherein the step of b) is performed before the step of C). 16. De werkwijze volgens conclusie 15, waarbij de stap van c) wordt uitgevoerd vóór de stap van b}, waarbij de stap van b) verder omvat het duwen van een naald door het veerkrachtige vaste materiaal (10) tot in de eerste kamer (7) gevolgd door het door de naald injecteren van het vloeibare medium (9) in de eerste kamer (7).The method of claim 15, wherein the step of c) is performed before the step of b), wherein the step of b) further comprises pushing a needle through the resilient solid material (10) into the first chamber ( 7) followed by injecting the liquid medium (9) through the needle into the first chamber (7).
NL2031761A 2022-05-02 2022-05-02 Earplug NL2031761B1 (en)

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Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB527650A (en) * 1938-08-13 1940-10-14 Vern Oliver Knudsen Improvements in or relating to ear stoppers
US2246737A (en) * 1939-08-07 1941-06-24 Vern O Knudsen Ear stopper
US2803247A (en) * 1954-12-02 1957-08-20 Josef J Zwislocki Earplug
GB825255A (en) * 1957-11-19 1959-12-09 Mine Safety Appliances Co Improvements in ear protecting devices
US5957136A (en) * 1998-10-08 1999-09-28 Moldex-Metric, Inc. Earplug
US20080173315A1 (en) 2002-01-25 2008-07-24 Cabot Safety Intermediate Corporation Hearing protection device
WO2018199966A1 (en) * 2017-04-27 2018-11-01 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. In-ear devices
US20200281773A1 (en) * 2019-03-05 2020-09-10 Concraft Holding Co., Ltd. Earplug with enhanced wearing comfortability

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB527650A (en) * 1938-08-13 1940-10-14 Vern Oliver Knudsen Improvements in or relating to ear stoppers
US2246737A (en) * 1939-08-07 1941-06-24 Vern O Knudsen Ear stopper
US2803247A (en) * 1954-12-02 1957-08-20 Josef J Zwislocki Earplug
GB825255A (en) * 1957-11-19 1959-12-09 Mine Safety Appliances Co Improvements in ear protecting devices
US5957136A (en) * 1998-10-08 1999-09-28 Moldex-Metric, Inc. Earplug
US20080173315A1 (en) 2002-01-25 2008-07-24 Cabot Safety Intermediate Corporation Hearing protection device
WO2018199966A1 (en) * 2017-04-27 2018-11-01 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. In-ear devices
US20200281773A1 (en) * 2019-03-05 2020-09-10 Concraft Holding Co., Ltd. Earplug with enhanced wearing comfortability

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