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 Title: |
US4820259:
External ear cleaning device
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Stevens, Robert B.; Grosse Pointe, MI 48236
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| Assignee: |
None
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| Published / Filed: |
1989-04-11
/ 1987-06-01
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| Application Number: |
US1987000055950
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
A61F 11/00;
A61F 13/38;
Core:
more...
IPC-7:
A61M 35/00;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
604/002;
604/001;
Original:
604/002;
604/001;
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| Field of Search: |
604/001,2,3
128/067,756
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| Priority Number: |
| 1987-06-01 |
US1987000055950 |
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| Abstract: |
An external ear cleaning device which is specially adapted for reaching the surfaces of the curved portions of the external ear. A substantially inflexible shaft has attached thereon at least one end piece constructed of a flexible material capable of absorbing water. The flexible material is deformable when pressure is applied to the shaft, such that the end piece can contact normally inaccessible portions of the external ear. The end piece also has a portion which extends radially outward from the shaft and which prevents harmful insertion of the device into the ear opening.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Hurt, Richardson, Garner, Todd & Cadenhead ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Ostrager, Allen M.;
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| Maintenance Status: |
R1 Reinstated
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
Show legal status actions
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 9 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. A generally dowel-shaped device for cleaning an external ear having an ear opening and further having a plurality of curved portions which define surfaces, the device comprising:
- a substantially inflexible shaft;
- a moisture absorbent end piece positioned over at least one end of said shaft, said end piece including:
- a first portion attached to said end of said shaft and having a first outer circumference;
- a second portion attached to said first portion on a side opposite said shaft and extending outward from said first portion and said shaft, said second portion having a second outer circumference smaller than said first outer circumference;
- wherein said first portion of said end piece has at least one cross-sectional dimension larger than the diameter of the ear opening to prevent insertion of said first portion into said ear opening, and wherein at least said second portion of said end piece is engageable with both the outer surface portion of the auditory canal and the surfaces of the curved portions of the external ear for cleaning said surfaces.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 44 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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