Patent Application
20190069063
An earpiece including an intra-auricular support positionable in an auricle of an ear, a portion of the intra-auricular support configured as an intra-auricular support base securable to an earphone housing of an earphone.
Conventional earphones do not provide a substantially rigid earpiece configured to the outer ear of the individual wearer, or the individual wearer cannot configure a substantially rigid earpiece to the outer ear. Because the earphone is not configured to the individual wearer's outer ear, the earpiece may not stay in fixed engagement with the outer ear, the earphone may not align with the outer portion of the ear canal, or the earphone may be uncomfortable for the wearer to insert into or retain in the outer ear. The instant invention provides an earpiece which overcomes in whole or in part certain of the foregoing disadvantages of conventional earpieces.
A broad object of the invention can be to provide an earpiece including one or more of: an intra-auricular support having an intra-auricular support external surface positionable in an auricle of an ear, wherein a portion of the intra-auricular support external surface can be configured as an intra-auricular support base securable to an earphone housing of an earphone, the intra-auricular support secured by the intra-auricular support base to the earphone housing being positionable in the auricle of the ear.
Another broad object of the invention can be to provide a method of making an earpiece including one or more of: configuring an intra-auricular support external surface of an intra-auricular support to position in an auricle of an ear, and configuring a portion of the intra-auricular support external surface as an intra-auricular support base securable to an earphone housing of an earphone, the intra-auricular support secured by the intra-auricular support base to the earphone housing being positionable in the auricle of the ear.
Another broad object of the invention can be to provide a method for using an earpiece including one or more of: obtaining an intra-auricular support having an intra-auricular support external surface positionable in an auricle of an ear, the intra-auricular support having a portion configured as an intra-auricular support base securable to an earphone housing of an earphone, obtaining an earphone having an earphone housing, securing the intra-auricular support base the earphone housing of the earphone, and positioning the intra-auricular support secured by the intra-auricular support base to said earphone housing in the auricle of said ear upon insertion of the earphone into the ear.
Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed throughout other areas of the specification, drawings, photographs, and claims.
In general, an earpiece (1) can include one or more of: an intra-auricular support (2) having an intra-auricular support external surface (3) and an intra-auricular support base (4) securable to an earphone housing (5) of an earphone (6). Referring primarily to
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As to particular embodiments, the base member length (14) can, but need not necessarily, include a base member curvature (16), which allows the base member second surface (12) to mateably secure in overlying engagement with corresponding curvature of the earphone housing (5) of the earphone (6). In particular embodiments, the base member curvature (16) can, but need not necessarily, include an arc measure extending between opposite arcuate body first and second ends (17)(18) of about 45 degrees to about 270 degrees. The arc measure of the base member curvature (16) between opposite arcuate body first and second ends (17)(18) can be selected from the group including or consisting of: about 50 degrees to about 70 degrees, about 60 degrees to about 80 degrees, about 70 degrees to about 90 degrees, about 80 degrees to about 100 degrees, about 90 degrees to about 110 degrees, about 100 degrees to about 120 degrees, about 110 degrees to about 130 degrees, about 120 degrees to about 140 degrees, about 130 degrees to about 150 degrees, about 140 degrees to about 160 degrees, about 150 degrees to about 170 degrees, about 160 degrees to about 180 degrees, about 170 degrees to about 190 degrees, about 180 degrees to about 200 degrees, about 190 degrees to about 210 degrees, about 200 degrees to about 220 degrees, about 210 degrees to about 230 degrees, about 220 degrees to about 240 degrees, about 230 degrees to about 250 degrees, about 240 degrees to about 260 degrees, and combinations thereof.
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The term “moldable support material (45)” means, for the purpose of this invention, a material reconfigurable by direct engagement, or as to those embodiments having a pliant outer layer (48) indirect engagement with the auricle (30) of the ear (31), and which upon reconfiguration retains a fixed configuration corresponding to the engaged portion of the auricle (30) of the ear (31). As to particular embodiments, the moldable support material assumes the moldable condition in a temperature range of about 40° C. (about 110° F.) to about 65° C. (150° F.) and assumes a fixed configuration at temperatures below about 40° C. (110° F.). As to particular embodiments, the material remains moldable at ambient temperature and transitions from a moldable condition to a fixed configuration by exposure to one or more external factors such as: moisture or ultraviolet light. As to those embodiments, including a base member (10) having a base member first surface (11) fixedly engaged or joined to the intra-auricular support (2), the base member (10) can be of a material which remains in a stable fixed configuration during reconfiguration of the moldable support material (45), thereby achieving a reconfigured moldable support material (45) without alteration or while substantially retaining the configuration of the base member (10) whether secured or securable to the earphone housing (6).
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As one illustrative example, the one-part moldable support material (49) can be an amount of polycaprolactone polymer (CAS No.: 24989-40-4) having the properties described in Table 1; however, this illustrative example is not intended to preclude the use of other thermoplastic polymers, or combinations of thermoplastic polymers, or other polymers, suitable for use with embodiments of the earpiece (1).
Polycaprolactone polymers can be heated to achieve a moldable condition, reconfigured or contoured by pressing engagement to a portion of the auricle (30) or concha bowl (33) of the ear (31) and cooled while engaged to the auricle (30) or concha bowl (33) to achieve the fixed configuration of the intra-auricular support (2).
Polycaprolactone polymers impart good water, oil, solvent, and chlorine resistance. Polycaprolactone polymers are also compatible with a wide range of other materials (collectively referred to as “admixed agents”), such as: starch, to impart greater biodegradability; colorants, such as alcohol dyes or acrylic coloring agents; powders, such as acrylic powder; particulates of plastic, copolymer plastics, metal, bismuth oxychloride, or glitter, or the like, either separately or in various combinations. Polycaprolactone polymers are non-toxic and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for specific applications in the human body.
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Illustrative examples of a two-part moldable support material (50) include: a crosslinkable polymer having at least one hydrolysable silane group, selected from the group including or consisting of: silane-modified polyoxyalkylenes, polyolefins, poly(meth)acrylates, polyurethanes, polyamides, and polysiloxanes; silicone putty partially hydrolyzed alkyl silicate, or combinations thereof, and a catalyst including: a metallic salt of an organic carboxylic acid catalyst in which the metal comprises or consists of one or more of a platinum, tin, copper, or other metal causing the crosslinking of the polymer.
Another illustrative example of a two-part moldable support material (50) including a moldable agent (51) and curing agent (52) comprises polydimethylsiloxane polymer and platinum (0)-1,3-divinyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane curing agent. Another illustrative example of a two-part moldable support material (50) including a moldable agent (51) and curing agent (52) comprises two proprietary compounds manufactured by Radians, Inc., silicone putty A-side and silicone putty B-side, of which one silicone putty contains methylpolysiloxanes.
Yet another illustrative example includes SILPURAN® 8020, a platinum catalyst-curing solid silicone rubber available through Wacker Chemie AG.
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Securement of the earphone (6) to the intra-auricular support (2) can be achieved prior to (as shown in the examples of
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Methods of heating the intra-auricular support (2) to achieve the moldable condition of the intra-auricular support (2) can be accomplished in a variety of ways. As a first illustrative example, the intra-auricular support (2) can be located in a heated enclosure. Where the intra-auricular support (2) in the first fixed configuration (46) is formed from polycaprolactone (or other material(s) having same or similar physical properties), the intra-auricular support (2) can be heated within the heated enclosure having sufficient temperature to achieve the molded condition. As to particular embodiments, the heated enclosure can have a temperature maintained at about 70° C. (160° F.) and the intra-auricular support (2) can be heated within the heated enclosure for about 10 minutes. The intra-auricular support (2) can be removed from the heated enclosure and allowed to sufficiently cool for engagement with the auricle (30) or concha bowl (33) (typically about 30 seconds).
Another method of heating the intra-auricular support (2) can include locating the intra-auricular support (2) in an amount of liquid. The amount of liquid can be any liquid which does not degrade the moldable support material (45) of the intra-auricular support (2) and which can hold a temperature sufficient to heat the intra-auricular support (2) to achieve the moldable condition, such as an oil, alcohol, water, or the like, or combinations thereof. Typically, the amount of liquid will be an amount of water. The amount of liquid can be sufficiently heated to achieve the moldable condition. For example, where the intra-auricular support (2) is made from polycaprolactone polymer, the intra-auricular support (2) can be heated in an amount of water to a temperature of about 60° C. (140° F.) for about 5 minutes. The intra-auricular support (2) can be removed from the heated water and allowed to sufficiently cool for engagement with the auricle (30) or concha bowl (33) (typically about 30 seconds). As to particular embodiments, the intra-auricular support (2) in the first fixed configuration (46) of the external surface disposed in the amount of liquid can be heated by exposing the intra-auricular support (2) disposed in said amount of liquid to an amount of microwave radiation sufficient to achieve the moldable condition.
Another method of heating the intra-auricular support (2) can include locating the intra-auricular support (2) in a flow of heated fluid. The flow of heated fluid can be a flow of heated air; although the invention is not so limited. As to particular embodiments of the intra-auricular support (2) made from polycaprolactone polymer (or other material have the same or similar physical properties), a flow of sufficiently heated air can be obtained from conventional hair dryer. The settings of the hair dryer as to temperature and flow rate can be adjusted to allow the intra-auricular support (2) to be sufficiently heated to achieve the moldable condition, typically, within a period of about one minute to about 2 minutes. The intra-auricular support (2) can be removed from the flow of heated air and allowed to sufficiently cool for engagement with the auricle (30) or concha bowl (33) (typically about 30 seconds). The above illustrative examples are not intended to be limiting with respect to the method of heating the intra-auricular support (2) and other methods of heating the intra-auricular support (2) can be utilized, including, for example, a sand bath or salt bath.
As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. The invention involves numerous and varied embodiments of a moldable earpiece system and methods for making and using such moldable earpiece system, including the best mode.
As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the invention disclosed by the description or shown in the figures or tables accompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, but rather exemplary of the numerous and varied embodiments generically encompassed by the invention or equivalents encompassed with respect to any particular element thereof. In addition, the specific description of a single embodiment or element of the invention may not explicitly describe all embodiments or elements possible; many alternatives are implicitly disclosed by the description and figures.
It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each step of a method may be described by an apparatus term or method term. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed as an action, a means for taking that action, or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each element of an apparatus may be disclosed as the physical element or the action which that physical element facilitates. As but one example, the disclosure of a “support” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “supporting”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “supporting”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “support” and even a “means for supporting.” Such alternative terms for each element or step are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.
In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood to be included in the description for each term as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition, each definition hereby incorporated by reference.
All numeric values herein are assumed to be modified by the term “about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes of the present invention, ranges may be expressed as from “about” one particular value to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value to the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all the numeric values subsumed within that range. A numerical range of one to five includes for example the numeric values 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, and so forth. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. When a value is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numeric values that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited numeric value or having the same function or result. Similarly, the antecedent “substantially” means largely, but not wholly, the same form, manner or degree and the particular element will have a range of configurations as a person of ordinary skill in the art would consider as having the same function or result. When a particular element is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent “substantially,” it will be understood that the particular element forms another embodiment.
Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity unless otherwise limited. As such, the terms “a” or “an”, “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.
Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at least: i) each of the moldable earpiece systems herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative embodiments which accomplish each of the functions shown, disclosed, or described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, x) the various combinations and permutations of each of the previous elements disclosed.
The background section of this patent application provides a statement of the field of endeavor to which the invention pertains. This section may also incorporate or contain paraphrasing of certain United States patents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter of the claimed invention useful in relating information, problems, or concerns about the state of technology to which the invention is drawn toward. It is not intended that any United States patent, patent application, publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated herein be interpreted, construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art with respect to the invention.
The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent application or continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.
Additionally, the claims set forth in this specification, if any, are further intended to describe the metes and bounds of a limited number of the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as the broadest embodiment of the invention or a complete listing of embodiments of the invention that may be claimed. The applicant does not waive any right to develop further claims based upon the description set forth above as a part of any continuation, division, or continuation-in-part, or similar application.
