Ear cleaner
The ear cleaner addresses the inefficiency of existing cleaners by using a handle and tip with radially arranged fins and a scoop to remove earwax without pushing it deeper into the ear canal, ensuring effective and comfortable cleaning.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025526237
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-11-07
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing ear cleaners, including cotton swabs and flexible silicone tips, are ineffective in removing earwax without potentially pushing it further into the ear canal, while metal cleaners may cause discomfort.
An ear cleaner with a rotationally symmetrical handle and a cleaning tip featuring radially arranged fins and a scoop, designed to gradually widen and contract, allowing for effective earwax removal without forcing it deeper into the ear canal.
The ear cleaner effectively removes earwax by rotating fins and a scoop design that captures wax without causing damage, providing a comfortable and efficient cleaning experience.
Smart Images
Figure 2025540910000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an ear cleaner comprising a handle having a generally rotationally symmetrical shape about an axis of rotation defining an axis of rotation during ear cleaning, and a cleaning tip at at least one end of the handle that is coaxial with the handle. [Background technology]
[0002] The usual process for cleaning the ears is to use a cotton swab, which is a short stick covered with small balls of cotton at each end. However, a disadvantage of cotton swabs is that they can push earwax further into the ear canal, which can eventually create an earwax plug.
[0003] Additionally, disposable cotton swabs should be replaced with more environmentally friendly products that remain effective for cleaning ears.
[0004] Therefore, cotton swabs made from washable plastic have been developed, but they still have the same drawback of pushing earwax into the ear canal.
[0005] Furthermore, various ear cleaners are available. Ear cleaners are less invasive than cotton swabs and can generally be cleaned for reuse. For example, there are ear cleaners that include tips with spiral grooves or cross-shaped tips that form a spiral inside the ear canal during rotation. These tips are made from soft, flexible silicone for comfort inside the ear. However, their disadvantage is that the tips are too soft and do not have a sufficiently effective mechanical action.
[0006] Metal ear cleaners are also available with heads of various shapes, such as spirally wound metal wire, spoons, rings, etc. However, some users may feel a little uneasy about inserting a metal rod into the ear canal.
[0007] Therefore, commercially available cotton swabs or ear cleaners are not satisfactory. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0008] Therefore, it is necessary to be able to provide a more efficient ear cleaner that can effectively remove earwax without causing any damage to the ear canal. [Means for solving the problem]
[0009] The present invention therefore relates to an ear cleaner comprising a handle having a generally rotationally symmetrical shape about an axis of rotation defining an axis of rotation during ear cleaning and formed by the intersection of the frontal plane and the median plane, and a cleaning tip at at least one end of the handle that is coaxial with the handle.
[0010] According to the invention, the tip comprises a tubular body coaxial with the handle and having at its distal portion a head including a series of fins radially arranged around the periphery of the distal portion of the body, each fin extending along the distal portion along a pivot axis, each fin having a cross section that gradually widens from the distal end of the head, giving the head an arcuate shape, and the tip also comprises a scoop disposed contiguous with the head at its distal end, the scoop having at least one functional surface that is substantially parallel to the frontal plane.
[0011] Advantageously, the scoop has a cross section that gradually widens from its distal end to the distal end of the head.
[0012] Preferably, each fin has a cross-section that gradually expands from the distal end of the head and then gradually contracts to the proximal end of the head.
[0013] Preferably, the body of the tip has an outer diameter that gradually widens from the distal end of the distal portion of the body, giving it a conical shape.
[0014] The ear cleaner according to the invention is therefore very effective, in particular due to the progressive conical shape of the fins that give the head an arcuate shape, the progressive conical shape at the end of the tip body, and the reduced portion of the scoop integrated at the end of the head, which allows earwax to be captured without being forced into the ear canal.
[0015] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top view of an ear cleaner according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an isometric side view of the ear cleaner of FIG. 1 with the various tips separated from the handle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an isometric top view of the ear cleaner of FIG. 1 with the various tips separated from the handle. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ear cleaner of FIG. 1 taken along the median plane. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a tip used in the ear cleaner of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the chip of FIG. 5 taken along the median plane. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the chip of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] 1 to 4, the present invention relates to an ear cleaner 1 including a handle 2 having a generally rotationally symmetrical shape about a longitudinal axis of rotation A that defines an axis of rotation during ear cleaning. Axis A is formed by the intersection of the frontal plane F and the median plane M shown in FIG. 4.
[0018] The diameter of the handle 2 can vary to provide an ergonomic shape.
[0019] Furthermore, two flats 4 parallel to the frontal plane F are provided, the role of which will be described in more detail below.
[0020] The ear cleaner 1 also includes a cleaning tip 6 at at least one end of the handle 2 that is configured to be assembled integrally with the handle 2 and is coaxial with the handle 2 .
[0021] 5 to 8, the tip 6 includes a tubular body 8 that is coaxial with the handle 2 and configured to be assembled integrally with the handle 2, the tubular body 8 having, at its distal end 10 (i.e., the end of the body 8 opposite the handle 2), a head 12 that includes a series of solid fins 14 that are radially arranged and evenly distributed around the periphery of the distal end 10 of the body 8, each fin 14 extending along the distal end 10 along a rotation axis A. Thus, the head 12 has a rotation function, and each fin 14 can rotate on the wall of the ear canal to remove earwax.
[0022] In the example shown, the chip includes eight fins 14, but it will be apparent that the number of fins may vary.
[0023] Advantageously, each fin 14 has a cross-section (i.e., in a plane perpendicular to axis A) that gradually widens from the distal end 12a of head 12, giving said head 12 an arcuate shape. Thus, the outer radius R (see Figures 6 and 7) of each fin 14, which defines its height as seen in cross-section in a radial plane, gradually widens from the distal end 12a of head 12. This makes it possible to avoid forcing earwax into the ear canal and to facilitate insertion of the tip into the ear canal.
[0024] Furthermore, the tip 6 includes a spoon 16 provided continuously from the head 12 at the distal end 12a of the head 12, the spoon 16 having at least one functional surface 16a extending in a plane P substantially parallel to the frontal plane F (see FIGS. 4 and 6). This means that the functional surface 16a may be flat, parallel to the frontal plane F, or slightly curved to form a concave cross-section in a frontal view. The angle of curvature of the functional surface 16a relative to the frontal plane F may be, for example, between 0° (flat functional surface 16a parallel to the frontal plane F) and 30° (curved functional surface 16a), and preferably between 10° and 25°.
[0025] Due to the symmetry of the tip 6, the spoon 16 preferably includes two functional surfaces 16a extending on either side of the frontal plane F.
[0026] Advantageously, the spoon 16 has a concave cross section in front view on both sides of the frontal plane F, preferably symmetrical with respect to said frontal plane F, giving said spoon 16 a biconcave appearance, as can be seen in Figure 8. This biconcave shape of the spoon 16, with a curvature angle of less than 30°, preferably between 10° and 25° with respect to the frontal plane F, makes it possible to reduce the impact on the earwax and to have a better scratching effect, which is very advantageous. It will be clear that in other variants not shown, the spoon may have curved and flat functional surfaces, or may have functional surfaces with various curves.
[0027] Advantageously, the spoon 16 has a cross-section S that gradually expands from its distal end 16a to the distal end 12a of the head 12 (see FIG. 6). Thus, the distal end 16a of the spoon 16 has a minimally thinned portion and is gently tapered to meet the end of the head 12. The small cross-section of the spoon 16 allows it to remove earwax by scratching the inside of the ear without forcing it deep into the ear canal.
[0028] Preferably, each fin 14 has a cross-section (i.e., defined by an outer radius R in a cross-section in a radial plane) that gradually expands from the distal end 12a of the head 12 along the axis A and then gradually contracts to the proximal end 12b of the head 12 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). This means that each fin 14 has a height, in a radial plane, from the base of the fin 14 along the axis A that gradually expands from the distal end 12a of the head 12 and then gradually contracts to the proximal end 12b of the head 12. This makes it possible to avoid sharp edges for the comfort of the user.
[0029] Preferably, each fin 14 has a positive rake angle α, for example between 0.5° and 20°.
[0030] Furthermore, each fin 14 has an outwardly flaring shape in a transverse plane, with each fin 14 having a thickness e that gradually widens outward in the same transverse plane from the base of the fin 14 (connecting to the distal portion 10 of the body 8) (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The fins 14 may flare in the transverse plane at an angle between 0.5° and 45° relative to the axis of symmetry of the fin 14 in the transverse plane, which allows for a better scratching effect without forcing earwax into the ear canal.
[0031] Advantageously, head 12 includes two lateral fins, more specifically designated 14' in the figures, that extend beyond distal end 12a of head 12 symmetrically about said frontal plane F, on either side of said frontal plane F, to merge with one another on the same side of frontal plane F to give spoon 16 a biconcave appearance and to form one of the curved functional surfaces of spoon 16 in the center. The other features described above in general terms with respect to fins 14 also apply to the fin designated 14'.
[0032] Preferably, body 8 of tip 6 has an outer diameter D that gradually widens from distal end 10a of distal portion 10 of body 8, giving the distal end of body 8 a conical shape that widens from spoon 16. In other words, the outer diameter D of the end of distal portion 10 facing spoon 16 gradually narrows toward said spoon 16. The conical shape of the distal end of body 8 from spoon 16 makes it possible to prevent earwax from being pushed too far into the ear canal.
[0033] Preferably, the tip 6, i.e., the body 8, the fins 14 and the head 12, are made from a single material, for example by molding, which may be, for example, silicone, EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), or PU (polyurethane), or any other suitable material.
[0034] Advantageously, the body 8 of the tip 6 includes a hollow core 18 (see FIG. 6 ) configured to receive an elongated framework 20 provided at one end of the handle 2 for attaching the tip 6 to the handle 2 by inserting the framework 20 into the core 18. The shape of the framework 20 corresponds to the shape of the core 18 to ensure that the tip 6 is securely held on the handle 2.
[0035] Preferably, the framework 20 extends almost to the distal end 10a of the distal portion 10 of the body 8. Advantageously, the framework 20 is made from a harder material than the body 8, in order to provide a rigid framework for the tip 6 and allow better insertion into the ear canal. The handle 2 and its framework 20 may be made, for example, from POM (polyoxymethylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), PA (polyamide), or any other suitable material.
[0036] Advantageously, the tip 6 is configured to be attached to the handle 2 in a removable manner so that it can be replaced with tips of different sizes or with new tips 6 .
[0037] To ensure that the tip 6 is locked onto the handle 2, a locking means may be provided, for example at the proximal end of the body 8, such as a tab 22 configured to engage with a corresponding notch 24 provided on the handle 2.
[0038] Advantageously, the tip 6 and the handle 2 include indexing means configured to assemble the tip 6 and the handle 2 such that when the tip 6 is attached to the handle 2, the main plane P of the functional surface 16a of the spoon 16 is parallel to the frontal plane F.
[0039] In a preferred embodiment, locking means such as tabs 22 and corresponding notches 24 are located on the periphery of tip 6 and handle 2, respectively, so as to also provide indexing means. Thus, tip 6 is automatically positioned accurately relative to handle 2 during assembly.
[0040] For this reason, the flat portion 4, which is parallel to the frontal plane F, is also parallel to the main plane P of the functional surface 16a of the spoon 16 when the tip 6 is attached to the handle 2. Thus, the handle 2 comprises a cylindrical gripping area constituted by the cylindrical portion of the handle 2 and a flat gripping area which is parallel to the frontal plane F and the main plane P of the functional surface of the spoon, said flat gripping area being constituted by the flat portion 4.
[0041] The cylindrical gripping area allows for finger manipulation to easily rotate the handle 2 for rotary cleaning while the fin 14 is in use. The flat gripping area allows for finger manipulation to ensure the functional surface of the spoon 16 is correctly oriented during use.
[0042] It will be apparent that in an alternative embodiment, the tip 6 may be attached to the handle 2 in a non-removable manner.
[0043] The length of the body 8 of the tip 6 is selected to correspond to a safe length to avoid the tip 6 being left in the ear if the handle is accidentally broken or accidentally unlocked.
[0044] Advantageously, the handle 2 comprises at one end a cleaning tip 6 and at the other end an internal housing 26 configured to receive at least one other cleaning tip 6. The two cleaning tips 6 may be of the same size or of different sizes. In the example shown, the internal housing 26 is dimensioned in particular to expose the scoop 16 and part of the head 12 of the tip 6. The base of said internal housing 26 has a seat to which the body 8 of the tip 6 is fastened, ensuring that the tip 6 is held within the housing 26. In another variant not shown, the internal housing 26 may be dimensioned to completely accommodate the tip 6, in which case said housing 26 is closed by a bung (not shown).
[0045] Preferably, the ear cleaner 1 is provided with two tips 6 of different sizes.
[0046] The ear cleaner 1 according to the present invention has two functions: removal and scratching, thanks to the fins 14 and the spoon 16. The rotational function of the fins 14 allows the rotation of the cylindrical gripping area of the handle 2 to rotate on the ear canal wall, thereby removing earwax without spiral deformation. The flat gripping area allows the spoon 16 to be oriented accurately to scratch the inside of the ear. The arc-shaped shape of the head 12 allows the spoon 16 to be naturally guided, creating a ball-joint and centering effect for the spoon 16.
[0047] The gradual conical shape of the fins 14 that give the head 12 an arcuate insertion shape, the gradual conical shape of the distal end of the body 8 of the tip 6, and the reduced portion of the spoon 16 allow earwax to be captured and removed without being forced into the ear canal.
[0048] It will be apparent that, according to another possible embodiment, the ear cleaner may comprise a handle 2 having a shape that is generally rotationally symmetrical about a turning axis A, which defines an axis of rotation during ear cleaning and is formed by the intersection of a frontal plane F and a median plane M, and a cleaning tip 6, at at least one end of the handle 2, coaxial with the handle 2, said tip 6 comprising a tubular body 8 that is coaxial with the handle 2 and has at its distal portion 10 a head 12 having a suitable configuration different from the fins described above, said tip 6 comprising a scoop 16 provided at its distal end 12a continuous with the head 12, said scoop 16 having at least one functional surface 16a that is substantially parallel to the frontal plane F, i.e. that is flat or curved as described above. Preferably, the scoop 16 has a concave cross-section in front view on both sides of the frontal plane F and is preferably symmetrical with respect to said frontal plane F, giving the spoon 16 a biconcave appearance, as can be seen in FIG. 8 . All other features mentioned above can be combined with this embodiment.
[0049] The ear cleaner 1 according to the present invention is reusable as the tip 6 can be easily removed for cleaning.
Claims
1. An ear cleaning device (1), a handle (2) having a generally rotationally symmetrical shape about a rotation axis (A) formed by the intersection of a frontal plane (F) and a median plane (M), which defines an axis of rotation during ear cleaning; At least one end of the handle (2) has a cleaning tip (6) coaxial with the handle (2); An ear cleaning device (1) comprising: the tip (6) is a tubular body (8) coaxial with the handle (2), the tubular body (8) having at its distal portion (10) a head (12) including a series of fins (14) radially arranged around the circumference of the distal portion (10) of the body (8), each fin (14) extending along the distal portion (10) along the pivot axis (A), each fin (14) having a cross-section that gradually widens from the distal end (12a) of the head (12) to give the head (12) an arcuate shape; The tip (6) includes a spoon (16) provided at the distal end (12a) of the head (12) and continuing from the head (12), the spoon (16) having at least one functional surface (16a) that is substantially parallel to the frontal plane (F). An ear cleaner (1).
2. 2. An ear cleaner (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the scoop (16) has a cross section that gradually widens from its distal end (16b) to the distal end (12a) of the head (12).
3. 3. An ear cleaner (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each fin (14) has a cross-section that gradually widens from the distal end (12a) of the head (12) and then gradually narrows to the proximal end (12b) of the head (12).
4. Ear cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that each fin (14) has a positive rake angle (α).
5. Ear cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that each fin (14) has an outwardly widening shape in a transverse plane.
6. 6. An ear cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the body (8) of the tip (6) has an outer diameter (D) that gradually widens from the distal end (10a) of the distal part (10) of the body (8), giving it a conical shape.
7. 7. An ear cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the body (8) of the tip (6) comprises a hollow core (18) configured to receive a framework (20) provided at one end of the handle (2) for attaching the tip (6) to the handle (2).
8. 8. Ear cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tip (6) is adapted to be attached to the handle (2) in a detachable manner.
9. 9. An ear cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tip (6) and the handle (2) comprise indexing means (22, 24) configured to assemble the tip (6) and the handle (2) so that the functional surface (16a) of the scoop (16) is parallel to the frontal plane (F).
10. 10. Ear cleaner (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (8) is made from a material harder than the material of the fins (14) and the material of the head (12).
11. 11. Ear cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the handle (2) comprises a cylindrical gripping area and a flat gripping area parallel to the frontal plane (F).
12. 12. An ear cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the handle (2) comprises, at one end, a cleaning tip (6) and, at the other end, an inner housing (26) configured to receive at least one cleaning tip (6).
13. 13. Ear cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the scoop (16) comprises two functional surfaces (16a) extending on either side of the frontal plane (F).
14. 14. Ear cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the scoop (16) has a concave cross section on either side of the frontal plane (F), giving the scoop (16) a biconcave appearance.
15. 15. An ear cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the head (12) comprises two lateral fins (14') on the same side of the frontal plane (F) and extending beyond the distal end (12a) of the head (12) to meet each other and form a functional surface (16a) of the scoop (16).