Patent ID: 11867336
Assignee: ADVANCED F.M.E. PRODUCTS, INC.
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F | IPC F

Claim 8:
9. A flexible, foldable foreign material exclusion device, comprising:
a foldable cylindrical plug including a first body hingedly connected to a second body such that in an open position the plug forms a cylinder and in a non-open position does not form the cylinder,
wherein the hinge allows the first body to be rotated in relation to the second body,
wherein the first body and the second body each comprise a resilient material that is compressible and recompressible in a direction perpendicular to a height of the cylinder;
wherein a handle is connected to the plug that can be used to manipulate the plug between the open position and the non-open position, and
further including a cover comprising a first pouch that encloses the first body, and a second pouch that encloses the second body, wherein the cover includes the hinge as an integral part of the cover, and wherein the hinge is formed by the cover which has a portion that extends into the area between the first body and the second body,
wherein the first pouch is closed by a first flange that extends the length of the first hinge sidewall, wherein the first flange has a first tab at a free end thereof that coextends the length of the first flange, and wherein the first tab is tucked into the pouch and is in contact with the hinge; and
wherein the second pouch is closed by a second flange that extends the length of the second hinge sidewall, wherein the second flange has a second tab at a free end thereof that coextends the length of the second flange, and wherein the second tab is tucked into the pouch and is in contact with the hinge.