Abstract:
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive yet effective disposable ear protector which will stay fixed in place until comfortably and easily removed and will protect the ear from moisture, where the ear protector is held in place against the face and side of the head by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive placed so that the protector is attached to the skin surrounding the ear on all sides, by cupping the ear, the protector shields the ear from moisture at all angles.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The instant invention relates to ear covering and protecting devices for preventing water, soap, chemicals, and moisture from entering and irritating an ear canal. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An excess or buildup of water, soap, chemicals, or other moisture frequently results in ear canal or inner ear irritation or infections both in children and adults. Ear plugs may be used to prevent moisture from entering in the ear, although they are not effective in keeping all moisture from entering the ear while bathing. 
         [0003]    There is a need for a device which will prevent water, soap, chemicals, and other moisture from entering and irritating an ear canal while bathing or participating in activities in which moisture may enter the ear canal. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive yet effective disposable ear protector. The instant ear protector will stay fixed in place until comfortably and easily removed. The ear protector will be easy to affix in place. The instant ear protector will protect the ear from moisture. 
         [0005]    In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the ear protector is held in place against the face and side of the head by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive placed so that the protectors attached to the skin surrounding the ear on all sides. By cupping the ear, the protector shields the ear from moisture at all angles. 
         [0006]    In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the outside dome of the ear protector is made from inexpensive disposable materials such as thin layers of Styrofoam, polyolefin, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic polymetric materials, paper coated with a protective plastic layer, silicon, plastic, latex, nitrile, rubber, mylar, or from various other materials. The inside of the ear protector may be coated with various absorbent substances or cushioned with cotton, polyester, bamboo fibers, sponge fiber, silicon, or other various materials. The outer rim circumference is coated with an adhesive material. 
         [0007]    In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the ear protector may be egg shaped in a manner that approximately conforms to the shape of the ear. Alternatively, the ear protector may have various shapes for efficiency and decoration. 
         [0008]    In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the ear protector includes a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive material on the circumference of the ear protector to facilitate attachment to the face and skin surrounding the ear. 
         [0009]    In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the ear protector may have an absorbent coating on the interior. The interior may also be cushioned or contain ear canal contouring. 
         [0010]    In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the outer circumference of the dome of the ear protector may extend with a slight lip to seamlessly lay against an individual&#39;s face. 
         [0011]    In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the ear protector is water resistant and may be waterproof. The adhesive of the outer rim circumference will facilitate attachment to dry skin. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a person&#39;s head, showing the ear protector, # 1  cupped over the ear. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a person&#39;s head, showing how the ear protector forms a cup over the ear. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a person&#39;s head, with the jawline, showing how the ear protector forms a cup over the ear. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of an individual&#39;s head, ear, and neck, showing that the protector dome fits over the outer surface of the ear. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of an individual&#39;s head, ear, and neck, showing that the protector dome fits over the outer surface of the ear. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows a top view with the outer surface of the ear protector. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  shows the bottom inside cavity view of the ear protector. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  shows the inside angled view of the ear protector. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  shows the outer side view of the ear protector. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  shows a cross section of the ear protector. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  shows a cross section of the ear protector. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  shows the outer side view of the ear protector. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  shows the outer side view of the ear protector. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  shows the outer side view of the ear protector. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  shows the outer side view of the ear protector. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  shows the outer side view of the ear protector. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  shows the outer side view of the ear protector. 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  shows the side view of a disc embodiment whereby the ear is partially covered and the device wraps around the ear edges. 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  shows the front view of an ear with the disc embodiment, where the edge of the protector folds over the back side of the ear. 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  shows the front view of an ear with the disc embodiment, where the disk is placed flat on the ear like a sticker, and the protector is folded over and around the perimeter of the edge of the outer ear. 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  shows the back view of the ear with the disc sticker. 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  shows the back view of the ear with the disc sticker. 
           [0034]      FIG. 23  shows the front view of the ear protector sticker disc. 
           [0035]      FIG. 24  shows the back view of the ear protector sticker disc. 
           [0036]      FIG. 25  shows the angled view of the ear protector sticker disc. 
           [0037]      FIG. 26  shows the side view of the ear protector sticker disc. 
           [0038]      FIG. 27  shows a cross section of the disk view showing the rim adhesive and center cushioning. 
           [0039]      FIG. 28  shows a cross section of the disk view showing the rim adhesive and center cushioning. 
           [0040]      FIG. 29  shows a cross section of the disk view showing the rim adhesive and center cushioning. 
           [0041]      FIG. 30  shows a cross section of the disk view showing the rim adhesive and center cushioning. 
           [0042]      FIG. 31  shows an example of a disc surface embellishment. 
           [0043]      FIG. 32  shows an example of a disc surface embellishment. 
           [0044]      FIG. 33  shows an example of a disc surface embellishment. 
           [0045]      FIG. 34  shows an example of a disc surface embellishment. 
           [0046]      FIG. 35  shows an example of a disc surface embellishment. 
           [0047]      FIG. 36  shows an example of a disc surface embellishment. 
           [0048]      FIG. 37  shows an example of various shape embodiments for the ear protector. 
           [0049]      FIG. 38  shows an example of various shape embodiments for the ear protector. 
           [0050]      FIG. 39  shows an example of various shape embodiments for the ear protector. 
           [0051]      FIG. 40  shows an example of various shape embodiments for the ear protector. 
           [0052]      FIG. 41  shows an example of various shape embodiments for the ear protector. 
           [0053]      FIG. 42  shows the side view of a balloon embodiment, where the ear is fully enclosed within the device. 
           [0054]      FIG. 43  shows the front view of a balloon embodiment, where the ear is fully enclosed within the device. 
           [0055]      FIG. 44  shows the front view of a balloon embodiment, where the ear is fully enclosed within the device. The adhesive rim can be seen from this view. 
           [0056]      FIG. 45  shows the back view of the ear protector covering the ear. 
           [0057]      FIG. 46  shows the back view of the ear protector covering the ear. 
           [0058]      FIG. 47  shows the front outside view of the ear protector. 
           [0059]      FIG. 48  shows the back inside view of the ear protector with the adhesive rim. 
           [0060]      FIG. 49  shows the angled view of the ear protector with the outer surface and rim. 
           [0061]      FIG. 50  shows the side view of the ear protector. 
           [0062]      FIG. 51  shows the cross section of the balloon embodiment with adhesive. 
           [0063]      FIG. 52  shows the cross section of the balloon embodiment with adhesive and inner cushioning. 
           [0064]      FIG. 53  shows various embellishments of the ear protector. 
           [0065]      FIG. 54  shows various embellishments of the ear protector. 
           [0066]      FIG. 55  shows various embellishments of the ear protector. 
           [0067]      FIG. 56  shows various embellishments of the ear protector. 
           [0068]      FIG. 57  shows various embellishments of the ear protector. 
           [0069]      FIG. 58  shows various embellishments of the ear protector. 
           [0070]      FIG. 59  shows a side view of a shower cap embodiment of the ear protector. 
           [0071]      FIG. 60  shows the front view of the shower cap ear protector using elastic. 
           [0072]      FIG. 61  shows the front view of the shower cap ear protector using elastic. 
           [0073]      FIG. 62  shows the back view of the shower cap ear protector using elastic. 
           [0074]      FIG. 63  shows the back view of the shower cap ear protector using elastic. 
           [0075]      FIG. 64  shows a front top surface view of the shower cap protector. 
           [0076]      FIG. 65  shows a bottom back view of the shower cap protector with elastic edges and sticky adhesive. 
           [0077]      FIG. 66  shows an angled view of the shower cap protector. 
           [0078]      FIG. 67  shows a side view of the shower cap protector. 
           [0079]      FIG. 68  shows a cross section of the shower cap protector. 
           [0080]      FIG. 69  shows a cross section of the shower cap protector. 
           [0081]      FIG. 70  shows an illustrative example of the top view of the shower cap protector. 
           [0082]      FIG. 71  shows an illustrative example of the top view of the shower cap protector. 
           [0083]      FIG. 72  shows an illustrative example of the top view of the shower cap protector. 
           [0084]      FIG. 73  shows an illustrative example of the top view of the shower cap protector. 
           [0085]      FIG. 74  shows an illustrative example of the top view of the shower cap protector. 
           [0086]      FIG. 75  shows an illustrative example of the top view of the shower cap protector. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0087]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a person&#39;s head, showing the dome ear protector, # 1  cupped over the ear. The ear protector extends to cover the top and bottom of the individual&#39;s ear, along with the skin in front of the ear on the facial side, and behind the ear on the side toward the crown of the head. The dome may be extended with a small lip to help it fit flush against the side of the individual&#39;s face. 
         [0088]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a person&#39;s head, showing how the ear protector forms a dome over the outer surface of the ear. The dotted lines represent the ear. The dome may be made of a foldable, flexible material to help conform to the side of the user&#39;s face. 
         [0089]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a person&#39;s head, showing how the ear protector forms a dome # 2  over the outer surface of the ear. # 3  shows the sticky adhesive around the circumference of the dome. # 4  shows that there may be internal dome coating to further help protect the ear from moisture. The coating may be over all of the internal dome, or the coating may just cover a ring portion around the circumference of the dome. 
         [0090]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of an individual&#39;s head, ear, and neck, showing that the protector dome fits over the outer surface of the ear. 
         [0091]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of an individual&#39;s head, ear, and neck, showing that the protector dome fits over the outer surface of the ear. The circumference sticky adhesive and inner moisture absorber may be seen from this view. 
         [0092]      FIG. 6  shows a top view with the outer surface of the ear protector. 
         [0093]      FIG. 7  shows the bottom inside cavity view of the ear protector. # 5  shows the peel off sticky adhesive backing. 
         [0094]      FIG. 8  shows the inside angled view of the ear protector. The inside cavity, outer surface, dome, and sticky rim are seen from this view. 
         [0095]      FIG. 9  shows the outer side view of the ear protector. The dome is seen from this view. 
         [0096]      FIG. 10  shows a cross section of the ear protector. # 6  denotes the sticky adhesive, while # 7  denotes the outer surface of the dome. 
         [0097]      FIG. 11  shows a cross section of the ear protector. # 8  denotes an optional comfort lining or additional absorbent layer. 
         [0098]      FIG. 12  shows the outer side view of the ear protector. Circles # 9  denote gripper indentations in the ear protector. The gripper indentations help he user grip the dome to position the ear protector properly over their ear. The indentations may be coated on the outside with a slip resistant material. 
         [0099]      FIG. 13  shows the outer side view of the ear protector. It may be a flat disk. 
         [0100]      FIG. 14  shows the outer side view of the ear protector. It may be made in the shape of a dome, balloon, or various other shapes. The ear protector may be clear, transparent or made in opaque colors, or it may have designs, faces, logos, maps, brands, numbers, animals, or other illustrations on it. 
         [0101]      FIG. 15  shows the outer side view of the ear protector. 
         [0102]      FIG. 16  shows the outer side view of the ear protector. 
         [0103]      FIG. 17  shows the outer side view of the ear protector. 
         [0104]      FIG. 18  shows the side view of a disc embodiment whereby the ear is partially covered and the device wraps around the ear edges. The ear is covered on the front side by the ear protector sticker. 
         [0105]      FIG. 19  shows the front view of an ear with the disc embodiment, where the edge of the protector folds over the back side of the ear. 
         [0106]      FIG. 20  shows the front view of an ear with the disc embodiment, where the disk is placed flat on the ear like a sticker, and the protector is folded over and around the perimeter of the edge of the outer ear. The ear protect has an adhesive on the side that is folded over the ear. The adhesive may be on the entire surface of the ear protector, or just around the outer perimeter. 
         [0107]      FIG. 21  shows the back view of the ear with the disc sticker. The view shows how the disc wraps around the ear to conform to the ear. 
         [0108]      FIG. 22  shows the back view of the ear with the disc sticker. The view shows the rim of the ear protector with the adhesive, and shows that the center of the protector may also have adhesive. 
         [0109]      FIG. 23  shows the front view of the ear protector sticker disc. The view shows the surface of the disc. 
         [0110]      FIG. 24  shows the back view of the ear protector sticker disc. The view shows the adhesive adhesive center, and peel off backing of the disc. 
         [0111]      FIG. 25  shows the angled view of the ear protector sticker disc. The view shows the surface of the disc, the peel off backing of the adhesive, and the adhesive. 
         [0112]      FIG. 26  shows the side view of the ear protector sticker disc. The view shows the outer surface, peel off backing on the interior side, and the adhesive in the middle. 
         [0113]      FIG. 27  shows a cross section of the disk view showing the rim adhesive and center cushioning. 
         [0114]      FIG. 28  shows a cross section of the disk view showing the rim adhesive and center cushioning.  FIG. 29  shows a cross section of the disk view showing the rim adhesive and center cushioning. 
         [0115]      FIG. 30  shows a cross section of the disk view showing the rim adhesive and center cushioning. The view shows that the cushioning layer may be made to cushion or contour the ear canal, similar to a plug cushion. 
         [0116]      FIG. 31  shows an example of a disc surface embellishment. 
         [0117]      FIG. 32  shows an example of a disc surface embellishment. 
         [0118]      FIG. 33  shows an example of a disc surface embellishment. 
         [0119]      FIG. 34  shows an example of a disc surface embellishment. 
         [0120]      FIG. 35  shows an example of a disc surface embellishment. 
         [0121]      FIG. 36  shows an example of a disc surface embellishment. 
         [0122]      FIG. 37  shows an example of various shape embodiments for the ear protector. 
         [0123]      FIG. 38  shows an example of various shape embodiments for the ear protector. 
         [0124]      FIG. 39  shows an example of various shape embodiments for the ear protector. 
         [0125]      FIG. 40  shows an example of various shape embodiments for the ear protector. 
         [0126]      FIG. 41  shows an example of various shape embodiments for the ear protector. 
         [0127]      FIG. 42  shows the side view of a balloon embodiment, where the ear is fully enclosed within the device. 
         [0128]      FIG. 43  shows the front view of a balloon embodiment, where the ear is fully enclosed within the device. 
         [0129]      FIG. 44  shows the front view of a balloon embodiment, where the ear is fully enclosed within the device. The adhesive rim can be seen from this view. 
         [0130]      FIG. 45  shows the back view of the ear protector covering the ear. 
         [0131]      FIG. 46  shows the back view of the ear protector covering the ear. 
         [0132]      FIG. 47  shows the front outside view of the ear protector. 
         [0133]      FIG. 48  shows the back inside view of the ear protector with the adhesive rim. 
         [0134]      FIG. 49  shows the angled view of the ear protector with the outer surface and rim. 
         [0135]      FIG. 50  shows the side view of the ear protector. 
         [0136]      FIG. 51  shows the cross section of the balloon embodiment with adhesive. 
         [0137]      FIG. 52  shows the cross section of the balloon embodiment with adhesive and inner cushioning. 
         [0138]      FIG. 53  shows various embellishments of the ear protector. 
         [0139]      FIG. 54  shows various embellishments of the ear protector. 
         [0140]      FIG. 55  shows various embellishments of the ear protector. 
         [0141]      FIG. 56  shows various embellishments of the ear protector. 
         [0142]      FIG. 57  shows various embellishments of the ear protector. 
         [0143]      FIG. 58  shows various embellishments of the ear protector. 
         [0144]      FIG. 59  shows a side view of a shower cap embodiment of the ear protector. The shower cap embodiment fits around the ear with a stretchy material. 
         [0145]      FIG. 60  shows the front view of the shower cap ear protector using elastic. 
         [0146]      FIG. 61  shows the front view of the shower cap ear protector using elastic. 
         [0147]      FIG. 62  shows the back view of the shower cap ear protector using elastic. 
         [0148]      FIG. 63  shows the back view of the shower cap ear protector using elastic. 
         [0149]      FIG. 64  shows a front top surface view of the shower cap protector. 
         [0150]      FIG. 65  shows a bottom back view of the shower cap protector with elastic edges and sticky adhesive. 
         [0151]      FIG. 66  shows an angled view of the shower cap protector. 
         [0152]      FIG. 67  shows a side view of the shower cap protector. 
         [0153]      FIG. 68  shows a cross section of the shower cap protector. 
         [0154]      FIG. 69  shows a cross section of the shower cap protector. 
         [0155]      FIG. 70  shows an illustrative example of the top view of the shower cap protector. 
         [0156]      FIG. 71  shows an illustrative example of the top view of the shower cap protector. 
         [0157]      FIG. 72  shows an illustrative example of the top view of the shower cap protector. 
         [0158]      FIG. 73  shows an illustrative example of the top view of the shower cap protector. 
         [0159]      FIG. 74  shows an illustrative example of the top view of the shower cap protector. 
         [0160]      FIG. 75  shows an illustrative example of the top view of the shower cap protector.