Patent Publication Number: US-2023156392-A1

Title: Earphone and Ribbon Cord Identifier Adaptor

Description:
PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
     The present non-provisional application hereby claims the benefit of priority to related: (1) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/902,880 entitled “Earphone Cord Containment Adaptor and Attachment Systems”; (2) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/916,784 entitled “Earphone Cord Containment Adaptor and Attachment Systems”; (3) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/026,115 entitled “Earphone Cord Containment Adaptor and Devices” and (4) related parent U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/591,596 which claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/023,105 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,277,680. The present non-provisional application is related in subject matter to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/688,882 which claims priority benefit to the above-referenced provisional applications and U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/023,105 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,277,680. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to systems, apparatus and methods in the field of cord and earphone cord storage, identification, and management. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In various environments, lightweight earphones are used to listen to audio from small portable communication devices, such as mobile telephones, tablet computers, and digital music players. 
     In many environments, a problem encountered with earphones is the lack of handy or tangle-free storage. Although many earphones with cords can be easily stored in a person&#39;s pocket, purse, book bag, gym bag, or hand bag, the cords often become tangled or knotted in these places when the person moves around. Apple Corporation&#39;s wired earphones with an earphone jack have an integrated small slider on the cord segment containing one of the earbuds to which the other earpiece cord segment can be attached, this slider fails to solve the problem of earphone cord tangling when the earphones are stored. Some corded wireless earbuds that are tethered by a cord between earbuds have a slider that is coupled to the cord between earbuds for adjusting the length of the loop that dangles between the earbuds. Similarly, this slider does not solve the earphone cord tangling problem for traditional wired earphones and does not provide a convenient storage solution. 
     Prior solutions for storing earphone cords are typically variations of spools or spindles around which earphone cords are wrapped, a strap or tie that wraps around earphone cords, or a clamp that clamps an earphone cord. Some of these solutions can be bulky and/or they require a place for storage when the earphones are being used to listen to audio, which may be problematic or not convenient. Consequently, many people do not use earphone holders and instead choose to bear the burden of untangling earphone cords that result from the storage of earphones in pockets or bags. An inconvenience of using some earphone holders is that a person may have to spend more time than desired to wind and/or unwind his or her earphone cords when the earphones are to be stored or used. 
     Systems or devices are needed that help prevent earphones cords from knotting or tangling when not in use and that address one or more problems or inconveniences of prior solutions. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, various embodiments of earphone cord containment adaptors, discussed herein, help to conveniently store and/or contain earphone cords when earphones are not in use, such as when earphones are stored in pockets or bags. Various embodiments of earphone cord containment adaptors couple securely to an earphone cord segment and can remain on the earphone cord segment while a user is listening to audio and can prevent cord entanglement when the earphones are stored or not in use. 
     Earphone cord containment adaptors include a shell, frame or structure either of which can have or form a part of an anchor slot that enables the slots of the cord containment adaptor to be fixed, via the anchor slot, in a stationary manner on the cord segment, such as, for example, a cord segment containing the plug of an earphone set. The cord containment adaptor can be adaptively anchored or fixed to or removed from an earphone cord of a set of earphones by hand via the anchor slot. The anchor slot can have a frame or structure that may have multiple earphone cord entrapment chambers and/or an angled or non-linear path to an earphone cord entrapment chamber or chambers to help anchor the cord containment adaptor, via the anchor slot, on the cord segment to prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the cord containment adaptor from the earphones. The open ends of the slots serve as outlets for portions of an earphone cord segment to extend out of the slot. An entrapment chamber, of multiple entrapment chambers of the anchor slot, can serve as an anchor chamber that enables, in some embodiments, an earphone cord to be embedded in an entrapment chamber at a level farther away from the anchor slot entrance than other entrapment chambers that may hold other earphone cord segments. A single anchor slot with multiple entrapment chambers can serve a dual purpose of anchoring the adaptor on an earphone set in one entrapment chamber yet enabling other segments, such as cord segments near earpieces of an earphone set, to be gripped in other entrapment chambers of the anchor slot. 
     In addition to a cord segment anchored to the adaptor in the anchor slot, earphone cord segments, such as those near the earpieces, in some embodiments, can be securable to the cord containment adaptor via other earphone cord containment slots along various or upstanding walls or sides of the cord containment adaptor. The other earphone cord containment slots may be quick release slots that are structured in a manner that enable a cord segment in the quick release slot to be removed with greater ease than a cord segment secured within or at a distal end of an anchor slot, such as, for example, a cord contained within an entrapment chamber at a distal or terminal end of the anchor slot. When a cord containment adaptor is anchored via the anchor slot, earphone cord segments can be gripped into slots in a manner that contains loose cord ends to help prevent tangling of earphone cords when the earphones are stored or not in use. Various embodiments are constructed with a variety of features that individually and/or collectively help to contain cords, such as for example, by configurations of rigid support structures, entrapment chambers, cord conduits, and/or cord pathways and/or a completely rigid slotted structure that is molded, carved or shaped to grip or compress cord segments between opposing walls that are gapped apart. Features of adaptors enable the adaptors to serve as identifying adaptors when positioned on cord segments. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawing figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments according to one or more inventive aspects or principles of invention and together with the description, serve to describe one or more inventive aspects or principles of the invention. 
         FIGS.  1 A,  1 B,  1 C,  1 G,  1 H, and  1 I  are views of a cord containment adaptor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS.  1 D,  1 E, and  1 F  are views of earphone cord segments of a set of earphones compressed or contained in various cord containment slots or channels of a cord containment adaptor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  illustrate an example of a cord containment structure showing features of inventive aspects of the invention but that is too flexible for reliable anchoring. 
         FIG.  3    is a view of a cord containment adaptor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with an earphone set contained therein. 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are views of a cord containment adaptor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are views of a cord containment adaptor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  are views of a cord containment adaptor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS.  7 A,  7 B,  7 C, and  7 D  are views of a cord containment adaptor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS.  8 A,  8 B, and  8 C  are views of a cord containment adaptor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention for use with an earphone set with ribbon type cords. 
         FIGS.  9 A,  9 B, and  9 C  are views of a cord containment adaptor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention for use with an earphone set with ribbon type cords. 
         FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  are views of the cord containment adaptor of  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  secured to a set of earphones that are plugged into a mobile telephone via an earphone plug. 
         FIGS.  11 A,  11 B,  11 C,  11 D, and  11 E  are views of a cord containment adaptor  1100  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS.  12 A,  12 B,  12 C,  12 D, and  12 E  are views of a cord containment adaptor  1200  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS.  13 A,  13 B,  13 C, and  13 D  are views of a cord containment adaptor  1300  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS.  14 A and  14 B  are views of a cord containment adaptor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS.  15 A and  15 B  are views of a cord containment adaptor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS.  16 A and  16 B  are views of a cord containment adaptor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  17    is a view of a cord containment adaptor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to example embodiments. Reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. Like or similar features or configurations of various embodiments may not be discussed in repetitive detail with respect to each figure or embodiment when the features or configurations would be readily understood from other figures or descriptions of embodiments that have been discussed or illustrated in more detail. 
     Various embodiments enable cord containment slots to be attached and remain attached, via an anchor slot, on a variety of earphones while the earphones are in use and yet provide an easy-to-use structure that helps prevent cord entanglement when the earphones are stored. Cord containment slots, via the adaptor, may be selectively attachable to and removeable by hand from an earphone cord segment of a set earphones. 
     Various embodiments of earphone cord containment adaptors couple securely at a selected position on an earphone cord segment of a set of earphones. A cord containment adaptor can remain positioned on an earphone cord segment, such as a segment containing the audio plug of a set of earphones, while the earphones are used for listening to audio. A cord containment adaptor can have various cord containment slots positioned on the outer surface of the adaptor. When a cord containment adaptor is coupled to the cord segment of earphones that contains the male plug of a set of earphones and when the ends of the primary segments of the earphone cords are secured in the slots of the cord containment adaptor, the earphones may be stored in a pocket, purse, or bag with little concern that the earphone cords will become entangled when the earphones are moved or jostled during activities. An anchor slot, as discussed herein, serves to anchor or securely position a cord containment adaptor on a set of earphones. Various embodiments of anchor slot structures, described herein, are advantageous to attaching objects and cord containment adaptors to an earphone cord. Embodiments, with upstanding adaptor walls or surfaces, may remain on an earphone cord that is plugged into a mobile telephone and may rest against or flush on the surface of the telephone in a manner that positions cord containment slots upward away from the telephone surface so that a slot or slots can grip and contain earphone cords that are wrapped around the mobile telephone when the telephone is not in use. Embodiments, features, and combinations are described or are readily apparent or inherent from the described embodiments and examples. It should be appreciated that aspects of different embodiments are structured or operate in a similar manner as other embodiments and may be combined, modified, or interchanged in accordance with the scope and teachings herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , perspective views of an embodiment of an earphone cord containment adaptor  100  are illustrated, and referring to  FIG.  1 C , a front side view of the earphone cord containment adaptor  100  is illustrated. The cord containment adaptor  100  is configured to be attached to a cord segment, such as for example, the end of a cord segment containing the audio jack or plug of a set of earphones and can be used to help prevent earphone cords from tangling when the earphones are stored or not in use. The cord containment adaptor  100  has a set of cord containment slots and each cord containment slot is structured to receive and hold an earphone cord as discussed herein. The cord containment adaptor  100  has an anchor slot  110  for attachment to an earphone cord. The cord containment adaptor  100  is embodied as a sphere or spherical body. The anchor slot  110  enables the slots of the cord containment adaptor  100  to be secured in a stationary manner on cords of an earphone set, such as for example, the earphone set  150  shown in  FIG.  1 D . An anchor slot may have components, conduits, chambers, walls or surfaces that engage an earphone cord to compress an earphone cord so that the cord containment adaptor  100  is held in a stationary position on the earphone cord. The anchor slot  110  provides an anchor to secure the cord containment adaptor  100  to the segment of the earphone cord, as desired by a user. It should be appreciated that the overall shape or embodiment of the cord containment adaptor may take on various three-dimensional features, shapes, characters, or figures, and embody, for example, flat surfaces, straight surfaces, conical surfaces, cylinders, rectangles, ellipsis, curved surfaces, polyhedrons, ovoids, cubes, cuboids, or various combinations or modifications thereof. A spherical shaped cord containment adaptor is advantageous to a user because the lack of sharp or angular edges can help prevent the adaptor from getting caught on or snagging objects that the cord containment adaptor brushes against or touches inside or outside a person&#39;s pocket, backpack, purse, satchel, or bag. 
     An earphone cord may be fitted or compressed into the anchor slot  110  through the opening defining the anchor slot entrance  112  on the outer surface of the cord containment adaptor  100 . The anchor slot entrance  112  is at the top or beginning of the anchor slot  110  and provides the primary entrance or opening through which a lengthwise segment of an earphone cord is inserted or fitted into the anchor slot. The cord containment adaptor  100  also has cord containment slots  114   a ,  114   b , and  114   c  into which cord segments or free ends of cords of an earphone set can be gripped and contained to help prevent entanglement of the cords when the cord containment adaptor  100  is attached to the earphone set. The cord containment slots  114   a ,  114   b , and  114   c  are positioned at different spaced apart locations on the surface of the adaptor  100  to aid with positioning and securing earphone cords in a manner to help prevent cord tangling. Each of the slots shown has a first open side and a second open side at the ends of the slot. Each slot illustrated extends and provides a linear opening from one-opened side of the slot to the other open-ended side of the slot. Each slot provides a cord through-passage through which a cord can extend from one open-ended side of the slot to the other open-ended side of the slot. Each of the slots has an entrance extending along the slot and defined between and extending through the first and second open sides of each slot. The entrance provides an opening for the earphone cord to be pressed or pushed between the sidewalls of each slot. The interior walls, sides, or sidewalls of an anchor slot delineate passageways through which an earphone cord can pass. The anchor slot  110  has multiple paths and chambers that are structured in a manner to hold and entrap a selected segment of an earphone cord within the anchor slot  110  so as to anchor the cord containment adaptor  100  on the earphone cord segment, and some slots or chambers are structured to hold and enable the quick release, when desired, of other cord segments that are near the earbuds or earpieces of an earphone set. The combination of both the hand releasable anchor slots and quick release slots for earphone cords in various embodiments herein is advantageous for use and storage of earphones. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 D , the cord containment adaptor  100  is shown fixed in a stationary position on and near the end of the rounded cord segment  152   c  containing the audio plug  168  of a set of earphones  150 . The cord segment  152   c  extends entirely through the body of the cord containment adaptor  100  via the through-passages of the anchor slot  110 . The through-passages extend between open ends or sides of the anchor slot  110 . Through-passages, such as cord conduits and chambers, are discussed in more detail herein. The anchor slot  110  has a first open side and a second open side through which an earphone cord can extend all the way through the anchor slot and cord containment adaptor  100 . Earphones  150  have a pair of earpieces  162   a  and  162   b  that deliver audio to a person&#39;s ears. The earpieces may be in-ear earpieces, in-ear monitors, earbuds, or the like or any earphones with parts that sit within a person&#39;s outer ear. The earpieces  162   a  and  162   b  are attached respectively to an end of each of the rounded earphone cord segments  152   a  and  152   b , and the other end of each segment  152   a  and  152   b  couple with a segment junction point  166 . One end of the earphone cord segment  152   c  is coupled to the segment junction point  166 , and the other end of the segment  152   c  extends down to couple with an audio jack or audio input plug  168 . For ease of illustration, it should be appreciated that the size of the earphones  150  are not depicted in exact scale with respect to the cord containment adaptor  100 . 
     The anchor slot  110  compresses the cord segment  152   c  within the cord containment adaptor  100  which attaches the cord containment adaptor  100  in a generally fixed stationary position along the length of the cord segment. In this generally stationary position, the cord containment adaptor  100  is both rotationally fixed about the axis of the length of an earphone cord and fixed lengthwise along the length of the earphone cord. In the generally stationary position, the cord containment adaptor  100  is not generally moveable by inadvertent forces along the cord segment and is structured to hinder inadvertent removal from an earphone cord segment. By fixing the cord containment adaptor  100  at a position on the length of the cord segment  152   c  and in a manner that significantly limits or prevents rotation of the cord containment adaptor  100  around the point at which the adaptor is fixed lengthwise on the cord, movement of the cord containment adaptor is minimized and helps prevent cords from tangling when cord segments of the earphones are compressed or secured in the slots as discussed herein. 
     When the cord containment adaptor  100  is connected at the end of the earphone cord segment containing the male audio plug  168 , earphones  150  may still be used to listen to audio of an audio device, such as, for example, a mobile phone, when the cord containment adaptor  100  is attached to the earphones  150 . When the cord containment adaptor  100  remains attached to the earphones  150  but is disconnected from an audio player, the cord containment adaptor  100  may be used to contain the cord segments of a set of earphones by holding the cords in cord containment slots  114   a - 114   c , as discussed in connection with  FIGS.  1 E and  1 F . 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 E , the cord containment adaptor  100  is shown with a section of the earphone cord segment  152   c  being compressed and secured in the anchor slot  110  and cord segments  152   a  and  152   b  being compressed and secured in the through-passages of the cord containment slots  114   a  and  114   b , respectively. The cord segments  152   a ,  152   b , and  152   c  are inserted or pressed into the slots by a user. The free terminal end of each cord segment, such as the ends containing earpieces  162   a , earpiece  162   b , and plug  168  is coupled in proximity to each other via the cord containment adaptor  100 . As shown, the end of each segment that terminates in an audio component, such as an earpiece or audio plug, is coupled at a central location via the cord containment adaptor  100  to form a loop. By coupling the ends of the three cord segments of the earphones  150  in proximity to each other at a central location (e.g. the adaptor casing), the free ends of the earphone segments that terminate in an audio component are not free to jostle and knot or intertwine. Loops are formed between the earphone segments that have their ends connected at or in proximity to the central location of the cord containment adaptor housing. A large loop  156  is formed from the earphone cord containing cord segment  152   c  when the three ends are attached in the adaptor. The cord containment slots should be sized to grip an earphone cord to prevent the earphone cords from easily or readily sliding lengthwise in the slots to maintain the audio components of the earphones at or near the central location. When the ends of each segment of the earphones are coupled in the adaptor, such as within two to three inches of the ends, the cord containment adaptor  100  contains loose ends of cord segments and helps prevent tangling of earphone cords when the earphones are stored or not in use. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 F , the largest loop  156  formed by the longest segment  152   c  of the earphones  150  is further coupled to the cord containment adaptor  100  by securing a portion of the loop into the cord containment slot  114   c . This arrangement enables the largest loop  156  formed by the longest segment to be shortened and provides for more compact storage or containment of the loop  156  than when only the ends of the earphone cord segments are joined at the central location of the adaptor  100 . The closed loops formed between the cord segments of a set of earphones to help prevent tangling when the earphones are stored. The earphones may be stored in a pocket, purse, or bag with little concern that the earphone cords will become entangled when the earphones are moved or jostled during activities. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 C , the structures or features of anchor slots individually and/or collectively anchor a cord containment adaptor to an earphone cord. Anchor slot cord conduits  124   a  and  124   b  and anchor slot entrapment chambers  130   a  and  130   b  are structured to help retain an earphone cord within the anchor slot  110 . A cord conduit provides a cord passageway within an anchor slot to an entrapment chamber or cord conduit or between entrapment chambers as illustrated and discussed herein.  FIG.  1 C  illustrates a side view of one side of the anchor slot  110  and cord containment adaptor  100 . The opposite side of the cord containment adaptor  100  and anchor slot  110  is not illustrated for simplicity of the drawings as the features of the opposite side are identical to or the mirror image of the side shown in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 C . The anchor slot  110  has a first open-ended side, as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 C , at a first position on one side of the exterior surface of the cord containment adaptor  100 , and a second open ended side (not visible in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 C ) at a second position on another or opposite surface area on the exterior surface of the cord containment adaptor  100 . The anchor slot entrance  112  extends from and through a section or top part of each open-ended side of the anchor slot  110 . The first open-ended side of one side of the anchor slot  110  collectively comprises, as illustrated herein, the open ends of one side of the cord conduit  124   a , cord conduit  124   b , entrapment chamber  130   a  and entrapment chamber  130   b , and the second open-ended side of the anchor slot  110  (not visible in  FIG.  1 C ) collectively comprises the open ends of the other side of the cord conduit  124   a , cord conduit  124   b , entrapment chamber  130   a  and entrapment chamber  130   b . The distance between the two open ended exterior sides of a slot can be generally referred to as the length of the slot or length of a segment or component of the slot, such as, for example, a cord conduit, ridge or chamber. Slot lengths greater than or equal to 6 millimeters (mm) can help ensure sufficient resistance within the slot to hold a gripped or compressed earphone cord segment within a slot to help prevent inadvertent movement or dislodgement from the slot. 
     One feature that may be used to help keep an earphone cord containment adaptor attached to an earphone cord is an offset or a non-linear path, passageway or pathway defined between the anchor slot entrance and an entrapment chamber. As shown in  FIG.  1 C , a non-linear anchoring pathway  116  of the anchor slot  110  extends from the anchor slot entrance  112  to the entrapment chamber  130   b  of the anchor slot  110 . A non-linear anchoring pathway of an anchor slot, as discussed herein, is a cord pathway that begins at and extends away from the anchor slot entrance into the anchor slot and terminates at the terminal end of the pathway at the intersection point with a cord entrapment chamber, cord conduit, or another cord pathway of the anchor slot and that becomes non-linear along a section or sections of the pathway between the anchor slot entrance and the terminal end of the cord pathway. For example, in  FIG.  1 C , the non-linear anchoring pathway  116  begins at the anchor slot entrance  112  as a straight line path through cord conduit  124   a  and becomes non-linear in the vertical or depth-wise orientation of the anchor slot  110  as the pathway turns into the earphone cord entrapment chamber  130   a  and again turns back into the cord conduit  124   b  before the pathway terminates at the opening into the earphone entrapment chamber  130   b . The non-linear anchoring pathway  116  has two angular turns or changes in direction in the single pathway leading from the anchor slot entrance to the entrapment chamber  130   b . Although two turns or changes in direction are illustrated in the non-linear anchoring pathway  116 , an anchoring type non-linear pathway has at least one change of direction of the pathway as the pathway extends away from the anchor slot entrance to the pathway&#39;s termination at the entrance of a particular entrapment chamber. The non-linear anchoring pathway  116 , shown as a line in  FIG.  1 C , from the anchor slot entrance  112  to the entrapment chamber  130   b  can be seen in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  and includes two vertical anchor slot cord conduits  124   a  and  124   b  and a segment of anchor slot entrapment chamber  130   a . The anchor slot cord conduits  124   a  and  124   b  and openings of the conduits  124   a  and  124   b  into the entrapment chamber passageway are shown offset horizontally or laterally from each other via a segment of the width or passageway of the entrapment chamber  130   a  (e.g. a distance along an axis transverse to each cord conduit). The horizontal offset of the cord conduits  124   a  and  124   b  hinder direct or linear movement of an earphone cord from one cord conduit to the other, which in this example would hinder the linear movement of an earphone cord from the entrapment chamber  130   b  or cord conduit  124   b  to the cord conduit  124   a  or anchor slot entrance  112 . Neither cord conduit  124   a  or  124   b  is linear with respect to either entrapment chamber  130   a  or entrapment chamber  130   b . The non-linear anchoring pathway  116  extends from the anchor slot entrance  112  through the cord conduit  124   a  and entrapment chamber  130   a  and out of entrapment chamber  130   a  into and through cord conduit  124   b  and to the opening into the entrapment chamber  130   b . The linear earphone cord pathway from the anchor slot entrance  112  through the cord conduit  124   a  that terminates at the opening of the cord conduit  124   a  into the entrapment chamber  130   a  is not highlighted in  FIG.  1 C . It should be appreciated that an anchor slot may have various earphone cord pathways extending between an anchor slot entrance and the various entrapment chambers of an anchor slot. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments illustrated herein that a single anchor slot with multiple entrapment chambers can have multiple non-linear anchoring pathways, with each respective non-linear anchoring pathway extending from the single anchor slot entrance to each respective entrapment chamber of the anchor slot. 
     The cord conduit  124   a  and cord conduit  124   b  have internal or entrance open ends  125  and  127 , respectively, inside the anchor slot  110  between the open-ended exterior sides of the anchor slot  110 . The entrance open ends provide entrances for an earphone cord segment to enter a cord conduit to move into or between chambers of the anchor slot. The cord conduit  124   a  extends between the entrapment chamber  130   a  and the anchor slot entrance  112 , and the open end of the cord conduit  124   a  that is opposite the open end  125  opens into and is co-extensive with the opening of the anchor slot entrance  112 . Both the cord conduits  124   a  and  124   b  open into the entrapment chamber  130   a . As shown in various embodiments, cord conduits have two sets of open ends. One set of open ends of the cord conduits is referred to as an external set, and the other set of open ends of the cord conduits is referred to as an internal or entrance set. Each opening of the external set of open ends opens externally into one of the open sides of the anchor slot, and each opening of the entrance set of open ends opens into an earphone cord passageway (e.g. another cord conduit or entrapment chamber) or anchor slot entrance. The cord conduit  124   a  opens into a side of the entrapment chamber  130   a , and the cord conduit  124   b  opens into a side of entrapment chamber  130   b . The cord conduits  124   a  and  124   b  each connect with the entrapment chamber  130   a  at ninety-degree angles and each cord conduit has one set of opposing parallel or substantially parallel sides or walls. It should be appreciated that cord conduits may connect with entrapment chambers at angles that are approximately ninety degrees and will accomplish a similar result as the structure illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 I . Although transverse connections between the cord conduits and entrapment chambers are shown as perpendicular in  FIG.  1 C  and other embodiments, cord conduits and passageways herein may connect to entrapment chambers and cord conduits with curved or oblique angle connections and at other various transverse angles and provide the advantages discussed herein for a non-linear pathway or passageway that impedes a direct cord pathway from an entrapment chamber to an anchor slot entrance. 
     The entrapment chambers  130   a  and  130   b  are offset from each other vertically via a distance along the depth of the anchor slot cord conduit  124   b . The entrapment chambers  130   a  and  130   b  are shown located at different depths in the anchor slot  110  relative to the anchor slot entrance  112 , with the entrapment chamber  130   b  being located farther away from the anchor slot entrance  112  than the entrapment chamber  130   a . The entrapment chamber  130   b  is located at a greater depth than the entrapment chamber  130   a  within the anchor slot  110  from the anchor slot entrance  112 . The entrapment chamber  130   b  is located at a distal or terminal end of the anchor slot  110 , and the entrapment chamber  130   a  is located at an intermediate level within the anchor slot  110 . The entrapment chambers  130   a  and  130   b  each have two pairs of parallel or substantially parallel sides. One set of parallel sides of entrapment chamber  130   a  are sides  126   a  and  126   b , and the other set of parallel sides are  128   a  and  128   b . The opening  125  of the cord conduit  124   a  into side  126   a  of the entrapment chamber  124   a  is not directly across from or in line with the opening  127  of the cord conduit  124   b  on side  126   b . As shown in  FIG.  1 C , none of the area of either the opening  125  or the opening  127  is directly across from the other opening on their respective sides. This misalignment of the openings  125  and  127  on opposite sides  126   a  and  126   b  provide an angular, offset or non-linear travel path from the entrapment chamber  130   b  to the anchor slot entrance  112 , which is an added measure for keeping an earphone cord entrapped within the anchor slot  110 . The openings  125  and  127  extend the entire length of the entrapment chambers in a straight line across the cord containment adaptor  100  from one open side of the anchor slot to the opposite open side of the anchor slot. The entrapment chamber  130   a , positioned between the entrapment chamber  130   b  and the slot entrance  112 , serves to provide an extra measure of containment or backup in the event that a cord segment stored in the entrapment chamber  130   b  inadvertently is pulled through the cord conduit  124   b  and into the entrapment chamber  130   a . After a cord is in the entrapment chamber  130   a , the cord would have to be pulled in alignment with the cord conduit  124   a  and up through the cord conduit  124   a  before the earphone cord is inadvertently dislodged. When an earphone cord has been inadvertently moved out of an entrapment chamber away from the terminal end of a cord pathway, an earphone set user may notice the cord being in the secondary or intermediate anchor slot passageway or chamber and can reposition the cord back into the primary anchoring chamber, such as entrapment chamber  130   b  or at the terminal end of a path before or without the cord being inadvertently dislodged from the anchor slot or cord containment adaptor. 
     In  FIG.  1 C , the line highlighting the non-linear path  116  illustrates the horizontal or lateral offset of the vertical cord conduits  124   a  and  124   b  from each other. When an earphone cord within the cord conduit  124   b  is pulled or pushed upward toward the anchor slot entrance  112 , the earphone cord would encounter an edge or side of the entrapment chamber  130   a  that would block or impede upward movement into the cord conduit  124   a , thus necessitating a horizontal or lateral movement or angular pull of the earphone cord to the cord conduit  124   a  in order for movement of the cord to continue towards the anchor slot entrance  112 . This offset with respect to the entrapment chamber width to which the cord conduits are connected helps to prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the adaptor from an earphone cord. The various offset structures and passageways of an anchor slot help maintain the cord containment adaptor on an earphone cord. In the anchor slot  110 , the open ends of the two cord conduits connected to the entrapment chamber  130   a  are not in direct alignment with each other to prevent unchecked passage from one cord conduit to the other. It should be appreciated that the amount of offset may vary as desired in a manner to minimize inadvertent dislodgement. The edges or bends in sides of sides or walls resulting from turns in the pathway to the entrapment chamber  130   b  prevent straight line movement of an earphone cord from the entrapment chamber  130   b  to the anchor slot entrance  112 . 
     Other features that may be employed to aid in maintaining a cord containment adaptor secured to an earphone cord are the distances between opposing sides (e.g. depth shown in some illustrated embodiments) of the entrapment chambers and/or the distances between opposing sides (e.g. width as shown in some illustrated embodiments) of the cord conduits. A narrow distance between gapped-apart opposing sides or walls serve to compress earphone cords pushed or pulled into the anchor slot. As illustrated and discussed herein, the opposing sides or walls of a slot are gapped-apart and do not touch in resting rigid stationary positions. The rigidity of support for or along various opposing walls hold the walls at fixed gapped apart distances when an object is not positioned between opposing walls. The rigidity of structure of the opposing walls also serve to compress earphone cords inserted therebetween. The amount of distance or gap between opposing sides or walls for compressing various earphone cords are discussed herein. The rigidity of the anchor slot or rigid structure provided to support the anchor slot helps maintain a solid and rigid form for the anchor slot when a cord thicker than the distance between opposing walls enters the slot. The rigid structure helps maintain a firm compression or resistance force on an earphone cord segment in a slot to secure the cord containment adaptor to the cord segment. To aid in securing an adaptor on an earphone cord, either the width of the cord conduits  124   a  and  124   b  and/or the depths of the entrapment chambers  130   a  and  130   b  into which an earphone cord may pass is less than the diameter or thickness of an earphone cord so as to compress an earphone cord when it is positioned between the surfaces of opposing walls within the anchor slot  110 . The compression resulting from narrow pathways or a narrow gap between walls within the anchor slot  110  help prevent rotation of a cord containment adaptor around the point or area of attachment of the cord containment adaptor to the earphone cord. The compression of the cord between rigid sides or pathways and the resulting outward force or resistance on the inner walls of the slot restricts free or easy movement of the compressed cord and makes significant inadvertent movement of an earphone cord in a slot difficult or unlikely. In some embodiments, the gap between the pair of opposing sidewalls that compress earphone cords may be spaced apart one distance for one set of such opposing sidewalls and the gap between a second set of such opposing sidewalls within a single anchor slot may be spaced apart another distance. For example, the compression distance between gapped apart walls of a cord conduit opening into the slot entrance may be slightly narrower than the compression distance between gapped apart walls of other cord conduits of an anchor slot. The narrower cord conduit opening into the entrance would help to provide additional resistance in a cord conduit to help prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the cord containment adaptor. 
     For cord containment slots  114   a ,  114   b , and  114   c , the gap between the opposing walls of the cord containment slots  114   a ,  114   b , and  114   c , as shown in  FIG.  1   f   , are narrower than the earphone cord segment  152   a  or  152   c , so as to compress the earphone cord segments between opposing walls to help maintain an earphone cord within the cord containment slot. The gapped apart opposing walls of cord containment slots, such as shown in cord containment slots  114   a ,  114   b , and  114   c , may be parallel or substantially parallel. As used herein, the word “parallel” shall include “substantially parallel” configurations unless otherwise specified. The rigidly structured gapped apart opposing slot sidewalls or sides shown herein do not touch the respective opposing sidewall or side. An earphone cord inserted into the cord containment adaptor can be hand removeable by a force or tug provided by the hand of a person directing an earphone cord along the passageway of the slot. The tug or pull by a person on a cord gripped or secured in a slot exerts a force to overcome the frictional resistance between an earphone cord in the slot and sidewalls of the slot to release the cord segment from the slot. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 G , a widthwise or diameter cross-section shape  158   a  of the earphone cord segment  152   c  containing the plug of earphone set  150  is depicted above the anchor slot entrance  112  of the cord containment adaptor  100 . The cross-section shape  158   a  depicts a round uncompressed cross-section of the earphone cord segment  152   c . Referring to  FIG.  1 H , the earphone cord segment  152   c  is shown compressed or gripped in the anchor slot  110 . The previously round cross-section, shown as cross-section shape  158   a , of the earphone cord segment  152   c  in the entrapment chamber  130   b  is now compressed to an oval shape within the entrapment chamber  130   b  of the anchor slot  110 . The earphone cord segment  152   c  is compressed when a user forcibly slides an earphone cord between opposing sidewalls of a cord conduit  124   a  or  124   b  or an entrapment chamber  130   a  or  130   b . Opposing walls for compression of the cord conduits  124   a  and  124   b  and the opposing walls for the compression of a cord segment of the entrapment chambers  130   a  and  130   b  are illustrated with distances between those opposing walls being narrower than the diameter of the earphone cord segment  152   c . The distance between the opposing sidewalls that compress or grip an earphone cord between the walls may be referred to as the compression distance or gripping distance, respectively. Earphone cords of earphone sets have electrical wires for transmitting audio or command signals along the wires or conductors of the earphone set and the wires are encased by a covering, which often is a flexible polymer covering. Because the covering is flexible and/or earphone cords typically have small gaps or space between the electrical conductors and the covering into which the electrical conductors extend, the covering or cord compresses when pressure is applied, such as when the earphone cord is compressed in a slot as discussed herein. This compression causes an outward pushing force from the earphone cord toward the sidewalls of a slot that provides a resistance between the sidewalls and the cord. The resistance holds the cords in place within the sidewalls of the anchor slot and restricts free movement of the cord within the slot. The earphone cord segment  152   c  may be compressed or gripped in the anchor slot  110  along the cord conduit  124   b  in the same manner as discussed in connection with the entrapment chamber  130   b.    
     As discussed herein, by providing cord conduits, passageway, or entrapment chambers with channels narrower than the earphone cord to be compressed and gripped into the slot, a firm resistive force can be maintained between the earphone cord segment  152   c  and the anchor slot  110 . The compression or resistance helps prevent an earphone cord from sliding in the slot in the absence of an external force by a physical thing pushing or pulling to overcome the frictional force between the edges or walls and the cord. The sides or walls may compress the cross-sectional diameter or thickness of the flexible length of an earphone cord to secure it within a slot. A consistent and suitable compression or resistance can be maintained within the slots by making the entire cord containment adaptor or anchor slot out of a rigid material or providing a rigid support frame or structure within or around the cord containment adaptor or the anchor slot to maintain the compression or structural features of the anchor slot. Utilizing a rigid material for the structure of a cord containment adaptor or anchor slot provides a rigid structure or frame. The anchor slot can be made of a rigid material or the structure of the anchor slot can be held in place by a rigid material. The cord containment adaptors and slots discussed herein in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 I  and  FIGS.  3 - 17    are shown as rigidly constructed. It should be appreciated that a rigid material as discussed herein encompasses a substantially rigid material that accomplishes the advantages or objectives of the cord containment adaptor. 
     Although the cord containment adaptor  100  can have flexible sections, a rigid structure or support for the anchor slot provides a stable structure for containing compression of earphones cords within slot channels. It should be appreciated that rigid materials or structures have a measured elasticity and flex to some extent when under pressure but nevertheless are suitable, as described herein, to compress earphone cord segments as discussed herein. Structures that are firm enough to maintain the slot structure described herein to compress or anchor earphone cords in a slot to accomplish the objectives herein are considered rigid. With a structure that is too flexible for the anchor slot of a cord containment adaptor, an anchor slot will more easily spread when an earphone cord with a diameter larger than the distance between opposing walls presses against the slot walls so as to spread them in a manner that compromises the ability of the cord containment adaptor to remain secured or fixed at the original position when the cord moves around or the adaptor brushes against items. For example,  FIG.  2 A  shows a cross-section of an earphone cord segment  250  and a structure  290  encompassing some inventive aspects but is not rigidly constructed, and  FIG.  2 B  shows an example of undesirable spreading due to an undesirable flexible anchor slot of a structure  290  resulting from the earphone cord segment  250  being positioned into the anchor slot. Cord containment adaptors or earphone cord attachments can be made of or supported by a rigid polymer material, metal, composites, or other rigid material. Suitable polymer materials include, for example, various compositions of ABS, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and PVC. It should be appreciated that a rigid frame or structure of a cord containment adaptor may be over-molded over, fitted around or covered with a softer or flexible material and yet maintain anchor slot firm structure firmness and wall gaps to compress or grip cords as discussed herein. Conversely, a rigid structure or frame may be provided around a flexible material to provide the rigid support to prevent a slot from spreading, such as for example a rigid shell or frame could be provided around the structure shown in  FIG.  2 A  to prevent the structure  290  from spreading and provide a rigid cord containment adaptor or anchor slot structure, where the external frame would extend around but not cover the openings of the slots. A firm shell extending on or co-extensive with the outer surface of the structure  290  or frame supporting the anchor slot of the structure  290  can be provided to make the adaptor structure firm or rigid to support compression or gripping of an earphone cord to hold a cord containment adaptor on an earphone cord. Similarly, if the structures shown in other embodiments herein are constructed of a flexible polymer or rubber, a rigid or firm shell can extend around each such flexible structure to provide an anchor slot structure suitable for the use as discussed herein. 
     The diameter of earphone cords that have rounded cross sections generally range from 1.2 mm-3 mm. For “Y” shaped earphone sets containing a plug (e.g. as shown in  FIG.  1 D ), the earphone cord that is attached directly to the earphone plug typically is wider or has a larger diameter than the earphone cords of the same set of earphones that are attached to the earpieces of the earphone set since the cord attached to the plug has conductors for both earpieces of the earphone set. Typical diameters for the earphone cord segment containing or attached directly to the plug range from around 1.8 mm to 2.2 mm. As an example, for various earphone cords with a diameter of 2 mm, a suitable distance between rigid or rigidly supported opposing sidewalls that are structured to grip an earphone cord segment within an earphone cord entrapment chamber is between 1.2 mm-1.8 mm, with the shorter distance making movement in the slot more restricted or difficult. Although a cord compresses more with a shorter distance between opposing sidewalls, rigid opposing wall distances that are less than half of the cord diameter or width for rounded cords may make it impossible or very difficult to move a cord within a slot or may damage a cord forced through a slot. The gapped apart walls should exceed 0.5 mm for rigidly structured and fixed interior anchor slot walls since typical earphone cord diameters or thicknesses exceed 0.8 mm. For an earphone cord having a diameter of approximately 1.7 mm, such as a cord attached to an earpiece of “Y” shaped earphone set, a suitable distance between opposing slot sidewalls of a cord containment adaptor that are structured to grip an earphone cord segment is between 0.9 mm-1.4 mm. Some earphones, such as rounded wireless earphones that do not have a plug but instead have only earpieces that are tethered together by a single rounded earphone cord, have cord diameters that often range from 2.1 mm-3 mm. For various earphone cords with a diameter that is approximately 2.5 mm, a suitable distance between opposing sidewalls for entrapping or gripping an earphone cord is 2.1 mm. It should be appreciated that the distance of opposing sidewalls of entrapment chambers and slots for use with specific earphone cords may vary depending on the diameter and specific make-up of the earphone cord to be used in the earphone cord adaptor. It should be appreciated that a selected fixed distance between opposing rigid sidewalls will sufficiently compress earphone cords of varying diameters falling within a relatively moderate range. 
     In  FIG.  1 H , entrapment chamber  130   b  has a first pair of opposing sidewalls  132   a  and  132   b  and second pair of opposing sidewalls  134   a  and  134   b . Opposing sidewalls  132   a  and  132   b  are operative to compress the earphone cord segment  152   c  between them as illustrated. For an earphone cord that is approximately 2 mm in diameter, a suitable distance between the sidewalls  132   a  and  132   b  is generally 1.5 mm and the sidewalls compress and grip a cord sufficiently for the cord containment adaptor to remain sufficiently stationary on the earphone cord. The depth of the entrapment chamber  130   b  or the distance of 1.5 mm between the sidewalls  132   a  and  132   b  is equal to the height of each sidewall  134   a  and  134   b  in the illustrated embodiment. Similarly, the width of the entrapment chamber  130   b  or distance between the opposing sides  134   a  and  134   b  is the width of the side  132   b . The opposing sides  132   a  and  132   b  are connected to and separated by the opposing sides  134   a  and  134   b  as illustrated to form a rectangular shaped entrapment chamber. The entrapment chamber  130   a  is rectangular and similarly constructed. 
     Another feature that is useful in helping to maintain an earphone cord in an anchor slot is the offset position of the cord conduits  124   a  and  124   b  relative to the ends of entrapment chambers to which the conduits are connected. Referring to  FIG.  1 I , the cord conduit  124   b  is shown offset by a first distance that is equal to the length of a first part  138   a  of the chamber side  132   a  from a first end of the entrapment chamber  130   b . The first end of the entrapment chamber is defined by the sidewall  134   a . The cord conduit  124   b  is shown offset by a second distance that is equal to the length of a second part  138   b  of the chamber side  132   a  from a second end of the entrapment chamber  130   b . First and second parts of the same side of an entrapment chamber separated by the width of a cord conduit, such as the first part  138   a  and second part  138   b  of the chamber side  132   a  on the same side of the entrapment chamber  130   b , though separated by the width of cord conduit  124   b , are referred to herein as a single side or sidewall of an entrapment chamber. The second end of the entrapment chamber is defined by the sidewall  134   b . The cord conduit  124   b  is similarly offset from the ends of entrapment chamber  130   a  at the area of connection of the cord conduit  124   b  to the entrapment chamber  130   a . Likewise, the connection point or area of the cord conduit  124   a  to the entrapment chamber  130   a  is offset from both ends of the entrapment chamber  130   a . By offsetting the connection point or area of the cord conduits  124   a  or  124   b  to the entrapment chambers  130   a  and  130   b  away from the ends of the entrapment chambers, when there is movement of an earphone cord within an entrapment chamber, the length of the earphone cord within the chamber is not easily inadvertently aligned with one of the cord conduits  124   a  or  124   b  because a cord may go to either side of the offset conduit. Although a prescribed offset of a conduit from the end of each entrapment chamber is not required for each cord conduit, without an offset, an earphone cord contained within an entrapment chamber that reaches the end of an entrapment chamber at the connection point of cord conduit may more easily funnel toward a path leading to an anchor slot entrance because it will be aligned with the cord conduit. For example, as shown in  FIG.  4 B , the connection point or area of the cord conduit  424   b  with the entrapment chamber  430   b  is not offset from the end of the entrapment chamber  430   b  and a cord reaching the end of the entrapment chamber  430   b  may more easily align with cord conduit  424   b.    
     Another aspect that aids in maintaining a cord segment within an anchor slot is providing an increased surface area within the entrapment chamber, such as by configuring the distance (e.g. width) between opposing walls, such as between walls  134   a  and  134   b  ( FIG.  1 H ), of an entrapment chamber that are not designated for compressing a cord to be at least three times the distance (e.g. depth) between opposing walls, such as between walls  132   a  and  132   b  ( FIG.  1 H ), that are to compress a rounded cord within the entrapment chamber. This construction ensures that the entrapment chamber is sufficiently wider than the cord to be compressed and held within the entrapment chamber. It is useful to have the offset of the cord conduit from at least one end of the entrapment chamber to be about two to three times the expected diameter of the cord anticipated to be stored in an entrapment chamber. By providing more space on either side of the connection point of the conduit with the entrapment chamber, an earphone cord may be positioned farther away from a cord conduit within an entrapment chamber. Also, with more space to either side of the conduit, one or more cord segments can be stored in an entrapment chamber on a single side of the connection point within an entrapment chamber, if needed, for containing cord segments. Also, increased surface area for more frictional resistance can be accomplished by constructing the length of slot extending between the exterior open sides of an anchor slot to be longer. A length of 10 mm or more between open exterior sides of a slot helps provide sufficient length and a stable structure when a rigid material is used, although a length of less than 10 mm can provide sufficient structure for many embodiments. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  1 H , in addition to the cord containment slots  114   a ,  114   b , and  114   c  being structured narrower than the diameter or thickness of an earphone cord for use with a cord containment adaptor  100 , the depth of the straight cord containment slots  114   a ,  114   b , and  114   c  can contribute to preventing dislodgement. A depth of the cord containment slot at least twice the diameter of an earphone cord is helpful. A depth of three to four times the width of a strait slot is better to provide more surface area resistance within the slot to help prevent inadvertent tugs or forces from dislodging a cord from the slot. By making the depth of a linear earphone cord slot significantly longer than the diameter or width of the earphone cord to be contained, an earphone cord can be positioned farther away from the slot entrance and requires a more continuous force against the earphone cord toward the slot entrance to dislodge the cord from the slot than if an earphone cord slot depth is sized nearly or essentially the same diameter of the earphone cord. For holding rounded cords that are approximately 2 mm in diameter, a straight slot depth of 5 mm-8 mm with a slot width of 1.5 mm should sufficiently secure an earphone cord within the slot. The combination of the cord containment slot depth and narrow wall width aids in preventing inadvertent dislodgement of a cord contained within a slot. The embodiments of  FIGS.  1 A- 7 D,  11 A- 15 B and  17    are particularly adapted for use with rounded earphone cords. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , another embodiment of a cord containment adaptor is illustrated. The cord containment adaptor  300  is spherical and is constructed in the same general manner as the cord containment adaptor  100 . The cord containment adaptor  300  has an anchor slot  310  and cord containment slots  314   a ,  314   b , and  316 . The illustrated slots extend through the adaptor and open on the opposite side of the adaptor in a manner that mirrors the openings shown, like the other cord containment adaptors illustrated herein. The anchor slot  310  is constructed in the same manner and has many of the features as the anchor slot  110  ( FIG.  1 A ). The cord containment slots  314   a  and  314   b  are constructed in the same manner as the cord containment slots  114   a  and  114   b . The cord containment slot  316  has an entrapment chamber  316   a  and a cord conduit  316   b . Although cord containment slot  316  has an entrapment chamber  316   a , a cord inserted within the cord containment slot  316  will have fewer impediments for removal than an earphone cord inserted into the terminal entrapment chamber or end of the anchor slot  310 . The entrapment chamber  316   a  and cord conduit  316   b  are constructed in the same manner respectively as similar entrapment chambers and cord conduits illustrated or discussed herein. With the entrapment chamber cord containment slot  316 , two segments of an earphone cord can be stored on either side of the cord conduit  316   b , where the cord segments  152   a  and  152   b  are shown compressed and gripped into the entrapment chamber  316   a  and the cord segment  152   c  containing the plug  168  is shown compressed in the anchor slot  310 . The cord containment slot  316  enables one slot to serve as an entry for two segments, and the cords can be compressed and contained in an entrapment chamber  316   a , where removal of a cord from the entrapment chamber  316   a  is restricted by the compression and where movement to the entrance can be indirect depending on the location of the cord within the entrapment chamber  316   a . The cord containment slot  316  can provide more impediments to cord removal and containment than a straight slot, such as the slot  314 . A cord containment slot  316  could serve as anchor slot but would lack the additional impediments provided by entrapment area or chamber between the slot entrance and the end of the slot pathway and the non-linear pathway from the slot entrance to the opening into the entrapment chamber, like illustrated in various anchor slots discussed herein. The loop resulting from the contained ends  152   a  and  152   b  of the earphone set  150  can be secured in any of the slots depicted. The cord containment adaptors  100  and  300 , as well as other cord containment adaptors herein provide a combination of different type slots in a single adaptor where each slot enables the insertion and removal of a cord by hand, where one type anchor slot provides more features to hold and impede removal of a cord from the adaptor and where another type slot structure provides for easier removal of an earphone cord from the adaptor than the anchor slot of the adaptor. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , another embodiment of a cord containment adaptor is illustrated. The cord containment adaptor  400  is cylindrical and has an anchor slot  410  and two entrapment chamber cord containment slots  416  and  417 . The anchor slot  410  has multiple entrapment chambers  430   a ,  430   b , and  430   c  and cord conduits  424   a ,  424   b , and  424   c  coupled to the respective entrapment chambers as illustrated. One open end of the cord conduit  424   a  opens into and is co-extensive with the anchor slot entrance  412  and the other end of the cord conduit  424   a  opens into entrapment chamber  430   a . The cord conduit  424   b  opens into the entrapment chambers  430   a  and  430   b . The end opening into entrapment chamber  430   a  is offset from both ends of entrapment chamber  430   a  but the point or area of connection to the entrapment chamber  430   b  of the cord conduit  424   b  is not offset from both ends of the entrapment chamber  430   b . The cord conduit  424   b  is only offset from one end of the entrapment chamber  430   b  as illustrated. Without the offset between cord conduit  424   b  and entrapment chamber  430   b , when a cord segment reaches the end of the entrapment chamber for which the cord conduit is not offset, the cord may more easily funnel into the cord conduit, such as cord conduit  424   b , when an earphone cord is pulled to the end of the entrapment chamber because the cord will not be able to continue beyond the cord conduit. The other cord conduit  424   c  is offset from both ends of the entrapment chamber  430   c.    
     Referring to  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , another embodiment of a cord containment adaptor is illustrated. The cord containment adaptor  500  has a rectangular cuboid shape and has an anchor slot  510  and cord containment slots  514 ,  516 , and  518 . The cord containment slots  516  and  518  have entrapment chambers  516   a  and  518   a  and cord conduits  516   b  and  518   b , like discussed in connection with  FIG.  3   . The cord containment slots are positioned on different surfaces or surface areas transverse to and displaced away from the anchor slot  510  via upstanding rigid walls. The positioning of the cord containment slots on surfaces away from and transverse to the anchor slot  510  enables the adaptor  500  to be used to secure earphone cords when they are wrapped around a mobile phone as illustrated and discussed in connection with  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B . 
     Ridges  540 - 548 , as shown or discussed herein, are other features helpful in maintaining a cord within an entrapment chamber or cord conduit. The cord conduit  524   a  has ridges  540  and  541  along a sidewall of the cord conduit  524   a . The ridges  540  and  541  help further ensure that an earphone cord is not inadvertently dislodged from the anchor slot  510  to help retain the cord containment adaptor  500  on the earphone cord segment. Although areas of the sides or sidewalls that are on either side of the ridges are spaced apart a distance that will compress an earphone cord inserted between the sidewalls to retain the adaptor  500  on the cord segment  152   c , the ridges  540  and  541 , like the other ridges as discussed herein, each provide a gap or passageway between the sidewalls that is narrower or a shorter distance than the distance between the areas of the sidewalls of the passageway, conduit, or chamber not containing a ridge. The area not occupied by the ridges  540  and  541  within the cord conduit comprises the majority of the area within the cord conduit  524   a . The narrower gap provided by the ridges  540 - 548  provides an additional restriction or compression between the ridge and the opposite wall for a cord that has been entrapped into an earphone cord passageway, such as cord conduits and entrapment chambers. In the illustrated embodiment, areas of compression are provided within the slot on either side of each ridge. Thus, the ridges  540  and  541  provide an additional impediment to help prevent a cord from being inadvertently forced in an unintended way out of the cord conduit  524   a . Ridges in the cord conduit  524   a , which leads or opens directly into the slot entrance, can be particularly helpful for preventing dislodgement of the adaptor from an earphone cord. The ridge  541  at the intersection with or opening of the cord conduit  524   a  into the entrapment chamber  530   a  is helpful for providing an extra measure to keep an earphone cord  152   c  in the entrapment chamber  530   a  and out of the cord conduit  524   a  leading directly to the entrance  512 . Although the full length of the ridges, extending from one open exterior side to the other open exterior side of the slot, is not shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , the ridges  540 - 548  extend the full length of the slot between the opened ended sides defining the end of the slots on the exterior surface of the cord containment adaptor. It should be appreciated that the ridges or a line of ridges along the slot length do not have to extend all the way across the passageway, slot, chamber or conduit in which the ridges are in. The ridges can be segmented across the length of a slot, chamber, or conduit or can be short or low height raised areas placed in various selected dispersed locations of a cord passageway, such as, for example, a cord conduit or entrapment chamber, to help prevent inadvertent dislodgement of a cord from the cord containment adaptor. 
     Because the ridges  540 - 548  serve to further compress an earphone cord, the ridges do not need to be substantially high above the surface of the sidewall from which the ridge extends. The height of a ridge will depend on the diameter or thickness or general parameters of cords intended to be compressed between opposing sidewalls. A ridge height of 0.1-0.6 mm will generally work for many cords that are to be compressed between sidewalls that are spaced apart from 0.9-3 mm. A ridge height that is between 10%-25% of the distance between opposing sidewalls should be sufficient for many earphone cords depending on the gap between opposing sidewalls. The gap between the ridge and the opposing sidewall should not be so small as to prevent the cord from passing through the passageway or that would make it difficult to move the cord through the passageway without damaging the cord. While the area on the sides of a ridge provides compression to limit inadvertent movement of a cord within the slot, the additional area of greater compression or restriction provided by ridges  540 - 548  can help prevent inadvertent movement past the location of the ridge in the event of significant force. It should be appreciated that ridges, as discussed in association with  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , are operative to be utilized and structured in cord passageways of the various other embodiments of cord containment adaptors, like illustrated and discussed herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , another embodiment of a cord containment adaptor is illustrated. The cord containment adaptor  600  is a rectangular cuboid and has an anchor slot  610 , an anchor slot entrance  612 , cord containment slots  614   a  and  614   b , cord conduits  624   a ,  624   b ,  624   c , and  624   d , and four entrapment chambers  630   a ,  630   b ,  630   c , and  630   d . The anchor slot has ridges  640 - 644  that provide narrower gaps in the passageways of cord conduits and an entrapment chamber and that are structured and can provide the same function as the ridges illustrated and discussed in association with  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B . The distance between the respective opposing sidewalls of the entrapment chambers  630   a  and  630   b  that are structured to compress earphone cords can be different than the distance between respective opposing sidewalls of entrapment chambers  630   c  and  630   d  that are structured to compress earphone cords. The distances between opposing sidewalls of entrapment chambers  630   a  and  630   b  that are structured compress earphone cords are the same. By having entrapment chambers with different depths or widths for compressing earphone cord segments, the anchor slot  610  is adapted for multiple cord diameters and therefore provides a universal cord containment adaptor to attach firmly to various diameter or width cord segments, where differently sized entrapment chambers share a common anchor slot entrance  612 . 
     Cord pathways, which comprise passageways through which a cord can pass, such as for example, a cord chamber or chambers and/or a cord conduit or conduits, connect each entrapment chamber or cord conduits with every other entrapment chamber, cord conduit, and/or the anchor slot entrance  612 , like other anchor slots earphone cord pathways and passageways illustrated and discussed herein. Connecting cord pathways connect each entrapment chamber with every other entrapment chamber of the anchor slot and also connect each entrapment chamber with the anchor slot entrance, as shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  and other embodiments illustrated herein. An earphone cord pathway  616   a  is shown extending from the anchor slot entrance  612  through the cord conduit  624   a  and through a section of the cord conduit  624   b  to the opening into the entrapment chamber  630   a , and an earphone cord pathway  616   b  is shown extending from the from the opening into entrapment chamber  630   d  through cord conduit  624   d  and through a section of the cord conduit  624   b  to the opening into entrapment chamber  630   b . Although lines are not illustrated representing each of the earphone cord pathways between cord conduits, entrapment chambers, and/or an anchor slot entrance of each embodiment, the different pathways can be readily visualized from the connected cord pathways between cord conduits, entrapment chambers, and anchor slots illustrated. 
     The entrapment chambers of  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  do not have more than one cord conduit opening into any single entrapment chamber. The entrapment chambers  630   a ,  630   b ,  630   c  and  630   d  are branched from a central conduit  624   a  via cord conduits. A non-linear pathway is provided between the end of each cord pathway opening into each entrapment chamber and the anchor slot entrance. The anchor slot  610  is structured such that a cord that is to be stored in an individual entrapment chamber does not have to pass through another entrapment chamber designated for another cord. The cord conduit  624   b  is transverse to the cord conduit  624   a  that has an opening that is coextensive with slot entrance  612 . One open end of the cord conduit  624   b  opens into the entrapment chamber  630   a  and the other end of the cord conduit  624   b  opens into the entrapment chamber  630   b . Cord conduits  624   c  and  624   d  are transverse to and open into cord conduit  624   b . The other respective open ends of the cord conduits  624   c  and  624   d  are transverse to and open, respectively, open into entrapment chambers  630   c  and  630   d . Non-linear pathways or passageways are individually provided from the anchor slot entrance  612  to each entrapment chamber of  FIG.  6 A . 
     The cord conduit  624   b  serves as an intermediary cord entrapment area between the anchor slot entrance  612  and the entrapment chambers  630   a ,  630   b ,  630   c  and  630   d . The entrapment chambers  630   a ,  630   b ,  630   c , and  630   d  are positioned at the terminal ends of the earphone cord pathways leading from the anchor slot entrance  612 . The respective earphone cord pathways from the anchor slot entrance  612  leading to entrapment chambers  630   a  and  630   b  respectively have one change of direction between the anchor slot entrance  612  and the respective terminal ends of the pathway that open into the respective entrapment chambers  630   a  and  630   b . The respective earphone cord pathways from the anchor slot entrance  612  leading to entrapment chambers  630   c  and  630   d  respectively have two changes of directions between the anchor slot entrance  612  and the respective terminal ends that open into respective entrapment chambers  630   c  and  630   d . Like other embodiments discussed and illustrated, each of the different types of cord passageways are interconnected with every other cord passageway via cord passageways of the anchor slot through which an earphone cord can pass internally between and among the various cord passageways of the anchor slot without the earphone cord being removed from the anchor slot. Multiple entrapment chambers in an anchor slot enable a segment of an earphone cord that serves as an anchor segment to be embedded in an entrapment chamber at a level farther away from the anchor slot entrance than other entrapment chambers which may contain other earphone cord segments. In this way, a single anchor slot with multiple entrapment chambers can serve a dual purpose of anchoring the adaptor on an anchor earphone cord segment in one entrapment chamber yet enabling other selected segments, such as cord segments near earpieces of an earphone set, to be gripped in other entrapment chambers of the anchor slot for easier removal of selected cord segments than the anchor earphone cord segment. 
     The cord containment adaptor  600  is shown anchored on earphone cord segment  152   c  of earphone set  150 . The cord segment  152   c  containing the plug is compressed and gripped in entrapment chamber  630   c . Earphone cord segment  152   a  is compressed and gripped in entrapment chamber  630   a  and the earphone cord segment  152   b  is compressed and gripped in entrapment chamber  630   b . The earphone cord segments  152   a  and  152   b  are smaller than or have a narrower diameter than the cord segment  152   c . With different sized entrapment chambers, different size cord segments can be compressed and gripped in a customized chamber or manner for each differently sized cord segment within a single anchor slot. With the cord containment adaptor  600 , a user may more easily utilize the same cord containment adaptor with different sets of earphones and use a single slot to grip varying sized cord segments of a single earphone set. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  7 A  (front view),  7 B and  7 C (perspective views), and  7 D (top view), a cord containment adaptor  700  is shown. A back view (not shown) is the mirror image of the front view  7 A, and the circular side view, as can be seen in the perspective views, is the mirror image of the side on the opposite side of the adaptor  700 . The cord containment adaptor  700  has an anchor slot  710 , cord conduits  724   a  and  724   b , entrapment chambers  730   a  and  730   b , and a cord containment slot  716 . The cord containment slot  716  has an entrapment chamber  716   a  and cord conduit  716   b . The anchor slot  710  has an anchor slot entrance  712  and has a cord conduit  724   a  that is diagonal or slanted across a sidewall of the entrapment chamber  730   a  or the through-path of the entrapment chamber  730   a  to which cord conduit  724   a  is connected. The internal opening  725  of the cord conduit  724   a  into the entrapment chamber  730   a  is diagonal or slanted across the length of the entrapment chamber  730   a . The exterior opening  721   a  of an exterior open-ended side of the cord conduit  724   a  is displaced away a different distance  722   a  ( FIGS.  7 C and  7 D ) from a first interior sidewall  723  ( FIG.  7 C ) of the entrapment chamber  730   a  than the distance  722   b  ( FIGS.  7 C and  7 D ) of the exterior opening  721   b  of the other open-ended side of the cord conduit  724   a  from the sidewall  723  on the opposite side of the cord containment adaptor  700  and cord conduit  724   b . The cord conduit  724   b  is also configured to open into and cut across the entrapment chamber  730   a  and  730   b  in a slanted configuration or diagonal across the entrapment chamber  730   a  in the manner as illustrated and discussed in association with the connection of cord conduit  724   a  and entrapment chamber  730   a.    
     As viewed from the orientation of  FIG.  7 D , when an earphone cord  152   c  extends through and straight across entrapment chamber  730   b , the earphone cord segment  152   c  will not be aligned with the cord conduit  724   b  connected to the entrapment chamber  730   b . The diagonally configured path across the entrapment chamber  730   b  therefore helps with preventing inadvertent cord alignment with a conduit when a cord extends straight across, or approximately so, the entrapment chamber. As discussed herein, the slanted or diagonal paths of the cord conduits  724   a  and  724   b  that are attached to the same entrapment chamber  730   a  are not aligned symmetrically throughout the entire length of either cord conduit  724   a  or  724   b . Thus, when an earphone cord  152   c  is transitioned from the entrapment chamber  730   b  via cord conduit  724   b  into entrapment chamber  730   a , the ends of the earphone cord  152   c  extending out of the entrapment chamber  730   a  would have to be moved in opposite lateral directions in order to be aligned with the cord conduit  724   a , which would aid in preventing inadvertent dislodgement of the adaptor  700  from an earphone cord. The earphone cord  152   c  would need to have one end of the cord moved or forced in one direction and the other end of the cord moved or forced in the opposite direction in order to be aligned with the diagonal cord conduit  724   b . After that movement, the reverse opposite forces on each end of the earphone cord would be required to align an earphone cord  152   c  with the cord conduit  724   a  that leads to the anchor slot entrance  712 . These impediments help maintain an earphone cord within the anchor slot  710 . Neither of the entire length of cord conduits  724   a  or  724   b  nor the areas of openings into the entrapment chamber  730   a  are aligned directly across from the other on the opposite opposing walls to which the conduits are connected. The linear cord conduits  724   a  and  724   b  cross over a common area  727  of the entrapment chamber  730   a  to form a crossing pattern or “X” when perceived or viewed from above the anchor slot  710  as illustrated in  FIG.  7 D . The cord conduits  724   a  and  724   b , which are connected to the entrapment chamber  730   a , are transverse with respect to each other across an area within the entrapment chamber  730   a  but are on opposing sides of the entrapment chamber  730   a . No portion of the exterior open ends of the cord conduits  724   a  is positioned directly across from the exterior open ends of the cord conduit  724   b  on the opposing side of the entrapment chamber  730   a , yet a segment of the length of each cord conduit  724   a  and  724   b  (e.g. the center of the “X” pattern) is positioned directly across from the respective opposing cord conduit, as the cord conduits  724   a  and  724   b  extend across a common area of the entrapment chamber  730   a . This directionally opposite orientation of the diagonal cord conduits  724   a  and  724   b  on opposing sides of the same entrapment chamber  730   a  provides the advantages discussed herein. 
     The cord conduit  716   b  of cord containment slot  716  is connected in the same diagonal or slanted manner to the entrapment chamber  716   a  as the cord conduit  724   a  is connected to entrapment chamber  730   a  and provides the advantages as discussed herein. The diagonal connection areas between internal pathways of the slots may be configured in numerous arrangements between like or different earphone cord pathway types. The manner of diagonal configuration of the linear cord conduits that extend across sidewalls of entrapment chambers that are designated for compressing earphone cords as illustrated and discussed in association with  FIGS.  7 A,  7 B,  7 C, and  7 D  may also be utilized as the manner of connection of cord conduits and entrapment chambers in other cord containment adaptor embodiments discussed herein. The embodiments of  FIGS.  1 A- 7 D  are particularly adapted for use with rounded earphone cords. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8 A  (perspective view) and  8 B (front view), another embodiment of a cord containment adaptor is illustrated. A back view (not shown) is the mirror image of the front view of  FIG.  8 B , and the rectangular side view, as can be seen in the perspective view of  FIG.  8 A , is the mirror image of the side on the opposite side of the adaptor  800 . The cord containment adaptor  800  is operative to be fixed on an earphone set  850  that has a flat or ribbon type profile or cross section, where the thickness of the earphone cord segments is significantly less than the width of the earphone cord segments. The earphone set  850  has cord segments  852   a ,  852   b , and  852   c  each with a ribbon type or flat profile. The cord segment  852   c , for example, has a thickness  861  and a width  863 . The length of the cord segment  852   c  extends along the dimension from the plug  868  to the junction  866 . In ribbon type earphone cords, as referenced herein, the width  863  is at least twice the thickness  861  and for many ribbon type cords, the width  863  is at least three times the thickness  861 . The thickness  863  of many ribbon type earphone cords is about 1 mm and the width typically ranges from 3-5 mm. Ribbon type earphone cords may be interchangeably referred to herein as ribbon earphone cords. 
     The cord containment adaptor  800  is illustrated as a rigid adaptor with a rigid anchor slot  810  and cord containment slots  814   a ,  814   b , and  814   c . The anchor slot  810  has an anchor slot entrance  812 , a cord conduit  824 , and an entrapment chamber  830  that each extend all the way through the cord containment adaptor from one open-ended side to the corresponding open-ended side as discussed in connection with other embodiments of cord containment adaptors described herein. The configuration or orientation of the entrapment chamber  830  is transverse and slanted with respect to the cord conduit  824  relative to the orientation of the cord path extending from the anchor slot entrance to the cord path within the entrapment chamber  830 . The cord conduit  824  is connected to the side of the entrapment chamber  830  at an oblique angle. The entrapment chamber  830  has a section that slants downward away from the anchor slot entrance  812  and downward and away from the connection point of the cord conduit  824  with the entrapment chamber  830 . The entrapment chamber  830  is not perpendicular to the cord conduit  824  with respect to the depth-wise orientation from the anchor slot entrance  812  to the terminal end of the anchor slot, which in the  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B  terminates in entrapment chamber  830 . This slanted connection structure or orientation of the entrapment chamber  830  and cord conduit  824  is a feature that enables a cord containing a flat or ribbon profile to be accommodated and positioned in a rigid anchor slot of the cord containment adaptor  800 . The slanted connection structure aids in facilitating the insertion of a flat profile earphone cord into an entrapment chamber. If an anchor slot was rigid and had cord conduits and entrapment chambers connected at ninety degree angles and in which both the conduit and chamber are configured to compress or grip the intended earphone cord near the connection area, a ribbon type earphone cord would not typically be flexible enough to bend at ninety degree angles to make the transition from one channel to another channel at the point or area of connection of the cord conduit and cord chamber. Ribbon type earphone cords are not constructed for substantial widthwise bending around a perpendicular corner. By providing an entrapment chamber  830  oriented as illustrated and described herein, an angular or slanted transition area beyond ninety degrees is provided to enable a ribbon type or flat profile earphone cord to transition from the cord conduit  824  to the entrapment chamber  830  and vice versa, particularly in a rigid anchor slot construction. This slanted structure or configuration is useful when both the cord conduit and entrapment chamber have approximately the same gripping or compressing distance between the respective sidewalls of the respective cord conduit and entrapment chamber near the area of connection of the two elements. This enables a ribbon type earphone cord of a particular width and thickness to be gripped and moved along a rigid pathway of the anchor slot conveniently by a user. Angling the entrapment chamber  830  with respect to the cord conduit  824  in the depth-wise dimension of the entrapment chamber provides a structure that enables the gapped apart walls of the cord containment passages to remain narrow yet enables a ribbon type earphone cord to transition between the different pathways while being sufficiently compressed or gripped in an entrapment chamber or channel during the transition process to keep a cord containment adaptor  830  fixed on the earphone cord segment  852   c . Maintaining gripping or compression spacing along or throughout most of the anchor slot earphone cord pathway helps ensure the cord containment adaptor  800  does not inadvertently move on an earphone cord. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8 B , the sidewall  831   a  of the earphone cord entrapment chamber  830  slants or slopes at a first angle  833   a  away from the parallel sidewalls  828   a  and  828   b  of the earphone cord conduit  824 . The section of the entrapment chamber  830  between the sidewall  831   a  and the side opposing sidewall  831   a  slants at the angle  833   a . The sidewall  828   b  forms an angle  833   b  with the sidewall  831   b . The angle  833   a  is more than ninety degrees and the angle  833   b  is less than ninety degrees. The sum of the angles  833   a  and  833   b  formed along the side comprising the sidewall  831   a  and  831   b  equal one hundred eighty degrees. An angle  833   a , of at least 110 degrees, can aid in the transition of a cord from the cord conduit  824  into entrapment chamber  830 . Configuring the angle  833   a  to be greater than one hundred ten degrees would make the transition easier for a given ribbon type earphone cord segment. An angle of less than one hundred and eighty degrees should be sufficiently sized to provide wall space to support the walls between the entrapment chamber and the cord conduit on either side of the cord conduit that intersects or adjoins with the entrapment chamber. An angle  833   a  of about 115-135 degrees provides an adequate transition angle for many typical ribbon cords that have a thickness of about 0.8-1.2 mm and a width of 3-5 mm. The angle  833   a  enables the ribbon type earphone cord segment  852   c  to transition at an angle from the cord conduit  824  to entrapment chamber  830 . A representation of the widthwise cross-section of the cord segment  852   c  is shown completely transitioned and gripped in entrapment chamber  830  in  FIG.  8 A . The slope between the cord conduit  824  and entrapment chamber  830  provides an angular or slanted transition area from the earphone cord conduit  824  to the earphone cord entrapment chamber  830 . The entrapment chamber  830  is adjoined to and crosses the cord conduit  824   c  and at a non-perpendicular angle. 
     The slanted transition area includes the area in the entrapment chamber  830  that is directly below cord conduit  824  and that extends out along the width of entrapment chamber  830  that is slanted down away from the cord conduit  824  towards the short sidewall  834   a  defining the widthwise end of the section of the entrapment chamber  830  that is slanted down at the angle  833   a . It is advantageous for the slanted transition area that extends down away from the cord conduit  824  to be configured to be wider than the width of a ribbon type earphone cord segment that is intended to be anchored in the anchor slot to ensure that the ribbon cord can entirely transition into the entrapment chamber  830 . A distance greater than 5 mm between the opening of the cord conduit  824  into the entrapment chamber  830  and the end of the section of the entrapment chamber  830  that is slanted down at the angle  833   a  will work for many ribbon type earphone cords. After a ribbon type earphone cord is entirely transitioned into the entrapment chamber  830 , the ribbon type earphone cord can be moved to either side of the cord conduit  824  within the entrapment chamber  830 . A width or distance for a slanted transition area that is at least four to five times the gripping or compression distance between walls is sufficient for many ribbon type earphone cords. A slanted transition area width greater than five times the gripping or compression distance provides further assurance that the transition area will be sufficient for a variety of ribbon type earphone cords. Although the length of the width of the section of the entrapment chamber  830  ( FIG.  8 B ) on one side of the cord conduit  824  is illustrated as being shorter than the length of the width of the section of the entrapment chamber on the other side of the cord conduit  824 , the illustrated shorter section can be constructed to be equal to or longer than the other section. Having each section of the entrapment chamber  830  on either side of the cord conduit  824  to be configured to be 5 mm or greater can ensure that most ribbon type earphone cord segments can be positioned on either side of the cord conduit  824 . 
     Because the width  863  of a ribbon cord is significantly more than the thickness  861 , the width of the opening  825  at the connection area of the cord conduit  824  with the entrapment chamber  830  can be wider than the thickness  861  of the ribbon cord but the width of the opening  825  should be narrower that the width of the ribbon cord. The corners or edges of the opening  825  or the width of the opening  825  help maintain the cord within the entrapment chamber. If the opening  825  was as wide as or nearly as wide as the ribbon cord, the cord containment adaptor would more easily slide along the length of the cord segment  852   c  or become dislodged when the ribbon cord extends in alignment between the edges or gap of the opening  825 . In  FIG.  8 A , the edge  827  on the interior opening  825  at the point of connection or transition from the cord conduit to the entrapment chamber is shown as slightly rounded which further aids in the transition of a ribbon type earphone cord into another channel or earphone cord pathway. It should be appreciated that the angled transition can be made with a non-rounded edge or connection point between the cord conduit and entrapment chamber. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  8 C , once fully transitioned into the entrapment chamber  830 , both the offset of the cord conduit  824  with respect to the ends of the entrapment chamber  830  and the grip due to the opposing walls that compress or grip the ribbon type earphone cord help anchor the cord containment adaptor  800  on the cord segment  852   c  as shown by the representation of the widthwise cross-section of cord segment  852   c . The cord conduit  824  is offset from the ends of the entrapment chamber as discussed herein. With an offset, a ribbon cord can be partially or entirely positioned on either side of the cord conduit  824  and compressed or gripped within the entrapment chamber  830  on either side of the cord conduit  824 . The rigid walls that compress or grip a ribbon type earphone cord are spaced apart at least 0.7 mm. A distance between opposing gripping walls near 1 mm is sufficient for gripping many ribbon earphone cords and supporting a cord containment adaptor on an earphone cord. The thickness of ribbon type earphone cords does not typically compress as much as rounded earphone cords. 
     The cord containment slots  814   a ,  814   b , and  814   c  are quick release slots and only have a single pathway or channel that is configured to grip or compress the thickness  861  of a ribbon earphone cord inserted through the anchor slot entrance  812 . The ribbon type cord segment does not have to incur impediments when received within or pulled out of the slots  814   a ,  814   b , and  814   c  beyond the grip on the cord between the gapped-apart opposing sidewalls of each slot. The cord containment slots  814   a  and  814   b  are curved single channel pathways with cord gripping or compressing gapped-apart walls that extend entirely through the cord containment adaptor. The curvature of the slots  814   a  and  814   b  provides a path that requires more directional guidance to dislodge a ribbon type cord from the slots than the straight slot  814   c  illustrated. The cord containment slots  814   a ,  814   b , and  814   c  do not have an edge or impediment at the entrance of the slots nor do the opposing sidewalls forming the slot narrow at the entrance of the slot. The quick release slots are better suited to provide inadvertent dislodgement of a cord if the quick release slots are at least as deep as the width of the ribbon type cord to be contained, and quick release cord containment slots for ribbon cords that are near twice the width of the ribbon cord intended for the slot provides more resistance to dislodgement. Quick release slots that are 3.5-11 mm in depth are suitable for many ribbon type earphone cords. 
     Like other cord containment adaptor embodiments shown herein, the cord containment adaptor  800  provides two types of slots that can be connected to and released from an earphone cord by hand, where one type slot is a cord releasable anchoring slot structured to anchor the cord containment adaptor to an earphone cord and the other type of slot is a quicker release slot that can be utilized to secure the loose ends of earphone cord segments on the adaptor firmly enough to resist inadvertent dislodgement. Embodiments of quick release slots are structured to enable a user to remove a cord from the slot without directing the cord through more than one channel within the quick release slot and/or to provide a configuration that enables easier removal of a cord segment from the quick release slot than from an earphone cord anchored in the anchor slot of the cord containment adaptor. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9 A  (perspective view) and  9 B (front view), another embodiment of an earphone cord adaptor is illustrated. A back view (not shown) is the mirror image of the front view of  FIG.  9 B , and the rectangular side view, as can be seen in the perspective view of  FIG.  9 A , is the mirror image of the side on the opposite side of the adaptor  900 . Like the cord containment adaptor  800  discussed in association with  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B , the cord containment adaptor  900  is operative to be fixed on an earphone cord that has a flat or ribbon type profile, where the thickness of the earphone cord is significantly less than the width of the earphone cord. The cord containment adaptor  900  is shown as a rigid adaptor that has a rigid anchor slot  910  and rigid quick release cord containment slots  914   a ,  914   b , and  914   c . The anchor slot  910  has an anchor slot entrance  912  opening on the exterior of the adaptor  900 , a cord conduit bend chamber  924 , and an entrapment chamber  930 . 
     The cord conduit bend chamber  924  has a transition section at the opening  925  or area of connection of the cord conduit bend chamber  924  into the entrapment chamber  930 , where the transition section is wider than the thickness of a ribbon type earphone cord but is narrower than the width of the ribbon type earphone cord. The cord conduit bend chamber  924  provides a volume at and directly adjacent to the point of connection of the cord conduit bend chamber  924  with the entrapment chamber  930 , and the volume of the area is large enough for a widthwise cross-section of the a ribbon type earphone cord  952   c  to bend sufficiently to be slid or transition into an attached entrapment chamber  930  as illustrated in  FIG.  9 B . The bend chamber  924  aids in facilitating the insertion of a flat profile earphone cord into the entrapment chamber  930 . The cord conduit bend chamber  924  opens into the side of the entrapment chamber  930 . The bend chamber volume, in proximity to the connection point, is structured for the ribbon cord to be fed or to be bent back into the cord conduit bend chamber  924  from the entrapment chamber  930  after an earphone cord is within the entrapment chamber  930 . The sidewalls defining the volume or area where the cord bending occurs are not structured to compress or grip the thickness of a ribbon type cord in the bend area of the bend chamber  924 . The bend chamber walls are located between the exterior earphone cord entrance  912  and the opening  925 . The bend chamber  924  also has a narrow slit or gap  960 , which is positioned at a distance away from the opening  925 , that is narrower than the opening  925 . The illustrated gap  960  is located at the anchor slot entrance  912  at the end of the bend chamber that is positioned at the end of the bend chamber opposite the opening  925 . The gap  960  helps to maintain an earphone cord within the bend chamber  924  if the ribbon type earphone cord is inadvertently pulled into the bend chamber  924  from the entrapment chamber  930 . In addition to the illustrated structure, the volume dimensions or wall structure of the cord conduit bend chamber  924  can narrow or taper to a narrow gap opening, like gap  960 , or may extend up in parallel to be co-extensive with the entrance opening of the cord conduit bend chamber  924  that opens to the exterior of the cord containment adaptor  900 . 
     The walls defining the area or width of the opening  925  should be wide enough to allow one side of the ribbon type cord to be partially fitted between the gapped-apart compression or gripping walls in the below entrapment chamber  930  and then for the opposite side of the ribbon type cord to be slid or transitioned on the opposite side of opening  925  into the entrapment chamber  930 , while also being narrow enough to maintain support of the cord containment adaptor  900  on the ribbon cord within the entrapment chamber after the ribbon cord is fully inserted into the entrapment chamber  930 . Referring to  FIG.  9 C , the edges  975  and  977  defining the opening  925  are gapped apart or spaced at a distance that enables a ribbon cord to be bent and slid into the below entrapment chamber and yet are narrower than the width of a ribbon cord to enable a ribbon cord to be held within the entrapment chamber when a ribbon cord is positioned along the width of the gap between the two edges defining the width of the opening  925 . The edges of the opening  925  and distance between the edges, as well as the bend chamber area or volume are fixed in a rigidly structured adaptor and anchor slot. Consequently, these features, such as the gap or distance between the edges or area or volume defined by the rigid bend chamber may remain fixed and need not expand when an earphone cord is bent into or out of the bend chamber between the edges. An earphone cord can be bent or transitioned into or out of either the bend chamber  924  or entrapment chamber  930  via the open volume provided at the opening of the entrapment chamber without expansion of the gap, gap distance, or edges along the opening into the entrapment chamber  930 . 
     The distance between the gapped apart opposing sidewalls defining the opening width of the opening  925  is greater than the distance between the pair of gapped apart opposing chamber sidewalls of the earphone cord entrapment chamber  930  that are structured to compress an earphone cord. For ribbon earphone cords, which typically range in width from 3 mm-5 mm, an opening width at the connection point that is greater than or equal to 1.7 mm and less than or equal to 3.3 mm is sufficient to maintain a cord containment adaptor on a ribbon cord for an appropriately matched ribbon cord within the typical ribbon type earphone cord width range. The width of the opening  925  configured to be about two-thirds of the width of the ribbon type earphone cord can ensure that enough space is provided at the opening  925  for bending a cord to fit within a connected entrapment chamber and small enough to prevent the ribbon type cord from inadvertently pulling through the opening  925 . A width of the opening  925  (or distance between the edges of the gap) that is at least sixty percent larger than the distance between the opposing sidewalls of the entrapment chamber  930  that compress or grip a ribbon type earphone cord when the cord conduit and entrapment chamber are connected at ninety degree angles can provide enough space for bending certain ribbon type earphone cords, and yet provide edges wide enough to hold the ribbon type earphone cord in the entrapment chamber when the cord is positioned between the gap. A distance of 2 mm between the edges  975  and  977  is sufficient to support various cord containment adaptors for various ribbon type cords that have a width of 3 mm. For a ribbon cord that is 3 mm in width, the height of the bend chamber  924  area can extend up approximately 2 mm or greater from the connection point of the opening to provide sufficient volume for a ribbon cord of approximately 3 mm to fit within chamber  924  down to the entrapment chamber  930 . The two edges  975  and  977  and the appropriate distance between the edges  975  and  977  in combination with the compression or grip provided by the gapped apart walls of the entrapment chamber that grip or compress the earphone cord segments hold a ribbon cord within the entrapment chamber and consequently, within the anchor slot  910 . 
     The lower transition area for a ribbon type earphone cord includes the area in the entrapment chamber  930  that is directly below the cord conduit bend chamber  924  and that extends on along the width of entrapment chamber  930  on a side of the cord conduit bend chamber  924  towards either short sidewall  934   a  or  934   b  defining a widthwise end of the entrapment chamber  930 . It can be advantageous for the lower transition area that is directly below the cord conduit  924  or opening  925  and out to either widthwise side of the entrapment chamber  930  to be configured to be wider than the width of a ribbon type earphone cord segment that is intended to be anchored in the anchor slot to ensure that the ribbon cord can entirely transition into the entrapment chamber  930 . A lower transition area greater than 5 mm will work as a lower transition area for many ribbon cords. After the widthwise cross-section of the ribbon type earphone cord  952   c  is fully transitioned, the ribbon type cord can be moved to either side of the cord conduit bend chamber  924  within the entrapment chamber  930 . The width or distance for the lower transition area along the entrapment chamber  930  for the adaptor  900  that is at least four to five times the gripping or compression distance between gapped apart sidewalls works for many ribbon type earphone cords. 
     The cord containment slots  914   a ,  914   b , and  914   c  are quick release slots, with the cord containment slots  914   a  and  914   b  having a different structure than the cord containment slot  914   c . The cord containment slots  914   a  and  914   b  have entrances  915   a  and  915   b  that are significantly wider than the respective gapped apart sidewalls  916 ,  917 ,  918 , and  919  of the slots that are designated for compressing or gripping the thickness of a ribbon type earphone cord segment. The walls defining the entrances  915   a  and  915   b  are transverse to the sidewalls that grip or compress the earphone cord in the slots  914   a  and  914   b . The entrances  915   a  and  915   b  are wider than both the thickness and width of a typical ribbon type earphone cord. Once a ribbon type cord is gripped in the slot, the quick release cord containment slots  914   a  and  914   b  do not have two edges, like the edges  975  and  977  shown in anchor slot  910 , to entrap or hold an earphone cord in the entrapment chamber. The respective walls  921 ,  922 ,  923 , and  924  defining the entrance section of the cord containment slots  914   a  and  914   b  that lead down to the sidewalls that compress or grip the ribbon type earphone cord are not offset from both ends of the respective gapped apart sidewalls of the slots  914   a  and  914   b  that compress or grip the thickness of a ribbon type earphone cord. 
     The cord containment slots  914   a  and  914   b  each have a slot pathway where one section of the pathway is orthogonal or perpendicular with respect to another section of the slot pathway of the respective slot. The walls  921  and  922  of quick release slot  915   b  are orthogonal to the walls  917  and  916  of the slot  915   b . The wall  921  can serve as slight impediment or barrier wall for a cord exiting the opposing sidewalls  916  and  917  that are spaced to compress or grip an earphone cord positioned therebetween, particularly when the cord length is not aligned with the length of the slot entrance. The walls  921  and  922  can be gapped apart a distance that is less than the width of a ribbon cord segment but far enough apart to provide a bend area in which the ribbon type earphone cord can be bent and removed from the slot, in manner similar to the discussion in association with the bend chamber  924 . The quick release slot  915   a  is constructed in the same manner as the quick release slot  915   b . In the quick release slots  915   a  and  915   b , the respective barrier walls  923  and  921  can force a ribbon cord pulled into either wall from the section orthogonal to it to bend upward toward the entrance of the respective slot. It should be appreciated that quick release slots as illustrated in connection with  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B  may be used in the cord containment adaptor as illustrated in  FIGS.  9 A and  9 B  and vice versa. 
     The entire body of each earphone cord containment adaptor, as shown in the figures, is configured to fit in or to be entirely encompassed within a 1 inch by 1 inch by 1 inch cubic volume or less. The illustrated bodies, however, or additional bodies, shapes and/or passageway configurations can be structured to exceed a 1 cubic inch volume, such as, for example, volumes of 1.25 inches by 1.25 inches by 1.25 inches or 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches. Each of these volumes is also sufficiently small to be supported by and convenient for transport on an earphone cord. When less volume is occupied by a cord containment adaptor, it is more convenient for the adaptor to remain dangling on and supported by an earphone cord and for placement in small pockets or purses. Earphone cord containment adaptors that will not fit entirely within a volume of 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches are generally not convenient for storage in small pockets or for dangling from earphone cords. It should be appreciated that each cord containment adaptor embodiment is suitable for a rigid construction throughout the embodiments, although some aspects an adaptor may have flexible sections and yield the advantages discussed herein. Cord containment adaptors can be any weight that can be supported on an earphone cord that will not create too much of a downward pull to cause easy dislodgement of the earpieces from a person&#39;s ears during use of the earphone set. Cord containment adaptors weighing 30 g or less are convenient for carrying and for attachment to earphone cords. Cord containment adaptors, however, can weigh more than 30 g and be suitable to meet advantages discussed herein. 
     Referring to  FIG.  10 A , the cord containment adaptor  500  is shown attached to a set of earphones  150  that are plugged into a mobile telephone  1002  via earphone plug  168 . The mobile telephone  1002  may be for example, an Apple iPhone 10, Samsung Galaxy 10s, or Xiomi Mi Mix 3. Many users of earphones and mobile telephones wrap the cord segments of their earphones around the mobile telephone when they store or discontinue use of the mobile telephone. When this is done, sometimes the cords become unraveled or the user must intertwine the loose ends of the cords, such as the ends containing the earpieces  162   a  and  162   b , after they have been wrapped. The loose ends are not fixed and may move about and become more entangled or unravel entirely. Cord containment adaptors, like discussed herein such as the cord containment adaptor  500 , when fixed on an earphone cord segment of a set of earphones can remain on a set of earphone cords and hold cord containment slots upward away from the media device via upstanding walls, thus enabling a user to clip loose ends of earphone cords that have been wrapped around a mobile phone into the cord containment adaptor  500  to form a closed loop around the telephone. 
       FIG.  10 B  is a side view taken along the line  10 B- 10 B of the mobile telephone  1002  and cord containment adaptor  500  as shown in  FIG.  10 A . Referring to  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B , the cord containment adaptor  500  has a support surface or base  555  that can rest or be positioned on a front or back planar surface  1013  of a mobile phone as shown, where the support base  555  has a wall or surface extending up therefrom that contains or supports another surface of the adaptor that contains cord containment slots that are positioned away from the support base or surface. The positioning of the cord containment slot  518  via a wall away from the support base enables cord segments to be inserted into cord containment slots that are held above the front or back surface  1013  of the telephone. The support base and adjacent walls of the adaptor  500  should be firm or wide enough to support the open ends of the passageway of the cord containment slot  518  above the support base  555 . Walls that support the open ends of the cord containment slot at least 5-6 mm above the support base can provide the benefits of the cord containment adaptor  500  shown in  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B . The cord containment slot  518  grips and contains the two earphone cord segments  152   a  and  152   b  that are wrapped around the media device when the media device is not in use. In  FIG.  10 A , the ends of earphone cord segments  152   a  and  152   b  are shown compressed into cord containment slot  518 . In  FIG.  10 B , the earphone cord segment  152   c  is shown extending through the anchor slot through-passage of the cord containment adaptor  500 . The other embodiments shown herein can be positioned on a mobile telephone in a similar manner as the cord containment adaptor  500  shown positioned on the mobile telephone  1002  to achieve like advantages. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  11 A- 13 D , various configurations of anchor slots are shown illustrated in various shaped embodiments of cord containment adaptors. Referring to  FIGS.  11 A,  11 B,  11 C,  11 D, and  11 E , a perspective view, a side view, top view, front view, and bottom view are respectively shown of an earphone cord containment adaptor  1100 . An anchor slot  1110  configuration is shown illustrated in the heart-shaped cord containment adaptor  1100 . A back view (not shown) of the cord containment adaptor that is on the opposite side of the front view ( FIG.  11 D ) is the mirror image of the front view of  FIG.  11 D , and the side view (not shown) that is on the opposite side of the cord containment adaptor  1100  is the mirror image of the side view of  FIG.  11 B . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  12 A,  12 B,  12 C,  12 D and  12 E , a perspective view, a front view, a side view, a top view, and bottom view are respectively shown of an earphone cord containment adaptor  1200 . An anchor slot  1210  and cord containment slot  1214  configuration are shown illustrated in the sphere-shaped cord containment adaptor  1200 . A back view (not shown) that is on the opposite side of the cord containment adaptor  1200  of the front view ( FIG.  12 B ) is the mirror image of the front view of ( FIG.  12 B ), and the side view (not shown) that is on the opposite side of the cord containment adaptor  1200  is the mirror image of the side view of  FIG.  12 C . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  13 A,  13 B,  13 C, and  13 D , a perspective view, a front view, a side view, a top view, front view, and bottom view are respectively shown of an earphone cord containment adaptor  1300 . An anchor slot  1310  and a cord containment slot  1314  configuration are shown illustrated in the rectangular-cuboid shaped cord containment adaptor  1300 . A back view (not shown) that is on the opposite side of the cord containment adaptor  1300  of the front view ( FIG.  13 B ) is the mirror image of the front view ( FIG.  13 B ), and the side view (not shown) that is on the opposite side of the cord containment adaptor  1300  is the mirror image of the side view of  FIG.  13 C . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  14 A and  14 B , another embodiment of a cord containment adaptor is illustrated. The cord containment adaptor  1400  is spherical and is constructed in the same general manner as the cord containment adaptor  300 . The cord containment adaptor  1400  has an anchor slot  1410  and cord containment slots  1414   a ,  1414   b , and  1416 . The illustrated slots extend all the way through the adaptor from one open-ended side to the open-ended side on the opposite side of the adaptor in a manner that mirrors the openings shown, like the other cord containment adaptors illustrated herein. The cord segment  152   c  containing the plug  168  is shown compressed in the anchor slot  1410 . The cord containment slot  1416  has a single entrapment chamber  1416   a  and a cord conduit  1416   b , similar to the cord containment slot  316 . As discussed in connection with  FIG.  3   , with the cord containment slot  1416 , two segments of an earphone cord can be stored on either side of the cord conduit  1416   b , where the cord segments  152   a  and  152   b  are shown compressed between the sides  1432  and  1434 . The cord containment slot  1416  additionally includes a ridge  1444  positioned within the earphone cord entrapment chamber  1416   a  on the side  1432  and directly across from and near the opening  1450 . The ridge  1444  extends across the length of the entrapment chamber  1416   a  from one open-ended side of the anchor slot to the opposing open-ended side of the anchor slot  1410 . It should be appreciated that the ridge does not have to extend the full length of the entrapment chamber, and further, it should be appreciated that a series of ridges can be positioned along the length of a cord conduit opening rather than being a single long ridge. 
     The top or peak of the ridge  1444  provides a narrower gap between the peak and the opposite side  1434  than the gap between either section of the side  1432  adjacent to the ridge  1444  and the opposite side  1434 . For an earphone cord positioned on either side of the ridge  1444 , the ridge  1444  provides an impediment between or to the chamber opening  1450  and an exit of an earphone cord from the cord entrapment chamber  1416   a  via the chamber opening  1450 . A force exerted on an earphone cord positioned on either side of the ridge  1444  must overcome the force or resistance of compression between the area adjacent to the ridge  1444  as well as additional resistance and the need for further compression as a result of the narrower gap in the entrapment chamber  1416   a  at the peak of the ridge  1444 . Without a ridge located directly across the opening of a cord conduit into an entrapment chamber, a cord would more easily come to rest or get lodged at the cord conduit/chamber opening because a portion of the compressed cord would expand, to some extent, into the opening. An earphone cord can become lodged in the opening when the cord inadvertently is pushed or pulled toward to the opening. By providing a ridge across from the opening, a barrier or obstacle is provided in the entrapment chamber that the cord must rise above and overcome. The barrier within the earphone cord chamber and across from and adjacent to the opening makes it more difficult for an earphone cord to become lodged at the opening into the cord conduit and therefore, helps to maintain an earphone cord on either side of the ridge away from the opening to prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the cord containment adaptor from the cord. It should be appreciated that a ridge positioned across from a cord conduit opening should provide enough space for a cord to transition past the ridge when an intentional force is directed to move the cord past the ridge despite any additional compression that would occur due the height of the ridge. 
     Like noted in connection with the slot  316  ( FIG.  3   ), a rigid cord containment slot containing an entrapment chamber, such as cord containment slot  1416  containing entrapment chamber  1416   a , can serve as an anchor slot for an adaptor or an earphone cord attachment or object to be connected to an earphone cord. The cord containment slot  1416  is better equipped to stay anchored to an earphone cord than the slot  316  due to the ridge  1444  and the location of the ridge  1444  at and across from the opening  1450  as illustrated. Because the width of cord conduit  1416   b  is narrower than the diameter of an earphone cord designated for insertion into the conduit, an earphone cord positioned on the ridge  1444  would be further compressed on the perimeter of the cord between the ridge top and the sidewall opposite the ridge peak. 
     Like the structure and function of the ridge  1444 , the ridge  1464  of the entrapment chamber  1430   b  helps prevent inadvertent dislodgement of an earphone cord segment, such as the segment  152   c , from the entrapment chamber  1430   b  of the anchor slot  1410 . The ridge  1464  is slightly wider than the width of the opening of the opening into the chamber. There is enough space on each side of the ridge  1464  for a cord to be held on either side of the ridge within the entrapment chamber, like shown in connection with entrapment chamber  1416   a . For an anchor slot containing two entrapment chambers, such as anchor slot  1410 , a ridge or ridges directly across from a cord conduit opening provides an extra measure of adaptor fixation to a cord, in addition to the intermediate entrapment chamber  1430   a  and non-linear off-set of an earphone cord pathway leading from the anchor slot entrance to the entrapment chamber  1430   b . Similar to the ridges  1444  and  1464 , the ridges  1474  and  1484  of the entrapment chamber  1430   a  help retain an earphone cord positioned in the wider compression area or gap adjacent to the ridges away from the cord conduit opening proximate to the particular ridge. The bi-level entrapment chambers  1430   a ,  1430   b  and  1416   a  of  FIGS.  14 A and  14 B , with the ridge location directly across from the respective conduit openings, provides an enhanced barrier to movement of an earphone cord to the location of the entrance into to the respective cord conduit. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  15 A and  15 B , another embodiment of a cord containment adaptor is illustrated. The cord containment adaptor  1500  has a spherical shape and has cord containment slots  1514 ,  1516 ,  1518 , and  1520 . Cord containment slots  1516  and  1520  are quick release linear compression slots as discussed herein. The cord containment slots  1514  and  1518  have entrapment chambers  1514   a  and  1518   a  and have cord conduits  1514   b  and  1518   b  constructed in the same manner as the cord containment slot  316  ( FIG.  316   ) and cord containment slot  1416  ( FIG.  14   a   ). Each of the entrapment chambers  1514   a  and  1518   a  has ridges  1540  and  1544  respectively. Each of the ridges is positioned within the entrapment chambers directly across from the open end of the cord conduit that opens into each of the respective entrapment chambers, like discussed in connection with  FIGS.  14 A and  14 B . The cord containment slots are positioned at spaced apart surface areas of the rigid spherical body at approximately ninety, one hundred eighty, and two hundred seventy degrees from every other slot. The positioning of the cord containment slots on surfaces, as illustrated, enables the adaptor  1500  to be used to secure earphone cords when they are wrapped around a mobile phone as discussed in connection with  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B . In this embodiment, the single rigid entrapment chambers of cord containment slots  1514  and  1518  can serve to anchor the adaptor  1500  to a cord and serve to contain cord segments or loose ends of a set of earphones. The sizes of each of the anchor slots of the single adaptor  1500  can be different to accommodate variously sized cord diameters of a single earphone set or multiple earphone sets. The cord containment adaptor  1500  provides a measure of universality in a compact rigid structure of the entire body of the adaptor  1500 . It should be appreciated that an adaptor or earphone cord holder can be anchored permanently on an earphone cord where an additional slot, like a cord containment slot  1514  with a ridge positioned directly across from the conduit opening can be used to secure the loose ends of an earphone cord. 
     Referring to  FIG.  16 A  (a perspective view) and  FIG.  16 B  (a front view), an embodiment of a cord containment adaptor  1600  is illustrated and is constructed in the same general manner as the cord containment adaptor  800  discussed in connection with  FIGS.  8 A- 8 C , which has a section of the entrapment chamber of the anchor slot slanting downward away from the cord conduit that opens into the entrapment chamber. The cord containment adaptor  1600  additionally has an entrapment chamber that slants downward and away and that has concentric curved walls that grip or compress an earphone cord placed therebetween. Like the cord containment adaptor  800 , the cord containment adaptor  1600  is operative to be fixed on cords of an earphone set that have a flat or ribbon type profile or cross section. The cord containment adaptor  1600  is illustrated as a rigid adaptor with a rigid anchor slot  1610  and cord containment slots  1614   a ,  1614   b ,  1614   c , and  1614   d  that extend all the way through the cord containment adaptor. The anchor slot  1610  has an anchor slot entrance  1612 , a cord conduit  1624 , and an entrapment chamber  1630 . The configuration or orientation of the entrapment chamber  1630  is transverse and slanted with respect to the cord conduit  1624 . 
     The entrapment chamber  1630  has a section  1615  that curves or slants downward away in a curve from the anchor slot entrance  1612  and curves away from the connection point of the cord conduit  1624  with the entrapment chamber  1630 . This slanted-curved connection structure of the entrapment chamber  1630  and cord conduit  1624  is a feature that enables a flat or ribbon profile cord to be accommodated and positioned in an entrapment chamber of the rigid anchor slot of the cord containment adaptor  1600 . The curved connection structure provides a cord path with an increasing angle away from the path of the cord conduit orientation or structure and thereby aids in facilitating the insertion of a flat profile earphone cord into an entrapment chamber, when the walls of the connected cord conduit and entrapment chamber are narrow enough to grip or compress an earphone cord. The sidewall  1631   a  of the earphone cord entrapment chamber  1630  that slants or curves downward away from the sidewalls of the earphone cord conduit  1624  is concentric with the sidewall  1631   b  of the entrapment chamber  1630 . The opposing sidewalls  1631   a  and  1631   b  or opposing sides of the entrapment chamber  1630  are concentric and compress or grip a ribbon cord positioned therebetween. The curved structure of the arched sidewalls will bend the ribbon cord placed therebetween which further provides resistance to help retain a ribbon cord in the entrapment chamber or anchor slot. Although the length of the width of the section of the entrapment chamber  1630  on one side of the cord conduit  1624  is illustrated as being shorter than the length of the width of the section of the entrapment chamber on the other side of the cord conduit  1624 , the illustrated shorter section can be constructed to be equal to or longer than the other section. Although not illustrated, the arched sections of an arched entrapment chamber on either side of the cord conduit that opens into the arched entrapment chamber can be of equal lengths and equally convex with respect to a cord conduit. For example, each side of the arched entrapment chamber can slant downward away from the connection point of the cord conduit into the arched entrapment chamber rather than as illustrated in  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B  where one section on one side slants upward and away and one side slants downward and away from the cord conduit  1624 . It should be appreciated that other entrapment chambers discussed in association with the various other embodiments herein may also be constructed as arched entrapment chambers. It should be appreciated that cord conduits and pathways connecting to entrapment chambers can be arched or curved. The cord containment slots  1614   a ,  1614   b ,  1614   c , and  1614   d  are curved quick release slots and are configured to grip or compress the thickness of a ribbon earphone cord and similarly bend a ribbon cord inserted therebetween to provide another element of resistance that can aid in keeping a ribbon type cord within the designated slot. The opposing-arched sidewalls of each of the cord containment slots  1614   a ,  1614   b ,  1614   c , and  1614   d  are concentric. 
     Referring to  FIG.  17   , a front view of another embodiment of a cord containment adaptor is illustrated. The cord containment adaptor  1700  is spherical and is constructed in the same general manner as the cord containment adaptor  300  and  1400 . The cord containment adaptor  1700  has an anchor slot  1710  and cord containment slots  1714   a ,  1714   b , and  1716 . The anchor slot  1710  has entrapment chambers  1730   a  and  1730   b  and cord conduits  1724   a  and  1724   b . The illustrated slots extend all the way through the adaptor from one open-ended side to the open-ended side on the opposite side of the adaptor in a manner that mirrors the openings shown, like discussed in association with the other cord containment adaptors illustrated herein. The cord containment slot  1716  has a single entrapment chamber  1716   a  and a cord conduit  1716   b , similar to the cord containment slot  316 . Like discussed in connection with  FIG.  14   , the cord containment slot  1716  includes a ridge  1744  positioned within the earphone cord entrapment chamber  1716   a . Similarly, the ridges  1764 ,  1774 , and  1784  are structured in the same manner as the ridges  1464 ,  1474 , and  1484 , respectively within the corresponding entrapment chambers and slots and provide the same functional and structural advantages as discussed in connection with adaptor  1400 . Additionally, the cord conduit  1724   b  is shown to extend and slant at a non-perpendicular angle between and to connect the two entrapment chambers  1730   a  and  1730   b . In  FIG.  17   , the cord conduit  1724   b  slants toward an expanded section  1731  of the bi-level chamber  1730   a  and to an area of the entrapment chamber in which the edge  1785  of the ridge  1784  is positioned between the area and the opening  1715  of the cord conduct  1724   a . The expanded section  1731  has a greater depth between the edge  1785  of ridge  1784  and the end  1733  of the entrapment chamber  1730   a  than the depth of the chamber between the edge  1785  of the ridge and opening  1715  of the cord conduit  1724   a . By slanting the cord conduit  1724   a  toward the expanded section  1731 , a cord proceeding from the entrapment chamber  1730   b  to the entrapment chamber  1730   a  is funneled or directed to the expanded section  1731  and is directed to be positioned within the expanded section  1731  when the cord exits the opening  1725  of the cord conduit  1724   b . The expanded section  1731  is located at one end of the entrapment chamber  1730   a.    
     As illustrated, the majority of or all of the width of the opening  1725  is positioned closer to the end  1733  of the entrapment chamber  1730   a  than the edge  1785  of ridge  1784  is to the end  1733  of the entrapment chamber  1730   a . Likewise, at least one edge  1726  of the width of the opening  1725  is positioned closer to the end  1733  of the entrapment chamber than the ridge  1784  is to the end  1733  of the entrapment chamber  1730   a  which helps funnel a cord to the expanded section  1731 . In an embodiment, the ridge  1784  or edge  1785  can be positioned directly across from the opening  1725  where the edge  1726  of the opening  1725  is closer to the end  1733 . Positioning the edge  1726  of the opening  1725  to be closer to the end  1733  of the entrapment chamber than the ridge  1784  is to the end  1733  by a distance greater than or equal to half of the width of an earphone cord to be used in the adaptor can help ensure that the cord slides or gravitates toward the expanded section  1731  or end  1733  of the entrapment chamber. This differential in distance between the ridge  1784  to the end  1733  in relation to the edge  1726  to the end  1733  in most cases would be at least 0.5 mm. It should be appreciated that both edges defining the opening  1725  into the entrapment chamber  1730   a  can be closer to the end  1733  than the edge  1785  of the ridge  1784  to the end  1733 . Similarly, the edge  1785  can be closer to either edge of the opening  1715  of the cord conduit  1724   a  along the width of the entrapment chamber  1730   a  than either edge of the opening  1725  is to either edge of the opening  1715 . Likewise, the entire width of the ridge  1784  can be positioned to be entirely between the edges or boundaries of the openings  1715  and  1725  that are closest to each other. 
     The funneling of the cord to the side of the ridge  1784  toward the end  1733  of the entrapment chamber  1730   a  and away from the opening  1715  of the cord conduit  1724   a  adds an impediment for a cord to overcome before a cord is able to move to the opening  1715  leading to the entrance/exit of the anchor slot  1710 . With the edge  1785  being positioned closer to the opening  1715  of the cord conduit  1724   a  than both edges of the opening  1725 , a cord more easily funnels to a position within the entrapment chamber  1730   a  that creates an impediment for a cord to inadvertently exit the anchor slot. A ridge or ridge edge can be advantageously positioned at various locations along either of the widthwise sides of an entrapment chamber between separate openings into or out of the entrapment chamber to provide the structure, function and advantages discussed herein to prevent the inadvertent dislodgement of an earphone cord from an entrapment chamber or anchor slot. 
     The various inventive aspects of anchor slots discussed herein may be utilized to hold identifying objects or cord attachments on an earphone cord, of which a cord containment adaptor can be. For example, when a first earphone set contains a cord containment adaptor that has a spherical shape and another earphone set has a cord containment adaptor that has a rectangular cuboid shape, the earphones can be easily identified by the owner of each earphone set by the shape of the cord containment adaptor attached to the cord segment of the earphone set. Identifying indicia or features can be printed, cut, molded or engraved on or in an object or be included to form a feature of the object so as to distinguish the adaptor from other adaptors. Another identifying feature could be the configurations of slots on a first adaptor that is different than the configuration of slots on another adaptor. Colors, printed or engraved shapes, text or other symbols can be used as identifiers on adaptors or other rigid bodied objects containing rigid anchor slots as discussed herein. Rigid body anchor slot cord attachment or identifier devices or objects that are attachable to and removeable from cord segments from earphone cord segments are advantageous to earphone set users to identify or distinguish the users&#39; individual earphone sets from others. It should be appreciated that an adaptor embodying an anchor slot constructed in accordance with an aspect of the invention may not have additional slots separate and apart from the anchor slot and will serve as an identifier adaptor by including the selected identifying features, for example, as discussed herein. 
     The foregoing descriptions have been illustrative of various embodiments that aid in preventing earphone cords from becoming entangled when stored. Embodiments of the cord containment elements are attachable near the end of an earphone cord segment and are selectively removeable by hand. Embodiments of cord containment adaptors can be retrofitted to earphones without physically altering or removing components of the earphones or cords. Embodiments of cord containment adaptors constructed in accordance with teachings herein provide a cord containment structure that can be securely positioned on a set of earphones for cord containment and are selectively detachable and yet are not easily dislodged during use of the headphones nor during storage of the headphones. 
     The components and casing of cord containment adaptor embodiments may be produced via various manufacturing techniques, such as casting, molding, assembly, forming, machining, joining, additive manufacturing, or other suitable manufacturing processes. The cord containment slots shown in adaptors as discussed herein may be produced as part of an initial manufacturing process of cord containment adaptor or can be cut, punched, stamped, carved, adhered, or the like into a cord containment adaptor after initial production of components. A cord containment shell or cover can be affixed to structures by varying ways, including, for example, over-molding, adhesive, bonding, and inter-locking tongue and grooves. Although slots are shown with the sidewalls being below the outer surface area of larger outer surface area of the cord containment adaptor, the sidewalls of a slot of a cord containment element may extend up or above the general or larger outer surface area of the cord containment adaptor that is near the base of the slot. 
     Various types of earphones, as well as cords, may be used in connection with various embodiments of the inventions. The diameter or cross-sectional shape or dimension of a channel, slot, or cord outlet can be sized to accommodate the various cross-sectional sizes, shapes or diameters of cords. Embodiments herein may be used with a variety of cords. It should be appreciated that various embodiments herein may be used on cord segments of wireless earphones that do not have a plug but instead have only earpieces that are tethered together by a rounded or ribbon type earphone cord. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may provide one or more advantages or features, and not all embodiments necessarily provide all advantages or features as set forth here. Additionally, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or variations can be made to the structures, configurations, and methodologies referenced herein. Some aspects of various embodiments may be combined with other embodiments and variations may be made in or to the specific illustrated embodiments without departing from the scope of the embodiments or inventions discussed herein. What follows is a listing of claim sets focusing on one or more aspects of the different embodiments described herein.