Abstract:
In one aspect the present invention is directed to an ear-cleaning device comprising: a first cotton wad, for cleaning an ear of an individual; a stick, the first cotton wad being wrapped on one end thereof, for inserting the first cotton wad into the ear; a first guarding object attached to the one end of the stick, for limiting the entrance of the stick into the ear; and detachment means of the first stick from the first guarding object, thereby preventing unintentional contact of the first cotton wad with the myringa of the ear, thereby preventing damage thereof while cleaning of the ear.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of ear cleaning. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of safe, hygienic ear cleaning. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The ears must regularly be cleaned of excess accumulation of wax. 
         [0003]    Cotton tips are the most common ear-cleaning devices. The shaft of the cotton-tipped stick is either plastic or wood, manufactured to uniform length and shape. 
         [0004]    However, the ear is a delicate, intricate area, including the skin of the ear canal and particularly the myringa (eardrum). Too vigorous attention to ear cleanliness may put hearing at risk, due to injury of the myringa. 
         [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe ear-cleaning device for self-use. 
         [0006]    Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools methods, and so forth, which are meant to be merely illustrative, not limiting in scope. 
         [0008]    In one aspect the present invention is directed to an ear-cleaning device comprising:
       a first cotton wad, for cleaning an ear of an individual;   a stick, the first cotton wad being wrapped on one end of the stick, for inserting the first cotton wad into the ear;   a first guarding object attached to the one end of the stick, for limiting the entrance of the stick into the ear; and   detachment means of the first stick from the first guarding object,
 
thereby preventing unintentional contact of the first cotton wad with the myringa of the ear, thereby preventing damage thereof while cleaning of the ear.
       
 
         [0013]    The detachment means may comprise adjusting means for adjusting the distance between the first stick and the first guarding object,
       thereby allowing adjustment of the limitation of the entrance into the ear.       
 
         [0015]    The first guarding object may comprise an object having width greater than that of the entrance of the ear. 
         [0016]    The ear-cleaning device may further comprise:
       a second cotton wad being wrapped on the second end of the stick;   a second guarding object attached to the second end of the stick; and   detachment means of the stick from the second guarding object.       
 
         [0020]    The first guarding object may comprise a thimble, for wearing the device on a finger. 
         [0021]    The detaching means may comprise corresponding machining item between the first guarding object and the stick, the item rendering friction force between the first guarding object and the stick. 
         [0022]    The detaching means may comprise corresponding threads of the first guarding object and the stick. 
         [0023]    The detaching means comprise corresponding protrusions and slots between the first guarding object and the stick. 
         [0024]    The ear-cleaning device may further comprise:
       a third cotton wad; and   a third stick attached to the third cotton wad,   the third cotton wad and third stick for replacing the first stick and the first cotton wad.       
 
         [0028]    The external surface of the stick may comprise a thread for wrapping cotton fibers thereon. 
         [0029]    The external surface of the stick may comprise extensions for wrapping cotton fibers thereon. 
         [0030]    In another aspect the present invention is directed to a method for ear-cleaning, the method comprising the steps of:
       adjusting the location of a guarding object on a stick, for limiting the entrance of the stick into the ear, in order to prevent contact between the tip of the stick and the myringa of the ear; and   inserting the stick into the canal of the ear, to a depth determined by the adjustment;       
 
         [0033]    thereby preventing unintentional contact of the cotton wad with the myringa of the ear, thereby preventing damage thereof while cleaning the ear. 
         [0034]    The method may further comprise the step of wearing the guarding object on a finger. 
         [0035]    The method may further comprise the steps of
       detaching the stick from the guarding object; and   attaching another stick on the guarding object.       
 
         [0038]    In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0039]    The objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0040]      FIG. 1  illustrates a device for cleaning the ear, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 2  illustrates the device of  FIG. 1 , detached. 
           [0042]      FIG. 3  illustrates the adjustment of the length of the neck of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of another embodiment for adjusting the length of neck  52 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 5  illustrates the first step of insertion of the device of  FIG. 1  into the ear. 
           [0045]      FIG. 6  illustrates the second step of insertion of the device of  FIG. 1  into the ear. 
           [0046]      FIG. 7  illustrates the third step of insertion of the device of  FIG. 1  into the ear. 
           [0047]      FIG. 8  illustrates a package for selling the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0048]      FIG. 9  illustrates a sectional view of the structure of the cotton stick according to one embodiment. 
           [0049]      FIG. 10  illustrates a device for cleaning the ear, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 11  illustrates a device for cleaning the ear, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0051]    It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. Reference numerals may be repeated among the figures in order to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0052]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail, for the sake of brevity. 
         [0053]      FIG. 1  illustrates a device for cleaning the ear, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0054]    An ear-cleaning device  2  includes a thimble  4  holding an appropriate wrapped cotton wad  6  for cleaning the ear. 
         [0055]    Thimble  4  may include springy branches  48  at the bottom for grasping an inserted finger, a narrow extension head  10  at the top, and an expansion  50  in between. 
         [0056]      FIG. 2  illustrates the device of  FIG. 1 , detached. 
         [0057]    The user may detach thimble  4  from cotton stick  8  holding cotton wad  6 . 
         [0058]    Cotton stick  8  and an extension head  10  of thimble  4  fit together, and may be adjustably extracted one from the other, to enlarge or diminish the distance between cotton wad  6  and thimble  4 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 3  illustrates the adjustment of the length of the neck of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0060]    The term “neck”, denoted by  52 , will refer herein to the combination of cotton stick  8  and extension head  10  of thimble  4 . 
         [0061]    According to one embodiment the force holding cotton stick  8  to extension head  10 , and allowing the adjustment of the length of neck  52 , may be friction force between them, provided by corresponding machining item of diameter  60  of extension head  10  and diameter  62  of cotton stick  8 . 
         [0062]    This friction force should be larger than the friction force between cotton wad  6  and the ear canal walls. 
         [0063]    According to this embodiment, the length of neck  52  may be adjusted by simple pushing or pulling of cotton stick  8  in relation to extension head  10  of thimble  4 . 
         [0064]    According to another embodiment, cotton stick  8  and extension head  10  may have corresponding threads  56  and  54  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) for adjusting the length of neck  52 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of another embodiment for adjusting the length of neck  52 . 
         [0066]    Extension head  10  has several slots  42 , each for a different length of neck  52 . A protrusion  44  of cotton stick  8 , corresponding to slots  42 , may enter one of slots  42 , to determine the desired length of neck  52 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 5  illustrates the first step of insertion of the device of  FIG. 1  into the ear. 
         [0068]    Finger  14  in thimble  4  pushes cotton wad  6  through entrance  12  of the ear into canal  16  thereof. 
         [0069]      FIG. 6  illustrates the second step of insertion of the device of  FIG. 1  into the ear. 
         [0070]    The term “border” refers herein to the location on thimble  4 , where thimble cannot enter ear entrance  12 . 
         [0071]    Thimble  4  includes a border  58 , located on expansion  50 , where the width of thimble  4  is greater than ear entrance  12 . 
         [0072]    Thimble  4  functions as a guarding object, as border  58  thereof limits insertion of cotton wad  6  into ear canal  16 . 
         [0073]    The location of border  58  is fixed and not adjustable, depending on the width of ear entrance  12 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 7  illustrates the third step of insertion of the device of  FIG. 1  into the ear. 
         [0075]    For cleaning canal  16  at greater depth, the user may extend neck  52  by extracting cotton stick  8  from extension head  10 , and then reinsert cotton wad  6 , subject to the limitation of fixed border  58 . 
         [0076]    The term “pre-adjustment” refers herein to the adjustment of the estimated penetration depth of cotton wad  6  into canal  16  prior to ear cleaning. 
         [0077]    Adjustment of the length of neck  52  pre-adjusts the depth of cotton wad  6  at the actual cleaning of the ear. 
         [0078]      FIG. 8  illustrates a package for selling the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0079]    The term “bulb” refers herein to a cotton stick  8  wrapped by a cotton wad  6 . 
         [0080]    Since cotton stick  8  may be attached and detached from thimble  4 , a plurality of bulbs, each including cotton stick  8  and cotton wad  6 , may be replaceable components sold in a package  64  with one thimble  4 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 9  illustrates a sectional view of the structure of the cotton stick according to one embodiment. 
         [0082]    The longitudinal external surface of cotton stick  8  may include a thread  66  or niches for industrially wrapping cotton wad  6  by spinning cotton stick  8  in relation to the cotton, such that thread  66  catches the cotton fibers, producing a wad. 
         [0083]      FIG. 10  illustrates a device for cleaning the ear, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0084]    According to this embodiment ear-cleaning device  2  includes a handle  20  holding two wrapped cotton wads  6 . Handle  20  includes a wide zone for grasping, two narrow extension heads  10  at the tops thereof, and expansions  50  in between. The user may detach handle  20  from each of cotton sticks  8 , each holding cotton wad  6  thereof. 
         [0085]    Each of cotton sticks  8  and extension heads  10  of handle  20  fit together, and may be adjustably extracted one from the other, to enlarge or diminish the distance between cotton wad  6  and handle  20 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 11  illustrates a device for cleaning the ear, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0087]    Ear-cleaning device  2  of  FIG. 11  is similar to  FIG. 10  except for an additional recess  22  for holding handle  20 . 
         [0088]    In the figures and description herein, the following reference numerals have been mentioned:
       numeral  2  denotes an ear-cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present invention;   numeral  4  denotes a thimble of the ear-cleaning device;   numeral  6  denotes a cotton wad;   numeral  8  denotes a cotton stick for locating the cotton wad;   numeral  10  denotes an extension head, extending from the thimble;   numeral  12  denotes the entrance of the ear;   numeral  14  denotes a finger;   numeral  16  denotes an ear canal;   numeral  18  denotes a myringa (ear drum);   numeral  20  denotes a handle;   numeral  22  denotes a recess in the handle;   numeral  42  denotes a slot on the extension head for adjusting the distance between the extension head and the cotton stick;   numeral  44  denotes a protrusion of the cotton stick for adjusting the distance of the extension head from the cotton stick;   numeral  48  denotes a branch of the thimble for grasping the inserted finger;   numeral  50  denotes an expansion between the thimble head (finger width) and the extension head (narrow);   numeral  52  denotes the combination of the cotton stick and the extension head of the thimble; this combination noted as the “neck”;   numerals  54  and  56  denote corresponding threads of the cotton stick and the extension head, for adjusting the length of the neck;   numeral  58  denotes the nearest location of the thimble to the ear, where the thimble is wider than the ear entrance, said location delineated as “border”;   numeral  60  denotes the diameter of the extension head;   numeral  62  denotes the diameter of the cotton stick;   numeral  64  denotes packaging for marketing the ear cleaning device; and   numeral  66  denotes a thread on the cotton stick for industrially wrapping the cotton wad.       
 
         [0111]    While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, the invention can be embodied in other forms, ways, modifications, substitutions, changes, equivalents, and so forth. The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.