UTILITY DEVICE FOR REMOVING EARWAX

• US 20170224537A1
• Filed: 02/09/2017
• Published: 08/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UtilityTip.com LLC
• Original Assignee: UtilityTip.com LLC
• Inventors: Shuman, Jake Ryan
• Granted Patent: US 10,449,092 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/006 Ear cleaners, e.g. curettes cotton tips A61F13/38; cleaning by suction A61M1/71, by irrigation A61M3/02

Abstract

A utility device is provided for insertion into an ear. The utility device comprises a first tip portion. The first tip portion can include a first end, a base, a plurality of first ridges extending between the first end and the base, and a plurality of second ridges extending between each of the plurality of first ridges. The utility device can include an intermediate region and a central portion. The intermediate portion can connect the central portion to the first tip portion. The central portion can allow a user to grip and/or hold the utility device.

Claims

1. A utility device configured for insertion into an ear, the utility device comprising:

a first central core;

a first tip portion surrounding the first central core including;

a first end;

a base;

a plurality of first ridges extending radially outward from the first central core and extending from the first end of the first tip portion to the base of the first tip portion, wherein the plurality of first ridges include a first sidewall and a second sidewall connected by an outer surface;

a plurality of secondary ridges,

wherein the plurality of secondary ridges include a top wall and a bottom wall,

wherein the top wall and the bottom wall form a secondary ridge edge at the intersection between the top wall and the bottom wall,

wherein the secondary ridge edge extends between the first side wall and the second side wall of adjacent first ridges of the plurality of first ridges such that the plurality of secondary ridges extend radially outward from the central core to a distance that terminates before the outer surface of plurality of first ridges, and

wherein the plurality of secondary ridges are spaced apart along the first central core;

an intermediate region; and

a central portion configured to allow a user to hold the utility device, wherein the intermediate region transitions between the central core and the central portion.

2. The utility device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of secondary ridges includes a first secondary ridge, a second secondary ridge, a third secondary ridge, and a fourth secondary ridge.

3. The utility device of claim 1, wherein adjacent secondary ridges of the plurality of ridges are spaced apart along the first central core by at least 0.070 inches.

4. The utility device of claim 2, wherein the first secondary ridge is positioned adjacent the base and the second secondary ridge, wherein the second secondary ridge is positioned adjacent the first secondary ridge and the third secondary ridge, wherein the third secondary ridge is positioned adjacent the second secondary ridge and the fourth secondary ridge, and wherein the fourth secondary ridge is positioned adjacent the third secondary ridge and the first end.

5. The utility device of claim 4 wherein the first secondary ridge is spaced apart from the second secondary ridge by approximately 0.079 inches.

6. The utility device of claim 4 wherein the second secondary ridge is spaced apart from the third secondary ridge by approximately 0.075 inches.

7. The utility device of claim 4 wherein the third secondary ridge is spaced apart from the fourth secondary ridge by approximately 0.070 inches.

8. The utility device of claim 1, further comprising:

a second intermediate region;

a second central core; and

a second tip portion surrounding the second central core and spaced away from the first tip portion by the central portion.

9. The utility device of claim 8, wherein, wherein the second tip portion comprises:

a second end;

a base;

a plurality of first ridges extending radially outward from the second central core and extending from the second end of the second tip portion to the base of the second tip portion; and

a plurality of secondary ridges extending between each of the plurality of first ridges, wherein the plurality of secondary ridges are spaced apart along the first central core.

10. The utility device of claim 1, wherein the central portion includes a recess forming a flat surface.

11. The utility device of claim 1, wherein the central portion includes at least one rib configured to allow a user to grip the central portion.

12. The utility device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first ridges and the plurality of secondary ridges intersect to form a plurality of scoops, wherein the scoops are configured to capture material when the first tip portion is applied to a surface.

13. The utility device of claim 1, wherein the first tip portion is integrally formed with the intermediate region.

14. The utility device of claim 1, wherein the top wall and the bottom wall of the plurality of secondary ridges are substantially flat.

15. The utility device of claim 1, wherein a secondary ridge of the plurality of secondary ridges is substantially parallel to an adjacent secondary ridge of the plurality of secondary ridges.

16. The utility device of claim 1, wherein the secondary ridge edge of the plurality of secondary ridges does not intersect with a plane formed along the outer surface of the plurality of first ridges.

17. A utility device configured for insertion into an ear, the utility device comprising:

a first central core;

a first tip portion surrounding the first central core including;

a first end;

a base;

a plurality of first ridges extending radially outward from the first central core and extending from the first end of the first tip portion to the base of the first tip portion, wherein the plurality of first ridges include a first sidewall and a second sidewall connected by an outer surface; and

a plurality of secondary ridges,

wherein the plurality of secondary ridges include a top wall and a bottom wall,

wherein the top wall and the bottom wall form a secondary ridge edge at the intersection between the top wall and the bottom wall, and

wherein the secondary ridge edge contact the first side wall of a first ridge of the plurality of first ridges and the second sidewall of an adjacent first ridge of the plurality of first ridges;

an intermediate region; and

a central portion comprising at least one rib that extends circumferentially about the central portion, wherein the at least one rib is configured to allow a user to hold the utility device,

wherein the intermediate region transitions between the central core and the central portion.

18. The utility device of claim 17, wherein the central portion comprises at least two ribs that extend circumferentially about the central portion.

19. The utility device of claim 17, wherein the central portion comprises at least three ribs that extend circumferentially about the central portion.

20. The utility device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of first ridges are configured to extend radially outward from the first central core a first maximum distance and the plurality of secondary ridges are configured to extend radially outward from the first central core a second maximum distance, wherein the first maximum distance is greater than the second maximum distance.

21. The utility device of claim 17, wherein the intermediate portion includes a frusto conical portion configured to connect the first central core with the central portion.

22. The utility device of claim 17, wherein the first tip portion includes at least four sets of scoops formed by the intersection of the plurality of first ridges and the plurality of secondary ridges.