# US 2018/0021175 A1 · Earplug Dispenser > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021175 A1 - Document ID: US20180021175A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/719,803 - Filed: 2017-09-29 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-24 - Assignees: Radians, Inc. - Applicants: Radians, Inc. - Inventors: Dennis C. PELLERIN; Shannon R. OWENS - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021175A1 ## CPC - A61F 11/08: internal, e.g. earplugs - G07F 11/44: in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk - G07F 11/54: about vertical axes - G07F 11/56: the storage containers or supports both rotating and moving axially - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) ## Abstract An earplug dispenser is provided which dispenses earplugs directly into a user's hand upon turning of a knob in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The earplug dispenser is designed for quick and efficient replacement of an empty container with a container full of earplugs. The internal delivery components are particularly designed to prevent earplug jamming or sticking and aid in the quick delivery of a desired number of earplugs directly into the user's hand. The design also allows the earplugs to be delivered without relying on a separate opening or port apart from the impeller thereby eliminating the need to use two hands to deliver or dispense the desired earplugs. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dispenser for delivering earplugs to a user comprising a container for storing earplugs until delivered to the user; a funnel having a top opening and a lower opening; a receiver unit including a band and a barrier, the barrier having a surface defining a plurality of passages and a central opening; and a rotatable impeller comprising a flexible clip to engage a central opening of the barrier. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the rotatable impeller further comprises (i) a top plate having a top surface defining a single aperture adapted to receive one or more earplugs; (ii) a plurality of paddles extending from a bottom surface of the top plate; and (iii) a hollow shaft extending downward from the bottom surface of the top plate and adapted to engage the central opening of the barrier. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The dispenser of claim 1, wherein a mount is secured to an exterior surface of the funnel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the mount includes at least two flanges adapted to engage a bracket. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the bracket, mount, or both the bracket and mount are manufactured from an opaque, shaded, colored, translucent, or transparent material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the bracket includes a surface defining a plurality of openings adapted to receive an attachment means nail or screw. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the hollow shaft further comprises: (i) a side surface defining a shaft recess for receiving one or more earplugs; and (ii) a chute in direct communication with the shaft recess for delivering one or more earplugs entering the recess to a user. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The dispenser of claim 7, wherein the shaft recess is 180 degrees opposite the impeller aperture. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The dispenser of claim 1, wherein one or more of the container, impeller, barrier, or funnel are fabricated from an opaque, shaded, colored, translucent, or transparent material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The dispenser of claim 2, wherein a substantial portion of the top surface of the top plate is angled for directing earplugs to the impeller aperture. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the top surface angle is between 5 and 85 degrees. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the top surface of the top plate includes a fin extending upward for agitating earplugs to facilitate movement toward the impeller aperture. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the hollow shaft includes a knob portion, the knob portion including a plurality of ribs for gripping and rotating by the user. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the impeller includes two paddles for sweeping at least one earplug into a barrier passage. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the impeller is adapted to move in both a clockwise and counterclockwise manner. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the band is adapted to engage the container. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the funnel includes a plurality of fingers adapted to engage a surface defining holes within braces located on the receiver unit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the container is fabricated from cardboard or fiberboard. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A method of dispensing earplugs comprising the steps of: providing the dispenser of claim 1 for delivering earplugs; and turning the rotatable impeller either clockwise or counterclockwise to dispense at least one earplug into the user's hand. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) An earplug dispenser kit comprising the dispenser of claim 1; optionally, a mount located on an exterior surface of the funnel; optionally, a bracket; and a set of instructions for use.