Push-in earplug and method of making the same using a mandrel
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsJacob H. Ely, Robert C. Coffin, James D. Brown
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A push-in earplug is provided. The push-in earplug comprises an elongate core comprising a core material. The push-in earplug also comprises an outer layer comprising a foam material, the outer layer covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the elongate core. The push-in earplug also comprises a channel extending through the elongate core from a first end of the elongate core to the second end of the elongate core.
Claims30
A push-in earplug comprising:
- an elongate core comprising a core material;
- an outer layer comprising a foam material, the outer layer covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the elongate core;
- a channel extending through the elongate core from a first end of the elongate core to the second end of the elongate core.
(canceled)
11-13. (canceled)
15-36. (canceled)
A personal protective article comprising:
- a hollow substrate comprising a first material;
- an outer layer comprising a second material, wherein the outer layer at least partially covers an outer surface of the substrate;
- and
- wherein the second material comprises an activatable foaming agent.
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44-47. (canceled)
A method of manufacturing an earplug, the method comprising:
- forming an earplug preform with a first end and a second end opposite the first end portion, the earplug preform comprising a substrate covered by a core layer and an outer layer, wherein the substrate is chemical inert with respect to a core material;
- positioning the earplug preform at least partially within a mold cavity;
- and
- applying heat to at least a portion of the mold cavity such that at least a portion of the outer layer expands and conforms to a shape of the mold cavity and the outer layer thermally bonds to the core layer;
- and
- removing the substrate, wherein, after the substrate is removed, the core layer has a channel extending from the first end to the second end.
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54-62. (canceled)
64-90. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.