Protective ear covers

Abstract

An ear covering for protecting the ear against fluids entering the ear canal, chemical bums from hair treatment products, cuts or nicks from scissors or razors used by hair stylists, and bums from curling irons or hot air from overhead type hair dryers, can have a membrane shaped to enclose a human ear and an entirely elasticized opening on one side which can be expanded to insert the membrane over the ear to retain the membrane thereon. The membrane can also include a portion near the tragus of the ear having an adhesive disposed thereon for sealing the protective covering against the ear. The membrane can be larger than the ear to provide insulating space between the membrane and the skin. The membrane can be made from a generally flexible and water resistant material and can be generally permeable to sound.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An ear covering comprising: 
 a. an enclosure formed generally in the shape of a human ear and having an opening by which said enclosure may be inserted over the ear;    b. a portion of said enclosure lying adjacent the tragus of the ear having an adhesive thereon for adhering said portion to the tragus of the ear such that an enhanced fluid seal is provided between said enclosure and the tragus; and    c. said opening entirely elasticized to retain said enclosure over the ear and to generally keep foreign materials and fluid out of the ear canal even if said portion having an adhesive thereon loses the ability to adhere to the tragus.    
     
     
         2 . The ear covering of    claim 1    wherein said portion of said enclosure lying adjacent the tragus of the ear further comprises a flap covering the ear canal and the tragus.  
     
     
         3 . The ear covering of    claim 1    further comprising said enclosure formed larger than the ear which is to be covered by said enclosure in order to provide insulating space between said enclosure and the ear when said enclosure is inserted over the ear.  
     
     
         4 . The ear covering of    claim 1    further comprising said enclosure is formed of a material generally permeable to sound such that the enclosure does not substantially impair hearing of a person wearing said enclosure.  
     
     
         5 . A method of protecting an ear comprising: 
 a. enclosing an ear within a membrane having an opening therein by which the membrane is inserted over the ear;    b. providing an adhesive on a portion of said membrane adjacent the tragus of the ear such that said portion of said membrane adheres to the tragus to provide an enhanced seal against fluids and foreign particles entering into the ear canal; and    c. entirely elasticizing said opening to generally retain said membrane over the ear and to keep foreign materials and fluids out of the ear canal even if said portion of said membrane loses the ability to adhere to the tragus.    
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 4    further comprising forming said membrane larger than the ear which is to be enclosed within said membrane to provide insulating space between said membrane and the ear when the ear is enclosed within said membrane.  
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 4    further comprising forming said membrane from a material generally permeable to sound.