Earplug dispenser

Abstract

The present invention relates to an earplug dispenser. The dispenser comprises a container for keeping earplugs, said container being provided with means for dispensing earplugs from the container. The dispenser has substantially the general shape of an earplug.

1 . An earplug dispenser, comprising 
 a container for keeping earplugs, said container being provided with means for dispensing earplugs from the container, wherein the dispenser substantially has the general shape of an earplug.    
     
     
         2 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein it is a portable and stand-alone dispenser so as to be adapted to be freely relocated by hand.  
     
     
         3 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein it has a base portion adapted to stand on an underlying surface and an elongate main portion extending away from said base portion, wherein the dispenser is adapted to stand upright.  
     
     
         4 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said base portion includes a bottom of the container, said bottom having an inside for facing earplugs kept in the container and an outside adapted to stand on an underlying surface.  
     
     
         5 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said main portion has a dome-shaped top portion.  
     
     
         6 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said base portion is provided with said means for dispensing.  
     
     
         7 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said means for dispensing is accessible when said base portion is lifted from an underlying surface.  
     
     
         8 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said means for dispensing is one of the group consisting of: 
 a rotary lid provided with a hole, wherein the rotary lid is fitted to the container, the container having a bottom plate provided with a hole similar to the one of the rotary lid, whereby the rotary lid may be rotated so that the two holes become aligned with each other and allows earplugs in the container to be taken out;    a plate being able to slide sideways for exposing an access hole to the interior of the container; and    a tab or a hatch which may be opened so that a hole underneath is revealed for taking out earplugs from the container.    
     
     
         9 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein it is adapted to contain earplugs packaged in bulk.  
     
     
         10 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least a major part of it is made of a transparent material.  
     
     
         11 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein it is dimensioned to contain about 100-300 earplugs, preferably about 160-240 earplugs, typically about 200 earplugs.  
     
     
         12 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein it has substantially the general shape of an earplug from the group consisting of: 
 an earplug having the general shape of a truncated cone with a rounded top portion;    an earplug having the general shape of a truncated cone with a rounded top portion and a bottom portion with enlarged diameter;    an earplug having the general shape of a straight circular cylinder;    an earplug having the general shape of a straight circular cylinder with a rounded top portion;    an earplug having a base portion with a cross-section from one of oval, diamond, rhombus-shaped;    an earplug having the general shape of an elliptic paraboloid;    an earplug havind an elongate main portion which has a generally ellipsoid shape or the shape of an egg, which main portion extends away from a generally cirular base portion, the boundry between the main portion and the base portion forming a waist portion.    
     
     
         13 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein it is a disposable dispenser.  
     
     
         14 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container is provided with an in-mould label.  
     
     
         15 . An earplug dispenser apparatus, comprising a dispenser and therein contained earplugs, said dispenser comprising a container in which said earplugs are provided, said container being provided with means for dispensing earplugs from the dispenser, wherein the dispenser substantially has the general shape of an earplug provided in said container.  
     
     
         16 . The dispenser apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said dispenser contains earplugs packaged in bulk.  
     
     
         17 . The dispenser apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein at least a major part of the dispenser is made of a transparent material so that at least some of said earplugs are visible.  
     
     
         18 . A method of making people aware of the presence of earplugs for protecting hearing, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a dispenser that has substantially the general shape of an earplug;    arranging earplugs inside said dispenser;    locating said dispenser containing earplugs at a place of working.    
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , which further comprises providing at least a major part of the dispenser of a transparent material so as to make visible or expose at least some of said earplugs.  
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , which further comprises making the shape of the dispenser to substantially correspond to the general shape of one of said earplugs contained therein.  
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said place of working is near a noise source.