Ear cover and method for manufacturing thereof

Abstract

Disclosed is a protective sterile cover for the human ear. The cover may allow for the user to hear while protecting an ear that is sensitive to infection, and generally to protect an ear from water, fluids, hair and hair colorants, dust and other substances.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ear cover ( 10 ), comprising:
 a first sheet ( 12 ), the margin ( 16 ) thereof corresponding to an extent of an external ear ( 22 ), forming a pouch, for surrounding the helix ( 26 ) of said external ear ( 22 ); and   adhering means ( 14 ) disposed at a certain portion of said margin ( 16 ) of said first sheet ( 12 ), for sticking said margin portion to a front portion of said external ear ( 22 ).   
       thereby sealing said cover ( 10 ) to said ear. 
     
     
         2 . An ear cover ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said first sheet ( 12 ) is hollowed ( 32 ), for inserting medical tools therethrough,
 thereby said first sheet ( 12 ) provides sterilization to said ear by covering said external ear ( 22 ) during ear surgery.   
     
     
         3 . An ear cover ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a center portion ( 32 ) of said first sheet ( 12 ) comprises a second sheet characterized to allow sound waves ( 54 ) to propagate therethrough with minimal reduction, thereby a user wearing said ear cover ( 10 ) is capable of hearing through said first sheet ( 12 ) substantially at the same level as without wearing said ear cover ( 10 ). 
     
     
         4 . An ear cover ( 10 ) according to  claim 3 . wherein said at least center portion ( 32 ) of said first sheet ( 12 ) comprises the entirety of said first sheet ( 12 ). 
     
     
         5 . An ear cover ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a center portion ( 32 ) of said first sheet ( 12 ) comprises an optically transparent sheet, thereby providing esthetics as if the ear is not covered. 
     
     
         6 . An ear cover ( 10 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein said second sheet ( 12 ) comprises a thin and light sheet, thereby allowing sound waves ( 54 ) to propagate therethrough by minimally interrupting said propagation of said sound waves ( 54 ). 
     
     
         7 . An ear cover ( 10 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein said second sheet is loose. 
     
     
         8 . An ear cover ( 10 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein said second sheet comprises a material member selected from a group including: polyethylene, nylon. 
     
     
         9 . An ear cover ( 10 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein said second sheet comprises a sound membrane,
 thereby allowing sound waves ( 54 ) to propagate therethrough by receiving said sound waves ( 54 ) and transferring them forward to an eardrum of the ear.   
     
     
         10 . An ear cover ( 10 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein said sound membrane sheet is stretched by said first sheet ( 12 ),
 thereby providing said sound waves ( 54 ) receipt and said transfer thereof.   
     
     
         11 . An ear cover ( 10 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein said sound membrane sheet comprises a material member selected from a group including: a thin polymer, polycarbonate. 
     
     
         12 . An ear cover ( 10 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein said first sheet ( 12 ) excluding said center ( 32 ) comprises a relatively thick and flexible sheet, thereby providing improved mechanical characteristics for fastening said helix ( 26 ). 
     
     
         13 . An ear cover ( 10 ) according to  claim 12 , wherein said first sheet ( 12 ) excluding said center ( 32 ) comprises a material member selected from a group including: latex, silicon. 
     
     
         14 . A method for manufacturing ear covers ( 10 ), said method comprising the steps of.
 providing a relatively large sheet ( 34 );   placing a shaped knife on said sheet ( 34 ) for cutting thereof to a plurality of sheets ( 12 ), each shaped to cover one external ear ( 22 );   attaching adhering means ( 14 ) to each cut sheet ( 12 );   
       and
 attaching an elastic band to margins ( 16 ) of said cut sheets ( 12 ), for shrinking thereof. 
 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein said step of attaching said elastic band to said margins comprises sewing.