Cold-drawn polyolefin copolymers cord for earplug

Abstract

An earplug assembly that includes an earplug. The assembly also includes a flexible cord extending from a first cord end to a second cord end and the first cord end fixed to the earplug, the flexible cord formed of copolymer comprising ethylene segments and vinyl acetate segments. The flexible cord has an elastic modulus of 10 MPa or greater at 100% elongation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An earplug assembly comprising:
 an earplug; and   a flexible cord extending from a first cord end to a second cord end and the first cord end fixed to the earplug, the flexible cord formed of copolymer comprising ethylene segments and vinyl acetate segments, and   the flexible cord having an elastic modulus of 10 MPa or greater at 100% elongation.   
     
     
         2 . The earplug assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible cord has an elongation to break of less than 250%. 
     
     
         3 . The earplug assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second earplug fixed to the second cord end. 
     
     
         4 . The earplug assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible cord has an elastic modulus of 20 MPa or greater at 100% elongation. 
     
     
         5 . The earplug assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible cord has a uniform diameter in a range from 0.8 to 1.6 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The earplug assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible cord is uniaxially orientated. 
     
     
         7 . The earplug assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible cord is thermally bonded to the earplug. 
     
     
         8 . The earplug assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first cord end is fixed to a portion of the earplug formed of polypropylene. 
     
     
         9 . The earplug assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the copolymer comprises from 80 to 70% wt ethylene segments and from 20 to 30 wt % vinyl acetate segments. 
     
     
         10 . An earplug assembly comprising:
 a first ear plug and a second earplug;   a cord with a first end and a second end, wherein the cord is a cold-drawn copolymer of ethylene segments and vinyl acetates segments, and wherein the cord drawn cord has an elongation to break of 250% or less; and   wherein the first end is coupled to the first ear plug, and the second end is coupled to the second end.   
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the cord is at least 12 inches long. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the cord is less than 30 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second earplug each comprise:
 a stem;   a sound attenuating body; and   wherein the first end couples to the stem of the first earplug, and wherein the second end couples to the stem of the second earplug.   
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the stem comprises a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first end is thermally bonded to the stem of the first earplug. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the coupling is an adhesive-free coupling. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the cord comprises an extruded material.