Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Earplug dispenser with asymmetric mixing body
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Application No.: US15320673Application Date: 2015-06-17
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Publication No.: US10482703B2Publication Date: 2019-11-19
- Inventor: David M. Rudek , Ralf F. Korte , Guenter M. Zilligen
- Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
- Applicant Address: US MN St. Paul
- Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Current Assignee Address: US MN St. Paul
- Agent Kenneth B. Wood
- International Application: PCT/US2015/036232 WO 20150617
- International Announcement: WO2016/003650 WO 20160107
- Main IPC: G07F11/44
- IPC: G07F11/44 ; A61F15/00 ; A61F11/08

Abstract:
An earplug dispensing mechanism defining a longitudinal axis, and including separator and index assemblies. The separator assembly includes a platform, a guide wall and bores. The guide wall projects from the platform to define a well for receiving earplugs. The bores each extend from an entrance opening to an exit opening. The index assembly is rotatably coupled to the separator assembly, and includes a handle, a plate, and a mixing body. The plate is connected to the handle and defines a dispensing aperture. The mixing body has an upper end, a lower end, and an exterior surface defined by a cone portion and a paddle portion. The cone portion tapers in diameter. The paddle portion projects radially from the cone portion at the lower end. The exterior surface is asymmetrical to encourage earplug mixing within the well, and to impede earplugs from entering a bore open to the dispensing aperture.
Public/Granted literature
- US20170200340A1 EARPLUG DISPENSER WITH ASYMMETRIC MIXING BODY Public/Granted day:2017-07-13
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