Appeal No. 2002-2089
Application No. 09/482,237
that insertion of the earplug in an ear of a user results in the
stiffness of the stem member decreasing such that at least a
portion of the stem member inserted into the ear becomes less stiff
upon being inserted and positioned within the ear. As a result of
the above discussed properties, the stem member permits the ear
plug to be stiff for insertion into the ear while thereafter
becoming less stiff so that any excess pressure caused by the
insertion is relieved. This appealed subject matter is adequately
illustrated by independent claims 1 and 19 which read as follows:
1. A hearing protector earplug, comprising:
a body having an insertion end and an opposing second end,
the body including a stem channel formed therein; and
a stem member disposed within the stem channel, the stem
member comprising a material having a glass transition temperature
range between about 50 to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
19. A hearing protector earplug comprising:
a body having an insertion end and an opposing second end,
the body including a stem channel formed therein; and
a stem member disposed within the stem channel, the stem
member comprising a material such that insertion of the earplug
in an ear of a user results in the stiffness of the stem member
decreasing such that at least the portion of the stem member
inserted into the ear becomes less stiff upon being inserted
and positioned within the ear.
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