Appeal No. 2004-0034
Application No. 09/226,467
The subject matter on appeal relates to an earplug (claims
1-6, 22, and 23) and to a method of manufacturing an earplug
(claims 7-13 and claims 16-21). Further details of this
appealed subject matter are recited in representative claims 1,
7, 13, and 16 reproduced below:
1. An earplug comprising:
a foam body free of detectable material; and
a detectable insert encapsulated within said foam
body, said foam body completely surrounding said
detectable insert.
7. A method of manufacturing an earplug
comprising:
providing an earplug having a foam body free of
detectable material;
forming a channel in said foam body;
placing a detectable insert in said channel; and
allowing said foam body to encapsulate said
detectable insert so that said foam body completely
surrounds said detectable insert.
13. The method of claim 7 wherein:
said channel is formed by inserting a punch in
said foam body.
16. A method of manufacturing an earplug
comprising:
providing an earplug having a foam body;
projecting a detectable insert into said foam
body at a predetermined trajectory and speed; and
allowing said foam body to encapsulate said
insert so that said foam body completely surrounds
said detectable insert.
2
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