At a glance
| Patent number | CN205456233U (application CN201620034350) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Adjustable ear protector for mask straps (一种适用于口罩束带的可调节护耳器) |
| Patent owner | Individual inventor |
| Inventor | Bao Yuping |
| Filing date | 2016-01-04 |
| Grant date | 2016-08-17 |
| Status (China) | Lapsed - terminated for non-payment of annual fees (effective 2018-01-04, recorded 2018-12-21) |
| Patent family | Only this Chinese patent - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 9 later documents, including one PCT application by another applicant |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN205456233U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - an adjustable ear protector for mask straps, made of an ear hook and a strap-length adjuster that sits on the hook but can be taken off and used on its own. The front of the hook matches the outline of the outer ear. The back has a strap groove running through it and a recess for the adjuster. The adjuster is a cylinder with a tapered through-hole for the strap.
Claim 2 - the strap groove passes through the recess. Claim 3 - the ear hook is made of silicone, elastomer or plastic. Claim 4 - the adjuster is made of elastomer.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China, and it lapsed in 2018 because annual fees were not paid. It no longer restricts anyone - in China or elsewhere.
Before production, keep in mind:
- Other patents may exist. Mask “ear savers” and strap adjusters became a crowded category after 2020, with new US design and utility filings. Use your own shape and have a freedom-to-operate (FTO) search done by a US patent attorney before volume production.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Sizes | Adult and child sizes |
| Guard material | Silicone, TPE or soft plastic with chosen hardness |
| Adjuster | Hole taper and diameter matched to round or flat mask loops |
| Colors | Clear, skin tones, brand colors or glow-in-the-dark for kids |
| Branding | Molded or printed logo on the guard |
| Packaging | Pairs or multipacks in bags, cards or dispensers; bundles with masks |
Things to plan for (US market)
- Claims - sell it as a comfort accessory; avoid medical claims. If it is bundled with medical masks, check how the bundle is regulated.
- Materials - skin-contact materials should be skin-safe and checked against California Proposition 65.
- Children’s versions - small parts and children’s product rules apply to products made for children.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - sizes, materials, colors and quantity.
- Design - ear outline, groove and adjuster dimensions.
- Prototype - samples tested with common mask loops.
- Pilot run - small batch to check molding and fit.
- Production - volume production, packaging and shipping.
Quantities & timeline
Both parts are small molded pieces - one mold for the guard, one for the adjuster - which keeps the unit cost low once tooling is made. Send us your sizes, materials, quantity and target price and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
