CA2007694A1 - Soap-containing wash cloth - Google Patents
Soap-containing wash clothInfo
- Publication number
- CA2007694A1 CA2007694A1 CA 2007694 CA2007694A CA2007694A1 CA 2007694 A1 CA2007694 A1 CA 2007694A1 CA 2007694 CA2007694 CA 2007694 CA 2007694 A CA2007694 A CA 2007694A CA 2007694 A1 CA2007694 A1 CA 2007694A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- soap
- pouch
- wash cloth
- cloth
- bar
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Body Washing Hand Wipes And Brushes (AREA)
Abstract
SOAP-CONTAINING WASH CLOTH
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention provides a terry cloth pouch which opens to receive a bar of soap and is readily closed to contain the soap using VELCROTM closures. An elastic strap is provided to secure the pouch to the hand of the user and in this way a simple bath mitt is provided which allows children or the handicapped to easily bathe themselves.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention provides a terry cloth pouch which opens to receive a bar of soap and is readily closed to contain the soap using VELCROTM closures. An elastic strap is provided to secure the pouch to the hand of the user and in this way a simple bath mitt is provided which allows children or the handicapped to easily bathe themselves.
Description
20f)769~
SOAP-CONTAINING WASH CLOTH
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of bathing acces-sories and more particularly to bath mitts and the like which are adapted to receive and contain a bar of soap and serve as a wash cloth.
Typically a person bathes by using a wash cloth made of terry cloth (an absorbent cotton pile fabric formed of loops) to scrub the skin and a bar of soap which is either applied directly to the skin by rubbing it on the skin, or is applied to the wash cloth to be in turn scrubbed onto the skin. This operation requires a certain degree of hand strength and dexterity which may be missing in children, the handicapped or arthritic.
Various bath mitts have been developed which include a mitt portion for the hand and a pouch portion for receiving the soap. For example, United States patent no. 2,265,329 issued Dec. 9, 1941 to Wachs discloses a terry cloth bath mitt which has two compartments, a sheath for receiving the hand and a pocket for receiving the bar of soap. The opening to the soap pocket is located so that the fingers of the user can clutch the end of the bar of soap thereby closing the opening. Alternatively, a slit is provided transversely across the soap pocket. United States patent no. 1,990,û30 issued Feb. 5, 1935 to Jaffe discloses a bath mitten made of open mesh fabric with a lining of flan-nelette. The bar of soap is held in the user's palm within the mitten. In both cases hand strength is required to grip the bar . . .
Z~(~769~
of soap.
There is therefore a need for an inexpensive wash cloth which is adapted for containing soap and which can be used readily by children, the handicapped or arthritic.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a soap-containing wash cloth comprising two rectangular halves of terry cloth or similar material which are adapted to be secured to one another along the outer edges thereof, and removably secured by VELCROTM or similar closure means along at least one and up to three outer edges. A
flexible strap is provided which is secured at either end to the exterior surface of one of the terry cloth. The flexible strap secures the wash cloth to the hand of the user and can be positioned over the wash cloth to also secure the soap in place.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodi-ment of the invention with a bar of soap in place, indicated in phantom outline; "
; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the invention shown in Figure 1 with the pouch opened and bar of soap removed;
Fig. 3 is z bottom plan view of the invention shown in Figure 2; and Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the invention with the : : ~ . .,- .
.
, . ~ . .
~: .
Z~37f~9~
soap secured in place prior to adjustment of the flexible strap.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, the wash cloth of the invention is referred to generally as 1, enclosing a rectangular bar of soap 3 shown in dotted outline. The wash cloth consists of two rectangular pieces of terry cloth 5, each having a cotton trim 7 sewn along its edges. The cotton trim of the two pieces is sewn together along line 9 to join the two halves, forming a larger rectangle 11. One half of the outer periphery of rectangle 11 is provided with strips 13 of the "loop" side of a VELCROTM
fastener, while the other half of the outer periphery is provided with strips 15 of the "hook" side of the fastener. A flexible band 17 of elastic or the like is secured at its two ends 19 to the cotton trim on the outside of the wash cloth as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
To use the wash cloth, the bar of soap 3 is placed on the interior surface 21 of one of the halves 5 as shown in Figure 2. The second half 5 is then folded over onto the bar of soap and the VELCROTM fastener strips are joined to secure the pouch. The elastic band is then in the position shown in Figure 4. To provide a tighter fit for the soap, the elastic band is then folded over the bar of soap so that it takes the position shown in Fig. 1.
To use the invention, the user inserts one hand beneath .~
~ -. , 2~07694 ~he elastic band, thus securing the soap-containing wash cloth to the user's hand. By wetting the surface of the wash cloth and rubbing the cloth on the skin, the bar of soap becomes damp and soap lather is generated on the surface of the wash cloth. It has been found that this structure is particularly useful for children, the handicapped or the arthritic as little hand strength is required to hold the soap. The structure also conserves soap as the soap is protected from direct contact with the water collected in a soap dish by the protective towel covering and the rate of dissolving is thereby reduced.
In a second embodiment of the invention, the wash cloth is constructed from a single piece of terry cloth which is folded along centre line 9. The terry cloth is then sewn together along the two edges 50 perpendicular to the fold, thus forming an envelope with an open mouth. The two halves of the VELCROTM 53 are provided along the upper and lower inner surfaces of the edge of the mouth so formed in order to allow closure of the mouth 51 after the bar of soap has been inserted. To further discourage the bar of soap being forced out through the mouth and to better enclose it within the envelope thus formed, the lower edge of the mouth is formed of a rectangular flap 52 of material which is folded back and the ends 54 of which are sewed along the inner edges of the pocket. The VELCROTM strap is thus secured to the outer surface of the terry cloth, which becomes the inner edge of the mouth when the flap is thus folded inwardly and secured.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, ,~" ~ ..... .
, . . .
2~}C~76~4 various modifications and adaptations of the structure above described may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is to be construed in accordance with the accompanying claims. For example, the pouch could be permanently sewn along up to three edges thereof, with only the fourth edge closable by closure means to allow the bar of soap to be inserted or removed.
,;. ,.... . ;, . :--" : ~
: ~ .:~.. . ~ - :
:1'.. "., ' ' . . ..
SOAP-CONTAINING WASH CLOTH
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of bathing acces-sories and more particularly to bath mitts and the like which are adapted to receive and contain a bar of soap and serve as a wash cloth.
Typically a person bathes by using a wash cloth made of terry cloth (an absorbent cotton pile fabric formed of loops) to scrub the skin and a bar of soap which is either applied directly to the skin by rubbing it on the skin, or is applied to the wash cloth to be in turn scrubbed onto the skin. This operation requires a certain degree of hand strength and dexterity which may be missing in children, the handicapped or arthritic.
Various bath mitts have been developed which include a mitt portion for the hand and a pouch portion for receiving the soap. For example, United States patent no. 2,265,329 issued Dec. 9, 1941 to Wachs discloses a terry cloth bath mitt which has two compartments, a sheath for receiving the hand and a pocket for receiving the bar of soap. The opening to the soap pocket is located so that the fingers of the user can clutch the end of the bar of soap thereby closing the opening. Alternatively, a slit is provided transversely across the soap pocket. United States patent no. 1,990,û30 issued Feb. 5, 1935 to Jaffe discloses a bath mitten made of open mesh fabric with a lining of flan-nelette. The bar of soap is held in the user's palm within the mitten. In both cases hand strength is required to grip the bar . . .
Z~(~769~
of soap.
There is therefore a need for an inexpensive wash cloth which is adapted for containing soap and which can be used readily by children, the handicapped or arthritic.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a soap-containing wash cloth comprising two rectangular halves of terry cloth or similar material which are adapted to be secured to one another along the outer edges thereof, and removably secured by VELCROTM or similar closure means along at least one and up to three outer edges. A
flexible strap is provided which is secured at either end to the exterior surface of one of the terry cloth. The flexible strap secures the wash cloth to the hand of the user and can be positioned over the wash cloth to also secure the soap in place.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodi-ment of the invention with a bar of soap in place, indicated in phantom outline; "
; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the invention shown in Figure 1 with the pouch opened and bar of soap removed;
Fig. 3 is z bottom plan view of the invention shown in Figure 2; and Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the invention with the : : ~ . .,- .
.
, . ~ . .
~: .
Z~37f~9~
soap secured in place prior to adjustment of the flexible strap.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, the wash cloth of the invention is referred to generally as 1, enclosing a rectangular bar of soap 3 shown in dotted outline. The wash cloth consists of two rectangular pieces of terry cloth 5, each having a cotton trim 7 sewn along its edges. The cotton trim of the two pieces is sewn together along line 9 to join the two halves, forming a larger rectangle 11. One half of the outer periphery of rectangle 11 is provided with strips 13 of the "loop" side of a VELCROTM
fastener, while the other half of the outer periphery is provided with strips 15 of the "hook" side of the fastener. A flexible band 17 of elastic or the like is secured at its two ends 19 to the cotton trim on the outside of the wash cloth as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
To use the wash cloth, the bar of soap 3 is placed on the interior surface 21 of one of the halves 5 as shown in Figure 2. The second half 5 is then folded over onto the bar of soap and the VELCROTM fastener strips are joined to secure the pouch. The elastic band is then in the position shown in Figure 4. To provide a tighter fit for the soap, the elastic band is then folded over the bar of soap so that it takes the position shown in Fig. 1.
To use the invention, the user inserts one hand beneath .~
~ -. , 2~07694 ~he elastic band, thus securing the soap-containing wash cloth to the user's hand. By wetting the surface of the wash cloth and rubbing the cloth on the skin, the bar of soap becomes damp and soap lather is generated on the surface of the wash cloth. It has been found that this structure is particularly useful for children, the handicapped or the arthritic as little hand strength is required to hold the soap. The structure also conserves soap as the soap is protected from direct contact with the water collected in a soap dish by the protective towel covering and the rate of dissolving is thereby reduced.
In a second embodiment of the invention, the wash cloth is constructed from a single piece of terry cloth which is folded along centre line 9. The terry cloth is then sewn together along the two edges 50 perpendicular to the fold, thus forming an envelope with an open mouth. The two halves of the VELCROTM 53 are provided along the upper and lower inner surfaces of the edge of the mouth so formed in order to allow closure of the mouth 51 after the bar of soap has been inserted. To further discourage the bar of soap being forced out through the mouth and to better enclose it within the envelope thus formed, the lower edge of the mouth is formed of a rectangular flap 52 of material which is folded back and the ends 54 of which are sewed along the inner edges of the pocket. The VELCROTM strap is thus secured to the outer surface of the terry cloth, which becomes the inner edge of the mouth when the flap is thus folded inwardly and secured.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, ,~" ~ ..... .
, . . .
2~}C~76~4 various modifications and adaptations of the structure above described may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is to be construed in accordance with the accompanying claims. For example, the pouch could be permanently sewn along up to three edges thereof, with only the fourth edge closable by closure means to allow the bar of soap to be inserted or removed.
,;. ,.... . ;, . :--" : ~
: ~ .:~.. . ~ - :
:1'.. "., ' ' . . ..
Claims (15)
1. A soap-containing wash cloth comprising:
a) a pouch formed of flexible, water absorbent mater-ial and adapted to removably receive a bar of soap in the interior of said pouch, said pouch having an outer surface;
b) closure means for releasably closing said pouch around said bar of soap; and c) flexible strap means secured at both ends thereof to the outer surface of said pouch, thereby forming a space between said pouch and said strap for removably receiving a hand of a user.
a) a pouch formed of flexible, water absorbent mater-ial and adapted to removably receive a bar of soap in the interior of said pouch, said pouch having an outer surface;
b) closure means for releasably closing said pouch around said bar of soap; and c) flexible strap means secured at both ends thereof to the outer surface of said pouch, thereby forming a space between said pouch and said strap for removably receiving a hand of a user.
2. The wash cloth of claim 1 wherein said water absorbent material is terry cloth.
3. The wash cloth of claim 1 wherein said closure means com-prises a hook and loop fastener.
4. The wash cloth of claim 1 wherein said pouch comprises a rectangular piece of flexible, water absorbent material forming two halves, said rectangular piece being foldable about a line dividing said piece into said two halves, and said closure means comprises two complementary elements, one of said complementary closure elements being secured along the outer edge of one of said halves of said rectangle, and the other complementary closure element being secured along the outer edge of the other half of said rectangle.
5. The wash cloth of claim 4 wherein said closure means com-prises a hook and loop fastener.
6. The wash cloth of claim 5 wherein said water absorbent material is terry cloth.
7. The wash cloth of claim 1 wherein said flexible strap means is elastic.
8. The wash cloth of claim 7 wherein said flexible strap means is sufficiently long to enable it to be stretched around the bar of soap.
9. A soap-containing wash cloth comprising:
a) a pocket formed of flexible, water absorbent mater-ial and having a mouth to removably receive a bar of soap in the interior of said pocket, said pocket having an outer surface;
b) closure means for releasably closing said mouth of said pocket; and c) flexible strap means secured at both ends thereof to the outer surface of said pocket, thereby forming a space between said pocket and said strap for removably receiving a hand of a user.
a) a pocket formed of flexible, water absorbent mater-ial and having a mouth to removably receive a bar of soap in the interior of said pocket, said pocket having an outer surface;
b) closure means for releasably closing said mouth of said pocket; and c) flexible strap means secured at both ends thereof to the outer surface of said pocket, thereby forming a space between said pocket and said strap for removably receiving a hand of a user.
10. The wash cloth of claim 9 wherein said water absorbent material is terry cloth.
11. The wash cloth of claim 9 wherein said closure means com-prises a hook and loop fastener.
12. The wash cloth of claim 9 wherein said flexible strap is elastic.
13. The wash cloth of claim 9 wherein said elastic strap is sufficiently long to enable it to be stretched around the bar of soap.
14. A soap-containing wash cloth comprising:
a) a generally rectangular pouch formed from a single layer of terry cloth material and adapted to removably receive and closely accommodate a bar of soap in the interior of said pouch, said pouch having two shorter sides and two longer sides and an outer surface;
b) closure means for releasably closing said pouch around said bar of soap; and c) flexible strap means secured at both ends thereof to the outer surface of said pouch, said ends being secured to opposing shorter sides of said pouch, thereby forming a space between said pouch and said flexible strap means for removably receiving a hand of a user.
a) a generally rectangular pouch formed from a single layer of terry cloth material and adapted to removably receive and closely accommodate a bar of soap in the interior of said pouch, said pouch having two shorter sides and two longer sides and an outer surface;
b) closure means for releasably closing said pouch around said bar of soap; and c) flexible strap means secured at both ends thereof to the outer surface of said pouch, said ends being secured to opposing shorter sides of said pouch, thereby forming a space between said pouch and said flexible strap means for removably receiving a hand of a user.
15. The wash cloth of claim 14 wherein said pouch is dimensioned slightly larger than a standard bar of soap.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US30466989A | 1989-01-31 | 1989-01-31 | |
| US07/304,669 | 1989-01-31 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2007694A1 true CA2007694A1 (en) | 1990-07-31 |
Family
ID=23177465
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2007694 Abandoned CA2007694A1 (en) | 1989-01-31 | 1990-01-12 | Soap-containing wash cloth |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2007694A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6783294B2 (en) | 2000-02-14 | 2004-08-31 | Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. | Solid cleanser holder |
-
1990
- 1990-01-12 CA CA 2007694 patent/CA2007694A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6783294B2 (en) | 2000-02-14 | 2004-08-31 | Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. | Solid cleanser holder |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4154542A (en) | Shower mitt | |
| US4568342A (en) | Variable size, reusable diaper with fastener covers | |
| US4228834A (en) | Soap bag | |
| US4961736A (en) | Reusable diaper with detachable liner | |
| US4986681A (en) | Waterproof dishwashing mitten | |
| US4723300A (en) | Convertible tote bag | |
| US4154323A (en) | Multi-purpose bag | |
| US6536047B1 (en) | Infant holding garment | |
| US5463783A (en) | Combination blanket/carrying bag/apparel | |
| US4535878A (en) | Pillow-tote bag device | |
| US4656670A (en) | Multi-function beach towel | |
| US6505367B2 (en) | Bath towel device and method for infants | |
| US3286279A (en) | Disposable baby bibs | |
| JP4958051B2 (en) | Diaper change mat | |
| US20050044606A1 (en) | Beach wrap | |
| US6799330B1 (en) | Infant bib | |
| US5509164A (en) | Combination body and back bath scrubber | |
| US20080190974A1 (en) | Wearable tissue holder | |
| KR200442771Y1 (en) | A many purposes handkerchief | |
| US3834396A (en) | Temperature differential applicator holder | |
| US20110088190A1 (en) | Soap pouch for wrist-hugging mitt | |
| US6786666B1 (en) | Fabric lotion applicator | |
| US5444890A (en) | Lens cleaning devices | |
| US6131232A (en) | Compact applicator/removal system | |
| CA2007694A1 (en) | Soap-containing wash cloth |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |