EP2598005A2 - Apparatus and method for storing and reusing remnants of soap - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for storing and reusing remnants of soap

Info

Publication number
EP2598005A2
EP2598005A2 EP11738784.5A EP11738784A EP2598005A2 EP 2598005 A2 EP2598005 A2 EP 2598005A2 EP 11738784 A EP11738784 A EP 11738784A EP 2598005 A2 EP2598005 A2 EP 2598005A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
soap
remnants
rim
reusing
storing
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP11738784.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
John Newbould
Thomas James Newbould
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
JOE SOAP Ltd
Original Assignee
JOE SOAP Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by JOE SOAP Ltd filed Critical JOE SOAP Ltd
Publication of EP2598005A2 publication Critical patent/EP2598005A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K7/00—Body washing or cleaning implements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
    • A47K5/04—Other soap-cake holders
    • A47K5/05—Other soap-cake holders having fixing devices for cakes of soap, e.g. clamps, pins, magnets
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
    • C11D17/04—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties combined with or containing other objects
    • C11D17/041—Compositions releasably affixed on a substrate or incorporated into a dispensing means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for storing and reusing remnants of soap.
  • the present invention seeks to overcome these problems .
  • an apparatus for storing and reusing remnants of soap comprising:
  • first and second surfaces for receiving remnants of soap
  • apparatus provides a convenient means for reusing
  • the through-hole allows the soap remnants on the first and second surfaces to adhere to each other, thereby helping to form the soap remnants and apparatus into a single unit, and thereby holding the soap in place on the apparatus.
  • the apparatus further comprises a rim along an edge of the first and/or second surfaces. This helps to hold the soap in place when pressing or moulding the remnants onto the apparatus.
  • the rim may have an inner surface substantially perpendicular to the first and/or second surfaces.
  • An inner surface of the rim may be recessed.
  • this helps to secure soap remnants to the apparatus.
  • the rim has a convex outer surface.
  • the first and/or second surface further comprises one or more dimples and/or protrusions.
  • the first and second surfaces are provided by opposing surfaces of a substantially sheetlike body.
  • the body is substantially circular or oval .
  • a method for storing and reusing remnants of soap comprising:
  • the method may further comprise soaking the first and/or second soap remnants prior to pressing onto the body .
  • the method may further comprise adhering further remnants of soap to the first and/or second remnants of soap .
  • the method may further comprise moulding the adhered remnants of soap so that the adhered soap remnants resemble a bar of soap.
  • the body may be an apparatus as defined above.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a soap-saving apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a plan view of the soap-saving apparatus of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3a shows an end view of the soap-saving apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figure 3b shows an enlargement of the encircled portion of Figure 3a labelled "A"
  • Figures 4 to 6 show corresponding views of a soap- saving apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS 1 to 3 show a soap-saving apparatus or soap- saver 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the soap-saver 10 comprises a flat body 12 having a first surface 14 and a second surface 16 for receiving remnants of soap.
  • Two through-holes 18 connect the first and second surfaces 14, 16.
  • soap-saver 10 As a remnant of soap becomes too small to be of practical use, it can be soaked overnight and moulded into the soap-saver 10. Initially, three or four slithers may be needed to start off the soap-saver 10, but then more remnants of soap can be added as required. Once the soap has been moulded and formed onto the soap- saver 10, it can be allowed to dry and be used as a normal bar of soap would be used. More soap can be added as and when required.
  • the soap-saver 10 allows for remnants of soap to build up to a useful practical size for continual use. There is no limit to the number of soap remnants that can be added as the soap naturally reduces in size with use.
  • the through-holes 18 take advantage of soap's natural propensity to adhere to itself on either side of the soap-saver 10. This locks the soap remnants firmly to the soap-saver 10.
  • a suitable diameter for the through-holes 18 is 2.5cm, although different sizes and non-circular shapes may be used.
  • the first and second surfaces 14, 16 of the soap- saver 10 are dimpled, the dimples 20 giving a degree of stability and helping to prevent the soap sliding from side to side in its early stages of adherence to the soap-saver 10.
  • the surfaces may include protrusions instead of or in addition to dimples .
  • the soap-saver 10 also comprises a rim 22 around the edge of the first and second surfaces 14, 16. This rim 22 has an inner surface 24 substantially perpendicular to the first and/or second surfaces 14, 16, and a smoothly curved, convex outer surface 26. Thus the rim 22 creates an angled edge which also helps retain the soap in place.
  • the flat body 12 has an oval shape typical of the cross-section of a conventional bar of soap. As shown in Figure 2, the flat oval body 12 may have an overall length and breadth of about 8cm by 5 cm. Therefore, as soap is built up on the soap-saver 10, it gradually resembles a conventional bar of soap, having a size and shape which is convenient to handle. However, different shapes are possible.
  • the soap-saver 10 can be made from various different material, but plastic is preferable in order to
  • Figures 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of a soap- saving apparatus 110 according to the present invention, in which features corresponding to those of the first embodiment described above are labelled with the same numbers.
  • the soap-saver 110 has a rim 122 which has a recessed inner surface 124.
  • the recess 125 helps soap remnants to be secured to the soap-saver 110.
  • a non-recessed rim may be preferable for ease of manufacture.
  • a method for storing and reusing remnants of soap according to the present invention comprises: providing a body 12 comprising at least one through-hole 18;
  • the soap may first be soaked in water. The soap may be then be left to dry.
  • soap-saver 10 Further remnants of soap can be added, by adhering them to the soap already held by the soap-saver 10. As the amount of soap on the soap-saver 10 increases, the soap may be moulded into the shape of a bar of soap.

Abstract

A soap-saving apparatus (10, 110) for storing and reusing remnants of soap is disclosed. The soap-saving apparatus (10, 110) comprises first and second surfaces (14, 16) for receiving remnants of soap, and at least one through-hole (18) connecting the first and second surfaces (14, 16). Soap remnants can be pressed on to the first and second surfaces (14, 16) and adhered to each other through the through-hole (18). A rim (22, 122) further helps to retain the soap in place, and dimples (20) on the first and second surfaces (14, 16) help to prevent the soap sliding from side to side in its early stages of adherence.

Description

Apparatus and method for storing and reusing
remnants of soap
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for storing and reusing remnants of soap.
Background of the invention When a bar of soap is used, it gradually becomes smaller and smaller until it is too small for practical use as it can no longer be easily grasped. It may even break into a number of such small pieces. These remnants of soap are generally discarded as they are difficult to use. This is a problem because the unused remnants soap are wasted.
The present invention seeks to overcome these problems .
Summary of the invention
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for storing and reusing remnants of soap, comprising:
first and second surfaces for receiving remnants of soap; and
at least one through-hole connecting the first and second surfaces.
The advantage of this invention is that the
apparatus provides a convenient means for reusing
remnants of soap which have become too small for
practical use, thereby reducing waste of unused soap remnants. The through-hole allows the soap remnants on the first and second surfaces to adhere to each other, thereby helping to form the soap remnants and apparatus into a single unit, and thereby holding the soap in place on the apparatus.
Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a rim along an edge of the first and/or second surfaces. This helps to hold the soap in place when pressing or moulding the remnants onto the apparatus.
The rim may have an inner surface substantially perpendicular to the first and/or second surfaces.
An inner surface of the rim may be recessed.
Advantageously, this helps to secure soap remnants to the apparatus.
Preferably, the rim has a convex outer surface.
This makes the apparatus more comfortable to handle. Preferably, the first and/or second surface further comprises one or more dimples and/or protrusions.
These help to prevent the soap sliding from side to slide on the first and second surfaces.
Preferably, the first and second surfaces are provided by opposing surfaces of a substantially sheetlike body. Preferably, the body is substantially circular or oval .
With this configuration, the soap remnants can be built up on the apparatus to form a solid shape similar to that of a conventional bar of soap, so that it can conveniently be used in the same way as a normal bar or soap . According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for storing and reusing remnants of soap, comprising:
providing a body comprising at least one through- hole;
pressing at least one first remnant of soap onto a first surface of a body; and
pressing at least one second remnant of soap onto a second surface of a body;
such that the first and second soap remnants adhere to each other through the through-hole.
The method may further comprise soaking the first and/or second soap remnants prior to pressing onto the body .
This makes the soap remnants easier to press and mould onto the body.
The method may further comprise adhering further remnants of soap to the first and/or second remnants of soap . The method may further comprise moulding the adhered remnants of soap so that the adhered soap remnants resemble a bar of soap. The body may be an apparatus as defined above.
Brief description of the drawings
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a soap-saving apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a plan view of the soap-saving apparatus of Figure 1;
Figure 3a shows an end view of the soap-saving apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 3b shows an enlargement of the encircled portion of Figure 3a labelled "A"; and
Figures 4 to 6 show corresponding views of a soap- saving apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Description of the embodiments
Figures 1 to 3 show a soap-saving apparatus or soap- saver 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The soap-saver 10 comprises a flat body 12 having a first surface 14 and a second surface 16 for receiving remnants of soap. Two through-holes 18 connect the first and second surfaces 14, 16.
As a remnant of soap becomes too small to be of practical use, it can be soaked overnight and moulded into the soap-saver 10. Initially, three or four slithers may be needed to start off the soap-saver 10, but then more remnants of soap can be added as required. Once the soap has been moulded and formed onto the soap- saver 10, it can be allowed to dry and be used as a normal bar of soap would be used. More soap can be added as and when required. The soap-saver 10 allows for remnants of soap to build up to a useful practical size for continual use. There is no limit to the number of soap remnants that can be added as the soap naturally reduces in size with use.
The through-holes 18 take advantage of soap's natural propensity to adhere to itself on either side of the soap-saver 10. This locks the soap remnants firmly to the soap-saver 10. A suitable diameter for the through-holes 18 is 2.5cm, although different sizes and non-circular shapes may be used.
The first and second surfaces 14, 16 of the soap- saver 10 are dimpled, the dimples 20 giving a degree of stability and helping to prevent the soap sliding from side to side in its early stages of adherence to the soap-saver 10. In a different embodiment, the surfaces may include protrusions instead of or in addition to dimples . The soap-saver 10 also comprises a rim 22 around the edge of the first and second surfaces 14, 16. This rim 22 has an inner surface 24 substantially perpendicular to the first and/or second surfaces 14, 16, and a smoothly curved, convex outer surface 26. Thus the rim 22 creates an angled edge which also helps retain the soap in place.
In this embodiment, the flat body 12 has an oval shape typical of the cross-section of a conventional bar of soap. As shown in Figure 2, the flat oval body 12 may have an overall length and breadth of about 8cm by 5 cm. Therefore, as soap is built up on the soap-saver 10, it gradually resembles a conventional bar of soap, having a size and shape which is convenient to handle. However, different shapes are possible.
The soap-saver 10 can be made from various different material, but plastic is preferable in order to
manufacture the soap-saver cost-effectively and to provide flexibility of design shape and the use of different colour finishes.
Figures 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of a soap- saving apparatus 110 according to the present invention, in which features corresponding to those of the first embodiment described above are labelled with the same numbers. In the second embodiment, the soap-saver 110 has a rim 122 which has a recessed inner surface 124. The recess 125 helps soap remnants to be secured to the soap-saver 110. However, a non-recessed rim may be preferable for ease of manufacture. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for storing and reusing remnants of soap according to the present invention comprises: providing a body 12 comprising at least one through-hole 18;
pressing at least one remnant of soap onto a first surface 14 of the body 12; and pressing at least one remnant of soap onto a second surface 14 of the body 12, such that the soap remnants adhere to each other through the through-hole 18.
In order to facilitate pressing, moulding and adhesion of the soap remnants on to the body 12, the soap may first be soaked in water. The soap may be then be left to dry.
Further remnants of soap can be added, by adhering them to the soap already held by the soap-saver 10. As the amount of soap on the soap-saver 10 increases, the soap may be moulded into the shape of a bar of soap.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims
1. An apparatus for storing and reusing remnants of soap, comprising:
first and second surfaces for receiving remnants of soap; and
at least one through-hole connecting the first and second surfaces.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rim along an edge of the first and/or second surfaces .
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rim has an inner surface substantially perpendicular to the first and/or second surfaces.
4. An apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein an inner surface of the rim is recessed.
5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the rim has a convex outer surface.
6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second surface further comprises one or more dimples and/or protrusions.
7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second surfaces are provided by opposing surfaces of a substantially sheet-like body.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the body is substantially circular or oval.
9. A method for storing and reusing remnants of soap, comprising:
providing a body comprising at least one through- hole;
pressing at least one first remnant of soap onto a first surface of the body; and
pressing at least one second remnant of soap onto a second surface of the body, such that the first and second soap remnants adhere to each other through the through-hole .
10. A method according to claim 9, further
comprising :
soaking the first and/or second soap remnants prior to pressing onto the body.
11. A method according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising :
adhering further remnants of soap to the first and/or second remnants of soap,
12. A method according to any one of claims 9 to
11, further comprising:
moulding the adhered remnants of soap so that the adhered soap remnants resemble a bar of soap.
13. A method according to any one of claims 9 to
12, wherein the body is an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
14. An apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.
15. A method substantially as described herein.
EP11738784.5A 2010-07-27 2011-07-11 Apparatus and method for storing and reusing remnants of soap Withdrawn EP2598005A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1012503.7A GB2477819B (en) 2010-07-27 2010-07-27 Apparatus and method for storing and reusing remnants of soap
PCT/GB2011/051290 WO2012013953A2 (en) 2010-07-27 2011-07-11 Apparatus and method for storing and reusing remnants of soap

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2598005A2 true EP2598005A2 (en) 2013-06-05

Family

ID=42752787

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11738784.5A Withdrawn EP2598005A2 (en) 2010-07-27 2011-07-11 Apparatus and method for storing and reusing remnants of soap

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20130125321A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2598005A2 (en)
GB (1) GB2477819B (en)
WO (1) WO2012013953A2 (en)

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CA2884699C (en) 2012-10-01 2019-03-19 Gary David Mcknight Improved liquid formulations of urease inhibitors for fertilizers
CN106455576B (en) 2013-11-26 2020-01-14 加里·戴维·麦克奈特 Nitrification inhibitors designed for urea-based and manure-based fertilizers
WO2015161195A1 (en) 2014-04-17 2015-10-22 Mcknight Gary David Compositions and methods comprising ntrification inhibitors containing a mixture of protic and aprotic solvent systems
US20160340622A1 (en) * 2015-05-22 2016-11-24 Nabil Radi Abdou Bar Soap Anchoring Core
US20170181585A1 (en) * 2015-12-29 2017-06-29 The Dial Corporation Cleansing device having additive compositions disposed in a carrier
US20180148674A1 (en) * 2016-11-29 2018-05-31 Henkel IP & Holding GmbH "click together" solid cleansing composition
GB2565107B (en) * 2017-08-02 2020-04-15 Holleron Shaun Solid soap holder
US11866383B1 (en) 2018-04-04 2024-01-09 Synsus Private Label Partners, Llc Nitrification inhibiting compositions and their use in agricultural applications
US11124462B1 (en) 2018-08-27 2021-09-21 Hocking International Laboratories, LLC Compositions and their use in agricultural applications

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DE328053C (en) * 1920-10-20 Pierre Lannou Dr Bar of soap with insert
GB156090A (en) * 1919-12-30 1922-03-08 Marcel Bailly Improvements in tablets of soap

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE328053C (en) * 1920-10-20 Pierre Lannou Dr Bar of soap with insert
GB156090A (en) * 1919-12-30 1922-03-08 Marcel Bailly Improvements in tablets of soap

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201012503D0 (en) 2010-09-08
GB2477819A (en) 2011-08-17
US20130125321A1 (en) 2013-05-23
WO2012013953A3 (en) 2013-03-14
GB2477819B (en) 2012-02-22
WO2012013953A2 (en) 2012-02-02

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