GB2170997A

GB2170997A - Soap dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2170997A
Application number: GB08504313A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Janalyn Flora Masse Cunningham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-02-20
Filing date: 1985-02-20
Publication date: 1986-08-20
Also published as: GB8504313D0

Abstract

A soap dispenser comprises a reservoir 1 for flowable soap material provided with an outlet 3 which has a permeable member 6 positioned across it. In use soap passes through the member 6 when the reservoir 1 is drawn across a surface. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to a soap dispenser This invention relates to a soap dispenser.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a soap dispenser which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly the invention consists in a soap dispenser comprising a reservoir for flowable soap material, an outlet from said reservoir and a permeable member positioned across said outlet so that in use said soap will pass through said permeable member when said permeable member is drawn across a surface.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a soap dispenser according to one preferred form of the invention.

In the preferred form of the invention a soap dispenser is provided which comprises a reservoir 1 for flowable soap material. That is to say, the soap must have a consistency such that it will flow. Soap of the type used in liquid soap dispensers may be used for the purpose.

The reservoir 1 may be in the form of a hollow tubular member closed at one end 2 but open at the other end 3 thereof to form an outlet or outlet part.

The end 3 of the reservoir 1 is closed by a permeable member through which the soap is able to pass in use as will be described.

To this end a conduit member 4 may be provided which has an inturned flange 5 at one end thereof and a permeable member 6 may be formed, for example, of a foamed plastics material such as polyethylene sponge, having sufficient permeability for the soap to pass therethrough but giving some rigidity.

Thus the permeable member 6 may be in the form of a part sphere having an entrance thereto at 7 and an out turned flange at 8 which flange 8 is positioned so that the inturned flange 5 of the conduit member 4 is positioned between the flange 8 of the permeable member 6 and the remainder of the permeable member 6.

A washer 9 may be positioned between the flange 8 and the end 3 of the reservoir 1. The reservoir 3 in the preferred form is narrowed in diameter at the end 3 as can be seen from the figure. The conduit 4 may be a screw fit onto the narrowed end 10 of the reservoir 1 or alternatively a circumferential recess 11 may be provided on the end 10 and an inwardly facing circumferential rib 12 may be provided on the inner surface of the conduit 4 so as to achieve a "click" fit of the rib 12 into the recess or groove 11. The rib and groove may be reversed in position.

If desired a cap 13 is provided able to be positioned, in particular, over the permeable member 6 to prevent accidental touching of the permeable member and also to reduce the rate of any drying of soapy material retained on the permeable member 6. The cap 13 may be a push fit 14 formed in wall of the reservoir 1.

In use the invention is used as follows: The reservoir 1 is filled with a flowable soap material and the conduit member 4 is then engaged therewith along with the permeable member 6 and also the cap. To use the dispenser the cap is removed and the permeable member 6 is drawn over a surface such as a human body, where it will leave a soapy trace which can be caused to lather by the application of water thereto.

if desired suitable colouring materials or the like could be included in with the soapy mixture.

Thus it can be seen that a soap dispenser is provided which at least in the preferred form of the invention has the advantage that it can be used, for example, as a novelty in bathing and washing children where it can be used for example to draw patterns on the body prior to lathering and washing or can be used otherwise as described.

1. A soap dispenser comprising a reservoir for flowable soap material, an outlet from said reservoir and a permeable member positioned across said outlet so that in use said soap will pass through said permeable member when said permeable member is drawn across a surface.

2. A soap dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said permeable member comprises a substantially rigid foam material.

3. A soap dispenser as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said outlet comprises an outlet port, a conduit member having said permeable member at or adjacent one end thereof and engaged at the other end thereof with said reservoir and about said port.

4. A soap dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said permeable member comprises substantially a part sphere hollow on the inside and having an outwardly turned flange about the entrance to the hollow inside of said sphere.

5. A soap dispenser as claimed in claim 4 wherein a conduit is provided having an internal flange at one end, said conduit being

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to a soap dispenser This invention relates to a soap dispenser. It is an object of the present invention to provide a soap dispenser which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. Accordingly the invention consists in a soap dispenser comprising a reservoir for flowable soap material, an outlet from said reservoir and a permeable member positioned across said outlet so that in use said soap will pass through said permeable member when said permeable member is drawn across a surface. To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a soap dispenser according to one preferred form of the invention. In the preferred form of the invention a soap dispenser is provided which comprises a reservoir 1 for flowable soap material. That is to say, the soap must have a consistency such that it will flow. Soap of the type used in liquid soap dispensers may be used for the purpose. The reservoir 1 may be in the form of a hollow tubular member closed at one end 2 but open at the other end 3 thereof to form an outlet or outlet part. The end 3 of the reservoir 1 is closed by a permeable member through which the soap is able to pass in use as will be described. To this end a conduit member 4 may be provided which has an inturned flange 5 at one end thereof and a permeable member 6 may be formed, for example, of a foamed plastics material such as polyethylene sponge, having sufficient permeability for the soap to pass therethrough but giving some rigidity. Thus the permeable member 6 may be in the form of a part sphere having an entrance thereto at 7 and an out turned flange at 8 which flange 8 is positioned so that the inturned flange 5 of the conduit member 4 is positioned between the flange 8 of the permeable member 6 and the remainder of the permeable member 6. A washer 9 may be positioned between the flange 8 and the end 3 of the reservoir 1. The reservoir 3 in the preferred form is narrowed in diameter at the end 3 as can be seen from the figure. The conduit 4 may be a screw fit onto the narrowed end 10 of the reservoir 1 or alternatively a circumferential recess 11 may be provided on the end 10 and an inwardly facing circumferential rib 12 may be provided on the inner surface of the conduit 4 so as to achieve a "click" fit of the rib 12 into the recess or groove 11. The rib and groove may be reversed in position. If desired a cap 13 is provided able to be positioned, in particular, over the permeable member 6 to prevent accidental touching of the permeable member and also to reduce the rate of any drying of soapy material retained on the permeable member 6. The cap 13 may be a push fit 14 formed in wall of the reservoir 1. In use the invention is used as follows: The reservoir 1 is filled with a flowable soap material and the conduit member 4 is then engaged therewith along with the permeable member 6 and also the cap. To use the dispenser the cap is removed and the permeable member 6 is drawn over a surface such as a human body, where it will leave a soapy trace which can be caused to lather by the application of water thereto. if desired suitable colouring materials or the like could be included in with the soapy mixture. Thus it can be seen that a soap dispenser is provided which at least in the preferred form of the invention has the advantage that it can be used, for example, as a novelty in bathing and washing children where it can be used for example to draw patterns on the body prior to lathering and washing or can be used otherwise as described. CLAIMS

5. A soap dispenser as claimed in claim 4 wherein a conduit is provided having an internal flange at one end, said conduit being mounted on said reservoir and the out turned flange of said permeable member being positioned between the inturned flange of said conduit and the end of said reservoir.

6. A soap dispenser as,-elaimed in claim 5 wherein said conduit andfisaid reservoir are provided with a co-operiting groove and rib so that said conduit is d "click" fit on said reservoir.

7. A soap dispenser. claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a cap is provided to cover at least said permeable member when said dispenser is not in use.

8. A soap dispenser substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.