GB2267028A

GB2267028A - A bathroom accessory

Info

Publication number: GB2267028A
Application number: GB9210622A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Amir Ali Humadi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-05-19
Filing date: 1992-05-19
Publication date: 1993-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2012-05-19
Also published as: GB9210622D0; GB2267028B

Abstract

A bathroom accessory comprises a loofah 10 from which the internal spine and radial portions have been removed to leave a cylindrical outer shell which is then flattened laterally to form a generally rectangular pad. The ends of the shell are closed, for example, by stitching 14, and one or more handles e.g. 15, 19 may extend from respective ends of the shell for ease of use. Handles may be made from plastics, wood or rope. <IMAGE>

Description

A BATHROOM ACCESSORY THIS INVENTION concerns a bathroom accessory intended to aid washing and to provide a slightly rough or abrasive surface when compared with other devices made of sponge or fabric.

A loofah is the dried pod of a naturally occurring gourd or marine plant, which may be used like a rough sponge while bathing. Such devices have been used extensively. In the natural form a loofah is generally cylindrical in shape being some 120mm in diameter and perhaps 300mm or more in length. Even when wet, the loofah may be a substantially rigid article and is supported in this form by a central spine joined to the outer cylindrical shell by radial portions. The central and radial portions are generally of more rigid consistency than the outer shell so that the article is rather cumbersome and thus difficult to use.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bathroom accessory made from a loofah but which is more convenient in use and has a pleasing appearance and surface texture.

According to the present invention a bathroom accessory comprises a loofah from which the internal spine and radial portions have been removed to leave a cylindrical outer shell, the shell being flattened laterally to form a generally rectangular pad, and means for closing the outer open ends of the shell.

Preferably, one or more handles are attached, to one or both ends of the article, and made from the same natural material of a loofah.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a loofah in its natural form; Fig. 2 is a section taken on line A-A of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section taken on line B-B of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a bathroom accessory made from a loofah, in accordance with the invention; Fig. 5 is a section taken on line C-C of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a section taken on line D-D of Figs. 4 and 5; Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of a simplified form of bathroom accessory made from a loofah in accordance with the invention; Fig. 8 is section taken on line E-E of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a section taken on line F-F of Fig. 7 and 8; Fig. 10 is a view similar to Figs. 4 and 7 of a modified bathroom accessory made from a loofah in accordance with the invention;; Fig. 11 is a section taken on line K-K of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a section taken on line M-M of Figs. 10 and 11; Fig. 13 is a view similar to Figs. 4, 7 and 10 of a modified form of bathroom accessory made from a loofah in accordance with the invention; Fig. 14 is a section taken on line G-G of Fig. 13; and Fig. 15 is a section taken on line H-H of Figs. 13 and 14.

A loofah as it occurs naturally comprises an outer shell 10 of generally cylindrical form having a central spine 11 running axially through the longitudinal extent of the loofah, and joined to the cylindrical shell by radial portions or "spokes" 12.

A typical loofah will be some 120mm in diameter and usually about 300mm in length. When the naturally occurring loofah is dry its central spine and radial portions are quite rigid, the outer cylindrical shell being relatively flexible.

Loofahs are commonly used in a manner similar to a sponge, for bathing, and provide a rough or abrasive surface texture.

However, they tend to be difficult to handle in view of their size and shape.

Therefore, in accordance with the invention the hard central spine 11 and radial portions 12 are removed by longitudinal cutting, to leave only the outer cylindrical shell 10. Without the support of the central structure, the shell may be flattened into a generally rectangular shape and its ends closed by stitching, with further stitching, if necessary, along its length to maintain the flattened configuration.

The material may be bleached or dyed to enhance its appearance and it may be treated with a softening agent thus slightly to reduce its abrasive texture.

Referring now to Figs. 4 to 6, a loofah after removal of its central structure and flattening of its outer shell may have a strap 13 of flexible material passing longitudinally through its centre.

The end regions 14 of the loofah are attached to the strap 13 by stitching. The ends of the strap 13 are looped to receive a pair of handles 15.

Referring now to Figs. 7 to 9, in a simplified emodiment the loofah, after removal of its central structure, may simply be stitched at its ends and as illustrated at 16 with the open ends surrounded by fabric cover strips if required. Thus a substantially flat structure is provided.

Referring now to Figs. 10 to 12 an embodiment is illustrated in which the stitched ends 16 enclose and retain a pair of handles 17 made of plastics, wood or rope which, as in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6 can be used for washing the back, one handle being grasped over the shoulder and the other near the base of the back. An alternative to the rigid handle 17 could be loops made from the same material as the loofah.

Referring now to Figs. 13 to 15, in this embodiment one end of the loofah has attached thereto by stitching a cover strip 18 of fabric or the like whilst the other end receives a rigid handle 19 of wood or plastics and fastened thereto internally by an adhesive or by close stitching around its point of entry into the loofah.

Therefore, in this embodiment the device may be used one-handed and afford a degree of rigidity by the widened and thickened portion 20 of the handle 19.

Claims

1. A bathroom accessory comprising a loofah from which the internal spine and radial portions have been removed to leave a cylindrical outer shell, the shell being flattened laterally to form a generally rectangular pad, and means for closing the outer open ends of the shell.

2. A bathroom accessory according to Claim 1, in which one or more handles are attached to one or both ends of the article.

3. A bathroom accessory according to Claim 2, wherein said one or more handles are made from loofah material.

4. A bathroom accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer open ends of the shell are closed by stitching with further stitching along its length to maintain the flattened configuration.

5. A bathroom accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein the material of the loofah is bleached or dyed to enhance its appearance.

6. A bathroom accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein the material of the loofah is treated with a softening agent thus slightly to reduce its abrasive texture.

7. A bathroom accessory according to Claim 1, including a strap of flexible material passing longitudinally through the centre of the shell, the open end regions of the latter being attached to the strap by stitching, and the opposed ends of the strap are looped as to act as or to receive a pair of handles.

8. A bathroom accessory according to Claim 4 or Claim 7, including a fabric cover strip attached to the outer open ends of the shell.

9. A bathroom accessory according to Claim 3, wherein said one or more handles are formed from a rigid material at least a part of which extends internally within a respective open end of the shell to a afford a degree of rigidity thereto.

10. A bathroom accessory according to Claim 9, wherein said one or more handles are made from plastics.

11. A bathroom accessory according to Claim 9, wherein said one or more handles are made from wood.

12. A bathroom accessory according to Claim 9, wherein said one or more handles are made from rope.

13. A bathroom accessory substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6, Figs. 7 to 9, Figs. 10 to 12, or Figs. 13 to 15, of the accompanying drawings.