GB2293761A

GB2293761A - A block of soap

Info

Publication number: GB2293761A
Application number: GB9420294A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Martin Buoy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-10-07
Filing date: 1994-10-07
Publication date: 1996-04-10
Also published as: GB9420294D0

Abstract

A block of soap 1 includes a recess 2 for engagement with a wall mounted hook 4. Knob 7 prevents the soap slipping off the hook. <IMAGE>

Description

A BLOCK OF SOAP This invention relates to blocks of soap, and in particular, blocks of soap for hanging on a hook.

When not in use, blocks of soap are normally left on an edge of a washbasin or in a soap dish where they are easily accessible. Most wash basins include a dished area for retaining slippery wet soap whilst allowing excess water to drain into the basin. Despite this drainage, water is held between the dished area and that part of the soap supported on the basin causing the said part of the soap to become softened. Each time the block of soap is used, some of the softened soap remains attached to the dished area leaving an undesirable soapy residue and thereby reducing the quantity of soap available for future use. Furthermore, when the soap is subsequently used, unnecessarily large quantities of softened soap are removed from the block of soap when only a small amount is required.

To overcome some of these disadvantages, one conventional bar of soap is attached to a loop of string which enables the soap to be hung up. The soap, therefore, is not supported on the basin when not in use and will not therefore leave any soapy residue on the basin. One disadvantage of this conventional soap on a rope is that, after use, the soap is usually left swinging on the loop of string. The soap will therefore collide with the wall against which it is hung leaving soap marks. Furthermore, a user will rub his hands in the soap while the soap is hanging above the basin. Any soapy splashes will tend to hit the wall or the top of the basin leaving marks. To avoid this last disadvantage, the string loop must be unhooked and used within the confines of the basin.

Splashes are then washed away, but the string will normally fall into the basin, become wet and hinder washing.

In another conventional soap, a ferrous plate is attached to the block of soap by means of barbed spikes extending from the plate and a soap holder consisting of a downwardly facing magnet is mounted above the basin. The soap is attached to the holder by way of magnetic coupling between the magnet of the holder and the ferrous metal plate attached to the soap. The magnetic coupling is strong enough to support the weight of the soap, but is not so strong that it is difficult to remove the soap from the holder. One disadvantage of this conventional soap is that an unsightly metal plate must be attached to the bar of soap. As the bar of soap is used, the metal plate sits proud of the rest of the soap making it uncomfortable to use. Once the bar of soap becomes thin, the barbed spikes begin to protrude from the underside of the bar of soap exposing sharp edges.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least reduce some of the above disadvantages.

According to a first aspect, the present invention is a block of soap including a recess for engagement with a hook.

According to a second aspect, the present invention is, in combination, a block of soap including a recess, and a hook engageable with the recess for carrying the block of soap.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a bar of soap separate from a hook, according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the bar of soap carried by the hook according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4 shows a liquid soap container which may be carried by a hook.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a disc-shaped block of soap 1 includes a through hole 2 by which the block of soap 1 may be supported. The hole 2 has an inner face 3. A hook 4 includes a back plate 5 which is attachable to a wall, a hook arm 6 extending from the back plate 5 on which the block of soap may be supported, a spacer 8 between the back plate 5 and the hook arm 6, and a knob 7 disposed at an end of the hook arm 6 for retaining the block of soap 1 on the hook arm 6.

In use, the hook 4 is attached to a wall by a selfadhesive layer on the back plate 5. The soap 1 is placed on the hook 4 by passing the block of soap 1 over the hook 4 so that the knob 7 passes through the hole 2 until the inner face 3 of the hole 2 sits on the hook arm 6. The hook arm 6 is cylindrical and is mounted horizontally. The inner face 3 of the hole 2 is flat in one plane so that the block of soap 1 will sit on the hook arm 6 in a vertical plane as shown in Figure 2. The spacer 8 holds the block of soap 1 away from the wall so that any drips do not fall on the wall. Where the wall is covered in ceramic tiles, soapy drips should be kept away from grouting.

The hole 2 in the block of soap must be large enough that the knob 7 will pass through it.

Further embodiments of this invention (not shown) include blocks of soap 1 of other shapes. The soap 1 may be square with a round or square hole, triangular with a triangular hole, rectangular or polygonal. The soap 1 may be of any outer shape with a hole 2 in it. The hole 2 may also be of any shape provided that the hook arm 6 and knob 7 will pass through. In another embodiment, the block of soap 1 is formed in a novelty shape.

In other embodiments the hole 2 is offset from the centre of mass so that the block of soap 1 always hangs in a desired position.

Another embodiment (not shown) includes a block of soap 1 in which the hole 2 is not a through hole. A blind hole 2 would leave a clean unbroken face of soap facing away from the wall. A blind hole 2 might be made with a larger diameter inside so that the soap will not slip from the hook 4.

In another embodiment, the block of soap 1 is horse shoe shaped wherein a curved C-shaped portion joins two straight legs leaving a recess in between. The block of soap 1 is hung on the hook 4 and the weight of the legs maintains the soap 1 correctly balanced on the hook 4.

In other embodiments (not shown), the hook 4 may be constructed differently. The hook 4 may be screwed to the wall, or may be formed as a ceramic unit to be attached to the wall in place of a wall tile. The hook arm 6 may be shaped differently. In one embodiment it is a straight arm inclined to retain a block of soap 1 on it but without a knob, and in another embodiment the hook arm 6 is shaped like a cup-hook with a U-shaped depression for retaining the block of soap 1 again without a knob.

Referring to Figure 3, a torroidal block of soap 1 is shown carried by a hook unit 9. The hook unit 9 includes a back plate 5, a hook arm 6 extending from the back plate 5, a knob 7 disposed at the end of the hook arm 6, and a shelf 10 extending from the back plate 5 above the hook arm 6 with sufficient clearance for the block of soap 1. The shelf 10 includes drainage channels 11 which permit water to drain sideways from the shelf 10 without dripping onto the soap.

Bottles of shampoo, conditioner and the like may be kept on the shelf 10. The shelf 10 includes a rim 12 for retaining the bottles. Two side supports 13 extend from the back plate 5 to support the shelf 10.

In other embodiments of this invention, the block of soap 1 is a solid skin care product typically for cleansing or moisturising skin, but may include solid shampoo, shower gel and the like.

The hook 4 and hook unit 9 may be constructed from any suitable material including plastics, metal, ceramic or a combination thereof.

Liquid soaps, shampoos, shower gels and the like are known and are normally sold in plastic containers. In another embodiment of the present invention, containers 14 may be shaped with a recess for engagement with a hook in the same way as described above with blocks of soap.

Referring to Figure 4, a container 14 for liquid soap and the like includes a hole or recess 2 having an inner face 3.

The container 14 also includes an outlet 15 through which liquid soap is dispensed when the container 14 is squeezed or the outlet 15 unblocked. The container 14 may be replaceable or refillable.

Claims

1. A block of soap including a recess for engagement with a hook.

2. A block of soap according to claim 1 wherein the recess is a hole through the block of soap.

3. A block of soap according to claim 1 wherein the recess is a blind hole in the block of soap.

4. A block of soap according to claim 3 wherein the diameter of the hole increases with depth.

5. A block of soap according to any preceding claim including a major face and wherein the recess opens into the major face.

6. A block of soap according to claim 1 wherein the recess is a notch in the block of soap.

7. A block of soap according to any preceding claim in which the recess is disposed generally centrally.

8. A block of soap according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the recess is offset from the centre.

9. A block of soap according to any preceding claim wherein the block has a shape selected from the following: round, triangular, square, rectangular, quadrilateral, polygonal, or oval.

10. A torroidal shaped block of soap according to any of claims 1, 2, 5 and 7.

11. A hook for use with the block of soap of any preceding claim.

12. In combination, a block of soap including a recess, and a hook engageable with the recess for carrying the block of soap.

13. The combination according to claim 12 wherein the hook includes a hook arm for carrying the block of soap.

14. The combination according to claim 13 wherein the hook for retaining the block of soap thereon.

15. The combination according to any of claims 12, 13 or 14 wherein the hook includes a spacer for maintaining the block of soap in spaced relationship from a wall to which the hook is attachable.

16. The combination according to any of claims 12 to 15 wherein the hook includes an adhesive area for attachment to a wall.

17. The combination according to any of claims 12 to 16 wherein the recess is a hole through the block of soap.

18. The combination according to any of claims 12 to 16 wherein the recess is a blind hole in the block of soap.

19. A method of supporting a soap-like material wherein the material is shaped or at least initially constrained to assume a shape including a recess for engagement with a hook.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the soap-like material is solid.

21. A method according to claim 19 wherein the soap-like material is liquid, is held in a container, and the container includes the recess.