GB2492595A

GB2492595A - Deformable soap reservoir

Info

Publication number: GB2492595A
Application number: GB201111703A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maristela Forbeck; Maria Ivaneide Dantas Victor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-08
Filing date: 2011-07-08
Publication date: 2013-01-09
Also published as: GB201111703D0

Abstract

A deformable soap reservoir 6 suitable for coupling to a cleaning head 1, wherein the reservoir 6 may be attached to said cleaning head 1 via a screw thread 60. Preferably the reservoir has an exit passage towards a head, wherein the exit passage has a valve 4 included. The reservoir may be contained within a userâ s hand. The reservoir is shaped with indentations 62 for a user to grip the reservoir to force liquid soap into the head 1 with one hand. Preferably the valve is contained with a separate screw threaded cap 5. The deformable soap reservoir enables a user to apply soap and scrub or wash simultaneously with one hand. The invention relates to washing or scrubbing activities involved in washing the body or cleaning dishes, pots and surfaces.

Description

A DEFORMABLE SOAP RESERVOIR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a deformable soap reservoir, more particularly for cleaning.

Background

Washing or cleaning can be a difficult task for those with restricted movements.

Washing in a shower or bath can require two hands, one to hold soap or liquid soap, and one to hold a scrubbing or cleaning device such as a brush, loofah, pad, mill sponge or other cleaning or exfoliating device.

Cleaning dishes, pots, and cleaning surfaces generally typically requires a cleaning substance, cream or gel, and an applicator. This applicator may be a brush, sponge, scourer, or clothes.

This typically involves two hands, one to hold or apply the soap or substance and the other to use the device or applicator. Users with reduced mobility in one or the other hand will be unable to effectively coordinate both for this purpose.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed and granted in the past in an effort to deal with this problem or similar, including the following: Granted United States patent US 7 320 953 (GRISSEIT et al), discloses a cleansing article comprising: (i) a, fibrous web comprising a continuous network of bonded fibers, the web having a first and second major surface each being on opposite faces of the web; and (ii) a solid or semi-solid foamable composition joinably penetrating the web, the composition and the web being present in a relative weight ratio ranging from about 30: 1 to about 2000: 1, at least a major portion of the first major surface being exposed above the foamable composition, and a majority of surfaces defining an exterior of the article being formed of the foarnable composition.

Granted United States patent US 6 893 182 (LIAO) discloses a soap device comprising: a first sheet of flexible netting-like material including a plurality of perforations formed therein, and including an outer peripheral portion, at least one second sheet of flexible netting-like material disposed on said first sheet of flexible netting-like material and superposed with said first sheet of flexible netting-like material, and including a plurality of perforations formed therein, and including an outer peripheral portion, and a soap material engaged into said perforations of said first and said at least one second sheet of flexible netting-like materials, and cured and embedded within said first and said at least one second sheet of flexible netting-like materials to form said soap device, and to allow said soap material to be gradually released from said first and said at least one second sheet of flexible netting-like materials.

Granted United States patent US 6 190 079 (RUFF) discloses a scrubbing soap bar comprising: a body composed of vegetable oil and glycerine, said body having a surface, said body having an initial state which is of maximum volume and a consuming state which is of a volume less than said maximum volume; and a section of thin, fine mesh netting wadded and imbedded within said body so as to be substantially distributed throughout said body when said body is in said initial state, at least one strip integral with said section extends exteriorly of said body, said strip defining a pocket located exteriorly of said surface, whereby said pocket permits insertion of at least one finger of a human user which assists in grasping onto and holding said body as said body is used by applying such to a user's skin and when said body is in said consuming state, said netting is gradually exposed at various locations about the body, each said location; functioning as a lightly abrasive scrubber against the user's skin and as a gripping portion for holding said body.

Granted French patent FR 2 694 877 (BOUVIER) discloses a toilet article made up of a support layer includingfunderstanding an agent of cleaning, characterized in that the support layer is out of absorbent material biodegradable or which can be recycled, and is impregnated of a solution of cleaning intended to be released gradually in contact with water.

Granted French patent FR 2 243 667 (CAMPBELL) discloses a seamless, fibrous soap-filled pad, having particular utility in imparting a cleansing and mildly stimulating rubbing action to human skin, comprising in combination: a seamless edgeless continuous envelope of needled crimped, resilient, stretchy synthetic organic fibers which are at least about 3cm long and have about 2 to about 10 crimps per cm. said envelope surrounding a core of solid, surlactant material, the thickness of the envelope wall lying outward from said core being at least about 5 mm, and being held in integral form solely by the needled inter-entanglement of said fibers.

In contrast the present invention provides a device that enables a user to apply soap and scrub or wash simultaneously and with one hand.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a deformable soap reservoir for coupling to cleaning heads, wherein the reservoir may be attached to said heads via a screw thread.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the reservoir has an exit passage towards a head, wherein the exit passage has a valve included or provided.

Preferably the valve is situated in use on the reservoir's exit so that an increase in the reservoir's pressure is liable to force soap through the valve but in absence of a change in pressure soap will not transfer.

A tearable seal may be provided at manufacture for removal before use. In use therefore a user will detach the seal and attach the head to the reservoir. The resulting device may be used single-handedly to wash dishes, surfaces or vehicles as required.

Yet further embodiments may have valves that may be removed or detached in order that the reservoir may be refilled. Ideally to facilitate this the valve may be contained within a unscrewable cap. Preferably the cap may be unscrewed to uncover a large refilling aperture and the reservoir may be disposed to securely maintain the aperture for refilling process, being provided with a flat base for example.

Furthermore the valve will ideally prevent passage of fluid into the reservoir during use as the exterior pressure of the head will be lower and not regulated.

Ideally the valve is a cross hatched resiliently deformable disc of flexible plastic, rubber or elastomer.

Further embodiments may have further varieties of valves, including such as a diaphragm valve, butterfly valve, reed valve or any valve that permits pass through of fluid under a pressure disparity.

Preferably any valve that is utilised with be a check valve or non-return valve, in order that the reservoir contents are not diluted in use.

Preferably a plurality of heads are available, ranging from sponge heads, to mesh scourers to metal filaments.

Typically the reservoirs may be sold separately such as with soap sealed inside. In use therefore the user would remove a seal first then attach an appropriate head.

Ideally the heads are sold separately also in order to present maximum cleaning flexibility.

Each head is preferably provided with a plastic annular ring wherein the ring attaches in use to a corresponding projection or screw thread on the reservoir.

This ring is formed ideally in two parts of a rigid plastic wherein the two parts are clipped together over a deformable head material such as sponge, wherein said head material is centrally provided on a column projecting through the ring and material and that encourages fluid to be wicked up through the head.

Preferably the reservoir is a shape that is provided with indentations that allow a user to use may be manually squeezed to force liquid soap into the head with one hand.

Ideally this means that the reservoir is a bag with a rigid ring This rigid ring is provided with a screw thread and acts as the attachment means for heads. Ideally a short thread is preferred with projection to allow a click fit closure once the thread is finished.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore. the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ol the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the reservoir with a sponge head attached; Figure 2 shows two isometric views of the preferred embodiment attached to two different heads; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the preferred embodiment; Figures 4 show a side and top view of the embodiment; And Figure 5 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured embodiment contains, as shown in Figure 3: A sponge head 1 with a central core 2. which may act to wick soap; A snap fit attachment ring 3 typically put together at manufacture; A non-drip valve 4; A dispenser lid 5; and A deformable liquid chamber 6 with a screw thread 60 and an end protrusion 61 which provides a click into place when secured correctly. Indentations (62) are provided on each side to enable easy one-handed usage.

The chamber is ideally provided in flexible, deformable silicon or plastic.

Knitted galvanised iron wire heads, metal scourers, plastic scourers, sponge or other cleaning materials may then be attached via new heads. These heads may have central cores that extend into and are held within the ring, permitting passage about the core and into the cleaning head, when the reservoir is squeezed.

These heads may be replaceable by reason ideally of resiliently deformable seals on a catch mechanism between the head I and the ring 3.

The pictured sponge head has a variety of textures and materials utilised with a central denser foam structure enabling dispersed passage of the reservoir contents.

Alternatively or in addition the ring 3 may be separable to permit the head to be attached.

Further embodiments may have screw or push fit heads.

Yet further embodiments may have no means to replace heads and are sold with parts 1 to 5 integrated at manufacture. Such embodiments of the heads may relate to embodiments of the reservoir with a detachable closure seal.

Some embodiments may have the reservoir enclosed on more than one side by the head, and/or may have multiple exit passages.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1. A deformable soap reservoir for coupling to cleaning heads, wherein the reservoir may be attached to said heads via a screw thread.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A deformable soap reservoir according to claim 1 wherein the reservoir has an exit passage towards a head, wherein the exit passage has a valve included.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A deformable soap reservoir according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the reservoir may be contained within a user's hand.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A deformable soap reservoir according to claim 3 wherein the reservoir's shape is provided with indentations that allow a user to use may be manually squeezed to force liquid soap into the head with one hand.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A head for a reservoir according to a preceding claim.</claim-text>