GB2492873A

GB2492873A - Soap saving system with cleaning implement

Info

Publication number: GB2492873A
Application number: GB201210449A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert John Price; Brian Robert Alfred Wybrow
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-12
Filing date: 2012-06-13
Publication date: 2013-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2032-06-13
Also published as: GB2492873B; GB201111894D0; GB2492784A; GB201210449D0

Abstract

Method and apparatus for saving soap, the apparatus comprises a device 3 bearing a cleaning component 2, wherein a bar of soap 1 is placed upon the cleaning component of the device which allows the soap to drain whilst simultaneously replenishing the cleaning surface of the device with soap. The cleaning component may take the form of bristles 2 or a sponge. The device can be used directly as a scrubbing, or nail, brush, and will be replenished with soap when not in use. The invention is also shown to be applicable to a shower, back, or bath, brush, and to other brush systems and may comprise a detachable handle 15 as shown in Fig 8. The apparatus also may include a means to rotate a number of such devices housed within a soap saving brush containing system to replenish the brushes with soap.

Description

SOAP SAVING SYSTEM

This invention relates to methods for saving soap, and for utilising soap in various ways.

Soap savers are well known, and are intended to save soap by reducing contact between solid soap, and water, when the soap is not in use. Contact with water, often in the soap recess found in sinks, causes the soap to become soggy and eventually to disintegrate. Soap savers function by providing support for the soap, so that water drains off the wet surface of the soap and into the soap saver, instead of accumulating on the soap.

However, such soap saving devices which collect the liquid residue from such a drained, bar of soap, do not provide the advantages of the present invention.

According to the present invention, a bar of wet soap is placed on an arrangement of bristles located in a supporting base, so that the wet soap, placed on the bristles, drains onto, and between, the bristles, and allows the combination of the supporting base part, and the bristles part, to be used as a nail brush or a scrubbing brush. The invention thereby performs the dual function of saving soap, and of allowing the supporting base part with its associated bristles, to be used directly as a scrubbing, or nail, brush, constantly replenished with soap when not in use. Moreover, this duality in function obviates the need for the purchase of conventional soap savers.

One practical example which utilises the principles of the invention is commonly referred to as a back scrubber. This has a suitably designed supporting base, furnished with associated bristles as already described above, and has an elongated handle. The back scrubber functions as a soap saver by having the brush part releasably connected to the handle of the back scrubber, thereby combining the functions of soap saving, and body scrubbing, in the one device.

In order to describe the invention in more detail, reference will now be made to the accompanying diagrams in which: Figure 1 shows, a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of the invention in a particular environment.

Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of the invention, involving a bath brush.

Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of the invention, involving a bath brush, with parts separated from one another.

Figure 5 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of the invention, together with ancillary components.

Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of the invention, in use.

Figure 7 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of the invention, in a particular application.

Figure 8 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of the invention, in a particular application.

Figure 9.shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of the invention, in a particular application.

Figure 10 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of the invention, involving two, bristle containing parts.

Figure 11 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of a variant of the invention, in partially exploded form.

Figure 12 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of a variant of the invention. Figure 13 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of a variant of the invention in a particular orientation.

Figure 14 shows a three-dimensional diagram of some embodiments of a variant of the invention, in enlarged form.

Figure 15 shows a three-dimensional diagram of internal functional embodiments of a variant of the invention.

Figure 16 shows a three-dimensional diagram of two components of a variant of the invention as viewed from a particular direction.

Figure 17 shows a three-dimensional diagram of two components of a variant of the invention as viewed from a particular direction.

Figure 18 shows a three-dimensional diagram, in shaded form, of two components of a variant of the invention as viewed from a particular direction.

Figure 19 shows a three-dimensional diagram, in translucent form, of embodiments of the invention, with a part enlarged.

Figure 20 shows a three-dimensional diagram, in translucent form, of embodiments of the invention in enlarged form.

Figure 21 shows a three-dimensional diagram, in translucent form, of embodiments of the invention in enlarged exploded form.

Figure 22 shows a three-dimensional diagram, in shaded form, of a variant of the invention, involving a nail brush

Figure 23 shows a three-dimensional schematic diagram, in shaded form, of a variant of the invention, involving a nail brush.

Figure 24 shows a front elevation, in shaded schematic form, of a variant of the invention, involving a nail brush. Figure 25 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of a variant of the invention, involving a rotatable brush system.

Figure 26 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of a variant of the invention, involving a rotatable brush system.

Figure 27 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of a variant of the invention, involving a rotatable brush system.

Figure 28 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of a variant of the invention, involving a tray system.

Figure 29 shows a three-dimensional diagram, in shaded form, of externally visible embodiments of a variant of the invention, involving a tray system.

Figure 30 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of a variant of the invention, involving two bristle containing parts which can, together, be rotated about two axes which are at right angles with respect to one another.

Figure 31 shows a three-dimensional diagram in detailed form, of externally visible embodiments of a variant of the invention, involving two bristle containing parts which can, together, be rotated about two axes which are at right angles with respect to one another.

Figure 32 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of a variant of the invention, in partially exploded form, involving two bristle containing parts which can, together, be rotated about two axes which are at right angles with respect to one another.

Figure 33 shows a three-dimensional diagram of externally visible embodiments of a variant of the invention, involving two bristle containing parts which can, together, be rotated in any desired direction about a universal joint. With reference to Figure 1, in which the upper part of the diagram represents a threedimensional view, and in which the lower part of the diagram represents a plan view, a bar of soap, 1, rests on the bristles, 2, of a specially designed nail brush, 3, referred to as a soap saver, so that the wet, lower surface, of the soap, 1, is in intimate contact with the bristles, 2, thereby allowing the soap to dry in the ambient air, and to deposit its initial coating of soapy water onto, and between, the bristles, 2, of the nail brush, 3.

The design of the soap saver, 3, is desirably such as to ensure that when a maximum available size of bar of soap is used, the cross-sectional dimensions, and the shape, of the region of bristles in contact with the bar of soap, ensures that the whole of the surface of the bar of soap in contact with the bristles is supported by them, and hence prevents any soapy water from this region, from dripping elsewhere than between, and onto, the bristles. It can be readily seen that, whilst the soapy water from smaller bars of soap will be catered for by this variant of the invention, there will be a limit to the effectiveness of the invention for larger bars of soap. Thus, provided that the inner perimeter, 4, of the soap saver, 3, lies outside the outer perimeter, 5, of the bar of soap, 1, the region, 6, between inner perimeter, 4, and the shape defining the outer perimeter, 7, of the bristles, 2, will serve as a well, for collecting soapy water. Moreover, by forming region, 6, as a slope, decreasing in height from perimeter, 4, to the perimeter, 7, defining the outer region of the base of the bristles, 2, the soapy water will travel downwards to the bristles, 2, thereby accumulating as a soapy region to be utilised when using the soap saver, 3, and thereby preventing wastage of soap.

With further reference to Figure 1, the thickness of the wall of the soap saver, 3, defined by the distance between outer perimeter, 8, and inner perimeter, 4, can be reduced to a minimum, and optimum, value, consistent with strength and durability, and, moreover, the overall shape of this region of the soap saver, 3, can be designed to suit holding, and operating, the soap saver, 3, with the hand.

It is pointed out with reference to the foregoing and following account, that it is advantageous to design the soap saver so that it can be used with the widest range of shapes and sizes of bars of soap whilst also catering for being placed upside down on a sink or other surface when used for its intended application.

It is also pointed out that the size of the bar of soap reduces as it is used, generally symmetrically, but not always, and it eventually breaks up. The aim of the present invention is to prolong the life of the soap by reducing the tendency for this to happen.

With reference to Figure 2, which represents a three-dimensional view, the soap saver, 3, already referred to with reference to Figure 1, rests on the horizontal supporting bars of a soap tray, 9, located in the corner of a wall system, 10. It can thus be readily seen how the present soap saver, 3, takes the place of conventional soap savers and thereby avoids wastage of soap, which would otherwise occur if the soap, 1, was just placed on the lower supporting bars, of the framework of the tray, 9.

With reference to Figure 3, which represents a three-dimensional view, a variant, 11, of the soap saver is shown, and is based on a shower, back, or bath, brush, which is designed so that a part, 12, having bristles, 13, can be removably fixed to a supporting receptor part, 14, which is itself either removably attachable to a handle part, 15, or otherwise the receptor part, 14, and handle, 15, are made as one unit. A contoured hole, 16, at one end of handle, 15, allows for conveniently hanging the brush, 11, on a suitable support.

Supporting receptor part, 14, is provided with diametrically opposed curved openings, 17A and 17B, in its side wall (17B not shown in the diagram) so that the part, 12, having bristles, 13, can be gripped by means of a finger and thumb, at diametrically opposed, curved depressions, 18 A, and 18B (18B not shown in the diagram).

With reference to Figure 4, which represents a three-dimensional view, this diagram is similar to that described with reference to Figure 3, but shows the part, 12, having bristles, 13, removed from its location in the receptor part, 14, revealing a large circular hole, 19, formed in the base of part, 14. It can thus be seen that the user can push part, 12, out of part, 14, by means of the fingers of, say, the right hand, via hole, 19, whilst the left hand holds the handle, 15. The right hand, can then grasp part, 12, and remove it.

It is pointed out that part, 12, can be made so that there is an interference fit between it, and part 14, such that part, 12, stays in part, 14, until sufficient force is applied to remove part, 12, from part, 14. Other variants of this design utilise other convenient means of attachment such as protrusions on the cylindrical outer perimeter of part, 12, which engage in depressions in the cylindrical inner perimeter of part, 14. Yet further variants can utilise the engagement of threaded protrusions formed on the outer perimeter of part, 12, with threaded protrusions on the cylindrical inner perimeter wall of part, 14. If the side wall of part, 14, is thick enough, a threaded groove can be formed to take the threaded protrusions formed on part 12.

With reference to Figure 5, which represents a three-dimensional view, the part, 12, having bristles, 13, can be assumed to have been removed from the receptor part, 14, aheady discussed with reference to Figures 3, and 4, and can now be seen located in another receptor combination, 20, which is attachable to a wall or the like. Receptor combination, 20, consists of a circular tray, 21, shown inverted as item, 22, and having a cylindrical protrusion, 23, formed on its base. This cylindrical protrusion, 23, allows tray, 21, to be placed in the circular hole, 24, of a wall mountable bracket, 25.

With reference to Figure 6, which represents a three-dimensional view, it can be seen that the part, 12, having bristles, 13, has been removed from part, 14, aheady described with reference to Figures 3, and 4, and placed in receptor combination, 20, leaving the remainder, which can either be hung up by means of the hole, 16, in its handle, 15, or otherwise replenished with a fresh bristle containing part, 12. The bar of soap, 1, which can be rectangular in cross-section, as shown, or circular in cross-section, can then be placed onto the bristles of the part, 12, containing the bristles, 13, so that soapy water from the soap falls onto the bristles, 13, thereby allowing part, 12, to be replenished with soap ready for next use, and thereby giving rise to saving of soap which would otherwise be lost, or only retained by use of conventional means which involve additional materials.

With reference to Figure 7, which represents a three-dimensional view, some of the parts in this diagram are as already described with reference to Figures, 3, to 6, inclusive, and so, will not be described again. The bar of soap, 1, is shown ready to be used, leaving part, 12, with its deposited layer of soap ready to be used appropriately. The remaining part of the shower, or bath, brush, is shown as part, 26, and this can thus be furnished with part, 12, when the user wishes to utilise the bristle part again. ,

With reference to Figure 8, which represents a three-dimensional vie,w, the parts in this diagram are as aheady described with reference to Figure 7, and so, will not be described again. Part, 12, is shown ready to be inserted into receptor part, 26, after removal of the bar of soap.

With reference to Figure 9, which represents a three-dimensional view, the parts in this diagram are as already described with reference to Figures 3, and 8, inclusive, and so, will not be described again. It can be seen that part, 12, replenished with soap, has now been inserted into part 26, ready for use.

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that a number of parts, 12, can be made available, in order to increase flexibility in use of this variant of the invention. Thus, one part, 12, can be located in the circular tray, 21, and another part, 12, can be located in part, 26, and the parts can have similar, or different, bristles.

With reference to Figure 10, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows a variant of soap saving brush, 11, aheady described with reference to Figures 3, and 4, which has two regions, 14 A, and 14B, each similar to part, 14, shown in Figure 4, but arranged in a back-to-back configuration, to form one part, D14, so that a bristle containing part, 1 A, similar to part, 12, can be inserted into section, 14A, and a bristle containing part, 12B, can be inserted into section, 14B, thereby producing a double, bristle containing system, wherein, for instance, the bristles in one part, 12 A, are coarse and those in part, 12B, are fine.

In order to allow one of the two bristles containing parts 12A or 12B, to be used effectively, the design of brush, 11, is such as to allow a head part, HP, to swivel through 180 degrees, and to temporarily lock in position, so that the bristles containing part has its bristles facing towards the imaginary centre of the circle of which the curved profile of the arm, 15, is part.

As an alternative to this double, bristle containing function, in the system, the design can be such as to allow one bristle containing part, 12 A, to automatically force part 12B out of the receptacle part, 14B, as part 12A is pushed into receptacle part, 14 A, thereby facilitating the process of exchanging one, bristle containing part, with another, when utilising the soap saving principles of the invention. The swivel and lock mechanism, described earlier, will allow the new bristles containing part to be rotated to the required, in use, position. Thus, with further reference to Figure 10, the following method of use is envisaged:

1. The bath brush, 11, with its single, bristles containing part, 12B, is hanging from a suitable hook, or the like, via the hole, 16, formed at one end of its curved arm, 15.

2. Bristles containing part, 12A, loaded with wet soap resulting from its "in the tray" contact with wet soap when it was lying in a soap tray with a bar of soap placed on its bristles (see Figure 6) is now pushed into receptacle part, 14 A, and forces part, 12B, out of its receptacle part, 14B.

3. Bristles containing part, 12B, is then placed in the soap tray with its bristles upper most, and the bar of soap is placed on its bristles.

4. The bath brush, 11, is now removed from its hanging position, and used with its charge of soapy water, and replenished with further soap, as desired, wherein the bar of soap can then be placed back onto the bristles of bristles containing part, 12B.

5. This cycle of use can be repeated, as desired.

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that the parts, 12A, and 12B, can, alternatively, be screwed into part D14, wherein female threads are formed on the outer cylindrically shaped surface of each part, 12 A, and 12B, wherein the said female threads can then be screwed into male threads formed on the inside cylindrically shaped surface of part, D14.

With reference to Figure 11, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows a variant, 27, of the invention, which is similar to the bath brush, 11 , aheady described wim reference to Figure 3, and Figure 4, in which the handle, 15, described there, is now referred to as part, 28. Part, 28, has an extension, 30, which is provided with a specially shaped end, 31 A, which releasably engages with a flexible socket, 3 IB (not shown in the diagram, but to be described later) via a rectangular shaped tunnel, 34, formed inside the raised section, 32R, of part, 32. With further reference to Figure 11, it is pointed out that part, 12, having bristles, 13, aheady described with reference to Figures 3, to 9, inclusive, releasibly fits into the cylindrically shaped socket of part, 32 (to be described later) wherein it can be moved out of part, 32, by pushing it, with the fingers, via holes, 33A and 33B. Thus, for instance, holes, 33A, and 33B, formed in part, 32, allow the fingers and thumb to push the part, 12, containing bristles, 13, out of part, 32.

With reference to Figure 12, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows the bath brush, 27, in its closed up configuration, and since the parts in this diagram are as already described with reference to earlier Figures, they will not be described again.

With reference to Figure 13, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows bath brush, 27, in an alternative orientation, and since the parts in this diagram are as aheady described with reference to earlier Figures, they will not be described again.

With reference to Figure 14, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows an enlarged view of part of the bath brush aheady described with reference to Figures 11, 12, and 13, and since the parts in this diagram are as aheady described with reference to these Figures, they will not be described again.

With reference to Figure 15, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows how part, 31 A, of part, 30, engages with part 3 IB. Thus, as part, 31 A, engages with part, 3 IB, parts, 34A and 34B, move apart against the restraining action of spring part, 35, which can either be formed as an integral part of part, 3 IB, or inserted into sockets formed at the end faces of parts 34A and 34B.

With reference to Figure 16, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows how part, 12, containing bristles, 13, can be engaged, with, and disengaged from, the socketed part, of part, 32. Since the parts in this diagram are as aheady described with reference to earlier Figures, they will not be described again.

With reference to Figure 17, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows the same components as are shown in Figure 16, but as viewed from a different direction. Since the parts in this diagram are as aheady described with reference to earlier Figures, they will not be described again. With reference to Figure 18, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows the same components as are shown in Figure 9B, but in shaded form. Since the parts in this diagram are as aheady described with reference to earlier Figures, they,will not be described again.

With reference to Figure 19, which represents a three-dimensional view, in translucent form, this shows a variant, 36, of the bath brush aheady described with reference to earlier Figures, which is similar to bath brush, 27, aheady described with reference to Figures 11 to 14, inclusive, but which has part, 32, replaced by part, 37, wherein the raised part, 32R, of part, 32, has now been replaced by an insertable and removable part, 38, which is inserted between raised, curved, elements, 37F, and 37R, wherein a slot, SR, is formed in raised element, 37R to allow part, 30, to be pushed into, and locked into, part, 38, via the end part, 31 A, of part, 30, which engages with part, 3 IB, which has components, 34A, 34B, and 35 (see also, Figure 15). It is pointed out that, for convenience in handling, part, 38, has concave shaped regions, 38 A, and 38B, formed at its longest sides.

With reference to Figure 20, which represents a three-dimensional view, in translucent form, this is similar to Figure 19, but has part, 30, replaced by part, 39, wherein female ended, part, 39, engages with a male part, 40.

With reference to Figure 21, which represents a three-dimensional view, in translucent, exploded form, this shows detailed views of die parts shown in Figures 19, and 20, and, since the parts in this diagram are as aheady described with reference to Figure 20, they will not be described again.

With reference to Figure 22, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows a design of soap saving scrubbing brush, intended to save soap by providing a platform of bristles, 41, surrounded by a tray region, 42, similar to tray region, 6, shown in Figure 1, and having an external perimeter, 43. The design is intended to provide a stable support for a large bar of soap, 44, by having a base part, 45, which is of sufficient size and shape to stably support the soap, 44, whilst recesses, 46A, and 46B (46B not shown in the diagram) allow the fingers of the hand to grip the brush conveniently. With reference to Figure 23, which represents a schematic three-dimensional view, this shows a design of soap saving scrubbing brush, intended to save soap by providing a stable platform for a bar of soap, 44, via left hand swivelling legs, 47 A, and 47B, joined by section, 47C, and right hand swivelling legs, 48A, and 48B joined by section, 48C (48B and 48C, not shown in the diagram). The bristles containing part is represented by block BS, and the tray part holding the bristles is represented by block, TY. An axle, not shown in the diagram, allows the swivelling legs, to move outwards when the brush is placed on a flat surface due to the shape of the lower part of the legs. This is described in more detail with reference to Figure 24.

With reference to Figure 24, which represents a schematic front elevation of the soap saving brush shown in Figure 23, as viewed from a direction to the right of Figure 23, it can be seen that as the brush is placed on a flat surface, the shape of the lower part of the legs 47 A, and 48A, will cause them both to move outwards. This design thus allows the closed size and shape of the legs to be arranged so as to provide the most suitable grip for the user whilst also providing a stable base for the brush when it is placed on a given surface.

With reference to Figure 25, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows a design of soap saving brush containing system, 49, which saves soap by allowing the soap to be placed on the bristles of a lower brush after use, so that, after rotation of the soap saving brush containing system, 49, through 180 degrees, it can be removed and used.

The soap saving brush containing system, 49, has a cylindrical outer part, 50, which can be screwed to a wall, or otherwise located on a wall, or other supporting, surface, and a rotating inner cylindrical part, 51, to which a rectangular, box shaped part, 52, can be removably attached. When first used, soap saving brush, 53, is placed in the position shown, and the wet soap, S, is placed on the bristles, 54, of this brush. Soap saving brush, 55, is then placed on the soap, with its bristles in contact with the soap, S, and the system is left so that the wet soap deposits its soapy water onto the bristles of soap saving brush, 53.

When the soap, and a brush, are required for next use, the box shaped part, 52, is gripped, and rotated through 180 degrees, so that the brush, 53, is now above the soap, S. Reference to Figure, 26, will now assist in the further description of the system.

With reference to Figure 26, which represents a three-dimensional view, this is similar to Figure 25, but has part, 52, rotated through 180 degrees with respect to its position shown in Figure 25. Brush, 53, with its accumulated soap, can now be slid out of the box shaped part, 52, by placing the fingers of one hand on the front, bristle holding part of brush, 55, whilst using the fingers of the other hand to slide brush 53, out, by pressing them into the depression, 53D, in the lower surface of brush, 53, and at the front bevelled part, 53B, of brush, 53.

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that because the soap, S, will become thinner over time, there will be a tendency for the brushes, 53, and 55, to become loose in the container system, 49. However, any tendency for the brushes or soap to slide outwards can be prevented by arranging for the whole unit, 49, to be tilted backwards by a number of degrees, by designing the rear surface of part, 50, so that it is offset a few degrees with respect to the vertical. This causes it to adopt an orientation of this number of degrees with respect to the vertical wall, or surface, supporting it. This reorientated configuration is shown in Figure 27.

Thus, with reference to Figure 27, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows the re-orientated configuration, 57, of the soap saver shown in Figures 25, and 26, and since the parts in this diagram are as aheady described with reference to Figures 25, and 26, they will not be described again.

It is pointed out, with reference to Figures 25, 26, and 27, that parts, 50, and 51, can contain a clockwork mechanism, or any other mechanism which provides power for driving part, 52, and its contents, automatically, from one position as shown in Figure 25, to the other position shown in Figure 26. A button or lever can be provided for actuating the mechanism. Rotation of the part, 52, and its contents, in the opposite direction, by hand, can be carried out where a clockwork mechanism is to be wound up.

With reference to Figure 28, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows a soap saving, frame based, soap saving system, 58, made from plastic or metal, which has a lower section, 59, having curved corner parts, 60, and side sections, 61, joined by sections, 62. The lower section, 59, is joined to an upper section, 63, having curved corner sections, 64, by means of vertical sections, 65. Soap saving brush, 65, has bristles, 66, and soap saving brush, 67, has bristles, 68, with both brushes resting on the supporting sections, 62. The whole system, 58, can be supported on a wall, or other surface, by means of brackets (not shown in the diagram). This system thus affords means for using one brush, loaded with soapy water after wet soap has been placed on it, and for using the other brush alternately. Without the second brush, the soap would have to be placed on any other surface whilst one hand, held the brush, and the other hand, held the soap.

With reference to Figure 29, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows a soap saving system, 70, which performs a function similar to that performed by system, 58, already described with reference to Figure 28. Here, horizontally inclined supporting arms, 71, 72, 73, and 74, each having concave sections, 71 S, 72S, 73S, and 74S, respectively, formed on them, allow soap saving brushes, 65, and 67, having bristles, 66, and 68, respectively, to be pushed into, and out of, the concave regions formed on the arms and used according to the method of use aheady described with reference to Figure 28.

The supporting arms are connected to a wall mounting section, 72, which allows the system, 70, to be mounted on a wall, 73, or other suitable surface. A tray, 75, serves to collect any water and soapy water which are not collected by the brushes, 65, and 67.

It is pointed out that, in order to limit the tendency for accumulated soap to cause resistance to movement of either brush into, and out of, the concave regions, 7 IS, 72S, 73S, and 74S, appropriate attention should be paid to designing these regions so that such resistance is minimised, and ideally, eliminated.

It is further pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that, in order to facilitate the removal of a bar of soap from a soap saving nail brush upon whose bristles it rests, means for holding the brush to the surface supporting the brush can be provided. Thus a sucker device, which is held by suction to, say, the common recess found on sink basins, can have a flexible socket formed at its opposite surface, into which the hand graspable part of the brush fits. The soap is then removed by one hand and die brush is separated from the flexible socket, for subsequent use.

With reference to Figure 30, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows a variant, 76, of soap saving brush, 11, aheady described with reference to Figures 3, 4, and 10, in which part, HP, shown in Figure 1 , has been replaced with part, 77, shown in the form of its two joined halves, 77A, and 77B, encircled, in the main diagram.

Part, 77, is fixed to part F14, by means of a cylindrically shaped shaft, 82, formed on part, F14 (wherein part, F14, is similar to part, D14, aheady described with reference to Figure 10) and by means of a cylindrically shaped socket, formed by the combined parts, 77 A, and 77B, forming part, 77, wherein parts, 77A, and 77B, have a gap, 77G, between them, each have semi-circular, sections formed in them, which close around shaft, 82. Larger, semi-circularly shaped protrusions formed at the end of shaft, 82, and larger, semi-circularly shaped grooves, formed at the ends of the two semicircularly shaped grooves formed in each part, 77A, and 77B, serve to prevent shaft, 82, and its accompanying bristles containing parts, from sliding out of the clamping assembly, 77.

Thus part, 77, with the inserted part, 82, is adjustably fixed to the handle, 15, either by means of a suitable bolt and nut assembly, 80, and 81, respectively, wherein the bolt, 80, is threaded only at its end part, which carries the nut, 81, or by means of an alternative, axle and axle-socket assembly; each alternative assembly allowing rotation of part, 77, with its inserted part, 82, and its associated bristles part, by hand, to any desired orientation, where it will then stay, until reorientated. Part, 77, stays in any particular orientation, as a consequence of an interference fit between the unthreaded part of the shaft of the bolt, 80, and the cylindrically shaped smooth socket in which it is located, or between the surface of the said shaft and that of a cylindrical socket formed in the extended sections, EA, and EB, of part, 77, and a cylindrically shaped hole (not shown) in handle, 15.

Part, 77, thus comprises two similar parts, 77 A, and 77B, which are joined together by means of bolt, 78, and nut, 79, wherein the bolt, 78, is threaded only at the end part which takes me nut, 79. The two parts, 77A, and 77B, have semi-circular grooves formed in them so mat they can be clamped together around the cylindrical shaft, 82, ofpart, F14. With reference to Figure 31, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows the soap saving brush, 76, already described with reference to Figure 30, but with enlarged views in the upper part of the Figure, which show d e circular shaped channel, CH, formed by the two semi-circular grooves formed in parts, 77A, and 77B, being clamped together by means of bolt and nut assembly, 78, and 79, respectively. As already stated, with reference to Figure 30, part, 82, of assembly, F14, containing the two bristles parts, fits into circular channel, CH.

With reference to Figure 32, which represents a three-dimensional view, this shows the parts aheady described with reference to Figure 31, but in exploded form. Since the parts shown in this diagram have already been described with reference to Figure 31, they are not described again.

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that the cylindrically shaped channel, CH, formed by combining parts, 77A, and 77B, can be replaced by a spherically shaped one, wherein hemispherically shaped grooves are formed in parts, 77A, and 77B, which can then be clamped around a spherically shaped protrusion formed on the side of part, F14. A variant of the invention, possessing these features, is described next.

Thus with reference to Figure 33, which shows a three-dimensional diagram, this shows a variant, 83, of the invention, involving two bristle containing parts, which can, together, be rotated in any desired direction about a universal joint, comprising a ball, 84, which fits into a spherically shaped socket, 84, formed by two hemispherically shaped depressions formed in parts 85A, and 85B, of part, 85, thereby allowing the user to orientate the bristles containing part, to any desired configuration, in use.

It is yet further pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that, in order to prevent injury caused by generally pointed parts of the soap saving system, the various parts of the apparatus should be designed so that there are no such parts to which the user will be exposed during use. Thus, for instance, the various parts can then be held together by means of snap-fit joints, or the like.

It is still yet further pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that the principles of the invention can also be applied to the use of sponge-based materials in place of the bristles containing parts, wherein, for instance, the sponge itself can absorb the wet soap, or, additionally, holes can be formed in the sponge in order to allow the wet soap to accumulate for subsequent use for cleaning purposes.

It is also pointed out, with respect to the foregoing, that the usual bristles, found on nail and scrubbing brushes can be replaced by bristles formed as hollow tubes of similar cross-sectional diameter, wherein such tubes can serve to hold soapy water for subsequent use according to the principles of the invention.

It is still yet further pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that in order to achieve greater flexibility with respect to the range of configurations that the variants of the invention which have aheady been described, the handles, for example, 15, 16, and 28, could be manufactured from bendy plastic, or the like, or from a combination of plastic or other material, either in admixture, or as part of the general construction.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Methods and apparatus for saving soap, wherein the methods involve the deposition of. soap and water onto the functional region of a device made for receiving soap and for applying the said soap to the body, or to any object, for the purpose of cleaning, wherein the wet soap, placed on the said functional region, drains onto, and into, the functional region, when the device is placed, upside down, on a supporting surface, thereby allowing the said device to perform the dual function of saving soap, by being constantly replenished with soap when not in direct use for cleaning purposes, and for serving as a device for cleaning, wherein, this duality in function thereby obviates the need for the purchase of conventional soap savers.
2. Methods and apparatus for saving soap, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the methods involve the deposition of soap and water onto the bristles of apparatus which comprises bristles located on devices utilised for cleaning purposes, wherein wet soap, placed on the bristles of the said devices when the devices are placed upside down on a supporting surface, drains onto, and between, the bristles, and allows the combination of the supporting base part, and the brisdes part, to be used as a nail brush or a scrubbing brush.
3. Methods and apparatus for saving soap as claimed in claim 2, wherein wet soap can be placed on the surface of the bristles of a device which has brisdes on one of its main surfaces and has a body in which the bristles have been inserted, wherein the bristles supporting body is designed so that it can be conveniently held in the hand for cleaning purposes and can be subsequently placed on a supporting surface with its bristles uppermost, so that a bar of wet soap can be placed on the bristles, thereby ensuring tbat a mixture of soap and water passes onto, and between, the bristles and can therefore be available for cleaning purposes.
4. Methods and apparatus for saving soap as claimed in claim 2, wherein die said device comprises a design of soap saving brush containing system which saves soap by allowing the soap to be placed on the bristles of a lower brush, wherein another brush which has just been used for cleaning purposes is placed so that its bristles are also in contact with the soap, wherein, after rotation of the soap saving brush containing system through 180 degrees, die brush which was previously lower, is now the higher of the two brushes, and can therefore be removed, whilst replenished with soap which has accumulated during its previous orientation before rotation of the said device through 180 degrees.
5. Methods and apparatus for saving soap as claimed in claim 4, wherein a clockwork mechanism, or any other mechanism which provides power for rotation of the device and its contents, automatically rotates it through 180 degrees, wherein a button or lever can be provided for actuating the mechanism, and wherein, rotation of the device and its contents, in the opposite direction, by hand, can be carried out where a clockwork mechanism is used and is to be wound up.
6. Metfiods and apparatus for saving soap as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said apparatus is designed so that the axis about which the said rotation occurs is at an angle with respect to the horizontal such that neither soap nor brush can move outwards on its own, especially when the said soap is a bar of soap which gets thinner as it is used.
7. Metfiods and apparatus for saving soap as claimed in claim 2, wherein, at least two, bristles containing devices are located in a side by side configuration and wherein any one of the said devices can have a wet bar of soap placed on tiiem so that it functions as a soap saver, wherem the apparatus is designed having parts which allow each bristles containing part to be removably located in the apparatus, wherein each device has means for allowing the fingers to move it into and out of the said apparatus.
8. Methods and apparatus for saving soap as claimed in claim 2, wherein, the said device is a specially designed nail, or scrubbing brush, which provides efficient means for allowing soapy water on the soap to be deposited onto, and between, its brisdes, and into specially designed recesses formed in the device, ready for subsequent use by being stored there. Methods and apparatus for saving soap as claimed in claim 8, wherein, d e said device is a specially designed nail, or scrubbing brush, which is intended to save soap by providing a stable platform for a bar of soap, via swivelling legs, which can be gripped by the hand since they move towards one another when gripped, and which move outwards when the brush is placed on a flat surface due to the shape of the lower part of the legs. 10. Methods and apparatus for saving soap as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said device is a shower, back, or bath, brush, having a curved handle and a circular shaped receptor end part, such that a brisdes containing a part can be removably fixed to the receptor end part for the purpose of serving as a soap saver, wherein, after removal of the bristles containing part from me receptor end part, the bristles containing part can be placed in a separate part, with its bristles uppermost, so that a bar of soap can be placed onto the bristles, thereby allowing the removed bristles containing part to serve as a soap saver. 11. Methods and apparatus for saving soap as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said device is a shower, back, or bath, brush, having a curved handle and a circular shaped receptor end part, such that two, bristles containing parts can be removably fixed, in a back-to-back configuration, to a double-sided receptor end part, for the purpose of also serving as a soap saver, wherein, either one, bristles containing part can be pushed into place in order to remove the one aheady fitted, or wherein the shower, back, or bath, brush, can hold two bristles containing parts, such mat the receptor part is designed so tiiat it can be rotated tiirough 180 degrees in order to allow a chosen brisdes containing part to be in the correct orientation for use of the said device as a back brush. 12. Methods and apparatus for saving soap as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said device is a shower, back, or bath, brush, having a curved handle and a circular shaped receptor end part, such that me receptor end part can be removably fixed to the curved handle and is designed so that when fixed to the handle, the receptor end part can receive a removable bristles containing part, which is removable by pushing it away from the receptor end part by means of the thumbs and fingers. 13. Methods and apparatus for saving soap as claimed in claim 12, wherein the said device is a shower, back, or bam, brush, comprising a number of connectable parts. 14. Metiiods and apparatus for saving soap as claimed in any previous claim, wherein a sponge based material forms the functional part of the soap saver, wherein either the sponge itself absorbs the wet soap, or additional holes are formed in the sponge in order to perform this function as well. 15. Methods and apparatus for saving soap, arranged and constructed to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 29, of the accompanying drawings.