MXPA02011085A - A novel wash board. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of laundry and more particularly to a novel wash board. Claimed and described is a wash board comprising a rubbing surface (12), which has a shore A hardness, of less than 95.

Description

A NEW WASHING BOARD FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the laundry field and more particularly to a novel washboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In most countries of the Western world, washing habits have changed considerably in the 20th century. Considerable convenience has been achieved through the introduction of electric washing machines that render traditional washing techniques obsolete. Hand washing, in homes with a washing machine, is typically restricted to a small number of particularly delicate items. However, broadening our perspective to include all the washing habits of the whole world, it is observed that at the beginning of the 21st century, traditional hand washing still plays a considerable and frequently dominant role in many countries, including Latin American, African countries and Asians. The traditional washing habits that are used there, until now, have not fundamentally changed. More typically the washing action is carried out by scrubbing the washing pieces on a washing board. Washing tables are typically made of wood, eg, pine tree, and they comprise a scrubbing surface with parallel ridges and grooves. You can buy many much more modern washboards that have been made of plastic materials. All of these washboards are typically rectangular with scrubbed surface ridges parallel to the shorter side and are designed for a pedendicular scrubbing movement to the ridges. The action of scrubbing on the washboard can be done by holding a piece of laundry with one hand or alternatively it can be done with a piece of bar soap that contacts the laundry to be scrubbed. Washing clothes can be done, for example, on the bank of a river as a source of sufficient clean water to wet and rinse clothes. Alternatively, a vessel can be used, which also makes it possible to prepare a detergent / water solution for soaking the laundry. Even though development in this area seems less vivid than in many other areas of consumer technology, many patents and patent applications reveal attempts to improve laundry with washboards. For example, U.S. Patent 1, 287,948 discloses a washboard support comprising suction cups. U.S. Patent 1,966,512 discloses a washboard that is designed for use in an inverted U-shaped porcelain wash bowl and also It includes suckers. U.S. Patent 2,312,230 discloses a disc wash table, which can be made of hard plastic or wood, which is mentioned as improving its use in sinks with rounded corners. The United States Patent discloses a plastic washboard. As suitable materials are disclosed polypropylene and nylon, the material ensures high strength, stiffness, hardness and abrasion resistance of the washboard. The Brazilian patent application Pl 9204901 -O A discloses a wooden washboard with a scrubbing surface comprising raised portions in the form of a pyramid. U.S. Patent 4,102,160 discloses a washboard device that can be permanently affixed to a washing vessel being provided with a highly sticky adhesive on its back that can comprise a conventional corrugated configuration of ridges and grooves that alternately It can provide an irregular configuration of randomly spaced ridges and valleys or raised points spaced at random. This table can be supplied with any semi-rigid material such as high density plastic, eg, polyurethane, polyvinyl, semi-hard rubber. Preferably, this washboard is provided with a low profile on the scrubbing surface to avoid any form of injury during use. U.S. Patent 5,829,279 discloses a washboard that is optimized to carry on journeys. The device is made of a flexible material so that it can be folded. The device can be used on a flat surface, such as a floor. The flexible washboard is provided with discs with suction cups and additionally with a head portion on which a user can step while using it. U.S. Patent 5,058,403 discloses a washboard with an integrated vessel that is optimized for use with an automatic top-loading washing machine. The patent literature also discloses many devices where a layar board or a scrubbing surface forms an assembly with a vessel or tub. For example, GB-1 405 422 discloses a washing tub which can have a variety of forming and comprising corrugation in at least one wall that allows to scrub laundry. The Brazilian patent application PI 9102638 A discloses a tub and a support thereof which is adapted to support a washboard. Japanese patent application 9-173228 discloses a sink where a washing tub and a scrubbing surface are provided in combination. Without taking into account the work associated with the use of such washing tables compared to the use of electric washing machines, many disadvantages are associated with their use: - When the scrubbing of clothes is done especially with the bare hands of the user, which Often it can be a woman and even more, it can be a relatively young or relatively older woman, it can cause damage to the hands, usually by abrasion.

- When a piece of bar soap is used to scrub laundry, unnecessary amounts of bar soap can be released in a scrubbing action. Not only is this a waste but it can also cause environmental problems, especially in the event that the washing action takes place on the bank of a river. - Conventional washing tables are not suitable for use with a freely chosen scrubbing direction. Scrubbing is only in one direction, which is usually the pedendicular direction to the scrub surfaces, which is particularly physically tiring. - Scouring surfaces and in particular those comprising hills and parallel grooves cause a relatively high abrasion of fabrics and therefore are not suitable for delicate fabrics and also induces the need to replace fabrics more frequently. - The cleaning results that are achieved with conventional washboards, even after extensive scrubbing, have often been found to be unsatisfactory. It is a purpose of the present invention to overcome the above-described drawbacks of the washboards as well as many other aspects which will be apparent from the description provided in the present invention. A novel pack held in the hand, which is can be carried with a detergent composition and comprises a friction medium, disclosed in WO 99/37849. This device is also considered to be very useful when used in combination with a washboard. It is relatively easy to use and avoids injuries and provides considerably improved cleaning performance. The container is suitable for use with any liquid detergent or that dissolves easily. Despite the great advantages provided by such a device, it is believed that an even more comfortable utilization and better cleaning results can be achieved when the device is used in combination with an improved washboard, the washing boards that are disclosed in the present patent application are particularly suitable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of washing clothes and more particularly to a novel washboard. A washboard comprising a scrubbing surface having a Shore A hardness of less than 95 is claimed and described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1a to 1c are side schematic views of some preferred washboards. Figure 2 is a top view on the scrubbing surface of another preferred washboard according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a top view on the scrubbing surface of another washboard according to the present invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a washboard according to the present invention with an integrated washboard base.

Also shown is a container that is held by hand with friction means and a vessel on which the base of the washboard can be conveniently mounted. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a preferred washboard that forms an assembly with a vessel. Figure 6 is a perspective view of another washboard according to the present invention with an integrated washboard base. Figure 7 is a perspective view of yet another washboard according to the present invention with an integrated washboard base. Figure 8 is a perspective view of yet another washboard according to the present invention with an integrated washboard base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a washboard (10) with an improved scrubbing surface (12). In a further aspect the invention relates to a base (50) for such washboard (10) and a vessel (60) to be used in combination with such washboard (10). To enable a more detailed and clear description of the present invention, many terms are first defined in the following paragraphs, as used in the present invention. The term "wash sheet" as used in the present invention, comprises any device comprising a scrubbing surface 12. The term "scrubbing surface" (12), as used in the present invention, comprises any uneven surface that it comprises at least three raised portions (14) and at least two flat portions (16) and a surface area of at least 10 cm2.The term "reference plane", as used in the present invention, and mentioned by the letter "R", is the cross section plane that is essentially coplanar to the scrubbing surface (12) and that is immediately adjacent to the scrubbing surface (12) while not crossing the raised portions (14) - cf Fig. 1a-1c The term "flat portion (16)", as used in the present invention, comprises all the portions of the scrubbing surface (12) that are comprised by the reference plane.

The term "raised portion (14)", as used in the present invention, comprises all portions of the scrubbing surface (12) that rise above the reference surface. The term "height", as used in the present invention in relation to the raised portions (14), refers to the distance of the outermost point of the raised portions (14) measured from the reference plane in a vertical direction to the reference plane. The term "configuration", as used in the present invention in relation to the raised portions (14), refers to the geometrical configuration defined by the centers of mass of the raised portions (14). The term "set of parallel lines", as used in the present invention, with respect to a configuration of raised portions (14), refers to any number of equidistant parallel lines. The term "set of curved lines", as used in the present invention, in relation to a configuration of raised portions (14), refers to a set of curved lines that are portions of circles whose centers are equidistantly aligned in a line straight. In a key aspect a washboard (10) according to the present invention is less hard than conventional washing tables. Hardness, as used in the present invention, refers to the hardness measured according to the hardness test described later in the present invention.

According to the present invention, a washboard (10) must be provided with a scrubbing surface (12) of a Shore A hardness less than 95. More preferably, the scrubbing surface (12) has a hardness of 5 to 90, still more preferably 10 to 85, more preferably still 15 to 80, still more preferably 25 to 60., more preferably 30 to 50. Providing a less hard scrubbing surface (12) in one aspect provides more comfort for the user. The risk of hand injuries is reduced and the effort on muscles, joints and ankles is reduced. In a further aspect a softer scrubbing surface (12) allows a softer treatment of the fabric, reducing abrasion of the fabric and making the washboard (10) suitable for delicate fabrics. In yet another additional aspect, it has been found that the softer (10) washboards promote a better cleaning action. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the softer scrubbing surface (12), when a piece of laundry contacts the scrubbing surface (12) under the pressure typically exerted on scrubbing, the piece of laundry makes contact with the scrubbing surface (12) on a larger area than with the scrubbing surfaces (12) on conventional washing boards. In yet another aspect, the softer wash tables (10), in particular when provided with a material as detailed below in the present invention and with a preferred configuration for the scrubbing surface (12) as described below in the present invention, ensures that laundry does not slip off above the scrubbing surface (12) and therefore does not require to be held with one hand while scrubbing with the other hand. According to the present invention, the scrubbing surface (12) can be provided with a wide variety of materials that provide the desired hardness. Preferably the material additionally fills the hygienic requirements and therefore has an easy to clean surface, which is preferably impervious to water. Suitable materials include rubber, polyethylene, including high density polyethylene, polypropylene, including polypropylene copolymer. The scrubbing surface (12) comprises raised portions (14) and flat portions (16). These portions can be configured in any geometry. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the raised portions (14) are provided in the form of ridges and flat portions (16) in the form of grooves between the ridges. Preferably, the ridges are arranged as is known from conventional washing tables, ie they are parallel to one another and are equidistant with a distance of 1 mm to 50 mm, preferably 5 to 20 mm. In an even more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the raised portions (14) are provided in the form of mounds. More preferably these mounds are in the form of half spheres or portions of spheres.

A preferred scrubbing surface (12) is shown in Figure 1 a. This scrubbing surface (12) comprises raised portions (14) in the form of mounds, which are in the form of portions of spheres. Accordingly, the raised portions (14) have the cross section of the raised portions (14), which in the present invention is referred to as their "base" 5, in the reference plane is circular. raised portions (14) with a circular base Preferably, the diameter of this circular base is 1 mm to 50 mm, more preferably 2 mm to 15 mm, even more preferably 3 mm to 10 mm and more preferably even 4 mm to 6 mm The height of these raised portions (14) is preferably from 1 mm to 20 mm, more preferably from 3 mm to 10 mm, and more preferably from 4 mm to 8 mm. ) can be arranged in any configuration on the scrubbing surface (12), thereby defining a configuration of flat portions (16), the second configuration is not described by itself in the present invention, in preferred embodiments of the present invention. nvention, as shown in Figure 2, the raised portions (14) are aligned in two sets of parallel equidistant lines. More preferably the two sets of parallel lines form an angle of 90 ° to each other. Another highly preferred configuration of the raised portions (14) is shown in Figure 3. In this the raised portions (14) are aligned along sets of curved lines on the scrubbing surface (12). Although A configuration of any curved line is within the scope of the present invention, circular curved lines with a radius of 5 cm to 100 cm are preferred. Preferably the centers of the circles defining the curved lines are arranged equidistantly in a straight line, the distance of the centers preferably being 2 cm to 10 cm. Another scrubbing surface (12) preferred according to the present invention is provided with a fabric-like configuration of raised portions (14), which resembles the surface structure of a woven material, e.g., a cotton or linen material tissue. The configuration may be regular, eg, may have a symmetry, or irregular. The raised portions (14) comprised by a configuration of this type can be the same or different. Preferably the height of the raised portions is from 1 mm to 5 mm. A configuration of this type is considered aesthetically pleasing and provides a very gentle cleansing action of the laundry. Some of the preferred materials for the scrubbing surface (12) of the present invention, although it provides the desired softness, it may not provide the ideal stiffness for a washboard (10). Therefore, the preferred wash tables (10) according to the present invention comprise at least two materials; a material for providing the scrubbing surface (12) and a material for providing a support structure (20). The two materials can be joined by any method that is known in the art, for example, by adhesive, mechanical bond or bi-injection molding. In a preferred embodiment, the two materials are releasably joined by a joining mechanism, eg, one or more, preferably a plurality of suction cups, VELCRO ™ strips or VELCRO ™ -like strips, adhesives, physical closure mechanisms, or similar. In one embodiment of this type, the two materials must be joined in such a way that the scrubbing surface (12) is firmly fixed to the support structure (20) during use, and in such a way that the scrubbing surface (12). ) and the support structure (20) can be released from one another when not in use, to replace a spent scrubbing surface (12), to replace a scrubbing surface (12) having a different Shore A hardness that is designed for a particular type of fabric / material, etc. In this way, it is essential that the joining mechanism be effective, even when wet, and even when subjected to shear forces that are expected during normal use of the washboard. The attachment mechanism can be formed so as to form an assembly with the scrubbing surface (12) and / or with the support structure (20), or it can be added later, as desired. In a very preferred, easy to manufacture embodiment, the fixing area of the support structure (20) is substantially flat, and a plurality of suckers are formed so as to form an assembly as part of the bottom of the scrubbing surface (12) See, for example, Figure 4 of U.S. Patent 5,829,279 to Wu, issued November 3, 1998, which is uncolored in the present invention as a reference.

The support structure (20) can be provided in the form of a base (50) or a vessel (60), both of which are described later in the present invention. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support structure (20) substantially resembles a conventional washboard and is therefore typically flat and essentially rectangular in shape. Preferably the shorter side of such rectangular support structure (20) has a length of 10 cm to 80 cm and more preferably of 20 cm to 50 cm, and the longer side has a length of 15 cm to 100 cm and more preferably from 30 cm to 60 cm. The washboard (10) can be provided, for example, with bases, holding devices, e.g., for a piece of bar soap or a hand held container (40) as described above, assembly, e.g., suction cups, and a handle, all can form a set with the support structure (20). Although the washboard (20) according to the present invention can be provided with a wide variety of support structures (20) a particularly preferred support structure is a base (50) as shown for example in Figure 4. Preferably , a base (50) of this type has many legs, preferably two to four legs. The base (50) shown in Figure 4 employs 4 legs which allow the base (50) to be placed in position on any substantially horizontal surface but which also allows the base (50) to be placed in position over the edge of the base (50). a vessel, so that all four legs make contact with the edge of the vessel, as shown in Figure 4. A base (50) according to the present invention ensures that the scrubbing surface (12) is inclined relative to the surface supporting the base (50), typically the plane horizontal. Preferably the angle of inclination is between 5 ° and 90 °, preferably 10 ° and 60 °, more preferably between 30 | and 45 °. Figure 5 shows a preferred vessel (80) to be used in combination with the present invention. The vessel (60) comprises an inclined surface, with an inclination angle to the plane on which the 45 ° vessel is standing. The vessel in one aspect can be filled with water or a mixture of water and detergent in that the laundry is soaked. In another aspect the inclined surface of the vessel provides a support structure (20) for the scrubbing surface (12). Accordingly, the scrubbing surface 12 can be made of a soft and non-rigid material and the required stiffness is provided by the vessel. Still other preferred support structures (20) in the form of bases (50) are shown in Figures 6 to 8. The bases (50) according to the present invention can be manufactured in one or several parts, preferably two, three, four or five parts. It can be provided with a rigid structure or alternatively with many parts that can be bent or adjustable. In highly preferred embodiments of the present invention the base (50) forms a set with the scrubbing surface (12). The term "forms a set with", as used in the present invention, means components that are attached to one another, more preferably attached one to another permanently, so that the parts comprised, in particular the base (50) and the scrubbing surface (12) can be manipulated as a part and not as a multitude of separate parts. Preferred methods of fixing the scrubbing surface (12) to the base (50) comprise adhesive fixation, mechanical bonding or bi-injection molding. Figure 6 represents a base (50) comprising two scrubbing surfaces (12) preferably forming an assembly with the base and therefore can be used in two orientations. The base (50) when viewed in cross section of the plane perpendicular to the scrubbing surfaces (12) essentially has an "L" shape. The base (50) is shown in Figure 6 in the proper orientation to be placed on a horizontal surface, e.g., a floor, table, or top surface of a washing machine. When the base (50) is used upside down compared to the orientation shown in Figure 6, the base (50) is very well adapted to a wide variety of vats and wash vessels and the opposite scrubbing surface (12) It can be used to wash. Washing tables (10) comprising more than one, preferably two scrubbing surfaces (12) and / or are suitable for use in more than one, preferably two orientations are generally within the scope of the present invention. Figure 7 represents a washboard (10) comprising three parts that are pivotably connected and therefore freely adjustable with respect to each other. So the base (50) is It can be adapted for use in a variety of washing tubs and vessels, a variety of different surfaces and by a variety of users, specifically users of short and tall stature. Any base (50) with an adjustable tilt angle is generally within the scope of the present invention. Figure 8 represents a base (50) with a preferably integrated scrubbing surface (12) comprising two parts that are pivotally connected and movable with one another. The base (50) also comprises two oval holes that can be used to conveniently manipulate the base (50). Although the support structures (20) disclosed in the present invention are more preferably used in combination with a washboard (10) according to claim 1, since they promote synergistically safe, comfortable and total cleaning of laundry, they are also very useful when used in combination with washboards (10) and conventional scrubbing surfaces (12).

Hardness Test Hardness is measured according to the durometer A method as published by American Societv For Testinq and Materials. The test is performed using a durometer held in the hand, Fowler 54-762- 001 Digital Durometer blunt A, manufactured in England. For the test, 6 points of the washboard are selected, 3 on the raised portions (14) and 3 on the flat portions (16) and the average of the results is calculated to provide a hardness value. Hardness is measured when the surface is dry. The durometer contacts each measuring point for approximately 1 second.

Claims (10)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. A washing table comprising a scrubbing surface, characterized in that the aforementioned scrubbing surface has a Shore A hardness of less than 95.

2. The washing table according to claim 1, further characterized in that the aforementioned scrubbing surface it has a Shore A hardness of less than 80, preferably less than 50.

3. The washing table according to any of the preceding claims, the aforementioned washboard further characterized in that it comprises a scrubbing surface and the aforementioned scrubbing surface. it comprises raised portions and flat portions and two sets of parallel lines in a plane with the scrubbing surface characterized in that the aforementioned raised portions are aligned at the points of intersection of the two sets of parallel lines.

4. The washing table according to claim 3, further characterized in that the sets of parallel lines mentioned above form an angle of 90 ° with one another.

5. The washing table according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the aforementioned raised portions are aligned in curved lines. The washboard according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the aforementioned raised portions have circular cross sections. 7. The washing table according to claim 6, further characterized in that said raised portions have a diameter of 4 to 8 mm. 8. The washing table according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the aforementioned raised portions have a height of 1 mm to 20 mm. 9. The washing table according to claim 1, further characterized in that it is integral with a base. 10. The washing table according to claim 9, further characterized in that the aforementioned scrubbing surface is inclined at an angle of 5 ° to 90 ° with respect to the surface supporting the base.