US20190000281A1

US20190000281A1 - Back scrubber with removable cleansing element

Info

Publication number: US20190000281A1
Application number: US16/124,258
Authority: US
Inventors: Curtis Reid Stanfield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-09-14
Filing date: 2018-09-07
Publication date: 2019-01-03

Abstract

The present invention relates to hand held implements (or applicators) for applying soaps, cleansers or other liquids. This invention further relates to implements for a user to reach his/her own back or other hard-to-reach body areas for the self-application of soaps, lotions and/or other liquids thereto. To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a scrubber device having an elongated handle having a first end and a second end being spaced longitudinally along said elongated handle, wherein the first end is adapted to being held by one or more users, and the second end comprises a brush head having a Cleansing element at its first surface and a securing mechanism at its second surface for securing the Cleansing element.

Description

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to hand held implements (or applicators) for applying soaps, cleansers or other liquids. This invention further relates to implements for a user to reach his/her own back or other hard-to-reach body areas for the self-application of soaps, lotions and/or other liquids thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
Bath brushes have been used to wash the human body for hundreds of years. The standard bath brush consists of a plurality of bristles affixed to a compact brush head. Such brushes are designed for a person to wash (or sometimes massage) portions of the body that are easy to reach, but they are difficult to use for washing other body areas, like the back. Moreover, people who have limited mobility due to arthritis, stiffness, or other physical problems, sometimes have difficulty using these bath brushes to wash their feet, shoulders, or lower legs.
Back scrubbers are desirable for cleaning with ease and with minimal movement. The use of back scrubbers is known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,722 to Ureta et al. discloses a shower back scrubber. However, the shower back scrubber of the Ureta '722 patent does not provide a removable brush, and additionally does not provide compartments for the storage of shower articles such as soap and shampoo.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,864 to Huber discloses a reversible back scrubber. However, the back scrubber of the Huber '864 patent does not provide a removable brush, and additionally does not provide compartments for the storage of shower articles such as soap and shampoo.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,389 to Ballares et al. discloses a no hands shower back scrubber. However, the shower back scrubber of the Ballares '389 patent does not provide a removable brush, and cannot provide compartments for the storage of shower articles such as soap and shampoo.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,822,824 to Dion discloses a mountable washing device. However, the mountable washing device of the Dion '824 patent does not provide a removable brush, and additionally does not provide compartments for the storage of shower articles such as soap and shampoo.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,635 to Moore discloses a shower bath aid. However, the shower bath aid of the Moore '635 patent does not provide a removable brush, and cannot provide compartments for the storage of shower articles such as soap and shampoo. Lastly U.S. Pat. No. Des. 400,658 to Mejia, Sr. disclose a shower back scrubber. However, the shower back scrubber of the Mejia, Sr. '658 patent does not provide a removable scrubbing element, and does not provide compartments for the storage of shower articles such as soap and shampoo.
A number of washing implements have been used to scrub the human body. Such washing implements include washcloths, sponges, brushes, “loofahs” and other devices. Some of these implements are helpful to scrub areas of the body that are difficult to reach, such as the human back. Unfortunately, many of these implements are made of materials that either are not very durable, or are difficult to clean. Many of these implements also are not strong enough to apply a desired amount of pressure to the skin during scrubbing.
While the above-described devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a back scrubber that allows scrubbing with a soothing and massaging effect. The prior art patents make no provision for a removable brush.
In consequence, back brushes have been developed. These typically comprise a scrubber affixed to an elongated handle. A need therefore exists for a new and improved back scrubber that can be used for scrubbing with a soothing and massaging effect. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. In this respect, the back scrubber according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provide an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of scrubbing with a soothing and massaging effect.
All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of back scrubber now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved back scrubber, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved back scrubber which has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a back scrubber which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.
This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of ‘a system and method for dynamically changing investment value in an intangible instrument’ that is further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining/limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The present invention relates to hand held implements (or applicators) for applying soaps, cleansers or other liquids. This invention further relates to implements for a user to reach his/her own back or other hard-to-reach body areas for the self-application of soaps, lotions and/or other liquids thereto.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a scrubber device having an elongated handle having a first end and a second end being spaced longitudinally along said elongated handle, wherein the first end is adapted to being held by one or more users, and the second end comprises a brush head having a Cleansing element at its first surface and a securing mechanism at its second surface for securing the Cleansing element.
In an aspect, the brush head comprises a plurality of holes enabling the securing mechanism from the second surface to reach to the Cleansing element at the first surface for securing the Cleansing element.
In an aspect, the securing mechanism is one or more strings. In another aspect, the one or more strings hold the Cleansing element against the first surface of the brush head.
In an aspect, the one or more strings are constructed to stretch or be drawn tight. In yet another aspect, the one or more strings constructed to stretch are of an elastic material or bungee cord type. In yet another aspect, the one or more strings constructed to be drawn tight are secured using a mechanical device.
In an aspect, the Cleansing element is removable. In an aspect, the Cleansing element comprises any or combination of a plurality of bristles, a sponge, diamond mesh polyethylene netting, and a suction cup.
In an aspect, the brush head is provided at or near the second end of the elongated handle.
As compared to the conventional scrubbers, the scrubber device of the present invention has ability to wash and scrub back of the user in the shower with ease. Further, the scrubber device allows easy installation and removal of the Cleansing element into the handle to cleanse the hard parts of the body of the user. Thus, this avoids the requirement of having a separate washing tool or one for each person because the scrubber device is sharable and reusable.
Within the scope of this application it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.
Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front side of a proposed scrubber device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back side of the proposed scrubber device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates various components on the front side of the proposed scrubber device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting.
Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the an further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named element.
The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.
Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the “invention” may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the “invention” will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
The present invention relates to hand held implements (or applicators) for applying soaps, cleansers or other liquids. This invention further relates to implements for a user to reach his/her own back or other hard-to-reach body areas for the self-application of soaps, lotions and/or other liquids thereto.
The present invention relates to washing or cleaning devices, and more particularly to a stiff handled washing device that is especially suited for scrubbing the human back while showering or bathing.
The present invention relates to a back scrubber for use in connection with showering. The back scrubber has particular utility in connection with scrubbing with a soothing and massaging effect.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a back scrubber assembly (interchangeably referred to as “proposed scrubber device (100)”) is designed to hold a removable Cleansing element. The back scrubber assembly comprises an elongated handle and a set of strings or string that are elastic in nature or rigid to hold the Cleansing element against the handle. The strings or cord are constructed to stretch or be drawn tight. The strings to be stretched are to be constructed of an elastic material or bungee cord type. The strings to be drawn tight are to be constructed of a more rigid type of par cord and secured using a mechanical device. The strings are to be attached to the handle through holes in the handle and secured. This assembly is used to attach and detach an element for the purpose of washing one's body.
In an exemplary embodiment, the assembly includes an elongated handle, a back assemble to attach strings and Cleansing element, a string, a Cleansing element, and holes.
FIG. 1 illustrates a front side (104-A) of a proposed scrubber device (100), and FIG. 2 illustrates a back side (104-B) of the proposed scrubber device (102), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the scrubber device (100) includes an elongated handle (102) having a first end (102-A) and a second end (102-B) being spaced longitudinally along said elongated handle (102). The first end (102-A) is adapted to being held by one or more users, and the second end (102-B) comprises a brush head (104) having a Cleansing element (not shown) at its first surface (104-A) and a securing mechanism (108) at its second surface (104-B) for securing the Cleansing element.
In an exemplary embodiment, the brush head (104) comprises a plurality of holes (110) enabling the securing mechanism from the second surface to reach to the Cleansing element at the first surface for securing the Cleansing element.
In another exemplary embodiment, the brush head is provided at or near the second end of the elongated handle.
FIG. 3 illustrates various components on the front side of the proposed scrubber device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the front side (104-A) of the brush head includes a plurality of holes (110) enabling the securing mechanism from the second surface to reach to the Cleansing element at the first surface for securing the Cleansing element. In an exemplary embodiment, the securing mechanism is one or more strings. In another exemplary embodiment, the one or more strings hold the Cleansing element against the first surface of the brush head.
In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more strings are constructed to stretch or be drawn tight. In another exemplary embodiment, the one or more strings constructed to stretch are of an elastic material or bungee cord type. In still another exemplary embodiment, the one or more strings constructed to be drawn tight are secured using a mechanical device.
In interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
While some embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, those are completely exemplary in nature. The disclosure is not limited to the embodiments as elaborated herein only and it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. All such modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents are completely within the scope of the present disclosure. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A scrubber device (100), comprising:

an elongated handle (102) having a first end (102-A) and a second end (102-B) being spaced longitudinally along said elongated handle (102), wherein the first end (102-A) is adapted to being held by one or more users, and the second end (102-B) comprises a brush head (104) having a removable coupled Cleansing element at its first surface (104-A) and a securing mechanism (108) at its second surface (104-B) for securing the Cleansing element and wherein brush head (104) comprises a plurality of holes (110) enabling the securing mechanism from the second surface to reach to the Cleansing element at the first surface for securing the Cleansing element.

2. The scrubber device of claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism is one or more strings.

3. The scrubber device of claim 3, wherein the one or more strings hold the Cleansing element against the first surface of the brush head.

4. The scrubber device of claim 3, wherein the one or more strings are constructed to stretch or be drawn tight.

5. The scrubber device of claim 5, wherein the one or more strings constructed to stretch are of an elastic material or bungee cord type.

6. The scrubber device of claim 5, wherein the one or more strings constructed to be drawn tight are secured using a mechanical device.

7. The scrubber device of claim 1, wherein the Cleansing element is removable.

8. The scrubber device of claim 1, wherein the brush head is provided at or near the second end of the elongated handle.

9. The scrubber device of claim 1, wherein the Cleansing element comprises any or combination of a plurality of bristles, a sponge, diamond mesh polyethylene netting, and a suction cup.