US20210282602A1

US20210282602A1 - Personal Hygiene Tool

Info

Publication number: US20210282602A1
Application number: US17/200,995
Authority: US
Inventors: Toby Coile
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-03-15
Filing date: 2021-03-15
Publication date: 2021-09-16

Abstract

A personal hygiene bathing or showering tool configured to clean hard to reach areas of the body. The personal hygiene tool is a synthetic bathing loofah or mesh sponge comprising a body and a pair of loops or a loop and a handle positioned at opposing ends of the tool body. The body is extendable and collapsible to allow the user to easily reach all parts of the body. The user can accordion out the body for use and collapse it for storage. The personal hygiene tool may be hollow or further comprise an expandable and retractable center spine to help keep the body in the extended position or the collapsed position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/989,845, which was filed on Mar. 15, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an adjustable personal hygiene tool, and more specifically to an expandable and collapsible loofah for personal hygiene use. Accordingly, the present specification makes specific reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally amenable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Standard wash cloths, sponges, loofahs, and other personal cleaning tools are often small and unable to easily reach the back, buttocks, etc. while bathing or showering. People are forced to contort themselves into uncomfortable positions in an attempt to wash their back. Cleaning and exfoliating the skin on the backside or other hard to reach places can be extremely difficult. These attempts to complete basic hygiene tasks can lead to discomfort or even injury, especially in the elderly or disabled.
A loofah is a personal hygiene tool used to scrub and clean the skin. Natural loofahs are made from the dried natural fibrous interior of elongated gourds. Synthetic loofahs or poufs are constructed from synthetic materials that are gathered into looped sections of mesh to create a fluffy ball. They have a lot of surface area where cleanser and water can mix together to create suds while bathing. They are often attached to a handle or stick to allow the user to extend their reach. However, using a loofah with a handle does not always allow the user to be able to reach every area that needs cleaning.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a personal hygiene tool with an extended reach. There is also a long felt need for a personal hygiene tool that is expandable. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a personal hygiene tool with a small footprint when not in use. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a simple way to wash the back without contorting the body.
The device of the present invention provides users with a modified elastic loofah capable of stretching and expanding to easily wash the back, buttocks, and other hard-to-reach areas of the body. The tool features a pair of loops on opposite ends for convenient grasping and pulling of the loofah for expansion. The device also utilizes skin-safe scrubbing materials to ensure the body is fully cleaned, exfoliated and sanitized when bathing and allows users to conveniently store the loofah on a hook or other accessible storage area within the shower via the straps. Finally, the device offers a simple method to wash the back without contorting the body in awkward and uncomfortable positions.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a personal hygiene tool. The personal hygiene tool is adjustably configured to allow a user to clean hard to reach portions of their body. The personal hygiene tool comprises a body. The body comprises a plurality of sections and a pair of ends. The body is generally hollow with an external surface extending across the plurality of sections and around the ends, but does not have to be rounded on the end.
The body may be elastically configured to expand and contract and is adjustable in length. The body may be constructed from a natural or synthetic mesh netting material. The body is configured to accordion or stretch when the pair of ends are pulled apart. Conversely, the body is configured to contract into a compact form when the ends are released.
The personal hygiene tool further comprises at least one end loop. The at least one end loop is attached to one of the pair of ends at an attachment point. The at least one end loop may be a loop of string or an elastic hand strap. The personal hygiene tool may further comprise a second end loop. The second end loop is attached to the opposing end of the body from the at least one end loop. The personal hygiene tool may further comprises a handle. The handle is attached to the opposing end of the body from the at least one end loop.
In an additional embodiment, the subject matter disclosed and claimed herein comprises a personal hygiene tool. The personal hygiene tool is adjustably configured to allow a user to clean hard to reach portions of their body. The personal hygiene tool comprises a body. The body comprises a plurality of sections and a pair of ends. The body is generally hollow with an external surface extending across the plurality of sections and around the ends.
The body may be elastically configured to expand and contract and is adjustable in length. The body may be constructed from a natural or synthetic mesh netting material. The body is configured to accordion or stretch when the pair of ends are pulled apart. Conversely, the body is configured to contract into a compact form when the ends are released.
The personal hygiene tool further comprises a center spine or spine. The spine extends through the hollow body between the pair of ends, and is adjustable in length. The center spine is configured to hold the body in an extended position when pulled apart. The center spine is similarly configured to hold the body in a collapsed position when not pulled apart. Alternatively, the center spine may be elastic and configured to stretch when the pair of ends are pulled apart and contract when released.
The personal hygiene tool further comprises at least one end loop. The at least one end loop is attached to one of the pair of ends at an attachment point. The at least one end loop may be a loop of string or an elastic hand strap. The personal hygiene tool may further comprise a second end loop. The second end loop is attached to the opposing end of the body from the at least one end loop. The personal hygiene tool may further comprises a handle. The handle is attached to the opposing end of the body from the at least one end loop.
In an additional embodiment, the subject matter disclosed and claimed herein comprises a personal hygiene tool. The personal hygiene tool is adjustably configured to allow a user to clean hard to reach portions of their body. The personal hygiene tool comprises a plurality of mesh sections. The plurality of mesh sections are constructed from a natural or synthetic mesh netting material and are sandwiched next to each other.
The personal hygiene tool further comprises a center spine. The center spine extends through a center of each mesh section. The center spine is adjustable in length. The center spine is configured to hold the personal hygiene tool in an extended position when pulled apart. The center spine is similarly configured to hold the personal hygiene tool in a collapsed position released. Alternatively, the center spine may be elastic and configured to stretch and extend when the pair of ends are pulled apart and contract when released. As the center spine is stretched, each of the mesh sections are pulled away from each other increasing the cleaning surface area of the personal hygiene tool.
The personal hygiene tool further comprises at least one end loop. The at least one end loop is attached to one end of the center spine. The at least one end loop may be a loop of string or an elastic hand strap. The personal hygiene tool may further comprise a second end loop. The second end loop is attached to the opposing end of the center spine from the at least one end loop. The personal hygiene tool may further comprises a handle. The handle is attached to the opposing end of the body from the at least one end loop.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a personal hygiene tool of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the personal hygiene tool of the present invention in a collapsed configuration in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the personal hygiene tool of the present invention in a partially extended configuration in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the personal hygiene tool of the present invention in a fully extended configuration in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the personal hygiene tool of the present invention with a handle in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a personal hygiene tool of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a personal hygiene tool of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They do not intend as an exhaustive description of the invention or do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
The present invention comprises an improved elastic loofah sponge. The term “loofah” as used herein includes bath poufs and similar synthetic personal hygiene sponges and tools. The loofah features elastic properties, enabling it to expand and make it much easier to clean the back and other hard-to-reach areas of the body. Two loops or handles on opposite ends function as gripping points, enabling the user to simply grab the handles and pull to expand the loofah. The loofah can be lathered with soap and then expanded as needed to wash various areas of the body. The loofah is stored on a hook in the bathroom area via the handles. The loofahs may be available in various styles, sizes, colors, and designs to accommodate all user needs and preferences.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a personal hygiene tool 100. The personal hygiene tool 100 is adjustably configured to allow a user to clean hard to reach portions of their body as illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the personal hygiene tool 100 comprises a body 110. The body 110 comprises a plurality of sections 112 and a pair of ends 114. The body 110 is generally hollow with an external surface 120 extending across the plurality of sections 112 and around the ends 114.
The body 110 is elastic in nature and configured to expand and contract. As such, the body 110 is adjustable in length. The body 110 may be constructed from a synthetic mesh netting, such as, but not limited to polyethylene mesh, nylon netting, or any other similar stretchable mesh material. Alternatively, the body 110 may be constructed from a natural fiber mesh netting material. The body 110 generally has a square, rectangular, or other geometrically shaped cross section that exaggerates and narrows when pulled apart. The body 110 is configured so that the plurality of sections 112 accordion or stretch to an extended length (L2) when the pair of ends 114 are pulled apart as illustrated in FIG. 4. Conversely, the body 110 is configured to contract into a compact length (L1) when the ends 114 are no longer pulled apart as illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 illustrates the body 110 in a partially extended position between the extended and compacted lengths. The body can extend generally up to approximately three feet in one embodiment but can extend longer if desired.
The personal hygiene tool 100 further comprises at least one end loop 160. The at least one end loop 160 is attached to one of the pair of ends 114 at an attachment point 116. The at least one end loop 160 may be a loop of string or an elastic hand strap for a user to hold the personal hygiene tool 100. The at least one end loop 160 may also be used to hang the personal hygiene tool 100 from a hook when not in use. The personal hygiene tool 100 may further comprise a second end loop 160. The second end loop 160 is attached to the opposing end 114 of the body 110 from the at least one end loop 160. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the personal hygiene tool 100 may further comprises a handle 170. The handle 170 is attached to the opposing end 114 of the body 110 from the at least one end loop 160.
In an additional embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 6, the subject matter disclosed and claimed herein comprises a personal hygiene tool 200. The personal hygiene tool 200 is adjustably configured to allow a user to clean hard to reach portions of their body. The personal hygiene tool 200 comprises a body 210. The body 210 comprises a plurality of sections 212 and a pair of ends 214. The body 210 is generally hollow with an external surface 220 extending across the plurality of sections 212 and around the ends 214.
The body 210 is elastic in nature and configured to expand and contract. As such, the body 210 is adjustable in length. The body 210 may be constructed from a synthetic mesh netting, such as, but not limited to polyethylene mesh, nylon netting, or any other similar stretchable mesh material. Alternatively, the body 210 may be constructed from a natural fiber mesh netting material. The body 210 generally has a square, rectangular, or other geometrically shaped cross section that exaggerates and narrows when pulled apart. The body 210 is configured so that the plurality of sections 212 accordion or stretch to an extended length when the pair of ends 214 are pulled apart as in the previous embodiment. Conversely, the body 210 is configured to contract into a compact length when the ends 214 are no longer pulled apart.
The personal hygiene tool 200 further comprises a center spine 250. The center spine 250 extends through the hollow body 210 between the pair of ends 214. The center spine 250 is also adjustable in length. The center spine 250 is configured to hold the body 210 in an extended or partially extended position when pulled apart. The center spine 250 is similarly configured to hold the body 210 in a collapsed position when retracted. The center spine 250 may be corrugated or telescoping in construction. Alternatively, the center spine 250 may be an elastic strap or string configured to stretch when the pair of ends 214 are pulled apart and contract when retracted.
The personal hygiene tool 200 further comprises at least one end loop 260. The at least one end loop 260 is attached to one of the pair of ends 214 at an attachment point 216. The at least one end loop 260 may be a loop of string or an elastic hand strap for a user to hold the personal hygiene tool 200. The at least one end loop 260 may also be used to hang the personal hygiene tool 200 from a hook when not in use. The personal hygiene tool 200 may further comprise a second end loop 260. The second end loop 260 is attached to the opposing end 214 of the body 210 from the at least one end loop 260. The personal hygiene tool 200 may further comprises a handle (similar to 170). The handle is attached to the opposing end 214 of the body 210 from the at least one end loop 260.
In an additional embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 7, the subject matter disclosed and claimed herein comprises a personal hygiene tool 300. The personal hygiene tool 300 is adjustably configured to allow a user to clean hard to reach portions of their body. The personal hygiene tool 300 comprises a plurality of mesh sections 312. The plurality of mesh sections 312 are generally flat sections or panels constructed from a natural or synthetic mesh netting material and are sandwiched next to each other.
The personal hygiene tool 300 further comprises a center spine 350. The center spine 350 extends through a center 314 of each mesh section 312. The center spine 350 is adjustable in length. The center spine 350 is configured to hold the personal hygiene tool 300 in an extended or partially extended position when pulled apart. The center spine 350 is similarly configured to hold the personal hygiene tool 300 in a collapsed position when retracted. The center spine 350 may be corrugated or telescoping in construction. Alternatively, the center spine 350 may be an elastic strap or string configured to stretch pulled apart and contract when retracted. As the center spine 350 is stretched, each of the mesh sections 312 are pulled away from each other increasing the cleaning surface area of the personal hygiene tool 300.
The personal hygiene tool 300 further comprises at least one end loop 360. The at least one end loop 360 is attached to one end of the center spine 350. The at least one end loop 360 may be a loop of string or an elastic hand strap. The personal hygiene tool 300 may further comprise a second end loop 360. The second end loop 360 is attached to the opposing end of the center spine 350 from the at least one end loop 360. The personal hygiene tool 300 may further comprises a handle (similar to 170). The handle is attached to the opposing end of the center spine 350 from the at least one end loop 360.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the personal hygiene tools 100, 200, and 300 can by any suitable size, shape, and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the shape and size of the personal hygiene tools 100, 200, and 300 and their various components, as show in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other shapes and sizes of the personal hygiene tools 100, 200, and 300 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although dimensions of the personal hygiene tools 100, 200, and 300 and their components (i.e., length, width, and height) are important design parameters for good performance, the personal hygiene tools 100, 200, and 300 and their various components may be any shape or size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference. As such, the personal hygiene tools 100, 200, and 300 may be comprised of sizing/shaping that is appropriate and specific in regard to whatever the personal hygiene tools 100, 200, and 300 are designed to be applied.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A personal hygiene tool comprising:

a body comprising a plurality of sections, a pair of ends, and an external surface extending across the plurality of sections and around the pair of ends; and

an end loop attached to one of the pair of ends; and

wherein the body is adjustable in length.

2. The personal hygiene tool of claim 1, wherein the body is hollow.

3. The personal hygiene tool of claim 1, wherein the body is elastic.

4. The personal hygiene tool of claim 1, wherein the body is constructed from a synthetic mesh.

5. The personal hygiene tool of claim 3, wherein the synthetic mesh is polyethylene mesh.

6. The personal hygiene tool of claim 1, wherein the body is constructed from a natural fiber mesh.

7. The personal hygiene tool of claim 1, wherein the body has a square cross section.

8. The personal hygiene tool of claim 1, wherein the body has a rectangular cross section

9. The personal hygiene tool of claim 1, wherein the body is extendable up to three feet in length.

10. The personal hygiene tool of claim 1 further comprising a second end loop attached to the opposing end of the body from the end loop.

11. The personal hygiene tool of claim 1 further comprising a handle attached to the opposing end of the body from the end loop.

12. A personal hygiene tool comprising:

a body comprising a plurality of sections, a pair of ends, and an external surface extending across the plurality of sections and around the ends; and

an end loop attached to one of the pair of ends;

a center spine extending through the body between the pair of ends; and

wherein the body is adjustable in length.

13. The personal hygiene tool of claim 12, wherein the center spine is adjustable in length.

14. The personal hygiene tool of claim 12, wherein the center spine is corrugated.

15. The personal hygiene tool of claim 12, wherein the center spine is configured to hold the body in a collapsed or extended position.

16. The personal hygiene tool of claim 12, wherein the body is constructed from a synthetic mesh.

17. The personal hygiene tool of claim 11 further comprising a second end loop attached to the opposing end of the body from the end loop.

18. A personal hygiene tool comprising:

a plurality of mesh panel sections;

a center spine extending through a center of each mesh panel section; and

a pair of end loops attached to opposing ends of the center spine; and

wherein the center spine is adjustable in length.

19. The personal hygiene tool of claim 18, wherein the center spine is elastic.

20. The personal hygiene tool of claim 18, wherein the center spine is configured to hold the body in a collapsed or extended position