US3345669A

US3345669A - Sponge cleaning device

Info

Publication number: US3345669A
Application number: US404257A
Authority: US
Inventors: Glenn L Starry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-10-16
Filing date: 1964-10-16
Publication date: 1967-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 1984-10-10

Description

Oct. 10, 1967 l G. L. STARRY 3,345,669

SPONGE CLEANING DEVICE Filed Oct. 16, 1964 GLENN L. STARRY INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,345,669 SPONGE CLEANING DEVIEE Glenn L. Starry, 132 E. Flagler St., Miami, Fla. 33131 Filed Oct. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 404,257 2 Claims. (Cl. 15-244) This invention relates to a cleaning device for scrubbing and rubbing of the type useful for cleaning and massaging those portions of the dermis which are not readily accessible. I

It is, accordingly, an object of this invention to provide an improved personal cleaning and rubbing device for use by persons to reach for cleaning or massaging areas of the human body, such as the back, and to stimulate circulation in areas of the dermis that are not easily accessible.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cleaning and rubbing device which is adapted to be used for massaging or cleaning areas of the human body which device is constructed from lengths of extruded plastic material and a piece of synthetic sponge material.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cleaning and rubbing device which includes an elongate extruded handle of resilient plastic material and an extruded plastic plate carrying a synthetic sponge element mounted thereover, the said extruded plastic plate being connected to one end of the handle and having a corrugated exterior surface facing the sponge to permit drainage of water squeezed from the sponge and circulation of air for relatively rapid drying of the sponge and to increase the scrubbing and massaging action of the device.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cleaning and rubbing device of the type set forth more fully hereafter which is relatively simple to manufacture and inexpensive in cost and which is otherwise well adapted for use in scrubbing and in massaging areas of the human body, such as the back, which are not easily accessible.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a corrugated plate for mounting a sponge thereover to increase the scrubbing action of the sponge.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the said invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawmgs:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of the said invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial plan view of the instant invention;

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional View taken along the lines of 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the plate of the instant invention;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation view of a modification of the instant invention;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the modification of FIG- URE 5 and FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line of 77 of FIGURE 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts through the different views, and referring particularly to FIGURES 1 through 4, there is shown a cleaning and rubbing device generally designated by the numeral 10, including (a) an extruded elongate handle 11 of plastic material with a main flexible stem 12 and an integral side element 13 formed by a bend 14 in the handle adjacent the upper end thereof, and (b) corrugated mounting plate 15 fastened centrally to the distal end of the handle element carrying a synthetic sponge 17 fastened thereto as by an adhesive indicated by the numeral 18. As is best seen in FIGURE 3, the handle includes a plurality of longitudinally extending flutes 19 providing a hand-grip along the length thereof and tending to weakon the main stem for increased resiliency and flexibility in response to forces applied on the main exterior surface of the sponge 17. As can be seen in FIGURE 2, the plate 15 is of generally similar shape in plan to the main surface of the synthetic sponge, but it is foreshortened with respect to it so that, when the sponge and plate are fastened together in overlaying relation by an adhesive 21, a marginal portion 20 extends outwardly around the periphery of the plate. The plate, which is also cut from a length of extruded plastic, has a first and a second main surface, 22 and 23 respectively, the first surface facing the handle and being connected to the distal end of the element centrally by a suitable resin base adhesive 18 commonly known as a plastic adhesive, and the second outer surface 23 being corrugated to define crests 24 and troughs 26 which extend laterally over the surface of the plate when it is mounted to the distal end of the element. In the preferred embodiment, the crests are flattened and the sponge 17 is fastened to the fiat crests of the plate only by adhesive means and is enlarged with respect to the plate so that the aforesaid marginal portion of the sponge extends outwardly around the periphery of the plate.

Thus, it is seen that the device is: particularly useful as a back scrubber. The length of the stem of the handle is approximately 18 inches and that of the element approximately 2 inches; the preferred size of the plate is approximately 4 /2 inches by 2 /2 inches, which has been found to provide a preferred scrubbing area. One using the device simply wets the sponge with water and applies soap to it so that, thereafter, he may readily scrub those areas of the dermis not readily accessible otherwise.

The synthetic sponge is of the type which is relatively pliable and flexible when damp and which is relatively hard and rigid when dry, a feature which adapts it for dual purposes, washing the back when it is wet and massaging or scratching the back when it is dry. Thus, when the user as bathing, the device is ideal for generally scrubbing his body. Because of the corrugated plate surface, accumulated soap can be readily removed from the sponge by successively wetting it and squeezing it by applying pressure to the main outer surface of the sponge which squeezes the soapy water from it and the troughs of the plate permit easy drainage of the soapy Water, as well as facilitating rapid drying of it. As is clear from the drawings, the plate and sponge are in planes which are parallel to that of the normal center line of the stem of the handle and the included angle between the element and the stern of the handle is preferably between and The angular relation of the parts and the dimensions of the device readily adapt it for hanging over a shower curtain rod when it is not in use or a towel bar. As mentioned above, because the sponge is of a material which becomes relatively hard "and rigid when dry, the device is also useful as a back scratcher or massager and the rapid drying of the sponge resulting from the aforesaid crests and troughs in the exterior surface of the plate reduce the time period between alternative uses. The resilient yieldability of the handle when forces are applied perpendicular to the main plane of the sponge as the device is pulled upwardly over the body in a scrubbing action, allows the sponge to travel more smoothly over the surface of the skin, and the sponge, as it is depressed by main surface pressures when wet into the troughs assumes a somewhat rippled configuration in general conformance with that of the plate and provides a gentle and pleasing massaging action as well as increased scrubbing action.

The extending marginal edge 20 of the sponge with respect to the peripheral edge of the plate causes the sponge to be more yieldable at its edges and protects the user from undesired scratches by the corners and corner edges of the plate.

In FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, an alternative embodiment is shown, with a shortened handle and with a circular plate. For simplicity, all of the elements and portions of the device have been designated by numerals with prime signs to correspond to those used in FIGURES 1 through 4; the drawings are self-explanatory in view of the foregoing specification and all of the elements and portions are in accordance therewith except as pointed out. The device of FIGURES 5-7 is particularly useful to housewives when washing dishes. Oftentimes housewives prefer to get as little water on their hands as possible when washing dishes and this invention permits a minimum contact With water by the hands of a person washing dishes. The circular shape of the plate permits the synthetic sponge to be receivable in cups and the like and is especially useful for cleaning such household items as skillets and pots and pans.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.

What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning and rubbing device comprising: an elongate handle of resilient plastic material and having longi tudinal flutes along the outer periphery thereof for gripping it, said handle including an elongate main stem and an integral side element adjacent one end with a bend intermediate the stem and element of an included angle in the order of 110; a plastic plate having a first flat surface and a second surface, the first surface being rigidly connected at its geometrical center to the distal end of the element with the main plane of the plate in parallel alignment with the stem, said second surface having a plurality of laterally extending crests and troughs, all of said crests being flat and in a plane parallel to the said first surface; and a synthetic sponge pad adhesively connected over said plate to only the crests of the second surface with a narrow marginal edge extending outwardly of the plate around the periphery, said sponge being of the type which is soft and pliable when damp and relatively rigid when dry.

2. A cleaning and rubbing device comprising: an elongate handle having longitudinal flutes along the outer periphery thereof for gripping it, said handle including an elongate stem and an integral side element adjacent one end with a bend in the handle intermediate the stem and the element of an included angle in the order of 110; a plastic plate of rectangular form having a first flat surface and a second surface, the first surface being rigidly connected at its geometrical center to the distal end of the element with the main plane of the plate being parallel to the stem, the second surface having a plurality of laterally extending crests and troughs, all of said crests being flat and in a plane parallel to the said first surface; and an enlarged synthetic sponge pad adhesively connected over said plate to the crests with the troughs being normally free and clear of obstruction by said sponge .to permit fluid to fiow therein, and with a narrow marginal edge extending outwardly of the plate around the periphery, said sponge being of the type which is soft and pliable when damp and relatively rigid when dry.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 263,387 8/1882 Cheney 15221 983,696 2/1911 'Enyeart 1S--221 2,221,128 11/1940 Bates 15244.4 2,667,653 2/1954 Le Febvre 15--1'19.1 2,694,210 1 1/1954 Bitzer et a1 15119 2,736,913 3/1956 Mirth 15244 X 2,740,150 4/1956 Wilding 15231 2,825,084 3/1958 Sanborn 15-143 X 2,834,036 5/1958 Shannon 15-1 19 3,067,450 12/1962 Mirth 15244 X 3,085,276 4/1963 Swanson 15-244 3,124,822 3/1964 Marchese 15--244 X 3,147,502 9/1964 Richards 1'5119 X FOREIGN PATENTS 487,541 10/ 1952 Canada.

464,953 4/ 1914 *France.

147,527 7/ 1920 Great Britain.

DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A CLEANING AND RUBBING DEVICE COMPRISING: AN ELONGATE HANDLE OF RESILIENT PLASTIC MATERIAL AND HAVING LONGITUDINAL FLUTES ALONG THE OUTER PERIPHERY THEREOF FOR GRIPPING IT, SAID HANDLE INCLUDING AN ELONGATE MAIN STEM AND AN INTEGRAL SIDE ELEMENT ADJACENT ONE END WITH A BEND INTERMEDIATE THE STEM AND ELEMENT OF AN INCLUDED ANGLE IN THE ORDER OF 100*; A PLASTIC PLATE HAVING A FIRST FLAT SURFACE AND A SECOND SURFACE, THE FIRST SURFACE BEING RIGIDLY CONNECTED AT ITS GEOMETRICAL CENTER TO THE DISTAL END OF THE ELEMENT WITH THE MAIN PLANE OF THE PLATE IN PARALLEL ALIGNMENT WITH THE STEM, SAID SECOND SURFACE HAVING A PLURALITY OF LATERALLY EXTENDING CRESTS AND TROUGHS, ALL OF SAID CRESTS BEING FLAT AND IN A PLANE PARALLEL TO THE SAID FIRST SURFACE; AND A SYNTHETIC SPONGE PAD ADHESIVELY CONNECTED OVER SAID PLATE TO ONLY THE CRESTS OF THE SECOND SURFACE WITH A NORROW MARGINAL EDGE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY OF THE PLATE AROUND THE PERIPHERY, SAID SPONGE BEING OF THE TYPE WHICH IS SOFT AND PLIABLE WHEN DAMP AND RELATIVELY RIGID WHEN DRY.