WO2010015795A1

WO2010015795A1 - Hand held soap

Info

Publication number: WO2010015795A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/001304
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Harry Moed
Original assignee: Helping Hands Ltd
Priority date: 2008-08-05
Filing date: 2009-05-26
Publication date: 2010-02-11
Also published as: GB2462418A; GB0814217D0

Abstract

There is provided a hand held bar of soap integrally formed with at least one through hole wherein a portion of the bar of soap between the through hole or holes and a peripheral edge of the bar of soap forms a handle. A person using the soap is then able to comfortably and securely grip the handle while using the soap even when the soap is slippery and wet.

Description

HAND HELD SOAP

The present invention relates to a hand held solid soap, in particular to a hand held soap which can be held securely when wet.

A mentally or physically disabled or otherwise incapacitated person, for example stroke victims and the elderly, infirm and young children may experience difficulties in using bars of solid soap. In particular bars of solid soap become slippery when wet and are easily dropped by such a person while they are washing.

US5, 011 ,316 describes a soap holder which can be attached to a bar of soap to prevent the soap from being dropped when it becomes wet and slippery. However, it is likely that the handle will become detached from the bar of soap as the soap wears away during use.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a hand held bar of soap integrally formed with at least one through hole wherein a portion of the bar of soap between the through hole or holes and a peripheral edge of the bar of soap forms a handle. A person using the soap is then able to comfortably and securely grip the handle while using the soap even when the soap is slippery and wet. As the person is able to grip the handle so that a part of their hand passes through the through hole or through holes, their grip is secure as compared to holding the outer surface of a conventional bar of soap. The volume of the handle between the through hole or holes and the peripheral edge may be dimensioned to allow a user's fingers to curl around the volume, further improving the grip of the user on the bar of soap.

The bar of soap may be formed as a loop with a single through hole dimensioned to receive the fingers of one hand of a typical person. By placing their finger's through the through hole a secure grip of the bar of soap can be achieved. In this case, at least one section of the loop may form the handle. In particular, the bar of soap may be formed as a ring. This has the advantage of a user being able to hold the soap around any section of the ring so as to promote ease of use for the classes of persons identified above and to promote even wearing of the soap as it is used.

Scalloped finger grips may be formed on the handle so as to aid the grip of a person on the soap and so as to direct a person where to comfortably grip the soap.

The bar of soap may additionally comprise a rigid or semi-rigid reinforcing element embedded in the bar of soap. This can help to prevent breaking of the bar of soap as is becomes worn down through use. Where the bar of soap is in the shape of a loop the reinforcing element may also be shaped as a loop. The reinforcing element may be embedded centrally within the bar of soap so that it is not prematurely exposed when the soap wears down through use. Alternatively, the reinforcing element may be partially embedded within the soap so as to form an inner edge, an outer edge or an inner and an outer edge of the handle. This ensures that the handle remains usable even when the soap wears down through use.

The reinforcing element may be formed with a scalloped inner, outer or inner and outer edge portions. Where the reinforcing element is completely embedded within the soap, the scalloped edge portions may be embedded within corresponding scalloped finger grips formed in the bar of soap. In this way the scalloped reinforcing element reinforces the scalloped finger grips formed within the soap and may also replace them when the soap wears down during use. Alternatively, the reinforcing element may be partially embedded within the soap, in which case the scalloped edge portions may protrude from the soap so as to form finger grips, which will not wear down during use of the soap.

In one example, the soap may be formed with a plurality of finger holes dimensioned to receive the fingers of one hand of a typical person. In this case the plurality of holes may be centred on a central axis of the bar of soap. A user can then place their fingers through the finger holes and curl them around the handle to securely grip the bar of soap even when it is wet and slippery.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar of soap comprising a plurality of scalloped finger grips around its periphery. The addition of finger grips enables a person to more securely hold the bar of soap when it is wet and slippery. The finger grips may be formed in the bar of soap. Alternatively, the finger grips may be formed in a reinforcing element at least partially embedded within the bar of soap.

The soap according to the present invention may be formed in a mould, by a soap moulding process, many of which are known in the art. Where a reinforcing element is used, the reinforcing element may be located within a mould before forming the soap in the mould.

In addition, there is provided a method of forming a bar of soap comprising the step of cutting at least one hole through the bar of soap such that at least one portion of the bar of soap between the through hole or holes and a peripheral edge of the soap forms a handle. For example, a single hole may be cut through the bar of soap dimensioned to receive the fingers of one hand of a typical person. Alternatively, a plurality of holes may be cut through the bar of soap each dimensioned to receive a finger of one hand of a typical person. The method may also comprise the step of cutting a plurality of scalloped finger grips into the handle.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, wherein:

Figure 1a shows a plan view of a ring shaped bar of soap according to the present invention; Figure 1b shows a cross-section through a section of the ring shaped bar of soap of Figure 1a, taken at AA;

Figure 2a shows a plan view of a rectangular loop shaped bar of soap according to the present invention;

Figure 2b shows a cross-section through a handle portion of the loop shaped bar of soap of Figure 2a, taken at BB;

Figure 3 shows a plan view of a bar of soap with finger holes according to the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a plan view of a ring shaped bar of soap similar to that shown in Figure 1 , with an alternative insert providing scalloped finger grips;

Figure 5 shows a cross-section through a section of the ring shaped bar of soap of Figure 4, taken at CC;

Figure 6 shows a cross-section of an alternative embodiment of the ring shaped bar of soap of Figure 4, taken at CC; and

Figure 7 shows a cross-section of an alternative embodiment of the ring shaped bar of Figure 4, taken at CC.

Figure 1a shows a bar of soap (2) formed in the shape of a continuous ring. The ring has a central through hole having a diameter D, large enough for a typical person to be able to comfortably place the fingers of one hand through the though hole so as to grasp the ring of soap (2). The diameter D may for example be between 8 and 12 cms. The handle is formed by the entire ring of soap, ie. the region between the through hole and the periphery of the ring. The ring of soap (2) has a substantially circular radial cross-section with a diameter d. For example, a radial cross-section, as shown in Figure 1b, taken along line AA, has a diameter d of a suitable size for a person to comfortably curl their fingers around the handle so as to comfortably hold the ring. For example the diameter d of the cross section may be between 3 and 5 cms.

The ring is formed with a series of scallops (6) around its inner edge and with a series of scallops (8) around its outer edge so as to form finger gripping surfaces. The scalloped finger gripping surfaces are optional.

A rigid or semi-rigid ring shaped insert (4), for example made of a suitable plastic, is embedded at the centre of the ring of soap, as shown in Figure 1b, so as to provide reinforcement to the ring of soap in particular as the ring of soap wears away during use of the soap. Another possibility, as discussed below in relation to Figures 4 to 7, is for the insert to be formed with scalloped finger grips which protrude outwardly from the outer periphery of the ring of soap (2) and/or for the insert to be formed with scalloped finger grips which protrude inwardly from the periphery of the through hole. This prevents the scalloped finger grips from being worn away during use of the soap.

To use the soap, a person places the fingers (10) of one hand through the central through hole of the loop of soap (2) and curls the fingers and thumb (12) around a section of the loop, as is shown in Figure 1 a. This enables a person to firmly and comfortably hold the soap even when it is wet and slippery. While holding the loop of soap (2), the user can rub their hands over the soap, in order to wash, optionally changing the hand with which they grip the ring of soap during the process of washing. A user can hold the ring of soap along any section around the ring of soap (2) which promotes even wearing down of around the ring of soap during use. The entire ring of soap (2) forms a handle which the user can securely grasp.

An alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 2a in which the soap is formed as a substantially rectangular loop (22) having a central through hole. The length L of the through hole should be long enough to comfortably fit the fingers of a typical person and so may be between 8 and 12 cms. The width W of the through hole should also be wide enough to fit a typical person's fingers and so may be at least 2cms. The long edges of the rectangular loop are shown formed with a series of scallops (26, 28) so as to form finger gripping surfaces. In addition, the short edges of the rectangular loop can have at least 2 scallops (shown in dotted lines (27, 29)) to accommodate the thumb and/or little finger of the person's hand thus providing even greater grip regardless of which hand is used to hold the soap. The scalloped finger grips are optional. The handles for the rectangular loop of soap (22) are formed between the central through hole and the long edges of the outer periphery of the loop. The cross-section, for example along line BB as shown in Figure 2b, of the handles of the rectangular loop is sized so that it is comfortable for a person to curl their fingers and thumb around the long edges.

Again a substantially rectangular rigid or semi-rigid loop insert may embedded at the centre of the loop of soap (22), in a similar way as is shown in Figures 1a and 1b, so as to provide structural reinforcement. In addition, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the insert (24) is formed with two scalloped portions (25) (shown in dotted lines in Figure 2a) embedded within the handle portions of the soap, which support the scallops (26, 28) and eventually replace them as the bar of soap (22) becomes worn. Figure 2b shows a cross-section through a handle portion, taken across line BB, showing the scalloped portion of the insert (25) embedded within the handle portion of the soap (22).

To use the soap a person places the fingers of one hand through the through hole and grasps a long edge of the rectangular loop of soap with the fingers and the short edge with the thumb. The user is then able to comfortably and securely grip the rectangular loop of soap (22) while washing their hands, even when the soap becomes wet and slippery. The user may grip either of the long sides of the rectangular loop of soap (22).

Figure 3 shows a bar of soap (42) which is substantially oval in shape and sized to fit comfortably into the palm of a hand of a typical person. The bar of soap (42) is formed with four finger sized through holes (45 to 48) centred on a central axis (C) of the bar of soap. The volume of the bar of soap (42) between the through holes (45 to 48) and the long edges of the oval shape is sized so that a typical person can curl the fingers of one hand each through an associated one of the finger holes (45 to 48) with the bar of soap resting in the palm of their hand. Therefore, a handle is formed between the through holes (45 to 48) and the long peripheral edges of the oval shaped bar of soap (42). The finger holes may be tapered so that they are wider at the surface of the bar of soap (42) (shown in dotted lines (50)) than they are at the centre of each of the through holes (shown in full lines (52)). No scalloped finger grips are shown in the embodiment of Figure 3, but could optionally be added to the regions between the through holes (45 to 48) and the periphery of the oval shaped bar of soap. For example, up to 2 scallops (shown in dotted lines (54, 56)) could be formed at each end of the oval bar of soap (42) so as to accommodate the users thumb for an even more secure grip.

To use the soap of Figure 3, a person places the fingers on one hand through the associated finger holes (45 to 48) so as to grasp the bar of soap with their fingers. The soap can then be comfortably and firmly held by the person during washing, even when the bar of soap becomes wet.

Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative soap bar (62), similar to that shown in Figure 1 , formed as a ring but with the scalloped finger grips formed by the insert (64). Figure 5 is a cross-section taken at CC of Figure 4. In Figures 4 and 5, the insert (64) comprises an outer ring (66), an inner ring (68) and four connecting portions (70). The outer ring (66) of the insert has a scalloped outer periphery with the scallops sized to form finger grips. The scallops of the outer ring extend outwardly of the outer periphery of the soap bar (62) and the remainder of the outer ring is embedded within the soap, with the inner limit of the outer ring shown (66) in dotted lines in Figure 4. The inner ring (68) of the insert has a scalloped inner portion with the scallops sized to form finger grips. The scallops of the inner ring extend inwardly of the periphery of the central through hole of the soap bar (62) and the outer portion of the inner ring (68) is embedded within the soap, with the outer limit of the inner ring shown in dotted lines in Figure 4. The four connecting portions (70), shown in dotted lines in Figure 4, connect the inner and outer rings (66, 68) and are embedded within the bar of soap (62). Alternatively, the inner and outer rings could be formed as a single ring, ie. with no gaps between the connecting portions. With the finger grips formed by the insert (62), the finger grips do not wear away during use of the ring of soap (62).

Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment to Figures 4 and 5, with only an inner scalloped ring (68) embedded within the ring of soap (62) and no outer ring or connecting portions. Figure 7 shows a further alternative to Figures 4 and 5, with only an outer scalloped ring (66) embedded within the ring of soap (62) and no inner ring or connection portions.

Claims

1. A hand held bar of soap integrally formed with at least one through hole wherein at least one portion of the bar of soap between the through hole or holes and a peripheral edge of the bar of soap forms a handle.

2. A bar of soap according to claim 1 wherein the volume of the handle between the through hole or holes and the peripheral edge is dimensioned to allow a user's fingers to curl around the volume.

3. A bar of soap according to any one of the preceding claims formed as a loop with a single through hole dimensioned to receive the fingers of one hand of a typical person.

4. A bar of soap according to claim 3 wherein at least one section of the loop forms the handle.

5. A bar of soap according to claim 3 or claim 4 formed as a ring.

6. A bar of soap according to any one of the preceding claims wherein scalloped finger grips are formed on the handle.

7. A bar of soap according to any one of the preceding claims additionally comprising a reinforcing element embedded in the bar of soap.

8. A bar of soap according to claim 7 when dependent on any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the reinforcing element is shaped as a loop.

9. A bar of soap according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the reinforcing element is partially embedded within the soap and forms an inner edge and/or an outer edge of the handle.

10. A bar of soap according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the reinforcing element comprises a scalloped inner and/or outer edge portion.

11. A bar of soap according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the soap is formed with a plurality of finger holes each dimensioned to receive a finger of one hand of a typical person.

12. A bar of soap according to claim 11 wherein the plurality of holes are centred on a central axis of the bar of soap.

13. A bar of soap comprising a plurality of scalloped finger grips around its periphery.

14. A bar of soap according to claim 13 wherein the scalloped finger grips are formed in the bar of soap.

15. A bar of soap according to claim 13 wherein the scalloped finger grips are formed in a reinforcing element at least partially embedded within the bar of soap.

16. A method of forming a bar of soap according to any one of the preceding claims comprising the step of forming the bar of soap in a mould.

17. A method of forming a bar of soap according to any one of claims 7 to 10 and 15 comprising the steps of locating the reinforcing element within a mould and then forming the bar of soap in the mould.

18. A method of forming a bar of soap comprising the step of cutting at least one hole through the bar of soap such that at least one portion of the bar of soap between the through hole or holes and a peripheral edge of the bar of soap forms a handle.

19. A method according to claim 18 comprising the step of cutting a single through hole through the bar of soap dimensioned to receive the fingers of one hand of a typical person.

20. A method according to claim 18 comprising the step of cutting a plurality of finger holes through the bar of soap each dimensioned to receive a finger of one hand of a typical person.

21. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 20 additionally comprising the step of cutting a plurality of scalloped finger grips into the handle.