WO2021262182A1

WO2021262182A1 - Hand scrubber

Info

Publication number: WO2021262182A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/039691
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenny Chih-Yao Tai; Pao-Cheng SHIH; Yueh-Ting Lee
Original assignee: Gizmospring.com Dongguan Limited
Priority date: 2020-06-25
Filing date: 2020-06-25
Publication date: 2021-12-30
Also published as: TW202200047A

Abstract

A hand scrubber assembly that includes a hand scrubber and a cover. The hand scrubber includes bristles extending from a block portion. The cover includes a cover portion and an internal cavity. The cover portion is configured to grip an outer edge portion of the block portion. The bristles extend into the internal cavity when the outer edge portion is gripped by the cover portion. The block portion is separable from the cover to allow the bristles to be used.

Description

HAND SCRUBBER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed generally to devices for hand washing and more particularly to hand scrubbers.

Description of the Related Art

Washing ones hands is a task made even more important by the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (“SARS-CoV-2”) and the disease it causes, COVID-19. Of particular concern is the frequency at which hands are washed as well as the thoroughness with which the hands are washed. In this regarding, the news media has told the public to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds, which is reported to be the amount of time required to sing the song “Happy Birthday” twice, !n other words, the general public is spending a significant amount of time washing their hands. Thus, a need exists for new devices and methods for hand washing.

SUMMARY

The present application describes a first hand scrubber assembly that includes a hand scrubber and a cover. The hand scrubber includes a block portion with bristles extending from the block portion. The cover includes a sidewall configured to grip an outer edge portion of the block portion. The sidewall at least partially defines an internal cavity inside the cover. The bristles extend from the hand scrubber into the internal cavity when the sidewall is gripping the outer edge portion of the block portion. The block portion is separable from the cover to allow the bristles to be used. The cover may have at least one through-hole formed therein in communication with the internal cavity. The at least one through-hole may be configured to allow moisture to exit from the internal cavity when the sidewall Is gripping the outer edge portion of the block portion. An entire outer edge portion of the hand scrubber may be spaced apart from and circumscribe the bristles, and the sidewall may be configured to grip the entire outer edge portion of the block portion. The bristles may be arranged along the block portion in a plurality of parallel rows, and sizes of the bristles may increase along a gradient direction extending from a first of the plurality of parallel rows to a last of the plurality of parallel rows. Those of the bristles within each of the plurality of parallel rows may be of the same size. The hand scrubber may have an upwardly facing surface with gripping projections configured to provide a non-slip gripping surface when the hand scrubber is used. The hand scrubber may be configured to be bent around a user’s figures. The hand scrubber and the cover may each constructed from silicone. The silicone may include negative ions and/or at least one antibacterial agent. In some embodiments, the block portion may have a peripheral portion surrounding the bristles and the sidewall may have a shoulder and a gripping portion that curves inwardly, at least partially overhangs the shoulder, and defines an upper opening into the internal cavity. The gripping portion may be configured to deform to allow the hand scrubber to pass through the upper opening to position the peripheral portion alongside the shoulder. An inner surface of the gripping portion may grip an outer surface of the outer edge portion of the block portion.

The present application describes a second hand scrubber assembly that includes a hand scrubber and a cover. The hand scrubber includes a body portion with bristles extending from the body portion. The cover includes an edge receiving recess configured to receive an outer edge portion of the body portion. The edge receiving recess is at least partially defined by a surface configured to grip the outer edge portion of the body portion. The cover includes an internal cavity into which the bristles extend when the outer edge portion is being gripped by the surface of the edge receiving recess. The body portion is separable from the cover to allow the bristles to be used. The cover includes at least one through-hole In communication with the internal cavity, and the at least one through-hole is configured to allow moisture to exit from the internal cavity when the outer edge portion is being gripped by the surface. The cover may include a gripping portion and a shoulder. The gripping portion may include the surface and may define an upper opening info the internal cavity. The shoulder may be spaced inwardly from the upper opening. The body portion may have a peripheral portion surrounding the bristles. The gripping portion may deform outwardly to allow the hand scrubber to pass through the upper opening to position the peripheral portion alongside the shoulder when the outer edge portion is being gripped by the surface. The surface may form a seal (e.g., a water-tight seal) with an outer surface of the outer edge portion of the body portion. The bristles may be arranged along the body portion in a plurality of parallel rows, and sizes of the bristles may increase along a gradient direction extending from a first of the plurality of parallel rows to a last of the plurality of parallel rows. The hand scrubber may have an upwardly facing surface with gripping projections configured to provide a non-slip gripping surface when the hand scrubber is used. The hand scrubber may be configured to be bent around a user^’s figures. The hand scrubber and the cover may each constructed from silicone. The silicone may include negative ions and/or at least one anti-bacterial agent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the following drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hand scrubber assembly.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of an underside of the hand scrubber assembly of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a top portion of the hand scrubber assembly of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the hand scrubber assembly taken through a line 4 — 4 illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a bottom view of a hand scrubber of the hand scrubber assembly of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the underside of the hand scrubber assembly of Figure 1 illustrated with water draining from inside the hand scrubber assembly.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a user using the hand scrubber to wash the user’s hands. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the user wrapping the hand scrubber around one of the user’s fingers and using the hand scrubber to scrub the user’s finger.

Like reference numerals have been used in the figures to identify like components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hand scrubber assembly 100. Figures 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views of the hand scrubber assembly 100. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the hand scrubber assembly 100 taken through a line 4 — 4 illustrated in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 1, the hand scrubber assembly 100 includes a hand scrubber 110 configured to nest partially inside a protective cover 112.

Referring to Figure 2 the hand scrubber 110 includes a block or body portion 114 with a downward facing surface 116 opposite an upward facing surface 118. In the embodiment illustrated, the downward facing surface 116 is substantially planar. A plurality of bristles 120 extend outwardly and downwardly from the downward facing surface 116 along a bristle direction (identified by an arrow “A1”) that is substantially perpendicular to the downward facing surface 116. A peripheral portion 122 of the downward facing surface 116 surrounds or circumscribes the bristles 120. Thus, the bristles 120 are spaced inwardly from an outer edge 124 of the downward facing surface 116.

Referring to Figure 5, the bristles 120 may be arranged in substantially linear and parallel rows 126 that extend along a first direction (identified by an arrow “A2”) and are perpendicular to a gradient direction (identified by an arrow “A3”). In the example illustrated, the rows 126 include 34 rows but this is not a requirement. The bristles 120 may also be arranged in substantially linear and parallel rows 128 that extend along the gradient direction (identified by the arrow “A3”) and are perpendicular to the first direction (identified by the arrow “A2”), In the example illustrated, the rows 128 include 24 rows but this is not a requirement. Each of the bristles 120 may have a generally circular cross- sectional shape perpendicular to the bristle direction (identified by the arrow “AG in Figure 2). Each of the cross-sectional shapes of the bristles 120 may have a center and the centers of each pair of adjacent bristles may be equidistant from one another. Thus, as shown in Figure 5, the bristles 120 may be arranged in a grid-like pattern.

Within each of the rows 126, the bristles 120 may be of the same size. But within different ones of the rows 126, the bristles 120 may have different sizes. Thus, the bristles 120 may have different sizes within each of the rows 128. The bristles 120 may be characterized as being thicker near a first side 130 of the hand scrubber 110 than nearer a second side 132 of the hand scrubber 110. For example, the bristles 120 may decrease in thickness along the gradient direction (identified by the arrow “A3”) and define a bristle gradient from a first row “R1” nearest the first side 130 (e.g., having thickest bristles) to a last row “R34” (e.g., having thinnest bristles) nearest the second side 132. By way of a non-limiting example, the bristles in the first row “R1” may each have a diameter of about 1.5 millimeters and the bristles in the last row “R34” may each have a diameter of about 1 millimeter.

Referring to Figure 3, a plurality of gripping projections 134 extend outwardly and upwardly from the upward facing surface 118. A peripheral portion 136 of the upward facing surface 118 surrounds or circumscribes the gripping projections 134. Thus, the gripping projections 134 are spaced inwardly from an outer edge 138 of the upward facing surface 118. In the embodiment illustrated, a sidewall 140 may extend between the outer edge 124 (see Figure 2) of the downward facing surface 116 (see Figures 2, 4, and 5) and the outer edge 138 of the upward facing surface 118.

Referring to Figure 4, the upward facing surface 118 may be curved or contoured. In the embodiment illustrated, the upward facing surface 118 may be generally convex or dome-shaped. In such embodiments, the body portion 114 is thicker at its center than along the sidewall 140. An area 142 is defined between the downward facing surface 116, the upward facing surface 118, and the sidewall 140. The area 142 may be solid or filled with material. As mentioned above, the peripheral portion 122 of the downward facing surface 116 surrounds or circumscribes the bristles 120 and spaces the bristles 120 apart laterally from the sidewall 140. At the same time, the peripheral portion 136 of the upward facing surface 118 surrounds or circumscribes the gripping projections 134 and spaces the gripping projections 134 apart laterally from the sidewall 140. The body portion 114 of the hand scrubber 110 has an outer edge portion 144 that includes at least a portion of the peripheral portion 122 of the downward facing surface 116, the sidewall 140 when present, and at least a portion of the peripheral portion 136 of the upward facing surface 118. The portion of the peripheral portion 122 included in the outer edge portion 144 includes the outer edge 124 (see Figure 2) of the downward facing surface 116. The portion of the peripheral portion 136 included in the outer edge portion 144 includes the outer edge 138 (see Figure 3) of the upward facing surface 118. The outer edge portion 144 is spaced part laterally from the bristles 120. In the embodiment illustrated, the outer edge portion 144 has a generally triangle or wedge shaped cross- sectional shape that is planar along the peripheral portion 122 and curved along the peripheral portion 138.

Referring to Figure 3, the cover 112 defines an internal cavity 150 having an upward opening 152 configured to receive the bristles 120 into the cavity 150. In the embodiment illustrated, the cavity 150 is defined between a base portion 154 and a sidewall 156. The base portion 154 is substantially planar and configured to rest upon a substantially flat surface. The sidewall 156 extends upwardly along a periphery of the base portion 154. The upward opening 152 is defined along a free edge portion 158 of the sidewall 156. Referring to Figure 4, the sidewall 156 has a shoulder 160 spaced upwardly from the base portion 154 and a gripping portion 162 extending upwardly beyond the shoulder 160. The shoulder 160 is spaced inwardly toward the cavity 150 relative to the gripping portion 162. In the embodiment illustrated, the gripping portion 162 curves inwardly toward the shoulder 160 and the cavity 150. As shown in Figure 4, the gripping portion 162 may at least partially overhang the shoulder 160. The peripheral portion 122 of the hand scrubber 110 is configured to rest upon the shoulder 180. The shoulder 160 is positioned to space the bristles 120 apart from the base portion 154 inside the cavity 150. Thus, a gap 168 is defined between free ends 170 of the bristles 120 and the base portion 154.

An edge receiving recess 172 (see Figure 3) is defined between the shoulder 160 and an inner surface 174 of the gripping portion 162.

Referring to Figure 3, the outer edge portion 144 of the body portion 114 of the hand scrubber 110 is configured to be received inside the edge receiving recess 172. The gripping portion 162 is configured to deflect or deform outwardly to allow the outer edge portion 144 to pass through the upward opening 152 and enter the edge receiving recess 172. Thus, referring to Figure 4, the cover 112 may be configured to snap easily into place along the outer edge portion 144 of the body portion 114 of the hand scrubber 110.

When the hand scrubber 110 is snapped into the cover 112, the inner surface 174 of the gripping portion 162 covers a covered portion 176 of the upward facing surface 118. Friction between the inner surface 174 of the gripping portion 162 and the covered portion 176 of the upward facing surface 118 helps maintain the hand scrubber 110 inside the cover 112. Optionally, a water-tight seal may be formed between the hand scrubber 110 and the cover 112 where the inner surface 174 of the gripping portion 162 contacts the covered portion 176 of the upward facing surface 118 and/or where the peripheral portion 122 of the hand scrubber 110 rests upon the shoulder 160.

The cover 112 protects the bristles 120 when the hand scrubber 110 is not in use. Referring to Figure 6, the cover 112 includes one or more perforations or through-holes 180 configured to help moisture 182 drain from the bristles 120 (see Figures 2-5, 7, and 8). Referring to Figure 4, the through-hoie(s) 180 may each be characterized as being a ventilation hole configured to air out the bristles 120 of the hand scrubber 110 and allow the moisture 182 (see Figure 6) to escape from the cavity 150. In the embodiment illustrated, the through-hole(s) 180 are formed in the base portion 154 of the cover 112.

Referring to Figure 7, a user 190 may use the hand scrubber 110 to scrub the user’s hands 191 and 192 to remove contaminants (such as dirt) and/or to kill organisms, such as bacteria, viruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2), fungus, and the like. As shown in Figure 7, the user 190 may use the hand scrubber 110 to scrub the user’s hands 191 and 192 one at a time. For example, the user 190 may hold the hand scrubber 110 in the user^’s right hand 191 and scrub the user’s left hand 192 with the bristles 120 of the hand scrubber 110. The gripping projections 134 (e.g., raised lines) are configured to provide a non-slip surface for the user 190 to grip while using the hand scrubber 110.

As mentioned above, referring to Figure 5, the bristles 120 may be characterized as being thicker near the first side 130 of the hand scrubber 110 than nearer the second side 132 of the hand scrubber 110. Thus, referring to Figure 7, the user 190 may choose which of the first and second sides 130 and 132 (see Figure 5) of the hand scrubber 110 the user 190 would like to use. The user 190 may use the thicker bristles positioned nearer the first side 130 for heavier duty cleaning and the thinner bristles positioned nearer the second side 132 (see Figure 5) for more gentle cleansing. For example, the user 190 may choose to use the thicker bristles positioned nearer the first side 130 to clean the user’s palms and/or backs of the hands 191 and 192. Further, the user 190 may choose to use the thinner bristles positioned nearer the second side 132 (see Figure 5) to clean the user’s fingertips and/or finger nails. The bristles 120 may be configured to easily scrub underneath fingernails.

Referring to Figure 8, the hand scrubber assembly 100 is bendable. For example, the hand scrubber 110 is configured to be bent around the user’s fingers 194 when the user 190 is using the hand scrubber 110 to wash the users hands 191 and 192. In other words, the entire hand scrubber 110 may be wrapped around one or more of the user’s fingers 194 to provide thorough cleaning. For example, the hand scrubber 110 may be configured to wrap around into a cylindrical shape with the bristles 120 pointing inwardly. Further, the hand scrubber 110 may be configured to wrap around into a cylindrical shape with the bristles 120 pointing outwardly. Referring to Figure 2, the hand scrubber assembly 100 may be constructed from silicone or a similarly flexible and/or pliable material. The silicone may include negative ions that help remove environmental toxins. By way of a non-limiting example, the negative ions may be added by adding tourmaline powder to the silicone. The silicone may include one or more anti-bacterial additive or agent configured to help keep the hand scrubber 110 clean and germ free. For example, the silicon may include about 2% to about 2.5% of the anti-bacterial agent. By way of another non-limiting example, the anti-bacterial agent may include nanosilver or a similar anti-bacterial material. An example of a suitable anti-bacterial agent is model number XY-K01 sold by Guangzhou Special Silicone Material Technology Co., Ltd.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the hand scrubber assembly 100 has a generally rectangular outer shape with four corners “C1”-“C4.” The hand scrubber assembly 100 may have a maximum length “L,” a maximum width “W,” and a maximum thickness “T ” . The hand scrubber assembly 100 may be configured to fit within a back pocket of a pair of trousers (e.g., blue jeans). For example, the hand scrubber assembly 100 may be sized and shaped to correspond to a man’s wallet. By way of a non-limiting example, the maximum length “L” and the maximum width “W” may correspond to the length and width, respectively, of a standard credit card. Standard credit cards may conform to the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (“ISO/IEC”) 7810 ID-1 standard. For example, the maximum length “L” may be about 85.60 millimeters (3343 inches), the maximum width "W" may be about 53.98 millimeters (2 1/8 inches), and the corners "C1"-"C4" may each be rounded with a radius of about 2.88 millimeters (9/80 inches) to about 3.48 millimeters (11/80 inches). By way of another nonlimiting example, the maximum length “L" may be within a range of 84 millimeters to 94 millimeters, the maximum width “W” may be within a range of 55 millimeters to 65 millimeters, the maximum thickness “T” may be within a range of 14 millimeters to 18 millimeters, and the corners “C1”-“C4” may each be rounded with a radius within a range of 14 millimeters to 20 millimeters.

Thus, the hand scrubber assembly 100 may fit easily into trouser pockets. For example, the maximum length “L” may be about 89 millimeters, the maximum width “W” may be about 60 millimeters, the maximum thickness “T” may be about 16.6 millimeters, and the corners "C1"-"C4" may each be rounded with a radius of about 18 millimeters. Because the hand scrubber 110 is at least partially received inside the cover 112, the hand scrubber 110 may be somewhat smaller than the cover 112. For example, the hand scrubber 110 may have a length of about 84 millimeters and a width of about 55 millimeters. In embodiments in which the hand scrubber 110 has a generally rectangular or square outer shape, the corners of the hand scrubber 110 may each be rounded with a radius of about 15.5 millimeters.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be described in view of the following clauses: 1. A hand scrubber assembly comprising: a hand scrubber comprising a block portion with bristles extending from the block portion; and a cover comprising a sidewall configured to grip an outer edge portion of the block portion, the sidewall at least partially defining an internal cavity inside the cover, the bristles extending from the hand scrubber into the internal cavity when the sidewall is gripping the outer edge portion of the block portion, the block portion being separable from the cover to allow the bristles to be used.

2, The hand scrubber assembly of clause 1 , wherein the cover has at least one through-hole formed therein in communication with the internal cavity, and the at least one through-hole is configured to allow moisture to exit from the internal cavity when the sidewall is gripping the outer edge portion of the block portion. 3. The hand scrubber assembly of clause 1 or 2, wherein the hand scrubber comprises an entire outer edge portion that is spaced apart from and circumscribes the bristles, and the sidewall is configured to grip the entire outer edge portion of the block portion. 4. The hand scrubber assembly of any of clauses 1 -3, having a rectangular outer shape with rounded corners. 5. The hand scrubber assembly of any of clauses 1 -4, having a length from 84 millimeters to 92 millimeters, and a width from 52 millimeters to 62 millimeters.

6. The hand scrubber assembly of any of clauses 1 -5, wherein the bristles are arranged along the block portion in a plurality of parallel rows, and sizes of the bristles increase along a gradient direction extending from a first of the plurality of parallel rows to a last of the plurality of parallel rows. 7, The hand scrubber assembly of clause 8, wherein those of the bristles within each of the plurality of parallel rows have a same size.

8. The hand scrubber assembly of any of clauses 1 -7, wherein the hand scrubber comprises an upwardly facing surface with gripping projections configured to provide a non-slip gripping surface when the hand scrubber is used.

9. The hand scrubber assembly of any of clauses 1 -8, wherein the hand scrubber is configured to be bent around a user’s figures.

10. The hand scrubber assembly of any of clauses 1 -9, wherein the hand scrubber and the cover are each constructed from silicone. 11. The hand scrubber assembly of clause 10, wherein the silicone comprises negative ions.

12. The hand scrubber assembly of clause 10 or 11 , wherein the silicone comprises at least one anti-bacterial agent.

13. The hand scrubber assembly of any of clauses 1 -12, wherein the sidewall comprises a shoulder and a gripping portion, the block portion has a peripheral portion surrounding the bristles, the gripping portion curves inwardly, at least partially overhangs the shoulder, and defines an upper opening into the internal cavity, the gripping portion is configured to deform to allow the hand scrubber to pass through the upper opening to position the peripheral portion alongside the shoulder, and an inner surface of the gripping portion grips an outer surface of the outer edge portion of the block portion.

14. A hand scrubber assembly comprising: a hand scrubber comprising a body portion with bristles extending from the body portion; and a cover comprising an edge receiving recess configured to receive an outer edge portion of the body portion, the edge receiving recess being at least partially defined by a surface configured to grip the outer edge portion of the body portion, the cover comprising an internal cavity into which the bristles extend when the outer edge portion is being gripped by the surface of the edge receiving recess, the body portion being separable from the cover to allow the bristles to be used, the cover comprising at least one through-hole In communication with the internal cavity, and the at least one through-hole being configured to allow moisture to exit from the internal cavity when the outer edge portion is being gripped by the surface.

15. The hand scrubber assembly of clause 14, wherein the cover comprises a gripping portion defining an upper opening into the internal cavity, the gripping portion comprises the surface, the cover comprises a shoulder spaced inwardly from the upper opening, the body portion has a peripheral portion surrounding the bristles, and the gripping portion deforms outwardly to allow the hand scrubber to pass through the upper opening to position the peripheral portion alongside the shoulder when the outer edge portion is being gripped by the surface.

16. The hand scrubber assembly of clause 14 or 15, wherein the surface forms a seal with an outer surface of the outer edge portion of the body portion. 17. The hand scrubber assembly of clause 18, wherein the seal is a water-tight seal.

18. The hand scrubber assembly of any of clauses 14-17, wherein the bristles are arranged along the body portion in a plurality of parallel rows, and sizes of the bristles increase along a gradient direction extending from a first of the plurality of parallel rows to a last of the plurality of parallel rows.

19. The hand scrubber assembly of any of clauses 14-18, wherein the hand scrubber comprises an upwardly facing surface with gripping projections configured to provide a non-slip gripping surface when the hand scrubber is used.

20. The hand scrubber assembly of any of clauses 14-19, wherein the hand scrubber is configured to be bent around a users figures. 21. The hand scrubber assembly of any of clauses 14-20, wherein the hand scrubber and the cover are each constructed from silicone.

22. The hand scrubber assembly of clause 21 , wherein the silicone comprises negative ions.

23. The hand scrubber assembly of clause 21 or 22, wherein the silicone comprises at least one anti-bacterial agent.

The foregoing described embodiments depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operabiy coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope ail such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least i wo recitations, or two or more recitations). Conjunctive language, such as phrases of the form “at least one of A, B, and C,” or “at least one of A, B and C,” (i.e., the same phrase with or without the Oxford comma) unless specifically stated otherwise or otherwise dearly contradicted by context, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either A or B or C, any nonempty subset of the set of A and B and C, or any set not contradicted by context or otherwise excluded that contains at least one A, at least one B, or at least one C. For instance, in the illustrative example of a set having three members, the conjunctive phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” and “at least one of A, B and C” refer to any of the following sets: {A}, {B}, {C}, {A, B}, {A, C}, {B, C}, {A, B, C}, and, if not contradicted explicitly or by context, any set having {A}, {B}, and/or {C} as a subset (e.g., sets with multiple “A”). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C each to be present. Similarly, phrases such as “at least one of A, B, or C” and “at least one of A, B or C” refer to the same as “at least one of A, B, and C” and “at least one of A, B and C” refer to any of the following sets: {A}, {B}, {C},

{A, B}, {A, C}, {B, C}, {A, B, C}, unless differing meaning is explicitly stated or clear from context. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS The invention claimed is:

1. A hand scrubber assembly comprising: a hand scrubber comprising a block portion with bristles extending from the block portion; and a cover comprising a sidewall configured to grip an outer edge portion of the block portion, the sidewall at least partially defining an internal cavity inside the cover, the bristles extending from the hand scrubber into the internal cavity when the sidewall is gripping the outer edge portion of the block portion, the block portion being separable from the cover to allow the bristles to be used.

2. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cover has at least one through-hole formed therein in communication with the internal cavity, and the at least one through-hole is configured to allow moisture to exit from the internal cavity when the sidewall is gripping the outer edge portion of the block portion.

3. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hand scrubber comprises an entire outer edge portion that is spaced apart from and circumscribes the bristles, and the sidewall is configured to grip the entire outer edge portion of the block portion.

4. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 1 , having a rectangular outer shape with rounded corners.

5. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 1 , having a length from 84 millimeters to 92 millimeters, and a width from 52 millimeters to 62 millimeters.

6. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bristles are arranged along the block portion in a plurality of parallel rows, and sizes of the bristles increase along a gradient direction extending from a first of the plurality of parallel rows to a last of the plurality of parallel rows.

7. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 6, wherein those of the bristles within each of the plurality of parallel rows have a same size.

8. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hand scrubber comprises an upwardly facing surface with gripping projections configured to provide a non-slip gripping surface when the hand scrubber is used.

9. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hand scrubber is configured to be bent around a user’s figures.

10. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hand scrubber and the cover are each constructed from silicone.

11. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 10, wherein the silicone comprises negative ions.

12. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 10, wherein the silicone comprises at least one anti-bacterial agent.

13. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall comprises a shoulder and a gripping portion, the block portion has a peripheral portion surrounding the bristles, the gripping portion curves inwardly, at least partially overhangs the shoulder, and defines an upper opening info the internal cavity, the gripping portion is configured to deform to allow the hand scrubber to pass through the upper opening to position the peripheral portion alongside the shoulder, and an inner surface of the gripping portion grips an outer surface of the outer edge portion of the block portion.

15. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 14, wherein the cover comprises a gripping portion defining an upper opening into the internal cavity, the gripping portion comprises the surface, the cover comprises a shoulder spaced inwardly from the upper opening, the body portion has a peripheral portion surrounding the bristles, and the gripping portion deforms outwardly to allow the hand scrubber to pass through the upper opening to position the peripheral portion alongside the shoulder when the outer edge portion is being gripped by the surface.

16. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 14, wherein the surface forms a seal with an outer surface of the outer edge portion of the body portion.

17. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 16, wherein the seal is a water-tight seal.

18. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 14, wherein the bristles are arranged along the body portion in a plurality of parallel rows, and sizes of the bristles increase along a gradient direction extending from a first of the plurality of parallel rows to a last of the plurality of parallel rows.

19. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 14, wherein the hand scrubber comprises an upwardly facing surface with gripping projections configured to provide a non-slip gripping surface when the hand scrubber is used.

20. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 14, wherein the hand scrubber is configured to be bent around a user’s figures.

21. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 14, wherein the hand scrubber and the cover are each constructed from silicone.

22. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 21 , wherein the silicone comprises negative ions.

23. The hand scrubber assembly of claim 21 , wherein the silicone comprises at least one anti-bacterial agent.