SOAP DISPENSING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF
20210401241 · 2021-12-30
Inventors
Cpc classification
International classification
A47K7/03
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
A soap dispensing apparatus comprising a housing with a top face and a base directly opposite said top face; a scrubber element removably couplable to said top face; a plurality of soap dispensing channels disposed on the top face fluidly coupled to: a soap cartridge, wherein the soap cartridge is adapted to be received by said housing, the soap cartridge comprising: a reservoir adapted to receive a liquid soap; a spindle; a platform adapted to move along a length of the spindle; a handle adapted to rotate about an axis defined by the length of the spindle thereby pushing the platform up the length of the spindle and moving the liquid soap to the top face and wherein the soap dispensing apparatus is leak resistant.
Claims
1. A soap dispensing apparatus comprising: a) a housing with a top face and a base directly opposite said top face; b) a scrubber element removably couplable to said top face; and c) a plurality of soap dispensing channels disposed on the top face fluidly coupled to: d) a soap cartridge, wherein the soap cartridge is adapted to be received by said housing, the soap cartridge comprising: (i) a reservoir adapted to receive a liquid soap; (ii) a spindle; (iii) a platform adapted to move along a length of the spindle; and (iv) a handle adapted to rotate about an axis defined by the length of the spindle thereby pushing the platform up the length of the spindle and moving the liquid soap to the top face and wherein the soap dispensing apparatus is leak resistant.
2. The soap dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reservoir further comprises an inner wall wherein the inner wall, the platform and the spindle form a tight seal such that the soap dispensing apparatus is leak resistant.
3. The soap dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reservoir further comprises a seal coupled to the platform thereby rendering the soap dispensing apparatus leak resistant.
4. The soap dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of soap dispensing channels further comprise a variable diameter adapted to match a viscosity of the liquid soap.
5. The soap dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the scrubber element surrounds an outer perimeter of the top face.
6. The soap dispensing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a ridge adjacent to the top face of the housing adapted to receive a removably couplable scrubber element and wherein said scrubber element is elastically couplable to the soap dispensing apparatus.
7. The soap dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the soap cartridge is refillable.
8. The soap dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the soap cartridge is removably couplable to the housing such that a user can remove and replace the soap cartridge.
9. The soap dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the soap cartridge comprises a regulating means structurally engageable with said top face wherein a user can rotate said regulating means to adjust a flow of the liquid soap to be dispensed.
10. The soap dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle is at least one of a knob, a protrusion, an elongated arm, and a grip.
11. The soap dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the scrubber element is at least one of a loofah, a sponge, a washcloth, a plurality of bristles, a plurality of filaments, and a plurality of protruding elements.
12. A soap dispensing apparatus comprising: a) a housing with a top face (102) and a base (104) directly opposite said top face (102) and a groove along a perimeter of the top face; b) a scrubber element (120) removably couplable to said top face and adapted to be positioned on the groove of the housing; and c) a plurality of soap dispensing channels (130) disposed on the top face fluidly coupled to a soap cartridge, wherein the soap cartridge is adapted to be received by said housing, the soap cartridge comprising: (i) a reservoir adapted to receive a liquid soap; (ii) a spindle; (iii) a platform parallel said base adapted to move perpendicularly along a length of the spindle; and (iv) a handle (160) adapted to rotate about an axis defined by the length of the spindle thereby pushing the platform up the length of the spindle and moving the liquid soap to the top face and wherein the soap dispensing apparatus is leak resistant.
13. The soap dispensing apparatus of claim 12 wherein the reservoir further comprises a seal coupled to the platform thereby rendering the soap dispensing apparatus leak resistant.
14. The soap dispensing apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a rotating lid including a plurality of openings such that when the rotating lid is rotated, it adjusts a diameter of the soap dispensing channels adapted to match a viscosity of the liquid soap, and wherein the liquid soap with low viscosity utilizes a smallest diameter of the dispensing channels, and a high viscosity liquid soap utilizes a larger diameter of the dispensing channels.
15. The soap dispensing apparatus of claim 12 wherein the scrubber element surrounds an outer perimeter of the top face.
16. The soap dispensing apparatus of claim 12 wherein the soap cartridge is removably couplable to the housing such that a user can remove and replace the soap cartridge.
17. The soap dispensing apparatus of claim 12 wherein the soap cartridge is refillable such that a user can add the liquid soap to the reservoir.
18. A method of using a soap dispensing apparatus, including the steps of: a) inserting a cartridge containing a soap into the apparatus; b) twisting a handle on the soap dispensing apparatus to dispense a liquid soap; and b) gripping the soap dispensing apparatus by the handle and using it to scrub a body of a person.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of removing the cartridge from said apparatus and replacing the cartridge once the soap is depleted.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of refilling the soap dispensing apparatus with a liquid soap.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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[0035] The same elements or parts throughout the figures of the drawings are designated by the same reference characters, while equivalent elements bear a prime designation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] The embodiment and various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the embodiments, which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiment defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiment as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below. Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
[0037] In one embodiment, the present disclosure is a soap dispensing apparatus 100 as shown in
[0038] In one embodiment as shown in
[0039] While in some embodiments, the soap dispensing apparatus is disposable and for a single time use, in other embodiments, the apparatus is reusable either by refilling the reservoir with soap or by replacing the soap cartridge, and replacing the scrubbing element when necessary.
[0040] In one embodiment, the present disclosure is a soap dispensing apparatus 100 as shown in
[0041] In some embodiments the apparatus has a housing which is a curved structure constructed of a light-weight plastic material. The apparatus can also include a soap cartridge reservoir composed of a plastic material housing liquid soap that is coupled to the interior of the housing of said device with at least one bore hole for diffusion of the liquid soap.
[0042] As shown in
[0043] In some embodiments, as shown in
[0044] In one particular embodiment as shown in
[0045] In an alternative embodiment, the scrubbing element can be a loofah, a sponge, a washcloth, a plurality of bristles, a plurality of filaments, and/or a plurality of protruding elements. In some embodiments, the scrubbing element 120 is fixed on the apparatus whereas in other embodiments, the scrubbing element 120 is removably couplable to the apparatus, and can be reusable and/or washable. In some embodiments, different types of materials can be used for the scrubbing element 120, such as a scrub, a sponge, natural fibers, brush and/or synthetic fibers or a combination thereof. In one particular embodiment, a silicone brush or gentle brush can be used as a scrubbing element 120 for use on pets. In some embodiments, the scrubbing element 120 only goes on the perimeter of the housing whereas in other embodiments, it covers the top face 102 of the apparatus 100.
[0046] As shown in
[0047] In one particular embodiment, the soap dispensing channels 130 can include a variable diameter adapted to match a viscosity of the liquid soap. In another embodiment, the soap dispensing apparatus also includes a rotating lid including a plurality of openings such that when the lid is rotated, it adjusts a diameter of the soap dispensing channels adapted to match a viscosity of the liquid soap, and when the liquid soap with low viscosity utilizes a smallest diameter of the dispensing channels, and a high viscosity liquid soap utilizes a larger diameter of the dispensing channels.
[0048] In some embodiments, the dispensing channels 130 can further include regulating means and mechanisms structurally engageable with top face such that a user can twist the regulating means to adjust flow of soap to be dispensed.
[0049] In some embodiments, the dispensing channels 130 are coupled to the top face 102 of the apparatus, whereas in other embodiments, the dispensing channels 130 are coupled to the cartridge such that the housing 110 and the top face 102 are hollow and open at the top face.
[0050] While in some embodiments, the soap dispensing apparatus is adapted to receive a cartridge 150, in other embodiments, the cartridge includes a reservoir 140 which can be refillable such that a user can refill the reservoir with a soap as shown in
[0051] In some embodiments as shown in
[0052] In one particular embodiment, the soap dispensing apparatus 100 has a regulating means structurally engageable with the top face where a user can rotate the regulating means to adjust a flow of a soap to be dispensed. The regulating means in one embodiment is an exact replica of the dispensing channels 130 on the top face 102, and when the regulating means and the dispensing channels are aligned on top of another, the flow is as its maximum. The flow is closed when the two are misaligned and the dispensing channels are closed.
[0053] In some embodiments, the soap dispensing apparatus 100 also comprises a seal 170 to make sure that no soap is leaked.
[0054] In some embodiments, the soap cartridge 150 and the reservoir 140 are refillable, while in other embodiments, it is a hollow interior as shown in
[0055] In other embodiments, the soap cartridge 150 comprises a regulating means structurally engageable with the top face 102 where a user can rotate the regulating means to adjust a flow of the liquid soap to be dispensed. In other embodiments, the soap cartridge 150 is removably couplable to the housing 110 such that a user can remove and replace the soap cartridge. In other cases, the soap cartridge 150 is refillable such that a user can add the liquid soap to the reservoir. In other cases, the reservoir 140 includes a seal coupled to the platform thereby rendering the soap dispensing apparatus leak resistant.
[0056] In one particular embodiment, the soap cartridge 150 includes a twist up mechanism. The mechanism uses the spindle 152, a platform 154 which moves up and down the length of the spindle 152 and a handle 160 structurally connected thereto. When the handle is rotated left or right, the platforms moves up or down thereby pushing the platform accordingly. When the platform 154 is pushed up, the liquid soap within the cartridge 150 and the reservoir 140 is moved up and dispensed through the dispensing channels 130. In one embodiment, the platform has means to lock the spindle from rotation when in a fully retracted position and hits a stop at the top or bottom of the spindle.
[0057] In another embodiment, the reservoir 140 includes an inner wall wherein the inner wall, the platform and the spindle form a tight seal such that the soap dispensing apparatus is leak resistant. In another embodiment, the reservoir further comprises a seal 170 coupled to the platform thereby rendering the soap dispensing apparatus leak resistant.
[0058] In some embodiments, the handle 160 can be of a knob, a protrusion, an elongated arm, and/or a grip.
[0059] In some embodiments as shown in
[0060] In one embodiment, the cartridge 150 includes a knob handle 160 to push up a soap onto the surface of the apparatus. Here, the knob is the handle 160. In other embodiments, a push element or pump element is used to get the soap to come out of the cartridge or the reservoir 140. The cartridge may or may no replaceable. In one particular embodiment, the cartridge 150 includes two or more chambers for different soaps, and user can choose which soap from which chamber. In another embodiment, the knob mechanism only pushes out a little bit of the product at the time.
[0061] The handle 160 can be removable or replaceable such that a user can choose what type of handle to use with the apparatus. The handle 160 can also be extendable or telescoping for the hard-to-reach areas such as the back. The handle 160 can also be fixed on the apparatus. In some embodiments, the knob handle 160 acts as a handle that a user can grip for use of the apparatus. In other embodiments, the handle 160 is an adjustable handle where user can put their hand through.
[0062] The present disclosure can also be embodied in a method of using a soap dispensing apparatus, including the steps of: a) inserting a cartridge containing a soap into the apparatus; b) twisting a handle on the soap dispensing apparatus to dispense a liquid soap; and c) gripping the apparatus by a handle and using it to scrub a body of a person. Other embodiments and methods include the steps of removing the cartridge from said apparatus and replacing the cartridge once a soap is depleted, while others include the steps of refilling the soap dispensing apparatus with a liquid soap.
[0063] In yet another embodiment, the soap dispensing apparatus further includes a hanging element to allow a user to hang the apparatus. The handing element can be a hook and string to hang around surfaces, or a means to attach and/or stick the apparatus on a surface like a wall or glass.
[0064] The present disclosure is also embodied as a method for using a soap dispensing apparatus 100, including the steps of inserting a cartridge 150 containing a soap into a body of the apparatus, gripping the apparatus and using to wash and/or scrub a body of a person, and removing the cartridge from the device and replacing it once soap reservoir is depleted.
[0065] The present disclosure can be embodied in a soap dispensing apparatus and personal cleaning device including a housing having a reservoir, a top face and a rear face directly opposite the top face and distanced by the reservoir. The soap dispensing apparatus includes a scrubber element such as a loofah material or other flexible material for cleaning, washing and/or exfoliating which is attached to part of the top face. The soap dispensing apparatus also includes a plurality of soap dispensing channels disposed on the top face which allow for soap to be dispended. The soap dispensing apparatus also includes a handle on the back of the apparatus such that a user can grip the apparatus by the handle for cleaning.
[0066] In one embodiment, the soap dispensing apparatus includes the scrubber element on the perimeter of the top face, and is attached to the apparatus by coupling means such as elastic elements. The user can remove and easily replace the scrubber element. The dispensing channels on the front of the apparatus are not obstructed by the scrubber element and the soap can easily flow onto a person's body. A replaceable soap cartridge is inserted within the apparatus' reservoir and can be replaced or refilled when depleted. The apparatus also includes a knob in the back which can be twisted by a user to only allow an adequate amount of soap to be dispensed and used. Here, the knob is adapted to push a soap through the plurality of soap dispensing channels.
[0067] In another embodiment the soap dispensing apparatus has a top face which is in fluid communication with the scrubber element via the plurality of soap dispensing channels. In another embodiment, the soap dispensing apparatus has a reservoir which is adapted to receive a soap cartridge and the soap cartridge is removably couplable to the apparatus.
[0068] In some embodiments, the soap dispensing apparatus has either a refillable reservoir, a reservoir adapted to receive a replaceable cartridge and/or adapted to receive either a replaceable cartridge or a cartridge adapted to be refillable.
[0069] In one embodiment, the soap dispensing apparatus includes a regulating means structurally engageable with the top face such that a user can rotate the regulating means to adjust the flow of soap to be dispensed. In some embodiments, the soap dispensing apparatus includes a seal to ensure that soap does not leak.
[0070] The present disclosure is also embodied in a method of using a soap dispensing apparatus, including the steps of inserting a cartridge containing a soap into the apparatus gripping the apparatus and using it to scrub a body of a person, and removing the cartridge from said apparatus and replacing the cartridge once a soap is depleted.
[0071] In one aspect, the present invention embodies a personal cleaning device comprised of an easy grip housing that fits into the palm of the hand and which houses a soap dispenser coupled with a flexible textile material for scrubbing and washing of the body.
[0072] In one embodiment, the disclosure is embodied by a light-weight rigid or flexible ovular, rectangular, or circular shaped structure serving as the body and which the front surface can be grasped easily within the palm of the hand. In yet another embodiment, the front surface of the body's structure can be smooth, grooved, textured, or covered with a removeable or non-removeable waterproof silicone, polyethylene, or polyethylene terephthalate non-slip gripping material. In another embodiment, the first and second sides of the housing's front surface have inwardly curved grooves for comfortably gripping and receiving the user's hand and fingers.
[0073] In an alternative embodiment, a flexible textile material is coupled to the rear surface of the body of the device by means of an adhesive glue, heating, snapping, sliding, clipping, twisting, or turning into place. The soft, porous, absorbent, massaging, or abrasive waterproof textile material, such as a luffa, sponge, mesh pouf, washcloth, brush bristles, or silicone pad, can be permanently or temporarily attached to the device's body. In yet another embodiment, the flexible textile material can be composed of natural polysaccharides such as cotton, dried luffa gourds, sea sponges, or textile fibers obtained from animals, or alternatively, of synthetic material such as silicone, polyethylene, or polyethylene terephthalate.
[0074] In another embodiment, the interior of the device's body houses a removable and replaceable polyethylene or silicone cartridge soap reservoir which can be snapped, slid, clamped, screwed, twisted, or clasped into place. In yet another embodiment, the soap cartridge can be refilled by opening and/or closing a flexible and hollow internal valve by means of snapping, clipping, screwing, twisting or clasping.
[0075] In yet another embodiment, upon placement of the soap reservoir cartridge within the housing of the device through the front or rear surface, liquid soap is released onto the outside rear face of the device holding the attached flexible textile material by pushing a button, tilting downwards, squeezing on the flexible portion of the device, or by passive diffusion.
[0076] In another embodiment, the rear surface of the housing houses a porous grid structure composed of silicone, polyethylene, or polyethylene terephthalate for release of the liquid soap onto the flexible textile material.
[0077] As shown in
[0078] In some embodiments as shown in
[0079] In some embodiments, the cartridge 150 has concave edges on the outside such that an elasticized scrubbing element 120 can fit around the concave edges.
[0080] In yet another embodiment, the soap dispensing apparatus further includes a hanging element to allow a user to hang the apparatus. The handing element can be a hook and string to hang around surfaces, or a means to attach and/or stick the apparatus on a surface like a wall or glass.
[0081] In some embodiments as shown in
[0082] While in some embodiments, the soap dispensing apparatus is adapted to receive a cartridge 150, in other embodiments, the reservoir 140 is refillable such that a user can refill the reservoir with a soap as shown in
[0083] In one particular embodiment as shown in
[0084] In one particular embodiment, the soap dispensing apparatus 100 has a regulating means structurally engageable with the top face where a user can rotate the regulating means to adjust a flow of a soap to be dispensed. The regulating means in one embodiment is an exact replica of the dispensing channels 130 on the top face 102, and when the regulating means and the dispensing channels are aligned on top of another, the flow is as its maximum. The flow is closed when the two are misaligned and the dispensing channels are closed.
[0085] In some embodiments, the soap dispensing apparatus 100 also comprises a seal 170 to make sure that no soap is leaked.
[0086] The present disclosure is also embodied as a method for using a soap dispensing apparatus 100, including the steps of inserting a cartridge 150 containing a soap into a body of the apparatus, gripping the apparatus and using to wash and/or scrub a body of a person, and removing the cartridge from the device and replacing it once soap reservoir is depleted.
[0087] In one embodiment, the cartridge 150 includes a knob handle 160 to push up a soap onto the surface of the apparatus. Here, the knob handle 160 can act as a handle 160. In other embodiments, a push element or pump element is used to get the soap to come out of the cartridge or the reservoir 140. The cartridge may or may no replaceable. In one particular embodiment, the cartridge 150 includes two or more chambers for different soaps, and user can choose which soap from which chamber. In another embodiment, the knob mechanism only pushes out a little bit of the product at the time.
[0088] In some embodiments, the reservoir 140 is refillable, while in other embodiments, it is a hollow interior as shown in
[0089] In some embodiments, the scrubbing element 120 is fixed on the apparatus whereas in other embodiments, the scrubbing element 120 is removably couplable to the apparatus, and can be reusable and/or washable. In some embodiments, different types of materials can be used for the scrubbing element 120, such as a scrub, a sponge, natural fibers, brush and/or synthetic fibers or a combination thereof. In one particular embodiment, a silicone brush or gentle brush can be used as a scrubbing element 120 for use on pets. In some embodiments, the scrubbing element 120 only goes on the perimeter of the housing whereas in other embodiments, it covers the top face 102 of the apparatus 100.
[0090] The handle 160 can be removable or replaceable such that a user can choose what type of handle to use with the apparatus. The handle 160 can also be extendable or telescoping for the hard to reach areas such as the back. The handle 160 can also be fixed on the apparatus. In some embodiments, the knob handle 160 acts as a handle that a user can grip for use of the apparatus. In other embodiments, the handle 160 is an adjustable handle where user can put their hand through.
[0091] In some embodiments, the dispensing channels 130 can further include regulating means and mechanisms structurally engageable with top face such that a user can twist the regulating means to adjust flow of soap to be dispensed.
[0092] In some embodiments, the dispensing channels 130 are coupled to the top face 102 of the apparatus, whereas in other embodiments, the dispensing channels 130 are coupled to the cartridge such that the housing 110 and the top face 102 are hollow and open at the top face.
[0093] In some embodiments the apparatus has a housing which is a curved structure constructed of a light-weight plastic material. The apparatus can also include a soap cartridge reservoir composed of a plastic material housing liquid soap that is coupled to the interior of the housing of said device with at least one bore hole for diffusion of the liquid soap.
[0094] As mentioned above, other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.