Scrubber/scraper sponge

Abstract

The invention is directed to a scrubber/scraper sponge. The sponge is comprised of three layers. A lower sponge layer provides a soft, absorbent washing surface on the bottom surface of the sponge. An upper abrasive layer provides a scrubbing surface on the top surface of the sponge. The front peripheral edge of the sponge provides a scraping edge on a scraping layer, which extends partially from the front edge toward the rear edge of the sponge, between the sponge layer and the abrasive layer. Flexible barbs extend rearward from the rear edge of the scraping layer, such that the barbs become embedded in the sponge layer during the manufacturing process and firmly secure the scraping layer to the sponge layer.

Claims

1. A scrubber/scraper sponge which provide three layers, comprising: a lower sponge layer which provides a soft, absorbent washing surface on a bottom surface of the sponge; an upper abrasive layer which provides a scrubbing surface on a top surface of the sponge; a scraping layer which is positioned at least partially in between the lower sponge layer and the upper abrasive layer, the scraping layer having a rear edge positioned between the lower sponge layer and the upper abrasive layer and the front edge extending outward from the sponge, in which the scraping layer tapers from the rear edge in between the lower sponge layer and the upper abrasive layer to the front edge of the scraping layer; and extensions that are secured to and which extend from the rear edge of the scraping layer, wherein each extension includes barbs that embed in at least the lower sponge layer to secure the scraping layer to the sponge, in which the extensions and barbs are positioned between the lower sponge layer and the upper abrasive layer.

2. The scrubber/scraper sponge of claim 1, wherein the front edge of the scraping layer protrudes from a front peripheral edge of the sponge.

3. The scrubber/scraper sponge of claim 1, wherein the scraping layer provides a scraping edge on the front edge.

4. The scrubber/scraper sponge of claim 1, wherein the upper abrasive layer, scraping layer, and lower sponge layer are further secured together by application of an adhesive during the manufacturing process.

5. The scrubber/scraper sponge of claim 1, wherein the sponge layer is comprised of a flexible, durable, and absorbent material.

6. The scrubber/scraper sponge of claim 1, wherein the abrasive layer is comprised of a flexible, durable, and abrasive material.

7. The scrubber/scraper sponge of claim 1, wherein the scraping layer is comprised of a flexible and durable material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the sponge 10, the sponge layer 11, the abrasive layer 12, the scraping layer 13, and the scraping edge 14.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a top view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the sponge 10, the sponge layer 11, the abrasive layer 12, the scraping layer 13, and the scraping edge 14.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the sponge 10, the sponge layer 11, the abrasive layer 12, and the scraping layer 13.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a front view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the sponge 10, the sponge layer 11, the abrasive layer 12, and the scraping layer 13.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the sponge 10, the sponge layer 11, the abrasive layer 12, the scraping layer 13, and the scraping edge 14.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a top perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the sponge 10, the sponge layer 11, the abrasive layer 12, the scraping layer 13, and the scraping edge 14.

(8) FIG. 7 shows a side perspective view of the scraping layer of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the scraping layer 13, the scraping edge 14, and the barbs 15.

(9) FIG. 8 shows a top perspective view of the scraping layer of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the scraping layer 13, the scraping edge 14, and the barbs 15.

(10) FIG. 9 shows a side view of the scraping layer of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the scraping layer 13, and the scraping edge 14.

(11) FIG. 10 shows a top view of the scraping layer of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the scraping layer 13, the scraping edge 14, and the barbs 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a scrubber/scraper sponge 10.

(13) The first exemplary embodiment provides a sponge 10 which is comprised of three layers. A lower sponge layer 11 provides a soft, absorbent washing surface on the bottom surface of the sponge 10. An upper abrasive layer 12 provides a scrubbing surface on the top surface of the sponge 10. The front peripheral edge of the sponge 10 provides a scraping edge 14 on a scraping layer 13, which extends partially from the front edge toward the rear edge of the sponge 10, between the sponge layer 11 and the abrasive layer 12.

(14) The thickness of the scraping layer 13 is greatest at the rear edge, tapering gently to the scraping edge 14. Flexible barbs 15 extend rearward from the rear edge of the scraping layer 13, such that the barbs 15 become embedded in the sponge layer 11 during the manufacturing process and firmly secure the scraping layer 13 to the sponge layer 11. Optionally, a version may be provided which does not provide the barbs 15. The scraping layer 13 may be removable and replaceable, since the scraping layer 13 sustains considerable wear and tear. All three layers are further secured together by application of an adhesive during the manufacturing process.

(15) To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user grasps the sponge 10 between the thumb and fingers of one hand, and grasps a dish to be washed in the other hand. The user may use the scraping edge 14 to scrape unwanted food and other debris from the dish to be washed, then wash the dish using the sponge layer 11 and the abrasive layer 12,

(16) The sponge layer 11 is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material which is highly absorbent, such as natural sponge. The abrasive layer 12 is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material which is abrasive, such as nylon fibers. The scraping layer 13 is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material such as plastic, rubber, or silicone. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

(17) While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.