Abstract
According the present invention there is provided a soap or detergent bar including: (a) a top surface (1), and; (c) a bottom surface (2), and; (d) a groove (3) running across its top surface from a first end (31) to a second 10 end (32), wherein the height (311) of the first end (31) as measured from the bottom surface (2) is greater than the height (321) of the second end (32) as measured from the bottom surface (2).
Claims
1. A soap or detergent bar including: (a) a top surface, and; (b) a bottom surface, and; (c) a groove running across its top surface from a first end to a second end, wherein the height of the first end as measured from the bottom surface is greater than the height of the second end as measured from the bottom surface.
2. A soap or detergent bar as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bottom surface includes a basal plane that functions as a support for the soap bar, wherein said basal plane is defined by any one of the following: (a) bottom surface includes at least three basal segments jutting outwards from the bottom, with the extremities of the segments being coplanar, thus defining a basal plane, or; (b) the bottom surface is planar, thus defining a basal plane, or; (c) the bottom surface is concave, and includes a bottom peripheral rim that is planar, thus defining the basal plane.
3. A soap or detergent bar as claimed in claim 1 having an area ratio that is less than or equal to 0.95, and greater than or equal to 0.05, where the area ratio is defined as ratio of area of the bottom surface as projected on basal plane to the area of the top surface as projected on basal plane.
4. A soap or detergent bar as claimed in claim 1 wherein the difference between the height of the first end and the height of the second end is greater than or equal to 1 mm.
5. A soap or detergent bar as claimed in claim 1 wherein angle between a top plane and a basal plane is at least 3 degrees, where the top plane is defined by any of the following: (a) the top surface, excluding the groove, is planar, thus defining a top plane, or; (b) the top surface has a top rim, said top rim is planar, thus defining the top plane.
6. A soap bar or detergent bar as claimed in claim 1 wherein the groove includes a blocked portion selected from one or both of the following: (a) a blocked portion positioned at the first end of the groove, or; (b) a blocked portion positioned at the second end of the groove.
7. A soap or detergent bar as claimed in claim 1 wherein the difference between the height of the first end and the height of the second end is greater than or equal to 2 mm.
8. A soap or detergent bar as claimed in claim 1 wherein the difference between the height of the first end and the height of the second end is greater than or equal to 3 mm.
9. A soap or detergent bar as claimed in claim 1 wherein the difference between the height of the first end and the height of the second end is greater than or equal to 5 mm.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] FIG. 1: First embodiment of the soap bar. FIG. 1a-front view, FIG. 1b: side view, FIG. 1c: top view
[0044] FIG. 2: Second embodiment of the soap bar: FIG. 2a: front view, FIG. 2B, side view, FIG. 2 C, top view
[0045] FIG. 3: Third embodiment of the soap bar: FIG. 3a: front view, FIG. 3b side view
[0046] FIG. 4: Fourth embodiment of the soap bar. FIG. 4a: front view, FIG. 4b: side view, FIG. 4c: bottom view
[0047] FIG. 5: Fifth embodiment of the soap bar. FIG. 5a: front view, FIG. 5b: side view, FIG. 5c: bottom view
[0048] FIG. 6: Sixth embodiment of the soap bar. FIG. 6a: front view, FIG. 6b: side view, FIG. 6c: top view
[0049] FIG. 7: Seventh embodiment of the soap bar. FIG. 7a: front view
[0050] FIG. 8: Eighth embodiment of the soap bar. FIG. 8a: front view, FIG. 8b: side view, FIG. 8c: top view
[0051] FIG. 9: Ninth embodiment of the soap bar. FIG. 9a: front view, FIG. 9b: side view, FIG. 9c: top view
[0052] FIG. 10. Tenth embodiment of the soap bar. FIG. 10a: front view, FIG. 10b: side view, FIG. 10c: top view
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0053] Hereinafter, a mechanical pencil drawing in accordance with the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.
FIG. 1
[0054] FIG. 1 depicts a first embodiment of the soap bar according to the present invention. The soap bar includes a top surface (1), a bottom surface (2), and a groove (3) running across its top surface from one end (31) to the other end (32). The height (311) of the first end (31) as measured from the bottom surface (2) is greater than the height (321) of the second end (32) as measured from the bottom surface (2), and the difference in the heights (311) and 321) is 5 mm. The cross section of the groove (3) at the end (32) is the shape of the letter V, with the depth of the groove increasing from zero at the end (31) to 5 mm at the end (32) in a linear manner. It will be appreciated that the feature of the groove (3) that slopes down from one end (31) to the other end (32), such that the height (311) is greater by 5 mm than the height (321), allows the groove (3) to drain out excess water away from the top surface (1) and run down from the end (322) by gravity. Therefore, when the bar is wet after use such as bathing or when exposed to water during typical storage in bathroom or shower room, can reduce the amount of water that is in contact with top surface (1) by facilitating drainage of water from the top surface (1) via the groove (3) by gravity, thus allowing quicker drying and reducing formation of mush and/or wastage of soap bar.
FIG. 2
[0055] FIG. 2 depicts a second embodiment of the soap bar according to the present invention. The soap bar includes a top surface (1), a bottom surface (2), and a groove (3) running across its top surface from one end (31) to the other end (32). The height (311) of the first end (31) as measured from the bottom surface (2) is greater than the height (321) of the second end (32) as measured from the bottom surface (2), and the difference in the heights (311) and 321) is 5 mm. The cross section of the groove (3) at both the ends (31) and (32) is identical and of the shape of the letter V. The feature of the groove (3) that slopes down from one end (31) to the other end (32), such that the height (311) is greater by 5 mm than the height (321), allows the groove (3) to drain out excess water away from the top surface (1) and run down from the end (322) by gravity. Therefore, when the bar is wet after use such as bathing or when exposed to water during typical storage in bathroom or shower room, can reduce the amount of water that is in contact with top surface (1) by facilitating drainage of water from the top surface (1) via the groove (3) by gravity, thus allowing quicker drying and reducing formation of mush and/or wastage of soap bar.
FIG. 3
[0056] FIG. 3 depicts a third embodiment of the soap bar according to the present invention. The soap bar includes a top surface (1), a bottom surface (2), and a groove (3) running across its top surface from one end (31) to the other end (32). The height (311) of the first end (31) as measured from the bottom surface (2) is greater than the height (321) of the second end (32) as measured from the bottom surface (2), and the difference in the heights (311) and 321) is 5 mm. The cross section of the groove (3) at both the ends (31) and (32) is identical and of the shape of the letter V. The bottom surface (2) is concave, and includes a bottom peripheral rim (44) that is planar, thus defining the basal plane (4). The basal plane (4) forms the support for the soap bar. The feature of the groove (3) that slopes down from one end (31) to the other end (32), such that the height (311) is greater by 5 mm than the height (321), allows the groove (3) to drain out excess water away from the top surface (1) and run down from the end (322) by gravity. Therefore, when the bar is wet after use such as bathing or when exposed to water during typical storage in bathroom or shower room, can reduce the amount of water that is in contact with top surface (1) by facilitating drainage of water from the top surface (1) via the groove (3) by gravity, thus allowing quicker drying and reducing formation of mush and/or wastage of soap bar. Further, the feature of the concave bottom surface (2) including the planar peripheral rim (44) and defining a basal plane (4) allows for significant reduction in area of the soap bar that would be in contact with water during storage. The contact of the bottom surface with the water gets limited to just the peripheral rim (44). Thus the concave bottom surface (2) combined with peripheral rim (44) defining the basal plane allows the bar to be supported with minimum contact with water and thus facilitates reduction of wastage of soap bar.
FIG. 4
[0057] FIG. 4 depicts a fourth embodiment of the soap bar according to the present invention. The soap bar includes a top surface (1), a bottom surface (2), and a groove (3) running across its top surface from one end (31) to the other end (32). The height (311) of the first end (31) as measured from the bottom surface (2) is greater than the height (321) of the second end (32) as measured from the bottom surface (2), and the difference in the heights (311) and 321) is 5 mm. The cross section of the groove (3) at both the ends (31) and (32) is identical and of the shape of the letter V. The feature of the groove (3) that slopes down from one end (31) to the other end (32), such that the height (311) is greater by 5 mm than the height (321), allows the groove (3) to drain out excess water away from the top surface (1) and run down from the end (322) by gravity. Therefore, when the bar is wet after use such as bathing or when exposed to water during typical storage in bathroom or shower room, can reduce the amount of water that is in contact with top surface (1) by facilitating drainage of water from the top surface (1) via the groove (3) by gravity, thus allowing quicker drying and reducing formation of mush and/or wastage of soap bar. The bottom surface (2) includes three basal segments (41, 42, 43) jutting outwards from the bottom with the extremities of the segments being coplanar, thus defining a basal plane (4). The basal plane (4) functions as support for the soap bar. It will be appreciated that the feature of the basal segments (41, 42, 42) forming a basal plane (4) functions as support for the bar when stirred between uses, allow significantly reduced contact area with water and thus reduces wastage.
FIG. 5
[0058] FIG. 5 depicts a fifth embodiment of the soap bar according to the present invention. The soap bar includes a top surface (1), a bottom surface (2), and a groove (3) running across its top surface from one end (31) to the other end (32). The height (311) of the first end (31) as measured from the bottom surface (2) is greater than the height (321) of the second end (32) as measured from the bottom surface (2), and the difference in the heights (311) and 321) is 5 mm. The cross section of the groove (3) at both the ends (31) and (32) is identical and of the shape of the letter V. The bottom surface (2) is shaped in such a way that the area ratio, defined as ratio of area of the bottom surface (2) as projected on basal plane (4) to the area of the top surface (3) as projected on basal plane (4) is about 0.3.
[0059] The feature of the groove (3) that slopes down from one end (31) to the other end (32), such that the height (311) is greater by 5 mm than the height (321), allows the groove (3) to drain out excess water away from the top surface (1) and run down from the end (322) by gravity. Therefore, when the bar is wet after use such as bathing or when exposed to water during typical storage in bathroom or shower room, can reduce the amount of water that is in contact with top surface (1) by facilitating drainage of water from the top surface (1) via the groove (3) by gravity, thus allowing quicker drying and reducing formation of mush and/or wastage of soap bar. It will be further appreciated that the feature of the area ratio being less than 0.95 allows for reduction in the area of soap surface in contact with water when supported on the bottom surface (2), and thus allows reduction in wastage of soap.
FIG. 6
[0060] FIG. 6 depicts a sixth embodiment of the soap bar according to the present invention. The soap bar includes a top surface (1), a bottom surface (2), and a groove (3) running across its top surface from one end (31) to the other end (32). The height (311) of the first end (31) as measured from the bottom surface (2) is greater than the height (321) of the second end (32) as measured from the bottom surface (2), and the difference in the heights (311) and 321) is 15 mm. The cross section of the groove (3) at both the ends (31) and (32) is identical and of the shape of the letter V. The top surface (1), excluding the groove (3), is planar, thus defining a top plane (5). The bottom surface (2) is planar and forms a basal plane (4) that functions as the support for the soap bar. The top plane (5) and the basal plane (4) are at an angle (6) such that the entire top surface (1) of the bar slopes downwards from the end (31) to the end 32). In the depicted embodiment, the angle is 15 degrees. It will be appreciated that the feature of the groove (3) that slopes down from one end (31) to the other end (32), such that the height (311) is greater by 15 mm than the height (321), allows the groove (3) to drain out excess water away from the top surface (1) and run down from the end (322) by gravity. Therefore, when the bar is wet after use such as bathing or when exposed to water during typical storage in bathroom or shower room, can reduce the amount of water that is in contact with top surface (1) by facilitating drainage of water from the top surface (1) via the groove (3) by gravity, thus allowing quicker drying and reducing formation of mush and/or wastage of soap bar. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that due to the feature of angle (6) between the top plane (5) and the basal plane (4), the entire top surface is sloping downward from the end (31) to the end (32) thus allowing any water that on the top surface to slide down the top surface by gravity, preventing any accumulation of water on the top surface (2) and thus reducing wastage.
FIG. 7
[0061] FIG. 7 depicts a seventh embodiment of the soap bar according the present invention. It is similar to the sixth embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, but with an additional feature where the bottom surface (2) is shaped in such a way that the area ratio, defined as ratio of area of the bottom surface (2) as projected on basal plane (4) to the area of the top surface (3) as projected on basal plane (4) is about 0.3. It will be appreciated that this embodiment would allow further reduction in wastage of bar due to the feature of the area ratio being less than 0.95, which allows for reduction in the area of soap surface in contact with water when supported on the bottom surface (2), and thus allows reduction in wastage of soap.
FIG. 8
[0062] FIG. 8 depicts an eighth embodiment of the soap bar according to the present invention. The soap bar includes a top surface (1), a bottom surface (2), and a groove (3) running across its top surface from one end (31) to the other end (32), the groove is curved in a zig zag manner. The height (311) of the first end (31) as measured from the bottom surface (2) is greater than the height (321) of the second end (32) as measured from the bottom surface (2), and the difference in the heights (311) and 321) is 15 mm. The cross section of the groove (3) at both the ends (31) and (32) is identical and of the shape of the letter U. The top surface (1), excluding the groove (3), is planar, thus defining a top plane (5). The bottom surface (2) is planar and forms a basal plane (4) that functions as the support for the soap bar. The top plane (5) and the basal plane (4) are at an angle (6) such that the entire top surface (1) of the bar slopes downwards from the end (31) to the end 32). In the depicted embodiment, the angle is 15 degrees. It will be appreciated that the feature of the groove (3) that slopes down from one end (31) to the other end (32), such that the height (311) is greater by 15 mm than the height (321), allows the groove (3) to drain out excess water away from the top surface (1) and run down from the end (322) by gravity. Therefore, when the bar is wet after use such as bathing or when exposed to water during typical storage in bathroom or shower room, can reduce the amount of water that is in contact with top surface (1) by facilitating drainage of water from the top surface (1) via the groove (3) by gravity, thus allowing quicker drying and reducing formation of mush and/or wastage of soap bar. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that due to the feature of angle (6) between the top plane (5) and the basal plane (4), the entire top surface is sloping downward from the end (31) to the end (32) thus allowing any water that on the top surface to slide down the top surface by gravity, preventing any accumulation of water on the top surface (2) and thus reducing wastage. The bottom surface (2) is shaped in such a way that the area ratio, defined as ratio of area of the bottom surface (2) as projected on basal plane (4) to the area of the top surface (3) as projected on basal plane (4) is about 0.3. It will be appreciated that this embodiment would allow further reduction in wastage of bar due to the feature of the area ratio being less than 0.95, which allows for reduction in the area of soap surface in contact with water when supported on the bottom surface (2), and thus allows reduction in wastage of soap.
FIG. 9
[0063] FIG. 9 depicts ninth embodiment according to the present invention, which is similar to the eighth embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, except for one different feature, in that the bottom surface (2) is shaped in such a way that there is a bottom support section defined by uniform cross-sectional area equal to the area of the bottom surface (2). It will be appreciated that during use when the bar is stored in wet places such as shower room or bath room, the bottom surface of (2) of the bar erodes away and the feature of the bottom support section positioned at the bottom of the bar, delays the time before which a larger cross-sectional area of the bar can contract the water, thus reducing the rate of erosion of bar and preventing wastage.
FIG. 10
[0064] FIG. 10 depicts tenth embodiment according to the present invention. The groove (3) includes a blocked portion (33), which includes both of the following: [0065] (a) a blocked portion (331) positioned at the first end (31) of the groove (3), and [0066] (b) a blocked portion (332) positioned at the second end (32) of the groove (3).
[0067] The embodiment depicted in FIG. 10 leads to reduced wastage during storage. Furthermore, the feature of having blocked portions (331) and (332) helps in maintaining structural integrity of bars and allows the shape to be retained during stamping and shaping operation during manufacturing of soap. The avoidance of sharp edges at the groove ends helps in reducing chipping at the edges or breakage or damage of the bar during stamping and shaping steps. Thus the bars of FIG. 10 not only lead to reduced wastage but also to improvement in manufacturing process.
EXAMPLES
[0068] The invention shall now be demonstrated by examples. The examples are for illustration purpose only and do not limit the scope of the invention in any manner.
Examples 1-6 and Comparative Example A: Commercial Toilet Soaps
[0069] Toilet soaps commercially available in India were procured. According to the label information, the toilet soaps are grade 1 with total fatty matter of 76% by weight. The ingredients listed on the label are: Sodium palmitate, sodium palm kernelate, water, perfume, trichlocarbon, sodium chloride, glycerine, titanium dioxide, disoidium EDTA, BHT, citric acid, menthol and colour CI74160 and CI74260. The bars, which were typically brick shaped, were unwrapped and sculpted into various shapes using a set of artisanal sculpting and pottery tools. For Comparative Example A, bars were left in brick shape as bought, without making any changes from the brick shape. Bars of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 were shaped to correspond approximately to the shapes depicted in FIGS. 1,2,3,5,6, and 7, respectively
Examples 7-12 and Comparative Example B: Commercial Bathing Bars
[0070] Bathing bars commercially available in India were procured. According to the label information, the ingredients listed are: Sodium lauryl isethionate, stearic acid, sodium palmitate, water, lauric acid, sodium isethionate, sodium stearate, cocamido propyl betaine, sodium palm kernelate, glycerine, perfume, sodium chloride, zinc oxide, propylene glycol, tetrasodium EDTA, tetrasodium etidronate, alumina, titanium dioxide, alpha isomethyl ionone, butyl phenyl methyl propional, citrnellol, coumarin, hexyl cinnamal, linalool, colour CI14700 and CI17200. Although not specifically mentioned on the label, total fatty matter of bathing bars is expected to be between 40-60% according to the Bureau of Indian Standards. The bars were unwrapped and sculpted into various shapes using a set of artisanal sculpting and pottery tools. For Comparative Example B, the bars were left without changing the shape. Bars of Examples 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 were shaped to correspond approximately to the shapes depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and, 7, respectively.
Examples 13-19 and Comparative Example C
[0071] Soap bars with 45% total fatty matter were prepared by extrusion through a circular orifice. The cylindrical pieces were cut using knife to make cylinder shaped bars. This was followed immediately by introducing the cylinder shaped bars into a die a block, pressing the die and releasing the bars, which were thus shaped according to the shape of the die. Using this procedure, bars of Comparative Example C as well as Examples 13-19 were prepared. For Comparative Example C, the bars prepared were of brick shape. Dies used for bars of Examples 13-19 corresponded to the soap bar shapes according to the invention. Thus the bars of Examples 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 were prepared to correspond to shapes depicted in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10.
Simulated In-Use Storage Conditions and Exposure to Water
[0072] Following experiments were carried to expose bars to water simulating the in-use or between-use storage in bathrooms or showers. All experiments were carried out in triplicate (three bars for each shape). All bars were weighed initially and kept in a soap dish individually. To simulate water exposure, 2 ml water was sprayed on top surface of each bar, using a spray bottle which created a fine spray. The spray was directed towards the top surface with care taken not to spray on the sides. After waiting for 15 minutes, the bar surface was wiped of using a tissue paper to remove the layer of mush formed on the top surface of bar. It was seen that mush, in any, was mainly formed on the top surface. The bars were weighed again after allowing 10 minutes time to dry. The water exposure cycles were repeated five times and final weights of all the bars were measured after 5 simulated exposure cycles, and the results are tabulated, as loss in weight of the bars, expressed as % of the original weight of the bar.
[0073] After this set of experiments, a different simulation of water exposure was carried out by pipetting 13 ml water on each of the bar in the soap dish, It was observed that this amount of water did not stay on top surface, but flowed down around the sides forming a pool of water at the bottom of the soap dish The bars were left for 30 minutes, after which water in the soap dish, if any was drained, and the entire surface of the bars was wiped using a tissue paper to remove the mush. After allowing 15 minutes for bars to dry, the bars were weighed again. The loss of weight was expressed as % of the original weight of the bar and the results are tabulated below.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 WEIGHT LOSS FOR BARS OF EXAMPLE 1-6 AND COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE A All the results are reported as average of three bars BAR % Weight Loss after 5 Weight loss (%) after one EXAMPLE SHAPE cycles of 2 mL spray cycle of 13 mL spray A BRICK 3.56 3.9 1 FIG. 1 1.1 3.5 2 FIG. 2 0.8 1.1 3 FIG. 3 2.1 0.7 4 FIG. 5 0.8 0 5 FIG. 6 0.2 0 6 FIG. 7 0.7 0
[0074] From the above results, it is apparent that the toilet soap bars according to the present invention (corresponding to EXAMPLES 1-6) show reduced wastage as compared to the conventional brick shaped bar that is outside the scope of the present invention (corresponding to Comparative Example (A) as indicated by figures of % loss in bar weight as compared to original weight.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 WEIGHT LOSS FOR BARS OF EXAMPLE 7-12 AND COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE B All the results are reported as average of three bars Weight Loss (%) Weight loss (%) BAR after 5 cycles after one cycle EXAMPLE SHAPE of 2 mL spray of 13 mL spray B BRICK 4.45 2.8 7 FIG. 1 1.1 2.4 8 FIG. 2 1.0 1.7 9 FIG. 3 0.4 1.9 10 FIG. 5 0.1 0 11 FIG. 6 0.1 0 12 FIG. 7 0.2 2.1
[0075] From the above results, it is apparent that the bathing bar soaps according to the present invention (corresponding to EXAMPLES 7-12) show reduced wastage as compared to the conventional brick shaped bar that is outside the scope of the present invention (corresponding to Comparative Example (B) as indicated by figures of % loss in bar weight as compared to original weight.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 WEIGHT LOSS FOR BARS OF EXAMPLE 13-19 AND COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE A All the results are reported as average of three bars BAR % Weight Loss after 5 Weight loss (%) after one EXAMPLE SHAPE cycles of 2 mL spray cycle of 13 mL spray C BRICK 4.8 5.7 13 FIG. 1 0.7 2.6 14 FIG. 3 0.9 0.3 15 FIG. 5 1.2 0.5 16 FIG. 6 0.6 3.6 17 FIG. 7 0 1.4 18 FIG. 8 0 2.0 19 FIG. 10 0 1.8
[0076] Tables 1-3 and data therein demonstrate that various embodiments of the invention according to the present invention show significant benefit in terms of reducing wastage of bar (as indicated by loss in % weight).
