Hygienic sponge holder

Abstract

Techniques of transporting bath sponges involve holding a used bath sponge in a case that will carry and compress the used bath sponge. Such a case separates the soiled water and debris that is drained from the used bath sponge. The case is designed to facilitate the drainage of water and debris that have accumulated in the bath sponge after it is used. The action of compression of a bath sponge within this case will also help to maintain the original shape of the bath sponge. This case will keep all water and debris that has collected by the action of compression of the bath sponge contained in the lower sections of the case. In addition, when this case is stored in an upright position, the water and debris will not be able to flow back into the top section where the sponge is being stored.

Claims

1. An article holding apparatus comprising: a housing which defines a holding space to hold a wet article over a draining space; a separator which couples to the housing, the separator being constructed and arranged to separate the holding space from the draining space; a base which couples to the separator at an end of the separator facing the draining space, the base providing an enclosure around the draining space; and a loop assembly including a loop attached to a top end of the housing, the loop assembly being constructed and arranged to support the article holding apparatus in an upright position as the loop assembly is supported externally by the loop, wherein the separator further includes a base coupling portion which is constructed and arranged to couple to the base, and wherein the separator includes (i) a housing coupling portion which is constructed and arranged to couple the separator to the housing and (ii) a guiding portion which is constructed and arranged to guide fluid from the holding space to the draining space, wherein the housing, the separator, and the base together form a closed container, wherein the separator has an external sidewall extending around the separator, and wherein the guiding portion includes a funnel extending inwardly from the external sidewall and downwardly toward the draining space, the funnel having (i) a first end having a first width and facing the holding space and (ii) a second end having a second width and facing the draining space, the second width being smaller than the first width.

2. An article holding apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the separator fits inside the housing; wherein housing coupling portion of the separator is located on an outside surface of the separator; and wherein the housing coupling portion of the separator includes attachment threads which enable the coupling of the separator to an inner surface of the housing by a screwing motion.

3. An article holding apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the base includes (i) a separator coupling portion which is constructed and arranged to couple the base to the separator and (ii) a sealing portion which is constructed and arranged to contain fluid from the wet article within the apparatus.

4. An article holding apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the separator coupling portion includes attachment threads on an interior surface of the base, the attachment threads enabling the coupling of the base to an outer surface of the separator by a screwing motion.

5. An article holding apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the sealing portion of the base includes a gasket located in an interior surface of the base, the gasket being recessed into a grooved well in the base along a circumference of the base.

6. An article holding apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the base further includes a set of gripping lobes arranged circumferentially around an exterior surface of the base, each of the set of gripping lobes radially protruding from the base and having a rounded edge away from the base.

7. An article holding apparatus as in claim 1, wherein, when the funnel is coupled to the separator, the funnel is disposed at least partially within the housing to provide compression to the wet article.

8. A method of manufacturing an article holding apparatus, the method comprising: defining, within a housing, a holding space to hold a wet article over a draining space; providing a separator to separate the holding space from the draining space using a separator which couples to the housing, the separator having an external sidewall extending around the separator; providing an enclosure around the draining space using a base which couples at an end of the separator facing the draining space; providing a loop assembly including a loop attached to a top end of the housing, the loop assembly being constructed and arranged to support the article holding apparatus in an upright position as the loop assembly is supported externally by the loop, wherein providing the separator includes: defining a housing coupling portion which is constructed and arranged to couple the separator to the housing; and defining a guiding portion within the separator, the guiding portion being constructed and arranged to guide fluid from the holding space to the draining space, and wherein defining the guiding portion includes providing a funnel extending inwardly from the external sidewall and downwardly toward the draining space, the funnel including (i) a first end having a first width and facing the holding space and (ii) a second end having a second width and facing the draining space, the second width being smaller than the first width.

9. A method as in claim 8, wherein providing the enclosure includes: defining a separator coupling portion which is constructed and arranged to couple the base to the separator; and defining a sealing portion which is constructed and arranged to contain fluid from the wet article within the apparatus.

10. A method as in claim 9, wherein defining the separator coupling portion includes providing attachment threads on an interior surface of the base, the attachment threads enabling the coupling of the base to an outer surface of the separator by a screwing motion.

11. A method as in claim 9, wherein defining the sealing portion includes a providing gasket located in an interior surface of the base, the gasket being recessed into a grooved well in the base along a circumference of the base.

12. A method as in claim 9, wherein providing the enclosure further includes providing a set of gripping lobes arranged circumferentially around an exterior surface of the base, each of the set of gripping lobes radially protruding from the base and having a rounded edge away from the base.

13. A method of containing a wet article, the method comprising: providing a housing that defines a holding space to hold a wet article over a draining space; providing a separator constructed and arranged to separate the holding space from the draining space, the separator having an external sidewall and a funnel extending inwardly from the external sidewall and downwardly toward the draining space; and coupling the separator to the housing with a wet article placed in the housing, such that, when the housing is positioned upright with the housing above the separator, liquid drains from the wet article, through the funnel in the separator, and into the draining space, wherein coupling the separator to the housing compresses the wet article and causes liquid to drain from the wet article.

14. A method as in claim 13, wherein the method further comprises attaching a base to the separator, the base forming a leak-resistant seal with the separator and catching liquid draining into the draining space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying figures in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a view of an example sponge holder apparatus according to the improved techniques.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a frontal view of the top housing section of the sponge holder apparatus.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a lateral/side view of the top housing section of the sponge holder apparatus.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the top housing section of the sponge holder apparatus.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a view of the middle section of the sponge holder apparatus.

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the middle section of the sponge holder apparatus.

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the bottom section of the sponge holder apparatus.

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates an angled view of the bottom section.

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bottom section.

(11) FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of an assembled sponge holder apparatus.

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates a view of an assembled sponge holder apparatus as it hangs on a travel bag.

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates a view of the top section of the sponge holder apparatus in an alternate embodiment as it hangs suspended by the hanging loop in a shower.

(14) FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of manufacturing a sponge holding apparatus according to the improved techniques.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details.

(16) In accordance with the improved techniques, and as described in further detail below, an example container for transport and storage of a bath sponge includes three sections. Included in the three sections is a top section, or sponge holding space 110, a middle section or separator 106, and a bottom or base 108. As exemplified in FIG. 1 of the drawings the three sections are assembled to create an enclosed unit.

(17) As viewed in FIG. 2, the top section 110 includes a housing unit 104 with the intended purpose of holding a bath sponge 1006. The shape of the housing 104 will allow a bath sponge to be compressed. The act of compression allows water and debris to be expelled from the bath sponge. The housing 104 also aids in the maintenance of the bath sponge form and/or original shape by the act of continuous compression of the bath sponge as it is being stored in the housing 104.

(18) Referring to FIG. 3, the sponge holding space 110 of the present invention has an appendage extending from the top of sponge holding space 110. The appendage has a hollow loop assembly 102 with an intended purpose of hanging the present invention on a peg or holder in a shower and or bathtub area. This aforementioned hanging loop 102 can also be used to hang a completely assembled unit 112 to any type of bag.

(19) FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the top section shows the interior of the housing 104. The purpose of this housing section is to hold, contain, compress, and or store a bath sponge.

(20) FIG. 4 also illustrates the attachment threads 402. The attachment threads facilitate the attachment of the top section 110 to the separator 106.

(21) FIG. 5 illustrates a view of the separator 106. The purpose of this section is to provide additional compression of the bath sponge by the action of driving the separator 106 into the top section 110. In addition, the separator 106 has a funnel design 502 to facilitate the drainage of the by-product of water and debris which is a result of the additional compression of a used bath sponge. The water and debris that are expelled from the bath sponge as it is being compressed by the separator 106 will be diverted into the drainage funnel 502. The housing attachment threads 506 will facilitate the attachment of the separator 106 to the top section 110 by creating a screw together action to join the tops section 110 to the separator 106. The base attachment threads 504 are located at the bottom of the separator 106. These threads 504 facilitate attachment to the base 108.

(22) FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the separator 106. This view best shows the drainage funnel 502 and the opening 602 of the drainage funnel 502. As aforementioned, the byproducts of the act of compression of a used bath sponge are water and debris. This water and debris will be expelled through the opening 602 in the drainage funnel 502. The water and debris can be held in a fully assembled bath sponge container 112 while being transported, or the water and debris can be allowed to drain into a sink or tub while the top section 110 is being suspended by the hanging loop 102. For example, the top section 110 can be attached to the separator 106 to provide additional compression of a used bath sponge and water and debris can be allowed to drain into a sink or tub.

(23) FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the base 108. The base 108 serves two purposes. The base 108 will allow a fully assembled bath sponge container 112 to stand independently on any smooth surface. In addition, the base 108 will serve as a reservoir for any water or debris that has been drained by the act of compressing a used bath sponge when the bath sponge container 112 is in an upright position.

(24) As illustrated in FIG. 7, the base 108 has several bump out sections or gripping lobes 702. The purpose of the gripping lobes 702 is to provide a more secure grip on the base 108 when assembling or disassembling the bath sponge container 112.

(25) FIG. 7 also illustrates a thin circular gasket 704. The purpose of the gasket 704 is to prevent leakage of water from the bath sponge container 112.

(26) FIG. 8 illustrates an additional view of the base 108 in which base attachment threads 802 may be seen. The base attachment threads 802 facilitate attachment of the base 108 to the middle section 508, which will create a fully assembled bath sponge container 112.

(27) FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the base 108. The placement of the gasket 704 can be seen as being recessed into a grooved well along the entire internal diameter of the base 108. The gasket 704 is recessed within this groove in the base 108.

(28) FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a fully assembled bath sponge container 112. FIG. 10 illustrates a fully assembled bath sponge container 112. It also demonstrates the utility of the improved techniques, which is to contain, compress, drain, and transport a bath sponge 1006. The bath sponge container 112 includes a sponge holding space 1010 and the separator 106. The separator 106 separates the sponge holding space 1010 from a sponge draining space 1020.

(29) The base 108 is attached to the separator 106. The attachment is facilitated by screwing together the base 108 and the separator 106 using the base attachment threads 504 (FIG. 5) and the separator attachment threads 706 (FIG. 7). The separator 106 is smaller in diameter than the top section 110, thus allowing the separator 106 to be driven up into the sponge holding space 1010. When the separator 106 is driven up as far as possible into the sponge holding space 1010, the separator 106 and the housing 104 can be attached by screwing together the attachment threads 402 (FIG. 4) and the housing attachment threads 506 (FIG. 5).

(30) FIG. 10 illustrates the bath sponge 1006 as it is being compressed by the interior walls of the housing 1014, i.e. sponge holder 1014. The action of compression allows water and debris to be expelled from the bath sponge 1006. The water and debris, i.e., drainage 1024 is then diverted into the separator 106 and can be held in the fully assembled bath sponge container 112. The water and debris 1024 can be released from the bath sponge container 112 by unscrewing the base 108 from the separator 106 while holding over a sink or bath tub and allowing water and debris 1024 to drain.

(31) FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a fully assembled bath sponge container 112 hanging on a travel bag.

(32) FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the bath sponge container as only the top section 110 is being suspended by the hanging loop 102 in a shower enclosure with a bath sponge 1006 being held and compressed by the housing 104.

(33) FIG. 13 illustrates an example method 1300 of manufacturing a sponge holding apparatus. At 1302, a sponge holding space is defined within a housing to hold a sponge over a sponge draining space. At 1304, a separator is provided to separate the sponge holding space from the sponge draining space using a separator which couples to the housing.

(34) The aforementioned bath sponge container 112 may be fabricated from any number of different plastics, metals, composites, and the like, and any combinations thereof, depending upon the requirements of particular applications of the invention. Materials employed in the fabrication of the bath sponge container 112 are preferably suitable for exposure to water, but if materials are employed which are affected by water, such as wood, certain metals (e.g., iron, aluminum, brass), and the like, then a conventional protective coating is preferably applied to the surface of the material to protect it from water.

(35) It is understood that the present invention may take many forms and embodiments. Accordingly several variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example a variety of sizessmaller or larger than those illustrated in the Figurescould be fabricated to accommodate the storage, compression and drainage of any number of sponges for home, commercial, and personal use. In additional the present invention could be fabricated to accommodate any number of wet articles of clothing that require transportation, such as bathing suit, swim suits, and wet suits.

(36) As an additional example, the number of petals in the gripping lobes 702 of the base 108 as illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 is 12, which is preferred. However, there may be any number of petals in the gripping lobes 702, e.g., 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and higher.

(37) As a further example, the separator 106 as illustrated in the Figures does not have a gasket; only the base 108 has a gasket. However, in some arrangements, the separator may have a gasket to further prevent fluids from escaping the container 112.

(38) Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be constructed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

(39) Further, although features are shown and described with reference to particular embodiments hereof, such features may be included and hereby are included in any of the disclosed embodiments and their variants. Thus, it is understood that features disclosed in connection with any embodiment are included as variants of any other embodiment.

(40) As used throughout this document, the words comprising, including, and having are intended to set forth certain items, steps, elements, or aspects of something in an open-ended fashion. Also, as used herein and unless a specific statement is made to the contrary, the word set means one or more of something. This is the case regardless of whether the phrase set of is followed by a singular or plural object and regardless of whether it is conjugated with a singular or plural verb. Although certain embodiments are disclosed herein, it is understood that these are provided by way of example only and the invention is not limited to these particular embodiments.

(41) Those skilled in the art will therefore understand that various changes in form and detail may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the invention.