CONNECTIBLE SHOWERING/BATHING MITTS FOR WASHING/DRYING THE ENTIRE BODY

Abstract

A pair of water-absorbent mitts for showering/bathing that can be connected at the tips. Connection at the tips allows the mitts to be joined in a continuous length which facilitates washing/drying of the back.

Claims

1. I claim the addition of connectors at the tips of water-absorbent showering mitts which allow the mitts to be readily and temporarily joined into one length to facilitate back washing/drying.

2. I claim the entirety of the body washing/drying systemcomposed of two waster-absorbent showering mitts that can be readily and temporarily connected at the tipsas a means of significantly reducing wash load (towels) resulting in significant monetary savingsdue to less laundry work, lower consumption of water and lower consumption of energy required to dry towels.

3. I dependently claim the entirety of the aforementioned washing/drying system as a means of significantly lowering the environmental impact of laundry due to the decreased consumption of water and energy and detergent.

4. I dependently claim the entirety of the aforementioned washing/drying system as having a marked improvement in showering safety since it is much more difficult to drop in the shower than previous devices.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE PHOTOS

[0010] FIG. 1 is an overview of the connectible showering/bathing mitt. This mitt is referred to as the ball mitt since it has 2 ball-buttons attached to its closed end (ref. 1). This photo shows the preferred embodiment of the ball mitt of this invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is an overview of the loop mittsince it has 2 loop connectors (ref. 8) sewn to its closed end. This photo shows the preferred embodiment of this loop mitt.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the user with hands inserted into the mitts of FIGS. 1 & 2.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a close-up of the ends of both mitts with the 2 ball-buttons of one mitt engaged through the 2 loop connectors of the mating mitt.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a full-length view of both mitts connected at their closed ends via their ball & loop connectors. This is referred to as full-length mode.

[0015] FIG. 6 shows the user employing the full-length mode of FIG. 5 in a vertical fashion to wash/dry upper back region.

[0016] FIG. 7 shows the user employing the full-length mode of FIG. 5 in a horizontal fashion to wash/dry the lower back.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] THE CONNECTIBLE SHOWERING/BATHING MITTS (FIGS. 1 & 2)made of water-absorbent fabricare completely simple and safe to use for washing and drying the user's entire body.

[0018] This invention consists of two mitts made of water-absorbent fabric (the preferred embodiment is made of a cotton fabric having the texture and absorbency of a soft dishtowel). These two mitts can be connected at the tips of the closed ends using ball-button/loop fasteners (FIG. 5, ref's 1 & 8).

[0019] The connection of the mitts at the tips/closed ends results in a continuous length of fabric which can be conveniently used for washing/drying the user's back during showering/bathing (FIGS. 6-9).

[0020] The user's hands are insertedone into each mittvia open ends having convenient access slits (FIGS. 1 & 2, ref. 6). Results will appear as in FIG. 3. User then wets body and mitts. User then lathers up mitts with soap and proceeds to wash body.

[0021] User then engages ball-button/loop connectors by pushing ball (FIG. 1, ref. 1) at tip of ball mitt (FIG. 1) through loop (FIG. 2, ref. 8) of loop mitt (FIG. 2). Procedure is repeated for 2.sup.nd ball/loop pair. Resulting connection appears as in FIG. 4. Connecting mitts as per these instructions results in a continuous length of fabric referred to as full-length mode (FIG. 5). This full-length mode can now be employed by the user to conveniently and safely wash the back (FIGS. 6 & 7).

[0022] User now rinses off body and rinses and wrings out CONNECTIBLE SHOWERING/BATHING MITTS FULL-LENGTH MODE. User then proceeds to use mitts in full-length mode to dry the back (FIGS. 6 & 7), wringing out when necessary.

[0023] User then disconnects the ball/loop connectors and proceeds to dry off the rest of the bodyone hand in each mitt (FIG. 3)wringing out mitts when necessary.

[0024] Each mitt is made by taking a rectangular piece of water-absorbent fabric (FIGS. 1 & 2, ref. 7)approx., but not limited to 1816and folding it in half along the length. This results in a piece of doubled over fabric roughly 188.

[0025] One mitt has two individual lengths of water-resistant cord (FIG. 1, ref. 3)each approx. in diameter and 3 in lengthinserted in-between the folds of the fabric width end. One length of cord is inserted end-width in from the long seam side. The other length of cord is inserted end-width in from the other long (folded) side.

[0026] Both lengths are inserted 2 deep: this results in of each protruding.

[0027] A continuous stitch is now sewn from the folded corner of the doubled over fabric, across the entire width of the end with the cords in it (securing the cords) and continuing down the long seam to within 6 of the end (FIG. 1, ref's 4 & 5). This 6 slit (FIG. 1, ref's 4 & 5) is designed to allow for easier access of the user's hand into the mitt.

[0028] The mitt is then turned inside-out, so that the seam is now inside the mitt and unseen.

[0029] Two pieces of water-resistant cord2 eachnow protrude from the closed/seamed end of the mitt. Each cord is then individually threaded through a ball-button. The ball-button is then pushed down the cord to 1/4 of the mitt end. The excess cord protruding from each ball-button is then knotted close to the ball-button (FIG. 1, ref. 2) and the excess trimmed, resulting in two securely attached ball-buttons (FIG. 1, ref's 1,2,3).

[0030] The opposing mitt would have 2 cord-loops (FIG. 2, ref. 8) inserted into the folded end of the fabric at the same indentations as the ball-buttons of the other mitt. Each loop would have a diameter roughly 1/16 larger than the diameter of the ball-button, so that each loop can smoothly slide over each ball-button.

[0031] A continuous stitch is then sewn across the end with the inserted loops (FIG. 2, ref. 4)thereby fixing the loops in placeand continuing 12 down the long side (FIG. 2, ref. 5). The remaining 6 of the seam that is unsewn (FIG. 4, ref. 6) is designed as a slit to facilitate the entry of a hand into the mitt.

[0032] This mittreferred to as the loop mittis now turned inside-outresulting in the stitching being now inside the mitt and unseen. The two cord-loops now protrude from the closed/stitched end of the loop mitt.

[0033] Another embodiment of this invention would have a thumb slit in the side of each mitt.

[0034] Another embodiment of this invention would have a strap handle attached to each open end of the individual mitts.

[0035] Another embodiment of this invention would have button holes instead of cord loops at the tip of the loop mitt

[0036] Another embodiment would have the balls and loops connected at the open end of each mitt.

[0037] Other embodiments could employ the full panoply of connectors available in various numbers in order to connect the mitts into a full length.

[0038] Another embodiment would allow for the connection of various pads to each mitt.