Abstract: A device is disclosed for efficiently grating and dispensing blocks of hand soap, comprising a housing and soap grating mechanism. The housing includes a tubular feed tower, a hollow cage and a funnel which collectively define a laterally enclosed passageway through which the soap travels. A grating disc is rotatably mounted in the housing, having an annular rim, a hub and a plurality of spokes connecting the hub and rim so as to define openings through which grated soap may pass. A long, thin, serrated metal band is mounted on the spokes in a continuous spiral between the hub and rim, forming a series of coils which define a planar cutting surface. The band is loosely wound, so that successive coils are spaced apart from each other a sufficient distance to easily permit soap shavings to drop through the space between adjacent coils.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using a holder having first and second clips arranged with their mouths facing substantially the same direction. The first clip is provided with an inner surface which is shaped to hold a cylindrical article and a mouth which is normally open so as to allow the legs of this first clip to be urged apart from each other when such a cylindrical article is pressed against it. The holder is mounted at a designated location on the user's body by attaching the second clip to a piece of material worn by the user, with the mouth of the first clip facing generally downwardly. A substantially cylindrical article is inserted into the first clip by placing the article against the mouth of this clip and lifting the article upwardly into contact with its inner surface, with the axis of the first clip's inner surface in a generally horizontal orientation.