TOWEL LOOFAH

Abstract

A bathing device has outlet and inlet sides and defines an enclosure. Outlet and inlet sides are permeable to allow water flow through the enclosure. The enclosure is sized to receive soap and to form an air pocket adjacent to the soap, which may be in the form of a bar, a liquid or a gel. A zipper on the inlet side provides access to the enclosure interior. An absorbent member is located proximate the inlet side of the enclosure. In use, soap is located within the compartment. Water is flowed through the inlet side of the enclosure, through the absorbent member and into the soap compartment for mixing the soap and water. Water and dissolved soap are then delivered through the outlet side. Twisting the enclosure about the soap increases mixing as does squeezing the absorbent material to displace water through the outlet side of the enclosure.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/371,961 entitled “TOWEL LOOFAH,” filed Aug. 9, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to personal bathing devices, specifically loofahs, wash cloths, sponges, and the like. In particular, the invention relates to a bathing device that forms a compartment for receiving soap and for dispensing soap suds through an outlet side of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, when bathing, an average person takes a bar of soap and puts it in his or her hand. The user lathers the soap in between the palms of his or her hands, thereby dissolving layers of the soap as the soap mixes with incoming water and air pockets created in between the user's fingers. Importantly, to achieve a desired soap and water mixture, abundant water flow and air pockets between the user's fingers must be present.

Therefore, one reason a typical design for a bar of soap and enclosed towel combination does not work well is because there is no water flow over the bar of soap and no space between the bar of soap and the towel or permeable material to create an air pocket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention incorporates the use of a towel or wash cloth and a bar of soap or liquid soap or gel. The towel loofah is designed to produce a constant, even lather that gently cleans and exfoliates. A zipper pouch conveniently holds a full bar of soap or liquid shower gel within a soap compartment.

In use, a user soaks the towel loofah until completely wet. Next, the user places a desired soap inside the zipper pouch and twists the towel a few times to create a rich lather. Finally, the user places his hand through a strap and begins cleansing. It is advisable after each use to remove the soap, rinse the towel and hang the towel portion by the strap to dry. The towel loofah is preferably machine washable.

The design of the invention is based on an inlet flow and an outlet flow vis-a-vis a soap containing compartment, in contrast to designs that incorporate a two sided foam where there is no inlet flow and no outlet flow, thus causing the design not to work well.

Important aspects associated with the design of the invention include the absorbency of a foam/sponge located adjacent to a bar of soap, the increased water flow rate within the soap containing chamber as compared to prior designs, the spacing/air pockets surrounding the soap, and an ability to create frictional contact between the towel or permeable material and the bar of soap. Liquid soap may also be used within the device of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the towel loofah in a closed configuration.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the towel loofah in an open configuration.

FIG. 3 is a top schematic view of the towel loofah in a closed configuration.

FIG. 4 is a bottom schematic view of the towel loofah.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the towel loofah of FIG. 1, shown taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the pouch material used to prepare the towel loofah of FIG. 1, shown in an unassembled configuration.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pouch material of FIG. 6, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 and then folded inside out in preparation for assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, shown is a bathing device designated generally 10. Bathing device 10 is made up of a permeable sheet of material 12. Preferably permeable sheet of material 12 is preferably terry cloth, although other materials may be used, including micro-fiber, exfoliating pads and sponge material. Patterns, designs or characters may be affixed to an outer surface of bathing device 10.

As shown in FIG. 6, sheet 12 has a right end 14, a left end 16, a top edge 18, and a bottom edge 20. Permeable sheet 12 is divided into a plurality of panels by a plurality of fold lines as discussed below.

In a preferred embodiment, sheet 12 is 11½″×5⅞″. However, other dimensions may also be used. Permeable sheet 12 has an outlet panel 22 defined by left outlet side fold line 24 and right outlet side fold line 26. Permeable sheet 12 has a left outside inlet panel 28 that is defined by left outlet side fold line 24 and left zipper fold 32. Permeable sheet 12 has a left inside inlet panel 34 defined by left zipper fold 32 and by left outside fold 36. Permeable sheet 12 has a left outlet panel 38 defined by left outside fold 36 and by left end 16 of sheet 12. Permeable sheet 12 has a right outside inlet panel 40 defined by right outlet side fold line 26 and by right zipper fold 42. Permeable sheet 12 has a right inside inlet panel 44 defined by right zipper fold 42 and by right outside fold 46. Permeable sheet 12 has a right outlet panel 48 defined by right outside fold 46 and by right end 14 of sheet 12.

In a preferred embodiment, outlet panel 22 is 3¾″×5⅞″; left outside inlet panel 28 and right outside inlet panel 40, left inside inlet panel 34 and right inside inlet panel 44 are 1⅞″×5⅞″; and left outlet panel 38 and right outlet panel 48 are 1⅛×5⅞.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, left end 16 of sheet 12 is sewn to outlet panel 22 at left sew line 50 (FIG. 4). Right end 14 of sheet 12 is sewn to outlet panel 22 at right sew line 52. An enclosure device such as zipper 54 is provided. Left side of zipper 54 is sewn to left zipper fold 32. Right side zipper 54 is sewn to right zipper fold 42. Wrap around channel 55 is formed by an area defined by left outside inlet panel 28, left inside panel 34, and left outlet panel 38. Similarly, wrap around channel 57 is formed by an area defined by right outside inlet panel 40, right inside inlet panel 44, and right outlet panel 48. Wrap around channels 55 and 57 provide an additional pathway for liquids to facilitate improved mixing of soap and water in compartment 60 and gives foam member 56 increased space as compound to a tightly sewed foam enclosure. After sewing is complete, bathing device 10 is turned right side out to assume the configuration shown in FIGS. 1-5.

Top edge of panels 38, 34, 28, 22, 40, 44, and 48 are sewn together to form top edge 18 (FIGS. 3, 4, 6) of bathing device 10. Similarly, a bottom edge of panels 38, 34, 28, 22, 40, 44, and 48 sewn together to form bottom edge 20 (FIGS. 3, 4, 6) of bathing device 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, left foam member 56 is inserted between left inside inlet panel 34 and left outside inlet panel 28. A right foam member 58 is inserted between right inside inlet panel 44 and right outside inlet panel 40. Compartment 60 is defined by left outside inlet panel 28, outlet panel 22, and right outside inlet panel 40. Compartment 60 is provided for receiving soap 62. Left foam member 56 and right foam member 58 allow water to pass therethrough. However, left foam member 56 and right foam member 58 function as a barrier to soap.

Outlet panel 22 facilitates the passing of water and soap suds from an interior surface of outlet panel 22 to an exterior surface of outlet panel 22.

Compartment 60 defines an air space 64 around soap 62 to facilitate the mixing of soap and water when a user twists bathing device 10 about soap 62.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 5, in use, the foam or sponge material 56, 58 facilitates a constant flow of water to soap 62, and acts as a reservoir for collecting water from permeable panels 28, 40. As a user works the towel or material 12 and squeezes the foam/sponge material 56, 58, water is displaced through permeable material 12 into the soap housing area or compartment 60. Once inside compartment 60, the water creates a separated space or air pocket 64 between soap 62 and material 12. With a constant flow of water, a surface area of soap 62 will randomly come in contact with material 12 at various points inside compartment 60 resulting in frictional contact, which will remove layers of soap 62. The permeable side of device 10, i.e., outlet panel 22, facilitates an increased flow of water, which will push dissolved soap 62 through outlet panel 22 onto an outer side of the towel, thereby providing liquefied soap to a user.

Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A bathing device comprising:

a permeable inlet panel having an inside surface and an outside surface;

a one way barrier member having a first side and a second side, said first side adjacent to said inside surface of said inlet panel;

an inside panel adjacent said second side of said one way barrier member;

an outlet panel connected to said inside panel for forming a soap compartment, said outlet panel for allowing dissolved soap and water to pass out of said compartment.

2. The bathing device according to claim 1 wherein:

said one way barrier member is a foam or sponge material.

3. The bathing device according to claim 1 wherein:

said compartment is sized to receive a bar of soap.

4. The bathing device according to claim 1 wherein:

at least one of said inlet panel and said outlet panel is comprised of terry cloth.

5. The bathing device according to claim 1 wherein:

at least one of said inlet panel and said outlet panel is comprised of micro-fiber.

6. The bathing device according to claim 1 wherein:

at least one of said inlet panel and said outlet panel is comprised of an exfoliating pad.

7. The bathing device according to claim 1 wherein:

at least one of said inlet panel and said outlet panel is comprised of a sponge material.

8. The bathing device according to claim 1 wherein:

said inlet panel is comprised of a first panel and a second panel;

said first panel and said second panel are connected by a zipper, wherein said zipper provides access to said compartment.

9. The bathing device according to claim 1 wherein:

said inlet panel communicates with a wrap around channel for providing an additional fluid pathway to said soap compartment.

10. A bathing device comprising:

an enclosure having an outlet side and an inlet side;

wherein said outlet side and said inlet side are permeable to allow water flow through said enclosure;

wherein said enclosure is sized to receive soap and to form an air pocket adjacent said soap.

11. The bathing device according to claim 10 wherein:

said soap is selected from a group comprising a bar of soap, liquid soap and a gel.

12. The bathing device according to claim 10 further comprising:

a zipper located on said inlet side of said enclosure for providing access to an interior of said enclosure.

13. The bathing device according to claim 10 further comprising:

an absorbent foam or sponge proximate an inside surface of said inlet side of said enclosure.

14. The bathing device according to claim 10 wherein:

said inlet side communicates with a wrap around channel for providing an additional fluid pathway to said soap.

15. A method of providing soap while bathing comprising the steps of:

locating soap within a compartment of a cloth enclosure;

flowing water through an inlet side of said enclosure;

flowing water through a foam or sponge into said compartment containing said soap for mixing said soap and said water;

flowing water and dissolved soap through an outlet side of said enclosure.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein:

said step of locating comprises opening a zipper located on said inlet side of said enclosure.

17. The method according to claim 15 wherein:

said soap and water are mixed by twisting said cloth enclosure about said soap.

18. The method according to claim 15 wherein:

said soap and water are mixed by squeezing said foam or said sponge to displace water through said outlet side of said enclosure.