Patents by Inventor Edward C. Hoffman

Edward C. Hoffman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4548572
    Abstract: A soap saving device for pressure bonding two or more pieces of wet soap comprising a rack particularly adapted for hanging in a shower or bath stall. The rack carries two or more soap trays with at least one tray being fixedly supported on the rack and another tray being moveable relative the rack. An elastic element, such as a rubber band or spring, can drive the moveable tray toward the fixed tray when an operate latch is disengaged in a first species. If two or more pieces of wet soap are stacked between the two trays, a pressure bonding force can be applied to the soap pieces to mold the several pieces into a single bar. The operate latch is dispensed within a second species, and the elastic element is manually extended momentarily to enable the moveable soap tray to be separated so that the two or more pieces of wet soap can be placed on the moveable tray for pressure bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Inventor: Edward C. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4501354
    Abstract: A soap saving device for pressure bonding two or more pieces of soap, comprising a one-piece structure which is an elongated, thin, flexible plastic strap. The strap includes a central section which serves as a supporting base for the pieces of soap which are to be bonded together, and a locking handle section extending from each side of the supporting base. When the handle sections are locked together so as to envelop two or more pieces of soap placed on the supporting base, the force exerted on the soap pieces by the tensioned strap pressure bonds these pieces into a usable bar. In a modification, a plastic soap retaining dish having a hinged clamping tab is substituted for one of the locking handle sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Inventor: Edward C. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4501355
    Abstract: A soap saving device for pressure bonding two or more pieces of wet soap comprising a pair of soap dishes which may be nested together to pressure bond two or more pieces of soap located between the nested soap dishes, or alternatively each may be employed as independent and separate soap dishes. The different species are disclosed for developing a soap bonding or compressing force between the dishes. An elastic band is employed in a first species using identical nesting soap dishes. In the second species, a pair of tension bars, each formed with a series of surface locking ridges or grooves, is hinged to one soap dish so that they may pivot into locking alignment with a pair of slots each having a set of flexible locking tabs for engaging the locking ridges. In the third species, the sidewalls of a base soap dish are formed with several sets of exterior locking ridges which adjustably engage mating sets of locking ridges formed on the interior of the skirt of the top soap dish which nests over the base dish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Inventor: Edward C. Hoffman