Easy puff

Abstract

The present invention comprises a flexible wash-cloth, lather ball or bath ball having a chord or rope attached to the wash-cloth or rope to facilitate storing the wash-cloth or ball adjacent a soap dispenser. In a preferred embodiment an outwardly extending projection is provided on the soap dispenser upon which to hang the wash cloth or ball with the attached chord or rope.

Description

I FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a device to assist in washing, taking a shower or taking a bath.

II BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,727 hereby incorporated into the present application by this reference, discloses a bath ball formed from multiple layers of superposed elastic nets woven out of artificial fibers. The elastic nets are axially compressed to produce a corrugated ring that is tightened at two diametrically opposite points with fastening means, such that outer peripheries of the corrugated ring outomatically spread to form a loosely ruffled spherical body. The multiple layers of elastic nets have numerous overlapped meshes that define numerous small angular spaces to enable the bath ball formed from the elastic nets to produce more bubbles from reduced amount of cleansing product.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4, 018, 363, hereby incorporated into the present application by this reference, is a concept presented to detour vandalism. It was intended to have different chambers so that if vandalism was present it would still operate. It was intended for public use. This concept doesn't contain any extra features other than it's intended use, the use of soap dispensing. This is one of the original dispensers used for liquid soap.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,825, hereby incorporated into the present application by this reference, does not include the benefit the present invention has of providing an extension for a lather ball rope to hang from whereas the proximity location of the puff located directly beneath the soap dispensing nozzle.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,058, hereby incorporated into the present application by this reference, is a wall mounted-soap dispenser. It is different from the present invention in that it doesn't have an extention to hold a lather ball by the rope so that soap will be dispensed upon it.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,709, hereby incorporated into the present application by this reference, is a combination soap dispenser and scrub brush for hand and nails. This patent differs from the present invention in that the brush is a part of the dispenser and is used primarily for scrubbing of the hands and nails. Unlike the present invention it is intended for a different use and utilizes the scrub portion as part of the device.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,340, hereby incorporated into the present application by this reference, is a typical dispenser. It is different from the present invention because it does not provide for the consumer to hang a lather ball or sponge with a rope underneath the dispensing nozzle for soap to dispense upon. It is a typical dispenser with a locking mechanism. It differs because it is primarily for dispensing soap onto a consumer's hand or fingers.

III SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A. Objects of the Invention

[0009] One object of the present invention is to provide a flexible member for assiting in washing, showering, or taking a bath.

[0010] Another object is to provide a convenient place to store the flexible member.

[0011] Other objects will be apparent from the following Description and Drawings.

[0012] B. Summary

[0013] The present invention comprises a flexible wash-cloth, lather ball or bath ball having a chord or rope attached to the wash-cloth or rope to facilitate storing the wash-cloth or ball adjacent a soap dispenser.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment an outwardly extending projection is provided on the soap dispenser upon which to hang the wash cloth or ball with the attached chord or rope.

IV THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wash-cloth or ball with the attached chord or rope, held in place with a projection on a soap dispenser in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a detail side elevation view of FIG. 1 showing one embodiment of a projection located on the soap dispenser.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a detail front elevation view of the lather ball or bath ball.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a detail side elevation view of FIG. 2.

V DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The present invention 10 comprises a flexible wash member including a wash-cloth, lather ball or bath ball 12 having a flexible attachment means 20, for example a chord or rope 22 attached to the wash-cloth lather ball or bath ball 12 at two locations 14 and 16 and has legs 24 and 26 and an arcuate top 28 to facilitate storing the wash-cloth or ball adjacent a soap dispenser 30, having at a cover 32 and least one soap dispensing button 34.

[0021] The wash-cloth lather ball or bath ball 12 is commercially available and is preferably made of poly-olefin or polyurethane material. an example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,727. U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,727 hereby incorporated into the present application by this reference, discloses a bath ball formed from multiple layers of superposed elastic nets woven out of artificial fibers. The elastic nets are axially compressed to produce a corrugated ring that is tightened at two diametrically opposite points with fastening means, such that outer peripheries of the corrugated ring automatically spread to form a loosely ruffled spherical body. The multiple layers of elastic nets have numerous overlapped meshes that define numerous small angular spaces to enable the bath ball formed from the elastic nets to produce more bubbles from reduced amount of cleansing product.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment the wash member holder 40 comprises an outwardly extending projection 41 conveniently provided on the soap dispenser 30 upon which to hang the wash cloth or ball 12 with the attached chord or rope 20. The holder 40 maybe molded into the cover 32 of the soap dispenser 30. Alternatively, it may be attached to the cover 32 with mechanical fasteners 36 with or without an opening 38 in the cover 32.

[0023] Preferably the projection 40 makes an angle “a” of about 10 to 60 degrees with the vertical cover surface 33. Preferably the projection includes a horizontal portion 42 and an inclined portion 44 as shown in FIG. 3

[0024] In one embodiment, the soap dispenser 30 is constructed in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,825 hereby incorporated into the present application by this reference, with the holder located on cover 28.

[0025] In another embodiment, the soap dispenser 30 is constructed in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,245 hereby incorporated into the present application by this reference with the holder located on shell 16.

[0026] In another embodiment, the soap dispenser 30 is constructed in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,709 hereby incorporated into the present application by this rererence with the holder located on shell 6.

[0027] In another embodiment, the soap dispenser 30 is constructed in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,058 hereby incorporated into the present application by this rererence with the holder located on shell 1.

[0028] In another embodiment, the soap dispenser 30 is constructed in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,123 hereby incorporated into the present application by this reference with the holder located on the front face of container 1.

[0029] In another embodiment, the soap dispenser 30 is constructed in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,018,363 hereby incorporated into the present application by this reference with the holder located on lower housing 11.

Claims

1 An improved wash member comprising:

a flexible wash member having flexible attachment means attached to said flexible member, and means for removably attaching said attachment means to a wash member holder.

2 An improved wash member according to claim 1 wherein said wash member comprises a wash-cloth, lather ball or bath ball.

3 An improved wash member according to claim 2 wherein said attachment means are attached to said wash member at at least two locations to facilitate storing the washcloth or ball.

4 An improved wash member according to claim 3 wherein said attachment means comprise laterally spaced legs.

5 An improved wash member according to claim 4 wherein said laterally spaced legs are joined at the top to form an arcuate attachment area.

6 An improved wash member according to claim 5 wherein said attachment area is shaped in a loop.

7 An improved wash member assembly comprising:

a flexible wash member having flexible attachment means attached to said flexible member, means for removably attaching said attachmet means to a wash member holder.

8 An improved wash member assembly according to claim 7 wherein said wash member holder is located on a soap dispenser.

9 An improved wash member assembly according to claim 8 wherein said soap dispenser includes a cover upon which said holder is mounted.

10 An improved wash member assembly according to claim 7 wherein said holder comprises an outwardly extending projection.

11 An improved wash member assembly according to claim 9 wherein said holder comprises an outwardly extending projection.

12 An improved wash member assembly according to claim 10 wherein said outwardly extending projection is molded into said cover. 32 of the soap dispenser 30.

13 An improved wash member assembly according to claim 10 wherein said outwardly extending projection is attached to said cover with mechanical fasteners. 36 with or without an opening 38 in the cover 32.

14 An improved wash member assembly according to claim 10 wherein said outwardly extending projection makes an angle “a” of about 10 to 60 degrees with the vertical cover surface. 33.

15 An improved wash member assembly according to claim 10 wherein said outwardly extending projection includes a horizontal portion and an inclined portion.

16 An improved wash member assembly according to claim 15 wherein said inclined portion makes an angle “a” of about 10 to 60 degrees with the vertical.