Wash Cloth with Pouch

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus capable of holding soap or other cleansers is described. The apparatus includes a washcloth for scrubbing and abrasion and a pouch or pocket made of relatively more permeable material for holding soap. The soap is held on both sides by relatively more permeable fabric and is not obscured by the more permeable material of typical washcloths, and yet the apparatus includes a washcloth for comfortable bathing. The pouch may include a closure for retaining the soap.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to bath accessories, specifically an apparatus for the improved handling of soap or cleanser with the simultaneous advantages of improving the flow of water over the soap and improving the ability of a person who is bathing to grasp or handle the soap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Soap in bar form is an extremely common and convenient bath accessory. It has several well-known disadvantages, such as becoming slippery when wet, becoming difficult to grasp as it becomes small, and remaining wet when placed in a sealed soap dish. These problems become more serious as persons with impaired physical abilities, such as elderly persons or persons with arthritis, attempt to use soap.

There are several approaches which have been taken to overcome these disadvantages. One approach has simply been to add a handle or rope to the bar (so-called “soap on a rope”). However, this makes each bar of soap more expensive and does not provide a surface for scrubbing, such as found with a washcloth.

Another approach has been to provide a sponge or puff-shaped article which can contain a bar of soap, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,242 or U.S. Pat. No. 2,588,773. However, puffs and sponges are difficult to launder and more expensive than washcloths and provide less surface area.

Another approach has been to provide a long apparatus with handles for holding soap against one's back, such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,130,441; U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,707; U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,456; or U.S. Patent Application 2013/0098381. However, this form factor is relatively large and unsuitable as a general-purpose wash cloth.

Another approach has been to provide a bag or pouch for holding soap, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,378; U.S. Pat. No. 7,473,044; or U.S. Pat. No. D413,477. However, such bags do not provide extra surface area for scrubbing and do not provide the same type of scrubbing surface as a wash cloth.

Another approach has been to construct a mitten or mitt with an additional pouch or holder for soap, such as U.S. Pat. No. 2,668,309; U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,407; or U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,596. However, these do not provide the same type of scrubbing surface as a washcloth and require removal from the hand before rinsing can commence.

Another approach has been to attach a pocket, pouch, or holder to a conventional washcloth, such as U.S. Pat. No. 2,669,737; U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,610; or U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,881. A similar approach is to construct a cloth from two layers of material and sew a pouch or pocket into one end, such as U.S. Patent Application 2006/0280547.

None of these have the combined advantages of a conventional wash cloth, such as ease of laundering, ability to scrub, and convenient amount of surface area, with a relatively porous material that permits the easy flow of water. For example, the puffs, bags, and mittens do not provide the conventional wash cloth. The conventional washcloths all present at least one layer of conventional wash cloth material to at least one side of the soap, partially blocking the flow of water. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,881 discusses the advantages of a tulle material to provide a thinner fabric to permit water flow, but then attaches the tulle pocket to a conventional washcloth, obscuring one side of the soap bar.

What is needed is an invention that combines a soap-holding pocket or pouch with a conventional wash cloth in a way that permits the free flow of water over the soap.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the background, it is the object of the invention to provide an apparatus for bathing that combines the advantages of a conventional washcloth with a permeable holder for soap or cleanser that permits free flow of water over the soap. By combining a washcloth with a permeable holder for soap, the apparatus will provide improved cleaning ability.

In one embodiment, a hole is placed in a conventional washcloth, or the cloth is assembled into a structure with a hole, and a permeable pouch or bag for holding soap is sewn over the hole.

In another embodiment, the permeable pouch or bag for holding soap is assembled from two pieces of material, one larger and one smaller, and the larger piece is used to attach to the washcloth.

In another embodiment, the permeable pouch or bag for holding soap is assembled from one or two pieces of material and placed between two washcloths. Such an arrangement obscures the stitching that attaches the pouch to the washcloth.

In another embodiment, the washcloth is manufactured with a region that is more permeable and has relatively fewer threads per unit area. A piece of material or pouch is sewn over this region to create a pouch for holding soap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of one embodiment of the invention, showing a permeable pouch or bag attached to a hole in a conventional washcloth.

FIG. 1A is an example of more permeable and less permeable fabric.

FIG. 2 is a view of another embodiment of the invention, showing a bag constructed from pieces of material of different sizes and then attached to a conventional washcloth having a hole.

FIG. 3 is a view of another embodiment of the invention, showing the pouch located between two pieces of washcloth material.

FIG. 4 is a view of another embodiment of the invention, showing a washcloth manufactured with a more permeable region and a pouch attached to it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is presented in order to enable persons of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art, and the principles disclosed herein are applicable to other embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Specifically, certain elements of the invention, such as the shape or location of the hole or the pouch, or the shape of the washcloth, can be varied. The washcloth may be made from a variety of materials used for scrubbing or abrasion. The ordering of layers of fabric can be varied as well. The substance used for cleaning may be soap, a liquid detergent inside a semi-permeable membrane, or any desirable cleaner. (Note that the term “soap” will be used to describe the cleaner in general, and should be considered non-limiting.) The invention explicitly discloses that there are numerous combinations of locations of invention elements, and all combinations are therefore disclosed herein.

Washcloths have been used for centuries. The texture of the washcloth is purposefully rough to increase abrasion to remove dead skin and dirt. Soap is designed to dissolve oils and grease and to dissolve in water, and so can be used to increase the grease-removing ability of the cloth. Typically soap comes in bar form, with concomitant disadvantages such as being slippery, being easily dropped, and becoming mushy if left in water. For persons with limited mobility or dexterity, such as the elderly and children, handling soap can be troublesome.

As noted in the background of the invention, what is needed is a combination of washcloth and soap holder that can provide the benefits of a washcloth while permitting the free flow of water around the soap.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of such a washcloth. A washcloth 100 has in it a hole 101. Note that the washcloth 100 and hole 101 need not be rectangular, and the hole 101 need not be centered in the washcloth 100. In fact, the hole 101 may even extend to one or more sides of the washcloth. The washcloth 100 may be a rectangle with a hole 101 cut in it or it may be assembled from smaller pieces of fabric to create a structure with a hole 101.

A pouch or pocket 102 is attached to the washcloth 100. The pouch 102 may be made from one piece of material folded over or from two pieces of material sewn together. Alternatively, the washcloth 100 and two pieces forming the pouch 102 may be assembled together in one step. Optionally, the pouch 102 may have a closure 103 to hold it shut and hold in the soap.

Closure 103 may be made of, for example, elastic, a mechanical snap or catch, a pair of magnets, a magnet and a piece of metal, or hook-and-loop tape. One example of hook-and-loop tape is Velcro® manufactured by Velcro Industries B.V. In any case, soap is placed inside the pouch 102 for use.

The pouch 102 is preferably made from a more permeable fabric, such as a netting or basket weave material. That is, the threads of the fabric may be spaced farther apart to permit larger holes and increased permeability. This permits the ready flow of water around the soap so that it dissolves faster and provides more soap and more lather to the washcloth and to the one who is bathing.

The advantage conferred by the hole is that both sides of the pouch, with its more permeable fabric, are exposed directly to the water. Thus both sides of the bar of soap are so exposed. The relatively less permeable fabric of the washcloth does not obscure the soap or the pouch.

Note that the washcloth might have an extra hole 104 or a loop 105 so it might be hung up for drying.

FIG. 1A illustrates examples of more permeable and less permeable fabric. More permeable fabric may be of a fabric 110 such as netting, nylon netting, basket weave, or any loosely woven fabric. The loose weave permits free flow of water. Less permeable fabric may be of a fabric like terrycloth 120, microfiber, or other fabric suitable for washcloths or for bathing or scrubbing. Many variations of the two fabrics are possible and are anticipated in the scope of this invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention. A smaller pouch 102 is sewn onto a larger piece of fabric 201. The pouch is a single piece of material, possibly folded on the sides for a smooth seam. The larger piece of fabric 201 can then be sewn onto the washcloth 100. (Alternatively, the washcloth 100, pouch 102, and larger piece of fabric 201 may be assembled in a single step.) The larger piece of fabric 201 is larger than the hole 101 so that there is an overlap that can be sewn. Note that the pouch 102 may be the same size as the larger piece of fabric 201 or smaller.

Both the larger piece of fabric 201 and the pouch 102 are made of more permeable fabric. Soap can then be placed into the structure formed by the pouch 102 and the larger piece of fabric 201. The pouch 102 may have an optional closure 103 as discussed above. Note that if the closure is made from hook and loop tape, one piece of tape will be attached to larger piece of fabric 201 and the other piece on pouch 102. The pieces may be assembled in any chronological order and the pouch 102 may be on the same side of the larger piece of fabric 201 as the washcloth 100 or the opposite side. The pouch 102 may be smaller than the hole so that it fits on the front of the washcloth if that is the preferred orientation of the pouch 102.

As with the previous example, the washcloth might have an extra hole or loop of fabric (not shown) for hanging up for drying.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention. A pouch 102 is sewn onto a larger piece of fabric 201. As noted above, the pouch 102 is the same size or smaller than the larger piece of fabric 201. Alternatively, the pouch 102 and larger piece of fabric 201 may be made from a single piece of material folded over. Both the larger piece of fabric 201 and the pouch 102 are made of more permeable fabric. The pouch 102 may have an optional closure 103 as discussed above. Soap may be inserted into the structure formed by pouch 102 and larger piece of fabric 201.

A second washcloth 300 with its own hole 301 is stacked so that the two washcloths are on the outside of the final structure, obscuring the stitching holding in the pouch 102 and larger piece of fabric 201. As is the case with washcloth 100, second washcloth 300 may also be a single piece of fabric or assembled from multiple pieces. The second washcloth 300 and the second hole 301 need not be the same shapes as the respective first washcloth and hole. Alternatively, instead of a second washcloth 300 formed from a separate piece of fabric, the first washcloth 100 and the second washcloth 300 may be formed from a single piece of fabric folded over.

The pieces may be assembled in any chronological order and with any internal combination of attachments. For example, the pouch 102 might be attached to the washcloth 100 and the larger piece of fabric 201 might be attached to the second washcloth 300 before final assembly. Alternatively, the pouch 102 might be attached to the larger piece of fabric 201 and then the washcloth 100, sewed combination of pouch 102 and larger piece of fabric 201, and second washcloth 300 assembled as a unit.

As with the previous example, the washcloth might have an extra hole or loop of fabric (not shown) for hanging up for drying.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention. Washcloth 100 has a region 401 that is relatively more permeable, using any method known in the art by which a less permeable fabric may be woven into a more permeable fabric.

Pouch 102 is then sewn onto region 401. Soap may be inserted into the structure formed by the pouch 102 and region 401. Since the pouch 102 and region 401 are both made from more permeable fabric, the soap is surrounded by more permeable fabric. The pouch 102 may have an optional closure 103 as discussed above. Note that if the closure is made from hook and loop tape, one piece of tape will be attached to washcloth 100 and the other piece on pouch 102. The region 401 may be smaller than the pouch 102, the same size as the pouch 102, or larger than the pouch 102.

As with the previous example, the washcloth might have an extra hole or loop of fabric (not shown) for hanging up for drying.

The embodiments and examples described above are presented to illustrate and explain the present invention and to enable persons of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, such persons will recognize that the embodiments and examples are for illustration and example only, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope and spirit of the invention or of the following claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning apparatus consisting of

A washcloth made of one or more pieces of relatively less permeable fabric with a hole in it

A pouch made of relatively more permeable fabric placed over said hole

Where the said pouch forms a structure for holding soap

2. The apparatus of claim 1 where there is an additional washcloth made of one or more pieces of relatively less permeable fabric with a hole in it

3. The apparatus of claim 2 where in the said washcloth and said additional washcloth are on the outside when assembled

4. The apparatus of claim 1 where the said washcloth is folded over to form multiple layers

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the washcloth is on the outside when assembled

6. The apparatus of claim 1 where the said pouch is formed from a single piece of fabric

7. The apparatus of claim 1 where the said pouch is formed from multiple pieces of fabric

8. The apparatus of claim 1 where the said pouch has a closure

9. The apparatus of claim 8 where the closure is at least one of elastic, a mechanical snap, hook-and-loop tape, or magnetic.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 where the said relatively more permeable fabric is at least one of terrycloth or microfiber cloth.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 where the said relatively less permeable fabric is at least one of netting, nylon netting, or basket weave material.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 where there are one or more additional holes for hanging the apparatus.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 where there is an additional loop of fabric for hanging the apparatus.

14. A cleaning apparatus consisting of

A washcloth made of one or more pieces of relatively less permeable fabric with a region inside it made of one or more pieces of relatively more permeable fabric

A second piece of fabric made of relatively more permeable fabric placed over the said region

Where the said washcloth and said second piece of fabric form a structure for holding soap

15. The apparatus of claim 14 where the said structure for holding soap has a closure

16. The apparatus of claim 15 where the closure is at least one of elastic, a mechanical snap, hook-and-loop tape, or magnetic.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 where the said relatively more permeable fabric is at least one of terrycloth or microfiber cloth.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 where the said relatively less permeable fabric is at least one of netting, nylon netting, or basket weave material.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 where there are one or more additional holes for hanging the apparatus.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 where there is an additional loop of fabric for hanging the apparatus.