Soap Retaining Washcloth
A soap retaining washcloth is provided. The device includes a front panel affixed to a rear panel along a lower edge and opposing lateral sides of each of the front panel and the rear panel defining a pocket having an open upper end. The pocket is dimensioned to receive a bar of soap therein. Each of the front panel and the rear panel include a plurality of layers, wherein the plurality of layers includes a moisture absorbent layer, a bactericidal material layer, and an abrasive material layer.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/060,858 filed on Aug. 4, 2020. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to washcloths. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a washcloth having an interior volume configured to retain a bar of soap therein.
Many individuals utilize bar soap when bathing, washing their hands, or other cleaning activities. However, bar soap is prone to several disadvantages. For example, between uses, bars of soap are typically rested on a dish or counter adjacent to a sink. As such, dirt, grime, or other contaminates from the surface or surrounding area can reduce the quality of the soap. Additionally, bars of soap can be prone to erosion over time, such as from soap residue buildup on the support surface, which can reduce the lifetime of the bar of soap. As such, the bar of soap must be replaced more frequently leading to increased cost to the user. Furthermore, the soap residue build up must be frequently cleaned, which can be frustrating. As the bar of soap erodes, the structural integrity of the soap can be affected, causing the bar of soap to crumble into several separate pieces which can be difficult to manage. As a result, individuals often discard these fragmented bars of soap, leading to more frequent soap replacement and increasing overall costs to the individual. Finally, often bars of soap become difficult to handle while bathing resulting in droppages that can damage the soap, or potentially cause injury when a user attempts to retrieve the fallen bar of soap. Therefore, a device that can retain a bar of soap therein to prevent waste and ensure that the user maintains a grip on the bar of soap is desired.
In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing washcloths. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of washcloths now present in the known art, the present invention provides a washcloth having an interior volume wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when retaining soap within the washcloth to facilitate efficient bathing.
The present system comprises a front panel affixed to a rear panel along a lower edge and opposing lateral sides of each of the front panel and the rear panel defining a pocket having an open upper end. The pocket is dimensioned to receive a bar of soap therein. Each of the front panel and the rear panel comprise a plurality of layers including a moisture absorbent layer, a bactericidal material layer, and an abrasive material layer.
In some embodiments, the moisture absorbent material layer is disposed on an interior surface of each of the front panel and the rear panel. In another embodiment, the bactericidal material layer is disposed between the moisture absorbent material layer and the abrasive material layer. In other embodiments, a fastener is disposed on the open upper end of the pocket. In yet another embodiment, the fastener comprises a zipper having a first zipper portion disposed on an upper edge of the front panel and a second zipper portion disposed on an upper edge of the rear panel, wherein the first zipper portion removably secures to the second zipper portion. In some embodiments, the fastener comprises a drawstring disposed about the open upper end, wherein the drawstring selectively closes the open upper end when actuated. In another embodiment, the drawstring is disposed within a channel defined through the open upper end of the pocket. In other embodiments, a spring-biased toggle is selectively movable along the drawstring, wherein the spring-biased toggle retains the open upper end in a closed configuration. In yet another embodiment, the fastener comprises complementary hook and loop fasteners disposed on an interior surface of each of the front panel and the rear panel along an upper edge thereof. In some embodiments, a loop is affixed to an upper edge of the pocket. In another embodiment, a hook is affixed to an upper edge of the pocket, In other embodiments, the abrasive material layer comprises a sponge, In yet another embodiment, the abrasive material layer comprises terrycloth. In some embodiments, the abrasive material layer comprises a plurality of folded fabric members defining a loofah. In another embodiment, the plurality of folded fabric members comprises a mesh.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the soap retaining washcloth. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to
The front and rear panels 12, 13 further include an abrasive external layer shown in
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Further, in the illustrated embodiment of
In the shown embodiment of
In the illustrated embodiment of
Referring now to
In one use, a bar of soap is inserted into the soap retaining washcloth via the open upper end. Once placed therein, the open upper end can be placed in the closed configuration via actuation of the fastener disposed thereon. As previously described, the fastener can comprise a variety of formats to provide a desired benefit. After securing the bar of soap within the pocket 17, the user can introduce water to the soap retaining washcloth, such that the water is in contact with the bar of soap. The user can then generate a lather that permeates through the front and rear panels 12, 13 of the device to be used during bathing. As the water and lather pass through the bactericidal material layer 21, any bacteria present on the bar of soap or inherently present in the water are eliminated, thereby reducing the risk of infection to the user. The abrasive material layer 22 can further be utilized to scrub or exfoliate the user's skin. Once the user is finished bathing, the device can be suspended from the loop or hook as previously described to facilitate efficient and effective drying between uses.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A soap retaining washcloth, comprising:
- a front panel affixed to a rear panel along a lower edge and opposing lateral sides of each of the front panel and the rear panel defining a pocket having an open upper end;
- wherein the pocket is dimensioned to receive a bar of soap therein;
- wherein each of the front panel and the rear panel comprise a plurality of layers;
- wherein the plurality of layers includes a moisture absorbent material layer, a bactericidal material layer, and an abrasive material layer.
2. The soap retaining washcloth of claim 1, wherein the moisture absorbent material layer is disposed on an interior surface of each of the front panel and the rear panel.
3. The soap retaining washcloth of claim 1, wherein the bactericidal material layer is disposed between the absorbent material layer and the abrasive material layer.
4. The soap retaining washcloth of claim 1, further comprising a fastener disposed on the open upper end of the pocket.
5. The soap retaining washcloth of claim 4, wherein the fastener comprises a zipper having a first zipper portion disposed on an upper edge of the front panel and a second zipper portion disposed on an upper edge of the rear panel, wherein the first zipper portion removably secures to the second zipper portion.
6. The soap retaining washcloth of claim 4, wherein the fastener comprises a drawstring disposed about the open upper end, wherein the drawstring selectively doses the open upper end when actuated.
7. The soap retaining washcloth of claim 6, wherein the drawstring is disposed within a channel defined through the open upper end of the pocket.
8. The soap retaining washcloth of claim 6, further comprising a spring-biased toggle selectively movable along the drawstring, wherein the spring-biased toggle retains the open upper end in a closed configuration.
9. The soap retaining washcloth of claim 4, wherein the fastener comprises complementary hook and loop fasteners disposed on an interior surface of each of the front panel and the rear panel along an upper edge thereof.
10. The soap retaining washcloth of claim 1, further comprising a loop affixed to an upper edge of the pocket.
11. The soap retaining washcloth of claim 1, further comprising a hook affixed to an upper edge of the pocket.
12. The soap retaining washcloth of claim 1, wherein the abrasive material layer comprises a sponge.
13. The soap retaining washcloth of claim 1, wherein the abrasive material layer comprises terrycloth.
14. The soap retaining washcloth of claim 1, wherein the abrasive material layer comprises a plurality of folded fabric members defining a loofah.
15. The soap retaining washcloth of claim 14, wherein the plurality of folded fabric members comprises a mesh.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 28, 2021
Publication Date: Feb 10, 2022
Inventor: Robert McCoy (Memphis, TN)
Application Number: 17/386,727