BAR SOAP EXFOLIANT WRAPPING

Abstract

A bar soap designed with an exfoliant fabric which is then wrapped and secured around the bar of soap, creating a single, integral product of bathing and exfoliating using exfoliant fabrics. A method includes providing one or more sections of exfoliant fabric having sufficient area to fully encompass a bar of soap, placing the bar of soap in operative connection with the one or more sections of exfoliant fabric, and non-removably securing the bar of soap within the one or more sections of exfoliant fabric, whereby the bar of soap is fully enveloped within a volume formed by the one or more sections of exfoliant fabric.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/398,253, filed Aug. 16, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The following information is provided to assist the reader in understanding technologies disclosed below and the environment in which such technologies may typically be used. The terms used herein are not intended to be limited to any particular narrow interpretation unless clearly stated otherwise in this document. References set forth herein may facilitate understanding of the technologies or the background thereof. The disclosure of all references cited herein are incorporated by reference.

Exfoliating is ideal for sloughing off dead skin cells and creating a deeper cleaning of the human skin. Exfoliating the body is also ideal in the event of shaving parts of the body as it can reduce irritation, razor bumps, and ingrown hairs.

In general, exfoliant fabrics come in the form of rags, towels, mitts, or even sashes which all provide a form of exfoliation in their rightful manner. However, such items can become unhygienic as the fabric sits too long in a wet shower, and generally require at least a two-step method for application.

SUMMARY

In a number of embodiments, devices, systems and methods hereof use of exfoliant materials such as fabrics (either woven or nonwoven) wrapped and non-removably secured around a bar of soap to create a higher sense of convenience when washing oneself. As used herein, the phrase “non-removably secured” refers to method or mechanisms of securing that do not become detached under conditions of normal use. Such method or mechanism of securing may, for example, require ripping, tearing, or cutting of the exfoliant fabric or a securing seam to remove the bar of soap from the exfoliant fabric encompassing or enwrapping the bar of soap.

Moreover, unlike other exfoliating soap bars, the devices hereof need not contain any loose granules or objects within the bar that are used as an exfoliant, for example, sea salt, oatmeal, or beads. Likewise, any loose exfoliating objects that are manufactured into the bar itself are not required in the devices and method hereof.

In one aspect, a method hereof includes providing one or more sections of material having sufficient area (effective surface area) to fully encompass one or more volumes of soap, placing the one or more volumes of soap in operative connection with the one or more sections of material, and non-removably securing the one or more volumes of soap within the one or more sections of material, whereby the one or more volumes of soap are fully enveloped within a volume formed by the one or more sections of material. At least one of the one or more section of material is formed from an exfoliant material (that is, an exterior surface thereof exhibit exfoliating abrasiveness). All of the one or more sections of material may be formed either completely or partially) from an exfoliant material. In a number of embodiments, the one or more volumes of soap are secured within the volume formed by the one or more sections of material by sewing, stitching, sonic welding, or heat sealing. In a number of embodiment, each of the one or more sections of material is formed from an exfoliant material.

In a number of embodiments, the exfoliant material is formed from or includes a biopolymer (for example, cellulose, lignin, etc.). The exfoliant material may, for example, include a burlap or a jute material. In devices or systems wherein stitching is used in connection with the one or more sections of material to secure the one or more volumes of soap within the volume formed by the one or more sections of material, the stitching may include (or be formed from) a biopolymer. In a number of representative embodiments, the stitching includes cotton.

In another aspect, an exfoliating device includes one or more sections of a material fully encompassing, enveloping, or enwrapping one or more volumes of soap. The one or more sections of material are non-removably secured so that the one or more volumes of soap is fully encompassed, enveloped, or enwrapped within a volume formed by the one or more sections of material. All of the one or more sections of material may be formed either completely or partially) from an exfoliant material. In a number of embodiments, the one or more volumes of soap are secured within the volume formed by the one or more sections of material by sewing, stitching, sonic welding, or heat sealing.

As described above, in a number of embodiments, the exfoliant material is formed from or includes a biopolymer (for example, cellulose, lignin, etc.). The exfoliant material may, for example, include a burlap or a jute material. In devices or systems wherein stitching is used in connection with the one or more sections of material to secure the one or more volumes of soap within the volume formed by the one or more sections of material, the stitching may include (or be formed from) a biopolymer. In a number of representative embodiments, the stitching includes cotton.

The present devices, systems, and methods, along with the attributes and attendant advantages thereof, will best be appreciated and understood in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of a system hereof including an outer layer, envelope, package or container formed from an exfoliant material or fabric wrapped around the bar of soap.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the components of the system of FIG. 1 with the bar of soap in operative connection with the section of material or fabric which forms the outer layer, envelope, package or container encompassing the bar of soap.

DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations in addition to the described representative embodiments. Thus, the following more detailed description of the representative embodiments, as illustrated in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments, as claimed, but is merely illustrative of representative embodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or the like in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obfuscation.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a section of exfoliant material or fabric” includes a plurality of such sections and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth, and reference to “the section of exfoliant material or fabric” is a reference to one or more such sections and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each separate value, as well as intermediate ranges, are incorporated into the specification as if individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contraindicated by the text.

As used herein, the term “bar” as used in a “bar of soap” refers to a volume of solid soap. The volume of soap can be of any shape or size suitable for use herein. One or more bars of soap may be encompassed within the exfoliant containers hereof.

As described above, a number of abrasive materials/fabrics are commercially available and exfoliant in their rightful manner. In a number of embodiments of devices, systems and methods hereof, an abrasive porous material or fabric (that is, an exfoliant material or fabric which is commonly used to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells from the human skin) is used to securely envelope, encompass, or enwrap one or more bars of soap so that the bar(s) of soap is/are fully wrapped within or encompassed by the exfoliant material fabric. The porous materials or fabrics hereof allow passage of liquid therethrough (for example, water and water including dissolved soap). The porous materials or fabrics hereof may also allow passage of particles from the bar of soap carried within the liquid to pass therethrough. A single section of exfoliant material of fabric may be used which has sufficient area to fully encompass the exfoliant fabric. More than one section of exfoliant material of fabric may also be used. Depending upon the material, an encompassing volume can be created using a secure or non-removable connection (or seam) formed by sewing, stitching, sonic welding, heat welding and/or other connections formed in/on the section(s) of fabric as known material, fabric and/or polymer arts.

Such securing of the fabric completely around the bar(s) provides a reduced need for extra materials, fabrics or exfoliants in the cleansing area, maintaining convenience for the user by providing a bar or soap with a built-in or integral exfoliant functionality.

The exfoliant material of fabric hereof can be formed from any porous abrasive material used for exfoliating and washing the human skin that can be wrapped around one or more bars (volumes) of soap. Such materials include but are not limited to jute, hemp, plastic, cotton, and polyester exfoliating materials. In a number of embodiments, the material is biodegradable. For example, in a number of embodiments, burlap or jute was used. Additionally, the stitching material in embodiment in which stitching is used, can also be biodegradable. For example, in a number of embodiments, the stitching material was a biopolymer such as cotton.

A number of soap manufacturers, create exfoliating soap bars by embedding exfoliating ingredients within the bar itself. Although such soap bars can be effective in exfoliation, the embedded exfoliant can lead to exfoliant particles remaining on the skin after washing. Moreover, the exfoliating particles can also be made of harsh or sharp ingredients like sand, salt, or dried leaves. Such ingredients can become too abrasive and scratch the skin when used. In a number of embodiments hereof, wherein one or more bars or volumes of soap are enveloped in a number of exfoliating material hereof, the material is abrasive in its own right and does not leave any exfoliant remnants on the body. In a number of embodiments, exfoliant materials (for example, biofabrics such a burlap, jute, etc.) used in the devices hereof soften over time during use. In that regard, as the skin softens while the user continues to wash with a device hereof, the exfoliant material also softens.

Bar soap is notorious for being slick and slippery. Wrapping bars of soap in exfoliant material as described herein creates an easier grip on the soap. The wrap or envelope hereof also makes it easier to place the soap back onto a rack or ledge in, for example, a shower and prevents it from slipping off Various soap-saver bags may create an easier grip on soap. However, when the soap bar itself begins to shrink, this leads to significant empty space in the bag which can create difficulties in handling soap. In embodiments of devices hereof including, for example, a biodegradable biopolymer as an exfoliant material, the material fabric tends to shrink during use and conforms around the bar as the bar gets smaller. Such shrinking and conforming properties create a tighter engagement around the soap to prevent excess movement unlike various soap savers and draw string bags.

The devices, systems and methods hereof create an enveloped wrapping of exfoliant fabric completely around the bar of soap used which is secured by sewing etc. so that no end or other section may be opened unless acted upon by another force not typically experienced during normal use. In a number of embodiments, the secured ends of exfoliant material can, for example, be attached by any means of sewing that include but are not limited to surging, French hem, hand stitching, rolled hem, etc.

The devices and systems hereof are not meant to be refillable with another bar of soap but rather disposed of or recycled once the operator feels the bar of soap within the wrapping is no longer able to clean themself properly or once the operator determines the exfoliant container or wrap has met the threshold of its exfoliating properties.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a representative embodiment system 10 hereof including a flexible outer layer, envelope, package or container 20 formed, at least in part, from a flexible exfoliant material such as an exfoliant fabric. One or more sections of an exfoliant material “wrapped around” or otherwise encompass or envelope one or more volumes or bars of soap 30. FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of system 10. The exfoliant material can, for example, be made from any porous abrasive fabric that can exfoliate and remove dead skin from the human skin. As described above, such materials include but are not limited to polymers or biopolymers (for example, cotton, jute, burlap, polyester, etc.) FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the components of system 10 and a method of encompassing bar of soap 30. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a single section of flexible exfoliant material fabric 20′ is used to form container 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal ends of material section 20′ are folded around bar of soap 30 as represented by arrows A and A′. Those ends are connected via transverse stitching 22a as illustrated in FIG. 2. Lateral end stitching 22a and 22b are used to close the lateral ends of fabric section 20′ as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As clear to one skilled in the art, there are many manners in which the encompassing outer layers or containers hereof may be formed using a single section of material or two or more sections of material. Moreover, different materials may be used in forming the outer layers or container hereof. Such materials may differ in level of exfoliating abrasiveness. For example, a top layer may be formed from a material having a first level of abrasiveness and a bottom layer may be formed from a material having a second level of abrasiveness (including little or no abrasiveness).

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings set forth a number of representative embodiments at the present time. Various modifications, additions and alternative designs will, of course, become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachings without departing from the scope hereof, which is indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes and variations that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

(a) providing one or more sections of material having sufficient area to fully encompass one or more volumes of soap,

(b) placing the one or more volumes of soap in operative connection with the one or more sections of material, and

(c) non-removably securing the one or more volumes of soap within the one or more sections of material, whereby the one or more volumes of soap are fully enveloped within a volume formed by the one or more sections of material, wherein at least one of the one or more sections of material is formed from an exfoliant material.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more volumes of soap are secured within the volume formed by the one or more sections of material by sewing, stitching, sonic welding, or heat sealing.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein each of the one or more sections of material is formed from an exfoliant material.

4. An exfoliating device, comprising: one or more sections of material fully encompassing one or more volumes of soap, the one or more sections of material being non-removably securing so that one or more volumes of soap are fully encompassed within a volume formed by the one or more sections of material, wherein at least one of the one or more sections of material are formed from an exfoliant material.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the one or more volumes of soap are secured within the volume formed by the one or more sections of material by sewing, stitching, sonic welding, or heat sealing.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein each of the one or more sections of material is formed from an exfoliant material.

7. The exfoliating device of claim 5 wherein the exfoliant material comprises a biopolymer.

8. The exfoliating device of claim 7 wherein the exfoliant material comprises a burlap or a jute.

9. The exfoliating device of claim 8 wherein stitching is used in connection with the one or more section of material to secure the one or more volumes of soap within the volume formed by the one or more sections of material.

10. The exfoliating device of claim 9 wherein a material for the stitching comprises a biopolymer.

11. The exfoliating device of claim 10 wherein the stitching comprises cotton.