Patent Application
20080302927
The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for holding and drying household cleaning objects such as soap, sponges, and cleaning pads.
Prior art devices fail to provide a simple and effective means of maintaining a clean and dry environment in which to hold household objects such as those identified above. Constant moisture surrounding such objects leads to mold and mildew accumulation on said objects, producing an offensive odor unless adequate means are provided for ventilation. Excess moisture surrounding a bar of soap is also absorbed by soap and hastens its deterioration unless adequate means of air circulation are provided.
Many prior art devices have attempted to address the problem of moisture accumulation by providing porous or grid-like contraptions on which household objects are placed. Such devices however, generally require the use of a collecting receptacle in which to collect excess moisture or allow for moisture to spill and drain onto a surface on which such devices rest, requiring constant clean-up.
An additional shortcoming of the prior art relate to safety. Many prior art devices are constructed from rigid materials such as ceramic, hard plastic, metal, or glass. Some prior art devices may incorporate rigid metal or hard plastic spikes intended to be lodged within a bar of soap. Such prior art devices may pose a hazard in the event they are dropped and/or shattered on slippery areas such as bathroom or kitchen floors, and individuals may inadvertently step on them.
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings mentioned above and provide an apparatus for holding and drying household objects;
Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple apparatus for minimizing accumulation of moisture surrounding household objects being held within it.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for holding household objects, where said apparatus poses no safety risk.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for holding household objects that may be inexpensive to manufacture.
The invention comprises a raised platform supported by footings that may be constructed from pliable materials such as polyurethane or soft plastic. The platform includes a lattice framework, comprising multiple openings throughout the platform. The lattice framework comprises multiple openings with beveled edges from which drops of moisture may rest suspended until evaporated. Use of the apparatus is accomplished simply by positioning the apparatus in an orientation so that the platform is raised above the surface on which the apparatus is resting. A household item such as a sponge or bar of soap is placed on top of the platform. The pliable nature of the material from which the apparatus is constructed allows for the platform to assume a concave orientation when receiving weight such as a bar of soap. The concave orientation allows for the household item to be securely held within the apparatus, having a hammock-like effect when bearing the weight of items such as a bar of soap.
While the present invention may be used to hold a variety of household cleaning items, such as sponges, steel wool, cleaning pads, and soap it will be discussed specifically in the context of use with a bar of soap.
A significant shortcoming of the most widely used prior art is that it fails to create an environment in which excess moisture can be removed from a bar of soap. It also fails to prevent accumulation of moisture surrounding a bar of soap that is being stored. While the projections may allow for some separation of moisture from a bar of soap, it does not prevent the rapid accumulation of moisture within the receptacle, as there are no means of passive removal of moisture within the receptacle. The walled formation, combined with the non-porous receptacle creates a perpetually wet environment, resulting in the rapid decomposition of soap.
The footings 7 may include decorative cut-outs 8 that provide for gaps between the platform and the surface on which the apparatus is resting. The cut-outs allow for increased circulation surrounding the object placed on the platform. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the footings are constructed from the same, pliable material as the platform.
The lattice framework of the present invention provides multiple, large openings 18 for removal of moisture from the top surface of the platform. This configuration allows for numerous locations where drops of moisture can hang suspended from the edges of the lattice framework openings. If excessive moisture surrounds the household object being held, a prior art soap holder may be used to capture drops of moisture that may fall from the lattice framework. However, for normal, customary use of soap and other household objects, moisture remains suspended from the lattice framework due to the novel design, preventing spillage onto the surface on which the apparatus rests.
The concave configuration further improves drying of the bar of soap because excess moisture from normal use will have a tendency to travel downward, along the slope of the concave platform. Drops of liquid 11 are suspended from the platform and remain suspended until evaporated.
While many different materials may be used to construct the apparatus, suitable materials must be pliable and form a concave configuration when bearing weight typical of a bar of soap. Representative weights for typical bars of soap intended to be used with the apparatus may range from 3-6 ounces. The apparatus is useful however, for holding bars of soap having lesser weight and in fact is especially efficient in drying soap as it decomposes to smaller and smaller sizes through continued use.
The pliable nature of the material is essential for moisture removal by allowing the apparatus to form a concave configuration when bearing the weight of a bar of soap. Moisture will have a tendency to travel down this slope. The concave configuration of the apparatus provides additional utility by securing the bar of soap within the apparatus because the perimeter of the platform partially engulfs the bar of soap. Similar to the function of a hammock supporting a body by suspension, the pliable nature of the platform allows it to securely hold a bar of soap by suspension, with the perimeter area of the platform resting at a higher position than the center of the platform, as detailed in
With respect to the above description, 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, manner 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.
