Patent Application
20240138631
Bath poufs (also known as bath sponges, luffas, loofas and loofahs) are common bathing accessories. In use, a bathing soap is applied to the bath pouf and then the pouf is used to wash a bather. Bath poufs are typically made out of netted synthetic materials, such as plastic, that are gathered into looped sections of mesh and make up a fluffy, spherical accessory creating a lot of surface area where cleanser and water can gather for a sudsy experience and creating a large lather. Poufs typically include a looped rope for easy hanging in the bath or shower and they come in a variety of colors. Due to the synthetic mesh and manufacturing means, bath poufs are typically too abrasive for use with sensitive skin.
A bathing accessory capable of combining the cleansing and softness of a washcloth with the lather generating capabilities of a bath pouf is needed.
Embodiments of the present invention include a bath pouf pouch that can be implemented in combination with a bath pouf. Typically, the pouch can include a single piece of fabric forming a fabric body that includes a pocket (or receptacle) for receiving a bath pouf therein. In one instance, the bath pouf pouch can include a tubular channel that can receive an elastic cord therein to cause a pocket opening and surrounding fabric to bunch. In another instance, an elastic material can be sewn around a perimeter of an opening of the bath pouf pouch causing the opening to close. In some instances, ornamental designs (e.g., animals, superheroes, tv characters, etc.) can be incorporated with the bath pouf pouch for younger children.
In one embodiment, a bath pouf pouch can include, but is not limited to, a washcloth forming a pouch with a receptacle for receiving a bath pouf therein. The washcloth can be defined by a fabric body including an opening having a perimeter. In some embodiments, the opening can be adapted to be reclosable. In other embodiments, the opening may include an elastic closing means that substantially closes the opening, but not fully closing the opening. A bath pouf can be inserted into the receptacle of the fabric body via the opening. The fabric body can be made from cotton, organic cotton, bamboo, bamboo viscose, bamboo rayon, microfiber, polyester, etc.
In one embodiment, the fabric body of the pouf pouch can resemble a novelty figure. Because the users of the bath pouf pouch may typically be children, having the pouch resemble any of a number of novelty figures potentially enhances an experience of the child during bath time. Some of the possible figures represented by the bath pouf pouch can include, but are not limited to, animals, dinosaurs, Disney characters, and other well-known cartoon characters. Generally, a main body of the novelty figure bath pouf pouch can be manufactured from washcloth material and appendages (e.g., feet, arms, ears, etc.) can be manufactured from the same material. In other embodiments, a main body of the novelty figure bath pouf pouch can be manufactured from washcloth material and appendages (e.g., feet, arms, ears, etc.) can be manufactured from a different material.
Embodiments are contemplated where the bath pouf pouch may further include a closure mechanism for the opening. For instance, the closure mechanism can be selected from the group including, but not limited to, hook and loop patches, zippers, snaps, and magnets. As can be appreciated, the opening may then be reclosable allowing for an entire exterior surface of the bath pouf pouch to be a washcloth. Of note, the closure mechanism should allow for the fabric body to be able to expand with a bath pouf inside the receptacle such that the bath pouf is not limited in expanding when creating a lather.
In a typical implementation, a user can insert a bath pouf into the pouch. Soap may then be applied to the bath pouf through the opening of the pouch. The user may then run water of the bath pouf pouch and massage (or agitate) the pouch to create a lather inside the pouch. The user may then wash their body (or another person) with the bath pouf pouch.
In one example embodiment, a method of washing using a bath pouf pouch can include, but is not limited to, the following steps: (i) providing a bath pouf pouch; (ii) inserting a bath pouf into a receptacle of the bath pouf pouch; (iii) applying liquid soap to the bath pouf; (iv) providing water to the bath pouf pouch; (v) agitating the bath pouf to create a lather; and (vi) rubbing the bath pouf pouch against a body to clean. The bath pouf pouch can be defined by (i) a fabric body forming the pouch and including an opening, and (ii) a receptacle formed by the fabric body. The receptacle can be adapted to receive a bath pouf therein via the opening. In another instance, the bath pouf pouch can be defined by (i) a fabric body, (ii) an opening in the fabric body having an elastic perimeter, and (iii) a receptacle formed by the fabric body and adapted to receive a bath pouf therein via the opening. In yet another instance, the bath pouf pouch can be defined by (i) a fabric body comprised of a washcloth and resembling a novelty figure, (ii) an opening in the fabric body having an elastic perimeter, and (iii) a receptacle formed by the fabric body and adapted to receive a bath pouf therein via the opening;
The terms and phrases as indicated in quotation marks (“ ”) in this section are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this Terminology section applied to them throughout this document, including in the claims, unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further, as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of the word or phrase's case, to the singular and plural variations of the defined word or phrase.
The term “or” as used in this specification and the appended claims is not meant to be exclusive; rather the term is inclusive, meaning either or both.
References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “another embodiment, “a preferred embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment”, “one variation”, “a variation” and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or variation, is included in at least an embodiment or variation of the invention. The phrase “in one embodiment”, “in one variation” or similar phrases, as used in various places in the specification, are not necessarily meant to refer to the same embodiment or the same variation.
The term “couple” or “coupled” as used in this specification and appended claims refers to an indirect or direct physical connection between the identified elements, components, or objects. Often the manner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact.
The term “directly coupled” or “coupled directly,” as used in this specification and appended claims, refers to a physical connection between identified elements, components, or objects, in which no other element, component, or object resides between those identified as being directly coupled.
The term “approximately,” as used in this specification and appended claims, refers to plus or minus 10% of the value given.
The term “about,” as used in this specification and appended claims, refers to plus or minus 20% of the value given.
The terms “generally” and “substantially,” as used in this specification and appended claims, mean mostly, or for the most part.
Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front and lateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specific orientation of an applicable element or article, and are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.
Referring to
As generally shown in
Generally, the fabric body 102 can be made from an absorbent material. In one instance, the fabric body 102 can be comprised of a washcloth. In another instance, the fabric body 102 can be a unitary piece of material formed into a pouch. Typically, the fabric body 102 can be manufactured from a material selected from the group including, but not limited to, cotton, organic cotton, bamboo, bamboo viscose, bamboo rayon, microfiber, polyester, etc. As can be appreciated, embodiments are contemplated where the fabric body 102 can be comprised of two pieces of material coupled together to form the pouch. In some instances, the fabric body 102 can be in the shape of a novelty figure. For example, the novelty figure can be an animal. In another example, the novelty figure can be a superhero.
As shown in
As generally shown in
The bath pouf 110 can be a readily available bath pouf. For instance, the bath pouf 110 can be made from synthetic mesh and formed into a pouf via one or more means. Although a bath pouf is illustrated, it is to be appreciated that other items similar to bath poufs can be implemented with the bath pouf pouch 100.
In some embodiments, the bath pouf pouch 100 may further include a closure mechanism for the opening 104. For instance, the closure mechanism can be selected from the group including, but not limited to, hook and loop patches, zippers, snaps, and magnets. As can be appreciated, the opening 104 may then be reclosable allowing for an entire exterior surface of the bath pouf pouch 100 to be a washcloth.
Referring to
The bath pouf pouch 200 can include, but is not limited to, a body 202, an opening 204, and a receptacle 206. The body 202 can form a pouch with the opening 204 providing access to the receptacle 206. The receptacle 206 can be sized to receive the bath pouf 210 therein. Similar to the first embodiment bath pouf pouch 100, the opening 204 can be defined by a perimeter 208. In one instance, the perimeter 208 can be elastic to allow for expansion of the receptacle 206. As previously mentioned, a volume of the receptacle 206 can be increased as lather is created by the bath pouf 210. This can help ensure that the lather remains inside the receptacle 206 instead of being forced out of the opening 204.
Generally, the body 202 can be made from a fabric. The fabric body 202 can be a unitary piece of absorbent material formed into a pouch. For instance, the fabric body 202 can be comprised of a washcloth formed into a pouch. The fabric body 202 may be manufactured from a material selected from the group including, but not limited to, cotton, bamboo, and microfiber. As can be appreciated, embodiments are contemplated where the fabric body 202 can be comprised of two pieces of material coupled together to form the pouch.
Described hereinafter is on example embodiment of a method (or process) of washing using one of the bath pouf pouches 100/200. The first embodiment bath pouf pouch 100 will be referred to hereinafter but it is to be appreciated that the same method can be implemented for the second embodiment bath pouf pouch 200.
In a first step, a bath pouf pouch can be provided. In one instance, the bath pouf pouch can be similar to the previously described first embodiment bath pouf pouch 100. For instance, the bath pouf pouch 100 can be generally defined by (i) a fabric body forming the pouch with the pouch having an opening, and (ii) a receptacle formed by the fabric body with the receptacle adapted to receive a bath pouf therein via the opening.
In a second step, a bath pouf can be inserted into the receptacle 106 of the bath pouf pouch 100. Of note, the opening 104 of the fabric body 102 can include the elastic perimeter 108 allowing for the opening to expand and contract. As can be appreciated, the opening can be expanded to allow for the bath pouf to be inserted into the receptacle.
In a third step, liquid soap can be applied to the bath pouf. Generally, the opening of the fabric body can be partially open when the bath pouf is inserted into the receptacle. As such, a user may deposit liquid soap into the receptacle via the opening even with the bath pouf inserted into the receptacle. It is to be appreciated that the soap may be applied to the bath pouf prior to the bath pouf being inserted into the receptacle.
In a fourth step, water can be provided to the bath pouf pouch 100. In one instance, the bath pouf pouch 100 may be inserted into bath water. In another instance, the bath pouf pouch 100 may be placed under a running shower or faucet.
In a fifth step, the bath pouf can be agitated to create a lather. Generally, the bath pouf pouch 100 can be massaged to create the lather via the bath pouf 110 in the receptacle 106. Of note, as the lather builds up, the bath pouf pouch 100 can be adapted to expand with the lather.
In a sixth step, the bath pouf pouch 100 can be rubbed against a body to clean the body. As can be appreciated, by implementing a washcloth as the fabric body 102, the bath pouf pouch 100 can be used with individuals having sensitive skin.
The various embodiments and variations thereof, illustrated in the accompanying Figures and/or described above, are merely exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is to be appreciated that numerous other variations of the invention have been contemplated, as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure. All variations of the invention that read upon appended claims are intended and contemplated to be within the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/421,246, filed Nov. 1, 2023.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63421246 | Nov 2022 | US |
