Patent Application
20080083628
Preferred forms, configurations, embodiments and/or diagrams relating to and helping to describe preferred versions of the inventions are explained and characterized herein, often with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and all features shown therein also serve as part of the disclosure of the inventions of the current application. Such drawings are briefly described below.
The readers of this document should understand that the embodiments described herein may rely on terminology used in any section of this document and other terms readily apparent from the drawings and the language common therefor as may be known in a particular art and such as provided by dictionaries. Widely known are Webster's Third New International Dictionary, The Oxford English Dictionary (Second Edition), and The New Century Dictionary, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference for interpretation of terms used herein and for application and use of words defined in such references to more adequately or aptly describe various features, aspects and concepts shown or otherwise described herein using more appropriate words having meanings applicable to such features, aspects and concepts.
This document is premised upon using one or more terms with one embodiment that may also apply to other embodiments for similar structures, functions, features and aspects of the invention. Wording used in the claims is also descriptive of the invention and the text of both claims and abstract are incorporated by reference into the description entirely in the form as originally filed. Terminology used with one, some or all embodiments may be used for describing and defining the technology and exclusive rights associated therewith.
The readers of this document should further understand that the embodiments described herein may rely on terminology and features used in any section or embodiment shown in this document and other terms readily apparent from the drawings and language common therefor. This document is premised upon using one or more terms or features shown in one embodiment that may also apply to or be combined with other embodiments for similar structures, functions, features and aspects of the invention and provide additional embodiments of the inventions.
A number of embodiments are shown herein. Numbers for the various embodiments are related in that 100's numbers are used in the first embodiment, 200's in the second and so forth. Thus, similar digits in the tens and ones columns relate to similar parts or such can be inferred hereby.
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A piece of absorbent material 130 is detachably positioned near the base, such as upon the bottom wall of the receptacle 112. A grate 120 advantageously has a peripheral member 123 and cross members positioned in a pattern advantageous to supporting a soap bar, such as soap bar 1. As shown, the cross members include longitudinal members 121 and transverse members 122.
The grate preferably has convex or pointed top surfaces to minimize contact with the bar of soap resting thereon. This construction and arrangement has the advantage of spacing the bar of soap from the absorbent material to help dry the soap and prevent further melting and dripping. It also allows water to easily pass through the grate and be absorbed by the absorbent material 130. Such grate in this embodiment is positioned directly on top of the absorbent material to eliminate any solidified drippings from being apparent.
The grate provides a rest for a soap bar positioning it such that it remains out of contact with the absorbent material and any pooled water or dampness. The vertically adjacent positioning of the soap bar to the absorbent material allows soapy water drippings or other run off to fall onto the absorbent piece and be absorbed therein. Inside the absorbent material the water from the drippings will evaporate leaving the soap particle residue in the absorbent material. The soap drippings will build up over time as the soap bar is used. Once the absorbent material becomes saturated with soap residue it can be detachably removed from the receptacle for disposal, such as by disposal in the trash or possibly used to clean because of the contained soap.
In a preferred form of the invention the absorbent material may be a synthetic or nature sponge or sponge-like material or materials which are now conventional or others that are hereafter developed and are suitable for the indicated uses. It may also be paper fibers formed into the desired shape or structure for the absorbent material or piece of absorbent material. Other materials may also be suitable.
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The spacing is advantageously less than about ¼ inch and greater than about 1/16th inch, more preferably about ⅛th inch. This helps prevent drippings from forming into stalactite or stalagmite formations of poor appearance. Some clearance aids in air flow between the grate and absorbent material and helps keep the soap bar dry to prevent unnecessary melting.
Similar to the first embodiment, the absorbent item is placed vertically adjacent to the grate and soap bar at the base of receptacle 212. Such allows for soap drippings to be caught in the absorbent material. Access to the receptacle and its contents can be achieved by lifting the detachable grate up and out of the receptacle allowing for easy removal of the absorbent item and cleaning of the dish.
It should be noted that the cross members are provided with raised portions or ribs 324 which minimize contact with the soap bar. This construction and arrangement allows for drying and absorption for a bar of soap, such as soap bar 3, placed thereon. It is advantageous in that the unit may be cheaper to produce and provides a disposable unit which may be of greater convenience to the consumer. The entire unit may, after being saturated with soap drippings be disposed of, such as by throwing into the trash.
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As shown, soap holder 400 has a thin shell, possibly of plastic, waxed cardboard or other suitable materials, which is used to form a dish 410. Such dish and/or grate 420 is or are preferably adapted to connect together. Grate 420 is advantageously capable of connection and possibly also disconnection. This can be accomplished using a locking joint 416 along the dish outer rim 417. Rim 417 may include an inwardly protruding brim 418 to help lock the two parts together and form the grate and dish lock. Such allows for the engagement of grate 420 to the dish. Securing the grate to the dish helps to prevent unwanted disengagement that might cause spilling of the contents.
A receptacle 412 in the dish is filled with an absorbent material 430. As shown, a series of bores or openings 450 can be optionally provided to aid in evaporation of water from the absorbent material 430. A soap bar, such as soap bar 4, can be set on top of the grate for storage similar to that of the previous embodiments.
Apparatus 400 is usable with or can be integrated into other or outer dishes or covers, such as described below with the embodiment of
Outer soap dish 560 is also advantageously provided with a bottom cavity 540. Such is capable of storing a sponge or other cleaning utensil 550 advantageously having a scouring layer 551. Cavity 540 allows storing a cleaning utensil in a place proximal to its place of use and can be very desirable. Utensils such as sponges and other scrubbers can become unsightly after use. Leaving such out next to a sink for easy access is a common practice. Because of the unsightliness, such cleaning accessories are commonly stored in places out of sight and less easily accessible. Storage space 540 allows for quick and easy access to and removal of a cleaning utensil for immediate use and stores it out of sight in a discreet location. The utensil can be kept on the counter and covered by the dish apparatus, such as shown in
In
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In the construction shown, the shell 610 rests on top of, or more preferably, engages into a base formed as a block or assembly of a suitable absorbent base piece of absorbent material 680. The outer shape of dish shell 610 preferably is complementary to a shell receptacle 681 into which it is received. Thus, the soap holder has an upper portion that engages to a lower portion formed by the base. The base is of absorbent material in the preferred version shown. The complementary shape makes the upper or dish portion less likely to undesirably separate from the lower or base absorbent piece 680 unless intentionally removed for cleaning of the base. This can be done by merely washing a base made of sponge under the water faucet.
A grate 620 attaches to the dish by means of a snap-in locking feature 616 along the rim of the dish, similar to or in an alternative construction to that described above. A soap bar, such as soap bar 6, is placed on top of the grate. The soap water drippings fall through the receptacle into the absorbent piece below. The absorbent and clean up characteristics are similar to the previous embodiments, except the base itself can be made of sponge or sponge-like material and used for cleaning purposes. This version also provides a large amount of surface area in the absorbent and porous base for dissipation of water.
The apparatus 400 can in one form be made in a production line for mass production. Refer to
The above description has set out various features and aspects of the invention and the preferred embodiments thereof. Such aspects and features may further be defined according to the following claims which may individually or in various combinations help to define the invention.
The inventions shown and described herein have been described in language directed to the current preferred embodiments. Also shown and described with regard to various structural and methodological features. The scope of protection as defined by the claims is not intended to be necessarily limited to the specific sizes, shapes, features or other aspects of the preferred embodiments shown and described. The claimed inventions may be implemented or embodied in other forms while still including the concepts shown and described herein. Also included are equivalents of the inventions which can be made without departing from the scope of concepts properly protected hereby.
