Patent Application
20140299731
The present invention relates to a soap stand, and more particularly, to a soap stand having an annular fluted tubular shaft for secure interlocking with a cake of soap, thereby preventing displacement, twisting or turning of the soap.
Soap is used in bathrooms or kitchens. Soap is slippery and easily gets out of a person's grip. After soap is used in water, it becomes soft and messy and begins to crumble unless it is taken good care of. Moreover, the soap may be wasted a lot faster and make the bathrooms being exposed to the risk of slip and fall accidents.
To prevent these problems, a number of soap containers or soap holders have been known and used. For example, a soap holder as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,475,500 has been disclosed to conserve soap and help fast drainage of water adhering to the soap. The soap holder comprises a base and receptacles for receiving and supporting the soap.
However, it is cumbersome for a soap user to place the soap back onto the soap container or soap holder following each period of use of the soap.
Accordingly, to solve the above problems, a need for a soap stand having an annular fluted tubular shaft has been present for a long time considering the expansive demands in the everyday life. This invention is directed to solve these problems and satisfy the long-felt need.
The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the prior art. The present invention provides a soap stand having an annular fluted tubular shaft for secure interlocking with a cake of soap, thereby preventing displacement, twisting or turning of the soap. The soap stand comprises a bottom portion; a skirt extending upwardly around the circumference of the bottom portion and defining an opening; and a tubular shaft, extending upwardly from the circumferential rim of the skirt. The tubular shaft is fluted and annular and extends radially and outwardly from the skirt. In addition, the soap stand further comprises a soap stand disposed in the opening and fixed to the bottom portion, for preventing the soap from being inserted unnecessarily deep into the soap stand, thereby breaking the soap.
Another object of the invention is to provide a soap stand, comprising a bottom portion; a skirt extending upwardly around the circumference of the bottom portion and defining an opening; and a tubular shaft which is fluted and annular, extending upwardly apart from and along the upper and outer circumferential rim of the skirt. The flat upper and outer rim of the skirt prevents the soap from being inserted unnecessarily deep into the soap stand.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a soap stand, comprising a bottom portion; a skirt extending upwardly around the circumference of the bottom portion and defining an opening; and a tubular shaft having outward threads, extending upwardly apart from and along the upper and outer circumferential rim of the skirt. The outward threads securely interlock the soap stand into the soap and the upper and outer rim of the skirt prevents the soap from being inserted unnecessarily deep into the soap stand.
The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the soap stand of the present invention helps conserving soap and keeping it dry when not being used; (2) with the use of the soap stand of the present invention, a cake of soap may not escape its user and slide across a floor of bathroom or kitchen; (3) the tubular shaft of the soap stand according to the present invention prevents displacement as well as twisting or turning of the cake of soap; (4) the soap stand of the present invention hastens drainage and evaporation of surface water which may be adhering to the soap following each period of use of the soap; (5) the soap stand of the present invention dispenses with the need for soap dishes or soap holders, saving time and water to clean the soap dish or holder; and (6) the soap stand of the present invention is environmentally friendly because it saves the use of soap, cleaning time and water consumption. Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The tubular shaft 30 may be fluted and annular and extend radially and outwardly from the skirt 20 as well as upwardly. As the tubular shaft 30 extends upwardly and outwardly from the skirt 20, the tubular shaft 30 does not slip out from the soap once it is inserted thereinto.
The tubular shaft 30 may further comprise a plurality of ridges 31, with each adjacent pair of said ridges 31 defining a depression 32 therebetween. This structure of ridges 31 and depressions 32 is easy to manufacture and helps strong interlocking between the tubular shaft 30 and the soap. Once the tubular shaft 30 is interlocked into the soap, it does not slip out, nor rotate.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
