CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-003002 filed on Jan. 12, 2024 including specification, drawings and claims is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a solid bath agent.
BACKGROUND
Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3164108 discloses a conventional water-soluble solid bath agent in which parts for constructing a finger puppet are embedded. The parts of the finger puppet can be connected to each other, since one part has a protrusion and the other a recess. The finger cap body has a cylindrical structure with an opening. Additionally, a bath agent containing a toy is packaged together with a card related to the finger puppet.
SUMMARY
Technical Problem
In Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3164108, the parts that emerge from the bath agent are used as the toy finger puppet. However, there was a problem in terms of enhancing interest in a way of enjoyment of the bath agent itself.
It is an object of the present invention is to provide a solid bath agent with a higher degree of interest.
Solution to Problem
One aspect of the present invention is a solid bath agent. The solid bath agent comprises a main body part which is water-soluble and configured to transition from a first form which is prior to dissolution, to a second form after dissolution; and a secondary body part, at least a portion of which is embedded or contained in the main body part in the first form, and which is not embedded or contained in the main body part in the second form, wherein the secondary body part comprises a first secondary body part and a second secondary body part, and in the second form, the first secondary body part is configured to sink in a liquid, and the second secondary body part is configured to float in the liquid.
Advantageous Effect of Invention
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a solid bath agent with a high level of interest.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solid bath agent in a first form according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the solid bath agent shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third secondary body;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the solid bath agent shown in FIG. 1, which is placed in a bath tub;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where one of the secondary body parts is covered by bath agent while the other begins to float;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the state of the secondary body part after the main body part dissolves;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of how to play with the secondary body part;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a solid bath agent different from the one shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the secondary body part in a state where the secondary body part is included in the solid bath agent shown in FIG. 8; and
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a solid bath agent from a different angle compared to the schematic cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
First Embodiment
Hereinafter, a solid bath agent according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the solid bath agent 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the solid bath agent.
As shown in FIG. 1, in a first form (1F), the solid bath agent 1 has a shape in which a substantially spherical main body part 10 is connected to a part (a second secondary body part 22) of a substantially spherical secondary body part 20. For example, the spherical main body part 10 has an appropriately colored outer surface 10s with small irregularities that create a rough texture. These irregularities increase the surface area, thereby making it easier to dissolve. The main body part 10 is composed of a water-soluble material that releases its color into surrounding water or hot water. A protrusion 10j, which encircles the outer surface 10s, is formed as a joint portion created when hemispheres 11 and 12 are molded together.
In the first form (1F) of the solid bath agent 1, before the main body part 10 dissolves, as shown in FIG. 2, part of a secondary body part 20 is embedded in the main body part 10 of the solid bath agent 1. Specifically, the secondary body part 20 comprises a first secondary body part 21 housed inside the main body part 10 and a second secondary body part 22 positioned outside the main body part 10. The first secondary body 21 and the second secondary body part 22 are connected by a first connecting element 21b. The first connecting element 21b is a flexible cord, compactly bundled and housed inside the main body part 10.
The first secondary body 21 is shaped to resemble or imitate a fish, while the second secondary body part 22 imitates or mimics a fishing float, and a main part 22a of the second secondary body part 22 is spherical. The first connecting element 21b connects a lower end of the main part 22a of the second secondary body part 22 to a mouth of the fish-shaped first secondary body 21. Additionally, the second secondary body part 22 has a second engaging part 22b formed on the opposite side of the connection with the first connecting element 21b. This second engaging part 22b is, for example, ring-shaped, allowing it to be hooked by a first engaging part 23c, described later.
Since the main body part 10 is spherical in the first form (1F), it is capable of rolling. In addition, the main body part 10 is composed of a colored, opaque bath agent, so that the main body part 10 conceals the first secondary body part 21 housed inside it, thereby making it invisible from the outside. However, the second secondary body part 22, exposed from the main body part 10, forms a part that can be grasped, for example, by a child.
The secondary body part 20 is made of a soft material which is flexible and non-water-soluble, such as synthetic resin or rubber. The first secondary body part 21 is composed of a high-density material, which sinks in water, while the second secondary body part 22 is made of a low-density material which floats.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third secondary body part 23. As shown in the figure, the third secondary body part 23 is an elongated rod-like component imitating or mimicking a fishing rod. A portion thereof is slightly thicker to form a grip part 23a, while a second connecting element 23b like a fishing line is provided at the thinner tip of the secondary body part 23. A first engaging part 23c is provided at the tip of the second connecting element 23b shaped like a fishhook shape. Since the first engaging part 23c is curved so as to be a hook-like-shape, the first engaging part 23c can be hooked onto the second engaging part 22b of the second secondary body part 22. The second connecting element 23b is made from the same cord material as the first connecting element 21b.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the solid bath agent 1 shown in FIG. 1 after being placed into a bathtub 50. The main body part 10 of the solid bath agent 1 is configured to sink due to its weight. When the solid bath agent 1 is placed into the bathtub 50, as shown in FIG. 4, it sinks to the bottom of the bathtub 52 together with the second secondary body part 22, which is structured to float in water on its own. In an initial state where the solid bath agent 1 is placed into the bathtub 50, the second secondary body part 22 will sink together with the main body part 10, for example, on the bottom 52 of the bathtub 50, due to the weight of the main body part 10. For example, it turns into a state where the solid bath agent 1 stays on the bottom 52 of the bathtub 50.
FIG. 5 shows an intermediate state where the first secondary body 21 is still covered by the bath agent, and the second secondary body part 22 begins to move upward. After that, the dissolution of the main body part 10 progresses. And a portion of the bath agent 1 surrounding of the embedded first connecting element 21b, which is near the outer surface 10s, dissolves first. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 5, the second secondary body part 22 begins to rise due to its buoyancy. The balance between the buoyancy of the second secondary body part 22 and the sinking force of the first secondary body 21 is set so that the sinking force is stronger than the buoyancy when much of the main body part 10 remains but the buoyancy gradually overcomes the sinking force as the dissolution of the main body part 10 progresses. As shown in the figure, in this state where the main body part 10 remains around the first secondary body 21, the character of the first secondary body 21 is not visible.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a state of the secondary body part 20 after the main body part 10 sufficiently dissolved. The dissolution of the main body part 10 progresses over time, so that more of the character becomes visible, gradually revealing the full form of the character, as shown in FIG. 6. However, depending on the character's shape, it may not be clearly visible from above the bathtub 50 due to the color dissolved from the bath agent and the rippling surface of the bathtub 50. At this point, the second secondary body part 22 floats on the water surface 51, while the first secondary body 21 pulls downward the first connecting element 21b, so that the second engaging part 22b of the second secondary body part 22 is positioned at top.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of how the secondary body part 20 can be used for play. The third secondary body 23 is used to interact with the second secondary body part 22 floating in the bathtub 50. As shown in FIG. 7, despite the second engaging part 22b protruding above the water surface, it is challenging to hook it with the first engaging part 23c due to the motion of the water surface and the dangling nature of the second connecting element 23b. This setup allows users to enjoy a fishing-like experience. Additionally, if the first engaging part 23c is designed to sink, it can also hook the first connecting element 21b, enabling younger children to enjoy fishing.
As described above, in the second form (2F) after the main body part 10 dissolves, the first secondary body 21 which was embedded in the solid bath agent 1 sinks into the bathtub 50 (liquid) while the second secondary body part 22 floats on the water surface 51. This design enables a play experience linking floating and sinking objects, allowing for enjoyable fishing. Particularly, when the first secondary body 21 is invisible from the outside since it is included within the main body part 10 in the first form (1F), and the second secondary body part 22 is visible outside the main body part 10, this design adds a fun of imaging what hidden character is included inside the main body part 10, as an element of the enjoyable fishing.
Furthermore, since the first secondary body 21 modeled from the main character, sinks in the bathtub 50, the character cannot be clearly recognized when submerged in the bathtub 50, further stimulating imagination.
In the solid bath agent 1 according to the embodiment, the first secondary body part 21 and the second secondary body part 22 are connected by the cord-like first connecting element 21b. By this configuration, a fishing play is enabled since the first secondary body 21 is formed as a fish character and the second secondary body part 22 is formed as a float. If the third secondary body 23 is formed as a fishing rod, it can be enjoyed as a fishing play toy.
Since the first connecting element 21b is unstretched (compactly bundled) in the first form (1F), the entire solid bath agent 1 sinks once in an initial state when it is placed in the bathtub 50. After that, as the main body part 10 dissolves, the bath agent surrounding the first connecting element 21b dissolves, letting the cord extend and enabling the second secondary body part 22 to float, so that it is possible to provide an enjoyable progression of events.
In the fishing rod-like third secondary body 23 included in the solid bath agent 1, a grip part 23a and a fishhook-like first engaging part 23c are connected to each other by the cord-like second connecting element 23b. This design makes it challenging to stabilize the orientation of the first engaging part 23c. As a result, since it becomes difficult to hook the first engaging part 23c to the second connecting part 23b, the fishing play experience can be enhanced. Since the same material for the second connecting element 23b and the first connecting element 21b is used, it is possible to reduce the number of required components.
In the second secondary body part 22, the second engaging part 22b is located on a side opposite to the portion where the first connecting element 21b is connected so that in a state where the second secondary body part 22 floats on the surface of the hot water 51, the second secondary body part 22 is pulled downward by the first secondary body part 21 so that the second secondary body part 22 faces upward. As a result, the second engaging part 22b floats in a state where it can be hooked by the first engaging part 23c.
In the solid bath agent 1 according to the embodiment, since the second secondary body part 22 is exposed from the main body part 10 in the first form 1F, it becomes possible to grip the second secondary body part 22. For example, when the solid bath agent 1 needs to be held during bathing, the main body part 10 does not need to be held with wet hands, thereby improving usability.
Additionally, in the solid bath agent 1 according to the embodiment, if the main body part 10 is configured in a rollable spherical shape in the first form 1F, it can be rolled and played with.
In the solid bath agent 1 according to the embodiment, since the secondary body part 20 is made of a soft material, it is suitable for playing in the bathtub 50 after the main body part 10 has dissolved. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a safe toy in the form of a character.
Second Embodiment
The second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8-10. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a solid bath agent 1 in the first form 1F.
In the solid bath agent 1 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8, unlike the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the secondary body part 20 is completely included within the main body part 10 in the first form 1F, without any part of the secondary body part 20 being exposed from the main body part 10.
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the solid bath agent 1 shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view thereof viewed from a different direction from that in FIG. 9.
In this embodiment, the secondary body part 20 is housed within the main body part 10 to the extent that the first secondary body part 21 and the second secondary body part 22 are positioned close enough to be in contact with each other. The first secondary body part 21, which mimics the shape of a fish as the main character, is larger than the second secondary body part 22 and is placed at the center of the main body part 10. Since the main character is a fish, its structure is relatively flat, as shown in FIG. 10.
The second secondary body part 22, for example, has a disc shape and is relatively flat, as shown in FIG. 10. Meanwhile, the second secondary body part 22 can be positioned appropriately based on its shape. For example, it may be positioned in the widest space or may be positioned in the narrowest space between the first secondary body part 21 and the outer surface 10s. In other words, by changing the amount of bath agent surrounding the second secondary body part 22, the timing at which the second secondary body part 22 rises to the surface can be adjusted to occur earlier or later.
As described above, in the solid bath agent 1 according to the embodiments, since the entire secondary body part 2 cannot be viewed from the outside, it becomes impossible to know what will float up after being placed in the bathtub 50, thereby enhancing the elements of surprise and enjoyment.
The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention can be appropriately modified within the scope of its technical concept. For example, in the above embodiments, the shape of the main body part 10 was described as spherical or disc-shaped, but it is not limited to these configurations and may also be polyhedral, for example.
In addition, the description above assumes that the first engaging part 23c allows the first connecting element 21b to hook, but is not limited thereto. The first engaging part 23c may instead be designed to float in water, preventing the first connecting part 21b from hooking.
As described above, the following items are included in this specification:
- (1) A solid bath agent comprises a main body part which is water-soluble and configured to transition from a first form which is prior to dissolution, to a second form after dissolution; and a secondary body part, at least a portion of which is contained in the main body part in the first form, and which is not contained in the main body part in the second form, wherein the secondary body part includes a first secondary body part and a second secondary body part, and in the second form, the first secondary body part is configured to sink in a liquid, and the second secondary body part is configured to float in the liquid.
- (2) The solid bath agent according to (1), wherein the first secondary body part is entirely included in the main body part in the first form.
- (3) In the solid bath agent according to (1) or (2), the second secondary body part is not included in the main body part in the first form.
- (4) In the solid bath agent according to any one of (1)-(3), wherein a portion of the secondary body part, which is included in the main body part, is configured to be visually unrecognizable in the first form.
- (5) In the solid bath agent according to any one of (1)-(4), wherein the first secondary body part and the second secondary body part are directly or indirectly connected to each other.
- (6) In the solid bath agent according to any one of (1)-(5), wherein the first secondary body part and the second secondary body part are arranged so as to be close to each other in the first form.
- (7) In the solid bath agent according to any one of (1)-(6), wherein the first secondary body part and the second secondary body part are connected to each other via a first connecting element, and at least part of the first connecting element is included in the main body part.
- (8) In the solid bath agent according to (7), wherein the first connecting element is configured to be in an unstretched state in the first form and in a stretched state in the second form.
- (9) In the solid bath agent according to any one of (1)-(8), wherein the first secondary body part and the second secondary body part are made from different material.
- (10) In the solid bath agent according to any one of (1)-(9), wherein the first secondary body part is configured to have a specific gravity greater than that of the second secondary body part.
- (11) In the solid bath agent according to any one of (1)-(10), wherein the first secondary body part and the second secondary body part each simulate different shapes respectively.
- (12) In the solid bath agent according to any one of (1)-(11), wherein the secondary body part further includes a third secondary body part, and the third secondary body part is not included in the main body part in the first form.
- (13) In the solid bath agent according to (12), wherein the third secondary body part is configured so as not to be engageable with the second secondary body part in the first form, and the third secondary body part is configured so as to be engageable with the second secondary body part in the second form.
- (14) In the solid bath agent according to (12) or (13), wherein the third secondary body part is not engageable with the first secondary body part in the second form.
- (15) In the solid bath agent according to any one of (12)-(14), wherein the third secondary body part includes a gripping part, a second connecting element, and a first engaging part, and the second connecting element is configured to connect the gripping part and the first engaging part to each other.
- (16) In the solid bath agent according to (15), wherein the first secondary body part and the second secondary body part are connected to each other via the first connecting element, and the first connecting element and the second connecting element are made of a same material.
- (17) In the solid bath agent according to (16), wherein the second secondary body part has a spherical shape and includes a second engaging part.
- (18) In the solid bath agent according to (17), wherein the third secondary body part, in the second form, is configured to be engageable with either the second engaging part or the first connecting element via the first engaging part.
Patent Application
20250229193
