Abstract:
A soap dish is disclosed, the soap dish comprising a tray having a drain, a floor surface, and at least one rib projecting upward from the floor surface, the floor surface being angled in a direction extending towards the drain, the drain defining an opening in the tray so that a liquid can travel along the floor surface and exit the tray by way of the drain. The tray is removably secured to a base, and the base has at least one leg that is movable relative to the base from a first position to a second, different position, the first position arranging the base at a first height, and the second position arranging the base a second, different height. The soap dish is usable in a variety of settings, and is effective to drain water from the dish to increase the life cycle of the soap and the dish.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/768,501, filed Feb. 24, 2013 and titled “Two-Piece Draining Soap Dish with Adjustable Legs,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a soap dish, which has self-draining aspects. The design of the soap dish is shown in U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/481,931 (owned by the Applicant), filed Feb. 12, 2014 and titled “Draining Soap Dish,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0003]    Common soap dishes frequently retain water due to their construction, and thus cause soap placed in the dish to degrade and the dish itself to become messy. The dish can also become corroded. As an example, many soap dishes are constructed for use on countertops or other flat surfaces (e.g., shower or bath ledges), and include a closed perimeter, which ends up trapping water within the dish. A user typically grasps soap from the dish, uses the soap in combination with water, and then places the saturated soap back into the dish. Because the dish has a closed perimeter that does not provide for drainage, the soap sits in a pool of water and becomes degraded or otherwise soft. Thus, the soap&#39;s useful life is decreased, as is the dish since the dish itself can become filthy and/or corroded. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention provides a soap dish with self-draining aspects that is usable in a variety of settings. 
         [0005]    A first aspect of the invention includes a soap dish. The soap dish comprises a tray having a drain, a floor surface, and at least one rib projecting upward from the floor surface, the floor surface being angled in a direction extending towards the drain, the drain defining an opening in the tray so that a liquid can travel along the floor surface and exit the tray by way of the drain, wherein the tray defines a perimeter adapted to receive a bar of soap. The tray is also removably secured to a base, the base having at least one leg that is movable relative to the base from a first position to a second, different position, the first position arranging the base at a first height, and the second position arranging the base a second, different height. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments of this first aspect, the base has multiple legs, each being movable relative to the base from a first position to a second, different position, the first position arranging the base at a first height, and the second position arranging the base a second, different height. Also, the base may have at least one fixed leg. 
         [0007]    A second aspect of the invention comprises a soap dish, which includes a tray having a drain, a floor surface, and at least one rib projecting upward from the floor surface, the floor surface being angled in a direction extending towards the drain, the drain defining an opening in the tray so that a liquid can travel along the floor surface and exit the tray by way of the drain, wherein the tray defines a perimeter adapted to receive a bar of soap, and the tray is associated with at least one movable leg effective to move the tray from a first position to a second, different position, the first position arranging the tray at a first height, and the second position arranging the tray a second, different height. 
         [0008]    In an embodiment of the second aspect, the base includes an opening, and the at least one movable leg is movable in and out of the opening from the first position to the second position. The tray may also be associated with multiple movable legs effective to move the tray from a first position to a second, different position, the first position arranging the tray at a first height, and the second position arranging the tray a second, different height. 
         [0009]    A third aspect of the invention includes a soap dish comprising a tray having a drain, a floor surface, and multiple ribs projecting upward from the floor surface, the floor surface being angled in a direction extending towards the drain, the drain defining an opening in the tray so that a liquid can travel along the floor surface and exit the tray by way of the drain, wherein the tray defines a perimeter adapted to receive a bar of soap. The tray is removably secured to a base, the base being engaged with a series of legs movable relative to the base from a first position to a second, different position, the first position arranging the base at a first height, and the second position arranging the base a second, different height, the base including at least one fixed leg arranged adjacent the drain for supporting the base. 
         [0010]    Certain embodiments of this third aspect include a base with an opening for each movable leg, the movable legs being movable in and out of the openings from the first position to the second position to move the base from the first height to the second height. Also, in this and other aspects, the tray may include a back wall and the multiple ribs can extend along and project outward from the back wall. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    A more complete appreciation of the subject matter of the present invention and of the various advantages thereof can be realized by reference to the following detailed description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a soap dish, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the soap dish of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3-4  are cross-sectional side views of the soap dish of  FIG. 1  with its legs in retracted and extended states. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional back view of a tray of the soap dish of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    In describing particular embodiments of the present invention, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to any specific terms used herein, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents, which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
         [0017]    A soap dish  10  is shown in perspective in  FIG. 1 , and in an exploded view in  FIG. 2 . It generally comprises a removable tray  20  and a base  40  that receives the tray  20 . Tray includes a drain  32  that allows for efficient drainage of water from tray  20 , and base  40  includes a series of feet  60 ,  80 , some of which are adjustable, for stabilizing base  40  and thus soap dish  10 . These and other aspect of soap dish  10  allow dish  10  to be used in a variety of settings, such as on a counter top with a raised sink, in a shower, or a bath, so that soap dish  10  can easily drain water out of dish  10 . Soap dish  10  therefore keeps soap within dish  10  from becoming degraded, and it also prevents destruction of dish  10  itself. 
         [0018]    Tray  20  of soap dish  10  includes a floor  22 , that in some cases may be angled or sloped towards a front of tray  20 , and a series of ribs  24  projecting from floor  22 . Alternatively, floor  22  may be flat and not angled. Ribs  24  project upward from floor  22 , and in one embodiment are angled towards the front of tray  20 . As with floor  22 , however, ribs  24  may not be angled in one embodiment, and are rather level. Any combination of angled/level floor  22  and angled/level ribs (e.g., level ribs  24  with an angled floor  22 ) is contemplated. 
         [0019]    Ribs  24  hold a bar of soap elevated above floor  22  and also allow for draining of water along floor  22  to a drain  32 . Ribs  24 , in one embodiment, each has a projection  26  at one end for contacting a bar of soap to prevent the soap from sliding off of ribs  24 . In an alternate embodiment, one or more ribs  24  may not include a projection (e.g., the middle rib  24 ). Ribs  24  are spaced apart from one another by a sufficient distance so that a user can easily clean between ribs  24 , for example by sweeping the user&#39;s finger(s) between ribs  24  to remove any debris. Ribs  24  may also extend up a back wall  28  of tray  20  to keep a bar of soap spaced from back wall  28 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , three (3) ribs  24  are provided on tray  20 , although more or less ribs  24  may be present on tray  20 . Tray  20  also includes a perimeter, which has a lip  30  with a channel  31  arranged within lip  30 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . In one embodiment, tray  20  has no sharp transitions, edges, or grooves for soap to get caught in to provide for easy cleaning solely by hand without the need to use an external device (e.g., a tool(s)). 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , base  40  of soap dish  10  includes a cavity  41  for receiving tray  20 , and a perimeter  42  with a protrusion  43  extending from it for engaging with lip  30  of tray  20 . In particular, protrusion  43  arranged on perimeter  42  of base  40  is engageable with channel  31  of lip  30  of tray  20  ( FIG. 5 ) so that tray  20  may be firmly seated on base  40  once it is placed within cavity  41 . Tray  20  is therefore easily removable from base  40  for cleaning or other purposes. Protrusion  43  is configured such that, when engaged with channel  31  of lip  30  of tray  20 , water cannot easily enter cavity  41  of base  40 . 
         [0021]    Base  40  also includes a set of bored cylinders  44 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , for housing adjustable legs  60  associated with base  40 . Referring to  FIGS. 3-4 , bored cylinders  44  include an opening  50  and an upper step adjacent opening  50 , as well as a lower step  70  at a bottom of each bored cylinder  44 . Positioned within each bored cylinder  44  may be an adjustable leg  60 , which has a top section with a flange  68  and a recess  66 , and a bottom section with a peripheral recess  72 . Adjustable legs  60  may translate within bored cylinders  44 . In one embodiment, a threaded bolt  47  and nut  64  combination are used to cause translation of legs  60 . Indeed, separate nuts  64  may be positioned within each recess  66  of adjustable legs  60 , such that each nut  64  is stabilized within the recesses  66  (e.g., due to recesses  66  having the same shape as nut  64 , which in some cases may be hexagonal). To prevent nut  64  from moving vertically out of recesses  66 , nut  64  may be inset molded, adhered, press fit, or otherwise secured within recesses  66 . Threaded bolt  47  may then be threaded into nut  64  so that, when adjustable leg is rotated, it causes translation of adjustable leg  60  along the length of bolt  47  (e.g., due to the interaction between the threading on bolt  47  and nut  64 ). In one embodiment, each bolt  47  is received within a bore  62  through adjustable legs  60  during translation of legs  60 . 
         [0022]    A seat  46  may also be provided for stabilizing bolt  47  during movement of adjustable leg  60 . Referring to FIGS.  2  and  3 - 4 , seat  46  includes an opening  59  for receiving a head of bolt  47 , and a decreased diameter section  49  that prevents bolt  47  from moving beyond section  49 . A channel  48  is also arranged around opening  59  for receiving a cap  56 . Cap  56  includes a flange  58  arranged to be positioned within channel  48 , and an opening  57  defined by flange  58  for overlying the head of bolt  47 . Bolt  47  is inset molded with seat  46 , in one embodiment. 
         [0023]    At a bottom section of adjustable legs  60  is a peripheral recess  72  for optionally engaging with a vinyl foot  74 . Vinyl foot  74 , in one embodiment, includes an inwardly-extending flange  76  for engaging with peripheral recess  72  so that foot  74  is securely positioned on the relevant adjustable leg  60 . Foot  74  may also be made of other materials besides vinyl, of course, such as a soft silicone rubber. 
         [0024]    A front foot  80  is also provided on base  40 , front foot  80  including a channel  81  for engaging with a vinyl cover  82 , in particular its inwardly extending flange  83 . Again, vinyl cover  82  may be made of other materials besides vinyl, of course, such as a soft silicone rubber. 
         [0025]    In use, tray  20  of soap dish  10  may be positioned within cavity  41  of base  40 , and secured by way of the engagement between tray  20 &#39;s lip  30  and perimeter  42  of base  40 . In particular, protrusion  43  extending from perimeter  42  may lie within channel  31  of lip  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . In addition, adjustable legs  60  may be positioned within bored cylinders  44 , and nuts  64  arranged within recesses  66  of legs  60 . Nuts  64  may be inset molded, adhered, or otherwise press fit within recesses  66 . Then, bolts  47  may be inserted through seats  46  and into nuts  64  and legs  60 . While bolts  47  are threaded through nuts  64  and into legs  60 , seats  46  can be pulled into bored cylinders  44  until engaged with the step adjacent openings  50  of cylinders  44  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 3 ). The head of bolt  47  may therefore rest within opening  59  of seat  46  with seat  46  in contact with the step. Caps  56  and vinyl feet  74  complete the construction of legs  60 . In particular, caps  56  are inserted over bolts  47  so that flanges  58  are arranged within channels  48  of seats  46 , and openings  57  are positioned over the head of each bolt  47 . And, feet  74  are press fit over the bottom of adjustable legs  60 , such that each inward flange  76  of feet  74  engages with peripheral recess  72  of legs  60 . Feet  74  act to provide a non-slip surface for legs  60 . 
         [0026]    In this condition, feet  74  may be rotated by a user, as shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , to cause legs  60  to move in or out of bored cylinders  44 . Indeed, when a user rotates a foot  74 , it causes its associated leg  60  and nut  64  to rotate along threaded bolt  47 . This action results in movement of adjustable leg  60  either into or out of bored cylinder  44 , since nut  64  is fixedly associated with the applicable leg  60 . When a particular leg  60  is extended to a maximum distance, as shown in  FIG. 3 , its flange  68  contacts lower step  70  to prevent further movement of the leg  60 . In one embodiment, legs  60  can be moved in and out of bored cylinders  44  by about approximately one and one-eighths of an inch (1⅛ of an inch). 
         [0027]    Because of soap dish  10 &#39;s adjustable legs  60 , its front foot  80 , and its particular drain  32 , soap dish  10  is able to be used in a variety of settings and provide effective drainage during use. For instance, in some residential or other applications, a sink is provided with a raised lip. With soap dish  10 , a user is able to position front foot  80  on the lip so that drain  32  extends into the sink&#39;s basin. Also, the user may adjust any of legs  60 , as described above, such that legs  60  firmly contact a countertop next to the sink&#39;s lip. This is described and taught in detail in Applicant&#39;s provisional application, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/768,501 (“the &#39;501 Application”), incorporated by reference herein above. As also taught in the &#39;501 Application, the vertical rise of drain  32  may be such that it extends past the lip of the sink and does not allow for sliding of soap dish  10  off of the sink&#39;s lip. In other words, drain  32  may extend a ways into the sink&#39;s basin so that, if soap dish  10  is moved laterally (e.g., by accident or otherwise), drain  32  contacts the lip of the sink to prevent disassociation between drain  32  and the sink. The &#39;501 Application depicts this in detail at  FIG. 6 . 
         [0028]    An additional aspect of soap dish  10 , specifically its front foot  80 , allows dish  10  to be placed in a variety of settings. As an example, on a sink with a radiused or curved lip, which is raised above the counter, foot  80  may be placed anywhere along the radius. This is not the case with other designs. Foot  80 , in particular its vinyl cover  82 , also provides a non-slip surface for contacting the lip of the sink. Soap dish  10  may alternatively be positioned at a straight edge and supported at the edge by foot  80 . As another example, soap dish  10  can be utilized with a sink having a lip flush with the counter, and legs  60  can be adjusted to fit that setting. Put simply, soap dish  10  is versatile in that it can be used and adjusted to fit almost any setting. Other environments in which soap dish  10  can be used include, for example, at an edge of a free-standing or drop-in tub. In this instance, foot  80  may be situated at an edge of the tub and legs  60  may be adjusted downwards so that they extend beyond the edge and hook in to stabilize soap dish  10 . 
         [0029]    In all settings, soap dish  10  allows for efficient draining of water from dish  10 . In particular, after a user uses soap and places it back within dish  10  (e.g., on its ribs  24 ), water is allowed to run off of the soap, between ribs  24 , and to floor surface  22  of tray  20  where it is directed to drain  32 . In the case of an angled floor surface  22 , water is quickly directed to drain  32  where it is emptied out of dish  10 . Also, when the user places the soap back into dish  10 , it may engage with projections  26  on ribs  24  and be stabilized at that location. For instance, if ribs  24  are angled towards a front of soap dish  10 , a bar of soap contacting ribs  24  will be forced towards projections  26  simply by way of gravity. This effectively causes the bar of soap to be spaced from back wall  28  of tray  20  so that water is not trapped in that area, and a user can easily grasp the bar of soap during use. In particular, the user&#39;s fingers can reach behind the bar of soap since it is spaced from back wall  28  of tray  20 , thus allowing the user to easily remove the bar from soap dish  10 . Alternatively, if ribs  24  are level, the bar of soap may be spaced from back wall  28  due to certain sections or ribs  24  extending up back wall  28  and spacing the bar apart from wall  28 . After multiple uses, the user may clean tray  20  either in the dishwasher and/or by wiping tray  20  with his/her fingers between ribs  24 . Since tray  20  is removable from base  40 , it is easy to clean. 
         [0030]    Due to the removability of tray  20 , it is also possible to provide a system in which a base  40  is provided, and multiple different trays  20  are included with base  40  to fit different settings. For instance, trays  20  having differently-sized drains  32  may be included with a particular base  40  in a system. Each tray  20  may be designed for a particular use (e.g., a raised-sink setting, a shower setting, a flush sink setting, etc.), and the user may elect which tray  20  to use depending on the setting. 
         [0031]    The aforementioned components of soap dish  10  may be composed of a variety of materials, including different plastics and/or metals. It is likely that bolts  47  should be composed of stainless steel or another rust-proof metal due to the settings in which soap dish  10  is used. In addition, base  40  may be made of a plastic material, either with or without a metal decorative coating (e.g., a brass finish). Base  40  may also itself be made of a metallic, decorative material, such as brass or an aluminum material that is decoratively finished. Tray  20  may be composed of a plastic material, which optionally comes in different colors and/or aesthetic designs. Due to the removability of tray  20 , it would therefore be easy for a user to purchase a number of different trays having different aesthetic designs. The user could, if needed, then remove a particular tray  20  and place it in the dishwasher and substitute in another tray  20  of the same or a different design while the first tray  20  is being cleaned. 
         [0032]    Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.