Abstract:
The present invention includes a personal hygiene cleansing device comprising: a base including at least one drainage hole, a scrubbing element, the scrubbing element being removable from a first side of the base, and a mounting means for securing the base to a wall, the mounting means being fixed to a second side of the base.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of PCT/US2010/001636,filed on Jun. 07, 2010 and entitled Exfoliating Back Scrubber . 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of personal hygiene devices, and in particular to a back scrubbing device for use in bathing or showering for cleaning and/or exfoliating an individual&#39;s own back. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Personal hygiene has always been a big concern for most people. One of the most difficult areas of the human body for an individual to clean is his/her own back. Individuals have used various methods in the past to clean their own backs including, a back scrubbing brush, a washcloth held between both hands, and similar awkward devices. However, not one of these devices has resulted in an acceptable, efficient, solution for cleaning one&#39;s own back. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A first embodiment of the present invention includes a personal hygiene cleansing device including: a base, a first scrubbing element, and a means for securing the base to a wall. The base includes at least one drainage hole. The first scrubbing element has a first cleansing characteristic and is removable from a first side of the base. The mounting means is fixed to a second side of the base. 
         [0005]    Another embodiment of the present invention includes a water resistant personal hygiene cleansing device including: a base, a first scrubbing element, a mounting means, and a means for moving at least a portion of the scrubbing element. The base includes a water resistant compartment. The first scrubbing element has a first cleansing characteristic and is removable from a first side of the base. The mounting means is for securing the base to a wall and is fixed to a second side of the base. The portion of the scrubbing element is moved with respect to the mounting means. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment of the present invention includes a multi-level personal hygiene cleansing device including: a base, a scrubbing element, and a mounting means. The base includes at least one drainage hole and a first portion of the base which is raised with respect to a second portion of the base. The scrubbing element is removable from a first side of the base. The mounting means is used to secure the multi-level personal hygiene cleansing device to a wall and the mounting means is fixed to a second side of the base. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, rather emphasis is generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of various embodiments. The foregoing and other aspects of the invention will be better understood from the following description of embodiments of the invention, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the Back Scrubbing Device of the present invention preferably including a scrubbing element, a rubber base and a mounting means; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top view of one embodiment of the scrubbing element of the Back Scrubbing device; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a view of the reverse side of the rubber base preferably including mounting means such as suction cups and one, or more, drainage holes to allow water to pass through the Back Scrubbing device; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment in which the Scrubbing Element is removable from the Back Scrubbing Device; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment in which the Back Scrubbing Device includes two Scrubbing Elements, one on each side; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a block schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment for battery powered movement of the Scrubbing Element with respect to the mounting means. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    In the following detailed description, reference will be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural, and logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The progression of processing steps described is exemplary of embodiments of the invention; however, the sequence of steps is not limited to that set forth herein and may be changed as is known in the art, with the exception of steps necessarily occurring in a certain order. 
         [0015]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the Back Scrubbing Device  100  of the present invention is specifically made to cleanse and exfoliate the back area of an individual&#39;s body. In a preferred embodiment, the Back Scrubbing Device  100  includes at least three elements, Scrubbing Element  105 , base  110 , and a mounting means  115 . Mounting means  115  affixes the Back Scrubbing Device  100  to a surface such as a shower and permits relative motion between the individual&#39;s back (not shown) and the Scrubbing Element  105 . When Scrubbing Element  105 , base  110 , and mounting means  115  are connected together they form a mountable Back Scrubbing Device  100 . The mounting means may be used to attach the back scrubbing device to a wall of a shower, bath tub or similar surface. 
         [0016]      FIG.2  shows an embodiment of the Scrubbing Element  105 . Scrubbing Element  105  is preferably made of finely woven nylon mesh or preferably of any water resistant scrubbing fabric, however, other scrubbing elements  105  may also be within the scope of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the nylon mesh is gathered together or twisted into a resilient scrubbing pad or Scrubbing Element  105 . The Scrubbing Element  105  is then affixed to base  110 . The Scrubbing Element  105  may be attached to base  110  through a variety of methods, including, but not limited to, Velcro strips, hook and loop fasteners, glue, other adhesives, or elastic material. In one embodiment the circumference of Scrubbing Element  105  has an elastic material embedded within it such that the circumference of the Scrubbing Element  105  may be stretch over base  110  thereby attaching Scrubbing Element  105  to base  110 . Preferably, Scrubbing Element  105  is formed in a rectangular shape with dimensions of approximately 19.75 inches long by 11.375 inches wide and 0.25 inches thick, but one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that other sizes and other shapes of Scrubbing Element  105  are within the scope of the present invention. In another embodiment, the top side of base  110  includes a Velcro or similar material to assist in attachment of Scrubbing Element  105  to base  110 . 
         [0017]    Various types of Scrubbing Element  105  may be used with Back Scrubbing Device  100  including, but not limited to, exfoliating scrubbing element, soaping scrubbing element, back scratching scrubbing element, back rubbing element; pumice Scrubbing Elements, loofah Scrubbing Elements, or a Scrubbing Element including a brush. Scrubbing Elements  105  may also be individualized such that each individual which uses Back Scrubbing Device  100  has their own personal Scrubbing Element  105 . One way Scrubbing Elements can be individualized is through the use of different colors. Scrubbing element  105  can be removed from Back Scrubbing Device  100  for cleaning or to change to another element or type of element. The Back Scrubber will stimulate, cleanse, and exfoliate the dermis layer of the skin. The exfoliating is made possible because of the abrasive nature of the scrubbing surface and the ability to apply as much pressure as you want. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  shows base  110  and one instance of mounting means  115 , in this case suction cups  305 . Base  110  is preferably made of soft flexible synthetic rubber, rubber-like plastic material, or similar water proof material. Preferably, base  110  is rectangular in shape with dimensions of approximately 20 inches long by 12 inches wide. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that other sizes and other shapes of base  110  are within the scope of the present invention. Preferably, base  110  includes one or more drainage holes  310  positioned such that water that passes through Scrubbing Element  105  will not be retained within Back Scrubbing Device  100 . Drainage holes  310  may also be positioned around the circumference of base  110  to ensure a means for water to pass out of Back Scrubbing Device  100 . Preferably drainage holes  310  in the back of base  110  are approximately ½ inch in diameter and allow for rapid drainage of soap and water that has entered into Back Scrubbing Device  100  when the individual has finished scrubbing their back and wish to clean the Back Scrubbing Device  100 . Drainage holes located around the circumference of base  110  would be smaller in size. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  also shows one instance of mounting means  115 . In this case mounting means  115  is made up of one or more suction cups  305  which permit the user to mount base  110 , and therefore Back Scrubbing Device  100 , to a fixed object such as the wall of a shower or the side of a bathtub. Preferably more than one suction cup  305  is positioned on base  110 , thereby ensuring Back Scrubbing Device  100  will maintain its position on the shower wall or wall of the bathtub. In a preferred embodiment, approximately 75% or less of the surface area of base  110  is composed of suction cups. 
         [0020]    Alternatively, mounting means  115  may be comprised of Velcro, hook and loop fasteners, glue, other types of adhesives, or any type of mounting means whereby base  110  is attached to the wall of a shower or a bathtub. 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of the Back Scrubbing Device  100  that includes a peelable Scrubbing Element  405 .  FIG. 4  includes a Rubber Base  410 , a Scrubbing Element  405 , a Mounting Means  115  (in this case Velcro) and Drainage Holes  310 . Easily removable Scrubbing Elements  405  may serve many useful purposes such as allowing for different individuals to have different Scrubbing Elements, allowing for the use of different Scrubbing Elements having different textures or scrubbing characteristics, to prevent the spread of bacteria, etc. Peelable scrubbing element  405  may be made so that it is disposable and is simply replaced with a new peelable scrubbing element  405 . Alternatively, peelable scrubbing element  405  may be removable for cleaning such that it may be cleaned by hand, by placement in a dishwasher, or by placement in a washing machine or similar cleaning device. Properly cleaning and drying of the scrubbing element will assist in avoiding mold or mildew growth on the scrubbing element. Once cleaned, the peelable scrubbing element would be repositioned on the Back Scrubbing Device  100 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of Back Scrubbing Device  500  which includes two Scrubbing Elements  505  and  510 , a First Scrubbing Element  505  attached to one side of the Back Scrubbing Device and a Second Scrubbing Element  510  attached to the second side of the Back Scrubbing Device. For example, and without limitation, the First Scrubbing Element  305  may be made of mesh while the Second Scrubbing Element  510  includes more abrasive qualities, such as a mesh mixed with a pumice polyurethane. In this embodiment both sides of the Back Scrubbing Device would require a mounting means such that the Back Scrubbing Device could be attached to the wall of the shower, for example, with either of the Scrubbing Elements being placed in closer proximately to the user. 
         [0023]    Various other embodiments of Back Scrubbing Device are also possible. For example, and without limitation, a water resistant version of Back Scrubbing Device is also disclosed. In this case, water resistant means that the Back Scrubbing Device may be used in an environment such as a shower or a tub without damage to the Back Scrubbing Device. In the water resistant version of Back Scrubbing Device, the base may include an inner compartment in which water does not enter. The base used in the water resistant model would not typically include drainage holes in the back portion of the base and would not typically include drainage holes in the circumference of the base. 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  shows a block schematic diagram  600  of an exemplary embodiment of electronics that may be included in Back Scrubbing Device  100 . The water resistant inner compartment may be used to house electronics, actuators, motors or similar devices  605  and a power source  610 , such as a battery so that the water resistant version of the Back Scrubbing Device may vibrate, shake, rotate, or have other motion such that the individual using the water resistant version of the Back Scrubbing Device would not need to rub his or her back on the Back Scrubbing Device, Instead, the individual would press their back against the water resistant version of the Back Scrubbing Device and the device itself would move the surface of the Scrubbing Element with respect to the back of the individual. One embodiment of the water resistant version includes a switch  615  to start the movement of the Scrubbing Element of the water resistant Back Scrubbing Device. Another embodiment of the water resistant version of the Back Scrubbing Device may include an activation switch  620  such as a pressure sensitive switch in which the individual presses his or her back onto the Scrubbing Element and the pressure sensitive switch cooperatively starts the movement of the Scrubbing Element of this embodiment of the water resistant Back Scrubbing Device. In other embodiments both a switch  615  and an activation switch  620  are included. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, the Back Scrubbing Device includes a mirror such that the individual using the Back Scrubbing Device would easily be able to view their own back in the mirror to determine if further washing is required. This version would be particularly useful if the individual is attempting to wash something off of their back. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment, the water resistant version of the Back Scrubbing Device may include a mirror which resists fogging. In this embodiment, the electronics in the water resistant version of the Back Scrubbing Device may supply power to a heating element to ensure the mirror does not fog up in high humidity areas such as a shower or a bathtub. 
         [0027]    In another embodiment, the base of the Back Scrubbing Device includes a ridged portion such that a portion of the scrubbing element is positioned further from the wall of the shower or bath than the rest of the scrubbing element. In this embodiment, the portion of the scrubbing element which is furthest from the wall would be the one on which the individual rubs their back. 
         [0028]    In yet another embodiment the base may hold a liquid such as soap such that when the Scrubbing Element is depressed soap will come through soap dispensing holes positioned within the Scrubbing Element. In this embodiment the soap may be held in a soap reservoir. 
         [0029]    While the invention has been particularly shown with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. The invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.