Abstract:
A bar of soap with retention device includes a bar of soap with an aperture bored through it extending from the top surface to the bottom surface or from a first side edge to a second side edge. An elastic member attaches the bar of soap to a handling means through the aperture. The handling means includes an opening for attachment to the elastic member. The handling means is typically form as a ring but may have a series of finger indents within the opening or formed as a rod or handle. The elastic member is attached to the handling means by passing it through the opening in the handling means, passing both ends through the aperture and around each side of the bar and over the handling means to rest about the center of the elastic member. The retention device may be added to an existing bar of soap.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to soap products. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for handling and control of a wet bar of soap in a bath or shower environment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A wet bar of soap can present myriad hazards when handled in a wet environment. It is easy to drop a wet bar of soap, step on it while attempting to retrieve it and fall on hard tile or enamel surfaces resulting in serious injury. Various devices and techniques have been developed to provide improved means for controlling and handling soap bars in the bath, shower and kitchen environments. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,206,152 issued to Wimmer is directed to a means for supporting or suspending soap. Each form of the invention uses an elastic strand with a cake of soap in which the elastic strand passes through the soap, coupled to a container for the soap, or embedded in the soap. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,671,438 issued to Cilia, is directed to a soap and container therefore. The bar of soap has an aperture with insert to prevent the aperture from gradually expanding in size as the soap is continued to be used. The aperture provides the means by which the soap is supported in the container. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,319,847, issued to Clanton is directed to a non-slip holder for cake soap. The holder for the cake of soap comprises an envelope of a cage of a size to encompass a cake of soap, and on one face of the cage there is provided a pair of upstanding finger loops through which the user may project certain fingers to further assure that the cage and its contents will be held firmly when in use. Further, as the soap size diminishes it will remain within the holder. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,251,571 issued to Ernest is directed to a soap holder and adjustable loop. An adjustable loop is provided that may be tightened around a bar of soap to hold it securely even as its size diminishes with use, using a tightening device or cramp with an opening for tightening purposes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,871 issued to van Allen discloses a soap spindle. The soap holder is designed to hold a cake of soap that has a centrally disposed cylindrical cavity formed through its least dimension. 
     While other variations exist, the above-described designs for soap with retention devices are typical of those encountered in the prior art. It is an objective of the present invention to provide means for holding, picking up and controlling a wet bar of soap. It is a further objective to provide such means in a simple, economical device that may be easily installed on a bar of soap. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a device that will continue to fit snugly on the bar of soap as it shrinks in size. It is yet a further objective to provide a soap with retention device that can be sold already packaged with a new bar of soap or may be added to existing bars as an add-on accessory. 
     While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art soap with retention device inventions and satisfies all of the objectives described above. 
     (1) A bar of soap with retention device providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. A bar of soap is provided. The bar of soap has an aperture through it. An elastic member is provided. The elastic member has a first end and a second end. At least one handling means is provided. The handling means includes means for attaching to the first end of the elastic member. The second end of the elastic member extends through the aperture of the bar of soap. Means are provided for attaching the second end of the elastic member to the bar of soap. When the handling means is attached to the elastic member and the elastic member is attached to the bar of soap, the bar of soap will be provided with means for easily handling the bar. 
     (2) In a variant of the invention, a bar of soap is provided. The bar of soap has a top surface, a bottom surface, first and second side edges and a first predetermined thickness. An aperture is provided. The aperture penetrates the bar of soap and extends through it. An elastic member is provided. The elastic member is formed as a closed loop and has a first end, a second end and a center section. At least one handling means is provided. The handling means has a first side, a second side, a second predetermined thickness and an opening. The opening extends from the first side to the second side. The center section of the elastic member is located within the opening of the handling means. 
     The first and second ends of the elastic member are passed through the aperture of the bar of soap and extend outwardly from it. The first end of the elastic member extends around the bar of soap in a first direction, is stretched over the handling means and located about the center section of the elastic member. The second end of the elastic member extends around the bar of soap in a second, opposite direction, is stretched over the handling means and located about the center section of the elastic member. When the elastic member is so located with respect to the bar of soap and the handling means, the handling means will be removably and elastically attached to the bar of soap. 
     (3) In another variant of the invention, a bar of soap is provided. The bar of soap has a top surface, a bottom surface, first and second side edges and a first predetermined thickness. An aperture is provided. The aperture penetrates the bar of soap and extends through it. First and second elastic members are provided. Each of the first and second elastic members is formed as a closed loop and has a first end, a second end and a center section. At least one handling means is provided. The handling means has a first side, a second side, a second predetermined thickness and an opening, the opening extending from the first side to the second side. 
     The center sections of each the elastic members are located within the opening of the handling means. The first ends of the elastic members are passed through the closed loop of the elastic members, thereby attaching the first ends to the handling means. The second ends of the first and second elastic members are passed through the aperture of the bar of soap and extend outwardly from it. The second end of the first elastic member extends around the bar of soap in a first direction, is stretched over the handling means and located about the center section of the elastic members. The second end of the second elastic member extends around the bar of soap in a second, opposite direction, is stretched over the handling means and located about the center section of the elastic members. When the elastic members are so located with respect to the bar of soap and the handling means, the handling means will be removably and elastically attached to the bar of soap. 
     (4) In a further variant, a bar of soap is provided. The bar of soap has a top surface, a bottom surface, first and second side edges and a first predetermined thickness. An aperture is provided. The aperture penetrates the bar of soap and extends through it. An elastic member is provided. The elastic member is formed as a closed loop and has a first end, a second end and a center section. At least one handling means is provided. The handling means has a first side, a second side, a second predetermined thickness and an opening. The opening extends from the first side to the second side. 
     The first end of the elastic member extends through the aperture. The second end of the elastic member is passed through the closed loop adjacent the first end, thereby securing the first end of the elastic member to the bar of soap. The second end of the elastic member is passed through the opening in the handling means and then over the bar of soap, thereby securing the second end of the elastic member to the handling means. When the elastic member is so located with respect to the bar of soap and the handling means, the handling means will be removably and elastically attached to the bar of soap. 
     (5) In yet a further variant, a bar of soap is provided. The bar of soap has a top surface, a bottom surface, first and second side edges and a first predetermined thickness. An aperture is provided. The aperture penetrates the bar of soap and extends through it. An elastic member is provided. The elastic member is formed as a closed loop and has a first end, a second end and a center section. At least one handling means is provided. The handling means has a first side, a second side, a second predetermined thickness and an opening. The opening extends from the first side to the second side. 
     A retainer clip is provided. The retainer clip is formed of semi-rigid planar material of a third predetermined thickness. The retainer clip has first and second ends and a surrounding edge. The retainer clip has a narrowed portion substantially equidistant from the first and second ends. The center section of the elastic member is located within the opening of the handling means. The first and second ends of the elastic member being passed through the aperture of the bar of soap and extend outwardly from it. The first and second ends of the elastic member are passed over the first and second ends of the retainer clip and located in the narrowed portion of the retainer clip. When the elastic member is so located with respect to the bar of soap, the handling means and the retainer clip, the handling means will be removably and elastically attached to the bar of soap. 
     (6) In another variant of the invention, a bar of soap is provided. The bar of soap has a top surface, a bottom surface, first and second side edges and a first predetermined thickness. An aperture is provided. The aperture penetrates the bar of soap and extends through it. An elastic member is provided. The elastic member is formed as a closed loop and has a first end, a second end and a center section. At least one handling means is provided. The handling means has a first side, a second side, a second predetermined thickness and an opening. The opening extends from the first side to the second side. A retainer clip is provided. The retainer clip is formed of semi-rigid planar material of a third predetermined thickness. The retainer clip has first and second ends and a surrounding edge. The retainer clip has a narrowed portion substantially equidistant from the first and second ends. The first end of the elastic member extends through the aperture. The second end of the elastic member is passed through the closed loop adjacent the first end, thereby securing the first end of the elastic member to the bar of soap. The first end of the elastic member is passed over the first and second ends of the retainer clip and located in the narrowed portion of the retainer clip. When the elastic member is so located with respect to the bar of soap, the handling means and the retainer clip, the handling means will be removably and elastically attached to the bar of soap. 
     (7) In still a further variant, the aperture extends from the top surface to the bottom surface of the bar of soap. 
     (8) In another variant of the invention, the aperture extends from the first side edge to the second side edge of the bar of soap. 
     (9) In yet another variant, the handling means is at least one ring. 
     (10) In a further variant, the handling means includes a series of finger-shaped indents in the opening. 
     (11) In still a further variant, the handling means includes an upwardly pointing rod. 
     (12) In a final variant of the invention, a kit for attaching a handling means to a bar of soap is provided. The kit includes means for creating an aperture in a bar of soap. An elastic member is provided. The elastic member is formed as a closed loop and has a first end, a second end and a center section. At least one handling means is provided. The handling means has a first side, a second side, a second predetermined thickness and an opening. The opening extends from the first side to the second side. When the means for creating an aperture in a bar of soap is applied to a bar of soap and the elastic member is attached to the handling means and the bar of soap through the aperture, a bar of soap with attached retention device will be formed. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention illustrating a handling means and elastic member; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a handling means, elastic member and means for attaching same to a bar of soap; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention illustrating a handling means and elastic member fastened around a bar of soap; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an elastic member and a handling means used with the FIG. 3 embodiment prior to assembly; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an elastic member and a handling means used with the FIG. 3 embodiment illustrating the means for fastening to a bar of soap; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the FIG. 3 embodiment with an aperture penetrating an edge of the bar of soap; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention illustrating a handling means and elastic member fastened through the handling means and around a bar of soap; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention illustrating a handling means and two elastic member fastened through the handling means and around a bar of soap; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention illustrating a handling means with finger grips; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention illustrating a handling means that includes an upwardly pointing rod; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention illustrating a handling means that includes two rings; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the invention illustrating a handling means and elastic member fastened through the handling means and around a retainer clip; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a kit for providing a handling means attached to a bar of soap with an elastic means; and 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the invention illustrating a handling means and elastic member fastened through the handling means and around a retainer clip. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     (1) FIG.  1  and FIG. 2 illustrate a bar of soap with retention device  10  providing the desired features that may be constructed from the following components. A bar of soap  15  is provided. The bar of soap  15  has an aperture  20  through it. An elastic member  25  is provided. The elastic member  25  has a first end  30  and a second end  35 . At least one handling means  40  is provided. The handling means  40  includes means  45  for attaching to the first end  30  of the elastic member  25 . The second end  35  of the elastic member  25  extends through the aperture  20  of the bar of soap  15 . Means  50  are provided for attaching the second end  35  of the elastic member  25  to the bar of soap  15 . When the handling means  40  is attached to the elastic member  25  and the elastic member  25  is attached to the bar of soap  15 , the bar of soap  15  will be provided with means  55  for easily handling the bar  15 . 
     (2) In a variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 3, FIG.  4  and FIG. 5, a bar of soap  15  is provided. The bar of soap  15  has a top surface  60 , a bottom surface  65 , first  70  and second  75  side edges and a first predetermined thickness  80 . An aperture  20  is provided. The aperture  20  penetrates the bar of soap  15  and extends through it. An elastic member  85  is provided. The elastic member  85  is formed as a closed loop  90  and has a first end  95 , a second end  100  and a center section  105 . At least one handling means  40  is provided. The handling means  40  has a first side  110 , a second side  115 , a second predetermined thickness  120  and an opening  125 . The opening  125  extends from the first side  110  to the second side  115 . The center section  105  of the elastic member  85  is located within the opening  125  of the handling means  40 . 
     The first  95  and second  100  ends of the elastic member  85  are passed through the aperture  20  of the bar of soap  15  and extend outwardly from it. The first end  95  of the elastic member  85  extends around the bar of soap  15  in a first direction  130 , is stretched over the handling means  40  and located about the center section  105  of the elastic member  85 . The second end  100  of the elastic member  85  extends around the bar of soap  15  in a second  135 , opposite direction, is stretched over the handling means  40  and located about the center section  105  of the elastic member  85 . When the elastic member  85  is so located with respect to the bar of soap  15  and the handling means  40 , the handling means  40  will be removably and elastically attached to the bar of soap  15 . 
     (3) In another variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 8, a bar of soap  15  is provided. The bar of soap  15  has a top surface  60 , a bottom surface  65 , first  70  and second  75  side edges and a first predetermined thickness  80 . An aperture  20  is provided. The aperture  20  penetrates the bar of soap  15  and extends through it. First  160  and second  165  elastic members are provided. Each of the first  160  and second  165  elastic members is formed as a closed loop  90  and has a first end  95 , a second end  100  and a center section  105 . At least one handling means  40  is provided. The handling means  40  has a first side  110 , a second side  115 , a second predetermined thickness  120  and an opening  125 . The opening  125  extends from the first side  110  to the second side  115 . 
     The center sections  105  of each the elastic members  160 ,  165  are located within the opening  125  of the handling means  40 . The first ends  95  of the elastic members  160 ,  165  are passed through the closed loops  90  of the elastic members  160 ,  165 , thereby attaching the first ends  95  to the handling means  40 . The second ends  100  of the first  160  and second  165  elastic members are passed through the aperture  20  of the bar of soap  15  and extend outwardly from it. The second end  100  of the first elastic member  160  extends around the bar of soap  15  in a first direction  130 , is stretched over the handling means  40  and located about the center section  105  of the elastic members  160 ,  165 . The second end  100  of the second elastic member  165  extends around the bar of soap  15  in a second, opposite direction  135 , is stretched over the handling means  40  and located about the center section  105  of the elastic members  160 ,  165 . When the elastic members  160 ,  165  are so located with respect to the bar of soap  15  and the handling means  40 , the handling means  40  will be removably and elastically attached to the bar of soap  15 . 
     (4) In a further variant, as shown in FIG. 7, a bar of soap  15  is provided. The bar of soap  15  has a top surface  60 , a bottom surface  65 , first  70  and second  75  side edges and a first predetermined thickness  80 . An aperture  20  is provided. The aperture  20  penetrates the bar of soap  15  and extends through it. An elastic member  85  is provided. The elastic member  85  is formed as a closed loop  90  and has a first end  95 , a second end  100  and a center section  105 . At least one handling means  40  is provided. The handling means  40  has a first side  110 , a second side  115 , a second predetermined thickness  120  and an opening  125 . The opening  125  extends from the first side  110  to the second side  115 . 
     The first end  95  of the elastic member  85  extends through the aperture  20 . The second end  100  of the elastic member  85  is passed through the closed loop  90  adjacent the first end  95 , thereby securing the first end  95  of the elastic member  85  to the bar of soap  15 . The second end  100  of the elastic member  85  is passed through the opening  125  in the handling means  40  and then over the bar of soap  15 , thereby securing the second end  100  of the elastic member  85  to the handling means  40 . When the elastic member  85  is so located with respect to the bar of soap  15  and the handling means  40 , the handling means  40  will be removably and elastically attached to the bar of soap  15 . 
     (5) In yet a further variant, as shown in FIG. 12, a bar of soap  15  is provided. The bar of soap  15  has a top surface  60 , a bottom surface  65 , first  70  and second  75  side edges and a first predetermined thickness  80 . An aperture  20  is provided. The aperture  20  penetrates the bar of soap  15  and extends through it. An elastic member  85  is provided. The elastic member  85  is formed as a closed loop  90  and has a first end  95 , a second end  100  and a center section  105 . At least one handling means  40  is provided. The handling means  40  has a first side  110 , a second side  115 , a second predetermined thickness  120  and an opening  125 . The opening  125  extends from the first side  110  to the second side  115 . 
     A retainer clip  170  is provided. The retainer clip  170  is formed of semi-rigid planar material  175  of a third predetermined thickness  180 . The retainer clip  170  has first  185  and second  190  ends and a surrounding edge  195 . The retainer clip  170  has a narrowed portion  200  substantially equidistant from the first  185  and second  190  ends. The center section  105  of the elastic member  85  is located within the opening  125  of the handling means  40 . The first  95  and second  100  ends of the elastic member  85  are passed through the aperture  20  of the bar of soap  15  and extend outwardly from it. The first  95  and second  100  ends of the elastic member  85  are passed over the first  185  and second  190  ends of the retainer clip  170  and located in the narrowed portion  200  of the retainer clip  170 . When the elastic member  85  is so located with respect to the bar of soap  15 , the handling means  40  and the retainer clip  170 , the handling means  40  will be removably and elastically attached to the bar of soap  15 . 
     (6) In another variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 14, a bar of soap  15  is provided. The bar of soap  15  has a top surface  60 , a bottom surface  65 , first  70  and second  75  side edges and a first predetermined thickness  80 . An aperture  20  is provided. The aperture  20  penetrates the bar of soap  15  and extends through it. An elastic member  85  is provided. The elastic member  85  is formed as a closed loop  90  and has a first end  95 , a second end  100  and a center section  105 . At least one handling means  40  is provided. The handling means  40  has a first side  110 , a second side  115 , a second predetermined thickness  120  and an opening  125 . The opening  125  extends from the first side  110  to the second side  115 . A retainer clip  170  is provided. The retainer clip  170  is formed of semi-rigid planar material  175  of a third predetermined thickness  180 . The retainer clip  170  has first  185  and second  190  ends and a surrounding edge  195 . The retainer clip  170  has a narrowed portion  200  substantially equidistant from the first  185  and second  190  ends. The first end  95  of the elastic member  85  extends through the aperture  20 . The second end  100  of the elastic member  85  is passed through the closed loop  90  adjacent the first end  95 , thereby securing the first end  95  of the elastic member  85  to the bar of soap  15 . The first end  95  of the elastic member  85  is passed over the first  185  and second  190  ends of the retainer clip  170  and located in the narrowed portion  200  of the retainer clip  170 . When the elastic member  85  is so located with respect to the bar of soap  15 , the handling means  40  and the retainer clip  170 , the handling means  40  will be removably and elastically attached to the bar of soap  15 . 
     (7) In still a further variant, as shown in FIGS. 1,  3 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 , 12  and  14 , the aperture  20  extends from the top surface  60  to the bottom surface  65  of the bar of soap  15 . 
     (8) In another variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the aperture  20  extends from the first side edge  70  to the second side edge  75  of the bar of soap  15 . 
     (9) In yet another variant, as shown in FIG. 11, the handling means  40  is at least one ring  135 . 
     (10) In a further variant, as shown in FIG. 9, the handling means  40  includes a series of finger-shaped indents  140  in the opening  125 . 
     (11) In still a further variant, as shown in FIG. 10, the handling means  40  includes an upwardly pointing rod  145 . 
     (12) In a final variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 13, a kit  150  for attaching a handling means  40  to a bar of soap  15  is provided. The kit  150  includes means  155  for creating an aperture  20  in a bar of soap  15 . An elastic member  85  is provided. The elastic member  85  is formed as a closed loop  90  and has a first end  95 , a second end  100  and a center section  105 . At least one handling means  40  is provided. The handling means  40  has a first side  110 , a second side  115 , a second predetermined thickness  120  and an opening  125 . The opening  125  extends from the first side  110  to the second side  115 . When the means  155  for creating an aperture  20  in a bar of soap  15  is applied to a bar of soap  15  and the elastic member  85  is attached to the handling means  40  and the bar of soap  15  through the aperture  20 , a bar of soap  15  with attached retention device  10  will be formed. 
     The bar of soap with retention device  10  has been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.