Hygienic sponge holder

Techniques of transporting bath sponges involve holding a used bath sponge in a case that will carry and compress the used bath sponge. Such a case separates the soiled water and debris that is drained from the used bath sponge. The case is designed to facilitate the drainage of water and debris that have accumulated in the bath sponge after it is used. The action of compression of a bath sponge within this case will also help to maintain the original shape of the bath sponge. This case will keep all water and debris that has collected by the action of compression of the bath sponge contained in the lower sections of the case. In addition, when this case is stored in an upright position, the water and debris will not be able to flow back into the top section where the sponge is being stored.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to an accessory for any type of bath sponge that is typically utilized to apply body wash, soap, or lotion.

BACKGROUND

Bath sponges are typically transported for travel and use away from home by consumers in a variety of ways. A conventional approach to transporting bath sponges involves using a plastic zip lock bag to transport their bath sponge. Another conventional approach involves transporting a used bath sponge wrapped in a bath towel.

SUMMARY

Unfortunately, there are deficiencies in the above-described conventional approaches to transporting bath sponges. For example, a sponge is not separated from the water and debris that are present after usage. This presents a potentially non-hygienic environment. Along these lines, transporting bath sponges in plastic bags allows the bath sponges to remain wet as it sits in soiled bath water. Such bath sponges tend to build up bacteria.

In addition, carrying a wet bath sponge in this manner can also be a potential leaking hazard if the zip lock bag opens during the transporting process. Further, the water and debris can transfer to other items in a suitcase or gym bag in which the sponge is carried.

Also, some consumers who store their sponges in a bath towel may accidently put their bath sponge in the washer or dryer as it is hidden in the bath towel. The washing and drying of a bath sponge may result in abrasive or frayed edges making the bath sponge unsuitable for use.

Another issue with bath sponges is that they lose their shape and uniformity over time as they are used. As the bath sponge loses its original shape they become less effective at applying body wash, soap or lotion. This can also create unnecessary wasting of body wash or lotions.

In contrast to the conventional approaches which may give rise to non-hygienic environments, improved techniques of transporting bath sponges involve holding a used bath sponge in a case that will carry and compress the used bath sponge. Such a case separates the soiled water and debris that is drained from the used bath sponge. The case is designed to facilitate the drainage of water and debris that have accumulated in the bath sponge after it is used. The action of compression of a bath sponge within this case will also help to maintain the original shape of the bath sponge. This case will keep all water and debris that has collected by the action of compression of the bath sponge contained in the lower sections of the case. In addition, when this case is stored in an upright position, the water and debris will not be able to flow back into the top section where the sponge is being stored.

In some arrangements, the case has three parts. A top section of the case will hold and aide in the compression of the bath sponge. A middle section will facilitate compression by driving up into the top section. The middle section will also facilitate drainage by diverting liquid and debris to the lower section through a round opening with a funnel design. A bottom section will serve as a base. The base may enclose the case and hold water and debris when the case is placed upright. In a typical application a bath sponge would be placed into the top section of the case and can either be hung on a hook in a shower or bathtub by the hanging loop design on the top of the upper part of the case. This action allows the bath sponge to be compressed and drain excess water and debris. The action of continuous compression also allows the sponge to maintain its original shape. When the consumer wants to take the bath sponge with them when traveling or at the gym, the middle and lower sections can be assembled together and attached to the top section by pushing or driving the middle section into the top section and screwing all sections together. Once fully assembled the case can be either hung on the outside of any travel bag by the hanging loop or it can be stored in any carrying case or suitcase. If it is most important for a consumer to have a case made of a precious metal material, the case can be made of this type of material. If having a smaller bath sponge is most important to a consumer this case can also be made in a smaller size. The case may be impregnated with an antimicrobial substance to inhibit bacterial growth.

Advantageously, the improved techniques provide a convenient, portable, and hygienic way for consumers to carry and or transport the bath sponge. This case provides a convenient way to carry a bath sponge and also provide a hygienic solution by separating the water, bacteria, and debris. This case helps the bath sponge to maintain its original shape and make it more effective for application of body wash, soap, or lotion.

One embodiment of the improved techniques is directed to a sponge holding apparatus. The sponge holding apparatus includes a housing that defines a sponge holding space to hold a sponge over a sponge draining space. The sponge holding apparatus also includes a separator that couples to the housing, the separator being constructed and arranged to separate the sponge holding space from the sponge draining space.

Additionally, some embodiments are directed to a method of manufacturing a sponge holding apparatus. The method includes defining, within a housing, a sponge holding space to hold a sponge over a sponge draining space. The method also includes providing a separator to separate the sponge holding space from the sponge draining space using a separator that couples to the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details.

In accordance with the improved techniques, and as described in further detail below, an example container for transport and storage of a bath sponge includes three sections. Included in the three sections is a top section, or sponge holding space110, a middle section or separator106, and a bottom or base108. As exemplified inFIG. 1of the drawings the three sections are assembled to create an enclosed unit.

As viewed inFIG. 2, the top section110includes a housing unit104with the intended purpose of holding a bath sponge1006. The shape of the housing104will allow a bath sponge to be compressed. The act of compression allows water and debris to be expelled from the bath sponge. The housing104also aids in the maintenance of the bath sponge form and/or original shape by the act of continuous compression of the bath sponge as it is being stored in the housing104.

Referring toFIG. 3, the sponge holding space110of the present invention has an appendage extending from the top of sponge holding space110. The appendage has a hollow loop assembly102with an intended purpose of hanging the present invention on a peg or holder in a shower and or bathtub area. This aforementioned hanging loop102can also be used to hang a completely assembled unit112to any type of bag.

FIG. 4illustrates a cross-sectional view of the top section shows the interior of the housing104. The purpose of this housing section is to hold, contain, compress, and or store a bath sponge.

FIG. 4also illustrates the attachment threads402. The attachment threads facilitate the attachment of the top section110to the separator106.

FIG. 5illustrates a view of the separator106. The purpose of this section is to provide additional compression of the bath sponge by the action of driving the separator106into the top section110. In addition, the separator106has a funnel design502to facilitate the drainage of the by-product of water and debris which is a result of the additional compression of a used bath sponge. The water and debris that are expelled from the bath sponge as it is being compressed by the separator106will be diverted into the drainage funnel502. The housing attachment threads506will facilitate the attachment of the separator106to the top section110by creating a screw together action to join the tops section110to the separator106. The base attachment threads504are located at the bottom of the separator106. These threads504facilitate attachment to the base108.

FIG. 6illustrates a cross-sectional view of the separator106. This view best shows the drainage funnel502and the opening602of the drainage funnel502. As aforementioned, the byproducts of the act of compression of a used bath sponge are water and debris. This water and debris will be expelled through the opening602in the drainage funnel502. The water and debris can be held in a fully assembled bath sponge container112while being transported, or the water and debris can be allowed to drain into a sink or tub while the top section110is being suspended by the hanging loop102. For example, the top section110can be attached to the separator106to provide additional compression of a used bath sponge and water and debris can be allowed to drain into a sink or tub.

FIG. 7illustrates a top view of the base108. The base108serves two purposes. The base108will allow a fully assembled bath sponge container112to stand independently on any smooth surface. In addition, the base108will serve as a reservoir for any water or debris that has been drained by the act of compressing a used bath sponge when the bath sponge container112is in an upright position.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the base108has several bump out sections or gripping lobes702. The purpose of the gripping lobes702is to provide a more secure grip on the base108when assembling or disassembling the bath sponge container112.

FIG. 7also illustrates a thin circular gasket704. The purpose of the gasket704is to prevent leakage of water from the bath sponge container112.

FIG. 8illustrates an additional view of the base108in which base attachment threads802may be seen. The base attachment threads802facilitate attachment of the base108to the middle section508, which will create a fully assembled bath sponge container112.

FIG. 9illustrates a cross-sectional view of the base108. The placement of the gasket704can be seen as being recessed into a grooved well along the entire internal diameter of the base108. The gasket704is recessed within this groove in the base108.

FIG. 10illustrates a cross-sectional view of a fully assembled bath sponge container112.FIG. 10illustrates a fully assembled bath sponge container112. It also demonstrates the utility of the improved techniques, which is to contain, compress, drain, and transport a bath sponge1006. The bath sponge container112includes a sponge holding space1010and the separator106. The separator106separates the sponge holding space1010from a sponge draining space1020.

The base108is attached to the separator106. The attachment is facilitated by screwing together the base108and the separator106using the base attachment threads504(FIG. 5) and the separator attachment threads706(FIG. 7). The separator106is smaller in diameter than the top section110, thus allowing the separator106to be driven up into the sponge holding space1010. When the separator106is driven up as far as possible into the sponge holding space1010, the separator106and the housing104can be attached by screwing together the attachment threads402(FIG. 4) and the housing attachment threads506(FIG. 5).

FIG. 10illustrates the bath sponge1006as it is being compressed by the interior walls of the housing1014, i.e. sponge holder1014. The action of compression allows water and debris to be expelled from the bath sponge1006. The water and debris, i.e., drainage1024is then diverted into the separator106and can be held in the fully assembled bath sponge container112. The water and debris1024can be released from the bath sponge container112by unscrewing the base108from the separator106while holding over a sink or bath tub and allowing water and debris1024to drain.

FIG. 11illustrates an alternate embodiment of a fully assembled bath sponge container112hanging on a travel bag.

FIG. 12illustrates an alternate embodiment of the bath sponge container as only the top section110is being suspended by the hanging loop102in a shower enclosure with a bath sponge1006being held and compressed by the housing104.

FIG. 13illustrates an example method1300of manufacturing a sponge holding apparatus. At1302, a sponge holding space is defined within a housing to hold a sponge over a sponge draining space. At1304, a separator is provided to separate the sponge holding space from the sponge draining space using a separator which couples to the housing.

The aforementioned bath sponge container112may be fabricated from any number of different plastics, metals, composites, and the like, and any combinations thereof, depending upon the requirements of particular applications of the invention. Materials employed in the fabrication of the bath sponge container112are preferably suitable for exposure to water, but if materials are employed which are affected by water, such as wood, certain metals (e.g., iron, aluminum, brass), and the like, then a conventional protective coating is preferably applied to the surface of the material to protect it from water.

It is understood that the present invention may take many forms and embodiments. Accordingly several variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example a variety of sizes—smaller or larger than those illustrated in the Figures—could be fabricated to accommodate the storage, compression and drainage of any number of sponges for home, commercial, and personal use. In additional the present invention could be fabricated to accommodate any number of wet articles of clothing that require transportation, such as bathing suit, swim suits, and wet suits.

As an additional example, the number of petals in the gripping lobes702of the base108as illustrated inFIGS. 7-9is 12, which is preferred. However, there may be any number of petals in the gripping lobes702, e.g., 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and higher.

As a further example, the separator106as illustrated in the Figures does not have a gasket; only the base108has a gasket. However, in some arrangements, the separator may have a gasket to further prevent fluids from escaping the container112.

Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be constructed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

Further, although features are shown and described with reference to particular embodiments hereof, such features may be included and hereby are included in any of the disclosed embodiments and their variants. Thus, it is understood that features disclosed in connection with any embodiment are included as variants of any other embodiment.

As used throughout this document, the words “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to set forth certain items, steps, elements, or aspects of something in an open-ended fashion. Also, as used herein and unless a specific statement is made to the contrary, the word “set” means one or more of something. This is the case regardless of whether the phrase “set of” is followed by a singular or plural object and regardless of whether it is conjugated with a singular or plural verb. Although certain embodiments are disclosed herein, it is understood that these are provided by way of example only and the invention is not limited to these particular embodiments.