Abstract:
An anchoring core for bar soap includes a planar piece with a peripheral contour having a curved area between a top face and a bottom face. The core includes depressions sunk inward of the laces, the depressions transitioning from the faces at an angle of at least ninety degrees to form a lip. Portions of the bar soap are urged into the depressions and held in place, preventing the bar soap from moving relative to the anchoring core. The depressions may be formed in predetermined patterns to constitute images, words or other preferred indicia. The depressions may also be formed as elongated channels, the elongated channels extending across the anchoring core including the curved area at the periphery so that the channels wrap around the anchoring core. The channels may be curved or form fanciful shapes and indicia as well. Additionally, the anchoring core may include multiple channels.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to bar soap. More specifically, the present invention relates to bar soap having an anchoring core inside. 
         [0003]    2. State of the Art 
         [0004]    Soaps, including conventional soaps for personal use are made in both liquid and solid phases. While some solid soaps are dried or powdered, the conventional solid ingot or bar shape remains the most popular way of presenting soap for sale or use. While bar soaps are popular, as they wear down through use, they tend to lose integrity and will bend or break through normal use. When bar soaps break up, the resulting pieces are usually lost down basin drains, or discarded, resulting in a waste of soap. 
         [0005]    In addition to home use, bar soaps popular in commercial settings, such as hotels. In these settings, a small bar soap is usually presented to avoid the expense of wasting large amounts of soap, since users only need the soap for a few days at most, and a new soap must be used for each new guest. Guests also usually take soaps with them when they leave a hotel. Since hotel soaps begin small, the risk of disintegration is greater. Also, hotels miss a branding opportunity, since any promotional logos that may be printed on a bar soap is washed away after only a few uses. 
         [0006]    Hence, what is needed is an apparatus that provides structural integrity to bar soaps as they become smaller and thinner through use. Also needed is an apparatus that retains soap pieces, allowing users to completely use up the soap before replacement. Another need is an apparatus that retains bar soaps, prevents them from breaking up, and that also can be branded, reused and recycled. These and other needs are addressed in the following summary, description and claims. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    An anchoring core for preserving the structural integrity of bar soap is disclosed. The anchoring core includes a substantially planar to face and a substantially planar bottom face opposing the top face. The top face and the bottom face are preferably in peripheral contour with each other, and a perimeter wall extends around the periphery of the anchoring core defining a profile contour. To provide smoothness, a curved area transitions the perimeter wall into the top face and into the bottom face. 
         [0008]    The top face includes a depression sunk inward of the top face. Unlike the perimeter of the anchoring core, the transition from the top face to the depression creates an angle of at least ninety degrees to form a lip where the depression meets the top face. Portions of the bar soap are urged into the depression and consequently held in the depression, which prevents the bar soap from moving relative to the anchoring core. 
         [0009]    In preferred embodiments, the anchoring core includes a depression formed in both the top face and the bottom face, and preferably will have multiple individual depressions formed in the top face and bottom face of the anchoring core. If desired, the multiple depressions may be formed into a predetermined pattern. Alternatively, a single depression may be formed in a predetermined pattern. Contemplated patters may be images, words or any preferred indicia. The depression, depressions and any pattern may be formed in the top face and in the bottom face such that the top face and bottom face are substantially identical mirror images of each other. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the depression may be formed as an elongated channel. The elongated channel can extend across the top face, across the bottom face, and can extend continuously across the perimeter wall such that it wraps around the anchoring core. If the depression is a channel, the channel may be curved, or formed into fanciful shapes and indicia. Additionally, the anchoring core may include multiple channels. Preferably, the anchoring core is centered in the soap bar. 
         [0011]    The invention can also be characterized as an strengthened bar of soap, which is resilient and break resistant. The soap bar, as is conventional, would have as perimeter profile. In this context, the soap bar itself includes an anchoring core having a top face, a bottom face opposing the top face, with the bottom face in peripheral contour with the top face. A perimeter wall defining a common perimeter of the top face and the bottom face includes a curved area transitioning the perimeter wall to the top face and transitioning the perimeter to the bottom face, and the top face and the bottom face, as discussed, include depressions disposed inward of the top face and inward of the bottom face, the depressions transitioning from the top face at least at a ninety degree angle. 
         [0012]    Ideally, the perimeter wall of the anchoring core is disposed inward of the perimeter of the bar soap, and has the same contour in profile, so the bar soap has the anchoring member centered within it. The depression can be a simple dot-shaped depression or may be an elongated channel. In certain instances, the elongated channel may extend across the perimeter wall from the top face to the bottom face. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a first embodiment bar soap anchoring core, the bottom view being a mirror image thereof; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a right side view of the first embodiment bar soap anchoring core, the left side view being a mirror image thereof; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a sectional view of the first embodiment bar soap anchoring core; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of a second embodiment bar soap anchoring core, the bottom view being a mirror image thereof; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a right side view of the second embodiment bar soap anchoring core; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of the second embodiment bar soap anchoring core embedded in a bar of soap; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates a section view of the second embodiment bar soap anchoring core embedded in a bar of soap: 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of a third embodiment bar soap anchoring core embedded in a bar of soap. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided n the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first embodiment of the bar soap anchoring core (“anchoring core”)  10  is shown in top view and side view. The anchoring core  10  is a substantially planar piece, preferably of a uniform thickness, having a to face  12 , a bottom face  14  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), and a perimeter wall  16 . Since a common design of bar soap  112  (not shown) is an oval or ovoid shape, the perimeter wall  16  preferably substantially compliments the oval perimeter of the bar soap  112 , allowing the anchoring core  10  to be centered inside the bar soap  112 . Although an oval perimeter wall  16  is shown in the exemplary embodiment, other shapes corresponding to other common soap shapes are contemplated, e.g., square, round. etc. 
         [0023]    In order to anchor bar soap  112  on the anchoring member  10  a series of depressions  20  are formed in the top face  12  and in the bottom face  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, approximately forty depressions  20  are in the same pattern on the top face  12  and on the bottom face  14 . In alternative embodiments, the depressions  20  may have a different arrangement, including being differently spaced (e.g., into clusters forming shapes, etc.), being in different patterns on the top face  12  and bottom face  14 , and in some embodiments being omitted from either the top face  12  or the bottom lace  14  entirely. 
         [0024]    In order to avoid presenting an overly rough surface which may potentially catch on a user&#39;s fingernail or otherwise cause a snag, the depressions are preferably relatively small in diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the depressions  20  are between 0.05 and 0.1 inches in diameter, including 0.85 inches. To effectively affix bar soap  112  to the anchoring core  10 , the depressions  20  are ideally shallow enough to allow soap in the depressions  20  to be washed out as the last of the bar soap  112  is used, yet deep enough to provide an effective anchor. In preferred embodiments, the depressions  20  are between 0.01 and 0.02 inches deep, including 0.15 inches. 
         [0025]    In order to prevent discomfort or injury when the anchoring core  10  begins emerging from the bar soap  112  as it is worn away through use, a curved area  18  connects the perimeter wall  16  to the top face  12  and to the bottom face  14 . The curved area prevents the anchoring core  10  from scraping against a user&#39;s skin (not shown). In one preferred embodiment, the curved area has a radius of approximately 0.05 inches, including 0.047 inches. In some embodiments, the curved area  18  or areas  18  may comprise the entire perimeter wall  16 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the anchoring core  10  is shown in section view. For aesthetic reasons, the depressions  20  are aligned on the top face  12  and on the bottom face  14  so that the same pattern will be displayed regardless of how the anchoring core  10  is displayed. In this view, the depth of the depressions  20  is also shown, which is approximately equal to the radius of the curved area  18  between the top face  12  and perimeter wall  16 , and the bottom lace  14  and the perimeter wall  16 . Unlike the area adjacent the perimeter wall  16 , the depressions  20  transition at approximately at least a ninety degree angle, so that soap catches on the depressions  20 , affixing it to the anchoring core  10 . 
         [0027]    In preferred embodiments, the anchoring core  10  will be formed of resilient plastic to prevent flexing and disengaging from the bar soap  112 . While maintaining rigidity, it is preferable to use as little material as possible, to keep manufacturing and delivery costs low, and avoid unduly increasing soap size. In developing the anchoring core  10 , although a thickness of at least 0.25 inches was presumed optimal, a thickness of between 0.1 and 0.2 inches, including 0.15 inches yielded the unexpected result of effectively preventing the anchoring core from flexing, even when the bar soap  112  is substantially worn away or missing from the top face  12  or bottom face  14 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a second embodiment bar soap anchoring core (“anchoring core”)  100  is shown. This anchoring core  100  is also oval to correspond to an oval-shaped bar soap  112  (not shown), and includes a top face  102 , a bottom face  104  and a perimeter wall. Like the first embodiment, the second embodiment anchoring core  100  also includes a curved area  108  between the top face  102  and the perimeter wall  106  and the bottom face  104  and the perimeter wall  106  to avoid scratching. 
         [0029]    In order to the anchor bar soap  112  on the anchoring member  100  a series of grooves  110  are formed in the top face  102 , in the bottom face  104 , and on the perimeter wall  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the grooves  110  are contiguous, traveling in an uninterrupted pattern around the anchoring member  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the grooves  110  are shown in fanciful curved shapes to increase their aesthetic appearance. Due to the amorphous nature of the grooves&#39;  110  shape, the pattern on the top face  102  is not identical with the pattern on the bottom face  104 , although such an arrangement is contemplated. In alternative embodiments, the grooves  110  may be arranged differently, including being differently spaced (e.g., into lines forming shapes, etc.), may be in different patterns on the top face  102  and bottom face  104 , and in some embodiments may be omitted from either the top face  102  or the bottom face  104  altogether. 
         [0030]    Like the first embodiment, in order to avoid presenting an overly rough surface which may potentially catch on a user&#39;s fingernail or otherwise cause a snag, the grooves  110  are preferably relatively between 0.02 and 0.05 inches in width, including 0.04 inches. Because the characteristics of any bar soap will be whether the first embodiment anchoring core  10  or the second embodiment anchoring core  100  is used, the grooves  110  are ideally between 0.01 and 0.02 inches deep, including 0.15 inches. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the second embodiment anchoring core  100  is shown embedded in the bar soap  112 . In this view the anchoring core  100  is centered in the bar soap  112  to delay the emergence of the anchoring core  100  as long as possible and prevent the bar soap  112  from breaking up as it wears away from washing. The grooves  110  present an attractive design, such that as the anchoring core  100  emerges from under the bar soap  112 , it can be left in view. In various alternative embodiments, it is anticipated that the anchoring grooves  110  or depressions  20  may be oriented, or in the form of predetermined indicia. In this manner, the anchoring core  100  can present a discoverable image, enabling for example a guessing game for children, and can also present branding indicia when the anchoring core  100  is used commercially. The anchoring core  100  can also be reused by pressing small softened pieces of several bars of soap (not shown) together on the anchoring core  100  and allowing them to dry. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a third embodiment bar soap anchoring core  200  is shown anchored in a square bar of soap  202 . In this embodiment, the anchoring core  200  is also square and profiles the shape of the bar soap  202  as in the other embodiments. As the bar soap  202  is gradually worn away, becoming thinner and thinner, the anchoring core  200  acts to maintain its integrity. As shown, eventually the anchoring core  200  will be uncovered, but the depressions  204  will continue to hold the bar soap  202  until it completely disintegrates. At time, the anchoring core  200  may be recycled or reused in the manner discussed. 
         [0033]    Because the bar soap anchoring core is inexpensive to manufacture and use, its intended market will be soap manufacturers and distributors, where the anchoring cores will be inserted in the middle of bar soaps as they are manufactured. The method of insertion will depend on the nature of the soap molding process and technology at hand. The bar soap anchoring core will also be sold separately to retail stores. Consumers purchasing an anchoring core by itself may use, it to adhere, existing small leftover pieces of soap. For either purpose, it is anticipated that the anchoring core, as long as imbued with the adhering qualities discussed herein, may be made in any pattern, perimeter profile shape or thickness according to preference. 
         [0034]    The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented only or purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive car to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Additionally, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.