Abstract:
A stand for a bar of soap is provided. The stand is designed to be selectively attached to an off-the-shelf bar of soap, and to then support the bar of soap over a support surface such as a counter top or a soap dish. The stand defines a base having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. The stand also includes a plurality of through-openings formed through the base. The stand additionally includes a plurality of spikes that are placed along the upper surface of the base. The spikes are dimensioned to extend into the bar of soap when the base is compressed against a substantially flat surface of the bar of soap, and to hold the plate adjacent to the bar of soap. Finally, that stand has one or more tabs residing along the lower surface of the base. The tabs are dimensioned to support the base and a connected bar of soap above a support surface. A method of supporting a bar of soap above a support surface is also provided herein.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of a U.S. provisional patent application filed Apr. 7, 2014, having U.S. Ser. No. 61/976,467. That application was entitled “Soap Stand,” and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to devices used for washing and personal hygiene. More specifically, the invention relates to devices used to support a bar of soap for keeping the soap dry when not in use. 
         [0006]    2. Technology in the Field of the Invention 
         [0007]    It is known virtually worldwide to use a bar of soap for washing. Millions of people use soap every day for the washing of hands and body. The traditional bar of soap comprises a dry material that becomes a surface acting agent (or “surfactant”) when applied to human skin with water. The soap is generally made by treating vegetable or animal oils and fats with a strongly alkaline solution. 
         [0008]    After a bar of soap has been used, it is common to place the bar of soap on a counter or in a soap dish. However, this creates a problem as a pool of water tends to collect on the counter or in the dish after the bar of soap has been used. Moreover, the bar tends to retain and even absorb at least a small amount of water while it sits in the pool, causing the soap to become gooey. This “goo” becomes a source of soap loss. Over the life of a bar of soap, it is estimated 15 to 20% of soap volume may disintegrate, slough off the bar, or be lost down a drain due to this condition. 
         [0009]    To avoid this problem, some have created soap dishes having ridges along a bottom surface. The soap is placed on top of the ridges in the dish, allowing the soap to rest above any pool of water that may form between uses. However, not all dishes have such ridges. Further, the ridges tend to create only very shallow trenches, meaning that in some cases the bar of soap is still in contact with water. In addition, moisture residing on or in the bar can become trapped along the soap dish ridges. 
         [0010]    To avoid these issues, many manufacturers have begun providing soap in liquid form, wherein the soap is dispensed from a container using a pump. In the U.S. and Europe, liquid soap has become a significant portion of soap sales. However, for several reasons liquid soap has a higher environmental impact than bar soap, not the least of which is that liquid soap requires several times more energy for raw material production and 20 times more energy for packaging production than bar soap. Further, liquid soap tends to be more expensive than bar soap. Additionally, liquid soap is heavier and more voluminous than bar soap on a per-wash basis. As a result, shipping requires more space and more fuel to transport the same number of cleanings. It is also observed that empty liquid soap containers add several million pounds of plastic trash each year. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, a need exists for a device that replaces the traditional soap dish or, alternatively, that supplements the soap dish. Further, a need exists for a device that may be selectively attached to any bar of soap, and then used as an integral soap stand to support the bar of soap over any pool of water that may arise in a soap dish or on a counter top. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    A stand for a bar of soap is provided herein. In one aspect, the stand is designed to be selectively attached to an off-the-shelf bar of soap, and to then support the bar of soap over a support surface such as a counter top, a bathtub ledge or a soap dish. 
         [0013]    The stand first comprises a base. The base has an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. 
         [0014]    The stand may further include a plurality of through-openings formed through the base. The through-openings are dimensioned to allow air to access the bar of soap through the base. Stated another way, a degree of ventilation is provided. 
         [0015]    The stand also includes a plurality of spikes, or teeth. The spikes are placed along the upper surface of the base. The spikes are dimensioned to extend into the bar of soap when the base is compressed against a substantially flat surface of the bar of soap, and to hold the base adjacent to the bar of soap. In one aspect, the teeth are actually rounded undulations. In another aspect, the teeth define hooks that enter the soap easily but make it difficult to extract the base. 
         [0016]    The stand additionally has one or more tabs. The tabs reside along the lower surface of the base. The tabs are dimensioned to support the base and a connected bar of soap above a support surface. In one aspect, the tabs are in the form of undulating parallel supports that run the length of the base. The supports are configured to be conducive to fingers fitting/gripping the stand. 
         [0017]    In one aspect, the base comprises a substantially flat plate. The plate may be fabricated from a pliable material such as a flexible plastic. Alternatively, the plate may be fabricated from a substantially rigid material such as a hard plastic, a ceramic or a metal. In any instance, the plate preferably has dimensions that are smaller than the flat surface of the bar of soap. 
         [0018]    In one aspect, the one or more tabs comprises a plurality of rubber or elastomeric tabs. In another aspect, the one or more tabs comprises a plurality of plastic buttons. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the base comprises a hollow plastic body that floats in water. The base may be in the form of an aesthetic shape that is pleasing to a child, such as a frog, a cow, a duck, a whale or a dinosaur. 
         [0020]    A method of supporting a bar of soap above a support surface is also provided herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    So that the manner in which the present invention can be better understood, certain illustrations, charts and/or flow charts are appended hereto. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only selected embodiments of the inventions and are therefore not to be considered limiting of scope, for the inventions may admit to other equally effective embodiments and applications. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a soap stand of the present invention, in one embodiment. In this view, an upper surface of the soap stand is seen. 
           [0023]      FIG. 1B  is another perspective view of the soap stand. Here, a lower surface of the soap stand is seen. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the soap stand of  FIG. 1A . Here, the soap stand is shown with a bar of soap in exploded-apart relation. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the soap stand and bar of soap of  FIG. 2 . Here, the soap has been affixed to the stand. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C present a soap stand in an alternative embodiment. In each Figure, a bar of soap has been affixed to the soap stand. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4A  presents a side, cross-sectional view of the soap stand and the bar of soap. The view is taken across a major axis of the bar of soap. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4B  is another cross-sectional view of the soap stand and bar of soap of  FIG. 4A . Here, the cut is taken across a minor axis of the bar of soap. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4C  is a bottom view of the soap stand and the bar of soap. Four illustrative tabs are visible. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  5 C and  5 D present a soap stand in yet another an alternative embodiment. Only the stand is shown. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5A  presents a top view of the soap stand. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5B  is a side view taken across the major axis of the soap stand. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5C  is another side view, taken across a minor axis of the soap stand. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5D  is a bottom view of the soap stand. Four illustrative tabs are again visible. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Definitions 
       [0035]    As used herein, the term “bar of soap” means any solid cake of surfactant material. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  provide perspective views of a soap stand  100  of the present invention, in one embodiment. In  FIG. 1A , an upper surface  112  of the soap stand  100  is seen. In  FIG. 1B , a lower surface  114  of the soap stand  100  is seen. The soap stand  100  will be introduced with reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  together. 
         [0037]    The soap stand  100  first includes a base  110 . In the arrangement of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the base  110  comprises a substantially flat plate  110 . The plate  110  defines the upper surface  112  and the lower surface  114 . The plate  110  is preferably fabricated from a substantially rigid material such as a hard polycarbonate material, a ceramic material, or metal. However, in another embodiment the plate  110  is fabricated from a more flexible plastic or elastomeric material, or has integral flex points for engaging a radial surface. 
         [0038]    It is preferred that the plate  110  be fabricated from a low-density material that will float in water. In this case, the density will be less than 1 g/cm 3 . It is also preferred that the plate  110  be fabricated from a bright color, although the plate  110  is not limited to any particular color. 
         [0039]    In the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the plate  110  has a rectangular profile. However, in another embodiment the plate  110  may have a more oval shape, or may have a diamond shape, or may be shaped as a star. The plate  110  is not limited to any particular shape so long as it has enough surface area to adequately support a bar of soap while allowing the soap to “wear away” at the corners. 
         [0040]    It is preferred that the plate  110  include a plurality of through-openings. In the arrangement of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a pair of elongated through-openings  115  are shown. However, it is understood that these are merely illustrative and that any number or arrangement of through-openings  115  may be provided. The through-openings allow air to access a bar of soap (seen at  200  in  FIG. 2 ) when the bar of soap is affixed to the stand  100 . 
         [0041]    The soap stand  100  also includes one or more tabs  122 ,  124 . The tabs  122 ,  124  reside along the lower surface  114  of the plate  110 . The tabs  122 ,  124  are dimensioned to support the plate  110  and a connected bar of soap  200  on a support surface. In the arrangement of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the tabs  122 ,  124  are fabricated from a rubber or elastomeric material. This prevents the soap stand  100  from slipping on the support surface. However, the tabs  122 ,  124  may be fabricated from the same material as the plate  110 . 
         [0042]    In one aspect, tabs are arranged as loops to receive fingers. In another aspect, tabs are spaced so that fingers may be received between selected tabs to enable gripping. 
         [0043]    A support surface is not shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . However, a support surface is shown at  300  in  FIG. 3 , discussed below. 
         [0044]    In the arrangement of  FIG. 1B , tabs  122  are placed along the minor axes of the plate  110 , while tabs  124  are placed along the major axes of the plate  110 . Tabs  122  have a greater width than tabs  124 . However, all of the tabs  122 ,  124  have the same height. 
         [0045]    It is understood that the lower surface  114  may have more of tabs  122  or more of tabs  124 , or fewer of tabs  122  or fewer of tabs  124 . It is also understood that either or both of tabs  122 ,  124  may have a circular (or arcuate) profile or a polygonal profile. 
         [0046]    The soap stand  100  further includes a plurality of spikes  132 ,  134 , or teeth. The spikes  132 ,  134  extend from the upper surface  112  of the plate  110 . Preferably, the plate  110  and the spikes  112  are integral, being formed through a plastic injection molding process. Optionally, the tabs  122  are also integral as part of the same injection molding process. 
         [0047]    In the arrangement of  FIG. 1A , the spikes  132  reside along a perimeter of the plate  110 , while the spikes  134  reside along an interior of the plate  110 . Each of the interior spikes  134  has a height that is greater than that of each of the anterior spikes  132 . However, the height of all of the spikes  132 ,  134  is sufficient to allow the spikes to extend into a bar of soap  200  when the plate  110  is compressed against a flat surface of the bar, thereby affixing the bar of soap  200  to the stand  100 . Further, it is understood that a series of spikes having just one height may be used. 
         [0048]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the soap stand  100  of  FIG. 1A . Here, the soap stand  100  is shown with the bar of soap  200  in exploded-apart relation. It is observed that the dimensions of the plate  110  of the stand  100  are smaller than the dimensions of the bar of soap  200 . The soap stand  100  will continue to support the soap  200  even as the soap  200  slowly disintegrates over time as a result of use. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the soap stand  100  and bar of soap  200  of  FIG. 2 . Here, the soap  200  has been affixed to the stand  100 . The connection is by means of the spikes  132 ,  134 , or “teeth.” The spikes  132  may be, for example, about ¼″ in length, while spikes  134  may be, for example, about ⅜″ or even ½″ in length. It is understood that the invention is not limited to any particular dimension of spikes unless expressly stated in the claims. 
         [0050]    In the view of  FIG. 3 , the spikes  132 ,  134  are shown extending into the bar of soap  200 . The portions of the spikes  132 ,  134  that enter the bar  200  are shown in phantom. Also of interest, the stand  100  and supported bar  200  are shown above a support surface  300 . The support surface  300  may be, for example, a counter top in a bathroom or kitchen. Alternatively, the support surface  300  may be a bottom surface of a soap dish. 
         [0051]    The soap stand  100  with soap  200  may be sold commercially as an integral unit. This means that the soap stand  100  comes pre-implanted to the soap  200 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C present a soap stand  400  in an alternative embodiment. In each figure, a bar of soap  450  has been affixed to the soap stand  400 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 4A  presents a side, cross-sectional view of the soap stand  400  and the bar of soap  450 . The view is taken across a major axis of the bar of soap  450 . 
         [0054]    The soap stand  400  includes an elongated base  410 . In one aspect, the base  410  is hollow, allowing the soap stand  400  and connected bar of soap  450  to float according to Archimedes&#39; Principle. The soap stand  400  is supported by a plurality of tabs  422  that extend from an under surface  414  of the stand  400 . The soap stand  400  also includes a plurality of teeth  432  that extend up into the bar of soap  450 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 4B  is another cross-sectional view of the soap stand  400  and bar of soap  450  of  FIG. 4A . Here, the view is taken across a minor axis of the bar of soap  450 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 4C  is a bottom view of the soap stand  400  and bar of soap  450  of  FIG. 4A . Four illustrative tabs  422  are visible. 
         [0057]    The soap stand  400  and the soap  450  may be sold as separate objects or products. In this instance, the user or manufacturer will physically attach the stand  400  to the soap  450  through force. In this respect, the spikes or teeth  432  are urged up into the body of the bar of soap  450 . In another aspect, the soap stand  400  is sold integral to and already connected to the soap  450 . 
         [0058]      FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  5 C and  5 D present a soap stand  500  in yet another an alternative embodiment. Here, the soap stand  500  presents a parabolic body  510 . The body  510  is, in one aspect, two inches in length (along a major axis) and one inch in width (along a minor axis). The soap stand  500  includes a plurality of spikes  532  dispersed along on an upper surface  512 , and a plurality of pads  522  arranged on a lower surface  514 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 5A  presents a top view of the soap stand  500 . Here, a plurality of spikes  532  are seen. The spikes  532  are distributed generally equi-distantly about the upper surface  510  of the body  510 . Each spike  532  has a base having a diameter of about 5/32″, and extends upward to a point. In one aspect, the spikes  532  are about 8/32″ in height, and are separated at the bases at about 6/32″ increments. 
         [0060]    An open area, referred to as a ring  515 , is preserved within the parabolic body  510 . The ring  515  may have a width of about 20/32″ within the internal diameter, and a length of about F. The width of the body  510  around the inner diameter is about 12/32″. 
         [0061]      FIG. 5B  is a side view taken across the major axis of the soap stand  500 .  FIG. 5C  is another side view, taken across a minor axis of the soap stand  500 . In each view, both spikes  532  and pads  522  are visible. 
         [0062]      FIG. 5D  is a bottom view of the soap stand  500 . Four illustrative tabs  522  are again visible. In the arrangement of the  FIG. 5  series of drawings, the tabs  522  are placed at opposite ends of the major and minor axes, respectively. However, it is understood that the tabs  522  may be disposed in other locations. The body  510  and tabs  522  create a platform from which soap residue and water can drain from a bar of soap, eliminating the ‘goo’ that develops from soap staying wet, being in contact with water. This, in turn, extends the life of the soap bar. 
         [0063]    As can be seen, an improved soap stand is provided, in various arrangements. The soap stand allows a child or a user with arthritic hands to more easily grasp and hold on to the soap as it will stay dry between uses. In one aspect, the stand also enables the bar of soap to float. In addition, the soap stand allows the user who is living in a dormitory or staying at a camp or in a prison having a common shower to identify their own soap. 
         [0064]    Advantageously, the soap stand attaches to the bar, as opposed to soap dishes. The soap stand may be used at a sink counter, a shower bench, a dormitory shower, a guest bath, and so forth. 
         [0065]    The soap stand can be customized with specific logos, names or colors. The soap stand with its teeth is arranged to hold onto the bar of soap even as the bar disintegrates over time due to use. While it may be that a small central portion of the soap becomes difficult to use at the end of the bar&#39;s life, it is also observed that the soap has stayed dry between uses, thereby actually extending its life. In addition, once the soap has declined into a small central portion, that remaining portion is easily removed for the last bit of use, allowing the soap handle to be re-used on a fresh bar of soap later. 
         [0066]    In one aspect, the soap stand is made of a single piece of injection molded plastic, and is 2¼″ long×1¼″ wide×1″ high, fitting a standard 3½″×2½″1″ bar of soap. Small teeth extend from the surface on the soap side, alternating from ¼″ to 1/16″, and located ¼″ from the edge. The teeth will sink into the soap with modest pressure, especially if the bar is slightly wet. In one design, the handle is usable from either the side (finger or fingers through the center space) or lengthwise (fingers on both sides of the center bar, under the crosspiece). 
         [0067]    A smaller size may be offered for children or for personal bars of soap as offered in hotels, hostels and camps. 
         [0068]    In one aspect, the teeth are coated with a dissolvable material. In this way, as the bar of soap dissolves and the teeth become exposed, an edges to the teeth dissolve, leaving smooth nubs. In another aspect, the soap stand also includes a spindle that extends completely through the bar of soap. A cap is snapped in place on the opposite side of the soap to hold the handle more securely in place. In another aspect, the stand is adhered to the soap during the manufacturing process for the soap. 
         [0069]    While it will be apparent that the inventions herein described are well calculated to achieve the benefits and advantages set forth above, it will be appreciated that the inventions are susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the spirit thereof.