Abstract:
Described is a luffah having of a series of ruffles wherein a substantially dry, water-soluble, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent is present on the ruffles at a center portion of the luffah. Enough cleaning agent or moisturizer is present to allow the luffah to be used at least once. A method of forming a luffah herein includes injecting a substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent at, or near, a core of a luffah which is then compressed around the injected cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. The substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent is then allowed to dry into a generally dry, water-soluble, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent at the core of the luffah.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/049,955 filed Mar. 17, 2008, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/836,701 filed Aug. 9, 2007. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to a ready-to-use, pre-soaped luffah. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Luffahs (aka Loofahs, Luffas and bath nets) are now ubiquitous items found in most households. Luffahs are used to apply soap and other cleansers to the body. In general, a luffah is soaked with water and then an ample amount of liquid soap, gel or similar cleansing and/or moisturizing agent is applied to the luffah and then used on the body in a sponge-like manner. However, luffahs are difficult to effectively rinse after use because of the ruffled configuration such that bacteria and other germs can be transferred from one user to another. 
         [0004]    Thus, there exists a need for ready-to-use, disposable luffah. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention is a cleansing article comprising: a luffah formed of a series of ruffles; said ruffles of said luffah coated with a substantially dry, water-soluble, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent such that said luffah may be used one or more times without an application of additional cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment of the present invention is a method comprising: applying a substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent to at least a portion of a luffah; and drying said luffah such that said applied substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent forms into a generally dry, water-soluble, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent on at least a portion of a series of luffah ruffles. In one embodiment, the luffah is then packaged. 
         [0007]    An alternative embodiment of the present invention is a cleansing article comprising: a luffah having of a series of ruffles; and a pouch positioned within said ruffles of said luffah wherein said pouch contains a cleansing and/or moisturizing agent, said pouch being water-soluble. In a first embodiment, the pouch contains a liquid cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. In an alternative embodiment, the pouch contains a powered cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the cleansing article comprises: a luffah having of a series of ruffles; and wherein a substantially dry, water-soluble, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent is present on the ruffles at a center portion of the luffah. An alternative method embodiment comprises: applying a substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent to ruffles of a luffah at a center portion of said luffah; and drying said luffah such that said applied substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent forms into a generally dry, water-soluble, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. 
         [0009]    Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of fabricating a cleansing device comprising: injecting a substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent at, or near, a core of a luffah; compressing said luffah around said injected cleansing and/or moisturizing agent; and allowing said applied substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent to dry into a generally dry, water-soluble, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent at said core of said luffah. 
         [0010]    The cleansing and/or moisturizing agent may be a soap, body gel, anti-bacterial soap, moisturizing soap and the like. By adding water to the pre-soaped luffah, the luffah is ready to use without the application of a separate liquid cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. As a result, using the luffah in a shower or bath is as simple as unpacking the luffah, placing it in the water stream or tub of water and using it in a sponge-like fashion. 
         [0011]    Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a luffah of the type that may be used with the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a flow chart detailing a method of fabricating a luffah according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary package for a single luffah; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary package for multiple luffahs; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  illustrate a method of forming a luffah according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0017]      FIGS. 6   a - 6   g  illustrate a method of forming a luffah according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. 
         [0019]    Initial reference is made to  FIG. 1  illustrating a luffah  100 . The luffah  100  is formed of a series of ruffles  110  forming a circular configuration. A string  120  provides means for handling and hanging the luffah  100 . The string  120  may also act as a support for maintaining the luffah  100  in its shape and configuration. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the luffah  100  may take other shapes and not necessarily include the string. 
         [0020]    The embodiments of the present invention comprise a luffah  100  as shown in  FIG. 1  with a cleansing and/or moisturizing agent (e.g., clear liquid soap) impregnated therein. In a first embodiment, the luffah  100  is coated or soaked in a substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent like clear liquid soap, gel, bath wash, body wash, moisturizer or a similar agent or combinations thereof. Although a clear cleansing and/or moisturizing agent has been found to work well, other non-clear cleansing and/or moisturizing agents are suitable as well. In one embodiment, the luffah  100  is soaked in a pool or container of substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent for a time period sufficient to coat the luffah  100 . Alternatively, the luffah  100  may be sprayed with the cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. Those skilled in the art will understand that there may be means, other than soaking and spraying, for applying or coating the luffah  100  with the cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. This application is intended to cover those means as well. With the soaking method, after soaking, the luffah  100  is removed from the pool or container of the wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent and allowed to dry. Alternatively, the luffah  100  is removed from the spraying process. Depending on the method used, the luffah  100  may be dried with ambient air or a separate heat source may be used to more quickly dry the luffah  100 . As a result, the wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent dries on the ruffles  110  thereby creating a luffah  100  impregnated or coated with a cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. 
         [0021]    In an alternative embodiment, the cleansing and/or moisturizing agent is applied only to a central portion or core of the luffah  100 . In this embodiment, the cleansing and/or moisturizing agent dries near the core of the luffah  100  and as such is not on the outer portions of the ruffles  110 . With such an embodiment, the luffah  100  has the same feel as a conventional non-soaped luffah. However, once water is applied, the cleansing and/or moisturizing agent quickly disperses throughout the ruffles  110  of the luffah  100 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a flow chart  200  detailing a method of fabricating a luffah  100  according to the embodiments of the present invention. At  205 , a luffah  100  is coated in a cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. In a mass production method, a plurality of luffahs  100  are suspended by their stings  120  from a common support which is then automatically lowered such the plurality of luffahs  100  are partially or completely and simultaneously lowered into a pool or container of cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. The luffahs  100  may also be spray coated with the cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. At  210 , the luffah  100  is removed from the cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. With the mass production method, the support is raised such that the plurality of luffahs  100  raises above the pool or container of cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. Alternatively, the spray coating ceases. At  215 , the soaked luffahs  100  are dried using ambient air at room temperature or a separate heart source may be used to expedite the drying process. The drying process may also be facilitated by an air blower with or without the aid of heat. At  220 , the dried luffahs  100  are packaged. The packaging may be configured to contain one or more luffahs  100 . 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a single luffah  100  container  150  comprises a transparent material containing the luffah  100 . The material used for the container  150  may also be semi-transparent or opaque. The container  150  has an open end  155  temporarily sealed such that the luffah  100  may removed by unsealing the container  150 . The container  150  may also depict product instructions, logo, slogans, etc. In one example, the single luffah  100  container  150  is placed in hotel (or motel) rooms for the use of guests. Depending on the hotel, the packaged luffahs  100  may be complimentary or billed to the guest in a manner similar to an honor bar. Hotels may elect to replace used luffahs  100  with new luffahs  100  on a daily basis or at least at the beginning of each new guest visit to the hotel. Hotel logos on the packaging are an ideal method for hotels to exploit their brand. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a multiple luffah  100  container comprises a transparent (or semi-transparent or opaque) tubular container  160  fabricated of semi-rigid plastic with an open end vacuum-sealed with a pliable plastic or rubber lid  165 . A series of spacers  175  may be used to keep the individual luffahs  100  from contacting one another. The vacuum created within the container  160  maintains for extended periods of time, the dry, water-soluble cleansing and/or moisturizing agent impregnated within or coated on the ruffles of the luffahs  100 . Again, the tubular container  160  may depict product instructions, logos, slogans and the like. Such a container  160  is suitable for warehousing or inventorying luffahs  100  or presenting them for sale in retail outlets. 
         [0025]    Regardless of the manner in which the luffahs  100  are sold or provided to users, it is envisioned that they shall be disposed of after limited use. That is, the luffah  100  is disposed of once the substantially dry, water-soluble cleansing and/or moisturizing agent is exhausted. Such disposability prevents the spread of bacteria, germs and the like. The cost of fabricating the luffahs  100  according to the embodiments of the present invention allows them to be easily and inexpensively replaced on a small budget. The luffahs according to the embodiments of the present invention are also ideal for travel. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  show a method of fabricating a luffah  300  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Initially, as shown in  FIG. 5   a , a net tube  305  is fabricated using conventional techniques. As shown in  FIG. 5   b , the net tube  305  is then folded along its length (i.e., scrunched) and a tie  310  is used to maintain the net tube  305  in the form of a luffah  300 . A water-soluble pellet or pouch  315  is then inserted into an open end  320  of the net tube  305  as shown  FIG. 5   c .  FIG. 5   d  shows the pouch  315  as it is positioned within the luffah  300 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 6   a - 6   g  show a method of fabricating a luffah  400  according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Initially, as shown in  FIG. 6   a , a net tube  405  is fabricated using conventional techniques. As shown in  FIG. 6   b , the net tube  405  is then folded along its length (i.e., scrunched) and as shown in  FIG. 6   c  a tie  410  is used to maintain the net tube  405  in the general form of a luffah  400 . In one embodiment, the nylon net is 7 feet long and 3.5 inches to 4 inches wide. Nets of other lengths and widths may be used as well. As shown in  FIG. 6   d , liquid soap is then injected into the middle portion or core of the luffah  400 . In one embodiment, approximately 4 ml of soap  415  is injected into the luffah  400 . More or less soap may be injected. The size of the luffah  400  may also require more or less soap. As shown in  FIG. 6   e , the luffah  400  is then further compressed or wrapped around the injected soap. As shown in  FIGS. 6   f  and  6   g , the luffah  400  is then packaged in a bag  420  which is heat sealed or tape sealed. In one embodiment, the bag is fabricated of clear polypropylene although other materials may be used. The packaging may occur before or after the soap is fully dry. 
         [0028]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.