Abstract:
An illuminating bar of soap is disclosed that includes a shell, a light module, and a soap dispenser; wherein the light module comprises a sensor and at least one light source; whereas when the sensor senses a change in its surroundings, stability or a combination thereof, such as motion, temperature or light, the sensor triggers the light source to illuminate for a predetermined amount of time.

Description:
[0001]    This United States Continuation in Part Application claims priority from U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 14/323,815 filed on Jul. 3, 2014, which claims the benefit of priority based on Provisional Application Ser. No. 61928272 filed on Jan. 16, 2014 and entitled “A motion activated, timed, led illuminated soap bar, designed to teach people of all ages how to wash and sanitize hands”, which are commonly-owned and incorporated in their entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE SUBJECT MATTER 
       [0002]    The field of the subject matter relates to soap, in particular, a bar of soap that illuminates. The bar of soap senses a change in its surroundings, stability or a combination thereof, such as motion, temperature or light and illuminates for a predetermined length of time depending on the change. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Washing hands properly, especially for children, can be challenging. Individuals, especially children, do not like to wash their hands. Others need to be reminded to wash their hands. Others need to be taught how to wash their hands properly. The lack of proper hand washing often leads to the spread of germs which leads to contamination throughout households, schools, restaurants, hospitals and other public places. 
         [0004]    Most individuals are unaware of how to properly wash their hands and fewer know the proper length to do so. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and US Food and Drug Administration, it is suggested the proper length of time needed to wash hands in avoiding the spread of possible sicknesses is 20 to 30 seconds with soap and warm water. Having a device that makes washing hands interesting and educational would help lessen the spread of germs and effectively avoid the spread of sicknesses and viruses. 
         [0005]    Humans are attracted to light and color. Therefore, it would be ideal to provide individuals with visual cues and a visual incentive to engage them (especially children) with the process of washing their hands. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    An illuminating bar of soap comprising a shell, a light module and a soap dispenser. 
         [0007]    An illuminating bar of soap comprising a shell, a plug and a soap dispenser, wherein the plug contains a light module; wherein the light module comprises a sensor, a circuit board, and at least a single light source; and wherein when the sensor senses a change in surrounding, the sensor triggers the at least one light source to illuminate for a predetermined amount of time. 
         [0008]    A method of washing hands using an illuminating bar of soap, wherein the illuminating bar of soap comprises a shell, a light module, a soap dispenser; wherein the light module comprises a sensor and at least one light source, the method comprising compressing the shell to release a liquid soap; triggering the sensor causing the at least one light source to illuminate; illuminating the at least one light source; and washing the user&#39;s hands with the illuminating bar of soap, wherein the at least one light source stops illuminating when the user should stop washing the user&#39;s hands. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0009]    By way of example only, selected embodiments and aspects of a contemplated embodiment are described below. Each such description refers to a particular figure (“FIG.”) which shows the described matter. Each such figure includes one or more reference numbers that identify one or more part(s) or element(s) of the contemplated embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a cross section of the contemplated embodiment of the illuminating bar of soap. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a cross section through line  2 A of the contemplated embodiment of the illuminating bar of soap. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a contemplated embodiment of the light module. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a contemplated embodiment of the illuminating bar of soap. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a contemplated embodiment of the soap dispensing module. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a contemplated embodiment of the plug. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  shows a contemplated embodiment of the illuminating bar of soap. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  shows the bottom side of the contemplated embodiment of the illuminating bar of soap in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a cross-section of a contemplated embodiment of the illuminating bar of soap  100  with the light module  101  inside it. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the illuminating bar of soap  100 , comprises a shell  105 , a soap dispenser  107  and a light module  101 . The light module  101  is placed within a plug  109 . 
         [0020]    The shell  105  may be manufactured from commonly used materials such as plastic, silicon, polyvinyl chloride, rubber and the like. Other materials such as UV reactive pigments may be added to create phosphorescence to the shell  105 . The shell  105  may be comprised of a single layer or multiple layers. The shell may have a smooth first layer and then a detailed second layer. The shell  105 , while shown as a single layer with ridges and indentations in the contemplated embodiment, may be manufactured smooth, with bumps, with lines or other designs. The shell  105  contains a cavity  103  for soap. The cavity  103  may be used to hold liquid soap or other similar cleaning solutions. The plug  109  may be manufactured from commonly used materials such as plastic, silicon, polyvinyl chloride, rubber and the like. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a cross section through line  2 A of the contemplated embodiment of the illuminating bar of soap  100 . 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the light module  101  comprises a sensor  301  and a light source  303 . The sensor  301  and light source  303  may be constructed on a circuit board  305 , it may be constructed on a circuit board with a processing unit, or be directly wired together. The sensor  301  is designed to detect a change in surroundings, a change in stability or a combination thereof and may be a motion sensor, a temperature sensor, a light sensor or any other sensor that monitors changes in surroundings. The sensor  301  triggers the light source  303 . 
         [0023]    The sensor  301 , upon sensing a change in a change in surroundings, a change in stability or a combination thereof, triggers the light source  303  to illuminate. Should the sensor  301  be a motion sensor, upon detecting motion, the sensor triggers the light source  303  to illuminate for a predetermined length of time, usually approximately 20-30 seconds. The motion sensor may be any commonly used motion sensor such as a vibration sensor or reed switch. The light illuminates and stays illuminated for the time when the user should be lathering and rubbing their hands on the soap in order to wash their hands, often times, 20-30 seconds. When the light stops illuminating, it indicates that the user has properly washed their hands. 
         [0024]    Should the sensor  301  be a temperature sensor, it may illuminate the light source  303  when the proper temperature for washing hands is met. Should the illumination occur at the proper temperature, the light source  303  will illuminate so long as the predetermined temperature is met. Also, it may illuminate for a predetermined length of time, so long as the predetermined temperature is met. Should the sensor  301  be a light sensor, it may illuminate the light source  303  when the sensor is exposed to light. 
         [0025]    The light source  303  may be any commonly used light bulb including but not limited to a light emitting diode, organic light emitting diode, liquid crystal display or miniature incandescent bulb. The light source  303  may be comprised of a single light emitting diode or bulb or a plurality of them. The light source  303  may illuminate in a variety of colors, designs, patterns or shapes. The color, design, pattern or shape of the illumination may change depending on the variables from the sensor, i.e. the color may change if the temperature sensed is within a certain range. Also, the color, design, pattern or shape of the illumination may change depending on the amount of time the light source has illuminated  303  for. 
         [0026]    The light module  101  has a battery  309  that powers it. The light module  101  is encapsulated by an inner housing  109  made of plastic, rubber or other material so that it is waterproof. The light module  101  may be encapsulated by a barrier  109  in any shape. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative contemplated embodiment of the illuminating bar of soap  400 . The shell  405  has a plug  409  and soap dispenser  407 . A liquid soap is poured into the cavity  403  and is dispensed through the soap dispenser  407 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  shows a contemplated embodiment of a soap dispenser  507 . The soap dispenser  507  comprises a top button  501 , a spring  503  and a bottom  505 . The top button  501  contains a cylinder with a female portion  504  which accepts the protruding male portion  506  of the bottom  505 . The soap dispenser when depressed compresses and releases the liquid soap. Another contemplated embodiment of a soap dispenser is a cartridge in which a top button has a protruding member that faces towards the cartridge. As the top button is depressed, it penetrates the cartridge in order to expel the soap from the cartridge. Other embodiments of dispensing liquids may be used for the soap dispenser. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  shows a contemplated embodiment of a plug  609 . The plug  609  contains a light module  601  built-in, embedded, molded, placed or located within it. The plug  609  is threaded  611  so that it may be screwed on or off of the illuminated bar of soap. The plug  609  allows soap to be poured in the cavity of the illuminated bar of soap. It plug  609  may also allow the user to change the battery in the light module  601 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  shows a top view of a contemplated embodiment of the illuminating bar of soap  700 . The shell has a first smooth layer  705  which has an additional layer of protruding spikes  706 . The soap dispenser  707  is also shown. 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  is the same contemplated embodiment of  FIG. 7 , but the bottom view. The plug  709  is shown. 
         [0032]    Thus, specific embodiments of an illuminated soap bar have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of disclosure herein. Moreover, in interpreting the specifications and claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive matter, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.