Patent Publication Number: US-2010130988-A1

Title: Exfoliating scrubber

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
     This patent application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/466,432, filed Aug. 22, 2006. 
    
    
     NOTICE OF COPYRIGHTS AND TRADE DRESS 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files of record, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     This disclosure relates to cleansing devices. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Wash cloths are commonly used in aiding the cleaning of a person&#39;s skin. Common wash cloths include synthetic and natural woven fibers. Additionally, people use luffahs and sponges to aid in the cleansing of a person&#39;s skin. 
     Wash cloths and wash towels tend to be inexpensive and are machine washable. Due to the abrasive and wet environment that such fabrics are exposed to, wash cloths and wash towels tend to fray, tear and break down. Moreover, because people tend to hand dry wash materials without sterilizing the material, bacteria, viruses, fungus, mold and other microorganisms tend to grow on the bathing material. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevated view of a back of a scrubber mitt. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevated view of a front of a scrubber mitt. 
         FIG. 3  is a side plan view of a scrubber mitt. 
         FIG. 4  is an elevated partial cross sectional view  4 - 4  of the scrubber mitt of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is an elevated partial cross sectional view of  5 - 5  of the scrubber mitt of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is an elevated partial cross sectional view of  5 - 5  of the scrubber mitt of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is an elevated partial cross sectional view  7 - 7  of the scrubber mitt of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is an elevated partial cross sectional view  7 - 7  of the scrubber mitt of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and methods disclosed or claimed. 
     Description of Apparatus 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  there is shown an elevated back view of a scrubber mitt  100 . The scrubber mitt  100  may include a first section  110  and a second section  120 . 
     The term scrubber mitt refers to a device adapted to fit over a person&#39;s hand having an abrasive first surface that is adapted to provide scrubbing and cleansing of surfaces of body parts in contact with the first surface and protection of the body part from attack by fungal or bacterial agents present on or on the first surface of the mitt. During scrubbing, dead skin cells may be removed from skin by abrading action of the first surface. Most of the dead skin cells may be removed from the first surface by flowing water on and/or through the first surface. Cells that remain on the first surface may be prevented from decay by fungal and bactericidal agents present in or on the first surface. 
     The first section  110  may have a generally rectangular geometry with beveled corners, generally oval shape, or other shape that is adapted to comfortably fit over the hand of a person. For example, the first section may have a length of approximately 9 inches, 11 inches, or other length, a width of approximately 5 inches, 9 inches, or other length, and a depth of approximately 3 inches, 4 inches, or other length. The dimensions of the first section  110  may be adapted for the intended user. For example, a large man may prefer a scrubber mitt  100  with a larger first section  110  than a small woman. Moreover, because a young child typically has a much smaller hand than a male adult, the scrubber mitt  100  may be manufactured in a variety of sizes. 
     A scrubber mitt  100  which is formed of resin based filaments may have a weight of approximately 1-10 pounds per square yard. Thus, children, adults and senior citizens may all easily pick up and hold the scrubber mitt  100 . Moreover, dye may be added to the materials prior to or during the manufacturing process in order to provide colors, patterns and/or images that are appealing to children, adults and senior citizens. For example, a fluorescent color may provide for a feeling in a purchaser of being present in a relatively sterile UV environment. 
     The second section  120  may have a generally rectangular geometry with beveled corners or other shape. The second section  120  may be adapted to fit over the wrist of a person. In order for the scrubber mitt  100  to fit to a person&#39;s wrist, the second section  120  may include an elastic material which fits snugly with the person&#39;s wrist. Additionally, the second section  120  may include a snap, a strap, an adhesive and/or hook and loop fasteners in order for the second section  120  to fit snugly with the person&#39;s wrist. 
     The first section  100  may include a backing  130 . The backing  130  may have the form of a panel. The term panel refers to a generally flat piece of material. For comfort and weight considerations, the backing  130  may have a thickness of approximately ⅕ inch to 1 inch or other dimensions. The backing  130  may be constructed from a water resistant or water proof material. Resistance to water helps reduce growth of bacteria, fungal, viral and other volatile organic compounds on the backing  130 . Moreover, resistance to water helps the backing  130  maintain its shape and texture for a relatively long life cycle by resisting distortion due to water logging. 
     The backing  130  may comprise a material that is soft, pliable and/or yieldable. The backing  130  may have spring properties such that the backing  130  is comfortable to the hand. Examples of backing  130  materials include plastic, closed cell foam resin, sponge, rubber, combinations herein or other materials having similar characteristics. 
     The backing  130  may be porous or non-porous. Allowing water to escape from the surface proximate the backing aids in providing for an environment which bacteria and other microorganisms will not thrive. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an elevated front view of the scrubber mitt  100  of  FIG. 1 . The front section  110  may include a backing  205  (not shown) and a plurality of loops  215 . The loops  215  may have ends  210 ,  220  attached to or integrated with the backing  205  (as shown in the side plan view of  FIG. 3  and the elevated partial cross sectional view of  FIG. 5 ). The term loop refers to a ring or curved piece of material, such as a cone. The loop  215  may comprise a natural or synthetic fiber. The term fiber refers to a thin flexible single filament or a group of filaments twisted into a fiber having a relatively small cross section. 
     Example of loops  215  include a serpentine shaped synthetic resin, woven horsehair and stitched polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC. The loops  215  may be manufactured from non-woven continuous or discontinuous lengths of filaments of organic resins. Organic resins may be thermoplastic, which aids in the spinning, crimping, shaping and bonding of filaments and/or fibers by thermal processes. Examples of organic resins include hydrocarbon resins such as vinyl, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polyamides (Nylon), polyesters (Dacron) or polypropylene. 
     The loops  215  may be soft, yet have relatively high frictional qualities. The frictional qualities may be sufficient to abrade skin and exfoliate dead skin cells but not sufficient to scratch or irritate the skin. The selection of material may be based on a desired softness after treatment of a body parts, such as the back and neck, and the ability to easily exfoliate dead skin cells when one traverses the loops  215  across one&#39;s body parts. An example of the chemical composition of the loops  215  includes polymer at approximately 80% to 97% suitably by weight, vesicant at approximately 0% to 5% suitably by weight, inert mineral filler at approximately 1% to 10% suitably by weight, anti-fungicide at approximately 0.1% to 5% generally by weight and an anti-bacterial agent at approximately 0.01% to 3% usually by weight. An example of a polymer material is TVC, a polyvinyl chloride polymer at approximately 93.95%, vesicant at approximately 1%, clunch at approximately 4%, anti-fungicide at approximately 1% and an anti-bacterial agent at approximately 0.05%. An example of a chemical that acts both as an anti-bacterial and an anti-fungal agent is an oxy-substituted aromatic arsine such as oxybisphenoxarsine (OBPA). 
     The term mineral filler may include irregular lumps of rock such as clunch. Typically, clunch may include limestone, iron, chalk, and/or clay. Other fillers such as sand may be used. Clunch typically serves as a base for mortar. 
     The oxy-substituted aromatic arsine, such as OBPA, is a bacteriostat, disinfectant and fungicide. OBPA prevents the growth of microorganisms when compounded in resins and also acts as a preservative. OBPA can be formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate, pelleted, tableted, soluble concentrate/liquid and ready-to-use liquid. 
     The ends  210 ,  220  of the loops  215  may be integrated or bonded with the scrubber mitt  100  such that substantially none of the ends  210 ,  220  are free. A scrubber mitt  100  having loops  215  without any ends  210 ,  220  sticking out has aesthetic qualities as well as preventing a person from being scratched, poked and tickled by a free end  210 ,  220 . 
     The loops  215  may be attached to or integrated with at least one side of the backing  205 . The attachment of the loops  215  may be achieved via stitching, weaving, molding, bonding, adhesives or other methods. In turn, the loops may be embedded into the backing  205 . Ends of the loops  215  may be bonded to the backing  205  and integrated with a closed cell foam material. In an embodiment of continuous filaments or fibers, the adhered or embedded bent lower end of a loop may be a starting point for the adjacent loop. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the loops  215  may be arranged side by side and/or may overlap each other. The loops  215  may be in contiguous rows and/or patterned mosaics. The loops  215  may be arranged randomly. The selection of the arrangement of the loops  215  may be determined for aesthetic reasons. The selection of the arrangement of the loops  215  may be determined for maximum frictional qualities in order to maximize dead skin cell exfoliation. 
     The loops  215  may have spring characteristics, or resiliency, such that when a person displaces the loops  215  in a variety of directions, the flattened loops  215  cushion the body part of the user and readily return or rebound to their original position relative the backing  205 . For example, the loops  215  may have compressibility characteristics from approximately ½ to ¼ at 30 pounds per square inch. Moreover, the period for rebound may be approximately less than 1 second. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown an elevated cross sectional view of  4 - 4  of the scrubber mitt of  FIG. 3 . As shown in cross hatches, the backing  205  of the first section  110  may include a reservoir  410 , an opening  420 , a cap  430  and a hinge  440 . 
     The reservoir  410  is a part of the backing  205  in which a liquid may be at least partially contained. The reservoir  410  may be defined by the interior surfaces of the backing  205 . The backing  205  may define an opening  420  into which liquid may be introduced into the reservoir  410 . The reservoir  410  may have a regular or irregular shape. The dimensions of the reservoir  410  may span ½, ¾ or other proportion of the dimensions of the backing  205 . The size and shape of the reservoir  410  may be selected based on the amount of liquid desired to be at least partially contained. 
     The reservoir  410  may include a cap  430 . The term cap refers to a device that covers an opening such that a liquid does not pass through the opening beyond the cap. The cap  430  may be constructed of the same material as the backing  205  or a different liquid resistant material. The cap  430  may have dimensions based on those of the opening  420 . The cap  430  may be integrated to the backing  205 . The cap  605  may be attached to the backing  205  via a hinge  440  (as shown in the elevated partial cross sectional view  5 - 5  of the scrubber mitt  100  of  FIG. 4  in  FIG. 5  and the elevated partial cross sectional view  5 - 5  of the scrubber mitt  100  of  FIG. 4  in  FIG. 6 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , the opening  420  may be disposed at any section of an inner portion  510  of the backing  205 . The inner portion  510  is the portion of the backing  205  that is proximate a cavity  520  defined by the backing  205  and the backing  130 . The size and dimensions of the cavity  520  may be selected based on the size of the user&#39;s hand or other dimensions. 
     The opening  420  may have a regular or irregular shape. The opening  420  may have a size that is selected based on dimensions just large enough to introduce liquids into the reservoir  410 . For example, the opening  420  may have a generally circular shape with a 4 inch diameter or other shape and dimension. 
     The backing  205  may include an outer portion  530  proximate the plurality of loops  215 . The outer portion  530  and inner portion  510  may, in part, define the reservoir  410 . The outer portion  530  of the backing  205  may include an opening  540 . The opening  540  may include plurality of apertures  550  (also shown in the elevated partial cross sectional view  7 - 7  of the scrubber mitt  100  of  FIG. 5  in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 ). An aperture is a an opening or open space, such as a hole, gap, cleft, chasm or slit. The size, quantity and distribution of the apertures  550  may be determined based on the type of liquid for lathering and cleansing skin. 
     The apertures  550  may be adapted to remain impermeable to liquid within the reservoir  410  so long as a person does not rub the loops  215  across a person&#39;s body. The apertures  550  may be adapted to allow liquid to pass there through when a person applies force from the inner portion  510  of the backing  205  through the loops  215  to a body part. 
     If the liquid within the reservoir  410  is a cleanser, such as a liquid soap or another body lotion or medicinal cream, optionally including antifungal, germicidal and/or bacteriostatic agents, and a person rubs the loops  215  across their body, the liquid may be dispensed through the apertures  710 , resulting in a lather on the person&#39;s body. The lather in combination with the abrasive qualities of the loops can be therapeutic to a person who works on their feet all day or generally enjoys self-pampering. 
     The scrubber mitt  100  may be used as follows; 
     (1) Remove cap  430  from the backing  205  to expose opening  420 ; 
     (2) Introduce liquid massaging lotion into the reservoir  410 ; 
     (3) Close opening  420  with cap  430 ; 
     (4) Apply force to the inner portion  510  of the backing  205  such that the reservoir  410  is squeezed as the loops  215  are pressed against a body part; 
     (5) Scrub the loops  215  against the body part; 
     (6) Clean the scrubber mitt  100  with water from the faucet. 
     The scrubber mitt  100  may be adapted to clean easier than luffah materials or sponges, resulting in reduced water consumption. 
     The relative position of various parts of the scrubber mat  100  are described herein based upon the elevated partial cross sectional view  5 - 5  of the scrubber mitt  100  of  FIG. 4 . For example, terms such as inner, outer, top, bottom, left and right are used. However, the scrubber mitt  100  may be used in various positions such as upside down for exfoliating the dead skin cells from a person&#39;s body part. Additionally, the scrubber mitt  100  may be used in a vertical position against a person&#39;s back for exfoliating the dead skin cells. Thus, some descriptive terms are used in relative terms and not absolute terms. 
     Closing Comments 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. Although examples have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that changes, modifications, and/or alterations may be made. 
     Although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. 
     As used herein, “plurality” means two or more. 
     As used herein, a “set” of items may include one or more of such items. 
     As used herein, whether in the written description or the claims, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “carrying”, “having”, “containing”, “involving”, and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”, respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to claims. 
     Use of ordinal terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements. 
     As used herein, “and/or” means that the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items.