Patent Publication Number: US-6209165-B1

Title: Hand-held device for scrubbing a part therewith and for capturing a washing article therein

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a hand-held device for scrubbing a body part. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hand-held device for scrubbing a body part therewith and for capturing a washing article therein. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous innovations for body washing devices have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention. 
     A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,812,849 to Giunta teaches a skin conditioning article that has a springy and pliable body of layers of nylon net fabric with a mesh of about one-eighth inch, more or less. In the illustrated embodiment, the body is elongated and has four layers of fabric gathered at either end to form necks and pleats. The fabric is first doubled upon itself to form a folded end edge. Both sides of the fabric are then doubled over to form a pair of folded side edges and open edges proximate each other at the center of one face of the body. The layers are secured to each other in any suitable manner, as by stitching, proximate each of the opposite ends of the body, and this stitching may also secure ties to the body for gathering the layers and forming the pleats and necks. The open edges of the body layers provide access to a pocket, formed by the folded end edge of the body, for retaining a bar of soap or other suitable article. The skin may be lubricated and the net fabric rubbed over the skin to cleanse and condition the skin. 
     A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,796 to Gillespie et al. teaches two pieces of nylon net of predetermined dimensions that are superimposed on a piece of terry cloth of the predetermined dimensions. The terry cloth and nylon combination is folded over on itself to form a strip-like configuration in a manner whereby the net is on the outside. Each of a pair of handle members is affixed to a corresponding end of the strip-like configuration of terry cloth and nylon. 
     A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,280 to Hudson et al. teaches a washing device for scrubbing the body that includes an elongate washing member formed of a plurality of inter-looped quadrate or box-like links. The gripping handles in the form of loops are connected to the end-most links of the chain-like washing member. Each link is formed of a tube gathered along its axis to provide a plurality of circular or cylindrical undulating layers spaced from each other in a radial direction. The length of the tube and the number of layers are selected to provide a desired width of the loop and to substantially fill the loop in the radial direction when in a relaxed condition. Preferably, the links are formed of fine polymeric filaments arranged in an open netting mesh, such a polyethylene netting. 
     A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,280 to Hudson et al. teaches a bath scrubber that is composed of a main body, a plurality of first lashing members, and two fastening members. The main body is formed of a plurality of cylindrical netlike unit members. The first lashing members are disposed between two unit members. The fastening members are located at both ends of the main body. The unit members have a first portion and a second portion, which are connected by a second lashing member. The bath scrubber is somewhat flattened to increase its contact area with the skin of a bather. 
     A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,662 to Galvan-Garza teaches an elastic plastic scrubber for the bath, which has one or more sections, each one being a tubular element, into which strings or pulls are inserted so that it is possible to rub one&#39;s entire back with little effort. A mop placed between two sections retains powdered soap, liquid soap or a tablet of solid soap, in such a way that the person using the scrubber can soap those areas of his body which are normally out of his reach. The method of manufacturing introduces a cylindrical post placed inside an elastic tube that will form the body of the scrubber. At the sides of the post and placed between the body and the post are one or two strings that when stretched out, will reduce the body&#39;s length and pleat the same to form a body called a “pumpkin”. 
     It is apparent that numerous innovations for body washing devices have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a hand-held device for scrubbing a body part therewith and for capturing a washing article therein that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a hand-held device for scrubbing a body part therewith and for it capturing a washing article therein that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a hand-held device for scrubbing a body part therewith and for capturing a washing article therein that is simple to use. 
     BRIEFLY STATED, YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a hand-held device for scrubbing a body part therewith and for capturing a washing article, such as, but not limited to, a bar of soap, a wash cloth, or even both, therein. The device includes a body that is slender, elongated, generally rectangular-parallelepiped-shaped, has a pair of ends for grabbing by the hands of a user, a length, a width, an abrasiveness, is tubular for capturing the washing article therein, and the pair of ends thereof are open for inserting and removing the washing article therein and therefrom. The body includes a first plurality of threads that are flexible nylon, parallel to, and spaced-apart from, each other, and run longitudinally along the length thereof, and a second plurality of threads that are flexible nylon, parallel to, and spaced-apart, from each other, and run laterally around the width thereof. The first plurality of threads intersect the second plurality of threads at intersection points so as to define an orthogonal matrix of openings therethrough for utilization of the washing article. The first plurality of threads and the second plurality of threads are attached to each other, by knots, at the intersection points thereof for facilitating capturing of the washing article in the body by engaging therewith and for increasing the abrasiveness of the body. 
     The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The figures on the drawing are briefly described as follows: 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the present invention in use in a shower; 
     FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the present invention in use in a bathtub; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by arrow  3  in FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic top plan view taken generally in the direction of arrow  4  in FIG. 3; and 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged diagrammatic front elevational view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by arrow  5  in FIG.  3 . 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 10 
                 hand-held device of the present invention for scrubbing body 
               
               
                   
                   
                 part 12 therewith and for capturing washing article 14 
               
               
                   
                   
                 therein 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 body part 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 washing article 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 body 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 pair of ends of body 16 for grabbing by hands of user 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 first plurality of threads of body 16 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 second plurality of threads of body 16 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 intersection points of first plurality of threads 12 of body 
               
               
                   
                   
                 16 and second plurality of threads 22 of body 16 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 orthogonal matrix of openings in body 16 for utilization of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 washing article 14 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 knots attaching first plurality of threads 20 of body 16 to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 second plurality of threads 22 of body 16, at intersection 
               
               
                   
                   
                 points 24 of body 16, for facilitating capturing of washing 
               
               
                   
                   
                 article 14 in body 16 by engaging therewith and for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 increasing abrasiveness of body 16 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly the FIGS. 1 and 2, the hand-held device of the present invention is shown generally at  10  for scrubbing a body part  12  therewith and for capturing a washing article  14  therein. 
     The configuration of the hand-held device  10  can best be seen in FIGS. 3-5, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     The hand-held device  10  comprises a body  16  that is slender, elongated, and generally rectangular-parallelepiped-shaped, and has a pair of ends  18  for grabbing by the hands of a user, a length, a width, and an abrasiveness. 
     The body  16  is tubular for capturing the washing article  14  therein and the pair of ends  18  thereof are open for inserting and removing the washing article  14  therein and therefrom. 
     The washing article  14  can be anything useful in a washing process, such as, but not limited to a bar of soap, a washcloth, or even both. 
     The body  16  comprises a first plurality of threads  20  that are parallel to each other, spaced-apart from each other, and run longitudinally along the length thereof. 
     The first plurality of threads  20  of the body  16  are flexible nylon. 
     The body further  16  comprises a second plurality of threads  22  that are parallel to each other, spaced-apart from each other, and run laterally around the width thereof. 
     The second plurality of threads  22  of the body  16  are flexible nylon. 
     The first plurality of threads  20  of the body  16  intersect the second plurality of threads  22  of the body  16 , at intersection points  24 , so as define an orthogonal matrix of openings  26  therethrough for utilization of the washing article  14 , with each opening  26  thereof being ½″×½″. 
     The first plurality of threads  20  of the body  16  and the second plurality of threads  22  of the body  16  are attached to each other at the intersection points  24  thereof, by knots  28  for facilitating capturing of the washing article  14  in the body  16  by engaging therewith and for increasing the abrasiveness of the body  16 . 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a hand-held device for scrubbing a body part therewith and for capturing a washing article therein, however, it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.