Abstract:
A sponge-like device with an internal cavity for receiving a carrier for liquid and solid soaps. The exterior of the carrier has a variety of design models and shapes; however, the carrier is sized to receive a conventional solid bar of soap or an amount of liquid soap. The carrier has a plurality of drain holes to allow the soap solution, as it mixes with the water during bathing, to drain onto the sponge. The use of the device is for washing oneself, children, invalids, as well as for scrubbing household surfaces like decks and siding, and also for cleaning motor vehicles all without the disadvantages associated with separate sponges and soap material.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document No. 607,428 filed Oct. 16, 2006, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to shower and bathing implements and, more particularly, to a soap-holding sponge for use during showering and bathing procedures. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Just about everyone&#39;s daily ritual includes that of a shower or bath. Hopefully, in most cases, this ritual includes the use of soap. While soap has been around since almost the beginning of civilization, the disadvantages associated with its use have not really been worked out. Perhaps the greatest of these disadvantages is that of its slipperiness. This trait often causes soap to fall to the floor where it is difficult to find and perhaps even more difficult to pick up, especially those who may be elderly or disabled. Also, soap is typically used with a sponge or washcloth which requires the use of two hands, especially when applying the soap to the sponge or washcloth. Once again, this is not always process. Finally, in the case of bar soaps, it eventually gets too small where upon it is useless and must be discarded, thus wasting money as well. 
     Several attempts have been made in the past to design a means for use of soap and a sponge in one convenient apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 3,768,916 in the name of Avery discloses a scrubbing unit that includes a sponge with a frangible ampoule containing a liquid soap disposed within a slot in the sponge. A cap fits on the sponge over the slot and pinches in the sides of the sponge to compress a portion of the sponge across the ampoule and thereby close the slot. This prevents fragments of the broken ampoule from coming out of the sponge and helps to directionalize the flow of soap through the sponge by reducing the permeability of the sponge adjacent the cap. Unfortunately, this prior art example does not provide a means for also housing a bar of soap. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,643 in the name of Caniglia discloses a soap and sponge washing device for washing the body in a shower or bath that includes a container forming an envelope for a bar of soap. Discrete openings through to the container interior allow water access to the soap and the facile exiting of lather for washing purposes, and a tab-like locking strip is integral with the container material for locking the soap in the container. Preferably there is a plurality of openings and preferably the tab lock is “T”-shape or truncated arrow-shape and is lockable into an opening in the container to block the entrance thereof. Unfortunately, this prior art example does not provide a means for housing liquid soap. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,225 in the name of Schubert describes bathing and cleansing articles to contain a bar of soap for use during bathing, cleansing, and the like. Unfortunately, this prior art example does not provide a means for housing liquid soap. 
     None of the prior art particularly describes a sponge with soap sleeve. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which soap and a sponge can be used together without the disadvantages as described above. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing an apparatus that is convenient and easy to use, lightweight yet durable in design, and designed for use during showering and bathing procedures. The sponge with soap sleeve is available in a variety of shapes and sizes and is designed to produce lather quickly. The sponge may also be used on household surfaces. The present invention is simple to use, inexpensive, and designed for many years of repeated use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, it has been observed that there is need for a sponge with soap sleeve. 
     The present invention comprises a sponge with an internal cavity for a bar of soap or for retaining liquid soap. Various models would be provided for use on oneself, washing children, washing automobiles or the like. Upon initial of the invention, it appears like any other common sponge. However, after closer observation, it can be seen that a cylindrical cavity is provided into the sponge into one of its narrow faces. The cavity is large enough to accept a common sized bar of body soap. It is envisioned that the sponge would stretch to hold a new bar, and gradually contract as the soap is used, such that the soap is held securely throughout its lifecycle. Liquid soap could also be poured into the cavity where it would be absorbed into the sponge material and work its way to the surface during use. The use of the present invention not only makes it easier to wash oneself, others or motor vehicles, but also saves soap, prevents dropped soap and eliminates other disadvantages associated with separate sponges and soap material. 
     A soap-holding sponge includes a carrier for holding at least one soap therein. Such a carrier includes a pair of coextensively shaped and opposed mounting walls, a pair of side walls monolithically formed with each of the mounting walls and spanning therebetween, and a closure rotatably attached to each of the pair of mounting walls respectively. The carrier further includes a compartment effectively defined within the mounting walls and the side walls and the closure respectively. Such a compartment is for storing the soaps and dispensing a soapy lather during operating conditions. The carrier further includes a pivot member located at the connection point of the mounting walls and the closure respectively for allowing the compartment to fully envelop a synthetic surfactant introduced therein. 
     The carrier further includes a plurality of solid and liquid soaps introduced into the compartment of the carrier. The closure is rotatably lifted upwardly and lowered downwardly to open and closed positions respectively thereby permitting insertion and removal of the solid and liquid soaps into the compartment of the carrier. The carrier further includes a plurality of dispersing holes integrally distributed on a major portion of each of the mounting walls. Each of such dispersing holes is conveniently in fluid communication with the compartment, and an entrance slot is in fluid communication with the compartment for receiving the soaps interiorly therein. A plurality of snaps is monolithically formed in the closure. 
     The soap holding sponge further includes a cleansing envelope removably surrounding the carrier. The carrier is formed from rigid material while the cleansing envelope is formed from water-absorbing and deformably resilient material respectively. Such a cleansing envelope includes a substantially rectangular-shaped sponge enclosure with a cavity formed therein. The envelope further includes a top face, an aperture formed in the top face and in fluid communication with the cavity of the enclosure, a front face connected to the top face, and a pair of opposed side faces. Each of such side faces is advantageously connected to the top face and the front face respectively. The envelope further includes a rear face, where such a rear face is connected to the top face and each of the side faces respectively. 
     The soap holding sponge further includes a means for hanging the device. Such a hanging means effectively includes a handle permanently and rotatably attached to the carrier and a handle mount connected directly to respective uppermost portions of each of the sidewalls and the handle respectively. 
     A method for utilizing a soap-holding sponge includes the steps of: opening an entrance slot located in a carrier via rotating a closure about a pivot member; inserting a selected one of a plurality of soaps into a compartment of the carrier by utilizing the entrance slot; closing the entrance slot by rotatably closing the closure; fastening the closure by utilizing a plurality of snaps formed in the closure; inserting the carrier into a cavity of a cleansing envelope by utilizing an aperture formed in the cleansing envelope; wetting the sponge; agitating the sponge and water flowing therethrough respectively to cause creation of a lather; rubbing and motioning the sponge in at least one direction selected from a group of directions including upwardly, downwardly, sidewardly, rotationally, and a combination thereof to apply the lather to a skin surface of a user; rinsing the sponge with fluid; and hanging the sponge to dry after use on a support surface via a handle attached to the carrier. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cleansing envelope  20  with a carrier  30  insertably removed therefrom, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear cut-away view of a sponge with soap sleeve  10  with a soap member  60  removably inserted therein, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the cleansing envelope  20 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the carrier  30 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                   10 
                   sponge with soap sleeve 
                 
                 
                     
                   20  
                   cleansing envelope 
                 
                 
                     
                   21 
                   front face 
                 
                 
                     
                   22 
                   side face 
                 
                 
                     
                   23 
                   top face 
                 
                 
                     
                   25 
                   rear face 
                 
                 
                     
                   26 
                   aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   27 
                   cavity 
                 
                 
                     
                   30 
                   carrier 
                 
                 
                     
                   31 
                   entrance slot 
                 
                 
                     
                   32 
                   mounting wall 
                 
                 
                     
                   33 
                   sidewall 
                 
                 
                     
                   35 
                   dispersing hole 
                 
                 
                     
                   37 
                   compartment 
                 
                 
                     
                   40 
                   handle 
                 
                 
                     
                   45 
                   pivot 
                 
                 
                     
                   47 
                   handle mount 
                 
                 
                     
                   50 
                   closure 
                 
                 
                     
                   55 
                   snaps 
                 
                 
                     
                   60 
                   soap 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a device and method that removably receives and retains a carrier  30  for the internal holding of a solid and/or liquid soap cleanser  60 . The sponge with soap sleeve (herein described as the “device”)  10  comprises a cleansing envelope  20 , a carrier  30 , and means for hanging the device  10 . The cleansing envelope  20  is envisioned to be fabricated of a plurality of natural or synthetic sponge material and/or a combination thereof. A cavity  27  is formed therein said cleansing envelope  20  which may be added in the molding process or may be added later by a drilling or cutting process. A carrier  30  is envisioned to be fabricated of a plurality of resilient and/or rigid substances such that it can be removably inserted therein said cavity  27  while retaining soaps  60 , lotions, and/or other desirable substances. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the cleansing envelope  20  with a carrier  30  insertably removed therefrom, is disclosed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A cleansing envelope  20  takes the form of a rectangular sponge enclosure with an aperture  26  cut therethrough the top face  23  to serve as an entrance to a cavity  27  for containing a carrier  30 , a front face  21 , a bottom face (not pictured), two (2) side faces  22 , and a rear face  25 ; however, the cleansing envelope  20  may also be introduced in a plurality of shapes such as, but not limited to: cylindrical, square, or other shapes. The cleansing envelope  20  is envisioned to be substantially rectangular in a plurality of dimensions to accommodate a carrier  30  of various sizes and forms therein an aperture  26  that leads to a cavity  27  for supporting said carrier  30 . As an alternate embodiment, the side faces  22  of the cleansing envelope  20  may be concavely curved thereby providing a narrower area for facilitating secure grasping of the device  10 , especially during bathing. The aperture  26  is sized accordingly to removably receive the carrier  30  and to substantially surround said carrier  30 . The top face  23  comprises the aperture  26  for insertion of the carrier  30  therein the cleansing envelope  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , views of the device  10 , are disclosed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cleansing envelope  20  is envisioned to be in a form of a sponge enclosure introduced in a variety of and/or combination of natural or synthetic sponge material that is porous to water and air. However, the cleansing envelope  20  can be fabricated out of any material from absorbent and stretchable to abrasive or combination thereof. For instance, one (1) side of the cleansing envelope  20  may comprise a softer sponge material with the opposing side comprising a sponge material slightly more abrasive. The abrasive side may comprise a plurality of protuberances, embossments, and/or debossments of various sizes and shapes, such as, but not limited to, circular, cone-shaped, squared, polygonal, other desirable shapes, and a combination thereof. The protuberances may be facing inward toward the cavity  27  or outward. 
     However, the materials utilized for the device  10  are envisioned to be made from any suitable flexible material having a comfortable degree of porosity whilst still being absorbent, soft, and comfortable and providing structural integrity and strength for continuous and repeated use. The cleansing envelope  20  is envisioned to permit water passage therethrough for procuring a lathering effect during utilization of the device  10 . The type and size of the sponged material is envisioned to vary in accordance with the type of cleanser, capability of rinsing, release rate of cleansing and/or moistening substance, amount of lather desired, and/or other user preferences. The textured qualities of the cleansing envelope  20  provide an improved grip thereby reducing risk of slippage, which is common amongst soap bars  60 . It further prevents the formation of a mush-like substance, which typically forms on a wetted soap bar  60  thereby reducing the wear rate of said soap bar member  60 . 
     The device  10  is envisioned to comprise a carrier  30  that may vary in size, shape, and configuration with a closure  50  rotatably attached thereto two (2) mounting walls  32  via a pivot  45  thereby providing the ability and capacity to fully envelop a synthetic surfactant, one (1) or more solid soaps  60 , or mixtures of both that vary in size, shape, and design. The carrier  30  is envisioned to be soft and flexible and able to be refilled with soap  60 , lotion, cream, and so on. Thus, the device  10  carries the supply of liquid and/or solid soap cleanser  60  therein. The carrier  30  may be formed from the same category of material as the cleansing envelope  20 , or may be a separate material all together. The carrier  30  is envisioned to comprise a compartment  37  that contains the ability and capacity to store soap  60  and dispense a soapy lather. The compartment  37  retains a quantity of soap  60 , lotion, or the like therewithin for directing and subsequent application of the soapy lather onto a user utilizing a plurality of dispersing holes  35  integrally distributed thereon. The carrier  30  defines an interior compartment  37  for housing the soap  60  with an entrance slot  31  for receiving said soap  60  interiorly therein said carrier  30 , and hence the cleansing envelope  20 . 
     The soap  60  is contained therein said carrier  30  to which is later disposed within the absorbent cleansing envelope  20  so that, when the device  10  is massaged or manipulated, a soapy lather is released into the cleansing envelope  20  therethrough the dispersing holes  35  thereby producing a lather for use in cleansing the skin. The carrier  30  takes the form of a compartment  37  by which a soap member  60  is inserted and secured therein by snaps  55 , hook-and-loop fasteners, or other temporary means thereby fully enclosing said soap member  60 . The carrier  30  preferably, but not essentially, comprises a sizeable compartment  37  thereby permitting free movement of soap member  60  and/or other cleansing substances for maximum lathering effect. The carrier  30  is designed to enclose a plurality of and/or combination of soaps  60  such as, but not limited to, beads, slivers or chips, a bar, a ball, gel, flakes, pellets, chips, other desirable soaps  60 , and/or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the user may also use liquid soap instead of or in combination with the solid soap member  60 . 
     The carrier  30  may be instigated in a plurality of dimensions to accommodate soap  60 , moisturizers, lotions, and the like of various amounts and sizes with an entrance slot  31  that is selectively opened or closed via the closure  50  that is slightly larger than that of said entrance slot  31 . The closure  50  is rotatably coupled thereto the two (2) mounting walls  32  via a proper pivot mechanism  45  that allows said closure  50  to be engaged to said mounting walls  32  and capable of rotatably lifting upwardly and lowering downwardly to open and close thereby permitting the insertion or removal of the soap  60 . Further, snaps  55  are situated on the closure  50  to releaseably secure said closure  50  over the entrance slot  31  thereby retaining the soap  60  therein, thus preventing the soapy lather from flowing undesirably out of the aperture  26  and directing toward the scrubbing surface of the cleansing envelope  20 . An alternate embodiment of the carrier  30  may comprise clasps, locking mechanisms, fasteners, catches, or other detachedly affixing mechanisms to releaseably secure the soap  60  therein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a top view of the carrier  30  is disclosed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The carrier  30  is envisioned to comprise a plurality of holes  35 , slots, slits, or other openings operably position therealong the entire or partial volume of the carrier  30  for receiving moisture for further improving the lathering effect. A plurality of dispersing holes  35  is operably positioned therealong the entire or partial volume of the carrier  30 . The holes  35  functions in an innovative manner to directionalize the flow of a soapy fluid toward the cleansing envelope  20  thereby enabling a soap lather to permeate therethrough said cleansing envelope  20  more readily. 
     The dispersing holes  35  are throughout the carrier  30  extending from the exterior surface of said carrier  30  through to the interior surface to the compartment  37 . The dispersing holes  35  are envisioned to be relatively circular, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , but may be of any other cross-sectional shapes, such as, but not limited to, polygonal, square, triangular, rectangular, and more. The holes  35  are inserted throughout the carrier  30  to allow the soap solution, as it mixes with the water during bathing, to drain onto the cleansing envelope  20 . The dispersing holes  35  also function as receiving means for receiving water therein the compartment  37  for generating the lather. Further, the dispersing holes  35  enable airflow to reach the soap  60  after usage so that the drying of the soap  60  may be expedited thereby increasing the longevity of the soap  60  and decreasing the possibility of mold or mildew accumulating. 
     The cleansing envelope  20  and/or the carrier  30  may also be introduced with a variety of aesthetically pleasing motifs and/or other images imprinted or stamped thereon such as, but not limited to, cartoon characters, sport logos, and/or other caricatures. The device  10  may also be introduced in a variety of shapes and sizes with or without the option of it being fashioned to resemble effects such as, but not limited to, animals, characters, and/or other images. The cleansing envelope  20  and/or the carrier  30  may also be introduced in a plurality of shapes such as, but not limited to, oval, heart, pear, square, triangle, polygon, rectangle, star, and/or other shapes. In addition, the cleansing envelope  20  and/or the carrier  30  may be introduced with or without writing imprinted, stamped, or the like thereon for identification purposes, quotes, and/or other personal or impersonal embroidery. It is also envisioned that multiple colors and styles would be made available to match all bathroom decors or the like. 
     A handle  40  is envisioned to be permanently and rotatably attached thereto the carrier  30  via a handle mount  47  at the respective uppermost portion of the sidewalls  33  to assist in the insertion and/or removal of said carrier  30  therefrom the aperture  26  of the cleansing envelope  20  as well as to provide a means to attach to impermanent fixtures such as a hook, for example, for hanging or holding after use. The handle  40 , envisioned to be a plurality of lengths, widths, and/or other dimensions, may be utilized after use for the quick drying of carrier  30  and/or cleansing envelope  20 , used to hang the device  10  for decoration, or fragrantly odorize the air with essence if fragrant items are placed therein the carrier  30 , and so on. The handle  40  may further comprise a sleeve or the like providing a soft, comfortable grasping surface for the user. To place the device  10  in an area that is convenient, the handle  40  may be utilized to hang the device  10  thereon a hook or other hanging members on a wall or other partition. 
     An alternate embodiment of the present invention may provide a means for inserting fragrant materials therein the carrier  30  and using it as an air freshener to freshen a room, luggage, confined areas, an opened area, or other regions. 
     Another alternate embodiment of the present invention may be utilized as other solid cleansers for carpet, furniture, and such. The cleansing chemicals may be inserted therein the carrier  30  and secured therein by utilizing the snaps  55  on the closure  50 . The carrier  30  may then be inserted therein the cleansing envelope  20  for application. After use, the device  10  may then be cleansed and reused for other applications. 
     Yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention may comprise the device  10  being used as a massaging agent by which massaging balls, beads, or other objects are inserted therein the carrier  30  or the aperture  26  of the cleansing envelope  20 . 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be configured as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: rotatably opening the entrance slot  31  via rotating the closures  50  about the pivots  45 ; inserting one (1) or a plurality of soap  60  bars, balls, beads, slivers, and other soap members  60  therein the compartment  37  of the carrier  30  by utilizing the entrance slot  31 ; reclosing said entrance slot  31  by rotatably closing the closure  50 ; fastening said closure  50  by utilizing the snaps  55 , hook-and-loop fasteners, such as Velcro□, or other temporary fastening means; removably inserting the carrier  30  therein the cavity  27  of the cleansing envelope  20  by utilizing the aperture  26 ; wetting the device  10 ; agitating the device  10 , whereas the agitation and water flowing therethrough causes creation of a lather; rubbing and motioning the device  10  upwardly, downwardly, sidewardly, rotationally, and a plurality of other directions to apply said lather thereon the skin in preferred areas; rinsing the device  10  with water or other fluid; and, hanging the device  10  to dry after use thereon a hook, or other hanging devices utilizing the handle  40 . 
     The device  10  is envisioned to administer amounts of soaps  60 , gels, body wash, balms, creams, oils, and/or similar substances to the surface of the skin. The carrier  30  resides therein the cleansing envelope  20  and is preferably flexible for easy manipulation, refillable, and washable. The carrier  30  comprises a plurality of dispersing holes  35  for the soapy solution to flow therethrough for saturation of the cleansing envelope  20  to be delivered onto the skin of the user. The cleansing envelope  20  collects and absorbs the dispensed soapy solution therefrom the dispersing holes  35 . 
     Essentially, the device  10  is utilized for the application and dispensing of a soapy lather to skin areas. The device  10  is sized and designed for a smooth and comfortable application while still being washable and easily stored. With the closure  50  unlocked thereby allowing free access through the entrance slot  31  to the compartment  37 , a bar of soap  60  may be inserted therein. Thereafter, the closure  50  may be closed and locked via snaps  55 . The carrier  30  may then be inserted therein the cavity  27 . After utilization, the carrier  30  may then be removed by grasping the handle  40  and lifting upwardly. 
     It will be further appreciated that the device  10  may be used for washing a plurality of surfaces other than the skin of a user such as, but not limited, furniture, vehicles, walls, and more. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.