Patent ID: 12226058

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Several embodiments of the invention are described. References consisting of a number followed by a letter relate to a specific embodiment of an element of the invention. Similar elements of different embodiments of the invention have the same reference number, this reference number being followed by a different letter for different embodiments. Where an item is followed in the description by a reference number without a letter, the text relates to the item described, regardless of the specific embodiment. When an element is followed in the description by a reference number with a letter, the text relates to the element described according to the specific embodiment.

FIGS.1and2illustrate a first embodiment of a soap holder10aaccording to the present invention. The soap holder10ahas the shape of a portion of a cylinder having two circular faces, connected by a handling surface11a. One of the faces of the soap holder forms a contact face12a, the function of which is explained below. The holder has an opposite face13a, which is opposite the contact face12a.

The soap holder10afurther comprises a female housing14amade in the form of a hole passing through the holder10aand opening out on the one hand into the contact face12aand on the other hand into the opposite face13aopposite the contact face12a.

FIG.2is a plan view of the soap holder10aillustrated inFIG.1. The female housing14ais visible, this housing14apassing through the holder10afrom the contact face12ato the opposite face13a.

The housing14ais delimited by a wall114forming an intersection with the contact face12a. The wall114of the housing14aand the contact face12adefine an angle α at their intersection, this angle α being on the side of the holder in which there is material and not on the void side of the housing, as illustrated inFIG.1in particular. This angle α is not acute, that is to say obtuse or right. In the illustrated embodiments, this angle is equal to 90°. As mentioned above, however, it could also be obtuse. Furthermore, the housing12adoes not include an “overhanging” element, that is to say elements of the housing whose projection on the contact face12awould extend further than the opening of the housing14ain the contact face12atowards the handling surface11aor the periphery of the holder, or would be larger than this opening of the housing.

The absence of any acute angles and overhangs offers two advantages. On the one hand, an acute angle can be unpleasant for the user and cause discomfort or even injury when this angle becomes accessible to the user, that is to say when the soap has reached a certain degree of wear. On the other hand, the lack of overhang allows new soap to be placed on the holder when an old soap has been consumed. This therefore makes it possible to reuse the holder. Indeed, the presence of an overhang implies that the soap must be fixed to the holder while the soap is still mushy, that is to say during its manufacture. As new soap is in principle solid, it cannot be placed in a holder, the latter therefore not being reusable. On the contrary, in the absence of an overhanging zone, it is possible to move the soap in a general movement perpendicular to the contact surface12a, without this overhanging element retaining the soap. In this way, the soap can be seen as being able to be removably placed on the holder.

The soap holder10a, and more specifically the handling surface11a, is intended to be held by a user when he or she wishes to use a soap held on the holder10a. For this purpose, the diameter and the height of the holder10aare such that the holder can be held and handled easily.

FIGS.3and4show a second embodiment of a holder10baccording to the invention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment ofFIGS.1and2, except for the part related to the housing. The housing14bof the embodiment ofFIGS.3and4comprises a blind hole, which opens into the contact face12bof the soap holder10b. The housing14bfurther comprises a groove15bin communication with the blind hole and designed to receive a tool for extracting any remaining soap.

As in the previous embodiment, the wall of the housing forms a non-acute angle α with the contact face of the holder so that this housing does not form a sharp angle or have an overhanging element.

FIGS.5to11illustrate different embodiments of soap bars20according to the present invention, compatible with a soap holder10according toFIGS.1to4. These soap bars20all include a cleaning surface21intended to be in contact with a body to clean. These soap bars further comprise a retaining face22arranged to be in contact with the contact face12of the soap holder10and to maintain the soap bar20on the soap holder10.

Each bar of soap also comprises a male lug23which has a complementary shape and/or is adapted to the female housing14of the soap holder10.

When a bar of soap20is to be mounted on a soap holder10, the male lug23in the soap bar is inserted into the female housing14of the soap holder. The retaining face22of the bar of soap20is pressed against the contact face12of the soap holder10. This has the effect of maintaining the soap on the holder, possibly by a suction effect, and of reinforcing the stability of the soap on the holder. Due to the relatively large contact surface between the contact face12of the holder and the retaining face22of the bar of soap and due to the presence of a lug23serving for holding and guiding, no further fastening element is necessary for the soap20to be held on the holder10. Surprisingly, it suffices to wet or dampen the soap20and to press it against the holder10for the soap to hold on the holder. This method of attachment in which the soap is not retained by a housing whose walls form an acute angle with the contact face12or whose housing forms an overhang or in which protrusions are introduced into the soap, goes against all the soap holders which have been developed and goes against what is generally accepted and considered to be obvious and essential by those skilled in the art.

In all of the illustrated embodiments, apart from that illustrated byFIGS.29and30, the lug23has a cylindrical shape. The base of this cylinder forming the lug can be circular, but it can also be partially circular, rectangular or any other shape. The generator of the cylinder is in principle perpendicular to the holding face22of the soap.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.5, the soap20ahas a cleaning surface21a, that is to say a surface in contact with the user, curved so as not to present angles which could be unpleasant for the user.

In the embodiment ofFIG.6, the soap20bhas a cylindrical shape, with a rectangular cross section. This allows for a soap bar having a greater amount of material than the soap bar ofFIG.5, but the soap bar20bhas a sharp angle which may be unpleasant for the user, at least at the beginning of the us of a new bar of soap.

The bar of soap20cofFIG.7combines the advantages of the bars of soap ofFIGS.5and6. It has a large quantity of material without having sharp angles which are unpleasant for the user.

The bar of soap20dillustrated inFIG.8comprises, in its cleaning surface21d, a recess24dhaving a shape and a dimension substantially identical to the shape and dimensions of the lug23d. This recess24dis also visible inFIG.9which is a top view of the bar of soap20dofFIG.8.

FIG.10is also a top view of a bar of soap20eaccording to the invention, comprising a recess24eintended to receive the remainder of a used bar of soap. In the embodiment illustrated by this figure, the recess24ehas the shape of a groove.

When a bar of soap20and a soap holder10according to the invention are used, the soap20wears out until it comes flush with the holder10. At this time, only the part of the soap placed in the housing remains, namely the lug23. In the case where the housing14ahas a through hole, as illustrated for example inFIGS.1and2, the remaining soap is pressed outside this housing14aby the opposite face13ato the contact face12a. In the case where the housing14bhas a blind hole, as illustrated inFIGS.3and4, a remainder of soap corresponding to the lug23is extracted from the holder10by introducing an extraction tool such as a stick or a screwdriver into the groove15b.

The remaining soap can be used as a bar of soap, for example. In the case where the soap has a recess24adapted to the shape of the lug23, as illustrated inFIGS.8to11, the remaining soap corresponding to a lug23f′ of an old soap can be introduced into the recess24of a new soap, which avoids any waste.

FIG.11illustrates a soap according to the embodiment ofFIG.8,9or10, in which a lug23fof an old soap has been introduced into a recess24fof a new soap. Due to the properties of moistened soap, in particular the fact that soap can be slightly deformed and stuck by simple humidification, it is simple to position the lug of an old bar of soap into the recess of a new bar of soap and to hold the two bars of soap together, thus avoiding any waste.

FIGS.12and13show two soap holders10having different shapes. InFIG.12, the soap holder10chas a planar contact face12c, as in the embodiments ofFIGS.1to4. The handling surface11chas a shape of a portion of a sphere or a shape similar to a portion of a sphere, so that this holder can be held in the hand of a user in a manner that is comfortable for the user.

FIG.13illustrates a soap holder10dsimilar to that ofFIGS.1and2, to which a handle30dor a loop has been added. This handle30dis designed to be able to easily hold the holder10din the hand and acts as a handling surface11d.

According to different possible variants, the handling surface11could have a shape chosen from a loop, a handle, a disc, a portion of a disc, a cylinder, a cylindrical strip, a portion of a sphere or any other suitable shape.

FIGS.14and15respectively illustrate a soap holder10eand a bar of soap20ecompatible with the holder. The soap holder10ehas a slightly domed contact face12e, which is also the case for the opposite face13e. In other words, the holder10ehas a slightly barrel-shaped cross section. In this case, the angle between the handling surface11eand the tangent to the contact face12eis an obtuse angle referenced to by the letter β inFIG.14. Such an obtuse angle implies that there is no risk of injury or inconvenience upon contact of the soap holder10ewith the skin of the user when the soap20eis almost completely consumed.

The bar of soap20eofFIG.15is compatible for use with the holder10eofFIG.14. For this purpose, it has a retaining face22ewhich is also curved, having a shape which is complementary to the contact face12eof the holder10e, so that the contact face12eof the holder presses against the holding face22eof the soap and such that the contact surface between the contact face12eand the holding face22eis relatively large.

FIGS.16and17illustrate holders10having a resting area for allowing the holders to be placed in such a way that the soap does not rest on a wet or damp area and in such a way that these holders10do not roll.

To this end, the holder10fofFIG.16comprises a flat zone40on which this holder10fcan be placed vertically. In this position, the soap remains in the air and dries without breaking up as is the case when the soap is simply placed in a conventional soap holder. In this embodiment, the diameter of the soap can be smaller than the diameter of the holder, or the soap can also have a dish, so that the soap does not protrude from the holder.

The holder10gofFIG.17has a hole50provided to receive a rod of a holding element or foot (not shown). Also in this case, the soap stays in the air and does not fall apart. Such a medium can add an aesthetic effect to the whole.

FIGS.18and19show two opposite faces of the same10hsoap holder, this holder being illustrated in profile inFIG.20. In this embodiment, a contact face12hof the10hsoap holder comprises a female housing14hintended to receive a male soap lug. This housing14hhas a cylindrical shape with a substantially rectangular base.

As illustrated inFIG.19, the holder10hcomprises a face13hopposite the contact face12h, this opposite face also comprising a housing14h′. This housing14h′ has a cylindrical shape with a circular base. The soap holder also has a through hole60connecting the two housings.

In this embodiment, a first bar of soap can be placed opposite the contact face12hof the soap holder, while a second bar of soap can be placed on the opposite face13h. The shape of the housings14h,14h′ acts as a “foolproof” in the sense that a bar of soap whose lug23is provided to fit one of the housings of the holder can only be placed in this housing and not in the housing made in the opposite face.

Both bars of soap can be of identical composition and have an identical application. This can for example be the case with soap used for washing hands, where it makes sense for the two bars of soap to be the same. It is also conceivable to have different soaps, intended for different applications such as for example a bar of soap for the body of a user and a bar of soap for washing the hair. It is also possible to provide two bars of soap having in particular different compositions, scents or colors. The bars of soap can also be intended for two different people.

The through hole60connecting both housings makes it possible to easily remove the remaining tabs of the soap bars when they have been used up. As in the other embodiments, none of the housings has an overhanging area with respect to the opening of the corresponding housing. Thus, it is possible to introduce a bar of soap on the holder with a pin placed in the housing, while the soap is hard.

FIG.21illustrates an embodiment of a soap—soap holder assembly70ain which a holder10aas illustrated inFIG.1receives two bars of soap20cas illustrated inFIG.7.

In this soap—soap holder assembly70a, the holding face22cof each of the soap bars is in contact with the contact face12aof the holder or with the face13aopposite the contact face. The lug23cof each bar of soap is placed in the housing14aof the holder. The large contact surface between the holding and contact faces ensures good resistance of the soap bars on the holder. The handling surface11aof the holder is easily accessible by the user and allows him or her to hold the soap—soap holder assembly firmly and conveniently, without the risk of the assembly escaping his or her hands.

The cleaning surface21cof the soap bars is also easily accessible by the user, which allows him or her to use the soap easily. The only surface without soap is the handling surface11a. On the one hand, when using the soap—soap holder assembly70a, the handling surface is held by the user, which implies that there is little risk of it coming into contact with the parts of the body that the user cleans. On the other hand, even if this handling surface rubs the users body, it is soft and does not risk injuring the user.

FIG.22is a sectional view of a soap—soap holder assembly70bsimilar to the assembly70aofFIG.21. This assembly70bis formed by a holder10eas shown inFIG.14and two bars of soap20esimilar to the bar of soap inFIG.15.

FIG.23represents a soap holder10i, and more specifically its contact face12i. In this embodiment, the central housing of the previous embodiments is replaced by several housings14i, for example three housings arranged at different locations on the holder. These housings14ican pass through, as can be seen in the profile view of the holder10i, this profile view corresponding toFIG.25.

FIG.24is a view of the holding face22iof the soap20isuitable for use in the holder10iofFIG.23. This bar of soap20icomprises three lugs23ipositioned and dimensioned so as to be able to be placed in the housings14iof the holder.

FIG.26is a side view of the soap20ishown inFIG.24.

It is clear that a number of housings and holders other than one or three could be used, as long as a bar of soap can be placed on a holder. According to a variant, the holder could have more housings than the soap has lugs. The bar of soap could for example have two lugs while the holder has three housings. As indicated above, it suffices for a bar of soap to be able to be held in place on a holder and therefore for the contact surface between the bar of soap and the holder to be large enough.

In the embodiment illustrated byFIGS.27and28, the housing14jof the holder10jdoes not have a cylindrical shape with a circular base, but has a base having a shape which can be chosen, for example, by the manufacturer of the holder. This shape may correspond to a distinctive sign of the soap manufacturer or producer. It is clear that the soap has a lug having a corresponding shape, not necessarily identical, but such that the soap can be held on the holder.

This embodiment allows a company to affix a distinctive sign such as a trademark or any other appropriate form of its choice, on the one hand so that its soap and the corresponding holder are recognizable to the consumer and on the other hand, in order to link the holder to a particular brand of soap. For example, the company can offer a holder to its customers and ensure that they will only use its soap on the holder in question. It is also possible to associate a form of the base with a particular event such as for example a religious holiday, a media event or other.

The housing of the holder may be completely traverse the holder, as far as the logo allows, or it may partially traverse. In the latter case, it is advantageous to provide an extraction means to be able to remove the lug from the holder when the soap is consumed.

In the embodiment illustrated byFIGS.29and30, the lug23jof the bar of soap20jcomprises a thread80. The housing14jof the holder10kcomprises a threaded area81complementary to the thread80of the soap bar so that the soap20jcan be “screwed” into the10kholder. This threaded zone, as well as the thread can be very short and can even be limited, for example, to a quarter of a turn. On the contrary, it can also extend over several turns. The axis of the thread80of the lug is in principle perpendicular to the holding face22jof the soap.

Also in this embodiment, the bar of soap20jcan be mounted on the holder regardless of when the soap is manufactured, which means that the holder is reusable. In addition, no protruding or protruding element protrudes from the holder so that the user cannot be injured or be inconvenienced.

The remaining part of the lug23jof the soap20j, when the soap is used up, can be extracted from the holder by rotating this lug, for example by means of a screwdriver or a coin. This remaining part can also be placed in a recess provided for this purpose in a new bar of soap.

FIGS.31to36illustrate an embodiment in which two soap bars20kare linked together by a lug23khaving a particular shape, cooperating with a holder10lalso having a particular shape. More precisely, as can be seen in particular inFIG.34, the holder10lcomprises a housing14lwhich is extended by a groove90opening into the handling surface11l.

The lug23khas a cylinder shape having a portion91of its base in the form of a portion of a circle with a diameter allowing the lug23kto be placed in the housing14lof the holder, and two flats92parallel and spaced apart so that the width of the lug23kis less wide than the width of the groove90.

In this embodiment, when the soap bar is to be introduced on a holder, the lug23kis presented opposite the groove90so that this lug can be moved along the groove in the direction of the housing14l. The position of the soap in relation to the holder is called the introduction position.

When the lug has been placed in the housing, the soap is pivoted so that the flats92of the lug are no longer in the extension of the groove90, so that the lug23kcannot come out of the housing14l. This position corresponds to a so-called locking position.

Also in this embodiment, a new bar of soap can easily be placed on a holder when the soap is hard, i.e. regardless of when it was manufactured, making the holder reusable.

The absence of elements presenting claws, protrusions or forming a sharp or acute angle ensures that the holder does not risk injuring the user or causing discomfort or pain. The absence of overhanging elements also allows new soap to be placed on the holder, making the holder reusable.

When the soap bars are used up, only the lugs remain in the housings. These lugs can easily be extracted from the housings by simply pressing. The soap remaining from these lugs can be used as a small soap bar or be attached to a new bar of soap, as previously described. So no soap is wasted.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the soap holder can be made entirely or partially of wood, synthetic or biodegradable materials, or of virtually any water-resistant material.

The soap—soap holder assembly makes it possible to hold the bar or bars of soap easily and firmly, without the risk of the soap bar or soap bars slipping and escaping from the user's hands. The holder avoids any waste of soap and does not present a risk of injuring or inconveniencing the user. In addition, the holder can be reused easily to receive a new bar of soap. The holder allows the user to easily rest the soap holder assembly in a position such that the assembly does not rest on the soap. This would have the effect of leaving the soap in the humidity, the soap then disintegrating, sticking to the holder, in an unhygienic manner.

Several embodiments of the invention have been described. These embodiments are not, however, limiting. In particular, the combination of different characteristics from different embodiments is also included in the invention, as long as this combination is usable or achievable. The shape of the housing can be any as long as it allows a new soap to be placed when an old soap has been consumed. This implementation must be able to be done when the soap making is finished, when a user has acquired the soap and not during the manufacture of this soap.

In the illustrated embodiments, the holder has a circular shape when viewed from above. It is clear that other shapes are also possible. Among these shapes, there are in particular oval, ovoid, square, rectangular shapes, with rounded corners for example, but also all kinds of geometric shapes or even distinctive shapes, for example specific to a company.