Patent ID: 12232674

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following discussion is directed to various exemplary embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the examples disclosed herein have broad application, and that the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.

The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and components herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in interest of clarity and conciseness.

In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection of the two devices, or through an indirect connection that is established via other devices, components, nodes, and connections. In addition, as used herein, the terms “axial” and “axially” generally mean along or parallel to a given axis (e.g., x, y or z direction or central axis of a body, outlet or port), while the terms “radial” and “radially” generally mean perpendicular to the given axis. For instance, an axial distance refers to a distance measured along or parallel to the axis, and a radial distance means a distance measured perpendicular to the axis.

As used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” substantially,” “generally,” and the like mean plus or minus 10% of the stated value or range. In addition, as used herein, a low-flow device refers to a cleaning or washing device, such as sponge, that receives low pressures and flow rates from a fluid delivery source that preferably delivers fluid at a low-flow, low-pressure to a tube coupler releasably attached to a scrub body. The low-flow amount of the liquid or fluid delivered to the low-flow device or scrub, arrives from a residential or portable fluid source that delivers fluid at a flow rate preferably less than approximately 0.5 gallons per minute (gpm), and preferably at a pressure less than 100 psi, and more preferably less than 60 psi. The low-flow pump delivers fluid into a relatively small conduit or flexible hose. The flexible hose can be made with any pliable material, such as rubber or the like, having a relatively small inner diameter. According to one example, the cross-sectional inner diameter of the tube can range anywhere from 2 to 20 mm, and preferably is less than 6 mm depending on whether the scrub anchoring system deliver fluid in a residential or portable environment. The flexible tube can be placed into a flexible low-flow device, such as scrub body, or alternatively into a flexible rag, pouf, dressing, brushes, or into any scrub device that can receive fluid as it is moved or scrubbed across a surface, such as a user's body.

A scrub body that can be made of a single, unibody construction of the same material. According to an alternative embodiment shown inFIG.1, however, scrub body10is shown made of two different types of material coupled together as two layers. In the latter embodiment shown inFIG.1scrub body10of two or more layers are coupled together along the dashed lines12. The dashed line can represent the two or more layers sewn together with stitching that penetrates the two or more layers along the edges of the major planar faces of each layer. Each layer as measured along their planar faces has the same height H and width W. The thicknesses of each layer, however, can be different, as will be shown inFIG.2b. Alternatively, the layers can be coupled together with a bonding material placed along the dashed lines12. The bonding material can be an adhesive that secures the two or more layers together. The dashed lines12represent the locations in which the layers are coupled together. Only in those dashed line regions are the layers coupled together, leaving the layers between line12separate from one another and, as will be described below, capable of being separated or opened.

FIGS.1and2billustrates an anchoring pocket16extending between the layers from opening14and inward into the scrub body10. The opening14is a primary opening, and primary opening14exists only partially along a sidewall surface of scrub body10. The sidewall surface is perpendicular to the opposed major planar faces of each layer. A secondary opening18exists at another end of anchoring pocket16opposite the primary opening14.

The anchoring pocket16extends between layers from opening14laterally outward from anchoring pocket central axis20along coupling line12and then inward toward the pocket central axis20along line12. Anchoring pocket16therefore has a sidewall surface defined by the coupling of layers along line12that faces pocket16symmetrical about pocket central axis20and between primary and secondary openings14and18. Thus, the coupling of the two or more layers along line12but inside of the perimeter coupling location forms the sidewall surface of anchoring pocket16. Those sidewall surfaces are shown with reference numeral22as being concave sidewall surfaces separated with the opening14at one end and the opposed secondary opening18at the other end. The primary opening is needed for insertion of a tube coupler into the scrub body10, and the secondary opening18is needed for insertion of a tube distal end, previously coupled to and extending from the tube coupler, to further extend into the scrub body10.

FIG.2ais a side view along plane2-2ofFIG.1. Plane2-2is parallel to the sidewall surface of the scrub body10yet perpendicular to the two major opposed planar faces of the scrub body10. The thickness T of the sponge body is between 0.65-80 mm. The side view ofFIG.2aillustrates the instance in which the opening14is merely a slit19that only partially extends along the tube body a width W1.FIG.2aillustrates one embodiment in which two portions of similar material can be distinguished from one another by a line in phantom extending along the same plane as the slit19between the two major opposed planar faces. The two portions each have opposed major planar faces26,28of the same material but separated by slit19and an imaginary co-planar extension of slit19parallel and between the opposed planar faces.

FIG.2aillustrates according to an alternative embodiment two layers having respective opposed planar faces26,28separated by slit19, and also separated by a co-planar (shown as the dashed line along the sidewall surface) to the slit demarcation between the two major opposed planar faces. The two layers are shown secured together at internal bond or stitch locations12. The two (or more) layers can be of the same or different material, each being deformable to differing degrees and each preferably having different roughness and texture. If the two layers are of different material, one layer can be made of a relatively soft polyurethane foam having a substantial portion being a closed cell design. Another layer can be made of a more abrasive material having a honeycomb or open pore design, possibly made of cellulosic sponge, tissue with or without abrasive fibers or particles added to the open pore layer. In this fashion, whether two or more layers exist, one layer on one major planar surface of scrub body10can have an abrasive plastic-type open cell or honeycomb design with abrasive particles layered or coated onto that major planar surface. The other opposing layer on the opposite major planar surface can be made of a softer material having less roughness and smoother texture than the opposite major planar surface. Thus, the opposed surfaces are made of different material used for different cleaning purposes and include a natural cellulose material, a synthetic material, microfiber material, abrasive materials or foam equivalent materials with different impregnated abrasive compounds placed therein. If the two layers are similar, coupled to one of the similar layers is a third layer made of dissimilar material than the two layers. For example, the slit can exist between two layers of natural cellulose, with the third layer of rough plastic sheet. The rough sheet would exist on one major planar surface side of one of the similar layers made of cellulose and the other similar layer represents the softer side of the sponge body opposite the rough plastic sheet on the opposite side.

Referring back toFIG.1, scrub body10preferably is a rectangular shape, approximately 120-160 mm×80-120 mm in height H×width W. The shorter end width W, nominally 100 mm is left open and not bonded or stitched together at opening14. The separation at opening without lateral compression on the sidewall surface extends as a slit partially along the sidewall surface approximately 0.5 to 1 inch.

FIG.2billustrates a side view along the plane2-2ofFIG.1, according to the two-layered embodiment, with the anchoring pocket16opened within a layered scrub body10. Pocket16presents itself as the flexible or pliable scrub body10compressed laterally in the directions24. Essentially, scrub body10, with compressed along direction24causes the two or more layers to separate along slit19in a direction perpendicular to the layered two major planar faces26and28of the opposed outside surfaces of the scrub body10. The perpendicular separation of the two major planar faces26and28along slit19causes an opening14to appear and the laterally extending sidewall surfaces22of pocket16to also appear. Opening14further opens from a slit19perpendicular to the major planar faces26and28at a pocket central axis20and radially outward from that central axis20. The amount of opening14is dependent on the amount of pressure applied in the directions24. The greater the force in directions24, the greater slit19is opened for creating a fully opened opening14, and also creating a larger ingress into the anchoring pocket16.

FIG.2cillustrates the anchoring pocket opened within a single material or bonded multi-material unibody scrub body10. Instead of two or more layers coupled together along the periphery and along the sidewall surfaces of the anchoring pocket, the anchoring pocket can be formed by compressing the scrub body10along directions24thereby forcing slit19to further open as opening14. The slit19ofFIG.2ais formed substantially parallel between opposed major planar surfaces26and28and along that parallel plane inward into scrub body10but only partially along the sidewall surface. Thus, the scrub body10can be made of one piece, a unibody piece, from a die-casting process with a slit formed into the unibody material to derive essentially two portions yet each portion is nonetheless the same unibody. At slit19, a part of one portion can extend perpendicular outward from one major planar surface while another part of the other portion can extend opposite and outward from the second major planar surface to form opening14. Thus, although the two portions are described as two portions, they are nonetheless the same material or molded materials yet with a slit partially between them. Similar to the uncoupled, or unstitched opening, the slit in the unibody material ofFIG.2cembodiment and the approximately 0.5 to 1 inch long slit along the sidewall surface of scrub body10extending from opening14to the secondary opening18and beyond, is shown in further detail inFIG.4.

Turning now toFIG.3, a tube coupler30is shown in cross section. Tube coupler30includes a hollow coupler body32terminating at opposed male barbs34aand34b. Arranged on a midpoint equidistance from the opposed male barbs34aand34bis a pair of wings36. Although the pair of wings36are described as a pair, they are nonetheless of single unibody structure coupled to the midpoint38. The male barbs34aand34bare hollow tubes, each having an outward extending protrusion40aand40bwhich engage with an inner surface42aand42bof a pair of hollowed tubes44aand44b. In addition to being hollow, tubes44aand44bcan also be perforated. Tube44acan be pre-cut approximately 3 inches in length, for example. Hollow tube44bcan also be pre-cut and is approximately 9 to 120 inches in length. While one end of tube44bis secured to barb34, the other end is fluidly coupled directly or indirectly to a fluid delivery source46, such as a residential water supply or a portable water supply. A portable water supply comprises a gravity bag, pump, pressurized water chamber, etc. Fluid delivery source46can deliver fluids that include a cleaning solution, or a mixture thereof. Fluid source46can be pressure and flow regulated, and also can contain restrictors and back flow preventers with automatic shut off timers and heaters, as well as possibly sanitation chambers to transport any type of fluid to a low-flow scrub body10via tube coupler30. The diameter of tubes44aand44b, as well as the apertures through the hollow coupler body30and the hollow male barbs34aand34b, as well as the aperture through wings36are dimensioned so that a relatively low pressure, low fluid flow rate is maintained as the fluid is delivered from fluid source46into the low-flow scrub body10. The interior diameter of tubes44aand44bcan be less than 20 mm, and preferably less than 10 mm. The hollow coupler body, as well as the apertures of the male barbs, are even smaller interior diameter to ensure a low-flow rate into the scrub body10. The fluid flow rate delivered by low-fluid source46and through the coupler30is preferably less than 0.5 gpm, with delivery pressure preferably less than 60 psi. The low-flow rates and low pressures ensure the relatively delicate coupler30and its coupling onto tubes44aand44bare not jeopardized or harmed in any way, and that coupler30and tubes44aand44bremain in their anchored position within low-flow scrub body10after they are inserted via arrow48into the opening14as shown in further detail inFIG.4. However, given the strength at the coupling, the tubes44aand44bcan remain coupled even at pressures nearly 100 psi and a delivery rate at 4 gpm. Before or after insertion of coupler30, a cleaning material is inserted into the opening. The cleaning material can include a cleaning solution, water softening agent and/or therapeutic or aromatic-enhancing material.

Turning now toFIG.4, a scrub anchoring system50is shown. System50includes a scrub body10according to one embodiment. Scrub body10can include two portions of materials separated at an opening14that extends along the sidewall surface of sponge body10. Opening14can initially be a slit within a sidewall surface of scrub body10between two major opposed planar faces26and28and thus between the two portions. The two portions can comprise the same material and are of the same unibody construction with the demarcation between the two portions simply that of different regions within that same unibody scrub body with no separation of the two except for a slit partially along the sidewall surface and extending into the scrub body10.

As shown inFIG.4, the slit extends into the scrub body10and parallel to the two major planar faces26and28as shown inFIG.2c. As the slit progresses into scrub body10from opening14, the lateral extent of the slit opening is shown by dashed line12thereby forming a pocket16having sidewall surfaces22. The sidewall surfaces22are therefore interior of scrub body10between the two portions to securely but releasably maintain tube coupler30within anchoring pocket16via arrow4870a. Specifically, the wings36are made of a flexible material that as the tube coupler is inserted into pocket16, the wings flex backward and toward the proximal tube44band then, as the coupler30is inserted further into pocket16, the wings36flex forward as they extend outward against the opposed concave sidewall surfaces22until they reach the outermost apex of that concave surface. Once wings36extend to their furthest distance laterally outward at the apex of the opposed concave sidewall surfaces22, coupler30along with the distal tube44acan no longer be inserted into pocket16. Moreover, coupler30, as well as its connected tubes44aand44bcannot be withdrawn since the seeded wings36are in an arcuate, fixed position against any withdrawal force. The wings36are thereby securely anchored along with the associated tubes44a,44bwithin pocket16until it is time for a user to release the coupler30from pocket16as will be described below. The curvature or backward arcuate curve of wings36ensures the attached coupler30remains in place. Preferably, the backward curvature of wings36as measured at the distal ends of the wings36is approximately at angle Ø between 0 and 85 degrees, and more preferably between 30 and 50 degrees, as shown inFIG.3.

AlthoughFIG.4illustrates a scrub body having two unibody constructed portions with a slit partially between those portions, an alternative embodiment is one shown inFIG.1where the two portions are two layers of dissimilar material secured together around an entire perimeter of scrub body10except at opening14. Moreover, the sidewall surfaces22as shown inFIG.1can comprise two or more layers secured together. Although two layers can be secured together leaving a slit opening, or two portions can contain a slit, it is recognized that the opposed major planar surfaces of either embodiment can have a different roughness or abrasiveness placed on their outer surfaces. It is also recognized that additional portions or layers can be added to those two portions (layered or otherwise) of scrub body10.

Turning now toFIG.5, an exploded, perspective view of a portion of tube coupler30is shown. Although it is appreciated that tube coupler30has a hollow coupler body terminating as opposed male barbs, only one portion of the hollow coupler body32is shown terminating at male barb34ain order to more clearly show the aperture54. Hollow coupler body32has an aperture extending entirely through body32collinear with an aperture extending through male barb34a, and also collinear with the central axis of an aperture54that extends entirely through wings36. There is similar alignment with the apertures of the other portion of hollow coupler body32and male barb34bnot shown inFIG.5so that the aperture54can be more easily and clearly illustrated. The hollow coupler body32, opposed hollow male barbs34aand34b, as well as the aperture54allows fluid delivery entirely through the tube coupler30from tube44bto tube44a, and therefore finally throughout scrub body10as shown inFIGS.3and4.

In addition to aperture54arranged around a central axis of wings36, additional apertures56aand56bcan be placed through the entire distal ends of wings36. According to one example, apertures54and56a,56bcan be molded within wings36possibly at the same time in which wings36are molded about the midpoint of tube coupler30. Alternatively, apertures54and56a,56bcan be molded within wings36, and wings36can thereafter be coupled onto the midpoint of tube coupler30. Thus, wings36, along with their apertures can be coupled to the hollow coupler body32, or molded around and into the hollow coupler body32as will be illustrated in further detail inFIGS.6and7.

Turning now toFIG.6, apertures56aand56bare dimensioned to accommodate a drawstring60. Drawstring60can be secured through apertures56aand56bprior to insertion of wings36, and thus the accompanying insertion of tube coupler30into anchoring pocket16. After tube coupler30is secured via wings36inside anchoring pocket16, drawstring60remains outside pocket16, and specifically outside the sidewall surface of scrub body10. When a user wishes to replace a worn out or damaged scrub body10, rather than discarding the expensive tube coupler and tubes along with scrub body10, the user need only pull on drawstring60in a direction away from scrub body10while at the same time pinching tube34abetween the two portions of scrub body10along force arrows62aand62b. Frictionally securing tube34a, as well as the coupler30and wings attached thereto, while pulling drawstring60allows flexure of the distal ends of wings36backward and toward the central axis of the coupler as well as central axis20of the anchoring pocket16. Further bending backward of the distal ends allows wings36to unseed from the outward apex of the sidewall surfaces22. Once unseeded, the drawstring60can be further drawn along direction64away from opening14and scrub body10while releasing frictional engagement with tube34a.

Use of a drawstring60, and the method steps of pulling drawstring60while first securing tube44aand thereafter releasing tube44aprovides an easy way in which to replace only the worn out scrub body10and not the reusable, more expensive tube coupler. Coupler30can be used for as many times as needed, however, scrub body10is designed to wear out. Due to its inexpensive cost to manufacture, scrub body10can be readily and easily replaced and thereafter secured or anchored with the reused tube coupler30with drawstring60attached. It is desirable that any grasping member, such as a drawstring60, be secured to the distal ends of wings36, to force the wings36to flex backward in a more arcuate position. The coupling therefore must be at the distal ends in order to effectuate that backward flexure of wings36.

FIG.7illustrates the pair of wings36in phantom to readily show one mechanism in which the coupler30can receive the wings. Coupler body32, according to one embodiment can have one or more openings68extending at least partially through coupler body32in a direction perpendicular to the central axis70of tube coupler30. Central axis70is the axis around which the coupler body32and the hollow opposed male barbs34a-34bare aligned collinear therewith.

According to one embodiment, wings36can be coupled onto a midpoint of the hollow coupler body32via the perpendicular openings or apertures68. Alternatively the wings36can be molded into apertures68. The wings36, coupled or molded, extend between tube stops70aand70bthat radially extend from the central axis70from coupler body32. If molded onto the midpoint between tube stops70aand70b, a portion of the mold which forms wings36extend into one or more apertures68to secure wings36. If coupled, a securement member such as a screw can be placed through wings36and into apertures68after wings36are placed around the midpoint of the hollow coupler body32. The coupler body32is preferably one piece, either including wings36, or the wings36can be molded or coupled after the body32is formed. The wings36, in either instance, are arranged onto the midpoint of the single, one piece coupler body32having opposed male barbs34a,34b. Alternatively, coupler body32can be two pieces secured together about wings36by snap fit or by coupling within apertures68a screw that holds the two pieces of coupler body32together and within wings36.

While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teachings herein. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the systems, apparatus, and processes described herein are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the slit that forms into a larger slit/opening exists between two or more portions of similar or dissimilar material, and wherein the portions can comprise similar or dissimilar unibody formed material or separately formed layers coupled together. If layers, at least two layers can comprise compressed cellulose. The compressed cellulose is designed to expand after fluid is delivered therein. The compressed cellulose can be more easily bonded together since it is stiffer than uncompressed cellulose, is of smaller package size for a less costly shipment footprint. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is only limited by the claims that follow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps in a method claim may be performed in any order. The recitation of identifiers such as (a), (b), (c) or (1), (2), (3) before steps in a method claim are not intended to and do not specify a particular order to the steps, but rather are used to simplify subsequent reference to such steps.