GB1578927A

GB1578927A - Cleansing aid

Info

Publication number: GB1578927A
Application number: GB2159176A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Cobbold A V
Current assignee: Cobbold A V
Priority date: 1977-05-24
Filing date: 1977-05-24
Publication date: 1980-11-12

Description

(54) CLEANSING AID (71) I, ADA VICTORIA COBBOLD, a British subject of 26 Pennell Street, Lincoln, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates to personal cleansing aids.

At present many elderly and handicapped persons find it difficult to carry out full personal ablutions without outside assistance, from for example, nurses, and family. The object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a cleansing aid, of particular use to elderly or handicapped persons, which can be used to cleanse the less accessible parts of the body, particularly the feet and toes.

According to the present invention there is provided a personal cleansing aid for use in cleansing the feet, comprising an elongate handle one end portion of which is readilyreleasably engaged with a generally C-shaped cleansing head intermediate the ends of the head such that the C-shaped section of the head lies in a plane transverse the longitudinal axis of the handle portion engaged therewith, the opposite end portion of the handle being provided with a hand grip.

Preferably the handle has two arms meeting at an elbow, the two arms preferably being inclined at an obtuse angle to each other.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the head is attached to a shorter of the two arms and the arms of the C-shape extend from the said shorter arm in a direction generally opposite that of the longer arm of the handle.

The particular configuration of the handle and cleansing head allow a person to use the cleansing aid with either hand such that the back of the torso and all parts of the feet and legs, for example the back of the heel, the sole of the foot and the heel can be reached with the cleansing head. Preferably also the transverse cross-section of the head is of substantial extent in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the C-section and the free ends of the arms of the C-shape are sufficiently thin to be passed between the toes of a person using the cleansing aid.

The cleansing head may be provided with an arrangement of bristles set into the cleansing head in which case the bristle arrangement preferably includes bristles set in each end of the cleansing head so as to form a continuation of the respective arm of the C-shape and which can be used to clean between the toes. Alternatively, or in addition, the bristle arrangement may include bristles set in a central portion of the cleansing head. Bristles of differing coarseness may be set in different parts of the head, softer bristles being provided for general washing and coarser bristles for scrubbing the toes.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the cleansing head has a cover of foam rubber, towelling or other suitable material, or a removable cover which can be fitted over a cleansing head set with bristles may be provided. Thus, covers can be provided which are suitable for example, for washing or drying the body or for applying cream or powder. In each case the ends of the arms of the C-shaped head, together with the cover, are preferably sufficiently thin to be passed between the toes so that washing, drying or other operations can be carried out effectively.

In the present invention the cleansing head is removably attached to the handle such that interchangeable heads having different bristle arrangements and different covers of foam rubber or material may be provided. Preferably the covers are also removable so that only one cleansing head need be provided for use with several covers. Other advantages are the cheapness of replacement of detachable worn covers and ease of washing the covers themselves.

The cleansing head may, in addition, be so formed that it can cooperate with a removable bristle section and/or removable covers.

The handle and cleansing head of the present invention may be made from wood, plastics or other material which has suitable properties of lightness and strength. If made of plastics material they are preferably moulded, and may if desired be resiliently flexible.

Cleansing aids according to the present invention may be made with handles of various lengths, but the handles are preferably of the order of eighteen inches in length for use by children and twenty-four inches for use by adults.

The end of the handle remote from the cleansing head is preferably formed as a hand-grip which is easy to grasp when wet and which is sufficiently large to be grasped by a person suffering from arthritis. The hand grip may alternatively be formed such that it can be grasped by an artificial hand.

In order to allow the cleansing head to be readily removable, the end portion of the handle to which the head is attached is preferably formed with a rectangular cross section, the cleansing head being formed with a cooperating recess into which the said end portion fits with sufficient tightness to attach the head to the handle. In this case the cross-section of the end portion is preferably sufficiently thin for the end to be inserted between a plaster cast and an injured limb encased in the plaster. Other means of attachment of the cleansing head to the handle, such as a screw-connection or snap engagement, are also feasible.

Although the cleansing aid according to the present invention has particular use for personal cleansing, cleansing heads suitable for cleansing shoes, for example, could also be provided for aids having removable heads.

One embodiment of the invention will now be more particularly described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cleansing aid according to the invention provided with a removable cleansing head set with bristles; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cleansing aid according to the invention provided with a removable cleansing head with a foam rubber cover, taken along a line corresponding to line II-II of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a cleansing aid is shown having an elongate handle, generally indicated 1, and a removable, generally C-shaped cleansing head, generally indicated 2.

The handle 1 is, for the most part, of rectangular cross-section and is attached at one end 3 to the head 2. The handle 1 has an elbow 4 near this end 3, the arms of the elbow 4 being substantially straight and at an obtuse angle to each other.

The shorter arm 5, between the elbow 4 and end 3, is approximately 4 inches long and is sufficiently thin to be inserted between a plaster cast and a limb encased in the plaster. The longer arm 6 of the handle 1 is approximately 18 inches long and is thicker than the arm 5, so as to provide greater strength, and is formed at its free end as a hand grip 7. The grip 7, shown, is of circular cross-section, but it may alternatively be of any convenient form.

The elongate head 2 is also of substantially rectangular cross-section and has a straight longitudinal centre portion 8 and two curved end portions 9 which are curved in the same direction. The head 2 may alternatively have an fully-curved C-shape. The end portions 9 are spaced apart by a distance of approximately 5 to 6 inches.

The centre portion of the head 2 is sufficiently thick to accommodate the end 3 of the handle 1 which fits tightly into a cooperating recess 10 in one edge of the centre portion 8. The curved portions 9 are thinner than the centre portion 8, such that they can be passed between the toes.

In the illustrated embodiment the longitudinal axis of the head 2 lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the longitudinal axis of the handle 1, although it could alternatively be at some other convenient angle. Also the curved end portions 9 of the head 2 lie on one side of the plane containing the longitudinal axis of the arm 5 of the handle 1 and the longitudinal axis of the centre portion 8 of the head 2, while the arm 6 of the handle 1 lies on the other side of this plane. Alternatively, the curved portions 9 and the arm 6 of the handle could lie on the same side of the aforesaid plane.

The cleansing head 2 has bristle tufts 11, 12 set in opposing faces of its centre portion 8 although either the tufts 11 or the tufts 12 could be omitted. Longer bristle tufts 13 are set into the ends of the curved portions 9 so that they form effective continuations of the ends of the curved portions 9. The bristle tufts 13 may be used for cleansing between the toes.

The bristle tufts 11, 12 are typically 1cam.

long while the bristle tufts 13 are typically 2cm. long. However, the bristle tufts 11,12 may be of different lengths and also of different degrees of coarseness. For example the tufts 12 may be of soft bristles for washing tender portions of the feet while the tufts 11 may be of coarse bristles for scrubbing the toe nails.

Interchangeable cleansing heads 2 having different arrangements of different types of bristles, or an arrangement of bristles together with a pad of foam rubber or material may be provided in addition to the head 2, illustrated.

The bristles are preferably real bristle but could be made from suitable plastics material.

The alternative cleansing head 2 shown in Figure 2 is completely covered by a layer of foam-rubber 16 which in this case is stuck on to the head 2. The foam-rubber could alternatively be made up into a removable cover, having, for example, an elasticated opening through which the head 2 may be inserted into the cover, the elastic keeping the cover in place during use. The foamrubber may be of a type suitable for either washing or drying.

Other means of fastening the cover to the head could alternatively be employed. Also other covers made, for example, from towelling material for drying the feet, or from material suitable for applying cream or powder could be provided. These could either be attached to individually shaped cleansing heads 2, or made as removable covers for use with one particular head 2.

An additional cleansing head 2, suitable for each stage of the shoe cleansing process, that is, brushing, applying polish and polishing, could also be provided with this embodiment of the invention.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the handle is provided with a releasable clip which grips the cleansing head. The clip can be used for gripping other objects when the cleansing head is not in use.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A personal cleansing aid for use in cleansing the feet, comprising an elongate handle one end portion of which is readilyreleasably engaged with a generally C-shaped cleansing head intermediate the ends of the head such that the C-shaped section of the head lies in a plane transverse the longitudinal axis of the handle portion engaged therewith, the opposite end portion of the handle being provided with a hand grip.

2. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in Claim 1, in which the handle has two arms meeting at an elbow.

3. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in Claim 2, in which the two arms of the handle are inclined at an obtuse angle to each other.

4. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in Claim 3, in which the head is engaged with a shorter of the two arms and in which the arms of the C-shape extend from the said shorter arm in a direction generally opposite that of the longer arm of the handle.

5. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in Claim 4, in which the transverse crosssection of the head is of substantial extent in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the C-section and the free ends of the arms of the C-shape are sufficiently thin to be passed between the toes of a person using the cleansing aid.

6. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in Claim 5, in which the cleansing head is provided with bristles.

7. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in Claim 6, in which the bristle arrangement includes bristles set in each end of the cleansing head so as to form a continuation of the respective arm of the C-shape.

8. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, in which the bristle arrangement includes bristles set in a central portion of the head.

9. A personal cleansing aid as described in Claim 5, in which the cleansing head has a cover of foam-rubber or towelling material.

10. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the end portion of the handle to which the head is attached has a rectangular cross-section, the cleansing head having a cooperating recess in which the end is a force fit.

11. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 9, in which the handle is provided with a clip which grips the cleansing head.

12. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, in which the handle is snap engageable with the head.

13. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the cleansing head is formed so as to cooperate with removable bristle sections and/or removable covers.

14. A personal cleansing aid substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

11 may be of coarse bristles for scrubbing the toe nails.

Interchangeable cleansing heads 2 having different arrangements of different types of bristles, or an arrangement of bristles together with a pad of foam rubber or material may be provided in addition to the head 2, illustrated.

The bristles are preferably real bristle but could be made from suitable plastics material.

The alternative cleansing head 2 shown in Figure 2 is completely covered by a layer of foam-rubber 16 which in this case is stuck on to the head 2. The foam-rubber could alternatively be made up into a removable cover, having, for example, an elasticated opening through which the head 2 may be inserted into the cover, the elastic keeping the cover in place during use. The foamrubber may be of a type suitable for either washing or drying.

Other means of fastening the cover to the head could alternatively be employed. Also other covers made, for example, from towelling material for drying the feet, or from material suitable for applying cream or powder could be provided. These could either be attached to individually shaped cleansing heads 2, or made as removable covers for use with one particular head 2.

An additional cleansing head 2, suitable for each stage of the shoe cleansing process, that is, brushing, applying polish and polishing, could also be provided with this embodiment of the invention.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the handle is provided with a releasable clip which grips the cleansing head. The clip can be used for gripping other objects when the cleansing head is not in use.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A personal cleansing aid for use in cleansing the feet, comprising an elongate handle one end portion of which is readilyreleasably engaged with a generally C-shaped cleansing head intermediate the ends of the head such that the C-shaped section of the head lies in a plane transverse the longitudinal axis of the handle portion engaged therewith, the opposite end portion of the handle being provided with a hand grip.
2. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in Claim 1, in which the handle has two arms meeting at an elbow.
3. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in Claim 2, in which the two arms of the handle are inclined at an obtuse angle to each other.
4. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in Claim 3, in which the head is engaged with a shorter of the two arms and in which the arms of the C-shape extend from the said shorter arm in a direction generally opposite that of the longer arm of the handle.
5. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in Claim 4, in which the transverse crosssection of the head is of substantial extent in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the C-section and the free ends of the arms of the C-shape are sufficiently thin to be passed between the toes of a person using the cleansing aid.
6. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in Claim 5, in which the cleansing head is provided with bristles.
7. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in Claim 6, in which the bristle arrangement includes bristles set in each end of the cleansing head so as to form a continuation of the respective arm of the C-shape.
8. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, in which the bristle arrangement includes bristles set in a central portion of the head.
9. A personal cleansing aid as described in Claim 5, in which the cleansing head has a cover of foam-rubber or towelling material.
10. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the end portion of the handle to which the head is attached has a rectangular cross-section, the cleansing head having a cooperating recess in which the end is a force fit.
11. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 9, in which the handle is provided with a clip which grips the cleansing head.
12. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, in which the handle is snap engageable with the head.
13. A personal cleansing aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the cleansing head is formed so as to cooperate with removable bristle sections and/or removable covers.
14. A personal cleansing aid substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.