US20120233795A1

US20120233795A1 - Sponge with an Inner Soap Capsule

Info

Publication number: US20120233795A1
Application number: US13/481,880
Authority: US
Inventors: Shimon Avshalom
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-03
Filing date: 2012-05-28
Publication date: 2012-09-20
Also published as: WO2011067750A1; IL202481A; IL202481A0

Abstract

A wash sponge with a pliable, inner capsule that contains soap and has several holes. When the capsule is squeezed it discharges soap into the sponge. The holes, which are in fact cuts made in the sides of the capsule, serve as a kind of valve system that controls the flow of soap from the capsule into the sponge. The cuts are made in such a way that the entire circumference of the hole is not cut, and a flap if formed that remains attached to the capsule. When horizontal pressure is applied to the sponge (and the capsule), the holes open and the soap can flow out into the sponge; however, when incidental, vertical pressure is applied to the sponge (and capsule), the holes do not open significantly and soap does not flow out through the holes.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention refers to a wash sponge with an inner capsule that contains soap.

BACKGROUND ART

Many people use wash sponges (for instance to wash dishes, as a bath sponge, and for cleaning and washing various accessories). It is known that the inventor has prior art that refers to wash sponges that contain soap that are based on two methods.
First method: Sponges that contain a piece of solid soap such that the soap is dissolved upon contact with the water and soap suds are formed on the sponge. This method is problematic since it is inefficient and since the solid soap does not actually dissolve upon contact with the water, but rather requires the solid soap to be rubbed, which is not possible since it is concealed within the sponge.
Second method: Sponges that contain a relatively pliable capsule that contains liquid soap that flows out of the capsule into the sponge through small holes in the capsule. In this case, squeezing the sponge actually squeezes the capsule, causing liquid soap to flow from the inner capsule out into the sponge. This method is not perfect since the flow of liquid soap from the capsule into the sponge is uncontrolled and even when the sponge is already sudsy and saturated with soap, soap continues to flow from the capsule into the sponge due to the pressure the user's hand applies to the sponge when in use.
The present invention offers an improved sponge with a capsule that operates according to the principles of the second aforementioned method, but which introduces an innovation that solves the problem inherent in such sponges.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Drawing No. 1 depicts the sponge (2) with the inner capsule (2) that contains soap (3).

Drawing No. 2 depicts the capsule (2) with holes (4) in closed position.

Drawing No. 3 depicts the capsule (2) with holes (4) in open position.

Drawing No. 4 depicts the sponge (2) with the inner capsule (2) that contains soap (3) being squeezed.

THE INVENTION

The main and primary objectives of the present invention are: (a) To provide the user with a wash sponge with an inner capsule that contains soap; (b) to provide a sponge as mentioned, such that there is no (significant) flow of liquid soap into the sponge when the user's hand applies pressure to the sponge during its use; (c) to provide a sponge as mentioned, such that only intentional squeezing of the sponge leads to the flow of liquid soap into the sponge.
The present invention refers to a sponge (1) with an inner capsule (2) that contains soap (3). Drawing No. 1 depicts a cross-section of the sponge (1) that contains an inner capsule (2) with soap (3).
The sponge (1) can be one of a wide variety of existing sponges (such as sponges designed for washing dishes, bath sponges, and a wide variety of sponges for various uses). For the sake of fluency, the term “wash sponge” will hereinafter refer to the entire variety of said sponges intended for the variety of aforementioned uses. The sponge (1) has the general shape of a flattened rectangular cube.
The capsule (2) is in fact a sealed packet with one or more holes (4) through which the soap (3) flows from the capsule (2) into the sponge (1). The capsule (2) is naturally smaller than the sponge (1). The capsule (2) is made from a pliable material so that squeezing the capsule causes the soap to flow out through the holes in the capsule. The capsule can and should be made of rubber or silicone, although any material that can be squeezed by an external force can be used to manufacture the capsule (2). Thus, for instance, materials such as those used to manufacture inner tubes of bicycle tires can be used to manufacture the capsule.
The capsule (2) has the general shape of a flattened rectangular cube (possibly corresponding with the external shape of the sponge), as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 2. The capsule (2) has relatively wide top (21) and bottom (22) sides [Note: the terms top side and bottom side refer only to the larger and wider sides of the capsule (2) as depicted in the drawings, whereas in reality, none of the sides of the sponge (1) and the capsule (2) are designated as being the top side]. Naturally, it is recommended that the capsule be made of a single integral piece.
The holes (4) in the capsule (2): The capsule (2) has one or more holes (4), although it is recommended that the capsule (2) have several holes, on the wide top and bottom sides (21) (22) of the capsule, as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 2. The main innovation of the present invention is that the hole (4) is structured such that when pressure is applied (mainly vertical pressure) on the wide, top and bottom sides (21) (22) of the capsule (2), there is no (significant) flow of soap through the holes (4) from the capsule into the sponge. On the other hand, when horizontal pressure is applied to the narrow sides (23) (24) of the capsule, soap flows from the capsule through the holes into the sponge. The innovative structure of the holes (4) enables the user to control the flow of soap (3) from the capsule into the sponge. In other words, the holes (4) serve as a kind of valve.
Design and structure of the hole (4): The hole (4) is made by making a small circumferential cut in the wide side of the capsule. The cut is made in an incomplete manner such that the cut flap (41) remains attached to the capsule, as depicted for instance in Drawings Nos. 2 and 3. The cut part (41) [hereinafter referred to as “the flap”] remains attached to the capsule along one section.
When no pressure is applied on the capsule, the flap (41) is in its original and normal position just as before the cut, so that in fact the hole is not visible and is closed, thus preventing the soap from flowing out through it. Drawing No. 2 depicts the holes (4) with closed flaps (41) whereas Drawing No. 3 depicts the holes (4) with open flaps (41).
Incidental pressure on the sponge: When the user squeezes the sponge, applying vertical pressure on the wide sides of the sponge (and capsule)—pressure that is applied naturally while using the sponge, then the sponge (1) itself compresses onto the wide side (21) (22) of the capsule (2) and the sponge actually presses downward on the flaps (41) causing them to close the holes (41) and preventing any (significant) flow of soap out of the capsule. Intentional pressure on the sponge: When the user squeezes the sponge, exerting horizontal pressure on the narrow sides of the capsule, pressure that is not exerted naturally during the use of the sponge, then the flaps (41) are pushed upward and the holes (4) open, enabling the soap to flow out of the capsule. Thus, the user can control the flow of soap out of the capsule into the sponge in a good and effective manner.
The holes (4) can have a variety of shapes with the common property that squeezing the narrow sides (23) (24) of the capsule (2) causes the holes (4) to open and the soap to flow out. The hole (4) can also be a simple cut that, due to the thickness of the capsule's side, opens when pressure is applied to the s narrow sides of the capsule, as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 4. The soap (3) within the capsule (2) can be in a variety of states of matter, although it is preferable that it be a gel or even a (relatively viscous) liquid, and the size of the holes must correspond to the viscosity of the soap (3).
The capsule (2) can be made of a variety of pliable materials. One such material is a nylon bag, which can function as a capsule (2) as required for the product, subject of the invention. Nylon bags (2) of various thicknesses can be used, although the inventor recommends that they be 0.25 mm. thick. The nylon bag (2) used should be perforated as described in the application and should have between six and ten holes (4) on each side. The diameter of such holes (4) should be approximately 0.01 mm. When the sponge (1) contains a capsule (2) made of a nylon bag as described above, with the aforementioned thickness and with holes (4) with the aforementioned diameter, then the application of normal pressure [i.e. the pressure applied by an average use on the sponge (1) when using it to wash dishes, for instance] will not cause (significant) flow of soap from the capsule (2). When, however, stronger and intentional pressure is applied to the said sponge (1) containing the said nylon bag capsule (2), soap will flow from the capsule (2), enabling effective and good use of the sponge (1).
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A wash sponge with an inner capsule that contains soap, that has one or more holes; the said capsule is made of a pliable material that can be squeezed and is designed as a sealed packet with holes; the holes are made by cutting the side of the capsule such that the holes open when horizontal pressure is applied to the sponge and remain sufficiently closed when incidental, vertical pressure is applied to the said sponge.

2. The sponge mentioned in claim No. 1 whereby the holes are made by cutting the side of the capsule, but the cutting is only partial and a hole is created such that the cut part (a flap) remains attached to the capsule and serves as a kind of valve.

3. The sponge mentioned in claim 1, whereby the said capsule is made of a nylon bag that has several holes.