Multi-Use and Decorative Bathing Implement

Abstract

A multi-use bathing implement for use in cleansing and exfoliating skin and as a toy, a holder of soap or like products, and a decoration. The bathing implement includes a toroidal sponge component and can also have a removable attachment component. The donut-shaped sponge component is preferably made of mesh sponge material and is concentrically disposed about an inner ring-shaped component defining a central opening in which the attachment component can be removably secured. The inner ring-shaped component provides a ready gripping area which can be held for manipulating the bathing implement. The attachment component can be, for instance, a toy, a solid soap product, a container of a bath / cosmetic product or the like, a mesh netting pocket, or a knob-shaped hanging device having a suction cup. In addition, the implement can have a drawstring for converting the toroid shape sponge into a ball shaped sponge.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 275,050, which is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT / US01 / 14117, filed May 2, 2001, which claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 201,944, filed May 5, 2000.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a multi-use implement useful, for instance, as a cleaning implement, toy, marketing product or decoration, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a decorative bathing implement capable of use with soap during a bath or shower to cleanse and exfoliate skin. [0003] Most people utilize their hands, or a washcloth, to lather soap and apply the lathered soap to the body during bathing. More recently, sponges, netting material or mesh material have been utilized as washcloths since they also provide an exfoliation function. The mesh sponges are provided in a substantially ball-like s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] Preferably, the bathing implement includes an attachment component, such as, a separate toy, soap, container or other attachable object. The inner ring-shaped component is appropriately sized such that it can be secured about a medial portion of the attachment component to enable the attachment component to be removed from, and reattached to, the sponge component. If the attachment component is a toy, it is preferably “water-friendly” and can dry in a relatively quick period of time. Furthermore, when the toy, soap, container or other attachment component is removed, an adult or child can insert their hand, or a desire portion of their hand, through the inner ring-shaped component to grip the bathing implement in a manner which permits ready control and manipulation of the sponge component. The toroidal bathing implement can also be temporarily worn around a bather's wrist to free the hands of the bather during a shower or bath. The implement can also be worn outside the bathing-area in a person's hair as a scrunchi, around a person's wrist as a wristband, or around a person's head as a headband. The multi-use toroidal bathing implement also provides a decoration for a store display or a consumer's bathing area. For instance, a disk-shaped attachment component can be secured within the inner ring-shaped component to provide the appearance of a flower. The disk-shaped attachment component can be a soap product and the soap product and bathing implement can be provided in pleasing colors and have pleasing patterns and designs thereon.

Problems solved by technology

The typical ball-shaped mesh sponge is limited to use as solely a bathing implement and does not permit ready attachment of removable objects to the sponge.

Another problem relative to children, particularly young children, is that they often dislike bathing.

In addition, young children often do not apply, or find it difficult to apply, a sufficient amount of lathered soap on their own to their bodies.

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