Soap holder with integrated light strip

Abstract

A soap dish with an integrated, horizontally oriented light strip that acts as a visual reminder when the light strip is illuminated for the recommended duration of time to ensure that hands are fully clean. The soap dish or holder includes a removable top pad and an intermediate dish layer. The intermediate dish layer may comprise an upper layer and a lower layer. The soap dish further comprises a base. The base has feet to prevent slipping. An oval or elliptical light strip encircles the base and may be positioned beneath the top surface of the soap dish. Motion is sensed near the soap dish by built in sensors. The soap dish can hold any type of soap bottle or soap dispenser or even a soap bar.

Description

SOAP HOLDER WITH INTEGRATED LIGHT STRIPCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present PCT patent application claims priority to the provisional patent application serial no. 63 / 656,104 as filed on June 5, 2024, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present invention relates to a new and improved soap dish to help encourage and facilitate proper handwashing for a recommended duration of time.BACKGROUND

[0003] The benefits of hand washing are well known to prevent illness and to ensure the well-being of one’s health. Children are often too in a hurry to wash their hands properly for the appropriate amount of time and in fact may not remember to use soap at all. Parents and caretakers end up having to constantly supervise and monitor the handwashing process to ensure that children have clean hands. There have been various types of devices made with the intention of reminding children to wash their hands for a recommended period of time (e.g., 20-30 seconds). However, many of these devices are overly complex and have extensive parts and circuitry. Additionally, many of these devices are not configured to support or fit under all or any type of liquid soap dispenser bottles, containers, and / or soap bars. Rather the user must purchase a particular type or size of liquid soap dispenser that can sit or rest onto the soap dispenser base.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a better way to remind hand washers to wash their hands for a sufficient period of time that also can adapt to and work with a variety of styles and sizes of soap dispenser bottles or soap bars.SUMMARY

[0005] The present description comprises one or more non-limiting embodiments for an apparatus comprising a soap holder. The soap holder may comprise one or more motion sensors and / or radar sensor units, a removable top pad, and an intermediate dish layer, wherein the removable top pad is configured to rest onto a top surface of the intermediate dish layer. The soap holder may further comprise a base layer. The soap holder may further comprise a light strip positioned in between the intermediate dish layer and the base of the soap holder, wherein the light strip is visible from an exterior of the soap holder, wherein the light strip comprises one or more lights that are triggered to activate to light up in the light strip responsive to a signal or command from the one or more motion sensors and / or radar sensor units that detect motion within a proximate range or distance from the soap holder.

[0006] In a non-limiting embodiment, the intermediate dish layer is fastenably attached to the base layer, wherein the light strip is positioned in between the intermediate dish layer and the base layer of the soap holder. The light strip may fit by friction fit or contact fit between the intermediate dish layer and base layer. In more detail, the light strip may fit between a recessed layer of the intermediate dish layer and the base layer, and the recessed layer of the intermediate dish layer may be configured to fit within the inside walls of the base layer while the light strip fits around the recessed layer of the base layer, such that the intermediate base layer, light strip, and base layer are nestled together with one above the other. The light strip encircles the bottom of the intermediate dish layer and the top of the base layer and the light strip is fully visible on all sides from all angles from an exterior of the soap holder.

[0007] The soap holder may further comprise one or more motion sensors and / or radar sensor units integrated into a body of the soap holder, wherein the motion sensors and / or radar sensor units are configured to detect motion and to trigger the one or more lights of the light strip to activate responsive to detecting motion. The light strip may be configured to activate for a particular period of time corresponding to a range of 20 to 30 seconds.

[0008] In a non-limiting embodiment, the removable top pad further comprises rubber and is an anti-slip pad. A tab may be incorporated into a side of the removable top pad to ensure the removable top pad is removable by grasping the tab. The soap holder may incorporate a non- rechargeable, disposable battery or a rechargeable battery in one or more non-limiting embodiments. The soap holder may incorporate one or more feet that are integrated into a bottom surface of the base layer of the soap holder.

[0009] The present description may further include a method of washing hands, comprising providing a soap holder that can hold a soap dispenser on a top surface of the soap holder as described above. The method may further comprise triggering the activation of the light strip for a recommended duration of time for handwashing after the soap holder detects motion near the soap dish / holder in one non-limiting embodiment. The soap dish or holder may include radar’ units that sense motion within a predetermined range and may include scanning an area around the soap holder every few seconds or another range of time. In another non-limiting embodiment, a triggering action for the light strip to be activated may occur after the pressing down of the soap dispenser or bottle occurs. The method may further comprise automatically turning off the light strip after the recommended duration of time for handwashing is concluded.

[0010] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial illustration of a soap dispenser bottle on a soap holder having a lighted display that can light up for a recommended period of time for handwashing.

[0013] FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of the soap holder.

[0014] FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the soap holder with the light strip portion illuminated.

[0015] FIG. 4A depicts a top perspective view of the soap holder.

[0016] FIG. 4B depicts the removable top pad partially removed from the soap holder.

[0017] FIG. 5 depicts the block diagram for the soap holder having one or more components including a printed circuit board and one or more radar sensor units.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The present description is drawn to a novel soap dish that integrates a light strip that acts as a visual reminder when the light strip is illuminated for how long one should preferably wash one’s hands. The light strip that is integrated into the soap dish can be illuminated for a particular period of time that corresponds to a recommended minimum period of time for washingone’s hands, such as but not limited to, 20-30 seconds or more. In this manner, when a user sees the LED or other type of light portion of the light strip lit up for that range of time, the user is motivated to continue using soap and water to wash his or her hands for the appropriate length and duration of time to ensure the user’s hands are fully cleaned. The soap dish thus is a visual reminder, timer, and tool for washing one’s hands which can be useful in any environment.

[0019] The soap holder is designed to advantageously be able to support a variety of soap types including soap bars and / or soap dispenser bottles so that the user can buy any type of soap that the user prefers without extra conditions on the type of soap that has to be used with the soap holder. Additionally, the soap holder may incorporate motion sensors (e.g. 206a, 206d) and / or radar sensor units (e.g. 504) calibrated to sense motion within a certain distance or range of the soap holder to minimize automatically activating the light strip and to be focused on lighting up only when handwashing commences. It is noted that the soap holder may also include a printed circuit board that may house or hold the radar unit used to sense motion near the soap holder that causes the light strip to light up for a predetermined period of time that encourages washing one’s hands for that predetermined period of time. Additional details are provided below with reference to the accompanying Figures.

[0020] FIG. 1 depicts an illustration of an exemplary soap dish or holder 102. As used herein, the terms “dish” and “holder” may be used interchangeably.

[0021] The soap dish 102 may be compact and have a low profile as shown in FIG. 1. The soap dish 102 is configured to hold a soap bottle 104. The soap pump 106 shown in FIG. 1 on the soap bottle 104 is an exemplary, non-limiting example of a pump that may be used to pump out liquid soap contained within the interior of the soap bottle 104. Notably, the soap dish 102 is able to support or hold both solid soap bars and / or liquid soap bottles 104 without limitation.Advantageously, the soap dish 102 does not require the soap bottle 104 or the soap bar to have additional components to fit onto and rest onto a top surface (e.g., 202) of the soap dish 102. This is in contrast to existing soap holders that may incorporate lights and / or audio devices that can be activated to turn on for a period of time corresponding to a period of time a user is recommended to wash hands but that are adapted to work with one type of soap bottle or soap dispenser. Notably, the soap dish 102 can be put in any room of the house, business, or other environment and may be utilized to support a variety of styles and shapes of soap bottles 104 and / or soap bars. It is foreseeable that the soap dish 102 may be particularly desirable for use anywhere young children are present, including residences, schools, day care centers, and / or children play areas. However, the soap dish 102 may advantageously also be extremely useful to remind adults and older people in general to wash their hands for a recommended period of time. As such, the soap dish 102 may be desirable to include in commercial settings or any other type of setting as well.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the soap dish 102 according to one or more non-limiting embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2, soap dish 102 may include a removable top pad or top layer 202. The top layer 202 is removable because it is intended for the user to be able to remove the pad 202 and all the surfaces of the removable pad 202 from any soap residue or other unwanted elements. Further, the user can clean a top surface of the intermediate dish layer 210 that is beneath the removable top pad 202.

[0023] In a non-limiting embodiment, the removable top pad 202 may incorporate a textured pattern 205 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2). Alternatively, the textured pattern 205 may be omitted and instead the removable top pad 202 may have a non-textured and / or non-pattemed upper surface. The removable top pad 202 may incorporate rubber and may serve as an anti-slip pad to ensure that anything placed onto the top surface of the removable top pad 202 stays in place.This is particularly useful when soap bars and soap bottles 104 are placed onto the removable top pad 202 of the soap dish 102.

[0024] In a non-limiting embodiment, the removable top pad 202 may incorporate and include a tab 204, as shown in FIGS. 2-4B. The tab 204 is configured to be easily grasped so as to remove the removable pad 202 as needed for cleaning or other access purposes and can be used to return the removable pad 202 in place onto the intermediate dish layer 210.

[0025] The intermediate dish layer 210 shown in the exploded view of FIG. 2 is configured to fasten to base 214. In between the intermediate dish layer 210 and the base 214, there is a light strip as shown in FIG. 2. When the soap dish 102 is fully assembled, according to one or more non-limiting embodiments, the removable top pad 202 sits on top of the intermediate dish layer 210 which is above the light strip 212 which in turn is positioned above the base 214 of the soap dish 102.

[0026] In a non-limiting embodiment, the intermediate dish layer 210 has a somewhat concave- shaped top surface 220. The top surface 220 is configured to be concave- shaped in order for the removable top pad 202 to fit within the borders of the outer perimeter of the intermediate dish layer 210. FIG. 4A provides a good illustration of the removable top pad 202 nestled into and fitting within the outer perimeter of the intermediate dish layer 210.

[0027] In a non-limiting embodiment, the intermediate dish layer 210 may be comprised of an upper layer 222 and a lower layer 224 as shown in FIG. 2. The upper layer 222 may be wider than the lower layer 224. The lower layer 224 may be recessed with respect to the upper layer 222 of the intermediate dish layer 210 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0028] In a non-limiting embodiment, the soap dish 102 may further comprise a base214. The base may comprise an upper layer 230 and a lower layer 232. The upper layer 230 of thebase 214 may be narrower than the lower layer 232 of the base 214 as shown in FIG. 2. The base may further incorporate one or more feet 216a, 216b, 216c, 216d (not shown), which may be configured to receive one or more non-slip rubber pieces such as non-slip rubber pieces 218a and 218b.

[0029] Located in between the intermediate dish layer 210 and the base 214 when the soap dish 102 is assembled, the soap dish 102 may further comprise a light strip 212. In a nonlimiting embodiment, it may be desirable for the type of lights used to be light emitting diodes (LED), although other types of lights may be used in one or more non-limiting embodiments. The light strip 212 is designed to be visible from an exterior of the soap dish 102, including when viewed from either a front or back or left or right side view of the soap dish 102. The light strip 212 fully encircles around the soap dish 102 in its respective position, between the intermediate dish layer 210 and the base layer 214. The light strip 212 may be viewed when looked at from an exterior or directly looking at a side perspective view of the soap dish 102 or soap bottle dispenser holder 102. The light strip 212 lights up responsive to a trigger and can emit light as shown in FIG. 3 in any color.

[0030] The light strip 212 as shown in FIG. 2 is designed to fit tightly in between the intermediate dish layer 210 and the base 214 such that the light strip 212 fits nestled against the recessed lower layer 224 of the intermediate dish layer 210 and also against the recessed upper layer 230 of the base 214. The light strip 212 mates with the upper layer 230 of the base layer 214 and also mates with the lower layer 224 of the intermediate dish layer 310 and fits by friction fit or contact fit with both. In that sense, the light strip 212 does not have to be attached with fasteners in this embodiment thus preventing the light strip material from being damaged. Rather, because the lower layer 224 of the intermediate dish layer 310 is recessed from the top layer of theintermediate dish layer 210 the light strip 212 fits around the recessed lower layer 224 of the intermediate dish layer 210 and also around the upper layer 230 of the base layer 214 by contact fit or friction fit. It may also be useful to add adhesive to help retain the light strip 212 in place around the two layers 224 and 230.

[0031] Further, the recessed layer 240 of the intermediate dish layer 210 fits within the upper recessed layer 230 of the base layer 214 because a width of the recessed layer 240 of the inteimediate dish layer 210 is less than a width of the upper recessed layer 230 of the base layer 214. In this manner, the soap bottle / dispenser holder or unit 102 is compact and has a smaller profile on one’s sink or counter because the pieces (e.g. intermediate dish layer 210 and light strip 212 and base layer 214) nestle together.

[0032] The intermediate dish layer 210 incorporates one or more designated fastener holes for receiving one or more fasteners 208a, 208b, 208c, and 208d (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2). The fasteners 208 can be used to fastenably connect or attach the intermediate dish layer 210 to the base 214. The base layer 214 may include one or more reinforcing ribs with gaps shown between each rib as shown in FIG. 2.

[0033] The light strip 212 does not have to be fastened or adhered in a non-limiting embodiment in this design. In a non-limiting embodiment, the light strip 212 may be held via contact fit or friction fit in between the intermediate dish layer 210 and the base 214. Accordingly, the shape and form of the light strip 212 correspond to the shape and form of the intermediate dish layer 210 and the base 214 of the soap dish 102 in such a manner that the light strip 212 fits in between the intermediate dish layer 210 and the base 214. In a non-limiting embodiment, the light strip 212 has an approximately oblong shape and form that corresponds to the oblong shape and form of the intermediate dish layer 210 and the base 214.

[0034] In a non-limiting embodiment, the soap dish 102 includes one or more motion sensors 206a, 206b as shown in FIG. 2. The motions sensors 206a, 206b may be small in size and may fit within designated slots, such as slot 240, as shown in FIG. 2, that are incorporated into the top surface 220 of the intermediate dish layer 210 close to either side edges of the intermediate dish layer 210 or more centrally located in the intermediate dish layer 210. There may also be a slot, such as slot 240, for motion sensor 206a in a non-limiting embodiment. The motion sensors 206a, 206b are self-contained, electronic devices that can detect motion. This is useful as the motion sensors 206a, 206b work in conjunction with the light strip 212 to automatically trigger the light strip 212 to light up for a pre-programmed period of time responsive to the motion sensors 206a, 206b detecting motion. It is intended that when the motion sensors 206 transmit their commands or signals that motion has been detected, that it is because essentially the motion sensors 206 have detected the motion of a user’s body and / or hands being positioned very close to the soap dish 102. For example, the motion sensors 206 are configured to sense when the user is pumping soap from a soap bottle 104 or has picked up a soap bar as located above or on the soap dish 102 and the light strip 212 is triggered to begin lighting up at that time. In particular, the soap holder 102 may be particularly useful for holding soap dispensers which are bottles 104 because the pumping motion on the soap bottle 104 may be readily detected by the motion sensors 206 built into or integrated into the soap dish 102.

[0035] The light strip 212 may be pre-programmed by the manufacturer or other entity to light up in response to receiving the command or signal from the one or more motion sensors 206 for a particular and desired period of time. This soap dish 102 may be particularly suitable for visually reminding and instructing users on how long to wash one’s hands with soap and water.According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), it is recommended for people to wash theirhands at least 20 seconds to fully clean off any germs, bacteria, viruses, or other elements that may cause health problems. Accordingly, in a non-limiting embodiment, the light strip 212 may be programmed to light up for 20 seconds at a time to motivate the user to wash his or her hands for that length of time. However, it is noted that this range of 20 seconds can be changed to be shorter or longer as desired. In another embodiment, the programmed period of time may range from 20- 30 seconds for the light strip 212 to be activated and to turn on and provide colorful, visual light.

[0036] In a non-limiting embodiment, the one or more motion sensors 206 can be calibrated and may be sensitive to distance that a detected motion is from the soap dish 102. Accordingly, the one or more motion sensors 206 may not trigger the light strip 212 unless and until motion is detected within a minimum proximate range or distance from the soap dish 102 and the incorporated one or more sensors 206. Accordingly, it may be preferable that the motion sensors 206 are calibrated to only activate the light strip 212 to light up if the detected motion is within a predetermined measurement from the soap dish 102 (e.g., may range from 4-12 inches in a non-limiting embodiment). As such, the motion sensors 206 are fine-tuned not to activate the light strip 212 if the detected motion is detected being a few feet away to avoid constantly triggering the light strip 212. Accordingly, it is preferable that the motion sensors 206 are calibrated as to distance of motion detected and when to activate the light strip 212 to turn on so as to really only activate when the user’s hands are near to the soap dish 102. It is anticipated that the soap dish 102 is going to be placed near a source of water, such as a sink or bath, and the user is able to quickly pump soap and / or otherwise dispense soap onto the user’s hands and make sure to wash one’s hands at least for as long as the light strip 212 is illuminated.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows an example of the assembled soap dish 102 and visual indication of the light strip 212 being turned on for a designated period of time. As shown in FIG. 3, theincorporation of the feet 216 may be advantageous to provide stability to the soap dish 102 and height as well.

[0038] In a non-limiting embodiment, the light strip 212 does not protrude over the sides of the soap dish 102 such that the light strip 212 does not extend past the intermediate dish layer 210 or the base 214 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0039] FIG. 4A provides a close-up view of the assembled soap dish 102 including a close-up view of the exemplary textured top surface 205 and the removable top pad 202. As shown in the fully assembled view of FIG. 4A, the removable top pad 202 has not been pulled off or removed from the intermediate dish layer 210. FIG. 4B shows how one could pull off the removable top pad 202 and one may choose to grasp the tab 204 that is part of the removable top pad 202 in a non-limiting embodiment to do so.

[0040] Advantageously, the soap dish 102 incorporates a neat and sleek design and form in which the motion sensors 206 and the light strip 212 are neatly contained in between and / or within the intermediate dish layer 210 and the base 214. Any soap or water is not permitted to harm or damage the motion sensors 206 and / or light strip 212.

[0041] In a non-limiting embodiment, the soap dish / holder 102 may utilize radar units 504 to detect motion near the soap dish / holder 102 to trigger the light strip 212 to activate for a predetermined period of time rather than motion sensors, such as motion sensors 206a, 206b. FIG. 5 depicts that the soap dish 102 may utilize a printed circuit board 502 that holds or houses one or more radar sensor units 504. A printed circuit board 502, as known in the art, may be a mechanical base used to hold and connect the components of an electric circuit. The radar unit 504 may fit onto the PCT board 502. The PCT board 502 may be installed into a lower section of the housing of the soap dish / holder 102, including but not limited to installed into the intermediate dish layer210 and / or the base layer 214. The PCT board 502 with the integrated radar unit 504 may be encased by plastic injected pieces of the soap holder / dish holder 102.

[0042] In a non-limiting embodiment, the radar unit 504 may be an ultra-low power radar sensor. The ultra-low power radar sensor 504 may include an antenna, such as a miniaturized planar antenna. The radar sensor 504 may further include an external MCU and a radar chip. The radar module 504 may further support photosensitivity detection which can be adjusted by changing the photosensitivity judgment threshold.

[0043] The sensitivity of the radar unit 504 may be configured by adjusting one or more resistors that are part of the radar unit 504. The radar unit or sensor 504 may further include a microwave circuit (e.g. 5.8GHz microwave circuit), an intermediate frequency amplifier circuit, and a signal processor.

[0044] Rather than utilizing motion sensors 206a, 206b, in an alternative embodiment, the soap dish 102 may utilize a radar 504 that can check for any movement within a predetermined distance or range from the soap dish 102. The light strip 212 is triggered if the radar 504 detects any movement within a range or distance from the soap dish 102. In a non-limiting embodiment, the radar 504 may scan the area around the light strip 212 and soap dish 102 every 1-5 seconds. In a non-limiting embodiment, the radar 504 is configured to detect that the soap bottle 104 has been removed from the top pad 202 of the soap dish 102. The radar units 504 may be positioned on or within or on an underside of the intermediate dish layer 210 or the base layer 214 in a non-limiting embodiment.

[0045] It is noted that the soap dish 102 may further incorporate one or more batteries, including replaceable or non-replaceable batteries. Further, in other non-limiting embodiments, one or more audio features and components may be incorporated into the soap dish 102 as well sothat the illuminated light strip 212 is accompanied hy sound for the duration of time that the light strip 212 is activated and turned on.

[0046] Advantageously, the soap holder or soap dish 102 as shown in FIGS. 1-4B and as described herein can encourage a variety of users, in particular, children to wash their hands for a recommended period of time that ensures their hands are sufficiently cleaned and that they do not hurry the process without fully completing the washing of their hands. As noted above, this recommended period of time may be at least 20 seconds or may be another range of time. The soap dish 102 may be easily cleaned and may fit under a variety of styles and sizes of soap bars and / or liquid soap dispensers and bottles.

[0047] Many other advantages and benefits may be provided by the one or more systems and components described herein.

[0048] In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and / or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

[0049] The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, among others, are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e.,contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also contain one or more other components.

[0050] Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which arc carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

[0051] The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number) - (a second number),” this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm and upper limit is 100 mm.

[0052] Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa,unless otherwise noted. The term “coupled to” as used herein may refer to a direct or indirect connection.

[0053] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0054] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present invention according to one or more embodiments described in the present description may be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising: a soap holder comprising: one or more radar sensor units; a removable top pad; an intermediate dish layer, wherein the removable top pad is configured to rest onto a top surface of the intermediate dish layer; a base layer, wherein the intermediate dish layer is fastenably attached to the base layer; and a light strip positioned in between the intermediate dish layer and the base layer of the soap holder, wherein the light strip is visible from an exterior of the soap holder, wherein the light strip comprises one or more lights that are triggered to activate to light up in the light strip responsive to a signal or command from the one or more radar sensor units when the radar sensor units detects motion within a proximate range or distance from the soap holder, wherein the light strip is fully visible when viewed from a side perspective view of an exterior of the soap holder when assembled.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light strip fits between the intermediate dish layer and the base layer, wherein the light strip fits around a recessed layer for the intermediate dish layer and also around an upper recessed layer of the base layer by friction fit or contact fit, wherein the light strip is not fastenably attached to the base layer or the intermediate base layer.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the recessed layer of the intermediate dish layer fits within the upper recessed layer of the base layer, wherein a width of the recessed layer of the intermediate dish layer is less than a width of the upper recessed layer of the base layer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light strip is configured to activate for a particular period of time corresponding to a range of 20 to 30 seconds.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable top pad further comprises rubber and is an anti-slip pad.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a tab is incorporated into a side of the removable top pad to ensure the removable top pad is removable by grasping the tab.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising, a non-rechargeable, disposable battery.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising, a rechargeable battery.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable top pad facilitates cleaning of the removable top pad and a top surface of the intermediate dish layer.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, one or more feet are integrated into a bottom surface of the base layer of the soap holder.

11. A method of washing hands, comprising: providing a soap holder configured to hold a soap bottle or soap bar, the soap holder comprising: one or more radar sensor units; a removable top pad; an intermediate dish layer, wherein the removable top pad is configured to rest onto a top surface of the intermediate dish layer; a base layer; anda light strip positioned in between the intermediate dish layer and the base layer of the soap holder, wherein the light strip is visible from an exterior of the soap holder, wherein the light strip comprises one or more lights that are triggered to activate to light up in the light strip responsive to a signal or command; and detecting movement within a predetermined distance or range from the light strip and / or soap holder; and after detecting the movement within the predetermined distance or range from the light strip and / or soap holder, triggering activation of the light strip for a recommended duration of time for handw ashing.

12. The method of claim 11, comprising, automatically turning off the light strip after the recommended duration of time for handwashing is concluded.

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