BODY CARE AIDS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an aid for personal hygiene when showering.

[0002] Back brushes are used as a personal hygiene aid while showering. However, completely and thoroughly cleaning the back with a back brush is problematic.

[0003] US 6,647,564 B1 discloses a back scrubber with a base part that can be attached to a wall by means of suction cups. The base part is cuboid-shaped and has trays on the top for holding bathroom utensils. At the front, the cuboid-shaped base part has a recess for detachably receiving a brush unit with a plurality of bristles. The detachable connection is made via spacers that widen at the ends and are guided into corresponding slots in the recess of the base part. In addition to the detachable connection of the brush unit, the base part ensures that the brush unit has a sufficient distance from the wall, thus ensuring that the person using the back scrubber can stand securely in the shower. The suction cups are attached to the back of the base part via spacers that widen and engage in cylindrical projections on the suction cups.The detachable brush unit is not only designed for massage, but also for holding soap or bath gel, i.e. for washing purposes.

[0004] US Pat. No. 5,277,389 discloses a wall-mounted holder for detachably holding a body care sponge. Liquid soap is applied to the sponge before use. The sponge is detachably attached to the holder by means of hooks.

[0005] US 8,726,445 B1 discloses a back scrubber for scrubbing and cleaning the back while showering, comprising a brush surface on a curved surface of a cylindrical brush base. The brush base can be attached to a shower wall by means of a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket has a T-shaped slot closed at the bottom, into which a T-shaped projection arranged on the flat rear side of the brush base is fully inserted. The mounting bracket, in the form of a mounting plate, includes a plurality of suction cup openings for removably receiving an insertable end of a suction cup. Once the suction cups are attached to the mounting bracket, they can be attached to the surface of the shower wall.

[0006] US 5,704,903 A discloses a wall-mountable back scrubber with a substantially U-shaped mounting element. The one-piece mounting element consists of a central web portion, a pair of leg portions, and a pair of outwardly bent flanges. Suitable fastening means, such as suction cups, adhesive strips, and the like, are provided on the flanges for securing the mounting element to a vertical wall. A mounting plate is removably attached to the mounting element by means of hooks that engage openings in the mounting element. Sponges formed from soft plastic strips wound into rolls are connected to the mounting plate.

[0007] DE 202011 104 891 U1 discloses a backwashing mat with a wall mount that is attached to the wall with suction cups. The core of the backwashing mat can be rounded. The mat is attached to the entire surface of the core using a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0008] US 5,628,083 A discloses a device for cleaning a person's back, comprising a rigid base plate attached to a shower wall by suction cups arranged on the back of the base plate. The suction cups are each secured by a screw extending through a hole in the base plate and onto which a nut is threaded. The device is further constructed of a flexible, closed-cell urethane foam pad covered with a polyvinyl chloride film, which in turn is covered with a nylon plastic mesh. The edges of the film and mesh are attached to the edge of the base plate with adhesive or mechanical fasteners.

[0009] US 3 055 037 A discloses a holder suitable for installation, particularly in a shower cubicle, to hold a washcloth tautly on the holder. The holder has a front portion having a slight radial convex curvature, whereby its surface conforms to a person's back. A rounded edge portion is formed on the front side, extending away from the front portion and forming a concave wall portion. The wall portion extends outward and terminates in a circumferential rim portion lying in a common plane. The rim portion is thick enough to be mounted flush with the adjacent tile surface, thereby recessing it into a wall surface. The washcloth has an elastic rim portion surrounding the holder, allowing the washcloth to be easily removably attached around the front portion.

[0010] Based on US 8,726,445 B1, the invention is based on the object of providing a structurally considerably simplified aid for personal care with improved hygiene, which enables thorough cleaning, in particular when a person's back moves sideways relative to the aid, while at the same time providing improved hold of the cleaning agent relative to the holder under the loads occurring during use.

[0011] This object is achieved by an aid for personal care when showering with the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the features of the subclaims.

[0012] The aid comprises a straight cylindrical shaped part with two flanges arranged in a plane, wherein fastening sections extend from the bottles in each case out of the plane and the two opposite fastening sections are connected to one another via a section with a curved cross-section.

[0013] The molded part, designed as a straight cylinder, has a constant cross-section between a bottom and a top side and can be manufactured easily and inexpensively as a one-piece component, for example as an injection-molded part made of plastic.

[0014] A washcloth, also known as a soap rag, stretched over the curved section of the molded part contributes significantly to improved hygiene and cleaning effectiveness due to its washability. The washcloth is a textile fabric, particularly made of cotton-based terry cloth, and is characterized by high absorbency, a pleasant surface, and a specific capacity that can absorb a relatively large amount of liquid and soap. Because the washcloth is detachably connected to the molded part, different washcloths in different terry cloth qualities can be used as needed, for example, soft and absorbent full terry cloth, harder twisted terry cloth with a stronger massage effect, or knitted terry cloth with cut loops and therefore a very soft surface.By stretching the washcloth over the curved section of the molded part, the effective surface of the back cleaning aid is at a sufficient distance from the surface to which it is detachably attached. This sufficient distance also ensures a secure footing for the person using the aid. The curved section ultimately facilitates the thorough cleaning of all areas of the back.

[0015] The Velcro fastener, which is located exclusively between the side edges of the washcloth and the attachment sections of the molded part, contributes to the improved hygiene of the device. The curved section, free of Velcro components and with a smooth surface, neither soap residue nor skin flakes accumulate on it.

[0016] The curved section with its smooth surface can also be coated with cream after washing and used for applying after showering. Subsequent cleaning of the smooth curved section is unproblematic.

[0017] The molded part is temporarily attached to a smooth surface, such as the tiled backsplash or shower enclosure, using at least two, preferably three, suction cups attached to each of the two flanges. The temporary attachment is performed such that the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical molded part is aligned vertically. The suction cups are preferably arranged one above the other and evenly distributed along the flanges.

[0018] For attaching each suction cup to one of the two flanges, a hole is provided in the flange. The suction cup has a thread onto which a nut with a head and a shoulder with an internal thread that is reduced in diameter compared to the head is screwed. The diameter of the shoulder is matched to the diameter of the hole so that the shoulder sits flush against the inner wall of the hole. The nut is preferably a tall knurled nut with a head designed as a knurled wheel and a cylindrical shoulder whose length corresponds at most to the wall thickness of the flange.

[0019] The flush fit of the nut's neck to the inside wall of the hole and the use of a threaded suction cup ensure an extremely stable attachment of the suction cups to the flanges, which is able to withstand the stresses and strains of personal hygiene and, in particular, safely absorbs the shear forces occurring at the anchoring points of the suction cups.

[0020] The hook-and-loop connection between each lateral edge of the washcloth and the fastening section comprises at least one first hook-and-loop strip and at least one second hook-and-loop strip. To ensure the most secure hold of the washcloth to the molded part, the at least one first hook-and-loop strip preferably extends over the entire length of the lateral edge of the washcloth, and the at least one second hook-and-loop strip preferably extends over the entire height of the molded part.

[0021] Each pair of interlocking hook-and-loop fasteners consists of one with barbs and the other with loops. The hook-and-loop fasteners located on the attachment sections of the molded part can be self-adhesive and secured to the surface of the attachment sections with an adhesive layer. The hook-and-loop fasteners located on the side edges of the washcloth are woven into the washcloth or sewn to the washcloth.

[0022] To ensure sufficient stability while simultaneously allowing for easy attachment when using the detachably attached washcloth, the Velcro strips located on the attachment sections are wider than the Velcro strips located on the side edges of the washcloth. For example, the Velcro strips located on the attachment sections have a width of approximately 5 cm, while the Velcro strips attached to the side edges of the washcloth have a narrower width, for example, approximately 2 cm.

[0023] In order to ensure sufficient stability of the molded part in all sections, the two flanges, the fastening sections and the curved section have a largely identical wall thickness, which is in particular between 0.6 cm - 1.8 cm.

[0024] In order to be able to clean the back simultaneously over its entire length, a height h of the cylindrical molded part between 30 cm - 50 cm, preferably 40 cm, has proven to be optimal.

[0025] The curved section in cross-section has, in particular, the shape of a circular arc and preferably extends over a central angle of approximately 180°. The curved cylindrical section thus corresponds approximately to a half-tube with a height h.

[0026] The radius of the circular arc of the curved section is preferably between 4 and 6 cm, preferably 5 cm, measured along the lateral surface of the curved section. This ensures sufficient distance between the effective surface of the aid and the smooth surface to which it is attached, while simultaneously preventing the aid from becoming excessively heavy.

[0027] The maximum distance of the molded part from the smooth surface, measured on the surface of the curved section, should be at least 12 cm, preferably more than 15 cm, to ensure safe standing of the user.

[0028] In order to optimally transmit the forces occurring during use via the suction cups and thereby prevent the aid from detaching from the smooth surface, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that each flange encloses an obtuse angle α with the adjacent fastening section in the range of 90° < α < 120°, wherein the flanges extend outwards from the two fastening sections.

[0029] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 perspective views of the personal care aid A) from the left back B) from the right back C) from the front D) from the right front, Figure 2 Exploded views of the personal care aid A) from the right front B) from the left rear C) from the back D) in top view, Figure 3 the personal care aid temporarily attached to a smooth surface A) in side view B) in perspective view C) in top view, Figure 4 Sectional views through the personal care aid A) along the line AB) along the line BC) along the line C.

[0030] Figure 1 in conjunction with Figure 2 show an aid 1 for personal hygiene when showering, comprising as main components a straight cylindrical molded part 2, a washcloth 3, a Velcro connection 4 and suction cups 5.

[0031] The straight cylindrical shaped part 2 extends from a bottom side 2.1 towards a top side 2.2 in a vertical direction over a height h with a constant cross-section (cf. Figure 1 B)). The molded part 2 has two flanges 2.3, 2.4 lying in one plane, with fastening sections 2.5, 2.6 extending from the ends of the flanges out of the plane. In particular, from the top view in Figure 2 D) It can be seen that the two flanges 2.3, 2.4 each enclose an obtuse angle α of approximately 110 degrees with the adjacent fastening section 2.5, 2.6.

[0032] The opposing fastening sections 2.5, 2.6 are connected at the ends opposite the flanges 2.3, 2.4 by a curved section 2.7. The curved section 2.7 has the shape of a circular arc and extends over a circumferential angle of slightly more than 180 degrees.

[0033] The molded part 2 is a one-piece construction with a largely consistent wall thickness of 2.8 in all sections.

[0034] For the use of the aid 1, the washcloth 3 is stretched over the curved section 2.7 and fastened to the shaped part 2 by means of the Velcro connection 4 exclusively between the lateral edges of the washcloth 3 and the fastening sections 2.5, 2.6 (cf. Figures 2 A, C)). The Velcro connection 4 between the lateral edges 3.1, 3.2 of the washcloth 3 and the respective fastening section 2.5, 2.6 comprises a first Velcro strip 4.1, wherein the first Velcro strip 4.1 extends over the entire length of the lateral edge 3.1, 3.2 of the washcloth 3. The second Velcro strip 4.2 extends over the entire height h of the molded part 2 along the fastening sections 2.5, 2.6. The second Velcro strip 4.2 is wider than the first Velcro strip 4.1, which simplifies the attachment of the washcloth 3. The first Velcro strip 4.1 has, for example, barbs and the second Velcro strip 4.2 has loops. The second Velcro strips 4.2 arranged on the fastening sections 2.5, 2.6 of the molded part 2 are self-adhesive and are firmly attached to the outward-facing surface of the fastening sections 2.5, 2.6 by means of the adhesive layer. The first Velcro strips 4 arranged on the lateral edges 3.1, 3.2 of the washcloth 3.1 are sewn to the washcloth 3.

[0035] Three suction cups 5 are attached to each of the two flanges 2.3, 2.4, which are located in one plane. These suction cups serve to temporarily attach the aid 1 to a smooth surface 6, for example, the tiled surface of a shower or a shower enclosure. Such a smooth surface 6 is shown in the Figures 3 A) to C) shown.

[0036] As best seen from the sectional views in Figures 4 A) to C) As can be seen, for the attachment of each suction cup 5 to one of the two flanges 2.3, 2.4, a hole 2.9 is arranged in the respective flange 2.3, 2.4 for each suction cup 5. The suction cup 5 has a thread 5.1, onto which a nut 5.2 with a head 5.3 and a shoulder 5.4 with an internal thread that is reduced in diameter compared to the head 5.3 is screwed. The diameter of the shoulder 5.4 of the nut 5.2, as can be seen in particular from the sectional views in the Figures 4 A), 4 C)As can be seen, it is matched to the diameter of hole 2.9 such that the extension 5.4 lies flush with the inner wall of hole 2.9. In the exemplary embodiment, the extension 5.4 extends approximately over half the wall thickness of the flange 2.3, 2.4. The flush fit of the extension 5.4 of the nut 5.2 ensures an extremely stable attachment of the suction cups 5 to the flanges 2.3, 2.4, so that the shear forces occurring during use of the aid 1 are reliably absorbed at the anchoring points of the suction cups 5.

[0037] For optimal attachment of the aid 1, three suction cups 5 are preferably arranged on each flange 2.3, 2.4 at equal, vertical spacing. Two suction cups are preferably located at the lower and upper edges of the respective flange 2.3, 2.4, and a third suction cup 5 is located centrally between the upper and lower suction cups 5.

[0038] For the use of the aid 1, this is as in Figures 3 A, B) C) shown, fastened in a vertical direction to the smooth surface 6 by means of the suction cups 5. Due to the cross-sectional geometry of the molded part 2, the aid 1 according to the invention can also be fastened directly to the smooth surface, in particular the tiled surface, by means of the suction cups, encompassing the shower rod, so that the aid and its effective area with the washcloth 3 stretched over the curved section 2.7 is located directly below the shower head held on the shower rod and thus the shower jet during use.

[0039] The curved section with a minimum distance of 12 cm, preferably 15 cm, from the smooth surface, for example the tiled surface of the shower, to which the aid is temporarily attached with the suction cups, allows its attachment even in the immediate vicinity of the shower fittings protruding from the wall, without impairing the function of the aid during use. List of reference symbols

[0040] Nr. Designation 1 Aids 2 molded part 2.1 bottom 2.2 Top 2.3 flange 2.4 flange 2.5 Fastening section 2.6 Fastening section 2.7 Arched section 2.8 Wall thickness 2.9 Hole 3 washcloth 3.1 Side edge 3.2 Side edge 4 Velcro connection 4.1 First Velcro 4.2 Second Velcro strap 5 Suction cups 5.1 thread 5.2 Mother 5.3 Head 5.4 Approach 6 Smooth surface

Claims

1. Personal care aid (1) when showering comprising - a straight cylindrical moulded part (2) with two flanges (2.3, 2.4) arranged in a plane, wherein fastening sections (2.5, 2.6) extend from the plane from the flanges (2.3, 2.4) and the two opposite fastening sections (2.5, 2.6) are connected to one another via a section (2.7) having a curved cross-section, - a washcloth (3) stretched over the curved section (2.7), - a Velcro connection (4) exclusively between the lateral edges (3.1, 3.2) of the washcloth (3) and the fastening sections (2.5, 2.6), - at least two suction cups (5) attached to each of the two flanges (2.3, 2.4), adapted for temporarily fixing the moulded part (2) to a smooth surface (6).

2. Aid (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that for fastening each suction cup (5) to one of the two flanges (2.3, 2.4), a hole (2.9) is arranged in the flange (2.3, 2.4), the suction cup (5) has a thread (5.1) onto which a nut (5.2) with a head (5.3) and an attachment (5.4) having a reduced diameter compared to the head (5.3) and having an internal thread is screwed, wherein the diameter of the attachment (5.4) is matched to the diameter of the hole (2.9) in such a manner that the attachment (5.4) lies flush against the hole (2.9).

3. Aid (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the Velcro connection (4) between the lateral edge (3.1, 3.2) of the washcloth (3) and the fastening section (2.5, 2.6) comprises at least one first Velcro strip (4.1) and at least one second Velcro strip (4.2), wherein the at least one first Velcro strip (4.1) preferably extends over the entire length of the lateral edge (3.1, 3.2) of the washcloth (3) and the at least one second Velcro strip (4.2) preferably extends over the height of the moulded part (2).

4. Aid (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the at least one second Velcro strip (4.2) is wider than the at least one first Velcro strip (4.1).

5. Aid (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the two flanges (2.3, 2.4), the fastening sections (2.5, 2.6) and the curved section (2.7) have a matching wall thickness (2.8).

6. Aid (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the height of the moulded part (2) is between 30 cm - 50 cm.

7. Aid (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the section (2.7) having a curved cross-section has the shape of a circular arc.

8. Aid (1) according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the radius of the circular arc is between 4 cm - 6 cm.

9. Aid (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each flange (2.3, 2.4) encloses an obtuse angle α in the range of 90° < α < 120° with the adjacent fastening section (2.5, 2.6).

10. Aid (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the flanges (2.3, 2.4) extend outwards from the two fastening sections (2.5, 2.6).

11. Aid according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the moulded part (1) is one-piece.