Constructive disposition applied to plant sponge

Abstract

The present utility model patent application relates to the field of products intended for personal hygiene or for cleaning items and surfaces, and more specifically to a product consisting of a plant sponge with defined proportions designed to fit longitudinally in the palm of the hand through an adjustable tightening mechanism. This fit is achieved by joining the ends thereof with a single biodegradable element, which also functions as a hanging strap, aiding the drying process, preventing bacterial growth, and increasing lifespan. The inner walls, which come into contact with the hands, contain separate receptacles for inserting surfactant, detergent, or cosmetic products, enabling gradual release through the outer wall during use, and allowing for permanent storage and portability until the substances are dissolved and replenished.

Description

CONSTRUCTION DISPOSITION APPLIED TO VEGETABLE SPONGE

[0001] This utility model patent application belongs to the field of products intended for body hygiene and cleaning of articles, more specifically being a new constructive arrangement applied to a vegetable sponge with proportions determined to adhere to the palm of the hand longitudinally, considering the distal ends of the metacarpal bones, through a tightening adjustment, the fitting of which is provided by the union of its ends by a single element, such as ribbon or cotton cord, which also acts as a handle for hanging, contributing to the drying process, preventing bacteria and increasing its useful life.

[0002] The solution presented is innovative because it features a matrix composed of only two compostable and biodegradable elements: a vegetable sponge of the Luffa cylindrica variety, also known as Luffa aegyptiaca, or Luffa acutangula, with characteristic dimensions, and an additional element, preferably made of cotton, as a loop that connects its ends, creating the effect of a glove for the hands. Furthermore, when additional cross-sections are applied to only one inner wall of the sponge that is in contact with the hands, surfactant products such as soaps or soaps in various technical formats are inserted into this cavity, allowing for the effects of a single material.

[0003] The vegetable sponge for cleaning the skin of items such as dishes or surfaces in general is already known in the technique due to its sustainability and durability, since its raw material is natural and, therefore, compostable and biodegradable.

[0004] Currently on the consumer market, vegetable sponges are sold both in their natural state and processed in various ways. When used in their natural state, whether whole or sectioned into pieces, for sanitizing, natural exfoliation, or general cleaning, they require the user to hold them unevenly. This causes not only the sponge to come into contact with the body or objects being cleaned, but also with the fingers and nails, which are also rubbed, causing unintentional scratches or even more severe abrasion on the fingers when used to clean metal household utensils, such as pots and pans, or other hard surfaces like textured glass plates and glasses.

[0005] When used in its processed form, it is commonly transformed into gloves or hybrid materials, which are manufactured by completely altering their original shape with the addition of additional materials such as glues, seams, longer processing steps, and other materials that increase both the product's cost and overall production costs. Gloves, for the most part, have two internal pockets and an oval pocket, one for the thumb and the other for the remaining fingers, reducing the user's hand mobility. Regarding their application as gloves, patent KR1020090132432, entitled "LUFFA INTEGRATED RUBBER GLOVE CONTAINING LUFFA AND COMPRESSED SPONGE INSTALLED AT BOTH ENDS," is known in the art. This patent deals with the manufacture of cleaning gloves with individual finger contours, requiring the addition of plastic materials, glues, or even partially composed of plastic.Even when manufacturing gloves composed primarily of vegetable sponge, polyester or plastic-based sewing threads are mandatory, as 100% cotton threads, which would be compostable or biodegradable, are not strong enough and lack sufficient traction to hold the sponge parts together without breaking. This addition of plastics comes from non-renewable sources, and because they are affixed to the vegetable sponge, they render the glove as a whole non-compostable and non-biodegradable to the environment.

[0006] Numerous patents are known in the art reporting constructive arrangements in vegetable sponge that essentially consist of the application and joining with synthetic materials such as MU 7900230-7 entitled “CONSTRUCTION DISPOSITION INTRODUCED IN VEGETABLE SPONGE FOR PERSONAL HYGIENE”, MU 8300540-4 known as “CONSTRUCTION DISPOSITIONS IN VEGETABLE LOOF FOR BATH”, MU 9000923-1 being a “DISPOSITION APPLIED IN VEGETABLE LOOF FOR BATH WITH INTERNAL FOAM”, and BR 202021007098-1 entitled “CONSTRUCTION DISPOSITION APPLIED TO ORGANIC VEGETABLE SPONGE”, which have totally different constructive arrangements and also, originating products resulting from a combination of elements from non-renewable sources, with production costs comparatively high.

[0007] Regarding the use of handles, it is known in the art to use ropes, ribbons, cords, and other materials to allow the sponge to be hung, facilitating drying and extending the sponge's useful life by preventing the accumulation of bacteria. Conversely, the present invention incorporates a handle as a necessary part of its design, which primarily meets the need for joining the ends and creating a glove effect. Therefore, the holes through which this element passes at both ends must be positioned centrally.Therefore, any other hole positioning that is not aligned with the sagittal axis of the vegetable sponge is discarded and a minimum distance of 15 mm from the hole in relation to the tip of its ends must be observed, since this space between the hole and the tip of the end must contain sufficient fibrous material to withstand the effects of its elastic deformation when applying mechanical force to initially fold the dry sponge in half and, later when in use, also withstand the internal expansion resulting from the insertion of the user's hand, ensuring that the ends remain together, favoring its useful life.

[0008] Regarding the combination of surfactant elements inside, such as the packaging of soaps, soaps, and others, patent EP2630945, entitled "COMBINATION OF A VEGETABLE SPONGE OBTAINED FROM THE DRIED FRUIT OF A PLANT OF THE FAMILY CUCURBITACEAE OF THE GENUS "LUFFA" WITH SURFACTANT AND / OR COSMETIC SUBSTANCES," is known in the art. It describes the use of these surfactant substances inside the cylindrical cavities. However, the filling is done through one of its natural openings and covers the entire sponge cavity, which means that the vegetable sponge is only permitted for a single use, with the constant release of the surfactant product from all sides, without the possibility of choice or additional application method by the user.

[0009] In a different way, the constructive arrangement of the present invention uses cross-sectional cuts in one or both internal walls, allowing soaps, surfactants, or cosmetics to be inserted into only one side of the sponge. This allows the other side of the sponge to be left empty or to accommodate an element with different properties, fragrances, or purposes, allowing the user to have two products in one and use the side that best suits their needs.

[0010] Furthermore, the product is contained within the bottom fold of the sponge in such a way that it does not communicate with the other side of the sponge. When in use, the user's hand positioned in the cavity created by the two walls of the sponge creates a second barrier where only the side in contact and friction will be activated, gradually releasing the surfactant product contained there. Meanwhile, the other side can remain dry or, if wet, will still not release the product stored there, resulting in real autonomy, practicality, and savings for the different products used on both sides.

[0011] Furthermore, given that the sponge must be flattened longitudinally to conform to the desired design, the cavity spaces become more restricted. Therefore, in addition to the cross-sectional cuts for cavity access, another cut is proposed longitudinally in the sponge's structure or skeleton to avoid obstacles to the insertion of these surfactant elements, whether in tablet or bar format, respecting the sponge's surface dimensions. The application of cuts in the structure and internal support vein of the sponge contradicts the teachings of the cited document, since the adhesion of the surfactant product results from the presence of these internal elements and veins, while the adhesion of the packaging of the present invention results from the mechanical folding and expansion of the fibers by the insertion of hands.

[0012] The present invention allows the use of ready-made soaps, bar soaps, and other products from various manufacturers, without the need for a dedicated process such as molding surfactant liquids inside the sponge. This increases the cost of the production line, increases manufacturing time due to the curing time for the surfactant element to harden, which can take hours, and, more significantly, reduces the sponge's versatility, as commercially available bar soaps or bar soaps cannot be used. Furthermore, these products can be replaced and replenished with new ones as soon as they dissolve, maintaining the original vegetable sponge.

[0013] In general, the constructive arrangement of the present invention differs from other documents known in the art since, through an innovative construction focused on saving materials, it makes use of renewable materials, which can be both compostable at home by combining the vegetable sponge with just one solid cotton element, without the need for industrial composting, as well as maintaining its biodegradable character.The present invention guarantees the benefits of allowing the user to use it as a glove with assured autonomy of the fingers for massages and handling other unrelated objects, free from abrasion when rubbing for cleaning, and can also accommodate surfactant products or cosmetics of different natures in its internal walls for quick selection and application by the user, elements that are securely positioned by the expansion force of the hand when in use, without the need to apply additional elements to actively close the cross-sections, which remain conditioned even after use, acting as a soap holder, and benefiting from more effective ventilation and drying, since, when hung by the handle, the flow is divided between two walls of the sponge whose liquids will flow in the same direction, unlike a whole sponge whose flow shaft is only one.Thus, with the individual walls separated by mechanical folding, the flow time is shorter and drying occurs more quickly, comparatively.

[0014] The documents cited above, as well as the comments presented, despite belonging to the same technical field, do not present the same characteristics of the constructive arrangement of the present invention, which was the result of a series of analyses, research and searches in international databases, as well as the intellect of the inventors, allowing significant improvements in several fields, therefore meeting the applicable legal patentability requirements.

[0015] The objective of the present invention is to present a vegetable sponge with certain dimensions configured to meet the needs of body hygiene and for cleaning articles and surfaces, more specifically being a new constructive arrangement that uses a vegetable sponge which will be slightly flattened in the longitudinal direction and subsequently folded in half providing the meeting of its two ends, which will be joined by a ribbon, rope or cotton cord or by articles with similar effects applied through a hole in each end with specific distances and positions, and which, with the same material of this joint, will also form a handle for hanging, thus promoting the effect of a glove with tightness relative to the size of the circumference of the hand.

[0016] The present invention also includes the packaging of one or more different surfactant or cosmetic elements in the internal cavities of the sponge through cross-sections in one or both internal walls, which form two distinct receptacles for both the mechanical force of the sponge's fold and the insertion of the user's hand, allowing the application and gradual release of these products when moistened during cleaning, sanitizing, stimulating blood circulation or exfoliating, as well as for storage and post-use maintenance, functioning as a soap holder with two distinct chambers.

[0017] When applied to the body, the user's fingers remain free to handle other items or perform massages, and when cleaning items such as pans, cutlery, furniture and others in general, it prevents abrasion of fingers and nails against these rough or edged surfaces.

[0018] The insertion of surfactant, detergent or cosmetic elements in one or both cavities, in rectangular, cylindrical or other technical formats, allows their exclusive positioning on only one side of the sponge, generating hybrid use at the user's choice, while still ensuring the internal stability of these products in the sponge cavity, preventing the unwanted escape of these products during friction caused by use, due to the buffer effect caused by the user's hands covering the opening of these cuts in the internal wall, as well as the tightness generated by the expansion of the sponge fibers.

[0019] With the present invention, greater agility is provided in the cleaning and drying process, both of the sponge and of the surfactant or cosmetic element inserted therein, whose constructive form provides the effects of a glove for cleaning and exfoliation, an applicator that holds one or more different types of surfactants at the same time and also a double soap holder, which prevents abrasion of the fingers and nails against rough or edged surfaces, leaving the fingers free for massages or handling other objects during cleaning, also generating savings and storage of different materials with agility in application.

[0020] It must be understood that the product developed with the application of the technology in question has a simple structure and, therefore, is economical and practical to manufacture, whose industrial application allows for the achievement of excellent functional results.

[0021] The invention takes into account not only the mechanical qualities, but also its shape, dimensions, arrangement and strategic positioning of elements, which make it possible to materialize and achieve the desired beneficial effects while overcoming the obstacles listed, relieving the burden on users who until then only had limited products as an option.

[0022] [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] illustrates a perspective view of the vegetable sponge in use;

[0023] [Fig. 2] [Fig. 2] shows a perspective view of the sponge of the present invention;

[0024] [Fig. 3] [Fig. 3] illustrates a front view of an internal wall of the vegetable sponge containing the respective hole for the passage of the element used in the joining of the ends of the sponge and the cross-section for packaging products.

[0025] In accordance with what is revealed through the paragraphs above, the “CONSTRUCTION DISPOSITION APPLIED IN VEGETABLE SPONGE”, designs a sponge (1) for personal hygiene or cleaning of articles and surfaces which consists of a vegetable sponge of the varieties Luffa cylindrica or Luffa acutângula, preferably Luffa cylindrica, which, after the drying process and removal of impurities, is selected according to specifications of its length to be flattened in the longitudinal direction and subsequently folded in half equidistantly (9), allowing the meeting of its two ends, which will be joined by a cotton ribbon or cord (2) or by articles with similar effects, and which, with the same material of this initial joint, will also form a handle (3) for hanging.

[0026] Because the length of the vegetable sponge (1) is one of the determining factors for the desired adhesion, other varieties of vegetable sponge such as Luffa operculata, popularly known as northern sponge, are not part of the list of varieties that allow the desired technical effect to be achieved.

[0027] The sponge (1) used, being vegetable, is organic, biodegradable and compostable, having a rectangular shape, and for the purposes of the present invention, the length in the longitudinal direction of the sponge must meet the size of the circumference of the human hand (3), which is the distance of a complete turn around the metacarpal bones of the hand (3), and also with an additional minimum excess (10) of 15 mm and a maximum excess (10) of 55 mm at each end, allowing the central perforation (6) following the sagittal plane and consequent application of the cotton article (2) that joins the ends by one or more knots (4), ties or other forms of joint, positioned around these ends.

[0028] When sponges are too small, they can become tight and hinder the movement and dexterity of the hands and fingers, causing fatigue. When loose, they can fall or slide while the hands are moving. Therefore, the grip capacity must observe the correct length of the vegetable sponge (1), whose fold will form a receptacle (8), whose average size follows the circumference of the hand (3), according to measurements, tables and information already known in the technique used in the manufacture of gloves made of other materials, whose hand circumferences (3) vary between 140 mm for extra-small sizes and 280 mm for extra-large sizes, which is included with an additional allowance (10) corresponding to the distance between the hole (6) and the end of the sponge (1).

[0029] When the length of the natural vegetable sponge exceeds the maximum proposed longitudinal length of 390 mm, considering the average maximum circumference of the user's hand (3), around 280 mm, plus additional fibrous material (10) corresponding to the maximum distance between the hole (6) and the ends of the sponge of approximately 55 mm on each side, totaling 110 mm, the sponge (1) must be sectioned to maintain the desired size parameters. Likewise, sections or diagonal cuts can be provided laterally close to the ends of the vegetable sponge if it has a width three times greater than the dimension of the narrowest end.

[0030] Preferably, the total length of the vegetable sponge (1), already added to the necessary excess (10) between the hole (6) for the passage of the joining element (2) of the ends and the tip of the same end, must be between 220 mm and 320 mm, which meets the size considered as the average unisex size of the circumference of the hands.

[0031] The union of the ends of the sponge (1) is then carried out by a single material (2), such as a ribbon, rope or cord, which is passed through the 2 centralized holes (6), observing the excess distances of fibrous material (10) on both walls of the sponge, where the sponge (1) has its ends joined and the ribbon, rope or cord element (2) passes through both holes (6) until it reaches half of the material (2) used to join the ends. Immediately afterwards, this is tied with a first simple knot (4) or of the halyard type so that the union of these ends is very firm, and a second simple knot or of the halyard type can be applied in order to avoid the unraveling of the first knot (4) or even that a slack is created over time and use of the sponge.Finally, a final tie is applied, such as a hazel knot, to join the two ends of the ribbon, rope or cord (3), thus creating the loop effect (5). The knots (4) can in all cases be of the most different types, as long as the aforementioned objectives are met.

[0032] This tape, rope or cord (3) must have a minimum length of 300 mm, which, in the case of using a longer material, must still maintain the steps of tying or knotting (5) described above, where this increase will only influence the final size of the strap (5), which can also be inserted into the user's wrist (3) to further contribute to the safety of handling the product.

[0033] Preferably, the material (2) to be used for joining the ends is made of 100% cotton without the addition of dyes or staining, making the object of the present invention suitable for home composting in domestic waste bins used for this purpose, temporally optimizing this natural process that would already occur during industrial composting.

[0034] Preferably, and for aesthetic purposes in finishing the final handle (5) of the product, the same result can be achieved through two halyard knots (4), the first being started after inserting the two ends of the ribbon, rope or cord each in a hole (6), from the outside to the inside, where these ends will meet inside the sponge (1) already folded (9) by mechanical force being tied by a halyard knot (4) and immediately afterwards, the ends of the sponge are strongly joined so that a second halyard knot is applied very close to the end of the sponge (1), allowing at the same time the creation of a continuous handle (5) with improved aesthetics.

[0035] The present invention also includes the application of internal cavities in the sponge (1) for the storage of one or more surfactant, detergent or cosmetic elements, such as soaps, or similar articles, products that have the same or different qualities, characteristics, fragrances among themselves. Transverse cuts (7) are made in one or both of the internal walls (12), which respectively form one or two distinct receptacles, being in the lower part by the mechanical force originating from the fold (9) of the sponge (1) and from the insertion (8) of the user's hand (3), which causes the expansion of the fibrous material, allowing the application of these elements and the gradual release of these products stored therein when the corresponding external wall or both external walls of the sponge (1) are moistened during cleaning, sanitizing, stimulating blood circulation or exfoliating.Such cross-sections (7) must be made leaving a minimum excess (11) of 5 mm on each side of the lateral end of the sponge wall that is in contact with the palm or back of the hand (3), herein referred to as the internal wall of the sponge.

[0036] Furthermore, given the existence of a barrier between the two sides of the sponge (1), cross-sectional cuts (7) can be made on both internal walls to insert products with different qualities, fragrances and even cosmetic or cleaning properties, such as, but not limited to, surfactant products developed for dry skin introduced into one wall of the sponge, while products for oily skin are placed on the other wall of the sponge, serving different parts of the body, without the need to change products, also providing greater speed in the operation.

[0037] Additionally, due to the initial flattening in the longitudinal direction in order to meet the desired constructivity for the glove effect, the internal spaces of the natural cavity of the sponge become more restricted, which is why, in addition to the transverse cuts (7) for access to the cavity of the sponge (1), another cut in the longitudinal direction is proposed from these transverse cuts (7), which reaches only the fibrous material of the internal vein or skeleton of the sponge, so that there are no obstacles in the operation of inserting these surfactant elements, respecting the dimensions of the internal cavity of the sponge.

[0038] The application of transverse cuts (7) in the internal walls and also longitudinal cuts in the internal support shaft of the sponge allow the increase of the internal pores of the sponge (1) for the insertion of these surfactant elements, detergents or cosmetics already manufactured and manufactured, whether in rectangular, tablet, bar, or smaller cylindrical formats, without the need for a specific process such as molding surfactant liquids inside the sponge and waiting for them to dry, which increases the cost of the production line, manufacturing time and reduces its versatility. This creates a hybrid use of the user's choice, while still ensuring the internal stability of these products in the sponge cavity, preventing unwanted escape during friction caused by use, due to the buffering effect caused by the user's hands (3) covering the opening of these cuts in the internal wall, as well as the tightness generated by the expansion of the sponge fibers.

[0039] Furthermore, the stability of the surfactant element is ensured because the sponge is folded (9) in half, as well as by the insertion (8) of the hand (9) for use, which, in addition to sealing the insertion cross-sections (7), also creates a barrier between both sides of the sponge, with one side containing soap, used for cleaning, and the other with or without soap, intended only for exfoliation, stimulating blood circulation or cleaning debris, without the addition of elements that could directly influence the skin, leaving the user simply to choose which side meets their needs.

[0040] Said packaging for the desired use and application purpose also allows for storage and post-use maintenance of the sponge (1), functioning as a soap holder with two distinct chambers, which are subject to the same drying process as the sponge as a receptacle for these products, increasing its useful life and its physical-chemical quality for future applications.

[0041] Considering the technical effects and obstacles overcome here, this descriptive report deals with an innovative concept, the result of the analysis and verification of innovative technical and construction aspects, meeting the necessary conditions to qualify as a utility model.

[0042] Although this disclosure is presented as above, the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited to that. Those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, all of which will fall within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

Constructive arrangement applied to a vegetable sponge intended for body hygiene and cleaning of articles and surfaces, stimulating blood circulation or exfoliation, characterized by a vegetable sponge (1), a joining element of its ends (2) that also creates a handle (5) for hanging and also one or two receptacles by cross-sections (7) for packaging surfactant, detergent or cosmetic products and their subsequent storage; Said vegetable sponge (1) having an approximate length of 170 mm to 390 mm, which will be slightly flattened in the longitudinal direction and subsequently folded (9) in half by mechanical force and in an equidistant manner, providing the meeting of its two ends, which will be joined to achieve a glove effect on the user's hand (3) through a single biodegradable element (2) or other material known in the art; Said joining element (2) having the shape of a ribbon, rope or cord,and a minimum length of 300 mm, being applied through holes (6) in the sponge, now positioned centrally in the sagittal plane with a minimum distance (10) from the tip of each end of the sponge of 15 mm and a maximum of 55 mm, said joint being provided by knots (4), ties or other means of the technique applied to this element (2) and that, with the same, a handle (5) is formed for hanging formed by additional ties or knots; Said receptacles are made by transverse cuts in the sponge (9) specifically in one or both of the internal walls (12) that are in contact with the hands, with a minimum surplus (11) of 5 mm of fibrous material between each side of these cuts up to the lateral end of the internal walls (12) of the sponge, as well as another internal cut, in the longitudinal direction and made from these transverse cuts (7), which reaches only the fibrous material of the internal vein or skeleton of the sponge (1), forming respectively,one or two distinct receptacles, for storing surfactant elements, detergents and cosmetics already available on the market, with dimensions proportional to these receptacles and similar or different physical-chemical properties in each receptacle, allowing their individual application, with gradual release of only one or both products stored there when the corresponding external wall or both external walls of the sponge (1) are moistened during the user's action, as well as during its storage after use, Construction arrangement applied to vegetable sponge according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the vegetable sponge (1) in natura is greater than the proposed maximum longitudinal length of 390 mm and / or has a width 3 times greater than the dimension of the narrowest end, the sponge must be sectioned or be subject to diagonal cuts on the side of the end considered disproportionate. Constructive arrangement applied to a vegetable sponge according to claim 1, characterized in that the element (2) to be used to join the ends is a material made from 100% organic cotton and without the addition of dyes or chemical dyeing products, making the object of the present invention suitable for home composting in domestic waste bins used for this purpose. Construction arrangement applied to a vegetable sponge according to claim 1, characterized in that the total length of the vegetable sponge (1), already added to the necessary excess (10) between the hole (6) for the passage of the end joining element and the tip of the same end, is preferably between 220 and 320 mm, which meets the size considered as the average size of the circumference of the hands. Constructive arrangement applied to a vegetable sponge according to claim 1, characterized by porous receptacles created by cross-sections (7) and internal cuts in one or both internal walls (12) of the vegetable sponge (1), permanently storing these surfactant, detergent and cosmetic elements of similar or different physical-chemical qualities until they are completely dissolved as a result of use, and can also be replaced by inserting new elements into said cross-sections (7) in one or both receptacles during the known useful life of a vegetable sponge.

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