Baffled chamber bathing device and methods

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bathing devices, such as face cloths and soap latherers, often rely on draw strings that can break or become moldy, and are made of inorganic materials that lack aesthetic appeal and effective soap retention, leading to soap waste and inadequate skin care.

Innovation Solution

A tri-folded bathing device made of porous fabric with S-shaped dividers that creates baffled chambers to securely hold soap segments, eliminating the need for securing mechanisms and allowing for easy drying, while providing a textured, antibacterial surface for skin exfoliation and cleansing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If draw strings are used to secure soap in bathing devices, then the soap can be held in place, but the draw strings can flop, untie, or get moldy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoap retentionVSAvoidmold growth and mechanical failure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the draw string component entirely from the bathing device. Instead of using a separate securing mechanism, the soap is held in place by the structural design of the fabric pouch itself, which uses elastic properties and geometric configuration to retain soap without additional fastening elements that could fail or become contaminated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fabric pouch uses its own elastic properties and structural design to secure the soap. The material's inherent elasticity provides the securing force, and the geometric configuration of the pouch creates natural retention points, allowing the device to secure soap through its own properties rather than requiring separate fastening components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If plastic-type containers or netting are used for bathing devices, then they can lather soap, but they feel inorganic and artificial to the skin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoap lathering capabilityVSAvoidskin comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous fabric material that allows water and soap to penetrate through the structure, enabling effective lathering. The porosity of the fabric permits soap solution to pass through while the textile surface provides a skin-friendly texture that feels natural during bathing, combining functional effectiveness with comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Ease of operation

If traditional bathing devices are used, then they can clean skin, but they lack esthetic beauty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin cleansing functionVSAvoidaesthetic appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines functional fabric materials with aesthetically pleasing design elements. The device uses textile materials that provide both cleansing functionality and visual appeal, integrating the utility of soap lathering with attractive patterns, colors, and fabric textures that enhance aesthetic value

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Ease of operation

If bathing devices are made without drying capability, then they can be used for cleansing, but they require frequent laundering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin cleansing functionVSAvoidlaundering frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the bathing device with a fabric structure that facilitates rapid drying between uses. The thin, flexible fabric material allows moisture to evaporate quickly, and the device's construction promotes air circulation through the material, enabling it to dry efficiently and be ready for reuse without requiring frequent washing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device effectively retains soap, reduces waste, and offers aesthetic appeal, promoting skin health through exfoliation and circulation, while being easy to use and maintain, with the ability to fit various soap sizes and dry between uses.

Implementation Method 1

aesthetically pleasing bathing device that can hold any size of soap bar thus eliminating soap waste, offers various health benefits by maintaining skin health, and can drip-dry preventing frequent laundering

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9668619B2Baffled chamber bathing device and methods

Publication Date: 2017.06.06 STERLING HAYLEY MATZKO

AI summary

A baffled chamber bathing device and a method of making same are provided. The baffled chamber bathing device includes a generally elongated piece of porous fabric having a length. The piece of porous fabric can be folded along its length along a first fold and a second fold to form a tri-folded structure having a width. The bathing device includes a plurality of dividers each extending laterally across the width of the tri-folded structure and which define a plurality of baffled chambers. At least one of the plurality of baffled chambers created by the tri-folded structure and the plurality of dividers includes an opening into which a soap segment is capable of being inserted and securely held within the respective baffled chambers by the tri-folded structure.