US20090038099A1 - Pre-Soaped Disposable Luffah - Google Patents
Pre-Soaped Disposable Luffah Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090038099A1 US20090038099A1 US12/049,955 US4995508A US2009038099A1 US 20090038099 A1 US20090038099 A1 US 20090038099A1 US 4995508 A US4995508 A US 4995508A US 2009038099 A1 US2009038099 A1 US 2009038099A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cleansing
- luffah
- pouch
- moisturizing agent
- ruffles
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K7/00—Body washing or cleaning implements
- A47K7/02—Bathing sponges, brushes, gloves, or similar cleaning or rubbing implements
- A47K7/03—Bathing sponges, brushes, gloves, or similar cleaning or rubbing implements containing soap or other cleaning ingredients, e.g. impregnated
Abstract
Described is a disposable luffah. During manufacturing of the luffah, a water-soluble pouch is positioned within, or attached to, the luffah. The water-soluble pouch may contain a liquid or powered cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. During use the pouch breaks down upon contact with water such that the contained cleansing and/or moisturizing agent is released.
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 11/836,701 filed Aug. 9, 2007.
- The embodiments of the present invention relate to a ready-to-use, pre-soaped luffah.
- Luffahs (aka Loofahs, Luffas and bath nets) are now ubiquitous items found in most households. Luffahs are used to apply soap and other cleansers to the body. In general, a luffah is soaked with water and then an ample amount of liquid soap, gel or similar cleansing and/or moisturizing agent is applied to the luffah and then used on the body in a sponge-like manner. However, luffahs are difficult to effectively rinse after use because of the ruffled configuration such that bacteria and other germs can be transferred from one user to another.
- Thus, there exists a need for ready-to-use, disposable luffah.
- Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention is a cleansing article comprising: a luffah formed of a series of ruffles; said ruffles of said luffah coated with a substantially dry, water-soluble, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent such that said luffah may be used one or more times without an application of additional cleansing and/or moisturizing agent.
- Another embodiment of the present invention is a method comprising: applying a substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent to at least a portion of a luffah; and drying said luffah such that said applied substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent forms into a generally dry, water-soluble, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent on at least a portion of a series of luffah ruffles. In one embodiment, the luffah is then packaged.
- An alternative embodiment of the present invention is a cleansing article comprising: a luffah having of a series of ruffles; and a pouch positioned within said ruffles of said luffah wherein said pouch contains a cleansing and/or moisturizing agent, said pouch being water-soluble. In a first embodiment, the pouch contains a liquid cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. In an alternative embodiment, the pouch contains a powered cleansing and/or moisturizing agent.
- The cleansing and/or moisturizing agent may be a soap, body gel, anti-bacterial soap, moisturizing soap and the like. By adding water to the pre-soaped luffah, the luffah is ready to use without the application of a separate liquid cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. As a result, using the luffah in a shower or bath is as simple as unpacking the luffah, placing it in the water stream or tub of water and using it in a sponge-like fashion.
- Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a luffah of the type that may be used with the embodiments of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart detailing a method of fabricating a luffah according to the embodiments of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary package for a single luffah; -
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary package for multiple luffahs; and -
FIGS. 5 a-5 d illustrates a method of forming a luffah according to a second embodiment of the present invention. - It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.
- Initial reference is made to
FIG. 1 illustrating aluffah 100. Theluffah 100 is formed of a series ofruffles 110 forming a circular configuration. Astring 120 provides means for handling and hanging theluffah 100. Thestring 120 may also act as a support for maintaining theluffah 100 in its shape and configuration. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that theluffah 100 may take other shapes and not necessarily include the string. - The embodiments of the present invention comprise a
luffah 100 as shown inFIG. 1 with a cleansing and/or moisturizing agent (e.g., clear liquid soap) impregnated therein. In a first embodiment, theluffah 100 is coated or soaked in a substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent like clear liquid soap, gel, bath wash, body wash, moisturizer or a similar agent or combinations thereof. Although a clear cleansing and/or moisturizing agent has been found to work well, other non-clear cleansing and/or moisturizing agents are suitable as well. In one embodiment, theluffah 100 is soaked in a pool or container of substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent for a time period sufficient to coat theluffah 100. Alternatively, theluffah 100 may be sprayed with the cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. Those skilled in the art will understand that there may be means, other than soaking and spraying, for applying or coating theluffah 100 with the cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. This application is intended to cover those means as well. With the soaking method, after soaking, theluffah 100 is removed from the pool or container of the wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent and allowed to dry. Alternatively, theluffah 100 is removed from the spraying process. Depending on the method used, theluffah 100 may be dried with ambient air or a separate heat source may be used to more quickly dry theluffah 100. As a result, the wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent dries on theruffles 110 thereby creating aluffah 100 impregnated or coated with a cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. - In an alternative embodiment, the cleansing and/or moisturizing agent is applied only to a central portion or core of the
luffah 100. In this embodiment, the cleansing and/or moisturizing agent dries near the core of theluffah 100 and as such is not on the outer portions of theruffles 110. With such an embodiment, theluffah 100 has the same feel as a conventional non-soaped luffah. However, once water is applied, the cleansing and/or moisturizing agent quickly disperses throughout theruffles 110 of theluffah 100. -
FIG. 2 shows aflow chart 200 detailing a method of fabricating aluffah 100 according to the embodiments of the present invention. At 205, aluffah 100 is coated in a cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. In a mass production method, a plurality ofluffahs 100 are suspended by theirstings 120 from a common support which is then automatically lowered such the plurality ofluffahs 100 are partially or completely and simultaneously lowered into a pool or container of cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. Theluffahs 100 may also be spray coated with the cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. At 210, theluffah 100 is removed from the cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. With the mass production method, the support is raised such that the plurality ofluffahs 100 raises above the pool or container of cleansing and/or moisturizing agent. Alternatively, the spray coating ceases. At 215, thesoaked luffahs 100 are dried using ambient air at room temperature or a separate heart source may be used to expedite the drying process. The drying process may also be facilitated by an air blower with or without the aid of heat. In one embodiment, the coatedluffahs 100 orluffahs 100 having a coated core are placed on a conveyer belt and passed by a heat source to facilitate the drying process. Alcohol or similar chemicals may also be added to the cleansing and/or moisturizing agent to expedite the drying process. At 220, thedried luffahs 100 are packaged. The packaging may be configured to contain one ormore luffahs 100. - In one embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 3 , asingle luffah 100container 150 comprises a transparent material containing theluffah 100. The material used for thecontainer 150 may also be semi-transparent or opaque. Thecontainer 150 has anopen end 155 temporarily sealed such that theluffah 100 may removed by unsealing thecontainer 150. Thecontainer 150 may also depict product instructions, logo, slogans, etc. In one example, thesingle luffah 100container 150 is placed in hotel (or motel) rooms for the use of guests. Depending on the hotel, the packagedluffahs 100 may be complimentary or billed to the guest in a manner similar to an honor bar. Hotels may elect to replace used luffahs 100 withnew luffahs 100 on a daily basis or at least at the beginning of each new guest visit to the hotel. Hotel logos on the packaging are an ideal method for hotels to exploit their brand. - In another embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 4 , amultiple luffah 100 container comprises a transparent (or semitransparent or opaque)tubular container 160 fabricated of semi-rigid plastic with an open end vacuum-sealed with a pliable plastic orrubber lid 165. A series ofspacers 175 may be used to keep theindividual luffahs 100 from contacting one another. The vacuum created within thecontainer 160 maintains for extended periods of time, the dry, water-soluble cleansing and/or moisturizing agent impregnated within or coated on the ruffles of theluffahs 100. Again, thetubular container 160 may depict product instructions, logos, slogans and the like. Such acontainer 160 is suitable for warehousing or inventoryingluffahs 100 or presenting them for sale in retail outlets. - Regardless of the manner in which the
luffahs 100 are sold or provided to users, it is envisioned that they shall be disposed of after limited use. That is, theluffah 100 is disposed of once the substantially dry, water-soluble cleansing and/or moisturizing agent is exhausted. Such disposability prevents the spread of bacteria, germs and the like. The cost of fabricating theluffahs 100 according to the embodiments of the present invention allows them to be easily and inexpensively replaced on a small budget. The luffahs according to the embodiments of the present invention are also ideal for travel. -
FIGS. 5 a-d show a method of fabricating aluffah 300 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Initially, as shown inFIG. 5 a, anet tube 305 is fabricated using conventional techniques. As shown inFIG. 5 b, thenet tube 305 is then folded along its length (i.e., scrunched) and atie 310 is used to maintain thenet tube 305 in the form of aluffah 300. A water-soluble pellet orpouch 315 is then inserted into anopen end 320 of thenet tube 305 as shownFIG. 5 c.FIG. 5 d shows thepouch 315 as it is positioned within theluffah 300. In one embodiment, thepouch 315 is fabricated of polyethylenetelephthalate (PET) or other polymers having similar properties. - Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
Claims (16)
1. A cleansing article comprising:
a luffah having of a series of ruffles; and
a pouch positioned within said ruffles of said luffah wherein said pouch contains a cleansing and/or moisturizing agent, said pouch being water-soluble.
2. The cleansing article of claim 1 wherein said cleansing and/or moisturizing agent is selected from the group consisting of liquid soap, gel, bath wash or body wash.
3. The cleansing article of claim 1 wherein said cleansing and/or moisturizing agent is selected from the group consisting of powered soap, gel, bath wash or body wash.
4. The cleansing article of claim 1 wherein said pouch is fabricated of polyethylenetelephthalate.
5. A cleansing article comprising:
a luffah having of a series of ruffles; and
a pouch attached to said luffah wherein said pouch contains a cleansing and/or moisturizing agent, said pouch being water-soluble.
6. The cleansing article of claim 5 wherein said cleansing and/or moisturizing agent is selected from the group consisting of liquid soap, gel, bath wash or body wash.
7. The cleansing article of claim 5 wherein said cleansing and/or moisturizing agent is selected from the group consisting of powered soap, gel, bath wash or body wash.
8. The cleansing article of claim 5 wherein said pouch is fabricated of polyethylenetelephthalate.
9. A method of fabricating a cleansing device comprising:
folding an elongated opened-end net tube along its length;
tying said net tube using a string to form a luffah having one or more ruffles;
inserting a water-soluble pouch containing a cleansing and/or moisturizing agent into one open end of the net tube; and
positioning the water-soluble pouch within the ruffles of the luffah.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising filling said pouch with a liquid soap, gel, bath wash or body wash.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising filling said pouch with a powered soap, gel, bath wash or body wash.
12. The method of claim 9 further comprising attaching said pouch to said luffah.
13. The method of claim 9 further comprising said pouch of polyethylenetelephthalate.
14. A method of fabricating a cleansing device comprising:
applying a substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent, said cleansing and/or moisturizing agent having a percentage of alcohol to facilitate drying, to at least a portion of a luffah; and
drying said luffah such that said applied substantially wet, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent forms into a generally dry, water-soluble, cleansing and/or moisturizing agent on at least a portion of a series of luffah ruffles.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising utilizing a conveyor belt passing by a heat source to dry said luffah.
16. The method of claim 14 further comprising said pouch of polyethylenetelephthalate.
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/049,955 US20090038099A1 (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2008-03-17 | Pre-Soaped Disposable Luffah |
US12/188,747 US8282301B2 (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2008-08-08 | Pre-soaped, disposable luffah |
PCT/US2008/072765 WO2009021231A2 (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2008-08-11 | Pre-soaped, disposable luffah |
EP08797596A EP2194829A2 (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2008-08-11 | Pre-soaped, disposable luffah |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/836,701 US7589053B2 (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2007-08-09 | Pre-soaped, disposable luffah |
US12/049,955 US20090038099A1 (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2008-03-17 | Pre-Soaped Disposable Luffah |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/836,701 Continuation-In-Part US7589053B2 (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2007-08-09 | Pre-soaped, disposable luffah |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/188,747 Continuation-In-Part US8282301B2 (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2008-08-08 | Pre-soaped, disposable luffah |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090038099A1 true US20090038099A1 (en) | 2009-02-12 |
Family
ID=40342074
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/049,955 Abandoned US20090038099A1 (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2008-03-17 | Pre-Soaped Disposable Luffah |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20090038099A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2194829A2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009021231A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2017059872A1 (en) * | 2015-10-08 | 2017-04-13 | Meaad Amina Mohamed Ahmed | Antibacterial & antifungal body cleansing loofah that stimulates blood circulation |
Citations (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2593689A (en) * | 1946-09-11 | 1952-04-22 | Sylvania Electric Prod | Lamp container |
US3233727A (en) * | 1963-09-13 | 1966-02-08 | Karl H Wilson | Multiple use packaging container |
USD257227S (en) * | 1977-03-18 | 1980-10-07 | Youngberg Phillip W | Compartmented package of tennis balls |
US4377598A (en) * | 1977-09-14 | 1983-03-22 | General Foods Corporation | Package for protecting friable products |
US5650384A (en) * | 1993-06-18 | 1997-07-22 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Personal cleansing system comprising a polymeric diamond mesh bath sponge and a liquid cleanser with moisturizer |
US5716005A (en) * | 1995-08-04 | 1998-02-10 | Mcmahan; James W. | Soap dispensing shower unit |
US5875511A (en) * | 1997-08-20 | 1999-03-02 | Safe-Lite, Inc. | Disposable head bath and back brush |
US5944032A (en) * | 1997-06-09 | 1999-08-31 | Masterson; Kelly Ann | Squeezable cleansing and lathering devices |
US5952090A (en) * | 1998-08-21 | 1999-09-14 | Fan; Hung-Long | Artificial sponge with liquid balls therein |
USD425423S (en) * | 1999-08-13 | 2000-05-23 | Rxi Plastics, Inc. | Combined container and closure |
US6092717A (en) * | 1998-10-20 | 2000-07-25 | Sonoco Development Inc. | Tubular container with independently openable compartments |
US6368003B1 (en) * | 2001-03-07 | 2002-04-09 | Roger Lynn Sorrell | Hand-held body washing device |
US20030000039A1 (en) * | 2001-06-28 | 2003-01-02 | Jean Charles Incorporated | Mesh sponge assembly with hinged handle |
US20040242097A1 (en) * | 2002-12-20 | 2004-12-02 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Cloth-like personal care articles |
US20050000046A1 (en) * | 2003-07-03 | 2005-01-06 | Michael Popovsky | Cleansing pad |
US6846784B2 (en) * | 2003-01-30 | 2005-01-25 | Access Business Group International Llc | Water soluble pouch package |
US6883994B1 (en) * | 2000-10-11 | 2005-04-26 | Sheryl Grogg | Cleaning device with bead holder |
US6902338B2 (en) * | 2002-12-26 | 2005-06-07 | Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Customized personal cleansing article |
US20050130536A1 (en) * | 2003-12-11 | 2005-06-16 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Disposable scrubbing product |
US20050238701A1 (en) * | 2004-04-23 | 2005-10-27 | Joerg Kleinwaechter | Fibrous structures comprising a transferable agent |
US20050276827A1 (en) * | 2004-06-14 | 2005-12-15 | Macedo Filomena A | Personal cleansing kit and method having fibrous implement with expiration indicia |
US20070039116A1 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2007-02-22 | Woodard Sharon D | Body scrubbing device |
-
2008
- 2008-03-17 US US12/049,955 patent/US20090038099A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2008-08-11 WO PCT/US2008/072765 patent/WO2009021231A2/en active Application Filing
- 2008-08-11 EP EP08797596A patent/EP2194829A2/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2593689A (en) * | 1946-09-11 | 1952-04-22 | Sylvania Electric Prod | Lamp container |
US3233727A (en) * | 1963-09-13 | 1966-02-08 | Karl H Wilson | Multiple use packaging container |
USD257227S (en) * | 1977-03-18 | 1980-10-07 | Youngberg Phillip W | Compartmented package of tennis balls |
US4377598A (en) * | 1977-09-14 | 1983-03-22 | General Foods Corporation | Package for protecting friable products |
US5650384A (en) * | 1993-06-18 | 1997-07-22 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Personal cleansing system comprising a polymeric diamond mesh bath sponge and a liquid cleanser with moisturizer |
US5716005A (en) * | 1995-08-04 | 1998-02-10 | Mcmahan; James W. | Soap dispensing shower unit |
US5944032A (en) * | 1997-06-09 | 1999-08-31 | Masterson; Kelly Ann | Squeezable cleansing and lathering devices |
US5875511A (en) * | 1997-08-20 | 1999-03-02 | Safe-Lite, Inc. | Disposable head bath and back brush |
US5952090A (en) * | 1998-08-21 | 1999-09-14 | Fan; Hung-Long | Artificial sponge with liquid balls therein |
US6092717A (en) * | 1998-10-20 | 2000-07-25 | Sonoco Development Inc. | Tubular container with independently openable compartments |
USD425423S (en) * | 1999-08-13 | 2000-05-23 | Rxi Plastics, Inc. | Combined container and closure |
US6883994B1 (en) * | 2000-10-11 | 2005-04-26 | Sheryl Grogg | Cleaning device with bead holder |
US6368003B1 (en) * | 2001-03-07 | 2002-04-09 | Roger Lynn Sorrell | Hand-held body washing device |
US20030000039A1 (en) * | 2001-06-28 | 2003-01-02 | Jean Charles Incorporated | Mesh sponge assembly with hinged handle |
US20040242097A1 (en) * | 2002-12-20 | 2004-12-02 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Cloth-like personal care articles |
US6902338B2 (en) * | 2002-12-26 | 2005-06-07 | Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Customized personal cleansing article |
US6846784B2 (en) * | 2003-01-30 | 2005-01-25 | Access Business Group International Llc | Water soluble pouch package |
US20050000046A1 (en) * | 2003-07-03 | 2005-01-06 | Michael Popovsky | Cleansing pad |
US20050130536A1 (en) * | 2003-12-11 | 2005-06-16 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Disposable scrubbing product |
US20050238701A1 (en) * | 2004-04-23 | 2005-10-27 | Joerg Kleinwaechter | Fibrous structures comprising a transferable agent |
US20050276827A1 (en) * | 2004-06-14 | 2005-12-15 | Macedo Filomena A | Personal cleansing kit and method having fibrous implement with expiration indicia |
US20070039116A1 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2007-02-22 | Woodard Sharon D | Body scrubbing device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2194829A2 (en) | 2010-06-16 |
WO2009021231A2 (en) | 2009-02-12 |
WO2009021231A3 (en) | 2009-04-30 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7589053B2 (en) | Pre-soaped, disposable luffah | |
US8282301B2 (en) | Pre-soaped, disposable luffah | |
US20030071075A1 (en) | Aqueous fabric care compositions for effective use away from the home and accessories for use therewith | |
US6015242A (en) | Soap holding scrub puff | |
US20090019741A1 (en) | Consumer product array, retail displays and methods of doing the same | |
US6161246A (en) | Bathing implement | |
US20080098630A1 (en) | Consumer product array, retail displays and methods of doing the same | |
WO2001090294A1 (en) | A kit for caring for a fabric article | |
CN101501174B (en) | Perfume delivery systems for consumer goods | |
US20090038099A1 (en) | Pre-Soaped Disposable Luffah | |
WO2020210894A1 (en) | Active composition delivery system | |
KR101758367B1 (en) | Mask pack with a built-in disposable mist spray | |
US20160122081A1 (en) | Personal care system | |
ES2331531T3 (en) | DEVICE FOR THE PREPARATION OF A SURGICAL FIELD. | |
US20140096795A1 (en) | Disposable cleaning glove and method for using | |
KR200384642Y1 (en) | Portable bag for carrying bathing supply | |
CN218899281U (en) | Mate type paper towel | |
CN204636167U (en) | Tourism washing is set with | |
JP3150641U (en) | Portable spray bottle for disinfection | |
US10829888B1 (en) | Sachet for packaging, washing and drying cosmetic sponges | |
US2294232A (en) | Container for perfumes, etc. | |
KR100319509B1 (en) | A sheet for shoeshine and the process thereof | |
CN209058980U (en) | A kind of device for the storage of toilet cosmetics | |
US20210229898A1 (en) | Portable container for cleanly storing a loofah puff | |
US20060241007A1 (en) | Pack-A-Pouf |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LARSEN CONCEPTS, LLC, NEVADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:LARSEN, BRUCE T.;LARSEN, BRYAN;REEL/FRAME:020662/0480 Effective date: 20080314 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |