RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is an international application which claims priority to U.S.

Application No. 13/958,684 filed August 5, 2013, the contents of which is hereby

incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[001] This invention relates to the field of personal hygiene. More specifically, the invention relates to a device for holding a washcloth. The device can be used for washing hard to reach areas of the body such as the back.

[002] Typical back-washing devices include a handle and a flexible rod with a sponge or brush provided at the end of the rod. Many such devices are not sturdy and break easily, requiring frequent replacement. These devices also have surfaces including sharp angles and crevices that can trap dirt and are therefore difficult to keep clean.

[003] Additionally, the sponge or brush also traps dirt and cannot be kept adequately clean. This provides the perfect milieu for the growth of mold and bacteria. Additionally, the sponge included with a typical back-washing device cannot be kept adequately clean and must be disposed of after only a few uses.

[004] It follows from the above that the typical personal washing device is neither hygienic nor environmentally friendly.

[005] The need exists for a washcloth holder that is hygienic, easy to use, sturdy, reusable, and environmentally friendly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[006] The following presents a simplified summary of the innovation in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[007] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a hygienic washcloth holder that is reusable, is resistant to contamination, and is environmentally friendly.

[008] This objective is met by a hygienic body washing device that includes a handle region and an arcuate elongated extension region. The handle region is proximate to the first end of the arcuate elongated extension, and the second end includes an aperture sized to hold a washcloth.

[009] In another embodiment, a kit is provided that contains the hygienic body washing device, a washcloth, and soap.

[0010] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[001 1] The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1(A) illustrates an embodiment of the hygienic body washing device.

[0013] FIG. 1(B) illustrates an alternative embodiment of the handle region.

[0014] FIG. 1(C) illustrates another embodiment of the handle region.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The subject innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well- known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the present invention.

[0016] The term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or." That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A, X employs B, or X employs both A and B, then "X employs A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. Moreover, articles "a" and "an" as used in the subject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construed to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1A, the hygienic body washing device [10] includes a handle region [1 1] and an arcuate elongated extension region [12]. The handle region [1 1] is proximate to a first end [13] of the arcuate elongated extension region [12]. A second end [14] of the arcuate elongated extension region [12] includes an aperture [15] sized to hold a washcloth. For example, the aperture [15] can be an oval having a length of 2-5.5 cm and a width of 1.5-2.5 cm.

[0018] In use, a washcloth is passed through the aperture [15] in the second end [14] of the arcuate elongated extension region [12]. Two free ends of the washcloth are tied to each other forming a knot that holds the washcloth in place. Soap and water can be applied to the washcloth, if desired, before or after passing the washcloth through the aperture [15]. A user then grips the device [10] by the handle region [1 1] and positions the washcloth at a desired site on the body. After use, the washcloth is easily removed so it can be laundered. The device [10] is immediately ready to accept another (clean) washcloth.

[0019] Additionally, a free end of the washcloth can be tied around the second end [14] of the device [10] to form a knot that holds the washcloth in place. Alternatively, a knot can be tied in one corner of the washcloth such that the knot is too large to pass through the aperture [15] in the second end [14] of the arcuate elongated extension region [12]. The knotted washcloth is passed through the aperture [15] until the knot rests against the side of the second end [14]. The knot helps to prevent the washcloth from slipping out of the device [10]. [0020] Advantageously, the length and curvature of the device [10] enables the user to easily wash areas of the body that are difficult to reach without bending or twisting, for example, the upper back, lower back, and/or calf. Thus, it is contemplated that users with limited flexibility, e.g., the elderly, can use the device [10] to more easily attend to their personal hygiene. Additionally, users having short arms, including children, can also use the device [10] to more easily wash certain hard to reach body areas.

[0021] In certain embodiments, the arcuate elongated extension region [12] is longer than the handle region [11]. In a preferred embodiment, the arcuate elongated extension region [12] is three times longer than the handle region [1 1]. In yet another embodiment, the hygienic body washing device has a length of 50 to 90 cm. The diameter of the arcuate elongated extension region [12] can be 1.25- 5 cm. The device [10] can be constructed having particular values for these parameters depending upon the intended user. For example, the length of the device [10] used by a child can be shorter than that used by an adult.

[0022] In another embodiment, the hygienic body washing device [10] includes a label [16] on the arcuate elongated extension region [12]. Alternatively, the label [16] can be located on the handle region [11]. The label can be formed of a metal or plastic material and bonded to the arcuate elongated extension region [12] or the handle region [1 1]. In an alternative embodiment, the label can be etched into the arcuate elongated extension region [12] or the handle region [1 1] of the device [10]. In yet another embodiment, the label [16] can be molded into the material such that the label [16] is raised above the surface of the arcuate elongated extension region [12] or the handle region [11]. The label [16] can be used as a means to customize the device [10]. For example, the label [16] can include information regarding the user's name, the size of the device [10] (i.e., small, medium, or large), instructions for using the device [10], the name of the distributor of the device [10], and the name of the manufacturer.

[0023] Referring to FIG. IB, the handle region [1 1] of the hygienic body washing device [10] can include ridges [18] configured to be held by a human hand. Alternatively, the handle region [1 1] can include grooves or other similar features to facilitate gripping of the handle region [1 1] by a human hand. In a preferred embodiment, the grooves extend around the entire circumference of the handle region [1 1]. In one embodiment, the diameter of the handle region [1 1] can be less than that of the arcuate elongated extension region [12].

[0024] The hygienic body washing device [10] can be composed of aluminum, stainless steel, carbon fiber, wood, or a polymeric material. Preferably, the device [10] is composed of a polymeric material. For example, the device [10] can be made of extruded polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene. In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric material is rigid. In some embodiments, the device [10] is coated with a waterproofing material.

[0025] The device [10] can be constructed in a way to advantageously inhibit the growth of microorganisms, e.g., bacteria and mold, on its surface. For example, the device [10] can have a smooth surface. In another embodiment, the device [10] can be constructed of a material that includes an anti-microbial coating.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1C, the hygienic body washing device [10] can include a second aperture [17] in the handle region [1 1]. The device [10] can be hung on a hook (not shown) passed through the second aperture [17]. Alternatively, the second aperture [17] can be sized to hold a hanger. For example, the second aperture [17] can be a circle having a diameter of 1 -2 cm. In an embodiment, the hygienic body washing device [10] can include a hanger [19] passing through the second aperture [17] in the handle region.

[0027] The hanger can be formed of man-made material or natural material. For example, the hanger can be a ring formed of stainless steel. Stainless steel will resist corrosion in a humid environment such as a shower. Alternatively, the hanger can be formed of a nylon or polypropylene rope. In a preferred embodiment, the hanger is formed of a natural material such as leather or hemp rope.

[0028] The hygienic body washing device [10] can be packaged in a kit that also includes a washcloth and soap. The kit can be assembled in an environmentally friendly manner. For example, the washcloth can be manufactured from recycled material or from a renewable resource such as natural plant fibers. Additionally, the soap can be biodegradable. In sum, the environmental impact of assembling the kit can be minimized.

[0029] In another embodiment, the hygienic body washing device [10] can be packaged in a kit for use by a family. For example, the kit can include at least two hygienic body washing devices [10], each having a different color. In this way, each family member can know which device belongs to them.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0030] All of the features disclosed in this specification may be combined in any combination. Each feature disclosed in this specification may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only an example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. From the above description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. Thus, other embodiments are also within the scope of the following claims.

[0031] What is claimed is: