Mountable Back Scrubbing Device

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/654,421 filed on May 31, 2024 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to a back scrubbing device, and more particularly, to a back scrubbing device which includes a means to attach the back scrubbing device to a surface, and a dispensing frame to dispense liquid soap onto a scrubbing surface of the back scrubbing device.

Personal hygiene is a basic need that is widely considered a top priority in health and wellness. Most people cleanse their bodies daily, brush their teeth twice a day, wash their hands often throughout the day, and groom themselves as needed based on hair, climate, and natural body oils. Additionally, cultural standards may dictate the time and frequency of bathing and washing, where ceremonies or routine practices require specific washings at specified times of day as a sign of respect and status.

Many people prefer to wash their bodies in a shower where the water continuously flows, rather than soaking in a bath. A variety of soaps, hair care, scrubs, and oils are used to cleanse and moisturize while in the shower. Fragrances may be used in the body and hair care products to enhance, soothe, or invigorate the experience. Similarly, tools like loofahs, scalp massagers, foot scrubber, and exfoliating mitts may be used to maximize rubbing along the skin. These additional pressures and skin stimulation may promote dead skin removal and skin cell regeneration.

There are also tools that provide assistance to reach difficult areas like the back. These tools are beneficial for those with limited flexibility to reach along the back. Elongated loofahs and scrub brushes on an elongated handle provide the assistance needed to reach portions of the back often missed with conventional tools.

Most of the available tools are handheld thus manually operated by the user to scrub, and reach. Mountable devices have been created which attach to a surface within the shower like the ground or a wall. By mounting the device, it remains stationary and the user may maneuver their body against the device to cleanse and scrub themselves. This may allow easier scrubbing against the back where the user simply has to press themselves against the surface of the mounted scrubber for use.

A problem commonly associated with these devices is that they do not remain mounted for an extended period of time because the means to mount them are often flimsy or do not have enough strength and stability. Additionally, the devices are bulky and cumbersome to move, especially one that is large enough to scrub a person's entire back and body.

Accordingly, there is an established need for a scrubbing device that allows for thorough scrubbing against hard to reach areas of the body. Additionally, a device that is strong enough to withstand prolonged and vigorous use within a humid environment.

The present invention is directed to a back scrubbing device, and more particularly, to a back scrubbing device which includes a means to attach the back scrubbing device to a surface, and a dispensing frame to dispense liquid soap onto a scrubbing surface of the back scrubbing device.

In a first implementation of the invention, a mountable back scrubbing device may comprise a base where the base comprises:

In another aspect of the present invention, the central vein may branch into a plurality of lateral veins, where the central vein and the plurality of lateral veins extend throughout the dispenser.

In a second aspect, the series of veins may include a central vein, where the central vein provides an anchor location to distribute the liquid soap into the series of veins.

In another aspect of the invention, the central vein and the frame may comprised a textured surface.

In another aspect of the invention, the top surface of the based may be covered with a textured layer.

In another aspect of the invention, the central vein extends from a top end of the base to a bottom end of the base.

In another aspect of the invention, at each end of the central vein where the central vein meets the frame may be a pair of buttons, where the pair of buttons activate dispensing the liquid soap through the central vein, the lateral veins and through the plurality of nubs.

In another aspect of the invention, the mountable back scrubbing device may comprise a first size, where the first size is large enough to accommodate fitting across a user's back.

In another aspect of the invention, the mountable back scrubbing device may comprise a second size, where the second size fits within a user's hand

In another aspect, the mounting mat may be covered in a plurality of suction cups.

In another aspect, the mounting mat and the plurality of suction cups are made from a rubberized material.

In another aspect, the reservoir may be positioned within the base.

In another aspect, the reservoir may be accessed through the bottom surface of the base.

In yet another aspect, the reservoir may include an opening, where the opening includes a cap.

In another aspect, the reservoir may include two compartments.

In another aspect, the mountable back scrubbing device may fold upon itself into a folded position.

In another aspect, the mountable back scrubbing device may fold on a hinge.

In another aspect, the hinge may be coupled against the bottom surface of the base.

A method of use for a mountable back scrubbing device may comprise the steps of;

In yet another aspect the method may further comprise the step of dispensing the liquid soap by pressing a button coupled to the dispenser.

In another aspect the method may further comprise the step of grasping the mountable back scrubbing device within a user's hand for use.

In another implementation of the present invention, may be a mountable back scrubbing device to dispense a liquid soap, where the mountable back scrubbing device may comprise:

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed generally to a back scrubbing device, and more particularly, to a back scrubbing device which includes a means to attach the back scrubbing device to a surface, and a dispensing frame to dispense liquid soap onto a scrubbing surface of the back scrubbing device.

Referring initially to, a mountable back scrubbing deviceis shown in accordance with the present invention. The mountable back scrubbing devicemay comprise a basewhere the base includes a pair of edges, a top edgeand a bottom edge, a pair of sides,, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A long the top surfaceof the basemay be a textured layer. The textured layermay cover the entire top surfaceof the base. The basemay generally comprise a rectangular shape. Alternatively, the baseshape may be a circle, square, triangle, or other geometric shape, or it may be a fanciful shape like a sporting team logo, floral, animal, celestial, animal and the like.

The basemay be made of a lightweight, and durable material able to withstand the environment within a shower or bathroom. The basemust withstand repeated pressures, water, humidity and movement while maintaining structure. A treated plastic, treated to prevent mold or bacteria growth during use would be an ideal material, but other plastics, rubbers and the similar materials are considered.

Coupled atop the top surfaceof the base may be a dispenser. The dispensermay be comprised of a central vein, a frame, and a plurality of lateral veins. The central veinmay traverse a central portion of the mountable back scrubbing device, wherein the central veinextends from the top edgeto the bottom edgeof the base. The central veinmay be an anchor location wherein the lateral veinsextend like fingers from the central veinonto other surface areas of the dispenser. The central veinand the lateral veinsmay be hollow to receive and dispense a liquid soap. The framemay anchor and support the central veinand the lateral veinsagainst the textured layerof the base. The central vein, frameand lateral veinsmay comprised a textured surface for additional scrubbing surfaces.

The framemay provide the structural support to the base, where the frameextends and follow around a peripheral portion of the base, complimenting the same shape as the base. In the present embodiment the baseand frameare shaped as a rectangle but as described above alternative shaped may be created. Accordingly, the lateral veinsmay compliment the shape of the frameto create smaller, concentric shapes to the frameand thereby the base. Presently, three sets of lateral veins are illustrated as concentric rectangles, but more or less veins may be created depending on the size and dimension of the mountable back scrubbing device.

Covering a surfaceof the dispensermay be a plurality of nubs. As will be better illustrated in reference to, the nubsmay be hollow and have an opening to dispense the liquid soap from within the dispenseronto the surfaceof the dispenser. The plurality of nubsmay be arranged to completely cover the surfacebetween the frame, the central veinand the lateral veins. At each end of the central veinwhere the central veinmeets the framemay be a pair of buttons. The buttonsmay activate dispensing the liquid soap through the central vein, the lateral veinsand through the nubs.

The mountable back scrubbing deviceincludes a midlinethat separates the devicefrom a first halfand a second half. The baseand the dispensermay fold along the midlineto rest the first halfatop the second halfthereby creating a folded position which is illustrated in.

Referring to, an enlarged view of the mountable back scrubbing deviceis shown.provides an enlarged view of the dispenseralong a corner to illustrate the details of the design. The frameis positioned around the edge of the base. The lateral veinmay include a channelwhere the channelis positioned within each lateral vein. The channelmay originate at the central veinand provide the opening through which the liquid soap flows into and through the lateral veins.

A long the lateral veinsmay be a plurality of vein openingswhich are coupled to the channels. The liquid soap is extruded from within the lateral veinonto the surfaceof the dispenser. The plurality of nubsmay each include a nub opening. The nub openingmay dispense the liquid soap from within the dispenseronto the surfacethrough the plurality of nubs. The vein openingsand the nub openingsmay be made from a rubberized material to prevent leaking of water or soap when not in use. The buttonsat each end of the central veinmay dispense the liquid soap during use. The buttonsmay provide a pressure within the dispenserto allow a small amount of the liquid soap to pass through the vein openingsand the nub openings.

Referring to, the mountable back scrubbing deviceis shown in accordance with the present invention. The bottom surfaceof the basemay be covered with a mounting mat. The mounting matmay inlaid into the bottom surfaceof the base. The mounting padmay be covered with a plurality of suction cups, where the suction cupsmay completely cover the mounting mat. The mounting matand the suction cupsmay be a rubberized material for flexible and durable movement and adequate suction against a flat surface.

The dispenser may include a reservoirwhere the reservoiris positioned in a middle portion of the mounting mat, and within an openingin the bottom surfaceof the base. The openingwithin the bottom surfacemay provide an access point for the reservoir. The liquid soap is contained within the reservoirto then distribute through the central vein, lateral veins, and nubs during use. The reservoirmay include at least one fill capto cover an opening into the reservoirwhereby the liquid soap is refilled.

The bottom surfaceof the basemay include a hingealong the midline of the base. The hingemay allow the mountable back scrubbing deviceto fold upon itself. The mounting matmay be flush within the bottom surface. Similarly, the reservoirmay be flush within the bottom surfaceand the mounting matwhere when the mountable back scrubbing deviceis folded the mounting matand the reservoirto do impede folding. The reservoirmay be split into two compartments on each side of the midline to allow easier folding and prevent damage or leaking when in the folded position.

present a perspective expanded view of the mountable back scrubbing device. The expanded view provides an illustrative view of how the plurality of nubsare positioned within the top surfaceof the dispenser. Accordingly, the dispenseris coupled to the basebut presently separated to better illustrate the layered design. An openingin the basemay be positioned directly beneath the reservoir within the dispenserto receive the reservoir and provide a location for the reservoir to rest.

Finally, referring to, a perspective view of the mountable back scrubbing deviceis shown in a folded position in accordance with the present invention. The mountable back scrubbing devicefolds along the midlineto expose a midline edge. The first halfrests atop the second halfto create the folded position. The folded position may enable easier transport and storage of the mountable back scrubbing device.

During use a user fills the reservoir with a liquid soap through the reservoir opening. Once filled, the reservoir fill cap may be placed atop the reservoir opening. The reservoir fill cap may be a stopper, snap, or screw type cap. The liquid soap then naturally flows through the central vein, and the channels of the lateral veins to distribute the liquid soap throughout the dispenser. Next, the mountable back scrubbing device may be secured to a flat surface with the mounting mat wherein the surface of the dispenser faces away from the flat surface. To dispense the liquid soap, the button may be pressed and a small amount of the liquid soap extrudes through the vein openings and the nub openings. The liquid soap gets onto the top surface of the mountable back scrubbing device to lather the liquid soap for use. The user may press their body, specifically their backs, against the mountable back scrubbing device to use the nubs as a scrubber. After use and rinsing, the mountable back scrubbing device is removed from the flat surface, and then folded along the midline via the hinge. The mountable back scrubbing device folds so that the nubs are on the outside when in the folded position, thereby allowing the surface to dry and preventing damage to the reservoir within the base.

The sizing of the mountable back scrubbing device may vary depending on preferred use of the user. The mountable back scrubbing device may be embodied in a first size where the first size is large enough to accommodate fitting across the user's back. In this embodiment, the mountable back scrubbing device may easily reach multiple parts of the user's back at once without large movements by the user to scrub. The dimensions of the first size may range from 8-12 inches in width and 10-18 inches in length.