US2218271A - Soap receptacle - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 15, 1940. E. w. SODEBERG 2,218,271

, SOAP RECEPTACLE Filed y 19, 1937 Patented Oct. 15, 1940 UNITED STATES OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a soap receptacle and has special reference to a receptacle adapted for removably resting on the rim of a bath tub or the like for holding a bar of soap or other bathing accessories in position for convenient use.

More particularly this invention relates to a device for resting on the rim of a bath tub or the like comprising an open top receptacle formed of non-metallic resilient material having means on the upper surface thereof for supporting a bar of soap and for preventing displacement thereof, the receptacle having a lower surface at least a major portion of which conforms to the surface of and has physical engagement with the rim.

The present invention contemplates a unitary construction that can be quickly and easily rested on an ordinary bath tub, sink, or wash basin and be held against displacement therefrom merely by frictional contact therewith so as toobviate the necessity for the usual attaching members. The structure is preferably formed of non-metallie and resilient material such as rubber, sponge rubber, composition, or the like, and is consequently rust-proof. Further, the construction is such that water drained from the bar of soap after it has been used and placed in the soap receptacle will run into the tub or sink, the upper surface of the receptacle having extending means for elevating the soap thereabove.

The resilient material of which the receptacle is formed permits a desirable frictional contact over the smooth hard surface of the tub, the whole under-surface of the receptacle preferably conforming to the surface of the rim andby reason of its resiliency having physical engagement therewith. Where desirable, one longitudinal edge of the receptacle is upstanding to provide a surface of substantial area which is centrally recessed to provide a suction grip against the usual smooth hard wall adjacent the tub or basin. Such means is preferable where a very small surface is presented for engagement with the lower surface of the receptacle or where such surface is substantially flat. Also in some instances it may be desirable to provide a freely flexible portion of substantial length or width extending from the soap receptacle to provide for greater frictional contact where either the soap receptacle is small relatively to the rim, or where the rim is: small relatively to the soap receptacle and is formed on an angularly extending wall.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a device of the character indicated above which is economical to manufacture, efficient in use, and is durable.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the type above referred to whichis formed of a non-metallic resilient material an is thereby rust-proof.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a device of the hereinbefore referred to type which is characterized by its unitary construction and by the fact that it has no complementary attachments.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out, and for a. more complete undertsanding of the characteristic features of thisinvention, reference may now be had to the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a soap receptacle embodying the features of this invention, as disposed on the rim of a tub, sink, basin, or the like, shown fra-gmentarily;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1; l I

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1 showing the rim of the tub in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of soap receptacle embodying the features of this invention; i

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of thesoap receptacle of Fig. 4; I

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of a further embodiment incorporating the features of this invention disposed on a different type of rim construction;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing another embodiment of this invention as shown on still a dififerent form of rim; and

Fig. 8 is another view similar to Fig. 6 showing a still further modified form of soap receptacle embodying the features of this invention as disposed on another form of rim.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figs. 1-3, inclusive, thereof, the soap receptacle of this invention comprises a main body portion I0 having a substantially flat upper surface I l and a lower surface 12 which conforms substantially to the surface of and has physical engagement with the rim l3 of a bath tub, basin, sink, or the like. The receptacle is formed preferably of a non-metallic resilient material such as rubber, sponge rubber, composition, or the like. The ends of the body portion lfil are provided with upstanding pieces 14 preferably formed integrally with the main body portion.

Intermediate the end pieces: I4, a plurality of upstanding webs I5 are provided for supporting a bar of soap or other bathing accessory, the webs being likewise formed preferably integrally with the main body portion,

One side of the main body portion is provided with a longitudinally extending web I6 spaced from the ends of the laterally extending webs I5. The web I6 is preferably formed integrally with the main body portion and the ends thereof are spaced from the side pieces I4 to permit a drainage of water from the soap back into the tub, the upper flat surface of the receptacle tilting in a direction toward the interior of the tub.

The soap rests on the upstanding webs I5 to maintain the soap in a dry and solid condition. The other side of the main body portion is provided with an upstanding web I! forming the back of the soap receptacle and bounds the other ends of the laterally extending webs I5.

The end pieces l4 together with the longitudinally extending web I6 and the back member II are all of greater height than the laterally extending webs I5 to prevent displacement of the bar of soap therefrom. Also the upstanding wall or back member I! is preferably formed integrally with the body portion I0 as well as with the end pieces l4 so as to prevent water, draining from the cake of soap, from dripping onto the floor and directing the same back into the tub, basin, or sink.

By reason of the soap receptacle being of a flexible material and having a contour similar to that of the usual tub or the like, a maximum frictional engagement is obtained therebetween. Such engagement effectually prevents displacement of the soap receptacle from its position on the rim. If there are any defects in the surface of the tub, such as depressions or raised portions, the resiliency of the material will accommodate, for the most part, any such defects so as to always maintain a maximum physical engagement and efficient frictional grip on the rim on which the soap receptacle is disposed.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 4, the embodiment of this invention therein shown comprises a main body portion 18 having a substantially flat upper surface l9 tilted in a direction toward the interior of the tub, sink, or basin, and a lower surface 20 which latter conforms substantially to the surface of the rim 20a and has physical engagement therewith over at least a major portion thereof. The ends of the main body portion are enclosed by means of pieces 2| preferably formed integrally therewith and the sides are provided with upstanding webs 22 and 23, the web 22 being disposed forwardly or in a direction interiorially of the tub or basin and the web 23 being a back wall. The longitudinally extending web 22, as in the previously described figures, is preferably spaced from the end pieces so as to provide a draining of water from the upper surface of the main body portion back into the tub.

A plurality of laterally extending spaced webs 24 are formed on the upper surface of the main body portion I8 for supporting the cake of soap, these latter webs being of substantially less height than the end pieces 2| or the longitudinally extending webs 22 and 23 so as-to prevent displacement of the bar of soap from the supporting webs 24.

The back wall 23 is preferably of substantial height and of substantially the length of the main body portion and is preferably provided with a recessed portion 25 of preferably circular formation. In the instance of use of the soap receptacle on the rim of the tub or basin adjacent a wall it is desirable to provide for a suction grip since ordinarily such wall adjacent a basin or tub is either of tile or a highly glazed enamel or other non-porous surface. The suction grip provided by the recess 25 aids materially in securing the soap receptacle against displacement from the rim of the article on which it is disposed.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 6, the soap receptacle 26 shown therein is identical in all respects with the soap receptacle shown in Figs. 1-3, inclusive hereof with the exception that the lower surface of the receptacle is shaped to conform to a different type of rim 28. In this instance the lower surface 21 is of substantially inverted V-shape to conform to the outer substantially V-shaped surface of the rim 28.

The modification of this invention shown in Fig. 7 comprises the usual main body portion 29 having the upstanding webs and end pieces recited in the previous embodiments for supporting a bar of soap and for preventing displacement thereof. However, a pair of highly flexible strips 30 extend from the main body portion preferably adjacent the under-surface thereof for conforming to and for having physical engagement with the rim and with the side walls 3| support- 5 ing the rim 32. The flexible strips 3|] are not preformed of any particular shape but are flexible so that they will have engagement by reason of their own weight with the side walls of the rim. In this instance the underneath surface of the main body portion 29 need not be specifically preformed to meet the requirement of any type of rim since it may be used'on either a flat or arcuately shaped rim, the frictional engagement for preventing displacement being had between the flexible strips and the tub by reason of the strips conforming substantially to and having physical engagement with the rim and with the side walls supporting the rim or with the side walls alone by resting thereagainst by their own weight.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 8, the construction therein shown embodying the features of this invention comprises a soap recep-' tacle 33 having the same upstanding end pieces and webs as in those embodiments previously described for supporting a bar of soap and for preventing displacement thereof. The undersurface 34 of the soap receptacle is shaped to conform to the surface of the rim 35. Since one side of the rim is abruptly terminated it may be desirable to incorporate a hook-shaped depending portion 36 from adjacent the lower surface of the support to aid in stabilizing the receptacle and preventing displacement thereof.

While several embodiments of this invention are herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only to be limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. In a device of the character described for resting on the rim of a bath tub or the like in which the 'rim has at least portions deviating from a straight line, an open top receptacle formed integrally of non-metallic resilient material having members formed on the upper surface thereof for'supporting a'bar of soap and for preventing displacement thereof, one ofsaidmembers forming a back member extending along one edge thereof substantially above any of the other of said members, said receptacle having a lower surface at least a major portion of which conforms substantially to the surface of and has physical engagement with the rim whereby it is held against displacement therefrom solely by its own weight effecting said engagement.

2. In a device of the character described for resting on the rim of a bath tub or the like, an open top receptacle formed of non-metallic resilient material having upstanding spaced webs extending laterally on the upper surface thereof for supporting a bar of soap and upstanding longitudinally extending webs for preventing displacement thereof, one of said longitudinally extending webs being recessed to provide a suction grip, said receptacle having a lower surface at least a major portion of which conforms substantially to the surface of and has physical engagement with the rim.

3. In a device of the character described for grally with said receptacle for conforming substantially to and having physical engagement with the side wall supporting the rim.

EARL W. SODEBERG.

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