IP Library Granted Patent US 6,871,375
Granted Patent B2
US 6,871,375 · App. 09/977,756 · Granted Mar 29, 2005

Sectional bath sponge and method of manufacture

Assignee: Bradford Soap Mexico, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,871,375
App. No.
09/977,756
Granted
Mar 29, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of manufacturing a bath sponge includes rolling each of a plurality of discrete lengths of flexible mesh-netting tube into a discrete substantially doughnut shaped band, each band bounding a central opening. Each band is stretched on a support structure so that the central opening of each band is at least partially aligned. Each of the bands are secured together at a first location and at a second location. Finally, the bands are released from the support structure so that the bands rebound into a substantially spherical bath sponge bounding a central pocket.

Claims (28)

1. A method for manufacturing a bath sponge, the method comprising:

manipulating each of a plurality of discrete lengths of flexible mesh-netting tube so that each mesh-netting tube is formed into a band, the act of manipulating comprising at least partially rolling each mesh-netting tube so that each tube has a substantially doughnut shaped configuration, each band bounding a central opening;

adjacently positioning each of the bands so that at least a portion of the central opening of each band is aligned along a longitudinal axis; and

securing each of the aligned bands together at two spaced apart locations so as to produce a substantially spherical sponge.

2. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising folding each mesh-netting tube over itself at least once prior to rolling.

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the act of adjacently positioning each of the bands comprises stretching each band over a support structure.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the act of adjacently positioning each of the bands comprises stretching each band over a pair of spaced apart posts.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the act of securing comprises using separate cords to tie the bands together at the two spaced apart locations.

6. A method according to claim 5 , further comprising positioning a fastening device on at least one of the cords so as to keep the cord in place.

7. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising positioning an object within a central pocket formed within the spherical sponge.

8. A method for manufacturing a bath sponge, the method comprising:

at least partially rolling each of a plurality of discrete lengths of flexible mesh-netting tube so that each mesh-netting tube is formed into a discrete substantially doughnut shaped band, each band bounding a central opening;

stretching each band on a support structure so that the central opening of each band is at least partially aligned;

securing each of the bands together at a first location;

securing each of tho bands together at a second location substantially opposite the first location; and

releasing the stretched bands from the support structure so as to produce a substantially spherical bath sponge.

9. A method according to claim 8 , further comprising folding at least one of the mesh-netting tubes over itself at least once prior to rolling.

10. A method according to claim 8 , wherein the act of stretching each band on a support structure comprises stretching each band over a pair of spaced apart posts.

11. A method according to claim 8 , wherein the act of securing each of the bands together at a first location comprises tying a line around each of the bands at the first location.

12. A method according to claim 8 , wherein the act of securing each of the bands together at a first location comprises:

passing a cord around each of the bands at the first location; and

mounting a fastening device on the cord so as to hold the cord in position.

13. A method according to claim 8 , further comprising positioning an object within a central pocket formed within the spherical sponge.

14. A method according to claim 13 , wherein the object is soap, a toy, or a stuffed animal.

15. A bath sponge comprising a plurality of bands each having a substantially doughnut shaped configuration, each band bounding a central opening and being comprised of a flexible mesh-netting material, each band being secured together at a first location and a spaced apart second location so that the bands form a substantially spherical configuration with the central opening of each band forming a portion of a central pocket.

16. A bath sponge as recited in claim 15 , wherein each band comprises an elongated mesh-netting tube that has been manipulated into a band.

17. A bath sponge as recited in claim 15 , further comprising an object disposed within the central pocket.

18. A bath sponge as recited in claim 15 , wherein the plurality of bands comprises four or more discrete bands.

Assignments (9)
TERMINATION OF PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 3, 2023
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BRADFORD SOAP INTERNATIONAL, INC.; THE ORIGINAL BRADFORD SOAP WORKS, INC.; HEWITT SOAP WORKS, INC.; BRADFORD SOAP MEXICO, INC.
Reel/Frame 064304/0024 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 16, 2019
From: HARVEST CAPITAL CREDIT CORPORATION
To: BRADFORD SOAP INTERNATIONAL, INC.; THE ORIGINAL BRADFORD SOAP WORKS, INC.; HEWITT SOAP WORKS, INC.; BRADFORD SOAP MEXICO, INC.
Reel/Frame 050385/0056 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2015
From: BRADFORD SOAP MEXICO, INC.
To: HARVEST CAPITAL CREDIT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 036272/0202 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 21, 2011
From: BRADFORD SOAP MEXICO, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK
Reel/Frame 026161/0740 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 13, 2006
From: BRADFORD SOAP MEXICO, INC.
To: TD BANKNORTH, N.A.
Reel/Frame 018505/0707 →
PATENT COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 9, 2005
From: BRADFORD SOAP MEXICO, INC.
To: FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015667/0281 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 18, 2004
From: JEAN CHARLES INCORPORATED
To: BRADFORD SOAP MEXICO, INC.
Reel/Frame 015386/0563 →
RIGHT TO ATTACH ORDER AND ORDER FOR ISSUANCE OF WRIT OF ATTACHMENT AFTER HEARING AND WRIT OF ATTACHMENT AFTER HEARING Recorded Jul 26, 2004
From: JEAN CHARLES, INC.
To: THE ORIGINAL BRADFORD SOAP WORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 014892/0312 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 15, 2001
From: BORCHERDS, SUZANNE
To: JEAN CHARLES INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 012269/0195 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20030070245A1 · Apr 17, 2003