Cleansing and personal care article

1. A single- or multiple-use cleansing article comprising:

(i) a flexible, three-dimensional, water-absorbent substrate material comprising a cavity for accepting an electronic device within a waterproof housing, wherein the water-absorbent substrate is comprised of a web of substantially water-insoluble fibers; and

(ii) an electronic device within a waterproof housing comprised of

(a) one or more of a light-emitting device, a sound-emitting device, or an electromechanical vibrating device; and

(b) a programmable integrated circuit for producing a predetermined sequence of light effects, sound effects or vibrations when actuated by a switch; and

(c) a switch; and

(d) a direct current power source selected from the group consisting of electrochemical cells, solar cells, or motion-actuated power cells comprised of a magnet, a wire induction coil and a storage capacitor wherein the storage capacitor is charged by shaking that produces light, sound or vibrations in a manner that is audibly, visibly or tactilely perceptible to the user through the water-absorbent substrate material when the switch is actuated; and

(iii) a pourable soap impregnated into the water-absorbent material in an amount sufficient to produce foam in water having a di- or trivalent cationic salts present at a concentration of at least about 120 mg/L.

2. A modular personal care sponge comprising:

(i) an outer member comprising a cavity or hole to accept an inner member designed to fit snugly within the outer member, thereby forming a unitary article with the outer member; and

(ii) an inner member comprised of

(a) one or more of a light-emitting device, a sound-emitting device, or an electromechanical vibrating device; and

(b) a programmable integrated circuit for producing a predetermined sequence of light effects, sound effects or vibrations when actuated by a switch; and

(c) a switch; and

(d) a direct current power source selected from the group consisting of electrochemical cells, solar cells or motion-actuated power cells comprised of a magnet, a wire induction coil and a storage capacitor wherein the storage capacitor is charged by shaking that produces light, sound or vibrations in a manner that is audibly, visibly or tactilely perceptible to the user through a water-absorbent substrate material when the switch is actuated.

3. A single- or multiple-use personal care article comprising:

(i) a flexible, three-dimensional, water-absorbent substrate material comprising a cavity for accepting an electronic device within a waterproof housing, wherein the water-absorbent substrate is comprised of a web of substantially water-insoluble fibers; and

(ii) an electronic device within a waterproof housing comprised of

(a) one or more of a light-emitting device, a sound-emitting device, or an electromechanical vibrating device; and

(b) a programmable integrated circuit for producing a predetermined sequence of light effects, sound effects or vibrations when actuated by a switch; and

(c) a switch; and

(d) a direct current power source selected from the group consisting of electrochemical cells, solar cells, or motion-actuated power cells comprised of a magnet, a wire induction coil and a storage capacitor wherein the storage capacitor is charged by shaking that produces light, sound or vibrations in a manner that is audibly, visibly or tactilely perceptible to the user through the water-absorbent substrate material when the switch is actuated; and

(iii) a solid anhydrous composition having a melting point of from about 45° C. to about 55° C. said anhydrous composition comprising

(a) at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of cationic quaternary surfactants, anionic surfactants and non-ionic surfactants;

(b) at least at least one fatty alcohol;

(c) at least one emollient selected from the group consisting of cosmetically-acceptable oils, esters and liquid triglycerides;

(d) at least one active ingredient; and

(e) optionally, a solid cleansing agent having a melting point from about 50° C. to about 70° C.

4. A single- or multiple-use personal care article according to claim 3 wherein the optional solid cleansing agent having a melting point from about 50° C. to about 70° C. is a pourable soap in an amount sufficient to produce foam in water having a di- or trivalent cationic salts present at a concentration of at least about 120 mg/L.

5. A single- or multiple-use personal care article according to claim 3 wherein the active ingredient is a skincare active or haircare active selected from the group consisting of emollients, humectants, occlusive conditioning agents, sunscreens or physical sun blocks, self-tanning agents, anti-inflammatory agents, antioxidants, vitamins and derivatives thereof, skin soothing agents and skin bleaching/lightening agents.