US20090110466A1

US20090110466A1 - All natural vegetable fiber exfoliating cloth

Info

Publication number: US20090110466A1
Application number: US12/290,576
Authority: US
Inventors: Gwen Vanessa Thomas; Helene Sims
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-31
Filing date: 2008-10-31
Publication date: 2009-04-30

Abstract

A wash cloth is made of all natural vegetable fibers and is particularly effective for exfoliating the skin to remove dead skin cells and revitalize skin tone and sensation. The natural vegetable fibers are derived from the Malvaceal family of plants. The exfoliating wash cloth may include a pocket for holding bar or liquid soap while rubbing the cloth against the skin when bathing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/001,157 filed on Oct. 31, 2007 and applicants claim the benefit to the provisional application filing date under Title 35, U.S.C 119(e).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a wash cloth for bathing and, more particularly, to an exfoliating wash cloth made of natural vegetable fibers.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Exfoliation is a common cosmetic technique that involves removing the dead skin cells on the outer surface of the skin (i.e., stratum corneum) to expose fresh living skin cells. Removing dead skin cells by exfoliating results in younger, brighter looking skin, as well as better penetration of active ingredients in skin care products (e.g., skin moisturizers). Exfoliating on a regular basis helps to generate new skin cells at a faster rate, thereby providing a healthier glow to the skin, as well as improved skin sensation.
The process of exfoliating the skin can be done by either a mechanical technique or with the use of chemical exfoliants. Mechanical exfoliants include micro-bead facial scrubs, natural granular substances, such as sugar or salt crystals, and abrasive clothes such as loofahs. Chemical exfoliants contain various acids and enzymes, including salicylic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, and fruit enzymes.
While the above described mechanical and chemical exfoliants have proven to be effective in removing dead skin cells and improving skin appearance, the products containing these exfoliants can be relatively expensive compared to other traditional bathing products. Moreover, some people may be allergic to the rather exotic ingredients contained in both mechanical and chemical exfoliant products. Further, use of most mechanical and chemical exfoliants is limited to once or twice a week. A person using these exfoliants more often than recommended may be removing too many living skin cells and may increase the chance of skin irritation and damage.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the cosmetic industry for an inexpensive, highly effective product for mechanically exfoliating the skin on a daily basis. More particularly, there remains a need for a wash cloth made of all natural vegetable fibers that is particularly effective in exfoliating the skin to remove dead skin cells and revitalize skin tone and skin sensation, and wherein the exfoliating wash cloth can be used on a daily basis without causing skin irritation or skin damage. There is a further need for an exfoliating wash cloth made up of all natural vegetable fibers, and wherein the wash cloth is structured to hold a soap product (e.g. bar soap, liquid soap or bath gel) while washing and exfoliating the skin using the wash cloth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a wash cloth made of all natural vegetable fibers. The wash cloth of the present invention is particularly effective for exfoliating the skin to remove dead skin cells and revitalize skin tone and sensation. The exfoliating wash cloth may include a pocket for holding bar or liquid soap while rubbing the cloth against the skin when bathing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the exfoliating wash cloth of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, in partial cross-section, showing a pocket of the exfoliating wash cloth holding a bar of soap; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, in partial section, showing a pocket of the exfoliating wash cloth holding liquid soap or bath gel.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The exfoliating wash cloth 10 of the present invention is made up of all natural vegetable fibers and is particularly effective for exfoliating the skin to remove dead skins, thereby revitalizing skin tone and skin sensation. In a preferred embodiment, the exfoliating wash cloth 10 is made of woven fibers produced from plants in the genus Corchorus, family Malvaceae. The long, relatively soft vegetable fibers 12 are woven to produce a flexible cloth 14 and includes at least a primary panel 16 with a front side 17 and a back side 18. While the exfoliating wash cloth 10 of the present invention may be manufactured in various sizes and shapes, the preferred shape is square or rectangular with the side edges of the cloth ranging in length of between 4 inches and 12 inches. One preferred embodiment of the exfoliating wash cloth 10 is square in shape, measuring 8 inches by 8 inches. It is important to note that the wash cloth 10 may be made in desired size and shape and is not limited to the dimensions disclosed herein.
The exfoliating wash cloth 10 may be structured to include a pocket 20 on one side, as seen in FIGS. 1-3. The pocket 20 is formed by a panel 22 of the same all natural vegetable fiber fabric overlapped on the primary panel 16 of the wash cloth. The overlapping pocket panel 22 is stitched or otherwise closed along three side edges, with a top edge 24 separated from the primary panel 16, thereby allowing for placement of a soap product 30 within the pocket interior 28. As shown in FIG. 2, the soap product 30 placed within the pocket may be a bar of soap 32. Alternatively, the soap product 30 contained in the pocket may be liquid or bath gel 34 (e.g. beads), as shown in FIG. 3.
In use, a soap or bath gel product is applied to the exfoliating wash cloth 10, such as by placing the soap or bath gel products 30 within the pocket (see FIGS. 2 and 3), or by applying the soap or bath gel product to the outer surfaces of the exfoliating wash cloth. The user's skin should be wet, preferably after exposure to warm running water, such as in the shower for at least 1-2 minutes. Next, the exfoliating wash cloth 10 containing the soap or bath gel product, is rubbed against the user's skin, on all areas of the body being washed, using light to medium pressure against the skin, either in a circulating motion or bi-directional motion. To avoid removing too many living skin cells, as well as irritation of the skin, washing of any skin area should be limited to no ore than 30 seconds. Ideally, after rubbing the exfoliating wash cloth in the circular or bi-directional motion against area of the skin for 10-15 seconds, the user should move to another area of skin to be exfoliated and cleansed. After scrubbing all desired exposed skin areas of the body using the exfoliating wash cloth, the washed skin areas should be rinsed thoroughly with warm water, preferably under a running shower. When properly cleansed and exfoliated, the skin should feel fresh and tingly. This sensation indicates the presence of new living skin cells on the outer surfaces of the skin and will last for several hours and possibly longer, depending upon the user.
While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A wash cloth for exfoliating the skin comprising:

a plurality of vegetable fibers derived from the Malvaceae family of plants, and said plurality of vegetable fibers woven to define a primary fabric panel having a first side and an opposite second side.

2. The wash cloth as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a pocket on said first side of said primary panel and said pocket being structured and disposed for holding a soap product.

3. The wash cloth as recited in claim 2 wherein said pocket comprises:

a secondary fabric panel of said woven plurality of vegetable fibers, and said secondary panel being attached to said primary panel to partially surround and enclose a pocket interior, and said secondary fabric panel being partially separated from said primary fabric panel to define a pocket opening for placement of the soap product within said pocket interior.

4. A wash cloth for exfoliating the skin comprising:

a plurality of vegetable fibers derived from the Malvaceae family of plants, and said plurality of vegetable fibers woven to define a primary fabric panel having a first side and an opposite second side, and a secondary fabric panel; and

said secondary fabric panel attached to said primary panel to define a pocket opening communicating with a pocket interior between said primary fabric panel and said secondary fabric panel for containing a soap product therein.