Scouring pad

Abstract

The Present Invention is a class of pads used for both cleaning and scouring. The pad has one or more usable faces and may have one or more unusable faces. Alternatively, all faces of the pad may be usable. The pad is sized conveniently to fit into the palm of a person's hand. The usable faces are also sized to enable manual washing of dishes, scouring of pots and pans, and cleaning of surfaces. Each usable face comprises a plurality of diverse materials. At least one of these materials is sponge-like, and at least one of these materials is suitable for use in scrubbing or scouring. However, all of these materials are on the same usable face. The user does not have to turn the pad over to access one material in place of another. All washing, cleaning, scrubbing, and scouring may be accomplished from contact with a single face of the pad.

1 . A manufactured article for use in washing, cleaning, scrubbing, and scouring surfaces, said manufactured article comprising faces further comprising at least one usable face, wherein:
 a) each of said at least one usable face has a surface area with dimensions, and each of said at least one usable face comprises a plurality of materials in a configuration, and each of the plurality of materials further comprises a surface area with dimensions;   b) on at least one usable face, at least one of said plurality of materials is a sponge-like material that is soft and absorbs liquids and is adapted for use as a household sponge;   c) at least one of said plurality of materials is harder or more abrasive than the sponge-like material and is adapted for use in scrubbing or scouring;   d) the dimensions of the surface area of every material of the plurality of materials is of sufficient size to enable it to be effectively used for washing, cleaning, scrubbing or scouring surfaces;   e) the dimensions of the surface area of said at least one usable face are of the order of the size of an adult human hand; and,   f) the shape and size of the manufactured article permits it fit into the user's palm.   
   
   
       2 . The manufactured article of  claim 1  wherein one dimension of said at least one usable face is a width that ranges between 2 inches and 5 inches, and another dimension is a length that ranges between 2 inches and 8 inches. 
   
   
       3 . The manufactured article of  claim 1  comprising only one usable face. 
   
   
       4 . The manufactured article of  claim 1  comprising more than one usable face. 
   
   
       5 . The manufactured article of  claim 4  wherein the configuration of the plurality of materials on every usable face is the same. 
   
   
       6 . The manufactured article of  claim 4  wherein the configuration of the plurality of materials on a usable face is different from the configuration of the plurality of materials on another usable face. 
   
   
       7 . The manufactured article of  claim 1  wherein the shape of said at least one usable face is rectangular, circular, elliptical, or oval. 
   
   
       8 . The manufactured article of  claim 1  being in the shape of a familiar object. 
   
   
       9 . The manufactured article of  claim 1  wherein the each of the materials comprising the at least one usable face is taken from the group consisting of natural sponge, cellulose, silicone, polyurethane foam, nylon strands, nylon fibers, artificial turf, steel wool, and bronze wool. 
   
   
       10 . The manufactured article of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of materials that comprise the at least one usable face has a desired shape and size that may be different from any other of the plurality of materials that comprise the at least one usable face. 
   
   
       11 . The manufactured article of  claim 1  comprising two halves that are joined together and affixed to each other. 
   
   
       12 . The manufactured article of  claim 1  having an elastic band affixed to the face opposite a usable face, configured in such a way as to accommodate insertion of the user's hand wherein the back of the user's hand is in contact with the elastic band, and the palm of the user's hand is in contact with the face of the manufactured article that is opposite the usable face. 
   
   
       13 . The manufactured article of  claim 1  having a handle affixed to the face opposite a usable face. 
   
   
       14 . The manufactured article of  claim 1  having solid soap or liquid detergent embedded therein. 
   
   
       15 . The manufactured article of  claim 1  wherein solid soap or liquid detergent can be inserted by the user as desired. 
   
   
       16 . The manufactured article of  claim 1  wherein all faces are usable. 
   
   
       17 . The manufactured article of  claim 1  further comprising at least one unusable face.