Mesh Ball Impregnated with Soap

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for a cleaning product comprising a foam portion containing at least one additive, said foam portion attached to a mesh sponge portion as well as a method of making the same. The instant invention is for use as a lightweight, hygienic cleaning product capable of controlling release of additives such as cleaning agents and additives for skin care or aesthetic or therapeutic purposes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning product comprising a foam portion containing at least one additive, said foam portion attached to a mesh sponge portion. 
     
     
         2 . The cleaning product of  claim 1  wherein said foam portion is generally enclosed by said mesh sponge portion. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning product of  claim 1  wherein the foam portion is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogels, hydrophilic foams, hydrophobic foams, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidinone, cellulose, and polyethylene oxide and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning product of  claim 1  wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of: soaps, detergents, waxes, polishes, drugs, cosmetics, biologicals, volatiles, odor absorbing and controlling compositions, perfumes, oils, essential oils, vitamins, bactericides, microbicides, skin conditioning agents, moisturizers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning product of  claim 1  wherein the at least one additive is generally dispersed throughout the matrix of the foam portion. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning product of  claim 1  wherein the foam portion also comprises at least one superabsorbent polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning product of  claim 1  wherein the mesh sponge portion comprises at least one layer of netting arranged in the form of a bath ruffle. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning product of  claim 1  wherein the mesh sponge portion comprises a netting of at least two different materials or textures. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning product of  claim 1  wherein said foam portion contains at least one additive selected from the group consisting of: soaps, detergents, waxes, polishes, drugs, cosmetics, biologicals, volatiles, odor absorbing and controlling compositions, perfumes, oils, essential oils, vitamins, bactericides, microbicides, skin conditioning agents, moisturizers, plant extracts, and combinations thereof; and wherein the mesh sponge portion comprises at least one layer of a netting arranged in the form of a bath ruffle generally enclosing said foam portion. 
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a cleaning product comprising the steps of:
 providing a foam portion containing at least one additive; and   attaching said foam portion to a mesh sponge portion.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of shaping said mesh sponge portion so that it generally encloses said foam portion. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising with step of threading at least an area of the mesh sponge portion with at least an area of the foam portion. 
     
     
         13 . A cleaning product comprising a mesh sponge portion and a foam portion comprising at least one additive wherein a part of the mesh sponge portion is contained within at least a part of the foam portion. 
     
     
         14 . The cleaning product of  claim 13  wherein the foam portion is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogels, hydrophilic foams, hydrophobic foams, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidinone, and polyethylene oxide and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The cleaning product of  claim 13  wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of: soaps, detergents, waxes, polishes, drugs, cosmetics, biologicals volatiles, odor absorbing and controlling compositions, perfumes, oils, essential oils, vitamins, bactericides, microbicides, skin conditioning agents, moisturizers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The cleaning product of  claim 13  wherein the at least one additive is generally dispersed uniformly throughout the foam portion. 
     
     
         17 . The cleaning product of  claim 13  wherein the foam portion also comprises at least one superabsorbent polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The cleaning product of  claim 13  wherein the mesh sponge portion is composed of at least one layer of netting arranged in the form of a bath ruffle. 
     
     
         19 . The cleaning product of  claim 13  wherein the mesh sponge portion comprises a netting of at least two different materials or textures. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaning product of  claim 13 , wherein at least an area of said mesh sponge portion is threaded through at least an area of said foam portion.