Disposable Shower With Integral Liquid Container Pods, Bristles, and Dispensing System

Abstract

Disclosed is a shower brush having its own internally-generated liquid soap or other types of personal cleansing gels or liquids. The device is disposable after two-to-three uses, and enhances an overall sanitary bath or shower experience. The Brush is particularly suited for expedient use during travel or emergency scenarios at sites having limited hygiene facilities, due to natural disasters or precautionary re-location of large groups of persons. The Brush comprises essentially three main components: (1) a basin having at least one compartment or pod containing a quantity of liquid or gel, the basin further manifesting at, its outer surface, a plurality of bristles; (2) a lid which attaches to one or more perimetral edges of the basin, and (3) a hand strap connected across the outer surface of the lid. The strap enables a user to maintain the Brush secured within the grasp of the user's hand.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shower brush comprising (a) a basin having at least one compartment, the at least one compartment containing at least one pod filled with a liquid or a gel therein; (b) a plurality of apertures through the bottom of the at least one compartment; (c) a means for releasing the liquid or gel from the at least one pod; (d) a grouping of bristles affixed to and extending exteriorly from the bottom surface of the basin; (e) a lid having a lateral perimetral edge corresponding in profile and dimensions to the lateral perimetral edge of the basin; (f) a gasket interposed between the perimetral edge of the lid and the perimetral edge of the basin; (g) a strap having a first end and a second end; (h) a means for operably connecting the basin to the lid; and (i) a means for operably connecting the strap to the shower brush. 
     
     
         2 . A shower brush as in  claim 1 , wherein each pod manifests a filler port through which a liquid or gel may be injected into the pod prior to its ultimate use. 
     
     
         3 . A shower brush as in  claim 1 , wherein the means of releasing liquid/gel from the at least one pod comprises a lengthwise opening in the bottom of the at least one pod, the opening further having a sealed covering comprising a removable tab, a segment of the tab being exteriorly exposed through a slot at one end of the compartment, whereupon pulling of the tab removes the tab and exposes the lengthwise opening, thereby releasing the contained liquid/gel onto the apertures of the compartment. 
     
     
         4 . A shower brush as in  claim 1 , wherein the means of operably connecting the basin to the lid comprises a mechanical hinge device connected proximate the rear perimetral edge of the lid and to the rear perimetral edge of the basin, the device further having a fixed linear axis parallel to the perimetral edges of both the lid and the basin. 
     
     
         5 . A shower brush as in  claim 1 , wherein the means of operably connecting the strap to the shower brush comprises (i) a rear fastener integral to the rear perimetral edge of the basin, and having an interior opening corresponding to the width of the strap (ii) a front fastener integral to the from perimetral edge of the basin, and having an interior opening corresponding to the width of the strap, and (iii) a front latch integral to the front perimetral edge of the lid, and having an interior opening corresponding to the width of the strap, whereby,
 a first end of the strap is positioned, in a looping manner, through the rear fastener opening of the basin and stitched to itself, and the second end of the strap is constructed with a hook-and-felt fastening mechanism, the mechanism simultaneously attachable through both the front latch opening of the lid front fastener and the opening of the front fastener of the basin.   
     
     
         6 . A shower brush as in  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a concave, shell-like contour. 
     
     
         7 . A shower brush as in  claim 1  wherein each pod manifests a perimetral seal inserted between the junction of the upper half of the pod and the lower half of the pod. 
     
     
         8 . A disposable shower brush comprising (a) a basin manifesting a lateral divider and a longitudinal divider, thereby forming four equal-sized compartments, each compartment further containing a pod filled with a liquid or a gel therein; (b) a plurality of apertures extending through the bottom surface of each compartment; (c) a means for releasing of the liquid or gel from each pod; (d) a plurality of bristles affixed to, and extending exteriorly outward from, the bottom of the basin; (e) a lid having a lateral perimetral edge corresponding in profile and dimensions to the lateral perimetral edge of the basin; (f) a gasket interposed between the perimetral edge of the lid and the perimetral edge of the basin. (g) a strap having a first end and a second end; (h) a means for operably connecting the basin to the lid; and (i) a means for operably connecting the strap to the shower brush. 
     
     
         9 . A shower brush as in  claim 8 , wherein each pod manifests a filler port through which a liquid or gel may be injected into the pod prior to its ultimate use. 
     
     
         10 . A shower brush as in  claim 8 , wherein the means of releasing liquid/gel from the at least one pod comprises a lengthwise opening in the bottom of the at least one pod, the opening further having a sealed covering comprising a removable tab, a segment of the tab being exteriorly exposed through a slot at one end of the compartment, whereupon pulling of the tab removes the tab and exposes the lengthwise opening, thereby releasing the contained liquid/gel onto the apertures of the compartment. 
     
     
         11 . A shower brush as in  claim 8 , wherein the means of operably connecting the basin to the lid comprises a mechanical hinge device connected proximate the war perimetral edge of the lid and to the rear perimetral edge of the basin, the device further having a fixed linear axis parallel to the perimetral edges of both the lid and the basin. 
     
     
         12 . A shower brush as in  claim 8 , wherein the means of operably connecting the strap to the shower brush comprises (i) a rear fastener integral to the rear perimetral edge of the basin, and having an interior opening corresponding to the width of the strap (ii) a front fastener integral to the front perimetral edge of the basin, and having an interior opening corresponding to the width of the strap, and (ill) a front latch integral to the front perimetral edge of the lid, and having an interior opening corresponding to the width of the strap, whereby,
 a first end of the strap is positioned, in a looping manner, through the rear fastener opening of the basin and stitched to itself, and the second end of the strap is constructed with a hook-and-felt fastening mechanism, the mechanism simultaneously attachable through both the front latch opening of the lid front fastener and the opening of the front fastener of the basin.   
     
     
         13 . A shower brush as in  claim 8 , wherein the lid comprises a concave, shell-like contour. 
     
     
         14 . A shower brush as in  claim 8  wherein each pod manifests a perimetral seal inserted between the junction of the upper half of the pod and the lower half of the pod