Pocket-sized gadget repurposes plastic water bottle into a portable shower or wash station : TreeHugger

Read article : Pocket-sized gadget repurposes plastic water bottle into a portable shower or wash station : TreeHugger

Sometimes I see a product and instantly notice how incredibly useful it could be, and yet how simple the concept is, both of which makes me think, "I wish I had thought of that." This little pocket-sized gadget, which repurposes a plastic water bottle into a portable shower or wash station, is one of those.

For about 6 years, my family and I lived in a tiny house (OK, it was actually a small travel trailer, but same difference) without a shower or bath. In order to get clean, we used a portable camping shower hung from a tree, which turned us all into experts at getting clean with just a small amount of water. But the smallest solar shower we could find was a 3-gallon sized one, which was plenty large enough for several showers, but almost too big to fill up and get hot for spontaneous showers.

So when I read about the SpaTap, I was a bit envious that we never ended up inventing a similar solution for ourselves, especially when considering the wide variety of situations where a tiny portable shower or wash station could come in handy.

The SpaTap is a deceptively simple device, and it takes advantage of one of our culture's most common items, the plastic water bottle. Even if you don't buy bottled water, chances are you can pick one out of the nearest recycle bin or trash can, and put it to use washing your food, your hands, or your entire body.

To use the SpaTap, simply slip it over the neck of a standard plastic water bottle, hang it up with the strap or some cord (or hold it for someone else to use), then remove the plug from the side of it, which allows the water to flow out from the perforated shower head. The device instantly becomes a produce wash station, a handwashing station, or a shower, and could be a great addition to a car first aid kit, camping gear, an emergency preparedness kit, a diaper bag, or your sports gear bag.

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"For too long plastic bottles have been going into the ocean or landfill. Lack of awareness and alternative uses of this resource continues to have dire consequences for our marine health, wildlife and pollution. Recycling is great but is only part of the answer, we can also upcycle which is the top of the list as far as environmentally friendly procedures go. Upcycling is re-purposing a waste material and turning it into something useful." - SpaTap Founder Stuart Mason

According to the SpaTap website, a single 2 liter water bottle can deliver 3 showers or 20 hand washes, with bigger bottles obviously being able to handle more showers or longer use, and is said to be virtually indestructible. Constructed of "medical grade silicone," the device is safe for use around food and for drinking, and is claimed to be made from an "anti bacterial and anti microbial material."

The bad news is, the SpaTap isn't available for purchase just yet. The good news is, the team behind this portable pocket shower is using the power of crowdfunding to launch it, with a Kickstarter campaign beginning on Monday, June 2nd. Backers of that campaign will be able to grab one for themselves with a pledge of just $18 AUD (~$17 USD), for delivery this November.

Patent US4512044 - Portable shower and bath mat

Read article : Patent US4512044 - Portable shower and bath mat

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improved portable shower and bath mat which may also be used as a portable drying mat following the bath or shower.

A problem commonly encountered by outdoorsmen is that outdoor bathing facilities are often susceptible to dirt and grit being tracked into the shower area from the outdoors. Such problem exists at public camping facilities and at beaches.

Under these circumstances, a bather is often in the position of having to step into a shower facility having a dirty or sandy floor, and then, after showering and attempting to completely clean the feet, the bather must stand on the dirty or sandy floor to dry. Finally, the bather must place his socks and shoes on after standing on the dirty or sandy floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved portable shower or bath mat which can serve initially as a shower mat during the shower and which then dries and drains quickly to provide a clean and dry surface on which the bather can stand following the shower.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable shower or bath mat which can be easily and compactly carried by an outdoorsman.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portable shower or bath mat which is durable and which can be re-used frequently and over a long period of time.

The foregoing objects and still further objects will be understood based upon the following Description of a Preferred Embodiment and Drawings, in which the parts described in the Specification are all shown by like numbered parts in the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the portable bath or shower mat in use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper surface of an improved portable bath or shower mat in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of an improved portable bath or shower mat as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper surface of a second improved portable bath or shower mat in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of an improved portable bath or shower mat as shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description sets forth a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It will be understood that there are other embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the following description of a preferred embodiment.

The preferred embodiment of the improved portable bath or shower mat is made of high-density styrofoam having a non-slip bottom surface. The mat may be any shape or any size compatible with the floor of a shower stall 1 or the bottom of a bath tub as shown in FIG. 1. For example, the mat may be a rectangular mat as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 or it may be a round or oval mat in shape as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The mat 2 or 4 must be of sufficient thickness to insulate the bather's feet from the cold and wetness of the shower or bath floor and also to facilitate the rapid drainage of water from the upper surface of the mat 2 or 4. The mat may also be made from any other durable, substantially rigid, non-absorbent material having a non-slip bottom surface. The mat or pad should also be made from a material which will insulate the bather's feet from a cold shower or bath floor.

The preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a channeled bottom surface, having channels 11a through 11e longitudinally arranged along the width of the bottom surface of the mat, and channels 12a through 12f transversely arranged along the length of the bottom surface of the mat.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 also includes a channeled bottom surface, having channels 41a through 41p arranged radially on the bottom surface of the mat or pad. It will be understood, however, that a mat having a circular or oval shape may also have a plurality of parallel channels arranged as shown in FIG. 3, as opposed to radial channels as shown in FIG. 5.

The mats 2 or 4 may also include a large hole 13 which may be used to carry the mat, hang the mat over a standard shower head for storage when the mat is not in use, and the hole may also be arranged to fit over the drain hole of the shower or bath.

The mat 2 also includes a plurality of drain holes 13 which are situated along the channels 11a through 11e and a plurality of drain holes 12a through 12g situated along the channels 12a through 12f, and the mat 4 includes a plurality of drain holes 42 along the radial channels 41a through 41p. These drain holes should be sufficient in number to permit water to drain through the mat quickly and then drain away from the mat through the channels in the lower surface of the mat.

In order to use the mat 2 or 4, the bather may place the mat in the shower or bath before bathing and stand on the mat during the shower or bath. Following the bath, the mat will dry quickly providing the bather a clean and dry surface on which to stand while drying and dressing.

It will be understood that the forgoing preferred embodiments are exemplary, and that alternative embodiments can be made without departing from the basic scope of the present invention, which invention is limited solely by the appended claims.

Patent US4512044 - Portable shower and bath mat

Read article : Patent US4512044 - Portable shower and bath mat

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improved portable shower and bath mat which may also be used as a portable drying mat following the bath or shower.

A problem commonly encountered by outdoorsmen is that outdoor bathing facilities are often susceptible to dirt and grit being tracked into the shower area from the outdoors. Such problem exists at public camping facilities and at beaches.

Under these circumstances, a bather is often in the position of having to step into a shower facility having a dirty or sandy floor, and then, after showering and attempting to completely clean the feet, the bather must stand on the dirty or sandy floor to dry. Finally, the bather must place his socks and shoes on after standing on the dirty or sandy floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved portable shower or bath mat which can serve initially as a shower mat during the shower and which then dries and drains quickly to provide a clean and dry surface on which the bather can stand following the shower.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable shower or bath mat which can be easily and compactly carried by an outdoorsman.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portable shower or bath mat which is durable and which can be re-used frequently and over a long period of time.

The foregoing objects and still further objects will be understood based upon the following Description of a Preferred Embodiment and Drawings, in which the parts described in the Specification are all shown by like numbered parts in the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the portable bath or shower mat in use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper surface of an improved portable bath or shower mat in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of an improved portable bath or shower mat as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper surface of a second improved portable bath or shower mat in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of an improved portable bath or shower mat as shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description sets forth a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It will be understood that there are other embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the following description of a preferred embodiment.

The preferred embodiment of the improved portable bath or shower mat is made of high-density styrofoam having a non-slip bottom surface. The mat may be any shape or any size compatible with the floor of a shower stall 1 or the bottom of a bath tub as shown in FIG. 1. For example, the mat may be a rectangular mat as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 or it may be a round or oval mat in shape as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The mat 2 or 4 must be of sufficient thickness to insulate the bather's feet from the cold and wetness of the shower or bath floor and also to facilitate the rapid drainage of water from the upper surface of the mat 2 or 4. The mat may also be made from any other durable, substantially rigid, non-absorbent material having a non-slip bottom surface. The mat or pad should also be made from a material which will insulate the bather's feet from a cold shower or bath floor.

The preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a channeled bottom surface, having channels 11a through 11e longitudinally arranged along the width of the bottom surface of the mat, and channels 12a through 12f transversely arranged along the length of the bottom surface of the mat.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 also includes a channeled bottom surface, having channels 41a through 41p arranged radially on the bottom surface of the mat or pad. It will be understood, however, that a mat having a circular or oval shape may also have a plurality of parallel channels arranged as shown in FIG. 3, as opposed to radial channels as shown in FIG. 5.

The mats 2 or 4 may also include a large hole 13 which may be used to carry the mat, hang the mat over a standard shower head for storage when the mat is not in use, and the hole may also be arranged to fit over the drain hole of the shower or bath.

The mat 2 also includes a plurality of drain holes 13 which are situated along the channels 11a through 11e and a plurality of drain holes 12a through 12g situated along the channels 12a through 12f, and the mat 4 includes a plurality of drain holes 42 along the radial channels 41a through 41p. These drain holes should be sufficient in number to permit water to drain through the mat quickly and then drain away from the mat through the channels in the lower surface of the mat.

In order to use the mat 2 or 4, the bather may place the mat in the shower or bath before bathing and stand on the mat during the shower or bath. Following the bath, the mat will dry quickly providing the bather a clean and dry surface on which to stand while drying and dressing.

It will be understood that the forgoing preferred embodiments are exemplary, and that alternative embodiments can be made without departing from the basic scope of the present invention, which invention is limited solely by the appended claims.

Patent US4512044 - Portable shower and bath mat

Read article : Patent US4512044 - Portable shower and bath mat

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improved portable shower and bath mat which may also be used as a portable drying mat following the bath or shower.

A problem commonly encountered by outdoorsmen is that outdoor bathing facilities are often susceptible to dirt and grit being tracked into the shower area from the outdoors. Such problem exists at public camping facilities and at beaches.

Under these circumstances, a bather is often in the position of having to step into a shower facility having a dirty or sandy floor, and then, after showering and attempting to completely clean the feet, the bather must stand on the dirty or sandy floor to dry. Finally, the bather must place his socks and shoes on after standing on the dirty or sandy floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved portable shower or bath mat which can serve initially as a shower mat during the shower and which then dries and drains quickly to provide a clean and dry surface on which the bather can stand following the shower.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable shower or bath mat which can be easily and compactly carried by an outdoorsman.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portable shower or bath mat which is durable and which can be re-used frequently and over a long period of time.

The foregoing objects and still further objects will be understood based upon the following Description of a Preferred Embodiment and Drawings, in which the parts described in the Specification are all shown by like numbered parts in the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the portable bath or shower mat in use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper surface of an improved portable bath or shower mat in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of an improved portable bath or shower mat as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper surface of a second improved portable bath or shower mat in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of an improved portable bath or shower mat as shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description sets forth a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It will be understood that there are other embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the following description of a preferred embodiment.

The preferred embodiment of the improved portable bath or shower mat is made of high-density styrofoam having a non-slip bottom surface. The mat may be any shape or any size compatible with the floor of a shower stall 1 or the bottom of a bath tub as shown in FIG. 1. For example, the mat may be a rectangular mat as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 or it may be a round or oval mat in shape as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The mat 2 or 4 must be of sufficient thickness to insulate the bather's feet from the cold and wetness of the shower or bath floor and also to facilitate the rapid drainage of water from the upper surface of the mat 2 or 4. The mat may also be made from any other durable, substantially rigid, non-absorbent material having a non-slip bottom surface. The mat or pad should also be made from a material which will insulate the bather's feet from a cold shower or bath floor.

The preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a channeled bottom surface, having channels 11a through 11e longitudinally arranged along the width of the bottom surface of the mat, and channels 12a through 12f transversely arranged along the length of the bottom surface of the mat.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 also includes a channeled bottom surface, having channels 41a through 41p arranged radially on the bottom surface of the mat or pad. It will be understood, however, that a mat having a circular or oval shape may also have a plurality of parallel channels arranged as shown in FIG. 3, as opposed to radial channels as shown in FIG. 5.

The mats 2 or 4 may also include a large hole 13 which may be used to carry the mat, hang the mat over a standard shower head for storage when the mat is not in use, and the hole may also be arranged to fit over the drain hole of the shower or bath.

The mat 2 also includes a plurality of drain holes 13 which are situated along the channels 11a through 11e and a plurality of drain holes 12a through 12g situated along the channels 12a through 12f, and the mat 4 includes a plurality of drain holes 42 along the radial channels 41a through 41p. These drain holes should be sufficient in number to permit water to drain through the mat quickly and then drain away from the mat through the channels in the lower surface of the mat.

In order to use the mat 2 or 4, the bather may place the mat in the shower or bath before bathing and stand on the mat during the shower or bath. Following the bath, the mat will dry quickly providing the bather a clean and dry surface on which to stand while drying and dressing.

It will be understood that the forgoing preferred embodiments are exemplary, and that alternative embodiments can be made without departing from the basic scope of the present invention, which invention is limited solely by the appended claims.