CONCEALING LAVATORY SUPPLY STORAGE CADDY
Embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed to an apparatus for storing and/or concealing lavatory and/or hygienic products. Specifically, the disclosed technology is directed to a housing having an at least partially hollowed interior portion. The interior portion is adapted to store, enclose and/or conceal a toilet stoppage release tool, such as, for example, a plunger or force cup. Any shape and/or style of plunger may be stored in the housing, including, but not limited to a standard plunger, a toilet plunger, a sink plunger, an accordion plunger and/or a taze plunger. The housing may also include a narrow shaft portion which may correspond and conform to the shaft of the plunger. The narrow portion may be adapted to receive and store toilet paper rolls such that the hollow core of the toilet paper rolls is axially disposed around the shaft.
The present invention relates to lavatory maintenance, particularly to an enclosure for storing and concealing toilet sanitation products and/or tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA toilet plunger typically includes a handle and a suction head that is used to plunge a bathroom toilet by forcing air and/or liquid into and out of a drain opening, such as a drain pipe in a toilet bowl. Placement of an exposed toilet plunger in a bathroom is not aesthetically pleasing nor sanitary. On the other hand, when a toilet plunger is stored in an out of sight location, it may not be easily accessible when needed. Therefore, it is desirable to have a toilet plunger close at hand in a bathroom, preferably within a caddy or container as a plunger merely residing on a lavatory floor is unsightly.
As such, many different stands, containers, and/or caddy assemblies for storing toilet plungers are known in the art. A storage container or vessel is desirable because it provides a convenient receptacle for receiving the toilet plunger after its use. The container also partially masks the unsightly view of the toilet plunger where positioned adjacent to the toilet within a bathroom.
Known containers for storing toilet plungers are not without their disadvantages. For example, many containers are often unattractive in appearance, and may not blend in with the overall décor or aesthetics of the bathroom. In addition, a user must often make contact with both the toilet plunger and the container to store and remove the toilet plunger in and from the container. This may be inconvenient to the user and unsanitary.
Another problem may be that the toilet plunger may inadvertently become dislodged from the container during transport. Still further, in bathrooms where space is at a premium, there may not be sufficient space to store a plunger as well as other toilet necessities within a reasonable perimeter of the toilet bowl.
Another common problem encountered in bathrooms is the limited amount of space. Thus, storage of lavatory necessities can oftentimes be difficult. While certain toiletries are small and unassuming in terms of space, extra rolls of toilet paper are unsightly and take up a great deal of space. However, extra rolls are necessary in the proximity of the toilet at all times in case a primary roll is used up. As such, it is desirable to have at least a couple rolls of toilet paper within arm's reach of the toilet. However, given the hygienic nature of toilet paper use, toilet paper rolls should be in a sealed environment, protected from germs and moisture.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a caddy assembly for storing a toilet plunger and/or toilet paper that is cost-effective, minimalistic, multi-functional and makes the greatest use of the space around it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONApparatuses and/or methods are provided for storing and/or concealing lavatory and/or hygienic products. Specifically, the disclosed technology is directed to a housing having an at least partially hollowed interior portion. The interior portion is adapted to store, enclose and/or conceal a toilet stoppage release tool, such as, for example, a plunger or force cup. Any shape and/or style of plunger may be stored in the housing, including, but not limited to a standard plunger, a toilet plunger, a sink plunger, an accordion plunger and/or a taze plunger.
The housing may also include a narrow shaft portion which may correspond and conform to the shaft of the plunger (hereinafter the term “plunger” may generally be employed to describe any type of plunger and/or force cup). The narrow portion may be adapted to receive and store toilet paper rolls such that the hollow core of the toilet paper rolls is axially disposed around the shaft. In further embodiments of the disclosed technology, the toilet paper storage portion of the apparatus may be exposed or concealed. Still further, the housing may be composed of wood, stainless steel, hard plastic, or any other material or combination of material known in the art.
In one embodiment, an apparatus is used for storing and concealing a lavatory tool, such as, for example, a plunger. The apparatus may have one or more of the following components: a) an exterior cylindrical enclosure having a top end, a bottom end and a circuitous side wall; b) an interior cylindrical conduit disposed within the exterior cylindrical enclosure, the interior cylindrical conduit and the exterior cylindrical enclosure sharing a common vertical axis further wherein the exterior cylindrical enclosure is longer than the interior cylindrical conduit along the vertical axis; c) a hollow compartment disposed at the bottom end of the exterior cylindrical enclosure, the hollow compartment adapted to receive a cup portion of the plunger therein, wherein the interior cylindrical conduit terminates and opens into a top end of the compartment; and/or d) a handle disposed on an exterior portion of the apparatus.
In further embodiments, the apparatus may also employ a toilet paper dispensing compartment disposed at the top end of the exterior cylindrical enclosure such that the toilet paper dispensing compartment is an extension of the exterior cylindrical enclosure, a cross section of the toilet paper dispensing compartment having a diameter equal to a cross section of the exterior cylindrical enclosure. The toilet paper dispensing compartment may be mounted to the enclosure using one or more fasteners. The fasteners may be, for example, spring locking clips, hinge clips, screwable threads, Velcro and/or any other fastening means known to one having ordinary skill in the art of removably affixing two or more rigid or semi-rigid bodies to one another.
In further embodiments, the bottom end of the exterior cylindrical enclosure defines an opening such that the plunger rests on an exterior surface. Alternatively, the bottom end of the exterior cylindrical enclosure may define a flat interior surface onto which the plunger rests. The interior cylindrical conduit may be adapted to receive a plurality of toilet paper rolls axially disposed thereon, the toilet paper rolls being encased within the exterior cylindrical enclosure. As such, a bottom roll of the plurality of toilet paper rolls abuts a top surface of the hollow compartment.
In another embodiment of the disclosed technology, a method is used for selectively storing and withdrawing lavatory supplies. The method is carried out, not necessarily in the following order, by: a) placing a plunger on a flat surface; b) placing an enclosure atop the plunger such that a handle of the plunger is disposed within a narrow interior cylinder of the enclosure; c) axially stacking on or more toilet paper rolls around the narrow interior cylinder within the enclosure; d) detachably affixing a modular toilet paper dispenser onto the enclosure by fastening a latch, the modular toilet paper dispenser having a handle disposed thereon; e) lifting the enclosure by the handle in a direction substantially away from the flat surface such that the plunger is exposed and accessible; and/or f) releasing the latch and lifting the modular dispenser by the handle such that the toilet paper rolls are accessible.
In yet another embodiment of the disclosed technology, a lavatory supply storage tower is provided. The storage tower may have one or more of the following components: a) a plunger having a cup with an elongated handle extending therefrom, wherein an open end of the cup is stood onto a surface such that the handle extends orthogonally away from the cup and the surface; b) an enclosure placed over the plunger, the enclosure having a first exterior cylinder and a second interior cylinder disposed inside the exterior cylinder, wherein the handle of the plunger is inserted into a base orifice of the interior cylinder; and/or c) a plurality of toilet paper rolls disposed between the first cylinder and the second cylinder such that the second cylinder extends axially through each toilet paper roll of the plurality of toilet paper rolls.
A better understanding of the disclosed technology will be obtained from the following brief description of drawings illustrating exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology.
A better understanding of the disclosed technology will be obtained from the following detailed description of embodiments of the disclosed technology, taken in conjunction with the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONReferences will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Certain examples are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. In describing these examples, like or identical reference numbers are used to identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic for clarity and/or conciseness.
Referring now to the figures, apparatuses and methods are provided for ergonomically storing and concealing one or more lavatory products, supplies, and/or tools. Embodiments of the disclosed technology employ one or more hollow or semi-hollow modular sections for covering, concealing, receiving and/or storing one or more lavatory items.
The types of items that may be stored in embodiments of the disclosed technology may include any item associated with lavatory use, maintenance, repair, hygiene, cleanliness, disinfection, etc. Such items may include toiletries, such as, but not limited to, toilet paper, sanitary napkins, tissues, paper towels, soap, baby wipes, and/or disinfectant wipes. Furthermore, lavatory maintenance, cleaning and/or repair items may also be stored and/or concealed using the disclosed technology. Such lavatory supplies may include, but are not limited to, plungers, force cups, toilet brushes, toilet augers, toilet snakes, air/CO2 powered drain unclogging devices, floor cleaning brushes/mops, and/or any other drain unclogging device.
Referring now to
The enclosure 10 generally has a top end 12 and a bottom end 14 with side walls extending therebetween. The side walls of the enclosure 10 may be circuitous and continuous, defining an interior region 16 which may be hollow or partially hollow. Within the interior region 16 of the enclosure 10 there may reside an interior, narrow cylinder (hereinafter interchangeably referred to as “interior cylindrical enclosure 20”, “narrow cylinder 20”, “second cylinder 20”, and/or “interior cylinder 20” in
Referring still to
The push button 82 protrudes laterally from the end of the clip 81, in a direction either away from or into the interior region 16 of the cylinder 10. The button 82 corresponds to a comparably sized hole 83 disposed on the exterior of the enclosure 10. When attaching the dispenser 30, the button 82 is biased slightly inwards and engaged into place in the corresponding hole 83. When the dispenser 30 is desired to be removed, the button 82 may simply be pressed inwards and the dispenser 30 lifted away from the enclosure 10.
Referring still to
The plunger is used to release stoppages in plumbing. The shaft 92 may be composed of any hard material, such as wood or plastic. In practice, the cup is pushed down against a drain opening, and either pressed hard into the drain to force air in, or is pushed down until the rubber cup is flattened, then pulled out, causing a vacuum that attracts material. The intent is to loosen or break up a blockage caused by excessive material in the drain. In performing this function, the cup 91 of the plunger 90 will inevitably become riddled with waste particles and germs. Thus, sanitation and cleanliness of the plunger 90 is desired.
As such, the enclosure 10 of the disclosed technology has a compartment 17 for receiving, concealing and/or storing the cup portion 91 of the plunger 90. The compartment 17 may generally define a hollow interior, with a top end 18 and a bottom end 19. The top end 18 may be flat surface, with a hole disposed in a center thereof through which the narrow cylinder 20 extends. Thus, the plunger handle 92 is received into this hole when desired to be stowed. The bottom end 19 of the compartment 17 may be open such that the plunger 90 rests on an exterior surface 200, such as a bathroom floor. Alternatively, the bottom end 19 may have a solid surface within which the plunger 90 rests. In this embodiment, the bottom end 19 may be opened or detachable in order to facilitate insertion of the plunger 90.
In embodiments where the plunger 90 simply rests on the exterior surface 200, the entire enclosure 10, inclusive of the dispenser 30 and any toilet paper rolls 70-75, may simply be lifted off the ground to expose the plunger 90. Likewise, when plunger 90 is desired to be stowed, the enclosure 10 may be placed over the plunger 90, ensuring that the shaft 92 is aligned with and inserted into the narrow cylinder 20.
In order to promote ease of use, the entire apparatus may be constructed of light-weight materials. As such, components of the enclosure 10 may be composed of one or more of the following materials: metal, wood, plastic, glass, and/or any other material. In embodiments, the material used to construct the apparatus may be at least partially flexible or resilient in nature.
The rectangular embodiment likewise has a plunger cup 91 storage compartment 117. In this embodiment, the bottom 114 of the enclosure 110 may be open towards the surface such that the plunger 90 rests on an exterior surface. Alternatively, the compartment 117 may be enclosed such that the plunger cup in sealed therein. A detachable resting plate (not shown) may be adapted to receive the cup 91 of the plunger 90 thereon. The plate may have a raised groove or outline corresponding to the lips of the plunger cup 91 such that the cup resides flush atop the plate.
One skilled in the art will recognize that an implementation of an actual apparatus or method may contain other components as well. While it is obvious that modification or proper change and combination can be made to the present plunger and supply enclosure according to the present invention by those skilled in the art, however, without departing from the contents, spirit and scope of the invention, any variations that are intended to achieve the techniques disclosed in the present invention should be within the scope of this invention. Specifically, it should be pointed out that all similar substitutions and modifications are obvious to those skilled in the art, and they are deemed to be within the scope and content of the present invention.
It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description and accompanying drawings relate to a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention. However, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific arrangements as shown in the drawings and described in detail herein above. The exemplary materials, constructions and illustrations included in the preferred embodiment and this patent application should therefore not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
While the disclosed invention has been taught with specific reference to the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Combinations of any of the methods, apparatuses, and devices described hereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An apparatus for storing a plunger and concealing a plunger, comprising:
- an exterior cylindrical enclosure having a top end, a bottom end and a circuitous side wall;
- an interior cylindrical conduit disposed within said exterior cylindrical enclosure, said interior cylindrical conduit and said exterior cylindrical enclosure sharing a common vertical axis further wherein said exterior cylindrical enclosure is longer than said interior cylindrical conduit along said vertical axis;
- a hollow compartment disposed at said bottom end of said exterior cylindrical enclosure, said hollow compartment adapted to receive a cup portion of said plunger therein, wherein said interior cylindrical conduit terminates and opens into a top end of said compartment; and
- a handle disposed on an exterior portion of said apparatus.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bottom end of said exterior cylindrical enclosure defines an opening such that said plunger rests on an exterior surface.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bottom end of said exterior cylindrical enclosure defines a flat interior surface onto which said plunger rests.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said interior cylindrical conduit is adapted to receive a plurality of toilet paper rolls axially disposed thereon, said toilet paper rolls being encased within said exterior cylindrical enclosure.
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a bottom roll of said plurality of toilet paper rolls abuts a top surface of said hollow compartment.
6. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:
- a toilet paper dispensing compartment disposed at said top end of said exterior cylindrical enclosure such that said toilet paper dispensing compartment is an extension of said exterior cylindrical enclosure, a cross section of said toilet paper dispensing compartment having a diameter equal to a cross section of said exterior cylindrical enclosure.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a fastener for removably affixing said dispensing compartment to said exterior cylindrical enclosure.
8. A method for selectively storing and withdrawing lavatory supplies, the method comprising:
- placing a plunger on a flat surface;
- placing an enclosure atop said plunger such that a handle of said plunger is disposed within a narrow interior cylinder of said enclosure;
- axially stacking on or more toilet paper rolls around said narrow interior cylinder within said enclosure; and
- detachably affixing a modular toilet paper dispenser onto said enclosure by fastening a latch, said modular toilet paper dispenser having a handle disposed thereon.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising a step of lifting said enclosure by said handle in a direction substantially away from said flat surface such that said plunger is exposed and accessible.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising a step of releasing said latch and lifting said modular dispenser by said handle such that said toilet paper rolls are accessible.
11. A lavatory supply storage tower comprising:
- a plunger having a cup with an elongated handle extending therefrom, wherein an open end of said cup is stood onto a surface such that said handle extends orthogonally away from said cup and said surface;
- an enclosure placed over said plunger, said enclosure having a first exterior cylinder and a second interior cylinder disposed inside said exterior cylinder, wherein said handle of said plunger is inserted into a base orifice of said interior cylinder; and
- a plurality of toilet paper rolls disposed between said first cylinder and said second cylinder such that said second cylinder extends axially through each toilet paper roll of said plurality of toilet paper rolls.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 24, 2015
Publication Date: Oct 27, 2016
Inventor: Eric J. Gormeley (Wykoff, NJ)
Application Number: 14/696,277