Snap-on container
A container comprising a neck defining an opening and configured to removeably engage an attachable spray nozzle assembly. A shoulder is disposed adjacent to the neck. A hollow main body having a wall extends between the shoulder and a closed base to define an internal space for receiving and storing a fluid. The wall defines two hollow arm portions forming a substantially U-shaped longitudinal groove extending between the shoulder and the base. The groove is configured to receive and grip a handle of a cleaning tool. A section of material is disposed within the groove and has a higher coefficient of friction than the wall. A kit including the container and the cleaning tool is also provided. The container in combination with the cleaning tool is also provided.
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1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to containers, and more particularly, to snap-on containers adapted for attachment to cleaning tools.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Cleaning tools and cleaning products comprise two major consumer products industries in the United States and throughout the world. In fact, some of the most well-known and heavily advertised products today fall into one or another of these categories. This is largely due to the fact that housekeeping, i.e., the physical maintenance and cleaning of a house, is a regular part of most people's daily lives. Furthermore, there is a multitude of residential and commercial cleaning businesses worldwide which require such products to effectively and efficiently continue doing business. Maid services are also becoming increasingly more common in many developed cultures, at least partly because of the rise in two-income families.
Given the varied array of cleaning products and tools currently available in the marketplace, it is apparent that the most successful products and tools are often those that allow cleaning to be completed more effectively and efficiently. For example, tools and products are often combined together to more easily accomplish a specific cleaning task. Furthermore, additional brackets, supports, and other like parts are often utilized to secure various products/tools to one another or to some larger transport device (e.g., tray, cart, etc.) for transport or during cleaning. Such additional hardware can increase manufacturing and retail costs and, concurrently, complicate an otherwise simple endeavor.
SUMMARYIn an embodiment of the invention, a container is provided comprising a neck defining an opening and configured to removeably engage an attachable spray nozzle assembly. A shoulder is disposed adjacent to the neck. A hollow main body having a wall extends between the shoulder and a closed base to define an internal space for receiving and storing a fluid. The wall defines two hollow arm portions forming a substantially U-shaped longitudinal groove extending between the shoulder and the base. The groove is configured to receive and grip a handle of a cleaning tool. A section of material is disposed within the groove and has a higher coefficient of friction than the wall.
In another embodiment of the invention, the container is provided in a kit with a cleaning tool having a handle.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the container is provided in combination with the cleaning tool, the handle of the cleaning tool being gripped by the longitudinal groove.
Examples for some embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the following drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like features throughout the figures, and in which:
In describing the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. It is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
In the following description of some of the embodiments of the invention, directional words such as “top,” “bottom,” “upwardly,” and “downwardly” are employed by way of description and not limitation with respect to the orientation of the container and its various components as illustrated in the drawings. Similarly, directional words such as “axial” and “radial” are also employed by way of description and not limitation.
A substantially U-shaped longitudinal channel or groove 20 is formed in the hollow main body 12 and is configured to receive and grip a handle of a cleaning tool (see
A spray nozzle assembly 18 is shown in
Referring generally to the views shown in
While certain embodiments of the invention have been described, modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A container comprising:
- a neck defining an opening and configured to removeably engage an attachable spray nozzle assembly;
- a shoulder disposed adjacent to the neck;
- a hollow main body having a wall extending between the shoulder and a closed base to define an internal space for receiving and storing a fluid, wherein the wall defines two hollow arm portions forming a substantially U-shaped longitudinal groove extending between the shoulder and the base, the groove being configured to receive and grip a handle of a cleaning tool; and
- a section of material disposed within the groove, the section of material having a higher coefficient of friction than the wall.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the groove extends from the shoulder to the base.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the section of material is formed of a soft rubber material.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the section of material circumscribes an outer surface of the wall.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the wall of the hollow main body includes a recess around an outer periphery thereof, the section of material being disposed within the recess and circumscribing an outer surface of the wall.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is made of a plastic material.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein the attachable spray nozzle assembly comprises a trigger and a spray nozzle.
8. A kit comprising:
- a cleaning tool having a handle; and
- a container comprising: a neck defining an opening and configured to removably engage an attachable spray nozzle assembly; a shoulder disposed adjacent to the neck; a hollow main body having a wall extending between the shoulder and a closed base to define an internal space for receiving and storing a fluid, wherein the wall defines two hollow arm portions forming a substantially U-shaped longitudinal groove extending between the shoulder and the base, the groove being configured to receive and grip a handle of a cleaning tool; and a section of material disposed within the groove, the section of material having a higher coefficient of friction than the wall.
9. The kit of claim 8, wherein the groove extends from the shoulder to the base.
10. The kit of claim 8, wherein the section of material is formed of a soft rubber material.
11. The kit of claim 8, wherein the section of material circumscribes an outer surface of the wall.
12. The kit of claim 8, wherein the wall of the hollow main body includes a recess around an outer periphery thereof, the section of material being disposed within the recess and circumscribing an outer surface of the wall.
13. The kit of claim 8, wherein the container is made of a plastic material.
14. The kit of claim 8, wherein the attachable spray nozzle assembly comprises a trigger and a spray nozzle.
15. A combination comprising:
- a cleaning tool having a handle; and
- a plastic container comprising: a neck defining an opening and configured to removably engage an attachable spray nozzle assembly; a shoulder disposed adjacent to the neck; a hollow main body having a wall extending between the shoulder and a closed base to define an internal space for receiving and storing a fluid, wherein the wall defines two hollow arm portions forming a substantially U-shaped longitudinal groove extending between the shoulder and the base, the groove gripping the handle of the cleaning tool; a section of material disposed within the groove, the section of material having a higher coefficient of friction than the wall.
16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the groove extends from the shoulder to the base.
17. The combination of claim 15, wherein the section of material is formed of a soft rubber material.
18. The combination of claim 15, wherein the section of material circumscribes an outer surface of the wall.
19. The combination of claim 15, wherein the wall of the hollow main body includes a recess around an outer periphery thereof, the section of material being disposed within the recess and circumscribing an outer surface of the wall.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 24, 2007
Publication Date: Feb 26, 2009
Applicant: Casabella Holdings LLC (Blauvelt, NY)
Inventors: Quan Li (Queens, NY), Andre Sampaio (Valley Cottage, NY)
Application Number: 11/892,633