HANGING SHOWER RECEPTACLE SYSTEM

Abstract

Described herein is a hanging receptacle system comprising a housing and a receptable, wherein the housing is designed to allow the flow of water therethrough, and is adapted for removably receiving the receptacle. The hanging receptacle system is particularly useful for use in a shower for receiving, retaining, and/or disposing of various types of consumed items. The housing may also include a mounting member for hanging from a structure within the shower or a defining the boundaries thereof.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) this application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/451,368, filed Mar. 10, 2011, the content of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as part of the present disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a receptacle system for use in receiving, retaining, and/or disposing various items, and more particularly to hanging shower receptacle system for receiving, retaining, and/or disposing various items while in the shower.

BACKGROUND

When taking a shower, individuals are generally faced with disposing various types of items used for personal hygiene such as, for example, empty shampoo and soap bottles, razors, floss, old soap bars, empty toothpaste tubes, adhesive bandages, loofas, hair, and the like. In the past, when faced with disposing of such items, individuals have either been forced to exit the shower to dispose of the items in a trash can and then re-enter, or alternatively, leave such items in the shower. This practice often leads to wet floors and other disadvantages associated with exiting and re-entering a shower. Further, the practice of storing consumed items within a shower is undesirable as it is unsanitary and often an individual will forget to properly dispose of such items upon exiting the shower.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for compositions that address one or more of the above-described drawbacks and/or disadvantages.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect, the present disclosure provides a receptacle system for receiving, retaining, and/or disposing of various types of consumed items, e.g., items consumed in the shower. For example, in certain aspects the system comprises an outer receptacle and an inner receptacle, wherein the inner receptacle is removably received by the outer receptacle (i.e., moves relative to the outer receptacle). In additional aspects, the receptacle system comprises a housing and a receptacle disposed within the housing, wherein the receptacle is configured to be removably received by the housing. In certain embodiments, the receptacle is a disposable receptacle. In certain additional embodiments, the disposable receptacle is rigid or flexible. In general, the disposable receptacle is disposed within the housing, and is a container having an opening at one end for receiving and/or retaining consumed items.

The housing may be of any desired shape or size, and preferably, comprises a grid or cage—like design so that water may pass freely therethrough. The housing may be formed of any desired material, and may be rigid or flexible. In certain embodiments, the housing will generally include a mounting member or mounting means, e.g., for hanging from a shower head or other similar structure within the shower.

The receptacle, e.g., disposable receptacle, can be of any suitable size and shape but will generally be designed and/or configured to fit within the housing. The receptacle may be formed of any desired material and may be a rigid or flexible, perforated structure, which acts to retain larger items while allowing water to pass therethrough. In certain embodiments, the receptacle, e.g., disposable receptacle, is retained within the housing via one or more retention members. In one embodiment, the receptacle is retained within the housing via combination of retention members on the housing and loop members on the receptacle. A closing member or closing means may also be provided on the receptacle so that it may be reversibly opened and closed, and disposed of after showering. In one embodiment, the closing member or closing means comprises a cinch member so that it may be tightly closed and disposed of after showering.

The preceding general areas of utility are given by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting on the scope of the present disclosure and appended claims. Additional objects and advantages associated with the compositions, methods, and processes of the present invention will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the instant claims, description, and examples. For example, the various aspects and embodiments of the invention may be utilized in numerous combinations, all of which are expressly contemplated by the present description. These additional advantages objects and embodiments are expressly included within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating an embodiment of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures showing illustrative embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a hanging shower receptacle system as described herein.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the hanging shower receptacle system of FIG. 1, with the receptacle positioned (or inserted) within the housing, and wherein the mounting member is a bracket.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the hanging shower receptacle system of FIG. 1, with the receptacle positioned (or inserted) within the housing, and wherein the mounting member is a hook.

FIG. 4 a perspective view of the hanging shower receptacle systems of FIGS. 2 and 3 mounted within a shower.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the invention provided to aid those skilled in the art in practicing the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art may make modifications and variations in the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. It should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments of the present invention should not be construed to be limited to the examples that are now described; rather, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention should be construed to include any and all applications provided herein and all variations within the skill of the ordinary artisan.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “and”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The present disclosure provides a receptacle system for receiving, retaining, and/or disposing of various types of consumed items, e.g., items consumed in the shower. For example, in certain aspects the system comprises an outer receptacle and an inner receptacle, wherein the inner receptacle is removably received by the outer receptacle (i.e., the inner receptacle moves relative to the outer receptacle). In additional aspects, the receptacle system comprises a housing and a receptacle disposed within the housing, wherein the receptacle is configured to be removably received by the housing.

Exemplary embodiments of receptacles as described herein are illustrated by the figures. For example, in certain embodiments the receptacle system comprises a housing 20 and a receptacle 40, wherein the housing 20 is configured to removably receive the receptacle 40. In an additional aspect, the description provides a shower receptacle system comprising a housing 20 and at least one receptacle 40. In general, the receptacle 40 is disposed within the housing. In a certain embodiments, the receptacle 40 may be disposable or consumable. In certain additional embodiments, the receptacle 40 may also be rigid or flexible.

In FIG. 1, an exemplary system as described herein is provided and indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 10 is a receptacle system, e.g., a hanging shower receptable system. In this example, the hanging shower receptacle system 10 includes a housing 20, which may be removably attached to a structure within a shower such as the shower head, and configured to removably receive therein at least one receptacle 40, e.g., a disposable or consumable receptacle, for disposing of various toiletries and other disposable items utilized within a shower. It is noted that while the drawings illustrate a housing for removably receiving a single receptacle 40, the invention is not so limited. It is expressly contemplated that in certain embodiments, the housing 20 may be configured to removably receive one or more receptacles 40, e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more receptacles 40. In any embodiment described herein, the receptacle(s) 40 can be, independently from any other, rigid or flexible and/or disposable or reusable.

As shown in FIG. 1, the receptacle system may comprise a housing 20 which is substantially rectangular and includes an upper end 21, a lower end 22, a front end 23, a rear end 24, a first side 25 and a second side 26. The upper end 21 defines a large opening 28 through which the receptacle 40, e.g., a rigid or flexible and/or disposable or reusable receptacle, may be inserted into the housing 20 and through which disposables may be inserted into the receptacle 40, e.g., a disposable or consumable receptacle, when in place. The lower end 22, front end 23, rear end 24, first side 25 and second side 26 are each constructed to allow water to pass freely therethrough, such as, for example, the cage design shown in the figures. In certain embodiments, the receptacle 40, e.g., a disposable or consumable receptacle, is a container having an opening at one end for receiving and/or retaining consumed items.

It will also be appreciated that neither the housing 20 nor the receptacle 40 are limited to a rectangular shape, but may be made in any of numerous shapes and sizes. For example, in any of the aspects or embodiments described herein, the housing may be circular, semi-circular, trapezoidal, bowl shaped, etc. In one embodiment, a bowl shaped housing 20 may be utilized which includes curved sides. In any of the embodiments described herein, the housing 20 may be formed of a rigid or flexible material. As will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the housing may be constructed in any manner wherein water may freely flow therethrough (e.g., grid or cage-like design) and a receptacle 40, e.g., a disposable receptacle, may be retained therein. For example, in one embodiment described herein, the housing 20 is rectangular having a grid or cage-like design so that water may pass freely therethrough.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the housing 20 and/or the receptacle 40 are configured or designed to retain larger items while allowing water to pass therethrough, e.g., grid, cage-like, mesh, woven fiber, perforations, holes, pores or the like. In certain embodiments, the receptacle 40 is generally formed of a flexible, perforated structure, which acts to retain larger items while allowing water to pass therethrough. In an additional embodiment, the receptacle 40 comprises a plastic bag having a design so that water may pass freely therethrough (e.g., grid, cage-like, mesh, woven fiber, perforations, holes, pores or the like). In certain additional embodiments, the receptacle 40 is formed in substantially the same shape and/or size as the housing 20.

The housing will generally include a mounting member or mounting means for hanging the receptacle system, e.g., from a shower head or other similar structure within a shower. In any of the aspects or embodiments described herein, the mounting member or mounting means may include at least one of, e.g., a hook, a wire loop, an elastomeric vacuum pad or suction cup, a fastener, an adhesive or tape, etc., or any combination thereof. Thus, in certain embodiments, the housing 20 further includes one or more mounting members 30 for removably securing the housing 20 to a structure within the shower such as a shower head or ledge. As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting member may be an inverted U-shaped bracket having a narrow upper portion and a broader lower portion. Such a bracket will generally extend from the upper end 21 of the housing 20 adjacent its rear end 24. Alternatively, the mounting member may comprise a plurality of hooks, as shown in FIG. 3, for suspending the housing 20 from a ledge or wall within a shower. As may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the mounting member may comprise various other designs and configurations for removably attaching the hanging shower receptacle to any structure within a shower or defining the boundaries of the shower. For example, while the figures illustrate the usage of a pair of mounting members 30, it is appreciated that any number of mounting members 30 may be utilized without affecting the overall operation of the present invention. Further, the positioning of the mounting members 30 may vary for different uses.

In an additional aspect, the housing 20 and the receptacle 40 are configured to retain the receptacle 40 within the housing 20. For example, in certain embodiments the housing 20 includes one or more retention members 32 for removably securing the receptacle 40 within the housing 20. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the retention members 32 are pegs extending from the four corners of the upper end 21 of the housing 20. The retention members 32 are arranged to extend through corresponding loop members 50 of the receptacle 40 as shown in the figures for removably securing the receptacle 40 within the housing 20. As may be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art based on the teaching herein, the retention member may take any of number different configurations and may be arranged in many of numerous different ways so long as the receptacle may be removably secured within the housing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the receptacle 40 includes an upper end 41, a lower end 42, a front end 43, a rear end 44, a first side 45 and a second side 46, and defines a substantially rectangular shape. The upper end 41 includes a large opening 48 through which disposable items may be placed into the receptacle 40. The lower end 42, front end 43, rear end 44, first side 45 and second side 46 are configured or constructed to allow water to pass freely therethrough. For example, the receptacle 40 may be perforated. However, as may be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the receptacle may be constructed in any manner wherein water may freely flow therethrough, while retaining the consumed toiletries and other disposable items therein. Further, it will be appreciated that the housing should not be limited to a rectangular shape, but may be made in any of numerous shapes and sizes.

The receptacle 40 also includes one or more loop members 50 for use in removably securing the receptacle 40 within the housing 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the loop members 50 will generally be comprised of loops which extend outwardly from the outer edges of the upper end 41 of the receptacle 40. When the receptacle 40 is inserted within the housing 20, each of the loop members 50 will engage a corresponding retention member 32 to removably secure the receptacle 40 within the housing.

The receptacle 40 may also be disposable and flexible to ease disposal of the consumed items after use. In any of the embodiments described herein, the receptacle 40 may also comprise a member or means configured for the reversible opening and closing of the receptacle 40. For example, in certain embodiments the receptacle 40 upper end 41 may include a cinch member 52 to allow the upper end 41 and opening 48 to be closed for disposal when full, as shown in FIG. 1. The cinch member 52 will generally have a singular strap or cord which extends across the entire upper end 41 of the receptacle 40 in such a manner that allows the opening 48 of the receptacle 40 to be closed off by pulling on the cinch member 52.

The member may be of any suitable type or design that provides for the opening and closing of the receptacle 40. In a preferred embodiment, the member provides for the reversible opening and closing of the receptacle 40. In certain additional embodiments, the receptacle 40 comprises an elastomeric member apposed near the upper end 41 such that the receptacle 40 is reversibly openable and closable. In certain additional embodiments, the receptacle 40 comprises an interlocking member or means, e.g., Ziploc™, apposed near the upper end 41 such that the receptacle 40 is reversibly openable and closable. Generally, the receptacle 40 will be in an open position when engaged or disposed within the housing, and closed after use for convenient removal and disposal.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described above.

It is understood that the detailed examples and embodiments described herein are given by way of example for illustrative purposes only, and are in no way considered to be limiting to the invention. Various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are included within the spirit and purview of this application and are considered within the scope of the appended claims. Additional advantageous features and functionalities associated with the systems, methods, and processes of the present invention will be apparent from the appended claims. Moreover, those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

1. A hanging receptacle system comprising:

a housing constructed to allow water to pass therethrough, having an opening at a top end thereof for removably receiving a receptacle therein;

a receptacle constructed to allow water to pass therethrough, wherein the receptacle comprises an opening at a top end thereof for receiving and/or disposing of consumed or disposable items, and wherein the receptacle is removably secured to the housing; and

a mounting member for removably securing the hanging receptacle system to a structure within a shower.

2. A hanging receptacle system according to claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises at least one retaining member axially extending from the top end of the housing for removably securing the receptacle.

3. A hanging receptacle system according to claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises four retaining members axially extending from the top end of the housing for removably securing the receptacle.

4. A hanging receptacle system according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines a grid or cage-like structure.

5. A hanging receptacle system according to claim 2, wherein the receptacle further comprises at least one loop member for releasably engaging the at least one retaining member of the housing.

6. A hanging receptacle system according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle is disposable.

7. A hanging receptacle system according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle is flexible.

8. A hanging receptacle system according to claim 7, wherein the flexible receptacle further comprises a cinch member at the top end of the receptacle, configured to close the opening of the receptacle when the cord is pulled in a direction away from the receptacle.

9. A hanging receptacle system according to claim 8, wherein the receptacle is perforated.

10. A hanging receptacle system according to claim 9, wherein the perforations of the receptacle are sized to allow the flow of water therethrough and retain the consumed and disposable items therein.

11. A hanging receptacle system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting member comprises at least one hook extending from the housing.

12. A hanging receptacle system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting member comprises a hanging bracket extending from the housing.

13. A hanging receptacle system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting member is mountable to a showerhead.

14. A hanging receptacle system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting member is mountable to a wall within a shower.

15. A hanging receptacle system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting member is adapted to suspend the housing from a structure defining a shower boundary or a ledge within a shower.

16. A hanging receptacle system according to claim 1, wherein the consumed and disposable items include bottles, razors, floss, old soap bars, toothpaste tubes, adhesive bandages, loofas, and hair.

17. A hanging shower receptacle system comprising:

a housing, constructed to allow water to pass therethrough, having an opening at a top end thereof for removably receiving a flexible disposable receptacle therein, and having at least one retaining member axially extending from the top end thereof;

a flexible disposable receptacle, constructed to allow water to pass therethrough, having at least one loop member for releasably engaging the at least one retaining member of the housing and an opening at a top end thereof for retaining and/or disposing of consumed toiletries and other disposable items therein; and

a mounting member for removably securing the hanging shower receptacle system to a structure within a shower.

18. A hanging shower receptacle system according to claim 17, wherein the flexible disposable receptacle is constructed to allow the flow of water therethrough and retain the consumed toiletries and other disposable items therein.

19. A hanging shower receptacle system accordingly to claim 18, wherein the toiletries and disposable items include bottles, razors, floss, old soap bars, toothpaste tubes, adhesive bandages, loofas, and hair.

20. A hanging shower receptacle system according to claim 19, wherein the mounting member is at least one of a hook and a hanging bracket, and the mounting member is mountable to at least one of a showerhead, a wall within a shower, and a structure defining the shower boundaries or a ledge within the shower.