UNIVERSAL HOLDER FOR THE CONCOMITANT STORAGE OF TOOTHBRUSHES AND RAZORS

Abstract

A sanitary holder for the concomitant storage of razors and toothbrushes comprising a plate having a single planar body with an outer edge and inner center, said outer edge defining at least one aperture providing access to at least one, single combination razor and toothbrush storing recess.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for storing personal hygiene items primarily safety razors and toothbrushes in a bathroom environment. More particularly, the present invention relates to both free-standing and wall-mounted holders, for safety razors and toothbrushes.

2. Prior Art

Toothbrushes and razors are some of the most common personal hygiene tools used by men and women today. As a result their structure is well know to all. Safety razors comprise a razor cartridge mounted on a handle. Toothbrushes comprise a tooth brush head mounted on a handle.

However, not all razors are the same. Not all toothbrushes are the same. A quick survey of the razor and toothbrushes offered to consumers, quickly establishes that razors and toothbrushes differ among themselves in many ways and comprise many structural variations. The shape, appearance and functional structure of razor cartridges as well as the shape and dimensions of the razor handle differ from razor to razor. Likewise, the shape, appearance and functional structure of tooth brush heads, as well as the shape and dimensions of tooth brush handles, particularly those that hold batteries, or are shaped in various characters, differ from toothbrush to toothbrush.

These structural variations in both razors and toothbrushes have made it very difficult to create a universal holder capable of storing toothbrushes of all shapes and sizes, or razors of all shapes and sizes. Even more importantly, these structural variations in both razors and toothbrushes has made it very difficult to create a single universal holder that is capable of storing toothbrushes of all shapes and sizes and razors of all shapes and sizes, simultaneously in one holder.

As a result of these variations and the lack of a single universal holder able to accommodate them, it is not unusual when walking into a bathroom, whether residential or in a hotel room, to find toothbrushes and razors laying on their sides, by the edge of a sink, on a bathroom vanity, in a pool of effluent. Notwithstanding the presence of some sort of tooth brush holder in the home. Between the mess and clutter that exist as a result of placing toothbrushes and razors by the side of the sink and allowing the effluent to deposit around them, and the knowledge that bacteria abound in the bathroom environment, such a mess and clutter are particularly distasteful and present a real problem that needs to be addressed both at the residential and at the commercial hospitality levels. Accordingly, a real need exists for a toothbrush and razor holder capable of addressing these problems, which are particularly acute at the commercial hospitality levels; more specifically in hotes.

Toothbrush holders abound. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,576,650; U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,457; U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,978; U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,495 B1; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2010/0051565A1; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0262035A1; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2010/0000951A1; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2009/0283651A1; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2009/0262606 A1 and International Application WO 2008/098107 A2, all of which are incorporated by reference, as if more fully set forth herein.

Likewise there are quite a few razor holders. See for example, European Patent Application EP 1 903 903 B1 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0296244 A1, all of which are incorporated by reference, as if more fully set forth herein.

However, there is no one, single, universal holder able to accept, hold and store both toothbrushes and razors, all at the same time, in one convenient place. Accordingly, there is still a need of a single, universal holder able to accept and simultaneously hold and store both toothbrushes and razors all in one convenient place while concomitantly reducing the risk of contamination of such razors and toothbrushes with germs and bacteria commonly found in effluents, bathroom sinks and bathroom vanities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a single, unitary holder for the simultaneous storage of toothbrushes and razors.

It is a further object of the present invention to reduce the mess and clutter created by the haphazard storage of toothbrushes and razors on the side of bathroom sinks and on top of bathroom vanities.

It is still another object of the present invention to prevent the contamination of toothbrushes and razors with germs and bacteria commonly found in toothbrush and razor effluents and on bathroom sinks and vanities.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide for a single, unitary, combination razor/toothbrush holder that permits the quick air drying of toothbrushes and razors.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a single, unitary holder for the simultaneous storage of toothbrushes and razors, which is disposable and easily replaceable.

In accordance with the foregoing objects, the present invention is a universal holder for the concomitant storage of razors and toothbrushes comprising a base and a plate mounted on said base. The plate comprises a single planar body having an inner center, an outer edge, and at least one aperture providing access to a combination razor/toothbrush storing recess. The combination razor/toothbrush storing recess extends and curves inwardly from the outer edge of the planar body, toward the inner center of the planar body. It has a first outer section and a second inner section. The first outer section is provided with means for receiving, docking and storing a razor, while the second inner section is provided with means for receiving, docking and storing a toothbrush.

The means for receiving, docking and storing the razor, of the first outer section, of the combination razor/toothbrush storing recess comprises the aperture, an intermittent groove running longitudinally along, adjacent and parallel to, the outer edge of the single planar body of the plate, juxtaposed to and contiguous with the aperture, such that the groove runs on either side of, is immediately adjacent to, and collinear with the aperture. The groove has an inner wall and an outer wall. The outer wall of the groove forms a flange which optionally may be curved and stepped down in height in the area adjacent to the aperture, and shaped and dimensioned such that when the razor is inserted into and placed in line with the aperture, it can be deposited and docked within the groove. The curved stepped down outer wall of the groove, on either side of the aperture permits the head of the razor to tilt forward or backward, depending on how the razor has been placed therein, such that the handle of the razor is hanging almost straight down away from and perpendicular to the plate.

The means for receiving, docking and storing a toothbrush, in the second inner section, of the combination razor/toothbrush storing recess comprises a u-shaped, toothbrush collar located adjacent to the inner center of the single planar body of the plate. The toothbrush collar is communicatingly connected to the aperture leading into the combination razor/toothbrush storing recess, with an elongated channel extending inwardly from the aperture, towards the inner center of the single planar body, of the plate. The toothbrush collar has an arcuate area sufficiently dimensioned to fit around and encircle the neck of any toothbrush slid into the recess, through the aperture, along the channel, and into the toothbrush collar. Consequently, when the toothbrush is left within the collar, it encircles and supports the neck of the toothbrush in such a way, that the head of the toothbrush extends perpendicularly above the plate and the handle of the toothbrush extends downwardly, perpendicularly below the plate.

These and other objects, advantages, features, and characteristics of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, considered along with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the numerals represent identical elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a three dimensional perspective of one embodiment of the inventive universal holder for the concomitant storage of razors and toothbrushes;

FIG. 2 is a three dimensional perspective of the embodiment of the universal holder for the concomitant storage of razors and toothbrushes of FIG. 1, at slightly different angle and under different lighting;

FIG. 3 is a is a three dimensional perspective of another embodiment of the universal holder for the concomitant storage of razors and toothbrushes, showing a docked razor;

FIGS. 4-5 are three dimensional top views of the plate of the inventive holder, of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a three dimensional exploded view of the inventive universal holder for the concomitant storage of razors and toothbrushes of FIG. 3, showing its base, shaft and plate components;

FIG. 7 is a three dimensional, front view of the inventive universal holder for the concomitant storage of razors and toothbrushes of FIGS. 3-6 showing a docked razor;

FIG. 8 is a three dimensional, side perspective of the inventive universal holder for the concomitant storage of razors and toothbrushes of FIGS. 3-7 showing a docked razor;

FIG. 9 is a three dimensional, partial top view of another embodiment of the inventive universal holder for the concomitant storage of razors and toothbrushes;

FIG. 10 is a three dimensional perspective showing a free standing version of the inventive universal holder for the concomitant storage of razors and toothbrushes, capable of rotating about its axis; and

FIGS. 11-14 are three dimensional perspectives of alternate embodiments of various lock and key fastening mechanisms capable of being used to secure the base to the plate of the inventive universal holder for the concomitant storage of razors and toothbrushes.

LIST OF ELEMENTS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE
IDENTIFYING NUMERALS
NO  ELEMENT
10  Universal holder for the concomitant storage
    of razors and toothbrushes
20  Base
22  Bracket
24  Base Plate
26  Anchoring aperture
27  Protrusion
28  Base Male or female component
30  Shaft
32  Shaft male or female component
40  Plate
42  Single planar body
42A Outer edge
42B Inner center
50  Aperture
60  Combination razor/toothbrush storing recess
62  First outer section
64  Second inner section
66  Means for receiving, docking, and storing the
    razor
68  Means for receiving, docking and storing the
    toothbrush
70  Intermittent groove
72  Outer wall
74  Inner wall
76  flange
80  U-shaped tooth brush collar
82  Elongated channel
84  Arcuate area

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 1-3 and FIG. 10, they generally depict the universal holder for the concomitant storage of razors and toothbrushes in accordance with the present invention at 10 (hereinafter the “holder 10”). As shown in FIG. 10 the holder 10 can be free-standing, or as shown in FIGS. 1-2 it can be wall-mounted. It comprises a base 20, a shaft 30 connected to and extending from said base 20, and a plate 40 fixedly mounted on said shaft 30.

Whether the holder 10 is free-standing or wall-mounted, the shaft 30 is either fixedly or detachably connected to the base 20, or fixedly or detachably connected to the plate 40. As a result, the entire holder 10 can be fabricated or molded in individual components and then assembled to form it. Alternatively, the base 20 and the shaft 30 can be molded or fabricated as one unitary piece upon which the plate 40 can be mounted. Particularly if, as shown in FIG. 10, the plate 40 is to spin around the shaft 30 in carousel style movement to provide more direct access to all shavers and razors docked thereon. Or, alternatively the shaft 30 and the plate 40 could be molded or fabricated as one unitary piece, and thereafter mounted on the base 20. Particularly, if as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the holder 10 is to be mounted on the wall, as such embodiment provides for a much easier mounting. In the preferred embodiments the combination base and shaft unit, or the combination shaft and plate units are fabricated as one piece for added strength and reduced manufacturing costs.

If the holder 10 is wall-mounted as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, then the base 20 is used to mount the holder 10 on the wall. Such mounting can be done in any number of ways. As is shown in FIG. 11, the base 20 can comprise a bracket 22 and a base plate 24. The bracket 22 can be mounted on the wall via any commonly available mounting means such as screws, nails, velcro, and double sided tape, depending on the surface of the wall. The base plate 24 in turn, can be mounted on the bracket 22 by simply slipping it over the edges of the bracket as shown in FIG. 11.

Alternatively the wall mounted base 20 can comprise just the base plate 24, which can be mounted on the wall either by gluing it on the wall using any of the modern adhesives currently, or in the future, available on the market, as for example EPOXY, or by attaching it to the wall using lever actuated suction cups, as shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 6 shows that in order to facilitate the fixed but detachable mounting of the shaft 30 on the base 20, said base 20 is provided with an anchoring aperture 26. The anchoring aperture 26, as can be seen from FIG. 6, could be receding into the base 20, such that it is flush with the surface, opposite the wall-mounting surface of said base 20. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 11-14, the base surface, opposite its wall-mounting surface is provided with a protrusion 27, extending outwardly away from the base 20. The protrusion 27, in turn has a partial bore that provides a semi-open cavity with an opening that is flush with the outer surface of the partially bored protrusion 27 to form an anchoring aperture 26.

The anchoring aperture 26 in the base 20 and the shaft 30 are each provided with complimentary male and female components of fastening mechanisms, respectively. See for example FIGS. 6 and 12. Such complimentary male and female components form lock and key fastening mechanisms that allow the shaft 30 and the base 20 to interconnect and stay in place in a lock and key fashion. Various means of such lock and key fastening mechanisms are depicted in FIG. 6, as well as in FIGS. 11-14.

In another embodiment that facilitates the fixed but detachable mounting of the shaft 30 on the base 20, the protrusion 27 of the base 20 contains no cavity and no anchoring aperture. Instead it is the shaft 30 that is provided with a partial bore that forms a semi-open cavity with an opening that is flush with the outer surface of the partially bored shaft 30. Such semi-open cavity acts as the anchoring aperture 26 for the insertion therein, of the protrusion 27 of the base 20.

In yet another embodiment the means for fastening the plate to the base does not comprise male and female components such as an aperture and a shaft. Rather they comprise male and female components such as those depicted in FIG. 13 which simply nest within one another.

The dimensions of the shaft 30 can vary greatly. In some embodiments, as is shown in FIG. 10, where the shaft has considerable length, it is clearly visible that it is a shaft and that it functions as a shaft. In other embodiments, as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the shaft 30 is so short that it is thoroughly subsumed by the fastening mechanism imparting the impression that the plate 40 is simply locked on the base 20 with nothing more than the fastening mechanism. In other words, the fastening mechanism in essence becomes the supporting shaft.

While particular combinations of the base 20, shaft 30 and plate 40 and corresponding locking mechanisms have been illustrated and described herein above, they are provided by way of illustration only, and the recitation of such combinations should not be construed to be all inclusive or exhaustive. Since certain changes may be made without departing from the scope of these combinations, it is intended that all matter contained in the description of such combinations, or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a literal sense. Practitioners of the art will realize that the embodiments and combinations described and depicted in the figures can be altered without departing from the scope of these combinations and that the illustrations contained herein are singular examples of a multitude of possible such combinations.

As was set forth above, the plate 40 is mounted on the shaft 30 when the shaft 30 is clear and visible, as is shown in FIG. 10. Or, the plate 40 is detachably mounted on the base 20, via the fastening mechanism as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which essentially functions as the shaft 30.

The plate 40 comprises a single planar body 42 having an outer edge 42A and inner center 42B. In one embodiment, the outer edge 42A has at least one aperture 50 providing access to a combination razor/toothbrush storing recess 60.

The combination razor/toothbrush storing recess 60 curves away from the outer edge 42A and extends inwardly, along the plane of the body 42, toward the inner center 42B of the single planar body 42 of the plate 40. It comprises a first outer section 62 and a second inner section 64. The first outer section 62 is provided with means for receiving, docking and storing a razor 66. The second inner section 64 is provided with means for receiving, docking and storing a toothbrush 68.

The means for receiving, docking and storing the razor 66, in the first outer section 62 of the combination razor/toothbrush storing recess 60, comprises an intermittent groove 70, running longitudinally along, adjacent and parallel to, the outer edge 42A of the single, planar body 42. Sections of the intermittent groove 70 are juxtaposed to and contiguous with the aperture 50, such that sections of the intermittent groove 70 run on either side of, are immediately adjacent to and collinear with the aperture 50. The intermittent groove 70 has an inner wall 74 and an outer wall 72. The outer wall 72 of the groove forms a flange 76 which optionally may be curved and stepped down in height in the area adjacent to the aperture 50, and shaped and dimensioned such that when the razor is inserted into the combination razor/toothbrush storing recess 60 via the aperture 50, it is deposited and docked within the groove 70. The curved stepped down outer wall 72 on either side of the aperture 50 permits the head of the razor to tilt either forward or backward, depending on how it is deposited, such that the stem of the razor is hanging almost straight down away from and perpendicular to the plate 40. Thereby, the razor deposited and docked within the groove 70 in the first outer section 62 can be stored, and if wet, can be air dried without contamination, in a neat and orderly fashion.

The means for receiving, docking and storing a toothbrush 68, of the second inner section 64 of the combination razor/toothbrush recess 60, comprises a u-shaped, toothbrush-support collar 80, communicatingly connected to the aperture 50 with an elongated channel 82, extending inwardly from the aperture 50 towards the toothbrush-support collar 80. The toothbrush-support collar 80 has an arcuate area 84 sufficiently dimensioned to fit around and encircle the neck of any toothbrush slid into the recess 60 through the aperture 50 and along the channel 82. Thus, when the toothbrush is left within the toothbrush-support collar 80, such collar encircles and supports the neck of the toothbrush and allows the head of the toothbrush to extend perpendicularly above the plate 40, and the stem of the toothbrush to extend downwardly, perpendicularly below the plate 40. Thereby, the toothbrush deposited and docked within the toothbrush collar 80 in the second inner section can be stored, and if wet can be air dried without contamination, in a neat and orderly fashion.

Optionally, the tooth-brush support collar 80 can be provided with an upwardly extending flange to provide rigidity and additional support for the head of the toothbrush and keep the toothbrush head above the effluent from the toothbrush that might accumulate and pool around the neck of the toothbrush below the head, on the plate surface.

The channel 82 connecting the aperture 50 and providing access to the toothbrush-support collar 80 therefrom, could be straight or it could be bent at any angle, as for example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 at a right angle, to permit the docking of the toothbrush at any location on the plate. Further, it could be of sufficient length that a razor and a toothbrush can be stored within the recess at the same time.

Finally the plate can be provided with wells and ridges or ribs to permit for the pooling of any and all effluents from the razor and the toothbrush docked within the combination razor/toothbrush recess.

In another embodiment of the holder 10, the plate 40 comprises all of the elements of the embodiment set forth herein above, except that instead of comprising just one aperture 50 providing access to just one combination razor/toothbrush storing recess 60, it comprises more than one aperture 50 and more than one corresponding combination razor/toothbrush storing recess 60.

In yet another embodiment of the holder 10, the plate 40 comprises all of the elements of the embodiments set forth herein above, except that instead of comprising just one aperture 50 providing access to just one combination razor/toothbrush storing recess 60, it comprises a multiplicity of apertures 50 and an equivalent amount of corresponding combination razor/toothbrush storing recesses 60.

One application of the holder 10 is in the hospitality industry for use in hotel rooms. When the patron leaves the premises, the plate 40 can easily be detached and removed from the base 20 on the wall that it was mounted on and can be discarded. If the patron does not remove the plate 40 before he or she leaves, then a cleaning attendant can remove the same and reinstall another plate from another hermetically sealed container or enclosure to create a new and bacteria-free tooth brush/razor holder. A note attached to the new holder can inform the next patron entering the room that the holder is clean and bacteria free. This operation, together with the unique ability of the holder to simultaneously store both a razor and a toothbrush thereon, will enhance the overall amenities of the establishments as to its safety and cleanliness.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail herein, they are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. Since certain changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a literal sense. Practitioners of the art will realize that the sequence of steps and the embodiments depicted in the figures can be altered without departing from the scope of the present invention and that the illustrations contained herein are singular examples of a multitude of possible depictions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sanitary holder for the concomitant storage of razors and toothbrushes.

2. A sanitary holder for the concomitant storage of razors and toothbrushes comprising a plate having a single planar body with an outer edge and inner center, said outer edge defining at least one aperture providing access to at least one, single combination razor and toothbrush storing recess.

3. The sanitary holder according to claim 2, wherein said at least one, single combination razor and toothbrush storing recess further comprises a first outer section and a second inner section, said first outer section being provided with means for receiving, docking and storing a razor said second inner section being provided with means for receiving, docking and storing a toothbrush.

4. The sanitary holder according to claim 3, wherein said at least one, single combination razor and toothbrush storing recess curves away from said outer edge and extends inwardly, along the plane of said single planar body, toward said the inner center of said single planar body of said plate.

5. The sanitary holder according to claim 4, wherein said one, single combination razor and toothbrush storing recess further comprises a first outer section and a second inner section, said first outer section being provided with means for receiving, docking and storing a razor said second inner section being provided with means for receiving, docking and storing a toothbrush.