U.S. patent application number 09/976659 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-17 for bathroom utensil holder with magnetic cap.
Invention is credited to Bulka, David B..
Application Number | 20030070998 09/976659 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25524337 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030070998 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bulka, David B. |
April 17, 2003 |
Bathroom utensil holder with magnetic cap
Abstract
A bathroom utensil holder with magnetic fastener cap system is
disclosed: The system includes a mounting member and at least one
magnetic fastener cap. The magnetic fastener cap has a high
strength permanent magnet inserted inside. The mounting member is a
galvanized steel plate or shaped rod. The mounting member has
double stick foam tape and or suction cups for mounting. The
magnetic fastener cap slips on the end of utensil handles (
toothbrushes, nail clippers, shaving razor, scissors, tweezers,
pencils and cap of tooth paste tube. When the magnetic fastener cap
is attached to handle of utensil it holds the utensil to the steel
mounting member with magnetic attraction. Utensils hang vertically
downward from the mounting member providing hygienic cleanliness
for the toothbrushes and utensils helping organize utensils.
Inventors: |
Bulka, David B.; (W.
Caldwell, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVID BULKA
14 Coolidge Ave
W. Caldwell
NJ
07006
US
|
Family ID: |
25524337 |
Appl. No.: |
09/976659 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/66 ; 211/65;
211/70.6; 211/94.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 1/09 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/66 ;
211/94.01; 211/65; 211/70.6 |
International
Class: |
A47F 007/00; A47F
005/08 |
Claims
We claim:
1. Bathroom utensil holder with magnetic fastener cap Comprising: A
main mounting member made of corrosion resistant steel. A main
mounting member consisting of magnetic conducive material mounting
member has three mounting features (suction cups, pressure
sensitive adhesive foam tape or screws): A magnetic fastener cap
containing a permanent magnet- A magnetic fastener cap is held by
magnetic attraction to the mounting member A magnetic fastener cap
receiving a utensil handle securely inserted in the fastener cap
cavity. A mounting member which allows magnetic fastener cap to be
positioned anywhere along its surface
2. Method for storing toothbrushes with various size handles,
storing toothbrushes and utensils hanging with handle upward and in
a vertical position. A hygienic utensil holder which prevents
utensils such as toothbrushes from coming in contact with bacteria
commonly found in cups and on the surface of ordinary holders. A
method for mounting utensils such as toothbrushes, razors,
tweezers, scissors, nail clippers, pencils and markers A mounting
member which can be attached to vertical flat surfaces such as
glass, mirrors, walls, wood, cabinets, tile, metal, steel.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] Bathroom utensil holder with magnetic fastener cap This
invention relates to bathroom utensil holders and more particularly
to utensil holders using magnetic attraction to hold bath utensil
to the mounting member.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] In the past bath utensils with handles have been stored in
drawers, cups, medicine cabinets shelves, and varied holders. The
problem with this is most utensils with handles are not stored in
one easily assessable place--(toothbrushes, scissors, razors,
tweezers, nail clippers etc) are not stored in a hygienic manner.
For example, many wall mounted toothbrush holders, counter top
toothbrush cups and holders are limited to hold only
toothbrushes.
[0003] The other utensils are stored in other places limiting the
users quick access to all utensils. Therefore the utensils are
scattered in various places and are not easily accessible for use
Another common problem with toothbrush storage systems is they are
not hygienic. When toothbrushes are stored in cups bacteria and
contaminants tend to develop in the moist bottom of the cup.
Thereby the end of the toothbrush handle carries the bacteria to
the users hand when toothbrush is used. When the toothbrushes are
stored in wall mounted toothbrush holders the handle slips through
the hole of the holder, and the moist bristles contact bacteria on
the holder One other problem is the bristles are bent when in
contact with the wall mounted holder. Other types of toothbrush
storage devices encapsulate the bristles of the toothbrush
preventing ventilation through the bristles. Therefore these
bristles do not completely dry between uses and are subject to
growth of bacteria Another common problem is many new toothbrushes
have larger handles. Many cups and wall mounted toothbrush holders
have small holes and are unable to store toothbrushes with larger
handles. There is a need for a new type of toothbrush and utensil
holder which will hold utensils with different size handles all in
on place.
[0004] Utensils with small handles include--toothbrushes, razors,
scissors, tweezers, nail clippers, nail files, pencils.
[0005] Also a need exists for a light weight hygienic
toothbrush/utensil holder that holds these utensils with magnetic
power
OTHER DESIGNS
[0006] There are designed storage systems which use magnetic
attraction to store toothbrushes in a manner where bristles do not
contact any other surface when the toothbrush is not in use. These
examples only mount customized toothbrushes, while this new
invention can be used with many utensils.
[0007] EXAMPLE: U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,566 issued to Jeffery D. Hempel
on Nov. 25, 1991 discloses a magnetic toothbrush holder that
included a magnet permanently affixed to the handle of a customized
toothbrush, and then the brush attaches to the mounting member.
[0008] ANOTHER EXAMPLE: of an magnetic toothbrush holder is U.S.
Pat. No. 3,782,799 issued to H H Hansen on Jan. 1, 1974. This
holder includes a permanent magnetic wheel and each customized
toothbrush has a steel block imbedded in the handle that attracts
to the magnetic wheel. Similar magnetic toothbrush holders are seen
in A E Lockholder on Jan. 21, 1947 U.S. Pat. No. 2,414,653
[0009] Another type of magnetic toothbrush holder is disclosed in
the U.S. Pat. No. 2,642.999 issued to J C McPherson on Jun. 23,
1953
THE PROBLEM WITH OTHER DESIGNS
[0010] The problems these known magnetic toothbrush holders display
is that they hold the toothbrush vertically with bristles held
upward. After used toothbrushes are hung on these magnetic holders,
moisture tends to drip down from the bristles to the handle
creating a pasty residue that dries on the handle, where addition
air carried bacteria can accumulate. These magnetic holders are
limited to toothbrushes only They can not be easily stored in one
place or hold other bathroom utensils with handles--(toothbrushes,
razors, scissors, tweezers, nail clippers, nail files and pencils.)
Most importantly these magnetic toothbrush holders limit the user
to use only their custom made steel or magnet impregnated
toothbrush. Many different sized and shaped toothbrush handles
exist today. Holders described above can not contain these brushes.
Magnetic fastener caps retain varied sized handles in a proper
hygienic manner.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0011] The objective of this present invention is to provide
organized and hygienic storage of large and small handled utensils
via magnetic power.
[0012] Another objective of this invention will provide hygienic
storage for conventional toothbrushes with bristles to hang
vertically downward, therefore toothbrushes make no contact with
any bacteria on wall mounted holders or inside bottom of cups.
[0013] Another objective of this invention will provide a magnetic
fastener cap which attaches to different size toothbrush handles,
and bath utensils with small handles The magnetic fastener cap is
reusable. After toothbrush bristles are worn, the fastener cap can
be placed on a new toothbrush.
[0014] Another objective will provide a toothbrush / utensil holder
that easily mounts to surfaces such as tile, mirror, wood, walls,
inside cabinets by either suction cups, mounting tape or
screws.
[0015] These and other objectives of the present invention are
achieved through a toothbrush/utensil holder comprised of a main
mounting member formed of non corrosive steel. The magnetic
fastener cap contains a high strength permanent magnet that slips
easily onto varied sized handles of toothbrushes, and other
utensils. A utensil with magnetic fastener cap on end of handle
easily adheres to the non corrosive main mounting member.
[0016] Advantages of this present invention include the easy access
of different utensils in one mounting member. Utensils located
vertically on mounting member hang downward with magnetic fastener
cap attached to the end of utensil handle. The magnetic fastener
cap can be easily removed and reused on other small handled
utensils.
[0017] These and other objects of the present invention will now
become apparent from a review of the drawings and the following
description and preferred embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT OF INVENTION
Referring Now to FIG. 1
[0018] A first embodiment of Bathroom Utensil Holder with Magnetic
cap comprises a toothbrush utensil holder 1 with magnetic fastener
caps 2 plurality of magnetic fastener caps 2 slipped onto the end
of handle of toothbrush 3, razor 4, nail clipper 5, scissors 6,
tweezers 7 and toothpaste tube 8.
[0019] The toothbrush utensil holder 1 comprises a main mounting
member 9 with end caps 10 with mounting suction cups 11. A
plurality of magnetic fastener caps 2 slipped onto the end of
handle of toothbrush 3, razor 4, nail clipper 5, scissors 6,
tweezers 7 arid toothpaste tube 8. Items 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, have
typical dimensions. A first embodiment of toothbrush/utensil holder
1 of the present invention is shown.
Referring to FIG. 2
[0020] The magnetic fastener cap 2 has a permanent magnet 13
enclosed within cavity 14 of cap 16. The utensil handle 17 can be
slipped inside cavity 14. The cap 16 is preferably made of an
expandable plastic material.
[0021] FIG. 2A, 2B and 2C show cross section views of preferred
embodiment of the magnetic fastener cap 2 showing magnet 13 and cap
16.
FIG. 3. Mounting Techniques for Mounting Member
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 3A a second embodiment rear view of
the mounting member 9. The mounting member 9 has suction cup or
cups 11, that slip into channel 18 of rear side of mounting member
9, plastic end caps 10 are attached to the end of the mounting
member 9. These plastic end caps 10 keep the suction cup 11 from
sliding out of channel 18. This allows the mounting member 9 to
adhere to clean smooth surfaces with suction cups.
[0023] FIG. 3B shows a side view of mounting member 9 with suction
cup 11 in channel 18 of mounting member 9.
[0024] FIG. 3C shows another method of mounting the mounting member
9. Adhesive foam mounting tape 15 is attached to the mounting
member 9 which can be mounted to dry smooth surfaces such as tile,
mirrors, wood, metal, wall board and glass.
[0025] FIG. 3D shows another method of mounting the mounting member
9. After screw 19 is mounted to mounting surface, mounting member 9
can be attached by sliding mounting bar onto screw heads 20.
FIG. 4
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 4A is a front view of different
mounting member 21 which is made of non corrosive steel. This
mounting member 21 can be formed with different decorative designs.
This mounting member 21 can be mounted to smooth surfaces with
adhesive foam mounting tape 22.
[0027] FIG. 4B is side view of mounting member 21 with adhesive
foam mounting tape 22. Other conventional mounting methods can be
used.
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