U.S. patent application number 17/010503 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-18 for holder for cleaning products.
The applicant listed for this patent is SAFETY NAILER LLC. Invention is credited to Daniel Eifes, Kristen Eifes, Cori Zirkle, Drew Zirkle.
Application Number | 20210076897 17/010503 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005075635 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210076897 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eifes; Kristen ; et
al. |
March 18, 2021 |
HOLDER FOR CLEANING PRODUCTS
Abstract
A holder for cleaning products is provided. The holder
comprising: a body having a plurality of walls defining a recess
area, the recess area having a bottom surface, one of the plurality
of walls having a drain formed thereon, the drain being in fluid
communication with the bottom surface; and an attachment member
coupled to a bottom of the body, the attachment member having a
cupped shape that is sized to form a perimeter seal when the holder
is pressed onto a surface.
Inventors: |
Eifes; Kristen; (Yorktown,
VA) ; Eifes; Daniel; (Yorktown, VA) ; Zirkle;
Cori; (Virginia Beach, VA) ; Zirkle; Drew;
(Virginia Beach, VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAFETY NAILER LLC |
Yorktown |
VA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005075635 |
Appl. No.: |
17/010503 |
Filed: |
September 2, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62899284 |
Sep 12, 2019 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/51 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/51 20060101
A47L013/51 |
Claims
1. A holder for cleaning products comprising: a body having a
plurality of walls defining a recess area, the recess area having a
bottom surface, one of the plurality of walls having a drain formed
thereon, the drain being in fluid communication with the bottom
surface; and an attachment member coupled to a bottom of the body,
the attachment member having a cupped shape that is sized to form a
perimeter seal when the holder is pressed onto a surface.
2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes a
first portion and an opposing second portion with a trough disposed
therebetween, the trough being in fluid communication with the
drain.
3. The holder of claim 2, wherein the bottom surface is angled to
communicate fluid into the trough.
4. The holder of claim 3 wherein each of the first portion and
second portion are angled about 1 degree relative to a horizontal
counter surface.
5. The holder of claim 1, further comprising at least one bracket
coupled to the body.
6. The holder of claim 5, wherein the at least one bracket includes
a plurality of brackets.
7. The holder of claim 5, wherein the at least one bracket is a
tube having a length substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal
direction of the body.
8. The holder of claim 5, wherein the at least one bracket is made
from stainless steel.
9. The holder of claim 1, wherein the attachment member includes a
bottom surface that is recessed relative to a center area such that
an edge of the bottom surface extends about a periphery of the
body.
10. The holder of claim 9, wherein the attachment member is
configured to deflect the edge when the holder is pressed onto a
counter surface and generate a suction therebetween.
11. The holder of claim 10, wherein the attachment member is made
from a rubber, an elastomer, or a plastic material.
12. The holder of claim 1, wherein the drain includes a curved
trough portion that curves in a direction away from a top of the
holder.
13. The holder of claim 12, wherein the trough portion includes an
edge that is arranged to be positioned equal to or vertically
offset below an edge of a counter surface that the holder is
installed.
14. The holder of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes a
plurality ribs shaped to direct fluid towards the drain.
15. The holder of claim 1, wherein the drain is centrally disposed
on the body.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/899,284, filed Sep. 12, 2019, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a holder for
cleaning products, such as a sponge or wash cloth.
[0003] Cleaning products such as sponges are often hard to manage
when not in use. It is desirable to allow the product, which is wet
in use, to dry between uses. Often users use holders that have
suction cups that stick the holder to the side of a sink. These
holders, which are often made from wire, or have holes in the
bottom, allow the water to drain into the sink. Unfortunately these
holders often move due to poor suction.
[0004] Accordingly, while existing holders for cleaning products
are suitable for their intended purpose the need for improvement
remains, particularly in providing a holder that includes the
features described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0005] According to one aspect of the disclosure a holder for
cleaning products is provided. The holder comprising: a body having
a plurality of walls defining a recess area, the recess area having
a bottom surface, one of the plurality of walls having a drain
formed thereon, the drain being in fluid communication with the
bottom surface; and an attachment member coupled to a bottom of the
body, the attachment member having a cupped shape that is sized to
form a perimeter seal when the holder is pressed onto a
surface.
[0006] These and other advantages and features will become more
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with
the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] The subject matter, which is regarded as the disclosure, is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other
features, and advantages of the disclosure are apparent from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a holder for cleaning
products in accordance with an embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holder for cleaning
products in accordance with another embodiment
[0010] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the holder of FIG. 1
and FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the holder of FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the holder of FIG. 2;
and
[0013] FIGS. 6-9 are various view of the holder of FIG. 2.
[0014] The detailed description explains embodiments of the
disclosure, together with advantages and features, by way of
example with reference to the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a holder
for cleaning products, such as sponges that are used to clean
dishes, flatware, pots and pans for example. The holder provides
for a drain that allows water from the cleaning products to flow
back into a sink or other drain. The holder further provides for an
attachment means that allows the holder to be removably attached to
a counter or other surface next to a sink or drain where the
attachment means provides for a perimeter attachment that does not
allow water or other fluids to flow beneath the holder.
[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a holder 20 is shown. The holder
20 includes a body 22 having a plurality of walls 24, 26, 28, 30
that define a recess 32 having a bottom surface 34. A drain portion
36 is centrally disposed in wall 24. The drain portion 36 is in
fluid communication with a central portion of the bottom surface
34. In the exemplary embodiment, the drain portion 36 shape that is
both curved downward and has a curved trough 38. In an embodiment,
the lower edge 41 of the drain portion is offset or vertically
disposed in a position equal to or below the edge of the surface
that the holder 20 is attached. The shape of the drain portion 36
allows fluid to flow into the sink or drain.
[0017] In an embodiment, the bottom surface 34 includes opposing
side portions 34A, 34B (FIG. 4) that are angled to allow fluids to
flow from an area adjacent the walls 26, 30 towards the center of
the bottom surface 34. In an embodiment, the portions 34A, 34B have
a plurality of ribs, protrusions or a wave shapes that are shaped
and positioned to direct or allow fluids to drain towards the
center of the bottom portion 34 while keeping the cleaning product
(e.g. sponge) out of the draining fluid. In an embodiment, the
angle of the bottom surface 34 is about 1 degree relative to a
horizontal counter surface. In an embodiment, the bottom surface 36
further includes a trough 34C that collects fluid from the portions
34A, 34B and directs the flow of fluid towards the drain portion
36.
[0018] In an embodiment, the holder 20 may include one or more
brackets 40 (FIG. 2) that extend from the bottom surface 34. In an
embodiment, the brackets 40 may be removably coupled to the bottom
surface 34. The brackets 40 are arranged to be disposed generally
parallel with the ribs of the portions 34A, 34B. The brackets 40
are spaced apart to provide space to hold the cleaning
products.
[0019] Attached to the body 22 is a coupling member 42. In the
exemplary embodiment, the coupling member 42 includes a bottom
surface 44 (FIG. 3) that is cupped or recessed such that the edge
46 is offset relative to a center area 48 in a direction away from
the body 22. The edge 46 is sized to extend about the periphery of
the bottom of the body 22. The coupling member 42 is made from a
soft material, such as a rubber, an elastomer, or a plastic for
example. When the holder 20 is pressed onto the surface that it is
to be attached, the edge 46 deflects, causing suction to be formed
between the coupling member 42 and the surface. Thus, the coupling
member allows the holder 20 to be easily and repeated coupled to
surfaces. In an embodiment, the coupling member 42 includes a tab
43 that extends from the edge 46 to facilitate the release of the
suction allowing the holder 20 to be removed from the counter
surface.
[0020] In an embodiment, the holder will provide water to have
multidirectional flow. The fluid will flow from the left edge and
the right edge to the center of the body. Once the fluid is in the
center of the device it will flow forward into the sink by drain
spout.
[0021] In an embodiment, the side, front and back walls of the
holder will be sized to be tall/high enough to pour a hot cup of
water (e.g. 8 oz) into the recess of the holder and not allow the
water to splash out but flow through the drain. Hot or boiling
water is and easy way to clean the device.
[0022] In an embodiment, the internal ridges or ribs on the bottom
surface consist of level peaks and sloped valleys. This allows
bottles and or utensils to stand up straight and as the water falls
off of said items, the valleys carry the water to the center and
then from the center to the sink. In an embodiment, the curved
ridges allow for an easy clean with just the wipe of a hand towel
as opposed to other models that have sharp corners in there
ridges.
[0023] In an embodiment, the holder has a perimeter suction
attachment means. The suction material may be a soft material. The
user can decide to press the device down firmly to utilize the
suction or just simply set in place as the suction material will
act like rubber. The perimeter suction allows water to not get
underneath the device. The perimeter suction allows the user to
simply clean around the device.
[0024] The drain spout is configured to drain the fluid back into
the sink. In an embodiment, the drain spout is integral with the
multidirectional flow body that is integral with the perimeter
suction. The perimeter suction attachment may be attached to the
outer edge of the flow body or attached anywhere on the flow body
to create a perimeter suction. The suction attachment may have an
integral tab to 43 allow the user to easily release the suction and
move the holder.
[0025] In some embodiments, the holder will utilize tubes 40 for
sponge or sponge utensil separation and or soap bottle or other
types of guides. The tubes 40 may be made from stainless steel. In
an embodiment, the tubes 40 are disposed on one half of the holder
20. The tubes 40 may be disposed generally parallel with the
longitudinal direction of the holder 20. In an embodiment, the
portion of the holder 40 opposite the tubes 40 may be used to hold
objects, such as a bottle 50 for example (FIG. 9)
[0026] The term "about" is intended to include the degree of error
associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon
the equipment available at the time of filing the application.
[0027] Additionally, the term "exemplary" is used herein to mean
"serving as an example, instance or illustration." Any embodiment
or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be
construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or
designs. The terms "at least one" and "one or more" are understood
to include any integer number greater than or equal to one, i.e.
one, two, three, four, etc. The terms "a plurality" are understood
to include any integer number greater than or equal to two, i.e.
two, three, four, five, etc. The term "connection" can include an
indirect "connection" and a direct "connection".
[0028] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
[0029] While the disclosure is provided in detail in connection
with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily
understood that the disclosure is not limited to such disclosed
embodiments. Rather, the disclosure can be modified to incorporate
any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent
arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate
with the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Additionally, while
various embodiments of the disclosure have been described, it is to
be understood that the exemplary embodiment(s) may include only
some of the described exemplary aspects. Accordingly, the
disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing
description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *