CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Utility Application No. 14/068,174, filed on October 31 , 2013, which application is a continuation-in-part of United States Patent Application No. 13/666,130 filed on November 1 , 2012. The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a toilet plunger containment system and, more particularly, to a sanitary toilet plunger containment system.

BACKGROUND

[0003] It is often necessary to employ a toilet plunger to force objects stuck in the drain tube to become dislodged by exerting pressure on the plunger. Unfortunately, this is often a messy task both during the plunging process and afterward when the plunger is removed from the toilet bowl for storage. Controlling the unsanitary nature of using and storing the toilet plunger is therefore highly desirable.

SUMMARY

[0004] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0005] A sanitary toilet plunger containment system for holding a plunger during periods of non-use is provided and may include a tray, a disposable disinfecting component, and a housing. The tray may include a first shelf portion and a second shelf portion. The disposable disinfecting component may be positioned within the tray and include a first portion supported by the first shelf portion and second portion supported by the second shelf portion. The housing may include a circumferential wall which hosts the tray. [0006] In another configuration, a sanitary toilet plunger containment system for holding a plunger during periods of non-use is provided and may include a tray, a disposable disinfecting component, and a housing. The tray may include a first tier and a second tier. The disposable disinfecting component may be positioned within the tray and may be supported by the first tier. The housing may include a circumferential wall which hosts the tray.

[0007] Still other aspects of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings and detailed description provided below.

[0008] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

[0009] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the sanitary toilet plunger containment system of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2 is a top view of the sanitary toilet plunger containment system;

[0012] Figure 3 is a top view of the selectively removable tray of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 4 is a first side view of the sanitary toilet plunger containment system;

[0014] Figure 5 is a front view of the sanitary toilet plunger containment system;

[0015] Figure 6 is a second side view of the sanitary toilet plunger containment system;

[0016] Figure 7 is a rear view of the sanitary toilet plunger containment system;

[0017] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a sanitary toilet plunger containment system according to the present invention; [0018] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a large sized sanitary toilet plunger containment system;

[0019] Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-1 0 of Figure 9 showing a disposable disinfectant component useful according to the teachings of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 1 1 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative sanitary toilet plunger containment system according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 1 1 A is a partial sectional view of the sanitary toilet plunger containment system of Figure 1 1 ;

[0022] Figure 12 is an assembled perspective view of a tray and disinfectant component;

[0023] Figure 12A is a partial sectional view of the assembly of Figure

12;

[0024] Figure 13 is a perspective view of an alternative configuration of a tray according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 13A is a partial sectional view of the tray of Figure 13 including a disinfectant component; and

[0026] Figure 13B is a partial sectional view of the tray and disinfectant component of Figure 13A assembled in a shell.

[0027] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] The shell 12, otherwise referred to herein as a housing, is typically formed from a moldable plastic material and is defined by a body 22 including a base 24 and cover 26 as best shown with reference to Figure 8. The base 24 is in the form of a two tiered bowl wherein the lower tier 28 is defined by a bottom wall 30 and a first circumferential wall 32 and the upper tier 36 extends outwardly and upwardly from the circumferential wall 32. The outwardly projecting portion forms an intervening shelf 40 to assist in retaining the selectively removable tray 14. The upwardly projecting portion forms a second circumferential wall 44 which is larger than first circumferential wall 32 and includes an upper lip 46 having a plurality of spaced apart flanges 48 designed to engage the upper portion 26 of the shell 12 in a snap fit relationship. Optionally, the shell may include an elongated decorative band 58 which snaps over the junction of the base and cover of the housing when the two components are adjoined.

[0030] The cover 26, which only partially covers the base 24, includes an open area 56 so as to allow for insertion and removal of the toilet plunger, includes a side wall 50 and a semi-circular top wall 52 which serves as a splash guard. The top wall 52 preferably includes a cut-out area 54 sized to receive a lower portion of the toilet plunger handle.

[0031] The selectively removable tray 14, as best shown in Figures 3 and 8, is defined by a body 60 including a bottom wall 62, a side wall 64, and a lip 66 extends outwardly from the side wall. The lip 66 seats over the upper lip 46 of the housing. The lip 66 is generally hemispherical and terminates at the edge of upper portion of the housing when the tray is positioned within the shell. Ideally, the body of the tray 14 is sized to fit securely within the body of the housing 12. Extending outwardly from the lip 66 is gripping tab 71 which facilitates insertion and removal of the tray from the housing.

[0032] The tray itself is designed to host a disposable, moisture absorptive material which includes a disinfectant component. This disposable disinfectant can be formed from a variety of moisture absorptive materials including, without limitation, charcoal, cellulosic materials such as wood chips, paper and cardboard or absorbent fibers by way of non-limiting example. The disposable disinfectant should be somewhat hydrophilic and may include disinfectant compositions, deodorizing additives and/or scented materials such as pine or floral scents, among others.

[0033] As should be appreciated, the moisture absorptive material 90 should be capable of being treated with disinfectants and deodorants in liquid, solid or gaseous form, and yet still be sufficiently absorptive after treatment with these types of compositions to consume waste water coming off of the plunger. Preferably, the moisture adaptive material is contained within the tray. A liquid permeable and/or perforated layer 92, is separated from the absorptive material and is sealed to the edge of the tray as shown in Figure 1 1 A. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 10, the layer 92 can be adjacent to and serves as a wrapping for the absorptive material. By concealing the absorptive material with layer 92, exposure to the disinfecting composition and the absorptive material when loading or emptying the tray can be minimized. Further, pre-packaging the disposable disinfectant facilitates loading and unloading of the composition from the tray as well as ease of storage. As shown in various figures, the packaged absorptive material is ideally sloped to conform to the slope receiving tray.

[0034] Under a highly preferred embodiment, the moisture absorptive material 90 will be in the form of replaceable packets that can be sold separately when refills are needed.

[0035] As for the plunger 18, the major elements include a suction cup 70, the shaft 72 and the handle 74. The cup 70 includes a body 76, a peripheral lip 78 and a coupling portion 80 extending upwardly from the body. The cup is formed from a material such as 60 -90 a durometer silicone, butyl rubber or other liquid injection moldable material or elastomeric thermoplastics which is sufficiently durable and flexible to carry out effective plunging. An added benefit of this type of material is that it has limited porosity and is generally resistant to absorption; that is, toilet matter generally does not stick to it. Under a highly preferred embodiment, the plunger cup will be post treated to substantially eliminate the porosity all together. A high polished diamond lapping process can be employed to eliminate any surface porosity in the plunger head which is molded from a silicone or other low porosity elastomeric or thermoplastic elastomeric material.

[0036] The shaft 72 is formed from a sufficiently rigid material to withstand the force applied to the plunger during use. Example materials include nylon 66, ABS, polypropylene and other thermoplastic materials that include Teflon like functions that prevent are reduce adhesion of toilet debris to the structure shaft 72 includes an elongated stem 84 and a coupling member 86 extending from the lower end of the shaft which mates with the coupling portion 80 of the cup. As shown, this coupling arrangement is in the form of a male and female threaded embodiment, but as should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various mechanical coupling arrangements could be utilized. Further, the male and female aspects could be on either the cup or the shaft as long as effective mating is achieved.

[0037] Extending along the upper end 86 of the shaft 72 is an enlarged handle 74. As shown, the upper end has a substantially bulbous shape to enhance the ergonomics of the plunger during use. The handle may also include an end cap 88 which is formed from a material which is particularly useful for ergonomic purposes. Alternatively, the upper end 86 can be over molded with an elastomeric material for comfort.

[0038] Referring particularly to Figure 9, an alternative sanitary toilet plunger containment system is shown. As should be readily apparent, this version is particularly suited for lager, industrial type plungers. As such, the upper portion 26' has a larger height dimension as compared to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 -8. In virtually all other aspects, the containment system is the same. The need for a larger upper portion is that the plunger cup 70' itself is larger than industrial type plungers.

[0039] Referring to Figure 1 1 , an alternative sanitary toilet plunger containment system is shown. Under this embodiment, the moisture absorptive material 90 disposed within the tray and is sealed by a moisture permeable layer attached to the tray. The disposable tray is generally formed from a plastic material, preferably from a recycled feedstock. Again, a moisture absorptive material which is either naturally disinfecting or which can be treated with the appropriate disinfectants and deodorizing agents will be employed as previously described. By pre-packaging both the tray, the moisture absorptive material and the moisture permeably layer as an assembly, the construct 94 can be disposed of when necessary and is readily replaceable.

[0040] The packaging (not shown) for the construct would preferably be moisture resistant to preserve the moisture absorbing characteristics of the absorptive material.

[0041] Still another variation of the present invention is shown in Figure 12. According to this embodiment, the moisture absorptive material is in the form of a wafer or disc positioned within a tray. A space 98 occurs below the absorptive material to capture excess waste water coming off of the plunger if need be. In this embodiment, the disposable disinfectant component is sufficiently rigid to support the plunger when placed thereupon.

[0042] Referring to Figures 13 through 13B, an alternative tray 14A is shown. The tray 14A may be used with any of the sanitary toilet plunger containment systems shown herein, and may be similar to the tray 14, except as otherwise provided herein. Accordingly, like reference numerals will be used to describe similar features. Under this embodiment, the moisture absorptive material 90 is disposed within the tray. Again, a moisture absorptive material which is either naturally disinfecting or which can be treated with the appropriate disinfectants and deodorizing agents will be employed as previously described.

[0043] With particular reference to Figure 13, the tray 14A may be defined by a bottom wall 102, a first circumferential wall 104, a second circumferential wall 106, a third circumferential wall 108, and a lip 66A. The bottom wall 102 may include a first tier 1 10 and a second tier 1 12. The first tier 1 10 may be substantially planar and horizontal and may be joined to the second tier by a fourth circumferential wall 1 14. The fourth circumferential wall 1 14 may extend at least partially in the axial direction, such that the first tier 1 10 is an upper tier or shelf, and the second tier 1 12 is a lower tier. The first tier 1 10 may form a substantially circular portion of the bottom wall 102 and may be concentrically located relative to the second circumferential wall 106. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the first tier 1 10 may serve as an axial support for the moisture absorptive material 90 and/or the suction cup 70 or 70' of the plunger 18.

[0044] The first circumferential wall 104 may extend from the second tier 1 12 at least partially in the axial direction, such that the fourth circumferential wall 1 14, the second tier 1 12, and the first circumferential wall 104 substantially forms an annular channel or trough 1 16. The channel or trough 1 16 may serve as a receptacle for excess water or moisture that is not absorbed by the moisture absorptive material 90.

[0045] The second circumferential wall 106 may extend radially from the first circumferential wall 104, such that the second circumferential wall 106 substantially forms an intervening annular shelf to assist in supporting the moisture absorptive material 90. Accordingly, an axial height H1 of the second circumferential wall 106 may be substantially equal to an axial height H2 of the first tier 1 10, such that the second circumferential wall 106 and the first tier 1 10 are substantially coplanar. It will be appreciated that the first tier 1 10 may assist in supporting a central portion of the moisture absorptive material 90, and the second circumferential wall 106 may assist in supporting a peripheral portion of the moisture absorptive material 90. An intermediate portion of the moisture absorptive material 90 (located between the central portion and the peripheral portion) may be substantially aligned with the trough 1 16, in an unsupported configuration.

[0046] The third circumferential wall 108 may extend axially from the second circumferential wall 106. The lip 66A extends from the second circumferential wall 106, and may include a radially extending portion 1 18 and an axially extending portion 120, such that the lip 66A forms a substantially U- shaped channel that seats over the upper lip 46 of the housing 12. The lip 66A terminates at the edge of the upper portion of the housing 12 when the tray 14A is positioned within the housing 12. Ideally, the body of the tray 14A is sized to fit securely within the body of the housing 12. Extending outwardly from the lip 66A is gripping tab 71 which facilitates insertion and removal of the tray from the housing.

[0047] The plunger containment systems described herein may be offered commercially as a kit. The kit may include at a minimum, a tray and a moisture absorbing component as described above. The kit may also include a decorative shell and optionally a plunger. Again, once the moisture absorptive component is exhausted, refills could be purchased separately.

[0048] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.