US20040060829A1

US20040060829A1 - Personal product retainer system

Info

Publication number: US20040060829A1
Application number: US10/261,900
Authority: US
Inventors: Bernard Oldenkamp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-09-30
Filing date: 2002-09-30
Publication date: 2004-04-01

Abstract

A personal product retainer system for efficiently retaining several personal hygiene products in a convenient location. The personal product retainer system includes a main body, a main cavity within the main body for receiving a liquid container and a support tray removably attached to the main body for supporting a bar soap. A cover member having a plurality of upper apertures may be positioned within the upper portion of the main cavity for receiving elongate objects such as toothbrushes. The main cavity preferably includes an inner lip for supporting shorter and wider liquid containers in an elevated position with respect to a floor of the main cavity.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to soap containers and more specifically it relates to a personal product retainer system for efficiently retaining several personal hygiene products in a convenient location.

2. Description of the Related Art

Soap containers have been in use for years. Conventional soap containers are comprised of a tray structure that the piece of bar soap is positioned within during non-usage thereof. The main problem with conventional soap containers is that they accumulate water and liquefied soap thereby creating an unpleasant appearance. A further problem with conventional soap containers is that they do not allow for the storage and access to other personal care products. Another problem with conventional soap containers is that they are not positionable within various convenient locations and are limited to the areas where they may be positioned.

While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for efficiently retaining several personal hygiene products in a convenient location. Conventional soap containers do not allow for the convenient storage and access to various personal products.

In these respects, the personal product retainer system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of efficiently retaining several personal hygiene products in a convenient location.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of soap containers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new personal product retainer system construction wherein the same can be utilized for efficiently retaining several personal hygiene products in a convenient location.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new personal product retainer system that has many of the advantages of the soap containers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new personal product retainer system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art soap containers, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a main body, a main cavity within the main body for receiving a liquid container and a support tray removably attached to the main body for supporting a bar soap. A cover member having a plurality of upper apertures may be positioned within the upper portion of the main cavity for receiving elongate objects such as toothbrushes. The main cavity preferably includes an inner lip for supporting shorter and wider liquid containers in an elevated position with respect to a floor of the main cavity.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a personal product retainer system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

A second object is to provide a personal product retainer system for efficiently retaining several personal hygiene products in a convenient location.

Another object is to provide a personal product retainer system that may be positioned within various locations.

An additional object is to provide a personal product retainer system that may retain various types and sizes of personal hygiene products such as but not limited to bar soap, liquid containers, liquid soap containers, lotion containers, shampoo containers, conditioner containers, shavers, toothpaste, body creams, toothbrushes, bathroom accessories, and shower accessories.

A further object is to provide a personal product retainer system that provides adequate drainage for a bar soap and toothbrushes.

Another object is to provide a personal product retainer system that may be utilized in various locations of a house such as but not limited to a bathroom, kitchen, shower, vehicles, or bedroom.

A further object is to provide a personal product retainer system that may be positioned upon a countertop, ledge, wall or any smooth surface including glass.

Another object is to provide a personal product retainer system that is self-draining for allowing a bar soap to dry.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: [0024]
FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with the cover member removed. [0025]
FIG. 2 is an exploded upper perspective view of the present invention. [0026]
FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the present invention supporting a bar soap and a plurality of toothbrushes. [0027]
FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the present invention supporting a bar soap and a liquid container. [0028]
FIG. 5 is a side cutaway view of the present invention. [0029]
FIG. 6 is a side cutaway view of the present invention with a liquid container positioned within thereof. [0030]
FIG. 7 is a side cutaway view of the present invention with a liquid container having a wider body positioned upon the inner lip. [0031]
FIG. 8 is a front view of the support tray. [0032]
FIG. 9 is an upper perspective view of the support tray. [0033]
FIG. 10 is a rear view of the present invention illustrating the suction cups. [0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 10 illustrate a personal [0035] product retainer system 10, which comprises a main body 20, a main cavity 24 within the main body 20 for receiving a liquid container 16 and a support tray 50 removably attached to the main body 20 for supporting a bar soap 12. A cover member 30 having a plurality of upper apertures 36 may be positioned within the upper portion of the main cavity 24 for receiving elongate objects such as toothbrushes 14. The main cavity 24 preferably includes an inner lip 26 for supporting shorter and wider liquid containers 16 in an elevated position with respect to a floor of the main cavity 24.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 of the drawings, the [0036] main body 20 includes a main cavity 24 extending downwardly into the upper surface 22 of the main body 20. The main body 20 may be comprised of various materials and structures as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7 of the drawings, the [0037] main cavity 24 extends downwardly within the main body 20 and preferably has a floor. The floor supports a liquid container 16 as illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings. As best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7 of the drawings, the main cavity 24 includes an inner lip 26 that extends inwardly for supporting a liquid container 16 having a shorter height and a larger width thereby maintaining the dispensing portion thereof above the upper surface 22 of the main body 20 for access.
The [0038] main cavity 24 preferably has a circular cross section shape, however various other shapes may be utilized. The main cavity 24 preferably has an upper portion having a larger width and a lower portion having a smaller width as best illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7 of the drawings.
As further shown in FIGS. 5 through 7 of the drawings, the floor of the [0039] main cavity 24 preferably is slanted towards a front portion thereof to a drain channel 28 for draining excess fluids from within the main body 20. A tubular member 29 is preferably fluidly connected to the drain channel 28 and extends a finite distance outwardly from the main body 20 as best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 8 of the drawings. The tubular member 29 dispenses the excess fluid upon the drain path 54 of the support tray 50 as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings, a [0040] cover member 30 may be selectively positioned within an upper portion of the main cavity 24 for storing elongate objects such as toothbrushes 14. The cover member 30 includes a lower tongue 32 that extends into the main cavity 24 and an upper rim 34 that rests upon the upper surface 22 of the main body 20 as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The cover member 30 further includes a plurality of upper apertures 36 that receive the elongate objects such as toothbrushes 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings.
A [0041] support tray 50 is preferably removably attached to the front of the main body 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings. The support tray 50 is formed for receiving and supporting a bar soap 12 while providing adequate draining of the bar soap 12. The support tray 50 preferably is angled downwardly from the main body 20 as best illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7 of the drawings.
The [0042] support tray 50 further includes a plurality of support ribs 52 that have a raised lower portion for maintaining the bar soap 12 in a desired stable position as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The support tray 50 includes a drain path 54 within the support ribs 52 that allows for excess liquid from the main cavity 24 to flow under the bar soap 12 and from the support tray 50.
One or more [0043] front apertures 21 preferably extend into the front portion of the main body 20 as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. One or more clip members 56 extend from the support tray 50 and catchably into the front apertures 21 for removably securing the support tray 50 to the main body 20 as best illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7 and 9 of the drawings. The clip members 56 preferably extend parallel from the support tray 50 a finite distance than then extend upwardly a finite distance as best illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, [0044] 6, 7, and 10 of the drawings, one or more suction cups 40 are preferably removably attached to a rear portion of the main body 20. The suction cups 40 extend into rear apertures within the main body 20 and may be removed if not utilized. The suction cups 40 allow for securing of the main body 20 to a wall surface such as a shower.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. [0045]
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. [0046]
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. [0047]

Claims

I claim:

1. A personal product retainer system, comprising:

a main body;

a main cavity extending into an upper surface of said main body; and

a support tray attached to said main body at a downward angle.

2. The personal product retainer system of claim 1, wherein said main cavity includes a drain channel extending through said main body.

3. The personal product retainer system of claim 2, wherein a floor of said main cavity is angled downwardly towards said drain channel.

4. The personal product retainer system of claim 3, including a tubular member fluidly connected to said drain channel, and wherein said tubular member extends a finite distance from said main body adjacent to said support tray.

5. The personal product retainer system of claim 4, wherein said support tray includes a drain path for receiving liquid from said tubular member.

6. The personal product retainer system of claim 2, wherein said support tray includes a drain path for receiving liquid from said drain channel.

7. The personal product retainer system of claim 1, including at least one suction cup attached to said main body.

8. The personal product retainer system of claim 1, wherein said main body includes at least one front aperture and wherein said support tray includes at least one clip member for removably connecting to said at least one front aperture.

9. The personal product retainer system of claim 1, wherein said main cavity includes an inner lip forming an upper portion and a lower portion within said main cavity, wherein said upper portion is wider than said lower portion.

10. The personal product retainer system of claim 1, wherein said support tray includes a plurality of support ribs.

11. A personal product retainer system, comprising:

a main body;

a main cavity extending into an upper surface of said main body;

a cover member positionable within an upper end of said main cavity, wherein said cover member includes a plurality of upper apertures; and

a support tray attached to said main body at a downward angle.

12. The personal product retainer system of claim 11, wherein said main cavity includes a drain channel extending through said main body.

13. The personal product retainer system of claim 12, wherein a floor of said main cavity is angled downwardly towards said drain channel.

14. The personal product retainer system of claim 13, including a tubular member fluidly connected to said drain channel, and wherein said tubular member extends a finite distance from said main body adjacent to said support tray.

15. The personal product retainer system of claim 14, wherein said support tray includes a drain path for receiving liquid from said tubular member.

16. The personal product retainer system of claim 12, wherein said support tray includes a drain path for receiving liquid from said drain channel.

17. The personal product retainer system of claim 11, including at least one suction cup attached to said main body.

18. The personal product retainer system of claim 11, wherein said main body includes at least one front aperture and wherein said support tray includes at least one clip member for removably connecting to said at least one front aperture.

19. The personal product retainer system of claim 11, wherein said main cavity includes an inner lip forming an upper portion and a lower portion within said main cavity, wherein said upper portion is wider than said lower portion.

20. The personal product retainer system of claim 11, wherein said cover member includes a lower tongue and an upper rim.