Personal Sanitary Device for Mounting to a Toilet Bowl

Abstract

A personal sanitizer device for mounting to a toilet bowl. The personal sanitizer device includes a first compartment stacked above a second compartment. A rear side of the housing includes a fastener that can secure to the toilet bowl, wherein a front side of the housing comprises an aperture that can dispense a wipe disposed within an interior volume of the first compartment and an opening that provides access to an interior volume of the second compartment. The front side of the housing is oriented away from the toilet bowl when the housing is secured to the toilet bowl. The rear side of the second compartment extends away from the housing and to abut the toilet bowl such that the housing remains vertically oriented when secured thereto and to provide additional interior volume for storage therein. In some embodiments, the first compartment is removably secured to the second compartment.

Claims

1. A personal sanitizer device for mounting to a toilet bowl, comprising: a housing having a front side and a rear side, wherein the housing includes a first compartment and a second compartment; wherein the rear side of the housing comprises a fastener configured to secure to the toilet bowl; an aperture disposed on the front side of the housing configured to dispense a wipe disposed within an interior volume of the first compartment; an opening disposed on the front side of the housing and configured to provide access to an interior volume of the second compartment; wherein the front side is oriented away from the toilet bowl when the housing is secured to the toilet bowl.

2. The personal sanitizer device of claim 1, wherein the first compartment is adapted to be stacked above the second compartment when mounted to the toilet bowl.

3. The personal sanitizer device of claim 2, wherein the rear side of the second compartment extends away from the housing and is configured to abut the toilet bowl such that the housing remains vertically oriented when secured thereto and to provide additional interior volume for storage therein.

4. The personal sanitizer device of claim 3, wherein the first compartment is removably secured to the second compartment such that the first compartment can be secured alone to the toilet bowl.

5. The personal sanitizer device of claim 3, wherein the opening comprises a majority of area of a front face of the second compartment to allow a hand of a user to fit therethrough.

6. The personal sanitizer device of claim 3, wherein the second compartment comprises a larger interior volume than the first compartment.

7. The personal sanitizer device of claim 3, wherein the aperture is elongated and disposed centrally on a front face of the first compartment.

8. The personal sanitizer device of claim 3, wherein the fastener is a mounting hook comprising a first bracket and a bottom shoulder, wherein the first bracket extends inwardly and downwardly into the interior of the toilet bowl.

9. The personal sanitizer device of claim 8, wherein the bottom shoulder comprises a curved portion, wherein the curved portion is adapted to abut the side of the toilet bowl such that the housing remains vertically oriented when mounted to the toilet bowl.

10. The personal sanitizer device of claim 8, wherein the fastener is disposed only along the rear side of the first compartment.

11. The personal sanitizer device of claim 8, wherein the first compartment includes an upper cover with the aperture thereon, wherein the upper cover further comprises a door pivotally secured therewith and adapted to removably cover the aperture.

12. The personal sanitizer device of claim 11, wherein the upper cover includes a recessed upper side so as to prevent objects from falling therefrom.

13. The personal sanitizer device of claim 12, wherein the upper cover is removable from housing.

14. The personal sanitizer device of claim 8, wherein an upper side of the second compartment removably fastens via a clip mechanism to a lower side of the first compartment.

15. The personal sanitizer device of claim 8, wherein the second compartment includes a removable front face.

16. The personal sanitizer device of claim 8, wherein a rear side of the first compartment is perpendicular to a floor when secured to the toilet bowl.

17. The personal sanitizer device of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a mounting hook comprising a first bracket and a bottom shoulder, wherein the first bracket extends inwardly and downwardly into the interior of the toilet bowl; wherein the bottom shoulder comprises a curved portion, wherein the curved portion is adapted to abut the side of the toilet bowl such that the housing remains vertically oriented when mounted to the toilet bowl.

18. The personal sanitizer device of claim 17, wherein the wherein the first compartment is adapted to be stacked above the second compartment when mounted to the toilet bowl; wherein the rear side of the second compartment extends away from the housing and is configured to abut the toilet bowl such that the housing remains vertically oriented when secured thereto and to provide additional interior volume for storage therein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the personal sanitizer device.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the personal sanitizer device.

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of the personal sanitizer device.

[0019] FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the personal sanitizer device.

[0020] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the personal sanitizer device.

[0021] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the personal sanitizer device secured to a toilet bowl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the personal sanitizer device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for mounting to a toilet bowl to provide personal hygiene and cleaning products to a user while seated on the toilet. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments.

[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiment (s) of the invention. References to one embodiment, at least one embodiment, an embodiment, one example, an example, for example, and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase in an embodiment, first embodiment, second embodiment, or third embodiment does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a front perspective view of an embodiment of the personal sanitizer device. The personal sanitizer device 1000 comprises a housing 100 having a front side 105 and a rear side 110. The housing 100 includes a first compartment 200 having an interior volume configured to store sanitary items such as wipes or tissues and a second compartment 300 configured to store personal hygiene and cleaning products, such as medication, ointments, lotions, sprays, and the like. The rear side of the housing includes a fastener that can secure to the toilet bowl, wherein the front side of the housing is oriented away from the toilet bowl when the housing is secured to the toilet bowl. In this way, a user can easily access the first and second compartments while seated on the toilet. In the illustrated embodiment, the first compartment 200 is stacked above the second compartment. However, in alternate embodiments, the first compartment is disposed beneath the second compartment or side-by-side therewith.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the first compartment 200 comprises a rectangular shaped cross section configured to correspond to a shape of a wipe or tissue receptacle. In alternate embodiments, the first compartment 200 comprises any suitable shape configured to house objects therein. In the illustrated embodiment, an aperture 210 is disposed on the front side 105 of the housing 100 and configured to dispense the wipe disposed within the interior volume of the first compartment 200. The aperture 210 is elongated and positioned centrally on a front face of the first compartment 200. In alternate embodiments, the aperture is located along an upper side or sidewall of the housing.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first compartment 200 includes an upper cover 215 having an upper side 220 that forms the upper side of the housing 100 and a tapered sidewall 225 with the aperture 210 thereon. The tapered sidewall 225 covers a cutout (See FIG. 5, 230) within a front wall of the first compartment 200. In this way, the upper cover 215 can be separated from the housing the allow access to the interior volume of the first compartment 200 to replace a package of wipes or the like. In some embodiments, the upper cover 215 further comprises a door 216 pivotally secured therewith and adapted to removably cover the aperture 210. The door 216 is pivotally secured at a nadir of the tapered sidewall 225. In some embodiments, the personal sanitizer device 1000 does not comprise a door configured to removably cover the aperture 210.

[0027] In some embodiments, the upper cover 215 includes a recessed upper side to prevent objects from falling therefrom. In this way, the upper cover 215 serves as a temporary shelf for personal items while a user is on the toilet. However, in alternate embodiments, the upper side of the upper cover 215 is flat.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the first compartment 200 comprises a plurality of mating compartment fasteners 235, 240, such as snap, clip, or friction fit fasteners, to removably secure the upper cover 215 to the remainder of the first compartment 200. A pair of compartment fasteners 235 extending downward from opposing lateral side of the upper cover are disposed within the interior volume of the first compartment 200 and are locked into place until force is applied to remove the upper cover 215. In some embodiments, one or more braces 245 (see FIG. 5) extend from the cutout 230 to support the tapered sidewall 225 from entering the interior volume of the first compartment 200.

[0029] The second compartment 300 comprises an opening 310 disposed on the front side of the housing 100 and configured to provide access to an interior volume thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the second compartment 300 comprises a substantially square cross-sectional shape, wherein the opening 310 is substantially square. The opening 310 comprises rounded corners to prevent sharp edges as a user reaches therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 310 comprises a majority of area of a front face 311 of the second compartment 300 to allow a hand of a user to fit therethrough. In alternate embodiments, the opening is disposed on a lateral side of the housing 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the second compartment 300 comprises a larger interior volume than the first compartment 200. However, in alternate embodiments, the second compartment 300 comprises a smaller or equal size interior volume relative to the interior volume of the first compartment 200.

[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a rear perspective view and a side view of an embodiment of the personal sanitizer device, respectively. The fastener is disposed on the rear side 110 of the housing 100 and configured to secure the housing 100 to the toilet bowl. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener is a mounting hook 400 comprising a first bracket 401 and a bottom shoulder 420, wherein used together maintain the personal sanitizer device 1000 in a vertical position when secured to the toilet bowl. In some embodiments, the fastener is disposed only along the rear side 110 of the first compartment 200 and does not contact the second compartment 300. In this way, a rear side of the first compartment 200 is perpendicular to a floor when secured to the toilet bowl.

[0031] The first bracket 401 is configured to extend onto an interior of the toilet bowl and comprises a first section 405 extending perpendicularly from the rear side of the housing 100 that is adapted to rest on the rim of the toilet bowl. A second section 410 extends perpendicularly and downward from an opposing end of the first section 405. A third section 415 extends inwardly from an opposing end of the second section 410 and is substantially parallel to the first section 405. In some embodiments, the third section 415 is angled downward such that an obtuse angle is formed between the second and third section 410, 415. In this way, the third section 415 is configured to align with the interior rim of the toilet bowl.

[0032] The bottom shoulder 420 is aligned vertically with the first bracket 405 and positioned therebeneath. The bottom shoulder 420 comprises a curved portion 425 adapted to abut the side of the toilet bowl such that the housing remains vertically oriented when mounted to the toilet bowl. A lower side 430 of the bottom shoulder 420 is flat. In some embodiments, the mounting hook 400 is adjustable such that a distance between the first bracket 405 and bottom shoulder 420 can be lengthened or shortened depending on the shape and size of the toilet bowl. For example, the first bracket and/or second bracket are disposed along a track and independently movable thereon.

[0033] A rear side 315 of the second compartment 300 extends away from the housing 100 and is configured to abut the toilet bowl such that the housing 100 remains vertically oriented when secured thereto and to provide additional interior volume for storage therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear side 315 of the second compartment 300 is planar and extends beyond the mounting fastener 400. In this way, the housing 100 can maintain the vertical position as the toilet bowl curves away therefrom. In some embodiments, the transition between opposing lateral sidewalls 320 of the second compartment to the upper side 325 thereof is curved.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a cross sectional view and an exploded view of an embodiment of the personal sanitizer device, respectively. In some embodiments, the first compartment 200 is removably secured to the second compartment 300 such that the first compartment 200 can be secured alone to the toilet bowl. The first compartment 200 is securable to the second compartment 300 via a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism comprises a groove 500 extending from an upper side of the second compartment 300 and extending annularly thereabout, wherein the groove 500 is configured to receive a notch 510 disposed on an interior side of a lower end of the first compartment 200. In this way, the latching mechanism is concealed within the housing 100 and the exterior surface of the first compartment 200 and the second compartment 300 is continuous.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, a front side 312 of the second compartment 300 is separable from the rear side 315 thereof via the latching mechanism. The grooves 500 extend from an interior side of the opposing lateral sidewalls of the front side 312 and secure to the aligned notch 510 disposed on the interior side of the rear side 315 of the second compartment 300.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the personal sanitizer device secured to a toilet bowl. In operation, the housing 100 secures to a side of a toilet bowl 600 via the mounting fastener. Both the bottom shoulder and rear side of the second compartment 300 abut the toilet bowl 600 without hooking onto the rim 610 of the toilet bowl 600, wherein the housing remains in a vertical configuration. The personal sanitizer device 1000 is conveniently accessible to the user within arm's reach while seated on the toilet. Further, the first bracket of the mounting fastener secures to the rim 610 such that the operation and level of the toilet seat 630 and toilet seat cover 620 are unobstructed. In the illustrated embodiment, the personal sanitizer device 1000 does not require additional plumbing, external power supply or a water supply in order to provide a user with a convenient cleaning system.

[0037] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 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 readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0038] 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.