Toilet plunger holder

Abstract

The present invention is a device for storing an unused toilet plunger and providing easy access when plunger is need. The plunger holder is mold and mildew resistant and machine washable. It consists of a waterproof mat with a vertically raised edge around its surface edge to prevent soiled plunger water from dripping off of the mat and onto the floor or surface. The mat can be of a solid color or clear, showing the floor color through. It can also have a design which is bound between two layers of rubber, a base layer and a clear top layer. The holder is small and can conveniently fit beside and to the rear of the toilet where most plungers are already kept.

Claims

1. A device for storing a toilet plunger consisting of a flat base with a vertically raised edge.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said base is a waterproof mat, preferably made of rubber or rubber compound, or other suitable waterproof material, used for toilet plunger storage.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said base is a waterproof mat, preferably made of rubber or rubber compound, or other suitable waterproof material, having a vertically raised edge around its surface periphery or edge.

4. A device for storing a toilet bowl plunger with the choice of being manufactured in a solid color or having a design.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the design mat is constructed of two layers of waterproof material, a bottom layer and a clear rubber top layer, bound together with the design sandwiched between them.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the design mat is constructed of two layers of waterproof material with a design bound between the two layers of rubber; said design is a fabric or other suitable material suitable for being bound between the two layers.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the design mat is constructed of two layers of waterproof material, a bottom layer and a clear waterproof top layer, said top layer having a vertically raised edge.

8. The device of claim 4, wherein the solid colored mat is constructed of one layer of waterproof material, said single layer molded rubber can be many different colors.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the solid mat is constructed of one layer of waterproof material, said surface of layer would have a vertically raised edge.

10. A device for storing a toilet bowl plunger consisting of a flat base with a vertically raised edge, that can come in a variety of shapes such as circular or square, or other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mat of the invention showing the plunger being positioned onto a circular mat.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the plunger properly positioned on the mat.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of the mat of the invention showing the flat surface of the mat and a vertically raised edge around the circular shaped mat.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the mat showing the flat surface of the mat and a vertically raised edge molded in one piece.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a perspective bottom view of the mat of the invention showing the area of mat to be placed directly onto the floor.

[0032] FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective left and right side views of the mat of the invention showing the sides of the mat with the vertically raised edge molded as one piece.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a perspective top view of the mat of the invention showing a flat surface of the mat with a design and vertically raised edge around its periphery.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective side view of the mat with a design of the invention showing a bottom layer and a top layer bound together with a fabric design in between the two layers.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a square mat of the invention showing an example of a different shape with a vertically raised edge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 The waterproof mat can be made of rubber, or a rubber compound, or other waterproof bendable materials. The mat is made by a molding or injection molding process. It is a simple device and easy to manufacture as well as cost effective. The choice material is rubber or rubber compound. It is mold and mildew resistant, and machine washable. Very durable and easy to clean.

[0037] The invention can be different colors, FIG. 10, FIG. 3 and shapes. The distinct feature found 1 on the mat is its FIG. 4, number 2 vertically raised edge to prevent contaminated water from spilling off of the mat and onto the surface or floor. FIG. 1, FIG. 5 It is flat and therefore impossible to turn over. FIG. 5, number 4 The waterproof material used in manufacturing the mat and the size of the bottom surface area in contact with the floor prevents the mat from skidding across the floor during removal FIG. 1 or replacement of the plunger.

[0038] The mat can come in solid colors or clear rubber, showing the floor color through the mat. It can have FIG. 8, number 7 a design, logo, advertisement, team sports letters, or mascots FIG. 9, number 9 bound between 8, 10 two layers of rubber. This process of manufacturing would include taking 8 a layer of rubber mat, as the bottom layer, and placing 9 on top of the bottom layer a design, then 10 placing a clear top layer of rubber over the design and binding them together. The surface edge of the mat always being vertically raised. The design can be made of fabric or other durable material that will allow the layers to bind together.

[0039] FIG. 6, number 5 and FIG. 7, number 6 are the 5 left and 6 right side view of a single layered mat with a vertically raised edge. It is shown as one piece because it is molded as one piece. The single layered mats are either clear rubber or colored rubber mats.

[0040] Binding two layers together with a choice design really allows for a variety of designs and colors to be offered to the retail shopper. Not only offering a great accent of color to the room; but, allowing the plunger to remain to the side and rear of the toilet where it is usually kept because of the mats small size. It can go virtually any place the plunger can rest. The canisters and receptacles holding plungers are all too large to fit there.

[0041] It is important to have a plunger in easy reach and ready for immediate use when a toilet begins to overflow. Large and bulky canisters and receptacles include: Pat. No. U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,322 A inventors Borger and Borger; Pat. No. U.S. Pat. No. 7,900,287 B2 inventors Wildauer, Agami, and Metaxatos; and Pat. No. U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,374 A inventors Wilk and Wilk. These receptacles have moving parts such as: hinges or spring-loaded latches or a foot pedal used to open doors or flaps in order to remove the plunger. They are held together by screws or rivets or adhesives. These receptacles with moving parts only increase the chance of something breaking, leaving the receptacle unusable. Invention Pat. No. U.S. Pat. No. 7,900,287 B2 inventor Wildauer, Agami, and Metaxatos invented a plunger handle and canister with implements that requires a disposable plunger be attached to a plunger handle before use. The time it takes to prepare this plunger is too long. The present invention, the waterproof mat, would have the plunger in hand immediately. FIG. 2 The mat allows the plunger to be placed basically wherever a plunger can be placed, requiring no preparation prior to use.

[0042] The steps taken, when using the present invention include first, lifting the plunger by hand, second, unclogging the toilet or drain, third, rinse and shake off excess water, and four, replacing the plunger on the mat.