Customizable medicine cabinet

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a customizable medicine cabinet comprising a tiled frame. In particular, the present invention relates to a medicine cabinet whereby tiles can be attached to match a user's bathroom tile or personal tastes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Medicine cabinets are widely used in residential areas for storing toiletries, medicines, and various other articles. They are often rectangular and have a shallow depth. The depth allows them to be mounted to an outer surface or be recessively mounted within the surface. One or more doors having mirrors are mounted to the cabinet body via hinges or other commonly used hardware. Shelving inside the cabinet body is used to compartmentalize the cabinet for better storage.

The cabinets can be installed during initial construction or while remodeling. Often they are viewed as important pieces for the home. Thus, manufacturers strive to offer a variety of medicine cabinet styles, finishes, shapes, and functionality to please a customer. Traditionally, frames are used to enhance the overall appearance of the cabinet and to complement or contrast other textures, colors and finishes. The frames are either mounted on the cabinet body or on the cabinet door. Frames made of wood, metal, plastic, mirrors, or combinations of light fixtures are commonly used and well known.

Although many varieties of cabinets are currently available, they have extremely limited customizable feature availability. Instead, currently available cabinets are sold as a finished product having minimal assembly, which are generally ready to be installed. As a result, a customer must rely on the limited number of styles and finishes offered by the manufacturer. Importantly, medicine cabinet manufacturers do not offer solutions for complementing or contrasting the surrounding tiles of tiled surfaces.

Therefore what is needed is a medicine cabinet with a frame whereby tiles can be attached to create a customized cabinet to match a user's bathroom tiles or personal tastes. The cabinet can be sold as an unfinished product, which allows a user to finish it through the selection and installation of preferred tile. Advantageously, this process allows almost complete customization of the overall appearance of a medicine cabinet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a medicine cabinet which includes a cabinet body and a door rotatably or slidably attached to the cabinet body. In addition, a frame is imposed around the cabinet door or the cabinet body and is offered in various sizes to match the width of various standard tile sizes.

As a marketable product the medicine cabinet can be sold as an unfinished product requiring the customer to select preferred tile. Alternatively, the cabinet can be sold in a catalog whereby a user can place a custom order through the catalog. To place the order the customer can choose the cabinet size, design, tile size, and tile finish. After receiving the order, the manufacturer can assemble the custom cabinet and install the chosen tiles on the cabinet door or body frame according to the custom order. Of course, sale of the cabinet is not restricted to a catalog; any well known means of purchasing a cabinet can be used including way of non-limiting examples: purchase at a retail store, purchase at wholesale store or purchase over the Internet.

A ready to purchase cabinet kit can be sold by offering a series of ready to use models. The models can differ according to cabinet sizes, cabinet styles, door configuration, and frame sizes capable of accommodating standard tile sizes. The cabinet can be offered for sale as a completed kit or piecemeal, wherein the customer purchases the cabinet body, one or more cabinet doors, and the tiles separately. The cabinet can then be installed and finished by the customer or a hired professional. Well known adhesives can be utilized to attach tiles to the cabinet frame. To aid in this type of tile installation, the cabinet frame may comprise an adhesive ready surface. Alternatively, easy to use adhesives and/or grout can be included in the cabinet kit to enable “do-it-yourselfers” to finish the product at home. In addition, the tiles need not be permanently attached to the frame. Instead of adhesives, removable tile systems can be used to enable customers to install tiles quickly and easily.

The present invention has the capability for mass customization as each customer can create an individual, unique pattern of tiles for the frame. Instead of the currently available, limited selection of medicine cabinets, the present invention can exist in hundreds of variations based on both the size of the tile and its design.

One object of the present invention is to provide a medicine cabinet which can be easily manufactured and marketed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a medicine cabinet with a door frame capable of receiving tiles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a medicine cabinet with a body frame capable of receiving tiles.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a medicine cabinet which utilizes standard sizes of tiles mounted on a door frame or cabinet body frame.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a customizable medicine cabinet with large selection of door or cabinet frames to accommodate a variety of tile sizes.

Another object of the present invention is to utilize pre-existing tile adhesives to mount tiles on a cabinet door frame or a cabinet body frame.

A further object of the present invention is to utilize quick and easy tile adhesives for tile installation.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a medicine cabinet with a removable tile system, so that the tiles can be easily and interchangeably applied to the door or cabinet body frame.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a medicine cabinet wherein the tiles for the door or cabinet body frame can be selected to match the bathroom tiles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple do-it-yourself kit comprising a medicine cabinet, a door frame or a cabinet body frame capable of receiving tiles, a tile mounting system, and wide selection of tiles.

The present invention comprises a medicine cabinet comprising a cabinet body having outer side walls, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, tiles, and at least one door comprising a frame capable of receiving the tiles. The cabinet body can further comprise shelving and can either recessively mount in a wall or can mount on a wall surface. Mirrors can be mounted on the cabinet door, on the outside surface, on the inside surface, or any combination thereof. Various shaped doors can be utilized with the present invention such as, but not limited to, a square, a rectangle, a circle, an oval, and a polygon. Hinges can be utilized to rotatably mount the cabinet door to the cabinet body. To accommodate standard tile widths, door frames comprising widths equal or slightly larger than the standard tile widths can be used. The tiles can be mounted on the door frame via a tile adhesive or can be removably mounted on the door frame.

Alternatively, the present invention can comprise a cabinet body having outer side walls, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, a frame capable of receiving the tiles, and at least one door. The tiles can be mounted on the cabinet body frame. The cabinet body may also comprise shelving and can recessively mount in a wall or on a wall surface. Mirrors can be mounted on the cabinet door, on the outside surface, on the inside surface, or any combination thereof. Square, rectangle, circle, oval and polygon shaped doors can be utilized in the present invention. Also, the doors can be rotatably or slidably attached to the cabinet body. The cabinet body frame widths can be made equal or slightly larger than standard tile widths. The tiles are mounted on the cabinet body frame via a tile adhesive or are removably mounted on the cabinet body frame.

In addition, the present invention discloses a medicine cabinet assembly method, comprising: choosing a cabinet body size; providing the cabinet body comprising outer side walls, a back wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall; choosing tile sizes and styles; providing the tiles; choosing a door style; providing at least one door comprising a frame capable of receiving tiles; attaching the door to the cabinet body; and attaching tiles to the door frame.

Also, the present invention discloses a medicine cabinet assembly method comprising: choosing a cabinet body size; providing the cabinet body comprising outer side walls, a back wall, a top wall, a frame capable of receiving tiles, and a bottom wall; choosing tile sizes and styles; providing the tiles; choosing a door style; providing at least one door; attaching the door to the cabinet body; and attaching tiles to the cabinet frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the present invention can be obtained by reference to a preferred embodiment set forth in the illustrations of the accompanying drawings. Although the illustrated embodiments are merely exemplary of systems for carrying out the present invention, both the organization and method of operation of the invention, in general, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, may be more easily understood by reference to the drawings and the following description. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, which is set forth with particularity in the claims as appended or as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplify the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates the front view of a medicine cabinet comprising a door having a frame capable of receiving tiles in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the front view of a medicine cabinet exemplifying shelving, an inside mirror, a door catch, and hinges in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged and fragmented top view of a medicine cabinet wherein tiles are mounted on a door frame in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a medicine cabinet having a multiple door configuration wherein the cabinet doors have various door frame configurations for receiving tiles in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the front view of a medicine cabinet comprising a cabinet body having a frame capable of receiving tiles in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the front view of medicine cabinet exemplifying shelving and hinges in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged and fragmented top view of a medicine cabinet wherein tiles are mounted on a cabinet body frame in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a medicine cabinet having multiple slidable doors and a cabinet body frame for receiving tiles in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C illustrate various tile sizes and configurations which can be applied to a door frame or a cabinet body frame in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 11C illustrate various door shape and mounted tile configurations which can be utilized in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates tile application via adhesive to a door frame or a cabinet body frame in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a removable tile application wherein the tiles slide through two tracks mounted on a door frame or a cabinet body frame in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates the respective side view of a door frame or a cabinet body frame containing tracks for sliding tiles in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed illustrative embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, techniques, systems and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different form those in the disclosed embodiments. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiments for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein which define the scope of the present invention. The following presents a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, shown is a medicine cabinet 100 comprising a rectangular cabinet body 105 and a single rectangular cabinet door 101. Herein, the cabinet door 101 has a door frame 102 surrounding the entire outside perimeter of the door 101. Tiles 103 are deposited on the front face of door 101 fully covering the door frame 102. Square tiles are shown, however, it is understood that other tile shapes and sizes can be used, and is later exemplified. A mirror 104 is recessively placed on the front surface of the door 101 surrounded by the door frame 102.

In greater detail, as shown in FIG. 2, the cabinet body 105 has an opened front section and generally comprises a back wall 200, side walls 201 and 202, top wall 203 and a bottom wall 204. Preferably, the cabinet body 105 is made of powder coated steel for better performance and durability; however other materials, such as other metals or wood can be used. European hinges 214-215 are used to rotatably mount door 101 to cabinet body 105. Other hinges capable of supporting door 101 with tiles 103 can be used, such as, but not limited to, piano hinge, butt hinge, pin hinge, leaf hinge, concealed hinge, and the like. Magnetic door catch 217 and magnet 218 are used to lock door 101 shut. Of course, other well known means for keeping a door closed can be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition, an inside mirror 216 recessively mounted on the inside door 101 is used for user convenience. In addition, mirror can be mounted on any other surface of cabinet 100. Also, adjustable or permanent shelving 219 is horizontally placed between cabinet side walls 201-202 and is used for better space organization. Also, vertical shelves (not shown) can be used to further compartmentalize the interior of cabinet 100.

The cabinet 100 can be mounted on a wall surface using holes 210-213 on the cabinet back wall 200. Holes 210-213 can be pre-drilled or drilled at the installation site. The cabinet 100 is placed on a wall surface and centered such that the holes 210-213 are matched with studs in the wall. Mounting screws are screwed through holes 210-213 into the wall studs to mount cabinet 100 on the wall surface. For recessed installations, pre-drilled holes 206-209 are provided on the side walls 201-202 of cabinet 100. A surface, to fit the cabinet body 105, is constructed using a frame comprising two side studs and top and bottom studs in the wall. The cabinet body 105 is placed within the wall opening while lip 205, protruding perpendicularly from cabinet walls 201-204, is laid flat on the outside surface of the wall, preventing the cabinet from sliding further into the wall opening. Mounting screws are screwed through the holes 206-209 into the two side studs. Of course, any other well known means for attaching cabinet 100 to any surface can be used.

An enlarged and fragmented top view of cabinet 100 is illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown, the inside and outside mirrors 104 and 216 are recessed in door 101. The applied tile 103 is recessed in the door frame 102 such that the door surface along mirror 104 and tile 103 is substantially flat. Advantageously, the configuration illustration in FIG. 3 achieves a clean, visually pleasing look. Frame 102 has a width which is equal to or slightly larger than tile 103 width to eliminate unnecessary spacing. An adhesive 300 is used to attach tile 103 to frame 102 which will be later discussed. Of course, any other well known attaching means can be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a medicine cabinet 400 with a multiple door configuration for receiving tiles 413. A single body 401 is used in conjunction with three doors 402-404. To achieve a continuous single frame look throughout the perimeter of cabinet 400, each door frame configuration differs between door 402, 403 and 404 while the doors 402-404 remain of the same size. Door 402 has a frame with a horizontal top section 405, a vertical side section 406, and a horizontal bottom section 407, leaving one side having no frame section. Middle door 403 has a horizontal top section 408 and a horizontal bottom section 409, while door 404 has horizontal top section 410, vertical side section 411, and a horizontal bottom section 412. Additionally, mirrors 416-418 are recessively deposited on each door 402-404. Side mirrors 416 and 418 are of the same size surrounded by tiles on three sides. The center mirror 417 is horizontally larger than the side mirrors to accommodate for missing vertical side sections 406 and 411 of doors 402 and 404 respectfully. Of course, the mirrors can be mounted anywhere in cabinet 400 in any well known manner.

Shelving 414 (in this example horizontally placed) is used for better cabinet organization. Additionally, vertical shelves (not shown) can be used to further compartmentalize the interior of cabinet 400. Vertical members 415 and 419 are placed perpendicular to the top and bottom walls of cabinet body 401 in order to provide cabinet body support, while member 419 additionally acts as a mounting member for supporting door 403. It is to be understood that other multiple door configurations, although not shown, can be used in accordance with the present invention. For example, in a two door configuration the middle door 403 is eliminated and a smaller cabinet body is used. Additional middle sections 403 can be added with a larger cabinet body to create a multiple door configurations.

Referring now to FIG. 5, shown is a medicine cabinet 500 comprising a rectangular cabinet body 501 and a single rectangular mirror door 504. The cabinet body 501 has an outwardly extended frame 502 surrounding the entire outside perimeter of the cabinet body 501. Tiles 503 are deposited on the front face of the cabinet frame 502. Although square tiles are shown, other tile shapes and sizes can be used, as are later exemplified. The mirror door 504 is rotatably attached to the cabinet body 504 by pin hinges 505 and 506. Other hinges may be used as well to mount the door 504 to the cabinet body 501 such as European hinges, concealed hinges, piano hinges, butt hinges, leaf hinges, and the like.

A more detailed medicine cabinet having a cabinet body frame is shown in FIG. 6. The cabinet body 501 has an opened front section and generally comprises a back wall 600, top wall 601, bottom wall 602 and side walls 603-604. Adjustable or permanent shelving 605 which is horizontally placed between cabinet side walls 603-604 is used for better space organization. Additional vertical shelves (not shown) can be used to further compartmentalize the interior of cabinet 500.

The cabinet 500 can be mounted on a wall surface using holes 610-613 located on the cabinet back wall 600. Holes 610-613 can be pre-drilled or drilled at the installation site. The cabinet 500 is placed and centered on a wall surface with holes 610-613 matching wall studs for support. Mounting screws are screwed into the wall studs through holes 610-613. To recessively install the cabinet 500, pre-drilled holes 606-609 are provided on the side walls 603-604 of cabinet 500. A surface to fit the cabinet body 501 is constructed using a frame comprising two side studs and top and bottom studs. The cabinet body 501 is placed within the wall opening while the cabinet frame 502 is laid flat on the outside surface of the wall, preventing the cabinet from sliding further into the wall opening. Mounting screws are screwed through the holes 606-609 into the two side studs. Of course, any other well known means for attaching cabinet 500 to any surface can be used.

An enlarged and fragmented top view of cabinet 500 is illustrated in FIG. 7. The mirror door 504 can comprise a sheet of a beveled mirror. In contrast, the door 504 can comprise other materials such as wood, plastic, metal, and the like, and can have a mirror layered on the outside surface of door 504. Tile 503 is attached to door frame 502 using adhesive 700. Of course, any other well known attaching means can be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. Advantageously, the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7 achieves a clean, visually pleasing look, since the cabinet body frame 502 width is equal to or slightly larger than the tile 503 width.

FIG. 8 illustrates a medicine cabinet 800 with multiple doors. A single body 801 and a single frame 803 perpendicularly and outwardly extending from the body 801 are used. The body frame 803 is capable of receiving tiles Shelving 804 deposited inside the cabinet body is used for better organization. Two sliding mirror doors 805-806 are attached to the cabinet body 801 through tracks (not shown) and are capable of sliding open and closed in directions 807-808 respectfully. Alternatively, doors 805-806 can be rotatably attached to the cabinet body 801 utilizing hinges similar to those preview described. Of course, it is to be understood that additional doors can be used in accordance with the present invention. For example, to make a three door cabinet, an additional mirror door is used and the cabinet body 801 and the cabinet frame 803 are constructed horizontally larger to accommodate the third door.

Various tile sizes and shapes can be used in accordance with the present invention as shown in FIGS. 9A-9D. Tiles can be chosen of different material such as, but not limited to, glass, ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles. The thickness can range from ¼ to ¾ inches. The frame for receiving tiles is made slightly larger than the various tile sizes such that a clean look is achieved leaving enough space between tiles and on the edges for mounting. Preferably, the spacing between neighboring tiles and the frame is approximately ¼ inches. To use square tiles 900 of FIG. 9A having the width 903, the frame width 902 is slightly larger than the tile width 903. A double square 910 tile design of FIG. 9B or a larger combination of smaller tiles (i.e. mosaic tiles) can also be accommodated. The frame width is made slightly larger than the number of consecutive tiles times the tile width, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 9B, (i.e. the frame width 912 is slightly larger than twice the tile width 913). Different frame widths can be available to accommodate standard square tile sizes such as 1×1, 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, 1×6, 2×6, 1×12, and 6×6 inches. Preferably, the tile size is 4×4 inches.

Rectangular tiles 920 can also be accommodated by a cabinet door frame or a cabinet body frame 921. The frame width 922 is made slightly larger than tile width 923. Frame widths should accommodate standard rectangular tile widths such as, but not limited to, 2×1, 2×6, 3×6, 3×9, and 3×12 inches. A frame can be available for diagonal tile designs as shown in FIG. 9D. Square tiles 920 and triangular tiles 924 (which can be formed by cutting a square tile into two) are placed along the diagonal 923 on frame 921. Frame 921 should have width 922 slightly larger than diagonal length 923 of tiles 920. Other frame widths can be made available to accommodate various ornamental tile designs. These tile designs, well known in the art, can include by way of non-limiting examples: circular, ovular, polygonal, or the like. Indeed, any shape, color, and thickness can be used with any type of tile without separating from the spirit of the invention. In addition, pre-fabricated sheets of tiles (not shown) can be used in accordance with the present invention.

For design variations, the cabinet door frame or the cabinet body frame may be configured in a variety of ways as shown in FIGS. 10A-10C. FIG. 10A shows a polygonal frame 1000 having four sides and diagonally cut corners which is capable of receiving standard sized tiles 1001 along its perimeter. Also, square shape 1003 as shown in FIG. 10B can be provided for receiving standard size tiles 1004. Finally, a circular frame 1005 is capable of receiving tiles 1006 cut down for a circular pattern. It is contemplated that any designed shape can be adapted for use with the current invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates tile application via an adhesive 1103 to a door frame or a cabinet body frame 1101. A number of tile adhesives can be used such as but not limited to cement-based, thinset, organic adhesive, latex-based, and the like. Easy to use adhesives of premixed and ready to use mastics are preferred (i.e. organic adhesives). A membrane layer 1102 over the frame 1101 surface is used to provide protection for tile installations from problematic substrates and external stresses. Tile adhesive 1103 is applied covering the complete surface of membrane 100. The tile 1100 is then installed directly to the adhesive 1103. Finally, grout or silicon sealer is applied to fill in the spacing.

For an even easier tile installation, an adhesive system comprising a double sided adhesive on a roll can be used. The roll would be cut to the frame shape, peeled to expose the adhesive, and applied to the frame. The cabinet can be sold with the roll already cut and adhered to the frame. To install the tiles, a user simply peels a film from the face of the roll to expose the adhesive and applies the tile to the exposed adhesive (located on the frame). Mounting is finished with the application of grout or silicon sealant to fill in tile spacing.

Alternatively, a removable tile application shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is used for quick, easy, and removable tile installation. Two tracks 1202-1203 are mounted perpendicularly to the frame 1200 edges. Each track 1202 and 1203 is of a ‘U’ configuration along the cross section. The tracks can be made of any well known material and mounted in any known manner. To install tile 1201, the tile edges should be aligned with tracks 1202-1203 such that the edges can be inserted into tracks 1202-1203 and slide along tracks 1202-1203. A locking mechanism (not shown) can be used to lock the tile in place and prevent it from falling out. The tracks 1202-1203 are constructed to be able to accept standard tile thicknesses such as ¼ to ¾ inches thick. With a removable tile configuration, the tiles 1201 on the cabinet door frame or cabinet body frame 1200 can be removed and changed as desired. Of course, a removable tile system is not limited to the use of two tracks. It is contemplated that any other means for attaching the tiles to a door or cabinet frame can be used in accordance with the present invention.

Customizable medicine cabinet

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