Patent Application
20190315516
The present invention relates to a dispenser holding system, and more particularly to a wall mounted system for holding a dispenser, wherein the dispenser has the securing means integrated within the design of the dispenser.
In general wall-mounted dispensers for materials of this type include a back plate and cover which is capable of being opened to permit the dispenser to receive replacement liquid or cartridges or refill packages with the dispenser being a more permanent installation. This becomes problematic if the dispenser becomes damaged or parts are broken. The entire dispenser needs to be replaced or fixed. While dispensing arrangements of this type have proved generally satisfactory, it is believed that certain improvements can be made thereto.
For example, when using the shower, people tend to desire to have all of their products conveniently located for easy access as well as located in a secure location. Many people tend to place their products on the ground or on the edge of the bathtub or shower stall. This creates several different problems. First, placing the dispensers on the ground can be a tripping hazard by both the dispenser and any liquid that gets on the ground from the dispenser. Many people solve this by placing the dispenser on the edge of the bathtub, shelves in the shower, or showerhead hanging racks. However, many times these locations are not large enough to safely and securely hold all of the person's products. The shower racks may be unsightly and tend to rust or discolor over time or are just not large enough to fit all the products.
It is desired to have a method to store dispensers in both an easy, convenient, secure, adjustable way, and using a universal mounting system for all the person's products, so they can easily store their products where is best for them. The ability to easily secure the dispenser on the wall and remove, creates an easier and more user-friendly process of storing the dispenser. For persons with or without a disability, the present invention provides an advantage over the current design.
In a first embodiment, the present invention is a mounting system comprising, a mount, wherein the mount has a first surface and a second surface, wherein a securing means is secured to the first surface and a shaft having a first end and a second end protruding from a predetermined location of the second surface and attached to the second surface at the first end, and a cap attached to the second end of the shaft, wherein the cap has a diameter which is greater than a diameter of the shaft; and a dispenser having a first end and a second end, wherein a channel extends distal to the first end and terminates a predetermined distance from the second end, where the first end of the channel has a width which is greater than the diameter of the cap and converges to a width which is less than the diameter of the cap and has a depth which is capable of receiving the cap.
In a second embodiment, a dispenser mounting system comprising, a mount, wherein the mount has a first surface and a second surface, a capped shaft is secured to a predetermined location on the first surface and a reusable securing means attached to the second surface, wherein the shaft has a predetermined diameter and length and the capped end of the shaft has a diameter which is greater than that of the shaft, and a dispenser having a first end and a second end, wherein a channel extends from distal the first end and terminates a predetermined distance from the second end, where the first end of the channel has a first width and a first height and the second end of the channel has a second width and a second height, wherein from channel reduces in height and width from the first end to the second end but is still able to receive the capped shaft of the mount.
In a third embodiment, a dispenser mounting system comprising, a dispenser having a securing means secured to an exterior surface of the dispenser, wherein the securing means is comprised of a shaft having a predetermined length and diameter, and a cap secured to the end of the shaft, and wherein the cap has a diameter which is greater than that of the shaft and a predetermined thickness and a fixture, wherein the fixture has a first end and a second end, wherein a channel extends from the first end to the second end, and where the first end of the channel has a first width and converges to a second width and a first height at the first end of the channel and reduces to a second height at the second end of the channel.
The present invention provides a system that allows a person to easily mount a dispenser to a wall or surface. The dispenser has an integrated securing design for easy mounting of the dispenser. The integrated securing portion of the dispenser is universal across various dispensers to reduce the need to constantly replace or change either the dispensers or the mounting assembly. The system provides the advantage of allowing a person to easily mount and dismount a dispenser where it is most ergonomic for them and allow them easily to readjust or change this location.
As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.
All publications and patents cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.
It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements or use of a “negative” limitation.
The mounting system 200 is designed to securely attached to a surface and provide the mounting location for the dispenser 100. In some embodiments, the mounting system 200 may be permanently attached to a surface through various permanent attachment means known to one skilled in the art. In additional embodiments, the mounting system 200 may be detachably secured to a surface, through, but not limited to, adhesive pads, suction cups, hook and loop fasteners, removable fasteners, or other detachable securing mechanism know to one skilled in the art. The mounting system 200 may have various shapes, sizes, and attachment members (not shown). For example, in the depicted embodiment, the mounting assembly 200 has one attachment point for one dispenser 100. The mounting system 200 may have more than one attachment points in a vertical or horizontal orientation to allow for the mounting of multiple dispensers 100. In some embodiments more than one dispenser 100 are able to be hung on the mounting system 200, or more than one detachable securing mechanism may be integrated into the mounting system 200 This may require additional suction cups, more fasteners, or increased quantities of adhesive materials.
The mounting system 200 may be made from, but not limited to polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, poly carbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, acrylics, aluminum, steel, cooper, various other metals, a combination of plastics and metals, or the like.
In additional embodiments, the cap 202 may have multiple shapes. In one example, the cap 202 has an oblong shape to allow for a greater holding ability and provides additional support to reduce the rotation of the dispenser 100. Wherein the oblong or elliptic shaped cap 202 is orientated wherein the longer dimension is orientated vertically. In some embodiments, the cap 202 has a height to width ratio ranging from 1.2 to 1 to 1.9 to 1. The cap 202, may have rounded edges to further reduce friction between the cap 202 and the interior surfaces of the channel 103.
In one embodiment, the initial depth of the channel 103 is greater than at least twice the height of the cap 202. The channel 103 depth then converges to a depth of at least the height of the cap 202. In some embodiments, the top end 106 of the channel 103 is positioned distal to the cap 101 of the dispenser 100. This assists in balancing the dispenser 100 on the mount and lowers the center of gravity of the dispenser 100 to reduce the likelihood of the offset weight forcing the mounting system 200 from detaching from the surface.
In some embodiments, more than one shaft 201 is present on the front surface 205. In some embodiments, the shafts 201 are spaced a predetermined distance from one another to allow for dispensers 100 of predetermined size and width to connect with the mount and without coming in contact with one another. In additional embodiments, more than two shafts 201 may be present and may have, but not limited to, a linear or circular pattern and may further be present in an array.
While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
