Toiletry article storage system

• US 5,740,929 A
• Filed: 09/24/1996
• Issued: 04/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kel-Gar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kel-Gar Incorporated
• Inventors: Frankel, Gail B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cranmer, Laurie K.
• Application Number:
  US08/721,086
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 211/71.01, 211/65, D 6/527, D 6/528, D 6/529, D 6/530, D 6/531, D 6/532, D 6/534, D 6/535, D 6/536, D 6/539, 248/908, 206/362.1, 206/362.2, 206/77.1, 206/576, 206/581, 206/457, 206/217, 132/310, 132/311
• US Class Current: 211/71.01
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 1/09 Holders for drinking glasses, tooth brushes, hair brushes, or the like

Abstract

A toiletry article storage system includes a main body portion, configured to resemble a body portion of an elephant and having first, second, third and fourth members, and an upper body portion configured to resemble an elephant head and having fifth, sixth and seventh members. Each of the first and second members outwardly project from a front side surface of the main body portion. Respective side surfaces of the first and second members are generally parallel with, and spaced apart from, each other to define a first opening sized to slidingly receive a liquid soap dispenser supported by a surface on which the storage system rests. Each of the third and fourth members outwardly project from a rear side surface of the main body portion. Respective side surfaces of the third and fourth members are generally curved and spaced apart from each other to define a second, generally circular, opening sized to captively retain a stand-up toothpaste tube supported by the surface. The fifth member and sixth members laterally project from respective side surfaces of the upper body portion while the seventh member upwardly projects from a generally flat top side surface of the upper body portion. Apertures for supportable holding a pair of toothbrushes above the surface are respectively formed in the fifth and sixth members and a cup is positioned on the top side surface of the upper body portion such that the seventh member extends into the interior thereof.

Claims

1. A toiletry article storage system, comprising:

a main body portion having a side surface and first and second members;

each of said first and second members outwardly projecting from said side surface of said main body portion and having a side surface;

said side surface of said first member spaced apart from said side surface of said second member to define an opening sized to receive a first toiletry article supportable by a surface on which said toiletry article storage system rests such that movement of said first toiletry article, when placed in said opening, is restrained by said side surface of said first member and said side surface of said second member;

an upper body portion attached to said main body portion, said upper body portion having a central portion and a peripheral edge portion which circumferentially surrounds said central portion, said peripheral edge portion having a generally flat top side surface;

wherein a liquid receptacle may be supported by said toiletry article storage system by placing a lip portion of said liquid receptacle on said generally flat top side surface of said peripheral edge portion of said upper body portion.

2. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 1 wherein:

said side surface of said main body portion is a front side surface;

said side surface of said first member is generally parallel to said side surface of said second member;

said first toiletry article capable of being slidingly received between said side surface of said first member and said side surface of said second member.

3. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 2 wherein said first and second members are integrally formed with said main body portion.

4. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 1 wherein said central portion projects upwardly relative to said top side surface of said peripheral edge portion of said upper body portion;

wherein said central portion supports said liquid receptacle placed on said top side surface of said peripheral edge of said upper body portion by extending into an interior space defined by a sidewall of said liquid receptacle when said lip of said liquid receptacle is placed on said top side surface of said peripheral edge portion of said upper body portion.

5. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 4 wherein said upper body portion further comprises:

first and second side surfaces;

a fourth member laterally projecting from said first side surface of said upper body portion;

a fifth member laterally projecting from said second side surface of said upper body portion;

said fourth member having an aperture formed therein for supportably holding a second toiletry article above said surface; and

said fifth member having an aperture formed therein for supportably holding a third toiletry article above said surface.

6. A toiletry article storage system, comprising:

a main body portion having a rear side surface and first and second members, each of said first and second members having a side surface;

each of said first and second members being generally curved and outwardly projecting from said rear side surface of said main body portion;

said side surface of said first member spaced apart from said side surface of said second member to define a generally circular opening sized to receive and captively retain a first toiletry article supportable by a surface on which said toiletry article storage system rests such that movement of said first toiletry article, when placed in said generally circular opening, is restrained by said side surface of said first member and said side surface of said second member;

each of said first and second members being formed of a flexible material and including an end side surface;

said end side surface of said first member being spaced apart from said end side surface of said second member;

said first and second members being deformable to assist in placing said first toiletry article in said generally circular opening by temporarily enlarging said generally circular opening and increasing said spacing between said first end side surface and said second end side surface.

7. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 6 wherein said main body portion further comprises:

an upper body portion attached to said main body portion and having a generally flat top side surface;

wherein a liquid receptacle may be supported by said toiletry article storage system by placing a lip portion of said liquid receptacle on said top side surface of said upper body portion.

8. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 7 wherein said upper body portion further comprises:

a third member upwardly projecting from said top side surface of said upper body portion;

wherein said third member supports said liquid receptacle placed on said top side surface of said upper body portion by extending into an interior space defined by a sidewall of said liquid receptacle when said lip of said liquid receptacle is placed on said top side surface of said upper body portion.

9. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 8 wherein said upper body portion further comprises:

first and second side surfaces;

a fourth member laterally projecting from said first side surface of said upper body portion;

a fifth member laterally projecting from said second side surface of said upper body portion;

said fourth member having an aperture formed therein for supportably holding a second toiletry article above said surface; and

said fifth member having an aperture formed therein for supportably holding a third toiletry article above said surface.

10. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 6 wherein said main body portion further comprises:

an upper body portion attached to said main body portion and having first and second side surfaces, said upper body portion including a third member laterally projecting from said first side surface of said upper body portion and a fourth member laterally projecting from said second side surface of said upper body portion;

said third member having an aperture formed therein for supportably holding a second toiletry article above said surface; and

said fourth member having an aperture formed therein for supportably holding a third toiletry article above said surface.

11. A toiletry article storage system, comprising:

a main body portion having a rear side surface and a slot formed therein;

a central member part having a flange;

first and second members integrally formed with said central member part, each of said first and second members having a side surface;

said flange being received in said slot to insertably mount said central member part to said main body portion;

each of said first and second members being generally curved and outwardly projecting from said rear side surface of said main body portion;

said side surface of said first member spaced apart from said side surface of said second member to define a generally circular opening sized to receive and captively retain a first toiletry article supportable by a surface on which said toiletry article storage system rests such that movement of said first toiletry article, when placed in said opening, is restrained by said side surface of said first member and said side surface of said second member.

12. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 11 wherein:

each of said first and second members are formed of a flexible material and include an end side surface;

said end side surface of said first member spaced apart from said end side surface of said second member;

said first and second members being deformable to assist in placing said first toiletry article in said opening.

13. A toiletry article storage system, comprising:

a main body portion having a front side surface, a rear side surface and first and second members;

each of said first and second members having a side surface and outwardly projecting from said front side surface of said main body portion;

said side surface of said first member spaced apart from said side surface of said second member to define a first opening sized to receive a first toiletry article supportable by a surface on which said toiletry article storage system rests such that movement of said first toiletry article, when placed in said first opening, is restrained by said side surface of said first member and said side surface of said second member;

a central member part having a flange;

third and fourth members integrally formed with said central member part;

said flange being received in a slot formed in said main body portion to insertably mount said central member part to said main body portion;

each of said third and fourth members having a side surface and outwardly projecting from said rear side surface of said main body portion;

said side surface of said third member spaced apart from said side surface of said fourth member to define a second opening sized to receive a second toiletry article supported by said surface such that movement of said second toiletry article, when placed in said second opening, is restrained by said side surface of said third member and said side surface of said fourth member.

14. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 13 wherein:

said side surface of said first member is generally parallel to said side surface of said second member;

said first toiletry article capable of being slidingly received between said side surface of said first member and said side surface of said second member.

15. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 13 wherein:

said side surface of said third member and said side surface of said fourth member which define said second opening are generally curved such that said second opening defined thereby is a generally circular opening;

said second toiletry article capable of being captively retained by said side surface of said third member and said side surface of said fourth member.

16. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 15 wherein:

said side surface of said first member is generally parallel to said side surface of said second member;

said first toiletry article capable of being slidingly received between said side surface of said first member and said side surface of said second member.

17. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 16 wherein said first and second members are integrally formed with said main body portion.

18. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 16 wherein said main body portion further comprises:

an upper body portion attached to said main body portion and having a generally flat top side surface;

wherein a liquid receptacle may be supported by said toiletry article storage system by placing a lip portion of said liquid receptacle on said top side surface of said upper body portion.

19. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 18 wherein said upper body portion further comprises:

a fifth member upwardly projecting from said top side surface of said upper body portion;

wherein said fifth member supports said liquid receptacle placed on said top side surface of said upper body portion by extending into an interior space defined by a sidewall of said liquid receptacle when said tip of said liquid receptacle is placed on said top side surface of said upper body portion.

20. A toiletry article storage, system according to claim 16 wherein said main body potion further comprises:

an upper body potion attached to said main body portion and having first and second side surfaces, said upper body portion including a fifth member laterally projecting from said first side surface of said upper body portion and a sixth member laterally projecting from said second side surface of said upper body portion;

said fifth member having an aperture formed therein for supportably holding a third toiletry article above said surface; and

said sixth member having an aperture formed therein for supportably holding a fourth toiletry article above said surface.

21. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 20 wherein said upper body portion further comprises:

a generally flat top side surface;

wherein a liquid receptacle may be supported by said toiletry article storage system by placing a lip portion of said liquid receptacle on said top side surface of said upper body portion.

22. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 21 wherein said upper body portion further comprises:

a seventh member upwardly projecting from said top side surface of said upper body portion;

wherein said seventh member supports said liquid receptacle placed on said top side surface of said upper body portion by extending into an interior space defined by a sidewall of said liquid receptacle when said lip of said liquid receptacle is placed on said top side surface of said upper body portion.

23. A toiletry article storage system, comprising:

a main body portion having a front side surface, a rear side surface and first and second members;

each of said first and second members having a side surface, integrally formed with said main body portion and outwardly projecting from said front side surface of said main body;

said side surface of said first member being generally parallel with and spaced apart from said side surface of said second member to define a first opening sized to slidingly receive a first toiletry article supportable by a surface on which said toiletry article storage system rests such that movement of said first toiletry article, when placed in said first opening, is restrained by said side surface of said first member and said side surface of said second member;

a central member part having a flange;

third and fourth members integrally formed with said central member part;

said flange received in a slot formed in said main body portion and extending from said rear side surface to an interior side surface to insertably mount said central member part to said main body portion;

each of said third and fourth members outwardly projecting from said rear side surface of said main body portion and having a generally curved side surface which defines a generally circular second opening;

said side surface of said third member spaced apart from said side surface of said fourth member to captively receive therebetween a second toiletry article supported by said surface such that movement of said second toiletry article, when placed in said second opening, is restrained by said side surface of said third member and said side surface of said fourth member.

24. A toiletry article storage system, comprising:

a main body portion having a front side surface, a rear side surface and first, second, third and fourth members;

each of said first and second members having a side surface and outwardly projecting from said front side surface of said main body portion;

said side surface of said first member spaced apart from and generally parallel to said side surface of said second member to define a first opening sized to slidingly receive a first toiletry article supportable by a surface on which said toiletry article storage system rests such that said first toiletry article, when placed in said first opening, is restrained by said side surface of said first member and said side surface of said second member;

each of said third and fourth members having a side surface and outwardly projecting from said rear side surface of said main body portion;

said side surface of said third member spaced apart from said side surface of said fourth member to define a second opening sized to receive a second toiletry article supported by said surface such that movement of said second toiletry article, when placed in said second opening, is restrained by said side surface of said third member and said side surface of said fourth member;

said side surface of said third member and said side surface of said fourth member which define said second opening being generally curved such that said second opening defined thereby is a generally circular opening;

said second toiletry article capable of being captively retained by said side surface of said third member and said side surface of said fourth member;

an upper body portion attached to said main body portion, said upper body portion having first and second side surfaces, a generally flat top side surface, a fifth member laterally projecting from said first side surface of said upper body portion, a sixth member laterally projecting from said second side surface of said upper body portion and a seventh member upwardly projecting from said top side surface of said upper body portion;

said fifth member having an aperture formed therein for supportably holding a third toiletry article above said surface;

said sixth member having an aperture formed therein for supportably holding a fourth toiletry article above said surface;

said toiletry article storage system further capable of supporting a liquid receptacle by placing a lip portion of said liquid receptacle on said top side surface of said upper body portion such that said seventh member supports said liquid receptacle by extending into an interior space defined by a sidewall of said liquid receptacle.

25. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 24 wherein said main body portion of said toiletry article storage system are configured to resemble a body portion of an elephant.

26. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 25 wherein said first and second members of said main body portion are configured to resemble first and second forelegs of said body portion of said elephant.

27. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 24 wherein said upper body portion of said toiletry article storage system is configured to resemble a head portion of an elephant.

28. An toiletry article storage system according to claim 27 wherein said fifth and sixth members are respectively configured to resemble first and second ears of said elephant.

29. A toiletry article storage system, comprising:

a main body portion having first and second members and front, rear, first side and second side surfaces;

each of said first and second members forwardly projecting from said front surface of said main body portion, elevated relative to a surface on which said toiletry article storage system rests and having a side surface;

said side surface of said first member spaced apart from said side surface of said second member to define an opening sized to receive a first toiletry article, supportable by said surface, such that movement of said first toiletry article, when placed in said opening, is restrained by said side surface of said first member and said side surface of said second member;

an intermediate body portion attached to said main body portion, said intermediate body portion having a third member and front, rear, first side and second side surfaces;

said third member laterally projecting from said first side surface of said intermediate body portion, elevated relative to said first and second members and having an aperture formed therein for supportably holding a second toiletry article;

wherein said first toiletry article restrained by said side surfaces of said first and second members is supported on said surface while said second toiletry article supportably held by said third member is held above said surface.

30. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 29 wherein:

said third member is comprised of a vertically-orientated wall and a horizontally-orientated wall integrally formed with, generally orthogonal to and projecting forwardly from said vertically-orientated wall;

said aperture being formed in said horizontally-orientated wall.

31. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 30 and further comprising:

a fourth member laterally projecting from said second side surface of said intermediate body portion, elevated relative to said first and second members and having an aperture formed therein for supportably holding a third toiletry article;

wherein said third toiletry article supportably held by said third member is held above said surface.

32. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 31 wherein:

said fourth member is comprised of a vertically-orientated wall and a horizontally-orientated wall integrally formed with, generally orthogonal to and projecting forwardly from said vertically-orientated wall;

said aperture formed in said fourth member being formed in said horizontally-orientated wall.

33. A toiletry article storage system according to claim 30 and further comprising:

an upper body portion attached to said intermediate body portion, said upper body portion having a central portion and a peripheral edge portion which circumferentially surrounds said central portion, said peripheral edge portion having a generally flat top side surface;

wherein a liquid receptacle may be supported above said first, second and third toiletry articles by placing a lip portion of said liquid receptacle on said top side surface of said peripheral edge portion of said upper body portion.