DISPENSER WITH SURFACE MOUNTED HOLDING SYSTEM

A mounting system comprising a mount, wherein the mount has a first surface and a second surface, 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, a second end, wherein a channel extends distal to the first end and terminates a predetermined distance from the second end, where at 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.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.

SUMMARY

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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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.

FIG. 1depicts an isometric view of a dispenser100and a mounting system200(e.g. the mounting system may be a fixture, support, unit, or the like) assembled, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser100is shown secured to the mounting system200when attach to a surface. The dispenser100may be various containers, bottles, dispensers, or other vessels which can have the integrated securement design. This may be, but not limited to soap dispensers, shampoo bottles, conditioner bottles, body wash containers, cleaning product containers, water bottles, or the like. The dispenser100may be made from various materials, have various shapes and sizes, or may have various openings. In the depicted embodiments, the dispenser100has a top101. Currently manufactured or designed dispensers may be redesigned with the integrated securing mechanism to mate with the mounting assembly200. The dispenser100may 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.

The mounting system200is designed to securely attached to a surface and provide the mounting location for the dispenser100. In some embodiments, the mounting system200may be permanently attached to a surface through various permanent attachment means known to one skilled in the art. In additional embodiments, the mounting system200may 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 system200may have various shapes, sizes, and attachment members (not shown). For example, in the depicted embodiment, the mounting assembly200has one attachment point for one dispenser100. The mounting system200may have more than one attachment points in a vertical or horizontal orientation to allow for the mounting of multiple dispensers100. In some embodiments more than one dispenser100are able to be hung on the mounting system200, or more than one detachable securing mechanism may be integrated into the mounting system200This may require additional suction cups, more fasteners, or increased quantities of adhesive materials.

FIG. 2depicts an isometric view of the dispenser100and the mounting system200unassembled, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, the mounting system200incorporated a shaft201with a cap202. The shaft201is designed to provide adequate offset from a mounting plate203for cap202, so that when inserted into a channel103on the dispensers100the cap202fits within the internal compartment of the channel103, and the shaft201fits within the gap107of the channel103. The cap202is able to fit within the internal compartment of the channel103. The channel103may have a “C” channel design with a lip to secure the cap202within the internal compartment. The length of the shaft201is dependent upon the measurements of the channel103, and the diameter and thickness of the cap202are dependent upon the measurements of the channel103. The cap202is designed to fit within the channel103with minimal excess space within the channel103when the cap202is inserted. The dispenser100has a channel103which is designed to improve the ease with which one can guide the cap202into the channel103. In the depicted embodiment, the dispenser100has one channel103. In additional embodiments, the dispenser100may have multiple channels103. Where additional channels103are present on the dispenser100, this allows the person to mount the dispenser100in multiple positions or directions. For example, to get the last quantity of liquid from within the dispenser100, a channel103may be orientated to allow the dispenser100to be mounted with the top end facing downwards. The channel103may be at various angles. The mounting system200is depicted with one shaft201and cap202. In additional embodiments, the mounting system200may have multiple shafts201and caps202to accommodate multiple dispensers100, in predetermined patterns, rows, columns, and arrays.

In additional embodiments, the cap202may have multiple shapes. In one example, the cap202has an oblong shape to allow for a greater holding ability and provides additional support to reduce the rotation of the dispenser100. Wherein the oblong or elliptic shaped cap202is orientated wherein the longer dimension is orientated vertically. In some embodiments, the cap202has a height to width ratio ranging from 1.2 to 1 to 1.9 to 1. The cap202, may have rounded edges to further reduce friction between the cap202and the interior surfaces of the channel103.

FIG. 3depicts an isometric view of the dispenser100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser100has a channel103integrated into the design of the dispenser100. This integration of the channel103reduces the number of components needed to mount the dispenser100and is designed to minimize the amount of volume of the dispenser which is lost. The channel103is designed with a larger initial opening104. In one embodiment, the width at the opening104of the channel103is three times the final width of the channel103. Through a first portion of the channel103from the opening104, the width of the channel103decreases through a predetermined distance of the channel103. At transition location105, the channel103reaches the minimum width and remains that width until the termination of the channel at the top end106. This assists in reducing the ability of the cap202to become disengaged from the channel103after the transition location105of the channel103. In the depicted embodiment, the width of the channel103from transition location105till the top end106is greater than the diameter of the shaft201but less than the diameter of the cap202. In some embodiments, distal to the top end106of the channel103, is an integrated stopper. This stopper may be, but not limited to, indented within the channel to “lock” the cap202in place. Various types of pressure fitments, or snap locks may be employed in this locking mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism requires minimal resistance to unlock. The locking mechanism assists in keeping the dispenser100in place when secured to the wall mount200. In some embodiments, depending upon the shape of the cap202, the dispenser100may be able to rotate about the cap202to allow for easy extraction of the contents of the dispenser, if the dispenser100has an opening similar to that inFIG. 1. The larger opening104provides a larger “target area” for the person to align the dispenser100with the mounting system200. For example, when in the shower or bathtub, many surfaces may be wet or slippery and the dispenser100is more likely to slip and fall. With the wider opening104, the person is provided with a larger area to properly align the dispenser100with the cap202.

FIG. 4depicts a section view of the dispenser100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, the dispenser100is shown through the channel103. In the depicted embodiment, the channel103is shown recessed into the dispenser100. The surface102of the dispenser100is flush with the gap107and the channel103is below the surface102. In some embodiments, the opening104has a depth which is increase as the channel103progresses towards the transition location105and remains consistent until the top end106. In some embodiments, the channel103is parallel with the surface102from the opening104to the top end106. In the depicted embodiment, the channel103at the opening104is angled until transition location105where the channel103and the surface102are substantially parallel. In additional embodiments, the channel103has a predetermined curvature. In some embodiments, as the channel103progresses towards the top end106, the height of the channel103decreases until transition location105, where after the height of the channel103remains constant. In some embodiments, the slope is linear profile. The top end106, is curved to match the contour of the cap202. At the transition location105, the channel103converges to a height which is able to receive the cap202This reduces the dispensers100ability to become disconnected from the mounting system200or rotate about the center point of the cap202. The length of the channel103is based upon the type and size of the dispenser100.

In one embodiment, the initial depth of the channel103is greater than at least twice the height of the cap202. The channel103depth then converges to a depth of at least the height of the cap202. In some embodiments, the top end106of the channel103is positioned distal to the cap101of the dispenser100. This assists in balancing the dispenser100on the mount and lowers the center of gravity of the dispenser100to reduce the likelihood of the offset weight forcing the mounting system200from detaching from the surface.

FIGS. 5A and 5Bdepicts an isometric view of the mounting system200, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, an adhesive pad204covers a portion of the rear surface207. The shaft201is positioned on the front surface205, so that when the dispenser100is secured to the mounting system200, the mounting plate203is hidden behind the dispenser100. In some embodiments, the shaft201and cap202are telescopic, and are able to retract and extend from a “storage” position to a “use” position (shown). In the depicted embodiment, the mount base203is an oval shape, this assists in hiding the mounting system200behind the dispenser100when in use. In additional embodiments, the mount base203may be a variety of shapes.

In some embodiments, more than one shaft201is present on the front surface205. In some embodiments, the shafts201are spaced a predetermined distance from one another to allow for dispensers100of predetermined size and width to connect with the mount and without coming in contact with one another. In additional embodiments, more than two shafts201may be present and may have, but not limited to, a linear or circular pattern and may further be present in an array.

FIGS. 6 and 7depict an alternative design of dispenser300and mounting system400. The dispenser300has the shaft303and the cap302attached to the surface304of the dispenser300. The mounting system400has the channel401secured to the mounting plate403. As explained before, the cap302is designed to fit within the channel401. In some embodiments, the shaft303is telescopic. When the shaft303is compressed, the cap302aligns with the surface304and the cap302is flush with the surface304. In a preferred embodiment, the channel401would be orientated so that the opening of the channel401is located at the top end of the mounting plate403and the end of the channel would be on the bottom. This would provide a similar advantage of allowing a person to easily secure the dispenser300on the mounting system400. In some embodiments, the channel401and the mounting plate403are a unitary element to create an aesthetically pleasing and simplified design. The cap302and the shaft303may be telescopic or retractable, so that when not in use the dispenser300appears as a regular dispenser and may be easily transformed to mount on the wall. In additional embodiments, the cap302may have various shapes and sizes. In the depicted embodiment, the cap302is an oblong circular shape.