Abstract:
A molded plastic bathroom organizer fixture has a core body formed of a relatively rigid first plastic material and an outer body covering outer surface portions of the core body and formed of an elastomeric material overmolded on the core body and providing improved gripping of supported articles and frictional surfaces to enhance grasping by a user. The fixture is mountable on a wall surface by one or more such cups, which may be unitary with the outer body or may form part of a separate mounting structure engageable with the fixture in either pivoting or longitudinally sliding relationship therewith. The outer body may be light-transmitting to permit viewing therethrough of the core body, which may be formed of a visually distinguishable material. Portions of the outer surface of the core body may remain exposed. Each suction cup is oval and oriented with its long axis vertical or nearly vertical in use. A number of different embodiments are disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    This application relates to molded plastic products and, in particular, to houseware products, such as those which can be used in a bathroom for organizing personal toiletry items or the like, although it will be appreciated that the principles of the invention are applicable to other types of products.  
           [0002]    Household products are commonly made of various types of plastic materials. In particular, it is known to provide various types of article-supporting or organizer products molded of suitable plastic materials. A number of such organizers have been provided for use in bathroom settings. Heretofore, such products have been molded of a single plastic material, typically a rigid plastic material. Various types of mounting arrangements for such products have been provided, including suction cups secured to the product by adhesive or other suitable means for mounting the product on a wall surface. However, such prior plastic products have been relatively slippery, both for a user to handle and in terms of retaining articles thereon.  
           [0003]    It is known to make other types of molded products by a bi-molding technique wherein two different types of materials are used, one forming an inner body and another forming an outer skin element, the two materials being selected to perform different functions. For example, a rigid core may be provided for dimensional stability, strength and the like, while a softer outer material may be provided for other reasons, such as marring resistance, ergonomics or the like. However, such bi-molding techniques have not heretofore been provided in products such as household organizers.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0004]    This application discloses an improved wall-mountable molded product which avoids the disadvantages of prior such products while affording additional structural and operating advantages.  
           [0005]    An important aspect is the provision of a wall-mountable product with an inner relatively rigid core body and a more flexible outer body and wall-mountable by means of one or more suction cups.  
           [0006]    A further aspect is the provision of a product of the type set forth, wherein the outer body is overmolded on the core body.  
           [0007]    Another aspect is the provision of a product of the type set forth, wherein the suction cup is unitary with the outer body.  
           [0008]    A still further aspect is the provision of a product of the type set forth, wherein the suction cup is movable relative to other portions of the product.  
           [0009]    Certain ones of these and other aspects may be attained by providing a wall-mountable product comprising: a unitary one-piece core body formed of a relatively rigid first plastic material, a unitary one-piece outer body covering outer surface portions of the core body and formed of an elastomeric material, and a suction cup projecting from the core body for attaching the product to a wall surface and formed of the elastomeric material.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bathroom hook;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the hook of FIG. 1;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the hook of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a view in vertical section taken generally along the line  4 - 4  in FIG. 2;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a view in vertical section taken generally along the line  5 - 5  in FIG. 3;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toothbrush/toothpaste holder;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7. is a front elevational view of the holder of FIG. 6;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a view in vertical section taken along the line  8 - 8  in FIG. 7;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is a view in horizontal section taken generally along the line  9 - 9  in FIG. 7;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 is a view in vertical section taken generally along the line  10 - 10  in FIG. 9;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a soap dish;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the dish of FIG. 11;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 13 is a view in vertical section taken generally along the line  13 - 13  in FIG. 12;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 14 is a view in vertical section taken generally along the line  14 - 14  in FIG. 13;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 15 is a top plan view of another embodiment of soap dish;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 16 is a front elevational of the soap dish of FIG. 15;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 17 is a view in vertical section taken generally along the line  17 - 17  in FIG. 15;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 18 is a view in vertical section taken generally along the line  18 - 18  in FIG. 16;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 19 is a top plan view of corner tray;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 20 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken generally along the line  20 - 20  in FIG. 19;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 21 is a view in vertical section taken generally along the line  21 - 21  in FIG. 19;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of a mirror assembly;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 23 is a view in horizontal section taken generally along the line  23 - 23  in FIG. 22; and  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 24 is a view in vertical section taken generally along the line  24 - 24  in FIG. 22. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0035]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 5 , there is illustrated a bathroom fixture product in the nature of a hook  10  having a core body  11  formed of a relatively rigid plastic material and having a relatively thick base portion  12  and a tapered prong  13 . The core body  11  has an outer surface which is recessed or undercut, as at  14 , the recessed portions being covered by an outer body  15  formed of a suitable thermoplastic elastomeric material which is overmolded on the core body  11 . The outer body  15  extends beyond the distal end of the base portion  12  and forms a flexible and resilient suction cup  16  for attachment of the hook  10  to an associated wall surface, in a known manner. The unrecessed portions of the outer surface of the core boy  11 , including a tip  17  of the prong  13 , a lug  18  on the underside of the base portion  12  near its distal end, and portions  19  along the side surfaces of the base portion  12 , remain exposed and uncovered by the outer body  15 .  
         [0036]    The core body  11  may be formed of a hard PVC, polypropylene or other suitable moldable plastic material, while the outer body  15  may be formed of a soft PVC material or a thermoplastic rubber-like material, such as that sold under the trade name SANTOPRENE. The outer body  15  provides a frictional gripping surface to enhance gripping of articles hung on the hook  10 . The outer body  15  may be light-transmitting, either translucent or transparent, so that the covered portions of the core body  11  may be viewed therethrough. In this regard, the core body  11  may be formed of a material visually distinguishable from the outer body  15 . For example, the core body  11  could be colored while the outer body  15  is clear. The suction cup  16  is preferably oval in shape, with its long axis disposed substantially vertically in use, as illustrated in FIG. 2.  
         [0037]    Referring now to FIGS.  6 - 10 , there is illustrated another embodiment of dual-molded plastic product, in the form of another type of bathroom organizer fixture, viz., a toothpaste/toothbrush holder  20 . The holder  20  has a relatively rigid core body  21  which is generally clevis-shaped, having a base  22  and a pair of laterally-spaced arms  23  projecting forwardly therefrom. The core body  21  has an outer surface with peripheral recesses  24  formed therein. Most of the outer surface of the core body  21 , except for the region between the arms  23 , is covered by an outer body  25  formed of a thermoplastic elastomeric material, which may be overmolded on the core body  21 . A portion of the outer body  25  projects rearwardly from the base  22  of the core body  21  and forms a flexible and resilient suction cup  26 . The outer body  25  includes peripheral lips  27  which engage in the peripheral recesses  24  of the core body  21 . Also unitary with the outer body  25  and respectively projecting laterally outwardly from the arms  23  are generally C-shaped holder brackets  28  and  29 .  
         [0038]    The core body  21  and the outer body  25  may, respectively, be formed of the same types of materials as the core body  11  and outer body  15 , described above. Also, the outer body  25  may be light-transmitting and the core body  21  may be visually distinguishable therefrom in the manner described above in connection with the hook  10 . The gap between the arms  23  is dimensioned for receiving and supporting an associated toothpaste tube (not shown). The arms of the holder brackets  28  and  29  are flexible and resilient and spreadable so that each holder may receive between the arms thereof the handle of an associated toothbrush (not shown). The suction cup  26  is oval in shape with its long axis preferably disposed vertically in use.  
         [0039]    Referring now to FIGS.  11 - 14 , there is illustrated another embodiment of dual-molded product, in the form of another bathroom organizer fixture, viz., a small soap dish  30 . The dish  30  has a generally dish-shaped core body  31  molded of a suitable relatively rigid plastic material and having a drain hole  32  formed therethrough. The outer surface of the core body  31  is recessed or undercut along the bottom thereof, as at  33 , leaving a projecting land  34  generally oval in shape. The dish  30  includes an outer body  35  formed of a thermoplastic elastomeric material and overmolded on the core body  31  so as to cover most of the outer surface thereof, except for the land  34 . A portion of the outer body  35  projects rearwardly from the core body  31  and forms a flexible and resilient suction cup  36  which is oval in shape. The portion of the outer body  35  covering the upper surface of the core body  31  has a beveled hole  37  therethrough aligned with the hole  32  and leaving an exposed ring  38  of the upper surface of the core body  31  around the hole  32 . In use, the long axis of the suction cup  36  is disposed substantially vertically, i.e., substantially parallel to the axis of the hole  32 . The materials of the core body  31  and the outer body  35  may be the same as and have the same types of characteristics as the materials for the corresponding portions of the products  10  and  30  described above. The frictional gripping character of the outer body  35  will inhibit slipping of a bar of soap supported on the dish  30 .  
         [0040]    Referring now to FIGS.  15 - 18 , there is illustrated a larger soap dish  40  having a generally L-shaped core body  41  with a generally triangular depending base  42  and a generally oval article support  42   a  having an elongated oval drain hole  43  formed therethrough adjacent to the base  42 . Projecting upwardly from the article support  42   a  is an oval lug or land  44  which may display a logo or the like. A recess  44   a  (FIG. 18) is formed in the front surface of the base  42  around the periphery thereof. The outer surface of the core body  41 , except for the lug  44 , the underside of the support  42   a  and the front side of the base  42 , is covered with an outer body  45  formed of a thermoplastic elastomeric material which is overmolded on the core body  41 . The outer body  45  covers the peripheral recess  44   a  of the base  42  and the front edge of the support  42   a . A portion of the outer body  45  projects rearwardly from the core body  41  at the opposite ends of the support  42   a  and forms two flexible and resilient suction cups  46  and  46   a , each oval in shape and having a long axis inclined slightly to the vertical in use, as shown in FIG. 16. Formed through the outer body  45  is an oval, tapered or beveled drain hole  47  which surrounds the hole  43  and leaves uncovered an annular exposed ring  48  of the upper surface of the support  42   a . The materials and functioning of the dish  40  are substantially the same as those of the dish  30 , described above.  
         [0041]    Referring now to FIGS.  19 - 21 , there is illustrated another embodiment of bi-molded product in the nature of a bathroom organizer fixture, viz., a corner tray  50 , which may, for example, be mounted in the corner of a shower stall or the like. The tray  50  includes an article support  51  and a plurality of mounting structures  60  (four shown) detachably connectable to the article support  51  for supporting it on corner walls. The article support  51  has a core body  52  molded of a relatively rigid plastic material and having a generally triangular base  53  integral around its periphery with an upstanding sidewall  54 . Drain holes  55  are formed through the base  53  adjacent to the corners thereof. Integral with the upper edge of the side wall  54  and projecting laterally outwardly and downwardly therefrom along two sides of the triangular base  53 , is a neck  56  terminating in a thickened, generally rectangular bead  57  along its entire length. The upper surfaces of the base  53 , the side wall  54  and the neck  56  are covered with an outer body  58  formed of a thermoplastic elastomeric material which may be overmolded on the core body  52 . The outer body  58  has three beveled holes  59  therethrough respectively surrounding the holes  55  in the base  53  and leaving uncovered a narrow ring of the upper surface of the base  53  around each hole.  
         [0042]    Referring in particular to FIG. 20, each mounting structure  60  has a core body  61 , which is generally C-shaped and includes a pair of arms  62  defining a gap  63  therebetween which communicates with a generally rectangular slot  64 . The outer surfaces of the core body  61 , except for the gap  63  and the slot  64 , are covered with an outer body  65  formed of the same material as the outer body  58 , a portion of the outer body  65  projecting rearwardly from the core body  61  and defining an oval suction cup  66 .  
         [0043]    In use, the mounting structures  60  may be slid onto the article support  51  at the ends of the neck  56 , with the neck  56  being received in the gap  62  and the bead  57  being received in the slot  64 . To facilitate this sliding movement, it will be noted that the distal end portion of the neck  56 , which is received between the arms  62 , is uncovered by the outer body  58 . The materials of the core bodies  52  and  61  and the outer bodies  58  and  65  and the functioning thereof may be substantially the same as for the corresponding portions of the soap dishes  30  and  40 , described above.  
         [0044]    Referring now to FIGS.  22 - 24 , there is illustrated another embodiment of dual-molded product in the nature of a bathroom fixture, viz., a mirror assembly  70 . The mirror assembly  70  includes a mirror frame  71  coupled to a mounting structure  80  for supporting the mirror assembly  70  on an associated wall surface. The mirror frame  71  has a core body  71   a , which is generally oval in shape and is molded of a relatively rigid plastic material, having a back wall  72  with four generally equiangularly spaced and oval-shaped lugs  73  and a central oval lug  74  projecting forwardly therefrom for supporting the rear surface of a supported oval mirror  75 . In particular, the lugs  73  and  74  may be secured to the back of the mirror  75  by suitable adhesive or the like. The periphery of the core body  71   a  is covered, front and back, by an outer body  76  formed of a thermoplastic elastomeric material and overmolded on the core body  71   a . The outer body  76  projects downwardly beyond the lower edge of the core body  71   a  to define a depending skirt  77  provided with a notch  78  centrally of its lower edge. The outer body  76  engages the mirror  75  around its periphery. Integral with the central lug  74  and projecting slightly rearwardly of the back wall  72  is a part-spherical socket  79 .  
         [0045]    The mounting structure  80  has a core body  81  which may be formed of the same material as the core body  71  a and includes an elongated base  82  and a part-spherical, hollow connector lug  83  which projects rearwardly from the base  82  centrally thereof and is adapted to be mateably received in the socket  79  for a pivoting, swivel movement relative thereto. The base  82  is covered with an outer body  85 , which may be formed of the same material as the outer body  76 , and has portions projecting rearwardly adjacent to the opposite ends of the base  82  for defining two flexible and resilient suction cups  86 , each of which may be oval in shape with its long axis disposed substantially vertically in use, as illustrated in FIG. 22. The outer bodies  76  and  85  provide frictional gripping surfaces to facilitate mounting and manipulation of the mirror assembly  70 . The materials of the core bodies  71   a  and  81  and the outer bodies  76  and  85  may be of the same corresponding materials for the core bodies and outer bodies as those described above for the products  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40 , and  50 . The notch  78  may support a toothbrush, razor or the like.  
         [0046]    While the above-described products all relate to bathroom fixtures, it will be appreciated that the principles described above are also applicable to other types of products.  
         [0047]    The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.