Abstract:
A shower head liquid agent dispenser includes a storage tank having a hollow interior space for storing a liquid agent, a first tubular member that is connected to the bottom end of the storage tank, a valve which can be manipulated between an on and off position, a second tubular member that is connected to a tee fitting which is selectively connected to a building&#39;s shower arm and a shower head assembly.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to shower accessories, and more particularly to a liquid agent dispenser for use with a shower head. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0003]    While taking a shower it is common to utilize some type of cleaning agent such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, and/or body wash, for example to ensure a user is able to thoroughly clean their body. As such, residential showers are often littered with many different bottles that are often scattered along the floor and/or shelves. When so located, users may have difficulty identifying a proper bottle, or may slip on a bottle while bathing under the shower stream. 
         [0004]    In addition to the above, commercial locations such as hotels, motels and locker rooms, for example, typically spend thousands of dollars each year to provide their guests with individual bottles of body wash and/or bars of soap, for example, which are discarded upon being opened by a guest. Such a process results in a huge waste of money and materials. 
         [0005]    Regardless of where the shower is located, users must still dispense the cleaning agent directly onto their body and then manually spread the agent across their body as it encounters the shower stream. However, such a process often results in an uneven distribution of the cleaning agent, as some body portions are easier to access than others. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a liquid agent dispenser that can store and dispense any type of liquid agent directly into a shower head, so as to alleviate the drawbacks of the above noted devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is directed to a shower head liquid agent dispenser. One embodiment of the present invention can include a storage tank having a hollow interior space for storing a liquid agent such as soap, shampoo, conditioner and/or body wash. A first tubular member is connected to the bottom end of the storage tank and functions to feed the stored agent to a valve which can be manipulated by a user to between an on and off position, in order to control an operation of the device. A second tubular member can feed the liquid agent into a tee fitting which is connected to a building&#39;s shower arm. The tee fitting can function to mix the liquid agent with shower water and dispense the same into the shower head. 
         [0008]    Another embodiment of the present invention can include an aerator that is interposed between the tee fitting and the shower arm. 
         [0009]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention can include a shower head having the above described liquid agent dispenser secured thereon. 
         [0010]    This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an exploded parts view of a shower head liquid agent dispenser that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the shower head liquid agent dispenser in operation, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. 
         [0015]    As described herein, the term “removably secured,” and derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and separated. 
         [0016]    As described herein, the terms “connector,” “complementary connector” and derivatives thereof can include any number of different elements capable of repeatedly securing two items together in a nonpermanent manner. In the illustrated examples, the preferred connector utilizes a plurality of embedded elements forming a screw thread along an outside periphery of one component, and another plurality of embedded elements forming a screw thread along an inside periphery of a second component. As is known to those of skill in the art, such threaded elements can act to removably connect the illustrated components together in a secure and watertight manner. Threaded elements having lands and grooves for securing complementary objects together via a twisting motion are extremely well known. 
         [0017]    Although described above as utilizing threaded elements capable of creating a secure attachment point between two objects when a rotational force is applied thereto, this is for illustrative purposes only, as any number of devices capable of creating a removable seal between two items can also be utilized. Several nonlimiting examples include opposing strips of hook and loop material (i.e. Velcro®), magnetic elements, tethers such as straps and ties, and compression fittings such as hooks, snaps and buttons, for example. Each illustrated connector can be permanently secured to the illustrated portion of the device via a permanent sealer such as glue, adhesive tape, or stitching, for example. 
         [0018]    Identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0019]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate one embodiment of a liquid agent dispenser  10  for use with a shower head assembly, that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts described herein. As shown, one embodiment of the dispenser  10  can include, essentially, a storage tank  12 , a first tubular member  20 , a valve  30 , a second cylindrical member  40 , a tee fitting  50  and an aerator  60 . Each of these components can be joined together and attached to a shower head assembly (See  FIG. 2 ) to dispense any type of liquid agent that is stored in the tank  12  through the shower head assembly. 
         [0020]    The tank  12  can function to store any type of liquid dispensing agents such as various soaps, shampoo, conditioner and/or body wash, for example. As described herein, the tank  12  can include a continuous outer wall  13  having a bottom end  14  and a neck  15  along the top end. The tank can include a hollow interior space  12   a  that is accessible via the neck  15  and an aperture  14   a  positioned within the bottom end. A cap  16  can be removably secured along the neck  15  via a connector such as the illustrated screw threads  15   a , for example. 
         [0021]    The first tubular member  20  can function to transfer the stored liquid agent from the tank  12  to the valve  30 . In one embodiment, the member  20  can include a generally hollow conduit having an open first end  21 , and an open second end  22 . The first end  21  can include a shape and size that is complementary to the shape and size of the aperture  14   a  of the tank  12 . The first end  21  can be mated with the aperture  14   a  via any number of known methodologies such as welding or via threaded elements (not illustrated), for example, so as to form a watertight seal that allows the stored liquid agent to enter the open first end of the tubular member  20 . 
         [0022]    In the preferred embodiment, the second end  22  of the first tubular member  20  can be removably secured to the below described valve  30  via a connector such as the illustrated threaded elements  22   a  and  32   a , for example. 
         [0023]    The valve  30  can function to allow a user to selectively allow and prevent dispensing of the liquid agent into the shower head assembly. In one embodiment, the valve  30  can include a main body  31 , having a first end  32 , a second end  33 , and rotatable handle  34 . Turning the handle  34  raises or lowers an internal valve pin which, respectively, allows fluid to pass through the valve body  31  and the ends  32  and  33 . 
         [0024]    The second tubular member  40  can function to transfer the liquid agent from the valve  30  to the T-shaped connector  50 . In one embodiment, the member  40  can include a generally hollow conduit having an open first end  41 , and an open second end  42 . The first end  41  can be removably secured to the second end  33  of the valve  30  via a connector such as the illustrated threaded elements  41   a  and  33   a , for example. Likewise, the second end of the second member  42  can be removably secured to the middle opening  53  of the below described tee fitting  50  via a connector such as the illustrated threaded elements  42   a  and  53   a , for example. 
         [0025]    The tee fitting  50  can function to introduce the liquid agent into the stream of water. In one embodiment, the tee fitting can include an open first end  51 , an open second end  52 , and a middle opening  53 . The middle opening  53  can be removably secured to the second end  42  of the second member  40  via a connector such as the illustrated threaded elements  42   a  and  53   a , for example. The first end of the tee fitting  51  can be removably secured to the threaded end  5   a  of a conventional shower head assembly  5  via a connector such as the illustrated threaded elements  51   a , for example. 
         [0026]    An aerator  60  can be secured within, or connected to the second end  52  of the tee fitting  50  and can function to reduce the flow and/or pressure of water entering the fitting so as to allow the liquid agent to be introduced to the water flowing through the tee fitting. As shown, one end of the aerator  61  can be removably secured to the threaded end  1   a  of a conventional building shower arm  1  via a connector such as the illustrated threaded elements  61   a , for example. 
         [0027]    As described herein, each of the tank  12 , the first tubular member  20 , the valve  30 , the second tubular member  40 , the tee fitting  50  and the aerator  60  can be constructed from any number of different lightweight and durable materials that are resistant to oxidization and corrosion. Several nonlimiting examples can include, for example, stainless steel, hard plastic, composite materials, and the like. Moreover, each of these components can be constructed from identical construction materials or can be constructed from different materials. 
         [0028]    In operation, the tee fastener of device  10  can be interposed between an existing shower arm  1  and shower head assembly  5 , with the storage tank  12  located above the same. When so positioned, a user can operate the shower controls (not shown) so that shower water flows through the tee fitting  50  and exits through the shower head  5 . When a user desires to mix the shower water with the liquid agent stored within the tank  12 , the user can rotate the handle  34  of the valve  30 , so as to allow the liquid agent to be gravity fed down through the second tubular member  40  and into the tee fitting. 
         [0029]    At this time, the velocity and turbulence of the shower water exiting the aerator  60  thoroughly mixes with the liquid agent inside the tee fitting (i.e., shower mixture). As such, the combined shower water and liquid agent exit through the shower head  5  so that the user receives soapy water for showering and washing. As necessary, the user can vary the amount of liquid agent entering the water supply by adjusting the rotation of the valve handle  34 . 
         [0030]    As such, the supply of liquid soap is easily accessible to the person taking a shower. Furthermore, the supply of liquid soap stored within the soap tank  12  exceeds the capacity of conventional bar soaps and containers of liquid soaps. 
         [0031]    As described herein, one or more elements of the shower head liquid agent dispenser  10  can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individual elements such as the storage tank  12 , the first tubular member  20 , the valve  30 , the second cylindrical member  40 , the tee fitting  50  and/or the aerator  60 , for example, may be formed together as one or more continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof. 
         [0032]    To this end, in another embodiment, the ends of the valve  30  can be in direct communication with each of the storage tank  12  and the tee fastener, thereby eliminating the first and second tubular members. Moreover, in yet another embodiment, each of the above described components can be formed integrally with a new shower head assembly and/or shower arm, for example, so as to provide a single integrated product incorporating the combined functionality of the above described components. 
         [0033]    As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
         [0034]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0035]    The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.