Patent Publication Number: US-7908683-B1

Title: Bath accessory holder and scoop

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to bath accessories, and, more particularly, to specialized devices for holding and storing bath accessories. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In an effort to make bathing a fun, enjoyable experience, many parents provide their children with bath toys for the children to play with during bath time. The problem with bath toys is that they are often left in the bottom of a tub following use of the tub. This is a problem, because the moist environment at the bottom of the tub on and around the bath toys promotes the buildup of mold and bacteria on the bath toys. The proliferation of mold and bacteria on bath toys poses serious health concerns for young children. In fact, it is recommended that bath toys be properly rinsed and stored after use so that they will readily dry to prevent the buildup of mold and bacteria. However, rinsing and storing bath toys is very inconvenient. Each toy must be picked up and rinsed separately, and then placed on a rack or shelf for drying. Because collecting, rinsing, and properly storing bath toys is so inconvenient, and because there is nothing in the prior art for use in doing so, many people fail to do so and just leave the bath toys in the bottom of the tub so as to be prone to mold and bacteria build up. 
     Given these and other deficiencies in the art, there is a need in the art for easy and efficient way to collect, rinse, and store bath toys, and, moreover, for holding and storing bath toys and other bath accessories, including, for instance, bath poufs, wash cloths, soap, shampoo, conditioner, and other accessories commonly used for bathing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above problems and others are at least partially solved and the above objects and others realized in a bath accessory holder and storage device, which consists of a base, and a scoop, removably couplable to the base, having a drain for draining liquid therefrom. In a particular embodiment, the drain includes at least one opening through the scoop. In another embodiment, the drain includes a plurality of openings through the scoop. A handle is attached to the scoop, which is used to wield the scoop. A hanger is carried by one of the base and the scoop, which is used to suspend at least one bath accessory thereon. A clamp is also carried by one of the base and the scoop, which is for grippingly holding at least one bath accessory. A shelf for receiving and supporting bath accessories thereon is carried by the base. An engagement element carried by one of the base and the scoop, and a detachably engagable complemental engagement element carried by the other of the base and the scoop. Preferably, the engagement element is one of a scoop hanger and an abutment, and the complemental engagement feature is the other of the scoop hanger and the abutment. The base is capable of being secured to a surface, such as the surface of a wall, for convenient placement. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism for detachably securing the device a surface is at least one suction cup. Those having regard for the art will appreciate that other ways of coupling the base to a surface can be used without departing from the invention, such as one or more hook and loop fasteners, hangers, hooks, snap fasteners, screws, etc. Preferably, the device presents the appearance of an object or thing designed to promote interest in the device by children and for encouraging use of the device when the scoop is attached to the base. 
     Another embodiment of a bath accessory holder and storage includes a base, a scoop, removably couplable to the base, having a drain for draining liquid therefrom, and appendages carried by at least one of the base and the scoop, in which the device presents the appearance of an animal having appendages when the scoop is attached to the base. In a particular embodiment, the drain includes at least one opening through the scoop. In another embodiment, the drain includes a plurality of openings through the scoop. A handle is attached to the scoop, which is used to wield the scoop. A hanger is carried by one of the appendages, which is used to suspend at least one bath accessory thereon. In another embodiment, a clamp is carried by one of the appendages, which is for grippingly holding at least one bath accessory. A shelf for receiving and supporting bath accessories thereon is carried by the base. An engagement element carried by one of the base and the scoop, and a detachably engagable complemental engagement element carried by the other of the base and the scoop. Preferably, the engagement element is one of a scoop hanger and an abutment, and the complemental engagement feature is the other of the scoop hanger and the abutment. The base is capable of being secured to a surface, such as the surface of a wall, for convenient placement. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism for detachably securing the device a surface is at least one suction cup. Those having regard for the art will appreciate that other ways of coupling the base to a surface can be used without departing from the invention, such as one or more hook and loop fasteners, hangers, hooks, snap fasteners, screws, etc. 
     Yet another embodiment of a bath accessory holder and storage device includes a base having appendages and a head. The head has a shelf for receiving and supporting bath accessories thereon. A scoop, which is removably couplable to the base, has a drain for draining liquid therefrom. The appendages, the head, and the scoop present the appearance of an animal when the scoop is attached to the base. In a particular embodiment, the drain includes at least one opening through the scoop. In another embodiment, the drain includes a plurality of openings through the scoop. A handle is attached to the scoop, which is used to wield the scoop. A hanger is carried by one of the appendages, which is used to suspend at least one bath accessory thereon. In another embodiment, a clamp is carried by one of the appendages, which is for grippingly holding at least one bath accessory. A shelf for receiving and supporting bath accessories thereon is carried by the base. An engagement element carried by one of the base and the scoop, and a detachably engagable complemental engagement element carried by the other of the base and the scoop. Preferably, the engagement element is one of a scoop hanger and an abutment, and the complemental engagement feature is the other of the scoop hanger and the abutment. The base is capable of being secured to a surface, such as the surface of a wall, for convenient placement. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism for detachably securing the device a surface is at least one suction cup. Those having regard for the art will appreciate that other ways of coupling the base to a surface can be used without departing from the invention, such as one or more hook and loop fasteners, hangers, hooks, snap fasteners, screws, etc. 
     Yet still another embodiment of a bath accessory holder and storage device includes a base having appendages, a head, having a shelf for receiving and supporting bath accessories, removably couplable to the base, and a scoop, removably couplable to the base, having a drain for draining liquid therefrom, wherein the appendages, the head, and the scoop present the appearance of an animal when the scoop and the head are attached to the base. In a particular embodiment, the drain includes at least one opening through the scoop. In another embodiment, the drain includes a plurality of openings through the scoop. A handle is attached to the scoop, which is used to wield the scoop. A hanger is carried by one of the appendages, which is used to suspend at least one bath accessory thereon. In another embodiment, a clamp is carried by one of the appendages, which is for grippingly holding at least one bath accessory. A shelf for receiving and supporting bath accessories thereon is carried by the base. An engagement element carried by one of the base and the scoop, and a detachably engagable complemental engagement element carried by the other of the base and the scoop. Preferably, the engagement element is one of a scoop hanger and an abutment, and the complemental engagement feature is the other of the scoop hanger and the abutment. The base is capable of being secured to a surface, such as the surface of a wall, for convenient placement. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism for detachably securing the device a surface is at least one suction cup. Those having regard for the art will appreciate that other ways of coupling the base to a surface can be used without departing from the invention, such as one or more hook and loop fasteners, hangers, hooks, snap fasteners, screws, etc. 
     Consistent with the foregoing summary of preferred embodiments, and the ensuing disclosure, which are to be taken together, the invention also contemplates associated apparatus and method embodiments including, but not limited to, methods of collecting and storing bath accessories. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring to the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a bath accessory collection, holder, and storage device, constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention, the device including a base and a scoop removably attached to the base; 
         FIG. 2  is a rearward isometric view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front plan view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear end elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front end elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a right side elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1 , the opposing left side elevational view being a substantial mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a front plan view of the device of  FIG. 1  shown as it would appear holding bath accessories; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded isometric view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a back plan view of the base of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the device of  FIG. 1  shown as it would appear attached to a wall adjacent a bathtub; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1  shown as it would appear secured to a wall; and 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  show the scoop of  FIG. 1  as it would appear detached from the base and in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A bath accessory collection, holder, and storage device will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-13 . 
     Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to  FIG. 1  in which there is seen a bath accessory collection, holder, and storage device, embodying the principle of the instant invention, generally indicated by the reference character  20  including a base  21 , and a scoop  22 , removably attached to base  21 . Base  21  is essentially a caddy that can be used to hold and support soap, shampoo, conditioner, wash cloths, bath poufs, and other selected bath accessories, and scoop  22  is useful for collecting bath accessories, such as bath toys and the like, from the bottom of a tub or shower, and also storing scooped-up bath accessories by reattaching scoop  22  to base  21 . Scoop  22  incorporates a drain, designated generally at  23 , for draining/drawing liquid, such as bath water and rinse water, from scoop  22 , and, moreover, from bath accessories placed into scoop  22 . Again, device  20  is useful for, collecting, holding, and storing bath accessories, such as bar soap, bottles of body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and the like, wash clothes, bath poufs, bath toys, and other selected bath accessories, and this will be more fully discussed later in this specification. 
     To collect and store bath accessories with device  20 , for example, scoop  22  is taken up by hand and detached from base, and used to scoop bath toys and other bath accessories from a tub  15  as seen in  FIG. 12 , shower or other bathing area. Drain  23  permits water to drain from scoop  22  and away from the bath accessories contained therein. After scooping up bath accessories, scoop  22  can then be reattached to base  21 , providing convenient storage of the bath accessories contained therein. Prior to reattaching scoop  22  to base  21 , clean water can be poured into scoop  22  over the bath accessories contained therein, as shown in  FIG. 13 , for rinsing the bath accessories scooped up therein, in which drain  23  functions to drain the rinse water from scoop  22  and away from the bath accessories allowing them to dry. Device  20  is normally mounted near or adjacent a tub or a shower for convenient access. 
     As a matter of disclosure,  FIG. 2  is a rearward isometric view of device  20 ,  FIG. 3  is a front plan view of device  20 ,  FIG. 4  is a rear end elevational view of device  20 ,  FIG. 5  is a front end elevational view of device  20 , and  FIG. 6  is a right side elevational view of device  20 , the opposing left side elevational view being a substantial mirror image thereof. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , base  21  consists of a body  30  having an upper extremity  31 , a lower extremity  32 , opposing side extremities  33  and  34 , a front face  35 , and an opposing back face  36 , which is also denoted in  FIGS. 4-6 ,  9 , and  11 . Attached to body  30  is a pair of opposing upper appendages  40  and  41 , located generally at upper extremity  31 , and a pair of opposing lower appendages  42  and  43 , located generally at lower extremity  32 . Body  30  is fashioned of plastic, wood, metal, or other selected material or combination of materials, and is either integrally formed or fashioned as an assembly of two or more attached parts, and even two or more removably attached parts, if desired. Considering the latter, for instance, appendages  40 - 43  can be removably attached with ball and socket attachment features, tongue and groove attachment features, complementing male and female threaded attachment features, etc. Preferably, body  30  is integrally fashioned of plastic or other similar material or combination of materials resistant to corrosion or deterioration as a result of prolonged exposure to moisture. 
     Appendage  40  has a proximal end  50  attached to side extremity  32 , and projects outwardly therefrom away from side extremity  32  of body  30  and terminates with a distal end  51 , which is a hand  52  having a plurality of spaced-apart pegs or fingers  53 . Appendage  41  is basically a substantial mirror image of appendage  40 . Like appendage  40 , appendage  41  has a proximal end  60  attached to side extremity  33 , and projects outwardly therefrom away from side extremity  33  of body  30  and terminates with a distal extremity  61 , which is a hand  61 A having a plurality of spaced-apart pegs or fingers  61 B. Appendage  42  has a proximal end  70  attached to side extremity  32 , and projects outwardly therefrom away from side extremity  32  of body  30  and terminates with a distal extremity  71 , which is a foot  71 A having a plurality of spaced-apart pegs or toes  71 B. Appendage  43  is basically a substantial mirror image of appendage  42 . Like appendage  42 , appendage  43  has a proximal end  80  attached to side extremity  33 , and projects outwardly therefrom away from side extremity  33  of body  30  and terminates with a distal extremity  81 , which is a foot  81 A having a plurality of spaced-apart pegs or toes  81 B. 
     Looking to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  7 , and  9 , body  30  also incorporates a headset  100 , which is removably attached to body  30  and positioned between arms  40  and  41  and projects upwardly from upper extremity  31  (upper extremity referenced only in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). Headset  100  is centrally located along the central vertical axis of device  10  and, as seen in  FIG. 8 , consists of an upstanding head  101  having an upper end  102  and an opposing lower end  103 , a front face  104  and an opposing back face  105 , and a generally horizontal shelf  106 , which is attached to lower end  101 B and projects rearwardly of back face  105 . Headset  100  is fashioned of the same material or combination of materials as body  30 , and is either integrally formed or fashioned as an assembly of two or more attached parts. As seen in  FIG. 5 , a plurality of drainage holes  107  is formed through shelf  104 . 
     Headset  100  is a separate unit, which, in the preferred embodiment disclosed herein, is removably couplable to upper extremity  31  of body  30  so that it may be selectively attached and detached as may be desired, such as for cleaning purposes, storage purposes, etc. Properly attached to body  30  as seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  9 , and  10 , head  101  projects upwardly from upper extremity  31  between appendages  40  and  41 , front face  104  faces forwardly as with front face  35  of body, back face  105  faces rearwardly as with back face  36  of body  30 , and shelf  107  projects rearwardly of back face  105 . In the preferred embodiment disclosed herein, headset  100  is removably couplable to upper extremity  31  of body  30  with a pair of opposing headed pins  108  attached to upper extremity  31  of body  30  that are accepted by a corresponding pair of engagement openings  109  (only one shown) through shelf  106 . Pins  108  and corresponding engagement openings  109  represent a preferred engagement structure for facilitating a detachably engagement of headset  100  to body  30 . Although pins  108  are carried by body  30  and engagement openings  109  are carried by shelf  106 , this arrangement can be reversed, if desired, or mixed and match, as desired. Although two pins  108  and two corresponding engagement openings  109  are disclosed in a preferred embodiment of an engagement structure for detachably engaging headset  100  to body  30 , less or more can be used. Moreover, those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that other ways of removably or detachably engaging or coupling headset  100  to body  30  can be used without departing from the invention, such as various forms of complementing male and female engagement features, a tongue and groove assembly, mutual snap fasteners, screws, a hook and loop fastener, etc. When attached to body  30 , headset  100  can be considered part of body  30 . Furthermore, headset  100  is considered part of base  21 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, headset  100  can be permanently attached to body  30 , such as with welding or by forming headset  100  integrally with body  30 . Although headset  100  incorporates a single shelf, it can be furnished with more, if desired. One or more shelves can also be incorporated with base  21  at other locations, if desired, for increasing the storage capacity of base  21 . 
     Having described the structural features of base  21 , scoop  22  will now be discussed in detail. As its name suggests, scoop  22  is just that, namely, a bucket-like utensil for scooping up objects, such as bath accessories. Scoop  22  consists of a continuous sidewall  120  having an open upper end  121 , and an opposing lower end  122 . Continuous sidewall  120  is the main structure of scoop  22 , and has a front end  123  and an opposing rear end  124 , and opposing sides  125  and  126 . Scoop  22  is fashioned of the same material or combination of materials as body  30 , and is either integrally formed or fashioned as an assembly of two or more attached parts. A handle  127  is attached to continuous sidewall  120  at front end  123 , and projects outwardly therefrom and away from the interior of scoop  22 . Handle  127  is capable of being taken up by hand and used to wield scoop  22 . Although handle  127  is attached to scoop  22  at front end  123 , it can be attached to scoop  22  at other locations for allowing it to be taken up by hand and used to wield scoop  22 . Handle  127  can be attached to scoop  22  with one or more screws, nut and bolt assemblies, hook and loop fasteners, pins, welding, or by way of any other suitable attachment mechanism. Handle  127  can also be integrally formed with scoop  22 , if desired, and can take on any shape or form. For enhanced gripping characteristics, handle  127  can be furnished with an exteriorly attached elastomeric sleeve, sock, patch, or the like. Although incorporating a handle with scoop  22  is desirable, it can be furnished without one, if desired. 
     Scoop  22  is removably couplable to body  30  and, thus, to base  21 , so that it may be easily and repeatedly secured to body  30  and detached from body  30  for allowing it to be used to collect and store bath accessories from the bottom of a tub or shower. Rear end  124  of scoop  22  is positionable against front face  35  so as to place scoop  22  just below headset  100  between sides  33  and  34  of body  30 , with open upper end  121  of scoop  22  directed upwardly toward headset  100  and appendages  40  and  41 , and lower end  122  of scoop directed downwardly toward appendages  42  and  43 . The attachment structure used to removably secure scoop  22  to body  30  secures scoop  22  in this described position. 
     Front face  35  is preferably contoured to accept the contour of rear end  124  of scoop  22 . In the immediately embodiment, front face  35  is generally concave, and rear end  124  of scoop  22  is correspondingly generally convex, and this arrangement can be reversed, if desired. Those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that other complementing contours can be used between front face  35  and rear end  124  of scoop  22 . 
     In the preferred embodiment disclosed herein, scoop  22  is removably couplable to body  30  with a scoop hanger  130  attached to body  30 , which receives thereon/thereagainst an abutment  131  carried by scoop  22  facilitating a hanging or suspending attachment of scoop  22  to body  30 . Scoop hanger  130  is an upwardly-directed hook or hook-like feature, which is positioned adjacent upper extremity  31  between upper extremity  31  and lower extremity  32  at a generally intermediate location between sides  33  and  34 . Scoop hanger  130  projects forwardly of front face  35 . 
     There is an opening  132  through rear end  124  of scoop  22  adjacent open upper end  121  between open upper end  121  and lower end  122  at a generally intermediate position between sides  125  and  126 , which is sized to receive scoop hanger  130  therethrough. Abutment  131  is an upper edge of opening  132 , which rests against scoop hanger  131  hanging/suspending scoop  22  from scoop hanger  130  and, thus, detachably/removably attaching scoop  22  to body  30  as seen in  FIGS. 1-7 ,  10 , and  11 . 
     Abutment  131  need not be part of an opening, but rather can be arranged or attached to scoop  22  in other ways as may be desired. For example, abutment  131  can form part of an element, bracket, or other attachment to scoop  22 . Although scoop hanger  130  is carried by body  30  and abutment  131  is carried by scoop  22 , this arrangement can be reversed, if desired. 
     Scoop hook  130  and abutment  131  represent a preferred engagement structure, namely, an engagement element and detachably engagable complemental engagement element, for facilitating a detachably engagement of scoop  20  to body  30 . Although one scoop hanger  130  and one corresponding abutment  131  is disclosed in a preferred embodiment of an engagement structure for detachably engaging scoop  22  to body  30 , more can be used, if desired. In the preferred embodiment disclosed herein, scoop  22  is hung from body  30 , which allows it to be readily taken up from body  30  and reinstalled onto body  30  by presenting rear end  124  of scoop  22  onto front face  35  of body  22  and attaching abutment  131  to scoop hanger  130 . Nevertheless, those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that other ways of removably or detachably engaging scoop  22  to body  30  can be used without departing from the invention, such as various forms of complementing male and female engagement features, tongue and groove arrangements, a hook and loop fastener, etc. If desired, scoop  22  can be supported in a seat attached to body  30 , in which lower end  122  of scoop  22  is placed in the seat so as to rest therein. 
     Drain  23  is associated with scoop  22  and conducts liquid, such as bathwater and rinse water, to drain therefrom. Preferably, drain  23  consists of a plurality of drain openings or holes  140  through scoop  22  by which liquid is able to pass from scoop  22  and from bath accessories in scoop  22 . Drain openings  140  extend through continuous sidewall  120 , and also through lower end  122 , if desired. Preferably, twenty or thirty drainage openings  140  are used and together function as drain  23 , although less or more can be employed, if desired. Drain openings  140  can be substantially equal in size, or differently sized. Drain openings  140  can each by any size by which liquid can pass therethrough from scoop  22 . 
     A plurality of drain openings  140  are disclosed as a preferred drain  23 . Other drain forms can be used, if desired. As a matter of example, drain  23  can consist of single drainage opening (such as one of drain openings  140 ), if desired, or at least one drainage opening  140  (such as at least one of drainage openings  140 ), by which liquid is drawn off from scoop  22 . Drain  23  may also consist of a pipe or channel associated with scoop  22  by which liquid is drawn off from scoop  22 . Other drain forms by which liquid is drawn off from scoop  22  can be used without departing from the invention. Open upper end  121  is not considered a drain, but is rather the open end of scoop  22  through which bath accessories pass through and into scoop  22  in scooping operations. 
     In accordance with intended use, device  20  is mounted at an elevated location at or adjacent a bathing area, such as adjacent a bathtub  200  as shown in  FIG. 10 , or within or adjacent a shower. Looking to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , device  20  is shown mounted to a wall  201  at an elevated location relative to bathtub  200  (shown only in  FIG. 10 ), in which head  101  projects upwardly, back face  36  faces wall  201  and the front of device  20 , including scoop  22  and front face  104  of head  101 , presents outwardly. In the immediate embodiment, conventional suction cups  208  are used to attach device  20  to wall  21 . Suction cups  208  are mounted to back face  36  of body  30  in a well-known and conventional manner, and are directed against wall  201  providing the suction cup attachment. Preferably, device  20  incorporates four suction cups arranged in a generally square pattern at the corners of body  30 . Although device  20  preferably incorporates four suction cups  208 , less or more can be used, if desired. Also, if a plurality of suction cups are used, they may be arranged in any desired pattern. Device  20  can be attached to wall  201  in other ways, such as with one or more hangers, screws, hook-and-loop fastener, adhesive, one or more double-sided adhesive pads, etc. 
     Properly mounted as herein described, and as depicted generally in  FIG. 10 , scoop  22  is available to be used and it can be seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11  that head set  100  is arranged and positioned relative to body  30  so that shelf  106  is positioned between wall  201  and back face  105  of head  101 , which is spaced away from wall  201 . Moreover, head  101  is spaced from, and substantially parallel to, wall  201 , in which a space  203  exists between back face  105  of head  101  and wall  201  above shelf  106 . Bath accessories, such as bottles of shampoo, bath wash, hair conditioner, and the like, can be maneuvered into space  203  and placed onto shelf  106  rearwardly of or otherwise behind head  101  for convenient storage of such items.  FIG. 7  illustrates bath accessories, namely, bottles  204  of shampoo and/or condition and/or bath wash or the like, as they would appear positioned on shelf  106  (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) behind head  101  allowing bath accessories Drainage holes  107  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) allow any water to drain away from shelf  106  and from device  20 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , scoop  22  is available to be used can be easily taken up by hand with the use of handle  127  and detached from base  21  mounted to wall  201 , and used to scoop bath accessories, such as bath toys  202  and the like, from bathtub  200  as seen in  FIG. 12 , in which drain  23  functions to drain bath water from scoop  22 . After scooping up bath accessories  202 , scoop  22  can be reattached to base  21  for convenient storage of bath accessories  202  it contains and for allowing them to dry. The plurality of drain openings  140  that constitute drain  23  in the preferred embodiment herein disclosed is important because they permit air to circulate through scoop  22  for causing the bath accessories therein to dry efficiently and quickly. Prior to reattaching scoop  22  to base  21  as seen in  FIG. 13 , clean water, such as from a faucet  205  of bathtub  200 , can be poured into scoop  22  through open upper end  121  and over bath accessories  202  therein for rinsing them prior to storage and drying. 
     Considering  FIG. 10 , wash cloths and bath poufs and like bath accessories can be conveniently hung from appendages  40 - 43  for hang drying after use and convenient storage, in which each of appendages  40 - 43 , including each of the pegs associated therewith, function as hangers for such items and similar items. As a matter of example,  FIG. 7  illustrates a washcloth  210  shown as it would appear hung over one of pegs  63  of appendage  41 , and a bath pouf  211  shown as it would appear hung over one of pegs  73  of appendage  42 . Appendages  40  and  43 , including their respective pegs, are similarly used. Furthermore,  FIG. 7  illustrates a bar of soap  212  as it would wedged between, and grippingly held by, a pair of opposing ones of pegs  63  of appendage  41 , in which the pair of opposing ones of pegs  63 , which function as a clamp holding bar of soap  212  in place. Any pair of opposing ones of the pegs of each of appendages  40 - 43  can be used in this manner for clamping/gripping and holding selected bath accessories. 
     It is to be understood that any number of pegs may be used in conjunction with each of appendages  40 - 43  depending on specific needs and requirements. Also, appendages  40 - 43  can each be fashioned with no pegs, if desired, in which each appendage would function as a simple hanger for wash cloths, bath poufs, and the like. Nevertheless, is it preferred that one or more of appendages  40 - 43  be fashioned with a plurality of pegs for providing a clamp, as herein previously described, for bars of soap and other selected bath accessories. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1-7 ,  10 , and  11 , device  20  presents the appearance of an animal when scoop  22  is attached to base  21 . In this specific example, the animal presented is a frog, in which appendages  40  and  41  present the appearance of the arms and hands of the frog, appendages  42  and  43  present the appearance of the legs and feet of the frog, head  101  presents the appearance of the head of the frog, and scoop  22  presents the appearance of the back and main body of the frog. In this specific embodiment, the pegs of the hands and feet of appendages  40 - 43  constitute the fingers and toes of the frog, which, as previously discussed, are used to hang wash cloths and bath poufs and the like for drying and storage. The appearance of device  20  as a frog is, in accordance with the principle of the invention, highly desirable because it promotes interest in device  20  by young children and encourages use of device  20  by young children at the completion of bathing for collecting and storing their bath toys. 
     Although scoop  22  presents the appearance of the back and main body of the frog, it can be designed and arranged to represent one or more additional parts of the frog, or a different part of the frog. Also, although appendages  40 - 43  are carried by body  30  and considered part of base  21 , one or more or all of appendages  40 - 43  can be attached to scoop  22 , if desired. 
     In accordance with the principle of the invention, device  20  can be made to present the appearance of other animal forms when scoop  22  is attached to base  21 , including a selected mammal, bird, reptile, fish, insect, etc. Depending on the type of animal device  20  presents in appearance when scoop  22  is attached to base  21 , device can be fashioned with any required number of appendages, including any required number of corresponding pegs (i.e., fingers and/or toes) if applicable which, as disclosed herein, are to be used as hangers for wash cloths, bath poufs, and the like. Furthermore, device  20  can be made to present the appearance of other things or objects, such as a plant, a caricature of a human subject, such as a celebrity, a sports figure, a movie star, etc., a cartoon or animated character or the like, a balloon, a collection or arrangement of balloons, designed to promote interest in device  20  by children and for encouraging use of device  20 . Also, scoop  22  can form any part of the object or thing that device  20  represents when scoop  22  is attached to base  21 . 
     The present specification discloses a novel and useful bath accessory collection and storage device  20 . Device  20  is easy to constructed, easy and convenient to use, and can be mounted at any height for providing convenient access thereto. Base  21  functions as caddy for holding and supporting soap, shampoo, conditioner, wash cloths, bath poufs, and other selected bath accessories, and scoop  22  is useful for collecting bath accessories, such as bath toys and the like as herein described, and also storing scooped-up bath accessories by reattaching scoop  22  to base  21 . More particularly, appendages  40 - 43 , including each of the pegs associated therewith, each function as convenient hangers for wash cloths and bath poufs and towels the like, and scoop  22  provides a quick and easy way to pick up, rinse, and store bath toys and other selected bath accessories. 
     The present invention is described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiment without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention. Various further changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.