Patent Publication Number: US-2005133538-A1

Title: Spray bottle with accessory holder

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/435,553, filed Dec. 20, 2002, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates generally to spray bottles and, in particular, to a spray bottle incorporating an accessory holder.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      It is common for individuals using spray bottles to clean windows, and the like, to also require rags, sponges, and other accessories. Since existing spray bottles are generally cylindrical and symmetrical, such items must be held in the user&#39;s other hand, or kept somewhere else until use.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention makes access to accessories used with spray bottles more convenient by providing a spray bottle which itself forms an accessory holder. In broad and general terms, a spray bottle according to the invention is generally U-shaped, with two upright portions so as to create a gap convenient to holding an accessory.  
      The gap dimension may be on the order of 0.25 to 1.5 inches, though a preferred gap on the order of an inch or so used. Larger gaps are also possible for thicker sponges, for example.  
      Although one of the upright portions may include a hollow interior in fluid communication with the other upright portion, it may be may be composed of solid material, so long as a gap sufficient to hold a sponge, towel, or other accessory is created. Thus, particularly is a solid upright portion is used, the overall appearance may depart from a clearly apparent “U” shape. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; and  
       FIG. 2  shows different views of the preferred embodiment with preferred dimensions. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Turning now to the drawings, a spray bottle according to the invention is generally U-shaped, with two upright portions  12  and  14  so as to create a gap  16  convenient to holding an accessory. The gap is preferably on the order of an inch or less though larger gaps may be used.  
      At least one of the upright portions ( 14 ) is coupled to a spray head (not shown), preferably through a threaded connector  18 . In the preferred embodiment, finger grips  20  are provided on one side of portion  14 . These are not essential to the invention, however, and may be eliminated, placed on side  22 , or both sides  20 ,  22 . Also, as shown, the portion  12  is lower in height than portion  14 , and the portion  14  includes a kink enabling the connector  18  to be more closely aligned to the center axis  30 . Again, such features are more ornamental than structural or functional, since as long as a gap  16  is created sufficient to hold accessories in an integrated fashion, the scope and spirit of the invention is maintained. Indeed, although portion  12  is shown to have a hollow interior include communication with portion  14 , in point of fact, portion  12  may be composed of solid material, so long as a gap sufficient to hold a sponge, towel, or other accessory is created.