Abstract:
A storage container for a toilet plunger. Two asymmetrical opposing clamshell doors form the base and lid of the container and are hinged together at the top of the container. When not in use the plunger head is held within the container with the plunger handle sticking up through a aperture in the top of the container. When the plunger is needed, the base and lid of the container are opened and spread across the toilet seat. The base and lid now protect the user from splashes that may occur due to their plunging of their toilet. The container automatically closes around the plunger head upon raising the plunger from the toilet, thus containing any water on the plunger within the container. Any water so trapped can evaporate through an evaporation slot in the container wall. Two sizes of container are taught, to accommodate every type of plunger made.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to containers; and more specifically, to a toilet plunger container, asymmetrically clam-shaped and integrated with a plunger which is used to open clogged toilets, the container providing non-drip storage for the plunger when not in use. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Homeowners and business people commonly must use a toilet plunger to unclog their toilets. The process of plunging to unclog the toilet can cause contaminated toilet water to splash out of the toilet, in addition, contaminated toilet water can drip off the plunger onto the toilet bowel or toilet seat, and the floor as the user movers the plunger from the toilet to a toilet plunger storage device if the user has one. 
     Thereafter, inventors have created several devices to store the plunger in, and/or to control the spread of contaminated toilet water in the bathroom. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D425,744 issued on Jan. 26 1998 to John H. McGuire is a large storage device for a toilet plunger and toilet brush. This device takes up a large space in the bathroom. This device does not provide any splash protection to the user when the user is plunging their toilet. The user also risks dripping contaminated toilet water on the toilet bowl rim or toilet seat and on the floor when they move the plunger from the toilet to the storage devise. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,374 issued on Aug. 9, 1994 to Marilyn M. Wilk discloses a variety of rectangular, cylindrical, cone, or bell shaped cases that a toilet plunger rotates out of when the user wants to plunge their toilet. This device does not provide any splash protection to the user when the user is plunging their toilet. The user also risks dripping contaminated toilet water on the toilet bowl rim or toilet seat and on the floor or themselves when they rotate the plunger back into the case. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D292,631 issued on Nov. 3, 1987 to George Tash is a cup shaped holder that the user set the plunger in after use. While this devise will capture the contaminated toilet water dripping from the plunger once the plunger reaches the holder, the user would risk dripping contaminated toilet water on the toilet bowl rim or toilet seat and on the floor when they move the plunger from the toilet to the holder. This devise does not provide any splash protection to the user when the user is plunging their toilet. This device does not hide the plunger from view. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D383,935 issued on Sep. 23, 1997 to Frank W. Zawalsky discloses a plunger holder that has a cup shaped base in which the plunger head sits, and a sleeve that slips over the handle and top part of the plunger head. When the sleeve is lifted off the plunger germs that may have been transferred to the inside of the sleeve from the plunger head and bottom portion of the plunger handle could be spread to the upper portions of the plunger handle and ultimately contaminate the hands of the user. This device does not provide any splash protection to the user when the user is plunging their toilet. The user also risks dripping contaminated toilet water on the toilet bowl rim or toilet seat and on the floor when they move the plunger from the toilet to the storage device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,527 issued on Mar. 31, 1992 to Lars D. Roose discloses a splash deflector disk that slips onto the handle of a toilet plunger. This disk provides splash protection to the user, but once the task is done, the user has to deal with the disk, which would be contaminated on the bottom side, and remains on the plunger handle. The user would have to get the contaminated disk off the plunger and store both somewhere, or leave the disk on the plunger and store them as a unit somewhere. Both the plunger and disk would drip on the toilet and floor. This invention adds to the user&#39;s storage problem. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,456 issued on Mar. 14, 2000 to John E. Taylor is a splashguard and storage apparatus. A disk with a hollow handle in its center that the plunger handle has been inserted through functions as the splash guard and as the top for the storage container that is shaped like a can. To get the plunger head out of the storage container, the user must rotate the plunger handle and in doing so rotate the disk. This unlocks the disk from the storage container. The plunger with disk attached to its handle can be moved toward the clogged toilet. Once at the toilet the user must move the disk up the plunger handle so that the disk does not get into the contaminated water of the toilet. Once the clog has been cleared, the user must move the disk back down the plunger handle before returning the plunger and attached disk to the storage container. The user risk dripping contaminated toilet water on the toilet bowl rim or toilet seat and on the floor when they move the plunger and attached disk from the toilet to the storage device. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     None of the above inventions and patents describes a device that, as a single unit, solves the three problems relating to storage of the plunger, drip prevention, and splash protection for the user. 
     The instant invention is a clamshell container that is hinged on top with an aperture for accepting a plunger handle. When not in use, a plunger head is held within the container with the plunger handle sticking up through the aperture. When the plunger is needed, the side of the container opens, allowing the user to spread the jaws of the container across the top of the toilet bowel. This allows the plunger head to be lowered into the toilet bowel for plunging. Once the plunging operation is complete, the plunger is lifted from the bowel. Once the plunger has risen sufficiently, the clamshell jaws close under the plunger head, catching any drips that might fall from the plunger. The container has a vent to allow liquid in the container to evaporate. 
     There are three embodiments of the invention. The first embodiment is a simple container for the plunger. The second embodiment has a wedge-shaped lid handle on the lid that allows the user to grasp the lid. The third embodiment is larger to accommodate a larger plunger head. 
     In operation, the user holds the plunger handle and positions the container so that the lid side of the container rests against the side of the toilet seat. Secondly, the user tilts the plunger handle toward the center of the toilet, and raises the plunger handle slowly until the lid opens. The user then stops raising the handle. The lower part of the container remains resting against the toilet seat. The user now swings the plunger head to the opposite side of the toilet. This action takes the lid across to the opposite side of the toilet seat. When a lid handle is present, the used can use the lid handle to move the lid across to the other side. The container is now open across the toilet seat. Any water that has dripped inside the container body by previous use has since evaporated or collected inside, and is prevented from dripping out and wetting the toilet seat by a containment dam. 
     Once the container is open over the toilet, the plunger head is automatically centered in the toilet bowel, and can be lowered for plunging to remove the clogging material. After use, the plunger is raised, and the clamshell container automatically close and prevents any water from dripping from the container as it is moved away. The container provides storage for the wet plunger, but allows the plunger to dry. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a toilet plunger case. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a toilet plunger case capable of eliminating dripping after use. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a toilet plunger case capable of providing splash protection to the user. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specifications. 
     As a storage container, it is small and does not take up much space in the bathroom. 
     As a storage container, it totally conceals the plunger head. 
     As a storage container, it and the plunger can easily by move from one area to another. The user can, with one hand, grip the plunger handle and carry the plunger and container away as a single unit. 
     To prevent drips, the container opens and closes around the plunger head when the plunger head is directly over the toilet bowel. No contaminated water will drip on the toilet seat or bathroom floor. 
     No contaminated water will drip out of the container when the container is setting on the floor or when it is being moved to and from the toilet. 
     As a splashguard, the container covers most but not the entire toilet bowel opening. The user can see into the toilet bowel to observe the effectiveness of his or her plunging. 
     When the user is plunging his or her toilet the container is open over the toilet and the inter surfaces of the container face down into the toilet. Contaminated toilet water is likely to splash up on these surfaces and contaminate them. When the container is lifted off the toilet, these surfaces rotate to the inside of the container. These contaminated surfaces because they end up inside the container are not likely to contaminate the user. Drips off these surfaces will be contained inside the container. 
     My container is cheap to manufacture. It is made of two parts that are hinged together. 
     My container is easy to use. 
     Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing descriptions. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of the first embodiment container with a plunger encased, resting on the side of a toilet seat in a first stage of use according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an environmental; perspective view of the first embodiment container with the plunger positioned over the toilet bowl with the container parts resting on the sides of the toilet seat in a second stage of use according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a sectioned front elevational view of the toilet bowl and a side elevational view of the first embodiment container with the plunger ready for use in a third stage of use according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is an environmental, perspective view of the container in the process of removing the plunger vertically enabling the container halves to enclose the plunger automatically in the fourth and final stage of use according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the container having a wedge-type handle on the upper portion of the lid, with the plunger handle in shadow. 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the second embodiment of the container. 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment container with the plunger partially shown in shadow. 
     FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the second embodiment of the container. 
     FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the second embodiment of the container. 
     FIG. 10 is a left side elevational view of the third embodiment of the invention, having a larger plunger container suitable for larger plungers. 
     FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the third embodiment device. 
     FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a partially sectioned toilet bowl and seat, and a right side elevational view of the third embodiment device positioned on the toilet bowl and seat with an oversized plunger head. 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective detail view of the first embodiment looking up at the inside of the lid. 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective detail view of the first embodiment looking down at the inside of the body. 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective detail view of the third embodiment looking up at the inside of the lid. 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective detail view of the third embodiment looking down at the inside of the body. 
     FIG. 17 is an environmental perspective detail view of the container in the open position with the toilet plunger handle passing through the aperture. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, the first embodiment of a plunger container  34  is shown. This embodiment is designed for smaller sized plunger head  22 , similar to that shown in FIG.  3 . FIG. 1 shows the container  34  enclosing a plunger head  22 . The plunger head is partially hidden and encased in its plastic container  34 . In this view, the plunger handle  23  extends upward from the container  34 . One side of the container  34  is shown resting on the side of a toilet seat  24  in a first stage of use. 
     As the plunger handle  23  is raised and moved over the center of the toilet bowl  25 , the obliquely divided container  34  automatically separates because the lower front side wall  78  of the body  36  abuts the toilet seat and does not move, causing the lid  38  of the container  34  to move outward as shown. 
     FIG. 2 is a view of the plunger  21  positioned over the toilet bowl  25  with the lid  38  being pushed across the toilet seat  24  by the plunger head  22 , while the container body  36 , rests on the toilet seat  24 . This is the second stage of use. 
     FIG. 3 shows the plunger  21  fully in position over the toilet bowl  25  to begin plunging a blockage. Note that in this view, the lid  38  and the body  36  are shown resting on the toilet seat  24 . This is the third stage of use. 
     As shown, the bottommost projection  76  of the lid  38  acts as the toilet seat positioning guide. Note that the top surfaces  39  of the lid  38  and top surfaces  37  of the body  36  abut to lock the opened container  34  in place on the toilet seat  24  and toilet bowl  25 . 
     FIG. 4 shows the container  34  being removed from the toilet. In this view, the lid  38  and body  36 , automatically enclose the plunger head  22  as the plunger  21  is lifted up from the toilet. This shows the fourth and final stage of use. Because the container fully encloses the plunger head, there are no drips, no mess, no worry of dripping, and no waiting for drips to stop. The plunger can be immediately returned to its storage location. 
     The two-piece container  34  is large enough to contain the heads of most standard size toilet plungers. The general shape of the container  34  can be a four-sided box, a cylindrical container, or any shape as long as the container does not interfere with the functions of the plunger. The two-piece container  34  is made of rigid plastic or any other suitable material. 
     In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to  9 , the container  34  has a cross-sectional shape of an octagon with four larger sides, i.e., a front side wall  44 , back side wall  46 , a right side wall  48 , and left side wall  50 , and four smaller sides  52 , which form the remaining parts of the octagon shape of the container  34 . Approximately the upper third of these sides angle in toward the flat top forming an eight-sided dome. The container  34  has a recessed bottom  42 . 
     FIGS. 5 to  9  are drawn to a second embodiment. This embodiment has a lid-opening handle  202 , formed on the lid portion  38 . In this embodiment, the container  34  is opened with using the handle  202 . In the preferred embodiment, the handle  202  has a plurality of projecting knobs  204  that represent textured surfaces for increasing gripping friction. 
     As in the first embodiment, the top portions  39  of the lid  38  and  37  of the body  36  abut to prevent the container from opening further. This locking position maintains the container  34  from dropping any lower than the level of the toilet seat  24  and ensures the container is not contaminated by the water contained in the toilet bowl  25 . Moreover, the lock also establishes the degree of opening of the container  34  over the toilet seat  24  that helps to establish the proper alignment of the plunger head  22  relative to the toilet bowl  25 . 
     An aperture or an arcuate plunger surface cavity  54  for the plunger handle  23  in the container flat top portion  39  of the lid  38  is centered and recessed. Three sides of the aperture, i.e., left edge  56  and right edge  58 , which are the plunger head contact rails, and the semicircular edge  60 , which connects the two edges or rails  56  and  58  are recessed in the lid  38 . (see FIG.  7 ). The fourth edge  62  of the aperture  54  is not recessed and is on the top portion  37  of the body  36  and spans the distance between the two hinges  64  as shown. This arrangement ensures that the size of the plunger handle aperture  54  remains constant, and is never too large when the container  34  is closed, opened or in use. An oversized aperture adversely affects the alignment of the toilet plunger  21  when the container  34  is closing. The plunger&#39;s rod handle  23  must be kept in the center of the container  34  when it is being closed. If this centered position is not maintained, the lid  38  and the container body  36  will not rotate correctly to a closed position. This arrangement also ensures that the aperture  54  is never too small when the two-piece container  34  is either at rest, in use, opening or closing. If the aperture  54  is too small, the plunger rod handle  23  can bind with the lid  38  and container body  36 . 
     As shown in the figures, and particularly FIG. 6, there are two hinges  64  located on top of the container  34  on either side of the aperture  54 . The hinges  64  are positioned off center toward the side of the body of the container a distance equal to one-half the width of the aperture  54 , therefore the axis of the hinges  64  is the same as the edge that is the fourth edge  62  of the aperture  54 . The location of the axis of the hinges  64  is critical to the proper operation of the container  34 . 
     There are two guide surfaces  66  and  68  that are located on the top of the body  36  and lid  38  of the container  34  respectively. On the lid  38 , the guide surface  68  angles down from the back edge of the lid  38  near the handle  202  to the three edges  56 ,  60  and  58  of the aperture  54  (FIGS.  5  and  7 ). On the container body  36 , the guide surface  66  angles down from the unrecessed fourth edge  62  of the aperture  54  to approximately one third of the way down side wall  46 . Note that both guide surfaces  66  and  68  have curved outer edges  66   a  and  68   a  as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     When the plunger  21  is being utilized, the guide surfaces  66  and  68  come together to form an inverted cone open at the aperture  54  (FIG.  17 ). This conical structure helps to control the angle of the plunger  21  when the plunger is being used to unclog the toilet bowl  25 . 
     As the plunger  21  is raised vertically, the top of the plunger head  22  comes into contact with tips  56   a  and  58   a  located at the front of the left and right edges  56  and  58 , respectively, of the aperture  54  as shown on FIG.  13 . As the plunger  21  continues up vertically, the lid  38  and body  36  of the container  34  close around the plunger&#39;s head  22  due to the weight and center of gravity of the lid  38  and body  36 . For this reason, the left and right edges  56  and  58 , respectively, of the aperture  54 , are called contact rails and the tips  56   a  and  58   a  of the rails are called contact tips. 
     When closed, the left and right rails  56  and  58 , respectively, of the aperture  48  rest on the top of the toilet plunger head  22 . In this position, the user holds the plunger handle  23 ; the lid  38  and container body  36  are suspended from the top of the plunger head  22 . 
     Once the plunger&#39;s head  22  is inside the container  34 , the container  34  can be placed on the floor without any dripping because the plunger head  22  comes to rest on the evaporation ridge  70  (FIG. 14) that is part of the watertight bottom  42  of the container  34 . 
     The diagonal side edges  74  of the lid  38  first angle down from the hinges  64  to a point slightly above the evaporation slot  72  (FIGS.  5  and  7 ), which is an opening between the bottom edge  76  of the lid  38  and the container body  36 . 
     The angle of the diagonal side edges  74  is also such that when the container  34  is fully open, the edges  74  of the lid  38 , and the corresponding diagonal side edges  80  of the sides  48  and  50  of the body  36  create a substantially straight line across the toilet seat  24  as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     When the plunger  21  and container  34  are lifted off the toilet, the container body  36  pivots off the toilet seat  24  at the knee  75 , which is slightly above the evaporation slot  72 . This ensures that the top edge  84  of the lower front side wall  78  of the body  36  does not snag the toilet seat  24  when the plunger  21  and container  34  are lifted. 
     The indented closing guides  82  (shown in dashed lines decreasing in depth from the top in FIG. 7) formed on opposite sides of the lid  38  ensure that the side edges of the lid  38  and the body  36  come together properly. 
     The bottom edge  76  of the lid  38  extends over the edge of the toilet seat  24  slightly when the container  34  is on the toilet seat  24  as illustrated in FIG.  3 . This overhang  76  helps to keep the container  34  positioned correctly on the toilet seat  24  when the plunger  21  is being used. 
     As discussed above, the evaporation slot  72  is a rectangular horizontal opening between the bottom edge  76  of the front side wall  44  of the lid  38  and the top edge  84  of the lower front side wall  78  of the body  36 . It allows water entrained in the container  34  to evaporate. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7,  9 , and  14 , a moisture containment dam  86  is formed on the inside of the lower front side wall  78  of the body  36 , just below the evaporation slot  72 . The moisture containment dam  86  extends along the entire width of the body  36 , to meet the left and right secondary side walls  52  as shown. The dam  86  extends back into the container  34  as shown in FIGS. 7 and 14, giving the dam  86  a thickness substantially greater than that of a side wall of the container. The dam  86  ensures that any water collected in the bottom  42  of the container  34  is contained when the container is placed on the floor or tilted horizontally in use over the toilet bowl  25 . 
     The evaporation ridge  70  shown in FIG. 14 is formed in the center of the bottom  42  of the container  34  and extends from the right side wall  48  to the opposite side wall  50 . The evaporation ridge  70  prevents a watertight seal from forming between the plunger head  22  and the bottom  42  of the container  34 . The evaporation ridge  70  allows air to circulate under the plunger head  22  to aid in the speedy evaporation of any fluid. When the evaporation ridge  70  is formed, it creates an indentation  41  in the underside of the bottom  42  of the container  34  as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. This indentation provides an additional benefit in that it conforms to the shape of hinges  62  that stick up above the top of the container  34 , which accommodates stacking the empty containers  34  on store shelves or in storage. 
     The watertight bottom  42  is recessed in the center to maintain most of the container bottom  42  off the floor when the container is placed on the floor. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 10,  11 ,  12 ,  15 , and  16 , the third embodiment of a plunger container  334  is shown. This embodiment is a larger version suitable for use with one of the larger accordion style rubber toilet plunger heads, shown in FIG.  12 . These heads  27  are threaded on the threads  29  of the handle rod  28  such as the MASTER PLUNGER manufactured by G.T. Water Products, Inc. of Moorpark, Calif. 
     The container  334  can be shaped as a box, cylinder and the like, having parts which do not interfere with the basic functions of the plunger  26 . The preferred cross-sectional shape of the container  334  is that of a polygon having a substantially conical polygonal top portion and a generally octagonal base portion. The octagonal base has four primary sides, i.e., lower front side wall  378 , back side wall  346 , right side wall  348 , and left side wall  350  and four secondary sides  352 , which, in the preferred embodiment, are tapered from the top to the bottom as shown. The top portion of the container  334  consists of planar surfaces that slope up from the side toward the centered plunger handle aperture  354 . 
     Two hinges  364  are located on top on either side of the aperture  354 . The container  334  preferably made of rigid plastic. 
     The plunger handle  28  and the accordion style plunger head  27  can be unscrewed by unthreading from each other in order to place the large plunger head  27  inside the container  334 . 
     As shown, the aperture  354  is an opening formed between the lid  338  and the body  336 . As in the case of the first embodiment, this ensures that the aperture maintain its proper size during all stages in the use of the device. It should be noted that too large an aperture  354  during use would adversely affect the alignment of the plunger head  27  when the container  334  is closing. This structural arrangement ensures that the aperture  354  maintains its proper diameter whether opening, closing, or in use. If the size of the aperture  354  is not controlled; the container body  336  and the lid  338  will not rotate to the closed position properly; and if the aperture  354  is too small in diameter, it can cause the plunger handle  28  to bind in the aperture  354 . 
     A pair of curved plunger handle guide edges  302   a  and  302   b,  form the edge of the aperture  354  ensures that the threads  29  of the plunger handle  28  do not snag in the aperture  354 . Curved plunger handle guide edge  302   a  forms the edge of the half of aperture  354  that is part of the body  336 . Curved plunger handle guide edge  302   b  forms the edge of the half of aperture  354  that is part of the lid  338 . 
     Note that the plunger head contact rails  356  and  358  and semicircular edge  360  are located on the bottom edge of the inner surface that extends down into the area of the container  334  from the curved plunger handle guide edge  302   b  of the lid  338  side of the aperture  354  and is beveled. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 15 the beveled plunger head contact rails  356  and  358  are located on the left and right sides of the bottom of the inter cylindrical surface  308  of the aperture  354 . The semicircular beveled edge  360  of the contact rail curves around the back (lid side) of the bottom of the inter cylindrical surface  308  of the plunger handle aperture  354 . The left and right sides of the beveled plunger head contact rails  356  and  358  extend out toward the body side of container and angle up to the beveled contact tips  356   a  and  358   a.  A pair of linear support braces  304  positioned on opposite sides in the lid  338  supports the inter cylindrical surface  308 . 
     The beveled contact tips  356   a  and  358   a  are on the open side of the beveled contact rails  356  and  358  where it faces towards the body  336  side of the container  334 . The plunger head contact rails  356  and  358  and the contact tips  356   a  and  358   a  are beveled to accommodate the shape of the accordion style plunger head  27 . The beveled plunger head contact tips  356   a  and  358   a  first contact the top of the plunger head  27  when the user lifts the plunger  26  out of the toilet bowl  25 . As the plunger  26  is raised vertically, the lid  338  and body  336  close around the plunger head  27  due to their weight and their centers of gravity. When closed, the beveled plunger head contact rails  356  and  358  rests on the top of the toilet plunger head  27 . In this position, the user holds the plunger handle  28 ; the lid  338  and container body  336  are suspended from the top of the plunger head  27 . 
     Once the plunger head  27  is covered by the container  334 , the container  334  can be placed adjacent the toilet or stored elsewhere. As the container  334  is placed on the floor, the bottom of the plunger head  27  comes to rest on an evaporation ridge  370 , which is formed in the recessed bottom  340  of the container  334 . From the hinges  364 , the edges  374  of the lid  338  angle down the edges of the container  334 . About two-thirds of the way down the sides, the lid&#39;s edges  374  angle across the two secondary sides  352  to the bottom edge  376  of the front side wall  344  of the lid  338 . The two dashed lines  382  in FIG. 10 designate the lid closing guides on each side of the container body  336 , which are indented to aid the proper closing of the container  334 . The irregular edges of the lid  338  meet the top corners of the evaporation slot  372 . 
     The lid closing guides  382  ensure that the edges of the lid  338  and the body  336  come together to close properly. 
     The evaporation slot  372  is an opening between the bottom edge  376  of the front side  344  of the lid  338  and the top edge  384  of the front side wall  378  of the container body  336 . This evaporation slot  372  allows water collected in the container  334  to evaporate. 
     The moisture containment dam  386  as shown in FIG. 16 is formed on the inside of the lower front side wall  378  of the container body  336  just below the evaporation slot  372 . The dam  386  is extends across the front side wall  378  to the secondary sides  352  adjacent to the front side wall  378 . The dam  386  extends from these three sides toward the center of the container body  336 . As shown, the dam  386  has substantial thickness compared to the thickness of the side walls. 
     The moisture containment dam  386  ensures that moisture collected in the bottom is contained whether the container  334  is seated on the floor or tilted horizontally when in use over the toilet bowl  25 . 
     An evaporation ridge  370  as shown in FIG. 16 is formed in the center of the container&#39;s recessed bottom  342  and extends from one side of the container  334  to the opposite side. The evaporation ridge  370  prevents a watertight seal from forming between the toilet plunger head  27  and the bottom  342  of the container  334 . The evaporation ridge  370  allows air to circulate under the plunger head  27  ensuring speedy evaporation of any collected fluid. The watertight bottom  342  is also recessed up in the body  336  and, therefore, does not touch the floor when the container  334  is placed on the floor. 
     The present disclosure should not be construed in any limited sense other than that limited by the scope of the claims having regard to the teachings herein and the prior art being apparent with the preferred form of the invention disclosed herein and which reveals details of structure of a preferred form necessary for a better understanding of the invention and may be subject to change by skilled persons within the scope of the invention without departing from the concept thereof.