GB2337979A

GB2337979A - Container with suction cup support

Info

Publication number: GB2337979A
Application number: GB9811983A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Deven Oberoi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-06-05
Filing date: 1998-06-05
Publication date: 1999-12-08
Also published as: GB9811983D0

Abstract

In a first embodiment a suction cup 13 is integrally formed with a container 10, the suction cup being adapted to support the container from a vertical surface. A flexible extension 12 may be provided between the suction cup and the container to allow angular adjustment of the container relative to the suction cup. The extension preferably extends from the opposite end of the container to the opening 11. The suction cup may also have a tab 20 for removal. In a second embodiment a container 14 is supported by a support device 16 comprising a pair of suction cups 17, 18 interconnected back-to-back by a connector 19 which permits relative movement of the cups.

Description

1.

SUPPORT DEVICE" 2337979 This invention relates to a support device particularly although not exclusively suitable for supporting relative to a vertical surface such as a wall a container for a toilette preparation such as soap, shower gel or shampoo.

Particularly when taking a shower one may have difficulty in locating and taking hold of a bottle of shower gel or shampoo. In a steamy atmosphere, with water and perhaps with in one' s eyes, it is awkward and can be dangerous to grope around on a wet, tiled floor. Vendors of some shower gels have appreciated the desirability of locating the bottle within easy reach by providing it with a moulded hook intended to hang the bottle upsidedown from a shower curtain rail. This is not a perfect solution however. The bottle does not hang at hand height and one may fumble with the curtain in an effort to locate it.

The present invention takes advantage of the fact that the vertical surfaces of most locations where soaps, gels, shampoos and the like are used, such as shower stalls, are tiled and a wet tile is an ideal surf ace on which to stick a suction cup. By providing a container for shower gel or the like with a suction cLip the user has the facility to locate the container within easy reach in an unobstructed position. Moreover if the connection between the container and its suction cup permits this the container may be angularly moved - for example from an upright to an inverted position - while still supported on a wall.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a deformable container of plastics material for a toilette preparation, the container being formed integrally and from the same material with a suction cup adapted to support the container from a vertical surface.

A flexible extension may connect the suction CUP to the container bodyt the extension permitting angular adjustment Of the container relative to the suction cup.

Preferably the container has a discharge end and the flexible extension extends from the other end of the container.

In accordance with another aspect the present invention provides a support device for supporting a container or the like from a vertical surface such as a wall whereby the container will be angularly adjustable while so supported, the device comprising a pair of suction cups which are interconnected back-to-back by junction means permitting relative movement of the suction cups.

The junction means may be a pivotal connection permitting relative rotation of the suction cups and may be a universal joint permitting relative angular movement as well as relative rotation of the suction cups.

1 Alternatively, or in addition, the junction means may comprise a flexible rod.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic Drawings, in which:

Figure 1A is a side elevation of a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1B is a detail view taken in the direction of arrow B of Figure 1, and Figure 2 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of the invention.

Indicated at 10 in Figure 1A is a deformable container of plastics material for a toilette preparation such as liquid soap, shower gel, shampoo, hair conditioner, shaving soap or toothpaste. At one end 11 is a flip-up cap or lid which, when opened, allows the contents of the container to be discharged. Preferably the size of the opening of the container is such that these contents will not simply flow out when the cap is opened or removed but may be discharged controllably by squeezing the container. One may thus dispense measured doses into the hand while the opened container is suspended upsidedown.

In accordance with the present invention the end of the container 10 remote f rom the cap or lid 11 is f ormed integrally with a f lexible extension 12 and this is at its distal end integral with a suction cup 13. As used herein and in the appended claims "suction cup" means a dished element of resilient material which when pressed, preferably wet, onto a smooth flat surface will adhere thereto by the suction created as the flattened cup 3.

tries to resume its dished shape. If the plastics material for the entire assembly is suitably chosen the container 10 will have the desired deformability while the cup 13 will have sufficient resilience to support the container 10 relative to, for example, a tiled wall.

In use of the container of Figures 1A and 1B a person taking a shower may stick the container to the wall of the shower stall in a convenient location and may then manipulate it while so supported, for example bending the extension 12 into an arc so that the container 10 hangs upside-down. With lid or cap 11 opened or removed the container body 10 may be squeezed to discharge measured quantities of its contents for example into the hand.

Figure 2 illustrates a conventional bottle or like container 14 of deformable plastics material which is supported relative to a tiled wall 15 by a support device 16 which rises two suction cups 17 and 18 arranged back to back and interconnected by junction means 19 in the form of a knuckle joint. Alternatively the junction means 19 may be a pivotal or universal coupling of any known kind permitting relative rotation of the cups 17 and 18 or may be or may cocprise simply a flexible interconnection between the cups.

Using device 16 a container 14 for shower gel or the like may be located at a desired position on a tiled wall such as the stall of a shower and while so supported may be inverted to allow its contents to be discharged.

Preferably and as shown each of the suction cups 13, 17 and 18 may be formed with a peripheral tab 20 to facilitate its release from a wall tile.

4.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A deformable container of plastics material for a toilette preparation, the container being formed integrally and from the same material with a suction cup adapted to support the container from a vertical surface.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flexible extension connects the suction cup to the container body, the extension permitting angular adjustment of the container relative to the suction cup.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the container has a discharge end and the flexible extension extends from the other end of the container.

4. A deformable container of plastics material for a toilette preparation substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1A and 1B of the accompanying Drawings.

5. A support device for supporting a container or the like f rom a vertical surf ace such as a wall whereby the container will be angularly adjustable while so supported, the device comprising a pair of suction cups which are interconnected back-to-back by junction means permitting relative movement of the suction cups.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the junction means is a pivotal connection permitting relative rotation of the suction cups.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the junction means is a universal joint permitting relative angular movement as well as relative rotation of the suction cups.

8. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the junction means comprises a flexible or deformable element.

9. A support device for supporting a container or the like from a vertical surface such as a wall substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying Drawings.