Toilet wand and caddy

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a toilet wand and caddy, more specifically, to a toilet wand and caddy fitting together such that the features and improvements of the present invention, as described herein, are achieved while providing storage for cleaning supplies.

2. Description of the Related Art

Toilet wands and caddies for holding toilet wands are well-known in the art. Conventional toilet wands, such as toilet brushes, may be stored in a variety of arrangements. For example, a conventional toilet brush may simply be stored in a docking structure adapted to hold the brush portion of the toilet wand, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,056. This type of toilet brush caddy has several disadvantages, such as a) enclosing at least a portion of the brushes, thereby preventing rapid drying of the toilet brush; b) allowing direct contact between the toilet brush bristles and the caddy, thereby advancing the possibility of creating an unsanitary environment; and c) storing the used brush within reach of children and pets, thereby potentially exposing them to a possibly unsanitary environment.

Another type of prior art toilet wand and caddy has been designed to address several of the shortcomings described above. This type of toilet wand and caddy allows for storage of the toilet wand in a configuration wherein the wand hangs within the caddy from its handle. Such a configuration may allow for rapid drying of the toilet wand\'s cleaning head (the brush, or, more precisely, the brush\'s bristles). Moreover, this configuration may prevent direct contact between the toilet wand\'s brushes and the caddy, thereby increasing the sanitary nature of the wand/caddy system.

To address the problem of access to the toilet brush by children and pets, for example, conventional toilet wand and caddy systems using the wand-hanging configuration described above may provide for a caddy door or cover which encases the toilet wand hanging within the toilet caddy. This modified wand-hanging configuration may provide a relatively sanitary toilet brush which may be stored in a caddy, out of sight from exploring children or pets.

The toilet wand and caddy has taken on many modifications over time, including improvements to the wand\'s brush shape, brush material and the like. For example, toilet wands have been recently manufactured with replacement cleaning heads as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,127,768 to Blum et al., PCT App. WO2004100744 to Beaulieu et al., U.S. Pat. App. 20070245508 to Gartland, and U.S. Pat. App. 20060225237 to Gartland, each of which is herein incorporated by reference. Several of these conventional toilet wands have curved handles, thereby making it easier to reach into the recesses of the toilet bowl. However, the toilet caddies for holding these wands have been bulky, do not limit access to brushes by children and pets, lack storage for replacement cleaning heads, or do not minimize the spread of germs.

Accordingly, what is needed is a simple, easy-to-use toilet wand and caddy that provides storage for replacement cleaning heads, minimal storage space, limited access by children and pets, an aesthetically pleasing design as well as minimal spread of germs.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, in one embodiment, a caddy for storing a cleaning tool comprises an angled top portion; and a separate tool holder, wherein the tool holder has a height not more than 25% of the length of the cleaning tool; and at least a portion of the cleaning tool curves over the angled top portion when stored in the caddy.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a toilet wand caddy for holding a toilet wand comprises an angled top portion; a cover removably attached to the angled top portion, the cover enclosing an interior of the toilet wand caddy; and a tool holder, wherein at least a portion of the toilet wand curves over the angled top portion when stored in the caddy.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a toilet wand and caddy system comprises a toilet wand having a curved handle curving from an end portion to a gripping portion, wherein a removable cleaning head is attachable to the end portion; a tubular caddy having a separate tool holder for holding the toilet wand, wherein the tool holder has an opening therein to receive the end portion of the toilet wand; and the gripping portion of the toilet wand curves over a top portion of the caddy.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and others will be readily appreciated by the skilled artisan from the following description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a toilet wand and caddy in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a toilet wand and caddy in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the toilet caddy of FIG. 2 with its cover and tool holder removed;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a cover fitting on the toilet caddy of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

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