Toilet set

Abstract

A toilet set may include a handle; a brush disposed at an end of the handle; a holder; a liner configured to fit closely within the holder; and a puck comprising diatomaceous earth and disposed at a bottom of an interior of the liner. The holder and liner may be configured to removably receive the brush. The holder may include at least one of concrete, clay, a glass aggregate and resin mixture, gypsum cement, a resin and stone powder mixture, a mortar or Plaster of Paris. The liner may include at least one of silicone, rubber or another polymer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 63 / 791,272, titled “Toilet Set,” filed on Apr. 18, 2025. This application incorporates the entire contents of the foregoing application herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Various implementations relate generally to toilet brushes and holders.BACKGROUND

[0003] Toilet brushes and holders may be provided for use in cleaning toilets. Existing such sets may lack aesthetic appeal, and they may facilitate pooling of unsanitary toilet water.SUMMARY

[0004] In some implementations, a toilet set includes a handle that is characterized by a longitudinal axis; a brush at an end of the handle having a brush base and a brush body disposed on the brush base; a flange disposed on the handle, adjacent the brush and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; a holder; a liner configured to fit closely within the holder; and a puck made from diatomaceous earth, disposed at a bottom of an interior of the liner.

[0005] The flange may have at least one drain hole near the handle. The flange may have a thickness, a top surface and a bottom surface that is differently sized than the top surface, such that the flange has the shape of a frustum.

[0006] The puck may include one or more essential oils that have at least one of antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal or pest-repelling properties.

[0007] The holder and liner may be configured to removably receive the brush. The liner may include a rim and may have ribs extending outward from an exterior sidewall surface, such that a gap exists between adjacent ribs, the exterior sidewall surface and an interior wall of the holder when the liner is disposed in the holder. Multiple protrusions may be provided on at least one of the flange or the rim, such that when the brush is disposed in the holder, the flange is spaced apart from the rim by the multiple protrusions.

[0008] The liner may include at least one vent hole on a bottom surface and a removal tab extending from the rim. The liner may be made from silicone, and the holder may be made from a material that is denser than the liner. In some implementations, the holder is made from concrete, clay, a glass aggregate and resin mixture, gypsum cement, a resin and stone powder mixture, a mortar or Plaster of Paris. The liner may have an undulated bottom surface that provides a discontinuous support for the puck. The vent hole may be disposed through a peak in the undulated bottom surface.

[0009] In some implementations, a toilet set includes a handle; a brush disposed at an end of the handle; a holder; a liner configured to fit closely within the holder; and a puck comprising diatomaceous earth and disposed at a bottom of an interior of the liner. The holder and liner may be configured to removably receive the brush. The holder may include at least one of concrete, clay, a glass aggregate and resin mixture, gypsum cement, a resin and stone powder mixture, a mortar or Plaster of Paris. The liner may include at least one of silicone, rubber or another polymer.

[0010] The brush may include a brush base and a brush body. The brush base may include a material having a Shore D durometer of about 55 to about 100 or a Shore A durometer of about 70 to about 120. The brush body may include a material having a Shore A durometer of about 35 to about 70. In some implementations, the brush base is made from nylon or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, and the brush body is made from silicone. The brush body may be overmolded onto the brush base.

[0011] The set may further include a flange disposed on the handle, adjacent the brush. The flange may have at least one drain hole near the handle. The liner may include a rim on which the flange can be rested. Multiple protrusions may be provided on at least one of the flange or the rim, such that when the brush is disposed in the holder, the flange is spaced apart from the rim by the multiple protrusions.

[0012] A removal tab may be provided extending from the rim, and the holder may include a slot to accommodate the removal tab when the liner is disposed in the holder. The liner may include at least one hole on a bottom surface. The liner may include ribs extending outward from an exterior sidewall surface, such that a gap exists between adjacent ribs, the exterior sidewall surface and an interior wall of the holder when the liner is disposed in the holder.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing illustrating an exemplary toilet brush and holder.

[0014] FIG. 2A is an exploded drawing of the exemplary toilet brush and holder.

[0015] FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary grip.

[0016] FIG. 2C illustrates an alternative exemplary brush assembly.

[0017] FIG. 2D is an exploded drawing of the brush assembly of FIG. 2C.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of an exemplary holder, liner and puck.

[0019] FIG. 4 is another longitudinal cross-section of the exemplary holder of FIG. 3.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-section of the exemplary holder and liner of FIG. 3.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section showing exemplary protrusions that facilitate spacing between a flange and liner.

[0022] FIG. 7 is another longitudinal cross-section showing an exemplary air gap created by the protrusions shown in FIG. 6.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary brush.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a cross-section of the exemplary brush of FIG. 8.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing illustrating an exemplary toilet brush and holder (collectively, a “toilet set”) 101, and FIG. 2A is an exploded drawing illustrating the exemplary toilet set 101. As shown, the toilet set 101 includes a brush 104 on a handle 107. In some implementations, the brush 104 includes a brush base 105 (e.g., a relatively stiffer material, such as nylon, having a Shore A durometer of about 70 to about 120; or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), having a Shore D durometer of about 55 to about 100). (In general, “about,”“approximately” or “substantially” may mean within 1%, or 5%, or 10%, or 20%, or 50%, or 100% of a nominal value.) The brush base 105 may be overmolded with a brush body 106, which may be made of a relatively softer material (e.g., silicone, having a Shore A durometer of about 35 to about 70). FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate additional detail of the brush 104—in particular, how the brush 104 may be made of a brush base 105 overmolded with a brush body 106.

[0026] The handle 107 may be characterized by a longitudinal axis 108, and a flange 110 may be disposed on the brush 104 substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 108. In some implementations, a decorative topper 113 may be included with the handle 107. In some implementations, the handle 107 may be an aluminum, or other metal or polymer; and the topper 113 may be made of a different material, such as wood, simulated wood or a metal or polymer having a different color than the handle 107 (in some implementations, the color may be the same or similar).

[0027] The brush assembly 116 may include the handle 107, topper 113 (if present), the brush 104 and the flange 110. The brush end 117 of the brush assembly 116 may be configured to be disposed in a holder 120. In some implementations, the holder 120 is made of concrete, clay, a glass aggregate and resin mixture, gypsum cement, a resin and stone powder mixture, a mortar, Plaster of Paris, or other similar material. Whatever the precise material, the holder 120 may be configured to have enough mass to anchor the toilet set 101 and to prevent it from tipping over.

[0028] In some implementations, a liner 130 is disposed inside the holder 120. The liner 130 may be a waterproof or water-resistant material, such as silicone; and it may be configured to substantially contain any water that may drip off the brush assembly 116 after use and to substantially prevent any such water from being absorbed by the holder.

[0029] When present, the liner 130 may include ribs 131 to keep a majority of an exterior surface 133 of the liner 130 spaced apart from an interior surface 121 the holder 120. This may facilitate easier insertion of the liner 130 into the holder 120 or removal of the liner 130 from the holder 120 by breaking a vacuum force that may otherwise develop. FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the holder 120 and liner 130, illustrating the ribs 131 and their function in creating a gap 132 between an exterior surface 133 of the liner 130 and an interior surface 121 of the holder 120.

[0030] With reference to FIG. 2A, the liner 130 may further include a tab 138 to facilitate removal of the liner 130 from the holder 120. In some implementations, as shown, the holder 120 may include a corresponding slot 122 to receive the tab 138. Moreover, to further release or reduce any vacuum force that may otherwise develop when the liner 130 is removed from the holder 120, the liner 130 may include a vent hole 137 (see FIGS. 3-4).

[0031] A diatomaceous earth puck 140 may be disposed inside the liner 130 (if present) and under the brush assembly 116-when the brush assembly 116 is in the holder 120 (or liner 130). Such a puck 140 may rapidly absorb water that drips from the brush assembly 116 and allow that water to evaporate over time. In some implementations, essential oils may be disposed on or infused into the diatomaceous earth puck 140. For example, lavender, lemon, orange, citrus, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, cedarwood, etc. may be added to control odor and / or for natural antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal or pest-repelling properties.

[0032] In some implementations, the flange 110 may include a drainage hole 111 to allow any water that pools on the flange 110 itself or on the handle 107 to run into the interior 152 of the liner 130, through the drainage hole 111. Some implementations may include multiple drainage holes (e.g., on the flange 110, around the periphery of the handle 107).

[0033] In some implementations, as shown in FIG. 2B, a grip 114 may be provided in place of the decorative topper 113. As shown, the grip 114 may be contoured to facilitate easy and ergonomic gripping by a user's hand. In some implementations, the grip 114 may be made of a carved wood or simulated wood product. In other implementations, the grip 114 may be differently shaped or made of other materials. FIG. 2C illustrates an alternative brush assembly, and FIG. 2D illustrates an exploded view of the same.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2D, the handle 118 may be made of two components: an inner structural member 118a (e.g., an aluminum tube or other stiffer structural member) and a softer overmolding 118b (e.g., a soft silicone). Implementations with such a two-part construction may reduce annoying noises and vibrations to a user, who may knock the handle 118 against a toilet bowl during use to drain water from the brush body 106. In addition, the softer overmolding 118b may reduce the risk of chipping when the handle 118 is knocked against a toilet bowl.

[0035] Variations in flange design and drain design may also be made. For example, as further shown in FIG. 2D, a brush base (e.g., the relatively stiffer inner structural member) may include two separate portions—a brush paddle 124 (which, as shown, may be shorter than the brush base 105, resulting in greater flexibility in the brush body 106) and a flange 123 with multiple drain holes 126. The flange 123 may be covered with a softer layer 125 (e.g., a silicone overmolding) with corresponding drain holes 127.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the liner 130 may further include raised ridges 143, or undulations, that provide a discontinuous support surface for the puck 140, to allow for airflow underneath the puck 140 in addition to above it. The vent hole 137 mentioned above may be disposed at a peak 146 of a ridge 143, such that any water that is not absorbed by the puck 140 can pool within a valley 149 and without leaking out the vent hole 137. Water that does pool in a valley 149 may subsequently evaporate.

[0037] Further venting of the interior 152 of the liner 130 may be facilitated by spacing the flange 110 apart from the liner 130. For example, protrusions 135 (see FIG. 2A) may be provided on a bottom of the flange 110, on the top rim 136 of the liner 130, or on both. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the protrusions 135 may provide limited points of contact between the rim 136 and the flange 110, such that a gap 150 exists between the interior 152 of the liner 130 and the exterior 155—allowing air flow in and out of the interior 152, and further facilitating evaporation of water and exhaust (depicted by path 153) of moisture from the interior 152.

[0038] Several implementations have been described with reference to exemplary aspects, but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the contemplated scope. For example, some implementations may include a waterproof holder without a separate liner; some implementations may include a molded diatomaceous earth holder that may be configured to absorb water itself; liners may be made from silicone, rubber or other polymers or materials; in some implementations, liners may be disposable; a brush may be disposed on a handle at a different angle; brushes may include other components and protrusions; multiple drain holes may be employed; multiple vent holes may be employed; liners may include more than one tab; various materials may be substituted for the exemplary materials described—for example, polymers colored or painted to look like metal may replace actual metal components; various materials having inherent mass may be employed in place of concrete or other similar materials; the flange may take other forms—such as for example, the form of a frustrum or inverted frustrum, where a top surface is larger than a bottom surface; the handle may be overmolded with a soft or shock-absorbing material; in some implementations, protrusions on the rim of the liner may be omitted; in some implementations, the vent hole or the ribs may be omitted.

[0039] Many other variations are possible, and modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings provided herein without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the scope include all aspects falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A toilet set comprising:a handle that is characterized by a longitudinal axis;a brush at an end of the handle having a brush base and a brush body disposed on the brush base;a flange disposed on the handle, adjacent the brush and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; the flange further having at least one drain hole near the handle;a holder, and a liner configured to fit closely within the holder; the holder and liner configured to removably receive the brush; the liner comprising a rim and having ribs extending outward from an exterior sidewall surface, such that a gap exists between adjacent ribs, the exterior sidewall surface and an interior wall of the holder when the liner is disposed in the holder;multiple protrusions on at least one of the flange or the rim, such that when the brush is disposed in the holder, the flange is spaced apart from the rim by the multiple protrusions; anda puck comprising diatomaceous earth, disposed at a bottom of an interior of the liner;wherein the liner comprises silicone, at least one vent hole on a bottom surface. and a removal tab extending from the rim; andwherein the holder comprises a material that is denser than the liner.

2. The toilet set of claim 1, wherein the flange has a thickness, a top surface and a bottom surface that is differently sized than the top surface, such that the flange has the shape of a frustum.

3. (canceled)4. The toilet set of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises at least one of concrete, clay, a glass aggregate and resin mixture, gypsum cement, a resin and stone powder mixture, a mortar or Plaster of Paris.

5. The toilet set of claim 1, wherein the liner comprises an undulated bottom surface that provides a discontinuous support for the puck.

6. The toilet set of claim 5, wherein the vent hole is disposed through a peak in the undulated bottom surface.

7. The toilet set of claim 1, wherein the puck comprises one or more essential oils that have at least one of antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal or pest-repelling properties.

8. A toilet set, comprising:a handle;a brush disposed at an end of the handle;a holder;a liner configured to fit closely within the holder, the holder and liner configured to removably receive the brush; anda puck comprising diatomaceous earth and disposed at a bottom of an interior of the liner;wherein the holder comprises at least one of concrete, clay, a glass aggregate and resin mixture, gypsum cement, a resin and stone powder mixture, a mortar or Plaster of Paris; and wherein the liner comprises at least one of silicone, rubber or another polymer; andwherein the liner comprises an undulated bottom surface that provides a discontinuous support for the puck, and at least one vent hole that is disposed through a peak in the undulated bottom surface.

9. The toilet set of claim 8, wherein the brush comprises a brush base and a brush body.

10. The toilet set of claim 9, wherein the brush base comprises a material having a Shore D durometer of about 55 to about 100 or a Shore A durometer of about 70 to about 120; and wherein the brush body comprises a material having a Shore A durometer of about 35 to about 70.

11. The toilet set of claim 10, wherein the brush base comprises nylon or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene; and wherein the brush body comprises silicone.

12. The toilet set of claim 9, wherein the brush body is overmolded onto the brush base.

13. The toilet set of claim 8, wherein the puck comprises one or more essential oils that have at least one of antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal or pest-repelling properties.

14. The toilet set of claim 8, wherein the liner comprises ribs extending outward from an exterior sidewall surface, such that a gap exists between adjacent ribs, the exterior sidewall surface and an interior wall of the holder when the liner is disposed in the holder.

15. The toilet set of claim 8, further comprising a flange disposed on the handle, adjacent the brush, wherein the flange has at least one drain hole near the handle.

16. The toilet set of claim 15, wherein the liner comprises a rim on which the flange can be rested.

17. The toilet set of claim 16, further comprising multiple protrusions on at least one of the flange or the rim, such that when the brush is disposed in the holder, the flange is spaced apart from the rim by the multiple protrusions.

18. The toilet set of claim 16, further comprising a removal tab extending from the rim.

19. The toilet set of claim 18, wherein the holder comprises a slot to accommodate the removal tab when the liner is disposed in the holder.

20. (canceled)21. A toilet set, comprising:a handle;a brush disposed at an end of the handle;a holder;a liner configured to fit closely within the holder, the holder and liner configured to removably receive the brush; anda puck comprising diatomaceous earth and disposed at a bottom of an interior of the liner;wherein the holder comprises a material that is denser than the liner; andwherein the liner comprises an undulated bottom surface that provides a discontinuous support for the puck, and wherein at least one vent hole is disposed through a peak in the undulated bottom surface.

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