Scrubbing article holder, and scrubbing article

Abstract

A holder for a scrubbing article; and, an assembly that includes the holder and a scrubbing article parked on the holder. The holder includes a base configured to rest on a generally horizontal surface; and, a hanger. The hanger includes a mast with a lower end that is connected to the base, with the mast extending generally upward from the base. The hanger also includes a gantry that extends at least generally forwardly from an upper end of the mast and is that configured to support the scrubbing article when the scrubbing article is parked on the hanger. The scrubbing article may have a through-hole and at least a portion of the gantry of the holder may be seated within the through-hole of the scrubbing article when the scrubbing article is parked on the holder.

Description

[0001] SCRUBBING ARTICLE HOLDER, AND SCRUBBING ARTICLE Background

[0002] Scrubbing articles are often used to clean surfaces, to remove food residue from dishware and cookware, and so on.

[0003] Summary

[0004] Herein is disclosed a holder for a scrubbing article; and, an assembly that comprises the holder and a scrubbing article parked on the holder. The holder comprises a base configured to rest on a generally horizontal surface; and, a hanger. The hanger comprises a mast with a lower end that is connected to the base, with the mast extending generally upward from the base. In one aspect, the hanger comprises a gantry that extends at least generally forwardly from an upper end of the mast and is that configured to support the scrubbing article when tire scrubbing article is parked on the holder. In another aspect, the scrubbing article may have a through-hole and at least a portion of the gantry of the holder may be seated within the through-hole of the scrubbing article when the scrubbing article is parked on the holder. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description below. In no event, however, should this broad summary be construed to limit the claimable subject matter, whether such subject matter is presented in claims in the application as initially filed or in claims that are amended or otherwise presented in prosecution.

[0005] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplar}7assemblage comprising a scrubbing article and a holder, with the scrubbing article parked on the holder to form an assembly.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplar}7assemblage of FIG. 1 , with the scrubbing article shown removed from the holder.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a partially-exploded perspective view of the exemplar}- holder of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view, in partial cross-section, of a base of the exemplary holder of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a side view of the exemplary assemblage of FIG. 1, with the scrubbing article shown removed from the holder.

[0010] FIGs. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d are perspective views of additional exemplar}7holders.

[0011] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another exemplar}- assemblage comprising a scrubbing article and a holder, with the scrubbing article parked on the holder to fonn an assembly.

[0012] FIGs. 8a and 8b are perspective views of additional exemplar}- scrubbing articles.

[0013] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another exemplary holder.

[0014] Like reference symbols in the various figures indicate like elements. Although terms such as and “first” and “second” may be used in this disclosure, it should be understood that those terms are used in their relative sense. Terms such as vertical, upward and downward directions along the vertical axis, and so on, have their customary meaning as applied to a herein-described assembly with the holder of the assemblypositioned on a generally horizontal surface (e.g. a countertop). Tire vertical axis V. and upward and downward directions U and D along this axis, are indicated in various Figures herein. Terms such as forward and rearward, and a forward-rearward direction and axis, are likewise used with reference to a herein-described assembly with tire holder of the assembly being positioned on a generally horizontal surface and with the scrubbing article parked on the holder. As used herein, a forward direction denotes the direction that a scrubbing article of the assembly faces when parked on the holder; a rearward direction is an opposing direction. Forward and rearward directions F and R are denoted in various Figures herein. Tire herein-disclosed articles and assemblies will also have a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the forward-rearward direction; the transverse direction “T” is indicated in FIG. 9 and will be readily discernable in other Figures. It will be understood that all such positional and orientational descriptive tenns arc used for convenience of description of the various components and portions of a herein-described assembly with reference to the Figures herein, and do not limit the orientation that such an assembly, and / or any component or portion thereof, may take in actual use.

[0015] Terms such as radial, radially-inward and / or radially-outward may be used herein. Such terms are used in general with respect to a geometric center of an item when viewed along a vertical axis. Many such descriptions herein are applied to items that, in exemplary’ embodiments, are at least generally circular (e.g., a base 110 as depicted in various Figures). However, such terminology is again used for convenience of description and does not limit any such item to being strictly circular. For example, in some embodiments a base 110 might be oval, oblong, square, discorectangular, chevron, and so on. Terms such as radially-inward and radially-outward can still be applied to any such item.

[0016] As used herein as a modifier to a property, attribute or relationship, the term “generally”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means that the property, attribute or relationship would be readily recognizable by a person of ordinary skill (e.g., within + / - 20 % for quantifiable properties; within + / - 20 degrees for angular orientations). The term “substantially” means to a high degree of approximation (e.g., within + / - 10% for quantifiable properties; within + / - 10 degrees for angular orientations) but without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match. The term “essentially” means to a very’ high degree of approximation (e.g., within plus or minus 5 % for quantifiable properties; within + / - 5 degrees for angular orientations), but again without requiring an absolutely perfect match.

[0017] Detailed Description

[0018] Disclosed herein is a holder 100 and a scrubbing article 50 that can be removably parked on holder 100 when not in use. A holder 100, and one or more scrubbing articles 50, may be provided as an assemblage: for example, a holder 100 and one or more scrubbing articles 50 may be packaged together as a kit for sale. A scrubbing article 50 can be parked on holder 100 to form an assembly 1, e.g. as depicted in exemplary’ embodiment in FIG. 1. (According to the terminology herein, the term assemblage generically denotes a setthat comprises a scrubbing article 50 and a holder 100: the term assembly specifically denotes a configuration in which the scrubbing article 50 is parked on holder 100 as described herein.)

[0019] Holder 100 comprises a base 110 and a hanger 10, with hanger 10 comprising a mast 7 and a gantry 20. The exemplary assembly 1 of FIG. 1 is shown in a conventional configuration in which base 110 of holder 100 is positioned on a generally horizontal surface (e.g., on a countertop) with mast 7 of hanger 10 extending generally upward from base 110 as seen in FIG. 2. A lower end 9 of mast 7 is connected to base 110 of holder 100; gantry 20 is connected at least to an upper end 8 of mast 7 and extends at least generally forwardly from at least the upper end 8 of mast 7. Gantry 20 is configured to support scrubbing article 50 when scrubbing article 50 is parked on hanger 10.

[0020] Parking a scrubbing article 50 on a hanger 10 of a holder 100 in tire general manner shown in FIG. 1 will conveniently position the scrubbing article so that a user can easily grasp the scrubbing article and lift the scrubbing article off of hanger 10. As discussed in detail herein, scrubbing article 50 can be parked on hanger 10 in a manner that minimizes any dripping of soapy water, food residue, etc., from scrubbing article 50 onto the horizontal surface (e.g. countertop) on which holder 100 is positioned. Rather, any such drips, rivulets, etc., as may escape (e.g., drip or drain) from scrubbing article 50 will be captured by base 110 of holder 100 and can be easily dealt with as discussed herein.

[0021] Such arrangements are illustrated in exemplary embodiment in FIGs. 1-2. As noted, FIG. 1 denotes an assembly 1 comprising a scrubbing article 50 parked on a hanger 10 of a holder 100. FIG. 2 shows the scrubbing article 50 after it has been unparked from holder 100 (e.g. by grasping the scrubbing article and moving it generally forwardly and / or upwardly). Base 110 of holder 100 comprises a radially-outward perimeter (established e.g. by radially-outward sidewall 112 of base 110) that defines a drip-catching zone 114 of base 110. With scrubbing article 50 parked on hanger 10 of holder 100, no portion of scrubbing article 50 is located radially outward of the drip-catching zone 114 of base 110 of holder 100, as evident from FIG.

[0022] 1. In other words, all portions of a parked scrubbing article 50 can be positioned radially inward of, or at most radially-even with, radially-outward sidewall 112 of base 110. This can ensure that any material that drips or otherwise flows generally downward from scrubbing article 50, will be caught in drip-catching zone 114 of holder 100 rather than landing on the horizontal surface on which holder 100 is positioned.

[0023] In some embodiments, base 110 may comprise a generally horizontal partition 115 that, in combination with radially-outward sidewall 112. provides a first, lower compartment 116 and a second, upper compartment 118 as shown in FIG. 4. First, lower compartment 116 may be configured to be a weighted compartment to provide that holder 100 (e.g. with a wet scrubbing article 50 parked thereon) is stable rather than being susceptible to being knocked over. For such purposes, any suitably heavy weight or heavy material (e.g. a single puck of heavy material 117, as shown in FIG. 4; or, a particulate material such as sand) may be factor -installed into lower compartment 116. Upper compartment 118 of base 110 may be configured to be a drip-receptacle that is configured to catch any material that drips or otherwise flows downward fromscrubbing article 50. In some embodiments, partition 115 and radially-outward sidewall 112 may be formed (e.g. injection molded) as a single, integral item. As evident from FIG. 4, in some embodiments a separately-made sealing plate 125 may be attached (e.g. by sonic welding) to the lower rim of radially-outward sidewall 112 to form the “floor” of lower compartment 116 (typically, this will be done after weight 117 is inserted into the incipient lower compartment 116). In some embodiments, a lowermost slab 126 may be attached to the bottom of base 110 (e.g., attached to tire underside of sealing plate 125). Such a lowermost slab may be e.g. made of a rubbery (e.g. compliant) material that provides non-slip qualities so that holder 100 will tend to remain in its desired position at a particular location on a generally horizontal surface such as a countertop. In some embodiments, sealing plate 125 may comprise one or more small through -holes so that when a molten thcnnoplastic organic material (the precursor to lowermost slab 126) is contacted with the underside of scaling plate 125 e.g. during a molding process, small portions of the molten material ill penetrate into (e.g. through) the through-holes in plate 125 to firmly attach the thus-formed lowermost non-slip slab 126 to the underside of sealing plate 125.

[0024] In some embodiments, base 110 of holder 100 may comprise a drip-basin 119 as shown e.g. in FIG.

[0025] 3 (noting that drip-basin 119 is omitted from FIG. 4 so that other items may be more easily seen). In some embodiments, drip-basin 119 may be a separately-made item that is attachable to base 110 (as shown in FIG.

[0026] 2) and is removable therefrom as illustrated in FIG. 3. In the depicted embodiment, drip-basin 119 comprises a radially-outward rim 121 that is snap-fittable onto the upper edge 113 of the radially-outward side wall 112 of base 110. Such a drip-basin may be removable from, and reattachable to, base 110 as desired by a user. In some embodiments, drip-basin 119 may slope generally conically downw ard to a through-aperture 122 that (when drip-basin 119 is in place on base 110) radially-outwardly encircles a lower portion of mast 7, as evident in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, drip-basin 119 may be configured so that a radially-inward rim 123 of through-aperture 122 is spaced radially outw ard from the lower portion of mast 7 by a desired distance (e.g., 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 mm) at all locations of rim 123, as shown e.g. in FIG. 2. Such an arrangement can provide that any materials that drip from scrubbing article 50 onto drip-basin 119 will be motivated by gravity to flow downhill to through-aperture 122 and fall therethrough into the above-described drip-receptacle 118, without the dripped material accumulating on the radially-outward surfaces of mast 7. In some embodiments, through-aperture 122 may take the fomr of an elongate slot as evident in FIGs. 2 and 3. Such a slot 122 can allow dripbasin 119 (if it is present in holder 100 and is removable from base 110 of holder 100) to be removed by lifting drip-basin 119 upward (as illustrated in FIG. 3). with gantry 20 passing through slot 122 during this process. It will thus again be emphasized that terminology such as radial, radially-surrounding, radially-inward, radially-outward, and so on, do not require that any thus-characterized item be strictly circular in shape. (Rather, exemplary' slot 122 of FIGs. 2 and 3 is significantly elongated rather than being circular or nearly-circular.)An arrangement of the general type discussed above may thus provide that any material that drips, flows, etc. from scrubbing article 50, will accumulate in drip-receptacle 1 18, e.g. on the upper surface of the above-described generally horizontal partition 115. Drip-basin 119 may thus remain relatively free of excess amounts of such drip-rcsiduc and thus may present an advantageously attractive and clean appearance. In many instances, any such material that has dripped into drip-receptacle 118 may simply be allowed to evaporate and thus to leave drip-receptacle 118 in the form of water vapor that exits through aperture 122. In some instances, e.g. if a large amount of dripped material has accumulated in receptacle 118, drip-basin 119 can be temporarily removed and the accumulated material can be poured out or otherwise physically removed from receptacle 118. Drip-basin 119 can then be re-attached to base 110. In some embodiments, the upper edge 113 of sidewall 112 of base 110 may include a registration feature (e g. such as the notch that is visible, unnumbered, in FIGs. 3 and 4) and drip-basin 119 may similarly include a complementary registration feature (not visible in FIGs. 3 and 4) that allows drip-basin 119 to be properly oriented for reattachment to base 110.

[0027] As noted, exemplary holder 100 as disclosed herein comprises a hanger 10, with hanger 10 comprising a mast 7 and a gantry 20. Also as noted, a lower end 9 of mast 7 is connected to base 110 of holder 100; gantry 20 is connected at least to an upper end 8 of mast 7 and extends at least generally forwardly from at least the upper end 8 of mast 7. Gantry 20 is configured to support scrubbing article 50 when scrubbing article 50 is parked on hanger 10 as disclosed herein.

[0028] In some embodiments, mast 7 of holder 100 may extend generally upwardly from generally horizontal partition 115 as evident e.g. in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the lower end 9 (in particular, the lowermost terminus 19) of mast 7 may reside within a mast-support boss 124 that is integral with generally horizontal partition 115, as with the exemplary arrangement depicted in FIGs. 3 and 4. In some embodiments, the lower end 9 of mast 7 may be attached to mast-support boss 124 via a snap-connection, a friction fit, or some similar arrangement. In other embodiments, the lower end 9 of mast 7 may be embedded in boss 124 e g. by way of overmolding boss 124 (e.g. when formed as part of base 110) onto tire lower end 9 of mast 7. In some embodiments, mast 7 may be a compound mast that comprises first and second (e.g. front and rear) mast members 11 and 16, as denoted in FIG. 5 and as discussed in detail below.

[0029] In some embodiments, mast 7 may be positioned at a location (e.g. as determined by tire location of a mast-support boss 124) that is offset in a generally radially-outward direction (e g. rearwardly) from the geometric center 111 of base 110. (Geometric center 111, and any radially-outward offset distance therefrom, is evaluated while viewing holder 100 along the vertical axis V.) Gantry 20 may then extend at least generally forwardly from upper end 8 of mast 7. This can provide that when scrubbing article 50 is parked on holder 100 (e.g. with gantry 20 of holder 100 being seated in an elongate through-slot 53 of the scrubbing article as discussed in detail later herein), scrubbing article 50 will be advantageously positioned within (i.e., vertically above) the above-described drip-catching zone 114 of base 110, as evident e.g. in FIG. 1. In some such embodiments, mast 7 may be located so that with scrubbing article 50 parked on hanger 10 of holder 100,scrubbing article 50 is generally centered within base 110, e.g. with a portion of scrubbing article 50 being positioned generally vertically over the geometric center 1 11 of base 110, again as evident in FIG. 1.

[0030] Scrubbing article 50 and holder 100 are configured so that scrubbing article 50 can be removably parked on hanger 10 of holder 100. By “parked” is meant that scrubbing article 50 is placed on hanger 10 and held in that position by gravity without being latched or fastened (or in any other way secured) to any portion or component of holder 100. so that a user can remove scrubbing article 50 from holder 100 simply by lifting the scrubbing article 50 generally forward and / or upward off of gantry 20 of hanger 10 in the general manner indicated by FIGs. 1 and 2.

[0031] A gantty 20 is an entity that is a part of hanger 10, and can take the form of an item (e.g. a beam) or a collection of items (e.g. beams, struts, etc.) that arc configured to support a scrubbing article 50 that is parked on hanger 10. With reference to FIGs. 2 and 5, a gantry 20 will extend at least generally forward from an upper end 8 of mast 7 of hanger 10, and will comprise at least one beam 14 that extends at least generally forward. In some embodiments, such a beam 14 may be an upper beam that is an upper, e.g. uppermost, component of gantry 20. Beam 14 can be configured so that with scrubbing article 50 parked on hanger 10, at least a portion of beam 14 is seated within a through-hole 53 of the scrubbing article, so that a ceiling 54 of through-hole 53 rests on the portion of beam 14 so that the weight of scrubbing article 50 is supported by beam 14. In this regard it is noted that the term “parked” denotes a specific configuration in which at least a portion of scrubbing article 50 is generally above, and rests upon an upper surface of. a beam 14 of a gantry 20. As such, the term “parked” and like terminology specifically excludes any arrangement in which the entirety of a scrubbing article 50 is suspended below, e.g. dangles from, a supporting item or structure (e.g. a hanger, gantry, beam, strut, and so on). It is further noted that the use of the generic term “hanger” for the overall structure 10 that includes mast 7 and gantry 20, is for ease of description and does not negate this specific definition of the tenn “parked”.

[0032] In some embodiments, a gantry 20 may further comprise a strut 12 that extends generally forwardly from an intermediate location of mast 7 (this intermediate location being below the mast’s upper end 8 from which upper beam 14 extends). In such embodiments, beam 14 will be an upper beam and strut 12 will be a lower strut. In some such arrangements, lower strut 12 will extend forwardly but not upwardly, e.g. so as to provide a gantry 20 that has a generally rectangular shape (as evident from FIGs. 6c and 6d as discussed later herein). In some embodiments, such a lower strut 12 may extend generally upwardly, as well as forwardly, from the intennediate location of mast 7. Some such arrangements may produce a gantry 20 that has the general shape of a pennon (a tapering flag), and / or a hanger 10 with an overall shape resembling a capital letter “P”, particularly if a forwardmost end of upper beam 14 is rounded downward to meet the forwardmost end of lower strut 12, as with the exemplary arrangements shown in FIGs. 2, 3, 5, 6a, and 6b.

[0033] In some embodiments, a mast 7 may be a compound mast, meaning that it has (at least) two mast members (e.g. a forward mast member 11 and a rearward mast member 16 as shown in FIG. 5). In some suchembodiments, upper beam 14 may extend generally forwardly from an upper end of rearward mast member 16, and lower strut 12 may extend generally forwardly and upwardly from an upper end of forward mast member 11. Tire upper end of forward mast member 11 (from which lower strut 12 extends) is at the location marked by reference number 13 in FIG. 5 and is at an intermediate vertical location of mast 7; the upper end 8 of mast 7 is provided by tire upper end of rearw ard mast member 16, at the location marked by reference number 17 in FIG. 5. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 5, rearward mast member 16. upper beam 14, forward mast member 11, and lower stmt 12, are all portions of a single, continuous, integral member 31. In various embodiments, such a member 31 may be e g. made of metal rod, wire or tubing that is bent to the desired overall shape; or, it may be made e.g. of an organic polymeric material that is molded in the desired overall shape. In some embodiments, at least portions of the forward mast member 11 and the rearward mast member 16 may be at least generally parallel to each other, as evident e.g. in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the lower ends of forward mast member 11 and rearward mast member 16 may both be connected to base 110 of holder 100 by way of being seated in cavities of a common mast-supporting boss 124, as evident from inspection of FIGs. 3 and 4. In some embodiments, this boss 124 may be integral with the generally horizontal partition 115 of base 110.

[0034] In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 5, forward mast member 11 and a rearward end of lower strut 12 meet at an integral junction 13, with integral junction 13 being at the above-described intermediate location of mast 7. A forward (and upward) end of lower strut 12, and a forward end of upper beam 14, meet at an integral junction 15, with integral junction 15 being the forwardmost point of gantry 20. Upper beam 14 has a rearward end that meets an upper end of rearw ard mast member 16 at an integral junction 17. The segment of rearward mast member 16 that extends from the intermediate location defined by the above-described junction 13, to junction 17 with upper beam 14, will be described herein as an uppemrost segment 18 of rearw ard mast member 16.

[0035] A gantry- 20 that comprises an upper beam 14 and a lower strut 12 (e.g., a generally flag, pennon, or P-shaped gantry), may be formulated and shaped in a variety of ways. For example, the forward ends of upper beam 14 and low er strut 12 might terminate e.g. in close proximity to each other without actually being joined to each other at a junction 15. Similarly, junction 17 or junction 13 might not be present. In other possibilities, a rearw ard mast member 16 might not be present; rather, a (single) “forward” mast member 11 could extend continuously to form lower strut 12 and then to fonn upper beam 14, with upper beam 14 terminating at a rearward tenninus that is not a junction with any other member or segment. Conversely, a forward mast member 11 might not be present; rather, a (single) “rearward” mast member 16 could extend continuously (including its uppemrost segment 18) to form upper beam 14 and then to form lower stmt 12, with low er stmt 12 terminating at a rearward terminus.

[0036] In short, there are many ways in which a gantry 20 may be configured. Various possibilities are displayed in FIGs. 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d. FIGs. 6b and 6c present hangers in which all portions of the hanger(including a compound mast, and a gantry with an upper beam and a lower strut) are integral portions of a single continuous member (e.g. a rod or wire). The resulting gantry 20 comprises an empty space between the upper beam and the lower strut (as does gantry 20 of FIGs. 2, 3 and 5). FIGs. 6a and 6d, in contrast, depict ‘"solid” gantries in which no such empty space exists between the upper beam and the lower strut (or between the forward and rearward ends of the gantry). For arrangements of the general type depicted in FIGs. 6a and 6d, an upper section of the solid gantry can be considered to constitute an integral upper “beam”, similarly, a lower section of the solid gantry can be considered to constitute an integral lower strut. FIG. 6c also depicts a further possible design variation, in which a through-aperture 122 of a drip-basin is of the general type described earlier herein, but is in the form of a slot that is rather short (in the radial direction) and is radially-outward-open-ended. Such a through-slot will still allow the gantry 20 to pass therethrough as the drip-basin is lifted upward off of the holder base. (Still another exemplary design of a through-aperture 122 is presented in FIG. 7 and is discussed in detail later herein.)

[0037] There are thus many possible gantry overall shapes. Presently-preferred shapes include those displayed in FIGs. 2, 3, 5, 6a, and 6b. That is, it has been found that it can be advantageous for hanger 10 to have a gantry 20 that comprises an upper beam 14 and that comprises a lower strut 12 that generally extends both forwardly and upwardly from mast 7. In other words, a generally pennon or P-shaped gantry (e.g. of the general type depicted in FIGs. 2, 3, 5. 6a and 6b) is presently preferred over a generally rectangular gantry (e.g. of the general type depicted in FIGs. 6c and 6d). In particular, a gantry 20 that is forwardly-tapering (i.e., that exhibits a greater vertical height toward the rear of the gantry, and a smaller height toward the front of the gantry) has been found to have advantages. In a presently-preferred embodiment, much or all of this forwardtapering of gantry 20 is achieved by configuring lower strut 12 to angle upwardly as well as forwardly, with the majority of the length of upper beam 14 being oriented at least generally, substantially, or essentially horizontally (rather than ascending or descending), e.g. as shown in FIGs. 2, 3, 5, 6a and 6b. Such arrangements can enhance the ability of the gantry to prevent, or at least minimize, any tendency of a scrubbing article that is parked on the hanger, to tip and / or slide rearward and / or downward along gantry 20 and mast 7. (Such rcarward / down ward slipping of scrubbing article 50 on hanger 10 might undesirably result in the scrubbing article sitting directly on base 110 of holder 100.)

[0038] In further detail, in some embodiments scrubbing article 50 may comprise a through-hole 53 that is in the form of an elongate through-slot that is oriented vertically (when scrubbing article 50 is parked on hanger 10). When at least a portion of gantry 20 is seated within this vertically elongate through-slot 53, a ceiling 54 of through-slot 53 will rest atop upper beam 14 of gantry 20. In some presently-preferred embodiments, gantry 20 may be configured so that upper beam 14 and lower strut 12 of the gantry vertically diverge from each other toward a rear end of the gantry' (in other words, upper beam 14 and lower strut 12 will be further vertically apart from each other, toward the rear end of gantry 20, as readily evident e.g. from FIG. 5). Some such arrangements can be configured so that at the rear end of gantry 20, upper beam 14 and lower strut 12 will bevertically separated (spaced apart) from each other by a separation distance (indicated by arrow 23 of FIG. 5) that is from e.g. 95 to 180 % of a vertical height of the elongate through-slot 53 of scrubbing article 50. The vertical height of elongate through-slot 53 is defined by ceiling 54 and floor 55 of through-slot 53, and is indicated by arrow 63 of FIG. 5 (noting that due to different zoom -factors for holder 100 and scrubbing article 50 in FIG. 5, the distances and dimensions that are generically represented by the various arrows in FIG. 5 are not directly comparable). In various embodiments, at the rear end of gantry 20. upper beam 14 and lower strut 12 may be vertically separated from each other by a separation distance 23 that is from at least 100, 105, 110, 115, 120 or 125 %, to at most 170, 160, 150, 140, or 130 %, of the vertical height 63 of the elongate through-slot 53 of scrubbing article 50.

[0039] A gantry 20 can thus be configured so that upper beam 14 and lower strut 12 spread so far vertically apart from each other to ard the rear of gantry 20, that it is difficult for the through-slot 53 of scrubbing article 50 to pass rearwardly and / or downwardly over the rear of gantry 20. That is, as a scrubbing article 50 is moved rearward along gantry 20, the ceiling 54 of vertically elongate through-slot 53 of scrubbing article 50 will be in contact with upper beam 14 of gantry 20; and, the floor 55 of vertically elongate through-slot 53 of scrubbing article 50 will come into contact with lower strut 12 of gantry 20. Any tendency of scrubbing article 50 to travel any further rearward and / or downward along gantry’ 20 will be opposed by the frictional, and compressive, forces that arise betw een these entities. Such arrangements can provide that if scrubbing article 50 is parked on hanger 10. it will have little or no tendency to slide or tip rearward over the rear “comer” of gantry 20 (e.g., over junction 17) so as to e.g. fall down onto base 110 of holder 100. It is acknowledged that a user might be able to forcibly stretch scrubbing article 50 enough to force article 50 around the rear comer of gantry 20. However, it is envisioned that in ordinary’ use of scrubbing article 50 and holder 100, the scrubbing article will remain in place, parked on the hanger, as desired. Such an ordinary-use condition will be temied one in which the scrubbing article is generally unable to be moved any further rearw ard and / or downward from its parked location on the gantry of the hanger.

[0040] It might be speculated that any rearward and / or downward sliding of scrubbing article 50 on gantry 20 could be mitigated by configuring upper beam 14 to be sloped forwardly -downward to an extent that prevents article 50 from sliding rearward along beam 14. However, any such forward-sloping might cause or exacerbate a tendency of article 50 to slide forward along beam 14 far enough to fall completely off of gantry 20, which would be undesirable. A presently-preferred arrangement is to configure upper beam 14 to be oriented at least generally, substantially, or essentially horizontally (as evident e.g. from FIG. 5). This can minimize any tendency of a parked scrubbing article 50 to slide forward along gantry 20, while any tendency to slide rearward can be minimized by the vertically-diverging relationship of beam 14 and stmt 12 as discussed above. In some embodiments an upper beam 14 (or, in general, any part of a gantry 20) may have a protrusion, post, shoulder, lip, bulge, notch, or similar discontinuity at any suitable location along tire gantry and / or upper beam. Any such feature or features may further minimize the tendency of a parked scrubbingarticle to slide rcarwardly along gantry 20. Features of this general type (“catches”) are discussed in detail later herein with regard to the exemplary design presented in FIG. 9.

[0041] In many embodiments, a lower stmt 12 may not necessarily be needed in order to bear the weight of scrubbing article 50. Rather, with the envisioned materials and construction of gantry 20, it is expected that a beam 14 will be able to support article 50 in tire absence of a lower stmt 12. Tirus, in a presently -preferred embodiment, a primary function of stmt 12 is to provide the above-described vertically-diverging relationship of beam 14 and stmt 12 toward the rear of gantry 20, that serves to minimize any tendency of scrubbing article 50 to slide rearward and downward from its parked location on the gantry.

[0042] The present investigations have also revealed that providing a lower stmt 12 that is forwardly-upwardly angled in the general manner evident in FIGs. 5, 6a and 6b can make it easier for a user to remove (unpark) a scrubbing article 50 from gantry 20 by grasping the scrubbing article 50 and moving it forward and upward. Such a removal process is not particularly sensitive to the exact orientation of tire movement (e.g. upward versus forward) performed by the user. In contrast, with a gantry 20 that has a lower stmt 12 that is generally or essentially horizontal in tire manner shown in FIGs. 6c and 6d, the sembbing article might need to be grasped and moved strictly forwardly in order to remove the sembbing article from the holder (any upward movement might cause the entire holder 100 to be bodily lifted off the surface upon which it sits).

[0043] A lower stmt 12 that is forwardly-upwardly angled in the general manner described above may be characterized in terms of a stmt angle. Such an angle is defined as tire angle at which the stmt is oriented relative to the vertical axis of the holder. (In many embodiments, this angle will be relative to the long axis of mast 7.) A stmt angle of 0 degrees corresponds to a vertical orientation; a stmt angle of 90 degrees corresponds to a horizontal orientation (as w ith the low er stmts of the exemplary gantries shown in FIGs. 6c and 6d). In various embodiments, a lower stmt 12 may exhibit a low er stmt angle of from at least 30, 40, or 50 degrees, to at most 85, 75, or 65 degrees. By way of specific examples, the lower stmt 12 shown in FIG. 5 is oriented at a stmt angle of approximately 50 degrees; the lower stmt shown in FIG. 6b is oriented at a stmt angle of approximately 60 degrees. The upper beams 14 of gantries can similarly be characterized by a beam angle: the upper beams of the gantries of FIGs. 5 and 6b (in fact, the upper beams of all of the gantries depicted herein) are oriented at a beam angle of approximately 90 degrees; i.e., they are oriented horizontally. Any such stmt or beam angle will be evaluated according to the majority of the length of the stmt or beam, i.e. disregarding any rounding as may occur at the very front or rear of the stmt or beam. For a stmt or beam that is e.g. slightly arcuate, an overall long axis of the beam may be characterized and used for purposes of calculating a stmt angle or beam angle.

[0044] The exemplary configurations (e.g. shapes and orientations) of gantries 20 as depicted in exemplary embodiment in the Figures herein are such that a sembbing article 50 can only be parked on hanger 10 when the sembbing article is in a specific rotational orientation with respect to holder 100 and gantry 20 thereof (when viewed along the vertical axis). That is, the sembbing article 50 must be positioned and oriented so thatits elongate through-slot 53 is aligned with the forw ard- rearw ard axis of gantry 20, in order to park the scrubbing article on hanger 10. Such a rotational orientation will advantageously position scrubbing article 50 in a “home” position (e.g. as shown in FIGs. 1 and 5) in which the entirely of scrubbing article 50 is within (i.c., vertically above) the drip-catching zone 114 of base 110 of holder 100. In some embodiments, a scrubbing article 50 that is parked on hanger 10 may be able to be rotated (e.g. iggled) at least slightly (e.g. plus or minus 20, 10, or 5 degrees) aw ay from this home position by a user if desired, due to any inherent flexibility and / or compliance of scrubbing article 50. Nevertheless, when scrubbing article 50 is parked on hanger 10 and is not subjected to any such rotating force, scrubbing article 50 will likely return to its home position in which it is w ithin drip-catching zone 114 of base 110 of holder 100.

[0045] In some embodiments, all portions of a parked scrubbing article 50 w ill be positioned within (or at most, even with) the perimeter of base 110 as established by the radially -out ard sidewall 112 of base 110 (as with the exemplary embodiments depicted in tire Figures herein). However, in some embodiments, a previously -described drip-basin 119, if present, may be radially oversized relative to the sidew all 112 of base 110, so that a perimeter region of drip-basin 119 extends radially-outwardly beyond sidewall 112. In such a case, tire radially-outward perimeter edge of drip-basin 119 will define the perimeter of base 110 and will thus define the radially-outward boundary’ of the drip-catching zone 114 of base 110.

[0046] In some embodiments, the drip-catching zone 114 of base 110 (e.g. as defined by sidewall 112 and / or the radially-outward perimeter edge of drip-basin 119) need not be strictly circular (when view ed along the vertical axis). Rather, such items may have extensions, lobes, wings, or the like, that extend e.g. generally in a direction along a slight rotational pathway of a parked scrubbing article 50. Such arrangements may further ensure that even if a scrubbing article 50 is parked in a condition in which it is rotated slightly away from the above-described “home” position, it will remain within the drip-catching zone 114. However, in many embodiments it may be sufficient that base 110 and its drip-catching zone 114 is at least generally circular.

[0047] In some embodiments a scrubbing article 50 may be elongated so as to have a longitudinal axis that is appreciably longer than a transverse axis, and a forward-rearward axis, of the scrubbing article 50. (For scrubbing article 50 as shown in FIG. 5, the longitudinal axis of scrubbing article 50 is aligned with the vertical axis V, the forw ard-rearw ard axis of scrubbing article 50 is the F-R axis, and the transverse axis is in-and-out-of-page). In some embodiments, scrubbing article 50 may configured (e.g. an elongate through-hole 53 of article 50 may take the form of an elongated through-slot with a long axis that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the scrubbing article) so that when scrubbing article 50 is parked on hanger 10, the longitudinal axis of scrubbing article 50 will be at least generally vertically oriented (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5). By generally vertically oriented this is meant that the longitudinal axis of scrubbing article 50 is vertically aligned except for any slight deviation as might be caused by a small forward or rearw ard angle of repose at which scrubbing article 50 is parked on hanger 10. In other words, in some embodiments a parked scrubbing article 50 may¬ lean slightly forward or rearward (e.g.. within plus or minus 20, 10, or 5 degrees) when parked on hanger 10.Arranging a scrubbing article 50 so that when the scrubbing article is parked on hanger 10. the longitudinal axis L of the scrubbing article is at least generally vertically oriented, can minimize the size of the dripcatching zone 114 that base 110 of holder 100 must provide in order to function in the manner desired. Such advantages can still be present even if the scrubbing article is parked on hanger 10 at a slight forward or rearward lean.

[0048] In some embodiments, various parameters may be arranged in combination so that when scrubbing article 50 is parked on hanger 10 of holder 100, no portion of scrubbing article 50 will be in contact with base 110 of holder 100. In particular, a lowermost portion of scrubbing article 50 will not be in contact with dripbasin 119 of base 110, if a drip-basin 119 is present. Rather, a vertical gap will be present between lowermost portions of scrubbing article 50, and drip-basin 119, as evident in FIGs. 1 and 7. This can ensure that the low ermost portions of the parked scrubbing article do not remain in contact w ith drip-basin 119 so as to retain liquid material (that would otherwise drip free of the scrubbing article) in any lowermost portion of the scrubbing article. In other words, this can ensure that the scrubbing article can easily dry fully, rather than e.g. the scrubbing article having a lowermost portion that is still wet or soggy the next time the user picks up the scrubbing article for use. Such an arrangement can further enhance the user experience in using scrubbing article 50.

[0049] Parameters that may be configured in combination to provide the above result may include any of various parameters of holder 100 (e.g. tire height of mast 7 as denoted by arrow 22 in FIG. 5); and, any of various parameters of scrubbing article 50 (e.g. the longitudinal “height” 61 of the scrubbing article and the placement of the ceiling 54 of a through-hole 53 in article 50). In particular embodiments, the height 22 of mast 7 may be chosen to be greater than the vertical distance from the ceiling 54 of through-slot 53 of scrubbing article 50, to the lower end of scrubbing article 50. In various embodiments, this mast height may be greater than the vertical distance from the ceiling 54 of through-slot 53 of scrubbing article 50 to the lower end of scrubbing article 50, by a factor of at least 102, 105. 110, 115. 120, 125, or 130 %. The height 22 of mast 7 as used for this calculation is an effective height, measured from the highest point of sidewall 112 or of drip-basin 119 (as show n by arrow 22 in FIG. 5), rather than being measured from the actual base of mast 7 e.g. at mast-support boss 124.

[0050] A scrubbing article 50 of any suitable type, design, and composition may be used in the arrangements disclosed herein. A scrubbing article 50, or a layer of a scrubbing article 50. may have a composition chosen e.g. from any of the general classes of materials known as foams (e.g. open-cell reticulated foams), sponges, and so on. In general, a scrubbing article 50 will comprise a forward surface 51 that faces generally forwardly when scrubbing article 50 is parked on hanger 10, and will comprise an opposing surface 52 that faces generally rcarw ardly (e.g. tow ard mast 7 of holder 100) when scrubbing article 50 is parked on hanger 10. In some embodiments, the scrubbing article 50 may be front-rear symmetrical so that these surfaces are equivalent.In many embodiments, a scrubbing article 50 will comprise a through-hole 53 that extends (in a generally forward-rearward direction) completely through the scrubbing article 50 as depicted in various Figures herein. In some particular embodiments, such a through-hole 53 may take the form of an elongate slot that has a long axis that is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the scrubbing article 50 (and that is generally vertically oriented when the article is parked on a holder 100), as discussed earlier herein. Such a slot may be formed e.g. by die-cutting using a steel-rule die, or using any other suitable method and apparatus. In some embodiments, such a through-hole (e.g. a through-slot) 53 may have an upper end that is defined by a slot-ceiling 54 that is arcuate, as evident e.g. for slot 53 as shown in FIG. 2. (In some embodiments, such a through-hole may similarly have a low'er end that is defined by a slot-floor 55 that is similarly arcuate, again as shown in FIG. 2.) Such geometric features may enhance the ability of scrubbing article to be stably held by a gantry 20 that has a beam 14 that is comprised of a generally cylindrical rod as with gantry 20 as shown in FIG. 2. In other embodiments (e.g. if gantry 20 comprises an upper beam 14 with a generally upwardly-facing flat surface and / or comprises a lower strut 12 with a generally downwardly-facing flat surface) a through-slot 53 may have a generally flat ceiling 54 and / or floor 55. As noted earlier, the dimensions of a through-slot 53, e.g. its vertical height 63 and its forward-rearward thickness 62 (as defined by the forward-rearward thickness of the scrubbing article), may be chosen in consideration of various parameters of gantry 20, to provide that the scrubbing article can easily be parked on hanger 10 and stably supported by gantry 20 thereof, e.g. without scrubbing article being susceptible to slipping rearward and downward along hanger 10.

[0051] In some embodiments, a scrubbing article 50 may comprise a single-layer construction, e.g. with through-hole 53 extending through the entire forward-rearward thickness of the single layer. In some embodiments, a scrubbing article 50 may comprise a multilayer construction. For example, in some embodiments a scrubbing article 50 may comprise a primary layer that is configured for excellent scrubbing performance. Such a layer may be e.g. a fibrous or spongy material (e.g., a reticulated foam) that is configured to perform scrubbing e.g. without scratching the surface that is being scrubbed. In some embodiments, an outwardmost sublayer of this primary scrubbing layer may be densified or otherwise treated to enhance the scrubbing ability’ of the outwardmost surface of this layer. In some embodiments, a secondary layer may be present to augment the performance of the primary scrubbing layer. Such a secondary layer may not be necessarily configured for excellent scrubbing performance, but rather may e.g. act as a reservoir that can accumulate and / or store quantities of liquid detergent and can meter the liquid detergent into the primary scrubbing layer if the primary scrubbing layer becomes depleted of liquid detergent. In some embodiments, such a secondary layer may be easily compressible and / or deformable so as to serve as a compressible / deformable backing that enhances the ability’ of a primary scrubbing layer to conform to (i.e., to scrub) non-planar surfaces. Such a secondary layer might be, e.g., a relatively hydrophilic (in comparison to the primary’ scrubbing layer), compressible material such as a soft, hydrophilic polyurethane open-celled foam. In some embodiments, such a multilayer scrubbing article may be configured for double-sided use, e.g. aprimary scrubbing layer can be used for aggressive scrubbing and a secondary layer may be used for light sponging, mop-up or finishing. In some embodiments, a scrubbing article may have a sandwich configuration in which a highly conformable and / or hydrophilic middle layer is sandwiched between two outer layers that arc each configured to perfomr aggressive scrubbing. In any embodiment in which scrubbing article 50 is a multilayer scrubbing article, a through-hole (e.g. an elongate through-slot) 53 may extend through the entire thickness of the article in the front-rear direction, through all of the layers of the article.

[0052] As presented in detail herein, various geometric parameters of the base 110 and hanger 10 of a holder 100, and various geometric parameters of a scrubbing article 50, can be configured so that the scrubbing article can be parked on the hanger in a way that achieves certain advantages. These advantages may include, but are not limited to: providing that any material that drips from the parked scrubbing article will be captured in a drip-catching zone 114 of the base 110 of the holder; providing that a lower portion of the parked scrubbing article does not come into contact with the base 110 (in particular, with a drip-basin 119 of the base); providing that the parked scrubbing article does not slide forward on a gantry 20 of the hanger so as to fall forwardly off the gantry; providing that the parked scrubbing article does not slide rearward on the gantry 20 so as to slip rearward and downward off the gantry; and, providing that the parked scrubbing article is easy to remove from the holder without accidentally lifting the holder bodily or knocking the holder over.

[0053] Other geometric parameters not yet mentioned, may similarly be configured to augment these advantages and / or to provide other advantages. Thus, with reference to FIG. 5, a forward-rearward length 21 of gantry 20 of hanger 10 may be configured to be sufficiently large in relation to the forward-rearward thickness 62 of scrubbing article 50, to provide that scrubbing article 50 can be stably parked on gantry 20. In various embodiments, the forward-rearward length 21 of gantry 20 may be at least 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, or 180 % of the forward-rearward thickness 62 of scrubbing article 50.

[0054] Again with reference to FIG. 5, another parameter of interest is the “span” of gantry 20. As denoted by arrow 24 in FIG. 5, the “span” 24 of gantry 20 is tire closest straight-line distance from the upper-rear comer of gantry 20 (e.g., at junction 17), to lower stmt 12. In similar manner to the previously-discussed rearward separation distance 23 of upper beam 14 and lower stmt 12, span 24 of gantry 20 represents another spacing that can be chosen in order to minimize the likelihood of scrubbing article 50 sliding too far rearward on gantry 20. In other words, the likelihood of scrubbing article 50 sliding too far rearward on gantry 20 may be limited by the chosen value of rearward beam / stmt separation distance 23 or by the chosen value of gantry span 24; or, both may contribute to at least some extent (this may depend e.g. on the forward-rearward angle at which the scrubbing article is held when it is being parked on the gantry). In many instances, the span 24 of gantry 20 may be the first impediment to continued rearward movement that is encountered by a scrubbing article that is moving rearward on the gantry. In some embodiments, the span 24 of gantry 20 may be the primary impediment to rearward movement of a scrubbing article, with tire previously-described rearward separation distance 23 playing a smaller role (e.g., serving as a “back-up” obstacle).In various embodiments, the ratio of span 24 of gantry 20 to tire vertical height 63 of the elongate through-slot 53 of scrubbing article 50 may be at least 60, 80, 95, 100, 110, 120, or 130 %. In further embodiments, this ratio maybe at most 175, 155, 135, 125, 115, 110, or 105 %.

[0055] Still another design parameter of interest has to do with whether the forwardmost portion of gantry 20 (which will be temied the ‘‘nose" of the gantry) is relatively sharp as with the exemplary gantry of FIG. 5. or is more rounded as with the exemplary gantries of FIGs. 6a and 6b. A more rounded shape as exemplified by the gantry of FIG. 6b is presently slightly preferred; however, either design may be preferred in various circumstances. Such a feature may be quantitatively evaluated by way of the radius of curvature of the nose. This will be evaluated while viewing the gantry along the transverse axis (as in FIG. 5) and is an “external” radius of curvature measured using the outer surfaces of the gantry. In various embodiments, a forwardmost portion of a gantry may comprise a radius of curvature of from at least 3, 5 or 7 mm, to at most 30, 25, 20, or 15 mm. By way of specific examples, the gantry 20 of FIG. 5 exhibits an external radius of curvature of approximately 6 mm and the gantry 20 of FIG. 6b exhibits an external radius of curvature of approximately 14 mm. In some embodiments, this radius of curvature may be generally constant along the length of the “nose” of the gantry; in other embodiments, the radius of curvature may van along the nose. For example, in some embodiments a “nose” may comprise a relatively less-curved (e.g., generally straight) central segment that is bracketed by upper and low er rounded entries that comprise a radius of curvature that is smaller than that of the central segment, as exemplified e.g. by the gantry of FIG. 6c.

[0056] Many of the herein-described arrangements and configurations may have the effect that with a scrubbing article 50 parked on hanger 10, the parked scrubbing article will not be in contact with any portion of hanger 10 other than gantry 20. In particular, in some embodiments, no part of the parked scrubbing article will be in contact with mast 7 (e.g. with forward mast member 11 or with rearward mast member 16) of hanger 10. It is further noted that in the exemplary arrangement shown e.g. in FIG. 5, various items discussed herein (e.g. upper beam 14, lower strut 12, forward mast member 11, and rearward mast member 16 (including uppermost segment 18 thereof)) are all essentially linear. However, this does not necessarily have to be the case. In various embodiments, one or more of such items may e.g. exhibit slight curvature, waviness or the like, as long as tire results set out herein can still be achieved.

[0057] Various exemplary’ arrangements, combinations and configurations of a holder 100 and its base 110 and hanger 10 have been described. Reference is made to FIG. 7 in order to further illustrate the variations permitted within the herein-disclosed arrangements. FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary- holder 100 with a hanger 10 that comprises a single mast 7 and that comprises a gantry 20 that consists only of a beam that extends forwardly from the upper end of the single mast 7. No lower strut of any kind is present. Furthermore, a mastsupport boss 124 from which mast 7 extends upward, is displaced rearw ard so as to be at least partially outside of tire drip-catching zone 114 of the base. Gantry’ 20 is configured to compensate for this (e.g., to extend sufficiently forward) so that the scrubbing article as parked on gantry 20, is nevertheless entirely w ithin thedrip-catching zone, as is evident from FIG. 7. Still further, the exemplary holder shown in FIG. 7 comprises a drip-basin that has a through-aperture 122 that serves a similar purpose as described previously; e.g., it allows materials that drip into the drip-basin, to flow downhill and to fall through through-aperture 122 into a drip-rcccptaclc. However, the exemplary through-aperture 122 of FIG. 7 is arranged differently from previously-described through-apertures 122 as shown e.g. in FIG. 2. For example, the through-aperture 122 of FIG. 7 is not elongate: and, it does not radially-outwardly-encircle any portion of the mast of the hanger. The exemplary assemblage of FIG. 7 thus illustrates additional variations and combinations that are within the scope of the disclosures herein.

[0058] Reference is made to FIG. 9 in order to further illustrate variations permitted within the herein-disclosed arrangements. Tire exemplary’ holder 100 of FIG. 9 comprises a hanger 10 that has a gantry 20 and mast 7 that (including the upper end 8 and lower end 9 of mast 7) are integral portions of a single, integral structure made e.g. by injection molding of a suitable organic polymeric resin, e.g. acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) polymer. In similar manner as with the gantry of FIG. 6a, an upper section of the gantry of FIG.

[0059] 9 can be considered to constitute an integral upper beam 14 and a lower section of the gantry can be considered to constitute an integral lower strut 12. The lower end 9 of mast 7 can be attached to a mast-support boss of base 110 in similar manner as described previously, e.g. via a snap-connection, a friction fit, or some similar arrangement. In some embodiments, mast 7 may have a compound structure comprising front and rear mast members e.g. that resemble members 11 and 6 as shown in FIG. 5. However, in many embodiments, mast 7 may comprise a single member (e.g. in order that mast 7 may be most easily injection molded) in the manner shown in FIG. 9.

[0060] In some embodiments, a molded hanger 10 of the general type depicted in FIG. 10 may comprise a gantry 20 that has at least one cavity 5 as illustrated in exemplary’ embodiment in FIG. 9. In some embodiments, such a cavity 5 may be a through-hole that extends through the entire transverse thickness of the gantry, as with the exemplary through-hole 5 of FIG. 9. In some embodiments, such a cavity or through-hole may serve to reduce the mass of gantry 20 (whether for purposes of cost reduction by way of using less injection-molding resin to form gantry’ 20, whether for the purpose of reducing the overall weight of hanger 10 and / or lowering the center of gravity of hanger 10, or for some other purpose). In some embodiments, such a through-hole 5 may serve some specific function; e.g. it may allow a securing member (e.g. a twist-tie or zip-tie) to be passed therethrough in order to snugly secure holder 100 within packaging. In some embodiments, such a through-hole may be provided for aesthetic or decorative purposes. A cavity 5, e.g. a through-hole, may comprise any desired size and shape (when viewed along the transverse axis “T” of the holder). Tire exemplary through -hole 5 of FIG. 9 is circular; however, such a through-hole could have any shape, e.g. oval, triangular, trapezoidal, diamond-shaped, irregular, and so on. In various embodiments, such a through-hole may occupy from at least 5, 10 or 20 %, to at most 80, 60, or 40 %, of the total area of gantry- 20 (when viewed along the transverse axis).Catch

[0061] The exemplary hanger 100 shown in FIG. 9 comprises a catch 40. As defined herein, a catch 40 is a feature (or, a collection of features) that protrudes least generally transversely outward beyond at least some areas of gantry 20 that are positioned forwardly of the catch. The function of a catch 40 is as follows. As evident e.g. from FIG. 2, a gantry 20 may be configured so as to have approximately the same transverse width as the transverse w idth of a previously-described slot 53 of a scrubbing article 50 that is to be parked on the gantry. In at least some such instances, the goal of preventing the scrubbing article from sliding rearward from gantry 20 may be accomplished by setting any of various height and / or forward-rearward dimensions, dimensional ratios, and so on, of gantry 20 in relation to the height 63 and / or forward-rearward length 62 of the slot 53 of the sponge, in the manner discussed in detail earlier herein. In such cases, the transverse w idth of various components of gantry 20 may not play any particular role in preventing the scrubbing article from sliding rearward.

[0062] How ever, in some embodiments, gantry 20 may comprise one or more features that have a transverse width such that the feature does play a role in preventing the sponge from sliding rearward on the gantry. Any such feature will be termed a “catch”. A catch 40 will have a local width (in the transverse direction) that is sufficiently larger than the transverse width of slot 53 of scrubbing article 50 so that the catch interferes with the ability of the scrubbing article to slide rearward along gantry 20. In other words, a rear surface of scrubbing article 50 (i.e. in an area closely surrounding the article’s slot 53) will impinge on a forward surface 42 of catch 40 in a manner that will physically block the scrubbing article from moving any further rearward.

[0063] In various embodiments, a catch 40 of a gantry 20 may exhibit a local transverse width that is greater (e.g. by at least 10, 20, 40, 80, or 100 %) than the transverse width of a slot 53 of a scrubbing article 50 that is to be parked on gantry 20. In embodiments in which a gantry 20 exhibits a transverse width that closely matches the transverse width of scrubbing -article-slot 53. such a catch may similarly exhibit a transverse width that is greater (e.g. by at least 10, 20, 40. 80. or 100 %) than the transverse width of gantry 20.

[0064] Catch 40 as depicted in FIG. 9 is an exemplary representation and many variations are possible. For example, catch 40 of FIG. 9 is a generally upside-down-U-shaped item comprising a first portion 41 on a first transverse side of gantry 20 and comprising a second portion 44 on a second, opposing transverse side of gantry 20, with the first and second portions 41 and 44 being aligned w ith each other (when view ed along the vertical axis). However, such exact alignment is not strictly necessary, e.g. as long as the first and second catch-portions are aligned closely enough that their total transverse width can achieve the above-discussed effects. Rather, such first and second portions may be e.g. slightly offset or displaced from each other (along the forward-rearward direction) while still serving the purposes herein.

[0065] Similarly, catch 40 of FIG. 9 is elongate with a long axis that is aligned with the vertical axis of holder 100. However, this is not strictly necessary. For example, a catch 40 may have a rearw ard angle of repose so that an upper end of the catch is further rearward than a lower end of the catch. In various embodiments, suchan angle of repose may range from e.g. 5, 10, 20, or 30 degrees, to 60, 50, or 40 degrees (relative to the vertical axis of holder 100).

[0066] Still further, catch 40 of FIG. 9 is shown as a continuous (U-shaped) structure (comprising the abovedescribed first and second catch-portions 41 and 44, these catch-portions being connected to each other by uppermost catch-portion 43). However, in some embodiments a catch 40 may be collectively provided by a discontinuous set of transversely-protruding items (e.g. bosses, posts, stems, bollards, and the like). Still further, catch 40 of FIG. 9 comprises relatively "square” comers that have very small radii of curvature. However, in some embodiments a catch 40 may comprise comers (whether transversely-outward comers of the catch itself, or comers where tire catch meets gantry 20) that are more rounded, gradual, beveled, etc.

[0067] In some embodiments, a catch 40 may comprise a general “barb” shape when viewed along the vertical axis of the holder. In further detail, the exemplary catch 40 of FIG. 9 has a forward surface 42 that faces substantially forward, and has an oppositely-facing rearward surface (not visible, or numbered, in FIG. 9) that faces substantially rearward. In contrast, a “barb” catch can have a forward surface 42 that similarly faces substantially forward in the manner of FIG. 9, but may have a rearward surface that is sloped (angled) rather than facing substantially rearward. Tire barb-catch will thus exhibit an overall rearward taper in which a reannost portion of the barb-catch is transversely narrower (when viewed along tire vertical axis) than the forwardmost portion of the barb-catch. Such a design may retain the ability to prevent a scrubbing article 50 from sliding rearwardly past catch 40, while (in tire event that the scrubbing article is inadvertently moved rearward past catch 40) easily allowing the scrubbing article to be slidably moved forwardly past catch 40 so as to be returned to its desired, parked position.

[0068] As noted, in many embodiments, a catch 40 of a holder may derive much of its scmbbing-article-arresting ability from an “extra” transverse width that the catch exhibits in comparison to tire transverse width of a slot 53 of the sembbing article 50 that is to be parked on the holder. In the design of FIG. 9, catch 40 has an uppermost portion 43 that extends vertically upward beyond upper beam 14 of gantry 20. This uppermost portion 43 of catch 40 may further contribute some scrubbing-article-arresting ability. However, in some embodiments, a catch 40 may not necessarily comprise any section that extends upward beyond upper beam 14 of gantry 20.

[0069] Hie exemplary’ catch 40 shown in FIG. 9 is transversely symmetrical in that the above-mentioned first portion 41 of catch 40 and second portion 44 of catch 40 are identical to each other. However, this is not necessary; in some embodiments a portion of catch 40 that is on one transverse side of gantry 20 need not be identical (whether in size, shape, contour, etc.) to a portion of the catch that is on an opposing transverse side of the gantry.

[0070] In some embodiments, a catch 40 (e.g. of the design shown in FIG. 9) may be a separately-made item that can be mounted (e.g. snap-fitted) onto gantry 20. In some embodiments such a catch 40 might be removably installable onto gantry 20 so that a user can decide whether they want to use the catch. However,in some embodiments catch 40 may be integrally molded with gantry 20 so that catch 40 is inseparable from gantry 20.

[0071] It is finally noted that a catch 40 is not limited to being used with a gantry that is “solid” (at least in the local vicinity of the catch) in the general manner of the gantries depicted in FIGs. 6a and 6d. Rather, in some embodiments, a catch may be used with a gantry of the general type depicted e.g. in FIGs. 2, 5, 6b, 6c, or even with a gantry (of the general type shown in FIG. 7) that consists only of a single beam.

[0072] A scrubbing article 50 may have any desired shape. For example, in some embodiments a scrubbing article 50 may be generally oval or oblong as indicated in FIG. 8a. However, various other shapes may be used, e.g. generally cloud-shaped (as illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 2) or zigzag-shaped (as illustrated in FIG. 8b). In some embodiments, a scrubbing article of any such shape may be configured to have a longitudinal axis that is at least generally vertically oriented when the scrubbing article is parked on a hanger 10 of a holder 100, in the general manner described earlier herein. Materials that may be suitable for use in a scrubbing article 50 and / or for use in one or more layers of a multilayer scrubbing article, are described e.g. in U.S. Patent 8671503 and in U.S. Patent Application Publications 2007 / 0204518, 2009 / 0038092, 2009 / 0276971, 2017 / 0245724, and 2018 / 0296043.

[0073] As disclosed herein, a holder 100 (and its hanger 10 and base 110) will be reusable items. In contrast, a scrubbing article 50 that can be parked on holder 100, will be a disposable item. The term disposable signifies that scrubbing article 50 is a limited-use item that w ill be expected to gradually lose functionality over time (e.g. over several weeks or months) so as to need replacement. The term disposable broadly encompasses not merely scrubbing articles that are discarded, but also scrubbing articles that are recyclable, compostable, and so on. A reusable holder, in contrast, will have an indefinite lifespan (e.g. one or more years) in comparison to the disposable scrubbing articles that it is used with. In many embodiments, a reusable holder and the components thereof will be dishwasher safe.

[0074] In some embodiments, a holder 100, and one or more scrubbing articles 50, may be provided as an assemblage; e.g., a holder 100 and one or more scrubbing articles 50 may be packaged together as a kit for sale. In some embodiments, such a kit may comprise a first scrubbing article 50 that is factory -parked on hanger 10 of holder 100, along w ith at least one additional scrubbing article that is packaged with holder 100 (and with the first scrubbing article) but that is not factory-parked on hanger 10. In some embodiments, a retainer may be used to retain the first scrubbing article in its factory -parked condition e.g. during shipping, displaying for retail sale. etc. Such a retainer might be e.g. fastened to a forward portion of gantry 20 of hanger 10 in such manner as to prevent the first scrubbing article from becoming dislodged from gantry' 20.

[0075] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the specific exemplary elements, structures, features, details, configurations, etc., that are disclosed herein can be modified and / or combined in numerous embodiments. All such variations and combinations are contemplated by the inventor as being within the bounds of the conceived invention, not merely those representative designs that were chosen to serve asexemplary illustrations. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the specific illustrative structures described herein, but rather extends at least to the structures described by the language of the claims, and the equivalents of those structures. Any of the elements that are positively recited in this specification as alternatives may be explicitly included in the claims or excluded from the claims, in any combination as desired. Any of the elements or combinations of elements that are recited in this specification in open-ended language (e.g., comprise and derivatives thereof), are considered to additionally be recited in closed-ended language (e.g., consist and derivatives thereof) and in partially closed-ended language (e.g., consist essentially, and derivatives thereof). Although various theories and possible mechanisms may have been discussed herein, in no event should such discussions serve to limit the claimable subject matter. To the extent that there is any conflict or discrepancy between this specification as written and the disclosure in any document that is incorporated by reference herein but to which no priority is claimed, this specification as written will control.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A holder for a scrubbing article, the holder comprising:a base configured to rest on a generally horizontal surface;and,a hanger comprising:a mast with a lower end that is connected to the base, the mast extending generally upward from the base;and,a gantry that extends at least generally forw ardly from an upper end of the mast, the gantry being configured to support a scrubbing article that is parked on the hanger of the holder.

2. The holder of claim 1 wherein the gantry comprises an integral upper beam that integrally extends generally forwardly and horizontally from the upper end of the mast.

3. Tire holder of claim 2 wherein the gantry further comprises an integral lower strut that extends generally forwardly and upwardly from an intermediate location of the mast that is below- the upper end of the mast, so that the upper beam and tire lower strut meet at a first integral junction that provides a forwardmost point of the gantry.

4. The holder of claim 3 wherein the lower strut exhibits a lower strut angle of from 40 to 65 degrees.

5. The holder of claim 3 wherein the upper beam and the lower strut are configured so that a forwardmost portion of the gantry exhibits a radius of curvature of from 5 mm to 25 mm.

6. The holder of claim 1 wherein the gantry comprises at least one catch comprising at least one catchportion that extends outward from the gantry at least generally along a transverse direction.

7. The holder of claim 1 wherein the mast and the gantry are integral portions of a single, integral, injection-molded hanger.

8. The holder of claim 7 wherein the low er end of the mast of the hanger is connected to the base of the holder by way of being held in a mast-supporting boss that is integral w ith a generally horizontal partition of the base, the generally horizontal partition serving in combination with a radially-outward side wall of tire baseto provide a first, lower compartment of the base that is configured to be a weighted compartment of the base, and a second, upper compartment of the base that is configured to be a drip-receptacle of the base.

9. An assemblage comprising the holder of claim 1 and a scrubbing article.

10. An assembly comprising the holder of claim 1 and a scrubbing article parked on the hanger of the holder, the scrubbing article comprising a through-hole and at least a portion of the gantry of the holder being seated within the through-hole of the scrubbing article.

11. Tire assembly of claim 10 wherein the through-hole of the scrubbing article is a vcrtically-clongatc slot with a transverse width; and, wherein the gantry of tire holder comprises at least one catch that comprises a transverse width that is greater than tire transverse width of the vertically-elongate slot of the scrubbing article by at least 40 %.

12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein a vertical height of a mast of the hanger, a vertical height of the scrubbing article, and a location, along a vertical axis of the scrubbing article, of a ceiling of the through-hole of the scrubbing article, are configured in combination so that when the scrubbing article is parked on the hanger, no portion of tire scrubbing article is in contact with any portion of the base of the holder.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the vertical height of the mast is greater than a vertical distance from tire ceiling of the through-hole of the scrubbing article to a lower end of tire scrubbing article, by a factor of from 105 %to 130 %.

14. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the base comprises a radially-outward perimeter that defines a dripcatching zone of the base, and wherein when the scrubbing article is parked on the hanger, no portion of the scrubbing article is positioned radially outward of the drip-catching zone of the base15. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the through-hole of the scrubbing article is a through-slot that is vertically elongate and wherein the at least portion of the gantry is seated within the vertically elongate through-slot of tire scrubbing article so that a ceiling of the vertically elongate through-slot of the scrubbing article rests atop an upper beam of the gantry.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the at least portion of the gantry is seated within the vertically elongate through-slot so that a floor of tire vertically elongate through-slot of the scrubbing article is in contact with a lower strut of the gantry.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the upper beam and lower strut of the gantry vertically diverge from each other toward a rear end of the gantry to a separation distance that is from 100 % to 140 % of a vertical height of tire elongate through-slot of the scrubbing article, so that when the scrubbing article is parked on the holder, the separation distance between the upper beam and the lower strut causes the scrubbing article to be generally unable to move any further rearward and / or downward from its parked location on the gantry of the holder.

18. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the gantry' is configured so that a span of the gantry; being the closest straight-line distance from an upper-rear comer of tire gantry' to the lower stmt of the gantry; is from 95 % to 135 % of a vertical height of the elongate through-slot of the scrubbing article, so that when the scrubbing article is parked on the holder, the span of the gantry causes the sembbing article to be generally unable to move any further rearward and / or downward from its parked location on the gantry of the holder.

19. The assembly of claim 16 wherein a forward-rearward length of the gantry' is from 110 % to 140 % of a forward-rearward thickness of tire sembbing article.

20. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the lower end of the mast is connected to the base of the holder at a location that is radially offset from a geometric center of the base of the holder, with the hanger being oriented so that the gantry' extends from the mast in a direction generally toward the geometric center of the base, so that when the sembbing article is parked on the holder, the sembbing article is positioned generally proximate the geometric center of the base so that all portions of the sembbing article are positioned w ithin a perimeter of the base of the holder.

21. The assembly of claim 10 w herein the base of the holder comprises a radially-outward sidewall that defines the perimeter of the base and defines a drip-catching zone of the base, and wherein the base of the holder comprises a generally horizontal partition that, in combination with the radially-outward sidewall, provides a first, lower compartment of the base that is configured to be a weighted compartment, and a second, upper compartment of the base that is configured to be a drip-receptacle, and wherein the lower end of the mast is connected to, and the mast extends generally upwardly from, the generally horizontal partition of the base.

22. The assembly of claim 21 w herein the base of the holder further comprises a removable drip-basin having a radially-outward rim that is removably mountable onto an upper edge of the radially-outward sidewall of the base of the holder, the removable drip-basin sloping generally conically downward to a through-aperturethat radially-outwardly encircles a lower portion of the mast, with a radially -inward rim of the through-aperture being spaced radially outward from the lower portion of the mast by at least 2 mm at all locations of the radially-inward rim.

23. The assembly of claim 22 wherein through-aperture of the removable drip-basin is in the fomi of an elongate through-slot with a long axis that is aligned with the direction that the gantry extends at least generally forwardly from tire upper end of the mast, so that with no scrubbing article parked on the hanger, the removable drip-basin can be demounted from the upper edge of the radially-outward sidewall of the base after which the removable drip-basin can then be lifted vertically beyond the hanger to completely remove the drip-basin from the holder, with the gantry of the hanger passing through the elongate through-slot of the removable drip-basin during this process.

24. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the scrubbing article comprises a longitudinal axis and wherein the scrubbing article is parked on the holder so that the longitudinal axis of the scrubbing article is generally vertically oriented.

25. A kit comprising the assemblage of claim 9, the kit comprising the holder, comprising a first scrubbing article that is parked on the hanger of the holder, and further comprising at least one additional scrubbing article that is packaged with the holder and the first scrubbing article but is not parked on the hanger of the holder.

26. A method of using the assemblage of claim 9 to fomi an assembly, the method comprising removably parking the scrubbing article on the gantry of the hanger of the holder.

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