Plunger Caddy Reservoir and Spray Wand for Germ-Free Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plungers lack a built-in cleaning mechanism, leading to germ spread and inefficient cleaning processes, and replacement plungers are costly and unnecessary between uses.

Innovation Solution

A plunger caddy with an integrated cleaning mechanism, featuring a fluid reservoir, tubing, and a spray wand with a handle, allowing for immediate cleaning of the plunger after use without spreading germs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a plunger is placed in its stand or tub after use, then it can be stored conveniently, but germs and waste are spread to those vessels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of plunger storageVSAvoidgerm spread to storage vessels

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A disposable liner is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the plunger and the storage stand/tub. The liner contains the plunger and any contaminants, preventing direct contact and germ spread to the storage vessels while maintaining convenient storage functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The plunger is extracted from direct contact with the storage environment by placing it inside a removable liner. This separates the contaminated plunger from the clean storage stand or tub, allowing convenient storage without contaminating the storage vessels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If a plunger is rinsed in the tub or sink, then it can be cleaned, but germs are spread to those vessels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of cleaning processVSAvoidgerm spread to sink or tub

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The disposable liner serves as an intermediary that contains all cleaning activities. Instead of rinsing the plunger directly in the tub or sink, the entire plunger-with-liner assembly is rinsed, containing germs within the liner and preventing spread to the sink or tub surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The liner performs the cleaning function itself by containing the plunger and its contaminants. The liner is designed to be disposed of after a single use, eliminating the need for separate cleaning steps and preventing germ spread through simple disposal rather than complex cleaning procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a container with disinfectant is used to clean the plunger, then the plunger can be disinfected, but the container with dirty disinfectant must be handled, emptied, and cleaned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning process steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liner is designed as a disposable, low-cost component that eliminates the need for reusable cleaning containers. After the plunger is rinsed within the liner, the entire liner is thrown away, avoiding the complex cycle of handling, emptying, and cleaning disinfectant containers while maintaining effective disinfection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning and disinfection process is extracted from the complex container-based system and simplified to a single-rinse operation within the disposable liner. This removes the need for separate disinfectant containers and their associated handling, emptying, and cleaning steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If replacement plungers are purchased frequently, then clean plungers are available, but it is costly and unnecessary between uses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of clean plungerVSAvoidcost of replacement plungers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The liner provides self-contained protection for the plunger between uses. By containing the plunger and its contaminants within the disposable liner, the system maintains plunger cleanliness without requiring frequent replacement of the plunger itself, reducing costs while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding the expensive plunger, the system discards the cheap liner that contains the contaminants. The plunger is recovered and reused multiple times, while the disposable liner is discarded after single use, eliminating the need for frequent plunger replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables one-step, germ-free cleaning of the plunger, preventing the spread of bacteria and reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Implementation Method 1

a spray wand with a handle, wherein the fluid dispersing assembly is removably mounted to the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentUS12448765B2Toilet plunger caddy with cleaning mechanism

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 STEELE ELAINE AUGUSTA

AI summary

A plunger caddy and cleaning assembly includes a housing that accommodates a plunger; a fluid reservoir mounted within the housing; tubing extending from an interior of the fluid reservoir; and a fluid dispersing assembly in connected to the fluid reservoir by way of the tubing. The fluid dispersing assembly has a spray wand with a handle and is removably mounted to the housing.