Storage and cleaning unit for a toilet plunger

A device for storing and cleaning a toilet plunger having a handle with opposed ends and a cup disposed at one end thereof, the cup having a side wall terminating in a cup end wall, said device comprising:

• (a) a container;
• (b) a curved lid having two curved lid-halves;
• (c) means for pivotly connecting each said lid-half to said container, said means permitting said lid-halves to open outside said container without telescoping on said container and without telescoping on each other;
• and
• (d) means for closing and opening said lid-halves using the toilet plunger.

A device for storing and cleaning a toilet plunger of the type having a handle with opposed ends and a cup disposed at one end thereof, the cup having a side wall terminating in a cup end wall, said device comprising:

• (a) an open-topped container, said container having a base having upstanding side walls, a base top with a top surface and a base bottom with an opposing bottom surface, said base top having a plurality of base raised portions and said side walls having a spout portion defining a pouring spout;
• (b) a curved lid having two curved lid-halves, each lid-half having an interior surface and an exterior surface, said lid having a hole therethrough, said hole penetrating said two lid-halves;
• (c) a hinge mechanism connecting each said lid-half to said container;
• and
• (d) a pair of closure members, each closure member projecting from said interior surface of said lid-half;
• each said closure member having a plurality of bumper/lever members, each bumper/lever member having a bumper and a lever with said bumper abutting an edge of said hole, said bumper having a D-shaped curve portion and an inwardly bent section, said D-shaped curved section directly adjacent to said inwardly bent section, and said lever having a truncated triangular shape with a first side, an opposite second side and a third side connecting said first side and said second side, said first side continuous with said inwardly bent section of said bumper.

A method for opening and closing a toilet plunger storing and cleaning device, using a toilet plunger having a handle with opposed end, and a cup disposed at one end thereof and having a sidewall terminating in a cup end wall,

• said method comprising the steps of:
• (a) opening a device having (i) an open-topped container having an interior, (ii) a lid thereto having two lid-halves and a hole therethrough, (iii) a hinge mechanism connecting each said lid-half to said container, and (iv) an internal closure mechanism disposed within said lid and adjacent said hole;
• said hole penetrating said two lid-halves;
• each said lid-half having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a tab extending from said exterior surface;
• said internal closure mechanism having at least one curved member having a curved portion for engaging the side wall of the cup of the toilet plunger and at least one linear member having a linear portion for engaging the end wall of the cup of the toilet plunger;
• by depressing each said tab of said lid-halves causing each said lid-halves to pivot about said hinge mechanism to open and expose said interior of said container;
• (b) lowering the toilet plunger into said interior of said container;
• (c) engaging the end wall of the cup of the toilet plunger against said linear portion, causing said lid-halves to pivot shut to close said device;
• (d) resting the end wall of the cup of the toilet plunger in said container and enclosing both the cup of the toilet plunger and a portion of the handle of the toilet plunger and wherein a remainder of the handle protrudes through said hole in said lid;
• (e) grasping the handle and pulling the handle toward said lid-halves;
• and
• (f) engaging the side wall of the cup of the toilet plunger against said curved portion, causing said lid-halves to pivot open to open said device.

A method of cleaning a toilet plunger using a device for storing and cleaning a toilet plunger having a handle with an opposed end, and a cup disposed at one end thereof and having a sidewall terminating in a cup end wall,

• said method comprising the steps of:
• (a) opening a device comprising (i) an open-topped container having an interior defined by upstanding walls and a base, said walls having a spout portion defining a pour spout, (ii) a lid having two lid-halves and a hole therethrough, each lid-half having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a tab extending from said exterior surface;
• said hole penetrating said two lid-halves, (iii) a hinge mechanism connecting each said lid-half to said container, and (iv) an internal closure mechanism disposed within said lid and adjacent said hole, said internal closure mechanism having at least one curved member having a curved portion for engaging the side wall of the cup of the toilet plunger and at least one linear member having a linear portion for engaging the end wall of the cup of the toilet plunger, by depressing said tabs on said lid-halves causing each said lid-half to pivot about said hinge mechanism opening and exposing said interior of said container;
• (b) pouring a cleaning solution into said container;
• (c) lowering the toilet plunger into said container;
• (d) engaging the end wall of the cup of the toilet plunger against said linear portion, causing said lid-halves to pivot shut, closing said device;
• (e) resting the end wall of the cup of the toilet plunger in said container and enclosing both the cup of the toilet plunger and a portion of the handle of the toilet plunger and a remainder of the handle protrudes through said hole in said lid;
• (f) soaking the toilet plunger in the cleaning solution;
• and
• (g) tipping said device and draining the cleaning solution from said device through said pour spout.