Flush valve mounted beverage holder and associated method

Abstract

An apparatus and method for a flush valve mounted holder having a closed bottom and an open top, the closed bottom configured to replace the cover of a flush valve having a flush valve cover in a commercial sanitary fixture such as a urinal or toilet, the holder comprising a base positioned to form the closed bottom of the holder, the base having threads positioned thereon for connecting to the flush valve, to thereby mount the holder on the flush valve in place of the flush valve cover, and a body connected to the base and positioned to form the open top of the flush valve mounted holder, the body having a shape suitable for holding at least one item for a person. The holder is preferably configured so that the body includes an outer wall extending vertically upwardly from the base to form a receptacle including an inner cavity having a floor and a mouth opening having a mouth rim, the receptacle, mouth opening and inner cavity being suitably dimensioned for receiving a beverage container therein, to thereby define a beverage container holder. The invention also encompasses a method of advertising including the step of connecting an advertisement to a flush valve assembly of a commercial sanitary fixture such as a urinal or toilet by replacing an original part of the flush valve assembly with a functionally equivalent part bearing the advertisement.

That which is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method of advertising comprising connecting to a sanitary fixture a cup holder bearing an advertisement.  
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the sanitary fixture is selected from a urinal and a toilet.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the sanitary fixture comprises a flush valve assembly, and the cup holder is connected thereto.  
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the advertisement comprises a sports team logo.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the cup holder comprises at least one predetermined color, to thereby promote an entity associated with said color.  
     
     
         6 . A method of advertising comprising: 
 fabricating an article holder configured to replace an original part of a sanitary fixture, the article holder bearing an advertisement; and    connecting the article holder to the sanitary fixture by replacing the original part therewith.    
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 6   , wherein the article holder comprises a cup holder.  
     
     
         8 . The method of    claim 6   , wherein the sanitary fixture is selected from a urinal and a toilet.  
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 6   , wherein the original part comprises a flush valve assembly.  
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 6   , wherein the advertisement comprises a sports team logo.  
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 6   , wherein the article holder comprises at least one predetermined color, to thereby promote an entity associated with said color.  
     
     
         12 . A method of mounting a holder on a flush valve housing of a commercial sanitary fixture such as a urinal or toilet having a flush valve cover, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) fabricating a holder to replace the cover of the flush valve housing, the holder comprising a base positioned to form a closed bottom of the holder, the base having threads positioned thereon for connecting to the flush valve housing, and a body connected to the base and positioned to form an open top of the flush valve mounted holder, the body having a shape suitable for holding at least one item for a person; and    b) connecting the holder to the flush valve housing by using the threads to thereby mount the holder thereon.    
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 12   , wherein the holder further includes a base and a body fabricated as one integral part.  
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 12   , wherein the body further includes an outer wall extending vertically upwardly from the base to form a receptacle having an inner cavity, a floor, and a mouth opening having a mouth rim, the receptacle, mouth opening and inner cavity being suitably dimensioned for receiving a beverage container therein, to thereby define a beverage container holder.  
     
     
         15 . The method of    claim 12   , wherein the outer wall further includes therethrough a plurality of openings positioned near the floor to provide fluid outlets from the receptacle cavity to the outside, to thereby substantially drain liquid accumulating within the cavity.  
     
     
         16 . The method of    claim 12   , wherein the holder further includes a hexagonally shaped element positioned to receive a wrench for aiding in connecting and disconnecting the holder relative to the flush valve housing.  
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 12   , wherein the open top forms a shelf positioned to hold at least one item for a user of the sanitary fixture.  
     
     
         18 . The method of    claim 12   , wherein the open top forms an ashtray for holding cigarettes, cigars and the like for a user of the sanitary fixture.  
     
     
         19 . The method of    claim 12   , wherein the outer wall further includes an elongated slot positioned connecting with the mouth rim, the elongated slot extending downwardly along the outer wall from the mouth rim toward the base and being suitably dimensioned for allowing the holder to receive within the inner cavity a beverage container having a handle, the handle positioned within the elongated slot.  
     
     
         20 . The method of    claim 12   , wherein the hollow receptacle further includes an inner wall positioned within the inner cavity in substantial juxtaposition with the outer wall so as to define a void space between the outer and inner walls, to thereby provide a double-walled beverage container holder.  
     
     
         21 . The method of    claim 12   , wherein the outer wall further comprises a substantially transparent material and wherein an advertisement is positioned within the void space so as to be visible through the substantially transparent material, to thereby provide an advertising platform connected to a commercial sanitary fixture.  
     
     
         22 . The method of    claim 12   , wherein the outer wall further includes threads, and the inner wall further includes complementary threads for removably connecting the inner wall with the outer wall, to thereby allow for removing the inner wall from the double-walled beverage container holder.  
     
     
         23 . The method of    claim 12   , wherein the outer wall further comprises a substantially transparent material and wherein an advertisement is removably positioned within the void space so as to be visible through the substantially transparent material, to thereby provide a changeable advertisement connected to a commercial sanitary fixture.  
     
     
         24 . The method of    claim 12   , further including the step of positioning an advertisement on the holder, to thereby provide an advertising platform connected to a commercial sanitary fixture.