Holder for a Cleaning Implement

Abstract

A holder for a cleaning implement is provided. The holder includes a plurality of side walls each having a plurality of openings for allowing airflow therethrough, a bottom wall, and a lid hingedly attached to an upper edge of one of the plurality of side walls. The plurality of side walls, bottom wall, and lid define a compartment for receiving and storing a cleaning implement, such as a sponge, scrubbing pad, etc. The holder could be provided in an upright configuration, wherein first and second storage compartments are provided in front-to-back relationship, each compartment storing a cleaning implement in an upright position. Lids could be provided on the first and second storage compartments, and hingedly attached thereto. A third compartment could be provided for storing a brush in an upright position.

1 . A holder for holding a cleaning implement, comprising:
 a plurality of side walls each having a decorative pattern including a plurality of openings for allowing air to flow through the side walls;   a solid bottom wall connected to lower edges of the plurality of side walls; and   a lid positionable to rest on upper edges of the plurality of sidewalls,   wherein the plurality of sidewalls, the bottom wall, and the lid define a compartment for storing a cleaning implement.   
     
     
         2 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the lid includes a decorative pattern including a plurality of openings for allowing air to pass through the lid. 
     
     
         3 . The holder of  claim 1 , further comprising an internal wall dividing the compartment into first and second sub-compartments. 
     
     
         4 . The holder of  claim 3 , wherein the lid covers the first and second sub-compartments when the lid is in a closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The holder of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of feet on the bottom wall for supporting the holder above a surface. 
     
     
         6 . The holder of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge interconnecting the lid with an upper area of one of the plurality of side walls so that the lid is pivotable between open and closed positions. 
     
     
         7 . A holder for holding a plurality of cleaning implements, comprising:
 a first compartment for holding a first cleaning implement in an upright position, the first compartment defined at least in part by a first plurality of side wall and an inner wall;   a second compartment adjacent to the first compartment for holding a second cleaning implement in an upright position, the second compartment defined at least in part by a second plurality of side walls and the inner wall;   a bottom wall connected to lower edges of the first and second pluralities of side walls;   a first lid hingely interconnected with an upper area of one of the first plurailty of sidewalls, the first lid positionable to close the first compartment; and   a second lid hingedly interconnected with an upper edge of one of the second plurality of sidewalls, the second lid positionable to close the second compartment,   wherein the first and second pluralities of sidewalls include openings for facilitating air flow into the first and second compartments.   
     
     
         8 . The holder of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second lids each include an angled portion. 
     
     
         9 . The holder of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second lids each include a plurality of openings for allowing air to pass into the first and second compartments. 
     
     
         10 . The holder of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first plurality of side walls, the second plurality of sidewalls, or the lid includes a decorative pattern. 
     
     
         11 . The holder of  claim 7 , further comprising a third compartment adjacent to one of the first or second compartments for storing a brush in an upright position. 
     
     
         12 . The holder of  claim 11 , wherein the third compartment includes openings for allowing air flow into the third compartment. 
     
     
         13 . The holder of  claim 11 , wherein sidewalls of the third compartment include a decorative pattern. 
     
     
         14 . The holder of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second lids each include an angled portion. 
     
     
         15 . A method for holding a cleaning implement, comprising the steps of:
 providing a holder having a plurality of side walls, a solid bottom wall, and a lid positionable to rest on upper edges of the plurality of side walls;   opening the lid;   positioning a cleaning implement into the holder so that the cleaning implement rests on the solid bottom wall;   closing the lid; and   allowing air to pass through the plurality of side walls of the holder to dry the cleaning implement.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising allowing air to pass through the lid to dry the cleaning implement. 
     
     
         17 . A method for holding a plurality of cleaning implements, comprising the steps of:
 providing a holder having first and second storage compartments in front-to-back relationship;   positioning a first cleaning implement in an upright position in the first storage compartment;   positioning a second cleaning implement in an upright position in the second storage compartment; and   allowing air to pass through the first and second storage compartments to dry the first and second cleaning implements.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of closing lids on the first and second storage compartments after positioning the first and second cleaning implements in the first and second compartments. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of providing the holder comprises providing a holder having first and second storage compartments in front-to-back relationship and a third compartment attached to a side of one of the first or second storage compartments. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising positioning a third cleaning implement in an upright position in the third storage compartment and allowing the third cleaning implement to dry.