STACKABLE BUCKET

Abstract

A bucket configured for nesting with other buckets when empty or stacking with other buckets when lidded, includes a bottom wall and a side wall with circumferential flanges and a circumferential apron for structural reinforcement. The circumferential apron has enlarged portions at locations of attachment of a swing handle and also adjoins with a pair of handles at diametrically opposite positions, each handle including a through-hole for receiving a tensile fastener for coupling the bucket with other empty buckets nested therewith in allowing the coupled buckets to be transported by use of the swing handle of the uppermost bucket. A lid is provided with stabilizers that help stabilize buckets stacked above from lateral movement.

Claims

1. A bucket, comprising: a bottom wall; a circumferential side wall having a rim and an outer surface; first and second handle members formed on the outer surface of the side wall, each with a through-hole configured to receive a respective fastener; and an apron on the outer surface of the side wall between the first and second handle members.

2. The bucket of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second handle members has a first portion extending at an angle relative to the rim and a second portion extending at an angle relative to the rim.

3. The bucket of claim 2, wherein the angle ranges between about 40 to 60 degrees and the angle ranges between approx. 70-90 degrees.

4. The bucket of claim 3, wherein the angle is about 50 degrees and the angle is about 80 degrees.

5. The bucket of claim 2, wherein a through-hole is disposed in each of the first portion of each first and second handler members.

6. The bucket of claim 1, wherein the apron has an L-shaped cross section, with one leg of the cross section being generally parallel with the circumferential side wall and another leg of the cross section being generally perpendicular to the circumferential side wall.

7. The bucket of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall includes a circumferential ridge configured to contact a support surface.

8. The bucket of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall includes an inner circumferential ridge, a middle circumferential ridge and an outer circumferential ridge, and the radial ridges extend between the middle circumferential ridge and the outer circumferential ridge.

9. The bucket of claim 1, further comprising an annular portion connecting the circumferential side wall and the bottom wall.

10. The bucket of claim 9, wherein the annular portion has a maximum diameter and a minimum diameter.

11. The bucket of claim 10, further comprising a lid, the lid having a plurality of stabilizers arranged in a circumferential pattern defined by a diameter between the maximum and minimum diameters of the annular portion.

12. The bucket of claim 7, further comprising a lid, the lid having a plurality of stabilizers arranged in a circumferential pattern defined by a diameter greater than a diameter of the circumferential ridge.

13. The bucket of claim 10, wherein the bottom wall includes a circumferential ridge configured to contact a support surface, the circumferential ridge arranged in a circumferential pattern defined by a ridge diameter, and the bucket further comprising a lid, the lid having a plurality of first stabilizers arranged in a circumferential pattern defined by a first diameter and a plurality of second stabilizers arranged in a circumferential pattern defined by a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than ridge diameter and the second diameter being between the maximum diameter and minimum diameter of the annular portion.

14. The bucket of claim 1, further comprising radial fins extending between the apron and the side wall.

15. A bucket bundle, comprising: at least first and second buckets arranged in a stacked configuration, each bucket having a bottom wall, a circumferential side wall defining a rim, and first and second handle members, each first handle member having a first through-hole, each second member having a second through-hole; a first fastener inserted through each of the first through-holes, the first fastener coupling each of the first handle members to each other; and a second fastener inserted through each of the second through-holes, the second fastener coupling each of the second handle members to each other.

16. The bucket bundle of claim 15, wherein each of the first and second fasteners includes a cable tie.

17. The bucket bundle of claim 15, wherein each of the first and second handle members includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion extending at an angle relative to the rim ranging between about 40 to 60 degrees.

18. The bucket bundle of claim 15, wherein each of the first and second handle members include an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion extending at an angle ranging between about 70-90 degrees relative to the rim.

19. The bucket bundle of claim 15, further comprising radial fins extending between each of the first and second handle members and the outer surface of the side wall.

20. The bucket bundle of 19, wherein the radial fins of the first and second handle member of an upper bucket rests on the rim of the lower bucket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is understood that selected structures and features have not been shown in certain drawings so as to provide better viewing of the remaining structures and features.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a bucket with a lid, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a bottom isometric view of the bucket of FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a front isometric view of the bucket of FIG. 1, without the lid.

[0030] FIG. 4A is side view of the bucket of FIG. 3.

[0031] FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the inset 4B of FIG. 4A

[0032] FIG. 5 is a front isometric view of a bucket bundle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the bucket of FIG. 1.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the lid of FIG. 1.

[0035] FIG. 8A is a side cross-sectional view of the bucket of FIG. 1, across a first diameter.

[0036] FIG. 8B is a side cross-sectional view of the bucket of FIG. 1, across a second diameter generally perpendicular to the first diameter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FOR MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0037] The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are identically numbered. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The detailed description illustrates by way of example, not by way of limitation, the principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention.

[0038] Any one or more of the teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. that are described herein. The following-described teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those skilled in the pertinent art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

[0039] The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are identically numbered. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The detailed description illustrates by way of example, not by way of limitation, the principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention.

[0040] As used herein, the terms about or approximately for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein. More specifically, about or approximately may refer to the range of values20% of the recited value, e.g. about 90% may refer to the range of values from 71% to 110%.

[0041] With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a bucket 10 has a bottom wall 12 with a center C through which a center longitudinal axis extends LA, and a circumferential side wall 13 extending about the longitudinal axis LA from a lower edge 16 to an upper edge or rim 17 which defines an opening 18 of the bucket that leads into an interior volume. In some embodiments, a lid 20 is included to enclose the interior volume with a fluid tight seal about the opening 18 where the lid 20 engages an outwardly extending lip 36 of the rim 17.

[0042] With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A, the circumferential side wall 13 has an inner surface 14 and an outer surface 15. For structural support around the rim 17 to prevent warping due to weight or loads, the outer surface 15 of the side wall 13 is configured with multiple circumferential flanges 27 that project perpendicularly from the outer surface 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the bucket 10 includes a first or upper flange 27a and a second or lower circumferential flange 27b which are configured as flat thin rings that are separated by a spacing S lesser than a spacing SS between the rim 17 and the upper flange 27a, as shown in FIG. 4A.

[0043] The circumferential side wall 13 has a generally cylindrical shape with a linear profile P and a slight taper to create a frustrum along the longitudinal axis LA such that a diameter D1 at the rim 17 is slightly greater than a diameter D2 at the lower edge 16 so that the bucket can nest with another bucket of the same configuration. The bottom wall 12 has a diameter D3 which is slightly less than the diameter D2 such that an annular portion 37 with a concave curvature profile connects the lower edge 16 of the frustrum of the side wall 13 and the bottom wall 12.

[0044] For additional structural support, the outer surface 15 is configured with a circumferential apron 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the circumferential apron 19 is disposed below the lower flange 27b by a distance HH measured from the rim 17 where the distance HH is approximately equal to or less than the upper 30% portion of a height HB of the bucket. In some embodiments, the distance HH is approximately equal to or less than the upper 20% portion of the height HB of the bucket.

[0045] Better shown in FIG. 4B, the circumferential apron 19 has a general L-shaped cross section with a first upper section 21 generally perpendicular to the side wall 13 and a second lower section 22 generally parallel to the side wall 13.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, across a diameter Dx of the side wall 13 of the bucket at 0 and 180 degrees about the center longitudinal axis LA, the circumferential apron 19 has first and second enlarged portions 19a, 19b, each including a through-hole 24a, 24b for receiving ends of an arcuate swing handle 25 for attachment to the bucket 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the enlarged portions 19a, 19b are rectangular portions that extend upwardly from the circumferential apron 19 to the lower flange 27b.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, across a diameter Dx of the bucket at 90 and 270 degrees, the circumferential apron 19 has two diametrically-opposite gaps or discontinuities, one of which is occupied by a first handle member 28a and another of which is occupied by a second handle member 28b. Each handle member 28a, 28b has radial ends 29 perpendicular to the outer surface 15 of the side wall 13, and a main circumferential portion 30 that protrudes outwardly beyond the circumferential apron 19 defining a diameter DT that is greater than the diameter D1 (see FIG. 4A). As shown in more detail in FIG. 4B, the main portion 30 has an upper section 31 whose upper edge 32 adjoins with the lower flange 27b for structural support. The upper section 31 extends from the side wall 13 at an angle relative to a plane P containing the rim 17. The main portion 30 also has a lower section 33 with a free lower edge 34. The lower section 33 extends at an angle relative to the plane P. The upper and lower sections 31 and 33 of the handle member 28a, 28b create an overhang with a space gap 39 (FIG. 2) below which allows a user to insert multiple fingers into the gap 39 and lift the bucket 10 whether to transport the bucket or to separate bucket from a nested bucket. In some embodiments, the angle ranges between approx. 40 to 60 degrees and the angle ranges between approx. 70-90 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle is about 50 degrees and the angle is about 80 degrees.

[0048] As an area of the bucket 10 that is especially susceptible to stress and deformation due to the load imposed by the content carried in the bucket, the circumferential apron 19, including the enlarged portions 19a, 19b, and the adjoining first and second handle members 28a, 28b are reinforced on their undersides around the circumference of the bucket by a plurality of radial fins 23 that extend between these formations and the outer surface 15 of the side wall 13. The size and shape of the radial fins 23 may vary as needed to accommodate the space gap below the circumferential apron 19, the enlarged portions 19a, 19b, and the first and second handle members 28a, 28b. Lateral spacing between the radial fins 23, especially those below the first and second handle members 28a, 28b can be varied and adjusted to accommodate placement of the user's fingers. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second handle member 28a, 28b is supported by the radial ends 29 and two radial fins 23a, 23b identical in shape and size to each other. The two radial fins 23a, 23b are positioned closer to the adjacent radial end 29 than they are to each other, leaving a wider gap 39 below each handle member 28a, 28b to accommodate the user's fingers.

[0049] Advantageously, the angles and at which the upper section 31 and the lower section 33, respectively, extend enable the first and second handle members 28a, 28b to be conveniently exposed and accessible when multiple empty buckets 101, 102 and 103 are stacked vertically, with the first and second handles 28a, 28b of an upper bucket resting atop the rim 17 of the lower bucket, as shown in FIG. 5. In particular, the respective first handle members 28a and the respective second handle members 28b can be vertically aligned such that a through-hole 40 formed in each handle member can be vertically aligned and in relatively close proximity to each other to readily receive a fastener 35 to secure the vertically stacked empty buckets to each other. In some embodiments, three empty buckets can be stacked and secured to each other by cable ties, strings or other suitable fasteners inserted through the through-hole 40, which is shown as a centered through-hole in the embodiment of FIG. 5. Coupling three empty buckets 101, 102, 103 to each other provides a convenient way for a user to transport by using solely the swing handle 25 of the uppermost bucket to carry all three buckets. Vendors and retailers can display empty buckets coupled in this manner and purchasers and consumers can conveniently transport or store empty buckets coupled in this manner.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, the bottom wall 12 is reinforced with raised ridges 44 formed on outer surface 45. In some embodiments, the raised ridges 44 include circumferential ridges 44C and radial ridges 44R. In the illustrated embodiment, the ridges 44C include concentric inner, middle and outer circumferential ridges 44C1, 44C2 and 44C3, where ridge 44C1 is defined by diameter D, ridge 44C2 is defined by diameter D, ridge 44C3 is defined by diameter D, all measured from an inner surface of the respective ridges. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial ridges 44R are evenly-spaced circumferentially about the longitudinal axis LA and each extends between the middle circumferential ridge 44C2 and the outer circumferential ridge 44C3. The plurality of radial ridges 44R ranges between about four and eight, and six in the illustrated embodiment. Notably, the bucket 10 rests on the ridges 44C, 44R when placed on a support surface as the bottom wall 12 is elevated by the ridges 44C, 44R.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, the various diameters of the bucket have the following relationship:

[00001]$\mathrm{DT}>\mathrm{DA}>D1>D2>D3>D4>D^{}>D^{}>D^{}$$\mathrm{where}:$$\mathrm{DT}=\mathrm{diameter}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{handle}\mathrm{members}28a,28b$$\mathrm{DA}=\mathrm{diameter}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{circumferential}\mathrm{apron}19$$D1=\mathrm{diameter}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{upper}\mathrm{edge}\mathrm{or}\mathrm{rim}17\mathrm{the}\mathrm{circumferential}\mathrm{side}\mathrm{wall}13$$D2=\mathrm{diameter}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{bottom}\mathrm{edge}16\mathrm{of}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{circumferential}\mathrm{side}\mathrm{wall}13$$D3=\mathrm{diameter}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{bottom}\mathrm{wall}12$$D4=\mathrm{outer}\mathrm{diameter}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{outer}\mathrm{circumferential}\mathrm{ridge}44C3$$D^{}=\mathrm{inner}\mathrm{diameter}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{outer}\mathrm{circumferential}\mathrm{ridge}44C3$$D^{}=\mathrm{inner}\mathrm{diameter}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{middle}\mathrm{circumferential}\mathrm{ridge}44C2$$D^{}=\mathrm{inner}\mathrm{diameter}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{inner}\mathrm{circumferential}\mathrm{ridge}44C1$

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the lid 20 includes a planar main portion 50, and a peripheral edge portion 51 with a generally U-shaped cross-section 52 configured to engage with the lip 36 of the rim 17 of the bucket to provide a fluid tight seal. The lid 20 includes an outer surface 54 and an inner surface 55. The outer surface 54 is configured with lower/inner stabilizers 58 and upper/outer stabilizers 60 to help stabilize a bucket 100 stacked on top of the lid. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower/inner stabilizers 58 are discrete raised formations with a height H1 and are arranged in a concentric circle, with equal spacing in between, defined by a diameter DL slightly larger than the diameter D of the outer circumferential ridge 44C3 on the bottom wall 12 of the bucket so that the stabilizers 58 can abut and surround the ridge 44C3 of the bucket 100 to provide lateral stability to the bucket 100 in minimizing lateral movement or shifting. Each stabilizer 58 has a greater circumferential dimension that its radial dimension.

[0053] The upper/outer stabilizers 60 are disposed on a raised reinforcement ring 62 that is provided to add structural support to the lid near its perimeter and to elevate the stabilizers 60 to a height greater than the height of the stabilizers 58. The ring 62 has a diameter DR slightly greater than the diameter D2 of the bottom edge 16 of the side wall 13. So disposed on the ring 62, the stabilizers 60 can abut and surround the curved annular portion 37 of the side wall 13 of the bucket 100 to further provide lateral stability to the bucket 100. Each stabilizer 60 has a greater radial dimension than its circumferential dimension.

[0054] The relationship of the various diameters is as follows:

[00002]$\mathrm{DT}>\mathrm{DA}>D1>D2>D3>\mathrm{DL}>D4>D^{}>D^{}>D^{}$$\mathrm{where}:$$\mathrm{DR}\mathrm{is}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{inner}\mathrm{diameter}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{ring}62\mathrm{and}\mathrm{thus}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{stabilizers}60$$\mathrm{DL}\mathrm{is}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{inner}\mathrm{diameter}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{stabilizers}58$

Notably, the annular portion 37 has a maximum/upper diameter of D2 and a minimum/lower diameter of D3 as the annual portion 37 connects the bottom edge 16 of the circumferential side wall 13 to the bottom wall 12.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, each stabilizer 58 is radially aligned with a respective stabilizer 60 and each is equally spaced about the longitudinal axis LA. The plurality of each stabilizer 58 and stabilizer 60 may range between 12 and 20.

[0056] The main portion 50 of the lid 20 is also formed with reinforcement ridges 64 to help the lid support the load when buckets are stacked above the lid 20 atop a bucket. In the illustrated embodiments, the reinforcement ridges are configured as concentric circles.

[0057] The lid 20 also includes a tab 62 on peripheral edge to be use by a user to lift and remove the lid from the bucket. In the illustrated embodiment, the tab 62 has a generally semi-circular shape and is generally coplanar with the main portion 50. An outer surface is configured with friction-inducing texture 66.

[0058] It should be understood that any of the embodiments described herein may include various other features in addition to or in lieu of those described above. By way of example only, any of the embodiments described herein may also include one or more of the various features disclosed in any of the various references that are incorporated by reference herein.

[0059] It should be further understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. The above-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

[0060] Having shown and described various versions of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, versions, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.