CONTAINER FOR CARRYING AND POURING FLOWABLE MATERIALS

CONTENEUR POUR TRANSPORTER ET VERSER DES MATIERES FLUIDES

English Abstract

A container for carrying and pouring flowable materials having a bucket
portion with a side portion, a closed bottom portion and an upper rim area at
least partially defining an open top; a handle attached near or on the upper
rim area; at least three gripping surfaces located in the closed bottom
portion of the bucket portion to permit multiple means of gripping the
container. A method for dispensing flowable materials having the steps of
gripping a handle rotatably affixed to a container having material therein
with a first hand, wherein at least a portion of the handle is located above a
discharge opening of the container; gripping a gripping surface located about
the middle of the bottom of the container with a second hand; and tipping the
container to discharge material from within the container using the first hand
and the handle as a pivot point while lifting the bottom of the container with
the second hand gripping the gripping surface.

French Abstract

Un conteneur pour transporter et verser des matières fluides et qui comprend une portion en forme de seau avec une portion latérale, une portion de base fermée et une région circulaire supérieure qui définit au moins partiellement un dessus ouvert ; une poignée attachée à proximité ou sur la région supérieure circulaire ; au moins trois surfaces de préhension situées dans la portion fermée inférieure de la portion en forme de seau afin de permettre de prendre le conteneur de plusieurs manières. Une méthode pour distribuer des matières liquides comprenant comme étape la préhension d'une poignée affixée de façon rotative à un conteneur renfermant des matières avec une première main, où au moins une portion de la poignée est située au-dessus d'un orifice d'évacuation du conteneur ; agrippant une surface de préhension située approximativement au milieu de la base du conteneur avec une deuxième main ; et en penchant le conteneur pour déverser la matière de l'intérieur du conteneur en utilisant la première main et la poignée comme point de pivot tout en soulevant la base du conteneur avec la deuxième main qui agrippe la surface de préhension.

Claims

CLAIMS
1. A container for carrying and pouring flowable materials comprising:

a bucket portion having a side portion, a closed bottom portion and an upper
rim area at
least partially defining an open top;

a handle attached near or on said upper rim area;

at least three gripping surfaces located in said closed bottom portion of said
bucket
portion to permit multiple means of gripping said container and wherein said
gripping
surfaces are at least partially defined by a plurality of depressions in said
closed bottom
portion of said bucket portion.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein said closed bottom portion has an
outer
peripheral edge and wherein said plurality of depressions are spaced apart
from said outer
peripheral edge.

3. A container according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of depressions are
spaced
apart from one another and are each defined by a plurality of sidewalls and a
bottom wall.

4. A container according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of depressions are
spaced
apart from one another by a distance of approximately about 20-25% of the
diameter of the
closed bottom portion.

5. A container according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said plurality of

depressions has a depth of approximately about 1.5 inches.

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6. A container according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said plurality of

depressions is spaced apart from said outer peripheral edge by a distance of
approximately
about 15-20% of the diameter of the closed bottom portion.

7. A container according to claim 6, wherein all of said plurality of
depressions are
spaced apart from said outer peripheral edge by a distance of approximately
about 15-20% of
the diameter of the closed bottom portion.

8. A container according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said plurality of

depressions has a width of approximately about 15-25% of the diameter of the
closed bottom
portion.

9. A container according to claim 8, wherein each of said plurality of
depressions has
a width of approximately about 15-25% of the diameter of the closed bottom
portion.

10. A container according to claim 3, wherein the space between said plurality
of
depressions and the space between said plurality of depressions and said outer
peripheral
edge are at least partially raised surfaces relative to said bottom walls of
said plurality of
depressions.

11. A container according to claim 10, wherein at least one of said gripping
surfaces is
defined by the side portion of the bucket portion, an at least partially
raised surface between
one of said plurality of depressions and said outer peripheral edge, and one
of said side walls
of one of said plurality of depressions.

9


12. A container according to claim 10, wherein at least one of said gripping
surfaces is
defined by one sidewall of each of two of said plurality of depressions and
the at least
partially raised surface between the two of said plurality of depressions.

13. A container according to claim 10, where each of said gripping surfaces is
at least
partially defined by one of said at least partially raised surfaces.

14. A container according to claim 1, wherein said each gripping surface can
be
gripped by the entire hand of user.

15. A container according to claim 1, wherein the width of each said gripping
surface
is about at least one-fifth of the diameter of said closed bottom portion of
said bucket portion.
16. A container according to claim 1, further comprising leg extensions
lifting said

closed bottom portion of said container off of a surface on which said
container is placed.

17. A container according to claim 16, wherein said leg extensions comprise
two
substantially parallel supports that do not impinge on any of said gripping
surfaces.

18. A container according to claim 17, wherein said leg extensions life and
closed
bottom portion of said container off a surface supporting said container an
amount sufficient
to permit a user's hand to grasp one of said gripping surfaces without
contacting the surface.

19. A container according to claim 1, wherein said closed bottom portion
includes first
and second depressions spaced from one another by the third gripping member,
each
depression configured to receive at least one finger of a cupped hand when
said cupped hand
is gripping the third gripping member, and wherein the third gripping member
provides a


palm receiving surface for said cupped hand when said cupped hand is gripping
the third
gripping member, and wherein the thumb of the cupped hand is received in one
of the first
and the second depressions.

20. A container for carrying and pouring flowable material comprising:

a bucket having a bottom wall from which extends a sidewall having an outer
edge
defining a rim;

a handle comprised of a link pivotally attached to opposed portions of the
container
sidewall and comprising a handgrip; and

wherein the container includes a plurality of pairs of handgrips with a
plurality of the
handgrips each comprised of a recess integrally formed in the bottom wall and
another one of
the handgrips comprising a portion of the bottom wall disposed between the
plurality of
integrally formed recesses.

21. A controlled method of discharging material from a container comprising:
gripping a handle rotatably affixed to a container having material therein
with a first
hand, wherein at least a portion of said handle is located above a discharge
opening of said
container;

gripping a gripping surface located about the middle of the bottom of said
container
with a second hand wherein said gripping surfaces are at least partially
defined by a plurality
of depressions in said closed bottom portion of said bucket portion; and

tipping said container to discharge material from within said container using
said first
hand and said handle as a pivot point while lifting the bottom of said
container with said
second hand gripping said gripping surface.

22. A controlled method of discharging material from a container comprising:
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gripping a handle rotatably affixed to a container having material therein
with a first
hand, wherein at least a portion of said handle is located above a discharge
opening of said
container;

gripping a gripping surface located along the peripheral bottom edge of said
container
with a second hand wherein said gripping surfaces are at least partially
defined by a plurality
of depressions in said closed bottom portion of said bucket portion;

holding said container at or above head height such that said gripping surface
is
substantially engaged by at least the majority of the second hand;

tipping said container to discharge material from within said container using
said first
hand and said handle as a pivot point while lifting the bottom of said
container with said
second hand gripping said gripping surface.

12

Description

CA 02539988 2006-03-20
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CONTAINER FOR CARRYING AND POURING FLOWABLE MATERIALS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an apparatus for use in connection with
containers or
similar products. More particularly, the invention relates to containers that
have bottoms to
facilitate handling.
Containers have proven very useful for transporting items and then pouring or
dumping
the items from the container. For example, containers are used in the
restaurant business to
transport ice. A container is filled with ice. The container is then moved to
the desired location
and tilted, thereby dumping the ice. To facilitate transportation and
usefulness, containers may
have a handle. Commonly, this handle is a piece of metal wire attached at two
points on the
container. These two points are usually positioned equal distance from one
another around an
opening in the container.
Containers have also been modified to increase the ease with which material
may be
poured or dumped from the container. For example, a handle or gripping surface
may be
positioned on the container. Such handles or gripping surfaces allow a user to
more firmly grab
the container during the pouring or dumping process. The handle or gripping
surface may be
positioned on the side of the container or around the periphery of the bottom
of the container.
United States Patent Number 1,173,305 to Phelan discloses a handle or gripping
surface
positioned on the side of the container. United States Patent Publication
Number 2003/0116577
to Slongo et, al. discloses handles near the top of the container and two
gripping surfaces located
across from one another around the outer side of the bottom of a container.



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A handle or gripping surface positioned on the side or the periphery of the
bottom of the
container may provide a leverage point for easier pouring or dumping of
material from the
container. However, such handles or gripping surfaces only provide a user with
a single leverage
point. In order to lift, carry, pour, and/or dump heavy or awkward materials,
a user may desire to
have several different leverage points at which to securely grab a container.
For example, a user
may desire to grab different leverage points based on the user's height, the
amount of material in
the container, the height of the area into which the material in the container
is to be poured or
dumped, or other performance characteristics.
Current containers suffer from certain drawbacks and limitations. Accordingly,
a need
exists for a container that is easy to use, relatively inexpensive to
manufacture, and solves other
problems associated with the existing designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment of the present invention, a container has a bottom with at
least three
gripping surfaces. Two gripping surfaces are positioned around the outer edge
of the bottom.
Another gripping surface is positioned in about the middle of the bottom. In
one embodiment,
the gripping surfaces are formed by two indentations in the bottom. The
indentations provide
areas into which a user may place his or her fingers, thumbs, or palms.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent
from the detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is front view of a container in accordance with one embodiment of the
present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the container of FIG. l;
FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. l;
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom of a container of FIG. 1 taken
along the
plan 5-5 in FIG. 4; and
FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the bottom of the container of FIG. 1,
separated from
the container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Illustrative embodiments of a container (identified generally as 30) in
accordance with the
present invention are shown in FIGS. 1 through 6.
The container 30 has a bottom 32, a handle 33, a top portion 35 and a mouth
37. As
shown in FIGS. 2-8, the bottom 32 has at least three distinct gripping
surfaces 34, 35, 36.
Preferably, the gripping surfaces 34, 35, 36 are separated by at least one
indentation 38 in the
bottom 32 of the container 30. Most preferably as shown in FIG. 3, the bottom
has two
indentations 38, 39 that are about equally spaced from the outer edge of the
bottom 32 of the
container 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the indentations 38, 39 divide the bottom 32
into at least three
distinct gripping surfaces 34, 35, 36. Two gripping surfaces 34 and 35 are
provided along the
outer edge of the bottom 32 of the container 30. One gripping surface 36 is
provided about in the
middle of the bottom 32 of the container 30.
3



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Preferably, there multiple indentations 38 and 39, although only one need be
provided.
Where more than one indentation is employed, such indentations are preferably
evenly spaced on
the bottom portion 32. Where two indentations are provided, as shown in FIGS.
3, 4 and 6, the
indentations are preferably approximately about 1.5 inches deep where the
bottom of the
container has a diameter of about 10.75 inches. Where the container is reduced
or enlarged in
size, the depth of the indentations 38 and 39 is preferably in the range of
approximately about 10-
20% of the diameter of the bottom of the container. Similarly, where two
indentations are
provided, they are preferably spaced apart from one another by a distance of
approximately about
20-25% of the diameter of the closed bottom portion and preferably spaced
apart from the outer
peripheral edge 41 of the bottom of the container by a distance of
approximately about 15-20%
of the diameter of the bottom portion 32. Each of the indentations preferably
has a width of
approximately about 15-25% of the diameter of the bottom portion 32.
The gripping surfaces 34, 35, 36 and indentations 38, 39 may take any number
of forms.
For example, the gripping surfaces 34, 35, 36 and indentations 38, 39 may be
ergonomically
designed to fit with a user's hand for a more secure grip. In another example,
the indentations
38, 39 may be formed so as to provide a ridge or other structure on a gripping
surface 34, 35, 36
or in the indentations 38, 39 themselves so that a user may have a better hold
on the bottom 32 of
the container 30. The gripping surfaces 34, 35, 36 and/or indentations 38, 39
may also have ribs,
bumps, or other features so that a user's hold on the bottom 32 may be more
secure. Regardless
of the form of the gripping surfaces 34, 35, 36 and the indentations 38, 39,
the bottom 32 is
preferably designed so that the container 30 rests flat on a surface. In
addition, the bottom 32
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may be configured to meet safety and health standards, such as those set forth
by the National
Sanitation Foundation.
The bottom 32 may be formed as part of the container 30 or may be a separate
piece fit
onto or attached to the container 30. Where the bottom is a separate piece, it
is intended to be
affixed to the container 30 such that it does not separate therefrom. In other
words, the bottom
32 is not intended to function as a removable lid. The bottom 32 may be part
of or added on to
any type of container such as a bucket, ice tote, food container, cooler or
the like. As shown in
FIGS. 1-6, the bottom 32 may have additional structures provided thereon to
improve the
functionality of the container. For example, the bottom 32 may have a hook or
hanging recess
40. The recess 40 may be used to selectively attach the bottom 32 and/or the
container to a rack
or other structure for storage.
The three distinct gripping surfaces 34, 35, 36 on the bottom 32 allow a user
to grab the
bottom 32 of the container 30 with a variety of grips. For example, a user
facing the container 30
may grab gripping surface 34 with an underhand grip. With this grip, a user's
fingers are
generally positioned in indentation 38 and his or her palm is in selective
contact with the
gripping surface 34. The user's thumb may be positioned along the outer edge
of the bottom 32
or in the closest indentation 38. This grip allows a user to tip the container
30 without lifting the
container above his or her waist. In another example, a user may grab the
inner gripping surface
36 with an underhand grip. With this grip, a user's forgers are positioned in
indentation 39 and
his or her palm is in selective contact with the inner gripping surface 36.
The user's thumb may
be positioned in either indentation 38 or indentation 39. This grip allows a
user to tip the
container more than the first gripping position. Users may also use the inner
gripping surface 38



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when the container is held between a user's waist and shoulder. Once the
container is raised a
certain degree, a user may reverse his or her grip on the inner gripping
surface 38 to an overhand
grip. The user's fingers are now positioned in indentation 38. In still
another example, a user
may grab either outer gripping surface 34 or 35 with an overhand grip when the
container 30 is
held at or above the user's shoulder level. When a user grabs outer gripping
surface 34 with such
a grip, the user's fingers are generally positioned in indentation 38 and his
or her thumb is
positioned on the outer edge of the bottom 32.
By providing three distinct gripping surfaces 34, 35, 36, the bottom 32 allows
a user to tilt
the container 30 varying degrees and hold the container at various positions.
The ability for a
user to grab a gripping surface and employ different grips on a gripping
surface 34, 35, 36
reduces the amount of effort required to pour or dump material from a
container 30. Further, this
structure provides a user with the means to achieve a more secure grip thereby
minimizing
accidental spillage of material from the container 30.
The container 30 of the present invention may have other applications aside
from use in
connection with ice, liquid, or other materials. Further, the invention may be
implemented in a
variety of configurations, using certain features or aspects of the several
embodiments described
herein and others known in the art. Thus, although the invention has been
herein shown and
described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be
understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific
features and
embodiments set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may
be made by one of
skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent
of the invention and,
6



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therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable
equivalents to the subject matter
of the claims.

Representative Drawing