Abstract:
A container assembly for carrying and pouring flowable materials and that includes a bucket that is defined by a closed bottom portion, an upstanding side portion, and an upper rim area that at least partially defines an open top. A handle is attached near the upper rim area and a plurality of gripping surfaces are located in the closed bottom portion of the bucket and/or defined by the side portion to permit multiple means of gripping the container. The container includes one or more posts or feet that facilitate a stacked and only partially nested association between containers oriented in a vertically stacked configuration.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/117,784 filed on Feb. 18, 2015 titled “HANDLED CONTAINER” and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to an apparatus for use in connection with manually portable containers or similar products. More particularly, the invention relates to containers that have closed bottoms and handles to facilitate manual or hand transport of the container whether loaded or unloaded. 
         [0003]    Containers have proven very useful for transporting items and then pouring or dumping items from the container. For example, containers are used commonly in the restaurant business to transport flowable materials, such as ice for instance. A container is first filled with ice and then moved to the desired location and tilted, thereby dumping the ice. Commonly, the handle is defined by a piece of metal wire attached at two points on the container. These two points are usually positioned equidistant from one another around a perimeter edge associated with an opening in the container. 
         [0004]    Containers have also been modified to increase the ease with which material may be poured or dumped from the container. For example, a supplemental handle or gripping surface or site 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. U.S. Pat. No. 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. 
         [0005]    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 grasp or grab a container. For example, a user may desire to grab different leverage points based on the user&#39;s strength and/or 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, and/or other performance characteristics. 
         [0006]    Still further, when such containers are used to transport ice or other product where contamination is an issue, many designs do not permit such containers to he picked up from the ground without the user&#39;s hand touching the ground when engagement with a second gripping location aside from the handle is required. As a result, once a transported material is poured out of the container and the user engages the material for smoothing, dispensing or other rearrangement, if the user&#39;s hand comes in contact with the material, any unsanitary material picked up from the floor or other support surface when the container was picked up subsequently contaminates the dispensed material. 
         [0007]    Still further considerations relate to maintaining sanitary conditions of the container when not in use as a transport vessel. When used for ice or other foodstuffs, it is commonly desired to maintain a dedicated container for such functions to mitigate contamination of the consumable materials by transport with a less than sanitary vessel or a vessel recently used to transport a different material. Providing a dedicated container requires protecting the integrity of the sanitation of the vessel when the vessel is not in use or is otherwise stored. Such considerations include concerns related to the stacking of multiple vessels in a slidable bypassing or nesting arrangement wherein contaminants on the exterior surface of one vessel may be transferred to the interior facing surfaces of an adjacent vessel. Still further considerations relate to supporting the vessel in a self-draining orientation when not in use to prevent the collection of moisture or other matter in the cavity defined by such vessels when left in an upturned orientation. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, many existing 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 
       [0009]    The present invention discloses a manually transportable container that solves one or more of the shortcomings disclosed above. One aspect of the invention discloses a container assembly for carrying and pouring flowable materials. The container assembly includes a bucket that is defined by a closed bottom portion, an upstanding side portion, and an upper rim area that at least partially defines an open top. A handle is attached near the upper rim area of the bucket and a plurality of gripping surfaces are located in the closed bottom portion of the bucket and/or defined by the side portion and permit multiple means of gripping the container assembly. The container and/or bucket include one or more posts or feet that facilitate a stacked and only partially nested association between adjacent containers when they are oriented in a vertically stacked configuration. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the invention that includes various features and aspects that are useable or combinable with one of the more of the features or aspects disclosed above discloses a container for carrying and pouring flowable materials that includes 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 is attached to the bucket portion proximate the upper rim area. At least one gripping location is defined by the bucket portion and is formed proximate the closed bottom portion. At least one hanger is defined by the bucket portion and formed proximate the upper rim area and defined by a gap formed between the side portion and the at least one hanger. The gap is defined by an open end that faces in a direction toward the closed bottom portion such that the container can be suspended in a generally vertical orientation. 
         [0011]    A further aspect of the invention that is usable or combinable with one or more of the above features or aspects discloses an ice tote having a body that is defined by a closed end and an upstanding side wall that terminates at an opening defined by the body. A handle is pivotably connected to the body proximate the opening. A plurality of grip sites are defined by the body and at least one grip site is defined by the closed end of the body. At least one projection is disposed between the handle and a bottom surface defined by the closed end of the body. The projection extends in an outward radial direction from the body and is constructed to facilitate non-nested stacking of vertically adjacent ice totes. 
         [0012]    Another aspect of the invention that is usable or combinable with the one or more of the above features or aspects discloses a method of forming an ice tote. The method includes forming a container body to define a blind hole wherein a portion of a perimeter of an opening associated with the blind hole defines a spout of the container. A bottom of the blind hole is formed to define a hand grip that is oriented on a lateral side of the container body that is opposite the spout. A first boss and a second boss are formed by a portion of the container body such that the first boss and the second boss are aligned with one another and are each oriented in a radial direction between the spout and the hand grip. A handle index is defined in each of the first boss and the second boss and a handle is provided that includes a pair of pivot assemblies. Each pivot assembly is constructed to cooperate with a respective one of the first boss and the second boss and is movable in an axial direction along an axis of rotation of the handle in only two radial positions relative to the container body. Each of the two radial positions is offset from a vertical axis and a horizontal axis that each pass through the axis of rotation. 
         [0013]    Another aspect of the invention discloses a container that is defined by a body that forms a blind hole. A bottom of the body has one or more gripping surfaces. A hook is defined by the body near the open end of the container and extends in a downward direction in an offset manner from a sidewall associated with the primary volume of the container. The hook can function to support the container from a terminal end of an upright wall structure and as a handle during dumping operations. A pair of posts or feet extend from generally opposite lateral sides of the container near the bottom of the blind hole and are situated such that the container can be supported by another similarly constructed container in a stacked but not tightly nested configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the container includes a hook that is oriented on a side of the container between the sides associated with the posts. The hook is constructed to cooperate with a hanger secured to a wall or with a discrete member of an expended metal shelving assembly such that the container can be hung such the open end of the container is oriented in a downward facing direction. 
         [0014]    These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment presently contemplated for carrying out the invention and in the drawings: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of a container assembly, handled container, or simply container according to the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an upper alternate perspective view of the container shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a lower perspective view of the container shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an alternate lower perspective view of the container shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the container shown in  FIG. 1  with the handle exploded from the body of the container; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a hanger that removably cooperates with the container shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a partial section view of the container shown in  FIG. 1  engaged with the hanger shown in  FIG. 6  and suspended from a support structure in an inverted orientation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]      FIGS. 1-5  show various views of a container assembly, a handled container, or simply a container  30  according to the present invention. Container  30  is defined by a body or bucket portion  32  having a handle  34  that is attached thereto. As disclosed further below, handle  34  is secured to bucket portion  32  such that handle  34  is pivotable or rotational relative to bucket portion  32 . A majority of bucket portion  32  is defined by a first blind opening  36  that extends in a longitudinal direction between an open end or mouth  38  and a base portion or bottom  42  of bucket portion  32 . Bucket portion  32  includes a sidewall portion  40  that extends in a generally circumferential and longitudinal direction between mouth  38  and bottom  42 . It is appreciated that sidewall portion  40 , although shown as having a somewhat rectilinear shape, could have virtually any, fixed or changing, cross-sectional shape, as it extends between mouth  38  and bottom  42  of bucket portion  32 . 
         [0024]    Bottom  42  includes an interior facing surface  44  and an exterior facing surface  46  relative to a volume  47  defined by bucket portion  32 . Sidewall portion  40  also includes an interior facing surface  48  and an exterior facing surface  50  relative to the volume  47  defined by bucket portion  32  of container  30 . An upper perimeter edge  52  associated with sidewall portion  40  defines the shape of mouth  38  and preferably includes a top portion  54  that defines a spout  56  associate with use of bucket portion  32 . It should be appreciated that volume  47  can be defined as a blind hole that is circumferentially bounded by sidewall portion  40  and terminates at bottom  42 . As disclosed further below with respect to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , handle  34  pivotably cooperates with bucket portion  32  such that handle  34  can swing across the footprint associated with mouth  38  during filling and dumping operations in a manner that avoids obstruction of the mouth  38  and/or the spout  56  by the handle  34  and/or a user&#39;s hand associated therewith. 
         [0025]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , bucket portion  32 , and more specifically sidewall portion  40  and/or top portion  54 , is shaped to define a second blind hole  60  that extends in a downward direction relative to upper perimeter edge  52 . As disclosed further below with respect to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , sidewall portion  40  includes a radially extending portion  62  disposed proximate mouth  38  which offsets second blind hole  60  from the blind hole associated with volume  47  such that a downward facing channel  64  (when container  30  is oriented in an upward facing orientation) is defined by sidewall portion  40  of bucket portion  32 . As disclosed further below, channel  64  is constructed to accommodate an upright hanging orientation of container  30  when a support structure, such as an edge of an ice bin or the like, is disposed in channel  64 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the bottom  42  of container  30  defines at least two distinct grip sites, gripping sites, grip surfaces, or gripping surfaces  66 ,  68 . Preferably, gripping surfaces  66 ,  68  are separated by at least one indentation  70  relative to a radially interior oriented surface associated with bottom  42  of container  30 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the indentation  70  generally divides the bottom  42  into two distinct gripping surfaces  66 ,  68  that are generally aligned with a perimeter edge of container  30  proximate bottom  42 . Preferably, gripping surfaces  66 ,  68  are offset from the axis of rotation associated with handle  34  both in a longitudinal direction, indicated by arrow  74 , and a lateral direction, indicated by arrow  76 . Gripping surfaces  66  and  68  are provided generally along the outer edge of the bottom  42  of the container  30  and configured to receive a respective user hand as it wraps about the bottom perimeter edge of container  30  during a pouring or carrying operation. 
         [0027]    Indentation  70  and gripping surfaces  66 ,  68  cooperate with one another so as to be generally approximately about 1.5 inches deep to provide a positive interaction and indexing with the user&#39;s hand when engaged therewith. The gripping surfaces  66 ,  68  and indentation(s)  70  may take any number of forms. For example, the gripping surfaces  66 ,  68  and indentation(s) may be ergonomically designed to fit with a user&#39;s hand for a more secure grip. In another example, the indentation(s) may be formed so as to provide a ridge or other structure on a gripping surface  66 ,  68  or in the indentation(s)  70  themselves so that a user may have a better hold on the bottom  42  of the container  30 . The gripping surfaces  66 ,  68  and/or indentation(s) may also have ribs, bumps, or other features so that a user&#39;s hold on the bottom  42  may be more secure. Regardless of the form of the gripping surfaces  66 ,  68  and the indentation(s)  70 , bottom  42  is preferably designed so that container  30  rests flat when placed on a horizontal surface while gripping surfaces  66 ,  68  are maintained in an offset or spaced relationship relative to the support surface. Said in another way, when container  30  is set upon a horizontal surface, such as a countertop, shelf, or a floor, gripping surfaces  66 ,  68  remain offset from supporting surface to mitigate transference of contaminants to gripping surfaces  66 ,  68  when container  30  is not in use. In addition, bottom  42  may be configured to meet safety and health standards, such as those set forth by the National Sanitation Foundation. 
         [0028]    The bottom  42  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  42  is not intended to function as a removable lid. The bottom  42  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. 1-7 , whether provided as an integral or removable feature, bottom  42  may have additional structures provided thereon to improve the functionality of the container. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the bottom  42  may have a hook  78  and one or more feet, posts, projections, or hanging recesses  80 ,  82 . Hook  78  and recesses  80 ,  82  may be used to selectively attach or support container  30  in an inverted orientation relative to a support, such as a supplemental hook  84  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , or other support structures, such as a wire form rack or other structure for storage as disclosed further below. 
         [0029]    Although recesses  80 ,  82  are constructed to cooperate with the likes of a supplemental hook  84  as disclosed further below, recesses  80 ,  82  also define feet that are constructed to cooperate with a mouth of a vertically adjacent container  30  such that a plurality of containers  30  can be stacked but do not tightly nest with one another. Preferably, the feet defined by recesses  80 ,  82  cooperate with a lip  86  ( FIG. 1 ) that is formed proximate the mouth of container  30  and allow ventilation between a stacked but generally un-nested, or only loosely nested, plurality of containers  30 . In addition to accommodating ventilation and/or evaporation associated with the use of container  30 , such a construction also mitigates the potential for contamination between an exterior surface of one container with an interior surface of another container when a plurality of containers are oriented in a stacked and only loosely nested storage orientation. 
         [0030]    As alluded to above, container  30  also defines another handle/hanging structure  88  associated with channel  64  formed proximate the mouth  38  defined by container  30 . Hanging structure  88  has a general hook shape and defines a gap  89  that is formed between a side portion of container  30  and an interior facing portion of structure  88 . Gap  89  is preferably sized to support container  30  when hung upon the edge of a vertical upstanding wall, such as the side wall of an ice bin or the like, and also shaped and defined by container  30  to provide yet another grip site that is nearer mouth  38  for pouring contents from container  30 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , container  30  includes a first boss  90  and a second boss  92  that are oriented on generally opposite lateral sides of container  30  proximate mouth  38 . First boss  90  and second boss  92  are constructed to secure handle  34  relative to container  30  such that handle  34  remains pivotable relative to container  30 . Each boss  90 ,  92  includes an opening  94  that is shaped to slidably cooperate with a projection  96 ,  98  associated with a respective opposite longitudinal end  100 ,  102  of handle  34 . Projections  96 ,  98  and openings  94  are shaped to slidably cooperate with one another relative to an axis of rotation of handle  34 , indicated by line  104  ( FIG. 7 ) but to do so only at discrete or selected radial orientations of handle  34  relative to container  30 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  includes an indication of an axis line  106  along which the longitudinal axis of handle  34 , indicated by line  108 , must be oriented to accommodate the axial translation of projections  96 ,  98  relative to their respective boss  90 ,  92 . Said in another way, handle  34  is constructed to removably cooperate with bosses  90 ,  92  only when handle  34  is oriented at a limited number of preferably non-orthogonal positions relative to container  30 . When handle  34  is positioned in the plane associated with axis  108 , the opposite longitudinal ends  100 ,  102  of handle  34 , and the respective projections  96 ,  98  associated therewith, are translatable in a respective outward radial direction along axis  104  associated with the axis of rotation of handle  34  to allow the selective engagement of the respective projection  96 ,  98  with a respective boss  90 ,  92  associated with container  30 . When not positioned along axis  108 , projections  96 ,  98  cooperate with the respective bosses  90 ,  92  defined by bucket portion  32  of container  30  such that handle  34  is rotationally or pivotably connected to bucket portion  32  of container  30  but securely attached thereto. Such a rotation association mitigates incidence of undesired and/or unintentional separation between handle  34  and bucket portion  32  of container  30  during use and/or storage of the container  30 . 
         [0033]    As alluded to above and referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , container  30  preferably includes at least one optional hanger  112  that is constructed to be secured to a vertical support surface  114  ( FIG. 7 ) and which removably cooperates with respective recesses  80 ,  82  defined by the body of container  30 . Hanger  112  is defined by a body  115  and includes a base portion  116  and a hook portion  118  that is offset from base portion  116  to define a channel  120  therebetween. Base portion  116  includes one or more openings  122  that are constructed to cooperate with a fastener to secure hanger  112  relative to support surface  114  such that, when secured to vertical support surface  114 , an open end of channel  120  faces in a generally upward oriented direction. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , when hanger  112  is secured to support surface  114 , hook portion  118  of hanger  112  is oriented to slidably cooperate with a respective recess  80 ,  82  defined by container  30  such that container  30  can be oriented in an inverted vertical orientation when not in use. Vertical translation of container  30  relative to hanger  112  allows the selective removal of the respective recess  80 ,  82  from interfering engagement with hook portion  118  of hanger  112  during use of container  30 . The inverted vertical orientation of container  30  when engaged with hanger  112  facilitates drainage of the volume defined by container  30  and maintains container  30  in a sanitary configuration wherein the mouth of container  30  is oriented in a generally downward facing direction. Such a consideration mitigates the undesired placement or collection of material in the volume defined by container  30  when container  30  is not in use thereby improving sanitation associated with the use of container  30 . 
         [0035]    Still referring to  FIG. 7 , it can be appreciated that a lowermost surface  124  associated with grip sites or gripping surface  66 ,  68  is offset nearer the open end or mouth  38  of container  30  than the adjacent radially outward oriented portions  126  of bottom  42  of container  30 . Such a consideration ensures that users removing container  30  from hanger  112 , even in those situations wherein container  30  was previously supported by a floor, countertop, or ground surface, are not required to contact the same surface as was previously in contact with a potentially less sanitary surface. The contour of grip sites or gripping surfaces  66 ,  68  mitigates corrupting the sanitation of grip sites or gripping surfaces  66 ,  68  as container  30  is transferred between use and storage locations. 
         [0036]    As disclosed above, container  30  provides a plurality of distinct gripping, hanging, and supporting surfaces that each discretely allow a user to conveniently fill, empty, tilt, transport, and store container  30  in various positions. The ability for a user to grab a gripping surface and employ different grips and/or grip styles 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 . 
         [0037]    It is further appreciated that container  30  can have 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, therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.