Abstract:
One embodiment of the present invention is a unique bucket. Another embodiment is a unique kit for forming a bucket. Yet another embodiment is a method for forming a bucket. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for containers such as buckets. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/330,379, filed May 2, 2010, and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to containers, and more particularly, to a cardboard bucket. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Containers for fluids, such as paint, for example, remain an area of interest. Some existing systems have various shortcomings, drawbacks, and disadvantages relative to certain applications. Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    One embodiment of the present invention is a unique bucket. Another embodiment is a unique kit for forming a bucket. Yet another embodiment is a method for forming a bucket. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for containers such as buckets. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is an expanded view of a non-limiting example of a bucket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  depicts some aspects of a non-limiting example of a bucket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  depicts some aspects of a non-limiting example of an assembled bucket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    For purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a single piece of cardboard  100  is manufactured to be folded into a cardboard bucket  300 . Cardboard, as used herein, may be card stock, corrugated fiberboard, paperboard, or any other material suitable to one skilled in the art at the time of invention. The single piece of cardboard  100  may have weakened areas, such as weakened area  102 , to allow for ease of folding. These weakened areas may be formed by perforating the cardboard, compressing desired locations of the cardboard, and/or partially cutting through the cardboard. The cardboard bucket  300  may be preassembled or may be sold as a kit for an end user to assemble. In one embodiment, after assembly, the cardboard bucket will contain a V-shaped trough  302 . The trough  302  may or may not come to a point toward the bottom of the bucket (i.e. the trough may have a partially flat bottom). A liner capable of holding a liquid is to be inserted into trough  302 . In one form, the liner may be bag like. The liner may also be a flat sheet of plastic or any other lining device known to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention capable of allowing trough  302  to contain a liquid or semi-solid such as paint, thinner, stain, drywall mud, concrete, or the like. The liner may be designed to be removable after each use or may be permanently affixed to the cardboard bucket  300 . Hollow sections  304  and  306  of cardboard will provide support for the V-shaped trough  302  on either side of the trough as shown in  FIG. 3 . The hollow sections  304  and  306  may incorporate handles  202  for ease of moving the cardboard bucket  300 . The hollow sections  304  and  306  may interlock below the V-shaped trough  302 , forming a bottom  204 . 
         [0011]    In another embodiment of the cardboard bucket, rather than using a single piece of cardboard  100  with weakened areas, multiple pieces of cardboard which may or may not contain weakened areas are interlocked to form a cardboard bucket. A V-shape may be formed using a single piece of cardboard having a single weakened area. The sides of the V-shape may be separate pieces of cardboard which are then affixed to the V-shape forming a trough. The support structure from the trough may be constructed from separate pieces of cardboard, some of which may contain weakened areas to allow ease of folding, which the V-shaped trough is then placed in and affixed to. A liner capable of holding a liquid lines the V-shaped trough. 
         [0012]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, one piece of cardboard can be mechanically stamped, folded, and assembled into a V-shaped trough and a support structure for the V-shaped trough. This mechanical process eliminates the need for an end user to assemble the invention and therefore eliminates the need for weakened areas to be inserted into the cardboard. A liner for the V-shaped trough may be inserted prior to purchase by an end user or the end user may insert the liner. 
         [0013]    In a further embodiment of the present invention, a cardboard structure is folded to form a bucket capable of containing a liquid. A fold is placed between portions  106  and  108  of a main cardboard body  100 , along a weakened area  104 , to form a V-shape. Two wing pieces  114  extending from a main body of the cardboard  100  are folded along weakened areas  112 . Wing pieces  114  are folded from one side of the V-shape to be affixed to the other side of the V-shape forming a trough as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  depicts tabs  110  being utilized to form a solid V-shaped trough. Locking fastners, snap-type fastners, or tabs may be utilized to affix the wing pieces  114  to form the V-shape. Portions  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  of the body structure  100  on either side of the V-shaped trough are then folded along weakened areas to form a support structure for the trough. On either side of the V-shaped trough, portions  120  and  122  are folded away from the trough opening. The portions  120  and  122  when folded away from the trough opening will act as two vertically supporting sides for the trough. Portions  124  and  126  are then interconnected to form a base structure. The point of the V-shaped trough may extend to touch the base or may be suspended above the base. The V-shaped trough is then lined with a material capable of holding a liquid. 
         [0014]    Various alternate embodiments are also contemplated in the present invention. The two supporting sides may have carrying handles as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The supporting sides may be constructed in any manner suitable to provide support adequate to keep the V-shaped trough upright during use. The base can be a solid piece of cardboard or may be multiple pieces of cardboard which are interconnected. The supporting sides may themselves act as a base. A thermoformed painters grate may be included as part of the cardboard bucket. The grate may also be a common injection molded plastic grate. The grate may hang from a side of the cardboard bucket into the V-shaped trough. 
         [0015]    While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment(s), but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as permitted under the law. Furthermore it should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably, or preferred in the description above indicates that feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and any embodiment lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one” and “at least a portion” are used, there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. Further, when the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item may include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.