Abstract:
A wrap system for a bucket or other vessel that is comprised of a pliant sheet of material that encases all or part of the outer surface of said bucket or vessel and is textured to resemble a desired article. The wrap can be removed but is fitted tight enough as not to fall off during normal use. The textures can include but not be limited to sports balls, (i.e. basketballs, footballs, or baseballs) or company logos, insignias, or a combination of the two.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority of provisional patent application 61/240,534 filed on Sep. 8 th , 2009. The present disclosure generally relates to decorative buckets for holding, for example, beverage bottles as may be sold at a bar or restaurant, and more particularly to a novel tactile replaceable bucket wrap and associated system. 
     
    
     FIELD 
     Background 
       [0002]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0003]    As a throwback to older eateries and pubs, it has become increasingly popular for consumer food providers, such as for example restaurants and bars, to serve patrons bottled and canned beverages of limited quantities in small buckets. These buckets are typically filled with ice to keep the beverages cold, and are placed directly upon the patron&#39;s table or in front of the patron at a bar. Often the beverages are sold in this manner at a slight quantity discount. 
         [0004]    Historically, such buckets were traditional in shape and had little or no ornamentation. However, it has been recognized that such buckets of beverages can be used as a marketing vehicle. That is, the buckets can be ornamented with colors, insignia, logos, trademarks, or other such ornamentation to promote for example specific events, venues and establishments. This ornamentation has traditionally been limited to generally flat images adhered to the bucket, such as painted decorations or stickers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present teachings disclose in part a wrap for a bucket. The wrap comprises a pliant sheet of material that is sized and shaped to encase at least part of the outer surface of the bucket. The outer surface of the wrap is configured to simulate the appearance of a desired article when the wrap is positioned on the bucket. The wrap can be removable from the bucket. 
         [0006]    Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of an unassembled bucket wrap having the appearance of a baseball and a plurality of contact surfaces, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a bucket and the bucket wrap shown in  FIG. 1 , assembled and positioned for placement upon the bucket, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an overhead view of the bucket and bucket wrap shown in  FIG. 2 , the bucket wrap positioned about the outer surface of the bucket, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the bucket and bucket wrap shown in  FIG. 3 , and a custom patch sized and shaped for placement upon one of the contact surfaces of the bucket wrap, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the bucket and bucket wrap shown in  FIG. 3 , with the custom patch shown in  FIG. 4  positioned upon the contact surface shown in  FIG. 4 , in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of an unassembled alternate bucket wrap having the appearance of a baseball and a plurality of contact surfaces, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a bucket and the alternate bucket wrap shown in  FIG. 6 , the alternate bucket wrap assembled and positioned for placement upon the bucket, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is an overhead view of the bucket and alternate bucket wrap shown in  FIG. 7 , the alternate bucket wrap positioned about the outer surface of the bucket, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the bucket and alternate bucket wrap shown in  FIG. 7 , and a custom patch sized and shaped for placement upon one of the contact surfaces of the alternate bucket wrap, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the bucket and alternate bucket wrap shown in  FIG. 7 , with the custom patch shown in  FIG. 9  positioned upon the contact surface shown in  FIG. 9 , in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of an unassembled second alternate bucket wrap having the appearance of a football and a plurality of contact surfaces, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a bucket and the second alternate bucket wrap shown in  FIG. 11 , the second alternate bucket wrap assembled and positioned for placement upon the bucket, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is an overhead view of the bucket and second alternate bucket wrap shown in  FIG. 12 , the second alternate bucket wrap positioned about the outer surface of the bucket, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is an isometric view of the bucket and second alternate bucket wrap shown in  FIG. 12 , and a custom patch sized and shaped for placement upon one of the contact surfaces of the second alternate bucket wrap, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is an isometric view of the bucket and second alternate bucket wrap shown in  FIG. 12 , with the custom patch shown in  FIG. 14  positioned upon the contact surface shown in  FIG. 14 , in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present teachings, application, or uses. Throughout this specification, like reference numerals will be used to refer to like elements. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present disclosure provides a bucket wrap  10  that is configured, structured and operable to provide a cover or sleeve for a bucket  12  having an outer surface  13 , such that when the wrap  10  is positioned about the outer surface  13  of the bucket  12 , the bucket  12  has the general appearance of a specific sporting goods product, such as for example a baseball (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ), a basketball (see, e.g.,  FIG. 9 ) or a football (see, e.g.,  FIG. 14 ). In one embodiment, the wrap  10  is constructed of a generally flat and pliant sheet of material  5 , preferably poly vinyl chloride or some other similarly durable and pliant plastic material. ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0026]    The sheet  5  is shaped with a curved top edge  14  and a generally parallel curved bottom edge  16 . Generally straight edges  18  and  20  extend between the curved edges  14  and  16 . The curved edges  14  and  16  are shaped such that when the edges  18  and  20  are joined in assembly to form a seam  22  ( FIG. 2 ), the sheet  5  assumes the shape of a truncated cone (see  FIG. 2 ). The outer edges  14 ,  16 ,  18  and  20  of the sheet  5  are configured such that the assembled truncated cone shape of the wrap  10  fits like a skin over the outer surface  13  of the bucket  12 . 
         [0027]    Preferably, the sheet  5  with a thickness of approximately one eighth inch for strength and durability, and to allow sufficient depth for incorporation of topography and structural features on the sheet. Of course, the thickness of the sheet  5  can vary across the sheet  5 , and the overall thickness of the sheet  5  can vary to suit specific applications, so long as the sheet  5  is capable of adopting a surface topography as outlined in the present disclosure. 
         [0028]    The sheet  5  has an outer surface  30  ( FIGS. 1-5 ) and an inner surface  32  ( FIG. 2 ). In the first disclosed embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 , the outer surface  30  of the wrap  10  is textured and colored to simulate or resemble the surface of a baseball. In particular, the surface is slightly course, to simulate a baseball-styled leather feel, and is a shade of white. Further, the outer surface  30  is formed with structural features to enhance the simulation of a baseball. Specifically, colored depressions  34  and colored ridges  36  are formed on the outer surface  30  to mimic the seams and exposed threads of the outer surface of a baseball. 
         [0029]    In the second disclosed embodiment of  FIGS. 6-10 , the outer surface  30 ′ of the wrap  10 ′ is textured and colored to simulate or resemble the surface of a basketball. In particular, the surface is dimpled, to simulate a basketball-styled leather feel, and is a shade of orange. Further, the outer surface  30 ′ of the sheet  5 ′ is formed with structural features to enhance the simulation of a basketball. Specifically, black-colored seams  38  are formed on the outer surface  30 ′ to mimic the seams of the outer surface of a basketball. 
         [0030]    In the third disclosed embodiment of  FIGS. 11-15 , the outer surface  30 ″ of the wrap  10 ″ is textured and colored to simulate or resemble the surface of a football. In particular, the surface is dimpled, to simulate a football-styled leather feel, and is a shade of brown. Further, the outer surface  30 ″ of the sheet  5 ″ is formed with structural features to enhance the simulation of a football. Specifically, a pair of white colored formations  40  are formed along each of the edges  18 ″ and  20 ″ of the outer surface  30 ″ to mimic the exposed threads along the seam of the outer surface of a football. 
         [0031]    Other features may be incorporated into the outer surface  30  of the sheet  5 , including for example, names, images and logos. For example, the outer surface of the sheet  5  may incorporate an embossed label of multiple colors that constitutes the logo or brand name of a beverage, such as a particular brand of beer, such that when the wrap  10  is positioned about a bucket  12 , the brand is prominently displayed to the consumer. In this way, the bucket  12  with the wrap  10  having a particular beer brand designation can be used as a marketing tool to market and sell that particular brand of beer. 
         [0032]    Preferably, the wrap  10  is shaped and contoured such that when the edges  18  and  20  are joined, a substantial portion of the wrap  10  will require a slight amount of stretching to fit over the outer surface  13  of the bucket  12 , thereby providing a snug fit between the wrap  10  and the bucket  12 . Generally, to achieve a consistent snug fit, the mean diameter at any given height of the inner surface  32  of the wrap  10  will be less than the mean diameter of the outer surface  13  of the bucket  12  at the same height. Thus, the elastic nature of the sheet  5  that forms the wrap  10  will provide secure attachment of the wrap  10  to the outer surface  13  of the bucket  12  without bulges or bubbles forming in the wrap  10  or between the wrap  10  and the outer surface  13  of the bucket  12  (see  FIG. 3 ), and without the need for adhesives or any other form of attachment. Of course, adhesives and other forms of attachment may alternatively be used to secure the wrap  10  to the bucket  12  in other embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0033]    In addition to its unique structural features and resulting appearance, the sheet  5  further defines two generally flat and circular contact surfaces  50 ,  52 . Unlike the otherwise textured surface of the wrap  10 , the contact surfaces  50 ,  52  are smooth and generally flat when the sheet  5  is laying flat as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Raised rims  54 ,  56  encircle the perimeter of each of the contact surfaces  50 ,  52 , thereby establishing a structural border between the smooth contact surfaces  50 ,  52  and the textured surface of the wrap  10 . The contact surfaces  50 ,  52  are shaped and sized to accept one or more patches or inserts  58 . The patch  58  is preferably configured to be positioned on the contact surface  50  within the rim  54  or on the contact surface  52  within the rim  56 . Like the wrap  10 , the patch  58  is constructed of a pliant sheet of material that can readily be shaped by hand to the contours of the one or more of the contact surfaces  50 ,  52 . However, the patch may be constructed of any variety of materials, so long as it may be attached to one of the contact surfaces  50 ,  52 . 
         [0034]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 2-5 , the edges  18  and  20  are permanently joined along their full lengths with a permanent adhesive (not shown). In the embodiment of  FIGS. 4-5 , the patch  58  is attached to the wrap  10  with an adhesive. Numerous other methods may be employed to secure or join the edges  18  and  20  together and attach the patch  58  to the contact surface  50  or  52 , such as for example, various adhesives, ultrasonic welding, tape, hook and loop strips, buttons, snaps, looped string or thread, slots and tabs, or any of a myriad of other fastening means and devices. Further, the edges  18  and  20  may alternatively be removably joined. 
         [0035]    As can be appreciated and as is evident from the embodiments presented in this disclosure, the simulation of the sporting goods product need not be exact nor to scale. However, the simulation should present the appearance and tactile structure of the desired article 
         [0036]    Of course, the configuration of the wrap  10  is not limited to simulating a sporting goods ball or item, but may be configured to simulate any variety of items, such as for example, an animal, a plant, a building, or a product or good. Further, the wrap  10  may be configured to simulate abstract concepts, such as for example a theme. One such theme, for example, could be a representation of a jungle with tactile plant and animal features configured on the outer surface  30  of the sheet  5 . 
         [0037]    The description herein is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of that which is described are intended to be within the scope of the teachings. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the teachings.