Abstract:
A collapsible covering for a bucket having a bucket opening and a bucket handle. The covering includes a lower portion configured to receive the bucket and an upper portion configured to fit over the bucket opening. The upper portion includes a releasable top flap providing access to the inside of the bucket. The lower portion and the upper portion are removable from the bucket and are made from a thermally insulating material.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to Provisional Patent Application No. 61/482,401 filed May 4, 2011 (“COLLAPSIBLE COVERING FOR A BUCKET”), the entire text of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to containers, and more specifically, a covering for a bucket. 
         [0003]    When bringing food or drinks outdoors it is often desirable to keep them either hot or cold. Conventional coolers made from plastic or other materials such as polyester or nylon come in a variety of shapes and sizes are typically used for this purpose. 
         [0004]    Conventional coolers when loaded can become heavy and are often awkward to carry requiring a person to use both hands. Cost is determined by factors such as quality and durability. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    One example of the invention is a collapsible covering for a bucket. The bucket includes a bucket opening and a bucket handle. The covering includes a lower portion configured to receive the bucket and an upper portion configured to fit over the bucket opening. The upper portion includes a releasable top flap providing access to the inside of the bucket. The lower portion and the upper portion are removable from the bucket and are made from a thermally insulating material 
         [0006]    Another example of the invention is a collapsible covering for a bucket. The bucket includes a bucket opening and a bucket handle. The covering includes a lower portion configured to receive the bucket and an upper portion attached to the lower portion. The upper portion is configured to fit over the bucket opening and includes a releasable top flap. The top flap provides access to the inside of the bucket. The lower portion and the upper portion are removable from the bucket and are made from a thermally insulating material. 
         [0007]    Yet a further example of the invention is a food storage container. The food storage container includes a bucket with a bucket opening and a bucket handle. A tube-shaped lower portion having a bottom receives the bucket. An upper portion attached to the lower portion fits over the bucket opening and including a releasable top flap. The top flap provides access to the inside of the bucket. A food grade bag is removable attached to the upper portion such that contents placed through the top flap do not come in direct contact with the bucket. The lower portion and the upper portion are removable from the bucket and are made from a thermally insulating material. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of a collapsible covering for a standard five gallon bucket in accordance with the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment of a covering for a standard five gallon bucket in accordance with the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    Embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. 
         [0012]    One embodiment of the invention is a collapsible cylindrical shaped covering  100  for a standard five gallon bucket  112 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The collapsible covering  100  can be two parts with a lower portion  102 , an upper portion  104  with attached top flap  108 , and a bottom  106 . The top flap  108  can be opened with a zipper  110  or other similar device giving access to the inside of the five gallon bucket  112 . The upper or lower portions may be notched to accompany the five gallon bucket swinging handle. In a particular configuration, the diameter is approximately 12 inches and the height is 15 inches. 
         [0013]    The lower portion  102  and upper portion  104  with attached top flap  108  is made of flexible material. A standard five gallon bucket  112  may be placed into the lower portion  102 . Upper portion  104  with attached top flap  108  may then be placed over top of a standard five gallon bucket  112 . Snaps or other fasteners such as Velcro  126  may be used to connect the lower portion  102  with the upper portion  104 . Top flap  108  may be zippered closed. The standard five gallon bucket  112  can be completely enclosed insulating the contents. For storage, the five gallon bucket  112  can be removed from the covering  100  allowing the covering  100  to be collapsed. For example, the collapsible covering  100  can be made from insulated material, polyester, nylon, canvas or other suitable material. 
         [0014]    In the example configuration of  FIG. 1 , a standard five gallon bucket  112  is placed in the collapsible covering  100 . Food and/or drinks  130  are then placed into the five gallon bucket  112 . The covering top flap  108  may be zippered closed so that the contents remain at a certain temperature. The standard five gallon bucket swing handle  128  may be used to carry the covered five gallon bucket  112 . 
         [0015]    The collapsible covering  100  for a standard five gallon bucket  112  may also include handles  116 . The handles  116  may be sewn directly on the covering  100  to assist in lifting or carrying. Handle  118  may be used to lift up top flap  108  when top flap  108  is unzipped. The handles may be fabricated from various materials such as nylon or polyester. 
         [0016]    The collapsible cover  100  may include pockets  120  for holding cans, bottles or other items. A clear pocket  122  may also be added so that a name or logo could be placed in the pocket for easy identification. A bottle or can opener  124  may also be sewn onto the cover for convenience. 
         [0017]    The collapsible cover may also include a food grade bag that could be attached to the collapsible cover or be used independently. This bag would act as a liner so that food does not come into contact with the plastic five gallon bucket. 
         [0018]    Another example of a collapsible covering contemplated by the present invention is shown in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment the collapsible covering  202  is one piece and includes cylindrical shaped covering  202  with attached top flap  208  and bottom  206 . The covering  202  may be notched to accompany the standard five gallon bucket handle  216 . Snaps  226  or other fasteners may be used to secure the covering. Top flap  208  with zipper  210  may be used to fully enclose a standard 5 gallon bucket  212  while enabling access to the contents of the 5 gallon bucket  212 . In a particular configuration, the diameter is approximately 12 inches and 15 inches in height. 
         [0019]    The cylindrical covering  202  is made from a flexible material. A standard five gallon bucket  212  may be placed inside the covering  202  and top flap  208  may then be zipped closed so that five gallon bucket  212  is fully enclosed in the collapsible cover  202 . For storage, the five gallon bucket  212  can be removed from the covering  202  and the covering  202  collapsed. For example the collapsible covering  202  can be made from insulated material, polyester, nylon or other suitable material. 
         [0020]    In the example configuration of  FIG. 2 , a standard five gallon bucket  212  is placed in the collapsible covering  202 . Food and drinks  214  are then placed into the five gallon bucket  212 . The top flap  208  may be zipped closed so that the contents remain at a certain temperature. The standard five gallon bucket swing handle  216  can be used to carry the enclosed five gallon bucket  212 . 
         [0021]    The collapsible covering  202  for a standard five gallon bucket  212  may also include handles  218 . The handles  218  may be sewn directly on the covering  202  to assist in lifting or carrying. Handle  220  may be used to lift top flap  208  when top flap  208  is unzipped. The handles may be fabricated from various materials such as nylon or polyester. 
         [0022]    The collapsible covering  202  may include pockets  222  for holding cans, bottles or other items. A clear pocket  224  may also be added so that a name, logo or other identifier may be placed in the pocket. 
         [0023]    As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention will allow the conversion of a standard five gallon bucket into a quality insulated container. The standard five gallon buckets proven durability and carrying capabilities are utilized with the present invention giving the user a high quality insulated container at a relatively low cost. 
         [0024]    While the preferred embodiments to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.