Patent Publication Number: US-10766752-B1

Title: Stacked pail separation device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to material handling. More particularly, it is directed to stacked pail separation devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many materials come packaged in buckets or pails. For example, plastic five-gallon buckets are very popular for storing and handling a wide variety of materials such as paint, plastics, resins, water, fuel, food products, liquid chemicals, construction materials and the like. Such bucket and pails are slightly tapered and have perimeter lips that provide structural rigidity while also providing handles. 
     Once such buckets or pails are emptied of their materials, they are often stacked together to reduce clutter and to make handling easier. While some stacked buckets or pails may end up being discarded, because of their value many are transported to another location where they can be cleaned and refilled or re-used for other purposes. This reduces cost while also reducing disposal problems. With stackable buckets and pails their slightly tapered bodies and perimeter lips are designed to assist stacking. 
     While stackable buckets and pails have proven themselves to be very useful, they do have at least one serious problem. Once stacked removing buckets or pails from the stack can be very difficult. The tight taper tolerances can produce vacuums between stacked elements. Such vacuums can make it extremely difficult to pull buckets or pails apart. Residual materials in the pails as well as dirt or other foreign matter can also tightly bind pails together. Much time can be wasted trying to separate buckets and pails from a stack. Should an entire stack of buckets or pails require separation it may take two people an hour or more of time to do so. Even then there is no guarantee of total success. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a device which can help separate stacked buckets and pails. Preferably, such a device would quickly and easily separate buckets and pails from a stack with minimal effort. Beneficially, such a device would be both rugged and suitable for being made available at low-cost. In practice such a device would provide significant mechanical advantage when separating pails. Ideally, such a device would be suitable for use by one or possibly 2 people and would not require a large amount of area to operate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principles of the present invention provide for devices which help separate stacked buckets and pails. Such devices can quickly and easily separate buckets and pails from a stack. Such devices are suitable for being made available in rugged forms that provide significant mechanical advantages when separating buckets and pails. They can be made available in safe, low-cost implementations suitable for use by one or two people and do not require much area to operate in. 
     In practice the first exterior brace extends along an exterior side of the first interior brace. Beneficially, the first exterior brace forms an outer edge of the first interior brace. A gusset plate should be connected to the first exterior brace and to the first handle to provide additional structural strength. In practice, the front of the first interior brace is curved to mate with pails in a stack of pails, in any event the first interior plate may include a first slotted channel while the second interior plate may include a second slotted channel. If so, the fastener passes through the first slotted channel and through the second slotted channel and locks the first half to the second half. The distance between the first wedge and the second wedge can be varied by adjusting the position of the first channel relative to the second channel. In addition, there should be first ridged surfaces on the first half and second ridged surfaces on the second half. The first ridged surfaces and the second ridged surfaces should mesh together when the fastener locks the first half to the second half. 
     Another pail separation device that is in accord with the present invention comprises a first wedge at the end of a first exterior brace, a first interior brace that is attached to the first exterior brace, and a first handle that is attached to the first interior brace and to the first exterior brace. In addition, there is a second wedge at the end of a second exterior brace, a second interior brace attached to the second exterior brace, and a second handle that is attached to the second interior brace and to the second exterior brace. A fastener is included for locking the first interior brace to the second interior braces such that the first handle aligns with the second handle. The first interior brace overlaps the second interior brace when they are locked together. 
     In that alternative pail separation device, the first wedge and the second wedge are dimensioned to fit between pails in a stack of pails. Force applied to the first handle and to the second handle pushes the first wedge and the second wedge between pails of a stack of pails such that the first wedge and the second wedge separate those pails. In practice, the first interior plate includes a first slotted channel while the second interior plate include a second slotted channel. In that case the fastener passes through the first slotted channel and through the second slotted channel. In any event the distance between the first wedge and the second wedge can be varied by adjusting the position of the first channel relative to the second channel. There may be first ridged surfaces on the first interior brace and second ridged surfaces on the second interior braces. If so, the first ridged surfaces and the second ridged surfaces mesh together when the fastener locks the first interior brace to the second interior brace. 
     In yet another pail separation device that is in accord with the present invention there is a first interior brace having a first channel, a first wedge at one end of a first exterior brace, that exterior brace is attached to the first interior brace, and there is a first handle that is attached to the first interior brace and to the first exterior brace opposite the first wedge. In addition, there is a second interior brace having a second channel, a second wedge at one end of a second exterior brace that is attached to the second interior brace, and a second handle that is attached to the second interior brace and to the second exterior brace. A fastener passes through the first channel and through the second channel to lock the first interior brace to the second interior brace. 
     With that pail separation device the first wedge and the second wedge are dimensioned to fit between pails in a stack of pails such that force applied to the first handle and to the second handle pushes the first wedge and the second wedge between pails of a stack of pails to separate them. Beneficially, the front of the first interior brace is curved. There may be first ridged surfaces on the first interior brace and second ridged surfaces on the second interior brace. In that case the first ridged surfaces and the second ridged surfaces mesh together when the fastener locks the first interior brace to the second interior brace. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a separation device  10  that is in accord with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the separation device  10  shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the separation device  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cut-away view of the separation device  10  taken along line I-I of  FIG. 1 ; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the separation device  10  in use. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  separation device 
               15  halves 
               20  bolts 
               25  wing nuts 
               30  slotted channel 
               35  width dimension 
               40  wedge 
               45  interior brace 
               47  curved front surface 
               50  exterior brace 
               51  lip 
               55  handle 
               56  gusset plate 
               60  overlapping section 
               65  wedge point 
               70  ridged surface 
               75  stack of pails 
               80  pail 
               85  gap 
               90  pressure “p” 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the specifically described embodiment. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention. Any such work around will also fall under the scope of this invention. 
     The terms “a” and “an” as used herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a separation device  10  that is in accord with the present invention in use separating pails  80 .  FIG. 1  presents a top-down view of the separation device  10  without pails  80 . With reference primarily to  FIG. 1  the separation device  10  has two (2) halves  15  which can be joined together back-to-back. The two halves  15  can be locked together by two (2) bolts  20  and two (2) wing nuts  25 . The bolts  20  pass-through slotted channels  30  in the two halves  15 . The slotted channels  30  enable adjustment of the relative positions of the halves  15  to allow the separation device  10  to work with buckets and pails of different diameters. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 2 , each half  15  includes a triangular wedge  40  that ends in a wedge point  65 . Each wedge  40  is located at the end of an exterior brace  50 . Each exterior brace  50  extends along an exterior side of and then past an associated interior brace  45 . Each exterior brace  50  forms an outer edge of its associated interior brace  45 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the front of each interior brace  45  has a curved front surface  47 . When the interior braces  45  are locked together the curved front surfaces  47  of the interior braces  45  form a curved front which is designed to mate with the outer surface of a pail  80 . 
     Turning now primarily to  FIG. 1 , each interior brace  45  and its associated exterior brace  50  extends from a handle  55 . That handle  55  forms the back edge of the interior brace  45 . In use, when the interior braces  45  are connected together by the bolts  20  and wing nuts  25  they form overlapping sections  60  such that the handles  55  axially align. To provide additional structural strength each exterior brace  50  and handle  55  are connected together and supported by a gusset plate  56 . Each gusset plate  56  extends along the exterior surface of its associated exterior brace  50  and along the front of the handle  55 . 
     While further details regarding the construction and configuration of the halves  15  is provided below, it is envisioned that each of the halves  15  would be manufactured of heavy-duty impact resistant plastic using an injection molding process. However, other materials, including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, wood, and the like may also be used if they provide benefit for the particular application. 
     The separation device  10  would find particular utility with standard, readily-available pails  80 , such as the five gallon (5 Gal) buckets commonly used to hold, carry, and deliver common liquid, powder, or semi-liquid products used in various fields such as food, construction, and the like. By adjusting the width dimension  35  of  FIG. 1  a separation device  10  can accommodate dimensional variations in such pails  80  as well as enabling use with other types of buckets and pails. This is important because pails can range from very small pails  80  such as pints, quarts, or the like, up to large pails  80  capable of handling ten gallons (10 Gal), fifteen gallons (15 Gal) or even more. As such, the specific dimensions of a separation device  10  may vary as required to work in the specific application. 
     However, a highly beneficial embodiment is well-suited to accommodate 5-gallon pails  80 . In such applications the overall length of the exterior brace  50  and wedge  40  of each half  15  should be approximately fifteen and one-half inches (15½ in.) with the wedge  40  accounting for approximately nine inches (9 in.) of that length. Referring now specifically to  FIG. 5 , the wedge  40  is further configured such that it can be pushed between the perimeter lips  85  of adjacent pails  80  of a stack of pails  75 . Such perimeter lips  85  are common as they impart structural strength and rigidity to the pails  80 . The relative positions of the connected-together inner braces  45  can be adjusted by the fastener  20  to locate the wedge points  65  of the wedges  40  with the proper separation to fit between the perimeter lips  85  of adjacent pails  80 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates how the wedges  40  taper to the wedge points  65  that aid in the separation of pails  80  by providing a mechanical advantage. 
       FIG. 3  presents a rear view of overlapped sections  60 . As shown, the overlapped sections  60  have ridged surfaces  70  that are linearly arranged so as to mesh together when the two halves are locked together. The meshed rigid surfaces  70  act to hold each half  15  in a desired position so as to prevent slippage or other movement. The locking of the two halves  15  together by the bolts  20  and wing nuts  25  with the interlocking ridged surfaces  70  meshed together assist both alignment and rigidity. 
       FIG. 4  presents a cut-away view of the separation device  10  taken along line I-I of  FIG. 1 . As such, it shows a similar view as  FIG. 3 , but with more internal structural details. As noted, the ridged surfaces  70  aid in setting and maintaining the desired spacing of the exterior brace  50  and wedge  40  of each half  15  while preventing slippage. The handles  55  provide adequate spacing and surface area for the application of force by two (2) hands. It is noted that both halves  15  are beneficially symmetrical, thus requiring only a single pattern to be used during manufacturing. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a separation device  10  being used on a stack of pails  75  of pails  80 . With the stack of pails  75  in a horizontal position the wedge point  65  of each wedge  40  is inserted into a gap  85  between the lips  51  of two (2) pails  80 . The user applies pressure “p”  90  via their hands such that the wedge point  65  wedges the pails  80  apart. The shape of the wedges  40  provides mechanical advantage as the wedges  40  move into the gap  85  so as to separate the pails  80 . That process may repeat until all pails  80  are separated. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the separation device  10  would be constructed in general accordance with  FIGS. 1 through 5 . The user would procure the separation device  10  through conventional procurement channels such as home improvement stores, material supply houses, mail order or internet stores or the like. Special attention would be paid to the overall size of the pails  80  that it is intended to be used with. While minor variations in size can be accommodated by the slotted channels  30 , ridged surface  70 , bolts  20 , and wing nuts  25 , different sized pails might require different sizes of separation devices  10 . 
     After procurement and prior to utilization, the separation device  10  would be prepared by adjusting the overall width dimension  35  in the following manner: the two (2) bolts  20  and wing nuts  25  would be removed; the two (2) halves  15  would be aligned using the joining ridged surfaces  70  and temporarily placed against the stack of pails  75  to be separated; minor manipulation of the desired ridged surfaces  70  would be performed until the width dimension  35  is satisfactory; the two (2) bolts  20  and wing nuts  25  would be inserted into the two (2) slotted channels  30  and joined together by finger tightening. The separation device  10  is then ready for use. 
     During use, the stack of pails  75  to be separated would be placed on its side on a solid surface; the wedge points  65  of the wedges  40  would be positioned in the gap  85  between two (2) pails  80 ; the user would then apply pressure “p”  90  via their hands in a downward manner; as the ever-increasing width of the wedges  40  moves into the gap  85  it exerts a tremendous amount of leveraged force on the pails  80  thus driving them apart and separating them; once separated, the separation device  10  is moved to the next gap  85  in the stack of pails  75 , and the process is repeated until all pails  80  are separated. After use the separation device  10  would be stored for future. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.