Patent Publication Number: US-11396400-B2

Title: Bucket with external organizer

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
     The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent No. 62/938,373 having a filing date of Nov. 21, 2019, the present application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/502,577 having a filing date of Jul. 3, 2019, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a bucket device having an external organizer or brim that is configured to support one or more items (e.g., tools) relative to an exterior of the bucket. The design permits continued use of an interior of the bucket to hold, for example, liquids while supporting one or more items relative to the exterior of the bucket. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Bucket tool organizers or caddies are well known devices for transporting and storing tools, utensils, or other useful implements. Such devices typically include a bucket mounted fabric tool carrier having a shape that conforms generally to the surfaces of an empty bucket. A number of individual pockets or dividers arranged about both the interior and/or exterior portions of the container can be used to quickly store and organize variously sized objects for later access. Such designs include a fabric insert that drape over the top edge of the bucket such that tools may be arranged in pockets about both an interior periphery of the bucket and an exterior periphery of the bucket. Other designs include dividers and or trays configured for receipt within the interior of the bucket. 
     SUMMARY 
     The inventors have recognized that is often desirable to support items relative to an external surface of a bucket while permitting continued use of the interior of the bucket (e.g., to hold liquids) and/or to attach a lid to the bucket. While numerous bucket organizers exist, such organizers are typically based on the premise that the interior bucket will not be used to carry or otherwise hold liquids or other materials once the organizer is attached. Accordingly, provided herein is a bucket device having an integrally formed external brim that is configured to support one or more items (e.g., tools) relative to an exterior of the bucket. 
     In an aspect, an integrally formed bucket and external organizer is provided. That is, a bucket and external organizer or support brim may be integrally formed (e.g., in an injection molding process). In one arrangement, a bucket is provided having a tubular sidewall with an open upper end and a closed bottom end. A brim connects to an outside surface of the tubular sidewall proximate to the open upper end. The brim extends radially outward from the tubular sidewall to an external or exterior edge. That is, the brim may extend radially away from a centerline axis of the interior of the bucket. The brim extends around at least a portion of the periphery of the bucket. In an arrangement, the brim extends around less than half of the periphery of the bucket such that it does not interfere with the movement of a bail (e.g., handle) attached to opposing points on the outside surface of the tubular sidewall of the bucket. In another arrangement, the brim may extend around more than half or an even entirety of the periphery of the bucket. In such an arrangement, a flexible tensile handle (e.g., rope) may be used. In any arrangement, the brim includes a plurality of apertures that extend though its surface (e.g., between an interior edge attached to the tubular sidewall and the exterior edge). Such apertures may support various items (e.g., tools, fishing gear, etc.). 
     In an arrangement, the brim that may extend about a portion or all of the outside peripheral surface of the bucket. That is, a rim or brim attached to the outer sidewall or upper peripheral rim of the bucket extends radially outward from an interior edge attached to a sidewall (e.g., tubular sidewall) to an exterior edge. Stated otherwise, the brim cantilevers from the bucket sidewall. In an arrangement, an upper surface of the brim is substantially transverse to a centerline axis of an interior of the bucket. In another arrangement, an upper surface of the brim is a planar surface. 
     The plurality of apertures form openings through the brim between its top and bottom surfaces. The apertures may have differing sizes and shapes. In an arrangement, at least one of the apertures may be a large aperture having a cross-dimension (e.g., diameter) that is at least twenty or thirty percent (20% or 30%) of a radius of an interior of the bucket. In a further arrangement, the large aperture may have cross-dimension (e.g., diameter) that is at least fifty percent (50%) of a radius of the bucket. In such an arrangement, one or more of the large apertures may be sized to receive water bottles, other drink containers, lanterns etc. In a further arrangement, one or more of the apertures may have an insert (e.g., mesh, webbing etc.) that extends below the aperture. Such an insert may be a flexible bag having an open mouth attached about the periphery of the aperture. 
     The bucket device may be formed of any material including, without limitation, polymers (e.g., plastics) metals and composites. In an arrangement, the bucket and brim are integrally formed in an injection molding process. To provide further rigidity for the brim (which typically cantilevers from the bucket sidewall), one or more braces may extend between a bottom surface of the brim and an outside surface of the bucket sidewall. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  Illustrates a first embodiment of a bucket device. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a bucket device with a lid. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a top perspective view of the second embodiment of the bucket device with the lid removed. 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the second embodiment of the bucket device. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top plan view of the second embodiment of the bucket device. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the bucket device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which at least assist in illustrating the various pertinent features of the presented inventions. The following description is presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to limit the inventions to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the following teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the presented inventions. The embodiments described herein are further intended to explain the best modes known of practicing the inventions and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the presented inventions. 
     Bucket organizers are typically fabric inserts that drape over the top peripheral edge of a bucket to provide various pockets on the exterior and/or interior periphery of the bucket. Such organizes are impractical for buckets that will continue being used to hold liquids or buckets that require a lid in a closed position. Accordingly, provided herein is a combined bucket and external organizer (e.g., “bucket device” or “device”), which is attached to an exterior surface (e.g., sidewall) of a bucket, that allows for supporting items on an exterior of the bucket. The external organizer may be entirely free of connection or intrusion into an interior of the bucket permitting continued use of an interior of the bucket to hold liquids or other materials and/or to allow a lid to attach to the bucket while using the external organizer. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a bucket device in accordance with the present disclosure where an external organizer or brim is integrally formed with an exterior of a bucket  50  to allow for supporting items on an exterior of the bucket. As will be appreciated, many buckets are produced in an injection molding process. By modifying a mold utilized to produce an injection molded bucket, a resulting bucket may be made with an integrally formed brim extending around a portion of its outside surface. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  illustrates a bucket device  10  where a bucket  50  and an external organizer or brim  30  are integrally formed. In this embodiment, the brim  30  extends outward from a tubular sidewall  52  of the bucket  50  from a location proximate to the open upper end/top edge or rim  54  of the bucket  50 . The brim  30  is typically disposed a spaced distance below the top rim  54  to permit attachment of a lid to the bucket (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The brim  30  may include a plurality of apertures  32  and/or large apertures  34 , which may include a fabric insert  36 . Further, bracing may extend between the bottom surface of the brim  30  and an outside surface of the tubular sidewall  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, the integral brim  30  extends around on-half or less of the periphery of the bucket  50 . Along these lines, it will be noted that many buckets include a bail  56  (e.g., handle) that is pivotally connected to first and second opposing points  58  (only one shown) on an outside surface of the bucket  50 . The bail  56  is generally configured to rest against the side of the bucket  50  when not in use and pivot to a position above the bucket when utilized to carry or lift the bucket. Accordingly, by limiting the length of the brim  30  to one-half or less of a distance around the periphery of the bucket  50  and/or forming the brim  30  between the connection points  58  of the bail  56 , the radially extending brim  30  does not interfere with the movement of the bail  56  relative to one side of the bucket  50 . 
       FIGS. 2A-2C, 3 and 4  illustrate another embodiment of a bucket device  100  in accordance with the present disclosure. More specifically,  FIG. 2A  illustrates a top perspective view of the device  100  with a lid  160  attached to the device  100 ,  FIG. 2B  illustrates the top perspective view of the device  100  with the lid  160  removed,  FIG. 2C  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the device,  FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the device  100  with the lid removed, and  FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the device  100  with the lid  160  attached. The device  100  includes a bucket  150  having a tubular sidewall  152  with on open top end and a closed bottom end  156 . A brim  130 , which is integrally formed with the bucket  150 , extends around the entire periphery of the sidewall  152  of the bucket  150 . More specifically, the brim  130  extends radially outward relative to a centerline axis A-A′ (See  FIG. 2B ) of the tubular sidewall  152 , from a location proximate to the open upper end or top edge  154  of the bucket  150 . In the illustrated embodiment, the brim  130  is attached to an outer surface of the sidewall  152  a short distance below the top edge  154  of the bucket  150  to permit attaching the lid  160  to the bucket  150 . That is, a top edge  154  of the bucket  150  extends above a top surface  136  of the brim  130  around the periphery of the bucket  152 . The top edge  154  may further include an annular rim or lip  158  that extends slightly outward from an outside surface of the sidewall  153 . Such an annular rim  158  is utilized to attach the lid  160  to the bucket. 
     The brim  130  includes a plurality of apertures  132  and may include one or more large apertures  134 , which may include a fabric insert (not shown). Further, bracing  120  may extend between the bottom surface of the brim  130  and an outside surface of the tubular sidewall  152 . In the illustrated embodiment, the brim  130  extends radially outward substantially transverse to the outer surface of the bucket sidewall  152 . In an embodiment, the generally planar top surface  136  of the brim  130  is substantially perpendicular to the centerline axis A-A′ of the bucket  150  about an outer periphery of the sidewall  152 . In any embodiment, the brim  130  forms a cantilevered surface around the periphery of the bucket  150 . In this regard, an interior edge  138  (e.g., peripheral edge) of the brim  130  is connected to and/or defined by the outside surface of the sidewall  152 . The brim  130  extends from the interior edge  138  to an exterior edge  140  (e.g., peripheral edge) forming a support surface that is substantially transverse to the sidewall. As illustrated, the width of the brim (e.g., between the interior edge  138  and exterior edge  140  at any radial position relative to the centerline axis) may vary around the periphery of the brim  130 . 
     As previously noted, a plurality of apertures  132  are formed through the surface of the brim  130  between its interior and exterior edges. The size, shape, number and location of these apertures  132  may vary and the illustrated apertures  132  are presented by way of example only. These apertures  132  define receptacles for holding various items relative to the outside surface of the bucket. In the present embodiment, some of the apertures are large apertures  134  having increased cross-dimensions (e.g., diameters) and which are formed in corresponding projections or wider portions of the brim  130 . By way of example, a large apertures  134  may have a cross-dimension that allows the large aperture to receive, for example, a drink container/water bottle or other larger item. In an embodiment, the cross-dimension (e.g., diameter) of the large apertures may be at least twenty percent (20%) of the radius of the bucket sidewall  152 . In further embodiments, the cross-dimension may be 30%, 40%, 50% or even 60% of the radius of the sidewall  152 . 
     To facilitate use of the large aperture(s) to hold various items, one or more of the large apertures may include an insert. As best illustrated in  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of such an insert is a bag  36  (e.g., mesh bag) having its opening/mouth attached about the periphery of one of the large apertures  34  with a closed end of the bag extending below a lower surface of the brim  30 . When attached to the periphery of the aperture  34 , an interior of the bag is accessible through the top surface of the brim. As will be appreciated, the insert allows the large aperture  34  hold items such a water bottle or, for example loose items. The insert may, in an embodiment, fixedly attach to the large aperture. In another embodiment, the insert is removably connected to the large aperture. Though illustrated with the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , it will be appreciated that device of  FIGS. 2A-4  may likewise incorporate such inserts. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 2A-4 , various braces  120  are formed between the outer surface of the sidewall  152  and a bottom surface  142  of the brim  130 . The braces  120  provide rigidity for the brim  130 , which cantilevers away from the sidewall. That is, the braces  120  provide structural rigidity that allows the brim  130  to support various items relative to an outside surface of the bucket  150  without significant deflection. 
     The incorporation of a brim  130  that extends about the entire periphery of the bucket  150  typically prevent the use of a bail handle that rests against the side of the bucket when not in use and pivots to a position above the bucket when needed. To provide a means for carrying the bucket device, the illustrated embodiment includes two extrusions or blocks  122  formed on opposing outside surfaces of the sidewall  152 . Each block  22  is configured to receive a tensile element (e.g., a rope) that may be used as a handle for the bucket. In this regard, the block may include an aperture through which a rope may pass. That is, a rope may pass through the apertures of the two blocks and be knotted below each block to form a handle for the bucket device  100 . The blocks  122  may be integrally formed with the bucket and brim. 
     In an embodiment, the body of the device is integrally formed. In a specific embodiment, the device is made from a polymeric material that may be formed in an injection molding process. However, it will be appreciated that other materials and means of forming the device are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. When utilizing a polymeric material, it is generally desirable that the material provide sufficient resistance to bending such that the brim is minimally deflected under a load of a few pounds. In an embodiment, it is desirable that a stiffness of the polymeric material comply with ASTM D-790 and/or ISO 178, which each specify guidelines for determining the flexural properties of rigid and semi-rigid plastics under defined conditions. In an embodiment, the material chosen may have at least a 100,000 PSI under ASTM D-790 and more preferably at least 200,000 PIS under ASTM D-790 to provide sufficient stiffness. Further, the thickness and material selected may be altered to achieve desired deflection under load. In one embodiment, a thickness of an injected molded sidewall and brim is at least 0.08 inches. In a further embodiment, the thickness is at least 0.10 for the sidewall and at least 0.16 for the brim. In one embodiment, the material forming the tubular sidewall and brim has a specific gravity of less than one such that the device will float. In one particular embodiment, high density polyethylene (HDPE) was selected based on all of the above noted factors. 
     The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the inventions and/or aspects of the inventions to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the presented inventions. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the inventions and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the presented inventions. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.