Patent Abstract:
In one embodiment, a bucket is described as including a primary reservoir and a secondary reservoir. A bottom of the secondary reservoir is located at a corresponding elevation between a top and a bottom of the secondary reservoir. The primary reservoir is disposed in selective fluid communication with the secondary reservoir.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/330,370 filed May 2, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a process and apparatus for retaining a fluid. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Providing an apparatus for loading a brush (e.g., with paint) remains an area of interest. Some existing systems have various shortcomings relative to certain applications. Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a bucket according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a cover, which is coupled to the bucket shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section view illustrating the bucket and cover shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the cover shown in  FIG. 2  in which a window in a primary lid is opened. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective and cross-section views, respectively, illustrating the bucket shown in  FIG. 1  after a fluid has been poured into a primary reservoir. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 7-9  are cross-section views illustrating an exemplary process of transferring fluid from the primary reservoir to the secondary reservoir of the bucket. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 10 and 11  are cross-section views illustrating an exemplary process of loading an accessory with fluid from the secondary reservoir of the bucket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    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. 
         [0012]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a fluid-retaining assembly may, for example, include a bucket  100  and a cover  200  coupled to the bucket  100 . As discussed in greater detail below, the bucket  100  includes a plurality of reservoirs within which fluid may be retained. Moreover, the bucket  100  is configured such that fluid can be selectively transferred between reservoirs depending on, for example, the orientation of the bucket  100 . In one embodiment, the bucket  100  and cover  200  are configured to prevent or at least minimize the tendency of a fluid retained within the fluid-retaining assembly from escaping if the fluid-retaining assembly is bumped, jostled, tipped, shaken, or the like. In another embodiment, the bucket  100  and cover  200  are configured to prevent or at least minimize the tendency of odors or other vapors retained within the fluid-retaining assembly from escaping outside the fluid-retaining assembly. In yet another embodiment, the bucket  100  and cover  200  are configured to prevent or at least minimize the tendency of gases, moisture, dust or the like, outside the fluid-retaining assembly from infiltrating the interior of the fluid-retaining assembly. 
         [0013]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the bucket  100  includes a side wall  102 , a bottom wall  104 , a rim  106 , a ledge  108  and a partition  110 . Generally, the side wall  102  can be considered as including a lower side wall portion  102   a  and an upper side wall portion  102   b . As exemplarily illustrated, an upper edge  110   a  of partition  110  lies elevationally between the ledge  108  and the rim  106 . However, in other embodiments the upper edge  110   a  be coplanar with, or elevationally above, the rim  106 . 
         [0014]    Constructed as described above, the lower side wall portion  102   a , the bottom wall  104  and, optionally, the partition  110 , define a primary reservoir  112  within which a liquid can be retained. It will be appreciated that the total volume of liquid retained within the primary reservoir  112  will vary based on the dimensions of the lower side wall portion  102   a , the bottom wall  104  and, optionally, the partition  110 . Likewise, the upper side wall portion  102   b , the ledge  108  and the partition  110 , define a secondary reservoir  114  within which a liquid such can be retained. It will be appreciated that the total volume of liquid retained within the secondary reservoir  114  will vary based on the dimensions of the upper side wall portion  102   b , the ledge  108  and the partition  110 . As used herein, the term “liquid” can refer to paints, stains, washes, solvents, plasters, pastes, and the like. 
         [0015]    As exemplarily illustrated, the partition  110  is provided as a contiguous divider. However, in other embodiments slots, holes, cutouts, or the like (collectively referred to as “apertures”) of any size and shape may be defined within the partition  110  so that the secondary reservoir  114  communicates with the remainder of the interior of the bucket  100  through the partition  110 . 
         [0016]    One or more of the lower side wall portion  102   a , upper side wall portion  102   b , bottom wall  104 , rim  106 , ledge  108  and partition  110  may be formed of the same material or from different materials. Any of the aforementioned components of the bucket  100  can be formed from materials such as polymers (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, or the like of a combination thereof), wood, metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, or the like or a combination thereof), or the like or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, one or more of the lower side wall portion  102   a , upper side wall portion  102   b , bottom wall  104 , rim  106 , ledge  108  and partition  110  may be formed as a single, integral piece. For example, the lower side wall portion  102   a , upper side wall portion  102   b , bottom wall  104 , rim  106 , ledge  108  and partition  110  can be may be formed as a single, integral structure during a polymer molding process. In another embodiment, one or more of the lower side wall portion  102   a , upper side wall portion  102   b , bottom wall  104 , rim  106 , ledge  108  and partition  110  may be formed as a discrete pieces that are coupled together (e.g., by means of adhesive, rivets, weld, screws, or the like or a combination thereof). 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cover  200  includes a primary lid  202  and a secondary lid  204 . The primary lid  202  includes a skirt section  206  at a peripheral region thereof, and a window  208 . 
         [0018]    The skirt section  206  is configured to be press-fit over the rim  106  of the bucket  100 , thereby enabling the cover  200  to be coupled to the bucket  100 . As exemplary illustrated, the skirt section  206  includes an outer rib  206   a  and an inner rib  206   b  defining a channel configured to receive the rim  106 . The outer rib  206   a  may be configured to be resiliently deformable so as to accept the rim  106  upon initial contact with the rim  106  and to then partially enclose the rim  106  within the channel and couple the cover  200  to the bucket  100 . It will be appreciated, however, that the skirt section  206  may be configured in any other manner. It will also be appreciated that the cover  200  may be coupled to the bucket  100  without any skirt section  206 . For example, the cover  200  may be coupled to the bucket  100  by any suitable connection mechanism (e.g., one or more hinges, clamps, screws, adhesives, or the like or a combination thereof). 
         [0019]    The window  208  may be located within the primary lid  202  such that the window  208  is arranged over the secondary reservoir  114  when the cover  200  is coupled to the bucket  100 . The window  208  is configured to allow one or more accessories such as a paint brush, a paint roller, a stirring rod, a sponge, an edger, a foam applicator, a texturing applicator, a cloth applicator or the like or a combination thereof, into the secondary reservoir. Although only one window  208  is illustrated, it will be appreciated that the primary lid  202  can include any number of windows  208 , in any size and at any location therein. For example, the primary lid  202  may include two windows  208  arranged over the secondary reservoir  114 . In another example, the primary lid  202  may include a window arranged over primary reservoir  112 . In yet another example, the primary lid  202  may include a window arranged over both the primary reservoir  112  and secondary reservoir  114 . 
         [0020]    The secondary lid  204  is configured to be selectively placed in the window  208  (e.g., to “close” or seal the window  208  as exemplarily shown in  FIG. 4 ), and removed from the window  208  (e.g., to “open” the window  208  as exemplarily shown in  FIG. 4 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary lid  204  is coupled to the primary lid  202  by a hinge  210 . It will be appreciated, however, that the secondary lid  204  may be coupled to the primary lid  202  by any suitable connection mechanism (e.g., one or more hinges, clamps, screws, adhesives, or the like or a combination thereof). In one embodiment, the secondary lid  204  may be press-fit into the window  208 . In another embodiment, the secondary lid  204  and portion of the primary lid  202  may include complementary threads so that the window  208  can be opened or closed by screwing or unscrewing the secondary lid  204 . Secondary lid  204  includes an access member (e.g., lift-handle  204   a ) that can be engaged by a user to open and close the window  208 . 
         [0021]    One or more of the primary lid  202 , secondary lid  204 , skirt section  206 , and hinge  210  may be formed of the same material or from different materials. Any of the aforementioned components of the cover  200  can be formed from materials such as polymers (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, or the like of a combination thereof), wood, metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, or the like or a combination thereof), or the like or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, one or more of the primary lid  202 , secondary lid  204 , skirt section  206 , and hinge  210  may be formed as a single, integral piece. For example, the skirt section  206  may be formed from the same material as the remainder of the primary lid  202 . Additionally, the hinge  210  may be formed from the same material as the primary lid  202  and from the same material as the secondary lid  204 . In another embodiment, one or more of the primary lid  202 , secondary lid  204 , skirt section  206 , and hinge  210  may be formed as a discrete pieces that are coupled together (e.g., by means of adhesive, rivets, weld, screws, or the like or a combination thereof). 
         [0022]    As mentioned above, the primary reservoir  112  is configured to retain a fluid. In one embodiment, and with reference to  FIG. 5 , a fluid such as fluid  500  may be introduced (e.g., poured) into the primary reservoir  112  by first ensuring that the cover  200  is removed from the bucket  100  (or does not otherwise obstruct a path along which the fluid is introduced into the primary reservoir) and pouring the fluid  500  from a height above the rim  106  into the primary reservoir  112 . As shown, the surface of the liquid  500  retained is elevationally below the upper edge  110   a  of partition  110 . It will also be appreciated that the surface of the liquid  500  retained may be level with the upper edge  110   a  of partition  110 . In another embodiment, fluid  500  can be introduced into the primary reservoir  112  even after the surface of the fluid  500  is level with the upper edge  110   a  of partition  110 . In such an embodiment, the fluid  500  would then spill into the secondary reservoir  114 . After introducing fluid  500  into the primary reservoir  112 , the cover  200  may be coupled to the bucket  100 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0023]    An exemplary process of transferring fluid from the primary reservoir  112  to the secondary reservoir  114  of the bucket  100  will now be discussed with respect to  FIGS. 7-9 . 
         [0024]    After introducing fluid  500  into the primary reservoir  112  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the fluid  500  may be transferred into the secondary reservoir  114  first by tilting the bucket  100 , as exemplarily shown in  FIG. 7 . As shown, fluid  500  flows from the primary reservoir  112 , over the partition  110  and into the secondary reservoir  114  when the bucket  100  is tilted at a sufficient angle θ. The magnitude of angle θ may depend on, among other things, the height of the lower side wall portion  102   a , the width of the primary reservoir  112 , and the height of the partition  110 . Depending on the angle θ, the bucket  100  can be tilted for any desired amount of time such that a desired amount of fluid  500  is transferred into the secondary reservoir  114 . 
         [0025]    In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  200  is coupled to the bucket  100 , and the window  208  is closed by the secondary lid  204 , to minimize or prevent fluid from spilling out of the bucket. In another embodiment, however, the cover  200  is not coupled to the bucket  100 . In yet another embodiment, the cover  200  is coupled to the bucket  100  but the window  208  is open. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the bucket  100  is brought to a resting position (e.g., with the bottom wall resting on a support surface such as a floor) after a desired amount of fluid  500  is transferred into and retained within the secondary reservoir  114 . Fluid retained within the secondary reservoir  114  is identified at  500   a . Fluid remaining within the primary reservoir  112  is identified at  500   b . In the event that the total volume of fluid flowing over the partition  110  during the aforementioned fluid transfer step exceeds the volume of the secondary reservoir  114 , some fluid  500   c  may fall back into the primary reservoir  112  when the bucket  100  is brought to the resting position, as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0027]    An exemplary process of loading an accessory with fluid from the secondary reservoir  114  will now be discussed with respect to  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
         [0028]    After fluid  500   a  is retained within the secondary reservoir  114  as shown in  FIG. 9 , the window  208  in the primary lid  202  may be opened by a user as shown in  FIG. 10 . In one embodiment, the window  208  is opened by rotating the secondary lid  204  about the hinge  210  upon engaging the access member  204   a . Subsequently, an accessory  10  (e.g., a paint brush) may be inserted through the window  208  and into the secondary reservoir  114  and be loaded with fluid  500   a . After loading the accessory  10 , the window  208  may be closed or may be left open until, for example, use of the fluid and accessory are no longer necessary (e.g., a paint job is complete). If the height of fluid  500   a  within the secondary reservoir  114  becomes too low, the aforementioned process of transferring fluid from the primary reservoir  112  to the secondary reservoir  114  may be repeated as many times as necessary. If the primary reservoir  112  becomes depleted of fluid  500   a , fluid may be re-introduced as described above with respect to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0029]    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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1