FLUID-RETAINING ASSEMBLY AND PROCESS OF USING THE SAME

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a process and apparatus for retaining a fluid.

BACKGROUND

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a bucket according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a cover, which is coupled to the bucket shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view illustrating the bucket and cover shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the cover shown in FIG. 2 in which a window in a primary lid is opened.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 102a and an upper side wall portion 102b. As exemplarily illustrated, an upper edge 110a of partition 110 lies elevationally between the ledge 108 and the rim 106. However, in other embodiments the upper edge 110a be coplanar with, or elevationally above, the rim 106.

Constructed as described above, the lower side wall portion 102a, 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 102a, the bottom wall 104 and, optionally, the partition 110. Likewise, the upper side wall portion 102b, 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 102b, 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.

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.

One or more of the lower side wall portion 102a, upper side wall portion 102b, 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 102a, upper side wall portion 102b, 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 102a, upper side wall portion 102b, 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 102a, upper side wall portion 102b, 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).

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.

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 206a and an inner rib 206b defining a channel configured to receive the rim 106. The outer rib 206a 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).

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.

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 204a) that can be engaged by a user to open and close the window 208.

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).

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 110a of partition 110. It will also be appreciated that the surface of the liquid 500 retained may be level with the upper edge 110a 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 110a 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.

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.

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 102a, 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.

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.

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 500a. Fluid remaining within the primary reservoir 112 is identified at 500b. 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 500c may fall back into the primary reservoir 112 when the bucket 100 is brought to the resting position, as shown in FIG. 8.

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.

After fluid 500a 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 204a. 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 500a. 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 500a 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 500a, fluid may be re-introduced as described above with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6.

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.

Claims

1. A bucket comprising:

a primary reservoir; and

a secondary reservoir, wherein 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 being disposed in selective fluid communication with the secondary reservoir.

2. The bucket of claim 1, wherein the secondary reservoir includes a partition that controls a height of a fluid in the secondary reservoir.

3. The paint bucket of claim 1, wherein the partition contains at least one aperture for allowing the return of fluid from the secondary reservoir to the primary reservoir.

4. The paint bucket of claim 2, wherein the primary reservoir, the secondary reservoir and the partition are formed as a one-piece structure.

5. The paint bucket of claim 1, which further includes a cover coupled with the paint bucket, wherein the covers the primary reservoir and the secondary reservoir.

6. The paint bucket of claim 5, wherein the cover includes a window disposed over a portion of the secondary reservoir;

which further includes a lid structured to selectively seal the aperature; and

wherein the second lid allows a user access to the trough region without removal of the lid.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a paint holding volume having a top edge and being defined by a bottom and sidewall structure;

a dividing trough in selective fluid flow communication with the paint holding volume, the dividing trough is structured such that a paint from the paint holding volume can be poured over a dividing trough wall into the dividing trough and the dividing trough wall prevents the paint contained in the dividing trough from flowing back into the paint holding volume.

8. A paint bucket comprising:

a paint holding region adapted to hold a quantity of paint;

a secondary paint holding reservoir in flow communication with the paint holding region; and

means for controlling the quantity of paint retained in the secondary paint holding reservoir.

9. A process for loading a paint brush with paint comprising:

filling a paint holding region of a paint bucket with a quantity of paint;

sealing a lid atop the paint holding area and a trough area;

elevating a side of the paint bucket opposite the trough area until paint from the paint holding region pours over a dividing wall filling the trough area;

returning the paint bucket to an upright position, the dividing wall retaining a portion of paint which poured into the trough area; and

accessing the trough area to remove paint therefrom by dipping the brush into the paint within the trough area.