MULTI-PURPOSE BUCKET, PARTICULARLY FOR PAINTING

Abstract

A bucket includes a first bay and a second bay, with an upwardly-extending retaining channel situated between the bays. The first bay is sized and configured such that it is particularly well-suited for containing liquids such as paint, washing fluid, etc., and the second bay is particularly well-suited for holding tools such as paint-brushes, cleaning brushes, etc. The bucket may be installed on a ladder strut/rung, sawhorse beam, or other elongated horizontal structure by inserting this structure within the retaining channel such that the bucket is supported on the structure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/099,296 filed Sep. 23, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This document concerns an invention relating generally to a multi-purpose bucket, and more specifically to a bucket particularly suited for use when painting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many tasks require that individuals carry a wide variety of materials and tools, and it can be inconvenient to carry these materials/tools and maintain them in an organized state so that the materials/tools are ready for use. For example, an individual working on a home painting project may need to carry a paint can (or paint bucket), paint rollers, paint brushes, scrapers, masking tape, cleaning rags, sponges, spray bottles, and perhaps a tool box and/or individual tools. As anyone who has worked with such items can attest, it is difficult to carry the heavy and bulky paint container, and also carry the other materials and tools, at the same time from area to area during a painting project. It is also difficult to keep all items organized and ready for use because the items tend to scatter during use, requiring that a user often stop to “hunt” for needed materials and tools. The difficulty with keeping all items organized and ready for use is amplified when a user is working on a ladder, e.g., when painting or making repairs: the user often has no surfaces available upon which the user can place needed items so that they're ready for use, and the user must therefore hold multiple items (which is inconvenient, since the user generally wants his/her hands to be free), or otherwise climb down the ladder to get needed items. Thus, a long-felt need exists for a container, such as a bucket, which maintains a variety of materials and tools (particularly materials and tools used in painting projects) in an organized state so that these items can be readily transported from area to area, and be situated in a ready-to-use state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention involves a bucket which is particularly well suited for projects such as painting, cleaning/washing, or doing repairs. To give the reader a basic understanding of some of the advantageous features of the bucket, following is a brief summary of preferred versions of the bucket, with reference made to the accompanying drawings to enhance the reader's understanding. Since this is merely a summary, it should be understood that more details regarding the preferred versions may be found in the Detailed Description set forth elsewhere in this document. The claims set forth at the end of this document then define the various versions of the bucket in which exclusive rights are secured.

Referring to FIG. 1, the bucket 100 includes adjacent first and second bays 102 and 104, each being capable of holding materials (e.g., paint in the first bay 102 and brushes, scrapers, sponges, etc. in the second bay 104). A retaining channel 106 is defined between the bays 102 and 104, with the retaining channel 106 extending upwardly from an open bottom channel mouth 108 (see particularly FIG. 3) to an upper channel ceiling 110. This retaining channel 106 may receive a horizontal support strut or rung of a ladder such that the bucket 100 can be supported on the strut/rung and off the floor, such that a user standing on the ladder may more easily access the paint/tools or other materials within the bucket 100, and/or such that a user standing near the ladder may access the paint/tools or other materials within the bucket 100 without needing to repeatedly bend over. Alternatively, a sawhorse beam or other appropriate structure can be fit in the retaining channel 106 to support the bucket 100 within a user's reach, allowing retrieval of tools and materials with less interruption of work. The first and second bays 102 and 104 and the retaining channel 106 will now be discussed in turn in greater detail.

Looking again particularly to FIG. 1, the first bay 102 has a first bay internal depression 112 defined between a first bay front wall 114, a first bay rear wall 116 (which is situated opposite the first bay front wall 114 and adjacent the second bay 104), a first bay floor 118, a first bay right wall 120 (which extends between the first bay front wall 114, the first bay rear wall 116, and the first bay floor 118), and a first bay left wall 122 (which is situated opposite the first bay right wall 120, with the first bay left wall 122 extending between the first bay front wall 114, the first bay rear wall 116, and the first bay floor 118). The first bay front wall 114 preferably has an at least substantially planar first bay front wall upper portion 124 which defines at least a major portion of the first bay front wall 114, such that a paint roller (or brush) may readily be rolled or run across the surface of the first bay front wall upper portion 124 to assist in evenly distributing a desired amount of paint on the roller or brush. Similarly, the first bay rear wall 116 opposite the first bay front wall 114 (and adjacent the second bay 104) preferably has a first bay rear wall upper portion 126 which is also at least substantially planar, and which defines at least a major portion of the first bay rear wall 116, for the same purposes. Below the front and rear wall upper portions 124 and 126, each of the first bay rear wall 116 and first bay front wall 114 then preferably include a curved portion 128 between the first bay 102 right and left walls, wherein the curved portions 128 define a minor portion of each of the first bay front wall 114 and first bay rear wall 116, and also define the first bay floor 118. The first bay floor 118 therefore defines a concave trough curving downwardly from both the first bay front wall upper portion 124 and the first bay rear wall upper portion 126, and extending between the first bay right wall 120 and the first bay left wall 122. As a result, a user could (if desired) smoothly roll a paint roller back and forth between the first bay front wall upper portion 124 and the first bay rear wall upper portion 126, and through paint pooled along the trough of the first bay floor 118, so that paint is gathered by (and evenly distributed along) the roller. To assist in this purpose, one or both of the first bay front wall 114 and the first bay rear wall 116 preferably includes spaced protrusions 130 (e.g., bumps, ridges/corrugations, and the like) arrayed along their heights across at least a major area of their at least substantially planar portions 124 and 126. As best seen in FIG. 1, the protrusions 130 can be arrayed in a different pattern on the first bay front wall 114 than on the first bay rear wall 116, such that a user can achieve a different paint distribution on a roller or brush depending on which of the walls 114 and 116 the roller or brush is run across. Such protrusions 130 can also be situated on the first bay floor 118 as well, but this is preferably avoided for ease of cleaning the first bay floor 118, where paint tends to pool.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the second bay 104 then has a second bay internal depression 132 defined between a second bay front wall 134 (here shown adjacent the first bay 102), a second bay rear wall 136 (situated opposite the second bay front wall 134), opposing second bay right and left walls 138 and 140 (which extend between the second bay front wall 134 and the second bay rear wall 136), and a second bay floor 142 (which extends between the walls 134, 136, 138, and 140). The second bay internal depression 132 is shown divided into subcompartments 144 by second bay subcompartment walls 146 extending between the second bay front wall 134 and the second bay rear wall 136, whereby a user may (for example) place brushes in one subcompartment 144, scrapers in another, sponges/rags in yet another, and so forth. A user is therefore able to carry paint in a ready-to-use state in the first bay 102, and also conveniently carry the tools needed for painting in the second bay 104. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the subcompartments 144 could hold paint or other liquids, e.g., different colors of paint which a user might access with a brush, water for spot-cleaning, plaster for minor repairs, and so forth.

Now turning particularly to FIG. 3, the retaining channel 106 is preferably defined between the first bay rear wall 116 and the second bay front wall 134, such that the first bay rear wall 116 and the second bay front wall 134 define opposing channel sides 148. The retaining channel 106 preferably narrows between the first bay rear wall 116 and the second bay front wall 134 (i.e., the channel sides 148) as the retaining channel 106 extends upwardly from the open bottom channel mouth 108 toward the upper channel ceiling 110, such that the channel sides 148 will better engage any ladder strut/rung (or sawhorse beam or other structure) situated within the retaining channel 106. The substantially planar upper portions 124 and 126 of the first bay rear wall 116 and the second bay front wall 134 also help for this purpose since the planar surfaces 124 and 126 present large surface areas against which any struts, rungs, beams, etc. may bear.

Since paint rollers tend to be rather wide/large—large enough that they cannot fit in the second bay 104 (as depicted in the exemplary bucket 100)—and since it is usually undesirable to leave a paint roller soaking in any paint held in the first bay 102, the bucket 100 preferably includes a feature for storing (at least temporarily) a paint roller outside of the bays 102 and 104. Looking again to FIG. 1, the first bay rear wall 116 descends downwardly from a ledge 150 which is preferably at least partially defined by the upper channel ceiling 110 of the retaining channel 106. The ledge 150 is sized and situated such that a roller may rest on the ledge 150 with its handle extending across the top of the first bay internal depression 112 to rest atop the first bay front wall 114. Further, as seen in the drawings, an upper peripheral bucket rim 152 bounds the perimeter of the bucket 100, with the peripheral bucket rim 152 being at least partially defined by a first bay front wall top 154 on the first bay front wall 114, a first bay right wall top 156 on the first bay right wall 120, a first bay left wall top 158 on the first bay left wall 122, a second bay rear wall top 160 on the second bay rear wall 136, a second bay right wall top 162 on the second bay right wall 138, and a second bay left wall top 164 on the second bay left wall 140. The ledge 150 is preferably situated below the upper peripheral bucket rim 152 at the first bay front wall 114—more particularly, the ledge 150 is preferably situated below the first bay front wall top 154, the first bay right wall top 156, and the first bay left wall top 158—such that the roller and its handle rest on the ledge 150 and the first bay front wall top 154 in a stable horizontal orientation, whereby the roller does not readily fall from the ledge 150.

Looking to FIG. 2, the peripheral bucket rim 152 preferably descends as it extends from the first bay 102 toward the second bay rear wall 136, more specifically, it preferably descends along the second bay right wall top 162 and the second bay left wall top 164 as it extends toward the second bay rear wall top 160. As a result, a user's hand is more easily able to reach over the second bay rear wall top 160 and access the second bay internal depression 132, particularly when the bucket 100 is situated on a ladder or the like.

As perhaps best seen in FIG. 1, the second bay 104 is narrower than the first bay 102, with the distance between the second bay right wall 138 and the second bay left wall 140 being less than the distance between the first bay right wall 120 and the first bay left wall 122. In this manner, the second bay 104 can be sized to fit between the opposing vertical supports of a ladder to receive a ladder strut/rung within the retaining channel 106, and the first bay 102 can be sized such that it cannot be received between the ladder's opposing vertical supports, and such that it protrudes laterally outwardly from the second bay 104 when resting on the ladder. This arrangement eases installation of the bucket 100 on a ladder strut/rung since a user simply inserts the second bay 104 between the ladder's opposing vertical supports until the first bay 102 halts further insertion. Further, the relative sizing of the first and second bays 102 and 104 helps to more firmly maintain the bucket 100 on a ladder strut/rung since at least the first bay 102 can bear against both a ladder strut/rung and the ladder's opposing vertical supports.

The bucket 100 preferably includes one or more bails so that it may be more easily carried by a user. While no bail is shown in the drawings, bail mounting posts 166 are shown located in positions on the first bay right and left walls 120 and 122 such that a bail may be pivotally mounted to the bail mounting posts 166 above the center of gravity of the bucket 100 when the bucket 100 is loaded in a conventional manner. Alternatively or additionally, the bucket 100 might include one or more integrally-formed bails/handles, e.g., an elongated handle extending above and across the ledge 150.

Hanging apertures, e.g., the hanging aperture 168 shown at the first bay front wall top 154, may be included about the upper peripheral bucket rim 152 or elsewhere on the bucket 100. Other hanging/mounting structures such as hooks, pairs of opposing resiliently flexible prongs or hooks (defining a clip or a partially opened aperture), and the like may also be included about the upper peripheral bucket rim 152 or elsewhere on the bucket 100, but such structures are not shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a number of optional accessories that may be provided for use with the bucket 100. An exemplary first bay liner 200 is configured to complementarily fit within the first bay 102 to line the internal depression 112 therein, whereby a user can insert the liner 200 to avoid dirtying the first bay 102 with paint or the like. The liner 200 is preferably formed inexpensively of thin plastic or other material such that it may be economically discarded after a single (or a few) uses. A user might, for example, insert several liners 200 in stacked fashion within the first bay 102, and fill the top one with paint of a first color. After painting with the first color of paint, the user might remove the top liner and fill the next liner with a second color of paint, and begin painting. A user can continue in this fashion without the need to wash out the first bay 102 when switching paint colors. It is notable that the liner 200 may be configured to include protrusions 130 which complement, modify, or replace those in the first bay 102. As an example, the bay 102 might lack protrusions 130, and different liners 200 with different protrusion types/patterns might be provided such that a user can choose and insert a liner 200 bearing the desired protrusions. As another example, a liner 200 might be slipped into the first bay 102 to provide protrusions different from those already provided in the first bay 102.

An exemplary first bay tray 300 is configured to rest at least partially atop, and extend between, the first bay right wall 120 and the first bay left wall 122 (or between corresponding walls of the liner 200), with tray internal depressions 302 that descend at least partially within the first bay internal depression 112 when the first bay tray 300 rests at least partially atop, and extends between, the first bay right wall 120 and the first bay left wall 122. These tray internal depressions 302 effectively define subcompartments within a portion of the first bay 102, allowing a user to carry additional tools or other items in an organized fashion within the subcompartments 302, and to do so atop paint or other material carried in the first bay 102. Another exemplary first bay tray having similar features, but which fits atop the entirety of the first bay 102 (and which has more subcompartments), is shown at 400.

An exemplary first bay cover 500 is configured to rest at least partially atop the first bay front wall 114, the first bay right wall 120, and the first bay left wall 122, and extend above at least substantially the entirety of the first bay internal depression 112. The first bay cover 500 can deter matter from falling into or otherwise entering the first bay 102, and/or can help to keep paint or other matter within the first bay 102 fresh. Additionally, the first bay cover 500 can also define or serve as a tray, similar to the trays 300 and 400 discussed above, and/or as a generally flat worksurface.

Further advantages, features, and objects of the invention will be apparent from the remainder of his document in conjunction with the associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary bucket 100, illustrating a first bay 102 and a second bay 104 separated by a retaining channel 106, with the first bay 102 being particularly suitable for holding paint and the second bay 104 being particularly suitable for holding brushes and tools.

FIG. 2 is another top perspective view of the bucket 100 of FIG. 1 shown with an insertable and disposable liner 200, insertable trays 300 and 400, and a cover 500 which may be installed by a user on the first bay 102 as desired.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the bucket 100 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

To expand on the discussion above, following are exemplary preferred dimensions for the bucket 100. The first bay 102 has a width of approximately 38 cm (15 in) from the first bay right wall top 156 to the first bay left wall top 158; a height of approximately 30 cm (12 in) from the first bay front wall top 154 to the first bay floor 118; and a depth of approximately 25 cm (10 in) from the first bay front wall top 154 to the top of the first bay rear wall 116. The second bay 104 has a width of approximately 28 cm (11 in) from the second bay right wall top 162 to the second bay left wall top 164; a height of approximately 23 cm (9 in) from the second bay rear wall top 160 to the second bay floor 142; and a depth of approximately 17 cm (7 in) from the second bay front wall 134 to the second bay rear wall 136 at the top of the second bay 104. Note that in the United States, most household ladders have an outer width of approximately 30 cm (12 in) at their uppermost horizontal support struts (i.e., the horizontal struts on the side of the ladder opposite the side bearing rungs), providing a strut width of approximately 28 cm (11 in). The width of the second bay 104, and the width of the upper channel ceiling 110 of the retaining channel 106, is preferably chosen to approximately match the width of a conventional support strut so that the second bay 104 can snugly fit between the vertical legs of a ladder, with the upper channel ceiling 110 resting on the strut. The second bay 104 includes two outer subcompartments 144 with interiors which are approximately 10 cm (4 in) wide, and a central subcompartment 144 therebetween with an interior width of approximately 4 cm (1.5 in). As seen best in FIG. 2, the central subcompartment—which is intended for storage of brushes and the like—is shallower, such that the bristles of a brush can be received within the central subcompartment with the brush's handle protruding upwardly out of the central subcompartment. The ledge 150 has a width of approximately 25 cm (10 in), and is situated approximately 5 cm (2 in) below the peripheral bucket rim 152. Within the retaining channel 106, the second bay front wall 134 is oriented nearly vertically, whereas the upper portion 126 of the first bay rear wall 116 is sloped at an angle approximating that of the verticals of a ladder, such that when the bucket 100 is received on a rung/strut of a ladder, its upper peripheral bucket rim 152 will typically be supported in a horizontal plane.

The bucket 100 may include features which add further structural strength, such as strengthening ribs. For example, looking to FIG. 3, ribs 170 may extend between the bays 102 and 104 across the upper channel ceiling 110 of the retaining channel 106 (i.e., across the bottom of the ledge 150) to add rigidity to the ceiling/ledge 110/150 as it rests on a ladder rung/strut, a sawhorse beam, or the like. Corners of the bucket 100 may be radiused so that the surfaces meeting at the corners are more smoothly joined, thereby deterring breakage at the corners.

The bucket 100 may include features which add stability and better deter tipping. For example, legs/struts (not shown) may extend from the rounded bottom of the first bay 102, particularly near the bottom of the first bay front wall 114, to deter tipping when the bucket 100 is placed on a floor or other surface. Alternatively or additionally, the bottom surface of the first bay 102 may include a flattened area, and/or the first bay floor 118 may include a planar area, wherein this feature (or features) assist the first bay 102 in more stably resting on a floor or other surface.

The bucket 100 is preferably shaped such that multiple buckets are readily stacked in nesting fashion. As best seen in FIG. 3, ribs 172 may descend from the peripheral bucket rim 152 to space the bucket rim of one bucket from the bucket rim of a bucket beneath, thereby allowing nested buckets to be more easily pulled apart.

The exemplary bucket 100 shown in the drawings includes a first bay 102 and a narrower second bay 104, wherein the first bay 102 includes spaced protrusions 130 and the second bay 104 is divided into subcompartments 144. However, the bucket 100 may include differently sized and configured bays 102 and 104, as well as different numbers and arrangements of bays. As examples, the second bay 104 may be sized as large as (or larger than) the first bay 102, and may have fewer (or no) subcompartments 144. For example, both the second bay 104 and the first bay 102 may be similarly configured so that they may both hold paint. Conversely, the second bay 104 may have more subcompartments 144 than the number shown, including subcompartments 144 adjacently arrayed along lines extending between the second bay rear wall 136 and second bay front wall 134 (instead of or in addition to the subcompartments 144 shown in FIG. 1, which are arrayed along lines extending between the second bay right wall 138 and second bay left wall 140). Subcompartments 144 may be provided by insertable walls, such as by the walls of an insertable tray. The second bay 104 might also or alternatively include protrusions on its walls, as in the first bay 102. In similar fashion, the first bay 102 may adopt features shown and/or previously described as being provided with the second bay 104.

As noted, the ledge 150 between the bays 102 and 104 may be used to support a paint roller while the roller's protruding handle rests atop the first bay front wall top 154. This ledge 150 may be sized larger than shown in the accompanying drawings, and may have a concave bottom and/or a rear wall (one which rises above the second bay front wall 134), such that any paint on the roller is better deterred from running into the second bay 104. Ridges/grooves extending from the ledge 150 can also be included so that paint running from the ledge 150 can be directed as desired.

The channel sides 148 of the retaining channel 106 can be textured, rubberized, or otherwise enhanced to increase their grip about a ladder rung/strut, sawhorse beam, or other structure for supporting the bucket 102 at its channel ceiling 110. The protrusions 130, if molded or otherwise formed on the first bay rear wall 116 within the first bay 102 such that they manifest themselves on the corresponding channel side 148 outside the first bay 102 (i.e., such that they define indentations or other discontinuities on the outside wall of the first bay 102), can also “roughen” the surfaces of the retaining channel 106 to better engage any ladder strut/rung (or sawhorse beam or other structure) situated therein. Flexible flanges, compressible foam, or other structures extending from one or more of the channel sides 148 which resiliently yield (i.e., which bend/compress toward the channel sides 148 when they encounter a strut/rung/beam, and then flex back when the strut/rung/beam is removed) can also help to retain the bucket 100 atop a strut/rung/beam. It is notable that the weight of the materials within the bays 102 and 104 helps to more firmly retain the bucket 100 atop the strut/rung/beam: the more the bay 102 and/or 104 is loaded, the greater the force urging the strut/rung/beam within the retaining channel 106. It is also notable that if a strut/rung/beam is too small for the channel sides 148 of the retaining channel 106 to affirmatively grasp, the bucket 100 will still be supported by, and usable atop, the strut/rung/beam, and the strut/rung/beam could (for example) be covered or wrapped by a towel or rag to increase its circumference if firmer mounting is desired.

As discussed previously, the protrusions 130 may assume a wide variety of forms. In the protrusions 130 shown in the drawings, one of the first bay front and rear walls 114 and 116 bears a series of ridges spaced along the height of the wall, and the other of the first bay front and rear walls 114 and 116 bears a series of discrete spaced bumps arrayed in echelon fashion, with each ridge/bump having a ramped surface which extends further from the walls 114 and 116 as its distance from the first bay floor 118 increases. Having different types/patterns on the walls 114 and 116 is preferred over having similar protrusion types/patterns on both of the walls 114 and 116, since each “style” of protrusions 130 has a different effect in distributing paint across a roller. For example, when one rolls a roller against the ridges while applying pressure, the ridges tend to “wring out” paint from the roller to a greater extent, whereas when one rolls a roller against the bumps while applying pressure, the bumps tend to push paint laterally/axially along the roller so that it is more evenly distributed across the roller.

The foregoing discussion reviewed use of accessories such as a liner 200, trays 300 and 400, and a cover 500 with the first bay 102. However, these and/or other accessories may be additionally or alternatively configured to fit atop or within the internal depression 132 of the second bay 104. Accessories could also be configured to be accommodated atop or within both bays 102 and 104 at the same time, e.g., a cover might be configured to rest atop the entire bucket 100; a liner might have pockets that fit within both bays 102 and 104, and which are bridged by a connecting member which extends across the ledge 150; and so forth. The accessories can be configured to removably, hingably, or otherwise attach to the bucket 100, e.g., the liner 200, trays 300 and 400, and cover 500 might snap-fit onto or into the first bay 102; the cover 500 might be hingably affixed to the first bay front wall top 154 so that it may close over the first bay internal depression 112, or alternatively swing out of the way; and so forth. The bucket 100 might be provided with various accessories (e.g., trays 300/400 and covers 500), and/or certain accessories might be sold separately (e.g., liners 200), so that users can obtain the accessories on an as-needed basis and configure their buckets 100 as desired.

Other accessories that might be provided include plates which bear protrusions, and which hook onto (for example) the first bay front wall top 154 to descend into the first bay internal depression 112 atop at least the upper portion 124 of the first bay front wall 114. Such plates can be used to provide the protrusions 130 within the first bay 102, or to reconfigure them. Alternatively, such plates can be provided in a U-shape which extends from the first bay front wall 114 to the first bay rear wall 116, and/or as a flexible sheet which bends to extend in this fashion. Boxes, perhaps with closable lids, may be configured to nest within one or more of the first and second bays 102 and 104 to provide insertable and removable storage units. Additional bays, e.g., a bay similar to the second bay 104, might be provided as a separate unit, and might have a curved flange, hooks, or similar structure extending therefrom so that it can be hooked onto the second bay rear wall top 160 (or atop the first bay front wall top 154 and/or the first bay right and left wall tops 156/158) to provide an additional bay.

The bucket 100 and its accessories (if any) may be made of plastic, metal, or other suitable materials (or combinations thereof), and may be manufactured using any suitable process known in the art. Preferably, the material(s) forming the bucket 100 have sufficiently low weight that the bucket 100 is readily carried by a user both when empty or when filled.

In the foregoing discussion (and in the following claims), it should be understood that terms such as “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like are words of convenience, used to describe locations on the bucket 100 when oriented as shown in (for example) FIG. 1, and these terms should not be construed as limiting terms.

Preferred versions of the invention have been described above in order to illustrate how to make and use the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to these versions, but rather is intended to be limited only by the claims set out below. Thus, the invention encompasses all different versions that fall literally or equivalently within the scope of these claims.

Claims

1. A bucket including adjacent first and second bays wherein:

a. the first bay has a first bay internal depression defined between: i. a first bay front wall, ii. a first bay rear wall opposite the first bay front wall and adjacent the second bay, iii. a continuously curving first bay floor, iv. a first bay right wall extending between the first bay front wall, the first bay rear wall, and the first bay floor, v. a first bay left wall opposite the first bay right wall, the first bay left wall extending between the first bay front wall, the first bay rear wall, and the first bay floor, wherein the first bay rear wall and first bay front wall each include: (1) an at least substantially planar portion between the first bay right and left walls, the substantially planar portion defining a major portion of each of the first bay rear wall and first bay front wall; (2) a curved portion between the first bay right and left walls, the curved portion: (a) defining a minor portion of each of the first bay front wall and first bay rear wall, and (b) continuing into the first bay floor, the first bay floor curving below the bottom of the first bay front wall and the bottom of the first bay rear wall;

b. the second bay has a second bay internal depression defined between: i. a second bay front wall adjacent the first bay, ii. a second bay rear wall opposite the second bay front wall, iii. a second bay floor, iv. a second bay right wall extending between the second bay front wall, the second bay rear wall, and the second bay floor, v. a second bay left wall opposite the second bay right wall, the second bay left wall extending between the second bay front wall, the second bay rear wall, and the second bay floor,

wherein a retaining channel is defined between the first bay rear wall and the second bay front wall, the retaining channel narrowing between the first bay rear wall and the second bay front wall as the retaining channel extends upwardly from an open bottom channel mouth.

2. The bucket of claim 1 wherein:

a. the first bay front wall descends downwardly from a first bay front wall top,

b. the second bay front wall descends downwardly from a ledge, and

c. the ledge is situated below the first bay front wall top.

3. The bucket of claim 1 wherein:

a. a peripheral bucket rim bounds the perimeter of the bucket, the peripheral bucket rim being at least partially defined by: (1) a first bay front wall top on the first bay front wall, from which the first bay front wall descends, (2) a first bay right wall top on the first bay right wall, from which the first bay right wall descends, (3) a first bay left wall top on the first bay left wall, from which the first bay left wall descends, (4) a second bay rear wall top on the second bay rear wall, from which the second bay rear wall descends, (5) a second bay right wall top on the second bay right wall, from which the second bay right wall descends, and (6) a second bay left wall top on the second bay left wall, from which the second bay left wall descends,

b. the second bay front wall descends downwardly from a ledge, and

c. the ledge is situated below the first bay front wall top, the first bay right wall top, and the first bay left wall top.

4. The bucket of claim 3 wherein the peripheral bucket rim descends along the second bay right wall top and the second bay left wall top as it extends toward the second bay rear wall top.

5. The bucket of claim 1 wherein:

a. a peripheral bucket rim bounds the perimeter of the bucket,

b. the first bay front wall has a first bay front wall top defining a front portion of the peripheral bucket rim, and

c. the second bay rear wall has a second bay rear wall top defining a rear portion of the peripheral bucket rim.

6. The bucket of claim 5 wherein the peripheral bucket rim descends as it extends from the first bay toward the second bay rear wall.

7. The bucket of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first bay front wall and the first bay rear wall includes protrusions arrayed in spaced relation above the first bay floor.

8. The bucket of claim 1 wherein:

a. the first bay front wall includes protrusions arrayed in spaced relation across at least a major area of the at least substantially planar portion of the first bay front wall, and

b. the first bay rear wall includes protrusions arrayed in spaced relation across at least a major area of the at least substantially planar portion of the first bay rear wall.

9. The bucket of claim 8 wherein the protrusions are arrayed in a different pattern on the first bay front wall than on the first bay rear wall.

10. The bucket of claim 1 wherein the distance between the second bay right wall and the second bay left wall is less than the distance between the first bay right wall and the first bay left wall, such that the second bay is narrower than the first bay.

11. The bucket of claim 1 wherein the second bay includes one or more second bay subcompartment walls extending between the second bay front wall and the second bay rear wall, whereby the second bay has subcompartments defined therein.

12. The bucket of claim 1 further including one or more of:

a. a first bay liner, the first bay liner being: (1) configured to complementarily fit within the first bay to line the internal depression therein, and (2) formed of material thinner than the first bay;

b. a first bay cover, the first bay cover being configured to: (1) rest at least partially atop the first bay front wall, the first bay right wall, and the first bay left wall, and (2) extend above at least substantially the entirety of the first bay internal depression; and

c. a first bay tray, the first bay tray: (1) being configured to rest at least partially atop, and extend between, the first bay right wall and the first bay left wall, and (2) including one or more tray internal depressions therein, whereby the tray internal depressions descend at least partially within the first bay internal depression when the first bay tray rests at least partially atop, and extends between, the first bay right wall and the first bay left wall.

13. A bucket including:

a. an upper peripheral bucket rim extending between a front bucket end and a rear bucket end;

b. a first bay including a first bay internal depression defined between: (1) a first bay front wall having an at least substantially planar first bay front wall upper portion descending from the upper peripheral bucket rim at the front bucket end, the first bay front wall upper portion defining at least a major portion of the first bay front wall; (2) a first bay rear wall opposite the first bay front wall and adjacent the second bay, the first bay rear wall having a first bay rear wall upper portion which: (a) is at least substantially planar, (b) defines at least a major portion of the first bay rear wall, and (c) descends downwardly from a ledge situated below the upper peripheral bucket rim at the first bay front wall; (3) a first bay right wall extending between the first bay front wall and the first bay rear wall; (4) a first bay left wall opposite the first bay right wall, the first bay left wall extending between the first bay front wall and the first bay rear wall; (5) a continuously curving first bay floor defining a concave trough curving downwardly from both the first bay front wall and the first bay rear wall, and extending between the first bay right wall and the first bay left wall;

c. a second bay including a second bay internal depression defined between: (1) a second bay front wall; (2) a second bay rear wall opposite the second bay front wall, the second bay rear wall descending from the upper peripheral bucket rim at the rear bucket end; (3) a second bay right wall extending between the second bay front wall and the second bay rear wall; (4) a second bay left wall opposite the second bay right wall, the second bay left wall extending between the second bay front wall and the second bay rear wall;

d. a retaining channel defined between the first bay and the second bay, the retaining channel extending upwardly from an open bottom channel mouth to an upper channel ceiling situated at least partially below the ledge.

14. The bucket of claim 11 wherein the retaining channel narrows as it extends from the bottom channel mouth toward the upper channel ceiling.

15. The bucket of claim 11 wherein the retaining channel:

a. has opposing channel sides, and

b. at least a major portion of one or both of the channel sides is at least substantially planar.

16. The bucket of claim 11 wherein the retaining channel is bounded on opposing sides by the first bay rear wall and the second bay front wall.

17. The bucket of claim 11 wherein the peripheral bucket rim descends as it extends from the first bay toward the rear bucket end.

18. The bucket of claim 11 wherein a major area of at least one of the first bay front wall and the first bay rear wall includes protrusions arrayed in spaced relation.

19. The bucket of claim 11 wherein the distance between the first bay right wall and the first bay left wall is greater than the distance between the second bay right wall and the second bay left wall, such that the first bay is wider than the second bay.

20. A bucket including:

a. an upper peripheral bucket rim extending between a front bucket end and a rear bucket end;

b. a first bay including a first bay internal depression defined between: (1) a first bay front wall having an at least substantially planar first bay front wall upper portion descending from the upper peripheral bucket rim at the front bucket end, the first bay front wall upper portion defining at least a major portion of the first bay front wall, (2) a first bay rear wall opposite the first bay front wall and adjacent the second bay, the first bay rear wall having a first bay rear wall upper portion which: (a) is at least substantially planar, (b) defines at least a major portion of the first bay rear wall, and (c) descends downwardly from a ledge situated below the upper peripheral bucket rim at the first bay front wall, (3) a first bay right wall extending between the first bay front wall and the first bay rear wall, (4) a first bay left wall opposite the first bay right wall, the first bay left wall extending between the first bay front wall and the first bay rear wall, and (5) a continuously curving first bay floor defining a concave trough curving downwardly from both the first bay front wall and the first bay rear wall, and extending between the first bay right wall and the first bay left wall;

wherein one or more of the first bay front wall and the first bay rear wall includes protrusions arrayed along their heights;

c. a second bay including a second bay internal depression defined between: (1) a second bay front wall, (2) a second bay rear wall opposite the second bay front wall, (3) a second bay right wall extending between the second bay front wall and the second bay rear wall, (4) a second bay left wall opposite the second bay right wall, the second bay left wall extending between the second bay front wall and the second bay rear wall, and (5) one or more second bay subcompartment walls extending between the second bay front wall and the second bay rear wall, whereby the second bay internal depression is subdivided by the second bay subcompartment walls;

d. a retaining channel defined between the first bay rear wall and the second bay front wall, the retaining channel narrowing between the first bay rear wall and the second bay front wall as the retaining channel extends upwardly from an open bottom channel mouth.