Bucket Liner Adapted To Facilitate Use With Mixing Materials

Abstract

A bag or liner can be sized to fit into a bucket, such as a five gallon bucket. The bag or liner can extend above the height of the bucket to form a funnel portion to assist in pouring material into the apparatus inside the bucket. The bag or liner can have graduations corresponding to volume of material poured into the bag or liner and bucket to assist in mixing ingredients of a material. The bag or liner can include a flat bottom wall and internal seams to conform to the bucket's shape. The bag or liner can include perforations to permit detachment of the funnel portion of the bag or liner. To enhance the preservation of mixed ingredients and the workability of the mixed ingredients, the bag or liner can include a re-sealable seam at a top opening of the funnel portion that permits evacuation of air enclosed by the bag or liner through a one-way valve that supports vacuum packaging. The bag or liner can include integral handles to allow easy removal of the bag or liner from the bucket.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/690,083, filed Jun. 26, 2018.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Efficiently managing construction materials is important for most job sites. Buckets are often used, including in such tasks as waste collection, mixing materials, and storage of materials. However, the buckets may present inefficiencies, for example by the materials failing to enter the bucket or the materials being incompletely removed from the bucket.

A liner within a bucket is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,438,921 used to enhance the bucket's utility on the job site. However, this liner lacks functional advantages provided by the embodiments of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 8,438,921 is incorporated herein by reference to the extent that it is not contrary to the present disclosure.

The present inventor has recognized that it would be desirable to provide a liner for a bucket that reduces poured construction materials failing to enter the bucket by splashing or spilling.

The present inventor has recognized that it would be desirable to provide a liner for a bucket that permits efficient and accurate mixing of constructions materials.

The present inventor has recognized that it would be desirable to provide a liner for the bucket that preserves a mixed material's pliability and workability.

The present inventor has recognized that it would be desirable to provide a liner for the bucket that allows a filled liner to be easily separated from the bucket.

SUMMARY

The exemplary embodiment apparatus of the invention includes a bag or liner that can be sized to fit into a bucket, such as a five gallon bucket. The apparatus can extend above the height of the bucket to form a funnel portion to assist in pouring material into the apparatus inside the bucket. The apparatus can have graduations corresponding to volume of material poured into the apparatus and bucket to assist in mixing ingredients of a material. The apparatus can include a flat bottom wall and internal seams to conform to the bucket's shape. The apparatus can include perforations to permit detachment of the funnel portion of the apparatus. To enhance the preservation of mixed ingredients and the workability of the mixed ingredients, the apparatus can include a re-sealable seam at a top opening of the funnel portion that permits evacuation of air enclosed by the apparatus through a one-way valve that supports vacuum packaging. The apparatus can include integral handles to allow easy removal of the apparatus from the bucket.

The liner can be composed of a 4 mil thick disposable, biodegradable plastic. Advantageously, the liner thickness is such that the liner is free standing. The funnel portion can be a clear plastic extension on the liner. The liner is sized to be only very slightly smaller in diameter than the bucket and can be secured to the bucket using water suction, effective to secure the bag while mixing with a power, motorized mixer.

Alternatively, the liner can be composed of a thin, non-stick silicone rubber. The liner can be 3 mm thick. This liner can be made reusable in that it will allow dried material to simply fall out of an inverted liner by shaking the liner. The pliability of the silicone rubber would allow the liner to be impacted or deformed to cause dried material adhered to the liner to disintegrate and release from the liner.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bucket liner apparatus of the invention in a state outside of a bucket;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bucket liner apparatus of FIG. 1 wherein graduations for mixing are displayed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bucket liner apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state inside of the bucket with a funnel portion deployed for use;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bucket liner apparatus of FIG. 3 with the funnel portion in a non-operative state, folded down over the bucket;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bucket liner apparatus of FIG. 1 wherein handles and a perforation are displayed;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bucket liner apparatus of FIG. 1 wherein a vacuum seal is displayed;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a silicone liner placed into a bucket;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the silicone liner of FIG. 7 folded over a top of the bucket; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the silicone liner of FIG. 7 separate from the bucket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit this invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

This application incorporates by reference U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/690,083, filed Jun. 26, 2018 in its entirety.

FIG. 1 illustrates a bucket liner apparatus 20 that is particularly useful in efficiently managing construction materials but can also be useful in other operations.

The apparatus includes a bucket liner 23 that can be connected to a funnel portion 26. The funnel portion 26 can be attached as a separate piece or formed integrally with the bucket liner. The funnel portion 26 can allow the pouring or mixing of materials in the bucket liner 23 while decreasing loss of materials through splatter or spillage.

The bucket liner 23 can include a surrounding sidewall 24 and a bottom wall 29 that closes the sidewall. The bottom wall 29 is advantageously flat having advantages as further explained below.

The bucket liner 23 can be connected to the funnel portion 26 by a seam 32. The seam 32 can have perforations 33, as further explained below. The bottom wall 29 can be connected to the surrounding sidewall 24 by an interior seam 36.

A surface 39 of the surrounding sidewall 24 can include graduation markings 41 and/or a dry mix legend 45, as further explained below. The apparatus 20 can include reinforced handles 48, an openable and re-sealable seal 49, and/or a vacuum port 55, as further explained below.

FIG. 2 illustrates the graduation markings 41 can be applied to the surface 39, such as an inside surface, of the surrounding sidewall 24. The marks 41 correspond to increments of volume of the liner 23 for controlling the desired volume of material poured into the bucket liner 23. The dry mix legend 45 can be applied to the liner 23 or funnel portion 26, giving the user a guide or instructions on the correct volumes of each ingredient to achieve a desired mixture, corresponding to recommended mix ratios for various materials, such as for concrete, grout, wallboard compound, etc.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bucket 60 that contains an interior volume 64. The bucket liner 23 placed within the bucket 60 can closely conform to the interior volume 64. The flat bottom wall 29 connected by the interior seam 36 can allow the apparatus 20 to fully contact, and conform to, a bucket bottom wall 67.

FIG. 4 illustrates a state or position of the apparatus 20 where the funnel portion 26 can be pulled down below an upper edge 69 of the bucket 60 and folded over the bucket 60 providing easier access to mixed materials.

FIG. 5 illustrates reinforced handles 48 can be incorporated into the apparatus 20 assisting removal of the apparatus 20 and contents from the bucket 60. The perforated seam 33 can allow easier separation of the funnel portion 26 from the bucket liner 23, allowing easier access to mixed materials.

FIG. 6 illustrates the openable and re-sealable seal 49 allowing closure of the liner 23 to lock air within the apparatus 20. The vacuum port 55 can be a one-way valve assembly incorporated into the apparatus 20 permitting vacuum removal of ambient air from mixed materials within the apparatus 20 prior to storage. Removing air and air bubbles from within the apparatus and from within the mixed materials enhances the workability of some mixed materials as well as to increase the pliability of some mixed materials for a longer period of time.

The seal 49 and the vacuum port 55 can be as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,764,039 and 8,066,433 herein incorporated by reference.

A typical mixing sequence can be:

The apparatus 20 is placed in the bucket 60;

The flat bottom wall 29 of the apparatus 20 fully contacts the bucket bottom wall 67;

The funnel portion 26 is in a state or position extending above the upper edge 69 of the bucket 60;

The dry mix legend 45 is referred to by a user to obtain quantities of mixing ingredients of a material to obtain a desired mixture;

Mixing ingredients of a material are poured into the apparatus 20, measuring the volume of each mixing ingredient of a material using the graduation markings 41;

Mixing ingredients are mixed, such as by a motorized mixing device, with the funnel 26 extending above the bucket 60 to minimize splashing;

The funnel portion 26 can be folded over the upper edge 69 of the bucket 60, providing easier access to the mixture.

The funnel 26 is pulled up above the upper edge 69 of the bucket 60 after completing current use of mixed material. The openable and re-sealable seal 49 is closed and sealed, capturing the mixture and a volume of air. The volume of air, and air entrained in the mixture are evacuated by a vacuum pump through the one-way valve assembly incorporated in the vacuum port 55, preserving and enhancing the mixture.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate a silicone bucket liner 100. Silicone bucket liners are a lifetime reusable bucket liner. Construction materials such as tile thin set, grout for tile, concrete and joint compounds for patching and finishing drywall will not stick to the silicone. Non-stick rubberized silicone will eliminate the need to clean buckets after every use, simply let construction materials dry and they will fall out without the need to crack materials out of the bucket or hurry to clean buckets before materials dry. This liner will keep millions of non-biodegradable buckets out of the refuse dump every year.

The liner of FIGS. 7-9 can be provided with all or some of the features heretofore described in FIGS. 1-6, such as graduation marks for mixing, a vacuum port, handles, perforations, and a funnel portion.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.

Claims

1. A bucket liner, comprising:

a liner sized to be placed into a bucket, the liner having a surrounding sidewall and a bottom wall closing the sidewall, and an openable and re-sealable opening on an end of the liner opposite the bottom wall; and

a vacuum port installed onto the liner or the funnel portion for evacuating.

2. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: graduation marks on the sidewall indicating increments of volume for accurately adding mixing ingredients.

3. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a dry mix legend indicating volumes of mixing ingredients to be added into the liner.

4. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a reinforced handle.

5. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a funnel portion connected to the end of the liner opposite the bottom wall.

6. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 5, further comprising: perforation for separation of the funnel portion from the liner.

7. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bottom wall comprises a flat wall.

8. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 7, further comprising: an internal seam connecting the bottom wall to one end of the liner.

9. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 1, wherein the liner is composed of silicone.

10. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 1, wherein the liner is composed of plastic.

11. A bucket liner, comprising:

a liner sized to be placed into a bucket, the liner having a surrounding sidewall and a bottom wall closing the sidewall; and

a funnel portion extending above the height of the bucket connected at an end of the liner opposite the bottom wall.

12. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 11, further comprising: graduation marks on the sidewall indicating increments of volume for accurately adding mixing ingredients.

13. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 11, further comprising: a dry mix legend indicating volumes of mixing ingredients to be added into the liner.

14. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 11, further comprising: a reinforced handle.

15. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 11, further comprising: perforations for separation of the funnel portion from the liner.

16. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 11, further comprising: an openable and re-sealable seal located at the end of the liner opposite the bottom wall, or on the funnel portion.

17. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 11, wherein the bottom wall comprises a flat wall.

18. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 17, further comprising: an internal seam connecting the bottom wall to one end of the liner.

19. The bucket liner assembly according to claim 11, wherein the liner is composed of silicone.

20. A bucket liner, comprising:

a silicone liner sized to be placed into a bucket, the liner having a surrounding sidewall and a bottom wall closing the sidewall; and

a portion of the liner extending above the height of the bucket connected or formed at an end of the liner opposite the bottom wall.