U.S. patent application number 11/081385 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-29 for vessel with indicia and caddy.
Invention is credited to Mak, Julie Po-Sing, McEldowney, Blake R..
Application Number | 20050211707 11/081385 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35005602 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050211707 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mak, Julie Po-Sing ; et
al. |
September 29, 2005 |
Vessel with indicia and caddy
Abstract
A vessel is disclosed including a peripheral wall structure
having an upper end defining a top opening and a lower end, a
bottom wall structure extending from the peripheral wall structure
and closing the lower end for cooperation with the peripheral wall
structure to define a first cavity, the bottom wall structure
having a depression formed therein defining a second cavity which
forms an extension of the first cavity, and indicia on the bottom
wall structure for indicating the volume of the contents of the
second cavity.
Inventors: |
Mak, Julie Po-Sing; (New
York, NY) ; McEldowney, Blake R.; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Harold V. Stotland
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Suite 4200
55 East Monroe Street
Chicago
IL
60603-5803
US
|
Family ID: |
35005602 |
Appl. No.: |
11/081385 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60554105 |
Mar 17, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.86 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 47/18 20130101;
G01F 17/00 20130101; A47L 13/51 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/023.86 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/00 |
Claims
1. A vessel comprising: a wall structure defining a first cavity; a
depression formed in the wall structure defining a second cavity
communicating with the first cavity; and indicia on the depression
for indicating the volume of the contents of the second cavity.
2. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein the wall structure
includes further indicia for indicating the volume of the contents
of the first cavity.
3. The vessel according to claim 2, wherein the wall structure
includes an inclined ramp, and the further indicia are disposed on
the inclined ramp so as to be visible from above.
4. The vessel according to claim 3, wherein the wall structure
includes two inclined ramps disposed along opposite sides thereof,
each of the ramps bearing further indicia for indicating the volume
of the contents of the first cavity.
5. The vessel according to claim 4, wherein the wall structure has
an upper portion extending upwardly from outer edges of the ramps,
and an inner portion extending downwardly from inner edges of the
ramps.
6. The vessel according to claim 4, wherein the ramps have upper
surfaces which are substantially coplanar.
7. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein the second cavity has a
volume which is a small fraction of the volume of the first
cavity.
8. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein the wall structure
includes a peripheral wall structure having a top opening and a
bottom wall structure integral with the peripheral wall structure
and closing a lower end thereof, the depression being formed in the
bottom wall structure.
9. A caddy for use with a vessel comprising: a wall structure
adapted to engage and substantially cover an open upper end of a
vessel; an implement lock formed integrally with the wall
structure; and a handle formed integrally with the wall
structure.
10. The caddy according to claim 25, wherein at least one
compartment has a drain opening therein.
11. The caddy according to claim 9, wherein the implement lock
includes a slot formed in the wall structure for resiliently
engaging an implement.
12. (canceled)
13. The caddy according to claim 11, wherein the implement is a mop
handle.
14. A vessel assembly comprising: a container having a first
peripheral wall structure having an upper end defining a top
opening and a first lower end; a first bottom wall structure
integral with the peripheral wall structure and closing the lower
end for cooperation with the peripheral wall structure to define a
first cavity, the first bottom wall structure having a depression
formed therein defining a second cavity which forms a part of the
first cavity; first indicia on the first bottom wall structure for
indicating the volume of the contents of the second cavity; a
receptacle including a second peripheral wall structure having an
upper end defining a rim and a second lower end, the rim configured
to engage the first peripheral wall structure; a plurality of
partition members dividing the receptacle into a plurality of
compartments; a second bottom wall structure integral with the
second peripheral wall structure and plurality of partition
members, the second bottom wall closing the second lower end for
cooperation with the second peripheral wall structure and plurality
of partition members; an implement lock member formed integrally
with the second peripheral wall; and a handle formed integrally
with at least one partition member of the plurality of partition
members.
15. The vessel assembly according to claim 14, wherein the first
peripheral wall structure includes second indicia for indicating
the volume of the contents of the first cavity.
16. The vessel assembly according to claim 14, wherein the second
indicia are disposed on an inclined ramp so as to be visible from
above.
17. The vessel assembly according to claim 16, wherein the first
peripheral wall structure includes two inclined ramps disposed
along opposite sides thereof, each of the ramps bearing indicia for
indicating the volume of the contents of the first cavity.
18. The vessel assembly according to claim 17, wherein the first
peripheral wall structure has an upper portion extending upwardly
from outer edges of the ramps, and an inner portion extending
downwardly from inner edges of the ramps.
19. The vessel assembly according to claim 17, wherein the ramps
have upper surfaces which are substantially coplanar.
20. The vessel assembly according to claim 14, wherein the second
cavity has a volume which is a small fraction of the volume of the
first cavity.
21. The vessel assembly according to claim 14, wherein the second
bottom wall structure has at least one opening.
22. The vessel assembly according to claim 14, wherein the
implement lock member includes at least one protrusion formed
integrally with the second peripheral wall.
23. The vessel assembly according to claim 22, wherein the
implement lock member includes an arcuate portion adjacent to the
at least one protrusion and dimensioned to releasably secure an
implement.
24. The vessel assembly according to claim 23, wherein the
implement is a mop handle.
25. The caddy according to claim 9, wherein the wall structure
includes at least one partition dividing the caddy into plural
open-top compartments.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
U.S. provisional application No. 60/554,105, entitled, "BUCKET WITH
ANGLED INDICIA AND CADDY", filed Mar. 17, 2004.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This application relates generally to vessels, and more
particularly to open-top vessels, such as containers, bowls, pails,
buckets and the like, and specifically to volume-measurement
devices for use on such vessels.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is known to provide various types of open-top buckets,
pails and the like, such as for use in household or commercial
cleaning applications, or the like. It is also known to provide
various types of vessels, such as measuring cups and the like, with
various types of measurement indicia for indicating the volume of
the contents of the vessel. One such arrangement is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,284, which discloses a measuring cup with
inclined ramps having indicia on the upper surface thereof which
can be read while looking down into the open top of the vessel for
accurately indicating the volume of the contents of the vessel.
[0004] While this arrangement works well for indicating the overall
contents of the vessel, there are frequently occasions where it is
desired to mix different contents in a vessel, such as a small
volume of a first liquid to be mixed with a larger volume of a
second liquid. The volume-indicating techniques disclosed
heretofore are not as suitable for this purpose as the present
invention.
[0005] Additionally, implements, such as mops, may have an
elongated handle relative to the height of a vessel. When such an
implement is placed in a vessel, the handle of the implement rests
against the inner side of the upper end of the vessel at an angle
relative to the peripheral wall of the vessel. Depending on the
size of the vessel, the inclination of the implement handle is
likely sufficient to cause the implement to fall out of the vessel
and/or cause the vessel to tip over and spill its contents, or
cause the implement handle to slide into the contents of the
vessel. Despite the fact that this aspect of vessels, such as mop
buckets, is well known and the fact that care is generally taken
when leaving implements in vessels, in actuality, the
aforementioned problems continue to commonly occur.
SUMMARY
[0006] There is disclosed herein an improved vessel in the nature
of a container, bowl, pail or bucket which includes improved
volume-measurement features and a caddy for use therewith that
releasably secures an implement within the vessel.
[0007] An illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates
to a vessel including a peripheral wall structure having an upper
end defining a top opening and a lower end, a bottom wall structure
integral with the peripheral wall structure and closing the lower
end for cooperation with the peripheral wall structure to define a
first cavity, the bottom wall structure having a depression formed
therein defining a second cavity which forms an extension of the
first cavity, and indicia on the bottom wall structure for
indicating the volume of the contents of the second cavity.
[0008] Another illustrative embodiment provides caddy for use with
a vessel including a peripheral wall structure having an upper end
defining a rim and a lower end, the rim configured to engage an
upper end of a vessel, a plurality of partition members dividing
the receptacle into a plurality of compartments, a bottom wall
structure integral with the peripheral wall structure and plurality
of partition members, the bottom wall closing the lower end for
cooperation with the peripheral wall structure and plurality of
partition members, an implement lock member formed integrally with
the peripheral wall, and a handle formed integrally with at least
one partition member of the plurality of partition members.
[0009] The invention provides an improved open-top vessel which
includes features for measuring the volumes of two different
contents to be mixed in the vessel.
[0010] A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in
the following description and claims and is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the
subject matter sought to be protected, there is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings an embodiment thereof, from an inspection of
which, when considered in connection with the following
description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its
construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be
readily understood and appreciated.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a vessel;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the vessel of FIG. 1,
with the handle removed;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a reduced front elevational view of the vessel of
FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a left-end elevational view of the vessel of FIG.
3;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a right-end elevational view of the vessel of FIG.
3;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of a caddy; and
[0018] FIG. 7 a reduced front elevational view of the caddy of FIG.
6 in operation with a handle and the vessel of FIGS. 1-5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, there is illustrated a vessel 10,
which may be of unitary, one-piece construction and may be molded
of suitable plastic material. The vessel 10 has a peripheral side
wall structure 11, which is generally oval in shape and slopes
slightly inwardly from an upper end to a lower end thereof, the
lower end being closed by a bottom wall structure 12, which is
generally oval in shape. The bottom wall structure 12, as viewed
from above, has a concave gutter portion 13, which is generally in
the shape of an oval ring and is disposed for supporting engagement
with an associated underlying support surface, such as a floor. The
gutter portion 13 may be provided with four raised, arcuate support
feet 13a on its outer surface, respectively in corner regions. The
gutter portion 13 has an outer wall continuous with the side wall
structure 11 and an upwardly projecting inner wall 14, which is
integral around its entire periphery with an oval horizontal flat
14a. The inner edge of the flat 14a is integral with a concave
measuring recess or cavity 15, which has a flat bottom 15a. The
peripheral side wall structure 11 cooperates with the bottom wall
structure 12 for defining a large cavity 16, of which the measuring
recess or cavity 15 forms a small portion. The upper end of the
peripheral side wall structure 11 is integral with a laterally
outwardly extending flange 17 which, in turn, is integral at its
outer edge with a depending skirt 18. The flange 17 and skirt 18
are deformed adjacent to the opposite ends of the peripheral side
wall structure 11 to define a pair of pouring spouts 19.
[0020] Formed on the peripheral side wall structure 11 on opposite
sides thereof are inclined ramps 20 and 20a, respectively having
upper surfaces 21 which are substantially coplanar. Each of the
ramps 20 and 20a serves to divide the adjacent side of the
peripheral side wall structure 11 into an inner wall portion 22,
which extends downwardly from the inner edge of the ramp, and an
outer wall portion 23, which projects upwardly from the outer edge
of the ramp. The width of each ramp tapers downwardly to a lower
end 24 of substantially zero width which merges with the surface of
the peripheral side wall structure 11, and also tapers upwardly to
a tapered upper end 25, which has substantially zero width and
merges with the surface of the peripheral side wall structure 11.
Formed on the upper surface 21 of the ramp 20 is a set of first
indicia 26 and formed on the upper surface of the ramp 20a is a set
of second indicia 27, both the first and second indicia 26 and 27
serving to indicate the volume of the contents of the cavity 16.
The first indicia may be graduated in one measurement system, e.g.,
metric, while the other set of indicia 27 may be graduated in a
different measurement, e.g., English. Thus, for example, the first
indicia 26 may be graduated in liters and the second indicia 27 may
be graduated in gallons, although it will be appreciated that other
measurement units could be used. A third set of indicia 28 may be
disposed along the bottom wall structure 12 adjacent to one end
thereof for indicating the volume of the contents of the small
cavity 14a. Formed in the skirt 18 at opposite sides of the
peripheral side wall structure 11 midway between the spouts 19 are
handle attachment holes 29 for receiving mounting lugs at the
opposite ends of an associated bail-type handle (FIG. 1) to
facilitate lifting or carrying of the vessel 10.
[0021] While, in the illustrated embodiment, the vessel 10 is
molded of a suitable plastic, it will be appreciated that it could
be formed of any other suitable materials, such as suitable metals
or the like.
[0022] The indicia 26 and 27 on the ramps 20 and 20a may be easily
viewed from above to readily indicate the volume of the contents of
the vessel cavity 16, without necessitating the viewing of indicia
from the side of the vessel. Similarly, the indicia 28 are disposed
on a sloping portion of the bottom wall structure 12 for indicating
the volume of the contents of the small cavity 14a. This
arrangement is particularly useful for purposes of mixing two
different liquids. For example, it may frequently be necessary to
dilute a first liquid, such as by providing a small volume, e.g.,
one cup, of a first liquid in a vessel and then diluting with a
second liquid until the entire mixture totals one gallon. The
vessel 10 greatly facilitates this by permitting the first liquid
to be added to the vessel until the desired volume is registered on
the indicia 28, which can be easily viewed from above, and then
adding water or other diluents until the required total volume is
reached, as is readily indicated by the indicia 26 and 27, which
may also be easily read from above.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 6-7, there is illustrated a caddy in
the nature of caddy 30. Caddy 30 may be of unitary, one-piece
construction and may be molded of suitable plastic material, and
preferably the same material as vessel 10. The caddy 30 has a
peripheral side wall structure 31, which is generally oval in shape
and may slope or step inwardly from an upper end to a lower end
thereof, the lower end being closed by a bottom wall structure 32,
which is also generally oval in shape. The upper end of peripheral
side wall structure 31 is integral with a laterally outwardly
extending rim 33, which is configured to overlap at least a portion
of flange 17 of vessel 10 so that caddy 30 may be supported by
vessel 10.
[0024] In the illustrative embodiment, the bottom wall structure 32
is integral with the peripheral side wall structure 31 and a
plurality of partition members 34. The plurality of partition
members are employed to divide the caddy 30 into a plurality of
compartments 35 within the space defined by peripheral side wall
structure 31 and bottom wall structure 32. The plurality of
compartments 35 are utilized to separate contents of the caddy 30
from one another. For example, it may be desirable to separate wet
storage items from dry storage items. To facilitate convenient
operation of caddy 30, bottom wall structure 32 may incorporate at
least one opening 36. Openings 36 are provided so that liquids
accompanying a wet item stored in a compartment 35, such as a
sponge, may drain into vessel 10, thereby preventing compartment 35
having an opening 36 in its associated portion of integral bottom
wall structure 32 from collecting and retaining liquids therein.
Furthermore, compartments 35 may be of varying dimensions, so as to
effectively contain items of differing height, length, width,
volume and the like.
[0025] Additionally, handle 37 may be provided so that caddy 30 may
be carried by a user. In the illustrative embodiment, handle 37 is
integral with at least one partition member 34. However, handle 37
may be integral with more than one partition member 34, integral
with rim 33, or a separate piece that is engaged to a partition
member 34 and/or rim 33. Handle 37 may also be provided with a
rubberized grip 38.
[0026] In operation, rim 33 of caddy 30 is positioned over flange
17 of vessel 10. Rim 33 is dimensioned and configured to be
reasonably securable to flange 17.
[0027] Caddy 30 is further provided with an implement lock member
39. Implement lock 39 may be a detent structure integrally formed
with the peripheral wall structure 31. As illustrated, peripheral
side wall structure 31 is additionally configured to provide an
implement guide as passageway 40. Likewise, bottom wall structure
32 does not extend into implement guide or passageway 40.
Additionally, implement lock member 39 includes at lease one
protrusion or detent 41 formed integrally with peripheral side wall
structure 31, with peripheral side wall structure forming an
arcuate region or portion 42 adjacent to the detent 41. It is
preferred in one embodiment that a detent 41 be provided adjacent
to each end of arcuate portion 42.
[0028] In operation, by way of example, caddy 30 can engage an
implement, such as a map, at handle 50. Handle 50 is guided into
implement passageway 40 and past detents 41, and positioned along
arcuate portion 42 of peripheral side wall structure 31. Detents 41
are preferably formed from resiliently deformable material, as is
peripheral side wall structure 31, so that as handle 50 having a
diameter greater than the distance between detents 41 passes
between detents 41, the detents 41 and integral side wall structure
31 may be deformed to accommodate handle 50. Once handle 50 passes
between detents 41, detents 41 and integral side wall structure 31
return to their respective resting orientations. In the situation
where only a single detent or protrusion 41 is employed, detent 41
and the opposing side wall region (not shown) of side wall
structure 31 may be deformed until handle 50 passes therebetween ,
whereby detent 41 and the opposing side wall region return to their
respective resting orientations.
[0029] A caddy and vessel combination as detailed herein may be
utilized in various forms. One such combination may be useful for a
caddy and bucket, for purposes such as house cleaning, where the
caddy can secure a mop in the bucket. Another such combination may
be of use for a caddy with a mixing bowl, where the caddy is
capable of securing a cooking utensil and separating cooking
ingredients. From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been
provided an improved vessel which greatly facilitates the
determination of the volume of the contents thereof, as well as an
improved caddy for use therewith that releasably secures an
implement.
[0030] The matter set forth in the foregoing description and
accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and
not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown
and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of
the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following
claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior
art.
* * * * *