U.S. patent application number 11/378071 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-11 for container.
Invention is credited to Chris Davis, Paul Omdoll, Jayson Pearl, Mike Young.
Application Number | 20070235462 11/378071 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38574088 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070235462 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Omdoll; Paul ; et
al. |
October 11, 2007 |
Container
Abstract
A container for carrying and pouring flowable materials having a
bucket portion with a side portion, a closed bottom portion and an
upper rim area at least partially defining an open top; a handle
attached near or on the upper rim area; at least three gripping
surfaces located in the closed bottom portion of the bucket portion
to permit multiple means of gripping the container. A method for
dispensing flowable materials having the steps of gripping a handle
rotatably affixed to a container having material therein with a
first hand, wherein at least a portion of the handle is located
above a discharge opening of the container; gripping a gripping
surface located about the middle of the bottom of the container
with a second hand; and tipping the container to discharge material
from within the container using the first hand and the handle as a
pivot point while lifting the bottom of the container with the
second hand gripping the gripping surface.
Inventors: |
Omdoll; Paul; (Waukesha,
WI) ; Young; Mike; (Mukwonago, WI) ; Pearl;
Jayson; (Shorewood, WI) ; Davis; Chris;
(Suffield, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Boyle Fredrickson Newholm Stein &Gratz, S.C.
250 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1030
Milwaukee
WI
53202
US
|
Family ID: |
38574088 |
Appl. No.: |
11/378071 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/772 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 23/102 20130101;
B65D 23/108 20130101; B65D 1/12 20130101; B65D 1/0284 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/772 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/10 20060101
B65D025/10 |
Claims
1. A container for carrying and pouring flowable materials
comprising: a bucket portion having a side portion, a closed bottom
portion and an upper rim area at least partially defining an open
top; a handle attached near or on said upper rim area; and at least
three gripping surfaces located in said closed bottom portion of
said bucket portion to permit multiple means of gripping said
container.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein said gripping surfaces
are at least partially defined by a plurality of depressions in
said closed bottom portion of said bucket portion.
3. A container according to claim 2, wherein said closed bottom
portion has an outer peripheral edge and wherein said plurality of
depressions are spaced apart from said outer peripheral edge.
4. A container according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of
depressions are spaced apart from one another and are each defined
by a plurality of sidewalls and a bottom wall.
5. A container according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of
depressions are spaced apart from one another by a distance of
approximately about 20-25% of the diameter of the closed bottom
portion.
6. A container according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said
plurality of depressions has a depth of approximately about 1.5
inches.
7. A container according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said
plurality of depressions is spaced apart from said outer peripheral
edge by a distance of approximately about 15-20% of the diameter of
the closed bottom portion.
8. A container according to claim 7, wherein all of said plurality
of depressions are spaced apart from said outer peripheral edge by
a distance of approximately about 15-20% of the diameter of the
closed bottom portion.
9. A container according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said
plurality of depressions has a width of approximately about 15-25%
of the diameter of the closed bottom portion.
10. A container according to claim 9, wherein each of said
plurality of depressions has a width of approximately about 15-25%
of the diameter of the closed bottom portion.
11. A container according to claim 4, wherein the space between
said plurality of depressions and the space between said plurality
of depressions and said outer peripheral edge are at least
partially raised surfaces relative to said bottom walls of said
plurality of depressions.
12. A container according to claim 11, wherein at least one of said
gripping surfaces is defined by the side portion of the bucket
portion, an at least partially raised surface between one of said
plurality of depressions and said outer peripheral edge, and one of
said side walls of one of said plurality of depressions.
13. A container according to claim 11, wherein at least one of said
gripping surfaces is defined by one sidewall of each of two of said
plurality of depressions and the at least partially raised surface
between the two of said plurality of depressions.
14. A container according to claim 11, where each of said gripping
surfaces is at least partially defined by one of said at least
partially raised surfaces.
15. A container according to claim 1, wherein said each gripping
surface can be gripped by the entire hand of user.
16. A container according to claim 1, wherein the width of each
said gripping surface is about at least one-fifth of the diameter
of said closed bottom portion of said bucket portion.
17. A container according claim 1, further comprising leg
extensions lifting said closed bottom portion of said container off
of a surface on which said container is placed.
18. A container according to claim 17, wherein said leg extensions
comprise two substantially parallel supports that do not impinge on
any of said gripping surfaces.
19. A container according to claim 17, wherein said leg extensions
lift said closed bottom portion of said container off a surface
supporting said container an amount sufficient to permit a user's
hand to grasp one of said gripping surfaces without contacting the
surface.
20. A controlled method of discharging material from a container
comprising: gripping a handle rotatably affixed to a container
having material therein with a first hand, wherein at least a
portion of said handle is located above a discharge opening of said
container; gripping a gripping surface located about the middle of
the bottom of said container with a second hand; and tipping said
container to discharge material from within said container using
said first hand and said handle as a pivot point while lifting the
bottom of said container with said second hand gripping said
gripping surface.
21. A controlled method of discharging material from a container
comprising: gripping a handle rotatably affixed to a container
having material therein with a first hand, wherein at least a
portion of said handle is located above a discharge opening of said
container; gripping a gripping surface located along the peripheral
bottom edge of said container with a second hand; holding said
container at or above head height such that said gripping surface
is substantially engaged by at least the majority of the second
hand; tipping said container to discharge material from within said
container using said first hand and said handle as a pivot point
while lifting the bottom of said container with said second hand
gripping said gripping surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 60/570,996, filed on May 14, 2004 and
PCT/US2005/016762, filed on May 13, 2005, the entirety of which are
expressly incorporated herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to an apparatus for use in
connection with containers or similar products. More particularly,
the invention relates to containers that have bottoms to facilitate
handling.
[0003] Containers have proven very useful for transporting items
and then pouring or dumping the items from the container. For
example, containers are used in the restaurant business to
transport ice. A container is filled with ice. The container is
then moved to the desired location and tilted, thereby dumping the
ice. To facilitate transportation and usefulness, containers may
have a handle. Commonly, this handle is a piece of metal wire
attached at two points on the container. These two points are
usually positioned equal distance from one another around an
opening in the container.
[0004] Containers have also been modified to increase the ease with
which material may be poured or dumped from the container. For
example, a handle or gripping surface may be positioned on the
container. Such handles or gripping surfaces allow a user to more
firmly grab the container during the pouring or dumping process.
The handle or gripping surface may be positioned on the side of the
container or around the periphery of the bottom of the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,173,305 to Phelan discloses a handle or gripping
surface positioned on the side of the container. United States
Patent Publication Number 2003/0116577 to Slongo et, al. discloses
handles near the top of the container and two gripping surfaces
located across from one another around the outer side of the bottom
of a container.
[0005] A handle or gripping surface positioned on the side or the
periphery of the bottom of the container may provide a leverage
point for easier pouring or dumping of material from the container.
However, such handles or gripping surfaces only provide a user with
a single leverage point. In order to lift, carry, pour, and/or dump
heavy or awkward materials, a user may desire to have several
different leverage points at which to securely grab a container.
For example, a user may desire to grab different leverage points
based on the user's height, the amount of material in the
container, the height of the area into which the material in the
container is to be poured or dumped, or other performance
characteristics.
[0006] Still further, when such containers are used to transport
ice or other product where contamination is an issue, present
designs do not permit such containers to be picked up from the
ground without the user's hand touching the ground. As a result,
once a transported material is poured out of the container and the
user engages the material for smoothing, dispensing or other
rearrangement, if the user's hand comes in contact with the
material, any unsanitary material picked up from the floor when the
container was picked up will contaminate the material.
[0007] Current containers suffer from certain drawbacks and
limitations. Accordingly, a need exists for a container that is
easy to use, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and solves
other problems associated with the existing designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, a container has
a bottom with at least three gripping surfaces. Two gripping
surfaces are positioned around the outer edge of the bottom.
Another gripping surface is positioned in about the middle of the
bottom. In one embodiment, the gripping surfaces are formed by two
indentations in the bottom. The indentations provide areas into
which a user may place his or her fingers, thumbs, or palms.
[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, leg
extensions are provided that lift the majority of the bottom of the
container off the ground. The leg extensions lift the bottom of the
container enough so that a user can slip his hands under the
container to engage one of the gripping surfaces without contacting
the floor on which the container is resting.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the detailed description,
claims, and accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is front view of a container in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the container of FIG.
1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom of a
container of FIG. 1 taken along the plan 5-5 in FIG. 4;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the bottom of the
container of FIG. 1, separated from the container;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a front view of a container in accordance with a
second embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 is side view of the container of FIG. 7;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 7; and
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the container of FIG.
7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Illustrative embodiments of a container (identified
generally as 30) in accordance with the present invention are shown
in FIGS. 1 through 6.
[0022] The container 30 has a bottom 32, a handle 33, a top portion
35 and a mouth 37. As shown in FIGS. 2-8, the bottom 32 has at
least three distinct gripping surfaces 34, 35, 36. Preferably, the
gripping surfaces 34, 35, 36 are separated by at least one
indentation 38 in the bottom 32 of the container 30. Most
preferably as shown in FIG. 3, the bottom has two indentations 38,
39 that are about equally spaced from the outer edge of the bottom
32 of the container 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the indentations 38, 39
divide the bottom 32 into at least three distinct gripping surfaces
34, 35, 36. Two gripping surfaces 34 and 35 are provided along the
outer edge of the bottom 32 of the container 30. One gripping
surface 36 is provided about in the middle of the bottom 32 of the
container 30.
[0023] Preferably, there multiple indentations 38 and 39, although
only one need be provided. Where more than one indentation is
employed, such indentations are preferably evenly spaced on the
bottom portion 32. Where two indentations are provided, as shown in
FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the indentations are preferably approximately
about 1.5 inches deep where the bottom of the container has a
diameter of about 10.75 inches. Where the container is reduced or
enlarged in size, the depth of the indentations 38 and 39 is
preferably in the range of approximately about 10-20% of the
diameter of the bottom of the container. Similarly, where two
indentations are provided, they are preferably spaced apart from
one another by a distance of approximately about 20-25% of the
diameter of the closed bottom portion and preferably spaced apart
from the outer peripheral edge 41 of the bottom of the container by
a distance of approximately about 15-20% of the diameter of the
bottom portion 32. Each of the indentations preferably has a width
of approximately about 15-25% of the diameter of the bottom portion
32.
[0024] The gripping surfaces 34, 35, 36 and indentations 38, 39 may
take any number of forms. For example, the gripping surfaces 34,
35, 36 and indentations 38, 39 may be ergonomically designed to fit
with a user's hand for a more secure grip. In another example, the
indentations 38, 39 may be formed so as to provide a ridge or other
structure on a gripping surface 34, 35, 36 or in the indentations
38, 39 themselves so that a user may have a better hold on the
bottom 32 of the container 30. The gripping surfaces 34, 35, 36
and/or indentations 38, 39 may also have ribs, bumps, or other
features so that a user's hold on the bottom 32 may be more secure.
Regardless of the form of the gripping surfaces 34, 35, 36 and the
indentations 38, 39, the bottom 32 is preferably designed so that
the container 30 rests flat on a surface. In addition, the bottom
32 may be configured to meet safety and health standards, such as
those set forth by the National Sanitation Foundation.
[0025] The bottom 32 may be formed as part of the container 30 or
may be a separate piece fit onto or attached to the container 30.
Where the bottom is a separate piece, it is intended to be affixed
to the container 30 such that it does not separate therefrom. In
other words, the bottom 32 is not intended to function as a
removable lid. The bottom 32 may be part of or added on to any type
of container such as a bucket, ice tote, food container, cooler or
the like. As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the bottom 32 may have additional
structures provided thereon to improve the functionality of the
container. For example, the bottom 32 may have a hook or hanging
recess 40. The recess 40 may be used to selectively attach the
bottom 32 and/or the container to a rack or other structure for
storage.
[0026] The three distinct gripping surfaces 34, 35, 36 on the
bottom 32 allow a user to grab the bottom 32 of the container 30
with a variety of grips. For example, a user facing the container
30 may grab gripping surface 34 with an underhand grip. With this
grip, a user's fingers are generally positioned in indentation 38
and his or her palm is in selective contact with the gripping
surface 34. The user's thumb may be positioned along the outer edge
of the bottom 32 or in the closest indentation 38. This grip allows
a user to tip the container 30 without lifting the container above
his or her waist. In another example, a user may grab the inner
gripping surface 36 with an underhand grip. With this grip, a
user's fingers are positioned in indentation 39 and his or her palm
is in selective contact with the inner gripping surface 36. The
user's thumb may be positioned in either indentation 38 or
indentation 39. This grip allows a user to tip the container more
than the first gripping position. Users may also use the inner
gripping surface 38 when the container is held between a user's
waist and shoulder. Once the container is raised a certain degree,
a user may reverse his or her grip on the inner gripping surface 38
to an overhand grip. The user's fingers are now positioned in
indentation 38. In still another example, a user may grab either
outer gripping surface 34 or 35 with an overhand grip when the
container 30 is held at or above the user's shoulder level. When a
user grabs outer gripping surface 34 with such a grip, the user's
fingers are generally positioned in indentation 38 and his or her
thumb is positioned on the outer edge of the bottom 32.
[0027] By providing three distinct gripping surfaces 34, 35, 36,
the bottom 32 allows a user to tilt the container 30 varying
degrees and hold the container at various positions. The ability
for a user to grab a gripping surface and employ different grips on
a gripping surface 34, 35, 36 reduces the amount of effort required
to pour or dump material from a container 30. Further, this
structure provides a user with the means to achieve a more secure
grip thereby minimizing accidental spillage of material from the
container 30.
[0028] In a second embodiment of the present invention, shown in
FIGS. 7-10, a pair of leg extensions 42 is provided. The extensions
42 lift the majority of the bottom 32 of the container 30 off the
surface on which it rests. The second embodiment also preferably
includes raised bottom areas 44 and 46. The combination of the
extensions 42 and the raised bottom areas 44 and 46, permit a user
to slip his hands under the container 30 to engage one of the
gripping surfaces 34 or 35 without contacting the surface on which
the container 30 is resting.
[0029] Preferably the leg extensions 42 are integral with and
molded into the bottom 32 of the container 30. While this is
preferable, it is not necessary to the function of the present
invention. Similarly, the leg extensions 42 are preferably in the
form of two elongated parallel sections that do not impinge on any
of the gripping surfaces 34, 35 or 36. While this is the preferable
shape because of its sturdiness and aesthetics, leg extensions 42
could be made in the form of multiple independent shafts or the
like and still perform the same function.
[0030] The container 30 of the present invention may have other
applications aside from use in connection with ice, liquid, or
other materials. Further, the invention may be implemented in a
variety of configurations, using certain features or aspects of the
several embodiments described herein and others known in the art.
Thus, although the invention has been herein shown and described in
what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not
intended to be limited to the specific features and embodiments set
forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be
made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing
from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the
invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to
the subject matter of the claims.
* * * * *