US20070295723A1 - Vessel with indicia and caddy - Google Patents

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.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM
• This application is a divisional application of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/081,385 filed Mar. 16, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• 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
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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
• 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.
• FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a vessel;
• FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the vessel ofFIG. 1, with the handle removed;
• FIG. 3 is a reduced front elevational view of the vessel ofFIG. 2;
• FIG. 4 is a left-end elevational view of the vessel ofFIG. 3;
• FIG. 5 is a right-end elevational view of the vessel ofFIG. 3;
• FIG. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of a caddy; and
• FIG. 7 a reduced front elevational view of the caddy ofFIG. 6 in operation with a handle and the vessel ofFIGS. 1-5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Referring toFIGS. 1-5, there is illustrated avessel10, which may be of unitary, one-piece construction and may be molded of suitable plastic material. Thevessel10 has a peripheralside wall structure11, 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 abottom wall structure12, which is generally oval in shape. Thebottom wall structure12, as viewed from above, has aconcave gutter portion13, 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. Thegutter portion13 may be provided with four raised,arcuate support feet13aon its outer surface, respectively in corner regions. Thegutter portion13 has an outer wall continuous with theside wall structure11 and an upwardly projectinginner wall14, which is integral around its entire periphery with an oval horizontal flat14a.The inner edge of the flat14ais integral with a concave measuring recess orcavity15, which has a flat bottom15a.The peripheralside wall structure11 cooperates with thebottom wall structure12 for defining alarge cavity16, of which the measuring recess orcavity15 forms a small portion. The upper end of the peripheralside wall structure11 is integral with a laterally outwardly extendingflange17 which, in turn, is integral at its outer edge with a dependingskirt18. Theflange17 andskirt18 are deformed adjacent to the opposite ends of the peripheralside wall structure11 to define a pair of pouringspouts19.
• Formed on the peripheralside wall structure11 on opposite sides thereof areinclined ramps20 and20a,respectively havingupper surfaces21 which are substantially coplanar. Each of theramps20 and20aserves to divide the adjacent side of the peripheralside wall structure11 into aninner wall portion22, which extends downwardly from the inner edge of the ramp, and anouter wall portion23, which projects upwardly from the outer edge of the ramp. The width of each ramp tapers downwardly to alower end24 of substantially zero width which merges with the surface of the peripheralside wall structure11, and also tapers upwardly to a taperedupper end25, which has substantially zero width and merges with the surface of the peripheralside wall structure11. Formed on theupper surface21 of theramp20 is a set offirst indicia26 and formed on the upper surface of theramp20ais a set ofsecond indicia27, both the first andsecond indicia26 and27 serving to indicate the volume of the contents of thecavity16. The first indicia may be graduated in one measurement system, e.g., metric, while the other set ofindicia27 may be graduated in a different measurement, e.g., English. Thus, for example, thefirst indicia26 may be graduated in liters and thesecond indicia27 may be graduated in gallons, although it will be appreciated that other measurement units could be used. A third set ofindicia28 may be disposed along thebottom wall structure12 adjacent to one end thereof for indicating the volume of the contents of thesmall cavity14a.Formed in theskirt18 at opposite sides of the peripheralside wall structure11 midway between thespouts19 are handle attachment holes29 for receiving mounting lugs at the opposite ends of an associated bail-type handle (FIG. 1) to facilitate lifting or carrying of thevessel10.
• While, in the illustrated embodiment, thevessel10 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.
• Theindicia26 and27 on theramps20 and20amay be easily viewed from above to readily indicate the volume of the contents of thevessel cavity16, without necessitating the viewing of indicia from the side of the vessel. Similarly, theindicia28 are disposed on a sloping portion of thebottom wall structure12 for indicating the volume of the contents of thesmall cavity14a.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. Thevessel10 greatly facilitates this by permitting the first liquid to be added to the vessel until the desired volume is registered on theindicia28, 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 theindicia26 and27, which may also be easily read from above.
• Referring now toFIGS. 6-7, there is illustrated a caddy in the nature ofcaddy30.Caddy30 may be of unitary, one-piece construction and may be molded of suitable plastic material, and preferably the same material asvessel10. Thecaddy30 has a peripheralside wall structure31, 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 abottom wall structure32, which is also generally oval in shape. The upper end of peripheralside wall structure31 is integral with a laterally outwardly extendingrim33, which is configured to overlap at least a portion offlange17 ofvessel10 so thatcaddy30 may be supported byvessel10.
• In the illustrative embodiment, thebottom wall structure32 is integral with the peripheralside wall structure31 and a plurality ofpartition members34. The plurality of partition members are employed to divide thecaddy30 into a plurality ofcompartments35 within the space defined by peripheralside wall structure31 andbottom wall structure32. The plurality ofcompartments35 are utilized to separate contents of thecaddy30 from one another. For example, it may be desirable to separate wet storage items from dry storage items. To facilitate convenient operation ofcaddy30,bottom wall structure32 may incorporate at least oneopening36.Openings36 are provided so that liquids accompanying a wet item stored in acompartment35, such as a sponge, may drain intovessel10, thereby preventingcompartment35 having anopening36 in its associated portion of integralbottom wall structure32 from collecting and retaining liquids therein. Furthermore, compartments35 may be of varying dimensions, so as to effectively contain items of differing height, length, width, volume and the like.
• Additionally, handle37 may be provided so thatcaddy30 may be carried by a user. In the illustrative embodiment, handle37 is integral with at least onepartition member34. However, handle37 may be integral with more than onepartition member34, integral withrim33, or a separate piece that is engaged to apartition member34 and/orrim33.Handle37 may also be provided with arubberized grip38.
• In operation, rim33 ofcaddy30 is positioned overflange17 ofvessel10.Rim33 is dimensioned and configured to be reasonably securable to flange17.
• Caddy30 is further provided with an implementlock member39. Implementlock39 may be a detent structure integrally formed with theperipheral wall structure31. As illustrated, peripheralside wall structure31 is additionally configured to provide an implement guide aspassageway40. Likewise,bottom wall structure32 does not extend into implement guide orpassageway40. Additionally, implementlock member39 includes at lease one protrusion ordetent41 formed integrally with peripheralside wall structure31, with peripheral side wall structure forming an arcuate region orportion42 adjacent to thedetent41. It is preferred in one embodiment that adetent41 be provided adjacent to each end ofarcuate portion42.
• In operation, by way of example,caddy30 can engage an implement, such as a map, athandle50.Handle50 is guided into implementpassageway40 andpast detents41, and positioned alongarcuate portion42 of peripheralside wall structure31.Detents41 are preferably formed from resiliently deformable material, as is peripheralside wall structure31, so that as handle50 having a diameter greater than the distance betweendetents41 passes betweendetents41, thedetents41 and integralside wall structure31 may be deformed to accommodatehandle50. Once handle50 passes betweendetents41,detents41 and integralside wall structure31 return to their respective resting orientations. In the situation where only a single detent orprotrusion41 is employed,detent41 and the opposing side wall region (not shown) ofside wall structure31 may be deformed untilhandle50 passes therebetween, wherebydetent41 and the opposing side wall region return to their respective resting orientations.
• 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.
• 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.

Claims (16)

1. 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.

2. The caddy according toclaim 1, wherein the wall structure includes at least one partition dividing the caddy into plural open-top compartments.

3. The caddy according toclaim 2, wherein at least one compartment has a drain opening therein.

4. The caddy according toclaim 1, wherein the implement lock includes a slot formed in the wall structure for resiliently engaging an implement.

5. The caddy according toclaim 4, wherein the implement is a mop handle.

6. 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.

7. The vessel assembly according toclaim 6, wherein the first peripheral wall structure includes second indicia for indicating the volume of the contents of the first cavity.

8. The vessel assembly according toclaim 6, wherein the second indicia are disposed on an inclined ramp so as to be visible from above.

9. The vessel assembly according toclaim 8, 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.

10. The vessel assembly according toclaim 9, 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.

11. The vessel assembly according toclaim 9, wherein the ramps have upper surfaces which are substantially coplanar.

12. The vessel assembly according toclaim 6, wherein the second cavity has a volume which is a small fraction of the volume of the first cavity.

13. The vessel assembly according toclaim 6, wherein the second bottom wall structure has at least one opening.

14. The vessel assembly according toclaim 6, wherein the implement lock member includes at least one protrusion formed integrally with the second peripheral wall.

15. The vessel assembly according toclaim 14, wherein the implement lock member includes an arcuate portion adjacent to the at least one protrusion and dimensioned to releasably secure an implement.

16. The vessel assembly according toclaim 15, wherein the implement is a mop handle.

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