US20060180592A1 - Pail with integral graduations - Google Patents
Pail with integral graduations Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060180592A1 US20060180592A1 US11/352,583 US35258306A US2006180592A1 US 20060180592 A1 US20060180592 A1 US 20060180592A1 US 35258306 A US35258306 A US 35258306A US 2006180592 A1 US2006180592 A1 US 2006180592A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- pail
- sidewall
- graduations
- shelves
- integral
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920005606 polypropylene copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D1/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
- B65D1/12—Cans, casks, barrels, or drums
- B65D1/14—Cans, casks, barrels, or drums characterised by shape
- B65D1/16—Cans, casks, barrels, or drums characterised by shape of curved cross-section, e.g. cylindrical
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D25/54—Inspection openings or windows
- B65D25/56—Inspection openings or windows with means for indicating level of contents
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
- B65D2203/04—Level indicators
Definitions
- This invention relates to a pail with visible permanent volume-indication features.
- Plastic pails often include molded-in short horizontal line segments that indicate the volume. As these indications are relatively difficult to see from above, care must be taken in order to ascertain the current volume; often times the user must view the pail from the side in order to determine the current volume.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,732 is one attempt to alleviate this problem.
- This invention features a pail of any size, with one or more integral graduations.
- the pail is molded of an appropriate plastic material such as polypropylene-copolymer.
- the pail includes a bottom, and a top rim.
- a handle is typically also included.
- a sidewall connects the bottom and top rim.
- the circumferential shape of the pail can be as desired, such as circular, rectangular or another shape; the embodiment discloses a generally oval shape.
- the graduations also create a unique stepped appearance to that portion of the sidewall.
- the pail may have a number of integral graduations.
- Each graduation may comprise a shelf.
- the shelves may be essentially horizontal.
- the shelves may be vertically spaced from one another.
- the shelves may be vertically aligned with one another.
- the shelves may be separated vertically from one another by a short sidewall segment.
- the short sidewall segments may be essentially vertical.
- the shelves may all be located in the same portion of the sidewall. This portion of the sidewall comprising the shelves may be at a more shallow angle that is the rest of the sidewall.
- the pail of claim 1 wherein the shelves extend out away from the center of the pail.
- the pail may include volume indications proximate the internal graduations.
- the pail may also include a handle and a pour spout.
- a pail with integral graduations comprising a bottom, a top rim, a sidewall connecting the bottom and the top rim, and a plurality of integral graduations in the sidewall, each graduation comprising an essentially horizontal shelf extending circumferentially around part of the sidewall, wherein the shelves are vertically spaced from one another.
- a pail with integral graduations comprising a bottom, a top rim, a sidewall connecting the bottom and the top rim, a plurality of integral graduations in the sidewall, each graduation comprising an essentially horizontal shelf extending out away from the center of the pail and circumferentially around part of the sidewall, wherein the shelves are vertically aligned with one another and vertically separated from one another by short, essentially vertical sidewall segments, and volume indications proximate the internal graduations.
- FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the graduated pail according to this invention.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slightly different embodiment of the inventive pail.
- Pail 10 comprises bottom 14 and top rim 16 .
- the shape of both the top and bottom in this preferred embodiment is generally oval, with the centers of the ovals offset slightly along their longitudinal axes as shown, so that the lip projects substantially farther out radially than does the bottom on the side of the pail having the integral graduations.
- the oval shape allows rectangular mop heads to fit easily into the pail (although the pail could also be round, rectangular, oblong or another shape).
- Pour spout 18 may be formed in lip 16 , and handle 50 may be included.
- the shelves are only in half 20 of sidewall 12 .
- Another labeled shelf ( 47 ) is located between vertical sidewall segments 44 and 46 .
- the shelves preferably extend outward from the nominal sidewall location essentially horizontally, and extend around a portion (in this case about half) of the circumference of the sidewall.
- neither the horizontal orientation of the shelves nor the extent of their circumferential extension are limitations of the invention.
- the shelves could be at an angle between horizontal and vertical to create a more saw tooth shape to that portion of the sidewall.
- the shelves could extend around a smaller portion or a larger portion, or indeed the entirety (see FIG. 2 ), of the circumference of the sidewall.
- the shelves project radially, they each radially expand the circumference of the pail at the shelf location.
- the sidewall in the area of the graduations is stepped, and defines a more shallow angle than the more vertical portion of the sidewall that does not comprise graduations.
- this is not necessarily a limitation of the invention, as the entirety of the sidewall could be tapered at essentially the same angle to provide a more circumferentially regular shape.
- the shelves could extend towards the center of the pail rather than away from it.
- the shelves need not be aligned vertically as shown in the drawings, but rather could extend a short circumferential distance and be spaced around the circumference of sidewall 12 such that they are not all vertically aligned.
- shelf 47 a is shown in some detail in FIG. 2 . Shelf 47 a is located between more vertical sidewall segments or portions 44 a and 46 a . As pail 50 is filled with a material, when the height of the material reaches the level of shelf 47 a , the volume would equal a particular level as indicated by markings on the sidewall (not shown in the drawings). For easy viewing from above as the pail is filled, such markings could be placed on the shelves themselves. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 , the shelves essentially disappear into simple lines in the portion of the sidewall below pour spout 18 a , which maintains the essentially oval shape to the pail.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority of Provisional application Ser. No. 60/652,572, filed on Feb. 14, 2005.
- This invention relates to a pail with visible permanent volume-indication features.
- Plastic pails often include molded-in short horizontal line segments that indicate the volume. As these indications are relatively difficult to see from above, care must be taken in order to ascertain the current volume; often times the user must view the pail from the side in order to determine the current volume. U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,732 is one attempt to alleviate this problem.
- It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a pail in which volume designations are clearly delineated.
- This invention features a pail of any size, with one or more integral graduations. The pail is molded of an appropriate plastic material such as polypropylene-copolymer. The pail includes a bottom, and a top rim. A handle is typically also included. A sidewall connects the bottom and top rim. The circumferential shape of the pail can be as desired, such as circular, rectangular or another shape; the embodiment discloses a generally oval shape. There is at least one, and typically a number of, internal graduations integrally formed in the sidewall. These graduations may each comprise a shelf extending outwardly from the nominal sidewall location, and also extending at least partially along the sidewall circumference. These graduations provide an easy volume reference mark when viewed from above, through the open top of the pail. The graduations also create a unique stepped appearance to that portion of the sidewall.
- The pail may have a number of integral graduations. Each graduation may comprise a shelf. The shelves may be essentially horizontal. The shelves may be vertically spaced from one another. The shelves may be vertically aligned with one another. The shelves may be separated vertically from one another by a short sidewall segment. The short sidewall segments may be essentially vertical. The shelves may all be located in the same portion of the sidewall. This portion of the sidewall comprising the shelves may be at a more shallow angle that is the rest of the sidewall. The pail of claim 1 wherein the shelves extend out away from the center of the pail.
- The pail may include volume indications proximate the internal graduations. The pail may also include a handle and a pour spout.
- Featured in another embodiment is a pail with integral graduations, comprising a bottom, a top rim, a sidewall connecting the bottom and the top rim, and a plurality of integral graduations in the sidewall, each graduation comprising an essentially horizontal shelf extending circumferentially around part of the sidewall, wherein the shelves are vertically spaced from one another.
- Featured in yet another embodiment is a pail with integral graduations, comprising a bottom, a top rim, a sidewall connecting the bottom and the top rim, a plurality of integral graduations in the sidewall, each graduation comprising an essentially horizontal shelf extending out away from the center of the pail and circumferentially around part of the sidewall, wherein the shelves are vertically aligned with one another and vertically separated from one another by short, essentially vertical sidewall segments, and volume indications proximate the internal graduations.
- Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the graduated pail according to this invention; and -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slightly different embodiment of the inventive pail. - One preferred embodiment of the pail is shown in
FIG. 1 .Pail 10 comprisesbottom 14 andtop rim 16. The shape of both the top and bottom in this preferred embodiment is generally oval, with the centers of the ovals offset slightly along their longitudinal axes as shown, so that the lip projects substantially farther out radially than does the bottom on the side of the pail having the integral graduations. The oval shape allows rectangular mop heads to fit easily into the pail (although the pail could also be round, rectangular, oblong or another shape).Pour spout 18 may be formed inlip 16, andhandle 50 may be included. - In this embodiment, there are a plurality of graduations labeled 22, 24 . . . 46, each defined by a shelf, such as
shelf 23, between adjacent essentially vertical segments, such as 22 and 24, ofsegments sidewall 12. In this case, the shelves are only in half 20 ofsidewall 12. Another labeled shelf (47) is located between 44 and 46. The shelves preferably extend outward from the nominal sidewall location essentially horizontally, and extend around a portion (in this case about half) of the circumference of the sidewall. However, neither the horizontal orientation of the shelves nor the extent of their circumferential extension are limitations of the invention. For example, the shelves could be at an angle between horizontal and vertical to create a more saw tooth shape to that portion of the sidewall. Also, the shelves could extend around a smaller portion or a larger portion, or indeed the entirety (seevertical sidewall segments FIG. 2 ), of the circumference of the sidewall. In addition, there may only be one, two or a small number of shelves that define the graduations. - As the shelves project radially, they each radially expand the circumference of the pail at the shelf location. As a result, the sidewall in the area of the graduations is stepped, and defines a more shallow angle than the more vertical portion of the sidewall that does not comprise graduations. Again, this is not necessarily a limitation of the invention, as the entirety of the sidewall could be tapered at essentially the same angle to provide a more circumferentially regular shape. Also, the shelves could extend towards the center of the pail rather than away from it. As another alternative, the shelves need not be aligned vertically as shown in the drawings, but rather could extend a short circumferential distance and be spaced around the circumference of
sidewall 12 such that they are not all vertically aligned. - One shelf 47 a is shown in some detail in
FIG. 2 . Shelf 47 a is located between more vertical sidewall segments or portions 44 a and 46 a. Aspail 50 is filled with a material, when the height of the material reaches the level of shelf 47 a, the volume would equal a particular level as indicated by markings on the sidewall (not shown in the drawings). For easy viewing from above as the pail is filled, such markings could be placed on the shelves themselves. In the embodiment ofFIG. 2 , the shelves essentially disappear into simple lines in the portion of the sidewall below pour spout 18 a, which maintains the essentially oval shape to the pail. - Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not others, this is for convenience only as some feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention.
- Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following claims.
Claims (16)
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US11/352,583 US20060180592A1 (en) | 2005-02-14 | 2006-02-13 | Pail with integral graduations |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US65257205P | 2005-02-14 | 2005-02-14 | |
| US11/352,583 US20060180592A1 (en) | 2005-02-14 | 2006-02-13 | Pail with integral graduations |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US20060180592A1 true US20060180592A1 (en) | 2006-08-17 |
Family
ID=36814648
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US11/352,583 Abandoned US20060180592A1 (en) | 2005-02-14 | 2006-02-13 | Pail with integral graduations |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20060180592A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20090294318A1 (en) * | 2008-05-30 | 2009-12-03 | Quickie Manufacturing Corporation | Bucket |
| US20230175879A1 (en) * | 2021-12-07 | 2023-06-08 | Stewart Guilford | Bucket with interior measurement markings |
Citations (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US153159A (en) * | 1874-07-21 | Improvement in graduated evaporating x d dishes | ||
| US216530A (en) * | 1879-06-17 | Improvement in measuring-funnels | ||
| US1564470A (en) * | 1923-10-29 | 1925-12-08 | Alvie C Crimmel | Measuring cup |
| US3100487A (en) * | 1960-10-17 | 1963-08-13 | Pharmaseal Lab | Apparatus for administering liquids |
| US3207298A (en) * | 1963-11-08 | 1965-09-21 | Resiflex Lab | Enema administration unit |
| US3292815A (en) * | 1965-08-05 | 1966-12-20 | Wooster Brush Co | Pail |
| US3419196A (en) * | 1967-10-19 | 1968-12-31 | Carnation Co | Plastic pail with bail having two interchangeable positions |
| US4079629A (en) * | 1976-02-25 | 1978-03-21 | Howard Hope | Oil to gasoline ratio measuring device |
| US5314061A (en) * | 1993-05-19 | 1994-05-24 | Verelk Bedrossian | Paint bucket with inner paint implement attaching means |
| US5397036A (en) * | 1993-11-09 | 1995-03-14 | Maiwald; Manfred | Calibrated vessel having a handle which also serves as a delivery element |
| USD412448S (en) * | 1998-06-26 | 1999-08-03 | L&P Property Management Company | Measuring cup |
| US6105816A (en) * | 1997-04-01 | 2000-08-22 | Shea; Donald L. | Painter's aid |
| US6263732B1 (en) * | 1999-05-18 | 2001-07-24 | Bang Zoom Design | Measuring cup |
-
2006
- 2006-02-13 US US11/352,583 patent/US20060180592A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US153159A (en) * | 1874-07-21 | Improvement in graduated evaporating x d dishes | ||
| US216530A (en) * | 1879-06-17 | Improvement in measuring-funnels | ||
| US1564470A (en) * | 1923-10-29 | 1925-12-08 | Alvie C Crimmel | Measuring cup |
| US3100487A (en) * | 1960-10-17 | 1963-08-13 | Pharmaseal Lab | Apparatus for administering liquids |
| US3207298A (en) * | 1963-11-08 | 1965-09-21 | Resiflex Lab | Enema administration unit |
| US3292815A (en) * | 1965-08-05 | 1966-12-20 | Wooster Brush Co | Pail |
| US3419196A (en) * | 1967-10-19 | 1968-12-31 | Carnation Co | Plastic pail with bail having two interchangeable positions |
| US4079629A (en) * | 1976-02-25 | 1978-03-21 | Howard Hope | Oil to gasoline ratio measuring device |
| US5314061A (en) * | 1993-05-19 | 1994-05-24 | Verelk Bedrossian | Paint bucket with inner paint implement attaching means |
| US5397036A (en) * | 1993-11-09 | 1995-03-14 | Maiwald; Manfred | Calibrated vessel having a handle which also serves as a delivery element |
| US6105816A (en) * | 1997-04-01 | 2000-08-22 | Shea; Donald L. | Painter's aid |
| USD412448S (en) * | 1998-06-26 | 1999-08-03 | L&P Property Management Company | Measuring cup |
| US6263732B1 (en) * | 1999-05-18 | 2001-07-24 | Bang Zoom Design | Measuring cup |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20090294318A1 (en) * | 2008-05-30 | 2009-12-03 | Quickie Manufacturing Corporation | Bucket |
| US20230175879A1 (en) * | 2021-12-07 | 2023-06-08 | Stewart Guilford | Bucket with interior measurement markings |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS | Assignment |
Owner name: UNITED COMB & NOVELTY CORPORATION, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ZEPHIR, DAVID E.;AUDET, RONALD M.;ZEPHIR, EDWARD W.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:017578/0418 Effective date: 20060209 |
|
| STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
| AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CITIZENS BANK, N.A., MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:UNITED COMB & NOVELTY CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:041813/0129 Effective date: 20170331 |
|
| AS | Assignment |
Owner name: RAVAGO ACQUISITION CO. II LLC, FLORIDA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF COPYRIGHT, PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:CITIZENS BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:046047/0024 Effective date: 20180430 |
|
| AS | Assignment |
Owner name: UNITED COMB & NOVELTY CORPORATION, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:RAVAGO ACQUISITION CO. II LLC;REEL/FRAME:064930/0493 Effective date: 20230915 |