DEVICE FOR A PORTABLE CONTAINER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement for a portable bucket or some other similar container which includes a carrying handle.

[0002] Previously disclosed is the design of containers intended for various purposes with a triangular peripheral form. Previously disclosed, for example, is a container intended for use in kitchens for serving drinks, which comprises a handle extending along one side of the container for its entire height. The advantage of this is that a long pouring pipe is obtained and also a long handle, which can be gripped with two hands if desired.

[0003] Also previously disclosed through US, A, 5,062,542 is a triangular peripheral form for sealable containers with a view to being able to stack them together in a limited area. The peripheral form in this case is equilateral, with three sides arranged relative to one another at a relative angle of 60°. If they are placed on a load pallet, for example, the entire surface of the pallet is not covered due to the absence of packaging, at least at the corners of the load pallet. This previously disclosed container lacks a carrying handle.

[0004] The "Australian Armybucket" is another bucket that exhibits a triangular cross-section with all sides of equal length. The bucket exhibits a carrying pivotal handle but has otherwise the disadvantages of the previously mentioned containers.

[0005] Also previously disclosed is the design of buckets with either oval or rhomboid form, in conjunction with which the carrying handle is positioned at the two corners or sides of the bucket, which are situated furthest away from one another. The handle in this case is situated so that it extends over the centre of the bucket with the same distance to the sides of the bucket. Although the width of the bucket has been reduced, it is still quite wide and it can be difficult to carry, especially for persons who are not so tall and who do not have long, ape-like arms.

[0006] The principal object of the present invention is thus, in the first instance, to make available an arrangement, which solves the aforementioned problems associated with carrying and stacking the containers in question simply and effectively.

[0007] The aforementioned objects are achieved by means of an arrangement for a portable bucket, which includes a carrying handle, and which bucket exhibits triangular cross-sectional form wherein all sides of the bucket are flat, which is characterized essentially in that the angle between the two shortest sides of the bucket is essentially a right angle, in that the two short sides of the bucket are of identical length viewed around the periphery of the bucket, that the handle is pivotally mounted about pivot bearings situated on the shortest sides of the bucket, about pivot bearings situated on the side of the bucket below the upper peripheral edge of the bucket, in that the handle is supported in such a way that it is capable of being swung down over the upper edge of the bucket on the outside of the longest side of the bucket, and in that the handle is arranged in such a way that the effective carrying point for the bucket is situated in a vertical plane located at a point ca. 1/3 across the width of the bucket between the longest side of the bucket and the right angle closest to the aforementioned longest side of the bucket.

[0008] The invention is described below as a number of preferred illustrative embodiments, in conjunction with which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the invention in its effective carrying position by a person;

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a carrying handle with the handle respectively in the illustrated carrying position and in the rest position;

Fig. 3 shows the principle for positioning the carrying handle;

Fig. 4 shows the loading plan for buckets on a European load pallet;

Figs. 5-5C show a bucket according to the present invention with a curved handle and in different views and positions;

Figs. 6-6B show a bucket according to the present invention with a handle adapted to fit the bucket and in different positions;

Figs. 7-14A show different types of carrying handle for a bucket or some other container viewed from the side and from above according to the state of the art ;

Fig. 15 shows an embodiment of a container with a lid and in the form of a triangular cardboard pack with an extended handle according to the state of the art ;

Figs. 15A-15C show this pack in the form of an exploded diagram and a side view and a top view according to the state of the art ;

Fig. 16 shows the act of carrying a previously disclosed bucket according to the present invention and a bucket in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 17 shows plan views of a load on a load pallet for a previous solution and a new solution of a bucket on a standard load pallet;

Fig. 17A shows a side view of loaded pallets with round buckets and triangular buckets in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 18 shows a cross-sectional view of a triangular bucket in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 19 shows a suspended triangular bucket; and

Figs. 20 and 21 show the modular construction of the system.

[0009] An arrangement 1 for a portable bucket 2 of the kind shown, for example, in Figs. 5-5C in the form of an open bucket, but which can also be provided with a removable lid of some previously disclosed kind, or some similar container 2¹, which is permanently covered by a fixed upper part 3 and may exhibit a closeable opening 4 with a screw stopper 5 and which comprises a carrying handle 6, 6¹, has the following subsidiary characteristics:

[0010] The bucket 2 or the container 2¹ exhibits triangular cross-sectional form. The angle X between the two shortest sides 7, 8; 7¹, 8¹ of the bucket is essentially a right angle. The handle 6, 6¹ is arranged in such a way that the effective carrying point 9 for the bucket 2 or the container 2¹ is situated in a vertical plane 10 located at a point ca. 1/3 across the width B of the bucket 2 or the container between the longest side 11; 11¹ of the bucket 2 or the container and the right angle X closest to the aforementioned longest side 11, 11¹ of the bucket 2 or container 2¹.

[0011] The aforementioned positioning of the carrying handle 6 means that the bucket 2, unlike previously disclosed buckets with traditional carrying handles, is much easier to carry because it also provides clearance 14 for the leg 15 of the person 16 who is carrying the bucket 2 situated closest to the bucket.

[0012] Dotted lines are used in Fig. 1 to show the carrying of a previously disclosed bucket, although in a lowered position, from which it can be seen how the leg 15 risks striking the bucket 102 at each step. In the case of the bucket 2 in accordance with the invention, the carrying arm 17 passes vertically downwards from the shoulder 18 to the carrying handle 6, which is not the case for a previously disclosed bucket 102, where the handle 106 is located further out from the body.

[0013] As shown in Figs. 2, 5, 6, 9 and 11, the handle 6 in this case is pivotally mounted about pivot bearings 12 situated on the shortest sides 7, 8 of the bucket in the aforementioned vertical plane 10 either on the side of the bucket 2, inside the bucket and below or above the upper peripheral edge 13 of the bucket.

[0014] The handle 6 in this case can be supported in such a way that it is capable of being swung down over the upper edge 13 of the bucket on the outside 2A of the bucket.

[0015] For example, the shape of the handle 6 is adapted to the peripheral form of the bucket 2 along a section of it and, for example as shown in Figs. 6 and 11A, so as to be swung outside the bucket 2 or to be swung in such a way as to come to rest on a lid 19 between the pivot bearings 12.

[0016] Fig. 9 shows an example of a handle 6, in which this exhibits double-articulated 12, 20 vertical legs 21.

[0017] The buckets 2 shown here have their two short sides 7, 8 arranged with identical lengths L viewed around the periphery of the bucket, i.e. each of the angles between the sides is ca. 45°.

[0018] The sides 7, 8, 11 of the bucket 2 are essentially flat and are preferably inclined slightly outwards from the bottom 26 of the bucket. The aforementioned bucket 2, which may be referred to in general terms as a vessel, is stackable both when empty and with a lid. Fig. 4 shows how the entire surface 27 of a load pallet 28 is filled effectively without spaces thanks to the fact that the sides 7, 8, 11 of the buckets 2 extend along the peripheral edge 29 of the pallet and to another side 7, 8, 11 of an adjacent bucket 2. When stacking vessels on shelves in stores and/or on display shelves for sale, a corresponding amount of space can also be saved if they can be hung along a wall. There is no restriction on the material used in the buckets/vessels/containers, although a suitable material is a plastic or metallic material, and it is also possible to use a fibrous material such as cardboard.

[0019] Fig. 16 shows the difference between carrying a conventional bucket and a bucket in accordance with the invention, in which the carrying handle is displaced laterally towards the person who is carrying the bucket. Depending on the design of the bucket with regard to its corners and its rounding, the effective position of the carrying handle is such that it is situated at a distance of ca. 33-40% from one of its sides, i.e. the side facing towards the person who is carrying the bucket.

[0020] The triangular design of a bucket with a carrying handle thus provides the following advantages, among others:

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Better storage and load efficiency compared with a round bucket.

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Better ergonomics with regard to carrying by the handle.

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A large, unobstructed external surface of the bucket that is suitable for a label, for example.

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The modular system permits more efficient loading and storage.

D

Suitable for hanging from a wall 51 or a ladder, as shown in Fig. 19.

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The internal flat surface 11A of the bucket is adapted for a roller.

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Easy to empty.

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An unobstructed surface always faces the person who is carrying the bucket.

[0021] Fig. 18 shows a bucket in which the side 11 of the bucket 2 intended to face towards the person who is carrying the bucket 2 is illustrated together with the internal flat surface 11A suitable for a roller to work against. It also shows how the corners 50 of the bucket 2 are executed with large radii, among other things to facilitate pouring the contents from the bucket 2.

[0022] As far as the consumption of materials for previously disclosed buckets and the object of invention are concerned, it is true that the triangular form increases the consumption of material by ca. 20% compared with round buckets, although on the other hand material wastage of ca. 20% is obtained when stamping round lids and bottoms. The triangular form of the bucket thus does not represent any real increase in material consumption.

[0023] Figs. 17 and 17A show differences between the load capacity of previous round buckets 2¹ and triangular buckets 2 with a carrying handle in accordance with the invention. A round bucket 2¹ with a capacity of 20 litres can be loaded with 11 per layer in two layers on a standard load pallet 28, whereas a triangular bucket 2 with a capacity of 20 litres can be loaded with 12 per layer in three layers. This provides respective load capacities of 440 and 720 litres per pallet; i.e. it is now possible to transport 63% more paint or other contents with a triangular bucket 2 compared with a round bucket 2¹ of the same volume.

[0024] Finally, Figs. 20 and 1 illustrate the modular concept of the system in clear text.

[0025] The invention, which gives the advantages and technical effects described and illustrated above, is not restricted to the described and illustrated embodiment, however, but may be varied within the scope of the Patent Claims without departing from the idea of invention.

Claims

1. Portable bucket (2), which includes a carrying handle (6), and which bucket (2) exhibits triangular cross-sectional form wherein all sides (7, 8, 11) of the bucket (2) are flat, characterised in that the angle (X) between the two shortest sides (7, 8) of the bucket is essentially a right angle, in that the two short sides (7, 8) of the bucket are of identical length viewed around the periphery of the bucket, that the handle (6) is pivotally mounted about pivot bearings (12) situated on the shortest sides (7, 8) of the bucket, about pivot bearings (12) situated on the side of the bucket (2) below the upper peripheral edge (13) of the bucket, in that the handle (6) is supported in such a way that it is capable of being swung down over the upper edge (13) of the bucket on the outside (2A) of the longest side (11) of the bucket (2), and in that the handle (6) is arranged in such a way that the effective carrying point (9) for the bucket (2) is situated in a vertical plane (10) located at a point ca. 1/3 across the width (B) of the bucket between the longest side(11) of the bucket and the right angle (X) closest to the aforementioned longest side (11) of the bucket (2).

2. Bucket in accordance with Patent Claim 1, characterised in that the shape of the handle is adapted to the peripheral form of the bucket between the pivot bearings.

3. Bucket in accordance with Patent Claim 1, characterised in that the handle is detachably installed on the bucket.

4. Bocket in accordance with Patent Claim 3, characterised in that the peripheral edge of the bucket is lipped and the handle exhibits attachment devices so arranged as to engage with the lipped peripheral edge of the bucket.

5. Bucket in accordance with Patent Claim 1, characterised in that the handle exhibits vertical legs arranged to be capable of being lowered along the essentially vertical sides of the bucket.

Ansprüche

1. Tragbarer Eimer (2), der einen Tragegriff (6) umfasst und eine dreieckige Querschnittsform aufweist, bei der alle Seiten (7, 8, 11) des Eimers (2) flach sind,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der Winkel (X) zwischen den beiden kürzesten Seiten (7, 8) des Eimers im Wesentlichen einen rechten Winkel bildet, dass die beiden kurzen Seiten (7, 8) des Eimers um den Umfang des Eimers betrachtet von identischer Länge sind, dass der Griff (6) verschwenkbar an Drehlagern (12) angebracht ist, die sich an den kürzesten Seiten (7, 8) des Eimers befinden, nämlich an Drehlagern (12), die sich an der Seite des Eimers (2) unter der oberen Umfangskante (13) des Eimers befinden, dass der Griff (6) auf solche Weise gelagert ist, dass er über die obere Kante (13) des Eimers an der Außenseite (2A) der längsten Seite (11) des Eimers (2) herunter schwenkbar ist, und dass der Griff (6) auf solche Weise angeordnet ist, dass sich der effektive Tragepunkt (9) des Eimers (2) in einer vertikalen Ebene (10) befindet, die an einem Punkt auf etwa einem Drittel der Breite (B) des Eimers zwischen der längsten Seite (11) des Eimers und dem rechten Winkel (X), der der zuvor genannten längsten Seite (11) des Eimers (2) am nächsten liegt, angeordnet ist.

2. Eimer nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die Gestalt des Griffs an die Umfangsform des Eimers zwischen den Drehlagern angepasst ist.

3. Eimer nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der Griff abnehmbar an dem Eimer angebracht ist.

4. Eimer nach Anspruch 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die Umfangskante des Eimers mit einem Rand versehen ist und der Griff Anbringungsvorrichtungen aufweist, die so angeordnet sind, dass sie mit der mit einem Rand versehenen Umfangskante des Eimers in Eingriff stehen.

5. Eimer nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der Griff vertikale Schenkel aufweist, die so angeordnet sind, dass sie entlang den im Wesentlichen vertikalen Seiten des Eimers abgesenkt werden können.

Revendications

1. Godet portable (2) comportant une anse de transport (6), ce godet (2) présentant une coupe transversale de forme triangulaire et dans lequel chaque flanc (7, 8, 11) du godet (2) est plat, caractérisé en ce que l'angle (X) entre les deux flancs les plus courts (7, 8) du godet est sensiblement droit, en ce que les deux flancs les plus courts (7, 8) du godet sont de longueurs sensiblement égales lorsque considérés sur le pourtour du godet, en ce que le godet (2) est monté pivotant autour de paliers de pivotement (12) situés sur les flancs les plus courts (7, 8) du godet, autour de paliers de pivotement (12) situés sur le flanc du godet (2) en dessous du bord périphérique supérieur (13) du godet, en ce que l'anse (6) est supportée de manière à ce qu'elle puisse se balancer vers le bas au-dessus du bord supérieur (13) du godet sur l'extérieur (2A) du flanc le plus long (11) du godet (2), et en ce que l'anse (6) est prévue de manière à ce que le point porteur (9) du godet (2) soit dans un plan vertical (10) en un point situé à environ un tiers de la largeur (B) du godet entre le flanc le plus long (11) du godet et l'angle droit (X) le plus proche de ce flanc le plus long (11) du godet (2).

2. Godet selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la forme de l'anse est adaptée à la forme périphérique du godet entre les paliers de pivotement.

3. Godet selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'anse est montée de manière amovible sur le godet.

4. Godet selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que son bord périphérique comporte un rebord et en ce que l'anse présente des dispositifs de fixation prévus pour s'engager dans le bord périphérique à rebord du godet.

5. Godet selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'anse présente des segments pouvant être abaissés le long des flancs sensiblement verticaux du godet.

Drawing