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.

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.