Fluid-retaining assembly and process of using the same

Abstract

In one embodiment, a bucket is described as including a primary reservoir and a secondary reservoir. A bottom of the secondary reservoir is located at a corresponding elevation between a top and a bottom of the secondary reservoir. The primary reservoir is disposed in selective fluid communication with the secondary reservoir.

1 . A bucket comprising:
 a primary reservoir; and   a secondary reservoir, wherein a bottom of the secondary reservoir is located at a corresponding elevation between a top and a bottom of the secondary reservoir, the primary reservoir being disposed in selective fluid communication with the secondary reservoir.   
     
     
         2 . The bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary reservoir includes a partition that controls a height of a fluid in the secondary reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . The paint bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the partition contains at least one aperture for allowing the return of fluid from the secondary reservoir to the primary reservoir. 
     
     
         4 . The paint bucket of  claim 2 , wherein the primary reservoir, the secondary reservoir and the partition are formed as a one-piece structure. 
     
     
         5 . The paint bucket of  claim 1 , which further includes a cover coupled with the paint bucket, wherein the covers the primary reservoir and the secondary reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . The paint bucket of  claim 5 , wherein the cover includes a window disposed over a portion of the secondary reservoir;
 which further includes a lid structured to selectively seal the aperature; and   wherein the second lid allows a user access to the trough region without removal of the lid.   
     
     
         7 . An apparatus comprising:
 a paint holding volume having a top edge and being defined by a bottom and sidewall structure;   a dividing trough in selective fluid flow communication with the paint holding volume, the dividing trough is structured such that a paint from the paint holding volume can be poured over a dividing trough wall into the dividing trough and the dividing trough wall prevents the paint contained in the dividing trough from flowing back into the paint holding volume.   
     
     
         8 . A paint bucket comprising:
 a paint holding region adapted to hold a quantity of paint;   a secondary paint holding reservoir in flow communication with the paint holding region; and   means for controlling the quantity of paint retained in the secondary paint holding reservoir.   
     
     
         9 . A process for loading a paint brush with paint comprising:
 filling a paint holding region of a paint bucket with a quantity of paint;   sealing a lid atop the paint holding area and a trough area;   elevating a side of the paint bucket opposite the trough area until paint from the paint holding region pours over a dividing wall filling the trough area;   returning the paint bucket to an upright position, the dividing wall retaining a portion of paint which poured into the trough area; and   accessing the trough area to remove paint therefrom by dipping the brush into the paint within the trough area.