Buckets and accessories relating to the same

Abstract

An assembly that includes a bucket; an arrangement for coupling a lid to the bucket without fully enclosing the bucket. The bucket can include a base portion that has a circular cross-sectional shape and an upper portion that has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An assembly comprising:
 a bucket; and   a means for coupling a lid to said bucket without fully enclosing said bucket.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said bucket includes an upper portion having a first rim and a second rim, and a lower portion has a base, and wherein said second rim is located below said first rim. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said upper portion has a non-circular cross-sectional shape, and wherein said base has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said means for coupling said lid to said bucket includes a slot formed in said second rim; a tab formed on an outer edge of said lid; and a fastener that is looped through said slot and said tab. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein an inner side of said lid faces away from said bucket when said lid is coupled to said bucket by way of said fastener, and wherein said inner side of said lid receives indicia regarding branding, pricing, instructions of use, bucket size information, and/or marketing information. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said fastener is a zip tie, a cord, a wire, or a chain. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said bucket further comprises a handle member that is connected to said second rim at a first connection point and a second connection point. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said means for coupling said lid to said bucket further comprises a clip having a protruding portion that is configured to engage a groove that is formed along a periphery of an inner side of said lid; and a hook portion that is configured to latch said clip and said lid to said handle member at either said first connection point or said second connection point. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said clip further includes a shelf extending in an opposite direction from said protruding portion; and at least one catch formed on said protruding portion, wherein said at least one catch engages an outer edge of said lid to secure said clip to said lid. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said hook portion is deflected at a predetermined angle from a vertical centerline of said clip, and wherein said shelf is deflected at a predetermined angle from a horizontal centerline of said clip. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said hook portion is substantially perpendicular to said shelf when said clip is coupled to said bucket. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a handle integrated into said base of said bucket, and wherein said handle is transitionable between a non-use position and an in-use position, wherein said handle is at least partially concealed in said base in said non-use position, and wherein said handle at least partially extends from said base in said in-use position. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said handle includes a grip portion; and a body having an opening formed thereon, and wherein said opening receives a protuberance that is formed on said base to couple said handle to said bucket. 
     
     
         14 . A device for coupling a lid to a bucket, said device comprising:
 a body having a first surface and a second surface;   a protruding portion that is configured to engage a groove that is formed along a periphery of a lid, wherein said protruding portion extends from said first surface of said body; and   a hook portion that is configured to couple said lid to a first side of a bucket.   
     
     
         15 . The device as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said device further includes a shelf extending from said second surface of said body; and at least one catch formed on said protruding portion, and wherein said at least one catch engages an outer edge of said lid to secure said device to said lid. 
     
     
         16 . The device as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said bucket includes an upper portion having a first rim and a second rim, wherein said second rim is located below said first rim; a lower portion having a base; and a handle member that is connected to said second rim at a first connection point and a second connection point, and wherein said upper portion has either a substantially square cross-sectional shape or a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, and wherein said base has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         17 . The device as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said hook portion latches to said handle member at either said first connection point or said second connection point such that an exterior side of said lid faces away from said bucket, and wherein said exterior side of said lid receives indicia regarding branding, pricing, instructions of use, bucket size information, and/or marketing information. 
     
     
         18 . The device as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said hook portion is deflected at a predetermined angle from a vertical centerline of said device, and wherein said shelf is deflected at a predetermined angle from a horizontal centerline of said device. 
     
     
         19 . The device as defined in  claim 17 , wherein when said hook portion is latched to said handle member, said shelf engages said second rim and said hook portion is substantially perpendicular to said shelf. 
     
     
         20 . The device as defined in  claim 14 , further comprising an indented section formed in said second surface of said body, wherein said indented section is substantially coplanar to said protruding portion.