Bucket assembly for the storage of granular material

Abstract

A bucket assembly for use in storing salt includes an outer canister, an inner pail, and a scoop. The outer canister defines an opening and an interior. The inner pail is removably disposed within the interior of the outer canister. The scoop is carried by one of the outer canister and inner pail. The scoop includes a handle and a main body defining a storage compartment.

1 . A bucket assembly for use in storing salt, the assembly comprising:
 an outer canister defining an opening and an interior;   an inner pail removably disposed within the interior of the outer canister; and   a scoop carried by one of the outer canister and inner pail, the scoop has a main body defining a storage compartment.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inner pail defines first and second compartments separate from one another. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said second compartment is configured and dimensioned for supporting the scoop disposed therein. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inner pail includes a handle for lifting the inner pail from the interior of the outer canister. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the handle is pivotally attached to the inner pail. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the handle is formed in an arcuate shape defining ends which are pivotally attached to an upper rim of the inner pail. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1  further including a cover removably attached to the outer canister for covering the opening, thereby concealing the inner pail within the interior of the outer canister. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inner pail includes a sloped floor panel which is inclined relative to the horizontal. 
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the scoop includes:
 a main body defining an interior compartment for the storage of granular material, the main body further defining an opening to the interior compartment;   a handle attached to the main body; and   a cover moveably attached to the body, the cover movable between a closed position generally covering the opening, and an open position to expose the interior compartment, wherein the cover includes a plurality of apertures formed therein for the dispensing of granular material therethrough when the cover is in its closed position.   
   
   
       10 . The bucket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inner pail defines first and second compartments separate from one another such that the second compartment is configured and dimensioned for supporting the scoop disposed therein, and wherein the assembly further includes a cover removably attached to the outer canister for covering the opening of the outer canister, and wherein the inner pail includes a sloped floor panel which is inclined relative to the horizontal. 
   
   
       11 . A scoop assembly for storing and dispensing granular material comprising:
 a main body defining an interior compartment for the storage of granular material, the main body further defining an opening to the interior compartment;   a handle attached to the main body; and   a cover moveably attached to the body, the cover movable between a closed position generally covering the opening, and an open position to expose the interior compartment, wherein the cover includes a plurality of apertures formed therein for the dispensing of granular material therethrough when the cover is in its closed position.   
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the cover is pivotally attached to the main body. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the cover is biased to its closed position. 
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the scoop further includes a catch for selectively securing the cover to its closed position.