Stackable bucket

Abstract

A bucket configured for nesting with other buckets when empty or stacking with other buckets when lidded, includes a bottom wall and a side wall with circumferential flanges and a circumferential apron for structural reinforcement. The circumferential apron has enlarged portions at locations of attachment of a swing handle and also adjoins with a pair of handles at diametrically opposite positions, each handle including a through-hole for receiving a tensile fastener for coupling the bucket with other empty buckets nested therewith in allowing the coupled buckets to be transported by use of the swing handle of the uppermost bucket. A lid is provided with stabilizers that help stabilize buckets stacked above from lateral movement.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A bucket, comprising:
 a bottom wall;   a circumferential side wall having a rim and an outer surface;   first and second handle members formed on the outer surface of the side wall, each with a through-hole configured to receive a respective fastener; and   an apron on the outer surface of the side wall between the first and second handle members.   
     
     
         2 . The bucket of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second handle members has a first portion extending at an angle α relative to the rim and a second portion extending at an angle β relative to the rim. 
     
     
         3 . The bucket of  claim 2 , wherein the angle α ranges between about 40 to 60 degrees and the angle β ranges between approx. 70-90 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The bucket of  claim 3 , wherein the angle α is about 50 degrees and the angle β is about 80 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The bucket of  claim 2 , wherein a through-hole is disposed in each of the first portion of each first and second handler members. 
     
     
         6 . The bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the apron has an L-shaped cross section, with one leg of the cross section being generally parallel with the circumferential side wall and another leg of the cross section being generally perpendicular to the circumferential side wall. 
     
     
         7 . The bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall includes a circumferential ridge configured to contact a support surface. 
     
     
         8 . The bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall includes an inner circumferential ridge, a middle circumferential ridge and an outer circumferential ridge, and the radial ridges extend between the middle circumferential ridge and the outer circumferential ridge. 
     
     
         9 . The bucket of  claim 1 , further comprising an annular portion connecting the circumferential side wall and the bottom wall. 
     
     
         10 . The bucket of  claim 9 , wherein the annular portion has a maximum diameter and a minimum diameter. 
     
     
         11 . The bucket of  claim 10 , further comprising a lid, the lid having a plurality of stabilizers arranged in a circumferential pattern defined by a diameter between the maximum and minimum diameters of the annular portion. 
     
     
         12 . The bucket of  claim 7 , further comprising a lid, the lid having a plurality of stabilizers arranged in a circumferential pattern defined by a diameter greater than a diameter of the circumferential ridge. 
     
     
         13 . The bucket of  claim 10 , wherein the bottom wall includes a circumferential ridge configured to contact a support surface, the circumferential ridge arranged in a circumferential pattern defined by a ridge diameter, and the bucket further comprising a lid, the lid having a plurality of first stabilizers arranged in a circumferential pattern defined by a first diameter and a plurality of second stabilizers arranged in a circumferential pattern defined by a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than ridge diameter and the second diameter being between the maximum diameter and minimum diameter of the annular portion. 
     
     
         14 . The bucket of  claim 1 , further comprising radial fins extending between the apron and the side wall. 
     
     
         15 . A bucket bundle, comprising:
 at least first and second buckets arranged in a stacked configuration, each bucket having a bottom wall, a circumferential side wall defining a rim, and first and second handle members, each first handle member having a first through-hole, each second member having a second through-hole;   a first fastener inserted through each of the first through-holes, the first fastener coupling each of the first handle members to each other; and   a second fastener inserted through each of the second through-holes, the second fastener coupling each of the second handle members to each other.   
     
     
         16 . The bucket bundle of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second fasteners includes a cable tie. 
     
     
         17 . The bucket bundle of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second handle members includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion extending at an angle relative to the rim ranging between about 40 to 60 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The bucket bundle of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second handle members include an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion extending at an angle ranging between about 70-90 degrees relative to the rim. 
     
     
         19 . The bucket bundle of  claim 15 , further comprising radial fins extending between each of the first and second handle members and the outer surface of the side wall. 
     
     
         20 . The bucket bundle of  19 , wherein the radial fins of the first and second handle member of an upper bucket rests on the rim of the lower bucket.