# US 6,293,692 B1 · Multipurpose container structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,293,692 B1 - Document ID: US6293692B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/435,243 - Filed: 1999-11-05 - Granted: 2001-09-25 - Earliest claimed: 1999-11-05 - Inventors: M. William Bowsher; Thomas S. Schwartz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6293692B1 ## CPC - B44D 3/12: Paint cans; Brush holders; Containers for storing residual paint {(construction details of containers of general type B65D)} - B44D: PAINTING OR ARTISTIC DRAWING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PRESERVING PAINTINGS; SURFACE TREATMENT TO OBTAIN SPECIAL ARTISTIC SURFACE EFFECTS OR FINISHES (surface treatment in general, see the relevant places, e.g. applying liquids or other fluent materials B05) ## Abstract A multipurpose container structure with a container body that has sealingly engaged walls, a bottom sealingly engaged with the walls, and a rim that surrounds the open top of the container body. The container body may be generally rectangular with at least one rounded corner and may include a U-shaped bail with an arcuate bend in a handle portion thereof. The rim may have an inner first trough and an outer second trough with each having a plurality of apertures therein. A pour spout may be disposed in one corner of the container body, and the first trough and the plurality of apertures can terminate adjacent to the pour spout. A lid may be provided that has inner and outer crests for engaging the first and second troughs of the rim. A plurality of male projections can extend from the inner and outer crests for engaging and clearing the plurality of apertures of the first and second troughs. An insert in the form of an elongate body with a plurality of male projections disposed thereon may be included for engaging at least the first trough and the plurality of apertures therein. Still further, a stirring paddle with an elongate handle that retains a curved paddle may be included for stirring the contents of the container body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multipurpose container structure comprising: a container body with first, second, third, and fourth sealingly engaged walls, a bottom sealingly engaged with the first, second, third, and fourth walls, and an upper periphery that defines a rim and surrounds an open top of the container body whereby the first, second, third, and fourth walls and the bottom together define an open inner volume; wherein the first, second, third, and fourth walls meet at four corners in a generally rectangular configuration; wherein at least one of the corners is rounded; and wherein at least a portion of the rim comprises a first trough that falls between a first ridge and a second ridge for preventing material contained within the container structure from spilling out of the container structure; whereby the generally rectangular configuration of the multipurpose container structure cooperates with the at least one rounded corner of the multipurpose container structure to allow for more efficient retention and storage of retained materials and whereby, when used to retain liquids, the generally rectangular configuration of the multipurpose container structure cooperates with the at least one rounded corner of the multipurpose container structure to induce turbulence during stirring of the retained liquid while allowing for access to material contained within the at least one rounded corner. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multipurpose container structure of claim 1 further comprising a bail for carrying the container body wherein the bail has a first end rotatably coupled to the first wall of the container body, a second end rotatably coupled to the third wall of the container body, and a body portion wherein the body portion of the bail comprises a half rectangle shape with first and second legs coupled to the container body and a handle that couples the first and second legs whereby the bail mirrors the shape of the container body to prevent a user's fingers from being pinched between the container body and the bail. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The multipurpose container structure of claim 2 wherein the first and second ends of the bail are rotatably retained relative to the container body by retaining members that are disposed within the open inner volume of the container body whereby the retaining members and the container body present a compact configuration for efficient storage, shipping, and display. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The multipurpose container structure of claim 3 further comprising an arcuate bend in the handle of the bail to assist a user in retaining and hanging the container structure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The container structure of claim 1 further comprising a fill line operably associated with the container body for indicating an optimal filling level of the container body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The container structure of claim 1 wherein the portion of the rim comprising the first trough further comprises a second trough wherein the second trough is disposed distal to the first trough relative to the open inner volume of the container body whereby material contained within the container structure is further prevented from spilling out of the container structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The container structure of claim 6 further comprising a first contact surface that projects proximally from the first trough toward a central portion of the open inner volume of the container body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The container structure of claim 7 wherein the first contact surface comprises a flat edge that presents a convex upper surface for removing surplus material from a tool that has been inserted into the container body for removing material from the container body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The container structure of claim 6 further comprising a pour spout disposed in one of the four corners of the container body for allowing a smooth pouring of material from within the container body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The container structure of claim 9 wherein the first and second troughs extend around substantially the entire rim of the container body except that the first trough terminates adjacent to the pour spout thereby leaving only the second trough in the portion of the rim adjacent to the pour spout. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The container structure of claim 6 further comprising a lid for engaging the rim of the container body to enclose the open inner volume of the container body wherein the lid has first and second crests for engaging the first and second troughs of the rim of the container body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The container structure of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of apertures in the first trough for allowing material to drain from the first trough and into the open inner volume of the container body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The container structure of claim 12 wherein the portion of the rim comprising the first trough further comprises a second trough wherein the second trough is disposed distal to the first trough relative to the open inner volume of the container body whereby material contained within the container structure is further prevented from spilling out of the container structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The container structure of claim 13 further comprising a plurality of apertures disposed in the second trough for further allowing material to drain into the open inner volume from the first and second troughs. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The container structure of claim 12 further comprising a pour spout disposed in one of the four corners of the container body for allowing smooth pouring of material from within the container body wherein the plurality of apertures disposed in the first trough terminate adjacent to the pour spout to prevent material being poured from within the container body from surging upwardly through any of the plurality of apertures. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The container structure of claim 12 further comprising a lid for engaging the rim of the container body to enclose the open inner volume of the container body wherein the lid has a first crest for engaging the first trough of the rim of the container body and wherein the first crest has a plurality of male projections extending therefrom for engaging and clearing the plurality of apertures in the first trough. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The container structure of claim 16 further comprising a second trough disposed distal to the first trough relative to the open inner volume of the container body, a second crest disposed on the lid for engaging the second trough, a plurality of apertures in the second trough, and a plurality of male projections extending from the second crest for engaging the plurality of apertures in the second trough. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The container structure of claim 12 further comprising an insert comprising an elongate body with a plurality of male projections disposed thereon for engaging at least the first trough and the plurality of apertures therein. ### Claim 19 A multipurpose container structure comprising: a container body with at least one wall, a bottom sealingly engaged with the at least one wall, and an upper periphery that defines a rim and surrounds an open top of the container body; whereby the at least one wall and the bottom together define an open inner volume; wherein at least a portion of the rim comprises a first trough that falls between a first ridge and a second ridge for preventing material contained within the container structure from spilling out of the container structure; wherein the portion of the rim comprising the first trough further comprises a second trough wherein the second trough is disposed distal to the first trough relative to the open inner volume of the container body whereby material contained within the container structure is further prevented from spilling out of the container structure; and a plurality of apertures disposed in the first trough and a plurality of apertures disposed in the second trough for allowing material to drain into the open inner volume of the container structure from the first and second troughs. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The container structure of claim 19 further comprising a lid for engaging the rim of the container body to enclose the open inner volume of the container body wherein the lid has a first crest for engaging the first trough of the rim of the container body and wherein the first crest has a plurality of male projections extending therefrom for engaging and clearing the plurality of apertures in the first trough. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The container structure of claim 19 further comprising a lid for engaging the rim of the container body to enclose the open inner volume of the container body wherein the lid has first and second crests for engaging the first and second troughs of the rim of the container body. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The container structure of claim 19 further comprising a pour spout disposed in the rim of the container body for allowing smooth pouring of material from within the container body. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The container structure of claim 19 further comprising an insert comprising an elongate body with a plurality of male projections disposed thereon for engaging at least the first trough and the plurality of apertures therein. ### Claim 24 A multipurpose container structure comprising: a container body with at least one wall, a bottom sealingly engaged with the at least one wall, and an upper periphery that defines a rim and surrounds an open top of the container body; whereby the at least one wall and the bottom together define an open inner volume; wherein at least a portion of the rim comprises a first trough that falls between a first ridge and a second ridge for preventing material contained within the container structure from spilling out of the container structure; wherein a pour spout is disposed in the rim of the container body for allowing smooth pouring of material from within the container body; wherein the portion of the rim comprising the first trough further comprises a second trough wherein the second trough is disposed distal to the first trough relative to the open inner volume of the container body whereby material contained within the container structure is further prevented from spilling out of the container structure; and wherein the first and second troughs extend around substantially the entire rim of the container body except that the first trough terminates adjacent to the pour spout thereby leaving only the second trough in the portion of the rim adjacent to the pour spout. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The container structure of claim 24 further comprising a bail for carrying the container body wherein the bail has a first end rotatably coupled to the at least one wall of the container body, a second end rotatably coupled to the at least one wall of the container body, and a body portion wherein the first and second ends of the bail are rotatably retained relative to the container body by retaining members that are disposed within the open inner volume of the container body whereby the retaining members and the container body present a compact configuration for efficient storage, shipping, and display. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The multipurpose container structure of claim 25 further comprising an arcuate bend in the handle of the bail to assist a user in retaining and hanging the container structure. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The container structure of claim 24 further comprising a fill line operably associated with the container body for indicating an optimal filling level of the container body. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The container structure of claim 24 further comprising a plurality of apertures disposed in the first trough and a plurality of apertures disposed in the second trough for allowing material to drain into the open inner volume of the container structure from the first and second troughs wherein the plurality of apertures of the first and second troughs. ### Claim 29 A multipurpose container structure comprising: a container body with at least one wall, a bottom sealingly engaged with the at least one wall, and an upper periphery that defines a rim and surrounds an open top of the container body; whereby the at least one wall and the bottom together define an open inner volume; wherein at least a portion of the rim comprises a first trough that falls between a first ridge and a second ridge for preventing material contained within the container structure from spilling out of the container structure; wherein the container body has first, second, third, and fourth sealingly engaged walls wherein the first, second, third, and fourth walls meet at four corners to define a generally rectangular configuration whereby the generally rectangular configuration of the multipurpose container structure cooperates with the at least one rounded corner of the multipurpose container structure to allow for more efficient retention and storage of retained materials and whereby, when used to retain liquids, the generally rectangular configuration of the multipurpose container structure cooperates with the at least one rounded corner of the multipurpose container structure to induce turbulence during stirring of the retained liquid. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The container structure of claim 29 further comprising a bail for carrying the container body wherein the bail has a first end rotatably coupled to the first wall of the container body, a second end rotatably coupled to the third wall of the container body, and a body portion wherein the body portion of the bail comprises a half rectangle shape with first and second legs coupled to the container body and a handle that couples the first and second legs whereby the bail mirrors the shape of the container body to prevent a user's fingers from being pinched between the container body and the bail. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The container structure of claim 30 wherein the first and second ends of the bail are rotatably retained relative to the container body by retaining members that are disposed within the open inner volume of the container body whereby the retaining members and the container body present a compact configuration for efficient storage, shipping, and display. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The multipurpose container structure of claim 31 further comprising an arcuate bend in the handle of the bail to assist a user in retaining and hanging the container structure. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) The container structure of claim 29 wherein at least one of the corners is rounded thereby allowing for access to material contained within the at least one rounded corner. ### Claim 34 A mixing assembly comprising a multipurpose container structure and a stirring paddle: wherein the multipurpose container structure comprises a container body with at least one wall, a bottom sealingly engaged with the at least one wall, and an upper periphery that defines a rim and surrounds an open top of the container body; whereby the at least one wall and the bottom together define an open inner volume; wherein at least a portion of the rim comprises a first trough that falls between a first ridge and a second ridge for preventing material contained within the container structure from spilling out of the container structure; wherein the container body has first, second, third, and fourth sealingly engaged walls wherein the first, second, third, and fourth walls meet at four corners to define a generally rectangular configuration; whereby the generally rectangular configuration of the multipurpose container structure cooperates with the at least one rounded corner of the multipurpose container structure to allow for more efficient retention and storage of retained materials and whereby, when used to retain liquids, the generally rectangular configuration of the multipurpose container structure cooperates with the at least one rounded corner of the multipurpose container structure to induce turbulence during stirring of the retained liquid; wherein at least one of the corners is rounded thereby allowing for access to material contained within the at least one rounded corner; and wherein the stirring paddle comprises an elongate handle that retains a curved paddle that has a curve approximating the curve of the at least one corner of the container body that is curved.