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US-20260125185-A1 - Container Section Device (Tri Pots)

US20260125185A1US 20260125185 A1US20260125185 A1US 20260125185A1US-20260125185-A1

Abstract

A modular insert system that divides a container—e.g., a standard bucket—into multiple isolated compartments using wedge-shaped sections. Each section fits snugly, includes an over-rim support to hold position, and can be individually removed for filling, pouring, or cleaning. Optional accessories (brush holders, lids, slide-on handles, ladder-hook carry handle) and alternative bucket geometries are contemplated. Applications include painting, construction, food service, janitorial, floristry, outdoor, mechanical, and household uses.

Inventors

  • George Daniel Fox
  • Kurt Alan Sawatzky

Assignees

  • George Daniel Fox
  • Kurt Alan Sawatzky

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20250916

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A modular insert system for dividing the interior of a container, comprising: a. a plurality of wedge-shaped container sections, each section having an interior-facing flat wall and an exterior-facing curved wall configured to conform to an interior wall of a bucket. b. a support portion at an upper edge of each section that engages a rim region of the bucket to support the section in place and resist inward movement; and c. wherein the sections, when inserted together, collectively divide the interior volume of the bucket into multiple isolated compartments.
  2. 2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein three sections completely fill a cylindrical bucket to form a tri-compartment configuration.
  3. 3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sections extend to the bottom of the bucket to increase capacity and transfer load to the bottom.
  4. 4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein any section is removable independently for filling, emptying, pouring, or cleaning while remaining sections stay in place.
  5. 5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprises a brush holder positioned in a center region between sections to hold at least one brush vertically.
  6. 6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the brush holder includes a magnetic element to retain a metal brush ferrule.
  7. 7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the brush holder includes a slotted cradle and a wiping ledge proximate a section edge.
  8. 8 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising lids configured to cover individual sections with a low profile that remains flush with section top edges.
  9. 9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sections are nestable for compact storage and transport.
  10. 10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the support portion comprises an over-rim lip that overlaps a rim of the bucket and includes an anti-rotation feature selected from a snap-bead, undercut, notch, or friction surface.
  11. 11 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a slide-on handle attachable to an individual section, the handle including a curved body with an inner lip, an outer lip, and side ears that engage the section by friction in vertical or horizontal orientations.
  12. 12 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising a tool holder configured to slide along the outer lip of the handle.
  13. 13 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a ladder-hook carry handle with an offset grip and a bucket-rim-engaging undercut, the handle configured to hang from a ladder rung.
  14. 14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the bucket is selected from standard commercial round buckets and custom buckets having polygonal or oval cross-sections.
  15. 15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sections are partial-depth relative to a two-gallon bucket to provide a storage space below the sections for lids or accessories while a standard one-piece bucket lid is applied above.
  16. 16 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a perforated outer bucket enhances air flow around inserted sections to accelerate cooling of food liquids.
  17. 17 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sections are produced as disposable liners compatible with reusable sections.
  18. 18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one section includes a corner geometry transitioning from a filleted bottom corner to a sharper upper corner to form a pour spout.
  19. 19 . The system of claim 1 , wherein sections of differing sizes are combinable to form the compartments, including half-circle and fractional sectors sized to nest within one another.
  20. 20 . The system of claim 8 , wherein each lid is formed from a flexible polymer configured to conform to a section's top edge to impede evaporation and reduce paint skinning without forming an airtight seal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/697,493, filed Sep. 21, 2024, under U.S.C. §119(e). Title: Container Section Device (Tri Pots) Inventors: George Daniel Fox; Kurt Alan Sawatzky FIELD OF THE INVENTION This disclosure relates to container partition systems and, more particularly, to removable section inserts that divide a bucket into multiple separately usable compartments, with structures that aid pouring, scooping, carrying, and tool retention. BACKGROUND Workers often need multiple products in one work area while keeping them separate (e.g., painters carrying multiple colors up ladders). Conventional trays and caddies either occupy only shallow portions of a bucket, cannot be separated for individual use, or cannot manage liquids independently. There is a need for a system that uses substantially the full bucket depth, allows independent handling of each compartment, and remains stable in the bucket during use. SUMMARY The system comprises multiple wedge-shaped sections that nest together in a bucket to form isolated compartments. Each section presents (i) a curved outer wall that conforms to the bucket interior; (ii) flat interior walls that meet adjacent sections; and (iii) an upper over-rim support portion that resists inward movement and rotation. Sections can be individually removed for filling, emptying, pouring, or cleaning while remaining sections stay in place. Accessories include central brush holders, section lids, and handles, including a slide-on handle that doubles as a tool support and a ladder-hook carry handle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 100 is an isometric of a single section from an upper outer view. FIG. 110 is an isometric of a single section from a lower outer view. FIG. 120 is an isometric of a single section from an inner lower view toward the center seam. FIG. 130 is an isometric of a single section from an inner upper view toward the center seam. FIG. 140 is an isometric of the semi-assembled device with one section separated. FIG. 150 is an isometric of the fully assembled device within a bucket. FIG. 160 is a slide-on handle; FIG. 160A-160E show attachment modes and features. FIG. 170 shows top and bottom views of a center-retention brush holder; FIG. 170A shows central placement. FIG. 180 shows top and bottom views of a treble brush holder; FIG. 180A shows central placement. FIG. 190 shows lids for individual sections; FIG. 190A shows an upper side and insertion. FIG. 200 shows a ladder-hook carry handle; FIG. 200A shows placement on a bucket over a ladder rung. FIG. 210 is an exploded assembly showing alternative accessory storage configurations. FIG. 220 illustrates a five-gallon embodiment with full-depth sections. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 100 is an isometric view of a single section from the curved outer wall at an upper angle, showing: curved outer wall (1); interior flat wall (2) (posterior side); over-rim portion (3); top rim (4); and bottom edge. Leader 2 identifies the interior flat wall/posterior side. FIG. 110 is an isometric view of a single section from the curved outer wall at a lower angle. Leader 2 identifies the interior flat wall/posterior side. FIG. 120 is an isometric view of a single section from the inside/lower angle, toward the center where sections meet. Leader 1 identifies the curved outer wall/posterior side. FIG. 130 is an isometric view of a single section from the inside/upper angle, toward the center where sections meet. Leader 1 identifies the curved outer wall/posterior side. FIG. 140 is an isometric view of the semi-assembled device with one section separated to illustrate insertion. FIG. 160 is a slide-on handle for a section, showing a curved body (6), inner lip (7), outer lip (8), notch (9), side ears (10). Sub-figures 160A-E illustrate vertical and horizontal attachment modes and compatibility with a brush/tool holder. FIG. 170 is top and bottom views of a Center Retention Clip brush holder seated at the convergence of the three sections, having a star-shaped center anchor (11) and integrated clip arms (12) that friction-hold two brush handles upright with bristles oriented into the corners of their respective sections. FIG. 170A shows central placement between the three sections. FIG. 180 is top and bottom views of a Treble Brush Holder including a magnet seat (13) to retain metal ferrules, drainage slots and cradle (14) that position bristles within a selected section, and a wiping ledge (15); FIG. 180A shows central placement between the three sections. FIG. 190 shows lids for individual sections; sub-figure 190A shows upper side and insertion. FIG. 200 shows a ladder-hook carry handle with offset grip (16), downward ladder hook portions (17), and undercut groove (18) that engages the bucket rim without lifting a section. FIG. 200A shows placement over side of container section and bucket wall. The longer outboard handle portion