bucket
Enable an AI agent to recognise a bucket, assess whether it can safely contain and transport intended contents, and decide how it may be filled, carried, emptied, cleaned or stored.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
Researched by: Codex + Grok
Purpose and description
Enable an AI agent to recognise a bucket, assess whether it can safely contain and transport intended contents, and decide how it may be filled, carried, emptied, cleaned or stored.
A hand-portable, open-topped rigid vessel, typically cylindrical or truncated-conical and fitted with a rim-spanning bail or equivalent handle, used to contain and carry a discrete charge of liquid or loose solid rather than to store it under a fitted shipping closure.
It can be Fill to a justified working level while preserving required headspace and load limits.; Hold specified contents when containment and compatibility evidence support the use.; Lift and carry using an assessed carrying arrangement.; Pour, scoop out or tip out contents using the available mouth, rim and grips.; Inspect, clean and dry the interior, rim and carrying attachments.; Fit a compatible lid or nest the empty bucket when its features and condition permit..
Distinguishing features
Check for a base and surrounding walls that retain intended contents when upright; a bottomless sleeve or frame does not meet this interpretation.
Check whether the main opening permits direct filling and emptying across much of the body width; a narrow-necked bottle or jerrycan needs a different vessel interpretation.
Check whether the vessel is intended to be moved with contents using its body, grips or carrying handle; a fixed basin is a neighbouring concept.
Use intended function and overall form together to distinguish a bucket from a bowl, tub, basket or waste bin; a handle or round shape alone is insufficient.
Check whether 'bucket' names a standalone vessel or a machine attachment for digging or conveying; this draft provisionally covers the standalone vessel.
Scope
+ The bucket's body, base, mouth, rim and usable internal space
+ Handles, grips and their attachments to the bucket
+ Containment condition and suitability for specified contents
+ Filling, carrying, standing, pouring and emptying constraints
+ Bucket-specific lids, graduations, spouts and nesting features
- The identity, composition and hazards of substances placed in the bucket
- Cleaning procedures and the wider sanitation system
- Lifting machinery, conveyors and their operating controls
- Storage rooms, shelving and transport routes
- Digital storage buckets and software container abstractions
Characteristics
- Body material and lining
- Observed or documented material; coating or lining; unknown Helps determine what compatibility evidence is needed and how damage should be interpreted.
- Usable capacity
- L, with fill reference and measurement method Distinguishes practical filling capacity from nominal or brimful volume.
- Opening and body dimensions
- mm; internal depth, mouth dimensions and base dimensions Determines whether intended contents, tools and cleaning implements fit.
- Empty mass
- kg Contributes to the total mass that a person or handling device must support.
- Documented load limit
- kg, with applicable carrying configuration; unknown if undocumented Prevents treating a volume marking as evidence of carrying strength.
- Carrying arrangement
- Bail handle, side handles, integral grips, no dedicated handle, other Determines available ways to lift, carry and control the bucket.
- Body and handle condition
- Observed cracks, holes, deformation, corrosion, attachment looseness or no observed defect; inspection scope recorded Supports separate judgments about containment and load support.
- Containment performance
- Retains, leaks, intentionally drains or untested for specified contents and conditions A bucket may retain coarse solids while failing to retain liquid.
- Contents suitability
- Bucket linked to intended contents and supporting compatibility evidence Suitability depends on the particular contents, exposure conditions and intended use.
- Current fill
- L, kg or fill height in mm, with headspace where relevant Supports decisions about adding contents, carrying and pouring.
- Lid or attachment fit
- Compatible component, seating condition and documented closure function Distinguishes a fitted cover from evidence of a sealed or transport-suitable closure.
- Residue and use history
- Known previous contents, observed residue, cleaning evidence or unknown Can restrict reuse even when the bucket appears physically intact.
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.bucket
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 5 bundles · 9 layers · 17 findings · 31 questions.
Vessel identity and capacity Establishes which physical vessel is being treated as a bucket and what can fit inside it.
Bucket identity and useful capacity depend on intended use, opening geometry and fill reference rather than a name or volume label alone.
Bucket boundary
Separates the standalone carrying vessel from neighbouring containers and other meanings of bucket.
Recognition basis
Record the observed vessel form and intended use supporting classification as a bucket.
- What combination of retaining base, walls, broad opening and intended carrying use identifies this item as a bucket? definition
- What evidence distinguishes this item from a tub, bowl, basket, waste bin or machine bucket? boundary
Internal space
Describes the mouth, depth and volume available for the intended contents.
Capacity and fill reference
Record nominal, measured and working capacities with their fill references and any uncertainty in graduations.
- What volume fits to the brim, and what lower working fill level is justified for the intended use? measurement
- Where did the stated capacity and graduation accuracy come from, and have they been checked? provenance
- Do the mouth dimensions and internal depth admit the intended contents and any scoop or tool used to remove them? boundary
Containment and contents suitability Assesses whether the body retains intended contents and whether contact with those contents is supported.
A bucket's ability to hold one material does not establish its suitability for another, and past contents can constrain reuse.
Retaining body
Examines the base, walls, seams and any intentional openings as a containment boundary.
Retention evidence
Record damage, openings and observations of retention for specified contents and conditions.
- Are there cracks, holes, failed seams or intentional drainage openings in the base or walls? measurement
- What inspection or test supports retention of the intended contents, at what fill level and for what duration? provenance
Contact and reuse
Relates the bucket's material, lining and history to its proposed contents.
Supported contents
Record the evidence and unresolved limits governing material contact and reuse.
- What documentation supports contact between this bucket's material or lining and the intended contents at the proposed temperature and duration? provenance
- What previous contents, residues or unknown history could rule out the proposed reuse? boundary
- What cleaning, inspection or further evidence is needed before the bucket can receive these contents? action
Loaded support and carrying Assesses how a filled bucket stands, is lifted and remains controlled during movement.
A bucket can retain contents yet be unsuitable to carry because of load, handle condition, poor grip or instability.
Handle and load path
Connects the total carried mass to the grips, attachments and body supporting it.
Carrying readiness
Record how the bucket will be held and what evidence supports that arrangement under the intended load.
- What is the combined mass of the bucket and contents, and what documented load limit applies to the proposed carrying arrangement? measurement
- Are the handle, grip and attachment points secure and usable without observed cracking, loosening or interference? measurement
- Can the intended carrier maintain a controlled grip throughout lifting, movement and set-down? action
Standing and spill control
Assesses base contact, fill level and contents movement during standing and carrying.
Upright stability
Record the conditions under which the loaded bucket can stand or move without unacceptable tipping or spillage.
- Does the base sit without rocking or deformation on the intended supporting surface? measurement
- What headspace or closure is needed to control spillage during the proposed movement? action
- What fill distribution, projecting contents or surface conditions make upright support uncertain? boundary
Access, emptying and storage Describes how the bucket releases its contents and how its mouth and body interact with lids and other buckets.
Rim shape, grip placement, closure fit and nesting geometry affect whether a bucket can be emptied, covered and retrieved for reuse.
Controlled emptying
Relates contents removal to the mouth, rim, spout and available support points.
Emptying method
Record a workable removal method and any geometry or residue that prevents controlled or complete emptying.
- Do the rim or spout and available grips support controlled pouring or tipping into the intended receiver? action
- What contents remain trapped at the base, seams or internal features after the proposed emptying method? measurement
- Can the interior be reached for scooping, inspection, cleaning and drying? action
Closure and nesting
Assesses removable covers and storage interactions with matching buckets.
Closure function
Record lid compatibility, seating and the specific function supported by evidence.
- Which lid fits this rim, and are its seating surfaces and retaining features intact? boundary
- What evidence establishes whether the fitted lid merely covers the opening or also provides a specified seal? provenance
Nesting and retrieval
Record whether empty buckets can be nested and separated without damage or obstruction.
- Which bucket bodies nest together without handle interference, rim damage or excessive wedging? boundary
- How can a nested bucket be separated while maintaining usable grips and avoiding damage? action
Evidence and external alignment What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.
A model that cannot be lined up against existing standards, identifiers and practice cannot be adopted by anyone who already uses them.
Reported evidence
Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.
Kinds and varieties
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Household or utility bucket (polymer, typically 5-15 L, open bail, reused on site)
- Industrial open-head pail (commonly the North American 5 US gallon / 19 L lidded shipping pail)
- Galvanized or tinplate metal bucket
- Mop bucket (often with wringer or divider)
- Fire bucket (sand or water; historically conical so it will not stand unused as a general pail)
- Well or draw bucket (rope or chain lift, often rounded or reinforced bottom)
- Food-grade or dairy pail (polymer or tinned steel specified for food contact)
- Collapsible or fabric bucket (textile or folding polymer, field and camping use)
- Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of bucket this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Identifiers and schemes
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Wikidata - Q47107 - Item 'bucket' for the portable open vessel; machine-attachment and object-storage senses are separate items.
- Harmonized System (HS) - 3923.90 or 3924.90 (plastics); 7323.99 or 7310.29 (iron or steel) - Plastic household buckets often fall in 3924; plastic packing pails in 3923; metal buckets split between table/kitchen articles and tanks/casks/drums depending on construction and intended packing use.
- UN packaging design type (TDG) - 1H2 (open-head plastics), 1A2 (open-head steel) - Applies only when the pail is certified as a dangerous-goods packaging, not to ordinary household buckets.
- Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of bucket this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Standards and regulation
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations (UNECE) - open-head pail/drum design types, performance tests and marking when used as packagings.
- 49 CFR Parts 171-178 (US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) - US implementation for UN-rated pails in hazardous-materials transport.
- 21 CFR 177.1520 (US FDA) - olefin polymers for food-contact HDPE/PP buckets and pails.
- Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 (European Parliament and Council) - food-contact materials for food-grade buckets on the EU market.
- ASTM D4504, Standard Specification for Molded Polyolefin Open-Head Pails (ASTM International) - construction and performance of moulded industrial pails.
- Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of bucket this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Real-world use
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Carrying and holding water, wash solutions and bulk dry goods in households, farms and workshops.
- Shipping and dispensing paints, adhesives, food ingredients, lubricants and agricultural chemicals in lidded 19 L industrial pails.
- Wet-cleaning: mop buckets with wringers in commercial janitorial work.
- Mixing small batches of mortar, plaster or feed on construction and farm sites.
- Historical and remaining fire practice: sand or water fire buckets at workshops, stations and ships.
- Drawing water from wells, cisterns and informal supplies, still routine where piped water is intermittent.
- Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of bucket this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Typical measurements
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Nominal capacity - 5-15 household; 18.9 (5 US gal) industrial pail; about 1-25 for hand-carried forms - L
- Tare mass - 0.2-2.5 - kg
- Overall height - 200-450 - mm
- Mouth diameter - 200-350 - mm
- Bail or handle working load (filled vessel) - 50-250 - N
- Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of bucket this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Failure modes and hazards
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Bail or handle detachment, wire fatigue, or the bail jumping a deformed rim, dropping a full load onto feet or floor.
- Drop or puncture of the bottom; HDPE environmental stress cracking from incompatible solvents or prolonged UV.
- Corrosion and pinholing of galvanized or tinned steel, especially at the chime.
- Lid and gasket leak on shipping pails, with chemical exposure, vapour and slip from spillage.
- Scald or splash injury from hot liquids; chemical incompatibility between contents and polymer.
- Nested-stack jamming or collapse in storage; trip hazard from an open bucket left in a walkway.
- Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of bucket this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Regional variation
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- United States trade usage treats the lidded 5 US gallon pail as the industrial unit and keeps 'bucket' for open household vessels; UK and much of the Commonwealth use 'bucket' for both and treat 'pail' as older or dairy language.
- Capacity is sold in US gallons in North America and in litres (10 L, 12 L, 15 L) in metric markets, so nominally similar products are not interchangeable by volume.
- In much of South Asia a plastic bucket is primary household water storage because of intermittent piped supply, not merely a carrying tool.
- Conical fire buckets remain more visible in older Commonwealth, railway and marine practice than in contemporary US fire codes, which have largely replaced them with extinguishers.
- Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of bucket this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Pail (industrial shipping pail) - In current North American trade a pail is typically a lidded, gasketed open-head package, often UN-marked; a bucket in the household sense is an open, reused carrying vessel. Test: fitted lid plus packaging marks versus bail-only open top.
- Drum - A drum is a larger cylindrical packaging, commonly 200-220 L, often closed-head. Test: capacity well above hand-portable pail scale and drum-type closures (bung or bolted ring) rather than a carrying bail as the primary interface.
- Tub - A tub is a wide, low vessel meant to stay in place (wash, bath, mix). Test: no walking bail designed for a carried load, and a low height-to-diameter ratio.
- Basin or bowl - Shallow open vessels without a rim-spanning carrying bail. Test: depth and the absence of a handle meant to lift a filled charge and walk with it.
- Excavator or loader bucket - An earthmoving attachment, not a portable vessel. Test: designed to pin to a machine arm or quick-hitch, with cutting edge or teeth, not to be carried by a person.
- Jug or canister - Restricted opening and usually a pour spout or cap. Test: fill opening much smaller than the body, versus a full open top.
- Hopper - Fixed or semi-fixed container that discharges through a bottom outlet. Test: designed bottom opening versus a closed bottom that is emptied by pouring or tipping.
- Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of bucket this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Sources
- Bucket - Ordinary-language sense of the open portable vessel, typical materials and handles, and the distinction from machine and computing homonyms.
- Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Model Regulations - Industrial pails treated as open-head packagings (design types such as 1H2 plastics and 1A2 steel) when used to ship regulated goods.
- 21 CFR 177.1520 Olefin polymers - Food-contact basis for common HDPE/PP pails and buckets used with food and some agricultural products in the United States.
- Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food - European food-contact framework that governs food-grade buckets and pails placed on the EU market.
What the second pass must settle
- Does vr.tr.bucket cover only standalone vessels, or also excavator, conveyor and other machine buckets?
- Where does the registry draw the boundary between bucket, pail, tub, basket and waste bin when their forms and uses overlap?
- Which existing Vercy world models already own this concept or reusable parts of its containment and handling assessment?
- Which authoritative sources support capacity, carrying-load and contents-suitability judgments for the bucket types the registry intends to cover?
- Should specialised forms such as collapsible, perforated or pressure-equipped buckets remain variants of this entry, and what additional assessment would each require?