US20100326848A1

US20100326848A1 - Clip Scoop

Info

Publication number: US20100326848A1
Application number: US12/823,169
Authority: US
Inventors: Raphael (Louis) Mangin; Wei Zhang; Guangyan Ding; Katy Saint-Ignan; Bin Chen; Yi Wei
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 2009-06-30
Filing date: 2010-06-25
Publication date: 2010-12-30
Also published as: CN102470958B; JP2012530558A; BRPI1015365A2; RU2543464C2; ZA201108906B; WO2011002638A1; MX2011013922A; EP2448836A1; RU2011148014A; CN102470958A

Abstract

A scoop has a bowl and a handle. The bowl has a bowl edge and a bowl width. The handle has a proximal handle edge connecting to the bowl edge. The handle has a distal handle edge opposite the proximal handle edge. The handle has a handle width. The handle has a clip with a clip base which connects the clip base to the distal handle edge. The clip protrudes from the distal handle edge toward the proximal handle edge. The clip has a free edge opposite the clip base. The handle width is from about 50% to about 100% of the bowl width.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/221,584, filed Jun. 30, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clip scoop for dosing products and fastening to a flexible package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Scoops have been used in various fields. For example, scoops have been used in fabric and home care products such as detergents and fabric enhancers for dosing the correct amount. Detergents are normally packed in a package such as cartons, hard plastic containers, and flexible packages. Flexible packages are useful in maintaining not only the freshness of the product stored, but also an aid in preventing moisture or air from entering the enclosed product. In addition, a flexible package normally uses less material and costs less than a comparable carton or hard plastic container.
For consumers to correctly dose a granular or particulate product, a scoop may be included with the product in the market. Such a scoop is generally included with the product in a package such as a carton and a hard plastic container but the container is not typically a flexible package because such flexible containers are typically larger bags in which the scoop may be easily lost or buried therein. Accordingly, it is sometimes easy for a consumer to misplace or lose a scoop between uses. It may be especially difficult to find a scoop in a package when the consumer is again ready to use it, because the scoop can be buried in the product in between uses. Also, when a consumer retrieves the scoop buried in the product, the product may adhere to the hand. The consumer may dislike this because it feels messy.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a scoop which is easily fastened to the outside of a flexible package and/or which reduces messiness on the scoop. In addition, the use of a clip may provide a closure mechanism to keep the products in the flexible package fresh without having to change the flexible package itself or the flexible package material. Further, it is another objective of the present invention to provide a scoop whose handle securely connects to the bowl to resist bending when a large amount of solid is scooped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a scoop having a bowl and a handle. The bowl has a bowl edge and a bowl width. The handle has a proximal handle edge connecting to the bowl edge. The handle has a distal handle edge opposite the proximal handle edge. The handle has a handle width. The handle has a clip with a clip base which connects the clip base to the distal handle edge. The clip protrudes from the distal handle edge toward the proximal handle edge. The clip has a free edge opposite the clip base. The handle width is at least about 50% of the bowl width.
The invention also relates to a kit having a flexible package containing a product therein, and a scoop as described above.
The inventors have surprisingly found that the clip can help the scoop be fastened to, for example, a flexible package. Without intending to be bound by a theory, the scoop of the present invention can be fastened to the external surface of the flexible package and the consumers may not need to return the scoop into the bag after use. Accordingly, the consumer can easily retrieve the scoop whenever it is needed with little chance of messiness. In addition, the orientation of the clip with respect to the scoop may reduce the amount that the scoop protrudes from the package. This is especially useful in cases where the package is stored in a high-traffic area to reduce the chance that the scoop is knocked off of the package, and/or in a crammed area where there is little overhead space. Further, the large handle width of the scoop may help the scoop to securely connect to the bowl and resist bending when a large amount of solid is scooped.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the written specification and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is more readily understood by the attached non-limiting drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a scoop of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the scoop of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the scoop of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the clip as seen along Line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a flexible package whose opening is folded and fastened by the scoop of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the flexible package with the scoop of FIG. 5 seen from the opposite side;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible package with the clip as seen along Line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an embodiment of grippers protruding from the bottom surface of the clip

FIG. 9 is an embodiment of grippers protruding from the bottom surface of the clip;

FIG. 10 is an embodiment of grippers protruding from the upper surface of the handle; and

FIG. 11 is a top view of the scoop of FIG. 1.

The drawings herein are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a scoop having a bowl and a handle. The bowl has a bowl edge and a bowl width. The handle has a proximal handle edge connecting to the bowl edge, a distal handle edge opposite the proximal handle edge, and a handle width. The handle has a clip with a clip base which connects the clip base to the distal handle edge. The clip protrudes from the distal handle edge toward the proximal handle edge. The clip has a free edge opposite the clip base. The handle width is at least about 50% of the bowl width.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a scoop of the present invention. The scoop, 20, has a bowl, 21, with a bowl edge, 22. The bowl, 21, has a bowl bottom, 24. The bowl, 21, has a bowl front wall, 25, connected to the bowl bottom, 24. The bowl, 21, has a first bowl sidewall, 26, connected to the bowl bottom, 24, and the bowl front wall, 25. The bowl, 21, has a second bowl sidewall, 27, opposed to the first bowl sidewall, 26, and connected to the bowl bottom, 24, and the bowl front wall, 25. The bowl, 21, has a bowl back wall, 28, opposed to the bowl front wall, 25, and connected to the bowl bottom, 24, the first bowl sidewall, 26, and the second bowl sidewall, 27. The bowl front wall, 25, the first bowl sidewall, 26, the second bowl sidewall, 27, and the bowl back wall, 28, start at the bowl bottom, 24, and terminate at a bowl top edge, 29. The scoop, 20, extends in a top side, T, and in a bottom side, B. The bowl top edge, 29, faces the top side, T.
The handle, 30, has a proximal handle edge, 31. The handle, 30, has a distal handle edge, 32, opposite the proximal handle edge, 31. The handle, 30, has a first side arm, 33, and a second side arm, 34, typically but not always substantially parallel to the first side arm, 33, both of which extend perpendicular to the bowl, 21 in FIG. 1. The first side arm, 33, and the second side arm, 34, start at the proximal handle edge, 31, and join together and terminate at the distal handle edge, 32. The handle, 30, has a void, 35. The void, 35, is surrounded by the proximal handle edge, 31, the distal handle edge, 32, the first side arm, 33, and the second side arm, 34.
The handle, 30, has a clip, 40 therein. The clip, 40, protrudes from the distal handle edge, 32, toward the proximal handle edge, 31. The clip, 40, has a clip base, 41, connecting to the handle, 30, and a free edge, 42. The clip, 40, typically has an undulation, 43, extending from the clip base, 41, toward the free edge, 42. The clip, 40, together with the handle side arms, 33 and 34, may serve as a fastening device when the scoop, 20, is fastened to a flexible package. Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that as the clip is integrated with the handle, the scoop does not need an extra material or device in order to fasten to the flexible package. As the clip protrudes from the distal handle edge toward the proximal handle edge and the bowl, when the scoop is fastened to the flexible package, the clip, the handle side arms and the bowl top edge may contact the external surface of the flexible package. It leads to increased stability of contact (see FIG. 6). As used herein, the phrase “protrudes from the distal handle edge toward the proximal handle edge” indicates that the clip, 40, extends from the distal handle edge, 32, generally towards the bowl, 21 (see also, FIG. 11.).
In FIG. 1, the clip, 40, has an undulation, 43, extending from the clip base, 41, toward the free edge, 42. The undulation, 43, has a convex, 52, adjacent to the clip base, 41. The clip, 40, has a concave, 56, between the convex, 52, and the free edge, 42. Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the undulation provides both a fastening force on the flexible material as well as a small space where the rolled up flexible material may be held by the clip. This undulation also reduces the chance that the clip will inadvertently fall or fly off of the flexible package during storage. It has been found that this type of undulation holds the scoop onto a flexible package significantly better than a straight clip, as the clip's force is not translated into as much lateral movement/force during storage, and/or when the flexible material is bunched up underneath the clip.
The clip, 40, has a top surface, 46, and a bottom surface, 47, on the opposite side of the top surface, 46. The top surface, 46, is on the top side, T, of the scoop, 20 while the bottom surface, 47, is on the bottom side, B, of the scoop, 20. The convex, 52, is obliquely ascended in a top side direction from the clip base, 41. The concave, 56, is obliquely descended in a bottom side direction from the convex, 52. The free edge, 42, is again obliquely ascended in a top side direction from the concave, 56. On the bottom side, B, of the convex, 52, there is a reservoir space, 58.
The shape of the undulation, 43, on the top surface, 46, is also quite ergonomic in that it encourages a consumer to comfortably put his/her thumb on it and to hold the clip with the palm of the hand when the consumer dispenses the product using the scoop. This in turn provides a leverage point which makes scooping easier and reduces finger and wrist strain as compared to when a clip is held only by the fingertips. The shape of the bottom surface, 47, of the concave, 56, can serve as a fastening part to a flexible package when the scoop fastens the flexible package.
In FIG. 1, the bowl, 21, has optional measurement markings 70, in the first bowl sidewall, 26, the second bowl sidewall, 27, and/or the bowl front wall, 25. The measurement markings, 70, can be used to enable the consumer to define the amount of the product to be used for different situations; e.g., for large laundry loads, for very dirty loads, etc.
The bowl, 21, may have one or more stacking tab, 72, therein to allow easy stacking and unstacking of the scoops during manufacturing and/or storage. The stacking tab, 72, may be located inside the bowl, 21. The bowl may have up to about 8 stacking tabs, from about 1 to about 6 tabs, or from about 2 to about 4 stacking tabs. The stacking tab may be a small piece integrated with the bowl. The stacking tab should be small enough not interfere with the dispensing effort and may be located protruding from the bowl bottom. The stacking tab may have a height from about 3 mm to about 20 mm, from about 4 mm to about 15 mm, or from about 5 mm to about 10 mm. Without intending to be bound by theory, the stacking tab may prevent sticking to the next one when a plurality of scoops is stacked together. It is especially important in the manufacturing process of the scoops because the manufactured scoops can be stacked in the manufacturing line. A plurality of scoops may be stacked one after another when they are put into a package in the flexible package's filling process. The bottom of an upper scoop may be placed over the bottom of a lower scoop. The stacking tab located inside the bowl may prevent sticking of two scoops because the stacking tab may provide a barrier so that the bottoms may not be contacted to each other.
The overflow volume of the bowl, 21, is typically from about 5 mL to about 450 mL, from about 20 mL to about 320 mL, or from about 30 mL to about 150 mL. The overflow volume of the bowl, 21, can be measured by the maximum volume of water which can be stably held in the scoop. The perimeter of the bowl top edge, 29, of the scoop, 20, depicted in FIG. 1, is approximately rectangular with rounded edge. The perimeter of the bowl top edge, 29, viewed from the top side, T, may be approximately circular, approximately oval, approximately polygonal (e.g., triangle, quadrangle, pentagon, hexagon, etc.), etc. with sharp, or rounded corners as desired. These shapes can be chosen for their aesthetics, or for certain functionality. For example, the scoop is included with granular detergent products in a flexible package. A plurality of flexible packages can be stacked. Then the scoop included in the bottom flexible package may receive a heavy weight. Then the scoop inside the flexible package may tear the flexible package from inside. In such a case, a rounded corner shape may be gentle to the flexible package as the corner has less sharp edges. In other cases, a sharp cornered scoop may be preferable in order to match a certain package shape, and/or for greater structural rigidity.
FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of the scoop of FIG. 1. The clip has a gripper, 60, at or around the concave, 56, of the clip, 40. The clip, 40, has three grippers, 60, all of which are wavy lines. The gripper has a height from the bottom surface, and it may be from about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm, from about 0.2 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 0.3 mm to about 2 mm. The grippers, 60, are protruded from the bottom surface, 47, of the clip, 40, and have a height of about 0.5 mm. The clip has at least one gripper on the bottom surface. The gripper may be a rib, a line, and/or a dot, but it is not limited to them if the gripper protrudes out of the clip. The clip may have from about 1 to about 20, from about 2 to 15 or from about 3 to about 10 grippers. The gripper increases the friction against the flexible package when the scoop is fastened thereto. This reduces accidental slipping of the clip and accidental opening of the package.
In FIG. 2, the bowl, 21, has a bowl width, W_B. The bowl width, W_B, is the largest distance between the first bowl sidewall, 26, and the second bowl sidewall, 27. The handle, 30, has a handle width, W_H. The handle width, W_H, is the largest distance from the outer edge of the first sidearm, 33, to the opposite outer edge of the second sidearm, 34. The bowl width, W_B, may be larger than the handle width, W_H. The handle width, W_H, is at least about 50%, from about 50% to about 150%, from about 60% to about 125%, or from about 70% to about 110% of the bowl width, W_B. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the handle width, W_H, is approximately 87% of the bowl width, W_BAs the handle width W_H, is large and almost equivalent to the bowl width, W_B, the scoop of the present invention may be more stable to hold, may be more resistant to bending under heavy loads, and may be easier to twist during use—as when using the scoop to dig or loosen up caked powder detergent from a bag. Further, the large handle width may serve to improve handling for consumers to grab and use the scoop easily, especially for older people whose hands may be arthritic. Such an ergonomic, wider handle may also provide greater leverage when using the scoop which makes the entire use of the scoop more pleasant.
The handle may also have a minimum handle width, W_MIN, which is the smallest width of the handle. W_MINis located in between the proximal handle edge, 31, and the distal handle edge, 32. The minimum handle width, W_MIN, may be more than about 75%, from about 75% to about 99%, or from about 80% to about 95% of the handle width, W_H. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that a handle with a narrower minimum handle width is more ergonomic and comfortable to hold than a handle whose width is constant along the entire length. However, as the minimum handle width, W_MIN, gets too small, consumers may start to have structural issues which may lead to breaking, or unacceptable bending of the handle. Thus, the minimum handle width, W_MIN, herein balances ergonomics and structural stability to achieve optimized results.
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the scoop of FIG. 1. The free edge, 42, is obliquely ascended from the concave, 56, to the top side, T. The top of the free edge, 42, may be separated from the plane formed by the top side of the handle, 30, by height, h, which may be from about 2 mm to about 10 mm, from about 2.5 mm to about 8 mm, or from about 3 mm to about 7 mm. This significantly improves the usability of the scoop, as it allows one-handed clipping of the scoop onto the flexible package by simply sliding the top side of the handle down along the flexible package until the clip engages and securely clips the flexible package. See also the discussion of FIG. 5, below.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the clip, as seen along Line 4-4 in FIG. 2. The clip, 40, has a clip base, 41, connecting to the handle, 30, and a free edge, 42. The clip base, 41, connects to the distal handle edge, 32. The clip, 40, has an undulation, 43, extending from the clip base, 41, toward the free edge, 42. When viewed from the top side, T, the undulation, 43, has a sinusoidal shape containing a convex, 52, and a concave, 56, adjacent to the convex, 52. In FIG. 4, the convex, 52, is located adjacent to the clip base, 41.
When a flexible package, see FIG. 5 at 100, is inserted into the scoop, 20, it is slid between the clip, 40, and the handle, 30. The free edge, 42, is above the handle, 30, and therefore a consumer can easily slide a flexible package (see FIG. 5 at 100) under the clip, 40, with one hand, and have it held in place by the clip, 40, the handle, 30, and/or the grippers, 60.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a flexible package whose opening is folded and fastened by the scoop of the present invention. When a consumer first opens the flexible package, 100, containing a product inside, a part of the flexible package, 100, is cut or torn away to form an opening at the perimeter, 102. The opening is large enough to use the scoop, 20, to remove some product out of the flexible package, 100. Then the open flexible package, 100, may need reclosing to avoid spillage of the product inside and/or to avoid, moisture or air entering the opened flexible package, 100.
The scoop, 20, may especially be fastened to a flexible package, 100, whose perimeter, 102, is rolled or folded over itself, at least once, twice, three times or four times in order to reclose the flexible package, 100. In FIG. 5, the perimeter, 102, is folded over itself three times. In order to use the clip, 40, a flexible package, 100, is brought close to the free edge, 42, and the folded perimeter, 102, is thereafter guided into the undulation, 43, below the bottom surface, 47, by sliding the flexible package, 100, toward the clip base, 41, past the free edge (see FIG. 6 at 42), the concave (see FIG. 6 at 56), and then into the clip's reservoir space (see FIG. 6 at 58), formed on the bottom side, B, of the scoop, 20, by the convex (see FIG. 6 at 52). Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that this clip design reduces slipping of the scoop off of the flexible package during storage. When the scoop, 20, is slid into the folded perimeter, 102, it prevents the folded perimeter, 102, from re-opening. When the scoop, 20, is slid into the folded perimeter, 102, the width of the fold may typically be from about 3 mm to about 30 mm, from about 4 mm to about 25 mm, or from about 5 mm to about 20 mm. By fastening the folded perimeter, 102, below the convex, 52, the scoop, 20, is fastened to the flexible package, 100, and the closed status of the folded perimeter, 102, is maintained by the scoop, 20. Typically, the scoop herein reduces protruding of the scoop during this process be keeping the top side of the scoop against the flexible package.
FIG. 6 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 5, viewed from the opposite direction to show the clip, 40. The folded perimeter, 102, is fastened by the clip, 40, of the scoop, 20. The convex, 52, provides a reservoir space, 58, to accommodate the folded perimeter, 102. The undulation may serve for better fixation of the scoop to the flexible package. The clip base, 41, and the concave, 56, holds shut the folded perimeter, 102. The clip, 40, protrudes from the distal handle edge, 32, toward the proximal handle edge, 31. When the scoop, 20, is fastened to the flexible package, 100, the bowl top edge, 29, may contact the flexible package, 100, leading to an elevated contact surface of the scoop, 20, and the flexible package, 100. As a result, the clip herein further serves to stabilize the fastening of the scoop to the flexible package.
FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the flexible package with the clip as seen along Line 7-7 in FIG. 6. When the clip, 40, is fastened to the folded perimeter, 102, of the flexible package, 100, one or more grippers, 60, if present, likely contact the flexible package, 100. The gripper, 60, may more securely fasten the clip, 40, to the flexible package, 100, by increasing the friction between the scoop, 20, and the flexible package, 100. This may help reduce and/or avoid slipping of the scoop, 20, from the flexible package, 100. The scoop, 20, is slid into the folded perimeter, 102, between the clip, 40, and the handle, 30. As the scoop, 20, is slid along the folded perimeter, 102, of the flexible package, 100, the scoop, 20, may contact an edge of the folded perimeter, 102, at the clip base, 41. As the folded perimeter, 102, comes to rest within the reservoir space, 58, the folded perimeter, 102, may be locked between the convex, 52, and the handle, 30. Consequently, the perimeter, 102, of the flexible package, 100, is firmly held ensuring that the flexible package, 100, will not open or allow moisture and air to enter.
As to the free edge, 42, of the clip, 40, the flexibility of the clip, 40, makes it easy for a user to slide a part of a flexible package, 100, into the reservoir space, 58, between the clip, 40, and the handle, 30. In FIG. 7, the clip, 40, has three grippers, 60, protruding from the bottom surface, 47.
In an embodiment herein, the clip base, 41, may be reinforced to prevent or reduce breakage at this point. Since the clip, 40, flexes the most at the clip base, 41, this is where much of the stress and strain is focused during use and storage. Therefore, the clip base may be reinforced, by, for example, making this portion thicker, of a different material (e.g., more elastic, more rigid, etc. as desired), making this portion thinner, and/or adding additional structural elements to address the stresses focused on this point. In an embodiment herein, the clip base, 41, is from about 1% to about 100% thicker, or from about 5% to about 50%, or from about 7% to about 25% thicker than the adjoining portion of the clip, 40. In an embodiment herein, the clip base, 41, is from about 1% to about 100% thicker, or from about 5% to about 50%, or from about 7% to about 25% thicker than the adjoining portion of handle, 30.
FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of grippers protruding from the bottom surface, 47, of the clip, 40. The grippers, 160, of FIG. 8 are three raised dots arranged in a line. The grippers, 160, are located at the peak of the concave, 56, in order to maximize friction with the flexible package, see FIG. 7 at 100. These grippers, 160, may reinforce the contact of the scoop with the flexible package and may prevent slippage.
FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of grippers protruding from the bottom surface, 47, of the clip, 40. The grippers, 260, of FIG. 9 are four lines.
FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of grippers protruding from the upper surface, 46, of the handle, 30. The grippers, 360, of FIG. 10 are raised dots and are located on the handle, 30, across from the peak of the concave, 56 of the clip, 40. When the scoop is slid into the flexible package, this gripper location may also increase the friction between the scoop and the flexible package.
FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of the scoop of FIG. 1. The clip, 40, may be formed so that the clip orientation crosses a space above the bowl, 21. More specifically, the clip, 40, has an imaginary clip center line, L₁, connecting the center of the free edge, 42, and the center of the clip base, 41. The imaginary center line, L₁, may cross a space above the bowl, 21. This configuration can help the scoop, 20, better fasten to the flexible package because a large amount of the bowl top edge, 29, may contact the flexible package. The clip, 40, extends directly towards the bowl, 21, and is substantially perpendicular thereto. The scoop, 20, extends in a horizontal line, L_H, and in a vertical line, L_V, perpendicular to the horizontal line, L_H. Specifically, the clip center line, L₁, is perpendicular to the vertical line, L_V. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that such a perpendicular scoop may allow the most gripping, as the bowl top edge and the handle may exert the most friction on the flexible package so as to reduce slippage therefrom when the scoop is clipped thereupon. In another embodiment, the clip, 40, extends towards the bowl, 21, but is offset at a minor angle of from less than about +/−15°, less than about +/−10°, or less than about +/−7° from the perpendicular. When the clip is offset, the imaginary center line, L₁, may also be offset from perpendicular to the bowl edge. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that such a small angle may allow easier one-handed clipping and may be customized for either left or right-handed use.
As described above, the grippers may be located on either the clip or on the handle as desired, so that the grippers can contact the flexible bag and keep it from slippage.
The friction between the scoop and the flexible package may be increased by increasing the coefficient of friction therebetween, such as by modifying the scoop's surface finish and or by modifying the surface material of the clip and/or the handle. In order to increase the friction, at least a part of the flexible package may be coated by a material having a higher coefficient of friction than the unmodified flexible package, such as by adding rubber, a paraffin, a cellophane, etc. and may be added by a variety of processes known in the plastic-making art. In an embodiment herein, the gripper is made from rubber which is co-injection-molded into the scoop itself.
The surface material and/or the coating material may be selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyesters.
As described above, the scoop herein may be fastened to a flexible package, and especially can maintain the rolled or folded shape of the perimeter of a flexible package. After opening the flexible package, the scoop can be fastened to the external surface of the flexible package. Thus, the consumers can take the scoop off the package and use it easily without putting the hand into the flexible package for the scoop inside.
The clip may have a length from the clip base to the free edge, where the length is from about 2 cm to about 10 cm, from about 3 cm to about 9 cm, or from about 4 cm to about 8 cm.
The scoop herein may be injection molded, which molding has the advantages of providing a finished product which is both durable and sturdy.
The present invention further relates to a kit containing the scoop as described above and a flexible package. A consumer can use the scoop herein together with a flexible package. After opening the flexible package, the perimeter needs to be closed, e.g., by folding or rolling. The folded or rolled perimeter also needs fastening so that the product inside may not contact the external moisture or air. For the purpose, the scoop herein can be used to fasten the perimeter. When the kit herein is subject to distribution (e.g., retail stores), the scoop may be contained inside the flexible package. Otherwise, the scoop may be attached to the external surface of the flexible package.
Additionally or alternatively, the flexible package may have a zipper closure device for opening. The zipper closure device can be opened or closed repeatedly without damaging the flexible package. When the flexible package is reclosed by the zipper closure device, the flexible package can be completely closed and shut out of the external environment. With a zipper closure device, it may be possible to protect the product contained in the package from moisture or air without folding or rolling the package.
The scoop herein may be formed of any suitable kind of material, typically a plastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthrate, polyester, polychlorovinyl, and a combination thereof, or polyethylene, polypropylene and a combination thereof.
The flexible package may have a thickness from about 0.01 mm to about 5 mm, from about 0.02 mm to about 4 mm, or from about 0.03 mm to about 3 mm. The material used for the flexible package may include, but not limited to, a thermoplastic material (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, polychlorovinyl, etc.), a paper material (e.g., paper, cardboard. etc.), a rubber material, and the like. The flexible package may contain a product selected from the group consisting of a solid product, a liquid product and/or a gel product. The product herein may be a unitized dose product, such as a tablet, a geltab, a dissolvable pouch, and/or a combination thereof. In an embodiment herein the product is a solid product, especially a granular product. The product may include, e.g., a fabric detergent, a fabric enhancer, a hard surface detergent, a bleach, a coffee bean, a coffee powder, a milk powder, a pet food, etc.
The scoop herein may be transparent, translucent or opaque. The scoop herein may contain at least one color, and may contain from two to five colors. Such colors may be indicate different parts of the scoop, different materials, indicate origin or branding, be purely for aesthetic reasons, etc.
It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purpose only and that various modifications or changes will be suggested to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”.
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A scoop comprising:

(1) a bowl comprising a bowl edge and a bowl width; and

(2) a handle comprising:

(i) a proximal handle edge connecting to the bowl edge;

(ii) a distal handle edge opposite the proximal handle edge; and

(iii) a handle width,

wherein the handle comprises a clip comprising a clip base connected to the distal handle edge, the clip protruding from the distal handle edge toward the proximal handle edge, and wherein the clip comprises a free edge opposite the clip base,

wherein the handle width is at least about 50% of the bowl width.

2. The scoop according to claim 1, wherein the handle width is from about 50% to about 150% of the bowl width.

3. The scoop according to claim 1, wherein the clip further comprises an undulation extending from the clip base toward the free edge.

4. The scoop according to claim 3, wherein the undulation comprises a sinusoidal shape comprising a convex portion and a concave portion adjacent to the convex shape.

5. The scoop according to claim 1, the handle comprising a first side arm and a second side arm substantially parallel to the first side arm, wherein the first side arm and the second side arm each extend from the proximal handle edge to the distal handle edge.

6. The scoop according to claim 1, wherein the scoop further comprises a top side and a bottom side, wherein the clip is obliquely ascended from the concave to the free edge in the top side direction.

7. The scoop according to claim 1, further comprising at least one gripper.

8. The scoop according to claim 7, wherein the gripper is selected from the group consisting of a rib, a dot, a line and a mixture thereof.

9. The scoop according to claim 7, wherein the gripper is located on the clip.

10. The scoop according to claim 7, wherein the gripper is located on the handle.

11. The scoop of claim 1, wherein the bowl comprises a top edge perimeter comprising a shape selected from the group consisting of a rectangle, a circle, an oval, a polygonal and a combination thereof.

12. The scoop according to claim 1, wherein the scoop comprises a plastic.

13. The scoop according to claim 12, wherein the plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthrate, polyester, polychlorovinyl, and a combination thereof.

14. The scoop according to claim 1, the clip comprising a length from the base to the free edge, wherein the length is from about 2 cm to about 10 cm.

15. The scoop according to claim 1, wherein the bowl has an overflow volume of from about 5 mL to about 450 mL.

16. A kit comprising (1) a flexible package comprising a product therein and (2) a scoop according to claim 1.

17. The kit according to claim 16, wherein the flexible package comprises a product selected from the group consisting of a granular product, a liquid product and a tablet product.