GB2180437A

GB2180437A - Disposable scoop/container

Info

Publication number: GB2180437A
Application number: GB08612434A
Authority: GB
Inventors: D I Griffiths; T Jones
Original assignee: GRIFFITHS DAVID IAN
Current assignee: GRIFFITHS DAVID IAN
Priority date: 1985-09-13
Filing date: 1986-05-22
Publication date: 1987-04-01
Also published as: GB8522660D0; GB2180437B; GB8608207D0; GB8600815D0; GB8612434D0

Abstract

A disposable scoop/container is a container open mouthed to provide access to the interior, one or more sides may have an extension which serves as a lid (6) to cover the open end (3). Alternatively a loose lid may be provided. The container can be provided with creases to allow it to be folded flat, the arrangement being such that the container can be erected when required by applying pressure to the sides. A support frame (5) is provided to hold open said mouth if the construction material is not substantially rigid, and the support frame can be either separate from or integral with the container. The container can be used in a scooping action to collect matter or as a receptacle for the storage of matter, or both. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Disposable scoopicontainer This invention relatèsto an erectable, sealable, disposable scoopicontainer, and is particularly, though not exclusivel,.concerned with a pet-mess scoop.

Pet mess scoops already avail'able are, on the whole, rigid plastic manufactured containers. These scoops are, however, relatively expensive and awkward to use. The present invention allows a dirt-free operation with a minimum of mechanicat parts.

According to the present invention there is provided a container with one end inter-connected to the sides, and the other end open to provide access to the interior and incorporating an extension which serves as a lid to the open end and which securesfirmlywhen required. If necessary, the container can be provided with the facility of creases to allow the containerto be folded flat and with thefacility of a supportframefor the open end of a container manufactured from a material that is not substantially rigid when erected and the whole arrangement being such thatthe container can be erected when required.

If container is collapsed, by taking it in the hand, pressure can be exerted to the sides to open it into a scoop-like receptacle with an open end. By scooping the open and againstan objectintendedto be collected, the object will be forced into the container.

Alternatively the container may be used in an upright position and matter dropped into the interior. In order to cover and secure the open end, the extension lid is pulled over the opening and secured to enclose the contents.

In orderto provide an erectable and disposable container, the receptacle can be manufactured from a discardable material.

Various and differing designs which fall within the scope of this specification include conical, cylindrical and multi-shaped containers, pliable and variously configured whilst fulfilling adequatelythefunctions here described.

Also included within the scope ofthis specification are supportframes forthe open end of non-rigid containers, both as an integral part ofthe container and as a separate object overwhich a non-rigid container can be hung.

Also included within the scope ofthis specification are extension lids of more than one piece, extending lids that extend from more than one side, lids that are separate and yet fit and secure to the open end, lids that extend to cover the sides and to cover the sides and the ends of the container.

Various means of secu ring the extension lid or lids in place and secu ring the receptacle together include, for example, lateral'tags and complimentary slots for receiving and; retaining the tags, shaped and hooked catchesthat inter-lock with reciprocal parts, by the dynamics ofthe container material and design, by adhesive, by friction and by connecting clips.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings: Referring to Figure 1., in a perspective view the containter (1 ) comprises sides and two ends, one of which (illustrated) is open (2), and an extended lid (3), which can be swung overto cover the containter's interior (4).

Referring to Figure 2., in side viewthe container (1 ) used in a scooping action collects sample matter (5) in the dirction ofthe arrow.

Referring to Figure 3., in side view, sample matter (5) having been scooped or deposited into the interior is covered and sealed by lid (3).

Referring to Figure 4., in a plan view of one particular design of the container in its collapsed form, the container comprises folded fiattened sides (1), an end (2) that is open when the container is erected, an extended lid (3), with lateral tag (4), that can be retained by complimentary slot (5), once the lid has been pulled over the open end (2).

Referring to Figure 5., in a wide view of an alternative design ofthe container, the container (1) is shown as being constructed from a see-through material in the form of a tube folded back on itself and sealed at one end (2), whilst having an opening atthe other end (3). The space (4) between the sides allows for the passage of a non-integral frame (5) between the sides to act as a support to maintain the opening (3), and facilitates the folding back of the outer layer (6) beyond the open end (3) prior to sealing the container.

Referring to Figure 6., the container is shown in side view with the outer layer (6) having been folded back overtheframe (5) and sealed, prior to being pulled out through the frame for disposal.

Referring to Figure 7., the container, in an alternative embodiment, is shown in side view with an integral frame (7), being used by hand without a non-integral frame, in a scooping action. After use, sealing and disposal ofthe container takes place by folding back the outer layer beyond the open end.

Alternatively, this integral frame embodiment can be used in conjunction with the non-integral frame.

Various and differing container designs and mate rials thatfall within the scope ofthis alternative design (Figs. 5., 6. and 7.) include those of any suitably flexible and foldable material and the designs permitted by these materials. Also included within this specification are integral and non-integral frames of any shape and material sufficiently suitable to support said container, including frames that are flexible and that are foldable.

1. An erectible container whose sides are interconnected atone end, wherein creases allow the containerto befolded flatandthe arrangement being such that the container can be erected by pressureto the sides, one or more sides having an extension which can be pulled over an open end ofthe container to close it.

2. Acontainerascaimed in Claim 1., wherein a supportframe can hold open the end with the opening, if the container is manufactured from a material that is not substantially rigid.

3. A container as claimed in Claim 1. and Claim 2., wherein the container is held substantially rigid when it is erected.

4. A container as claimed in Claim 1., further including meansfor retaining the extension whilst in

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Disposable scoopicontainer This invention relatèsto an erectable, sealable, disposable scoopicontainer, and is particularly, though not exclusivel,.concerned with a pet-mess scoop. Pet mess scoops already avail'able are, on the whole, rigid plastic manufactured containers. These scoops are, however, relatively expensive and awkward to use. The present invention allows a dirt-free operation with a minimum of mechanicat parts. According to the present invention there is provided a container with one end inter-connected to the sides, and the other end open to provide access to the interior and incorporating an extension which serves as a lid to the open end and which securesfirmlywhen required. If necessary, the container can be provided with the facility of creases to allow the containerto be folded flat and with thefacility of a supportframefor the open end of a container manufactured from a material that is not substantially rigid when erected and the whole arrangement being such thatthe container can be erected when required. If container is collapsed, by taking it in the hand, pressure can be exerted to the sides to open it into a scoop-like receptacle with an open end. By scooping the open and againstan objectintendedto be collected, the object will be forced into the container. Alternatively the container may be used in an upright position and matter dropped into the interior. In order to cover and secure the open end, the extension lid is pulled over the opening and secured to enclose the contents. In orderto provide an erectable and disposable container, the receptacle can be manufactured from a discardable material. Various and differing designs which fall within the scope of this specification include conical, cylindrical and multi-shaped containers, pliable and variously configured whilst fulfilling adequatelythefunctions here described. Also included within the scope ofthis specification are supportframes forthe open end of non-rigid containers, both as an integral part ofthe container and as a separate object overwhich a non-rigid container can be hung. Also included within the scope ofthis specification are extension lids of more than one piece, extending lids that extend from more than one side, lids that are separate and yet fit and secure to the open end, lids that extend to cover the sides and to cover the sides and the ends of the container. Various means of secu ring the extension lid or lids in place and secu ring the receptacle together include, for example, lateral'tags and complimentary slots for receiving and; retaining the tags, shaped and hooked catchesthat inter-lock with reciprocal parts, by the dynamics ofthe container material and design, by adhesive, by friction and by connecting clips. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings: Referring to Figure 1., in a perspective view the containter (1 ) comprises sides and two ends, one of which (illustrated) is open (2), and an extended lid (3), which can be swung overto cover the containter's interior (4). Referring to Figure 2., in side viewthe container (1 ) used in a scooping action collects sample matter (5) in the dirction ofthe arrow. Referring to Figure 3., in side view, sample matter (5) having been scooped or deposited into the interior is covered and sealed by lid (3). Referring to Figure 4., in a plan view of one particular design of the container in its collapsed form, the container comprises folded fiattened sides (1), an end (2) that is open when the container is erected, an extended lid (3), with lateral tag (4), that can be retained by complimentary slot (5), once the lid has been pulled over the open end (2). Referring to Figure 5., in a wide view of an alternative design ofthe container, the container (1) is shown as being constructed from a see-through material in the form of a tube folded back on itself and sealed at one end (2), whilst having an opening atthe other end (3). The space (4) between the sides allows for the passage of a non-integral frame (5) between the sides to act as a support to maintain the opening (3), and facilitates the folding back of the outer layer (6) beyond the open end (3) prior to sealing the container. Referring to Figure 6., the container is shown in side view with the outer layer (6) having been folded back overtheframe (5) and sealed, prior to being pulled out through the frame for disposal. Referring to Figure 7., the container, in an alternative embodiment, is shown in side view with an integral frame (7), being used by hand without a non-integral frame, in a scooping action. After use, sealing and disposal ofthe container takes place by folding back the outer layer beyond the open end. Alternatively, this integral frame embodiment can be used in conjunction with the non-integral frame. Various and differing container designs and mate rials thatfall within the scope ofthis alternative design (Figs. 5., 6. and 7.) include those of any suitably flexible and foldable material and the designs permitted by these materials. Also included within this specification are integral and non-integral frames of any shape and material sufficiently suitable to support said container, including frames that are flexible and that are foldable. CLAIMS

4. A container as claimed in Claim 1., further including meansfor retaining the extension whilst in its position as closing cover.

5. A container as claimed in anyofthe preceding claims wherein the container can be used to scoop up matter via the open end into its interior.

6. Acontainerasclaimed in any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the material offabrication is disposable.

7. A containersubstantially as herein before de scribedwithreferencetotheaccompanying drawings.

8. A storage receptacle constituted by a container as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims.

9. A pet mess scoop constituted by a container as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims.

10. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims formed from a net.

11. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims formed from designs including conical, cylindrical, multi-sided, tri-angular and other shapes and configurations which satisfactorily and adequately fulfil the requirements and features in said preceding claims.

12. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims formed from a pliable and from a non-rigid material.

13. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims offering the combined hereinbefore described features of being 'pop-up' for use, having an extension lid to seal the entrance and to cover the dirtied side, requiring no additional equipment to function as a collector/containerand being disposable.

13. A container as claimed in any ofthe preceding claims wherein a supportframe enables the open end to be kept open, be said frame separate from, or integraltothe container.

14. A container as claimed in Claim 1., wherein the construction material is sufficiently rigid to enable the container to be substantially rigid once erected.

15. A container as claimed in any ofthe preceding claims wherein the extension cover lid is formed from one or more pieces, extending from one or more sides, extending to cover a side or sides, extending to cover side orsides and end, or is separate from and yet fits to the open end.

16. Acontainerasclaimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the means securing the extension lid or lids overthe open end andforsecuringthe containertogether include lateral tags and complimentary slots for receiving and retaining the tags, shaped and hooked catchesthatinter-lockwith reciprocal parts, by the dynamics ofthe material of construction, by adhesive, by friction and by connecting clips and ties.

17. Acontainer as claimed in claim 13., wherein the supportframe is constructed in any shape and from any material sufficiently adequate to supportthe container's open end and to scoop with, including framesthatareflexibleandfoldable.

18. A container substantially as described herein.

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1 to 4 and 11-17 above have been deleted or textually amended.

(b) Newortextuallyamended claims have been filed asfollows: (c) Claim 18 above has been re-numbered as 14 and its appendicies corrected.

1. An erectible containerwhose sides are interconnected at one end, wherein creases allow the container to be folded flat andthearrangement being such thatthe container can be erected by pressure to the sides, one or more sides having an extension of sufficient length to enable the open end and one or more sides to be covered by said extension, for use as a scoop or container, particularlyforthe collection of animal droppings and other debris.

2. A container as claimed in Claim 1., wherein the configuration of folds and material of construction will allowthe container to remain substantially rigid when it is erected.

3. A container as claimed in Claim T,further including means for retained the extension securely while in position overthe open end and side or sides,

4. A container as claimed in any ofthe preceding claims formed from designs including conical, cylindrical, multi-sided, tri-angular and other shapes and configurations which satisfactorily and adequately fulfil the requirements and features in said preceding claims.

11. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the extension cover lid is formed from one or more pieces, extending from one or more sides, extending to cover a side or sides or sides and end, or is separate from and yet fits to the open end.

12. Acontainerasclaimed in anyofthepreceding claims wherein the means of secu ring the extension lid and the means for securing the container together include lateral tags and complimentary slotsfor receiving and retaining the tags, shaped and hooked catchesthatinter-lockwith reciprocal parts, by the design and dynamics ofthe materials employed in construction, by adhesive, by friction and by connecting clipsandties.