GB2249470A - Folding scoop - Google Patents

Abstract

A Folding Scoop for hand hold use, particularly designed for collecting animal faeces, comprises a generally triangular scoop area 13 open along its base edge 11, two side walls 18 which bend upwards from the outer two edges of the triangular area 13 and a handle 23 formed by projections 21 of the two side walls which meet face to face to project rearwardly at the apex of the scoop area 13. <IMAGE>

Description

Foldina Scoop This invention relates to a folding scoop device, and a flat blank therefor, particularly useful for collecting animal faeces.

There are commonly byelaws in force in urban parks and other public places requiring animal owners to remove faeces left by their pets. It is convenient for owners to have available a disposable scoop, and these are sometimes publicly provided together with a disposal bin. Previously known scoops of cardboard have been relatively complex to assemble. The invention aims to provide a simpler form of scoop which is more easily prepared for use.

Accordingly the invention proposes a cardboard scoop having a generally triangular scoop area open along its base edge, two side walls bent upwards from the other two edges of the triangular area, and a handle formed by projections of the two side walls which meet faceto-face to project rearwardly at the apex of the scoop area.

'The invention also proposes a cardboard blank to form a scoop-like article, comprising a card of generally symmetrical trapezoid shape having two ends and two sides, two first fold lines defining a first area of generally isosceles triangle shape with its base side along one end of the card and its apex closer to the opposite end of the card, two second fold lines extending from the apex to the two sides of the card, and at least one cut from the apex to said opposite end of the card.

Preferably, the apex lies about three-quarters of the distance along the card, and all the folds and cut(s) are symmetrical about a line which divides the card in two end-to-end. The side of the first generally triangular area may be curved so that the area is akin to a sector of a circle.

In use, the second areas between the second fold lines and the cut(s) are folded downwards, and then the third areas of card between first and the second fold lines are folded upwards either side of the triangular area until the top surfaces of the two second areas meet face-to-face and form a projecting handle.

Although the terms 'cardboard' and 'card' have been used, it should be understood that these words may be understood to cover other suitabl;e sheet materials of similar physical characteristics, such as a selfsupporting plastic sheet.

In order that the invention shall be clearly understood, an exemplary embodiment will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a cardboard blank according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the scoop folded from the blank; and Figure 3 shows an alternative blank.

The blank 10 in Figure 1 is generally square, with one edge 11 curved. It has a first pair of fold lines 12 which delimit a sector-shaped area 13, of which the centre or apex 14 lies on the mid-line about threequarters of the way towards the edge 15 of the card opposite to edge 11. The area 13 forms the scoop surface.

A second pair of fold lines 16 extend from the apex 14 to the side edges 17 of the card. The areas 18 between the fold lines 12 and the fold lines 16 from side walls to the scoop surface 13 g n folded upwards.

A V-shaped notch is formed by two cuts 20 extending from the apex 14 to the edge 15, in turn forming two handle areas 21 bounded by the cuts 20 and the fold lines 16. A spot 22 is marked in each area 21. The notch allows the two handle areas 21 to be brought together with the spots 22 face-to-face when the areas 18 are bent up. Areas 21 must at that time be correspondingly be bent down.

If the blanks are dispensed from a stack in a gravity fed hopper, it is helpful to provide serrations 25 along the side edges, these tend to interengage on adjacent cards so that withdrawal of one card from the 'dispenser tends to also draw the next card towards the exit, ready for the next user.

The resultant disposable scoop is shown in Figure 2.

The handle portion 23 is gripped between thumb and forefinger. After use, the scoop and its contents are thrown in a refuse bin.

An alternative shape of blank is shown in Figure 3.

Like reference numbers refer to parts similar to those in Figure 1 where possible. Edge 11 is straight in this case, and only a single cut 20 is made. The operation and use are identical, but less card is required and shapes of a number of blanks can tessellate to avoid wastage. The disadvantage of this shape is that the sloping sides 17 make it more difficult to hold the blanks in a dispenser device.

The scoops may have other uses, for example in food handling.

Claims (5)

1. A Folding Scoop for hand held use specifically designed for collecting animal faeces. Comprising a generally triangular scoop area open along its base edge, two side walls which bend upwards from the other two edges of the triangular area and a handle formed by projections of the two side walls which meet face to face to project rearwardly at the apex of the scoop area.

2. A Folding Scoop as claimed in Claim 1 made of disposable card (or any ";er suitable material e.g. paper, plastic), that can be machined to allow its shaping and folding.

3. A Folding Scoop as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 which during its manufacture is marked or printed with reference marks, words, symbols and spots to guide the user on construction.

4. A Folding Scoop as Claimed in 2 and 3 which is assembled by folding the two side walls upwards thereby automatically creating the scoop shape, and drawing together the handle projections that meet face to face.

5. A Folding Scoop as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 on the accompanying drawing.