US20240237837A1

US20240237837A1 - Scooping Device and Method of Use

Info

Publication number: US20240237837A1
Application number: US18/447,706
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric Berg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Filing date: 2023-08-10
Publication date: 2024-07-18

Abstract

A multifunctional scooping and scraping device for removing and scraping all material from the internal volume of a bucket, bag, or other container. The device has a concave shaped curved base having a pair of side edges and a scooping bottom edge, a top edge has a lip, and a pair of notches are positioned on the opposite ends of the top edge. The scooping bottom edge is designed to effectively scrape the walls and base of the container, ensuring that all material is removed. The lip portion is configured for easy maneuvering, and notches on opposite ends enable for attachment to the rim of a container for easy accessibility.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/439,369, which was filed on Jan. 17, 2023 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of scooping devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel multipurpose scooping device designed for efficiently and effectively removing material from a variety of containers, including buckets and bags. The device can be attached to a rim of a container for easy accessibility and can include a concave shape for the device to assist with easy scraping and collection of material. A lip facilitates easy handling of the device during operation. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, scooping material out of a bucket or other container is often performed by individuals. Commonly, scooping is the act of using a tool to remove material from a container or surface. This can be done with a variety of tools, including spoons, ladles, or specialized scooping devices. The goal of scooping is to remove all of the material from the container or surface, leaving no excess behind.
However, scooping can be a difficult and frustrating task. During scooping, when trying to remove all the material from a container, excess material is often left within the bucket/container, caked within the interior, and/or left stuck on the sides. This can be a problem both in homes and businesses, where every bit of material must be utilized to ensure maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness. In addition, leaving excess material in the bucket can create waste and lead to unnecessary expenses.
One of the main problems with traditional scooping devices like utensils and conventional scrapers is that they are not designed to fully remove all material from the container. They are unable to effectively scrape the walls and base of the container, and the intersection of the walls and the base, leaving behind excess material that is difficult to remove.
Another problem is that traditional scooping devices are difficult to maneuver, especially when trying to remove material from the bottom corners, i.e., seam between the walls and base of the container. Users are required to contort their arms and wrists in uncomfortable positions, leading to discomfort and potentially even injury.
Also, traditional scooping devices are not designed to attach to the rim of the container, which can lead to the device being misplaced or left out of reach when not in use. This can be a problem in industries where time is of the essence and users need to access their tools quickly and easily. Individuals desire an improved scooping device that can overcome the shortcomings of existing scooping device.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a scooping and scraping device that effectively removes and scrapes all material from the internal volume of a bucket, bag, or other container. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved scooping device that can be attached to a rim of a container for easy accessibility. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a scooping device that effectively scrapes internal walls and base of a container. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a scooping device that enables users to easily and safely scoop material out of a container. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a scooping device that can be used both at home and in businesses. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a scooping device that ensures that all material is removed from the bucket or bag to prevent waste and that can be used in multiple purposes.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a portable scooping and scraping device for buckets, bags, and other containers. The scooping device is designed for fully removing and scraping all material from the internal volume of a bucket, bag, or other container. The scooping device features a curved scooping base having a concave inner surface, and an outer surface, the base having a pair of side edges and a bottom scooping edge extending across a bottom end of the pair of side edges; a curved top edge with an elongated lip portion for holding and easily maneuvering the device by a user in operation; and a pair of notches or supporting ears on opposite ends of the top edge for removably attaching the device to the rim of a container. The scooping base can be used for collecting material from a bucket or any other container for fully removing and scraping all material.
In this manner, the multifunctional scooping and scraping device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with an improved scoop for fully removing and scraping all material from the internal volume of a bucket, bag, or other container. The device is easily secured to the rim of a bucket, keeping the device in a secure and easily accessible position. The device can be handled easily using one hand and removes all material from the bucket or bag to prevent waste.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a scooping device for buckets, bags, and other containers. The scooping device is designed for fully removing and scraping all material from the internal volume of a bucket, bag, or other container. The scooping device has one-piece construction and includes a curved scooping base having a concave inner surface, and an outer surface, the base having a pair of side edges and a bottom scooping edge; a curved top edge with an elongated lip portion for holding and maneuvering the device by a user in operation; and a pair of notches on opposite ends of the top edge for removably attaching the device to the rim of a container. The scooping base can be used for collecting material from a bucket or any other container for fully removing and scraping all material therefrom.
In yet another embodiment, a scooping device for removing and scraping material from the internal volume of a container is disclosed. The device comprising a curved scooping base having a concave inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein the concave inner surface is designed to conform to the shape of the internal walls of the container; a curved top edge with an elongated lip portion for holding and maneuvering the device, wherein the lip portion is elongated to enable a user to grip and hold the device comfortably and effectively; a pair of supporting ears or notches on opposite ends of the top edge for attaching the device to the rim of the container, wherein the supporting ears are designed to rest on the rim of the container and enable the device to be attached to the side of the container and kept within an arm's reach and above the contents of the bucket; and the curved scooping base has a first elongated side edge and opposite elongated second side edge, with a scooping bottom edge extending across the bottom ends of the side edges respectively, wherein the scooping bottom edge is designed to scrape the walls and base of the container to remove all the material that is caked on the inside areas of the container.
In yet another embodiment, the first arm or notch is formed by a portion of the first elongated side edge and a first linear extension which extends vertically downwards from a first end of the top edge, wherein the first arm or notch has an associated top edge and longitudinal edges formed by the inner edge of the first linear extension and the portion of the first elongated side edge.
In yet another embodiment, the second arm or notch is formed by a portion of the second elongated side edge and an inner edge of a second linear extension which extends vertically downwards from a second end of the top edge, wherein the first linear extension and the second linear extension are substantially parallel and are generally of the same length and thickness, and wherein the second arm or notch has an associated top edge and longitudinal edges formed by the second linear extension and the portion of the second elongated side edge.
In yet another embodiment, a method removing material from a container is described. The method comprising the steps of providing a container with a rim; providing a scooping device comprising a curved scooping base with a concave shape, a concave inner surface, and an outer surface, a bottom scooping edge; a curved top edge with an elongated lip portion, and a pair of notches on opposite ends of the top edge for attaching the device to the rim of the container; attaching the notches of the scooping device to the rim of the container; and using the bottom scooping edge to remove and scrape material from the internal volume of the container.
In yet another embodiment, the scooping and scraping device of the present invention is easily and efficiently manufactured, marketed, and available to consumers in a cost-effective manner and is easily used by users for removing and scraping all material from the internal volume of a bucket, bag, or other container.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a multipurpose scooping device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the scraping and multipurpose scooping device for a bucket of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture and about to be installed over a rim portion of a bucket;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the multifunctional scooping device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture and installed over a rim portion of a bucket;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing the scooping device of the present invention being inserted into a bucket to lift out material in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the bottom scooping edge of the scraping and scooping device of the present invention used for scraping interior wall of a bucket in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is long felt need in the art for a scooping and scraping device that effectively removes and scrapes all material from the internal volume of a bucket, bag, or other container. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved scooping device that can be attached to a rim of a container for easy accessibility. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a scooping device that effectively scrapes internal walls and base of a container, and the seam formed by the internal walls and the base of the container. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a scooping device that enables users to easily and safely scoop material out of a container. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a scooping device that can be used both at home and in businesses. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a scooping device that ensures that all material is removed from the bucket or bag to prevent waste and that can be used in multiple purposes.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a method for removing material from a container. The method comprising the steps of providing a container with a rim; providing a scooping device comprising a curved scooping base with a concave shape, a concave inner surface, and an outer surface, a bottom scooping edge; a curved top edge with an elongated lip portion, and a pair of notches on opposite ends of the top edge for attaching the device to the rim of the container; attaching the notches of the scooping device to the rim of the container; and using the bottom scooping edge to remove and scrape material from the internal volume of the container.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a multipurpose scooping device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The multipurpose scooping device 100 of the present invention is a scooping device for buckets, bags, and other containers for fully removing and scraping all material from the internal volume of a bucket, a bag, or other container. The scooping device further comprising a curved scooping base 102 having a concave shape, the base having a concave inner surface 104 and an outer surface 106, a curved top edge 108 having an elongated lip portion 110. The lip portion 110 helps a user in holding/grasping and maneuvering the scooping device 100 easily and effectively as illustrated in FIGS. 3-4 .
The scooping base 102 has an elongated first side edge 112 and an opposing elongated second side edge 114, with a scooping bottom edge 116 extending across the bottom between ends 138, 140 of the side edges 112, 114 respectively. The top edge 108 and the scooping bottom edge 116 have substantially the same curvature. The top edge 108 has a pair of notches (or supporting ears) 118, 120 disposed on opposing ends, a first end 122 and an opposite second end 124 thereof. The first notch 118 is formed by a portion 130 of the side edge 112 and a first linear extension 126 which extends vertically downwards from the first end 122. The first notch 118 has an associated top edge 128 and longitudinal edges formed by the inner edge 142 of the first linear extension 126 and the portion 130 of the side edge 112. Similarly, the second notch 120 is formed by a portion 132 of the side edge 114 and inner edge 144 of a second linear extension 134 which extends vertically downwards from the second end 124. The first linear extension 126 and the second linear extension 134 are substantially parallel and are of the same length and thickness. The second notch 120 has an associated top edge 136 and longitudinal edges formed by the second linear extension 134 and the portion 132.
As explained more fully below, the scooping device 100 of the present invention is designed to be mounted on a rim portion of a bucket or any other similar device. The notches 118, 120 rest on the rim portion of the bucket that enable the device 100 to be attached to the side of the bucket and keep the scooping device 100 within an arm's reach. The bottom scooping edge 116 of the base 102 is designed such that the scraping edge 116 scrapes the walls and base of a bucket to remove all the material that is caked or adhered on the inside areas of the bucket as illustrated in FIG. 4 .
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the scraping and scooping device for a bucket of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture and about to be installed over a rim portion of a bucket. Although the bucket 200 is illustrated in the present embodiment, it is to be understood that any bag, container, and the like can be used with the scooping device 100. More specifically, a user (not shown) attaches the device 100 to the bucket 200 by placing the notches 118, 120 over the rim portion 202 of the bucket 200 (in the direction shown by arrow “A”) such that the curved base 102 is positioned on the interior 204 of the bucket 200 with the side edges 112, 114 touching the interior wall 206 of the bucket 200. The first linear extension 126 and the second linear extension 134 are positioned on the exterior 208 of the bucket 200 such that top edge 128 of the first notch 118 rests on the rim portion 202 of the bucket 200. Similarly, the top edge 136 of the second notch 120 rests on the rim portion 202, thereby both the notches 118, 120 assist in keeping the scoop device 100 in a secure and easily accessible position.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the multifunctional scooping device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture and installed over a rim portion of a bucket. The scooping device 100 is removably placed on the rim portion 202 such that the curved base 102 is positioned on the interior 204 of the bucket 200 with the side edges 112, 114 touching the interior wall 206 of the bucket 200. There is a gap 302 disposed between the lip portion 110 and the rim portion 202 of the bucket 200 enabling a user to easily hold the scooping device 100 and remove from the bucket 200.
The top edges 128, 136 of the notches 118, 120 respectively rest on the rim 202, thereby providing stability to the device 100 and enabling users to keep the scoop in a secure and easily accessible position. The device 100 can be of any size to meet requirements of scraping and scooping buckets and other containers of different sizes. Further, the scooping device 100 comes in different colors, designs, and is preferably made from heavy-duty plastic but can also be made of wood, metal, or any other known material known in the art. The multifunctional scooping device 100 of the present invention is stackable and therefore, enables easy transportation and storage.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing the scooping device of the present invention being inserted into a bucket to lift out material in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In use, for scooping material, the scooping device 100 is held in a hand 402 by a user using the lip 110 with the concave shaped rear surface 104 upwards. At least a portion of the curved base 102 including the bottom scooping edge 116 is submerged in the material 404 enabling the concave shape of the base 102 to collect material thereon and then, the device 100 is pulled from the material 404. The concave shape of the base 102 and lip 110 along with the top edge 108 prevents the collected material from falling and helps in removing material fully from the internal volume of a bucket, bag, or other container.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the bottom scooping edge of the scraping and scooping device of the present invention used for scraping interior wall of a bucket in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The scraping and scooping device 100 provides the advantage of scraping out all the material caked or adhered on the wall and base of the bucket, container, and the like. As illustrated, the scooping edge 116 is transversely positioned against the interior wall 206 at a desired angle with the edge 116 abutting against the wall 206, thereby enabling a user to move the scooping edge 116 along the wall 206 to scrape out any material 502 stuck to the wall 206 and to collect same on the rear surface 104 to completely remove the material.
The curved shape of the bottom edge 116 enables effective scraping of the material ensuring all material is removed from the bucket 200 or bag to prevent wastage of material. Further, the bottom scooping edge 116 is smooth and therefore, does not damage the bucket 200.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “scraping and scooping device”, “scooping device”, “multifunctional scooping device”, “device”, and “improved bucket scooping device” are interchangeable and refer to the multifunctional scooping and scraping device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the multifunctional scooping and scraping device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the multifunctional scooping and scraping device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the multifunctional scooping and scraping device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the multifunctional scooping and scraping device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the multifunctional scooping and scraping device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A scooping device comprising:

a curved scooping base including a concave shape, wherein said curved scooping base having a concave inner surface, a convex outer surface, and a curved top edge including an elongated lip portion;

wherein said lip portion providing a user a handhold for maneuvering said scooping device;

wherein said curved scooping base having an elongated first side edge, an opposing elongated second side edge, and a scooping bottom edge extending across a bottom between opposing ends of said first side edge and said second side edge;

wherein said curved top edge and said scooping bottom edge having substantially the same curvature;

wherein said top edge having a first notch and a second notch disposed on opposing ends of said top edge;

wherein said first notch formed from a portion of said elongated first side edge and a first linear extension extending vertically downwards from a first end of said top edge;

wherein said second notch formed from a portion of said elongated second side edge and a second linear extension extending vertically downwards from a second end of said top edge; and

further wherein said first notch and said second notch rest on a rim portion of a container for attaching said scooping device to the rim portion in a stored position.

2. The scooping device of claim 1, wherein said scooping bottom edge having a scraping edge for scraping a wall and a base of the container.

3. The scooping device of claim 2, wherein said first notch having a first top edge and longitudinal edges formed by an inner edge of said first linear extension and said portion of said elongated first side edge.

4. The scooping device of claim 3, wherein said second notch having a first top edge and longitudinal edges formed by an inner edge of said second linear extension and said portion of said elongated second side edge.

5. The scooping device of claim 4, wherein said first linear extension and said second linear extension are substantially parallel.

6. The scooping device of claim 5, wherein said first linear extension and said second linear extension are of the same length and thickness.

7. The scooping device of claim 6, wherein said container is selected from a group consisting of a bucket and a bag.

8. The scooping device of claim 7, wherein said curved scooping base is positioned on an interior of said container when said first notch and said second notch placed over the rim portion of said container when said scooping device is in the stored position.

9. The scooping device of claim 8, wherein said first side edge and said second side edge in contact with an interior wall of said container when said first notch and said second notch placed over the rim portion of said container when said scooping device is in the stored position.

10. The scooping device of claim 9, wherein said first linear extension and said second linear extension are positioned on an exterior of said container.

11. The scooping device of claim 10, wherein said top edge of said first notch rests on the rim portion of said container and said top edge of said second notch rests on the rim portion of said container.

12. A scooping device comprising:

wherein said second notch formed from a portion of said elongated second side edge and a second linear extension extending vertically downwards from a second end of said top edge;

wherein said first notch and said second notch rest on a rim portion of a bucket for attaching said scooping device to the rim portion in a stored position;

wherein said first linear extension and said second linear extension are substantially parallel; and

further wherein said first linear extension and said second linear extension are of the same length and thickness.

13. The scooping device of claim 12, wherein said scooping bottom edge having a scraping edge for scraping a wall and a base of the container.

14. The scooping device of claim 13, wherein said first notch having a first top edge and longitudinal edges formed by an inner edge of said first linear extension and said portion of said elongated first side edge.

15. The scooping device of claim 14, wherein said second notch having a first top edge and longitudinal edges formed by an inner edge of said second linear extension and said portion of said elongated second side edge.

16. The scooping device of claim 15, wherein said curved scooping base is positioned on an interior of said container when said first notch and said second notch placed over the rim portion of said container when said scooping device is in the stored position.

17. The scooping device of claim 16, wherein said first side edge and said second side edge in contact with an interior wall of said container when said first notch and said second notch placed over the rim portion of said container when said scooping device is in the stored position.

18. The scooping device of claim 17, wherein said first linear extension and said second linear extension are positioned on an exterior of said container.

19. The scooping device of claim 18, wherein said top edge of said first notch rests on the rim portion of said container and said top edge of said second notch rests on the rim portion of said container.

20. A scooping device comprising:

wherein said first linear extension and said second linear extension are substantially parallel;

wherein said first linear extension and said second linear extension are of the same length and thickness; and

further wherein said curved scooping base is positioned on an interior of said container when said first notch and said second notch placed over the rim portion of said container when said scooping device is in the stored position.