Flexible Scooping and Scraping Utensil

Abstract

A utensil includes a first portion comprising a scoop having an open end adapted to receive material, the open end having a selected shape in cross section, and a second portion comprising a funnel that is tapered to a neck adapted to discharge material. The scoop has upper edges that define an open area of the scoop, and the upper edges merge together in a V groove at a selected angle at a transition of the scoop to the funnel. The utensil has a selected flexibility allows the utensil to respond to a force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by a change shape of the utensil, and a selected resiliency that allows the utensil to return substantially to an original shape upon removing the force. The utensil may be used for transferring ground, powdered, particulate, loose, etc., material to and from containers, receptacles, and the like.

Description

FIELD

The invention generally relates to scooping utensils. More specifically, the invention relates to a utensil with features for scooping, funnelling, and optionally scraping operations.

BACKGROUND

Consumption of plant material such as tobacco by combustion in smoking pipes and other devices typically requires that the plant material be transferred from a container to the pipe or other device. Depending on the type of plant material or the circumstances in which it is being consumed, a user may prefer to avoid using fingers/thumb to transfer the plant material to the pipe or other device, since this can leave residue and odour on the skin. Furthermore, use of fingers/thumb often results in waste due to spillage, and does not easily facilitate transferring small amounts as the container becomes empty. Although various articles for operations such as scooping and funneling of particulate material have been proposed, most are general purpose in design and are not suitable for such a unique application.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a utensil, comprising: a first portion comprising a scoop having an open end adapted to receive material, the open end having a selected shape in cross section; a second portion comprising a funnel that is tapered to a neck adapted to discharge material; wherein the scoop has upper edges that define an open area of the scoop, and the upper edges merge together in a V groove at a selected angle at a transition of the scoop to the funnel; wherein the utensil has mechanical characteristics comprising selected flexibility and resiliency; wherein the selected flexibility allows the utensil to respond to a force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by a change shape of the utensil and the selected resiliency allows the utensil to return substantially to an original shape upon removing the force.

In one embodiment the selected shape of the open end of the scoop comprises a rounded shape in cross section.

In one embodiment the rounded shape comprises an arc of about 150 to about 180 degrees.

In one embodiment the first portion comprising the scoop has a first substantially longitudinal axis; wherein the second portion comprising the funnel has a second substantially longitudinal axis;

wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are not colinear.

In one embodiment the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are offset by a selected angle.

In one embodiment the selected angle is about 5 to about 25 degrees.

In one embodiment the selected angle of the V groove comprises an angle of about 30 to about 60 degrees.

In one embodiment the neck of the funnel is adapted to receive a smoking roll over at least a portion of its outer surface in a friction fit.

In one embodiment the smoking roll comprises a paper or hemp roll or cone.

In one embodiment the utensil responds to a force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by a change in the selected shape of the open end of the scoop.

In one embodiment the utensil responds to a force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by a change in a shape or diameter of the neck of the funnel.

In one embodiment the upper edges that define an open area of the scoop merge together in a V groove at a selected angle at a transition of the scoop to the funnel and the upper edges overlap along an entire length of the neck of the funnel; wherein the utensil responds to force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by the overlapping upper edges sliding past each other to change shape of the utensil.

In one embodiment the neck of the funnel is adapted to removably receive a third portion comprising a scraper.

In one embodiment the neck of the funnel is adapted to removably receive the third portion comprising a scraper in a friction sliding fit.

One embodiment further comprises a third portion comprising a scraper removably received by the neck of the funnel.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for implementing a scooping utensil, comprising: providing a first portion comprising a scoop having an open end adapted to receive material, the open end having a selected shape in cross section; providing a second portion comprising a funnel that is tapered to a neck adapted to discharge material; wherein the scoop has upper edges that define an open area of the scoop, and the upper edges merge together in a V groove at a selected angle at a transition of the scoop to the funnel; wherein the utensil has mechanical characteristics comprising selected flexibility and resiliency; wherein the selected flexibility allows the utensil to respond to a force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by a change shape of the utensil and the selected resiliency allows the utensil to return substantially to an original shape upon removing the force.

In one embodiment of the method the selected shape of the open end of the scoop comprises a rounded shape in cross section.

In one embodiment of the method the rounded shape comprises an arc of about 150 to about 180 degrees.

In one embodiment of the method the first portion comprising the scoop has a first substantially longitudinal axis; wherein the second portion comprising the funnel has a second substantially longitudinal axis; wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are not colinear.

In one embodiment of the method the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are offset by a selected angle.

In one embodiment of the method the selected angle is about 5 to about 25 degrees.

In one embodiment of the method the selected angle of the V groove comprises an angle of about 30 to about 60 degrees.

In one embodiment of the method the neck of the funnel is adapted to receive a smoking roll over at least a portion of its outer surface in a friction fit.

In one embodiment of the method the smoking roll comprises a paper or hemp roll or cone.

In one embodiment of the method the utensil responds to a force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by a change in the selected shape of the open end of the scoop.

In one embodiment of the method the utensil responds to a force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by a change in a shape or diameter of the neck of the funnel.

In one embodiment of the method the upper edges that define an open area of the scoop merge together in a V groove at a selected angle at a transition of the scoop to the funnel and the upper edges overlap along an entire length of the neck of the funnel; wherein the utensil responds to force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by the overlapping upper edges sliding past each other to change shape of the utensil.

In one embodiment of the method the neck of the funnel is adapted to removably receive a third portion comprising a scraper.

In one embodiment of the method the neck of the funnel is adapted to removably receive the third portion comprising a scraper in a friction sliding fit.

In one embodiment the method further comprises providing a third portion comprising a scraper removably received by the neck of the funnel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a greater understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, embodiments will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a utensil including scoop and funnel portions, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the utensil of FIG. 1, wherein arrows indicate where external forces may be applied, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a funnel portion of a scooping and scraping utensil wherein the funnel portion is resiliently deformed as a result of externally applied force, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams of a utensil including scoop and funnel portions, and a detachable scraper portion, wherein portions are shown separated and joined together, respectively, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a utensil including scoop and funnel portions, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments described herein provide a utensil for scooping and funneling, and optionally scraping, for use in transferring ground, powdered, particulate, loose, etc., material to and from containers, receptacles, and the like. Embodiments are suitable for transferring plant material such as tobacco from a container to a receptacle such as a bowl of a smoking pipe or other device. Embodiments are also suitable for filling smoking rolls, such as paper or hemp rolls, pre-rolled paper or hemp cones, etc., with plant material such as tobacco.

According to one embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, a utensil includes a scoop portion 110 and funnel portion 120. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the scoop portion 110 has a scoop end 114 that is rounded, e.g., circular or semi-circular in cross-section. For example, the semi-circular cross-section may encompass an arc of 150-180°. The scoop end 114 may have an edge that is tapered (i.e., bevelled) to a fine edge to improve scooping of small particles. The funnel portion 120 tapers to a neck 112 of the funnel, which also serves as a handle. In some embodiments the neck 112 may be of a substantially uniform diameter along at least a portion of its length. In some embodiments an inner diameter of the neck 112 may be about 5 mm to about 10 mm, or about 7 mm to about 8 mm.

Embodiments may be made of a resilient flexible plastic material. Consequently, in use, applying force to the scoop portion 110 and/or the funnel portion 120 may cause it to deform, and it will return substantially to its original shape upon releasing the force. In FIG. 2 arrows 205a and 205b, 207a and 207b, and 200 show non-limiting examples of where force may be applied to cause a selected deformation of the scoop and/or funnel. For example, applying force in the direction of arrow 200 will compress the scoop portion against a below surface, causing the scoop portion 110 to flatten or spread and conform at least partially to a flat or curved shape of the surface (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3), such as a container, thereby facilitating the scooping of most or all of the material, particularly fine particles.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the scoop portion 110 has upper edges 116a and 116b that may, at least partially, define a profile of the scoop and funnel. As the upper edges 116a and 116b approach the handle 112 they merge together in a “V” or “U” shape, referred to herein as a V groove 118. The V groove 118 may have an angle of about 30 to about 60°, or about 40 to about 50°, e.g., about 45°, between upper edges 116a and 116b of the funnel portion. The V groove 118 registers with a user's finger or thumb, allowing the user to apply force to the scoop portion 110 when scooping material. In this way sufficient force may be applied to deform the scoop portion 110 to cause it to deform, e.g., as shown in FIG. 3, to aid in scooping material. Provision of the V-groove 118 ensures that the scoop portion 110 and/or funnel portion 120 will deform upon applying force by allowing it to flex. For example, the apex of the V groove may function as a hinge, allowing the upper edges 116a and 116b to move together or apart, depending on the direction of force applied. As shown in FIG. 2, force may be applied from different directions, such as from above the V groove (e.g., FIG. 2, arrow 200), or from the sides (e.g., FIG. 2, arrows 205a, 205b, or arrows 207a, 207b), resulting in a respective flattening or narrowing deformation of different areas of the scoop portion 110 and/or funnel portion 120. In some embodiments greater deformation may be achieved toward the open end 114 of the scoop portion 110. Upon releasing the force, the utensil substantially or completely returns to its original shape.

In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 1, the upper edges 116a and 116b lie substantially in a plane when the scoop portion 110 is not deformed as a result of applied force. Also, as evident in the embodiment shown FIG. 1, a longitudinal axis defining the scoop portion 110 is not colinear with a longitudinal axis defining the neck 112. That is, the two longitudinal axes may be offset with respect to each other by a selected angle, for example, about 5 to about 25°, such that the handle/neck 112 rises above the scoop portion 110. The angled offset of the handle/neck 112 provides at least two advantages: it allows a user to have clear view of the scooping area while holding the utensil, and it allows the end of the handle/neck 112 to clear the edge of a container while scooping material.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B includes a removable scraper portion 430. FIG. 4A shows the scraper portion separated from the scoop/funnel portions 110/120, and FIG. 4B shows the portions joined together. In this embodiment the hollow neck or handle 112 of the funnel portion 120 is adapted to receive a smaller diameter extension 432 of the scraper portion 430 in a snug sliding fit. In some embodiments a raised boss or key 433 on the extension 432 registers with a corresponding keyway (not shown) formed inside the hollow handle 112, which prevents rotation of the scraper portion 430 relative to the funnel portion 120 when the two portions are fully engaged. The extension 432 conveniently serves as a scraper handle for scraping operations when the scraper portion 430 is separated from the funnel portion 120.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B the scraper portion 430 has a scraper end 434 that may be substantially flat. The scraper end 434 may be used to scrape material that is adhered to a surface or container, and may be used to transfer smaller amounts of material from a container to a receptable. In some embodiments the scraper end 434 may have a leading edge 436 that is bevelled, to facilitate scraping. The scraper portion 430 may be used when separated from the scoop/funnel portions 110/120, or it may be used when the two portions are engaged. In the latter case, the scoop/funnel portions 110/120 serve as a handle to provide the user with better grip, and the V-groove registers with the user's finger to aid grip and control.

The scoop/funnel portions 110/120 and the scraper portion 430 may be made from a plastic, i.e., polymeric material using any suitable manufacturing technique, such as, but not limited to, 3D printing, casting, molding, forming, etc. The scoop/funnel portion 110/120 may have selected properties of flexibility and resiliency which convey suitable characteristics for the fit and separability of portions 120 and 430, and further flexibility features of the scoop and funnel as described above. In some embodiments, the scraper portion 430 may be made from the same plastic material as the scoop/funnel portions 110/120. However, for other embodiments it may be desirable for the scraper portion 430 to be less flexible than the scoop/funnel portions and accordingly it may be made from a plastic material having different properties. Selected mechanical properties of flexibility and resiliency of the scoop/funnel portions 110/120 and the scraper portion 430 may be achieved by, for example, adjusting one or more of thickness of the plastic material and the ratio of yield strength, which reflects how strong or weak the plastic material is, to the elastic modulus, which is a measure of how stiff the plastic material is.

As noted above, the hollow neck/handle 112 also forms the neck of the funnel portion 120 from which scooped material may be dispensed when the scraper portion 430 is separated therefrom. For example, a paper or hemp roll or cone, such as those used in preparing cigarettes and the like, may be slipped over the open end of the handle 112 so that scooped material may be transferred through the handle 112 into the roll. In one embodiment, the handle 112 has an outer diameter that accommodates various sizes of rolls used preparing cigarettes and the like. For example, the outer diameter may be about 5 to about 15 mm, or about 7 to about 13 mm, or about 8 to about 10 mm. In some embodiments the handle 112 is tapered, such that the outer diameter becomes smaller distally from the open end of the scoop. For example, the handle may taper from about 15 mm to about 5 mm, or about 13 mm to about 7 mm, or about 10 mm to about 8 mm. A tapered handle may advantageously accommodate different sizes of rolls and cones. Further, as noted above, the funnel portion is flexible, so that when pinched together, e.g., by exerting force in the vicinity of arrows 207a and 207b in FIG. 2, the handle diameter may be reduced by a small amount. In this state a roll may be applied and upon releasing the force the handle substantially regains its original size, thereby gripping and holding the inner surface of the applied roll. The roll may be removed by gently pulling it away, or by re-exerting force to the funnel portion 120 in the vicinity of arrows 207a and 207b in FIG. 2 to release the grip.

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. This embodiment may optionally be used with or include a removable scraper portion such as that described in the above embodiments. According to this embodiment, the scoop portion 510 has upper edges 516a and 516b that merge together and overlap, forming a V groove as described above, wherein the overlap of the edges, shown at 519, is continuous over the length of the handle/neck 512 of the funnel portion 520. The overlap 519 may be formed without fixing together the edges or their overlapping surfaces, thereby allowing the overlapping surfaces to move relative to each other. Accordingly, upon applying force to the funnel portion 520, such as by pinching in the vicinity of the V groove (see, e.g., arrows 507a, 507b), the overlap 519 permits the overlapping surfaces of the handle 512 to slide past each other which results in a decrease in the diameter of the handle 512. In some embodiments the decrease in diameter of the handle 512 may be greatest at the end 512a, resulting in a tapering of the handle 512 toward the open end 512a. Upon releasing the force, the funnel portion substantially or completely returns to its original shape. Thus, upon applying such force, a roll may be applied and upon releasing the force the handle 512 substantially regains its original size, thereby gripping and holding the inner surface of the applied roll. The roll may be removed by gently pulling it away, or by re-exerting force to release the handle's grip on the roll.

EQUIVALENTS

It will be appreciated that modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited by the specific embodiments set forth but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the teachings of the description as a whole.

Claims

1. A utensil, comprising: a first portion comprising a scoop having an open end adapted to receive material, the open end having a selected shape in cross section;a second portion comprising a funnel that is tapered to a neck adapted to discharge material;wherein the scoop has upper edges that define an open area of the scoop, and the upper edges merge together in a V groove at a selected angle at a transition of the scoop to the funnel;wherein the utensil has mechanical characteristics comprising selected flexibility and resiliency;wherein the selected flexibility allows the utensil to respond to a force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by a change shape of the utensil and the selected resiliency allows the utensil to return substantially to an original shape upon removing the force.

2. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the selected shape of the open end of the scoop comprises a rounded shape in cross section.

3. The utensil of claim 2, wherein the rounded shape comprises an arc of about 150 to about 180 degrees.

4. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprising the scoop has a first substantially longitudinal axis; wherein the second portion comprising the funnel has a second substantially longitudinal axis;wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are not colinear.

5. The utensil of claim 4, wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are offset by a selected angle.

6. The utensil of claim 5, wherein the selected angle is about 5 to about 25 degrees.

7. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the selected angle of the V groove comprises an angle of about 30 to about 60 degrees.

8. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the neck of the funnel is adapted to receive a smoking roll over at least a portion of its outer surface in a friction fit.

9. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the utensil responds to a force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by at least one of a change in the selected shape of the open end of the scoop and a change in a shape or diameter of the neck of the funnel.

10. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the upper edges that define an open area of the scoop merge together in a V groove at a selected angle at a transition of the scoop to the funnel and the upper edges overlap along an entire length of the neck of the funnel; wherein the utensil responds to force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by the overlapping upper edges sliding past each other to change shape of the utensil.

11. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the neck of the funnel is adapted to removably receive a third portion comprising a scraper.

12. The utensil of claim 1, further comprising a third portion comprising a scraper removably received by the neck of the funnel.

13. A method for implementing a scooping utensil, comprising: providing a first portion comprising a scoop having an open end adapted to receive material, the open end having a selected shape in cross section;providing a second portion comprising a funnel that is tapered to a neck adapted to discharge material;wherein the scoop has upper edges that define an open area of the scoop, and the upper edges merge together in a V groove at a selected angle at a transition of the scoop to the funnel;wherein the utensil has mechanical characteristics comprising selected flexibility and resiliency;wherein the selected flexibility allows the utensil to respond to a force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by a change shape of the utensil and the selected resiliency allows the utensil to return substantially to an original shape upon removing the force.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first portion comprising the scoop has a first substantially longitudinal axis; wherein the second portion comprising the funnel has a second substantially longitudinal axis;wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are not colinear.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the selected angle of the V groove comprises an angle of about 30 to about 60 degrees.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the neck of the funnel is adapted to receive a smoking roll over at least a portion of its outer surface in a friction fit.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the utensil responds to a force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by a change in the selected shape of the open end of the scoop.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the utensil responds to a force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by at least one of a change in the selected shape of the open end of the scoop and a change in a shape or diameter of the neck of the funnel.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the upper edges that define an open area of the scoop merge together in a V groove at a selected angle at a transition of the scoop to the funnel and the upper edges overlap along an entire length of the neck of the funnel; wherein the utensil responds to force applied to a vicinity of the V groove by the overlapping upper edges sliding past each other to change shape of the utensil.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the neck of the funnel is adapted to removably receive a third portion comprising a scraper.