THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the cup-shaped drain, the neck, the flared portion and scraper. FIG. 1 also shows an example splash guard of a sink mounted garbage disposal and waste items that are being scraped into the disposal.
FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of the present invention showing how the handle attaches to the neck.
FIG. 3 is perspective view of the present invention showing the alternative elastomeric handle and stopper and how it is secured to the neck by a screw.
FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway front view of the neck, flared portion and scraper portion of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective exploded view of the neck, flared portion and scraper portion of the present invention showing how the flared portion and the scraper portion are detachable from the bottom of the neck and held together by a screw and how the top portion is secured to the drain/handle by a screw.
FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the neck, flared portion and scraper portion of the present invention showing how the flared portion is detachable from the neck and how a screw holds the pieces together.
FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the flared portion and the scraper portion of the present invention showing how the scraper portion is detachable from the flared portion and how a screw holds the pieces together.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Turning to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 one embodiment of the present invention, a combination garbage disposal safety poker and scraper 10. The safety poker/scraper 10 may have a cup-shaped drain 12 disposed between the neck 14 and the handle 16, capable of forming a seal if the drain 12 is twisted so that the holes 11 in the drain 12 are blocked by a metal piece (not shown) that sits underneath the drain. The safety poker/scraper 10 may also have a handle 16 attached to the top with no drain. The safety poker/scraper may also have a flexible cap 18 with integral handle 20 attached to the top as reflected in FIG. 3.
The combination safety poker/scraper 10 comprises at least four pieces, including an elongated, cylindrical neck 14 having a top end and a bottom end, the outwardly flared portion 22, the scraper portion 24 and one of the interchangeable drains/handles attached to the top. As best shown in FIGS. 5 through 7, the flared portion 22 and the scraper portion 24 may be detachable and connected to the bottom end of the neck 14 by a screw 26 that goes in through the bottom of the scraper portion 24. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the handle 16 and/or drain 12 and/or flexible cap 18 may be secured to the top end of the neck 14 by a double edged screw that screws into the neck and the handle and/or drain 28.
The flared portion 22 and scraper portion 24 may be made of a more pliable material than the neck 14. The cap 18 may be made of any elastomeric material.
The invention works in the following manner. The scraper portion 24 is used to collect the food and wastes 32 that gathers in the sink 34. The scraper portion 24 pushes these materials 32 into the garbage disposal. The scraper portion 24 can also be used to scrape food off dishes. Once the safety poker/scraper 10 is in the garbage disposal, it can be pushed down so that the device 10 pushes all waste materials 32 toward the blades of the garbage disposal.
Other modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention are contemplated which do not depart from the scope of the invention as defined by the foregoing teachings and appended claims. It is intended that the claims cover all such modifications that fall within their scope.
Patent Application
20080072387
