BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a waste scoop.
FIG. 2 is top view of a portion of the scoop.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the scoop's front segment with a part of the co-molding removed to illustrate an extension of the front segment.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the front segment and receptacle of the scoop.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention discloses a waste removal scoop 10 (such as a litter scoop). The scoop 10 includes a soft edge that flexes when removing waste from a litter box (not shown). The soft edge is further discussed below. The scoop 10 generally allows a user to remove waste from the litter box without ripping or tearing a liner contained therein.
The scoop 10 is now discussed with respect to FIG. 1, which is a perspective view of the scoop 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the scoop 10 includes a handle 12 and a head 14 extending from the handle.
Still referring to FIG.1, the head 14 includes a receptacle 16 and a front segment 18. The front segment 18 may be softer than the receptacle 16. In the exemplary embodiment, the receptacle 16 includes a base 20, sidewalls 22 and a back wall 24. The base 20 includes a back end 26, sides 28, and a front end 30. The sidewalls 22 extend in an upward direction from the sides 28 of the base 20. The back wall 24 extends in an upward direction from the back end 26 of the base 20. Likewise, the front segment 18 extends in a forward direction from the front end 30 of the base 20. The head 14 is preferably slotted with slots or elongated apertures 32 that may be arranged along the sidewalls 22, and/or along the base 20. Additionally, the slots 32 may be arranged along the back wall 24. The slots 32 may permit sifting waste from litter pellets in the litter box.
The majority of the scoop 10, including the handle 12, base 20 and extension 44 (discussed below), is formed from a plastic in the present embodiment.
The front segment 18 is shown in FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 2 is a top view of a portion of the exemplary scoop 10 showing the front segment 18, which generally refers to a co-molded, co-extruded or (in certain embodiments) coated portion of the receptacle 16. In the exemplary embodiment, the front segment 18 includes a first end 34 and a second end 36. The first end 34 of the front segment 18 is adjacent the front end 30 of the base 20. A flexible hinge 38 may be formed at the juncture between the first end 34 and base 20. Further, the first end terminates in an edge tip 42.
Still referring to FIGS. 2-4, the flexible hinge 38 may be thinner in the cross section than the receptacle 16 and may be initially molded or formed in this manner with the receptacle. Alternatively, in a multi-step molding process the flexible hinge may be formed by thinning either the extension 44 (discussed below) or receptacle 16. Since the flexible hinge 38 is thinner in cross section than the receptacle 16, the scoop 10 may flex and bend at the hinge. Typically, a material thickness of the receptacle 16 is greater than the material thickness of the flexible hinge 38 to facilitate this flexing.
Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, an extension 44 may project forward from the flexible hinge 38. The extension 44 may be of approximately the same thickness as the flexible hinge 38 or, in some embodiments, may be somewhat thicker. One or more apertures 46 may be formed in the extension 44. By forming apertures in the extension, the overall flexibility and/or ability of the extension to bend upward or downward along its longitudinal axis may be enhanced as less material may resist this bending. (Generally, the longitudinal axis of the extension 44 and overall scoop 10 is parallel to the handle 12.) The extension is formed of the same material as the scoop base 20 and is typically molded simultaneously with the rest of the scoop 10. Thus, in the present embodiment the extension is unitary with the rest of the scoop 10 and in particular with the scoop base 20, albeit thinner in cross-section as shown particularly in FIG. 4.
Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the front segment 18 (that is, the portion of the scoop 10 forward from the flexible hinge 38) may be formed from not only the extension 44, but a soft elastomeric material 40, such as a polymeric material like a plastic or rubber. In another embodiment, the front segment material may be a silicon material. In still another embodiment, the front segment material may include any material that allows the front segment 18 to slide across the surface of the litter box liner in a smooth manner so as not to tear or rip the liner. Generally, the front segment is not coated with the elastomeric or other front segment material, but instead molded from such material. The front segment material may generally terminate at or about the flexible hinge 38 or first end 34. In particular, the elastomeric material 40 is typically co-molded about and with the extension 44, such that the two materials are pressed in a single mold. (In alternative embodiments, the elastomeric material 44 may be coated or molded about the extension 44 in an operation separate from the molding of the extension itself.) In addition to being generally softer than the extension, the elastomeric material is also typically more flexible. Thus, the co-molded front segment 18 generally flexes and/or bends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis more easily than a front edge made solely of the material forming the extension 44 and scoop base 20. Additionally, the thickness of the elastomeric material plus the extension is generally equal to a thickness of the receptacle 16.
As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the elastomeric material 40 generally fills in the apertures 46 formed in the extension 44. This creates a stronger bond between the extension 44 and elastomeric material 40 since the elastomeric material may surround at least portions of the extension 44. In addition, since the elastomeric material 40 is typically more flexible than the substance of the extension 44, the flexibility of the front segment 18 is still greater than if it were formed purely from the substance of the extension.
The front segment 18 and receptacle 16 may be molded simultaneously or may be formed in separate stages (in either the same or separate molds). In the present embodiment, the front segment 18 is made by co-molding the elastomeric material 40 over the plastic of the extension 44, rather than simply coated the extension. Thus, the elastomeric material 40 is integrally formed with the receptacle 16 and rest of the scoop. The scoop, including the front segment 18, is generally formed by molding. Thus, the elastomeric material 40 is co-molded with the plastic, resin, polymer or other material used to form the rest of the scoop.
The handle 12 may be co-molded or coated with a material similar to (or the same as) the elastomeric material 40 used to form the front segment 18 of the scoop. For example, the handle 12 may be coated to match the front segment 18 for aesthetics, to impart gliding or other properties similar to those of the front segment, and/or for comfort.
During use, as a user applies pressure to the scoop 10, the scoop 10 travels along the surface of a litter box, and may flex at the flexible hinge 38. Likewise, the sides of the scoop may buckle and bend. The front segment 18 may thus experience some degree of movement with the litter box liner as it slides along the litter box liner. More specifically, the flexible hinge 38 of the scoop 10 allows the head 14 to move as the front segment 18 is pressed into the surface of the litter box. If a litter box liner is pulled over the litter box, the flexible hinge 38 allows some movement if the litter liner shifts, instead of ripping the liner. This movement reduces wear on the litter box liner and works to prevent holes or other ripping.
As previously stated, as pressure is applied to the scoop 10, the flexible front segment 18 bends and the sides 28 of the scoop 10 buckle and bend. The sides 28 and/or base 20 of the scoop 10 may be made of a polymeric material, such as plastic, or other material sufficiently soft to allow this buckling and/or bending.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments and methods of manufacture, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the proper scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.
Patent Application
20070267333
