U.S. patent application number 12/661083 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-16 for spatula.
Invention is credited to Michelle C. Phillips.
Application Number | 20100229319 12/661083 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42729469 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100229319 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Phillips; Michelle C. |
September 16, 2010 |
Spatula
Abstract
A spatula specifically designed to retrieve contents, typically,
the remnants, from a container having a constricted opening, has an
elongated handle with a flexible blade peripherally defined by a
pair of shoulders extending laterally from the handle and rounding
to form a pair of side edges. A first side edge is generally
parallel to the handle and terminates in a bottom edge extending
perpendicularly from the first side edge. The second side edge
originates from an acute angle with the second shoulder and extends
obliquely toward the handle and terminates in an obtuse rounded
angel with the bottom edge of the spatula. Topographically, the
spatula blade has a front face surface having a concave depression
and a back surface generally accommodating the front face
surface.
Inventors: |
Phillips; Michelle C.;
(Lititz, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NEAL O. WILLMANN
P.O. BOX 42512
CINCINNATI
OH
45242
US
|
Family ID: |
42729469 |
Appl. No.: |
12/661083 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61159205 |
Mar 11, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/236.09 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 40/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/236.09 |
International
Class: |
A47L 17/06 20060101
A47L017/06 |
Claims
1. A spatula for retrieving contents from a container having a
constricted opening, said spatula comprising: an elongated handle
having proximal and distal ends; and, a flexible blade attached to
said distal end of said handle, said blade peripherally defined by
a first and second pair of shoulders extending laterally from said
handle, said first shoulder rounding to form a first side edge
oriented generally parallel to said handle and terminating in a
rounded corner forming a bottom edge extending generally
perpendicularly from said first side edge; and, said second
shoulder rounding at an acute angle forming a second side edge
obliquely oriented toward said handle and terminating in a rounded
corner forming an obtuse angle at said bottom edge; and, said
defined flexible blade having a front face surface having a concave
depression and a back surface generally opposing said front face
surface.
2. The spatula according to claim 1 wherein the handle is tapered
toward said proximal end.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to a device for
accumulating and retrieving the contents, typically the remnants,
from containers having small openings. More specifically, the
invention relates to a uniquely designed and constructed spatula
for removing liquid and semi-liquid cosmetic products from
containers having constricted openings.
[0002] Many cosmetics sold at retail are packaged and presented in
artfully created containers. Many of the containers and their ports
of access are very small to impart or reinforce the impression that
the contents are extremely potent, allegedly effective in very
small quantities, and thereby justify an exorbitant, or at least a
premium cost.
[0003] While the small and constricted openings in the containers
may limit accidental spillage, they also increase the difficulty of
extracting the entire contents from the container. When the
contents are expensive, as they frequently are, it can be extremely
irritating and frustrating to see un-retrieved contents go unused
and wasted because of inaccessibility.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0004] The prior art relating to and encompassing the design and
function of spatulas is legion. Almost all spatulas are flexible,
and it would be rare to find a spatula that cannot be used to
scrape the sides of a container to maximize the retrieval of dregs
or to effect the complete transfer of contents from one container
to another.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Notwithstanding the existence and awareness of all manner of
spatulas, the instantly disclosed and claimed spatula is unique in
both form and function. Herein described is a flexible spatula
specifically designed for retrieving the contents, typically, the
remnants, from a container having a constricted opening. With
particularity, the disclosed spatula comprises an elongated handle
having proximal and distal ends and a flexible blade attached to
the distal end of the handle. The blade is peripherally defined by
a pair of shoulders extending laterally from the handle. The first
shoulder extends from the handle and rounds at about a 90.degree.
angle to originate a first side edge of the spatula. The first side
edge is oriented generally parallel to the handle and terminates in
a rounded corner forming the origin of the bottom edge of the
spatula. The bottom edge of the spatula extends generally
perpendicularly from the first side edge. The second shoulder of
the blade extends from the handle and rounds at an acute angle to
originate a second side edge. The second side edge is generally
oriented obliquely toward the handle and terminates in a rounded
obtuse angle with the bottom edge of the blade. Topographically,
the blade has a front face surface forming a spoon-like depression
disposed between the first and second side edges and a back surface
generally opposing and accommodating the front face surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0006] FIG. 1 is an elevated front view of the disclosed
spatula.
[0007] FIG. 2 is an elevated side view of the spatula.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an isolated enlarged view of the blade of the
spatula.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the spatula.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the spatula being inserted into
(or retrieved from) the constricted opening of a container.
[0011] FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 depict the disclosed spatula within the
confines of containers having interior walls of various shapes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] A full appreciation of the disclosed spatula is enhanced by
frequent reference to the drawing. The elevated frontal view of
FIG. 1 depicts the disclosed spatula 10 and all of its essential
elements. Immediately apparent is the elongated handle 12. The
precise length of the handle is unimportant, but repeated
experimentation suggests that the spatula functions best when the
handle is about 6 to 9 inches long and tapered toward the proximal
end. At this length, the handle provides a comfortable gripping
surface while the spatula is being maneuvered and effectively
positions the blade 14 of the spatula 10 to reach the inner depths
and corners of most containers. The handle is conveniently made
from a generally rigid plastic material, such as ABS plastic, which
economically provides sufficient rigidity for the intended purpose
of use and sufficient flexibility to avoid breakage.
[0013] The flexible blade 14 is attached to the distal end of the
handle 12 of the spatula 10. The blade 14 is necessarily flexible
and is preferably formed by molding from a thermoplastic
elastomeric material such as any of a variety of natural or
synthetic organic or silicone polymers. The principal requirements
for the material composition of the blade are that it be suitably
flexible to fit within the constricted opening of a container and
resilient enough to return to its original shape within the
container to perform according to plan. In use, the blade is
inserted through the constricted opening of a container, the sides
and the bottom of the container are scraped by angling the spatula
and using the first, second and bottom edges to to retrieve and
accumulate the contents, typically, the remnants of the container.
Once accumulated, the recaptured remnants are positioned in the
cupped surface between the first and second edges and the blade is
removed. For removal, of course, it is necessary for the blade to
once again conform to the size of the constricted opening and
retain its accumulated contents while being removed from the
interior of the container 30.
[0014] In the preferred embodiment of the disclosed spatula, the
blade 14 is attached to the distal end of the spatula 10 with the
aid of a molded collar 19. To appreciate the design and
construction, an isolated, enlarged view of the blade is presented
in FIG. 3. The blade 14 is peripherally defined by a pair of
shoulders each extending laterally from the distal end of the
handle. A first shoulder 16 extends laterally from the handle and
terminates by forming a rounded corner 21. The rounded corner
originates the first side edge 20 of the blade 13. The first side
edge 20 of the blade is oriented generally parallel to the handle
12 and extends until it terminates in a rounded corner 25 where it
originates the bottom edge 26 of the blade 14, and extends
generally perpendicularly from the first side edge 20. A second
shoulder 18 also extends laterally from the handle 12 in a
diametrically opposite direction to the first shoulder. The second
shoulder 18 extends laterally until forming a rounded corner 22
which originates the second side edge 24 of the blade. The second
side edge 24 originates from the rounded corner 22 and extends
obliquely from rounded corner 22 forming an obtuse angle 23 with
the second shoulder. The orientation of the second side edge 24 is
toward the handle 12 of the spatula 10 and extends in its oblique
orientation until it terminates in a rounded corner 27 forming an
obtuse angle 29 with the bottom edge 26 of the blade 14.
[0015] The foregoing defines the periphery of the flexible blade
14. The topography of the blade 14 is also uniquely structured to
enable the desired performance of the spatula 10. Referring to FIG.
2, it is apparent that the blade 14 has a front face surface 15 and
a back surface 17. The front face 15 is more functional. The front
face 15 is necessarily and generally depressed or contoured to form
a spoon-like depression. The spoon-like depression may also be
characterized as a cupped surface disposed between the first 20 and
second 24 edges. The depression dominates the front surface 15 and
is intended to facilitate the retrieval of contents from the
container after they have been scraped and gathered from the sides
and corners of the container 30.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the spatula offered for the
purpose of illustrating the generally depressed or concave nature
of the front face surface 15. The top plan view of FIG. 5
illustrates the flexibility and orientation of the blade 14 during
entry and exit through a constricted opening 32 in a container 30.
Note the flexibility and orientation of the first 16 and second 18
shoulders as they converge to minimize the width of the blade while
the first and second sides 20 and 24 partially envelope the concave
front surface 15. The envelopment is particularly helpful in
confining the retrieved contents during removal from the container
30.
[0017] FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 illustrate the application of the unique
design features of the disclosed spatula 10. For instance, in FIG.
6 the alignment of the first side edge 20 is particularly useful in
scraping remnants from the sides of containers having straight,
vertical or cylindrical sides. And in FIG. 7, it is apparent that
the oblique angle of the second side edge 24 is appropriately
positioned to scrape the sides of similarly shaped containers 30.
FIG. 8 illustrates the utility of the rounded corners 21, 22, 25
and 27 in being able to dredge the similarly rounded inside corners
of the container 30.
[0018] While the foregoing is a detailed and complete description
of the preferred embodiments of the disclosed flexible spatula, it
should be apparent that numerous variations and modifications can
be made and employed to implement the all important purpose of the
disclosed spatula without departing from the spirit of the
invention, which is fairly defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *