Closeable, disposable paperboard scoop

Abstract

Paperboard blank is folded once and glued to form a flat, collapsed scoop and detachable pusher. Upon erection it forms a four-sided, pyramidal shaped scoop for sanitary disposal of solid waste from pets, and includes one face foldable from an open position so that the scoop can receive its contents to a closed and sealed position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a combination scoop and self-sealing container, particularly adapted for use by pet owners in removing solid wastes from public walkways and the like.

The problem of removal and disposal of solid wastes from animals along public streets and walkways is certainly not a new one. In the past, these problems have been considered primarily problems of the city or municipality itself, and of the pedestrian who should watch where he is going.

Several factors are operating to change this picture today. First of all, our cities and metropolitan areas are becoming more and more crowded. This coupled with the national concern over the environment and ecology has caused a rising concern over the problem.

In certain densely populated metropolitan areas, such as for example, New York City, it is now the pet owner himself who must remove his pet's solid waste from public walkways.

Bearing these considerations in mind, it is an object of this invention to provide a basic design for enabling a pet owner to remove solid wastes conveniently from public walkways and convey it in a sanitary fashion to an appropriate receptacle or depository.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an easily sealed, generally odor-proof, leak-proof scoop for the purposes described.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device of the character described which may be easily and inexpensively manufactured.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a closeable, disposable, paperboard scoop which may be shipped and stored in the flat condition, and readily erected into condition for use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a paperboard blank for producing a closeable, disposable scoop which includes a detachable pusher.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly considered, this invention contemplates a paperboard blank having a central, equilateral triangle. Isosceles triangles are joined by score lines to the three edges of the base triangle. A single fold line is provided from the apex of the base triangle to the apex of one of the attached isosceles triangles, so that the blank may be folded along this line and the edges of the two remaining isosceles triangles joined as by glue tabs or the like to form a handle. In this condition, the scoop is flat folded for storage, shipping, and the like.

Upon erection, the blank of this invention will form a four-sided, pyramidal shaped scoop, with a triangular panel foldable from an open position so that the scoop may receive its contents to a closed and substantially sealed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the scoop of this invention as erected and open for use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the scoop of this invention as closed.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a paperboard blank according to this invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the blank of FIG. 3 as folded and glued for shipment or storage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first of FIG. 3, a completed paperboard blank is shown in the flat condition. It will be observed that it includes a central equilateral triangle 10, and the isosceles triangles 12, 14, and 16 joined to its side edges along the scorelines 18, 20, and 22, respectively.

The outer side edges of the isosceles triangle 14 are provided with the handle member 24 and the tab 26 along the fold lines 14a and 14b, respectively. Similarly, the free edges of the isosceles triangle 16 are provided with the handle member 28 and the tab 30 along the fold lines 16a and 16b, respectively.

The pusher 32 may be disposed adjacent one edge of the isosceles triangle 12. Preferably, a line of perforations 34 will be provided so that when ready for use, the pusher may be readily detached.

The free edge 36 of the isosceles triangle 12 may be provided with the closure tab 38. As will be explained presently, the ends of tab 38 are adapted to be engaged in the slots 40 formed in the isosceles triangle panel 14.

After the blank is cut and scored as shown and described above, it will be folded once along the score line 42 extending from the apex of the base triangle panel 10 to the apex of the isosceles triangle panel 12. This will bring the blank to the position shown in FIG. 4. The handle members 24 and 28 are in juxtaposition and they may be secured together in any suitable manner such as by adhesive, staples, or the like. In this condition, a scoop of this invention is ready for shipment and storage. Indeed, it may be carried in this condition by the pet owner until its use is required.

To erect the folded blank to a condition for use, the triangle panel 10 is brought back to the flat condition, which of course requires folding of the container along the scorelines 20 and 22, and along the lines 14a and 16a. The triangular panel 12 is then folded downwardly along the scoreline 18 to a position under the triangular panel 10.

This is the condition of the erected scoop as shown in perspective in FIG. 1. Of course, the pusher 32 has been detached from the triangular panel 12. It will be observed that the handle members 24 and 28 extend upwardly from the scoop to facilitate handling by the pet owner. The scoop is grasped by the upstanding handle members and placed with the scoreline at the open edge of triangular panel 10 against the ground. Solid wastes or the like may then be pushed into the container with the help of the pusher 32. The solid wastes and the pusher 32 are then sealed within the container by folding the panel 12 upwardly along the line 18, bringing it to bear against the inwardly folded flaps 26 and 30. It may be locked in the closed position by means of the closure tabs 38 and slots 40 described earlier.

It will be apparent to the skilled worker in the art that many modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. For example, adhesive may be applied to the tabs 26 and 30 to eliminate the closure flap 38.

Preferably, this invention contemplates that the blank be formed of a waterproofed, semi-rigid paperboard. It will of course be apparent to the skilled worker in the art that a variety of other materials may be utilized.

Accordingly, no limitations are to be inferred or implied except insofar as specifically set forth in the claims which follow.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A closeable, disposable, collapsible scoop structure formed from a one-piece paperboard blank, said structure comprising:

a. a triangular base panel having at least two equal sides,

b. congruent triangle panels hingedly connected to the equal sides of said base panel,

c. a third triangular pannel hingedly connected to the remaining side of said base panel,

d. a straight fold line running across said base panel from the apex thereof to the apex of said third triangular panel,

e. a pair of mating handle panels hingedly connected to the free edges of said congruent triangular panels which extend outwardly from said apex of said base panel,

f. said congruent triangular panels being folded relative to said base panel with said mating handle panels juxtaposed and secured together to define a triangular scoop having an open mouth, said third panel being foldable relative to said base panel to close the mouth of said scoop, and

g. means for detachably securing a free edge of said third triangular panel to the adjoining congruent triangular panel to maintain said third panel in the closed position.

2. The scoop structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said triangular base panel has three equal sides.

3. The scoop structure claimed in claim 1 including foldable tabs hingedly connected to the remaining free edges of said congruent triangular panels, said tabs, in the erected structure, being folded inwardly to underlie the free edges of said third panel when in the closed position.

4. The scoop structure claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for detachably securing a free edge of said third triangular panel to the adjoining congruent triangular panel comprises a closure tab on the last named free edge of said third triangular panel, and mating slots in the adjoining congruent triangular panel.

5. The scoop structure claimed in 4 including a pusher panel detachably joined to the remaining free edge of said third triangular panel.

6. The scoop structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said pusher panel is quadrilateral.

7. The scoop structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said pusher panel is of a size to fit completely within the area of said triangular base panel.