Clip Scoop

Abstract

A scoop has a bowl and a handle. The bowl has a bowl edge and a bowl width. The handle has a proximal handle edge connecting to the bowl edge. The handle has a distal handle edge opposite the proximal handle edge. The handle has a handle width. The handle has a clip with a clip base which connects the clip base to the distal handle edge. The clip protrudes from the distal handle edge toward the proximal handle edge. The clip has a free edge opposite the clip base. The handle width is from about 50% to about 100% of the bowl width.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 221,584, filed Jun. 30, 2009.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a clip scoop for dosing products and fastening to a flexible package.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Scoops have been used in various fields. For example, scoops have been used in fabric and home care products such as detergents and fabric enhancers for dosing the correct amount. Detergents are normally packed in a package such as cartons, hard plastic containers, and flexible packages. Flexible packages are useful in maintaining not only the freshness of the product stored, but also an aid in preventing moisture or air from entering the enclosed product. In addition, a flexible package normally uses less material and costs less than a comparable carton or hard plastic container.[0004]For consumers to correctly dose a granular or particulate product, a scoop may be included wi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The inventors have surprisingly found that the clip can help the scoop be fastened to, for example, a flexible package. Without intending to be bound by a theory, the scoop of the present invention can be fastened to the external surface of the flexible package and the consumers may not need to return the scoop into the bag after use. Accordingly, the consumer can easily retrieve the scoop whenever it is needed with little chance of messiness. In addition, the orientation of the clip with respect to the scoop may reduce the amount that the scoop protrudes from the package. This is especially useful in cases where the package is stored in a high-traffic area to reduce the chance that the scoop is knocked off of the package, and / or in a crammed area where there is little overhead space. Further, the large handle width of the scoop may help the scoop to securely connect to the bowl and resist bending when a large amount of solid is scooped.

Problems solved by technology

Such a scoop is generally included with the product in a package such as a carton and a hard plastic container but the container is not typically a flexible package because such flexible containers are typically larger bags in which the scoop may be easily lost or buried therein.

Accordingly, it is sometimes easy for a consumer to misplace or lose a scoop between uses.

It may be especially difficult to find a scoop in a package when the consumer is again ready to use it, because the scoop can be buried in the product in between uses.

The consumer may dislike this because it feels messy.

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