Adjustable measuring scoop

An adjustable measuring scoop including a movable partition that adjustably rotates on a rotating means such as an axle so as to result in a scoop size that can be selectively determined between a maximum and a minimum by ready manual manipulation of the scoop. The movable partition and rotating means are preferably configured so that the movable partition moves toward and away from the scoop's opening, permitting, e.g., a symmetric frontal contour that may be more effective in scooping from a container. Adjustment of the movable partition may also optionally be effected by means including a manual slide that has a linear and/or relatively short range of motion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of measuring devices, and more particularly to a measuring scoop that can be adjusted to measure various specific amounts of materials such as cooking ingredients.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Adjustable measuring devices exist, but with one or more drawbacks. U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,450 to Robbins et al. discloses an adjustable measurement container in which the size of the scoop is adjusted by linearly sliding a sliding member that includes a covering portion (unnumbered) and a partition (dam42). U.S. Pat. No. 6,125,699 to Molenaar discloses an adjustable measuring spoon in which the size of the scoop is adjusted by rotating a pivoting member that also includes a covering portion (gate23) and a partition (49). Use and/or cleaning of the Robbins (e.g., col. 3, lines 28–31 and col. 4, lines 47–50) and Molenaar (e.g., col. 3, lines 40–45 and col. 4, lines 27–29) devices is made less convenient by their inclusion of the covering portions, which are evidently needed to inhibit spillage of material being scooped into the region of the spoon or scoop that is unused when a size other than maximum is selected. Additionally, adjustment of both devices requires a relatively long manual motion to move from the minimum to maximum positions. Further, the front of the Molenaar measuring spoon is not symmetric since the pivoting member follows a curved path that is orthogonal to the general intended direction of scooping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an adjustable measuring scoop that may address one or more of the foregoing and/or other prior art shortcomings. An adjustable measuring scoop according to the present invention includes a movable partition that adjustably rotates on a rotating means such as an axle so as to result in a scoop size that can be selectively determined between a maximum and a minimum by ready manual manipulation of the scoop by a user. In one aspect of the invention, the movable partition and rotating means are preferably configured so that the movable partition moves toward and away from the scoop's opening, permitting, inter alia, a symmetric frontal contour that may be more effective in scooping an ingredient, for example, from the bottom region of a container. In another optional separate aspect of the invention, adjustment of the movable partition is effected by operation of means including a manual slide that has a range of motion that is linear rather than arcuate, so as to permit more convenient manual adjustment. In yet another separate optional aspect of the invention, adjustment of the movable partition is effected by operation of means including a lever having a range of motion that is short relative to the resulting movement of the movable partition, so as to permit more convenient manual adjustment. In still another separate optional aspect of the invention, the movable partition may be effectively implemented without the need for an accompanying covering portion, permitting a design in which scooping with and/or cleaning of the device may be cleaner and/or easier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A first preferred embodiment of an adjustable measuring scoop according to the invention is shown inFIGS. 1–6. Scoop1is a utensil preferably used for measurement of quantities of materials such as cooking ingredients or any other suitable items. The capacity of scoop1is adjustable to allow measurement of a range of quantities of materials. Scoop1is preferably made predominantly of molded plastic although other materials such as metal or aluminum can be used.

Scoop1generally comprises a bucket2, an ergonomically shaped handle9, and a movable partition21. The walls of the bucket2comprise a front/bottom portion4and side portions6, with pedestals3provided at the bottom of front/bottom portion4to permit the scoop to be rested on a suitable flat surface. The handle9also includes a finger rest7provided with two guide slots5, and the movable partition21includes a lip13along its perimeter that snugly contacts the interior of the walls of bucket2.

The movable partition21is rotatably connected to a handle insert32on an axle22(preferably made of a suitable metal) within partition axle boxes18(which rest on abutments31of handle insert32) and a body axle box30(which fits within the space19between the partition axle boxes). The handle insert32also includes mating extensions34to snugly secure it within the handle9of the scoop's body; the handle insert32is preferably also glued or otherwise permanently secured in place during assembly. A slide26is linearly slidingly secured between handle insert32and the body of the handle9of scoop1, and is restricted to a linear path by the following elements: on its top, by top supports36formed in the handle insert32; on its bottom by bottom supports8; and, laterally, by side supports35within which the slide26is laterally confined.

The slide26slides in response to a force applied forward or backward by a user's finger (preferably thumb) on the portion of trigger25protruding through aperture33. Forward movement of the slide26forces the slide “T”24against the rear of the movable partition21, causing the partition21to swing upwardly toward the opening of the bucket2of the scoop1. Conversely, backward movement of the slide26pulls the slide “T”24against guides37, causing the partition21to swing downwardly away from the opening of the bucket2. These movements are also facilitated by bushings12fitted on the ends of the slide “T”24(which may include a metal component for durability) and run within the guides37. To facilitate temporary securing of a desired position for the movable partition21within the bucket2, the slide26is provided with locking extensions27having ribs28that mate with corresponding locking grooves38formed into the handle insert32. The locking grooves38preferably include a number of positions associated with specific corresponding adjusted sizes of bucket2, and are dimensioned and configured together with the locking extensions27and ribs28to permit ribs28to engage any of the locking grooves38securely enough to permit handling and transportation of the scoop1(without inadvertent movement of the movable partition21) while a load of material is in bucket2without the need for constant manual securing of any parts, while still permitting the ribs28to pass between the locking grooves38upon application of a reasonable manual force on the trigger25. As will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the handle insert32may also have reference indicia (not shown) aligned with the trigger25in conjunction with which the selected size of the bucket2is visually indicated to the user. The bucket2may also have reference indicia (not shown).

As shown in the sequence ofFIGS. 3–4and5–6, manual adjustment of the trigger25back and forth causes the movable partition21to rotate back and forth on axle22, with its lip13snugly sliding along the complementary interior surface of the fixed walls of the bucket2. The curvature of the walls' front/bottom portion4is substantially defined by a portion of a cylinder of rotation about the axle22, such that the partition21can swing along the interior of the bucket2with a snug sliding fit that prevents material being measured from moving past the partition21and entering the unused space on the side of the partition21opposite the opening of the bucket2. To facilitate a reliable snug sliding fit, the scoop1is preferably made of a durable and high strength plastic that will not deform under normal operating temperatures and conditions, such as injection molded polycarbonate or ABS plastic. Alternately, it could be formed substantially of stainless steel, or chrome-plated die-cast zinc.

A second preferred embodiment of an adjustable measuring scoop according to the invention is shown inFIGS. 7–11. Scoop1A is likewise a utensil preferably used for measurement of quantities of materials such as cooking ingredients or any other suitable items. Its capacity is adjustable to allow measurement of a range of quantities of materials, and it is preferably made predominantly of molded plastic. Scoop1A generally comprises a bucket2A, an ergonomically shaped handle9A, and a movable partition21A. The walls of the bucket2A comprise a front/bottom portion4A and side portions6A, with pedestals3A provided at the bottom of front/bottom portion4A to permit the scoop to be rested on a suitable flat surface. The handle9A also includes a back wall48, and the movable partition21A with a lip13A along its perimeter that snugly and relatively hermetically contacts the interior of the walls of bucket2A. The handle9A may also include a cylindrical insert47with a passage46defined through it (such as for the attachment of a lanyard) and one or more fittings such as a metallic bezel49.

The movable partition21A is rotatably connected to a handle insert32A on an axle22A (preferably made of a suitable metal) within partition axle boxes18A (which rest on abutments31A of handle insert32A) and a body axle box30A (which fits within the space19A between the partition axle boxes). A slide26A is linearly slidingly secured between handle insert32A and the body of the handle9A, and is restricted to a linear path therein similar to the description above of the embodiment ofFIGS. 1–6, including by bottom supports8A within which the runner45of slide26A is laterally confined. The handle insert32A is preferably also glued or otherwise permanently secured in place during assembly, and may include printed and/or embossed metric and/or imperial measuring markings51. The trigger25A of slide26A may also include one or more (e.g., raised and pointed) measuring indicators44so that a user can readily reference the pertinent position on the markings51. The bucket2A may also have reference indicia (not shown).

As in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1–6, the slide26A slides in response to a force applied forward or backward by a user's finger (preferably thumb) on the portion of trigger25A protruding through aperture33A. Forward movement of the slide26A (which includes axle box50) moves forward the connector rear axle42, which in turn moves forward connector41to which it is attached, which in turn moves forward connector forward axle40(which is attached to the connector41and to extensions39of partition21A), which in turn moves forward the extensions39of partition21A, causing partition21A to pivot forward on axle22A and swing upwardly toward the opening of the bucket2A. Backward movement of the slide26A causes the reverse of these movements. These movements may optionally be facilitated by fitting bushings where one or more axles (e.g.,40and42) make moving contact. Also, the parts may be configured and dimensioned so that the forward tab43of slide26A contacts the rear of partition21A throughout some portion of the partition's range of motion so as to provide an additional point of support for the partition throughout that portion of range of motion. To facilitate a reliable snug and relatively hermetic sliding fit between the lip13A of the movable partition21A and the complementary interior surface of the fixed walls of the bucket2A as the partition rotates back and forth on axle22A, the scoop is preferably predominantly formed of a durable and high-strength material that (except for the material for lip13A) will not deform under normal operating temperatures and conditions. The lip13A is preferably formed of a relatively pliable but durable rubber material, and the parts may also preferably be configured and chosen of materials such that the fit between lip13A and bucket2A is at least snug enough to prevent unintended movement of partition21A in response to nominally small forces on trigger25A and/or directly on partition21A. The materials and configuration may in fact be selected so as to provide adequate snugness and hermeticity for the containment of liquids.

Preferred embodiments of an adjustable measuring scoop have thus been disclosed. It will be apparent, however, that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred or exemplary embodiment thereof. Therefore, the invention is not to be restricted or limited except in accordance with the following claims.