Abstract:
A single serving scoop and funnel both conveniently measures a correct amount of any liquid, gel, solid, granulated, or any pourable material, and facilitates pouring the measured material into a container. The funnel is moveably attached to a scoop handle, and may be moved between a first position over the scoop, and a second position withdrawn from the scoop. In one embodiment the funnel is hingedly attached to the scoop handle and rotates 180 degrees to latch opposite to the scoop, and may contain projections on each side of a funnel handle allowing single had use. In another embodiment the funnel slides along the handle away from the scoop.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a Continuation In Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,763 filed Mar. 6, 2015, which application is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to measuring and pouring material into a small mouth container and in particular to measuring and pouring a liquid, gel, solid, granulated, or any pourable material when one hand is required to be free to hold the container. 
     Users are often required to measure and poor small quantities of liquid and solid material into a small mouth container. It is often difficult to pour the liquid and solid material without spilling. In some instances it is possible to hold a funnel, but when the user must hold both a measuring cup and a small mouth container, it is very difficult to also hold the funnel, often resulting in spilling the liquid or solid material. 
     Single serving beverage brewers have become extremely popular. Originally, these brewers were designed to use a disposable single serving cartridge. The cost of the disposable single serving cartridges, and the resulting volume of non-biodegradable material has motivated the development of reusable holders which accept a single serving of brewing extract and fit into the single serving beverage brewers. While such holders have become very popular, one drawback is that in order to fit into brewing chambers of the single serving beverage brewers, the holders are small, and it is difficult to pour a single serving of brewing extract into the holders with some of the brewing extract spilling. 
     Known designs such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,441,676 to Pickering and US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0083555 to Allen show a funnel hingedly attached to a side of a scoop, extending at about a 45 degree angle from a handle. While such designs are suitable for some applications, they are not suitable for scooping brewing extract from typical brewing extract containers because the funnel interferes with scooping the brewing extract. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a single serving scoop and funnel which both conveniently measures a correct amount of any liquid, gel, solid, granulated, or any pourable material, and facilitates pouring the measured beverage extract into a container. The funnel is moveably attached to a scoop handle, and may be moved between a first position over the scoop, and a second position withdrawn from the scoop. In one embodiment the funnel is hingedly attached to the scoop handle and rotates between 120 and 180 degrees to latch opposite to the scoop. In another embodiment the funnel slides along the handle away from the scoop. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a single serving scoop and funnel having a pivoting funnel. A hinge at the base of a funnel arm engages a midpoint of the scoop handle, and the funnel pivots between 120 and 180 degrees, and preferably between 160 and 170 degrees, and most preferably 165 degrees, to a position opposite to the scoop and snaps into place. The length of the scoop handle is free for grasping and the funnel does not interfere with scooping brewing extract. The funnel and scoop may include cooperating features to snap the funnel into position against the scoop handle. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a scoop and funnel having a pivoting funnel with lateral projections on each side of a funnel handle allowing single handed operation. The projections may be attached near a funnel hinge, and the user may hold the scoop and funnel and flip the funnel over the scoop with a free finger or thumb while holding a container in the other hand. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a single serving scoop and funnel having a sliding funnel. The funnel slides along the scoop handle from a position over the scoop for pouring to a position separated from the scoop for scooping. When the funnel is separated from the scoop, the funnel does not interfere with scooping brewing extract. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a scoop scooping brewing extract from a container. 
         FIG. 2  shows the scoop pouring the brewing extract into an extract holder. 
         FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of single serving scoop and pivoting funnel, the funnel pivoted away from the scoop according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  shows perspective view of the single serving scoop and pivoting funnel according to the present invention with the funnel partially pivoted towards the scoop. 
         FIG. 3C  shows a perspective view of the single serving scoop and pivoting funnel according to the present invention with the funnel fully pivoted over the scoop. 
         FIG. 4A  shows a side view of the single serving scoop and pivoting funnel according to the present invention with the funnel residing away from the scoop. 
         FIG. 4B  shows a side view of the single serving scoop and pivoting funnel according to the present invention with the funnel fully pivoted to reside over the scoop. 
         FIG. 5A  shows a perspective view of a single serving scoop and sliding funnel according to the present invention with the funnel residing over the scoop. 
         FIG. 5B  shows a perspective view of the single serving scoop and sliding funnel according to the present invention with the funnel residing over a scoop handle. 
         FIG. 6A  shows a side view of the single serving scoop and sliding funnel according to the present invention with the funnel residing over the scoop. 
         FIG. 6B  shows a side view of the single serving scoop and sliding funnel according to the present invention with the funnel residing over the scoop handle. 
         FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of a thumb rest portion of the sliding funnel and a cooperating portion of the scoop handle taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 8A  shows a perspective view of single serving scoop and pivoting funnel according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8B  shows a perspective view of the single serving scoop and pivoting funnel according to the present invention with the funnel partially pivoted towards the scoop. 
         FIG. 8C  shows a perspective view of the single serving scoop and pivoting funnel according to the present invention with the funnel fully pivoted to reside over to the scoop. 
         FIG. 9A  shows a cross-sectional side view of the single serving scoop and pivoting funnel according to the present invention taken along line  9 A- 9 A of  FIG. 8A  with the funnel residing opposite to the scoop. 
         FIG. 9B  shows a cross-sectional side view of the single serving scoop and pivoting funnel according to the present invention taken along line  9 B- 9 B of  FIG. 8C  with the funnel fully pivoted to reside over the scoop. 
         FIG. 10  shows a cross-sectional view of the funnel handle engaging the scoop handle according to the present invention, taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9B . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims. 
     Where the term “generally” is associated with an element of the invention, it is intended to describe a feature&#39;s appearance to the human eye, and not a precise measurement. For example, when an element is described as generally horizontal, it is intended to describe an element which at least appears to be horizontal to the human eye, and not necessarily horizontal if measured by an instrument. 
     A scoop  14  is shown scooping brewing extract  15  from a container  13  in  FIG. 1  and the scoop  14  is shown pouring the brewing extract  15  into an extract holder  13  in  FIG. 2 . The extract holder  13  is used in a single serving brewer and must fit into the brewing cavity of the brewer, thus limiting the size of the extract holder  13 . As a result, it is often difficult to pour the brewing extract  15  into the extract holder  13  without spilling some of the brewing extract. 
     A perspective view of single serving scoop and pivoting funnel  10   a , the funnel  12   a  pivoted away from the scoop  14   a  in a scooping position, according to the present invention, is shown in  FIG. 3A , a perspective view of the single serving scoop and pivoting funnel  10   a  with the funnel  12   a  partially pivoted towards the scoop  14   a  is shown in  FIG. 3B , and a perspective view of the single serving scoop and pivoting funnel  10   a  with the funnel  12   a  fully pivoted over the scoop  14   a  in a pouring position is shown in  FIG. 3C . The combination of the scoop  14   a  and funnel  12   a  permits scooping and pouring brewing extract  15  (or any a liquid, gel, solid, granulated, or any pourable material) into the extract holder  13  without spilling the brewing extract material. The scoop  14   a  includes a scoop mouth  24  for scooping the brewing extract  15  from the container  11 , and a scoop handle  26  extending generally horizontally from the scoop  14   a . The funnel  12   a  includes a base  18  matched to close against the scoop mouth  24  and a pouring mouth  16  for pouring a measured amount of material. 
     The funnel  12   a  and funnel handle  20  rotate around pivot  22  from the position opposite to the scoop  14   a  for scooping brewing extract, to a position over the scoop  14   a  for pouring the beverage extract into a holder used in a beverage brewer. The pivot  22  is generally centered on the scoop handle  26  and preferably comprises a scoop handle portion  22   a  and a funnel handle portion  22   b  connected by a pin (or hinge or pivot axis)  23 . In either position, the funnel handle  20  may rest against a scoop handle  26 , and the act of grasping the scoop handle  26  holds the funnel  12   a  in position. The scoop handle reaches in a handle direction  21  from the scoop  14   a.    
     While the funnel  12   a  is shown having the pouring mouth  16  opposite to the base  18 , the pouring mouth may be on the side of the funnel  12   a  or any position on the funnel  12   a  separated from (i.e., not overlapping) the base  18 . 
     A side view of the single serving scoop and pivoting funnel  10   a  with the funnel  12   a  residing away from scoop  14   a  is shown in  FIG. 4A , and a side view of the single serving scoop and pivoting funnel  10   a  with the funnel  12   a  fully rotated around the pivot  22  to close against the scoop  14   a  is shown in  FIG. 4B . The funnel  12   a  may include a tab  29  projecting towards the pivot  22 , and in the fully rotated position of  FIG. 4A , the tab  29  overlaps a scoop handle end  27  of the scoop holding the funnel  12   a , to hold the funnel  12   a  in the fully rotated position. The scoop handle  26  has a length L 1  of preferably between three and five inches, and more preferably four inches. The funnel handle  20  has a length L 2  of preferably between 1.5 and 2.5 inches and more preferably two inches, and the length L 2  is preferably about half the length L 1 , the length L 2  being selected to facilitate the cooperation of the tab  29  with the handle end  27  to hold the pivoting funnel  12   a  in the separated position. 
     A perspective view of a single serving scoop and sliding funnel  10   b  according to the present invention with sliding funnel  12   b  residing over a scoop  14   b  is shown in  FIG. 5A  and a perspective view of the single serving scoop and sliding funnel  10   b  is shown in  FIG. 5B . The funnel  12   b  slides on the scoop handle  36  from a first position over the scoop  14   b  for pouring brewing extract  15  into the extract holder  13 , to a second position separated from the scoop  14   b  for scooping the brewing extract  15  from the container  11 . The scoop handle  36  includes rails  34  engaged by slots  38  (see  FIG. 7 ) in a thumb rest  30  of the funnel  12   b . A stop  32  on the scoop handle  36  lim its the sliding of the sliding funnel  12   b . The sliding funnel  12   b  is just past the scoop mouth  24  when the thumb rest  30  touches the stop  32 . 
     A side view of the single serving scoop and sliding funnel  10   b  is shown in  FIG. 6A  and a side view of the single serving scoop and sliding funnel  10   b  with the sliding funnel  12   b  residing over the scoop handle  36  is shown in  FIG. 6B . 
     A cross-sectional view of the thumb rest portion  30  of the sliding funnel  12   b  and a cooperating portion of the scoop handle taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6A  is shown in  FIG. 7 . The slots  38  in the thumb rest engage the channel  34  of the scoop handle  30  to limit the sliding funnel  12   b  to sliding motion on the scoop handle  36 . 
     A perspective view of a second scoop and pivoting funnel  10   c  in a scooping position, according to the present invention, is shown in  FIG. 8A , a perspective view of the scoop and pivoting funnel  10   c  with the funnel  12   a  partially pivoted towards the scoop  14   a  is shown in  FIG. 8B , and a perspective view of the scoop and pivoting funnel  10   c  with the funnel  12   a  fully pivoted to reside over to the scoop  14   a  in a pouring position is shown in  FIG. 8C . The scoop and pivoting funnel  10   c  is similar to the single serving scoop and pivoting funnel  10   a , but includes at least one projection  40 , and preferably two opposing projections  40  extending from each side of the funnel handle  20 , preferably proximal to the hinge  23  (see  FIG. 9A ). The projections  40  may be flat (wing like), cylindrical, spherical, triangular, rectangular, etc., and a scoop and pivoting funnel with any shaped protrusion extending from the funnel handle is intended to come within the scope of the present invention. The projections  40  extend laterally from the funnel handle  20 , and generally perpendicularly from the funnel handle  20 . 
     The projections  40  permit a user to hold the scoop and pivoting funnel  10   c  and flip the funnel  12   a  over the scoop  14   a  with a finger or thumb of a single hand. Such single handed use is important when the user must also hold a container being filled from the scoop and pivoting funnel  10   c . Further, a rear portion  26   a  of the scoop handle  26  is angled down at a second angle A 2  of preferably between five and fifteen degrees, and preferably ten degrees. The rear portion  26   a  is preferably cylindrical with a spherical end or may be contoured to an easier grasp and consistent positioning of the user&#39;s hand. 
     A cross-sectional side view of the scoop and pivoting funnel  10   c  taken along line  9 A- 9 A of  FIG. 8A  with the funnel  12   a  residing opposite to the scoop  14   a  is shown in  FIG. 9A , and a cross-sectional side view of the scoop and pivoting funnel  10   c  taken along line  9 B- 9 B of  FIG. 8C  with the funnel  12   a  fully pivoted to reside over the scoop  14   a  is shown in  FIG. 9B . An O-ring  42  may reside around an exterior top edge of the scoop  14   a  (or alternatively inside a cooperating surface of the funnel  12   a ) to resist or prevent liquid from escaping between the scoop  14   a  and funnel  12   a  when the scoop and pivoting funnel  10   c  is used to measure liquids. 
     A hinge  23  at the base of a funnel arm  20  engages a generally mid point of the scoop handle  26 , and the funnel  12   a  pivots through a first angle A 1  between 120 and 180 degrees, and preferably between 160 and 170 degrees, and most preferably 165 degrees, to a position opposite to the scoop and snaps into place. 
     A cross-sectional view of the funnel handle  20  engaging the scoop handle  26 , taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9B , is shown in  FIG. 10 . The scoop handle  26  includes a slot  26   a , and the funnel handle  20  includes a rib  20   a . When the funnel handle  20  is rotated about the hinge  23  to engage the funnel  12   a  with the scoop  14   a , the rib  20   a  engages the slot  26   a  to align the funnel  12   a  with the scoop  14   a . The rib  20   a  preferably extends the length of the funnel handle  20 , and the slot  26   a  preferably extends the length of the scoop handle  26 . The projections  40  extend laterally generally perpendicular to the funnel handle  20 , a width W beyond the outside edge of the scoop handle  26 . The width W is preferably at least ⅛ inches, and more preferably between ¼ and ¾ inches, and most preferably ½ inches. 
     While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.