Abstract:
Disclosed is a scoop for retaining and dispensing a powder into a bottle. The scoop is formed from a housing having generally slanted sides downwardly to a spout having a slanted opening. A handle is affixed to the housing. An actuating mechanism covers the spout-slanted opening and is formed from a generally flat slide, a hand graspable element, optionally for movement of the slide from a closed state to an open state, and a switch, also for movement of the slide from a closed state to an open state. A pair of elongate ears is carried by the spout and housing and disposed adjacent to the slanted opening for retaining the slide and permitting movement of slide.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/540,240 filed Sep. 28, 2011, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND This disclosure relates generally to powdered drinks and more particularly to a scoop for quickly transferring the powder into a drink or water bottle. 
       [0003]    A variety of drinks come in powdered form and must be mixed with a liquid, usually water, in order for the drink to be consumed. Examples include, inter alia, fitness supplements, baby formulas, weight loss products, soups, and a variety of food and nutritional products. 
         [0004]    Often the powder comes in a large container from which the user needs to withdraw a proper amount for the amount of liquid to be used. For example, infant formula comes in large containers and must be measured out, poured into a baby bottle, and warm water added (the water also may be in the bottle before the powder is poured in). Using the measuring device supplied by the formula manufacturer leads to much spilled powder and difficulty in transferring the powder formula into the bottle. 
         [0005]    Users of fitness supplements often use a scoop specifically designed to measure the amount of powder required and transfer the powder into the user&#39;s drink bottle using a narrow spout that is a size to fit inside the drink bottle. Unfortunately, many (if not most) users just rest the spout against the drink bottle when transferred the powered. Since a tight seal has been created, a vacuum in the bottle often forms that prevents any powder from flowing into the bottle. 
         [0006]    Users of fitness supplements often use a scoop specifically designed to measure the amount of powder required and transfer the powder into the user&#39;s drink bottle using a narrow spout that is a size to fit inside the drink bottle. Unfortunately, many (if not most) users just rest the spout against the drink bottle when transferring the powered. Since a tight seal has been created, a pressure in the bottle often forms and cannot escape, which prevents any powder from flowing into the bottle. The user, then, must lift off the scoop, let the air back in, to be able to finish transferring the powder into the bottle. 
         [0007]    The disclosed power scoop eliminates the aforementioned problem and others. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Disclosed is a scoop for retaining and dispensing a powder into a bottle. The scoop is formed from a housing having generally slanted sides downwardly to a spout having a slanted opening. A handle is affixed to the housing. An actuating mechanism covers the spout-slanted opening and is formed from a generally flat slide, a hand graspable element, optionally for movement of the slide from a closed state to an open state, and a switch, also for movement of the slide from a closed state to an open state. A pair of elongate ears is carried by the spout and housing and disposed adjacent to the slanted opening for retaining the slide and permitting movement of slide. 
         [0009]    Also disclosed is a method for dispensing powder. Such method commences with placing a powder into a scoop having (i) a housing having generally slanted sides downwardly to a spout having a slanted opening; (ii) a handle affixed to the housing; (iii) an actuating mechanism covering the spout slanted opening and formed from a generally flat slide, a hand graspable element, and a switch; (iv) a pair of elongate ears carried by the spout and housing and located adjacent to the slanted opening for retaining said actuating mechanism and permitting movement of the actuating mechanism. The next step is actuating the actuating mechanism to uncover said spout slanted opening and release said powder. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present media and process, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of one embodiment of the disclosed power scoop; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the power scoop of  FIG. 1  in a closed position for retaining powder therein; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the power scoop of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the power scoop of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the power scoop of  FIG. 1  in an open position for dispensing power housed therein; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the power scoop of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of rear side of the power scoop of  FIG. 6  showing the actuating mechanism; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is top view of the power scoop of  FIG. 1  sitting atop a bottle containing water with the actuating mechanism is a closed or powder retaining state; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the power scoop and bottle combination of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is top view of the power scoop of  FIG. 10  sitting atop a bottle containing water with the actuating mechanism is an open or powder dispensing state; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the power scoop and bottle combination of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a sectional view taken along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is an isometric view of the power scoop of  FIG. 1  with the actuating slide removed from the scoop; 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the power scoop with the actuating slide removed from the scoop; 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is yet another power scoop embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is yet a further power scoop embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosed power scoop having a differently shaped actuating mechanism slide; 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  is a side view of an alternative use of the disclosed power scoop for filling a reusable K-cup with coffee; 
           [0032]      FIG. 22  is a side view of yet another use of the disclosed power scoop for filling a baby bottle with dry formula mix; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 23  is a further use of the disclosed power scoop for placing candy sprinkles atop a cake. 
       
    
    
     The drawings will be described in greater detail below. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    Referring initially to the first disclosed embodiment, a power scoop or funnel,  10 , is shown to include a handle,  12 , an upper curvilinear annular housing,  14 , and a lower spout,  16 . The housing is gradated in US or metric units, or both, so that the user knows the amount of powder added to the scoop for incorporation into a bottle having a known, or relatively known, amount of liquid already in the bottle or to be added later. In order to dispense the powder from scoop  10  into a container or bottle, scoop  10  is fitted with an actuating mechanism,  18 , formed from an elongate slidable member,  20 , (see  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  16 , for example) a finger graspable element,  21 , and a trigger,  19 . In the down or closed position depicted in  FIG. 1 , powder added to housing  14  stays there and does not flow out. This may be referred to a closed state of actuating mechanism  18 . The top lip,  22 , of housing  14  has a series of ejector pins,  24   a - 24   g  used to assist in removing housing  14  from a mold when housing  14  is being formed of plastic injection molding techniques. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of the power scoop of  FIG. 1 . In the side view presented in  FIG. 3 , slide  20  is clearly seen to be in a down or closed state over the opening in spout  16 . The rear view presented in  FIG. 4  again shows the same closed state of slide  20  as seen in  FIG. 3 . Ears,  37  and  39 , retain slide  20  to hold mechanism  18  in position (see  FIG. 16  also). An upstanding nib,  23 , is centrally located on the inside of slide  20  ( FIG. 2 ) and keeps slide  20  from coming back out of scoop  10 . Nib  23  can be seen contacting the wall of scoop  10  in  FIG. 8  not allowing slide  20  to come all the way out. The cross-sectional view in  FIG. 5  again shows the components that form power scoop  10 . 
         [0036]    The top view presented in  FIG. 6  and side view presented in  FIG. 7  of scoop  10  show slide  20  in an up or open position (open state), thus, uncovering an angular opening,  26 , formed in spout  16  so that any powder or other contents in housing  14  can be dispensed or released from scoop  10 . The sectional view of power scoop  10  in  FIG. 8  likewise shows it in an active state. The isometric view in  FIG. 9  shows slanted opening  26  somewhat more clearly. 
         [0037]    Power scoop  10  has been place atop a water bottle,  28 , in  FIGS. 10-12 . While a water bottle is shown, it just as easily could be a baby bottle or other kind of bottle, often filled with water. The cap has been removed from bottle  28  so that spout  16  fits down inside bottle  28  until trigger  19  rests on the bottle opening rim. 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 12 , housing  14  is seen filled with a powder,  30 , while bottle  28  is seen filled with water or a similar, most often aqueous, fluid. Spout  16  is seen to rest within neck,  34 , of bottle  28  and switch  19  on the rim,  36 , of neck  34 . Due to the curvilinear shape of switch  19 , a slight air gap is seen. Such air gap is deliberate and prevents a pressure from being formed within bottle  28  that retards powder from flowing freely thereinto. Additionally, a grove can be formed downward along the inside (or outside) of the housing and into the spout terminating at the spout opening for permitting pressure equalization inside a bottle atop which the power scoop is placed. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 13-15  are like  FIGS. 10-12 , except that actuating mechanism  18  has been moved upwardly to uncover opening  26 ; thus, permitting powder  30  to be released and freely flow into bottle  28  to mix with water or fluid  32 . While the user need only place a finger in an arcuate finger graspable element  21  and gently pull in a upward motion to urge slide  20  to move in an angular upward direction to uncover slanted opening  26  that is formed in spout  16 , switch  19  can automatically move actuating mechanism  18  for slide  20  to uncover opening  26 . That is, by the user merely pushing power scoop  10  into bottle  28 , bottle rim  36  pushes against switch  19  to cause actuating mechanism  18  for slide  20  to uncover opening  26 . The user can rest power scoop  10  on rim  36  and the push, or the user can combine such motions into a single motion to release powder  30  into water  32 . 
         [0040]    Using either actuating technique, powder  30  flows freely and very rapidly from housing  14  into bottle  28 . The slanted sides of housing  14  form an efficient funnel. By making opening  26  slanted, it has a greater area for enhancing the rapid and complete release of powder  30  into water  32 . 
         [0041]    Slide  20  with attached finger element  21  is revealed in greater detail in  FIG. 16  with its removal from housing  14 . Slide  20  is held in place by a pair of projecting ears,  37  and  39  (not seen in  FIG. 16 ). These slightly elongate ears project slightly outwardly from opening  26  to retain slide  20  in place.  FIG. 4  shows the ears also. Slide  20  has a generally planar inner surface for facilitating its movement. 
         [0042]    An alternative embodiment of a power scoop,  38 , is seen in  FIG. 17 . It has a larger capacity housing,  42 , to accommodate larger sized bottles that require a greater volume of powder. Power scoop  38  has a handle,  40 , spout,  44 , actuating mechanism,  46 , formed of a slide,  48 , and finger graspable element,  50 . Elongate ears,  52  and  54 , are more completely seen. They retain slide  48  in place and permit it to move upwardly and downwardly to cover and uncover the slanted opening in spout  44 . The injector pins, representative pin  56  only being numbered are seen to be located inside housing  42  and to extend downwardly. 
         [0043]      FIG. 18  shows yet a larger capacity power scoop,  58 . Its handle,  60 , is located midwardly of its housing,  62 . A much larger spout,  64 , is required to retain the rapid and efficient dispensing of powder. A larger actuating mechanism,  66 , is retained in position by extending ears, representative ear  68  only seen. 
         [0044]      FIG. 19  shows yet another power scoop embodiment,  70 , having a handle,  72 , a housing,  74 , a spout,  76 , and a slide,  78 . In this embodiment, an interior opening has been formed in  76  requiring a slanted opening to be formed in spout  76  to permit slide  78  to be inserted into such slanted opening. A corresponding lower slated opening at  80  permits the end of slide  78  to extend outside of spout  76  a slight distance. Movement of slide  78  uncovers the spout opening to release the contents of housing  74 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 20  shows yet a further power scoop embodiment,  82 , having a handle,  84 , a housing,  86 , a spout,  88 , and a actuating mechanism,  90 . Housing  86  in this embodiment is a vertical side opposite handle  84 . Also, finger graspable element,  92 , is a closed loop rather than an open loop as been illustrated for the other power scoop embodiments disclosed herein; otherwise, operation of power scoop  82  is similar to that described above. 
         [0046]      FIG. 21  shows power scoop  10  being used to transfer coffee into a reusable K-cup,  94 .  FIG. 22  shows power scoop  10  being used to transfer infant formula powder into a baby bottle,  96 .  FIG. 23  shows power scoop  10  being used to spread sprinkles,  98 , onto the top of a cake,  100 . The rate at which sprinkles  98  are dispensed can be controlled by how far slide  20  is moved upward to uncover the spout opening. Thus, the user can dispense the product at a controlled rate determined by the user. 
         [0047]    It will be appreciated, then, that the disclosed power scoop can be used to dispense virtually any powder, granule, or like particulate into a variety of containers or onto a variety of surfaces. While the dispensed product most often will be comestible, such dispensed product can be grass seed or other non-comestible product. 
         [0048]    Materials of construction most often will be plastics (polymers). For dispensing of comestibles, the plastic must be classified as food grade. For dispensing of other materials, the plastic must be suitable for use with such materials. Most often, the disclosed scoop should be formed from materials giving it a very smooth surface to assist the material in being dispensed quickly and completely. Of course, the disclosed scoop could be made from metal, ceramics, or other materials for special uses. 
         [0049]    While the device has been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope and essence of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. In this application all units are in the metric system and all amounts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Also, all citations referred herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference.