Patent Publication Number: US-9896319-B2

Title: Gathering and dispensing scoop with gate valve

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This utility patent application is a divisional application of currently pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/673,705 filed on Nov. 9, 2012. 
     U.S. application Ser. No. 13/673,705 claims the benefit of earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/629,055 filed on Nov. 14, 2011. The entire contents of both aforementioned U.S. Ser. No. 13/673,705 and U.S. 61/629,055 are incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to containers, and more particularly to containers used for gathering and dispensing predetermined quantities of flowable powders and particulated solids. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For years the food supplement industry and sports drink industry (commonly soda drink manufacturers) hereinafter collectively referred to as the “nutrition industry” have produced and marketed fluidic products that are packaged in a manner that is ready to drink (RID). Such RTD products are predominately available in single serving size containers and such containers are typically formed of plastic or metal alloys. 
     The nutrition industry also encompasses the production, packaging and distribution of a wide variety of powdered nutritional products that may be added to liquids such as, but not limited to, water, milk and juices. Powdered nutritional products include, but are not limited to, items such as baby formula, dietary supplements, sports drinks, vitamin additives and flavor additives. 
     The nutrition industry has discovered the manufacture and sale of nutritional products in powdered form is more economical than RTD products. Powdered products are easier and less costly to package and ship because powdered products weigh less and have less volume. Powdered products are dry and are generally not subject to spoilage with age. Further, powdered products encourage use of re-usable bottles and containers which has the added benefit of reducing the consumption of disposable plastic and metal containers allowing manufacturers to promote their product as “being green” and environmentally sensitive while increasing profit margins by reducing costs. Further still, powdered products allow consumers more freedom than would otherwise be available because a powered product can be easily transported and the drink may be made when needed. For example, parents with infants might be prevented from traveling if there was no ability to make infant formula during lengthy periods of travel on an airplane because refrigeration may not be available and because transport and storage of liquids may be problematic or even prohibited by aviation security regulations. 
     The nutrition industry has responded to these needs by producing single serving size “tubes” of powdered mixes that are easily transportable. Unfortunately, such “tubes” and single size serving packaging have increased pollution of paper and plastic products, encouraged the use of single serving size bottles of water and prevented end-consumers from adjusting the concentration of the product added to a quantity of liquid to adjust for taste. My dispensing scoop with gate valve resolves various of these continuing drawbacks and problems by providing end-consumers with the ability to adjust for taste and reducing the need for single use containers. 
     Various types of packaging and containers are used in the powdered nutritional product industry, including but not limited to, waxed cardboard containers, plastic jugs, metal containers and “tubs” of various sizes. Typically such containers carry a bulk quantity of product, which may be accessed through a large opening orifice generally defined in a top portion of the container. Because the products are commonly sold in bulk quantities, the opening orifice defined in the container typically has a removable and re-sealable top and is large enough for a user to insert at least a portion of his/her hand into the container while gripping a tool, such as a spoon or scoop for gathering a quantity of the product and for transferring the product to an end-use container, such as a baby bottle or a water bottle. 
     If a spoon, such as a teaspoon or tablespoon, is used to gather product from the container and transfer the product to an end-use container, it is difficult to consistently gather and thereafter dispense a consistent quantity of the product because the product is typically “heaped” upon the spoon. This can be a significant issue when calorie control is important. Although a spoon defines a generally concave depression, a spoon generally does not have sufficiently tall perimeter walls surrounding the concave depression to prevent some portion of the product from “sloughing off” the edges of the spoon. As a result, when using a spoon, it is difficult to control the quantity of the product being gathered and thereafter dispensed. Further, although spoons are typically tapered at a “nose end” portion opposite a handle, spoons do not readily facilitate depositing the product into any end-use container that has an opening orifice smaller than a side-to-side dimension of the spoon. The result is that some portion of the product falls outside the opening orifice to the end-use container, causing a mess and waste of the product. This problem may be even greater if the person using the spoon does not have sufficient hand coordination and dexterity, for instance young children. 
     One alternative to the use of spoons for gathering, and thereafter dispensing such products, has been to include a scoop within the original packaging of the product and the scoop or spoon may be configured and sized for gathering a specified quantity of the product for addition to a predetermined quantity of liquid, for instance one scoop of product per 12 ounces of water. Scoops make gathering and dispensing a consistent quantity of the product easier, but scoops also have continuing drawbacks. Scoops typically have small short handles that require a user to insert his/her entire hand into the product container to gather the product. In addition, it is often difficult to fill and difficult to empty the material from the scoop. These drawbacks are exacerbated by the structure of known scoops and by the fact that many powdered nutritional products, such as infant formula, are a very finely powdered particulate. 
     Scoops formed by injection molding and vacuum forming have generally planer bottom portions and integrally connected side walls, defining an air tight volume. Such air tight volumes allow air pockets to form within the scoop as the product is being scooped up. Such air pockets prevent the scoop from filling completely with the powdered product. If the scoop does not fill completely, the amount of product being gathered and thereafter deposited into an end-use container such as a baby bottle is not adequate to create the desired/intended nutritional concentration. Another drawback to air tight scoops occurs when the scoop is completely filled with product. A vacuum may form within the volume, causing the product contained within the volume to not “release” for depositing into the end-use container such as a baby bottle without agitation to release the vacuum. Further, and similar to the use of tableware spoons, after the scoop is filled with a quantity of product, the scoop needs to be inverted over the opening orifice of the end-use container to empty the product. Inversion of the scoop frequently leads to spillage of the product, and in many instances the scoop will have an opening orifice that is larger than the opening orifice of the end-use container which leads to the same problem experienced with spoons, the powdered material failing on the outside of the end-use container rather than passing through the opening orifice and into the end-use container. Again, the end result is inconsistent quantities of the powdered nutritional material being added to the end-use container and difficulty gathering and dispensing the powdered material. Finally, many known scoops have a generally planer handle that extends radially from an upper edge portion of the scoop volume. The planer handle adjacent the scoop volume has a tendency to collect an amount of the product being scooped up thereon and unless this “build up” is manually “brushed away” there is additional spillage when the scoop is inverted for emptying. 
     Admittedly scoops have resolved some of the problems encountered by users of powdered nutritional products. However, scoops have not solved all of the problems associated with consistently gathering and dispensing consistent quantities of powdered nutritional supplements into end-use containers that have opening orifices smaller than the diameter of a spoon or scoop. Therefore, there remains a need for a device which resolves these continuing needs. 
     My gathering and dispensing scoop with gate valve resolves various of the continuing problems associated with gathering and dispensing consistent quantities of powdered and finely particulated products into end-use containers. My invention has a scoop body defining a volume, an agitating gate valve, and a handle extending radially from the scoop body. The volume is not air-tight so that air pockets do not form within the volume while product is being gathered and to prevent a vacuum which might prevent product from dispensing from the volume. The agitating gate valve breaks surface tension that may form in powdered products to encourage the product to “release” from the volume for dispensing. My gathering and dispensing scoop with gate valve need not be inverted to dispense product into an end-use container because the agitating gate valve optionally opens and closes an orifice defined in a bottom of the scoop body so that the product within the volume may be deposited into an end-use container. 
     A dispensing chute may be attached to a bottom portion of the scoop body and the chute may have peripheral walls that taper inwardly, and may further include steps defined therein for frictional engagement with a rim of an opening orifice of a end-use container so that the dispensing chute may be accurately and consistently placed upon the end-use container for depositing product therein without spillage even by persons lacking hand coordination and dexterity such as young children. Inner surfaces of the dispensing chute are linear and smooth, without steps or ridges, so that product within the volume slides therealong and thereacross for passage into the end-use container. 
     The agitating gate valve is moveable and is manipulated by a user to open and close the gate valve as desired. The structure of my gathering and dispensing scoop with gate valve allows single-hand (left or right) and single-finger use which is of paramount importance especially for parents who may be attempting to make a bottle of infant formula while holding an infant in their arms. 
     Some or all of the problems explained above, and other problems, may be helped or solved by my invention shown and described herein. My invention may also be used to address other problems not set out herein or which become apparent at a later time. The future may also bring to light unknown benefits which may be in the future appreciated from the novel invention shown and described herein. 
     SUMMARY 
     A gathering and dispensing scoop with agitating gate valve provides a scoop body defining an upper opening, a bottom opening, and a channel extending therebetween. A handle extends radially from an outer peripheral surface of the scoop body. A gate valve transects the channel obstructing the bottom opening forming a volume within the body and has a user operable finger tab adjacent to the handle. A dispensing chute communicating with the channel and carried by scoop body adjacent the bottom opening provides for frictional engagement with opening orifice rim of an end-use container. 
     In providing such a gathering and dispensing scoop with gate valve it is: 
     a principal object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop having a one-finger operable gate valve. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop that does not need to be inverted to empty contents therefrom. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop that does not form air pockets while gathering product. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop that does not create a vacuum when emptying contents therefrom. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop having a gate valve that agitates product within the channel when the gate valve is operated. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop having a gate valve that optionally obstructs the bottom opening. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop having a gate valve that transects the medial channel by sliding thereacross. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop having a gate valve that is flat. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop having a gate valve that pivots on an axis of rotation. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop having a gate valve that pivots on two axes of rotation. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop that is operable with a left hand and with a right hand. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop defining a volume that is not air tight. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop that provides consistent uniform dosing. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop that has a dispensing chute for depositing contents in an end-use container without spillage. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop that consistently completely fills with product and consistently completely empties product therefrom. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop for use with powdered infant formula and baby bottles. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop for use with small-neck water bottles. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop for use with finely particulated, flowable nutritional supplements. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop having a spring-biased gate valve. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop that promotes use of powdered products to reduce pollution and reduce use of RTD products in disposable containers. 
     a further object to provide a gathering and dispensing scoop that is stackable with similar scoops of differing size volumes. 
     a still further object to provide gathering and dispensing scoop for powdered nutritional products that is of new and novel design, of rugged and durable nature, of simple and economic manufacture, and one that is otherwise well-suited to the uses and purposes for which it is intended. 
     Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following specification and accompanying drawings which form a part herein. In carrying out the objects of my invention, it is to be understood that its structures and features are susceptible to change in design and arrangement and size, with only one preferred and practical embodiment of the best known mode being illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specified as is required. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Specific forms, configurations, embodiments and/or diagrams relating to and helping to describe preferred versions of the invention are explained and characterized herein, often with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and all features shown therein also serve as part of the disclosure of the invention whether described in text or merely by graphical disclosure alone. Such drawings are briefly described below. 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric top, side and handle end view of my dispensing scoop showing the gate valve in a closed position. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric top, side and handle end view of my gathering and dispensing scoop showing the gate valve pivoted to an open position. 
         FIG. 3  is an orthographic first side view of the gathering and dispensing scoop of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an orthographic second side view of the gathering and dispensing scoop of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an orthographic top downward looking view of the gathering and dispensing scoop of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is an orthographic bottom upward looking view of the gathering and dispensing scoop of  FIG. 1  showing the biasing spring. 
         FIG. 7  is an orthographic scoop body end view of the gathering and dispensing scoop of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is an orthographic handle end view of the gathering and dispensing scoop of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric top, first side and handle end view of a second embodiment of my gathering and dispensing scoop having an agitating gate valve that slides axially along the handle showing the gate valve in a closed position. 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric top, first side and handle end view similar to that of  FIG. 9  showing the agitating gate valve in an open position. 
         FIG. 10 a    is an orthographic, partial cut-away bottom upward looking view of the gathering and dispensing scoop handle of  FIG. 9  showing the gate valve tracks and the lug tabs. 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric top, first side and handle end view of a third embodiment of my gathering and dispensing scoop having a sector shaped agitating gate valve that pivots on two pivot axles showing the gate valve in a closed position. 
         FIG. 12  is a partial cut-away isometric top, first side and handle end view of the gathering and dispensing scoop of  FIG. 11  showing the sector shaped agitating gate valve pivoted to an open position. 
         FIG. 13  is an orthographic, top downward looking view of the gathering and dispensing scoop of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  is an orthographic second side view of the gathering and dispensing scoop of  FIG. 11 , the first side being the same. 
         FIG. 15  is an orthographic bottom upward looking view of the gathering and dispensing scoop of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 16  is an orthographic handle end view of the gathering and dispensing scoop of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 17  is an orthographic scoop body end view of the gathering and dispensing scoop of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 18  is an orthographic handle end view of the agitating gate valve of  FIG. 11  removed from the scoop body. 
         FIG. 19  is an enlarged orthographic scoop body end view similar to that of  FIG. 17  showing the agitating gate valve pivoted to an open position showing the path of movement of the agitating gate valve in dashed outline. 
         FIG. 20  is an isometric top, first side and handle end view of a fourth embodiment of my gathering and dispensing scoop showing the handle and the agitating gate valve vertically offset from one another and the agitating gate valve pivoted to a partially open position. 
         FIG. 21  is an isometric top, first side and handle end view of a fifth embodiment of my gathering and dispensing scoop showing a trigger type finger grip to activate a “trap door” type gate valve. 
         FIG. 22  is an isometric top, first side and handle end view of a sixth embodiment of my gathering and dispensing scoop similar to that shown in  FIGS. 9, 10, 10   a  showing the handle and the gate valve vertically offset from one another and the agitating gate valve partially opened, this sixth embodiment configured to provide for co-axial stacking of differing sued scoops. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Introductory Notes 
     The readers of this document should understand that the embodiments described herein may rely on terminology used in any section of this document and other terms readily apparent from the drawings and the language common therefore as may be known in a particular art and such as known or indicated and provided by dictionaries. Dictionaries were used in the preparation of this document. Widely known and used in the preparation hereof are  Webster&#39;s Third New International Dictionary  (©2093), The  Oxford English Dictionary  (Second Edition, ©2089),  The New Century Dictionary  (©2001-2005) and  The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language  (4th Edition ©2000) all of which are hereby incorporated by reference for interpretation of terms used herein and for application and use of words defined in such references to more adequately or aptly describe various features, aspects and concepts shown or otherwise described herein. 
     This document is premised upon using one or more terms or features shown in one embodiment that may also apply to or be combined with other embodiments for similar structures, functions, features and aspects of the invention and provides additional embodiments of the invention. Wording used in the Claims is also descriptive of the invention and the text of both the Claims and the abstract are incorporated by reference into the description entirely. Terminology used with one, some or all embodiments may be used for describing and defining the technology and exclusive rights associated herewith. 
     The readers of this document should further understand that the embodiments described herein may rely on terminology and features used in any section or embodiment shown in this document and other terms readily apparent from the drawings and language common or proper therefore. 
     The term “product” as used herein is to be understood as including without limitation powdered products, granulated products, particulated solids and flowable solids and the like that may be gathered into the scoop by a user and thereafter dispensed from the scoop into another container. Although primarily directed at dry flowable finely particulated solids intended for combination with a liquid such as, but not limited to, powdered baby formula and nutritional supplements, the term “product” as used herein is inclusive of all products and materials gathered and dispensed with the scoop. 
     Overview of the Apparatus 
     My gathering and dispensing scoop with gate valve generally provides a scoop body  10 , a handle  20  and a gate valve  30 . 
     The scoop body  10  defines an upper opening  11  having a diameter  14 , a bottom opening  12  having a diameter  19  and a channel  13  extending from the upper opening  11  to the bottom opening  12 . The channel  13  has an axis  38  and defines a volume  15  when the bottom opening  12  is obstructed by the gate valve  30 . The volume  15  is sized so that a predetermined quantity of product (not shown) may be gathered within the scoop body  10  for transfer to and dispensing into another container such as a water bottle (not shown) or baby bottle (not shown). Volume  15  of the scoop body  10  may vary from scoop to scoop by changing the dimensions of the body  10  such as by changing the diameter  14  of the upper opening  11  and the diameter  19  of the bottom opening  12  and/or by increasing a depth of the channel  13  to create scoops for gathering and dispensing different quantities of product. 
     Handle  20  is rigid and extends generally radially from the scoop body  10 . The handle  20  has a first end portion  21  proximate the scoop body  10  and a second end portion  22  distal from the scoop body  10 . The handle  20  is structurally interconnected with an outer circumferential wall  16  of the scoop body  10  to provide ease of manipulation of the scoop body  10 . 
     The gate valve  30  is somewhat planer, having a generally disc-shaped channel blocking portion  31  at one end portion, and a handle portion  32  extending radially from the channel blocking portion  31 . The channel blocking portion  31  is of a size to completely transect the channel  13  adjacent the bottom opening  12  obstructing the channel  13  so that a user may gather and transport a predetermined quantity of product (not shown) within the volume  15 . The channel blocking portion  31  of the gate valve  30  communicates with the scoop body  10  and transects the channel  13  by moving through a gate valve slot  18  defined in the outer circumferential wall  16  of the scoop body  10 . 
     An annular ring  55  may be carried within the volume  15  adjacent immediately above the gate valve slot  18  and extending circumferentially about the interior of the channel  13 . The annular ring  55  has an outer circumferential surface (not shown) that is complimentary to the interior surface of the channel  13  and an inner circumferential surface  56  that tapers radially inwardly and downwardly toward the bottom opening  12 . The annular ring  55  and its tapered inner circumferential surface  56  imparts some amount of radially inward movement to product (not shown) passing there-over when the product (not shown) is exiting the volume  15  through the bottom opening  12 . The position of the annular ring  55  adjacent immediately above the gate valve slot  18  tends to prevent product (not shown) from flowing out through the gate valve slot  18  when the gate valve  30  is opened. In another embodiment (not shown) the same effect of imparting some amount of radially inward movement to the product to prevent the product from flowing outwardly through the gate valve slot  18  may be accomplished by thickening the body  10  adjacent above the gate valve slot  18  which may be accomplished during formation of the body  10 , so that the diameter  19  of the bottom opening  12  is diametrically smaller adjacent immediately above the gate valve  30  than the diameter  19  is immediately below the gate valve  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the gate valve  30  pivots relative to the handle  20  on a pivot axle  80  ( FIG. 6 ) that extends through top surface  29  of the handle  20 . The pivoting motion of the slide gate  30  relative to the scoop body  10  causes the channel blocking portion  31  of the slide gate  30  to enter the gate valve slot  18  defined in the scoop body  10 . As the gate valve  30  pivots about pivot axle  80  the handle end portion  32  of the gate valve  30  pivots opposite the channel blocking portion  31 . 
     A locking notch  81  is defined in a first lateral edge portion  82  of the handle portion  32  opposite the channel blocking portion  31 . A locking tab  84  is carried on the top surface  29  of the handle  20  and is configured and biased to releasably engage with the locking notch  81  when the gate valve  30  is pivoted to a closed position ( FIG. 1 ). A rotation limiting lip  85  is carried on a lateral edge of the handle  20  and extends vertically upwardly therefrom generally medially between the first end portion  21  and the second end portion  22  and spacedly adjacent the locking tab  84 . The rotation limiting lip  85  provides a physical limit upon the pivotal rotation of the gate valve  30  and provides the user with a visual indicator of when the gate valve  30  is fully closed. Further, the rotation limiting lip  86  tends to prevent any “pinching” a user&#39;s skin or finger daring the closing and opening of the gate valve  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the gate valve  30  may be biased to an open position, or to a closed position by spring  86  which communicates with the pivot axle  80 . In the preferred embodiment the spring  86  engages with a diametric notch  87  defined in the pivot axle  80 . Depending upon the position and tension of the spring  86 , the gate valve  30  may be biased to either an open position ( FIG. 2 ) or to a closed position ( FIG. 1 ) depending upon the users desire. If the gate valve  30  is biased by spring  86  to an open position, engagement of the locking tab  84  with the locking notch  81  will retain the gate valve  30  in a closed position until the user operates the locking tab  84  which responsively disengages from the locking notch  81  and releases the gate valve  30  to pivot about pivot axle  80  under the biasing of spring  86  to cause the gate valve  30  to open allowing product (not shown) within the volume  15  to pass through the bottom opening  12 . 
     If the spring  86  is configured and oriented to bias the gate valve  30  to a closed position, operator activation of the locking tab  84  allows the user to pivot the handle end portion  32  of the gate valve  30  laterally outwardly away from the rotation limiting lip  85  with the user&#39;s thumb. As the handle end portion  32  pivots outwardly about the pivot axle  80  the channel blocking portion  31  pivots outwardly from the gate valve slot  18  responsively removing the obstruction from the bottom opening  12  and allowing product (not shown) to pass therethrough.  FIG. 20  shows a similar embodiment of the scoop with the gate valve  30  vertically offset from the handle  20  by a pivot axle  80 . 
     In a second embodiment, ( FIGS. 9, 10 and 10   a ) the gate valve  30  is somewhat planer, having a generally disc-shaped channel blocking portion  31  at one end portion, and a handle portion  32  extending radially from the channel blocking portion  31 . Channel blocking portion  31  has a diameter  14  sized and configured to completely transect the channel  13  adjacent the bottom opening  12  so that a user may gather and transport a predetermined quantity of product (not shown) within the volume  15 . The gate valve  30  communicates with the scoop body  10  and transects the channel  13  by moving through a slide gate slot  18  defined in outer circumferential wall  16  of the scoop body  10  adjacent the interconnection of the scoop body  10  and the handle  20 . 
     The handle portion  32  of the gate valve  30  defines a finger grip  35  that may have various known configurations and sizes to promote engagement with a user&#39;s finger (not shown) during use, such as but not limited to, a raised ridge or a grip enhancing surface texture. 
     Gate valve track  23  is defined in the handle  20  and extends radially away from the scoop body  10 . As shown in  FIG. 10 a   , two parallel spacedly adjacent gate valve tracks  23  are defined in the handle  20 , with one gate valve track  23  proximate each lateral edge of the handle  20 . Lugs (not shown) are carried on a bottom surface of the handle portion  32  and extend generally perpendicularly therefrom in a downward direction. Tabs  37  are carried on end portions of the lugs (not shown) opposite the handle portion  32  and provide positional maintenance of the gate valve  30  within the gate valve tracks  23  defined in the handle  20 . Lateral edge portions  25  of the handle  20  extend perpendicularly relative to top surface  29  of the handle  20  forming a recess  42  on an underside of the handle  20  so that the lugs (not shown) and tabs  35  do not strike the user&#39;s hand during operation of the gate valve  30 . The lateral edge portions  25  are curvilinear on bottom edge portions to create an ergonomic and user friendly “feel” and “grip” within a user&#39;s hand. The lateral edge portions  25  of the handle  20  may also extend upwardly above top surface  29  of the handle  20  forming a recess  43  to guide movement of the handle portion  32  of the gate valve  30  as it moves along the top surface  29  of the handle  20  during operation. A hole  44  may be defined in the handle  20  opposite the scoop body  10  to allow the scoop to hang upon a hook or the like for storage. 
     As the gate valve  30  slides along the handle  20  the lugs (not shown) carrying tabs  27  move within the slide gate tracks  23 . Movement of the gate valve  30  along the handle  20  allows the channel blocking portion  31  to pass into and also be withdrawn from the gate valve slot  18 , defined within the scoop body  10 . When the channel blocking portion  31  of the gate valve  30  is inserted through the gate valve slot  18 , the channel blocking portion  31  transects the channel  13 , so that the channel  13  defines volume  15 . When the channel blocking portion  31  of the gate valve  30  is drawn rearwardly away from the scoop body  10  ( FIG. 10 ), the channel blocking portion  31  of the gate valve  30  is nearly completely withdrawn from the gate valve slot  18  allowing product contained within the volume  15  to pass downwardly through the bottom opening  12  and into an end-use container (not shown). 
     Best shown in  FIG. 10 , half  31   a  of the channel blocking portion  31  proximate the handle portion  32  is diametrically larger than half  31   b  of the channel blocking portion  31  opposite the handle portion  32 . The diametric enlargement of the channel blocking portion  31   a  provides two diametrically opposed, radially extending ledges  34  that extend radially outwardly from peripheral edge of the channel blocking portion  31 . The ledges  34  frictionally communicate with terminal edge portions  36  of the gate valve slot  18  that are diametrically opposite one another, and approximately 90° offset from a center line (not shown) of the radially extending handle  20 . The ledges  34  provide a secure and firm mechanical interconnection between the gate valve  30  and the scoop body  10  when gate valve  30  is transecting the channel  13 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , when the gate valve  30  is fully retracted from the channel  13 , terminal end portion  53  of the channel blocking portion  31 , is completely withdrawn from the channel  13  but is not completely withdrawn from the gate valve slot  18 , so that the gate valve  30  is positionally maintained on the handle  20  and remains in alignment with the gate valve slot  18 . 
     In a third embodiment ( FIGS. 11-17 ), the scoop body  10  is somewhat hemispherical in shape defining a concave channel  13  having an upper opening  11  that is diametrically larger than a bottom opening  12 . Axle supports  60  are carried at diametrically opposite positions on an upper circumferential edge  67  of the upper opening  11  and are radially aligned with the handle  20 . The axle supports  60  positionally maintain and rotatably carry a sector shaped gate valve  30  on pivot axles  61  that extend radially outwardly from diametrically opposed positions on the sector shaped gate valve  30 . The axle supports  60  may have a variety of known configurations to positionally maintain the pivot axles  61  therein while allowing operator initiated rotation of the sector shaped gate valve  30  on pivot axles  61 . Such configurations may include, but not be limited to one or two upwardly opening “C” shaped structures that allow pivot axles  61  to be “snapped” into and out of the axle supports  60 , and also perhaps axle holes (not shown) into which end portions (not shown) of pivot axles  61  may be inserted. 
     The gate valve  30  has a configuration similar to the concave shape of the channel  13  and is sized so that the gate valve  30  is movably carried within the channel  13  with the pivot axles  61  engaged within the axle supports  60 . The gate valve  30  has a configuration similar to a sector of a hollow sphere such that an exterior (bottom) surface  62  of the gate valve  30  is convex in shape while an interior (upper) surface  63  of the gate valve  30  is concave in shape similar to the interior concave hemispherical shape of the channel  13 . The size of the gate valve  30  is such that its exterior bottom surface  62  is immediately spacedly adjacent inner surface  64  of the channel  13  and yet is movable there-within on the pivot axles  61 . Lateral edge portions  69  of the gate valve  30  are tapered toward the edges to have a minimal cross-sectional thickness and an angle  70  between the opposing lateral edge portions  69  relative to an axis of rotation  71  is preferably about 135 degrees but may be as much as 150 degrees and as little as 40 degrees depending upon the diameter  19  of the bottom opening  12 . It is essential that the angle  70  be sufficiently large that the gate valve  30  completely obstructs the bottom opening  12  when the gate valve  30  is in a closed position. Necessarily, the spaced apart lateral edge portions  69  must have a distance therebetween that is larger than the diameter  19  of the bottom opening  12 . In the preferred embodiment, when one lateral edge  69  of the gate valve  30  is equal in height with the upper circumferential edge  67  of the scoop body  10 , the opposing lateral edge  69  of the gate valve  30  is adjacent circumferential edge (not shown) of the bottom opening  12  and the bottom opening  13  is obstructed by the gate valve  30 . Such a configuration lessens any spillage that might occur by material being “pushed” out of the volume  15  by a lateral edge  69  of the gate valve  30 . It is to be understood however that the scoop body  10  and the gate valve  30  may have shapes other than hemispherical, or round, such as but not limited to, oval shapes. 
     When the gate valve  30  is in a closed position, as shown in  FIGS. 11, 13, 16 and 17  the gate valve  30  obstructs the bottom opening  12 . When the gate valve  30  is pivoted about pivot axles  61  on the axis of rotation  71  as shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 19  the bottom opening  12  is unobstructed allowing product (not shown) within the volume  15  to pass through the bottom opening  12  and into an end-use container (not shown). 
     Finger tab  65  is structurally carried on one pivot axle  61 . Preferably, the pivot axle  61  carrying the finger tab  65  is positioned within the axle support  60  adjacent the handle  20  so that the finger tab  65  is easily accessible by a user&#39;s thumb during operation. Manually moving the finger tab  65 , as viewed from the handle  20  ( FIG. 16 ), causes the gate valve  30  to pivot about the axles  61  causing the gate valve  30  to either obstruct/close the bottom opening  12  or pivot upwardly away from the bottom opening  12  to allow product (not shown) within the volume  15  to pass downwardly through the bottom opening  12 . 
     Movement/rotation of the gate valve  30  on pivot axles  61  agitates product within the volume  15  and disrupts any surface tension that might exist within the product which might prevent the product from flowing through the bottom opening  12 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 19 , when the gate valve  30  is pivoted about the axis of rotation  71  to release the product contained within the volume  15  through the bottom opening  12 , lateral edge portions  69  of the gate valve  30  move in an arc that extends over the upper opening  11  towards the axis of rotation  71  of the gate valve  30 . Because the lateral edge portion  69  of the gate valve  30  never passes laterally outwardly of a line  72  tangent to an upper circumferential edge  67  of the scoop body  10 , product within the volume  15  is not pushed up and over the upper circumferential edge  67  of the scoop body  10  by movement of the gate valve  30 . Rather, any product that is displaced by movement of the gate valve  30  is pushed laterally inwardly toward the axis of rotation  71  of the gate valve  30  which minimizes any product spillage caused by operation of the gate valve  30 . 
     The gate valve  30  may be detached from the scoop body  10  for cleaning, maintenance and the like by removing the pivot axles  61  from the axle supports  60 . 
     Bottom surface  24  of the handle  20  proximate the scoop body  10  may define a cavity  28  into which the finger tab  65  of another scoop may be carried if various sizes of scoops are stacked together with the scoop body  10  of one scoop carried within the channel  13  of a larger scoop body  10 . ( FIG. 15 ). 
     In a further contemplated embodiment that facilitates stacking of various sizes of scoops ( FIG. 22 ) the handle  20  is carried by the scoop body  10  spacedly adjacent the upper opening  11  and extends radially from an outer circumferential wall  16  of the scoop body  10 . The gate valve  30  is vertically offset from the handle portion  32  which communicates with finger grip  35  carried on an upper surface  29  of the handle  20 . The finger grip  35  is releasably joined to the handle portion  32  of the gate valve  30  by lugs (not shown) that extend through the gate valve tracks  23  defined in the handle  20  to engage with the handle portion  32  of the gate valve  30 . Forward and rearward movement of the finger grip  35  along with the handle  20  causes the gate valve  30  to open and close the bottom opening  12  by transecting the channel  13 , and by being removed from the channel  13 . The vertical offsetting of the handle  20  and gate valve  30  permits co-axial stacking of various sized scoops. 
     In still another embodiment ( FIG. 21 ) it is contemplated the gate valve  30  is “trap-door” like and is pivotal on a pivot axle  61  to close the channel  13  and obstruct the bottom opening  12 . In this contemplated embodiment the gate valve  30  is moved by a user&#39;s thumb manually moving the finger tab  65  or by means of a trigger  65  ( FIG. 21 ) which is positioned proximate the scoop body  10  on the handle  20  and spacedly adjacent the upper opening  11  of the scoop body  10 . A strengthening boss carried on the outer peripheral wall  16  of the scoop body  10  may journal the pivot axle  61  to add rigidity. 
     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 20  is similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  except that the gate valve  30  is vertically offset from the handle  20 , and the gate valve  30  is user operated by a finger tab  65  carried on a pivot axle  80  that communicates between the gate valve  30  and the handle  20 . The embodiment of  FIG. 20  is similar to that of  FIG. 22  in that it is also configured for co-axial stacking of varying sizes of gathering and dispensing scoops with smaller sized scoops carried/stacked within the volume  15  of larger sized scoops. 
     Construction and Materials of the Apparatus 
     The scoop body  10 , the handle  20  and the gate valve  30  are preferably formed of a type of plastic or other food safe material such as but not limited to stainless steel through known methods such as injection molding, blow molding, vacuum forming, roto-molding, casting and stamping. It is preferable that the scoop body  10  and handle  20  be formed in a unitary piece, and that the gate valve  30  similarly be formed in a unitary piece, separately from the scoop body  10 . 
     The molding process, be it injection molding, blow molding, vacuum forming or roto-molding, is preferable to keep costs at a minimum and also to form the various elements of the apparatus, including the angles, depressions and slots defined therein. However, other manufacturing techniques which are similarly known may similarly be used if, for instance, “high end” cooking scoops are being manufactured of stainless steel, in which case known manufacturing techniques for stainless steel and metal alloys would be used. 
     Having described the structure of my gathering and dispensing scoop with gate valve, its operation may be understood. 
     Assuming the scoop is not within a container (not shown) of product, and is readily accessible for use, a user would grasp the handle  20  with one hand and position it so that the user&#39;s fingers wrap around the handle  20  and preferably the user&#39;s thumb (not shown) is in frictional communication with the handle portion  32  of the gate valve  30 . Assuming the gate valve  30  is in an open position ( FIG. 2 ) the user should push the channel blocking portion  31  of the gate valve  30  laterally toward the gate valve slot  18  so that the gate valve  30  pivots on pivot axle  80 . When the channel blocking portion  31  of the gate valve  30  has fully transected the channel  13  and closed the bottom opening  12 , the first lateral edge  82  of the handle portion  32  should be in frictional contact with the rotation limiting lip  85  and the locking tab  84  shall engage with the locking notch  81  to positionally maintain the gate valve  30  in a closed position. 
     The scoop body  10  is maneuvered into the container (not shown) through an opening orifice (not shown) defined therein and is maneuvered such that a quantity of the material is gathered within the volume  15 . The material enters the volume  15  through the upper opening  11  and passes into the volume  15 , completely filling the volume  15  because any air bubbles and the like that might form pass through the gate valve slot  18  or through the bottom opening  12 . The product gathered in the volume  15  frictionally rests upon an upper surface of the gate valve  30  that is transecting the channel  13  and obstructing the bottom opening  12 . If desired, the user may remove any “heaping” amounts of the product off the top of the scoop body  10  so that the quantity of product is consistent. 
     The user would then maneuver the filled scoop body  10  to a position adjacent above an opening orifice (not shown) of a container, such as a water bottle (not shown), or baby bottle (not shown). The user would then maneuver the scoop body  10  into position wherein the bottom opening  12  of the scoop body  10  is in frictional contact with an upper edge portion (not shown) of the end-use container. The user then, with his/her thumb, operates the locking tab  84  which allows the gate valve  30  to move to an open position. Operation of the gate valve  30  effectively opens the channel  13  by removing the obstructing gate valve  30 , which allows the product within the volume  15  to pass downwardly, under the influence of gravity, through the channel  13  and out through the bottom opening  12  for depositing in the end-use container. If additional product is to be gathered and deposited into the end-use container, the process described above, is repeated. Movement of the gate valve  30  agitates the product (not shown) within the volume  15 , which encourages the product to flow and disrupts surface tension that may exist within the product. 
     The radially inward and downward shape of the inner circumferential surface  56  of the annular ring  55  positioned adjacent above the gate valve slot  18  within the channel  13  imparts some amount of radially inward movement to the product (not shown) within the volume  15  so that the product (not shown) does not flow out through the gate valve slot  18  when the gate valve  30  is opened. 
     Interpretation Notes 
     The above description has set out various features, functions, methods and other aspects of the invention. This has been done with regard to the currently preferred embodiments thereof. Time and further development may change the manner in which the various aspects are implemented. Such aspects may further be added to by the language of the claims which are incorporated by reference hereinto as originally filed. The scope of protection accorded the invention, as defined by the claims, is not intended to be necessarily limited to the specific sizes, shapes, features or other aspects of the currently preferred embodiment shown and described. The claimed invention may be implemented or embodied in other forms still being within the concepts shown, described and claimed herein. Also included are equivalents of the invention which can be made without departing from the scope or concepts properly protected hereby. 
     The foregoing description of my invention is necessarily of a detailed nature so that a specific embodiment of a best mode may be set forth as is required, but it is to be understood that various modifications of details, sizes, and rearrangement, substitution and multiplication of the parts may be resorted to without departing from its spirit, essence or scope. 
     Having thusly described my invention, the preferred embodiment and its use, pray issuance of Utility Letters Patent.