Patent Publication Number: US-11039697-B2

Title: Ice scoop

Description:
FIELD 
     The present embodiments relate to a scoop and, more specifically, an ice scoop. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Commercial icemakers are used in a number of different types of foodservice and hospitality establishments. For example, commercial icemakers are used in bars, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and other establishments for chilling drinks and keeping food cold during transport. In any of these establishments, a number of users may retrieve ice from an icemaker over the course of a day. For example, a number of bartenders and/or servers working at a bar or a restaurant may retrieve ice from an icemaker over the course of a day. 
     Improper handling of the ice may introduce contaminants to the ice, which may cause foodborne illness. To prevent skin-to-ice contact and reduce the risk of contamination when a user is retrieving ice from the icemaker, the establishment may establish ice-handling procedures. For example, a bartender working at a bar may be required to put on a glove to retrieve ice each time the bartender makes a drink. The bartender may, however, misplace the glove, use a contaminated glove, or ignore these procedures when the bar gets busy. 
     SUMMARY 
     In order to reduce the risk of contamination of ice within an icemaker, an ice scoop that surrounds a hand of a user of the ice scoop is provided. The ice scoop includes a barrier, and a scoop portion and a handle portion extending away from opposite sides of the barrier, respectively. The handle portion includes at least one wall extending away from the barrier, and a handle attached to a wall of the at least one wall and/or the barrier. The at least one wall of the handle portion and the barrier define a cavity into which the hand of the user is insertable. 
     In a first aspect, an ice scoop includes a barrier having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The ice scoop also includes a scoop portion extending away from the first side of the barrier, and a handle portion extending away from the second side of the barrier. The handle portion includes at least one wall extending away from the second side of the barrier, and a handhold attached to a wall of the at least one wall, the barrier, or the wall and the barrier within the cavity. The at least one wall of the handle portion and the barrier define a cavity. 
     In a second aspect, a scoop includes a barrier having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The scoop also includes a scoop portion extending away from the first side of the barrier. The scoop portion has a scooping wall. The scoop includes a handle portion extending away from the second side of the barrier. The handle portion includes at least one hand protection wall extending away from the second side of the barrier, and a handhold attached to a hand protection wall of the at least one hand protection wall, the barrier, or the hand protection wall and the barrier within the recess. The at least one hand protection wall and the barrier define a recess. The at least one hand protection wall surrounds the handhold in a plane through the handhold and perpendicular to the scooping wall. 
     In a third aspect, an ice scoop includes a barrier having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The ice scoop also includes a scoop portion extending away from the first side of the barrier. The scoop portion has a scooping wall. The ice scoop includes a handle portion extending away from the second side of the barrier. The handle portion includes a first hand protection wall, a second hand protection wall opposite the first hand protection wall, and a third hand protection wall and a fourth hand protection wall extending between the first hand protection wall and the second hand protection wall at opposed sides of the first hand protection wall and the second hand protection wall, respectively. The first hand protection wall, the second hand protection wall, the third hand protection wall, and the fourth hand protection wall extend away from the barrier and, with the barrier, defining a hollow. The handle portion also includes a handhold attached to the first hand protection wall, the second hand protection wall, the barrier, or any combination thereof within the hollow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a first perspective view of one embodiment of a scoop; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the scoop of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the scoop of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a second perspective view of the scoop of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the scoop of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the scoop of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top cross-sectional view of a handle portion of the scoop of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a rear view of another embodiment of a scoop. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An ice scoop of the present embodiments includes a barrier that separates a scoop portion and a handle portion. The handle portion includes one or more walls extending away from a side of the barrier. The one or more walls and the barrier define a cavity into which a hand of the user is insertable. The handle portion includes a handle disposed within the recess. The handle may be positioned closer to the barrier than to an end of the handle portion, such that the hand of the user is completely disposed within the cavity. The hand of the user is completely surrounded by the one or more walls in a plane through the handle and/or parallel to the side of the barrier from which the one or more walls extend. 
     The positioning of the handle relative to the barrier and/or the end of the handle portion and the surrounding of the hand by the one or more walls helps reduce the risk of skin-to-ice contact, and thus, contamination of ice within an icemaker, when the user retrieves ice from icemaker. The ice scoop of one or more of the present embodiments is easy to use. The user may thus be more likely to use the ice scoop than other procedures of the prior art to prevent contamination of the ice within the icemaker. For example, due to the comparative ease of use, the user may be more likely to use the ice scoop every time ice is retrieved than putting on a disposable glove every time ice is retrieved. 
       FIG. 1-7  illustrate a first embodiment of an ice scoop  100 . Referring to Referring to  FIG. 1 , the ice scoop  100  includes a barrier  102  (e.g., a wall) that separates a scoop portion  104  of the ice scoop  100  from a handle portion  106  of the ice scoop. The barrier  102  thus separates the ice being scooped by the scoop portion  104  from a hand of a user disposed within the handle portion  106  of the ice scoop  100 . 
     The barrier  102  has a first side  108  that faces the scoop portion  104  and a second side  110  (see  FIG. 6 ) that faces the handle portion  106 . The second side  110  of the barrier  102  is opposite the first side  108  of the barrier  102 , and at least a portion of the second side  110  of the barrier  102  may be parallel to at least a portion of the first side  108  of the barrier  102 . In one embodiment, at least a portion of the second side  110  of the barrier  102  is at an angle relative to at least a portion of the first side  108  of the barrier  102 . 
     The barrier  102  may be any number of sizes and shapes. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the barrier  102  may be rectangular. Other shapes may be provided. For example, the barrier  102  may be circular in shape or oval-shaped. In one embodiment, the barrier  102  is rectangular (e.g., square) with rounded corners. In another embodiment, the barrier  102  includes one or more portions that curve away from the scoop portion  104  and/or the handle portion  106 , respectively. 
     The width, the height, the thickness, and/or other dimensions of the barrier  102  may be any number of different sizes. For example, the width and the height of the barrier  102  may at least partially define a size of a cavity of the handle portion  106 , in which the hand of the user is positioned, and the width of the barrier  102  may partially define a size of the scoop portion  104  of the ice scoop  100 . For example, the barrier  102  may be sized (e.g., with a width and a height) such that the size of the cavity of the handle portion  106  is large enough for a number of different sized hands to be inserted into the handle portion  106 . Alternatively or additionally, the barrier  102  may be sized such that a particular volume of ice may be disposed (e.g., housed) within the scoop portion  104  of the scoop  100 . 
     The scoop portion  104  extends in a direction away from the first side  108  of the barrier  102 , and the handle portion  106  extends in a direction away from the second side  110  of the barrier  102 . For example, the scoop portion  104  is directly connected to (e.g., abuts) the first side  108  of the barrier  102  and extends away from the first side  108  of the barrier  102 , and the handle portion  106  is directly connected to (e.g., abuts) the second side  110  of the barrier  102  and extends away from the second side  110  of the barrier  102 . In one embodiment, the scoop portion  104  is directly connected to (e.g., abuts) the handle portion  106  without being directly connected to the barrier  102 , or is directly connected to (e.g., abuts) the handle portion  106  in addition to the barrier  102 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the barrier  102  is rectangular, and the handle portion  106  includes wall portions  112  (e.g., curved wall portions) connecting the handle portion  106  to the barrier  102 . Supports  114  of the scoop portion  104  are directly connected to the first side  108  of the barrier  102  and/or the wall portions  112  of the handle portion  106 . Other configurations may be provided. 
     In one embodiment, at least a portion of the scoop portion  104  extends away from the first side  108  of the barrier  102  in a direction perpendicular to the first side  108  of the barrier  102 , and at least a portion of the handle portion  106  extends away from the second side  110  of the barrier  102  in a direction perpendicular to the second side  110  of the barrier  102 . In another example, the scoop portion  104  extends away from the first side  108  of the barrier  102  in one or more non-perpendicular directions relative to the first side  108  of the barrier  102 , and/or the handle portion  106  extends away from the second side  110  of the barrier  102  in one or more non-perpendicular directions relative to the second side  110  of the barrier  102 . 
     The scoop portion  104  includes a bottom scoop wall  116  and two opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120 . The bottom scoop wall  116  and the two opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120  partially enclose a volume  121  in which ice or other solids, liquids, and/or materials may be housed and/or transported. The scoop portion  104  may be configured differently. For example, the scoop portion  104  may not include one or both of the two opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120 . 
     The bottom scoop wall  116  has opposed sides  122 ,  124 , a first surface  126 , and a second surface  128  opposite the first surface  126 . The first surface  126  faces the volume  121 , and the second surface  128  faces away from the volume  121 . The bottom scoop wall  116  also has one or more front edges  129  (e.g., a front edge or a scooping edge) that extend between the two opposed sides  122 ,  124 . 
     The two opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120  extend away from the opposed sides  122 ,  124  of the bottom scoop wall  116  and/or the first surface  126  of the bottom scoop wall  116 . In the example shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the two opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120  are curved and each include a curved portion  118   a ,  120   a  and a straight portion  118   b ,  120   b , respectively. For example, the curved portions  118   a ,  120   a  extend away from the opposed sides  122 ,  124 , respectively, in any number of different shaped arcs until the two opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120  face in, for example, a direction perpendicular to the first surface  126  of the bottom scoop wall  116 . The straight portions  118   b ,  120   b  then extend away from the curved portions  118   a ,  120   a , respectively. 
     Other configurations may be provided. For example, the opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120  may not include the curved portions  118   a ,  120   a , respectively, or the opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120  may each include one or more additional straight portions instead of the curved portions  118   a ,  120   a , respectively. In another example, the opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120  are connected to and extend away from the first surface  126  of the bottom scoop wall  116 . In yet another example, the scoop portion  104  does not include any opposed side scoop walls (e.g., does not include the opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120 ). 
     The scoop portion  104  may include additional features. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the scoop portion  104  may include one or more extensions  130  (e.g., one or more ribs) that extend away from the second surface  128  of the bottom scoop wall  116 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the scoop portion  104  may include two ribs  130  that extend away from second surface  128  of the bottom scoop wall  116 . The two ribs  130  may extend from a front edge  129  of the scoop portion  104  (e.g., a front edge at the second surface  128  of the bottom scoop wall  116 ) along an entire length or less than the entire length of the ice scoop  100  in directions parallel to each other, respectively (e.g., along the length of the ice scoop  100 ). The two ribs  130  may be spaced apart from each other any number of distances and/or may extend from a position on the second surface  128  of the bottom scoop wall  116  offset relative to the front edge of the second surface  128  of the bottom scoop wall  116 . In other embodiments, the two ribs  130  may extend in different directions. 
     In other embodiments, the ice scoop  100  may include additional or fewer ribs on additional and/or different surfaces of the ice scoop  100 . For example, the scoop portion  104  includes additional ribs  130  extending away from the second surface  128  of the scoop portion  104  (e.g., four ribs  130 ) and/or another surface of the ice scoop  100  (e.g., one or more surfaces of the opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120 ). 
     The ribs  130  may serve any number of functions and provide a number of benefits. For example, when the user scoops ice, for example, with the ice scoop  100 , the ribs  130  contact a surface of an ice machine, such that the second surface  128  of the bottom scoop wall  116  is offset relative to the surface of the ice machine during the scooping. This may reduce an amount of friction between the ice scoop  100  and the surface of the ice machine during the scooping. Alternatively or additionally, the ribs  130  may correspond to recesses or extensions on or within the ice machine, and the ribs  130  may interact with the recesses or the extensions on or within the ice machine for storage of the ice scoop  100  on or within the ice machine. The ribs  130  may also be provided for strength and may help prevent breaking of the ice scoop  100  during use. 
     As another example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the scoop portion  104  includes one or more openings  134  (e.g., windows) that extend through the bottom scoop wall  116  (e.g., between the first surface  126  and the second surface  128  of the bottom scoop wall  116 ). For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the scoop portion  104  includes two openings  134  through the bottom scoop wall  116 , though more or fewer openings may be provided. The two openings  132  are positioned next to and at a distance relative to each other, and are positioned adjacent to (e.g., within 5 cm or 10 cm) the front edge  129  of the scoop portion  104 . The openings  134  may be any number of shapes (e.g. oval-shaped, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and sizes, and may be provided in any number of positions relative to the front edge  129  of the scoop portion  104 . In other embodiments, the scoop portion  104  includes openings through additional and/or different walls of the scoop portion  104 . For example, the scoop portion  104  may include one or more openings through one or both of the opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120 . 
     The openings  134  may reduce friction between, for example, the first surface  126  of the bottom scoop wall  116  and the ice being scooped at or adjacent to the front edge  132  of the scoop portion  104 . For example, the openings  134  may make moving the ice scoop  100  within the ice stored in the ice machine easier. The openings  134  may also be used for storage of the ice scoop  100 . For example, the ice scoop  100  may be hung up within the ice machine via a hook or another extension within the ice machine through one or more of the openings  134 . Other positions of the openings  134  (e.g., through one or both of the opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120 ) may be provided. 
     As yet another example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the ice scoop  100  may include one or more supports  114  at one or more interfaces between the barrier  102  and the scoop portion  104 , respectively. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the ice scoop  100  may include three supports  114 : a first support  114   a  at an interface between a first  118  of the two opposed side scoop walls and the barrier  102 ; a second support  114   b  at an interface between the bottom scoop wall  116  and the barrier  102 ; and a third support  114   c  at an interface between a second  120  of the two opposed side scoop walls and the barrier  102 . The ice scoop  100  may include more or fewer supports at additional and/or different interfaces of the ice scoop  100 . 
     The first support  114   a , the second support  114   b , and/or the third support  114   c  may be rounded supports, such that at least part of the volume is a rounded rectangular prism. In one embodiment, the first support  114   a , the second support  114   b , and/or the third support  114   c  are triangular supports. Other shapes may be provided. 
     The rounded shape of the first support  114   a , the second support  114   b , and/or the third support  114   c  may be the result of a design choice. Alternatively, the rounded shape of the first support  114   a , the second support  114   b , and/or the third support  114   c  may result from a manufacturing process (e.g., molding) or may be included to make manufacturing the ice scoop  100  easier. 
     The first support  114   a , the second support  114   b , and/or the third support  114   c  may provide a number of benefits. For example, the first support  114   a , the second support  114   b , and/or the third support  114   c  may increase the rigidity of the ice scoop  100  at interfaces between the scoop portion  104  (e.g., the bottom scoop wall  116  and/or one or both of the opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120 ) and the barrier  102 . This increased rigidity may minimize flexing of the scoop portion  104  relative to the barrier  102  and/or prevent failure of the ice scoop  100  at the interfaces. As another example, the rounded shape of the first support  114   a , the second support  114   b , and/or the third support  114   c  may help prevent ice from getting stuck at the interfaces between the bottom scoop wall  116  and/or one or both of the opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120 , and the barrier  102 , respectively. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-7 , the handle portion  106  extends away from the barrier  102  (e.g., the second side  110  of the barrier  102 ). The handle portion  106  includes at least one wall (e.g., at least a first wall  150 ) that extends away from the second side  110  of the barrier  102 . The barrier  102  and the at least one wall form a cavity  151  into which a hand of a user is insertable. A size and a shape of the cavity  151  is at least partially defined by a size and a shape of the barrier  102  and size(s) and shape(s) of wall(s) of the at least one wall. 
     In one example, the handle portion  106  has a rectangular-shaped cross-section (e.g., through a handle of the handle portion  106  and perpendicular to the bottom scoop wall  116 ) and includes the first wall  150  (e.g., a first hand protection wall; a top wall), a second wall  152  (e.g., a second hand protection wall; a bottom wall opposite the top wall  150 ; see  FIG. 4 ), and a third wall  154  and a fourth wall  156  (e.g., a third hand protection wall and a fourth hand protection wall; two opposed side walls) extending between the first wall  150  and the second wall  152 . In other words, in one embodiment, the handle portion  106  has at least four hand protection walls  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156  extending away from the second side  110  of the barrier  102 . 
     The four hand protection walls  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156  are connected directly to the second side  110  of the barrier  102 . Alternatively, the handle portion  106  includes one or more wall portions disposed between, for example, the four hand protection walls  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156  and the second side  110  of the barrier  102  (e.g., the wall portions  112 ) but still extend away form the second side  110  of the barrier  102 . In one embodiment, the first wall  150  and/or the second wall  152  is parallel to the bottom scoop wall  116 . In other embodiments, the first wall  150  and/or the second wall  152  is at an angle relative to the bottom scoop wall  116 . 
     In another example, the handle portion  106  has an elliptical-shaped (e.g., circular-shaped) cross-section (e.g., through the handle of the handle portion  106  and perpendicular to the bottom scoop wall  116 ) and includes only the first wall  150 . Other numbers of walls extending away from the second side  110  of the barrier  102  may be provided. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the handle portion  106  includes five curved wall portions  112  that connect the handle portion  106  to the barrier  102 , respectively. More or fewer curved wall portions may be provided. In other examples, the handle portion  106  does not include any curved wall portions  112  connecting the handle portion  106  to the barrier  102 , and all walls of the handle portion  106  are connected to and extend in directions away from (e.g., perpendicular to) the second side  110  of the barrier  102 , respectively. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , a cross-section of the handle portion  106  (e.g., through the handle of the handle portion  106  and perpendicular to the bottom scoop wall  116 ) is rectangular with rounded corners (e.g., rounded rectangular). In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the handle portion  106  includes the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , the third wall  154 , the fourth wall  156 , and curved wall portions  158  between each adjacent pair of walls of the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , the third wall  154 , and the fourth wall  156 . 
     At least the first wall  150 , the third wall  154 , the fourth wall  156 , and the curved wall portions  158  between the first wall  150  and the third wall  154 , and between the first wall  150  and the fourth wall  156 , respectively, are connected to corresponding ones of the curved wall portions  112 . In one embodiment, the second wall  152  is directly connected to the second side  110  of the barrier  102  and extends in a direction away from the second side  110  of the barrier  102 . In another embodiment, the second wall  152  is directly connected to the bottom scoop wall  116  (e.g., at an end) and/or the barrier  102  (e.g., at an inner surface of the second wall  152 ). The first wall  150 , the second wall  152  (e.g., at least a portion), the third wall  154 , and the fourth wall  156  extend in directions away from the second side  110  of the barrier  102 , respectively. 
     In one embodiment, the third wall  154  and/or the fourth wall  156  extend between the first wall  150  and the second wall  152  in directions that are perpendicular to the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , and/or the bottom scoop wall  116 , respectively. In other embodiments, the third wall  154  and/or the fourth wall  156  extend between the first wall  150  and the second wall  152  in non-perpendicular directions relative to the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , and/or the bottom scoop wall  116 , respectively. 
     In one embodiment, the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , the third wall  154 , the fourth wall  156 , and the curved wall portions  158  extend away from the second side  110  of the barrier  102  in directions perpendicular to the second side  110  of the barrier  102 , respectively. In another embodiment, the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , the third wall  154 , the fourth wall  156 , at least some of the curved wall portions  158 , or any combination thereof extend away from the second side  110  of the barrier  102  in non-perpendicular directions relative to the second side  110  of the barrier  102 , respectively, such that, for example, the cavity  151  at an end  160  of the handle portion  106  is larger than at the barrier  102  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     A size of a cross-section of the cavity  151  (e.g., through the handle of the handle portion  106  and perpendicular to the bottom scoop wall  116 ) is defined by sizes of the at least one wall  150 . For example, the size of the cross-section of the cavity  151  may be defined by sizes of the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , the third wall  154 , the fourth wall  156 , and the curved wall portions  158 , respectively. The size of the cross-section of the cavity  151  may be any number of sizes. For example, the size of the cross-section of the cavity  151  may be such that a largest dimension across the cavity  151  is six inches, seven inches, or eight inches. Other sizes may be provided. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the ice scoop  100  may be any number of different lengths L set based on a thickness of the barrier  102 , a length L 1  of the scoop portion  104 , and a length L 2  of the handle portion  106 . The length L 1  of the scoop portion  104  may be set based on an amount (e.g., a volume) of, for example, ice to be scooped. A longer L 1  provides a greater volume defined by the bottom scoop wall  116  and the opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120  of the scoop portion  104  for transporting ice. 
     The length L 2  of the handle portion  106  may be set based on an amount (e.g., a length) of a user&#39;s hand/arm to be disposed within the handle portion  106  when the user is using the ice scoop. In other words, the length L 2  of the handle portion  106  may define how much of the hand/arm is to be protected from contact with ice within the ice machine. In one embodiment, the length L 2  of the handle portion  106  is approximately the same as the length L 1  of the scoop portion  104  (e.g., within two inches of the length L 1 ). In another embodiment, the length L 1  of the scoop portion  104  is greater than the length L 2  of the handle portion  106 , or the length L 2  of the handle portion  106  is greater than the length L 1  of the scoop portion  104 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the scoop portion  104  may have a different height than the handle portion  106 . For example, a height H 1  of the scoop portion  104  (e.g., a maximum height H 1  of the scoop portion  104 ) may be less than a height H 2  of the handle portion  106  (e.g., a maximum height H 2  of the handle portion  106 ). In one embodiment, the height H 1  of the scoop portion  104  at the barrier  102  is the same as the height H 2  of the handle portion  106  at the barrier  102 . The height H 1  of the scoop portion  104  may be constant along the length L 1  of the scoop portion  104 , or the height H 1  of the scoop portion  104  may vary along the length L 1  of the scoop portion  104 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the height of the scoop portion  104  (e.g., respective heights of the opposed side scoop walls  118 ,  120 ) may decrease along the length L 1  of the scoop portion  104  in a direction away from the barrier  102 . The height H 2  of the handle portion  106  may be constant along the length L 2  of the handle portion  106 , or the height H 2  of the handle portion  106  may vary along the length L 2  of the handle portion  106 . In one embodiment, the maximum height H 1  of the scoop portion  104  is located at the barrier  102 , and the maximum height H 2  of the handle portion  106  is located at the end  160  of the handle portion  106   
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , walls of the handle portion  106  may be any number of thicknesses. For example, the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , the third wall  154 , and the fourth wall  156  may have respective thicknesses set based on how much the handle portion  106  is allowed to flex when the ice scoop  100  is in use. The greater the thicknesses of the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , the third wall  154 , and the fourth wall  156 , respectively, the less the handle portion  106  may be able to flex when the ice scoop  100  is in use. In one embodiment, all walls of the handle portion  106  have a same thickness. In other embodiments, at least some walls of the handle portion  106  have different thicknesses, respectively. For example, the first wall  150  and the second wall  152  may have a greater thickness than the third wall  154  and the fourth wall  156 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the handle portion  106  includes a handhold  162  (e.g. a handle) attached to one or more walls of the at least one wall of the handle portion  106 . For example, the handhold  162  may be attached to the first wall  150  and/or the second wall  152  of the handle portion  106 . Additionally or alternatively, the handhold  162  may be attached to the barrier  102 . 
     In one embodiment, the handhold  162  is removably attached to the handle portion  106  (e.g., the first wall  150  and the second wall  152 ). The handhold  162  may be removably attached to the one or more walls of the handle portion  106  in any number of ways including, for example, with grooves, flanges, extensions, fasteners, a friction fit, other connectors, or any combination thereof. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , each of the first wall  150  and the second wall  152  includes grooves  163 , in which opposite ends of the handhold  162  are removably positioned. A combination of the handhold  162  being positioned in the grooves  163  and, for example, a friction fit may keep the handhold  162  in place. The handhold  162  may be removably attached to the handle portion  106  in other ways. 
     The removability of the handhold  162  may allow for easy cleaning of the ice scoop  100 . For example, the handhold  162  may be hand washed or may be passed through a dishwasher separate from the rest of the ice scoop  100 . This may allow for, for example, easier and more thorough cleaning of the handhold  162  compared to an ice scoop with the handhold  162  integrally formed with the rest of the ice scoop  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the handhold  162  may extend from the first wall  150 , across the cavity  151 , to the second wall  152 . In one embodiment, the handhold  162  extends from the first wall  150  or the second wall  152 , only partially across the cavity  151 , towards the second wall  152  or the first wall  150 , respectively. The handhold  162  may extend between the first wall  150  and the second wall  152  in a direction perpendicular to the first wall  150  (e.g., an inner surface of the first wall  150 ), the second wall  152  (e.g., an inner surface of the second wall  152 ), and/or the bottom scoop wall  118  (e.g., a surface of the bottom scoop wall  118 ), and/or in a direction parallel to the third wall  154  (e.g., an inner surface of the third wall  154 ) and/or the fourth wall  156  (e.g., an inner surface of the fourth wall  156 ). As an example, a longitudinal axis of the handhold  162  extends in a direction perpendicular to the inner surface of the first wall  150  and perpendicular to the inner surface of the second wall  152 . 
     Other configurations may be provided. For example, the handhold  162  may be rotated ninety degrees, such that the handhold  162  extends from the third wall  154 , across the cavity  151 , to the fourth wall  156 . The handhold  162  may extend between the third wall  154  and the fourth wall  156  in a direction perpendicular to the third wall  154  and/or the fourth wall  156 , and/or in a direction parallel to the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , and/or the bottom scoop wall  118 . In such a configuration, the handhold  162  may be attached (e.g., removably attached) to the third wall  154 , the fourth wall  156 , and/or the barrier  102 . Other orientations of the handhold  162  (e.g., relative to the second wall  152  or the bottom scoop wall  118 ) may be provided. In another example, the handhold  162  is attached to and extends away from the second side  110  of the barrier  102 . For example, the handhold  162  is centered between the first wall  150  and the second wall  152 , and the third wall  154  and the fourth wall  156 , respectively, and extends away from the barrier  102  in a direction that is, for example, parallel to the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , and/or the bottom scoop wall  118 . The handhold  162  may extend away from the second side  110  of the barrier  102  in other directions (e.g., non-perpendicular directions relative to the second side  110  of the barrier  102 ). 
     The handhold  162  includes one or more openings  164  through the handhold  162 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the handhold  162  may include four openings  164  through the handhold  162 . The handhold  162  may include more or fewer openings  164 . 
     The four openings  164  may be any number of different sizes and shapes (e.g., oval-shaped or circular), and may be positioned on the handhold  162  in any number of different ways (e.g., positioned adjacent to each other along a longitudinal axis of the handhold  162 ). The four openings  164 , for example, may be sized, shaped, and positioned relative to each other and/or relative to the first wall  150  and/or the second wall  152  for comfortable positioning of four fingers of the user&#39;s hand through the openings  164 . The handhold  162  may be shaped, such that portions of the four fingers of the user&#39;s hand, for example, may be wrapped around the handhold  162  after insertion of the four fingers of the user&#39;s hand through the, for example, four openings  164  through the handhold  162 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the handhold  162  may be any number of shapes for comfortable and secure gripping of the handhold  162  and thus, the ice scoop  100 . For example, as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the handhold  162  may be semi-cylindrical. Other shapes such as, for example, semi-elliptical, triangular, or rectangular may be provided. The handhold  162  may be solid, except for the openings  164  through the handhold  162 , or may be hollow, as shown in  FIG. 7 . The hollow semi-cylindrical handhold  162  may be any number of thicknesses. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a plane P through the handhold  162  and perpendicular to the bottom scoop wall  116  and/or one or more walls of the at least one wall of the handle portion  106 . For example, the plane P shown in  FIG. 7  is perpendicular to at least the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , the third wall  154 , the fourth wall  156 , and the bottom scoop wall  116 , and extends through the handhold  162 . 
     The at least one wall of the handle portion  106  (e.g., the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , the third wall  154 , and the fourth wall  156 , together with the curved wall portions  158 ) surrounds (e.g., completely surrounds) the handhold  162  and thus, the user&#39;s hand when the user is gripping the handhold  162 , at least in the plane P. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the at least one wall of the handle portion  106  (e.g., the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , the third wall  154 , and the fourth wall  156 , together with the curved wall portions  158 ) also surrounds (e.g., completely surrounds) a volume between the second side  110  of the barrier  102  and the plane P through the handhold  162  (e.g., in planes parallel to the plane P). The at least one wall of the handle portion  106  (e.g., the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , the third wall  154 , and the fourth wall  156 , together with the curved wall portions  158 ) may also surround (e.g., completely surrounds) a volume between the plane P through the handhold  162  and the end  160  of the handle portion  106  (e.g., in planes parallel to the plate P). In other words, the handle portion  106  of the ice scoop  100  (e.g., the barrier  102 , the curved wall portions  112  of the handle portion  106 , the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , the third wall  154 , the fourth wall  156 , and the curved wall portions  158 ) surrounds the portion of the user&#39;s hand, or hand and arm disposed within the handle portion  106  except at the end  160  of the handle portion  106 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the handhold  162  may be positioned closer to the barrier  102  than the end  160  of the handle portion  106 , though other positioning may be provided. The positioning of the handhold  162  relative to the barrier  102  may be set, such that the user has enough space within the volume between the handhold  162  and the second side  110  of the barrier  102 , after inserting her fingers through the holes  164  through the handhold  162 , to wrap her fingers around the handhold  162 . Alternatively or additionally, a distance between the end  160  of the handle portion  106  and the handhold  162  may be maximized, such that an amount of the user&#39;s hand/arm positionable within the handle portion  106  is maximized. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a second embodiment of an ice scoop  200 . The ice scoop  200  includes a handle portion  202 , and the handle portion  202  includes a handhold  204  (e.g., a handle). The handle portion  202  of the ice scoop  200  is elliptical-shaped (e.g., circular). For example, a cross-section of the handle portion  202  through the handhold  204  is circular-shaped. The handhold  204  extends between opposite points on an inner surface  206  of a wall  208  at least partially forming the handle portion  202 . The handhold  204  is attached (e.g., removably attached) to the wall  208  at the opposite points on the inner surface  206  of the wall  208 . Other configurations of the handhold  204  within the handle portion  202 , and other shapes of the handle portion  202  may be provided. 
     An ice scoop (e.g., the ice scoop  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7 , the ice scoop  200  illustrated in  FIG. 8 , or another scoop or ice scoop) may be made of any number of different materials. For example, the ice scoop is made of a plastic (e.g., polycarbonate, polyethylene, and/or polypropylene), a metal (e.g., aluminum), and/or one or more other materials. In one embodiment, the entire ice scoop is made of a single material. In other embodiments, different parts or portions of the ice scoop are made of different materials, respectively. For example, with reference to the embodiment of the ice scoop shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the handhold  162  may be made of a different material than the rest of the ice scoop  100 . For example, the handhold  162  may be made of a first plastic with a first hardness, and the rest of the ice scoop  100  may be made of a second plastic with a second hardness, where the first hardness is greater than the second hardness. As another example, different portions (e.g., walls) of the scoop portion  104  and/or the handle portion  106  may be made of different materials. As yet another example, at least portions of the barrier  102 , the scoop portion  104 , and/or the handle portion  106  may be made of different materials, respectively. 
     The ice scoop (e.g., the ice scoop  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7 , the ice scoop  200  illustrated in  FIG. 8 , or another scoop or ice scoop) may be manufactured in any number of ways. For example, the ice scoop may be manufactured using molding (e.g., injection molding or extrusion molding), machining, additive manufacturing (e.g., three-dimensionally (3D) printing), and/or other manufacturing processes. The ice scoop may be manufactured as a single contiguous part. Alternatively, the ice scoop may be manufactured as two or more separate parts and assembled. 
     For example, the handhold  162  and the rest of the ice scoop  100  may be separate parts. The ice scoop  100  may be disassembled for cleaning and reassembled for use. In another example, more than two parts may be separate parts. For example, the barrier  102 , the scoop portion  104 , walls of the handle portion  106  (e.g., the at least one wall), and the handhold  162  are all separate parts that may be disassembled for cleaning, and reassembled using, for example, tabs, flanges, openings, fasteners, and/or other connectors for use. In another example, individual walls of, for example, the scoop portion  104  and/or the handle portion may be separate parts that may be disassembled for cleaning and reassembled for use. For example, the first wall  150 , the second wall  152 , the third wall  154 , and the fourth wall  156  may be separate parts. In yet another example, the at least one wall of the handle portion  106  is formed by a disposable piece of material (e.g., a sheet of plastic). The disposable piece of material may be shaped (e.g., formed into a cylindrical shape) and attached to the second side  110  of the barrier  102  in any number of ways including, for example, using one or more grooves in the second side  110  of the barrier  102 , flanges, tabs, openings, fasteners, and/or other connectors. After a period of use (e.g., a single use of the ice scoop  100  or after a period of time such as a day or a work shift), the disposable piece of material may be removed from the ice scoop and discarded. 
     While the present invention has been described above by reference to various embodiments, it should be understood that many changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments. It is therefore intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that all equivalents and/or combinations of embodiments are intended to be included in this description.