Patent Publication Number: US-6902060-B2

Title: Broom and dustpan kit

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to the field of cleaning devices used for the manual collection of debris on a floor and more particularly to the combination of a broom and a dustpan. 
   Dustpans are well-known and widely used in commerce to facilitate the collection of debris on a floor or like surface. A dustpan is conventionally in the form of a pan-shaped scoop which comprises a substantially flat bottom panel, a pair of spaced apart side panels which protrude orthogonally up from opposite sides of the bottom panel and a back panel which extends between the pair of side panels along the rear edge of the bottom panel. Together, the bottom panel, the back panel and the pair of side panels at least partially define a debris collection cavity therebetween. 
   In use, a broom is used to sweep debris present on a floor or like surface over the front edge of the bottom panel and into the cavity defined by the dustpan. Commonly, the front edge of the bottom panel tapers in narrowly to a sharpened edge to facilitate the loading of debris into the cavity of the dustpan. With debris disposed in the cavity of the dustpan, orientation of the bottom panel in such a manner so that the front edge of the bottom panel is equal to or above the horizontal plane causes the debris to remain collected in the cavity. Debris collected in the cavity is preferably discarded by positioning the front edge of the bottom panel over a debris collection device, such as a trash can, and then pivoting the dustpan so that the front edge of the bottom panel is disposed beneath the horizontal plane, thereby causing the debris to slide along the bottom panel and exit the cavity of the dustpan over the front edge of the bottom panel. 
   A hand-held dustpan is one type of dustpan which is well-known and widely used in commerce. A hand-held dustpan typically comprises a short handle which is fixedly mounted onto and protrudes rearwardly from the back panel of the pan-shaped scoop of a conventional dustpan, the short handle extending in substantially the same plane as the bottom panel of the scoop. In some instances, the handle is shaped in such a way as to be removably mountable on the handle of a broom. 
   Although well-known and widely used in commerce, hand-held dustpans of the type described above suffer from a notable drawback. Specifically, when handling a hand-held dustpan, a user is required to bend over significantly in order to position the front edge of bottom panel of the scoop against the flooring surface. As can be appreciated, a user may experience significant physical discomfort or injury as a result of having to bend over in this manner, which is highly undesirable. 
   Accordingly, stand-up dustpans (also commonly referred to as upright pans or control handle-operated dustpans) are well known in the art. Stand-up dustpans differ from hand-held dustpans in that, inter alia, stand-up dustpans can be operated with the user disposed in an upright position whereas hand-held dustpans, in most application, can only be operated with the user disposed in a bent-over position. 
   A stand-up dustpan typically comprises an elongated, one-piece handle that is pivotally coupled to the pan-shaped scoop in such a manner that the scoop is capable of pivoting relative to the handle between first and second positions. With the scoop oriented in its first position, the bottom panel is disposed substantially in parallel to the handle, the front edge of the bottom panel facing upward so as trap any debris collected within the cavity of the scoop. With the scoop oriented in its second position, the bottom panel is disposed substantially at a right angle relative to the handle, thereby disposing the scoop in the optimal position to sweep debris into its cavity. 
   It should be noted that conventional stand-up dustpans are typically constructed or weighted in such a manner that the scoop resiliently returns to its first position. In order to dispose the scoop in its second position, the user is required to downwardly urge the rear of the bottom panel against the flooring surface through manipulation of the handle, thereby pivoting the bottom panel into its near horizontal position. 
   A stand-up dustpan is commonly offered for sale in combination with a broom in order to provide a consumer with a complete unit for removing debris from a floor. Such a broom has a one-piece handle and is typically shorter than a full-length broom. Often a clip or like fastener is used to couple together the broom and the stand-up dustpan when they are not being used. Both the broom and the stand-up dustpan are sold in a fully-assembled state and with very limited packaging. 
   As can be appreciated, the shipping, storage and display for sale of the combination of a fully-assembled broom and a fully-assembled stand-up dustpan introduces a number of significant drawbacks. 
   As a first drawback, due to its relatively large size, the combination fully-assembled broom and fully-assembled stand-up dustpan is considerably expensive to ship. 
   As a second drawback, due to its relatively large size, the combination fully-assembled broom and fully-assembled stand-up dustpan requires a considerably large amount of storage space prior to sale. 
   As a third drawback, due to its relatively large size, the combination fully-assembled broom and fully-assembled stand-up dustpan requires a considerably large amount of shelf space at the point of display for sale (e.g., the shelf space of a retail store). 
   As a fourth drawback, due to its limited packaging, the combination fully-assembled broom and fully-assembled stand-up dustpan is inadequately protected during its shipping, storage and display for sale. As a consequence, each item is rendered susceptible to damage. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a new combination broom and stand-up dustpan. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination broom and stand-up dustpan which overcomes at least some of the shortcomings present in existing combinations of brooms and stand-up dustpans. 
   Therefore, according to one feature of the present invention, there is provided a combination broom and stand-up dustpan wherein the stand-up dustpan comprises a handle, said handle including a plurality of separate sections which are coupled together to form a substantially pole-shaped member. 
   According to another feature of the present invention, the broom of said combination broom and stand-up dustpan includes a plurality of separate sections which are coupled together to form a substantially pole-shaped member. 
   The present invention is also directed to a kit for use in constructing a combination broom and stand-up dustpan, said kit comprising a broom head, a plurality of broom handle sections, a dustpan base member, and a plurality of dustpan handle sections, all of the foregoing components being disposed in a shipping container. 
   Various other features and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, an embodiment for practicing the invention. The embodiment will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like parts: 
       FIG. 1  is a front plan view of a broom, a stand-up dustpan, and a shipping container, all of which are constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded, fragmentary, rear perspective view, broken away in part, of the stand-up dustpan shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view, broken away in part, of the base member and the cover of the dustpan shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded, fragmentary, front perspective view, broken away in part, of the broom shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a front plan view of the inner surface of a blank used to form the container shown in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a top, right side, perspective view, broken away in part, of the container shown in  FIG. 1 , the container being shown with its top panel disposed in the open position; and 
       FIG. 7  is a front, left side, top perspective view of the container shown in  FIG. 1 , the container being shown in its configuration for shipping, storage and/or display. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there are shown a stand-up dustpan  13 , a less than full-length broom  15 , and a shipping container  17 , all of which are constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the three items being identified collectively by reference numeral  11 . 
   As will be described below in further detail, dustpan  13  and broom  15  are designed so that both dustpan  13  and broom  15  may be disassembled and when in such a disassembled state may be disposed entirely within container  17  to form a kit. Such a kit is a highly compact and durable unit, thereby facilitating the transportation, storage and display for sale of dustpan  13  and broom  15 , which is highly desirable. 
   Stand-up dustpan  13  is designed principally for the collection of debris on a floor. As seen most clearly in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , stand-up dustpan  13  comprises a pan-shaped base member or scoop  18 , a cover  19  pivotally coupled to base member  18 , and a multi-section handle  20  releasably coupled to cover  19 . 
   Base member  18  is constructed from a rigid and durable material, such as molded plastic, and includes a substantially flat bottom panel  21 , a pair of spaced apart side panels  23 - 1  and  23 - 2  which protrude orthogonally up from opposite sides of bottom panel  21 , a back panel  25  which extends between side panels  23 - 1  and  23 - 2  along the rear edge of bottom panel  21 , and a top panel  27  which extends laterally across the top of side panels  23 - 1  and  23 - 2  in a spaced-apart, substantially parallel relationship with bottom panel  21 . Together, bottom panel  21 , side panels  23 , back panel  25  and top panel  27  define an interior cavity  29 , interior cavity  29  being accessible through an open front end  31 . 
   Cover  19  is similarly constructed from a rigid and durable material, such as molded plastic, and is shaped to include an arcuate member  33  which is sized and shaped to selectively enclose open front end  31 . A pair of flat, support arms  35 - 1  and  35 - 2  are integrally formed onto opposite sides of the rear edge of arcuate member  33 . Support arms  35 - 1  and  35 - 2  are pivotally mounted onto the outer surface of side panels  23 - 1  and  23 - 2 , respectively, in such a manner as to enable cover  19  to pivot freely relative to base member  18 . A slot  34  is provided in member  33  to receive the head of broom  15  for storing the combination of dustpan  13  and broom  15  in a fully assembled state. Although not shown, the bottom of slot  34  is provided with a plurality of openings that open into cavity  29  of base member  18  so that when the head of broom  15  is disposed within slot  34 , debris that has remained on the head of broom  15  may pass into cavity  29  of base member  18 . 
   A fastener  37  serves to pivotally secure each support arm  35  onto its associated side panel  23 . Fastener  37  comprises an enlarged button-shaped cap  39  which is sized and shaped to abut against the outer surface of its associated support arm  35 . Fastener  37  additionally comprises an elongated shaft  41  which extends orthogonally out from cap  39 , shaft  41  extending through its associated support arm  35  and through its associated side panel  23 . The free end of shaft  41  is preferably in the form of an enlarged, slotted head which is sized and shaped to engage the inner surface of its associated side panel  23 , thereby pivotally securing each support arm  35  onto its associated side panel  23 . 
   It should be noted that the fact that fasteners  37  engage the inner surfaces of side panels  23 , rather than the outer surfaces of side panels  23 , serves to strengthen the connection between cover  19  and base member  18 , thereby rendering dustpan  15  more durable and reliable, which is highly desirable. 
   Multi-section handle  20  includes a plurality of separate pieces which can be joined together to form a substantially pole-shaped member having a length of approximately 83.6 cm. Specifically, multi-section handle  20  comprises a first section  41  which is removably joined to cover  19 , a second section  43  which is removably joined to first section  41 , and a third section  45  which is removably joined to second section  43 . (Although one may disassemble the various sections of handle  20  once they have been joined to one another, handle  20  is intended to remain in its assembled state after assembly.) 
   First section  41  is in the form of an elongated, hollow, cylindrical tube which is constructed of a strong, rigid and durable material, such as a piece of steel tubing which is approximately 2.2 cm in diameter and approximately 25.0 cm in length. First section  41  includes a first end  47  and a second end  49 . 
   A male connector  51  which is threaded along its length is formed onto and extends orthogonally out from first end  47  of first section  41 . Male connector  51  is sized and shaped to be fittingly inserted into and threadingly engage a threaded bore  53  which is integrally formed into arcuate member  33  of cover  19 . In this manner, first section  41  of handle  20  can be coupled to cover  19  through the clockwise rotation of first section  41  about its longitudinal axis. 
   A unitary male connector  55  is formed onto and extends orthogonally out from second end  49  of first section  41 . Male connector  55  comprises an elongated shaft  57  which extends out approximately 3.0 cm from second end  49  of first section  41 . Male connector  55  additionally comprises a threaded shaft  59  which extends co-axially out from the free end of shaft  57  approximately 1.5 cm. 
   Second section  43  is in the form of an elongated, hollow, cylindrical tube which is constructed of a strong, rigid and durable material, such as a piece of steel tubing which is approximately 2.2 cm in diameter and approximately 25.0 cm in length. Second section  43  includes a first end  61  and a second end  63 . 
   A female connector  65  is formed into second section  43  approximately 3.0 cm in from first end  61 . Female connector  65  is in the form of internal threading formed along the inner surface of second section  43 . It should be noted that female connector  65  is sized and shaped to fittingly receive and threadingly engage with male connector  55  on first section  41 . In this manner, second section  43  of handle  20  can be coupled to first section  41  through the clockwise rotation of second section  43  about its longitudinal axis. 
   A unitary male connector  55  is formed onto and extends orthogonally out from second end  63  of second section  43 . 
   Third section  45  is in the form of an elongated, hollow, cylindrical tube which is constructed of a strong, rigid and durable material, such as a piece of steel tubing which is approximately 2.2 cm in diameter. Third section  45  includes a first end  67  and a second end  69 . 
   A female connector  65  is formed along the inner surface of third section  45  approximately 3.0 cm in from first end  67 . It should be noted that female connector  65  is sized and shaped to fittingly receive and threadingly engage with male connector  55  on second section  43 . In this manner, third section  45  of handle  20  can be coupled to second section  43  through the clockwise rotation of third section  45  about its longitudinal axis. 
   An ergonomic gripping device  71  is slidably disposed over second end  69  of third section  45 , device  71  and third section  45  together having a length of approximately 30.0 cm. Furthermore, a coupling device  73  is slidably disposed over third section  45  between first end  67  and second end  69 . A projection  75  is formed onto third section  45  proximate first end  67  to preclude coupling device  73  from sliding off of third section  45  over first end  67 . Coupling device  73  is a unitary device constructed of a resilient and slightly flexible material, such as plastic, and is shaped to include a generally C-shaped clip  76 . As can be appreciated, clip  76  is sized and shaped to releasably retain the handle of broom  15 . In this manner, device  73  serves to couple together dustpan  13  and broom  15 , which is highly desirable. 
   It should be noted that the multi-section construction of handle  20  renders handle  20  strong and rigid, which is highly desirable. Specifically, because the various sections of handle  20  are connected together at a plurality of different locations, handle  20  is able to more evenly distribute stress along its length, which is highly desirable. In addition, because the length of each male connector  55  (and in particular shaft  57 ) is considerably long, the stress experienced at the juncture between coupled sections is displaced over a greater length, which is highly desirable. 
   After having been fully-assembled, dustpan  13  is constructed for use in collecting debris by an operator standing in an upright position in the following manner. Due to the center of gravity of base member  18  and in the absence of an outside force onto dustpan  13 , dustpan  13  is predisposed to orientate in its closed position (i.e., with cover  19  enclosing open front end  31  of base member  18 ). With dustpan  13  disposed in its closed position, bottom panel  21  of base member  18  is disposed substantially in parallel with the longitudinal axis of handle  20 , with front edge of bottom panel  21  facing upward, as shown in FIG.  1 . 
   In order to dispose dustpan  13  in its open position (i.e., in its position for collecting debris), the user is required to grasp device  71  and downwardly urge the rear of bottom panel  21  against the desired flooring surface. The downward force, in turn, pivots base member  18  in such a manner so that bottom panel  21  is disposed substantially at a right angle relative to handle  20  and substantially parallel with the surface of the floor. It should be noted that an elongated, thin rubber strip  77  is preferably mounted onto the front edge of bottom panel  21  in order to improve the seal of contact between bottom panel  21  and the floor in need of cleaning. 
   After having swept debris through open front end  31  and into cavity  29 , the user lifts base member  18  of dustpan  13  off of the floor. As can be appreciated, the absence of a downward force onto base member  18  causes dustpan  13  to return to its closed position, thereby trapping the collected debris within cavity  29 , which is highly desirable. 
   It should be noted that dustpan  13  is constructed to selectively lock in its open and closed positions. 
   In order to lock dustpan  13  in its open position, cover  19  is pivoted rearward (i.e., open) relative to base member  18  until the rear edge of member  33  is disposed behind and in engagement with a pair of tapered ribs  79  which are integrally formed onto the outer surface of top panel  27 . As can be appreciated, dustpan  13  remains in its locked open position until a significant forward force is applied to cover  19 . 
   In order to lock dustpan  13  in its closed position, cover  19  is pivoted forward (i.e., closed) relative to base member  18  until a pair of projections  81  which are integrally formed onto opposite sides of the inner surface of member  33  are disposed beneath and in engagement with a pair of ribs  83  formed onto the inner surface of side panels  23 . As can be appreciated, dustpan  13  remains in its locked closed position until a significant rearward force is applied to cover  19 . 
   Broom  15  is designed principally for use in sweeping debris into stand-up dustpan  13 . As seen most clearly in  FIG. 4 , broom  15  comprises a broom head  85  and a multi-section handle  87 . 
   Broom head  85  comprises a rigid, plastic base  89  which is shaped to define a plurality of holes (not shown) which are circular in lateral cross-section. Broom head  85  further includes a plurality of tufts of filaments, or bristles,  91 . Each tuft of bristles  91  is sized and shaped to fittingly protrude into an associated hole formed in base  89 . Each hole in head  85  may be filled with an adhesive to secure its associated tuft of bristles  91  therewith in. 
   It should be noted that broom  15  is not limited to the particular construction of broom head  85 . Rather, it is to be understood that broom head  85  could be replaced with alternative types of conventional broom heads without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Multi-section handle  87  includes a plurality of separate pieces which can be joined together to form a substantially pole-shaped member having a length of approximately 77.4 cm. Specifically, multi-section handle  87  comprises a first section  93  which is pivotally coupled to broom head  85 , a second section  95  which is removably joined to first section  93 , and a third section  97  which is removably joined to second section  95 . (Although one may disassemble the various sections of handle  87  once they have been joined to one another, handle  87  is intended to remain in its assembled state after assembly.) 
   First section  93  is in the form of an elongated, hollow, cylindrical tube which is constructed of a strong, rigid and durable material, such as a piece of steel tubing which is approximately 2.2 cm in diameter and approximately 16.5 cm in length. First section  93  includes a first end  99  and a second end  101 . 
   A bifurcated member  103  is formed onto and extends orthogonally out from first end  99  of first section  93 . A portion of base  89  is sized and shaped to fittingly protrude within the slot  104  defined by bifurcated member  103 . Further, a pin  105  is disposed through bifurcated member  103  and base  89 . In this capacity, broom head  85  is fixedly secured to first section  93 , with broom head  85  capable of pivotal displacement relative to first section  93  about pin  105 . 
   A unitary male connector  55  is formed onto and extends orthogonally out from second end  101  of first section  93 . 
   Second section  95  is in the form of an elongated, hollow, cylindrical tube which is constructed of a strong, rigid and durable material, such as a piece of steel tubing which is approximately 2.2 cm in diameter and approximately 25.0 cm in length. Second section  95  includes a first end  107  and a second end  109 . 
   A female connector  65  is formed along the inner surface of second section  95  approximately 3.0 cm in from first end  107 . It should be noted that female connector  65  is sized and shaped to fittingly receive and threadingly engage with male connector  55  on first section  93 . In this manner, second section  95  of handle  87  can be coupled to first section  93  through the clockwise rotation of second section  95  about its longitudinal axis. 
   A unitary male connector  55  is formed onto and extends orthogonally out from second end  109  of second section  95 . 
   Third section  97  is in the form of an elongated, hollow, cylindrical tube which is constructed of a strong, rigid and durable material, such as a piece of steel tubing which is approximately 2.2 cm in diameter. Third section  97  includes a first end  111  and a second end  113 . 
   A female connector  65  is formed into third section  97  approximately 3.0 cm in from first end  111 . It should be noted that female connector  65  is sized and shaped to fittingly receive and threadingly engage with male connector  55  on first section  95 . In this manner, third section  97  of handle  87  can be coupled to second section  95  through the clockwise rotation of third section  97  about its longitudinal axis. 
   A gripping device  115  is slidably disposed over second end  113  of third section  97 , gripping device  115  providing an operator which a desirable surface for handling broom  15 . Affixed together, gripping device  115  and third section  97  have an overall length of approximately 40.0 cm. 
   With broom  15  arranged in its assembled form, an operator can use broom  15  to sweep debris in the following manner. Specifically, grasping device  115  with one hand, the operator disposes broom  15  in such a manner so that bristles  91  contact the desired flooring surface. The operator then manipulates broom  15  so that bristles  91  collect and sweep debris off of the surface of the floor. Preferably, broom  15  displaces debris present on a floor into dustpan  13 . The debris collected within dustpan  13  can then be discarded from dustpan  13  if desired. As a result, dustpan  13  and broom  15  together enable an operator to clean the surface of a floor without requiring the operator to bend over in an uncomfortable position, which is highly desirable. 
   Container  17  is designed primarily for the packaging of dustpan  13  and broom  15  into a compact and durable unit. Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a front plan view of the inner surface of a single-piece corrugated paperboard blank from which the preferred embodiment container  17  is formed. As will be described in detail below, through a series of steps, the blank shown in  FIG. 5  can be formed into container  17  for shipping, storing and/or displaying dustpan  13  and broom  15 . It should be noted that container  17 , whether in its initial blank form or in its fully-assembled form, is represented herein as reference numeral  17 . 
   Blank  17  comprises a left side panel  117 , a front panel  119 , a right side panel  121 , a rear panel  123  and a glue flap  125 . Left side panel  117  is generally rectangular in shape and is hingedly connected to front panel  119  by a scoreline  127 . Front panel  119  is generally rectangular in shape and is hingedly connected to right side panel  121  by a scoreline  129 . Right side panel  121  is identical in size and shape to left side panel  117  and is connected to rear panel  123  by a scoreline  131 . Rear panel  123  is generally rectangular in shape (having a length which is slightly greater than the length of front panel  119  and a width which is equal to the width of front panel  119 ) and is connected to glue flap  125  by a scoreline  133 . As will be hereinafter explained in detail, scorelines  127 ,  129 ,  131  and  133  are disposed in parallel relationship relative to each other to enable blank  17  to be formed into the container of the present invention, with glue flap  125  serving to secure the shape of the container. 
   Front panel  119  has a generally rectangular top panel  135  and a generally rectangular bottom panel  137  hingedly connected thereto by scorelines  139  and  141 , respectively. Top panel  135  has a locking flap  143  hingedly connected thereto by a scoreline  145 . Bottom panel  137  has a bottom flap  147  hingedly connected thereto by a scoreline  149 , wherein an elongated slot  151  is formed co-linearly and along a portion of the length of scoreline  149 . 
   Left side panel  117  has a top flap  153  and a bottom flap  155  connected thereto by scorelines  157  and  159 , respectively. Similarly, right side panel  121  has a top flap  161  and a bottom flap  163  connected thereto by scorelines  165  and  167 , respectively. 
   Rear panel  123  has a rear support panel  169  and a rear support flap  171  connected thereto by scorelines  173  and  175 , respectively. A pair of complementary holes  177  and  179  are formed in rear panel  123  and rear support panel  169 , respectively. Holes  177  and  179  are orientated to align as rear support panel  169  is folded about scoreline  173 . In addition, a pair of opposing rectangular notches  181  and  183  are formed into opposite sides of rear support panel  169 , notches  181  and  183  serving to help retain container  17  in its assembled form. Furthermore, a three-sided tab  185  is formed into rear panel  123  and rear support flap  171 , tab  185  being connected rear panel  123  by a scoreline  187  and including therewithin a lateral scoreline  188 . 
   A partition, or shelf  189  is connected to rear support panel  169  by a scoreline  191 . It should be noted that the width of partition  189  is significantly less than the width of front panel  119  and rear panel  123 . As will be described further in detail below, partition  189  serves as a horizontal shelf for subdividing the interior cavity of container  17  when configured for shipping, storage and display for sale. 
   A front support panel  193  is connected to partition  189  by a scoreline  195 , the width of front support panel  193  being equal to the width of rear panel  123 . An elongated slot  197  is formed into the free end of front support panel  193  and extends into partition  189 . 
   A dustpan support panel  199  is connected to rear support flap  171  by a scoreline  201 . Dustpan support panel  199  is shaped to define a slot  203  which is bounded on three sides by flaps  205 ,  207  and  209  which, in turn, can be folded about scorelines  211 ,  213  and  215 , respectively. It should be noted that dustpan support panel  199  has a width which is less than the width of rear panel  123 . 
   A broom support panel  217  is connected to dustpan support panel  199  by a scoreline  219 . Broom support panel  217  is shaped to define a generally rectangular slot  221 . It should be noted that broom support panel  217  has a width which is less than the width of rear panel  123 . 
   A front support flap  223  is connected to broom support panel  217  by a scoreline  225 . Front support flap has a width which is equal to the width of rear panel  123 . 
   Blank  17  can be formed into the container of the present invention for the shipping, storage and display for sale of both dustpan  13  and broom  15  in the following manner. Left side panel  117  and right side panel  121  are folded upward through scorelines  127  and  129 , respectively, so as to extend perpendicularly relative to front panel  119 . Glue flap  125  is folded up through scoreline  133  so as to extend perpendicularly relative to rear panel  123  and rear panel  123  is folded up through scoreline  131  so as to extend perpendicularly relative to right side panel  121 , with glue flap  125  disposed in direct contact against the inner face of left side panel  117  to form the four-sided (i.e., front, rear, left side and right side) configuration of container  17 . A portion of the outer surface of glue flap  125  has an adhesive, such as glue, applied thereto which contacts the inner face of left side panel  117  to secure in place the four-sided structure of container  17 . 
   To close the bottom of container  17 , rear support flap  171  is folded inward about scoreline  175  until the inner face of rear support flap  171  is drawn in contact against the inner surface of rear panel  123 . Similarly, front support flap  223  is folded up about scoreline  225  until the inner face of front support flap  223  is drawn in contact against the inner surface of front panel  119 . Bottom flaps  155  and  163  are then folded closed through scorelines  159  and  167 , respectively. Thereafter, bottom panel  137  is folded closed through scoreline  141  so as to enclose the bottom of container  17 . Preferably, tab  185  is folded inward about scorelines  187  and  188  in such a manner so as to penetrate through slot  151 , thereby securing the bottom of container  17  closed. 
   It should be noted that with the bottom of container  17  closed in this manner, an interior cavity  227  is created in which broom  15  and dustpan  13  can be disposed. In addition, with the bottom of container  17  closed, dustpan support panel  199  and broom support panel  217  are disposed slightly above and substantially in parallel with bottom panel  137 . 
   Broom head  85  and first section  93  of broom  15  is preferably disposed vertically into interior cavity  227  against the inner face of front panel  119  in such a manner that bristles  91  fittingly protrude into slot  221 . As can be appreciated, the fitted relationship of bristles  91  within slot  221  serves to stabilize broom head  85  and first section  93  of broom  15  within container  17 , which is highly desirable. 
   In addition, scoop  18  and cover  19  (with cover  19  disposed in its closed position) is preferably disposed vertically into interior cavity  227  against the inner face of rear panel  123  such that back panel  25  fittingly protrudes into slot  203 . As can be appreciated, movable flaps  205 ,  207  and  209  serve to tightly secure back panel  25  of scoop  18  into slot  203 . As can be appreciated, the fitting relationship of back panel  25  of scoop  18  within slot  203  serves to tightly secure scoop  18  and cover  19  within container  17 , which is highly desirable. 
   Furthermore, with the bottom of container  17  closed, and with broom head  85 , first section  93 , scoop  18 , and cover  19  disposed within interior cavity  227  in the manner noted above, first section  41 , second section  43  and third section  45  of handle  20  are preferably vertically disposed into interior cavity  227  against the inner face of left side panel  117 , sections  41 ,  43  and  45  being disposed in a front-to-back linear configuration. 
   With all of the pieces of dustpan  20  and with broom head  85  and first piece  93  of broom  15  disposed within interior cavity  227  of the partially enclosed container  17  as described above, partition  189  can be orientated so as to subdivide interior cavity  227 . Specifically, rear support panel  169  is folded inward through scoreline  173  so that the inner face of rear support panel  169  abuts against the inner face of rear panel  123  (with openings  177  and  179  in alignment with one another). Partition  189  is then folded upward through scoreline  191  in such a manner so that partition  189  extends forward at a right angle relative to rear support panel  169 . Thereafter, front support panel  193  is folded upward through scoreline  195  in such a manner so that inner face of front support panel  193  abuts against the inner face of front panel  119 , as shown in FIG.  6 . 
   It should be noted that, with blank  17  configured as such, partition  189  serves to at least partially subdivide interior cavity  227  into an upper chamber  229  and a lower chamber  231 . In addition, the reduced width of partition  189  in relation to front and rear panels  119  and  123  serves to create a generally rectangular opening  233  in partition  189  between upper chamber  229  and lower chamber  231 . Opening  233  is sized, shaped and positioned so that first section  41 , second section  43  and third section  45  of handle  20  can penetrate therethough, thereby enabling sections  41 ,  43  and  45  to extend nearly the entire length of interior cavity  227  along left side panel  117 . Furthermore, slot  197  formed into partition  189  serves to create a rectangular opening through which first end  101  of first section  93  of broom  15  can penetrate, thereby enabling broom head  85  and first section  93  to extend nearly the entire length of interior cavity  227  along front panel  119 . 
   Having disposed partition  189  in the manner described above, second section  95  and third section  97  of broom  15  can be disposed horizontally on partition  189  within upper chamber  229 . In this manner, all of the various sections of both dustpan  13  and broom  15  are positioned within interior cavity  227  of container  17 , which is highly desirable. With dustpan  13  and broom  15  disposed within interior cavity  227  of container  17  in the manner described above, the open top of container  17  can be closed in the following manner so as to enclose interior cavity  227 . Specifically, top flaps  153  and  161  are folded inward about scorelines  157  and  165 , respectively. Thereafter, top panel  135  is folded down through scoreline  139  and into a horizontal position, top panel  135  being sized and shaped to enclose the open top of interior cavity  227 . In order to secure top panel  135  in its closed position, locking flap  143  is folded about scoreline  145  so that the outer face of locking flap  143  contacts the outer face of rear support panel  169 . Locking flap  143  is sized and shaped to fittingly project into upper chamber  229 , the opposing sides of locking flap  143  engaging notches  181  and  183  formed in rear support panel  169  so as to lock top panel  135  in its closed position. 
   As can be appreciated, the particular construction of the present kit allows for the packaging of a considerably large upright dustpan  13  and a considerably large, but less than full-size, broom  15  into relatively small container  17  in such a manner so as to create a compact and durable unit. Specifically, the particular construction of the present kit allows for an upright dustpan  13  having a fully-assembled length L 1  of approximately 107.5 cm and a broom  15  having a fully-assembled length L 2  of 84.8 cm to fit within a container  17  having an overall length L 3  which is approximately 36.8 cm, an overall width W 1  which is approximately 32.6 cm, and a depth D 1  which is approximately 10.9 cm, which is highly desirable. 
   The embodiment shown of the present invention is intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations and modifications to it without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.