Patent Publication Number: US-2023148734-A1

Title: Dabber

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     No related applications exist. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There is a need for tools adapted to scoop, extract, dispense, or otherwise move a portion of a gel, ointment, cream, resin, or other thixotropic or high viscosity liquid from a container to a site of usage, but existing tools and methods of use have issues that remain to be resolved. 
     Some gel, ointment, cream, resin, or other thixotropic or high viscosity liquids are provided by suppliers or manufacturers in a storage container that has a wall defining interior storage region. In order to use the gel, ointment, cream, resin, or other thixotropic or high viscosity liquid, a user may scoop, extract, dispense, or otherwise move a portion thereof out of the storage container with a tool. There is then an issue of what to do with the used tool that now has the residue of the gel, ointment, cream, resin, or other thixotropic or high viscosity liquid thereon. 
     In some processes, in order to prevent waste of the residue or to prevent soiling other surfaces or objects with the residue, the tool is laid, placed, reposed, or otherwise placed in contact with the wall of the storage container pending further use or cleaning. 
     While this may be partially satisfactory, there is the problem that the tool may slip, slide, fall off of, or otherwise disengage from the wall such that the residue thereon is wasted or soils other surfaces or objects. 
     Therefore, it remains desirable to provide a tool adapted to resist slipping, sliding or falling off of a wall of a storage container, and a method for using the same. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     Accordingly, the present subject matter is directed to a dabbing tool that substantially obviates one or more problems resulting from the limitations and deficiencies of the related art. 
     In accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a dabbing tool comprising a shaft elongated along a shaft axis to define a first shaft end and a second shaft end opposite the first shaft end; the first shaft end having a dab blade; the second shaft end having a handle; a first catch located between the first shaft end and the second shaft end, the first catch extending outwardly from the shaft axis; wherein the handle defines a handle surface and is elongated to define a first handle end and a second handle end, the first handle end having a first set of handle threads; and further comprising a shroud elongated along a shroud axis to define a first shroud end and a second shroud end opposite the first shroud end, the first shroud end having a first set of shroud threads adapted to operationally engage with the first set of handle threads. 
     In accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of using a dabbing tool comprising providing a dabbing tool having a shaft elongated along a shaft axis to define a first shaft end and a second shaft end opposite the first shaft end, wherein the first shaft end has a dab blade, wherein the second shaft end has a handle, having a first catch located between the first shaft end and the second shaft end, the first catch extending outwardly from the shaft axis, wherein the handle defines a handle surface and 
     is elongated to define a first handle end and a second handle end, the first handle end having a first set of handle threads, and having a shroud elongated along a shroud axis to define a first shroud end and a second shroud end opposite the first shroud end, the first shroud end having a first set of shroud threads adapted to operationally engage with the first set of handle threads; using the dab blade to move some material from a storage container to an appliance, said storage container having a wall defining an interior storage region; placing the dabbing tool upon the top edge of the storage container such that the first catch is at least partially above the interior storage region. 
     It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present subject matter are merely exemplary and explanatory in nature. As such, the foregoing general description and the following detailed description should not be construed to limit the scope of the appended claims in any sense. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a dabbing tool, according to a first embodiment thereof; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the dabbing tool of  FIG.  1    in an unassembled state; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the dabbing tool of  FIG.  1    in an unassembled state; 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a dabbing tool, according to a second embodiment thereof; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the dabbing tool of  FIG.  4    in an unassembled state; and 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the dabbing tool of  FIG.  4    in an unassembled state. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the figures, unless otherwise noted, the same parts are denoted using the same reference characters so that, as a general rule, they will only be described once. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced with or without any combination of these specific details, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and the claims. 
     An illustrative first embodiment of a dabbing tool is seen generally in  FIGS.  1 - 3   . The dabbing tool  100  generally comprises a shaft  110  elongated along a shaft axis  112  to define a first shaft end  114  and a second shaft end  116  opposite the first shaft end  114 ; a first catch  152  located between the first shaft end  114  and the second shaft end  116 ; and a shroud  172  defining a cavity  171  adapted to accept the shaft  110 . 
     The first shaft end  114  may comprise a dab blade  122 . The dab blade  122  is adapted to scoop, extract, dispense, or otherwise move a portion of a gel, ointment, cream, resin, or other thixotropic or high viscosity liquid out of a container and to a site of usage. In general, a dab blade  122  will have a thin end  124  and an application surface  126 . The shape or sharpness or radius of the thin end  124  may be chosen with good engineering judgment. The application surface  126  can be planar, or have a slight curvature. 
     The second shaft end may comprise a handle  132 . The handle  132  defines a handle surface  134  that may be elongated to define a first handle end  136  and a second handle end  138  opposite the first handle end  136 . The first handle end may comprise a first set of handle threads  137 . 
     The first catch  152  may extend outwardly from the shaft axis to form a protruding disc, or protruding branch, or tang. The first catch  152  is adapted to hook onto or catch part of a container, such as, and without limitation a container wall. 
     The shroud  172  may be elongated along a shroud axis  174  to define a first shroud end  176  and a second shroud end  178  opposite the first shroud end  176 , the first shroud end  176  having a first set of shroud threads  177  adapted to operationally engage with the first set of handle threads  137 . 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, dabbing tool  100  comprises stainless steel, aluminum, brass, titanium, or bronze. In some embodiments, the dabbing tool  100  comprises a ferromagnetic material which may, optionally, be magnetized. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the handle surface  134  may be offset from the shaft axis  112  by a distance sufficient to permit an associated user to readily apply torque by an associated user hand to the handle  132  sufficient to firmly engage the first set of handle threads  137  with the shroud threads  177 . 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the handle surface  134  may be knurled. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the second shroud end  178  is closed. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second shroud end  178  is open. 
     An illustrative second embodiment of a dabbing tool is seen generally in  FIGS.  4 - 6   . The dabbing tool  200  generally comprises a shaft  210  elongated along a shaft axis  212  to define a first shaft end  214  and a second shaft end  216  opposite the first shaft end  214 ; a first catch  252  located between the first shaft end  214  and the second shaft end  216 ; and a shroud  272  defining a cavity  271  adapted to accept the shaft  210 . 
     The second shaft end  214  may comprise a dab blade  222 . The dab blade  222  is adapted to scoop, extract, dispense, or otherwise move a portion of a gel, ointment, cream, resin, or other thixotropic or high viscosity liquid out of a container and to a site of usage. In general, a dab blade  222  will have a thin end  224  and an application surface  226 . The shape or sharpness or radius of the thin end  224  may be chosen with good engineering judgment. The application surface  226  can be planar, or have a slight curvature. 
     The second shaft end  216  may comprise a handle  232 . The handle  232  defines a handle surface  234  that may be elongated to define a first handle end  236  and a second handle end  238  opposite the first handle end  236 . The first handle end  236  may comprise a first set of handle threads  237 . The second handle end  238  may comprise a second set of handle threads  239 . 
     The first catch  252  may extend outwardly from the shaft axis  212  to form a protruding disc, or protruding branch, or tang. The first catch  252  is adapted to hook onto or catch part of a container, such as, and without limitation a container wall. In some non-limiting embodiments, the dabbing tool  200  may further comprise a second catch  254 , a third catch, a fourth catch, a fifth catch, or more catches. In some embodiments the first catch  252  comprises a first protrusion extending from the shaft  210  outwardly from the shaft axis  212  in a first catch direction  253 . In some embodiments the second catch  254  comprises a second protrusion extending from the shaft  210  outwardly from the shaft axis  212  in a second catch direction  255 . The first catch direction  253  and the second catch direction  255  may be oriented at 180 degrees to one another (i.e. opposite one another), at 90 degrees to one another, or some other orientation chosen with good engineering judgment. 
     The shroud  272  may be elongated along a shroud axis  274  to define a first shroud end  276  and a second shroud end  278  opposite the first shroud end  276 , the first shroud end  276  may have a first set of shroud threads  277  adapted to operationally engage with the first set of handle threads  237 . In some non-limiting embodiments the first set of shroud threads  277  are further adapted to operationally engage with the second set of handle threads  239 . 
     The dabbing tool  200  may further comprise a cap  282  adapted to engage with the second set of handle threads  239 . Cap  282  may comprise a set of cap threads adapted to operationally engage the second set of handle threads  239 . 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, dabbing tool  200  comprises stainless steel, aluminum, brass, titanium, or bronze. In some embodiments, the dabbing tool  200  comprises a ferromagnetic material which may, optionally, be magnetized. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the handle surface  234  may be offset from the shaft axis  212  by a distance sufficient to permit an associated user to readily apply torque by an associated user hand to the handle  232  sufficient to firmly engage the first set of handle threads  237  with the shroud threads  277 . 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the handle surface  234  may be knurled. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the second shroud end  278  is closed. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second shroud end  278  is open. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the second shroud end  178 ,  278  may comprise a loop adapted for operational engagement of a key ring, lanyard, chain, or the like. In some non-limiting embodiments, the cap  282  may comprise a loop adapted for operational engagement of a key ring, lanyard, chain, or the like. In some embodiments both the second shroud end  178 ,  278  and the cap  282  each comprise a loop and are operationally engaged by their respective loops to one another by a chain, or other elongated flexible connector. 
     Also provided is a first method of using a dabbing tool may comprise providing a dabbing tool comprising a first catch and a dab blade; using the dab blade of the dabbing tool to move some associated material from an associated storage container to an associated appliance, said storage container having a wall with a top edge and defining an interior storage region; and placing the dabbing tool upon the top edge of the associated storage container such that the first catch is at least partially above the interior storage region. 
     In such the latter first method, the dabbing tool may have a shaft elongated along a shaft axis to define a first shaft end and a second shaft end opposite the first shaft end, wherein the first shaft end has the dab blade, and wherein the second shaft end has a handle. The shaft may have a first catch located between the first shaft end and the second shaft end where the first catch extends outwardly from the shaft axis. The handle may define a handle surface elongated to define a first handle end and a second handle end, where the first handle end has a first set of handle threads. The dabbing tool may have a shroud elongated along a shroud axis to define a first shroud end and a second shroud end opposite the first shroud end, the first shroud end having a first set of shroud threads adapted to operationally engage with the first set of handle threads. 
     In some optional aspects of the first method, the method further comprises heating the associated material. 
     In some optional aspects of the first method, the method further comprises vaporizing or smoking the associated material. 
     In some optional aspects of the first method, the associated appliance is adapted for vaporizing or smoking the associated material. In some optional aspects of the first method, the associated appliance is a rig, pipe, or other smoking or vaping apparatus. 
     In some optional aspects of the first method, the second handle end comprises a second set of handle threads adapted to operationally engage with the first set of shroud threads. In some of these latter methods, the dabbing tool may optionally further comprise a cap comprising a first set of cap threads adapted to operationally engage with the second set of handle threads. 
     In some optional aspects of the first method, the first catch comprises a first protrusion extending from the shaft outwardly from the shaft axis in a first direction. In some of these latter methods, the first catch further comprises a second protrusion extending from the shaft outwardly from the shaft axis in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     In some optional aspects of the first method, at least part of the handle surface is offset from the shaft axis by a distance sufficient to permit an associated user to readily apply torque by an associated user hand to the handle sufficient to firmly engage the first set of handle threads with the shroud threads. 
     In some optional aspects of the first method, the associated material comprises a medicine or drug. 
     In some optional aspects of the first method, the associated material comprises THC. 
     Any of the features or attributes of the above described embodiments and variations can be used in combination with any of the other features and attributes of the above described embodiments and variations as desired. 
     Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it is apparent that this invention can be embodied in many different forms and that many other modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. 
     Moreover, while exemplary embodiments have been described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the exemplary embodiments set forth above are merely illustrative in nature and should not be construed as to limit the claims in any manner. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents, and not, by the preceding description.