US20100229319A1

US20100229319A1 - Spatula

Info

Publication number: US20100229319A1
Application number: US12/661,083
Authority: US
Inventors: Michelle C. Phillips
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-11
Filing date: 2010-03-10
Publication date: 2010-09-16

Abstract

A spatula specifically designed to retrieve contents, typically, the remnants, from a container having a constricted opening, has an elongated handle with a flexible blade peripherally defined by a pair of shoulders extending laterally from the handle and rounding to form a pair of side edges. A first side edge is generally parallel to the handle and terminates in a bottom edge extending perpendicularly from the first side edge. The second side edge originates from an acute angle with the second shoulder and extends obliquely toward the handle and terminates in an obtuse rounded angel with the bottom edge of the spatula. Topographically, the spatula blade has a front face surface having a concave depression and a back surface generally accommodating the front face surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a device for accumulating and retrieving the contents, typically the remnants, from containers having small openings. More specifically, the invention relates to a uniquely designed and constructed spatula for removing liquid and semi-liquid cosmetic products from containers having constricted openings.
Many cosmetics sold at retail are packaged and presented in artfully created containers. Many of the containers and their ports of access are very small to impart or reinforce the impression that the contents are extremely potent, allegedly effective in very small quantities, and thereby justify an exorbitant, or at least a premium cost.
While the small and constricted openings in the containers may limit accidental spillage, they also increase the difficulty of extracting the entire contents from the container. When the contents are expensive, as they frequently are, it can be extremely irritating and frustrating to see un-retrieved contents go unused and wasted because of inaccessibility.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The prior art relating to and encompassing the design and function of spatulas is legion. Almost all spatulas are flexible, and it would be rare to find a spatula that cannot be used to scrape the sides of a container to maximize the retrieval of dregs or to effect the complete transfer of contents from one container to another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Notwithstanding the existence and awareness of all manner of spatulas, the instantly disclosed and claimed spatula is unique in both form and function. Herein described is a flexible spatula specifically designed for retrieving the contents, typically, the remnants, from a container having a constricted opening. With particularity, the disclosed spatula comprises an elongated handle having proximal and distal ends and a flexible blade attached to the distal end of the handle. The blade is peripherally defined by a pair of shoulders extending laterally from the handle. The first shoulder extends from the handle and rounds at about a 90° angle to originate a first side edge of the spatula. The first side edge is oriented generally parallel to the handle and terminates in a rounded corner forming the origin of the bottom edge of the spatula. The bottom edge of the spatula extends generally perpendicularly from the first side edge. The second shoulder of the blade extends from the handle and rounds at an acute angle to originate a second side edge. The second side edge is generally oriented obliquely toward the handle and terminates in a rounded obtuse angle with the bottom edge of the blade. Topographically, the blade has a front face surface forming a spoon-like depression disposed between the first and second side edges and a back surface generally opposing and accommodating the front face surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an elevated front view of the disclosed spatula.

FIG. 2 is an elevated side view of the spatula.

FIG. 3 is an isolated enlarged view of the blade of the spatula.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the spatula.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the spatula being inserted into (or retrieved from) the constricted opening of a container.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 depict the disclosed spatula within the confines of containers having interior walls of various shapes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A full appreciation of the disclosed spatula is enhanced by frequent reference to the drawing. The elevated frontal view of FIG. 1 depicts the disclosed spatula 10 and all of its essential elements. Immediately apparent is the elongated handle 12. The precise length of the handle is unimportant, but repeated experimentation suggests that the spatula functions best when the handle is about 6 to 9 inches long and tapered toward the proximal end. At this length, the handle provides a comfortable gripping surface while the spatula is being maneuvered and effectively positions the blade 14 of the spatula 10 to reach the inner depths and corners of most containers. The handle is conveniently made from a generally rigid plastic material, such as ABS plastic, which economically provides sufficient rigidity for the intended purpose of use and sufficient flexibility to avoid breakage.
The flexible blade 14 is attached to the distal end of the handle 12 of the spatula 10. The blade 14 is necessarily flexible and is preferably formed by molding from a thermoplastic elastomeric material such as any of a variety of natural or synthetic organic or silicone polymers. The principal requirements for the material composition of the blade are that it be suitably flexible to fit within the constricted opening of a container and resilient enough to return to its original shape within the container to perform according to plan. In use, the blade is inserted through the constricted opening of a container, the sides and the bottom of the container are scraped by angling the spatula and using the first, second and bottom edges to to retrieve and accumulate the contents, typically, the remnants of the container. Once accumulated, the recaptured remnants are positioned in the cupped surface between the first and second edges and the blade is removed. For removal, of course, it is necessary for the blade to once again conform to the size of the constricted opening and retain its accumulated contents while being removed from the interior of the container 30.
In the preferred embodiment of the disclosed spatula, the blade 14 is attached to the distal end of the spatula 10 with the aid of a molded collar 19. To appreciate the design and construction, an isolated, enlarged view of the blade is presented in FIG. 3. The blade 14 is peripherally defined by a pair of shoulders each extending laterally from the distal end of the handle. A first shoulder 16 extends laterally from the handle and terminates by forming a rounded corner 21. The rounded corner originates the first side edge 20 of the blade 13. The first side edge 20 of the blade is oriented generally parallel to the handle 12 and extends until it terminates in a rounded corner 25 where it originates the bottom edge 26 of the blade 14, and extends generally perpendicularly from the first side edge 20. A second shoulder 18 also extends laterally from the handle 12 in a diametrically opposite direction to the first shoulder. The second shoulder 18 extends laterally until forming a rounded corner 22 which originates the second side edge 24 of the blade. The second side edge 24 originates from the rounded corner 22 and extends obliquely from rounded corner 22 forming an obtuse angle 23 with the second shoulder. The orientation of the second side edge 24 is toward the handle 12 of the spatula 10 and extends in its oblique orientation until it terminates in a rounded corner 27 forming an obtuse angle 29 with the bottom edge 26 of the blade 14.
The foregoing defines the periphery of the flexible blade 14. The topography of the blade 14 is also uniquely structured to enable the desired performance of the spatula 10. Referring to FIG. 2, it is apparent that the blade 14 has a front face surface 15 and a back surface 17. The front face 15 is more functional. The front face 15 is necessarily and generally depressed or contoured to form a spoon-like depression. The spoon-like depression may also be characterized as a cupped surface disposed between the first 20 and second 24 edges. The depression dominates the front surface 15 and is intended to facilitate the retrieval of contents from the container after they have been scraped and gathered from the sides and corners of the container 30.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the spatula offered for the purpose of illustrating the generally depressed or concave nature of the front face surface 15. The top plan view of FIG. 5 illustrates the flexibility and orientation of the blade 14 during entry and exit through a constricted opening 32 in a container 30. Note the flexibility and orientation of the first 16 and second 18 shoulders as they converge to minimize the width of the blade while the first and second sides 20 and 24 partially envelope the concave front surface 15. The envelopment is particularly helpful in confining the retrieved contents during removal from the container 30.
FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 illustrate the application of the unique design features of the disclosed spatula 10. For instance, in FIG. 6 the alignment of the first side edge 20 is particularly useful in scraping remnants from the sides of containers having straight, vertical or cylindrical sides. And in FIG. 7, it is apparent that the oblique angle of the second side edge 24 is appropriately positioned to scrape the sides of similarly shaped containers 30. FIG. 8 illustrates the utility of the rounded corners 21, 22, 25 and 27 in being able to dredge the similarly rounded inside corners of the container 30.
While the foregoing is a detailed and complete description of the preferred embodiments of the disclosed flexible spatula, it should be apparent that numerous variations and modifications can be made and employed to implement the all important purpose of the disclosed spatula without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is fairly defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A spatula for retrieving contents from a container having a constricted opening, said spatula comprising:

an elongated handle having proximal and distal ends; and,

a flexible blade attached to said distal end of said handle, said blade peripherally defined by a first and second pair of shoulders extending laterally from said handle, said first shoulder rounding to form a first side edge oriented generally parallel to said handle and terminating in a rounded corner forming a bottom edge extending generally perpendicularly from said first side edge; and, said second shoulder rounding at an acute angle forming a second side edge obliquely oriented toward said handle and terminating in a rounded corner forming an obtuse angle at said bottom edge; and, said defined flexible blade having a front face surface having a concave depression and a back surface generally opposing said front face surface.

2. The spatula according to claim 1 wherein the handle is tapered toward said proximal end.