Scoop Utensil for Gathering Beads

Abstract

A scoop utensil defines a scoop trough and a handle attached thereto, characterized in that: the trough has a sidewall and a bottom, the sidewall extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom and having a front sidewall portion with an upper length, FL, with a gathering edge along its upper length for scooping small objects, a rear sidewall portion opposing the front sidewall portion with a length, RL, at its upper portion which is shorter than FL and a pair of end sidewall portions having upper lengths, EL, shorter than RL, where the front sidewall portion and the end sidewall portions together define a pair of lateral inclined spouts for pouring contents out of the trough to a container. The handle is continuous with the rear sidewall portion of the bead scoop utensil and flaring downwardly from an apex of the rear sidewall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A scoop utensil comprising a scoop trough and a handle attached thereto, characterized in that:
 the trough has a sidewall and a bottom, the sidewall extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom and having a front sidewall portion with an upper length, FL, with a gathering edge along its upper length for scooping small objects, a rear sidewall portion opposing the front sidewall portion with a length, RL, at its upper portion which is shorter than FL and a pair of end sidewall portions having upper lengths, EL, shorter than RL, where the front sidewall portion and the end sidewall portions together define a pair of lateral inclined spouts for pouring contents out of the trough to a container;   the handle being continuous with the rear sidewall portion of the bead scoop utensil and flaring downwardly from an apex of the rear sidewall.   
     
     
         2 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 1 , wherein the end sidewall portions are bowed inwardly toward the interior of the trough. 
     
     
         3 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 1 , wherein the end sidewall portions define acute angles with the straight upper edge of the front sidewall portion. 
     
     
         4 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 1 , wherein the bead scoop utensil has an S-shaped end profile. 
     
     
         5 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle flares downwardly by a sufficient distance to support the bead scoop utensil in an erect position on a flat surface with the trough opening directed upwardly. 
     
     
         6 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle has an inner length equal to RL, the length of the rear sidewall portion and the handle has an outer longitudinal edge of length, OL, parallel to RL and shorter than RL. 
     
     
         7 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 6 , wherein the handle has curved transition portions between its inner and outer lengths. 
     
     
         8 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle has a thickened border around a periphery thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle has a plurality of gripping ridges. 
     
     
         10 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 9 , wherein an upper surface of the handle has a plurality of gripping ridges. 
     
     
         11 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of gripping ridges on the upper surface of the handle extend to the apex of the rear sidewall portion of the trough. 
     
     
         12 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 9 , wherein a lower surface of the handle has a plurality of gripping ridges. 
     
     
         13 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 9 , wherein the gripping ridges are orthogonal to the outer longitudinal edge of the handle. 
     
     
         14 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 1 , wherein there are provided a plurality of ridges on an underside of the trough orthogonal to the outer longitudinal edge of the handle. 
     
     
         15 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 1 , wherein the bead scoop utensil has a unitary structure formed by injection molding. 
     
     
         16 . The bead scoop utensil; according to  claim 15 , wherein the bead scoop utensil is made of a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         17 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 16 , wherein the thermoplastic material is polystyrene. 
     
     
         18 . The bead scoop utensil according to  claim 1 , wherein the gathering edge of the bead scoop utensil has a tapered profile with a thinner profile edge at its terminus than a profile of the front sidewall portion distal to its terminus.