System and Method for Collecting, Mixing, and Pouring of Materials

Abstract

An apparatus is formed from a sheet of substantially rectangular material in which a seam is formed joining two sides, thus forming an envelope having a bottom, one sealed end, an open top, and one open side. The open top has an edge folded and seamed into a series of handles extending around an entire perimeter of the open top.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority as follows:

			Filing date of
Application		Application to	application to
claiming	Basis of	which priority	which priority
priority	priority claim	is claimed	is claimed
This	35 U.S.C. 119	U.S. Pat. No. 61/647,883	May 16, 2012
application

Each application above to which priority is claimed is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Yardwork/landscaping involves the collection and transport of debris such as leaves, sticks, compost, clippings, and other material. Typical tools used to facilitate the collection and transport of these materials include wheelbarrows and tarps.

Construction often involves the mixing and pouring of bagged concrete and cementitious products, or collection and movement of waste or debris. Bagged concrete is an inexpensive product and is often used in small quantities of 1-12 bags at a time. Small batches of concrete are commonly bought as dry aggregate in a bag from a hardware or construction supply store. Bagged concrete comes in 60 and 80 pound bags and requires mixing with water. In its dry state, it is dry and dusty. When mixed with water concrete's viscosity can vary but it is generally runny. The mixing process is typically messy and concrete has the tendency to stain clothes, tools and object it contacts. The mixing process also often involves specialized tools and devices that are not readily adapted to other purposes.

Most bagged concrete is mixed either by hand in a reservoir (bucket, wheelbarrow, tub) or in an electric mixer. Manual mixing can be slow, strenuous, and sloppy as the dry powder and water are mixed with a shovel or hand implement. After mixing, the slurry is then shoveled or poured from the mixing reservoir to the area of use. When an electric mixer is used, the process is less laborious. However, electric mixers are large, heavy and can be cumbersome to maneuver for pouring. In addition, they are also more expensive than may be warranted by a smaller project.

There are methods of mixing concrete that involve using a flat sheet or tarp to combine the dry and wet ingredients. This method involves two or more people holding up corners of the sheet to contain the mixture and rhythmically tossing it back and forth to combine. The finished mixture is then carried in the sheet to the desired destination and poured like water would be poured from a bag. This sheet method makes concrete mixing faster than traditional manual methods. Rather than stirring the mix like one would make dough with a spoon, the mix is folded on top of itself by moving the reservoir that contains it. The flexible nature of the reservoir not only aids in quick mixing but also facilitates easier transport and pouring post-mix. When stored, the sheet can be folded and made much more compact than a rigid reservoir. Traditionally, the sheet method involves a flat, square or rectangular piece of fabric or tarp. In order for this fabric to hold a liquid, it must be lifted at the corners in order to create a reservoir. In order to mix, the users must hold on to the sheet and fold the mixture over on itself. To carry the mix, the sheet must be lifted (bearing the weight of the mixture) and transported. If the reservoir is lost, the mixture will spill out. If the user loses grip on the fabric, mixing and carrying is impossible.

A variety of handles have been designed to increase the grip on the fabric. Many of these involve a plastic or webbed handle fastened to the sheet. Improving the handle design can also improve the integrity of the reservoir, but built-in reservoirs have also been employed to contain the mixture without any action needed by the user. While a plastic or webbed handle can help grip the fabric, they may be difficult and expensive to bond to the fabric. Rigid or formed reservoirs built in to the fabric of the mixer also incur an increased complexity and cost.

Crete Sheet is a tool for mixing concrete made from a flexible membrane. Four handles are added to a square sheet in order to increase the grip on the material. This sheet method requires all four corners to be lifted simultaneously in order to create a reservoir. While mixing, carrying or pouring, the reservoir can be lost causing the mixture to spill out. Cost is higher than necessary, in part because the production method and materials are less common and thus more expensive.

Prior sheet or mat-based mixing techniques include:

“Mix it Quik” (http://www.mixitquik.com/product/html).

U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,636 “Mixing mat for concrete”

U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,989 “Flowable material container and mixing mat”

U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,265 “Method and apparatus for mixing materials”

U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,638 “Flexible mixing mat and method of use”

United States Patent Application Publication US20060245297 “Portable mixing sheet with handles”

United States Patent Application Publication US20090179446 “Folding Quik mat catch all apparatus”.

Herein described is an apparatus that may be utilized for multiple purposes including collection and transport of yard or light construction debris, and the mixing of small batches of concrete by one or two people.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, the same reference numbers and acronyms identify elements or acts with the same or similar functionality for ease of understanding and convenience. To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate views of a collection/mixing apparatus embodiment as constructed in concordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of constructing an apparatus embodiment from a single flexible sheet of material.

FIG. 5 depicts and describes both one and two person use of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 depicts an alternate embodiment comprising a wave stitch to form a line of pockets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preliminaries

References to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively, unless expressly limited to a single one or multiple ones. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list, unless expressly limited to one or the other.

Overview

A time and labor saving apparatus is described for use by the general consumer (homeowner) as well as the construction tradesmen or contractor. The apparatus may reduce the amount of time and effort involved in both collecting and transporting yard or light construction debris, and the mixing of a cement product, specifically bagged concrete. In one example usage scenario, the apparatus allows for two people to use one tool to mix and pour a 60 pound bag of concrete in less than 1 minute.

Several elements are combined cooperatively to yield a multifunctional apparatus that is useful and convenient for material collection, transport, and mixing of cement materials. Shape, style, handle placement, and handle formation are all simultaneously adapted into a unique configuration involving an envelope formed from a single a sheet of material (3 sided or more) that is folded and bonded on at least two sides, with at least one side remaining open.

Handles are formed from the mat/sheet material itself, into shapes that resemble in form, size, and function, pockets made from material (3 sided or more) folded and bonded along at least two sides with at least one side remaining open to accept the user's hand. Thus both shape, size, and manner of forming the handles diverges from prior approaches utilized for collection tarps or mixing mats. Furthermore, a continuous row of handles may be formed around any or all of the open sides of the envelope. Thus, in addition to divergence in shape, size, and manner of forming the handles, a number and placement of the handles may also (in some cases, drastically) diverge from prior approaches of most similar application. In yet a further divergence from prior techniques of similar application, bonding/fastening is applied to the sheet itself in order the alter the formed shape, and to constrain the openness, with a compound and unexpected effect on handle placement and position.

The cooperative handle and sheet configuration also results in the emergence of another an unexpected property. Specifically, a smooth adaptation and transition from a mixing (or collection) configuration to a pouring/disgorging configuration emerges. In a still further divergence from prior approaches, at least some of the handles are coded to facilitate the transition from collection/mixing to pouring/disgorging configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment the apparatus is formed from a rectangle of lightweight sheet material preferably less than 5 oz per square yard and/or less than 7 mils in thickness. The unassembled dimensions are preferably less than 6′ by 8′. These are of course the dimensions for only one of many possible sizes and thicknesses. The sheet is folded in half along its longest dimension, forming a fold axis, and stitched/bonded along one distal end of the fold axis. Leading edges of each of the sides of the other distal end of the fold axis are folded over on themselves, and stitched/bonded in a substantially triangular pattern to form a row of handles. These handles form pockets that accept the forefingers of the user's hands.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate views of a collection/mixing apparatus as constructed in concordance with one embodiment. The device comprises a sheet 102 into which integrated handles 104 are formed. The device is further formed and secured into an envelope configuration (FIG. 2).

Prior to being formed into the apparatus, the sheet is substantially rectangular, meaning it comprises two pairs of sides each pair of sides comprising two sides parallel to one another. A square is a special case of a rectangle. A sheet of material with rounded corners is still substantially rectangular. An example of a rectangular sheet is shown in FIG. 1.

Two sides of the sheet (two lateral sides 110) are folded over between three and six inches each, and preferably about 4 inches each, and a continuous substantially triangular seam 112 is formed joining each folded edge to the sheet. This creates a line of pockets extending the entire length of each of the sides 110. The drawings illustrate the formation of four pockets per side; in one preferred mode, there are five pockets per side, for a total of ten. While this number of pockets (sometimes drastically) exceeds the number of handles used in prior approaches, there is unexpected utility that emerges once the shape of the apparatus is compounded by further modification.

In a different embodiment, the seam forming the pockets is not substantially triangular. Instead, the seam is formed as a smooth wave pattern, for example as a “sine” wave or something of similar periodic nature. A “wave” pattern is one that flows continuously and does not have sharp angles (e.g., see FIG. 6).

In this partially-formed state, the apparatus is a sheet of material having two edges each folded and stitched to the sheet to form two separate lines of handholds along two edges. One of ordinary skill in the art might find it disadvantageous to perform such extensive stitching in a complex pattern involving angled lines, to create not one but two rows of continuous pockets in locations they would not seem useful. However, the lines of unusually formed pockets may, with additional modification to the form of the sheet, emerge with unexpected utility.

A seam is “substantially triangular” if the seam forms repeated triangular peaks, even if the seam also includes some straight runs of stitches parallel to the edges of the sheet (e.g., a “clipped” triangle with flattened tops or bottoms, such as the illustrated pattern, is still substantially triangular). When the sides of the sheet are drawn up using the handles, the two edges with the triangular stitching become the “top edges” or “top perimeter” 114.

The terms “handhold”, “handles”, and “pockets” are all used herein interchangeably, to refer to the structures formed by the rectangular stitching along the top edges.

The sheet is next folded down a middle axis (it can be either a long or short axis) and a seam 106 is formed joining the two sides 110 of the folded sheet together, thus forming an envelope having an open “top” 108 and one open side 116. This unusual approach, which seals one side from further use to insert or extract material, may nonetheless be utilized advantageously as will be described. Herein, the “top” of 108 the formed apparatus refers to an opening formed when the sheet is laid on the ground and the sides drawn upwards (against gravity) using the handles 104. The open side 116 is the side (in addition to the top 108) that remains unseamed and open to material being added or removed to the envelope while the handles 104 are drawn up.

Once constructed, the apparatus has a three dimensional form that resembles an open-ended envelope with a top perimeter 114 lined with handles 104. The envelope may be filled with materials for mixing or hauling and may be operated by either one or two people. Instructions for one person operation may be described in instructions which may printed on the sheet 102.

A method of construction of an embodiment of the mixing/hauling apparatus in illustrated in FIG. 4. At (1) a sheet of for example plastic (or, in some embodiments, heavy canvas) may be dimensioned for instance at 48×70 inches. At (2)-(4) two sides are folded over about 4 inches each, and sewn at the corners. The unusual clipped triangular stitching pattern is then applied down the entire length of both sides. The sheet is then folded in half and stitched all the way up one end joining two of the folded sides together. At (5) an optional seam may be applied at the bottom corner of the sealed end, which reduces the interior volume of the apparatus. Although it is counterintuitive to reduce the volume of a device that will be used to collect/mix materials, this turns out to make it easier to remove/pour certain materials from the device, such as wet cement. Not all embodiments will include this volume-limiting extra seam.

FIG. 5 illustrates examples of one and two person utilization of the apparatus to mix concrete. In a one-person operation scenario, the apparatus is set on the ground or other work surface so that the top 108 is open, creating an open envelope. Product is placed inside the open envelope and, for mixing or hauling, and the primary handles 104 are gathered. Water for mixing may then be added to dry materials inside the envelope. Out of a plurality of handles, four are chosen and split into pairs. In one embodiment these four are specially identified as color or letter coded handles. One pair for one side of the envelope are drawn together to be held in one hand. In the same manner, the handle pair on the other side are drawn together and held by a second hand. The choice of particular handle pairs will vary according to the people using the apparatus. In this configuration the spout remains unformed and the apparatus forms a barrier to keep materials from flowing out of the envelope.

Material inside the envelope may be mixed with water by alternately lifting and lowering opposing paired handles. Bearing the majority of the weight of the internal load is avoided by lifting only a fraction of a side with each alternating lift. To disgorge the load, the handle paring configuration is altered. Handles are paired so that a spout is formed. A back handle pair may be lifted, pivoting the sheet, while a front handle pair is used to guide the contents with the spout to desired location. Alternatively one of the rear handles is used in place of the handle pair to lift back edge and empty out the contents.

Larger batches can be mixed or hauled by two people by positioning one person on each side of the sheet. The sheet is unfolded and placed on the ground with the long fold on the bottom and the handled edges lying on either side to create a pocket. A load is placed inside the pocket. For example, for mixing a bag of concrete may be emptied into the pocket and an appropriate amount of water added depending on the desired mix consistency. Each person alternatively lifts their sides of the device, providing a folding action to mix the materials. Once a desired consistency is achieved, each person continues to hold their current handle configuration. The completed mix can then be hauled within the sheet. To disgorge the contents each person lifts a respective pair of back handles and draws a respective pair of front handles together to form a spout and direct the contents to a desired location. If desirable, one person may lift the back handles while one person uses the front handles to guide pouring.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a sheet of substantially rectangular material comprising a seam joining two sides, thus forming an envelope having a bottom, one sealed end, an open top, and one open end;

the open top having a perimeter, the perimeter of the open top folded and seamed to form a series of handles extending around the entire perimeter.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handles are formed using a substantially triangular seam around the perimeter of the open top.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the substantially triangular seam is a clipped triangular pattern.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handles are formed using a wave seam around the perimeter of the open top.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, the sheet made of flexible plastic material.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a total of ten handles.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a volume-limiting seam across a corner of the sealed end and the bottom.

8. A method comprising:

folding over between three and six inches of material from each of two edges of a rectangular sheet of plastic, and stitching each of the folded material to the sheet using a continuous seam along each of the two edges, thus forming a series of handles extending the entire length of each of the two edges; and

folding the sheet in half and seaming two ends of the two edges together on one side, thus forming the sheet into an envelope having an enclosed bottom, an open top, one open end, and one sealed end.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the continuous seam is a substantially triangular pattern.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the continuous seam is a clipped triangular pattern.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the continuous seam is a wave pattern.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the continuous seam forms a total of ten handles.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising including a volume-limiting seam across a corner of the sealed end and the bottom.

14. A material collection and mixing apparatus comprising:

a sheet of substantially rectangular plastic comprising a seam joining two sides, thus forming an envelope having a bottom, one sealed end, an open top, and one open end;

the open top having a perimeter, the perimeter of the open top folded and seamed to form a series of ten substantially triangular handles extending around the entire perimeter.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a volume-limiting seam across a corner of the sealed end and the bottom.