Disposable Cleaning Utensils Capable of Being Incorporated into Boxes and Containers and Methods of Creating Disposable Cleaning Utensils

Abstract

Disposable clean up utensils that can be incorporated into a box or other container, comprised of an apparatus, an incised and scored blank, from which clean up utensils, such as a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan, a paddle and a scraper, may be formed by separating them from the apparatus, said apparatus comprising a flat sheet of bendable material comprising a combination bristle brush and paddle comprising a plurality of angled incised bristle lines; a scraper; a paddle; a dustpan comprising a dustpan handle fold line; an intersect at the rear of the dustpan; a right back score and fold mark; a left back score and fold mark; a dustpan handle fold line; a plurality of rear pan inclines; a plurality of sidewall score and fold marks; a pan-to-floor interface; an incised line bounding the dustpan; and a bristle brush score and fold mark.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/525,230, filed Jun. 27, 2017.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed embodiments and methods pertain both to disposable brushes with bristles, paddles and dustpans and methods for creating same from flat materials and to boxes, containers and other items into which disposable brushes with bristles, paddles and dustpans are incorporated.

BACKGROUND ART

The long felt need to remove undesirable substances from off of the ground or from off of a floor has resulted in the patenting of a number of devices, some of which have been formed from flat blanks of material.

Inventors' early efforts involving flat blanks focused on using relatively rigid and durable materials, such as sheet metal, to fabricate dustpans. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 234,644, Alexander taught the use of a blank of sheet metal or straw-board to form a triangular shaped covered or hooded dustpan; Marshall, in U.S. Pat. No. 422,240, taught the formation of a dustpan of triangular or flattened conical shape from a blank of metal and Whitney, U.S. Pat. No. 554,848, taught the creation of a stiff dustpan from a stamped blank of sheet metal.

Cardboard was introduced as a possible material for fabricating dustpans by Coats in U.S. Pat. No. 1,106,282A. Coats taught a dustpan that could be formed or shaped from an initially scored or prepared carton of cardboard or relatively stiff paper, so that the dustpan could be bent, be of cheap construction, be discarded after one use and be serviceable in connection with advertising promotion schemes.

Sweeney, U.S. Pat. No. 3,639,937, taught a carton containing a disposable, self-packaging dustpan kit containing a charge of granular absorbent material that could be poured over spillage and then swept back up using an included hand paddle that could be detached from the disposable carton. Hanahan, U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,044, taught a foldable container, litter bag, dustpan, paddle and a blank for creating each of these.

Hoefler, U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,185, taught a disposable dustpan stored as a stack of sheets with an adhesive edge. Each sheet could be removed individually from a book-like stack and then folded into a triangular-shaped disposable paper dustpan.

Vargas, US 2010/0065448, taught the creation of a disposable biodegradable dustpan kit by folding a cardboard blank to create two wedge-shaped dustpans that could be used in an opposable manner to scoop up detritus.

However, unlike the current application, none of these taught a blank which could be used to create a dustpan, a brush with handle and bristles, and a paddle which is disposable and which can be incorporated into a box or other item.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

How to economically create cleaning utensils, such a dustpan, a brush with handle and bristles, and a paddle, that can be disposed of when soiled and which can be easily stored in a space efficient manner until they are needed.

Solution to Problem

Create, incise and score a blank of material, such as cardboard, which is rigid enough to create forms of bristle brushes, paddles and dustpans, all of which are either disposable or reusable as desired, and which can be incorporated into a box, container or other item according to the disclosed apparatuses and methods.

Advantageous Effects of the Disclosed Embodiments

One advantage of the disclosed embodiments is the ability to fabricate at will a brush with a handle and bristles, as well as a paddle and a dustpan, all from a blank which can be stored flat until needed, thereby minimizing the amount of space necessary to store these items.

A further advantage of the disclosed embodiments is the ability to keep a brush with a handle and bristles, as well as a paddle and a dustpan all together so that they do not become separated and lost or mislaid prior to when they are needed.

Yet a further advantage of the disclosed embodiments is the ability after assembling the brush with bristles, the paddle and the dustpan to either keep them for future use, if desired, or to dispose of them in an environmentally friendly manner after a single use if they have become acutely soiled or have been used to clean up hazardous biological, chemical or nuclear waste.

Still another advantage is the ability to incorporate a brush with a handle and bristles, as well as a paddle and a dustpan into a box (or other container or item) which serves yet another purpose and from which the blank can be removed if and when needed, thereby adding utility to the box (or other container or item) in the form of a useful set of tools that can be easily fabricated on demand and used for cleaning up.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a bristle brush, a paddle, a dustpan and two scrapers.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a bristle brush, a paddle, a dustpan and two scrapers.

FIG. 3 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a dustpan that has been detached from a flat blank, but not yet formed.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of an embodiment, in one form, of a dustpan that has been detached from a flat blank and that has been formed.

FIG. 5 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a bristle brush that has been detached from a flat blank.

FIG. 6 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a bristle brush that has been detached from a flat blank.

FIG. 7 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a bristle brush that has been detached from a flat blank, but not yet formed.

FIG. 8 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a bristle brush that has been detached from a flat blank and that has been formed.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of an embodiment, in one form, of a dustpan that has been detached from a flat blank, but not yet formed.

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of an embodiment, in one form, of a dustpan that has been detached from a flat blank that is in the process of being formed by a hand grasping a handle and squeezing the two halves of the handle together.

FIG. 11 is a left lower perspective view of an embodiment, in one form, of a dustpan that has been detached from a flat blank and which has been formed by a hand grasping a handle and squeezing the two halves of the handle together.

FIG. 12 is a left elevational view of an embodiment, in one form, of a dustpan that has been detached from a flat blank and which has been formed by a hand grasping a handle and squeezing the two halves of the handle together.

FIG. 13 is an upper left perspective view of an embodiment, in one form, of a brush with bristles being used to sweep debris into a dustpan, both of which have been detached and formed from a flat blank.

FIG. 14 is a front upper right perspective view of an embodiment, in one form, of a box incorporating a flat blank that can be used to form a bristle brush, a paddle, a scraper and a dustpan.

FIG. 15 is a front upper left perspective view of an embodiment, in one form, of a box incorporating a flat blank that can be used to form a bristle brush, a paddle, a scraper and a dustpan.

FIG. 16 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a bristle brush with handle, a paddle and a dustpan.

FIG. 17 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a bristle brush with handle formed from a flat blank that can be used to form a bristle brush with handle, a paddle and a dustpan.

FIG. 18 is a right upper perspective view of an embodiment, in one form, of a dustpan formed from a flat blank that can be used to form a bristle brush with handle, a paddle and a dustpan.

FIG. 19 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan, a scraper and a paddle.

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan, a scraper and a paddle.

FIG. 21 is an upper left front perspective view of an embodiment, in one form, of a dustpan formed from a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan and a paddle.

FIG. 22 is an upper left front perspective view of an embodiment, in one form, of a scraper formed from a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan and a paddle.

FIG. 23 is an upper left front perspective view of an embodiment, in one form, of a combination bristle brush and paddle formed from a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan and a paddle.

FIG. 24 is a front left perspective view of an embodiment, in one form, of a paddle formed from a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan and a paddle.

FIG. 25 is a top plan view of an embodiment, in one form, of a dustpan formed from a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan and a paddle.

FIG. 26 is a lower right perspective view of an embodiment, in one form, of a dustpan formed from a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan and a paddle.

FIG. 27 is a left elevational view of an embodiment, in one form, of a dustpan formed from a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan and a paddle.

FIG. 28 is a bottom plan view of an embodiment, in one form, of a dustpan formed from a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan and a paddle.

FIG. 29 is a front upper right perspective view of an embodiment, in one form, of a box incorporating a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan and a paddle.

FIG. 30 is a front upper right perspective view of an embodiment, in one form, of a box incorporating a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan and a paddle.

FIG. 31 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a bristle brush with handle, a paddle, a dustpan and a scraper.

FIG. 32 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a bristle brush, a paddle, a dustpan and a scraper.

FIG. 33 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a bristle brush with handle, a paddle and a dustpan.

FIG. 34 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a bristle brush, a dustpan and a scraper.

FIG. 35 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a bristle brush with handle and a dustpan.

FIG. 36 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a bristle brush and a dustpan.

FIG. 37 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a bristle brush, a dustpan and a scraper.

FIG. 38 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan and a paddle.

FIG. 39 is an exploded view of a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan and a paddle.

FIG. 40 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle and a dustpan.

FIG. 41 is an exploded view of a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush and paddle and a dustpan.

FIG. 42 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush, a dustpan and a scraper.

FIG. 43 is an exploded view of a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a combination bristle brush, a dustpan and a scraper.

FIG. 44 is a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a paddle, a dustpan and a scraper.

FIG. 45 is an exploded view of a top plan of an embodiment, in one form, of a flat blank that can be used to form a paddle, a dustpan and a scraper.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Although the embodiments disclosed in the figures use cardboard, any bendable material could be used that can be incised, scored and folded and whose stiffness is approximately equivalent to or greater than that of cardboard, including, but not limited to corrugated fiberboard, paper, nylon, plastic, foil, aluminum or other metals, paperboard, wood veneer, palm fronds, leaves, compostable paperboard or other composite material without departing from the disclosures contained in and claimed by this application.

This application discloses three embodiments of flat blanks that can be used to create brushes with bristles, paddles and dustpans. Additionally this application discloses exemplary embodiments showing how the embodiments of the blanks disclosed can be incorporated into boxes, containers or other items.

Each of the disclosed and claimed embodiments may be used to clean up debris. In this regard, it is to be understood that the word debris is used in its broadest possible meaning and includes not only dry solids, dust and other dry particles, but also semi-solid and liquid waste of all types including, but not limited to, excrement, vomit, dead organisms, blood, urine, bodily fluids and biological, chemical or nuclear waste.

First Exemplary Embodiment

An embodiment is disclosed which allows for the creation of a disposable bristle brush, a dustpan, a paddle and two scrapers out of a flat sheet of bendable material. This is depicted in FIG. 1, which shows a detailed view of a pattern of incised lines and score and fold marks on a sheet of bendable material which can be used to create an embodiment, in one form, of a disposable bristle brush, a dustpan, a paddle and two scrapers. All proportions shown on FIG. 1 are merely illustrative of one particular embodiment of the disclosure; it is to be understood that other embodiments of the disclosure could be created using different proportions without departing from the device and method being claimed in this application.

FIG. 1 shows a number of various elements. A First Scraper (3), can be conceived as starting at right upper corner of the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (45), having a side of the first scraper bounded only by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (40) that extends to a left upper corner of the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (46), having a left side of the first scraper (47) that extends down to bristle tips (234) and extends across side of the first scraper bounded by the dustpan and the bristle brush (44) to the edge of the flat sheet of bendable material from which it returns to the right upper corner of the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (45), thereby forming a right side of the first scraper (48). The First Scraper depicted in FIG. 1 also shows it with an optional retail merchandising cutout (193).

A Second Scraper (7) is shown in FIG. 1 as starting at a corner of the second scraper bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (32), extending across a side of the second scraper bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (33) to a juncture of the end of the second scraper and the pan-to-floor interface (24), then up a side of the second scraper bounded by the bristle brush (35) to a juncture of side of dustpan and rear of the dustpan (218), thence across a side of the second scraper bounded by the bristle brush (34) to the Outer Border of the flat sheet of bendable material (176) from which a side of the second scraper bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (36) extends down to the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (32).

A Bristle Brush (20) is shown in FIG. 1 as starting at a corner of the bristle brush bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (22) and extending across a side of the second scraper bounded by the bristle brush (34) to a juncture of side of dustpan and rear of the dustpan (218) and thence across a side of the bristle brush bounded by the rear of the dustpan (28) to a juncture of the rear of the dustpan and the dustpan handle (221), up a side of the bristle brush bounded by the dustpan handle (26) to a juncture of bristles and the dustpan handle (223) across the bristle tips (234) to bristle tips bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (213) and down a side of the bristle brush bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (30).

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 further depicts a Paddle (15) that is shown as having one side that extends from the First Scraper along an Outer Border of the flat sheet of bendable material (176) to a juncture of side of dustpan and rear of the dustpan (218), a paddle side bounded by the rear of the dustpan (226) that extends to a juncture of the rear of the dustpan and the dustpan handle (221), a side of paddle bounded by the dustpan handle (225) that extends to a juncture of the dustpan handle and the paddle (224) and then along an incised line bounding a first scraper portion (17) to the Outer Border of the flat sheet of bendable material (176).

FIG. 1 further shows that an Outer Border of the flat sheet of bendable material (176) extends from the dustpan left front corner (230), to a corner of the second scraper bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (32), to a left upper corner of the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (46) to a right upper corner of the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (45) and back down again to the dustpan left front corner (230).

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1 and illustrates how the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1 can be disassembled along the disclosed pattern of incised lines in order to create a Bristle Brush (20), a Dustpan (18), a Paddle (15), a First Scraper (3) and a Second Scraper (7).

Each of these may be disassembled from the flat sheet of bendable material by the following method, the first three steps of which can be executed in any order and the last two steps of which can be executed in any order. First, the First Scraper can be separated from the sheet of bendable material which it is a part of by bending the First Scraper back and forth along an incised line bounding a first scraper portion (17), until the First Scraper breaks off. Second, the Paddle (15), can be separated from the sheet of bendable material which it is a part of by bending the Paddle back and forth along the incised line bounding the dustpan (12), until the Paddle breaks off. Third, the Bristle Brush and the Second Scraper can be separated from the sheet of bendable material which they are a part of by bending them back and forth along the incised line bounding the dustpan (12), until they break off. Fourth, the Bristle Brush and the Second Scraper can be separated from each other by bending them back and forth along the portion of the incised line bounding the dustpan (12), that extends between the Bristle Brush (20), and the Second Scraper (7).

Fifth, the dustpan can be formed in the manner shown in FIG. 9 by grasping near the mid-handle incised line [(4) in FIG. 2] with a hand and squeezing as shown in FIG. 10, thus causing the portion of the Dustpan being grasped to bend downward bilaterally along the dustpan handle fold line (13), and causing a portion of the bendable material to bend upward along the right back score and fold mark (6), and along the left back score and fold mark (9), the bendable material to bend downward bilaterally along the rear spine score and fold mark (14), and downward from the intersect at mid-pan (10), along a plurality of sidewall score and fold marks (8), thereby forming a three dimensional dustpan from the flat bendable material.

The various incised lines and score and fold marks pertaining to the dustpan portion of the flat bendable material are further depicted in FIG. 3 and a formed Dustpan, in one form, is depicted in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 depicts a Bristle Brush which has been detached from the flat bendable material and FIG. 6 depicts the same Bristle Brush in an optional form where the top portion has been bent downward across the angled brush score and fold mark (2), in order to create a more rigid surface for grasping the Bristle Brush. Thus, the Bristle Brush in the configuration depicted in FIG. 5 can be grasped in the manner depicted in FIG. 7 or the Bristle Brush in the optional form depicted in FIG. 6 can be grasped in the manner depicted in FIG. 8.

The Dustpan depicted in FIG. 10, which is also shown from a left lower perspective in FIG. 11, and from a left elevational view in FIG. 12, can be used in conjunction with the Bristle Brush as depicted in FIG. 13, to sweep up debris (130). The Bristle Brush (20), Dustpan (18), Paddle (15), First Scraper (3) and Second Scraper (7), or any of them, can either be kept for future use or may be disposed of, as desired.

FIG. 32 illustrates another possible variation of the First Exemplary Embodiment, depicting a variant which is devoid of the First Scraper (3) that was illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 34 illustrates yet another possible variation of the First Exemplary Embodiment, depicting a variant which is devoid of the First Scraper (3) and the Paddle (15) that were illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 34, the upper end of the sheet of bendable material stretches from the end of dustpan handle bounded only by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (50) to the bristle tips bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (213).

FIG. 36 illustrates yet another possible variation of the First Exemplary Embodiment, depicting a variant which is devoid of the First Scraper (3), the Second Scraper (7) and the Paddle (15) that were illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 36, the pan-to-floor interface (11) are shown as extending from the corner of pan-to-floor interface bounded only by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (52) to the dustpan left front corner (230).

FIG. 31 illustrates another possible variation of the First Exemplary Embodiment, depicting a variant in which the incised line (34) that separates the from the Bristle Brush (20) from Second Scraper (7) in FIG. 1 is eliminated, thereby resulting in a Bristle Brush with Handle (180) in lieu of a Bristle Brush and a Second Scraper. In this embodiment, the Paddle (15) is shown with the elements of side of the first scraper bounded by the paddle, dustpan handle and bristles (43) extending from the paddle corner bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (232) to the juncture of the dustpan handle and the paddle (224).

FIG. 33 illustrates still another possible variation of the First Exemplary Embodiment. FIG. 33 is the same as the variant shown in FIG. 31, but without the First Scraper (3).

FIG. 35 illustrates yet another possible variation of the First Exemplary Embodiment. FIG. 35 is the same as the variant shown in FIG. 31, but without the First Scraper (3) and the Paddle (15) that was illustrated in FIG. 31.

In FIG. 35, the Outer Border of the flat sheet of bendable material (176) extends from the juncture of bristles and the dustpan handle (223) across the end of dustpan handle bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (240) to the corner of dustpan handle bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (250), thence down via the side of dustpan handle bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (238) to a juncture of the rear of the dustpan and the dustpan handle, thence via the left rear of the dustpan (236) to the juncture of side of dustpan and rear of the dustpan (218) through the dustpan side bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (228) to the dustpan left front corner (230) and thence along the pan-to-floor interface (11) to the juncture of blunt end of the handle and the pan-to-floor interface (216).

In FIG. 35 the Handle (210) is shown as starting at the juncture of blunt end of the handle and the pan-to-floor interface (216), extending upward via a handle side bounded by the side of the dustpan (217) to a juncture of the side of the dustpan and the rear of the dustpan, thence upward via a handle side bounded by the rear of the dustpan (220), to a juncture of the rear of the dustpan and the dustpan handle (221), then upward via a handle side bounded by the dustpan handle (222) to the juncture of bristles and the dustpan handle (223), thence across the bristle tips (234) to bristle tips bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (213), thence along a handle side bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (212) to a handle tip bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (214) and thence to the pan-to-floor interface (216).

FIG. 35 also shows one side of the dustpan extending from the corner of dustpan handle bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (250) along the side of dustpan handle bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (238) to juncture of the rear of the dustpan and the dustpan handle (221) then downward via the left rear of the dustpan (236) to the juncture of side of dustpan and rear of the dustpan (218), down via a dustpan side bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (228) to the dustpan left front corner (230).

FIG. 36 illustrates another possible variation of the First Exemplary Embodiment, depicting a variant which is devoid of the Paddle [(175) in FIG. 16]. Where the Paddle was there is only a side of the bristle brush approximately parallel to the line formed by the tips of the bristles (29).

Incorporation of the First Exemplary Embodiment into Boxes, Containers and Other Items

The first disclosed embodiment and the Bristle Brush, Dustpan, Paddle, First Scraper and Second Scraper that can be created therefrom can be incorporated into a box, a container or other item. This is illustrated by FIG. 14 in which the flat blank of FIGS. 1 and 2 has been incorporated into the side of a box, from which a flat blank can be punched out and from which the Bristle Brush, Dustpan, Paddle, First Scraper and Second Scraper of the first disclosed embodiment can then be created according to the method disclosed above under the discussion of the First Embodiment.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

An embodiment is disclosed which allows for the creation of a disposable bristle brush with handle, a dustpan and a paddle out of a flat sheet of bendable material. This is depicted in FIG. 16, which shows a detailed view of a pattern of incised lines and score and fold marks on a sheet of bendable material which can be used to create an embodiment, in one form, of a disposable bristle brush with handle, a dustpan and a paddle. All proportions shown on FIG. 16 are merely illustrative of one particular embodiment of the disclosure; it is to be understood that other embodiments of the disclosure could be created using different proportions without departing from the device and method being claimed in this application.

FIG. 16 shows that an incised line bounding the dustpan (172), separates a Bristle Brush with Handle (180), a Dustpan (178) and a Paddle (175). Each of these may be disassembled from the flat sheet of bendable material by the following method, the first two steps of which can be executed in any order. First, the Paddle and the Dustpan are bent back and forth along the portion of the incised line bounding the dustpan (172), separating them until the Paddle breaks away from the flat sheet of bendable material. Second, the Bristle Brush with Handle and the Dustpan are bent back and forth along the portion of the incised line bounding the dustpan (172), separating them until they break apart from one another.

Third, the Dustpan (178), depicted in FIG. 18 is formed by squeezing together on the Dustpan on the periphery of what was the incised line bounding the dustpan (172), bilaterally along a dustpan handle fold line (173), thereby causing the score and fold marks on the Dustpan to bend in a way that creates an intersect at the rear of the dustpan (165).

The Bristle Brush with Handle of FIG. 17 contains a plurality of incised bristle lines (161), which separate strips of the bendable material into individual bristles. This can be more useful in certain circumstances in sweeping debris into the Dustpan of FIG. 18 than using a Paddle. On the other hand, in certain circumstances, using the Paddle [(175) in FIG. 16] may prove more effective in causing debris to be pushed into the Dustpan. The Bristle Brush with Handle, Dustpan and Paddle, or any of them, can either be kept for future use or may be disposed of, as desired. The Bristle Brush with Handle can be optionally stiffened by bending one side against another along the Bristle Brush Handle Fold Line [(182) in FIG. 16].

FIG. 16 shows that in some embodiments, the entire sheet of bendable material need not be used. For instance, there is a waste piece (163) that can be thrown away.

The embodiment of the Bristle Brush with Handle depicted in FIG. 16 also shows a Bristle Brush Handle Fold Line (182) along which a user can fold the Handle (210) onto itself if the user desires to further stiffen the handle.

The Bristle Brush with Handle is shown in FIG. 16 as having a handle side bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (212) that extends from a handle tip bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (214) to a corner of bristle end of bristle brush bounded only by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (266), a blunt end of the handle bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (215) that extends from the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (214) to the corner of first scraper bounded by the end of the handle of the bristle brush with handle (261), a handle side bounded by the side of the dustpan (217) that extends from the dustpan right front corner (213) to the juncture of the side of dustpan and the rear of the dustpan (218).

FIG. 37 shows another possible variant of the Second Exemplary Embodiment. In FIG. 37, the Paddle of FIG. 16 has been eliminated. The outer boarder of the dustpan can be defined starting at the juncture of the dustpan handle and the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (227) across the Outer Border of the flat sheet of bendable material (176) to the corner of the dustpan handle bounded only by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (264) thence again along the Outer Boarder to an inflection point (262), thence downward to the juncture of the rear of the dustpan and the dustpan handle (221) then to the juncture of the side of the dustpan and rear of the dustpan (218) and then to the dustpan left front corner (230). The Outer Border then continues down through the corner of the first scraper bounded only by the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material (260).

Incorporation of the Second Exemplary Embodiment into Boxes, Containers and Other Items

The second disclosed embodiment and the Bristle Brush with Handle, Dustpan and Paddle that can be created therefrom can be incorporated into a box, a container or other item. The flat blank of FIG. 16 may be incorporated into a box, from which it can be punched out and from which the Bristle Brush with Handle, Dustpan and Paddle of the second disclosed embodiment can then be created according to the method disclosed above under the discussion of the Second Embodiment, in a similar manner to how the First Embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 were shown incorporated into a box in FIGS. 14 and 15.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

An embodiment is disclosed which allows for the creation of a disposable combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan, a paddle and a scraper out of a flat sheet of bendable material. This is depicted in FIG. 19, which shows a detailed view of a pattern of incised lines and score and fold marks on a sheet of bendable material which can be used to create an embodiment, in one form, of a disposable combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan, a paddle and a scraper. All proportions shown in FIG. 19 are merely illustrative of one particular embodiment of the disclosure; it is to be understood that other embodiments of the disclosure could be created using different proportions without departing from the device and method being claimed in this application.

FIG. 19 discloses a flat sheet of bendable material comprising a Combination Bristle Brush and Paddle (206), a Dustpan (205), a Paddle (194) and a Scraper (197). The Combination Bristle Brush and Paddle contains angled incised bristle lines (191).

FIG. 19 depicts a Combination Bristle Brush and Paddle whose boundary extends from the corner of the first scraper and the combination bristle brush and paddle (270) across the side of the first scraper bounded by the dustpan and the bristle brush (44) to the corner of end of the dustpan handle and the combination bristle brush and paddle (268), thence downward along an incised line bounding the dustpan (202) to a juncture of the rear of the dustpan and the dustpan handle (221), thence downward to the corner of the side of the dustpan and the Combination Bristle Brush and Paddle (272) then back up to the corner of the first scraper and the combination bristle brush and paddle (270) via the Outer Border of the flat sheet of bendable material (176).

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of FIG. 19 and illustrates how the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 20 can be disassembled along the disclosed pattern of incised lines in order to create a Combination Bristle Brush and Paddle, 206, a Dustpan (205), a Paddle (194) and a Scraper (197).

Each of these may be disassembled from the flat sheet of bendable material by the following method, the first three steps of which can be executed in any order. First, the Scraper (197), which may optionally contain a retail merchandising cutout (193), is removed from the remainder of the bendable sheet of material by bending it back and forth along the portion of the incised line bounding the dustpan (202), that separates the Scraper from the remainder of the bendable sheet of material until the Scraper separates, thereby resulting in the Scraper that is depicted in FIG. 22.

Second, the Paddle (194), is removed from the remainder of the bendable sheet of material by bending it back and forth along the portion of the incised line bounding the dustpan (202), that separates the Paddle from the Dustpan (205), until the Paddle separates, thereby resulting in the Paddle that is depicted in FIG. 24.

Third, the Combination Bristle Brush and Paddle (206), is separated from the Dustpan (205), by tearing it along both the bristle brush score and fold mark (192), and the incised line bounding the dustpan (202), thereby resulting in the Combination Bristle Brush and Paddle depicted in FIG. 23 and the Dustpan (205), depicted in FIG. 20.

Fourth, the handles of the dustpan are squeezed together to bring the periphery of what was formerly the incised line bounding the dustpan (202), together in the manner shown in FIG. 21, to fold the dustpan handle bilaterally along the dustpan handle fold line [(203) in FIG. 19]. Doing this will cause the Dustpan to fold upward along the right back score and fold mark (196), and along the left back score and fold mark (199), and cause the Dustpan to buckle down toward the intersect at mid-pan (200), along the dustpan handle fold line (205), and along the plurality of sidewall score and fold marks (198), thereby forming a Dustpan with a plurality of rear pan inclines (204) and with a pan-to-floor interface (201), resulting in the Dustpan depicted in FIG. 21.

The Dustpan depicted in FIG. 21 is shown from a lower right perspective view in FIG. 26, from a left elevational view in FIG. 27 and from a bottom plan view in FIG. 28.

Incorporation of the Third Exemplary Embodiment into Boxes, Containers and Other Items

The third disclosed embodiment and the Combination Bristle Brush and Paddle, Dustpan, Paddle and Scraper that can be created therefrom can be incorporated into a box, a container or other item. This is illustrated by both FIGS. 29 and 30 in which the flat blank of FIGS. 19 and 20, has been incorporated into the side of a box (FIG. 29) and into the top of a box (FIG. 30), from either of which a flat blank can be punched out and from which the Combination Bristle Brush and Paddle, Dustpan, Paddle and Scraper of the third disclosed embodiment can then be created according to the method disclosed above under the discussion of the Third Embodiment.

Other Possible Variants of the Disclosed Embodiments

Other possible variants of the disclosed embodiments can be created wherein the bendable material (from which a bristle brush, a bristle brush with handle, a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan and one paddle or a plurality of paddles can be formed) is made of materials that are either or both:

• • A. Resistant to liquids, such as hydrophobic paper or cardboard that has self-assembled silicon-oxide nanoparticles with functional silane groups and fluorocarbonated compounds linked directly to cellulose fibers of at least one of the surfaces thereof, with a Cobb value of 8 to 25 g/m2 and water contact angles of 100 to 140 degrees [such as that taught by Marroquin in EP Application 2837736A1 (which is hereby incorporated by reference)] and similar; or
  • B. coated with materials that are resistant to liquids, including, but not limited to, waterproof film laminated to cardboard, polyethylene, waxes, fluor-derivatives, biopolymers, such as polysaccharides, proteins, lipids and polyesters, biopolymer nanoparticles and nanofillers such as nanoclay and nanocellulose.

All such embodiments are claimed by this application.

Other additional embodiments are also possible as to each of the Exemplary Embodiments previously described. For instance, while the First Exemplary Embodiment teaches a First Scraper, a Second Scraper, a Paddle, a Dustpan and a Bristle Brush, it is possible to construct other embodiments which create fewer than all of these elements. All such embodiments are claimed by this application.

Similarly, while the Second Exemplary Embodiment teaches a Bristle Brush with Handle, a Dustpan and a Paddle, it is possible to construct other embodiments which create fewer than all of these elements. All such embodiments are claimed by this application.

Additionally, while the Third Exemplary Embodiment teaches a Scraper, a Paddle, a Dustpan and a Combination Bristle Brush and Paddle, it is possible to construct other embodiments which create fewer than all of these elements. All such embodiments are claimed by this application.

Wherever reference is made in this disclosure to separating any portion of the sheet of bendable material from any other portion of the sheet of bendable material along any incised line or any score and fold mark, the separation may be achieved by bending the bendable material back and forth until it breaks along the incised line or the score and fold mark, by tearing the material down the incised line or the score and fold mark, by cutting the bendable material along the incised line or the score and fold mark with any sort of tool or by any other means of separating the bendable material along the incised line or the score and fold mark; all such methods of separation are claimed by this application.

Wherever incised bristle lines are mentioned in this disclosure it is understood that the material on either side of the incised bristle lines can be separated along those incised bristle lines to create individual bristles, if desired.

In the event that any of the patent documents that are incorporated by reference herein define or use a term in a manner that is inconsistent with either the non-incorporated disclosure of the present application or with any of the other incorporated patent documents, the non-incorporated disclosure of the present application shall control with respect to the present application, and the term or terms as used in an incorporated patent document shall only control with respect to the document in which the term or terms are defined or used.

The various disclosed elements of apparatuses and steps of methods disclosed herein are not required as to all apparatuses and methods set forth in the present disclosure, and the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements and steps disclosed herein. Moreover, one or more of the various elements and steps disclosed herein may define independent inventive subject matter that is separate and apart from the whole of a disclosed apparatus or method. Accordingly, such inventive subject matter is not required to be associated with the specific apparatuses and methods that are expressly disclosed herein; such inventive subject matter may find utility in future apparatuses and/or methods and may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application.

The specific alternatives, embodiments, and methods thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense, as numerous variations are possible. The present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions, properties, methods, and/or steps disclosed herein. The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and sub-combinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements, properties, methods, and/or steps may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower, or equal in scope to the original claims, are also within the subject matter of the present disclosure.

While the description of several embodiments has been presented and while the exemplary embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Applicant intends by this application to cover all possible embodiments that are described by the claims, even if such embodiments are not specifically shown or described in the Figures or in the Description of the Embodiments. That is, the claims in their broader aspects are therefore not limited to any of the specific details or to any of the representative apparatus and illustrative examples shown and described in the Figures and the specification. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general concept as claimed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The disclosed embodiments and the methods associated therewith have applicability to any area of industrial or residential cleaning. They are particularly applicable to situations involving biological, chemical or nuclear waste in which any clean up tools used are likely to become severely contaminated. They are also applicable to any situation where it would be convenient, desirable or cost effective to dispose of the clean up tools along with the waste that they were used to clean up.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

Reference
Number Description
1      incised bristle lines
2      angled brush score and fold mark
3      First Scraper
4      mid-handle incised line
5      intersect at the rear of the dustpan
6      right back score and fold mark
7      Second Scraper
8      sidewall score and fold mark
9      left back score and fold mark
10     intersect at mid-pan
11     pan-to-floor interface
12     incised line bounding the dustpan
13     dustpan handle fold line
14     rear spine score and fold mark
15     Paddle
17     incised line bounding a first scraper portion
18     Dustpan
19     pan sidewall
20     Bristle Brush
22     corner of the bristle brush bounded by the outer border
       of the flat sheet of bendable material
24     juncture of the end of the second scraper and the
       pan-to-floor interface
26     side of the bristle brush bounded by the dustpan handle
28     side of the bristle brush bounded by the rear of the
       dustpan
29     side of the bristle brush approximately parallel to the
       line formed by the tips of the bristles
30     side of the bristle brush bounded by the outer border of
       the flat sheet of bendable material
32     corner of the second scraper bounded by the outer
       border of the flat sheet of bendable material
33     side of the second scraper bounded by the outer border
       of the flat sheet of bendable material
34     side of the second scraper bounded by the bristle brush
35     side of the second scraper bounded by the side of the
       dustpan
36     side of the second scraper bounded by the outer border
       of the flat sheet of bendable material
40     side of the first scraper bounded only by the outer
       border of the flat sheet of bendable material
43     side of the first scraper bounded by the paddle, dustpan
       handle and bristles
44     side of the first scraper bounded by the dustpan and the
       bristle brush
45     right upper corner of the outer border of the flat sheet of
       bendable material
46     left upper corner of the outer border of the flat sheet of
       bendable material
47     left side of the first scraper
48     right side of the first scraper
50     end of dustpan handle bounded only by the outer
       border of the flat sheet of bendable material
52     corner of pan-to-floor interface bounded only by the
       outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material
131    debris
161    incised bristle lines
163    waste piece
165    intersect at the rear of the dustpan
168    sidewall score and fold mark
172    incised line bounding the dustpan
173    dustpan handle fold line
175    Paddle
176    Outer Border of the flat sheet of bendable material
178    Dustpan
180    Bristle Brush with Handle
182    Bristle Brush Handle Fold Line
191    angled incised bristle lines
192    bristle brush score and fold mark
193    retail merchandising cutout
194    Paddle
195    intersect at the rear of the dustpan
196    right back score and fold mark
197    Scraper
198    sidewall score and fold mark
199    left back score and fold mark
200    intersect at mid-pan
201    pan-to-floor interface
202    incised line bounding the dustpan
203    dustpan handle fold line
204    rear pan incline
205    Dustpan
206    Combination Bristle Brush and Paddle
210    Handle
212    handle side bounded by the outer border of the flat
       sheet of bendable material
213    bristle tips bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet
       of bendable material
214    handle tip bounded by the outer border of the flat sheet
       of bendable material
215    blunt end of the handle bounded by the outer border of
       the flat sheet of bendable material
216    juncture of blunt end of the handle and the pan-to-floor
       interface
217    handle side bounded by the side of the dustpan
218    juncture of the side of the dustpan and the rear of the
       dustpan
220    handle side bounded by the rear of the dustpan
221    juncture of the rear of the dustpan and the dustpan
       handle
222    handle side bounded by the dustpan handle
223    juncture of bristles and the dustpan handle
224    juncture of the dustpan handle and the paddle
225    side of paddle bounded by the dustpan handle
226    paddle side bounded by the rear of the dustpan
227    juncture of the dustpan handle and the outer border of
       the flat sheet of bendable material
228    dustpan side bounded by the outer border of the flat
       sheet of bendable material
230    dustpan left front corner
231    dustpan right front corner
232    paddle corner bounded by the outer border of the flat
       sheet of bendable material
234    bristle tips
236    left rear of the dustpan
238    side of dustpan handle bounded by the outer border of
       the flat sheet of bendable material
240    end of dustpan handle bounded by the outer border of
       the flat sheet of bendable material
250    corner of dustpan handle bounded by the outer border
       of the flat sheet of bendable material
260    corner of the first scraper bounded only by the outer
       border of the flat sheet of bendable material
261    corner of first scraper bounded by end of the handle of
       the bristle brush with handle
262    inflection point
264    corner of the dustpan handle bounded only by the outer
       border of the flat sheet of bendable material
266    corner of bristle end of bristle brush bounded only by
       the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material
268    corner of end of the dustpan handle and the
       combination bristle brush and paddle
270    corner of the first scraper and the combination bristle
       brush and paddle
272    corner of the side of the dustpan and the Combination
       Bristle Brush and Paddle

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

• U.S. Pat. No. 234,644, Alexander, “Dust-pan”
• U.S. Pat. No. 422,240, Marshall, “Dust-pan”
• U.S. Pat. No. 554,848, Whitney, “Dust-pan”
• U.S. Pat. No. 1,106,282A, Coats, “Dust-pan”
• U.S. Pat. No. 3,639,937, Sweeney, “Disposable self-packaging dustpan kit”
• U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,044, Hanahan, “Foldable container, litter bag, dust pan, brush and blank therefor”
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,185, Hoefler, “Disposable dust pan and method”
• US 2010/0065448, Vargas, “Disposable Biodegradable Dust Pan Kit for Treatment and Collection of Spills”
• EP Application 2837736A1, Marroquin, “Hydrophobic paper or cardboard with self-assembled nanoparticles and method for the production thereof”

Claims

1) An apparatus for creating disposable clean up utensils and from which a bristle brush, a dustpan, a paddle and two scrapers may be formed by separating them from the apparatus, said apparatus comprising

a flat sheet of bendable material comprising a first scraper comprising at least one straight edge and at least one side adjoining any or all of the following a bristle brush a dustpan and a paddle; a bristle brush comprising a plurality of incised bristle lines arranged in approximately a straight line; at least one angled brush score and fold mark; a second scraper comprising at least one straight edge; at least one side adjoining any or all of the following a bristle brush a dustpan; a paddle; a paddle comprising at least one side that contains a straight edge and at least one side adjoining any or all of the following a bristle brush; a dustpan; a paddle; a dustpan comprising a plurality of mid-handle incised lines; at least one dustpan handle fold line; an intersect at the rear of the dustpan; a right back score and fold mark; a left back score and fold mark; a rear spine score and fold mark; an intersect at mid-pan; a plurality of sidewall score and fold marks; a plurality of pan sidewalls; a pan-to-floor interface; an incised line bounding a first scraper portion, that separates the first scraper from the rest of the flat sheet of bendable material; an incised line bounding the dustpan, that separates the dustpan from the rest of the flat sheet of bendable material; and a portion of incised line bounding the dustpan that extends between the bristle brush and the second scraper.

2) A method for creating a bristle brush, a dustpan, a paddle and two scrapers from the apparatus of claim 1, said method comprising the following steps, the first three steps of which can be executed in any order and the last two steps of which can be executed in any order, said steps comprising

a first step in which the first scraper is separated from the sheet of bendable material that it is a part of along an incised line bounding a first scraper portion;

a second step in which the paddle is separated from the sheet of bendable material that it is a part of along the incised line bounding dustpan;

a third step in which the bristle brush and the second scraper are separated from the sheet of bendable material that they are a part of along the incised line bounding the dustpan;

a fourth step in which the bristle brush and the second scraper are separated from each other along the portion of the incised line bounding the dustpan that extends between the bristle brush and the second scraper; and

a fifth step in which the dustpan is formed by grasping near the mid-handle incised line with a hand and squeezing, thus causing the portion of the dustpan being grasped to bend downward bilaterally along the dustpan handle fold line and causing a portion of the bendable material to bend upward along the right back score and fold mark and along the left back score and fold mark, the bendable material to bend downward bilaterally along the rear spine score and fold mark and downward from the intersect at mid-pan along a plurality of sidewall score and fold marks, thereby forming a three dimensional dustpan from the flat bendable material.

3) An apparatus that can serve as a container and as a blank from which a bristle brush, a dustpan, a paddle and two scrapers can be formed by separating them from the apparatus, said apparatus comprising

a box or other similar container comprising at least one substantially planar top, whether made of one piece or comprised of folded flaps when assembled; at least one substantially planar bottom, whether made of one piece or comprised of folded flaps when assembled; at least three substantially planar sides; wherein at least one substantially planar top, one substantially planar bottom or one substantially planar side of the box or other similar container comprises An apparatus for creating disposable clean up utensils and from which a bristle brush, a dustpan, a paddle and two scrapers may be formed by separating them from the apparatus, said apparatus comprising a flat sheet of bendable material comprising  a first scraper comprising  at least one straight edge and  at least one side adjoining any or all of the following  a bristle brush  a dustpan and  a paddle;  a bristle brush comprising  a plurality of incised bristle lines arranged in approximately a straight line;  at least one angled brush score and fold mark;  a second scraper comprising  at least one straight edge;  at least one side adjoining any or all of the following  a bristle brush  a dustpan;  a paddle;  a paddle comprising  at least one side that contains a straight edge and at least one side adjoining any or all of the following  a bristle brush;  a dustpan;  a paddle;  a dustpan comprising  a plurality of mid-handle incised lines;  at least one dustpan handle fold line;  an intersect at the rear of the dustpan;  a right back score and fold mark;  a left back score and fold mark;  a rear spine score and fold mark;  an intersect at mid-pan;  a plurality of sidewall score and fold marks;  a plurality of pan sidewalls;  a pan-to-floor interface;  an incised line bounding a first scraper portion, that separates the first scraper from the rest of the flat sheet of bendable material;  an incised line bounding the dustpan, that separates the dustpan from the rest of the flat sheet of bendable material; and  a portion of incised line bounding the dustpan that extends between the bristle brush and the second scraper.

4) An apparatus for creating disposable clean up utensils and from which a bristle brush with handle, a dustpan and a paddle may be formed by separating them from the apparatus, said apparatus comprising

a flat sheet of bendable material comprising a bristle brush with handle comprising a plurality of incised bristle lines arranged in approximately a straight line out of a portion of one side of a handle; a handle with whose longitudinal length is substantially the length of the flat sheet of bendable material comprising one longitudinal side comprising  a portion of which contains a plurality of incised bristle lines arranged in approximately a straight line;  a portion of which contains no incised bristle lines; an opposing longitudinal side containing no incised bristle lines; two opposing latitudinal sides; a paddle comprising at least one straight edge; at least one side bounding one or more of the following on the flat sheet of bendable material a dustpan and a side comprising the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material; a dustpan comprising at least one dustpan handle fold line; an intersect at the rear of the dustpan; a plurality of sidewall score and fold marks; and an incised line bounding dustpan.

5) A method for creating a bristle brush with handle, a dustpan and a paddle from the apparatus of claim 4, said method comprising the following step

a first step in which the dustpan, the bristle brush with handle and the paddle are all separated from each other along the incised line bounding dustpan.

6) An apparatus that can serve as a container and as a blank from which a bristle brush with handle, a dustpan and a paddle can be formed by separating them from the apparatus, said apparatus comprising

a box or other similar container comprising at least one substantially planar top, whether made of one piece or comprised of folded flaps when assembled; at least one substantially planar bottom, whether made of one piece or comprised of folded flaps when assembled; at least three substantially planar sides; wherein at least one substantially planar top, one substantially planar bottom or one substantially planar side of the box or other similar container comprises An apparatus for creating disposable clean up utensils and from which a bristle brush with handle, a dustpan and a paddle may be formed by separating them from the apparatus, said apparatus comprising a flat sheet of bendable material comprising  a bristle brush with handle comprising  a plurality of incised bristle lines arranged in approximately a straight line out of a portion of one side of a handle;  a handle with whose longitudinal length is substantially the length of the flat sheet of bendable material comprising  one longitudinal side comprising  a portion of which contains a plurality of incised bristle lines arranged in approximately a straight line;  a portion of which contains no incised bristle lines;  an opposing longitudinal side containing no incised bristle lines;  two opposing latitudinal sides;  a paddle comprising  at least one straight edge;  at least one side bounding one or more of the following on the flat sheet of bendable material  a dustpan and  a side comprising the outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material;  a dustpan comprising  at least one dustpan handle fold line;  an intersect at the rear of the dustpan;  a plurality of sidewall score and fold marks; and  an incised line bounding dustpan.

7) An apparatus for creating disposable clean up utensils and from which a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan, a paddle and a scraper may be formed by separating them from the apparatus, said apparatus comprising

a flat sheet of bendable material comprising a combination bristle brush and paddle comprising at least one substantially straight side containing a plurality of angled incised bristle lines; at least one side that contains a straight edge and no angled incised bristle lines; at least one side that abuts a dustpan when both are contained within the flat sheet of bendable material; at least one side that abuts a scraper when both are contained within the flat sheet of bendable material; a scraper comprising two opposing longitudinal sides approximately equal in length to each other and to either the width or length of the flat sheet of bendable material; two opposing latitudinal sides approximately equal in length to each other; a paddle comprising at least one side that contains a straight edge; at least one side bounding one or more of the following on the flat sheet of bendable material a dustpan; an outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material; a dustpan comprising a dustpan handle fold line; an intersect at the rear of the dustpan; a right back score and fold mark; a left back score and fold mark; a dustpan handle fold line; a plurality of rear pan inclines; a plurality of sidewall score and fold marks; a pan-to-floor interface; an incised line bounding dustpan; and a bristle brush score and fold mark.

8) A method for creating a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan, a paddle and a scraper from the apparatus of claim 7, said method comprising the following steps, which can be executed in any order, said steps comprising

a first step in which the scraper is separated from the sheet of bendable material which it is a part of along the portion of an incised line bounding dustpan that bounds the scraper;

a second step in which the paddle is separated from the dustpan along the portion of an incised line bounding dustpan that bounds the paddle; and

a third step in which the dustpan is separated from the combination bristle brush and paddle along the bristle brush score and fold mark and along the portion of an incised line bounding dustpan that bounds the combination bristle brush and paddle.

9) An apparatus that can serve as a container and as a blank from which a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan, a paddle and a scraper can be formed by separating them from the apparatus, said apparatus comprising

a box or other similar container comprising at least one substantially planar top, whether made of one piece or comprised of folded flaps when assembled; at least one substantially planar bottom, whether made of one piece or comprised of folded flaps when assembled; at least three substantially planar sides; wherein at least one substantially planar top, one substantially planar bottom or one substantially planar side of the box or other similar container comprises An apparatus for creating disposable clean up utensils and from which a combination bristle brush and paddle, a dustpan, a paddle and a scraper may be formed by separating them from the apparatus, said apparatus comprising a flat sheet of bendable material comprising  a combination bristle brush and paddle comprising  at least one substantially straight side containing a plurality of angled incised bristle lines;  at least one side that contains a straight edge and no angled incised bristle lines;  at least one side that abuts a dustpan when both are contained within the flat sheet of bendable material;  at least one side that abuts scraper when both are contained within the flat sheet of bendable material;  a scraper comprising  two opposing longitudinal sides approximately equal in length to each other and to either the width or length of the flat sheet of bendable material;  two opposing latitudinal sides approximately equal in length to each other;  a paddle comprising  at least one side that contains a straight edge;  at least one side bounding one or more of the following on the flat sheet of bendable material  a dustpan;  an outer border of the flat sheet of bendable material;  a dustpan comprising  a dustpan handle fold line;  an intersect at the rear of the dustpan;  a right back score and fold mark;  a left back score and fold mark;  a dustpan handle fold line;  a plurality of rear pan inclines;  a plurality of sidewall score and fold marks;  a pan-to-floor interface;  an incised line bounding dustpan; and  a bristle brush score and fold mark.

10) The apparatus of claim 1, in which the second scraper is not separated from the bristle brush.

11) The apparatus of claim 1, in which the first scraper is deleted.

12) The apparatus of claim 10, in which the first scraper is deleted.

13) The apparatus of claim 1, in which the first scraper is deleted and the paddle is deleted.

14) The apparatus of claim 10, in which the first scraper is deleted and the paddle is deleted.

15) The apparatus of claim 1, in which the first scraper is deleted, the second scraper is deleted and the paddle is deleted.

16) The apparatus of claim 1, in which the first scraper is deleted, the second scraper is deleted, the paddle is deleted and the bristle brush is deleted.

17) The apparatus of claim 1, in which the first scraper is deleted, the second scraper is deleted, the paddle is deleted and the dustpan is deleted.

18) The apparatus of either claim 10, claim 11, claim 12, claim 13, claim 14, claim 15, claim 16 or claim 17, in which the apparatus of one of said claims is incorporated into at least one substantially planar top, one substantially planar bottom or one substantially planar side of a box or a similar container, said box or similar container further comprising

at least one substantially planar top, whether made of one piece or comprised of folded flaps when assembled;

at least one substantially planar bottom, whether made of one piece or comprised of folded flaps when assembled; and

at least three substantially planar sides.

19) The apparatus of claim 4 in which the paddle is deleted.

20) The apparatus of claim 4 in which the bristle brush with handle is deleted.

21) The apparatus of claim 4 in which the paddle and the bristle brush are deleted.

22) The apparatus of claim 4 in which the paddle and the dustpan are deleted.

23) The apparatus of either claim 19, claim 20, claim 21 or claim 22 in which the apparatus of one of said claims is incorporated into at least one substantially planar top, one substantially planar bottom or one substantially planar side of a box or a similar container, said box or similar container further comprising

at least one substantially planar top, whether made of one piece or comprised of folded flaps when assembled;

at least one substantially planar bottom, whether made of one piece or comprised of folded flaps when assembled; and

at least three substantially planar sides.

24) The apparatus of claim 7, in which the scraper is deleted.

25) The apparatus of claim 7, in which the scraper is deleted and the paddle is deleted.

26) The apparatus of claim 7, in which the paddle is deleted.

27) The apparatus of claim 7, in which the combination bristle brush and paddle is deleted.

28) The apparatus of claim 7, in which the combination bristle brush and paddle is deleted.

29) The apparatus of claim 7, in which the combination bristle brush and paddle is deleted and the paddle is deleted.

30) The apparatus of claim 7, in which the combination bristle brush and paddle is deleted, the paddle is deleted and the scraper is deleted.

31) The apparatus of claim 7, in which the dustpan is deleted, the paddle is deleted and the scraper is deleted.

32) The apparatus of either claim 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, or 9 through 31, inclusive, in which the material of the flat sheet of bendable material is chosen from the group which includes the following members:

any bendable material that can be incised, scored and folded and whose stiffness is approximately equivalent to or greater than that of cardboard, including, but not limited to corrugated fiberboard, paper, nylon, plastic, foil, aluminum or other metals, paperboard, wood veneer, palm fronds, leaves, compostable paperboard and other composite material.

33) The apparatus of either claim 1, 3 or any of claims 10 through 18, inclusive, in which any portion of the flat sheet of bendable material contains at least one retail merchandising cutout.

34) The apparatus of either claim 4, 6 or any of claims 19 through 23, inclusive, in which any portion of the flat sheet of bendable material contains at least one retail merchandising cutout.

35) The apparatus of either claim 7, 9, or any of claims 24 through 31, inclusive, in which any portion of the flat sheet of bendable material contains at least one retail merchandising cutout.

36) The apparatus of either claim 1, 3, 4, 6 through 7 or any of claims 9 through 23, inclusive, in which any portion of the flat sheet of bendable material is formed of materials that are resistant to liquids, such as hydrophobic paper or cardboard that has self-assembled silicon-oxide nanoparticles with functional silane groups and fluorocarbonated compounds linked directly to cellulose fibers of at least one of the surfaces thereof, with a Cobb value of 8 to 25 g/m2 and water contact angles of 100 to 140 degrees.

37) The apparatus of either 1, 3, 4, 6 through 7 or any of claims 9 through 23, inclusive, in which any portion of the flat sheet of bendable material is coated with materials that are resistant to liquids, including, but not limited to, waterproof film laminated to cardboard, polyethylene, waxes, fluor-derivatives, biopolymers, such as polysaccharides, proteins, lipids and polyesters, biopolymer nanoparticles and nanofillers such as nanoclay and nanocellulose.