Flexible debris collection apparatus

Abstract

A debris collection apparatus that is generally shaped as a rectangular sheet and fabricated of a flexible plastic material. The apparatus' front-to-back form is that of a shallow arch or upwardly extending curve. A leading edge of the apparatus is beveled to facilitate the debris pick-up process. Two corners of the apparatus are formed with diagonally-oriented finger tabs, that are raised above the surface of the rest of the sheet, or cut-outs defining handles. The debris collection apparatus may be manufactured using an injection molding process. The apparatus is fabricated of lightweight materials chosen to provide an appropriate degree of flexibility, resiliency, durability, and longevity. The apparatus possesses a simple, yet scalable, design that may be economically manufactured and sold to provide for widespread use.

1 . A debris collection apparatus comprising: 
 a planar article formed as a quadrilateral further comprising; 
 a top surface, said top surface being slightly convex;  
 a bottom surface, said bottom surface being slightly concave;  
 a leading edge formed between said top and bottom surfaces;  
 a first outer edge formed between said top and bottom surfaces and joined to said leading edge at a first corner;  
 a trailing edge formed between said top and bottom surfaces and joined to said first outer edge at a second corner; and  
 a second outer edge formed between said top and bottom surfaces and joined to said trailing edge at a third corner and joined to said leading edge at a fourth corner;  
   a first tab formed on said top surface of said planar article proximate said second corner, said first tab further comprising a top surface; and    a second tab formed on said top surface of said planar article proximate said third corner, said second tab further comprising a top surface;    wherein debris is placed on said top surface and said first and second outer edges are curled upward to partially enclose and constrain movement of said debris for transportation of said debris to a trash receptacle.    
   
   
       2 . The debris collection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said leading edge is beveled.  
   
   
       3 . The debris collection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said top surfaces of said first and second tabs are textured.  
   
   
       4 . A debris collection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said quadrilateral is a rectangle.  
   
   
       5 . A debris collection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said quadrilateral is a trapezoid.  
   
   
       6 . A debris collection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said top surface and said first and second outer edges are curled upward to form a U-shape.  
   
   
       7 . A debris collection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said top surface, bottom surface, leading edge, first outer edge, trailing edge, second outer edge, first tab and second tab are formed from a single material by an injection molding process.  
   
   
       8 . A debris collection apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said single material is flexible plastic material.  
   
   
       9 . A debris collection apparatus comprising: 
 a planar article formed as a quadrilateral further comprising; 
 a top surface, said top surface being slightly convex;  
 a bottom surface, said bottom surface being slightly concave;  
 a leading edge formed between said top and bottom surfaces;  
 a first outer edge formed between said top and bottom surfaces and joined to said leading edge at a first corner;  
 a trailing edge formed between said top and bottom surfaces and joined to said first outer edge at a second corner; and  
 a second outer edge formed between said top and bottom surfaces and joined to said trailing edge at a third corner and joined to said leading edge at a fourth corner;  
   a first handle formed in said planar article proximate said second corner; and    a second handle formed in said planar article proximate said third corner;    wherein debris is placed on said top surface and said first and second outer edges are curled upward to partially enclose and constrain movement of said debris for transportation of said debris to a trash receptacle.    
   
   
       10 . The debris collection apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said leading edge is beveled.  
   
   
       11 . The debris collection apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said quadrilateral is formed as a rectangle.  
   
   
       12 . The debris collection apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said quadrilateral is formed as a trapezoid.  
   
   
       13 . The debris collection apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said top surface and said first and second outer edges are curled upward to form a U-shape.  
   
   
       14 . The debris collection apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said top surface, bottom surface, leading edge, first outer edge, trailing edge, second outer edge, first handle and second handle are integrally formed as a unitary body from flexible plastic material by an injection molding process.  
   
   
       15 . A debris collection apparatus comprising: 
 a section of resilient plastic material die-cut and stamped into a quadrilateral form with a top surface, a bottom surface, a leading edge, a trailing edge bounded by two corners, and a shallow arched cross-section running from said leading edge to said trailing edge and concave upward, said leading edge further comprising an elongate linear edge with beveled cross-section to facilitate debris pick-up of small particulate matter, said two corners further comprising diagonally-oriented finger tabs raised above said arched cross-section;    whereby debris lying on a flat surface may be scooped up by placing the leading edge of said apparatus on said flat surface, the arched cross-section maintaining a constant pressure on the beveled leading edge, sliding the apparatus under the debris and lifting said debris on said apparatus into a waste can.