GB2068897A - Condiment dispensers - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser 10 comprises a hollow inner member 14 having at least one opening 20 through which condiment stored in the member can be dispensed, and an outer sleeve 12 within which the inner member is slidable, the member 14 being longer in the axial direction of the sleeve than the sleeve itself so that the sleeve can be moved between open and closed positions, in which the sleeve reveals or covers the opening(s) respectively, by pressing one or other end of the member whilst holding the sleeve. One end of the member 14 is closed by a plug 16 having a separate container for rice to absorb moisture from the condiment. The sleeve 12 has a flat lower end so that the closed dispenser can be stood upright on that end, but the dispenser can be hung on a wall using a recess provided in the plug 16. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to a combined condiment containing and dispensing device This invention relates to a combined condiment containing and dispensing device.

It is desirable to be able to close such devices so that the contents will not spill and so that the ingress of moisture is reduced. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a combined condiment containing and dispensing device which will fulfill these functions.

According to the invention, there is provided a combined condiment containing and dispensing device comprising a hollow inner member having at least one opening through which condiment stored in the member can be dispensed, an outer sleeve within which the inner member is slidable between a closed position in which the sleeve covers and closes the opening or openings and an open position in which the opening or openings are exposed, the hollow container having an overall length which is greater in the axial direction of the sleeve than that of the sleeve so that the sleeve can be moved between the open and closed positions by pressing one or other end of the inner member whilst holding the sleeve.

In such a device, the inner member can be shaped to be a close but sliding fit within the sleeve so that in the closed position the opening or openings in the wall of the inner member are tightly closed. In this way, one can prevent moisture from reaching and so caking the contents. In addition, the closing of the opening or openings ensures that the contents cannot spill from the inner member.

Preferably, at least one end of the sleeve terminates in such a manner, e.g. in a plane at or substantially at right angles to its axis, that when the inner member is in the closed position. the device can stand upright on that end of the sleeve. In this way, one can after using the device press it down on a flat surface so causing the inner member to slide downwardly within the sleeve to the closed position. Then the device can be left standing on that surface.

Desirably, the end of the inner member which projects from the sleeve when the sleeve is in the closed position has provision to enable the device to be hung on a hook or the like. For example, that end can be provided with a recess into which a hook can project or the end can be shaped into the form of a loop.

It is often the case that a moisture absorber is mixed with salt to assist in keeping the salt dry and readily flowable, and example of such an absorber being rice. A disadvantage of mixing rice with salt however is that the rice grain can become abraded to a sufficiently small size to pass through the openings and in addition they may obstruct the openings.

Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a separate chamber is provided in the inner member for such an absorber as rice grains. Preferably, that chamber is in the form of a small box which has at least one perforated wall and which fits within the upper end of the inner member with the perforated wall in communication with the hollow interior of the inner member.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a condiment containing and dispensing device in its closed position; Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Fig.

1 but showing the device in its open or dispensing position; Figure 3 is a rear view of the device shown in the position of Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a side view of the device in the position shown in Fig. 1; Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and Figure 6 is a perspective detail of the part of the device.

The combined condiment containing and dispensing device 10 shown in the drawings includes an outer sleeve 1 2 within which is slidable an inner member 1 4. As best shown in Fig. 5, this inner member is hollow so that a condiment such as pepper or salt can be stored within it.

The upper end in the member 1 4 is closed by means of a plug 1 6 which is a tight fit within the upper end. The plug 1 6 and member 1 4 can be pulled apart to open the top of the member and allows fresh condiment to be added. This plug includes a recess 1 8 in its rear face into which a hook or the like can extend so that the device can be hung from a suitable hook or the like fixed to a wall.

Near its lower end, the front wall 1 4a of the member has a number of openings 20 through which the condiment can be dispensed.

The inner member 1 4 and sleeve 1 2 can slide relative to one another between two extreme positions, a closed position as shown in Fig. 1 and an open or dispensing position as shown in Fig. 2. In the closed position, the openings 20 are covered by the front wall of the sleeve 1 2 and this reduces or prevents the passage of moisture into the container and also prevents the escape of the condiment. In this closed position, the plug 1 6 extends from the top of the sleeve 1 2 and the recess 1 8 is exposed so that the device can be hung from a wall. At the same time, the lower end of the member 14 is completely or substantially completely housed within the lower end of the sleeve and so the device can be stood upright on a flat surface.In the open position the inner member extends from the lower end of the sleeve 1 2 so exposing the openings 20 and the plug 1 6 extends only partially if at all from the upper end of the sleeve.

The inner member is conveniently moved from the closed to the open position by grasping the sleeve 1 2 and pressing down on the plug 1 6 so siiding the inner member down within the sleeve. The inner member can be returned from the open to the closed position by grasping the sleeve and pressing it downwardly against a flat horizontal surface such as a work surface in the kitchen. The engagement of the lower end of the member with the work surface then pushes the member up within the sleeve to the closed position and the user can then either stand the member on a flat horizontal surface and it will not tip over or rest on the lower end of the sleeve or he can hang the device on the wall.

In order to assist in retaining the device in one or other of its open or closed positions, the sleeve has, as best shown in Fig. 5, a pair of opposed pips or projections 30 which extend inwardly towards one another from its inner surface. These pips are arranged to engage in one of a pair of recesses or dimples 32 in the outer surface of the member. These recesses are positioned so that the pips engage the upper pair when the device is in its open position and the lower pair when the device in its open position shown in Fig. 5 and so give a positive location for the open and closed positions.

In order to provide for a visual check on the contents of the device, it is desirable that member 1 4 be made of transparent or translucent material such as a plastics material and that the outer sleeve 1 2 have in its front face an elongated slot 40 through which the user can check and see the contents of the member 14.

In the closed position, the front face of the member 1 4 is a substantially flush fit with the rear of the front face of the sleeve 1 2 so that the sleeve gives a good seal over the perforations 20 to prevent the ingress of moisture. In the case where the condiment is salt to assist in keeping it dry, a small box 40 may be fitted in the lower end of the plug 1 6 to close the upper end of the member 14. This is best shown in Fig. 6 and has a perforated base 42 and a hinged integral lid 44 which can be opened to allow rice or a similar granular drying agent to be placed in the box. Moisture can than be absorbed by the rice through the perforations in the base 42 so helping to keep the salt dry.

Claims (7)

1. A combined condiment containing and dispensing device comprising a hollow inner member having at least one opening through which condiment stored in the member can be dispensed, an outer sleeve within which the inner member is slidable between a closed position in which the sleeve covers and closes the opening or openings and an open position in which the opening or openings are exposed, the hollow container having an overall length which is greater in the axial direction of the sleeve than that of the sleeve so that the sleeve can be moved between the open and closed positions by pressing one or other end of the inner member whilst holding the sleeve.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 in which one end of the sleeve terminates substantially at right angles to its axis so that, when the inner member is in the closed position, the device can be stood upright on that end of the sleeve.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the end of the inner member which projects from the sleeve when the sleeve is in the closed position has provision to enable the device to be hung on a hook or the like.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 3 in which the end of the inner member which projects from the sleeve when the sleeve is in the closed position has a recess into which a hook can project so that the device can be hung from a hook.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which a separate container for rice or like moisture absorber, is provided within the hollow inner member, that container being in communication with the hollow interior of the inner member.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 5 in which the separate container is in the form of a box which has at least one wall having perforations therethrough, that separate container fitting within one end of the inner member with the wall having perforations therethrough in communcation with the hollow interior of the inner member.

7. A combined condiment containing and dispensing device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.