NZ272671A - Dispenser; salt and pepper shaker, container has two separate compartments each filled with a particular condiment - Google Patents

Description

27 267 1 Patents Form No. 5 Patent No: 272671 Dated: 28.07.95 Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION DISPENSER I, AILEEN WINIFRED CUNNINGHAM, a New Zealand citizen of 26 Clifford Street, Balclutha, New Zealand, hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be grunted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: ,,...3 N.Z. PATENT OFFICE ! 2 r JUL 1998 272671 The present invention relates to a dispenser and more particularly to a reusable, top loading shaker for particulate material such as powders, grains or granules, especially salt and pepper.

The basic principle of all multiple compartment particulate dispensers is to permit the refilling and/or escape of any one selected item without releasing the contents of all the other compartments. A large number of multiple compartment shaker designs exist. For ease of manufacture, the majority of the containers have longitudinal partitions to subdivide the internal area into compartments and anterior wall perforations to release the contents. When the anterior end wall is integral with the container, compartment apertures in the basal end wall are necessary for refilling. The filling procedure can be time consuming especially when the apertures are not large and aperture seals such as plugs or tabs, can easily be lost. Similarly, if the dispenser top is not flat, considerable skill is required to fill a compartment while having to hold the shaker in an inverted position. Top loading shakers of known design are considered to be preferable where the shaker is to accommodate large quantities of particulate material or where the particulates are to be frequently replenished.

Common means of compartment closure include the use of a series of hinged lids and a singular adjustable cap. Unfortunately, hinged lids subjected to constant use are likely to fail; in particular the hinge joint, snap fit connections and/cr locks wear out or become distorted, resulting in the leakage or loss of contents. Another disadvantage is that the articulated lid can often partially close when the shaker is lifted and/or shaken. In comparison, an adjustable cap remains in contact with the 27267 1 container in use and is able to move in turn into register with anterior perforations on the compartments.

US Patent no. 2934242 described a circular condiment shaker possessing a rotatable disk lid. The condiments are selected in unison by rotating the whole container body into register so that the transverse channels formed in the lower surface of the lid intersect with all the compartment openings in the anterior wall of the container. Any one condiment can be dispensed through the specific compartment channel exit by tilting the shaker downwards in the direction of that side wall exit. Therefore, to open or close the shaker, the user must hold the lid and circumferentially rotate the container, posing operational difficulties for disabled people. Unfortunately, employing a shaking action to release one condiment may also lead to the unintended escape of condiments from adjacent compartments.

UK Patent no. 1317997 describes a condiment shaker comprising an adjustable cap which is selective of individual compartments. That is, the domed cap can be rotated into register where a group of cap perforations are aligned with the end wall perforations of each compartment in turn. The cap covers the other compartment perforations so that only the selected condiment is capable of being dispensed. However, the cap is permanently secured to the storage container and so a removable container base provides entry to the compartment interior. Due to the domed shape of the cap, the shaker can not rest inverted on a horizontal surface such as a bench. Consequently, the process of refilling can be both awkward and time consuming for the user. Permanent securement of the cap is also disadvantageous in respect of cleaning. 27 2 6 7 1 US Patent no. 1086943 describes a salt and pepper shaker which employs a double perforated screw cap to permit condiment selection from individual or combined compartments. The container of the shaker is divided into two concentric compartments by a circular partition. The cap consists of an exterior cover, circular plate secured to the cover by a central stud and interior ring plate secured by means of a pivot pin. Either the circular plate or ring plate can be independently rotated by depressing or releasing an appropriate operating pin which in turn straightens or releases the tension respectively on an associated spring. The presence of three stop lugs on the inner surface of the cover flange, aids registration by preventing over-rotation of the circular or ring plates. When the perforation on the cover and those of the two plates are in alignment, with both operating pins depressed, the two condiments can be dispensed together. If only the pin associated with the circular plate is depressed, the condiment contained in the inner concentric compartment is capable of being dispensed. Conversely, when the pin associated with the ring plate is depressed, the condiment contained in the outer compartment can be dispensed. Even though the screw cap can be removed for refilling and cleaning, the small exposed compartment parts such as the springs, pins and ring plate can easily be dislodged. Similarly, the outermost spring and pivot pin can be damaged whenever the screw cap is mis-threaded onto the storage container. Further, the shaker is complicated to operate and expensive to manufacture.

At present there is no reusable condiment dispenser of simple construction which provides for top loading and includes a rotary cap, individually selective of the container contents. 27 2 67 1 It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved selective, top loading dispenser which will go at least some way towards overcoming the aforementioned difficulties.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a shaker which is of simple construction with a minimal number of relatively large components being required for manufacture and assembly so that it is easy to use by elderly and disabled users.

The present invention provides a selective dispensing shaker device of aesthetically pleasing shape comprising a storage container being internally subdivided into compartments, the base of which is permanently closed and the top of which is partially closed by a perforated dispensing plate which closes said top apart from the perforations used for dispensing container contents; a rotary selective dispensing cap arranged to cover the exterior surface of said plate; said cap being formed with at least one dispensing perforation; wherein the dispensing perforations in said plate are positioned to register with the top openings of each compartment of said container, and the dispensing perforation or perforations in said cap is or are positioned so that at any given position of said cap relative to said plate, not more than one of the cap perforations is in register with one of the plate perforations; means to control the registration of said cap; said plate and said cap being removable to accommodate compartment refilling or cleaning.

Preferably, the device is made of durable material such as plastic, glass, metal or wood, or any combination thereof.

Preferably, the storage container is internally subdivided into at least two 272671 compartments by a longitudinal partition or partitions.

Preferably, the corresponding perforation patterns on the said plate and/or said cap are arranged in an appropriate manner to suit the particulate. For example, a set of relatively small holes for powdered particulate such as pepper, and a set of relatively large holes or a single pouring aperture for granular particulate such as salt Preferably, the provision of a small resilient recess on the anterior container rim is included to assist the removal of the dispensing plate. Alternatively, the outer surface of the dispensing plate is provided with at least one finger grip indentation formed in known manner. The inclusion of such an indenture is especially beneficial for a disabled user.

Preferably, the means of controlling the registration of said cap is by a slidable or hinged tag secured to the cap flange being rotated to rest against a stop lug formed on the outer surface of the wall portion of the container whereby one said lug is provided for each container compartment; said lugs are positioned such that when said tag rests adjacent and touching any one said lug, only one of the cap perforations is in register with one of the plate perforations and wherein said tag can be pushed upwards to permit rotation of said cap beyond any one said lug.

Alternatively, the means of controlling the registration of said cap is by the releasable engagement of a notch formed on the inner surface of the cap flange with one or more internal stop lugs formed on the exterior surface of the anterior container rim whereby said container lugs are positioned such that not more than one of the cap perforations is in register with one of the plate perforations when said notch engages with any one said lug. 27267 1 By way of example only, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a dual compartment dispenser.

Fig. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of Fig. 1 showing the construction of one compartment of the dispenser.

Fig. 3 is an exploded isometric view of one means to control the registration of the cap of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an exploded isometric view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to all the drawings in general, the dispenser consists of a storage container 2, 32 which is internally subdivided into two separate compartments (3,4), (23, 24) by a longitudinal partition 5, 25. The top of the container 2, 32 is sealed (shown in Fig. 2) by a dispensing plate 7, 27 the underside of which is formed with a bracket 10, 20. The bracket 10, 20 has two portions (10', 10"), (20', 20"). The spacing between the portions (1C and 10"), (20' and 20") being slightly greater than the width of the partition 5,25 so that the plate 7,27 can be secured to the container 2, 32 by means of push fit. The plate 7, 27 is provided with two adjacent sets of perforations (8, 9), (28, 29) positioned so that one set corresponds to each compartment (3, 4), (23, 24) of the dispenser.

Figs. 1 to 3 specifically relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. A rotatable cap 11 is releasably secured over the top of container 2 by means of a snap fit connection via the engagement of the cap rib 15 with the container groove 6 so that the plate 7 is covered. The cap 11 is provided with complimentary set of 272671 perforations 12,13 which can independently be placed in alignment, as shown in Fig. 2, or out of alignment with the perforation sets 8, 9 respectively of the plate 7 by circumferentially rotating the cap 11 and thus select for the contents in either compartment 3, 4.

Fig. 3 depicts one means to control the registration of the cap 11. The cap 11 is provided with a slidable tag 21. When the tag 21 is rotated to rest adjacent and touching a stop lug 22' or 22" on the exterior wall portion of container 2, the rotation of cap 11 is arrested such that one set of cap perforations 12 or 13 is aligned with one set of plate 7 perforations 8 or 9 whereby the contents of a container 2 compartment 3 or 4 may be dispensed, respectively. The tag 21 may be slid upwards to allow the cap 11 to rotate beyond the stop lug 22' or 22". Optionally, a third stop lug (not depicted) may be included, so positioned that neither cap perforation 12 or 13 registers with the plate perforations 8 or 9. Alternatively, the dispensing perforations 8,12 or 9, 13 can be placed out of alignment by visually monitoring the arc of the cap 11 or tactile monitoring in the case of a blind person so that the cap 11 covers the perforations 8 and 9 of plate 7.

Fig. 4 specifically relates to a second embodiment of the present invention. A rotatable cap 31 is releasably secured over the top of container 32 by means of a snap fit connection via the engagement of a resilient O-ring 30 positioned in a groove on the inset container lip 26 with a complementary circumferential groove (not shown) on the inner face of the cap flange.

The cap 31 is provided with a single dispensing perforation 33 which can be rotated in or out of alignment with the perforations and associated dispensing 272 R7 \ channel 28 or 29 of the plate 27 by visual or tactile monitoring. The contents of the compartments 24 or 25 may be dispensed when the respective corresponding cap makings "S" or "P" are in register with the container markingThe cap 31 is placed out of alignment when the cap marking "L" is in register with the container marking tt tt The means to control registration of the cap 31 is by the releasable engagement of a notch formed on the inner surface of the cap flange (not shown) with an exterior stop lug (not shown) formed on the container lip 26 adjacent the inset ridge. Preferably the length of said notch arrests the rotation of cap 31 such that the plate perforations 28 or 29 are aligned with the cap perforation 33 when said stop lug rests adjacent and touching the first or second end point of the notch, respectively.

Referring to all the drawings, in use, the compartments (3, 4), (23, 24) are filled each with a separate particulate such as pepper and salt. The selected condiment is dispensed by tilting and shaking the dispenser. The contents of the compartment can be refilled or replaced by removing the cap 11, 31 and the plate 7, 27 in known manner. Fig. 3 shows one arrangement of finger grips 17 to effect easy lift off of the plate 7. Optionally, the storage container 2, 32 may be refilled in combination with a divided funnel wherein the funnel holder is longitudinally partitioned and the spout is divided so that each funnel segment corresponds to a compartment (3 or 4), (23 or 24).

Out of use, cap 11,31 is rotated to close off the container 2,32 by placing the perforations 12,13 or perforation 33 (Fig. 4) temporarily out of alignment with plate 27 2 67 1 perforation sets (8, 9), (28, 29) respectively.

Preferably the dispenser members are injection moulded or die-cast.

Preferably, the dispenser further includes a replaceable seal adjacent the rim of the storage container 2, 32.

Advantageously, the container body is translucent or transparent, eg. a plastics material, to permit easy inspection of the contents, both for use and to ascertain the amount still left in the respective compartments.

Optionally, the internal compartment side walls may be lined with a smooth hydrophobic material to facilitate easier cleaning.

Optionally, an individual compartment may have a plastic casing preventing particulate contact with container and/or improving the shelf life of the particulate, eg. separable, removal case for a corrosive substance such as salt or alternatively an opaque casing for a light-sensitive condiment such as paprika.

Optionally, the compartments may be defined by a plane portion offset from the central longitudinal axis of the body, eg. quantatively larger compartment for salt with a smaller compartment for pepper, the compartment size being relative to the particulate usage.

Optionally, the partition 5,25 incorporates a central rod (not shown) and the cap 11, 31 includes a complimentary dimensioned aperture (not shown) as a further means to releasably secure the rotatable cap 11, 31 to the storage container 2, 32 whereby a first end of said rod is secured to the basal end wall of said container and the adjacent end exits through said cap aperture and is releasably secured thereto by a known fastening. 27 2 67 1 Preferably, to assist a disabled user in particular, the exterior side walls of the dispenser has a rough surface pattern such as corrugations, to aid grip.

Optionally, a double dispenser may be formed wherein two dispenser units are joined end to end, sharing a common container base whereby one dispenser unit is the mirror image of the other.

Only one method of securing the cap 11,31 to the container 2,32 is depicted in the drawings, however, alternative known means of securement such as snap-fitting or counter threading may be employed.

Similarly, the sets of perforations 12, 13 on the cap 11 or perforation 33 on cap 31 need not be complimentary to the plate perforation sets (8, 9), (28, 29). For example, the cap may include a hinged outwardly projecting spout in place of a number of holes or the hole. However, the position and area of the cap apertures must correspond to that of the plate perforation sets (8, 9), (28, 29).

The preferred embodiments, described a condiment shaker for salt and pepper, however, the dispenser may be varied with regard to container size and dispensing perforation type, to accommodate other culinary particulates eg. spices, beverage concentrates, pasta and rice or other powdered items such as talcum powder. It will also be appreciated that the container partition or partitions could have other orientations, for example - concentric.

Whilst the exterior of the dispenser and the side walls of the storage container have been depicted in the drawings as being cylindrical, it will be appreciated that the dispenser could be manufactured in any aesthetically pleasing shape. Preferably, out of the use the dispenser rests in a dimensioned stand where the selected 11 272671 dispenser shape lacks a horizontal base or substantially horizontal portion thereof. 12

Claims (13)

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 272 67 1

1. A selective dispensing shaker device of aesthetically pleasing shape comprising a storage container being internally subdivided into compartments, the base of which is permanently closed and the top of which is partially closed by a perforated dispensing plate which closes said top apart from the perforations used for dispensing container contents; a rotary selective dispensing cap arranged to cover the exterior surface of said plate; said cap being formed with at least one dispensing perforation; wherein the dispensing perforations in said plate are positioned to register with the top openings of each compartment of said container, and the dispensing perforation or perforations in said cap is or are positioned so that at any given position of said cap relative to said plate, not more than one of the cap perforations is in register with one of the plate perforations; means to control the registration of said cap; said plate and said cap being removable to accommodate compartment refilling or cleaning.

2. A selective dispensing shaker as claimed in claim 1 wherein said storage container is internally subdivided into at least two compartments by a longitudinal partition or partitions.

3. A selective dispensing shaker as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said means of controlling the registration of said cap is by a slidable or hinged tag secured to the cap and rotatable with the cap to rest against a stop lug formed on the outer surface of the wall portion of said container whereby one said lug is provided for 13 272671 each container compartment; said lugs are positioned such that when said tag rests adjacent and touching any one said lug, only one of the cap perforations is in register with one of the plate perforations and wherein said tag can be pushed upwards to permit rotation of said cap beyond any one said lug.

4. A selective dispensing shaker as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said means of controlling the registration of said cap is by the releasable engagement of a notch formed on the inner surface of the cap flange with one or more internal stop lugs formed on the exterior surface of the anterior container rim whereby said container lugs are positioned such that not more than one of the cap perforations is in register with one of the plate perforations when said notch engages with any one said lug.

5. A selective dispensing shaker as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the means of controlling registration of said cap is by the releasable engagement of a notch formed on the inner surface of the cap flange with an exterior stop lug formed on an inset lip of said container.

6. A selective dispensing shaker as claimed in claim 5 wherein the length of said notch arrests the rotation of said cap such that not more than one of the cap perforations is in register with one of the plate perforations When said stop lug rests adjacent and touching the first or second end point of said notch. 14 272671

7. A selective dispensing shaker as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein said cap is releasably secured over the top of said container by means of a snap fit connection whereby a resilient O-ring positioned in a groove on said inset lip inter-engages with a circumferential groove on the inner face of the flange of said cap.

8. A selective dispensing shaker as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein said storage container further includes at least one removable casing dimensioned to fit inside the or each container compartment.

9. A selective dispensing shaker as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein said shaker is composed of durable material such as plastic, glass, metal or wood or any combination thereof.

10. A selective dispensing shaker as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein one said partition incorporates a central rod and said cap further includes a complimentary dimensioned aperture for the receipt of a first end of said rod; whereby the first end of said rod is releasably secured to said cap by a known fastening and the adjacent end is secured to the basal end wall of said container.

11. A selective dispensing shaker as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the selected shape of said shaker lacks a horizontal base or substantially horizontal portion thereof, and said shaker rests in a dimensioned stand out of use. 272671

12. A selective dispensing shaker substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A dual selective dispensing shaker wherein two shaker units ns claimed in any one of the previous claims are joined end to end, sharing a common container base whereby the first said unit is the mirror image of the second said unit. AILEEN WINIFRED CUNNINGHAM. by her authorised agents P L. BERRY & ASSOCIATES. ""£1^ hJL— ENID OF CLAIMS 16 N.Z. PATENT OFFICE 24 JUL 1996 RECEIVED