WO2008129230A2

WO2008129230A2 - Improvements to condiment dispensers

Info

Publication number: WO2008129230A2
Application number: PCT/GB2008/001059
Authority: WO
Inventors: William George Anderson
Original assignee: Anderson Bryce Media Limited
Priority date: 2007-04-24
Filing date: 2008-03-27
Publication date: 2008-10-30
Also published as: WO2008129230A8; WO2008129230A3; GB2448700B; GB0707855D0; GB2448700A

Abstract

A condiment dispenser (40) comprising a first portion (20) comprising a knob (26) and a rod (44), the knob (26) so formed as to be rotatably attachable to the rod (44), the rod being rotatably connected to further apparatus (46), the knob (26) comprised at least in part of a ferrous material, a second portion (30) comprising an aperture sized so as to contain a magnet (34) and at least part of the knob (26), and a magnet (34) and characterised in that the aperture is sized so as to provide a frictional fit with at least part of the knob (26) and so as to bring at least part of the knob (26) into contact with the magnet (34).

Description

Improvements to Condiment dispensers

Field of the Invention

The Invention relates to condiment dispensers.

Review of art known to the Applicant

There is a wide range of tools that feature relatively rotatable knob and rod or nut and bolt devices. In a domestic context, a condiment dispenser (i.e. a salt or pepper grinder) features one such knob and rod design. In a common configuration, the grinder will be of a substantially cylindrical shape, and will comprise a hollow body portion in which the salt or pepper is kept and a top. The top will be kept on the grinder by a knob so formed as to be threadably attachable to a central rod. This top, knob and spindle configuration serves three purposes. The first is to keep the condiment securely inside the grinder. The second is to allow the top of the grinder to be rotated without it coming away from the rest of the grinder and in so doing to operate the grinding portion, which may comprise burrs or blades of varying composition, of the grinder. The third is to adjust the relative positioning of the grinding portions, which affects the fineness or coarseness of the ground product.

A clear problem with this current configuration is that in use, the to and fro rotational motion required to operate the grinder will tend to loosen the knob. This leads to the inefficient working of the grinder. Energy is wasted by the undesirable movement up and down the axis of the rod, whilst the contents of the grinder may not be properly fed into the grinding parts with a loose connection, leading to less of the contents being ground. Further, given that the relative positioning of the knob on the rod controls in some embodiments, the coarseness or fineness of the ground product, an unwanted loosening of the knob may serve to produce a product of undesirable coarseness or fineness. Ultimately, such loosening may lead to the knob falling off. This in turn may lead to the grinder falling apart, spilling its contents and perhaps injuring the user in the process.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a device which allows such grinders to be used in the conventional way without said knob loosening during operation.

It is known to produce kitchen utensils that are anthropomorphic. Alessi Spa of Via Privata Alessi 6, 28882 Cruϊsϊnallo (Vb) Italy provides a good example of a company which has sought to provide a physical manifestation of these ideas. One exampte is the "Chin Family" cruet set by Stefano Giovannoni and Rumiko Tekada. The American animation "Mr Salt and Mrs Pepper" provides another good example of this.

A problem with conventional condiment grinders is that they do not properly exploit these latent anthropomorphic traits, either in static form or in use. In particular, there is considerable unrealised potential for humour present in their proportions and relative rotational movement. The conventional form of grinder, as shown in fig 1 of the diagrams can be seen to have a bulbous "head" 14 and an elongate "body" 12, and appears to "stand up", during conventional placement. In use, the "head" portion is rotated in relation to the "body".

It is an aim of the present invention to uncover the humorous potential inherent in condiment dispensers.

It is a further aim of the present invention to uncover a way to exploit the anthropomorphic traits of condiment dispensers in a manner that makes their use in cooking and in general seasoning attractive to a wider audience and in particular appealing to children. Summary of the invention

In its broadest aspect, the invention comprises a condiment dispenser comprising a first portion comprising a knob and a rod, the knob so formed as to be rotatably attachable to the rod, the rod being rotatably connected to further apparatus, the knob comprised at least in part of a ferrous material, a second portion comprising an aperture sized so as to contain a magnet and at least part of the knob and a magnet and characterised in that the aperture is sized so as to provide a frictional fit with at least part of the knob and so as to bring at least part of the knob into contact with the magnet.

The contact between the ferrous part of the knob and the magnet ensures that the knob is not inadvertently rotated when the rod is rotated, and therefore the attachment of the knob to the rod, be it via a threaded screw or other means known to the man skilled in the art, is maintained.

By ensuring that the knob does not come loose, the device will be more efficient. With regard to a condiment grinder example, keeping the knob tightly fastened allows for the best transfer of energy from the "head" portion to the grinding means. It can also lessen the regularity of or eliminate altogether the need to tighten said knob.

Keeping the knob tightly in place means that where the knob is attached via a threaded screw, the threaded screw will not wear down. Further, the configuration will not come so loose as to cause either the loss of elements from the device, for example, the falling of pepper out of a pepper grinder, or to cause an accident by, for example, falling apart in the hands of an operator.

In embodiments where the relative positioning of the knob on the rod controls the relative positioning of the grinding means, which in turn control the coarseness or fineness of the ground product, the above means will ensure that the positioning of the knob on the rod is not subject to undesirable change, consistent positioning of the means is maintained and therefore also that a consistent grade of ground product is produced. In a subsidiary aspect, the device further comprises a polyhedral external portion and wherein the aperture of the second portion is sized to provide a frictional fit with that polyhedral portion.

This aids the fit of the first and second portions and ensures that the size and/or weight of the magnet bearing portion does not weaken the effects of the magnet as the magnet is not the only means by which the magnet bearing portion is attached to the second portion.

In a subsidiary aspect at least one of the following has at least a partially roughened surface: the knob; the magnet; the inside of the aperture.

The roughening of one or more of the surfaces allows for a better contact to be made between that surface and the other surfaces into which it may come into contact.

This invention is especially well embodied in a condiment grinder because the utilisation of said device will ensure that the knob does not come off during grinding, ensuring there is no wasteful spillage of condiments, there is no potential for accidents caused by the grinder coming apart in one's hands, that there is no need to keep readjusting the knob, which is both wasteful and a nuisance, and further that the operation of the condiment dispenser is a smooth and pleasurable experience. Further, in embodiments where the relative positioning of the knob on the rod controls the relative positioning of the grinding means, which in turn control the coarseness or fineness of the ground product, consistency will be maintained by holding the knob in place.

In a subsidiary aspect the condiment dispenser comprises two portions, which are relatively rotatably connected to one another, characterised in that one portion is formed so as to resemble the head of a character and the second portion is formed so as to resemble- the body of a character; one at least of the portions comprising a caricature incorporating pronounced features which allow for a better grip of said portion.

This allows the latent anthropomorphic potential of a condiment dispenser to be exploited, both in terms of its static display, during which its resemblance to a known character can be put to satirical or otherwise humorous purpose, and in terms of its dynamic usage wherein the rotation of the head portion in relation to the body portion invites the interpretation that the actuator is "wringing the neck" of the character which the condiment dispenser resembles.

The pronounced features of caricaturing allow for an easier grip on the condiment dispenser, a feature which is useful both in holding and rotating the dispenser.

In a further subsidiary aspect the head portion is provided with jutting lug portions.

These large lug portions, which may be ears, are of particular use in than they provide substantially cantϊlevered means of actuating the dispenser, allowing for ease of operation, which is of particular ease to the young or those with little manual strength.

Brief description of the figures

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a prior art condiment dispenser in side elevational view.

Figure 2 is the knob bearing portion of a device embodying the invention, in top down plan view

Figure 3 is the magnet bearing portion of the device in bottom up plan view

Figure 4 is the device in side sectional view at line 1 - 1 of figure 2

Figure 5 is the device in side sectional view at line Z - 2 of figure 2

Figure 6 is a top down schematic view of a part of the knob - bearing portion.

Figure 7 is perspective view of the knob bearing portion.

Figure 8 is a further perspective view of the magnet bearing portion. Figure 9 is a translucent perspective view of the magnet bearing portion.

Figure 10 is a left hand side elevational view

Figure 1 1 is a front elevational view.

Figure 12 is a front elevational view of the invention in two portions.

Detailed description of the figures

The present embodiments represent currently the best ways known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice. But they are not the only ways in which this could be achieved. They are illustrated, and will now be described, by way of example only.

The apparatus in Figure 1 is prior art. It is not part of the invention. It shows a standard condiment dispenser 10 with a "body" IZ and a "head" 14. Condiment grinders are usually "stood up" in this way, with the foot of the body 16 in contact with a horizontal surface. There is a knob 18 at the top of the head 14. This screws onto a threaded rod (not shown) which runs down to the grinding portion (also not shown). It is prone to loosening and falling off when either body 12 or head 14 are rotated and condiments are ground.

Figure 2 shows the knob bearing portion 20 of an embodiment of the invention. On top of the body 22 is a portion 24, which in this embodiment is polyhedral, but may also be curved or a combination of the two. This portion is a male portion and is designed to fit with a female aperture portion 32 in figure 3. Advantageously, this portion 24 may be provided with a roughened surface. This may be achieved by studding notching or serrating the surface, although any roughening method may be utilised by the man skilled in the art. The knob 26 may be likewise roughened. The knob is comprised at least in part of ferrous metal. Figure 3 shows a magnet bearing portion 30, an aperture 32 and a magnet 34. This portion is a female portion and is designed to fit with a male portion 24 in figure 2. This aperture 32 is provided with a roughened surface. This may be achieved by studding notching or serrating the surface. The magnet 34 may be likewise roughened. In this embodiment the type utilised is a rare earth magnet, because such magnets are known for their strength in relation to their small size.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the invention 40 comprising a knob bearing portion 20 and a magnet bearing portion 30. The knob 26 surrounds a threaded portion 42 of a rod 44 which, when rotated, serves to actuate the grinding portion 46. The grinding portion 46 is of a type known to the skilled man.

The knob 26 is in contact with the magnet 34. In use the combination of the frictional contact between knob 26 and magnet 34, combined with the power of the magnet 34 itself holds the knob 26 in place in relation to the threaded portion 42 of the rod 44. Thus, when knob bearing portion 20 is rotated in relation to magnet bearing portion 30 (or vice versa) knob 26 will not come loose from threaded portion 42. In this embodiment, the positioning of the knob 26 relative to the rod 44 serves to dictate the relative arrangement of the grinding portion 46. It thereby also dictates the fineness or coarseness of the end product, in a manner known to the skilled man. The aforementioned combination of frictional contact and magnetic power serves to hold the knob 26 in a chosen position, thereby ensuring a consistent relative arrangement of the grinding portion 46 and thereby a consistent coarseness or fineness of product.

The magnet bearing portion 30 can be removed from the knob bearing portion 20 by pulling them apart. The knob 26 may be unscrewed from the threaded portion 42 of the rod 44. The knob bearing portion 20 may then be detached from the rest of the invention and the appropriate condiment may be placed in the storage chamber 48.

Figure 5 shows the same embodiment of the invention 40 in figure 4. Here, the knob bearing portion 20 has been somewhat rotated. The force exerted by magnet 34 on knob 26 ensures that knob 26 remains in a desirably tight fit with the threaded portion 42 of the rod 44. If figures 4 and 5 are compared, the polyhedral shape of the knob bearing portion 44 is apparent, having a larger section in figure 4 than in figure 5. Figure 6 shows the polyhedral knob bearing portion ZO and the knob 26, which is serrated. Advantageously, the knob itself may be multi-faceted.

Figure 7 shows the polyhedral knob bearing portion 20 and the knob 26.

Figure 8 shows the magnet bearing portion 30 and magnet 34. This figure clearly shows the way in which this portion is shaped to receive the knob bearing portion 20 (not shown).

Figure 9 provides a further view of the magnet bearing portion 30 and magnet 34.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 provide a further embodiment of the invention 100. It takes the form of a self standing pepper grinder, which in this embodiment is a caricatured feature. Any character may be substituted, including those who are not famous. It comprises a head 102, which houses the magnet bearing portion 30 and a body 104 which houses the knob bearing portion 20. In this embodiment, both head 102 and body 104 are in caricature form, but only one of the two need be so formed. The head 102 comprises pronounced features 106 which allow for a better grip of the head. Of particular note are the jutting lugs 108, which in this embodiment are ears. The jutting of the lugs 108 provides the user with leverage for the turning of the head 102 in relation to the body 104.

As Figure 12 shows, the head 102 can be separated from the neck 1011 of the caricatured figure by pulling it off the neck against the force of the magnet. The knob 20 can if desired be subsequently unscrewed, allowing neck 1011 and the body 104 then to be detached at point 1010 to allow the body to be filled with peppers.

An embodiment is envisaged in which the magnetism is of a variable strength to allow for variable give in the connection between knob 26 and rod 44.

Claims

1 A condiment dispenser comprising;

a first portion comprising a knob and a rod, the knob so formed as to be rotatably attachable to the rod, the rod being rotatably connected to further apparatus, the knob comprised at [east in part of a ferrous material;

a second portion comprising an aperture sized so as to contain a magnet and at least part of the knob, and;

a magnet;

and characterised in that the aperture is sized so as to provide a frictϊonal fit with at least part of the knob and so as to bring at least part of the knob into contact with the magnet.

2 A device according to the previous claim further comprising a polyhedral external portion and wherein the aperture of the second portion is sized to provide a frictional fit with that polyhedral portion.

3 A device according to either of the previous claims and wherein at least one of the following has at least a partially roughened surface:

The knob;

The magnet;

The inside of the aperture;

4 A device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the device comprises a condiment grinding dispenser. A device according to any preceding claim comprising two portions, which are relatively rotatably connected to one another, characterised in that one portion is formed so as to resemble the head of a character and the second portion is formed so as to resemble the body of a character; one at least of the portions comprising a caricature incorporating pronounced features which allow for a better grip of said portion.

A device according to the previous claim 5, wherein the head portion is provided with jutting lug portions.

A device according to claim 6 and in which the lug portions comprise ear portions of a caricatured head.

A device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any appropriate combination of all except Figure T of the description and the drawings.