Abstract:
A condiment dispenser that has a handle of sufficient length to reduce the forces necessary to dispense condiments and/or make the dispenser safe to use over a backyard barbecue grill. In one version, one end of the handle has an attached cylinder having grooves or slots and two or more condiment containers have protrusions that engage the slots so that the containers may be mounted and de-mounted as in a bayonet coupling. Opposite the protrusion end, the containers have lids and rotatable tops, each having a hole or holes that allow regulation of the flow of condiments out of the containers. Another version uses a unitary lid and top having multiple protrusions and at least one hole, so that when secured to the handle, tenderizing and marinading can be undertaken at the same time. Other versions relate to various ways of securing the condiment containers to the handle.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to a condiment, e.g., salt and pepper, dispenser that is safe and convenient for flavoring foods being cooked at backyard barbecues, in kitchens, and the like. 
     2. Background 
     The word barbecue is derived from the Spanish word barbacoa that early explorers applied to a rack that American Indians used to preserve food by smoking. With modem refrigeration, this is not necessary, but barbecuing has become increasingly popular as a food preparation method, especially after World War II. According to one source, 5.5 million people now attend barbecue cook-offs every year. At present, there is at least one niche-market store chain devoted solely to barbecue equipment and supplies. 
     Barbecuing is an integral part of many family occasions. In these settings, while not really a game, children often would like to assist in food preparation to some extent. The easiest activity for them is to apply condiments. However, there is some danger in this because of the open heat, creating at least anxiety on the part of parents. Although there must be thousands of different condiment dispensers, none are well suited for flavoring food over a barbecue. Typically, one grasps the body of the container with the dispensing end facing the thumb and reaches over the barbecue. For short people, there is the discomfort of high heat and the risk of burns from ignited dripping fat. There are isolated instances of condiment dispensers that have short handles dictated by a container shape that is not amenable to grasping. These design were never intended to and do not solve the problem presented by a barbecue. Other disadvantages of the prior art will become more apparent after a description of the advantages of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a condiment dispenser that can apply condiments to food being cooked over a barbecue grill while exposing the user to a minimal amount of heat. 
     Another object is to provide a condiment dispenser that can apply condiments with greater control using less force than currently available dispensers. 
     These objectives are realized by a condiment dispenser having at least one condiment container and a long handle secured to it. Preferably the length of the handle is at least six inches and more preferably at least nine inches. The securing of the container to the handle may be either permanent or de-mountable. 
     In one version, attached to one end of the handle is a cylindrical holder that has grooves inside or slots in the wall that provide a locking mechanism for protrusions on two cylindrical condiment containers that are twist-locked into the holder with their bottoms inside and their dispensing ends facing away from each other. Lids and rotatable tops allow filling the containers and regulating the flow. 
     As a modification of this version, a lid having a plurality of pyramidal protrusions and having at least one hole can be used as a combination tenderizer and marinader. 
     Other methods of securing condiment containers to the handle include, but are not limited to, screw threads, circular clamps, and frictional fits. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the invention as a dual condiment dispenser. 
     FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 a  shows a top view of a lid that can be used to make a combination tenderizer and marinader. 
     FIG. 3 b  shows a cross-sectional view of a lid shown in FIG. 3 a.    
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. This particular embodiment has two condiment dispensers, one on the right and one on the left, with respect to the drawings. As illustrated, they are identical and the one on the right will be explained. To avoid confusion, herein below, the individual condiment dispensers will be designated as “condiment containers” and “dispenser” used for the overall article. 
     A handle  10  comprises a cylindrical rod  12  having a hole  14  that traverses the rod  12 , at one end, and the other end is attached to a container holder  20 . In mass production, the handle  10  and holder  20  would most likely be a single molded plastic piece. The container holder  20  comprises a cylindrical sleeve  22  that has relatively thin walls and an inside rib  24  located approximately equidistant from the ends of the sleeve  22 . The walls of the sleeve  22  have slots, top and bottom with respect to the paper,  26   rt  and  26   rb , respectively, that connect with right angle slots  28   rt  and  28   rb , respectively. 
     A demountable condiment container is comprised of a body  30   r , a lid  40   r , and a rotatable top  50   r  (“top” is used in the sense of a closure and not as to location). The body  30   r  comprises a cylindrical cup  32   r  having a bottom (visible on the corresponding  301 ) closing the end proximate the holder  20   r  and having a locking protrusion  36   rt  and a diametrically opposite one  36   rb  (not shown). This forms what is commonly called a bayonet coupling. 
     The open end of body  30   r  is closed with the lid  40   r  comprising a relatively short cylindrical sleeve  42   r  surrounding a circular plate  44   r  that has an opening  46   r , a plurality of holes  47   r , and central pivot hole  48   r . The plurality of holes generally occupies a position and area corresponding to a 120° rotation of the opening  46   r . The rotatable top  50   r , functioning as a condiment flow controller, comprises a circular plate  52   r  having a finger operable protrusion  54   r , an opening  56   r , approximately the same size and shape as the opening  46   r , and a central pivot  58   r  (visible as the corresponding  581 ) directly opposite the pivot hole  48 r .    
     Assembly proceeds as follows. The rotatable top  50   r  is snapped onto the lid  40   r . Preferably, the pivot  58   r  is made longer than the depth of the pivot hole  48   r  and tapers outward at the end so that the rotatable top  50   r  does not easily fall off the lid  40   r , but can still rotate about the pivot  58   r . Preferably the sleeve  42   r  extends in the direction of the rotatable top  50   r  as far as the thickness of the plate  52   r  and the diameter of the plate  52   r  is large enough to form an interference fit with the inner diameter of the sleeve  42   r  so that the rotatable top only rotates when, e.g., the protrusion  54   r  is pushed. 
     Next, the container body  30   r  is filled with a condiment of choice and the lid  40   r  is press fit onto the body. Preferably, the outer diameter of the body  30   r  and the inner diameter of the sleeve  42   r  provide an interference fit so that the lid does not easily fall off the body  30   r . This can also be adjusted by varying the length of the sleeve  42   r  in the direction of the container body  30   r.    
     Lastly, the body  30   r  with lid  40   r  and secured rotatable top  50   r  are rotated so that the protrusions  36   r  are aligned with the slots  26   r , pushed down the slots, and rotated (clockwise as illustrated) to engage the slots  28   r . Preferably, the side of the slots  28   r  toward the container  30   r  make a slight angle, e.g., five degrees, toward the rib  24 . With proper dimensions, when the body  30   r  is rotated, the tapered slots  28   r  and rib  24  creates a compressive force on the protrusions  36   r  and provides enough friction so that the body  30   r  does not easily rotate and become unlocked. FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled dispenser. Other orders of assembly can also be used. It should be obvious from the drawings that, by rotating the rotatable top to various positions, the rate at which condiment can be dispensed can be controlled. When not dispensing condiments, the hole  14  in the handle rod  12  can be used to hang the dispenser on a peg on a wall or a hook on a barbecue grill. 
     A prototype working example was constructed generally in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2. While not attempting to be a production specification, the following dimensions may assist in visualizing the example, namely,: 1) the length of the handle  10  was 9″ and had a 0.75″ diameter, 2) the outside diameter of the container holder sleeve  12  was 2.500″ with a wall thickness of 0.125″ and a length or 1.5″, 3) the outside diameter of the container body  20  was 2.375″ with a 0.125″ wall and a length of 2.35″, 4) the lid skirt  42   r  was 0.5″ long with 0.0625″ diameter holes  47   r , and 5) the rotatable top was 0.0625″ thick. The material used was a polycarbonate plastic. Note that, the scale in FIG. 2 is about 0.57:1. 
     When used with a standard 18 inch barbecue grill, it was found that it was possible to reach all areas with minimal exposure to heat. 
     It was also discovered that the force and effort required to dispense condiments was considerably less than with currently available dispensers. Quite apart from barbecuing, that was the original motivation for the invention, it may be useful for those suffering from arthritis or any other impairment that limits strength or mobility in the arm. While not being bound by any theory, it is believed this is due to the following. 
     Shaker-type condiment dispensers that dispense grains or particles are almost always supplied with small holes corresponding to the holes  47   r  of the present invention. It is believed that the hole sized is adjusted so that it is larger that the largest grain or particle, but not much larger. If the dispenser is turned over gently, few grains come out because the mass of grains jam up behind the holes. If the dispenser is held at an angle and rocked back an forth, some particles acquire enough velocity to exit the holes before the mass arrives. The amount of condiment dispensed can be controlled by shaking with more or less vigor. If the holes are made large enough or the dispenser angle approaches the vertical, less vigor is required, but less control is possible. 
     In the present case, a standard salt shaker uses 0.078″ holes, while this one used 0.0625″ holes. In spite of the smaller hole size, the effort to shake out salt was subjectively estimated to be considerably less than for a standard shaker. This is because, instead of rotating the entire forearm around the elbow, only a gentle wrist motion is required to move the relatively light handle. In the case of osteoarthritis, that usually affects the hand, operation is just the opposite. A very limited trial indicates that condiments can be dispensed by gently moving the entire arm about the shoulder while keeping the hand and wrist fixed. The small diameter handle, compared to the body diameter of a standard shaker, is also easier to grip. As an overall result, the present invention produces less physical strain. 
     Another benefit discovered was increased control of dispensing volume and placement, especially in a barbecue setting. With a standard dispenser, with an arm extended, it is difficult to see under the dispenser unless the forearm is held at an angle to the line of sight. With this invention, the small diameter handle makes it possible to see with a relatively unobstructed view. It is also easier to grip for children. 
     Having described and enabled one embodiment of the invention, it should be pointed out that the scope of the invention is not limited to the single embodiment. For example, since the invention is directed to a mass market, rather than machined parts, injection molded plastic would most likely be used. To save on parts, at the expense of demountability, the handle  10 , holder  20  and container bodies  30  could be an integral piece. Although the disclosed design is thought preferable for use with barbecues, there are a plethora of designs that could be used for lids  40  and rotatable tops  50 . One simple design uses a metal screw-on top with dispensing holes only. Others use hinged lids and/or sliding tops. There could be more than two containers, e.g., four at 90°, or only one. With suitable design changes to the container body and lids, well within the routine design skill in the art, they could be made stackable. This could be done by extending the sleeves  42  past the rotatable tops  50  and providing slots in the sleeves  42  to accommodate the protrusions  36  of other dispenser bodies  30 . 
     An important part of the invention is a handle that provides additional reach and force multiplication. In order to be effective, the handle must be long enough so that it is not a mere handhold. While there is no standard width of the palm of a hand, force multiplication is expected to become significant when the length is six inches. Since barbecues are eighteen inches in diameter or more, a length of at least nine inches is desirable. Instead of the rod illustrated herein, that is easy to machine, injection molded plastic could be used to produce a more complex design as long as the distance from the hand to the containers is sufficient. The handle and the axis of the containers need not be at right angles. 
     It may be desirable to retain the feature of demountable containers. One could have several container bodies, each pre-loaded with a different condiment that could be used with a single handle. There are other ways to create the demountable feature. The holder  20  could have inside grooves instead of slots all the way through, since, although difficult to machine, it is feasible with injection molded plastic. As an alternative, screw threads could be used with the container screwed into the holder. A holder with elastomeric rings providing friction and compression could be used for both round and odd-shaped containers. For instance, a triangular shape may have aesthetic appeal. For off-the-shelf odd-shaped containers, an expandable ring, similar to a common hose clamp, having slits that engage the threads of a tensioning screw could be used. The major requirement for a demountable holder is that the container can be securely held for use as a dispenser. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a combination tenderizer and marinader (to coin a word) is provided as illustrated in FIG.  3 . This shows a replacement lid  60  having pyramidal protrusions  61  and holes  62 . In operation in conjunction with the previous embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, after filling the container body  30  with a marinade, the lid  40  and rotatable top  50  are replaced with the tenderizer/marinader lid  60 . Then the device is used as a normal tenderizer while, in the process, marinade is dispensed. For this use, since tenderizing is normally not attempted on a grill, the length of the handle is primarily to provide additional momentum. Of course, the exact design illustrated in FIG. 3 need not be followed as long as lid  60  has a plurality of protrusions and at least one hole. 
     Another use for the invention where handle length is important is in a normal kitchen. The invention is useful for flavoring foods being cooked inside an oven. This is particularly useful where a large area, such as for a casserole, must be covered. Although polycarbonate with a melting temperature of at least 450° and a useful service temperature of 250° F. was used in the working example, other materials are available with higher service temperatures. 
     Other design changes within the scope of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art, but it is intended that the scope is limited only by the claims.