Condiment package storage and opening device

A condiment package storage and opening device including a container assembly and an opening assembly. The container assembly includes a cylindrical container that is formed by a base, a central portion, and a top reservoir. The top reservoir has a cup shape and is volumetrically suitable to receive condiment sachets therein. The opening assembly is disposed on a front side of the central portion and includes a dosing chamber, actuation members and a discharge tube. The dosing chamber receives sachets coming from the top reservoir. When a sachet is inside the dosing chamber a user can press the actuation members that internally move the discharge tube for it to be inserted in the sachet providing an easy method to open the sachets.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a condiment package storage and opening device and, more particularly, to a condiment package storage and opening device that facilitates the usage of the condiments contained in sachet bags.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Several designs for condiment storage devices have been designed in the past. None of them, however, include a reservoir that is volumetrically suitable to receive multiple condiment sachets and that has a dosing chamber which receives one of the sachets to easily open it using a discharge tube, thereby a user can manually press two actuation members to pierce the sachet and pour the content thereof.

Applicant believes that a related reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,075 issued for a condiment dispensing apparatus that is placed inside of a condiment package and has a piercing tip that is used to create a discharge aperture in the packaging. Applicant believes that another related reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 10,301,096 issued for a fluid dispensing valve that has a piercing member that punctures a flexible bag allowing the contents to be discharged. None of these references, however, teach of a storage container and opening device for condiment sachets that is comprised of a cylindrical container with a rotating lid that is disposed on the front of the storage container which will puncture and insert a discharge tube into a condiment sachet providing a method for discharging the contents of the sachet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an easy way to open sachets.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device that helps individuals to open condiment sachets.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a condiment package storage and opening device that allows users to enjoy the content in a practical and safe way without any risk of accidents or bacterial contamination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that it basically includes a container assembly 20, an opening assembly 40, and a rotating assembly 60. It should be understood there are modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the container assembly 20 includes a base 22, a central portion 23, and a top reservoir 26. The base 22, the central portion 23, and the top reservoir 26 may define a container. The container may be made of a sturdy, resistant, and durable material. The container assembly 20 may be made of polyacetal, which is a material that exhibits rigidity, high strength, solvent resistance, fatigue resistance, toughness, self-lubricity, cold-flow resistance. In other embodiments, the container may be made of ceramics, polymers, metal, metal alloys, fibers, synthetic materials, natural materials, or any variation or combination thereof. In a suitable embodiment, the container may be cylindrical. The base 22 may have a substantially circular shape with four members that outwardly protrude from the periphery of the base. The central portion 23 is located on top of the base 22. The central portion 23 may have a substantially cylindrical shape. In other embodiments, the central portion 23 may have other prism shapes, be it a regular prism shape or an irregular prism shape. The central portion 23 may have a diameter smaller that the diameter of the base. The central portion 23 may house the opening assembly 40. The central portion 23 may have a front side which is substantially flat. The top reservoir 26 is located on a distal end of the central portion 23, opposite to the base 22 On top of the central portion 23 there may be a top reservoir 26. The top reservoir 26 may be hollow and may be volumetrically suitable to receive condiments sachets S therein. To access the top reservoir 26 the container assembly includes a rotating lid 24 which may be manually actuated to cover the top reservoir 26. A user may be able to move the rotating lid 24 by means of a rotating handle 24a to introduce sachets S inside the reservoir. The top reservoir 26 may be cup-shaped. The rotating handle 24a may be located on top of the top reservoir 26.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the opening assembly 40 includes actuation members 42, a dosing chamber 43, a discharge tube 45, a spring 45, and guides 46. As depicted in FIG. 3 the opening assembly is disposed on the front of the central portion 23 of the container assembly 20. The opening assembly 40 may permit a user to open the condiment sachets S in an easy and hygienic way. The dosing chamber 43 may be internally connected with the top reservoir 26 so that condiment sachets S may travel therefrom to the dosing chamber 43. The dosing chamber may be formed by two parallel sides. The discharge tube 44 may be internally disposed within the central portion and may be located proximal to the dosing chamber 43. The discharge tube 45 may be supported by the guides 46 which permit the discharge tube to follow a linear trajectory. The discharge tube 44 may be disposed orthogonally with respect to the dosing chamber 43. The discharge tube 44 may be made of stainless steel. In other embodiments, the discharge tube may be made of any other suitable material. To actuate the discharge tube 44 a user may press the actuation members 42 which may internally contact the discharge tube 44 and a supporting tube 44a. Pressing the actuation members 42 may cause the discharge tube 44 and the supporting tube 44a to me moved towards the dosing chamber 43. When the dosing chamber has a condiment sachet S therein, the discharge tube 44, when actuated, may pierce the condiment sachet S. Each the discharge tube 44 and the supporting tube 44a may be covered with springs 45 that permit the actuation members 42 to return to an unpressed/rest position when released.

Best illustrated in FIG. 5, the rotating assembly includes a knob 62 connected to a transmission system 64. The knob 62 may be disposed on a rear side of the central portion 23 opposite to the dosing chamber 42. In other embodiments, the knob 62 may be placed wheresoever on the surface of the central portion 23. The knob 62 may have an ergonomic shape that permits a user to easily grab it and turn it. In one embodiment, the knob may have a circular shape, in other embodiments the knob may have other suitable polygonal shapes. The knob 62 may be internally connected with the transmission system 64, which in turn, may be internally connected to the top reservoir 26. By rotating the knob 62 the transmission system 64 may rotate the top reservoir 26. The dosing chamber 43 may be refilled when the knob 62 may be rotated, as this causes the top reservoir 26 to rotate and may let the condiment sachets to be delivered into the dosing chamber 43.