Disposable condiment shaker and decorative sleeve

A disposable, tamper-resistant condiment shaker (10) containing a condiment (37) is supported within a cavity (24) of a decorative sleeve (20) to provide a more aesthetically pleasing condiment dispensing assembly (100). The sleeve (20) includes a securing member (29, 42, 44) to support the shaker (10) within the cavity (24). When the condiment supply within the shaker (10) has become depleted, the shaker (10) may be removed from the sleeve (20), discarded, and replaced with a new shaker (10). This cartridge type loading and refilling of the condiment (37) eliminates the need to pour condiment (37) into a dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a condiment dispensing assembly, more particularly, a disposable condiment shaker and a decorative sleeve for use with the disposable condiment shaker.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Condiment shakers are typically located at each table in eating establishments. There are various types of condiment shakers, which generally include refillable condiment shakers and disposable condiment shakers. Many eating establishments use refillable condiment shakers because once the shakers are purchased they are relatively inexpensive to refill and they are typically more decorative and appear more expensive than disposable condiment shakers. A drawback to using refillable condiment shakers is that they may be opened at the table thus providing an opportunity for tampering or adulteration of the contents. In addition, there is an opportunity to accidentally fill the shaker with the wrong condiment. To help eliminate these concerns, disposable, tamper-resistant condiment shakers may be used, but these are not typically used in more up-scale restaurants because they may appear to be inexpensive relative to the refillable condiment shakers. Therefore, there is a need to provide an affordable, disposable, tamper-resistant condiment shaker that looks aesthetically pleasing on the table.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment sleeve is configured and arranged for use with a disposable, tamper-resistant condiment shaker. The condiment shaker includes a top, a wall portion, and an end portion. The wall portion has a first end and a second end, the top is operatively connected to and encloses the first end, and the end portion is operatively connected to and encloses the second end. The end portion includes a ledge proximate the wall portion, and the wall portion interconnects and is integral with the top and the end portion thereby preventing the condiment shaker from being opened. The sleeve includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and an intermediate portion. The top portion includes a first opening, which is configured and arranged to provide access to at least a portion of the top of the condiment shaker. The bottom portion includes a second opening through which the condiment shaker may be inserted. The intermediate portion interconnects the top portion and the bottom portion and includes an inner surface. The inner surface includes a raised member proximate the bottom portion, and the intermediate portion is configured and arranged to house the condiment shaker. A cavity is formed by the top portion, the bottom portion, and the intermediate portion, and the first opening and the second opening provide access to the cavity. The cavity is configured and arranged to receive the condiment shaker, wherein the top of the condiment shaker is inserted into the second opening, the condiment shaker is pushed through the second opening into the cavity, the ledge is slid past the raised member thereby providing a snap-fit between the condiment shaker and the sleeve. The first opening provides access to at least a portion of the top of the condiment shaker.

A preferred embodiment condiment dispensing assembly includes a shaker and a sleeve. The shaker includes a top, a wall portion, and an end portion. The wall portion has a first end and a second end. The top is operatively connected to and encloses the first end. The end portion is operatively connected to and encloses the second end. The wall portion interconnects and is integral with the top and the end portion thereby preventing the shaker from being opened and being tamper-resistant. The sleeve includes a top portion, a bottom portion, an intermediate portion, a cavity, and a securing member. The top portion includes a first opening, which is configured and arranged to provide access to at least a portion of the top of the condiment shaker. The bottom portion includes a second opening through which the condiment shaker is inserted. The intermediate portion interconnects the top portion and the bottom portion and is configured and arranged to house the shaker. The cavity is formed by the top portion, the bottom portion, and the intermediate portion. The first opening and the second opening provide access to the cavity, and the cavity is configured and arranged to receive the shaker. The securing member is operatively connected to the intermediate portion, wherein the top of the shaker is inserted into the second opening, the shaker is pushed through the second opening into the cavity, the securing member supports the shaker within the cavity of the sleeve, the first opening provides access to the at least a portion of the top of the condiment shaker.

A preferred embodiment method of using a sleeve to decorate a condiment shaker includes obtaining a disposable, tamper-resistant condiment shaker containing a condiment. The condiment shaker includes a top, a wall portion, and an end portion forming a first cavity. The condiment is contained within the first cavity. The wall portion has a first end and a second end. The top is operatively connected to and encloses the first end, and the end portion is operatively connected to and encloses the second end. The end portion includes a ledge proximate the wall portion, and the wall portion interconnects and is integral with the top and the end portion thereby preventing the condiment shaker from being opened. A sleeve including a top portion, a bottom portion, an intermediate portion, and a second cavity is obtained. The top portion includes a first opening, and the first opening is configured and arranged to provide access to at least a portion of the top of the condiment shaker. The bottom portion includes a second opening through which the condiment shaker may be inserted. The intermediate portion interconnects the top portion and the bottom portion and includes an inner surface. The inner surface includes a raised member proximate the bottom portion. The intermediate portion is configured and arranged to house the condiment shaker. The second cavity is formed by the top portion, the bottom portion, and the intermediate portion. The first opening and the second opening provide access to the second cavity, and the second cavity is configured and arranged to receive the condiment shaker. The top of the condiment shaker is inserted into the second opening. The condiment shaker is pushed through the second opening into the second cavity, wherein the ledge is slid past the raised member thereby providing a snap-fit between the condiment shaker and the sleeve. The first opening provides access to the at least a portion of the top of the condiment shaker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment condiment dispensing assembly constructed according to the principles of the present invention is represented by the numeral100and includes a disposable condiment shaker and a decorative sleeve for use with the disposable condiment shaker, which are represented by the numerals10and20, respectively, in the drawings.

The preferred disposable condiment shaker10, shown inFIGS. 1–3A, is well known in the art. An example of a disposable condiment shaker that may be used is Classic Shakers manufactured by Diamond Crystal Brands, Inc. in Savannah, Ga. Although this type of condiment shaker is shown and described, it is recognized that other suitable types of shakers or dispensers may be used. The shaker10includes a wall portion11, a top12, and an end portion15. The wall portion11is preferably a generally frustum shaped portion having a smaller diameter proximate a first end11a, which is proximate the top12, and a larger diameter proximate a second end11b, which is proximate the end portion15. The wall portion11may also include ribs11cextending vertically along the wall portion11to provide a grippable, non-slip surface. Although the preferred embodiment shaker has a wall portion that is tapered toward the top, it is recognized that a generally cylindrical wall portion may be used. In addition, the shape of the wall portion may be circular, square, triangular, and any other suitable shape.

The top12is preferably a circular shaped disk member having a diameter approximately equal to a diameter of the first end11a, and the top12is configured and arranged to cover the first end11aof the wall portion11. The wall portion11and the top12are preferably molded as one integral piece. The top12preferably includes a raised portion13having apertures14. The raised portion13is preferably circular and has a diameter13asmaller than the diameter of the top12. Although the raised portion13is shown being circular, any suitable shape may be used.

The end portion15includes a cylindrical portion33and a bottom17, which are preferably molded as one integral piece. The cylindrical portion33includes a ledge16having a top edge19, which is proximate the top of the cylindrical portion33and is generally circular shaped. The top edge19is configured and arranged to operatively connect to the second end11bof the wall portion11. The bottom17is preferably a circular shaped disk member having a diameter approximately equal to a diameter of the cylindrical portion33and is operatively connected thereto. The end portion15is configured and arranged to cover the second end11bof the wall portion11and is preferably sonically welded to the second end11b. The end portion is preferably made of a transparent material to provide a window through which to view the inside of the shaker10.

The wall portion11, the top12, and the end portion15define a cavity18in which a condiment37is contained. The condiment37may be any suitable product well known in the art such as, but not limited to, sweetener, salt, and pepper. Because the components of the shaker10are preferably operatively connected to form an integral, one piece shaker10, the shaker10may not be opened to refill the shaker with the condiment37. The integral, one piece shaker10is therefore tamper-resistant because the only openings into the shaker10are the apertures14through which the condiment37is dispensed. It is recognized that any suitable arrangement of the apertures14may be used as long as the apertures14are configured and arranged to allow the condiment37to be readily dispensed from the shaker10. Once the condiment37supply within the shaker10has been depleted, the shaker10may be discarded and replaced with a new shaker10containing condiment37.

The preferred decorative sleeve20, shown inFIGS. 1–3A, includes an intermediate portion21, a top portion22, and a bottom portion25, which are preferably molded as one integral piece and may be made of any suitable material known in the art such as, but not limited to, plastic or metal. The sleeve20may also include an optional label32on the outer surface of the intermediate portion21. The label32may include the name of the condiment, advertising, a logo, or other print. The intermediate portion21is preferably a generally frustum shaped portion having a smaller diameter proximate the top portion22and a larger diameter proximate the bottom portion25. The intermediate portion21is configured and arranged to house the shaker10. Again, although the preferred embodiment intermediate portion21is tapered toward the top, it is recognized that a generally cylindrical wall portion may be used. The intermediate portion21must only be configured and arranged to house the shaker10, and the intermediate portion21may be any suitable shape as long as the shaker10may be housed therein.

The top portion22is preferably a flange extending inward from the intermediate portion21and forming an opening23, which is preferably circular and slightly larger than the diameter13ato receive and accommodate the raised portion13of the top12of the shaker10. The opening23provides access to at least a portion of the top12of the shaker10. The opening23need not be circular, and it is recognized that opening23may be configured and arranged to accommodate any shape and/or size of the raised portion13. When the shaker10and the sleeve20are assembled, the raised portion13extends into the opening23and is preferably on the same plane as the top portion22to give the appearance that the shaker10and the sleeve20are a single unit. The bottom portion25forms an opening26through which the shaker10is inserted and provides a support surface upon which the sleeve20is placed on a tabletop or similar surface. The openings23and26provide access to the cavity24, in which the shaker10is housed.

The sleeve20also includes a securing member to support the shaker10within the cavity24. The securing member is preferably operatively connected to the intermediate portion21of the sleeve. The preferred sleeve20includes an inner surface27having a raised member29proximate the bottom portion25of the sleeve20, as shown inFIG. 3B. The raised member29extends from the inner surface27into the cavity24and includes a first ledge28and a second ledge30. The first ledge28is proximate the bottom of the raised member29and the second ledge30is proximate the top of the raised member29. The second ledge30is configured and arranged to be at an approximate height of the ledge16of the shaker10when the shaker10and the sleeve20are assembled. Because the shape of the sleeve20tapers inward from bottom to top, the first ledge28preferably has a slightly larger diameter than the second ledge30. Therefore, the second ledge30of the raised member29provides a snap-fit for the ledge16of the shaker10.

The height of the raised member29, the distance between the first ledge28and the second ledge30, is preferably approximately ⅝ inch in the embodiment shown inFIG. 3B. However, it is recognized that this distance may be varied. For example, when used with the shaker10, the location of the first ledge28may be raised or lowered with respect to the second ledge30thereby varying the height of the raised member29. The second ledge30is preferably not raised or lowered because then it may not provide adequate support for the ledge16of the shaker10to hold the shaker10in the desired position within the sleeve20. More preferably, the distance may be approximately 3/16 inch or less to allow the shaker10to be more easily released from the sleeve20when pressure is applied upon the raised portion13of the shaker10to overcome the raised member29of the sleeve. The less friction between the ledge16and the raised member29, the easier it will be to expel and replace the shaker10within the sleeve20. However, there must be enough friction between the ledge16and the raised member29to sufficiently secure the shaker10within the sleeve20.

In operation, a sleeve20and a shaker10containing condiment37are obtained. The top12of the shaker10is inserted into the opening26proximate the bottom portion25of the sleeve20, and the shaker10is slid into the cavity24of the sleeve. When the ledge16of the shaker10is proximate the raised member29of the sleeve20, the ledge16must overcome a frictional fit with the raised member29. As the ledge16approaches and then slides past the second ledge30, the shaker10snaps into place within the cavity24and the raised portion13of the shaker10extends through the opening23of the sleeve20. The snap-fit is due to the ledge16having a slightly larger diameter than the second ledge30but a smaller diameter than the inner surface27above the second ledge30. When the ledge16overcomes the second ledge30, it “snaps” into place within the cavity24. The top12around the raised portion13remains within the cavity24. The shaker10is held in place within the cavity24of the sleeve20by the second ledge30of the raised member29supporting the ledge16of the shaker10. When the condiment37has been depleted, the shaker10may be removed from the sleeve20by holding the sleeve20and pushing downward on the raised portion13. The ledge16must slide past the second ledge30and the frictional fit of the raised member29before exiting through the opening26of the sleeve20. A new shaker10may then be installed.

The preferred embodiment decorative tubular sleeve20and the sealed refill cartridge shaker10that fits within the sleeve20provide cartridge loading of a condiment37rather than pouring the condiment into a dispenser. In other words, instead of opening a dispenser to refill it with product, a sealed cartridge shaker10containing condiment37is used as the refill product. No pouring of product is required to refill the product. The sealed refill cartridge, shaker10, simply snaps into place within the sleeve20, and when the product is empty, the empty shaker10is discarded and replaced with a full shaker10. The sealed cartridge shaker10provides protection against tampering, contamination, or adulteration and is disposable and replaceable. The shaker10is sonically welded closed to provide maximum tamper resistance, safety, and security. In addition, hazard analysis and critical control points are used during the filling process to protect against possible contamination of the product. The shaker10is disguised with the sleeve20to appear as a refillable and reusable dispenser thereby providing a more attractive appearance. The sleeve20can be easily disengaged from the shaker10to clean the components without contaminating the condiment.

The preferred one piece construction of the sleeve20having an opening26in the bottom portion25allows for easy determination of condiment level in the shaker10as the preferred end portion15is clear. The preferred one piece construction of the sleeve20also allows for quick release of the shaker10. The shaker10is preferably a replaceable, disposable condiment cartridge that is easily inserted into a sleeve20. The sleeve20is preferably reusable and not disposable. However, if it is desired to change the appearance of the condiment shakers10, different sleeves20may be used. For example, the sleeves20may be changed for various occasions such as holidays or sporting events. The sleeve20may be used for advertising, coordinating, decorating, etc. Custom colors and/or finishes, company names and/or logos, and distinctive shapes may be used for the sleeve20. The sleeve20may be customized in any manner well known in the art.

Rather than utilizing a snap-fit arrangement between the shaker10and the sleeve20, the bottom portion25of the sleeve20may include any number of securing members. For example, a frictional fit may be used to support the shaker10within the sleeve20. Also, a bar42or a disk44may be pivoted about a pin43or45, respectively, which operatively connects the bar42or disk44to the bottom portion25, to support the end portion15or bottom17of the shaker10within the sleeve20. These alternative embodiments are shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. In addition, although a one piece construction is preferred, a two piece construction could be used. The sleeve itself could be two pieces that mate to contain the shaker. For example, a cap member such as a plug or a threaded cap could be used. A plug could be inserted into the bottom of the sleeve or a cap having a threaded portion configured and arranged to mate with a threaded portion in the bottom of the sleeve may be used to support the shaker within the sleeve. These examples are not exhaustive, and it is recognized that other suitable constructions are also within the scope of the invention.

In addition to using a disposable shaker for dry condiments, it is recognized that the present invention may also be used with dispensers for liquid condiments such as cream, syrup, etc. contained in either a rigid or a flexible cartridge that may be inserted into a decorative sleeve. The liquid condiment could be dispensed using mechanical or pneumatic expulsion devices. If a rigid cartridge is used, it could snap-fit into the sleeve as the shaker10snap-fits within the sleeve20. If a flexible cartridge is used, it could include a relatively rigid top portion that would snap-fit into a top portion of the sleeve similar to how the shaker10snap-fits within the sleeve20but proximate the top rather than proximate the bottom. The flexible bottom portion of the cartridge could be suspended from the top portion within the cavity of the sleeve, and the sleeve would provide the support for standing upright on a surface.