Combined pepper grinder and salt shaker

A combined pepper grinder and salt shaker (1) having an upper portion (2) of the device that stores salt and also having apertures (3) to dispense the salt. A bottom portion (9) comprises a pepper mill that grinds peppercorn. The upper portion attaches to the bottom portion via a pressure fit clip-top shell (20), spring retaining ring (21) and push buttons (22), that allow a user to easily remove the upper portion from the bottom portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device that combines a salt shaker with a pepper grinder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices dispensing salt and pepper have conventionally entailed the use of separate shaker containers and/or grinders. Dual chamber dispensers have also been devised wherein each of the chambers store and dispense salt and pepper, respectively. However, such dispensers have not been comprised of a structure that enables a user to easily fill the device with salt and peppercorn.

Therefore, a need exists for a combined pepper grinder and salt shaker that will allow a user to easily dismantle the device to be able to fill it with salt and peppercorn.

The relevant prior art includes the following references:

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a combined pepper grinder and salt shaker that will allow a user to easily dismantle the device to be able to fill it with salt and peppercorn.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a combined pepper grinder and salt shaker having an upper portion of the device that stores salt and also has apertures dispensing the salt. A bottom portion comprises a pepper mill that grinds peppercorn. The upper portion attaches to the bottom portion via a pressure fit clip-top shell and spring retaining ring and push buttons, that allow a user to easily remove the upper portion from the bottom portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:1. combined pepper grinder and salt shaker, generally2. upper portion3. aperture4. shaker top5. attachment means6. first tubular storage area7. male threaded insert8. female threaded insert9. bottom portion10. pepper grinder11. second tubular storage area12. grinding assembly13. spring bar guide14. grinder ring15. shaft16. grinder assembly spring17. plate adjuster18. spring adjusting screw lock19. adjusting screw20. clip-top shell21. spring retaining ring22. push button

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, an exploded view and a cross sectional view along lines2-2ofFIG. 1of a combined pepper grinder and salt shaker of the present invention are illustrated. The combined pepper grinder and salt shaker1comprises an upper portion2of the device that stores salt and also has apertures3for dispensing salt. The upper portion further comprises a shaker top4and an attachment means5for attaching the shaker top4to a first tubular storage area6. The attachment means5may be a male threaded insert7and a corresponding female threaded insert8that attach into the shaker top4and the first tubular storage area5, thereby allowing the shaker top4to be removed to allow for replacement of salt or other spices.

A bottom portion9comprises a pepper grinder10that grinds peppercorn. The pepper grinder10comprises a second tubular storage area11having a grinding assembly12. The grinding assembly12comprises a spring bar guide13, grinder ring14, shaft15, grinder assembly spring16, plate adjuster17, spring adjusting screw lock18and adjusting screw19all secured to each other in unison.

The upper portion2attaches to the bottom portion9via a pressure fit clip-top shell20, spring retaining ring21and one or more push buttons22that allow a user to easily remove the upper portion2from the bottom portion9and to rotate the bottom portion9to operate the pepper grinder10.