Abstract:
The present invention is a kit, comprising of numerous pre-fabricated stacking jars screwed together into a single unit, for the compact and organized transport of herbs, spices and other condiments in both as-sold and consumer-chosen numbers and combinations, making new use of pre-fabricated containers that are already available on the consumer market but that are made for and until now used only for the storage and transport of cosmetics.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Provisional patent application 61598386, filed Feb. 14, 2012. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention is in the technical field of food storage and transportation. 
         [0006]    More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of condiment storage and condiment transport. 
         [0007]    Even more particularly, the present invention is in the field of transportation and storage of condiments when storage space is limited, or there is a need to keep the weight and size of condiments as small as possible for travel. 
         [0008]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0009]    Many people who like to cook, as well as those who may not like to cook but are simply very picky about how their food is seasoned, like to be able to carry multiple herbs, spices and other condiments with them when they travel—to vacation homes, friends&#39; houses, guesthouses with kitchens, and on camping trips. However, because many people prefer to carry as little luggage as possible when traveling, and to keep said luggage light, it is desirable to carry smaller amounts of these condiments with them than the amounts in which they are typically sold. Few people want to carry numerous full-size condiment jars with them in a carry-on suitcase for a trip of only a few days, but they may still want to carry several different condiments. In addition, even if they choose to put the condiments into smaller containers, these are difficult to organize, which complicates not only the packing process but the cooking one as well. 
         [0010]    It is also desirable to be able to carry only the condiments that are needed, and for this reason the ideal system for transport would allow the individual condiment containers to be separable and able to be combined in any number or combination without losing organization or adding excess size and weight. 
         [0011]    Many people like to have multiple herbs, spices and other condiments on hand even when they are not traveling, but need to be able to store them in a very small space—for example an office drawer, small storage unit in a dorm room, overpacked cabinet or crowded countertop in a small kitchen. 
         [0012]    Various products intended for the compact storage and compact, lightweight transport of herbs, spices and other condiments are presently available for consumer purchase, but they all have defects that make them less than ideal for the task. A kit that is available at many camping stores holds a variety of herbs and spices, but the containers are difficult to open, and the holes (for shaking) in the lids are of a size that the herbs and spices don&#39;t come out easily. Many people have found it so difficult and inconvenient to use that they have not used the spices within it even if they were carrying it for that express purpose. Another problem with this kit is that it offers only a fixed quantity of containers for condiments, making it necessary to carry the whole kit, whether that number of condiments or fewer (or more) is actually required. 
         [0013]    Another type of travel condiment kit that is popular right now has the problem of having a thin metal case that is easily dented, glass windows in the lids of each pot that can break and contaminate the pot&#39;s contents with shattered glass, and a tendency to leak spices whenever the kit is inverted or shaken. 
         [0014]    Other products being marketed as “travel spice kits” are actually large and cumbersome, with unnecessarily large containers; or feature only a very limited selection of condiments that do not meet the needs of even the average cooking or seasoning fan. 
         [0015]    Therefore, what is needed is a system for the transport and compact storage of condiments that is durable, light-weight, inherently organized, and easily customizable to accommodate the use of whatever number and combination of condiments are desired. 
         [0016]    In the past, a number of devices which contain condiments and offer some portability have been proposed. A search of the patent literature has uncovered the following related US-issued patents: 
         [0017]    No. 20020148363 U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,670 U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,820 No. 20070181600 No. D525488 
         [0018]    No. D654322 
         [0019]    Frommer Cozzie Kelley Ben-Shlomo McWhorter Stuiber et al 
         [0020]    October, 2002 September 1997 February 2002 February 2006 July 2006 January 2012 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The present invention is a kit, comprising of numerous pre-fabricated stacking jars screwed together into a single unit, for the compact and organized transport of herbs, spices and other condiments in both as-sold and consumer-chosen numbers and combinations, making new use of pre-fabricated containers that are already available on the consumer market but that are made for and until now used only for the storage and transport of cosmetics. 
         [0022]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight, durable, organized and compact method for the transport of herbs, spices and other condiments in both provided and customizable numbers and combinations. 
         [0023]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a way to transport separate condiments in such a way that they are bound together into a single, solid unit, while kept completely separate from one another within that unit. 
         [0024]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved way for people to store herbs, spices and other condiments than typical spice and condiment jars currently provide, in a fashion that requires little space but simultaneously offers a wide range of condiment options, in kitchens, dorms, offices and/or other places that often have very limited storage space. 
         [0025]    These and other objectives are achieved in the present invention through the use of existing, pre-fabricated plastic jars that are well known for another, non-food-related use; and instruction in the new use via the demonstration inherent in the new invention&#39;s existence and presence on the consumer market. 
         [0026]    The features that make this invention new in comparison to other existing artwork meant for the same purpose are its light weight, its high resistance to denting or breakage, its ability to be customized (by the addition, removal, and/or reorganization of the individual containers within the stack), its ease of use, and its inherent organization by way of the containers being able to be screwed firmly together into a single unit. These features, inherent in these containers, have been prized within the cosmetics industry for use with cosmetics, but until now have not been available or presented for use with herbs, spices or other condiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the present invention, shown with different condiments inside it; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the present invention, shown without a lid and without condiments inside it; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a side view of three interlocking components of the invention, specifically three body jars, showing their threading at top and bottom, 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a lid from the present invention, showing its interior threading; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a base jar from the present invention, showing the threading at its top; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the present invention fully assembled and filled with condiments, inside a shoulder bag as might be used for travel, shown alongside other cooking utensils; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the present invention fully assembled and shown in a kitchen context, illustrating its ability to contain condiments in a compact fashion. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIGS. 1 ,  6  and  7  there is shown the primary embodiment of the present invention: a stack of interlocking clear plastic jars  10 , shown here each containing one condiment, screwed together into a single unit with a lid  12  on the top body jar  14 . Each body jar  14  has screw threads  20  at its bottom and top. At the bottom of the stack is a base jar  16 , which has screw threads  20  only at its top. At the top of the stack is a lid  12  with screw threads  20  inside it. Shown inside the stack  10  are various condiments  18 . 
         [0035]    In still more detail, still referring to the invention of  FIG. 1 , the stack  10  as shown contains the condiments  18  in a secure, compact and organized fashion by way of the jars being screwed together into a single unit. Each body jar  14  comprises the lid of the body jar  14  below it, by way of screwing onto the top of that jar with screw threads  20 . The base jar  16  has screw threads  20  only at its top, onto which the body jar  14  above it screws. The top body jar  14  is closed with a lid  12 , whose screw threads  20  fit its own screw threads  20 . 
         [0036]    Still referring to the invention of  FIG. 1 , the stack  10  as shown is of a size of 9 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter, making it small enough to fit comfortably into a small bag of a kind most often used for travel, and small enough to fit into even the smallest of kitchens. 
         [0037]    The construction details of the invention as shown in  FIG. 1  are that the components of stack  10  may be made of rigid, high-strength polystyrene (PS) plastic or any other rigid, high-strength plastic such as polyethelene (PET) and the like. Further, the components of stack  10  may be made in any size that is convenient to prospective users for either the transportation or storage of condiments. Smaller sizes are most convenient for travel, and bigger ones are sometimes desirable for stationary kitchen use. Even further, the components of stack  10  may be made of either clear (translucent), semi-opaque or opaque plastic. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  shows another stack  11  of body jars  14  and a base jar  16 , without any condiments  18  inside it, and without lid  12 , showing the threads  20  at the top of each body jar  14 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  shows a smaller stack  13  of body jars  14 , seen without a base jar  16  or a lid  12 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  shows a lid  12  on its own, with its screw threads  20  visible. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  shows a base jar  16 , with screw threads  20  visible. 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  shows a stack  10 , containing condiments  18 , fitting easily inside a 12-inch-wide shoulder bag  22  along-side other cooking instruments  24  that a cooking enthusiast might often travel with. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  shows stack  10  in the context of a kitchen  26  where other cooking instruments  24  are stored in a space-efficient fashion, illustrating how stack  10  is able to contain several condiments  18  within a very small space. 
         [0044]    In an embodiment of the invention, a storage system is provided comprising a plurality of interlocking jars. Each jar may further comprise an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of each jar will have a thread pattern adapted to engage the thread pattern at the bottom portion of another jar. For example, in an embodiment, the upper portion of each jar will have a male thread pattern and the bottom portion of each jar will have a female thread pattern. When a plurality of jars are locked together using the threads, there will be a top jar where the upper-portion of the top jar remains uncoupled to any other jar. It may be desirable to have a lid to cover the top jar so that whatever is stored in the top jar will not spill out. The invention contemplates a lid that will screw on by engaging the thread pattern at the upper portion of the top jar. The lid may also snap over the upper portion of the top jar. It may also be desirable to provide a bottom jar that lacks the thread pattern so that the interlocked jars have a more refined appearance. When so engaged the interlocking jars form a storage receptacle capable of storing a variety of substances. The jars may be made from any suitable material including plastic, glass, metal and the like. 
         [0045]    In another embodiment of the invention, a storage system is provided comprising a plurality of interlocking jars. Each interlocking jar may further comprise an upper portion further comprising an outside surface where the outside surface is further comprised of a thread pattern. Each jar will also have a bottom, with a bottom surface. A flange extending below the bottom surface will further comprise an inside surface where the inside surface is further comprised of a thread pattern complementary to the thread pattern on the outside surface of the upper portion of the jar, capable of engaging the thread pattern on the outside surface of the upper portion of another interlocking jar The invention contemplates providing at least one lid capable of engaging the thread pattern on the outside surface of the upper portion of an interlocking jar. It may also be desirable to provide a bottom jar that lacks the thread pattern so that the interlocked jars have a more refined appearance. When so engaged the interlocking jars form a storage receptacle capable of storing a variety of substances. The jars may be made from any suitable material including plastic, glass, metal and the like. 
         [0046]    In another embodiment, the invention is a method for storing substances, particularly condiments, comprising the steps of selecting at least one condiment for storage, placing an amount of the at least one condiment into at least 2 of the jars described above, engaging the male thread pattern at the top portion of one of the jars with the female thread pattern at the bottom portion of another jar; and covering the remaining top portion of the jar with a lid. When marketing to consumers, instructions may be provided to the customer so they know how to use the system. 
         [0047]    The term condiment as used should be construed broadly to include spices, herbs, mixtures thereof, classic condiments, or any other small quantity of foodstuffs. 
       ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
       [0048]    The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that is contains numerous condiments within a single, solid item, offering improved organization than a collection of separate condiments containers; that it allows the condiments it contains to be stored in a stacked, upright manner, which allows the collection of them to take up a much smaller amount of horizontal space than a collection of separate, un-stackable containers; that it can be made of components small enough to allow an assembled stack to remain very light in weight and small in size, making it ideal for travel—or large enough to replace the usual separate jars of herbs and spices seen in a typical kitchen; that the components screw together tightly enough and are manufactured in such a way and of such a materials that the total stack is resistant to liquids and humidity; that it is durable enough to withstand light impact such as it might sustain in a travel bag or crowded kitchen; that the translucency of its materials allows the condiments inside to be readily seen, even while they are protected; and that the components screw together sufficiently tightly enough that spillage of the condiments in transit is extremely unlikely. 
         [0049]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.