Patent Publication Number: US-5526966-A

Title: Condiment shaker

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Salt and pepper are both found in virtually every home and every kitchen throughout the world. These days with refrigeration, salt and pepper are in widespread use for flavoring of foods. Throughout history people have searched for the perfect vessel for storage and dispensing of salt and pepper. It appears that this search has involved virtually tens of thousands of designs over these many years. 
     It is with the vast amount of history of spices throughout the ages in mind what the present invention seeks to do, namely, development of the perfect container for storage and dispensing of salt and pepper. The shape of a sphere, a true sphere is wholly unique, pleasing to handle and provides a number of important functions, all of which would approach the perfect container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principal object of the present invention is to provide a condiment shaker that is aesthetically pleasing in appearance and is made up of a minimum number of molded plastic parts that are easily assembled. 
     Another object is to provide a shaker of the foregoing type that is substantially spherical yet designed to always attain an upright position. 
     A further object is to provide a shaker of the foregoing type that includes a rotatable top that is adapted to be turned to three selected positions at which pour holes are exposed, a filling opening is exposed and the shaker is sealed. 
    
    
     Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description which is to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the salt and pepper shaker of this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled shaker with the rotatable top turned to expose the pouring holes; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view thereof, with the other side being a mirror image thereof; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the shaker with the rotatable top turned to expose the fill opening; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the shaker with the rotatable top turned to the sealed position; 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10--10 of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 11--11 of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 12--12 of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13--13 of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the releasable latch for releasably latching the rotatable top to alternatively expose the pouring holes, fill opening or latch it in a sealed position; 
     FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 15--15 of FIG. 14. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the drawings, a condiment and preferably salt and pepper shaker 10 of the present invention is illustrated and includes a pair of mating body halve members 12 and 14, a rotatable top 16 and a securement pin 17. All of these members may be injection molded from a suitable resin with the body members 12 and 14 and top 16 when assembled forming substantially spherical enclosure for condiments. 
     Body member 12 is formed with a lower part 18a having a first radius and an upper part 20a having a slightly smaller radius with a substantially horizontal shelf 22a intermediate both parts. A substantially flat bottom 24a is formed at the base of the lower part 18a with a horizontal shelf 26a with an extending tongue 27a being spaced slightly above the bottom 24a. Pour holes 28a arranged in a predetermined pattern are formed in upper part 20a. A semi circular hole 30a is also formed at the top of the upper part 20a. A lug 32a on the upper part 20a extends upwardly from the midpoint of shelf 22a and an tongue 34a extends horizontally from the flat bottom 24a for purposes that will be explained below. A recessed groove 36a is formed around the inner vertical periphery of the body member 12. 
     Body member 14 is also formed with a lower part 18b and an upper part 20b possessing the same radius as parts 18a and 20a, respectively, of member 12; and these parts are separated by an intermediate shelf 22b. A substantially flat bottom 24b is at the base of the lower part 18b together with a spaced horizontal shelf 26b having a groove 27b that receives tongue 27a of shelf 26a to substantially seal this juncture. A fill opening 28b is formed in upper part 20b and possesses a predetermined configuration similar to the peripheral outline of pouring holes 28a. Semi circular hole 30b is also formed in the upper part 20b. A lug 32b on the upper part 20b extends upwardly from the midpoint of shelf 22b. A groove 34b is in the flat bottom 24b and receives the tongue 34a of member 12 to prevent members 12 and 14 from rotating relative to one another. A peripherally extending vertical tongue 36b is received by the peripheral groove 36a of member 12 to seal this juncture. The mating flat bottoms 24a, 24b, and horizontal shelves 26a, 26b define a compartment 38 that accommodates a weight 40 of suitable material which may be metal that acts to maintain the shaker 10 in an upright position and return it to this position if placed on a receiving surface at any other angle. The upper compartment 42 advantageously receives the selected condiment such as salt or pepper. 
     The rotatable top 16 mates with upper parts 20a, 20b and possesses an inner radius slightly larger than the external radius of these parts 20a, 20b and includes a lower peripherally extending circular edge 44 that rests on shelves 22a, 22b. The exterior surface of the top 16 and body members 12, 14 possess substantially the same radius to define a substantially spherical shaker 10. An opening 46 is provided in top 16 and is of a size and configuration resembling that of filling opening 28b. When opening 46 is turned to be aligned with openings 28b, the interior compartment 42 can be filled with the selected condiment, or, where desired, larger amounts of this condiment may be dispensed through these openings. When rotated to be aligned with pour holes 28a, the condiment in compartment 42 may be disposed when top opening 46 is intermediate fill opening 28b and pour holes 28a. The interior of the shaker and, specifically, the compartment 42 is effectively sealed. The lower interior surface 48 at the lower edge 44 is slightly recessed and includes four pairs of spaced lugs 50, 52 that receive lugs 32a, 32b in centering top opening 46 and aligning it with either pour holes 28a, filling opening 28b or either of the sealed positions therebetween. The top is also provided with a central opening 53 adapted to be aligned with openings 30a, 30b. 
     In order to maintain the member 12 and 14 and top 16 in an assembled condition, securement pin 17 advantageously is received by and is anchored in opening 30a, 30b. In this regard, the pin 17 includes a head 54 that rests in recess 56 in the top 16. A pair of spring arms 58 and 60 extend downwardly from head 54 and include lower downwardly beveled faces 62, 64, respectively that define the respective shoulders 66, 68. Beveled faces 62, 64 facilitate insertion of the pin 17 into holes 53, 30a, 30b forcing the arm 58, 60 to flex inwardly. When the shoulders clear holes 30a, 30b, the arms spring outwardly to cause the shoulder to engage with the interior surfaces of the members 12, 14, to anchor the pin 17 in hole 30a, 30b and, consequently, maintain the members 12, 14 and top 16 in an assembled condition. 
     It should be understood that the present invention contemplates joining members 12 and 14 along a horizontal or any other orientation of seam or edge to provide the spherical configuration of the shaker body. 
     Thus, with the rotation of the top a window is provided for pouring, a window for filling and volume usage in the kitchen as well as providing a position of rotation which seals the salt or pepper to help prevent moisture from entering; as well as facilitates carrying for picnics, barbecues, etc. The weighted bottom provides another novel aspect which is that regardless of how this ball is placed down it will always find the center of gravity and go to an upright position. This combines novelty with form and function for what is believed to be the perfect embodiment of a uniquely functional and clean product combining so many heretofore unaddressed features in the search for perfection. 
     Thus, the several aforenoted objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although a single somewhat preferred embodiment has been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.