U.S. patent application number 11/350093 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-09 for multiple spice dispenser device.
Invention is credited to Tal Eldar Ben-Shlomo, Itamar Burstein.
Application Number | 20070181600 11/350093 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38332978 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070181600 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ben-Shlomo; Tal Eldar ; et
al. |
August 9, 2007 |
Multiple spice dispenser device
Abstract
A holding and dispensing device may include at least one
internal cartridge to hold at least one kind of spice, seasoning,
salt or the like. The device may include a rotatable cap to select
at least one spice to be poured and a rotatable flow selector to
select the preferred flow of the selected spice or seasoning.
Inventors: |
Ben-Shlomo; Tal Eldar;
(Ramat-Hasharon, IL) ; Burstein; Itamar; (Tel
Aviv, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP
Suite 1001
10 Rockefeller Plaza
New York
NY
10020
US
|
Family ID: |
38332978 |
Appl. No.: |
11/350093 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/142.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 77/0446 20130101;
B65D 83/06 20130101; B65D 47/265 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/142.9 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/00 20060101
A47G019/00 |
Claims
1. A dispensing device comprising: a housing including at least a
base; a plurality of internal cartridges; a rotatable inner cap
having an opening to be placed above an internal cartridge; and a
rotatable outer cap including at least plurality of openings.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises transparent
material and the internal cartridges comprise transparent
material.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the rotatable outer cap and the
plurality of internal cartridges comprise transparent material.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of outer cap
openings correspond to the inner cap opening when rotated above the
inner cap opening.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner cap and outer cap are
rotated around a shared axis.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of
outer cap openings comprises a plurality of perforated holes, and
at least a second of the plurality of outer cap openings comprises
one opening, where the area of the second opening is more than the
combined area of the first opening.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner cap is fixed to the
housing.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner cap is turned by
turning the housing and wherein the outer cap is turned by turning
the outer cap or a handle attached to the outer cap.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner cap selects an internal
cartridge for dispensing and wherein the outer cap selects a method
of dispensing among a plurality of methods.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the plurality of methods include
at least pour and sift.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein when the inner cap opening is
positioned over a first internal cartridge and an outer cap opening
is positioned over the inner cap opening, only the first internal
cartridge may release material from the dispensing device.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein each cartridge is fixed to the
base and may rotate relative to the inner cap.
13. A powder dispensing device for dispensing powder from a
selected one of a plurality of internal reservoirs at any one time,
the dispensing performed in one of a selected set of modes, the
device comprising: an outer container; a plurality of internal
reservoirs; a first rotatable selection disk comprising an opening,
the opening to select a reservoir; and a second rotatable selection
disk comprising a plurality of openings corresponding to dispensing
modes.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the outer container and the
internal reservoirs comprise transparent material.
15. The device of claim 13, wherein the first rotatable selection
disk comprises transparent material.
16. The device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of second
rotatable selection disk openings correspond to the first rotatable
selection disk opening when rotated above the first rotatable
selection disk opening.
17. The device of claim 13, wherein the first rotatable selection
disk and second rotatable selection disk are rotated around a
shared axis.
18. The device of claim 13, wherein at least one of the plurality
of second rotatable selection disk openings comprises a plurality
of perforated holes, and at least a second of the plurality of
outer cap openings comprises one opening, where the area of the
second opening is more than the combined area of the first
opening.
19. The device of claim 13, wherein the first rotatable selection
disk is fixed to the outer container.
20. The device of claim 13, wherein the first rotatable selection
disk is turned by turning the outer container and wherein the
second rotatable selection disk is turned by turning the second
rotatable selection disk or a handle attached to the second
rotatable selection disk.
21. The device of claim 13, wherein the first rotatable selection
disk selects an internal reservoir for dispensing and wherein the
second rotatable selection disk selects a method of dispensing
among a plurality of methods.
22. A dispensing device comprising: an outer shell; a plurality of
internal reservoirs attached to a lower portion of the outer shell
and moveable within an upper portion of the outer shell; a
selection disk moveably attached to the upper portion of the outer
shell, the selection disk comprising a plurality of opening
groups.
23. The device of claim 22, comprising a container selection
opening disposed on the upper portion of the outer shell, the
selection opening aligned with a selected one the opening groups
when the selection disk is moved.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to devices for holding and
dispensing powders or seasonings such as, for example, salt,
pepper, spices and the like; other powders or substances may be
held.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Devices for holding and dispensing powders or seasonings
such as, for example, salt, pepper, spices and the like are known.
However, present devices are not capable of efficiently and easily
holding and containing plurality of spices or seasonings in a
single device, and allowing simple selection of a single spice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In one embodiment of the present invention, a holding and
dispensing device may include at least two internal holders or
cartridges to hold at least two kinds of spices, seasonings, salt
or the like. Powders or materials other than spices may be held.
The device may include a rotatable cap or disk to select at least
one spice to be poured and a rotatable flow selector to select the
preferred flow of the selected spice or seasoning.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the
specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and
method of operation, together with objects, features and advantages
thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following
detailed description when read with the accompanied drawings in
which:
[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a multi-spice dispensing device, according to
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0006] FIG. 2a depicts a half cartridge of a multi-spice dispensing
device, according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0007] FIG. 2b depicts a bottom view of a half cartridge of a
multi-spice dispensing device, according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0008] FIG. 3 depicts a quarter cartridge of a multi-spice
dispensing device, according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0009] FIG. 4a depicts a rotation direction of a multi-spice
dispensing device cap, according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 4b depicts a top view of a multi-spice dispensing
device cap, according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 4c depicts a rotation direction of a multi-spice
dispensing device flow selector, according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4d depicts a top view of a multi-spice dispensing
device, according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 depicts top view of a quarter cartridge and a half
cartridge located inside a multi-spice dispensing device, according
to one embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 depicts a cap a cartridge and a base of a multi-spice
dispensing device, according to some embodiments of the invention;
and
[0015] FIG. 7 depicts a connection between a base and a top portion
of a multi-spice dispensing device, according to some embodiments
of the invention.
[0016] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily
been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the
elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity.
Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be
repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In the following description, various aspects of the
invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific
configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will also be
apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention may be
practiced without the specific details presented herein.
Furthermore, well known features may be omitted or simplified in
order not to obscure the invention.
[0018] FIG. 1 depicts a multi-spice dispensing device, according to
one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 device
5 may include outer shell, container or housing 10 which may be
used for holding and dispensing at least two seasonings such as
spice, salt and the like. Powders or materials other than spices
may be held. Device 5 may include a outer container or a housing 10
having a base 11 and a top portion 12 which may be connected to
each other, for example, by placing top portion 12 on base 11 and
applying pressure on top portion 12, e.g., snap mechanism, by a
screwing mechanism or any other suitable connection mechanism. When
top portion 12 and base 11 are connected the housing 10 may have a
shape of a cylinder (as shown), oval cross section, box or any
other shape. Top portion 12 and base 11 may move or rotate around
the same axis.
[0019] Top portion 12 may include a rotatable cap or rotatable
inner cap 13 with an upper disk 14. Upper disk 14 may be fixed to
or integral with upper portion or rotatable cap 13 of top portion
12. Device 5 may contain plurality of internal cartridges,
reservoirs or sub-containers, shown more clearly in FIGS. 2a, 3 and
6. Upper disk 14 may include an opening, not shown in FIG. 1 but
shown in FIG. 4b, that is used to select one of the internal
cartridges or containers. For example, inner cap 13 may select an
internal cartridge for dispensing. Device 5 may include a rotatable
perforated top or flow selector 15. Rotatable inner cap 13 and flow
selector or rotatable outer cap 15 may move or rotate around a
shared axis which may be the center of device 5. Alternately, as
shown in FIG. 1, the axis of flow selector or rotatable selection
disk 15 may be different from that of top portion 12 or cap 13; for
example flow selector 15 may be off-center. Flow selector 15 may
include a knob, bulge or handle 17 which may be used to move or
rotate flow selector 15 to for example select a pour or dispensing
mode or method, such as pour, sift, small flow, large flow, etc.
Rotatable selection disk, flow selector or rotatable outer cap 15
may include one or more holes, openings or groups of holes or
openings, e.g., groups or holes 16a, 16b and 16c to enable
selection of the desired spice flow rate, mode or type, for
example, to select among round hole 16a, half moon shape hole 16b
or plurality of small, perforated holes 16c. An opening 16a, 16b or
16c may be considered a group of openings, and may include a
plurality of sub-openings, e.g., a set of sifting holes. In one
embodiment at least one of the plurality of outer cap openings 16c
comprises a plurality of perforated holes, and at least a second of
the plurality of outer cap openings 16a may comprise one opening,
where the area of the second opening 16a may be more than the
combined area of the perforated holes 16c.
[0020] The plurality of rotatable outer cap openings 16 may
correspond to the rotatable inner cap or upper disk 13 opening when
move or rotated above inner cap opening (e.g., container selection
opening 41 of FIG. 4b). Any other shape of hole and any other
number of holes may be used. Methods or turning or operating flow
selector 15 other than using handle 17 may be used. For example, a
user may simply rotate flow selector 15 without a handle being
needed, a depression or grip portion may be provided, or a handle
may, for example, extend laterally out of the side of top portion
12. When a selected one of the groups of holes or holes 16 is
aligned with or corresponds to the opening in disk 14, and the
opening in disk 14 is above an internal cartridge, the spice or
powder selected by the position of the disk 14 may be dispensed in
the mode or method selected by the specific hole 16.
[0021] FIG. 2a depicts a half cartridge of a multi-spice dispensing
device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In
one embodiment of the invention housing 10 may contain one or two
half cartridges or reservoirs 20. Half cartridge 20 may have the
size, volume and capacity of approximately half of the multi-spice
dispensing device housing 10. Half cartridge 20 may contain a
spice, seasoning, salt or the like. For example, housing 10 may
contains two half cartridges 20 which may hold or contain two
different spices and may enable the selection of spreading one
spice out of the two. Half cartridge 20 may be designed in such a
way to properly fit into housing 10, e.g., base 11 and top portion
12 when in connected configuration (as shown in FIG. 1).
[0022] Housing 10 may be designed to stabilize or hold the
sub-containers such as, for example, half cartridge 20. The
matching or connection between half cartridge 20 and base 11 may be
performed for example by a sink, slot or slit 21 in half cartridge
20 and/or a corresponding protrusion, bump or bulge in the inner
part of base 11 (not shown). The matching or connection between
half cartridge 20 and top portion 12 may be done by an indentation
or slit 22 in half cartridge 20 and a corresponding protrusion,
bump or bulge in the inner part of top portion 12 (not shown).
[0023] FIG. 2b depicts a bottom view of a half cartridge of a
multi-spice dispensing device, according to one embodiment of the
present invention. In one embodiment of the invention the bottom of
half cartridge 20 may have one or more protrusions or feet 23 and
24 which correspond to indents or receiving portions in the bottom
of device 5, to hold the cartridge 20. Two or more protrusions or
feet 23 and 24 may be used so that if instead of a half cartridge
20 a quarter cartridge (e.g., quarter cartridge 30 of FIG. 3) is
used, each quarter cartridge may include only one protrusion or
foot. Any other division of device 5 may be used and any other
number of internal cartridges or sub-containers may be used. For
example, in one embodiment of the invention device 5 may contain
sixth, eights or other portions of a circle in any suitable
combination.
[0024] Such indentations, slits, feet, etc, may allow the cartridge
to move with the bottom portion 11 and rotate within the top
portion 12, so that when the top portion 12 or a part of top
portion 12 is turned, an opening can select a spice or powder to be
dispensed. Each cartridge may be attached to or temporarily or
permanently fixed to the lower portion or base 11, and may rotate
relative a selection cap or disk.
[0025] FIG. 3 depicts a quarter cartridge of a multi-spice
dispensing device, according to one embodiment of the present
invention. Housing 10 may contain plurality of internal cartridges,
reservoirs or sub-containers. In one embodiment of the invention
device 5 may contain up to four quarter cartridges 30. Quarter
cartridge 30 may have the size, volume and capacity of
approximately one quarter of a multi-spice dispensing device
housing 10. Quarter cartridge 30 may contain a spice, seasoning,
salt or the like. For example, device 5 which contains four quarter
cartridges 30 may hold up to four different spices or seasonings
and may enable the selection of one spice or seasoning out of the
four. Quarter cartridge 30 may be designed in such a way to
properly fit into housing 10, e.g., base 11 and top portion 12 when
in connected position (as shown in FIG. 1). In addition housing 10
may be designed as to stabilize or hold the sub-containers such as,
for example, quarter cartridge 30. The matching or connection
between quarter cartridge 30 and base 11 may be similar to that of
the half cartridge, for example using sinks, slots or slits 31 and
33 in quarter cartridge 30, sink, slot or slit 32, or foot or
protrusion 34. Each cartridge may be fixed to the base and may
rotate relative to the rotatable inner cap 13.
[0026] Indentations or slits 22 or 32 may match a protrusion or
bump on the inner portion of cap 13 or upper portion 12, such that
when upper portion 12 or cap 13 is turned to select a certain
container or cartridge, the protrusion or bump connects into slit
22 or 32, to loosely hold the upper portion 12 or cap 13 in place
and to indicate to a user that a spice or powder has been selected.
In this manner opening 41 may be properly aligned with a cartridge
or container.
[0027] Device 5 may contain any suitable combination of half
cartridges and quarter cartridges, for example, one half cartridge
20 and two quarter cartridges 30. Any other division of device 5
may be used and any other number of internal cartridges or
sub-containers may be used. For example, in one embodiment of the
invention device 5 may contain sixth, eights or other portions of a
circle in any suitable combination.
[0028] FIG. 4a depicts a rotation direction of a multi-spice
dispensing device cap, according to one embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 4b depicts a top view of a multi-spice dispensing
device cap, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 4a, device 5 may include an upper part or
rotatable cap 13. Rotatable cap 13 may be rotated up to 360.degree.
in order to select a single spice or seasoning from device 5 as is
shown in arrow 43. Narrower ranges of rotation may be used. In one
embodiment the rotatable inner cap 13 which may be fixed to housing
10 may be turned by turning housing 10. Cap 13 may include an upper
disk or top 14. Referring to FIG. 4b, cap 13 may be rotated until
an opening 41 in upper disk 14 is located over a desired spice,
e.g., over a preferred internal cartridge or sub-container. In some
embodiments rotatable inner cap 13 may be made (completely or
partially) of a transparent material, or may include a transparent
or open window of such material, such as glass, plastic or any
other transparent material in order for a user to see over which
internal cartridge the cartridge or container selection opening 41
is located. In some embodiments the internal cartridges (or
portions thereof) and/or base 11 (or portions thereof) may be made
of a transparent material, such as glass, plastic or any other
transparent material in order for a user to see over which internal
cartridge opening 41 is located, or may include transparent or open
(e.g., cutaway) windows. Opening 41 may have other shapes and
sizes, for example, a round hole, a square or a sector of a circle.
In some embodiments the size of opening 41 may be correlated to the
internal cartridges size, e.g., if two half cartridge are used,
opening 41 may be larger than if four quarter cartridges are used.
In some embodiments only a portion of cap 13 may be made of
transparent material, e.g., cap 13 may have a transparent window to
enable selection of spices by a user.
[0029] FIG. 4c depicts a rotation direction of a multi-spice
dispensing device flow selector, according to one embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 4d depicts a top view of a multi-spice
dispensing device, according to one embodiment of the present
invention. Referring to FIG. 4c housing 10 may include a rotatable
perforated top or a flow selector 15. Flow selector 15 may be
rotated up to 360.degree. in order to select a spice flow rate as
is shown in arrow 43. A user may choose which spice to dispense,
e.g., which internal cartridge may release material from the
dispensing device, by turning cap 13 and locating opening 41 over
the chosen spice. In addition a user may choose a preferred way or
mode to dispense the spice, e.g., by rotating flow selector 15
until the chosen hole or opening, e.g., one of holes 16a, 16b or
16c is located above opening 41. The rotation of rotatable
perforated top or a flow selector 15 may be done by holding or
grabbing knob 17. Flow selector or outer cap 15 may be turned by
turning the outer cap 15 or a handle attached to the outer cap 15.
Referring to FIG. 4d knob 17 may have any shape and size, for
example, round button, square button, bulge, handle, stub or bump.
Any other shape and size may be used. Flow selector 15 may include
one or more holes or perforated openings, e.g., holes 16a, 16b and
perforated opening 16c to enable selection of the desired flow
rate, for example, a user may select to use hole 16a to pour a
large amount of spice or when the selected spice's particles are
large, a user may select hole 16b to pour a large amount of spice
having small particles or to pour a small amount of spice having
large particles, a user may select perforated opening 16c to sift
or to sprinkle small amount of a selectable spice. Flow selector or
outer cap 15 may select a method of dispensing among a plurality of
methods or dispensing modes, e.g., pour or sift. Flow selector 15
may include other number of openings which may have other shapes
and other numbers of perforated holes.
[0030] FIG. 5 depicts top view of a quarter cartridge and a half
cartridge located inside a multi-spice dispensing device, according
to one embodiment of the invention. Base 11 may contain any
suitable composition of plurality of inner cartridges or containers
which may fill the internal volume, but need not. Referring to FIG.
5 one half cartridge 52 and one quarter cartridge 51 may be located
inside housing 10 which may be in use when is not completely full,
for example, when less spices than the maximum number need to be in
use, when for example one of the internal cartridge is being filled
or washed. The structure of base 11 may stabilize or hold
cartridges 51 and 52 inside, e.g., the matching or connection
between cartridges 51, 52 and base 11 may be done by a sinks, slots
or slits, e.g., slots 31 and 33 of FIG. 3, slot 21 of FIG. 2a and a
protrusion, bump or bulge in the inner part of base 11. Any other
connection or attachment means may be used.
[0031] FIG. 6 depicts a cap, a cartridge and a base of a
multi-spice dispensing device, according to some embodiments of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 6 a lateral view of quarter cartridge
30 and its position relative to top portion 12 and base 11 is
shown. Base 11 may include an inner wall 60 with a circumference,
e.g., diameter which may be smaller than the circumference of the
outer housing of base 11. Inner wall 60 may have a screw or thread
mechanism to allow top portion 12 to be attached or connected to
base 11. Top portion 12 may have a matched screwing mechanism to
allow the connection. Any other attaching method such as snap may
be used. In one embodiment top portion 12 may be attached to base
11 and rotatable cap 13 may rotate separate from top portion 12
e.g., rotatable cap 13 and bottom part 11 may rotate one against
the other, while in other embodiments top portion 12 may turn
relative to the bottom part 11, e.g., top portion 12 and bottom
part 11 may rotate one against the other.
[0032] FIG. 7 depicts a connection between a base and a top portion
of a multi-spice dispensing device, according to some embodiments
of the invention. Referring to FIG. 6a cross section of the
connection between inner wall 60 of base 11 and the top portion 12
by a hidden screw 70 is shown. In some embodiments of the invention
top portion 12 may include a hidden screw or thread 70 which may be
connected or screwed to inner wall or screw part 60 of base 11.
This connection or bond between top portion 12 and base 11 may
allow the rotation or movement of the rotatable inner cap 13 in
relation to base 11, top portion 12 and housing 10. Other methods
of connection may be used.
[0033] It should be noted that although a portion of the discussion
may relate to holding and dispensing of seasoning and spices, the
present invention is not limited in this regard, and embodiments of
the present invention may be used to hold and dispense other
suitable materials.
[0034] While certain features of the invention have been
illustrated and described herein, many modifications,
substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those of
ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that
the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications
and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
* * * * *