US2591863A - Combination shaker for condiments - Google Patents

Description

April 8, 1952 5. J. PERRY COMBINATION SHAKER FOR CONDIMENTS File d March 24, 1948- JNVENTOR. .SYLVESTER J- PERRY ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 8, 1952 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v 7 2,591,853 V COMBINATION SHAKER FOR CONDIMENTS Sylvester J. Perry, Cleveland, Ohio Application March 24, 1948, Serial No. 16,807 i such that any of a plurality of condiments con-z; 5

tained therein may be selectively shaken therefrom'. I

Known devices of the above character are either equipped with separate non-correlated control or valve means whereby it is impossiblelO or inconvenient to simultaneously shake both of the condiments therefrom, or else they are not equipped with any control means whatever whereby the converse situation arises wherein moreithan one condiment is dispensed when it is l5 desired to dispense only one of them. Furthermore, both of the above types of shakers, and

more especially the latter type, are open to the objection that the successive shaking of the condiments therefrom entails the nuisance of changing the position of the shaker in the hand of the user.

Another objection to prior art combination shakers is that because the condiments are not visible to the user it is necessary to make test shakes in order to determine when the shaker needsrefilling and to "carefully charge the ingredients into properly labeled chambers. Then, before using such shakers the legends thereon must be referred to or else test shakes be made with-the result that some of the ingredients may thus be wasted. A l .p.

--A still further objection to the type of shaker which has no control means associated therewith is that the use of the fingers of the user as such a a controlmeans is unsanitary and further, in the case of salt, for example, the absence of any chamber sealing means renders the-associated perforations more likely to become clogged'from humid atmospheric conditions thereby involving 51 a the bother-of clearing the perforations or of vigorously shaking the shaker without dispensing any or else an insuificient quantity of the substance through such cloggedperforations.

1 Accordingly, it is a primary object of this in- 1 .vention toprovide 'a combination shaker for a plurality of condiments therein which includes a partitioned transparent body, and a novel valve arrangement associated with the perforated-top cap of said body which is selectively operable by 9 a simple flick of the fingers of the user and without a change in the position of the shakerinthe "users hand'to'open and close therespectiv'e perforations for shaking; a selected one'of the condimerits and toopen all of such perforations; for 5 2 Claims. (01. 222-1421;)

simultaneously shaking all of the condiments,

said transparent body enabling the user to determine at a glance by the distinguishing colors of the condiments which is which and when refilling is necessary. The valve, is additionally formed so that in all positions thereof intercommunication between the condiment chambers is prevented.

Another object is to provide a combination shaker which is not only economical to manufacture but is of attractive form even when empty and more so when filled with different colored condiments which create a striped effect to enin the partitioned body and for forming a seal with the partition in the body whereby toavoid mixing or contamination of the condiments in the respective chambers, said bottom cap being further'formed with flanges or lips which fricv tionally engage the opposite sides of such partition to thus retain the bottom cap from inadvertent removal. Such flanges alsoserve as guides so that the bottom cap can be quickly and conveniently placed into properly assembled position on said transparent body.

Another object is to provide a uniquely formed perforated top cap securely fastened to the shaker body so as to retain the actuatable valve element frictionally against the underside thereof with the assistance of the stabilizing and supporting effect of the upper edge of the body partition whereby said valve element is retained in any selected position during the normal use of the shaker.

Another object is to provide a combination shaker in which the seals effected between the bottom cap and the body and between the valve element and top cap and the body exclude dampness from at least one of the chambers in the body when the shaker is not in use so that the particular condiment contained therein is substantially free-running at all times whereby t0 prevent clogging of the associated perforations in the top cap. Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the following description proceeds. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends; said invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth 3 in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of thevarious Ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical cross section view of a preferred embodiment of this invention taken substantially along the line I--I, Fig. 2, with a portion of the upper end in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross section view taken substantially along the line 3-3, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred form of valve element.

Referring now to the drawing and first more especially to Fig. 1, the numeral I denotes a transparent substantially cylindrical body, the term cylindrical being used in a generic sense to include a frusto-conical body such as illustrated. Diametrically across said body I is an integrally formed partition 2 axially co-extensive with said body and forming therewith two independent chambers 3 and 4 adapted to contain different condiments or like substances which are adapted to impart relish to food, for example, the most common ones being salt and pepper, as indicated by the letters S and P in Fig. 2.

Although the body I herein disclosed is formed with identical chambers 3 and 4 it is to be understood that the partition 2 may be variously modified to provide two unequal chambers or to provide more than two chambers of any desired relative size. Another modification (primarily for ornamental purposes which is Within the purview of the present invention is to twist the partition 2 spirally whereby the different colors of the condiments in the chambers will create a barber pole or peppermint stick effect.

Across the bottom of the body I closing the lowerends of the chambers 3 and l is a unitary bottom cap 5 provided with a peripheral rim 6 snugly fitted around the base of body I. Said cap 5 is also formed with a diametrically extending channel defined between upstanding ribs or flanges I and 8- which frictionally embrace the partition 2 therebetween whereby to form a seal which prevents mixing of the respective contents of the chambers 3 and 5. Furthermore at least the central portion of each rib extends upwardly above the rim 6, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, whereby to assure convenient and proper assembly of cap 5 onto body I. The. aforesaid frictional engagement of the ribs I and 8 with partition 2 serves to effectively retain cap 5 against accidental displacement from the body, I. The cap 5 is further formed with a downwardly extending rim 9 for stably supporting the shaker on a shelf, stove top, or the like.

A top cap I over the upper end of body I is formed with two sets of perforations II and I2 therethrough respectively communicating with the chambers 3 and 4 and through which perforations the contents of the respective chambers may be shaken. Said cap I0 is cemented or otherwise fixedly attached to said body and has a step I3 formed therein in engagement with the upper end of body I whereby to define a circular recess I4 above the latter. Frictionally interposed between said cap I0 and the upper end of body I in such recess I4 is a valve element I of generally oval contour, "as best shown in Figs. 2 and 4, which is shiftable --transversely of body I by means of diametrically opposed actuator lugs I6 thereon projected exteriorly through diametrically opposed peripheral openings H in cap I0. It will be observed that said valve element I5 including the lugs I6 is so positioned relative to the upper edge of partition 2 and is of a length such that in all positions thereof, the upper end of partition 2 will be covered whereby condiment from one chamber cannot leak into the other chamber.

In the position of valve element I5, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the perforations II for chamber 3 are covered thereby and the perforations I2 for chamber 4 are uncovered thereby. Thus, when the shaker is used, the contents of chamber 4 (for example, salt, as denoted by the letter S on cap I0) may be shaken through the perforations I2.

In the opposite position of said valve element I5, that is with the valve element shifted in an upward direction as viewed in Fig. 2, the perforations I2 will be covered and the perforations II will be uncovered whereby the contents of chamber 3 (for example, pepper, as denoted by the letter P on cap I0) may be shaken therefrom.

It will be apparent that manipulation of the valve element I5 may be alternately efiected as, for example, by the thumb and forefinger of the user bearing on the lugs IS without requiring any change in the position of the shaker in the users hand. As a further feature of this invention it can be seen that in an intermediate position of said element I5, both sets of perforations II and I2 will be uncovered whereby both of the condiments in chambers 3 and 4 may be simultaneously shaken from the shaker.

All of the parts constituting the shaker described are preferably made of molded plastic materials whereby to effect manufacturing economies and to provide an attractive lightweight but sturdy construction which is essentially unbreakable whereby to effectively withstand the normal rough usage to which devices of this character are subjected.

In summary, it can now be seen that the aforedescribed shaker admirably fulfills all of the requirements referred to and effectually avoids the objections inherent in prior devices. Furthermore, the present shaker is of a size and shape essentially corresponding with presently used single shakers whereby the same occupies a minimum of space and may be conveniently handled and readily distinguished from other kitchen accessories and utensils thereabout.

It is to be understood that the bottom cap 5 may be fixedly secured to the body I and the top cap II) fitted onto said body so as to be removable therefrom. Likewise, instead of employing a. top or bottom cap which is removable by axial displacement relative to the body in the manner illustrated, said body and the removable cap may be formed. with interengaging threads or the like.

With reference to the valve element I5, it is preferred that the edges thereof be formed as knife edges or beveled as indicated in Figs. 1 and 4 whereby to more effectively remove condiment which may stick to the under face of cap III, especially in the regions of the perforations II and. I2, and thus preclude wedging or trapping of condiment between the cap I0 and the valve element I5. This renders the valve element freeoperating at all times, and also precludes forcing of valve element I5 away from cap I0 whereby no leakage can occur between the condiment chambers 3 and 4.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the feathe respective chambers and through which condiments in the respective chambers are adapted to be dispensed, such partition terminating short of the transverse end wall at such other end of said body whereby to define an unobstructed recess bounded by the peripheral side wall of said body, said body being formed with lateral openings through the side wall thereof in alignment with such partition and leading into such recess, a valve element in such recess frictionally engaged between such partition and adjacent transverse end wall and formed with oppositely extending actuator lugs projecting through such lateral openings in said body and with a laterally enlarged imperforate disk disposed to be selectively positioned to cover one set of perforations and to uncover the other set upon shifting of said valve element by said lugsin opposite directions in such recess along a path parallel to such partition, said diskand lugs being of substantially the same thickness as such recess between such partition and adjacent transverse end wall whereby said disk and lugs continuously seal against such partition and adjacent transverse end wall to preclude communication between such chambers at such other end of said body.

2. A condiment shaker, comprising a tubular body formed with a longitudinally extending partition dividing said body into two chambers for condiments, means providing two transverse end walls respectively closing one end of said body to seal such chambers from one another at such one end and providing two sets of perforations at the other end of said body leading directly to the respective chambers and through which condiments in the respective chambers are adapted to be dispensed, such partition terminating short of the transverse end Wall at such other end of said body whereby to define an unobstructed recess bounded by the peripheral side wall of said body, said body being formed with lateral openings through the side wall thereof in alignment with such partition and leading into such recess, a valve element in such recess frictionally engaged between such partition andadjacent transverse end wall and formed with oppositely extending actuator lugs projecting through such lateral openings in said bodyand with a laterally enlarged imperforate disk disposed to be selectively positioned to cover one set of perforations and to uncover the other set upon shifting of said valve element by said lugs in opposite directions in such recess along a path parallel to such partition, said disk and lugs being of substantially the same thickness as such recess between such partition and adjacent transverse end wall whereby said disk and lugs continuously seal against such partition and adjacent transverse end wall to preclude communication between such chambers atsuch other end of said body, opposite edges of such disk being adapted to engage the side wall bounding such recess to arrest shifting of said valve element in opposite directions between the aforesaid positions.

SYLVESTER J. PERRY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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