US2725162A - Molded condiment receptacle - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 29, 1955 N. w. ROOP MOLDED CONDIMENT RECEPTACLE Filed April 16. 1951 INVENTOR l affiezn WZZOO U BY wi w ATTORNEY United States MOLDED CONDIMENT RECEPTACLE Application April 16, 1951, Serial No. 221,169

1 Claim. (Cl. 222-565 This invention relates broadly to receptacles and, more specifically, to condiment-holding receptacles of the shaker type, involving perforated tops and receiving such products as table salt and pepper.

More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a condiment receptacle, formed from molded materials of the synthetic resin type, wherein is provided a hollow condiment-receiving body including an open top closed by a molded crown having an opening occupied by a removable perforated cap, theconstruction being such that when the cap is removed from the appliance, the opening in the crown member will be accessible for introducing a condiment into the body section, thereafter the opening being closed by the application of the cap member in detachably secured relationship with the crown member, so that the contents of the receptacle may be released in a controlled manner through the perforations of the cap.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide: a practical condiment-receiving and dispensing receptacle adapted for kitchen or table use and composed entirely of molded parts relatively arranged to provide convenience in filling the receptacle with a condiment and thereafter dispensing the condiment in controlled amounts through a perforated cap, to provide a condiment receptacle embodying a molded body of substantially cubical configuration, the same having flat-surfaced side walls united by curved corner-forming edges; to provide a receptacle of the nature set forth in which a molded body section has seated on the upper edges thereof a separate crown member also of molded plastic composition, the said crown member being formed with a substantially circular cap-receiving opening in which is formed diametrically opposed recesses for the passage of integral camforming lugs molded in and projecting from a cylindrical opening-reinforcing skirt cast on a removable circular plastic cap, whereby to detachably connect in a positive.

and secure manner the cap with the crown member; and to provide a condiment receptacle of improved and attractive external appearance and configuration. Also, to provide one that is sturdy in its mechanical design and capable of imparting useful and extended service through its long operating life.

With these and other objects and advantages in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention accordingly consists in the novel features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a condiment receptacle formed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the perforated cap member of the receptacle;

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view disclosing the body and crown members of the receptacle, with the perforated cap member removed;

atent O ice Fig. 4 is a detail top plan view of the receptacle with the cap member removed;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through the receptacle, the plane of the figure being indicatedgby the line 5-50f Fig. 1.

In the single preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed in the drawings, which it will be understood is subject to certain structural variations not herein illustrated, the present invention provides. a condiment receiving receptacle embodying three molded parts, which are preferably of synthetic resin composition. The three parts referred to comprise a base section 5, a crown section or member 6 and a perforated cap 7.

The base section preferably is of hollow cubical form, having four fiat surfaced side walls. 8 which are united by rounded corners indicated at 9. Preferably, the base section is somewhat pyramidal in form, possessing its maximum cross-sectional dimensions at its open upper top and tapering inwardly in a progressive downward direction toward the closedbottom or base portion 10 thereof. Such configuration is preferred in that it produces a receptacle of pleasing external design, one that is stable when placed on a flat surface in an upright position, and, further, one which does not tend to slip from the hands of the user when the receptacle is being used. Also, the rounded flat-surfaced construction produces a receptacle which may be readily maintained in a sanitary and cleanly state.

The open 'upper edge-portion of the base section is inwardly recessed as at 11, forming a seat for a rectangular rib 12 and a: shoulder 13 formed on. thelower edgesof the crown plate or member 6. If desired, theseating surfaces of. the crown plate or member produced by the rib 12 andshoulder 13,. may atthe time of applicationtq the upper edge portion of the base section, be coated with a resin solvent or adhesive, whereby to hold the parts together and resist separation thereof. Normally, however, a frictional tight-fitting engagement is set up between these interfitting parts, so that the crown member may be removed if desired from the base section for the purpose of facilitating cleaning of the receptacle.

In this instance, the flat top of the crown plate or member 6 is formed with a substantially circular opening 14, the edges of said opening being provided with recesses 15 arranged in diametrically opposed relation.

Normally arranged to cover and occupy the open portion is the cap 7 of the receptacle. The cap 7 is also of molded plastic composition, and comprises a substantially circular body flange 16 and a crown top 17. The top 17 is suitably perforated, so that when the receptacle is inverted, a regulated outflow of the contents thereof may be secured in a customary manner. The flange 16 is preferably corrugated to enable the same to be readily gripped in the act of applying the cap member in its operative position on the receptacle or in removing the same from the receptacle. Such application and removal is conveniently obtained by providing the lower part of the flange 16 with an annular enlargement which constitutes a seat 18, the latter resting on the upper surface of the crown plate 6 adjacent the opening 14 formed therein. Below the seat 18, the flange 16 includes a cylindrical skirt 19 of reduced cross-sectional thickness which is provided with integral laterally projecting cam lugs 20. The extent of lateral projection of the lugs 20 beyond the outer cylindrical wall of the skirt 19 is regulated so that the lugs when in vertical registry with the recesses 15 of the opening 14 will permit said lugs to pass downwardly through the recesses, so that the cam-shaped upper surfaces 21 of said lugs will, upon partial rotation of the cap member, engage the under surfaces of the crown plate or member. This engagement is of such a frictional nature which, in connection with the general resiliency of the cap plate, will hold effectively said cap member in a. secured or retained operative position on the plate member 6, so that the cap member will not be apt to become accidentally disengaged unless positively rotated in 'a releasing direction.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that my improved condiment receptacle is characterized by its struc tural simplicity, and the ease and convenience by which the same may be filled with a condiment and retained in a cleanly state. By being composed of molded synthetic resin materials, the contents of the receptacle will not unduly adhere to the smooth hard surfaced walls of the receptacle in a manner tending to clog or obstruct the discharge openings or perforations in the cap 7 of the receptacle, thereby maintaining the device in a condition in which table salt, particularly, will flow freely at all times.

To fill the receptacle with a condiment, it is merely necessary to twist the cap member to bring the lug-like projections thereon into registry with the recesses 15, thus permitting the cap to be separated from the receptacle and providing complete access to the opening 14 in the crown plate 6. Corresponding convenience is obtainable in sccuring the cap member in its operative position on the crown plate. Any soil deposited on the exterior of the receptacle may be removed with the use of a clean damp cloth and if it is desired to clean the interior surfaces of the receptacle, all its parts may be readily separated and complete and convenient access obtained thereby to all interior surfaces. This is particularly true when the crown plate is separated from the body section and from the cap member. The receptacle may be formed in desired colors or combinations of colors, harmonizing with kitchen canisters sets and other accessories.

I claim:

A condiment-receiving and dispensing receptacle composed entirely of molded parts and comprising: a hollow condiment-containing body having its upper portion terminated in a substantially horizontal plane and formed with a centrally disposed substantially circular opening defined by an edge having oppositely disposed recesses therein; a freely separable cap member normally closing said opening, said member being formed with a perforated top adapted for the sifting outflow of a condiment therethrough upon inversion of the body, the removal of said member from its position of application in the opening of said body providing for the introduction of a condiment directly into said body, said cap member including an outer peripherally disposed manipulating wall formed adjacent its lower end with a horizontally disposed inwardly directed shoulder adapted for seating engagement with the upper horizontal surface of said body, the peripheral wall of said cap member below said shoulder being formed with an integral tubular skirt portion of a diameter enabling the same to be received removably in the opening in the top of said body; and oppositely disposed cam lug means integrally formed with and projecting laterally from the outer circumeference of the skirt portion of the cap member, said lug means being movable with said cap member freely and vertically through the recesses formed in the edge of said opening, so that when the shoulder of said member is seated on the top of said body, partial rotation of said member will cause said lugs means to turn to a locking position out of registry with the recessed edge of said opening and to underlie the upper horizontal part of said body, whereby to retain said cap member tightly against accidental displacement in its applied position on the body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 765,260 White et al. July 19, 1904 1,361,441 Callaghan Dec. 7, 1920 1,965,233 Guyer July 3, 1934 2,042,068 Limbach May 26, 1936 2,195,999 Reibold Apr. 2, 1940 2,337,622 Robinson Dec. 28, 1943

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