Portable, disposable spice-holding device

Abstract

A multiple package spice-holding device includes a single backing support sheet form holding a plurality of attached individual packages in predetermined quantities of a wide range of spices. The backing sheet is of a thickness so as to support multiple spice-holding packages without collapsing. The backing sheet is labeled with content indicators for each attached, pre-selected spice, and helpful common uses and spice mixing alternatives for a broad range of cuisines are printed on the reverse side of the backing support sheet form. The backing support sheet form containing attached individual packages of pre-selected spices is enclosed in an outer protective wrap with an adhesive seal strip. The finished package is compact and lightweight, making it convenient for transport and short-term use in periods during which a wide variety of meals may be prepared, after which remaining contents and packaging may be disposed if desired.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for holding a plurality of packages of small quantities of herbs and spices, and particular to a portable, lightweight, non-bulky disposable spice-holding device in the shape of a plurality of separate packages attached to a supportive backing sheet with use and mixing information enclosed in a clear, sealed outer wrapper, requiring minimal space in order to facilitate convenience of transport and merchandising of a broad variety of spices in small quantities for short term use and subsequent disposal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior spice-holding devices have been designed for storing quantities to support multiple uses over a long period of time and included fixed shelf cupboards for holding self-supporting containers of spices of the users' choosing, but which are not convenient for on-site merchandising and use in temporary living situations in which meal preparation activities will occur for a limited period of time such as hotel, motel, condominium rentals, timeshare units, camping and the like. Previous spice-holding devices have included sliding drawers or compartments in which spices may be filled and/or from which spices may be dispensed. None of the prior spice-holding devices have provided small quantities of a broad variety of spices for a wide range of cuisines designed solely for ease of transport, on-site merchandising, if desired, immediate use convenience and subsequent disposal with no replacement purpose. Previous spice-holding devices have not included helpful common spice use and spices mixing information for temporary living situations in which common spice use information for a wide range of spices is not readily available.

Also, individual spices have traditionally been sold in separate containers having separate spices commonly in comparatively larger quantities intended for longer periods of time. These conventional systems are not conveniently suitable for portable situations and require the purchase of larger quantities of spices than required for a wide variety of meal preparation purposes in certain temporary living situations. The present invention provides a comparably inexpensive method to acquire a wide range of spices in a simple, convenient and lightweight form, requiring minimal space and which may be readily transported, merchandised and disposed after use. Further, certain combinations of spices and ingredients have traditionally been premixed in single packages for creating a specific recipe as, for example, a powdered soup mix, a chili mix, taco mixes, spaghetti sauce mixes, gravy mixes, sauce mixes and the like. Such pre-mixed spice and ingredient combinations most typically are intended for purposes of a single recipe and a single meal preparation. Those premixed spices are cuisine-specific, and do not normally provide for multiple user-determined recipe use. Previously, it was not known to collect a wide range of individual spices, based on common uses that can be used for a broad choice of cuisines, place them in small quantities into a convenient, disposable holding device and to market the spices together with spice uses and spice mixing reference information in a single, space-saving, non-bulky, lightweight, portable and disposable package.

In the past a number of devices which include packaged spices and which provide some portability have been proposed. A search of the patent literature has uncovered the following related U.S. issued patents and patent applications:

	No. 20020148363	Frommer	October, 2002
	No. 5664670	Cozzie	September 1997
	No. 6349820	Kelley	February 2002
	No. 1940078	Cooper	May 1930
	No. 20030029770	MacKinnon	February 2003
	No. 20070181600	Ben-Shlomo	February 2006
	No. 6093430	Gupta	July 2007
	No. 6360916	Solosky	March 2002
	No. 5496575	Newarski	March 1996
	No. D327820	Ancona	July 1992

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a supportive backing sheet spice-holding device. The spice holding supportive backing “sheet” contains attached packages for holding small quantities of a broad variety of selected common herbs and spices for use in a wide range of cuisines. The invention further comprises a useful spice and herb printed reference chart for use of the selected herbs and spices with various food types and helpful spice combinations for use with various cuisines. Each supportive backing sheet provides limited use quantities of spices for convenience, essentially eliminating the need for transporting or purchasing multiple containers of spices for cooking in temporary situations, for example temporary living quarters or camping.

The supportive backing sheet and individual spice package materials are not limited to any particular type of material or color. The supportive backing sheet of the invention could be made of any natural fiberboard or printable plastic material so long as said material is lightweight and capable of supporting multiple units of small quantities of separately packaged spices attached to the sheet.

The supportive backing sheet and separate spice package materials are not limited to any particular type of attachment method. For example, the spice packages may be attached utilizing adhesive, staples or a similar lightweight vehicle.

In the preferred embodiment, a supportive backing “sheet” contains small quantities of a broad variety of herbs and spices that are useful in a wide range of cuisines. For example, spices most commonly used in preparing different types of soups, eggs, meats, poultry, seafood, salads, sauces, vegetables, etc.

The Applicant has further created a method of making a portable, disposable spice collection including collecting, packaging and providing a broad variety of selected spices and herbs in a convenient, disposable form for holding small quantities of individually packaged spices and herbs selected for a wide range of cuisines. Further, each spice-holding device supportive backing sheet includes a printed spice use and spice mixtures chart for easy reference when preparing a wide range of cuisines, and the collection is enclosed in a protective outer wrapper for distribution and marketing purposes.

The method of claim [0008], including the steps of printing a trade name and/or logo on the backing support sheet and/or the protective outer wrapper for marketing purposes. In one embodiment, the completed and sealed spice package collection may be displayed on a hanging rod for marketing purposes.

The protective outer wrapper, supportive backing sheet and separate spice packages may be subsequently disposed in receptacles designed for recyclable materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing objects, advantages, and features, as well as other objects and advantages, will become more apparent with reference to the description, claims and drawings below, in which like numerals represent like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the front side of a portable, disposable spice-holding device according to the present invention in which example pre-selected spices are labeled on the supportive backing sheet and packages of said spices are attached to the supportive backing sheet, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective of the front view of a portable, disposable spice-holding device according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 which illustrates the supportive backing sheet prepared for subsequent attachment of separate packages of pre-selected spices and an example of one method of attachment of spice-containing packages, said packages which may vary in size;

FIG. 3 is a perspective of the side view of a portable, disposable spice-holding device according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which separate packages of pre-selected spices are attached to the supportive backing sheet;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the reverse side view of the supportive backing sheet of a portable, disposable spice-holding device in which printed information about common spice uses and spice mixtures for spices contained in the separate packages attached to the front of the portable, disposable spice-holding device is shown.

FIG. 5 is a perspective of the protective outer wrapper into which the completed spice-holding device is subsequently inserted for product protection, marketing and distribution;

FIG. 6 is another perspective of the front view of a portable, disposable spice-holding device according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which example separate spice packages are attached to the supportive backing sheet and the protective outer wrapper encloses the completed portable, disposable spice-holding device for product protection, marketing and distribution purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is an illustration of a portable spice-holding device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, before it has been placed and sealed in a protective outer wrapper 16, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 1, small quantities of separately packaged herbs and spices 10 are attached to a supportive backing sheet 12. The backing support sheet 12 preferably comprises a material, such as cardboard, onto which separate packages of spices 10 are adhered.

FIG. 2 is another perspective of the front side of the supportive backing sheet which illustrates doubled-sided adhesive strips 14 placed in each respective space to which a separate package of pre-selected spice 10 will be adhered on the supportive backing sheet 12. FIG. 2 also illustrates varying sizes for the separate packages of pre-selected spices 10. In this particular embodiment there are fourteen separate pre-selected spice packages 10 for holding fourteen separate herbs and spices. In the preferred embodiment, the spice-filled packages 10 are resealable. The total number of spice packages 10 adhered to the supportive backing sheet 12 may be varied without departing from the invention as claimed. FIG. 2 further shows the front perspective views of the supportive backing sheet 12, preferably provided with print fields 18 indicating the content of each of the separate pre-selected spices; at least one print field 20 in which the specific vendor is appropriately indicated with print or an attached label; and additional print field 22 for merchandising information is provided.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a side view of the vertical positioning and adherence of separate spice containing packages 10 on the supportive backing sheet 12.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective of the reverse side of the supportive backing sheet 12 in which printed information about common spice uses 24 and helpful spice mixtures 26 for a variety of grilling and ethnic combinations created by combining specified portions of spices contained in the separately adhered packages is shown. Additional information field 28 is provided for purposes of additional merchandising information or trademark and/or trade dress source of origin indicator.

FIG. 5 illustrates a protective outer wrapper with an adhesive strip 30, an aperture 32 for insertion of a hanging rod and a fold over flap 34.

As shown in FIG. 6, the portable, disposable spice-holding device is enclosed in a protective outer wrapper 16 for tamper resistance, transport and merchandising. The protective outer wrapper 16 is made of a flexible, clear material allowing the user to see both the front and reverse sides of the supportive backing sheet 12 and the adhered packages of spices 10. The protective outer wrapper 16 is sealed by an adhesive strip 30 and also provides an aperture 32 by which a merchandising rod may be used to display the finished product.

The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching and within the contemplation of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A spice-holding device comprising: a) a supportive backing sheet form; and b) said sheet containing plurality of attached packages holding small quantities of a wide variety of predetermined quantities of pre-selected spices.

2. A spice-holding device as in claim 1 wherein said predetermined quantities of pre-selected spices are comprised of a wide range of spices pre-selected on the basis of a broad variety of non-specific general, cuisines.

3. A spice-holding device as in claim 1 wherein said supportive backing sheet form includes label fields imprinted with specific spice identifiers corresponding to each of the pre-selected separately packaged spices attached to the front of the sheet.

4. A spice-holding device as in claim 3 further comprising a spices use chart and mixed spices recipes on the reverse side of the supportive backing sheet, corresponding to potential uses of said pre-selected spices held in said plurality of packages attached to the front side of the supportive backing sheet.

5. A spice-holding device as in claim 4 further comprising a sealed, clear, outer protective wrapper to reduce potential tampering and to facilitate convenient handling, transportation and merchandising of the spice-holding device.

6. A method of business for distributing selected spices for convenient use and disposal, comprising the steps of: a) collecting spices useful for preparing a variety of cuisines; b) making a supportive backing sheet for attaching a plurality of packages holding small quantities of said pre-selected and collected spices; c) printing the supportive backing sheet or attached packages with a spice indicator word, phrase or symbol corresponding to each pre-selected, individually packaged spice and printing common spice use information on the backing sheet, d) packaging quantities of said collected spices and attaching said packaged spices to said labeled supportive backing sheet spice-holding device; e) placing said portable spice-holding device in a clear, protective outer wrapper; and e) marketing and distributing said portable, disposable spice-holding device.