APPARATUS AND ASSEMBLIES FOR STORAGE AND APPLICATION OF CONDIMENTS

Abstract

Disclosed a rollable condiment dispenser assembly including at least first and second constituents, and wherein at least one of the constituents is a dispenser. A constituent dispenser may include an outer surface and an engagement surface. The engaging surfaces may be adapted to engage with a complimenting engaging surface of another constituent of the assembly, such that during engaging the dispenser's outer surfaces form part of the assembly's rollable shape.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of substance dispensing and application. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and assemblies for storage and application of condiments.

BACKGROUND

Condiments, seasonings and spices are traditionally stored and shipped in containers. Condiments such as salt, pepper, etc. are added to food: (1) during preparation of the food, and (2) during consumption of the food, for example using a set of condiment dispensers such as salt and pepper shakers which are typically present on kitchen or dining room tables. When a group of people are eating at the same table, they will often have to share and pass around a condiment dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to embodiments of the present invention are provided apparatus and assemblies for dispensing condiments and other granular and/or viscous food additives. A dispenser assembly having a rollable shape (e.g. spherical, egg shaped, cylinder, cone, etc.) may be composed of two or more: (1) dispensers, (2) dispenser portions, (3) dispenser parts, and/or (4) any combination thereof. Each of the dispenser related terms listed above may simply be referred to as a “dispenser”.

According to embodiments, at least one of the constituent dispensers of a dispenser assembly may be attachable to other constituents of the assembly. The attachment and/or interconnection of some or all of an assembly's constituents may form a rollable shape. According to further embodiments, attachment and/or interconnection of some or all of an assembly's constituents may close and/or block dispensing openings of one or more of the assembly's dispensers.

According to some embodiments, one or more of an assembly's constituents may be a dispenser, wherein at least one of the one or more dispensers may include: (1) condiment/additive storage chamber, (2) an outer surface, and (3) an engagement/attachment/interlocking/interconnection surface (hereinafter referred to as an engagement surface). An outer surface of a dispenser may constitute/form a portion of an assembly's rollable surface (e.g. the outer surface may be in the shape of a semi-sphere, or a segment thereof). An engagement surface of a dispenser may be of any shape and/or composition suitable for engaging and/or attaching to a complimenting engagement surface formed on any portion, constituent and/or combination of portions and constituents of the assembly. One or more of the surface may include one or more dispensing openings for allowing substances stored in the storage chamber to exit the dispenser. One or more of the surface may also include a (re)filling opening for (re)filling the storage chamber with condiments and/or other substances to be dispensed.

Complimenting engagement surfaces of assembly constituents may be temporarily/removably affixed to one another by any combination of means including: (1) magnets, (2) adhesive, (3) interlocking mechanical components, (4) Velcro, and/or (5) any suitable interlocking means known today or to be devised in the future. According to further embodiments, a dispenser's engagement surface may include one or more dispensing openings, which one or more dispensing opening may be blocked when the dispenser is engaged with another constituent or portion of the assembly.

It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the term rollable shape refers to any shape which can roll.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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 accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a part rollable dispenser assembly according to embodiments of the present invention, wherein the dispenser assembly is rolling across a flat surface such as a table-top;

FIGS. 2A is a perspective view of two exemplary rollable assembly constituents according to some embodiments, separated from one another with their engagement surfaces visible and pointing upwards;

FIGS. 2B is a side view of two exemplary rollable assembly constituents separated from one another with their engagement surfaces pointing upwards; and

FIGS. 2C is a top view of two exemplary rollable assembly constituents separated from one another with their engagement surfaces pointing upwards and visible.

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

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as “applying”, “adding”, “sprinkling”, “seasoning”, “flavoring”, “pouring” or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a predetermined-extraction of a pre-selected substance, and possibly at a pre-selected amount, enabling system or device, which “releases”, “extracts”; and then “applies”, “adds”, “sprinkles” or the like of condiments, seasonings, spices, powdered drinks, coffee, sugar, sweets, sauces, grooming materials, and/or liquids. Further, the term “condiments/sauces” may relate to any substantially small-particles, powdery, thickly textured or liquid material, such as, but in no way limited to, those used for changing and/or emphasizing the tastes and flavors of foods.

Embodiments of the present invention may include apparatuses for performing the operations herein. Such apparatus may be specially constructed for the desired purposes, or it may comprise of general-purpose components.

The processes and components presented herein are not inherently related to any particular embodiment, various general-purpose devices and systems may be used in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the desired action. The desired structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary two part rollable dispenser assembly according to embodiments of the present invention, wherein the dispenser assembly is rolling across a flat surface such as a table-top. This exemplary assembly has two constituent parts which when engaged form a rollable shape such as the ball shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2A is a perspective view of two exemplary rollable assembly constituents according to some embodiments, separated from one another with their engagement surfaces visible and pointing upwards. Each of the exemplary constituents shown includes a chamber for holding a material for dispensing and openings (holes) for dispensing the material. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the dispensing openings for each constituent are located on their respective engagement surfaces.

Turning now to FIGS. 2B, there is shown a side view of two exemplary rollable assembly constituents separated from one another with their engagement surfaces pointing upwards. The non-engagement surfaces for each of the two constituents form a portion of the assembly's rollable surface.

Turning now to FIGS. 2C, there is shown a top view of two exemplary rollable assembly constituents separated from one another with their engagement surfaces pointing upwards and visible.

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.

Various additional mechanical, electronic and/or computerized sealing and taping systems, devices and features may be used, along with the abovementioned teachings and techniques, in order to control the substance application and/or its speed/frequency/amount, and/or other flowing parameters of the substance; these all fall within the true spirit of the present invention, and have not been described as not to obscure the present invention.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled 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.

Claims

1. A rollable dispenser assembly comprising:

a first constituent part with a first outer surface and a first engaging surface;

a second constituent part with a second outer surface and a second engaging surface; and

wherein said first and second engaging surfaces are adapted to engage each other such that during engagement the first and second outer surfaces form a rollable shape.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein a dispensing opening on at least one of the engagement surfaces is blocked during engagement of the first and second engagement surfaces.