Supports: racks – Special article – Receptacle support
Reexamination Certificate
1996-11-01
2001-02-06
Hansen, James O. (Department: 3636)
Supports: racks
Special article
Receptacle support
C211S077000, C211S115000, C211S163000, C222S144000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182839
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to turntable storage devices and to granular material storage and dispensing containers. More particularly, this invention relates to such devices for use in storing and dispensing granular materials such as condiments.
Most prior turntable storage devices suffer from a lack of versatility in mounting and handling, insufficient ease of dis-assembly and assembly, and/or insufficient ability to hold storage containers. Condiment dispensers used with such devices often are not sufficiently easy to use and dispense accurately—measured quantities of condiments.
For example, although turntable devices have been proposed in which separate units can be stacked on top of one another, the separate units are not believed to be usable separately.
Similarly, although turntable devices have been proposed which can be hung from the bottom of a shelf, such devices are not believed to be capable of being stacked together and/or hung from a shelf. Also, they do not have a detachable carrying handle to make them portable.
Prior proposed turntable condiment storage devices lack means for holding condiment containers securely in place, and for accurately dispensing pre-measured amounts.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a turntable storage device which is well suited to solving or alleviating the foregoing problems.
In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a turntable storage device which carries a plurality of containers for storing materials, such as flour, condiments, and other granular materials for the kitchen, as well as other small objects or materials.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a turntable storage device that can be mounted and used in a variety of different mountings and configurations.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a turntable storage device wherein containers are securely held in place on a turntable to prevent them from sliding off of the turntable.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a turntable storage device wherein the parts are easily attached together and separated without tools.
In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects are met by the provision of a turntable storage device which has a turntable and a plurality of containers that are removably attachable to the turntable.
In one aspect, the invention comprises a novel convertible turntable. The turntable unit can be stacked with other units, or the units can be used separately. Alternatively, each unit or a stack of units can be suspended from the bottom of a shelf.
The turntable preferably includes a platform and a base member. The base member is integrally connected to an upwardly extending hollow post. Each unit has a detachable upper projection dimensioned to fit into the bottom opening of the hollow post of another unit and lock in position to enable the units to be stacked and thus occupy less shelf space, or to be used to attach the turntable to the underside of a shelf.
The upper projection is easily detachable and can be replaced with an easily-attachable handle for carrying the turntable.
The containers can be of any shape but are preferably wedge-shaped so that they provide maximum storage volume while fitting together snugly when assembled on the turntable.
In one embodiment, each of the containers has a measuring dispenser which is operable to dispense a predetermined quantity of material from the container. Preferably, the containers also include dispensing openings for spooning and shaking out the material.
In this embodiment, a rotary measuring dispenser, which is operable to dispense a predetermined amount of material, is located in each container. The dispenser includes an external knob attached to an internal metering rotor that has integral radially-extending spaced-apart blades defining a plurality of cavities between the blades. As the rotor is rotated, a measured quantity of material is dispensed through a hole in the bottom of the container for each partial revolution of the rotor equal to the angular separation between adjacent blades. As the knob is turned, the cavities are successively filled and then emptied through the dispensing hole.
In another embodiment of the invention, the individual condiment containers do not have individual metering dispensers. Instead, an adjustable measuring spoon is attached to the turntable. It is easily detached and is dimensioned to fit into the containers to dip out measured quantities of the contents.
Preferably, the top of each container contains two hinged dispensing openings, one for spooning out material from the container and another for shaking out material.
Each container can be securely positioned on the turntable by means of a projection located on each container, the tab is received by a receptacle located on the platform. Preferably, the tab is located on the bottom of the back wall of the container and the receptacles are located circumferentially around the upwardly extending post of the turntable.
The platform includes projections each of which is adapted to extend upwardly into a recess in the bottom of one of the containers to further hold the containers in place. Each projection forms a circumferentially extending ridge which engages a bottom edge of the container as it is positioned onto the platform, thus helping to prevent the container from slipping off of the turntable.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be set forth in or are apparent from the following description and drawings.
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Bell Ted A.
Robbins E. Stanley
Robbins Rodney W.
Weterrings Frans M.
Hansen James O.
Kramer Levin Naftalis and Frankel LLP
Neff Gregor N.
Robbins Industries Inc.
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