Patent Application
20220312996
The present invention relates generally to the field of containers and specifically to containers used for carrying and organizing condiments and other items used for dining.
Containers for carrying and organizing condiments and items used for dining are well known in the art. Many casual dining establishments use such containers to hold salt and pepper shakers, ketchup and mustard bottles, napkins, utensils, and other similar items. Homeowners also use such containers, usually for bringing items from the kitchen to outdoor tables. While the known containers are useful, in certain circumstances they can create difficulties.
For example, many people enjoy outdoor dining on tables that have a centrally located umbrella. These tables typically have a central aperture into which the umbrella shaft is inserted. So configured, however, these tables lack a central place for locating a condiment container. One must place the container to the side of the umbrella shaft, making it less convenient to those sitting on the opposite side of the table. The entire container needs to be repositioned to place it in reach of others, perhaps multiple times during the course of a single meal. Moreover, it may be windy, and containers are prone to blowing over. Even in the absence of wind, clumsy diners may knock over the container, or even knock the container off the table.
It is therefore shown that there is a need for an improved condiment container that can be used with a table having an umbrella situated through the table's center.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a condiment container that can be used with a table having an umbrella situated through the table's center.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a condiment container that can be centrally located within easy reach of all diners.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide condiment container that can be rotated about the umbrella shaft to provide easy access to its contents to all diners.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a condiment container that can be secured to the umbrella shaft to prevent the container from toppling over or being knocked off the table.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a condiment container that can be easily transported from one location to another.
Other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the description that follows.
The present invention comprises a container for holding condiments and other items, to be used on tables having an umbrella. The container is adapted to be placed around the umbrella shaft and secured thereto, providing a convenient receptacle for items in a central location on the table. Once so placed, the container is secure on the table, safe from being knocked off or blown about, but nonetheless able to rotate about the umbrella shaft for convenience of access.
The novelty of the container is that it at least partially comes apart, so that a first portion of the container and a second portion of the container may be separated from each other sufficiently to place the container around the shaft of the umbrella. The two portions are then secured to each other so that the container cannot be removed from the umbrella shaft. In one embodiment the two portions come completely apart. After placing the two separate portions of the container on either side of the umbrella shaft, the portions are brought together and secured to each other. In the preferred embodiment the two portions are hingedly attached to each other at one end. The opposite end comprises a latch or other securing mechanism. The container is placed about the umbrella shaft by first unlatching the open end, pivoting the two portions away from each other at the hinged end, placing the open container around the umbrella shaft, pivoting the two portions back together, and securing the two portions to each other by use of the securing mechanism. Removal of the container simply requires the steps be repeated.
The container may be configured in various ways, for the convenience of the user. It could include multiple compartments for containing items, with the compartments all having uniform shapes and dimensions, or individual compartments may have different shapes and/or dimensions compared to other compartments. The height of the container may vary, depending on the type of items intended to be placed into its compartments. The overall shape of the container may vary, including square or rectangular shapes, circular or ovoid shapes, as well as irregular shapes. The materials from which the container is fashioned may vary, depending on desired aesthetics, durability, weight, and weather resistance.
Other features and advantages of the present invention are described below.
The present invention comprises a container 1 for holding condiments and other items 30 that are commonly used for casual dining. Specifically, the container 1 is to be used on a table 10 having an umbrella 20, where the umbrella has a shaft 22 and the table 10 has an aperture 12 through which the shaft 22 of the umbrella 20 is placed. The container 1 is configured to be placed on the table 10 around the shaft 22 of the umbrella 20, providing access to the items 30 contained within the container 1 to all persons sitting around the table 10. See
In one embodiment of the present invention the container 1 comprises a frame 100. The frame 100 of the container 1 may have any suitable shape. In the preferred embodiment the frame 100 is substantially rectangular or even square. See
When the frame 100 is in closed mode, a central aperture 300 is formed within the frame 100. The central aperture 300 has an inside diameter just slightly larger than the outside diameter of the shaft 22 of the umbrella 20. In the preferred embodiment the inside diameter of the central aperture 300 is two inches, but other sizes are also contemplated, to accommodate differently sized umbrella shafts 22. An adapter, such as a ring, may be placed around an umbrella shaft 22 to increase its outside diameter if necessary to ensure a snug fit with the central aperture 300. In one embodiment the central aperture 300 may be rectangular. See
Weather-resistant materials are also contemplated, for when the container 1 is used on outdoor tables 10. Contemplated materials include, but are not limited to, wood, including plywood, OSB (oriented strand board), and dimensioned lumber, of various species; plastic, extruded or thermoformed; composites; metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel; or a combination of materials. In the preferred embodiment, ½ inch thick wood is used for the sides of the frame 100 and ¼ inch thick lauan plywood is used for the bottom 130 of the frame 100. The container 1 may be dimensioned as desired. In one embodiment, the container 1 is approximately 15 inches long by 12 inches wide and having a height of 4 inches. However, the container could be smaller, larger, shorter, or taller.
Formed within the frame 100 is a plurality of compartments 200, with at least one compartment 200 located within the first portion 110 of the frame 100 and at least one other compartment 200 located within the second portion 120 of the frame 100. See
The first portion 110 of the frame 100 of the container 1 comprises a first connection point 112 and a second connection point 114. The second portion 120 of the frame 100 comprises a first connection point 122 and a second connection point 124. The first connection point 112 of the first portion 110 of the frame 100 corresponds to and is aligned with the first connection point 122 of the second portion 120 of the frame 100 when the frame 100 is in closed mode, and the second connection point 114 of the first portion 110 of the frame 100 corresponds to and is aligned with the second connection point 124 of the second portion 120 of the frame 100 when the frame 100 is in closed mode.
In one embodiment, the first connection point 112 of the first portion 110 of the frame 100 remains attached to the first connection point 122 of the second portion 120 of the frame 100 when the frame 100 is in open mode. In this embodiment, the first connection point 112 of the first portion 110 of the frame 100 is hingedly connected to the first connection point 122 of the second portion 120 of the frame 100. The connection may be an ordinary hinge 400, such as a door hinge or a piano hinge. See
In another embodiment, both the first connection point 112 of the first portion 110 of the frame 100 and the second connection point 114 of the first portion of the frame 100 are releasably engaged with the first and second connection points 122,124 of the second portion 120 of the frame 100, respectively. That is, the first connection point 112 of the first portion 110 of the frame 100 releasably engages with the first connection point 122 of the second portion 120 of the frame 100, and the second connection point 114 of the first portion 110 of the frame 100 releasably engages with the second connection point 124 of the second portion 120 of the frame 100. In this embodiment, in open mode, the first and second portions 110,120 of the frame may be completely separated from each other. Thus, when the first connection point 112 of the first portion 110 of the frame 100 is released from the first connection point 122 of the second portion 120 of the frame 100 and the second connection point 114 of the first portion 110 of the frame 100 is released from the second connection point 124 of the second portion 120 of the frame 100 the first portion 110 of the frame 100 is separable from the second portion 120 of the frame 100 and the frame 100 is in open mode. Placing the first connection point 112 of the first portion 110 of the frame 100 in engagement with the first connection point 122 of the second portion 120 of the frame 100 and the second connection point 114 of the first portion 110 of the frame 100 in engagement with the second connection point 124 of the second portion 120 of the frame 100 causes the first portion 110 of the frame 100 to be secured to the second portion 120 of the frame 100, resulting in the frame 100 being in closed mode.
In order to retain the container 1 in closed mode, the container 1 may further comprise one or more securing mechanisms 530. In the embodiment where the first portion 110 of the frame 100 remains at least partially attached to the second portion 120 of the frame 100, a single securing mechanism 530 may be used. In this embodiment, one portion 532 of the securing mechanism 530 is attached to the first portion 110 of the frame 100 at the second connection point 114 of the first portion 110 of the frame 100, and another portion 534 of the securing mechanism 530 is attached to the second portion 120 of the frame 100 at the second connection point 124 of the second portion 120 of the frame 100. The securing mechanism 530 is configured to engage and release. In the preferred embodiment the securing mechanism 530 is a latch, such as a hook and eye latch. See
In the alternate embodiment where the first portion 110 of the frame 100 is completely separable from the second portion 120 of the frame 100, an additional securing mechanism 530 may be used between the first connection point 112 of the first portion 110 of the frame 100 and the first connection point 122 of the second portion 120 of the frame 100. In this embodiment, the additional securing mechanism 530 may be configured the same as the securing mechanism 530 located at the second connection points 114,124, or it may be configured differently. Alternatively, multiple securing mechanisms 530 could be used in conjunction with each other, such as a combination of pegs and holes and latches at each of the first connection points 112,122 and the second connection points 114,124.
In order to prevent the container 1 from marring the table 10, the bottom 130 of the frame 100 of the container 1 may have a protective material affixed thereto. In the preferred embodiment this may be a layer of felt 600. The felt 600 affixed to the bottom 130 of the frame 100 not only protects the table 10, but also allows the container 1 to rotate more easily about the shaft 22 of the umbrella 20. Other materials may also be used, preferably those having a low coefficient of friction to allow for easier rotation of the container 1, such as a Teflon® material. Alternatively, small rollers may be placed on the bottom 130 of the frame 100 to facilitate rotation of the container 1 about the shaft 22 of the umbrella 20.
The container 1 may further comprise one or more handles 700. Each handle 700 is attached to a lateral side of the frame 100. The handles 700 provide for easier movement of the container 1. The handles 700 may be made of jute rope, or leather thongs, or may be rigid, constructed of plastic or metal or wood. Drawer knobs or pulls also may be used. Any suitable handle apparatus may be used with the container 1.
What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the container 1 of the present invention, along with some it its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention in which all terms are meant in their broadest, reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Other embodiments not specifically set forth herein are therefore also within the scope of the following claims.
