US20130153522A1

US20130153522A1 - Seasonings storage device

Info

Publication number: US20130153522A1
Application number: US13/330,539
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald Kurtis Hatcher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-12-19
Filing date: 2011-12-19
Publication date: 2013-06-20

Abstract

The present invention is a seasonings storage device that includes a frame with a linear rectangular shape, a bottom tub that is disposed on the bottom portion of the frame and a support pole with two ends that are secured across the top portion of the frame. The device also includes one or more hangers that include a hook portion and a horizontal base portion where one or more attachment clips are secured onto the horizontal base portion where a pair of tabs is disposed on the horizontal base portion to open and close the attachment clip and one or more seasonings holding bags that contain one or more seasonings, wherein an individual seasoning holding bag is held by an individual attachment clip.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND

Restaurants must be fully stocked with desired dressings, sauces and other seasonings at all times. Traditional methods for shipping these items include packaging them in non-resealable plastic bags which lay flat and are prone to leaks and spills.
The present invention generally relates to a storage device. More specifically, the invention is a seasonings storage device.
It is an object of the invention to provide a seasonings storage device that prevents stored seasonings from spoiling.
It is an object of the invention to provide a seasonings storage device that allows stored seasonings to be stored in one or more clean and labeled plastics bags for a user to better organize those stored seasonings.
It is an object of the invention to provide a seasonings storage device that is capable of relatively easily dispersing seasonings stored in the seasonings storage device.
What is really needed is a seasonings storage device that prevents stored seasonings from spoiling that allows stored seasonings to be stored in one or more clean and labeled plastics bags for a user to better organize those stored seasonings and that is capable of relatively easily dispersing seasonings stored in the seasonings storage device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a front environmental perspective view of a seasonings storage device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a front view of a hanger utilized by a seasonings storage device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates a side perspective view of an attachment clip of a hanger utilized by a seasonings storage device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.
Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.
The phrase “in one embodiment” is utilized repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.
FIG. 1A illustrates a front environmental perspective view of a seasonings storage device 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The seasonings storage device 100 includes a frame 110, a bottom tub 120, a support pole 130, one or more hangers 140, one or more attachment clips 150 and one or more seasoning holding bags 160.
The frame 110 forms a linear rectangular shape 112 and includes a top portion 114 and a bottom portion 116. The frame 110 is typically made of metal such as stainless steel but can be made of any suitable material such as plastic or wood. The bottom tub 120 is disposed on the bottom portion 116 of the frame 110 and is made of LEXAN™ glass or plastic or any other brand of polycarbonate resin thermoplastic or other suitable material and maintains the one or more seasoning holding bags 160 in an upright and orderly position. The support pole 130 has two ends 132 that are secured across the top portion 114 of the frame 110. The support pole 130 is typically a threaded support pole 134 which expands in order to accommodate any dimensions requirements of the frame 110 and has rubber material 136 disposed on the two ends 132 of the support pole 130 to facilitate anchoring and securing the support pole 130 to the frame 110 and can be made of metal or any other suitable material such as plastic or wood. The one or more hangers 140 include a hook portion 142 and a horizontal base portion 144 and are illustrated and described in greater detail in FIG. 1B and its description. The one or more attachment clips 150 are secured onto the horizontal base portion 144 and are illustrated and described in greater detail in FIG. 1C and its description. The one or more seasoning holding bags 160 are typical utilized where one seasoning holding bag 160 is held by each individual attachment clip 150. Additional details regarding the one or more seasoning holding bags 160 are described and illustrated in FIG. 1C and its description.
FIG. 1B illustrates a front view of a hanger 140 utilized by a seasonings storage device 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The hook portion 142 is removably received and set onto the support pole 130 to be stored and hung as desired by a user. The hook portion 142 is typically perpendicularly attached to a middle portion 146 the horizontal base portion 144 but can be attached anywhere along the horizontal base portion 144. A pair of tabs 148 are disposed on the horizontal base portion 144 and can be depressed or squeezed to open the one or more attachment clips 150 that are spring loaded by a spring 154 that are depressed or squeezed to receive one or more seasoning holding bags 160 or released to grasp a seasoning holding bag 160.
FIG. 1C illustrates a side perspective view of an attachment clip 150 of a hanger 140 utilized by a seasonings storage device 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The attachment clip 150 has the same features as previously described and illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B and their descriptions, but also includes a plurality of teeth 152 that are utilized to grasp the seasoning holding bag 160 held by each individual attachment clip 150. The teeth 152 are also controlled by the pair of tabs 148 that are disposed on the horizontal base portion 144 and can be depressed or squeezed to open the one or more attachment clips 150 that are spring loaded by a spring 154 that are depressed or squeezed to receive one or more seasoning holding bags 160 or released to grasp a seasoning holding bag 160. The seasonings bags 160 can hold spices, sauces, salad dressing or other types of dressing or other suitable spices. The seasoning bags 160 are made of transparent material such as plastic but can be made of other suitable materials as well to provide an air-tight seal.
The seasonings storage device has a stainless steel frame and a LEXAN™ material frame which suitably maintains the seasoning bags in an upright position, thereby preventing mishaps such as spillage or tearing. The seasonings storage device is a suitable alternative to current similar seasonings storage device products. A user simply fastens an individually afforded attachment clip from a hanger onto a desired seasoning bag and suspends the seasoning bag from the support pole. Convenient and secure, the attachment clips are provided with a plurality of teeth which securely grasp the seasoning bag, creating an air-tight seal and maintaining a relatively high degree of freshness. Able to successfully eliminate wasted inventory due to improper storage methods, the seasonings storage device may be readily available at restaurant supply stores. The seasonings storage device features an embodiment devised for home use, including a threaded rod which expands in order to accommodate any dimension requirements, as well as rubber ends to facilitate anchoring. The seasonings storage device is packaged with attachment clips which not only provide a relatively strong grip, but also assist in dispensing the contents of the seasoning bag.
While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.

Claims

1. A seasonings storage device, comprising:

a frame with a linear rectangular shape that includes a top portion and a bottom portion;

a bottom tub that is disposed on said bottom portion of said frame;

a support pole with two ends that are secured across said top portion of said frame;

one or more hangers that include a hook portion and a horizontal base portion where one or more attachment clips are secured onto said horizontal base portion; and

one or more seasoning holding bags wherein an individual said seasoning holding bag is held by an individual said attachment clip.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said frame is made of metal.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said frame is made of stainless steel.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said bottom tub maintains said one or more seasoning holding bags in an upright and orderly position.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said bottom tub is made of a polycarbonate resin thermoplastic glass or plastic.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said support pole expands to order to accommodate one or more dimensions of said frame.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said support pole has rubber material disposed on said ends of said support pole to facilitate anchoring and securing said support pole to said frame.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said support pole is a threaded support pole.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein a pair of tabs is disposed on said horizontal base portion to open and close said attachment clip.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said tabs are spring loaded by a spring.

11. A seasonings storage device, comprising:

a metal frame with a linear rectangular shape that includes a top portion and a bottom portion;

a bottom tub that is disposed on said bottom portion of said frame;

a support pole with two ends that are secured across said top portion of said frame, wherein said support pole has rubber material disposed on said ends of said support pole to facilitate anchoring and securing said support pole to said frame;

one or more hangers that include a hook portion and a horizontal base portion where one or more attachment clips with a plurality of teeth are secured onto said horizontal base portion and wherein a pair of tabs is disposed on said horizontal base portion to open and close said attachment clip; and

one or more seasonings holding bags that contain one or more seasonings, wherein an individual said seasoning holding bag is held by an individual said attachment clip.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein said frame is made of stainless steel.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein said bottom tub maintains said one or more seasoning holding bags in an upright and orderly position.

14. The device according to claim 11, wherein said bottom tub is made of a polycarbonate resin thermoplastic glass or plastic.

15. The device according to claim 11, wherein said support pole expands to order to accommodate one or more dimensions of said frame.

16. The device according to claim 11, wherein said support pole is a threaded support pole.

17. The device according to claim 11, wherein said tabs are spring loaded by a spring.

18. The device according to claim 11, wherein said one or more seasonings is one or more spices.

19. The device according to claim 11, wherein said one or more seasonings is one or more sauces.

20. The device according to claim 11, wherein said one or more seasonings is one or more dressings.