ABSTRACT

A decorative hanger of condiment shakers in the shape of a plant is provided for holding and dispensing seasonings such as salt and pepper. The hanger includes a body member as a covered bottle and stems with at least one branch with a plurality of leaves for a plurality of removable condiment containers in the shape of fruits. The plurality of removable fruits of the plant is constructed with pedicel hangers for rehanging on the plant and with dispensing openings on the top of the fruit near the calyx that could be used to sprinkle the salt, pepper, and other seasonings.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a hanger of condiment shakers such as for storing and dispensing food seasonings. More particularly, these unique shakers are modular which include interchangeable decorative fruits so that the shakers may be tailored to match the particular tableware decor or occasion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to improvements in a novelty article of manufacture in the specific form of a plant-shaped salt or pepper shaker. Condiment shakers are typically located at each table in eating establishments. Bringing plants beside the condiment shakers at a table in eating establishment brining nature inside the kitchen. Hanging grape, salt and pepper, shaker set, purple glass grape clusters, silver metal stand -salt and pepper shaker set -purple glass grape clusters -silver colored metal stand - shakers have screw on lids and are fully functional -made in japan -mid century design -4-1/2 inches tall - 5 inches wide -grape clusters are 3 inches tall including hanging loop -excellent vintage condition lovely mid century salt and pepper shaker set. The set has beautiful purple glass shakers with silver metal. This invention improve the hanging grape to modular hanging plant with plurality of branches and plurality of condiment shakers besides a base container.

There is a great deal of interest in shakers for dispensing condiments such as salt and pepper. Many people amass large collections of unique salt and pepper shakers. Others not interested in collecting salt and pepper shakers still typically purchase a number of shaker sets to match different tablecloths and/or tableware and to use for various occasions such as Christmas.

It is already known that externally shaped salt or pepper shakers have consumer appeal particularly when the shapes are decorative, such prior knowledge being exemplified by US 6,926,173 Bl for "DISPOSABLE CONDIMENT SHAKER AND DECORATIVE SLEEVE", Is a one-time condiment shaker, and once it is empty, the user just replaces the shaker with a full one, and installs it into the sleeve that is the decorative part and the reusable part with no need to refill the shaker with the condiments. US 5,009,341 for "DECORATIVE CONDIMENT SHAKERS", It is a condiment shaker that is decorated with a decorative ring installed on it. US 2002/0104850 Al for "PEPPER SHAKER", It is a condiment shaker that is shaped like a dog, and the dispensing openings in the dog shape's hindquarters. US 1986,011 for "TWIN SALT AND PEPPER SHAKER", are two condiment containers in the same product that can be used to dispense the condiments, and especially used for salt and pepper. There is a 3rd container where the two condiment containers are placed.

The present invention relates to unique condiment shakers with interchangeable decorative pepper plants that may be purchased and utilized to match any table setting or that are appropriate for any festive holiday occasion. The condiment shakers of the present invention are also unique conversation pieces to be valued by collectors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide condiment shakers of simple construction that are inexpensive to produce yet provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance and save space.

Another object of the present invention is to provide decorative condiment shakers of contemporary styling that are conversation pieces valued by collectors. Still another object of the present invention is to provide condiment shakers for, for example, salt and pepper, that include interchangeable decorative fruit so that the shakers may be matched for use with any tablecloth and/or tableware as well as for use during any special occasion.

Additional objects, advantages, and other novel features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described herein, improved condiment shakers are provided for holding and dispensing such condiments as, for example, salt and pepper. A decorative shaker of the present invention includes a body member having a bottle and an integral tube for installing the hanger member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the body member;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of installing the stem within the body member; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of installing the first group of leaves on the stem;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of installing the second group of leaves on the stem;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of installing the third group of leaves on the stem;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of installing the fourth group of leaves on the stem;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of installing the fifth group of leaves on the stem;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of installing the sixth group of leaves on the stem;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of pepper fruit

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a bell pepper plant as a decorative hanger of condiment shakers Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-10 showing the hanger of condiment shakers of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the condiment shaker includes a body member (14) including a root bottle (1) and an integral tube (1.1). The root bottle is used as a container for grains, or other products that stabilize the hanger. The tube (1.1) used for installing stem (3) into the body member (14).

The body member (14) also includes a covering ring (2). Ring (2) includes a central opening (2. 1) adapted to be received over the bottle (1). The ring snapped over the upper of the bottle (1) so as to close the bottle and retain the ring (2) in position.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the top of the body member includes an opening (2. 1) for tight engagement of the stem into the opening of the ring (2) to be installed into the tube (1.1). The stem includes plurality of sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6.

As shown in FIGS. 3-8 plurality of different groups of leaves 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, installed on different sections of the stem (3). At least 2 pieces of the first group of leaves (4), were installed on section 3. 1 of the stem (3). At least 2 pieces of the second group of leaves (5), are installed on section 3.2 of the stem (3). At least 2 pieces of the third group of leaves (6), are installed on section 3.3 of the stem (3). At least 2 pieces of the fourth group of leaves (7), installed on section 3.4 of stem (3). At least 2 pieces of the fifth group of leaves (8), are installed on section 3.5 of the stem. At least 2 pieces of the sixth group of leaves (9), are installed on section 3.6 of the stem (3).

As shown in FIG. 9 pepper fruit as an example of this invention includes 3 parts: the fruit body (12), the top of the fruit (11), and the pedicel hanger (10) which includes the pedicel (10. 1) and calyx (10.2) connected to the fruit by gluing the calyx (10.2) to the top of the fruit. A top of the fruit (11) includes a fastening (11. 1) for engaging the fruit body (12) and includes a condiment dispensing hole (13. 1) near the calyx (10.2), which is then snapped over the upper or leading edge of the fruit body (12) so as to close the fruit body and retain the decorative pepper fruit (13) in position.

As shown in FIG. 10 at least 1 piece of the removable pepper fruit (13) is on the stem of the bell pepper plant (3). The pepper fruits (13) are used to sprinkle the salt, pepper, and other seasonings. The pepper fruits (13) are colored with the same color or are colored with different colors to easily discriminate between the different kinds of seasoning within the fruit pepper. Also, the pepper fruits are having the same size and the same shape or the fruits are having different sizes and different shapes to coordinate the occasion or the environment or the table decoration.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, other interchangeable decorative pepper fruits (13) may include uniquely shaped objects appropriate for utilization for different special occasions or other interchangeable decorative fruits of different types of fruit: 1. simple fleshy fruit like true berry: banana, blackcurrant, blueberry, chill pepper, cranberry, eggplant, gooseberry, grape, guava, kiwifruit, lucuma, pomegranate, redcurrant, tomato, watermelon; true berry, pepo: cucumber, gourd, melon, pumpkin; true berry, hesperidium: grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange, stone fruit, pome; 2. aggregate fruit like boysenbeny, lilium, magnolia, raspberry, pawpaw, blackberry, strawberry; 3. multiple fruit like fig, osage orange, mulberry, pineapple; 4. accessory fruit like apple, rose hip, pineapple; 6. citrus fruits like mandarin oranges, navel oranges; and vegetables like, apocado, zucchini, etc.

It should also be appreciated that when the decorative pepper plant is not in use as part of the condiment shakers (13) of the present invention, it may function in some other capacity. For example a grain container, or a decorative artificial plant.

In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result from employing the concepts of the present invention. The condiment shaker of the present invention is a versatile conversation piece that may be adapted through the utilization of interchangeable decorative bell pepper plant for use at any occasion. Additionally, the shaker may be adapted for use with substantially any tablecloth and tableware with any multitude of color schemes available. The condiment shaker is relatively inexpensive to produce. It is also sufficiently unique so as to be of interest to, for example, salt and pepper shaker collectors.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.