US20090026217A1

US20090026217A1 - Seasoning can structure

Info

Publication number: US20090026217A1
Application number: US11/878,345
Authority: US
Inventors: Hsieh-Min Tu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-24
Filing date: 2007-07-24
Publication date: 2009-01-29

Abstract

A seasoning can for holding and dispensing seasonings includes a shell to contain seasonings, and a slip-prevention layer adhered to at least a portion of an outer side of the shell; the shell has a smooth surface; the slip-prevention layer comprises a film made of rubber paint, and is made by means of spraying rubber paint on the outer side of the shell; the slip-prevention layer has a high frictional coefficient so as to increase friction between the slip-prevention layer and the user's hands/fingers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improvement on a seasoning can, more particularly one, which has a slip-prevention layer to prevent it from slipping off the user's hands accidentally; the slip-prevention layer is made of such materials that the seasoning can is hygienic to use.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Seasoning cans are available for containing and dispensing seasonings such as salt, pepper, and soybean sauce. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, such seasoning cans have a containing part 3, and a cap 31 over an opening of the containing part 3. The cap 31 can be formed with several through holes 311 (FIG. 6) for seasoning contents to pass through. Or alternatively, the cap 31 can be provided with a beak-shaped outlet portion 312 (FIG. 7) for seasoning contents to pass through; the above structure can reduce contact between the seasoning contents and moisture in the atmosphere as well as preventing dust and dirt from passing into the seasoning can. The seasoning cans are usually tilted and shaken to sprinkle/drip the seasoning contents through the through holes 311/beak-shaped outlet portion 312.
Such seasoning cans are prone to fall down to be damaged/broken accidentally when the user is holding the seasoning cans with greasy/wet fingers, and shaking and tilting the seasoning cans to sprinkle/drip the seasoning contents. For the above reason, the seasoning cans are further formed with an ornamental raised design on an outer side to serve as a slip-prevention means. However, grease, dirt, and germs are prone to accumulate on the slip-prevention ornamental raised designs of the seasoning cans, and will be passed on to the foods/food materials through the user's hands. Consequently, the seasoning cans aren't hygienic to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a main object of the invention to provide an improvement on a seasoning can to overcome the above problems.
A seasoning can according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a shell to contain seasonings, and a slip-prevention layer; the shell has a smooth outer surface. The slip-prevention layer is adhered to at least a portion of the outer side of the shell, and has a high frictional coefficient. The slip-prevention layer is formed by means of spraying rubber paint on the outer side of the shell. The slip-prevention layer has a high frictional coefficient so as to increase friction between the slip-prevention layer and the user's hands/fingers. Because the seasoning can is coated with the slip-prevention layer instead of having a slip-prevention decorative raised design, grease, dirt, and germs are prevented from accumulating on the seasoning can.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a seasoning can of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of another preferred embodiment of a seasoning can of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the present invention,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of still another embodiment,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the first prior art, and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the second prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Shown in FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment 1 of a seasoning can of the present invention, which is used to hold, grind, and dispense peppercorn. Shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is another embodiment 1 of a seasoning can of the present invention, which is used to hold and dispense seasonings such as salt, pepper, soybean source, and vinegar. Each of the above seasoning cans 1 includes a shell, which has an opening 11 on one end thereof to allow seasonings to pass through. The shell of each of the above seasoning cans 1 has a smooth outer side, and is coated with a film of rubber paint on at least a portion of the smooth outer side thereof so as to have a non-toxic slip-prevention layer 2 with a high frictional coefficient; the rubber paint can be sprayed on the shells or applied on the shells by means of any other appropriate means; the rubber paint can be made of natural rubber or synthetic one. Furthermore, the slip-prevention layers 2 are in multiple colors in order for the seasoning cans to be more attractive. The slip-prevention layers 1 have a thickness (a) ranging between 10 μm and 1.5 mm, and the optimum thickness of the slip-prevention layers 2 is 30 μm, as shown in FIG. 4. The width (b) of the slip-prevention layers is at least 1 cm, as shown in FIG. 5; thus, when the user picks one said seasoning can 1, there will be enough area of contact and friction between the slip-prevention layer 2 and the user's fingers to prevent the seasoning can 1 from slipping off the user's hand.
It is very possible for fingers to get greasy and wet when people are cooking or dining. The seasoning can 1 is prevented from falling off to be damaged or broken accidentally when the user is gripping the slip-prevention layer 2 of the seasoning can 1 with greasy/wet fingers, and shaking and tilting the seasoning can 1 to pass the seasoning content of the seasoning can 1 through the opening 11 of the shell. Because the seasoning can 1 is coated with a film of rubber paint on the outer side so as to have the non-toxic slip-prevention layer 2 with a high frictional coefficient instead of being formed with a decorative raised design on the outer side, grease, dirt, and germs are prevented from accumulating on the seasoning can 1 of the present invention. Furthermore, the slip-prevention layers 2 are non-toxic so as not to pollute the food materials and foods. Therefore, the seasoning cans 1 are safe and hygienic to use. The slip-prevention layers 2 are in multiple colors therefore they enhance the appearance of the seasoning cans 1, and in turn the seasoning cans 1 are more pleasant-looking, and can attract those people who like to buy and use fancy things. In addition, the slip-prevention layers 2 are soft, and can protect the seasoning cans 1 from breaking if the seasoning cans 1 fall down accidentally.
From the above description, it can be seen that the present invention has the following advantages:
1. The seasoning can is prevented from falling down to be damaged or broken accidentally when the user is gripping the seasoning can by the slip-prevention layer with greasy/wet fingers, and shaking and tilting the seasoning can to pass the seasoning content of the seasoning can through the opening; because the seasoning can of the invention is coated with the slip-prevention layer having a high frictional coefficient instead of being provided with a slip-prevention decorative raised design, grease, dirt, and germs are prevented from accumulating on the seasoning can.
2. The slip-prevention layer of the seasoning can is in multiple colors therefore it enhances the appearance of the seasoning can. Consequently, the seasoning can is more pleasant-looking, and can attract those consumers who like to buy and use fancy things.
3. The slip-prevention layers are non-toxic therefore they can't pollute the food materials and foods, and the seasoning cans are safe and hygienic to use.
4. The slip-prevention layers are relatively soft, and will serve to protect the seasoning cans from breaking if the seasoning cans fall down accidentally.

Claims

1. An improvement on a seasoning can structure, comprising

a shell to contain seasonings; and

a slip-prevention layer adhered to at least a portion of an outer side of the shell;

the slip-prevention layer comprising a film of rubber paint.

2. The improvement on a seasoning can structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slip-prevention layer has a thickness of 30 μm.

3. The improvement on a seasoning can structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slip-prevention layer adhered to the shell has a width of at least 1 cm.

4. The improvement on a seasoning can structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rubber paint is sprayed on the outer side of the shell to make the slip-prevention layer.

5. The improvement on a seasoning can structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rubber paint is made of natural rubber.

6. An improvement on a seasoning can structure, comprising

a shell having an outer side; and

a slip-prevention layer adhered to at least a portion of the outer side of the shell;

the slip-prevention layer comprising a film made of rubber paint; the slip-prevention layer having a thickness ranging between 10 μm and 1.5 mm.

7. The improvement on a seasoning can structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the seasoning can is a peppercorn can.

8. The improvement on a seasoning can structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rubber paint is non-toxic.

9. The improvement on a seasoning can structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rubber paint has a high frictional coefficient.

10. The improvement on a seasoning can structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seasoning can is a peppercorn can.

11. The improvement on a seasoning can structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rubber paint is non-toxic.

12. The improvement on a seasoning can structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rubber paint has a high frictional coefficient.

13. The improvement on a seasoning can structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rubber paint is made of synthetic rubber.