A dosing device dispenses predetermined doses of ground coffee into a filter holder of an espresso coffee machine. The dosing device includes a carousel body formed by plural compartments sized to hold respective p doses of ground coffee. Each compartment includes a top opening and a bottom provided with members for opening and closing thereof. The carousel body can be displaced between a first position, in which the top of one of the compartments is at a discharge conduit of ground coffee and a second position in which the bottom of the compartment is positioned above the filter holder. The dosing device disclosurecan arrange doses of ground coffee, different from each other, preparing different types of beverage, within respective containment compartments, select the dose for the beverage, select the compartment that contains it, move the compartment to the filter holder, and supply the selected dose to the filter holder.

A coffee grinder suitable for home use can include a housing that receives coffee beans, a grinding component within the housing, a removable container that receives coffee grounds dispensed from the grinding component, and a base located beneath the grinding component that supports the container. Magnetic components in the base and removable container can optimally align the container when placed atop the base. A knocker system can dislodge ground coffee residue into the container when actuated. An intelligent drive system can utilize feedback to drive the grinding component at a constant speed to minimize coffee grounds size variances. A grinds chamber in the housing can define an asymmetrical cross-sectional geometry. An auger that drives the grinding component can have an outer thread that forces coffee beans through the grinds chamber, and a grinds chamber housing can include a protective shoulder that covers a lead-in portion of the outer thread.

A coffee grinder suitable for home use can include a housing that receives coffee beans, a grinding component within the housing, a removable container that receives coffee grounds dispensed from the grinding component, and a base located beneath the grinding component that supports the container. Magnetic components in the base and removable container can optimally align the container when placed atop the base. A knocker system can dislodge ground coffee residue into the container when actuated. An intelligent drive system can utilize feedback to drive the grinding component at a constant speed to minimize coffee grounds size variances. A grinds chamber in the housing can define an asymmetrical cross-sectional geometry. An auger that drives the grinding component can have an outer thread that forces coffee beans through the grinds chamber, and a grinds chamber housing can include a protective shoulder that covers a lead-in portion of the outer thread.

A storage can includes a can having a restriction portion extending inward from the inner periphery of the can. The restriction portion includes multiple blocks extending from a top thereof and a gap is formed between any two adjacent blocks. A base is removably inserted into the can and has multiple first protrusions. Multiple holes are defined through the inner bottom of the base and located alternatively between the first protrusions. A mounting member is rotatably mounted to the top of the base and has multiple second protrusions which are located alternatively to the first protrusions when the mounting member is mounted to the top of the base. Food is ground between the first and second protrusions by rotating the mounting member, and the ground food drops through the holes and is received in the can. A cap is mounted to the can and has a sealing member.

A method and a machine of controlling dispensing of doses of coffee grounds, the machine comprising a grinding device which is configured to grind coffee beans, a conduit, having an inlet in communication with the grinding device for receiving coffee grounds, and an outlet, a closure member which is adapted to be removed between an open position for the coffee grounds to be discharged from the conduit through the outlet, and a closed position for closing the outlet, and a coffee grounds weight sensor, which is configured to generate signals representative of the weight of coffee grounds built-up in the dispensing conduit when the closure member is in the closed position.

A method and a machine of controlling dispensing of doses of coffee grounds, the machine comprising a grinding device which is configured to grind coffee beans, a conduit, having an inlet in communication with the grinding device for receiving coffee grounds, and an outlet, a closure member which is adapted to be removed between an open position for the coffee grounds to be discharged from the conduit through the outlet, and a closed position for closing the outlet, and a coffee grounds weight sensor, which is configured to generate signals representative of the weight of coffee grounds built-up in the dispensing conduit when the closure member is in the closed position.

The present disclosure is directed to a multi-purpose, smoking accessory device for tobacco, herbs, Cannabis and other smokable substances. The accessory device comprises several, convenient smoking related features presented in a single, compact unit. Such features, include (i) an air-tight storage component comprising multiple individual air-tight storage compartments for storing multiple types of non-ground smokable substances; (ii) a grinder for grinding specified amounts of said non-ground substances directly from the storage compartment(s); (iii) collection unit(s) for storing ground substances directly from the grinder; (iv) dispensing port(s) for receiving ground substances directly from the collection unit(s) and from which specified amounts of said ground substances may be dispensed; and (v) an audio sound system, together with several other convenient, electronic features, to enhance the user's smoking experience. The aforementioned smoking related features may be fully automated, semi-automated or manually controlled. Also, each such feature may be removably attached and transportable to accommodate the user's needs.

The present disclosure is directed to a multi-purpose, smoking accessory device for tobacco, herbs, Cannabis and other smokable substances. The accessory device comprises several, convenient smoking related features presented in a single, compact unit. Such features, include (i) an air-tight storage component comprising multiple individual air-tight storage compartments for storing multiple types of non-ground smokable substances; (ii) a grinder for grinding specified amounts of said non-ground substances directly from the storage compartment(s); (iii) collection unit(s) for storing ground substances directly from the grinder; (iv) dispensing port(s) for receiving ground substances directly from the collection unit(s) and from which specified amounts of said ground substances may be dispensed; and (v) an audio sound system, together with several other convenient, electronic features, to enhance the user's smoking experience. The aforementioned smoking related features may be fully automated, semi-automated or manually controlled. Also, each such feature may be removably attached and transportable to accommodate the user's needs.

A seasoning mill includes a receiving unit, a grinding unit disposed in the receiving unit, and a closure unit. The closure unit includes a stationary seat having at least one grinding opening, a rotation control seat having a cover wall formed with at least one control opening, and a coupling member for providing a resistive force between a coupling shaft and the rotation control seat such that the rotation control seat is co-rotatable with the coupling shaft relative to the stationary seat from a closed position to an opened position, and that the rotation control seat is capable of being maintained at the opened position when a rotational force exerted thereon is released.

A conical burr coffee grinder can include a hopper that receives coffee beans, a grinding arrangement beneath the hopper, and a removable container beneath the grinding arrangement. The grinding arrangement can include an inner conical burr within an outer conical burr. At least one conical burr can rotate with respect to the other to grind the coffee beans into coffee grounds and dispense the coffee grounds into the container. The coffee beans and coffee grounds can follow a substantially vertical path from the hopper through the grinding arrangement and into the container, which can be multipurpose. A rotor gear can be coupled to the inner conical burr such that the rotor gear and inner conical burr rotate together as a combined unit. Additional components can include a rotational motor, a geartrain, a removable hopper lid, a grind adjustment assembly, a chute, an ionizer, a base, and a safety switch.