A SPICE GRINDER WITH A MEASURABLE CUP

Abstract

A spice grinder is provided with a grinding mechanism, a measuring cup and a particle size adjuster. The spice grinder manually grinds a desired type of spice with a desired particle size in a desired amount.

Claims

1. A grinder comprising: an inner container and a grinding part, said inner container being provided within an outer container wherein said outer container comprises a measuring cup.

2. The grinder in accordance with claim 1 wherein said grinding part comprises: a grinding handle forming a grinding mechanism, said grinding part being provided opposite to the inner container, and where the rotating inner container being positioned and rotatably coupled to the grinding handle such that the inner container rotates along with the grinding handle as the grinding handle is turned, the inner container being configured to rotate relative to the grinding part.

3. The grinder in accordance with claim 1 further comprising: a particle size adjuster for adjusting particle size of ground product by controlling a distance between the rotating inner container and the stationary grinding part; and a removable measuring cup for observing quantity of product while and or after being ground using the grinding mechanism and dispensing out, a desired quantity of the ground product by twisting the grinder.

4. The grinder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the measuring cup is transparent allowing a user to observe the quantity of the ground product while and after the product is being ground, and/or whereby the measuring cup is graded with visual measuring markings or levels.

5. The grinder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the measuring markings are equally spaced marked lines on the measuring cup referring to measurable units for measuring quantities including grams, milligrams.

6. The grinder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the grinder further comprises a controlling mechanism for controlling the quantity of the ground product to be filled in the measuring cup; the controlling mechanism is radially provided between the inner container and the measuring cup around the grinding part allowing a portion of the ground product to enter the measuring cup, from the inner container, as and when the product is ground.

7. The grinder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the particle size adjuster is provided with visible particle size markings corresponding to multiple particles sizes which can be achieved from the grinder.

8. The grinder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the stationary grinding part is positioned at an axial distance opposite to the rotating inner container inside the grinder, and the rotating inner container and the stationary grinding part have respective grinding surfaces facing opposite to each other.

9. The grinder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the outer container and the grinding handle together form the outer body of the grinder, while the grinding handle is rotatable around the outer container.

10. The grinder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the particle size adjuster is rotated or turned along the outer container and is locked at a desired particle size marking corresponding to a particular desired particle size, the twisting of the particle size adjuster moves the stationary grinding part closer to or away from the rotating inner container depending on the desired locked particle size marking, and wherein the grinding part locks at the desired particle size marking, reaching a distance, corresponding to the locked particle size marking, relative to the inner container.

11. The grinder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the grinder grinds the product including spices, herbs, berries, or coffee.

12. A method for manufacturing a portable grinder, the method comprises: providing an outer container coupled with a rotating or turning grinding handle, the outer container and the grinding handle forming an outer body of the grinder; providing an inner container inside the outer container of the grinder, the inner container being positioned relative to and configured to rotate with the rotating or turned grinding handle; providing a grinding part positioned opposite to the inner container, where the inner container is configured to rotate using the twisting grinding handle and relative to the grinding part; and providing a measuring cup on the outer container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a spice grinder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the spice grinder for grinding spices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates the perspective view of the spice grinder with its measuring cup removed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a sectional side view and a sectional perspective view of the spice grinder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a bottom view of the spice grinder with a closing lid closed and opened respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart showing a method for grinding spices using the spice grinder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] This patent describes the subject matter for patenting with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The principles described herein may be embodied in many different forms.

[0025] A grinder comprising an inner container and a grinding part, said inner container being provided within an outer container whereby said outer container comprises a measuring cup.

[0026] A grinder in accordance with claim 1 wherein said grinding part comprises:

a grinding handle forming a grinding mechanism, said grinding part being provided opposite to the inner container, and where the rotating inner container being positioned and rotatably coupled to the grinding handle such that the inner container rotates along with the grinding handle as the grinding handle is turned, the inner container being configured to rotate relative to the grinding part;

[0027] A grinder in accordance with claims 1 and 2 further comprising: a particle size adjuster for adjusting particle size of ground product by controlling a distance between the rotating inner container and the stationary grinding part; and a removable measuring cup for observing quantity of product while and or after being ground using the grinding mechanism and dispensing out, a desired quantity of the ground product by twisting the grinder.

[0028] The grinder in accordance to claim 1-3, wherein the measuring cup is transparent allowing a user to observe the quantity of the ground product while and after the product is being ground, and/or whereby the measuring cup is graded with visual measuring markings or levels.

[0029] The grinder as claimed in claim 1-4, wherein the measuring markings are equally spaced marked lines on the measuring cup referring to measurable units for measuring quantities including grams, milligrams.

[0030] The grinder as claimed in claims 1-5, wherein the grinder further comprises a controlling mechanism for controlling the quantity of the ground product to be filled in the measuring cup;

[0031] the controlling mechanism is radially provided between the inner container and the measuring cup around the grinding part allowing a portion of the ground product to enter the measuring cup, from the inner container, as and when the product is ground.

[0032] The grinder as claimed in claim 1-6, wherein the particle size adjuster is provided with visible particle size markings corresponding to multiple particles sizes which can be achieved from the grinder.

[0033] The grinder as claimed in claim 1-7, wherein the stationary grinding part is positioned at an axial distance opposite to the rotating inner container inside the grinder, and the rotating inner container and the stationary grinding part have respective grinding surfaces facing opposite to each other.

[0034] The grinder as claimed in claim 1-8, wherein the outer container and the grinding handle together form the outer body of the grinder, while the grinding handle is rotatable around the outer container.

[0035] The grinder as claimed in claim 1-9, wherein the particle size adjuster is rotated or turned along the outer container and is locked at a desired particle size marking corresponding to a particular desired particle size, the twisting of the particle size adjuster moves the stationary grinding part closer to or away from the rotating inner container depending on the desired locked particle size marking, and wherein the grinding part locks at the desired particle size marking, reaching a distance, corresponding to the locked particle size marking, relative to the inner container.

[0036] The grinder as claimed in claim 1-10, wherein the grinder grinds the product including spices, herbs, berries, other condiments such as coffee.

[0037] A method for manufacturing a portable grinder, the method comprises: providing an outer container coupled with a rotating or turning grinding handle, the outer container and the grinding handle forming an outer body of the grinder; providing an inner container inside the outer container of the grinder, the inner container being positioned relative to and configured to rotate with the rotating or turned grinding handle, providing a grinding part positioned opposite to the inner container, where the inner container is configured to rotate using the twisting grinding handle and relative to the grinding part; providing a measuring cup on the outer container.

[0038] Illustrative embodiments of the invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0039] The present invention is directed to a grinder comprising an inner container and a first (embedded) grinding part, said inner container being provided within an outer container and a second grinding part preferably being provided opposite to the inner container and whereby said outer container comprises a measuring cup

[0040] The present invention provides a portable, easy to use spice grinder or a grinding device that includes a grinding mechanism for grinding spices or other condiments; a particle size adjuster and a, optionally removable, measuring container or a cup for measuring the spices while they are being ground. The grinding mechanism preferably includes a stationary part and a rotating part; each has a respective grinding surface positioned opposite to each other at a distance apart. The rotating part rotates relative to the stationary part, and which when rotated with respect to the stationary part grinds the spice contained in the grinder. Further, the particle size adjuster may be functioned to obtain a desired particle size in grinding. Also, while the spices are being ground inside the grinder, the measuring container can measure the amount of the spices that has been ground, and the measuring container may be optionally be removed or opened for an effective dispensing of the ground spices out from the grinder or be dispensed by the twist movement as referred to above.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, illustrating different views of an exemplary portable spice grinder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the spice grinder 100 comprises an outer container 102, a grinding handle 104, a removable measuring cup 106 and a particle size adjuster 108. The outer container 102 and the grinding handle 104 forms an outer body of the grinder 100. The grinding handle 104 is coupled to the outer container 102, such that the grinding handle 104 is able to rotate along the coupling. Further, the measuring cup 106 is graded and provided with visual measuring grades or markings 110 which allow a user to visually measure the spices as they are being ground. FIG. 3 shows the measuring cup 106 in case the measuring cup is removed. In an embodiment, the measuring markings 110 may be equally spaced marked lines on the cup 106 referring to measurable units for quantities, such as grams, milligrams, etc. The cup 106 can contain the spices when they are ground, and the ground spices can be measured accordingly via the measuring grades 110. The cup 106 can remain unopened or not removed or alternatively be easily removed for an easy and controlled dispensing of the ground spices in an exact measured amount. It may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the measuring cup 106 may be manufactured in a suitable shape to contain, measure and dispense ground spices, such as the one shown in FIGS. 1-5, a round shape, hemispherical, cuboid, or any other depending on the design and requirements of the measuring cup 106, without deviating from the meaning and scope of the present invention. Further, the particle size adjuster 108 is also provided with visible markings 112 referring to multiple particles sizes which can be obtained from the grinder 100. The particle size adjuster 108 may be twisted related to the visible markings 112 for achieving a desired particle size.

[0042] Now referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, showing grinding mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The grinder 100 includes a grinding mechanism which further includes a rotating inner container 114 and a stationary grinding part 116. The rotating inner container 114 is positioned and coupled to the grinding handle 104 in a way that the inner container 114 rotates along with the grinding handle 104. Hence, as the user rotates the grinding handle 104, the inner container 114 rotates with the grinding handle 104. The inner container 114 is driven rotationally by way of the grinding handle 114, which forms a part of the outer body of the grinder 100. Therefore, the outer container 102 and the grinding handle 104 together form the outer body of the grinder 100, while the grinding handle 104 is rotatable around the outer container 102.

[0043] Further, the stationary grinding part 116 is provided at an axial distance from the inner container 114 inside the grinder 100. The stationary grinding part 116 is positioned opposite to the inner container 114, having their respective grinding surfaces facing opposite to each other. The grinding surface of the inner container 114 and the grinding part 116 are spaced away at a distance from each other to produce a grind of spice with a particle size, depending on the distance between the grinding surfaces of the inner container 114 and the grinding part 116. This distance, may be termed as the grinding distance, and can be controlled and adjusted using the particle size adjuster 108. Lesser the distance between the two grinding surfaces, finer will be the grind of spice.

[0044] For grinding desired spices, a closing lid 118 may be opened (as shown in FIG. 5B), and a desired amount of spices can be filled into the grinder 100. The inner container 114 contains the amount of the spices which can be ground using the grinder 100. To grind the spices, the user rotates the grinding handle 104, which in-turn rotates the inner container 114 which is rotatably coupled to the grinding handle 104. A portion of the grinding surface of the inner container 114 is provided with a plurality of teeth 120 facing the grinding surface of the stationary grinding part 116. In an embodiment, the inner container 114 may be provided with a suitable number of rows of teeth for grinding the spices. In an embodiment, the whole grinding surface of the inner container 114 is provided with the plurality of teeth.

[0045] As the grinding handle 104 is twisted, the inner container 114 rotates with respect to the opposite facing stationary grinding part 116. As the inner container 114 rotates opposite to the stationary grinding part 116, the spices, contained in between the respective grinding surfaces of the inner container 114 and the grinding part 116, grind owing to the rotatory movement of the inner container 114 and the presence of the plurality of teeth 120 on the grinding surface of the inner container 114.

[0046] Further, a particle size of the grind may also be selected using the particle size adjuster 108. The adjuster 108 is twisted along the outer container 102 and is locked at a desired particle size marking 112 corresponding to a particular particle size. In case the inner container is a multicompartment container, the adjuster will also allow the user to choose which goods he wishes to select to grind. Therefore, the user may choose a desired spice, a desired particle size, rotate the adjuster 108, and bring the adjuster 108 pointing to that marking 112. Each size marking 112 corresponds to a predetermined particle size or a predetermined good to be grinded. As the adjuster 108 is rotated, the axial distance between the inner container 114 and the grinding part 116 can be adjusted. For achieving a desired good and/or desired particle size, the adjuster 108 is rotated to the corresponding marking 112, and is locked at that marking. The grinding part 116 moves closer to the inner container 114 according to the locked particle size marking 112. As the grinding part 116 reaches the appropriate distance relative to the inner container 114 based on the locked particle size marking 112, the grinding part 116 gets locked at that position, and becomes stationary for the grinding process. Hence, the user may adjust the particle size for achieving a desired particle size of the spice grind and the selection of the spice grind.

[0047] As the grinding handle 104 keeps on rotating twisting, the inner container 114 rotates relative to the grinding part 116, and grinds the spices contained in it. Further, as the grinding continues, the ground spices collects in the measuring cup 106. The measuring cup 106 has transparent cover which allows the user to watch the quantity of the spices being ground. For obtaining a required amount of ground spices, the user has to watch through the transparent cover, and measure the ground spices using the measuring markings 110. The user can stop rotating the grinding handle 104 once the ground spices has reached a desired measuring marking 110 corresponding to the desired quantity of ground spices.

[0048] Further, for dispensing the ground spices out of the grinder, the grinding handle 104 is moved back to its original position in which the spices are filled into the inner container 114. In one specific embodiment, the measuring cup 106 is removed, and an exact measured amount of ground spices with desired particle size are dispensed neatly out of the grinder 100 without creating any messy situation. In another embodiment, the measuring cap can be opened.

[0049] Alternatively, the measuring cap remain on the container unopened allowing the goods to be dispensed via a twist out of the bottom part of the outer container as a result of the dispensing channels (FIG. 4A.) present between the inner and outer container.

[0050] The measuring cup 106 allows for a controlled dispensing feature, by allowing the user to watch the amount of spices which are being ground, while the grinding process continues. During the grinding process, the amount of spices which are ground keeps on filling into the measuring cup 106 in a controlled way by means of a controlling mechanism between the measuring cup 106 and the inner container 114. Therefore, the measuring cup 106 and the inner container 114 are provided with the controlling mechanism in between that allows only a portion of the ground spices to enter the measuring cup 106 as and when the spices are ground. The controlling mechanism may be in the form of a series of spaced ribs radially positioned between the measuring cup 106 and the inner container 114 around the grinding part 116, where the ribs are configured to pass the ground spices through them and into the measuring cup 106 in a controlled way. It may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the controlling mechanism may be provided in many other forms, such as ribs, radial tabs circling the grinding part 116, etc. depending on the design and requirement of the grinder, without deviating from the meaning and scope of the present invention.

[0051] Therefore, in exemplary situations where the user does not want to grind the whole amount of spices contained in the inner container 114, the user may twist the grinding handle 104 till the measuring cup is filled to a desired measuring marking or level 110. The ground spices enter the measuring cup 106 as they are ground, through the controlling mechanism. Thereafter, the user may dispense out the desired spice and the exact amount ground spices within a selected grinding size.

[0052] In another embodiment, the ground spices are also dispensed out from the closing lid 118, when the user needs to grind the whole amount of spices contained in the inner container 114.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 6, showing a method for executing grinding process using the spice grinder 100, the method 200 is read and understood in conjunction with the FIGS. 1-5. The method 200 includes filling the grinder 100 with desired spices which are to be ground, at step 202. The closing lid 118 of the grinder 100 is opened, and the spices are put into the inner container 114. A user may put a desired amount of the spices, or just freely put the spices without measuring the amount.

[0054] At step 204, the user adjusts the particle size adjuster 108, by twisting the particle size adjuster 108 to a desired particle size marking 112. The adjuster 108 brings the grinding part 116 closer or away from the inner container 114 depending on the set desired particle size marking 112. The adjuster 108 gets locked into that position, locking the grinding part 116 at the corresponding distance from the inner container 114, depending on the desired particle size marking 112. At step 206, the user turns or rotates the grinding handle 104, which in turn rotates the inner container 114 relative to the stationary grinding part 116, grinding the spices contained in the grinder 100.

[0055] At step 208, the user keeps a watch on the amount of the ground spices during the grinding process, through the transparent cover of the measuring cup 106, and using the measuring levels 110. As the amount of the ground spices reach the desired level 110, the user may either remove or open the measuring cup 106, or twist the container and neatly dispenses the exact amount of ground spices with desired particle size, at step 210.

[0056] Advantageously, the present invention provides a portable spice grinder for grinding and dispensing a desired amount of the spices with a desired particle size, in a controlled hygienic way. The grinder grinds the spices with variable particle sizes, by adjusting the distance between the rotating inner container and the stationary grinding part. The grinder allows measuring the ground spices, during the grinding process using the measuring cup, while also allows dispensing an exact desired amount of ground spices. The grinder may grind different kinds of condiments, such as spices, for example pepper, berries, salt, herbs, etc, and is not restricted to grind only spices or herbs. The grinder provides even dispensing of the ground spices with known desired amount. In an embodiment, the spice grinder provided in the present invention may also operate semi-automatic, or automatic, in addition to being manually functioning. For being semi-automatic or fully automatic, the spice grinder may work electrically using electrical cable wires, or may be battery operated. The battery may or may not be rechargeable.

[0057] While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods, devices, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods, devices, and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.