CA2718672C - Bowl and cap assembly for spice grinder - Google Patents
Bowl and cap assembly for spice grinder Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2718672C CA2718672C CA2718672A CA2718672A CA2718672C CA 2718672 C CA2718672 C CA 2718672C CA 2718672 A CA2718672 A CA 2718672A CA 2718672 A CA2718672 A CA 2718672A CA 2718672 C CA2718672 C CA 2718672C
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- bowl
- diameter
- cap
- sidewall
- open end
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Abstract
A bowl and cap assembly for use with a spice grinder has a bowl and a cap. The bowl has an open end at the top, a floor, and a sidewall. The cap is a generally flat, circular disc having a circumferential wall. The cap's outside diameter is less than the inside diameter of the bowl at the bowl's top rim.
At a location vertically below the rim, the bowl's inside diameter is less than the outside diameter of the cap. This causes the cap to hang up at that vertical location, which is beneath the rim, in order to sealingly enclose a volume of the bowl interior during spice grinding. This reduction in inside diameter can be made by tapering the sidewall of the bowl.
At a location vertically below the rim, the bowl's inside diameter is less than the outside diameter of the cap. This causes the cap to hang up at that vertical location, which is beneath the rim, in order to sealingly enclose a volume of the bowl interior during spice grinding. This reduction in inside diameter can be made by tapering the sidewall of the bowl.
Description
BOWL AND CAP ASSEMBLY FOR SPICE GRINDER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electric appliances and, more particularly, to electric grinder appliances having an electric motor and a rotationally driven blade extending into a bowl that holds spices or food product for grinding.
Description of Related Art Various design exist for spice grinders in which a bowl rests on a base that houses a motor and driven blade. The bowl has a cover that fits over the outside of the bowl and contacts the base, forming a seal at the top rim of the bowl to prevent escape of spices during grinding. One known drawback of such designs is that when a relatively small amount of spice is being ground in the bowl, the vortex caused by the rotating blade causes the spices to lift and scatter upwardly out of the path of the blade and the result is no grinding. This is due to the relatively light weight and low density of the spices.
OBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of known spice grinders and described above.
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention disclosed herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a specialized cap for use when grinding a relatively small volume of spices is provided. The specialized cap is sized and shaped to be received inside the inner diameter of the bowl. This allows that cap to seal relative to the bowl at a location below the rim of the bowl, thereby reducing the effective volume inside of the bowl during grinding in order to keep the spices confined in blade path.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a bowl and cap assembly for use with a spice grinder, comprising a bowl;
a cap;
an open end at the top of said bowl, said open end defining an inside diameter as a first diameter;
a floor at the bottom of said bowl;
a bowl sidewall joining said floor and said open end, said bowl sidewall having a varying sidewall inside diameter in which at least a portion of the sidewall defines a second diameter that is less than said first diameter; and said cap being a generally flat, circular disc having a circumferential wall and an outside diameter that defines a third diameter, wherein the third diameter is less than the first diameter and greater than the second diameter such that when said cap is placed into said bowl open end said cap rests at a position below said open end and in contact with said sidewall at a location coinciding with said second diameter.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided A bowl and cap assembly for use with a spice grinder, comprising a bowl;
a cap;
an open end at the top of said bowl, said open end defining an inside diameter as a first diameter;
a floor at the bottom of said bowl;
a bowl sidewall joining said floor and said open end, said bowl sidewall having a varying sidewall inside diameter in which at least a portion of the sidewall defines a second diameter that is less than said first diameter; and said cap being a generally flat, circular disc having a circumferential wall and an outside diameter that defines a third diameter and having a flange attached at the top of and radially extending from the circumferential wall where the flange defines a fourth diameter, wherein the third diameter is less than the first diameter and the fourth diameter is greater than the second diameter such that when said cap is placed into said bowl open end said cap rests at a position
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electric appliances and, more particularly, to electric grinder appliances having an electric motor and a rotationally driven blade extending into a bowl that holds spices or food product for grinding.
Description of Related Art Various design exist for spice grinders in which a bowl rests on a base that houses a motor and driven blade. The bowl has a cover that fits over the outside of the bowl and contacts the base, forming a seal at the top rim of the bowl to prevent escape of spices during grinding. One known drawback of such designs is that when a relatively small amount of spice is being ground in the bowl, the vortex caused by the rotating blade causes the spices to lift and scatter upwardly out of the path of the blade and the result is no grinding. This is due to the relatively light weight and low density of the spices.
OBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of known spice grinders and described above.
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention disclosed herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a specialized cap for use when grinding a relatively small volume of spices is provided. The specialized cap is sized and shaped to be received inside the inner diameter of the bowl. This allows that cap to seal relative to the bowl at a location below the rim of the bowl, thereby reducing the effective volume inside of the bowl during grinding in order to keep the spices confined in blade path.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a bowl and cap assembly for use with a spice grinder, comprising a bowl;
a cap;
an open end at the top of said bowl, said open end defining an inside diameter as a first diameter;
a floor at the bottom of said bowl;
a bowl sidewall joining said floor and said open end, said bowl sidewall having a varying sidewall inside diameter in which at least a portion of the sidewall defines a second diameter that is less than said first diameter; and said cap being a generally flat, circular disc having a circumferential wall and an outside diameter that defines a third diameter, wherein the third diameter is less than the first diameter and greater than the second diameter such that when said cap is placed into said bowl open end said cap rests at a position below said open end and in contact with said sidewall at a location coinciding with said second diameter.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided A bowl and cap assembly for use with a spice grinder, comprising a bowl;
a cap;
an open end at the top of said bowl, said open end defining an inside diameter as a first diameter;
a floor at the bottom of said bowl;
a bowl sidewall joining said floor and said open end, said bowl sidewall having a varying sidewall inside diameter in which at least a portion of the sidewall defines a second diameter that is less than said first diameter; and said cap being a generally flat, circular disc having a circumferential wall and an outside diameter that defines a third diameter and having a flange attached at the top of and radially extending from the circumferential wall where the flange defines a fourth diameter, wherein the third diameter is less than the first diameter and the fourth diameter is greater than the second diameter such that when said cap is placed into said bowl open end said cap rests at a position
2 below said open end and in contact with said sidewall at a location coinciding with said second diameter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a front view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a front, cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a front, exploded view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a side, exploded, cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a partial, side cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a front view of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a front, cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a front, exploded view of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 is a front, exploded, cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
PRESENT INVENTION
In the drawing Figures for both embodiments, dimensions are shown and are intended to be examples only in order to illustrate tapering, and in no way are intended to limit the scope of the invention.
A first embodiment is shown in Figures 1 - 5, a bowl and cap assembly 1 for use with a spice grinder is shown and comprises a bowl 2 and cap 3. The 2a bowl has an open end 4 at the top, a floor 5, and a sidewall 6. The cap 3 is a generally flat, circular disc having a circumferential wall 7, and at least one gripable handle 8. The cap's outside diameter 9 is less than the inside diameter of the bowl 2 at the bowl's top rim 11. At a location vertically below the rim 11, the bowl's inside diameter 12 is less than the outside diameter 9 of the cap
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a front view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a front, cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a front, exploded view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a side, exploded, cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a partial, side cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a front view of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a front, cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a front, exploded view of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 is a front, exploded, cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
PRESENT INVENTION
In the drawing Figures for both embodiments, dimensions are shown and are intended to be examples only in order to illustrate tapering, and in no way are intended to limit the scope of the invention.
A first embodiment is shown in Figures 1 - 5, a bowl and cap assembly 1 for use with a spice grinder is shown and comprises a bowl 2 and cap 3. The 2a bowl has an open end 4 at the top, a floor 5, and a sidewall 6. The cap 3 is a generally flat, circular disc having a circumferential wall 7, and at least one gripable handle 8. The cap's outside diameter 9 is less than the inside diameter of the bowl 2 at the bowl's top rim 11. At a location vertically below the rim 11, the bowl's inside diameter 12 is less than the outside diameter 9 of the cap
3.
This causes the cap 3 to hang up at that vertical location, which is beneath the rim 11, in order to sealingly enclose a volume of the bowl interior during spice grinding. This reduction in inside diameter 12 can be made by tapering the sidewall 6 of the bowl 2, as shown by way of example as angle a of one degree in Figures 4 - 5, or simply by altering its geometry. Optionally, the circumferential wall 7 of the cap 3 is tapered to match the taper of the sidewall 6.
Alternatively, the circumferential wall 7 may be vertical and it will still function because the sidewall 6 is tapered.
A second embodiment is shown in Figures 6 - 9, wherein a bowl and cap assembly 100 include a bowl 102 and a cap 103. The bowl 102 has an open end 104, a floor 17, and a sidewall 18. The sidewall's interior has at least two distinct inner diameters because of the existence of a horizontally aligned shoulder 109 extending around the circumference. The first inner diameter 120 above the shoulder 109 extending to the rim 110 at the opening is greater than the greater outside diameter 109 of the cap 103. The second inner diameter 112 below the shoulder 109 is less than the greater outside diameter 122 of the cap 103. The cap 102 has a lip 123 at its upper end and the remaining outside wall 107 of the cap extends below it. The cap 103 has a lesser diameter 125 corresponding to the section below the lip 123. The lesser outside diameter 125 of the cap 103 is less than the second inner diameter 126 of the bowl 102.
The greater outside diameter 122 of the cap is greater than the second inner diameter 126 that begins at the shoulder 109. Therefore, the cap 103 hangs up on the shoulder 109 in order to sealingly enclose a volume of the bowl interior during spice grinding.
During use, for either of the two above-described embodiments, the respective bowl is placed on a conventional electric grinder base (not shown).
Each bowl has a hole in the floor of the bowl through which extends a driven shaft and attached blade, as is generally known to those skilled in the art.
The shaft is driven by an electric motor (not shown) and causes the blade to rotate.
While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed herein, it is understood that various modification can be made without departing from the scope of the presently claimed invention.
This causes the cap 3 to hang up at that vertical location, which is beneath the rim 11, in order to sealingly enclose a volume of the bowl interior during spice grinding. This reduction in inside diameter 12 can be made by tapering the sidewall 6 of the bowl 2, as shown by way of example as angle a of one degree in Figures 4 - 5, or simply by altering its geometry. Optionally, the circumferential wall 7 of the cap 3 is tapered to match the taper of the sidewall 6.
Alternatively, the circumferential wall 7 may be vertical and it will still function because the sidewall 6 is tapered.
A second embodiment is shown in Figures 6 - 9, wherein a bowl and cap assembly 100 include a bowl 102 and a cap 103. The bowl 102 has an open end 104, a floor 17, and a sidewall 18. The sidewall's interior has at least two distinct inner diameters because of the existence of a horizontally aligned shoulder 109 extending around the circumference. The first inner diameter 120 above the shoulder 109 extending to the rim 110 at the opening is greater than the greater outside diameter 109 of the cap 103. The second inner diameter 112 below the shoulder 109 is less than the greater outside diameter 122 of the cap 103. The cap 102 has a lip 123 at its upper end and the remaining outside wall 107 of the cap extends below it. The cap 103 has a lesser diameter 125 corresponding to the section below the lip 123. The lesser outside diameter 125 of the cap 103 is less than the second inner diameter 126 of the bowl 102.
The greater outside diameter 122 of the cap is greater than the second inner diameter 126 that begins at the shoulder 109. Therefore, the cap 103 hangs up on the shoulder 109 in order to sealingly enclose a volume of the bowl interior during spice grinding.
During use, for either of the two above-described embodiments, the respective bowl is placed on a conventional electric grinder base (not shown).
Each bowl has a hole in the floor of the bowl through which extends a driven shaft and attached blade, as is generally known to those skilled in the art.
The shaft is driven by an electric motor (not shown) and causes the blade to rotate.
While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed herein, it is understood that various modification can be made without departing from the scope of the presently claimed invention.
4
Claims (5)
1. A bowl and cap assembly for use with a spice grinder, comprising a bowl;
a cap;
an open end at the top of said bowl, said open end defining an inside diameter as a first diameter;
a floor at the bottom of said bowl;
a bowl sidewall joining said floor and said open end, said bowl sidewall having a varying sidewall inside diameter in which at least a portion of the sidewall defines a second diameter that is less than said first diameter ; and said cap being a generally flat, circular disc having a circumferential wall and an outside diameter that defines a third diameter, wherein the third diameter is less than the first diameter and greater than the second diameter such that when said cap is placed into said bowl open end said cap rests at a position below said open end and in contact with said sidewall at a location coinciding with said second diameter.
a cap;
an open end at the top of said bowl, said open end defining an inside diameter as a first diameter;
a floor at the bottom of said bowl;
a bowl sidewall joining said floor and said open end, said bowl sidewall having a varying sidewall inside diameter in which at least a portion of the sidewall defines a second diameter that is less than said first diameter ; and said cap being a generally flat, circular disc having a circumferential wall and an outside diameter that defines a third diameter, wherein the third diameter is less than the first diameter and greater than the second diameter such that when said cap is placed into said bowl open end said cap rests at a position below said open end and in contact with said sidewall at a location coinciding with said second diameter.
2. The assembly according to Claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said sidewall is tapered such that said varying inside diameter decreases in a direction downward from said open end.
3. The assembly according to Claim 1, further comprising at least one handle attached to said cap.
4. The assembly according to Claim 2, wherein said circumferential wall of the cap is tapered to match the taper of the sidewall.
5. A bowl and cap assembly for use with a spice grinder, comprising a bowl;
a cap;
an open end at the top of said bowl, said open end defining an inside diameter as a first diameter;
a floor at the bottom of said bowl;
a bowl sidewall joining said floor and said open end, said bowl sidewall having a varying sidewall inside diameter in which at least a portion of the sidewall defines a second diameter that is less than said first diameter; and said cap being a generally flat, circular disc having a circumferential wall and an outside diameter that defines a third diameter and having a flange attached at the top of and radially extending from the circumferential wall where the flange defines a fourth diameter, wherein the third diameter is less than the first diameter and the fourth diameter is greater than the second diameter such that when said cap is placed into said bowl open end said cap rests at a position below said open end and in contact with said sidewall at a location coinciding with said second diameter.
a cap;
an open end at the top of said bowl, said open end defining an inside diameter as a first diameter;
a floor at the bottom of said bowl;
a bowl sidewall joining said floor and said open end, said bowl sidewall having a varying sidewall inside diameter in which at least a portion of the sidewall defines a second diameter that is less than said first diameter; and said cap being a generally flat, circular disc having a circumferential wall and an outside diameter that defines a third diameter and having a flange attached at the top of and radially extending from the circumferential wall where the flange defines a fourth diameter, wherein the third diameter is less than the first diameter and the fourth diameter is greater than the second diameter such that when said cap is placed into said bowl open end said cap rests at a position below said open end and in contact with said sidewall at a location coinciding with said second diameter.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US25494609P | 2009-10-26 | 2009-10-26 | |
| US61/254,946 | 2009-10-26 | ||
| US90718210A | 2010-10-19 | 2010-10-19 | |
| US12/907,182 | 2010-10-19 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2718672A1 CA2718672A1 (en) | 2011-04-26 |
| CA2718672C true CA2718672C (en) | 2015-11-10 |
Family
ID=43923139
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2718672A Active CA2718672C (en) | 2009-10-26 | 2010-10-25 | Bowl and cap assembly for spice grinder |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2718672C (en) |
-
2010
- 2010-10-25 CA CA2718672A patent/CA2718672C/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2718672A1 (en) | 2011-04-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20130904 |