DE102011078214A1 - Adjustable grinding device - Google Patents

Abstract

The adjustable manually operated grinding device (4) comprises a first, with the reservoir (2) rotatably connectable grinding component (6), which at a conical opening (8) radially to the central axis (10) facing teeth (12). The first grinding component (6) is connected via a spacer ring (14) to a second grinding component (16) which has radially outwardly pointing teeth (20) on a cone (18) which engage with the teeth (12) of the first grinding component (16). 6) form an adjustable grinding gap. The second grinding component (16) is held freely rotatably on the spacer ring (14). The spacer ring (14) and the first grinding component (6) include adjusting means (22) for rotating the spacer ring (14) relative to the first grinding component (6) from a first durable rotational position (A) to a second durable rotational position (B). causing a corresponding axial displacement of the spacer ring (14) relative to the first grinding component (6) from a first axial position to a second axial position. As a result, a structurally and handling moderate simple change of the grinding gap is given.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a suitable as a conclusion for a reservoir adjustable hand-operated grinding device.

State of the art

Manually operated grinding devices, in particular spice grinding devices, are often designed as a conclusion such as the lid of a corresponding reservoir, which is with the material to be crushed, for example, grainy spices or spice mixtures, attacks. Known spice grinders have a fixed milling component with a central bore in which an array of teeth projects inwardly. Within the bore is a rotatable grinding component having radially outwardly facing projections. The spice grains to be ground are caught between the protrusions and the teeth and ground into a powder when the rotatable member is rotated. The powder thus produced then exits through an opening in the grinding device.

For some applications, it is desirable to have the freeness, ie. H. Adjust the fineness of the powder produced by the grinding device, and to choose at least between two different degrees of grinding. For this purpose, numerous adjustable grinding devices have been proposed.

A generic adjustable hand-operated grinding device is in the EP 1 696 775 A1 described. This comprises a first fixed grinding component and a second grinding component which is rotatable about a central axis of the device and which is connected to the first grinding component. In this case, the first milling component has a conical bore with teeth projecting inwardly from the surface of the bore while the second milling component has a serrated portion located in the bore, such that a grinding operation occurs between the teeth of the first component and the toothed portion of the second grinding component defined gap takes place when the second grinding component is rotated relative to the first grinding component. The second grinding component is axially displaceable relative to the first grinding component to vary the distance between the teeth of the rotatable grinding component and the toothed portion of the second grinding component and thus the degree of grinding. This axial displaceability is accomplished by providing one of the two grinding components with two circumferentially extending, axially spaced grooves, while the other grinding component is provided with a respective circumferential rib which can be selectively engaged in one of said grooves. Thus, each of the two grooves defines a corresponding axial position of the two grinding components to each other.

In order to adjust the degree of grinding, in the known grinding apparatus, the rotatable second grinding component designed as an annular sleeve is selectively brought into the first or the second axial position. A change in the axial position and thus the degree of malalignment requires a certain application of force in the axial direction to push out the rib out of the one groove and to bring it back on reaching the other groove.

A disadvantage of the known grinding apparatus is that the force required to change the axial position, which is essentially defined by the disengagement of the rib from the respective groove, critically influences the ease of operation and the reliability of the device. If the required force is too small, there is a risk of unintentional or unnoticed adjustment of the freeness. On the other hand, if this force is too great, the adjustment of the degree of grinding may become difficult. Another disadvantage of the known configuration also results in view of the conventional closure lid, which can be fastened by means of snap members on the rotatable component. In order for such a lid does not fall unintentionally, the snap connection must be relatively strong. However, the force to be used for changing the degree of grinding must be greater, otherwise the two grinding components will inevitably be brought into the axially released position when the lid is removed.

Another adjustable hand-operated grinder is in the DE 20 2007 009 829 U1 described. This also has mutually rotatable first and second grinding components, but wherein the second grinding component is not rotatably supported on a spacer ring, but on a central shaft, which is rotatably mounted in a housing, ie in the container, passes through this container in the longitudinal direction and on the other end of the container is connected to a rotary handle. Therefore, this device is not suitable as a lid for a housing.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a suitable adjustable as a conclusion of a reservoir, adjustable manual grinding device, which in particular does not have the disadvantages mentioned.

• – eine erste, feststehende Mahlkomponente
• – eine zweite, um eine Mittelachse der Vorrichtung drehbare Mahlkomponente, die mit der ersten Mahlkomponente verbunden ist,
• – wobei die erste Mahlkomponente eine konische Bohrung mit Zähnen aufweist, die von der Oberfläche der Bohrung nach innen vorstehen,
• – wobei die zweite Mahlkomponente einen gezahnten Bereich aufweist, der sich in der Bohrung befindet, so dass ein Mahlvorgang in einem zwischen den Zähnen der ersten Mahlkomponente und dem gezahnten Bereich der zweiten Mahlkomponente definierten Zwischenraum stattfindet, wenn die zweite Mahlkomponente relativ zu der ersten Mahlkomponente gedreht wird, und
• – wobei die zweite Mahlkomponente relativ zur ersten Mahlkomponente axial verschiebbar ist, um auf diese Weise den Abstand zwischen den Zähnen der drehbaren Mahlkomponente und dem gezahnten Bereich der zweiten Mahlkomponente und damit den Mahlgrad zu variieren.

The problem is solved by the defined in claim 1 adjustable manual grinding device. This includes:

• - a first, fixed grinding component
• A second grinding component rotatable about a central axis of the device and connected to the first grinding component,
• The first milling component having a conical bore with teeth projecting inwardly from the surface of the bore,
• Wherein the second milling component has a serrated portion located in the bore such that grinding occurs in a space defined between the teeth of the first grinding component and the serrated portion of the second grinding component when the second grinding component is rotated relative to the first grinding component will, and
• - Wherein the second grinding component is axially displaceable relative to the first grinding component, in order to vary in this way the distance between the teeth of the rotatable grinding component and the toothed portion of the second grinding component and thus the degree of grinding.

According to the invention, a spacer ring is arranged between the first grinding component and the second grinding component, on which the second grinding component is held freely rotatable. Furthermore, axial adjustment means are provided to effect by a rotation of the spacer ring relative to the first grinding component from a first durable rotational position to a second durable rotational position, a corresponding axial displacement of the spacer ring relative to the first grinding component from a first axial position to a second axial position.

The measures according to the invention have the consequence that the handling for adjusting the degree of grinding is independent of any axial forces, such as those required, for example, for removing a closure cap. In addition, a compact, pleasing and comparatively simple design can be realized, which, for example, does not rely on additional components near the axis, as is necessary with certain previously known constructions.

The grinding device according to the invention is particularly suitable for comminuting peppercorns, salt grains or spice grains. However, it is also suitable for the comminution of many other granular material, for example for dried spice, spice mixtures, sugar grains, cocoa, chocolate and the like.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Although a grinder with two adjustable degrees of grinding will suffice for numerous applications, there are still some applications in which at least one further degree of grinding is desired. Accordingly, an embodiment of the grinding device at least one further durable rotational position, which is located between the first and second durable rotational position (claim 2).

In principle, various embodiments of axial adjustment means are known. Advantageously, these comprise a plurality of circumferentially distributed projecting nubs, the associated guide grooves engage, wherein the nubs or the guide grooves on the spacer ring or in an outer shell portion of the first grinding component are arranged (claim 3). Preferably, the axial adjustment means are of bayonet-like configuration: each guide groove comprises an entry section and a subsequent guide section, the entry section being substantially parallel to the central axis and the guide section being at an acute angle to the circumferential direction (claim 4). It is essential that the intake and leaving the durable rotational positions is reliable and easy to use. Advantageously, each durable rotary position is defined by a trained in the guide groove receiving zone, in which the associated knob can be latched (claim 5).

In principle, there are various possibilities for connecting the second, rotatable grinding component with the first grinding component. On the one hand, the rotatability of the second grinding components with respect to the first grinding component is ensured on the one hand, but on the other hand a falling apart of the individual parts of the grinding device can be prevented. In an advantageous embodiment, a snap connection is provided between the second grinding component and the spacer ring, engage in a plurality of latching projections in an associated, extending in the circumferential direction groove (claim 6). Thus, first a freely rotatable, but axially fixed connection between the second grinding component and the spacer ring is created. The latter is in accordance with the invention in a well-defined axial and rotational relation to the first grinding component.

Advantageously, the spacer ring is provided on the outside with an embossed marking for displaying the set or a selectable freeness (claim 7). For example, this marking comprises symbolic representations in the form of opposite arrows in the circumferential direction, which each show a group of larger or smaller nubs as pictograms for symbolizing a coarser or finer degree of grinding. Because the Projections are immediately noticeable in the handling of the spacer ring, the user's attention is directed to this hint of functionality. Moreover, the embossing gives a good grip of the spacer ring.

In a preferred embodiment of the grinding device, the teeth of the first grinding component are formed on the inner surface of a conical opening of a ring element while the second grinding component has a cone which is connected via webs with a rotary ring. Between the webs openings are formed for the passage of the ground good. On the surface of the cone is the toothed portion of the second grinding component (claim 8). This makes it possible to realize a particularly compact design.

In principle, in the production of the grinding device, the required storage container can be produced in one piece with the first, fixed grinding component. For example, these parts could be made of the same plastic in one operation or welded or glued together. It is understood that in such a case, before the complete assembly of the grinding device still a filling of the reservoir is required. In contrast, another, particularly advantageous embodiment is designed such that the first grinding component has a base portion with a thread for screwing onto an associated reservoir, wherein the base portion is provided with a plurality of locking projections which form a permanent Dreharretierung with associated recesses on the reservoir ( Claim 9). These locking projections and recesses are required to prevent unwanted loosening of the screw connection between grinding device and reservoir, in particular when the spacer ring is actuated in the release direction of the screw connection. The term "permanent Dreharretierung" is understood to mean that unscrewing the grinder from the reservoir is only forcibly possible and then leads to damage of the rotary lock. This in turn provides protection against unauthorized access to the contents of the reservoir, d. H. The permanently screwed on the container grinding device forms a tamper evidence for the container contents.

Although various materials for the preparation of the grinding device come into consideration, it has proved to be advantageous if all components are formed from polycarbonate (claim 10).

Brief description of the drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the drawings, in which:

1 a arranged on a reservoir grinding device, in perspective view;

2 the arrangement of 1 in an exploded view;

3 a first grinding component connectable to the reservoir; in the middle section;

4 a spacer ring for connecting the first and the second grinding component; in the middle section; and

5 the second grinding component in the middle section.

Ways to carry out the invention

The 1 shows a reservoir 2 , as used for example for spices, on which as closure a grinding device 4 is arranged in the 2 to 5 is shown in more detail.

The grinding device 4 contains a first, with the reservoir 2 non-rotatably connectable grinding component 6 , which at a conical opening 8th radially to the central axis 10 pointing teeth 12 having. The first grinding component 6 is about a spacer ring 14 with a second milling component 16 connected to a cone 18 radially outward facing teeth 20 that has with your teeth 12 the first grinding component 6 form an adjustable grinding gap. The second grinding component 16 is at the distance ring 14 freely rotatably held. The spacer ring 14 and the first milling component 6 include adjusting means 22 to by twisting the spacer ring 14 opposite the first grinding component 6 from a first durable rotational position A in a second durable rotational position B, a corresponding axial displacement of the spacer ring 14 opposite the first grinding component 6 to effect from a first axial position to a second axial position and thereby to change the grinding gap.

The first grinding component 6 has a first ring section 24 on that with a neck 26 of the storage container 2 is connectable. On the inside of the ring section 24 is a threaded part 28 present, with a threaded part 30 On neck 26 of the storage container 2 is screwed. Furthermore, the ring section 24 locking 32 For example, a locking cam on, with a counterpart 34 On neck 26 of the storage container 2 cooperate in such a way that a permanent Dreharretierung is given. The counterpart 34 is formed for example by two spaced apart cams 34a . 34b between which the locking cams overcome after a ramp 34c locks.

The first grinding component 6 contains a second ring section 36 which is the conical opening 8th with the teeth pointing inwards 12 having. On the outside of the second ring section 36 are circumferentially distributed guide grooves 38 present, with which nubs 40 at the spacer ring 14 interact and the axial adjustment means 22 form. The guide grooves 38 have an entrance section 38a and a guide section 38b on, with the entrance section 38a parallel to the central axis 10 is aligned and the guide section 38b an acute angle with the circumferential direction 42 forms. The guide section 38b still contains recording zones 44 into which the pimples 40 engage and thus determine the grinding position and thus the degree of grinding. The spacer ring 14 has a double arrow on the outside 46 on, which refers in the circumferential direction to a fine degree of grinding A and a coarse degree of grinding B, by appropriate rotation of the spacer ring 14 can be chosen.

The second grinding component 16 contains a rotating ring 48 on which the cone 18 over footbridges 50 and a flange part 52 is attached. The areas between the bridges 50 form openings 54 to the exit of the ground spice. On its outside is the turning ring 48 provided with longitudinal projections, which ensure a good grip. In addition, the rotary ring 48 on the inside in the circumferential direction extending rib sections 56 on, with one on the spacer ring 14 circumferential groove 58 interact to form the second milling component 16 at the spacer ring 14 freely rotatable. The second grinding component 16 is finally by means of a latchable lid 60 closable. This is the lid 60 at its lower portion with an outside rib 62 provided for engagement in associated groove portions 64 on the inside of the turning ring 48 is trained. It is understood that for this purpose, other embodiments, for example, with a continuous groove on the rotary ring 48 , possible are.

The components of the grinding device may consist of the same material or of different materials, preferably all components are made of polycarbonate.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

reservoir

4

grinder

6

first grinding component

8th

conical opening

10

central axis

12

Teeth of 6

14

spacer

16

second milling component

18

cone

20

Teeth of 16

22

adjustment

24

first ring section

26

neck

28

threaded part

30

threaded part

32

locking device

34

counterpart

34a

cam

34b

cam

34c

ramp surface

36

second ring section

38

guide

38a

entry section

38b

guide section

40

burl

42

circumferentially

44

receiving zone

46

double arrow

48

rotating ring

50

web

52

flange

54

opening

56

rib section

58

groove

60

cover

62

rib

64

groove sections

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1696775 A1 [0004]
• DE 202007009829 U1 [0007]

Claims (10)

Adjustable hand-operated grinding device suitable as a closure for a storage container, comprising: - a first, fixed grinding component ( 6 ) - a second, about a central axis ( 10 ) of the device rotatable grinding component ( 16 ) with the first milling component ( 6 ), the first grinding component ( 6 ) a conical opening ( 8th ) with inwardly projecting teeth ( 12 ), wherein the second grinding component ( 16 ) outwardly facing teeth ( 20 ), which with the teeth ( 12 ) of the first milling component ( 6 ) form a grinding gap, and - wherein the second grinding component ( 16 ) relative to the first milling component ( 6 ) is axially displaceable, in order in this way the Mahlspalt between the teeth ( 20 ) of the rotatable grinding component ( 16 ) and the teeth ( 12 ) of the fixed milling component ( 6 ) and thus to vary the freeness, characterized in that: between the first grinding component ( 6 ) and the second milling component ( 16 ) a spacer ring ( 14 ) is arranged, on which the second grinding component ( 16 ) is held freely rotatable; - wherein axial adjustment means ( 22 ) are present, by a rotation of the spacer ring ( 14 ) compared to the first grinding component ( 6 ) from a first durable rotational position (A) in a second durable rotational position (B) a corresponding axial displacement of the spacer ring ( 14 ) compared to the first grinding component ( 6 ) from a first axial position to a second axial position. Grinding device according to claim 1, with at least one further durable rotational position, which is located between the first and second durable rotational position. Grinding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the axial displacement means ( 22 ) a plurality of circumferentially distributed pimples ( 40 ), which with corresponding guide grooves ( 38 ), wherein the nubs or the guide grooves in the first grinding component ( 6 ) and the guide grooves or the knobs on the spacer ring ( 14 ) are arranged. Grinding device according to claim 3, wherein each guide groove ( 38 ) an entrance section ( 38a ) and a subsequent management section ( 38b ), wherein the entrance section ( 38a ) substantially parallel to the central axis ( 10 ) and the guiding section ( 38b ) at an acute angle to the circumferential direction ( 42 ) runs. Grinding device according to claim 4, wherein each durable rotational position (A, B) is defined by a in the guide groove ( 38 ) receiving zone ( 44 ) into which the associated knob ( 40 ) is latched. Milling device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second grinding component ( 16 ) and the spacer ring ( 14 ) have a snap connection, in the circumferentially distributed rib sections ( 56 ) in an associated, circumferentially extending groove ( 58 ) intervene. Grinding device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the spacer ring ( 14 ) on the outside with an embossed mark ( 46 , A, B) is provided to indicate the selectable degree of grinding. Grinding device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the teeth ( 12 ) of the first milling component ( 6 ) on the inner surface of a conical opening ( 8th ) of a ring element ( 36 ) and wherein the second grinding component ( 16 ) a cone ( 18 ), on whose surface the teeth ( 20 ) and the via radial webs ( 50 ) with a rotary ring ( 48 ) of the second milling component ( 16 ) connected is. Grinding device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first grinding component ( 6 ) a first ring section ( 24 ) with a threaded part ( 28 ) for screwing on an associated reservoir ( 2 ), and wherein the ring section ( 24 ) further locking means ( 32 ) with corresponding counterparts ( 34 ) on the reservoir ( 2 ) to form a permanent Dreharretierung. Grinding device according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein all components are formed from polycarbonate.

Images