GB2364937A

GB2364937A - Reversible salt and pepper mill

Info

Publication number: GB2364937A
Application number: GB0018340A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Trainor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-07-26
Filing date: 2000-07-26
Publication date: 2002-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 2020-07-26
Also published as: GB2364937B; GB0018340D0

Abstract

A salt and pepper or spice mill who's operation can be alternated by turning up side down. Two separated reservoirs (E) with individual grinding mechanisms (C) are connected by a central rod (B) upon which a twin drive disc (A) is free to move up and down under gravity to engage the lower reservoir and it's grinding mechanism.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> REVERSIBLE SALT & PEPPER MILL Pepper mills and salt mills are common to most kitchens and take many different forms. With few exceptions, they all comprise a single grinding mechanism located inside a cylinder. When the top (or handle) is rotated against the lower cylinder containing the salt/pepper, the salt/pepper falls into and is crushed by the grinding mechanism and sprinkles out of the bottom of the cylinder.

It is necessary however, to have both a salt mill and a pepper mill. According to the present invention there is provided a reversible salt and pepper mill comprising two separate reservoirs (for salt and pepper) with a grinding mechanism for each and a means by which only the lower grinding mechanism is engaged when the mill is verticle, and when the mill is reversed the other grinding mechanism is engaged.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 Shows the whole mill in cross-section; Figure 2 Shows a single plan view which is both top and bottom of the mill; & Figure 3 Is a plan view through the centre of the mill showing the engaged drive disc.

Referring to the drawing, the mill comprises two separate reservoirs (E) joined by a central rod (B), allowing one to rotate against the other.

In the base of each reservoir, attached to either end of the central rod (B) is a grinding mechanism (C).

In the middle of the mill, (ie. where the two reservoirs meet) located on the square section of the central rod (B), is a twin drive disc (A), with shaped sides (eg. hexagonal) which is free to slide up and down the rod (B) but not rotate around it.

Fixed inside the very top of each reservoir is a negative-shaped counterpart to the twin drive disc (A).

The twin drive disc (A) is solid but the two discs are spaced apart to allow free rotation of the lower disc within the lower reservoir whilst the upper disc is engaged in the upper reservoir.

A removable seal/lid (D) is provided to each reservoir to enable refilling and to provide a separate, sealed space in which the twin drive disc can function freely.

Claims

CLAIMS:- 1. A condiment mill comprising: first and second condiment reservoirs, the reservoirs being rotatable relative to one another on a common shaft, the shaft including a grinding mechanism at each end for grinding a condiment in a respective reservoir and having a locking part mounted thereon; in which the locking part is arranged to lock the shaft against rotation relative to either one of the reservoirs to transmit rotation of that reservoir to the rotation of the shaft relative to the other reservoir so that the respective grinding mechanism grinds condiment in the other reservoir.
2. A mill as claimed in claim 1, in which the locking part comprises first and second spaced discs; each disc being arranged to lock the shaft to a respective one of the reservoirs; the other disc being arranged to freely rotate relative to the other reservoir.
3. A mill as claimed in claim 2, in which each disc has a profile which locks to a corresponding formation in the respective reservoir.
4. A mill as claimed in claim 3, in which the profile is a hexagonal profile.

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5. A mill as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which each reservoir includes a reservoir part, a cavity being defined between the reservoir parts.
6. A mill as claimed in claim 5, in which an end of each reservoir part opposing the grinding mechanism includes a removable seal.
7. A mill as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, in which the locking part is provided in the cavity.
8. A mill as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the locking part is axially slidably and radially fixedly connected to the shaft between positions in which the locking part is .arranged to lock relative to one of the reservoirs.
9. A mill as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the locking part is arranged to move to move to a locking position with either one of the reservoirs under the influence of gravity.
10. A reversible twin grinder for condiment grinding, comprising a pair of stacked housings linked by a shaft having a grinder at either end, in which when

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either housing is vertically uppermost, a transmitting means translates rotation of the uppermost housing to grinding of the lower grinder.
11. A mill specifically as substantially described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. A grinder specifically as substantially described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.