MXPA00002915A - Grinder shroud - Google Patents

Abstract

An aesthetically and functionally improved shroud (10) for covering a grinder device while improving the consumer shopping experience. The shroud is formed of a faceplate (12) with a first opening for receiving and directing items (28), such as coffee beans, to be ground to a grinder device and a second opening (32) positioned to allow a consumer to place a bag under the opening in order to collect the ground coffee from the grinder. A funnel device (14) is used in connection with the first opening to assist in directing the items to be ground into the grinder.

Description

MILL COVER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a cover for covering a coffee mill or food processor for the use of individual consumers insofar as it is located in places frequented by the general public.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Present bulk coffee exhibiting units generally include a set of bulky deposits for maintaining coffee beans and a mill for grinding coffee beans. These -exhibitors are most often found in supermarkets, coffee shops, and other department stores where coffee is consumed and / or distributed. Each device usually contains a different flavor of coffee bean and includes a nozzle to supply a desired amount of coffee beans. The mill is commonly located on a shelf adjacent to the set of coffee tanks and is exhibited only with the outer housing of the mill shown; The same is when the mill was originally purchased from the mill manufacturer. Several mills can be located within a single coffee display. Typically, the number of mills included depends on the number of coffee deposits and the volume of commercial use. The most common configuration of mills allows the coffee beans to be emptied into the mill from an opening located on the upper surface of the mill. This can be a problem for consumers who are not tall enough to reach the opening on top of the mill. In addition, as the coffee beans are poured from the bag into the mill, the coffee beans are often spilled on the display unit and on the floor creating waste of the product and unnecessary messes. Such product spillage can create a potentially dangerous situation and can detract from consumers' buying pleasure. A common problem with such mills and display units is that consumers often do not have the certainty of where the coffee beans should be inserted for grinding. This problem can result in product failure and lack of consumer satisfaction. Another problem with the current display units is the confusion regarding the collection of fresh ground coffee. In many cases, consumers are confused as to exactly where the coffee beans in the mill go and can not properly place their collection bag. This can result in a failure to collect all the coffee beans. Consequently, a substantial loss in income will be due to the wasted product.

Another potential problem is created when different objects of coffee beans fall into the mill. This can create a "costly damage to the mill and is a potential safety risk." Therefore, there is a need for a structure that improves the functionality and appearance of the mills used in several commercial locations accessible to the public, such as grocery stores and retail stores The present invention provides a cover that overcomes many of the disadvantages associated with prior mills and display units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cover for covering a food processing unit, more preferably, a mill, wherein the mill includes a mill entry opening and a mill exit. The cover includes a face plate formed and sized or configured to substantially cover a front portion of the mill. The faceplate includes a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is dimensioned to allow the introduction of the intended material into the inlet opening of the mill and is accordingly positioned to be adjacent to the inlet opening of the mill when the cover is mounted or installed on the mill. The second opening is dimensioned to allow the reception of the ground or processed material that comes from the outlet of the mill and is consequently positioned to be adjacent to the outlet of a mill when the cover is mounted or installed on the mill. The cover also includes a funnel configured to fit within the first opening, wherein the funnel defines a passage having a first opening and a second opening. The first opening of the funnel is substantially aligned with the first opening and the second opening is positioned so as to form a path from the front plate to the entrance opening of the mill. The cover further includes a back plate integrated with the front plate to define an enclosure in which a collection device can be placed to collect the ground material leaving the mill outlet, where the enclosure is accessed through the second opening and includes an exit opening through which the material leaving the exit of the mill can enter the enclosure. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which establish certain embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cover mounted on a mill; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the mill cover; Figure 3 is a front view of the cover; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cover along the line IV-IV in Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cover along the line V-V in Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The current cover 10 is structured to provide an aesthetically and functionally improved cover or enclosure for coffee bean mills, while also improving the consumer's shopping experience. This task is achieved by providing a cover 10 that prevents the spillage of pre-ground coffee beans, while maintaining a clean environment in the area around the spout and coffee mill. The current cover 10 also saves the merchant's money associated with wasted coffee beans and the time the employee needs to clean. Although this description is directed to a cover 10 for a coffee bean mill, it is possible to use the cover with others P-1023 devices such as food processing units, without departing from the scope of the invention. With reference to Figures 1 to 5, a cover 10 for covering a mill 20 is illustrated. The cover 10 includes a front plate 12 and an associated funnel cover 14. The front cover 12 is an elongated member defining an upper end 16 and a lower end 18. The faceplate 12 is constructed and sized or configured to substantially cover the outside of a conventional coffee mill 20. In addition, the faceplate 12 is preferably formed as a single integral unit substantially covering the face of the mill 20 and forming an enclosure that covers the sides of the mill 20. While the faceplate 12 is described as an individual unit, the faceplate 12 can be constructed from multiple elements without departing from the spirit of this invention. The cover 10 is integrally molded preferably from polycarbonate, polypropylene, acrylic, styrene, styrene-acrylonitrile, polyethylene terephthalate, or polyethylene. However, the cover 10 can be made from various mouldable materials including but not limited to soft and hard plastics, metals or glass. In addition, the cover 10 is held in position on the mill 20 by a friction and / or adhesive adjustment. However, other diverse mechanisms can be used to maintain the cover P-1023 10 on the mill 20 without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Alternatively, the cover 10 can be formed in the same assembly as the mill 20, making the cover 10 an integral part of the mill housing. As illustrated, the faceplate 12 is defined by a first side 22, a second side 24 and a third side 26. In this illustrative embodiment, the second side 24 and the third side 26 are each positioned approximately 90 ° in plane to the first side 22 and are substantially parallel to each other. A first opening 28 is located in the upper half of the first side 22 of the front plate 12. The first opening 28 is located in the front plate 12 so that it is flat parallel to the front edge of the mill 20 and perpendicular to the opening of the mill. inlet of the mill 30 when the cover 10 is mounted to the mill 20 as will be described in greater detail below. Although a perpendicular orientation between the first opening 28 and the mill entry opening 30 has been described, alternative orientations between those two openings are possible without departing from the spirit of this invention. Provided the first opening 28 is in place, it should be designed to avoid consumer confusion of where to insert the pre-ground coffee beans. In addition, the first opening 28 must be of sufficient size to allow a user to enter the P-1023 intended material or product, for example, coffee beans inside the mill 20. A second opening 32 is located below the first opening 28 on the front plate 12. The second opening 32 is positioned so as to align with the mill outlet 34 when the cover 10 is mounted to the mill 20. The second opening 32 is designed to allow the collection of the ground material. Like the first opening 28, the second opening 32 is positioned on the first side 22 of the front plate 12. The second opening 32 provides access to an enclosure 33 sized to receive various collection devices, eg, various sizes of bags of prefabricated harvesting used to collect the ground coffee stocked from the mill 20. In this illustrative embodiment, the enclosure 33 is defined by a back plate 36 placed between the sides 32a, 32b of the second opening 32. Preferably, the back plate 36 is a U-shaped member coupled to the sides 32a, 32b of the second opening 32 to form the enclosure 33. As such, the back plate 36 includes a first wall 38, a second wall 40, and a second wall 42. The plate back 36 is substantially the same height as the second opening 32 to create the appearance of an enclosed space in which a collection bag should be placed. However, the enclosure 33 P-1023 is open at the top to allow the flow of ground coffee from the mill outlet 34. In use, the second and third walls 40 and 42 of the back plate 36 provide a guide for aligning the collection bag - In the enclosure 33 of the cover 10. In addition, the first wall 38 of the back plate 36 provides a maximum depth for the bag that is placed through the second opening 32 and inside the enclosure 33. The combination of those three elements defines the enclosure 33 and provides a suitable way to keep the collection bag in line with the ground coffee that is stocked from the outlet of the mill 34. The enclosure 33 also prevents the coffee beans spilled from the distribution around the base of the mill 20. While the first and second openings 28, 32 are described with a particular orientation, they can be reoriented to fit several mills without departing from the spirit of this invention. n. A third opening 44 is placed in the front plate 12. The third opening 44 is sized and positioned to allow a mill control knob 45 to protrude through it so that a consumer can have access to the control knob 45. Although the position of the third opening 44 is illustrated being below the first opening 28, the position of the third opening 44 can be moved to accommodate the position of a variety of mill control knobs 45. In addition, a fourth opening 46 is provided on the faceplate 12. The fourth aperture 46 is dimensioned and positioned to allow easy consumer access to an energy switch of the mill 47. After emptying the coffee beans, aligning the collection bag and attaching the control 45 to a degree of fineness desired for ground coffee beans, the consumer can start the grinding process by means of the motor drive of 47. The cover is further provided with a base 48 extending outwardly from the back plate 36. The base 48 provides a way of supporting or maintaining the consumer collection bag during the milling process. The base 48 can be formed integrally with the lower end 18 of the front plate 12 and the front end 49 of the back plate 36. However, the base 48 can alternatively be removable from the cover 10 in order to facilitate cleaning of the coffee beans from the enclosure 33. In addition, the base 48 may be coupled to the cover 10 in various ways without departing from the scope of this invention. The base 48 forms a shelf on which a removable collection tray 60 can be supported or secured therein by conventional means such as interlocking grooves. Tray 60 works to hold a sack P-1023 collection for. provide the consumer with a hands-free collection option. This allows the consumer to pour the pre-ground coffee beans into the mill 20, adjust the mill control knob and initial the milling process without holding the collection bag. In addition, the tray 60 functions to collect any grains milled in excess that are not collected in the bag during the operation. The tray can be removed later and its contents emptied into the garbage, thus maintaining the overall appearance of the cover in aesthetically pleasing form. In alternative embodiments, the base 48 may vary in size and shape. As best illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the base 48 protrudes outwardly passing the first side 22 to form a larger shelf. This is beneficial since the collection bags are not all uniform and can be adapted exactly to the size of the chamber formed by the second opening 32. However, the bases of various other shapes can be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The funnel cover 14 is dimensioned to fit within the first aperture 28. As such, the funnel cap 14 is accurately formed to guide the coffee beans through the first aperture 28 and into the aperture of the aperture. mill 30. Mill cover 14 provides a structure for guiding all coffee beans from the consumer's bag into the mill entry opening 30 while preventing coffee beans from being spilled. This effectively eliminates disorders and waste. The funnel cap 14 also provides a cover for the inlet opening of the mill 30. The provision of the cover prevents the objects from falling inadvertently into the mill entrance opening 30. Furthermore, the shape of the funnel cover 14 helps to prevent individuals from placing their hands too close to the mill entry opening 30. As such, the funnel cap 14 defines at least two openings 50, 51 to direct the flow of material within the mill 20. The lid The funnel 14 also includes a rear portion 52 and two opposite sides 54, 56 connected to the rear side 52, forming the path through which the coffee beans pass as they are poured or emptied into the mill inlet opening 30. However, they can use funnels of different shapes and sizes without departing from the scope of the invention. By assembling the mill 20 to the faceplate 12, the funnel cover 14 is fixed between the mill 20 and the faceplate 12. The funnel lid 14 can be engaged in a desirable position in various ways, including, but not limited to a, friction adjustment, adhesive, or with some type of fastener, groove or snap assembly.

P-1023 The first opening 51 of the funnel cap 14 is aligned with the first opening 28 on the front plate 12. The funnel cap 14 is fixed so that the first opening 51 is sized to form a conduit that directs the beads coffee through the first opening 28, inside the funnel cover 14 and towards the second opening 50. Although an illustrative embodiment is illustrated in the plane of the first opening 51 perpendicularly oriented with respect to the plane of the second opening 50, alternate relative orientations between the first and second apertures 50, 51 could be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The second opening 50 is located directly above the inlet opening of the mill 30. Once assembled, the front plate 12 and the funnel cover 14 form a complete unit guiding all the elements introduced into the first opening 28 or into the mill inlet opening 30. Although the cover 10 has been described primarily to direct the coffee beans to the mill 20, the cover 10 can also prevent objects other than the coffee beans from falling into the mill 20. This can prevent a costly damage to mill 20 and can eliminate potential safety risks.

P-1023 While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention through this description, but instead, it is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions that remain within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

P-1023

Claims (20)

1. A cover for covering a food processing unit, wherein the food processing unit includes an inlet opening and an outlet, characterized in that it comprises: a front plate configured to substantially cover a front portion of the food processor unit, the front plate includes an upper end and a lower end; the front plate includes a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening is dimensioned to allow the introduction of material into the entry opening and is consequently positioned to be adjacent to the entry opening when the cover is installed on the food processing unit, and the second opening is dimensioned to allow the reception of ground material that exits from the outlet and is accordingly positioned to be adjacent to the outlet when the cover is installed on the food processing unit; a funnel, configured to fit within the first opening, the funnel defines a passage having a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening of the funnel is substantially aligned with the first opening and the second opening is positioned in a manner P-1023 that forms a path from the faceplate to the entry opening, where the funnel lid creates a cover over the entry opening which can prevent objects from falling inadvertently into the entry opening and help prevent individuals from placing their hands too close to the entrance opening; and a back plate formed with the front plate to define an enclosure in which a collection device can be placed to gather the ground material exiting the outlet, where the enclosure is accessed through the second opening and includes an opening of exit through which the material that leaves the exit can enter the premises. The cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the front plate is defined by at least two sides. The cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the front plate comprises a first side, a second side and a third side, and wherein the second side and the third side are integral to the first side. 4. The cover in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that the cover is molded integrally from plastic. The cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the first opening of the funnel is oriented perpendicular to the second opening and wherein the P-1023 first and second openings are connected by an integral unit defining a conduit. The cover according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes an integral base with the lower end of at least a portion of the front plate to define a shelf configured to hold and place a collection device in the path of the exit to assist in the collection of all the ground material that leaves the food processing unit. 7. The cover in accordance with the claim 6, characterized in that the defined ledge forms a base of the enclosure. The cover according to claim 6, characterized in that the back plate is coupled with the base along the lower edge of the back plate. The cover according to claim 6, characterized in that the front plate comprises a first side, a second side and a third side, and wherein the second side and the third side are integral to the first side. 10. The cover in accordance with the claim 6, characterized in that the food processing unit is a coffee bean mill. 11. A mill provided with a cover to ensure convenient use of the mill characterized in that it comprises: P-1023 a mill that has an inlet opening for receiving materials to be ground, a controllable milling mechanism for milling the received material to a desired granule size and an outlet for supplying the milled materials; a front plate configured to substantially cover a front portion of the mill, the front plate includes an upper end and a lower end; the faceplate includes a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening is dimensioned to allow the introduction of material intended within the mill entry opening and is consequently positioned to be adjacent to the mill entry opening when the cover is installed on the mill, and the second opening is dimensioned to allow the reception of ground material leaving the exit of the mill and is consequently positioned to be adjacent to the outlet of the mill when the cover is installed on the mill; a funnel, configured to fit within the first opening, the funnel defines a passage having a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening of the funnel is substantially aligned with the first opening and the second opening is positioned so that forms a path from the faceplate to the P-1023 inlet opening of the mill, where the funnel creates a cover over the inlet opening of the mill which can prevent objects from falling inadvertently into the entrance opening of the mill and help prevent individuals from placing their hands too close to the entrance opening of the mill; and a back plate formed integrally with the front plate to define an enclosure in which a pick-up device can be placed to collect the ground material exiting the mill outlet, where the enclosure is accessed through the second opening and it includes an exit opening through which material leaving the exit of the mill can enter the enclosure. 1

2. The mill provided with a cover according to claim 11, characterized in that the front plate is defined by at least two sides. The mill provided with a cover according to claim 11, characterized in that the front plate comprises a first side, a second side and a third side, and wherein the second side and the third side are integral to the first side. 14. The mill provided with a cover according to claim 11, characterized in that the cover is integrally molded from plastic. P-1023 15. The mill provided with a cover according to claim 11, characterized in that the first opening of the funnel is oriented perpendicular to the second opening and wherein the first and second openings are connected by an integral unit defining a duct . 16. The mill provided with a cover according to claim 11, characterized in that it also includes an integral base with the lower end of at least a portion of the front plate to define a shelf configured to hold and place a collection device in the trajectory of the exit of the mill to help in the collection of all the ground material that leaves the mill. 17. The mill provided with a cover according to claim 16, characterized in that the defined ledge forms a base within the enclosure. 18. The mill provided with a cover according to claim 16, characterized in that the back plate is coupled with the base along the lower edge of the back plate. 19. The mill provided with a cover according to claim 16, characterized in that the front plate comprises a first side, a second side and a P-1023 third side, and where the second side and the third side are integral to the first side. The mill provided with a cover according to claim 16, characterized in that the cover is made from plastic. P-1023