WO2010007113A2 - Moulin à épices réglable - Google Patents

Moulin à épices réglable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010007113A2
WO2010007113A2 PCT/EP2009/059108 EP2009059108W WO2010007113A2 WO 2010007113 A2 WO2010007113 A2 WO 2010007113A2 EP 2009059108 W EP2009059108 W EP 2009059108W WO 2010007113 A2 WO2010007113 A2 WO 2010007113A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
grinding
condiment
grinding element
leg
ground
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2009/059108
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2010007113A3 (fr
Inventor
Brendan Dunne
Erwin Petrus Boes
Original Assignee
Product Works Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Product Works Limited filed Critical Product Works Limited
Publication of WO2010007113A2 publication Critical patent/WO2010007113A2/fr
Publication of WO2010007113A3 publication Critical patent/WO2010007113A3/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J42/00—Coffee mills; Spice mills
    • A47J42/32—Coffee mills; Spice mills with other grinding or pulverising members
    • A47J42/34—Coffee mills; Spice mills with other grinding or pulverising members hand driven

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an adjustable condiment grinder.
  • this invention relates to an adjustable condiment grinder for use with foodstuffs, especially foodstuffs such as, but not limited to, peppercorns, salt crystals and spices.
  • foodstuffs especially foodstuffs such as, but not limited to, peppercorns, salt crystals and spices.
  • 'condiments' all foodstuffs suitable for grinding and for use with this invention are referred to hereafter as 'condiments', although the invention is not limited to use with condiments only, as explained above.
  • One of the problems encountered with existing condiment grinders is an inability to ensure a consistently ground condiment product. Another problem is that existing condiment grinders do not provide an easily adjustable size of ground condiment. A further problem is that some foodstuffs are particularly tough so that more than one grind may be required in order to arrive at the desired final ground size. A yet further problem is that ground condiment is often difficult to eject from the grinding mechanism, leading to a build-up of ground condiment fouling the grinding mechanism, and leading to unsatisfactory operation.
  • a condiment grinder comprising a first grinding element provided with a first grinding surface; a housing portion comprising an inlet for un-ground condiment and an outlet for ground condiment, the condiment being ground within the housing portion when in use, and attachment means for attaching the first grinding element to the interior of the housing portion; a first leg rotatably connected to the housing portion and arranged to rotate about the first grinding element between a first start position and a second end position; a second grinding element provided with a second grinding surface and pivotally connected to the first leg thereby defining a pivot axis, the second grinding element being within the housing portion and located near a first end of the first leg proximal to the first grinding element, the second grinding element being arranged such that the two respective grinding surfaces substantially face each other and define two sides of a passage narrowing to a gap, wherein in use, condiment within the passage is ground when the first leg moves from the first start position to the second end position and relative movement occurs between the first and second grinding surfaces; and adjustment means for
  • the adjustable condiment grinder comprises biasing means to urge the first leg into the first start position, and preferably at least a portion of either, or both, the grinding surfaces comprises a serrated surface
  • At least one of the serrated surfaces comprises more than one size of serration, and optionally, the serrations on the at least one serrated surface decrease in size in a direction toward the gap.
  • the second grinding element is provided with a cam surface
  • the adjustment means comprise a follower in contact with the cam surface, such that movement of the follower along the cam surface results in rotation of the second grinding element about its pivot axis
  • the first leg comprises a condiment storage compartment providing stored condiment to the inlet of the housing portion, and further optionally, the condiment grinder further comprises a second leg fixedly attached to the housing portion.
  • the first grinding element is preferably rotatably attached to the housing portion, and further preferably, the first grinding element rotates in only one direction.
  • rotation of the first leg from the second end position to the first start position transfers a rotational force to the first grinding element to rotate the first grinding element, and preferably, the rotational force is transferred from the second grinding element to the first grinding element via condiment present between the second grinding element and the first grinding element.
  • the first grinding element comprises a serrated shell affixed to a core, or alternatively, the first grinding element comprises a serrated cylindrical wheel.
  • the first grinding element comprises a generally arcuate portion and a generally planar portion defining one side of the passage.
  • the passage narrows towards the gap in a direction starting from the generally planar portion to the generally arcuate portion.
  • a method of grinding condiment comprising the steps of arranging for condiment to be present in a narrowing passage between a first and a second grinding surface, the first grinding surface being attached to the interior of a housing portion, and the second grinding surface being attached to a first leg rotatably connected to the housing portion and arranged to rotate about the first grinding surface; grinding the condiment by moving the first grinding surface relative to the second grinding surface; and adjusting the distance between the first and second grinding surfaces by translating a follower along one surface of the first grinding surface.
  • the first grinding surface is provided with serrations of at least two sizes and wherein the condiment is ground first by a larger size serration, followed by a smaller size serration.
  • the first leg is provided with biasing means to maintain the first leg in a first position.
  • the first grinding element is provided with a rotatable mounting to the housing portion and the biasing means assist to rotate the grinding element and eject ground condiment.
  • FIG 1. shows an adjustable condiment grinder according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • FIG 2. shows the adjustable condiment grinder of Fig. 1 in a partially exploded view
  • FIG 3. shows the adjustable condiment grinder of Fig. 1 in a second partially exploded view
  • FIG 4. shows a second embodiment of an adjustable condiment grinder in accordance with the invention
  • FIG 5. shows the adjustable condiment grinder of Fig. 4 in a partially exploded view
  • FIGS 6, 7 & 8 show features of the adjustable grinding mechanism common to both the first and second embodiments
  • FIGS 9A & 9B, 10, 1 1A & 1 1 B, and 12A & 12B show in detail the adjustable grinding mechanism common to both the first and second embodiments when in use;
  • FIGS 13, 14, 15 and 16 show an alternative grinding mechanism to that shown in FIGS 6, 7 & 8;
  • Figures 17, 18 and 19 show the adjustable condiment grinder of the first and second embodiments featuring an assisted ejection mechanism.
  • an adjustable condiment grinder comprising a housing 11 and two legs 12 and 13.
  • the housing 11 and the legs 12 and 13 are made from plastic commonly employed in consumer kitchen products and which are common in the art.
  • the housing 11 and legs 12 and 13 may be made from stamped and cast metals, or from injection moulded plastic finishes.
  • Leg 13 is integral to the housing 11 and is static relative thereto.
  • Leg 12 is moveably attached to the housing 11 and is able to move in an arcuate manner toward static leg 13, rotating about a point within housing 1 1.
  • the range of motion of leg 12 is defined between a first starting position and a second end position, the start and end positions corresponding to the start and end of a single condiment grinding activation, which will be described in more detail hereafter.
  • Within housing 11 there is an adjustable condiment grinding mechanism, and housing 11 has mounted on a front face 14 an adjustment knob 15.
  • Adjustment knob 15 is provided with features to enable easy and secure grip by a user, and to enable a user to rotate adjustment knob 15 about its own axis.
  • Also provided on front face 14 of housing 11 are indicators 16 to which a corresponding indicator provided on adjustment knob 15 points. In this embodiment the indicators 16 indicate the particulate size of the resultant ground condiment.
  • Moveable leg 12 is hollow, and combined with a transparent viewing window 17, functions as a condiment reservoir 19 for the adjustable condiment grinder.
  • Condiment to be ground is introduced into the condiment reservoir 19 by way of a hinged filling cap 18 provided at the top end of the moveable leg 12, the filling cap 18 being provided with a releasable latch (not shown) to allow controlled access to the condiment reservoir 19 for replenishing condiment when the contents in the condiment reservoir 19 are low.
  • Transparent viewing window 17 allows easy identification of the amount of condiment left within condiment reservoir 19.
  • the adjustable condiment grinder of the present invention may also be used with more than one condiment at the same time.
  • the condiment reservoir 19 may comprise multiple compartments, each compartment storing a different type of condiment to be ground.
  • a selection mechanism may be employed to selectively allow access from each compartment to the grinding mechanism, thus providing the user with a choice of which condiment to be ground.
  • the adjustable condiment grinder of the present invention may also be provided with dispenser features to enable a pre- ground condiment stored within the adjustable condiment grinder to be dispensed directly from the adjustable condiment grinder.
  • the moveable leg 12 and the static leg 13 are sized and shaped to be comfortably held preferably in one hand.
  • the portions of one or both of the legs 12 and 13 that come into contact with the user's hand are provided with a high grip surface finish.
  • the portions of one or both legs 12 and 13 that come into contact with the user's hand are provided with a soft finish to enhance comfort of the adjustable condiment grinder when in use. It is known in the art that suitable material exists that is both comfortable to hold, and provides a high grip finish. In use the adjustable condiment grinder of the present invention allows the user to perform condiment grinding easily with one hand, enabling the user to perform other tasks with the other, free hand.
  • the user grips the adjustable condiment grinder, preferably in one hand, and brings together the legs 12 and 13 by moving the moveable leg 12 from its first start position to its second end position, thereby activating the grinding mechanism and performing one complete grinding stroke.
  • the movement of the moveable leg then activates the adjustable condiment grinding mechanism housed within housing 1 1 , and ground condiment then exits the housing through the bottom of the housing 11.
  • portions of the adjustable condiment grinder 10, including but not limited to the housing 11 may be made from a translucent or transparent material to enhance its aesthetic appeal.
  • FIG. 2 there is shown in greater detail the internal arrangement of the adjustable condiment grinder as shown in Figure 1.
  • a channel 20 through which condiment is able to enter a grinding chamber 21.
  • grinding chamber 21 is formed integral with the moveable leg 12, though this is only preferable and not essential. It may be that the grinding chamber 21 is provided within the housing 1 1 , and the moveable leg 12 is rotatably connected to the housing 1 1 but separate from the grinding chamber 21.
  • a grinding wedge Within grinding chamber 21 there is provided a grinding wedge
  • grinding wedge 22 is pivotally attached at one end to the moveable leg 12, and the manner of movement that the grinding wedge 22 is allowed will be described in the following passages.
  • the grinding chamber may be separate from the moveable leg 12, and in this optional feature the grinding wedge 22 will need to be moveably attached to the moveable leg 12 by alternative means so that when the moveable leg 12 moves, the grinding wedge 22 also moves, relative to serrated shell
  • condiment reservoir 19 is provided in the moveable leg 12, for the purposes of the grinding mechanism the condiment reservoir 19 could just as easily be provided in static leg 13 provided that a suitable channel is provided to allow condiment stored in condiment reservoir 19 to be introduced into the grinding chamber 21.
  • the serrated shell 23 is mounted on the central core 24, and the grinding surfaces of both the serrated shell 23 and the grinding wedge 22 are arranged such that they face opposite each other, thereby defining a passage for condiment to pass into. It is in this passage that the condiment is ground when the adjustable condiment grinder is in use.
  • the passage formed between the grinding wedge 22 and the serrated shell 23 provides a gap 26, the gap narrowing in a direction towards an outlet 27 from the grinding chamber 21.
  • the minimum gap between the grinding wedge 22 and the serrated shell 23 which represents the shortest distance between the opposing surfaces of the grinding wedge 22 and the serrated shell 23.
  • a spring 28 attached between opposing internal surfaces of moveable leg 12 and static leg 13 such that the two legs 12 and 13 are biased away from each other, in this embodiment the moveable leg 12 being biased towards the first start position.
  • the user in order to activate the grinding mechanism the user has to overcome the biasing force of the spring 28 and bring the two legs 12 and 13 together, thereby moving the moveable leg 12 from its first start position towards its second end position.
  • spring 28 is preferably made of metal.
  • Serrated shell 23 is also preferably made of metal too, though any material suitable for grinding condiments may also be used such as ceramics.
  • any of the grinding components serrated shell 23, central core 24 and grinding wedge 22 are preferably made of ceramic, though any other material suitably hard and durable may also be used such as suitably tough plastic materials.
  • metal such as zinc-coated carbon steel or marine steel may also be used for any of the grinding components serrated shell 23, central core 24 and grinding wedge 22.
  • a serrated shell 23 and a central core 24 are mentioned as two separate items as shown in this embodiment, they may equally be combined into a single unitary item which would be of similar dimensions as the combined serrated shell 23 and central core 24, made from similar materials and fulfil a similar function as the combined serrated shell 23 and central core 24.
  • these may be interchangeably replaced by reference to a single unitary item as explained above.
  • FIG. 3 is a further partially-exploded view of the front face 14 of the adjustable condiment grinder 10 of Figures l and 2, there is shown herein the manner in which adjustment knob 15 is attached to the housing body 1 1.
  • Adjustment knob 15 is centered about an aperture 30 which is co-axial with the central core 24, and which is also co-axial with the pivot axis of the moveable leg 12.
  • a locating lug on the underside of knob 15 (not shown) is received within aperture 30.
  • Also provided on the underside of knob 15 are a support lug 31 and an adjustment lug 32, as well as a spring clip 33 which is held in place by two supporting posts 34.
  • Adjustment lug 32 is received in a channel 35 formed in the front face 14 of the housing 11 , and allows the adjustment lug 32 to penetrate into the grinding chamber 21 (not shown in this view) and contact the underside 61 of the grinding wedge 22 (also not shown in this view).
  • Spring clip 33 is preferably made of metal and it is provided with a kink which, when in use, cooperates with detents 60 (not shown in this view) formed on an internal surface of the housing 11 so that the spring clip 33 is biased toward the position of one of the detents 60.
  • the adjustment knob 15 is also accordingly biased towards a position corresponding to the position of one of the detents 60, and the detents 60 cause the adjustment knob 15 to remain at the particular angular position chosen by the user.
  • FIG. 4 there is shown generally at 40 the second embodiment of adjustable condiment grinder in accordance with the present invention.
  • a housing 41 and two legs 42 and 43 there is a housing 41 and two legs 42 and 43, leg 42 being moveable and leg 43 being static.
  • a condiment reservoir (not shown in this view) is provided within moveable leg 42 and allows the condiment stored therein entry into a grinding chamber 50 formed integral with the lower end of the moveable leg 42.
  • a ring 44 made of a suitable material so that the adjustable condiment grinder 40 may be stood upright securely, as shown in Figure 4.
  • An adjustment knob 45 is provided on the front face 46 of the adjustable condiment grinder 40 and performs a function similar to adjustment knob 15. Also present are surface indicators 47, a spring clip 33 attached to the underside of the adjustment knob 45, and an adjustment follower 32.
  • Moveable leg 42 moves in an arcuate manner towards static leg 43, and moveable leg 42 is pivoted about an axis co-axial to the axis about which adjustment knob 45 rotates.
  • a latchable condiment refill cap 48 is provided at the top end of moveable leg 42.
  • a transparent viewing window 49 allows easy identification of the amount of condiment with the condiment reservoir in moveable leg 42.
  • moveable leg 42 of the second embodiment is also biased away from static leg 43 by way of an internal spring (not shown).
  • the grinding chamber 50 there is provided the same arrangement, compared to the first embodiment, of a central core 24, a serrated shell 23 secured to the central core 24, and a grinding wedge 22 moveably attached to the internal surface of the grinding chamber 50.
  • the arrangement of the central core 24, serrated shell 23 and grinding wedge 22 enables a narrowing gap to be formed between the wedge 22 and the serrated shell 23.
  • adjustable condiment grinder In use the second embodiment of adjustable condiment grinder is also preferably held in one hand, and the two legs 42 and 43 are brought together, overcoming the biasing of the spring (not shown), to activate the grinding mechanism.
  • High grip surfaces are preferably provided on the surface portions where the user contacts the adjustable condiment grinder, and preferably soft touch surfaces are also provided, preferably together in the same locations.
  • FIGS 9 to 12 show the grinding mechanism and adjustment mechanism in detail.
  • the adjustment mechanism adjusts the particulate size of the resulting ground condiment.
  • the adjustable grinding mechanism in Figures 9 to 12 is shown with respect to the first embodiment of adjustable condiment grinder merely as an example - as exactly the same grinding and adjustment mechanism is used in the second embodiment of adjustable condiment grinder, the description of the grinding mechanism hereafter also applies to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Adjustment follower 32 is in contact with the underside 61 of grinding wedge 22 (as shown in Figures 8 and 10), and due to the cam profile of underside 61 of grinding wedge 22, as adjustment follower 32 moves along the channel 35 it also travels along the underside of the grinding wedge 22, and due to the cam profile of the underside of the grinding wedge 22 and the pivotal nature of its attachment to the moveable leg 12, the adjustment follower causes the grinding wedge 22 to pivot. Accordingly, owing to the wedge shape of the grinding wedge 22, the narrowest gap between the grinding wedge 22 and the surface of the serrated shell 23 is also adjusted by the movement of adjustment follower 32 along the cam surface of underside 61 of the grinding wedge 22.
  • condiment will be present in the narrowing gap between the grinding wedge 22 and the serrated shell 23 when the adjustable condiment grinder is in use, and when the moveable leg 12 is moved from the first start position to the second end position, the grinding wedge 22 will attempt to squeeze the condiment present in the narrowing gap between the grinding wedge 22 and the serrated shell 23, and due to the serrated surface of serrated shell 23, and optionally the grinding wedge 22 may also have a serrated surface, the serrated surfaces grip the condiment and prevents the condiment from moving along the surface of the serrated shell 23, or grinding wedge 22. Consequently, as the grinding wedge 22 moves relative to the serrated shell 23, condiment that is gripped and trapped between the serrated shell 23 and the grinding wedge 22 is crushed.
  • the narrowest, or minimum, gap between the wedge 22 and the serrated shell 23 determines the resulting overall coarseness of the ground condiment, and as explained above, the size of the gap between the grinding wedge 22 and the serrated shell 23 is determined by the adjustment knob 15, In this manner, the detents 60 indicate the coarseness of the resultant ground condiment, and in use the adjustment knob 15 provides the user with an easily understood indication of the current coarseness setting of the grinding mechanism.
  • Figure 9 shows the adjustment follower 32 at one end of the adjustment range allowing for a relatively large minimum gap between the grinding wedge 22 and the serrated shell 23, and this corresponds to coarsely ground condiment.
  • Figure 10 shows the adjustment follower 32 at the opposite end of its adjustment range, this time allowing only a relatively small minimum gap between the grinding wedge 22 and the serrated shell 23, and this corresponds to finely ground condiment.
  • Figure 11A shows the first embodiment of adjustable condiment grinder when in a first rest position before activation of the grinding mechanism.
  • the adjustment follower is at one end of its adjustment range, allowing for a relatively large minimum gap between the grinding wedge 22 and the serrated shell 23.
  • Figure 11 B shows the adjustable condiment grinder of Figure 11A in a second, activated, position when in use.
  • Figure 1 1 B as the moveable leg 12 is moved towards the static leg 13, the movement of grinding wedge 22 relative to serrated shell 23 enables crushing and grinding of condiment trapped between grinding wedge 22 and serrated shell 23.
  • the relatively large minimum gap between the grinding wedge 22 and the serrated shell 23 allows for relatively coarse ground condiment to result.
  • Figure 12A shows the same first embodiment of adjustable condiment grinder as that in Figures 1 1 A and 11 B, but this time adjustment follower 32 is at the other end of its adjustment range, here only allowing a relatively small minimum gap between the grinding wedge 22 and serrated shell 23.
  • Figure 12A shows the adjustable condiment grinder in a first rest position
  • Figure 12B shows the same adjustable condiment grinder in a second, activated, position when in use.
  • the grinding wedge 22 is preferably positioned on the moveable leg 22 such that when the moveable handle 12 is in the first start position, as shown in Figs 11A and 12A, the grinding wedge 22 blocks the exit at the bottom of the grinding chamber.
  • the moveable handle 12 is in the second end position, as shown in Figs 1 1 B and 12B, as the grinding wedge 22 is rotated by with moveable handle 12 and the removal of the block to the exit allows ground condiment to exit the grinding chamber through the exit at the bottom of the grinding chamber.
  • the grinding wedge 22 blocks the exit from the grinding chamber and prevents ground condiment from falling through the exit to the grinding chamber and fouling the surface upon which the adjustable condiment grinder is resting on.
  • the blocked exit also prevents contaminants from entering the grinding mechanism when the moveable handle 12 is in the first start position.
  • the two embodiments described above make use of detents 60 to set the coarseness of ground condiment, and thus only present the user with specific discrete adjustments.
  • the coarseness adjustment is provided with continuous adjustment, optionally employing some form of friction clamp to hold the adjustment knob at a particular angular setting.
  • the adjustable condiment grinder of the present invention may be provided with magnetic portions to enable the adjustable condiment grinder to be attached to a receptive surface by magnetism.
  • the adjustable condiment grinder of the present invention may also be provided with different housings and moveable and static legs that depart from the versions shown in the accompanying drawings, provided that the grinding mechanism remain the same as that described above.
  • Figures 13 to 16 show an alternative grinding mechanism to that described before. It was found that an enhanced ground product may be produced by a two-stage grinding mechanism.
  • Figures 15 and 16 show, respectively, side elevation views of a first embodiment of the alternative core 54 and a first embodiment of the alternative wedge 52.
  • the alternative core 54 now incorporates a generally planar portion 55 as well as a generally arcuate portion 56.
  • Figure 13 shows the relative positioning of the components of the two-stage grinding mechanism at the beginning of a grinding stroke, before the moveable leg 12 is moved from its first start position toward its second end position
  • Figure 14 shows the relative positioning of the components of the two-stage grinding mechanism at the end of a grinding stroke, when the moveable leg 12 has reached its second end position.
  • the surface covering both the generally arcuate portion 56 and the generally planar portion 55 of the alternative core 54 may be serrated, and the serrations covering the generally arcuate 56 and the generally planar 55 portions may be of differing height and pitch thus providing different grinding properties.
  • the generally planar portion 55 of the alternative core 54 extends from an approximate tangent to the surface of the generally arcuate portion 56 of the alternative core 54.
  • the generally planar portion 55 is aligned to contact condiment exiting from the condiment reservoir 19, preferably before the generally arcuate portion 56 contacts the same condiment exiting from the condiment reservoir.
  • the alternative wedge 52 now comprises an exterior surface comprising adjacent sections, comprising a first section 57, a second section 58 and a third section 59.
  • first section 57 and the second section 58 are co-planar with each other, though they need not be so.
  • the second section 58 is arranged at an angle to the third section 59.
  • Both the first section 57 and the second section 58 are provided with serrations, the serrations preferably matching the serrations on the generally planar portion 55 and the generally arcuate portion 56 of the alternative core 54.
  • the serrations provided on the generally planar portion 55 and the corresponding serrations provided on the first section 57 are larger than the serrations provided on the generally arcuate portion 56 and the second section 58.
  • Both the alternative core 54 and the alternative wedge 52 are mounted within the body of the condiment grinder in a similar fashion to the core 24 and the grinding wedge 22 as described in the previous embodiments, and the alternative wedge 52 is operable with the same adjustment mechanism as described before.
  • Both the alternative core 54 and the alternative wedge 52 may be made of the same material as the core 24 and the grinding wedge 22, preferably, a ceramic material.
  • condiment already present between the generally planar portion 55 and the first section 57 will be ground in the first stage of a two stage grinding process by the first section 57 moving relative to the generally planar portion 55.
  • the serrations on the surface of the generally planar portion 55 match the serrations on the first section 57 and provide a gripping surface and assist in this first stage of the two stage grinding of the condiment in this embodiment.
  • the crushed pieces then move into the gap formed between the generally arcuate portion 56 and the second section 58. Due to the relative positioning of the alternative core 54 and the alternative wedge 52, the gap between the generally arcuate portion 56 and the second section 58 is smaller than the gap between the generally planar portion 55 and the first section 57. As the moveable leg 12 is moved toward its second end position during a grinding stroke, the condiment already ground in stage one is further ground for a second time between the serrated surfaces of the generally arcuate portion 56 and the second section 58. The serrations on the surface of the generally arcuate portion 56 and the second section 58 also provide a gripping surface and assist in the grinding of condiment.
  • the ground condiment exits via the third section 59, and out of the bottom of the two-stage condiment grinder.
  • the beneficial effect of the two stage grinding mechanism is that the condiment exiting the first grinding stage are more easily ground by the relatively smaller serrations on the arcuate portion 56 and the second section 58 which comprise the second grinding stage.
  • This two stage grinding mechanism is particularly suited for foodstuffs with a hard exterior shell, for example peppercorns and other similar foodstuffs such as dried spices, which would otherwise be difficult to consistently grind to a desired size with just a single grinding step and a single size of serration.
  • the second grinding stage the provides the final ground condiment product of the two-stage grinding mechanism.
  • the height and roughness of the serrations on the generally planar portion 55 and the generally arcuate portion 58 may gradually vary from one portion to the other, or there may be a step change between the height and roughness of the serrations on the two portions.
  • the two-stage grinding mechanism is able to achieve a more consistently ground condiment product.
  • Figure 17 shows the assisted ejection mechanism in the starting position.
  • the serrated shell 23 and central core 24 have been replaced by a unidirectional bearing 60 and a grinding wheel 62.
  • the grinding wheel 62 is attached to the outside of the unidirectional bearing 60 and encompasses the entire circumference of the unidirectional bearing 60.
  • the grinding wheel 62 is covered in grinding serrations across its entire surface.
  • the way that the unidirectional bearing 60, grinding wheel 62 and the central post 25 are combined is such that the grinding wheel 62 is only allowed to rotate about the central post 25 in one direction. In the embodiment shown in Figure 17, relative rotation in the direction shown by the arrow B is allowed between the unidirectional bearing 60 and the grinding wheel 62.
  • un-ground condiment is shown figuratively at 68, filling in the passage defined by the grinding wheel 62 and the grinding wedge 22.
  • two markers 64 and 66 are shown to illustrate more clearly the relative rotational position between the unidirectional bearing 60 and the grinding wheel 62 during and after activation of the grinding mechanism.
  • moveable leg 12 is shown resting in its first start position, biased toward this position by a biasing element, shown here figuratively as a spring 65.
  • FIG 18 shows the grinding mechanism during activation.
  • the moveable leg 12 has been moved from its first starting position (as shown in Figure 17) to its second end position shown here, and consequently condiment 70 has been ground between the grinding wedge 22 and the grinding wheel 62 in the manner as described before.
  • unidirectional bearing 60 does not allow rotation in the direction shown by the arrow C, thus no relative rotation occurs between the unidirectional bearing 60 and the grinding wheel 62, and the condiment is consequently ground between the serrations on the grinding wedge 22 and the grinding wheel 62.
  • Some of the ground condiment 70 is remains in the grinding mechanism between the grinding wedge 22 and the grinding wheel 62.
  • the biasing spring 65 will urge the moveable leg 12 back to its first starting position, and in doing so will effect the transfer of ground condiment out of the grinding mechanism, assisting in the ejection of ground condiment from the condiment grinder thereby enhancing its effectiveness and utility by increasing the amount of ground condiment ejected with each grinding stroke. Furthermore, by harnessing the force exerted by the biasing element in returning the moveable handle 12 back to its start position, no further energy is required from the user in achieving the assisted ejection benefit. The assisted ejection of ground condiment prevents excessive build-up of condiment in the grinding mechanism, which may foul the grinding mechanism.
  • the beneficial effects of the two-stage grinding mechanism as described above may also be achieved in conjunction with the assisted ejection mechanism by varying the height of the serrations on the surface of the grinding wheel so that the condiment encounters relatively larger sized serrations first before relatively smaller sized serrations later, in the course of being ground.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un moulin à épices comportant un premier élément de mouture doté d’une première surface de mouture; une partie de boîtier comportant une entrée destinée aux épices non moulues et une sortie destinée aux épices moulues, les épices étant moulues à l’intérieur de la partie de boîtier, et un moyen de fixation servant à fixer le premier élément de mouture à l’intérieur de la partie de boîtier; une première branche en liaison pivot avec la partie de boîtier et disposée de façon à pivoter autour du premier élément de mouture entre une première position de départ et une deuxième position d’arrivée; un deuxième élément de mouture doté d’une deuxième surface de mouture et en liaison pivot avec la première branche, définissant ainsi un axe de pivotement, le deuxième élément de mouture se situant à l’intérieur de la partie de boîtier et près d’une première extrémité de la première branche à proximité du premier élément de mouture, le deuxième élément de mouture étant disposé de telle sorte que les deux surfaces respectives de mouture se trouvent sensiblement en vis-à-vis et définissent les deux côtés d’un passage se rétrécissant jusqu’à un intervalle, et qu’en cours d’utilisation, les épices présentes à l’intérieur du passage soient moulues lorsque la première branche passe de la première position de départ à la deuxième position d’arrivée et qu’un mouvement relatif se produise entre la première et la deuxième surface de mouture; et un moyen de réglage servant à faire pivoter le deuxième élément de mouture autour de son axe de pivotement, cette rotation du deuxième élément de mouture autour de son axe de pivotement modifiant la taille de l’intervalle entre les deux surfaces de mouture.
PCT/EP2009/059108 2008-07-18 2009-07-15 Moulin à épices réglable WO2010007113A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
HK08107996 2008-07-18
HK08107996.1 2008-07-18

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WO2010007113A2 true WO2010007113A2 (fr) 2010-01-21
WO2010007113A3 WO2010007113A3 (fr) 2010-05-27

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PCT/EP2009/059108 WO2010007113A2 (fr) 2008-07-18 2009-07-15 Moulin à épices réglable

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR911245A (fr) * 1945-06-05 1946-07-02 Moulin à sel de table
EP1285619A1 (fr) * 2001-08-16 2003-02-26 Wong, Yan Kwong Broyeur à poivre
US20030192971A1 (en) * 2002-04-16 2003-10-16 Chef'n Corporation Apparatus for grinding material, such as spice or grain

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR911245A (fr) * 1945-06-05 1946-07-02 Moulin à sel de table
EP1285619A1 (fr) * 2001-08-16 2003-02-26 Wong, Yan Kwong Broyeur à poivre
US20030192971A1 (en) * 2002-04-16 2003-10-16 Chef'n Corporation Apparatus for grinding material, such as spice or grain

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