Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source including a cylinder head and a combustion chamber defined by the cylinder head, a valve sleeve and an upper surface of a reciprocating piston, the valve sleeve reciprocable relative to the cylinder head between a rest position and a pre-firing position. The valve sleeve has a range of positions between a first sealing position in which the combustion chamber is closed, and said pre-firing position in which the valve sleeve is prevented from further movement. A lockout device is associated with the power source and has an actuated position configured for preventing the reciprocation of the valve sleeve beyond the first sealed position to open the combustion chamber, but permitting movement of the valve sleeve from the first sealed position to the pre-firing position until the piston returns to a piston pre-firing position post combustion.

Abstract: An articulation joint for use in connection with a surgical instrument that has a portion that must be passed through a trocar or similar structure and then articulated relative to another portion of the instrument received within the trocar. Various embodiments of the articulation joint provide structures for increasing the moment arm between the actuator and the pivot point between the proximal and distal tube segments interconnecting a handle assembly of the surgical instrument to a surgical implement such as an end effector of an endocutter.

Abstract: A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling device. The stapling device has an actuator that is selectively actuatable in an axial direction and an anvil that is moveable between open and closed positions. The staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples and a first plurality of staple drivers. Each staple driver has an upper staple supporting surface for supporting one of the staples such that, when actuated, each staple driver drives the staple into the anvil. The upper staple supporting surface supports staples of different wire diameters in an upright position.

Abstract: A surgical stapler including an anvil, a staple cartridge, and a buttress material removably retained to the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge can include at least one staple removably stored therein which can, when deployed, or fired, therefrom, contact the buttress material and remove the buttress material from the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the anvil can include at least one lip and/or groove configured to removably retain the buttress material to the anvil until deformable members extending from the surgical staple are bent by the anvil and are directed toward and contact the buttress material.

Abstract: A medical agent dispensing system can be provided that may be structured for use with a surgical severing/stapling instrument that is designed for severing and stapling tissue. The dispensing system may include at least one storage reservoir structured for storing at least a component of a medical agent; a gear pump casing in communication with the storage reservoir; a screw pump auger positioned within the gear pump casing capable of rotational manipulation to move the medical agent through the gear pump casing; and, at least one agent tube in communication with the gear pump casing. The agent tube may be structured for communication with a least one agent port formed in a staple cartridge of the surgical instrument for dispensing the medical agent therethrough.

Abstract: A welding fixture for supporting first and second workpieces in a coaxial relationship along a workpiece axis relative to each other includes a base, a left clamp on the base for holding a first workpiece, and a right clamp on the base for holding a second workpiece on an opposite side of a welding plane in a coaxial relationship with the first workpiece. The fixture also includes a left handle on the base for operating the right clamp, and a right handle on the base for operating the left clamp.

Abstract: A cutting pick comprising a cutting tip 10 formed such as from SiC-D and a metal pick body 11. The pick body 11 has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the cutting tip 10. The pick body 11 includes a generally cylindrical cavity 14 within which is received a generally cylindrical anchor portion 13. The tip 10 includes a coating 17 bonded to the outer surface of the anchor portion 13. An annulus 24 is left between the coating 17 and the cavity 14 within which is a solder or braze material which bonds to each of the coating 17 and the cavity 14. The pick body 11 employs the difference in thermal expansion to exert pressure on the anchor portion 13 to fix the tip 10 to the pick body 11.

Abstract: Systems for coupling end portions of two elongated heater portions and methods of using such systems to treat a subsurface formation are described herein. A system may include a holding system configured to hold end portions of the two elongated heater portions so that the end portions are abutted together or located near each other; a shield for enclosing the end portions, and one or more inert gas inlets configured to provide at least one inert gas to flush the system with inert gas during welding of the end portions. The shield may be configured to inhibit oxidation during welding that joins the end portions together. The shield may include a hinged door that, when closed, is configured to at least partially isolate the interior of the shield from the atmosphere. The hinged door, when open, is configured to allow access to the interior of the shield.

Abstract: Featured is a case storage container formed from cardboard material.

Abstract: The package opening device is an adhesive strip adapted for mounting on a cover of a package, the adhesive strip having a gripping member allowing the user to pull on the gripping member to tear at least a portion of the cover of the package. The package opening device includes a base strip having a proximal portion, a distal portion, an upper surface, and a lower surface. An adhesive layer at least partially covers the distal portion of the lower surface of the base strip, and the uncovered proximal portion forms the gripping member. Further, a release liner may be provided for covering the adhesive layer prior to application to the cover of the package. Alternatively, a plurality of adhesive strips may be provided, with the plurality of adhesive strips being joined together by a line, with user-generated tension in the line creating the tearing force.

Abstract: A dispensing carton includes a dispenser section having a deformation pattern provided therein. The deformation pattern facilitates removal of the dispenser section during opening of the carton.

Abstract: A vote-by-mail return envelope that includes a pouch portion for containing the ballot and a stub portion on which the voter applies his/her signature and method for processing are provided. Each portion of the envelope contains a respective barcode that identifies the respective portion. When the envelope is received at the vote-counting location, the stub is separated from the pouch, thereby separating the voter's signature, name, etc. from the ballot. The signature is then verified from the stub, and subsequent processing of the pouch uses the pouch barcode identifier as a link to the stub barcode identifier and/or to the result of the signature verification, to determine whether the ballot in the pouch is eligible for counting or whether some remedial procedure is necessary.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and system for creating and exposing order status within a supply chain of trading partners having disparate systems. A trading partner exchange (TPE) interfaces with each of the disparate systems and gathers information pertaining to a particular transaction. The information can be made available to an access platform through an access platform interface. Initially, a transaction is reported to the TPE where it is assigned a unique identifier. Subsequent activities pertaining to the transaction which are reported to the TPE by the trading partners can be linked to the unique identifier. By using the access platform, a customer or any trading partner can acquire the status of a particular order from the TPE.

Abstract: A system for performing a money transfer receive transaction includes a receive transaction staging device which provides a recipient with access to a financial services institution in order to receive transaction details from the recipient. The system also includes a data base for storing transaction details and a receive control code, wherein the transaction details include a receive amount, and wherein the receive control code corresponds to the transaction details stored on the data base. The system further includes a receive transaction fulfillment device in communication with the data base to retrieve the receive control code and the transaction details from the data base based on the receive control code. The data base verifies the receive control code and authorizes the receive transaction fulfillment device to issue cash or another negotiable instrument corresponding to at least a portion of the receive amount.

Abstract: A fraudulent business transaction application (FBTA) is provided in embodiments of the present invention for monitoring fraudulent transactions. When a consumer supplies account access information in order to carry out an Internet business transaction, the FBTA uses an online fraud mitigation engine to detect phishing intrusions and identity theft. Embodiments are also provided for calculating travel velocity and transaction frequency, which are useful for determining a fraudulent transaction. Further embodiments are provided for authenticating a transaction using a cookie stored on a client device and a behavior profile stored on a server.

Abstract: A personal information verification system using an intermediary server and a settlement institution server, where personal information with an electronic signature, showing a desired purchase and a first version of item hash information are received from a person terminal. Then, the intermediary server generates a second version of item hash information by hiding the purchase item and adding an electronic signature, and transmits the second version of the item hash information to the settlement institution server. The settlement institution server sends a payment bill to a seller, generates the third version of the item hash information, and transmits the third version of the item hash information together with the amended personal information. The intermediary server generates a fourth version of the item hash information and transmits the personal information and the first to fourth versions of the item hash information to the seller terminal.

Abstract: Generating a series of digits corresponding to a personal identification number (PIN) of a user for unified messaging access to personal information management (PIM) data. Data involved in the generation of the series of digits along with the series of digits are stored for subsequent use during authentication of the user and PIN updates.

Abstract: A system and method enables intervention events occurring at a self-checkout station at a retail site to be addressed by an operator located at a remote site distant from the retail site. The system includes a checkout station located at a retail site, a video camera and microphone mounted at the checkout station, a data communicator for collecting video and audio data from the video camera and microphone and operational data from the checkout station, an intervention service station for receiving the video, audio, and operational data from the data communicator, the intervention service station being located off-site from the retail site; and the intervention service station includes a checkout station command generator for generating and sending checkout station commands to the checkout station in response to the operational data received from the data communicator so that an operator at the intervention service station can intervene in the checkout station operation.

Abstract: A method is provided for personalizing security conditions for each customer using a self-service checkout terminal to conduct a transaction on the terminal. A trust level is assigned to each customer based on a selection of factors, which may include personal information provided by the customer, factors independent of the customer, such as information specific to the particular merchant, and the customer's history in using the checkout terminal or other facilities of the merchant. The manner in which the transaction progresses for the customer is determined as a function of the customer's trust level. In one example, the weight tolerance applied to products weighed by the customer may be widened or narrowed in relation to the customer's trust level.

Abstract: A card reader comprises two rows of electric contacts in the form of elastically deformable contact springs for contacting the electric contact fields of a card inserted into the card reader, wherein the contact springs extend parallel to the card insertion direction and wherein each contact spring comprises a contact section projecting into the card path for contacting one of the contact fields of the card, a connecting section for connecting to a write/read device, an intermediate U-shaped joining section, and a mounting section for mounting the contact spring to the card reader housing, all being formed in one piece with the contact spring. In accordance with the invention, the contact section, the U-shaped joining section and the mounting section are symmetrical relative to the center plane of the contact spring.

Abstract: A card reader for use in web based transactions is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for establishing a secure connection between a card reader and a server, the method including receiving a first challenge request, generating a response to the first challenge request using a first encryption key, sending the response to the first challenge request, sending a second challenge request, receiving an encrypted response to the second challenge request, verifying the encrypted response to the second challenge request; and, if the encrypted response is verified, reading data card information from a data card, the data card information including an intrinsic magnetic characteristic and recorded data on the data card, generating a magnetic fingerprint based on the intrinsic magnetic characteristic, and sending the magnetic fingerprint to authenticate the data card.

Abstract: A remotely-alterable electronic-ink based display label employing an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink which includes a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The display label includes an integrated circuit layer having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, and a programmed processor in electrical communication with the addressable display assembly and a data antenna layer. A signal transmitting layer transmits signals from the data antenna layer to a remote activator module. A signal receiving layer receives electromagnetic signals from the remote activator module, using the data antenna layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a microwave oven using a bar code. The apparatus includes an operating panel provided on the front surface of the microwave oven, a bar code scanner installed in the operating panel and projecting light to the bar code attached to a package of food to obtain data of the bar code, and a main controller for controlling a cooking operation for cooking the food according to the data of the bar code obtained by the bar code scanner. The apparatus simply and rapidly performs the cooking of food using the bar code, increases the bar code recognition distance thereof, and is easily and economically operated.

Abstract: An automatic digital image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system housing having vertical housing section provided with an imaging window, and containing at least two area-type illumination and imaging stations for generating and projecting area-type illumination and imaging zones through the imaging window, so that the area-type illumination and imaging zones intersect within a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window. An object motion detection subsystem automatically detects the motion of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generates motion data representative of detected object motion within the 3D imaging volume. And a control subsystem, responsive to the object motion detection subsystem, automatically controls operations within the area-type illumination and imaging stations during system operation.

Abstract: A planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based engine including; an engine housing having light transmission aperture; an image formation and detection module and having an image detection array and image formation optics with a field of view (FOV) extending from the image detection array, through the light transmission aperture and onto an object moving relative to the engine housing during object illumination and imaging operations; a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) producing device, and having at least one visible laser illumination source arranged in relation to the image formation and detection module, for producing a planar light illumination beam (PLIB), and projecting the planar light illumination beam through light transmission aperture and oriented such that the plane of the PLIB is coplanar with the field of view of the image formation and detection module so that the object can be simultaneously illuminated by the planar light illumination beam and imaged within the field of view and

Abstract: A portable device having a body, a battery, a display, a data acquisition device, a handle, a trigger supported by the handle, and a first power port supported by the handle.

Abstract: A mini card adapter for removably holding and fixing a mini card in a secure manner is provided. The mini card adapter holds a mini card having the same thickness as the standard card and outline dimensions smaller than those of the standard card. The mini card comprises a reference wall having the same thickness as the standard card and a bulging section formed on the top surface of the reference wall. In the reference wall, a card pocket for is formed for loading therein the mini card. The land section is formed in a region corresponding to the emboss section of the standard card, and a part of the land section bulges over the card pocket. As a result, an eaves wall for supporting one side of the mini card is formed. The eaves wall has a boss which fits in a hole formed in the mini card. A receiving nail for receiving the periphery of the mini card in corporation with the eaves wall is provided on the peripheral lower surface of the card pocket.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of authenticating an article having a hidden image printed on a surface thereof, wherein the image can only be detected when viewed through an optical device.

Abstract: A multiple resolution readable color array printed for labeling or displayed electronically achieves readable data at multiple optical resolutions. The array has a hierarchy of cells, where cells at a lower level of resolution include spatially adjacent smaller cells at a higher level of resolution. Colors are encoded in redundant cells within the hierarchy so that overall color assigned to a lower resolution cell depends on the colors encoded in the included data cells at a higher resolution.

Abstract: A thermostatic cartridge regulates hot and cold fluids to be mixed, and a mixer tap one such cartridge. The cartridge includes two disks which are used to adjust the flow of hot and cold fluids and which each include a passage for hot fluid, a passage for cold fluid, and a passage for a mixture of both. The disks are movably joined to one another. One of the disks is connected in rotation to a member for controlling the flow of the mixture, while the other is fixed. In order to do without a turbulator in the cartridge, the flow section for the mixture through the disks, which is defined by stacking passages for the mixture in the joining plane of the disks, varies according to the configuration of the control member. The majority of the thermo sensitive part of a thermostatic regulation element is positioned upstream of the disk joining plane in the direction of flow of the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention, in illustrative embodiments, includes methods and devices for reducing power consumption in a thermostat by adjusting pulse levels (duration and/or voltage) that are used to control an HVAC relay in light of variations of ambient conditions or other relay conditions. In some illustrative embodiments, an ambient condition is observed using existing thermostat features, such as, for example, a temperature sensor, and used to adjust pulse parameters.

Abstract: A rail fastening clip is used with a rail clip support having a rail clip slot of the kind used in K plates. The rail clip is formed from a U shaped member made of metal plate having a base and two arms tapered from the base to their tips, with the arms being bent inwardly beyond the base in a large arc and the tips are bent back toward the base and oriented for contact with the foot of the rail. The base is adapted to fit in the K plate slot of the rail clip support. The base of the clip has a leading edge remote from the arms that contacts the upper interior surface of the support slot to form at least a line of contact with the upper interior surface of the slot. The line of contact is about 6 mm. The design overcomes the problem of rotation of the clip within the support slot and is a more cost effective clip than that currently used with K plates.

Abstract: A compensating element (30) for an injection valve has a cup-shaped body (32) with a cup base (34) and a recess. Furthermore, the compensating element has a piston (36) which makes a clearance fit in respect of the recess of the cup-shaped body (32) on an axially extending guide segment (41) of the piston (36) and which is arranged at least partially axially moveable with the guide segment (41) in the recess of the cup-shaped body (32). A sealing element (44) is arranged on the side of the guide segment (41) facing away from the cup base (32) and couples the cup-shaped body (32) with the piston (36). A hydraulically and/or pneumatically sealed system is delimited by the cup-shaped body (32), the piston (36) and the sealing element (44). The coupling of the sealing element (44) with the cup-shaped body (32) and/or the piston (36) is friction-fit.

Abstract: The present invention related to an ultrasonic nebulizer apparatus and a method for adjusting an operation frequency and checking an operating state of the ultrasonic nebulizer apparatus. The apparatus according to the present invention comprises a current detecting element for actively detecting an electrical current passed through it early. By detecting the current to determine a resonance frequency and whether deviated from a predetermined normal range, the nebulizer apparatus according to the present invention can check the operating state and operate at the resonance frequency for increasing efficiency and saving power.

Abstract: A portable spray apparatus (1) is provided to selectively discharge liquid spray medium and solid dust medium with a blower airflow (7) generated by a blower (6). An adaptor (8) is provided which has at least a channel section (9) of a liquids channel (10) for the liquid spray medium and a channel section (11) of a solids channel (12) for the solid dust medium. The adaptor (8) is releasably connected to a supply vessel (4). The liquids channel (10) and the solids channel (12) open into the blower airflow (7). Various built-in positions of the supply vessel (4) and of the adaptor (8) are freely selectable relative to each other and to the blower unit (3) by the operator. In one built-in position, the liquids channel (10) is connected via its channel section (9) to an interior space (13) of the supply vessel (4) and, in another built-in position, the solids channel (12) is connected to this interior space (13) via the channel section (11) thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface. The apparatus has an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid; an outlet port for dispensing an amount of heated fluid; a heating element that heats up fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet; and a control circuit for energizing at least a portion of the heating element with a voltage to heat the fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: A line striper (10) is provided with a relatively small engine (16) operating a reciprocating piston pump (20) and having a centrifugal clutch (18) which actuates when a predetermined engine speed has been reached. A pressure bypass device (22) which opens at either a fixed or adjustable pressure is provided to bleed off excess pressure and maintain a consistent spraying pressure. A double acting trigger (30) is provided for the operator to actuate the spray gun (40) and raise the engine speed simultaneously.

Abstract: An aerosol assembly for dispensing texture material. The aerosol assembly comprises a main container assembly, a secondary container, and a conduit. The main container assembly comprises a main container containing texture material, an aerosol valve assembly, and an actuator member. The aerosol valve assembly is operable in a normally closed configuration and an open configuration. Displacement of the actuator member places the aerosol valve assembly from the normally closed configuration to the open configuration. The conduit is connected between the main container and the secondary container to allow fluid flow between the main container and the secondary container. When the actuator member is displaced to place the aerosol valve assembly into the open configuration, the pressurized fluid within the secondary container enters the primary container to force texture material out of the main container.

Abstract: A fuel injector (1), in particular a pump-nozzle injector for a diesel engine has an injector body (50), which is held in place with a nozzle body (40) and/or a lower body (60) by a clamping nut (10, 30). The fuel supply conduit of the injector body (50) is provided with a fuel filter (20), which is offset in the longitudinal direction of the fuel injector (1) in relation to the clamping nut (10, 30) and is configured independently of said clamping nut (10, 30) on the fuel injector (1).

Abstract: In an electromagnetic fuel injection valve designed so that the contact of a movable attraction face at a rear end of a movable core with a stationary attraction face included at a front end of a stationary core is inhibited, a ring-shaped stopper (28) made of a material non-magnetic or magnetic weakly more than a movable core (18) is press-fitted into an inner periphery of a rear portion of the movable core (18), and a flat abutment face (51), which is disposed at a location displaced from a flat movable attraction face (41) formed at the rear end of the movable core (18) toward a stationary attraction face (42), is formed at a rear end of the stopper (28) to be able to abut against the stationary attraction face. A slant (52) is formed on an inner periphery of the rear end of the movable core (18) and an outer periphery of the rear end of the stopper (28) to continuously and smoothly connect the movable attraction face (41) and the abutment face (51) to each other.

Abstract: A cartridge for a handheld electrohydrodynamic (EHD) spraying device and a spraying device incorporating the cartridge. The cartridge is disposable, and can contain therapeutic products. The device includes a wetted lead screw with a compliant seal, where the placement of the seal relative to the screw inhibits leakage during both cartridge use and storage. A frame disposed within the cartridge acts as a load-transferring mechanism for the weight of the cartridge to a handle of the spraying device.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a liquid includes a chamber holding a supply of liquid, an annular conduit substantially filled with liquid from the chamber, and a thermoelectric transducer near one end of the annular conduit. Upon application of electrical current to the thermoelectric transducer, the transducer operates to cause boiling of a quantity of liquid in the annular conduit. Expansion of a resulting bubble forces liquid out the end of the annular conduit. The dispenser may include battery powered electronic control circuit that includes a supercapacitor. The liquid may be dispensed in periodic bursts. In one application, the dispenser is especially suited to automatically and unobtrusively dispense a fragrance, perfume, or other personal care liquid worn by a person. In some applications, the dispenser may be worn on or under an article of clothing, or attached to an article of jewelry.

Abstract: A gyratory crusher includes a crushing head on which a first crushing shell is mounted, and a frame on which a second crushing shell is mounted. The second crushing shell defines, together with the first crushing shell, a crushing gap. The gyratory crusher includes a space adapted to hold a liquid. The space is defined by a piston and a cylinder, any one of the piston and the cylinder being formed at least partly of a substantially vertical shaft around which the crushing head is arranged. The space is adapted to form, together with the liquid, a cushion, thereby enabling the cushion to serve as a thrust bearing and transmit vertical forces from the crushing head to the frame.

Abstract: A shredder having a safety feature(s) that reduces potential safety hazards by detecting the temperature of a shredder motor and issuing a warning as an predetermined overheat temperature approaches.

Abstract: A lid for a bowl of a food processor for processing a relatively large size or large volume of foodstuff including a top lid wall and a feed tube extending from the top lid wall along a feed axis. The feed tube including an inner feed surface defining a feed cavity and a mouth for accessing the feed cavity. A feed tube lid is movably secured to the mouth of the feed tube. A food pusher is movably mounted to the feed tube lid. The food pusher and feed tube lid cover the mouth of the feed tube when the feed tube lid and food pusher are in a working position. The food pusher is movable relative to the feed tube in first and second directions in the working position. The first direction is generally parallel to the feed axis and the second direction is generally perpendicular to the feed axis.

Abstract: A drink maker for processing foodstuff and dispensing the processed foodstuff therefrom. A base encloses a motor and a jar including a first recirculation surface is removably mountable to the base. A processing cup including a second recirculation surface is removably mountable to the jar and the jar and processing cup comprise a container in an assembled configuration. A recirculation chamber is defined by the first and second recirculation surfaces. The base includes an arcuate-shaped mounting wall extending from its top surface and the jar includes a skirt having a first wall and a second wall positioned radially outwardly from the first wall. The first and second walls define a mounting gap and the mounting wall is positioned in the mounting gap in the assembled configuration.

Abstract: A drug and/or drug packaging shredding/collecting machine includes a cabinet defining an interior chamber which can be accessed through a front opening for housing and storing a container lid and container incident to the shredding of drugs and drug packaging by a shredder carried by a top wall of the cabinet. The top wall also includes a non-shredable drug/drug packaging opening which includes a flexible inlet guard. A door of the container includes a storage area for plastic locking ties which, after the lid is slid to a nested position with respect to a channel/flange of the container can lock the two together through registered openings thereof thereby preventing inadvertent/accidental spillage and/or providing an indication of pilfering.

Abstract: A mobile shredder comprises a truck having a truck body defining an enclosure and including a partition in the enclosure that divides a storage volume from the remainder of the enclosure for storage of shredded material in the storage volume, a single-shaft rotary shredder mounted in the enclosure outside the storage volume, the rotary shredder comprising a rotor having cutters rigidly mounted thereon, a bin lift and dump mechanism operable to transport material to be shredded from outside to inside the enclosure so as to deliver material to the rotary shredder, and a discharge conveyor operable to transport shredded material from the rotary shredder through the partition to the storage volume. The floor of the storage volume can comprise a walking floor, and the enclosure can have rear doors that are openable to allow shredded material to be discharged through the open rear doors when the walking floor is operated.

Abstract: A bowl mill for a coal pulverizer with an air mill for primary entry of air, comprising a substantially closed separator body (2) having a central axis; and a bowl-like grinding table (3) mounted on a shaft (4) rotatable about said central axis, cooperating with a plurality of grinding rolls (6). The airmill is provided with multiple entry openings (17?, 17?; 18?, 18?; 21, 25) on the outer wall of the air mill for multiple entry of hot primary air from the inlets, resulting in better uniformity in air flow around the air mil section and for minimizing formation of eddies and vortices. As a variation of the multiple entry double entry openings can be arranged for entry of hot primary air.

Abstract: A peppermill includes a receiving unit that surrounds an axis and that defines a receiving space for receiving peppercorns, a grinding unit that includes a coupling shaft disposed rotatably in the receiving space and having a shaft hole extending therethrough along the axis, and that is operable for grinding the peppercorns to result in ground pepper, and a closure unit that includes a connecting rod extending movably through the shaft hole along the axis, and a closure member secured to the connecting rod and disposed under the grinding unit. Movement of the connecting rod results in corresponding movement of the closure member between a closed position for blocking discharge of the ground pepper through a discharge end of the receiving unit, and an opened position for permitting discharge of the ground pepper through the discharge end.