Rotary Tool Patents (Class 241/169.1)
  • Publication number: 20090314867
    Abstract: A spice mill for cutting up two different spices, in particular salt and pepper, is disclosed. Two spice containers (17, 18) and two grinding mechanisms (50, 50?) are arranged in a base part (10). A cover part (20) can be removed from the base part (10) and serves as a rotary handle. When the cover part (20) is removed, filling openings (15, 16) for the spice containers (17, 18) are opened up. An encapsulated gear mechanism (30) is arranged in the base part (10) between the cover part and the grinding mechanisms. When the cover part (20) is rotated in a first direction of rotation, the gear mechanism (30) drives the first grinding mechanism (50). By contrast, upon rotation in the opposite direction, the second grinding mechanism (50?) is driven. In a preferred embodiment, the gear mechanism is arranged in an upper region of the base part and, together with the base part, bounds the filling openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: PI-DESIGN AG
    Inventor: Jørgen Bodum
  • Publication number: 20090277982
    Abstract: A grating plate (1) for a container/grater for friable food products, in particular hard cheese, is described, which is contained in a base (10) on which a reverse cup-shaped element is assembled for defining a chamber for the product, the grating plate (1) composing the bottom of the chamber and having a plurality of openings (27) with whose edges respective teeth (25), projecting in the containing chamber, are associated; the plate (1) is not equipped with supporting ribs and is equipped with a convex surface (29) adjacent to a lower cutting floor of the plate (1), the convexity of the surface (29) being adapted to make it reach a maximum height (A) with respect to the horizontal cutting plane of the plate (1) in the points of the plate (1) that are furthest from the centre of the base (10) corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the rod (20), such height (A) progressively decreasing till it becomes zero at the centre of the base (10), next to the longitudinal axis of the grating plate (1) and of the rod
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Bisio Progetti S.P.A.
    Inventor: Stefano Bisio
  • Patent number: 7611084
    Abstract: The container-grater comprises a base (10) on which an inverted cup-shaped element (12) having a polygonal cross-section is mounted rotatably so as to define a chamber (14) for containing the food product. The base (10) includes a grating plate (18) which constitutes the bottom of the chamber (14) and has a plurality of through-holes (20), with the edges of which respective teeth (22) that project into the chamber (14) are associated. Furthermore, a threaded rod (30) extends upwards from the plate (18) into the chamber (14) and a pressure plate (32) has a central, threaded hole (34) which is engaged by the rod (30) and an outer perimeter suitable for engaging with the internal wall of the element (12) in a manner such that rotation of the element (12) relative to the base (10) brings about translation of the plate (32) along the rod (30) and compression of the food product against the plate (18) so that the food product is broken up and dispensed from the containing chamber (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Bisio Progetti S.p.A.
    Inventor: Stefano Bisio
  • Patent number: 7604189
    Abstract: An electric seasoning mill includes a body having first and second holding rooms adjacent first and second ends. A motor is housed between the first and second ends. The motor has first and second output shafts extending toward the first and second ends; the first and second output shafts are rotatable in first and second directions. First and second milling assemblies are adjacent the first and second rooms; each milling assembly has stationary and rotatable portions. A first transmission shaft operatively couples the first output shaft and the first milling assembly rotatable portion; a second transmission shaft operatively couples the second output shaft and the second milling assembly rotatable portion. Means are included for automatically actuating the motor to rotate the first output shaft in the first and second directions upon tilting the main body in first and second manners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Duo Yeu Metal Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih Hung Wang
  • Patent number: 7604190
    Abstract: A discharge opening and power control structure of a grinder is disclosed to include a grinder body, which has a discharge opening for discharge of the ground powder and a battery chamber with a positive and negative contacts extended out of the grinder body, and a shut device, which has a slot and a metal contact plate and is rotatable relative to the grinder body between the open position where the slot is in alignment with the discharge opening to open the discharge opening and the metal contact plate is in contact with the positive and negative contacts to turn on the power supply, and the close position where the discharge opening is closed and the power supply of the grinder is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: Chung-Jen Pai
  • Patent number: 7604192
    Abstract: A light weight, low cost grinder assembly for a pepper grinder includes male and female rotary grinding members spaced to create between them a gap which determines the size of the ground pepper. Each of the male and female members is a composite of a polymer part and a corrugated steel grinding member which is advantageously produced by pressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Samson Bright Industrial Company Limited
    Inventor: Yu Wing Tang
  • Patent number: 7604191
    Abstract: A grinder comprised of a driving unit, a hollow base, a grinding device, and a container. When lifting the container to disengage an engagement portion of the container from a top engagement portion of the hollow base and to compress an elastic member against a hollow guide disk, a rotary cap is rotatable with the container relative to the hollow base to adjust the gap between the grinding base and grinding disk of the grinding device subject to the desired ground powder particle size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: Chung-Jen Pai
  • Publication number: 20090256016
    Abstract: The inventive device for adjusting a condiment grinder or a foodstuff breaking unit comprises a cassette consisting of an adjusting ring (3), a dish-supporting slide (2) and a fixing washer (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Maurice Lauzet
  • Patent number: 7591439
    Abstract: A grinder for condiments such as pepper has a grinding rotor mounted to rotate relative to a grinding stator for grinding the condiment therebetween. An speed-reducing epicyclic geartrain is connected for transmitting torque between a motor and the rotor. The geartrain includes a plurality of spur gear epicyclic gearsets, each gearset comprising planet gears meshed with a sun gear, the planet gears of each gearset supported upon a planet carrier, the gearsets stacked within a common ring gear with the sun gears coaxial, adjacent sun gears and planet carriers of adjacent gearsets being rotationally fast for transmitting torque between the adjacent gearsets. The adjacent sun gears and planet carriers of adjacent gearsets are integrally formed a melt processable polymer. The gearsets are held between an end wall and a closure at axially opposing ends of the ring gear to form a gearbox, the end wall being formed integrally with the ring gear and the closure being fixed to the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Samson Bright Industrial Company Limited
    Inventor: Yu Wing Tang
  • Publication number: 20090224088
    Abstract: A grinder for a food item, including a top shell having a top axis, a top inner surface disposed about the top axis, and a plurality of top teeth extending downwardly from the top inner surface; a bottom shell for moving between a first position in which the bottom shell is spaced apart from the top shell, and a second position in which the top shell and bottom shell are coupled together, the bottom shell having a bottom axis, a bottom inner surface disposed about the bottom axis, a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom inner surface and defining a cavity, and a plurality of bottom teeth extending upwardly from the bottom inner surface; and a plunger slidable within the cavity between a retracted position and an advanced position, the plunger having an upper surface directed away from the bottom inner surface, the upper surface having a perimeter configured for slidable engagement with an inner surface of the sidewall and a plurality of apertures in registration with the plurality of bottom teeth wherei
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Ewhan Ruzycky
  • Publication number: 20090212142
    Abstract: A grater for grating of gratable food products with different hardness degrees. A cylindrical grater container receives a driver element which is mounted rotatively moveable and which includes a plurality of guiding elements, and which carries a feed disk at the same time. The feed disk has an external thread which is actively connected with an internal thread integrally formed on the inner surface of the grater container, and which can be linearly moved through the grater container by rotation of the driver element, and can be pressed onto a product to be grated which is located in the grater container, and the product to be grated can be grated by a grater insert attached on the grating side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Ulrich Greiner
  • Publication number: 20090178580
    Abstract: A device for processing foodstuffs in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an upper part, a drive mechanism and a lower part with a working container, in which a working unit can be manually driven and made to rotate by means of the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a tractive cable drive and is operatively connected to the working unit by means of a releasable torque-coupled connection. The drive mechanism also includes a primary and secondary drive unit, which are operatively interconnected by means of a gear in such a way that a transmission ratio of between 1:1.5 and 1:4 and preferably between 1:1.8 and 1:1.9 is achieved. The primary and secondary drive units are axially parallel and dimensioned in such a way that at least one of the drive units intersects the rotational axis of the other respective drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Bruno Herren
  • Publication number: 20090179095
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel improvements to an apparatus for uniformly decomposing compressed tablets into a uniform size powder form. More particularly, the present invention is directed to improvements to the rotor cap of the apparatus allowing the rotor cap to be easily removed from the apparatus without the need for removal tools thereby allowing easy conversion from right hand operation to left hand operation and vice versa. Such improves also allow for disassembly and cleaning. Additional improvements including providing for a coding tab configured to represent predefined information such as ownership and previous use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Richard F. Hurst
  • Patent number: 7543771
    Abstract: A mill for grinding edible particles is composed of a main body, a rotating knob, a shaft, a cover, a grinding base, a grinding block, a rotator, an anti-leaking cover, a ratchet block, a bottom base, an adjustment rotating base and two springs. By means of spiral grinding teeth of the grinding block and the grinding base, edible particles can be ground into powder to drop out of powder outlets of the bottom base while clockwise rotating the rotating knob. After using the mill, the powder outlets can be covered by the anti-leaking cover to prevent the powder from dropping on a table via counterclockwise rotating the rotating knob. And, via rotating the adjustment rotating base, the rotator can be moved up and down to alter the distance between the grinding block and the grinding base for grinding with diverse sizes of powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Inventor: Ching Yueh Wang Wu
  • Patent number: 7543770
    Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises an automated pill crusher comprising a container operatively arranged to hold at least one pill, means for producing a linear force in a first direction upon at least one pill in the container, and, means for producing a spring force in a second direction upon at least one pill in the container. The pill crusher further comprises means for pulverizing at least one pill in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventors: James Peron, James Leahy, Jonathan Leahy, Robyn Washousky
  • Publication number: 20090134256
    Abstract: A canister configured to include a container and a spice grinder coupled to the container. The spice grinder includes a grinding ring and a feed cone unit that cooperates with the grinding ring to define a grinding chamber therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Chad E. Rice
  • Patent number: 7533838
    Abstract: A spice mill uses one touch button control and a common driven shaft to operate a pair of oppositely disposed grinding mills simultaneously. In environments which are more sophisticated and formal, the users will know which spice will be dispensed through the slightly smaller end and which spice will be dispensed through the slightly larger end, and without having to label the dispenser. In addition, the one touch button is large and easily accessible by almost any finger of the hand used to hold the center section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Daka Research Inc. (Br. Virg.Isl Corp.)
    Inventors: Alexander Joseph Kalogroulis, Matthew Edward White
  • Publication number: 20090121063
    Abstract: A pepper mill includes a receiving unit defining a receiving space, a grinding unit disposed at one end of the receiving space, and a stop unit dividing the receiving space into first and second space portions that are respectively distal from and proximate to the grinding unit. The stop unit is formed with a passage to permit peppercorns in the first space portion to fall into the grinding unit so as to be ground thereby through the second space portion when the pepper mill is disposed at a dispensing position, and is configured to stop a portion of residual ground pepper in the second space portion from reaching the first space portion via the passage when the pepper mill is disposed at a non-dispensing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: YIENN LIH ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ming-Fong WU
  • Publication number: 20090095832
    Abstract: A grinder includes a body, which has a holding room in a bottom portion thereof; the grinder includes a rotating operational component on an upper end of the body, and a grinding mechanism in an upper portion of the holding room; the rotating operational component and the grinding mechanism are coupled by means of a transmission rod; the bottom portion of the grinder body has several outlet holes on a peripheral side for the holding room to communicate with an outside; a stopping board is secured over a lower end of the holding room of the grinder body so as to seal up the lower end of the holding room; the user is allowed to tilt the grinder to make ground seasoning fall out through the outlet holes; seasoning won't fall out of the holding room to dirty the table even if the grinder is subjected to external force accidentally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: Hua-Te Wu
  • Publication number: 20090084878
    Abstract: A mill for grinding edible particles is composed of a main body, a rotating knob, a shaft, a cover, a grinding base, a grinding block, a rotator, an anti-leaking cover, a ratchet block, a bottom base, an adjustment rotating base and two springs. By means of spiral grinding teeth of the grinding block and the grinding base, edible particles can be ground into powder to drop out of powder outlets of the bottom base while clockwise rotating the rotating knob. After using the mill, the powder outlets can be covered by the anti-leaking cover to prevent the powder from dropping on a table via counterclockwise rotating the rotating knob. And, via rotating the adjustment rotating base, the rotator can be moved up and down to alter the distance between the grinding block and the grinding base for grinding with diverse sizes of powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Ching Yueh Wang Wu
  • Publication number: 20090078807
    Abstract: A tapered inner grinding element is spaced apart from an outer grinding element with a space therebetween which defines the size of the ground product. A shaft is connected at its bottom end to the inner element for operating the grinder. Screw threads formed on the shaft and an adjuster knob are engaged such that rotation of the adjuster knob directly moves the inner grinding element axially for adjusting the size of the ground condiment. A sleeve fixed to the inner grinding element slides axially on the shaft but is fixed to rotate with the shaft. Mating snap-acting connectors on the sleeve and the adjuster knob are joined by elastic deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Yu Wing Tang
  • Publication number: 20090057452
    Abstract: A grinder for condiments such as pepper has a grinding rotor mounted to rotate relative to a grinding stator for grinding the condiment therebetween. An speed-reducing epicyclic geartrain is connected for transmitting torque between a motor and the rotor. The geartrain includes a plurality of spur gear epicyclic gearsets, each gearset comprising planet gears meshed with a sun gear, the planet gears of each gearset supported upon a planet carrier, the gearsets stacked within a common ring gear with the sun gears coaxial, adjacent sun gears and planet carriers of adjacent gearsets being rotationally fast for transmitting torque between the adjacent gearsets. The adjacent sun gears and planet carriers of adjacent gearsets are integrally formed a melt processable polymer. The gearsets are held between an end wall and a closure at axially opposing ends of the ring gear to form a gearbox, the end wall being formed integrally with the ring gear and the closure being fixed to the ring gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Yu Wing Tang
  • Publication number: 20090057451
    Abstract: A grinder having two condiment-receiving compartments each with a respective rotary grinding mechanism dispenses from one or other of the compartments depending upon whether a rotary input is turned clockwise or anticlockwise. First and second gear trains transmit torque between the rotary input and each grinding mechanism, with a one-way clutch provided in each gear train and an auxiliary gear allows both grinding mechanisms to rotate in the same sense.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Samson Bright Industrial Company Limited
    Inventor: Wing Sum Tang
  • Publication number: 20090050722
    Abstract: A condiment mill is disclosed having a first sleeve, a second sleeve rotatably attached to the second sleeve, a grinding apparatus operably disposed within the first sleeve and the second sleeve, a sliding cap slidably mounted over the first sleeve and the second sleeve, a cap disposed on the grinding apparatus, and wherein the sliding cap is slidable between a first position to rotate the grinding apparatus for grinding condiments and a second position secured against the cap to provide a seal for the condiment mill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Jan-Hendrik de Groote, Ine Vandaele
  • Publication number: 20090045274
    Abstract: A food cutting device has a bowl, two cutting blades supported in the bowl for rotation relative to each other, and a drive mechanism supported by the bowl for rotating the cutting blades to cut food in the bowl. The cutting blades are rotatable in opposite directions relative to each other to perform a scissors-like cutting action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Kwok Kuen So, Yiu Chung Wan, Clive Koon Yin Wong
  • Publication number: 20090032627
    Abstract: A spice grinder appliance 1 comprises a base 2 containing an electric motor 8 and associated drive system, an output shaft with a blade 25 attached thereto, and a removable cover 4 surrounding the blade and creating a chamber for spices or food product to be ground or chopped. The removable bowl and rotatable blade quickly and conveniently couple and de-couple from the drive shaft so that the bowl can be removed from the appliance while the blade remains therein in order to prevent contents from spilling out of the bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Charles Z. Krasznai
  • Patent number: 7481388
    Abstract: A kitchen appliance apparatus (10) mountable on a work surface (12) for performing a culinary function includes a culinary unit (14) and a base (16) for the culinary unit. The apparatus (10) includes a suction assembly (48) that includes a suction member (50) that forms a bottom surface of the base (16). The suction assembly (48) is operable to form a vacuum between the suction member (50) and the work surface (12) that releasably connects the base (16) to the work surface. A clamp assembly (100) includes a clamping member (112) that has a clamping surface spaced from and presented toward the suction member (50). The clamping member (112) is movable toward the suction member (50) to clamp the work surface (12) between the clamping member and the suction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Pragotrade U.S.A. Incorporated
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Palese
  • Publication number: 20080315022
    Abstract: An adjustable grinder, includes a container, a stator, a rotor, a drum, and a rotary slide. The container can hold a product to be ground. The stator is positioned on the container. The rotor is positioned opposite to the stator and can rotate with respect to the stator. The drum is positioned around the rotor. The rotary slide includes a pointer that can be adjusted such that a distance between the stator and the rotor increases or decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: MCCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tracie Wilson, Sebastien Rime, Olivier Rattin
  • Publication number: 20080315021
    Abstract: Inner and outer grinding elements have a space therebetween which defines the size of the ground product. A shaft is connected at its bottom end to the inner element for operating the grinder. A sleeve extends about the outer grinding element and is mounted for rotation about the central axis of the grinding elements. Mating screw threads are formed on the sleeve and outer grinding element such that rotation of the sleeve moves the outer grinding element axially for adjusting the size of the ground condiment. A knob accessible from the exterior of the lower housing is fixed to the sleeve and rotates in a circumferential slot in the lower housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Yu Wing Tang
  • Patent number: 7467754
    Abstract: An apparatus for comminuting biological specimens includes a receiving component provided with a drive source, a sample retainer configured for retaining at least one biological specimen and for engagement in the receiving component, and a single use comminution mechanism in operational relationship with the sample retainer. The drive source is configured for driving the comminution mechanism. A collector is associated with the receiving component for receiving comminuted product generated by the comminution mechanism. A method for comminuting biological specimens is provided so that, upon comminution, the specimen is readily subject to rapid extraction and detection of drugs and their metabolites, compounds, chemicals, pesticides, steroids, growth enhancers, contaminants or other pharmacologic agents which may reside in the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignees: Wahl Clipper Corporation, Drugrisk Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: James E. McCambridge, Scott A. Melton, Carl Salavka, Terri Stripling, Jeff Karker, Thomas M. Eden, III
  • Publication number: 20080302895
    Abstract: A rolling food processor includes a body forming a chamber, a blade assembly, and a roller assembly. The blade assembly may include a hub and a plurality of blades mounted about the hub and positioned within the chamber, the blade assembly being rotatably coupled to the roller assembly. The roller assembly includes at least one rolling member such that when a user rolls or reciprocates the rolling member on a surface, the hub and the blades rotate to process a food item selectively positioned in the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: CHEF'N CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam A. Jossem, David A. Holcomb
  • Publication number: 20080301952
    Abstract: A blade assembly for use with a food processor includes a hub configured to be coupled to a drive shaft of the food processor, a first blade rotatably coupled to the hub and configured to rotate with respect to the hub at least up to a predetermined angle with respect to a second blade, which is fixedly coupled to the hub. The first blade is rotatable between a first position in which it is in phase with the second blade for receiving a blade guard protecting both blades, and a second position, in which the first blade is out of phase with the second blade for optimally processing a food item in the food processor, the blade assembly also including a biasing member for returning the first blade to the first position after use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: CHEF'N CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Holcomb, Adam A. Jossem
  • Publication number: 20080277513
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for processing system foodstuff are shown and described. Food processing systems can hold and prepare food for consumption. The disclosed embodiments can be quickly and conveniently used to dry, grind, mill, dispense, or otherwise process foodstuff.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Chef'n Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Holcomb, Adam A. Jossem
  • Publication number: 20080273420
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a domestic a nutritional item such as e.g. a blender comprising a base uni covered by a lid (2). To allow for enhanced operator conven controlling the motor (22) is located on the lid (2). The lid sending control signals from the control panel (14) to the m receiver unit (10) located in the base unit (4). In preferred e used as transmitting medium for the control signals. pliance (1) for use in processing (4) with motor (22) and a jar (3) ence, the control panel (14) for encloses an emitter unit (5) for (22) in the base unit (4) via a bodiments, the jar (3) itself is used as transmitting medium for the control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Reinhard Ferk, Roland Dorfer
  • Publication number: 20080271614
    Abstract: A manual food processor comprises a main body including a base and an upper cover, wherein the base is formed by an open housing having a cylindrical cavity in which a mounting flange is provided, and the upper cover is fitted on the base and having an opening for feeding food, and a cranking bar hole is provided on a side wall of the main body; a cutter unit including an annular cutter frame on the periphery of which an annular bevel gear is formed and a cutter fixed on the cutter frame, wherein the cutter unit is horizontally mounted on the mounting flange of the base; and a cranking bar unit including a cranking bar, a rotational shaft which is fitted in the cranking bar hole, and a bevel gear which is mounted on a tip of the rotational shaft of the cranking bar and engaged with the annular bevel gear of the cutter frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Chung Wai Stephen Chan
  • Publication number: 20080237380
    Abstract: A spice mill uses one touch button control and a common driven shaft to operate a pair of oppositely disposed grinding mills simultaneously. In environments which are more sophisticated and formal, the users will know which spice will be dispensed through the slightly smaller end and which spice will be dispensed through the slightly larger end, and without having to label the dispenser. In addition, the one touch button is large and easily accessible by almost any finger of the hand used to hold the center section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Alexander Joseph Kalogroulis, Matthew Edward White
  • Patent number: 7422170
    Abstract: A grinder includes a grinder housing having a grinder actuator, a first grinding plate, a second grinding plate and a detachable coupling arrangement. The first grinding plate is detachably coupling with the grinder actuator, wherein the first grinding plate has a plurality of first grinding knifes downwardly and spacedly extended from a bottom side of the first grinding plate. The second grinding plate has a plurality of second grinding knifes upwardly and spacedly extended from the top side of the second grinding plate at a position that the first and second grinding knifes are spacedly disposed within a grinding compartment, such that when the grinder actuator is turned with respect to the grinder base to drive the first grinding plate to rotate, the first and second grinding knifes are correspondingly moved within the grinding compartment to provide a grinding action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Fan Bao
  • Patent number: 7422169
    Abstract: A cover (1) has a base (2) to which a vessel (5) can be nonrotatably attached and a cap (3) which is rotatable relative to the base (2) and has, via a gear (4) arranged in the cover (1) and having a transmission ratio of 4:1, an operative connection to a shaft (6) which is rotatably mounted in the vessel (5) and carries two blades (7a,b) which are staggered axially relatively to one another and are provided in each case with cutting edges (8) on both longitudinal edges. After the vessel has been filled with material to be cut and has been connected, the apparatus can be picked up and tilted and used for uniform comminution of material to be cut, in particular vegetables, by mutual rotation of the vessel (5) and of the base (2), on the one hand, and of the cap (3), on the other hand, with alternately opposite directions of rotation. It is particularly suitable for uniform cutting of onions into small cubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Betty Bossi Verlag AG
    Inventor: Michel P. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20080210792
    Abstract: A mill adapted to resemble a slot machine has a mill body, a dispensing mechanism, and a façade that resembles a slot machine. The mill body has a compartment for storing the pepper, and an aperture for dispensing the pepper. The dispensing mechanism is operably mounted adjacent the aperture for grinding and dispensing the pepper through the aperture. The facade of the mill body is adapted to resemble a slot machine, and a slot arm is pivotally mounted adjacent the mill body and operably engaged for actuating the dispensing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Ron Meiry, Ronen Tregerman
  • Patent number: 7380737
    Abstract: An electric seasoning mill includes a main body, a motor, a power supply, a control switch, and first and second milling assemblies; the main body has a holding room in each of two ends thereof; the motor is held in a connecting section between the holding rooms; the motor has first and second output shafts at two ends, which will rotate in the same direction, and are each connected to a reduction gear set and an one-way ratchet; the control switch is used for controlling supply of power from the power supply to the motor and for changing rotational direction of the output shafts; the milling assemblies are held in respective ones of the holding rooms, and each includes a turning toothed part, and a secured toothed part around the turning toothed part; transmission shafts are connected to the ratchets and the turning toothed parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Duo Yeu Metal. Col, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Hung Wang
  • Publication number: 20080121745
    Abstract: Methods and devices to process harvested skin tissue and reintroduction of the ground tissue to repair a tissue defect are disclosed. A hand-held portable tissue grinder comprising a housing and a grinding element are disclosed. The tissue grinder is used for grinding skin and subcutaneous tissue and includes a sterile polymer housing having a first opening adapted to receive the skin and subcutaneous tissue and a second opening in fluid connection with the first opening. The tissue grinder also includes a sterile grinding element disposed substantially within the housing. The grinding element includes a plurality of cutting surfaces adapted to operably engage with the housing to provide ground tissue and further includes a handle mechanism coupled to the grinding element to move the grinding element with respect to the housing to grind the skin and subcutaneous tissue, wherein the ground tissue can be removed from the housing through the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Omeed Memar
  • Patent number: 7377458
    Abstract: A grinder includes a body, an upper sleeve-shaped member pivoting on the body and dividing an inside of the body into inner and outer rooms, a cover pivoting on the sleeve-shaped member, a connecting rod joined to a middle of the cover and extending through the inner room, an inner toothed ring joined to a lower end of the connecting rod, an intermediate toothed ring secured to a lower end of the sleeve-shaped member, and an outer toothed ring secured in a lower end of the body; the intermediate toothed ring has grinding teeth on inner and outer sides; the inner toothed ring and the inner grinding teeth of the intermediate toothed ring constitute an inner grinding mechanism for grinding seasoning pellets held in the inner room of the body; the outer grinding teeth of the intermediate toothed ring and the outer toothed ring constitute an outer grinding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Yienn Lih Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hua-Te Wu
  • Patent number: 7370819
    Abstract: In a biological sample grinding device and method, a bearing having a plurality of rolling elements disposed between a pair of rings is disposed in a container in which a fluid having at least one biological sample particle therein is introduced. With the bearing immersed in the fluid having the biological sample particle therein, one ring of the bearing is rotated relative to the other ring thereof, whereupon the rolling elements roll between the pair of rings and, in response thereto, the biological sample particle is drawn by the fluid between the pair of rings where it is subject to being crushed or ground between at least one of the rolling elements and at least one of the rings. A baffle can be disposed in the container for inhibiting the rotation of the fluid and, hence, the introduction of air into the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Analytical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Czarnek
  • Patent number: 7367519
    Abstract: A processing tool for garlic and like edibles including a container mounted comminuting unit having-upper-and lower sets of spaced linearly aligned blades selectively presented in an upwardly directed operating position upon an inverting of the unit, the blades of each set having a comminuting profile differing from that of the blades of the other set and are selectively engaged by a set of spaced pusher teeth aligned along a sinusoidal path and mounted on an overlying cap for, upon rotation of the cap relative to the comminuting unit, moving an edible through the comminuting blades for the desired comminution thereof, the cap including a separate chamber for preparation of the edible before the comminuting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jan-Hendrik de Groote, Jean-Marie DeCraim
  • Publication number: 20080093489
    Abstract: A spice grinder assembly is provided having a converging chute for introducing spices and an adjusting wheel for setting a resulting grind. The adjusting wheel is accessible through a side of a housing of the spice grinder assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: Robinson Home Products Inc.
    Inventors: Sharon Hadj-Chikh, Paul Hatch, Kristian Buschmann
  • Patent number: 7337997
    Abstract: A hand-held device for reducing the size of food items, for example by slicing or grating. The disclosed device has a slicing drum transversally inserted into an aperture on a lateral wall of a casing. Preferably, both the drum and its size reducing members, such as blades, are removable. Ideally, the drum can be inserted in an aperture on either of two opposing lateral walls so that the device may be easily used by both right-handed and left-handed people. A slicing compartment is formed by the casing and the slicing drum. A grip handle extends from the casing and preferably has an arm cover, which may open to a storage receptacle intended for storage of additional blades. The slicing drum is engaged with a crank lever assembly for rotation. A distal wall of the casing is preferably curved to form a tangential relationship with the slicing drum to, along with gravitational force, advance a food item to be reduced in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Merry Chance Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kon Yi Ko
  • Patent number: 7337998
    Abstract: An apparatus for comminuting biological specimens includes a receiving component provided with a drive source, at least one sample retainer configured for accommodating at least one biological specimen and constructed and arranged for engagement in the receiving component. The sample retainer includes a first component configured for receiving a specimen prior to comminution and a second component for receiving the specimen after comminution. In addition, the sample retainer is insertable into the receiving component as a single piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignees: Wahl Clipper Corporation, DrugRisk Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. Melton, James E. McCambridge, Steve Arndt, Dennis L. Miller, Terri Stripling, Jeff Karker
  • Publication number: 20080041991
    Abstract: A peppermill includes a body having upper and lower ends and defining a cavity extending between the upper and lower ends. The body defines a gap extending therethrough substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body. A grinding mechanism is positioned within the body between the upper and lower ends. A cap rotatably secures to the body over the lower opening. A lateral opening extends through the cap in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is alignable with the gap. The cap mounts to an insert secured within the cavity near the lower opening. The insert includes an insert opening. The cap rotatably mounts to the insert and further includes an arcuate flange positioned over the insert opening when the lateral opening is not aligned with the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL CORP.
    Inventor: Randall Mills
  • Patent number: 7328865
    Abstract: A peppermill includes a body having upper and lower ends and defining a cavity extending between the upper and lower ends. The body defines a gap extending therethrough substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body. A grinding mechanism is positioned within the body between the upper and lower ends. A cap rotatably secures to the body over the lower opening. A lateral opening extends through the cap in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is alignable with the gap. The cap mounts to an insert secured within the cavity near the lower opening. The insert includes an insert opening. The cap rotatably mounts to the insert and further includes an arcuate flange positioned over the insert opening when the lateral opening is not aligned with the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Progressive International Corporation
    Inventor: Randall Mills
  • Patent number: 7318558
    Abstract: A refillable cutting container device is described for whole block food products to be dispensed in the grated, shredded or flake form, of the type comprising: a container body suitable for receiving a food product in the form of one or more whole blocks; a cutting means of the product coupled to the container body in correspondence with the mouth thereof; and a thrusting plate of the product against the cutting tool, integral in rotation with the container body, which is suitable for engaging by screwing by means of a central hole or nut screw on an axial threaded stem being integral with the cutting tool, so as to move forward along the stem by screwing when the container body and the cutting tool are placed in relative rotation with respect to each other, by continuously pressing the product against the tool up to the substantial exhaustion thereof. The thrusting plate can have at least one slot which extends radially from the central hole so as to define an opening nut screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Dalter Alimentari S.p.A
    Inventor: PierOttavio Canegallo