Abstract: A pulverizing device that include a pulverizing or grinding component for generating powder from the solid product. The pulverizing or grinding component also constrains and/or supports the solid product. The pulverizing or grinding component moves somewhat linearly with respect to the solid product in order to pulverize the solid product. The pulverizing or grinding component includes a spiral spring or a helical spring.

Abstract: An accessory for a stick mixer comprises a coupling portion with an optional internal gearbox. In one embodiment, a leg assembly further comprises nested inner and outer legs. The inner leg carries a first array of openings and the outer leg carries a second array of openings. The inner and outer legs rotate relative to one another to produce third array of openings having variable sizes.

Abstract: A sensor detects the presence of an upper cup in a pair of cups, between which pills are crushed by machine. Operation of the crushing machine is prevented if the upper cup is absent, and enabled if the upper cup is present. The sensor may be a photodiode that is sensitive to a beam of laser light that is directed over the lower cup. The beam passes when the upper cup is absent and is blocked by the upper cup when present. An optional sensor may be included to detect whether the drawer containing the cups and pills is closed, which is used as a further condition that must be satisfied before crushing can be started. Also, an interlock can be included to prevent the drawer from opening during the crushing process. By ensuring the presence of the upper cup, the escape of powdered medication can be prevented.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a Perfusion device for biological tissues comprising a casing having two parts, a first part (1) and a second part (9), a holder (7) for a plurality of hollow penetration structures (8), wherein the hollow penetration structures (8) are provided with at least one orifice having fluid communication through the holder (7) a support (5) for the biological tissue (6) characterized in that the support (5) for the biological tissue (6) is positioned in the casing at a distance to the holder (7) that by joining the first part (1) and the second part (9) to form the casing, the hollow penetration structures (8) are in proximity to the holder (7). Use of the perfusion device in a process for disaggregation of a biological tissue to yield target cells.

Abstract: A pill crushing apparatus for use with first and second nestable cups comprising a first cup holder which is moved linearly toward a second cup mounting surface holding a second cup. The first cup holder rotates relative to the rotationally fixed second cup. During the crushing process, the pills first may begin to crush against the linear load being applied thereto, and thereafter grind into a fine powder due to the rotational force of the first cup against the second cup. The first cup and second cup have different sidewall angles to promote pill crushing while inhibiting migration of the crush material to prevent the crushed material from reaching the open gap between the top perimeters of the nesting cups. Each cup includes a plurality of lugs having a curved profile configured to engage respective recesses on the cup holders. Each cup is fabricated through thermoforming or vacuum forming techniques.

Abstract: A pill is divided using a pill splitter and crusher device having a first member coupled to a second member. The first member includes a pill-receiving cavity and the second member comprises a blade and an anvil. In some contemplated embodiments, the anvil is configured to crush a pill placed within the cavity and the blade is configured to split the pill within the cavity. Furthermore, the anvil is coupled to the second member, such that the anvil could move from a crushing position to a non-crushing position, which allows for crushing and splitting of the pill, respectively.

Abstract: A pill crusher is provided, which comprises a base, a stopper, an U-shaped movable pressing plate, a connecting rod and a handle, wherein the stopper is mounted on the base; the U-shaped movable pressing plate is sleeved on the outside of the stopper and comprises a pressing plate on one side of the stopper and two side walls connected with the pressing plate and pivotedly connected to the stopper, so that the U-shaped movable pressing plate can rotate relative to the stopper and a V-shaped crushing chamber formed between the pressing plate and the stopper is capable of being closed by pressing and being open; the connecting rod is positioned on the other side of the stopper and has a first end pivotedly connected with the stopper and a second end; the handle has a first end pivotedly connected with the second end of the connecting rod through a third shaft pin and a pivoting portion pivotedly connected with the two side walls; as the handle is pressed down, the angle between the connecting rod and the handle

Abstract: A pill preparation device is disclosed. The pill preparation device includes a base, an anvil supported by the base, and a platen coupled to the base and movable relative to the anvil. The platen has a crushing surface oriented toward the anvil and a rolling surface on a side opposite the crushing surface. The pill preparation device also includes a lever arm slidably coupled to the base and rotatable about a pivot, and a roller coupled to the lever arm and offset from the pivot, such that the lever arm is operable to selectively position the roller about the platen. Force applied to the lever arm forces the platen toward the anvil to facilitate breaking up a pill disposed between the crushing surface and the anvil. Movement of the lever arm causes movement of the roller to facilitate breaking up a pill disposed between the roller and the rolling surface.

Abstract: A kitchen utensil device comprising of an elongated handle and tapered silicone fins. The kitchen utensil device is useful for effectively stirring foods and liquids and also has a sharp cutting edge on the bottom. This makes the kitchen utensil device useful for both stirring and chopping, potentially replacing two separate common kitchen tools.

Abstract: A muddler includes a handle and a shaft extending axially from the handle. The handle has a bore with helical grooves in the interior surface thereof. The shaft has a proximal end received in the bore, and a pin extends through the shaft to engage the helical grooves. A compression spring in the bore urges the shaft distally. A pestle head is secured to the distal end of the shaft, with a convex distal end surface having a plurality of projections extending distally to contact the solid materials to be crushed and bruised or broken. A force transmitted distally from the handle causes the spring to compress, driving the proximal end of the shaft into the bore and causing the shaft to rotate, further bruising and crushing the solid ingredients and creating a mixing action among the solid ingredients.

Abstract: A pill crusher is provided, which comprises a base, a stopper, an U-shaped movable pressing plate, a connecting rod and a handle, wherein the stopper is mounted on the base; the U-shaped movable pressing plate is sleeved on the outside of the stopper and comprises a pressing plate on one side of the stopper and two side walls connected with the pressing plate and pivotedly connected to the stopper, so that the U-shaped movable pressing plate can rotate relative to the stopper and a V-shaped crushing chamber formed between the pressing plate and the stopper is capable of being closed by pressing and being open; the connecting rod is positioned on the other side of the stopper and has a first end pivotedly connected with the stopper and a second end; the handle has a first end pivotedly connected with the second end of the connecting rod through a third shaft pin and a pivoting portion pivotedly connected with the two side walls; as the handle is pressed down, the angle between the connecting rod and the handle

Abstract: A dough blender includes a handle and a plurality of tines. The tines may be in the form of thin plates having channels between them. A scraper is provided on the tines, attached to the blender to be moved across the tines to scrape food particles from the channels between the tines.

Abstract: A rotary grater having a removable storage device is disclosed. The rotary grater has interchangeable cylindrical blades for various grating purposes. A removable handle provides for rotational motion for the cylindrical blade to operate. The housing of the rotary grater has a movable press with a lever for applying the material to be grated to the cylindrical blade. The grated material is then dispensed from an exit opening in the housing and retained by a removable storage device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand tool for squeezing, chopping and pureeing food. The hand tool allows a user to chop, drain and/or puree food with one tool and can be used in conjunction with an ordinary bowl or colander. The hand tool of the present invention has a head portion having a convex pressing surface and a handle portion, allowing a user to grips the end of the handle and apply force directly over the pressing surface to squeeze food and/or expel moisture. A scraping edge allows the user to scrape food against the holes in a strainer or colander or to scrape particles from the sides of a bowl. A blade is attached to the head portion of the tool and can be used to chop and puree food.

Abstract: A pill crushing apparatus for use with first and second nestable cups includes a first stage of operation wherein a first cup holder is moved linearly toward a second cup mounting surface holding a second cup and a second stage of operation wherein the first cup holder rotates relative to the rotationally fixed second cup. During the first stage of operation, the pills first may begin to crush against the linear load being applied thereto, and thereafter grind into a fine powder due to the rotational force of the first cup against the second cup.

Abstract: A pill is divided using a pill splitter and crusher device having a first member coupled to a second member. The first member comprises a pill-receiving cavity and the second member comprises a blade and an anvil. In some contemplated embodiments, the anvil is configured to crush a pill placed within the cavity and the blade is configured to split the pill within the cavity. Furthermore, the anvil is coupled to the second member, such that the anvil could move from a crushing position to a non-crushing position, which allows for crushing and splitting of the pill, respectively.

Abstract: A hand-held masher device for mashing of potatoes and like food stuffs; said device including a power unit providing a rotating shaft output; said device further including a masher assembly extending from said power unit; said masher assembly including a skirt element and a mashing element operating within said skirt element; characterized in that mashed potato and like food stuff is extruded through apertures disposed in a side wall of said skirt element; said masher assembly including internal guide surfaces; said guide surfaces in the form of an inverted portion of a conical structure depending from an underside of a supporting annular conical wall of said skirt element, and wherein upper portions of blades of said mashing element conform to said guide surfaces.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a working unit or a device that includes a working unit of this type for processing foodstuffs. The working unit can be driven and made to rotate by means of a drive unit of said device. The working unit preferably has at least two working elements that are situated on a working axis and that act in the peripheral direction of said working axis. At least one of the working elements can be pivoted about the working axis in relation to at least one additional working element within a restricted pivoting angle. The pivoting mobility of the blades, which are preferably interspaced and positioned axially one above the other, permits said blades to be brought into a common radial resting position in order to fill the container with the product to be cut, in such a way that practically the entire container volume is exposed and can be filled.

Abstract: A device for crushing one or more tablets and methods of using the same are disclosed. The device contains a solid body portion having a blade-like configuration. Round grips extend from the opposing ends of the body portion. The body portion has a crushing surface that is convex. The convex surface allows the device to be operated in a rocking motion.

Abstract: A food ricer including a hopper, a first plate having a first pattern of apertures defining a bottom of the hopper, and a second plate having a second pattern of apertures rotatably coupled to the bottom of the hopper. The second plate is preferably rotatable with respect to the first plate. The first and second patterns of apertures being eccentric or non-concentric with respect to each other to allow for the geometric orientation of one pattern of apertures to be quartered, bifurcated, and aligned with respect to the other pattern of apertures for achieving varying degrees of coarseness upon rotation of the second plate with respect to the first plate.

Abstract: A pill crushing apparatus for crushing tablets into powders is provided. The pill crushing apparatus including a mounting bracket having a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall mounted between the first side wall and the second side wall with the rear wall mountable to a vertical surface. A crushing arm is pivotally mounted between the first side wall and the second side wall of the mounting bracket. A plate mounting arm having a first end and a second end is provided with the first end connected to the crushing arm and the plate mounting arm extending in a generally downward direction from the crushing arm. A top crushing plate is mounted to the second end of the plate mounting arm. A bottom crushing plate is mounted between the first side wall and the second side wall of the mounting bracket. A tablet is positionable upon the bottom crushing plate.

Abstract: Provided is a unit which is capable of readily grinding and collecting a small amount of a sample which is difficult to be ground. The unit for grinding a sample comprises a club-shaped pestle and a mortar into which the pestle can be inserted, wherein the pestle comprises a roughened taper located at at least one end of its pestle body, wherein the mortar is a tube with an inverted frustoconical bottom, and the surface of the mortar where the taper of the pestle contacts the inverted frustoconical bottom when the pestle is inserted into the mortar is roughened, and wherein the angle of the taper with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the pestle is substantially equal to the angle of the inner wall of the inverted frustoconical bottom with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the mortar. The roughened taper and surface improve grinding efficiency.

Abstract: A device for crushing one or more tablets and method for using the same are disclosed. The device preferably contains a lower body portion and upper body portion which assemble to define a cavity between the two portions. The cavity has a floor which may define an anvil. At least one opening is placed within the cavity to accept a tablet. A platen body may be adapted to travel along a substantially vertical axis between a closed and open position and may be guided along a rear vertical wall of the cavity. A pinion is preferably placed on an elongate member and operatively engages with a rack placed on the platen body such that movement of the elongate member is translated to the platen body. A crushing surface may be placed on the platen body and is preferably parallel to the anvil. The crushing surface and anvil may be placed at an oblique angle relative to the vertical axis of travel for the platen body.

Abstract: A grinding system includes a mortar container having an open top portion and a bottom portion having a first interior grinding surface and a wall portion interconnecting the top and bottom portions for defining a hollow interior collection chamber, a modular pestle assembly including a universal pestle shaft having at its proximate end an actuator portion extending above the top portion and at its distal end a mounting portion for receiving one of a set of pairs of matching tips and pestle collars, the pestle tip having a second grinding surface for engaging the first grinding surface, and a closure device sealingly engageable with the pestle assembly and the open top portion for sealing the container and the collection chamber between the grinding surfaces and the top portion of the mortar container.

Abstract: A mortar and pestle, the pestle having a dome-shaped top formed to be cupped within the palm of the hand, a body, and a bottom portion, the bottom portion formed to include a male apex. The interior of the mortar is formed to include an inverted frustum-shaped wall and an interior bowl extending from the interior inverted frustum-shaped wall. The bowl includes a female apex which cooperates with the male apex and into which the male apex may nest. The pestle has an external surface profile which is substantially similar to, and cooperates with, a mortar internal surface profile. Rotating the top of the pestle in a smooth, continuous motion about a circular locus processes material placed in the mortar as the pestle profile sweeps the mortar profile.

Abstract: A tool handle is secured to a tool head in a manner that allows the tool head such as a potato masher to be collapsed or folded with respect to the handle for more compact storage. In one form, the tool head is connected to the handle via a ball joint allowing for rotational and pivotal movement.

Abstract: An ergonomic portable pill crusher tool includes an elongate handle having a first axis, and a shaft having an offset portion and a work portion. The offset portion is connected to the handle. The offset portion has a second axis arranged to be oblique with respect to the first axis of the handle at a first angle facing a central portion of the handle. The work portion has a third axis arranged to be oblique with respect to the second axis of the offset portion at a second angle facing away from the central portion, such that an extent of the work portion along the third axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis of the handle at the central portion of the handle. A distal end of the work portion has a tip to facilitate application of a working force to crush the pill(s).

Abstract: A pepper mill includes a receiving unit, a grinding unit, a coupling unit and a closure unit. The receiving unit includes a container body defining a receiving space for receiving peppercorns, and a driving member disposed movably in the receiving space. The coupling unit is disposed in the receiving space and is driven rotatably by the driving member. The grinding unit is disposed in the receiving space and is coupled co-rotatably to the coupling unit for grinding the peppercorns to result in ground pepper. The closure unit includes a closure member movable relative to the grinding unit between a closed position so as to block discharge of the ground pepper through a discharge end of the container body, and an opened position so as to permit discharge of the ground pepper through the discharge end.

Abstract: A squeegee whisk includes a handle and an attached tool head in which the tool head is configured to be sufficiently rigid to mash food items such as cooked potatoes. The tool head is formed by a plurality of arms terminating in a mashing grid. The number of arms is designed to be sufficiently large to allow the tool head to serve as a whisk in addition to supporting the mashing grid. In some versions, the arms of the tool head include fins formed from a resilient material such that the fins are capable of scraping the sidewalls of a bowl and thereby serve as a squeegee or scraper.

Abstract: The kitchen tool is composed of: a handle, a support yoke, and a crushing plate. The handle is connected to the support yoke. The support yoke is shaped to form a parabolic arch with arms that are biased to spring inward or outward in an alternative embodiment. The end of each arm has a mounting hole along with three locking holes. These pivot axles are connected to the mounting holes on the support yoke arms. The holes and posts are arranged such that they for two positions for the device. In a first position the crushing plate is place is a position perpendicular to the support yoke arms. In a second position the crushing plate is place is a position parallel to the support yoke which makes the device's profile much thinner and easier to fit into a standard kitchen drawer.

Abstract: An ergonomic portable pill crusher tool includes an elongate handle having a first axis, and a shaft having an offset portion and a work portion. The offset portion is connected to the handle. The offset portion has a second axis arranged to be oblique with respect to the first axis of the handle at a first angle facing a central portion of the handle. The work portion has a third axis arranged to be oblique with respect to the second axis of the offset portion at a second angle facing away from the central portion, such that an extent of the work portion along the third axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis of the handle at the central portion of the handle. A distal end of the work portion has a tip to facilitate application of a working force to crush the pill(s).

Abstract: An ergonomic portable pill crusher tool includes an elongate handle having a first axis, and a shaft having an offset portion and a work portion. The offset portion is connected to the handle. The offset portion has a second axis arranged to be oblique with respect to the first axis of the handle at a first angle facing a central portion of the handle. The work portion has a third axis arranged to be oblique with respect to the second axis of the offset portion at a second angle facing away from the central portion, such that an extent of the work portion along the third axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis of the handle at the central portion of the handle. A distal end of the work portion has a convex tip to facilitate application of axial and radial forces to the pill(s).

Abstract: A muddler comprises an elongated member that ends in a head with spikes for crushing fruit pieces or other flavor ingredients. In a reverse mode, the muddler can be used as an ice crusher. Optional side located stirring ribs or formations may be provided to facilitate stirring. A handle comprises an elongated member that ends in a head with a tool interface or working face for performing kitchen or culinary work or work on wood, metal or the like. The head can be removed from the elongated member, and different heads in a set applied with the handle. There can be a finger grip portion at the top to facilitate handling and turning and manipulation.

Abstract: A portable tool for effectively reducing medicine solids during compound leveraged actuation. The portable tool may include a first handle adapted to receive a downward force during actuation, a second handle adapted to receive an upward force during actuation, a first reducing jaw pivotally connected to the first handle and a second reducing jaw, and a second reducing jaw pivotally connected to the second handle and the first reducing jaw. The first reducing jaw and the second reducing jaw may be adapted to receive a medicine solid therebetween in an open-jaw position. Then, in response to applying a force to one or both of the first and second handle(s), a leveraged actuation simultaneously causes the first reducing jaw to pivot with the first handle and the second reducing jaw to pivot with the second handle, such that the received medicine solid is reduced between the first and second reducing jaws as the portable tool achieves a closed-jaw position.

Abstract: A tool handle is secured to a tool head in a manner that allows the tool head such as a potato masher to be collapsed or folded with respect to the handle for more compact storage. In one form, the tool head is connected to the handle via a ball joint allowing for rotational and pivotal movement.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for cutting solid medications, whether in the form of capsules, tablets or pills. When cutting capsules, the capsules are retained to be divided by a first blade. Tablets and other forms of the medication are retained by pill stabilizers and cut by a second blade. The device also may have a pill crusher and a section to hold whole or divided medications.

Abstract: A pill crusher has a ram and an anvil member having opposed pill crushing faces, and an electric ram drive operable to displace the ram towards the anvil member. The anvil member is rotatable and displaceable in response to pressure from the ram, to ensure the crushing of a pill located between the crushing faces of the ram and the anvil member. The anvil member, the ram and the ram drive are provided in a housing having a pill pouch reception opening which is upwardly open and extends above the crushing face of the anvil member.

Abstract: The kitchen tool is composed of: a handle, a support yoke, and a crushing plate. The handle is connected to the support yoke. The support yoke is shaped to form a parabolic arch with arms that are biased to spring inward or outward in an alternative embodiment. The end of each arm has a mounting hole along with three locking holes. These pivot axles are connected to the mounting holes on the support yoke arms. The holes and posts are arranged such that they for two positions for the device. In a first position the crushing plate is place is a position perpendicular to the support yoke arms. In a second position the crushing plate is place is a position parallel to the support yoke which makes the device's profile much thinner and easier to fit into a standard kitchen drawer.

Abstract: A kitchen utensil having a first operable position and a second storage position is provided. The utensil has a head that is rotatably connected to opposing support arms and is lockable in either an operable or storage position.

Abstract: The traditional mortar-and-pestle consists of a bowl-shaped container and a rod-shaped pestle. During use, a user holds the pestle in his/her hand and uses it to pound and grind the raw ingredients such as fresh herbs and whole spices to reduce them into fine particles. This invention proposes a new design with a stubby mushroom-shaped pestle having a dome-shaped bottom profile which correlates closely (i.e. closely fitting in form or outline with each other) with the profile of a dome-shaped inside bottom of the mortar. This novel design allows a user to simply press down on the “mushroom head” of the pestle and twirl the pestle inside the mortar for it to sufficiently break down the raw ingredients into fine particles without hard pounding, or the associated noise and splashing.

Abstract: Nestable trays are part of a pill crushing device. The trays have cylindrical midportions, spherical end portions and a planar flange. The pill crushing device has an anvil or mortar portion to engage a bottom tray, and a hammer or pestle portion to engage a top tray. The anvil portion has a recess the perimeter of which supports the bottom tray flange. A finger gap is conveniently left in the perimeter for access to the bottom tray. The hammer portion extends between two pivotable lever arms and has sufficient tolerance to allow limited independent movement of the lever arms, which in turn allows relative movement of the trays to crush pills. The hammer can contact the top tray, and may be of cylindrical form with hemispherical ends, which can itself nest in the top tray, in another version it is slightly larger and does not nest but engages the tray near the top. In a third version the cylindrical hammer has end blocks, the cylinder registers the top tray, while the blocks engage the top tray flange.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a waste chopper kit that can be used to prevent toilet clogging.

Abstract: A mortar and pestle and a chopping bowl are provided with bottom walls which can engage one another when one is placed atop of the other when the bottom unit is upside-down. The combined units provide a stable surface to either grind or chop food articles on, and provide for compact storage of the items when not in use.

Abstract: An ergonomic portable pill crusher tool includes an elongate handle having a first axis, and a shaft having an offset portion and a work portion. The offset portion is connected to the handle. The offset portion has a second axis arranged to be oblique with respect to the first axis of the handle at a first angle facing a central portion of the handle. The work portion has a third axis arranged to be oblique with respect to the second axis of the offset portion at a second angle facing away from the central portion, such that an extent of the work portion along the third axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis of the handle at the central portion of the handle. A distal end of the work portion has a convex tip to facilitate application of axial and radial forces to the pill(s).

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.

Abstract: A pastry blender or cooked fruit and vegetable masher has a base portion, a side portion and a handle member and is such that the handle is separated from the base portion. The base portion includes an edge frame member that preferably is in the form of a continuous closed loop. The base portion further includes a plurality of cutter wire members which extend between opposed portions of the edge frame member. The cutter wire members preferably have a cross-sectional profile that includes a generally triangularly shaped first region that tapers from a wide portion to an apex; and a second region that preferably is angled or arcuately sloped to encourage foodstuffs to slide off the second region. The cutter wire members are positioned in spaced parallel relation one to another and are rigidly secured to the edge frame member. The spacing between the cutter wire members is at least five times the greatest horizontal width of any one cutter wire member.

Abstract: A pill-crushing apparatus includes first and second arms having axially offset proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of the first arm is provided with a handle and a pair of apertures. The proximal end of the second arm has a handle and an opening. The arms are pivotally conjoined midway along respective longitudinal lengths thereof. The first arm has a male pill-crushing block provided with a dome-shaped bottom surface that is statically coupled to a distal end of the first arm. The second arm has a female pill-holding cup with an arcuate inner bottom surface that is anchored to a distal end of the second arm. The cup has a hollow semi-spherical shape and articulates about a fulcrum axis registered orthogonal to the longitudinal length of the second arm. A pill splitting mechanism includes shoulders formed with the first and second arms and protruding away therefrom.

Abstract: A bone morselization apparatus and method according to which a cutter bit is mounted to a casing containing a motor; and the casing is manually grasped and positioned over a plurality of bone segments. When the motor is activated, the cutter bit reciprocates and the bone segments are impacted by the cutter bit to morselize the segments.

Abstract: A pill crusher has a ram and an anvil member having opposed pill crushing faces, and an electric ram drive operable to displace the ram towards the anvil member. The anvil member is rotatable and displaceable in response to pressure from the ram, to ensure the crushing of a pill located between the crushing faces of the ram and the anvil member. The anvil member, the ram and the ram drive are provided in a housing having a pill pouch reception opening which is upwardly open and extends above the crushing face of the anvil member.