Reciprocating Cooperating Comminuting Surfaces Patents (Class 241/169)
  • Patent number: 7302887
    Abstract: A kitchen hand tool for crushing, slicing, or juicing food products. The tool is operated by closing two handles that rotate a drive gear that engages the ratcheting tooth portion of a crush paddle resulting in the movement of the crush paddle toward a basket, crushing and discharge of the food item through the basket. A drive pawl forces the drive gear to rotate counterclockwise, which in turn forces ratcheting tooth portion and subsequently the crushing paddle down in a clockwise direction applying crushing force on the garlic or any item placed in the crushing area. As the drive gear turns until it clicks past a locking pawl. This cycle of opening and closing the handles is repeated until the crush paddle is fully advanced and can move no further and is against the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Freshlink Product Development LLC
    Inventors: Dean Chapman, Paul Goetz, Matthew Chin, Ed Kilduff, Gareth Brown
  • Patent number: 7299747
    Abstract: A pulpifier includes a holder having a compartment and a rear handle. A perforated screen is located in the compartment. A presser extends into the compartment and moves towards the screen. A front clamp extends from the holder for affixing the holder to a vessel supporting the pulpifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Kwok Kuen So
  • Patent number: 7296762
    Abstract: A food press having an upper handle rotatably connected to a lower handle. A press chamber and a slicer chamber are formed in the lower handle, and a press foot and a slicer foot are pivotally connected to said upper chamber and positioned to engage the press chamber and slicer chamber when the upper and lower handles are rotated together. At least part of the slicer chamber is a separately formed unit that has a plurality of blades, and that is inserted into the lower handle. The slicer foot has a plurality of ribs that are sized and shaped to be inserted between the blades such that the ribs extend beyond the blades when the upper and lower handles are rotated together. A cleaning piece is removably attached to the upper handle for cleaning the press chamber, slicer chamber and slicer foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: AMCO Houseworks, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Dorion
  • Patent number: 7293502
    Abstract: A food masher includes a support frame having an opening, a hopper having a perforated floor, received detachably by the support frame within the opening, a handle extending from the support frame, a lever extending pivotally from the support frame, and a plunger attached to the lever and extending into the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventor: Kwok Kuen So
  • Patent number: 7293728
    Abstract: An electric spice mill comprising a power unit coupled to the motor of the mill, the power unit comprising: (i) first and second electric circuits; (ii) a switch in electrical contact with said first and said second electric circuits; and (iii) an actuator movable between first and second positions, wherein, in the first position, the actuator prevents current flow in the first electric circuit and, in the second position, the actuator allows a first current to flow in the first electric circuit and the switch is responsive to the first current in the first electric circuit to allow a second current to flow in the second electric circuit such that the grinding unit of the mill is driven by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Trudeau Corporation 1889 Inc.
    Inventors: Kit Hon Chan, Kam Man Chan, George Bigelow
  • Patent number: 7267052
    Abstract: A combination can crushing and retrieving device having a circular or tubular housing containing a plunger and having a rectangular opening in its side wall. The housing has a knife-edged slightly concave indent on the bottom of the housing opposite the rectangular opening, which indent generally conforms to the arch section of the necked down portion of a beverage can. When the concave indent is placed on the lip of a can laying on its side and forced down the can will “snap” upright, through the rectangular opening and into the housing. The can is then retained in the housing around the necked down portion by a foam/rubber lining located at the lower inside end of the housing. Then the weighted plunger is forced down onto the can, crushing the can and expelling any fluids remaining inside the can through the drinking opening. The can may then be ejected from the device by pressing an ejector rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Howard Streng
  • Patent number: 7258292
    Abstract: A small-sized food chopper for chopping up foodstuffs, includes an outer case including a lower casing removably connected with an upper casing and a button mounted on the upper casing; a blade connection holder installed inside the outer case, the blade connection holder can move axially up and down in the outer case; a plurality of blades installed on the lower end of the blade connection holder; a reset spring sheathed on the blade connection holder which restores the blade connection holder axially up; a mechanism which makes the blade connection holder rotate a predetermined angle circumferential each time the blade connection holder operates axially; the button is configured such that it can slide up and down axially, and the button acts on the upper end of the blade connection holder to make the blade connection holder move axially downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventor: Yiu Joe Cheung
  • Patent number: 7249724
    Abstract: An apparatus for destroying compact discs includes a base and a cover. The base has a mounting fixture capable of holding a CD and an anvil projecting upwardly from the base bottom panel. The cover is hingedly attached to one of the base walls such that the cover can assume an open position in which the apparatus interior is accessible and a closed position in which the apparatus interior is inaccessible. The cover has one or more scatter shields projecting downwardly from the cover such that, in the cover's closed position, the scatter shields prevent the apparatus interior contents from escaping. The cover further includes a compressor projecting downwardly from the cover top panel. In operation, mounting a CD in the mounting fixture and urging the cover from the open position to the closed position induces the compressor to urge the CD against the anvil to shatter the CD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Inventor: Eric Rotelli
  • Patent number: 7210643
    Abstract: A dual chamber condiment grinder has more than one chamber for holding a different condiment in each, and each chamber has a rasp that can be selectively moved up and down to grind the condiment in the associated chamber. An actuating handle rotates on the top of the chambers to position a cam over one or the other of the rasps to selectively grind the contents of one of the chambers. In the alternative, the cam can move in a slot in a movable handle to position the cam over the desired rasp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Chef'n Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Holcomb, Peter A. Ryding
  • Patent number: 7207512
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a food triturating device with a first extension, a second extension and a hinge device therebetween. The hinge device is located within a housing, and comprises a hinge bar, a rotating drum mounted on a hinge bar. The rotating drum is slidable between a first position and a second position and rotatable between any one of three rotating positions. The hinge also comprises a engagement wall positioned within the housing and having a shelf and at least one locking slots. A locking member is formed on the rotating drum and cooperates with the engagement wall to lock the rotating drum into any one of the three rotating positions with the rotating drum is in the first sliding position. A biasing spring, located within the housing, biases the rotating drum toward the first sliding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventors: Terri Webb, Louis Chalfant
  • Patent number: 7152821
    Abstract: A food chopper includes a housing for receiving a food item, a blade assembly including a blade movable within the housing for chopping the food item, a shaft attached to the blade assembly for movement therewith, a plunger assembly coupled to the shaft for effecting, reciprocating, and rotational movement thereof, and a shock absorber disposed between the plunger assembly and the shaft. The shaft is threadedly connected to the blade assembly. The chopper may include a stripper fixed to the housing and responsive to movement of the blade assembly for removing food from the blade, and first and second guide structures respectively on the blade assembly and the stripper for guiding coupling of a blade assembly to the stripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Grégoire Aby-Eva, Dean DiPietro
  • Patent number: 7117785
    Abstract: A food press includes upper and lower portions each having first and second ends, a plunger, a chamber, and a grate. The upper and lower portions are pivotally connected at their respective first ends. The plunger is disposed between the upper and lower portions. The chamber is disposed on the lower portion and includes an inlet and an outlet and is adapted to receive the plunger. The grate is pivotally connected to the lower portion and is disposed in the chamber in a user position and is disposed between the second ends of the upper and lower portions in a cleaning position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas B. Walker, III
  • Patent number: 7100854
    Abstract: A food chopper includes a housing for receiving a food item, a blade assembly including a blade movable within the housing for chopping the food item, a shaft attached to the blade assembly for movement therewith, a plunger assembly coupled to the shaft for effecting, reciprocating, and rotational movement thereof, and a shock absorber disposed between the plunger assembly and the shaft. The shaft is threadedly connected to the blade assembly. The chopper may include a stripper fixed to the housing and responsive to movement of the blade assembly for removing food from the blade, and first and second guide structures respectively on the blade assembly and the stripper for guiding coupling of a blade assembly to the stripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Grégoire Aby-Eva, Dean DiPietro
  • Patent number: 7077059
    Abstract: An apparatus for compacting and storing cigarette butts includes a housing having a central bore with a releasable bottom closure, a closable upper extremity, and a plunger which can be forced downwardly to compact butts within the bore. The plunger also serves as releasable closure for the upper extremity of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Johnny Cobb
  • Patent number: 7066418
    Abstract: A pepper grinder includes pepper and salt containers. The pepper container has first and second openings, through which first opening the container may be refilled with pepper seeds, and includes a pepper grinding mechanism in the second opening, through which ground pepper may be dispensed. The salt container has first and second openings, through which first opening the container may be refilled with salt and through which second opening salt may be dispensed. The two containers are releasably interconnected at their first openings, whereby both openings are closed. A coupler releasably connects the two containers together, which has a first part releasably connected to the pepper container first opening and a second part releasably connected to the salt container first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Wing Wo Plastic Manufactory Limited
    Inventor: Hong Wo Ng
  • Patent number: 7051963
    Abstract: A pill crusher pouch, dimensioned to be received between a platen and anvil of a pill crusher wherein the anvil is integrally fixed to a base and wherein the platen is coupled to said base through a moveable handle, is constructed a seamless tube of flexible material having an open top and a closed bottom, wherein the closed bottom is formed a cup like seal that provides the pouch with a comerless interior that facilitates easy pouring of pulverized material from the interior of the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Links Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Buckley
  • Patent number: 7048216
    Abstract: A pepper grinder comprising a pepper seed bottle having upper and lower openings, through which upper opening the bottle may be refilled. A pepper grinding mechanism is provided in the lower bottle opening, through which ground pepper may be dispensed. The mechanism comprises a female grinding member and a male grinding member supported co-axially therein for relative rotation to grind pepper, the two members being spaced apart by an annual gap in which pepper is to be ground. The mechanism includes a positioning ring in engagement with the male grinding member, which may be turned to adjust the axial position of the male grinding member relative to the female grinding member and hence the width of the gap and in turn the pepper grinding size. The positioning ring comprises a ring body and two spokes that extend across opposite sides of the ring body for engagement by a user to turn the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Wing Po Plastic Manufactory Limited
    Inventor: Hong Wo Ng
  • Patent number: 7040561
    Abstract: A spice or peppercorn grinder including a cylinder body; an L-grooved barrel in the cylinder body; a top cap connected to a pressure drum slidably mounted in the L-grooved barrel, a rotatable ?-shaped open-end long tube provided in a lower space of the pressure drum and engaged with a screw-shaped long axis assembly provided rotatably in the L-grooved barrel, so that when the ?-shaped open-end long tube moves downwardly with the pressure drum, the screw-shaped long axis is caused to rotate in a certain direction, the other end of the screw-shaped long axis assembly being provided with a pinion; a compression spring being provided between the seat of the L-grooved barrel and the bottom of the pressure drum; a gear-toothed ring transmission mechanism being provided beneath the L-grooved barrel; a grinding plate assembly being provided on the cylinder bottom and being driven by the gear reduction apparatus to rotate in one direction to grind spices or peppercorns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventors: Yan Kwong Wong, Michael Wai Kwok Young, Wei Young
  • Patent number: 7017843
    Abstract: An improved hand-held food processor for performing selected cutting operations upon a foodstuff is disclosed comprising an elongated housing, a lever arm extended substantially through the housing and pivotally coupled thereto under a spring bias, and a processing plate containing a cutting panel slidably disposed and adapted to engage the pivoting lever arm at its lower tip to provide reciprocating cutting motion. The housing is formed having a narrow grip-like upper section for handling and an expanded bell-shaped lower section with an open bottom at the base of the housing. The lower section of the housing is further formed having a forward compartment intended to hold the foodstuff to be processed. A spring-driven press mechanism is slidably mounted within the forward compartment of the housing and releasably engaged for activation to push the foodstuff through the compartment and onto the reciprocating plate for delivery of processed foodstuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: John J. Romano
  • Patent number: 6974098
    Abstract: A culinary press (2) has a pair of pivotably connected members (4, 6) one comprising a chamber for receiving a foodstuff and having a perforated surface (18), and the other a plunger (24) movable into the chamber for, in use, forcing food through the perforated surface (18) to an opposite side thereof, and a scraper (26) mounted on the press (2) so as to be movable across the said opposite side of the perforated surface (18) to scrape off any foodstuff adhered thereto after crushing of food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Maxpat Trading & Marketing (Far East) Ltd.
    Inventor: Rudy Keller
  • Patent number: 6966510
    Abstract: An electric rotary grater including an external cylinder and a roller being sheathed into the external cylinder and having a stirring plate connected to a blocking edge of the external cylinder. A chamber is defined each on both sides of the stirring plate which is connected to a grater disc having a plurality of grater holes. A power device having a power source disposed in a housing, and a pillar groove transversally disposed outside the housing into which the stirring plate is inserted and a housing pillar on both sides of the pillar groove. A transmission device being connected to the power device and having a motor, a retardation mechanism and a press switch in the housing. A top cover presses on a driven set assembly to make planet gears of the retardation mechanism run in idle and the housing and shell to rotate and thus driving the roller to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Chung-Jen Pai
  • Patent number: 6966509
    Abstract: A portable pill crusher for crushing tablets of compressed powder has upper and lower plates, The plates attached to one another at one end, and forced apart at the opposite end so that the crusher is normally in a pill-loading position. The crusher has a handle attached to a post which extends upwardly from the lower plate through the upper plate, and the handle has a downwardly extending lobe which acts as a cam on the top surface of the upper plate, pushing it downwardly when a user applies a force to the handle. The upper plate has a crush member on its under-side which is sized and configured to fit within a pill receptacle formed on the end of the lower plate. The device can be operated by one hand, and requires little force to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Iscore Partners
    Inventor: Richard Janzen
  • Patent number: 6951314
    Abstract: The invention provides a generally cylindrical, releasable interlocking arrangement comprising a lower portion having an inwardly-directed rim at its upper end, and an upper portion having outwardly-directed resilient members at an outer periphery thereof. The two portions snap-fit into one another and are mutually rotatable. The second portion consists of a flexible ring-shaped element with the resilient members extending longitudinally and radially thereof, an outer element that receives the resilient members in slots in the outer periphery thereof, and a third element that engages with the outer element and retains the resilient members in the slots. The two portions of the interlocking arrangement may be secured within respective cylindrical housing parts of a grinding device, in particular a pepper mill, with a drive member of a grinding mechanism passing freely through the lower portion and engaging with the upper portion of the arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Samson Bright Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Wing Sum Tang
  • Patent number: 6948670
    Abstract: A cartridge for a hand operated food processor including a blade holder holding at least one blade. A quick release lock is provided for retaining the cartridge in a casing. The cartridge preferably includes at least one series of aligned blades held by the blade holder utilizable for piercing and cutting food. The invention further includes a food processor having a housing including the above cartridge and a casing holding the cartridge. The invention also includes a food processor having a housing that has at least one blade and preferably at least one longitudinal series of blades for piercing and cutting food where each of the blades has side surface portions and a cutting tip edge portion. A base is provided with openings through which the blades can pass to pierce and cut food. The base includes a fixed base portion and a removable base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventors: Stanley M. Kujawski, Eric J. Wangler, Bradley Caldwell
  • Patent number: 6948672
    Abstract: The present invention provides a spice mill, in particular a pepper mill, having an improved design for setting the fineness of ground particles produced by the mill. Outer grinding teeth are located within a fixed seat. The fixed seat is connected to a rotating seat by means of a convex annular bead and a concave annular groove, thereby preventing movement of the rotating seat away from the fixed seat when the rotating seat is rotated in order to set the fineness of the ground particles. Inner grinding teeth are positioned within the outer grinding teeth and supported by a lift seat. Spokes on the lift seat are positioned within guide grooves located on the inner wall of the fixed seat whereby, on rotation of the rotating seat, the lift seat is moved upward or downward and the inner grinding teeth are shifted upwards or downwards, thereby setting the size and the fineness of the ground particles produced by the mill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Moha Moderne Haushaltwaren AG
    Inventor: Bruno Herren
  • Patent number: 6948671
    Abstract: A pepper grinder includes a grinding mechanism, a rotary sleeve, and a depressed sleeve. The rotary sleeve is supported so as to not move down, and joined to an inner wheel of the grinding mechanism with a shaft; the depressed sleeve has several protrusions on an inner side, and is biased upwards by a spring; the rotary sleeve is arranged under, and inserted into the depressed sleeve; the rotary sleeve has spaced spiral-curved guiding grooves on a cylindrical surface, and upright guiding grooves spaced between and connected to the spiral-curved grooves; when the depressed sleeve is not being depressed, the spiral-curved guiding grooves are fitted over upper ends of corresponding protrusions; thus, the inner wheel can be turned relative to an outer wheel for crushing peppercorns when the depressed sleeve is moved up and down repeatedly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventor: Ming-Feng Wu
  • Patent number: 6929201
    Abstract: A spice grinder is comprised of a mounting ring for screwing onto a spice container. An outer grinding member comprised of a ring is locked to the top of the mounting ring to prevent rotation. An inner grinding member comprised of a cone is positioned within the outer grinding member. A cap is positioned around the outer and inner grinding members, and rotationally fixed to the inner grinding member. An adjustment knob is attached to a shaft which is positioned through the cap and the inner and outer grinding members. A first spiral ramp under the knob is engaged against a second spiral ramp on the cap. An inner end of the knob is locked to the inner grinding member. Spring arms projecting radially from the inner grinding member are biased against an inner surface of the cap. Coarseness is adjusted by rotating the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: AMS Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Blouse, Manu Makhija
  • Patent number: 6926214
    Abstract: A dual chamber condiment grinder has more than one chamber for holding a different condiment in each, and each chamber has a rasp that can be selectively moved up and down to grind the condiment in the associated chamber. An actuating handle rotates on the top of the chambers to position a cam over one or the other of the rasps to selectively grind the contents of one of the chambers. In the alternative, the cam can move in a slot in a movable handle to position the cam over the desired rasp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Chef'n Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Holcomb, Peter A. Ryding
  • Patent number: 6896214
    Abstract: A fruit grating tool includes a tube-shaped housing, a cap releasably connected to the housing, a pressing member arranged under the cap and biased down by a spring, a rotary member having a knob arranged on top of the cap, and a grating base arranged under the pressing member and connected to the rotary member; the grating base has a grating surface on an upper side thereof, and many sharp edged tangential holes thereon; fruits are put on the grating base to be pressed against the grating surface by means of the pressing member, and are grated by means of the grating surface when the knob is operated to cause the grating base to rotate; the fruits will pass down via the sharp edged tangential holes of the grating base after having been grated into small pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Yienn Lih Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Feng Wu
  • Patent number: 6877684
    Abstract: A grinding tool operable with single hand includes a housing capable of standing upright, a lever, a one-way mechanism, and a grinding mechanism; the lever has an inner end formed with gear teeth, and is pivoted to the housing, and biased outwardly of the housing by a spring to be capable of being pushed and released repeatedly; the one-way mechanism has an actuating gear engaging the inner end of the lever, and a one-way bearing; the actuating gear is engaged with the bearing for causing angular displacement of the bearing together with it only when it is turned in a first direction by means of pushing the lever inwardly of the housing; the grinding mechanism includes an inner wheel turnable together with the bearing, and a stationary outer wheel around the inner wheel so that the contents can be ground between the wheels when the lever is pushed and released repeatedly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Yienn Lih Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hua-Te Wu
  • Publication number: 20040159726
    Abstract: A dual chamber condiment grinder has more than one chamber for holding a different condiment in each, and each chamber has a rasp that can be selectively moved up and down to grind the condiment in the associated chamber. An actuating handle rotates on the top of the chambers to position a cam over one or the other of the rasps to selectively grind the contents of one of the chambers. In the alternative, the cam can move in a slot in a movable handle to position the cam over the desired rasp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: David A. Holcomb, Peter A. Ryding
  • Publication number: 20040134930
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for dispersing pigment in a water-based or oil-based intermediate mixture for producing a coating composition comprising a mixer and a dispersing device, the mixer having a vacuum pump and capable of conducting a primary mixing of a pigment component and resin-containing liquid medium to form an intermediate mixture, the dispersing device capable of conducting the secondary mixing of the intermediate mixture, the mixer and the dispersing device being connected by pipes to form a circulation channel for the intermediate mixture, one of the pipes being provided with a seal-less pump, the intermediate mixture capable of cieculating between the mixer and the dispersing device through the circulation channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Masahiko Hiraki, Yushi Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20040061010
    Abstract: A culinary press (2) has a pair of pivotably connected members (4,6) one comprising a chamber for receiving a foodstuff and having a perforated surface (18), and the other a plunger (24) movable into the chamber for, in use, forcing food through the perforated surface (18) to an opposite side thereof, and a scraper (26) mounted on the press (2) so as to be movable across the said opposite side of the perforated surface (18) to scrape off any foodstuff adhered thereto after crushing of food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Rudy Keller
  • Publication number: 20040035964
    Abstract: A deconstituting device for the preparation of biological samples comprising: a container (2) in the form of a for holding the tissue to be deconstituted; a shaft (26) mounted for rotation inside the said container (2) with a blade (28) on the end inside the container, the said shaft (26) being supported axially by ball coupling means (30, 34) and having engagement means (36) on its end outside the container for coupling the said shaft to motor means; the device being used in automatic apparatus, which includes: at least one support element (54) with a plurality of housings for receiving the container; a deconstitution station (50) which includes at least one motor (52) with a drive shaft (55) for engaging the said engagement means (36) of the shaft (26) of the deconstituting device, this motor being movable between a position disengaged from the said shaft (26) and one engaging it, and; conveyor means (66, 68 and 78) for transporting the said support element (54) to the deconstitution station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Gianmarco Roggero
  • Patent number: 6672524
    Abstract: A dual chamber condiment grinder has more than one chamber for holding a different condiment in each, and each chamber has a rasp that can be selectively moved up and down to grind the condiment in the associated chamber. An actuating handle rotates on the top of the chambers to position a cam over one or the other of the rasps to selectively grind the contents of one of the chambers. In the alternative, the cam can move in a slot in a movable handle to position the cam over the desired rasp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Chef'N Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Holcomb, Peter A. Ryding
  • Patent number: 6644179
    Abstract: The utility kitchen tool is a multiple task tool used in the kitchen utilizing the force of a spring-loaded scissor action handle applied to a push plate mounted within an attaching interchangeable scoop or container allowing for the scoop to create formed measured amounts of dispensable foods, to prepare food for cooking, to slice food, chop foods or to create molded measured amounts of soft foods for baking or serving in a plurality of ornamental shapes. The scoop also provides either a straight forcing motion of the push plate or a spinning motion of the push plate depending on the present use of the scoop and also provides a attaching container to hold foods being chopped or minced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Rutherford Kiehm
  • Patent number: 6616075
    Abstract: A compact and efficient spice grinder having a centrally disposed post configured for engaging a spice seed in the grinding chamber. The spice seed is initially “fractured” by a “pestle-like” seed fracturing structuring at the top of the post. When a user thereafter rotates the dome-like cover of the grinder with respect to the base, spice fragments are grated against interior blades positioned along the sidewall of the chamber adapter/extender. A dome cover is gradually lowered by a user as the spice in the grinding chamber becomes depleted. The grinder is lightweight and may be attached conveniently to a key ring or to a chain and carried as a novelty item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Sidney Frank Importing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Millerd
  • Patent number: 6595447
    Abstract: A pepper grinder is composed of an accommodation holder engaged to a grinding holder to define an accommodation chamber containing a grinding rod constantly pushing upward and provided with a spring, a grinding chute being provided at the grinding holder in relation to the lower end of the grinding rod; pepper grains being ground between the grinding rod and the grinding chute into powders or finer grains; multiples of grinding tooth protruding from the outer surface at the lower end of the grinding rod with guiding slots interconnected to one other provided on the peripheral of each grinding tooth with at least one recess disposed inward at the lower end of the grinding rod to further facilitate discharge of those pepper powders or finer grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Wen-shou Chen
  • Patent number: 6585179
    Abstract: A chopper for chopping up food has an upper portion and a push rod, displaceable therein, with an actuation head and a blade. A lower portion is connected to the upper portion, and a chopped material cup serves to receive the chopped material. Inserted in the upper portion and on the top surface of the actuation head are parts made of a material which is softer than the material of the upper portion or respectively of the actuation head. Thanks to the soft parts inserted in the upper portion, the chopper can be securely held by hand. The soft part inserted on the actuation head damps the blows exerted by hand for chopping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Zyliss Haushaltwaren AG
    Inventors: Hans Weibel, René Ackermann
  • Patent number: 6568616
    Abstract: A condiment grinder includes a housing, a chamber within or attached to the housing for containing articles to the ground such as pepper seeds. A trigger is attached to the housing. An elongate piston extends through the chamber and has serrations along a portion of its length. A linkage co-operates with the trigger and the piston to transmit reciprocal movement of the trigger to reciprocal movement of the piston. A grinding aperture adjacent to the chamber has an internal periphery and is co-operative throughout its internal periphery with the serrations of the piston to grind the articles upon reciprocation of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Samson Bright Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: George Tang
  • Patent number: 6520436
    Abstract: A grater with a cylindrical housing which on an end side is limited by a grating insert arranged in a rotationally fixed and exchangeable manner. In the housing there is mounted a receiving cylinder with entraining means. The receiving cylinder accommodates the grating product and is rotationally and movably mounted. A pressing body which is axially movable in the receiving cylinder is in a positive-fit active connection with the entraining means of the receiving cylinder. The pressing body has a rotary knob projecting beyond the housing and the receiving cylinder in every position of use. In the housing, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing, there is arranged an insertion slot through which the exchangeable grating insert is insertable. In an inserted condition the grating insert rests on a support in the housing and is held in a positioned manner by a centric peg on the receiving cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Moha Moderne Haushaltwaren AG
    Inventor: Bruno Herren
  • Patent number: 6511006
    Abstract: A condiment grinder is provided with a residue catch or door that closes the discharge opening of the grinder, the catch is connected to the movable handle that actuates the grinder so that the catch closes and opens in response to movement of the movable handle. The handle is connected to the residue catch through the grinding mechanism that includes a movable rasp retainer coupled to the residue catch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Chef'N Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Holcomb, Peter A. Ryding
  • Publication number: 20030010855
    Abstract: A condiment grinder is provided with a residue catch or door that closes the discharge opening of the grinder, the catch is connected to the movable handle that actuates the grinder so that the catch closes and opens in response to movement of the movable handle. The handle is connected to the residue catch through the grinding mechanism that includes a movable rasp retainer coupled to the residue catch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: David A. Holcomb, Peter A. Ryding
  • Patent number: 6467711
    Abstract: A device for the size reduction of foodstuffs, such as onions and the like, with a housing which may be turned over the goods to be reduced in size. A knife is displaceable downwards against a force of a spring by an actuation mechanism with a push button and a plunger. The knife with the upwards movement by the guiding in the housing is rotated about an angle and by way of a positive displacement the rotation of the actuation mechanism relative to the housing is limited in one direction. The actuation mechanism includes a cap open at the bottom in which the push button is rotatably mounted, wherein the push button and the cap in the axial direction are rigidly connected to one another. An outer shaping of the actuation mechanism is completely free with the application of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Moha Moderne Haushaltwaren AG
    Inventor: Walter Michel
  • Publication number: 20010028007
    Abstract: A device for the size reduction of foodstuffs, such as onions and the like, with a housing which may be turned over the goods to be reduced in size. A knife is displaceable downwards against a force of a spring by an actuation mechanism with a push button and a plunger. The knife with the upwards movement by the guiding in the housing is rotated about an angle and by way of a positive displacement the rotation of the actuation mechanism relative to the housing is limited in one direction. The actuation mechanism includes a cap open at the bottom in which the push button is rotatably mounted, wherein the push button and the cap in the axial direction are rigidly connected to one another. An outer shaping of the actuation mechanism is completely free with the application of the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventor: Walter Michel
  • Patent number: 6082645
    Abstract: To increase the versatility of a household food grater, in which grating inserts can be inserted into a plate-like body formed with an opening, a slicing insert is provided, fitting into the opening. The slicing insert has a frame and a guide path (10) hinged to the frame, and moveable with respect thereto. The frame also carries a knife blade (14). A lever (15) projecting laterally from the frame, adjusts the position of a cutting gap between the knife (14) and the guide path (10) to control the thickness of slices being made, the lever engaging a camming surface of the guide path from beneath the surface on which food is being fed to the knife blade. Adjustment is by interengaging teeth and saw tooth-like depressions, for step-wise adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Leifheit AG
    Inventors: Dieter Himmighofen, Rolf Gunter Schulein
  • Patent number: 5988543
    Abstract: A pepper grinding tool comprises a toothed plate capable of moving relative to a toothed portion of an adjustable grinder part, and an adjustment assembly for adjusting a position of the grinder part relative to the toothed plate such that the pepper grinding tool can grind pepper between the toothed plate and the toothed portion into ground particulater of various degrees of according to need. The adjustment assembly includes a threaded portion screwed into a threaded hole of the grinder part, and a finger portion for a user to turn the adjustment assembly therefrom for adjusting the position of the grinder part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Yienn Lih Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hua-Te Wu
  • Patent number: 5924636
    Abstract: An elongated first arm includes a first arm free end and a first arm pivot end. A generally bowl shaped crushing member is disposed near the first arm pivot end. An elongated second arm has a second arm free end and a second arm pivot end. A generally bowl shaped receiving member is positioned near the second arm pivot end and is configured to receive the crushing member therein. A generally ball shaped member is positioned at the first arm pivot end. A socket is positioned at the second arm pivot end and is configured to receive the generally ball shaped member. The first arm is pivotable from a first position wherein the crushing member is out of the receiving member to a second position wherein the crushing member is within the receiving member. The first arm is slidable transversely with respect to the second arm when the crushing member is within the receiving member for crushing of items positioned between the crushing member and the receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Cecilia B. Calderon
  • Patent number: 5915637
    Abstract: A pill crusher having an elongated base, an anvil integrally fixed to the base, a movable handle and a compression link, pivotally coupled to the base and pivotally connected to the handle, for facilitating rotational movement of the handle relative to the base. A platen is coupled pivotally to an anchor block on the base and connected at the other end to the handle so that movement of the handle produces movement of the platen relative to the anvil, for crushing a pill between the two. A pouch is provided, for receiving a pill to be crushed. It is adapted to fit in a mouth defined by the anvil and the platen. The pill crusher includes a cover fixed to the base and disposed above the rear anchor block, the cover providing an onboard dispenser for a plurality of pouches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Links Medical Products Inc.
    Inventor: J. Stuart Parsons
  • Patent number: D537304
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventors: Clive Koon Yin Wong, Willard Wing Yin Wong, Yiu Chung Wan