Abstract: To improve the safety and efficiency of conventional zesters, the present inventor devised, among other things, a child-friendly bidirectional twist-action zester. One exemplary zester includes a housing and at least two grating elements. The housing defines an interior volume configured to receive at least a portion of a whole citrus fruit, and the first and second grating elements are mounted to the housing such that with their grating teeth face the interior and contact the whole citrus fruit, thereby preventing bloody fingers and knuckles during zesting. Moreover, each grating element includes at least some teeth that are opposite to some teeth in the other grating elements, enabling the zester to produce zest with each back and forth movement of the zester relative the fruit. Some other embodiments add a reamer to the housing, enabling the zester to serve as both as zester and a juicer.

Abstract: A compact cold press grinder that fits within a user's hand that includes a cold press grinder and a container that holds consumables, such as fruits, vegetables, seeds, aquatic plants, and/or other nutritious consumable. The cold press grinder crushes and grinds the consumables to a liquid paste or juice using friction forces, shear forces and pressure (e.g. hydraulic press). The cold press grinder includes a housing that is removably attachable to the container. The cold press grinder may include an input for receiving the consumables within the container and a plurality of nip roller pairs that grind the consumables. The cold press grinder has one output to output the consumable as is or the liquid paste or the juice prepared by the cold press grinder and does not include an output to output consumable waste products.

Abstract: An onion chopper includes container, a blade tray, and pivoting lid. The blade tray is removably mounted on an upper rim of the container and includes a sweeper positioned at one end of the blade tray. The sweeper is dimensioned to fit within the sidewalls forming the container to be used to clear chopped food bits from the container after they are cut by the grid of blades.

Abstract: A grinder specially adapted for grinding herbs has a sheet with unique groove and hole patterns forming a grinding area. Although it is a manual grinder, the grinder does not require the use of cutting blades, making it much safer to use. The grinder is particularly suitable for grinding softer herbs.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and/or device for cutting, slicing, or grating cheese. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include a receptacle that include a cavity to store a piece of cheese, wherein the receptacle includes an open end. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include a platform located within the cavity, the platform comprising a floor for the piece of cheese to sit on, where the floor includes a set of grooves. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include a drive system connected to the platform, the drive system being configured to extend the platform out of the open end and retract the platform within the cavity, where the drive system comprises a gear comprising a set of teeth configured to engage one or more grooves of the set of grooves of the floor. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include a handle configured to attach to the open end of the receptacle, the handle comprising a first accessory to engage the piece of cheese.

Abstract: A multifunctional kitchen utensil includes an upper cup body, a lower cup body detachably connected with the upper cup body, an upper hoop part for hooping the upper cup body, a lower hoop part for hooping the lower cup body, an upper handle connected with the upper loop part, a lower handle connected with the lower loop part, a cavity formed by the interior of the upper and lower cup bodies and having a ball therein for processing an ingredient, and a hammer body formed by the exterior of the upper and lower cup bodies. The utensil is capable of easily and rapidly achieving the functions of peeling and making fruit paste.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for extruding randomly shaped food items includes a one-piece finger member. The one-piece finger member reduces the downtime of the extruding machine containing the rotor assembly by reducing the number of parts in the rotor assembly and reducing the adjustment necessary after finger replacement. The proprietary threaded interface between the finger member and the improved extruder machine allows for quick swap out during extruder maintenance.

Abstract: The cutting device can be used to slice, make julienne strips, and/or dice food items. In dicing, preferably the horizontal slicer blade is retracted during a first pass of the slider past the julienne blades, and after the slider has been rotated by 90°, during a second pass, the horizontal blade is erected to make the horizontal cut and complete the dicing operation. A slicing width adjustment is provided with a large diameter threaded member being adjustable to support a movable platform, with an adjustable locking mechanism to support the end of the platform nearest the horizontal cutting blade.

Abstract: A system that enables a cutter head to pivot for improved alignment with a cutting face or die is disclosed. The system includes a cutter hub and a driveshaft hub mated with a plurality of round, spherical, or ovoid surfaces to enable the cutter hub to pivot with respect to the driveshaft hub. The system can include a plurality of alignment pins with spherical surfaces to transfer torque from the driveshaft hub to the cutter hub. The system can also include a cutter head, which can include a plurality of cutting blades. The system can be used in cutting machinery, such as a pelletizer, where alignment of the cutting head and the cutting die (or other cutting surface) is desirable.

Abstract: A method of processing an active ingredient, the method comprising submitting a pharmaceutically active ingredient in the absence of excipients and/or additives to compression and shearing forces. The invention also relates to compositions comprising an active prepared by the method.

Abstract: A micro-spike algae harvesting and biofuel extraction system and method therefor whereby an algal solution is dispersed from a selected height onto an inclined micro-spike board which forms a substrate for supporting an array of upwardly-extending miniature spikes, wherein the miniature spikes puncture algae cells suspended in the solution to release biofuel contained therein.

Abstract: A spice grinder is revealed. The spice grinder includes a base connected to a bottom of a container body, an inner grinding member, and an outer grinding member arranged between the container body and the base. The inner grinding member includes a plurality of grinding blades. Each grinding blade has an insertion hole on a center thereof. A rod of a fixing shaft is inserted through the insertion hole of each grinding blade. Thus a first fixing block on one end of the fixing shaft and a second fixing block on other end thereof are against a top and a bottom of the inner grinding member respectively. While in use, the container body and the base are rotated to drive the inner and the outer grinding members. Thus granular spices are ground gradually by the grinding blades. Therefore the granular spices are broken into fine grains precisely.

Abstract: The present invention may be used to process various foods by pressing them through a receiving receptacle equipped with a processing disk. A body may have a plurality of platforms, frames and support configurations conducive for efficient function. A motor may be in the uppermost section of the body. A switch of choice may activate the motor and set in motion the press process. A ball bearing assembly and press assembly may complete the food press processing function. A receiving receptacle may receive produce for processing by the press plate and push produce through a processing disk, cup or sieve. A set of micro switches may serve to control the electric and mechanical function specific to the task. A press plate with configurations compatible to the disk selected may complete the process when the processed produce is dispensed into a dish or appropriate container.

Abstract: A grating device for grating material includes a hollow handle having an interior cavity and a grater removably attachable to the hollow handle in a first configuration and a second configuration. The handle includes a top wall portion having a major outer surface configured to abut against a palm of a hand of a person gripping the grating device, a pair of elongated longitudinal sidewall portions, a closed end wall portion, and an open end wall portion on an opposing side of the hollow handle from the closed end wall portion. The open end wall portion of the hollow handle includes at least one surface extending through the hollow handle defining a passageway between the interior cavity of the hollow handle and an exterior of the hollow handle. Such a grating device may be used to grate material.

Abstract: A food grater having a cutting with a proximal end and a distal end and a midline has a plurality of teeth thrilled on the cutting surface. The plurality of teeth each have a cutting edge and form a plurality of rows of teeth positioned between the proximal end and the distal end of the cutting surface. The cutting edges of the teeth and the rows of teeth are configured to urge a food item towards the midline of the cutting surface when the food item is engaged with the cutting surface and moved in contact with the cutting surface in a cutting direction from the proximal end to the distal end of the cutting surface.

Abstract: A grinder specially adapted for grinding herbs has a sheet with unique groove patterns forming a grinding area. Although it is a manual grinder, the grinder does not require the use of cutting blades, making it much safer to use. The grinder is particularly suitable for grinding softer herbs.

Abstract: A food preparation plate is replaceable and engagement means for retaining the food preparation plate are present between the food preparation plate and a retaining part. The food preparation plate can move in translation in a direction perpendicular to a plane constituted by the retaining part. Two places on the back side of the food preparation plate that is retained in the retaining part can be simultaneously pressed in the direction of the front side by the digits of different hands; and by simultaneously pressing those two places with digits of different hands, the food preparation plate is moved in translation in the direction of the front side thereof, so as to release the engagement means and allow the food preparation plate to be detached.

Abstract: A debris reducer for reducing debris within a fluid flow line having a lower screen that is secured within the flow line, the lower screen having a lower screen cage with a lower cutting portion. A debris reducer element is retained within the flow line and is moveably disposed with respect to the lower screen. The debris reducer element has an upper screen cage with an upper cutting portion. The upper and lower screen cages overlap and move the upper and lower cutting portions with respect to each other to reduce debris within fluid flowing through the flow line.

Abstract: Orifice plates, grinding machines, and method of using the same are provided that can process a material. In one aspect, an orifice plate includes multiple orifices, at least one of which has two tapered segments aligned with and operably connected to each other and that taper downwardly from respective outer portions to inner portions. An intermediate bore may connect to minimum diameter portions of each of the tapering segments so that the tapering segments are connected to each other by way of the intermediate bore.

Abstract: A handheld having a grater panel with a bottom surface from which grated particulates emerge and a catch bin removably attached to the grater panel, the catch bin having a substantially flexible body with one or more living hinges capable of adapting the catch bin from a collapsed configuration for storage to an expanded configuration for use. The catch bin has an open top for receiving the grated particulates and may also include an open front corresponding to the handle end of the grater panel from which the grated particulates can be poured.

Abstract: A grater having a first grater panel and a second grater panel pivotally connected at the top with folding side walls connected to the sides of the first and second panels so that the grater is collapsible from a working configuration, where the bottoms of the first and second panels are set apart from each other and the side walls are unfolded, to a stored configuration, where the bottoms of the first and second panels are substantially together and the side walls are folded. A handle is placed at the top of panels and a bottom may be used to close the area between the first and second panels and the side walls.

Abstract: An ice shaving machine includes a drive unit, a limit plate secured on the drive unit, and a shaving frame detachably combined with the limit plate. The drive unit includes a rotation disk. The limit plate has a through hole and a plurality of locking grooves. The shaving frame has a receiving chamber and a shaving blade. The shaving frame has a connecting lug detachably locked onto the limit plate. The connecting lug has a passage connected to the receiving chamber and has a plurality of locking pieces that are detachably locked in the locking grooves of the limit plate. Thus, the shaving frame can be rotated to remove from the limit plate so that the shaving frame is detached and cleaned easily and conveniently.

Abstract: A device and method for manufacture thereof having a one or more cantilevered cutting teeth integrally formed in raised configuration on a flat base fro cutting food items moved along said base. The free end portion is formed by upper and lower etched out portions of the upper end of said cutting teeth to form a cutting edge. The upper surface of the upper cut-out portion of the teeth is situation at a position out contact with food items being cut. A substantially portion of the teeth is coated with a low friction material, except for the cutting edge In a second embodiment one or more domed cutting elements are cut out of base sheet and may include a leading V-shaped cutting edge.

Abstract: A device and method for manufacture thereof having a one or more cantilevered cutting teeth integrally formed in raised configuration on a flat base fro cutting food items moved along said base. The free end portion is formed by upper and lower etched out portions of the upper end of said cutting teeth to form a cutting edge. The upper surface of the upper cut-out portion of the teeth is situation at a position out contact with food items being cut. A substantially portion of the teeth is coated with a low friction material, except for the cutting edge In a second embodiment one or more domed cutting elements are cut out of base sheet and may include a leading V-shaped cutting edge.

Abstract: A caked grain breaking device is provided for facilitating free flow of grain from a bin by utilizing gravity to break up caked grain prior to flowing through a bottom outlet in the bin. The device includes an elongated support and a plurality of struts. Each strut has an upper end coupled to the support. Each strut further extends downwardly and outwardly from the support. The struts are arranged to form a pair of coplanar arrays of spaced the struts extending from the support. Each of a plurality of braces is coupled to and extends across an associated one of the arrays whereby the support, the struts, and the braces form a frame. A plurality of blades is coupled to the frame.

Abstract: An ice shaving machine includes a drive unit, a limit plate secured on the drive unit, and a shaving frame detachably combined with the limit plate. The drive unit includes a rotation disk. The limit plate has a through hole and a plurality of locking grooves. The shaving frame has a receiving chamber and a shaving blade. The shaving frame has a connecting lug detachably locked onto the limit plate. The connecting lug has a passage connected to the receiving chamber and has a plurality of locking pieces that are detachably locked in the locking grooves of the limit plate. Thus, the shaving frame can be rotated to remove from the limit plate so that the shaving frame is detached and cleaned easily and conveniently.

Abstract: A material reducing machine includes a frame and a drum rotor which is mounted for rotation with respect to the frame. The drum rotor includes a generally cylindrical peripheral wall with a tool mounted thereon. The tool has a leading edge that defines an arc as the drum rotor is rotated, which arc is spaced outwardly from the peripheral wall and is parallel thereto. The machine includes a material input device for conveying material to be reduced towards the drum rotor, and an outlet for reduced material. A breaker bar assembly is located adjacent to the drum rotor. The breaker bar assembly includes a back plate with a plurality of breaker bars mounted thereon. The breaker bar assembly is located so that material which is carried by the tool of the drum rotor is directed against the breaker bar assembly.

Abstract: A herb grinder includes a metal sheet having a first surface and an opposite second surface. the sheet being configured to include, on at least one of the surfaces, a plurality of grooves extending parallel with one another and spaced apart from one another, wherein the grooves and at least one of the surfaces, a plurality of grooves extending parallel with one another and spaced apart from one another, wherein the grooves and said at least one of the surfaces define a square wave shape having flat valleys and flat peaks, wherein the flat valleys are roughened by a process of photochemical etching. A plurality of holes of a first type, extending from a peak to the bottom surface of the metal sheet, and a plurality of holes of a second type extending from a valley to the bottom surface of the metal sheet. The metal sheet may include an opening adjacent an edge of the sheet, and a flexible link may be fastened to the metal sheet through the opening.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a grating apparatus. The apparatus has a grating member provided with a grating surface configured to interact with a food item. The grating member includes a plurality of assemblies of teeth pointing away from the grating surface, wherein the assemblies of teeth include pointed teeth of non-homogenous in size, each pointed tooth has a body defining at least a first triangular side with an angle of inclination from substantially 44-67° with respect to the grating surface.

Abstract: A refiner (1) for refining fibrous material has a first refiner element (3, 5) and a second refiner element (3, 5). The second refiner element is arranged around the first refiner element in such a manner that the first refiner element and the second refiner element have a common middle axis (7) such that there is a refining space (8) between the first refiner element and the second refiner element. The first refiner element and/or the second refiner element are arranged to rotate around the middle axis and the refiner elements have refining surfaces (4, 6), through which the fibrous material is fed into or exits the refining space (8). The refiner has, in the direction of the middle axis of the refiner elements, at least two feed regions, through which the fibrous material to be refined is feedable into the refining space (8).

Abstract: A herb grinder includes a metal sheet having a first surface and an opposite second surface. the sheet being configured to include, on at least one of the surfaces, a plurality of grooves extending parallel with one another and spaced apart from one another, wherein the grooves and said at least one of the surfaces, a plurality of grooves extending parallel with one another and spaced apart from one another, wherein the grooves and at least one of the surfaces define a square wave shape having flat valleys and flat peaks, wherein the flat valleys are roughened by a process of photochemical etching. A plurality of holes of a first type, extending from a peak to the bottom surface of the metal sheet, and a plurality of holes of a second type extending from a valley to the bottom surface of the metal sheet.

Abstract: The garbage processing recycler includes a series of top compartments aligned above a series of bottom compartments. A hydraulic cylinder is concentrically aligned with the top compartments to provide a compressor function attributed with opposing compressor plates that can descend into opposing top compartments to compress recyclable materials contained therein. After compression, a support base is removed and the recyclables are shredded upon passing through a screen via the same hydraulic cylinder and compressor plate, and thereafter the compressed and shredded recyclable material descends below to the respective bottom compartment.

Abstract: A grinder in the form of a lighter where the grinding is performed on the outer shell. The grinder has unique groove patterns on the shell that form the grinding area.

Abstract: A grinder specially adapted for grinding herbs has a sheet with unique groove patterns forming a grinding area. Although it is a manual grinder, the grinder does not require the use of cutting blades, making it much safer to use. The grinder is particularly suitable for grinding softer herbs.

Abstract: A food waste disposer has a grinding mechanism that improves fineness and speed of grinding food waste, and also controls or meters the size of the comminuted food waste particles that are discharged from the food waste disposer. It does so by utilizing a more aggressive grind ring of the grinding mechanism that includes horizontal shredder elements in addition to openings, and blocking all except the openings in a minor circumferential portion of the grind ring from discharging comminuted food waste and water to a discharge outlet. In an aspect, a resilient seal is used to seal the adapter ring to a housing of an upper end bell of the grinding section and also provide a seal for a rotating shredder plate assembly of the food waste disposer.

Abstract: An apparatus for a kitchen appliance for handling items to be processed includes a static housing part having an upper axial face, and a rotating ring element having a lower axial face which rests on the upper axial face of a static housing part in the presence of an annular gap there between. The upper axial face and/or the lower axial face and/or the rotating ring element is hereby constructed such as to effect a radial conveying of items being processed in the annular gap.

Abstract: The present matter provides an improved grating surface and graters having an improved grating surface. The grating surface includes one or more cutting blades extending outwardly from the grating surface each including a cutting edge, and at least one groove located on the grating surface and extending towards the cutting edge of the at least one cutting blade. The at least one groove can be located on the cutting blade surface and extend towards and into the cutting edge. The at least one grove can be formed by chemical etching techniques (e.g. in a grating surface of metal such as stainless steel). Grooves and cutting blades can be simultaneously formed in a grating surface by chemical etching.

Abstract: A garlic press includes a ratchet body pivotally connected to a main body and biased away from the main body. A pusher is coupled to a ratchet rack, with a pawl engaging the ratchet rack to incrementally urge the pusher downward through the ratchet body and toward a grid of blades. A slicing blade attached to the main body slices bits of garlic pushed through the grid of blades.

Abstract: A food grater having an improved cutting surface with teeth that are configured to prevent or reduce the sideways pull against a food item as it travels along the cutting surface. In a preferred version, the blades are formed with a V-shape that improves the ability of the user to push a food item straight down the cutting surface.

Abstract: A mobile slurry apparatus for creating a slurry from oil sand ore has a frame and a slurry box supported by the frame. Water is mixed with the ore to form a slurry that is retained in the slurry box. The frame base has a first set of spaced apart support points for supporting the frame in a stationary mode, and a second set of spaced apart support points for supporting the frame in a moving mode. The second set of spaced apart support points is closer together than the first set of support points and defines a lifting region disposed beneath a center of gravity of the slurry apparatus in a moving mode when the slurry box is empty. Thus, a single moving device can be positioned beneath the second set of support points for lifting and moving the slurry apparatus.

Abstract: A herb grinder comprising a metal sheet having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the sheet being configured to include, on at least one of the surfaces, a plurality of grooves extending parallel with one another and spaced apart from one another, wherein the grooves and said at least one of the surfaces define a square wave shape having flat valleys and flat peaks, wherein the flat valleys are roughened by a process of photochemical etching. A plurality of holes of a first type, extending from a peak to the bottom surface of the metal sheet, and a plurality of holes of a second type extending from a valley to the bottom surface of the metal sheet. The metal sheet may include an opening adjacent an edge of the sheet, and a flexible link may be fastened to the metal sheet through the opening.

Abstract: A food grater includes a handle and one or more pivoting grating surfaces that can be stowed within the handle or pivoted outward for use.

Abstract: A food grater having an improved cutting surface in which cutting teeth are configured with cutting edges that are inclined in alternating directions. In various embodiments, the cutting surface is incorporated into a hand-held, box, pyramid, or other grater.

Abstract: A herb grinder comprising a metal sheet having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the sheet being configured to include, on at least one of the surfaces, a plurality of grooves extending parallel with one another and spaced apart from one another, wherein the grooves and said at least one of the surfaces define a square wave shape having flat valleys and flat peaks, wherein the flat valleys are roughened by a process of photochemical etching. A plurality of holes of a first type, extending from a peak to the bottom surface of the metal sheet, and a plurality of holes of a second type extending from a valley to the bottom surface of the metal sheet.

Abstract: The combination food cutting board includes removable cups for food items, and a waste compartment. An upper cutting board mates with a lower base. The upper cutting board includes an aperture aligned with a receptacle in the base for waste, and secondary apertures aligned with matching receptacles in the base for holding the cups food items. The base includes a lateral opening and a sliding drawer in the waste compartment, and may include a storage compartment under the upper cutting board.

Abstract: A food grater having an improved cutting surface in which cutting teeth are configured with cutting edges that are inclined in alternating directions. In various embodiments, the cutting surface is incorporated into a hand-held, box, pyramid, or other grater.

Abstract: A food grater having an improved cutting surface with teeth that are configured to prevent or reduce the sideways pull against a food item as it travels along the cutting surface. In a preferred version, the blades are formed with a V-shape that improves the ability of the user to push a food item straight down the cutting surface.

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 center of the base (10) corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the rod (20), such height (A) progressively decreasing till it becomes zero at the center of the base (10), next to the longitudinal axis of the grating plate (1) and of the rod

Abstract: A device for cutting food includes a slide operable to receive a food product that is slid across the slide so as to perform a cutting procedure. A cutting blade including a cutting edge is included. A switch is included operable to switch the device from a neutral position in which the cutting edge is at least one of covered and recessed, to a cutting position in which the cutting edge is neither covered nor recessed.

Abstract: An adaptable multi-grater set has a special wing configuration that allows it to be attached on different bowls and stewpots. The multi-grater set has side-accessories, such as the wings which can be put on an axis, a scale part, mini bowls, and different grater blades/slicers which can be fixed on the wings.