coffee bean grinder

Abstract

The grinder (10), configured for easy disassembly for cleaning, includes a rotary output (37) that rotates about an axis (17) and is disposed in a recess (16) of the housing (11, 211). A carrier (20, 220) is attached to the housing (11, 211) and is also part of an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the particle size of the ground product. A cup (27, 227) in which a first grinding element (28) is supported for rotation about the axis (17) is axially insertable into the recess (16) through an opening (19) in the recess (16). A second grinding element (29, 229) axially insertable into the mouth of the cup cooperates with the first grinding element (28) to define an adjustable annular gap between the first and second grinding elements. The coupling (49, 249) connects the cup (27, 227) and the second grinding element (29, 229), restricting relative rotation and allowing relative axial displacement. To remove the second grinding element (29, 229), the coupling (49, 249) is displaced axially outward until the abutment surfaces (59, 60, 84) of the cup and second grinding element engage with each other, and then the coupling (49, 249) is displaced axially outward again to remove the cup (27, 227) from the recess (16).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a grinder, and more particularly to a grinder that is configured to be easily disassembled for cleaning. [Background technology]

[0002] Grinders for grinding various foods, such as coffee and spices, are widely known. In such grinders, particles of ground product tend to adhere to the walls, grinding elements, and other internal surfaces. These particles oxidize when exposed to air, necessitating periodic cleaning to prevent the buildup of degraded material. Typically, users may turn the grinder upside down to shake off particulate material, but this may not remove all such material. While adequate cleaning is possible with tools such as scrapers and brushes, disassembly is required to access all of the small spaces within the grinder. Such disassembly is complex and time-consuming, and may require the use of additional hand tools to complete a satisfactory cleaning.

[0003] Patent application publication CN112603168A describes a coffee bean grinder in which both grinding elements are removable for cleaning as part of a subassembly to which they are attached. However, this solution suffers from the problem that the removable grinding subassembly incorporates both an adjustment ring that rotates to vary the axial spacing between the grinding elements and associated mechanisms, a 90-degree bevel gear pair, and a coupler that is drivably and removably connected to a transverse shaft driven by a motor, making it relatively mechanically complex and expensive to manufacture. The object of the present invention is to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above drawbacks and, more generally, to provide an improved grinder. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a grinder comprising: an electric drive having a rotary output that rotates about an axis; a housing for holding an electric drive; a recess extending generally axially within the housing to the rotary output, the recess defining an opening at an axially outer end of the recess; an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the particle size of a ground product, the adjusting mechanism including a carrier having an axis extending therethrough, the carrier including a first fitting portion; a cup axially insertable into the recess through the opening, the cup having a mouth; a first grinding element mounted within the cup for rotation about an axis; a coupler for transmitting torque from the rotary drive to the first comminuting element, the coupler being attached to an axially inner end of the first comminuting element and engageable with the rotary output by relative axial movement; a second grinding element, the second grinding element being axially insertable into the mouth portion and cooperating with the first grinding element to define a gap between the first grinding element and the second grinding element that determines the particle size of the ground product, the second grinding element having a second fitting portion that engages with the first fitting portion, whereby the second grinding element is carried on the carrier; a coupling between the cup and the second grinding element, the coupling accommodating axial displacement of the second grinding element relative to the cup to vary the size of the gap, the coupling including abutment surfaces on the cup and the second grinding element, respectively, such that outward axial displacement of the second grinding element causes the abutment surfaces to engage with each other to axially withdraw the cup from the recess.

[0005] The adjustment mechanism for adjusting the particle size of the ground product by relatively displacing one of the first and second grinding elements in the axial direction is a known mechanism that is manually operated by a user, such as by rotating a knob or lever.

[0006] The coupling connecting the cup and the second grinding element is preferably a first bayonet (push and turn) coupling. Alternatively, the coupling may be of other types, particularly known types that engage and disengage by relative rotation. For example, either the cup or the second grinding element may include a separate coupling collar mounted for rotation about an axis to connect the cup and the second grinding element.

[0007] Preferably, the first bayonet coupling includes an interface between surfaces that are complementary and coaxial with the axis, one of which is the outer surface of the second comminuting element and the other of which is the surface of a cup surrounding the second comminuting element, a projection extending radially from one surface across the interface and received in a channel in the other surface, the channel including an axially extending leg that intersects with the circumferentially extending leg, such that the end of the circumferentially extending leg and the opposite edge of the axially extending leg define an axial guide, and abutment surfaces are formed on the projection and the circumferentially extending leg. Alternatively, the bayonet coupling may include a circumferential slot into which the shank of an axially extending fastener is received after rotation, and the head of the fastener is secured to prevent axial separation of the parts.

[0008] In one embodiment, the protrusion includes a protrusion member slidably received in the opening of the second comminution element and moving between an extended position and a retracted position, with a spring biasing the protrusion member to the extended position.

[0009] The carrier may be mounted for rotation about an axis and constrained against axial movement, the second mating portion includes a protrusion, and the first mating portion includes threads that receive the protrusion within the carrier.

[0010] Alternatively, the carrier may be mounted for reciprocal movement along the axis and constrained to rotate about the axis, the second mating portion including the protrusion, the first mating portion including an L-shaped channel of a second bayonet-type coupling, and further including an adjustment ring coaxial with the axis and engaging with the carrier, the adjustment ring including threads for axial displacement of the adjustment ring.

[0011] Preferably, the second comminution element further includes a semicircular handle fixed at both ends and rotatable about a diametric axis between a stowed position in which the handle lies generally in a radial plane and a deployed position in which the handle lies generally in a transverse axial plane.

[0012] Preferably, the second grinding element includes an annular flange that projects outwardly from one outer surface of the second grinding element and that assembles to cover the rim of the cup.

[0013] Preferably, the coupling between the cup and the second comminution element further includes a detent which holds the second comminution element and the cup in assembly.

[0014] The present invention provides a grinder with an overall simple design that can be easily disassembled without the need for tools, minimizing manufacturing costs and maximizing performance, and can be advantageously used as a stand-alone appliance or integrated into other appliances such as coffee makers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] Preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a coffee bean grinder according to a first embodiment of the present invention, assembled and ready to use; FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the coffee bean grinder of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the grinding subassembly of FIG. 2 together with the carrier. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the grinding subassembly of FIG. 2 cut at a vertical center plane. [Figure 5A] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view in a vertical plane through the comminution subassembly of FIG. 1, showing a second comminution element connected to the cup at an axially outer position. [Figure 5B] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view in a vertical plane through the comminution subassembly of FIG. 1, showing a second comminution element connected to the cup at an axially inner position. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in a transverse plane through a variation of the comminution subassembly of FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken on a vertical plane through the assembled grinder of FIG. 1; [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view in a vertical plane through an assembled grinder of a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 9 is an exploded perspective view of the grinding subassembly of the grinder of FIG. 8 together with the carrier. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a projected perspective view of FIG. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a grinder 10, particularly for coffee beans, includes a housing 11 that holds a motorized drive 12 including a rotary output 37 that rotates about an axis 17. Grinder 10 may be a freestanding, tabletop appliance, with housing 11 configured to stand upright on a horizontal surface while supporting a hopper 14 at its upper end 13 for holding material to be ground, such as coffee beans. A recess 16 extends generally axially within housing 11 from the upper end to rotary output 37. A grinding subassembly 15 is removably secured within recess 16 in upper end 13 in coaxial alignment with axis 17 and can be easily removed and disassembled for cleaning.

[0017] As used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, the term "axial" refers to a direction substantially parallel to axis 17. The term "radial" refers to a direction substantially perpendicular to axis 17. The term "circumferential" refers to a direction on an arc having a radius substantially perpendicular to axis 17.

[0018] A locating ring 18 may surround the recess 16 and define an opening 19 at the axially outer end of the recess 16. The locating ring 18 is fixed to the housing 11 and has a shape complementary to the lower end of the hopper 14 contained therein, and thus may serve to position and support the hopper 14.

[0019] A carrier 20 is mounted axially inward of the positioning ring 18 and is attached to the housing 11 in a manner that limits rotation about the axis 17. The carrier 20 may be annular, with a central opening 92 disposed coaxially with the axis 17. Fasteners 53 (see FIG. 7 ) extend axially through circumferential slots 21 in the carrier 20 to connect the housing 11 to the positioning ring 18 and receive the carrier 20 therebetween, thereby substantially preventing axial movement of the carrier 20 while allowing it to rotate about the axis 17. Ribs or the like may be provided on the outer periphery of the carrier 20 to improve grip when manually rotating the carrier 20. The carrier 20 is provided with internal threads 23 extending generally circumferentially within the recess 16 and cooperating with the grinding subassembly 15, thereby providing an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the particle size of the ground product.

[0020] An electric drive 12 fixed internally to the housing 11 may include a rotary electric motor 36 driving a rotary output 37 via a gearbox 38 that provides speed reduction and torque multiplication. For example, coffee beans fall through an inlet 24 at the axially outer end of the grinding subassembly 15, which is driven by the electric drive 12 to grind the beans, and the ground coffee beans are discharged generally radially through an outlet 25 from which they fall and are dispensed through a nozzle 26.

[0021] 3 and 4, the comminuting subassembly 15 includes a cup 27 within which a first comminuting element 28 is supported for rotation about the axis 17 and cooperates with a second comminuting element 29 to effect relative rotation between the two comminuting elements 28, 29. The cup 27 may have a cylindrical wall 30 surrounding the first comminuting element 28, defining a mouth 31 at its axially outer end, with the outlet 25 formed at the axially inner end of the cylindrical wall 30. The first comminuting element 28 may include tapered outer cutting teeth, such as a frusto-conical portion 63 narrowing toward the mouth 31. The first comminuting element 28 may be fixed to a spindle 32 mounted in bearings 33a, 33b for rotation about the axis 17. The rotatable first grinding element 28 may further include a toothed inner portion 64 disposed axially inward of the frusto-conical portion 63 and having a radially outer edge 65 that sweeps a circular path adjacent the inner cylindrical surface 35 of the cylindrical wall 30. The inner portion 64 may have an axial dimension approximately equal to the axial dimension of the outlet 25 through which the ground coffee is directed. The axially inner end of the base of the cup 27 is provided with an annular portion 66 that engages the bearings 33a, 33b, and around this annular portion 66 extends a complementary surface 67 that tapers such that the inner portion 64 of the first grinding element 28 narrows toward the mouth 31. A nut 34 may engage the threaded axial outer end of the spindle 32 to secure the first grinding element 28 to the spindle 32. Torque delivery from the rotary output 37 to the spindle 32 is achieved by one coupler portion at the axially inner end of the first comminuting element, which includes an internal spline 39, and another coupler portion on the rotary output 37, which includes a complementary external spline 40. In this manner, the splines 39, 40 engage each other to transmit torque therebetween, while also engaging with a relative axial sliding motion when the cup 27 is lowered axially into the recess 16 through both the opening 19 and the carrier 20, and disengaging when it is axially withdrawn from the recess 16.

[0022] The second grinding element 29 may include coaxial inner and outer ring-shaped members 42, 43 secured to one another. The inner ring-shaped member 43 may include inner cutting teeth arranged about the axis 17 and cooperate with the first grinding element 28 to form a gap between the inner ring-shaped member 43 and the first grinding element 28. The inner ring-shaped member 43 may taper from the inlet 24 toward the throat 48. The gap may be generally annular, with its width varying depending on the spacing between the grinding elements 28, 29, thereby limiting the grind size. The outer ring-shaped member 42 may include an outer cylindrical surface 44 having an integral annular flange 45 projecting outwardly therefrom. The second comminution element 29 may have fittings in the form of three circumferentially equally spaced nubs 41 a, 41 b (a third nub not shown) formed on the annular flange 45 and engaging respective starts 50 a, 50 b, 50 c of the internal thread 23.

[0023] The second disruption element 29 may further include a semicircular, loop-shaped handle 46 that is hinged at its end for rotation about a diametric axis 47. The handle 46 rotates between a stowed position (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 ) in which the handle 46 rests on the annular flange 45 and lies generally in a radial plane, and a deployed position (as shown) in which the handle 46 extends from the outer axial end of the second disruption element 29, rotated 90 degrees from the stowed position, and lies generally in a transverse axial plane in which the axes 17, 47 lie.

[0024] The axially inner end of the second grinding element 29 is axially insertable into the mouth portion 31 where it is held by a bayonet-style coupling 49 (also called a push-and-turn coupling), which connects the cup 27 and the second grinding element 29 to form the grinding subassembly 15.

[0025] The bayonet coupling 49 includes an outer cylindrical surface 44 that is received within the inner cylindrical surface 35 of the cup 27, providing a circular interface with a free-running fit between the two components. The second comminution element 29 may further include similar projections 51 a, 51 b, 51 c extending radially outward from the outer cylindrical surface 44, which are equally circumferentially spaced for receipt in respective channels 52 a, 52 b, 52 c in the inner cylindrical surface 35. The channels 52 a, 52 b, 52 c are similarly shaped, each including an axially extending leg 54 extending axially inward from the mouth 31 and intersecting with a circumferentially extending leg 55 that extends circumferentially in a similar orientation therefrom to an axially aligned stop end 56.

[0026] To form the bayonet coupling 49, the second grinding element 29 is pressed into the mouth 31 and rotated to move the protrusions 51 a, 51 b, 51 c along the pre-rotated axially extending legs 54, and the relative rotation moves the protrusions 51 a, 51 b, 51 c onto the circumferentially extending legs 55 to the position shown in FIG. 5A where the axially outer abutment surfaces 59 of the protrusions 51 a, 51 b, 51 c are adjacent the circumferentially outer abutment surfaces 60 of the circumferentially extending legs 55. With the second grinding element 29 in the axial position shown in FIG. 5A, the user can rotate the carrier 20 to displace the second grinding element 29 axially inward relative to the cup 27 to produce finer ground coffee. This full range of relative displacement is accommodated within bayonet-style coupling 49, as shown in FIG. 5B, and axial movement may be limited by protrusions 51 a, 51 b, 51 c abutting axial inner peripheral edges 62 of channels 52 a, 52 b, 52 c located on opposite sides of abutment surface 60. No-stop end 56 and opposite edges 57 of axially extending legs 54 define axial guide portions 58 that cooperate with protrusions 51 a, 51 b, 51 c to restrict relative rotation about axis 17 between cup 27 and second grinding element 29. When moving from the position of FIG. 5A to the position of FIG. 5B, protrusions 51 a, 51 b, 51 c tend to slide along no-stop end 56, thereby preventing second grinding element 29 from rotating with carrier 20. Similarly, when the carrier 20 rotates in the opposite direction, relative rotation between the second grinding element 29 and the cup 27 is inhibited by the edge 57 abutting the protrusions 51a, 51b, 51c.

[0027] 6 illustrates a variation of the comminuting subassembly 15 that includes magnetic detents for holding the second comminuting element 29 and cup 27 in the assembled angular position shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B , and includes first and second arrays 90, 91 of permanent magnets secured to the second comminuting element 29 and cup 27, respectively. The first array 90 may include circumferentially spaced permanent magnets 90a-90h recessed into the inner wall of the cup 27, each permanent magnet positioned outwardly of a respective permanent magnet 91a-91h of the second array 91. The permanent magnets 90a-90h and 91a-91h may be axially elongated, with their polar axes aligned axially, and the magnets in each array 90, 91 having a common polarity, the polarity of the second array 91 being opposite that of the first array 90, such that the magnetic detents act by attraction between the opposite polarities. In this way, the use of permanent magnets 90a-90h and 91a-91h acting at a fixed distance from one another adjusts the relative axial displacement shown and provides a slight detent action against rotation, thus tending to hold the second grinding element 29 and cup 27 in an assembled state.

[0028] In use, the cup 27 and second grinding element 29 are assembled to form the grinding subassembly 15 by forming the bayonet coupling 49 as described above, and the subassembly 15 is inserted axially into the recess 16 through both the opening 19 and the central opening 92 of the carrier 20, with the outlet 25 aligned with the nozzle 26. An internal mechanism (not shown) may serve to axially guide the grinding subassembly 15 in the correct angular orientation about the axis 17 and prevent rotation of the cup 27. The carrier 20 is angularly positioned in the disengaged position so that the initiations 50a, 50b, 50c are axially aligned with the nubs 41a, 41b as the initiations 50a, 50b, 50c engage one another toward the end of their axial travel, and as the internal and external splines 39, 40 similarly engage one another. Storing the grinding subassembly 15 in the recess 16 of the housing 11 in this manner has the advantage of providing a compact appliance that is quiet, simple, and cost-effective to manufacture. After the handle 46 is moved to its retracted position away from the spout 31, the hopper 14 can be placed on the locating ring 18, and the grinder 10 is assembled and ready to grind coffee beans. Figure 7 shows a valve assembly 86 that may be provided at the lower end of the hopper 14 to prevent product from falling out. The valve assembly 86 includes a valve member 87 secured to a knob 88 and attached to a hopper base 89 that rotates about an axis 17, such that an opening in the base 89 and an opening in the valve member 87 are angularly aligned to allow product to fall out. When coupled in this manner, prior to operation, a user rotates the carrier 20 and axially moves the second grinding element 29 as previously described, thereby selecting the desired grind size for the ground product.

[0029] To facilitate disassembly for cleaning, notch 61 in locating ring 18 provides access for grasping and rotating handle 46 from the retracted position to the extended position. Carrier 20 is angularly positioned in the disengaged position, and handle 46 is grasped to withdraw second grinding element 29. This outward axial displacement of second grinding element 29 engages abutment surfaces 59, 60 with one another, and as a result of this interengagement, further outward axial displacement of second grinding element 29 withdraws cup 27 from recess 16. The removed grinding subassembly 15 retains loose product within cup 27 and is then easily disassembled via bayonet coupling 49 to separate second grinding element 29 from cup 27.

[0030] 7-10, in a second embodiment of grinder 210, the adjustment mechanism includes a carrier 220 and a rotating, coaxial adjustment ring 68. Carrier 220, which carries second grinding element 229, is preferably annular, but does not rotate about axis 17 (as in the first embodiment), but instead is guided for axial movement, as will be explained in more detail below. Adjustment ring 68 rotates on a screw thread and is coupled to carrier 220, which controls the axial position of carrier 220 to set the particle size of the ground product.

[0031] As best seen in FIG. 8 , one half of the comminution subassembly 215 is shown assembled to the recess 16, with the other half cut away for clarity. The frame 69 is a fixed structural member within the housing 211 and serves to mount components including the rotary output 37 and motor 36. Its axially outer end is cup-shaped and bounds the recess 16. A rim 70 of the frame 69 has external threads 71 ​​extending therearound that engage internal threads 72 on the adjusting ring 68. The carrier 220 has a radially outwardly projecting rib 73 received in an annular groove 75 in the adjusting ring 68, the annular groove 75 abutting a radially inwardly projecting shoulder 74. Helical compression springs 76 are mounted at generally equiangular intervals about the axis 17, with their axial ends abutting the frame 69 and the carrier 220, thereby urging the rib 73 against the shoulder 74. Carrier 220 may further include axially projecting tabs 77a-77c that project axially inward and are received in complementary slots 78 in frame 69 with a sliding fit, thereby restricting rotation of carrier 220 but allowing easy axial movement.

[0032] The carrier 220 includes an inner cylindrical surface 79 that defines three similarly shaped, L-shaped channels 80, each channel 80 extending axially inward from a mouth 81 and including an axially extending leg 80 intersecting a circumferentially extending leg 82. Nubs 241 a, 241 b on the second grinding element 229 may be circumferentially elongated and formed on an annular flange 245. Nubs 241 a, 241 b are slidably received in each of the channels 80, thereby providing a push-and-turn, or bayonet-style, connection between the second grinding element 229 and the carrier 220 that supports it.

[0033] Similar to the first embodiment, a bayonet-style coupling 249 (or push-and-turn coupling) connects the second grinding element 229 to the cup 227, and in this second embodiment may include a pair of diametrically opposed protrusions 251 and a pair of complementary L-shaped channels 252 on the second grinding element 229.

[0034] A protrusion 251 from the adjacent outer cylindrical surface 244 is received in a radially aligned opening and may include a member biased radially outward by a spring, such as the C-shaped spring 83 shown in FIG. 10. The tapered depth of the mouth of the channel 252 allows the protrusion 251 to resiliently deflect slightly inward as it enters the channel 252. Near the end of the channel 252, the circumference of the channel 252 is stepped radially outward, creating an audible "click" when the protrusion 251 drops over the edge of the step. This provides audible confirmation to the user that the two assemblies are properly connected and also provides a gentle detent action to hold the second comminution element 229 and cup 227 in their assembled position. As in the first embodiment, protrusion 251 naturally provides an abutment surface 84, which may be convex, that abuts against a flat radially circumferential surface 85 of cup 227 when second crushing element 229 is used to pull cup 227 out of recess 16. In this way, crushing subassembly 215 is removably secured within recess 16 in coaxial alignment with axis 17, as in the first embodiment, and can similarly be easily removed, disassembled, and cleaned.

[0035] Aspects of the invention have been described by way of example only and it should be understood that modifications and additions can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A grinder, and said grinder, An electric drive unit having a rotation output unit that rotates around an axis, A housing that holds the electric drive unit, A recess extending generally in the axial direction to the rotary output section within the housing, with a recess defining an opening at the axial outer end of the recess, An adjustment mechanism for adjusting the particle size of a crushed product, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a carrier on which the axis extends, and the carrier includes a first fitting portion, A cup that can be inserted axially into the recess through the opening, the cup having a mouth, A first crushing element mounted inside the cup so as to rotate around the aforementioned axis, A coupler for transmitting torque from a rotary drive device to the first crushing element, the coupler being attached to the axial inner end of the first crushing element and capable of engaging with the rotary output unit by relative axial movement, A second grinding element, the second grinding element being insertable axially into the opening, cooperating with the first grinding element to define a gap between the first and second grinding elements that determines the particle size of the ground product, the second grinding element having a second fitting portion that engages with the first fitting portion, thereby supporting the second grinding element on the carrier, A coupling connecting the cup and the second grinding element, wherein the coupling allows axial displacement of the second grinding element relative to the cup, thereby changing the size of the gap, and includes contact surfaces on the cup and the second grinding element, respectively, wherein when the second grinding element is displaced outward in the axial direction, the contact surfaces engage with each other, pulling the cup axially out of the recess, the coupling includes Grinder.

2. The grinder according to claim 1, wherein the coupling connecting the cup and the second grinding element is a first bayonet coupling.

3. The first bayonet coupling includes an interface between two surfaces that are complementary and coaxial with the axis, one of which is the outer surface of the second grinding element, and the other surface is the cup surface surrounding the second grinding element, and a projection extending from one of the surfaces across the interface is received in a channel on the other surface, the channel including a circumferentially extending leg and an axially extending leg intersecting the circumferentially extending leg, thereby separating the axial guide portion from the no-end of the circumferentially extending leg and the opposite edge of the axially extending leg, and the contact surface is formed on the projection and the circumferentially extending leg, as described in claim 2.

4. The grinder according to claim 3, wherein the projection includes a projection member that is slidably received in the opening of the second grinding element and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and a spring biases the projection member to the extended position.

5. The grinder according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is mounted to rotate about the axis and its axial movement is constrained, the second fitting portion includes a projection, and the first fitting portion includes threads to receive the projection within the carrier.

6. The grinder according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is mounted to reciprocate along the axis and is constrained not to rotate about the axis, the second fitting portion has a projection, the first fitting portion includes an L-shaped channel of a second bayonet coupling, and further includes an adjustment ring that engages with the carrier coaxially with the axis, the adjustment ring includes threads for displacing the adjustment ring in the axial direction.

7. The grinder according to claim 1, wherein the second grinding element further includes a semicircular handle, the handle having an end fixed and rotating about a diameter axis between a retracted position in which the handle is positioned generally in a radial plane and an unfolded position in which the handle is positioned generally in an axial cross-section.

8. The grinder according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second grinding element includes an annular flange projecting outward from one outer surface of the second grinding element, the annular flange being assembled to cover the rim of the cup.

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