Spice treatment system and a POD for use therewith

Abstract

A countertop spice treatment system for use with a pod containing at least one spice therein, said system comprising: a pod inlet for receiving the pod; at least one spice treatment mechanism operable to treat the spice at a corresponding treatment location being gravitationally beneath said pod inlet; a pod opening mechanism operable to open the pod to allow the at least one spice to be gravitationally released therefrom; and a dispensing location accessible to a user of said system for accessing the treated and released spice, said dispensing location being gravitationally beneath said spice treatment location. Also described is a pod for use with a spice treatment system, and a countertop spice treatment system for use with a pod containing at least one spice therein said system comprising a pod inlet, a heating mechanism, a pod opening mechanism, a grinding mechanism, and a dispensing location.

Description

[0001] SPICE TREATMENT SYSTEM AND A POD FOR USE THEREWITH

[0002] TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to spice treatment systems and pods for use therewith, and more particularly to countertop spice treatment systems for use with removable pods containing at least one spice that is to be treated.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Spices have been an integral part of culinary traditions worldwide, enhancing the flavor, aroma, and overall sensory experience of food. However, maintaining the freshness, usability, aroma, texture, flavor, and taste of spices until the moment they are used by consumers presents significant challenges.

[0006] Traditionally, spices are sold in containers that, once opened, are exposed to air, moisture, and other environmental factors that can accelerate their degradation. This exposure leads to a limited shelflife and a noticeable decline in the quality of spices over time. Even when stored in airtight containers, the usability of spices diminishes with prolonged storage periods. The aromatic compounds that contribute to a spice's characteristic flavor and aroma are volatile and begin to dissipate shortly after the spice is ground and packaged. This degradation results in spices that are less flavorful and aromatic, thus impacting the overall culinary experience. Ground spices are particularly susceptible to rapid deterioration due to their increased surface area, which hastens the loss of volatile oils and aromatic compounds critical to their flavor and potency.

[0007] In light of these challenges, there is a clear need for an innovative solution that ensures spices retain their optimal qualities until the moment of use. Spices are best used immediately after being treated, for example by being ground and / or heated, as this is when their flavor is at its best. Therefore, there is a need for a system that can treat spices just before use, preserving their freshness, aroma, texture, flavor, and taste. This system should be capable of cooking or treating spices in a way that maximizes their sensory attributes, ensuring they are at their peak quality when used. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0008] A user may require to treat (or cook) a spice in one or more manners to enhance the usability, aroma, texture, flavor and / or taste of a spice. Thus, the user may need a spice treatment system (interchangeably referred to herein as “system”) operable to treat, for example in the manner(s) desired by the user, the spice before being consumed by the user. The spice treatment system thus desired by the user can be a countertop spice treatment system. It is to be noted herein that for the purposes of the present description, a countertop system is to be understood as intended to mean a compact and self-contained system, apparatus, appliance, or device designed to perform specific functions within a kitchen or other areas. The countertop spice treatment system is designed to be placed on top of a counter or a similar flat surface, or be held by a user, as a standalone unit that does not require installation or integration with other fixtures apart from, for example, an electrical power source. The countertop spice treatment system can desirably be a portable, easy to use, modular, and compact system that can be positioned at countertop (or a table or any shelf) within a kitchen, cafeteria, store, room, cafe, etc., or be held by a user, or be placed on a user’s lap, and operated as a stand-alone unit. In some examples, the countertop spice treatment system may need to be connected to an external electrical power source. In some examples, the countertop spice treatment system can include as a part of the stand-alone unit, a power source.

[0009] In general, the countertop spice treatment system can be used to treat a spice contained in a pod (for example, a pouch). For instance, the pod containing the spice (or a mixture of spices) can be inserted into the countertop spice treatment system, and the system can treat the spice in one or more manners that may or may not require releasing the spice from the pod, and subsequently deliver the treated spice to the user for further use or consumption. The pod can be designed to be used with the countertop spice treatment system, for example to be opened within the system to release the spice for its treatment.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a countertop spice treatment system for use with a pod containing at least one spice therein, said system comprising: a pod inlet for receiving the pod; at least one spice treatment mechanism operable to treat the spice at a corresponding treatment location being gravitationally beneath said pod inlet; a pod opening mechanism operable to open the pod to allow the at least one spice to be gravitationally released therefrom; and a dispensing location accessible to a user of said system for accessing the treated and released spice, said dispensing location being gravitationally beneath said spice treatment location.

[0011] In some examples, the system can define at least one operational path along which the at least one spice travels through the system from the pod inlet, to the at least one treatment location, to the dispensing location. In some examples, the operational path can comprise one or more gravitational flow portions, along which the at least one spice moves solely under the influence of gravity.

[0012] In some examples, at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions can extend from the inlet to the treatment location. In some examples, at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions can extend from the spice treatment location to the dispensing location.

[0013] In some examples, the at least one spice treatment mechanism can be constituted by at least two spice treatment mechanisms comprising a first spice treatment mechanism and a second spice treatment mechanism. In some examples, the first spice treatment mechanism can constitute a heating mechanism operable to apply heat to the spice, at least indirectly, and the treatment location can be constituted by a heating location corresponding to the heating mechanism. In some examples, the second spice treatment mechanism can constitute a grinding mechanism operable to grind the spice, and the treatment location can be constituted by a grinding location corresponding to the grinding mechanism.

[0014] In some examples, the treatment location corresponding to the first spice treatment mechanism can be gravitationally above the treatment location corresponding to the second spice treatment mechanism. In some examples, at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions can extend from the first treatment location to the second treatment location. In some examples, the operational path can be constituted entirely by said one or more gravitational flow portions.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a countertop spice treatment system for use with a pod containing at least one spice therein, said system comprising: a pod inlet for receiving the pod; a heating mechanism operable to heat the at least one spice; a pod opening mechanism operable to open the pod to allow the at least one spice to be released therefrom; a grinding mechanism, operable to grind the spice; and a dispensing location accessible to a user of said system for accessing the at least one spice after it has been treated by at least one of said heating mechanism and said grinding mechanism.

[0016] In some examples, the heating mechanism can have a corresponding heating location. In some examples, the grinding mechanism can have a corresponding grinding location. In some examples, the heating location can be gravitationally above the grinding location.

[0017] In some examples, the system can define at least one operational path along which the at least one spice travels through said system from the inlet to the heating location, then to the grinding location, and then to the dispensing location. In some examples, the operational path can comprise one or more gravitational flow portions, along which the at least one spice moves solely under the influence of gravity.

[0018] In some examples, at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions can extend from the inlet to the heating location. In some examples, at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions can extend from the heating location to the grinding location. In some examples, at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions can extend from the grinding location to the dispensing location. In some examples, the operational path can be constituted entirely by said one or more gravitational flow portions.

[0019] The heating mechanism of the countertop spice treatment system according to the second aspect and / or the heating mechanism constituting the at least one spice treatment mechanism of the countertop spice treatment system according to the first aspect can include one or more of the following features:

[0020] - the heating mechanism can be operable to apply heat to the pod by conduction heating;

[0021] - the heating mechanism can comprise at least one plate;

[0022] - the at least one plate can be constituted by two plates, at least one of the two plates being a heating plate operable to apply heat to the at least one spice;

[0023] - at least one of the two plates can be movable at least partially in a direction towards the other one of the two plates;

[0024] - each plate can have a lower end and an upper end, and the plates can be displaceable, by moving the at least one plate, between an open position, in which the upper ends are spaced apart from each other to a first distance and the lower ends are spaced apart from each other to a second distance smaller than said first distance, and a closed position, in which the upper ends are spaced apart from each other to a third distance smaller than said first distance;

[0025] - the heating mechanism can be operable to apply heat of up to 180 degrees Celsius; and

[0026] - the heating mechanism comprises a controller operable by a user for selecting one or more heating parameters.

[0027] The countertop spice treatment system according to the first and / or second aspect can include one or more of the following features:

[0028] - the countertop spice treatment system can further comprise a pod holder operable to hold the pod received in the pod inlet at a pod holding location, and the pod holding location can be gravitationally beneath the pod inlet;

[0029] - the pod holder can be integrated with the heating mechanism; and

[0030] - the two plates can constitute the pod holder at least when in the open position thereof.

[0031] The pod opening of the countertop spice treatment system according to the first aspect and / or the pod opening mechanism of the countertop spice treatment system according to the second aspect can include one or more of the following features:

[0032] - the pod opening mechanism can have a corresponding pod opening location where the pod is opened, and the pod opening location and the pod holding location can be the same;

[0033] - the pod opening mechanism can be integrated with a spice treatment mechanism constituted by one of the heating mechanism and the grinding mechanism; and

[0034] - the pod can comprise at least one pouch having at least two walls connected at one end thereof and a seal selectively defining an opening for the pouch at another end thereof, the seal comprising at least two opening portions formed at a bottom portion of each of the at least two walls, the opening portions being selectively separable from each other, and at least one of the at least two walls comprising a pod magnetic arrangement at the respective bottom portion thereof, and the pod opening mechanism can comprise a corresponding system magnetic arrangement disposed on at least one of the two plates, the system magnetic arrangement being operable to adhere to the corresponding pod magnetic arrangement of the pod when the plates are in the closed position, and when the plates are subsequently displaced into the open position, the system magnetic arrangement and the pod magnetic arrangement remain in adherence separating the two opening portions from each other so as to create the opening in the pouch via which the at least one spice exits. In some examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, the system magnetic arrangement can comprise at least one electromagnet so as to allow selective adherence to the corresponding pod magnetic arrangement.

[0035] The grinding mechanism of the countertop spice treatment system according to the second aspect and / or the grinding mechanism constituting the at least one spice treatment mechanism of the countertop spice treatment system according to the first aspect can include one or more of the following features:

[0036] - the grinding mechanism can be controllable to grind the at least one spice to a selected predetermined fineness;

[0037] - the system can further comprise a dial rotatable by a user to select the predetermined fineness;

[0038] - the grinding mechanism can comprise a grinding chamber having an axis, at least one grinding element rotatable about the axis for grinding the at least one spice within the grinding chamber, and a grinder outlet positioned radially outward from the axis for discharging the ground spice from the grinding chamber.

[0039] The countertop spice treatment system according to the first and / or second aspect can include one or more of the following features:

[0040] - the countertop spice treatment system can further comprise a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the inlet is formed in said upper portion, and the dispensing location is located at said lower portion of the housing;

[0041] - the housing can comprise an interior and an exterior, and the heating mechanism, the pod opening mechanism and the grinding mechanism are positioned within the interior of the housing;

[0042] - a slider situated on the exterior of the housing, slidable to move the at least one of the two plates of the heating mechanism;

[0043] - the dial is positioned on the exterior of the housing;

[0044] - the heating mechanism is situated in the upper portion of the housing and the grinding mechanism is situated in the lower portion of the housing;

[0045] - the upper and lower portions can be separable from each other;

[0046] - the heating mechanism and the grinding mechanism can be operatively connected to an electrical system; - the electrical system can comprise an electrical input associated with one of the upper portion or the lower portion of the housing, a first mating connector portion associated with said one of the upper and lower portions of the housing and electrically coupled to the electrical input, a second mating connector portion associated with other one of the upper and lower portions of the housing;

[0047] - the first mating connector portion and the second mating connector portion can be configured to be electrically connected with each other when the upper portion and the lower portion are assembled, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the electrical input and the other one of the upper and the lower portions;

[0048] - the upper portion and the lower portion can be configured to be mechanically locked when assembled, and the first mating connector portion and the second mating connector portion can be configured to be electrically connected with each other when the upper portion and the lower portion are mechanically locked;

[0049] - a housing outlet formed in the lower portion of the housing adjacent the dispensing location;

[0050] - a housing outlet piece comprising a first opening aligned with said grinder outlet and a second opening positioned gravitationally beneath the first opening, the second opening constituting the housing outlet; and

[0051] - the pod inlet can be operable for removing the pod therethrough.

[0052] According to a third aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a pod for use with the countertop spice treatment system according to the first aspect.

[0053] According to a fourth aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a pod for use with the countertop spice treatment system according to the second aspect.

[0054] According to a fifth aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a pod for use with a spice treatment system, the pod being configured for containing at least one spice and allowing heating of the at least one spice therein and dispensing of the at least one spice therefrom, the pod having a pod height and a pod thickness.

[0055] The pod according to any one of the third, fourth, and fifth aspects can include one or more of the following features: - an upper portion and a lower portion, each extending along equal lengths of said pod height, wherein said upper portion has a greater volume than said lower portion, and the pod thickness is substantially uniform along at least a majority of the height of the pod when the pod contains the at least one spice;

[0056] - the lower portion can have a funnel shape tapering from a first width at an upper end thereof to a second width at a lower end thereof;

[0057] - when the pod contains the at least one spice, the pod thickness can vary between 2mm to 12mm;

[0058] - the pod can comprise a material that allows heat to transfer therethrough;

[0059] - the pod can comprise a material with low thermal conductivity;

[0060] - the pod can be moisture resistant;

[0061] - the pod can comprise translucent material;

[0062] - the pod can comprise parchment paper;

[0063] - the pod can comprise at least two different materials;

[0064] - the pod can have a top portion comprising a grippable portion;

[0065] - the grippable portion can comprise a material with low thermal conductivity;

[0066] - the grippable portion can be constituted by a tab, and when said pod is inserted into said inlet, the tab protrudes outwardly from the housing interior so as to be accessible to be removed therefrom;

[0067] - the pod can comprise at least one pouch having at least two walls connected at one end thereof, and a seal selectively defining an opening for the pouch at another end thereof, the seal comprising at least two opening portions selectively separable from each other so as to create an opening in the pouch via which the at least one spice exits;

[0068] - each of the two walls can have a bottom portion comprising the opening portion, and at least one of said walls comprises a pod magnetic arrangement in the bottom portion;

[0069] - each of the two walls can comprise a corresponding pod magnetic arrangement in the bottom portion thereof;

[0070] - the pod can comprise an inner pouch containing the at least one spice, and an outer pouch, and the inner pouch is contained within the outer pouch; and

[0071] - the outer pouch can comprise aluminum.

[0072] EMBODIMENTS A more specific description is provided in the Detailed Description whilst the following are non-limiting examples of different embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0073] 1. A countertop spice treatment system for use with a pod containing at least one spice therein, said system comprising: a pod inlet for receiving the pod; at least one spice treatment mechanism operable to treat the spice at a corresponding treatment location being gravitationally beneath said pod inlet; a pod opening mechanism operable to open the pod to allow the at least one spice to be gravitationally released therefrom; and a dispensing location accessible to a user of said system for accessing the treated and released spice, said dispensing location being gravitationally beneath said spice treatment location.

[0074] 2. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 1, wherein said system defines at least one operational path along which said at least one spice travels through said system from said inlet, to said at least one treatment location, to said dispensing location, said operational path comprising one or more gravitational flow portions, along which said at least one spice moves solely under the influence of gravity.

[0075] 3. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 2, wherein at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions extends from said inlet to said treatment location.

[0076] 4. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions extends from said spice treatment location to said dispensing location.

[0077] 5. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 4, wherein said at least one spice treatment mechanism is constituted by at least two spice treatment mechanisms comprising a first spice treatment mechanism and a second spice treatment mechanism. 6. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 5, wherein the treatment location corresponding to said first spice treatment mechanism is gravitationally above the treatment location corresponding to said second spice treatment mechanism.

[0078] 7. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 6, wherein at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions extends from said first treatment location to said second treatment location.

[0079] 8. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 7, wherein the operational path is constituted entirely by said one or more gravitational flow portions.

[0080] 9. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein said at least one spice treatment mechanism comprises a heating mechanism, operable to apply heat to the spice, at least indirectly.

[0081] 10. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 9, wherein said heating mechanism is operable to apply heat to the pod by conduction heating.

[0082] 11. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 9 or 10, wherein said heating mechanism comprises at least one plate.

[0083] 12. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 11, wherein said at least one plate is constituted by two plates, at least one of the two plates being a heating plate operable to apply heat to the at least one spice.

[0084] 13. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 12, wherein at least one of said two plates is movable at least partially in a direction towards the other one of the two plates. 14. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 13, wherein each heating plate has a lower end and an upper end, and the plates are displaceable, by moving said at least one plate, between an open position, in which the upper ends are spaced apart from each other to a first distance and the lower ends are spaced apart from each other to a second distance smaller than said first distance, and a closed position, in which the upper ends are spaced apart from each other to a third distance smaller than said first distance.

[0085] 15. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 9 to

[0086] 14, wherein said heating mechanism is operable to apply heat of up to 180 degrees Celsius.

[0087] 16. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 9 to

[0088] 15, wherein said heating mechanism comprises a controller operable by a user for selecting one or more heating parameters.

[0089] 17. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 9 to

[0090] 16, when dependent at least indirectly on Embodiment 5, wherein said first spice treatment mechanism is constituted by said heating mechanism.

[0091] 18. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a pod holder operable to hold the pod received in the pod inlet at a pod holding location, wherein said pod holding location is gravitationally beneath said pot inlet.

[0092] 19. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 18, wherein said pod holder is integrated with one of said at least one spice treatment mechanism.

[0093] 20. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 19, wherein said pod holding location and the treatment location corresponding to said one of said at least one spice treatment mechanism at least partially overlap. 21. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 20, when dependent at least indirectly on Embodiment 14, wherein said two plates constitute said pod holder at least when in the open position thereof.

[0094] 22. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 18 to 21, wherein said pod opening mechanism has a corresponding pod opening location where said pod is opened, and said pod opening location and said pod holding location are the same.

[0095] 23. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein said pod opening mechanism is integrated with one of said at least one spice treatment mechanism.

[0096] 24. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 23, when dependent at least indirectly on Embodiment 14, wherein: said pod comprises at least one pouch having at least two walls connected at one end thereof and a seal selectively defining an opening for the pouch at another end thereof, said seal comprising at least two opening portions formed at a bottom portion of each of said at least two walls, said opening portions being selectively separable from each other, and at least one of said at least two walls comprising a pod magnetic arrangement at the respective bottom portion thereof, and the pod opening mechanism comprises a corresponding system magnetic arrangement disposed on at least one of the two plates, said system magnetic arrangement being operable to adhere to the corresponding pod magnetic arrangement of the pod when the plates are in the closed position, and when the plates are subsequently displaced into the open position, said system magnetic arrangement and said pod magnetic arrangement remain in adherence separating said two opening portions from each other so as to create said opening in the pouch via which the at least one spice exits.

[0097] 25. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein said at least one said spice treatment mechanism comprises a grinding mechanism operable to grind the at least one spice released from the pod by the pod opening mechanism. 26. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 25, wherein said grinding mechanism is controllable to grind said spice to a selected predetermined fineness.

[0098] 27. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 26, further comprising a dial rotatable by a user to select said predetermined fineness.

[0099] 28. The spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 25 to 27, when dependent at least indirectly on Embodiment 5, wherein said second spice treatment mechanism is constituted by said griding mechanism.

[0100] 29. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein said inlet is formed in said upper portion, and said dispensing location is located at said lower portion of the housing.

[0101] 30. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 29, wherein said housing has an interior and an exterior, and said at least one spice treatment mechanism and said pod opening mechanism are situated in said housing interior.

[0102] 31. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 30, when dependent at least indirectly on embodiment 12, further comprising a slider situated on the exterior of the housing, slidable to move said at least one plate.

[0103] 32. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 30 or 31, when dependent at least indirectly on Embodiment 27, wherein said dial is positioned on said exterior of the housing.

[0104] 33. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 29 to 32, when dependent at least indirectly on Embodiment 5 wherein the first spice treatment mechanism is situated in said upper portion of said housing and the second spice treatment mechanism is situated in said lower portion of said housing. 34. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 29 to

[0105] 33, wherein said upper and lower portions are separable from each other.

[0106] 35. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 29 to

[0107] 34, wherein said at least one spice treatment mechanism is operatively connected to an electrical system.

[0108] 36. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 35, said electrical system comprising: an electrical input associated with one of the upper portion or the lower portion of the housing; a first mating connector portion associated with said one of the upper and lower portions of the housing and electrically coupled to the electrical input; and a second mating connector portion associated with other one of the upper and lower portions of the housing, wherein the first mating connector portion and the second mating connector portion are configured to be electrically connected with each other when the upper portion and the lower portion are assembled, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the electrical input and the other one of the upper and the lower portions.

[0109] 37. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiment 36, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are configured to be mechanically locked when assembled, and the first mating connector portion and the second mating connector portion are configured to be electrically connected with each other when the upper portion and the lower portion are mechanically locked.

[0110] 38. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 29 to 37, comprising a housing outlet formed in said lower portion of said housing adjacent said dispensing location. 39. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 38, when dependent at least indirectly on Embodiment 25, wherein said grinding mechanism comprises: a grinding chamber having an axis; at least one grinding element rotatable about said axis for grinding said at least one spice within the grinding chamber ; and and a grinder outlet positioned radially outward from the axis for discharging the ground spice from the grinding chamber, wherein said housing further comprises a housing outlet piece comprising a first opening aligned with said grinder outlet and a second opening positioned gravitationally beneath said first opening, said second opening constituting said housing outlet.

[0111] 40. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein said pod inlet is operable for removing the pod therethrough.

[0112] 41. A pod for use with the countertop spice treatment system according to any one of the preceding embodiments.

[0113] 42. The pod according to Embodiment 41, wherein said pod has a pod height and a pod thickness, and comprises: an upper portion and a lower portion, each extending along equal lengths of said pod height, wherein said upper portion has a greater volume than said lower portion, wherein said pod thickness is substantially uniform along at least a majority of the height of the pod when said pod contains said at least one spice.

[0114] 43. The pod according to Embodiment 42, wherein said lower portion has a funnel shape tapering from a first width at an upper end thereof to a second width at a lower end thereof.

[0115] 44. The pod according to Embodiment 42 or 43, wherein when said pod contains said at least one spice, said pod thickness varies between 2mm to 12mm. 45. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 41 to 44, wherein said pod comprises a material that allows heat to transfer therethrough.

[0116] 46. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 41 to 45, wherein said pod comprises a material with low thermal conductivity.

[0117] 47. The pod according to any one of Claims41 to 46, wherein said pod is moisture resistant.

[0118] 48. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 41 to 47, wherein said pod comprises translucent material.

[0119] 49. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 48, wherein said pod comprises parchment paper.

[0120] 50. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 41 to 49, wherein said pod comprises at least two different materials.

[0121] 51. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 41 to 50, wherein said pod has a top portion comprising a grippable portion.

[0122] 52. The pod according to Embodiment 51, wherein said grippable portion comprises a material with low thermal conductivity.

[0123] 53. The pod according to Embodiment 52, wherein said grippable portion is constituted by a tab, wherein when said pod is inserted into said inlet, said tab protrudes outwardly from said housing interior so as to be accessible to be removed therefrom.

[0124] 54. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 41 to 53, wherein said pod comprises at least one pouch having at least two walls connected at one end thereof, and a seal selectively defining an opening for the pouch at another end thereof, said seal comprising at least two opening portions selectively separable from each other so as to create an opening in the pouch via which the at least one spice exits. 55. The pod according to Embodiment 54 wherein each of said two walls has a bottom portion comprising said opening portions, and at least one of said walls comprises a pod magnetic arrangement in said bottom portion.

[0125] 56. The pod according to Embodiment 55, wherein each of said two walls comprise a corresponding pod magnetic arrangement in the bottom portion thereof .

[0126] 57. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 41 to 56 further comprising: an inner pouch containing said at least one spice; and an outer pouch, wherein said inner pouch is contained within said outer pouch.

[0127] 58. The pod according to Embodiment 57, wherein said outer pouch comprises aluminum.

[0128] 59. A countertop spice treatment system for use with a pod containing at least one spice therein, said system comprising: a pod inlet for receiving the pod; a heating mechanism operable to heat the at least one spice; a pod opening mechanism operable to open the pod to allow the at least one spice to be released therefrom; a grinding mechanism, operable to grind the spice; and a dispensing location accessible to a user of said system for accessing the at least one spice after it has been treated by at least one of said heating mechanism and said grinding mechanism.

[0129] 60. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 59, wherein said system defines at least one operational path along which said at least one spice travels through said system from said inlet to a heating location corresponding said heating mechanism, then to a grinding location corresponding said grinding mechanism, and then to said dispensing location, said operational path comprising one or more gravitational flow portions, along which said at least one spice moves solely under the influence of gravity. 61. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 60, wherein at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions extends from said inlet to said heating location.

[0130] 62. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 61, wherein the heating location is gravitationally above the grinding location.

[0131] 63. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 62, wherein at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions extends from said heating location to said grinding location.

[0132] 64. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 60 to

[0133] 63, wherein at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions extends from said grinding location to said dispensing location.

[0134] 65. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 60 to

[0135] 64, wherein the operational path is constituted entirely by said one or more gravitational flow portions.

[0136] 66. The countertop spice treatment system according to any of Embodiments 59 to 65, wherein said heating mechanism is operable to apply heat to the pod by conduction heating.

[0137] 67. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 66, wherein said heating mechanism comprises at least one plate.

[0138] 68. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 67, wherein said at least one plate is constituted by two plates, at least one of the two plates being a heating plate operable to apply heat to the at least one spice. 69. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 68, wherein at least one of said two plates is movable at least partially in a direction towards the other one of the two plates.

[0139] 70. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 69, wherein each plate has a lower end and an upper end, and the plates are displaceable, by moving said at least one plate, between an open position, in which the upper ends are spaced apart from each other to a first distance and the lower ends are spaced apart from each other to a second distance smaller than said first distance, and a closed position, in which the upper ends are spaced apart from each other to a third distance smaller than said first distance.

[0140] 71. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 59 to

[0141] 70, wherein said heating mechanism is operable to apply heat of up to 180 degrees Celsius.

[0142] 72. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 59 to

[0143] 71, wherein said heating mechanism comprises a controller operable by a user for selecting one or more heating parameters.

[0144] 73. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 59 to

[0145] 72, further comprising a pod holder operable to hold the pod received in the pod inlet at a pod holding location, wherein said pod holding location is gravitationally beneath said pod inlet.

[0146] 74. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 73, wherein said pod holder is integrated with said heating mechanism.

[0147] 75. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 74, when dependent at least indirectly on Embodiment 70, wherein said two plates constitute said pod holder at least when in the open position thereof.

[0148] 76. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 73 to 75, wherein said pod opening mechanism has a corresponding pod opening location where said pod is opened, and said pod opening location and said pod holding location are the same.

[0149] 77. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 59 to 76, wherein said pod opening mechanism is integrated with one of said heating mechanism and said grinding mechanism.

[0150] 78. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 77, when dependent at least indirectly on Embodiment 70, wherein: said pod comprises at least one pouch having at least two walls connected at one end thereof and a seal selectively defining an opening for the pouch at another end thereof, said seal comprising at least two opening portions formed at a bottom portion of each of said at least two walls, said opening portions being selectively separable from each other, and at least one of said at least two walls comprising a pod magnetic arrangement at the respective bottom portion thereof, and the pod opening mechanism comprises a corresponding system magnetic arrangement disposed on at least one of the two plates, said system magnetic arrangement being operable to adhere to the corresponding pod magnetic arrangement of the pod when the plates are in the closed position, and when the plates are subsequently displaced into the open position, said system magnetic arrangement and said pod magnetic arrangement remain in adherence separating said two opening portions from each other so as to create said opening in the pouch via which the at least one spice exits.

[0151] 79. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 59 to 78, wherein said grinding mechanism is controllable to grind said at least one spice to a selected predetermined fineness.

[0152] 80. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 79, further comprising a dial rotatable by a user to select said predetermined fineness.

[0153] 81. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 59 to 80, further comprising: a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the inlet is formed in said upper portion, and the dispensing location is located at said lower portion of the housing.

[0154] 82. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 81, wherein said housing comprises an interior and an exterior, and the heating mechanism, the pod opening mechanism and the grinding mechanism are positioned within said interior of the housing.

[0155] 83. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 82, when dependent at least indirectly on Embodiment 69 or 70, further comprising a slider situated on the exterior of the housing, slidable to move said at least one of said two plates.

[0156] 84. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 82 or 83, when dependent at least indirectly on Embodiment 80, wherein said dial is positioned on said exterior of the housing.

[0157] 85. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 81 to

[0158] 84, wherein said heating mechanism is situated in said upper portion of said housing and said grinding mechanism is situated in said lower portion of said housing.

[0159] 86. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 81 to

[0160] 85, wherein said upper and lower portions are separable from each other.

[0161] 87. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 81 to

[0162] 86, wherein said heating mechanism and said grinding mechanism are operatively connected to an electrical system.

[0163] 88. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 87, said electrical system comprising: an electrical input associated with one of the upper portion or the lower portion of the housing; a first mating connector portion associated with said one of the upper and lower portions of the housing and electrically coupled to the electrical input; and a second mating connector portion associated with other one of the upper and lower portions of the housing, wherein the first mating connector portion and the second mating connector portion are configured to be electrically connected with each other when the upper portion and the lower portion are assembled, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the electrical input and the other one of the upper and the lower portions.

[0164] 89. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 88, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are configured to be mechanically locked when assembled, and the first mating connector portion and the second mating connector portion are configured to be electrically connected with each other when the upper portion and the lower portion are mechanically locked.

[0165] 90. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 81 to 89, comprising a housing outlet formed in said lower portion of said housing adjacent said dispensing location.

[0166] 91. The countertop spice treatment system according to Embodiment 90, wherein said grinding mechanism comprises: a grinding chamber having an axis; at least one grinding element rotatable about said axis for grinding said at least one spice within the grinding chamber; and a grinder outlet positioned radially outward from the axis for discharging the ground spice from the grinding chamber, wherein said housing further comprises a housing outlet piece comprising a first opening aligned with said grinder outlet and a second opening positioned gravitationally beneath said first opening, said second opening constituting said housing outlet.

[0167] 92. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 59 to 91, wherein said pod inlet is operable for removing the pod therethrough. 93. A pod for use with the countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Embodiments 59 to 92.

[0168] 94. The pod according to Embodiment 93, wherein said pod has a pod height and a pod thickness, and comprises: an upper portion and a lower portion, each extending along equal lengths of said pod height, wherein said upper portion has a greater volume than said lower portion, wherein said pod thickness is substantially uniform along at least a majority of the height of the pod when said pod contains said at least one spice.

[0169] 95. The pod according to Embodiment 94, wherein said lower portion has a funnel shape tapering from a first width at an upper end thereof to a second width at a lower end thereof.

[0170] 96. The pod according to Embodiment 94 or 95, wherein when said pod contains said at least one spice, said pod thickness varies between 2mm to 12mm.

[0171] 97. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 93 to 96, wherein said pod comprises a material that allows heat to transfer therethrough.

[0172] 98. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 93 to 97, wherein said pod comprises a material with low thermal conductivity.

[0173] 99. The pod according to any one of Claims93 to 98, wherein said pod is moisture resistant.

[0174] 100. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 93 to 99, wherein said pod comprises translucent material.

[0175] 101. The pod according to Embodiment 100, wherein said pod comprises parchment paper. 102. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 93 to 101, wherein said pod comprises at least two different materials.

[0176] 103. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 93 to 102, wherein said pod has a top portion comprising a grippable portion.

[0177] 104. The pod according to Embodiment 103, wherein said grippable portion comprises a material with low thermal conductivity.

[0178] 105. The pod according to Embodiment 104, when dependent at least indirectly on Embodiment 82, wherein said grippable portion is constituted by a tab, wherein when said pod is inserted into said inlet, said tab protrudes outwardly from said housing interior so as to be accessible to be removed therefrom.

[0179] 106. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 93 to 105, wherein said pod comprises at least one pouch having at least two walls connected at one end thereof, and a seal selectively defining an opening for the pouch at another end thereof, said seal comprising at least two opening portions selectively separable from each other so as to create an opening in the pouch via which the at least one spice exits.

[0180] 107. The pod according to Embodiment 106, wherein each of the two walls has a bottom portion comprising said opening portion, and at least one of said walls comprises a pod magnetic arrangement in said bottom portion.

[0181] 108. The pod according to Embodiment 107, wherein each of said two walls comprises a corresponding pod magnetic arrangement in the bottom portion thereof .

[0182] 109. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 93 to 108 further comprising: an inner pouch containing said at least one spice; and an outer pouch, wherein said inner pouch is contained within said outer pouch.

[0183] 110. The pod according to Embodiment 109, wherein said outer pouch comprises aluminum. 111. A pod for use with a spice treatment system, said pod being configured for containing at least one spice and allowing heating of said at least one spice therein and dispensing of said at least one spice therefrom, said pod having a pod height and a pod thickness, and comprising: an upper portion and a lower portion, each extending along equal lengths of said pod height, wherein said upper portion has a greater volume than said lower portion, wherein said pod thickness is substantially uniform along at least a majority of the height of the pod when said pod contains said at least one spice.

[0184] 112. The pod according to Embodiment 111, wherein said lower portion has a funnel shape tapering from a first width at an upper end thereof to a second width at a lower end thereof.

[0185] 113. The pod according to Embodiment 111 or 112, wherein when said pod contains said at least one spice, said pod thickness varies between 2mm to 12mm.

[0186] 114. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 111 to 113, wherein said pod comprises a material that allows heat to transfer therethrough.

[0187] 115. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 111 to 114, wherein said pod comprises a material with low thermal conductivity.

[0188] 116. The pod according to any one of Claims 111 to 115, wherein said pod is moisture resistant.

[0189] 117. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 111 to 116, wherein said pod comprises translucent material.

[0190] 118. The pod according to Embodiment 117, wherein said pod comprises parchment paper. 119. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 111 to 118, wherein said pod comprises at least two different materials.

[0191] 120. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 111 to 119, wherein said pod has a top portion comprising a grippable portion.

[0192] 121. The pod according to Embodiment 120, wherein said grippable portion comprises a material with low thermal conductivity.

[0193] 122. The pod according to Embodiment 120 or 121, wherein said grippable portion is constituted by a tab.

[0194] 123. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 111 to 122, wherein said pod comprises at least one pouch having at least two walls connected at one end thereof, and a seal selectively defining an opening for the pouch at another end thereof, said seal comprising at least two opening portions selectively separable from each other so as to create an opening in the pouch via which the at least one spice exits.

[0195] 124. The pod according to Embodiment 123, wherein each side wall has a bottom portion comprising said opening portion, and at least one of said walls comprises a pod magnetic arrangement in said bottom portion.

[0196] 125. The pod according to Embodiment 124, wherein each of said two walls comprise a corresponding pod magnetic arrangement in the bottom portion thereof.

[0197] 126. The pod according to any one of Embodiments 111 to 125, further comprising: an inner pouch containing said at least one spice; and an outer pouch, wherein said inner pouch is contained within said outer pouch.

[0198] 127. The pod according to Embodiment 126, wherein said outer pouch comprises aluminum. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0199] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0200] FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic view of a countertop spice treatment system, according to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter, with a pod to be used therewith;

[0201] FIG. IB illustrates a cross-sectional view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 1 A taken along line A- A in FIG. 1 A;

[0202] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a countertop spice treatment system, according to another example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0203] FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 2 A taken along line B-B in FIG. 2 A;

[0204] FIG. 2C illustrates another perspective view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 2 A;

[0205] FIG. 2D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 2C taken along line C-C in FIG. 2C;

[0206] FIG. 2E illustrates yet another perspective view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 2A having its plates in open position and with a pod positioned therewithin;

[0207] FIG. 2F illustrates a cross-sectional view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 2E taken along line D-D in FIG. 2E;

[0208] FIG. 2G illustrates yet another perspective view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 2A having its plates in closed position and with a pod positioned therewithin;

[0209] FIG. 2H illustrates a cross-sectional view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 2G taken along line E-E in FIG. 2G;

[0210] FIG. 21 illustrates an enlarged view of portion Al of FIG. 2H;

[0211] FIG. 2J illustrates yet another perspective view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 2A having its plates in open position and with a pod positioned therewithin and opened; FIG. 2K illustrates a cross-sectional view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 2J taken along line F-F in FIG. 2J;

[0212] FIG. 2L illustrates an enlarged view of portion A2 of FIG. 2K;

[0213] FIG. 3 A illustrates yet another perspective view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 2 A;

[0214] FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 3 A taken along line G-G in FIG. 3A;

[0215] FIG. 3C illustrates an enlarged view of portion A3 of FIG. 3B;

[0216] FIG. 3D illustrates an enlarged view of portion A4 of FIG. 3C;

[0217] FIG. 3E illustrates yet another perspective view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 2 A;

[0218] FIG. 3F illustrates a cross-sectional view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 3E taken along line H-H in FIG. 3E;

[0219] FIG. 4A illustrates yet another perspective view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 2A with upper and lower portions of its housing disconnected from each other;

[0220] FIG. 4B illustrates a top perspective view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 4 A;

[0221] FIG. 4C illustrates a bottom perspective view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 4 A;

[0222] FIG. 4D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the countertop spice treatment system of FIG. 4B taken along line I-I in FIG. 4B;

[0223] FIG. 5 A illustrates a perspective view of a pod as closed, according to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0224] FIG. 5B illustrates the same view as that of Fig. 5 A with the pod as opened;

[0225] FIG. 5C illustrates a front view of the pod as shown in Fig. 5A;

[0226] FIG. 5D illustrates a front view of the pod as shown in Fig. 5B;

[0227] FIG. 5E illustrates a side view of the pod as shown in Fig. 5A; and

[0228] FIG. 5F illustrates a side view of the pod as shown in Fig. 5B.

[0229] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0230] The presently disclosed subject matter provides examples of a countertop spice treatment system (interchangeably referred to herein as “system”) which can be operable with a pod containing spices. The system can be operable to receive therewithin the pod containing a spice or a mixture of spices (generally referred to herein as “spice” or “spices”), process (or treat) the spice within the pod or after extracting the spice from the pod, and deliver the treated spice to a user of the system. For instance, a user can insert a pod into the system, for example via a pod inlet and can obtain the treated spice from the system, for example at a dispensing location of the system.

[0231] In general, a countertop spice treatment system (interchangeably referred to herein as “system”) according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter can include a pod inlet for receiving a pod containing at least one spice. It is to be understood herein that for the purposes of the present description the term “at least one spice” is intended to mean that the pod can contain one spice or a mixture of more than one spices, and that the “at least one spice” has been interchangeably referred to as spice or spices. The pod inlet can be in the form of an opening that allows a pod to be inserted therethrough into the system from an exterior of the system. In some examples, the pod inlet can be operable to remove the pod therethrough from the system together with the spice, for example, after the spice has been treated within the pod. In some examples, the pod inlet can be operable to remove the pod therethrough from the system, for example, after the spice has been released from the pod within the system. In some examples, a user of the system can insert the pod into the system via the pod inlet. In some examples, a user of the system can remove the pod (with or without the spice) from the system via the pod inlet. In some examples, the system can comprise a closure operable for selectively closing the pod inlet.

[0232] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, can include at least one spice treatment mechanism, which can have a corresponding spice treatment location (interchangeably referred to herein as “treatment location”) at which the spice is treated by the at least one spice treatment mechanism. It is to be understood herein that the term “at least one spice treatment mechanism” is intended to mean that in some examples, the system can comprise more than one spice treatment mechanisms each having a corresponding spice treatment location. In examples with more than one spice treatment mechanisms, each of the spice treatment mechanisms can be operable to treat the spice in a corresponding manner at a corresponding spice treatment location. In some examples, the manner of treatment of one of the more than one spice treatment mechanisms can be same as another one of the more than one spice treatment mechanisms. In some examples, the manner of treatment of one of the more than one spice treatment mechanisms can be different than another one of the more than one spice treatment mechanisms. The treatment of the spice by the at least one spice treatment mechanism can include one or more of heating the spice, grinding the spice, mixing the spices from more than one pods, etc.

[0233] Figs. 1A and IB schematically illustrate a countertop spice treatment system 1 (interchangeably referred to herein as “system 1”), according to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter. In the illustrated example, the system 1 comprises a pod inlet, generally designated as 5, for receiving a pod, for example a pod 100, containing at least one spice. The system 1, according to the example illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB, further comprises at least one spice treatment mechanism 10 (which in the illustrated example has been shown as being one spice treatment mechanism 10), having a corresponding spice treatment location (interchangeably referred to herein as “treatment location”) 11 at which the spice is treated by the spice treatment mechanism 10.

[0234] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB, can include a pod opening mechanism operable to open the pod to allow the spice to be at least partially gravitationally released therefrom. For instance, the pod opening mechanism can be operable to open the pod at a bottom portion (with respect to an orientation thereof within the system) thereof, thereby allowing the spice to be gravitationally released therefrom. The pod opening mechanism according to any one of the examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB, can include one or more of a pressure mechanism, a magnetic arrangement, a cutting tool, piercing mechanism, tearing mechanism, or any other mechanism or arrangement suitable to open the pod. The pod opening mechanism can include any construction and / or structure suitable to open the pod, for example a seal of the pod, based on the material, structure, shape, and / or orientation of the pod. For instance, in some examples, the pod can be in the form of a pouch, bag, capsule, or sachet, having an opening that can be closed by a selectively openable seal, or any other openable closing mechanism. The pod opening mechanism can include a suitable mechanism to open the seal of the pod. In some examples, the pod opening mechanism can comprise a spreading mechanism having two arms. Each arm can be operable to adhere to or grip an exterior portion of the pod at a bottom portion of the pod, or to enter an interior of the pod via a bottom portion of the pod and to then move away from each other to form an opening at the bottom portion of the pod.

[0235] It is to be understood herein that a pod can be positioned within the system, for example, at a pod opening location corresponding to the pod opening mechanism where the pod can be opened by the pod opening mechanism, and can be oriented in a manner such that opening the pod causes the spice within the pod to be released gravitationally, i.e., under the influence of gravity. The pod can be designed, for example the opening can be so oriented and positioned, such that upon opening the pod, a maximum amount (preferably all) of the spice can be released from the pod.

[0236] In general, the pod opening mechanism, according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB, can be located with respect to the at least one spice treatment mechanism so as to open the pod either before or after the spice has been treated by the at least one spice treatment mechanism. For instance, in some examples, the at least one spice treatment mechanism can be operable to treat the spice while the spice is within the pod, and the pod opening mechanism can be operable to open the pod after the spice has been treated. In some examples, the pod opening mechanism can be operable to open the pod before the spice has been treated, and the at least one spice treatment mechanism can be operable to treat the spice after the spice has been released from the pod. In some examples, the pod opening mechanism can be operable to open the pod while the spice is being treated, i.e., a partial treatment of the spice can be performed by the at least one spice treatment mechanism prior to the pod being opened by the pod opening mechanism and a partial treatment of the spice can be performed by the at least one spice treatment mechanism after the pod being opened by the pod opening mechanism. In some examples, the pod opening location and the spice treatment location corresponding to the at least one spice treatment mechanism can at least partially overlap. In such examples, the pod opening mechanism can be at least partially integrated with, or be located together with, the at least one spice treatment mechanism. In examples, in which the system comprises more than one spice treatment mechanisms, the pod opening mechanism can be at least partially integrated with, or be located together with, any one of those spice treatment mechanisms and the pod opening location can at least partially overlap with the spice treatment location corresponding to that one of those spice treatment mechanisms. In the example illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB, the system 1 comprises a pod opening mechanism, generally designated as 12, operable to open the pod, for example the pod 100, to allow the spice to be gravitationally released therefrom. The pod opening mechanism 12 has a corresponding pod opening location 13 where the pod is opened by the pod opening mechanism 12. The pod opening location 13, in the example illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB, overlaps the spice treatment location 11 of the spice treatment mechanism 10. In some examples, the spice treatment mechanism 10 can be operable to treat the spice while the spice is within the pod, and the pod opening mechanism 12 can be operable to open the pod after the spice has been treated. In some examples, the pod opening mechanism 12 can be operable to open the pod before the spice has been treated, and the spice treatment mechanism 10 can be operable to treat the spice after the spice has been released from the pod. In some examples, the pod opening mechanism 12 can be operable to open the pod while the spice is being treated, i.e., a partial treatment of the spice can be performed by the spice treatment mechanism 10 prior to the pod being opened by the pod opening mechanism 12 and a partial treatment of the spice can be performed by the spice treatment mechanism 10 after the pod being opened by the pod opening mechanism 12.

[0237] It is to be understood herein that the pod opening mechanism according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the pod opening mechanism 12, can include one or more features of the pod opening mechanism described herein further below with reference to Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D as well as generally, and the corresponding description can apply to the pod opening mechanism according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the pod opening mechanism 12 of the system 1 described herein with reference to Figs. 1 A and IB.

[0238] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB, can include a dispensing location accessible to the user for accessing the treated and released spice. It is to be understood herein that for the purposes of the present description, the treated spice is intended to mean the spice that has been at least partially treated by the at least one spice treatment mechanism, and is ready to be used by the user. For example, if a pod contained a dry spice, then the treated spice is to be understood as being a dry spice as well. For instance, the treatment of the spice is to be understood herein as not changing the physical state of the spice, but enhancing the usability, aroma, texture flavor and / or taste of the spice. Accordingly, in some examples, the pod can include at least one dry spice and the treated spice would still be dry after having been treated. It is to be understood herein that for the purposes of the present description, the released spice is intended to mean the spice that has been released from the pod. In some examples, the dispensing location can be gravitationally beneath the spice treatment location. In some examples, the spice treatment location corresponding to the at least one spice treatment mechanism can be gravitationally beneath the pod inlet.

[0239] It is to be understood herein for the purposes of the present description, a first location being “gravitationally beneath” a second location is intended to mean that at least a part of the first location is lower in the system than at least a part of the second location, when the system is positioned upright, for example on a countertop for being operated. In other words, a first location being “gravitationally beneath” a second location is intended to mean that if the spice is allowed to travel at least partially under the influence of gravity, the spice can travel from the second location to the first location, and not in the opposite direction. It is to be further understood herein for the purposes of the present description, a first location being “gravitationally beneath” a second location does not necessarily mean that the first and the second locations are vertically aligned. In other words, in some examples, a first location can be gravitationally beneath a second location and still no vertical plane may be passing through both of the first and second locations. In such examples, a flow path, for example inclined with respect to a vertical plane, can still extend between the first and second locations, along which the spice can travel at least partially under the influence of gravity.

[0240] Accordingly, in some examples, the spice can travel (along with the pod while being therewithin or after being released from the pod) from the pod inlet to the spice treatment location corresponding to the at least one spice treatment mechanism at least partially under the influence of gravity. In some examples, the spice can travel (along with the pod while being therewithin or after being released from the pod) from the spice treatment location corresponding to the at least one spice treatment mechanism to the dispensing location at least partially under the influence of gravity.

[0241] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB, can define an operational path extending through the system, along which the spice can travel (along with the pod while being therewithin, or after being released from the pod, or partially along with the pod while being therewithin and partially after being released from the pod) from the pod inlet to the spice treatment location corresponding to the at least one spice treatment mechanism and then to the dispensing location. It is to be understood herein that the travelling of the pod (with the spice inside) within the system and travelling of the spice (after having been released from the pod) within the system have been collectively referred to herein as travelling of the spice within the system. It is to be understood herein for the purposes of the present description that a location can be constituted by a space, and a path from a first location to a second location is to be understood herein as a path from anywhere within (or even at a boundary of) a space constituting the first location to anywhere within (or even at a boundary of) a space constituting the second location.

[0242] In some examples, the spice treatment location corresponding to the at least one spice treatment mechanism can be gravitationally beneath the pod opening location. In such examples, the spice can travel from the pod opening location to the spice treatment location corresponding to the at least one spice treatment mechanism. In some examples, the pod opening location can be gravitationally beneath the spice treatment location corresponding to the at least one spice treatment mechanism. In such examples, the spice can travel from the spice treatment location corresponding to the at least one spice treatment mechanism to the pod opening location.

[0243] In some examples, the operational path can include one or more gravitational flow portions. For the purposes of the present description, a gravitational flow portion is to be understood as a path, or a portion of a path, along which a spice can travel (move) solely under the influence of gravity, i.e., without the need of any other force. In some examples, a gravitational flow portion of the one or more gravitational flow portions can extend from the pod inlet to the spice treatment location corresponding to the at least one spice treatment mechanism. In some examples, a gravitational flow portion of the one or more gravitational flow portions can extend from the spice treatment location corresponding to the at least one spice treatment mechanism to the dispensing location. In some examples, a gravitational flow portion of the one or more gravitational flow portions can extend from the spice treatment location corresponding to the at least one spice treatment mechanism to the pod opening location. In some examples, a gravitational flow portion of the one or more gravitational flow portions can extend from the pod opening location to the spice treatment location corresponding to the at least one spice treatment mechanism.

[0244] In some examples, the operational path can be constituted entirely by the one or more gravitational flow portions. For instance, in such examples, the spice can travel from the pod inlet to the dispensing location solely under the influence of gravity.

[0245] In the example illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB, the system 1 comprises a dispensing location, generally designated as 6, accessible to the user for accessing the treated and released spice. The dispensing location 6 is positioned gravitationally beneath the spice treatment location 11, which is gravitationally beneath the pod inlet 5. Accordingly, the spice travels through the system 1 from the pod inlet 5 to the spice treatment location 11, and then to the dispensing location 6. In the example illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB, at least a part of the spice treatment location 11 is gravitationally beneath at least a part of the pod opening location 13, and accordingly, in the illustrated example, the spice travels from the pod opening location 13 to the spice treatment location 11.

[0246] The spice travels through the system 1, illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB, from the pod inlet 5 to the spice treatment location 11, and then to the dispensing location 6 along an operational path, designated as 2, extending from the pod inlet 5 to the spice treatment location 11, and then to the dispensing location 6. In the example illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB, the operational path includes gravitational flow portions 2-1 and 2-2. The gravitational flow portion 2-1 extends from the pod inlet 5 to the treatment location 11, and the gravitational flow portion 2-2 extends from the treatment location 11 to the dispensing location 6. In the example illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB, the operational path 2 is constituted entirely by the gravitational flow portions 2-1 and 2-2.

[0247] In general, at least one spice treatment mechanism of a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB, can be constituted by more than one spice treatment mechanisms, for example, comprising a first spice treatment mechanism and a second spice treatment mechanism. Each one of such spice treatment mechanisms can have a corresponding treatment location where the spice treatment mechanism treats the spice (within the pod or after the spice is released from the pod). For instance, the first spice treatment mechanism can have a corresponding treatment location (for example, first treatment location) and a second spice treatment mechanism can have a corresponding treatment location (for example, second treatment location). In some examples, the treatment location corresponding to one of the spice treatment mechanisms can be gravitationally above (or beneath) the treatment location corresponding to another one of the spice treatment mechanisms. In such examples, the operational path can include a gravitational flow portion extending from the treatment location corresponding to one of the spice treatment mechanisms, which is gravitationally above the other one, to the treatment location corresponding to other one of the spice treatment mechanisms, which is gravitationally below the other one.

[0248] For example, the treatment location (first treatment location) corresponding to the first spice treatment mechanism can be gravitationally above the treatment location (second treatment location) corresponding to the second spice treatment mechanism. Accordingly, the operational path can include a gravitational flow portion extending from the first treatment location corresponding to the first spice treatment mechanism to the second treatment location corresponding to the second spice treatment mechanism.

[0249] In general, the at least one spice treatment mechanism according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the spice treatment mechanism 10 illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB, can comprise a heating mechanism operable to apply heat to the spice at least indirectly, for example via the pod or after the spice is released from the pod. For instance, in some examples, the heating mechanism can be operable to apply heat to an exterior of the pod, thereby applying the heat indirectly to the spice therewithin. In some examples, the heating mechanism can be operable to apply heat directly to the spice after the spice has been released from the pod. It is to be understood herein that the heating mechanism can include one or more features of the heating mechanism described herein further below with reference to Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D as well as generally, and the corresponding description can apply to the heating mechanism constituting the spice treatment mechanism 10.

[0250] In general, the at least one spice treatment mechanism according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the spice treatment mechanism 10 illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB, can comprise a grinding mechanism operable to grind the spice released from the pod, for example, by the pod opening mechanism. For instance, in such examples, the pod opening mechanism can be located with respect to the grinding mechanism such that the pod opening mechanism opens the pod before reaching the treatment location corresponding to the grinding mechanism. Accordingly, the spice after being released from the pod reaches the treatment location corresponding to the grinding mechanism, where the grinding mechanism can grind the spice. It is to be understood herein that the grinding mechanism can include one or more features of the grinding mechanism described herein further below with reference to Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D as well as generally, and the corresponding description can apply to the grinding mechanism constituting the spice treatment mechanism 10.

[0251] In general, the at least one spice treatment mechanism according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the spice treatment mechanism 10 illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB, can comprise both of a heating mechanism and a grinding mechanism, and the heating mechanism can include one or more features of the heating mechanism described herein further below with reference to Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D as well as generally, and the corresponding description can apply to the heating mechanism constituting the spice treatment mechanism 10, and the grinding mechanism can include one or more features of the grinding mechanism described herein further below with reference to Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D as well as generally, and the corresponding description can apply to the grinding mechanism constituting the spice treatment mechanism 10.

[0252] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the spice treatment system 1 illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB, can comprise a pod holder operable to hold the pod received in the pod inlet. The pod holder can include a corresponding pod holding location, positioned gravitationally beneath the pod inlet, and the pod holder can be operable to hold the pod at the pod holding location. In some examples, the pod holding location and the spice treatment location can at least partially overlap. In such examples, the pod holder can be at least partially integrated with, or be located together with, the at least one spice treatment mechanism. In examples, in which the system comprises more than one spice treatment mechanisms, the pod holder can be at least partially integrated with, or be located together with, one or more of those spice treatment mechanisms. For instance, the pod holder can be operable to hold the pod at least while the spice treatment mechanism treats the spice within the pod.

[0253] In some examples, the pod holding location and the pod opening location can at least partially overlap. In such examples, the pod holder can be at least partially integrated with, or be located together with, the pod opening mechanism. For instance, the pod holder can be operable to hold the pod at least while the pod opening mechanism opens the pod.

[0254] It is to be understood herein that the pod holder can include one or more features of the pod holder described herein further below with reference to Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D as well as generally, and the corresponding description can apply to the pod holder of the system 1 described herein with reference to Figs. 1 A and IB.

[0255] It is to be understood herein that in some examples, the system can include the grinding mechanism, without including the heating mechanism. In such examples, the system can include the pod opening mechanism, either integrated with or separate than a pod holder. In some of such examples, the pod opening mechanism can constitute the pod holder in addition to being the pod opening mechanism.

[0256] In some examples, the system can include the heating mechanism, without including the grinding mechanism. In such examples, the system may or may not include the pod opening mechanism. In examples in which the system includes the pod opening mechanism, the spice can be heated by the heating mechanism while being within the pod and / or after being released from the pod and the heated spice (which constitutes the treated spice in such examples) can be delivered to user via the dispensing location. In examples in which the system may not include the pod opening mechanism, the spice can be heated by the heating mechanism while being within the pod, and then the pod can be removed by the user, for example via the pod inlet.

[0257] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the spice treatment system 1 illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB, can comprise a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion can include the pod inlet and the lower portion can include the dispensing location. In the example illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB, the system 1 comprises a housing, designated as 50, having an upper portion 52 including the pod inlet 5 and a lower power portion 54 including the dispensing location 6.

[0258] It is to be understood herein that the housing can include one or more features of the housing described herein further below with reference to Figs. 2A to 2L, 3A to 3F, and 4A to 4D as well as generally, and the corresponding description can apply to the housing 50 of the system 1 described herein with reference to Figs. 1 A and IB.

[0259] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB, can include an electrical system operable to provide input power to one or more of the heating mechanism, grinding mechanism, and pod opening mechanism. It is to be understood herein that the electrical system can include one or more features of the electrical system described herein further below with reference to Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D as well as generally, and the corresponding description can apply to the electrical system of the system 1 described herein with reference to Figs. 1 A and IB.

[0260] Reference is now made to Figs. 2A to 2L, 3A to 3F, and 4A to 4D illustrating a countertop spice treatment system 1 (interchangeably referred to herein as “system 1”), according to another example of the presently disclosed subject matter. It is to be understood herein that a system described herein below generally or with reference to Figs. 2A to 2L, 3A to 3F, and 4A to 4D can include one or more features of the system described above generally or with reference to Figs. 1 A and IB, and the corresponding description of such features provided above with reference to the example illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB as well as generally can apply to the features of a system described herein below generally or with reference to Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D.

[0261] In general, a countertop spice treatment system (interchangeably referred to herein as “system”) according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include a pod inlet for receiving a pod containing at least one spice. The pod inlet can be in the form of an opening that allows a pod to be inserted therethrough into the system from an exterior of the system. In some examples, the pod inlet can be operable to remove the pod therethrough from the system together with the spice, for example, after the spice has been treated within the pod. In some examples, the pod inlet can be operable to remove the pod therethrough from the system, for example, after the spice has been released from the pod within the system. In some examples, a user of the system can insert the pod into the system via the pod inlet. In some examples, a user of the system can remove the pod (with or without the spice) from the system via the pod inlet. In some examples, the system can comprise a closure operable for selectively closing the pod inlet.

[0262] In the example illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, the system 1 comprises a pod inlet, generally designated as 5, for receiving a pod, for example a pod 100, containing at least one spice. The pod inlet 5 is formed as an opening providing access into the system 1. The pod 100 can be introduced into the system 1 via the pod inlet 5. In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include a heating mechanism operable to heat the spice. The description of the features of the heating mechanism provided below generally as well as specifically with respect to the example illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can apply to the corresponding features of a heating mechanism constituting the at least one spice treatment mechanism of any one of the examples of a countertop spice treatment system described above generally and / or as specifically illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB.

[0263] In general, the heating mechanism can include any construction and / or structure suitable to apply heat to the spice, either indirectly, i.e., via the pod while the spice the spice is within the pod, or directly, i.e., after the spice has been released from the pod, for example by a pod opening mechanism described herein. In some examples, the heating mechanism can include any one or more of conduction heating, convection heating, radiation heating, or similar heating mechanisms. In some examples, the heating mechanism can include a container for holding the spice (within the pod or after being released from the pod), and applying heat to the spice. In some examples, the heating mechanism can include a heating element operable for applying heat to the spice. The heating element can have any shape, size, or structure, suitable to efficiently apply heat to the spice, including rod-shaped, spiral-shaped, curved, planar, spherical, semi- spherical, cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or any other shape suitable for applying heat to the spice.

[0264] In some examples, the heating mechanism can include at least one heating plate operable (for example, as a heating element) to apply the heat to the spice. The at least one heating plate can be operable to apply heat to the pod by conduction heating, for example by contacting the pod, and thereby applying heat to the spice. The at least one heating plate can be movable to selectively be in a position to heat the spice and selectively be in a position in which the at least one heating plate cannot heat the spice.

[0265] In some examples, the heating mechanism can include two plates, at least one of which can be a heating plate operable (for example, as a heating element) to apply the heat to the spice. In some examples, both of the two plates can be heating plates operable (for example, as heating elements) to apply the heat to the spice. Irrespective of whether one or both of the plates are heating plates, the heating plate(s) can be operable to apply heat to the pod by conduction heating, for example by contacting the pod, and thereby applying heat to the spice. The pod can be positioned between the plates, and the heating plate(s) can contact (or even press against) the walls of the pod and apply heat thereto, which is conducted to the spice within the pod.

[0266] In some examples, one of the two plates can be moveable towards and away from the other one of the plates. In case, only one of the two plates is a heating plate, the one plate that is moveable towards the other one can be either the heating plate or the other one (which is not a heating plate). In some examples, both the plates (irrespective of whether both the plates are heating plates or any one of the plates is a heating plate) can be moveable towards each other.

[0267] Accordingly, both the scenarios including: i) a scenario in which one plate is moveable (whether one or both are heating plates, and the plate which is moveable is a heating plate or not a heating plate), and ii) a scenario in which both the plates (whether one or both are heating plates), have been collectively referred to herein as at least one plate of the two plates (one or both being heating plates) being moveable towards and away from the other one. Accordingly, with at least one of the plates being moveable, the plates are displaceable between an open position and a closed position. Each of the two plates has a corresponding upper end and a corresponding lower end. The upper and lower ends are to be understood as being upper and lower ends when the countertop spice treatment system is positioned upright, for example, on a surface for being operated. In some examples, the two plates can be positioned and oriented with respect to each other such that in the open position, the upper ends of the two plates are spaced apart from each other to a first distance and the lower ends of the two plates are spaced apart from each other to a second distance smaller than the first distance, and in the closed position, the upper ends of the two plates are spaced apart from each other to a third distance smaller than the first distance. In some examples, the lower ends of the two plates can be spaced apart from each other, in the closed position, to the third distance, i.e., the two plates can be parallel to each other in the closed position. In some examples, the lower ends of the two plates can be spaced apart from each other, in the open position, to the first distance, i.e., the two plates can be parallel to each other in the open position. In some examples, the lower ends of the two plates can be spaced apart from each other, in the closed position, to a fourth distance smaller than the second distance. It is to be understood herein that all the above described examples of the distances between the upper ends of the two plates, and the distances between the lower ends of the two plates have been collectively described herein as follows: in the closed position, at least one portion of a first plate (of the two plates) is spaced apart from at least one portion of a second plate (of the two plates) to a closed distance, and in the open position, the at least one portion of the first plate is spaced apart from the at least one portion of the second plate to an open distance longer than the closed distance. In some examples, the at least one portion of the first and second plates can be the corresponding upper end of each of the two plates. In some examples, the at least one portion of the first and second plates can be the corresponding lower end of each of the two plates. In some examples, the at least one portion of the first and second plates can be a corresponding portion, between the upper and lower end, of each of the two plates.

[0268] In some examples, the movement of the at least one plate of the two plates moveable towards and away from the other one can be a linear movement with the at least one portion thereof moving along a linear path. In some examples, the movement of the at least one plate of the two plates moveable towards and away from the other one can be a pivotal movement with the at least one portion thereof along a curved path. In the examples, in which the movement of the at least one plate of the two plates is a pivotal movement, the pivotal movement can be about a pivot axis. In some examples, the pivot axis can be located at the upper end of the at least one plate. In some examples, the pivot axis can be located at the lower end of the at least one plate. In some examples, the pivot axis can be located between the upper end and the lower end of the at least one plate.

[0269] In the examples in which the heating mechanism comprises only one plate (which can constitute a heating plate) which is moveable, the movement of that one plate can be a linear movement along a linear path. In the examples in which the heating mechanism comprises only one plate (which can constitute a heating plate) which is moveable, the movement of that one plate can be a pivotal movement along a curved path. In the examples, in which the movement of the one plate is a pivotal movement, the pivotal movement can be about a pivot axis. In some examples, the pivot axis can be located at an upper end of the one plate. In some examples, the pivot axis can be located at a lower end of the one plate. In some examples, the pivot axis can be located between an upper end and a lower end of the one plate. It is to be understood herein that in some examples, the heating mechanism can include more than one plates, one or more of which can be heating plates, and one or more of which can be moveable plates. In some examples, the one or more heating plates and the one or more moveable plates can be the same plates. In some examples, some of the one or more heating plates can be different from some of the one or more moveable plates.

[0270] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include a plate moving mechanism operable to move the at least one plate of the two plates, corresponding to the manner (linear or pivotal) of movement of the at least one plate. In the examples in which the heating mechanism comprises only one plate (which can constitute a heating plate) which is moveable, the countertop spice treatment system can include a plate moving mechanism operable to move that one plate, corresponding to the manner (linear or pivotal) of movement of the one plate. In any one of the examples of the countertop spice treatment system, the plate moving mechanism can be in the form of any one of (or combination of more than one of) a biasing arrangement (including a biasing element to bias the moveable plate(s) towards or away from the other plate), a guide rail arrangement, a lever arrangement, a gear arrangement, a cam follower arrangement, a pushing element to push the moveable plate(s) towards or away from the other plate, a pulling element to pull the moveable plate(s) towards or away from the other plate, a clamping arrangement, an actuator associated with the moveable plate(s), or any other structure suitable to move the moveable plate(s) towards or away from the other plate. In some examples, the plate moving mechanism can include an actuator that can be operated by a user of the system to operate the plate moving mechanism for moving the moveable plate(s). The actuator can be in the form of a button, switch, lever, slider, knob, or equivalents thereof having a structure (mechanical, electrical, electronic, or in combinations thereof) suitable to operate the plate moving mechanism for moving the moveable plate(s).

[0271] In general, a heating mechanism of a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include a heating location constituting a spice treatment location (interchangeably referred to herein as treatment location) corresponding to the heating mechanism. The heating location corresponds to the at least one heating plate (irrespective of the number of total plates and number of heating plates constituting the heating mechanism) and is that location at which the spice is located where the heating mechanism can apply heat to the spice.

[0272] In the example illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, the system 1 comprises a heating mechanism, generally designated as 20, operable to apply the heat to the spice. In the illustrated example, the heating mechanism 20 is operable to apply the heat by conduction, for example by applying the heat to wall(s) of the pod, for example the pod 100, having the spice therewithin. The heat is then conducted through the wall(s) of the pod to the spice. The heating mechanism 20 comprises two plates 22 and 24, including a first plate 22 and a second plate 24, each of which in the illustrated example are heating plates (i.e., constitute heating elements operable to apply heat), and thus, have been interchangeably referred to herein as heating plates 22 and 24, including a first heating plate 22 and a second heating plate 24. It is to be understood herein that in some examples, one of the two plates 22 and 24 may not be a heating plate.

[0273] In the illustrated example, each of the plates 22 and 24 are moveable towards and away from each other, for example by operation of a plate moving mechanism, generally designated as 25. It is to be understood herein that in some examples, only one of the two plates 22 and 24 can be moveable by the plate moving mechanism 25.

[0274] The first heating plate 22 has an upper end 22A and a lower end 22B, and the second heating plate 24 has an upper end 24 A and a lower end 24B. The first and second heating plates 22 and 24 are moveable away from each other into an open position (Figs. 2A to 2F and 2J to 2L) and towards each other into a closed position (Figs. 2G to 21). In the open position, the upper ends 22A and 24A of the two plates 22 and 24 are spaced apart from each other to a first distance DI and the lower ends 22B and 24B of the two plates 22 and 24 are spaced apart from each other to a second distance D2 smaller than the first distance DI . In the closed position, the upper ends 22A and 24A of the two plates 22 and 24 are spaced apart from each other to a third distance D3 smaller than the first distance DI. In the closed position, the lower ends 22B and 24B of the two plates 22 and 24 are spaced apart from each other to a fourth distance D4. In some examples, D4 can be equal to D2. In some examples, D4 can be smaller than D2. In some examples, D2 can be smaller than D4.

[0275] In the illustrated example, in the closed position, the upper end 22A of the first plate 22, constituting at least one portion of the first plate 22, is spaced apart from the upper end 24A of the second plate 24, constituting at least one portion of the second plate 24, to the third distance D3, constituting a closed distance. In the illustrated example, in the open position, the upper end 22A of the first plate 22, constituting the at least one portion of the first plate 22, is spaced apart from the upper end 24A of the second plate 24, constituting the at least one portion of the second plate 24, to the first distance DI longer than the third distance D3, constituting an open distance longer than the closed distance.

[0276] The two plates 22 and 24 therebetween define a heating location, generally designated as 21, that constitutes a spice treatment location corresponding to the heating mechanism 20. The heating mechanism 20 is operable to apply heat to the pod (and thereby to the spice), for example when the pod is positioned at the heating location 21 between the two plates 22 and 24, as described in detail herein further below.

[0277] The plate moving mechanism 25 has a actuator 25A operable by a user to operate the plate moving mechanism 25 for moving the plates 22 and 24. In the illustrated example, the actuator 25 A is in the form of a slider 25 A, which can be pushed downwards by the user to displace the plates 22 and 24 into the closed position and upwards to displace the plates 22 and 24 into the open position. For the purposes of the present description, downwards and upwards are to be understood with respect to the countertop spice treatment system being placed upright on a surface, for example for operating the system. The plate moving mechanism 25 further comprises a lever arrangement 26 operatively connected with the plates 22 and 24, and the actuator 25 A. The operation of the slider 25A is transformed into movement of the plates 22 and 24 by the lever arrangement 26. The lever arrangement 26 includes a biasing element 26A, which has been illustrated as a spring 26A operable to bias the lever arrangement 26 towards the open position of the plates 22 and 24. For instance, the user can push the slider 25A downwards (by a downward force) thereby moving the plates 22 and 24 towards the closing position, and when the user removes the downward force, the spring 26A applies a biasing force causing the plates 22 and 24 to move towards the open position. The lever arrangement 26 can be linked to a timer arrangement enabling locking of the slider 25A at a lower position and releasing it after a predetermined time.

[0278] In general, a heating mechanism of a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include a heating controller operable, for example by a user for selecting one or more heating parameters. In some examples, the one or more heating parameters can include a heating time, for example, for which the spice is intended to be heated by the heating mechanism. In some examples, the one or more heating parameters can include a temperature, for example, at or up to which the spice is intended to be heated by the heating mechanism. The heating mechanism can be operable to implement the one or more heating paraments selected by the user. The temperature can be selected to be up to 180 degrees Celsius. In some examples, the heating controller can be a mechanical controller in the form of a button, switch, lever, knob, dial, slider, or equivalents thereof having a structure (mechanical, electrical, electronic, or in combinations thereof) suitable for allowing (or facilitating) a user to select the one or more heating parameters. In some examples, the heating controller can be constituted by an electrical and / or electronic input mechanism allowing a user to input the one or more heating parameters, which can be implemented by a computer processing circuitry. In some examples, one parameter of the heating controller can be heating time. The heating mechanism can comprise an electromagnet connected to the electric system and a timer. In examples such as that described above with reference to Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, such an electromagnet can be connected to the biasing element. When powered / activated, the electromagnet is configured to enable the biasing element to urge the lever arrangement toward the open position of the plates. When de-energized / deactivated, the electromagnet permits the biasing element to release the lever arrangement, thereby allowing it to move to the closed position of the plates.

[0279] In the example illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, the heating mechanism 20 comprises a heating controller, generally designated as 27, which in the illustrated example is in the form of knob 27, which can be operated by the user for selecting a heating parameter, for example, a temperature at or up to which the spice is intended to be heated by the heating mechanism 20. The user can rotate the knob 27 for selecting the temperature at or up to which the heating mechanism 20 is intended to operate, and heat the spice.

[0280] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include a pod opening mechanism operable to open the pod to allow the at least one spice to be released therefrom. In some examples, the pod opening mechanism and the pod can be so positioned with respect to each other and the pod can be so oriented at least when the pod opening mechanism opens the pod, that the spice is released from the pod at least partially gravitationally, i.e., at least partially under the influence of gravity. The description of the features of the pod opening mechanism provided below generally as well as specifically with respect to the example illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can apply to the corresponding features of a pod opening mechanism of any one of the examples of a countertop spice treatment system described above generally and / or as specifically illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB.

[0281] In general, the pod opening mechanism can be operable to open the pod at a bottom portion (with respect to an orientation thereof within the system) thereof, thereby allowing the spice to be gravitationally released therefrom. For the purposes of the present description, the bottom is to be understood with respect to the pod received within the system, and the system being placed upright on a surface, for example for being operated. The pod opening mechanism of a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include one or more of a pressure mechanism operable to open the pod for example by a pressurized fluid, a magnetic arrangement, a heating arrangement, a cutting mechanism, piercing mechanism, tearing mechanism, or any other mechanism or arrangement suitable to open the pod. The pod opening mechanism can include any construction and / or structure suitable to open the pod, for example a seal of the pod, based on the material, structure, shape, and / or orientation of the pod. For instance, in some examples, the pod can be in the form of a pouch, bag, capsule, or sachet, having an opening that can be closed by a selectively openable seal, or any other openable closing mechanism. The pod opening mechanism can include a structure suitable to open the seal of the pod.

[0282] The pod opening mechanism can have a corresponding pod opening location. The pod can be positioned within the system, for example, at the pod opening location where the pod can be opened by the pod opening mechanism. The pod opening location can allow the pod to be oriented in a manner such that opening the pod causes the spice within the pod to be released gravitationally, i.e., under the influence of gravity. The pod can be designed, for example the opening of the pod can be so oriented and positioned at the pod opening location, such that upon opening the pod, a maximum amount (preferably all) of the spice can be released from the pod.

[0283] In general, a pod according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 5 A to 5F, that can be used with a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB, and the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include an openable mechanism corresponding to and openable by the pod opening mechanism. In some examples, the openable mechanism can include a tear-able portion and the pod opening mechanism can include a tearing mechanism. In some examples, the openable mechanism can include a cut-able portion and the pod opening mechanism can include a cutting tool or mechanism. In some examples, the openable mechanism can include a pierceable portion and the pod opening mechanism can include a piercing mechanism, for example including a sharp tool. In some examples, the openable mechanism can include a pressure sensitive portion and the pod opening mechanism can include a pressure mechanism operable to open the pod for example by directing a pressurized fluid on to the pressure sensitive portion. In some examples, the openable mechanism can include a heat sensitive portion that can open (for example by way of at least partially burning off or by changing its form, size, or shape) and the pod opening mechanism can include a heating arrangement operable to open the pod for example by heating the heat sensitive portion. In some of such examples, the heating mechanism of the system, which is operable to heat the spice can be operable to open the pod as well. For instance, upon the operation of the heating mechanism, the pod can open upon the heat sensitive portion reaching a predetermined temperature. In some of such examples, the pod opening mechanism can comprise at least one laser configured to cut through one or more walls of the pod to create an opening therein. The openable mechanism can include a single or plurality of line / s or marking / s thereon, along which the laser is operable to cut to open the pod. Such a line can be dark or more specifically black.

[0284] In some examples, the openable mechanism can include a pod magnetic arrangement and the pod opening mechanism can include a corresponding system magnetic arrangement operable to engage the pod magnetic arrangement and to open the pod, for example by manipulation of the system magnetic arrangement, for example by the way of the movement of the system magnetic arrangement. In some examples, the pod magnetic arrangement can include a magnet and the system magnetic arrangement can include any one or more of a magnet or a magnetizable element (an element that can get magnetized and is attracted to a magnet). In some examples, the system magnetic arrangement can include a magnet and the pod magnetic arrangement can include any one or more of a magnet or a magnetizable element (an element that can get magnetized and is attracted to a magnet). For the purposes of the present description, all of the above combinations of the magnets and / or magnetizable elements have been collectively referred as pod magnetic arrangement and system magnetic arrangement.

[0285] In some examples, the pod can include at least one pouch having at least two walls connected at one portion thereof, and a seal selectively defining an opening for the pouch at another portion thereof. The pod can be positioned in the pod opening location with the seal, and thus the opening, being the bottom portion of the pod. For the purposes of the present description, the bottom is to be understood with respect to the pod received within the system, and the system being placed upright on a surface, for example for being operated. The walls of the pod can each comprise a corresponding bottom (with respect to the pod received within the system, and the system being placed upright on a surface, for example for being operated) portion having a corresponding opening portion. The two opening portions of the two walls can be sealed together in an openable or separable manner, to define the seal when closed, and the opening when opened. At least one of the two opening portions can include the pod magnetic arrangement, for example, in the form of a magnet or a magnetizable element. The pod magnetic arrangement can be formed in any shape and size suitable to the shape and size of the corresponding opening portion.

[0286] When the pod is positioned in the pod opening location, the pod magnetic arrangement can engage, and thus can get adhered to the corresponding system magnetic arrangement. A manipulation, for example by movement, of any one or both of the pod magnetic arrangement and the system magnetic arrangement can cause the separation of the two opening portions of the pod thereby opening the seal to allow the spices to be released from the pod. In the examples in which only one of the two opening portions include the pod magnetic arrangement, the other one of the two opening portions can be fixed by any suitable fixation means at least when any one or both of the pod magnetic arrangement and the system magnetic arrangement is manipulated.

[0287] In some examples, both the two opening portions can include the pod magnetic arrangement, for example, in the form of a magnet or a magnetizable element. The pod magnetic arrangement can be formed in any shape and size suitable to the shape and size of the corresponding opening portion. When the pod is positioned in the pod opening location, the pod magnetic arrangement can engage, and thus can get adhered to the corresponding system magnetic arrangement. A manipulation, for example by movement, of any one or both of the pod magnetic arrangement and the system magnetic arrangement can cause the separation of the two opening portions of the pod thereby opening the seal to allow the spices to be released from the pod. It is to be understood herein that the pod magnetic arrangement and / or the system magnetic arrangement are manipulated so as to move the two opening portions away from each other thereby opening the seal.

[0288] It is to be understood herein that the force of adherence between the pod magnetic arrangement and the system magnetic arrangement can be greater than the force required to open the seal.

[0289] In general, a pod opening mechanism of a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can be integrated with any other mechanism or component of the countertop spice treatment system. In some examples, the pod opening mechanism can be integrated with the pod inlet, and accordingly the spices can be released at the pod inlet. In such examples, the heating mechanism can be configured to apply heat to the spices after the spices have been released from the pod. In some examples, the pod opening mechanism can be integrated with the heating mechanism and accordingly, the pod opening location can at least partially overlap with the heating location. In some examples, the pod opening mechanism can be integrated with any other mechanism, for example a spice treatment mechanism, of the countertop spice treatment system and accordingly, the pod opening location can at least partially overlap with a location corresponding to that mechanism. Some of such mechanisms are described in detail herein further below, for example a grinding mechanism and a pod holder.

[0290] In the examples in which the pod opening mechanism is integrated with the heating mechanism and accordingly, the pod opening location at least partially overlaps with the heating location, at least a part or tool of the pod opening mechanism can be mounted to the at least one plate of the heating mechanism. Accordingly, when the pod is positioned at the heating location, and thus at the pod opening location, the pod opening mechanism can open the pod, for example after the heating of the spices is complete. In some examples, the system magnetic arrangement can be mounted on to or integrated with the at least one plate of the heating mechanism, and can adhere to the corresponding pod magnetic arrangement and operate as described herein above to open the pod. In some examples in which the heating mechanism comprises two plates (whether both being heating plates or only one being a heating plate), the pod opening mechanism can be integrated with the heating plates and the pod opening location can extend between the two plates together with the heating location. In such examples, the system magnetic arrangement can be mounted on to or integrated with each of the two plates, for example on an inner surface of each of the plates (inner surfaces is to be understood as those surfaces of the heating plates that face each other, and thus define therebetween the heating location). When the pod (having the pod magnetic arrangement on both opening portions) is placed within the two plates (i.e., in the heating location and thus the pod opening location), and at least when the plates are moved into the closed position, the system magnetic arrangements can adhere to the corresponding pod magnetic arrangement. Subsequently when the plates are moved towards the open position, the system magnetic arrangements move together with the plates away from each other, thereby separating the opening portions of the pod and thus opening the seal of the pod. It is to be understood herein that the system magnetic arrangements can be positioned at the plates at those portions of the plates that move towards and away from each other when the plates are moved to closed position and open position, respectively. In the examples in which the bottom ends of the plates move towards and away from each other when the plates are moved to closed position and open position, respectively, the system magnetic arrangements can be positioned at the bottom ends of the plates. In the examples in which portions above the bottom ends of the plates move towards and away from each other when the plates are moved to closed position and open position, respectively, the system magnetic arrangements can be positioned at the portions above the bottom ends of the plates.

[0291] In the example illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, the countertop spice treatment system 1 comprises a pod opening mechanism, generally designated as 12, operable to open the pod, for example the pod 100, to allow the at least one spice to be released therefrom, which in the illustrated example is released gravitationally from the pod. The pod opening mechanism 12 has a pod opening location 13, which in the illustrated example overlaps with the heating location 21. The pod opening mechanism 12 includes a first system magnetic arrangement 12A mounted on an inner surface 22-1 of the first plate 22, and a second system magnetic arrangement 12B mounted on an inner surface 24-1 of the second plate 24. Figs. 5 A to 5F illustrate a pod 100 according to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter. Reference is made to Figs 5 A to 5F to describe the features related to opening of the pod 100. In the example illustrated in Figs. 5 A to 5F, the pod 100 includes a pouch 102 having two walls including a first wall 110 and a second wall 120. A portion 110A, which in the illustrated example is an upper portion 110A having an upper end, of the wall 110 is connected to a portion 120A, which in the illustrated example is an upper portion 120A having an upper end, of the wall 120. An opposite portion HOB, which in the illustrated example is a bottom portion HOB having a bottom end, of the wall 110 comprises a first opening portion 112. An opposite portion 120B, which in the illustrated example is a bottom portion 120B having a bottom end, of the wall 120 comprises a second opening portion 122. For the purposes of the present description, the upper and bottom of the pouch or pod is to be understood with respect to the pod received within the system, and the system being placed upright on a surface, for example for being operated.

[0292] The first and the second opening portions 112 and 122 are connected to each other by an openable seal 130. The seal 130 is openable by separating at least one of the first and the second opening portions 112 and 122 from the other one. The seal 130 when opened, defines an opening 132 of the pouch 102 through which the spice contained in the pouch can be released.

[0293] The first opening portion 112 has a first pod magnetic arrangement 114 and the second opening portion 122 has a second pod magnetic arrangement 124. The first and second pod magnetic arrangements 114 and 124 when pulled away from each other causes the first and the second opening portions 112 and 122 separating from each other, thereby opening the seal 130. It is to be understood herein that any or both of the first and second pod magnetic arrangements 114 and 124 can be mounted on an interior surface (facing the internal volume of the pouch 102, in which the spice is held) of the corresponding wall, or an opposite exterior surface of the corresponding wall, or can be embedded within the corresponding wall.

[0294] During operation of the pod opening mechanism 12, the pod 100 is positioned within the system 1, i.e., at the pod opening location 13 overlapping with the heating location 11 between the two plates 22 and 24 in open position, with the opening portions 112 and 122 being the bottom portions of the pod 100. Subsequently, the plates 22 and 24 are moved to the closed position, and the first system magnetic arrangement 12A adheres to the first pod magnetic arrangement 114 and the second system magnetic arrangement 12B adheres to the second pod magnetic arrangement 124. Upon heating the spice (within the pod) to the desired (selected) temperature, the two plates are moved towards the open position, and the first and second system magnetic arrangements 12A and 12B move away from each other and pull the first and second pod magnetic arrangements 114 and 124 apart thereby separating the opening portions 112 and 122 and opening the seal 130. The spice can be accordingly released, for example under the influence of gravity, from the pod 100.

[0295] It is to be understood herein that pod magnetic arrangement(s) can be formed in any shape and size suitable to the shape and size of the corresponding opening portion. For instance, the shape of the pod magnetic arrangement(s) can be selected from circular, polygonal, cylindrical, or any other regular or irregular shape. In some examples, the shape of the pod magnetic arrangement(s) can be in the form of a wire. In some examples, the wire-shaped pod magnetic arrangement(s) can define an edge of the corresponding opening portion. The shape and / or size of the pod magnetic arrangement(s) can be selected based on the shape and / or size of the corresponding system magnetic arrangement(s). In some examples, the shape and / or size of the system magnetic arrangement(s) can be selected based on the shape and / or size of the corresponding pod magnetic arrangement(s). For instance, the shape of the system magnetic arrangement(s) can be selected from circular, polygonal, cylindrical, or any other regular or irregular shape.

[0296] It is to be understood herein that any one of the pod and system magnetic arrangement(s) can necessarily be magnets and other ones can be any one of magnets or magnetizable elements. For instance, in some examples, any one, some, or all of the system magnetic arrangement(s) can be magnet(s) and the corresponding pod magnetic arrangement(s) can be magnet(s) or magnetizable element(s). In some examples, any one, some, or all of the pod magnetic arrangement(s) can be magnet(s) and the corresponding system magnetic arrangement(s) can be magnet(s) or magnetizable element(s). In other words, only one of a pair of corresponding system magnetic arrangement and pod magnetic arrangement can necessarily be a magnet and the other one can be a magnet or a magnetizable element.

[0297] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include a grinding mechanism, operable to grind the spice, for example after the spice is released from the pod, for example, by a pod opening mechanism. The description of the features of the grinding mechanism provided below generally as well as specifically with respect to the example illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can apply to the corresponding features of a grinding mechanism constituting the at least one spice treatment mechanism of any one of the examples of a countertop spice treatment system described above generally and / or as specifically illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB. In general, the grinding mechanism can comprise any appropriate mechanical grinding mechanism such as a burr grinder, a conical burr grinder, a flat burr grinder, and a blade grinder.

[0298] In some examples, the grinding mechanism can include a grinding chamber and at least one grinding element operable to grind the spice within the grinding chamber. In some examples, the at least one grinding element can be moveable, and the movement of the at least one grinding element can facilitate grinding of the spice. In some examples, the at least one grinding element can be rotatable about an axis of the grinding chamber, constituting a rotational axis for the rotation of the at least one grinding element. The rotation of the at least one grinding element can facilitate grinding of the spice.

[0299] In some examples, the grinding mechanism can include a grinding chamber and two grinding elements operable to grind the spice within the grinding chamber. In some examples, one of the two grinding elements can be moveable with respect to the other one that can be stationary, thereby grinding the spice. In some examples, one of the two grinding elements can be rotatable about an axis of the grinding chamber, constituting a rotational axis, while the other one can be stationary, thereby grinding the spice. In some examples, both of the two grinding elements can be moveable with respect to each other, thereby grinding the spice. In some examples, both of the two grinding elements can be rotatable about an axis of the grinding chamber, constituting a rotational axis, thereby grinding the spice. It is to be understood herein that for the purposes of the present description, all the examples including one (being a single) grinding element being rotatable, one out of two grinding elements being rotatable, and two (or even more than two) grinding elements being rotatable, have been collectively referred to as at least one grinding element which is rotatable.

[0300] In general, the countertop spice treatment system can include a driving arrangement to operate the grinding mechanism. In some examples, the driving arrangement can be operable to move the moveable grinding element(s). In some examples, the driving arrangement can include a motor operable to rotate the at least one grinding element.

[0301] In general, the grinding mechanism can have a grinding location constituting a spice treatment location (interchangeably referred to herein as treatment location) corresponding to the grinding mechanism. The grinding location can be that location at which the grinding mechanism can grind the spice.

[0302] The grinding mechanism can include a grinder outlet via which the ground spice (the spice after having been ground by the grinding mechanism) can be discharged from the grinding mechanism, for example, the corresponding grinding location. In other words, an extent of the grinding location can end at the grinder outlet. In some examples, the grinder outlet can be positioned radially outward from the axis for discharging the ground spice from the grinding mechanism.

[0303] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include a grinding controller operable, for example by a user, to select and thereby control one or more grinding parameters. In some examples, the one or more grinding parameters can include a grinding time, for example, for which the spice is intended to be ground by the grinding mechanism. In some examples, the one or more grinding parameters can include a predetermined fineness, for example, to which the spice is intended to be ground by the grinding mechanism. The grinding mechanism can be operable to implement the one or more grinding paraments selected by the user. In some examples, the one or more grinding parameters can include a grinding speed. The grinding mechanism can be operable to implement the one or more grinding paraments selected by the user. In some examples, the grinding controller can be a mechanical controller in the form of a button, switch, lever, knob, dial, slider, or equivalents thereof having a structure (mechanical, electrical, electronic, or in combinations thereof) suitable for allowing (or facilitating) a user to select the one or more grinding parameters. In some examples, the grinding controller can be constituted by an electrical and / or electronic input mechanism allowing a user to input the one or more grinding parameters, which can be implemented by a computer processing circuitry.

[0304] In some examples, the grinding controller can be operatively associated with a grinding adjustment mechanism operable to adjust a position of the at least one grinding element to thereby implement the selected grinding parameter(s). In the examples with two grinding elements (one or both being moveable or rotatable), the grinding controller can be operatively associated with a grinding adjustment mechanism operable to adjust a position of at least one of the two grinding elements with respect to the other one of the two grinding elements. In any one of the examples of the countertop spice treatment system, the grinding adjustment mechanism can be in the form of any one of (or combination of more than one of) a biasing arrangement (including a biasing element to bias the grinding element(s) towards or away from the other grinding element), a guide rail arrangement, a lever arrangement, a gear arrangement, a cam follower arrangement, a pushing element to push the grinding element(s) towards or away from the other grinding element, a pulling element to pull the grinding element(s) towards or away from the other grinding element, a clamping arrangement, an actuator associated with the moveable grinding element(s), or any other structure suitable to move the grinding element(s) towards or away from the other grinding element.

[0305] In the example illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, the system 1 comprises a grinding mechanism, generally designated as 30, operable to grind the spice, for example after the spice is released from the pod 100, for example, by the pod opening mechanism 12. The grinding mechanism 30 has a corresponding grinding chamber 32 and two grinding elements including a first grinding element 34, which is a lower grinding element, and a second grinding element 36, which is an upper griding element. The second grinding element 36 is rotatable about a rotation axis RA for grinding the spice and the first grinding element 34 is a stationary element. The second grinding element 36 is operatively connected to a driving arrangement, which in the illustrated example is a motor M operable to rotate the second grinding element 36, for example via the shaft S of the motor M.

[0306] The grinding mechanism 30 has a corresponding grinding location, generally designated as 31, that constitutes a spice treatment location corresponding to the grinding mechanism 30. After the spice is ground within the grinding location 31, the ground spice is discharged therefrom via grinder outlet 38. The grinder outlet 38 is positioned radially outward from the rotational axis RA, and the spice moves outwardly in the radial direction at least partially under the influence of centrifugal force generated by virtue of the rotation of the second grinding element 36. The first grinding element 34 includes one or more fins 34A protruding radially outwards therefrom. The fins 34 direct the ground spice towards the grinder outlet during the rotation of the second grinding element 36. In operation, the spice is received into the grinding mechanism 30, where the rotation of the second grinding element 36 with respect to the first grinding element 34 grinds the spice resulting into the ground spice. The ground spice travels under the influence of the centrifugal force by virtue of the rotation of the second grinding element 36, via a gap G (Fig. 3D) between the second grinding element 36 and the first grinding element 34, radially outward from the rotational axis RA towards the grinder outlet 38. Some portion of the ground spice falls on to a base 39 of the grinding mechanism 30, which is directed by the fins 34A during the rotation of the first grinding element 34 towards the grinder outlet 38.

[0307] The system 1 further comprises a grinding controller, generally designated as 37, which in the illustrated example is in the form of knob or dial 37, which can be operated by the user for selecting a grinding parameter, for example, a predetermined fineness to which the spice is intended to be ground by the grinding mechanism 30. The user can rotate the knob 37 for selecting the predetermined fineness to which the spice is intended to be ground by the grinding mechanism 30. The selected fineness can be implemented by the dimension of the gap G between the first grinding element 34 and the second grinding element 36. The grinding controller 37 is operatively connected to a grinding adjustment mechanism (not shown) operable to adjust the gap G by adjusting a position of at least one of the first and second grinding elements with respect to the other one of the first and second grinding elements, to thereby implement the selected fineness.

[0308] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include a pod holder operable to hold the pod received through the pod inlet. The pod holder can include a corresponding pod holding location, and the pod holder can be operable to hold the pod at the pod holding location. In some examples, the pod holding location can be gravitationally beneath the pot inlet.

[0309] In some examples, the pod holder can be integrated with the heating mechanism, and accordingly, the pod holding location and the heating location can at least partially overlap. In such examples, the plates of the heating mechanism can define at least partially therebetween the pod holding location, at the open position and / or closed position of the plates. Accordingly, in such examples, the plates of the heating mechanism can constitute the pod holding mechanism at least when in the open position thereof. In some examples, the pod holder can be integrated with the pod opening mechanism, and accordingly, the pod holding location and the pod opening location can at least partially overlap. For instance, the pod holder can be operable to hold the pod at least while the pod opening mechanism opens the pod.

[0310] In the example illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, the system 1 comprises a pod holder constituted by the plates 22 and 24 of the heating mechanism 20. Accordingly, the heating location 21 also constitutes the pod holding location 21 , at which the pod, for example the pod 100, is held at least during heating of the spice by the heating mechanism 20, opening of the pod by the pod opening mechanism 12. The pod can be held after the spice has been released therefrom, for example until the pod is removed from the system. In some examples, the heating mechanism 20 may not be used, and the pod holder can be operable to hold the pod, for example, during opening of the pod by the pod opening mechanism.

[0311] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include a dispensing location accessible to a user of said system for accessing the at least one spice after it has been treated within the countertop spice treatment system, for example by at least one of the heating mechanism and the grinding mechanism. Accordingly, the spice is received (within a pod) into the system via the pod inlet, is treated by at least one of the heating mechanism and the grinding mechanism, and the treated spice is delivered to the user via the dispensing location. In some examples, the dispensing location can be gravitationally beneath the pod inlet. In some examples, the dispensing location can be gravitationally beneath the treatment location corresponding to at least one of the heating mechanism and the grinding mechanism. In some examples, the treatment location corresponding to at least one of the heating mechanism and the grinding mechanism can be gravitationally beneath the pod inlet. In the examples in which the system comprises both the heating mechanism and the grinding mechanism, one of the heating location and the grinding location can be gravitationally beneath the other one. In some of such examples, the heating location can be gravitationally beneath the grinding location. In some of such examples, the grinding location can be gravitationally beneath the heating location. In some of the examples in which the system comprises pod opening mechanism, the pod opening location can be gravitationally beneath the treatment location corresponding to at least one of the heating mechanism and the grinding mechanism. In some of the examples in which the system comprises pod opening mechanism, the pod opening location can be gravitationally above the treatment location corresponding to at least one of the heating mechanism and the grinding mechanism.

[0312] Accordingly, the spice can travel (along with the pod while being therewithin or after being released from the pod) from the pod inlet to the dispensing location at least partially under the influence of gravity.

[0313] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include an operational path extending through the system, along which the spice can travel (along with the pod while being therewithin, or after being released from the pod, or partially along with the pod while being therewithin and partially after being released from the pod) from the pod inlet to the dispensing location via one or more of the treatment location corresponding to at least one of the heating mechanism and the grinding mechanism.

[0314] In some examples, the spice can travel along the operational path from the pod inlet to the heating location, and then to the grinding location, and then to the dispensing location. In some examples, the spice can travel along the operational path from the pod inlet to the grinding location, and then to the heating location, and then to the dispensing location. It is to be understood herein that the travelling of the pod (with the spice inside) within the system and travelling of the spice (after having been released from the pod) within the system have been collectively referred to herein as travelling of the spice within the system. It is to be understood herein for the purposes of the present description that a location can be constituted by a space, and a path from a first location to a second location is to be understood herein as a path from anywhere within (or even at a boundary of) a space constituting the first location to anywhere within (or even at a boundary of) a space constituting the second location.

[0315] In some examples, the operational path can include one or more gravitational flow portions. For the purposes of the present description, a gravitational flow portion is to be understood as a path, or a portion of a path, along which a spice can travel (move) solely under the influence of gravity, i.e., without the need of any other force. In some examples, a gravitational flow portion of the one or more gravitational flow portions can extend from the pod inlet to the heating location. In some examples, a gravitational flow portion of the one or more gravitational flow portions can extend from the heating location to the grinding location. In some examples, a gravitational flow portion of the one or more gravitational flow portions can extend from the grinding location to the dispensing location. In some examples, a gravitational flow portion of the one or more gravitational flow portions can extend from the heating location to the pod opening location. In some examples, a gravitational flow portion of the one or more gravitational flow portions can extend from the pod opening location to the grinding location.

[0316] In some examples, the operational path can be constituted entirely by the one or more gravitational flow portions. For instance, in such examples, the spice can travel from the pod inlet to the dispensing location solely under the influence of gravity.

[0317] In the example illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, the system 1 comprises a dispensing location, generally designated as 6, accessible to the user for accessing the treated and released spice. The dispensing location 6 is positioned gravitationally beneath the grinding location 31, which is gravitationally beneath the heating location 21, which is gravitationally beneath the pod inlet 5. Accordingly, the spice travels through the system 1 from the pod inlet 5 to the heating location 21, and then to the grinding location 31, and then to the dispensing location 6. In the illustrated example, the pod opening location 13 overlaps with the heating location 21.

[0318] The spice travels through the system 1, illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4 A to 4D, from the pod inlet 5 to the heating location 21, and then to the grinding location 31, and then to the dispensing location 6 along an operational path, generally designated as 2, extending from the pod inlet 5 to the dispensing location 6 via the heating location 21 and the grinding location 31. In the illustrated example, the operational path 2 includes gravitational flow portions 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3. The gravitational flow portion 2-1 extends from the pod inlet 5 to the heating location 21, the gravitational flow portion 2-2 extends from the grinding location 31 (from the grinder outlet 38) to the dispensing location 6, and the gravitational flow portion 2-3 extends from the heating location 21 to the grinding location 31.

[0319] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion. The description of the features of the housing provided below generally as well as specifically with respect to the example illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can apply to the corresponding features of a housing of a countertop spice treatment system of any one of the examples described above generally and / or as specifically illustrated in Figs. lA and IB.

[0320] In general, the pod inlet can be located at the upper portion and the dispensing location can be located at the lower portion. The heating mechanism, the pod opening mechanism, the pod holder, the grinding mechanism (which all constitute the system according to a corresponding example of the different examples described herein) can be located in an interior of the housing. The controllers or actuators (including heating controller, slider, grinding controller, ON / OFF switch, etc.) that are to be accessed by the user to operate the system (or a mechanism thereof, for example opening and closing the plates of the heating mechanism) and / or to select the operational parameters, for example the heating and / or grinding parameters, of the system are positioned at an exterior of the housing. For example, in the examples including the actuator (for example, slider) operable to open and / or close the plates of the heating mechanism, the actuator can be positioned at the exterior of the housing. For example, in the examples including the heating controller (for example, knob or dial) operable to select one or more heating parameters, the heating controller can be positioned at the exterior of the housing. For example, in the examples including the grinding controller (for example, knob or dial) operable to select one or more grinding parameters, the grinding controller can be positioned at the exterior of the housing.

[0321] In general, at least one of the heating mechanism and the grinding mechanism can be located in the upper portion of the housing and another one can be located in the lower portion of the housing. In some examples, the heating mechanism can be located in the upper portion of the housing and the grinding mechanism can be located in the lower portion of the housing. In some examples, the grinding mechanism can be located in the upper portion of the housing and the heating mechanism can be located in the lower portion of the housing. In some examples, both the heating mechanism and the grinding mechanism can be located in the upper portion of the housing. In some examples, both the heating mechanism and the grinding mechanism can be located in the lower portion of the housing.

[0322] In the example illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, the system 1 comprises a housing, designated as 50, having an upper portion 52 including the pod inlet 5 and a lower power portion 54 including the dispensing location 6. The heating mechanism 20 is located in an interior 50A of the housing 50 and is located in the upper portion 52. The grinding mechanism 30 is located in an interior 50A of the housing and is located in the lower portion 53. The slider 25 A, the knob 27 (constituting the heating controller), and the knob 37 (constituting the grinding controller) are located at an exterior 5 OB of the housing 50.

[0323] It is to be understood herein that although the pod inlet 5 has been depicted as being located at an upper wall of the housing 50, in some examples, the pod inlet 5 can be located at a side wall of the housing 50. Further, it is to be understood herein that although the slider 25A and the knobs 27 and 37 have been depicted as being located at a side wall of the housing 50, in some examples, any one, two, or all of the slider 25A and the knobs 27 and 37 can be located at an upper wall of the housing 50.

[0324] In general, a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include an electrical system operable to provide input power to one or more of the heating mechanism, grinding mechanism, and pod opening mechanism. The description of the features of the electrical system provided below generally as well as specifically with respect to the example illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can apply to the corresponding features of an electrical system of a countertop spice treatment system of any one of the examples described above generally and / or as specifically illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB. The electrical system can include at least one of: an electrical connection arrangement operable to connect an external power source to the countertop spice treatment system, and an internal (or local) power source. In some examples, the electrical system can include an electrical connection arrangement for example a plug, connection port, socket, wire, or equivalents thereof, for electrically connecting the countertop spice treatment system to an external power source, for example, a power supply line. In some examples, the electrical system can include an internal (or local) power source, for example a battery, power bank, or any other similar power storage apparatus.

[0325] In general, an electrical system of a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can include an electrical input. In the examples in which the electrical system comprises the electrical connection arrangement (connectable to an external power), the electrical input can be constituted by the electrical connection arrangement. In the examples in which the electrical system comprises the local power source, the electrical input can be constituted by the local power source. In some examples, the electrical system can include a first mating connector portion electrically coupled to the electrical input, and a second mating connector portion electrically coupled to one or more of the heating mechanism, grinding mechanism, and pod opening mechanism. The electrical circuit can be completed when the first mating connector portion and the second mating connector portion are electrically coupled to each other. In some examples, the first mating connector portion and the second mating connector portion can be in the form of one or more of electrical ports, plug and socket combination, conductor elements, wires, or equivalents thereof. An input power can be supplied to the one or more of the heating mechanism, grinding mechanism, and pod opening mechanism once the electrical circuit is complete, i.e., when the first mating connector portion and the second mating connector portion are electrically coupled to each other.

[0326] In general, upper and lower portions of a housing of a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can be separable from (i.e., detachably connected to) each other. In such examples, one of the first and second mating connector portions of the electrical system can be associated with one of the upper and lower portions of the housing and the other one of the first and second mating connector portions of the electrical system can be associated with the other one of the upper and lower portions of the housing. The electrical coupling between the first and second mating connector portions can be established when the upper and lower portions of the housing are assembled (connected) together. In some examples, the upper and lower portions of the housing can be configured to be mechanically locked when assembled together. In such examples, the electrical coupling between the first and second mating connector portions can be established when the upper and lower portions of the housing are locked to each other.

[0327] It is to be understood herein that the housing can include a connection mechanism operable to detachably connect the upper and lower portions. The connection mechanism can include any suitable structure including snap fit connection arrangement, snug fit connection arrangement, magnetic connection arrangement, a threaded connection arrangement, or equivalents thereof, to connect and lock the upper and lower portions together.

[0328] In the example illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, the system 1 comprises an electrical system operable to provide input power to one or more of the heating mechanism 20, grinding mechanism 30, and pod opening mechanism 12. The electrical system comprises a power source 62, which in the illustrated example is a battery 62, positioned in the lower portion 54 of the housing 50, the first mating connector portion 64, which in the illustrated example is a socket 64, electrically coupled to the battery 62, and the second mating connector portion 66, which in the illustrated example is a plug 66. The power source 62, the first mating connector portion 64, and the second mating connector portion 66 constitute at least partially the electrical system together with the internal wiring and / or electrical connections (not shown). The input power from the battery 62 can be provided to one or more of the heating mechanism 20, grinding mechanism 30, and pod opening mechanism 12 once the electrical circuit is completed by electrically coupling the first mating connector portion 64 and the second mating connector portion 66.

[0329] The electrical circuit is completed when the upper portion 52 and lower portion 54 are connected to each other, and the plug 66 is received in the socket 64. The housing 50 comprises a connection mechanism 55 having a first connecting part 56 associated with the upper portion 52 and a second connecting part 58 associated with the lower portion 54. The first and second connecting parts 56 and 58 detachably connect and lock to each other when the upper portion 52 and lower portion 54 are assembled together. Accordingly, the system 1 can be operated when the upper portion 52 and lower portion 54 are assembled together to constitute the system 1.

[0330] In general, a housing of a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, can comprise a housing outlet positioned in the lower portion of the housing adjacent the dispensing location to enable a user to access the treated spice. In some examples, the housing can comprise a housing outlet piece for directing the treated spice from the dispensing location towards a container, which can be separate or constitute a part of the housing. The housing outlet piece can have a first opening aligned with the grinder outlet to receive therefrom the treated spice, and a second opening positioned gravitationally beneath the first opening. The second opening can constitute the housing outlet and can be aligned with a container, or in some examples, a container can be positioned beneath the second opening to collect the treated spice.

[0331] In the example illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, the housing 50 of the system 1 comprises a housing outlet piece, generally designated as 59, having a first opening 59A aligned with the grinder outlet 38 and a second opening 59B located gravitationally beneath the first opening 59A. The housing outlet piece 59 directs the treated spice in a downwards direction making it more convenient for collecting the spice in a container, which in the illustrated example is a container C constituting a part of the housing 50.

[0332] For operating the countertop system 1 illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4 A to 4D, a user inserts a pod, for example the pod 100, into the pod inlet 5. The pod 100 travels to the heating location 21 under the influence of gravity from the pod inlet 5. The slider 27 is operated to bring the plates 22 and 24 into the closed position, which then apply heat to the pod, which is conducted to the spice within the pod. Simultaneously with closing the plates, the system magnetic arrangements 12A and 12B adheres to corresponding pod magnetic arrangements, for example the pod magnetic arrangements 114 and 124. Once heating is complete, the plates are moved into the open position, which causes the pod to be opened as described herein above. The spice (heated) is gravitationally released from the pod and travels from the heating location 21 to the grinding location 31 under the influence of gravity. The grinding mechanism 30 is operated to grind the spice, by rotating the second grinding element 36. Under the influence of the centrifugal force generated due to rotation of the second grinding element 36, the ground spice travels radially outward through the gap G towards the grinder outlet 38. A portion of the ground spice that falls on the base 39 of the grinding mechanism 30 is swept towards the grinder outlet 38. The ground spice is discharged from the grinding mechanism 30, and hence the grinding location 31, through the grinder outlet 38 (which constitutes an end of the grinding location 31). The treated (heated and ground) spice travels from the grinding location 31, i.e., from the grinder outlet 38, into the container C via the housing outlet piece 59 under the influence of gravity. During or prior to starting the operation, the user can set one or more of heating and grinding parameters via knobs 27 and 37 respectively. Reference is now made to Figs. 5A to 5F illustrating a pod to be used with a spice treatment system, for example a countertop spice treatment system according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 1 A and IB and the one illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2L, 3A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, for example as described herein above with respect to the pod 100. It is to be understood herein that a pod described herein below generally or with reference to Figs. 5 A to 5F can include one or more features of the pod described above generally or specifically as pod 100 with reference to Figs. 1A and IB and / or Figs. 2A to 2L, 3A to 3F, and 4A to 4D, and the corresponding description of such features provided above with reference to the pod can apply to the features of a pod described herein below generally or with reference to Figs. 5A to 5F.

[0333] In general, a pod according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 5 A to 5F, can be configured for containing at least one spice and dispensing of said at least one spice therefrom. In some examples, the pod can be configured for allowing heating of said at least one spice therein, for example, via walls of the pod. Accordingly, in some examples, the pod can comprise a material that allows heat to transfer therethrough.

[0334] In some examples, the pod can comprise an upper portion and a lower portion. It is to be understood herein the upper and lower portions of the pod have been referred to herein with respect to the position of the pod inside a spice treatment mechanism during operation thereof, for example during heating of the spice within the pod. The upper portion and the lower portion can extend along equal lengths of a height of the pod. The height of the pod is to be understood as a dimension of the pod along a direction extending between the upper portion and the lower portion of the pod. In other words, the height of the pod is the shortest between a lowermost point of the lower portion of the pod and an uppermost point of the upper portion of the pod. Accordingly, the upper portion of the pod can constitute an upper half of the height of the pod and the lower portion of the pod can constitute the lower half of the height of the pod.

[0335] In some examples, the upper portion can have a greater volume than that of the lower portion. For instance, an internal volume (or volume) of the upper portion of the pod can be greater than an internal volume of the lower portion of the pod. The internal volume of the upper portion of the pod can be greater than the internal volume of the lower portion of the pod by at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 100% (i.e., double), at least 150%, at least 200%, including the values and sub-ranges falling between the specified values.

[0336] The pod can have a variable pod thickness in a direction perpendicular to the height of the pod. In some examples, the pod thickness can be substantially uniform along at least a majority of the height of the pod when the pod contains the at least one spice, for example when the pod is closed. For the purposes of the present description, the thickness being substantially uniform is to be understood with respect to the difference between a maximal thickness and a minimal thickness. For instance, the thickness being substantially uniform in intended to mean that the difference between a maximal thickness and a minimal thickness is less than 5% of the minimal thickness, or less than 10% of the minimal thickness, or less than 20% of the minimal thickness, or less than

[0337] 30% of the minimal thickness, or less than 40% of the minimal thickness, or less than

[0338] 50% of the minimal thickness, or less than 60% of the minimal thickness, or less than

[0339] 70% of the minimal thickness, or less than 80% of the minimal thickness, or less than

[0340] 90% of the minimal thickness, or less than 100% of the minimal thickness. Each value and sub-range relate to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter. It is to be understood herein that the difference being within 90 to 100% of the minimal thickness is being considered herein as substantially uniform because of the minimal thickness being so small that a difference of 90 to 100% of the minimal thickness would be small enough to be considered as substantially uniform. For instance, the minimal thickness of the pod can vary between 2mm to 6mm and the maximal thickness of the pod can vary between 2.2 mm to 12mm.

[0341] The pod thickness can be substantially uniform along at least a majority of the height of the pod, or at least 60% of the height of the pod, or at least 70% of the height of the pod, or at least 75% of the height of the pod, or at least 80% of the height of the pod, or at least 85% of the height of the pod, or at least 90% of the height of the pod, or at least 95% of the height of the pod, or at least 99% of the height of the pod, or at least 100% of the height of the pod, when the pod contains the at least one spice. Each value and subrange relate to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0342] The shape of the pod including the upper portion having greater volume than the lower portion and the substantially uniform thickness facilitates uniform distribution of the spice along the height and width of the pod. The uniform distribution of the spice facilitates presence of the spice at a majority of the height and width of the pod, thereby resulting in efficient heating of the spice within the pod, for example when the heat is applied in the direction along the pod thickness, for example as illustrated in and described above with respect to Figs. 2A to 2L, 3 A to 3F, and 4A to 4D.

[0343] In general, the pod can have a variable width in a direction perpendicular to the height as well as thickness of the pod. In some examples, the lower portion has a funnel shape tapering from a first width at an upper end of the lower portion of the pod to a second width at a lower end of the lower portion of the pod. The first width is greater than the second width. In some examples, the upper portion of the pod can have a maximal width greater than the first width. In some examples, the upper portion of the pod can have a maximal width greater than the second width. The specific shape of the pod with respect to the width provides additional benefits with respect to the above-mentioned uniform distribution of the spice within the pod.

[0344] In the example illustrated in Figs. 5 A to 5F, a pod, generally designated as 100, includes an upper portion 101 and a lower portion 103 extending along upper half of the height H of the pod 100 and lower half of the height H of the pod 100, respectively. The upper portion 101 has a greater volume than that of the lower portion 103. The pod 100 has a variable pod thickness having a minimal thickness T1 and maximal thickness T2 in a direction perpendicular to the height H of the pod. The pod thickness is substantially uniform (best seen in Fig. 5E) along a majority of the height H of the pod 100 when the pod 100 contains the spice, for example when the pod is closed (Fig. 5E).

[0345] The pod 100 has a variable width in a direction perpendicular to the height H as well as thickness of the pod. The lower portion 103 has a funnel shape tapering from a first width W1 at an upper end 103-1 of the lower portion 103 of the pod 100 to a second width W2 at a lower end 103-2 of the lower portion 103 of the pod 100. The first width W1 is greater than the second width W2. The upper portion 101 of the pod 100 has a maximal width W3 greater than the first width W3.

[0346] In general, a pod according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 5 A to 5F, can include a moisture resistant material or can be made up at least partially of a moisture resistant material. In some examples, the pod can include a translucent material or can be made up at least partially of a translucent material. In some examples, the pod can include a transparent material or can be made up at least partially of a transparent material. In some examples, the pod can include parchment paper or can be made up at least partially of parchment paper. In some examples, the pod can include two materials or can be made up at least partially of two materials.

[0347] In some examples, the pod can have a top portion (at least partially constituting the upper portion) comprising a grippable portion operable to be held by a user, for example for inserting and / or removing the pod into and / or out of a spice treatment system. For instance, when the pod is inserted into the system, the grippable portion can protrude outwardly from a housing of the system so as to be accessible to remove the pod from the system. In some examples, the grippable portion can be constituted by a tab. In some examples, the grippable portion can be made up of a material having lower thermal conductivity than that of the remaining portion of the pod.

[0348] In the example illustrated in Figs. 5 A to 5F, a pod, generally designated as 100, includes a grippable portion 104 constituted by tab 104 located at a top portion 101 A, which is a part of the upper portion 101.

[0349] It is to be understood herein that the features related to opening of the pod to release the spice have been described above, and the description of those features applies to any one or all of the examples of the pod provided herein including the one illustrated in Figs. 5A to 5F.

[0350] In general, a pod according to one or more examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, including the one illustrated in Figs. 5 A to 5F, can comprise an inner pouch containing the at least one spice and an outer pouch. The inner pouch can be contained within said outer pouch. In some examples, the outer pouch can comprise aluminum. The outer pouch can be configured to form an airtight seal with the inner pouch. The outer pouch can retain the freshness of the at least one spice contained in the inner pouch.

[0351] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0352] Although various example embodiments have been described in detail herein, however, in view of the present disclosure many modifications are possible in the examples described above without materially departing from the concepts of present disclosure. Accordingly, any such modifications are intended to be included in the scope of this disclosure. Likewise, while the disclosure herein contains many specific combinations, these specific combinations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure or of any of the appended claims, but are provided as a description pertinent to one or more specific embodiments that may fall within the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims. Any described features from the various embodiments disclosed may be employed in combination with other disclosed embodiments. In addition, other embodiments of the present disclosure may also be devised which lie within the scopes of the disclosure and the appended claims.

[0353] This disclosure provides various examples, embodiments, and features which, unless expressly stated or which would be mutually exclusive, should be understood to be combinable with other examples, embodiments, or features described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A countertop spice treatment system for use with a pod containing at least one spice therein, said system comprising: a pod inlet for receiving the pod; at least one spice treatment mechanism operable to treat the spice at a corresponding treatment location being gravitationally beneath said pod inlet; a pod opening mechanism operable to open the pod to allow the at least one spice to be gravitationally released therefrom; and a dispensing location accessible to a user of said system for accessing the treated and released spice, said dispensing location being gravitationally beneath said spice treatment location.

2. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 1, wherein said system defines at least one operational path along which said at least one spice travels through said system from said inlet, to said at least one treatment location, to said dispensing location, said operational path comprising one or more gravitational flow portions, along which said at least one spice moves solely under the influence of gravity.

3. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 2, wherein at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions extends from said inlet to said treatment location.

4. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions extends from said spice treatment location to said dispensing location.

5. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein said at least one spice treatment mechanism is constituted by at least two spice treatment mechanisms comprising a first spice treatment mechanism and a second spice treatment mechanism.

6. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 5, wherein the treatment location corresponding to said first spice treatment mechanism is gravitationally above the treatment location corresponding to said second spice treatment mechanism.

7. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 6, wherein at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions extends from said first treatment location to said second treatment location.

8. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, wherein the operational path is constituted entirely by said one or more gravitational flow portions.

9. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one spice treatment mechanism comprises a heating mechanism, operable to apply heat to the spice, at least indirectly.

10. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 9, wherein said heating mechanism is operable to apply heat to the pod by conduction heating.

11. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein said heating mechanism comprises at least one plate.

12. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 11, wherein said at least one plate is constituted by two plates, at least one of the two plates being a heating plate operable to apply heat to the at least one spice.

13. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 12, wherein at least one of said two plates is movable at least partially in a direction towards the other one of the two plates.

14. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 13, wherein each heating plate has a lower end and an upper end, and the plates are displaceable, by moving said at least one plate, between an open position, in which the upper ends are spaced apartfrom each other to a first distance and the lower ends are spaced apart from each other to a second distance smaller than said first distance, and a closed position, in which the upper ends are spaced apart from each other to a third distance smaller than said first distance.

15. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 9 to 14, wherein said heating mechanism is operable to apply heat of up to 180 degrees Celsius.

16. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 9 to 15, wherein said heating mechanism comprises a controller operable by a user for selecting one or more heating parameters.

17. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 9 to 16, when dependent at least indirectly on Claim 5, wherein said first spice treatment mechanism is constituted by said heating mechanism.

18. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pod holder operable to hold the pod received in the pod inlet at a pod holding location, wherein said pod holding location is gravitationally beneath said pot inlet.

19. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 18, wherein said pod holder is integrated with one of said at least one spice treatment mechanism.

20. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 19, wherein said pod holding location and the treatment location corresponding to said one of said at least one spice treatment mechanism at least partially overlap.

21. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 20, when dependent at least indirectly on Claim 14, wherein said two plates constitute said pod holder at least when in the open position thereof.

22. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 18 to 21, wherein said pod opening mechanism has a corresponding pod opening location wheresaid pod is opened, and said pod opening location and said pod holding location are the same.

23. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pod opening mechanism is integrated with one of said at least one spice treatment mechanism.

24. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 23, when dependent at least indirectly on Claim 14, wherein: said pod comprises at least one pouch having at least two walls connected at one end thereof and a seal selectively defining an opening for the pouch at another end thereof, said seal comprising at least two opening portions formed at a bottom portion of each of said at least two walls, said opening portions being selectively separable from each other, and at least one of said at least two walls comprising a pod magnetic arrangement at the respective bottom portion thereof, and the pod opening mechanism comprises a corresponding system magnetic arrangement disposed on at least one of the two plates, said system magnetic arrangement being operable to adhere to the corresponding pod magnetic arrangement of the pod when the plates are in the closed position, and when the plates are subsequently displaced into the open position, said system magnetic arrangement and said pod magnetic arrangement remain in adherence separating said two opening portions from each other so as to create said opening in the pouch via which the at least one spice exits.

25. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one said spice treatment mechanism comprises a grinding mechanism operable to grind the at least one spice released from the pod by the pod opening mechanism.

26. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 25, wherein said grinding mechanism is controllable to grind said spice to a selected predetermined fineness.

27. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 26, further comprising a dial rotatable by a user to select said predetermined fineness.

28. The spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 25 to 27, when dependent at least indirectly on Claim 5, wherein said second spice treatment mechanism is constituted by said griding mechanism.

29. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein said inlet is formed in said upper portion, and said dispensing location is located at said lower portion of the housing.

30. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 29, wherein said housing has an interior and an exterior, and said at least one spice treatment mechanism and said pod opening mechanism are situated in said housing interior.

31. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 30, when dependent at least indirectly on claim 12, further comprising a slider situated on the exterior of the housing, slidable to move said at least one plate.

32. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 30 or 31, when dependent at least indirectly on Claim 27, wherein said dial is positioned on said exterior of the housing.

33. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 29 to 32, when dependent at least indirectly on Claim 5 wherein the first spice treatment mechanism is situated in said upper portion of said housing and the second spice treatment mechanism is situated in said lower portion of said housing.

34. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 29 to 33, wherein said upper and lower portions are separable from each other.

35. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 29 to 34, wherein said at least one spice treatment mechanism is operatively connected to an electrical system.

36. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 35, said electrical system comprising: an electrical input associated with one of the upper portion or the lower portion of the housing; a first mating connector portion associated with said one of the upper and lower portions of the housing and electrically coupled to the electrical input; and a second mating connector portion associated with other one of the upper and lower portions of the housing, wherein the first mating connector portion and the second mating connector portion are configured to be electrically connected with each other when the upper portion and the lower portion are assembled, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the electrical input and the other one of the upper and the lower portions.

37. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claim 36, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are configured to be mechanically locked when assembled, and the first mating connector portion and the second mating connector portion are configured to be electrically connected with each other when the upper portion and the lower portion are mechanically locked.

38. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 29 to 37, comprising a housing outlet formed in said lower portion of said housing adjacent said dispensing location.

39. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 38, when dependent at least indirectly on Claim 25, wherein said grinding mechanism comprises: a grinding chamber having an axis; at least one grinding element rotatable about said axis for grinding said at least one spice within the grinding chamber ; andand a grinder outlet positioned radially outward from the axis for discharging the ground spice from the grinding chamber, wherein said housing further comprises a housing outlet piece comprising a first opening aligned with said grinder outlet and a second opening positioned gravitationally beneath said first opening, said second opening constituting said housing outlet.

40. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pod inlet is operable for removing the pod therethrough.

41. A pod for use with the countertop spice treatment system according to any one of the preceding claims.

42. The pod according to Claim 41, wherein said pod has a pod height and a pod thickness, and comprises: an upper portion and a lower portion, each extending along equal lengths of said pod height, wherein said upper portion has a greater volume than said lower portion, wherein said pod thickness is substantially uniform along at least a majority of the height of the pod when said pod contains said at least one spice.

43. The pod according to Claim 42, wherein said lower portion has a funnel shape tapering from a first width at an upper end thereof to a second width at a lower end thereof.

44. The pod according to Claim 42 or 43, wherein when said pod contains said at least one spice, said pod thickness varies between 2mm to 12mm.

45. The pod according to any one of Claims 41 to 44, wherein said pod comprises a material that allows heat to transfer therethrough.

46. The pod according to any one of Claims 41 to 45, wherein said pod comprises a material with low thermal conductivity.

47. The pod according to any one of Claims41 to 46, wherein said pod is moisture resistant.

48. The pod according to any one of Claims 41 to 47, wherein said pod comprises translucent material.

49. The pod according to any one of Claims 48, wherein said pod comprises parchment paper.

50. The pod according to any one of Claims 41 to 49, wherein said pod comprises at least two different materials.

51. The pod according to any one of Claims 41 to 50, wherein said pod has a top portion comprising a grippable portion.

52. The pod according to Claim 51, wherein said grippable portion comprises a material with low thermal conductivity.

53. The pod according to Claim 52, wherein said grippable portion is constituted by a tab, wherein when said pod is inserted into said inlet, said tab protrudes outwardly from said housing interior so as to be accessible to be removed therefrom.

54. The pod according to any one of Claims 41 to 53, wherein said pod comprises at least one pouch having at least two walls connected at one end thereof, and a seal selectively defining an opening for the pouch at another end thereof, said seal comprising at least two opening portions selectively separable from each other so as to create an opening in the pouch via which the at least one spice exits.

55. The pod according to Claim 54 wherein each of said two walls has a bottom portion comprising said opening portions, and at least one of said walls comprises a pod magnetic arrangement in said bottom portion.

56. The pod according to Claim 55, wherein each of said two walls comprise a corresponding pod magnetic arrangement in the bottom portion thereof .

57. The pod according to any one of Claims 41 to 56 further comprising: an inner pouch containing said at least one spice; and an outer pouch, wherein said inner pouch is contained within said outer pouch.

58. The pod according to Claim 57, wherein said outer pouch comprises aluminum.

59. A countertop spice treatment system for use with a pod containing at least one spice therein, said system comprising: a pod inlet for receiving the pod; a heating mechanism operable to heat the at least one spice; a pod opening mechanism operable to open the pod to allow the at least one spice to be released therefrom; a grinding mechanism, operable to grind the spice; and a dispensing location accessible to a user of said system for accessing the at least one spice after it has been treated by at least one of said heating mechanism and said grinding mechanism.

60. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 59, wherein said system defines at least one operational path along which said at least one spice travels through said system from said inlet to a heating location corresponding said heating mechanism, then to a grinding location corresponding said grinding mechanism, and then to said dispensing location, said operational path comprising one or more gravitational flow portions, along which said at least one spice moves solely under the influence of gravity.

61. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 60, wherein at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions extends from said inlet to said heating location.

62. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 61, wherein the heating location is gravitationally above the grinding location.

63. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 62, wherein at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions extends from said heating location to said grinding location.

64. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 60 to 63, wherein at least one of the one or more gravitational flow portions extends from said grinding location to said dispensing location.

65. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 60 to 64, wherein the operational path is constituted entirely by said one or more gravitational flow portions.

66. The countertop spice treatment system according to any of Claims 59 to 65, wherein said heating mechanism is operable to apply heat to the pod by conduction heating.

67. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 66, wherein said heating mechanism comprises at least one plate.

68. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 67, wherein said at least one plate is constituted by two plates, at least one of the two plates being a heating plate operable to apply heat to the at least one spice.

69. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 68, wherein at least one of said two plates is movable at least partially in a direction towards the other one of the two plates.

70. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 69, wherein each plate has a lower end and an upper end, and the plates are displaceable, by moving said at least one plate, between an open position, in which the upper ends are spaced apart from each other to a first distance and the lower ends are spaced apart from each other to a second distance smaller than said first distance, and a closed position, in which the upper ends are spaced apart from each other to a third distance smaller than said first distance.

71. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 59 to 70, wherein said heating mechanism is operable to apply heat of up to 180 degrees Celsius.

72. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 59 to 71, wherein said heating mechanism comprises a controller operable by a user for selecting one or more heating parameters.

73. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 59 to 72, further comprising a pod holder operable to hold the pod received in the pod inlet at a pod holding location, wherein said pod holding location is gravitationally beneath said pod inlet.

74. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 73, wherein said pod holder is integrated with said heating mechanism.

75. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 74, when dependent at least indirectly on Claim 70, wherein said two plates constitute said pod holder at least when in the open position thereof.

76. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 73 to 75, wherein said pod opening mechanism has a corresponding pod opening location where said pod is opened, and said pod opening location and said pod holding location are the same.

77. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 59 to 76, wherein said pod opening mechanism is integrated with one of said heating mechanism and said grinding mechanism.

78. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 77, when dependent at least indirectly on Claim 70, wherein: said pod comprises at least one pouch having at least two walls connected at one end thereof and a seal selectively defining an opening for the pouch at another end thereof, said seal comprising at least two opening portions formed at a bottom portion of each ofsaid at least two walls, said opening portions being selectively separable from each other, and at least one of said at least two walls comprising a pod magnetic arrangement at the respective bottom portion thereof, and the pod opening mechanism comprises a corresponding system magnetic arrangement disposed on at least one of the two plates, said system magnetic arrangement being operable to adhere to the corresponding pod magnetic arrangement of the pod when the plates are in the closed position, and when the plates are subsequently displaced into the open position, said system magnetic arrangement and said pod magnetic arrangement remain in adherence separating said two opening portions from each other so as to create said opening in the pouch via which the at least one spice exits.

79. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 59 to 78, wherein said grinding mechanism is controllable to grind said at least one spice to a selected predetermined fineness.

80. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 79, further comprising a dial rotatable by a user to select said predetermined fineness.

81. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 59 to 80, further comprising: a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the inlet is formed in said upper portion, and the dispensing location is located at said lower portion of the housing.

82. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 81 , wherein said housing comprises an interior and an exterior, and the heating mechanism, the pod opening mechanism and the grinding mechanism are positioned within said interior of the housing.

83. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 82, when dependent at least indirectly on Claim 69 or 70, further comprising a slider situated on the exterior of the housing, slidable to move said at least one of said two plates.

84. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 82 or 83, when dependent at least indirectly on Claim 80, wherein said dial is positioned on said exterior of the housing.

85. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 81 to 84, wherein said heating mechanism is situated in said upper portion of said housing and said grinding mechanism is situated in said lower portion of said housing.

86. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 81 to 85, wherein said upper and lower portions are separable from each other.

87. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 81 to 86, wherein said heating mechanism and said grinding mechanism are operatively connected to an electrical system.

88. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 87, said electrical system comprising: an electrical input associated with one of the upper portion or the lower portion of the housing; a first mating connector portion associated with said one of the upper and lower portions of the housing and electrically coupled to the electrical input; and a second mating connector portion associated with other one of the upper and lower portions of the housing, wherein the first mating connector portion and the second mating connector portion are configured to be electrically connected with each other when the upper portion and the lower portion are assembled, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the electrical input and the other one of the upper and the lower portions.

89. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 88, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are configured to be mechanically locked when assembled, and the first mating connector portion and the second mating connector portion are configured to be electrically connected with each other when the upper portion and the lower portion are mechanically locked.

90. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 81 to 89, comprising a housing outlet formed in said lower portion of said housing adjacent said dispensing location.

91. The countertop spice treatment system according to Claim 90, wherein said grinding mechanism comprises: a grinding chamber having an axis; at least one grinding element rotatable about said axis for grinding said at least one spice within the grinding chamber; and a grinder outlet positioned radially outward from the axis for discharging the ground spice from the grinding chamber, wherein said housing further comprises a housing outlet piece comprising a first opening aligned with said grinder outlet and a second opening positioned gravitationally beneath said first opening, said second opening constituting said housing outlet.

92. The countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 59 to 91, wherein said pod inlet is operable for removing the pod therethrough.

93. A pod for use with the countertop spice treatment system according to any one of Claims 59 to 92.

94. The pod according to Claim 93, wherein said pod has a pod height and a pod thickness, and comprises: an upper portion and a lower portion, each extending along equal lengths of said pod height, wherein said upper portion has a greater volume than said lower portion, wherein said pod thickness is substantially uniform along at least a majority of the height of the pod when said pod contains said at least one spice.

95. The pod according to Claim 94, wherein said lower portion has a funnel shape tapering from a first width at an upper end thereof to a second width at a lower end thereof.

96. The pod according to Claim 94 or 95, wherein when said pod contains said at least one spice, said pod thickness varies between 2mm to 12mm.

97. The pod according to any one of Claims 93 to 96, wherein said pod comprises a material that allows heat to transfer therethrough.

98. The pod according to any one of Claims 93 to 97, wherein said pod comprises a material with low thermal conductivity.

99. The pod according to any one of Claims93 to 98, wherein said pod is moisture resistant.

100. The pod according to any one of Claims 93 to 99, wherein said pod comprises translucent material.

101. The pod according to Claim 100, wherein said pod comprises parchment paper.

102. The pod according to any one of Claims 93 to 101, wherein said pod comprises at least two different materials.

103. The pod according to any one of Claims 93 to 102, wherein said pod has a top portion comprising a grippable portion.

104. The pod according to Claim 103, wherein said grippable portion comprises a material with low thermal conductivity.

105. The pod according to Claim 104, when dependent at least indirectly on Claim 82, wherein said grippable portion is constituted by a tab, wherein when said pod is inserted into said inlet, said tab protrudes outwardly from said housing interior so as to be accessible to be removed therefrom.

106. The pod according to any one of Claims 93 to 105, wherein said pod comprises at least one pouch having at least two walls connected at one end thereof, and a sealselectively defining an opening for the pouch at another end thereof, said seal comprising at least two opening portions selectively separable from each other so as to create an opening in the pouch via which the at least one spice exits.

107. The pod according to Claim 106, wherein each of the two walls has a bottom portion comprising said opening portion, and at least one of said walls comprises a pod magnetic arrangement in said bottom portion.

108. The pod according to Claim 107, wherein each of said two walls comprises a corresponding pod magnetic arrangement in the bottom portion thereof .

109. The pod according to any one of Claims 93 to 108 further comprising: an inner pouch containing said at least one spice; and an outer pouch, wherein said inner pouch is contained within said outer pouch.

110. The pod according to Claim 109, wherein said outer pouch comprises aluminum.

111. A pod for use with a spice treatment system, said pod being configured for containing at least one spice and allowing heating of said at least one spice therein and dispensing of said at least one spice therefrom, said pod having a pod height and a pod thickness, and comprising: an upper portion and a lower portion, each extending along equal lengths of said pod height, wherein said upper portion has a greater volume than said lower portion, wherein said pod thickness is substantially uniform along at least a majority of the height of the pod when said pod contains said at least one spice.

112. The pod according to Claim 111, wherein said lower portion has a funnel shape tapering from a first width at an upper end thereof to a second width at a lower end thereof.

113. The pod according to Claim 111 or 112, wherein when said pod contains said at least one spice, said pod thickness varies between 2mm to 12mm.

114. The pod according to any one of Claims 111 to 113, wherein said pod comprises a material that allows heat to transfer therethrough.

115. The pod according to any one of Claims 111 to 114, wherein said pod comprises a material with low thermal conductivity.

116. The pod according to any one of Claims 111 to 115, wherein said pod is moisture resistant.

117. The pod according to any one of Claims 111 to 116, wherein said pod comprises translucent material.

118. The pod according to Claim 117, wherein said pod comprises parchment paper.

119. The pod according to any one of Claims 111 to 118, wherein said pod comprises at least two different materials.

120. The pod according to any one of Claims 111 to 119, wherein said pod has a top portion comprising a grippable portion.

121. The pod according to Claim 120, wherein said grippable portion comprises a material with low thermal conductivity.

122. The pod according to Claim 120 or 121, wherein said grippable portion is constituted by a tab.

123. The pod according to any one of Claims 111 to 122, wherein said pod comprises at least one pouch having at least two walls connected at one end thereof, and a seal selectively defining an opening for the pouch at another end thereof, said seal comprising at least two opening portions selectively separable from each other so as to create an opening in the pouch via which the at least one spice exits.

124. The pod according to Claim 123, wherein each of said two walls has a bottom portion comprising said opening portion, and at least one of said walls comprises a pod magnetic arrangement in said bottom portion.

125. The pod according to Claim 124, wherein each of said two walls comprise a corresponding pod magnetic arrangement in the bottom portion thereof.

126. The pod according to any one of Claims 111 to 125, further comprising: an inner pouch containing said at least one spice; and an outer pouch, wherein said inner pouch is contained within said outer pouch.

127. The pod according to Claim 126, wherein said outer pouch comprises aluminum.

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