Food substance grinding apparatus with enhanced cartridge release

Abstract

An actuator device that drives interchangeable cartridges, preferably those that process edible or drinkable substances, to achieve a grinding or grating of substances inside those cartridges. A mechanism is provided to facilitate release of the interchangeable cartridge from the actuator device after a grinding / grating operation. This may include reversing rotation of a drive motor to release pressure applied by a drive force applying structure on the cartridge. In one embodiment, the drive motor is rotated in a reverse direction to release this pressure. A Hall sensor and magnetic material may be used to monitor rotation of the motor and / or drive force applying structure, and determine the extent to which the drive force applying structure is reversed. Various embodiments are disclosed or suggested for facilitating release of the cartridge from the actuator device.

Description

[0001] of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 707, 044, filed October 14, 2024, entitled Food Substance Grinding Apparatus with Enhanced Cartridge Release, and having the same inventor as above.

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to grinding and grating devices and / or systems and particularly those that process edible (or drinkable) substances. The present invention further relates to such devices / systems that have an actuator and interchangeable cartridges, and to the release of the cartridge from the actuator.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] U.S. Patent no. 12, 016, 492 (the '492 patent) was issued on June 26, 2024 to Liu for a Spice or Other Substance Grinding Apparatus with Interchangeable Substance Containers. This patent describes pioneering work in the field of interchangeable-cartridge food substance grinding systems and is hereby incorporated by references as though disclosed in its entirety herein. During a grinding operation, a drive force applying structure in an actuator fits into a complementary shaped drive force receiving structure in a cartridge . The mechanics of the actuator and cartridge may be such that , under certain conditions , the residual surface friction ( or other force ) between the drive force applying structure and the force receiving structure, after a grinding operation, is sufficient to prevent the cartridge from readily releasing from the actuator and falling out under the force of gravity . The force from the force applying structure may also be transferred to the docking or anti-rotation structure ( that prevents rotation of a portion of the cartridge during a grinding operation) . This may also impede ready release .

[0006] To free the cartridge, a user may pull it out , shaking it out , or rotate it free, etc . , but this may be inconvenient and messy, and may contaminate the output, which is of particular concern in restaurant and bar settings where sanitary and dietary standards need be maintained.

[0007] This problem is exacerbated as the power of the actuator is increased, which is desired as increased power allows for a greater range of substances processing - harder materials , finer output, etc .

[0008] Thus , there is a need to facilitate separation of the cartridge from the actuator post grinding or grating .

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Accordingly, it is an obj ect of the present invention to provide an interchangeable-cartridge grinding or grating device that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art .

[0011] It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide an interchangeable-cartridge grinding or grating device that facilitates separation of the cartridge from the actuator after a grinding or grating operation .

[0012] It is also an obj ect of the present invention to provide an interchangeable-cartridge grinding or grating device that reverses the motor post grinding or grating to release pressure between the actuator and the cartridge , thus allowing the cartridge to readily separate from the actuator .

[0013] And additional obj ects of the present invention include providing an interchangeable-cartridge grinding or grating device that (a ) reverses a drive force applying structure a known distance post grinding or grating and / or (b) does so with use of a Hall sensor to determine or set that distance .

[0014] These and related obj ects of the present invention are achieved by use of a food substance grinding apparatus with enhanced cartridge release as described herein .

[0015] The attainment of the foregoing and related advantages and features of the invention should be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art , after review of the following more detailed description of the invention taken together with the drawings .

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figs . 1-2 are perspective views of a grinding system in accordance with the present invention .

[0017] Fig . 3 is a side elevation, cut-away view of actuator in accordance with the present invention .

[0018] Figs . 4A-B are plan views of two potential signal disk configurations .

[0019] Fig . 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the base and fingers of a releasable attachment mechanism.

[0020] Fig . 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a drive force applying structure .

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present invention is suitable for grinding or grating edible substances , of the type that may be used in food or beverages . In the discussion below, the terms grind, grinding, ground, etc . , will be used . They are intended to include grate , grating, grated, etc . , or otherwise abrating, cutting, chopping or processing a substance into smaller pieces . This is done for brevity, so as to not write "grinding and grating" at each occurrence .

[0023] The terms grinding elements and / or grinding element pair may refer to two complementary items or elements that achieve grinding . One may be a grinding device and the other merely a surface on which the grinding device works , or both may have grinding properties / features . Referring to Figs . 1-2 , perspective views of a grinding system 5 in accordance with the present invention are shown . System 5 may include an actuator 10 (with a handle region 11 and cartridge region 51 ) and an interchangeable cartridge (hereinafter "cartridge" ) 70 . Cartridge 70 fits within a recess or cavity 52 in region 51 and moves in and out of the actuator during an interchange as indicated by arrow A ( and as taught in the ' 492 patent) . While only one cartridge is shown, it is to be understood that the actuator works with a plurality of cartridges .

[0024] Cartridge 70 includes a mount protrusion or other member / structure 72 to which a releasable attachment mechanism 62 of the actuator may attach . The mount structure and the releasable attachment mechanism are configured to allow rotational movement of at least a first portion of the cartridge ( that is coupled to one of a pair of grinding elements ) .

[0025] The cartridge also includes a drive force receiving structure ( sometimes referred to herein as "DFRS") 75 that has a complementary configuration to a drive force applying structure ( sometimes referred to herein as "DFAS" ) 65 of the actuator (discussed below) . The cartridge and actuator also include docking or antirotation structures , implemented in Figs . 1-2 as a plurality of radially disposed protrusions 78 on the cartridge that temporarily seat into a plurality of complementary-shaped, circumferential recesses 68 in the actuator, when the cartridge is releasably mounted in the actuator . This arrangement prevents a second portion of the cartridge from rotating when the first portion does . The other of the pair of grinding elements is coupled to this second portion. Suitable mounting and drive force applying / receiving structures are known in the art.

[0026] Referring to Fig. 3, a side elevation, cut-away view of actuator 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. A housing 12 may form the exterior of handle region 11. Components may include a power supply 15, such as a battery (rechargeable or non- rechargeable ) , a control circuit 20, a motor 30 with a drive shaft 32, a gear arrangement (for speed reduction) 40, the drive force applying structure 65 (coupled to an output of the gear arrangement) , and the releasable attachment mechanism 62. Some of these components may extend below the handle region 11. An on-off button 14 is provided at or near a top of the actuator, yet may be elsewhere located. Other user-interface items such as inputs (e.g., switches, settings, control rings) and outputs (e.g., indicator lights, speaker, etc.) may also be provided.

[0027] A Hall sensor 22 and a magnetic disk or strip (s) 24 are preferably provided near motor 30 to monitor rotation of the motor. In Fig. 3, they are shown proximate a portion of the drive shaft that extends above the motor. At the end of a grinding operation, i.e., when the user turns off the actuator and the motor rotates to a halt, the control circuit signals the motor to reverse direction (i.e., rotate backwards) a given amount. This amount may be small, but is sufficient to release pressure asserted by the DFAS 65 on the cartridge, and particularly on the DFRS 75, to allow the cartridge to drop freely out of the actuator . In the embodiment of Fig. 3, a disk 24 (shown in Figs. 4A-4B) with alternating areas (or strips) of magnetic polarity is coupled to the drive shaft extension and monitored by the Hall sensor. Rotation of the shaft corresponds to rotation of the DFAS that is coupled through the speed reduction gear. Many rotations of the shaft are required for one rotation of the DFAS given the gearing arrangement. However, there is a fixed relationship such that to reduce pressure from the DFAS on the cartridge, the control circuit preferably drives the motor in reverse a given number of rotations (detected by the Hall sensor) that corresponds to "turning back" the DFAS a given distance. That distance may be a quarter rotation, or other (for example, but not limited to, 10, 20, 40, 50, or 100% or more of a rotation) that is sufficient to remove pressure from the DFAS on the cartridge to achieve ready release of the cartridge.

[0028] While a Hall sensor arrangement is taught in the embodiment of Fig. 3, it should be recognized that other techniques and approaches may be employed to reduce DFAS pressure on the cartridge, post grinding, without departing from the present invention. These may include, but are not limited to, reversing the motor for a preset amount of time, initiating a reverse pulse at the end of a grinding operation (i.e., after a user turns the actuator off) , initiating pulses that "shake" the cartridge off, user control buttons / interf ace that allows a user to drive the motor in an opposite direction, or other.

[0029] Referring to Figs. 4A-B, plan views of two potential signal disk configurations are shown. Disk 24A illustrates four alternating regions of magnetic polarity ( 2 north, 2 south) and disk 24B illustrates eight alternating regions ( 4 north, 4 south) . The Hall sensor detects the dif ference in polarity and together with the control circuit can determine number of rotations and extent of DFAS movement . For example, i f gear arrangement 40 has a ratio of 1 : 120 , then 30 revolutions of the motor shaft is equal a or 90 ° rotation of the DFAS .

[0030] Referring to Fig . 5 , one embodiment of a base 63 and fingers 64 of releasable attachment mechanism 62 is shown . The base and fingers may be driven by a plunger and guided by a sheath or casing ( as known in the art ) , and together form the releasable attachment mechanism 62 . Other releasable attachment mechanism configurations may be used without departing from the present invention .

[0031] Referring to Fig . 6 , one embodiment of a drive force applying structure 65 is shown . The DFAS may have a disk member or base 66 and a number of protrusions or faces 67 that engage the DFRS in a complementary manner . Various DFAS / DFRS configurations are possible without departing from the present invention .

[0032] While the invention has been described in connection with speci fic embodiments thereof , it will be understood that it is capable of further modi fication, and this application is intended to cover any variations , uses , or adaptations of the invention following, in general , the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An actuator device to drive grinding or grating in an interchangeable cartridge, comprising : a motor ; a releasable attachment mechanism adapted to releasably attach to an interchangeable cartridge ; a drive force applying structure, driven by the motor, that is adapted to apply a driving force , in a first direction, to a drive force receiving structure of an interchangeable cartridge mounted at the releasable attachment mechanism, causing a first portion of that interchangeable cartridge to rotate ; a user input mechanism; a control circuit coupled to the motor and the user input mechanism that controls the motor based on user input ; and an anti-rotation structure spaced from the drive force applying structure and configured to engage a second portion of an interchangeable cartridge mounted at the releasable attachment mechanism and prevent rotation thereof while the drive force applying structure in applying a driving force ; wherein, upon completion of a driving force delivered in the first direction, the drive force applying structure is driven in a second direction, dif ferent from the first direction, to release a force applied by the drive force applying structure on an interchangeable cartridge mounted at the releasable attachment mechanism.2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the driving of the drive force applying structure in a second direction is pre-programmed and happens automatically at the end of a grinding operation .3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein, at the end of a grinding operation, the drive force applying structure is driven a pre-determined distance in the second direction .4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein, at the end of a grinding operation, the drive force applying structure is driven a pre-determined amount of rotations in the second direction .

5. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a motor shaft rotated by the motor and a gear arrangement provided between the motor shaft and the drive force applying structure .

6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a Hall sensor mechanism that is configured within the device to determine rotation of the drive force applying structure in the second direction .7 . The device of claim 6, wherein the Hall sensor mechanism comprises a Hall sensor and a member having alternating areas of magnetic polarity, the alternating polarity member moving proportionally with movement of the motor, and the Hall sensor located proximate the member to detect movement thereof .8 . The device of claim 6, wherein the Hall sensor mechanism is configured within the device and in communication with the control circuit to achieve rotation of the drive force applying structure, in the second direction, a desired amount of rotation .

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the Hall sensor mechanism monitors rotation of the motor shaft , and the gear arrangement induces a rotation of the drive force applying structure that is proportional to and less than rotation of the motor shaft .10 . An actuator device to drive grinding or grating in an interchangeable cartridge, comprising : a housing; a motor provided within the housing; a releasable attachment mechanism adapted to releasably attach to an interchangeable cartridge ; a drive force applying structure, driven by the motor, that is adapted to apply a driving force , in a first direction, to a drive force receiving structure of an interchangeable cartridge mounted at the releasable attachment mechanism, causing a first portion of that interchangeable cartridge to rotate in the first direction; a user input mechanism accessible on the housing; a control circuit coupled to the motor and the user input mechanism that controls the motor based on user input ; and an anti-rotation structure spaced from the drive force applying structure and disposed to engage a second portion of an interchangeable cartridge mounted at the releasable attachment mechanism and to prevent rotation thereof while the drive force applying structure in applying a driving force to a first portion; wherein, upon completion of a driving force delivered in the first direction, the drive force applying structure is driven in an opposite direction to release a force applied by the drive force applying structure on aninterchangeable cartridge mounted at the releasable attachment mechanism.11 . The device of claim 10, wherein, upon completion of a driving force delivered in the first direction, the drive force applying structure is driven a pre-determined distance in the opposite direction .12 . The device of claim 10, wherein, upon completion of a driving force delivered in the first direction, the drive force applying structure is driven in the opposite direction less than one full rotation .13 . The device of claim 10, further comprising a Hall sensor mechanism that is configured within the device to determine the amount of rotation of the drive force applying structure in the opposite direction .14 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the Hall sensor mechanism comprises a Hall sensor and a member having alternating areas of magnetic polarity, the alternating polarity member moving proportionally with movement of the motor, and the Hall sensor located proximate the member to detect movement thereof .

15. The device of claim 13 , wherein the housing provides a cavity through which an interchangeable cartridge mounts to the releasable mounting mechanism and, when actuator device is in an upright position, the cavity is positioned primarily below the user input mechanism and the anti-rotation structure is provided primarily below the releasable attachment mechanism .

16. An actuator device to drive grinding or grating in an interchangeable cartridge, comprising : a motor having a motor shaft ; a releasable attachment mechanism adapted to releasably attach to an interchangeable cartridge ; a drive force applying structure, driven by the motor, that is adapted to apply a driving force , in a first direction, to a drive force receiving structure of an interchangeable cartridge mounted at the releasable attachment mechanism, causing a first portion of that interchangeable cartridge to rotate ; a user input mechanism; a Hall sensor mechanism configured to monitor rotation of the drive force applying structure ; a control circuit , coupled to the motor, user input mechanism, and Hall sensor mechanism, that controls rotation of the motor; and an anti-rotation structure spaced from the drive force applying structure and configured to engage a second portion of an interchangeable cartridge mounted at the releasable attachment mechanism; wherein, upon completion of a driving force delivered in the first direction, the drive force applying structure is driven in an opposite direction to release a force applied by the drive force applying structure on an interchangeable cartridge mounted at the releasable attachment mechanism, to allow that interchangeable cartridge to readily fall , by the force of gravity, out of the actuator device .17 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the Hall sensor mechanism comprises a Hall sensor and a member having alternating areas of magnetic polarity, the alternatingpolarity member moving proportionally with movement of the motor, and the Hall sensor located proximate the member to detect movement thereof .18 . The device of claim 15, wherein the Hall sensor mechanism is configured within the device and in communication with the control circuit to achieve rotation of the drive force applying structure, in the opposite direction, a desired amount .

19. The device of claim 16, further comprising : a housing; a handle region formed at a first portion of the housing; and a cavity region adapted to receive an interchangeable cartridge , the releasable attachment mechanism accessible through the cavity region; wherein the anti-rotation structure is associated with the cavity region and adapted to engage at least a portion of an interchangeable cartridge mounted at the releasable attachment mechanism so as to prevent that portion from rotating while the drive force applying structure is applying a driving force .20 . The device of claim 15, wherein the drive force applying structure is driven in the opposite direction a pre-determined distance .

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