Adjustable, decoupleable interchangeable cartridge device for grinding and / or grating ingestible substances

Abstract

An interchangeable cartridge device for grinding or grating ingestible substances that affords adjustment of the gap spacing between the grinding elements, selectable non-rotation of base assembly components to facilitate cover release, and decoupling for thorough cleaning and / or component replacement, among other features.

Description

[0001]

[0002] .

[0003] Provisional Application No . 63 / 763 , 485, filed February 26, 2025, entitled Adjustable, Decoupleable Interchangeable Cartridge Device For Grinding and / or Grating Ingestible Substances, and having the same inventor as above .

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to interchangeable cartridges for use in grinding or grating spices or other ingestible substances . More specifically, the present invention relates to such devices that afford ready access to the material storage chamber, defined grinding element gap selection, and component decoupling for cleaning and replacement, among other features .

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Interchangeable cartridges are known in the art and include those taught in U. S . Patent no . 12 , 016, 492 , issued to Liu, for a Spice or Other Substance Grinding Apparatus with Interchangeable Substance Containers (the ' 492 patent) and U. S . Patent Application no . 19 / 036, 107 , submitted by Liu, for a Interchangeable Cartridge Devices with Protective Blade Member for Grating IngestibleSubstances (the '107 application) . The '492 patent and '107 application are hereby incorporated by reference .

[0008] The device of the '492 patent requires a user to place an item, e. g. , a utensil handle or other, into a recess that blocked rotation of the upper base assembly relative to the lower base assembly, thereby allowing a user to unscrew the cover from the base assembly. The device of the '107 application is an improvement, yet requires a user to carefully place their fingers on specific parts of the base assembly (which might be wet or messy given use in food preparation) and turn the cover relative to those parts . Thus, it is desired to have an interchangeable cartridge (or a base assembly thereof ) that rotates freely in one direction to achieve grinding and, when acted upon by a user, does not rotate in another direction to achieve ready release (unscrewing) of the cover. It should be recognized that as the power of handheld electric grinding devices increases, the housing cover may be more forcefully secured (or tightened on) to the base assembly during use, and thus the ability to readily apply a suitable counter force becomes more important .

[0009] Furthermore, prior art interchangeable cartridges used a screw and spring structure located on the bottom of the cartridge to adjust gap spacing between the grinding elements . This structure does not allow for a known or predictable setting of the gap between the grinding elements and, moreover, it requires the cartridge to be flipped upside down to visually inspection the gap - which may be inconvenient, non-intuitive, and tends to spreadfines to unwanted places . Thus, an improved gap spacing structure is desired.

[0010] In addition, and particularly in restaurant and foodprocessing facilities that are subject to heavy use, strict ingredient requirements, or for inspections and health and safety standards, it is desirable to have an interchangeable cartridge that is readily decoupleable for thorough cleaning and / or replacement of the grinding elements .

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an interchangeable cartridge device that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art .

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide an interchangeable cartridge device that affords rotation of the base assembly in one direction to achieve grinding and non-rotation of the base assembly in another direction to achieve cover removal .

[0014] It is also an obj ect of the present invention to provide an interchangeable cartridge that affords user control and setting of the gap spacing between the grinding elements, and preferably user selection from a range of pre-defined gap distances .

[0015] It is yet another obj ect of the present invention to provide an interchangeable cartridge that allows ready decoupling of components for cleaning and replacement .These and related objects of the present invention are achieved by use of an adjustable, decoupleable interchangeable cartridge device for grinding and / or grating of ingestible substances as described herein.

[0016] 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 .

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figs . 1-3 are perspective, cross-sectional, and exploded perspective views, respectively, of an interchangeable cartridge in accordance with the present invention .

[0019] Fig. 4 is a perspective (upside down) view of mount member of the device of Figs . 1-3, while Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view thereof .

[0020] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the clip ring and grinding sleeve of the device of Figs . 1-3.

[0021] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a connect member of the device of Figs . 1-3, while Fig. 8 is a bottom plane view thereof .

[0022] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a support plate and band of the device of Figs . 1-3.

[0023] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a fastener for use with the connect member of Figs . 7-8.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The description below, in several instances, refers to bottom or top, or below or above, etc. These positional references are with respect to the device in an "upright" (normal use) position, where gravity moves material from the material storage container towards the grinding elements . It should be recognized that the device may be picked up, turned upside down, etc. , which would alter these positional references (without departing from the present invention) .

[0025] Referring to Figs . 1-3, perspective, cross-sectional, and exploded perspective views of an interchangeable cartridge 10 in accordance with the present invention are, respectively, shown. Note that Fig. 3 does not show the grinding head 35 ( for drawing clarity) , but it is shown in Figs . 2 and 9. Interchangeable cartridge 10 preferably includes a cover (or container housing) 20 and a base assembly 30, with the base assembly further comprised of an upper base assembly 40 and a lower base assembly 60.

[0026] Cover 20 may be similar to the cover taught in the '492 patent, or otherwise configured, and along with base assembly 30 defines a cavity 22 for holding a substance to be ground or grated. The cover may include a releasable mount structure 24 for releasable attachment to an actuator (such as toggle-on, toggle-off as taught by the '492 patent) and a driving force receiving structure 25 for receiving the driving force of that actuator, the driving force ultimately turning one of the grinding elements relative to the other. The drive force receiving structure may include a plurality of faces or other structure (s) spaced from the axis of rotation of the driveforce receiving structure that receive the driving force from an actuator.

[0027] In one embodiment, threads internal to the cover allow it to be releasably screwed onto the base assembly, though other arrangements may be used for filling the container without departing from the present invention.

[0028] The upper base assembly 40 preferably includes an annular mount structure or member 41, a grinding sleeve 42 (which together with grinding head 35 makes up the grinding elements) , and a ring clip 43 that releasable secures the grinding sleeve to the mount member. The ring clip has upwardly extending tabs 45 that fit into complementary structures in the mount member to achieve a secure, yet releasable, mounting of the ring clip and grinding sleeve to the mount member . Note that the interior of grinding sleeve 42 has a plurality of inwardly directed ridges 47 that push material to be ground into the grinding head 35. The grinding sleeve and grinding head are complementarily configured and may vary in shape based on the desired material to be ground.

[0029] The lower base assembly 60 includes an annular connect structure or member 61, grinding element support plate 62, a gap adjusting band 63 and a fastening ring 64. Support plate 62 may include three (or other number) arcuate extensions 71 that have an outwardly disposed, gently-sloped groove 72. This groove may have divisions or ridges 73 that create discrete locations 74 along the groove. The arcuate extensions are spaced by gaps in which are positioned fastening structures 81 affixed to connect member 61. Releasable fasteners 65 traverse holes 82 inthe fastening ring 64 and insert into the fastening structures 81. With a turn, the T-shaped ends 68 of the fasteners secure into the fastening structures, thereby securing the support plate, adjusting band, and fastener ring to the connect member 61 .

[0030] Gap adjusting band 63 has a number of inwardly disposed nubs 76 (preferably equal in number to the number of extensions 71) . These nubs fit into grooves 72 in the arcuate extensions . Band 63 is mounted for rotational movement relative to connect member 61. And, given the gentle slope of grooves 72, the support plate moves up and down as band 63 rotates relative to connect member 61, thereby adjusting the gap between the grinding head and grinding sleeve .

[0031] The discrete locations 74 in grooves 72 allow the nubs to "snap" into a given location as the band is turned; each location yielding a different, yet known and selectable gap spacing. Fig. 9 illustrates an extension 71 with 9 distinct locations 74. The flexible nature of the plastic used in these components allows the band and nubs to rotate and "snap" through these positions .

[0032] The locations on the groove represents a spectrum of gap spacing from closed to fully open and several location therebetween. In use, a user may "close" the cartridge (i . e . , turn it till band 63 does not rotate anymore) and then rotate band 63 back a certain number of "clicks, " until the user arrives at a desired spacing. This "known spacing" is critically important for restaurant environments where a consistency of ground product isrequired (or when otherwise following a recipe or desiring a known output size) .

[0033] Fig. 2 illustrates the position of the grinding head 35 relative to the grinding sleeve 42. The grinding sleeve preferably include ridges that cooperate with the grinding head to facilitate grinding. The grinding head 35 is mounted to plate 62. A nub 76 is shown in one of the sloped grooves of a support plate extension (in crosssection, lower right) .

[0034] Fig. 4 is a perspective (upside down) view of mount member 41, while Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view thereof . These figures illustrate (among other features) a structure 95 into which the grinding head is positioned, to facilitate proper alignment . An alignment column or shaft extends above the grinding head and fits within the center opening of the mount member. Slots 92 are also shown (that receive pins 52 discussed below) .

[0035] Fig. 6 is a close-up perspective view of the clip ring 43 and grinding sleeve 42.

[0036] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the connect member 61, while Fig. 8 is a bottom plane view thereof . The connect member includes a band or circular wall 55 on which are positioned a plurality of outwardly disposed protrusions 56 that fit into a complementary structure in an actuator to prevent rotation of the lower base assembly when the cartridge is inserted in an actuator .

[0037] A plurality of inwardly disposed slope-sided blocks 57 are also provided on band 55. During assembly, acircumferential flange 39 (Fig. 4 ) of mount member 41 is pushed past blocks 57 causing the mount and connect members to be coupled, yet allowing rotation of the mount member 41 relative to the connect member 61.

[0038] A plurality of cylinders or silos 51 are positioned about connect member 61 and each contains a pin or rod 52 . These pins are configured to move freely up and down in their respective silos in response to gravity. Hence, if the structure of Fig. 7 is turned upside down, from the perspective of Fig. 7, the pins slide out .

[0039] The mount member 41 of Fig. 5 illustrates a plurality of arcuate slots 92 preferably matching the number of pins 52. In use, the connect member is mounted onto the mount member such that the pins 52 align with the slots 92. When the cartridge is right side up, the pins are nested in their silos, yet when the cartridge is flipped upside down, the pins slide into slots 92 and prevent rotation of the mount member relative to the connect member, i . e . , the upper base assembly relative to the lower base assembly (when the pins hit the end of their slots) . This allows the cover to be screwed off (or onto) the base assembly, regardless of how or what part of the base assembly is being held. Placing the device right side down again, causes the pins to retract and allows rotational movement of the mount member 41 relative to the connect member 61 (and normal operation of the grinding elements) .

[0040] Fig. 8 shows the fastener receiving structure 81 and openings 83 therein into which releasable fasteners 65 are inserted. A close-up of fastener 65 is shown in Fig. 10, illustrating head 66, shaft 67 and T-ending 68. Thefastener is inserted into opening 83 and then turned till the T-ending is securely pressure fit therein.

[0041] Referring to Fig. 9, a perspective view of support plate 62 and band 63 is shown. The grinding head 35 is positioned on the support plate and releasably mounted thereto . The underside of the grinding head has recesses in a unique arrangement that is complementary to protrusions formed on the support plate 62. This complementary arrangement maintains the grinding head in its place relative to the support plate, and frame structure 95 mounts over the grinding head to assure positive connection to and alignment with the support plate .

[0042] The three arcuate support extensions 71 are shown as is at least one of grooves 72. Band 63 is mounted about the extensions, and nubs 76 fit into the grooves (as noted above) .

[0043] In use, the interchangeable cartridge is held upside down, allowing the pins 52 to slide into slots 92 (and out of silos 51) , and the cover is unscrewed from the base assembly. A material to be ground is inserted therein and the cover and base assembly are reattached. The cartridge is then flipped right side up (allowing the pins to slide back into their silos) and band 63 is rotated to select a desired gap spacing. The cartridge is then mounted to an actuator, via the releasable attachment mechanism, for use .

[0044] The actuator is activated causing the force receiving structure to spin, which in turn causes the cover andupper base assembly to spin (relative to the lower base assembly, which is restrained by protrusions 56 on band 55) . The grinding sleeve is in the upper base assembly and thus as the upper assembly rotates, the grinding sleeve rotates relative to the grinding head which is secured to support plate 62. This achieves relative movement of the grinding elements and grinding of material that moves by gravity from the material containing chamber 22 into the grinding elements .

[0045] When not in use, fasteners 65 can be removed, (turned and slid out) , and the connect member 61 and fastening ring 64 (and plate 62 and band 63) separated. Ring clip 43 is then rotated sufficiently to release it from mount member 41, allowing it and the grinding sleeve to drop out . In this manner, the various components can be accessed and cleaned and the grinding elements, in particular, can be cleaned or replaced - changed when desired to process a different material or replaced when worn out .

[0046] While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, 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 interchangeable cartridge device, comprising: a container housing;a base assembly coupled to the container housing, the container housing and base assembly defining a volume that holds material to be ground or grated;first and second grinding elements provided with the base assembly and positioned proximate one another, a gap therebetween being an output of the material holding volume ;a releasable attachment structure provided towards an exterior of the cartridge device that is adapted to afford releasable attachment of the cartridge device to a complementary configured actuator; anda drive force receiving structure provided towards an exterior of the cartridge device and adapted to engage a drive mechanism of a complementary configured actuator, the drive force receiving structure configured within the device such that a driving force from that actuator causes movement of one of the first and second grinding elements relative to the other;wherein the base assembly is configured to be re-closeably opened such that the grinding elements may be accessed and replaced.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the base assembly includes a first socket structure that receives, aligns, and releasably holds the first grinding element .

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the base assembly includes a second socket structure that receives, aligns, and releasably holds the second grinding element.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the base assembly includes first and second sections that are releasably coupleable to one another and when decoupled afford removable access to the first and second grinding elements .

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a gap distance selection mechanism that affords user selection from among a plurality of pre-defined gap distances .

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the gap distance selection mechanism includes a movable member accessible on exterior of the device, and configured with the base assembly such that movement of the movable member adjusts the gap distance from among the plurality of pre-defined gap distances .

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the movable element is a rotatable band, rotation of which causes a grinding element support plate to move along the axis of rotation of the device and move the position of the grinding element mounted with the support plate to adjust the gap distance between the grinding elements .

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising an anti-rotation mechanism;wherein the container housing is releasably couplable to a first portion of the base assembly and that first portion is rotatable during a grinding operation and non-rotatable when the anti-rotation mechanism is actuated, thereby allowing the container housing to be decoupled or recoupled to the first portion.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising an anti-rotation mechanism that is gravity actuated.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the base assembly includes lower and upper base assemblies that may rotate relative to one another, and the anti-rotation mechanism includes a least a first member that moves, under the force of gravity, between a first position that allows this relative rotation and a second position that blocks this relative rotation.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the container housing is releasably coupled to the base assembly.

12. An interchangeable cartridge device, comprising: a container housing;a base assembly coupled to the container housing and defining a volume to hold a material to be ground;first and second grinding elements provided with the base assembly that rotate relative to one another and define a gap therebetween that is an output of the volume;a releasable attachment structure provided towards an exterior of the cartridge device that is adapted to afford releasable attachment of the cartridge device to a complementary configured actuator; anda drive force receiving structure provided towards an exterior of the cartridge device and adapted to engage a drive mechanism of a complementary configured actuator, the drive force receiving structure being couple within the device in such a manner that a driving force from that actuator causes movement of one of the first and second grinding elements relative to the other;wherein the base assembly includes a first and second section and one of the first and second sections is releaseably attached to the other, and the first and second grinding elements and the first and second sections are configured such that release of the sections from one another affords access to and replacement of one or more of the grinding elements .

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the base assembly includes a first socket structure that receives, aligns, and releasably holds the first grinding element; and a second socket structure that receives, aligns, and releasably holds the second grinding element .

14. The device of claim 12, further comprising a gap distance selection mechanism that affords user selection from among a plurality of pre-defined gap distances .

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the base assembly includes upper and lower base assemblies that may rotate relative to one another, and the container housing is releasably coupled to the upper base assembly.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising an anti-rotation mechanism that when actuated by a user prevents the upper assembly from rotating relative to the lower assembly, thereby facilitating release or remounting of the container housing from or to the upper base assembly.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the antirotation mechanism is gravity actuated.

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