Adjustable Spice Grinder Assembly With Anti-Blockage Snap Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grinders for spices and similar products lack the ability to vary grinding grain size and often experience issues with product residues causing blockages and stiffening of adjustment mechanisms over time.
Innovation Solution
A grinding device with a movable and fixed assembly featuring interlocking ribs and a flexible casing, allowing adjustable grain size through axial movement and preventing blockages with a snap-lock mechanism using rigid and flexible plastic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid grinder and counter-grinder with toothing are used for grinding, then the grinding function is effective, but product residues penetrate between teeth and grooves causing blockage and stiffening of adjustment mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible material for the outer casing of the grinding tool that snap-cooperates with teeth on the fixed grinder. This flexible casing prevents product residues from penetrating and causing blockage, while maintaining the necessary snap-sliding adjustment functionality. The flexible material acts as a barrier that keeps the adjustment mechanism clean and operational.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between grinding surfaces is made adjustable by axially sliding the grinder, then the grain size can be varied, but the snap-sliding movement tends to stiffen and lock after prolonged use
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible outer casing enables smooth axial sliding movement while preventing product residues from penetrating into the adjustment mechanism. The flexibility of the material allows the snap-sliding action to remain smooth over time, preventing stiffening and locking while maintaining adjustable grain size capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the grinder and counter-grinder surfaces are spaced apart to create a gap, then the final grain size is determined, but product pieces may get stuck between the teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements different rib configurations in different zones of the grinding surface. The first series of ribs has larger pitch and height for initial grinding, while the second series has smaller pitch and height for fine grinding. This local variation in rib quality ensures proper product piece handling throughout the grinding process, preventing sticking while achieving desired grain size.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical profile of the ribs creates a dynamic grinding action that moves product pieces through the grinding zone continuously. This dynamic movement prevents product pieces from getting stuck between teeth, maintaining both grain size control and grinding efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a grinding device for grindable products, such as dried spices and herbs, dried mushrooms, chocolate, coffee and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to a grinding device comprising a movable grinding assembly (2) and a fixed grinding assembly (3) which develop along an axis (X), wherein the movable grinding assembly (2) comprises a grinder (5) and a casing (6), and wherein the fixed grinding assembly (3) comprises a counter-grinder (20) and a member (21) for the coupling with a container, characterized in that : - the grinder (5) comprises a grinding cone provided with a grinding surface (7); - the casing (6) comprises a cylindrical jacket (10) which develops about said axis (X), said casing (6) being closed at one end by a discoid surface (11) on which openings (13) for dispensing a ground product are present, said casing (6) being associated with said grinder (5) and rotationally integral therewith; - the counter-grinder (20) comprises a hollow cylindrical body (22) which has an outer surface (22a) and an inner surface (22b), said inner surface (22b) comprising a grinding surface, said grinder (5) being inserted into the hollow cylindrical body (22) of the counter-grinder (20) so as to allow the respective grinding surfaces to cooperate when grinding a product; - the coupling member (21) comprises an open- ended cylindrical body (26) which develops along the axis (X) and has a portion (27) for the connection with said container and an adjustment portion (28) which cooperates with said casing (6) for adjusting the height of the movable grinding assembly (2) along the axis (X) with respect to the fixed grinding assembly (3); and characterized in that : - the grinder (5) and the counter-grinder (20) are made of a substantially rigid material, and - the casing (6) and the coupling member (21) are made of a substantially flexible material.