Herb Grinder with Movable Platform for Gravity-Free Material Feeding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for grinding herb-like materials, especially less dense and leafy substances, are inefficient due to reliance on gravity for feeding materials into the grinding mechanism, requiring complex disassembly and reassembly processes, and often result in increased environmental footprint and user effort.

Innovation Solution

A device with a selectively movable platform within a storage container that allows for controlled pressing of materials into a grinding element, eliminating the need for gravity feed and simplifying the grinding process by integrating storage, transportation, and grinding functions into a single apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gravity feed is used to feed materials into the grinding mechanism, then dense and granular materials can be ground effectively, but less dense and leafy materials do not feed reliably

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial feeding reliabilityVSAvoidability to handle different material densities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of allowing gravity to feed materials into the grinding mechanism (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using a movable platform to actively press and feed materials into the grinding elements. This reversal enables reliable feeding of less dense and leafy materials that cannot be effectively fed by gravity alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a movable platform that can be selectively positioned to press materials against the grinding elements. This dynamic mechanism adapts to different material densities and types, providing controlled feeding action that works reliably for both dense granular materials and less dense leafy materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate storage containers and grinding devices are used, then storage and grinding functions are performed, but the overall apparatus complexity and environmental footprint increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage and grinding functionalityVSAvoidnumber of separate components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines storage and grinding functions into a single integrated apparatus. The storage container houses both the material to be ground and the grinding mechanism, eliminating the need for separate storage containers and grinding devices. This merging reduces overall apparatus complexity and environmental footprint while maintaining both storage and grinding functionalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, where the same container serves as both storage and grinding chamber, and the movable platform serves both to press materials during grinding and to manage material flow. This universal design reduces the number of separate components needed while providing comprehensive storage and grinding functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If complex disassembly and reassembly processes are required for grinding, then grinding can be performed, but user effort and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrinding operation simplicityVSAvoidtime for disassembly and reassembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the grinding elements and movable platform in advance within the storage container during manufacturing or initial assembly. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex disassembly and reassembly operations during each grinding use, as all components are pre-positioned and accessible within the single integrated apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The movable platform is designed to be manually operated by the user to press materials during grinding, eliminating the need for complex mechanical disassembly or reassembly mechanisms. The simple self-service operation of pressing materials against the grinding elements reduces both user effort and time consumption compared to complex disassembly/reassembly processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11825989B1Apparatus and methods for storing, transporting, and/or grinding herbs and/or similar things

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 MOORE RYAN

AI summary

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for storing, transporting, grinding, and/or dispensing/pouring herbs and/or similar materials and things. A compressing/urging plate/platform is disclosed, which can selectively move the herbs or other materials toward a grinding assembly, and the ground material can be captured on the other side of the grinding assembly, for subsequent dispense and/or use. The inventions can reduce and simplify the steps and the overall apparatus needed to accomplish transportation, storage, consumption, and/or use of herb-like materials and things.