Herb Grinder Spout Chamber for Clean, Easy Dispensing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current herb grinders lack an easy and convenient method for removing ground herbs, often requiring pinching or dumping from an unsuitable vessel.

Innovation Solution

An herb grinder design featuring a top portion, upper chamber, and lower chamber that are removably attachable, with a spout mechanism allowing easy pouring of ground herbs from the lower chamber, enabling efficient removal without disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ground herbs are stored in a sealed chamber, then they are protected from contamination, but they cannot be easily removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from contaminationVSAvoidease of removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the dispensing function from the storage chamber by adding a separate dispensing chamber with a spout. The ground herbs are transferred from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber, which then allows easy removal through the spout while the storage chamber remains sealed for cleaning and reuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The dispensing chamber acts as an intermediary between the sealed storage chamber and the user. It receives ground herbs from the storage chamber and provides a controlled exit path through the spout, enabling easy removal without compromising the seal of the storage chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a spout is added to enable pouring, then ease of removal is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of pouringVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing chamber is merged with the spout structure, combining the storage and dispensing functions in a single integrated component. This reduces the number of separate parts compared to having entirely separate storage and dispensing vessels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dispensing chamber serves multiple functions: it receives ground herbs from the storage chamber, provides a controlled dispensing path through the spout, and can be easily detached for cleaning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the chamber is sealed to prevent spillage, then containment is improved, but access to ground herbs becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of spillageVSAvoidaccess to contents

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spout is designed as a dynamic component that can be opened or closed as needed. This allows the chamber to remain sealed during storage and transport to prevent spillage, while providing easy access to ground herbs when the spout is opened for dispensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spout is pre-positioned and pre-configured in the dispensing chamber, ready for immediate use. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for additional steps or components to access the ground herbs, allowing users to simply open the spout to dispense.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9198541B2Herb grinder

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 SMITH JEFF

AI summary

An herb grinder is provided. The herb grinder has a top portion and upper chamber wherein herbs and similar materials may be ground. Further, the herb grinder has a spout, allowing ground herbs and materials to exit the grinder without separating the parts of the grinder.