Herb Grinder With Variable Dispensing and Low-Force Shearing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing herb grinders require excessive force to operate, produce inconsistent grinding results, and have difficulties in dispensing and storing herbaceous materials, while single dose smoking devices suffer from ash and tar buildup, inconsistent burning, and cleaning challenges.

Innovation Solution

A manually-operated herb grinder with magnetically attached and rotatable grinder elements, a dispensing mechanism using an impeller and variable exit opening, and a smoking device with radial air slots for uniform burning, along with a compact case integrating a grinder, storage, and a lighter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If sharp cutting edges are used on the bosses to shear the herbaceous materials, then the grinding effectiveness is improved, but the force required to operate the grinder increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrinding effectivenessVSAvoidforce required to operate

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the bosses from sharp cutting edges to rounded profiles. Specifically, the bosses are formed with a first surface having a first radius of curvature and a second surface having a second radius of curvature, where the rounded surfaces create a shearing action without the peak loads generated by sharp edges. This parameter change maintains grinding effectiveness while reducing the operational force required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite structural elements where the bosses are formed with multiple surfaces of different radii of curvature. The first surface with a smaller radius of curvature provides cutting action, while the second surface with a larger radius of curvature provides a broader shearing surface. This composite approach combines the benefits of both sharp cutting and gradual shearing to reduce operational force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If the hopper sector uses gravity and shaking to dispense ground material, then the structure remains simple, but the ease of dispensing small amounts of material deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidease of dispensing

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a variable opening mechanism in the hopper sector that can dynamically adjust the dispensing aperture size. The opening can be varied between a first size for bulk dispensing and a second, smaller size for precise control of small amounts of material. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains relative structural simplicity while dramatically improving dispensing ease and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If the grinding sector and hopper sector are combined into a single unit, then the device compactness is improved, but the ease of cleaning and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidease of cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the combined grinder-hopper unit into separable components, specifically allowing the grinding sector to be removed from the hopper sector. This segmentation enables the grinding sector to be detached for cleaning and maintenance while keeping the hopper sector intact, thus maintaining device compactness during use while improving ease of cleaning and maintenance through component separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The herb grinder operates with reasonable force, allows precise material dispensing, and is easy to clean, while the smoking device ensures consistent burning and reduces ash and tar buildup, enhancing the user experience.

Implementation Method 1

The bosses are formed with serrations for engaging and shearing the dried herbaceous materials between the faces of the protruding bosses in order to produce a ground output when the first disk or element is rotated relative to the second disk or element on a shared axis common to the first element and the second element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear stress: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 2

The hopper sector includes an impeller that can be rotated to push ground material through the variable opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

a smoking device with radial air slots for uniform burning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Implementation Method 4

a user-actuated, bowl-ejection system... an ejection spring that pushes the mouthpiece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS20250325991A1Herb Grinder, Smoking Kit and Single Dose Smoking Device

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 SAND JEFFREY W

AI summary

A portable herb grinder consists of a grinder sector and a hopper sector, a portable herb grinder where the grinder and hopper sectors are combined, a portable herb grinder that is included as part of a kit which includes a lighter, a smoking device and a storage area for herbaceous or similar smoking materials, and a novel arrangement for a case that includes a lighter, a smoking device stored in the case, a grinder stored in the case, and space for storing herbaceous smoking materials in the case, and a novel arrangement of a single dose smoking device for smoking herbaceous materials or the like.