Patent ID: 7886999
Filing Date: 2011-02-15
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
1. A grinder for a food item, comprising: a) a top shell having a top axis, a top inner surface disposed about the top axis, and a plurality of top teeth extending downwardly from the top inner surface; b) a bottom shell for moving between a first position in which the bottom shell is spaced apart from the top shell, and a second position in which the top shell and bottom shell are coupled together, the bottom shell having a bottom axis, a bottom inner surface disposed about the bottom axis, a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom inner surface and defining a cavity, and a plurality of bottom teeth extending upwardly from the bottom inner surface; and c) a plunger slidable within the cavity between a retracted position and an advanced position, the plunger having an upper surface directed away from the bottom inner surface, the upper surface having a perimeter configured for slidable engagement with an inner surface of the sidewall and a plurality of apertures in registration with the plurality of bottom teeth; d) wherein in the retracted position an upper surface of the plunger is axially set back from an upper edge of the sidewall towards the bottom inner surface, and in the advanced position the upper surface of the plunger is axially displaced away from the bottom inner surface to position at least generally flush with the upper edge of the sidewall, each aperture receiving a respective one of the bottom teeth therethrough when the plunger is urged from the advanced position to the retracted position; and e) wherein the top axis and the bottom axis are generally collinear and define a rotation axis about which the top and bottom shells are rotatable relative to each other when the top and bottom shells are coupled together.