Coffee Grinder with Selectable Grinding Parameters

A grinding device includes: a housing that includes a sidewall; a grinding bowl within the housing; a cover that mates with one of the housing and the grinding bowl, wherein the cover together with the grinding bowl defines a grinding chamber; a blade positioned within the grinding chamber; a motor, positioned within the housing, operatively connected with and configured to rotate the blade; and a dial generally radially aligned with the sidewall of the housing, wherein the dial is configured to control at least one operational parameter of the motor; and wherein the dial rotates around a substantially vertical axis.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to small kitchen appliances and, in particular, to coffee bean grinding devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coffee bean grinding devices are used to grind whole coffee beans into a powder (i.e., grounds) of varying degrees of coarseness. Generally, coffee beans are placed into the blade chamber of the coffee bean grinding device, the rotation of the blades about the center of the chamber reduces the beans to grounds. The duration of the grinding and speed of the blades have the largest impact on the final coarseness of the coffee grounds.

It may be desirable to provide additional configurations for coffee bean grinding devices, particularly in a manner that users can easily use to produce grounds in a desired amount and/or of a desired coarseness.

SUMMARY

As a first aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a grinding device comprising: a housing that includes a sidewall; a grinding bowl within the housing; a cover that mates with one of the housing and the grinding bowl, wherein the cover together with the grinding bowl defines a grinding chamber; a blade positioned within the grinding chamber; a motor, positioned within the housing, operatively connected with and configured to rotate the blade; and a dial generally radially aligned with the sidewall of the housing. The dial is configured to control at least one operational parameter of the motor and rotates around a substantially vertical axis.

As a second aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a grinding device comprising: a housing that includes a sidewall; a base below the sidewall; a grinding bowl within the housing; a cover that mates with one of the housing and the grinding bowl, wherein the cover together with the grinding bowl defines a grinding chamber; a blade positioned within the grinding chamber; and a motor, positioned within the housing, operatively connected with and configured to rotate the blade. At least the grinding chamber defines a moveable unit configured to move vertically between (a) a depressed position, in which the moveable unit is closer to the base of the housing, and (b) a raised position, in which the moveable unit is farther from the base of the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It will also be appreciated that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any way and/or combination to provide many additional embodiments.

Like numbers refer to like elements throughout and different embodiments of like elements can be designated using a different number of superscript indicator apostrophes (e.g., 10, 10′, 10″). In the figures, the size of certain lines, layers, components, elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity. Additionally, broken lines illustrate optional features or operations unless specified otherwise.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

It will also be understood that, as used herein, the terms “example,” “exemplary,” and derivatives thereof are intended to refer to non-limiting examples and/or variants embodiments discussed herein and are not intended to indicate preference for one or more embodiments discussed herein compared to one or more other embodiments.

Referring now to the figures, one embodiment of a grinding device is illustrated inFIGS.1and2designated broadly at100. The exterior of the grinding device100includes a cover102and a housing104. The housing104comprises a grinding bowl housing106, an inner shell108, an outer shell110, an upper dial support112, a dial116, and a base128. The sidewall of the housing104primarily comprises the inner shell108and the outer shell110. The housing104may be configured with indicia (not shown) to indicate the operational parameter setting position in which the dial116resides. These indicia may indicate a desired result (e.g., the desired level of ground coarseness and/or for the quantity of coffee beans being ground).

As can be seen inFIG.1, each of the cover102, the grinding bowl housing106, the inner shell108, the outer shell110, the upper dial support112, and the base128is generally cylindrical about the vertical axis A of the device and provide generally smooth exterior surface to the housing104. The dial116is generally radially aligned with the inner shell108and outer shell110(i.e., the sidewall) of the housing104and generally cylindrical about the vertical axis A with a ridged exterior surface to provide additional grip to users when they rotate the dial116. Additionally, the dial116has a tab122which functions to provide users with an additional method of operating the dial116and, in some embodiments, to indicate the operational parameter setting position.

As can be seen inFIG.4, the upper dial support112and the base128are connected internally through the hollow center of the dial116. The dial116is captured between the upper dial support112and the base128, thereby preventing the dial116from separating from the remainder of the housing104; however, the dial116is configured to rotate about the vertical axis A (shown inFIG.10) relative to the remainder of the housing104. The upper dial support112has a circular groove114on its bottom side which mates with a circular ridge124on the top side of the dial116. Similarly, the dial116has a circular groove126on its bottom side which mates with a circular ridge130on the top side of the base128. Because the dial116is connected to the remainder of the housing104in this manner, the dial116can rotate relative to the remainder of the housing104while still being operatively connected to the remainder of the housing104.

The upper dial support112is connected to the bottom of the inner shell108. The exterior surface of the inner shell108mates with the interior surface of the outer shell110. A short ridge (not shown) extends vertically along the interior surface of the outer shell110and mates with a shallow groove (not shown) which extends vertically along the exterior surface of the inner shell108. This engagement prevents the outer shell110from rotating relative to the inner shell108.

A circular inner shell lip109extends around the upper edge of the inner shell108and radially outwardly. This configuration prevents the outer shell110from moving upwardly relative to the inner shell108. Similarly, a circular upper dial support lip113extends around the upper edge of the upper dial support112and radially outwardly. This configuration prevents the outer shell110from moving downward in relation to the inner shell108.

The grinding bowl housing106is generally cylindrical about the vertical axis A. It mates with, and is contained partially within, the inner shell108. The cover102mates with the grinding bowl housing106and together with a grinding bowl134(which is positioned within the grinding bowl housing106) defines a grinding chamber132(seeFIG.6). In some embodiments the cover102is made of a clear material.

FIG.5illustrates the components operatively connecting the grinding bowl134, a blade154, and a motor182(seeFIG.6). The grinding bowl134has three grinding bowl support holes136and a rotor hole138extending vertically thought its bottom surface. An upper grinding bowl support140and a lower grinding bowl support144are coupled through the grinding bowl support holes136and thereby provide a stable connection between the grinding bowl134and the housing104(seeFIG.1). The upper and lower grinding bowl supports140,144are configured to provide a seal between the interior of the grinding bowl134and the interior of the housing104.

The upper grinding bowl support140is configured with a rotor hole142extending vertically through its center. The lower grinding bowl support144is configured with a rotor hole146extending vertically through its center and three slots147spaced equidistantly around its outside perimeter. The slots147connect the lower grinding bowl support144to the grinding bowl housing106(seeFIG.2) by mating with three flanges (not shown) on the interior of the grinding bowl housing106.

The motor182is operatively connected to and configured to rotate the blade154through a rotor system. A blade rotor156feeds through the rotor holes138,142,146. The top end of the blade rotor156is fixed to the blade154and the lower end of the blade rotor156connects to a motor rotor158. When the motor182is active, it rotates the motor rotor158on the vertical axis A, which in turn rotates the blade rotor156and the blade154.

As can be seen inFIG.8, the grinding bowl housing106connects to a motor housing176; additionally, the grinding bowl housing106has attached to its external surface a circuit board164, a deactivation plunger166, a deactivation plunger spring168, a deactivation switch170, and a deactivation switch housing172. Similarly, the motor housing176has a moveable unit switch160, a moveable unit switch housing162, the circuit board164, and three moveable unit springs174attached to its external surface. On its lower end, the circuit board164is mounted to a flange177protruding radially outwardly from the motor housing176. On its upper end, the circuit board164is mounted between the main body of the grinding bowl housing106and two prongs105extending downwardly from the grinding bowl housing106.

Internally, as can be seen inFIG.6, the base of the motor housing176mates with a lower motor mount180. Similarly, an upper motor mount178mates with the bottom of the grinding bowl housing106. The motor182is mounted within the motor housing176and is captured between the upper and lower motor mounts178,180.

FIGS.5and8illustrate the components which together define a moveable unit148. In this embodiment the moveable unit148comprises: the cover102, the grinding bowl housing106, the grinding bowl134, the blade154, the blade rotor156, the motor rotor158, the upper grinding bowl support140, the lower grinding bowl support144, the motor housing176, the motor182, the deactivation plunger166, the deactivation plunger spring168, the deactivation switch170, the deactivation switch housing172, the moveable unit switch160, the moveable unit switch housing162, the circuit board164, the moveable unit springs174, the upper motor mount178(seeFIG.4), and the lower motor mount180(seeFIG.4). The moveable unit148is able to move vertically relative to the remainder of the grinding device100.

FIGS.6and7illustrate the vertical motion of the moveable unit148.FIG.6illustrates the moveable unit148in the raised position, in which the moveable unit148is elevated (i.e., is farther from the base128of the housing104).FIG.7illustrates the moveable unit148in the depressed position, in which the moveable unit148is lowered (i.e., closer to the base128of the housing104). The moveable unit springs174are configured to compress against the top of the base128when the moveable unit148is depressed by the user. When the user releases the moveable unit148, the moveable unit springs174urge the moveable unit148back into the raised position.

The circuit board164(e.g., the control unit), as seen inFIG.8, is configured to control the operation and operational parameters of the motor182. The circuit board164is configured to only activate the motor182when the cover102is properly attached to the grinding bowl housing106and, simultaneously, the moveable unit148is moved from the raised position to the depressed position. If either of the aforementioned conditions are not met, the circuit board164does not activate the motor182. Additionally, if the cover102is removed while the motor182is operating, the circuit board164is configured to immediately deactivate the motor182.

The moveable unit switch160is operatively connected with the motor182and configured such that it is actuated when the moveable unit148is in the depressed position (FIG.7) and not actuated when the moveable unit148is in the raised position (FIG.6). When the moveable unit switch160is not actuated, it is configured to send no signal to the circuit board164. When the moveable unit switch160is actuated, it is configured to send a single, non-continuous “motor on” signal to the circuit board164. If the cover102is properly attached to the grinding bowl housing106, the motor182begins to operate. The motor182continues to operate for a set length of time unless the cover102is removed. In some embodiments, the motor182will shut off if the moveable unit148is moved from the raised position to the depressed position, thereby depressing the moveable unit switch160, while the motor182is operating.

FIGS.8and9illustrate the components configured to disengage the motor182in the event that the cover102is not covering the grinding bowl134. When the cover102is properly attached to the grinding bowl housing106, the deactivation plunger166is depressed, which actuates the deactivation switch170. The deactivation switch170is operatively connected to the motor182via the circuit board164. When the deactivation switch170is actuated, it is configured to provide electrical power to the circuit board164. Inversely, when the cover102is removed or is not properly attached to the grinding bowl housing106, the deactivation plunger166is pushed vertically upwards by the deactivation plunger spring168, which causes the deactivation plunger166to disengage from the deactivation switch170. When the deactivation switch170is not actuated, no electrical power is sent to the circuit board164and, therefore, the motor182is incapable of operating.

The deactivation of the motor182when the cover102is not properly attached to the grinding bowl housing106can be an important safety feature. When the cover102is properly attached to the grinding bowl housing106, the grinding chamber132is closed and there is no potential for harm to the user. Without this feature, the user may initiate the grinding process without the cover102in place or they may inadvertently remove the cover102while the motor182is operating. In such instances, there would be no barrier between the rotating blade154and the user and thus nothing to prevent accidental harm to the user. The inclusion of the deactivation switch170can help to prevent such harm from occurring.

FIGS.10and11illustrate the operation of a dial plunger184, a first and second gears194,196, and the rotation of the dial116. The dial plunger184is a cylinder with hemispherical ends and a circular ridge186around its center. The dial plunger184is mounted within the housing104, partly within a mount190and partly extending radially outwardly from the mount190toward the dial116. The mount190is connected to the upper dial support112(seeFIG.4). The circular ridge186on the dial plunger184prevents the dial plunger184from disengaging from the mount190. A spring188is connected on one end to the back wall of the mount190and on the other end to the dial plunger184. In this configuration, the spring188urges the dial plunger184radially outwardly toward the dial116.

The dial116is configured with multiple semicircular protrusions118on a portion of the circumference of its interior perimeter. Between each of the semicircular protrusions118are bowl-like indentations120. When the dial116is rotated to an operational parameter setting, the exterior end of the dial plunger184mates with a bowl-like indentation120. When the dial116is left in a position between operational parameters, as shown inFIG.11, the spring188urges the dial plunger184radially outward, which urges the dial116to rotate to the nearest setting. This effect is aided by the round edges of the dial plunger184and the semicircular protrusions118, which are configured to provide minimal frictional force. When rotating the dial116, the dial plunger184provides tactile feedback to the user (and perhaps audible noise) when the dial plunger184moves into a bowl-like indentation120.

An upper gear mount191, as seen inFIG.7, is connected to and suspended from the bottom of the upper dial support112. A lower gear mount192is connected to and suspended from the upper gear mount191. A gear system comprising the first and second gears194,196is mounted between the upper and lower gear mounts191,192. As seen inFIG.3, a potentiometer198is mounted to the top of the upper gear mount191and extends partly through it. The second gear196is operatively connected to the bottom of the potentiometer198.

The dial116is configured to control at least one operational parameter of the motor182through its operative connection to the first and second gears194,196and thereby the potentiometer198. The dial116is configured with multiple gear teeth121on the portion of the circumference of its interior perimeter not containing the semicircular protrusions118or bowl-like indentations120. When the user rotates the dial116, the gear teeth121are configured to rotate the first gear194which rotation turns the second gear196. The potentiometer198is configured to detect the degree of rotation of the second gear196. The circuit board164is configured to measure the resistance of the potentiometer and use the measured value to identify the operational parameter to which the dial116is set.

The dial116is configured to modify the operation of the grinding device100. The dial116and/or housing104are configured with indicia (not shown) which communicate the various dial116settings to the user. The indicia communicate the settings in terms of the desired level of ground coarseness and the quantity of beans in the grinding chamber132. At the lowest dial116setting, relative to the other dial116settings, the motor182will run for the shortest period of time. Relative to the other dial116settings, this setting is to be used for the smallest quantity of beans in the grinding chamber132and when the user desires the coffee bean grounds to be coarse. At the highest dial116setting, relative to the other dial116settings, the motor182will run for the longest period of time. Relative to the other dial116settings, this setting is to be used for the largest quantity of beans in the grinding chamber132and when the user desires the coffee bean grounds to be fine.

The grinding device100and similar devices are primarily used early in the morning and in situations where the user desires additional caffeine stimulation. Under such circumstances, simplicity of user input is of heightened importance.

Operation of the dial116and the moveable unit148is designed to be simple and intuitive. The dial116indicia reduce two parameters (coarseness and quantity of coffee beans) to a single spectrum, thereby reducing required user input to a single variable. Once a setting is chosen, the grinding device100only requires the user to indicate when to begin operation by depressing the moveable unit148a single time.

In some prior art grinding devices, the device is configured to cease operation when the user is no longer interacting with it. In contrast, the grinding device100of the present invention is configured so that once the user depresses the moveable unit148, the grinding device100requires no additional user input. This can be beneficial because the user can leave the grinding device100to operate while they perform other tasks.

The moveable unit148may reduce the quantity of necessary external protrusions, giving the outer profile of the device a sleek cylinder-like appearance. The design is aesthetically pleasing and may reduce the counter space a user needs to dedicate to the device. Additionally, reducing the size of the outer profile may decrease transportation costs due to the corresponding reduction in packaging size.

Those of skill in this art will appreciate that the housing104may take different forms and may have different configurations. For example, the inner shell108and the outer shell110may be a single component. Similarly, the upper dial support112may be a part of the inner shell108, the outer shell110, or the component consisting of them both. The grinding bowl134and grinding bowl housing106may be a single component. Moreover, the cover102may mate with the grinding bowl134directly instead of to the grinding bowl housing106. The grinding bowl housing106may also be configured such that no part of it is contained partially within the inner shell108.

The exterior surface of any of the components of the housing104may not be smooth and may have various aesthetic features added. For example, a brand name or logo may be drawn, etched, engraved, etc. on the top of the cover102or on the outer perimeter of the outer shell110.

Additionally, the housing104can easily be configured so that the dial116also serves as a base for the grinding device. In such a configuration the circular ridge124on the top of the dial116and the circular groove114on the bottom of the upper dial support112would be designed so as to prevent vertical motion of the dial116. This can be achieved in any number of ways; for example, both the circular ridge124on the top of the dial116and the circular groove114on the bottom of the upper dial support112may have interlocking lips that snap into place during assembly.

The dial116may also be located above the inner and outer shells108,110. In such a configuration, the upper dial support112may be moved to connect to the bottom of the grinding bowl housing106or the bottom of the grinding bowl housing106may incorporate the circular groove114and connect to the dial116directly. Further, it is contemplated that the dial116may be configured without the tab122or with a smooth exterior surface.

The various features limiting the motion of the outer shell110may be modified. For example, the inner shell groove115and outer shell ridge111, which mate to prevent the outer shell110from rotating, may be significantly shorter instead of extending the entire height of the inner and outer shells108,110. In such a configuration, the inner shell groove115and outer shell ridge111may be configured such that they also prevent vertical motion of the outer shell110relative to the inner shell108in at least one direction. Such a configuration may make the circular inner shell lip109or the circular upper dial support lip113unnecessary or extraneous.

Internal support components may also be combined with each other or with various parts of the housing104. For example, the lower grinding bowl support144may be configured to be part of the grinding bowl housing106or part of the inner shell108. Similarly, the lower gear mount192may be configured to be part of the base128and the upper gear mount191may be configured to be part of the upper dial support112.

The number of moveable unit springs174may be increased or decreased as desired for altered functionality. The same is true for the number of gears between the dial116and the potentiometer198.

It may be appreciated that the moveable unit148may comprise of any number of parts in different configurations. For example, the moveable unit switch160may remain static by being connected to the inner shell108and configured to be actuated by a part of the moveable unit148when the movable unit148descends.

In one embodiment, the moveable unit148may comprise only the grinding chamber134, the upper and lower grinding bowl supports140,144, the deactivation plunger166, the deactivation plunger spring168, the deactivation switch170, and the deactivation switch housing172. In such a configuration, the blade154remains static. The blade rotor156may be of such a length to allow the moveable unit148to move vertically along it without contacting the motor182. The motor housing176may be connected to the interior wall of the inner shell108or to the base128.

It may be further appreciated that the moveable unit148may stay depressed while the motor182is in operation. In some embodiments, a spring-operated plunger (not shown) may grip the moveable unit148until a release signal is send from the circuit board164indicating that the desired grinding time has been achieved. In such a configuration, the “motor on” signal from the moveable unit switch160to the circuit board164may be continuous while the moveable unit switch160is actuated.

In other embodiments, the user may hold the moveable unit148in the depressed position for the desired grinding time. In such a configuration, the moveable unit switch160may be configured to send a continuous “motor on” signal to the circuit board164while the moveable unit148remains in the depressed position. The motor182may be configured to operate as long as the circuit board164continues to receive the “motor on” signal from the moveable unit switch160up to a maximum grinding time. In some embodiments the maximum grinding time is 45 seconds.

The deactivation switch170may be configured to send a continuous “motor on” signal to the circuit board164. In such an embodiment, the circuit board164may receive a supply of electrical power independent of its connection to the deactivation switch170. The circuit board164may be further configured to only operate while receiving the “motor on” signal from the deactivation switch170and simultaneously receiving either a single non-continuous “motor on” signal or a continuous “motor on” signal from the moveable unit switch160. Inversely, when the deactivation switch170is not actuated, it may be configured to cease sending a “motor on” signal to the circuit board164, which may be configured to deactivate the motor182when not receiving the continuous “motor on” signal from the deactivation switch170.

In some embodiments, the dial plunger184may be configured so as to not make audible noise when the dial116is rotated.

Additionally, the motor182may be configured to vary blade speed or even reduce the blade speed to zero during operation before increasing the speed again. This “pulse” effect can help prevent clumps of grounds from forming and can ensure a more even grind. The dial plunger184may be configured to modify any operational parameter of the motor including grinding duration, blade rotation speed, pulse frequency, pulse pattern, etc.