System and process for grinding and handling of dried organic materials

A system and method for processing organic material, the system having four stackable housings, each housing defining a compartment, in which a first compartment of a first housing contains upper grinding teeth, and second compartment of a second housing contains lower grinding teeth, and when organic material is added to the second compartment, the upper grinding teeth and the lower grinding teeth work together to crush the organic material into smaller pieces and granules. The second housing contains holes to allow the smaller pieces and granules to fall into a third compartment of a third housing, where a filter catches the smaller pieces but allows the granules to fall to a fourth compartment of a fourth housing. The third housing has Smaller pieces trapped by the filter can be removed a sidewall opening in the third housing, and the granules can be removed through a slot in the fourth housing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to methods and devices for processing organic material, such as plants, herbs, spices, and the like.

BACKGROUND

Traditional grinders and other devices for processing organic material are made of numerous different components that have to work together precisely. Due to the multiple components there are many points where traditional grinders can fail or malfunction. In addition, there are a lot of frustration in having to carefully unscrew traditional grinders, and fumble with tiny scooping and cleaning tools, ultimately losing valuable product one pinch at a time.

Therefore, there is a need for an organic material processing system that eliminates the tedious tasks of the traditional grinder, and provides easily controlled and hassle-free organic material grinding, sorting and conveyance system, so that the user does not have to fumble with small parts and cleaning tools, and lose flower.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed towards a system designed to simplify the process of grinding dried organic material (e.g., cannabis, plants, seeds, herbs, spices, and the like) by incorporating features that improve the filtering, sorting, storing and dispensing of the organic material, as well as improvements in the ease of using and cleaning the system.

The system of the present invention comprises a series of housings defining compartments stacked on top of each other through which organic material is processed, filtered and sorted, and dispensed as the organic material moves from compartment to compartment. The first two housings comprise grinding teeth that processes the organic material by cut, shred, crush, and/or grind the organic material between the grinding teeth. Residual material stuck on the grinding teeth can be easily removed using plates defining holes that receive the grinding teeth to scrape the residual material off the grinding teeth as the plate moves up and down along the grinding teeth. A revolving door concept integrated into the second and third housing is used to open and close the system to allow the processed product to be conveyed without disassembling the system. The fourth housing catches granular material and can deliver a controlled amount of kief, for example, using uniquely design dispensing fins projecting into the fourth compartment from the third housing. With a single quarter turn of the third compartment, a slot in the fourth housing is temporarily opened creating a small passage for the dispensing fins to deliver an ideal amount ground material from the fourth compartment before securely closing the passage. For more kief, the third compartment simply needs to be rotated again.

The system of the present invention can be constructed from top quality, food-safe materials, and uses strong stainless-steel magnets to adhere its compartments and plates in their respective positions, making for a simple snapping experience when opening and closing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

With reference to theFIGS.1-5, the invention of the present application is a system50for processing organic material, comprising a plurality of housings100,200,300,400, each housing defining a compartment106,206,306,406, wherein the housings are configured to fit together and function such that organic material can be added to one compartment, processed, and passed to the next compartment, where partially processed material can be separated from fully processed granulated material by a filter320so that the partially processed material and the fully processed granulated material can be collected separately. In the preferred embodiment, there are four housings100,200,300,400stacked on top of each other defining a longitudinal axis L through the centers of each housing, and the grinding action and passing of the organic material from one compartment to the next compartment is achieved by rotating the housings relative to each other. For example, rotation of a first housing100relative to a second housing200causes upper grinding teeth114projecting from the first housing100to pass closely by lower grinding teeth214projecting from the second housing200, such that organic material caught between the upper grinding teeth114and lower grinding teeth214is cut, shred, crushed, and ground. Material stuck on the upper grinding teeth114can be removed by the scraping action of an upper plate130, and material stuck on the lower grinding teeth214can be removed by the scraping action of the lower plate230.

With reference toFIGS.6-7, a first housing100comprises a ceiling102, a first housing sidewall104projecting perpendicularly from the ceiling102, the ceiling102and the first housing sidewall104defining a first compartment106. When the system50is placed in its proper orientation for use, this first housing100is the top or uppermost housing.

The ceiling102is substantially flat. The first housing sidewall104is defined by an inner wall108and an outer wall110. The inner wall108of the first housing sidewall104defines the first compartment106. Preferably, the inner wall108of the first housing sidewall104is cylindrical in shape having a first diameter D1. The outer wall110of the first housing sidewall104can be any shape, such as circular, triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, and the like. In the preferred embodiment, the outer wall110is rectangular, and more specifically, square shape.

The ceiling102of the first housing100defines an upper button hole112. Preferably, the upper button hole112is circular in shape, but can be any other shape. The upper button hole112is a through-hole passing through the entire thickness of the ceiling102. Preferably, the upper button hole112is located centrally on the ceiling102. As such, the button hole112is aligned with the longitudinal axis L. For purposes of this application, the term “button” is intended to have a broad meaning that includes any projection configured to be pushed.

Projecting perpendicularly from the ceiling102into the first compartment106are a plurality of upper grinding teeth114. As such, the upper grinding teeth114reside in the first compartment106. The upper grinding teeth114generally surround the upper button hole112. Preferably, the plurality of upper grinding teeth114are arranged in sets of concentrically arranged rings about the upper button hole112, such that a uniform, ring-shaped gap116exists in between each set of upper grinding teeth rings as depicted using broken lines shown inFIG.7. The plurality of upper grinding teeth114can also be arranged as a set of uniformly spaced apart rows (and/or columns).

The upper grinding teeth114are elongated, stiff posts. The upper grinding teeth114can be any shape, such as cylindrical, triangular, rectangular, parallelogram, and the like. Preferably, the upper grinding teeth are diamond shaped (or rhombus), thereby creating sharp corners and flat surfaces.

A plurality of upper plate magnets118can be placed on the ceiling102of the first housing100. Preferably, the upper plate magnets118are flush with the ceiling102, and therefore, do not project into the first compartment106like the upper grinding teeth114. The upper plate magnets118can be interspersed in between the upper grinding teeth114. Preferably, there are four upper plate magnets118. The upper plate magnets118can be separated approximately 90 degrees radially from each other about the upper button hole112.

To facilitate assembly of the device10, the first housing100can have a first housing alignment marker120. Preferably, the first housing alignment marker120is placed on the first housing sidewall104, such as the inner wall108, the outer wall110, the bottom surface122of the first housing sidewall104, or any combination thereof. The first housing alignment marker120can also be placed on the ceiling102. Any alignment marker discussed herein can be of any form that is easily perceived by the user. For example, any of the alignment markers can be a marking, a projection, a recess, or the like, or any combination thereof.

With reference toFIGS.8-10, the system50further comprises an upper plate130configured to reside in the first compartment106. As such, the shape of the upper plate130can be substantially similar to the shape of the first compartment106. The shape of the upper plate130can be any shape as long as it fits inside the first compartment106. Preferably, the upper plate130is circular to match the first compartment106. The upper plate130is defined by a top side132and a bottom side134opposite the top side132. An upper plate button136can protrude perpendicularly from the top side132of the upper plate130. The upper plate button136is configured to be inserted into the upper button hole112of the first housing100. As such, the upper plate button136can be centrally located on the upper plate130so as to align with the longitudinal axis L when the upper plate130is placed inside the first compartment106. In addition, the upper plate button136can be substantially the same shape as the upper button hole112.

The upper plate130further defines a plurality of upper grinding teeth holes138. The plurality of upper grinding teeth holes138are configured to receive the plurality of upper grinding teeth114. As such, the number, orientation, and arrangement of the upper grinding teeth holes138are sufficient to allow each upper grinding tooth114to pass through one of the upper grinding teeth holes138. In the preferred embodiment, the upper grinding teeth holes138arranged as sets of concentric rings about the upper plate button136that match the concentric ring formation of the upper grinding teeth114.

The upper grinding teeth holes138can be any shape sufficient to allow the upper grinding teeth114to pass through. In some embodiments, the upper grinding teeth holes138can be the same shape as the upper grinding teeth114. Preferably, the upper grinding teeth114pass narrowly through the upper grinding teeth holes138, such that residual organic material left on the upper grinding teeth114after the grinding process can be knocked off by the upper plate130moving up and down along upper grinding teeth114(as will be described in more detail below).

To facilitate proper alignment of the upper plate130with the first housing100so that the upper grinding teeth114of the first housing100align with the upper grinding teeth holes138of the upper plate130, the upper plate130can comprise an upper plate alignment marker140. Preferably, the upper plate alignment marker140is placed on the bottom side134of the upper plate130near the perimeter edge; however, the upper plate alignment marker140can be placed anywhere on the upper plate130that will facilitate proper alignment of the upper plate130to the first housing100. The upper plate alignment marker140can be any shape, but preferably, it matches the first housing alignment marker120. The upper plate alignment marker140and the first housing alignment marker120are positioned on the upper plate130and the first housing100, respectively, in a manner such that when the upper plate alignment marker140is aligned with the first housing alignment marker120, each upper grinding tooth114aligns with one of the upper grinding teeth holes138so that the upper plate130can lay flat against the ceiling102of the first housing100. Although the use of alignment markers is the preferred method for quickly aligning the upper plate130with the first housing100, other methods can be used. For example, one of the upper grinding teeth114(or a separate post that does not have a grinding function) can have a shape that is distinctly different from the other upper grinding teeth114. One of the upper grinding teeth holes138can similarly have a shape that matches the separate post. These distinctly shaped post and matching hole can be arranged such that when the two are aligned, all other upper grinding teeth114are aligned with one of the upper grinding teeth holes138. Similarly, projections and complementary notches can be formed on the upper plate130and the first housing sidewall104, such that the upper plate130can only fit into the first compartment106in one orientation, which allows each of the upper grinding teeth114to align with one of the upper grinding teeth holes138.

To removably attach the upper plate130to the ceiling102of the first housing100, the upper plate130can have a plurality of reciprocal upper plate magnets142on the top side132of the upper plate130. The plurality of reciprocal upper plate magnets142correspond with the upper plate magnets118when the upper plate button136is inserted into the upper button hole112and the plurality of upper grinding teeth114are inserted through the plurality of upper grinding teeth holes138. This configuration allows the upper plate130to be removed or detached from the ceiling102by holding the first housing100securely and pushing the upper plate button136out of the upper button hole112. The upper plate130is reattached to the ceiling102when force upon the upper plate button136is removed. Repeating this action causes the upper plate to scrape the residue off of the upper grinding teeth114. The user of the term “magnet” in this application is intended to be interpreted broadly and includes magnetic or magnetized material.

The upper plate130can also have an upper plate center magnet144centrally located on the upper plate130and projecting perpendicularly from the bottom side134of the upper plate130opposite the upper plate button136and configured to be in line with the longitudinal axis L when the upper plate130is properly installed in the first housing100.

With reference toFIGS.11-13, a second housing200is configured to be positioned adjacent to the first housing100. Specifically, the first housing100is configured to mount on top of the second housing200. The second housing200comprises a second housing sidewall204defining a second compartment. The second housing sidewall204is defined by an inner wall208and an outer wall210. The inner wall208is preferably cylindrical in shape.

The second housing200further comprises a base202operatively connected to the inner wall208effectively dividing the second compartment206into an upper compartment206aand a lower compartment206b. The upper outer wall210aof the second housing sidewall204corresponding with (or adjacent to) the upper compartment206a(i.e. the portion of the second housing sidewall204extending upwardly from the base202) can be cylindrical and configured to fit inside the first compartment106of the first housing100.

The lower outer wall210bof the second housing200corresponding with (or adjacent to) the lower compartment206bcan be any shape (i.e. the portion of the second housing sidewall204extending downwardly below the base202). Preferably, the lower outer wall210bof the second housing200corresponding with the lower compartment206bis the same shape as the outer wall110of the first housing100. In the preferred embodiment, the outer wall110of the first housing is square shape. As such, the lower outer wall210bof the second housing200below the base202is also square shape having four sides, whereas the upper outer wall210aabove the base202is cylindrical. Therefore, the second housing200has a lower portion that is box-shaped and an upper portion that is cylindrically shaped extending upwardly from the lower portion of the second housing200. The upper outer wall210aof the second housing200has a diameter D2that is substantially similar to the diameter D1of the inner wall108of the first housing100such that the upper outer wall210aof the second housing200can fit inside the first compartment106. As such, the first compartment106of the first housing100and the upper compartment206aof the second housing200become substantially coextensive in use. In this configuration, the bottom surface122of the first housing sidewall104can rest on top of (i.e. be mounted on top of) the base202of the second housing200outside of the upper outer wall210a.

The second housing sidewall204can have an upper sidewall opening212defined in the second housing sidewall204adjacent to the lower compartment206b. In other words, the upper sidewall opening212is through a portion of one of the sides of the lower outer wall210b.

The second housing200further comprises a plurality of lower grinding teeth214projecting into the upper compartment206afrom the base202. The plurality of lower grinding teeth214can be arranged in a manner that is complementary to the upper grinding teeth114of the first housing100, such that when the first housing100is mounted on top of the second housing200, the lower grinding teeth214are positioned in between the upper grinding teeth114. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the upper grinding teeth114are arranged as sets of concentric rings with circular, ring-shaped gaps116in between each set of concentrically arranged upper grinding teeth114. In the preferred embodiment, the lower grinding teeth214are also arranged as sets of concentric rings with each set of concentric rings of the lower grinding teeth214residing in one of the ring-shaped gaps116defined by the concentrically arranged upper grinding teeth114. As such, the plurality of lower grinding teeth214are configured to pass by the plurality of upper grinding teeth114when the first housing100is rotated relative to the second housing200. The lower grinding teeth214should pass by sufficiently close to the upper grinding teeth114such that organic material caught in between the lower grinding teeth214and upper grinding teeth114are partially processed by being cut or shredded as the lower grinding teeth214and upper grinding teeth114pass by each other. Repeated rotation of the first housing100relative to the second housing200results in some of the organic material becoming fully processed into granules or powder.

The second housing200can further comprise a plurality of drop-through holes216defined within the base202and interspersed in between the plurality of lower grinding teeth214. Each drop-through holes216passes completely through the thickness of the base202. The drop-through holes216are small enough to reside within the gaps in between the lower grinding teeth214, but large enough to allow partially processed (i.e. un-granulated, but cut or shredded organic material) to fall through. Therefore, in general, whole organic material placed in the upper compartment206awould be too large to fall through drop-through holes216. When the first housing100is mounted on top of the second housing200, and the first housing100is rotated relative to the second housing200, the upper grinding teeth114and lower grinding teeth214begin cutting, shredding, crushing, and grinding the whole organic material into smaller pieces and granules. The granules fall easily through the drop-through holes into the lower compartment206b. Pieces of the organic material that are too large to fall through the drop-through holes216are further crushed and shredded in between the upper grinding teeth114and the lower grinding teeth214. Eventually, as the first housing100continues to rotate relative to the second housing, the organic material becomes small enough partially processed pieces to fall through the drop-through holes216into the lower compartment206balong with the granules.

The base202further defines a lower button hole217centrally located on the base202and aligned with the longitudinal axis L.

The second housing200also comprises a plurality of magnets to secure other components of the invention to the second housing200. For example, the second housing200can comprise a plurality of lower plate magnets218on the top side203of the base202on the upper compartment206aside. The lower plate magnets218can be interspersed in between the lower grinding teeth214and the drop-through holes216. Preferably, there are four lower plate magnets218circularly arranged about the longitudinal axis L and angularly spaced apart by about 90 degrees.

The second housing200can also comprise a plurality of second housing magnets220on the second housing sidewall204adjacent to the lower compartment206b. Preferably, the plurality of second housing magnets220are positioned on a bottom surface222of the second housing sidewall204. In the preferred embodiment in which the second housing200is square shaped, the second housing magnets220are positioned on the bottom surface222at the corners of the second housing200.

To facilitate the proper assembly of the system50, the second housing200can have a second housing alignment marker224on the second housing sidewall204. Preferably, the second housing alignment marker224is on the top side203of the lower outer wall210b; however, the second alignment marker224can be positioned anywhere on the second housing200where it is easily visible when viewing the upper compartment206a, including on the base202within the upper compartment206a, or on one of the sides of the lower outer wall210bof the second housing200, or on the upper outer wall210aof the second housing200.

With reference toFIGS.14-16, the system50further comprises a lower plate230configured to fit inside the upper compartment206aof the second housing200. As such, in the preferred embodiment, the lower plate230can be circular. The lower plate230has a top side232and a bottom side234opposite the top side232. The bottom side234can have a lower plate button236protruding perpendicularly therefrom. The lower plate button236is configured to fit inside the lower button hole217of the second housing200. Therefore, when the lower plate230is mounted inside the upper compartment206a, the lower plate button236descends through the lower button hole217.

The lower plate232further comprises a plurality of lower grinding teeth holes238configured to receive the plurality of lower grinding teeth214. As such, the number, orientation, and arrangement of the lower grinding teeth holes238are sufficient to allow each lower grinding tooth214to pass through one of the lower grinding teeth holes238. In the preferred embodiment, the lower grinding teeth holes238arranged as sets of concentric rings about the lower plate button236that match the concentric ring formation of the lower grinding teeth214.

The lower grinding teeth holes238can be any shape sufficient to allow the lower grinding teeth214to pass through. In some embodiments, the lower grinding teeth holes238can be the same shape as the lower grinding teeth214. Preferably, the lower grinding teeth214pass narrowly through the lower grinding teeth holes238, such that residual organic material left on the lower grinding teeth214after processing can be knocked off by the lower plate230moving up and down along the lower grinding teeth214.

The lower plate230can further comprise a plurality of lower plate drop-through holes240defined within the lower plate230and interspersed in between the plurality of lower grinding teeth holes238. Each lower plate drop-through holes240passes completely through the thickness of the lower plate230. The lower plate drop-through holes240function like the drop-through holes216of the second housing200as described above. Therefore, the lower plate drop-through holes240are configured such that when the lower plate230is properly installed in the second housing200, the lower plate drop-through holes240align with the drop-through holes216of the second housing200to allow processed pieces of organic material to fall through the upper compartment206ato the lower compartment206b. As such, the number, spacing, configuration, shape, and orientation of the lower plate drop-through holes240match that of the drop-through holes216of the second housing200.

The lower plate230can further comprise a set of magnets to facilitate assembly. The lower plate230can have a plurality of reciprocal lower plate magnets242interspersed in between the lower grinding teeth holes238. The reciprocal lower plate magnets242are configured and arranged on the lower plate230such that when the lower plate230is properly installed in the second housing200, the reciprocal lower plate magnets242align with and attach to the lower plate magnets218embedded in the base202of the second housing200. Therefore, the lower plate230can be reversibly attached to the second housing200.

The lower plate230can further comprise a lower plate center magnet244configured to mate with the upper plate center magnet144that is housed in the first housing100. As such, the lower plate center magnet244is centrally located on the top side232of the lower plate230. Preferably, the lower plate center magnet244aligns flush with the top side232of the lower plate230. When the lower plate230is properly installed in the second housing200with the lower plate magnets218of the second housing200connected to the reciprocal lower plate magnets242of the lower plate230, the lower plate center magnet244is aligned with the longitudinal axis L. When the upper plate130is properly installed in the first housing100with the upper plate magnets118of the first housing100connected to the reciprocal upper plate magnets142of the upper plate130, the upper plate center magnet144is aligned with the longitudinal axis L and projects downwardly into the first compartment106. The upper plate center magnet144is properly dimensioned such that when the first housing100is mounted on top of the second housing200, the upper plate center magnet144attaches to the lower plate center magnet244, allowing the first housing100to be connected to the second housing200, but still allowing the first housing100to rotate about the longitudinal axis L relative to the second housing200.

With reference toFIG.17, to facilitate rotation of the first housing100relative to the second housing200, the system50may further comprise a slide ring250configured to be placed in between the first housing100and the second housing200. In the preferred embodiment, the slide ring250is a circular ring configured to slide over the upper outer wall210aof the second housing200adjacent to the upper compartment206a, and rest on top of the base202. When the first housing100is mounted on top of the second housing200, the bottom surface122of the first housing sidewall104rests on top of the slide ring250. The slide ring250reduces the friction that could have otherwise been created in between the first housing100and second housing200when the first housing100is rotated relative to the second housing200.

With reference toFIGS.18-22, a third housing300is configured to be positioned adjacent to the second housing200and opposite the first housing100. Specifically, the second housing200is configured to be mounted on top of the third housing300. The third housing300comprises a third housing sidewall304that defines a third compartment306. The third housing sidewall304is defined by an inner wall308and an outer wall310. The inner wall308is preferably cylindrical in shape to match the configuration of the second compartment206.

The outer wall310can be identified as having an upper portion312and a lower portion314. The upper portion312of the outer wall310can be cylindrical to tit inside the lower compartment206bof the second housing200. As such, the lower compartment206bcan have a diameter D3that is substantially similar to the diameter D4of the upper portion312of the outer wall310of the third housing300. To provide a landing for the second housing200, the lower portion314of the outer wall310can extend radially outwardly beyond the outer wall310at the upper portion312. The shape of the outer wall310at the lower portion314can be any shape. Preferably, however, the outer wall310at the lower portion314is the same shape as the outer wall210of the second housing200adjacent to the lower compartment206b. As such, in the preferred embodiment, the lower portion314of the outer wall310of the third housing300is square or box-shape.

The upper portion312of the third housing sidewall304further defines a lower sidewall opening316. The lower sidewall opening316is configured to align with the upper sidewall opening212of the second housing200. As such, when the upper sidewall opening212is aligned with the lower sidewall opening316partially processed material inside the third compartment306can be removed. Because the second housing200covers the upper portion312of the outer wall310of the third housing300, a user may not be able to see where the lower sidewall opening is located316. As such, an opening alignment marker318can be positioned adjacent to the lower sidewall opening316. Therefore, if the user intends on aligning the upper sidewall opening212with the lower sidewall opening316, the user simply aligns the upper sidewall opening212with the opening alignment marker318on the third housing300. As such, the opening alignment marker318is preferably placed on the outer wall310at the lower portion314of the third housing sidewall304adjacent to the lower sidewall opening316.

When the upper sidewall opening212and the lower sidewall opening316are not aligned, then the contents of the third compartment306remain inside the system50. The third housing300can comprise a filter320(seeFIG.23), mounted inside the third compartment306below the lower sidewall opening316. As such, the filter320can be mounted on the inner wall308of the third housing sidewall304. The filter320can be fixedly attached inside the third compartment306or removably attached inside the third compartment306.

Preferably, the inner wall308of the third housing sidewall304can have one or more projections322protruding radially inwardly around the perimeter of the inner wall308. As such, the inner wall308can have a diameter D5. The filter320can be a ring shaped filter having a diameter D6, wherein the diameter D6of the filter320is substantially similar to the diameter D5of the inner wall308of the third housing sidewall304. With projections322protruding radially inward, the filter320can be mounted on top of the projections322to prevent the filter320from falling through. The filter320can comprise a support ring321with a screen323attached thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the supporting ring321is a double ring with one support ring321astacked on top of a second support ring321bwith the screen323sandwiched therebetween. The screen323can be a mesh screen having a plurality of fine holes to allow granulated organic material to pass through while preventing cut up and shredded pieces to remain above the filter320.

The third housing300can further comprise a plurality of dispensing fins324located below the filter320and projecting downwardly from the third housing sidewall304away from the filter320. Each fin324comprises a base end326operatively connected to the third housing sidewall304, and a free end328, wherein the free ends328of each dispensing fin324is radially closer to the longitudinal axis L than the respective base ends326of each dispensing fin324. As such, the dispensing fins324encircle the longitudinal axis L in a spiraling pattern. Therefore, the diameter D7as measured from diametrically opposite base ends326is greater than the dimeter D8of an imaginary circle defined by the free ends328of the dispensing fins324. Rotation of the dispensing fins324facilitates removal of the granules from the device as discussed further below.

In the preferred embodiment, the dispensing fins324are operatively connected to the inner wall308of the third housing sidewall304. As such, a portion of the base end326of the dispensing fin324can function as the projection322upon which the filter320can be mounted. In the embodiment in which the lower portion of the third housing300is box-shaped, the base ends326of each fin324can be placed approximately centrally located on each side. Thus, the base ends326create a downward extension340of the inner wall308adjacent to the central portions of each side.

To facilitate assembly of the third housing300to the second housing200, the third housing300can have a plurality of third housing upper magnets330. The third housing upper magnets330are configured to mate with the plurality of second housing magnets220. In the preferred embodiment, the second housing sidewall204defining the lower compartment206bis box-shaped. The lower portion314of the third housing sidewall304is similarly box-shaped having a top surface332, a bottom surface334, and the lower portion outer sidewall314therebetween. As such, the plurality of third housing upper magnets330can be positioned on the top surface332of the lower portion of the outer sidewall314, preferably at the corners.

The third housing300is also configured to mount on top of the fourth housing400. To facilitate attachment of the third housing300to the fourth housing400, the third housing300can further comprise a plurality of third housing lower magnets336. Preferably, the third housing lower magnets336are positioned on the bottom surface334at the corners, opposite the third housing upper magnets330.

With reference toFIG.24, the fourth housing400is configured to be positioned adjacent to the third housing300and opposite the second housing200. The fourth housing comprising a floor402and a fourth housing sidewall404defining a fourth compartment406. Preferably, the fourth compartment406is cylindrical and configured to receive the dispensing fins324of the third housing300. As such, the fourth housing sidewall404has an inner wall408that is cylindrical in shape having a diameter D9that is substantially similar to the diameter D7defined by the base ends326of the dispensing fins so that that dispensing fins326can fit inside the fourth compartment406. The outer wall410of the fourth housing sidewall404can be any shape, but is preferably, rectangular, and specifically square.

To facilitate connection to the third housing300, the fourth housing400comprises a plurality of fourth housing magnets412configured to mate with the plurality of third housing lower magnets336. As such, the fourth housing magnets412can be placed on a top surface414of the fourth housing sidewall404, preferably at the corners.

The fourth housing sidewall404can define a slot416. Preferably, in a box-shaped fourth housing400, the slot416is centrally located on one of the sides of the box. The slot416defines an opening from the outer wall410through the inner wall408. When the third housing300is connected to the fourth housing400with the third housing lower magnets336attached to the fourth housing magnets412, the extension340of one of the base end326of one of the dispensing fins324blocks the slot416. The grinding process accumulates granules in the fourth compartment406. When the system50is tilted to have the slot416facing towards the ground, the granules accumulate near the slot416. As the third housing300is rotated relative to the fourth housing400in a manner that the free end328of an adjacent dispensing fin324move towards the slot416, the slot416is opened because the free end328is positioned radially inward. As the rotation continues, the base end326of the adjacent dispensing fin324moves towards the opening. Because the base end326is connected to the inner wall308of the third housing300, which has a diameter D5that is substantially the same as the diameter D9of the fourth compartment, a wedge is created between the approaching dispensing fin324and the inner wall408of the fourth housing400. The continued rotation of the third housing300relative to the fourth housing400causes the granules to accumulate in the wedge. As the wedge moves closer to the slot416, the granules are pushed out of the fourth compartment406through the slot416. When the third housing lower magnets336re-connect to the fourth housing magnets412, the extension340of the base end326of what was the adjacent dispensing fins324before the rotation began now blocks the slot416.

In use, user places the fourth housing400on a surface, then mounts the third housing300on top of the fourth housing400. The filter320is placed inside the third compartment306of the third housing300. The second housing200is mounted on the third housing300. Unground organic material can be placed on the lower grinding teeth214of the second housing200. The user then places first housing100on top of second housing200, sandwiching the organic material within the two compartments106,206defined by the first and second housings100,200. The user then rotates the first housing100relative to the second housing200, preferably while applying downward pressure, allowing the upper grinding teeth114and the lower grinding teeth214to process the organic material by cutting, crushing, mincing, shredding, and/or grinding the organic material into finer clumps and granules, causing the organic material to fall through the drop-through holes216of the second housing200and drop-through holes240of the lower plate230, into the third compartment306of the third housing300, and onto the filter320in the third compartment306.

When processing is complete, the user may remove the first housing100from the second housing200for cleaning purposes using the upper plate130and the lower plate230. With the first housing100inverted, the user pushes the upper plate button136to release the reciprocal upper plate magnets142from the upper plate magnets118of the first housing100. Pressing on the upper plate button136causes the upper plate130to slide along each upper grinding tooth114via the upper grinding teeth holes138, forcing any organic material stuck in the upper grinding teeth114to be pushed free. The user can do the same for the lower plate230, pushing the lower plate button236to free any stuck material in the lower grinding teeth214as the lower plate slides along each lower grinding tooth214via the lower grinding teeth holes238. Once the organic material is removed from the upper grinding teeth114and lower grinding teeth214, the upper plate130and lower plate230can be re-attached to their respective housings100,200via their respective magnetic connections. When the first housing100is mounted back on top of the second housing200, the additionally loosened organic material can fall through the drop-through holes into the third compartment306, or the processing can be repeated.

For a thorough cleaning, the upper plate130and lower plate230can be completely removed from their respective housings100,200. Once cleaned, the upper plate130can be reinserted into the first housing100by aligning the first housing alignment marker120on the first housing100with the upper plate alignment marker140of the upper plate130. Similarly, the lower plate230can be properly installed back into the second housing200by aligning the second housing alignment marker224with the lower plate alignment marker252.

When the processed material enters the third compartment306, finely ground material fall through the filter320into the fourth compartment, while partially processed material remain caught on the filter320. With the filter320now full of partially processed organic material, the user rotates the second housing200(and optionally the first housing100) relative to the third housing300until the upper sidewall opening212of the second housing is aligned with the lower sidewall opening316of the third housing300. This can be accomplished by aligning the upper sidewall opening212with the opening alignment marker318on the third housing300. This creates an opening to the third compartment306allowing the user to pour the material from within the third compartment306into a preferred consumption device or storage location (a container, pipe, bong, rolling paper, etc.) without needing to touch the material directly with the user's fingers or spilling and fumbling the material as is the result of traditional grinders.

The user then closes the sidewall openings by again rotating the second housing200relative to the third housing300until the openings are no longer aligned. The corner magnets220,330allow for quarter turns to snap into place upon rotation.

The user then angles the assembled system50such that the slot416of the fourth housing400is facing downwardly, above the preferred consumption location, in preparation of distributing the granular material. The user then rotates the third housing300in relation to the fourth housing400in order to rotate the dispensing fins324of the third housing300within the fourth compartment406. This quarter rotation movement of the third housing300relative to the fourth housing400allows the dispensing fins324to temporarily open the slot416, push a controlled amount of granular material through the slot416, and then close the slot416again when the next dispensing fin324rotates into place.

These quarter turns allow the user to distribute the organic granular material in a controlled fashion when desired, as well as store the material safely without completely exposing the fourth compartment406to the external environment, for example, by removing the third compartment300. This process eliminates the need for the user to directly touch the granular material or fumble with the small plastic shovel shapes that come with traditional grinders. Although the preferred embodiment is to rotate the housings relative to each other to process the material, other motions can accomplish the same objective with the grinding teeth properly arranged, such as a side-to-side motion or an up-and-down motion of the housings relative to each other.

The components are preferably made with aluminum parts, and manufactured with CNC machines and then anodized to have a selection of finish colors (possibly gold, rose gold, grey and black). Other manufacturing techniques can be used including the use of a mold.