Abstract:
A spice grinding and dispensing device generally intended to be used for grinding one spice in a first portion and a second spice in the other portion. Each portion of the dual spice grinder includes a handle or trigger that activates an independent rasp mechanism. When the trigger is pressed, the rasp activated thereby moves down and forces ground spice through an opening. The pressure of the rasp against the inside of the bottom of the grinder breaks up the spice, and only spice that is properly sized can fit through the opening. Furthermore, the opening may be adjustable so that a user can create a coarse or finely ground spice.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/893,235 filed 6 Mar. 2007, which application is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a spice grinding and dispensing device, and in particular to a dual spice grinding and dispensing device that can be manipulated with one hand. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Grinding and dispensing devices are used in a variety of industries, for many different purposes. Generally, grinding and dispensing containers contain specific contents, such as particulates, which can be dispensed by an individual when desired. To prevent the contents of the container from being dispensed accidentally, many dispensing containers include a cap or lid that remains on the container during periods of nonuse, and is not subject to accidental opening. 
         [0006]    In the food industry, grinding and dispensing containers that contain solid foods, such as herbs or spices, in granular or powder-like form, are commonly used. Dispensing containers are often bountiful in the kitchen, containing such materials as salt, pepper, basil, cinnamon, dill, mustard powder, garlic salt or powder, ginger, thyme, rosemary, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, parsley, saffron, and turmeric. Such materials are key ingredients in a variety of recipes for various foods. 
         [0007]    In the culinary arts, a busy kitchen can be the focal point of creation, disarray, and demanding conditions. Amateur and professional chefs are often required to multitask during the cooking and/or creation process. For example, a cook may be stirring a substance with one hand, while adding additional ingredients with the other hand. Additionally, only one clean hand may be available for handling grinding and dispensing containers and utensils, because the other hand has been handling or preparing the food ingredients. 
         [0008]    What is needed therefore is a grinding and dispensing device that is capable of being manipulated with one hand to both grind and dispense multiple spices. Additionally, such a grinding and dispensing device should allow a user to restrict the size of the granulated spice to be dispensed. It is to such a device that the present invention is primarily directed. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Briefly described, in preferred form, the present invention is a unitary spice grinding and dispensing device with two portions, or halves, generally intended to be used for grinding one spice in a first portion and a second spice in a second portion. Thus, the present grinding and dispensing device includes a first portion and a second portion, each capable of separately containing contents to be grinded and dispensed. A mating assembly is provided for releasably securing the first portion to the second portion. The mating assembly can be a variety of assemblies, for example male and female elements cooperatively places and sized for snapping engagement, and a threaded assembly for threading the two portions together. 
         [0010]    Each of the first and second portions includes a hand-activated grinding assembly comprising a rasp activation trigger and a rasp mechanism, whereupon activation, the rasp mechanism grinds at least a portion of the contents in the portion, and the ground up portion of the contents capable of dispensing from the portion. The rasp activation trigger can be a handle or trigger, a portion of which extends beyond the side of the portion from hand activation. For example, when the trigger of the first portion is pressed, the rasp of the first portion is activated, and forces the contents through a small opening of the first portion. The pressure of the rasp against the inside of the bottom of the first portion breaks up the contents, and only elements of the contents that are small enough to fit through the small opening can exit. 
         [0011]    One or more of the portions can comprise an adjustable dispenser, such that a user can select the granularity level of ground contents that can be dispensed from the at least one portion. Thus, the opening can be adjustable so that the user can create a coarse or finely ground spice. The spice grinding and dispensing device allows a user to easily and quickly grind and dispense two spices using a single hand and a single device. 
         [0012]    Each portion of the grinding and dispensing device can have a content filling end located in proximity to the mating assembly, and a dispensing end located distal the content filling end, although the place where contents are filled into the portion, and the place where ground content are dispensed from the portion, need not be on opposite ends of the portion. Preferably, the content filling end of each portion comprises a releasable plug assembly for filling each portion with content through the plug assembly (a plug and cooperatively-size aperture), and each dispensing end of each portion comprises an adjustable dispenser, such that a user can select the granularity level of ground contents that can be dispensed from the dispensing end of each portion. 
         [0013]    A principle object of the present invention is to provide a grinding and dispensing device for multiple spices that can be operated with only one hand activation. 
         [0014]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a grinding and dispensing device for multiple spices that can be used to grind and dispense multiple spices at a selected granularity level. 
         [0015]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0016]      FIGS. 1A-1B , collectively known as  FIG. 1 , illustrate side views of a grinding and dispensing device in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross sectional view of the grinding and dispensing device of  FIG. 1B  in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a cross section of a grinding and dispensing device in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of a grinding and dispensing device in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    The detailed description explains the exemplary embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, a grinding and dispensing device  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The grinding and dispensing device  100  is designed to present a unitary look, yet comprising a first portion  110  (shown as being on the top of the device  100 ), and second portion  150  (shown as being on the bottom device  100 ), which are each designed to grind and dispense their own contents, which can be different. 
         [0022]    While the device  100  is designed to present a unitary look, the first portion  110  and the second portion  150  can be removably affixed to one other at mating assembly  102 . Mating assembly  102  permits the first portion  110  and the second portion  150  to be separated from each other such that each portion  110 ,  150  can be used individually, and can be refilled with, for example, spice particulates, if such refilling for each portion  110 ,  150  occurs via the proximity of the mating assembly  102 . 
         [0023]    The grinding mechanisms of each portion  110 ,  150  of the spice grinding and dispensing device  110  include a handle that moves a spring-loaded rasp, an aperture through which ground contents can exit the housing, and an adjustment mechanism to provide selected granularity levels of the contents. 
         [0024]    The first portion  110  includes a first handle  112  designed to activate the grinder in the first portion  110 . Likewise, the second portion  150  includes a second handle  152  designed to activate the grinder in the second portion. In exemplary embodiments, the first handle  112  and the second handle  152  can be disposed on opposite sides, either horizontally and/or vertically, of the grinding and dispensing device  100 . Additionally, the positioning of the first handle  112  and the second handle  152  allow both handles to be selectively activated by a user using only one hand. 
         [0025]    The first portion  110  also includes a first selection device  114 , which is operable to control the maximum size of the spice particulate to be dispensed by the first portion  110 . Likewise, the second portion  150  includes a second selection device  154 , which is operable to control the maximum size of the spice particulate to be dispensed by the second portion  150 . 
         [0026]    In exemplary embodiments, the first portion  110  and the second portion  150  can be constructed, partially or wholly, of a plastic material with translucence, such that a user can view the amount of spice in each portion of the grinding and dispensing device  100 . Additionally, a portion of the spice grinding and dispensing device  100  can be coated in a non-slip, or rubber like, material to facilitate the gripping of the spice grinding and dispensing device  100  by a user. 
         [0027]    A cross sectional view of the grinding and dispensing device  100  of  FIG. 1  in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As shown, the first portion  110  includes a first spice aperture  116 , which is designed to allow grinded spice particulates to be dispensed there through. The first selection device  114  is affixed to a first selection bar  120  that is used to alter the size of the first spice aperture  116 . Likewise, the second portion  150  includes a second spice aperture  156 , which is designed to allow grinded spice particulates to be dispensed there through. The second selection device  154  is affixed to a second selection bar  160  that is used to alter the size of the second spice aperture  156 . 
         [0028]    A first spice rasp  118  is located in the first portion  110  that is designed to grind the spice located in the first portion  110  responsive to a force exerted on the first handle  112 . The second portion  150  includes a second spice rasp  158  that is designed to grind the spice located in the second portion  150  responsive to a force exerted on the second handle  152 . 
         [0029]    The first portion  110  includes a first spring  122  that communicates with a first spice rasp holder  124 , which in turn is in operable communication with the first handle  112 . The second portion  150  includes a second spring  162  that communicates with a second spice rasp holder  164 , which in turn is in operable communication with the second handle  152 . 
         [0030]    In exemplary embodiments, the first spice rasp  118  and the second spice rasp  158  can be constructed of various materials, which can be selected based on the particular spice that will be ground by the rasp. For example, a metal rasp can be used for grinding pepper due to the required strength of the rasp for grinding pepper. Likewise, a ceramic rasp can be used for grinding salt due to the corrosiveness of salt. Furthermore, other rasp materials can be selected for use with additional spices. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of a cross-section of the spice grinding and dispensing device  110  is illustrated. The spice grinding and dispensing device  110  operates by receiving a force exerted on handle  112 ,  152  (preferably a squeezing force) that activates a rasp  118 ,  158  and a rasp holder  124 ,  164  against the force of a spring  122 ,  162 . 
         [0032]    When the user orients the portion  110 ,  150  he/she wishes to use downward (in  FIG. 3 , this is portion  150 ), the interior walls of the portion  110  and the second portion  150  guide the un-ground spice to the rasp  118 ,  158  with the help of gravity and responsive to a force on the handle  112 ,  152  the rasp grinds the spice. The ground spice is then dispensed from within the spice grinding and dispensing device  110  through the aperture  116 ,  156  at the dispensing end of the spice grinding and dispensing device  110 . The selection device  114 ,  154  that can be moved to partially cover the aperture  116 ,  156  to varying degrees, controls the maximum size of the aperture  116 ,  156 , and thus the size of the ground spice particulates to be dispensed. 
         [0033]    The first portion  110  and the second portion  152  are removably affixed to one another at mating assembly  102 . The first portion  110  includes a first plug  126 , which as shown is disposed on the end opposite the first aperture  116 , which can be removed from the first portion  110  to facilitate the addition of ungrounded spice to the first portion  110 . Likewise, second portion  150  includes a second plug  166 , disposed on the end opposite the second aperture  156 , which can be removed from the second portion  150  to facilitate the addition of ungrounded spice to the second portion  150 . It will be understood that such plugs  126 ,  166  can be located in other areas of the portions  110 ,  150 . 
         [0034]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective exploded view of a spice grinding and dispensing device  200  in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention. The spice grinding and dispensing device  200  includes a first end piece  210  and a second end piece  250  that each include an aperture through which ground spice is dispensed. The spice grinding and dispensing device  200  also includes a dispensing aperture cover, which may be constructed of various materials depending on the spice to be dispensed. In one embodiment, the dispensing aperture cover can be constructed of stainless steel or similarly sturdy and non-corrosive material. 
         [0035]    A first dispensing aperture cover  230  and a second dispensing aperture cover  270  are designed to be received in the aperture of the first end piece  210  and the second end piece  250 , respectively. The first and second dispensing aperture cover  230  and  270  can be fixedly attached to first and second adjustment bars  228  and  268 , respectively. The first dispensing aperture cover  230  moves with the first adjustment bar  228  when a user rotates the first adjustment ring  212 , thereby partially covering or uncovering the rectangular shaped opening in the first end piece part  210 . Likewise, the second dispensing aperture cover  270  moves with the second adjustment bar  268  when a user rotates the second adjustment ring  252 , thereby partially covering or uncovering the rectangular shaped opening in the second end piece part  250 . 
         [0036]    The spice grinding and dispensing device  200  also includes a first handle  222  that actuates a first rasp holder  216  against the force of a first spring  218 . A first rasp  220  is affixed to the first rasp holder  216  and is designed to grind a spice responsive to the force exerted on the first handle  222 . Additionally, the spice grinding and dispensing device  200  includes a second handle  262  that actuates a second rasp holder  256  against the force of a second spring  258 . A second rasp  260  is affixed to the second rasp holder  256  and is designed to grind a spice responsive to the force exerted on the second handle  262 . 
         [0037]    The spice grinding and dispensing device  200  also includes a first housing  214  and a second housing  254  that are designed to receive the components of the spice grinding and dispensing device  200 . In exemplary embodiments, a portion of the first housing  214  and the second housing  254  can be constructed of a translucent plastic material such that a user can view the amount of ungrounded spice in the spice grinding and dispensing device  200 . Additionally, another portion of the first housing  214  and the second housing  254  can be constructed of a non-slip, or rubber like, material that is designed to facilitate the user&#39;s grip of the spice grinding and dispensing device  200 . 
         [0038]    The spice grinding and dispensing device  200  includes a first plug  224  and a second plug  264 , which are designed to be removably affixed to the first housing  214  and the second housing  254 , and allow a user to add or remove spices from the spice grinding and dispensing device  200 . Additionally, the spice grinding and dispensing device  200  includes a first grip portion  226  and a second grip portion  266  that are part of the first housing  214  and the second housing  254 , respectively. The first grip portion  226  and the second grip portion  266  are at least partially constructed of a rubber like material to facilitate gripping of the spice grinding and dispensing device  200 . The first grip portion  226  and the second grip portion  266  are disposed, respectively, on the outer surface of the first housing  214  and the second housing  254  such that the first grip portion  226  and the second grip portion  266  do not overlap one another. A mating assembly  202  is used to join the housings  214 ,  254  together, via a quarter-turn screw connection to the inside of both the first housing  214  and the second housing  254 , thereby joining them together. The mating assembly  202  can also be designed to work in another similarly suitable manner. 
         [0039]    Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. While the invention has been disclosed in several forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts, can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the following claims. Therefore, other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.