Abstract:
Apparatus and method are described for the shredding of cooked or uncooked meats in a clean, easy, and convenient manner. Apparatus are described wherein a lid portion fits together with a base portion to form a shredding chamber with interlocking sharp blades that are arranged to allow the lid portion and the base portion rotate around each other to move the blades within the shredding chamber and through the meat, thereby shredding the meat.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    Aspects of the present disclosure relate to devices and methods for preparation of meats, and, in particular, for shredding meats. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Dishes prepared with shredded or pulled meats have grown in popularity in recent years. This may be due to the rise in popularity of at-home barbecuing which often uses shredded meat ingredients, and to the growing demand to be able to make full use of leftover cooked meats for both economic and environmental reasons, while still enjoying delicious meals. 
         [0003]    Preparation of shredded meats, however, is labor intensive, inconvenient, and messy. At-home chefs and others wishing to prepare shredded meats may decide that known techniques of shredding or pulling are too inconvenient to be worth the effort. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    One objective of the present disclosure may be to introduce apparatus and methods that are capable of shredding cooked or uncooked meats in a manner that is easy, convenient, and clean. 
         [0005]    Apparatus and methods are described for the shredding of cooked or uncooked meats in a clean, easy, and convenient manner. Apparatus are described wherein a lid portion fits together with a base portion to form a shredding chamber with interlocking blades that are arranged to allow the lid portion and the base portion to rotate around each other to move the blades within the shredding chamber and through the meat, thereby shredding the meat. 
         [0006]    One or more alternate or additional objectives may be served by the present disclosure, e.g., as may be apparent by the following description. Embodiments of the disclosure include any apparatus, machine, system, method, articles, or any one or more subparts or subcombinations of such apparatus (singular or plural), system, method, or article, e.g., as supported by the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Example embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawing figures in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing the top view of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing an identical front and rear view of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing an identical left side and right side view of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram showing a bottom side view of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing an exploded view of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram showing a top view of a base of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram showing an identical front, rear, and side view of a base of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of a base of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram showing a top view of a lid of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram showing an identical front and rear view of a lid of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a schematic diagramming showing an identical left and right side view of a lid of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram showing a bottom view of a lid of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of a lid of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram showing the top view of an topless knob for a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a schematic diagram of an identical front, side, and rear view of an topless knob for a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of an topless knob for a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a schematic diagram of an identical front, side, and rear view of a knob top for a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a knob top for a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 20  is a schematic diagram of a knob cap for a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 21  is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a knob cap for a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 22  is a schematic diagram showing an exploded view of a meat shredding apparatus with runner snaps according to one embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 23  is a schematic diagram of an identical front and side view of a runner snap for a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 24  is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a runner snap for a meat shredding apparatus; 
           [0032]      FIG. 25  is a schematic diagram showing an exploded view of a meat shredding apparatus with a slide runner according to one embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 26  is a schematic diagram of a front view of a slide runner for a meat shredder according to one embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIG. 27  is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a slide runner for a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0035]      FIG. 28  is a schematic diagram of a bottom view of a blade of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0036]      FIG. 29  is a schematic diagram of an identical front and rear view of a blade of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0037]      FIG. 30  is a schematic diagram of an identical left and right side view of a blade of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0038]      FIG. 31  is a schematic diagram of a top view of a blade of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 32  is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a blade of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment. 
           [0040]      FIG. 33  is a schematic diagram of a perspective view cut through of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]    Referring now the drawings in greater detail,  FIG. 1  shows the top view of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment. The apparatus according to this embodiment comprises a base portion  102 , a lid portion  104 , and two knobs  106 . The apparatus  100  as depicted shows the lid portion  104  in place upon the base portion  102 . The apparatus  100  may be operated by a user by rotating the lid portion  104  around the base portion  102 . In embodiments, this may be done by hand using the knobs  106  to press down on the apparatus  100  and turn the lid portion  104  either, clockwise, counterclockwise, or back and forth in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions around the base portion  102 . Other embodiments may have zero, one, or more than two knobs  106 , or may have other means of allowing a user to rotate the lid portion  104  around the base portion, either by hand or using mechanical, electrical, or other means to turn the lid portion  104  or the base portion  102 , or both. 
         [0042]    The apparatus, according to various embodiments, may be comprised of any material that is sufficiently hard and durable, such as plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, hard rubber, carbon fiber composite materials, nylon or other natural or synthetic polymers, for example Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), ABS glass filled nylon 6-6 (including ABS+20% glass filled nylon 6-6 as one example), carbon fiber reinforced polymers, or any combination of such materials, and may be washable either by hand or in a household or industrial dishwasher machine. In embodiments, the apparatus may also be comprised, in whole or in part, of nonstick material which prevents meat from sticking to it, or reduces the amount of meat that sticks to the apparatus. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment with a base portion  102 , a lid portion  104 , and two knobs  106 . The front and rear views are identical according to one embodiment. 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment, comprising a base portion  102 , a lid portion,  104 , and at least one knob  106 . The left and right side views are identical according to one embodiment. 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  shows a bottom view of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment. Depicted is the bottom of the base portion  102  according to one embodiment comprising a lower base plane  404 , lower base ridges  408  which extend below the lower base plane  404  according to one embodiment, and a ring  402  which, according to one embodiment, is attached to and extends below the lower base plane  404 . A ring  402 , according to various embodiments, may be made of thermoplastic rubber (TPR), silicone, rubber, or other material or combination of materials that reduces or prevents the apparatus  100  from slipping when operated by a user, for example due to the material&#39;s stickiness or high coefficient of friction. In other embodiments, the entire lower base plane  404  or lower base ridges  408  of any size, shape, or configuration, could be made of or covered with TPR or other such a material as described for the ring  402 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment. In addition to the lid portion  104  and the base portion  102 , a lip  502  extending from a base portion  102 , and a ramp  504  are also depicted according to one embodiment. The lip  502  may be useful for both handling the apparatus  100  or the base portion  102 , and may also be useful for catching and retaining any liquids released by meat that is shredded as a result of the operation of the apparatus  100 . The lip  502 , according to embodiments, may extend from the upper base plane  618 , the lower base plane  404 , or any other part of the base portion  102  according to various embodiments, and it may extend to any length and at any angle effective for catching liquids or manipulating the apparatus  100  according to various embodiments. As a particular example of acceptable dimensions for embodiments, the lip  502  may extend from 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches from the upper base plane at an angle of between 45 and 90 degrees. The ramp  504  may extend, for example, from the upper base plane  618  to the lower chamber housing  614  at any angle between 0 and 90 degrees. 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment. Knobs  102  are exploded into component knob tops  602  and topless knobs  604  according to one embodiment. The knobs  106  fit into the knob housings  606  which, according to one embodiment as depicted, are diametrically opposed on the lid portion  104  and extend tangentially from the lid portion  104 . Other embodiments may have alternate placements for the knob housings  606 , or if means other than knobs are used for rotating the lid portion  104  around the base portion  102 , may have no knob housings at all. Also depicted according to one embodiment are a washer  608 , a screw  610 , and a knob housing cap  612  which secure the knob  106  within the knob housing  606  while allowing the knob  106  to rotate within the knob housing  606 . 
         [0048]    The lid portion  104  may fit over the base portion  102  creating a shredding chamber in the space between them according to embodiments. The lid portion  104 , as depicted in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , has an exterior lid top  620  and a shredding chamber wall  622 . 
         [0049]    The base portion  102 , as depicted in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , has a lower chamber housing  614  and an upper base plane  618 . The upper base plane  618  may be either a substantially level plane, or may be concave or convex according to various embodiments. According to embodiments, the shredding chamber wall  622  fits around the lower chamber housing  614  to form a shredding chamber within the lid top  620 , the upper base plane  618 , and the lower chamber housing  614  and, to the extent it extends above the lower chamber housing  614 , the shredding chamber wall  622 . In other embodiments, the shredding chamber wall  622  may be placed within the lower chamber housing  614  so that the shredding chamber is formed within the shredding chamber wall  622 , the upper base plane  618 , and the lid top  620 . In such embodiments, knob housings  606  may be attached to a lid top  620  rather than to a shredding chamber wall  622  to allow the shredding chamber wall  622  to fit within the lower chamber housing  614 . 
         [0050]    In embodiments, the lower chamber housing  614  and/or the shredding chamber wall  622  may have holes to allow any liquid released from cooked or uncooked meat during the operation of the apparatus  100  to drain out of the shredding chamber. 
         [0051]      FIG. 6  also depicts basal blades  616  within the lower chamber housing  614  and on the upper base plane  618  of the base portion  102  according to one embodiment. 
         [0052]      FIG. 7  shows a top view of a base portion  102  according to one embodiment. The base portion  102  may be of any shape or size sufficient to allow the shredding of cooked or uncooked meat according to various embodiments. The base portion  102  may be round in some embodiments, as it is in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7 , to match the shape of the lower chamber housing  614  and the shredding chamber wall  622 . It may be of any size, according to various embodiments with exemplary sizes being 9.48 inches in diameter, 10.9 inches in diameter, and 11.01 inches in diameter. The ramp  504 , according to the depicted embodiment, extends from the lip  502  and above the upper base plane  618  to the lower chamber housing  614 . 
         [0053]    Within the lower chamber housing  614 , according to one embodiment as depicted in  FIG. 7 , are placed several raised basal ridges  702  along the upper base plane  618 . These basal ridges  702  may reduce the surface area of the upper base plane  618  that contacts the meat to reduce the sticking of the meat to the apparatus during operation according to embodiments. The basal ridges  702  may also be positioned in rings between the basal blades  616  to aid in the shredding of the meat, according to embodiments. 
         [0054]    The basal blades  616  may, according to embodiments, be a plurality of blades. Exemplary numbers of basal blades  616  are fourteen or twenty-one blades according to various embodiments. 
         [0055]    The basal blades  616  may be sharp edged, pyramid-shaped blades of perpendicularly intersecting pairs of planar or tapered triangular blades wherein each pair of intersecting pairs of triangular blades shares an apex that serves as the point of the blade and has its base along the upper base plane  618 , according to some embodiments and as depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0056]    The basal blades  616  may be evenly spaced according to embodiments, and may be arranged so that one blade is in the center of the lower chamber housing  614  and the remaining basal blades  616  may be arranged in concentric circles of rows of basal blades  616  around the blade in the center of the lower chamber housing  614 . According to one embodiment, the basal blades  616  may be arranged in two rows around the blade in the center of the lower chamber housing  614  with the first row having five basal blades  616  and the second row having eight basal blades  616 . Another embodiment may have three rows around the blade in the center of the lower chamber housing  614  with the first row having four basal blades  616 , the second row having six basal blades  616 , and the third row having ten basal blades  616 . Other embodiments may have different arrangements for the basal blades  616  or may have different numbers of rows or numbers of basal blades  616  per row. 
         [0057]      FIG. 8  shows a front view of the base portion  102  of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment. The front view is identical to views of the right, left, and rear according to the embodiment depicted. The front view of a base portion  102  depicts a lip  502 , a ramp  504 , and the lower chamber housing  614  according to one embodiment. 
         [0058]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a base portion  102  of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment. The perspective view of a base portion  102  of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 9  depicts a lip  502 , a ramp  504 , a lower chamber housing  614 , an upper base plane  618 , and basal blades  616 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 10  shows a top view of a lid portion  104  of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment. This view depicts an exterior lid  1000  with two diametrically opposed knob housings  606  extending tangentially therefrom according to one embodiment. Also depicted are barrels  1002  within knob housings  606  within which may be placed a knob shaft  1602  of a knob  106  according to embodiments. A knob barrel  1002  may be of sufficient diameter to allow a knob shaft  1602  of a knob  106  to fit snugly within a barrel  1002  while allowing a knob shaft  1602  to rotate freely in response to any turning of a lid portion  104  of a meat shredding apparatus  100  around a lower chamber housing  614  of a base portion  102  according to embodiments. Other embodiments may have a solid knob  106  or knob top  602  attached to or integrated with a knob housing  606  so that neither a knob  106  nor a knob top  602  rotate. Still other embodiments may have a solid knob  106  attached to or integrated with a knob housing  606  while allowing a knob top  602  to rotate in response to hand turning by the user. 
         [0060]      FIG. 11  shows a front view of a lid portion  104  of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment. According to the depicted embodiment, the front and rear views of the lid portion  104  are identical.  FIG. 11  depicts a convex exterior lid top  620  according to one embodiment, but other embodiments may have flat or convex exterior lid tops  620 .  FIG. 11  also depicts a shredding chamber wall  622  of a lid portion  104  of a meat shredding apparatus, with two diametrically opposed knob housings  606  extending tangentially from a shredding chamber wall  622  according to one embodiment. 
         [0061]      FIG. 12  depicts a side view of a lid portion  104  of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment. According to the depicted embodiment, the left and right side views are identical, but that is not necessarily so in other embodiments.  FIG. 12  depicts a shredding chamber wall  622 , an exterior lid top  620 , and a knob housing  606 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 13  shows a bottom view of a lid portion  104  of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment. Two diametrically opposed knob housings  606  with barrels  1002  for a knob shaft  1602  are attached tangentially to a round shredding chamber wall  622  which may fit over and rotate around a lower chamber housing  614  of a base portion  102  of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to embodiments. A shredding chamber wall  622  of a lid portion  104  encloses an interior lid  1300 . Within the interior lid  1300  is an interior lid plane  1302  which may be flat, concave, or convex according to various embodiments. 
         [0063]    On the interior lid plane  1302  may be lid blades  1306  to aid in the shredding of meat, according to embodiments. The lid blades  1306  may, according to embodiments, be a plurality of blades. Exemplary numbers of lid blades  1306  are eighteen or twenty-eight blades according to various embodiments. 
         [0064]    The lid blades  1306  may be sharp edged, pyramid-shaped blades of perpendicularly intersecting pairs of planar or tapered triangular blades wherein each pair of intersecting pairs of triangular blades shares an apex that serves as the point of the blade and has its base along the interior lid plane  1302 , according to some embodiments and as depicted in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0065]    The lid blades  1306  may be evenly spaced according to embodiments. The lid blades  1306  may be arranged so that any lid blades  1306  interlock with any basal blades  616  when a shredding chamber wall  622  of a lid portion  104  of a meat shredding apparatus  100  is placed around a lower chamber housing  614  of a base portion  102  of a meat shredding apparatus  100 , and so that any lid blades  1306  and any basal blades  616  do not interfere with the rotation of a shredding chamber wall  622  around a lower chamber housing  614  by a user when the apparatus  100  is in operation. Interlocked basal blades  616  and lid blades  1306  may be placed for maximum shredding and/or most efficient shredding according to embodiments. 
         [0066]    To understand the configuration of the basal blades  616  and lid blades  1306  according to one embodiment in more detail,  FIG. 28  shows a top bottom view of the base of a blade for a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment. The basal blade  616  or lid blade  1306  may be sharp edged (that is, sufficiently sharp to cut through either cooked or uncooked meat), pyramid-shaped blades of perpendicularly intersecting pairs of planar or tapered triangular blades wherein each pair of intersecting pairs of triangular blades shares an apex that serves as the point of the blade, as shown in the front view of a blade according to one embodiment as depicted in  FIG. 29 ; the side view of a blade according to one embodiment as depicted in  FIG. 30 ; the top view of a blade according to one embodiment as depicted in  FIG. 29 ; and the perspective view of a blade according to one embodiment as depicted in  FIG. 32 . According to one embodiment as shown, the basal blades  616  and lid blades  1306  or of the same shape, but they may be different shapes according to different embodiments, and other embodiments may have blades of non-uniform shape. Blades of other shapes, or blades that intersect at angles other than right angles and are not perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) may be used in other embodiments. Blades of a single plane (rather than intersecting planes) may also be used in some embodiments. 
         [0067]    To understand the alignment of the basal blades  616  and the lid blades  1306  when the lid portion  104  is placed upon the base portion  102  to form a shredding chamber  3300 ,  FIG. 33  shows a cut-away view of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment. As shown in the depicted embodiment, the basal blades  616  and lid blades  1306  align in rows of varying distance from the center of the shredding chamber  3300  so that each row on the base portion  102  and the lid portion  104  will maintain a different orbit around the center of the shredding chamber or otherwise not interfere with one another when the lid portion  104  is rotated around the base portion  102  (or vice versa) when the apparatus is in operation. 
         [0068]    The basal blades  616  and lid blades  1306  may be made of the same material or may be made of varying material according to embodiments. Different embodiments may have varying degrees of sharpness, but the apex of the blades should be sufficiently sharp to penetrate cooked meat or uncooked meat (but not necessarily both) and proceed through it when the lid portion  104  and the base portion  102  are pressed together. The edges of the blade may also have varying degrees of sharpness but should be able to cut through cooked meat or uncooked meat (but not necessarily both) when the lid portion  104  is rotated around the base portion  102  (or vice versa) when the apparatus is in operation. 
         [0069]    The blades may be comprised of any material that is sufficiently hard to withstand impact with and cutting through meat. Some exemplary materials are plastic, metal including stainless steel, ceramic, glass, hard rubber, carbon fiber composite materials, carbon fiber reinforced polymers, nylon or other natural or synthetic polymers, for example Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), ABS glass filled nylon 6-6 (including ABS+20% glass filled nylon 6-6 as one example), which may be strong, rigid, resistant to oils, abrasion resistant, easily machined, and easily bonded. 
         [0070]    The apex of the basal blades  616  may be of sufficient height above the upper base plane  618  to reach across, or nearly across, the shredding chamber to reach (or nearly reach) the interior lid plane  1302  when a lid portion  104  is in place upon a base portion  102  for operation of the device according to some embodiments. Likewise, the apex of the lid blades  1306  may be of sufficient height above the interior lid plane  1302  to reach across (or nearly across) the shredding chamber to reach (or nearly reach) the upper base plane  618  when the lid portion  104  is in place upon the base portion  102  for operation of the device according to some embodiments. 
         [0071]    According to embodiments, the lid blades  1306  may be arranged so that no blade is in the center of the interior lid  1300  and the lid blades  1306  are arranged in concentric circles of rows of lid blades  1306  around center of the interior lid  1300 . 
         [0072]    According to one embodiment, the lid blades  1306  may be arranged in three rows around the center of the interior lid  1300  with the first row having four lid blades  1306 , the second row having six lid blades  1306 , and the third row having eight lid blades  1306 . 
         [0073]    Another embodiment may have four rows of lid blades  1306  around the center of the interior lid  1300  with the first row having four lid blades  1306 , the second row having six lid blades  1306 , the third row having eight lid blades  1306 , and the fourth row having ten lid blades  1306 . Other embodiments may have different arrangements for the lid blades  1306  or may have different numbers of rows or numbers of lid blades  1306  per row. 
         [0074]    Raised lid ridges  1304  may also be located on the interior lid plane  1302 . These lid ridges  1304  may reduce the surface area of the interior lid plane  1302  that contacts the meat to reduce the sticking of the meat to the apparatus during operation according to embodiments. The lid ridges  1304  may also be positioned in rings between the lid blades  1306  to aid in the shredding of the meat, according to embodiments. 
         [0075]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of a lid portion  104  of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment. Depicted, according to one embodiment, are a lid top  620 , a shredding chamber wall  622 , and two diametrically opposed knob housings  606  attached tangentially to the shredding chamber wall and extending out therefrom. 
         [0076]      FIG. 15  depicts a top view of a topless knob  604  according to one embodiment. 
         [0077]      FIG. 16  depicts a front view of a topless knob  604  according to one embodiment. The topless knob as depicted in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 16  may have a knob shaft  1602  that may be rounded to facilitate rotation within a barrel  1002  of a knob housing  606  according to one embodiment. The knob shaft  1602 , for example, may be cylindrical or may be tapered so as to resemble a cone with or without a point in embodiments. 
         [0078]    Extending from the top of the knob shaft may be a knob flange  1600  according to embodiments and as depicted in  FIG. 16 . The knob flange may be topless as depicted in  FIG. 16  and capable of connecting with a knob top  602  according to some embodiments, or it may have a top according to some embodiments. A knob  106  with a top (or a topless knob  604  with a knob top  602  in place) may be of a size and shape to comfortably fit in the palm of a user, and allow the user to grasp the knob top  602  and knob flange  1600  when operating the device. In particular, for example, the knob flange  1600  and any necessary knob top  602  may be round or oval according to some embodiments. The knob shaft may be hollow and of a diameter sufficient to receive the screw  610 . The knob shaft may also be threaded to match the threading of the screw  610 . The screw  610  may be unthreaded. The knob  106  may be able to rotate around the screw  610  when the screw  610  is in place within the knob shaft  1602 . 
         [0079]    At the bottom of the knob shaft  1602  is a knob tooth  1604  according to one embodiment. The knob tooth  1602  may serve as an entranceway for the screw  610  to the threaded or unthreaded hollow of the knob shaft  1602 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of a topless knob  604  of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment. Depicted in  FIG. 17  are a knob flange  1600  and a knob shaft  1602 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 18  shows a front view of a knob top  602  for a knob  106  of a meat shredding apparatus according to one embodiment. According to the depicted embodiment, the front view, rear view, and all side views of the knob top  602  are identical. In other embodiments, the knob top may be oval or any other shape that fits into the hand of the user, or any shape that allows for operation of the device and the rotation of the shredding chamber wall  622  around or within the lower chamber housing  614 . The knob top  602  may be rounded for the comfort of the user in embodiments. The knob top may fit onto or into the top of the topless knob  604 . 
         [0082]      FIG. 19  shows a perspective view of a knob top  602  according to one embodiment. 
         [0083]      FIG. 20  shows a front view of a knob housing cap  612  according to one embodiment. In the embodiment depicted, the front, rear, and side views are identical because the knob housing cap  612  is round. In other embodiments, however, the knob housing cap may be of any shape that fits into the knob housing  606 . The knob housing cap may, according to various embodiments, be decorative or it may function to secure the screw  610  and/or the washer  608  within the hollow of the knob shaft  1602  and the knob housing barrel  1002 . The knob housing cap  612  may be threaded for crewing into the knob housing  606  (which may also be threaded) or it may be secured by other means such as a snapping mechanism or glue. 
         [0084]      FIG. 21  shows a perspective view of a knob housing cap  612  according to one embodiment. 
         [0085]      FIG. 22  shows an exploded view of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment. The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 22  has alternative oval shaped topless knobs  604  and complementary oval shaped knob tops  602 . The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 22  also has a snap runner  2204  along the base of a lower chamber housing  614  with snap holes  2206  in which snaps  2202  may be secured. Snaps  2202  may be placed at intervals along a snap runner  2204  according to embodiments. Snaps may rise above the surface of a snap runner  2204  and serve to reduce the contact between a base portion  102  of an apparatus  100  and a shredding chamber wall  622  when an apparatus is in operation and a shredding chamber wall  622  is rotated around (or within) a lower chamber housing  614 . This may serve to reduce friction between a base portion  102  of an apparatus  100  and a shredding chamber wall  622  when an apparatus is in operation and make an apparatus  100  easier to use. 
         [0086]    In embodiments, a snap runner  2204  and snaps  2202  may be placed within a lower chamber housing  614  and a shredding chamber wall  622  may rotate within a lower chamber housing  614 . In such embodiments, knob housings  606  may be attached to a lid top  620  rather than to a shredding chamber wall  622  to allow the shredding chamber wall  622  to fit within the lower chamber housing  614 . 
         [0087]    In alternative embodiments snaps may be placed on the lid portion. 
         [0088]      FIG. 23  shows a front view of a snap  2202  according to one embodiment. The front view of the snap depicted is identical to the rear and side views, but in other embodiments the snap  2202  need not be circular. 
         [0089]      FIG. 24  shows a perspective view of a snap  2202  according to one embodiment. Snaps  2202  may be comprised of the same material as snap runner  2204  or base portion  102 , or may be composed of a different material, such as any material that has a lower coefficient of friction and makes the lid portion  104  and base portion  102  easier to rotate around each other. 
         [0090]      FIG. 25  shows an exploded view of a meat shredding apparatus  100  according to one embodiment. The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 25  has alternative oval shaped knobs  106 . The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 25  also has a slider runner  2504  at the base of the exterior of a lower chamber housing  614  with slider teeth holes  2510  which may receive and secure slider teeth  2600  on a slider  2502 . A slider  2502 , secured to a base portion  2508  of a meat shredding apparatus  100  with slider teeth  2600  placed in slider teeth holes  2510 , may serve to reduce the friction between a base portion  2508  of an apparatus  100  and a shredding chamber wall  622  when the apparatus is in operation and make the apparatus  100  easier to use. A shredding chamber wall  622  may fit onto a slider  2502  and rotate thereon around a lower chamber housing  614 . A slider  2502  may also be placed within a lower chamber housing  614  and facilitate rotation of a shredding chamber wall  622  within a lower chamber housing  614 . In such embodiments, knob housings  606  may be attached to a lid top  620  rather than to a shredding chamber wall  622  to allow the shredding chamber wall  622  to fit within the lower chamber housing  614 . 
         [0091]    In alternative embodiments the slider may be placed on the lid portion. 
         [0092]      FIG. 26  shows a front view of a slider  2502  with slider teeth  2600  according to one embodiment. According to the depicted embodiment, the slider is circular and the slider teeth  2600  are placed at regular intervals such that the front, rear, and side views of the slider  2502  are identical. In other embodiments this may not be so. 
         [0093]      FIG. 27  shows a perspective view of a slider  2502  with slider teeth  2600  according to one embodiment. A Slider  2502  may be comprised of the same material as slide runner  2504  or base portion  102 , or may be composed of a different material, such as any material that has a lower coefficient of friction and makes the lid portion  104  and base portion  102  easier to rotate around each other. 
         [0094]    According to one embodiment, a meat shredding apparatus may be operated by a user according to the following method: A base portion  102  of an apparatus  100  may be placed on any surface such as a counter or tabletop with a lower base plane  404  down so that the lower base plane  404  or any lower base ridges  408  and/or rings  402  are in contact with a surface. 
         [0095]    Cooked or uncooked meat, including without limitation any meat consumed by humans or animals (specifically including without limitation chicken, beef, fish, and pork) may be placed on any basal blades  616  within the lower chamber housing  614 . 
         [0096]    A lid portion  104  may be placed by a user on top of any cooked or uncooked meat placed, for example, on the apex of the basal blades  616  and within the lower chamber housing, and a user may place the lid portion  104  on top of the meat so that the apex of the lid blades  1306  is on top of the meat. The user may manually press a lid portion  104  down by placing the user&#39;s hands on one or more knobs  106  or a lid top  620  or any portion of the lid  104  so that a shredding chamber wall  622  is around a lower chamber housing  614  and a shredding chamber wall  622 ,  2222 ,  2522  is close to or in contact with a ramp  504  or any part of a base portion  102 , or snaps  2202 , or a slider  2502 . In alternative embodiments, the base portion  102  may be pressed up into the lid portion  104 . In alternative embodiments the shredding chamber wall  622  may be placed within the lower chamber housing  614 . In such embodiments, knob housings  606  may be attached to a lid top  620  rather than to a shredding chamber wall  622  to allow the shredding chamber wall  622  to fit within the lower chamber housing  614 . 
         [0097]    When a base portion  102  and lid portion  104  are pressed together with the meat in place, a shredding chamber is created which contains the meat within. The lid blades  1306  and the basal blades  616  may cut into the meat beginning at a pointed apex of the blades. The basal blades  616  and the lid blades may interlock within a shredding chamber as they cut into the meat. 
         [0098]    When the lid portion  104  is placed on the base portion  102  and the shredding chamber is created, the user may press down on a lid portion  104  and rotate a lid portion  104  around a lower chamber housing  614  of a base portion  102 , thus moving the blades in the shredding chamber through the meat and shredding the meat. The user may rotate clockwise, counterclockwise, or in any combination of directions back and forth around a lower chamber housing  614 . The user may turn a lid portion  104  using any part of the lid portion  104  including any knobs  106 . 
         [0099]    In embodiments, any knob shafts  1602  may rotate within a barrel  1002  of a knob housing, and may also rotate around a screw  610  within a knob shaft  1602 . 
         [0100]    The user may remove a lid portion  104  from the base portion  102 , and then remove the shredded meat from within a lower chamber housing  614  and/or the interior lid  1300 . 
         [0101]    Any liquid released from the meat may be collected within a lower chamber housing  614  or may run from the lower chamber housing  614  along a ramp  504  and be collected between a ramp  504  and a lip  502 . Such liquid can be poured from a lip  502  to any place the user chooses. A lip  502  may be equipped with a spout to aid in the pouring of such liquid. 
         [0102]    In embodiments, the shredded pieces of the meat may be of similar diameter. 
         [0103]    The claims as originally presented, and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.