Abstract:
An improved grinding mill that utilizes mill stones that minimizing the mechanical processes required to regulating the mill stones and allow an user to gain quick and easy access to the mill stones by removing a hopper. In addition, to provide a base frame for the mill that secures both mechanical and electrical parts including the mill housing to reduce manufacture and repair time.

Description:
DOMESTIC PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This Application is a DIVISIONAL of and claim priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/478,075 filed Sep. 5, 2014 the contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     SPECIFICATION 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    A grinding mill that utilizes mill stones that minimize the mechanical devices required to regulate the mill stones. A grinding mill which allows a hopper to quickly and easily be removed. A grinding mill that utilizes a new base to secure the motor and electrical components for easier assembly. 
         [0004]    Background-Prior Art 
         [0005]    The invention relates to a grinding mill. A grinding mill is the exposure of a mechanical force to a grain to overcome the interior bonding forces of the grain. The mechanical force causes the grain to break and pulverizes the grain into small pieces or into flour. Grinding food serves several purposes such as increasing the flavor, the texture, and nutritional value of the food. 
         [0006]    The concept of grinding or milling food particles dates to prehistoric humans. Currently, there are several different types of grinding mills available. One very popular method of grinding utilizes mill stones. Grain or other food is placed between the two milling heads. As the mill stones rotate, the grain is shredded into smaller particles. In some applications, only one mill stone is rotating while the other mill stone remains stationary. 
         [0007]    Grinding mills that utilize mill stones have several limitations. To control the texture and size of the final grain or flour, the user must control the compression force between the mill stones. If the compression force between the mill stones is too weak, the mill stones will not apply enough force to the grain and will not achieve the desired final product. However, if the compression force between the mill stones is too great, the mill stones will be destroyed or wear prematurely. In addition, the milling heads may create excess noise and vibration. Therefore, the user must control the compression force between the mill stones. 
         [0008]    Another limitation is that mill stones require frequent cleaning. The majority of mill stones are located in the center of the mill. Traditionally, it takes several mechanical steps to gain access to the mill stones. 
         [0009]    Yet another limitation is the cost of manufacturing mills. Grinding mills have several mechanical and electrical parts. Generally, these parts are enclosed in the mill housing. Because users prefer the smallest mill, the size of the mill housing is diminutive. Historically, each part is placed individually inside the mill housing. Because of the limited space, excess time is required to carefully place each part. If the mill needs to be repaired, the user is required to move each part individually and then replace each part. 
         [0010]    Several prior attempts strived to solve these limitations. These prior attempts generally required excessive mechanical parts which increased the cost of production and increased the failure rate of the mills. 
         [0011]    Although the prior art did attempt to minimize the described limitations, the prior art did not resolve the limitation adequately. In spite of the previous efforts, there remains a need for a grinding mill to improve the grinding process and provide an easy way for the user to control the milling heads. There is a need to create a grinding mill that allows the user to quickly and easily gain access to the milling heads which is also easy to assemble and to repair. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    It is a principal object of the invention to provide a mill that utilizes mill stones that improve the grinding process while minimizing the mechanical processes of regulating the mill stones. Another object of the invention is to allow a user to gain quick and easy access to the mill stones. Still another object is to provide a mill which is easy to manufacture and repair by providing a base which secures both electrical and mechanical parts. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The invention may take form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, and preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompany drawing, which for a part hereof: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a front side plan view with the hopper attached to the mill; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a side view with the hopper attached to the mill with the hopper lid removed to showing the mill stone controller assembly; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows a profile sectional view, with the hopper attached with the hopper lid; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows a top view; with the hopper remove showing the top view of the mill assembly; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of the hopper with the hopper lid removed; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the collection container and the upper mill stone with the Upper stone backer attached to the upper mill stone; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  shows a cross section and the relationship of the collection container, the upper mill stone, the Upper stone backer, the Upper stone backer rim, the collection rim, and container flange; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  shows an exploded side view of the base frame and base plat, with an electrical component attached to the base frame illustrating that the electrical component can be attached to the frame independently of any other devices. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  shows a bottom view of the base frame with the base plat removed and a motor attached to the base frame; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  shows an exploded view of the hopper and mill stone controller assembly. 
           [0000]    
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   Drawing - Reference Numbers 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                   2 
                   grinding mill 
                 
                 
                   3 
                   hopper lid 
                 
                 
                   4 
                   hopper 
                 
                 
                   5 
                   hopper base 
                 
                 
                   6 
                   mill assembly 
                 
                 
                   8 
                   motor 
                 
                 
                   10 
                   housing 
                 
                 
                   11 
                   housing cover 
                 
                 
                   12 
                   base frame 
                 
                 
                   14 
                   lower mill stone 
                 
                 
                   16 
                   upper mill stone 
                 
                 
                   18 
                   drive shaft 
                 
                 
                   20 
                   collection container 
                 
                 
                   22 
                   spout 
                 
                 
                   24 
                   chute 
                 
                 
                   25 
                   angle 
                 
                 
                   26 
                   container flange 
                 
                 
                   27 
                   collection bowl rim 
                 
                 
                   28 
                   stator slot 
                 
                 
                   29 
                   stator 
                 
                 
                   30 
                   mill stone assembly opening 
                 
                 
                   32 
                   Upper stone backer 
                 
                 
                   34 
                   Upper stone backer slot 
                 
                 
                   36 
                   Upper stone backer rim 
                 
                 
                   51 
                   knob 
                 
                 
                   52 
                   mill stone controller 
                 
                 
                     
                   assembly 
                 
                 
                   53 
                   controller piston 
                 
                 
                   55 
                   piston opening 
                 
                 
                   56 
                   controller base 
                 
                 
                   57 
                   external screw thread 
                 
                 
                   59 
                   internal screw threads 
                 
                 
                   60 
                   controller shaft 
                 
                 
                   61 
                   lever 
                 
                 
                   62 
                   notched wheel 
                 
                 
                   80 
                   electrical components 
                 
                 
                   82 
                   inlet ports 
                 
                 
                   84 
                   feet 
                 
                 
                   86 
                   fan 
                 
                 
                   88 
                   motor supports 
                 
                 
                   89 
                   damper 
                 
                 
                   90 
                   electrical switch 
                 
                 
                   94 
                   fan chamber walls 
                 
                 
                   95 
                   base plate 
                 
                 
                   96 
                   fan chamber 
                 
                 
                   97 
                   cord relief 
                 
                 
                   98 
                   electrical fastener 
                 
                 
                   100 
                   housing mount 
                 
                 
                   140 
                   restrictive opening 
                 
                 
                   142 
                   detent plunger 
                 
                 
                   144 
                   detent connector 
                 
                 
                   146 
                   detent channel wedge 
                 
                 
                   148 
                   detent shaft 
                 
                 
                   150 
                   detent entrance 
                 
                 
                   152 
                   channel 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The following discussion describes embodiments of the invention and several variations of these embodiments. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to these particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognized numerous other embodiments as well. It is not necessary that the mill have all the features described below with regard to the specific embodiment of the invention shown in the figures. 
         [0025]    In the following description of the invention, certain terminology is used for the purpose of reference only, and is not intended to be limiting. Terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, and “below,” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “inwards” and “outward” refer to directions towards and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the component described. Terms such as “side”, “top”, “bottom,” “horizontal,” and “vertical,” describe the orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such terminology includes words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
         [0026]    Referring generally to  FIG. 1 , a grinding mill  2  embodying features of the present invention comprise a hopper  4 , a mill assembly  6 , a motor  8 , a housing  10  and a base frame  12 . The motor  8  may be any type of motor known in the industry, such as an electric AC motor. The housing  10  covers the mill assembly  6  and the motor  8 . Located at the top of the housing  10  is a housing cover  11 . The housing cover  11  has an opening to accommodate the attachment of the hopper  4  to the mill  2 . In addition, the housing cover  11  has several air ports (not shown) to allow the movement of air through the housing  10 . The motor  8  attaches to the housing cover  11 . The housing  10  and housing cover  11  may be made of any ridge material such as wood, plastic, stone or steel. However, the housing  10  and housing cover  11  are not required to be the same material. 
         [0027]    The hopper  4  extends above the housing  10 . The hopper  4  stores and directs grain (not shown) into the mill assembly  6 . The hopper  4  includes a removable hopper lid  3 . Located at the bottom of the hopper  4  is a hopper base  5 . The hopper  4  may be made of any ridged or semi-ridged material such as wood, rubber, plastic or steel. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mill assembly  6  has a lower mill stone  14 , an upper mill stone  16 , and a collection container  20 . The mill stones are made of any material suitable for grinding food particles. The lower mill stone  14  is connected to the motor  8  by a drive shaft  18 . The drive shaft  18  transfers the rotational movement of the motor  8  to the lower mill stone  14 . 
         [0029]    The upper mill stone  16  is permanently connected to an upper stone backer  32 . The upper stone backer  32  has a greater diameter than the upper mill stone  16  that creates a upper stone backer rim  36 . The upper stone backer  32  is made of any ridged material such as plastic. The center of the upper mill stone  16  and the upper stone backer  32  have mill stone assembly opening  30  which allows for the flow of grain through the mill  2 . In operation, the collection container  20 , the upper mill stone  16 , and upper stone backer  32  remain stationary. Located near the outer circumference edges of the collection container  20  and the upper stone backer rim  36  are several stator slots  28 . Connected to the housing  10  are several stators  29 . The stators  29  and the stator slots  28  prevent the movement of the upper stone backer  32 , the upper mill stone  16 , and collection container  20 . However, along the longitudinal axis of the upper mill stone  16  and the upper stone backer  32  are allow to move freely or float in the collection container  20 . 
         [0030]    The upper mill stone  16  and the lower mill stone  14  are both surrounded by the collection container  20 . Grain feeds into the mill assembly  6  from the hopper  4  through the mill stone assembly opening  30 . The grain travels between the upper mill stone  16  and the lower mill stone  14  where it is pulverized into a smaller size or flour. The distance or gap between the upper mill stone  16  and lower mill stone  14  determines the final size of the grain or flour exiting the mill  2 . 
         [0031]    The pulverized grain or flour discharges from the upper mill stone  16  and the lower mill stone  14  and is gathered in the collection container  20 . The pulverized grain or flour exits the mill assembly  6  through a spout  22  located on the outer circumference of the collection container  20 . Generally, the collection container  20  and the spout  22  will be made of the same material. The spout  22  exits the housing  10  through a chute  24  located on the side of the housing  10 . The chute  24  is generally made of the same material as the housing  10 , but not required. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , located at the top circumference of the collection container  20  is a collection bowl rim  27 . The upper stone backer rim  36  rests on the collection bowl rim  27 . The union between the collection bowl rim  27  and upper stone backer rim  36  creates a seal between the collection container  20  and the upper stone backer  32 . The seal prevents debris or dust particles from leaving the mill assembly  6 . The collection bowl rim  27  is made of any resilient material such as elastomer. However, any material would work such that when a force is applied to the material, the material will resist the force but still deform. When the force is removed, the material will return to its normal shape. 
         [0033]    In addition to creating a seal, the upper stone backer rim  36  assists in controlling the distance or gap between the upper mill stone  16  and lower mill stone  14 . When a downward force is applied to the upper stone backer  32 , the force is transferred to the upper stone backer rim  36  and then to collection bowl rim  27 . Because the collection bowl rim  27  is made from a resilient material, such that it resists any change but will deform to the force. When the collection bowl rim  27  deforms, the distance or gap between the upper mill stone  16  and lower mill stone  14  decreases. When the downward force is removed, the collection bowl rim  27  returns to its normal shape, pushing the upper mill stone  16  up. This increases the gap between the lower mill stone  14  and upper mill stone  16 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the collection bowl rim  27  may have a container flange  26 . The container flange  26  allows greater flexibility to the collection bowl rim  27 . The container flange  26  has an angle  25  from the perpendicular plain of the longitudinal axis of the collection container  20  and housing  10  between 1 to 85 degrees. In practice, the preferred angle  25  is 80 degrees when no pressure is applied to the collection bowl rim  27 . 
         [0035]    When the downward force is applied to the collection bowl rim  27 , the angle  25  decreases. When the downward force is removed, the angle  25  will return to return to its original degree. This pushes the upper stone backer rim  36  upwards and the distance between the lower mill stone  14  and upper mill stone  16  increases. 
         [0036]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , enclosed in the hopper  4  is a mill stone controller assembly  52 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the hopper lid  3  is on the hopper  4 , the mill stone controller assembly  52  is hidden. The mill stone controller assembly  52  allows the user to adjust the compressive force that is applied by the upper mill stone  16 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a controller base  56  attaches the mill stone controller assembly  52  to the hopper  4 . 
         [0037]    The mill stone controller assembly  52  includes a knob  51 , a controller shaft  60 , and a piston  53 . Located at the top of the mill stone controller assembly  52  is the knob  51 . The controller shaft  60  connects the piston  53 . The knob  51  communicates with the controller shaft  60 . To allow grain to flow through the piston  53 , there are several piston openings  55 . The mill stone controller assembly  52  may be made of any ridged material. 
         [0038]    Located on the outer perimeter of the piston  53  is an external screw thread  57 . An associated internal screw thread  59  is located on the hopper base  5 . When the user applies a rotational force to the knob  51 , the rotational force is transferred to the piston  53  by the controller shaft  60 . When a rotational force is applied to the piston  53 , the external screw thread  57  and internal screw threads  59  convert the rotational force to a linear movement of the piston  53 . The piston  53  communicates the linear movement against the upper stone backer  32 . As described above, when a downward force is applied to the upper mill stone  16 , the compressive force between the upper mill stone  16  and lower mill stone  14  increases. The mill stone controller assembly  52  is generally made of any ridge material such as plastic or steel. 
         [0039]    To regulate the movement of the mill stone controller assembly  52 , a notched wheel  62  and a spring-loaded lever  61  are located near the knob  51 . The spring-loaded lever  61  applies a force against the notched wheel  62  which restrains the movement of the mill stone controller assembly  52  such that a deliberate force applied by the user is required to initiate the movement of the knob  51  and the piston  53 . 
         [0040]    As seen in  FIG. 4  the hopper  4  is connected to the mill  2  by a detent connection  144 . The detent connection  144  allows for the hopper  4  to be quickly and releasably connected to the mill  2 . The detent connection  144  has a detent entrance  150  and a channel  152 . Located at the front of the channel  152  is a channel wedge  146 . Near the end of the channel  152 , the width of the channel  152  is reduced, thus creating a restrictive opening  140 . The length of the channel  152  is between 0.5 cm and 10 cm. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , located at the base of the hopper  4  is a detent shaft  148 . The diameter of the detent shaft  148  is smaller than the width of the channel  152 , but larger than the width of the restrictive opening  140 . The location and the number of detent connections  144  correspond to the number of detent shafts  148  located on the hopper  4 . 
         [0042]    The user places the detent shaft  148  into the detent entrance  150 . When the hopper  4  is rotated around its longitudinal axis, the detent shaft  148  moves along the channel  152 . The movement of the detent shaft  148  is aided by the channel wedge  146 . A deliberate force applied by the user is required to move the detent shaft  148  past the restrictive opening  140 . When the detent shaft  148  is moved to the end of the channel  152 , the hopper  4  is securely but releasably attached to the housing  10 . 
         [0043]    In another presently preferred aspect, the restrictive opening  140  contains a detent plunger  142 . When a force is applied to the detent plunger  142 , it will deform or move and increase the width of the restrictive opening  140 . In another presently preferred aspect, the detent shaft  148  is made of a material that deforms when it travels through the restrictive opening  140 , but returns to its original shape after passing past the restrictive opening  140 . 
         [0044]    For the user to gain access to the mill assembly  6 , the user will now only be required to rotate the hopper  4  less than 10 cm, while the detent connection  144  will ensure the hopper  4  is connected to the mill  2  during operation. In addition, removing the hopper  4  does not require the handling of the mill stone controller assembly  52 . When the hopper  4  is reattached, the mill stone controller assembly  52  setting remains the same. This allows the user to keep the consistence of the output of the grain from the mill  2 . 
         [0045]    The base frame  12  is located at the bottom of the mill  2 . The base frame  12  may be any appropriate shape, size, or configuration, such as generally rectangular or square. However, the base frame  12  must have the same shape as the housing  10 . The base frame  12  may be made of any appropriate material such as plastic, aluminum, steel or any ridged material. 
         [0046]    The base frame  12  may include one or more feet  84 . The feet  84  engage a surface (not shown) that supports and stabilizes the mill  2 . The feet  84  are generally made of any material that prevents the movement of the mill  2  and minimizes the noise and vibration of the mill  2 . 
         [0047]    The base frame  12  includes at least one motor support  88 . The motor support  88  attaches the motor  8  to the base frame  12 . The motor support  88  may be located at any appropriate position such is required to securely attach the motor  8  to the base frame  12 . In practice, there will be more than one motor support  88 . To minimize the noise and vibration of the motor  8 , a damper  89  may be placed between the motor  8  and the motor supports  88 . The damper  89  may be made of any material which absorbs vibrations yet sturdy enough to secure the motor  8 . The material of the motor support  88  is any ridged material. However, the motor support  88  will generally be of the same material as the base frame  12 . 
         [0048]    The base frame  12  may include an electrical fastener  98 . The electrical fastener  98  may be located at any appropriate position such is required to securely attach an electrical component  80  or an electrical switch  90  to the base frame  12 . The electrical switch  90  controls the flow of electricity to the motor  8 . In practice, there will be multiple electrical fasteners  98  located on the base frame  12 . The material of the electrical fastener  98  is any ridged material. However, the electrical fastener  98  will generally be of the same material as the base frame  12 . 
         [0049]    Located at the base of the motor  8  is a fan  86 . The fan  86  creates air flow through the housing  10 . The air flow is required to cool the internal components of the mill  2 . The base frame  12  may include a fan chamber  96 . The fan chamber  96  is comprised of at least one fan chamber wall  94 . The fan chamber  96  generally has a cylindrical configuration similar to the fan  86 . The fan chamber  96  facilitates the air flow through the mill  2  and to protect electrical components  80  near the base frame  12 . 
         [0050]    The base frame  12  includes a housing mount  100 . The housing mount  100  creates a raised ridge located around the outer circumference of the base frame  12 . The housing mount  100  attaches the housing  10  to the base frame  12 . The housing mount  100  minimizes the machining and complexity of the housing  10 . This allows for many different materials to be utilized for the housing  10  such as stone, steel, wood, porcelain or any ridged material. 
         [0051]    Located on the bottom of the base frame  12  is a cord relief  97 . The cord relief  97  secures the power cord (not shown) to the mill  2 . 
         [0052]    Located on the bottom of the base frame  12  is a base plate  95 . The base plate  95  has the same shape or configuration that generally corresponds to the shape of the base frame  12 . The base plate  95  may include at least one inlet port  82  to receive air flow through the housing  10 . The number and size of the inlet port  82  is determined by the amount of air flow required. The air flow is necessary to cool the internal components of the mill  2 . 
         [0053]    The base plate  95  protects the user from the motor  8  and the fan  86 . The feet  84  may be connected to the base frame  12 . In the preferred aspect, the mechanical device that is securing the feet  84  to the base frame  12  will secure the base plate  95 . The base plate  95  also secures the power cord. 
         [0054]    In practice, base frame  12 , electrical fastener  98 , and motor support  88  are independent of the housing  10 . When the mill  2  is manufactured, the electrical components  80  will be securely fastened to the base frame  12  before the housing  10  is installed. This unique base frame  12  will reduce manufacturing times. Because the electrical components  80  are securely attached to the base frame  12  during the operation of the mill  2 , the chance of these items moving and becoming damaged is greatly reduced. 
         [0055]    A variety of different permutations of the invention is contemplated, and not meant to be limited by this disclosure. The present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described in this section. The embodiments are merely exemplary, and one skilled in the art will recognize that many others are possible in accordance with this invention. Having now generally described the invention, the same will be more readily understood through references to the above descriptions and drawings, which are provided by way of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting of the present invention, unless so specified. 
         [0056]    Having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerous modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instant invention as set forth herein above and as described herein below by the claims. 
         [0057]    Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions described herein. 
         [0058]    All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstracts, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
         [0059]    Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means” for performing a specified function or “step” for performing a specified function, should not be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112. 
         [0060]    The above description in the “Background” section is to provide a summary of information relevant to the present invention and is not a concession that any of the information provided or publications referenced herein is prior art to the presently claimed invention.