Abstract:
A mill adapted to resemble a slot machine has a mill body, a dispensing mechanism, and a façade that resembles a slot machine. The mill body has a compartment for storing the pepper, and an aperture for dispensing the pepper. The dispensing mechanism is operably mounted adjacent the aperture for grinding and dispensing the pepper through the aperture. The facade of the mill body is adapted to resemble a slot machine, and a slot arm is pivotally mounted adjacent the mill body and operably engaged for actuating the dispensing mechanism.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application for a utility patent is a continuation-in-part of a previously filed utility patent, still pending, having application Ser. No. 11/649,978, filed Jan. 5, 2007. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    This invention relates generally to salt and pepper mills, and more particularly to salt and pepper mills adapted to resemble slot machines. 
         [0005]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0006]    Slot machines, poker machines, fruit machines, or similar or related gaming machines, are types of casino games that are coin-operated machines with three or more reels, which spin when a lever on the side of the machine is pulled. The slot machine is also known informally as a one-armed bandit because of its traditional appearance and its ability to leave the gamer penniless. 
         [0007]    The machines include a currency detector that validates the money inserted to play. The machine typically pays off based on symbols visible on the reels when they stop. Modern computer technology has resulted in many variations on the slot machine concept. Today, slot machines are the most popular gambling method in casinos and constitute well over 50% of the average casino&#39;s income. 
         [0008]    Many gamblers would like to take home a memento of a trip to a gambling location, such as Las Vegas, and a device that includes a slot machine would make an excellent memento or gift. 
         [0009]    The prior art teaches various forms and types of slot machines. However, the prior art does not teach a slot machine integrated with a useful domestic item like a salt or pepper mill. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides a mill for dispensing a spice. The mill is adapted to resemble a slot machine, and includes a mill body, a dispensing mechanism, and a façade that resembles a slot machine. The mill body has a compartment for storing the spice, and an aperture for dispensing the spice. The dispensing mechanism is operably mounted adjacent the aperture for dispensing the spice through the aperture. The facade of the mill body is adapted to resemble a slot machine, and a slot arm is pivotally mounted adjacent the mill body and operably engaged for actuating the dispensing mechanism. A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a mill having advantages not taught by the prior art. 
         [0012]    Another objective is to provide a mill that includes a façade that is adapted to resemble a slot machine. 
         [0013]    Another objective is to provide a mill that includes a slot arm for actuating a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a spice. 
         [0014]    A further objective is to provide a mill that includes reels and a reel actuator so that the mill closely resembles a slot machine, and may even function as a slot machine. 
         [0015]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0016]    The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mill according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view thereof; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view thereof, with a portion of the mill broken away to illustrate a dispensing mechanism of the mill; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the mill. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention, a mill  10  adapted to resemble a slot machine. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the mill  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 2  is a front elevational view thereof. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mill  10  includes a mill body  20  having a façade  22  adapted to resemble a slot machine. The façade  22  may include reels  24 , buttons  26 , LEDs  28 , a coin mill  29  (functional or not), and any other features that add to the resemblance of a slot machine. A slot arm  30  is operably connected to the mill body  20  with a pivot element  32  such that a rod  34  extends vertically (defined to include approximately or generally vertical) from the pivot element  32 . The rod  34  may include a ball  36  at the top. The slot arm  30  functions to actuate the dispensing of pepper, as discussed in greater detail below. The slot arm  30  may also actuate the reels  24  as with a standard slot machine, and also illuminate the LEDs  28 , and any other features desired. 
         [0023]    The façade  22 , in cooperation with the slot arm  30 , is adapted to make the mill  10  resemble a slot machine. The reels  24  preferably each including a plurality of slot symbols  25  printed or otherwise formed on the reel  24 . The slot symbols  25  may include traditional symbols, such as fruit, bars, the number “7,” and similar symbols. For purposes of this application, the term “printed” is defined to include adhering stickers, etching, any form of printing, molding, or any other or equivalent means of marking or forming the symbols  25  on the reels  24 . The reels  24  may be functional, as discussed in greater detail below, or they may be non-functional and purely a false façade. 
         [0024]    The façade  22  may also include shapes and symbols common to the gaming industry, printed or otherwise formed on the mill body  20 . Those skilled in the art may devise many alternative constructions and arrangements of symbols and elements that make the mill body  20  resemble the body of a slot machine, and such alternatives should be considered within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0025]    For purposes of this application, the term slot machine is hereby defined to include any form of slot machine, poker machine, “fruit machine,” or related form of casino game consistent with the spirit of the present invention. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view thereof with a portion of the mill  10  broken away to show a dispensing mechanism  40 , in this case a pepper grinding mechanism, within the mill  10 . The mill  10  is preferably adapted to grind and dispense pepper  12 . However, as used in this application, the term pepper is hereby defined to include any material, such as salt, or any other form of spice or similar material. 
         [0027]    The dispensing mechanism  40  is any mechanism that functions to dispense the pepper  12  (or salt of other form of spice or related material). In the preferred embodiment, wherein the pepper mill  10  dispenses pepper  12 , the dispensing mechanism  40  may be a pepper grinding mechanism that simultaneously grinds and dispenses pepper corn. In alternative embodiments, it may simply dispense previously ground pepper. If the mill  10  dispenses salt or another spice, the dispensing mechanism  40  may simply dispense the spice without actually grinding the spice. 
         [0028]    The slot arm  30  functions to activate and/or actuate the dispensing mechanism  40 . In one embodiment, the slot arm  30  actuates a controller  42  that actuates a motor  44  that turns a shaft  46  that turns the dispensing mechanism  40 . This embodiment is discussed in greater detail below. In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the slot arm  30  directly and manually actuates the grinding mechanism  40 , through gears or similar mechanism, such as may be devised by one skilled in the art. Since the general construction of pepper mills (or pepper grinders) are well known in the art, this aspect of the invention is not discussed in greater detail herein, and various alternative embodiments of the pepper mill mechanisms should be considered within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the pepper mill  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the pepper mill  10  preferably includes the controller  42  operably connected to a slot arm switch  50  of the slot arm  30 , and to a battery  52  (defined to include any equivalent power source). The controller  42  is also preferably operably connected to a reel actuator  54  and the motor  44 , such that pulling the slot arm  30  actuates the reel actuator  54  for spinning the reels  24 , and operably controlling the motor for actuating the dispensing mechanism  40 . 
         [0030]    In the preferred embodiment, the controller  42  is also operably connected to the LEDs  28  mounted on the mill body  20 , forming part of the facade  22 . When the slot arm  30  is pulled, the controller  42  initiates illumination of the LED&#39;s  28 , steadily illuminated or flashing, to add to the facade  22  of the mill body  20 . In some embodiments, the controller  42  is operably connected to speakers  56  for playing sound effects, beeps, the sound of money being dispensed from a slot machine, or any other sound effects to add to the amusement of the pepper mill  10 . For purposes of this application, the term LED is hereby meant to include any form of lighting, including but not limited to incandescent lighting, fluorescent bulbs, electro luminescent strips, LED&#39;s, and any other form of lighting whereas illumination consistent with the present application. The term speaker is hereby defined to include any form of speaker, buzzer, noise maker, or any other form of device for giving a verbal message, sound effects, or sounds consistent with the present invention. 
         [0031]    The terminology used above is defined to include the words described above, as well as similar or equivalent words, or derivatives thereof. Additionally, the words “a,” “an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, the terms “have,” “include,” “contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. 
         [0032]    While the invention has been described with reference to at least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims.