Patent ID: 8690092

Claim:
A nut grinder, comprising: a grinder body defining an outer volume; a sleeve configured to mount at least partially inside the outer volume, an inner surface of the sleeve forming a wall defining an axially symmetric conveying volume having an input end, an output end, and an axis; a first grinding surface operatively coupled to the at least one body and located adjacent to the output end of the conveying volume; a second grinding surface held in at least partial sliding rotational contact with the first grinding surface and configured to receive rotational motion; and an auger disposed coaxially with and in the conveying volume, configured to receive the rotational motion, configured to receive whole nuts responsive to only the force of gravity at or near the input end of the conveying volume, and configured to convey the whole nuts or nuts sliced by the auger to the output end of the conveying volume and the first and second grinding surfaces for grinding.