阅读说明：本技术 改进的调味品研磨机 (Improved condiment grinder ) 是由 R·P·戴维森 R·K·朱利安 J·C·敏妮特 于 2020-02-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种研磨组件,所述研磨组件可拆卸地连接到调味品分配器的容器,所述研磨组件包括固定研磨部件和可旋转研磨部件,所述可旋转研磨部件与所述固定研磨部件相关联,以在所述固定研磨部件的一部分与所述可旋转研磨部件的一部分之间限定研磨室。所述可旋转研磨部件能够相对于所述固定研磨部件围绕研磨轴线旋转。所述研磨组件还包括用于将所述研磨组件联接到所述容器的第一特征以及可移动以选择性地将所述研磨组件与所述容器分离的第二特征。(A grinder assembly removably attachable to a container of a condiment dispenser, the grinder assembly comprising a stationary grinding member and a rotatable grinding member associated with the stationary grinding member to define a grinding chamber between a portion of the stationary grinding member and a portion of the rotatable grinding member. The rotatable abrasive component is rotatable relative to the fixed abrasive component about an abrasive axis. The grind assembly also includes a first feature for coupling the grind assembly to the container and a second feature movable to selectively separate the grind assembly from the container.)

1. A grinder assembly removably attachable to a container of a condiment dispenser, the grinder assembly comprising:

a fixed abrasive component; and

a rotatable grinding member associated with the stationary grinding member to define a grinding chamber between a portion of the stationary grinding member and a portion of the rotatable grinding member, wherein the rotatable grinding member is rotatable relative to the stationary grinding member about a grinding axis; and

a first feature for coupling the grinding assembly to the container; and

a second feature movable to selectively separate the grinding assembly from the container.

2. The grinding assembly of claim 1 further comprising a housing, said rotatable grinding member being rotatable with said housing about said grinding axis.

3. The grinding assembly of claim 2, wherein the first feature is coupleable with the container by a snap-fit connection.

4. The grinding assembly of claim 2, wherein the first feature comprises a tooth extending inwardly from an inner surface of the grinding assembly.

5. The grinder assembly of claim 4, wherein said teeth are configured to cooperate with an annular retaining flange of said condiment dispenser to limit separation of said grinder assembly from said container.

6. The grinding assembly of claim 2, wherein the second feature comprises at least one thread extending inwardly from the housing, the second feature being different than the first feature.

7. The grinding assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one thread is configured to mate with a thread of the container to separate the grinding assembly from the container.

8. The grinding assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one thread is horizontally movable to engage with the thread of the container.

9. The grinding assembly of claim 7, wherein rotational engagement between the at least one thread and the thread of the container is configured to disengage the first feature from the container.

10. The grinding assembly of claim 9, wherein the housing is flexible in response to rotational engagement of the inwardly extending threads and the at least one outwardly extending thread.

11. A reusable condiment dispenser comprising:

a container having a hollow cavity;

a grind assembly removably coupled to the container, the grind assembly further comprising:

a fixed grinding component in communication with the hollow cavity;

a rotatable abrasive component rotatable relative to the fixed abrasive component about an abrasive axis;

a first feature for coupling the grinding assembly to the container; and

a second feature movable to selectively separate the grinding assembly from the container.

12. A grinder assembly removably attachable to a container of a condiment dispenser, the grinder assembly comprising:

a fixed abrasive component; and

a rotatable grinding member coupled to the fixed grinding member to define a grinding chamber between a portion of the fixed grinding member and a portion of the rotatable grinding member, wherein the rotatable grinding member is rotatable relative to the fixed grinding member about a grinding axis; and

a feature extending from the fixed abrasive component, the feature being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the feature is operable to limit movement of the fixed abrasive component relative to the container, and in the second position the fixed abrasive component is separable from the container.

13. The abrasive assembly of claim 12 wherein said feature comprises a locking tab extending from an end of said fixed abrasive component.

14. The grinding assembly of claim 13, wherein in the first position, the locking tab is configured to contact a wall of the container.

15. The grind assembly of claim 13, wherein in the first position, the locking tab is receivable within a cutout formed in the container.

16. The grinding assembly of claim 12, wherein the feature is transitionable from the first position to the second position in response to application of a rotational force to the fixed grinding component.

17. The grinding assembly of claim 16, wherein the rotational force for transitioning the feature from the first position to the second position is greater than a rotational force associated with rotation of the rotatable grinding member about the grinding axis.

18. The grinding assembly of claim 16, wherein the feature in the second position is located radially outward of the feature in the first position.

19. The grinding assembly of claim 12, wherein the fixed grinding component includes at least one thread for connecting the fixed grinding component to the container.

20. The grinding assembly of claim 12, wherein the rotatable grinding component is rotatably coupled to the fixed grinding component via a snap-fit connection.

21. A reusable condiment dispenser comprising:

a container having a hollow cavity;

a grind assembly removably coupled to the container, the grind assembly further comprising:

a fixed grinding component in communication with the hollow cavity;

a rotatable abrasive component rotatable relative to the fixed abrasive component about an abrasive axis; and

a feature extending from the fixed abrasive component, the feature being movable between a first position and a second position to selectively couple the fixed abrasive component to the container.

22. The reusable condiment dispenser of claim 21 wherein in the first position, the feature is operable to limit movement of the fixed abrasive component relative to the container and in the second position, the fixed abrasive component is separable from the container.

23. A grinder assembly removably attachable to a container of a condiment dispenser, the grinder assembly comprising:

a fixed abrasive component; and

a rotatable grinding member directly coupled to the fixed grinding member to define a grinding chamber between a portion of the fixed grinding member and a portion of the rotatable grinding member, wherein the rotatable grinding member is rotatable relative to the fixed grinding member about a grinding axis;

wherein the rotatable grinding member includes a feature and is translatable along the grinding axis between a plurality of positions relative to the stationary grinding member to adjust a size of the grinding chamber when the feature is aligned with the opening of the stationary grinding member.

24. The abrasive assembly of claim 23 wherein said fixed abrasive component further comprises at least one outwardly extending protrusion, said opening being formed in said at least one outwardly extending protrusion.

25. The grinding assembly of claim 24 wherein said rotatable grinding member further comprises inwardly extending teeth.

26. The grinding assembly of claim 25, wherein the teeth have a radial length equal to or slightly greater than a radial length of the at least one opening.

27. The grinding assembly of claim 25, wherein the teeth are movable relative to the at least one outwardly extending protrusion to define the plurality of positions of the rotatable grinding member.

28. The grinding assembly of claim 25, wherein the fixed grinding member further includes a retaining flange, and translation of the rotatable grinding member along the grinding axis is limited by engagement between the teeth and the retaining flange.

29. The grinding assembly of claim 23, further comprising a feature extending from the fixed grinding member, the feature being movable between a first position and a second position to selectively couple the fixed grinding member to the container.

30. The grinding assembly of claim 29, wherein in the first position, the feature is operable to limit movement of the fixed grinding member relative to the container, and in the second position, the fixed grinding member is detachable from the container.

31. The abrasive assembly of claim 30 wherein said feature is transitionable from said first position to said second position in response to a rotational force applied to said fixed abrasive component.

32. The grinding assembly of claim 30, wherein the feature in the second position is located radially outward of the feature in the first position.

33. A condiment dispenser comprising:

a container having a hollow cavity;

a grinding assembly comprising at least one movable component, the grinding assembly being rotatable relative to the container; and

an anti-counterfeiting label having a perforation formed therein, the anti-counterfeiting label being mounted to the condiment dispenser such that a portion of the anti-counterfeiting label overlaps the at least one movable component and the perforation is aligned with a plane of movement associated with the at least one movable component.

34. The condiment dispenser of claim 33 wherein said anti-counterfeit label overlaps a portion of said container and a portion of said abrasive assembly such that said perforation is disposed between said container and said abrasive assembly.

35. The condiment dispenser of claim 34 wherein the movable component comprises a fixed abrasive element coupleable to an end of the container and the anti-counterfeit label overlaps a portion of the fixed abrasive element.

36. The condiment dispenser of claim 33 wherein said grinding assembly further comprises:

a fixed abrasive component; and

a rotatable abrasive component directly coupled to the fixed abrasive component, the rotatable abrasive component rotatable relative to the fixed abrasive component about an abrasive axis.

37. The condiment dispenser of claim 36 wherein the anti-counterfeit label overlaps a portion of the rotatable abrasive component and a portion of the fixed abrasive component such that the perforation is disposed at a plane of rotation between the rotatable abrasive component and the fixed abrasive component.

38. The condiment dispenser of claim 33 wherein said grinding assembly further comprises a cover movable between a first position and a second position, said anti-counterfeit label overlapping a portion of said cover, and said perforations being aligned with a plane in which said cover separates from said grinding assembly.

Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a condiment dispenser and, more particularly, to a condiment dispenser having a removable grinding assembly to enable refilling of the condiment dispenser.

Background

Spice grinders typically include a grinding assembly that is attached to a spice container, such as a bottle. Because the grinding assembly is rotated to grind the product within the bottle, the grinding assembly is typically secured to the bottle by a permanent snap-fit connection. However, once the container is emptied, it may be necessary to refill the container. Accordingly, there is a need for a condiment dispenser that allows a user to easily detach and reattach an abrasive assembly to reuse the condiment dispenser.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one embodiment, a grinding assembly removably attachable to a container of a condiment dispenser includes a fixed grinding member and a rotatable grinding member associated with the fixed grinding member to define a grinding chamber between a portion of the fixed grinding member and a portion of the rotatable grinding member. The rotatable abrasive component is rotatable relative to the fixed abrasive component about an abrasive axis. The abrading assembly further comprises a first feature (a first feature) for attaching the abrading assembly to the container, and a second feature (a second feature) movable to selectively detach the abrading assembly from the container.

According to another embodiment, a reusable condiment dispenser includes a container having a hollow cavity and an abrasive assembly removably attachable to the container to seal the cavity. The grinding assembly includes a fixed grinding member in communication with the hollow cavity, a rotatable grinding member rotatable relative to the fixed grinding member about a grinding axis, a first feature for coupling the grinding assembly to the container, and a second feature movable to selectively decouple the grinding assembly from the container.

According to yet another embodiment, a grinding assembly removably connectable to a container of a condiment dispenser includes a fixed grinding member and a rotatable grinding member coupled to the fixed grinding member to define a grinding chamber between a portion of the fixed grinding member and a portion of the rotatable grinding member. The rotatable abrasive component is rotatable relative to the fixed abrasive component about an abrasive axis. A feature extending from the fixed abrasive component is movable between a first position and a second position. In a first position, the feature is operable to limit movement of the fixed abrasive component relative to the container, and in a second position, the fixed abrasive component is separable from the container.

According to yet another embodiment, a reusable condiment dispenser includes a container having a hollow cavity and a grinding assembly removably attachable to the container. A grinding assembly includes a fixed grinding member in communication with the hollow cavity, a rotatable grinding member rotatable relative to the fixed grinding member about a grinding axis, and a feature extending from the fixed grinding member, the feature movable between a first position and a second position to selectively couple the fixed grinding member to the container.

According to one embodiment, a grinding assembly removably attachable to a container of a condiment dispenser includes a fixed grinding member and a rotatable grinding member associated with the fixed grinding member to define a grinding chamber between a portion of the fixed grinding member and a portion of the rotatable grinding member. The rotatable abrasive component is rotatable relative to the fixed abrasive component about an abrasive axis. The rotatable grinding member includes a feature and is translatable along the grinding axis between a plurality of positions relative to the stationary grinding member to adjust a size of the grinding chamber when the feature is aligned with the opening of the stationary grinding member.

According to one embodiment, a condiment dispenser includes a container having a hollow cavity and a grinding assembly including at least one movable member. The grinding assembly is rotatable relative to the container. A tamper-evident tag (pointer label) having a perforation formed therein is mounted to the condiment dispenser such that a portion of the tamper-evident tag overlaps the at least one movable component and the perforation is aligned with a plane of movement associated with the at least one movable component.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example condiment dispenser according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the condiment dispenser of FIG. 1 with the lid in an open position according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the grinding assembly of the condiment dispenser of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the condiment dispenser of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of an interface between a housing of a grinding assembly and a container according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example condiment dispenser according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the condiment dispenser of FIG. 6 with the lid in an open position according to one embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the grinding assembly of the condiment dispenser of FIG. 6 according to one embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the condiment dispenser of FIG. 6 according to one embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the abrasive assembly of FIG. 6 according to one embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example condiment dispenser according to one embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the condiment dispenser of FIG. 11 with the lid in an open position according to one embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the grinding assembly of the condiment dispenser of FIG. 11 according to one embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the abrasive assembly of FIG. 11 according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 15 is a front view of a fixed grinder component of the grinding assembly of FIG. 11 according to one embodiment.

Detailed Description

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and methods is presented herein by way of illustration, not limitation, with reference to the figures.

Referring now to fig. 1-5, an example of a condiment dispenser 20 is shown. As shown, the condiment dispenser 20 includes a container 22, the container 22 having a first end 24, a second end 26, and at least one wall 28 extending between the first end 24 and the second end 26. The first end 24 and the at least one wall 28 cooperate together to define a cavity 30, within which cavity 30 a food product, such as a condiment, is received. Typically, the second end 26 of the container 22 is closed or sealed, while the first end 24 of the container 22 is open, such that food is placed into the cavity 30 of the container 22 through the first end 24. The container 22 shown and described herein is by way of example only, and containers having any suitable configuration are within the scope of the present invention.

The condiment dispenser 20 further includes a grinding assembly 32 mounted to the container 22 to seal the first open end 24 of the container 22. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in fig. 1-5, grinding assembly 32 includes a housing 34, a fixed grinding member 36, and a rotatable grinding member 38. In one embodiment, any of the components of the abrasive assembly may be formed from a suitable plastic material, such as polyethylene terephthalate. However, it should be understood that not only other plastics, but also other materials such as metals or composites may be used to form any of the components of the condiment dispenser 20.

The fixed abrasive component 36 includes an abrasive sleeve 40, the abrasive sleeve 40 having a circumferential web 42 projecting outwardly from an outer portion 44 of the abrasive sleeve 40. As shown, the outer diameter of the grinding sleeve 40 may be approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the container 22 at the first open end 24, and thus, at least a portion of the grinding sleeve 40 extends into the cavity 30 of the container 22 when the grinding assembly 32 is coupled to the container 22, however, it is understood that embodiments in which the grinding sleeve 40 is external to, but in communication with, the cavity are within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the web or flange 42 of the fixed abrasive component 36 is disposed in direct contact with and supported by the exposed end 24 of the container 22 to properly position the fixed abrasive component 36 relative to and in communication with the cavity 30 of the container 22.

As shown, the grinding sleeve 40 includes a bore 46 and a plurality of teeth 48 that project inwardly from an inner surface 50 of the grinding sleeve 40. In one embodiment, each tooth 48 is in the form of a rib that extends generally the height of the grinding sleeve 40. Although the apertures 46 are shown as generally tapered or conical, it should be understood that any suitable configuration of the fixed abrasive component 36, and more specifically, such as the apertures 46 and teeth 48, is within the scope of the present invention.

The rotatable grinding member 38 is configured to cooperate with the stationary grinding member 36 to break or grind food disposed within the cavity 30 of the container 22. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the rotatable grinding member 38 includes a support ring 52 and grinding elements 54, the grinding elements 54 being connected to the support ring 52 by one or more radially extending spokes 56. As shown, the inner diameter of the support ring 52 is larger than the outer diameter of the grinding sleeve 40 so that the support ring 52 can rotate about the grinding sleeve 40 without interference.

In one embodiment, the rotatable grinding element 54 is generally conical and is closed at its lower end 58 and open at its upper end 60. When the grinding assembly 32 is secured to the container 22, the rotatable grinding member 38 is axially aligned with and upwardly adjacent to the fixed grinding member 36 such that at least a portion of the grinding element 54 is received in the bore 46 of the fixed grinding member 36, and in one embodiment, one or more grinding teeth 62 are located at an outer surface 64 of the grinding element 54.

A grinding chamber 66 is defined between the exterior 64 of the grinding element 54 and the plurality of teeth 48 of the grinding sleeve 40 of the fixed grinding component 36. The grinding chamber 66 communicates with openings defined between the plurality of spokes 56 that couple the grinding element 54 and the support ring 52 to define a path for the broken or ground food to exit the grinding chamber 66.

As best shown in fig. 4, in one embodiment, housing 34 has a central bore 68 having a diameter equal to the exterior of container 22 receivable therein. As shown, the housing 34 surrounds the circumference of the flange 42 of the fixed abrasive component 36, but does not contact the fixed abrasive component 36 when the housing 34 is connected to the container 22. A rotatable abrasive member 38 is connected to housing 34. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the groove 70 formed in the inner surface of the housing 34 may be sized and/or positioned to receive one or more protrusions 72 extending outwardly from a portion of the support ring 52 of the rotatable grinding member 38. However, other connections formed between housing 34 and rotatable abrasive element 38 are also contemplated herein.

In addition, fixed abrasive component 36 may be retained within housing 34 when housing 34 is not coupled to container 22. In one embodiment, the housing 34 includes an annular flange 74 positioned generally adjacent to the underside of the flange 42 of the fixed abrasive component 36. The flange 42 and the rotatable abrasive element 38 cooperate together to maintain the position of the fixed abrasive element 36 relative to the rotatable abrasive element 38 and the housing 34.

In one embodiment, the grinding assembly 32 is configured to connect with the first end 24 of the container 22 via a snap-fit connection. As shown, an outwardly extending annular retaining flange 76 is generally located adjacent the first end 24 of the container 22, such as between the first end 24 of the container 22 and a shoulder 78 of the container 22. A first feature, such as a corresponding inwardly projecting tooth 80, is located at an inner surface 82 of housing 34. In one embodiment, the profile of at least one of the retaining flange 76 and the teeth 80 is selected to facilitate connection of the housing 34 to the container 22. For example, annular retaining flange 76 has a sloped surface that causes housing 34 to flex outwardly when teeth 80 contact retaining flange 76 when grinding assembly 32 is attached. However, once the teeth 80 have moved axially beyond the retaining flange 76, the engagement between the retaining flange 76 and the teeth 80 limits movement of the housing 34 away from the container 22 and, thus, separation of the grinding assembly 32 from the container 22.

In use, the condiment dispenser 20 is inverted such that one or more condiments, such as pepper particles, within the container 22 fall into the grinding chamber 66 defined by the gap between the grinding element 54 and the grinding sleeve 40. As the rotatable grinding member 38 rotates relative to the fixed grinding member 36 and the container 22, the teeth 48 of the grinding sleeve 40, and in some embodiments, the teeth 62 of the grinding element 54 break the pepper particles between them. The debris then falls out of the grinding assembly 32 through the openings between adjacent spokes 56.

In one embodiment, the rotatable grinding member 38 is movable between a plurality of positions to vary the size of the grinding chamber 66 formed between the grinding sleeve 40 and the grinding element 54. As a result, the roughness of the seasoning grind within the grinding chamber 66 is similarly adjusted. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the position of the grinding elements 54 is controlled by an adjustment mechanism 84, such as an upward adjustment ring located near the grinding elements 54. The adjustment ring 84 is mounted in an overlapping arrangement with the end 86 of the housing 34 and the end 60 of the rotatable grinding member 38. in one embodiment, the adjustment ring 84 is rotatable relative to the housing 34 and/or the rotating grinding element 54. As the adjustment ring 84 is rotated, the grinding elements 54 are raised or lowered vertically (along the grinding axis) relative to the grinding sleeve 40, such as by a cam surface disposed at the interface between the adjustment ring 84 and the rotating grinding elements 54. However, it is within the scope of the present invention for the adjustment mechanism 84 to have any suitable configuration to shift the rotatable grinding element 54 between a plurality of positions to adjust the size of the grinding chamber 66 and, thus, the roughness of the abrading article formed by the abrading assembly 32.

The grinding assembly 32 of the condiment dispenser 20 is separable from the container to allow the user to refill the container. In one embodiment, the second feature of the grinding assembly is separate from the feature for coupling the grinding assembly to the container, the second feature for separating the grinding assembly from the container. For example, a threaded connection may be used to separate the grinding assembly 32 from the container 22. To form the threaded connection, a plurality of helical threads 88 extend outwardly from a portion of the container 22 between the retaining flange 76 and the shoulder 78. A second feature comprising corresponding screw-engaged threads 90 extends inwardly from the inner surface 82 of the housing 34. As shown, the diameter of the portion of the container 22 extending between the retaining flange 76 and the shoulder 78 is less than the diameter of the container 22 at the retaining flange 76. As a result, a gap 92 exists between the inner surface 82 of the housing 34 and the outer surface of the container 22. Thus, when housing 34 is in the normal state, threads 90 do not engage corresponding threads 88 of container 22. Thus, a user can easily rotate housing 34, and thus grinding member 38, about axis X of grinding assembly 32 to perform a grinding operation without separating grinding assembly 32 from container 22.

To access cavity 30 of container 22 by removing grinding assembly 32, a user must apply a radially inward force to the lower portion of housing 34 such that at least one thread 90 of housing 34 engages an adjacent thread 88 of container 22. When these threads come into contact, the user must simultaneously rotate the housing 34 about the grinding axis X with respect to the container 22. The helical configuration of threads 88 will cause housing 34 to move vertically while rotating. The force generated by the mechanical advantage provided by the engagement of the threads 88, 90 flexes the housing 34, allowing the teeth 80 to disengage from the retaining flange 76 and overcome the retaining flange 76.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-10, another example of a condiment dispenser 120 is shown according to one embodiment. As shown, the abrasive assembly 132 has a reduced number of components as compared to the embodiment of fig. 1-5. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the condiment dispenser 120 similarly includes a container 122 having a first open end 124, a second closed end 126, and at least one wall 128 extending between the first and second ends 124, 126 to define a cavity 130 for storing one or more food items.

An abrasive assembly 132 mountable to the open end 124 of the container 122 includes a stationary abrasive member 134 and a rotating abrasive member 136. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the fixed abrasive component 134 is configured to be directly coupled to the open end 24 of the container 22. As shown, the fixed abrasive component 134 includes an annular body 138 having an inner diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the first end 124 of the container 122. In one embodiment, the fixed abrasive component 134 includes a plurality of inwardly extending threads 140 and the container 122 includes a plurality of outwardly extending threads 142. The inwardly and outwardly extending threads 140, 142 can cooperate to threadably attach the fixed abrasive component 134 to the first end 124 of the container 122.

In one embodiment, at least one locking tab 144 extends from a lower end 146 of the fixed abrasive component 134. When the fixed abrasive component 134 is coupled to the first end 124 of the container 122, the at least one locking tab 144 is received within a notch or groove 148 formed in an outer surface of the container 122, such as proximate a shoulder 150 of the container 122. Thus, once the fixed abrasive component 134 is coupled to the first end 124 of the container 122, the rotational force typically applied during operation of the abrasive assembly 132 is insufficient to separate the fixed abrasive component 134 from the container 122 due to the engagement between the at least one locking tab 144 and the walls of the cutout 148. In one embodiment, the user must apply sufficient rotational force to cause the at least one locking tab 144 to flex and slide along the exterior of the container 122 over the walls of the cutout 148 to selectively disengage the fixed abrasive component 134 from the container 122.

In other embodiments, where the locking tab cannot be unscrewed from the notch 148 by additional rotational force, the user may apply a radially inward force to a portion of the fixed abrasive component that is offset from at least one tab, such as between the tabs. The radial force will cause the lower portion of the fixed abrasive element including the locking tab 144 to flex out of the notch 148. Thus, the fixed abrasive component 134 is free to rotate while applying a radially inward force to separate the fixed abrasive component 134 from the container 122.

The fixed abrasive component 134 also includes an abrasive sleeve 152 having a circumferential web 154 projecting outwardly from an outer portion 156 of the abrasive sleeve 152 for connecting the abrasive sleeve 152 to the annular body 138. As previously described, the outer diameter of the grinding sleeve 152 is substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the container 122 at the first open end 124 such that at least a portion of the grinding sleeve 152 extends into the cavity 130 of the container 122 when the fixed grinding component 134 is coupled to the container 122. However, it should be understood that embodiments in which the grinding sleeve 152 is external to but in communication with the cavity are also within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the web or flange 154 of the fixed abrasive component 134 is disposed in direct contact with and supported by the exposed end 124 of the container 122 to properly position the fixed abrasive component 134 relative to the container 122.

As shown, the grinding sleeve 152 includes a bore 158 and a plurality of teeth 160 projecting inwardly from an inner surface 162 of the grinding sleeve 152. In one embodiment, each tooth 160 is in the form of a rib that extends substantially the axial height of the grinding sleeve 152. Although the apertures 158 are shown as being generally conical or conical in shape, it should be understood that any suitable configuration of the fixed abrasive component 134, and more specifically, any suitable configuration of the apertures 158 and teeth 160, for example, is within the scope of the present invention.

The rotatable grinding member 136 is configured to cooperate with the fixed grinding member 134 to break or grind food disposed within the container 122. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the housing 34 and rotatable abrasive member 38 of the previous embodiments of fig. 1-5 have been combined into a single component. As shown, the rotatable grinding member 136 includes a generally hollow cylindrical outer body 164. In one embodiment, the outer surface 166 of the outer body 164 is textured, such as knurled, to provide a surface that is easier to grasp and manipulate. The grinding element 168 is connected to an inner surface 170 of the outer body 164 by one or more radially extending spokes 172. In one embodiment, a vertical flange 174 extending from a first end 176 of the grinding element 168 is configured to abut an outer diameter of the grinding sleeve 152 of the fixed grinding component 134. The vertical flange 174 may maintain a general alignment between the grinding element 168 and the grinding sleeve 152 as the grinding element 168 moves between a plurality of positions, as will be described in more detail below.

As previously mentioned, in one embodiment, the rotatable grinding element 168 is generally conical and is closed at its lower end 178 and open at its upper end 176. When the grinding assembly 132 is secured to the container 122, the rotatable grinding member 136 is axially aligned with the fixed grinding member 134 and is positioned upwardly adjacent the fixed grinding member 134 such that at least a portion of the grinding element 168 is received within the aperture 158 of the fixed grinding member 134. In one embodiment, one or more grinding teeth (not shown) are located at the outer surface 182 of the grinding element 168.

A grinding chamber 184 is defined between the exterior 182 of the grinding element 168 and the plurality of teeth 160 of the fixed grinding component 134. The grinding chamber 184 communicates with openings defined between the plurality of spokes 172 that couple the grinding elements 168 and the outer body 164 to define a path for broken or ground food products to exit the grinding chamber 184.

In one embodiment, the rotating abrasive component 136 is rotatably coupled to the fixed abrasive component 134. As shown, the retaining flange 186 extends outwardly from the outer surface of the annular body 138 of the fixed abrasive component 134. Corresponding teeth 188 extending from the inner surface 170 of the body 164 of the rotating abrasive member 136 are configured to cooperate with the retaining flange 186 to limit vertical movement of the rotating abrasive member 136 relative to the fixed abrasive member 134. Although a snap-fit interface is shown and described herein, it should be understood that any mechanism for rotatably connecting the rotating abrasive component 136 to the fixed abrasive component 134 is contemplated herein.

Similar to the embodiment of fig. 1-5, the rotating abrasive element 168 may, but need not, be moved between a plurality of positions to change the size of the abrasive chamber 184 formed between the abrasive sleeve 152 and the abrasive element 168, and thus the roughness of the abrasive particles formed therein. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the adjustment ring 190 is located upwardly adjacent to the grinding element 168 and the one or more spokes 172 connecting the grinding element 168 to the outer body 164. The adjustment ring 190 is rotatable relative to the rotary grinding member 136 about the axial grinding axis X. As the adjustment ring 190 is rotated, the grinding element 168 is raised or lowered vertically relative to the grinding sleeve 152, such as via a cam surface disposed at an interface between the adjustment ring 190 and the rotating grinding element 168. However, any mechanism for adjusting the configuration of the grinding chamber 184 is within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to fig. 11-14, another embodiment of the condiment dispenser 220 is illustrated wherein like reference numerals previously used in fig. 6-10 to describe various components are used to identify like components. The container 222, the fixed abrasive component 234, and the rotating abrasive component 236 are substantially similar to those described with respect to fig. 6-10. However, the condiment dispenser 220 of the illustrated non-limiting embodiment does not include a separate adjustment ring for adjusting the vertical position of the grinding element 268 relative to the grinding sleeve 262. Rather, the function of the adjustment ring is integrated directly into the rotating abrasive component 236.

As best shown in fig. 14 and 15, one or more ridges or protrusions 292 extend around the periphery of the annular body 238. As shown, the protrusions 292 are vertically stacked below the retention flange 286 and have a smaller diameter than the retention flange 286. In one embodiment, the protrusion does not extend continuously around the entire perimeter of the annular body 238. Instead, one or more openings are formed therein. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, each annular protrusion includes two openings. Further, it should be appreciated that the projections 292 are generally aligned such that the openings of the plurality of projections 292 are stacked relative to one another to define a path of movement.

As previously described, the teeth 288 extending from the inner surface 270 of the body 264 of the rotating abrasive component 236 are configured to cooperate with the retaining flange 286 to limit vertical movement of the rotating abrasive component 236 relative to the fixed abrasive component 234. In addition, the teeth 288 are configured to cooperate with one or more protrusions 292 to define various positions of the rotatable grinding element 268 relative to the grinding sleeve 252. As best shown in fig. 15, the teeth have a radial length equal to or slightly greater than the opening formed in the projection.

The user can easily manipulate the position of the teeth 288 relative to the protrusions 292 to adjust the roughness of the abrading article to be created. In one embodiment, the user rotates the rotatable abrasive member 236 relative to the fixed abrasive member 234 until the teeth 288 align with the openings 294 formed in the plurality of protrusions 292. An indicator visible on the exterior of the condiment dispenser 220 can indicate to the user when the teeth 288 and openings 294 are aligned. Once aligned, the user may apply an axial force to the rotatable grinding member 234, thereby shifting the teeth 288 between adjacent projections 292. In one embodiment, the placement of the teeth 288 between the projections 292 or between the projections 292 and the retention flange 286 provides tactile feedback to the user to indicate that the teeth 288 have transitioned to the adjacent rough position. Once in place, the rotatable abrading component 236 may be rotated about the abrading axis X for normal use.

In the non-limiting embodiment best shown in fig. 14, the grinding assembly 232 includes two protrusions 292a, 292b such that the rotatable grinding element 268 is movable between three different positions. In the first position, the teeth 288 are located near the bottom surface of the lowermost projection 292b, resulting in the lowermost positioning of the grinding element 268, and thus the smallest grinding chamber 284. In the second position, the teeth 288 are located between the first and second projections 292a, 292 b. The second position is raised vertically along the grinding axis relative to the first position, thereby increasing the size of the grinding chamber 284 and the grounds to be produced. When in the third position, the teeth 288 are located between the uppermost projection 292a and the retaining flange 286. The third position is the highest position of the rotatable grinding member 236 relative to the grinding axis X. Thus, in the third position, the grinding chamber 284 is at a maximum and the resulting roughness of the resulting grind is increased. It should be appreciated that the illustrated non-limiting embodiment having two protrusions 292a, 292b and thus three positions is intended to be exemplary only, and that an abrasive assembly 232 having any number of protrusions and/or positions of rotatable abrasive member 236 is within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to each of the embodiments of fig. 1-14, a cover 300 is removably attached to a portion of the grinding assembly 32, 132, 232. The lid 300 is movable between a first closed position and a second open position. In the closed position, the cap 300 is sealingly arranged with the openings defined between the spokes 56, 172, 272 of the rotatable grinding members 38, 136, 236 and, in some embodiments, with the central bore of the adjustment rings 84, 190. In one embodiment, the cover 300 may be completely separate from the grinding assemblies 32, 132, 232. However, in other embodiments, the cover 300 may be secured to an adjacent component, such as the adjustment ring 84, 490, or alternatively, such as the housing 34 or the rotatable grinding component 136, 236. In such embodiments, the lid 300 is operable to pivot about a pivot axis defined, for example, by a hinge or pin. In one embodiment, the hinge is a friction hinge such that the lid 300 remains stationary at any location where the force along the axis of rotation P is removed. For example, if the lid 300 is rotated fully open, the lid 300 will remain fully open until the lid 300 is removed therefrom by the user. Thus, in the fully open position, when the grinder assembly 32, 132, 232 is in use (i.e., inverted), the lid 300 is positioned outside of the path of the condiment output from the grinder assembly 32, 132, 232.

Alternatively or additionally, the hinge may include a biasing mechanism (not shown) having a biasing force configured to bias the lid 300 to a fully open position once a portion of the lid 300 has been separated from the adjustment rings 84, 190 or from a latching mechanism that holds the lid 300 in a closed position. In such embodiments, to close the lid 300, the user must apply a force to the lid sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the biasing mechanism that holds the lid in the open position.

In one embodiment, the abrasive assembly 32, 132, 232 may also include one or more tamper evident features (tamper evident features) that facilitate a user in identifying whether the condiment dispenser has been previously used or opened. One embodiment of a tamper evident feature includes a security label 310. Security label 310 may be formed from any suitable material. Security label 310 includes perforations 316 that define a first portion 312 and a second portion 314 of label 310. The security tag 310 is intended to be affixed to any portion of the condiment dispenser 20, 120, 220 having two components that move relative to one another. For example, anti-counterfeit label 310 may be located at the interface between the bottom of housing 34 and the body of container 22, at the interface between fixed abrasive components 134, 234 and the body of container 122, 222, at the interface between rotatable abrasive components 136, 236 and fixed abrasive components 134, 234, or alternatively at the interface between cap 300 and housing 34 or rotatable abrasive components 136, 236.

When the security tag 310 is mounted to the condiment dispenser 20, 120, 220, the perforations 316 defining the first and second portions 312, 314 of the tag 310 should be disposed in the plane of relative movement between the adjacent components. Thus, relative movement between the components will cause the label 310 to tear or separate along the perforation 316, thereby indicating to the user that the condiment dispenser 20, 120, 220 has been compromised.

The term "about" is intended to include the degree of error associated with measuring a particular quantity based on equipment available at the time of filing this application.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.