U.S. patent application number 11/461946 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for peppermill lid.
This patent application is currently assigned to PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL CORP.. Invention is credited to Randall Mills.
Application Number | 20080041991 11/461946 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39031401 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080041991 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mills; Randall |
February 21, 2008 |
PEPPERMILL LID
Abstract
A peppermill includes a body having upper and lower ends and
defining a cavity extending between the upper and lower ends. The
body defines a gap extending therethrough substantially
perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body. A grinding
mechanism is positioned within the body between the upper and lower
ends. A cap rotatably secures to the body over the lower opening. A
lateral opening extends through the cap in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is
alignable with the gap. The cap mounts to an insert secured within
the cavity near the lower opening. The insert includes an insert
opening. The cap rotatably mounts to the insert and further
includes an arcuate flange positioned over the insert opening when
the lateral opening is not aligned with the gap.
Inventors: |
Mills; Randall; (Sultan,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLACK LOWE & GRAHAM, PLLC
701 FIFTH AVENUE, SUITE 4800
SEATTLE
WA
98104
US
|
Assignee: |
PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL
CORP.
Seattle
WA
|
Family ID: |
39031401 |
Appl. No.: |
11/461946 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
241/169.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 42/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
241/169.1 |
International
Class: |
A47J 42/00 20060101
A47J042/00 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. A peppermill comprising: a body configured to hold peppercorns,
the body having an upper end, a lower end, and a longitudinal axis;
a grinding mechanism attached to the body; a grippable member
positionable within the body and engageable with the grinding
mechanism to actuate the grinding mechanism; an opening defined on
the peppermill and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis, the opening having a cap to selectively close the opening and
substantially prevent ground pepper from falling from the
peppermill when the cover is in a closed position; an insert
secured within the body proximate the lower opening, the cap
rotatably mounted to the insert; and a groove formed along a cavity
formed in the body, the groove extending substantially parallel to
the longitudinal direction and wherein the insert further comprises
a projection sized to fit within the groove.
7. The peppermill of claim 6, wherein the cavity further comprises
a constricted portion positioned between the grinding mechanism and
the lower opening, the constricted portion having a diameter
smaller than the lower opening, the insert sized to fit within the
constricted portion.
8. The peppermill of claim 7, wherein the insert comprises a cap
having a concave surface facing the upper end and a lower portion
extending outwardly from the constricted portion, the lower portion
having an insert opening extending therethrough in a direction
substantially perpendicular with the longitudinal axis, the insert
opening substantially aligned with the gap.
9. The peppermill of claim 6, wherein the cap comprises an arcuate
flange positioned radially between the lower portion and the
cavity, the arcuate flange positionable over the insert
opening.
10. The peppermill of claim 7, wherein the arcuate flange is not
positioned over the insert opening when the lateral opening of the
cap is aligned with the insert opening.
11. The peppermill of claim 10, wherein the cap further comprises a
stop selectively engageable with at least one of the body and
insert to limit rotation of the cap, the stop restricting the cap
to movement between positions having the arcuate flange positioned
over the insert opening and positions wherein the lateral opening
is aligned with the insert opening.
12. The peppermill of claim 7, wherein the insert further comprises
a detent engageable with the constricted portion to retain the
insert within the constricted portion.
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. A method for using a peppermill comprising: rotating a cap
relative to a body to align a lateral opening formed in the cap
with a gap formed in the body, wherein the body has upper and lower
ends and defines a cavity extending between the upper and lower
ends and upper and lower openings located proximate the upper and
lower ends, respectively, the upper and lower ends defining a
longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, the
gap extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction and positioned proximate the lower opening; wherein a
grinding mechanism is positioned within the body between the upper
and lower ends and a grippable member is positionable within the
upper opening and engageable with the grinding mechanism to actuate
the grinding mechanism; and wherein the lateral opening extends
through the cap in a direction substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis; and rotating the cap relative to the body to
position a rim formed on the cap over the gap.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising, inserting an insert
through the lower opening and rotatably securing the cap to the
insert.
19. The method of claim 19, wherein the insert comprises a cup
having a concave surface facing the upper end and a lower portion
extending outwardly from a constricted portion of the cavity
between the lower end and the grinding portion, the lower portion
having an insert opening extending therethrough in a direction
substantially perpendicular with the longitudinal axis, the insert
opening substantially aligned with the gap, and wherein rotating
the cap relative to the body to align the lateral opening formed in
the cap with the gap formed in the body further comprises aligning
the lateral opening with the insert opening.
20. The method of claim 20, wherein the cap comprises an arcuate
flange positioned radially between the lower portion and the
cavity, and wherein rotating the cap relative to the body to
position the rim over the gap further comprises positioning the
arcuate flange over the insert opening.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein an indicator is secured to the
cap opposite the lateral opening, the method further comprising
orienting the peppermill having the indicator vertically above the
lateral opening and actuating the grinding mechanism to release
ground pepper through the insert opening, gap, and lateral
opening.
22. (canceled)
23. A peppermill comprising: a body configured to hold peppercorns,
the body having an upper end, a lower end, and a lateral surface
extending between the upper end and the lower end; a grinding
mechanism attached to the peppermill; a grippable member engageable
with the grinding mechanism to actuate the grinding mechanism; an
opening defined on the lateral surface; and a cap configured to
selectively open or close the opening and secured to the lower end
of the peppermill, the cap being configured for rotation about a
longitudinal axis extending from the upper end of the body to the
lower end of the body.
24. A peppermill comprising: a peppermill body having a cavity for
holding peppercorns, the peppermill body further having an upper
end, a bottom end configured to rest on a table, and a lateral
surface extending from the lower end toward the upper end; a
grinding mechanism attached to the peppermill and in communication
with the cavity to grind the peppercorns contained within the
cavity; and an opening defined on the lateral surface of the
peppermill body, the opening defining a path to allow peppercorns
that are ground by the grinding mechanism to exit the peppermill
body; and the bottom of the peppermill having a cap, the opening
being defined on the cap.
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to peppermills and, more
specifically, to closure systems for peppermills.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Fresh ground pepper from a peppermill often comes at the
expense of a great deal of cleaning. A typical peppermill includes
a main body with a cavity for receiving peppercorns, a grinding
mechanism positioned near the bottom of the case, and a knob for
actuating the grinding mechanism positioned at the top of the case.
The grinding mechanism empties the ground pepper through the bottom
of the peppermill. The ground pepper often does not all immediately
fall from the grinding mechanism, but rather works its way out as
the peppermill is moved or placed on a table or shelf. Wherever the
peppermill is placed, ground pepper will be left behind.
[0003] It would therefore be an advancement in the art to provide a
peppermill providing a convenient and effective means for
distributing ground pepper while preventing accidental release of
remnants of ground pepper when the peppermill is not in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A peppermill may be constructed in a variety of forms, such
as a body having upper and lower ends and defining a cavity
extending between the upper and lower ends. Whole peppercorns are
stored in the cavity and ground to a desired degree of coarseness
by a grinding mechanism.
[0005] In one example, a cap rotatably secures to the body over the
lower opening. An opening extends through the cap to allow ground
pepper to fall from the mill. The opening may be closed to prevent
ground pepper from escaping. The opening may be formed in the rim
of the cap and be alignable with a gap or opening formed in the
body of the peppermill. In such an embodiment, the opening in the
cap may be closed by positioning the opening over a portion of the
body.
[0006] In another embodiment, the cap secures to an insert
positioned within the cavity. The insert includes an opening
alignable with the opening in the cap. A flange secured to the cap
may be used to cover the opening in the insert when the cap opening
is not aligned with the insert opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present
invention are described in detail below with reference to the
following drawings:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled peppermill, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded views of peppermills, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cap suitable for use in
the present invention; and
[0011] FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross sectional views illustrating a
method for closing a peppermill, in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, a preferred embodiment of
a peppermill 10 includes a cap 12 mounted to a body 14 formed of
wood, plastic, or other material. The body 14 includes an internal
cavity 16 between the upper end 18a and lower end 18b. The cavity
16 houses a grinding mechanism 20 for grinding peppercorns. A shaft
22 extends from the grinding mechanism to a knob 24 positioned at
the upper end 18a of the peppermill 10. The knob 24 is removable by
loosening a nut 26 secured to the shaft 22.
[0013] The above peppermill construction is one preferred form, but
any peppermill may be used with the present invention. Thus, there
need not be a knob 24, shaft 22, and internal cavity 16. Instead,
any device capable of grinding may be used. Likewise, the mill need
not be capable of grinding pepper, but rather can grind salt,
spices, or other items.
[0014] The cap 12 in the preferred embodiment is rotatable about a
longitudinal axis 28 extending through the body 14. The cap 12
includes a lateral opening 30 extending through cap 12, such as
through a rim 32 of the cap 12. The lateral opening 30 typically
extends through the rim 32 in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 28.
[0015] The cap 12 may be rotated such that the lateral opening 30
is brought into and out of alignment with a gap 34, or other
opening formed in the body near the lower end 18b. The gap 34 may
be formed in a ridge 36 formed at the lower end of the body 14. The
rim 32 may have a height such that the rim 34 abuts a shoulder 38
encircling the ridge 36 when the cap 12 is secured to the body 14.
Projections 40 are formed on the cap 12 to facilitated gripping of
the cap 12 during rotation. In an alternative embodiment, a
projection having sufficient size to cover the opening 30 extends
from the body 14 such that the projection may be positioned over
the opening 30 when the cap is in a closed position.
[0016] The cap 12 may secure to the body 14 by means of an insert
42 inserted within recess 43 adjacent the cavity 16. The recess 43
is typically concentric with the cavity 16 and has a slightly
larger diameter. The insert 42 includes an insert opening 44
extending through the insert in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The insert opening 44
is preferably substantially aligned with the gap 34. The insert 42
may be shaped as a cup retained within the cavity 16 by means of a
friction fit or by means of a detent mechanism, such as hooked tabs
46 monolithically formed with the insert 42.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 3, while still referring to FIGS. 2A and
2B, the cap 12 includes a post 52 sized to fit within an aperture
54 formed in the insert 42. The post 52 includes a plurality of
hooked tabs 56 that elastically deform to allow the post to insert
within the aperture 54 and exert a biasing force resisting removal
of the post 52 from the aperture 54.
[0018] The cap 12 further includes an arcuate flange 58 having a
radius of curvature centered approximately at the longitudinal axis
28 when the cap 12 is secured to the body 14. The arcuate flange 58
is positioned adjacent the lateral opening 30 spaced apart from the
rim 32 such that the ridge 36 is positionable between the arcuate
flange 58 and the rim 32.
[0019] In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, a recess 60 is formed in the
ridge 36 adjacent the gap 34 to receive the flange 58. In the
embodiment of FIG. 2B, a larger diameter portion 62 is formed in
the body forming a gap between the insert 42 and the ridge 36 when
inserted to receive the arcuate flange 58. In some embodiments, the
insert 42 is provided with a projection 64 engaging a groove 66
formed in the body 14 to align the insert opening 44 with the gap
34. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the groove 66 extends across the
ridge 36 and into the cavity 16. In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, the
groove 66 extends from the boundary of the large diameter portion
62 into the cavity 16. In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, the projection
64 may extend to the lowermost surface of the insert 42 such that
the projection 64 is visible to aid a user in centering the insert
42 during insertion.
[0020] A stop 68 is formed on the cap 12 circumferentially between
the arcuate flange 58 and the lateral opening 30. The stop 68 and
arcuate flange 58 may be formed as continuous ridge of material
secured to the cap 12. The stop 68 engages the ridge 36 to limit
rotation of the cap 12 to movement between an open position in
which the lateral opening 30 is positioned within the gap 34 and a
closed position in which the arcuate flange 58 is positioned over
the insert opening 44 and the lateral opening 30 is positioned over
the ridge 36.
[0021] The cap 12 includes one or more arcuate grooves 70 having a
radius of curvature substantially centered on the longitudinal axis
28 when the cap 12 is secured to the body 14. The insert 42
includes one or more posts 72 corresponding to the grooves 70 and
positioned within the grooves 72 when the cap 12 is secured to the
insert 42. Detents 74 are positioned near the ends of the grooves
70 and resist movement of the posts 72 both into and out of the
ends of the grooves 70. The grooves 70 have angular sizes
corresponding to the range of motion of the cap 12 between the open
and closed positions, such that the detents 74 tend to retain the
cap 12 in the opened and closed positions. In the illustrated
embodiment, the detents 74 are embodied as small projections
extending into the grooves 70.
[0022] In some embodiments, the cap 12 bears an indicator 78
printed on, formed in, or secured to, the cap 12 opposite the
lateral opening 30. The indicator 78 facilitates use of the
peppermill 10 by indicating to a user that the lateral opening 30
is oriented downwardly when the indicator is facing upward.
[0023] FIG. 4A illustrates cross sectional view 4 of the peppermill
10 having the cap 12 in an open position. In the open position, the
lateral opening 30, gap 34, and insert opening 44 are substantially
aligned allowing ground pepper to pass threrethrough. FIG. 4B
illustrates cross sectional view 4 of the peppermill 10 in a closed
position. To close the peppermill 10, the cap 12 is rotated to the
closed position having the lateral opening 30 positioned over the
ridge 36. The arcuate flange 58 is positioned over the insert
opening 44.
[0024] Various alternative embodiments of the invention are
possible. In one embodiment, the ridge 36 and gap 34 are replaced
by a projection extending outwardly from the body 14 substantially
parallel to the longitudinal axis 28 and positionable over the
opening 30 when the cap 12 is rotated into the closed position.
[0025] In the preferred embodiment, the arcuate flange 58 covers
the opening 44 in the insert 42 and the rim 32 covers the gap 34 in
the closed position. However, good results may be obtained by using
only one of these closure means. Thus, for example, the flange 58
may be eliminated in order to rely on the rim 32 to cover the gap
34 or other opening formed in the body 14. Alternatively, the ridge
36 is eliminated such that the opening 30 is left open and
positioning of the flange 58, or other structure constrained to
rotate with the cap 12, over the opening 44 is relied upon for
closure.
[0026] In some embodiments, a sliding member or door secures to the
cap 12, such as along the rim 32, such that the sliding member is
slidable over the opening 30 in order to close the opening 30. In
such embodiments, the cap 12 need not be rotatable with respect to
the body 14 or insert 42.
[0027] In another alternative embodiment, the opening 30 in the cap
12 and the opening 44 in the insert 42 may extend through the cap
12 and insert 42, respectively, in a direction substantially
parallel to the longitudinal axis 28. In such an embodiment, the
arcuate flange 58 may be substituted by a substantially planar
flange oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and
positionable over the opening 44. In such an embodiment, the
opening 30 may be positioned over a portion of the body 14 or
insert 42 in order to close the opening 30.
[0028] In another embodiment, the cap 12 is in threaded engagement
with the body 14 or insert 42, such that the cap 12 may be
unthreaded to move the cap 12 away from the body 14 to create a gap
between the cap 12 and body 14. Ground pepper may then be allowed
to escape through the gap. In the closed position, the cap 12 is
threaded toward the body to close the gap. In such an embodiment,
the opening 30 in the cap 12 may be omitted. In embodiments
including the opening 30, the opening 30 is positioned over a ridge
or flange secured to the body 14 or insert 42 when the cap 12 is in
the closed position.
[0029] In still other embodiment, the cap 12 fits within a recess
formed in the body 14. For example, the cap 12 may be encircled by
the ridge 36, or other structure located at the base of the body
14. In such embodiments, the arcuate flange 58 may be eliminated
and the rim 32 of the cap 12 may serve to block the opening 44 in
the insert 42. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4B, an opening 30 in
the cap 12 may be aligned with a gap 34 in the ridge 36, or other
opening formed in the body 14, when the cap 12 is in an open
position. Alternatively, an opening 30 in the cap 12 may be aligned
with a projection secured to the body 14 in order to close the
opening 30.
[0030] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the
disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention
should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that
follow.
* * * * *