Home coffee grinder
US5172868A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 1991 |
| Grant date | Dec 22, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47J42/38
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A material flow inducing device for use in a material grinding apparatus. The grinding apparatus includes a grinding mechanism for grinding material, a motor for driving the grinding mechanism, and a hopper portion for holding a quantity of material for grinding in the grinding mechanism during a grinding operation. The flow inducing device includes a stirring member having extending arms which curve in a direction complimentary to a direction of rotation of the stirring member. The arms of the stirring member are compressibly flexible. Also included in the flow-inducing portion is an auger positioned between the stirring member and the grinding mechanism. Both the stirring member and the auger are operatively associated with the motor such that the stirring and auger rotate during a grinding operation. A material metering portion is positioned in the grinding apparatus in a surrounding relation to the auger member and has multiple downwardly spiraling inwardly sloping troughs formed in a top surface. The troughs facilitate movement of the material into the grinding mechanism.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.