HK1092669B - Device for continuously controlling condiments grinding in a mill - Google Patents

Description

Continuous grinding adjusting device for seasoning in grinder

Technical Field

[01] The present invention relates to a continuous grinding regulating device for seasonings such as salt, pepper or other spices in a grinder.

Background

[02] Such devices are known in the prior art, in which the adjustment of the grinding is carried out by varying the position of an element of the grinding mechanism of the condiment grinder, so that the grinding can be carried out by means of bearings.

[03] In such prior art devices, the operator comes into contact with the seasoning while the grinding adjustment is being performed, which may cause the product to be soiled.

[04] Such devices are no longer suitable for carrying out adjustments on electric condiment grinders, since the device must be placed in the condiment delivery area.

[05] It is also important to point out: the grinding adjustment device is slaved to the body of the condiment grinder, which makes it necessary to replace it in its entirety in case of damage to the adjustment device.

Disclosure of Invention

[06] The present invention overcomes these various drawbacks by providing a device for adjusting the grinding of the condiment in a grinder, which allows a continuous grinding adjustment, avoids the user from coming into contact with the product to be ground, and allows the fineness of the grinding to be adjusted.

[07] To this end, the invention provides a device for adjusting the grinding of a condiment in a grinder, the motor element of said device comprising a basin, a support member supporting said basin, a pear-shaped member and a fixed washer on said grinder, characterized in that a rotary movement of an adjustment collar drives a translational movement of said basin support member, said adjustment collar being fitted with an adjustment stop independent of said device.

Drawings

[08] The present invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which show an exploded view of the grinder adjustment assembly prior to its insertion on the drive shaft of the condiment grinder.

Detailed Description

[09] The device 1 according to the invention is formed by an adjusting ring 3, which is provided with an adjusting stop 5, a basin 6, a basin support 4, a locking ring 11 and a drive shaft 7, above which drive shaft 7 a pear 9 is arranged.

[10] The upper part of the device 1 according to the invention is formed by an adjustment collar 3 which exhibits a rotational movement when the device is in use. The adjusting ring sleeve 3 is provided with an adjusting stopper 5 with a guiding finger (doigt d' index) 12 at its upper part.

[11] The indexing fingers 12 allow for a specific size of grind adjustment to be achieved. However, the grinding adjustment can also be carried out inductively, i.e. over the entire adjusting ring sleeve and not only in the recesses provided for this purpose.

[12] The lower part of the adjustment collar 3 is fitted with a fixing clip 13 which allows the adjustment collar 3 and the locking ring 11 to be fastened together. The fixing clip 13 preferably has the form of a plastic pin.

[13] The inner part of the adjustment collar 3 is provided with a thread 14 which ensures the fixing with the bowl support 4.

[14] The guide fingers 12 of the adjustment stop 5 ensure the positioning of the adjustment collar 3 relative to the tub support 4, so that the fineness of grinding can be adjusted.

[15] The tub 6 is fixed to the tub support member 4 so that a specific relative position is determined during rotation.

[16] The tub-supporting element 4 is provided with a reinforcement 15 which comes into contact with the adjustment stop 5 of the adjustment collar 3 at the end of the forward and backward stroke. The reinforcement is on the outer upper surface of the tub support member 4 at the same height as the recess 16, which accommodates the index finger 12.

[17] The tub support member 4 also has five recesses 16 for receiving the indexing fingers 12. Thus it can obtain five index positions, but intermediate positions are still possible, and therefore a wide range of grinding size variations are possible.

[18] The bowl support member 4 is provided with a thread 17 on its outer surface, which enables it to be inserted with the adjustment collar 3. Said thread 17 is regularly interrupted in order to avoid any jamming of the mechanical device 1 according to the invention in the event of the penetration of the condiment.

[19] The tub support 4 is provided in its lower part with a fixing cylinder 18 which can fix the tub 6 so as to prevent it from rotating in the locking ring 11 and to produce a sliding connection.

[20] The gasket 2 has only a decorative effect. It may have various decorations.

[21] The locking ring 11, which is arranged below the tub support 4, is provided with two grooves 19, which can receive the fixing posts 20 of the tub support 4. The slot 19 also prevents the bowl support member 4 from rotating. The locking collar 11 is provided with a protective flange 21 on the inner upper part thereof, so as to avoid the condiment from splashing inside the mechanism.

[22] The drive shaft 7 of the condiment mill, fitted at its upper end with a retaining spring 8 and a pear-shaped element 9, is inserted into the assembly formed by the locking ring 11, the basin 6, the basin support 4 and the adjustment collar 3. The pear 9 is thus trapped between the tub support member 4 and the tub 6. The spring 8 can be replaced by a spacer of plastic material for "salt" movement, avoiding any risk of corrosion. [23] The drive shaft 7 is provided with a knurling 22 which ensures its fixation to the adapter ring 23.

[24] The engagement ring 23 is arranged below the locking ring 11. It is press fitted onto the drive shaft 7, the adapter ring gripping the embossments 22 on the drive shaft.

[25] The container 24 is fixed to the locking ring 11.

[26] The adjustment collar 3 is screwed onto the tub support 4. The adjusting collar is clamped to the locking ring 11 by a fixing movement by means of spring-forming clips.

[27] The basin 6 is thus inserted between the adjustment collar 3 and the basin support member 4.

[28] Thus, rotation of the adjustment collar 3 drives a vertical movement of the tub support member 4.

[29] The movement will be limited by both the stopper 5 and the reinforcement 15. The maximum amplitude of the movement was 3mm, thus varying the fineness of grinding.

[30] Instead, the vertical position of the pear-shaped element 9 is fixed. It is held in a vertical orientation by means of a stop-clip, below which a snap ring is arranged. The stop-clip may be secured to the stationary washer or directly to the body of the condiment grinder (not shown).

[31] Since the tub support member 4 cannot rotate, it can be driven without the rotating movement of the pear-shaped part 9, thus avoiding possible maladjustment.

[32] The grinding adjustment device according to the invention changes the position between the pear-shaped piece and the basin by moving the basin instead of the pear-shaped piece, which normally moves the pear-shaped piece.

[33] The conditioning apparatus may perform a continuous grinding. Furthermore, it operates independently of the rest of the grinder, so that it can be adapted to a wide range of different types of grinders, whether manual or electric, by means of an adapting member.

[34] The adjustment collar receives an ornament, which may be of wood or stainless metal, for example, and which may be adapted to accommodate various models of condiment grinders.

[35] Furthermore, the adjustment system according to the invention can reduce the production costs, since it consists of a smaller number of elements.

[36] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it includes all technical equivalents of the means described.

Claims (12)

1. Adjustment device for the grinding of condiments for a grinder, consisting of a motor element comprising a basin (6), a support member (4) of said basin, a pear-shaped element (9) and a fixing washer (11) fixed to the grinder,

characterized in that a translational movement of the tub-supporting element (4) is actuated by a rotary movement of an adjustment collar (3) fitted with an adjustment stop (5), said translational movement being simultaneously limited by the adjustment stop (5) and a reinforcement (15) arranged on the outer upper surface of the tub-supporting element (4).

2. The seasoning grinding adjusting apparatus of the grinder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the adjusting collar (3) is provided with an internal thread (14).

3. The seasoning grinding adjusting apparatus of the grinder as set forth in claim 2, wherein the adjusting collar (3) is caught on the fixing washer (11) by a plastic pin (13).

4. The seasoning grinding device of the grinder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the adjusting stopper (5) of the adjusting collar (3) is provided with a guide finger (12) for guiding the adjusting collar (3).

5. Device for adjusting the grinding of condiments in a grinder according to claim 4, characterised in that said basin support member (4) is provided with a recess (16) for receiving the guide finger (12) of said adjustment limit block (5) of said adjustment collar (3).

6. The seasoning grinding adjusting apparatus of the grinder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tub supporting member (4) includes an external thread (17) which is regularly broken.

7. The seasoning grinding adjusting apparatus in a grinder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tub supporting member (4) is provided at a lower end thereof with a fixing cylinder (18).

8. The seasoning grinder adjusting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the position of the pear-shaped member (9) is held by a stopper-clip.

9. The seasoning grinding adjusting apparatus in a grinder as set forth in claim 8, wherein the stopper-clamp is held by a snap ring and a spring.

10. The seasoning grinding adjusting apparatus of the grinder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the moving stroke of the adjusting collar (3) on the tub supporting member (4) is 3 mm.

11. The seasoning grinding adjusting apparatus in a grinder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fixing washer (11) is provided with a protection flange (21) on an inner upper portion thereof.

12. The seasoning grinding adjusting apparatus for a grinder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the step or angle of the adjusting stopper (5) is variable.