Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02286931 1999-10-18
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates try portable battery powered
shredders and more particularly to ;such portable battery powered
shredders for shredding the readi_1y yiel.dir~g parts of a plant, such
as the leaves, flowers, and roo~s, to render products such as
spices, herbs, medicinal ingredie~zts in a shredded form.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
spices, herbs, and other parts of various pl.ant-s, such as
the leaves, flowers, and roots, and ~~o on, have been used for many
years in cooking. Typ:ir_ally, it i.s reces nary, or at least useful,
to grind or in some manner cut the desired parts of the plant into
very small pieces. These pieces <~re added to the food being
cooked, as is well-known.
Also, over many years, it has been learned that. parts of
various plants could be used medicinally, such as t.a decrease the
sensation of pain or to improve a person's health. A disr_.ussed in
U.S. patent 5,788,92, for the last few uundred years, plants such
as camphor and peppermint have been used to ameliorate the pain of
skin lesions, and witchhazel oi.l has been found to relieve dermal
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and muscular aches and pains. Further, for several centuries,
capsaicin, the active ingredient irr chili peppers, has been used in
a variety of mariners to treat v;~riaus types of rural pain.
Similarly to preparation for use in food, it is typically
necessary, or at least useful, to grind, or in some manner cut, t:he
desired parts of the plaint into very small pieces.
Many types of grinders a.re avai_l.able for grirnding spices, and
other parts of plants, for use in coo~;ing, for use in natural
medicine, and so on. C)ne such spice grinder is taugrit in U.S.
patent 5,86.5,384 issued February 2, 1999, to Pai. This spice
grinder is used to grind spices, :>ucri as black peppers, into very
small particles of substantially uniform size. The raw black
peppers are retained in the space grinder, and a portion of t:he
black peppers are ground, as reqL~v~re~:i. The particles drop out of
the bottom of the spice grinder a:> t:2ey are ground.
The ac'~ual grinding mechanism iz the spice grinder comprises
a conical grinding disk and a grindin~~ base. The grinding disk has
a polygonal hole that receives a spin<~le t:herethrough. A plural.it:y
of oblique radial disk wings extend .integrally from the periphery
of a wall defining the polygonal hole. The end of the disk wings
are configured to be pointed in shape, f_or moving the spice to be
grol.znd. The grinding disk further has a multiplicity of obliquely
arranged teeth below the wings for moving the spice. The grinding
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base is a circular stepped structure having a larger base rim at a
lower portion thereof and a grinding cylinder of a smaller diameter
at an upper end thereof. The base rim teas a notch at either side
thereof, and the grinding cylinder i~> provided with an indentation
at either side thereof corresponding to the notches for retaining
the ribs so that the grinding base may be secured and located in
the partition seat. In addition, r_he periphery of an i.r~ner wall of
the grinding cylinder is provided with a plurality of oblique
grinding teeth. Since the inner diameter of the grinding cylinder
is slightly smaller than the outer di.amet=er of the bottom grinding
disk, there is always a clearance x:~etween the grinding disk and the
grinding cylinder. Therefore, when the grinding disk rotates,
pieces of spice fal7_ among the c:~isk wings, and are pushed about by
the disk wings and the disk teeth, so as to displace along the
grinding teeth and thus be ground, the ground particles displace
dawnwardly into the clearance betGaeen 'the grinding teeth, and the
disk teeth and drop outs of the grinding device. Powdered spice of
uniform particle size may thus be ac:zieved.
Such spice grinders can only grind certain types of material,
arid are especially good at grinding hard parts of a p:Lant, such as
black peppers, and the like, and are not meant to grind the softer
readily yielding portions of the plant, such as the leaves,
flowers, and roots. Such readily yielding portions of the plant,
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such as the leaves, flowers, and rc~ats, must be cut into small
usable pieces in some other manner.
It .is an object of the present; invention to provide a portable
battery power shredder for used in sh~_edding readily yielding parts
af_ a plant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there
is disclosed a novel portable battery powered shredder far use in
shredding an apportionment of readily yielding parts of a plant.
The portable battery powered shreddEr comprises an outer hauling
haring a substantially hollow ir~teric~r; a receptacle means mounted
in the interior of the outer housi:~g; an opening in the outer
housing to permit access to the receptacle means; lid means far
selectively precluding access to the receptacle means; shredding
means operatively disposed within the receptacle means; an
electrically powered motor connected in driving relation with the
shredding means; means for pawer:inc~ the electrically powered orator;
and means to permit selective actuation of the electrically powered
motor. Zn use, an apportionment of readily yielding parts of a
plant to be shredded is passed through the opening and deposited
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into the receptacle means, the apportionment 5_s shredded by the
shredding means upon the selective ~~otuation of the electrically
pocaered motor, and the apportionment is subsequently removed from
the receptacle means.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is disclosed a novel method of: shredding an apportionment of
readily yielding parts of a plane in a partable battery powered
shredder. The method comprises the steps of:
(a) accessing the interior of the shredder;
(b) depositing an apportionment of the plant to be shredded
into a receptacle in thc~ shredder;
(c) closing an electrical circuit including an electrically
powered motor, thus poweri:r~g the motor so as to actuate
a shredding means within t:he receptacle means, thereby
shredding the apportionment of the plant; and,
(d) removing the shredded apportionment of the plant from t:he
shredder.
Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present
invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the
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related elements of the structure, and tue corribinatioru of parts and
economies of manufacture, wil:L become more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description and the
appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
latter of which is briefly described hereirzbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
'fhe novel features which are believed to be characteristic: of
the portable battery powered shredder according to the present
invention, as t o it:s structure, orcxanization, use and methr~d of
operation, together with further obj e~:tives and advantages thereof,
will be better understood from the following drawings in which a
presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be
illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood,
however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and
description only, and are not intended as a definition of t:he
limits of the inventian. In the acc«mpanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective ~Jiew of a preferred embodiment of
the portable battery-powered shr~adder according to the present
invention, with the top lid removed, anc~ about to be replaced;
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Figure 2 is perspective view similar to Figure l, but with tr~e
top lid in place on the outer houaing;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment
portable battery-powered shredder, taken along section line 3 - 3
of Figure 2;
Figure 4A is a reduced cross-sec:tionai view s:imila.r to Figure
3, with details omitted for the s<~ke of clarity;
Figure 4B is a reduced cross-sec:t.ional view similar to Figure
4A, but with the top cap removed;
Figure 4C is a reduced cross-sectional view sz.rnilar to Figure
4B, but with readily yielding parts of a plant being deposited into
the receptacle in the outer housing;
Figure 4D is a reduced cross-sectional view similar to Figure
4C, but with the top cap in place;
Figure 4E is a reduced cross-,sectional view similar to Figure
4D, but with the shredding means actuated;
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Figure 4F is a reduced c:r_oss-sectional view similar to Figure
4E, but with the readily yielding ~~arts of a plant having been
shredded;
Figure 4G is a reduced cross-se<;tional view similar to Figure
4F, but with the portable battery-powered shredder oriented upside
down so as to cause the shredded readily yielding parts of a plant
to fall into the top cap;
Figure 4H is a reduced cross-sectional view similar to Figure
4G, with the top still retaini_na th.e shredded readily yielding
parts of a plant, but with the remainder_ of the portable
battery-powered shredder oriented right side up;
Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevational vs.ew taken
along section line 5 - 5 of Figure 3;
Figure & is an enlarged cross-~>ectional top plan view taken
along section line 6 - 6 of Figure 5;
and,
Figure 7 is a further enlarged gross-sectional elevational
view taken along section line 7 - 7 c~f Figure 6.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Reference will now be made tc Figures 1 through 7, which show
a preferred embodiment of the portab~.e battery powered shredder of
the present invention, as indicated by general. reference numeral
20. The portable battery powered shredder 20 is for' use in
shredding an apportionment of readily yielding parts of a plant, as
indicated by the general ref_erencF~ numeral 22 in Figure 1, such as
the leaves, flowers, and roots, to render products such as spices,
herbs, medicinal ingredients in a ;shredded form. The portable
battery powered shredder 20 compri:>es a substantially cylindrically
shaped outer housing 30 having a substantially hollow interior 32
defined by an interior wall surface 34, and having a top end 36 and
a bottom end 38. The outer housing 30 is preferably made from a
robust plastic material, but may also be made fram a metal
material, or any other suitable material.
A receptacle means comprising a receptacle 40 ire the form of
a bowl that is preferably ma<~e from metal material, such as
stainless steel, or alternatively from a plastic material, or from
any other suitable material. The re~Jeptacle 40 is mounted in the
interior 32 of the outer housing 30 and is retained iri place by
means of interference fit. The rec.;epvacle 40 has a concave annular
recess 42 ar~d the outer housing 3!~ has a co-operating convex
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annular projection 39 in its interior wall surface 34 to form the
interference fit. In this manner, the receptacle 40 is removable
and replaceable.
There is a first opening 50 disposed in one end of the
cylindrically shaped outer housing 30, specifically the top end 36
in the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, to permit access to
the interior 32 of the outer housing 30, especially to the
receptacle 40.
A lid means for selectively precluding access to the
receptacle 40 comprises a disr~ shaped lid 60 that is removable from
and replaceable onto the outer housing 30. Accordingly, the lid E0
can double as a retaining dish for retaining the shredded
apportionment of readily yielding parts 22. of a plant, when the lid
60 is removed from the outer housing 30. The lid ~0 is retained in
place by means of interference fit of a small protuberance 64 on
the interior wall surface 66 of the lid 60 with a co-operati.ng
circularly shaped indentation 3'7 ~~isposed at one end of an
horizontally disposed channel 35 in the exterior wail surface 33 of
the reduced diameter p;~rtion 31 of the outer housing 30. A
vertically disposed channel tnot shown) is connected with the
opposite other end of the horizont:al:Ly d~.sposed channel 35 and is
open to the top end 36 of the outer housing 30. In use, when the
lid 60 is put in place on the outer housing 30, the protuberance 64
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engages the vertically disposed channel anal 'travels down the
vertically disposed channel whi__e the lid i~0 is being pushed
downwardly onto the outer hcusinc~ 30. When the lid 60 has been
pushed all the way down onto the outer housing 30, tlue lid 60 is
then turned (about one quarter of a full rotation) so as to cause
the protuberance 64 to engage the horizontally disposed channel 35,
until the protuberance 64 reaches the co-operating circularly
shaped indentation 37. The protL.berance 64 engages the co-
operating circularly shaped indentation 37 such that there is an
interference fit that temporarily locks the lid 60 in place. The
Iid 60 is removed in an oppositely directed manner.
There is also a second opening 52 in the opposite other end,
namely the bottom end 38, of the cylindrir_ally shaped outer housing
30. An end cap 62 is provided for_ selectively closing the second
opening 52.
A shredding means comprising a sharp blade 70 preferably made
from metal material, such as stYainless steel, is operatively
disposed within the receptacle 40. More specifically, the sharp
blade 70 is mounted on the shaft '7a? of an electrically powered
motor 74 and is thereby connected ._n driving relation with the
sharp blade 70, and is retained on the shaft 72 by a cap member 73
threadibly engaged on the er~d of the shaft 72. The shaft 72 of the
electrically powered motor 74 extends through a co-operating
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aperture 44 in the bottom portion of the metal receptacle 40. The
electrically powered motor 74 is preferably a high-speed high-
torque motor, so as to permit ea:,y :shredding of readi7_y yielding
parts 22 of a plant.
A means for powering the electrically powered motor 74
preferably comprises a rechargeable battery 76 securel~r mounted in
the bottom portion of the outer housing 30. A. jack 78 for
receiving the plug of a recharges (not shown) is mounted in the
interior wal_1_ surface 34 of the outer housing 30. The rechargeable
battery 76 is connected in electrically conductive relation with
the electrically powered motor 74 by means of ~rires 80 and first
and second switch means 81,82 electrically connected in series one
witru the other. The first and second switch means 81,82 provide
means to permit selective actuation of the electrically powered
motor 74. In the preferred embc>dvwme::~t, as illustrated, the first
switch means 81 comprises a conventional manually operable
momentary contact sinr~le-pole single-throw switch mounted an the
outer housing 30 so as to be readily ~~ccessible. The second switch
means 82 comprises a pair of normally open Contacts 85a, 85b mounted
in a recess 86 in the interior wall_ starface 34 of the outer housing
30. The pair of contacts 82 is elec.w~rically open when the lid 60
is not in place on the outer hou~:ing 3c~, such as can be seen
in
Figure 1. Further, the pair ofc:on1_act,s 82 becomes electrically
closed by the plunger when the Lid 60 is positioned in place
84 on
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the outer housincx 30, such as earl be seen in Figure 2. In this
manner, the electrically powered motor 74 can be powered only when
the lid 50 is in place, thus precluding unsafe operation of the
portable battery t6 powered shredder 20.
As can best be seen in Figure 3, the outer housing 30 encloses
the receptacle 40, the sharp blade ?0, the electrically powered
motor 74, and the rechargeable battery 76.
The present invention also relates to a method of shredding an
apportionment of readily yielding parts 2.2 of a plant in a portable
battery 76 powered shredder 20. ~,he method comprises various
steps, as now discussed. In use, the portable battery '7H powered
shredder 20 is pl,~ced upright, as can best be seen in Figure 4A.
The lid 60 is then removed, as can best be seen in Figure 4B, so as
to access the interior 32 of the portable battery 76 powered
shredder 20. An apportionment of readily yielding parts 22 of a
plant to be shredded is passed through the opening and deposited
into the receptacle 40, as indicated by arrow "A" in Figure 4C.
The lid 60 is then replaced onto t:he outer housing 30, as can best
be seen in Figure 4D, thus r.losing the second switch, which is the
safety switch. The first switch i~> then manually depressed, as can
best be seen in Figure 4E, thereby c:las~.ng an electrical circuit
including the electrically powered motor 74, thus powering the
motor 74 so as to actuate a shredding means - namely the sharp
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blade 70 - within the receptacle 40. The apportionment is trim
shredded by the sharp blade 70 upon t:he selective actuation of the
e7_ectrically powered orator 7~1. The resulting shredded
appcrtionment of readily yielding- pay°ts 22 of a plant is best seen
in Figure 4F. The apportionment _i.s subsequently removed from the
receptacle means by turning the ~;ortable battery ~6 powered
shredder 20 upside dawn, as can ~~est be seen in Figure 4G, thus
causing the shredded apportionment: of readily yielding parts 22 of
a plant to fall into the lid E~O. Removing the shredded
apportionment of the plant Pram the ~;hredder 20 is accomplished by
separating the outer housing 30 from the lid 60, as carp best be
seen in Figure 4H, thus allowing access to the shredded
apportionment of readily yielding parts 22 of a plant in the l.id
60, and finally collecting the shredcLed apportionment from the lid
50.
As can be understood from the above description and from the
accompanying drawings, the portable battery powered shredder of the
present invention can easily shred the readily yielding parts of a
plant, such as the leaves, flower;, ,end roots, to render products
such as spices, herbs, medicinal incfredients in a shredded form,
which is unknown in the prior art.
Other 'Variations of the above p:cinci_ples will be apparent to
those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such
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variations are considered to be within the scope of tree present
invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be
used in the design and manufactures ci- the apparatus of 'the present
invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the
accorr~panying claims .
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