COMMINUTION AND MIXING DEVICE

Technical Field

Disclosed is a device for the comminution and mixing (including both the crushing and blending) of foods such as herbs, spices, condiments etc to be used in cooking and more generally in the preparation of food.

Background Art

A hand-held apparatus for the crushing and blending of foodstuffs is disclosed in each of WO 2004/082837 and EP 1674008. Further, EP 1674008 is directed towards improving the configuration of the apparatus disclosed in WO 2004/082837 to overcome perceived shortcomings of such apparatus.

These shortcomings include the risk of a ball jamming inside a cylinder of the apparatus disclosed in WO 2004/082837 (eg. where the ball wedges a peppercorn or grain between the inner wall of the container and the ball). Also, liquids that are introduced or generated can form an airlock between the ball and the container resulting in jamming or impaired performance. Further, there is the inability of a single such apparatus to both crash and blend.

EP 1674008 thus discloses a crusher/blender where one end of its cavity is of a part-spherical shape with a diameter not substantially greater than that of the ball (narrow end), and the other end of the cavity is of a part-spherical shape with a diameter substantially greater than that of the ball (wide end). Further, the diameter of the cavity progressively increases over at least part of the distance between the two ends of the cavity. EP 1674008 discloses that the cavity wide end (specifically, its large diameter) eliminates or at least reduces the problem of the ball becoming jammed inside the cavity (ie. due to foodstuff being wedged between the ball and the cavity, or due to an air lock).

A reference herein to a prior art document is not an admission that the document forms apart of the common general knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art in Australia or elsewhere.

Summary of the Disclosure

In a variation to both such apparatus there is disclosed herein a device for the comminution and/or mixing of a food, the device being adapted in use to enclose for

movement therewithin a generally spherical mass, the device comprising first and second hollow body portions, each adapted at an open end for mounting to each other so as to close that respective end, and each comprising an opposed closed end that has a reduced cross-section relative to the open end, the closed end being further dimensioned so as to snugly receive the spherical mass thereat in use.

Thus, by way of contrast to each of the apparatus disclosed in WO 2004/082837 and EP 1674008, the resulting enclosed hollow (or chamber) that is defined by the mounted-together body portions has opposing closed ends ^' that are each dimensioned to snugly receive the spherical mass, but that are also each of a reduced cross-section relative to the open end. For example, in one embodiment such a resulting hollow (or chamber) can have a reverse hourglass shape.

The applicant has observed that this configuration can, potentially, double the comminution efficiency of the device, in that two opposing and spaced snug closed ends are provided for comminution, and that are in turn separated by a larger mixing space. In other words, mixing can still take place at spherical mass locations that are intermediate (or located away from) the closed ends. hi one form of the device the hollow in each body portion can be made circular at a given cross-section, with the circle diameter progressively reducing in diameter moving from the open end to the closed end. A generally semi-spherical curve can then be defined at the closed end that has a diameter slightly larger than that of the generally spherical mass, thus providing for the snug reception of the spherical mass thereat. Such transitioning of the hollow cross-section can in use provide for a smooth transfer and movement of the spherical mass within the device.

In one variation of this form, when viewed side-on, an internal surface of each of the first and second body portions can curve inwardly from the open end to the closed end so as to define a part hourglass shape. Again, the hourglass shape can promote a smooth transfer and movement of the spherical mass along the internal surface, thus translating comminution and/or mixing energies imparted to the spherical mass by a user.

In one form the first and second hollow body portions can be directly and releasably mounted at their respective open ends via a screw-mounting, bayonet coupling, or male/female press- snap- or interference-fit. Such coupling can facilitate easy attachment/detachment of the first and second body portions to enable charging, discharging and cleaning of the device.

Also, whilst direct mounting can simplify the device, to eg. increase the size/volume of the enclosed hollow, an intermediate (eg. ring-like) part may also be mounted between and to each of the first and second hollow body portions.

In one form, and when viewed in side profile, an external surface of one of the first or second body portions progressively flares outwardly adjacent to the closed end, thereby defining a base at that end that can self-supportingly stand on a surface (ie. thus allowing the device to be stored, displayed etc).

Generally the spherical mass is a ball of eg. marine-grade stainless steel, or of ceramic, or other generally food inert material. It should also be noted that the terminology "generally spherical" can include departures from an actual spherical shape, including ellipsoid or ovalloid shaped masses, multi-faceted ball-like masses etc, in which case the ends of the device may be suitably reshaped.

Brief Description of the Drawings Notwithstanding any other forms that may fall within the definition of the comminution/mixing device as set forth in the Summary, a number of specific embodiments of the device will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a side schematic view of a specific comminution/mixing device embodiment; and

Figure 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 a comminution/mixing device 10 is depicted for the comminution, mixing, crushing and/or blending of a food. Such foods may include herbs, spices, condiments etc, whether mixed or unmixed with liquids such as water, oils, sauces etc. The device is sized, shaped and adapted for being held in a user's hand and to be shaken in any number of possible directions (laterally, end-to- end etc).

The device 10 houses a generally spherical mass in the form of a stainless steel or high density ceramic ball 12 selected to have a sufficient mass to effect comminution and crushing in use. The ball 12 may also be of other dense and yet food inert material (eg. glass, heavy plastic etc). The ball is enclosed for movement within the device in use.

In this regard, the device 10 comprises a first hollow body part 14 and a second hollow body part 16, each usually moulded from a transparent plastics material (ie. for ease of viewing progress of food comminution). Each body part has a respective open end 18 or 20 which, when the body parts are detached, allow for device loading/unloading with both the ball 12 and a food, and allow for cleaning of the device.

Each body part is adapted for mounting to the other so as to close its respective open end, and to define a closed chamber 22 within the device 10, and usually in which the ball 12 is pre-loaded. In the embodiment depicted the body portions are directly and releasably mounted at the open ends 18, 20. In this embodiment this direct mounting is enabled by a male inner peripheral step 23 that protrudes from the wall rim 24 at open end 20 of second hollow body part 16. This male step is interferingly received in a female inner peripheral recess 25 defined in the wall rim 26 at open end 18 of first hollow body part 14. The interfering receipt can occur by way of a screw-mounting, bayonet coupling, or press- snap- or interference- fit. Such mounting facilitates an easy attachment/detachment of the body parts to enable charging, discharging and cleaning of the device.

It should be noted that each of the first and second body parts 14, 16 comprises a respective closed end 28, 30, that is opposed to its open end and that has a reduced cross-section relative to the open end. Each closed end 28, 30 is dimensioned so as to snugly receive the ball 12 thereat in use (as more clearly shown in Figure 2). A generally semi-spherical curve 32 or 34 is thus defined at the respective closed ends 28, 30. This curve has a diameter slightly larger than that of the ball 12, thus defining (or providing for) snug reception of the ball thereat.

It has been observed that the provision of a reduced cross-section at, and a close fit of the ball in, each closed end can potentially double the comminution efficiency of the device, in that two snug closed ends for comminution are provided that are in turn separated by a larger mixing space, hi addition, mixing can still take place at ball locations away from the closed ends.

In the embodiment shown the chamber 22 has, what can be described as, a reverse hourglass shape (ie. bulging out intermediate its ends and narrowing at each of its ends). More particularly, an internal surface of each of the body parts curves inwardly from the open end to the closed end so as to define a part hourglass shape in each body part. Again, the hourglass shape can promote a smooth transfer and

movement of the ball 12 along the internal surface of chamber 22, thereby effectively translating the comminution and mixing energies imparted to the ball by a user.

It should also be noted that the hollow defined in each of the first and second body parts is circular at any given cross-section. It can therefore be seen that, in each body part, the diameter of successive cross-sections progressively reduces, moving from the open end to the closed end. Again, such transitioning of the cross-section can in use provide for a smooth transfer and movement of the ball within the chamber.

It will be seen that an external surface of the second body part progressively flares outwardly at 36, at a location adjacent to the closed end 30. This helps to define a flat base 38 at that end that can stand on a surface to self-support the device 10 (ie. thus allowing the device to be stored, displayed etc).

In use, the first body part 14 is detached from the second body part 16, the latter being stood on a surface at its base 38. The ball 12 is placed in the body part 16, together with food (eg. herbs and spices to be crushed/mixed) via the open end 20. The body part 14 is then reattached to the body part 16, and the user vigorously shakes the device for a period until they can see that the required comminution and/or mixing has taken place. The body part 14 is again detached from the body part 16 and, as necessary, the ball 12 is removed for cleaning. The comminuted/mixed food contents are now removed via open end 20 and open end 18 (eg. by shaking and scraping out with a suitable utensil).

Whilst a number of specific embodiments have been described it should be appreciated that the device may be embodied in many other forms. For example, whilst the hollow defined within the first body part is larger and more elongated than the hollow of the second body part, they can be sized and shaped to be evenly matched.

In addition, whilst the first and second body parts are usually directly mounted to each other, to expand the chamber volume an intermediate annular ring part can be mounted between the first and second body parts, using similar interfering connection mechanisms to the first and second body parts.

It should also be appreciated that the comminution/mixing device 10 can be employed for the comminution, mixing, crushing and/or blending of substances other than food, and also for foods other than herbs, spices and condiments (eg. nuts, grains, legumes etc).

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the tensioning assembly and method.