APPARATUS FOR MILLING MATERIAL

Abstract

An apparatus for milling material is disclosed. The apparatus may include a base surface. The base surface may include a first cutting tooth for milling the material. The base surface may include a first aperture of a predetermined diameter. The first aperture may be disposed adjacent the first cutting tooth so that material of less than the predetermined diameter may pass through the first aperture. The apparatus may include a trimming member. The trimming member may include a first rib for interfacing with the first cutting tooth to facilitate the milling of the material. The base surface and the trimming member may move relative to each other. The base surface and the trimming member may interface to mill material placed on the base surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of the invention's scope, the exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective cut away of an embodiment of a rasp for milling material;

FIG. 2 is a perspective cut away of an embodiment of a rasp and trimming member for milling material;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a longitudinal embodiment of an apparatus for milling material;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rasp and trimming member of the longitudinal embodiment of the apparatus for milling material shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective partially exploded view of a hopper assembly used in conjunction with the longitudinal embodiment of an apparatus for milling material shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a dispenser;

FIG. 7 is a perspective partially exploded sectional view of another longitudinal embodiment of an apparatus for milling material including a collector assembly for receiving the milled material;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a partially assembled radial embodiment of an apparatus for milling material;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of another radial embodiment of an apparatus for milling material illustrating a collector assembly;

FIG. 10 is a perspective sectional view of the radial embodiment of the apparatus for milling material shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective sectional view of the radial embodiment of the apparatus for milling material shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a spindle and trimming member of the radial embodiment of the apparatus for milling material shown in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of another radial embodiment of an apparatus for milling material illustrating a mixing paddle, a collector assembly, and a milling portion.

Claims

1. An apparatus for milling material to a predetermined particle size distribution profile, comprising: a base surface comprising: a first cutting tooth for milling the material; anda first aperture of a predetermined diameter disposed adjacent the first cutting tooth so that material of less than the predetermined diameter may pass through the first aperture;a trimming member comprising: a first rib for interfacing with the first cutting tooth to facilitate the milling of the material; andwherein the base surface and the trimming member move relative to each other and interface to mill material placed on the base surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base surface further comprises a second cutting tooth and wherein the trimming member further comprises a second rib that interfaces with the second cutting tooth to facilitate the milling of the material.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first cutting tooth and the second cutting tooth are different sizes such that the material is milled to fit a predetermined particle size distribution profile.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first cutting tooth and the second cutting tooth are offset from each other.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first cutting tooth and the second cutting tooth are offset from each other in one or more of the following directions: radially, circumferentially, laterally, and/or longitudinally.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first cutting tooth further comprises a first inclined face.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first aperture is disposed adjacent the first inclined face and wherein an angle between the first inclined face and the base surface is less than about ninety degrees.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first aperture is arcuately aligned with the first inclined face.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base surface further comprises a second aperture of a predetermined diameter so that material of less than the predetermined diameter may pass through the second aperture.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first cutting tooth further comprises a second inclined face, wherein the third aperture is disposed adjacent the second inclined face, and wherein the base surface further comprises a third aperture of a predetermined diameter disposed adjacent the first cutting tooth so that material of less than the predetermined diameter may pass through the third aperture.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture are different sizes such that the material is milled to fit a predetermined particle size distribution profile.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a push surface disposed to direct the material toward the base surface and to restrict movement of the material on the base surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a container for collecting material passing through the apertures during milling.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a drive mechanism for moving the base surface and trimming member relative to each other.

15. An apparatus for milling material to within a predetermined particle size distribution profile, comprising: a base surface comprising: a first cutting tooth for milling the material; anda first aperture of a predetermined diameter disposed adjacent the first cutting tooth so that material of less than the predetermined diameter may pass through the first aperture;a trimming member comprising: a first rib for interfacing with the first cutting tooth to facilitate the milling of the material; andwherein the base surface and the trimming member move longitudinally relative to each other and interface to mill material placed on the base surface.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the base surface further comprises a second cutting tooth and wherein the trimming member further comprises a second rib that interfaces with the second cutting tooth to facilitate the milling of the material.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first cutting tooth and the second cutting tooth are offset from each other.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first cutting tooth and the second cutting tooth are laterally and/or longitudinally offset from each other.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a push surface disposed to direct the material toward the base surface and to restrict vertical movement of the material on the base surface.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the push surface is connected to a push rod disposed to direct the material toward the base surface and to restrict movement of the material on the base surface.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a drive mechanism for moving the base surface and trimming member relative to each other.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a container for collecting material passing through the apertures during milling.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the container for collecting material passing through the apertures during milling may be used to dispense the material.

24. An apparatus for milling material to within a predetermined particle size distribution profile, comprising: a base surface comprising: a first cutting tooth for milling the material; anda first aperture of a predetermined diameter disposed adjacent the first cutting tooth so that material of less than the predetermined diameter may pass through the first aperture;a trimming member comprising: a first rib for interfacing with the first cutting tooth to facilitate the milling of the material; andwherein the base surface and the trimming member move radially relative to each other and interface to mill material placed on the base surface.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the base surface further comprises a second cutting tooth and wherein the trimming member further comprises a second rib that interfaces with the second cutting tooth to facilitate the milling of the material.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first cutting tooth and the second cutting tooth are offset from each other.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first cutting tooth and the second cutting tooth are radially and/or circumferentially offset from each other.

28. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a push surface disposed to direct the material toward the base surface.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the push surface further comprises a wedge disposed to direct the material toward the base surface as the material is moved by centrifugal motion in the radial direction.

30. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a spider construct that encourages the material away from the axis of rotation so that centrifugal force will act upon the material as the apparatus is rotated.

31. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising: a rotatable mixer paddle that is connected to the trimming member such that the rotatable mixer paddle moves relative to the base surface.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising a drive mechanism for moving the base surface and trimming member relative to each other and for rotating the mixer paddle to mix the material.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising a container for collecting material passing through the apertures during milling.