Modular Apparatus for Refining Loose Products for Consumption

Abstract

A modular apparatus for refining a loose product. The apparatus has an elongate main body having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The main body has a product passageway located in it. A product processing body is located at the proximal end portion, and communicates with the product passageway. A product dispenser is located at the distal end portion of the main body. The product dispenser communicates with the product passageway to receive in it an amount of the product from the product processing body during a product refining operation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present concerns refining and handling of loose products such as tobacco for personal use, and more particularly to a modular apparatus useful in refining such products to prepare a rolled product.

BACKGROUND

Herbs, tobacco and marijuana generally require some type of processing before they are used. A product having a uniform consistency ensures full enjoyment thereof. To do this requires a number of accessories, which must be individually purchased, collected and stored. Tobacco and marijuana users, in particular, often need an array of paraphernalia to produce the refined product, especially if the user prefers to make their own rolled product. Users often have a panel of preferred accessories which they collect and store as an improvised kit. The kit is carried either in a plastic bag or clothing pockets. A tray or some stable surface is needed to assemble the rolled product. Carrying the kit can damage filter tips and rolling papers (also known as “leaves”), which are very delicate and are easily damaged, especially if they are rubbed or crumpled. Lighters or matches are generally carried separately, but these can be misplaced due to their relatively small size. Some users carry their own tray, but these are bulky. Pre-rolled cigarettes are also delicate and are often damaged when carried for too long. This is one of the reasons why some people prefer to make their own rolled cigarette when needed.

If the user is making a rolled cigarette, they typically pour the tobacco into a grinder and then once ground, the tobacco is then moved onto the rolling paper. This part of the rolling operation is the most difficult and often requires a paper holder, a table, or for some users, a rolling tray and a stiff card. If done outdoors, the tobacco manipulation can be difficult, especially if it is windy. Often the cigarette paper and tobacco is blown away, which of course if wasteful.

Refined products are not only attractive to smokers, chefs too who use herbs and spices in cooking to flavor certain dishes, encounter similar problems. Individual chefs often create their own improvised grinding kits for use in the kitchen. These, however, are bulky, unsightly and have operational problems which make them awkward to use and clean.

Conventional grinders are available, and although they perform well, they suffer from a number of significant drawbacks. In particular, when in use the grip is not designed for optimal use, especially when the shredder encounters undue friction, and thus is more difficult to turn. Also, the shredded, refined product is generally not perfectly uniform in shape. Either it is too finely chopped or the consumer needs to manually retouch the product before rolling.

We are aware of several designs of grinding and storing apparatuses, some of which are exemplified in the following:

Published US Patent Application No. 2017/0332697, published Nov. 23, 2017, entitled “Medicament Management Kit”; and

Published US Patent Application No. 2020/0060255, published Feb. 27, 2020, entitled “Insect Eradication Device”.

However, the designs above suffer from a number of disadvantages which make them problematic for our intended use. Firstly, they are overly complex and thus by extension they would be prohibitively expensive to manufacture on a large scale. The designs are not ergonomically designed and are not aesthetically pleasing. Secondly, the apparatuses are designed for uses which fall outside of the scope of our target consumer and thus they would require considerable re-engineering both to the design and to the manufacturing machinery.

Thus, there is a need for an improved modular apparatus for refining products that is designed to quickly and efficiently deposit the refined product onto a paper.

BRIEF SUMMARY

We have designed a novel and unobvious modular apparatus for grinding, and dispensing loose products, for example, tobacco, herbs and the like onto a paper. Our apparatus is a compact casing which incorporates a novel grinding/cutting system connected to a dispenser. Advantageously, the modular apparatus is designed to further include a number of sealed compartments that are formed in the casing to store papers, lighters and the like, and to store the product in a “smell proof” chamber, thereby dispensing with the need to carry a kit of separate and often cumbersome parts. Furthermore, the apparatus is aesthetically pleasing because due to the rounded corners which allow for comfortable carrying and handling. Also, many consumers prefer to have an odorless container to carry the loose product together with a pusher/scraper tool for packing the rolled product

Accordingly, there is provided a modular apparatus for refining a loose product, the apparatus comprising:

• • an elongate main body having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the main body having a product passageway located therein;
  • a product processing body located at the proximal end portion, and in communication with the product passageway; and
  • a product dispenser located at the distal end portion of the main body, the product dispenser being in communication with the product passageway to receive therein an amount of the product from the product processing body during a product refining operation.

In one example, the product processing body includes i) a cap body having a plurality of spaced apart blade members, the blade members being of different sizes and shapes for refining an amount of the loose product; and ii) a sieving body having a plurality of spaced apart openings being of a size and shape sufficient to permit selective passage therethrough of the product into the product passageway. The spaced apart blade members are arranged in three circular concentric rings. The three circular concentric rings include i) an inner blade member; ii) a set of middle blade members spaced apart from the inner blade member; and iii) a set of outer blade members spaced apart from the set of middle blade members. The inner blade member is an eight-pointed star-shaped blade. The set of middle blade members includes five spaced apart chevron-shaped blades. The set of outer blade members includes eight circumferentially disposed, spaced apart diamond-shaped blades. The diamond-shaped blades are connected to a circumferentially disposed, downwardly depending sidewall, the diamond shaped blades being interconnected with each other around the entire circumference of the cap body. The cap body includes i) an upper end portion having an upper end portion floor with a penannular upstanding sidewall connected thereto; and ii) a handle member hingeably connected to the upper end portion floor for movement between a default storage configuration in which the handle member is coplanar with the upper end portion, and a refining configuration in which the handle member is disposed generally orthogonal to the upper end portion, the handle member being sized and shaped to permit rotation of the cap body to permit rotational movement during the product refining operation, the handle member having a handle projection for cooperation with the penannular sidewall in the default storage configuration. The handle member includes first and second hinges connecting the handle member to the upper end portion floor of the cap body. The handle member is generally half-moon shaped.

In another example, the cap body includes a gripping portion which includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed ridges and indents.

In another example, the sieving body includes i) a sieving body floor with a plurality of spaced apart openings extending therethrough, the spaced apart openings being in communication with the product passageway extending away therefrom; ii) an upstanding, circumferentially disposed wall connected to the sieving body floor; and iii) an upstanding mounting post for connecting the sieving body to the elongate main body, the upstanding mounting post being connected the sieving body floor; the cap body being cooperable with the sieving body to permit rotation relative to each other during the product refining operation in which the blade members contact the amount of the product located in the sieving body so as to generate an amount of refined product. The spaced apart openings are disposed radially across the sieving body floor.

In one example, the spaced apart openings include a set of outer openings that are disposed circumferentially adjacent the upstanding, circumferentially disposed wall, and adjacent a set of inner openings that are disposed between the set of outer openings and the upstanding mounting post. The set of outer openings includes ten openings which are spaced apart from each other and are adjacent the upstanding, circumferentially disposed wall. Each of the outer openings are pear-shaped and includes a large end and a narrow end, the large ends being adjacent each other, the narrow ends being adjacent each other. The set of inner openings includes twelve “pear-shaped” opening, each of the inner openings including a large end and a narrow end. The large ends are orientated towards the large ends of the outer set of openings, the narrow openings being orientated towards the narrow ends of the outer set of openings. The large ends are disposed towards the respective outer and inner openings so as to define a plurality of cutting zones so as to allow the refined product to fall directly into the passageway,

In yet another example, the narrow ends are disposed relative to the respective outer and inner openings to define a narrow zone so as to permit non-refined product to transit towards the cutting zones for further processing.

In still another example, the blade members are orientated relative to the spaced apart openings such that during the product refining operation, the blades move relative to the spaced apart openings to generate the refined product.

In one example, the apparatus further includes first and second anti-rotation members, the first anti-rotation member having two spaced apart stop members connected to the cap body and depending downwardly therefrom to cooperate with two spaced apart anchor openings located to snuggly receive therein the stop members; the second anti-rotation member having a side bar located on edge of the sieving body, the side bar being located to abuttingly engage a stop wall 94 located on an upstanding cup wall.

In one example, the elongate main body is an elongate polygonal shaped body, the elongate main body having a main body chamber disposed thereto,′

In one example, the main body is an elongate parallelogram container having four main sidewalls and two end sidewalls, the junctions at each of the main sidewalls being baffled.

In one example, the product processing body is disposed generally orthogonal to the elongate main body.

In one example, the product processing body is a cylindrical body.

In one example, a spill tray is connected to the main elongate body. The spill tray door is connected to the spill tray to permit angled opening thereof to permit the user to move the refined product onto the rolling paper. The spill tray door angled up, the spill tray being angled downwardly away from the spill tray door.

In yet another example, a lighter compartment is connected to one end of the elongate main body, the lighter compartment being of sufficient size to accommodate one or more lighters of various sizes. The lighter compartment is angled away from the cap body

In yet another example, a paper storage compartment is located adjacent the lid, the paper storage compartment being located to permit insertion of a paper package therein.

In another example, a sealing gasket is located snug between the cap body and the sieving body.

In another example, the apparatus further includes a multifunctional tool connected to an outer sidewall of the main body.

In another example, the apparatus further includes a storage compartment located in one of the elongate outer sidewalls of the main body, the storage compartment having a door for accessing the storage compartment, the door being laterally slidable to open and close the door.

In one example, the main body includes a filter storage compartment, the filter storage compartment having a door to laterally slide between open and closed configurations.

In another example, the product is loose tobacco, herbs and the like. The product is loose tobacco.

Accordingly in another example, there is provided a product refining apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

• • a cap body having a plurality of spaced apart blade members extending from an inner cap body surface, the blade members being of different sizes and shapes for cutting and grinding an amount of the product; and
  • a sieving body having a plurality of openings extending through a sieving body inner wall, the openings being in communication with a passageway extending away therefrom, the cap body being cooperable with the sieving body to permit rotation relative to each other during a product refining operation in which the blades contact the amount of the product so as to generate an amount of refined product, the plurality of openings being of a size and shape sufficient to permit selective passage therethrough of the refined product into the passageway,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of an embodiment of an apparatus for refining loose products;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus showing an opened product dispenser and a handle member shown in a refining configuration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the apparatus showing various accessories;

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of the apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the apparatus with the cap body removed showing a sieving body;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cap body showing a plurality of blade members;

FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded side view of the cap body of FIG. 7 showing a sealing gasket and the blade members;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the cap body showing a concentric arrangement of the blade members;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cap member showing the blade members;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cap member showing the handle member in a refining configuration;

FIG. 11A is a side view of an alternative cap member showing a gripping portion;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the product processing body showing the location of the blade members relative to the openings;

FIG. 13 is a detailed view of the sieving body showing the location of the openings relative to the blade members;

FIG. 14 is perspective view of the sieving member connected to an upstanding mounting post;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an upstanding mounting post for connecting the sieving body to the main body;

FIG. 16 is a top view showing two anchoring members located at the base of the sieving member;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the two anchoring members relative to the mounting post;

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of the various sets of the plurality of the openings;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the proximal end portion of the elongate body showing a lighter compartment;

FIG. 20 is end view of the proximal end portion of the elongate body showing the lighter compartment;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the lighter insert removed from the lighter compartment

FIG. 22 is a partial perspective view of the lighter compartment with lighter removed;

FIG. 23 is side view of a paper storage compartment with a door closed;

FIG. 24 is side view of the paper storage compartment with the door open to show the paper stored therein;

FIG. 25 is perspective view of the paper storage compartment with the door open showing the shape of the storage compartment;

FIG. 26 is an end view of the paper storage compartment showing paper being dispensed;

FIG. 27 is another end view of the paper storage compartment showing paper being dispensed;

FIG. 28 is another perspective view of the paper storage compartment showing the location of the door relative to the main body;

FIG. 29 is another front perspective view of the paper storage compartment showing the location of a gasket;

FIG. 30 is a perspective side view of a multi-functional tool with a pusher extended;

FIG. 31 is a front view of the multi-functional tool with the pusher and the scraper extended;

FIG. 32 is an end view of a multi-functional tool located in a compartment;

FIG. 33 is a close-up end view of the multi-functional tool located in the compartment;

FIG. 34 is a close-up end view of an alternative storage compartment;

FIG. 35 is a close-up end view of the alternative storage compartment showing a door rotated away from the compartment;

FIG. 36 is a close-up end perspective view of the alternative storage compartment showing the door rotated into a closing configuration;

FIG. 37 is a close-up end view of the alternative storage compartment showing a door magnet;

FIG. 38 is a side view of the alternative compartment showing the through body extension thereof;

FIG. 39 is a close-up end view of the alternative storage compartment showing the door open using a pin mounting same to the main body;

FIG. 40 is a close-up perspective end view of the alternative storage compartment showing the door rotated open about the pin; and

FIG. 41A is an end view of the apparatus showing two compartment doors in a fully closed configuration;

FIG. 41B is an end view of the apparatus showing one of the door open; and

FIG. 41C is an end view of the apparatus showing another door open opposite the door shown in FIG. 39B

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless otherwise specified, the following definitions apply:

The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include corresponding plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “comprising” is intended to mean that the list of elements following the word “comprising” are required or mandatory but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present.

As used herein, the term “consisting of” is intended to mean including and limited to whatever follows the phrase “consisting of”. Thus, the phrase “consisting of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory and that no other elements may be present.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, there is illustrated generally at 10 a modular apparatus which is used to grind and refine a loose product 11, and thereafter dispense a refined product 13 for personal use. In examples used throughout this description, the product is loose tobacco, herbs and the like. In one specific example, the loose product is tobacco which a user refines, using the apparatus 10, to achieve AAA quality. The apparatus 10 is of a size that is easily stored in the pocket of a piece of clothing or in some other type of storage, and is designed for hand use. As best seen in FIG. 1, the edges are curved and smoothed to give the product an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Broadly speaking, the apparatus 10 includes an elongate main body 12, a product processing body 14 and a product dispenser 16. The elongate main body 12 has a distal end portion 18 and a proximal end portion 20. The main body 12 has a product passageway 22 that is located within. The elongate main body 12 has a body axis 24 and the product processing body 14 has a product processing body axis 26, which is located generally orthogonal to the main body axis 24. When viewed from the exterior, the product processing body 14 is located at the proximal end portion 20 of the elongate body 12. It is integral with, and in communication with the product passageway 22.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3, again when viewed from the exterior, the product dispenser 16 is located towards the distal end portion 18 of the main body 12 away from the product processing body 14, which is in essence between the distal end portion 18 and the proximal end portion 20. The product dispenser 16 is in communication with the product passageway 22 to receive therein an amount of the product from the product processing body 14 during a product refining operation. This will be described in more detail below.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 8, the product processing body 14 includes a cap body 28 having a plurality of spaced apart blade members 30. For efficient maximum grinding and slicing of the loose product, the blade members 30 are different sizes and shapes. The product processing body 14 includes a sieving body 32 in which a plurality of spaced apart openings 34 are cut. Like the blade members 30, the spaced apart openings 34 are also of different sizes and orientation, and are specifically of a shape sufficient to allow the selective passage therethrough of the product once it is refined, into the product passageway 22. The cap body 28 and the sieving body 32 are formed to fit snuggly into the proximal end portion 20 of the elongate body. The cap body 28 cooperates with the sieving body 32 to permit rotation relative to each other during the product refining operation during which the plurality of blade members 30 come into contact with the amount of the product located in the sieving body 32. This generates an amount of refined product for personal use. As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the spaced apart blade members 30 are arranged in three circular, concentric rings 34, 36, 38. The three circular concentric rings include an inner blade member 40; a set of middle blade members 42 spaced apart from the inner blade member 40; and a set of outer blade members 44, which are spaced apart from the set of middle blade members 42.

As specifically seen in FIG. 10, the inner blade member 40 is an eight-pointed star-shaped blade located around a central ring 43. The set of middle blade members 42 includes five spaced apart chevron-shaped blades 46. The set of outer blade members 44 includes eight circumferentially disposed, spaced apart diamond-shaped blades, 48. The diamond-shaped blades 48 are connected to a circumferentially disposed, downwardly depending sidewall 50, The diamond shaped blades 48 are interconnected with each other around the entire circumference of the cap body 28. In our new and nonobvious apparatus 10, we have designed the blade members 30 so that two sides are provided. One side provides a very sharp cutting face that is used to easily slice and turn the product. The other blade side provides a more “fluffy” cut. This two-sided blade construction provides the refined product with a desirable consistency in which the final refined product is fine and uniform, without being powdery.

Referring back to FIG. 7, and now FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, the cap body 28 has an upper end portion 52 with an upper end portion floor 54. A penannular upstanding sidewall 56 is connected to the floor 54. To operate the blade members 30, in one example, a handle member 58 is hingeably connected to the upper end portion floor 54. The handle member 58 can move between a default storage configuration in which the handle member 58 is coplanar with the upper end portion 52, and a refining configuration in which the handle member 58 is disposed to be orthogonal relative to the upper end portion 52. For use with the thumb and forefingers, the handle member 58 is sized and shaped to allow rotation of the cap body 28 during the product refining operation. The handle member 58 has a handle projection 60 which cooperates with a gap 62 in the penannular sidewall when the handle member 58 is in the default storage configuration. The handle member 58 is generally held in place using magnets (not shown) or using a mechanical system known to those skilled in the art. The handle member 58 includes two hinges 64, 66 that connect the handle member 58 to the upper end portion floor 54 of the cap body 28. In the example shown, the handle member 58 is generally half-moon shaped. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the handle member 58 can be of any desired shaped and configuration. Ultimately though, the handle member 58 shape is determined by the shape of the cap body.

In an alternative example, as shown in FIG. 11A, the blade members 30 are operated using the cap body 28 having a circumferentially disposed gripping portion 61. The gripping portion 61 includes a plurality of spaced apart circumferentially located indents and ridges 63. The ridges and indents 63 provide a comfortable grip for the user during the refining operation.

As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 12, a sealing gasket 70 is located between a cap body connecting end portion 71 of the cap body 28 and a sieving body connecting end portion 73 of the sieving body 32 to hermetically seal the product processing body 14. The sealing gasket 70 significantly reduces, or essentially eliminates, escape of odors from products such as strong tobacco, certain spices or marijuana.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, the sieving body 32 includes a sieving body floor 68 with the plurality of spaced apart openings 34 which extend through the sieving body floor 68. The sieving body 32 also has an upstanding, circumferentially disposed wall 72 which is connected to the sieving body floor 68.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, the sieving body 32 is mounted on an upstanding mounting post 74 which is used to connect the sieving body 32 to the elongate main body 12. The upstanding mounting post 74 is integrally formed into proximal end portion 20 of the elongate body to form a cup 21. The upstanding mounting post 74 is disposed generally orthogonal to the cup 21 and is inserted into a sleeve located in the center part of the sieving body, where it is secured using a screw or bolt 77. The mounting post 74 extends into, and through the middle of the sieving body floor 68 and is held in place by the screw or bolt, and extends from the body 12 to allow movement of the refined product into the passageway 22. The location of the mounting post 74 creates balance in the overall design of the apparatus 10. When fully assembled, the cap body 28, the sieving body 32 define a processing chamber 33, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 12. The spaced apart openings 34 communicate directly with the product passageway 22 which extends away from the sieving body 32 towards the product dispenser 16.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, first and second anti-rotation members 80, 82 are included to stop rotation of the sieving body 32 and thus prevent its damage during long-term use. The first anti-rotation member 80 includes two spaced apart stop members 84, 86. The stop members 84, 86 are blocks which are connected to the cap body 28 and depend downwardly therefrom to cooperate with two spaced apart anchor openings 88, 90 located to snuggly receive therein the stop members 82, 84. The anchor openings 86, 88 are cut into the cup 21. The second anti-rotation member 82 includes a side bar 92 located on edge of the sieving body 32 and extends down into the cup 21. The side bar 92 is a quarter circle and is positioned to abuttingly engage a stop wall 94 located on an upstanding cup wall 96. The combined first and second rotation members 80, 82 prevents the sieving body from moving when fully assembled and to significantly reduce or essentially eliminate micro-movements during the refining process.

As best seen in FIG. 18, the spaced apart openings 34 are advantageously disposed radially across the sieving body floor 68. The shape of the spaced apart openings 34 help to disperse the final product. The spaced apart openings 34 are all “pear shaped” or “peanut shaped”. The spaced apart openings 34 include a set of outer openings 98 that are disposed circumferentially adjacent the upstanding, circumferentially disposed wall 72, and adjacent a set of inner openings 100 that are disposed between the set of outer openings 98 and the upstanding mounting post 74. The set of outer openings 98 includes ten openings which are spaced apart from each other and are adjacent the upstanding, circumferentially disposed wall 72.

The set of ten outer openings 98 are arranged in five sets of two. Each of the outer “pear-shaped” opening 98 includes a large end 98A and a narrow end 98B. The large ends 98A are adjacent each other, and the narrow ends 98B are adjacent each other. In the set of inner openings 100 there are twelve “pear-shaped” openings each of the inner openings 100 includes a large end 100A and a narrow end 100B. The large ends 100A are orientated towards the large ends 98A of the outer set of openings 98. The narrow openings 100B are orientated towards the narrow ends 98b of the outer set of openings 98. The orientations of the various pear-shaped openings creates a number of zones. A plurality of cutting zones 102 are created based on the orientation of the large ends 98A and 100A of the respective outer and inner openings 98, 100. The cutting zone 102 allows the refined product to fall directly into the passageway 21. A plurality of narrow zones 104 are created based on the orientation of the narrow ends 98B and 100B of the respective outer and inner openings 98, 100. The narrow zone 104 is located to permit non-refined product to transit towards the cutting zones 102 for further processing until it acquires a size sufficient to drop through the cutting zone openings.

In all, there are five subsets. Of course, the overall size of the cap body 28 and the sieving body 32 will determine the number of openings and the number of blades.

Generally speaking, for maximum exposure to the blade members 30 and to ensure efficient slicing and grinding of the loose product, the spaced apart openings 34 and the blades members 30 are orientated relative to each other so that during the product refining operation, the blade member 30 move relative to the spaced apart openings 34 to generate the refined product quickly and efficiently. During such a refining operation, the user need only to rotate the cap body 28 once or twice to produce the refined product of a consistent blend and particle size.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, the exterior features of the apparatus 10 will now be described. The elongate main body 12 is an elongate polygonal shaped body which is designed along the elongate body axis 24. Generally speaking, the apparatus 10 is a casing which is designed to carry the entirety of the compartments. The main body 12 is an elongate parallelogram container which has four main sidewalls 102 and two end sidewalls 104. The main sidewalls 101 and the end sidewalls 104 of the elongate main body 12 define a main body chamber 100. For comfortable handling while in use, each junction 106 at the intersection of each of the main sidewalls 102 is baffled to provide a smooth feel. The product processing body 14 is disposed generally orthogonal to the elongate main body 12. As seen above, the product processing body 14 is a cylindrical body and includes the cylindrical body axis 26 that is disposed generally orthogonal to the elongate body axis 24. The overall shape and size of the apparatus 10 is aesthetically pleasing and allows the user to engage in use of the refined product without having to carry a number of pieces of paraphernalia with him that cause unsightly bulges in trousers and pockets.

Referring again to FIG. 3, a spill tray 108 is connected to the main elongate body 12 to collect the product after it is refined. A spill tray door 110 is connected to the spill tray 108 to permit angled opening up and away from the main body 12. Advantageously, this “flip up” configuration gives the user easy access to the refined product and allows the user to move the refined product onto the rolling paper, after which the cigarette can be rolled, sealed and enjoyed. In one example, the spill tray door 110 tilts up generally at an angle of about 130 degrees, although a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the spill tray door 110 may be tilted (angled) up at any angle sufficient to allow access to the spill tray 108. As part of the aesthetic appeal of the apparatus 10, the spill tray 108 is angled downwardly away from the spill tray door 110. Moreover, depending on how agile the user's thumb and fingers are, the spill tray door 110 can be flipped opening using the thumb of one hand. The spill tray door 110 is closed using clips located in around the edge of the spill tray 108 to ensure a tight closure so as to ensure an odour-proof compartment. A urethane seal is located around the edge of the spilt tray door 110 to maintain the odour-proof compartment. The spill tray 108 has an angular side and length that complements the size of the paper to be used in rolling the refined product. While the door 110 remains tilted, the slope of the tray allows the user to easily pour, or slide the product directly into the paper.

Advantageously, the compact nature of the apparatus 10 includes additional storage features not generally found in contemporary grinders. We have therefore designed the apparatus 10 to accommodate additional features which add to its usefulness and value to the user.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, and 19 to 41, a lighter compartment 112 is connected to one end of the elongate main body 12. The lighter compartment 112 is of sufficient size to accommodate one or more lighters of various sizes 114. The lighter compartment 112 is angled away from the cap body 28. The lighter compartment 112 permits use of the lighter directly from the case. If needed, the lighter compartment also serves as additional storage if closed. A paper storage compartment 116 is located adjacent the spill tray door 110. The paper storage compartment 114 is located to permit insertion of a paper package 118 into it for safe storage and to prevent rumpling or creasing of the papers. Moreover, since papers are very thin and fragile, the ability of the user to refine the product and then quickly dispense it onto an easily reachable paper from a package stored in the same apparatus close to the point of product dispersal has huge advantages. The size of the apparatus 10 provided determines the size of the paper storage compartment 116. For example, in our mini design, the paper storage compartment 116 can store papers of a 1¼-size, whereas our standard, larger size apparatus 10, the paper storage compartment can accept King Size Slim packages. To insert the package 118, the user simply flips a door 120 opening backwards and slides it in the compartment 116. The compartment 116 ensures that the packets are held in place by using only light mechanical forces thereagainst. When the door folds, it lays the sheet against the elongate body 12, keeping it intact until the next use. The paper is dispensed once to the left (on the edge of the case designed for this purpose), and once to the right (it settles on the door which remains locked, that allows the sheet to be removed smoothly. The storage compartment 114 includes the door 120 with a rectangular magnet for secure closing. The storage compartment 114 is provided with an airtight, odor-proof door. The door 120 is attached mechanically by pin and clips to the case, but also can be attached using magnets. The rectangular magnet is located on a pad on the main body. A gasket 122 incorporated into the lid ensures odor blocking.

There is illustrated a number of additional compartments and doors for safe carrying of accessories.

A multifunctional tool 130 can be connected to one of the outer sidewalls 104 of the main body 12. The multifunctional tool 130 includes a pusher part 132 and a scrapper part 134 for scraping the tray. The multifunctional tool 130 can be inserted into the elongate body 12 and easily withdrawn therefrom when desired.

In addition to the paper storage compartment 116, another storage compartment 138 is located in one of the elongate outer sidewalls 104 of the main body 12 and has a door 140 for accessing the storage compartment 138. The door 140 is rotatable about a pin 142 to allow opening and closing of the door 140, again using one finger. The storage compartment 138 is ideally suited for storing pre-rolled cigarettes and is closable using magnets.

When the rotating door 140, opens and closes it uses a number of mini-magnets 144 which permit easy rotation and locking in place. The magnets 144 are connected to the case using rivets (not shown). The magnet 144 are located on the side doors and designed a comfortably push the door 140 open and closed.

The materials used in the construction of the apparatus 10 are inexpensive and do not require the use of complicated tooling and molding operations. For example, the body 12 (also known as the “case”) is made from tough, but lightweight plastic. The blades and other grinding/slicing hardware are made from, for example, lightweight anodized aluminum T-6061 T6. In addition to these materials, the design also contemplates the use of aluminum, titanium, wood, carbon fiber, Kevlar, PEEK and other polymeric materials

The main body includes a filter storage compartment. The filter storage compartment includes a door to laterally slide between open and closed configurations.

Finally, and in sum, the main body 12 can include any number of compartments for storing the paraphernalia. Our design includes: i) a lighter compartment which is a storage space, if closed with the cap body). The compartment can accommodate small lighters. Our apparatus 10 allows the lighter to be held in place. In addition, the user can if desired, ignite the lighter while it is still is inserted in the case. ii) a storage compartment for packets of rolling sheets. The shape of the compartment was designed to hold all the brands of leaf (or paper) packets currently available on the market. The mini apparatus can receive 1¼-size sheets, while the larger version accepts. The King Size Slim and 1¼. Packages. To insert the package, the user simply folds the lid backwards and tucks it in. The compartment ensures that the packets are held by simple mechanical pressure. The shape of the compartment was designed to receive all the leaf packet marks (1¼ and King Size Slim) on the market. When the door closes, it lays the sheet against the case, keeping it intact until the next use; and iii) other storage spaces are available to house pre-rolled cigarettes for example.

As seen in FIGS. 39, and 40 to 41A, B and C, a compartment 150 extends is the length of the elongate body 120. The door 140 opens and closes by rotation about the pin 142 by sliding to the side. The doors 140 can be opened either one at a time or both at the same time, depending on the accessories to be used. The location of the flip down doors 140 and the pin 142 makes the opening and closing of the doors 140 quick and easy.

Depending on the needs of the consumer, the apparatus 10 can be sold as a basic model in which only the product refining and dispensing features are provided. Optionally, the apparatus may be provided as a kit in which the add-on features are provided together with items such as lighters, papers and the like. Generally speaking, the so-called “smoking kit” incorporates five compartments and a multifunctional tool for screwing together the sieving body and the elongate body and thereafter connecting the cap body 28 along with the gasket for sealing the entire apparatus 10.

In addition to allowing the smoker to transport these accessories and his product in an odorless chamber, it allows him to pass directly from the seedling to the tray, then from the tray to the sheet.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

Embodiments have been described above in conjunction with aspects of the present disclosure upon which they can be implemented. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in conjunction with the aspect with which they are described, but may also be implemented with other embodiments of that aspect. When embodiments are mutually exclusive, or are otherwise incompatible with each other, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Some embodiments may be described in relation to one aspect, but may also be applicable to other aspects, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

Claims

1. A modular apparatus for refining a loose product, the apparatus comprising: an elongate main body having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the main body having a product passageway located therein;a product processing body located at the proximal end portion, and in communication with the product passageway;a product dispenser located at the distal end portion of the main body, the product dispenser being in communication with the product passageway to receive therein an amount of the product from the product processing body during a product refining operation;the product processing body includes i) a cap body having a plurality of spaced apart blade members, the blade members being of different sizes and shapes for refining an amount of the loose product; and ii) a sieving body having a plurality of spaced apart openings being of a size and shape sufficient to permit selective passage therethrough of the product into the product passageway,the cap body includes i) an upper end portion having an upper end portion floor with a penannular upstanding sidewall connected thereto; and ii) a handle member hingeably connected to the upper end portion floor for movement between a default storage configuration in which the handle member is coplanar with the upper end portion, and a refining configuration in which the handle member is disposed generally orthogonal to the upper end portion, the handle member being sized and shaped to permit rotation of the cap body to permit rotational movement during the product refining operation, the handle member having a handle projection for cooperation with the penannular sidewall in the default storage configuration.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the spaced apart blade members are arranged in three circular concentric rings.

3. The apparatus, according to claim 2, in which the three circular concentric rings include i) an inner blade member; ii) a set of middle blade members spaced apart from the inner blade member; and iii) a set of outer blade members spaced apart from the set of middle blade members.

4. The apparatus, according to claim 2, in which the inner blade member is an eight-pointed star-shaped blade.

5. The apparatus, according to claim 2, in which the set of middle blade members includes five spaced apart chevron-shaped blades.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 2, in which the set of outer blade members includes eight circumferentially disposed, spaced apart diamond-shaped blades.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 6, in which the diamond-shaped blades are connected to a circumferentially disposed, downwardly depending sidewall, the diamond shaped blades being interconnected with each other around the entire circumference of the cap body.

8. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the handle member includes first and second hinges connecting the handle member to the upper end portion floor of the cap body.

9. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the handle member is generally half-moon shaped.

10. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the cap body includes a gripping portion which includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed ridges and indents.

11. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the sieving body includes i) a sieving body floor with a plurality of spaced apart openings extending therethrough, the spaced apart openings being in communication with the product passageway extending away therefrom; ii) an upstanding, circumferentially disposed wall connected to the sieving body floor; and iii) an upstanding mounting post for connecting the sieving body to the elongate main body, the upstanding mounting post being connected the sieving body floor; the cap body being cooperable with the sieving body to permit rotation relative to each other during the product refining operation in which the blade members contact the amount of the product located in the sieving body so as to generate an amount of refined product.

12. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the spaced apart openings are disposed radially across the sieving body floor.

13. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the spaced apart openings include a set of outer openings that are disposed circumferentially adjacent the upstanding, circumferentially disposed wall, and adjacent a set of inner openings that are disposed between the set of outer openings and the upstanding mounting post.

14. The apparatus, according to claim 13, in which the set of outer openings includes ten openings which are spaced apart from each other and are adjacent the upstanding, circumferentially disposed wall.

15. The apparatus, according to claim 14, in which the each of the outer openings are pear-shaped and includes a large end and a narrow end, the large ends being adjacent each other, the narrow ends being adjacent each other.

16. The apparatus, according to claim 15, in which the set of inner openings includes twelve pear-shaped openings, each of the inner openings including a large end and a narrow end.

17. The apparatus, according to claim 16, in which the large ends are orientated towards the large ends of the outer set of openings, the narrow openings being orientated towards the narrow ends of the outer set of openings.

18. The apparatus, according to claim 15, in which the large ends are disposed towards the respective outer and inner openings so as to define a plurality of cutting zones so as to allow the refined product to fall directly into the passageway.

19. The apparatus, according to claim 18, in which the narrow ends are disposed relative to the respective outer and inner openings to define a narrow zone so as to permit non-refined product to transit towards the cutting zones for further processing.

20. The apparatus, according claim 1, in which the blade members are orientated relative to the spaced apart openings such that during the product refining operation, the blades move relative to the spaced apart openings to generate the refined product.

21. The apparatus, according to claim 1, further including first and second anti-rotation members, the first anti-rotation member having two spaced apart stop members connected to the cap body and depending downwardly therefrom to cooperate with two spaced apart anchor openings located to snuggly receive therein the stop members; the second anti-rotation member having a side bar located on edge of the sieving body, the side bar being located to abuttingly engage a stop wall located on an upstanding cup wall.

22. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the elongate main body is an elongate polygonal shaped body, the elongate main body having a main body chamber disposed therein.

23. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the main body is an elongate parallelogram container having four main sidewalls and two end sidewalls, the junctions at each of the main sidewalls being baffled.

24. The apparatus according to claim 1, in which the product processing body is disposed generally orthogonal to the elongate main body.

25. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the product processing body is a cylindrical body.

26. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which a spill tray is connected to the main elongate body.

27. The apparatus, according to claim 26, in which a spill tray door is connected to the spill tray to permit angled opening thereof to permit the user to move the refined product onto the rolling paper.

28. The apparatus, according to claim 27, in which the spill tray door angled up, the spill tray being angled downwardly away from the spill tray door.

29. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which a lighter compartment is connected to one end of the elongate main body, the lighter compartment being of sufficient size to accommodate one or more lighters of various sizes.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, in which the lighter compartment is angled away from the cap body.

31. The apparatus, according to claim 1, a paper storage compartment is located adjacent the lid, the paper storage compartment being located to permit insertion of a paper package therein.

32. The apparatus according to claim 1 in which a sealing gasket is located snug between the cap body and the sieving body.

33. The apparatus, according claim 1, further includes a multifunctional tool connected to an outer sidewall of the main body.

34. The apparatus, according to claim 1, further includes a storage compartment located in one of the elongate outer sidewalls of the main body, the storage compartment having a door for accessing the storage compartment, the door being laterally slidable to open and close the door.

35. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the main body includes a filter storage compartment, the filter storage compartment having a door to laterally slide between open and closed configurations.

36. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the product is loose tobacco, and herbs.

37. The apparatus, according to claim 36, in which the product is loose tobacco.

38.-56. (canceled)