US-12616339-B2 - Herb grinder with a cleaning attachment

Abstract

An herb grinder with a cleaning attachment comprises a bristle assembly and a grinding assembly which is further comprised of a top grinding component, a bottom grinding component and a collecting compartment. The top grinding component and the bottom grinding component are detachably connected and are configured to be rotated relatively to each other. The bristle assembly and the grinding assembly form an internal space configured to receive the bristle plate, and are both interlocking and magnetically connected to prevent relative rotation between the bristle assembly and the grinding assembly when grinding. The bristle assembly may be detachable to clean the top grinding component and the bottom grinding component. The herb grinder further comprises a housing which is interchangeable with the grinding assembly for convenient portability and storage.

Inventors

• David E. West

Assignees

• VPR BRANDS, LP

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20231117

Claims (20)

1. 1 . An herb grinder with a cleaning attachment comprising: a bristle assembly; wherein the bristle assembly comprises a lid and a bristle plate; wherein the lid has an interior surface and an exterior surface; wherein the lid comprises at least one first interlocking connector on the interior surface; wherein the bristle plate comprises a first end and a second end; wherein the first end is coupled to the interior surface of the lid; wherein the bristle plate further comprises a plurality of bristles extending away from the second end; a grinding assembly; wherein the grinding assembly comprises a top grinding component, a bottom grinding component, and a collecting compartment; wherein the top grinding component has an upper end and a lower end; wherein the upper end is magnetically connected to the bristle assembly; wherein the upper end comprises at least one second interlocking connector corresponding to the at least one first interlocking connector configured to form an interlocking connection with the lid; wherein the upper end and the interior surface of the lid form an internal space configured to receive the bristle plate; wherein the top grinding component further comprises a plurality of top grinding blades extending away from the lower end; wherein the bottom grinding component has a top end and a bottom end; wherein the top end of the bottom grinding component is rotatably connected to the lower end of the top grinding component, forming a grinding compartment; wherein the bottom grinding component further comprises a plurality of bottom grinding blades extending away from the top end and engaging with the top grinding blades; wherein the collecting compartment is coupled to the bottom end of the bottom grinding component and form an enclosed chamber; wherein the collecting compartment further comprises a sieve subdividing the enclosed chamber to an upper chamber and a lower chamber.
2. 2 . The herb grinder as described in claim 1 , wherein the at least one first interlocking connector comprises a plurality of protrusions, and the at least one second interlocking connector comprises a plurality of notches.
3. 3 . The herb grinder as described in claim 2 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are dimensioned along a perimeter of the interior surface of the lid and extend radially inwards from the perimeter.
4. 4 . The herb grinder as described in claim 1 , wherein the bristle plate further comprises at least one opening configured to accommodate the at least one first interlocking connector of the lid.
5. 5 . The herb grinder as described in claim 1 , wherein the interior surface of the lid further comprises a first receptacle; wherein the upper end of the top grinding component further comprises a second receptacle corresponding to the first receptacle; and wherein the first receptacle and the second receptacle are configured to receive a magnet or a ferromagnetic material.
6. 6 . The herb grinder as described in claim 1 , wherein the lower end of the top grinding component further comprises a third receptacle; wherein the top end of the bottom grinding component further comprises a fourth receptacle corresponding to the third receptacle; and wherein the third receptacle and the fourth receptacle are configured to receive a magnet or a ferromagnetic material.
7. 7 . The herb grinder as described in claim 2 , wherein the top grinding component comprises a first peripheral wall having an annular flange extending inward from an upper portion of the first peripheral wall, configured to be accommodated by the lid; and wherein the plurality of notches is dimensioned on the annular flange.
8. 8 . The herb grinder as described in claim 1 , wherein the herb grinder further comprises a first o-ring positioned between the lid and the upper end of the top grinding component; and a second o-ring positioned between the lower end of the top grinding component and the top end of the bottom grinding component.
9. 9 . The herb grinder as described in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bristles are arranged in a plurality of bristle tufts, and wherein the plurality of bristle tufts are arranged in a pattern comprising a plurality of concentric circles.
10. 10 . The herb grinder as described in claim 1 , wherein the collecting compartment comprises a chamber component; a sieve holder placed within the chamber component configured to secure the sieve, and a base coupled to the chamber component.
11. 11 . An herb grinder with a cleaning attachment comprising: a bristle assembly; wherein the bristle assembly comprises a lid and a bristle plate; wherein the lid has an interior surface and an exterior surface; wherein the lid comprises at least one first interlocking connector on the interior surface; wherein the bristle plate comprises a first end and a second end; wherein the first end is coupled to the interior surface of the lid; wherein the bristle plate further comprises a plurality of bristles extending away from the second end; a grinding assembly; wherein the grinding assembly comprises a top grinding component, a bottom grinding component, and a collecting compartment; wherein the top grinding component has an upper end and a lower end; wherein the upper end is magnetically connected to the bristle assembly; wherein the upper end comprises a second interlocking connector corresponding to the first interlocking connector configured to form an interlocking connection with the lid; wherein the upper end and the interior surface of the lid form an internal space configured to receive the bristle plate; wherein the top grinding component further comprises a plurality of top grinding blades extending away from the lower end; wherein the bottom grinding component has a top end and a bottom end; wherein the top end of the bottom grinding component is rotatably connected to the lower end of the top grinding component, forming a grinding compartment; wherein the bottom grinding component further comprises a plurality of bottom grinding blades extending away from the top end and engaging with the top grinding blades; wherein the collecting compartment is coupled to the bottom end of the bottom grinding component and form an enclosed chamber; wherein the collecting compartment further comprises a sieve subdividing the enclosed chamber to an upper chamber and a lower chamber; a housing; wherein the housing is interchangeable with the grinding assembly and comprises a free end and a closed end; wherein the free end is magnetically connected to the bristle assembly; wherein the free end comprises at least one third interlocking connector corresponding to the first interlocking connector configured to form an interlocking connection with the lid; and wherein the free end and the interior surface of the lid form an accommodation configured to receive the bristle plate.
12. 12 . The herb grinder as described in claim 11 , wherein the at least one first interlocking connector comprises a plurality of protrusions, and the at least one second interlocking connector comprises a plurality of notches.
13. 13 . The herb grinder as described in claim 12 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are dimensioned along a perimeter of the interior surface of the lid and extend radially inwards from the perimeter.
14. 14 . The herb grinder as described in claim 11 , wherein the bristle plate further comprises at least one opening configured to accommodate the at least one first interlocking connector of the lid.
15. 15 . The herb grinder as described in claim 11 , wherein the interior surface of the lid further comprises a first receptacle; wherein the upper end of the top grinding component further comprises a second receptacle corresponding to the first receptacle; and wherein the first receptacle and the second receptacle are configured to receive a magnet or a ferromagnetic material.
16. 16 . The herb grinder as described in claim 11 , wherein the lower end of the top grinding component further comprises a third receptacle; wherein the top end of the bottom grinding component further comprises a fourth receptacle corresponding to the third receptacle; and wherein the third receptacle and the fourth receptacle are configured to receive a magnet or a ferromagnetic material.
17. 17 . The herb grinder as described in claim 12 , wherein the top grinding component comprises a first peripheral wall having an annular flange extending inward from an upper portion of the first peripheral wall, configured to be accommodated by the lid, and wherein the plurality of notches are dimensioned on the annular flange.
18. 18 . The herb grinder as described in claim 11 , wherein the herb grinder further comprises a first o-ring positioned between the lid and the upper end of the top grinding component; and a second o-ring positioned between the lower end of the top grinding component and the top end of the bottom grinding component.
19. 19 . The herb grinder as described in claim 11 , wherein the plurality of bristles are arranged in a plurality of bristles tufts, and wherein the plurality of bristles tufts are arranged in a pattern comprising a plurality of concentric circles.
20. 20 . The herb grinder as described in claim 11 , wherein the collecting compartment comprises a chamber component; a sieve holder placed within the chamber component configured to secure the sieve, and a base coupled to the chamber component.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to an herb grinder and more specifically to an herb grinder that comprises a cleaning attachment. BACKGROUND Herb grinders may be used for multiple purposes, whether for smoking or culinary applications, to finely grind or chop herbs and spices into smaller, desirable pieces. Typically, an herb grinder comprises two grinding plates with interlocking blades. However, particularly for vaporizing or smoking herbs, resinous substances such as kief may adhere to the teeth, blades, or other surfaces of the grinding plates. As kief accumulates, the accumulation may clog up the herb grinder and prevent the herb grinder from functioning properly or efficiently. Therefore, adequate, and routine cleaning of the herb grinder is essential. Currently, cleaning of the herb grinder is often done by applying chemicals or utilizing sharp implements and scrub brushes. However, it is desirable to reduce exposure to chemicals and the sharp implements and scrub brushes may not be suitable for the herb grinder. Consequently, there is a need for an herb grinder with a cleaning attachment that is convenient, suitable for daily use, and compatible with the teeth and blades. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The following is a concise summary of the invention presented herein with the primary aim of providing a preliminary understanding of certain aspects of the invention. It should be noted, however, that this summary is not intended to serve as a comprehensive overview of the invention, nor does it seek to identify or describe any critical or significant elements of the invention or the boundaries of its scope. Its sole purpose is to provide a rudimentary understanding of the invention's concepts and features, which will be expounded upon in greater detail in the ensuing sections. The present disclosure is generally directed towards an herb grinder with a cleaning attachment, herein referred to as the “herb grinder”. An exemplary, nonlimiting embodiment of the present disclosure provides an herb grinder comprising a bristle assembly and a grinding assembly interlocking and magnetically coupled to the bristle assembly. The grinding assembly may be interchangeable with a housing for convenient portability. The bristle assembly further comprises a lid and a bristle plate, and the grinding assembly is further comprised of a top grinding component, a bottom grinding component rotatably coupled to the top grinding component, and a collecting compartment coupled to the bottom grinding component. The bristle assembly, the top grinding component, the bottom grinding component, and the collecting compartment may be assembled and disassembled effortlessly. The lid has an interior surface and an exterior surface and further comprises at least one first interlocking connector on the interior surface. Preferably, the at least one first interlocking connector are dimensioned along a perimeter of the interior surface and extend radially inwards from the perimeter. The lid may also include a magnet or a ferromagnetic material. The bristle plate comprises a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the interior surface of the lid, and the second end comprises a plurality of bristles extending away thereof. Preferably, the bristle plate may further comprise at least one opening along its perimeter to accommodate the at least one interlocking connector. It is anticipated that the number of magnets or the ferromagnetic materials can vary, and can be located on the lid or the bristle plate, provided that the bristle assembly is magnetically connected to the grinding assembly. It is also anticipated the at least one first interlocking connector may be arranged anywhere on the interior surface of the lid, and the bristle plate may comprise corresponding openings to accommodate the at least one first interlocking connector. The top grinding component has an upper end and a lower end. The upper end is both magnetically and interlocking connected to the bristle assembly. The upper end further comprises at least one second interlocking connector corresponding to the first interlocking connector configured to form an interlocking connection with the lid. Preferably, the at least one first interlocking connector extends through the at least one opening of the bristle plate and engages with the at least one second interlocking connector. The upper end and the interior surface of the lid form an internal space configured to receive the bristle plate. In addition, the top grinding component further comprises a plurality of top grinding blades extending away from the lower end. The bottom grinding component has a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the bottom grinding component is rotatably connected to the lower end of the top grinding component, forming a grinding compartment. The bottom grinding component further comprises a plurality of bottom grinding blades extending away f