Hey guys I need some help. Basically, about a month ago I found this sick grinder in my attic. I assume it's my dad's since it's not mine and probably not my mom's (she's a huge stickler) but anyways I took it and I started using it for all of my kush grinding needs which was mostly for vaping out of my Magic Flight Launch Box. It grinds the herb into a very fine powder to the point where it's basically just kief. The pictures will show you what I mean. Instead of having a "sifter" it's more like the MFLB finishing grinder but with a mesh screen. It's technically a "hand-held pulverizer" according to the patent and whenever I pull it out to show people they're like, "damn dude where'd you get that" and I actually really want to know where to get one for my friends or if this one breaks. Here's the Patent http://www.google.com/patents/US4212430 If anybody has used one of these or just is really good at the internet and can help me find something I'd be so appreciative. Thanks a ton guys Also the bottom says "MFG. BY Deering Precision Inst. Inc. Phoenix, Arizona 85028 Sole Distributor Adams Apple Dist. Co Chicago, ILL. 60640 Pat. No. 4212430" The Grinder The inside mesh stuff and how it works The Result CLOSEUP
If this was ever sold mainstream in the 80's (which may have been possible, but I doubt it -- I've never seen a tri-bladed grinder), it's not going to be available now. The last legal event update on the patent itself was in '97, and it isn't clear to me what the fate of this thing has been. Deering Precision Instruments Co. apparently only has 2 patents linked to it's name according to http://www.patentbuddy.com/Company/Profile/DEERING-PRECISION-INSTRUMENTS-CO./45779?, the last of which was created in '88. They don't appear to have any substantial fame either, which leads me to believe what you've got is probably the only "hand-held pulverizer" [lol] of it's kind; a prototype. That or they just never really picked up off the ground, for whatever reason, and eventually got buried in history. I would try my best not to break one of those things [e] -- WAIT! Look what I found! http://s373.photobucket.com/user/xbadcrcx/media/IMG_0046.jpg.html posted in '09. The OP of the picture was asking the same question you were. He picked it up in the middle of Memphis from a homebrewer who tossed in some extra junk with a keg purchase. In case you didn't know, Memphis is right under Illinois, and is where Adams Apple Dist. Co. operated out of at the time. So these things probably sold on a more localized level within the midwest and now are relics. I'd still treat it with care, but at least there are others out there. Too bad. It would've been cool to find out your father was some pioneer of the weed grinder. [e] -- Still trying to look for more info as to where you might be able to find these old things. [e] -- I'm not a lawyer, so all this legal mumbo-jumbo is a bit confusing to me... but after a series of trials in case between Deering Precision Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distribution Systems, Inc., it would seem that the case was deemed null-and-void. Something about patents being copied, blah blah blah, changes during the on-going trials forced the case to close -- blah blah blah -- in the end both the plaintiff and defendant lost -- blah blah -- patents lost value -- blah blah, legal shit, blah -- aaaand I assume things went sour soon after. http://www.finnegan.com/files/Publication/77ed34ca-bee1-4c07-94d1-40c9afaea73b/Presentation/PublicationAttachment/d1b6c1ed-4c7e-47a4-aec3-4208eaff2aac/02-1013%2010-17-03.pdf http://ipmall.info/hosted_resources/Markman/pdfFiles/2001.09.04_DEERING_PRECISION_INSTRUMENTS_LLC_v._VECTOR_DISTRIBUTION_SYSTEMS.pdf http://www.melinelegal.com/?m=201311 So yeah, you'll be lucky to find one of these for sale, because they definitely won't be sold by any corporation.
UPDATE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE!!!! Okay so if anybody saw that and was like "hey that's cool I want one too" I found something similar to it on E-Bay where the person said that these are no longer being manufactured by Deering Precision (A shame if I do say so myself) but this company is making slighlty different ones with a funnel on the bottom to attach a glass tube to to collect the kief. http://www.ebay.com/itm/DEERING-SPICE-MILL-GRINDER-FUNNEL-HEAVY-PLASTIC-PORTABLE-WITH-BOTTLE-ATTACHMENT-/220990762589?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3374136e5d
I have the whole Derring Precision Instruments kit. It includes the grinder, two screens, a storage unit, a funnel and a gram scale. It comes in a locking box. Just an FYI, it wasn’t made for grinding weed but I guess you can. It was made for grinding blow and it is very good for that. I purchased this kit in the early ‘80’s. I was cleaning out my old stuff and thought I’d find it a new home.
That's a cool find! It sounds like a unique grinder. I tried searching, but couldn't find a similar one. Maybe it's a vintage item. You could try checking with head shops or online forums for vintage smoking accessories. Good luck!