Abstract:
A spice grinding mill has a spice-containingjar with a collar on its neck carrying a frangible freshness seal which is removable to open the container. A grinding assembly is removably mountable on the container and has one or more manually operable latches engageable with keeper structure on the collar to releasably hold the grinding assembly in place, while permitting rotation of the outer portion of the grinding assembly relative to the container, which outer portion is covered with an elastomeric material for improved grip. A plastic cap is removably mountable on the collar or on the outlet of the grinding assembly.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the filing date of copending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/261,424, filed Jan. 12, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    This application discloses a device for containing and grinding products and dispensing the ground products and, more particularly, a device for grinding spices in pellet or kernel form to a powder or granular form and simultaneously dispensing the ground spices.  
           [0003]    Prior spice or condiment grinding mills are known which include a grinding assembly detachably mountable on a container for the product to be ground. In such prior arrangements, the grinding assembly is typically threadedly connected to the top of the container. Since, in use, the grinding assembly or parts thereof are designed to be rotated relative to the container to effect the grinding operation, the grinding assembly can accidentally become unscrewed from or loosened with respect to the container, in use.  
           [0004]    It is also known to provide a cap with the grinding assembly to protect it from dirt, moisture and the like, when not in use. However, there is typically no provision for closing or reclosing the condiment container when it is separated from the grinding assembly.  
           [0005]    Finally, many prior condiment grinding mills are difficult to use for persons with impaired grip, such as the elderly or persons suffering from arthritis or the like, since they provide gripping surfaces which can be slippery, particularly in the presence of moisture.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0006]    There is described in this application a grinding and dispensing apparatus which avoids the disadvantages of prior devices while affording additional structural and operating advantages.  
           [0007]    An important aspect is the provision of a grinder dispenser with a grinding assembly which is easily mountable and demountable on an associated container of product to be ground by a latching arrangement which is not adversely affected by operation of the device in use.  
           [0008]    Another aspect is the provision of a grinder dispenser of the type set forth which provides for closure of the container when the grinding assembly is separated therefrom.  
           [0009]    Still another aspect is the provision of a grinder dispenser of the type set forth which is of improved ergonomic design to facilitate use by persons with impaired grip.  
           [0010]    Certain ones of these and other aspects may be attained by providing a grinder dispenser comprising: a container for product to be ground and having an access port, a grinding assembly having an inlet for receiving product to be ground and an outlet for dispensing ground product, the grinding assembly being releasably mountable on the container in a use condition with the inlet communicating with the access port, latch structure on one of the container and the grinding assembly, and keeper structure on another of the container and the grinding assembly, the latch structure being releasably engageable with the keeper structure for retaining the grinding assembly in its use condition.  
           [0011]    Other aspects may be attained by providing a grinder dispenser of the type set forth, which includes a frangible seal on a container normally closing the access port.  
           [0012]    Still other aspects may be attained by providing a grinder dispenser of the type set forth with a cap which can be removably mountable on either the grinding assembly or the container.  
           [0013]    Other aspects may be attained by providing a grinder dispenser of the type set forth which includes an elastomeric cover on the grinding assembly to facilitate gripping by a user. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many ofits advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a spice grinding mill;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line  2 - 2  in FIG. 1, but with the grinding mechanism diagrammatically illustrated;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a reduced front elevational view of the container of the mill of FIG. 2 with the seal collar removed.;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with the grinding assembly and the freshness seal membrane removed.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the container of the mill ofFIG. 2, with the grinding assembly and the seal membrane removed and with the cap mounted thereon;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the seal of the mill of FIG. 2;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line  7 - 7  in FIG. 6;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the grinding assembly of the mill of FIG. 1 with the cap removed;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 9 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the grinding assembly of FIG. 8;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the outer shell of the grinding assembly FIG. 9;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the release frame of the grinding assembly of FIG. 9;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the release frame of FIG. 11;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 13 is a reduced front elevational view of the latch paddle of the mill of FIG. 2;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 14 is a reduced exploded perspective view of the grinding mechanism of the grinding assembly of FIG. 8;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the interlock ring of the mill of FIG. 2;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 16 is a left side elevational view of the interlock ring of FIG. 15;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along the line  17 - 17  in FIG. 16;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 18 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view similar to the upper portion of FIG. 2 and illustrating an alternative embodiment; and  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 18. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0034]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 4 , there is illustrated a grinder dispenser in the form of a spice grinding mill, generally designated by the numeral  10 , which includes a container  11  in the nature of an open-top jar for containing a supply of spice pellets  17  (FIG. 4). As shown, the container  11  is formed of glass, but it may be formed of any suitable material and may be transparent or translucent to permit viewing of the contents thereof. The container  11  has a bottom wall  12  and a generally cylindrical side wall  13 , integral at the upper end thereof with an inturned shoulder  14  which is, in turn, integral with an upstanding and outwardly flared neck  15  terminating in a radially outwardly projecting lip  16 . Lugs  18  project laterally outwardly from the container  11  at the junction between the shoulder  14  and the neck  15  at equiangularly spaced-apart locations.  
         [0035]    Referring also to FIGS. 6 and 7, the spice grinding mill  10  includes a freshness seal  20  in the nature of an annular collar which may be formed of one piece, as by molding, of any suitable material, such as a suitable plastic. The seal  20  has a cylindrical inner side wall  22  provided with a plurality of equiangularly spaced-apart, generally axially extending grooves  23  on the inner surface thereof. The lower or inner end of the side wall  22  is provided with a lip  24  closed along a peripheral frangible joint by a generally circular frangible seal membrane  25 , which may be unitarily connected to a pull ring  26  by a hinge tab  27 . The opposite end of the inner side wall  22  is joined by an annular top wall  28  to a depending outer side wall  30 , which may diverge slightly from the inner side wall  22 . Circumferentially spaced slots  29  may be formed in the top wall  28 . A circumferential groove  31  is formed in the outer surface of the outer side wall  30  and diametrically spaced notches  32  may be formed at the distal end edge thereof. An annular ridge  33  projects laterally inwardly from the side wall  30  at the level of the groove  31 . In use, the seal  20  is snap-fitted onto the neck  15  of the container  11  to form an access port thereof. More specifically, the neck  15  is received between the inner and outer side walls  22  and  30 , with the annular ridge  33  snapping beneath the annular lip  16  of the neck  15 , as can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5. The seal  20  is rotationally oriented so that the lugs  18  of the container  11  are respectively received in the notches  32  of the seal to prevent relative rotation thereof.  
         [0036]    In use, the seal  20  is installed in place after the container  11  has been filled and, once installed, protects the contents of the container  11  and preserves its freshness.  
         [0037]    Referring to FIG. 5, the spice grinding mill  10  includes a generally circular, dome-shaped cap  35  which may be formed of a suitable plastic material and has a generally frustoconical side wall  36  terminating at its distal end in a radially inwardly projecting bead  37 . A short tab  38  extends radially outwardly from the side wall  36  adjacent to its distal edge. In use, the cap  35  may be snap-fitted over the seal  20 , with the bead  37  snapping into the annular groove  31 . When it is desired to open the container  11 , the cap  35  is removed by grasping and lifting the tab  38 , exposing the seal  20 .  
         [0038]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 2,  8  and  9 , the spice grinding mill  10  includes a grinding assembly, generally designated by the numeral  40 , which is removably mountable on the container  11 . The grinding assembly  40  includes an outer housing  41  in which is mounted a grinding mechanism  75 . The grinding mechanism  75  may be an assembly of the type manufactured by Ideas Denmark under Model No. KAM-03XM and is generally illustrated in FIG. 14, but some of the details of construction and assembly thereof will not be discussed herein, since they are ancillary to the subject matter sought to be protected.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIGS. 2, 9 and  10 , the outer housing  41  includes an outer shell  42  (FIG. 10) which may be of molded, unitary, one-piece construction and formed of a suitable plastic material and generally cylindrical in shape. The shell  42  has two diametrically opposed narrow recesses  43  and two diametrically opposed relatively wide recesses  44  formed in the inner surface thereof adjacent to one end thereof. The other end of the outer shell  42  is provided with a radially inwardly projecting annular lip  45 . Formed through the outer shell  42  intermediate the ends thereof is a relatively large oblong opening  46 . The entire outer surface of the outer shell  42  is overmolded with a grip  47  (FIG. 2) formed of a flexible and resilient frictional material, which may be a suitable elastomer, such as that sold under the trademark SANTOPRENE. The grip  47  has a portion  48  covering the opening  46  and a portion  49  covering the lip  45  (FIGS. 2 and 8).  
         [0040]    Referring also to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is disposed along the inside of the outer shell  42  a release frame  50 , which may be of molded, unitary, one-piece construction and formed of a suitable plastic material. The release frame  50  has a generally cylindrical side wall  51 , the outer surface of which has an annular, laterally inwardly projecting shoulder  52  adjacent to one end thereof joined to a short generally cylindrical neck  53 , which terminates in an annular end surface  54 . Projecting radially outwardly from the side wall  51  at the other end thereof are two diametrically opposed narrow lugs  55  and a relatively wide lug  56 . Formed through the side wall  51  immediately above the lug  56  is an elongated, irregularly-shaped aperture  57 . Diametrically opposite the lug  56  are a pair of circumferentially spaced, axially extending notches  58  formed in the adjacent end of the side wall  51  for forming a generally rectangular tab  59 , having at the distal end thereof a radially inwardly extending flange  59   a.  At the inner end of the neck  53 , an annular flange  60  projects radially inwardly and is provided at four equiangularly spaced-apart locations thereon with generally V-shaped notches  61  (FIG. 12). Projecting laterally inwardly from the side wall  51  along opposite sides of the aperture  57  are two ribs  62 . Formed in the outer surface of the side wall  51  on opposite sides of the aperture  57  are socket recesses  63 .  
         [0041]    A latch paddle  64  (FIGS. 2, 9 and  13 ), which may be formed of a suitable plastic material, is shaped similarly to and disposed in the aperture  57  and is provided at its upper end with a lip  65  which is disposed along the inner surface of the release frame  50  above the top edge of the aperture  57 . Formed along the inner surface of the latch paddle  64  is a generally cylindrical pivot pin  66 , the opposite ends of which are respectively received in the socket recesses  63  for defining a pivot axis. Extending laterally inwardly from the latch paddle  64  at its lower end is a latch lip  67 . Projecting laterally inwardly from the latch paddle  64  intermediate the lip  65  and the pivot pin  66  is a short cylindrical lug  68  (FIG. 2) which fits inside one end of a helical compression spring  69  for seating the spring.  
         [0042]    In assembly, the release frame  50  is fitted inside the outer shell  42  until the shoulder  52  abuts the lip  45  (see FIG. 2), the parts being rotationally oriented so that the lugs  55  are respectively received in the narrow recesses  43 , and the lug  56  and tab  59  are respectively received in the wide recesses  44 , thereby effectively preventing relative rotation of the parts. In this assembled condition, the end surface  54  of the neck  53  will be substantially flush with the outer surface of the portion  49  of the grip  47  which covers the lip  45 , and the main body of the latch paddle  64  will be disposed in the aperture  57  and the opening  46  and against the opening cover portion  48  of the grip  47 , as can best be seen in FIG. 2.  
         [0043]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, there is provided a lock ring  70 , which may be formed of a suitable plastic material. The lock ring  70  has a stepped inner end with a radially inner annular surface  71  which meets at its outer edge with a short cylindrical shoulder  72 , which in turn meets at its upper end with an annular surface  73 , which in turn meets at its outer edge with a cylindrical shoulder  74 , which in turn meets at its upper edge with an annular lip  76 . In assembly, the lock ring  70  is fitted over the upper end of the outer housing  41 , as shown in FIG. 2, with the shoulder  72  abutting the inner surface of the release frame neck  53 , and with the annular surface  73  overlying the release frame end surface  54  and the inner edge of the adjacent portion  49  of the grip  47 .  
         [0044]    Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 14, the grinding mechanism  75  includes a base  80  having a generally cylindrical side wall  81  provided at its lower end with circumferentially spaced flexible tabs  82  (one shown), each having a laterally outwardly projecting latch lip  83 . Extending diametrically across the side wall  81  is a cross arm  84  defining, centrally thereof, a cylindrical hub  85 . The base  80  may be molded in a unitary, one-piece construction of a suitable plastic material. An elongated metal spindle  86 , substantially polygonal in transverse cross section, has one end fixed to the hub  85  coaxially therewith, the distal end of the spindle  86  being externally threaded, as at  88 . A helical compression spring  89  encircles the spindle  86  and seats against the hub  85 .  
         [0045]    The grinding mechanism  75  also includes an outer collar  90  having a substantially cylindrical wall  91  provided adjacent to one end with a plurality of radially outwardly projecting equiangularly spaced-apart lugs  92 . Integral with that end of the wall  91  is a radially outwardly extending annular flange  93 . Formed along the inner surface of the wall  91  are a plurality of equiangularly spaced and axially extending grooves  94 . The grinding mechanism  75  also includes an outer grind ring  95 , which may be formed of a ceramic material and is provided with a plurality of equiangularly-spaced, radially outwardly projecting ribs  96 , dimensioned to be respectively received in grooves  94  of the outer collar  90  for preventing relative rotation of the parts. The grind ring  95  has formed on its inner surface a plurality of generally helical, coarse grinding vanes  97  adjacent to one end thereof and a plurality of generally helical, fine grinding vanes  98  adjacent to the opposite end thereof, which latter end defines an annular end surface  99 . A retaining ring  100  is dimensioned to overlie the annular end surface  99  of the outer grind ring  95 .  
         [0046]    The grinding mechanism  75  also has a grinding cone  101 , which may be formed of a ceramic material and has a cylindrical opening extending axially therethrough. Formed on the outer surface of the grinding cone  101  are a plurality of generally helical, coarse grinding vanes  102  at the narrow end thereof and a plurality of generally helical, fine grinding vanes  103  at the wide end thereof. A ratchet mechanism  104  has a cylindrical hub  105  (FIG. 2) which fits in the bore through the grinding cone  101 , the hub  105  having formed axially therethrough a polygonal opening  106  dimensioned for mateably receiving the polygonal spindle  86 . The ratchet mechanism  104  has an enlarged-diameter cap  109  which abuts the wide end of the grinding cone  101  and includes therein a suitable ratchet assembly cooperating with the grinding cone  101  to permit relative rotation of the parts in only one direction. The distal end of the hub  105  may project a slight distance beyond the narrow end of the grinding cone  101  and be encircled by a suitable retaining ring (not shown) over which the end of the hub  105  may be deformed in a suitable manner to retain the ratchet mechanism assembled to the grinding cone  101 .  
         [0047]    In assembly, the base  80  is fitted inside one end of the outer collar  90  and may be provided with a suitable annular shoulder to limit depth of insertion. The outer grind ring  95  is inserted in the other end of the outer collar  90  as explained above, and the spring  89  is fitted over the spindle  86 . The pre-assembled grinding cone  101  and ratchet mechanism  104  are then fitted over the spindle  86 , so that the polygonal spindle engages the polygonal bore  106  in the ratchet mechanism hub  105  so that the two will rotate together. The distal end of the hub  105  bottoms on the spring  89 , which resiliently urges it axially outwardly. An adjusting nut  110  is threadedly engaged with the threaded portion  88  of the spindle  86  and can be screwed down thereon for depressing the grinding cone  101  against the spring  89  to change the spacing between the grinding cone  101  and the outer grind ring  95  to adjust the coarseness of the grinding. It will be appreciated that the coarse and fine grinding vanes  97 ,  98  of the outer grind ring  95  respectively cooperate with the coarse and fine grinding vanes  102  and  103  of the grinding cone  101  to progressively more finely grind spice pellets in a known manner. The retaining ring  100  cooperates with the lock ring  70  for retaining the grinding mechanism  75  in assembled condition with the outer housing  41  in a manner to be described more fully below.  
         [0048]    Referring also to FIGS.  15 - 17 , there is provided an interlock ring  111  having a generally cylindrical wall  112  provided with a plurality of equiangularly spaced and radially outwardly projecting ribs  113 . Extending laterally outwardly from the cylindrical wall  112  at one end thereof is an annular shoulder  114 , integral at its outer edge with a cylindrical flange  115  coaxial with the cylindrical wall  112 . A pair of diametrically opposed latch slots  116  are formed through the interlock ring  111  at the junction between the cylindrical wall  112  and the cylindrical flange  115 . The interlock ring  111  is fitted over the base  80  of the grinding mechanism  75  so that the cylindrical side wall  81  of the base  80  is received within the cylindrical flange  115  of the interlock ring  111 . During this insertion, the latch tabs  82  flex to allow the latch lips  83  to cam past the edge of the cylindrical flange  115 , and when the end of the side wall  81  bottoms on the shoulder  114 , the latch lips  83  snap into the latch slots  116  for retaining the parts together so that they rotate as a unit.  
         [0049]    In assembly of the grinding assembly  40 , the base  80  is first assembled to the interlock ring  111  in the manner described above. In this regard, there may be radially inwardly projecting ribs (not shown) on the interlock ring  111  receivable in complementary grooves in the outer surface of the base  80  to assist in aligning the parts rotationally. Then the outer collar  90  is fitted into the upper end of the outer housing  41 , with the lugs  92  received in the V-shaped notches  61 , and with the flange  93  bottoming on the flange  60 . When the outer collar  90  is inserted in the outer housing  41 , the spring  69  of the latch paddle  64  seats against the outer surface of the cylindrical wall  91 . Then the base  80  of the grinding mechanism  75  may be fitted up through the opposite end of the outer housing  41 , spindle first, until the upper end of the base  80  is fitted inside the lower end of the outer collar  90 , as described above. In this regard, a circumferential bead (not shown) on the base  80  may snap fit into a circumferential groove (not shown) in the outer collar cylindrical wall  91  to retain the parts together while permitting relative rotation of the base  80  with respect to the outer collar  90 . The outer grind ring  95  is then dropped into the outer collar  90 , with the ribs  96  received in the grooves  94 . Then the retaining ring  100  is fitted over the outer grind ring  95 . Finally, the lock ring  70  is fitted over the top of the outer housing  41 , as described above, and the annular surface  73  is ultrasonically welded to the end surface  54  of the release frame  50  to secure the assembly together. Alternatively, the assembled base  80  and interlock ring  111  may be assembled together with the outer collar  90  and then fitted in the release frame  50  together with the latch paddle  64  before the release frame  50  is fitted in the outer housing  41 .  
         [0050]    As thus assembled, the base  80 , its spindle  86  and the attached interlock ring  111  will rotate as a unit relative to the outer housing  41  and the outer grind ring  95 . Then the grinding cone  101  may be fitted over the spindle  86 , as explained above, and retained in place with the adjusting nut  110  so that the grinding cone  101  will also then rotate with the spindle  86 .  
         [0051]    The thus-assembled grinding assembly  40  may then be snap-fitted onto the container  11  in a use condition shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. More specifically, the lower end of the outer housing  41  fits over the seal  20 . In this regard, the tab  59  will flex to allow the flange  59   a  to cam past the upper part of the seal  20  and the lower end of the latch paddle  64  will pivot about the axis of the pivot pin  66  against the urging of the bias spring  69  to allow the latch lip  67  to cam past the upper part of the seal  20 , until the flange  59 a and the latch lip  67  snap into engagement in the annular groove  31 , which serves as a keeper for the latch. As the grinding assembly  40  is thus installed on the container  11 , the cylindrical wall  112  of the interlock ring  111  will fit down inside the inner side wall  22  of the seal  20  (see FIG. 2), with the ribs  113  being respectively received in the grooves  23 , thereby locking the base  80  of the grinding mechanism  75  against rotation relative to the seal  20  and the container  11 . The cap  35  may be snap fitted over the lock ring  70  of the grinding assembly  40 , with the bead  37  snap fitting beneath the lip  76  of the lock ring  70 , as can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0052]    The spice grinding mill  10  may be sold in a condition illustrated in FIG. 2 with the container  11  filled with spice pellets or kernels, with the unbroken freshness seal  20  in place, and with the grinding assembly  40  mounted on the seal  20  and the cap  35  in place on the top of the grinding assembly  40 . When it is desired to use the mill  10  for the first time, the container  11  must first be unsealed. Thus, the grinding assembly  40  is first removed from the container  11 . In order to unlatch it, the user presses on the opening cover portion  48  of the grip  47 , depressing the upper end of the latch paddle  64  and pivoting it to release the latch lip  67  from engagement with the annular groove  31 . This permits the grinding assembly  40  to be tilted back to disengage the tab flange  59   a  from the groove  31  to remove the grinding assembly  40 . Then the pull ring  26  is grasped and pulled upwardly, tearing the seal membrane  25  from the lip  24  of the inner side wall  22 , all in a known manner, to define an access opening into the container  11 . Then, the grinding assembly  40  is reinstalled on the container  11  and the mill  10  is ready for use.  
         [0053]    In use, the cap  35  is removed from the grinding assembly  40 , and the spice grinding mill  10  is inverted to allow the contents of the container  11  to flow up inside the base  80 , which defines an inlet to the grinding assembly  40 , and into the gap between the outer grind ring  95  and the grinding cone  101 , which cooperate to define an outlet from the grinding assembly. Then the container  11  is grasped with one hand and the grip  47  of the grinding assembly  40  is grasped with the other hand and the two are rotated relative to each other to thereby rotate the outer grind ring  95  relative to the grinding cone  101  to grind the spice pellets or kernels. This rotation is permitted in only one direction because of the ratchet mechanism  104 . After use, the cap  35  may be reinstalled on the grinding assembly  40  or, alternatively, if it is desired to store the grinding assembly  40  separately from the container  11 , the grinding assembly  40  may be again detached from the container  11  and the cap  35  installed directly on the seal  20  of the container  11 , as in FIG. 5.  
         [0054]    The container  11  may also be sold separately from the grinding assembly  40 . In this case, the container  11  would typically be filled with product to be ground, with the freshness seal  20  and cap  35  in place. Thus, when the contents of the container  11  are exhausted, the user may either refill the exhausted container with bulk product or simply discard it and purchase a new filled container.  
         [0055]    Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the grinding assembly, designated  40 A, which is substantially identical to the grinding assembly  40  described above, except that in lieu of the latching tab  59  and flange  59   a,  the assembly is provided with two of the latch paddles  64 , respectively disposed at diametrically opposed locations. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the outer shell  42  is provided with two of the openings  46  and the release frame  50  is provided with two of the apertures  57  for accommodating the two latch paddles  64 , and the grip  47  has two of the portions  48  covering the openings  46 . Accordingly, the same reference numerals are used for both. This arrangement facilitates mounting and removal of the grinding assembly  40  with respect to the container  11 , permitting the user to depress both latch paddles  64  simultaneously, as with the thumb and forefinger of one hand, permitting the grinding assembly to be mounted and demounted in a purely axial movement, without any tilting.  
         [0056]    While the mill  10  is described as a spice grinding mill, it will be appreciated that the principles described above are applicable to the grinding and dispensing of other types of materials, which might be provided in granular, pellet or bean-like form. Also, the materials described above for the various parts of the mill  10  are merely illustrative and it will be appreciated that other types of materials could be used.  
         [0057]    The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.