Self-contained detachable grinding device

A self-contained grinding device for pepper corns and the like attachable to a container for pepper corns, the grinding device comprising a first hollow housing having one axial end thereof provided with an end wall, said end wall being formed with a grinding chamber defining outer grinding means and a dispensing opening;

• a second hollow housing having one axial end thereof provided with a tapered wall in the nature of a hopper proximate to said first housing and converging in the direction thereof, the other end of said first housing and said one end of said second housing together forming a rotary joint to permit relative rotation between said housings when they are joined in axial alignment, said tapered wall having a discharging opening at the narrowed end thereof which registers with said grinding chamber to permit the pepper corns to be fed by said tapered wall into said grinding chamber when said discharging opening is positioned above said grinding chamber, the other end of said second housing being provided with connecting means for connecting the same to a container containing the pepper corns, said second housing further having a generally transverse bridge arm;
• and a gear member defining an inner grinding means, said gear member having a head portion receivable within said grinding chamber for limited axial movements therein and cooperating therewith to grind the pepper corns within said grinding chamber upon relative rotation of said inner and outer grinding means, said gear member further having a shaft portion projecting from said head portion and extending through said first housing and into said second housing, said shaft portion having a bifurcated free end and a length to permit snap-fitting engagement with said bridge arm to substantially lock the relative axial positions of said first and second housings and said gear member to each other and only permit rotational movements of said second housing and said gear member relative to said first housing, whereby rotation of said first and second housings relative to each other causes corresponding rotation of said inner and outer grinding means relative to each other and causes grinding of pepper corns which are guided by said tapered wall from the container to said grinding chamber.