Apparatus and methods are disclosed for storing, transporting, grinding, and/or dispensing/pouring herbs and/or similar materials and things. A compressing/urging plate/platform is disclosed, which can selectively move the herbs or other materials toward a grinding assembly, and the ground material can be captured on the other side of the grinding assembly, for subsequent dispense and/or use. The inventions can reduce and simplify the steps and the overall apparatus needed to accomplish transportation, storage, consumption, and/or use of herb-like materials and things.

A cooking article includes a cooking utensil and a handle. The handle includes several hollow seasoning compartment sections. The handle also includes a rotatable handle cap, a seasoning compartment section selector, and first and second release shafts that rotate together. The first and second release shafts and a release button move together along the axis of the handle. Rotating the handle without depressing the release button, selects one of the seasoning compartment sections such that an opening of the second release shaft is positioned above an opening the selected seasoning compartment section. Pressing the release button moves the release button and the first and second release shafts such that the opening of the second release shaft is aligned with the opening of the selected seasoning compartment section, releasing seasonings from the selected seasoning compartment, through the opening of the second release shaft, into a cavity of the second release shaft.

A cooking article includes a cooking utensil and a handle. The handle includes several hollow seasoning compartment sections. The handle also includes a rotatable handle cap, a seasoning compartment section selector, and first and second release shafts that rotate together. The first and second release shafts and a release button move together along the axis of the handle. Rotating the handle without depressing the release button, selects one of the seasoning compartment sections such that an opening of the second release shaft is positioned above an opening the selected seasoning compartment section. Pressing the release button moves the release button and the first and second release shafts such that the opening of the second release shaft is aligned with the opening of the selected seasoning compartment section, releasing seasonings from the selected seasoning compartment, through the opening of the second release shaft, into a cavity of the second release shaft.

A container when assembled includes a body, a cover, a lower grinding component, and an upper grinding component. The body includes a primary storage area compartment, the lower grinding component includes a grinding area compartment, and the upper grinding component includes a secondary storage area compartment. The upper grinding component partially nests within the lower grinding component. The lower grinding component defines a recess comprising the grinding area compartment. The upper grinding component is inserted into and partially received within the recess of the lower grinding component to form a grinder. The lower grinding component partially nests within the body of the container and the cover fits over the upper grinding component and partially over the lower grinding component when the cover is secured to the body of the grinder, whereby the grinder is completely enclosed within the body and cover of the container.

A container when assembled includes a body, a cover, a lower grinding component, and an upper grinding component. The body includes a primary storage area compartment, the lower grinding component includes a grinding area compartment, and the upper grinding component includes a secondary storage area compartment. The upper grinding component partially nests within the lower grinding component. The lower grinding component defines a recess comprising the grinding area compartment. The upper grinding component is inserted into and partially received within the recess of the lower grinding component to form a grinder. The lower grinding component partially nests within the body of the container and the cover fits over the upper grinding component and partially over the lower grinding component when the cover is secured to the body of the grinder, whereby the grinder is completely enclosed within the body and cover of the container.

A grinding kit includes a grinding unit having a body defining an inner cavity, the body having a receiving end a depositing end. The grinding unit includes a plurality of grinding surfaces disposed within the inner cavity of the body and a drive shaft coupled to the one or more grinding surfaces. The grinding kit includes a first handle configured to removably couple to the drive shaft and configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation while coupled to the drive shaft to drive movement of the plurality of grinding surfaces. The grinding kit includes a second handle configured to removably couple to the drive shaft and configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation while coupled to the drive shaft to drive movement of the plurality of driving surfaces, the second axis of rotation being different from the first axis of rotation.

A grinding kit includes a grinding unit having a body defining an inner cavity, the body having a receiving end a depositing end. The grinding unit includes a plurality of grinding surfaces disposed within the inner cavity of the body and a drive shaft coupled to the one or more grinding surfaces. The grinding kit includes a first handle configured to removably couple to the drive shaft and configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation while coupled to the drive shaft to drive movement of the plurality of grinding surfaces. The grinding kit includes a second handle configured to removably couple to the drive shaft and configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation while coupled to the drive shaft to drive movement of the plurality of driving surfaces, the second axis of rotation being different from the first axis of rotation.

A grinder includes a connecting part configured to be attached to a rotating shaft to which a handle of a hand mill configured to grind food by hand is mounted; and a motor configured to rotate the connecting part and abut on the connecting part.

A grinder includes a connecting part configured to be attached to a rotating shaft to which a handle of a hand mill configured to grind food by hand is mounted; and a motor configured to rotate the connecting part and abut on the connecting part.

A container when assembled includes a body, a cover, a lower grinding component, and an upper grinding component. The body includes a primary storage area compartment, the lower grinding component includes a grinding area compartment, and the upper grinding component includes a secondary storage area compartment. The upper grinding component partially nests within the lower grinding component. The lower grinding component defines a recess comprising the grinding area compartment. The upper grinding component is inserted into and partially received within the recess of the lower grinding component to form a grinder. The lower grinding component partially nests within the body of the container and the cover fits over the upper grinding component and partially over the lower grinding component when the cover is secured to the body of the grinder, whereby the grinder is completely enclosed within the body and cover of the container.