EP2690055A1 - Dispensing tube for a food container and tool to remove the dispensing tube - Google Patents

Abstract

The dispensing tube (10) has a main portion (10B) whose specific end (10A) is received in dispensing opening (2) of container (1) for dispensing of product from the container. A sealing element (11) having maximum outer dimension is set above the specific end received in dispensing opening of container. An independent claim is included for a tool for removal of dispensing tube from the container.

Description

The invention relates generally to the field of food containers in at least partially liquid form, and more particularly relates to beverage containers, also referred to as "dispensers", in which, for example, a beverage is stored in ready-mixed form in a storage container and, if required, cooled, for example Shape, is removable.

In many types of liquid food containers, such as beverage containers, pre-mixed foodstuffs are stored in containers made predominantly of polycarbonate, which can then be offered for immediate consumption. If necessary, a cooling or heating of the liquid food can take place. Such means for storing and dispensing the liquid food include suitable dispensing tubing made predominantly of silicone so that there is compatibility of the tubing with the food and also the desired elasticity, durability and the like properties. Due to the manufacturing cost of such output hoses are often not replaced with each new filling of the container, resulting in problematic hygienic conditions can arise.

Typically, such a dispensing hose according to the prior art comprises a lower part with hose and seals and an upper part with a pulling device, which serves to remove the hose at the end of beverage dispensing or in a basic cleaning of the container.

In the conventional construction of the output hose accounts for almost 50% of the total material on the upper part, ie on the traction device, so that in particular when using silicone as the base material of the output tube in about 50% of the total cost caused by the pulling device, but for the actual Use of the dispensing hose is not required. On the other hand, the removal of the dispensing hose by means of the integral pulling device is possible in a simple and time-saving manner. The ease of availability and the relatively high cost of the output hose with pulling device lead to a more frequent use, and this can lead to critical hygienic conditions, especially in connection with food.

It is therefore an object of the claimed invention to provide an output tube that can be produced at reduced cost and effort, but is still exchangeable in a simple and time-saving manner. Contrary goals are to be agreed.

According to the invention, it has been recognized that, on the one hand, a reduction of the manufacturing costs is possible by avoiding a special pulling device of an output tube, but on the other hand, a suitable strategy and / or means are provided to allow easy removal of the dispensing tube. In particular, it has been recognized that a single-use dispensing hose can be provided by saving material, and hence manufacturing costs, and eliminating unnecessary components, such as the pulling apparatus, for use. Furthermore, according to the invention, a means is provided with which the dispensing tube can be efficiently removed, at the same time deliberately causing damage to the dispensing tube causing further use is not possible.

In particular, hygienic aspects are taken into account without undesirably increasing the overall costs of using corresponding containers. In particular, this avoids that an output hose is still used after a replacement. By providing suitable means for easy and quick replacement of the dispensing hose without a pulling device it is ensured, on the one hand, that too long a container is avoided, since the removal is completely unproblematic, while on the other hand a possible use of the dispensing hose after replacement is prevented, because the Dispensing hose is made inoperative during removal.

In particular, the above object is thus achieved by a dispensing tube for dispensing at least partially liquid food from a container. The dispensing tube includes a sealing member adapted to be received in an outlet opening of the container and having a channel and at least one sealing member defining a maximum outer dimension or diameter of the sealing member. Further, the dispensing tube includes a piece of tubing connected to the sealing member for extending the channel.

The dispensing hose according to the invention is constructed so that the maximum outer dimension, ie the outer diameter, is determined by the sealing part and the at least one seal formed therein, so that no further larger components are provided. This can total the cost of materials for the Manufacture of the output hose can be kept low and it can be significantly reduced production costs, whereby a change of the output hose is possible without increasing the total cost of ownership. On the other hand, this significantly reduces the effort required to maintain a required hygienic standard.

In one illustrative embodiment, the sealing member and the tube piece are made of the same material, whereby the dispensing tube can be produced by any efficient method, since only a single starting material is to be processed.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the dispensing tube is provided as a one-piece piece of material. As a result, efficient methods can be used, for example in the form of injection molding, wherein the dispensing tube is provided as an injection molded product. By avoiding other components that would lead to an increase in the outer dimensions, such as by avoiding conventionally provided traction devices, the cost of appropriate injection molding tools and in particular the cost of materials can be kept low.

In one embodiment, at least the inside of the channel is made of silicone or polyethylene. In this way, well-proven materials known as resistant materials for food contact can be used.

As previously explained, according to a further aspect of the invention (claim 7) there is provided a tool for withdrawing an output tube from a container. The tool includes a handle and a contact part. The contact member is connected to the handle and adapted to make mechanical contact with the dispensing tube by perforating the dispensing tube by operating the handle.

The tool is thus adapted to make a mechanical contact with the dispensing tube, which on the one hand enables reliable removal or removal of the dispensing tube and on the other hand causes permanent damage to the dispensing tube, which prevents further use. In this way, reuse of the dispensing tube is avoided, which improves hygiene when handling food containers, regardless of whether any operators are willing to meet the high hygienic requirements.

In an illustrative embodiment variant, the contact part has a threaded area. By providing a threaded portion, the mechanical contact can thus be produced in a simple and efficient manner and, at the same time, the perforation of the dispensing tube can be ensured.

In a further advantageous embodiment, an adjusting device is provided, which is designed to set a penetration depth of the contact part into the dispensing tube. In this way, a reproducible handling of the tool in the removal of each output tube can be ensured. In particular, certain conditions of the container and the dispensing tube can be taken into account, so that, for example, possible damage to the container or even the tool is prevented.

In an illustrative embodiment, the adjusting device is further configured to adjust an intrusion angle of the contact part with respect to the dispensing tube. Thus, it can be ensured that a perforation of the dispensing tube takes place within a certain range, so that the functionality of the dispensing tube is reliably eliminated and at the same time a reliable removal due to intimate mechanical contact is possible.

Figur 1

ist schematisch eine Querschnittsansicht eines Abschnitts eines Behälters 1, in welchen ein Ausgabeschlauch 10 eingepasst ist und ein Werkzeug 20 ist gezeigt, das zum Entfernen des Ausgabeschlauchs eingreift.

Figur 2

zeigt schematisch eine Querschnittsansicht, in der das Werkzeug 20 mittels einer Justiereinrichtung 22 mit geeigneter Eindringtiefe in den Ausgabeschlauch 10 vor der Perforation eingeführt ist.

Further embodiments are given in the detailed description, which is to be studied throughout with reference to the accompanying drawings throughout.

FIG. 1

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a container 1 in which a dispensing tube 10 is fitted, and a tool 20 is shown engaging the dispensing tube.

FIG. 2

schematically shows a cross-sectional view in which the tool 20 is inserted by means of an adjusting device 22 with a suitable penetration depth in the discharge tube 10 before the perforation.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a container 1, which is suitable for receiving an at least partially liquid food and in particular a beverage. In illustrative embodiments, the container 1 represents a container for holding an already pre-mixed beverage, which can be dispensed via a dispensing area 2 for dispensing by means of an dispensing tube 10. For the sake of simplicity, only part of the container 1 is shown without food therein.

The dispensing tube 10 includes a sealing member 10A having at least one seal 11 that is configured to provide a reliable seal upon insertion of the dispensing tube 10 into the region 2. The at least one seal 11 defines the maximum outer diameter of the dispensing tube 10. A tube piece 10B forming a channel 12 with the seal part 10A has a smaller outer diameter than the seal part 10A. Thus, no further major components are provided in the dispensing tube 10, so that a significant material savings over conventional dispensing tubes, which typically have a traction device as a third component with typically an even larger outer diameter than the seals, is achieved.

In preferred embodiments, the dispensing tube 10 is constructed of a suitable material, eg, silicone, polyethylene, etc., preferably as a single piece of material, with the reduced cost of materials allowing a single use of the dispensing tube 10 to be economical, thereby providing a significantly higher hygienic without higher operating costs Standard is achievable.

It should be noted that, in general, the dimensions of the dispensing tube 10 are adapted to the conditions of the dispensing area 2 of a respective container and thus dispensing tubes for different containers may differ accordingly. The proposals are applicable to any type of dispensing hose used for typical food containers.

Furthermore, a tool 20 is shown, which is usable for removing the dispensing tube 10, as long as the useful life of the dispensing tube 10 has expired. This may for example be the case before a thorough cleaning of the container 1. The tool 20 is constructed in a suitable manner, so that on the one hand, a mechanical contact with the dispensing tube 10 can be produced to allow removal of the dispensing tube 10, while on the other hand, a deliberate damage to the dispensing tube 10, so that reuse reliable is prevented. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool 20 comprises a handle 20A, which is provided for example in the form of an elongate lever, wherein in preferred embodiments, the length of the lever can be adjusted according to the dimensions and conditions in the container 1.

Further, a contact portion 20B is provided, which is mechanically connected to the handle 20A and further has a suitable shape such that a mechanical contact to the dispensing tube 10 can be produced by perforating it at a suitable position. For example, a threaded portion 21 is provided in the contact portion 20B, e.g. in the form of a thread of a corkscrew so that the contact member 20B, by rotation of the handle 20A in an appropriate position with respect to the dispensing tube 10, can penetrate and permanently damage it, while providing reliable mechanical contact.

In the illustrated operating position while the tool 20 is inclined at a suitable angle α to the vertical, so that the dispensing tube 10 is pierced below the seals 11. In a preferred embodiment, as previously explained, the handle 20A may be provided as part of an adjusting device so that the length of the handle 20A for a given depth of penetration forces a suitable angle or angular range, thus permitting the dispensing tube 10 to penetrate suitable position causes.

When turning the tool 20 is forced by the handle 20A a certain distance to the nearest wall of the container 1, so that therefrom an inclination of the Tool 20 results, which in turn ensures that the material of the dispensing tube is penetrated at an appropriate position.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the tool 20 when it is first introduced almost vertically into the dispensing tube 10, wherein the handle 20A is in a suitable position in which no contact is made to the nearest wall of the container 1. By tilting the tool 20 in the tilt direction indicated by the arrow labeled α and rotating the handle 20A, a perforation of the dispensing tube 10 is achieved, as previously discussed in US Pat FIG. 1 is shown and explained.

In the embodiment shown, an adjusting device 22 is further provided which, for example, is conceivable such that an initial penetration depth D for the contact part 20B is determined. In this way, it is ensured that a suitable position for the threaded portion 21 is reached before tilting the tool 20, so that the piercing of the material of the dispensing tube 10 takes place at a desired position, for example below seals and below the rigid dispensing area 2. By adjusting the depth D, it is thus ensured that piercing below the area 2 occurs after tilting, so that no damage to this area or the tool 20 is caused.

It is thus described a tool or its handling, so that a dispensing hose, which can be made inexpensively due to the significant reduction in material compared to conventional dispensing hoses and yet disposed of after use without increasing the operating costs.

The dispensing tube can be inexpensively manufactured without a pulling device and can be quickly and cost effectively removed by the tool, causing permanent perforation damage that prevents inadvertent reuse of the dispensing tube.

In this way, without an increase in operating costs, a significant improvement in the hygienic standard is achieved, since a removal of the dispensing tube automatically forces the use of a new dispensing tube.

Claims (11)

Dispensing hose (10) for dispensing at least partially liquid food from a container (1), with (a) a sealing member (10A) adapted to be received in an outlet opening (2) of the container (1) and having a channel (12) and at least one sealing element (11) having a maximum outer dimension of the sealing member (10A ); (b) a piece of tubing (10B) connected to the sealing member (10A) for extending the channel (12). Dispensing hose according to claim 1, wherein the sealing part (10A) and the hose piece (10B) are made of the same material. Dispensing hose according to claim 2, as a one-piece piece of material. Dispensing hose according to claim 3, which is an injection molded product. Dispensing hose according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one inside of the channel (12) is made of silicone or polyethylene. Dispensing hose according to one of claims 1 to 3, which has no further component, in particular no pulling device. Tool for removing an output hose (10) from a container (1), the tool with a handle (20A); - A contact part (20 B), which is connected to the handle (20 A) and formed by pressing the handle (20 A) to make a mechanical contact with the dispensing tube (10) by perforation of the dispensing tube (10). A tool according to claim 7, wherein the contact part (20B) has a threaded portion (21). Tool according to claim 7 or 8, wherein an adjusting device (22) is provided, which is designed to set a penetration depth (D) of the contact part (20B) in the dispensing tube (10). The tool of claim 9, wherein the adjusting device is further configured to adjust a penetration angle of the contact member relative to the dispensing tube. A tool according to any one of claims 7 to 10, adapted and adapted to contact the dispensing tube of any of claims 1 to 6 by perforation.

Images