EP3089627A1

EP3089627A1 - Dispenser for cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products

Info

Publication number: EP3089627A1
Application number: EP14830640.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paul Stoffels
Original assignee: Stoffels bvba
Current assignee: Stoffels bvba
Priority date: 2014-01-03
Filing date: 2014-12-12
Publication date: 2016-11-09
Also published as: NL1041098B1; BE1022067B1; NL1041098A; WO2015101858A1

Abstract

Dispenser for cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products, with a housing (2) in which are provided at least a loading opening (6) and a dispensing opening (7), and with a storage reservoir (3) for the sensitive products being provided between the latter, and a drum (15) comprising one or several grooves or recesses (16), and a constriction (11) and a supply zone (12) between the collection reservoir (3) and the drum (15).

Description

Dispenser for cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products .

The present invention concerns a dispenser for cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products, further often simply called dispenser or dispensing machine.

In general, fresh food products can be considered as damage-sensitive products.

W09222387A1 describes a washing system and a dispenser or dispensing machine for golf balls. The dispenser comprises a drum in which four deep and radially oriented cavities are open towards the outside.

It is clear that with such deep cavities, while filling as well as while emptying, a perfect rolling movement or a deep fall of the products is assumed.

It is also clear that such deep cavities are not suitable for the distribution of damage-sensitive products, especially not for fruits such as for example cherry tomatoes, which are rarely perfectly round.

Additionally, filling as well as emptying such cavities requires a relatively long stationary phase of the drum, which slows down the process. Dispensing machines or dispensers for dry foods such as breakfast cereals are well known. They are often used in stores or even on breakfast buffet tables. The dispensers offer both a hygienic shield and the possibility for consumers to provide themselves with a desired portion.

The problem arising, however, is that the existing dispensers are not suitable for making damage-sensitive products such as fresh products, for example cherry tomatoes, available in a protected manner.

US5437393 describes a device for handling, sorting, distributing, packaging and dispensing bulk food products, in particular dry, granular foods . The device comprises a dispenser which is connected to a reservoir with a supply. The dispenser receives and distributes a predetermined part of the food product from the reservoir through a dispensing opening. The dispenser, operated by rotating a lever, must be rotated to and fro per distribution cycle.

Also, it is clear that such a device is not suitable to be used for the distribution of damage-sensitive products. During at least one of these movements, damage-sensitive products such as for example fruits can be squeezed or at least damaged.

One should also take into account that a rolling contact maintained between a damage-sensitive product such as a cherry tomato and the mantle of a cylinder in the direction of the bottom side of the stack may also result in pressure and entail damage.

It will be clear that damage to one single product simultaneously results in fouling of the device as well as of the other products.

EP 0.471.417 relates to a device for dispensing bulk material such as confectionery.

The device comprises an inclined tube with a low outflow opening and a cylindrical body as a distribution unit rotatable about a lying shaft. The body includes at least one recess in the cylindrical surface, which recess encloses an angle with two walls. This device is not appropriate for the distribution of damage-sensitive products as the geometry of the recess or recesses as described and represented would squeeze the damage-sensitive products during the manipulation of the cylindrical body.

The present invention aims to remedy the above-mentioned and other disadvantages of the known dispensing machines.

To this end, the invention concerns a dispenser for cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products, which dispenser comprises a housing in which are provided at least a loading opening for bulk loads and a dispensing opening for dispensing portions, and whereby between the loading opening for bulk loads and the dispensing opening is provided a storage reservoir for the sensitive products, and a drum which comprises one or several grooves or recesses, whereby a groove or recess comprises a first flank directed substantially crosswise to the mantle of the drum, or a first flank situated within the orientation limits of -30° and +30° with respect to this crosswise orientation, whereby the length of the first flank is smaller than the double diameter of the smallest cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products for which the dispenser is used or intended.

A major advantage is that damage to the damage-sensitive fruits can thus be prevented.

Between the collection reservoir and the drum are preferably provided a constriction and a supply zone.

A major advantage thereof consists in that the sensitive products can thus move freely where the drum connects to the supply zone.

In other words, the layer of cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products from which a portion is scooped, will not be put under pressure. The supply zone is at all times only partially filled.

All this prevents damage, which is crucial for fresh products .

Indeed, the risk of damage should be minimized as damage may also result in soiling and impairment of the remaining fresh products. According to a particular embodiment variant, a discharge zone is provided between the drum and the dispensing opening for the delivery of portions.

All this is beneficial to the soft treatment of the cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products.

According to another particular embodiment variant, the storage reservoir is delimited at the bottom by a slanted base in a position of use, for example a sloping plate element .

This bottom is preferably provided with an opening which provides for a constriction and which opens in the supply zone towards the bottom.

In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, the following preferred embodiment of a dispenser for cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products according to the invention is described by way of example only without being limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: figures 1 and 2 are side views of a dispenser for cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products according to the invention, whereby in the second view also the cherry tomatoes are represented;

figures 3 and 4 represent alternative embodiments of a dispenser according to the invention.

Figure 1 represents a dispenser 1 for cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products. The dispenser 1 comprises a housing 2 which includes a storage reservoir 3 for the damage-sensitive products and also a distributing unit 4.

The housing 2 is provided on a table 5 or the like which is partly represented here.

The housing 2 is substantially built of transparent plate elements 2' here, and it includes a loading opening 6 for bulk loading and a dispensing opening 7 for delivering portions .

The storage reservoir 3 is delimited at the bottom by a first sloping base, in this case in the shape of a slanting and rectangular first plate element 8.

Said first plate element 8 connects with three of its side edges to the housing 2 and reaches with one of its side edges 9, in the present embodiment provided with a downwardly directed plate part 9' , up to a distance from the housing 2.

The thus created downward opening 10 in this case provides, and only in a preferred manner, for a constriction 11 through which the cherry tomatoes can move down to the underlying supply zone 12.

Said supply zone 12 is delimited at the bottom by a second sloping base, in this case in the shape of a second plate element 13 which connects with three of its side edges to the housing 2 and which virtually connects with one of its side edges 14 to the distributing unit 4.

The distributing unit 4 is substantially designed as a drum 15 here whose mantle is provided with one or several, in this case four grooves or recesses 16.

Here essentially diagonally opposite the connection of the second plate element 13 of the supply zone 12 to the drum 15 is provided a downward sloping third plate element 17 which provides for the discharge zone 18.

To that end, the third plate element 17 reaches through the dispensing opening 7 into one of the transparent plate elements 2' of the housing 2.

The four grooves or recesses 16 have a first flank 19 here, directed essentially crosswise to the mantle of the drum 15, with a length which is smaller than the double diameter of the smallest cherry tomatoes.

A second flank 20 extends as of the deepest portion of the first flank 19, and directed mainly crosswise to the first flank 19, which in this case, but not necessarily, reaches up to the mantle of the drum 15.

Hereby is the second flank 20, viewed from a fixed position outside the drum 15, the first one which is observed during the planned rotation of the drum 15, as indicated by arrow Z. The first flank 19 thus follows the second flank 20. The first flank 19 serves as the bottom of the grab, holder or scoop, whereas the second flank 20 offers space and a leaning side to the products, in this case the cherry tomatoes.

The aim is that the products take place on the first flank 19 and stay there until delivery, at which time the second flank 20 can serve as rolling surface.

When referring to the mantle of the drum 15, the virtual cylindrical mantle of the drum 15 is meant since, because of the spacious design and/or the multitude of grooves or recesses 16, the mantle can hardly still be regarded as cylindrical here. With respect to the material mantle parts 15B, the virtual mantle is completed with the imaginary connections between these material mantle parts 15B, such that a virtual cylindrical mantle is obtained. A shaft is provided centrally in the drum 15 provided with gear wheels 21 on one of its far ends which, by means of a transmission mechanism 22, can cooperate with a control arm 23 provided on the accessible surface of the housing 2.

The operation of the dispenser 1 for cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products is simple and as follows.

Via the loading opening 6, the cherry tomatoes are provided in bulk in the dispenser 1, in particular in the storage reservoir 3. Thanks to the downward slanting position of the first plate element 8, the cherry tomatoes will roll towards the opening 10 and further to the supply zone 12. When, in this supply zone 12, several layers are built up, the circulation in this embodiment will come to a standstill, thanks to the presence of the constriction 11, here also partly created by the downwardly directed plate part 9' on the free edge 9 of the plate 8.

It is obvious that for the behaviour of the damage- sensitive products, in this case cherry tomatoes, the smaller they are, the more they can be compared with the manner in which a fluid behaves, and the more drastically the geometry and mutual positions and slopes of the first plate element 8, possibly with plate portion 9', and of the second plate element 13 can make sure that a free space is maintained in the supply zone 12, in particular between the cherry tomatoes and the bottom side of the first plate element 8.

This free space is preferably but not absolutely required for the proper operation of the dispenser 1. Note that the drum 15 preferably but not necessarily, before a rotation is effected, adopts a resting or waiting position which is such that a first flank 19 will be situated somewhat lower or not much higher than the side edge 14 of the second plate element 13 which virtually connects with the distributing unit 4. When operating the control arm 23, the drum 15 will be rotated thanks to the transmission mechanism 22.

The cherry tomatoes which are situated in the groove 16 are moved upward, possibly even with a second row disposed thereon .

Excess cherry tomatoes fall off the stack, in such a way that the maximum portion which is grabbed always finds a passage through the space provided between the drum 15 and the bottom side of the first plate element 8.

Once over the highest point, the cherry tomatoes can roll down, first over the second flank 20 of the groove 16 and further over the downward sloping third plate element 17 to a receptacle which is not represented or into a bag or another packaging article.

Moreover, the mechanism is such that when the control arm 23 is not moved over the entire angle of rotation as intended, i.e. is not moved to the end point, the drum 15 will not be driven again at a subsequent attempt, in order to prevent any supply of double portions. It is clear that the slopes and other geometric elements are important and should be adapted to the products in question .

Optionally, the reservoir 3 is provided with one or several additional, slantingly positioned intermediate bottoms, whereby the passageway is preferably provided each time with the underlying bottom above the highest zone .

Thus, an alternating partition and passage division is obtained, all this to prevent any damage to the damage- sensitive products.

Alternatively, a spiral-shaped bottom can be provided. Instead of putting up the entire reservoir in a visible manner, an additional volume may be provided on the visible side of the dispenser, whereby the cherry tomatoes which are provided therein are not used to be distributed via the drum 15 or at least not all the time.

It is clear that all the components should connect closely, so that no fruits can be squashed.

In order to simplify the cleaning process, inaccessible corners are avoided and rounded corners are provided.

For the same reasons, the dispenser can be easily disassembled and the components are separately accessible or removable, possibly even to the extent that the components fit in a dishwasher.

The positioning of the reservoir 3 above the drum 15 offers the advantage that valuable retail space is saved. If need be, a dispenser is provided with coupling means which allow for the coupled arrangement of two or more dispensing machines according to the invention. Figures 3 and 4 represent two alternative embodiments, whereby only a few cherry tomatoes are represented here, in order to illustrate the specific geometric requirements of the grooves or recesses 16.

In the embodiment according to figure 3, compared to the embodiment according to figures 1 and 2, the drum 15 has more grooves or recesses 16, in this case eight.

The first plate element 8 extends less far, i.e. the side edge 9 is situated above the drum 15 here. More specifically, the vertical projection of side edge 9 on the horizontal line through the axis or centre point of the drum 15 is situated 22.5 mm away from the intersection of the mantle with said horizontal line.

The constriction 11 along which the cherry tomatoes can move down to the underlying supply zone 12 is made wider.

The horizontally measured distance between the side edge 9 of the plate element 8 and the wall of the housing amounts to 110 mm. The vertically measured distance between this side edge 9 and the first flank 19 of a groove or recess 16 when the latter is in line with plate element 13 amounts to 110 mm.

The plate elements 8, 13 and 17 are oriented at an angle of 10°, -12° and -17° respectively in relation to the horizontal line here, whereby a counter-clockwise rotation is indicated as a positive rotation. Plate element 8 has a length of 340 mm here, plate element 13 has a length of 115 mm and plate element 17 has a length of 115 mm.

The diameter of the virtual mantle of the drum 15 amounts to 235 mm in this case.

Side edge 14 of plate element 13 is situated 50 mm above the horizontal line through the axis or the centre point of the drum 15.

The first flank 19 of a groove or recess 16 connects at a mainly corresponding angle of -12° to plate element 13 here.

In this connecting and aligned position, the drum 15 is rotated at an angle of -20° in relation to the position in which the first flank 19 connects to the horizontal line through the centre point of the drum 15.

In other words, the first flank 19 is rotated 8° in relation to the crosswise orientation with respect to the mantle there.

It is clear that the sizes do not necessarily have to correspond to the specified dimensions in order to obtain a smooth operation, and all specified values may increase or decrease mainly proportionally to mainly double or halve values respectively. The specified angles have a smaller play and may be regarded as having a tolerance of +/- 5°.

As mentioned above, side edge 14 of plate element 13 is situated 50 mm above the horizontal line through the axis or the centre point of the drum 15.

More generally, side edge 14 of plate element 13 is preferably situated not more than one-third of the diameter of the drum 15 above the horizontal line through the axis or the centre point of the drum 15, and preferably not lower than said horizontal line either.

Ideally, the side edge 14 of plate element 13 is situated between one-sixth and one-fourth of the diameter of the drum 15 above the horizontal line through the axis or the centre point of the drum 15.

If the plate element 13 and side edge 14 are placed too high, this may cause damage-sensitive products, in this case cherry tomatoes, to unintentionally end up outside the drum 15 in the direction of the dispensing opening 7.

The embodiment according to figure 4 differs from the latter embodiment according to figure 3 in that the second flank 20 of a groove or recess 16 is built up of a first part 20A substantially crosswise to the first flank 19 and a second part 20B which, being deflected or bent, provides for a shorter connection to the mantle and thus offers the groove or recess 16 a smaller access opening. As stated earlier, the grooves or recesses 16 may have a first flank 19 substantially crosswise to the mantle of the drum 15, preferably with a length which is smaller than the double diameter of the smallest damage-sensitive products for which the dispenser is used or is intended to be used.

In a preferred manner, as stated above, a second flank 20 runs as of the deepest part of the first flank 19 and directed substantially crosswise to the first flank 19, which second flank 20 reaches up to the mantle.

The first flank 19 serves as the bottom of a grab, holder or scoop, whereas the second flank 20 offers space to the products, in this case the cherry tomatoes, to take place on the first flank 19, as well as a leaning side or support to remain there in a stable manner until the moment of delivery. In the above-described embodiment, when the damage- sensitive products such as the cherry tomatoes are waiting in the supply zone 12 near the drum 15 to be picked up, they are first exposed, directly or indirectly, to the presence of a material mantle portion 15B, after which they are being offered space thanks to the presence or the approach of the groove 16, initially as the second flank 20 presents itself, to be subsequently scooped up by the first flank 19 or by cherry tomatoes which already rest on the first flank 19. It is important that the damage-sensitive products, when the second flank 20 presents itself, do not acquire space all too fast to take place in the groove or recess 16. As soon as a damage-sensitive product acquires the space to take place in the groove or recess 16, it is important that the first flank 19 is already directed at such an angle to the second flank that the damage-sensitive product will lean against the second flank 20.

In other words, as soon as a product can take place in the groove or recess 16, it may no longer roll away from the second flank 20, nor may it protrude beyond the mantle should another obstacle present itself there.

Indeed, in the further process, after the product has taken place in the groove or recess 16, it should have sufficient free space. As the rotation progresses, the risk decreases, but a constriction, for example at the side edge 14, may not hinder any product which has come down early.

To this end, the groove or recess 16 should be sufficiently tilted, away from the supply zone 12.

The first flank 19 of a groove or recess 16, when it is connected to the plate element 13, is preferably oriented substantially corresponding to the slope of said plate element 13. A deviation between 10° and -30° is acceptable. Where it is stated that the orientation of the first flank 19 is directed substantially crosswise to the mantle of the drum 15, this should be understood as any orientation which is exactly crosswise to or within the orientation limits of a -30° and +30° rotation with respect to said crosswise orientation, but preferably within the orientation limits of a -20° and +20° rotation with respect to said crosswise orientation, and more preferably still within the orientation limits of a -10° and +10° rotation with respect to said crosswise orientation.

It is clear that by flanks 19 or 20 are not only understood flat walls. They may also refer to concave or convex shapes and/or they may be provided with all sorts of shape details and/or exhibit a plurality of facets.

Anyway, the first flank 19 results in a bearing surface, either or not virtual, which is defined as the plane crosswise to the anticipated direction of support or support vector.

Where reference is made of orientations of the first flank 19, this also relates by extension to the orientation of the either or not virtual bearing surface.

When reference is made to the length of the first flank 19, reference is also made, within this context of variants of shape, to the largest distance between the virtual mantle of the drum 15 and the most hidden portion of the groove or recess 16, measured crosswise to the mantle of the drum 15. Said length of the first flank 19 is preferably larger than half the diameter of the largest damage-sensitive products for which the dispenser is used or meant to be used and/or it is preferably smaller than the double diameter of the smallest damage-sensitive products for which the dispenser is used or is meant to be used.

For cherry tomatoes, 18 mm is typically recorded as minimum diameter for the fruits, and 36 mm as maximum diameter. Most of the usual cherry tomatoes have a diameter of 25 to 30 mm.

In other words, for such cherry tomatoes, the largest distance between the virtual mantle of the drum 15 and the most hidden portion of the groove or recess 16, measured crosswise to the mantle of the drum 15, should be larger than 18 mm and smaller than 36 mm.

However, the invention is not restricted to said dimensions and to the application to said fruits.

It should be noted that there are different sorts of cherry tomatoes with a strongly divergent diameter. Neither is the shape always precisely round, depending on the species.

The second flank 20 may, as in the above-described embodiment of the deepest portion of the first flank 19, run substantially crosswise thereto and reach up to the mantle, but this is not necessary.

By substantially crosswise is also meant, here and in the entire description, each orientation which is situated exactly crosswise to or within the orientation limits of a -30° and +30° rotation with respect to this crosswise orientation, preferably even between -20° and +20°, and most preferably between -10° and +10°.

It is clear that also the second flank 20 can evolve as deflected or bent, for example as represented in figure 4, consisting of a first part 20A which is substantially crosswise to the first flank 19 and a second part 20B which, being bent, provides for a shorter connection to the mantle and thus offers the groove or recess 16 a smaller access opening. A widening of the access opening in comparison with the embodiments as represented in figures 1 to 3 is undesirable, as the cherry tomatoes then tend to take place in the groove or recess 16 or fall down in the latter too quickly, resulting in possible damage.

When the dispenser is meant to be used for cherry tomatoes, the diameter of the drum 15, by which is referred to the diameter of the virtual mantle, preferably amounts to between 120 mm and 450 mm, more preferably between 120 mm and 350 mm, or preferably still between 150 mm and 350 mm.

If the diameter is too small, the cherry tomatoes will unintentionally roll over the drum, and if the diameter is too large, undesirably high speeds will be obtained, which does not benefit the damage-sensitive products.

When applying this to cherry tomatoes, the width of the drum amounts to at least 75 mm, or preferably at least 125 mm, and more preferably at least 150 mm, but preferably less than 500 mm, or more preferably less than 400 mm.

If the drum 15 is too narrow, this will lead to damage as a result of squeezing between products and side walls, and if the drum is too wide, it will carry along more products than can be channelled between the drum and receptacle.

Detection means are preferably provided near the dispensing opening 7, more specifically further downstream where a receptacle such as a little bag or box is usually placed by the consumer before operating the control arm 23.

In order to prevent products such as for example cherry tomatoes from being delivered following the operation of the control arm 23 without an incompletely filled receptacle being provided at the place provided to that end, such detection means can limit or control the operation of the device in that sense.

It is clear that the dispenser can be provided with an electric motor or another drive to replace the manual excitation . It is clear that the drum 15 with grooves or recesses 16 can be replaced by a hollow drum whose mantle is partly omitted or which is provided with an appropriate opening, and which drum can rotate in one direction only. The invention is by no means restricted to the embodiment of an automatic dispenser for cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products 1 according to the invention, described by way of example and represented in the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such an automatic dispenser for cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products 1 according to the invention can be achieved in many other ways while still remaining within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Dispenser for cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products, which dispenser (1) comprises a housing (2) in which are provided at least a loading opening (6) for bulk loading and a dispensing opening (7) for delivering portions, and whereby between the loading opening (6) for bulk loading and the dispensing opening (7) is provided a storage reservoir (3) for the sensitive products, and a drum (15) having one or several grooves or recesses (16), characterized in that a groove or recess (16) comprises a first flank (19) directed substantially crosswise to the mantle of the drum (15), whereby the length of the first flank (19) is smaller than the double diameter of the smallest cherry tomatoes or other damage-sensitive products for which the dispenser is used or is intended to be used.

2. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that between the drum (15) and the dispensing opening (7) is provided a discharge zone (18) for delivering portions.

3. Dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the storage reservoir (3), in a position of use, is delimited at the bottom by a sloping base, for example a sloping plate element (8) .

4. Dispenser according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the bottom of the storage reservoir (3) is provided with an opening (10) which provides for a constriction (11) and leads downward to the supply zone (12) .

5. Dispenser according to one or several of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply zone (12) is delimited at the bottom by a second sloping base, for example in the shape of a second plate element (13) which practically connects with the drum (15) whose mantle is provided with one or several grooves or recesses (16) .

6. Dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that essentially diagonally opposite the connection of the second plate element (13) of the supply zone (12) with the drum (15) is provided a third sloping plate element (17) which creates the discharge zone (18) .

7. Dispenser according to claim 6, characterized in that the third plate element (17) reaches through the dispensing opening (7) into the housing (2) .

8. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that a second flank (20) extends as of the deepest portion of the first flank (19), directed substantially crosswise to the first flank (19), which second flank (20) reaches up to the mantle.

9. Dispenser according to claim 8, characterized in that the first flank (19) and/or the second flank (20) have a bent or deflected shape.

10. Dispenser according to one or several of the preceding claims, characterized in that centrally in the drum (15) is provided a shaft and, in cooperation with the latter, also gear wheels (21) and a transmission mechanism (22) which can work in conjunction with a control arm (23) provided on the accessible surface of the housing ( 2 ) .

11. Dispenser according to one or several of the preceding claims, characterized in that a constriction

(11) and a supply zone (12) are provided between the collection reservoir (3) and the drum (15) .

12. Dispenser according to one or several of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the drum (15), which refers to the diameter of the virtual mantle, amounts to between 120 mm and 450 mm.

13. Dispenser according to claim 12, characterized in that the diameter of the drum (15), which refers to the diameter of the virtual mantle, amounts to between 120 mm and 350 mm.

14. Dispenser according to claim 13, characterized in that the diameter of the drum (15), which refers to the diameter of the virtual mantle, amounts to between 150 mm and 350 mm.

15. Dispenser according to one or several of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width of the drum (15) amounts to at least 75 mm, preferably at least 125 mm, and preferably still at least 150 mm, but preferably less than 500 mm, or preferably still less than 400 mm.