FR2890647A1 - Dispenser for e.g. olives comprises box with sloping front wall with outlet at its upper end, olives being dispensed through this using rake inserted through slot in lid and partition dividing box into front and rear compartments - Google Patents

Abstract

The dispenser for liquids, powders or granules or for individual articles, e.g. olives, comprises a box with a sloping front wall (1c) which has a downward-facing outlet (11) at its upper end. Material can be dispensed through this using a rake (7) inserted through a slot (6) in its lid (13a, 13b). A vertical partition (3) divides the box into front and rear compartments.

Description

2890647 Description

  The present invention relates to a device for storing and dispensing products.

  It relates to the technical field of receptacles having particular means for dispensing their contents and more particularly for dispensing liquid, powdery or granular products, such as powders, hardware, confectionery or other food products such as pasta , beans, lentils, fries, olives with their juice, as well as any other similar product.

  When such products are sold in bulk, it is convenient to be able to store a certain amount in a container and to be able to easily remove the quantity desired by the buyer.

  In the case where the products are of the food type, it is necessary, for hygienic reasons, that the hands of the person dealing with the distribution and / or those of the buyer can not come into contact with them. It is the same for security reasons in the case where the products are harmful.

  In an attempt to solve this problem, product storage and distribution devices are known, comprising a container closed by a lid and provided with a dispensing duct. Usually, a passage is made on the lid so that a rake or spoon can be inserted inside the container. By manipulating the rnanche of this rake, the user can bring a specific quantity of products to the distribution duct and only has to collect them in a sachet, a tray or any other container.

  Generally, the dispensing conduit protrudes with the wall of the container. It is oriented towards the outside of the container and downwards so that the products brought by the rake fall by gravity into the bag collecting them.

  Such a device is described in particular in patent FR 2.716.872.A1 (Flament).

  The devices mentioned above have a number of disadvantages which do not make their use completely satisfactory, especially from a hygienic point of view.

  Indeed, as we refill the container, the oldest products remain at the bottom of the container while the newly introduced products are found above other products and when the user manipulates the rake, only these the last ones will be recovered. Depending on their characteristics, the products at the bottom of the container deteriorate rapidly and are usually discarded at a loss. If the products stored are of the food type, these products may in addition to mold and contaminate all other products stored.

  Another disadvantage is that commonly used containers have undercut shapes so that products can get stuck in hard to reach corners. In addition to the risk of rapid deterioration of these products, the container is difficult to wash and its use becomes unhygienic.

  In addition, the caps used to close the containers are generally simply placed on top of said containers and are therefore easily manipulated by users. The products are therefore easily accessible, hygienic conditions can not then be optimal. Closing devices such as locks or padlocks may be employed, but complicate the design.

  It happens that liquid products and solid products are stored in the same container, this is the case for example olives bathed in their juice. When the user returns the solid products to the distribution duct with the rake, it also carries a portion of the liquid contained in the container. Discomfort can then occur if the recovery bag is not perfectly sealed or if it is not intended to contain liquids.

  Also, when liquid products are returned to the distribution duct and they flow to a recovery bag, most of the time, drops remain agglutinated at the opening of said duct. When drying, these drops form a kind of unhygienic crust around the duct, which requires regular washing.

  The object of the present invention is to alleviate this state of affairs, in particular because it makes it possible to obtain a device for storing and dispensing products keeping said products under optimal hygiene conditions, whatever their characteristics.

  Another object of the invention is to propose a storage and distribution device of simple design that is easy to use and inexpensive.

  These objects are achieved by a device for storing and dispensing products comprising a container provided with a closure lid in which there is provided a passage for a gripping means, one of the side walls of said container being inclined forwards and outwards. which is arranged a distribution duct having a downward opening, characterized in that a plate is arranged between the side walls of said container to compartmentalize the latter in the longitudinal direction, said plate leaving a passage to its low point. An upstream compartment for the filling and a downstream compartment for gripping the products are then formed, the plate making it possible to generate a continuous circulation of the products from the upstream compartment to the downstream compartment so that the oldest products are easily apprehended by the 'user.

  According to a characteristic making it possible to use the device that is the subject of the invention under normal conditions, that is to say without creating forced circulation of the products inside the container, the plate is slidably mounted 2890647 -4 in rails arranged on the side walls of said container. The plate is easily removable and can be removed especially when non-food type products are stored, their qualities not likely to deteriorate over time.

  According to another characteristic of the invention for circulating all the products located in the upstream compartment to the downstream compartment, the side wall located at the rear of said upstream compartment is advantageously inclined towards the passage left by the plate.

  To facilitate replenishment of the device object of the invention, the lid is preferably formed of two portions respectively above each compartment formed by the plate.

  According to another characteristic of the invention making it possible to optimize the hygiene conditions by avoiding easy access to the interior of the container, the lid advantageously comprises projecting elements that can not fit into or out of notches arranged on the side walls of the container only when said walls are stretched outwardly. In this case, the container is preferably PET or PETG to prevent the side walls from deteriorating during their deformation.

  According to another characteristic of the invention for recovering only solid products, grooves are advantageously arranged at the inner face of the side wall on which the distribution duct is arranged.

  According to another characteristic of the invention improving the hygiene conditions and facilitating the washing of the container with the water jet, the distribution duct advantageously comprises concave generating lines. This feature prevents having inaccessible corners in the distribution duct in which are likely to lodge products.

  In an alternative embodiment allowing, in addition, to easily obtain in a single piece by molding a container provided with a distribution duct, the latter is advantageously of rounded shape having no form against undercut with respect to a horizontal plane passing through said conduit.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the flanges of the opening of the distribution duct are bevelled to promote the ejection of the drops at the outlet of the distribution duct.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description, given as an indicative and nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents a view in perspective of the device object of the invention; - Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view along A-A device object of the invention showing the various components and their arrangement; - Figure 3 is a top view of the device of the invention.

  The device which is the subject of the invention is intended to store and distribute liquid, powdery or granular products such as powders, hardware, confectionery or other food products such as pasta, beans, lentils, fries, olives with their juice, as well as any other similar product.

  With reference to the appended figures, the device according to the invention comprises a container 1 in which the products 2 are stored (FIG. 2). The container 1 is formed of a bottom and the side walls 1b, 1c, 1d, 1 e extending upwards. Referring to the accompanying figures and in particular to Figure 3, the side walls are inclined so as to stack several containers.

  The container 1 is advantageously of opaque or transparent material, for example glass, plastic or any other equivalent material, without affecting the properties of the stored products.

  The characteristics and properties of the container 1 also allow it to be immersed in a hot liquid (bain-marie) or cold for the preservation and keeping warm or cold stored products.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the container: 1 is PET or PETG.

  The container 1 is closed on the top by a removable cover. Once positioned, this cover prevents hands from accessing the interior of the container and coming into direct contact with the products.

  The lid can be made in one piece or, as shown in the accompanying figures, in two parts 13a and 131). Part 13a is advantageously removable for filling and part 13b can be fixed. Advantageously, the latter is removable for easy access to the interior of the container 1 during cleaning thereof. Through holes 130 are arranged on the parts 13a and 13b of the cover so that the user can easily manipulate them with the finger.

  Advantageously, vertical flanges 1f are arranged at the upper end of the side walls 1b, 1c, 1d, the. When a lid is placed on the container 1 and another container is positioned on it, the vertical flanges 1f form a housing for positioning and wedge suitably.

  According to an embodiment not shown, horizontal flanges may be arranged at the upper end of the side walls lb, 1c, 1d, the, these flanges for sliding the container 1 on rails for storage in shelves or dressers in the same way as drawers.

  Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the portions 13a and 13b of the cover comprise, in a horizontal plane, projecting elements 131 being incised in notches 132 formed on the vertical flanges 1f.

  The width of the parts 13a and 13b and the dimensions of the projecting elements 131 are such that said projecting elements can not insert or leave the notches 132 by deforming the vertical flanges 1f to the outside. When the flanges are in their normal position, the projecting elements 131 can therefore no longer leave the notches 1:32, the lid then being locked in position and difficult to handle.

  More generally, the notches 132 may be arranged equivalently on other parts of the side walls 1b, 1c, Id, the latter to be stretched outwardly of the container 1 to position the lid or for the remove.

  Referring to the accompanying figures, a passage 6 is formed on the portion 13b cover allowing a gripping means 7 to pass inside the container 1, the user using this means to enter a quantity of products.

  For the user to manipulate the gripping means 7, the latter comprises a handle 7a protruding from the container 1. It advantageously comprises at its end in contact with the products to be taken, a measuring element 7b, of the spoon or gripper type, adapted to products considered, to easily recover a specific and precise quantity of said products. The metering element may also be replaced by a rake or scraper type element according to the wishes of the user and the type of product stored.

  According to a preferred embodiment and with reference to Figures 1 and 3, the passage 6 is a groove extending in the direction of the length of the container 1 and of width substantially greater than the diameter of the handle 7a, so that the metering element 7b can rotate in all directions to reach any area of the container, no part of the container to be inaccessible.

  As shown in the accompanying figures, a side wall 1c is inclined relative to the horizontal and extends outwardly of said container. This inclined side wall facilitates the gripping of the products 2 and allows the user to easily return the products to a distribution duct 9.

  Preferably, the container 1 and the conduit 9 are obtained directly by molding in one piece. As shown in Figure 2, the connection between the side wall 1c and the duct 9 has no sharp edge.

  Referring to Figure 1, the conduit 9 has concave generating lines so as not to form inaccessible recesses in which are likely to lodge products.

  In an alternative embodiment not shown, the distribution duct 9 is of rounded shape projecting towards the outside of the container 1 so that there is no surface in reverse conduction relative to a horizontal plane passing through said conduit.

  Once the products are brought to the level of the distribution duct 9, their flow is guided towards an opening 11 directed downwards, said products coming out of the container by gravity.

  Advantageously, the geometry of the opening 11 is complementary to the geometry of the measuring element 7b.

  Referring to Figure 2, the edges of the opening 11 are bevelled so that drops of liquid products possibly stored can not be held at this level.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a closure means 12, of the folding flap type, is arranged at the opening 11. By manipulating this closure means, the user can close or release the opening 11 and regulate the opening. flow of products leaving the distribution pipe 9.

  By positioning a bag, a container or a sealed container at the opening 11, the user retrieves the desired quantity of products.

  Referring to the accompanying figures, grooves 90, directed in the direction of the height, are arranged on the inner face of the side wall 1c, below the passage to the conduit 9. By bringing back solid products and liquid products, for example olives and their juice, to the distribution duct 9, the liquid products will flow through these grooves 90 and fall inside the container 1 before reaching said conduit.

  Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a plate 3 is disposed between the side walls 1d and 1 to compartmentalize the container 1 in the longitudinal direction. Thus formed an upstream compartment 30a, disposed under the cover 13a, for filling the container 1 and a downstream compartment 30b, disposed under the cover 13b, for gripping the products.

  According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the plate 3 is disposed vertically in the container 1 but said plate can also be inclined relative to the vertical.

  Preferably, the plate 3 is positioned and slides in rails 3a arranged on the side walls 1d and the inside of the container 1. The rails 3a can be attached or directly machined or molded on the side walls 1d and 1c. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the plate 3 is not removable and is directly glued or welded inside the container 1.

  Referring to Figure 2, the plate 3, whose height is less than the depth of the container 1, leaves a passage at its lowest point so that the products of the upstream compartment 30a automatically flow to the downstream compartment 30b. Since the oldest introduced products are at the bottom of the upstream compartment 30a, the latter are routed first to the downstream compartment 30b and are found above other products.

  The plate 3 thus reverses the positioning of the products in the compartments 30a and 30b and the user will apprehend in priority in the downstream compartment 30b the oldest products located above the other products.

  Advantageously, the side wall 1b located at the rear of said upstream compartment is inclined towards the passage left by the plate 3. In this way, the upstream compartment 30a has substantially the shape of a funnel and all the products 2 flows to the downstream compartment 30b.

Claims (10)

claims   1. Device for storing and dispensing products comprising a container (1) provided with a closure lid (13a, 13b) in which there is provided a passage (6) for a gripping means (7), one of the side walls (1c) of said container being inclined forwards and on which is arranged a distribution duct (9) having an opening (11) directed downwards, characterized in that a plate (3) is arranged between the side walls (Id, le) of said container to form an upstream compartment (30a) and a downstream compartment (30b), said plate leaving a passage at its low point between the two said compartments.   2. Device for storing and dispensing products according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (3) is slidably mounted in rails (3a) disposed on the side walls (1d, 1c) of the container (1). .   3. Device for storing and dispensing products according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side wall (1b) located at the rear of the upstream compartment (30a) is inclined towards the passage left by the plate (3).   4. Device for storing and dispensing products according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid is formed of two parts (13a, 13b) respectively being arranged above each compartment (30a, 30b). ).   5. Device for storing and dispensing products according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover comprises projecting elements (131) unable to insert or leave notches (132) arranged on the side walls (lb, lc, Id, le) of the container (1) only when said walls are stretched outwards.   6. Device for storing and dispensing products according to claim 5, characterized in that the container (1) is PET or PETG.   7. Device for storing and dispensing products according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that grooves (90) are arranged at the inner face of the side wall (1c) on which the conduit is arranged. distribution (9).   8. Device for storing and dispensing products according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distribution duct (9) comprises concave generating lines.   9. Device for storing and dispensing products according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the distribution duct (9) is of rounded shape having no form against undercut with respect to a horizontal plane passing through said conduit.   10. Device for storing and dispensing products according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edges of the opening (11) of the distribution duct (9) are bevelled.