GB2102773A - Particle dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a particle dispenser for use with packets, boxes, bags or the like which comprises a body 2 and cutting means 3. The cutting means is an edged end portion 4 of the body, of which an edge defines an entry or hole 5. The hole 5 extends from its end in a tapered end portion 6 of the body towards an outlet 7 in the form of a pointed closed periphery. The outlet 7 is a hollow cylindrical end portion 9 whose internal diameter increases towards an end face 10, which is an elliptical hole 11 inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the body. The outlet is thus formed to facilitate dispensation of contents from the packet, box, bag or the like. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Particle dispenser The invention relates to a particle dispenser, and is particularly suitable for dispensing dry granular packed products from packets, boxes, bags or the like.

On known type of particle dispenser has a "bullet-shaped" body i.e. generally, cylindrical and hollow with a closed conical end portion closing one end of the body. The conical end portion is used for stabbing and progressively penetrating a packet, box, bag orthe like. However, since the conical end portion is not particularly sharp, it is usually necessary to pre-punch a hole in the packet with a suitably sharp object, orto produce packets having a hole defined by a line of weakness, such as a line of perforations so that the conical end portions can be inserted into packets without too much difficulty or wear at its tip.

The cylindrical body has a rectangular slot communicating with the interior of the body and extend ing most of its length.

A flange circumscribes the cylindrical body adja centthe end of the rectangular slot nearest the open end of the cylindrical body. The flange prevents the dispenser from being inserted completely into the packet or the like through the hole formed by the conical end portion and whose diameter corresponding to the external diameter of the cylindrical body.

Thus, it is apparent that contents of a packet or the like can enter the dispenser through the rectangular slot and leave the dispenser through the open end of the body.

Disadvantages of such a known type of particle dispenser are that it is necessary to pre-punch the packet or the like, orto produce packets having predefined holes before the particle dispenser can be easily inserted into the packet or the like, or to tolerate great difficulty of insertion and early wear of the tip.

A second known type of particle dispenser comprises a right cylindrical hollow body open at each end. One end of the body has an open tapered cage structure attached to or integral with the body. Even an open formation of the cage structure is generally insufficient to pierce a packetorthe like. A flange also circumscribes the body of the dispenser to prevent the dispenser from being inserted completely into the packet or the like through the hole formed by the open of the cage structure. The diameter of the hole corresponds to the external diameter of the body.

Since the dispenser has a through hole extending from the end to the other end of the body, contents of a packet orthe like can pass through the open tapered cage construction and into the body and out of the open end opposite the caged end, so as to be dispensed in a desired manner. Unlike the first known type of particle dispenser described above, whose outlet was in a place at right angies to the inlet, i.e. the rectangular slot, thus ensunng that the contents of the packet oniy emptied when the slot was presented to the contents, the second known type of particle dispenser usually has a cap to close the open end of the body opposite to the caged end so that the contents of the packet or the like do not exit from the packet accidently.

Disadvantages of the second known type of particle dispenser are that the cage construction is weak and the cap is a virtual necessity.

The present invention sets out to provide a particle dispenser which can penetrate at least some packets or the like readily without pre-punching a hole before use or providing the packet or the like with a pre-defined hole using a line of perforations.

According to the present invention, there is provided a particle dispenser for use with packets, boxes, bags or the like, perhaps even tins or cans which comprises a body having cutting means for progressively cutting and penetrating a packet, box, bag or the like, the cutting means defining an entry through which contents from the interior of said packet, box, bag or the like can pass, and an outlet communicating with the entry, the outlet preferably being formed to facilitate dispensation of said contents.

Preferably, the cutting means is an edged end portion of the body, of which an edge defines a hole extending from its end towards the outlet of the body in the form of a pointed closed periphery whose plane makes an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the body, that increases away from the end portion of the body towards the outlet of the body.

Preferably, the outlet is a hollow cylindrical end portion, whose internal diameter increases towards an end face, which defines an elliptical hole inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the body. The plane of the elliptical hole is in the same general direction as the plane of the pointed closed periphery, but the angle of inclination is constant and more inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the body than the angle of inclination of the pointed closed periphery.

Preferably, the body has an integral flange which circumscribes the end portion intermediate the elongate arcuate hole and the end face. The flange is also integral with a plurality of longitidinally extending formations, such as ribs, which are circumferen tiallyspaced about the exterior of the end portion to provide a fluted exterior surface. The flange abuts against the exterior surface of a packet or the like in order to prevent complete insertion of the body into the packet or the like.

The exterior surface of the body at least between the elongate arcuate hole and the flange is preferably textured or roughened so as to provide a frictional effect when the body is inserted into a packet orthe like. The textured or roughened exteriorsur- face can further comprise ribbing to provide an additional frictional effect.

The body is preferably made from a synthetic polymeric material, such as polystyrene.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a particle dispenser according to the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the particle dispenser of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a part sectional view taken along the line A-A of Figure 1.

Figures 1 and 2 shows a particle dispenser 1 having a body 2 and cutting means 3. The cutting means is an edged end portion 4 of the body, of which and edge defines an entry or hole 5. The hole 5 extends from its end in a tapered end portion 6 of the body towards an outlet 7 in the form of a pointed closed periphery i.e. an elongate arcuate hole.

The plane of the pointed closed periphery defined by the edge face 8 makes an angle a (as shown in Figure 2) relative to the longitudinal axis of the body that increases away from the end portion 6 towards the outlet7 ofthe body.

The outlet7 is a hollow cylindrical end portion 9 whose internal diameter increases towards an end face 10 (as shown in Figure 2). The end face 10 defines an elliptical hole 11 which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the body. The plane of the elliptical hole is in the same general direction as the plane of the pointed closed periphery. The angle of inclination is however constant and more inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the body than the angle of inclination of the pointed closed periphery.

The body has an integral flange 12 which circums cribes the end portion 9 intermediate the hole 5 and the end face 10. The flange 12 is also integral with a plurality of longitudinally extending formations 13, such as ribs, which are circumferentially spaced about the exterior of the end portion 9 to provide a fluted exterior surface 14 (as shown in Figures 1 and 3).

The exterior surface 15 of the body at least between the hole 5 and the flange 12 is textured or roughened so as to provide a frictional effect when the body is inserted into a packet. It is possible that there may be additional ribbing on the exterior surface 15 for an increased frictional effect.

The particle dispenser 1 has a tapered end portion 6 so that the dispenser can progressively penetrate into a packet. The cutting means 3 i.e. the edged end portion 4, which defines the hole 5, cuts and opens a hole in the packet when the dispenser is rotated, The tapered end portion 6 is sufficiently pointed to provide an initial hole in the packet i.e. by punching or stabbing the packet or the like. The hole can then be progressively enlargened by the edged end portion 4 as the dispenser is rotated.

The dispenser is inserted into the packet until the flange 12 abuts against the exterior surface of the packet. The dispenser is preferably inserted into the top end portion of one of the sides of the packet.

Contents of the packet can pass through the hole 5 when the hole is presented to the contents of the packet and out through the outlet 7 because the outlet is in direct communication with the hole. Because the internal diameter of the outlet end portion 9 increases, dispensation of the packet contnets is facilitated, and it becomes possible to "pour" out exact amounts from the packet. The end face 10 is inclined in order to facilitate the "pouring" action and to prevent accidental spillage. In order to "close" the packet, the dispenser is rotated through 1800 so that the entry i.e. the elongate arcuate hole 5 is not presented to the packet contents.

The dispenser 1 is made from a synthetic polymeric material such as polystyrene.

The dispenser can also be used to dispense particulate contents from tins or cans. In such cases, it may be necessary to pre-punch the tin or can before inserting the dispenser.

The overall dimensions of the dispenser are as follows: length 62.5mm, width 22.5mm, length of the elongate arcuate hole 41 mm, length of the circumferentially spaced ribbing 18mm, and width of the cylindrical end portion 15.5mm. The angle of inclination of the end face 10 to the longitudinal aims of the dispenser is 68". The internal surface of the cylindrical end portion 9 subtends an angle of 5 with the longitudinal axis of the dispenser.

Claims (14)

1. A particle dispenser for use with packets, boxes, bags or the like comprising a body having cutting means for progressively cutting and penetrating a packet, box, bag or the like, the cutting means defining an entry through which contents from the interior of said packet, box, bag orthe like can pass, and an outlet communicating with the entry, the outlet being formed to facilitate dispensation of said contents.

2. A particle dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutting means is an edged end portion of the body, of which an edge defines a hole extending from its end towards the outlet of the body in the form of a pointed closed periphery whose plane makes an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.

3. A particle dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plane of the pointed closed periphery increases away from the end portion of the body towards the outlet of the body.

4. A particle dispenser as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the outlet is a hollow cylindrical end portion, whose internal diameter increases towards an end face, which defines an elliptical hole inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.

5. A particle dispenser as claimed in claim 2,3 or 4, wherein the plane of the elliptical hole is in the same general direction as the plane pfthe pointed closed periphery, but the angle of inclination is contact and more inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the body than the angle of inclination of the pointed closed periphery.

6. A particle dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the body has an integral flange which circumscribes the end portion intermediate the pointed closed periphery and the end face.

7. A particle dispenser as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flange is integral with a plurality of longitudinally extending formations, which are cir cumferentially spaced about the exterior of the end portion to provide a fluted exterior surface.

8. A particle dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein the formations are ribs.

9. A particle dispenser as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the flange abuts against the exterior surface of a packet, box, bag or the like in order to prevent complete insertion of the body into the packet, box, bag or the like.

10. A particle dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the exterior surface of the body at least between the pointed closed periphery andtheflangeistextured or roughened so asto provide a frictional effect when the body is inserted into a packet, box, bag or the like.

11. A particle dispenser as claimed in claim 10, wherein the textured or roughened exterior surface further comprises ribbing to provide an additional frictional effect.

12. A particle dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is made from a synthetic polymeric material.

13. A particle dispenser as claimed in claim 12, wherein the synthetic polymeric material is polystyrene.

14. A particle dispenser substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.