GB2429702A

GB2429702A - Box for metering particulate material

Info

Publication number: GB2429702A
Application number: GB0617402A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Lee Ackroyd
Original assignee: MY Operations Ltd
Current assignee: Graphic Packaging International Europe UK Ltd
Priority date: 2005-09-06
Filing date: 2006-09-05
Publication date: 2007-03-07
Also published as: GB0518110D0; GB0617402D0

Abstract

A dispensing device in the form of a box 2 has a first interior compartment 26 for storing a plurality of items 3 to be dispensed; the items 3 may be a particulate material. A partition means 24 is provided in the box 2 defining a sub-compartment 28, and operating such that on rotation of the device a pre-determined (metered) portion or quantity of the items 3 from the first compartment 26 is available for dispensing via an opening 18, 20, 22. Preferably the dispensing device is formed from a single piece cardboard blank 102, and the partition means 24 is a panel thereof.

Description

1 2429702 Dispensing Device This invention relates to a dispensing device

for dispensing one or more items therefrom.

Although the following description refers to a dispensing device for dispensing food, such as rice, cereal, pasta, oats, sweets and/or the like, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the device of the present invention can be used for dispensing one or more items of any type, size and/or configuration.

Conventionally, food products such as rice, oats and pasta are provided in a closed carton for storage purposes and, when a user wishes to dispense the food from the carton, they open a top end of the carton and pour the food product from the * carton. It is often the case that the manufacturer of the food product will recommend a quantity/size of the food product by **** weight for use with a further product, such as water, and/or as a recommended meal portion for a particular number of people.

The recommended quantity/size of the food product may be ****** * printed on the carton or printed on instructions provided with * the carton, together with other information, such as nutritional S...

information. This is particularly advantageous when a user is monitoring their nutritional intake for diet purposes and/or if the taste of the food product is optimised by being mixed in a pre-determined quantity with one or other products. However, a problem with this is that a user is required to have weighing scales or some other form of measuring implement in order to measure out the recommended quantity of the food product.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a dispensing device which allows a pre-determined quantity/number/size of one or more products contained in the device to be dispensed therefrom without the need for additional equipment.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a blank for forming a dispensing device.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using a dispensing device.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing device, said dispensing device in the form of a housing defining at least a first interior compartment therein for containing a plurality of items to be dispensed and at least one opening for allowing said items contained therein to be dispensed from the device, and wherein means are provided in said housing such that on rotation of said device a pre- * determined portion or quantity of said items from said at least first interior compartment is available for dispensing via said at **** least one opening. * *

*.*. . . . . . Thus, the entire device is typically rotated, including rotation of S.....

* the first interior compartment in which all the items are initially stored, to allow a pre-determined quantity of items which is S...

typically a fraction of the total items content, to be moved from said first compartment to a location adjacent the dispensing opening, such as into a sub-compartment, where the pre- determined fraction of items to be dispensing whilst leaving any remaining portion of said items in the first interior compartment.

Preferably partition means are provided in the device to define at least one sub-compartment portion between said at least first interior compartment and said opening, said sub-compartment portion communicating with said first interior compartment to allow a pre-determined portion of said items to pass from said first interior compartment to said subcompartment on rotation of the dispensing device prior to being dispensed through said opening.

The location of the opening with respect to the partition means is such that typically only the items located in the sub- compartment of the device are dispensed from the opening in any single dispensing action.

The sub-compartment and/or an aperture defined between the subcompartment and the first compartment is of a pre-defined size such that only a known number/quantity of items enters said sub-compartment and is dispensed therefrom in a single dispensing action.

Thus rotation of the device through a pre-determined angle moves items from the first compartment to the sub- b*1 compartment and, on opening of the device, only items in the sub- compartment are available for dispensing. p..

* Preferably closure means are provided in association with the opening to close the opening. The closure means are typically movable to close and open the opening as and when required.

The closure means of the device are typically closed during rotation of the device in a dispensing action. Once rotation of the device through the pre-determined angle is complete, the closure means can be moved to an open position to dispense the items.

Preferably the pre-determined angled is between 270-360 degrees.

The closure means can be of any suitable type, size or configuration. Locking means can be provided on or associated with the closure means for locking the closure means in a closed position.

Preferably the first compartment communicates with the sub- compartment portion via at least one aperture defined in the partition means and/or defined between the partition means and one or more walls of the dispensing device.

Preferably the at least one aperture is provided remotely or a spaced distance apart from the opening/closure means of the dispensing device.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one aperture is defined at or adjacent one end of the sub-compartment and the opening and/or closure means of the dispensing device are defined at or adjacent an opposite end of the sub-compartment. * .

The dispensing device can be made from any suitable material, such as wood, plastic, metal and/or the like.

* In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing device is formed at least partially from board material. The device is typically in the form of a carton.

Preferably the carton is formed from a blank.

The partition means can be attached to the device during assembly and/or can be integrally formed therewith.

The partition means is typically in the form of at least one wall portion provided in the dispensing device.

In one embodiment the partition means is provided as an integral extension to one of the walls of the device. For example, if board material is used, the partition means can have at least one fold line defined between the device wall and the partition means to allow the partition means to be located in the required position within the interior of the device to partially separate the sub-compartment from the at least first compartment.

The end of the partition means furthest from the at least one fold line can be a free end and located in place against a wall of the device via a friction fit. Alternatively one or more edges of the partition means can be attached to one or more walls of the device via attachment means. The attachment means can include any or any combination of adhesive, welding, staples, one or em s-a rl, , . , r fi em n f.t- .-, s-a.. a., n.e (tie, s, .., or., s-n n s-I / em.- .-h SAL J5 L. L.AAI 0, LA.J, 555.. Li L/ Si ALL, SAL LL.A. - .. 5555455 1S5 SAIL. LAS Li L.A 0 aSS LeA LAS.... like. * ** ** . S... I'.,

*.** In one embodiment the housing of the dispensing device has a front wall, back wall, top end, base end and side walls. In a S... . . preferred example, the dispensing device is substantially * rectangular in shape, although any shaped device can be used.

SS I S...

In one embodiment at least one wall of the partition means is provided substantially parallel and a spaced distance apart from a top end of the dispensing device or from an end of the device in which the opening of said device is provided.

Preferably a user manually rotates the device to allow items to be moved from said first compartment to a location adjacent said dispensing opening/sub-compartment.

Preferably the plurality of items dispensed are dried food items, nonaqueous, solid items and/or the like.

More than one opening can be provided, such as a dispensing opening to access the sub-compartment and a further opening to access, for example, the at least first interior compartment and/or the sub-compartment.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a blank for forming a dispensing device for dispensing a plurality of items, said blank including a plurality of panels separated by fold lines for defining walls of a housing of the device and at least a first interior compartment when formed, at least one of said panels having an opening defined therein for allowing said items to be dispensed therefrom, and wherein means are provided in said housing when formed such that on rotation of said device a pre-determined portion or quantity of said items from said at least first interior compartment is available for dispensing via said at least one opening.

: ** According to a further aspect of the present invention there is *I*. . . . . . . provided a method of using a dispensing device, said dispensing *... . - . . . . device in the form of a housing defining at least a first interior compartment therein for containing a plurality of items to be dispensed and at least one opening for allowing said items contained therein to be dispensed from the device, and wherein said method includes the step of a user rotating the device such . .: that means provided in said housing allow a pre-determined portion or quantity of said items to move from said at least first interior compartment to said at least one opening for dispensing during said rotation.

Preferably the user rotates the device through 270-360 degrees prior to dispensing one or more items therefrom.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing device, said dispensing device defining at least a first interior compartment therein for containing one or more items to be dispensed and at least one opening for allowing said items contained therein to be dispensed from the device, and wherein partition means are provided in the device to define at least one sub-compartment portion between said first interior compartment and said opening, said subcompartment portion communicating with said first interior compartment to allow one or more of said items to pass from said first interior compartment to said sub-compartment on rotation of the dispensing device prior to being dispensed through said opening.

A detailed embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: : ** Figure Ia shows a perspective view of a dispensing device *.S.

according to one embodiment of the present invention; *..

Figure lb illustrates a plan view of the device in figure Ia from the top; :::; Figure 2 illustrates a blank for forming the device in figure Ia; Figure 3a is a perspective view of the device in figure Ia showing the partition means and items contained in the device when the device is in a first non-use position; Figure 3b shows the device in figure 3a following rotation through 90 degrees; Figure 3c shows the device in figure 3a following rotation through 180 degrees; Figure 3d shows the device in figure 3a following rotation through 270 degrees; Figure 3e shows the device in figure 3a with the closure means in an open position to allow dispensing of items from the device.

Referring to the figures, there is illustrated a dispensing carton 2 formed from a single blank 102 made from board material. The carton 2 allows pre-defined numbers of items 3 to be dispensed therefrom in a single dispensing action without the requirement for additional equipment.

The carton 2 has a front wall 4, rear wall 6, base wall 8, top wall and side walls 12, 14. An opening 16 is defined in top wall 10 : ** adjacent side wall 12. Closure means in the form of closure flaps *.. .

18, 20, 22 are associated with the opening to close the opening *... . when the device is not in use. S... * . S...

Partition means 24 are provided in the carton 2 to define a first compartment 26 and a sub-compartment 28. The first hI: . compartment 26 is defined between base wall 8, front wall 4, rear wall 6, side walls 12, 14 and first partition panel 30 of partition means 24. Sub-compartment 28 is defined between top wall 10, front wall 4, rear wall 6, side walls 12, 14 and first partition panel 30.

The partition means 24 are formed such that first partition panel is substantially parallel to top wall 10 and substantially perpendicular to side walls 12, 14. A pre-defined space is defined between panel 30 and top wall 10.

An aperture 32 is defined in partition means 24 to allow communication between sub-compartment 28 and first compartment 26, thereby allowing items 3 contained in first compartment 26 to pass into sub-compartment 28 during rotation of the carton. The aperture 32 can be defined as a result of panel 30 being shorter in length or width than top wall 10 and/or an aperture or recess can be defined in panel 30.

In use of the carton, the carton is rotated from a first non-use position, as shown in figure 3a, through a 270-360 degree angle as shown in figures 3b-3d. During this rotation, items 3 are moved from a position where they are located predominantly adjacent base wall 8 in first compartment 26, as shown in figure 3a, to a first intermediate position where items 3 are located predominantly ad;accnt sidc wall 14 in first compartment 26, as shown in figure 3b, following 90 degrees rotation of carton 2.

Items 3 are then moved to a second intermediate position where * .. items 3 are located predominantly adjacent top wall 10, side wall 14, and first partition panel 30, as shown in figure 3c, following degrees rotation of carton 2. On rotation of carton 2 through 270 degrees, some of items 3 fall within sub- **** compartment 28 through aperture 32 and some of items 3 fall within first compartment 26, as shown in figure 3d. Only a pre- :: : defined quantity of items can fall within sub-compartment 28 during this rotation, due to the size of aperture 32 and sub- compartment 28, thereby allowing a user to dispense a known quantity of items from the carton during a single dispensing action (i.e. following a single rotation of the carton through 270-360 degrees).

Once the carton has been rotated through 270-360 degrees, the closure flaps 18, 20, 22 can be opened, thereby allowing items 3 to be dispensed through opening 16, as shown in figure 3e (the items not being shown for the purposes of clarity).

Referring to figure 2, there is illustrated a blank 102 for forming carton 2. Blank 102 comprises rear wall panel 6, front wall panel 4, side wall panels 12, 14 and end wall panels 8, 10. Rear wall panel 6 is joined to side wall panel 12 via fold line 104, side wall panel 12 is joined to front vall panel 4 via opposite fold line 106. Front wall panel 4 is joined to side wall panel 14 via fold line 108. An attachment flap 110 is joined to side wall panel 14 via fold line 112.

On assembly of the carton 2, a sleeve member is formed by attaching attachment flap 110 to an interior surface of rear panel 6 and folding the blank along fold lines 104, 106, 108, 112, such that side walls 12, 14 are substantially perpendicular to front and rear walls 4, 6.

The base of the carton is formed by folding panels 116, 118 joined to side wall panels 12, 14 along fold lines 120, 122 respectively, such that the panels are moved inwardly of the sleeve member. Base wall panel 8' attached to rear wall panel 6 along fold line 114 is then folded inwardly of the sleeve member and is typically attached to panels 116, 118 via adhesion or some :: : other suitable form of attachment. Base wall panel 8 attached to front wall panel 4 along fold line 124 is then folded inwardly of the sleeve member and attached to panel 8' via suitable attachment means. Thus, a carton is formed having an interior compartment defined therein, an open top end and a closed base end.

In accordance with the present invention, partition means 24 are provided on the blank for dividing the interior compartment of the carton into a main compartment 28 for holding the items to be dispensed and a sub-compartment 26 for holding a pre- defined portion of the items for dispensing during a single dispensing action. The sub-compartment is adjacent to the dispensing opening and the main compartment is separated from the opening via the partition means.

The partition means 24 includes a first partition panel 30 which is of substantially the same width as the top and base wall panels and typically lies parallel thereto when the carton is assembled.

Partition panel 30 has an attachment flap 128 joined along a first edge via fold line 130. A second partition panel 132 is joined to an opposite edge of first partition panel 30 via fold line 134.

The second partition panel 132 is located substantially parallel with and adjacent to front wall panel 4 when assembled and the width of ihe same defines the distance partition panel 30 is from top wall. This in turn will in part define the quantity of items dispensed from the carton in a single dispensing action.

: ** A third partition panel 136 is joined to second partition panel 132 and rear wall panel 6 along fold lines 138, 126 respectively.

The third partition panel 136 is located substantially parallel to and adjacent top wall panel 10 when assembled. Third partition panel 136 is substantially L-shaped in form and has a recess portion 140 defined. This recess portion provides aperture 32 J. : between the sub-compartment 26 and main compartment 28 when the carton is formed.

The partition means in this example is joined to the rear wall panel 6 via fold line 126, although the partition means could be joined to any suitable wall of the carton.

Adjacent part of third partition panel 136 is closure panel flap 22. Frangible means, which in this example are in the form of perforations 142, are provided between panel 136 and closure flap 22. Closure panel flap 18 is joined to side wall 12 along fold line 144 and to closure flap 22 along fold line 146. Closure panel flap 20 is joined to front wall panel 4 along fold line 148 and to closure panel flap 18 via fold line 150. A further edge of closure panel flap 20 is joined to top wall panel 10 via perforations 152.

When the carton is assembled, the partition means 24 are located in position and closure panel flap 18 and flap 154, joined to side wall panel 14 along fold line 156, are moved inwardly of the carton, such that flaps 18, 154 are substantially perpendicular to side wall panels 12, 14. Closure flap 20 and top wall panel 10 are then folded over the top of flaps 18, 154, flap 22 and part. of third partition wall panel 136 and adhered thereto. The carton is thus in a closed position.

When the carton is used for the first time, a user breaks : .. perforations 142, 152, thereby allowing closure flaps 18, 20, 22 *S. S to be moved from the closed position, shown in figure la, to the *S..

open position, as shown in figure 3e. With the closure flaps in the open position, items can be dispensed from the carton. The closure flaps provide a funnel type of arrangement when in an open position to allow easy pouring of the items therefrom.

:::: : After use of the carton, a user can close the carton by folding * closure flaps 18 and 22 inwardly of the carton and inserting tab 158 provided adjacent a free end of closure flap 20 through slit defined in closure flap 22 to lock the same in a closed position. Other locking means can be provided if required.

A V-shaped fold line 162 can be provided on each of flaps 18, 154 such that the apex of the V is provided approximately centrally adjacent the free edges of the flaps. Side portions 164, 166 of each flap external to the central V portion 168 fold on top of the central V portion 168 when the flaps 18, 154 are in a closed position.

The carton is typically formed from board material in the illustrated example but it will be appreciated that the carton can be formed from any suitable material. Furthermore, the partition means can be provided in a carton/container or any suitable shape, size and/or design. The closure means can also be provided in any suitable shape, size or design.

The order to assembly of the wall panels can vary as required.

For example, attachment flap 128 of the partition means can be adhered/attached to rear wall 6 of the carton prior to assembly, thereby allowing the blank to be flat packed and transported to a suitable assembly location.

The one or more items can be located in sealing means prior to first use of the device and/or the device itself can be provided : *. with sealing means to allow the items to be located in a sealed environment at least prior to first use, thereby keeping the items fresh in the case of the items being a food product. The sealing means can be located in the device and can be opened on first use of the device. A different opening or closure means can be provided to the dispensing opening/closure means to allow opening of the sealing means if required.

Claims

Claims: 1. A dispensing device, said dispensing device in the form of a

housing defining at least a first interior compartment therein for containing a plurality of items to be dispensed and at least one opening for allowing said items contained therein to be dispensed from the device, and wherein means are provided in said housing such that on rotation of said device a pre-determined portion or quantity of said items from said at least first interior compartment is available for dispensing via said at least one opening.

2. A dispensing device according to claim I wherein said means are in the form of partition means provided in the devicc to dcfine at least one subcompartment portion between said at least first interior compartment and said opening, said sub-compartment communicating with said first interior compartment to allow said pre-determined S...

portion or quantity of said items to pass from said first I...

compartment to said sub-compartment to be dispensed via said at least one opening. S. *

S

S... . . . . 3. A dispensing device according to claim 2 wherein the .: location of the at least one opening and partition means is such that only the items located in the sub-compartment are dispensed via said opening in any single dispensing action.

4. A dispensing device according to claim 2 wherein the size of the sub-compartment and/or aperture between the sub- compartment and the first compartment defines the pre- determined portion or quantity of items to be dispensed.

5. A dispensing device according to claim 1 wherein the device requires rotation through 270-360 degrees to move said pre-defined quantity or portion of said items to said opening for dispensing.

6. A dispensing device according to claim I wherein closure means are provided in association with the opening to close the opening.

7. A dispensing device according to claim 6 wherein the closure means are in a closed position during rotation of the device and said closure means are moved to an open position in order to dispense items from said device.

8. A dispeiisiiig device according to claim 6 wherein locking means are provided with or associated with the closure : .. means for locking the closure means in a closed position. S... *5*S * S *SI.

9. A dispensing device according to claim 2 wherein at least S...

one aperture is defined in the partition means and/or between the partition means and one or more walls of the * dispensing device to allow items to pass from said at least S...

first compartment to said sub-compartment.

10. A dispensing device according to claim 9 wherein the at least one aperture is defined remotely or a spaced distance apart from the opening of said device.

11. A dispensing device according to claim 10 wherein said at least one aperture is defined at or adjacent one end of the sub-compartment and the opening and/or closure means are defined at or adjacent an opposite end of said sub-compartment.

12. A dispensing device according to claim I wherein the device is formed at least partially from board material.

13. A dispensing device according to claim I wherein the device is in the form of a carton and the carton is formed from a blank.

14. A dispensing device according to claim 2 wherein the partition means is attached to said device during assembly.

15. A dispensing device according to claim 2 wherein the partition means is integrally formed with said device.

16. A dispensing device according to any preceding claim wherein the partition means is defined via a fold line 1 1 11 r 1 1 - 1.1 _C.1.

ottweeii a panei wail Ut LLI ucYlce aiiu a pailci Ui. Li1C ::: partition means. * * * S..

17. A dispensing device according to claim 16 wherein an end of the partition panel or panels furthest from the fold line is a free end located in place against a wall of the * device via friction fit. S... *. S

*. .: 18. A dispensing device according to claim 16 wherein one or more edges of the partition panel or panels are attached to one or more walls of the device via attachment means.

19. A dispensing device according to claim 18 wherein the attachment means include any or any combination of adhesive, welding, staples, one or more clips, ties and/or inter-engaging members.

20. A dispensing device according to claim I wherein the housing of the device has a front wall, rear wall, top end, base end and side walls.

21. A dispensing device according to any preceding claim wherein at least one wall of the partition means is provided substantially parallel and a spaced distance apart from an end of the device in which the opening of said device is provided.

22. A dispensing device according to claim I wherein the device is manually rotated by a user to allow dispensing of items therefrom.

A -. - - uispcuiiig ucv1c aLLolullig W Lialill I WtieICIii a dispensing opening is provided to allow access to said :.:::. items in said sub-compartment and at least one further opening is provided to allow access to said items in said first compartment and/or said sub-compartment. S... * . ***.

S..... . . * . 24. A blank for forming a dispensing device for dispensing a plurality of items, said blank including a *..

*:*. plurality of panels separated by fold lines for defining walls of a housing of the device and at least a first interior compartment when formed, at least one of said panels having an opening defined therein for allowing said items to be dispensed therefrom, and wherein means are provided in said housing when formed such that on rotation of said device a pre-determined portion or quantity of said items from said at least first interior compartment is available for dispensing via said at least one opening.

25. A method of using a dispensing device, said dispensing device in the form of a housing defining at least a first interior compartment therein for containing a plurality of items to be dispensed and at least one opening for allowing said items contained therein to be dispensed from the device, and wherein said method includes the step of a user rotating the device such that means provided in said housing allow a pre- determined portion or quantity of said items to move from said at least first interior compartment to said at least one opening for dispensing during said rotation. * *. * S S *5* S... * S *S.S *S*S * S S...

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*S5555 * . *. S S... ** S

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