WO1995022127A1

WO1995022127A1 - Device for dispensing loose food products, particularly confectionery

Info

Publication number: WO1995022127A1
Application number: PCT/FR1995/000144
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Emile André LAPEROUSE; Claude Coltey
Original assignee: Fabis
Priority date: 1994-02-08
Filing date: 1995-02-07
Publication date: 1995-08-17
Also published as: FR2716025A1; FR2716025B1

Abstract

A device for dispensing loose food products, particularly confectionery, including at least one closed housing (100) for receiving the product to be dispensed while preventing direct contact therewith from outside, an assembly (200) for controllably opening the housing (100) for filling purposes, a dispensing opening (150) in the wall of the housing (100), a worm-type feed assembly (300) within the housing (100), and an assembly (400) provided outside the housing (100) for controlling said feed assembly (300) such that said feed assembly (300), when actuated, moves the product to be dispensed towards the dispensing opening (150).

Description

DEVICE FOR DISTRIBUTING BULK FOOD PRODUCTS, PARTICULARLY CONFECTIONERY

The present invention relates to the field of self-service dispensing devices for bulk food products. It applies in particular to the self-service distribution to the public of sweets or candies.

The present invention is not however limited to this particular application and extends to all food products directly or indirectly equivalent, such as for example the distribution of dried fruit.

The self-service distribution of bulk food products has the enormous advantage of allowing the Customer to choose the quantity of product he wishes to acquire, compared to the distribution of products in pre-packaged sachets of standard volume or mass. It also authorizes free mixes according to the tastes of the Client.

To this end, polishing the distribution of bulk food products, such as confectionery, candies and dried fruit, we have proposed for many years, displays in which the Customer can serve himself using spoons or the like available for this purpose. After having filled a sachet with the desired quantity of the chosen product, or even with the mixture of chosen products, the Customer can have this sachet weighed in order to make the payment.

Such displays are nowadays available in very many points of sale. However, the Applicants note that these self-service display stands are not entirely satisfactory.

In particular these displays leave something to be desired in terms of hygiene since the stock of bulk food products made available to Customers is directly accessible, by contact, to the public. Attempts to improve these displays have so far failed to achieve a satisfactory result.

The main object of the present invention is now to improve the devices for distributing bulk food products in order to improve the hygienic conditions of this distribution. An auxiliary object of the present invention is to provide a modular device suitable for the distribution of a wide variety of food products, including sticky or gelatinous products, which tend to agglomerate. These aims are achieved within the framework of the present invention by virtue of a dispensing device comprising a closed box able to receive the product to be dispensed by prohibiting direct contact with this product from the outside, means for controlled opening of the housing allowing filling thereof, a dispensing orifice formed in the wall of the housing, a drive means of the worm screw type housed in the housing and means for controlling said drive means, accessible from the outside of the housing, so that when actuated the drive means moves the product to be dispensed to the dispensing orifice. According to another advantageous characteristic of the present invention, the drive means of the endless screw type is formed of a cylindrical spiral.

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows and with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting example and in which:

FIG. 1 represents a view in vertical section of a dispensing device according to the present invention, according to a cutting plane referenced I-I in FIG. 2, - FIG. 2 represents a front view of the same device according to the present invention,

FIG. 3 represents a top view of this device according to the present invention,

FIG. 4 represents a plan view of a hatch which can be used in a device according to the present invention,

FIG. 5 represents a side view of a slide adapted to receive the aforementioned hatch and preferably also a distribution chute,

FIG. 6 represents a view in vertical section of this slide, according to the section plane referenced VI-VI in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 represents a plan view of a deflector capable of being used in a device according to the present invention,

FIG. 8 represents an end view of the same deflector, and

- Figure 9 shows a vertical sectional view of a variant of dispenser device according to the present invention.

As indicated above, the dispensing device according to the present invention comprises:

- a closed box 100, capable of receiving the product to be dispensed, by prohibiting direct contact with this product from the outside, - means 200 of controlled opening of the box 100 allowing it to be filled,

a distribution orifice 150 formed in the wall of the housing 100,

- a drive means of the worm type 300 housed in the housing 100 and - means 400 for controlling said drive means 300, accessible outside the housing, so that when they are actuated the means of drive 300 moves the product to be dispensed to the dispensing orifice 150.

The housing 100 is preferably made of glass or optically transparent plastic.

The housing 100 preferably has a general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. More specifically, the case advantageously has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped truncated in the upper part and front face. We can see in the appended figures the horizontal upper wall 110, the rear vertical wall 112, the lower horizontal wall 114, the front vertical wall 116 and the two vertical side walls 118, 120 of the housing 110.

These walls 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120 can be formed by folding from an original common panel or by assembly using any suitable means, such as for example by gluing or welding. .

The walls 110, 112, 114 and 116 are rectangular. Preferably as seen for example in Figure 1, the horizontal depth L1 of the upper wall 110, connected to the wall rear 112, is less than the horizontal depth L2 of the lower wall 114. Similarly, the height H1 of the front wall 116 is preferably less than the height H2 of the rear wall 112.

Furthermore the side walls 118 and 120 have a rectangular outline truncated at their upper front corner. More precisely, the front edge 119 of the side walls 118 and 120 is preferably rounded, for example of generally concave shape, in the upper part, so that the front edge 119 of these side walls 118 and 120 progressively connects the front trailing edge 111 of the upper wall 110 and the upper trailing edge 117 of the front wall 116.

In addition, the housing 100 is preferably compartmentalized using several vertical partitions 122, parallel to the lateral partitions 118 and 120. These partitions 122 thus divide the housing 100 into several boxes 124 juxtaposed horizontally. These partitions 122 have a shape substantially identical to that of the side walls 118 and 120, however with an angular truncation in the upper front corner, in place of the rounded truncation described above for the side walls 118 and 120.

According to the particular embodiment shown in the appended figures and of course not limiting, the box 100 is thus compartmentalized by five vertical partitions 122, which form six boxes 124. Furthermore as can be understood on examining FIG. 1, one can vertically superimpose several boxes 100 of the aforementioned type, for example four boxes 100. Thus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing device comprises four boxes 100 vertically superimposed, having a depth L2 of the order of 385 mm , a height H2 of the order of 275 mm and a horizontal width L3 of the order of 1 m, each divided into six boxes 124 each having dimensions of the order of 385x275x165 mm. Such a distribution device has 24 boxes 124 making it possible to present 24 different products to the consumer.

The lower wall 114 is preferably provided with non-slip adhesive stops 115 making it possible to superimpose the boxes 100 or to place them on a fixed or mobile support. The housing 100 is provided on the front face, above the wall 116, with controlled opening means 200.

These means 200 are designed to allow the box 100 to be opened in a controlled manner, that is to say by authorized persons, to allow the box 100 to be filled with product to be distributed.

More specifically according to the embodiment shown in the appended figures, these opening means 200 comprise a removable front panel 210 adapted to close off the upper part of the front face of the housing 100. This panel 210 thus covers the various boxes 124 of case 100.

Preferably the panel 210 has in cross section the general shape of an "L" formed by two plane wings 212 and 214 oblique to each other.

The wing 212 is horizontal and disposed on the inside of the front wall 116, substantially facing the upper trailing edge 117 thereof. The width of this wing 212 is preferably slightly less than the difference in depth between the horizontal walls 110 and 114.

The wing 214 extends from the rear edge of the wing 212, upwards and rearwards, facing the front trailing edge 111 of the upper wall 110, under the latter.

The panel 210 can be fixed using any appropriate means to the housing 100. Preferably this panel 210 is fixed by elastic clipping to the housing 100. For this, its largest transverse dimension is at least slightly greater than the distance separating the upper trailing edge 117 of the front wall 116 and the front trailing edge 111 of the upper wall 110, so that the insertion of the panel 210 on the housing 100 and the removal of this panel 210 require an elastic deformation of this panel 210.

Furthermore, in order to limit the movement of this panel 210, towards the inside of the housing 100, stops are provided for the wings 212 and 214 respectively.

These stops are preferably formed by the edges of the angular truncation formed in the upper front corner of the partitions 122. To facilitate removal of the panel 210, it is preferably provided with orifices 216, formed for example in the wing 212, adapted to receive withdrawal hooks.

According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the panel 210 can be provided opposite the boxes 124, with respective doors 230. For six boxes 124, six doors 230 are thus provided. These doors 230 are for example articulated by their edge lower horizontal on the outside of the front panel 210. They can be resiliently returned to the closed position or else simply rest by gravity against the wing 214 of the front panel 210 by virtue of the inclination thereof. These doors 230 make it possible to fill the boxes 124 without requiring the removal of the front panel 210.

More specifically preferably the panel 210 fitted to the upper housing 100 does not include such doors. To fill the boxes 124 of this box 100, it is therefore necessary to remove the panel 210.

On the other hand, the boxes 100 placed under this upper box have a panel 210 provided with doors 230. As will be described below, these doors 230 are however placed behind respective chutes 160 integrated into the immediately superimposed box 100 so that these doors 230 do not can be opened without prior removal of the troughs 160. The doors 230 consequently make it possible to individually fill the boxes 124 without requiring the entire facade 210 to be removed, as in the case of the upper box 100.

It is understood that the front panels 210 form in combination with the boxes 100, closed volumes which prevent direct access to the product they contain, for the consumer.

However, the box 100 is provided at each box 124 with a dispensing orifice 150.

This orifice 150 is formed in the lower wall 114, near the front face 116. It is preferably an orifice 150 of circular outline, for example with a diameter of the order of 60 mm allowing passage of all stored products. This opening 150 is centered on the width of each box 124.

As indicated above, the device according to the present invention further comprises in each of the boxes 124, a drive means of the endless screw type 300. The screws 300 are placed in the lower part of each box 124. Their axis 302 extend horizontally, parallel to the lower wall 114, to the partitions 122 and to the side walls 118 and 120. These axes 302 are located at a distance from the lower wall 114 slightly greater than the external diameter of the threads 301 of the screw 300.

The screws 300 are guided in rotation about the axis 302 by the front wall 116 and the rear wall 112.

They are immobilized in translation between these front walls 116 and rear walls 112 by any suitable means.

According to the particular embodiment shown in the appended figures, the rear end of the screws 300 receives a threaded plug 320 having a flared and stepped head 322. This head 322 is guided in rotation in a bore in the rear wall 112, centered on the axis 302. In addition, the head 322 emerges on the rear face of the wall 112 and has at this level a section greater than that of the The aforementioned bore formed in the rear wall 112 to avoid a forward movement of the screw 300.

The front end of the screws 300 receives a knurled button 330 accessible on the front of the wall 116. This button 330 is centered on the axis 302. It serves as a means of controlling the screw 300. It suffices in fact to drive the button 330 in rotation to drive the screw 300 which is linked to it. Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the knurled knob 330 has a cross section greater than that of the bore receiving the front end of the screw 300, so that the knob prohibits a rearward movement of said screw 300.

To facilitate the movement of the stored products, towards the dispensing orifice 150, by rotation of the screw 300, preferably a gutter 310 is provided at the base of each box 124, around said screw 300. The axis of the gutter 310 is thus parallel to that of the screw 300. The gutter 310 has its concavity directed upwards. It is preferably a gutter of semi-cylindrical section, as seen for example in Figure 2, whose diameter is equal to the internal width of each box 124, and greater than the external diameter of the threads 301 of the screw 300. The gutter 310 makes it possible to collect the stored product towards the associated screw 300.

The gutter 310 can be fixed in the housing 100 by any suitable means, for example using removable anchoring means engaging in orifices 312 formed in the side walls 118, 120 and in the partitions 122 of the housing 100 .

Some confectionery products are made up of gelatinous elements coated with sugar or oiled which easily agglomerate. To facilitate the extraction of these products, there is preferably provided above the screws 300 placed in the boxes 124 concerned, deflectors 340 adapted to bring the products back to the side of the screws 300. This is more precisely the side of the screws 300 which tends to lift the stored products when said screws 300 are rotated in the direction which moves the products towards the dispensing orifice 150. Preferably each deflector 340 is essentially formed by a flat veil superimposed on the screw 300, and inclined on the horizontal to substantially tangent the envelope of the screw 300. The deflector 340 can be inclined for example of the order of 45 ^* on the horizontal.

The deflector 340 can be fixed by any suitable means to the side walls 118, 120 or to the partitions 122. For example the deflector 340 can be provided at its top with a vertical oblique strip 342, attached to a partition 122 or to a side wall 118 or 120, and fixed thereto for example using removable anchoring means engaging in orifices 344 formed in the side walls 118, 120 and in the partitions 122 of the housing 100.

Thus the deflectors 340 can be selectively installed in the boxes 124 which require it.

Furthermore, to facilitate the extraction of difficult products, each screw 300 is advantageously provided with a stirring bar 350. The stirring bar 350 is preferably fixed permanently to each screw 300. It extends transversely to the 'axis 302 of the screw 300. The bar 350 has a diameter less than that of the central body 303 of the screw 300 which carries the threads 301 and passes through it at its front end. Preferably the axis of the stirring bar 350 is coplanar with the axis of the dispensing orifice 150. Of course to stir the stored products, the stirring bar 350 must have a length greater than the diameter of the central body 303, for example a length equal to the external diameter of the threads 301. In this case the stirring bar 350 is symmetrical with respect to the axis 302. According to the invention, a chute 160 is provided opposite each dispensing orifice 150, under the lower horizontal wall 114 of the housing 100. It is preferably a chute 160 of circular section centered on an axis 162. This axis 162 is advantageously oblique on the vertical, for example inclined by 45 'on the vertical. The axis 162 thus extends forward towards the lower end of the chute 160.

The upper free edge 163 of the chute 160, of elliptical contour, defines an oblique plane on the axis 162. The chute 160 can be fixed by any suitable means under the lower wall 114, facing the dispensing orifice 150 Preferably for this purpose, the chute 160 is provided at its upper free 163, with lateral ribs engaged in slides 170 integral with the lower wall 114. These slides 170 extend parallel to the side walls 1 18 and 120. Thus the chutes 160 can be removed by the personnel authorized to fill the boxes, without requiring any particular tool.

The lower free edge 164 of the chute 160, of circular outline, preferably defines a plane perpendicular to the axis 162. The chute 160 is provided at this lower edge 164 with a removable shutter 165. The flap 165 is mounted to move on the chute 160 opposite the lower free edge 164 thereof, between a closed position in which the flap 165 closes the lower end of the chute 160 and an open position. Preferably for this purpose the flap 165 is articulated on the lower end of the chute 160, around an axis 166 transverse to the axis 162 of the chute 160. In addition, the flap 165 is resiliently returned to the closed position. . In the closed position, the flap 165 completely covers the lower opening of the chute 160 and thus prevents products falling onto the ground reaching the dispensing orifice 150. In addition, the flap 165 has an extension 167 which extends over the outside of the chute 160. Thus the shutter 165 can easily be moved to the open position by biasing the aforementioned part 167 of the flap.

The chute 160 and the associated flap 165 are advantageously made of optically transparent plastic material. The chute 160 is intended to receive the products extracted by the screw 300 and falling through the dispensing orifice 150, while making it possible to view the quantity of product thus extracted.

When the consumer has reached the desired quantity, it suffices for him to present a sachet under the chute 160 and to tilt the flap 165 to the open position to pour the product into this sachet. After removal of the bag, the flap is automatically returned to the closed position, so that the device is again available for the next customer.

As indicated above, the troughs 160 are preferably placed in front of the access doors 230 of the underlying casing so that these troughs 160 prevent the doors 230 from being opened, when they are installed. For filling a box in the underlying box 100, the operator must therefore first remove the chute 160 from the upper box placed in front of the relevant door 230. To facilitate filling boxes 124, by the front face 200, possibly by doors 230, and in particular to avoid that on this occasion, the products introduced into the boxes do not flow directly through the dispensing orifice 150, it is preferably provided at the level of this, that is to say advantageously on the slides 170, a hatch 180. An embodiment of such a hatch is shown in FIG. 4.

According to this particular and nonlimiting embodiment, the hatch 180 is formed of a flat plate provided with an orifice 182 of varied dimensions and geometries adapted to the dimension and the geometry of the products to be dispensed in order to ensure a flow in the chute 160 completely controlled by the rotation of the screw 300.

The plate 182 is slidably mounted parallel to the side walls 118 and 120 in the slides 170, under the wall 114, between an open position in which the orifice 182 is placed opposite the orifice 150 to authorize the distribution of the products, and a closed position in which the plate 180 closes the orifice 150.

Preferably the plate 180 and / or the wall 114 and / or the slides 170 are fitted with stops 184 limiting the movement of the hatch 180, to avoid withdrawal of the latter.

When filling a box 124, the operator pulls the hatch 180 concerned in the closed position. As soon as this filling operation is completed, the hatch 180 is returned to the open position of the dispensing orifice 150. As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the slides 170 have an upper longitudinal groove 172 designed to receive the hatch 180 and a lower longitudinal groove 174 designed to receive the chute 160.

Preferably the housing 100, the front panel 200, the chute 160 and the flap 165, as well as the hatch 180 are made of an optically transparent material.

Furthermore, it should be noted that thanks to the structure according to the present invention previously described, all the elements making up the dispenser are removable so as to allow complete cleaning: the front panel 200 can be removed; the same is true for the deflectors 340 and the gutters 310 after removal of the associated fixing means engaged in the bores 312 and 344; the hatches 180 and the gutters 160 can be removed by sliding in the slides 170; finally, the screws 300 can be accessible after unscrewing the operating buttons 330 and the rear plugs 320.

The device according to the present invention makes it possible to eliminate all contact of the consumer with the stored products.

It allows easy loading from the front, and thus has the advantage of being able to be placed against a wall or in an island back to back. We will now describe the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 9 attached.

This FIG. 9 shows a distribution device in accordance with the present invention comprising:

a closed box 100 capable of receiving the product to be dispensed, by prohibiting a direct contact with this product from the outside, means 200 for controlled opening of the housing 100 enabling it to be filled,

a distribution orifice 150 formed in the wall of the housing 100,

a worm-type drive means 300 housed in the housing 100 and

- Means 400 for controlling said drive means 300, accessible outside the housing, so that when actuated, the drive means 300 moves the product to be dispensed towards the dispensing orifice 150. Again preferably, the housing 100 is made of glass or optically transparent plastic.

More specifically, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the housing 100 is produced by assembling two cylindrical elements 130, 140. The two cylindrical elements 130, 140 preferably have identical diameters and their axes 131, 141 are coplanar . Thus, the two cylindrical elements 130, 140 are interconnected at the level of a connecting zone 142 of elliptical cross section. The two cylindrical elements 130, 140 are substantially transverse. More specifically, preferably, the two elements 130, 140 have their axes 131, 141 inclined at an acute angle. The inclination between the axes 131, 141 is for example of the order of 70 °.

Thus, one of the elements 130 which serves as a reception for the product to be dispensed preferably has its vertical axis 131. On the other hand, the second element 140, which is used for the distribution of the product preferably has its axis 141 inclined to the horizontal H, for example by an angle α equal to 20 °.

The element 140 is ascending in the direction of its free end opposite to the abovementioned junction zone 142.

The controlled opening means 200 comprise a cover 132 adapted to the top of the cylindrical element 130. This cover 132 is preferably provided with a gripping button 133. It is detachably fixed on the top of the element 130 by any suitable means, for example using captive screws 134.

The dispensing orifice 150 is provided in the vicinity of the free end of the element 140, opposite the junction zone 142, and in the lower part of this element 140. As mentioned above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, the element 140 is preferably provided, opposite the dispensing orifice 150, with a chute 160 provided with a pivoting shutter flap 165. The flap 165 is pivotally mounted on the chute 160 between an open position and a closed position thereof. The shutter 165 is biased towards its closed position, for example using a return spring 168.

The drive means 300 type worm is placed in the cylindrical member 140. According to the variant shown in Figure 9, the means 300 is formed of a cylindrical spiral, that is to say of a wire shaped in a spiral, the various turns of which, at least substantially constant radius, define a cylindrical envelope. The aforementioned turns of the means 300 define a propeller. The axis of the spiral 300 is referenced 302. The pitch of the latter is preferably constant.

The drive means 300 is preferably formed on the basis of metal, for example a food-grade stainless steel wire.

By way of nonlimiting example, the spiral 300 may have an outer diameter of turns of the order of 80mm, and a pitch of the order of 45mm, for elements 130, 140 with a diameter of the order of 150mm.

Of course, the external diameter of the spiral 300 must be less than the diameter of the element 140. Typically the diameter of the spiral 300 can be of the order of half the diameter of the element 140.

The spiral 300 rests on the bottom of the element 140 as seen in FIG. 9.

The rear end 304 of the spiral 300, centered on the axis 302, is rotatably mounted around this axis in a complementary housing formed at the base of the vertical element 130.

The front end 305 of the spiral 300, also centered on the axis 302, is rotatably mounted in a complementary housing formed in a cover 116, which closes the front opening of the element 140.

The cover 116 is fixed to the element 140 by any suitable means, for example using captive screws 143.

The front end 305 of the spiral 300 is provided on the outside of the cover 116 with a knurled button 330 thus accessible for a manual actuation. Here again the drive of the knurled button 330 in rotation about the axis 302 makes it possible to move the product introduced into the element 130 towards the dispensing orifice 150.

Compared to the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 9 offers the following advantages.

First of all, the use of a spiral 300 and not a point of a worm with a fin makes it possible to avoid by stirring the compaction of certain products which are difficult to extract, in particular of gelatinous products and avoids the compression thereof to the output. The tests carried out by the inventors have demonstrated that the use of a spiral 300 makes it possible to extract all the bulk food products, in particular all the kinds of candy known to date.

Then, the inclination, for example at 20 °, of the element 140 receiving the screw 300 makes it possible to avoid a natural flow of the product to be dispensed towards the dispensing orifice 150.

Finally, the use of a housing 100 formed of two cylindrical elements 130, 140 assembled together makes it possible to guarantee that, in general, the product introduced first into the housing will be extracted first.

The housing 100 can be fixed on any suitable support by any suitable means. It is thus preferably provided, on a common support, several juxtaposed boxes 100 of the type shown in FIG. 9, for the distribution of as many types of product. Of course the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiment which has just been described, but extends to all variants in accordance with its spirit.

For example, the manual control means for the screws 300, formed by the operating buttons 330 according to the embodiment described above, could be replaced as a variant by motorized means controlled by switches accessible on the front face of the housing 100.

Claims

1. Device for distributing bulk food products, in particular confectionery, characterized in that it comprises at least one closed box (100) capable of receiving the product to be dispensed by prohibiting direct contact with this product from the exterior, means (200) for controlled opening of the housing (100) allowing filling thereof, a dispensing orifice (150) formed in the wall of the housing (100), a drive means (300) of the worm screw type housed in the housing (100) and means (400) for controlling said drive means (300), accessible outside the housing (100), so that when it is actuated the means d drive (300) moves the product to be dispensed to the dispensing orifice (150).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (100) is compartmentalized in different boxes (124), by vertical partitions (122).

3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises an outlet chute (160) opposite each dispensing orifice (150) formed in the housing (100).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that each chute (160) comprises a shutter flap (165) mounted to move between an open position and a closed position.

5. Device according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that each chute (160) comprises a shutter flap (165) pivotally mounted between an open position and a closed position.

6. Device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that each shutter shutter (165) is biased towards its closed position.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a shutter hatch (180) mounted to move between an open position and a closed position opposite each dispensing orifice (150).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each box (124) of the housing (100) comprises means drive (300) of the worm screw type and a dispensing orifice (150).

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each drive means (300) of the worm screw type is placed in a gutter (310) designed to bring the products back to the screw (300) .

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a deflector (340) designed to be placed selectively above a screw (300).

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the deflector (340) is designed to direct the products on the side of the screw (300) which tends to lift them when the screw (300) is driven in the direction which solicits the products towards the dispensing orifice (150).

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the screw drive means (300) is equipped with a transverse bar (350) ^{^} of stirring.

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the bar (350) is placed opposite the dispensing orifice (150).

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the controlled opening means (200) comprise a removable front facade wall (210).

15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the front facade wall (210) is clipped onto the housing (100).

16. Device according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the front facade wall (210) comprises doors (230) facing at least some of the boxes (124).

17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it comprises several superimposed boxes (100).

18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprises an upper housing (100) in which the controlled opening means (200) comprise a removable front facade wall (210) and at least one lower housing ( 100) in which the controlled opening means (200) comprise a removable front facade wall (210) equipped with doors (230) facing at least some of the boxes (124).

19. Device according to claim 18 taken in combination with one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the troughs (160) of an upper box (100) are placed opposite the doors (230) provided in a lower case (100).

20. Device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the control means (400) comprise a button (330) integral with the screw (300) to allow manual drive thereof.

21. Device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the control means (400) comprise motor means associated with the screw (300) and control means of the switch type accessible on the front face of the case (100).

22. Device according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that there is provided a dispensing orifice (150) in the bottom wall (114) of each box, in the front part thereof.

23. Device according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that it is entirely removable.

24. Device according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that it is made of optically transparent material.

25. Device according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the drive means of the worm screw type (300) is formed of a cylindrical spiral.

26. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the cylindrical spiral is formed of a wire shaped in a spiral whose different turns have a constant radius of curvature defining a cylindrical envelope, and preferably at constant pitch.

27. Device according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the housing (100) is formed of two cylindrical elements (130, 140), of coplanar axes, interconnected.

28. Device according to claim 27, characterized in that the two elements (130, 140) have their axes (131, 141) inclined at an acute angle.

29. Device according to one of claims 27 and 28, characterized in that one of the elements (130) is used for receiving the product while that the second element (140) contains the drive means (300) of the worm type for dispensing the product.

30. Device according to one of claims 27 to 29, characterized in that the element (140) which receives the drive means (300) worm type is inclined on the horizontal, rising in the direction of its free end provided with the dispensing orifice (150).

31. Device according to one of claims 27 to 30, characterized in that one of the elements (130) used for reception, is generally vertical and has a removable plug (132) in the upper part, while the second element (140) which receives the drive means (300) worm type has on its front face a control button (330) connected to said drive means (300).