WO2009122278A1

WO2009122278A1 - Refillable container and system for supplying same with a loose product and charging for said product

Info

Publication number: WO2009122278A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/005181
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jorge Zabludovsky-Nerubay
Original assignee: Jorge Zabludovsky-Nerubay
Priority date: 2008-04-03
Filing date: 2009-04-03
Publication date: 2009-10-08
Also published as: CN202148181U; TR201009163U2; US20110100506A1; MX2010010915A

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for supplying a loose product and charging for same, as well as to the main characteristic components of said system. The system includes: a refillable container intended to be filled at least once with a quantity of loose product by a system user, a loose product dispensing device for supplying the refillable container with the product, and an information recording device for charging for the loose product. The container is identified by a dispensing device in order to authorise the supply of the quantity of product pre-determined by the user. The container can include a user identification means for linking the system user with other products which are recorded in the information recording device and for which the user can be charged at the same time as for the loose product, enabling the user to receive commercial promotional vouchers.

Description

"FILLABLE PACKAGING AND SYSTEM TO ASSIST AND CHARGE A BULK PRODUCT WITHIN THE SAME"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is related to techniques for the supply and collection of bulk products, and more specifically, it is related to a refillable container, a dispensing device, and a system for supplying and charging a bulk product within Said container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION At present, there are countless packages for different uses, there are for products, solids and liquids that are used daily in the home, in the form of products for general cleaning, for furniture, as well as food, softeners , bleaches, detergents, conditioners, laundry soaps, etc.

In general, product packaging is made of plastic; however, once they are empty they are simply discarded, logically causing pollution problems since they cannot be easily degraded. There is also the option of recycling containers to obtain other products, however, the latter is not the most common practice in developing countries such as Mexico. In relation to the previous one, the fact of using a container only once and even if it is recycled, requires the consumption of a lot of energy initially for its manufacture and, subsequently, for its recycling, causing the emission of millions of tons of gas greenhouse, especially in the case of household cleaning products. The pollution problem is increased when, instead of recycling the containers, they are thrown on public roads, in rivers, or in open-air garbage dumps, where the degradation process takes hundreds of years, having very negative effects Notorious as obstruction of drains, pollution of lakes and rivers, large volume occupied in garbage dumps, among others, Therefore, it is desirable to have containers that can be occupied again and again.

From the economic point of view, when discarding a container a part of the money that was invested in acquiring the product is also wasted, since of the total cost of the same, a very significant part corresponds only to the container. For example, it is estimated that for a liquid detergent contained in a one liter container, half of the total cost corresponds to the container itself. For this reason, the greater the capacity of a container, the cost per volumetric unit of the Product is smaller. In this way, products in larger capacity containers such as those of 2, 4 or 19 liters have a lower cost per unit volume.

However, although the cost per volumetric unit is reduced while the volume of the container is higher, the vast majority of consumers continue to buy products contained in containers with capacities of one or two liters, for a simple and simple reason, consumers They have a limited economic capacity that only allows them to acquire small quantities. Consequently, there is a great need to reduce the costs of products contained in plastic containers obeying the usual buying practices of consumers, that is, where they buy small portions of bulk products in miscellaneous or mini and supermarkets, or, directly, of suppliers at your home.

In the last decade, returnable containers, mostly rigid, have been used to try to reduce costs. However, when making the purchase it is necessary to exchange a used container for a new one. However, from a commercial point of view, under this practice, a valuable source of information is being wasted, since a package can reveal consumption practices that could be commercially useful, and in returnable packages this information is simply lost.

In everyday life, there are also refillable or reusable containers, which the consumer keeps in their possession and are filled in machines for this purpose. However, this practice, with the exception of water bottles, has had little success, precisely because of the rigidity of the containers that occupy large space, consumers like little to use bulky containers and especially avoid taking them with them to the centers of consumption . As mentioned in previous paragraphs, the vast majority of consumers have limited economic resources and only purchase small quantities of bulk products as detergents, typically in rigid 1-liter containers, and consider filling them in machines for this purpose within supermarkets are currently impractical, precisely because of the rigidity of current packaging. In addition, it is required to make this purchase option attractive through refillable containers, since it must be ensured that filling them is fast, efficient and without the possibility of filling a bulk product within a container destined for another product.

In the prior art, there are some reusable containers such as that described in US Patent No. 6,761, 318; Which is directed to a reusable container as well as the method to monitor and record the product information. In particular, the package comprises one or more identification means that can be read; the identification means comprise an electronic smart tag that can be updated and that is reprogrammable with the information related to household products such as detergents and cleaning products contained in the package, which physically comprises a collapsible portion under a rigid portion, the collapsible portion has an impermeable interior to receive the cleaning products that are stored therein. The main disadvantage of this type of container lies in the fact that the container is filled at the top, which suggests that the machine used for filling this package has a mobile nozzle that is inserted into the container . It is known that moving parts represent maintenance costs. In addition, the means of identification that are updated imply that different bulk products can be contained within the package. From a point of view, this would represent the advantage of having a container with many options; however, on the other hand it represents a disadvantage due to the fact that the means of identification have a considerable cost, requiring special means for reading. In addition, if the package is used for various products, there may be contamination from one product to another. Additionally, the document describes the possibility of identifying the user through the same identification mechanism to record consumption information of the products acquired with the container, but not of other independent products.

Moreover, due to the nature of the means of identification, which need to be reprogrammable, the collection of the product in the consumption centers is complicated by requiring a reading mechanism that does not adapt to the usual collection practices. The package of the '318 patent requires its own system to handle the information and the purchase of the product, however, from a commercial point of view, this fact represents the disadvantage that the package cannot adapt to the usual consumption practices, where the housewives simply go to miscellaneous, mini and supermarkets in order to acquire products for the home. In these establishments, the payment system is simple: the cashier or the clerk of the store when seeing the product charges in cash, or passes the package through an optical barcode reader to indicate the cost. The package of the '318 patent is not very adaptable to said usual consumption practices.

In the United States patent 6,772,944 a system for filling a product within a reusable container is described, which is delivered through a third party to enjoy some benefit, where the package only identifies an organization, but does not allow the Consumer center identify the user or correlate it with consumption patterns of independent products.

In summary, at present, refillable containers are required that when used again and again reduce the environmental problem on the one hand but, on the other On the other hand, packaging must reduce costs in the acquisition of bulk products. Likewise, the packages must adapt to the usual practices of consumption for bulk product in miscellaneous, mini and supermarkets, among others, being the containers easy to transport. No existing system allows additional value to be added to the fact that the same user will return to the point of sale to refill their product with the same package, which represents a loss of opportunity to sell other products to the same user that has not been resolved. in the state of the art. Additionally, a frequent problem of this type of bulk product sales systems is the determination of the amount that the user will take, since the current systems do not allow adequate measurement by the seller or distributor of the product and its subsequent charge to through the usual consumption practices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A system of supply and collection of bulk product is described, as well as its main and distinctive components. The system requires a refillable container, to be filled with a quantity of bulk product by a user of the system at least once; a bulk product dispensing device, to provide the product inside the refillable container; and, an information recording device for payment, to allow the user to collect the product from the system. The refillable package comprises means for identifying the product so that the dispensing device can identify it as an authorized container and the bulk product can be supplied inside the refillable container, in the amount determined by the user. Likewise, the payment information recording device identifies the bulk product, correlating it with the quantity of bulk product, supplied by the dispensing device and assigning a final price to be charged to the user of the system from means of storing information of consumption.

Additionally, the refillable container of the system of the present invention may comprise at least one user identification means to correlate the user of the system with the bulk product dispensed, and send this correlated information of the user, the product dispensed and the amount dispensed , to the means of storing consumer information, which allow the user of the system to be correlated with other products registered in the information recording device for collection at the same time that the bulk product is charged. This allows the user consumption patterns of the same refillable container to be identified through the means of processing user consumption information each time the system is used, both in bulk and in other products. independent products. This information can be used to issue vouchers of commercial promotions addressed to the user, through means of issuing vouchers, where said promotional information comes from the means of processing user consumption information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The novel aspects that are considered characteristic of the present invention will be established with particularity in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, both by its structure, together with other objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood in the following detailed description of certain preferred modalities, when read in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a refillable, portable and adaptable container for bulk products, where the package is full and is constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the refillable container for bulk products of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a left side view of the refillable container for bulk products of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A 'of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view of the container of Figure 1., once it is empty and in a winding position. Figure 6 is a top perspective view of a refillable container, constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a view of a section taken along the line BB 'in the container of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the system for supplying a bulk product in the container of the present invention , the system being organized in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a front side perspective view of a refillable container, constructed in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a detailed view of the supply and closure section of the third package mode. Figure 11 is a view cut along the section of CC ^'of Figure 10. Figure 12 is a rear view of the supply section and closing the third embodiment of container.

Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing the system for supplying a bulk product in the package of the present invention, the system being adapted to refill a container according to a third package modality.

Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing a second mode of the system for supplying a bulk product in a container such as that of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE

PREFERRED MODES OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and more specifically to Figures 1 to 3 thereof, a refillable and portable container 10 for receiving bulk products is illustrated, which is constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a modality that should be considered only illustrative but not limiting of the invention itself.

The refillable container 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3, comprises a body section 20 for receiving and containing bulk product, which is impermeable to the product. In a specific embodiment, the body section 20 has a base 21 that allows the container 10 to remain upright when the bulk product is inside. The body section 20, in the preferred embodiment, also has a perimeter wall 22 that extends upwardly from the base 21 and ends at an upper edge 23. The volumetric capacity of the container can be any of those used commercially, it is that is, 1, 2, 4 liters, which is not critical for the present invention, since if the container has a certain capacity, a smaller quantity of the bulk product can be supplied within the package according to what is required by the customer, and adapt the volume according to the type and nature of the bulk product. In the package 10, there is also a supply and closure section 30 to connect the container 10 with a dispensing device 100 (illustrated in Figure 3). In a preferred embodiment, the supply and closure section 30 is joined along a segment of the upper edge 23 of the perimeter wall 22, although there is no restriction so that the supply and closure section 30 can be joined throughout The length of said upper edge 23. In Figures 1 to 3, a portion of the supply and closure section 30 is shown with broken lines 30 which joins the upper edge 23 to seal the container 10. In the present invention, it is important that the package 10 has at least one product identification means to validate the correspondence of the package with the product to be dispensed by a dispensing device 100 (illustrated in Figure 3), as well as to be identified by an information recording device for payment 200 (illustrated in Figure 14). The product identification means can be selected among mechanical elements such as projections, stems, notches, projections, protrusions, cavities, valves or depressions, or among electronic elements, such as microcircuits, sensors, radio frequency emitters, and bar codes.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the identification means is provided in the form of at least one side groove 31, with a shape that allows a coupling element 101 provided in the dispensing device 100 (see Figure 3) Accept container 10 for filling. In other words, if another package does not have such a slot 31 or a specific product identification means for that purpose, the dispensing device 100 simply cannot accept it. With reference to Figure 3, the package 10 also has a second identification element which, in the embodiment shown, is provided as the protuberance 32, which has the function of operating the dispensing device 100 by means of a switch 102 provided in it and start the filling process. In this particular, the internal mechanical structure of the dispensing device 100 used to fill the container of the present invention is not critical, for this reason it is simply represented by a block with the numerical reference 100 in Figure 3, the above is because In the market there are numerous designs that can fill a container, requiring some minimal modifications such as the coupler 101 that is received adapting in the slot 31 or a switch 102 actuated by the protuberance 32 in order to be able to fill the container 10 when required . Therefore, this second identification element actually represents a means of product identification, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Referring together to Figures 1 to 3, it can be mentioned that to fill the container 10, it has a filling valve 70 mounted in the supply and closing section 30 and in flow connection with the interior of the container 10, the filling valve 70 allows a feeding nozzle 103 provided in the dispensing device 100 to be inserted to fill the container 10 and prevent the exit of the product when the feeding nozzle 103 is outside the package. The valve 70 may be a one-way flow check valve or another valve intended with this feature. In the embodiment described, the valve 70 is arranged horizontally in the front part of the supply and closing section 30, but as will be seen later, the valve can be mounted on a cover 40. This construction It also represents an embodiment of a product identification means in accordance with the present invention.

A further aspect of the present invention is that the package 10 optionally comprises at least one user identification means 50, which allows a user of the package to be correlated with the bulk product, through the dispensing device 100 (see Figure 3 ), and / or a device for recording information for collection

200 (see figure 14).

The user identification means 50 allows the package to be distinguished as a single container with respect to others used for the same product, that is, each package produced for a given product has its own identification, since, based on said identification , a history or purchase profile of the user of said container may be made as will be explained later.

The user identification means 50 can be selected among electronic elements, such as microcircuits, sensors, radio frequency emitters, and bar codes, or any that allow the identification and correlation of the user of the package with an information storage system.

In the embodiment described, the user identification means 50 is a bar code that is printed on the body section 20, although it can also be printed in the supply and closure section 30 or attached in the form of a decal

In the modality that has been described so far, the product identification means does not allow the identification of the latter in the information recording device for payment 200 (illustrated in Figure 14), so that in this modality the container 10 counts with another means of product identification that also allows it to be correlated with the product in a collection of information device for collection, such as the UPC bar code (universal product code) 60 shown in the lower part of the section of body 20, although radio frequency transmitters can also be used for this purpose, so that they will allow an information recording device to know which product is contained therein, and calculate the amount to be charged, for example , by the weight of the container, as is usually done for fruits and vegetables. In the embodiment in which the package 10 includes the user identification means 50, the collection information collection device can also correlate a user of the package with the product contained therein, and the quantity supplied by the dispensing device 100, in order to calculate the amount receivable.

Based on any of the modalities described in the previous paragraph, it is possible to solve the problem of state-of-the-art packaging for the sale of bulk product, since within the package the consumer can place bulk product using the volume of the container 10 partially or completely, and pay only for the amount supplied inside the package, either by measuring the weight or by electronic means. On the other hand, in the embodiment described, the package 10 has a lid

40 mounted on the supply and rigid closure section, which blocks an outlet opening that is formed in the supply and closure section 30. The cover 40 is not critical for the present invention, although a cover is preferred in which The consumer can measure a certain quantity of bulk product and have a design that allows to easily pour the quantity of bulk product measured where required, such as in a washing machine, this type of lids are known in the art as dosing machines ("cap and spout", as they are known by their English name).

Reference is now made to Figure 4, which shows a section along the line AA 'of Figure 3, Figure 4 is extremely useful in order to appreciate the inside of the container 10, where it is shown that the lid 40 is it finds obstructing the outlet opening 33 that runs through the duck spout 41 of the supply and closing section 30 by means of a pressure coupling system on a coupling base 34.

Figure 4 shows the protuberance 32 that activates the switch 102 of the dispensing device 100. The coupler 101 is also appreciated, which is received adapting with the slot 31, as well as the feeding nozzle 103 that is inserted into the valve filling 70.

The body section 20 of the container 10, preferably obeys the design of the packages known as an upright pouch ("stand-up pouch"), where the package is formed by two substrates 11 of rectangular sealable film , each substrate 11 has a pair of side edges 12; an upper edge 13; and a base section 14 with a lower edge 15, where both substrates are joined together by their lateral edges 12 and in a segment of their upper edge 13, where the complementary portion of each upper edge 13 joins the section of supply and closure 30 to communicate both sections of the container 10. On the other hand, the base section 14 of each substrate 11 is folded inwards and upwards, to form a half of the base 21 of the container 10. Also, a In order to be able to take the container 10 with the fingers, a handle 45 is provided which is formed by a die cut 46 that crosses both substrates 11, particularly in the part where they join at their lateral edges 12 and at their upper edge 13.

Once the container 10 is empty, the body section 20 becomes practically flat, which allows said body section 20 to be rolled up. flexible manner around the supply and closure section 30 as illustrated in Figure 5. The supply and closure section can be rigid and elongated for this purpose when the package is empty; in this way, the refillable container 10 can be transported very easily under the arm, in the pants or in a lady bag.

The modality of the package of the present invention that has been illustrated so far, allows the dispensing device 100 to have the least amount of moving parts. In fact, the package itself is the one that approaches the dispenser and begins its filling. In a further embodiment of the invention, the lid 40 can be removed so that the feed nozzle 103 feeds the bulk product directly through the outlet opening 33. In the package of the present invention, it is preferred that it can be distinguishable from others, have a secure closure, that is the same container who activates the machine and that can be recognized by an information recording device to collect the bulk product that has been supplied within it. In relation to the above, in Figures 7 and 8, a refillable container is shown

10 'for bulk products constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flexible body section 20', the supply and closing section 30 ', the protuberance 32', the groove 31 are again distinguished 'whose function in a respective way is to activate the switch 102 and enable the container 10' to be received by the dispensing device, which represents another modality of a product identification means. The mode of Figures 7 and 8 is characterized by the fact that the valve 70 'is provided in the cover 40', in the form of a portion of material with high elastic memory that runs from the perimeter edge of the lid 40 'to the center thereof, said valve 70' includes an inlet 71 'that allows the insertion of the feeding nozzle 103 which is fixed from the dispensing device 100 (see Figure 8). The package shown in Figure 6, once again includes the bar code 50 'as a means of user identification to distinguish the package as a single container and the UPC bar code 60' as another means of product identification. The mode of Figures 7 and 8 is useful when the dispensing device has a feeding nozzle disposed in a vertical and static position.

However, a third embodiment of the refillable package is described in Figures 9 to 13, with all the equivalent technical characteristics of the packaging modalities described above.

Figure 9 shows a third form of refillable container 10 "comprising a body section 20", which has a base 21 "which allows the container 10" to remain upright when the bulk product is inside. The body section 20 "also has a perimeter wall 22" that extends in upward direction from the base 21 "and ends at an upper edge 23". Finally, a characteristic functional element of this third modality is that the supply and closing section 30 "is connected along a segment of the upper edge 23" of the perimeter wall 22 ". Also the supply and closing section 30" It is covered with a 40 "cap that has an external thread on its bottom.

A detail of the supply and closure section 30 "is illustrated in Figure 10, where the cover 40" has been removed in order to show a "duckbill" 33 "metering opening, placed in the middle internal portion of a coupling base 34 ", which has an internal cord that allows to screw an external rope of the cover 40". The dosing opening 33 "has a channel shape with a larger front wall and an opening in its rear. In the rear portion of the rigid upper section 30 "there is a product identification means which in this particular case is an actuating protrusion 32", which drives the dispensing device 100 by means of a switch provided therein initiating the process of fill. That is, the consumer inserts the container into the dispensing device 100 facing the rear portion of the container 10 "inserting the actuating protuberance 32" into the device 100 and the feeding nozzle 103 is inside the dosing opening 33 "entering its back.

Figure 1 1 is a view of the cross-section C-C of Figure 10 where the metering opening 33 ", the outer cord of the lid 40" as well as the inner cord of the coupling base 34 "is shown in detail.

Figure 12 is a rear view of the supply and closure section 30 ", where the metering opening 33" is shown, which has a channel formed by an extended front wall and an opening in its rear portion. Likewise, the package 10 "has user identification means that distinguish it as a unique package with respect to others of the same species. The user identification means for this third modality described are the bar code 50" found printed on the rear external portion of the coupling base 34 ", in such a way that dispensing device 100 only begins to produce product when a valid bar code is read and the actuating protuberance 32" is inserted and when the lateral grooves 31 are inserted "in a way that allows a pair of guide bars 60" provided in the dispensing device 100 to accept the container 10 "for filling. In other words, if another package does not have such grooves 31" specific for this purpose, the machine Fill 100 simply cannot accept it. In Figure 13 there is a schematic representation of the system for supplying the liquid product 1000, in an embodiment where a refillable container described as the third modality of refillable package 30 "is used. The dispensing device 100 comprises a pair of guide bars 60 "where the lateral grooves 31" of the container 30 "slide, after uncovering the container 30". The actuating protuberance 32 "of the container 30" is inserted into the switch 102 and closes a circuit. At that moment the optical barcode reader 110 is activated. The latter reads the barcode 50 ". The machine 100 validates that it is a barcode of a container compatible with the system, and once these two conditions have been executed, the selection buttons 105 of quantity of bulk product to be dispensed are activated When the desired button is pressed, the machine enters the desired quantity of bulk product through the feed nozzle 103 which is in an upright position and discharges the product with downward flow direction for this third refillable packaging modality.

Another essential aspect of the present invention constitutes the bulk product dispensing device 100, which has means for storing a product to be dispensed in bulk; means for dispensing bulk product into a container; and at least one package authorization means to validate the correspondence of the package with a product to be dispensed in bulk by the dispensing device, said package authorization means being adaptable to a product identification means disposed in the package; and, at least one means of quantity selection, to allow a user to determine a quantity of bulk product that he wishes to introduce into the package. The dispensing device introduces the amount of product determined by the user through the means to dispense bulk product, in the amount determined by the user, only when the packaging authorization means recognizes the correspondence of the container with the product to be dispensed .

Additionally, the dispensing device 100 may comprise overfill detection means, which stops the supply of the bulk product when the package reaches its maximum capacity and the user has selected a larger quantity of product. Optionally, the dispensing device 100 may be designed to provide a maximum determined in accordance with the refillable containers available for it, so that it is not possible to exceed the maximum capacity of the package with bulk product.

In a specific embodiment of the dispensing device 100 shown in Figure 14, it is able to identify a package whose product identification means combine a mechanical element with a barcode, where the presence of both means of identification is required to activate the dispensing device and only the barcode is required to identify the product in the payment information recording device. Optionally, the dispensing device 100 comprises means for recording the quantity of product dispensed, associated with means of alerting product inventory, to indicate to a bulk product administrator, the time at which more product is required to be incorporated into the dispensing device. In the preferred embodiment described in Figure 14, the dispensing device 100 includes as a package authorization means a coupler 101 and first information reading means, such as the laser optical reader 110, which identifies the package 10 which It is introduced to it. The optical reader 110 reads the bar code 50 of the package, which in this mode serves as a means of product and user identification, which operates the dispensing device 100 by means of the protuberance 32 which in turn activates the switch 102. Only if The package is recognized as authorized, the user selects by means of one of the selection buttons 105, the quantity of the bulk product that he wishes to be supplied within the package 10. Additionally, the dispensing device 100 may comprise means for reading information of independent users, adaptable to a user identification means 50 disposed in the package 10, to correlate a container user with the bulk product dispensed, and send the correlated information of the user, the product dispensed and the amount dispensed to media consumption information record 120. In this modality, the identification of the product is done through another or specific optical reader for the detection of the product identification means 60. The means for reading product information are also an optical reader (not shown in the figure).

In another additional embodiment, the dispensing device 100 further comprises means for receiving promotional information (not shown in the figure), to issue vouchers 151 of commercial promotions directed to the user, through means of issuing vouchers 150 (see figure 14) , located either in the same dispensing device 100, as shown in Figure 14, or, through the information recording device for collection 200, wherein said promotional information comes from means of processing consumer information of user.

The vouchers 151 of commercial promotions can be called coupons, vouchers, points, or any other denomination that gives the user some additional benefit in the purchase of products, either of the type that incorporated in its package 10, or of independent products .

Both the refillable container 10 and the dispensing device 100, operate within a system that forms another aspect of the present invention, in which provides a system for supply and collection of a bulk product in a refillable container.

In order to describe this aspect of the invention, reference is now made to Figure 14, where the system 1000 for supply and collection of a bulk product is shown. The system 1000 shown is constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The bulk product delivery and collection system comprises the container 10, to be filled with a quantity of bulk product by a user of the system at least once; the bulk product dispensing device 100, to provide the product inside the container 10; and, an information recording device for charging 200, to allow the user to collect the product from the system. The package 10, as already mentioned, comprises at least one product identification means located in such a way that the dispensing device 100 can identify it as an authorized container, so that once the product identification has been carried out in the dispensing device 100, This supplies the bulk product inside the container 10, in the amount determined by the user, only when the dispensing device and the container correspond to the same product. Likewise, the payment information recording device 200 identifies the bulk product through the product identification means, correlating it with the quantity of bulk product, supplied by the dispensing device, contained within the container 10, and assigning a price final charge to the user of the system from means of storage of consumer information 120.

In a specific embodiment of the system 1000, the correlation of the bulk product with the amount of bulk product contained within the package 10 is carried out through a weight measurement device 220 that is interconnected with the information recording device for I charge 200.

In a further embodiment of the system 1000, the package 10 comprises at least one user identification means, with which the dispensing device 100 correlates the user of the system with the bulk product dispensed, the product dispensed and the quantity dispensed, and sends the correlated information of the user, for example through communication means 130 and 230, to the means of storing consumer information 120, which allow the user of the system to be correlated with other products registered in the information recording device for charge 200, at the same time that the bulk product is charged.

In this mode, optionally the system 1000 performs the correlation of the bulk product with the amount of bulk product contained within the container 10 directly by the information recording device for charging 200 from the information of the consumption information storage means 120, by reading the user identification means 50.

Also optionally, in this mode the system 1000 comprises means of processing user consumption information (not shown in the figure), which use the information contained in the means of storing consumer information 120, to identify patterns of consumption of the user of the same package 10 each time he uses the system 1000. Additionally, the system may include means for receiving promotional information (not shown in the figures), either in the dispensing device 100 or in the recording device of information for collection 200, to issue vouchers 151 of commercial promotions addressed to the user, through means of issuing vouchers 150, wherein said promotional information comes from the means of processing user consumption information (not shown in the figures) ). As an advantage and additional feature of the system with respect to other mechanisms for generating proof of commercial promotions, the system 1000 of the present invention allows commercial promotions to refer to products independent of the bulk product supplied by system 1000, where the user You can enforce the vouchers of commercial promotions at the time of payment of the product in bulk, in the same visit to the place of purchase, obtaining at that time any benefits granted in said voucher by independent suppliers, by the supplier of the bulk product, or by The store

In another additional mode, the system also includes means for recording the quantity of product dispensed (not shown in the figure), associated with means of alerting product inventory, to indicate to a bulk product administrator, the time at which more product is required to be added to the dispensing device.

The system 1000 of the present invention is of the greatest convenience for an establishment that provides the products in bulk, since it allows to record the information of consumption of a user, since it can analyze and exchange with various suppliers of products that are offered in the same establishment where the system is located, to grant vouchers of commercial promotions to the users of the system directed in accordance with their consumption profile.

Within the system 1000, it is preferred that the dispensing device 100 operates by dosing cycles in order to deliver constant and equal quantities until the quantity of the bulk product requested in the dispensing device 100 by the user is completed. For example, the dispensing device 100 can provide exact doses of 250 ml. In this way, if the customer has a 10 liter container, he can request dispensing device 100 an amount of 250 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml or a full liter through buttons 105, so that options are given to the customer to fill inside the package the quantity that usually consumes and on the other hand facilitate the assortment of the bulk product. The mode of the system 1000 illustrated in Figure 14, is ideal to be installed in small establishments such as miscellaneous, tobacconist, or convenience stores, where the customer will use the system, or, the seller will simply ask the customer what product in bulk and how much of it will be supplied by the machine 100, in order to charge it directly from the same system 1000. A specific modality of the system 1000 that is illustrated in Figure 14, and which is directed to be used in points of sale such as supermarkets, the system identified as 1000 in addition to the container 10 and the dispensing device 100 additionally comprises an information recording device for payment 200 that includes second reading means, in the form of a second laser optical reader 210 which Identify the product in bulk through a means of product identification and / or user identification that is contained left in the package 10, which in the case exemplified in this figure is the UPC barcode 60 (universal product code) or the barcode 50 that identifies the user. The payment information recording device 200 also includes means for weighing the container, in the form of an electronic scale 220. Once the container 10 is weighed, the payment information recording device 200 indicates the amount to be charged for the product in bulk that the dispensing device 100 has supplied within the package 10. That is, the charging information recording device 200 processes the container 10 to weigh it and allocate the cost for the bulk product that has been supplied within the package 10, as if it were some fruit or vegetable that are charged in a similar way, correlating the quantity of bulk product contained within the package.

However, one of the preferred modalities of the system 1000 allows to take advantage of the information of the purchases made with the container 10, even more so if the consumer together with the bulk product usually buys other independent products; for this reason, the machine 100 and the information recording device 200 collect each of them including communication means such as data transmitters 130 and 230 to receive and send information with each other so that, from the device of registration of information for collection 200, information is sent to the dispensing device 100 of the associated products that have been purchased together with the bulk product contained in the package 10 in each purchase operation from the registration means of consumption information The dispensing device 100 optionally includes the means of receiving promotional information, to issue vouchers of commercial promotions addressed to the user, through means of issuing vouchers, that this case is the printer 150 that issues promotional and / or discount coupons 151 based on the purchasing profile of each user, in order to obtain personalized benefits required by the user from that moment, for having acquired the independent products together with the bulk product in one or more previous purchases, where said promotional information comes from of means of processing user consumption information that are part of the system 1000 and that can be part of the usual systems of the consumption center. Therefore, through the use of the system 1000 of the present invention, there is a benefit relationship between the system provider, the sales center and of course the consumer.

The collection information recording device 200, the consumption information storage means 120 and the user consumption information processing means (not shown in the figures), feed the dispensing device 100 for the issuance of the vouchers 151 of commercial promotions. The fact that the dispensing device 100 is the one who issues the vouchers 151, can have two specific objectives. The first is to induce the consumer to buy a specific product within the same store or commercial establishment; and the second is to have the possibility of causing that, if the consumer intends to buy an independent product, at the same time as the bulk product that he carries in his container 10, he changes his brand for a different product protected by said voucher 151 , all this, before the consumer goes to the information recording device for charging 200 to pay all their purchases. In this regard, there are already mechanisms through which the centers of consumption and commercial establishments grant coupons or promotions generally at the time in which the client is paying, so that they are used the next time the client returns to the center of consumption. Unfortunately, the coupons issued in this way are poorly used because the client simply forgets them, which is resolved through the modality illustrated in Figure 14 of the system 1000 of the present invention, given that the user has the possibility of enforcing the vouchers 151 issued by the bulk product dispensing device 100 at the time of payment of the bulk product in the payment information recording device 200 on the same visit to the consumption center or commercial establishment. In general terms, the technical benefits of the system of the present invention are evident given that each package can contain the amount of product preferred by the user, the dispensing device can only accept packages authorized in accordance with the principles of the present invention and, of course, the customer benefits because the price of the bulk product is charged at the bulk price, as if it were a wholesaler. Within the system, any kind of bulk product can be supplied, including edible bulk products such as water, soft drinks, soft drinks, oil, milk, powders, granules, or any other whose dispensed quantity can be controlled. Preferably the bulk product is a cleaning product or a fabric softener.

Even when preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and exemplified, it should be emphasized that numerous modifications to it are possible. For example, the means of identification of the package and the product, the type of lid of the container, the type of recording device for collection, the means of communication, etc. Therefore, the present invention should not be considered as restricted, except as required by the prior art and by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

NEW INVENTION REFERENCES

1. A refillable and portable container for receiving bulk products from a dispensing device, of the type comprising: a) a body section for receiving and containing the product within the package; and, b) a supply and closure section for connecting the container with the dispensing device; the package being characterized in that it comprises means for identifying the product to validate the correspondence of the package with the product to be dispensed by the dispensing device, as well as to be identified by a collection device for collecting information, said means for identifying the product being essential to activate the dispensing device.

2, - A portable refillable container, according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises at least one user identification means for correlating a user of the package with the bulk product, through the dispensing device and / or the device for recording information for collection, distinguishing the package as a single container with respect to others used for the same product.

3. A portable refillable container, according to claim 1, further characterized in that the supply and closure section is rigidly elongated so that the body section is flexible and can be wound around the upper section when the Container is empty.

4, - A portable refillable container, in accordance with claim 1, further characterized in that said product identification means are selected from the group comprising mechanical elements of the container, bar codes, microcircuits, sensors and radio frequency emitters.

5. A portable refillable container, according to claim 4, further characterized in that said mechanical identification elements are selected from the group comprising stems, notches, projections, protuberances, cavities, valves, projections or depressions.

6 - A portable refillable container, according to claim 4, further characterized in that said identification means are used by combining a mechanical element with a bar code, wherein the presence of both identification means is required to activate the dispensing device and only required of the barcode to identify the product in the device for recording information for payment.

7, - A portable refillable container, according to claim 1, further characterized in that the body section is formed by two rectangular sealable film substrates, each substrate having a pair of lateral edges; an upper edge; and, a base section with a lower edge, where both substrates are joined together by their lateral edges and a portion of their upper edge, where the complementary portion of each upper edge joins the supply and closure section for communicating both sections of the container, while a base section of each substrate is folded inwards and upwards, to form the base of the container, where a handle is formed by a die cut that crosses both substrates along a portion of its lateral edges that are united.

8.- A bulk product dispensing device, of the type comprising means for storing a product to be dispensed in bulk; and, means for dispensing bulk product into a container; The dispensing device, being characterized in that it additionally comprises: 'a) for at least one package authorization means to validate the correspondence of the container with a product to be dispensed in bulk by the dispensing device, said package authorization means being adaptable to a product identification means arranged in the package; and, b) for at least one quantity selection means, to allow a user to determine a quantity of bulk product that he wishes to introduce into the package; wherein the dispensing device introduces the amount of product determined by the user through the means to dispense bulk product, in the amount determined by the user, only when the packaging authorization means recognizes the correspondence of the container with the product to be dispensed

9. A bulk product dispensing device, in accordance with claim 8, further characterized in that it comprises means for reading user information, adaptable to a user identification means provided in the package, to correlate a user of the package with the bulk product dispensed, and send the correlated information of the user, the product dispensed and the quantity dispensed, to storage means of consumption information.

10.- A bulk product dispensing device, in accordance with claim 9, further characterized in that it comprises means of receiving promotional information, to issue vouchers of commercial promotions, either of the same product or of independent products, addressed to the user, through means of issuing vouchers, where said promotional information comes from means of processing user consumption information.

11. A bulk product dispensing device, in accordance with claim 10, further characterized in that the user can enforce the receipts issued by the bulk product dispensing device, at the time of payment of the bulk product on the same visit to a consumer center or commercial establishment where the dispensing device is located.

12. A bulk product dispensing device, according to claim 8, further characterized in that it comprises means for recording quantity of product dispensed, associated with means of alerting product inventory, to indicate to a bulk product administrator, the moment at which it is required to incorporate more product to the dispensing device.

13.- A system of supply and collection of bulk product, of the type comprising: a refillable container, to be filled with a quantity of bulk product by a user of the system at least once; a bulk product dispensing device, to provide the product inside the refillable container; and, an information recording device for collection, to allow the user to collect the product from the system; said system being characterized in that: a) the refillable container comprises product identification means located in such a way that the dispensing device can identify it as an authorized container, so that once the identification of the product in the dispensing device is carried out, it supplies the product in bulk inside the refillable container, in the amount that the user determines, only when the dispensing device and the container correspond to the same product; and b) the payment information recording device identifies the bulk product through the means of product identification, correlating it with the quantity of bulk product, supplied by the dispensing device, contained within the refillable container, and assigning a price final to charge the user of the system from means of storage of consumer information.

14.- A system of supply and collection of bulk product, according to claim 13, further characterized in that the correlation of the bulk product with the amount of bulk product contained within the refillable container is carried out through a device for Weight measurement that is interconnected with the information collection device for payment.

15.- A system for supply and collection of bulk product, in accordance with claim 13, further characterized in that the refillable package comprises Io minus a user identification means, by means of which the dispensing device correlates the system user with the bulk product dispensed, and sends the correlated information of the user, the product dispensed and the amount dispensed, to the information storage means of consumption, which allow the user of the system to be correlated with other products registered in the information recording device for payment at the same time that the bulk product is charged.

16, - A system of supply and collection of bulk product, in accordance with claim 15, further characterized in that the correlation of the bulk product with the amount of bulk product contained within the refillable container is made directly by the recording device of information for collection from the information of the means of storage of consumer information.

17.- A system for supply and collection of bulk product, in accordance with claim 15, further characterized in that the system comprises means for processing user consumption information, which use the information contained in the information storage means consumption, to identify user consumption patterns of the same refillable container each time you use the system, both the bulk product, and other independent products.

18.- A system for the supply and collection of bulk product, in accordance with claim 17, further characterized in that the system includes means for receiving promotional information, either in the dispensing device or in the information collection device for collection , to issue vouchers of commercial promotions addressed to the user, through means of issuing vouchers, where said promotional information comes from the means of processing user consumption information.

19. A system of supply and collection of bulk product, in accordance with claim 18, further characterized in that the user can enforce the vouchers of commercial promotions at the time of payment of the bulk product.

20.- A system of supply and collection of bulk product, in accordance with claim 13, further characterized in that the system comprises means of recording quantity of product dispensed, associated with means of alerting product inventory, to indicate a bulk product manager, the time at which more product is required to be incorporated into the dispensing device.