WO2013026121A1

WO2013026121A1 - Assembly for dispensing bulk products

Info

Publication number: WO2013026121A1
Application number: PCT/BR2012/000304
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcelo Firpo MUSUMECI
Original assignee: Musumeci Marcelo Firpo
Priority date: 2011-08-22
Filing date: 2012-08-22
Publication date: 2013-02-28
Also published as: US20140305970A1; BRPI1104057A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispenser for bulk products, such as powdered products, for dispensing said product in a controlled and hygienic manner. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the dispensing assembly comprises a receptacle (110) for storing the bulk product, which is provided with an aperture (111) for being filled with bulk product and an aperture (112) for dispensing said bulk product; a means (200) for dispensing the bulk product in a controlled manner provided below said second aperture; and a means (300) for receiving said bulk product dispensed.

Description

"DISPENSER SET OF BULK PRODUCTS"

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a bulk product dispenser and, more particularly, the invention relates to a bulk product dispenser, such as powder products, for dispensing said product in a controlled manner. and hygienic.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bulk products can generally be defined as products in their raw state and not conditioned by a particular unit, such as powdered products. While such products may eventually be packaged and sold to the consumer by weight, for example, the amount, weight, and any mixture of different components that make up the product may vary.

In the case of food products, examples of bulk products are sugar, flour, powdered food supplements etc. In other words, the consumer usually buys these products by weight, and can determine the amount to be consumed.

There is also growing consumer concern today about nutrition aspects. Cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, among others, are some examples of diseases or negative aspects of an individual's health that may be related to diet or age. In this sense, more and more people are seeking healthy eating in order to avoid and / or minimize potential or existing diseases or even to improve physiological conditions through proper nutrition.

Aspects involving proper or healthy nutrition also include dietary supplements. Food supplements as defined herein consist of vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids, amino acids, among others, or mixtures thereof, which may be in isolated or combined with other components, and may be presented in either capsule or bulk form, such as a powder. Often, when in bulk form, such supplements generally include in their package a spoon in the form of a dispenser for measuring the amount to be ingested.

It may also occur that an individual consumes more than one dietary supplement or combination of dietary supplements, which may depend on a prescribed diet to help achieve a certain goal or improve an existing physiological condition. In this sense, there may be dietary supplements or a combination of dietary supplements designed to reduce weight, lower blood pressure, improve physical performance, etc.

However, when bulk products, including food supplements, are marketed in packs by weight, there are a number of drawbacks to the practicality of using these products. Firstly, such packages are usually large and relatively heavy. Handling and storing such packages is impractical as it takes up considerable space in the cabinet and the opening and closing of the lid is required each time the product is consumed. In addition, if the product is marketed in a non-rigid packaging, such as "economical" packaging, usually made of a flexible polymeric material, there is the drawback of proper closure of such packaging, as such packages usually do not have a lid or means. own closing However, when the contents of the package are at their end, it is often necessary to enter with the arm and hand inside the package to be able to remove the product, which is not always possible depending on the size of the opening of the package nozzle, forcing the consumer to pour content into another container, often uncontrolled. As for possible product waste, common packaging and dispensers do not prevent bulk product losses that may fall out of the dispenser or packaging, as well as the negative aspect of disposal and packaging already used in landfills.

The present invention aims to solve such drawbacks, among others.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to circumvent the above mentioned drawbacks, among others, the invention proposes a dispenser assembly for bulk products, ensuring a correct dosage in a practical manner and further allowing several reuse cycles, comprising:

a container for storing the bulk product and provided with a bulk product filler opening and an opening for dispensing said bulk product;

a means for dispensing the bulk product in a controlled manner provided below said second opening; and

a means for receiving said dispensed bulk product.

According to alternative or additional embodiments of the invention, the bulk product dispenser assembly may further comprise the following features, alone or in combination:

- said bulk product filling opening is closed by a lid;

said means for dispensing the bulk product comprises a pulley provided with open and closed portions;

said pulley comprises three open portions and three closed portions; - said open and closed portions of said pulley comprise substantially the same radial length;

said open and closed portions of said pulley comprise an angular length substantially corresponding to the width of said second opening;

said means for receiving said dispensed bulk product is a dosing drawer;

said dosing drawer further comprises a handle;

said drawer further comprises a second compartment provided in the rear portion of said first compartment;

said dispensing assembly further comprises a tray provided below said drawer;

said tray further comprises a handle;

said dispensing assembly further comprises lateral securing means;

- said lateral securing means are formed by male and female rails which allow the sliding and securing of one dispensing assembly to another;

said pulley additionally comprises a stirrer extending vertically into the container;

said agitator comprises vertical and horizontal segments for promoting agitation of the bulk product within the container when the pulley is driven;

- said assembly further comprises a package; said package comprises a shape substantially equivalent to the shape of said container;

said package further comprises an upper opening defined by a perforated strip; said package further comprises lateral folds to conform to and shape of said container; and

- said pulley is driven by a handle; and

Said handle additionally comprises a toothed ring on the inside to vibrate during its course of rotation is fixed to the body of the dispenser a piece that strikes these teeth promoting a vibration, this vibration passes to the pulley providing the fall of the powder by vibration and gravity to the dosing tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with respect to its particular embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Such figures are schematic, and their dimensions or proportions may not correspond to the one made, since they are intended to illustrate the invention in a didactic manner, without imposing any limitations beyond those defined in the claims below, where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the dispenser assembly according to one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the assembly of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of Fig. 1;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the means for dispensing the bulk product;

Fig. 6 is a sectional side view of the assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is an internal perspective view of the assembly of Fig. 1;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a package for use with the dispenser assembly of the invention; Figure 9 is the same perspective view as Figure 8 with the package being opened;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the package of Figure 8 mounted on a dispenser assembly of the invention; and

Figure 11 is a rear view of the handle showing its toothed portion.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIVATE ACHIEVEMENTS

Referring to the figures, a bulk product dispenser assembly 100 is shown in accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention. Dispenser assembly (100) comprises a bulk product storage container (110) and, as shown in this embodiment, container (110) comprises four sidewalls, i.e. a front, right side, left side and rear wall , further providing upper (111) and lower (112) openings. Of course, the bulk product storage container (110) can take any suitable shape, and as depicted herein in this embodiment, the container (110) has a parallelepiped shape having a tapered portion from approximately its lower half. .

The upper opening (111) may be provided for filling the container (110) with a bulk material, such as a food supplement, and its lower opening (112) is provided for dispensing said bulk material by gravity. A lid (150) may be provided for closing the upper opening (11) to prevent further debris, dust or even moisture from entering the container (110) and otherwise contaminating the bulk material. The lid (150) may be provided to be inserted and removed from the upper opening (111) of the container (110) by locking, for example. Of course, other means for securing, snapping, opening and closing the lid (150) on the container (110) may also be provided. such as using hinges, slides, joints, locks etc. Furthermore, the opening for filling the container (110) with a bulk material need not necessarily be provided in the upper portion (11) of said container (110), but may also be located on one of its side walls or elsewhere. not defined in the present.

As already mentioned, in the lower portion of the container 110 there is also provided a second opening 112 for dispensing the bulk material by gravity. Below this second opening, a means is provided for dispensing the bulk product in a controlled manner. The means for dispensing the bulk product in a controlled manner, as illustrated herein, consists of a pulley (200) comprising open (201) and closed (202) portions distributed radially at intervals along its perimeter. Like this embodiment, the pulley 200 comprises three open portions 201 and three closed portions 202, but of course a larger or smaller number of open and closed portions 201, 202 may be provided.

Preferably, the radial segment corresponding to each of the open and closed portions 201, 202 of the pulley 200 has the same angular length, so that the volumetric capacity of each portion is substantially the same. Still preferably, the radial length of each portion may correspond to the width of the lower opening (112) of the bulk product storage container (110). In an alternative embodiment, the lower opening (112) may be slightly smaller than the radial length and width of each of the portions (201, 202) of the pulley (200). Thus, the pulley (200) can function on one side as a means of closing the lower opening when the closed portion (202) of the pulley (200) is in contact with the lower opening (112) of the container (110). ) and, on the other hand, can function as a means of dosing the bulk product as the product will be gravity transfer from the storage container (110) to the open portion (201) of the pulley (200).

The pulley 200 may be directly mounted on a specific portion provided in the dispenser structure itself as illustrated, or alternatively mounted on a shaft provided at its rear portion. The pulley securing means (200) are indifferent to the scope of the invention and may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art provided that they allow at least partial rotation of the pulley (200).

At the front of the pulley (200), a pulley drive means (200) may be provided, such as a handle (210) or knob with an asymmetrical shaft (211) that fits into a corresponding predicted opening (203) in the pulley itself (200). The asymmetrical shaft 211 may be desirable to allow, on the one hand, a force applied to the handle to be transferred to the sheave (200) and, on the other hand, to provide markers (212, 213) to be provided on the handle or button and on the container to indicate the position of the pulley (200) relative to the lower opening (112), that is, in the closed (202) position (in which no product is dispensed), or open, ie in which the product is dispensed, as will be more clear below with the functional description of the dispenser of the invention.

The handle 210 may further comprise a toothed ring 250 mounted on the shaft 211 between the handle and the pulley 200 to provide a controlled stroke of the handle rotation. In other words, the toothed ring creates a resistance to the natural turn of the handle by mechanically interacting with the inner teeth (251, fig. 11) of the handle and creating a vibration, allowing rotational movement to be more controlled by the user and As a result, the user can better rotate so that the markers meet without risking turning the handle more than appropriate. Below the pulley (200) a metering drawer may be provided

(300) in which the bulk product is collected. The drawer (300), as shown in the embodiment, fits into rails (316) provided in the dispenser assembly structure itself (100) and thus comprises corresponding rails (315) so that it can engage, secure and slide into the assembly. dispenser. The dosing drawer (300) comprises a first compartment

(301) provided for receiving the bulk product after dispensing, and may also comprise a handle (303) to facilitate its removal and insertion into the dispenser assembly (100). A second compartment 302 provided after the first compartment 301 in a particular embodiment may be desirable in order to prevent runoff and waste of the bulk product, as will also be apparent from the description of the operation of the invention which follows. will do ahead.

Below the metering drawer (300) there may also be provided a tray (400), also provided with a handle (401), to collect any remnants of bulk product that may fall from the drawer (300). The tray, like the drawer, can be attached to the dispenser assembly by means of rails (415, 416) provided on both the dispenser assembly structure and the tray itself.

In a further embodiment, the rear of the pulley (200) comprises an opening (204) into which an agitator (500) may be fitted extending vertically from the pulley (200) into the container (110). storage and solidarity with the rotational movement of the pulley (200). The agitator may comprise a series of vertical (502) and horizontal (501) segments to promote agitation of the bulk product within the container (110) when the pulley is driven, as will be clear from the description of the operation of the assembly. invention.

Dispenser assembly 100 may further comprise male and female side openings (601, 602) for lateral engagement with other dispensing assemblies (100, 100 '), respectively, to form two or more solidary assemblies.

The dispensing assembly 100 of the invention will now be described with respect to its operation.

An amount of bulk product, such as a powdered food supplement is dispensed from its original packaging into the bulk product storage container (110) through the upper opening (111) of said container (110). After the bulk product is dispensed, upon reaching the maximum or desired level of storage in the container (110), the lid (150) of the upper opening (111) can be closed to prevent contamination of the product by others. external elements or be subjected to the action of moisture, which could cause the development of fungi or even block the bulk product, which would impair its proper dispensing.

The bulk product, when filled in the container (110), passes through the lower opening (112) of said container (110) and comes in contact with the controlled dispensing means, in this case the pulley (200), according to the illustrated embodiment. . If the closed portion (202) of the pulley (200) contacts the lower opening (112) of the container (10), the bulk product will be contained within the container (110). When turning the pulley drive handle (210) clockwise, for example, it will shift from a closed position (202) relative to the lower opening of the container (110) to its open portion. (201). By gravity, the bulk product will fill the inside of the open portion 201 of the pulley 200 with the bulk product. By continuing the rotational movement of the handle (210), in this case by 180 °, the open portion (201) of the pulley (200) containing the bulk product into the drawer (300) will move. So the bulk product is also transferred by gravity from the open portion (201) of the pulley (200) to the first compartment (301) of the drawer

(300). As the open and closed portions (201, 202) of the sheave (200) are 60 ° out of phase with one another, it will be clear that when an open portion (201) of the sheave (200) is aligned with the outlet of the sheave. dispenser, a closed portion (202) of the pulley (200) will be aligned with the lower opening (112) of the container (110).

Product contained within the first compartment (301) of the drawer (300) may be removed by removing the drawer (300) using the handle (303) from the dispenser assembly (100). As it may happen that a certain amount of bulk product exceeds the height of the first compartment

(301) of the drawer (300), as it is pulled, bulk product will be dragged into the second compartment (302) through contact of the bulk product that exceeds the height of the drawer (300) with the housing structure. dispenser set. Of course, the second compartment 302 may have a smaller storage volume than the first compartment 301, as it is intended only to receive any excess bulk product in order to avoid any waste. Bulk product contained in compartments (301, 302) of drawer (300) may be poured for consumption.

Furthermore, in order to minimize any additional waste, a tray (400) may also be provided below the drawer (300) to collect any amount of bulk product that may fall from the drawer (300). The tray can be easily removed or inserted through its handle (401) and the bulk product contained in the tray (400) can also be poured for consumption or reinserted into the compartment (110) of the assembly.

The stirrer (500) provided integrally with the pulley (200) allows the bulk product contained within the stirrer to be agitated. container 110 so as to promote a mixture of the product and keep it homogenized and assisting the bulk product from falling off the walls of the container 110 as well as filling the open portion of the pulley 201 each time the pulley is driven. (200) through the handle (210). As mentioned, the agitator (500) may be composed of both vertical (502) and horizontal (501) rods to efficiently roll the bulk product. Thus, as the pulley 200 is rotated through its handle 210, the agitator 500 is also moved within the container.

(110) in an oscillatory motion due to the transfer of rotational movement of the pulley (200) to a vertical oscillatory movement of the agitator.

After various uses, it may be desirable for the dispensing assembly 100 of the invention to be cleaned or washed. In this case, the assembly of the invention provides a simple disassembly of all its component parts for cleaning and washing, as can be seen in figure 4. In this sense, both the drawer 300, the tray 400 and the lid (150) higher

(11) can be easily removed. The pulley (200) can also be removed through the upper opening (11) of the container (110) by removing the handle (210) with the shaft. Since the pulley (200) is only fitted with a semicircular frame provided in the lower portion of the container (110), its removal consists in merely pulling it through the upper opening (111) and then inserting it again. The stirrer can also simply be fitted to the pulley 200 through the opening 204 so that it can also be easily removed for cleaning.

The accompanying figures also represent a dispensing assembly formed by two containers (10) which are fitted together through the male and female rails (601, 602), forming a solidary unit of two or more sets (100, 100 '). This joining of two or more assemblies may form a dispensing station for one or more bulk products to form a combination of various products simply and efficiently.

Figure 8 is a package (500) suitable for use with the dispenser assembly of the invention. The package preferably has a parallelepipedal shape substantially in accordance with the container shape of the dispensing assembly, and may have width and height measurements also similar to said container in order to fit into it, as will become clear below. In the upper portion of the package, a portion having a perforated strip 501 may be provided for removal of the lid 502 from the package as shown in Figure 10. In other words, the strip 501, when removed, detaches the lid (502) from the remainder of the package forming an opening (503). Once opened, the contents of the package, such as a food supplement, may be poured into the container (110) through its top opening (111).

Lateral folds (505, 506) allow the opening of the package to conform to the conical portion of the container (110) so that the package (500) conforms to the shape of the container and thereby to be secured thereto as shown. Advantageously, the package may comprise a label with information and an indication of the food supplement, thus enabling this information to be easily and rapidly transmitted to the user of the dispenser assembly of the invention, as the package may be kept in place. dispenser set.

It should be recognized that while the present invention has been described with respect to its particular embodiments, those skilled in the art may propose a number of shape or structural modifications, or apply the principles of the invention to other applications not provided herein without however, deviate from the concepts expounded here. Therefore, the appended claims should be construed as covering any and all equivalents that fall within the concepts of the invention.

Claims

1. DISPENSER SET (100) OF BULK PRODUCTS, characterized in that it comprises:

a container (110) for storing the bulk product and provided with a bulk product opening (111) and an opening (12) for dispensing said bulk product;

a means (200) for dispensing the bulk product in a controlled manner provided below said second opening; and

a means (300) for receiving said dispensed bulk product.

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said bulk product opening (111) is closed by a lid (150).

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for dispensing the bulk product comprises a pulley (200) provided with open and closed portions (201, 202).

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that said pulley (200) comprises three open portions (201) and three demarcated closed portions (202) on the handle and container. , which marks the open or closed position of the pulley (200).

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that said open and closed portions (201, 202) of said pulley (200) comprise substantially the same radial length.

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said open and closed portions (201, 202) of said pulley (200) comprise a length substantially equal to or less than the width of said opening (112) for dispensing the bulk product.

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for receiving said dispensed bulk product is a metering drawer (300) provided with a compartment (301).

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that said dosing drawer (300) further comprises a handle (303).

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that said metering drawer (300) further comprises a second compartment (302) provided in the rear portion of said first compartment (301).

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said dispensing assembly (100) further comprises a tray (400) provided below said means for receiving the bulk product (300).

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that said tray (400) further comprises a handle (401).

Dispensing assembly (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that said dispensing assembly (100) further comprises lateral securing means (601, 602).

DISPENSER ASSEMBLY (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that said lateral securing means

(601, 602) are formed by male and female rails that allow sliding and securing from one dispenser assembly (100) to another (100 ').

14. DISPENSER ASSEMBLY (100) according to Claim 3, characterized in that said pulley (200) further comprises a stirrer (500) extending vertically into the container (110).

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that said agitator comprises vertical (502) and horizontal (501) segments to promote agitation of the bulk product within the container (110) when pulley is driven.

Dispenser assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a package (500).

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 16, characterized in that said package comprises a shape substantially equivalent to the shape of said container (111).

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 16, characterized in that said package further comprises an upper opening (503) defined by a lid (502) separable by a perforated strip (501).

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 16, characterized in that said package further comprises lateral folds (505, 506) to conform to and shape of said container (111).

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that said pulley (200) is driven by a handle (210).

Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 20, characterized in that said handle comprises additionally a toothed ring (250) on the inside to vibrate during its turning course and fixed to the dispenser body a piece that strikes these teeth promoting a vibration, this vibration passes to the pulley providing the vibration and gravity fall of the powder into the dispenser. dosing tray.