WO2020245486A1

WO2020245486A1 - Vertical dispensing support for fruit, tomatoes or similar

Info

Publication number: WO2020245486A1
Application number: PCT/ES2020/070371
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juan Pascual Roca Pauner
Original assignee: Juan Pascual Roca Pauner
Priority date: 2019-06-04
Filing date: 2020-06-03
Publication date: 2020-12-10

Abstract

The invention relates to a vertical dispensing support for fruit, tomatoes or similar, which comprises a plurality of cavities (2) that allow the stem or stalk of the fruit to be inserted and secured in the cavities (2) without the need for any additional element. Preferably, the support comprises a column (1) with a plurality of cavities (2) that are preferably radial and form a T profile, and which allows the stem or stalk of the fruit to be inserted and secured. Alternatively or additionally, the support comprises at least one tray with a plurality of cavities (2) that allows the stem or stalk of the fruit to be inserted and secured. Preferably, the support comprises means (13) for hanging the support, and a base (7).

Description

VERTICAL DISPENSER SUPPORT FOR FRUITS, TOMATOES OR SIMILARS DESCRIPTION

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a vertical dispenser support in particular for fruits, tomatoes or the like, which allows a novel and natural presentation, preventing damage caused by pressure from being on top of each other during the transport and dispensing of the product. .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional fruit containers and displays must provide sufficient strength and allow effective handling of produce, specifically fruits, tomatoes, etc.

In general, fruits and tomatoes are very sensitive to the conditions of damage, storage and transport of the product. This can affect the storage and shelf life of products, which could lead to product loss and spillage.

Existing fruits are usually covered with a protective covering over the fruit, and the wrapped fruit stacks are placed in the package, but because the fruit at the bottom is affected by the pressure of the upper fruit, it is easy to crush Therefore, another way to reduce the shelf life of the fruit is to put the fruit in a fruit tray and stack it in the box.

The utility model ES1032735U refers to a stackable fruit bowl, consisting of from a modular element and whose height and capacity can be modified without more than varying the number of modular elements that compose it. The fruit bowl of the invention is formed from a receptacle from the bottom of which a tubular coaxial column starts internally, which opens internally through the bottom of the receptacle and is topped off in a tightly pluggable section through the lower mouth of the column belonging to it. to another receptacle immediately above.

This constitution makes it possible to form a fruit bowl with two or more floors, simply by successively placing one receptacle on top of another and plugging the upper section of the column of each receptacle through the lower mouth of the column belonging to the receptacle located immediately above. In order to achieve an adequate separation between receptacles belonging to consecutive floors, the upper section of the column of each receptacle is located above the edge of the wall of said receptacle and is of smaller section than the column, with which it defines a Peripheral step that serves as a stop for the support of the lower free edge of the column plugged in immediately above, thus limiting the amount of engagement between the columns of superimposed receptacles and thus establishing a stable position and spacing between consecutive receptacles.

Spanish patent ES0256834 reveals a multiple dispenser characterized by the fact that it essentially comprises a set that can be hung on a wall and has various overlapping and lateral sections, one in relation to the other, so that each of these sections, integrated into the The same, contain, a roll of cellulosic material or the like with a horizontal axis, a roll of metal sheet with an axis parallel to the previous one, a roll of equally horizontal plastic sheet, a container containing a ball of string or the like with a free end passing through a retainer eyelet so it can stretch from the outside and other independent containers but integrated and embedded in the same set suitable to contain other frequently used items such as filters for coffee or tea, spices, various foods such as fruits and vegetables and the like, with the particularity that the Unitary support structure of this set, in addition to the cavities and suitable housings to contain and replace, if necessary, its different component elements, it has a common vertical type of work and accessibility front where horizontal slots are arranged where it is capable of fitting a sliding cutting piece that is mounted in one or another groove to proceed with the transverse cutting of the corresponding sheet or cord used in each operation and that said cutting piece is in turn incorporated into said unitary set providing, at least , of a specific accommodation to keep it where it fits and is retained, without prejudice to it can be extracted from said housing for each cutting operation and made to serve in combination with each of the horizontal grooves on the front face and substantially vertical plane of the apparatus.

For example, the Spanish utility model ES0258051 U reveals an alveolar support for fruits and the like, of the type that comprises a rigid container, open at the top and in the form of a box, made of a plastic material and a series of shaped trays. substantially rectangular and equipped with cells, arranged vertically in said container, so that one of the sides rests on the bottom of said package, each of the cells being made of a sheet of foamy plastic material and presenting, once arranged horizontally, a series of parallel alignments to the staggered, housing directed upwards, in which the upper edge of each of the housings has a substantially triangular shape in plan, with convex curvilinear sides, the vertices of each triangular alveolus being arranged to a higher or higher level than the sides that meet at said vertices, so that two adjacent cells from one to lining and the intermediate alveolus of the adjoining alignment offset, in position, defines, in correspondence with the common vertex, a triangular pyramidal projection, characterized in that the side of said triangular pyramidal projection, characterized in that the side of said triangular pyramidal projection that forms a part of said housing or intermediate cell is concave , so that the piece of fruit arranged in said intermediate cell rests, provided that the tray is arranged vertically, with the pieces arranged vertically, with the pieces of fruit inside, on said convex side of the pyramidal projection.

In this case, it can be seen that the device is very restricted due to the fact that the fruits must be placed in a horizontal position in each section of the tray, so the space is limited to the dimensions of the tray if you want to maintain quality. of the fruits avoiding being stacked.

There are also containers for the storage and transport of small fruits that are known in the industry with the name of "clamsheh" which in Spanish translates as clam shell and is due to its hinged shape. These containers are produced using the thermoforming technique and consist of a one-piece container made up of a body and a lid joined by a flat area that functions as a hinge. In this way the container is closed by folding the lid over the body and fixing each other by means of closing elements that fit together. This type of container can be built from thermoplastic polymers such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP) or Polystyrene (PS) that allow the construction of containers with different shapes, sizes and resistive properties depending on the product and the conditions of storage and transport to which they will be subjected.

This type of packaging presents the problem that the fruits are mounted on top of each other, damaging those that are in the lower part due to the weight of those in the upper part.

An object of the invention is to avoid or at least reduce some of the aforementioned problems and to allow the effective storage, transport and / or display of products, specifically perishable products such as fruits and vegetables, and to minimize damage and loss or spillage. of the product

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of the practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 A.- shows the support column of the dispenser with cavities and the central hole;

B.- Figure 1 shows a cross section of the column of Figure 1 observed profile "T" with the cavities and the central hole;

Figure 2.- shows a perspective view of the base of the dispenser where the projections that allow to fix the column are shown;

Figure 3.- shows a view of the top of the column where the hook, the cavity fitted to the upper part of the rod and the system attached to the column can be observed;

Figure 4.- shows a view of the rod with its hook-shaped end; Figure 5.- shows a view of some pressure separators with their respective lugs;

Figure 6.- shows an elevation view of the dispenser and the different parts that comprise it, once assembled;

Figure 7.- shows a cross-sectional view of a vahant of the “T” profile with straight walls in such a way that the arm is longer;

Figure 8.- shows a cross-sectional view of another variant of the “T” profile with toothed inlet where the inner appendices are shown;

Figure 9.- shows a perspective view of the dispenser with incorporated fruits;

Figure 10.- shows a plan view of a tray of another vahant of the dispenser ^

Figure 1 1 .- shows a perspective view of the vahant of the dispenser with trays, also represented with incorporated fruits

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The vertical dispensing support for fruits, tomatoes or the like of the present invention is a novel device that allows dispensing, storing and displaying fruits, vegetables or the like in a way that allows hanging as if it were a bunch, without altering the qualities, since it does not there is pressure on the fruits or vegetables placed in the lower part of the dispenser support due to the weight of those on top, which increases their useful life, in addition to allowing a better appearance due to the fact that they hang naturally as if they were in the tree. The vertical dispensing support for fruits, tomatoes or similar object of the invention comprises a plurality of cavities (2) that allow the introduction and fixation of the stems or the nipple of the fruit in said cavities (2) without the need for any additional element.

In a preferred embodiment, the support comprises a column (1) with a plurality of cavities (2) that allows the introduction and fixation of the stems or the nipple of the fruit. Preferably, the cavities (2) are radial and generate a "T" type profile that allows the introduction of the stems or the nipple of the fruit or tomato from the upper part of the column (1), in such a way that they can hang over the entire column (1) giving the impression of a hanging cluster.

Alternatively, and in order to also allow the frontal introduction (not superior) and fixation of the stems or the nipple of the fruit in the cavities, the appendices of the "T" of the cavities (2) are flexible and allow the enlargement of the groove of the cavities (2) when pressure or traction is exerted on them.

Optionally, the support comprising a column (1) further comprises some spacers (4) that prevent the fruits or tomatoes placed in an upper position of the cavities (2) from sliding by gravity along the cavities (2) and contact the fruits placed in a lower position of the cavities (2). Preferably, the spacers (4) have a structure similar to a circular ring, where the internal circular structure has ridges or lugs (5) that push the ends of the “T” profile towards the center, closing the slot of the cavities and thus generating a clamping effect on the stems or the nipple of the fruit or tomato when the spacers (4) are introduced into the column (1). In the alternative or complementary way to the cavities (2) of the column (1), the vertical dispensing support for fruits, tomatoes or the like comprises at least one tray (figure 10) with a plurality of cavities (2) that allows the introduction and fixation of the stems or the nipple of the fruit. The cavities (2) preferably have a wider part through which the stems or the nipple of the fruit or tomato are introduced and a narrower part that fixes the stems or the nipple of the fruit or tomato when they move to she.

In a complementary manner to the described embodiments, the vertical fruit, tomato or similar dispensing support may comprise means of hanging (13) from the support and / or a base (7).

In a preferred embodiment, the vertical fruit, tomato or similar dispensing support comprises;

• a column (1) which incorporates a plurality of radial cavities (2) that generate a “T” type profile that allows the introduction of the stems or the nipple of the fruit or tomato from the top of the column (1 ),

• a base (7) where the column (1) is fixed through its lower end; Y

• a cover (6) fixed to the upper end of the column (1).

Optionally the column (1), the base (7) and the cover (6) comprise a central hole (3), and because said column (1) is fixed to the base (7) and to the cover (6) by means of a rod threaded (9) that passes through the central holes of the column (1), the base (7) and the cover (6) and is fixed at the lower end with a nut (1 1), and at the end it is hooked to the cover (6) by means of an arched structure (10) of the rod (9) and a cavity (12) made in the cover (6). The fixing of the column (1) to the base (7) and the cover (6) can also be carried out, among other means, by means of glue, welding or clip.

The hanging means can be the rod (9) when it is hooked (13) at the upper end.

The hanging means can be the cover (6) when it has a hook shape (13) so that the assembly can be hung.

The tomato and fruit dispenser support of the present invention is preferably made of some plastic polymer, preferably recycled polypropylene.

In order to point out some vahants of the invention, some practical embodiments are described below.

Preferred embodiment 1:

Vertical dispenser support for fruits, tomatoes or the like comprises a column (1) inserted under pressure in a base (7) that includes projections (8) that embrace the branches of the profile preventing it from rotating, the assembly formed by the union of the column (1) and base (2) adjusted by a threaded rod

(9) that passes through the central hole (3) and that connects the upper and lower part making a sandwich, where said threaded rod (9) fixed to the base by means of a nut (11) in the lower part of the column in the point of connection with the base (2). The rod (9) at the upper end has an arched structure

(10) which allows to fit by hooking to a cover (6) by means of a cavity (12) made in said cover (6). The cover (6) is finished by a hook (13) that allows the assembly to be hung. The function of the threaded rod (9) is to generate a more resistant and compact set to be safely hung in such a way that it does not allow the lid (6) to come off.

Preferred embodiment 2:

The column (1) is inserted under pressure in a base (7) that includes projections

(8) that embrace the branches of the profile preventing it from rotating, the set formed by the union of the column (1) and the base (2) is adjusted by means of a threaded rod

(9) that passes through the central hole (3) and communicates the upper and lower part making a sandwich, where said threaded rod (9) fixed to the base by means of a nut (1 1) in the lower part of the column (1) at the point of union with the base (2) and in the upper part it is inserted into a hole (12) made in an element (6) that functions as a cover and that is adjusted to the column (1) by pressure . The rod (9) at the upper end has the shape of a hook (10) which allows the assembly to be hung safely, in such a way that it does not allow it to detach from the element (6), therefore the function of the threaded rod (9) In addition to generating a more resistant and compact set, it can be safely hung from the end (10) of the rod (9) without the need to use extra elements.

The set formed by the column (1), the base (2) and the cover (6) allows to adapt a plurality of spacers (4) that are placed in different sections of the column (1), where the spacers (4) of pressure have a completely circular outer perimeter, but the inner part, in addition to being rounded towards the outside, has some small projections, flanges or lugs (5) whose function is to push the ends of the “T” of the profile towards the center, thus generating a clamping effect on the stems or the nipple of the fruit or tomato when the spacers (4) are introduced into the column (1).

The profile can be manufactured by extrusion in such a way that the appendages of the "T" can be flexible, in such a way that the track through which the fruit or tomato stems are placed can be opened and closed. In each certain number of tomatoes a separator would be placed, which compresses the profile, trapping the stems and generating the clamp in order to adjust the stems.

Other alternatives of the profiles of the column of the present invention can have their straight walls (see figure 7) in such a way that when straight walls are generated, the arm is longer and can flex more, which would generate a greater possibility clamp. The rings would be placed with the projections on the straight wall and rotated into the guide.

Alternatively, a profile with two serrated flaps in each "T" can be manufactured by extrusion, which are bent inward, in such a way that they generate a clamp when trying to recover its original position (see figure 8), that is, the bending of the walls generates a tension clamp on the piece itself and the inner appendices prevent the profile from opening more than desired. The tomatoes are positioned in front, in favor of the movement of the serrated eyelashes, which then prevent the stem from coming out. In this variant, the method of placing the fruits or tomatoes is done by frontal approach.

Claims

1.- Vertical dispensing support for fruits, tomatoes or the like characterized in that it comprises a plurality of cavities (2) that allow the introduction and fixation of the stems or the nipple of the fruit in the cavities (2) without the need for any additional element.

2. Vertical dispensing support for fruits, tomatoes or the like according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a column (1) with a plurality of cavities (2) that allows the introduction and fixation of the stems or the nipple of the fruit.

3.- Vertical dispensing support for fruits, tomatoes or the like according to claim 2, characterized in that the cavities (2) are radial and generate a “T” -type profile that allows the introduction of the stems or the nipple of the fruit or tomato from the top of the column (1).

4.- Vertical dispenser support for fruits, tomatoes or the like according to claim 3, characterized in that the appendices of the "T" of the cavities (2) are flexible and allow the slot of the cavities (2) to be enlarged to allow the placement of the stems or nipples of fruits or tomatoes.

5.- Vertical dispensing support for fruits, tomatoes or the like according to any of claims 2-4, characterized in that it comprises separators (4) that prevent the fruits or tomatoes placed in a superior position of the cavities (2) from sliding by gravity along the cavities (2) and contact the fruits placed in a lower position of the cavities (2)

6.- Vertical dispenser support for fruits, tomatoes or the like according to anyone of the previous claims characterized in that it comprises at least one tray with a plurality of cavities (2) that allows the introduction and fixation of the stems or the nipple of the fruit.

7.- Vertical dispensing support for fruits, tomatoes or the like according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises hanging means (13) of the support.

8. Vertical dispenser support for fruits, tomatoes or the like according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a base (7).

9. Vertical dispenser support for fruits, tomatoes or the like according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises;

• a base (7) where the column (1) is fixed through its lower end; Y

• a cover (6) fixed to the upper end of the column (1).

10.- Vertical dispenser support for fruits, tomatoes or the like according to claim 9, characterized in that the column (1), the base (7) and the cover

(6) comprise a central hole (3), and because the column (1) is fixed to the base

(7) and to the cover (6) by means of a threaded rod (9) that passes through the central holes of the column (1), the base (7) and the cover (6) and is fixed at the lower end with a nut ( 1 1), and at the end it is hooked to the cover (6) by means of an arched structure (10) of the rod (9) and a cavity (12) made on the cover (6).

11.- Vertical dispenser support for fruits, tomatoes or the like according to any of claims 9-10, characterized in that the rod (9) at the upper end has the shape of a hook (13) so that the assembly can be hung.

12.- Vertical dispenser support for fruits, tomatoes or the like according to any of claims 9-10, characterized in that the lid (6) has the shape of a hook (13) so that the assembly can be hung.

13.- Vertical dispenser support for fruits, tomatoes or the like according to any of claims 2-12, characterized in that it comprises separators (4) that have a structure similar to a circular ring, where the internal circular structure has ridges or lugs (5 ) that push the ends of the “T” profile towards the center, thus generating a pincer effect on the stems or the nipple of the fruit or tomato.

14. -Vertical dispenser support for fruits, tomatoes or the like according to any of claims 2-12, characterized in that the profile of the column (1) has a toothed inlet with inner appendages.

15.- Vertical dispenser support for fruits, tomatoes or the like according to claim 14 characterized in that the profile has two serrated flaps in each "T", which are bent to the inside, generating a tension clamp on the piece itself and the inner appendices.