WO2022219287A1

WO2022219287A1 - Device for storing and dispensing a bulk product

Info

Publication number: WO2022219287A1
Application number: PCT/FR2022/050697
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicolas LAGACHE
Original assignee: Abcd Nutrition
Priority date: 2021-04-16
Filing date: 2022-04-13
Publication date: 2022-10-20
Also published as: FR3121915B3; FR3121915A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for storing and dispensing a bulk product, comprising a removable container (10) having an opening (11) that opens into an inner storage volume (12), and comprising a dispensing system (20) having a hollow body (21) provided with a mouth (22), a dispensing orifice (23) and means (24) for extracting the product contained in the hollow body (21) through the dispensing orifice (23).

Description

DEVICE FOR STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION OF A BULK PRODUCT

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of packaging and distribution of bulk products.

One of the objects of the present invention relates to a device for storing and distributing a bulk product which is easy to use, facilitates packaging operations, reduces maintenance and upkeep interventions and complies with health standards in limiting the risk of contamination.

By bulk product within the meaning of the present, is meant throughout the following description any product having a mode of distribution that does not require predetermined packaging. In other words, it is a product that is sold in an unpackaged form. Among the bulk products within the meaning of the present invention, there are, for example, dry products such as food products of the seed, dough, cereal, flour, sugar or other type. There are also other types of non-food products such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, hygiene products or cleaning products.

The present invention will thus find numerous advantageous applications in the field of distribution, in particular in the sale and/or distribution of bulk products, in particular foodstuffs.

It will be understood that other advantageous applications in other fields such as for example the sale and/or the distribution of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, hygiene or even maintenance products could be envisaged within the scope of the present invention.

State of the art

The sale of bulk products is experiencing real development.

Consumers are indeed more and more concerned about respecting the environment by limiting the use of plastic bags.

Selling products in bulk also allows consumers to control the quantity of products purchased.

The Applicant further submits that the sale of bulk products is very successful in organic grocery stores because it promotes the sale of food products such as seeds, pasta, cereals, etc.

The sale of bulk products is mainly done in two variants. According to a first variant, it is known to offer bulk products in bins in the form of open containers in the upper portion (or bins).

According to this variant, the consumer helps himself manually from the container, for example using a shovel or another tool.

This first variant has several disadvantages.

It involves in particular:

- a high number of manipulations related to the dosage of the product by the consumer;

- a high number of manipulations related to the filling of the tank by the operator in charge of packaging;

- a need to clean the entire tank before filling it; or

- exposure of the products to the ambient atmosphere, in particular to light and outside air.

By operator, we understand here any person in charge of packaging the product at the point of sale in order to sell it.

The Applicant also points out that the risks of contamination associated with this type of packaging, in particular for food products, are particularly high. To overcome these drawbacks, a second design variant is known which aims to use containers of the hopper type having an operable opening in the lower portion, for example a movable shutter.

This is disclosed for example in WO 99/53808A2.

According to this second variant, the user places a sachet or another container at the level of the opening and activates it, for example using a handle or a crank.

The filling is generally done via an opening in the upper portion or in the front of the container.

This second variant makes it possible in particular to limit the exposure of the products and to reduce the risks associated with dosing by the user, but retains, or even increases, those associated with filling the container.

Additionally, while containers may be filled with a variety of products, any change requires potentially complex cleaning and relabeling of containers to ensure product traceability.

Managing a wide variety of products and therefore containers therefore requires a significant investment and maintenance.

Document WO2019/110532A1 discloses a solution aimed at remedying these drawbacks. This document more particularly proposes a storage and distribution device comprising:

- a container of at least one bulk product in the form of a rigid or semi-rigid box used to package the bulk product from a production and/or packaging site to a place of marketing; and

- a dispensing system comprising reception means capable of receiving the box and having an orifice covered by a shutter, the actuation of which allows the opening or closing of the orifice for the dispensing of the product.

The container and the dispensing system each have a complementary shape and are mounted relative to each other in a sliding connection; this sliding link upright requires a complex and costly design which alone is capable of ensuring the distribution of the bulk product.

Thus, once the box is mounted on the distribution system, it has an inclined lower face forming a slope guiding the product to the orifice so that the bulk product goes to the orifice for a gravity discharge of the product through the orifice when the shutter is in the open position.

This document WO2019/110532A1 therefore proposes a solution making it possible to eliminate the filling phase by using as the container the same box as that used for packaging the bulk product from its production and/or packaging site to the place of marketing.

Thus, the containers no longer need to be filled or cleaned as in the solutions of the prior art. All the operator has to do is replace the empty box with a new pre-filled box.

Replacing the box requires turning over the new box in order to position it on the system.

Such handling can lead to losses of said product which would fall to the ground. There is therefore provided in the document an opening on a side wall of the box (and not on the underside).

As long as the container is not positioned on the system, this opening is closed. This requires the design of a pre-cut line on this sidewall. The operator in charge of packaging must therefore release this opening by pulling on this pre-cut.

On the one hand, this always leads to falls of the product during the positioning phase of the box by reversal of the latter; on the other hand, the design of this box remains complex (design of an inclined lower face, a pre-cut and a specific shape allowing the sliding connection with its support).

The Applicant further submits that the solution proposed in this document has many other drawbacks; it offers in particular:

- a packaging and distribution system allowing the material to be stored in hoppers in a non-watertight material such as cardboard (and not very respectful of the environment): this most often requires an additional plastic bag inside this hopper to create a barrier;

- significant shrinkage with the material not flowing out and remaining stuck inside, no tracking of the portion;

- a packaging and distribution system which is not suitable for sticky products which therefore go into unhygienic bins,

- a bulky packaging and distribution system that takes up shelf space;

- a system for packaging and distributing the material not visible to the consumer. Finally, the distribution system is not intuitive or practical for the consumer.

For these reasons, the Applicant submits that the solutions of the prior art are not fully satisfactory.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to improve the situation described above.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to remedy the various drawbacks mentioned above by proposing a solution for the storage and distribution of a bulk product having an innovative design facilitating the filling and packaging operations and reducing handling during upkeep and maintenance phases. To this end, the object of the present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a device for storing and distributing a bulk product.

Advantageously, the storage and distribution device according to the present invention comprises:

- a removable container provided with an opening leading to an internal bulk product storage volume;

- a dispensing system comprising a hollow body provided with a mouth opening inside the hollow body, a bulk product dispensing orifice and means for extracting the product contained in the hollow body through the distribution orifice; and

- a loading system on which the dispensing system is mounted, said loading system being arranged to position the dispensing system in a dispensing configuration in which the mouth of the dispensing system is oriented upwards. Advantageously, the container is capable of coming into place on the dispensing system so that the opening of the container communicates with the mouth of the hollow body.

It is understood here that, when the container is placed on the dispensing system, the opening and the mouth face each other.

It is also understood here that, preferably, the opening and the mouth are sized relative to each other so that the respective edges of the opening and the mouth come into contact; this makes it possible to form a communication channel between the internal storage volume of the container and the hollow body, such a channel making it possible to transfer the bulk product from the container to the interior of the hollow body.

Thus, when the container comes into place on the distribution system, the opening of the container communicates with the mouth of the hollow body, which allows, in the distribution configuration, a gravity discharge of the bulk product from the container inside. of the hollow body of the distribution system

Preferably, the extraction means comprise an endless screw and the dispensing system comprises a motorized transmission system, the activation of which actuates the extraction means so as to convey the bulk product towards the dispensing orifice.

Preferably, the distribution system comprises:

- a first sensor of the motion detector type positioned on the front face of the hollow body and configured to capture first information representative of the environment of said distribution system (for example a gesture of the hand of a user in front of the device) and to generate a first environment datum comprising said first information; and

- a control unit configured to activate said motorized transmission system according to said first environmental datum.

Advantageously, the loading system comprises a fixed part and a mobile part.

Preferably, the fixed part is intended to be secured to a supporting structure such as for example the supporting structure of a packaging cabinet.

Preferably, the mobile part is able to be assembled integrally with the dispensing system. According to a preferred variant, the dispensing system is removably mounted on the mobile part of the loading system.

In one example, the distribution system is inserted into the mobile part of the loading system via, for example, a slide fixed on load bars.

Advantageously, the fixed part comprises an indexing finger configured to block the sliding of the movable part relative to the fixed part in the extended position. Advantageously, the loading system comprises a box configured to removably receive the container.

Such a box facilitates the operations of the operator; the latter positions the container in the box to put the container in place on the distribution system.

Preferably, the box comprises a side hatch freeing access to the box for placing the container on the dispensing system. This hatch is for example mounted on a hinge.

Advantageously, the container is a box, preferably flexible, used to package the product in bulk from a production and/or packaging site to a place of marketing.

This is particularly advantageous in that:

- the operator is no longer in direct contact with the product during the packaging phase;

- the use of the same container reduces the use of additional packaging or containers;

- the use of the same container also makes it possible to eliminate the often tedious filling phase of another container.

Preferably, the container is made at least partially of a flexible material.

Preferably, the container is made at least partially of a peelable material.

Such a material therefore comprises a surface coating which can be detached from the latter by a dry process and without breaking. This is appreciated by the operator when opening the container. Preferably, the peelable material is of the triplex type and therefore comprises three fibrous layers.

In a preferred embodiment, the container comprises a first layer of paper, a second layer of polyamide and a third layer of polyethylene.

Such a material is appreciated because it allows it to be reused and/or recycled. It will also be noted that the paper layer protects the contents of the container against light; the polyamide layer gives the container good robustness and good mechanical resistance, in particular to tearing; finally, the polyethylene layer is appreciated for its properties allowing good preservation of food products. Such a triplex design is also environmentally friendly.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first layer is the outer layer in contact with the ambient environment of the container, the third layer is the inner layer, one of the faces of which defines the walls of the internal storage volume of the container.

In this mode, the second layer is sandwiched between the first and third layer.

It is also possible to provide an additional layer, for example EVOH, to preserve the aromas and/or perfumes.

Advantageously, the container is of substantially parallelepipedic shape, which facilitates its storage and its transport, but also its positioning in particular in the box. Advantageously, the container has on the front facade a first window made of a transparent or translucent material to view the contents of said container.

Such a first window allows consumers to view the contents of the container. Advantageously, the container comprises on the rear facade a second window made of a transparent or translucent material, this second window extending vertically over all or part of the height of the rear facade.

Advantageously, the container comprises on the rear facade and/or on the front facade a matrix code comprising information relating to the contents of the container. Such information may, for example, relate to the product as such, the date of manufacture/production, the date of packaging, the provenance/origin, the expiry date or any other relevant information ensuring the traceability of the product (brand, marking of the BBD, origin, etc.).

Advantageously, the extraction means comprise the bottom of the hollow body which has an inclined slope ensuring flow by gravity of the bulk product towards the dispensing orifice.

Advantageously, the extraction means comprise an endless screw, the actuation of which allows delivery of the bulk product to the dispensing orifice.

Preferably, the endless screw is removable; provision is made for rapid dismantling of this screw relative to the hollow body without having recourse to tools to allow easy cleaning: this is possible for example by unscrewing the end of the sheath or the rear of the sabot. The end of the sheath can also be in a transparent material to improve product visibility for the consumer.

Advantageously, the dispensing orifice is equipped with a closing flap that can be moved between an open position freeing access to the dispensing orifice and a closed position closing off the dispensing orifice.

In an advantageous embodiment, the dispensing system comprises manual actuation means of the extraction means.

In another advantageous embodiment, the distribution system comprises a motorized transmission system configured to actuate the extraction means.

Preferably, the dispensing system comprises a second sensor arranged at the level of the dispensing orifice and configured to capture a second piece of information representative of the environment of the dispensing system near the orifice and to generate a second environmental datum comprising said second information.

Such a second sensor makes it possible, for example, to capture the presence of a container or a bag to recover the product under the dispensing orifice.

Thus, by positioning the container or the sachet under the dispensing orifice, the second sensor detects the presence of this container or this sachet and sends the second data to the central unit which then unblocks the actuation of the motorized transmission and the first sensor. When the first sensor detects a movement of the consumer's hand on the front panel, the latter emits a first piece of data which activates the system and allows the dispensing of the product via the dispensing orifice.

Preferably, the control unit is configured to open and/or close the shutter shutter according to the second environmental datum.

Preferably, the first and/or the second sensor is a motion detector.

It will be understood that the signal generated by the second sensor arranged under the orifice can also control the actuation of the transmission system.

Advantageously, the device according to the present invention comprises a flow comb implemented at the mouth to facilitate the flow of the bulk product during the gravity pouring of said product from the container towards the interior of the hollow body.

Preferably, the flow comb comprises flexible food bristles extending in the direction of the flow of said bulk product.

By food bristles is meant here flexible slender elements made of a material that meets health standards for being in contact with food products. As a variant, provision can also be made for this comb to comprise strips of food-grade plastic (or rubber), which depend on the rheology of the products.

The object of the present invention relates, according to a second aspect, to a packaging cabinet comprising:

- a plurality of compartments sized to each receive a device for storing and dispensing a bulk product as described above comprising a container of a bulk product, said compartments being arranged in rows and columns and

- a movable rail capable of moving at the rear of said piece of furniture according to a horizontal or vertical translation, said rail being provided with at least one camera positioned so that, during a horizontal or vertical translation of said rail, the camera passes in front of the rear face of a plurality of containers of the same row or of the same column and captures at least one image of the rear face of each container of the same row or of the same column. Thus, the object of the present invention, through its various functional and structural aspects described above, provides operators and consumers with a storage and distribution solution implementing an innovative loading system. The presence of sensors allows automation of the distribution of the product without direct contact with the device, which assures consumers of the absence of bacteria.

Brief description of the appended figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below with reference to the appended figures 1 to 11 which illustrate an example of embodiment thereof without any limiting character and in which:

[Fig-1]

FIG. 1 schematically represents a perspective view of a container of a bulk product according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig.2]

FIG. 2 schematically represents a perspective view of a distribution system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig.3]

Figure 3 schematically shows a view of a side section of a dispensing system according to Figure 2;

[Fig.4] FIG. 4 schematically represents an exploded view of a storage and dispensing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with a dispensing system according to FIGS. 2 and 3;

[Fig-5]

FIG. 5 schematically represents a perspective view of a storage and dispensing device according to FIG. 4 in the installation or removal configuration with the movable part in the extended position;

[Fig.6]

FIG. 6 schematically represents a perspective view of a storage and dispensing device in accordance with FIG. 4 or 5 with the door open for the installation of a container in accordance with FIG. 1;

[Fig.7]

FIG. 7 schematically represents a perspective view of a storage and dispensing device with the door closed before rotation;

[Fig.8]

FIG. 8 schematically represents a first front view of a storage and dispensing device during its rotation around the axis of rotation;

[Fig.9]

FIG. 9 schematically represents a second front view of a storage and dispensing device during its rotation around the axis of rotation;

[Fig.10]

FIG. 10 schematically represents a perspective view of a storage and dispensing device after rotation through 180°; and

[Fig.l l]

Figure 11 schematically shows a perspective view of a packaging cabinet comprising a plurality of storage and dispensing device.

detailed description

A device for storing and distributing a bulk product according to an embodiment of the present invention, a packaging unit comprising such a device and the method associated with it will now be described in the following with reference together with figures 1 to 11.

As a reminder, one of the objectives of this agreement is to provide operators in charge of packaging bulk products at the point of sale with an easy-to-use solution that limits handling, reduces material costs and limits cleaning and maintenance operations optimizes space and allows traceability right up to the consumer (no need for a traceability book anymore).

One of the other objectives of the present invention consists in providing end consumers with an intuitive and aesthetic storage and distribution device allowing the distribution of bulk product that has not been in contact with other people (operators and consumers). to meet health standards.

This is made possible in the example described below.

It is recalled here that the example described here is given purely for information and is in no way limiting.

In this example and as described in Figure 1, there is a container 10, which is characteristic of the invention.

The container 10 is in the form of a flexible box (or bag) consisting at least partially of a peelable and flexible material in the form of a triplex comprising a first outer layer of paper, a second intermediate layer of polyamide PA and a third inner layer of polyethylene PE.

Such a triplex material has good preservation properties and has the advantage of being recyclable and peelable.

In this example, preference is given to the use of the container 10 having previously been used to package the product in bulk from its production and/or packaging site to the place of marketing.

The same container 10 is therefore used throughout the distribution circuit from packaging at the place of manufacture to sale at the place of marketing. Using the same container limits handling by the operator, facilitates storage and limits the use of additional packaging and containers.

In addition to the undeniable economic gain, this also makes it possible to comply with health standards by eliminating product contact with other people.

In the example of Figure 1, the container 10 is delivered from the production site to the place of marketing in a closed form (to facilitate storage and transport). In this example, the container 10 comprises an opening 11 on its lower portion 10D. Access to this opening 11 is easy for the operator thanks to this peelable material removing a closure weld, such a weld being for example 15 millimeters.

Solder removal is done cleanly. A pre-cut can be provided to facilitate the removal t of the weld and the release of access to this opening 11 by the operator in charge of packaging.

Of course, those skilled in the art will understand here that other closure means can be envisaged within the scope of the present invention to close this opening and facilitate its access.

In the upper portion 10A, provision may be made for a reinforcement weld 15 wider, for example by 30 millimeters, to support the loads when filling the container 10 on the production site.

In this example, the container 10 of substantially parallelepipedal shape has welded corners and on the upper portion 10A a European hole 16 providing a seat and promoting the maintenance of the container 10 during its packaging for distribution.

Still in this figure 1, there is also a first window 13 on the front facade 10B and a second window 14 on the rear facade 10C.

This first window 13 is made of a transparent or translucent material to allow the consumer and possibly the operator to view the contents of the container 10.

The second window 14 is also made of a transparent or translucent material. This second window 14 extends vertically over all or part of the height of the rear facade 10C. As can be understood in the following description, this second window 14 is intended to display and determine the filling level of the container.

In this example and as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, there is also a distribution system 20, characteristic of the invention.

Such a distribution system 20 is in the form of a shoe configured to receive the container 10 and come to cooperate with it to allow the distribution of the product in bulk to the final consumer.

In this example, the dispensing system 20 comprises a hollow body 21 of substantially cylindrical shape provided with a mouth 22 opening inside the hollow body 21.

In this example, the hollow body 21 also comprises an orifice 23 for dispensing the bulk product and extraction means 24 in the form of an endless screw 26, the actuation of which makes it possible to convey the product contained in the hollow body 21 through the dispensing orifice 23, whatever its rheology.

Here, a diameter of the screw 26 is substantially between 60 and 65 millimeters for a hollow body with an internal diameter of approximately 100 millimeters. It will be noted here that the ratio between these two dimensions guarantees good transport of the product: the thread of the screw 26 is wide enough to transport the product without however creating a compression zone which could block the flow.

In this example, provision is made for the rationing of the endless screw 26 to be implemented in two modes: a manual mode and a motorized mode.

The dispensing system 20 thus comprises on its front face manual actuation means 27 of the endless screw 26 such as for example a crank; rotating the crank in one direction allows G to drive this screw to convey the bulk product to port 23.

Preferably, such a crank has undergone a pretreatment and has a protective layer (for example copper) against bacteria.

The motorized mode for the actuation of this screw 26 is itself made possible by a transmission system 28 of the type, for example, electric motor located at the opposite end of the screw 26 with respect to the crank.

In order to limit the consumer's contact with the device 100, everything is preferably automated.

Provision is therefore made in this example for a first sensor 25 of the optical type such as for example a motion detector placed on the front face of the hollow body 21 so as to be oriented towards the consumer.

Such a first sensor 25 positioned on the front part of the device 100 makes it possible to detect a movement such as for example a movement of the hand of a consumer in front of the device 100.

In the event of detection of such a movement, the sensor 25 emits a detection signal comprising first so-called environmental data comprising first information relating to the detected movement. This signal is then sent to a control unit (not represented here) such as for example an electronic card, a processor or a microcontroller of CPU, GPU, TPU, FPGA, etc. type.

Such a control unit is configured to control actuation of motor 28 to drive screw 26.

The presence of this sensor 25 is appreciated to facilitate the consumer experience by automating the actuation of the screw 26.

The dispensing orifice 23 can also be equipped with a shutter (not shown here) which is movable between an open position freeing access to the dispensing orifice 23 and a closed position closing off the dispensing orifice. 23. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a second sensor 29 of the optical type such as for example a motion detector is arranged at the level of the dispensing orifice 23; the presence of this other sensor 29 makes it possible to detect the presence under the orifice 23 of a container or of a bag belonging to the consumer.

In the event of detection of such a container or such a bag, the second sensor 29 also emits a detection signal comprising a second environmental datum comprising a second piece of information relating to the detection of a presence under the orifice. distribution 23. In this case, the signal comprising this second datum is sent to the control unit which controls the actuation of the screw, which avoids a bulk product distribution when the consumer omits to position a container or a sachet under the orifice or that a consumer can trigger the dispensing of product by inadvertently passing his hand under the sensors 29.

The control unit controls at the same time on reception of the first and second data the opening of the valve.

The presence of these sensors 25 and 29 makes it possible to have an intuitive tool for the consumer whose operation is automated to facilitate the distribution of the bulk product and improve the consumer experience.

The presence of these sensors 25 and 29 also makes it possible to considerably reduce the proliferation of bacteria by limiting the affected.

It therefore becomes possible to offer automatic dispensing of portions of the product in bulk.

The presence of these sensors 25 and 29 makes it possible to actuate the screw 26 and the opening of the shutter valve to allow the flow of the product through the orifice 23.

Such distribution can be done in calibrated and rhythmic portions: as soon as the consumer removes their container or bag, the system stops.

It is also possible to provide an electronic metrology system capable of carrying out a calibrated measurement according to the configuration of the screw (diameter of the screw and dimension of the thread in particular) to automatically determine the mass of product dispensed and its density. As a reminder, one of the objectives of the present invention is to facilitate handling, in particular that of the operator during the packaging phase of the container 10 with the dispensing system 20.

The container 10 and the dispensing system 20 are thus designed to cooperate with each other in order to achieve this objective. In the example described, provision is made for the opening 11 of the container 10 and the mouth 22 of the hollow body 21 to be dimensioned to allow the positioning of the container 10 on the system 20 so that, during this positioning , the opening 11 communicates perfectly with the mouth 22; in other words, the edges of the opening of the container and the edges of the mouth 22 coincide with each other.

Such a dimensioning of the opening 11 and the mouth 22 offers the possibility of carrying out a transfer of the bulk product from the internal storage volume 12 of the container towards the interior of the hollow body 21; the interior of the hollow body 21 then forms a buffer zone for the bulk product before its extraction through the dispensing orifice 23.

The concept underlying the present invention is to allow positioning of the container 10 on the mouth 22 of the hollow body 21 along the edges of its opening 11 to promote the gravity transfer of the bulk product from the internal storage volume 12 towards the interior of the hollow body 21, this avoiding the product falling to the ground.

It is also possible to provide for the presence of additional retaining tabs on the sides of the mouth 22.

There is then provided according to the present invention a loading system 30 on which the system 20 is removably mounted.

In the example described here and as illustrated in particular in FIG. 4, provision is made for the distribution system 20 to be removably mounted on a part 30B of the loading system, this part 30B being called the movable part.

In this example, the hollow body 21 of the distribution system 20 therefore comprises on its outer surface a pair of ribs 21 A forming, for example, a cross-section in the shape of an inverted L, the proximal branches of which are each inserted into a groove 35 formed on the movable part 30A so as to slide to a stop position in which the dispensing system 20 is locked in position with the movable support 30B.

For example, provision is made for a pin mounted on a spring (not shown here) to block the system in position in the slide and more particularly to block it in the extended position. The operator can therefore come and take the distribution system 20 and insert it at the level of these grooves 35 in the loading system 30.

The design of this loading system 30, characteristic of the present invention, allows rotation for a reversal of the distribution system according to two configurations C1 and C2. In this example and as illustrated in Figures 4 to 10, such a loading system 30 comprises rotation means 31 allowing the operator to cause a 180° rotation of the dispensing system 20 around an axis of rotation Al.

Such means 31 allow the passage of a first configuration C1 for placement or removal in which the mouth 22 is oriented downwards for placement of the container 10 on the dispensing system 20 with the opening 11 of the container 10 oriented upwards (FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 for example) to a second dispensing configuration C2 in which the mouth 22 is oriented upwards for a reversal of the container 10 (see FIG. 10 for example).

It is thus understood that, in the configuration C1, the operator can position the container 10 filled with the bulk product under the mouth 22 with the opening 11 facing upwards (FIG. 6).

Such a position of the container 10 with the opening 11 upwards prevents the product from falling to the ground. Indeed, in the solutions of the prior art, the containers are necessarily turned over manually for transfer into a packaging container.

Once in place, the operator ensures that the opening 11 and the mouth 22 communicate together.

Then, the operator actuates the means 31 for rotating the assembly formed by the dispensing system 20 and the container 10 to reach the dispensing configuration C2. During this 180° reversal, the mouth 22 is oriented upwards and the bulk product contained in the container 10 empties by gravity inside the hollow body 21.

This transfer operation was carried out here simply, with a minimum of handling and effort and without any direct contact of the operator with the bulk product. This 180° rotation is characteristic of the present invention.

In this example, such a 180° rotation is made possible by the design of an innovative loading system 30.

This 30 has a fixed part 30A secured to the supporting structure 201 of the packaging unit 200 (FIG. 11) and a mobile part 30B assembled integrally with the distribution system 20.

In this example, the rotation means 31 comprise a pivot connection L1 arranged between the fixed part 30A and the mobile part 30B to ensure the 180° rotation of the mobile part 30B around the axis of rotation Al.

Such a pivot connection L1 is ensured by an axis Al allowing the movable part 30B to rotate around this axis Al. Thus, as can be understood from reading Figures 8 and 9, it is possible for the operator to rotate the mobile part 30B through 180° relative to the fixed part 30A by grasping this mobile part 30B (or the system 20 secured thereto) and by simply pivoting this part 30B around the axis of rotation Al.

Still as illustrated in particular in FIGS. 8 and 9, the mobile part 30B comprises elements 32 which at the end of their travel come into abutment against the fixed part 30A to block the rotation of the mobile part 30B, and thus block the rotation of the mobile part 30B relative to the furniture.

In this example, such abutment elements 32 may be in the form of fins extending laterally on either side of the movable part 30B to bear against the fixed part 30A when the configuration C1 or C2 is reached.

Alternatively, a mechanism with a ball which locks in a housing can be provided as a variant.

In this example, these abutment elements 32 are also provided with magnetic elements 32A capable of cooperating with the fixed part 30A made at least partially of a ferromagnetic material; the presence of these magnetic elements 32A makes it possible to ensure that the mobile part 30B is held on the fixed part 30A in configuration C1 or C2.

Once the assembly formed by the distribution system 20 and the container 10 returned to the distribution configuration, the operator grasps the assembly and separates it from the loading system 30 by removing it.

The operator then positions the assembly formed by the dispensing system 20 and the container 10 in one of the first compartments of the cabinet 200, preferably the latter intended for the product contained in the container 10.

In this example, it will be noted that the system 20 comprises under the hollow body a pin pair 21B having a cross-section in the shape of an inverted U, each of the pins 21B fitting onto a portion of the movable part 30B which is of complementary shape. with this pin 21B. We are talking here about a rear and front loading bar forming part of the load-bearing structure 201 of the cabinet.

Each unitary assembly formed by the distribution system 20 and the container 10 is therefore intended to be arranged in an orderly manner in rows and columns in the packaging cabinet 200 as illustrated in FIG. 11 which comprises first compartments configured to receive them.

The cabinet also includes a second compartment designed to receive the loading system 30. The presentation of this piece of furniture 200 in the form of a cabinet makes it possible to limit the size and to offer a maximum of bulk products for sale by occupying, for example, a section of wall in a store.

The Applicant submits that such a piece of furniture 200 makes it possible to significantly optimize the number of bulk product references per linear m ² .

In this example, the loading system 30 is retracted into the volume defined by the cabinet 200.

To do this, the fixed 30A and mobile 30B parts are mounted in sliding connection L2 with respect to each other.

Thus, the movable part 30B can slide along the sliding axis A2 to pass from a retracted position PI in which the movable part 30B is retracted into the fixed part 30A to an extended position P2 in which the movable part 30B is completely disengaged from the fixed part 30A.

It will be understood here that in this example it is only, in the extended position P2, that the mobile part 30B is capable of entering into rotation relative to the fixed part 30A.

Indeed, in the retracted position, the movable part 30B cannot rotate because it is retracted into the fixed part 30A.

The very clever design proposed here in the context of the present invention therefore allows the joint use of a single container 10 having been used during the production and logistics phase and of an intuitive loading system 30 facilitating handling operations. . From a practical point of view, the packaging process is presented to the operator as follows:

Before carrying out the packaging operation to set up a (new) container 10, the operator takes out of the cabinet 200 the mobile part 30B of the loading system 30 by sliding it along the axis A2 ( figure 11) so as to reach the extended position.

Note here the presence of an indexing finger 33 which stops the travel of the movable part 30B along the axis A2 to reach this output position P2.

In this example, the device 100 is then in configuration C1 (FIG. 5) with the mobile support 30B in the extended position P2.

After having opened the container 10 by holding the opening 11 upwards, the operator opens the hatch 34A of the box 34 (FIG. 6) then positions the container 10 therein with the opening 11 upwards (FIG. 7) so as to to set up the container 10 on the system 20 and make communicate this opening 11 with the mouth 22 of the hollow body 21 which is oriented downwards.

It will be noted here that the box 34 comprises a bottom 34B on which the container 10 rests.

Provision can be made to mount the box 34 in sliding connection on the movable part 30B so as to be able to adjust the height of the box 34 by moving the distance from the bottom 34B relative to the hollow body 21, which allows for example to be able to have a container 10 having variable dimensions in height and thus to adapt the size of the box to the dimensions of the container.

Once the container 10 is in position in the box 34, the operator closes the hatch 34A (which in the open position can serve as a support to open the container) and tilts the assembly to cause the 180° rotation of the mobile part 30B with respect to the fixed part 30A (FIGS. 8 and 9).

By this 180° rotation, the device reaches the distribution configuration C2.

It will be noted that the operator will exert a force greater than the magnetization force exerted by the magnets 32A (or force of the ball in its housing) to authorize the separation of the mobile support 30B with the fixed support 30A and actuate this rocker.

The contents of the container 10 then pours inside the hollow body 21.

Once the configuration C2 has been reached, the operator simply has to remove the assembly formed by the dispensing system 20 and the container 10 to position the latter in the compartment which is dedicated to it.

The operator can then retract the mobile part 30B inside the cabinet 200 by sliding it along the axis A2 and reach the retracted position PI in the cabinet 200. He can also enter another system distribution 20 and assemble it to the loading system 30 to provide for the loading and the reversal of another container 10 for its placement in another compartment.

After having carried out these various operations for all the containers, the 101st packaging unit 200 is ready for use and the consumer only has to select the desired product and activate the endless screw 26 (or turn the handwheel of the crank - in manual mode) and the shutter by making hand gestures to simultaneously allow the delivery of the bulk product and the opening of the shutter shutter to recover the product under orifice 23 in bulk.

To facilitate management, provision is made for the arrangement of a mobile rail capable of moving laterally or vertically at the rear of the cabinet. Such a rail comprises one or more cameras arranged along said rail so that each camera passes behind a row or a column of container 10 and captures an image comprising the matrix code of the QR code type or equivalent and the second window 14 to determine, by image processing, information relating to the filling level of the container 10 as well as the information relating to the bulk product contained in each container (expiration date, nature of the product, etc.) .

It is envisaged in this example to motorize this rail and to control it so that the rail moves at regular intervals, for example every day at the start of the day or every hour.

This information collected periodically on the level of filling of the container allows a reliable and regular update of the contents of the cabinet 200.

By collecting this information, it is envisaged in the context of the present invention to set up a computerized management tool allowing several applications such as, for example, the possibility of warning the operator that a container 10 will soon be empty, of planning replacement of the container, to generate an order to receive new containers, to establish consumption statistics, to control consumption in relation to an amount received.

When changing container, it is also possible to scan the new container 10 thanks to the presence of the matrix code.

Such a code allows the implementation of an effective traceability service making it possible to eliminate the traceability notebook, which currently only provides paper traceability in stores and to take traceability to the home via a mobile consumer application.

It is also provided in the context of the present invention a real integrated and automated supply chain service which manages the entire distribution chain ranging from inventory management to monitoring through purchasing and inventory.

The solution implemented in the context of the present invention provides store managers with a tool for the sale of bulk products which is simple, compact, with a good return on investment, improves sales by optimizing the number of references per linear m ² , facilitates the management of stocks and orders and the improvement of the merchandising plan, reduces handling for packaging, limits maintenance and eliminates product losses.

The Applicant submits that the present invention offers twice as many dispensers per linear meter as the standard solutions available on the market. The present invention also provides for the implementation of means allowing automated management of the dynamic price calculation according to the weight, the weight being determined by a computer connected to the screw capable of detecting the number of revolutions made by the endless screw. . This calculator also takes into consideration, in particular, the density and the rheology of the product to determine this weight. It becomes possible to dynamically determine this price and thus provide the consumer with dynamic weight/price information. These data provided for information purposes will then be validated at the time of weighing on the centralized scale, certified in legal metrology. The solution proposed here therefore interfaces with the furniture's digital infrastructure. It should be noted that this detailed description relates to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention, but that in no case does this description have any limiting character to the subject of the invention; on the contrary, it aims to remove any possible imprecision or any misinterpretation of the following claims. It should also be noted that the reference signs placed between parentheses in the following claims are in no way limiting; these signs have the sole purpose of improving the intelligibility and understanding of the following claims as well as the scope of the protection sought.

Claims

1. Storage and distribution device (100) for a bulk product comprising:

- a removable container (10) provided with an opening (11) leading to an internal storage volume (12) of said bulk product; and

- a dispensing system (20) comprising a hollow body (21) provided with a mouth (22) opening inside said hollow body (21), a dispensing orifice (23) of said bulk product and means (24) for extracting said product contained in the hollow body (21) through the dispensing orifice (23),

- a loading system (30) on which the distribution system (20) is mounted, said loading system (30) being capable of positioning the distribution system (20) in a distribution configuration (C2) in which the mouth (22) of said dispensing system (20) is oriented upwards; said container (10) being capable of coming into place on said dispensing system (20) so that the opening

(11) of the container (10) communicates with the mouth (22) of the hollow body (21) so as to allow, in the dispensing configuration (C2), a gravity discharge of said bulk product from the container (10) to the inside the hollow body (21) of the distribution system characterized in that the extraction means (24) comprise an endless screw (26) and the said distribution system (20) comprises a motorized transmission system (28) whose activation actuates the extraction means so as to convey the bulk product to the dispensing orifice (23), and in that said dispensing system (20) comprises:

- a first sensor (25) of the motion detector type positioned on the front face of the hollow body (21) and configured to capture first information representative of the environment of said distribution system (20) and generate first environmental data comprising said first information; and

- a control unit configured to activate said motorized transmission system (28) according to said first environmental datum.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the loading system (30) comprises rotation means (31) configured to cause a 180° rotation of said distribution system (20) around an axis of rotation ( Al) so as to allow passage from the dispensing configuration (C2) to an insertion or removal configuration (Cl) in which the mouthpiece (22) is oriented towards the bottom for placing the container (10) on the dispensing system (20) with the opening (11) of said container (10) facing upwards, and vice versa.

3. Device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the loading system (30) comprises a fixed part (30A) and a movable part (30B) adapted to be assembled integrally with said distribution system (20).

4. Device (100) according to claim 3 attached to claim 2, wherein the rotation means (31) comprise a pivot connection (Ll) arranged between the fixed part (30A) and the movable part (30B) for ensuring the 180° rotation of the mobile part (30B) around said axis of rotation (Al).

5. Device (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the fixed part (30A) and the movable part (30B) are mounted in sliding connection (L2) with respect to each other so as to slide according to a sliding axis (A2) parallel to said axis of rotation (Al) for passage of the movable part (30B) from a retracted position (PI) to an extended position (P2).

6. Device (100) according to claim 5 appended to claim 4, wherein, in the retracted position (PI), the movable part (30B) is retracted into the fixed part (30A) and wherein, in the extended position (P2 ), the movable part (30B) is completely disengaged from the fixed part (30A) so as to allow the 180° rotation of the movable part (30B) around said axis of rotation (Al).

7. Device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the movable part (30B) comprises abutment elements (32) capable of coming into abutment against the fixed part (30A) to block the rotation of the movable part (30B) .

8. Device (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the fixed part (30A) comprises an indexing finger (33) configured to block the sliding of the movable part (30B) relative to the fixed part (30A) in extended position (P2).

9. Device (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the dispensing system (20) is removably mounted on the movable part (30B) of the loading system (30).

10. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the loading system (30) comprises a box (34) configured to removably receive the container (10).

11. Device (100) according to claim 10, wherein the box (34) comprises a side hatch (34A) providing access to said box (34) for the positioning of said container (10) on said dispensing system ( 20).

12. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said container (10) is a box used to package the product in bulk from a production and/or packaging site to a place of marketing.

13. Device (100) according to claim 12, wherein said container (10) consists at least partially of a flexible material.

14. Device (100) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said container (10) consists at least partially of a peelable material.

15. Device according to claim 14, in which the peelable material is of the triplex type comprising three fibrous layers.

16. Device according to claim 15, wherein said container (10) comprises a first layer of paper, a second layer of polyamide and a third layer of polyethylene.

17. Device according to claim 16, in which the first layer is the external layer in contact with the ambient environment of the container (10), the third layer is the internal layer, one of the faces of which defines the walls of the internal volume of storing the container (10), said second layer being sandwiched between the first and third layers.

18. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said container (10) is of substantially parallelepipedic shape.

19. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said container (10) comprises on the front panel (10B) a first window (13) made of a transparent or translucent material to view the contents of said container (10 ).

20. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said container (10) comprises on the rear facade (10C) a second window (14) made of a transparent or translucent material, said second window (14) s extending vertically over all or part of the height of said rear facade (10C).

21. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said container (10) comprises on the rear panel and/or on the front panel a matrix code comprising information relating to the content of said container (10).

22. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the extraction means (24) comprise the bottom of the hollow body (11) which has an inclined slope ensuring flow by gravity of said bulk product towards said dispensing orifice (23).

23. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said dispensing system (20) comprises a second sensor (29) of the motion detector type disposed at the level of the said dispensing orifice (23) and configured to capture a second piece of information representing the environment of said distribution system (20) near said orifice (23) and generating a second piece of environmental data comprising said second piece of information.

24. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the dispensing orifice (23) is equipped with a shutter flap movable between an open position releasing access to the dispensing orifice ( 23) and a closed position closing said dispensing orifice (23).

25. Device according to claim 24 attached to claim 23, in which the control unit is configured to open and/or close the shutter according to the second environmental datum.

26. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a flow comb implemented at the mouth (22) to facilitate the flow of the bulk product during the gravity discharge of said product from the container to the inside the hollow body.

27. Device according to claim 26, in which the flow comb comprises flexible food bristles extending in the direction of flow of said bulk product.

28. Conditioning unit (200) comprising:

- a plurality of compartments sized to each receive a storage and dispensing device (100) for a bulk product according to any one of claims 1 to 27 each comprising a container (10) of a bulk product, said first compartments being arranged in rows and columns and

- a movable rail capable of moving at the rear of said piece of furniture according to a horizontal or vertical translation, said rail being provided with at least one camera positioned so that, during a horizontal or vertical translation of said rail, the camera passes in front of the rear face of a plurality of containers of the same row or of the same column and captures at least one image of the rear face of each container of the same row or of the same column.