WO2024042261A1

WO2024042261A1 - Dosing unit

Info

Publication number: WO2024042261A1
Application number: PCT/ES2023/070527
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francisco De Asis YARZA CAÑELLAS
Original assignee: YARZA CAÑELLAS, Alejandro Jose
Priority date: 2022-08-24
Filing date: 2023-08-24
Publication date: 2024-02-29

Abstract

The subject matter of this invention relates to a dosing unit that can be coupled to a container (1) and is formed by a laminar body (2) folded like a cup having a polygonal cross-section and having a series of dosing marks (3) or lines on the inside. Said laminar body (2) is a die-cut sheet or template designed to change from a folded state to an unfolded state and comprising a number of grooved scribe lines (10) that define a plurality of panels with a central curved recess in its upper perimeter as sides of the body (2) and a plurality of tabs that structurally form the cup together with a bottom part, said tabs and the bottom part being extensions of the panels.

Description

DISPENSER

DESCRIPTION of the invention

The invention presented refers to a dispenser suitable for attaching to containers, especially intended for bulk solid products, but equally applicable to powder or even liquid products, that is, it is a receptacle for calibrating and dosing bulk products. which, due to its technical and conformation characteristics, significantly improves similar articles existing on the market and in the state of the art.

Specifically, this innovation refers to a dispenser, receptacle or container intended to collect inside a certain amount of a bulk product with the particularity of being formed based on an easily assembled die-cut template and sized to fit the original container of the product in question if the user so desires and which, additionally, allows the exact amount to be adjusted if necessary. It is, therefore, a dispenser that is originally folded and becomes volumetric for use.

Technical sector

This invention fits in the sector that corresponds to various industrial techniques, in particular containers for the storage, handling or transport of objects or materials, and more specifically rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross section capable of incorporating measuring means.

It is applicable in the packaging and distribution industry, also in phytosanitary, fertilizer, chemical industries in general, cosmetics, even food.

Background of the invention and state of the art

The marketing of products that require a dosage prior to use is more than notable. They are products of various types, in solid or liquid, granular, powder, pasty to semi-paste, most of them coinciding in

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) presented for sale in containers that contain inside a means intended to dose the required amount of the product. This is the case, for example, of detergent packets or fabric softener containers for washing machines.

In practice, these types of manually used dispensers are of the scoop or measuring jug type, but they all coincide in being volumetric, which means that every time the consumer purchases a container, they receive a new dispenser that, in general, does not It usually suffers some wear with use, which results in a meaningless accumulation of dispensers. If we add to this that they are usually made of plastic material, it can be agreed that it is an article that contributes nothing to current environmental protection and recycling policies.

Therefore, in the state of the art, the existence of products that are distributed in bottles, jars, boxes... and other containers and that need to be dosed at the time of use is known. To do this, these containers usually have a plastic cup or saucepan with marks on the side. These glasses often create two problems.

A first problem is the consumption of plastic, which entails a significant ecological footprint. Even more so if it is not recycled. Thanks to the product of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the emission of CO2 into the environment, reducing pollution. It also helps the circular economy.

A second problem is that they often require increasing the size of the box or packaging that contains the bottle and the dispenser. That is, they increase the volume and complicate the transportation and storage of the products.

Furthermore, it is a product that is present in multiple business sectors such as food, cosmetics, medical or cleaning products such as detergents, as well as fertilizers and insecticides, paints and lacquers, etc. The problems exposed grow exponentially.

In terms of industrial property, there are different patents that develop some technical solutions that define systems and devices for dosing bulk products, as is the case of file ES0366382 that develops a “device for the continuous, automatically regulated extraction of partial quantities, corresponding with each other, of bulk granular material contained in different containers and/or in different areas of a container, characterized by a collecting container of rectangular cross-section and constant depth open at the top and provided at the bottom with a one-dimensionally narrowing evacuation zone, whose inclined walls enclose an opening angle between them that is less than 0.8 times the difference between 180° and twice the slope angle of the material used, as well as an evacuation slot, a container whose parallelepiped-shaped part contains a stabilization zone free of inserts, whose height is greater than the product of its width and the tangent of the slope angle of the material used, and above it, a dosing area with a grid insert, into whose wells extraction tubes from the containers or areas of the containers open." File ES1302263 develops a dispenser for containers with grated, bulk or powdered foods that comprises a cover that has a plurality of openings or holes, the cover having a flat structural configuration and is made of a flexible material. For its part, document ES0022817 U presents a “dispensing glass for culinary uses, in which, regardless of its shape, size, ornamentation and material from which it is made, it is characterized by being transparent, with a spout or spillway and with or without a pedestal. , and because along its side walls it presents a series of different graduated scales, with the indication of the equivalence in grams of the agreed volumes in the glass at different heights; each scale corresponding to a different matter or element in powder or liquid." File ES0048591 U develops a “container provided with means for the dosed supply of products, which is characterized by comprising a collecting tank with its threaded edge to receive and retain "a cap or cover lid, which has a spillway that in turn is covered by a glass that simultaneously constitutes the measuring element."

These technical solutions are functional to achieve their objectives and are technically solvent but they do not solve the stated problems that this invention aims to solve, in addition to defining a dispenser for bulk products that is initially presented in a folded format, that is, not volumetric, in addition must be specially designed to prevent the leakage of part of the contained product. The fact that it can be a dispenser distributed in a folded format means that it takes up less transport, which also has an impact on the reduction in the generation of In view of the above, the applicants are not aware that there exists in the current state of the art, in terms of industrial property or on the market, a dispenser with the technical characteristics and use detailed in this description.

Description of the invention

The invention refers to a dispenser according to the claims, whose embodiments improve and solve the problems of the technique.

To this end, the dispenser, attached to a container, is formed by a folded laminar body, that is, a die-cut laminar template that comprises a variety of slit tracing lines intended to form a polygonal section body, in particular a glass of polygonal section, as shown in the attached figures. This glass allows you to define an interior that has a series of dosage marks (volume, mass, number of doses...)

The body may be made of foldable plastic, but preferably it is made of cellulosic material and may have an interior coating of varnish or plastic, generally atomized or nebulized on the interior.

The various embodiments that are exposed coincide in sharing a common technical base, specifically a template or die-cut laminar base in which a plurality of panels that form the sides of the body are defined, four in number, a bottom piece of the body and a plurality of tabs that participate in the formation of its base or lower part, with slitting lines that allow the folding of the different parts mentioned.

In one embodiment, the body has a bottom piece consisting of a foldable wing, foldable towards the interior of the body and resting on its bottom. In this way it closes gaps in it.

A preferred embodiment includes a folding grip side, to facilitate manipulation without deforming the body and falsifying the measurement.

In another embodiment, the tabs of the polygonal body constitute an extension of three of the aforementioned side panels and are articulated with each other to form part of the closing of the lower base in a mechanical way while the bottom piece is a panel that extends from the fourth side panel, remaining free with respect to the aforementioned tabs and being in fact the base itself.

The die-cut template is presented folded in two parallel sections, each one formed by two panels with their corresponding extensions, said template being folded in half along the corresponding slit tracing line that marks its articulation and with its two free ends joined together. Adhesive by a glue dot tab.

As already mentioned, on its reverse side, that is, on its interior, the die-cut template is capable of presenting a plurality of lines or dosage marks.

The material of the dispenser can be cardboard or other cellulosic material, or even made of recycled and recyclable plastic, so that the advantage is the volume reduction.

Thus, in any of its embodiments, this invention refers to a dispenser characterized by being a piece that is presented in a folded format that moves to a deployed position for use in a quick and easy way.

Other vahantes can be seen in the rest of the memory.

Description of the drawings

For a better understanding of what is described herein, some drawings are attached, which must be analyzed and considered only as an example and without any limiting or restrictive character.

Note that these figures show some embodiments in which the dispenser is shaped like a glass.

Figure 1: General view of a first embodiment facing a container where it is attached.

Figure 2: Example of a plate or template. Figure 3: General view of a second embodiment, with folding wing and side.

Figure 4.- Plan view of the obverse of the template that makes up the glass.

Figure 5.- Plan view of the back of the template that makes up the glass.

Figure 6.- Perspective view of the template with its glass-like structure and detail of its different tabs linked to their respective sides.

Figure 7.- Perspective view of the folded template in its original position.

Figure 8.- Perspective view of the folded template in the process of unfolding.

Figure 9.- Perspective view of the folded template in the process of unfolding, with positional detail of its different tabs.

Figure 10.- Perspective view of the template with its semi-formed structure with detail of its different tabs in the folding process to form the lower base of the glass.

Figure 11.- Perspective view of the lower base of the semi-formed glass with the different tabs positioned, in an exterior view.

Figure 12.- Perspective view of the bottom base of the glass formed in its entirety, in an exterior view.

Figure 13.- Perspective view of the bottom base of the glass formed in its entirety, in an interior view.

Note that figures 4 to 13 all refer to the same preferred embodiment.

The following parts are shown in the figures cited:

1. Packaging

2. Body (glass)

3. Dosage marks or lines

4. Eyelashes

41 External closing tab of the glass

42 External closing tab of the glass with articulated section

5. Fold down the wing to form the bottom and at least one of the sides.

6. Folding side grip of the dispenser.

7. Glass side panels

8. Cup Bottom Base Panel

9. Tail Point Tab

10. Slit Layout Lines Embodiments of the invention

Next, various embodiments of the invention are described, as an illustrative and non-limiting example of it.

Note that the exposed embodiments have as a common base a die-cutting plate or template that forms a polygonal body (2), which in these examples is a glass, which is always structurally defined by presenting four side panels (7) and a plurality of tabs (4) (41) (42) that structurally define the glass together with a bottom piece (5) or (8) related to each other by means of slit tracing lines, such tabs and the bottom piece being extensions of the panels .

Figure 1 shows an example of application of the dispenser, coupled to a container (1), in this case a can. The dispenser is formed by a folded laminar body (2), forming a glass with a polygonal section. The body (2) has an interior, with a series of marks (3) or lines that define a weight and/or volume, according to the product contained in the container (1). The marks (3) may be on one or more sides of the interior of the body (2). In one embodiment, there are marks (3) of different types (volume, weight) or units (grams, 10 ounces...) to be able to use the dispenser in various ways. Likewise, the marks (3) may correspond to artificial units (1 dose, 2 doses...) and not correspond to any official measurement system (metric, imperial...).

The exterior part of the body (2) can have any type of finish or decoration.

Figure 2 shows a plate or template of a second example of a dispenser. It can be seen that the body (2) is formed by folding the plate, so that the tabs (4) adhere or are inserted into slots. If the dispenser is designed for powdery, liquid or semi-liquid bodies, a phase of atomizing a varnish or a waterproof plastic coating can be carried out inside the glass. In this figure, the glue point tab (9) is visible that ensures the adhesive closure of the polygonal body (2).

In a third embodiment, the body (2) has as a bottom piece a wing (5) at one end that folds inward, covering the bottom of the glass and at least one of the sides. In this way, possible losses at the edges of the tabs (4) at the bottom. An example is shown in Figure 3, where the wing (5) has a first section the height of the dispenser and a second section with the shape and size of the bottom of the glass formed by the body (2).

Likewise, a folding side (6) can be provided to serve as a grip for the dispenser.

Figures 4 to 13 show an also preferred embodiment designed to prevent accidental escape of the contents of the dispenser and ensure the fixing of the bottom piece in place.

Figures 4 and 5 show the die-cutting template, in views of its front and back, which makes up the polygonal body (2), which in this example is also shaped like a glass, structurally defined by having four side panels. (7) of regular conformation related to each other by means of slit tracing lines (10) and a bottom piece constituted by a panel (8) also regular that, in accordance with closing tabs (41) (42) forms the base of the glass. One of these closing tabs (41), larger than the other two (42), has a substantially rectangular configuration with its upper peñmetral edge slightly shorter than the lower one, while the other two closing tabs (42) , triangular in shape, extend on one of its sides into an articulated section that is also triangular. These tabs (41) (42) and the bottom base panel (8) are, de facto, extensions of the side panels (7) with which they are related by means of the slit tracing lines (10) that allow them to be folded. . Three of the side panels (7) are related to the closing tabs (41) (42) while the fourth side panel (7) is related to the bottom base panel (8). At one of the ends of the die-cutting template there is a glue dot tab (9) intended to be fixed by adhesive means with the opposite end of the template, so that it remains folded, as shown in the figure. figure 7.

This connection of the side panels (7) with the bottom base panel (8) and the closing tabs (41) (42) for the formation of the base of the polygonal body (2) or glass is shown in greater detail in Figure 6, in a view with the template already closed and being structurally a glass. Note that this figure 6 does not represent the final position of the aforementioned tabs but simply aims to visually show the relationship between the aforementioned parts. Figure 5 shows the reverse of the die-cutting template on which lines or marks (3) of different dosage levels of the bulk products contained in the original container are drawn.

Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 show the assembly process of the glass from the template in its original folded state (figure 7) to its semi-formed state (figure 10), a process in which they actively participate. the bottom base panel (8) and the closing tabs (41) (42), all of them intended to form the lower base of the glass.

This process begins manually when the user lightly presses the folded template (figure 7) on its sides, so that it begins to expand (figure 8), with only its side panels (7) being completely visible since both the bottom base panel (8) and the closing tabs (41) (42) remain folded parallel to the verticality of the side panels (7), with the triangular section of the closing tabs (42) also folded to fit the internally available space.

Figures 9 and 10 show the movement of the closing tabs (41) (42) towards a horizontal position, at which time the triangular section of the closing tabs (42) is deployed to increase the useful surface of the tabs. themselves. At all times, the bottom base panel (8) is positioned below said tabs, going from its original vertical position parallel to the side panel (7) to which it is linked to an oblique position that separates it from it.

Figures 11, 12 and 13 show the lower base of the glass in detail. In these figures, the closing tabs (41) and (42) and the bottom base panel (8) have been indicated in different shades for a better understanding. In Figure 11, this lower base is semi-formed with the tabs (41) and (42) already extended in a horizontal position, and with the triangular section of the closing tabs (42) completely deployed, so that it covers a greater surface area. from the base. This figure 11 shows how the base bottom panel (8) remains in an oblique or vertical position with respect to the side panel (7) to which it is linked, leaving a hollow area at the base of the glass, that is, a hole. .

It is only when the user manually presses and pushes this bottom base panel (8) from the inside of the glass that it moves and positions itself correctly. horizontally (figure 12), covering the gap or hole left by the closing tabs (41) (42) and forming the lower base of the glass in a complete and solid way.

Note that this bottom base panel (8) is, dimensionally, a few tenths of millimeters larger than the gap outlined by the side panels (7) in order to ensure its pressure fit against them when placed in its final position. forming the lower base of the dispenser together with the closing tabs (41) (42) previously placed in place. In this way, any accidental displacement of the bottom base panel (8) is avoided and, once the dispenser is assembled, there is no escape point for the product contained.

As shown in this figure 12 and in figure 13, this bottom base panel (8) is below the closing tabs (41) (42), which are only visible externally since the interior face The base of the glass is defined only by the bottom base panel (8).

Assembly of the dispenser or receptacle in this embodiment is quick and intuitive. It is enough to laterally press the die-cut and folded piece for it to begin its deployment, separating its respective side panels to form the body of the dispenser while the tabs that form the lower base are articulated between them thanks to their respective tracing lines. cleft. Finally, all that remains is to press the panel that forms the lower base of the dispenser from the outside to lock it with the aforementioned tabs, forming the definitive and compact base of the aforementioned dispenser.

Based on what has been described, the advantages offered by the dispenser for calibrating and dosing bulk products that are claimed are evident, suitable for dosing solid, pasty, liquid products and in a granular or semi-paste state.

Considering that it is a dispenser for calibrating and dosing bulk products, it is obvious that it is an article intended for multiple repeated uses based on the total content of the container. For this reason, the die-cutting template of the dispenser is designed to form a piece sized in accordance with the volume of the container, so that it can be assembled to it, which prevents accidental loss and makes it easier for the user to have both the container like the dispenser together and at hand. At a commercial and production level, it is a highly differential packaging compared to current dispensers. When presented in a folded format, the bulk product container is easily accommodated inside, taking up minimal space, without affecting its volume, which maintains its original format without requiring a greater amount of material for its formation and Therefore, without increasing production costs and even reducing them when presented folded at origin. Likewise, its original folded state allows the dispenser to be presented bagged and fixed externally in the container, also without having to modify its volume precisely due to its thin laminar format. Consequently, the manufacturer has various presentation options depending on the characteristics of the product contained in the packaging or other aspects that must be considered.

Regarding the upper perimeter of the sides of the body, in these embodiments it is shown in a curved recess, but it is susceptible to other conformations, for example straight, peaked, etc.

It is a dispenser suitable for being manufactured in biodegradable material, even in cellulose material with pigmentation on the inside to offer greater resistance.

Externally, it is suitable to be a support surface for various graphics, especially of an informative, informative or advertising nature.

Technically, the formation of the dispenser to calibrate and dose bulk products is based on a die-cut template sized to form said dispenser in accordance with the packaging of the products to be dosed, so it must be understood that it can result in a dispenser as a glass like the one shown in the embodiment illustrated in the figures of this specification, a rectangular conformation being also viable and a variable bottom depth being equally viable.

It is not considered necessary to make this description more extensive, so that any expert in the field understands the scope of the invention and the advantages derived from it. The materials, shape and size will be susceptible to variation as long as this does not imply an alteration in the essentiality of the invention. The The terms in which this report has been written must always be taken in a broad and non-limiting sense.

Claims

1 ^a Dispenser, attached to a container (1), characterized by being formed by a laminar body (2) folded like a glass with a polygonal section, with an interior that has a series of marks (3) or dosage lines, being such laminar body (2) a die-cutting plate or template designed to go from a folded state to an unfolded state and comprising a variety of slit tracing lines (10) that define a plurality of panels (7) as sides of the body (2) and a plurality of closing tabs (4) (41) (42) that structurally form the glass together with a bottom piece (5) or (8), such tabs and the bottom piece being extensions of panels.

2 ^a Dispenser, according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom piece is a folding wing (5) that folds inwards towards the body (2), covering the bottom of the glass and at least one of the sides.

3 ^a Dispenser, according to claim 2, characterized in that the wing (5) has a first section of the height of the dispenser and a second section with the shape and size of the bottom of the glass formed by the body (2).

4 ^a Dispenser, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a folding side (6) for grip.

^5th Dispenser, according to the ^1st claim, characterized in that the tabs (4) adhere or are inserted into slots.

^6th Dispenser, according to the 1st ^claim , characterized in that the bottom piece is a bottom base panel (8), linking to a side panel (7), which is free with respect to the tabs (41) (42).

^7th Dispenser, according to the ^1st and 6th ^claims , characterized in that the tabs (41 (42) are closing and together with the bottom base panel (8) form the lower base of the glass or body (2), leaving the bottom base panel (8) below the closing tabs (41) (42), visible only externally while the interior face of the glass base is defined only by the bottom base panel (8). ^8th Dispenser, according to the ^1st and 6th ^claims , characterized in that the bottom base panel (8) is, dimensionally, a few tenths of millimeters larger with respect to the gap outlined by the side panels (7).

^9th Dispenser, according to the ^1st and 6th ^claims , characterized in that the bottom base panel (8) has a regular conformation in accordance with the side panel (7) to which it is linked.

^10th Dispenser, according to the ^1st claim, characterized in that one of these closing tabs (41), larger than the other two (42), has a substantially rectangular configuration with its upper peñmetral edge slightly shorter than the lower one. , while two of the other closing tabs (42), triangular in shape, extend on one of their sides into an articulated section that is also triangular.

11 ^a Dispenser, according to the ^1st , ^6th and 9th ^claims , characterized in that in its folded state, both the bottom base panel (8) and the closing tabs (41) (42) remain folded parallel to the verticality of the side panels (7), with the triangular section of the closing tabs (42) also folded to adjust to the internally available space.

^12th Dispenser, according to the ^1st claim, characterized in that the die-cut template is presented folded in two parallel sections, each one formed by two panels (7) with their corresponding extensions, said template being folded in half along the corresponding layout line. of slit (10) that marks its joint and with its two free ends adhesively joined by a glue point tab (9).

13 ^a Dispenser, according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of panels (7) has a central curved recess on its upper perimeter.

14 ^a Dispenser, according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (2) is made of cellulosic material.

15 ^a Dispenser, according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (2) has an interior coating of varnish or plastic. 16 ^a Dispenser, according to claim 1, characterized by comprising marks (3) of two or more types or units.

17 ^a Dispenser, according to the ^1st claim, characterized in that the die-cutting template of the dispenser is designed to form a piece sized according to the volumetry of the container.

18 ^a Dispenser, according to the 1st ^claim , characterized in that it is made of a biodegradable material.

19 ^a Dispenser, according to the 1st ^claim , characterized in that its interior part incorporates a protective pigmentation

20 ^a Dispenser, according to the 1st ^claim , characterized in that its exterior part is a support surface with various graphics.