BRPI1104057A2 - Bulk Product Dispenser Set - Google Patents

Abstract

Bulk Product Dispenser The invention relates to a bulk product dispenser, such as powder products, for dispensing said product in a controlled and hygienic manner. According to one embodiment of the invention, the dispenser assembly comprises a container (110>) for storing the bulk product and provided with a bulk product filling opening (111) and an opening (112) for dispensing said bulk product. a means (200) for dispensing the controlled bulk product provided below said second opening, and a means (300) for receiving said dispensed bulk product.

Description

“DISPENSER SET OF BULK PRODUCTS”

Field of the Invention

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

Invention History

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

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

There is also growing consumer concern today about nutrition aspects. Cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, among others, are some examples of diseases or negative aspects of an individual's health that may be related to diet or age. In this sense, more and more people are seeking healthy eating in order to avoid and / or minimize potential or existing diseases or even to improve 25 physiological conditions through proper nutrition.

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

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

However, when bulk products, including food supplements, are marketed in packs by weight, there are a number of drawbacks to the practicality of using these products. Firstly, such packages are usually large and relatively heavy. Handling and storing such packages is impractical as it takes up considerable space in the cabinet and the opening and closing of the lid is required each time the product is consumed. In addition, if the product is marketed in a non-rigid packaging, such as "economical" packaging, usually made of a flexible polymeric material, there is the drawback of proper closure of such packaging, as normally such packaging does not have a lid or means. However, when the contents of the package are at their end, it is often necessary to enter the arm and hand into the package to remove the product, which is not always possible depending on the size of the mouthpiece opening. Forcing the consumer to pour the contents into another container, often in an uncontrolled manner As for possible product waste, standard packaging and dispensers do not prevent any loss of bulk product that may fall out of the dispenser or container. as well as the negative 5 aspect of disposal and packaging already in landfill Sanitary.

The present invention aims at solving such drawbacks, among

others.

Description of the Invention

In order to circumvent the drawbacks mentioned above, among

In others, the invention proposes a dispenser assembly for bulk products, ensuring a correct dosage in a practical manner and allowing for several reuse cycles, comprising:

- a bulk product storage container having a bulk product filling opening and an opening

for dispensing said bulk product;

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

a means for receiving said dispensed bulk product.

According to alternative or additional embodiments of the invention, the

The bulk product dispenser assembly may further comprise the following characteristics, alone or in combination:

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

- said means for dispensing the bulk product comprises a

pulley with open and closed portions;

Said pulley comprises three open portions and three portions

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

- said open and closed portions of said pulley comprise an angular length substantially corresponding to the width of said pulley.

second opening;

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

said dosing drawer further comprises a handle;

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

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

said tray further comprises a handle;

said dispensing assembly further comprises lateral securing means;

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

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

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

- said assembly further comprises a package;

- said package comprises a substantially

equivalent to the shape of said container;

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

- said pulley is driven by a handle; and

- said handle further comprises a toothed ring on the inside to vibrate during its turning course is fixed to the body of the

dispenser a piece that strikes these teeth promoting vibration, this vibration passes to the pulley providing vibration and gravity dust fall to the dosing tray.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described with respect to its embodiments.

particulars, with reference to the attached figures. Such figures are schematic, and their dimensions or proportions may not correspond to the one made, since they are intended to illustrate the invention in a didactic manner, without imposing any limitations beyond those defined in the claims below, where:

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

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

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the assembly of Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of the

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the means of dispensing the product to

Fig. 6 is a sectional side view of the assembly of Fig. 1;

Figure 7 is a perspective internal view of the assembly of the

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a package for use with the dispenser assembly of the invention;

20

figure 1; bulk;

25

figure 1; Figure 9 is the same perspective view as Figure 8 with the package being opened;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the package of Figure 8 mounted on a dispenser assembly of the invention; and Figure 11 is a rear view of the handle showing its

toothed portion.

Description of Private Achievements

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

The upper opening (111) may be provided for filling 20 of the container (110) with a bulk material, such as a food supplement, and its lower opening (112) is provided for gravity dispensing said bulk material. . A lid (150) may be provided for closing the upper opening (111) to prevent other debris, dust or even moisture from entering the container (110) and otherwise contaminating the bulk material. The lid (150) may be provided to be inserted and removed from the upper opening (111) of the container (110) by locking, for example. Of course, other means of fixing, snapping, opening and closing the lid (150) on the container (110) may also be provided, such as the use of hinges, slides, hinges, locks, etc. Furthermore, the opening for filling the container (110) with a bulk material need not necessarily be provided in the upper portion (111) of said container (110), but may also be located on one of its side walls or elsewhere. not defined in the present.

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

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

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

At the front of the pulley (200), there may be provided means for driving the pulley (200), such as a handle (210) or button with an asymmetrical shaft (211) that fits into a corresponding opening (203) provided by the pulley itself (200). The asymmetric shaft 211 may be desirable to allow, on the one hand, a force applied to the handle to be transferred to the pulley (200) and, on the other hand, to provide 15 markers (212, 213) to be provided on the handle or knob. and on the container to indicate the position of the pulley (200) relative to the lower opening (112), that is, in the closed position (202) (in which no product is dispensed), or open, that is, in which the product is dispensed, as will be more clear below with the functional description of the dispenser of the invention.

The handle 210 may further comprise a ring

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

(300) in which the bulk product is collected. The drawer (300) according to the illustrated embodiment is fitted to rails (316) provided in the dispenser assembly (100) itself and thus comprises rails (315)

so that it can fit, secure and slide into the dispenser assembly. The dosing drawer (300) comprises a first compartment

(301) provided for receiving the bulk product after dispensing, and may also comprise a handle (303) to facilitate its removal and insertion into the dispenser assembly (100). A second compartment (302) provided for

following the first compartment 301 in a particular embodiment may be desirable in order to prevent runoff and waste of the bulk product, as will also be apparent from the description of the operation of the invention below.

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

In an additional embodiment, the rear of the pulley (200)

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

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

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

An amount of bulk product, such as a powdered food supplement is dispensed from its original packaging into the bulk product storage container (110) through the upper opening (111) of said container (110). After the bulk product is dispensed, when the maximum or desired level of storage in the container is reached.

110, the lid (150) of the upper opening (111) may be closed to prevent the product from being contaminated by other external elements or subjected to the action of moisture which could lead to the development of fungi or , block the bulk product, which would impair its proper dispensing,

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

(300). As the open and closed portions (201, 202) of the pulley (200) are 60 ° out of phase with each other, it will be clear that when

an open portion (201) of the pulley (200) is aligned with the dispenser outlet, a closed portion (202) of the pulley (200) will be aligned with the lower opening (112) of the container (110).

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

(301) of the drawer (300), as it is pulled, bulk product will be dragged into the second compartment (302) through contact of the bulk product that exceeds the height of the drawer (300) with the housing structure.

dispenser set. Of course, the second compartment 302 may have a smaller storage volume than the first compartment 301, as it is intended only to receive any excess bulk product in order to avoid any waste. Bulk product contained in compartments (301, 302) of drawer (300) may be poured for consumption.

Moreover, in order to minimize any waste

In addition, a tray (400) may also be provided below the drawer (300) to collect any amount of bulk product which may fall from the drawer (300). The tray can be easily removed or inserted through its handle (401) and the bulk product contained in tray (400) 25 can also be poured for consumption or reinserted into the housing (110) of the assembly.

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

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

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

(111) can be easily removed. The pulley (200) can also be removed through the upper opening (111) of the container (110) by removing the handle (210) with the shaft. As the pulley (200) is fitted only a semicircular structure provided in the lower portion of the container (110), its

Removal is simply pulling it through the upper opening (111) and then inserting it again. The stirrer can also simply be fitted to the pulley 200 through the opening 204 so that it can also be easily removed for cleaning.

The accompanying figures also represent a dispensing assembly formed by two containers (110) which are fitted together through the male and female rails (601, 602), forming a solidary unit of two or more sets (100, 100 '). of two or more assemblies may form a dispensing station of one or more bulk products to form a combination of various products simply and efficiently.

Figure 8 is a package (500) suitable for use with the dispenser assembly of the invention. The package preferably has a parallelepipedal shape substantially 5 according to the container shape of the dispensing assembly, and may have width and height measures also similar to said container with a view to fit into it, as will become clear below. In the upper portion of the package, a portion having a perforated strip 501 may be provided for removal of the lid 502 from the package as shown in Figure 10. In other words, the strip 501, when removed, detaches the lid (502) from the rest of the package, forming an opening (503). Once opened, the contents of the package, such as a food supplement, may be poured into the container (110) through its top opening (111).

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

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

Claims (21)

1. Bulk product dispenser (100), characterized in that it comprises: - a container (110) for the storage of the bulk product and provided with a bulk product opening (111) and an opening (112) for the bulk product. dispensing said bulk product; a means (200) for dispensing the bulk product in a controlled manner provided below said second opening; and means (300) for receiving said dispensed bulk product. Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said bulk product opening (111) is closed by a lid (150). Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for dispensing the bulk product comprises a pulley (200) provided with open and closed portions (201, 202). Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that said pulley (200) comprises three open portions (201) and three demarcated closed portions (202) on the handle and container. , which marks the open or closed position of the pulley (200). Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that said open and closed portions (201, 202) of said pulley (200) comprise substantially the same radial length. Dispenser assembly (100) according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said open and closed portions (201, 202) of said pulley (200) comprise an angular length substantially equal to or less than the width of said pulley. opening (112) for dispensing the bulk product. Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for receiving said dispensed bulk product is a metering drawer (300) provided with a compartment (301). Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that said dosing drawer (300) further comprises a handle (303). Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that said metering drawer (300) further comprises a second compartment (302) provided in the rear portion of said first compartment (301). Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said dispensing assembly (100) further comprises a tray (400) provided below said means for receiving the bulk product (300). Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that said tray (400) further comprises a handle (401). Dispensing assembly (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that said dispensing assembly (100) further comprises lateral securing means (601, 602). DISPENSER ASSEMBLY (100) according to Claim 12, characterized in that said lateral securing means (601, 602) are formed by male and female rails which allow the dispensing assembly (100) to slide and secure. to another (100 '). Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that said pulley (200) further comprises a stirrer (500) extending vertically into the container (110). Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that said agitator comprises vertical (502) and horizontal (501) segments to promote agitation of the bulk product within the container (110) when pulley is driven. Dispenser assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a package (500). Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 16, characterized in that said package comprises a shape substantially equivalent to the shape of said container (111). Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 16, characterized in that said package further comprises an upper opening (503) defined by a lid (502) separable by a perforated strip (501). Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 16, characterized in that said package further comprises lateral folds (505, 506) to conform to and shape of said container (111). Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that said pulley (200) is driven by a handle (210). Dispenser assembly (100) according to claim 20, characterized in that said handle further comprises a toothed ring (250) on the inside to vibrate during its turning course and a beating part is fixed to the dispenser body. In these teeth promoting a vibration, this vibration passes to the pulley providing the dust fall by vibration and gravity to the dosing tray.