DEVICE FOR DISPENSING AT LEAST ONE BULK FOOD PRODUCT, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEM

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for dispensing at least one bulk food product, which includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being capable of suspending a first side of the bag, the second portion comprising a pouring spout and a clamping mechanism configured for clamping a second side of the bag opposite the first side, and which comprises at least one first blade and one second blade, which are flexibly deformable between a closing position in which the blades are unconstrained and are configured to hold the second side of the bag closed, and an open position in which the blades are constrained to flex and move away from one another and are configured to release the second side of the bag so as to deliver the food product via the pouring spout.

Claims

1. A dispensing device for bulk dispensing at least one food product, the dispensing device comprising a first part and a second part configured for holding a flexible packaging bag containing the at least one food product, the first part is configured to allow the suspension of a first side of the bag, the second part comprises a pouring spout supporting a pinching mechanism and a control mechanism for controlling the pinching mechanism, the pinching mechanism being configured to allow the pinching of a second side of the bag opposite the first side, wherein the pinching mechanism comprises at least one first blade and one second blade deformable in flexion between: a closing position in which the at least one first blade and the one second blade are not mechanically constrained by the control mechanism and are configured to keep the second side of the bag closed and, an open position in which the at least one first blade and the one second blade are mechanically constrained by the control mechanism to be deformed in flexion and thus move away from each other to release the second side of the bag so as to deliver the food product through the pouring spout.

2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein one end of the at least one first blade is connected to an end of the one second blade by a pivot connection about the same pivot axis.

3. The dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the end of the at least one first blade, called first end, is connected to the end of the one second blade by the pivot connection, called first pivot connection, about the pivot axis, called first pivot axis, and an other end, called second end, of the at least one first blade is connected to a second pivot connection about a second pivot axis, and an other end, called second end, of the one second blade is connected to another second pivot connection about another second pivot axis.

4. The dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein the second pivot connection and the another second pivot connection are each connected to a spacer.

5. The dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the control mechanism is movable in translation relative to the second part, the control mechanism being configured to detachably receive the pivot connection, called first pivot connection, of the at least one first blade and the one second blade of the pinching mechanism and allow their pivoting about the pivot axis, called first pivot axis.

6. The dispensing device according to claim 5, wherein the control mechanism comprises a hinge part ensuring the pivoting of the at least one first blade and the one second blade about the pivot axis, the first pivot axis, the hinge part being secured to at least one rod passing through the second part to be connected to a lever.

7. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the second part comprises a housing having, at a level of the at least one first blade and the one second blade, a generally oval shape limiting an authorized stroke of the at least one first blade and the one second blade of the pinching mechanism.

8. The dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the second part comprises a housing having, at a level of the at least one first blade and the one second blade, a generally oval shape limiting an authorized stroke of the at least one first blade and the one second blade of the pinching mechanism and the housing of the second part further has a shape complementary to the spacer so that when spacer is received in the housing it forms a clamp configured to clamp a part of the second side of the flexible bag.

9. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first blade and the one second blade each have a predetermined curved profile allowing spacing relative to each other.

10. The dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one first blade extends in a first longitudinal plane and the one second blade extends in a second longitudinal plane in the closing position, the first end of at least one first blade and the one second blade comprises a first pivot attachment having the first pivot axis as its axis of rotation, and the second end of the at least one first blade comprises a second pivot attachment having the second pivot axis as its axis of rotation, and the second end of the one second blade comprises a second pivot attachment having the another second pivot axis as its axis of rotation; the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis of the at least one first blade being separated by the first longitudinal plane and the first pivot axis and the another second pivot axis of the one second blade being separated by the second longitudinal plane in the closing position.

11. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the pinching mechanism comprises a plurality of first blades and a plurality of second blades.

12. The dispensing device according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of first blades extend in a first longitudinal plane in the closing position, the plurality of second blades extend in a second longitudinal plane in the closing position, the first plane and the second plane being distinct.

13. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part are separated from each other by adjustment means.

14. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a structure for constraining the flexible packaging bag, disposed between the first part and the second part, the structure comprising reinforcements configured to clamp the flexible bag and constrain the product(s) it contains towards the pouring spout.

15. A system for bulk storing and dispensing at least one food product, comprising a dispensing device according to claim 1, and further comprising a flexible packaging bag containing the at least one food product, the bag having a first side and a second side opposite each other, wherein the first side of the bag is suspended on the first part of the device and the pinching mechanism allows the pinching of the second side.

16. The dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the control mechanism is movable in translation relative to the second part, the control mechanism being configured to detachably receive the pivot connection, called first pivot connection, of the at least one first blade and the one second blade of the pinching mechanism and allow their pivoting about the pivot axis, called first pivot axis.

17. The dispensing device according to claim 16, wherein the control mechanism comprises a hinge part ensuring the pivoting of the at least one first blade and the one second blade about the pivot axis, the first pivot axis, the hinge part being secured to at least one rod passing through the second part to be connected to a lever.

18. The dispensing device according to claim 17, wherein the second part comprises a housing having, at a level of the at least one first blade and the one second blade, a generally oval shape limiting an authorized stroke of the at least one first blade and the one second blade of the pinching mechanism.

19. The dispensing device according to claim 18, wherein the at least one first blade and the one second blade each have a predetermined curved profile allowing spacing relative to each other.

20. The dispensing device according to claim 19, wherein the pinching mechanism comprises a plurality of first blades and a plurality of second blades.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will appear on reading the non-limiting description which follows and the appended figures which schematically illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 1 represents a general perspective view of a first embodiment of a dispensing device according to the present disclosure equipped with a flexible packaging bag, the device comprises a first part and a second part separated by an adjustment means.

[0057] FIG. 2 represents a general perspective view of the dispensing device of FIG. 1 without the flexible packaging bag.

[0058] FIG. 3 represents a general perspective view of a second embodiment of a dispensing device according to the present disclosure not equipped with a flexible packaging bag.

[0059] FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of the second part of the device of FIG. 1 or 3.

[0060] FIG. 5 represents a perspective view of a first embodiment of a pinching mechanism provided to be received in the second part of a device according to the present disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 6 represents a perspective view of a second embodiment of a pinching mechanism provided to be received in the second part of a device according to the present disclosure.

[0062] FIG. 7 represents a top view of the pinching mechanism according to the second embodiment in the closed position.

[0063] FIG. 8 represents an exploded view of a plurality of first blades and second blades according to the second embodiment.

[0064] FIG. 9 represents a top view of the pinching mechanism according to the second embodiment in the open position.

[0065] FIG. 10 represents a top view of the pinching mechanism according to the second embodiment, in the unfolded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] In FIG. 1, there is represented a first mode of a bulk dispensing device 1 equipped with a flexible packaging bag 2 containing one or several food products.

[0067] The device 1 comprises a first part 11 and a second part 12 configured for holding a flexible packaging bag 2 containing the food product(s).

[0068] The first part 11 and the second part 12 are separated from each other by an adjustment means 3 allowing the setting of the distance between the first part 11 and the second part 12 relative to each other according to the dimensions of the packaging bag 2 that the device 1 must receive.

[0069] According to this first embodiment, the first part 11 is formed by a crown 11 pivotally mounted relative to a mechanism 4 for hooking the device 1 to a display. The crown 11 comprises two longitudinal elements 11a, 11b intended to encircle a first side 2a of the flexible bag 2 which it contains. Furthermore, the crown 11 is provided to allow the attachment of the first side 2a of the flexible bag 2 in order to suspend it, for example using a clamp fastened both to the flexible bag 2 and to one element of the longitudinal elements 11a, 11b.

[0070] The longitudinal elements 11a, 11b are connected to each other by a label holder 11c provided for displaying information relating to the product(s) contained in the flexible packaging bag 2.

[0071] As represented, the second part 12 comprises a body 12a detachably receiving a pinching mechanism 5 and further comprises a pouring spout 12b guiding the flow of the product(s) contained in the packaging bag 2.

[0072] The pinching mechanism 5 of the second part 12 is provided to pinch a second side 2b of the packaging bag 2 opposite the first side 2a suspended from the first part 11, and more specifically to pinch a dispensing opening provided on this second side 2b.

[0073] In all cases, the pinching mechanism 5 comprises at least one first blade 51 and one second blade 52 deformable in flexion between: [0074] a closed position (visible in FIGS. 6 and 7) in which the blades 51, 52 are not mechanically constrained and make it possible to keep closed the second side 2b of the packaging bag 2, and [0075] an open position (visible in FIG. 9) in which the blades 51, 52 are mechanically constrained to deform in flexion and thus move away from each other and allow the second side 2b of the bag 2 to be released so as to supply the food product(s) contained in the packaging bag 2 through the pouring spout 12b.

[0076] The dispensing device 1 advantageously makes it possible to facilitate the reloading of a device 1 by replacing the exhausted packaging bag 2 with another filled packaging bag 2. Moreover, the pinching of the second side 2b of the packaging bag 2 ensures that the device 1 is not in contact with the product contained in the packaging bag 2. This frees us from cleaning constraints.

[0077] Referring now to FIG. 4, the body 12a of the second part 12 of the device 1 has been shown. The body 12a comprises a housing 13 in which can be inserted in a detachable manner, that is to say movable in at least one direction without constraint, the pinching mechanism 5.

[0078] The housing 13 of the body 12a has at the level of the blades 51, 52 a generally oval shape 12a1 to make it possible to limit the spacing of the blades 51, 52 of the pinching mechanism 5. Thus, such a shape allows a mobility of the blades 51, 52 between the open position and the closed position of the pinching mechanism 5.

[0079] The generally oval shape 12a1 of the body 12a of the second part 12 is matched with the pouring spout 12b to allow the delivery of the product(s) contained in the packaging bag 2 when the blades 51, 52 are separated.

[0080] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a first embodiment of the pinching mechanism 5 of the present disclosure.

[0081] The pinching mechanism 5 shown here comprises only two blades 51, 52 hinged relative to each other, each at a first end 511, 521 using a first pivot connection L1 about a same first pivot axis A1. The first pivot connection L1 is here made by means of pivot attachments 513, 523 complementary to each other.

[0082] The other end 512, called second end 512, of the first blade 51 comprises a second pivot connection L2 about a second pivot axis A2, and the other end 522, called second end 522, of the second blade 51, 52 comprises another second pivot connection L20 about another second pivot axis A20, parallel to the second pivot axis A2.

[0083] Each second pivot connection L2, L20 of the blades 51, 52 is connected to a spacer 5c, 5d allowing, on the one hand, the separation of the blades 51, 52 when the pinching mechanism 5 is removed from the housing 13 of the body 12a and, on the other hand, their placement in the closed position when the pinching mechanism 5 is inserted into this housing 13.

[0084] In addition to the generally oval shape 12a1, the housing 13 of the body 12a has a complementary shape 12a2 to the spacers 5c, 5d so that when the latter are received in the housing 13 they form a clamp configured to clamp a part of the second side 2b of the flexible bag 2.

[0085] When the pinching mechanism 5 is inserted into the housing 13, the spacers 5c, 5d ensure a continuous pinching of part of the second side 2b of the bag 2 while the first blade 51 and the second blade 52 ensure an intermittent pinching of this second side 2b at the dispensing opening, so as to temporarily release the product(s) contained in the bag 2 when the blades 51, 52 are constrained.

[0086] When the pinching mechanism 5 is outside the housing 13, it can be unfolded, by pivoting about the first pivot connection L1, as visible in FIG. 10, which facilitates the installation of the pinching mechanism 5 at each change of the bag.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 5, the first blade 51 and the second blade 52 can have a predetermined curved profile favoring the bending of the concerned blade 51, 52 in a predetermined direction when these ends 51, 52 are compressed.

[0088] It will be understood that such a curved profile prevents the fall of the product(s) contained in the packaging bag 2 since it pinches both the second side 2b of the packaging bag 2 and the product(s) at the level of this second side 2b.

[0089] There is also shown on each internal face 510, 520 of the blades 51, 52 opposed to one another a deformable insulating layer arranged in correspondence with one another.

[0090] The deformable insulating layers thus positioned prevent the risk of tearing of the flexible packaging bag 2 at the level of the second side 2b by avoiding contact of the blades 51, 52 directly with the packaging bag 2.

[0091] Furthermore, the deformable insulating layers make it possible to improve the sealing of the packaging bag 2.

[0092] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a control mechanism 6 of the blades 51, 52 is shown.

[0093] The control mechanism 6 comprises a lever 6a connected to a hinge part 6b via at least one rod 6c passing through the body 12a of the second part 12.

[0094] The hinge part 6b is configured to receive in a detachable manner (here simply by a support) the first pivot connection L1 of the blades 51, 52 of the pinching mechanism 5 and allow their pivoting about the first pivot axis A1. It is thus possible to manipulate the blades 51, 52 by actuating the lever 6a.

[0095] When the lever 6a is pushed, the hinge part 6b pushes the blades 51, 52 via the rod 6c sliding in the body 12a. The blades 51, 52 are then constrained in deformation, thus allowing their switching from their closed position to their open position. The second side 2b of the bag 2 is then released and the product(s) contained in the bag 2 can flow through the pouring spout 12b.

[0096] When the lever 6a is released, the unconstrained blades 51, 52 naturally return to their initial position corresponding to their closed position, thus retaining the product(s) of the packaging bag 2.

[0097] According to a variant of the pinching mechanism 5 shown in FIG. 8, the or each first blade 51 extends in a first longitudinal plane P1 in the closed position (unflexed configuration) and the or each second blade 52 extends in a second longitudinal plane P2 in the closed position (non-flexed configuration), and the first end 511, 521 of each blade 51, 52 comprises a first pivot attachment 513, 523 having as axis of rotation the first pivot axis A1, and the second end 512, 522 of each blade 51, 52 comprises a second pivot attachment 514, 524 having as axis of rotation the second pivot axis A2 (for the or each first blade 51) or the other second pivot axis A20 (for the or each second blade 52), the first pivot axis A1 and the second pivot axis A2 of the or each first blade 51 being separated by the first longitudinal plane P1 comprising the first blade 51 in the closed position, and the first pivot axis A1 and the other second pivot axis A20 of the or each second blade 52 being separated by the second longitudinal plane P2 comprising the second blade 52 in the closed position.

[0098] The arrangement of the first pivot axis A1 and the second pivot axis A2 relative to the first longitudinal plane P1 and the arrangement of the first pivot axis A1 and the other second pivot axis A20 relative to the second longitudinal plane P1 advantageously make it possible to orient the direction of deformation in flexion of the concerned blades 51, 52 when its ends 511, 512, 521, 522 are constrained.

[0099] According to a second embodiment of the pinching mechanism 5 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, it comprises a plurality of first blades 51 and a plurality of second blades 52 produced according to the variant of the pinching mechanism 5 of FIG. 6. And where, the first blades 51 extend in the first longitudinal plane P1 in the closed position and the second blades 52 extend in the second longitudinal plane P2 in the closed position, the first plane P1 and the second plane P2 being distinct and intersecting.

[0100] In the configuration shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the plurality of first blades 51 and the plurality of second blades 52 are arranged so that a first blade 51 is superimposed on a second blade 52 at the level of the first pivot connection L1.

[0101] Moreover, the plurality of first blades 51 and the plurality of second blades 52 are mounted symmetrically with respect to a main plane PP separating them.

[0102] In FIG. 3, another variant of the present disclosure is shown in which the first part 11 is formed by a support bar 11 configured to allow the attachment of the first side 2a of the flexible bag 2, for example using pliers taking the bar 11 and the first side 2a of the packaging bag 2. Furthermore, the support bar 11 comprises at its end a label holder 11c allowing the display of information relating to the product(s) contained in the flexible packaging bag 2.

[0103] It will also be noted that the body 12a of the second part 12 has two notches 12c allowing the spacers 5c, 5d to be grasped by two fingers in order to remove the pinching mechanism 5 from the housing 13.

[0104] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the adjustment means 3 comprises a telescopic bar 3a slidably mounted relative to the body 12a of the second part 12.

[0105] The hooking mechanism 4 comprising fixing lugs 4a from which hooking pins 4b extend for suspending the dispensing device 1 from a display.

[0106] The hooking mechanism 4 is advantageously adjustably mounted in position on the telescopic bar 3a.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 2, the device 1 of FIG. 1 not equipped with the packaging bag 2 as shown in FIG. 1, this in order to better illustrate a structure 7 for constraining the flexible packaging bag 2.

[0108] The constraining structure 7 disposed between the first part 11 and the second part 12 comprises longitudinal reinforcements 7a, 7b configured to clamp the flexible bag 2 and constrain the product it contains towards the pouring spout 12b.

[0109] These longitudinal reinforcements 7a, 7b are secured to the second part 12 and extend to the first part 11 where free ends 7a, 7b are engaged in notches 11d of the crown 11 of the first part 11. Such a configuration advantageously ensures stable maintenance of the crown 11.

[0110] The longitudinal reinforcements 7a, 7b comprise constriction portions 7a, 7b of the flexible packaging bag 2 provided at the level of the spacers 5c, 5d in order to constrain the product(s) contained in the packaging bag 2 towards the pouring spout 12b.

[0111] Obviously, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In particular, the different characteristics, shapes, variants and embodiments of the present disclosure can be associated with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.