U.S. patent application number 11/806364 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for portioning device for packaging.
Invention is credited to Daniel Bossel, Gunther Holzwarth, Peter Kanscar.
Application Number | 20070295749 11/806364 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37396195 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070295749 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Holzwarth; Gunther ; et
al. |
December 27, 2007 |
Portioning device for packaging
Abstract
A packaging device (2) for a packaging (1) has a chamber (4) to
accommodate a pourable solid product. This chamber (4) can be
closed off by a feed device (2) neighboring onto this chamber (4)
whereby, with the feed device in the open position, an outlet (14)
can be formed at the lower end of the chamber (4). The feed device
(2) exhibits two valve flaps (11, 12) which are joined together by
means of at least one spring-type element (10) such that, when the
spring-type element or elements (10) are in the closed position,
closure edges (16) on the valve flaps (11, 12) keep the chamber (4)
closed off from the surroundings. Consequently, by means of
pressure (31, 32) applied to the valve flaps (11, 12), an outlet
opening of variable size can be easily achieved and thus, in a
simple manner, controlled feed of pourable solid products.
Inventors: |
Holzwarth; Gunther;
(Kreuzlingen, CH) ; Bossel; Daniel; (Schaffhausen,
CH) ; Kanscar; Peter; (Zurich, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISHER, CHRISTEN & SABOL
1725 K STREET, N.W.
SUITE 1108
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
37396195 |
Appl. No.: |
11/806364 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/107 ;
222/181.2; 222/517 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/06 20130101;
B65D 75/008 20130101; B65D 33/14 20130101; B65D 2401/10 20200501;
B65D 47/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/107 ;
222/181.2; 222/517 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/06 20060101
B65D083/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 23, 2006 |
EP |
06116013.1 |
Claims
1. A portioning device (2) for a packaging (1) with a chamber (4)
to accommodate a pourable solid material, whereby the chamber (4)
can be closed off by a feed mechanism (2) neighboring onto this
chamber and whereby, with the feed mechanism (2) in the open
position, at least an outlet (14) on the lower end of the chamber
(4) can be formed, the feed device (2) exhibits two valve flaps
(11, 12), which are joined together by means of at least one
spring-type element (10) such that, when the spring-type
element/elements is/are in the resting position, the closure edges
(16) on the valve flaps (11, 12) keep the chamber (4) closed off
from the surroundings.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the chamber walls (4)
are of flexible material which, advantageously, form a
free-standing area (5) on both sides of the valve flaps (11,
12).
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the portioning device
(2) is integrated within the regions delimited by the free-standing
areas (5).
4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the region above the
lower side of the valve flaps (11, 12) project out and are joined
together there to form an element (21) providing a guarantee
against damage.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the chamber walls are
bonded to the valve flaps (11, 12) in areas (22) in order to close
the chamber (4) with the feed device (2) neighboring on to
them.
6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the closure edges (16)
are arranged on the side facing the surroundings.
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the two closure edges
(16) have wiper elements and/or combs which on closure engage in
each other.
8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the spring-type
elements (10) are compressive springs which rotate about their main
axis.
9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the closure edges (16)
and/or edges (16') of the valve flaps (11, 12) facing the valve
flaps (11, 12) face each other such that they enclose a dosage
volume (27) which can be removed on actuating the device.
10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the device has an
attachment facility, by means of which the device can be attached
to a form of packaging.
11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the chamber (4) of
the packaging is deformable, the portioning device is provided at
one end, of the packaging when in use, and at the other end with a
facility (3) for hanging up the said packaging.
12. The device according to claim 3, wherein the portioning device
(2) is integrated within the regions delimited by the free-standing
areas (5) such that the region between the free-standing areas (5)
is covered by an element (41) providing a guarantee against
damage.
13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the region above the
lower side of the valve flaps (11, 12) project out and are joined
together there to form an element (21) providing a guarantee
against damage.
14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the chamber walls are
bonded to the valve flaps (11, 12) in areas (22) in order to close
the chamber (4) with the feed device (2) neighboring on to
them.
15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the closure edges (16)
are arranged on the side facing the surroundings.
16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the two closure edges
(16) have wiper elements and/or combs which on closure engage in
each other.
17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the spring-type
elements (10) are compressive springs which rotate about their main
axis.
18. The device according to claim 1, wherein the closure edges (16)
and/or edges (16)') of the valve flaps (11,12) facing the valve
flaps (11,12) face each other such that they enclose a dosage
volume (27) which can be removed on actuating the device.
19. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has an
attachment facility, by means of which the device can be attached
to a form of packaging.
20. A device with portioning device according to claim 1, wherein
the chamber (4) of the packaging is deformable, the portioning
device is provided at one end of the packaging when in use, and at
the other end with a facility (3) for hanging up the said
packaging.
21. The device with portioning device according to claim 20,
wherein the portioning device is provided at the lower end of the
packaging when in use.
22. The device with portioning device according to claim 11,
wherein the portioning device is provided at the lower end of the
packaging when in use.
Description
TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a portioning device for packaging,
having chamber to accommodate a pourable solid product, whereby the
chamber can be closed by means of a delivery facility bordering on
this chamber and whereby, by means of the delivery facility in an
open setting, an outlet can be formed at least in part at one end
of the chamber.
STATE-OF-THE-ART
[0002] According to the state-of-the-art a series of devices exist
that are known to enable pourable solids to be released from a
container. In this connection patent document U.S. Pat. No.
5,692,868 discloses a suspendable device with a deformable storage
pouch at the other end of which is a feed device. On opening the
outlet and deforming the storage pouch this device permits faster
downward feed i.e. emptying of the pourable solids out of the
pouch.
[0003] A portion feed device with the above mentioned features is
known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,995 in which this feed device
comprises strings which when pulled control the opening of the
lower outlet. The contents of the chamber can then fall out of the
chamber without accurately dosed feeding.
[0004] The mechanical properties of the device according to U.S.
Pat. No. 6,834,995 make it meaningful for that device to be used
for emptying forms of packaging with deformable chamber where the
volume of contents of the order of several litres are to be fed
completely or without accurate measurement. Such forms of packaging
are not intended for an end user and are not very suitable e.g. for
packaging animal feed, cleaning agents or other pourable goods etc.
in small amounts as, in spite of the size of the packaging, it
should also be possible to deliver the material in question in
amounts e.g. of the order of grammes. The devices mentioned at the
start are not practical for that purpose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Starting from this state-of-the-art, the object of the
invention is to make a portion feed device of the kind mentioned at
the start which is useable with conventional household products, in
particular for forms of packaging which have a formable
chamber.
[0006] This objective is achieved by way of the invention in terms
of the features according to claim 1, whereby the portion feed
device exhibits two valve flaps which are joined together by means
of at least one spring-type element with the result that, when the
spring-type element or elements is/are in the inactive state, the
closure edges on the valve flaps hold the chamber closed off from
the surroundings.
[0007] A portion feed device for packaging has a chamber to
accommodate a pourable solid product. This chamber can be closed
via a feed facility neighbouring onto this chamber whereby, with
the feed facility in an open position, at least a partial opening
can be formed at the lower end of the chamber. The feed facility
exhibits two valve flaps which are joined together by means of at
least one spring-type element such that, when the spring-type
element or elements is/are in the inactive position, the closure
edges on the valve flaps hold the chamber closed off from the
surroundings. This way, by means of pressure on the valve flaps, a
more or less large outlet opening can be achieved in a simple
manner and with that simple manner of feeding pourable solid
products in dosed amounts is possible.
[0008] The device functions as a double flap device for letting out
the contents only when these flaps are held pressed, while
automatic closure is achieved by releasing the flaps.
[0009] Using such a device it is possible to produce pouches for
products of specific amounts, of the order of several kilograms,
and which are still easy to handle by the purchaser.
[0010] Finally, these features allow a guarantee against damage to
be realised simply by extending an edge of the material forming the
chamber, which is closed preventing leakage of the portion feed
device.
[0011] The device for portion feeding pourable solids that can be
mounted at the opening of a packaging is in a sense integral in
that it will be viewed by the user as part of the packaging.
[0012] Further advantageous exemplified embodiments of the
invention are described in the secondary claims.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention is described in greater detail in the
following with the aid of exemplified embodiments in connection
with the attached drawings. These show in:
[0014] FIG. 1 a schematic, partially sectioned, side view of a
lower part of a packaging with portioning device according to a
first exemplified embodiment of the invention shown in the closed
state,
[0015] FIG. 2 a schematic, partially sectioned, side view of the
packaging according to FIG. 1 shown in the open state,
[0016] FIG. 3 a schematic, partially sectioned, side view of a
packaging in the form of a self-standing pouch with a portioning
device according to FIG. 1 before removing an element providing
guarantee against damage,
[0017] FIG. 4 a schematic, partially sectioned, side view of a
packaging with a portioning device according to a second
exemplified embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 a schematic, partially sectioned, side view of a
packaging with a portioning device according to a third exemplified
embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 a schematic, partially sectioned, side view of a
packaging with a portioning device according to a fourth
exemplified embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLIFIED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a schematic, partially sectioned, side view of
a lower part of a packaging 1 with a portioning feed device 2
according to a first exemplified embodiment of the invention. The
upper part may be designed as shown in FIG. 2. The numeral 3
indicates a suspending means onto which a pouch 4 forming a chamber
is attached. The suspending means 3 may also contain an (upper)
pouch closure. The pouch may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible. It
may comprise a sack or pouch, made of fibre material, plastic film
or other materials; advantageously, the pouch is flexible at least
in its lower region. It may be transparent or opaque. Fields of
application are animal feed, cleaning agents and/or building
materials. Such pouches are offered in retail, often on palettes,
so that the pouch material is exposed to external influences. This
holds also for the portioning device 2. One possibility for
protecting these portioning devices 2 is descried later in
connection with FIG. 3 and FIG. 5.
[0021] The material of the chamber 4 forms a fibre or plastic-based
cardboard or pouch. The chamber 4 may e.g. be in the shape of a
sack, whereby the portioning device 2 forms a closure of the pouch
which was originally closed at both ends. The chamber 4 is then
formed by two rectangular films at the sides which are closed by
inserting an intermediate part or by closing directly. When using
plastic films, it is also possible to employ a cylindrical endless
tube-shaped film. At the suspension means the rectangular films can
be brought together again and welded, tacked or otherwise
closed.
[0022] In the simplest exemplified embodiment shown here--when the
pouch perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 1 is
higher, which as a rule will be the case--the portioning device 2
comprises two rectangular, rigid, flat, angular or curved valve
flaps 11 and 12 which with the aid of at least one spring-type
element 10 are connected in a spring-like fashion. Thereby, the
position shown in FIG. 1 is the non-actuated state of the first
exemplified embodiment of the invention i.e. the closure edges 16
on the chamber side close the pouch from the surroundings. In other
words, the pre-stressing of the spring-type element 10 presses the
closure edges 16 of both valve flaps 11 and 12 on the chamber side
towards each other and the edges 15 on the side of the surroundings
away from each other. Advantageously a plurality, e.g. three such
spring type elements 10 are provided along the longitudinal
direction (i.e. perpendicular to the drawing plane in FIG. 1), in
order to maintain uniform pressure and pre-stress over the whole
breadth of the pouch. Springs may be employed as spring-type
elements, such as are found in commercial, so-called clothes pegs
in which free ends of a wire start from one free end, form several
coils then continue as another free end which, with appropriate
pre-stressing, engaged with the valve flaps 11 and 12. The
spring-type elements 10 are therefore compressive springs
swivelling about their main axis.
[0023] The valve flaps 11 and 12 need not extend over the whole
breadth of the chamber 4; they may also e.g. form one half or 2/3
of the region at the lower end, or be fitted over the corners.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a schematic, partially sectioned side view of
the upper and lower part of a packaging with portioning device 2
according to the exemplified embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in which
the pourable solid product 24 flows out of the outlet opening. The
same numerals indicate the same or similar features in all of the
figures. Here the user has applied pressure to the valve flaps 11
and 12 e.g. with one hand as indicated by the arrows 31 and 32. The
pressure has to be applied in the region of the free lower edges
15, at least below the spring-type elements 10. This causes the
valve flaps 11 and 12 to move around a given axis of the
spring-type element or elements 10 perpendicular to the plane of
the drawings in FIGS. 1 and 2; the valve flap edges 16 on the side
of the chamber separate from each other and the edges on the side
of the surroundings move towards each other. The outlet opening 14
is then largest when the two valve flaps 11 and 12 are parallel to
each other, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0025] The pressure has to be applied from the outside through the
film of the chamber 4; usefully an appropriate marking is printed
there. The out flowing product 24 is thus in contact with the valve
flaps 11 and 12. These may e.g. be of stable plastic, metal, wood
or corrugated cardboard. The spring-type elements 10 made of metal
may also be covered with plastic film if the out flowing product
should not come in contact with the spring-type elements.
[0026] When the desired amount of pourable solid material 24 has
been removed, the pressure is removed in the direction of the
arrows 31 and 32, with the result that the chamber side edges 16 of
the spring-type elements 10 again move towards each other until
they completely close off the chamber. Thereby, it is possible to
provide (but not shown here) flexible and sealing wipers on these
closure edges 16. It is also possible for the closure edges 16 to
be provided with combs that engage in each other and which, on
engaging successively in this region, either presses existing
pourable solid material into the chamber or allows it to fall out.
By controlling the size of opening 14 and by means of the automatic
closure provided by the device 2, it is possible to achieve simple
and for these purpose adequately accurate portion feeding.
[0027] In the region of the portioning device 2 the lower edges of
the films adhesively bonded at least partially to the wall of the
chamber 4.
[0028] The packaging 1 is shown in a vertical position in FIGS. 3
and 5. It can also be offered for sale this way. The packaging 1
then stands, as shown in FIG. 3 on two regions 5 of the chamber 4
which are filled with material and which are separated from the--in
cross-section--triangular portioning device 2. In particular, the
lower parts of the films project out beyond the portioning device
shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.
[0029] The result is an element providing guarantee against
damage--indicated here by the numeral 21. This is in the form of a
flat double film i.e. of two films of both lower parts of the said
side films, which are joined together at least at corresponding
adhesive regions 23 e.g. by adhesive bonding. This way, apart from
achieving the closure of the chamber 4 by completely enclosing the
portioning device, easy removal of the element 21 providing
guarantee against damage is also made possible. It is simple to cut
through perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The
pre-stressing of the spring-type elements 10 then closes the
chamber via the edges 16, and the packaging is able to take on a
position as shown in FIG. 1.
[0030] Instead of continuing the existing film of the chamber
material, areas can be made to project over the under side of the
valve flaps 11 and 12 and joined together there, in order to form
an element 21 providing guarantee against damage. Instead of
adhesively bonded and cut films one may employ struts that can be
broken off, or both valve flaps 11 and 12 are in fact originally in
one piece and fitted with joining struts or film-type hinges which
form the element 21 providing guarantee against damage and have to
be cut through.
[0031] FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 show by way of example so-called
self-standing pouches which for portioned feeding can be hung on
devices with their standing base head down.
[0032] Instead of the advantageous closure of the portioning device
2 by means of the chamber pouch 4 to provide protection against
damage, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the portioning device 2 may in
principle also be arranged on the chamber 4 on the outside. FIG. 4
shows a schematic, partially sectioned side view of a form of
packaging with a portioning device according to a second
exemplified embodiment of the invention. Here, the closure edges 16
are provided on the side facing the surroundings and the free edges
15 are facing the chamber. Here, the forces have to be applied to
the valve flaps 11 and 12 above the spring-type elements. The
initial forces are thereby directed in the direction of the arrows
31 and 32, whereby the direction of the turning moment to be
applied causes the arrows to be rotated in order to bring the flaps
11 and 12 into a parallel position in which the material 24 can
flow out as in FIG. 2. In this exemplified embodiment of the
invention, however, when the portioning device 2 is closed, the
weight of the pourable solids product 24 presses on the region of
the closure edges 16 of valve flaps 11 and 12, in contrast to the
exemplified embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, where the portioning
device 2 is self-closing. Here, the reference number 16 is, as in
FIGS. 1 to 3, used for the closure edges, also when these in this
case--in contrast to the above mentioned Fig. with reference to the
packaging--are arranged on the outside. The same applies to edge
15. The portioning device 2 may, however, according to another
exemplified embodiment be protected by regions 5, i.e. arranged
recessed as shown in FIG. 3.
[0033] Finally, FIG. 5 shows a third exemplified embodiment of the
invention in which the portioning device 2 is arranged with the
valve flaps 11 and 12 arranged as in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3. The
difference lies in the design of element 41 providing guarantee
against damage. Here, this is in the form of a flat film which is
drawn round the standing face 5 of the pouch and joined there with
the pouch in a releasable manner. This way, when the portioning
device 2 is not in use, the portioning device 2 is kept inside the
packaging and so is difficult to damage.
[0034] The valve flaps 11 and 12 and the elements 21, 41 providing
a guarantee against damage may also be made of other materials than
those mentioned; for example, the latter may be an additional
sleeve enclosing the packaging 1. Other versions are known to the
expert in the field. Furthermore, he may interchange any of the
features in FIGS. 1 to 3 with features shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5,
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0035] In a further exemplified embodiment shown in FIG. 6 the
portioning device 2 does not form the lower closure during storage;
instead, the packaging stands on the section on which the
suspension means 3 is provided. The suspension means 3 may then
also be a loop made of the material from which the pouch is made;
in particular, it may comprise a projection, folded part of a side
wall film. Then the portioning device 2 stands upwards. Also
storage on the side on the mentioned large area of side wall film
is possible, so that the portioning device 2 and the suspension
means 3 project out from a stack of such packaging.
[0036] FIG. 6 also shows a portioning device delivering a portioned
amount of material. This is achieved in that the valve flaps 11 and
12 exhibit on their inward directed free edges an approximately
L-shaped flap extension 26, which ends in a portioning feed closure
edge 16'.
[0037] The closure on the packaging according to FIG. 6 with
element 21 as guarantee against damage is solved as in the
exemplified embodiment according to claim 3.
[0038] The version shown in FIG. 6 shows the free-standing pouch in
its position when not in use e.g. as it is when being offered for
sale. On opening the element 21 providing a guarantee against
damage, and after turning the packaging and hanging it up, this is
securely closed off by means of the closure flaps 16. Here, these
closure flaps 16 are not an aligned extension of the valve flaps 11
and 12, but instead are parts bent towards each other so that
already in the closed state valve flap faces 11 or 12 are separated
from each other. On applying a force as indicated by the arrows 31
and 32, the closure flaps distance themselves from each other and
the portioning closure edges 16' move towards each other until
close on contact. For an expert in the field it is clear that, as a
result, pourable solid material 24 is dispensed from the packaging
in an amount which is essentially that given by the volume 27 i.e.
the volume 27 formed by the polygon which in cross-section is
delimited by valve flap areas 11 and 12 and a virtual closure area
between the valve flap edges 16'. On releasing the valve flaps 11
and 12 these return to the starting position shown in FIG. 6 and
the closure edges again close the up-ended self-standing pouch.
[0039] In other exemplified embodiments this dispensing volume 27
may also be formed in that either only the closure edges 16 and/or
also the portioning feed closure edges 16' are directed towards
each other facing the valve flaps 11 and 12 with the result that
they enclose the said dosage volume 27.
[0040] In other exemplified embodiments the packaging 1 may also be
divided in their length and contain different products which can be
removed in separate portioned amounts by way of a series of two
valve flaps 11 and 12 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the
valve flaps 11 and 12 one behind the other.
[0041] It can be seen, especially from FIGS. 1, 4 or 6, that the
invention also embraces exemplified embodiments in which the
portioning device can be later mounted on the packaging. In other
words, the portioning device may be a separate element which e.g.
in cross-section exhibits only the form shown in FIG. 1 without a
pouch-like chamber 4. An inlet opening may then e.g. be cut into
the packaging into which the separate portioning device 2 with
valve flaps 11 and 12 can be inserted. The regions indicated by the
number 22 in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 can then be adhesively bonded to the
valve flaps 11 and 12 e.g. with the aid of an adhesive layer in the
interior of the pouch which is protected from the pourable material
24 by a protective film, which is removed only to insert the
separate portioning device 2. The end regions of the packaging may
also be bent around the edges 15 of the valve flaps 11 and 12 and
then held e.g. by a flexible strip to lie around the lower region
of the valve flaps 11 and 12, by retaining teeth (which press into
the packaging) provided inwards on the surface of the valve flaps
and/or other elements known to experts in the field, so that the
base of the pouch-type packaging is tensed in a sealing manner
around an appropriate tensing device.
[0042] The use of such a separate portioning device 2 is of course
particularly easy for the user to employ in the case of a
self-standing pouch.
[0043] It is of course to be understood that all essential features
in all exemplified embodiments can be combined with all according
features in other exemplified embodiments, in particular also the
portioning device shown in FIG. 6 with the design of packaging
according to FIGS. 1 to 5 or the attachment means for a separate
portioning device in the drawings.
REFERENCE LIST
[0044] 1 Packaging [0045] 2 Portioning device [0046] 3 Means for
suspension [0047] 4 Chamber [0048] 5 Region filled with material
[0049] 10 Spring type element [0050] 11 Valve flap [0051] 12 Valve
flap [0052] 14 Outlet opening [0053] 15 Edge on the side of the
surroundings [0054] 16 Closure edge on the side of the chamber
[0055] 16' Portion feed closure edge [0056] 21 Element providing
guarantee against damage [0057] 22 Bonding regions [0058] 23
Bonding regions [0059] 24 Pourable solid material [0060] 26
L-shaped flap extension [0061] 27 Volume of portion feed [0062] 31
Arrow indicating pressure to be applied [0063] 32 Arrow indicating
pressure to be applied [0064] 41 Element providing a guarantee
against damage
* * * * *