U.S. patent application number 16/712051 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-18 for gravity feed dispenser.
This patent application is currently assigned to HL Display AB. The applicant listed for this patent is HL Display AB. Invention is credited to Isak BERG, Marten SJOBERG, Oscar SUNESSON.
Application Number | 20200189836 16/712051 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64744388 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200189836 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUNESSON; Oscar ; et
al. |
June 18, 2020 |
GRAVITY FEED DISPENSER
Abstract
A gravity feed dispenser for dispensing bulk products from an
exchangeable container with a tearable bottom portion. The gravity
feed dispenser comprises a stationary holder comprising a seat
portion arranged to receive at least a lower portion of the
exchangeable container, an outlet opening for dispensing the bulk
product and a valve arrangement which is arranged operatively
between the seat portion and the outlet opening, for selectively
allowing and preventing outward flow of the bulk product from the
exchangeable container through the outlet opening. The seat portion
comprises essentially vertically arranged opposed side wall
portions, a rear wall portion and a front wall portion arranged to
receive at least a lower portion of the exchangeable container when
inserted from above. The front wall portion of the seat portion
exhibits a slit configured to allow removal of said tearable bottom
portion of the exchangeable container through the slit.
Inventors: |
SUNESSON; Oscar; (Stockholm,
SE) ; SJOBERG; Marten; (Stockholm, SE) ; BERG;
Isak; (Stockholm, SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HL Display AB |
Nacka Strand |
|
SE |
|
|
Assignee: |
HL Display AB
Nacka Strand
SE
|
Family ID: |
64744388 |
Appl. No.: |
16/712051 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/06 20130101;
A47F 1/08 20130101; B65D 5/726 20130101; A47F 1/03 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/06 20060101
B65D083/06; B65D 5/72 20060101 B65D005/72 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 17, 2018 |
EP |
18212963.5 |
Claims
1. A gravity feed dispenser for dispensing bulk products from an
exchangeable container with a tearable bottom portion, which
gravity feed dispenser comprises a stationary holder comprising a
seat portion arranged to receive at least a lower portion of the
exchangeable container, an outlet opening for dispensing the bulk
product and a valve arrangement which is arranged operatively
between the seat portion and the outlet opening, for selectively
allowing and preventing outward flow of the bulk product from the
exchangeable container through the outlet opening characterized in
that the seat portion comprises essentially vertically arranged
opposed side wall portions, a rear wall portion and a front wall
portion arranged to receive at least a lower portion of the
exchangeable container when inserted from above and in that the
front wall portion of the seat portion exhibits a slit configured
to allow removal of said tearable bottom portion of the
exchangeable container through the slit.
2. A gravity feed dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the
stationary holder comprises a removable lid which, when mounted to
the holder, closes the slit.
3. A gravity feed dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the lid
is formed as a label holder.
4. A gravity feed dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the lid
and/or holder portion is/are provided with sealing means for
sealing the slit when the lid is mounted.
5. A gravity feed dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the lid
and the stationary holder are provided with cooperating snap-fit
means for snap-fit mounting of the lid to the stationary
holder.
6. A gravity feed dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the
stationary holder comprises a lower chute portion for conducting
the outflow of the bulk product.
7. A gravity feed dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the
holder comprises a body member and a front piece, which body member
is formed in one single piece and comprises two opposing side
walls, a rear wall and a forwardly sloping bottom wall and which
front piece is removably attached to the body member and comprises
a front wall.
8. A gravity feed dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the valve
arrangement comprises a pivotal valve member and a maneuvering
handle.
9. A gravity feed dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the valve
arrangement comprises a pivotal valve member and a maneuvering
handle, and wherein the handle is connected to the valve member by
two axles which are pivotally received in semi circular openings
formed in the body member and the front piece.
10. A gravity feed dispenser according to claim 1, further
comprising an exchangeable container with a tearable bottom portion
for storing a bulk product.
11. A gravity feed dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the
tearable portion is arranged at a bottom wall of the container when
the container is held by the stationary holder.
12. A gravity feed dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the
holder and the container are arranged for allowing the tearable
portion to be removed from the box when it is held by the
holder.
13. A gravity feed dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the
tearable portion extends onto a front wall of the container.
14. A gravity feed dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the
tearable portion is delimited by a first tear line in the
container.
15. A gravity feed dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the
exchangeable container comprises a cardboard box.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to European Patent
Application No. 18212963.5, filed on Dec. 17, 2018. The disclosure
of the above application is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a gravity feed dispenser for bulk
material products. Within the food retail industry, such dispensers
are often referred to as gravity bins. The invention also relates
to a stationary holder forming part of the gravity feed
dispenser.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Bulk material goods or products (hereinafter bulk products),
such as grain, coffee, tea, nuts, spices, candy etc. are often sold
by the weight in supermarkets and commodity stores. By this means,
the customers are allowed to freely choose the desired quantity to
purchase. There exist several different types of containers for
storing, displaying and providing such bulk products to the
customers in the stores.
[0004] One type is the so called scoop bins, at which the customers
gain access to the bulk product via an openable lid and use a scoop
to manually shovel goods from the container to a pouch, a bag, a
jar or the like, which is brought to the check-out counter for
weighing and paying. However, scoop bins entail certain
disadvantages and problems. Since the outlet lid is openable, the
bulk product stored in the container is exposed to contaminations
from the surrounding atmosphere and from the customers.
Additionally, the use of a scoop for manually transferring the
goods from the scoop bin to customer's receptacle may cause
considerable spillage, waste and littering in the store.
[0005] Another type of container for storing, displaying and
providing bulk products is the so called gravity feed dispensers.
These devices normally comprise a vertically oriented container
having an upper closable inlet for filling and refilling and a
lower outlet provided with a manually operable valve. The container
is thus filled and refilled by store personnel having access to the
upper inlet opening. Gravity acts on the bulk product stored in the
container and urges it toward the lower outlet opening. The
customer holds a bag, a pouch or other receptacle under the outlet
and manually opens the valve, whereby the desired amount of the
bulk product is poured by gravity into the customer's receptacle.
At this type, the risk of contamination is greatly reduced since
the bulk product stored in the container is not exposed to the
surrounding atmosphere and since the outlet valve prevents the
customers from getting access to the interior of the container.
Additionally, pouring of the bulk product into a receptacle held
beneath the outlet reduces the risk of spillage and the problems
related thereto.
[0006] Gravity feed dispensers for storing, displaying and
providing bulk products should preferably exhibit some important
qualities. Especially when they are used for storing foodstuff, the
hygienic aspect is important. Therefore it is desirable to minimize
the exposure of the product to the surrounding atmosphere. It is
also important that refilling of the dispenser can be carried out
quickly and easily. A further important aspect is that it is easy
to wash and keep the interior of the dispenser and other parts
making contact with the bulk product clean. It should thus
preferably be easy for maintenance personnel to disassemble and get
access to the interior of the dispenser. For the same reason it is
important that the container exhibits a minimum of cavities,
recesses or slits in which the bulk product or dust thereof may be
caught. For economical reasons it is beneficial if the dispenser
comprise a low number of constituent components and is easy to
disassemble and reassemble. Also from a manufacturing point of view
and for ascertain reliability and long service life, it is
advantageous when the container comprises only a few constituent
parts.
PRIOR ART
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,744 discloses a device for measuring and
dispensing granular material, which device comprises a body member
which defines a hopper with a discharge opening and a discharge
port disposed below the discharge opening. A dispensing cylinder is
rotably mounted in the body, between the discharge opening and
port. The body also includes a removable top cover and a removable
front cover.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,123 B1 discloses a bulk food dispensing
apparatus comprising a bin exhibiting an upper opening for loading
a bulk product and a lower opening. A rotating door which is
operable by a handle is arranged at the lower opening for allowing
the bulk product stored in the bin to flow under the force of
gravity out through the lower opening. According to this document,
the bin comprises a left side piece and a right side piece which
are interconnected along a rear side and thereby form a first
cavity. A front piece is connected to the left and right side
pieces for securing these together and for defining a second cavity
in front of the first cavity.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,864 B1 discloses a similar apparatus
wherein the left and right side pieces are hingedly connected and
secured by a front piece.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 8,870,024 B2 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,157 B2
disclose further examples of gravity feed dispensers comprising a
container formed of two interconnected side pieces and a manually
rotable gate or door for selectively blocking and allowing flow of
a bulk product stored in the container through an discharge
opening.
[0011] SE532075C2 discloses a method of hygienic handling of bulk
products at which the bulk product is filled into a distribution
bag which thereafter is laced-up by means of a string. The bag is
transported from the factory to the end customer. After
transportation, the bag is placed in a hopper of a dispensing unit,
with the laced-up end down and the bag is opened by pulling the
string. This document also discloses a device for such handling
which device comprises a dispensing unit and a distribution
bag.
[0012] GB2049625A discloses an apparatus for storing and
apportioning powdered or granular material. The apparatus comprises
a holder for a package and an apportioning device. The package
comprises a strip-like sealing closure with a strip flap for
opening the package when placed in the holder.
SUMMARY
[0013] An object of the invention is to provide an enhanced gravity
feed dispenser for bulk products.
[0014] Another object is to provide such a dispenser which, in use,
minimizes the exposure of the bulk product to the surroundings
atmosphere.
[0015] A further object is to provide such a dispenser which
facilitates transportation of the bulk product and refilling of the
dispenser.
[0016] Yet another object is to provide such a dispenser which
reduces the risk of spillage at refilling the dispenser.
[0017] Still another object is to provide such a dispenser which is
easy to wash and clean.
[0018] A further object is to provide such a dispenser which
comprises only a low number of constituent parts.
[0019] Yet another object is to provide such a dispenser which may
easily be disassembled and reassembled by maintenance
personnel.
[0020] A still further object is to provide such a dispenser which
is reliable in use and has a long service life.
[0021] A further object is to provide such a dispenser which
alleviates the need to dismount and remove the dispenser from its
normal operating position in a rack or the like, for allowing
cleaning of the interior.
[0022] According to a first aspect, these and other objects are
achieved by a gravity feed dispenser according to claim 1. The
gravity feed dispenser is intended for use with an exchangeable
container with a tearable bottom portion which container holds a
bulk product. The gravity feed dispenser comprises a stationary
holder comprising a seat portion arranged to receive at least a
lower portion of the exchangeable container, an outlet opening for
dispensing the bulk product and a valve arrangement which is
arranged operatively between the seat portion and the outlet
opening, for selectively allowing and preventing outward flow of
the bulk product from the exchangeable container through the outlet
opening. The seat portion comprises essentially vertically arranged
opposed side wall portions, a rear wall portion and a front wall
portion arranged to receive at least a lower portion of the
exchangeable container when inserted from above. The front wall
portion of the seat portion exhibits a slit configured to allow
removal of said tearable bottom portion of the exchangeable
container through the slit.
[0023] By providing the gravity feed dispenser with a stationary
holder for such an exchangeable container containing the bulk
product, a number of advantages are achieved. The bulk product
contained in the exchangeable container may efficiently be
transported from the supplier to the shop or other location where
the bulk product is to be dispensed. Transport and handling of the
product may also be carried out without the risk of contaminating
the product. Additionally, at refilling of the gravity feed
dispenser, the entire exchangeable container may readily be mounted
to the holder and kept there until the entire content has been
dispensed. This greatly facilitates handling of the product since
it alleviates the need of scoping, pouring and other means of
transferring the product from a separate transport container to a
hopper or the like of the gravity feed dispenser. By this means,
spillage and contamination of the bulk product during refilling is
also eliminated. The use of an exchangeable container with a
gravity feed dispenser thus enhances the efficiency and the
hygienic aspects of all handling of the bulk product from the
manufacturer of the product to the end customer.
[0024] The seat portion arranged at the upper part of the
stationary holder allows for very easy mounting and removal of the
exchangeable container. The side, rear and front wall portions
forming part of the seat portion further enhances reliable fixation
of the exchangeable container when mounted to the stationary
holder. To this end, the distances between the wall portions of the
seat portion may be chosen such that the exchangeable container is
received in the seat portion with a tight fit. The slit arranged in
the front wall portion of the seat portion allows for that the
tearable bottom portion may readily be removed from the
exchangeable container for opening of the container, after full
mounting the container to the holder. By this means exposure of the
bulk product to the surrounding atmosphere is prevented or at least
minimized.
[0025] The stationary holder may comprise a removable lid which,
when mounted to the holder, closes the slit. By this means dust and
other contaminations is prevented from coming into contact with the
bulk material in the dispenser also when the container has been
opened and the bottom portion removed.
[0026] The lid may be formed as a label holder. By this means
information about the bulk product such as content and price may
readily be displayed to the customers.
[0027] The lid and/or the stationary holder may be provided with
sealing means. By this means ingression of foreign matter into the
bulk product is further reduced.
[0028] The lid and the stationary holder may be provided with
cooperating snap-fit means for snap-fit mounting of the lid to the
stationary holder. Hereby mounting and dismounting the lid is
facilitated.
[0029] The stationary holder may comprise a lower chute portion for
conducting the outflow of the bulk product.
[0030] The holder may comprise a body member and a front piece,
which body member is formed in one single piece and comprises two
opposing side walls, a rear wall and a forwardly sloping bottom
wall and which front piece is removably attached to the body member
and comprises a front wall. By this means the holder may easily be
opened for allowing washing and cleaning by simply removing a
single component.
[0031] The valve arrangement may comprise a pivotal valve member
and a maneuvering handle. This allows for easy and reliable
operation of the valve for dispensing the bulk product.
[0032] The handle may be connected to the valve member by two axles
which are pivotally received in semi circular openings formed in
the body member and the front piece. This facilitates disassembling
and reassembling of the holder, e.g. at washing, cleaning and other
maintenance operations.
[0033] The gravity feed dispenser may further comprise an
exchangeable container with a tearable bottom portion for storing a
bulk product.
[0034] The dimensions of a horizontal cross section of the
exchangeable container and the corresponding distances between the
wall portions of the stationary holder may be chosen such that the
container is received with a tight fit in the seat portion. Hereby
the container is securely fixed to the stationary holder when
mounted.
[0035] The tearable portion may be arranged at a bottom wall of the
container when the container is held by the stationary holder. By
this means the bulk product will automatically be fed by gravity to
the valve of the dispenser.
[0036] The holder and the container may be arranged for allowing
the tearable portion to be removed from the container when it is
held by the holder. This efficiently eliminates the risk of
spillage of the bulk product during refilling.
[0037] The tearable portion may extend onto a front wall of the
container. By this means access to the tearable portion is enhanced
and opening of the container is facilitated.
[0038] The tearable portion may be delimited by a first tear line
in the container. This facilitates tearing of the tearable portion.
The tear line may be constituted by or comprise a perforation line
or any other kind of line of weakness.
[0039] The exchangeable container may comprise a cardboard box.
Such boxes are comparatively affordable and also advantageous from
an environmental point of view. In addition they are comparatively
light in weight and easy to handle also since they may be made
stackable.
[0040] Further objects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following description of embodiments and from the
appended claims.
[0041] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be
interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical
field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references
to "a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc." are
to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of
the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless
explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed
herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed,
unless explicitly stated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] The invention is now described, by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gravity feed dispenser
according to an exemplifying embodiment of the invention.
[0044] FIG. 2a is an exploded perspective view of a stationary
holder comprised in the gravity feeder shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2b
is a section through the holder shown in FIG. 2a.
[0045] FIG. 3a is a perspective view obliquely from above of an
exchangeable container comprised in the gravity feed dispenser
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3b is a perspective view obliquely from below
of the container shown in FIG. 3a.
[0046] FIG. 4 is perspective view obliquely from below of the
container shown in FIGS. 3a-b illustrating a step in preparing it
for final opening.
[0047] FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the gravity feed dispenser
shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a step of introduction of the
container into the holder and FIG. 5b is a section illustrating the
same step of introduction.
[0048] FIG. 6a is a perspective view of the gravity feed dispenser
shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating the container fully inserted into
the holder. FIG. 6b is a section of FIG. 6a.
[0049] FIG. 7a is a perspective view of the gravity feed dispenser
shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a final stage of opening the container
and FIG. 7b is a section illustrating the same step of opening.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain
embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the
scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers
refer to like elements throughout the description.
[0051] At the embodiment of the gravity feed dispenser shown in
FIG. 1 it comprises a stationary holder 10 and an exchangeable
container 70 for storing a bulk product, which container is
constituted by a carton box. The holder 10 comprises a lower outlet
opening 14 for dispensing a selectable amount of the bulk product
into a bag or other receptacle (not shown) positioned under the
outlet opening.
[0052] As best seen in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the holder 10 further
comprises two major components 20, 30 which, when assembled, define
an interior space 16 for receiving a lower portion of the container
70 and bulk material (not shown) delivered from the container. One
of these major components is constituted by a body member 20,
preferably formed as an integral single piece of material. In the
shown example, the body member 20 has been formed by injection
moulding of a durable transparent plastic material. However, other
methods and materials for forming the one piece body member may
also be used. The other major component is constituted by a front
piece 30 which is releasably mounted to the front portion of the
body member 20. In the shown embodiment also the front piece 30 is
formed by injection moulding of a durable transparent plastic
material but other methods and materials may be used.
[0053] At a not shown alternative embodiment, the body member may
comprise two or more separate pieces which are attached together
when assembling the holder. It may for example comprise two mirror
symmetrical half pieces which are mutually snap-fitted or
interconnected by other means for forming the body member.
[0054] The body member 20 comprises two first vertical sidewalls
21, 22 which are arranged mutually in parallel. A second vertical
sidewall 23 forms a rear wall and extends between upper rear edge
portions of the first sidewalls. A bottom wall 24 extends between
the lower edge of the rear wall 23 and the lower edges of the two
first sidewalls 21, 22. The bottom wall 24 slopes downwards in the
forward direction from the rear wall 23 such that the bulk product
received in the holder 10 is urged by gravity toward the lower
front portion of the holder, where the outlet opening 14 is
arranged. At the front lower portion of the body member 20,
respective portions of the first sidewalls 21, 22 and the bottom
wall 24 are arranged to form a downwardly directed first chute
portion 25 having a generally U-shaped cross section. By this means
the body member 20 exhibits a completely open front 26 which
extends over the entire height of the body member 20. A number of
mounting protrusions 21b, 22b are arranged laterally protruding at
the rear portion of each first side wall 21, 22. These protrusions
are arranged for mounting the gravity feed dispenser to a rack or
stand (not shown) in a manner which is known per se. Normally, the
stand is arranged for receiving a plurality of gravity feed
dispensers side by side in rows and columns. The body member 20
further comprises two support flanges 28a, 28b which extend
horizontally along the interior side of the first side walls 21,
22. These support flanges 28a, 28b form part of a seat portion 17
arranged for supporting the container 70 when inserted in the
holder 10. The front piece 30 comprises a front wall 33 which
constitutes a third side wall of the holder 10 when the front piece
has been mounted to the body member 20. A first side wall portion
31, 32 extends rearwardly from respective lateral edges of the
front wall 33. The rear edges of the first side wall portions 31,
32 are essentially equally long, in the vertical direction, as the
front edges of the first side walls 21, 22 and provided with
rearwardly open grooves (not shown) which receives respective front
edges of the first side walls 21, 23 for secure mounting of the
front piece 30 to the body 20. At the lower portion of the front
piece 30 the front wall 33 and the two first side wall portions 31,
32 form a downwardly directed second chute portion 35 having a
generally U-shaped cross section which corresponds to the cross
section of the first chute portion 25. When the front piece 30 is
mounted to the body 20, the first 25 and second 35 chute portions
together define a tubular chute which is arranged to guide and
conduct the bulk product towards the outlet opening 12.
[0055] The front piece 30 further exhibits an opening in the form
of a trough penetrating horizontal slit 36 which is arranged to
facilitate opening of the container 70 by allowing a tear portion
74 of the container to be removed through the slit 36. This will be
explained more in detail below. A lid 37 (see FIG. 1) may be
snap-fitted onto the front wall 33 of the front piece 30. When
mounted, the lid 37 closes the slit 36 and prevents foreign
material from entering into the open space 16 of the holder 10. At
some applications the lid 37 or the front piece 30 may be provided
with sealing means further reducing the influence of the
surrounding atmosphere to the bulk product contained in the gravity
feed dispenser. In the shown example the lid 37 is formed and
functions as a label holder for holding a label (not shown) with
information about the bulk product.
[0056] The support flanges 28a, 28b and upper wall portions 21c,
22c, 23c, 33c arranged above the support flanges 28a, 28b of the
respective walls 21, 22, 23, 33 form a seat portion 17 of the
holder 10 for receiving and securely holding a lower portion of the
container 70.
[0057] The gravity feed dispenser further comprises a valve
arrangement 40 for selectively allowing and preventing flow of the
bulk product from the interior space 16 through the outlet opening
14. The valve arrangement 40 comprises a valve seat member 41, a
pivotal valve member 42 and a flexible sealing 43. The valve seat
member 41 exhibits a valve opening 44 and a partition wall 45 which
is arranged in the interior space 16 of the of the holder 10, such
that the effective outflow area is reduced to the dimensions of the
valve opening 44. The valve seat member 41 is attached to the body
member 20 by snap-fit means (not shown) arranged at the first side
walls 21, 22 and the lateral sides of the valve seat member 41.
[0058] In the shown example, the valve seat member 41 is formed by
injection moulding a plastic material and the sealing 43 is formed
by injection moulding of a resilient material, such as a rubber
material. Other methods and materials may be used as long as the
sealing is formed of flexible and resilient material which remains
in sealing contact with the pivotal valve member 42 during its
pivotal movement. The sealing 43 comprises a base (not denoted)
exhibiting a fixation channel 43a and two sealing lips 43b which
extend in parallel from the base at the side being opposite to the
fixation channel 43a. The sealing 43 may be mounted to and
dismounted from the valve seat member 41 when the valve seat member
41 is dismounted from the body 20. The sealing 43 is mounted to the
valve seat body 41 by resilient formfitting of the fixation channel
43a around a valve seat bar (not shown) which delimits the valve
opening 44. When the sealing 43 has been mounted to the valve seat
member 41, these two components may be jointly snap-fit fixed to
the body 20 by engaging the snap-fit means (not shown) of the valve
seat body into corresponding snap-fit means (not shown) of the body
20.
[0059] The pivotal valve member 42 exhibits an arced valve wall
42a, with which the flexible sealing lips 43b makes sealing
contact. A valve bracket 42b connects each lateral side of the
valve wall 42a to a respective axle 47, which axles are axially
aligned and define the pivotal axis for the pivotal valve member 42
and the valve wall 42a. The axles 47 are in turn fixed to an
operating handle 46 by means of which the valve member 42 and the
valve wall 42a may be manually pivoted about its pivotal axis.
[0060] When mounted to the holder 10, each shaft 47 is received in
respective semi circular recesses 27 formed in the opposing and
engaging edges of the first side walls 21, 22 and the first side
wall portions 31, 32. By this means the valve member 42 and the
handle 46 are together pivotally journaled to the holder when the
front piece 30 is mounted to the body member 20. The valve member
42, the shafts 47 and the handle 46 together form a valve shutter
50 which may be mounted to and dismounted from the container 10 as
a single component. In the preferred embodiment shown, the valve
shutter 50 is formed as a single integral piece of material, e.g.
by injection moulding of a plastic material. However, other methods
and materials for forming the valve shutter 50 are also
possible.
[0061] The sealing 43 comprises two sealing lips that resiliently
follow the surface of the valve member 42 during its pivotal
movement. By this means also fine particles, such as powder and
dust are prevented from exiting the container when the valve member
is in its closed position.
[0062] The valve arrangement 40 also comprises a biasing means (not
shown) for urging the valve member 42 and the handle 46 to its
closed position when no opening force is applied to the handle.
These means comprises an elastic string arranged at each lateral
side of the valve shutter 50.
[0063] The valve arrangement 40 further comprises means for
adjusting its effective maximum opening area. These means comprises
a rod 55 which extends laterally through the front piece 30. Each
first side wall portion 31, 32 is provided with an elongate through
opening 39 which exhibits a number of adjustment slots (not
denoted) arranged one after the other along the longitudinal
direction of the elongate through opening 39. The rod 55 may be
inserted into the elongate through openings 39 and its end portions
may be positioned into a desired pair of adjustments slots. The rod
55 may thereafter be fixed in the adjustment slots by fixing a
securing sleeve (not shown) onto each end of the rod 55. The valve
shutter 50 exhibits a number of adjustment notches 42c formed in an
edge of the valve member's 42 brackets 42b, one after the other in
the pivotal direction of the valve shutter 50. Depending on the
adjustment position chosen for the rod 55 in the elongate through
openings 39, only one notch 42c at each bracket 42b will make
contact with the rod 60 when the valve shutter 50 is pivoted in its
opening direction. This contact between a notch 42c and the rod 55
blocks the valve shutter from further pivoting in the opening
direction and thereby defines the selected fully opening area of
the valve opening 44. Such easily accomplished adjustment of the
maximum valve opening area is very useful when the gravity feed
dispenser is to be used for bulk products having different particle
sizes and density, and where it is necessary to adjust the
dispensing flow rate.
[0064] The front piece 30 is easily releasably fixed to the body 20
by snap-fitting. The body member 20 comprises a protruding hook 25a
which extends rearwardly from a lower rear portion of the first
chute portion 25. The front piece 30 comprises a corresponding
hollow collar 35a which extends rearwardly from the lower edge of
the second chute portion 35. A through opening 35b is provided at
the rear side of the collar.
[0065] The body member 20 further comprises laterally protruding
first snap-fit means comprising bulges 21a, 22a arranged at the
upper front edges of side walls 21, 22. The front piece 30
comprises corresponding second snap-fit means 31a, 32a arranged at
the upper rear edges of first side wall portions 31, 32. In the
shown example these second snap fit means each comprise a tongue
which is insertable inside a respective bulge 21a, 22a and a
resilient hollow tab which is arranged to receive a respective
bulge 21a, 22a by snap-fitting around the bulge.
[0066] The front piece 30, with the shutter valve 50 mounted (as
described above) is very easily releasably fixed to the body 20.
The upper end of front piece 30 is first tilted away from the body
20 and the lower end of the first chute portion 25 is introduced
into the hollow collar 35a of the front piece 30. Thereafter or
simultaneously, the hook 25a is inserted and engaged with the
through opening 35b in the collar 35a. When so engaged the upper
portion of the front piece 30 is pivotally tilted toward the body
until the two tongues are inserted inside the bulges 21a, 22a and
the hollow tabs snap around the periphery of the bulges 21a, 22a.
By this means the front piece 30 is securely and releasably fixed
to the body member 20 at the same time as the shutter valve 50, the
valve seat member 41 and the seal 43 are locked in position. When
the front piece 30 has been mounted to the body member 20 a
friction sleeve (not shown) may be threaded onto hollow collar 35a.
The friction sleeve may assist in holding the mouth of a pouch, a
bag or the like when dispensing the bulk material from the gravity
feed dispenser.
[0067] The holder 10 of the gravity feed dispenser may very easily
be completely disassembled simply by releasing the hollow tabs from
the bulges 21a, 22a, pivoting the upper portion of the front piece
away from the body member 20 and thereafter releasing the hook 25a
from the through hole 35. When the front piece 30 has been
detached, the shutter valve 50 may be dismounted by first removing
the elastic strings (not shown) and lifting out the shutter valve
50. Correspondingly the valve seat member 41 may easily be removed
by disengaging snap means (not shown), pulling out the valve seat
member 41 from the body 20 and thereafter removing the seal 43 from
the valve seat member 41. If needed the rod 55 may be easily be
removed by releasing one fixation sleeve (not shown) and
withdrawing the rod 55 from the opposite end.
[0068] Thus, by only a very few and simple manual operations,
holder 10 may be completely disassembled into its constituent parts
whereby washing, flushing and other maintenance is greatly
facilitated. Additionally, by simply removing the front piece 30
and the valve seat member 41 from the body member 20, the body
becomes completely open in the forward and upward direction whereby
all interior walls of the body member are easily accessible for
washing and flushing. The low number of constituent part also
allows for that the assembled gravity feed dispenser exhibits only
a low number of component joints, thereby reducing the risk of fine
particles and dust to be caught and collected in such joints.
[0069] The container 70 (best seen in FIGS. 3a-7b) comprises a
rigid or semi-rigid box 72. Typically, the box 72 is formed of
cardboard, plastic or other suitable material such that it, when
filled with bulk products, is ridged enough to sustain stacking of
several bag-in-boxes one op top of the other. For environment
protection purposes, recyclable cardboard or other paper pulp based
materials are preferred for forming the box.
[0070] As shown in FIGS. 3a-b the box 72 has a generally cuboid
shape. It comprises two side walls 73a, 73b, a front wall 73c, a
rear wall 73d, a top wall 73e and a bottom wall 73f.
[0071] As best seen in FIG. 3b, the bottom wall 73f exhibits a
tearable portion 74 which is delimited by a first tear line 74a.
The tearable portion 74 extends over almost the entire bottom wall
area. The tear line 74a may be formed of perforated lines arranged
in the box. Alternatively, the tear line 74a may be formed of other
lines of weakness, such as lines of reduced material thickness or
the like.
[0072] In the shown example, the tear portion 74 extend over the
lower front edge of the outer box 70, a short distance into the
front wall 73c. A release opening 76 is formed in the front wall
73c, adjacent to the tear portion 74.
[0073] Use of the inventive gravity feed dispenser will now be
explained with reference to FIGS. 3a-7b.
[0074] When refilling the gravity feed dispenser, the previously
used and emptied container is removed from the stationary holder
10. A new container 70, filled with a bulk product is first
prepared for opening by inserting a finger into the release opening
76 and tearing loose a front portion of the tear portion 74 as
shown in FIG. 4a. Thereby, a front portion of the tearable portion
74 which extends over the front wall 73c, may be folded out to form
a grip tab 74b as shown in FIG. 4c. By this means the container 70
has been prepared for final opening after mounting to the holder 10
of the gravity feed dispenser. The front wall 73c of the container
70 may comprise two layers of wall material and the tearable
portion 74 and tear line 74a extending onto the front wall 73 may
the extend only through the outer layer. By this means, no through
penetrating opening in the front is formed when the when the grip
tab 74b has been released from the front wall 73c.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 5a-b, the container 70 is thereafter
inserted into the holder 10 by inserting a lower portion of the box
72 between the upper wall portions 21c, 22c, 23c, 33c of the holder
10. Simultaneously the previously released grip tab 74b is inserted
through the slit 36 of the front piece 30. Thereafter and as shown
in FIGS. 6a-b the bag-in-box 70 is fully inserted into the holder
10, such that the bottom wall 73f is supported by the horizontal
flanges 28a, 28b and the side walls 73a, 73b, the front wall 73c
and the rear wall 73d of the outer box 72 are supported by the
upper wall portions 21c, 22c, 23c, 33c of the holder 10.
[0076] When the container 70 has been prepared for opening and
mounted to the holder 10 as described above it may be opened to
allow an initial portion of the bulk product to be poured into the
interior space 16 of the holder 10. This is accomplished simply by
grabbing the grip tab 74b now extending through the slit 36 of the
front piece and thereafter pulling the grip tap 74b. Since the grip
tab 74b forms part of the first tearable portion 74 of the box,
pulling the grip tab 74b will tear loose the entire tearable
portion 74 from the box 72, thereby completely opening the
container and allowing the bulk product to be poured by gravity
into the interior space 16 of the holder 10.
[0077] When the tearable portion 74 has been removed through the
slit 36, the slit 36 may be closed by attaching the lid 37 or by
other closing means for preventing foreign particles or
contamination to enter the interior space 16. If needed the slit or
the closing means may be provided with additional sealing means
(not shown) for sealing the interior space 16 from the surrounding
atmosphere.
[0078] The invention has mainly been described above with reference
to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a
person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones
disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the
invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.
* * * * *