Packaging containing a granular material, assembly, production and use unit.

Abstract

SPILLING DEVICE. The invention relates to a pouring device (1), manual or integral, suitable for piercing and emptying granular material contained in a vacuum-sealed package (P), comprising: - a tubular body (2), which has a duct (20) for the flow of the material, extending from an inlet opening (21) positioned at the level of a first end of the tubular body to an outlet opening (22) for the granular material, positioned at the level of a second end of the tubular body (2); - a hollow piercing tool (3), which has a distal end terminated in a point (30) and an enlarged base (31) at its proximal end, integral with the body. The device further comprises a shoulder (4) with a stop function configured to come into contact with the wall of the package to ensure the pouring device stops when said wall is pierced by the piercing tool (3).

Description

1 / 25 “PACKAGING CONTAINING A GRANULAR MATERIAL, ASSEMBLY, PRODUCTION AND USE UNIT”

[0001] This disclosure relates to a pouring device, which will find particular application in perforating a package containing granular material, and emptying it essentially by gravity, or assisted by user movements when the pouring device is manual. Alternatively, the pouring device may be provided fixed to a production unit.

[0002] This disclosure also refers to packaging specially configured to cooperate with such a pouring device, avoiding handling errors, but also to equipment comprising a pouring device and packaging in accordance with these disclosures.

[0003] The invention is particularly relevant to emptying vacuum packaging where granular material is compacted by virtue of the vacuum inside the packaging and the pressure difference between the internal pressure of the packaging, which is lower than atmospheric pressure, and the atmospheric pressure prevailing outside the packaging.

[0004] The invention finds particular, and not limited to, application in ensuring the aseptic transfer of a granular material such as yeast from packaging, in particular vacuum packaging, to equipment such as a fermentation tank, and in particular in the field of brewing. FIELD OF TECHNIQUE

[0005] This disclosure arises from the field of vacuum packaging for dry granular matter, such as dry yeast powder, and proposed technical solutions for aseptically transferring the granular matter contained in the packaging to supplied equipment.

[0006] In the brewing industry, it is often necessary to add dry yeast at various stages during the brewing process. For example, this addition is made to initiate fermentation in a tank, Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 10 / 78 2 / 25 often after cooling a wort obtained by filtering a mixture of crushed cereal grains and water.

[0007] Active, dry yeast is traditionally contained in vacuum packaging to protect it from oxygen and moisture during storage. This packaging is opened to manually pour its contents through an inspection port on the fermentation tank. This operation must be carried out as aseptically as possible to avoid transferring germs, bacteria, or fungi into the tank, which would then develop during fermentation, degrading the organoleptic qualities of the beverage. To prevent the transfer of germs into the tank, the tools (such as a pair of scissors) used to open the vacuum packaging are disinfected before puncturing it, or the exterior surfaces of the packaging are disinfected.

[0008] Once the vacuum packaging has been opened, the operator simply returns it to the right of the inspection door so that the yeast can be poured into the fermentation tank over the wort.

[0009] According to the inventors' findings, this practice is not satisfactory, and for several reasons: Disinfecting tools (such as pairs of scissors), typically done with flames or disinfectant solutions, is tedious, and the success of the operation depends essentially on the operator's precision during the procedure. - Manually pouring the packaging above the inspection door is often a tedious operation with a non-negligible risk of a damaging fall, for example, the packaging itself falling into the tank, and above all, - Opening the inspection door, necessary for pouring the yeast, is itself a risk of compromising the tank's asepsis, as it allows a significant amount of non-sterile air to enter the tank, potentially leading to the introduction of bacteria and fungi. Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 11 / 78 3 / 25 airborne suspension within the tank, likely to contaminate the wort. PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE

[0010] Devices suitable for perforating and then emptying a package for hygienic product transfer are known in the state of the art, such as, for example, disclosed in document EP 1 201 598. The device disclosed in EP 1 201 598 is intended for emptying bags of liquids, such as sauce or beverage, and implicitly requires the implementation of aspiration. This technical solution is inoperative and non-functional for emptying granular material from a vacuum package.

[0011] For example, a device specifically designed to empty a granular material (such as fine powder) in a given quantity is also known from document GB 719054. This device comprises a drilling tool, in the form of an ogive, which allows drilling through the wall of a container until a shoulder provided at the base of the ogive comes into contact with the container wall. This drilling tool is hollow and has a lateral opening designed to be positioned entirely inside the container when the shoulder comes into contact with the wall. This lateral opening allows the transfer of material into the body of the drilling tool, which flows down to the base of the ogive to an outlet opening. This device is designed to deliver a dose of material corresponding to the volume of the hollow part with each tipping of the container.

[0012] In any case, and according to the inventors' findings, this device taught by document GB 719054 does not allow for the complete and rapid perforation and emptying of an entire package, while maintaining it in a globally vertical position, and more particularly when dealing with a vacuum package. SUMMARY

[0013] This disclosure aims to improve this situation by proposing a pouring device, which finds particular application in perforating a vacuum package containing granular material, and essentially emptying it. Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 12 / 78 4 / 25 due to the phenomenon of gravity, or else by slightly draining and / or deforming the flexible wall of the packaging, particularly when said device is manual.

[0014] More particularly, the device finds a particular application for completely emptying granular material from a vacuum package, quickly, in a globally vertical position of the device and the package, namely, without the need to tilt the package.

[0015] Another objective of this disclosure is to propose such a device, a manually configurable device, which limits the risks of mishandling by the operator.

[0016] Another objective of the present disclosure is to propose a production unit comprising a pouring device according to the present disclosure permanently fixed in the unit configured to ensure the aseptic transfer of a granular material contained in a vacuum package to an enclosure of the production unit.

[0017] Another objective of this disclosure is to propose packaging specifically configured to cooperate with a pouring device, notably a manual one, according to this disclosure or belonging to the production unit according to this disclosure.

[0018] Another objective of the present disclosure is to propose a set comprising a pouring device, as well as packaging specially configured to cooperate with said piercing device according to the present disclosure, in particular manual, or alternatively belonging to the production unit according to the present disclosure.

[0019] Other objectives and advantages will emerge throughout the description that follows, which is provided for reference purposes only and without limitation.

[0020] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a pouring device, suitable for piercing and emptying granular material contained in a notably vacuum-sealed package, comprising: - a tubular body, which has a duct for the flow of material, extending from an inlet opening positioned at Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, p. 13 / 78 5 / 25 level from one end of the tubular body to an outlet for the granular material, positioned at the level of a second end of the tubular body, - a hollow drilling tool having a pointed distal end and an enlarged base at its proximal end, integral with the tubular body at the first end of the tubular body, wherein the drilling tool has at least one lateral opening along the length of the drilling tool, wherein said lateral opening extends along the length of the drilling tool from the enlarged base of the drilling tool, said lateral opening being configured to allow the pouring of material from the outside to the inside of the hollow part of the drilling tool, the hollow part of the enlarged base of the drilling tool being in communication with the inlet opening of the tubular body, - a peripheral shoulder with a stop function, formed by the first end of the tubular body arranged around the enlarged base of the piercing tool, said shoulder with a stop function configured to come into contact with the wall of the packaging, directly or indirectly, to ensure the stopping of the pouring device when said wall is pierced by the piercing tool in a position where said lateral opening extends into the interior of the packaging, and in which said pouring device is configured to ensure the continuous emptying of the contents of the vacuum packaging, when the pouring device is oriented vertically, the tip upwards, the granular material flowing by gravity through said lateral opening through the inlet nozzle.

[0021] According to optional features of the manual pouring device, considered alone or in combination: Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 14 / 78 6 / 25 - the drilling tool which has a longitudinal geometric axis, said shoulder having a flat surface approximately perpendicular to said longitudinal geometric axis, configured to serve as an adhesive bonding surface on the outer wall of the packaging; - the flat surface, with the function of a bonding surface, has a useful bonding surface area between 3 cm2 and 50 cm, for example, between 5 cm2 and 50 cm2, for example, between 3 cm2 and 10 cm2, or even between 10 cm2 and 35 cm2; - The surface suitable for bonding is annular in shape, defined between an outer radius and an inner radius; - the difference in radius ΔR between the outer radius and the inner radius is between 2 mm and 20 mm; - the tubular body has a longitudinal geometric axis that is roughly aligned with the longitudinal geometric axis of the drilling tool, - being a manual pouring device, the tubular body is dimensioned to form a grip for the hand; - the usable length of the tubular body with a handle function is between 5 cm and 15 cm, for example, between 6 cm and 10 cm, such as 7 cm; - the outer diameter of the usable surface that forms the gripping handle is between 2 cm and 5 cm, such as 2.5 cm; - The device features a hand strap, integral with the grip, designed to be passed through by the user's hand when it is inserted into the grip; - The pouring device consists essentially of a single piece of plastic material that forms the drilling tool and the tubular body, which includes the shoulder. Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 15 / 78 7 / 25

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, particularly for emptying small-sized packaging, the perforation tool comprises an enlarged base, which has, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal geometric axis of the perforation tool, a longer length dimension that follows a first direction and, following a second direction, approximately perpendicular, a shorter length dimension, and on which the surface useful for gluing extends, following the trajectory of an oval consisting of an elongated closed curve that follows the first direction and a narrow curve that follows the second direction.

[0023] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure also refers to a production unit comprising an enclosure, as well as a pouring device according to the present disclosure, mounted integrally with the enclosure or a pipeline of said production unit, the vertical drilling tool, the tip oriented upwards, said pouring device being configured to transfer a granular material contained in a vacuum package in the enclosure, directly into said enclosure or indirectly through said pipeline.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the production unit, the tubular body of the weir device is integral with said enclosure in a watertight manner, such that the outlet opening is in communication with the internal volume of said enclosure, said weir device being located in the upper part of said enclosure, configured so that the granular material flows from the outlet opening to the interior of said enclosure (by gravity).

[0025] According to one embodiment of the production unit, where the said enclosure is forcibly fed with products through the pipeline, the said tubular body of the weir device is tightly coupled to the pipeline, directly or indirectly, through a transfer system, so that the granular material flows into the pipeline as it mixes with the products, and before the said granular material is conveyed, together with the products, to the Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 16 / 78 8 / 25 said enclosure. For example, the production unit is a fermentation unit and said enclosure is a fermentation tank.

[0026] According to a third aspect, the present disclosure refers to a package containing a granular material, comprising on the outer face of its wall an aseptic or sterile adhesive, isolated from external contamination by a peelable film, intended to be removed before perforating the package, the adhesive being configured to adhere to the shoulder of a pouring device according to the present disclosure when the perforating tool perforates the package wall. The pouring device may be configured manually or alternatively form a permanent part of the production unit.

[0027] Depending on optional packaging features, taken alone or in combination: - the adhesive is a double-sided adhesive that has a first adhesive side glued to the wall of the packaging and a second adhesive side, covered by the peelable film, configured to adhere to the bonding surface of said shoulder of a pouring device according to the present disclosure; - The sticker has a hole designed to be passed through by the punching tool when the tool pierces the packaging wall; - The sticker has an annular or oval shape; - Double-sided adhesive tape has a thickness separating the first adhesive side from the second adhesive side, ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm, such as 0.6 mm, 1.1 mm, or 1.6 mm. The double-sided adhesive tape is flexible along its thickness. - The double-sided adhesive comprises a flexible backing for an adhesive composition, and an adhesive composition that covers the backing, the alveolar backing being formed by a closed-cell foam, Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, p. 17 / 78 9 / 25 The granular material is vacuum-packed.

[0028] This disclosure also refers, according to a fourth aspect, to a set comprising not only a manual pouring device, but also packaging in accordance with these disclosures.

[0029] According to one embodiment of said assembly, said assembly comprises a manual pouring device according to the present disclosure, the packaging adhesive being glued to the shoulder of the pouring device when the packaging wall is perforated by the perforating tool forming an adhesive bond, the adhesive bond between the shoulder and the adhesive being configured to allow the operator to hold the assembly exclusively by the handle of the pouring device, the tip of the perforating tool being directed downwards, the packaging containing the granular material then being suspended from the pouring device exclusively by the bonding force of the adhesive bond.

[0030] This disclosure also refers, according to a fifth aspect, to equipment comprising a weir device according to this disclosure, or a weir device of a production unit according to this disclosure, as well as a seal that cooperates in a watertight manner with the first end of the tubular body, which covers the drilling tool, forming a watertight chamber for a fluid, said chamber being defined between the seal, on the one hand, and the drilling tool, and the shoulder, on the other hand, said watertight chamber in communication with the duct of the tubular body through said opening at least laterally.

[0031] This disclosure also refers to a method for cleaning and disinfecting the interior surfaces of the drilling tool and the tubular body duct and the exterior surfaces of the drilling tool and the shoulder of the pouring device of equipment according to this disclosure, in which: - the obturator covering the drilling tool and the said shoulder is placed in position, forming a sealed chamber for a fluid, said chamber being defined between the obturator, on the one hand, and the tool. Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, p. 18 / 78 10 / 25 perforation and said shoulder, on the other hand, said watertight chamber in communication with the tubular body duct through said opening at least laterally, - A disinfectant fluid is injected through the outlet nozzle so that the disinfectant fluid circulates, on the one hand, in the duct and the hollow part of the drilling tool when it comes into contact with the inner walls of the duct and the hollow part of the drilling tool, and circulates, on the other hand, in the sealed chamber when it comes into contact with the outer walls of the drilling tool and the shoulder.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the disinfectant fluid injection step that ensures the disinfection of the interior surfaces of the drilling tool and the tubular body duct of the pouring device and the exterior surfaces of the drilling tool and shoulder is an injection that simultaneously ensures the cleaning of the internal surfaces of the production unit.

[0033] Other features, details and advantages will emerge from reading the detailed description below, and from analyzing the attached drawings, in which:

[0034] Figure 1

[0035] Figure 1] is a perspective view of a manual pouring device in accordance with an embodiment.

[0036] Figure 2

[0037] [Figure 2] is a top view of the device as illustrated in Figure 1.

[0038] Figure 3

[0039] [Figure 3] is a view of a particular vacuum packaging in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 3A

[0041] [Figure 3a] is a detailed view of the packaging adhesive of Figure 3, with its first adhesive face glued to the packaging wall, the second adhesive face covered by said peelable film, and the central hole intended for the passage of the drilling tool of the manual pouring device.

[0042] Figure 4 Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 19 / 78 11 / 25

[0043] [Figure 4] is a schematic view of the device in Figure 1 when the latter is used by an operator to puncture and empty the granular contents of the packaging as shown in Figure 3, the adhesive surface of the shoulder bonded to the annular adhesive of said packaging.

[0044] Figure 5

[0045] [Figure 5] is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4 (operator's hand not shown).

[0046] Figure 6

[0047] [Figure 6] is a perspective view of a weir device according to a second embodiment, configured to be permanently and watertightly fixed to a production unit.

[0048] Figure 7

[0049] [Figure 7] is a cross-section of the device in Figure 6, in which a shutter is added by screwing it into a thread in the body of the weir device.

[0050] Figure 8

[0051] [Figure 8] is a schematic view illustrating various possible integrations of a weir device according to Figure 6 permanently fixed in a fermentation unit.

[0052] Figure 9

[0053] [Figure 9] is a top view of a variant of the device as illustrated in Figure 1, for which the ogive arcs of the drilling tool each have a chamfered section, and in which the drilling tool has an enlarged base that has, in a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal geometric axis, a longer length dimension that follows a first direction and, in a second direction, roughly perpendicular, a shorter length dimension, and in which the surface useful for gluing extends following the trajectory of an oval formed by a closed, elongated curve that follows the first direction and a narrow curve that follows the second direction. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 20 / 78 12 / 25

[0054] The invention relates to a pouring device 1 suitable for piercing and emptying granular material contained in a package P, and in particular a vacuum package.

[0055] The granular material is preferably dried, for example, by active, dried yeast intended for the implementation of fermentation, for example, for brewing beer. This granular material is contained in a package, preferably vacuum-sealed. The material and the package are compacted by virtue of the vacuum and the pressure difference between the internal pressure, which is lower than atmospheric pressure, and the external pressure, namely atmospheric pressure.

[0056] According to preliminary tests carried out by the inventors, pouring devices that operate by perforating a package to empty liquids or granular material from a classic (non-vacuum) package, such as those known in the prior art, for example, disclosed in GB 719054, are not satisfactory when it comes to emptying compacted granular material from a vacuum package. When these devices are used with such a vacuum package, the granular material begins to empty before the flow is completed quickly. These pouring devices do not allow for the rapid emptying of the granular contents from the package.

[0057] The invention arises from the inventors' observation that prior art pouring devices, when used to puncture and empty a vacuum package, generate a depression during the material flow that can maintain a vacuum inside the package, a vacuum that opposes the flow of granular material. In other words, the air necessary to empty the granular contents, flowing against the current, can trigger backflow, resulting in product loss, which escapes from the device at the perforation level.

[0058] The inventors responded to this problem by designing a pouring device which, when manually configured, and which, at least according to one embodiment, will allow the packaging to be perforated and be easily handled by the operator, for example, by draining the pouring device assembly and Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 21 / 78 13 / 25 packaging punctured at the time of emptying operations, or deforming the flexible wall of the packaging in order to facilitate flow, for example, above an inspection door of a fermentation tank, and preferably limiting the risks of mishandling and untimely drops.

[0059] Advantageously, such a device allows for the rapid and remarkably continuous emptying of all the granular material contained in the packaging, notably under vacuum.

[0060] In the case where the pouring device is, according to one embodiment, integral and permanently fixed to a production unit, the pouring device advantageously allows ensuring the aseptic transfer of the granular material contained in a vacuum package to an enclosure of the production unit.

[0061] Furthermore, and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 by way of non-limiting example, the pouring device 1 is manually configured and suitable for piercing and emptying a granular material contained in a P-pack, in particular under vacuum.

[0062] In general, the configured (manual or not) weir device 1 comprises: - a tubular body 2, which has a duct 20 for the flow of material, extending from an inlet opening 21 positioned at the level of a first end of the tubular body to an outlet opening 22 for the granular material, positioned at the level of a second end of the tubular body 2: - a hollow drilling tool 3, having a distal end terminated in a point 30 and an enlarged base 31 at its proximal end, integral with the tubular body at the first end of the tubular body, wherein the drilling tool has at least one lateral opening 32 along the length of the drilling tool, wherein said lateral opening 32 extends along the length of the drilling tool from the base. Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 22 / 78 14 / 25 enlarged 31 of the drilling tool, said lateral opening being configured to allow the pouring of material from the outside to the inside of the hollow part of the drilling tool 3, the hollow part of the enlarged base 31 of the drilling tool 3 being in communication with the inlet opening 21 of the tubular body 2, - a shoulder 4 with a stop function, peripheral, formed by the first end of the tubular body 2 arranged around the enlarged base 31 of the drilling tool, said shoulder 4 with a stop function being configured to come into contact with the wall of the packaging to ensure the stopping of the pouring device when said wall is pierced by the drilling tool 3.

[0063] In general, it is observed that the longitudinal geometric axis A of the drilling tool and the longitudinal geometric axis of the duct 20 are preferably significantly confused, where the duct 20 extends vertically, the drilling tool when the latter is oriented vertically, the tip 30 upwards.

[0064] In general, it is observed that the drilling tool may comprise several lateral openings 32, distributed around the geometric axis A of the drilling tool and, for example, in the number of four, where each opening extends following an angular sector, notably less than 90°.

[0065] The drilling tool 3 may have an ogive shape, comprising ogive arcs 33 each extending from the enlarged base 31 of the drilling tool 3 to the tip 30 of the drilling tool where the ogive arcs 33 meet again. Said at least one lateral opening 32 may comprise a plurality of lateral openings 32. Each lateral opening 32 preferably extends from the enlarged base 31 between two of the consecutive ogive arcs 33, for all or part of the length of the drilling tool in the direction of the tip 30. For example, the ogive arcs 33 are four in number, distributed around the geometric axis A, for example, all at 90°. Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, p. 23 / 78 15 / 25

[0066] Thus, and as illustrated in Figure 4 and in its manual configuration, this pouring device is used by perforating the packaging wall using the perforating tool and pressing the shoulder 4 against the outer face of the packaging wall. Pouring occurs when the device is held in a position where the geometric axis of the perforating tool is approximately vertical, the tip 30 pointing upwards; the granular material flows out from the packaging through the said lateral opening in the hollow of the perforating tool 3, through the inlet nozzle 21, and to the outlet nozzle 22 where the granular material escapes.

[0067] During this emptying operation, the operator holds the package in one hand and the pouring device in the other, and may deform the package, or drain the entire pouring device and package P assembly to facilitate drainage, particularly when dealing with vacuum packaging.

[0068] The manual pouring device will find particular application for the aseptic transfer of dry brewer's yeast into a fermentation tank. Notably, as such, and in order to avoid the risk of objects (packaging and / or pouring device) falling into the fermentation tank with the associated contamination risks, the pouring device and / or the packaging itself may have certain advantageous features.

[0069] Furthermore, said shoulder 4 may initially have a flat surface approximately perpendicular to said longitudinal geometric axis, configured to serve as a bonding surface Sc with an adhesive on the outer wall of the packaging. In such a case, the packaging P containing the granular material may advantageously comprise on the outer face of its wall an aseptic, or sterile, adhesive Ad; isolated and protected from external contamination by a peelable film Fp. This peelable film Fp is intended to be removed before perforation. Once the peelable film Fp has been removed, the adhesive is configured to adhere to the shoulder 4 of the pouring device when the perforation tool perforates the packaging wall. Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 24 / 78 16 / 25

[0070] The adhesive Ad can be a double-sided adhesive that has a first adhesive face S1 glued (pre-fixed) to the wall of the packaging and a second adhesive face S2, covered by the peelable film Fp with the function of protecting the second adhesive surface. Once the peelable film has been removed, the second adhesive surface is configured to adhere to the gluing surface Sc of the shoulder, in order to ensure the retention of the pouring device in the packaging. As an example; the double-sided adhesive can be a silicone double-sided adhesive. This adhesive can be positioned at one of the longitudinal ends of the packaging when the packaging has a longer length direction, as visible in the Figures.The adhesive also advantageously prevents the backflow of granular material by creating a 360° seal between shoulder 4 and the adhesive around the perforation device, thus effectively preventing product leakage at the level of the perforation hole in the packaging.

[0071] Double-sided adhesive may have a thickness separating the first adhesive side from the second adhesive side, ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm, such as, for example, 0.6 mm, 1.1 mm or 1.6 mm. This thickness, combined with the fact that the adhesive is flexible (following its thickness), ensures a tight seal between the packaging and the bonding surface of the device, advantageously compensating for irregularities in the packaging wall in contact with the first side of the adhesive. The irregularities may consist, for example, of a fold or a groove in the packaging wall.

[0072] The double-sided adhesive may thus comprise a flexible, for example, alveolar, adhesive composition substrate, such as a foam, preferably with closed cells. The foam may be, for example, acrylic. The adhesive composition covering the substrate may be acrylic.

[0073] The flat surface, with the function of a bonding surface Sc, may have a useful bonding surface between 3 cm2 and 50 cm2, for example, between 5 cm2 and 50 cm2, for example, between 10 cm2 and 35 cm2, such as, for example, on the order of 20 cm2, the surface may also be between 3 cm2 Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 25 / 78 17 / 25 and 10 cm2. The bonding surface is a determining parameter for the bonding strength of the adhesive bond between the packaging and the dispensing device. However, it is possible to reduce the bonding surface to ensure the same bonding strength, depending on the nature of the adhesive selected (and its bonding power), by selecting an adhesive composition with superior adhesion power.

[0074] The surface suitable for bonding can be annular in shape, defined between an outer radius Rext and an inner radius Rint. The difference in radius ΔR between the outer radius Rext and the inner radius Rint is between 2 mm and 30 mm, for example, between 2 mm and 10 mm or even between 10 mm and 20 mm.

[0075] The adhesive Ad may have a hole T intended to be traversed by the perforation tool when the tool perforates the packaging wall. This hole has a diameter at least equal to the diameter of the enlarged base 31 of the perforation tool. The adhesive Ad may be annular in shape; the adhesive is preferably sized to the dimensions of the bonding surface Sc formed by the shoulder 4: in the case of an annular adhesive, it may have the same inner radius and the same outer radius as the flat useful surface of the shoulder with the function of bonding surface Sc.

[0076] According to one possible alternative (not shown), it is equally possible to provide the adhesive (pre-attached) on the shoulder 4 of the piercing device, and not on the packaging.

[0077] As visible from Figure 4, and generally when the device is configured manually, the tubular body 2 can advantageously be configured in dimensions to form a gripping handle 5. The useful length Lp of the tubular body with gripping function can be between 5 cm and 15 cm, for example, between 6 cm and 10 cm, such as 7 cm, namely, a length corresponding to about the width of a palm. The external diameter Dp of the useful surface that forms the gripping handle can be between 2 cm and 5 cm, such as 2.5 cm. Note that the handle may have, at the level of the outlet opening 22, a peripheral edge 53 that projects radially outwards. Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 26 / 78 18 / 25

[0078] According to one embodiment, said device may have a hand strap 51, notably in the form of a strap, integral with the gripping handle 5, intended to be passed through by the user's grip when the hand is inserted into the gripping handle 5. A one-piece fastening eyelet 52 with the tubular body 2 may allow the attachment of the hand strap 51. This hand strap represents additional safety against the risks of loss and falling during emptying operations, particularly in the case where the operator drains the packaging / pouring device assembly during operations.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the pouring device may consist essentially of a single piece of plastic material that forms the piercing tool and the tubular body (comprising the shoulder and any gripping handle). According to another possible manufacturing method, the device results from the assembly of several parts. The entire pouring device (or the different parts of said device) may be obtained by additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing, or by injection molding.

[0080] According to another possibility, the pouring device may be an integral part of a production unit, permanently fixed to the production unit, with the tip of the drilling tool oriented upwards.

[0081] According to one embodiment, notably illustrated in Figure 10, the ogive arch section 33 can be advantageously chamfered, wherein each ogive arch thus presents a notably sharp edge 330, formed between two slope surfaces 331, 332 of the bevel, said edge oriented radially outwards. The angle between the two slope surfaces 330, 331 can be 90° or even less than 90°, namely, an acute angle. Such beveled ogive arches ensure controlled perforation of the packaging wall when the drilling tool passes through the packaging wall, avoiding uncontrolled tears thanks to the bevels: the risks of escape through an unwanted tear of the packaging when the drilling tool passes through its wall are avoided. Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, p. 27 / 78 19 / 25

[0082] According to one embodiment, further illustrated in Figure 10, the drilling tool may have an enlarged base 31, which has, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal geometric axis of the tool, a longer dimension that follows a first direction d1 and, following a second direction d2 in the same plane, approximately perpendicular, a shorter dimension. The surface useful for shoulder bonding 4 then preferably extends following the trajectory of an oval consisting of an elongated closed curve that follows the first direction d1 and a narrow curve that follows the second direction d2, close to the enlarged base. The width of the bonding surface that follows the radial direction may be between 2 mm and 20 mm.

[0083] This shape of the drilling tool and the bonding surface advantageously allows limiting the useful dimension of the device that follows the second direction d2, and by comparison to embodiments for which the enlarged base extends following the same radius in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal geometric axis of the drilling tool, and advantageously without diminishing the emptying performances.

[0084] Consequently, the packaging sticker can be oval-shaped with the design illustrated in Figure 9, and not annular as for the embodiments of the device in Figures 1 and 2. The dimension of the sticker that follows its narrow dimension is then smaller than the diameter of the annular sticker, which facilitates implementation for packaging, particularly small-sized packaging.

[0085] In addition, the present disclosure also refers to a production unit 7 such as a fermentation unit comprising an enclosure 70 such as a fermentation tank as well as a pouring device 1 according to the invention mounted integrally with said enclosure 70 or integrally with a pipe 71 of said production unit, the piercing tool being vertical, the tip oriented upwards, said pouring device being configured to transfer a granular material contained in a vacuum package into said enclosure 70, directly into said enclosure, or indirectly via said pipe 71. Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 28 / 78 20 / 25

[0086] For this purpose, the second end of the tubular body is securely fixed to said enclosure 70, notably to the fermentation tank or to the piping, for example, by means of a thread 23 (or thread) at the level of the outlet opening 22 which cooperates by screwing with a threaded connection of the production unit. Any other type of connection may be used to secure the second end to the tank or piping such as a connection in accordance with the SMS standard or a connection known to those skilled in the art as a CLAMP connection.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the tubular body of the weir device is integrally attached to said enclosure 70 in a watertight manner, such that the outlet 22 is in communication with the internal volume of the enclosure, and notably of the fermentation tank. The weir device is fixed to the upper part of the enclosure, notably of the tank, configured in such a way that the granular material flows from the outlet 22 to the interior of said enclosure 70, notably the tank, by gravity.

[0088] According to another possibility, said enclosure 70 notably being the fermentation tank 70 fed with products in a forced manner by the pipeline 71, said tubular body of the weir device is coupled in a watertight manner to the pipeline 71 directly or indirectly via a transfer system so that the granular material flows into the pipeline 71 when mixed with the products, and before said granular material is conveyed, together with the products, into said enclosure 70.

[0089] For example, a transfer system such as a venturi 8, traversed by the fluid in the pipeline, can be used, where the depression activated by the venturi 8 draws the granular material to mix it with the fluid downstream of the venturi.

[0090] In addition, the present disclosure refers to equipment comprising a weir device 1 according to the present disclosure or a weir device of a production unit 7 according to the present disclosure, as well as a shutter 6 that cooperates in a watertight manner with the first end of the tubular body, which covers (in the shuttering position) Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 29 / 78 21 / 25 the drilling tool 3 and the shoulder 4, forming a watertight chamber 60 for a fluid.

[0091] This chamber is defined between the inner wall of the shutter 6, on the one hand, and the drilling tool 3, and the shoulder 4, on the other hand, said sealed chamber communicating with the duct 20 of the tubular body through said opening at least laterally. Such shutter 6, in addition to its function as a sealing element of the inlet orifice, can advantageously allow the implementation of a cleaning and disinfection method. The shutter 6 can be screwed to the tubular body, in which the shutter has a thread that cooperates with an external thread F of the tubular body, at the level of the first end of the tubular body. Alternatively, the shutter 6 can be fixed to the tubular body of the device by any type of connection, such as SMS connection or CLAMP connection.

[0092] In addition, the invention also relates to a method for cleaning and disinfecting the interior surfaces of the drilling tool and the tubular body duct of the weir device 1 and the exterior surfaces of the shoulder drilling tool of the weir device of equipment according to the present disclosure.

[0093] This cleaning and disinfection method comprises the following steps: - the obturator 6 is placed in position, which covers the drilling tool, said shoulder 4 forming a watertight chamber 60 for a fluid, said chamber being defined between the obturator, on the one hand, and the drilling tool 3, said shoulder 4 on the other hand, said watertight chamber in communication with the duct 20 of the tubular body through said at least lateral opening 32, - A disinfectant fluid is injected through the outlet nozzle 22 so that the disinfectant fluid circulates, on the one hand, in the duct 20 and the hollow part of the drilling tool upon contact with the inner walls of the duct 20 and the hollow part of the drilling tool 3, and circulates, on the other hand, in the sealed chamber 60 upon contact Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, p. 30 / 78 22 / 25 with the outer walls of drilling tool 3, and shoulder 4.

[0094] This disclosure also refers to a package itself, as previously described with the aseptic or sterile Ad adhesive, isolated from external contamination by a peelable film Fp, intended to be removed before perforating the package, the adhesive being configured to adhere to shoulder 4 of a manual pouring device in accordance with this disclosure, when the perforating tool perforates the package wall, or to shoulder 4 of a pouring device permanently fixed in the production unit.

[0095] In this last case where the adhesive is bonded to the shoulder 360° around the piercing tool of a pouring device belonging to a production unit, this has the added advantage, in addition to preventing leaks of granular products, of preventing the entry of potentially non-sterile outside air with material flowing in the production unit.

[0096] This disclosure also refers to an assembly comprising a pouring device according to this disclosure and such packaging according to this disclosure. The packaging adhesive is configured to adhere to the shoulder bonding surface 360° around the piercing tool of the pouring device, forming an adhesive bond between the packaging and the pouring device. This adhesive bond ensures good sealing, preventing material leaks during emptying between the packaging and the pouring device.

[0097] In the case where the pouring device is manual (notably the tubular body 2 is of dimensions configured to form a gripping handle 5 for the hand), this adhesive bond between the pouring device and the packaging further protects the pouring operations of the contents of the packaging by the operator. It avoids the risks of the packaging and / or the pouring device falling, particularly in a fermentation tank. Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, p. 31 / 78 23 / 25

[0098] This adhesive bond notably allows, at the end of emptying the packaging, to deform the wall of the packaging with two hands to expel the last volumes of granular material through the pouring device, and therefore without needing to have the pouring device by the handle which is then suspended to the packaging by the adhesive bond between the packaging and said device, the outlet opening 22 then directed downwards.

[0099] Preferably, and conversely, the adhesive bond can be further advantageously configured to allow the operator to hold the assembly solely by the handle of the pouring device whose tip is directed downwards, the packaging containing the suspended granular material solely by the adhesive bond.

[0100] In this case, the bonding force of the adhesive bond is therefore at least equal to (or preferably greater than) the force exerted by gravity on the packaging and therefore to the weight of the packaging containing the granular material. The weight to be considered here is the weight of the packaging before it is perforated by the tip of the pouring device, and therefore before the granular material is emptied.

[0101] The bonding strength depends on the nature of the adhesive and the bonding surface of the shoulder, as explained above. INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

[0102] The pouring device will find particular application in emptying a vacuum package containing active dry yeast, for example, during brewing, and more particularly in ensuring the aseptic transfer of dry brewer's yeast into a fermentation tank from the yeast contained in the package.

[0103] In the field of brewing, this provides a notable advance by limiting the risks of contamination inside the fermentation tank when yeast is poured into the tank from a vacuum-sealed package. LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0104] 1: manual pouring device, Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 32 / 78 24 / 25

[0105]

[0106]

[0107]

[0108]

[0109]

[0110]

[0111]

[0112]

[0113]

[0114]

[0115]

[0116]

[0117]

[0118]

[0119]

[0120]

[0121]

[0122]

[0123]

[0124]

[0125]

[0126] A. 2. Tubular body, 20. Duct 21 Inlet opening, 22. Outlet opening, 23. Threading 3. Drilling tool, 30. Tip, 31. Enlarged base, 32. Side opening, 33. Ogive arcs, 330. Edge (ogive arc bevel), 331,332. 4. shoulder, 5. gripping surface, 51. hand strap, 52. eyelet (hand strap fastening), 53. edge, 6. shutter; 60. sealed chamber, 7. production unit, such as a fermentation unit, 70. enclosure, such as a fermentation tank, 71. piping, longitudinal geometric axis of the drilling tool,

[0127]

[0128]

[0129]

[0130]

[0131]

[0132]

[0133] Ad adhesive, d1, d2. first direction and second direction, F. threading, Fp. peelable film P. packaging, S1.first adhesive surface (double-sided adhesive), S2 second adhesive surface (double-sided adhesive). Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 33 / 78 25 / 25

[0134] shoulder 4, Rint, Rext. inner and outer radii of the bonding surface formed by the

[0135]

[0136] Sc. bonding surface, flat, (the shoulder 4), T. adhesive hole. Petition 870240051641, dated 06 / 19 / 2024, page 34 / 78

Claims

1 / 6 CLAIMS 1. Packaging (P) containing a granular material in a vacuum and forming a vacuum package, configured to cooperate with a pouring device (1) suitable for piercing and emptying said granular material contained in a packaging (P), said pouring device comprising: - a tubular body (2), which has a duct (20) for the flow of the material, which extends from an inlet opening (21) positioned at a first end of the tubular body to an outlet opening (22) for the granular material, positioned at a second end of the tubular body (2), - a hollow piercing tool (3), which has a distal end terminated in a point (30) and an enlarged base (31) at its proximal end, integral with the tubular body at the first end of the tubular body, the piercing tool has at least one lateral opening (32) along the length of the piercing tool,said side opening (32) extends the length of the drilling tool from the enlarged base of the drilling tool, said side opening configured to allow the pouring of material from the outside to the inside of the hollow part of the drilling tool (3), the hollow part of the enlarged base (31) of the drilling tool (3) being in communication with the inlet opening (21) of the tubular body (2), - a shoulder (4) with a stop function, peripheral, formed by the first end of the tubular body (2) arranged around the enlarged base (31) of the drilling tool, said shoulder (4) with a stop function configured to contact the wall of the packaging, directly or indirectly, to ensure the stopping of the pouring device when said wall is pierced by the drilling tool (3) in a position where said side opening (32) extends into the interior of the packaging,and wherein said pouring device is configured to ensure the continuous emptying of the contents of the vacuum-packed package, when the pouring device is oriented vertically, tip upwards, the granular material flowing by gravity through said side opening (32) via the inlet opening (21) and to the outlet opening (22) by gravity, in the countercurrent of the air that penetrates the package, characterized by the fact that said package comprises on the outer face of its wall an aseptic adhesive (Ad), or else sterile, isolated from external contamination by a detachable film (Fp), intended to be removed before perforation, the adhesive configured to adhere to the shoulder (4) of said pouring device when the perforation tool perforates the wall of the package.

2. Packaging, according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive is a double-sided adhesive (Ad) having a first adhesive face glued to the wall of the packaging and a second adhesive face, covered by the peelable film (Fp), configured to adhere to the gluing surface (Sc) of said shoulder (4) of said pouring device.

3. Packaging, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adhesive has a hole (T) intended to be passed through by the perforating tool when the tool perforates the packaging wall.

4. Packaging according to claim 3, characterized in that the adhesive (Ad) has an annular shape, or an oval shape.

5. Packaging, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the double-sided adhesive has a thickness separating the first adhesive face and the second adhesive face, comprising between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, such as, for example, 0.6 mm, 1.1 mm or 1.6 mm, the double-sided adhesive being flexible along its thickness.

6. Packaging, according to claim 5, characterized in that the double-sided adhesive comprises a flexible backing for an adhesive composition, and an adhesive composition covering the backing, the backing being alveolar, formed by a closed-cell foam.

7. Assembly comprising a packaging, as defined in any of claims 1 to 6, and a pouring device (1) suitable for piercing and emptying a granular material contained in a vacuum packaging (P) comprising: Petition 870260057387, dated 12 / 06 / 2026, page. 10 / 20 3 / 6 - a tubular body (2), which has a duct (20) for the flow of material, extending from an inlet opening (21) positioned at a first end of the tubular body to an outlet opening (22) for granular material, positioned at a second end of the tubular body (2), - a hollow drilling tool (3), which has a distal end terminated in a point (30) and an enlarged base (31) at its proximal end, integral with the tubular body at the first end of the tubular body, the drilling tool has at least one lateral opening (32) along the length of the drilling tool,said side opening (32) extends the length of the drilling tool from the enlarged base of the drilling tool, said side opening configured to allow the pouring of material from the outside to the inside of the hollow part of the drilling tool (3), the hollow part of the enlarged base (31) of the drilling tool (3) being in communication with the inlet opening (21) of the tubular body (2), - a shoulder (4) with a stop function, peripheral, formed by the first end of the tubular body (2) arranged around the enlarged base (31) of the drilling tool, said shoulder (4) with a stop function configured to contact the wall of the packaging, directly or indirectly, to ensure the stopping of the pouring device when said wall is pierced by the drilling tool (3) in a position where said side opening (32) extends into the interior of the packaging,and wherein said pouring device is configured to ensure the continuous emptying of the contents of the vacuum packaging, when the pouring device is oriented vertically, tip upwards, the granular material flowing by gravity through said side opening (32) via the inlet opening (21) and to the outlet opening (22) by gravity, in the countercurrent of the air that enters the packaging, characterized by the fact that the packaging adhesive is to be glued to the shoulder (4) of the pouring device.

8. Assembly, according to claim 7, characterized in that the drilling tool has a longitudinal geometric axis, said shoulder (4) has a flat surface approximately perpendicular, perpendicular to said longitudinal geometric axis, configured to serve as a bonding surface (Sc) with an adhesive to the outer wall of the packaging.

9. Assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the flat surface with the function of a bonding surface (Sc) has a useful bonding surface between 3 cm2 and 50 cm2, for example between 3 cm2 and 10 cm2.

10. An assembly, according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the surface suitable for bonding is annular in shape, defined between an outer radius (Rext) and an inner radius (Rint).

11. Assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the difference in radius ΔR between the outer radius (Rext) and the inner radius (Rint) is between 2 mm and 20 mm.

12. Assembly, according to any of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the drilling tool (3) has an enlarged base (31), which has, in a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal geometric axis, a larger length dimension that follows a first direction (d1) and that follows a second direction (d2), approximately perpendicular, a smaller length dimension, and on which the surface useful for gluing extends following the trajectory of an oval consisting of an elongated closed curve that follows the first direction (d1) and a narrow curve that follows the second direction (d2).

13. An assembly, according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the tubular body has a longitudinal geometric axis that is significantly intertwined with the longitudinal geometric axis of the drilling tool.

14. Assembly, according to any one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a manual pouring device in which the tubular body (2) is of dimensions configured to form a gripping handle (5) for the hand and in which the packaging adhesive is to be glued to the shoulder (4) of the pouring device when the packaging wall is perforated by the perforating tool in which it forms an adhesive bond, the adhesive bond between the shoulder and the adhesive (Ad) being configured to allow the operator to hold the assembly exclusively by the handle of the pouring device whose tip of the perforating tool is directed downwards, the packaging containing the granular material then being suspended to the pouring device exclusively by the bonding force of the adhesive bond.

15. Assembly, according to any one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that said pouring device belongs to a production unit (7) and is rigidly mounted in an enclosure (70) or a pipeline (71) of said production unit, the piercing tool being vertical, the tip oriented upwards, said pouring device configured to transfer a granular material contained in a vacuum package into the enclosure (70), directly into said enclosure or indirectly via said pipeline.

16. Production unit (7), defined in claim 15, characterized in that the tubular body of the weir device is integral with said enclosure (70) in a watertight manner, such that the outlet opening (22) is in communication with the internal volume of said enclosure (70), said weir device being in the upper part of said enclosure (70), configured in such a way that the granular material flows from the outlet opening to the interior of said enclosure (70) by gravity.

17. Production unit, according to claim 15, characterized in that said enclosure (70) being forcibly fed with products by the pipeline (71), said tubular body of the weir device being tightly coupled to the pipeline (71) directly or indirectly via a transfer system so that the granular material flows into the pipeline (71) when mixed with the products, and before said granular material is conveyed, together with the products, into said enclosure (70).

18. Production unit, according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that said enclosure (70) is a fermentation tank. Petition 870260057387, dated 12 / 06 / 2026, page 13 / 20 6 / 6 19. Use of the packaging, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, or of said assembly, as defined in any one of claims 7 to 18, characterized in that it is for the transfer of dry brewer's yeast into a fermentation tank. Petition 870260057387, dated 12 / 06 / 2026, page 14 / 20

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