Dispenser for granular or powdered food products, for example grated cheese and similar loose food products , and corresponding manufacturing process

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispenser (101) of granular or powdered food products (119), e.g. grated cheese and similar loose food products. The dispenser (101) is a bi-valve holder (120), comprising a first valve (104) and a second valve (105) closed on themselves, with each valve (104, 105) moulded in one piece out of a single sheet of plastic synthetic material, said valves being joined along an edge line (106). At least one valve is equipped with a dispensing hole (114) and a label (116), removable by tearing, to cover the hole (114). Said valves (104, 105) before the sealing step, have heat-sealed side edges (109, 110) and approached top edges (111, 112). Advantageously, an automatic process is provided to manufacture said dispenser comprising the following steps: opening of the dispenser upper end by pressing on said side edges (109, 110) with subsequent expansion due to the fact that said top edges (111, 112) move away from each other, filling with the loose food product (119) through said opening; heat-sealing of said top edges (111, 112).

Description

[0001] The invention relates, particularly but not exclusively, to a dispenser for granular or powdered food products, such as grated cheese and the like food products in loose form.[0002] The invention relates, particularly but not exclusively, to the packaging, the long-term preservation and the dispensing of such dairy products as grated cheese, and this description covers this field of application for convenience of illustration only.[0003] Already for some years, there has been growing acceptance by the consumer public of certain food products which, despite their perishable nature, can be bought at the food store in an as-fresh condition by virtue of the products having been packaged under an inert medium and / or stored at a low temperature, e.g. at +4.degree. C.[0004] A typical example may be that of freshly made "pasta", regarded nowadays as a product with a medium shelf-life to be kept in the cooled counters of food stores.[0005] Packaging techniques have been developed whic...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

0014] Based on this principle, the technical problem is solved by a dispenser as previously indicated and defined in the characterizing part of claims 1 and following.

Problems solved by technology

Although advantageous on several counts, such containers are of limited serviceability for, once opened for consumption, they cannot be re-sealed to ensure a good preservation of the product, so that the latter has to be consumed within a comparatively short period of time.

These dispensing containers have major limitations in their high cost, due to the complicated construction of their dispenser part, and in their unsuitability to provide disposable packages, a form that is looked upon favorably by both consumers and store operators.

The last-mentioned solution is quite inexpensive, but has failed to attract commercial interest due to an important flaw in its design.

Thus, the particles becomes tightly packed and cannot be dispensed through the bottom opening any more.

Images