DISPENSER DEVICE

Description

[0001] This disclosure relates to a dispensing device, which will find a particular application for piercing a container of granular material and emptying it, primarily by gravity, or with the assistance of user movements when the dispensing device is hand-operated. Alternatively, the dispensing device may be provided fixed to a production unit.

[0002] This disclosure also relates to packaging specially configured to cooperate with such a dispensing device, avoiding handling errors, but also to equipment comprising a dispensing device and packaging according to these disclosures.

[0003] The invention is more particularly concerned with emptying vacuum packaging in which the granular material is compacted due to the vacuum inside the packaging and the pressure difference between the internal pressure in the packaging, which is lower than atmospheric pressure, and the atmospheric pressure outside the packaging.

[0004] The invention finds a particular, and non-limiting, application for ensuring the aseptic transfer of a granular material such as yeast from packaging, particularly under vacuum, to equipment such as a fermentation tank, and particularly in the field of beer production. technical field

[0005] This disclosure relates to the field of vacuum packaging for granular, dry material, such as dry yeast powder, and the proposed technical solutions for aseptically transferring the granular material contained in the packaging to a given piece of equipment.

[0006] In beer brewing, it is often necessary to add dry yeast at several stages of the process. For example, such an addition is made to initiate fermentation in a tank, often after the wort obtained by filtering a mixture of crushed cereal grains and water has cooled.

[0007] Active dry yeast is typically packaged in a vacuum-sealed bag to protect it from oxygen and moisture during storage. This bag is opened to manually pour its contents into a manhole of the fermentation tank. This operation must be carried out aseptically whenever possible, otherwise germs, bacteria, or fungi will be transferred into the tank, where they can multiply during fermentation and degrade the beverage's organoleptic qualities. To prevent the transfer of germs into the tank, the tools (such as scissors) used to open the vacuum-sealed bag are disinfected beforehand, and the outer surfaces of the bag may also be disinfected.

[0008] Once the vacuum-sealed packaging is opened, it is simply turned upside down by the operator to the side of the manhole, so that the yeast can pour into the fermentation tank onto the must.

[0009] According to the inventors' findings, such a practice is unsatisfactory, for several reasons: Disinfecting tools (such as scissors), typically done with a flame or disinfectant solutions, is tedious, and the success of the operation depends primarily on the operator's care. Manually pouring the packaging over the manhole is often a tedious operation with a significant risk of damage, for example, the packaging itself falling into the tank. Furthermore, opening the manhole necessary for pouring the yeast is itself a risk of breaching the tank's aseptic technique, as it allows a significant amount of unsterilized air to enter the tank, potentially introducing airborne bacteria and fungi that could contaminate the must. Previous technique

[0010] Devices suitable for piercing and emptying packaging for hygienic product transfer are known from the prior art, such as those disclosed, for example, in document EP 1 201 598. The device disclosed in EP 1 201 598 is intended for emptying pouches of liquids such as sauces or beverages and implicitly requires the use of suction. This technical solution is ineffective and non-functional for emptying granular material from vacuum packaging.

[0011] We also know, for example from document GB 719054, of a device specifically designed to empty a given quantity of granular material (such as fine powder). This device comprises a drilling tool, shaped like a ogive, which pierces the wall of a container until a shoulder at the base of the ogive makes 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 makes contact with the wall. This lateral opening allows the material inside the body of the drilling tool to flow to the base of the ogive and then to an outlet. This device is designed to deliver a dose of material corresponding to the volume of the hollow section with each tilting of the container.

[0012] In any event, and according to the inventors' findings, this device taught by GB 719054 does not allow for the complete and rapid piercing and emptying of the entire package, while maintaining it in a generally vertical position, and more particularly when it is a package under vacuum. We also know of a discharge device from document FR 1 280 014 A as well as a package containing a granular material under vacuum configured to cooperate with a discharge device suitable for piercing and emptying the granular material contained in said package under vacuum from document US 2017 / 001796 A1. Summary

[0013] The present disclosure improves this situation by proposing a pouring device, which finds a particular application for piercing a vacuum package containing a granular material, and emptying it, essentially by the phenomenon of gravity, or even by slightly shaking it and / or deforming the flexible wall of the package, particularly when said device is hand-operated.

[0014] In particular, the device finds a special application for completely emptying granular material from a vacuum package, quickly, in a generally vertical position of the device and the package, i.e. without the need to tilt the package.

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

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

[0017] Another purpose of this disclosure is to propose packaging specifically configured to cooperate with a dispensing device, including a hand-operated one as described in this disclosure, or one belonging to the production unit as described in this disclosure.

[0018] Another purpose of this disclosure is to propose an assembly comprising a dispensing device, as well as packaging specially configured to cooperate with said piercing device according to this disclosure, in particular hand-operated or alternatively belonging to the production unit according to this disclosure.

[0019] Other goals and benefits will appear in the following description, which is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive. According to a first aspect, The invention is defined by a package containing a granular material under vacuum, configured to cooperate with a discharge device suitable for piercing and emptying the granular material contained in said package under vacuum, said discharge device comprising: a tubular body, having a conduit for the flow of material, extending from an inlet mouth positioned at a first end of the tubular body to an outlet mouth for granular material, positioned at a second end of the tubular body, a hollow drilling tool, having a distal end terminated in a point and a base enlarged at its proximal end, integral with the tubular body at the first end of the tubular body, the drilling tool having at least one lateral opening along the length of the drilling tool, said lateral opening extending along the length of the drilling tool from the enlarged base of the drilling tool, said lateral opening being configured to allow the material to flow 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 mouth 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 drilling tool, said shoulder with a stop function being configured to come into contact with the wall of the packaging, directly or indirectly, to ensure the stopping of the dispensing device when said wall is pierced by the drilling tool in a position where said lateral opening extends inside the packaging, and wherein said discharge device is configured to ensure the continuous emptying of the contents of the vacuum packaging, when the discharge device is oriented vertically, with the tip upwards, the granular material flowing by gravity through said lateral opening via the inlet mouth and to the outlet mouth by gravity, against the air entering the packaging, and wherein said packaging includes on the external face of its wall an aseptic, or even sterile, adhesive isolated from external contamination by a peelable sheet, intended to be removed before drilling, the adhesive being configured to stick to the shoulder of said discharge device when the drilling tool pierces the wall of the packaging.

[0020] Depending on optional packaging features, taken alone or in combination: The adhesive is a double-sided adhesive having a first adhesive side bonded to the wall of the packaging and a second adhesive side, covered by the peelable film, configured to bond to the bonding surface (Sc) of said shoulder of said dispensing device; the adhesive has a hole intended to be passed through by the drilling tool when the tool pierces the wall of the packaging; the adhesive has an annular shape, or an oval shape; the double-sided adhesive has a thickness separating the first adhesive side and the second adhesive side, of 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 according to its thickness; the double-sided adhesive comprises a flexible backing for an adhesive composition, and an adhesive composition covering the backing, the backing being cellular, formed by a closed-cell foam;

[0021] According to a second aspect,The invention relates to an assembly comprising a package according to this disclosure and a discharge device suitable for piercing and emptying the granular material contained in said package under vacuum, said discharge device comprising: a tubular body, having a conduit for the flow of material, extending from an inlet mouth positioned at a first end of the tubular body to an outlet mouth for granular material, positioned at a second end of the tubular body, a hollow drilling tool, having a distal end terminated in a point and a base enlarged at its proximal end, integral with the tubular body at the first end of the tubular body, the drilling tool having at least one lateral opening along the length of the drilling tool, said lateral opening extending along the length of the drilling tool from the enlarged base of the drilling tool, said lateral opening being configured to allow the material to flow 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 mouth 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 drilling tool, said shoulder with a stop function being configured to come into contact with the wall of the packaging, directly or indirectly, to ensure the stopping of the dispensing device when said wall is pierced by the drilling tool in a position where said lateral opening extends inside the packaging, and wherein said discharge device is configured to ensure the continuous emptying of the contents of the vacuum packaging, when the discharge device is oriented vertically, tip upwards, the granular material flowing by gravity through said lateral opening via the inlet mouth and to the outlet mouth by gravity, against the current of the air entering the packaging.

[0022] Depending on optional packaging features, taken alone or in combination: the drilling tool has a longitudinal axis, said shoulder having a substantially perpendicular flat surface, perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, configured to serve as a bonding surface with said adhesive on the outer wall of the packaging; the flat surface, having function as a bonding surface, has a bonding area of ​​between 3cm² and 50cm², for example between 3cm² and 10cm²; which bonding area 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 drilling tool has an enlarged base, having in a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, a dimension of greater length in a first direction and in a second direction, substantially perpendicular, a dimension of lesser length, and in which the surface useful for gluing extends along the trajectory of an oval made up of a closed curve elongated in the first direction and narrow in the second direction; the tubular body has a longitudinal axis substantially coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the drilling tool;the dispensing device is hand-operated and in which the tubular body is of dimensions configured to form a gripping handle for the hand, and in which the packaging adhesive is glued to the shoulder of the dispensing device when the wall of the packaging is pierced by the drilling tool, forming an adhesive bond, the adhesive bond between the shoulder and the adhesive being configured to allow the operator to hold the assembly solely by the handle of the dispensing device with the tip of the drilling tool directed downwards, the packaging containing the granular material then suspended from the dispensing device solely by the bonding force of the adhesive bond;said discharge device belongs to a production unit mounted integrally with the enclosure or a pipeline of said production unit, the drilling tool vertically, the tip oriented upwards, said discharge device being configured to transfer granular material contained in a vacuum package into the enclosure, either directly into said enclosure or indirectly via said pipeline; the tubular body of the discharge device is integrally with said enclosure in a sealed manner, so that the outlet is in communication with the internal volume of said enclosure, said discharge device being in the upper part of said enclosure, configured so that the granular material flows from the outlet into the interior of said enclosure by gravity;said enclosure being forcibly supplied with products through the pipeline, said tubular body of the discharge device is hermetically coupled to the pipeline directly or indirectly via a transfer system so that the granular material flows into the pipeline mixing with the products, and before said granular material is conveyed, together with the products, into said enclosure; said enclosure is a fermentation tank.

[0023] According to a third aspect, The invention is defined by the use of the packaging according to this disclosure or said assembly according to this disclosure for the transfer of dry brewer's yeast into a fermentation tank.

[0024] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below and analyzing the attached drawings, on which: Fig. 1 [ Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a hand-operated discharge device conforming to an embodiment. Fig. 2 [ Fig. 2 ] is a top view of the device as illustrated in the figure 1 . Fig. 3 [ Fig. 3 ] is a view of a particular vacuum-sealed package conforming to an embodiment of this disclosure Fig. 3a [ Fig. 3a [ ] is a detailed view of the packaging adhesive of the figure 3 , with its first adhesive side glued to the wall of the packaging, the second adhesive side covered with said peelable sheet, and the central hole intended for the passage of the drilling tool of the hand-operated dispensing device. Fig. 4 [ Fig. 4 ] is a schematic view of the device of the figure 1 when the latter is used by an operator to pierce and empty the granular contents of the packaging according to the figure 3 , the gluing surface of the shoulder glued to the ring-shaped adhesive of said packaging. Fig. 5 [ Fig. 5 ] is a cross-sectional view of the figure 4 (Operator's hand not shown). Fig. 6 [ Fig. 6 ] is a perspective view of a spillway according to a second embodiment, configured to be permanently and hermetically fixed to a production unit. Fig. 7 [ Fig. 7 ] is a cross-section of the device of the figure 6 , to which a shutter is added, by screwing onto a thread of the body of the discharge device. Fig. 8 [ Fig. 8 ] is a schematic view illustrating several possible integrations of a weir device according to the figure 6 permanently fixed in a fermentation unit. Fig. 9 [ Fig. 9 ] is a top-down view of a variant of the device as illustrated in the figure 1for which the ogive arcs of the drilling tool each have a beveled section, and in which the drilling tool has an enlarged base having in a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, a dimension of greater length in a first direction and in a second direction, substantially perpendicular, a dimension of lesser length, and in which the surface useful for gluing extends along the trajectory of an oval consisting of a closed curve, elongated in the first direction and narrow in the second direction. Description of the implementation methods

[0025] This disclosure relates to a discharge device 1 suitable for piercing and emptying granular material contained in a package P, and in particular a vacuum package.

[0026] The granular material is preferably dry, for example, active dried yeast intended for fermentation, such as in beer production. This granular material is contained in packaging, preferably under vacuum. The material and packaging are compacted due to the vacuum and the pressure difference between the internal pressure, which is lower than atmospheric pressure, and the external pressure, which is atmospheric pressure.

[0027] According to preliminary tests conducted by the inventors, dispensing devices that operate by piercing a container to empty liquids or granular materials into conventional (non-vacuum) packaging, such as those known from the prior art disclosed, for example, by GB 719054, are unsatisfactory when it comes to emptying compacted granular material from vacuum packaging. When these devices are used with such vacuum packaging, the granular material begins to empty itself before the flow quickly stops. These dispensing devices do not allow for the rapid emptying of the granular contents from the packaging.

[0028] The invention arose from the inventors' observation that prior art dispensing devices, when used to pierce and empty a vacuum-sealed package, create a vacuum during the flow of the material. This vacuum can maintain the vacuum inside the package, which then opposes the flow of the granular material. Otherwise, the air required to empty the granular contents, flowing against the flow, can cause backflow, resulting in product loss as it escapes from the device at the point of perforation.

[0029] The inventors addressed this problem by designing a pouring device which, when configured for hand operation, and which, at least according to one embodiment, will allow the packaging to be pierced and easily handled by the operator, for example by shaking the entire pouring device and pierced packaging during emptying operations, or by deforming the flexible wall of the packaging to promote flow, for example over a manhole of a fermentation tank, and preferably limiting the risks of mishandling and accidental drops.

[0030] Advantageously, such a device allows for the rapid and continuous emptying of all the granular material contained in the packaging, particularly under vacuum.

[0031] In the case where the discharge device is, according to an embodiment, fixed and permanently attached to a production unit, the discharge device advantageously allows the aseptic transfer of the granular material contained in a vacuum package to an enclosure of the production unit.

[0032] Also, and as illustrated in Figures 1 And 2 By way of non-limiting example, the discharge device 1 is configured to be hand-operated and is suitable for piercing and emptying granular material contained in a package P, particularly under vacuum.

[0033] In general, the configured 1 discharge device (manual or otherwise) includes: a tubular body 2, having a conduit 20 for the flow of material, extending from an inlet mouth 21 positioned at a first end of the tubular body to an outlet mouth 22 for granular material, positioned at 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, the drilling tool having at least one lateral opening 32 along the length of the drilling tool, said lateral opening 32 extending along the length of the drilling tool from the enlarged base 31 of the drilling tool, said lateral opening being configured to permit the discharge 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 peripheral shoulder 4 with a stop function, 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 dispensing device when said wall is pierced by the drilling tool 3. ,

[0034] In general, it is noted that the longitudinal axis A of the drilling tool and the longitudinal axis of the conduit 20 are preferably substantially coincident, the conduit 20 extending vertically from the drilling tool when the latter is oriented vertically, with the tip 30 upwards.

[0035] In general, it is noted that the drilling tool can include several lateral openings 32, distributed around the axis A of the drilling tool and for example four in number, each opening extending along an angular sector, in particular less than 90°.

[0036] The drilling tool 3 may have an ogive shape, comprising ogive arcs 33 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. 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 consecutive ogive arcs 33, along all or part of the length of the drilling tool towards the tip 30. By way of example, the ogive arcs 33 are four in number, distributed around the axis A, for example every 90°.

[0037] Thus, and as illustrated in the figure 4 In its hand-operated configuration, such a dispensing device is used by drilling through the wall of the packaging with the drilling tool until the shoulder 4 is brought against the outer face of the packaging wall. Discharging occurs when the device is held in a position where the axis of the drilling tool is substantially vertical, with the tip 30 pointing upwards; the granular material flows from the packaging through the lateral opening in the hollow of the drilling tool 3, through the inlet opening 21, and to the outlet opening 22 where the granular material escapes.

[0038] During this emptying operation, the operator holds the packaging in one hand and the pouring device in the other hand and may deform the packaging, or even shake the entire pouring device and packaging P assembly to promote flow, particularly when it is a vacuum package.

[0039] The hand-operated dispensing device is particularly useful for the aseptic transfer of dry brewer's yeast into a fermentation tank. Specifically, to prevent the risk of objects (packaging and / or the dispensing device) falling into the fermentation tank and the associated contamination risks, the dispensing device and / or the packaging itself may incorporate certain advantageous features.

[0040] The shoulder 4 may initially have a flat surface substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal 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 include, on its outer wall, an aseptic, or even sterile, adhesive Ad, isolated and protected from external contamination by a peelable film Fp. This peelable film Fp is intended to be removed before drilling. Once the peelable film Fp is removed, the adhesive is configured to bond to the shoulder 4 of the dispensing device when the drilling tool pierces the wall of the packaging.

[0041] The adhesive Ad can be a double-sided adhesive with a first adhesive surface S1 bonded (pre-fixed) to the packaging wall and a second adhesive surface S2 covered by a peelable film Fp, which protects the second adhesive surface. Once the peelable film is removed, the second adhesive surface is configured to adhere to the bonding surface Sc of the shoulder, thus securing the dispensing device to the packaging. For example, the double-sided adhesive can be a double-sided silicone adhesive. This adhesive can be positioned at one of the longitudinal ends of the packaging when the packaging is oriented along its longer axis, as shown in the figures.The adhesive also makes it possible to advantageously avoid reflux of granular material by creating a seal between the shoulder 4 and the adhesive, at 360° around the drilling device, and thus advantageously prevents leakage of products at the drilling orifice in the packaging.

[0042] The double-sided adhesive can have a thickness between the first and second adhesive surfaces ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm, such as 0.6 mm, 1.1 mm, or 1.6 mm. This thickness, combined with the adhesive's flexibility (depending on its thickness), ensures a seal between the packaging and the device's bonding surface, advantageously compensating for irregularities on the packaging wall in contact with the first adhesive surface. These irregularities might include, for example, folds or grooves in the packaging wall.

[0043] Double-sided adhesive tape can therefore include a flexible adhesive backing, for example, a honeycomb structure such as a closed-cell foam. The foam may, for example, be acrylic. The adhesive covering the backing may also be acrylic.

[0044] The flat surface, acting as the bonding surface (Sc), can have a useful bonding area ranging from 3 cm² to 50 cm², for example, from 5 cm² to 50 cm², or from 10 cm² to 35 cm², such as approximately 20 cm². The surface area can also range from 3 cm² to 10 cm². The bonding surface is a determining factor in the strength of the adhesive bond between the packaging and the dispensing device. However, it is possible to reduce the bonding surface area to ensure the same bonding strength, depending on the type of adhesive selected (and its tackiness), by choosing an adhesive composition with higher adhesion strength.

[0045] The surface used 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, again, between 10 mm and 20 mm.

[0046] The adhesive Ad may have a hole T intended to be passed through by the drilling tool when the tool pierces the wall of the packaging. This hole has a diameter at least equal to the diameter of the enlarged base 31 of the drilling 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 and outer radii as the flat effective surface of the shoulder, which functions as the bonding surface Sc.

[0047] According to a possible alternative (not illustrated), it is also possible to provide the adhesive (pre-fixed) on the shoulder 4 of the piercing device, and not on the packaging.

[0048] As seen from the figure 4 And generally, when the device is configured for hand use, the tubular body 2 can advantageously be sized to form a gripping handle 5. The usable length Lp of the tubular body serving as the handle can be between 5 cm and 15 cm, for example, between 6 cm and 10 cm, such as 7 cm, a length approximately equivalent to the width of a palm. The external diameter Dp of the usable surface forming the gripping handle can be between 2 cm and 5 cm, such as 2.5 cm. Note that the handle may have, at the outlet 22, a peripheral rim 53 projecting radially outwards.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the device may have a wrist strap 51, in particular in the form of a strap, attached to the gripping handle 5, intended to be passed through by the user's hand when the hand grasps the gripping handle 5. A fixing eyelet 52, integral with the tubular body 2, may allow the wrist strap 51 to be secured. This wrist strap provides additional security against the risks of loss and falling during emptying operations, particularly in the event that the operator shakes the packaging / dispensing device assembly during operations.

[0050] In one embodiment, the dispensing device can essentially consist of a single piece of plastic forming the drilling tool and the tubular body (including the shoulder and any gripping handle). In another possible manufacturing method, the device results from the assembly of several parts. The single piece of the dispensing device (or the various parts of said device) can be obtained by additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing, or by injection molding.

[0051] According to another possibility, the discharge device can be an integral part of a production unit, permanently fixed to the production unit, with the tip of the drilling tool oriented upwards.

[0052] According to one embodiment, notably illustrated in Figure 10, the cross-section of the ogive arcs 33 can advantageously beveled, each ogive arc thus presenting a particularly sharp edge 330, formed between two sloping surfaces 331, 332 of the bevel, said edge oriented radially outwards. The angle between the two sloping surfaces 330, 331 can be 90° or less than 90°, namely an acute angle. Such beveled ogive arcs ensure controlled perforation of the packaging wall when the drilling tool penetrates the packaging wall, preventing uncontrolled tears thanks to the bevels: the risk of leakage due to an unwanted tear in the packaging when the drilling tool penetrates its wall is avoided.

[0053] According to one embodiment, further illustrated in Figure 10, the drilling tool may have an enlarged base 31, which, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tool, has a longer dimension along a first direction d1 and a shorter dimension along a second direction d2 of the same plane, substantially perpendicular to the first direction d2. The surface area for bonding the shoulder 4 then preferably extends along the path of an oval formed by a closed curve elongated along the first direction d1 and narrowed along the second direction d2, near the enlarged base. The width of the bonding surface along the radial direction can be between 2 mm and 20 mm.

[0054] Such a shape of the drilling tool and of the bonding surface, advantageously allows limiting the useful dimension of the device along the second direction d2, and by comparison to embodiments for which the enlarged base extends along the same radius in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drilling tool, and advantageously without reducing the emptying performance.

[0055] Consequently, the packaging adhesive can be oval-shaped with this design illustrated in the figure 9 , and not annular in shape as in the embodiments of the device Figures 1 And 2 The size of the adhesive, depending on its narrow dimension, is then smaller than the diameter of the ring-shaped adhesive, which facilitates implementation for packaging, particularly small packaging.

[0056] Also, the present disclosure further relates to a production unit 7 such as a fermentation unit comprising an enclosure 70 such as a fermentation tank and a discharge device 1 according to the invention mounted attached to said enclosure 70 or attached to a pipeline 71 of said production unit, the drilling tool vertically, the tip oriented upwards, said discharge device being configured to transfer a granular material contained in a vacuum package into said enclosure 70, either directly into said enclosure or indirectly via said pipeline 71.

[0057] For this purpose, the second end of the tubular body is fixed in a watertight manner to the said enclosure 70, in particular to the fermentation tank or the pipeline, for example by means of a tapped hole 23 (or a thread) at the outlet 22 which engages by screwing with a threaded fitting of the production unit. Any other type of fitting may be used to secure the second end to the tank or the pipeline, such as a fitting conforming to SMS standards or a fitting known to those skilled in the art as a "CLAMP fitting".

[0058] In one embodiment, the tubular body of the discharge device is securely attached to the enclosure 70 in a sealed manner, such that the outlet 22 is in communication with the internal volume of the enclosure, and in particular with the fermentation tank. The discharge device is fixed to the upper part of the enclosure, in particular the tank, configured so that the granular material flows from the outlet 22 into the interior of the enclosure 70, in particular the tank, by gravity.

[0059] According to another possibility, said enclosure 70 in particular the fermentation tank 70 being supplied with products in a forced manner by the pipeline 71, said tubular body of the discharge device is coupled in a sealed manner to the pipeline 71 directly or indirectly via a transfer system so that the granular material flows into the pipeline 71 mixing with the products, and before said granular material is conveyed, together with the products, into said enclosure 70.

[0060] For example, a transfer system such as a venturi 8 can be used, through which the fluid from the pipe passes, the depression generated by the venturi 8 sucking up the granular material to mix it with the fluid downstream of the venturi.

[0061] Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to equipment which includes a discharge device 1 according to this disclosure or a discharge device of a production unit 7 according to this disclosure, and a plug 6 cooperating hermetically with the first end of the tubular body, covering (in the plugged position) the drilling tool 3 and the shoulder 4 by forming a sealed chamber 60 for a fluid.

[0062] This chamber is defined between the inner wall of the obturator 6, on the one hand, and the drilling tool 3 and the shoulder 4, on the other hand, said sealed chamber communicating with the conduit 20 of the tubular body via said at least one lateral opening. Such an obturator 6, in addition to its function as a sealing element for the inlet opening, can advantageously allow for the implementation of a cleaning and disinfection process. The obturator 6 can be screwed to the tubular body, the obturator having a threaded hole cooperating with an external thread F of the tubular body, at the first end of the tubular body. Alternatively, the obturator 6 can be fixed to the tubular body of the device by any type of fitting, such as an SMS fitting or a CLAMP fitting.

[0063] Also, the invention further relates to a method for cleaning and disinfecting the internal surfaces of the drilling tool and the conduit of the tubular body of the discharge device 1 and the external surfaces of the drilling tool of the shoulder of the discharge device of equipment according to the present disclosure.

[0064] This cleaning and disinfection process includes the following steps: The obturator 6 covering the drilling tool shoulder 4 is put in place, forming a sealed 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 sealed chamber in communication with the conduit 20 of the tubular body via said at least lateral opening 32, a disinfectant fluid is injected through the outlet mouth 22 so that the disinfectant fluid circulates, on the one hand, in the conduit 20 and the hollow of the drilling tool by coming into contact with the inner walls of the conduit 20 and the hollow part of the drilling tool 3, and circulates, on the other hand, in the sealed chamber 60 by coming into contact with the outer walls of the drilling tool 3 and the shoulder 4.

[0065] This disclosure further relates to packaging as such, as previously described with the aseptic or even sterile Ad adhesive, isolated from external contamination by a peelable Fp sheet, intended to be removed before drilling the packaging, the adhesive being configured to stick to the shoulder 4 of a hand-operated dispensing device conforming to this disclosure, when the drilling tool pierces the wall of the packaging, or to the shoulder 4 of a dispensing device permanently fixed to the production unit.

[0066] In the latter case where the adhesive sticks to the shoulder 360° around the drilling tool of a discharge device belonging to a production unit, this has the further advantage, in addition to preventing leaks of granular products, of preventing the entry of outside air, potentially non-sterile, with the material flowing into the production unit.

[0067] This disclosure further relates to an assembly comprising a dispensing device as described herein and such packaging as described herein. The packaging adhesive is configured to adhere to the shoulder's bonding surface 360° around the dispensing device's drilling tool, forming an adhesive bond between the packaging and the dispensing device. This adhesive bond ensures a tight seal, preventing leakage of material during emptying, between the packaging and the dispensing device.

[0068] In cases where the dispensing device is hand-operated (specifically, where the tubular body 2 is sized to form a hand grip 5), this adhesive bond between the dispensing device and the packaging further secures the operator's ability to dispense the contents of the packaging. This prevents the risk of the packaging and / or the dispensing device falling, particularly in a fermentation tank.

[0069] Such an adhesive bond allows, in particular, at the end of emptying the packaging, the wall of the packaging to be deformed with both hands to expel the last volumes of granular material through the pouring device, and therefore without needing to hold the pouring device by the handle which is then suspended from the packaging by the adhesive bond between the packaging and said device, the outlet mouth 22 then directed downwards.

[0070] Preferably, and conversely, the adhesive bond can also be advantageously configured to allow the operator to hold the assembly solely by the handle of the pouring device with the tip directed downwards, the packaging containing the granular material suspended solely by the adhesive bond.

[0071] In this case, the bonding force of the adhesive is therefore at least equal to (or preferably greater than) the force exerted by gravity on the packaging, and thus 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 pierced by the tip of the dispensing device, and therefore prior to the emptying of the granular material.

[0072] The bonding strength depends on the nature of the adhesive and the bonding surface of the shoulder, as explained above. Industrial application

[0073] The dispensing device will find a particular application for emptying a vacuum package containing active dry yeast, for example during beer production, and more specifically for ensuring the aseptic transfer of dry brewer's yeast into a fermentation tank from the yeast contained in the package.

[0074] In the field of beer production, it brings a notable advance by limiting the risks of contamination inside the fermentation tank when yeast is poured into the tank from vacuum packaging. List of reference signs

[0075] 1: Hand-operated dispensing device, 2. Tubular body, 20. Conduit, 21. Inlet spout, 22. Outlet spout, 23. Tap, 3. Drilling tool, 30. Point, 31. Enlarged base, 32. Side opening, 33. Arches, 330. Edge (arch bevel), 331, 332. Sloping surfaces, 4. Shoulder, 5. Gripping handle, 51. Wrist strap, 52. Eyelet (wrist strap attachment), 53. Rim, 6. Stopper, 60. Airtight chamber, 7. Production unit, such as a fermentation unit, 70. Enclosure, such as a fermentation tank, 71. Pipe, A. Longitudinal axis of drilling tool 3, Ad Adhesive, d1, d2. First direction and second direction, F. Thread, Fp. Peelable sheet, P. Packaging, S1. First adhesive surface (double-sided adhesive), S2 Second adhesive surface (double-sided adhesive), Rint, Rext. Inner and outer radii of the bonding surface formed by shoulder 4, Sc. Bonding surface, flat, (shoulder 4), T. Adhesive hole. S1.First adhesive surface (double-sided adhesive), S2 Second adhesive surface (double-sided adhesive), Rint, Rext. Inner and outer radii of the bonding surface formed by shoulder 4, Sc. Bonding surface, flat, (shoulder 4), T. Adhesive hole.

Claims

1. Package (P) containing a granular material under vacuum, said package configured to cooperate with a pouring device (1) suitable for piercing and emptying the granular material contained in said vacuum-sealed package (P), said pouring device comprising: - a tubular body (2), having a duct (20) for the flow of the material, extending 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) having a distal end ending in a pointed tip (30) and a widened base (31) at the proximal end thereof, rigidly connected to the tubular body at the first end of the tubular body, the piercing tool having at least one lateral opening (32) along the length of the piercing tool, said lateral opening (32) extending along the length of the piercing tool from the widened base of the piercing tool, said lateral opening being configured to allow the material to be poured from the outside to the inside of the hollow portion of the piercing tool (3), the hollow portion of the widened base (31) of the piercing tool (3) being in communication with the inlet opening (21) of the tubular body (2), - a shoulder (4) serving as a stop, formed by the first end of the tubular body (2) arranged around the widened base (31) of the piercing tool, said shoulder (4) serving as a stop being configured to come into contact with the wall of the package, directly or indirectly, to stop the pouring device when said wall is pierced by the piercing tool (3) in a position in which said lateral opening (32) extends to the inside of the package, and wherein said pouring device is configured to ensure the continuous emptying of the contents of the vacuum-sealed package, when the pouring device is oriented vertically, with the pointed tip pointing upward, the granular material flowing by gravity through said lateral opening (32) via the inlet opening (21) and to the outlet opening (22) by gravity in the opposite direction of the air entering the package, and wherein said package comprises, on the outer face of the wall thereof, an aseptic, or even sterile, adhesive (Ad) isolated from external contamination by a peelable sheet (Fp) intended to be removed before piercing, the adhesive being configured to bond to the shoulder (4) of said pouring device when the piercing tool pierces the wall of the package.

2. Package according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a double-sided adhesive (Ad) having a first adhesive side bonded to the wall of the package and a second adhesive side, covered by the peelable sheet (Fp), configured to bond to the bonding surface (Sc) of said shoulder (4) of said pouring device.

3. Package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adhesive has a hole (T) through which the piercing tool is intended to pass when the tool pierces the wall of the package.

4. Package according to claim 3, wherein the adhesive (Ad) has an annular shape, or an oval shape.

5. Package according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the double-sided adhesive has a thickness separating the first adhesive side and the second adhesive side of 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 in the thickness thereof.

6. Package according to claim 5, wherein the double-sided adhesive comprises a flexible substrate for an adhesive composition, and an adhesive composition covering the substrate, the substrate being alveolar, formed by a closed-cell foam.

7. Assembly comprising a package according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a pouring device (1) suitable for piercing and emptying the granular material contained in said vacuum-sealed package (P), said pouring device comprising: - a tubular body (2), having a duct (20) for the flow of the material, extending 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) having a distal end ending in a pointed tip (30) and a widened base (31) at the proximal end thereof, rigidly connected to the tubular body at the first end of the tubular body, the piercing tool having at least one lateral opening (32) along the length of the piercing tool, said lateral opening (32) extending along the length of the piercing tool from the widened base of the piercing tool, said lateral opening being configured to allow the material to be poured from the outside to the inside of the hollow portion of the piercing tool (3), the hollow portion of the widened base (31) of the piercing tool (3) being in communication with the inlet opening (21) of the tubular body (2), - a shoulder (4) serving as a stop, formed by the first end of the tubular body (2) arranged around the widened base (31) of the piercing tool, said shoulder (4) serving as a stop being configured to come into contact with the wall of the package, directly or indirectly, to stop the pouring device when said wall is pierced by the piercing tool (3) in a position in which said lateral opening (32) extends to the inside of the package, and wherein said pouring device is configured to ensure the continuous emptying of the contents of the vacuum-sealed package, when the pouring device is oriented vertically, with the pointed tip pointing upward, the granular material flowing by gravity through said lateral opening (32) via the inlet opening (21) and to the outlet opening (22) by gravity in the opposite direction of the air entering the package.

8. Assembly according to claim 7, wherein the piercing tool has a longitudinal axis, said shoulder (4) having a flat surface substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, configured to serve as a bonding surface (Sc) with said adhesive on the outer wall of the package.

9. Assembly according to claim 8, wherein the flat surface serving as a bonding surface (Sc) has a surface area usable for bonding of between 3 cm2 and 50 cm2, for example between 3 cm2 and 10 cm2.

10. Assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the surface area usable for bonding has an annular shape, defined between an outer radius (Rext) and an inner radius (Rint).

11. Assembly according to claim 10, wherein 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 claim 8 or 9, wherein the piercing tool (3) has a widened base (31) having, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof, a longer dimension in a first direction (d1) and, in a substantially perpendicular second direction (d2), a shorter dimension, and wherein the surface area usable for bonding extends along the trajectory of an oval consisting of a closed curve elongated in the first direction (d1) and narrow in the second direction (d2).

13. Assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the tubular body has a longitudinal axis substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the piercing tool.

14. Assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 13, comprising the pouring device which is a manual device, wherein the tubular body (2) has dimensions configured to form a grip handle (5) for a hand, and wherein the adhesive of the package is bonded to the shoulder (4) of the pouring device when the wall of the package is pierced by the piercing tool, thereby forming an adhesive bond, the adhesive bond between the shoulder and the adhesive (Ad) being configured to allow the operator to hold the assembly solely by the handle of the pouring device, with the pointed tip of the piercing tool pointing downward, the package containing the granular material then being suspended from the pouring device solely by the bonding force of the adhesive bond.

15. Assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein said pouring device belongs to a production unit comprising an enclosure (70) and is rigidly mounted on the enclosure (70) or on a pipe (71) of said production unit, with the piercing tool oriented vertically, the pointed tip pointing upward, said pouring device being configured to transfer a granular material contained in the package (P) into the enclosure (70), directly into said enclosure or indirectly via said pipe.

16. Assembly according to claim 15, wherein the tubular body of the pouring device is sealingly and rigidly connected to said enclosure (70) so that the outlet opening (22) communicates with the inside volume of said enclosure (70), said pouring device being in the upper portion of said enclosure (70), configured so that the granular material flows from the outlet opening to the inside of said enclosure (70) by gravity.

17. Assembly according to claim 15, wherein said enclosure (70) is force-fed with products via the pipe (71), said tubular body of the pouring device is sealingly coupled to the pipe (71) either directly or indirectly via a transfer system so that the granular material flows into the pipe (71) while being mixed with the products, and before said granular material is routed, together with the products, into said enclosure (70).

18. Assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein said enclosure (70) is a fermentation tank.

19. Use of the package according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or of said assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 18 for the transfer of dry brewer's yeast into a fermentation tank.