Single-dose capsule dispenser assembly, computer support and data carrier signal

Abstract

A dispensing assembly for single-dose capsules, particularly for single-dose capsules packaged in a tubular container holding a plurality of single-dose capsules for preparing coffee, infusions, and other soluble substances, the single-dose capsules being arranged in a row within the container. Such a dispensing assembly comprises a plurality of dispensing heads (5), each configured to removably and vertically attach a container (2) with the single-dose capsules to the top of the dispensing head (5), the dispensing heads being releasably mountable in housings (30) located on the top of a support base (3), each dispensing head (5) having an inlet (51) for gravity-feeding single-dose capsules from the container and an outlet (52) for removing said single-dose capsules.A computer-readable storage medium containing an executable file with instructions for manufacturing the storage base and a data carrier signal that can carry such instructions.

Description

Single-dose capsule dispenser set OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention proposes the development of a dispensing assembly for single-dose capsules, for example, those used for preparing a coffee-type infusion beverage. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of capsule coffee machines has become widespread in homes, workplaces, and businesses due to their ease of use, cleanliness, and the variety of available flavors. These machines require individual capsules containing the exact dose of coffee, usually packaged in cardboard boxes or tubes that include relevant information about the type of coffee, its strength, flavor notes, and brewing recommendations. In practice, it has been observed that in most places where these coffee machines are located (homes, offices, events, etc.), there is a space dedicated to the machine, but not an effective system for storing or displaying the capsules. Typically, the capsules are arranged haphazardly, piled up in generic containers, or simply placed next to the machine, resulting in a visually disorganized and impractical environment. This informal storage method also involves the frequent disposal of the capsules' original packaging (tubes or boxes), leading to the loss of the information printed on them. As a result, users lack essential information to choose the right type of coffee, especially in situations where they are unfamiliar with the available capsules, such as when visiting friends or in shared public spaces. Although capsule organizers or dispensers exist on the market, these generally focus solely on the storage or presentation aspect, without providing a comprehensive solution that combines functionality, organization, and access to product information in a clear and systematic way. Therefore, there is a need to develop an improved system that integrates the orderly storage, accessible distribution, and informative presentation of coffee capsules, allowing users to quickly and accurately identify the characteristics of each capsule without depending on the original packaging, thus improving the user experience in both domestic and professional settings. Furthermore, the applicant is not currently aware of an invention that has all the features described in this specification. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been developed in order to provide a single-dose capsule dispensing assembly that is configured as a novelty within the field of application and solves the aforementioned drawbacks, also providing other additional advantages that will be evident from the description that follows. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing assembly for single-dose capsules, in particular for single-dose capsules packaged in a container with a generally tubular shape containing a plurality of single-dose capsules for the preparation of coffee, infusions and other soluble substances, the single-dose capsules being arranged in a row within the container. In particular, the invention is characterized by comprising the following elements: - A support base; - A lower base provided with rotating means for coupling to the support base, such that the support base is capable of rotating with respect to the lower base; and - a plurality of dispensing heads, each of them configured to removably and vertically couple a container with the single-dose capsules to the top of the dispensing head, the dispensing heads being releasably mountable in housings present in a top part of the support base, wherein each dispensing head has an inlet provided for the gravity introduction of single-dose capsules present inside the container and an outlet for the extraction of the single-dose capsules. Preferably, the rotating means consist of a pivot axis located centrally on the upper part of the lower base, which is fitable into a hole made in the support base, and a bearing arranged around said pivot axis. According to the invention, each of the housings consists of a recessed portion present on the upper surface of the support base, which includes releasable clamping means for holding a dispensing head in place. In a preferred embodiment, the releasable clamping means comprise at least one projection that extends above the housing, which is fitable into a groove made in the lower part of the dispensing head. According to the invention, the dispensing head consists of a piece with a generally prismatic shape with an L-shaped section, having internally an inner channel that is in communication at its upper end with the inlet mouth and at its lower end is in communication with the outlet mouth located below the inlet mouth, the inner channel having a ramp-shaped section provided for the fall of a capsule from the inlet mouth. According to the invention, the inlet opening has a geometric and dimensional configuration suitable for the press fit of the container holding a plurality of capsules. Preferably, the plurality of accommodations are distributed radially in relation to a center of the support base. Optionally, the bottom base is made of a plastic material, and can be obtained by additive manufacturing, and more specifically, by three-dimensional printing. Another object of the invention is to provide a computer-readable computer media containing a computer-executable file with instructions suitable for performing additive manufacturing in plastic material of the support base, the dispensing head and / or the lower base described above. It is also another of the invention, a data carrier signal that carries the appropriate instructions for performing additive manufacturing in plastic material of the support base, the dispensing head and / or the lower base described above. Thanks to the features of this dispenser set, the problem of accumulation and difficult access to the different varieties of coffee a user may have at home, work, etc., is satisfactorily solved. It can hold a large number of single-serve capsule containers, for example, up to seven containers with their corresponding capsules stored inside. This dispenser set offers substantial space savings, easy and organized access to the single-serve capsules, and is less cumbersome for the user since there is no need to remove the capsules and then place them in a container. This also prevents the capsules from falling and getting damaged during the transfer from the tube to a container, such as a box. Other features and advantages of the single-dose capsule dispenser assembly of the present invention will become evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the single-dose capsule dispenser assembly according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a partially sectioned elevation view of the dispenser assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the dispensing assembly of the invention; Figure 4 is an elevation view of the support base with dispensing heads that are part of the dispensing assembly of the invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the support base; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a dispensing head; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the lower base; and Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of a dispensing head and a container for single-dose capsules represented in dashed lines placed on said dispensing head. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In view of the aforementioned figures and in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below. Figures 1 to 3 show an embodiment of the single-dose capsule dispenser assembly, generally indicated by reference (1), in particular for single-dose capsules packaged in a container (2) with a generally tubular shape containing a plurality of single-dose capsules for the preparation of coffee, infusions and other soluble substances, the single-dose capsules being arranged internally in a row within the container (2). This dispensing assembly (1) comprises a support base (3) formed by a disc-shaped piece and a lower base (4) also made from a disc-shaped piece which is provided with rotating means (described below) which are intended to be coupled to the support base, so that the support base (3) can rotate freely with respect to the lower base (4), so that the user does not need to move the entire dispensing assembly to use a dispensing head (5). To place the containers (2) with the capsules in an orderly manner, a plurality of dispensing heads (5) are provided, each of them being configured to attach a container (2) with the single-dose capsules vertically and removablely to the top of the dispensing head (1). These dispensing heads (5) can be releasably mounted in housings (30) located on the upper part of the support base (3) and distributed radially. Each dispensing head (5) has an inlet (51) for the gravity-fed insertion of single-dose capsules from inside the container (2) and an outlet (52) for the removal of the single-dose capsules. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, these housings (30) are angled, for example, 45° with respect to the coordinate axes when viewed from above, thus optimizing the space for five dispensing heads (5). As can be seen more clearly in Figure 5, each of the housings (30) is defined by a recessed portion present on the upper surface of the support base (3), each housing (30) including releasable clamping means to keep the dispensing head (5) fixed when mounted. Referring again to the aforementioned rotating means, they consist mainly of a pivot axis (6) formed from a protrusion (see Figure 7) located centrally on the upper face of the lower base (4), which is fitable into a hollow region (31) made in the central part of the support base (3), and a bearing (7) arranged around said pivot axis (6), as shown in Figure 2. The releasable fastening means comprise a pair of protrusions (8) that protrude above each housing (30), which is fitable into a groove made in the lower part of the dispensing head (5). In more detail, the dispensing head (5) consists of a generally prismatic piece with an L-shaped side section, having an internal channel that communicates at its upper end with the inlet opening (51) and at its lower end with the outlet opening (52) located below the inlet opening (51). The internally defined channel has a ramp-shaped section (53) (see Figure 6) designed to facilitate the drop of a capsule from the inlet opening (51). The inlet opening (51) has a geometric (rectangular plan) and dimensional configuration specially designed to allow a snap fit with a container holding a plurality of capsules, as can be seen in Figure 8, resulting in a simple assembly system for the user. Returning to the support base (3) and the lower base (4), they are made of a plastic material, which can optionally be obtained by additive manufacturing, such as by three-dimensional printing by arranging a computer-readable media containing a computer executable file with instructions suitable for manufacturing the support base, the dispensing head and / or the lower base. The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements used in the manufacture of the dispensing assembly of the invention may be conveniently replaced by others that do not depart from the scope defined by the claims included below.

Claims

1. A dispensing assembly (1) for single-dose capsules, in particular for single-dose capsules packaged in a container (2) with a generally tubular shape containing a plurality of single-dose capsules for the preparation of coffee, infusions, and other soluble substances, the single-dose capsules being arranged in a row within the container, characterized in that it comprises: - A support base (3); - A lower base (4) provided with pivoting means for coupling to the support base (3), such that the support base is capable of rotating with respect to the lower base (4); and - a plurality of dispensing heads (5), each of them being configured to removably and vertically couple a container (2) with the single-dose capsules on the top of the dispensing head (5), the dispensing heads being releasably mountable in housings (30) present in an upper part of the support base (3).wherein each dispensing head (5) has an inlet (51) for the gravity-feeding of single-dose capsules from the container and an outlet (52) for the removal of the single-dose capsules.

2. Dispensing assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rotation means consist of a pivot axis (6) centered on the upper part of the lower base (4), which is compatible with a hole in the support base, and a bearing (7) arranged around said pivot axis (6).

3. Dispensing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein each housing (30) consists of a recessed portion on the upper surface of the support base (3), which includes releasable clamping means for securing a dispensing head (5).

4. Dispensing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3,wherein the housings (30) are radially distributed and arranged at an angle, as viewed in plan view.

5. Dispensing assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the releasable fastening means comprise at least one projection extending from the top of the housing, which is fitable into a groove in the lower part of the dispensing head (5).

6. Dispensing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dispensing head (5) consists of a generally prismatic piece with an L-shaped cross-section, internally having an inner channel that communicates at its upper end with the inlet opening (51) and at its lower end with the outlet opening (52) located below the inlet opening (51).

7. Dispensing assembly (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inner channel has a ramp-shaped section for the drop of a capsule from the inlet opening (51).

8. Dispensing assembly (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inlet opening has a geometric and dimensionally suitable configuration for the press-fit of a container holding a plurality of capsules.

9. Dispensing assembly (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of housings are radially distributed with respect to a center of the support base.

10. Dispensing assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lower base is made of a plastic material, obtainable by additive manufacturing.

11. Dispensing assembly (1) according to claim 9,wherein additive manufacturing comprises three-dimensional printing.

11. Computer-readable media containing a computer-executable file with instructions suitable for performing additive manufacturing in plastic material of the support base, the dispensing head and / or the lower base of the dispensing assembly (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10.

12. Data-carrying signal carrying the instructions of claim 11.

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