Distributor of a product that can be sold and packaged in a so-called Bag-in-Box or Box.

Abstract

Dispenser for a leakable product and packaging known as Bag-in-Box or Bag-in-Box. Dispenser for a leakable product, comprising a receiving compartment (3; 4) intended to receive a flexible or deformable pouch (14) defining a sealed space for receiving the product, and actuation means (11; 11') capable of opening a discharge valve (18) from the pouch, characterized in that the pouch (14) is supported by a bottom wall (35) of the compartment (3; 4) and means are provided for applying vertical pressure to the pouch comprising an upper plate (60) sandwiching the pouch with the bottom wall. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Dispenser for a product that can flow and packaging known as Bag-in-Box or Bag-in-Box.

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser for a product that can flow contained in a pouch with a flexible or deformable envelope, and to packaging for such a product, for example a liquid, a gel, a cream, powders, granules or the like, classically called Bag in Box or Bag-in-Box, comprising a pouch, having a flexible or deformable envelope defining a sealed space for receiving the product, and an outer box, more rigid than the pouch, in which the pouch is received, an opening being formed in a front wall of the envelope for the discharge of the product by means of a discharge valve disposed in the opening.

[0002] FR-3098212-A1 is already known, a dispenser of this kind which distributes precise doses of the product which can flow, particularly in the field of cosmetics, for example shampoos, shower gels, creams or any other cosmetic product as well as any other product, such as yogurt, almond puree, ketchup and products in granular form, such as rice, which are contained in a pouch whose envelope is flexible and has an outlet opening, in which is provided an element forming a valve which can be opened or closed by a manual or mechanical action, the product contained in the pouch can only flow from the valve when it is open.The pouch is positioned in a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped receiving compartment formed in the dispenser frame, so that the valve element protrudes outside the receiving compartment to discharge the product vertically, for example into a container placed on a platform below the valve outlet.

[0003] This prior art distributor further includes electronic control means enabling the action of an actuation member to be controlled on the valve element to ensure that product flows in a given precise quantity, in particular depending on the size of the container placed under the valve.

[0004] We would like to have available a dispenser of this kind which is also precise in the quantity of product supplied, dose after dose, especially for the last doses, but which is also simpler to use.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, a dispenser for a product that can flow, comprising a receiving compartment intended to receive within it a flexible or deformable pouch defining a sealed space for receiving the product, and discharge actuation means adapted to actuate the opening of a discharge valve from the bag, characterized in that the bag is supported by a bottom wall of the compartment and means are provided for applying pressure, in particular vertical pressure, on the bag taking the bag in a sandwich with the bottom wall.

[0006] Preferably, the arrangement is such that the introduction of the pouch into the receiving compartment is carried out through the front face of the dispenser, and in particular the compartment is open at the front or the front wall of the dispenser can be retracted to allow access to the compartment from the front.

[0007] Preferably, the pouch is received in an outer box, more rigid than the pouch casing and open at the top, in particular having a through window formed in its top face, and a through groove extending vertically from the top of the box, in particular from the through window, downwards, in particular to the bottom of the outer box, in particular, the outer box is self-supporting (holds its shape by itself) while the pouch is not self-supporting (tends to collapse on itself).

[0008] According to a favorable embodiment, the pressure application means comprise a top plate having dimensions such that it can penetrate the box from above and come to rest against the pocket.

[0009] Preferably, the pressure application means include means for actuating the displacement, in particular vertical, of the upper plate.

[0010] Preferably, the upper plate is connected to the means for actuation of the movement, in particular vertical, of the plate by a connecting element, the arrangement being such that a transverse dimension of the connecting element is less than the width dimension of the through groove, so that the upper plate can move inside the box without the movement of the connecting element being hindered by the outer box.

[0011] Preferably, the outer box has in its front wall a through hole through which the valve from the pocket protrudes outside the outer box.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the means for actuation of the movement, in particular vertical, of the upper plate, comprise a worm screw whose external thread cooperates with the tapping of a tapped hole formed in a carriage element integral with the plate, the worm screw passing through the tapped hole.

[0013] Another aspect of the invention, which in itself constitutes an invention independently of the aspect previously described, but which can be advantageously implemented in combination with the latter, relates to packaging for a product that can flow, comprising a pouch having a flexible or deformable outer casing defining a sealed space for receiving the product and an outer box that is more rigid than the pouch casing, the outer box having a bottom wall, a side wall above and a lateral envelope extending between the bottom and top walls, and the outer box having a through hole through which passes a valve from the pocket to protrude outside the outer box, a through window formed in the top wall and a vertical through groove, extending from the through window towards the bottom wall, in particular to the bottom wall.

[0014] Preferably, the outer box has two sides and preferential tear lines defining the vertical groove and the through window, the tear lines allowing the sides to be detached to open the groove and the window.

[0015] Preferably, the outer box is rectangular in shape, the through hole being formed in the front wall, preferably in the lower part, preferably centrally, and the groove being formed in the rear wall opposite the front wall, preferably centrally.

[0016] Thus, the packaging can be positioned in the receiving compartment, and the plate can press against the pouch while being guided vertically, the groove allowing the passage from top to bottom of the connecting element ensuring the link between the plate and the means for actuating the vertical movement of the plate.

[0017] By way of example, a preferred embodiment of the invention is now described by reference to the drawings, in which:

[0018] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a distributor according to the invention;

[0019] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 1, in which the walls forming the two compartments for receiving Bag in Box or Caisse Outres have been omitted;

[0020] Fig. 3 is a more detailed perspective view of an actuation part of the dispenser of Figures 1 and 2 used for manual or mechanical actuation of the dispensing valve of the product contained in the pouch when the box has been positioned in the compartment, with the dispensing valve protruding outside the compartment, in the lower part thereof;

[0021] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the actuation part, which can be used in place of that of Fig. 3;

[0022] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the rear of a package according to the invention, in the storage state, outside the dispenser;

[0023] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the front of the packaging of Fig. 5 in its state of use in the dispenser;

[0024] Fig. 7 is a larger scale view of the element forming the valve protruding from the packaging of figures 5 and 6;

[0025] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the outer box of the packaging. [Fig.6], that is, the packaging of the [Fig.6] without the inner pocket;

[0026] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the inner pocket of the packaging shown in Figures 5 and 6; and

[0027] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of packaging according to the invention in its state of use in the dispenser.

[0028] Figures 1 to 3 show a dispenser for products that can dispense, for example, liquids, creams, gels, granules or the like.

[0029] This dispenser 1 comprises an upper part 2 in which two rectangular parallelepiped-shaped compartments 3, 4 left and right are formed for receiving a respective package 5 of the product, and a lower part (not shown in the figures) forming a platform for receiving containers intended to be placed on it by a user of the dispenser to distribute the product contained in the packages 5 received in the compartments 3, 4. The lower part also receives various elements necessary for the operation of the dispenser, including an electronic control system and a power supply system, for example a battery.

[0030] Each receiving compartment 3, 4 for a respective package 5 has a rear wall 8, two side walls 9 left and 10 right and a bottom wall 35. Each compartment is open at the front and on the top.

[0031] The package 5 received in cavity 3 or 4 is shown in particular in [Fig.6]. It comprises an outer box 13, for example made of cardboard, of rectangular parallelepiped shape complementary to those of compartments 3, 4 and a flexible inner pocket 14 in which the product to be distributed is received in a sealed manner.

[0032] The pouch 14 consists of two flexible rectangular sheets 15, 16 respectively front and rear, in particular of thermoplastic material, aluminum or similar, welded to each other along their peripheral edge, in particular by hot welding or by ultrasonic welding, the welding being carried out in such a way as to define an internal volume between the two sheets in which the product to be distributed is received.

[0033] The pocket 14 further includes a through orifice 17 having a peripheral edge reinforced by a through connector 29 welded at the edge and in which is defined a thread (not visible in the figure) which will allow the fixing of a valve 18 by means of a threaded tube 19 coming from the element forming the valve 18.

[0034] The valve 18 screwed into the orifice 17 of the pouch 14 is shown in detail in [Fig. 7]. It is a classic valve in the field of packaging of this kind, in particular a valve marketed by the company Smurfit Kappa Bag In Box under the brand name Vitop Original.

[0035] The valve 18 has a disc-shaped base 20 with a diameter greater than that of the threaded tube 19. The valve 18 further has an outer tube 21, the channel of which The interior is in communication with the channel formed inside the tube 19. The tube 21 projects from the base 20 and extends to the main body 22 of the valve. The main body 22 is substantially cylindrical in shape, widening towards the bottom. A channel is defined in the main body which opens into the dispensing port 23 of the valve 18. The valve also has two lateral left and right wings 25, 26 attached to an internal tube 27 which can slide inside the channel of the main body 22 and which defines within it a channel 28 which, in the position not pulled upwards by the wings 25, 26, is not in communication with the through channel of the tube 21 and which, in the position pulled upwards by the wings 25, 26, is in communication with the channel of the tube 21 and thus allows the product to be delivered through the port 23.

[0036] In the present application, a Vitop brand valve is described and illustrated. However, this valve is given only as an example, and the invention, in its broadest sense, can be implemented with other types of valves for bag-in-box packaging without departing from the scope of protection defined in this application.

[0037] The outer box 13, made of cardboard sufficiently thick to maintain its shape, is rectangular in shape, having a front wall 30, a rear wall 31, a right side wall 32, a left side wall 33, and a bottom wall 34. It is open at the top, with only a lip 40 protruding from the side walls 30, 31, 32, and 33. It is also possible to omit this lip in the box shown in [Fig. 8] (as shown in [Fig. 10]) and have the top of the box completely open. In this embodiment of [Fig. 8], a handle 80 can also be provided, as in the embodiment of [Fig. 10]. In Figures 1 and 2, the two packages inserted into the dispenser are packages comprising a box like the one shown in [Fig. 10]. Instead, one can put in packaging having an outer box as shown in [Fig.8],

[0038] In the front wall 30, a through hole 36 is formed, through which the threaded tube 19 can pass until the base 20 abuts against the front face of the front wall 30, the remainder of the valve 18 (outer tube 21 and main body 22) then protruding completely outside the outer box. In addition, a gripping handle 80 can be provided, located above the through hole 36, allowing the box 13 to be grasped, in particular for transport or for pulling it towards oneself out of a compartment 3 or 4 through the front opening of the compartments (this handle 80 is not shown in [Fig. 8], but is shown in [Fig. 10]).

[0039] The outer box 13 forms a rectangular opening 37 on its top, so that the box is open on the top, with only a peripheral rim 40 extending from the upper edge of the walls 30, 31, 32 and 33 present. The presence of the rim 40 is fa- optional, is we could do without it, as shown in [Fig.10].

[0040] A rectangular slot-shaped groove 38 is formed in the rear wall 31. The groove 38 extends vertically along the entire vertical extension of the rear wall 31 of the box 15, and in particular the groove 38 also passes through the peripheral rim 40.

[0041] In addition, the box 13 has two panels 41 and 42 covering respectively the rectangular opening 37 and the groove 38. These two panels are delimited by preferential tear lines, so that they can be removed from the box to form the rectangular opening 37 and the groove 38. In particular, a notch 39 is provided to facilitate gripping panel 41 for removal by pulling it upwards, and on the other hand, the two panels 41 and 42 can be linked to each other, so that when panel 41 has been completely removed from the opening 37, a further pull on panel 41 also pulls panel 42 out of the groove 38.

[0042] In [Fig. 5], the packaging is shown in its storage state, before being installed in the dispenser. The pouch is received there and is not visible because both the groove and the upper rectangular opening of the box 15 are blocked by the removable panels 41 and 42, respectively.

[0043] When it is necessary to install a new pouch of product to be dispensed, the stored package of [Fig.5] is taken and its panels 41 and 42 are torn open, thus opening the groove and the upper opening, then the package thus obtained, shown in [Fig.7], is inserted into the compartment 3, 4 of complementary shape formed in the dispenser so that the valve 18 protrudes outside the compartment.

[0044] A respective actuating part 11, shown in more detail in [Fig. 3], is disposed in the lower part of each compartment 3, 4 of the device of [Fig. 1] and has the function of actuating the valve 18 which protrudes from the outside of each compartment. The actuating part 11 comprises an auxiliary front wall 8 fixed to the lower part of the compartment, defining an opening 50 through which the valve 18 passes, and a horizontal plate 52 mounted pivotally about a horizontal axis. The arrangement is such that when the body 22 of the valve 18 protrudes from the opening 50, the wings 25 and 26 are positioned against the upper face of the pivoting plate 52, so that an upward pivoting of the plate 52 causes the wings to lift and thus open the valve and deliver the product through the valve's delivery orifice.

[0045] Thus, it can be foreseen that the pivoting of the plate 52 is done manually or, conversely, is controlled, for example by means of a control button 90, mechanical or electrical, which the user presses to obtain the product. The pressure on the button can be continuous, with the product being dispensed as long as the button is held down, or conversely, the control can be carried out, in particular by an electronic system, so that a single press of the button, This results in the dispensing of a given dose of product, or a dose calculated based on the container placed on the platform. A control system linked to a sensor detecting the presence of a container opposite the dispensing port 23 of valve 18 could also be implemented. The movement of the plate 52 is achieved, in particular, by means of a motor 70.

[0046] In [Fig.4], another actuation part 11' is shown which can be used with the distributor of Figures 1 and 2, in place of one or both of the two actuation parts 11 used in Figures 1 and 2.

[0047] A fixed plate 51' projects from the auxiliary front wall 8', above an opening 50'. A plate 52' is pivotally mounted at a distance from the plate 51'. The arrangement is such that when the body 22 of the valve 18 is positioned outside the opening 50', the upper face of the body 22 butts against the lower face of the horizontal fixed plate 51' and the plate 52' is positioned under the wings 25 and 26, so that a pivoting upwards of the plate 52 causes the wings to lift and thus opens the valve and delivers the product through the valve's delivery orifice.

[0048] Thus, the pivoting of the plate 52' can be carried out manually or, conversely, controlled, for example, by means of a mechanical or electrical control button 90', which the user presses to dispense the product. The button can be pressed continuously, with product being dispensed as long as the button is held down, or, conversely, the control can be implemented, notably by an electronic system, so that a single press of the button results in the dispensing of a given dose of product, or a dose calculated according to the container placed on the platform. A control linked to a sensor detecting the presence of a container opposite the dispensing port 23 of the valve 18 could also be provided. The movement of the plate 52' is achieved, in particular, by means of a motor 70'.

[0049] The dispenser further comprises, in each compartment 3, 4, a plate 60 of substantially rectangular shape, arranged to slide vertically inside the product receiving compartment 3, 4. In particular, the dimensions of the main surface of the plate are identical to or slightly smaller than those of the window 37 formed in the upper wall of the outer box or, in the case where there is no rim 40, as in [Fig. 8], identical to or slightly smaller than those of the open upper face of the outer box.

[0050] The plate 60 is cantilevered by a carriage 61 mounted to slide vertically under the action of a vertical worm screw 62, the rotation of which in one direction or the other under the control of a respective motor 63 causes the carriage 61 to move upwards or downwards, and therefore to move upwards or towards the bottom of the plate 60. The plate 60 is fixed to the carriage 61 by a fixing piece 64 consisting of two left and right elements each having a plate 65 fixed to the front face of the carriage by screws 66 and a respective wing 67 fixed by its lower edge to the plate 60. Each wing 67 has a vertical base tab 68 and an end tab 69, making an angle with the base tab 68. The two legs 68 are arranged against each other and the attachment of the plate 60 to the wing 67 is made in such a way as to leave a gap between the plates 65 fixed to the carriage and the plate 60. The presence of this gap and the fact that the thickness in the horizontal direction of the two base legs 68 is less than the thickness (width) of the groove 38 allows the plate 60 to penetrate vertically through the window 37 or the open upper face of the outer box to come against the pocket 14.

[0051] Thus, the distributor manager, after raising the carriage 61 and therefore the plate 60 upwards by turning the worm screw in one direction via the motor 63, until the plate 60 is at a height greater than that of the box to be introduced, after tearing the panels 41 and 42, introduces from the front (in particular through the open front face of the compartment 3 or 4) the packaging consisting of the outer box (without the panels 41 and 42) and the inner pouch filled with the product to be distributed, into the receiving compartment 3,4, positioning the valve 18 outside the receiving compartment 3, 4, so as to be able to cooperate with the actuation parts 11 or 11'.

[0052] Once the packaging is inserted into the compartment on the bottom wall of compartment 3, 4 and under the plate 60, the latter is lowered by rotating the worm screw 62 in the opposite direction, until the plate 60 comes into contact with the pouch and compresses it by sandwiching it with the bottom wall of the respective compartment 3, 4. This compression is carried out continuously or step by step as product is dispensed, the plate 60 being pushed gradually downwards under the control of the respective motor 63 (itself controlled by a central electronic control system for the device controlling the various motors) to always maintain the pouch at its minimum volume necessary to contain the product not yet dispensed.

[0053] Once the bag and outer box have been inserted and the valve positioned to cooperate with the actuation parts 11 or 11' to supply product into a container disposed under the valve, a user can, by pushing the button 90 or 90', actuate the rotation of the movable plate 52 or 52', to dispense a given dose of the product, in particular into a container placed on the platform, opposite the dispensing orifice 23 of the valve 18.

[0054] This electronically controlled automatic operating mode can be replaced by a mechanical automatic mode, which can be carried out, for example, by via a lever that the user rotates, the lever being mechanically connected to the movable plate 52 or 52' ​​to cause a dispensing of a given dose of product.

Claims

Claims

1. Dispenser for a flowable product, comprising a receiving compartment (3; 4), intended to receive within it a pouch (14) with a flexible or deformable envelope defining a sealed space for receiving the product, and means (11; 11') for actuating discharge capable of actuating the opening of a discharge valve (18) from the pouch, characterized in that the pouch (14) is supported by a bottom wall (35) of the compartment (3; 4) and means (60) for applying pressure to the pouch are provided, sandwiching the pouch with the bottom wall.

2. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement is such that the introduction of the pocket into the receiving compartment is carried out via the front face of the dispenser, and in particular the compartment is open at the front or the front wall of the dispenser can be retracted to allow access to the compartment from the front.

3. Dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pocket (14) is received in an outer box (13), more rigid than the envelope of the pocket and open on the top, in particular comprising a through window (37) formed in its top face, and a through groove (38) extending vertically from the top of the box, in particular from the through window, downwards, in particular to the bottom of the outer box.

4. Dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pressure application means comprise an upper plate (60) having dimensions such that it can penetrate into the box from above and come to bear against the pocket.

5. Dispenser according to claim 4, characterized in that the pressure application means comprise means (61, 62, 63) for actuating the movement of the upper plate (60).

6. Dispenser according to claims 3 and 5, characterized in that the upper plate is connected to the means for actuating the movement of the upper plate by a connecting element (64), the arrangement being such that a transverse dimension of the connecting element is less than the width dimension of the through groove (38), so that the upper plate (60) can move inside the box without the movement of the connecting element being prevented by the outer box.

7. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer box has in its front wall a through hole through which the valve (18) coming from the pocket projects outside the outer box.

8. Packaging for a flowable product, comprising a pouch (14) having a flexible or deformable envelope defining a sealed space for receiving the product and an outer box (13) more rigid than the envelope of the pouch, the outer box (13) having a bottom wall (34), a top wall and a side envelope (30, 31, 32, 33) extending between the bottom and top walls, and the outer box (13) comprising a through hole (36) through which a valve (18) from the pouch (14) passes to project outside the outer box (13), a through window (37) formed in the top wall and a vertical through groove (38), extending from the through window towards the bottom wall (34), in particular as far as the bottom wall (34).

9. Packaging according to claim 8, characterized in that the outer box (13) comprises two panels (41, 42) and preferential tear lines defining the vertical groove (38) and the through window (37), the tear lines allowing the panels (41, 42) to be detached to open the groove and the window.

10. Packaging according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the outer box is of rectangular parallelepiped shape, the through hole (36) being formed in the front wall, preferably in the lower part, preferably centrally, and the groove (38) being formed in the rear wall opposite the front wall, preferably centrally.

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