Container filling equipment

Abstract

TITLE: Equipment for filling containers The present invention relates to equipment for filling containers with a liquid product, comprising a distribution box (2) and at least one liquid product reservoir (31, 32, 33) connected to the distribution box (2) by a pipe, the distribution box (2) having a lower face (22), a part of the lower face (22) forming a support surface (221) capable of being placed on a flat surface defining a support plane, the center of gravity of the distribution box (2) being located above the support surface.According to the invention, the distribution housing (2) has a projecting portion (222) extending below the support plane, the projecting portion (222) being configured to force, when the support surface (221) is placed on a flat surface, to maintain a portion of the distribution housing (2) cantilevered next to this flat surface, and the pipes penetrate into the distribution housing (2) at the level of the cantilevered portion. Abstract figure: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Container filling equipment Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to container filling equipment.

[0002] It relates in particular to equipment capable of filling with a liquid product containers which can be closed, such as bottles. Prior art

[0003] The retail sale of liquid products, whether food or non-food, is most often carried out by selling a closed container, such as a bottle, containing the product. Increasingly, however, there is a desire to avoid waste linked to the single use of containers. Practices of "bulk" sales of liquid food or non-food products are increasingly developing in retail stores. These stores are thus equipped with filling equipment allowing a user to fill a container that he has brought with him with a liquid product.

[0004] However, the installation of such filling equipment poses difficulties for retail businesses. Indeed, such businesses commonly offer a wide variety of different liquid products. Their bulk distribution therefore requires the business to be equipped with filling equipment for each of these liquid product references. This filling equipment takes up a significant amount of space in retail businesses.

[0005] It is possible that such filling equipment is designed to dispense several different products. Such filling equipment allowing the dispensing of several distinct liquid products, however, occupies a relatively large volume, generally larger than filling equipment allowing the dispensing of a single liquid product.

[0006] In retail stores, filling equipment therefore often forms bulky furniture occupying spaces previously dedicated to shelving. Since this furniture is separate from the shelving, it is difficult to present bulk liquid products and bottles filled with these same products side by side in the store. This makes it difficult for consumers to navigate the store. Finally, the space occupied by this bulk distribution equipment reduces the available shelving area, and therefore the number of products that can be offered to the consumer.

[0007] Furthermore, the furniture constituting the bulk liquid distribution equipment must be opened to change and connect the liquid product tanks. These operations are time-consuming for the store staff.

[0008] When the filling equipment consists of different smaller components, these components can be placed on the shelves of shelving units. The connecting pipes between the different components can in this case make the filling equipment unsightly. In other cases, the connecting pipes can be placed on the rear faces of the components, and run behind the components to be more discreet. In this case, however, the installation of the filling equipment is more difficult, and often requires adjustments to the shelving unit, such as drilling or cutting out to allow the pipes to pass through. Statement of the invention

[0009] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the invention aims to facilitate the distribution of liquid products by filling equipment.

[0010] The invention also aims to enable the trade to reduce the size and cost of filling equipment dispensing bulk liquid products.

[0011] One objective of the invention is in particular to facilitate the installation and maintenance of filling equipment in shops.

[0012] A particular objective of the invention, according to certain of its embodiments, is to facilitate the distribution of several distinct liquid products by the same filling equipment.

[0013] These objectives, as well as others which will appear more clearly hereinafter, are achieved using equipment for filling containers with a liquid product, this equipment comprising a distribution box and at least one liquid product reservoir connected to the distribution box by a pipe, the distribution box having a lower face, a part of this lower face forming a support surface capable of being placed on a flat surface defining a support plane, the center of gravity of the distribution box being located above this support surface.According to the invention, the distribution box has a projecting portion extending below the support plane, this projecting portion being configured to force, when the support surface is placed on a flat surface, to maintain a portion of the distribution box in overhang next to this flat surface, the pipes penetrating into the distribution box at the level of this cantilevered portion.

[0014] The filling equipment according to the invention can easily be placed on the shelves of a shelving unit. When the bearing surface of the distribution box is placed on a shelf, its projecting portion can be varnished in abutment against an edge side of this shelf. This projecting portion constitutes a keying device preventing the entire lower surface of the distribution box from being placed on the shelf. This projecting portion, placed in a cantilever along one edge of the shelf, allows the easy passage of pipes going from the distribution box to tanks placed below. The projecting portion then makes it possible to prevent these pipes from being trapped or pinched by the shelf. In addition, the pipes can advantageously be oriented in a direction allowing them to be as short as possible, and to extend in a quasi-rectilinear manner between the components. Their aesthetics are therefore improved. Finally, these pipes extending on the front face of the shelving unit, their installation and handling, for example for maintenance operations, are considerably facilitated.

[0015] Preferably, the pipes enter the distribution housing at a lower face of the cantilevered portion.

[0016] Preferably, the pipes enter the distribution housing at the projecting portion.

[0017] Preferably, the distribution housing has a front side face, carrying a user interface and / or a liquid distribution nozzle, and the projecting portion forms the bottom of the front side face.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, the pipes comprise pipes connected to connection ends of the distribution box, the connection ends being placed at the level of the cantilevered portion.

[0019] In this case, the pipes also include internal pipe portions of the distribution box, ranging from the distribution tips to internal components of the distribution box, such as pumps.

[0020] The dispensing tips are, in this case, preferably placed on a lower face of the projecting portion.

[0021] According to another advantageous embodiment, the pipes comprise pipes connected inside the distribution box, penetrating into the distribution box at said cantilevered portion.

[0022] In this case, the pipes preferably enter the distribution box through a lower face of the projecting portion.

[0023] Advantageously, the filling equipment comprises at least two liquid product tanks, each of these tanks being connected to the distribution box by a pipe.

[0024] In the preferred embodiment, the filling equipment thus comprises three liquid product tanks.

[0025] The invention also relates to a shelving unit having a plurality of stacked shelves, equipped with filling equipment as described above. above, in which the distribution box is placed on a first of the shelves such that its support surface is placed on this first shelf and its projecting portion is placed next to this first shelf, along an edge of this first shelf, the liquid product reservoir(s) being placed on shelves located below the first shelf.

[0026] Preferably, the reservoir(s) are located below the distribution box.

[0027] This configuration allows for a practical layout of the distribution unit, making it possible to conserve shelf space on the shelves most easily accessible to customers.

[0028] Advantageously, the filling equipment comprises several tanks, placed below the distribution box, distributed over several shelves.

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment, the shelving unit comprises at least one masking panel, suspended from the projecting portion and extending in front of at least one of the reservoirs.

[0030] In the preferred embodiment shown, the shelving unit can thus carry several masking panels, masking the tanks and the pipes connecting these tanks to the distribution box.

[0031] This masking is facilitated by the direct routing of the pipes between the components of the distribution equipment. Description of the figures

[0032] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of preferred embodiments, given as a simple figurative and non-limiting example, and accompanied by the figures among which: - [Fig.l] is a perspective view of liquid dispensing equipment according to one embodiment of the invention, installed on the shelves of a shelving unit. - [Fig.2] is another perspective view of the liquid dispensing equipment of [Fig.l] installed on the shelves of a shelving unit, in which masking panels are placed in front of the liquid product reservoirs. - [Fig.3] is a side view of the liquid dispensing equipment of [Fig.l], installed on the shelves. - [Fig.4] is a detailed side view of the bottom of the front face of the dispensing equipment, placed on a shelf. Description of the embodiments

[0033] Figures 1, 2 and 3 show container filling equipment according to one embodiment of the invention, which is placed on the shelves of a cabinet. commercial shelving. This container filling equipment consists of a distribution box 2 and three liquid product tanks 31, 32 and 33, which are connected to the distribution box 2.

[0034] It is placed on a shelving unit 1 having, in the embodiment shown, five shelves 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

[0035] The distribution box 2 has a side face called front face 21, which is intended to be placed facing the user. This front face 21 has an interface for interaction with the users and at least one filling nozzle capable of filling a container.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, this front face 21 has at least one touch screen 210 allowing the user to choose their product, the quantity of liquid they wish to purchase, etc. This front face 21 can also, in certain embodiments of the invention, have means of payment such as a payment card reader, or means of creating an invoice such as a printer allowing a billing receipt to be printed. This dispensing box 2 then comprises means for measuring the quantity of liquid dispensed, in order to allow the invoicing of this liquid.

[0037] In this embodiment shown, the front face 21 also has the opening of a niche 212, in which a bottle can be positioned. One or more filling nozzles (not visible in the figures), positioned at the top of this niche, allow the chosen liquid to be poured into the bottle inserted into the niche.

[0038] In the embodiment shown, the liquid distribution box 2 is capable of distributing a liquid chosen from three distinct references. This distribution can be carried out by means of distinct filling nozzles, each associated with one of the liquids, or a single filling nozzle allowing the filling of the chosen liquid.

[0039] In the embodiment shown, the distribution box 2 comprises at least one pump, preferably a pump associated with each of the liquids distributed, making it possible to convey the liquid from a reservoir to the filling nozzle.

[0040] The distribution box 2 has a lower face 22, the largest part of which is formed by a support surface 221, capable of resting on a flat surface such as a horizontal shelf. This support surface 221 may itself be constituted by a flat surface, capable of being placed on the flat surface of the shelf. It may also be constituted by a set of feet defining a support plane.

[0041] It should be noted that in certain embodiments, this bearing surface may be designed to bear on an inclined surface, for example to specifically adapt to inclined shelving shelves.

[0042] The distribution box 2 is designed such that the greater part of this distribution box 2 is located above this support plane. The center of gravity of the distribution box is thus located above the support surface, so that the distribution box 2, the support surface of which rests on a flat surface, is perfectly stable.

[0043] A small portion of the distribution box 2, hereinafter called “projecting portion 222”, projects below the bearing plane defined by the bearing surface 221. In the embodiment shown, this projecting portion 222 forms the bottom of the front face 21 of the distribution box 2.

[0044] This projecting portion 222 acts as a foolproof device when installing the distribution box 2 on a shelf. It prevents the distribution box 2 from being placed on a flat surface by resting its entire lower surface on the flat surface. On the contrary, in order to correctly place the distribution box 2 on the flat surface of a shelf, it requires that the projecting portion 222 be placed cantilevered, beyond an edge of the shelf.

[0045] The presence of this projecting portion therefore makes it possible to encourage the installers of the filling equipment to place the distribution box 2 in such a way that the support surface 221 rests on the shelf and the projecting portion 222 is placed along a lateral edge of this shelf. [Fig. 4] shows, in side view, a part of the distribution box 2 thus placed on a shelf 14.

[0046] Preferably, the portion of the total surface area of ​​the lower face 22 constituted by the bearing surface 221 is much larger than the portion of the total surface area of ​​the lower face 22 constituted by the projecting portion 222. In addition, the center of gravity of the distribution box 2 is preferably located above the bearing surface 221. Thus, the slight overhang generated by the projecting portion 222 does not create any risk of imbalance of the distribution box 2, when the projecting portion 222 is resting against the lateral edge of the shelf 14 on which the distribution box 2 is placed.

[0047] Advantageously, the distribution box 2 is connected to one or more liquid product tanks via pipes. In the embodiment shown, it is thus connected to three tanks 31, 32 and 33, respectively by pipes 41, 42 and 43, which are connected to pumps located inside the distribution box.

[0048] In the embodiment shown, these reservoirs 31, 32 and 33 are each placed on a separate shelf, below the distribution box 2. Each of these reservoirs 31, 32 and 33 is advantageously placed on a support, respectively 61, 62 and 63, which is itself placed on the shelf of the shelving, respectively 11, 12 and 13. These supports 61, 62 and 63 advantageously make it possible to place the reservoirs in such a way that their opening is turned towards the front face of the shelving, and forms the lowest point of the tank. This configuration allows the tank to be completely emptied through its opening.

[0049] According to the invention, the pipes connecting the distribution box 2 to the reservoirs 31, 32 and 33 exit from the distribution box 2 at the lower face of the projecting portion 222. The projecting portion 222 being intended to be placed in a cantilevered position, the shelf 14 on which the distribution box 2 is placed does not obstruct the passage of these pipes, and does not risk trapping or pinching them.

[0050] In the embodiment shown, these pipes are constituted by pipes 41, 42 and 43 which are connected inside the distribution box 2 and which exit this distribution box 2 at the level of the lower surface of the projecting portion 222. It is also possible, in other embodiments, for these pipes to comprise pipes connected to connection tips of the distribution box, placed at the level of the projecting portion 222.

[0051] The passage of these pipes at the level of the lower surface of the projecting portion 222 has many advantages. It allows the pipes 41, 42 and 43 to be located at the level of the front face of the distribution box 2, and to circulate in front of the shelves 14, 13 and 12 of the shelving unit 1. This configuration is particularly advantageous in that it avoids having to drill the shelves of the shelving unit 1 to allow the circulation of the pipes between different shelves, or to pass the pipes through holes placed at the rear of the shelving unit 1. The installation of the distribution equipment is thus greatly facilitated.

[0052] It should be noted that, according to a variant of the invention, the pipes can also penetrate into the distribution box at the level of a part of this distribution box which is maintained in cantilever, due to the presence of the projecting portion, even if this part of the distribution box is itself placed above the support plane.

[0053] This configuration makes it easy to place the liquid product tank(s) 31, 32 and 33 below the distribution box 2, on different shelves. This positioning advantageously allows the distribution box 2 to be placed high up, on a shelf that is easily accessible to users. On the contrary, the liquid product tanks 31, 32 and 33 are placed on low shelves, which are more difficult for users to access, but on which it is easier for operators changing the liquid product tanks to position heavy tanks.

[0054] The passage of the pipes 41, 42 and 43 through the lower surface of the projecting portion 222 allows these pipes to extend in a quasi-rectilinear manner to the tanks placed below the distribution box 2, which preserves the aesthetics of the shelving.

[0055] Advantageously, it may be provided to place masking panels 51, 52 and 53, attached to the projecting portion 222 and / or to the tanks 31, 32 and 33 and / or to support elements of the tanks, making it possible to hide the tanks and the pipes from users. These masking panels 51, 52 and 53 may consist of simple cardboard, which may be advertising communication supports.

[0056] Thus, in the embodiment shown, a masking panel 53 is suspended from hooks provided on the projecting portion 222 of the distribution box 2. It extends in front of the reservoir 33 and in front of the pipe 43 connecting this reservoir 33 to the distribution box 2. Two other masking panels, respectively 52 and 51, are suspended respectively from hooks provided on the supports 63 and 62, and extend respectively in front of the reservoirs 32 and 31 and in front of the pipes connecting these reservoirs to the distribution box 2.

Claims

Claims

1. Equipment for filling containers with a liquid product, comprising a dispensing box (2) and at least one liquid product reservoir (31, 32, 33) connected to said dispensing box (2) by a pipe, said dispensing box (2) having a lower face (22), a portion of said lower face (22) forming a bearing surface (221) capable of being placed on a flat surface defining a bearing plane, the center of gravity of said dispensing box (2) being located above said bearing surface (221), characterized in that said dispensing box (2) has a projecting portion (222) extending below said bearing plane, said projecting portion (222) being configured to force, when said bearing surface (221) is placed on a flat surface, to maintain a portion of said dispensing box (2) cantilevered next to said flat surface,and in that said pipes enter said distribution box (2) at said cantilevered portion.,

2. Filling equipment according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said pipes penetrate into said distribution box (2) at the level of said projecting portion (222).

3. Filling equipment according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said distribution housing (2) has a front lateral face (21), carrying a user interface and / or a liquid distribution nozzle, and in that said projecting portion (222) forms the bottom of said front lateral face (21).

4. Filling equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said pipes comprise pipes (41, 42, 43) connected to connection ends of said distribution box (2), said connection ends being placed at the level of the cantilevered portion.

5. Filling equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said pipes comprise pipes (41, 42, 43) connected inside said distribution box (2), penetrating into said distribution box (2) at said overhanging portion.

6. Filling equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two liquid product reservoirs (31, 32, 33), each of said reservoirs being connected to said distribution box (2) by a pipe.

7. Shelving unit (1) having a plurality of shelves (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) superimposed, equipped with filling equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, the distribution box (2) of said filling equipment being placed on a first of said shelves (14) in such a way that its bearing surface (221) is placed on said first shelf (14) and its projecting portion (222) is placed next to said first shelf (14), along an edge of said first shelf (14), said one or more liquid product reservoirs (31, 32, 33) being placed on shelves (11, 12, 13) located below said first shelf (14).

8. Shelving unit according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said liquid product reservoir(s) (31, 32, 33) are located below said distribution box (2).

9. Shelving unit according to any one of claims 7 and 8, wherein said filling equipment comprises several liquid product reservoirs (31, 32, 33), characterized in that said liquid product reservoirs (31, 32, 33) are placed below said distribution box (2), distributed over several shelves (11, 12, 13).

10. Shelving unit according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one masking panel (53), suspended from said projecting portion (222) and extending in front of at least one of said liquid product reservoirs (33).

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