Fixing device for products with rods

Abstract

A device for fixing an edible product on a stick (10), comprising a hollow body (1) having an open end (2) suitable for insertion of the stick (10), a cutting portion (4) extending longitudinally over the entire length of the hollow body, and a base portion (3) at the end opposite the open end (2). A portion (6) of the hollow body extending within an angle comprised between 45° and 180° from the longitudinal cutting portion (4) is not joined.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for fixing an edible product with a rod, comprising a hollow body configured to adapt to various types of rods.

[0002] Devices for fixing products with a rod, such as those described in CA2132459C, for balloons, flowers or generally for ornaments, are known, comprising a container and retaining means within the container capable of accommodating rods of various diameters for display purposes, ensuring a certain stability of the products to be accommodated.

[0003] The problem with these devices is that retaining means such as an adhesive coating or a magnetic element are required. In the former case, the consumer who picks up the product is given an unpleasant feeling and may have to handle a sticky rod. In the latter case, the rod manufacturer is forced to choose a material that can be attracted by a magnet.

[0004] Furthermore, a device for fixing an edible product, such as that described in WО0106897, is known. According to this device, by means of a combination of a preferably prismatic or trapezoidal hollow body and a pin housed inside this hollow body, the edible product can be firmly fixed for display without preventing the customer from easily removing the edible product.

[0005] However, since this device is only suitable for use with products having a hollow rod, it is not useful for all products having a non - hollow rod. For edible products having a non - hollow rod, as shown in Figures 1a and 1b (See, for example, US3431041A1) Other solutions existing in the market are known, such as arranging the rod obliquely inside the hole so that the product does not fall from the display device. Considering this, the above support cannot firmly hold the rod in place. In this type of solution, part of the rod is exposed and the products cannot be arranged densely enough on the display device.

[0006] The simplest and most well-known solution is shown in Figure 1c. This allows for the vertical display of edible and non-edible products, regardless of the type of rod used, but it has the disadvantage of occupying a very large surface area in relation to the number of products displayed. In all of the known solutions described above, workers are also required to insert the products into the fixing device to avoid rod breakage or misinsertion into cavities caused by robots or generally automated filling processes. US4798554A discloses a funnel-shaped balloon holder comprising a conical cup and a hollow stem, as shown in the embodiments of Figures 4-9. A longitudinal slit extends along the entire length of the balloon holder, from the top of the cup to the bottom of the stem, allowing the balloon's neck to be inserted into the holder. The stem is inserted into one end of a hollow balloon rod. The stem is shaped to provide space between the stem and the balloon rod for a portion of the balloon's neck, so that the entire neck is hidden. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Therefore, there remains a need to provide a fastening device for edible and non-edible products on sticks that can securely hold both hollow and solid sticks, as well as sticks of various diameters, and a need to provide a fastening device designed for automated filling by robots and / or automated production lines. The object of the present invention is precisely to provide a device that satisfies the aforementioned needs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This objective is achieved by a device for securing a stick-type edible product having the features of the attached independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0009] The fixing device according to the present invention comprises a hollow body having an open end suitable for inserting a rod, a cut portion extending longitudinally along the entire length of the hollow body, and a base fixed to the end opposite the open end. The hollow body is not fixed to the base in a portion at an angle between 45° and 180° from the longitudinally extending cut portion. Preferably, the range of the portion of the hollow body not joined to the base is between 80° and 100°. It is advantageous that there is a thinned region located at the end of the portion of the hollow body not attached to the base, extending along the entire length of the hollow body.

[0010] Further features of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description, which is merely an example of embodiments of the invention and therefore does not limit the invention, as shown in the accompanying drawings. The contents of the accompanying drawings are described below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1a] This is a schematic diagram of a display of products with rods using a conventional fixing device. [Figure 1b] This is a schematic diagram of a display of products with rods using a conventional fixing device. [Figure 1c] This is a schematic diagram of a display of products with rods using a conventional fixing device. [Figure 2] This is a schematic axonometric projection of the fixing device according to the present invention, and the base is not shown. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows perspective views of the apparatus from different angles, illustrating the base fixed to the hollow body, the portion of the hollow body that is not fixed to the base and extends longitudinally at angles between 45° and 180° from the cut section, and the thinning region. [Figure 4] Figure 2 shows perspective views of the apparatus from different angles, illustrating the base fixed to the hollow body, the portion of the hollow body that is not fixed to the base and extends longitudinally at angles between 45° and 180° from the cut section, and the thinning region. [Figure 5] Figure 2 shows perspective views of the apparatus from different angles, illustrating the base fixed to the hollow body, the portion of the hollow body that is not fixed to the base and extends longitudinally at angles between 45° and 180° from the cut section, and the thinning region. [Figure 6a] This is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in the drawings up to Figure 5 in an unused state. [Figure 6b] This is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in the drawings up to Figure 5, under a specific operating condition. [Figure 6c] This is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in the drawings up to Figure 5, under a specific operating condition. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus according to the present invention, which has a polygonal configuration. [Figure 8] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of the axial cross-section of the apparatus according to the present invention along the VIII-VIII plane, and the entrance for inserting a rod into the hollow body has a funnel-shaped structure. [Figure 9] This is an axial cross-sectional view similar to Figure 8, taken by cutting along the plane IX-IX in Figure 6a, passing through the thinned region, and looking towards the cut portion extending in the longitudinal direction. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The device for fixing a stick-type edible product according to the present invention consists of a hollow body 1 having an open end 2 (Figures 4 and 5) suitable for inserting the stick 10 of the product, and a base 3 fixed to the other end (Figures 3 to 5).

[0013] The hollow body 1 described above preferably has a cylindrical tubular shape with a circular cross-section, but may have any polygonal shape, as shown in Figure 7, for example, and is characterized by a cut portion 4 and a thinned region 5 extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0014] The thinning region 5, like the cut section, extends along the entire length of the hollow body 1. The thinning region 5 is positioned at a certain distance from the longitudinally extending cut section 4, forming a kind of wing 6 of a desired width between the longitudinally extending cut section and the thinning region. The wing 6 is intended to allow the hollow body 1 to adapt to various types of rods 10, and due to its elasticity and spring effect, it maintains its ability to hold the rod. This elasticity is due to the fact that the hollow body 1 is not fully attached to the base 3, and the wing-like portion 6 extending from the longitudinally extending cut section 4 to the thinning region 5 is separated from the base.

[0015] The portion 6 of the hollow body 1 separated from the base 3 extends from the longitudinally extending cut portion 4 to the thinned region 5 and may have various angles from a minimum of 45° to a maximum of 180°, preferably between 80° and 100°, so that the flexible element 6 can move within an appropriate range without impairing its ability to hold the product.

[0016] Figures 6a, 6b, and 6c show a thinning region 5 at an angular distance of 90° from a longitudinal cut 4 of a hollow body 1 having a circular cross-section. More specifically, FIG. 6a shows the flexible element 6 in the unused state, i.e., containing a rod 10 having a diameter substantially matching the inner diameter of the hollow body 1, while FIGS. 6b and 6c show the positions occupied by the flexible element 6 in the case of rods 10 having smaller or larger diameters, respectively.

[0017] Figure 7 shows a thinning region 5 at an angular distance of about 120° from a longitudinal cut 4 of a hollow body 1 having a polygonal cross-section. Near the inlet, i.e., at the open end 2 where the rod 10 is inserted into the hollow body 1, the thinning region 5 may optionally be a cut 7 (FIG. 4) extending over a part of the length of this thinning region 5 to enhance the flexibility of the flexible element 6. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this cut may extend up to half of the length of the thinning region 5. In an even more preferred embodiment, this cut extends up to one-third of the length of the thinning region 5.

[0018] The inlet or open end 2 in the first part of the hollow body 1 may simply be present inside with a funnel-shaped structure 8 (FIGS. 8 and 9) to facilitate filling of the hollow body by a robot or an automated production line.

[0019] For illustrative purposes only, the preferred dimensions of a cylindrical hollow body 1 having a circular cross-section according to the fixing device of the present invention are shown below. - Inner diameter: 3.9 mm - Outer diameter: 9.7 mm - Height: 19.92 mm - Thickness: 2.9 mm - Width 4 of the longitudinal cut: 1.43 mm - Width 5 of the thinning part: 0.8 mm

[0020] The base 3 of the hollow body may be directly formed by the body of the product display device or may be made in one or more examples having a base shape suitable for application to any surface of a display device with an appropriate storage part attached.

[0021] The fixing device 1 is preferably made of an elastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester. To develop the mechanical properties of the support, biodegradable plastics or naturally derived plastics can be used as well as mixtures of various plastic materials. By selecting materials in conjunction with other aspects of the present invention described, the inner diameter of the hollow body can be adapted to the outer diameter of the rod. This makes it possible for the rod to be held sufficiently strongly by the fixing device, even when the rod is in a horizontal position, in order to prevent the product from falling.

[0022] From what has been disclosed so far, the advantages of the apparatus according to the present invention are clear, as it is possible to securely fix hollow and solid rods of various diameters. Naturally, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown, and a number of detailed modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention itself as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A device for securing edible products with a rod (10), A hollow body (1) having an open end (2) suitable for inserting the rod (10), A longitudinal cut portion (4) extending along the entire length of the hollow body, In a device comprising a base (3) fixed to the hollow body at the end opposite to the open end (2), A thinned region (5) extends along the entire length of the hollow body (1) and is positioned at an angular distance between 45° and 180° from the longitudinally extending cut portion (4), A type of wing, not fixed to the base, is formed between the longitudinally extending cut portion and the thinned region. The apparatus is characterized by having the purpose of enabling the hollow body to be adapted to various types of rods (10).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the range of the portion (6) of the hollow body (1) that is not fixed to the base (3) is between 80° and 100°.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the presence of a thinned region (5) located at the end of a portion (6) of the hollow body (1) that is not fixed to the base (3), and extending along the entire length of the hollow body.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the thinned region (5) has a cut portion (7) at the open end (2) of the hollow body (1).

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cut portion (7) of the thinned region (5) extends to a maximum of half the length of the thinned region.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cut portion (7) of the thinned region (5) extends to a maximum of one-third of the length of the thinned region.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inlet of the hollow body (1) at the open end (2) has a funnel shape (8).

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, made of an elastic material.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, made of polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyester.

10. A display device for food products on a stick (10), comprising a plurality of storage sections suitable for housing the base (3) of a fixing device for food products on a stick, as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A display device for food products on a stick (10), having a main body that integrates with the base (3) of a plurality of fixing devices for food products on a stick according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. Use of the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 as an assembly element of a display device for food products on a stick.

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