Arrangement for dispensing the contents of a packet

Abstract

The claimed technical solution relates to arrangements installed on packages (packets)(1) in order to unload the package contents. The arrangement for dispensing of package (1) contents arranged above the package outlet hole (12) includes a tray (2) with flanges (3), an outlet valve (5) and a supporting element (9); at that, when folded, the tray (2) is located under the outlet valve (5) and is retained on the supporting element (9); and the outlet valve (5) is equipped with flaps (6) allowing to retain the tray flanges (3) and form an opening when the tray (2) is put into an open position. At that, the tray (2) is designed so that it can be opened at an angle exceeding 90°, and the edges of the tray flanges (3) are free from any attachments on three sides thereof. The tray (2) has a pulling element (4) with slots (10) made on the supporting element (9). When folded, the tray (2) is retained by the tray flanges (3) located in slots (10) made on the supporting element (9). Moreover, the flaps (6) of the outlet valve (5) retain the tray (2) in a closed position on the supporting element (9). The most illustrative figure: FIG. 1.

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR UNLOADING PACKAGING CONTENTS

[0002] Field of technology

[0003] The claimed technical solution relates to devices that are installed on packaging for unloading the contents of the packaging.

[0004] Prior art

[0005] The prior art includes numerous packaging solutions made from flexible materials, such as boxes and bags for storing bulk granular or powdered products, particularly tea, coffee, cereals, and others. Such packaging may contain a device for unloading the contents. These are described in patents US1847028A, US2064029A, US2593778A, US2946496A, US3426955A, and others.

[0006] Thus, US Patent 2,069,281, published February 2, 1937, Class B65D 33 / 36, discloses a device for unloading package contents, which is attached to the package, specifically, above an opening located on its top flap. Lines of weakness are formed in the middle of the top flap to form a device for unloading the package contents, wherein the device for unloading the package contents comprises a tray with an extension element and edges with end elements that ensure the tray is secured to the surface of the top flap of the package in its open state.

[0007] However, this packaging unloading device design has drawbacks. When the tray is opened, the end elements of the tray edges allow the tray to be positioned at an opening angle of <90 degrees. This position significantly limits the user's view of the area where the package contents are being unloaded onto the tray. In conditions of limited visibility, the user is forced to resort to additional manipulation of the package to encourage the contents to exit. When folding the tray back into the package, there is a risk of it falling inside the package, as the only primary locking mechanism is the thin edge of the top flap of the package and the thin edge of the unloading device, which is not a reliable means of securing it.In addition, the unloading device is located in the middle part of the top valve of the package, which leads to the appearance of “blind” zones on both sides of the device, from which the selection of contents is significantly complicated.

[0008] Another prior art device for unloading packaging contents is described in US Patent 2,064,029, published December 15, 1936, Class B65D 33 / 36 (which is the closest analogue) and comprises a tray with sides and a pull-out element. The device for unloading the packaging contents is formed on the narrow side wall of the packaging, as an extension thereof, and includes a tray for unloading with side sides that secure the tray in the open position, and a pull-out element, as a protruding part of the tray for unloading.

[0009] However, this device also has design flaws, such as the tray's width being equal to the sidewall of the package. This means that the amount of contents being unloaded from the package onto the tray may be disproportionately greater than the user requires, rendering the unloading process uncontrollable. Furthermore, the device for unloading the package contents is locked in a position where the opening angle cannot exceed 90 degrees. This forces the user to exert additional effort to force the contents onto the tray, requiring unnecessary movements that require careful coordination. When the tray is folded back into the package, the rough edge of the tray will frictionally engage the adjacent rough edge of the protruding portion of the package body, resulting in the device being held closed without the use of separate fastening devices.However, this type of retention in a closed position is not completely reliable; if the package is turned on its side (or upside down), there is a risk of the contents coming out of the package under the weight of the contents.

[0010] The essence of the declared solution

[0011] The technical problem solved by the claimed device is related to the elimination of the shortcomings of analogues known from the prior art.

[0012] The technical result that can be obtained by implementing this technical solution consists of ensuring reliable multiple fixation of the unloading device, both in the folded (closed) state, to cover the unloading opening, and in the open state, at any opening angle of the device selected by the user, and, as a consequence, increasing the controllability of the process of unloading the contents from the packaging.

[0013] The said technical result is achieved by creating a device for unloading the contents of a package, placed above the opening of the package, including a tray with sides, a release valve and a support element, wherein in its folded state, the tray is located under the release valve and is held on the support element, where the release valve is provided with flaps designed with the possibility of holding the sides of the tray and forming an opening when the tray is moved to the open state.

[0014] The tray is designed to open at an angle greater than 90 degrees, and the ends of the tray sides are free of attachments on three sides. The tray has a pull-out element, and the support element has slots. When folded, the tray is held in place by the tray sides, which are positioned in slots on the support element. Additionally, the outlet valve flaps hold the tray in place on the support element when folded.

[0015] In a specific case of an unloading device, its components—a lip tray, a release valve, and a support element—can be made integral with the packaging formed from a single flat piece. In another specific case of an unloading device, the lip tray, release valve, and support element are designed as separate components, with the option of installing these components on the packaging above the release opening.

[0016] In another particular case of the implementation of the device for unloading, the tray with sides, the discharge valve and the support element can be a single structure, with the possibility of its installation on the packaging above the discharge hole made on the packaging.

[0017] In another particular case of the implementation of the device for unloading a tray with sides, the outlet valve and the support element can be made in the form of a combination of elements, partially installed on the packaging and partially separate from it, with the possibility of attaching them to the packaging above the outlet hole made on the packaging.

[0018] The advantage of the proposed packaging unloading device solution is the ability to tilt the unloading device tray to an angle greater than 90 degrees, while maintaining the ability to tilt the tray to angles less than 90 degrees. This is achieved by not attaching the tray edges to the packaging on which the unloading device is located, but rather by attaching them to the tray by only one edge along the long sides of the tray. This positioning of the tray allows the user to control the viewing area of ​​the unloading device outlet for free unloading of the package contents, without any additional manipulation of the packaging, thanks to the ability to position the tray at an angle greater than the friction angle of the contents being unloaded from the tray surface.

[0019] The user-selected tray position is securely held in place by the tray's outer edges, which are pressed into place by the discharge valve flaps. Additionally, this angle allows the user to fully view the device, thereby maintaining control over the unloading process through the discharge opening.

[0020] After unloading the package contents, the outlet can be securely closed by freely returning the tray to its original position through the outlet valve, closing the outlet with the tray, and securing the tray edges in the slots on the support element. Additionally, the tray can be covered from above by outlet valve flaps. The connection line between these flaps can be curved so that the protruding elements of one flap fit between the protruding elements of the opposite flap, forming a flat zipper-like connection. The folded position is maintained by friction between the end surfaces of the nested protruding elements of the flaps, providing additional resistance to the inadvertent opening of the package outlet.

[0021] Thus, the claimed device for unloading the contents of a package differs from the prior art solutions for devices for unloading the contents of a package.

[0022] Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a device for unloading the contents, placed on the package; Fig. 2 illustrates the release valve in the folded state; Fig. 3 illustrates an example of the implementation of a device for unloading the contents of the package, made from a common development of the package; Fig. 4 illustrates a variant of the implementation of a device for unloading the contents of the package, consisting of individual elements;

[0023] Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a device for unloading the contents of a package that has a design other than a box; where the following positions designate the design elements of the claimed device:

[0024] 1. Packaging.

[0025] 2. Tray.

[0026] 3. Tray edge.

[0027] 4. Exhaust element.

[0028] 5. Exhaust valve.

[0029] 6. Longitudinal sash.

[0030] 7. End sash.

[0031] 8. Label.

[0032] 9. Support element.

[0033] 10. Slot of the support element.

[0034] 11. Exhaust valve opening.

[0035] 12. Packaging outlet.

[0036] 13. Cutting out the label.

[0037] 14. Side wall of the packaging.

[0038] 15. Upper packaging valve.

[0039] 16. Bottom valve of the packaging.

[0040] 17. Unloading device.

[0041] 18. Line of weakened strength of the pull-out element.

[0042] 19. Line of weakened strength of longitudinal sashes

[0043] 20. Line of weakened strength of the end sash.

[0044] 21. Outlet opening of the support element.

[0045] Description of the invention

[0046] The present invention relates to a device suitable for dispensing the contents of a package on which it is placed, for example, a powdered or granulated product such as tea, coffee, cereal, or grains. The package itself may have various shapes and be made of a flexible material, such as cardboard. The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which schematically depict the structural elements of the device and its application options.

[0047] More specifically, Fig. 1 schematically shows a device for unloading the contents of a package.

[0048] A device for unloading the contents of package 1 is positioned above the outlet opening 12 of package 1 and includes a tray 2 for unloading, along two sides of which there are edges 3, which limit the exit of the contents of package 1 beyond tray 2. Edges 3 may have various shapes, including rectangular, rounded, or shaped, ensuring the function they perform. Edges 3 are secured by one edge to tray 2; all other edges of edge 3 are free from attachment. On one more side of tray 2, for example, by the creasing method, a line of weakened strength 18 is made (not indicated in Fig. 1), connecting tray 2 with the extraction element 4. The extraction element 4 is a projection at the end of tray 2, and the presence of a line of weakened strength 18 provides the possibility of bending the extraction element 4 in the plane of tray 2. In this case, the line of weakened strength 18 can be made curved, which increases the rigidity of the extraction element 4 after its bending.

[0049] Another important element of the device for unloading the contents of the package 1 is the release valve 5 (see Fig. 2), which is formed by longitudinal flaps 6 and an end flap 7 with a label 8.

[0050] Fig. 2 illustrates the outlet valve 5 in the closed state. The outlet valve 5 is located above the tray 2 (not shown in Fig. 2) for unloading the contents of the package 1. In the outlet valve 5, in its middle part, a line of weakened strength 19 is made by creasing. The line of weakened strength 19 can be made rectilinear or zigzag, with the formation of zigzag elements of the flaps that fit into each other. When line 19 is broken, longitudinal flaps 6 are formed on the outlet valve 5, the separation of which from each other allows for the formation of an opening 11 of the outlet valve 5. The outlet valve 5 also includes an end flap 7, which is attached to the end sides of the longitudinal flaps 6, and has a label 8 with a cutout 13 of the label 8. By turning the label 8 through the cutout 13, the end flap 7 is separated with a bend along the line of weakened strength 20 from the outlet valve 5 and the longitudinal flaps 6, opening access to the exhaust element 4 of the tray 2.This makes it possible, by pulling the pull-out element 4, to separate the longitudinal flaps 6 at the point where the line of weakened strength 19 of the discharge valve 5 passes and to form an opening 11 through which the tray 2 can be moved into an open state for unloading the contents of the package 1 (see Fig. 1). In the open state, the tray 2 is held due to the frictional forces between the sides 3 of the tray 2 and the longitudinal flaps 6 of the discharge valve 5, which act as elastic stops for the sides 3 of the tray 2.As has already been said, the advantage of this design is the fact that the tray 2 of the device for unloading the contents of the package 1 is securely held in the open state due to the fact that the sides 3 of the tray 2 are covered on both sides by the longitudinal flaps 6 of the outlet valve 5, but at the same time, the tray 2 can be in the open state, deviating from the package 1 by an angle of > 90 degrees due to the fact that the sides 3 of the tray 2 are not attached to the package 1, in contrast to the designs known from the prior art. The outer surfaces of the sides 3 of the tray 2, and the surfaces of the longitudinal flaps 6 of the outlet valve 5 that contact them, can be embossed in such a way that the protruding parts of the surface of the sides 3 coincide with the recesses of the surface of the longitudinal flaps 6 to ensure reliable contact of the surfaces.

[0051] For each specific product contained in package 1, clearly visible lines may be additionally applied to the surfaces of the longitudinal flaps, indicating the optimal angle to which tray 2 should be tilted, allowing for the optimal discharge of the package's contents. For the same purpose, special bulges and depressions may be provided on the surfaces of the edges 3 of tray 2 and the longitudinal flaps 6 of the discharge valve 5, which contact each other, providing a tactile indication to the user that the optimal angle of rotation of tray 2 for the specific product—the contents of package 1—has been achieved.

[0052] Fig. 1 illustrates another structural element of the claimed device, namely, the support element 9. The support element 9 may be either part of the package 1 or a separate element that can be attached to the package 1 in a known manner. The support element 9 is designed in such a way that the end portion of the tray 2 rests on the surface of the support element 9, preventing the tray 2 from falling into the interior of the package 1 when the device is folded after use. Also, the support element 9 is provided with slots 10 at one of its free ends (see Figs. 3-4), which can be straight or have rounded edges.The slots 10 serve to securely hold the sides 3 of the tray 2 of the device for unloading the contents of the package 1, by wedging the sides 3 in the slots 10 when folding this tray after use into the package, holding the said sides 3 from spontaneously exiting the slots 10 under the action of the weight of the contents from inside the package onto the tray 2 during various manipulations with the closed package, or turning over the closed package.

[0053] Fig. 1 also shows an outlet opening 12, which is formed on the package 1 and serves to pass through it the contents unloaded from the package 1. The outlet opening 12 coincides with the outlet opening 21 of the support element and the opening 11 of the outlet valve. The outlet opening 21 of the support element 9 serves to pass through it the contents unloaded from the package 1. In this case, the length of the opening 21 in the support element 9 should be less than the length of the tray 2, and the width of the opening 21 in the support element should be equal to the width of the tray 2 along the outer dimension of its sides 3. The length of the opening 21 of the support valve 9 determines the maximum flow rate that can be achieved when unloading the contents from the package 1. In this case, a decrease in the length of the opening 21 proportionally reduces the maximum flow rate achieved when unloading the contents from the package 1, and vice versa, an increase in the length of the opening 21 increases the said maximum flow rate.

[0054] The claimed device for unloading the contents of packaging 1 can be used in the following way.

[0055] A device for unloading the contents of a package 1, consisting of a tray 2 with sides 3 and an exhaust element 4, an exhaust valve 5 with longitudinal flaps 6 and an end flap 7 and a support element 9, is installed above the exhaust opening 12 located on the package 1. In order to unload a portion of the contents from the package 1, the user opens the end flap 7 along the line of weakened strength 20, which has a pre-made cutout 13 on the exhaust tag 8. Having hooked the tag 8 by the cutout 13, the user forcibly bends the end flap 7, opening access to the exhaust element 4 of the tray 2. Having bent the exhaust element 4 of the tray 2 and grasped it, the user forcibly moves the tray 2 from the folded state to the unloading position. When pulling out with rotation of tray 2 by the exhaust element 4, the bridges on the line of weakened strength 19 are broken, and the longitudinal flaps 6 are bent, forming an opening 11 of the outlet valve 5.The opening 11 of the outlet valve 5 corresponds in width to the tray 2. Because the sides 3 of tray 2 are detached from the sides of package 1, this allows the user to tilt tray 2 to unload the contents of package 1 at an angle greater than 90 degrees and securely hold it in this position due to the frictional forces between the sides 3 of tray 2 and the longitudinal flaps 6 of the outlet valve 5, which act as elastic stops for the sides 3 of tray 2 and require no additional fastening means. All this allows tray 2 to be reliably opened and held in this position for the time required for unloading.This tilted position of tray 2 at an angle greater than 90 degrees allows the user to maintain maximum visibility of the area of ​​the outlet opening 21 of the support element 9, located under tray 2, and to organize controlled unloading of the dosed portion of the contents of package 1 into the container, without additional manipulation of package 1, by tilting package 1 and unloading the contents through tray 2 into the container. Sides 3 of tray 2 reliably protect the unloaded portion of the contents of package 1 from spillage. After unloading the required portion of the contents of package 1, tray 2 can be returned to its original (folded) state inside package 1. To do this, the user, holding onto the extractor element 4, lowers tray 2 through the opening 11 of the outlet valve 5 until it rests against the surface of the support element 9. The presence of the extractor element 4 of tray 2 allows the user to avoid contact with the surface of tray 2 itself, ensuring sanitary conditions.In this case, the user fixes the sides 3 of the tray 2 in the slots 10 of the support element 9. The slots 10 are made in such a way that when the tray 2 is folded inside the package 1, the sides 3 enter the slots 10 to the full height of the sides 3, are wedged in them and provide reliable fixation of the tray 2 in the folded state, which closes the opening 21 of the support element 9 and the outlet opening 12 of the package 1, and thereby prevents spontaneous unloading of the contents of the package 1 through the opening 11 of the outlet valve 5 and the opening 21 of the support element 9 during various spatial manipulations with the package 1. To facilitate the entry of the sides 3 of the tray 2 into the slots 10 of the support element 9, chamfers or roundings can be made on the input parts of the slots 10.

[0056] Thus, the claimed invention, described by the combination of the listed features, ensures reliable multiple opening and closing of the opening for unloading the contents of the package after unloading part of the contents, and also improves controllability and simplifies the unloading process.

[0057] Examples of the device's implementation, which serve as non-limiting illustrations of the claimed invention. Example 1.

[0058] A device for unloading the contents of a package may be implemented on a cardboard box-shaped package with a discharge opening, which, when unfolded, forms a single unit (Fig. 3). Such a package 1 has side panels 14, upper flaps 15, and lower flaps 16. The elements of the device 17 for unloading the contents of the package 1 are made integral with this unit, from its main parts.

[0059] Thus, the tray 2 with sides 3 and an exhaust element 4 is made on one of the upper valves 15 of the package 1.

[0060] The longitudinal 6 and end 7 flaps with the label 8 of the outlet valve 5 are also formed from the adjacent upper flap 15 of the package 1, such that the longitudinal flaps 6, when folded, are connected by a line of weakened strength 19, which may be a straight line or a curved line, ensuring the secure retention of the longitudinal flaps 6 with one another in their folded state and enhancing the effect of their mutual adhesion. Separating the flaps 6 and 7 from one another allows the opening 11 of the outlet valve 5 to be formed.

[0061] The support element 9 is made from another upper valve 15 of the package 1 and is provided with an opening 21 for releasing the contents from the package 1 and slots 10 for holding the flaps 3 of the tray 2 in them when the tray 2 is in the folded state.

[0062] After connecting the side faces 14, the upper flaps 15, and the lower flaps 16 of the development together, a package in the form of a box is obtained (see Figs. 1-2). Where the elements - a tray with sides, a discharge valve, and a supporting element of the device 17 for unloading the contents of the package are located one above the other and above the opening 12 of the package 1. Unloading the contents of this box can be carried out by using the device 17 for unloading the contents of the package in the manner described earlier. Example 2.

[0063] In Fig. 4 a second embodiment of a device for unloading the contents of a package is illustrated, when a tray 2 with sides 3 and an exhaust element 4, a release valve 5 formed by longitudinal flaps 6 and an end flap 7 with a label 8 and a support element 9 with slots 10 and an opening 21, represent separate structural elements of the said device for unloading and which are successively installed one above the other and above the opening 12 made on the package 1. The connection of the said elements of the device for unloading the contents of a package is carried out in a known manner, and the unloading of the contents of a package can be carried out by using the device for unloading in the manner described earlier.

[0064] Example 3.

[0065] In Fig. 5 another example of the implementation of a device for unloading the contents of a package is illustrated, when a tray 2 with sides 3 and an exhaust element 4, a release valve 5 formed by longitudinal flaps 6 and an end flap 7 with a label 8 and a support element 9 with slots 10 and an opening 21, represent a pre-assembled device and which are installed above an opening 12 made on the package 1. Unloading the contents of the package can be carried out by using the unloading device in the manner described earlier.

[0066] Example 4.

[0067] In yet another particular example of the embodiment of the claimed device for unloading the contents of a package (not shown in the figure), when the tray 2 with sides 3 and an exhaust element 4, the discharge valve 5 formed by longitudinal flaps 6 and an end flap 7 with a label 8 and a support element 9 with slots 10 and an opening 21, can be made in the form of a combination of elements partially installed on the package 1 and partially separate from it, with the possibility of attaching them to the package 1 above the discharge opening 12 made on the package 1. Unloading the contents of the package can be carried out by using the device for unloading in the manner described earlier.

Claims

CLAUSES OF THE INVENTION 1. A device for unloading the contents of a package, placed above the opening of the package, including a tray with sides, characterized in that it also includes a release valve and a support element, wherein in its folded state, the tray is located under the release valve and is held on the support element, where the release valve is provided with flaps designed to hold the sides of the tray and form an opening when the tray is moved to the open state.

2. The device according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the tray is designed with the possibility of tilting into an open state at an angle greater than 90 degrees.

3. The device according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the ends of the sides of the tray on three of their sides are free of attachments.

4. The device according to item 1, characterized in that the tray is made with an extractor element.

5. The device according to item 1, characterized in that slots are made on the support element.

6. The device according to paragraph 5, characterized in that in the folded state the tray is held by the sides of the tray, located in the slots made on the support element.

7. The device according to item 1, characterized in that in the folded state the tray is held on the support element by means of the flaps of the outlet valve.

8. A device according to any of paragraphs 1-7, characterized in that its elements - a tray with sides, a release valve and a support element - can be made integral with the packaging formed from a single scan.

9. A device according to any of paragraphs 1-7, characterized in that the tray with sides, the outlet valve and the support element are made in the form of separate elements, with the possibility of installing said elements on the packaging above the outlet opening made on the packaging.

10. A device according to any of paragraphs 1-7, characterized in that the tray with sides, the outlet valve and the support element can be a single structure, with the possibility of its installation on the packaging above the outlet hole made on the packaging.

11. The device according to paragraphs 1-7, characterized in that the tray with sides, the outlet valve and the support element can be made in the form of a combination of elements, partially installed on the packaging and partially separate from it, with the possibility of attaching them to the packaging above the outlet opening made on the packaging.