TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dispensing device for bulk products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Several different types of food products like for example sweets/candies, beans, lentils or nuts nuts as well as other products like skrews or similar small components are sometimes sold in in bulk in order to make it possible for a customer to buy the desired amount of the product. In order to facilitate the distribution of the bulk products a dispensing device could be used. The products are kept in a container from which they are dispensed by some type of feeding device activated by the customer into a bag or a container in appropriate size.

Different devices for dispensing these types of products are known in the prior art: WO 97/08977 discloses a dispenser for sweets that comprises a container from which sweets can be fed out by means of a feed screw that can be caused to rotate.

GB 2218410 A discloses a dispensing device for a foodstuff that comprises a container with a V-shaped bottom. In the lower part of the container, there is an auger that can be rotated by means of a motor.

US patent No. 4311257 discloses a device for dispensing food stuffs from a container.

The device comprises a cylindrical container and a rake with a handle.

However, the existing dispensing devices suffer from several drawbacks. First, it may happen that a granular product (for example a candy) is damaged during dispensing such that the consumer gets a damaged product, and secondly they all suffers from that the dispensing of the product in the container is not very precise since the different arangements for feeding the granular products will deliver the products in a fluctuating quantity. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device which reduces the risk that the granular products are damaged during dispensing and which is more precise in the delivery of products. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object defined above is achieved by a dispensing device for bulk products according to the present invention, defined in the independent claim. The claimed device for bulk products comprises:

a container for the bulk product, said container having a substantially cylindrical shape with a substantially circular cross section, said container having a first lower end and a second upper end, and a container wall extending between the first and second end;

at least two guides for the bulk product, said guides are fixed in relation to the container and arranged along the inside surface of the container wall;

a support device in which the container is rotatably arranged so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the container and the longitudinal axis being inclined relative to a horizontal plane;

a closing device arranged in the lower end of the container and being stationary arranged in the support device, said closing device comprises a tubular section substantially concentrical to the container, said tubular section having a maximum radius smaller than the container and is arranged inside the container, said closing device furthermore comprises a dispensing opening arranged in the tubular section above a horizontal plane through the centre of the tubular section;

a retainer plate, having a radius equal to, or larger than, the tubular section and smaller than the radius of the container, arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container in the lower end of the container inside the closing device to limit the amount of bulk products dispensed from the container via the dispensing opening; and means for rotating the container.

First, the risk for damaged products is eliminated since the feeding of the bulk products towards the dispensing opening is otained by the rotating inclined arrangement of the rotatable container instead of using a movable feeding mechanism arranged inside the container where there is a risk that the products are damaged by the relative movement between the container and the feeding mechanism.

Secondly, the position of the dispensing opening in combination with the guides arranged in the container, the retainer plate and the rotating container provides a very accurat and precise delivery of bulk products from the container. The precise delivery is achieved since a limited amount of products are allowed to pass through the gap between the periphery of the retainer plate and the inside surface of the container to the area defined between the outer surface of the tubular section and the inside surface of the container wall before the bulk products are lifted by the guides up to the dispensing opening where the gravity is forcing the products to fall through the dispensing opening out of the container. This means that only the products lifted to the level of the opening are able to exit the container via the dispensing opening which ensures a very precise delivery of products and a quick stop of the dispensing of products when the rotation of the container is stopped.

In one embodiment of the dispensing device, said container comprises three or more guides arranged at substanitally equal distances from each other around the inside periphery of the container. The number of guides arranged in the container is different in different applications of the device. A higher number of guides divides the interior of the container into further smaller sections and reduces the amount of bulk products contained and delivered from each section. This means that a smaller amount of bulk product is delivered from each section which makes it easier to dispense small amounts of bulk products with a high preciseness.

In one embodiment of the dispensing device, the guides extend in a direction substantially parallell to the longitudinal axis of the container. Guides arranged like this in combination with the inclined container provides a reliable dispensing device without the use of a separate feeding device in the container.

In one emboident of the dispensing device, the circumferential length of the dispensing opening is at least the same as the distance between two adjacent guides. This embodiment of the device ensures that the bulk products contained between two adjacent guides could be dispensed properly through the dispensing opening.

In one embodiment of the dispensing device, the device comprises means for rotating the container stepwise and the length of a step is substantially equal to the distance between two adjacent guides. This is a favourable embodiment of the device since the stepwise movement of the container result in that the products contained between two adjacent guides are delivered each time the dispensing device is actuated. This embodiment in combination with a predetermined number of guides in the container thereby makes it possible to deliver a predetermined amount of products each time the container is rotated one or more steps. In one embodiment of the dispensing device, wherein the dispensing opening has a first and a second circumferential end, the first end being the leading edge of the opening when the container is rotated in the intended direction, and both said first and second end of the opening are arranged above the horizontal plane through the centre of the tubular section.

In one embodiment of the dispensing device, the first end of the opening is arranged somewhere between the leading transverse direction and the upright position of the tubular section. This shape of the opening ensures a reliable dispensing of products.

In one embodiment of the invention, the width of the dispensing opening is adapted to the size of the bulk products.

In one embodiment of the dispensing device, the widht of the dispensing opening are within the range of 1.1 to 2.0 of the average diameter of the bulk products. The width of the dispensing opening is selected depending on the desired amount of delivered products. However, the claimed range ensures reliable delivery of producs without stucked products in the opening. In one embodiment of the dispensing device, the cross sectional shape of the guides are substantially triangular and one of the sides is arranged towards the inner periphery or the container. This cross sectional shape of the guide, or guides, facilitates the dispensing of products from the container the angled sides of the guide in combination with gravity will assist in dispensing the products through the opening.

In one embodiment of the dispensing device, the height of the guide, or guides, in radial direction of the container is less than about half the radius of the container. This guide height provides a reliable dispensing of bulk products from the container in combination with the desired accuracy in the delivery.

In one embodiment of the dispensing device, the container consist of a tube and an insert removably fitted within the tube. This embodiment is favourable since the bulk product could be filled within the insert and transported and stored in the insert. When it is time to refill the dispensing device the entire insert is fitted in the tube. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Different embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the appended figures, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a container arranged in a support device.

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic side view of the dispensing device according to the invention.

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded perspective side view of some of the different parts fo the dispensing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In figure 1, the selected parts of the device 10 for dispensing bulk products are illustrated. The device comprises a container 11 in which the bulk product is filled and a support device 12 in which the container is rotatable arranged. The support device provides a stable cradle in which the container 11 is positioned so that a longitudinal axis A of the cylindrical container 11 is inclined in relation to a horizontal plane.

The inclined container 11 has a circular cross section and a lower end 13 and an upper end 14. Around each end of the container 11 a cirucular ring 15 is arranged. The circular rings 15 are aligning small bearings 16 arranged on the support device 12 to facilitate rotation of the container 11. In the lower end 13 of the container, the support device 12 comprises bearings 16 for supporting the container in both radial and axial direction of the container in order to maintain the container in the intended axial position even though it is inclined.

Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of a dispensing device 10 according to the present invention schematically. The container 11 is arranged in the supporting device 12 and when dispensing of the bulk product is desired, the container is rotated by a motor 17 arranged in the upper end 14 of the container 11. The dispensing of bulk products is activated, for example, at the time an operator presses a button or lever, not illustrated, and a signal is transmitted to a control device 20 from where it is forwarded to the motor 17 via a wire 19. Alternatively the button is directly connected with the motor. The motor 17 rotates the container 11, either continously or stepwise, in order to feed bulk product towards a dispensing opening arranged in the lower end 13 of the container 11 where the bulk product is collected in an appropriate receptacle 18 or bag positioned below the dispensing opening in the lower end 13 of the container. The support device 12, in this embodiment, furthermore comprises a stand 21 for the receptacle 18. The dispensing device could also be provided with further additional features like for example a detecting device 22 that is used for verifying if a receptactle 18 is positioned to collect the dispensed bulk product before any dispensing of bulk products take place. The detecting device 22 is connected by a wire 23 to the control device 20 so that if no receptacle is corectly positioned, no activation of the motor 17 takes place.

More than one container could be arranged in the same supporting device if further types of bulk products are delivered from the same dispensing device. In figure 1, a second bearing 24 for a second container intended to be positioned side by side of the container 11 is illustrated.

In figure 3 an exploded view of the container 11 according to one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in detail. In this embodiment, the container 11 consist of a tube 31 and an insert 32 intended to be fitted inside the tube 31. This configuration makes it possible to replace the insert 32 of the container 11 by a replacement insert if the dispensing device should be used for another type of bulk product. Furthermore the bulk product could be filled, transported and stored within the insert 32 until it is time for use and the insert 32 is positioned in the tube.

Along the inside of the tubular shaped insert 32 a number of elongated guides 33 are extending from the inside surface 34 of the insert 32 towards the centre of the insert 32. The guides 33 are substanitally parallell to the longitudinal axis A of the container 11 and the insert 32 and extend along almost the entire length of the container 11. No guides are however arranged in the upper end 14 of the container to facilitate refilling of the insert 32 or container with bulk products. The number of guides 33 around the inside periphery of the container could vary depending on the intended use of the container. In this embodiment, the guides 33 have substantially triangular cross section but other cross sectional shapes could also be used.

Around each end of the tube 31, the circular rings 15 are arranged around the outer periphery of the tube 31. Each ring 15 is provided with a number of teeth 35 arranged around the outher periphery of the ring. These teeth 35 in combination with

corresponding teeth on a gear wheel 25 arranged on a drive shaft 26 of the motor 17, illustrated schematically in figure 2, are used for rotating the container 11. The rotation of the container could also be achieved by other arrangements. Each ring furthermore comprises a smooth peripheral section 36 adjacent the teeth 35. These smooth sections 36 aligns the bearings 16 on the support device 12. The ring 15 in the lower end furthermore has a substantially flat side 37 transverse to the longitudinal axis A of the container and facing away from the container 11. This flat section 37 aligns the axial bearings 27 on the support device 12.

In the axial ends of the tube 31 a number of cut outs 28 are made in the tube edge.

These cut outs 28, in combination with a protrusion 29 on the inside surface of the rings 15 provides securing means for maintaining the rings 15 in the desired position around the container 11.

The upper end 14 of the container 11 is closed by a lid 38 in order to avoid that dust or dirt enters the container 11 and contaminates the products in the container. The lid 38, and the both rings 15 provided with teeth 35 rotate together with the container 11.

In the lower end 13 of the container a closing device 39 in combination with a retainer plate 40 closes the container 11 in order to maintain the bulk product in the container 11. The closing device 39 is stationary arranged in the support device 12 while the retainer plate 40, that is fitted in the container 11 , rotates together with the container 11.

The closing device 39 comprises a ring shaped element 41 aligning the flat side 37 of the ring 15 arranged in the lower end 13 of the container 11. From the inner edge 42 of the ring shaped element 41, a tubular section 43 concentric with the container 11, extend into the container 11. The illustrated tubular section has a circular cross section, but the cross section could also have a slightly different cross sectional shape, for example slightly oval or drop-shaped, in order to facilitate dispensing of particular products further. The tubular section 43 extend to, or close to, the retainer plate 40 that is positioned in the container 11. The tubular section 43 has a radius smaller than the container 11 and is arranged in the container so that a space is defined between the outer periphery of the tubular section 43 and the inside surface 34 of the insert 32, or container 11. The outer radius of the tubular section 43 should also be adapted to the radial height of the guides 33 so that the guides 33 preferably extend as close to the outer periphery of the tubular section 43 as possible without contacting the tubular section 43. The open inner end 44 of the tubular section 43 is closed by the retainer plate 40. The retainer plate 40 consist of a flat plate 45 and a locking plate 45 intended to be fitted in the guides 33 to maintain the retainer plate 40 in the intended position. The closing device 39 furthermore comprises a dispensing opening 45 for the bulk product. The dispenings opening 45 is arranged in the tubular section 43 above a horizontal plane through the centre of the tubular section 43. The circumferential length, as well as the width of the dispening opening 45 is selected depending on the intended use of the dispensing device 10 and the specific size of the different bulk products. The circumferential length of the dispensing opening 45 should however be at least equal to the distance between the outer edges of two adjacent guides 33 in the container 11 and the width of the dispensing opening within the range of 1.1 to 4.0, and preferably within the range of 1.1 to 2.0 the average diameter of the bulk products in order to make it possible to achieve the desired accuracy of the dispensed amount of products.

The retainer plate 40 has a substantially circular shape and is fitted transverse to the longitudinal axis A of the container 11. The retainer plate 40 has a radius equal to, or larger than, the tubular section 43 and smaller than the radius of the container 11 so that a slot is generated between the outer periperhy 46 of the retainer plate 40 and the inner surface of the insert 34, or container wall. The size of the slot is selected to match the size of the different pieces of the bulk product, and the retainer plate 40 is changed to a different size when the type of bulk product in the dispensing device 10 is changed. The retainer plate 40 is provided with cut out portions 47 around the periphery to make room for the guides 33 in the container in the retainer plate 39. The main aspect of the retainer plate 40 is to limit the amount of bulk product that is allowed to pass through the slot and enter the space defined around the tubular section 43 from which the bulk product exits the container 11 via the dispensing opening 45. In this embodiment, the retainer plate 40 also closes the tubular section 43 in the lower end 13 of the container 11 but this effect could also be achieved by redesigning the closing device 39.

During use, the bulk product is filled in the container 11 via the opening in the upper end 14 of the container 11. When the dispening device 10 is activated the container 11 is rotated, either continously or stepwise, in order to feed the bulk product towards the lower end 13 of the container 11. The inclined container 11 and the guides 33 in the container 11 facilitates the mixing and movement of the bulk product. When the container 11 is rotated, a limited amount of bulk product is passing through the slot around the retainer plate 40 to the space defined around the tubular section 43 of the closing device 39. The guides 33, that extend all the way to the lower end 13 of the container 11 , lifts the bulk products within the space around the tubular section 43 to the level of the dispensing opening 45 where the bulk product, assisted by the gravity, falls out from the container 11 via the dispensing opening 45 to a receptacle or bag positioned below the dispensing opening 45 where it is collected. The dispensing device 10 may be provided with some kind of guiding device for directing the dispensed bulk product to the receptacle 18 or bag but no such device is illustrated in the figures.

If desired, a number of dispensing devices 10 according to the invention could be arranged on one common support device 12 in order to make it possible to dispense different types of bulk products simultaneously. Preferably the dispensing device, or devices, are surrounded by a housing. The housing prevents unintentional contact with the bulk products and different components of the device. If the dispensing device is surrounded by a housing, the closing device 39 could be structurally connected to the housing instead of the support device.

The different embodiments of the invention described in this application could of course be combined in different ways in order to optimize the device to different types of bulk products and the specific intended use of the device. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.