CARTRIDGE, CASE, KIT AND PULVERIZATION PROCESS FOR SOLID PRODUCTS

The present invention relates to a cartridge, case, kit and pulverization process for solid products of the type specified in the preamble to the first claim.

In particular, the present invention relates to a cartridge comprising solid products, e.g. cosmetics or health care products, in the form of tablets or tablets, also known as tabs, capable of being dispensed from a case, especially where the tablets are manually manipulated by the user, or from a multifunctional dispenser configured to manipulate the same solid products in such a way as to make them usable for a user.

The dispensers for cosmetic or sanitary products are currently known as, for example, common dispensers for liquid soap or other substantially fluid cosmetics.

Such dispensers essentially comprise a tank configured to accommodate the liquid product or at the same time a cartridge comprising a liquid product. Thus, the tank may include thrust mechanisms configured to push the liquid out of a spout for the use of a utiliser.

Such dispensers have, however, the important drawback of being anti-ecological and of being destined to become obsolete in a short time.

In fact, the growing demand for a decrease in the manufacture and use of plastics worldwide has led, for example, to the creation of cosmetics that are water-free, transportable and usable without the use of synthetic packaging such as plastic and similar.

In particular, the newly manufactured cosmetic products are preferably solid and made in the form of tablets or tablets of various shapes. Therefore, products must be contained in sustainable packaging that is free of plastic or derivatives but at the same time functional and protective for the product contained.

Some devices therefore involve the use of solid products.

Such dispensers are described, for example, in patent documents CN-U-202505229 and KR-B-100996572.

Essentially, both documents describe dispensers within which a solid product can be placed and stored, and include a mechanism for moving the solid product to an outlet portion and a handling portion, to make the product usable, essentially at the outlet portion.

The document CN-U-202505229, in detail, describes a handling portion comprising an abrasive surface configured to pulverise the solid product and, essentially, make the solid product powder available at the outlet.

The document KR-B-100996572, on the other hand, describes a handling portion comprising a cutting surface configured to cut solid product into slices and, essentially, make slice cuts of solid product available at the output.

The known technique described includes some major drawbacks.

In particular, the solid product, once handled, is essentially collected at the outlet portion and must necessarily be collected and used immediately, as it is extremely exposed to the external environment and, in the case of the dispenser of the document KR-B-100996572 in particular, may not even be collected permanently.

In addition, the dispensers of the known technique are mainly used on soaps and only allow the handling of the soap.

Thus, the user has only two options, to use the soap stored inside the dispensers in the form of handling imposed by the dispensers themselves, or not to use the dispensers and to use the soap entirely, as is traditionally done.

In addition, if the tablets are intended to be pulverised by manual manipulation, e.g. by rubbing, squeezing or other simple manual actions, they are generally contained within containers that can be opened and closed on command.

An important drawback of such containers is that, when opened, they expose all the tablets contained therein to the outside environment with the possibility of causing them to deteriorate and consequently lose their physical and chemical characteristics.

In addition, tablets or tablets can also deteriorate due to mutual friction caused by the fact that, inside the containers, they are free to move around randomly.

As an alternative to the above-mentioned containers, it is also known to package each tablet individually.

Naturally, the main drawback is the fact that superfluous material has to be used that has to be disposed of after the use of the tablet.

There are, certainly, disadvantages associated with this, both economically and environmentally.

In this situation, the technical task at the heart of the present invention is to devise a cartridge, a case, a kit and a pulverizing process for solid products capable of substantially obviating at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks.

In the context of the said technical task, it is an important scope of the invention to obtain a cartridge, a case, a kit and a pulverising process for cosmetic products which allow a plurality of solid product tablets or tablets to be stored safely and sufficiently protected so as to protect them from the external atmospheric environment, but at the same time allow them to be easily used.

Another important aim of the invention is to realise a cartridge that is versatile, i.e. that can be used efficiently both for manual handling by the user and within dispensers for mechanical tablet handling.

Furthermore, a further task of the invention is to realise a cartridge, a case, a kit and a pulverising process for solid products that are simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

In conclusion, a further task of the invention is to realise a cartridge, a case and a kit for solid products that are compact and occupy a small volume, possibly substantially close to the volume occupied by the solid product tablets housed therein.

The technical task and specified purposes are achieved by a cartridge for solid products as claimed in the attached claim 1 .

Preferred technical solutions are highlighted in the dependent claims.

The features and advantages of the invention are clarified below by a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the Fig. 1 shows a frontal perspective view of a cartridge for solid products according to the invention in which the tab is removed to release the tab from which tablets can be extracted in a first embodiment in which only the tab is present; the Fig. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of a cartridge for solid products according to the invention in a second embodiment in which the tab and strip are simultaneously present and in which the rear strip is removed; the Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a housing containing a cartridge for solid products according to the invention in which the support portion and the closing portion are partially open to release the aperture and allow the extraction of tablets; the Fig. 4 represents a view in the posterior perspective of a case capable of including a cartridge for solid products according to the invention in which the support portion is spaced from the closing portion and the pin introduced into the guide is visible; the Fig. 5a shows a perspective view of a case suitable for enclosing a solid product cartridge according to the invention in which the support portion and the closing portion are partially open and comprise, respectively, a tank for housing a tablet and a hammer configured to interact with the tablet in the tank when the housing is closed; the Fig. 5b illustrates a perspective view of the housing of the Fig. 5a in which the closing portion is impulsively brought into the closed position; the Fig. 5c is a perspective view of the case of the Figs. 5a-5b in which the closing portion is brought back to the open position and the tablet is pulverised and ready to be taken out of the tank; the Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a multifunctional solid product dispenser capable of including a solid product cartridge according to the invention; the Fig. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a multifunctional solid product dispenser to include a solid product cartridge according to the invention in which the manipulator is shown upside down; the Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a cartridge for solid products according to the invention comprising both the strip and the tabs, as well as the solid product, and suitable for being introduced into a multifunctional dispenser for solid products and in which the edges of the removable strip are visible in hatching; the Fig. 9 depicts an exploded view of a solid product cartridge according to the invention and of the part of a multifunctional solid product dispenser intended for housing the cartridge; the Fig. 10a shows a first step in the process of loading a multifunctional dispenser for solid products to include a cartridge for solid products according to the invention in which a cartridge is to be procured as shown in Fig. 8; the Fig. 10b illustrates a second step in the loading procedure of a multifunctional solid product dispenser capable of including a solid product cartridge according to the invention in which the removable strip is removed from the cartridge and the first solid product tablet is visible; the Fig. 10c is a third step in the loading procedure of a multifunctional solid product dispenser capable of including a solid product cartridge according to the invention in which the cartridge is inserted into the guide from above; the Fig. 10d is a fourth step in the process of loading a multifunctional solid product dispenser to include a solid product cartridge according to the invention in which the insertion of Fig. 10c is completed; the Fig. 10e is a fifth step in the process of loading a multifunctional solid product dispenser to include a solid product cartridge according to the invention in which the refill portion of the tank is coupled to the lid; the Fig. 10f is a sixth step in the process of loading a multifunctional solid product dispenser to include a solid product cartridge according to the invention in which the coupling of Fig. 10e is completed; the Fig. 11a is a perspective view of part of a multifunctional solid product dispenser capable of including a solid product cartridge according to the invention in which the selector is constrained to the tank and the access of the selector is not aligned with the outlet of the tank; the Fig. 11 b is a perspective view of the part of the multifunctional solid product dispenser in Fig. 11 a in which the selector switch is rotated around the longitudinal axis in such a way as to bring the access into alignment with the outlet by realising the opening configuration; the Fig. 11c is a view in perspective of the multifunctional dispenser for solid products of the Figs.1 1 a-1 1 b in which it is also present the manipulator constrained on the top of the selector.

In the present document, the measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words like “about” or other similar terms such as “approximately” or “substantially”, are to be considered as except for measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and/or manufacturing errors, and, above all, except for a slight divergence from the value, measurements, shape, or geometric reference with which it is associated. For instance, these terms, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a divergence of not more than 10% of the value.

Moreover, when used, terms such as “first”, “second”, “higher”, “lower”, “main” and “secondary” do not necessarily identify an order, a priority of relationship or a relative position, but can simply be used to clearly distinguish between their different components.

Unless otherwise specified, as results in the following discussions, terms such as “treatment”, “computing”, “determination”, “calculation”, or similar, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or similar electronic calculation device that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical, such as electronic quantities of registers of a computer system and/or memories in, other data similarly represented as physical quantities within computer systems, registers or other storage, transmission or information displaying devices. The measurements and data reported in this text are to be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as performed in the International Standard Atmosphere ICAO (ISO 2533:1975).

With reference to the Figures, the cartridge for solid products according to the invention is globally indicated by the number 100.

The 100 cartridge is preferably used either inside a dispenser or stand-alone.

The dispenser preferably intended for use with cartridge 100 is globally indicated with the number 1.

The case preferably intended for the use of the 100 cartridge is, on the other hand, globally indicated with the number 200.

The cartridge 100, and consequently also the dispenser 1 and/or the cartridge 200, are basically designed to allow the dispensing and storage of solid products of the cosmetic or sanitary type, for example.

Therefore, the solid product may include a bar of soap, or even compressed cosmetic powder or other products that have a predominantly solid conformation.

Preferably, the solid product in use, i.e. contained, for example, in cartridge 100 is in the form of tablet 10.

The tablet 10 is essentially a capsule, or tablet, or tabs, containing or consisting of the solid product. Of course, the term tablet 10 does not indicate a particular processing e.g. by compression, but merely indicates the fact that the solid product is agglomerated into an element defining a predetermined volume and shape.

The tablet 10, of course, can be of various shapes and sizes. For example, it can be substantially discoidal, possibly with circular or elliptical bases, even rounded, or it can be substantially rectangular parallelepiped, with rounded edges, like common detergent tabs, or even cuboidal or something else. In general, tablet 10 preferably defines a thickness s.

The thickness s is essentially the lesser of the dimensions determining the overall volume of the tablet 10. If the latter, as previously described, has a discoidal, or rectangular, base area, the thickness s can be defined as the distance between the base areas defining the shape of tablet 10.

The cartridge 100, and consequently also the dispenser 1 and/or the case 200, are suitable for storing and dispensing a plurality of tablets 10.

The tablets 10 are preferably stacked along a predetermined direction. In particular, a plurality of tablets 10 is advantageously accommodated within the cartridge 100.

The cartridge 100, therefore, is advantageously configured to include tablets 10 organised within it.

In this regard, cartridge 100 preferably includes at least one cartridge casing 101.

The casing 101 is substantially capable of containing the tablets 10. Therefore, it is preferably a closed container that can be opened in such a way that the tablets 10 can be accessed.

In particular, the casing 101 comprises tablets 10 stacked neatly along a predetermined direction 100a. Therefore, the tablets 10 are preferably stacked so that the thicknesses s are aligned along the predetermined direction 100a.

In addition, it includes at least two basic partitions 101a and one side partition 101 b. The partitions 101 a, 101 b essentially enclose the space for the cartridge 100 and make the casing 101 .

Therefore, the side partition 101 b preferably joins the basic partitions 101 a along the predetermined direction 100a. The latter, therefore, are mutually spaced along the predetermined direction 100a from the side partition 101 b.

The partitions 101 a, 101 b can thus define various shapes and sizes in relation to the type of tablets 10 contained therein. The casing 101 may in fact define various shapes, for example a rectangular parallelepiped, as shown in the Figs. 1 , 2 and 8, with rectangular or square basic partitions 101 a and side partition 101 b defined by four rectangular planes, or the casing 101 may define a cylindrical shape, not shown in the figures, with circular or elliptical basic partitions 101 a and flat curved side partition 101 b.

Advantageously, the cartridge 100 also includes a tab 104.

The tab 104 is substantially configured to allow manual extraction of the tablets 10 from the cartridge 100. Thus, the tab 104, visible for example in the Figs. 1 , 2 and 8, is preferably removable. For example, it is tear removable and is defined by a plurality of notches to facilitate removal of the tab 104 itself.

Preferably, the tab 104 is arranged on the side partition 101 b. In particular, the tab 104 preferably extends around the predetermined direction 100a. In detail, the tab 104 extends along a trajectory developed along different directions such that the tab 104 wraps at least partially around the tablet 10 disposed behind the same tab 104. Furthermore, the tab 104 is preferably arranged close to one of the basic partition 101 a. For example, it could also be adjacent to the basic partition 101 a, however, for structural reasons, it is preferable for the tab 104 to be at least slightly spaced apart from the basic partition 101 a.

Therefore, preferably, the tab 104 is spaced from a basic partition 10a parallel to the predetermined direction 100a by a distance h.

Preferably, the distance h is approximately close to the thickness s of the tablet. However, the distance h could also be slightly less or even more than the thickness s.

In addition, the tab 104 defines an opening d. The opening d is defined parallel to the predetermined direction 100a. Thus, the opening d is at least equal to the thickness s. Furthermore, the aperture d could also be greater than the thickness s.

Naturally, when the tab 104 is removed, a slot 105 is made.

The slot 105 is configured to allow the user to grip the tablet 10 previously wrapped by the tab 104. Thus, the slot 105 is also configured to allow the user to remove the gripped tablet 10 from the casing 101 .

If the casing 101 defines a rectangular parallelepiped shape, in which the basic partitions 101 a are rectangular and the side partition 101 b is divided into four faces, the slot 105 and the corresponding tab 104 substantially define a band extending transversely to the predetermined direction 100a on at least two faces: in detail, the band extends on a first face from side to side and partially on at least one side face adjacent to the first face. Preferably, the band extends over three faces and, in detail, over a first face from side to side and partially over both side faces adjacent to the first face.

The extension of slot 105 and tab 104 to the side faces, in this particular case, clearly facilitates the grip of the tablet 10.

Advantageously, moreover, the casing 101 preferably also includes a strip 102.

The strip 102, visible for example in the Figs. 1 , 2 and 8, is preferably removable. For example, it is tear removable and is defined by a plurality of notches to facilitate removal of the strip 102 itself similar to the tab 104.

In detail, the strip 102 extends between the basic partitions 101 a through the side partition 101 b. In addition, the strip 102 preferably also includes at least one basic partition 101 a.

In further detail, the strip 102 may extend parallel to the predetermined direction 100a. Furthermore, the strip 102 may extend from a basic partition 101 a to the opposite basic partition 101 a and may also include one of being and even a part of the other partition, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

In addition, the strip 102, when removed, makes a groove 103. The groove 103 is a through-hole whose extent substantially coincides with the area of the now removed strip 102.

Thus, preferably, the groove 103 extends substantially along the side partition 101 b from basic partition 101 a to basic partition 101 a and also extends to at least one basic partition 101 a, e.g., the upper partition, to allow the smooth exit of the tablets 10.

Furthermore, preferably, the tab 104 is arranged close to the basic partition 101 a opposite the basic partition 101 a included in the strip 102. This last aspect also increases the structural stability of the cartridge 100, especially when the strip 102 and tab 104 are both removed to allow a dual type of use of the cartridge 100, i.e. manual and via dispenser 1 .

In detail, if the tab 104 and the strip 102 are both present on the cartridge 100, it is preferable that the distance h is greater than the thickness s. Furthermore, it is also preferable that the tab 104, and thus also the slot 105, extend only on two adjacent faces of the cartridge 100.

The cartridge 100, in conclusion, is preferably made of paper material, e.g. cellulose or cardboard.

As already mentioned, the cartridge 100 can be used as manufactured.

Or it can be contained, for example, in a special case 200.

The case 200 may therefore, comprise the cartridge 100. Furthermore, preferably, the case 200 extends, being intended for use with the cartridge 100, preferably along the predetermined direction 100a.

The case 200, by way of summary, comprises at least a support portion 201 and a closing portion 202.

The support portion 201 and the closing portion 202 can be coupled and uncoupled. Thus, they are configured to allow for a closed container that can be opened by simply decoupling the portions 201 , 202.

Preferably, the support portions 201 and closing portions 202 are mutually countersagged at the interface zone, i.e., the zone at which they come into contact to realise the closure of the case 200.

Essentially, therefore, the closing portion 202 defines at least one opening position and one closing position. Of course, the closing portion 202 may realise a plurality of different opening positions in which it is more or less distant from the support portion 201.

In addition, the opening and closing positions are preferably located along the predetermined direction 100a. This means that essentially, preferably, the closing portion 202 moves along the predetermined direction 100a, around the cartridge 100, from the open position to the closed position and vice versa.

Furthermore, overall, the case 200, and thus also the portions 201 , 202, may be shaped like the cartridge 100 so as to contain it without using superfluous space. Preferably, the support portion 201 is configured to exert greater friction on said cartridge 100 than on the closing portion 202 such that the cartridge 100 remains integral with the support portion 201 while the closing portion 202 moves relative to the cartridge 100. For example, it is sufficient in this regard that the closing portion 202 is just slightly wider than the cartridge 100, while the support portion 201 is exactly sized like the cartridge 100 to constrain it by interlocking. Preferably, therefore, the cartridge 100 could also be integrally constrained to the support portion 201 at the basic partition 101 a adjacent or close to the tab 104.

Of course, as mentioned above, if you plan to use the cartridge 200 with the base portion 201 turned towards the ground, the cartridge 100 can simply remain resting on the base support 201 and supported there.

In general, preferably, when the closing portion 202 is in the closed position, the cartridge case 200 adheres to the partitions 101 a, 101 b of the casing 101 of the cartridge 100 housed therein.

Thus, the closing portion 202 essentially translates on the cartridge 100 along the predetermined direction 100a to move from the open position to the closed position or vice versa. In other words, the cartridge 100 and the closing portion 202 together realise a sleeve configuration.

The support portion 201 , in detail, is preferably configured to support the cartridge 100 at a basic partition 101 a adjacent or close to the tab 104.

In this way, when the support portion 201 is facing the ground, the tablets in the case 10 are pushed by the gravitational force towards the support portion 201 itself and, thus, towards the tab 104 or the slot 105 if the tab 104 has been removed.

The support portion 201 , in even greater detail, preferably comprises at least one annular edge. The annular edge, if present, is wrapped around part of the side partition 101 b of the cartridge 100.

Thus, the annular edge preferably defines a height h'.

Preferably, the height h' is defined, when the cartridge 200 includes the cartridge 100, parallel to the predetermined direction 100a.

Furthermore, the height h' is preferably equal to or less than the distance h. In this way, the annular edge cannot interfere with the slot 105 by, for example, preventing tablets from exiting it.

The case 200 may include additional elements. For example, one of the opening and closing portions 201 , 202 may include a pin 203.

The pin 203 may thus be a protruding element, for example, in a given direction. Preferably, the pin 203 extends along the predetermined direction 100a.

Furthermore, the other among the portions 201 , 202, i.e. the portion 201 , 202 not including the pin 203, preferably includes a guide 204.

Slide 204 is configured to accommodate at least partially the pin 203.

Specifically, the guide 204 allows pin 203 to translate within guide 204 along the predetermined direction 100a.

To realise the guide 204, a slot can be defined on the locking portion 202, or a simple slot can also be defined on the inner surface of the locking portion 202.

In fact, when the cartridge 100 is housed within the cartridge 200, the plug 203 can essentially move into the space between the groove and the side wall 101 b of the cartridge 100.

The support portion 201 may also further include an abutment 201a.

If present, the abutment 201 a protrudes transverse to the predetermined direction 100a. Further, the abutment 201 a is configured to allow a user to translate the support portion 201 and the cartridge 100 along the predetermined direction 100a relative to the closing portion 202.

Basically, the abutment 201 a on which a force parallel to the predetermined direction 100a is sufficient to push the support portion 201 away from the closing portion 202.

Of course, alternatively, the abutment 201 a could also be positioned on closing portion 202 to facilitate pushing the closing portion 202 directly along the predetermined direction 100a.

Advantageously, the base portion 201 could include a tank 201 b.

The tank 201 b is substantially an at least partially containing element. Thus, the tank 201 b preferably defines a collection space configured to accommodate a tablet 10. More specifically still, preferably, the tank 201 b accommodates a tablet 10 exiting the slot 105. Thus, the tank 201 b is substantially abutted to the annular rim surrounding part of the side wall 101 b or may even be an extension thereof.

Furthermore, the tank 201 b may be a fully closed element, i.e. also defined by an annular rim, or it may be partially open, e.g. at one side spaced from the cartridge 100.

The closing portion 202 can advantageously include a hammer 202a.

The hammer 202a preferably interferes at least partially with the collection space when the closing portion 202 is in the closed position.

In addition, the hammer 202a is also configured to compress a tablet 10 housed in the tank 201 b when the closing portion 202 is in the closed position.

The hammer 202a preferably comprises a smooth, undulating surface facing the tank 201 b, preferably having a maximum point defining a point of maximum compression and extending at an angle to the predetermined direction 100a.

Of course, the surface of the hammer 202a could also be serrated. However, it is preferable, although not necessary, for the surface to be smooth and corrugated in order to push the powder produced by the compression of the tablet 10 away from the hammer 202a, thereby avoiding compaction of the powder between the teeth of the hammer 202a.

Essentially, therefore, in this form of realisation, the closing portion 202 can be defined as a sort of pestle, translocating on the cartridge 100 along the predetermined direction 100a, and beating on the tank 201 b to compress, and thus pulverise, the tablet 10.

In conclusion, the case 200 can be made of polymeric material. Or, the case 200 may also be made of metal material, for example aluminium.

As mentioned above, the cartridge 100, if fitted with strip 102, can also be functionally housed in dispenser 1 .

The dispenser 1 is then possibly able to interact with cartridge 100 as described below.

The dispenser 1 therefore includes at least one tank 2.

The tank 2 is basically configured to hold a plurality of tablets 10.

The tablets 10, inside the dispenser 2, are preferably stacked along an axis. In this regard, the dispenser 1 defines a longitudinal axis 1a.

The longitudinal axis 1a is essentially the prevailing development axis of dispenser 1 . It therefore runs longitudinally through dispenser 1 .

The tablets 10 are, therefore, preferably stacked along the longitudinal axis 1a. Therefore, if the tablets 10 are ordered in a cartridge 100, the tank 2 is configured to hold the cartridge 100 along the longitudinal axis 1 a.

The tank 2 also defines at least one outlet 20.

The outlet 20 is essentially a slot through which tablets 10 can exit from the tank 2. Thus, the outlet 20 is intended to allow tablets 10 to pass from the tank 2 to the outside.

The tank 2 can, therefore, be realised in various ways.

For example, tank 2 could be closed and allow tablets 10 to be inserted from outlet 20 as is the case, for example, in a common piggy bank.

Alternatively, the tank 2 can also be opened on command to facilitate the insertion or extraction of tablets 10 from tank 2.

Therefore, tank 2 may comprise a refill portion 2a and a lid 2b.

The refill portion is preferably configured to accommodate the tablets 10. The lid 2b, on the other hand, preferably includes the outlet 20 and is configured to be removably bound to the refill portion 2a.

In particular, the refill portion 2a is removable with respect to the lid 2b at least along the longitudinal axis 1 a so as to allow insertion or extraction of the tablets 10 from the tank 2.

More specifically, in a preferred form of embodiment, the tank 2 extends mainly along the longitudinal axis 1 a and comprises a first base 21 , a second base 22 and a first side wall 23.

The first base 21 is flat and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1 a. Furthermore, it is preferably part of the charging portion 2a.

The second base 22 is also flat, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1 a and, preferably, part of the lid 2b. If the second base 22 is present, it preferably includes the outlet 20.

The first side wall 23, therefore, joins the bases 21 , 22. Furthermore, the first side wall 23 is also preferably part of said lid 2b.

In an alternative form of embodiment, the tank 2 may not include the second base 22 and outlet 20 may be defined by another element, as described below.

In fact, the dispenser 1 may include an extraction mechanism 5.

The extraction mechanism 5 is not, in itself, necessary since the user could pull tablets 10 out of outlet 20 simply by gravity, i.e. by placing outlet 20 facing the ground.

However, it is advantageous because it allows the extraction of tablets 10 to be controlled in any situation.

The extraction mechanism 5 is preferably arranged within tank 2.

In particular, the extraction mechanism 5 may be a part of the charging portion 2a and may, for example, be tied to the first base 21 , as shown in Fig. 2.

In general, the extraction mechanism 5 is configured to press the tablets 10 towards the outlet 20 in such a way that the tablets 10 leave the tank 2.

In this regard, the extraction mechanism 5 preferably includes a guide 50.

Preferably, the guide 50 is configured to accommodate the tablets 10. More specifically, the guide 50 is configured to accommodate the cartridge 100. More specifically, the guide 50 is configured to allow the tablets 10 to slide along the longitudinal axis 1 a.

In this way, the guide 50 guides the tablets 10 towards the outlet 20. The latter, as already mentioned, may be included in the second base 22. Or, if the latter is not present, the outlet 20 may also correspond to the free end of the guide 50. In fact, preferably, the guide 50 extends along the longitudinal axis 1 a from the first base 21.

The guide 50 may, therefore, be suitable for partially wrapping a stack of tablets 10, or for wrapping part of the cartridge 100, in particular of the casing 101 .

The extraction mechanism 5 may also include only the guide 50. In this case, the guide 50 essentially allows the tablets 10 to be automatically stacked if they are inserted into a dispenser 1 in which the extraction of the tablets 10 is done manually, e.g. by gravity, as mentioned above.

Preferably, however, the extraction mechanism 5 also includes a thrust member 51 . The thrust member 51 is basically an organ to exert a force on the tablets 10 so that they exit the outlet 20. The thrust member 51 essentially comprises at least one slider 510.

The slider 510 is, preferably, a movable element within guide 50 along longitudinal axis 1 a.

The slider 510 is, therefore, the element to interact with tablets 10.

The slider 510 can, therefore, be operated in various ways. For example, from outside tank 2 by means of a handle that allows the slider 510 to be manually moved on the guide 50 from the outside.

Or, the slider 510 can also be operated by electromechanical means that can be controlled from the outside via electronic controls.

The slider 510, advantageously, is only capable of interacting with the tablets 10, even when the tablets 10 are organised in a cartridge 100, essentially because the guide 50 is configured to accommodate the cartridge 100 in such a way that, when the strip 102 is torn and the groove 103 is made, the slider 510 moves through the groove 103 pushing the tablets and allowing the casing 101 to remain secure in the guide 50.

In its simplest, and thus most cost-effective, form of realisation, the 51 pushing organ also includes opposition means 511.

The opposition means 51 1 are substantially elastic, i.e. with elastic behaviour. Furthermore, they are configured to oppose the translation of the slider 510 away from the outlet 20, i.e. from the free end of the guide 50.

Essentially, therefore, the opposition means 51 1 , which could also comprise a simple spring, are configured to push, by means of an elastic force, the tablets 10 towards the outlet 20, i.e. towards the free end of the guide 50.

Therefore, preferably, the opposition means 51 1 are configured to be at rest, or in the zero position, when extending along the entire guide 50. When the tablets 10, or the cartridge 100, are placed in the guide 50, the slider 510 is then moved back, relative to the outlet 20, to make room for tablets 10 or cartridge 100 in the opposition media 51 1 .

Of course, especially to facilitate the loading of the tank 2, the thrust organ 51 could also include locking devices.

The locking means, if provided, are configured to lock the slider 51 at an arbitrary position along the longitudinal axis 1 a in the guide 50. In this way, the locking means, not shown in the Figures, allow the tablets 10 and/or the cartridge 100 to be easily inserted within the guide 50.

Such locking means can include manually operated friction elements or slots configured to lock the slider 510 when the latter is positioned in a predetermined manner.

In any event, locking and unlocking means, especially present in spring-loaded trigger mechanisms, are extremely well known in the present state of the art. Preferably, the locking means are made like said mechanisms and allow for automatic locking and unlocking of the slider 510 by allowing locking when no tablets 10 or cartridges 100 are present in the guide 50 and automatically unlocking the slider 510 when tablets 10 or cartridges 100 are inserted therein.

The tank 2, therefore, may define an outlet 20 on the second base 22, if present, or as the end of guide 50 if the second base 22 is not present. Of course, even if the second base 22 is present, the end of guide 50 is intended to adhere to outlet 20.

The tank 2, in addition, may also include coupling means 24.

The coupling means 24 are preferably arranged on the first side wall 23.

In detail, the coupling means 24 include at least one band extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 1 a. The latter is preferably made of magnetic or ferromagnetic material.

In this way, the coupling means 24 may allow a plurality of dispensers 1 to be assembled, or they may allow a dispenser 1 to be tied to a metal wall.

Advantageously, the dispenser 1 includes other elements.

The dispenser 1 also includes a selector 3.

The selector 3 is preferably connected to tank 2. In addition, it is connected to tank 2 at outlet 20.

The selector 3 is, therefore, preferably configured to cap the tank 2 in at least one configuration of use. This means that, if the tank 2 includes a second base 22, the selector 3 will rest on the second base 22 in such a way as to cap, in at least one configuration, the outlet 20.

If the tank does not have a second base 22, selector switch 3 sits on the end of guide 50 and, in essence, replaces the second base 22.

In each case, selector 3 defines a housing 30.

The housing 30 is a cavity defined by selector 3. In particular, the housing 30 is capable of housing at least one tablet 10.

This means that the housing 30 is at least large enough to include an entire tablet 10. Furthermore, it is communicating, in at least one configuration, with the outlet 20.

Thus, if the tank 2 includes the extraction mechanism 5, the latter is configured to press the tablets 10 towards the outlet 20 in such a way as to allow the tablets 10 to access the housing 30 in at least one-use configuration.

The dispenser 1 therefore also includes a manipulator 4.

Preferably, the manipulator 4 is connected to selector 3 on the opposite side of the tank 2. In addition, the manipulator 4 preferably includes an abrasive surface 40.

The abrasive surface 40 is basically designed to scrape or crumble the tablet 10 when it comes into contact with it. Therefore, abrasive surface 40 is capable of pulverising the solid product.

Also advantageously, the abrasive surface 40 can be introduced, on command, into the housing 30. In this way, the abrasive surface 40 can interfere with the tablet 10 to pulverise it.

The selector 3, therefore, is advantageously tied to tank 2.

In particular, the selector 3 includes at least one access 31.

The access 31 is basically a hole or perturbation through which tablets 10 can pass, particularly one tablet at a time.

Thus, preferably, the access 31 can be dimensionally and morphologically similar to the outlet 20.

In general, the access 31 is integral with the selector 3. Furthermore, it is configured to realise at least one opening configuration. In the opening configuration, the access 31 is aligned with respect to the outlet 20 so as to selectively introduce at least one tablet 20 within the housing 30.

Then, if present, the extraction mechanism 5 pushes the tablet in such a way that it enters 30 slot in the opening configuration.

Advantageously, selector switch 3 also includes an additional element.

Selector switch 3 includes an discharge slot 32.

The discharge slot 32 is, in essence, also a hole or narrow opening. In particular, the discharge slot 32 allows the extraction of a tablet 10, whole or pulverised, from the housing 30.

In fact, since the manipulator 4 can be used on command, it is possible to extract both a whole tablet 10 and a manipulated tablet 10 from the dispenser 1 . Thus, the discharge slot 32 is also of such dimensions as to allow the passage of at least one tablet 10.

Of course, there are many mechanisms by which selector 3 and manipulator 4 can function.

In the preferred form of realisation, selector switch 3 is laboriously bound to tank 2 at interface plane 1 b.

The interface plane 1 b is, of course, a virtual and not a physical or structural element. The interface plane 1 b, moreover, is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1 a.

The outlet 20 and the access 31 are, therefore, arranged parallel to interface plane 1 b and misaligned with respect to the longitudinal axis 1 a.

Preferably, the selector 3 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis 1 a with respect to the tank 2 in such a way as to identify different radial positions, with respect to the longitudinal axis 1 a, of the access 31 .

Thus, when the selector 3 is in the open configuration 3, the outlet 20 and the access 31 are essentially mutually overlapping mirror images of the interface plane 1 b.

At the same time, the manipulator 4 is constrained in a compliant way to the selector 3 via constraint means 6.

Preferably, the constraint means 6 are configured to allow relative rotation between the manipulator 4 and the selector 3. Furthermore, advantageously, the constraint means 6 are configured to move the abrasive surface 40 along the longitudinal axis 1 a away from or towards the access 31 .

In particular, the movement of the abrasive surface 40 along the longitudinal axis 1 a is proportional to the relative rotation between the manipulator 4 and the selector 3. The mechanisms just described can easily be realised with circular guides and/or circular threads. The manipulator 4 may also include a punch to push the abrasive surface 40 towards the access, which may be manually operated by a user.

In the preferred form of embodiment, shown in Fig. 2, the selector 3 is constrained to tank 2 via a circular thread and, at the same time, the manipulator 4 is constrained to the selector 3 via a similar thread.

From a structural point of view, the selector 3 can comprise a third base 33 and a second side wall 34.

The third base 33 is, therefore, preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1 a and includes access 31 .

The second side wall 34 extends preferably from the edges of the third base 33 parallel to the longitudinal axis 1 a and includes the discharge slot 32.

The manipulator 4 can be similar to selector 3, and can include at least a fourth base 41 and a third side wall 42.

The fourth base 41 may be flat or rounded and is, in general, transverse to the longitudinal axis 1 a.

The third side wall 42 preferably extends from the edges of the fourth base 41 parallel to the longitudinal axis 1 a.

When the dispenser 1 is assembled, the second base 22 and the third base 33 are superimposed and define the interface plane 1 b, and the second side wall 35 and the third side wall 42 are mutually constrained.

A structure with the above characteristics can easily be realised, for example, with a cylindrical tank 2 surmounted by a hollow discoidal selector 3 and a discoidal manipulator 4.

In conclusion, the third side wall 42 may include an increased friction handle to improve a user's grip and facilitate pulverisation.

Of course, each of the components of the dispenser 1 can be made of any material. Preferably, at least the tank 2, the selector 3 and the manipulator 4 are made of metal, preferably aluminium.

The cartridge 100, when fitted with the strip 102, the cartridge 200 and the 1 dispenser can together make a new solid product dispensing kit.

The kit therefore includes at least the cartridge 100, the case 200 and the dispenser 1 . The tablets 10 are of course included in the cartridge 100.

In detail, the cartridge 100 may be inserted, e.g., constrained by interlocking, on the support portion 201 at its own base wall 101 a adjacent or close to the tab 205, and the closing portion 202 may be slid onto the cartridge 100 from the opposite base wall 101 a.

Thus, the closing portion 202 can be moved on the cartridge 100, relative to the support portion 201 , along the predetermined direction 100a.

Then, after placing the closing portion 202 in the open position, it is possible to individually access each tablet 100 positioned adjacent to the slot 105 by removing the tab 104 from the cartridge 100.

Or, the cartridge 100 may be positioned in the dispenser 1. Thus, in detail, the groove 103 of the cartridge 100 is configured to be traversed along the direction predetermined by the slider 510. Further, the groove 103 is configured to allow the tablets 10 to exit the casing 101 .

The guide 50 is, therefore, configured to wrap around and accommodate at least part of the casing 101 , as mentioned above, such that the predetermined direction is aligned with the longitudinal axis 1 a when the cartridge 100 is inserted into the tank 2. The slider 510 is, therefore, capable of pushing the tablets 10 through the groove 103 while allowing the casing 101 to remain positioned within the guide 50.

The operation of the multifunctional solid product dispenser 1 described above in structural terms is as follows.

The user can open or close the case 200 including the cartridge 100 by simply moving the closing portion 202 along the predetermined direction 100a relative to the support portion 201 .

Thus, the user can remove one tablet 10 at a time from the slot 105 emerging from the removal of tab 104.

Or, if the cartridge 100 is placed in the dispenser 1 , the user, by simply rotating the selector 3 about the longitudinal axis 1 a, can control the output of a tablet 10 by bringing the access 31 into the open configuration, i.e. superimposed on the outlet 20.

Once the outlet 20 is closed, the user can either extract the entire tablet 10 from the discharge slot 32, or he can manipulate the tablet 10 with the manipulator, pulverising it in whole or in part, subsequently extracting the solid product powder again from the discharge slot 32.

The invention comprises a new process for pulverising a solid product in tablet form 10.

The process is advantageously carried out with the case 200 equipped with hammer 202a and tank 201 b.

The proceedings essentially comprise at least a disposition phase and a beating phase.

In the disposition phase, a tablet 10 is extracted from slot 105 and placed in tank

201 b. In the beating phase, the closing portion 202 is preferably impulsively moved from the open position to the closed position, relative to the support portion 201 , by moving it along the predetermined direction 100a.

Thus, when the closing portion 202 reaches the closed position, the hammer 202a impulsively interferes with the tablet 10 included in the bowl 201 b to pulverise it. The term 'impulsive' means that the translation movement is not slow, but is sudden and immediate.

Of course, the beating phase may have a series of successive movements and may therefore also include a sub-phase in which the closing portion 202 is returned to the open position and a repetition of the beating with the hammer 202a.

Of course, once the tablet 10 powder has been pulverised, it is preferably removed from the tank 201 b. If the latter is opened at one side, it is then sufficient to tilt the case 200 to slide the tablet 10 powder, e.g. on one hand.

In addition, the process could include a prior tear-out phase prior to the disposition phase.

In the tearing step, substantially, the tab 104 is torn from the casing 101 in such a way as to make the slot 105. Thus, in the disposition step, the cartridge 100 is arranged in the casing 200 and the tablets 10 can be removed through the slot 105 preferably interacting with one tablet 10 at a time.

Once the solid product has been placed, the hammer 202a can pulverise the tablet 10 placed in the tank 201 b by relative movement between portions 201 , 202.

The cartridge 100, the case 200, the kit and the pulverization process for solid products according to the invention achieve important advantages.

In fact, the cartridge 100, the case 200, the kit and the pulverisation process for cosmetic products allow a plurality of tablets or tablets 10 of solid product to be stored safely and sufficiently protected so as to protect them from the external atmospheric environment, while at the same time allowing them to be easily used.

In addition, the 100 cartridge is versatile, i.e. it can be used efficiently both for manual manipulation, via the case 200, by the user, and within the dispensers 1 for mechanical manipulation of the tablet 10.

In addition, the cartridge 100, the case 200, the kit and the pulverizing process for solid products are simple and inexpensive to produce.

In conclusion, the cartridge 100, the case 200 and the solid product kit are compact and occupy a small volume, substantially close to the volume occupied by just the 10 tablets of solid product housed in them.

The invention is susceptible to variations within the inventive concept as defined by the claims.

Here, all details can be replaced by equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and sizes can be any.