Dispensing – With lock or fastening seal – Inhibiting operation of flow controller or closure
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-11
2004-03-02
Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
With lock or fastening seal
Inhibiting operation of flow controller or closure
C222S561000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06698624
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a device for dispensing a flowable substance, and in particular to a device for dispensing powder used for preparing a beverage from a beverage machine such as a coffee and/or milk dispensing machine and the like. The invention also relates to a container assembly adapted to such a device. The invention also relates to a system that uses a charging container which can serve as a part of the dispensing reservoir therefore ensuring constant recharge in product of protected and controlled quality.
BACKGROUND
Various automated beverage machines for making hot or cold beverage products are known in the art. In a conventional beverage machine, a metered amount of water-soluble beverage powder, stored in powder refillable canister, and a metered amount of hot or cold water, supplied from a water source, is conveyed into a mixing chamber to produce a beverage or food, which is then dispensed into a cup and served. The refilling of canisters requires time consuming manual operations from the foodservice operator. The operator has usually to refill the canisters by pouring the powder from powder bags, usually flow wrap bags. This operation is not convenient and is time consuming. Furthermore, this can cause significant loss of powder, dusting and hygienic problems due to possible contamination with the outside environment, especially, when air and water sensitive powders are used such as milk powders. Periodic cleaning of the machine is also rendered necessary to avoid a dirty look to the machine as well as to avoid hygiene problems.
Another problem is due to the relative lack of room for the small or medium-size office beverage dispensing systems that requires the operator to be extremely cautious and meticulous in refilling the device with the flowable product stored in bulk. This problem is exacerbated when several reservoirs are positioned in parallel for refilling in a narrow space or volume of the system.
Another problem associated with the dispensing of dry and powdered material from a canister is that such a material is hygroscopic and therefore has very high tendency to form lumps and cakes that might affect the accuracy of the metered dosage of the powder from the machine.
Another problem comes from the lack of protection a flowable food substance endures during the storage in usual hopper systems of dispensing machines. In particular, hygroscopic food powder such as milk powder is quickly affected by the surrounding moisture causing aggregation, lumps, flowing problems, deterioration of the intrinsic properties of the powder over a short period of time. Oxygen may also negatively affect certain ingredients of certain powders such as milk fat because of the rapid oxidation of the lipids, especially in conjunction with increasing water activity of the powder during storage. The existing dispensing systems do not properly preserve the quality of the powder during storage and do not ensure a constant respect of the quality standards.
Therefore, there does not exist a satisfactory device, especially for use as a small food or beverage dispensing machine for an office or home, that would allow the reliable dispensing of flowable substance from a convenient removable package with a high level of cleanliness, convenience and reliability. In particular, there does not exist a device that would provide a substance-containing package that can be adapted in a quick, clean and effective manner to a reservoir and dosing device with the package forming a part or extension of the reservoir. Such a configuration would allow more flexibility in the way the beverage-making machines can be conceived as the reserve of powder would not necessarily be fully part or integral of the machine itself.
In particular, there does not exist also a convenient and easy way for refilling one or more flowable substances in a dispensing device such as a beverage dispensing device and the like that is less labor consuming and may be carried out even in a limited volume of the dispensing system, and the present invention now resolves these deficiencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a device for dispensing a flowable substance in a convenient and quality controlled manner, especially a sensitive flowable food material, which can be more cleanly dispensed and more and rapidly fed and dispensed using less labor time.
More specifically, this dispensing device ensures essentially no loss of the flowable substance, reduces cleaning requirements to a minimum and consequently diminishes the risks of potential hygienic hazards. In addition, this dispensing device may be adapted for various applications such as home or office beverage-making systems of relatively small or reduced volumes. The dispensing device also ensures a better storage of the flowable substance, e.g., a powder, and a better control of powder quality over time in providing a substantially closed environment less subjected to moisture ingress and being capable of receiving food containers packed in packaging materials adapted to the specificity and composition of each food product.
The invention specifically relates to a dispensing device comprising a container holding assembly adapted for receiving a charging container having a flowable substance therein. The container holding assembly and reservoir means possess complementary fitting means for removably securing the charging container on the reservoir means so that the container becomes an extension of the reservoir means. The container holding assembly preferably has opening means for selectively opening the container and being adapted to move from a closed position to an open position and vice versa. The container holding assembly may preferably further have a locking means for initially holding the opening means in the closed position. The dispensing device further comprises reservoir means adapted to receive the container holding assembly for being provided with flowable substance in a delivery position and latching means for securing the container holding assembly to the reservoir means when the container is in the delivery position.
The reservoir means and container holding assembly preferably comprise complementary fitting means that allow an easy engagement and a correct and steady relative positioning of the elements one another to establish flow connection in reliable and safe conditions. The fitting means may preferably comprises single directional guiding means such as longitudinal sliding means.
The reservoir means further comprises release means for releasing the locking means of the container holding assembly. The release means may be coupled to the latching means. The release means is capable of actuating the locking means of the container holding assembly only when the container is secured in the delivery position so that the opening means of the container holding assembly is capable of being moved into an open position to allow flowable substance to freely flow from the container into the reservoir means. The release means is preferably coupled to the latching means so that the release of the opening means of the container holding assembly is simultaneously achieved with the latching of the container holding assembly onto the reservoir means.
In a preferred embodiment, the container holding assembly comprises integrated means for unlatching the latching means of the reservoir means to free the container holding assembly such that the container holding assembly can be removed easily. Preferably, the unlatching means are easily accessible and actuatable by the operator. In particular, the unlatching means are arranged on the container holding assembly to act by pulling on the container holding assembly off the reservoir means for withdrawal of the container. As a result, the withdrawal of the container is rendered more convenient, especially in restricted space conditions. The container and its assembly can be unlatched and removed by manual pulling using only one hand. Even preferably, the unla
Chrisman Randall C.
Gutierrez J. Antonio
Melanson, Jr. Donald G.
Overbaugh William F.
Piacentini Geno
Derakshani Philippe
Nestec S.A.
Winston & Strawn LLP
LandOfFree
Device for dispensing a flowable powder substance does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device for dispensing a flowable powder substance, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for dispensing a flowable powder substance will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3278572