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(11) | EP 1 808 404 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Dispensing device for a dispensing machine |
| (57) A dispensing device (1) for a dispensing machine to supply liquid food products that
have a high degree of viscosity such as dairy products in which the product is stored
in a container that has an outlet tube in order to be connected to the dispensing
device (1), that is fitted with geared motor (3) on the inside from which a motor
shaft (4) protrudes and which is fitted to a rotating roller (5) that has a multitude
of "idler roller" (6) separated from each other but connected to said roller (5),
and a space between the "idler roller" and the external body (2) having been provided,
in such a way that the outlet pipe (13) passes through the space between the "idler
roller" and the external body (2), in such a way that in its working position the
roller (5) turns supplying the product by means of impulses, whilst in its rest position
the outlet tube (13) is held tightly by applying pressure of the idler rollers (6)
against it.
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OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The object of the present Invention is a dispensing device for a dispensing machine that includes significant innovations and advantages compared to the present systems used for the same purpose.
[0002] More specifically the new invention includes a dispensing device for dispensing machines, especially for those in which there are liquid food products that have a high degree of viscosity such as a dairy product, for example a yogurt or similar product, in which the dairy product is stored in a container that has an outlet located in the lower part that is connected to the dispensing device.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0003] The existence of dispensing machines for dairy products, for example a yogurt, are known in which there is a manual device located at a lower point of the storage container of the dairy product, which is basically made up of a multitude of gears connected to each other and which is commonly known as "peristaltic".
[0004] However, it has been proven that due to its present construction arrangement there are certain difficulties for the carrying out of the cleaning and repair operations taking into account the properties of the type of product to be supplied.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This present invention has been developed for the purpose of providing a device that resolves the previously stated disadvantages, in addition, providing other additional benefits that will be clear from the description that is attached below.
[0006] The dispensing device for a dispensing machine, in accordance with the invention, especially for liquid food products that have a high degree of viscosity (greater than water) as can be the case of dairy products such as yogurt or similar items in which the dairy produce is stored in a container that has an outlet tube that is located in a lower position in order to be connected to the dispensing device, is characterised by the fact of having an external body that is fitted with a geared motor on the inside from which a motor shaft protrudes and which is fitted to a roller rotatable on a shaft that on the external cylindrical surface has a multitude of "idler rollers" separate from each other but connected to said roller, and a space between the "idler roller" and the external body having been provided, in such a way that the outlet pipe passes through the space between the "idler roller" and the external body, in such a way that in its working position the supply roller supplies the product by means of impulses, whilst in its rest position from the dispensing device the outlet tube is held tightly by the application of pressure from at least one of the idler rollers against it.
[0007] Thanks to these characteristics, a dispensing device is obtained improving on the devices presently used for its parts being easy removable for the maintenance operations such as cleaning, replacement or repair, said parts being also easy to re-assemble by placing them in the machine as they do not require screwed elements or additional fixing elements and in turn are easy to dismantle for the setting up of the device for its appropriate working.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the roller is made with a body of a plastic material that has a first cylindrical section located on the inside of the body and a second exposed section that has two opposing and separated protrusions between which there are the "idler rollers".
[0009] By preference, the mentioned second section of the roller is located in the longitudinal centre part of the external body.
[0010] Advantageously, the body is fitted into the dispensing machine by means of an upwardly arranged extension that has an upper flanged section to fit into a housing located in said dispensing machine.
[0011] The dispensing device of the invention has a user activated element that activates the geared motor located at one lateral end of the body.
[0012] Advantageously, it includes a hinged protector cap that covers the supply outlet pipe that passes through the dispensing device coinciding with the second roller section, in such a way that said area is protected from dirt and dust.
[0013] Other characteristics and advantages of the dispensing device object of this present invention will become clearer from the description of a preferred embodiment, but not exclusive, where the set of drawings are by way of being an example but not limiting, the most significant details of the invention have been represented.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0014]
Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the dispensing device for the dispensing machine of a dairy product in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view the external body partially sectioned of the assembled dispensing device shown in the previous figure.
Figure 3 shows a front elevation view of a supply machine that has two of the invention devices assembled, and
Figure 4 shows a partial schematic view of a transversal section of the dispensing device.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] As and how shown in Figures 1 and 2, the dispensing device for dispensing machines is essentially aimed at liquid food products with a high degree of viscosity such as a yogurt or a similar product in which the dairy product is stored in a bag shaped container that is held in a removable basket, having a rubber outlet tube located at the bottom in order to be connected to the dispensing device. Said device, referenced in a general manner with number (1) is made up of an external plastic body (2) made from a multitude of connectable pieces that has a conventional geared motor (3) on the inside from which a motor shaft (4) extends and that is connected to an axially turning roller (5) that has several "idler rollers" (6) on the external cylindrical surface separated from each other and joined to said roller (5) by means of some shafts (7) and where a space is provided between the idler roller and the external roller (2), in such a way that the outlet pipe (13) passes through the space between the idler rollers and the external body (2), so that in the working position the roller (5) turns and supplies the product by means of impulses, whilst in its rest position the outlet tube (13) of the dispensing device has a strangulation onto it from the pressure of at least one of the idler rollers (6) and thus not allowing the outlet of the product, as and how it can be seen in Figure 4. In this Figure 4, in addition, the directions of the differing rotating components and the direction of the outflow can be seen.
[0016] The roller (5) used is made from a plastic material that is hollow on the inside and which has a cylindrical first section (5A) located on the inside of the body (2) and a second section (5B) that has two opposing annular protrusions (8) separated from each other between which the idler rollers (6) are fitted and between which the outlet tube (13) passes. The second section (5B) of the roller (5) is by preference located in the centre longitudinal part of the body (2).
[0017] The body (2) of the device (1) is fitted in the dispensing machine by means of an upwardly directed extension (2a) that has a flanged upper section to fit into a suitable housing located in said dispensing machine. Said upper section has an opening that makes the passage of the pipe easier for its correct positioning in the device.
[0018] It must be highlighted that device described has a manual activation element in the form of a small push button (9) that activates the geared motor (4) located on the lateral end of the body (2). In order to supply the product, the user only has to press the push button and hold it without releasing it until the glass is full or until it has the required amount.
[0019] The device of the invention also includes a hinged protector cap (10) (see Figure 3) by means of fitting a male-female to the lower part that basically covers the supply outlet tube area (13) that crosses the dispensing device (1) coinciding with the second section of the roller (5).
[0020] In figure 3, the arrangement of the two dispensing devices (1) of the previously described arrangement can be seen with greater clarity in a yogurt dispensing machine (11) with two spouts, said machine being represented with the access door open (12) in order to make the installation assembly easier to understand, one of the devices (1) being partially sectioned in order to appreciate the situation of the supply outlet pipe (13) from the bag (14) that holds the product to be supplied, located inside of the basket (15) and which is easily removable for product refilling operations.
[0021] The details, shapes, sizes and other accessory elements, likewise the materials used in the manufacture of the dispensing device of the invention can be suitably substituted by others that are technically equivalent and do not depart from the essential nature of the invention, nor from the scope defined by the claims that follow below.
1. A dispensing device (1) for a dispensing machine, especially for liquid food products
that have a high degree of viscosity as can be the case of dairy products such as
yogurt or similar items in which the dairy produce is stored in a container that has
an outlet tube that is located in a lower position in order to be connected to the
dispensing device (1), characterised in that it has an external body (2) that is fitted with geared motor (3) on the inside from
which a motor shaft (4) protrudes and which is fitted to an axially turning roller
(5) that on the external cylindrical surface has a multitude of "idler rollers" (6)
separated from each other but connected to said roller (5), and a space between the
"idler rollers" and the external body (2) having been provided, in such a way that
the outlet pipe (13) passes through the space between the "idler rollers" and the
external body (2), in such a way that in its working position the roller (5) turns
supplying the product by means of impulses, whilst in its rest position from the dispensing
device the outlet tube (13) is held tightly by the application of pressure from at
least one of the idler rollers (6) against it.
2. A dispensing device (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the roller body (5) is made from a plastic material that has a first cylindrical
section (5A) located on the inside of the body (2) and a second section (5B) that
has two opposing and separated protrusions between which the idler rollers (6) are
located.
3. A dispensing device (1) according to Claim 2, characterised in that the second section (5B) of the roller is located in the central longitudinal part
of the body.
4. A dispensing device (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the body (2) is fitted into the supply machine by means of an upwardly directed extension
(2a) that has an upper flanged section in order for it to be fitted into a housing
located in said dispensing machine.
5. A dispensing device (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that it has a manual activation element for the geared motor (3) located on the lateral
end of the body (2).
6. A dispensing device (1) according to Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that it has a hinged protector cap (10) that covers the supply outlet pipe that crosses
the dispensing device coinciding with the second roller section (5B).