New dispenser for sachets and/or packets of sugar and/or sweetener with cutting devices for opening the sachets and waste collection containers

Abstract

 A new dispenser for sachets or packets (B) of sugar, sweetener or other, with pockets or housings (T) to contain said sachets or packets (B), which can be accessed by the user; at least one surface or housing (P) for the positioning of said sachet or packet (B) in the cutting phase; at least one cutting device (J, K) for the opening of said sachets or packets (C), comprising one or more blades or cutting elements, at least one of which is movable, and at least one element (L), rotating and/or translating, provided on at least one of said movable blades or cutting elements (C1, F1), and wherein the operation of said element (L) causes the movement of said blade or cutting element (C1, F1) which cuts said sachet or packet (B) positioned on said surface or housing (P) and causes the opening thereof, cutting at least one edge (B1) which drops into the collecting container (D).

Description

[0001] This patent relates to dispenser devices for packaged food products and in particular concerns a new dispenser for sachets and/or packets of sugar and/or sweetener, with cutting devices for opening the sachets and waste collection container.

[0002] Sachets or packets of sugar, i.e. wrappings, made of paper or plastic-coated paper, containing a set amount of refined or cane sugar or other sweetener are known.

[0003] Said sachets or single-dose packets are commonly used in commercial businesses and are usually made available to consumers of beverages such as coffee, cappuccino, tea, etc.

[0004] Said sachets are usually collected together in a common container, such as a tray or a basket or a bowl, and placed on the counter or on the tables.

[0005] Said sachets are preferred to the known sugar bowl, both for obvious reasons of hygiene and convenience and to guarantee better conditions for keeping the sugar, which does not absorb humidity and does not take on unpleasant smells or flavours.

[0006] Said sachets or packets of sugar or sweetener are opened by tearing one edge of the wrapping and this operation, which must always be performed with two hands or, worse, by mouth, often causes accidental spillage of grains of sugar or sweetener powder, which dirty the counter, table or floor.

[0007] The torn edges of the sachets or packets of sugar or sweetener are also often abandoned on the tables or counters, or even dropped on the floor.

[0008] To remedy all the above-mentioned drawbacks, a new type of dispenser for sachets and/or packets of sugar and/or sweetener has been studied and produced, with cutting devices for opening the sachets and waste collection container.

[0009] The main aim of the present invention is to make available to the user both the sachets or packets of sugar and/or sweetener, and devices for cutting said sachets, guaranteeing optimal hygiene conditions at all times.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to enable the user to open the sachet or packet of sugar or sweetener with one single hand.

[0011] A further object of the present invention is to prevent accidental spillage of the sugar.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide users with a practical container for waste such as the empty sugar sachets, the cut edges, disposable napkins and other small waste items.

[0013] These and other objects, direct and complementary, are achieved by the new dispenser for sachets and/or packets of sugar and/or sweetener, with cutting devices for opening the sachets and waste collection container.

[0014] The new dispenser comprises one or more pockets or housings, which can be accessed by the user, suitable for containing a plurality of sachets or packets of sugar and/or sweetener of various types, at least one cutting device, which can be operated with one single hand, for opening said sachets or packets and, preferably, at least one container for collecting the empty sachets, cut edges and other small waste items.

[0015] Said new invention can also be integrated with one or more disposable napkin dispensers.

[0016] One of the main advantages of the new dispenser consists in the fact that it makes available to the user at least one device for rapid opening of the sachets, also guaranteeing optimal hygiene conditions, since the contents of the sachet are not handled in any way.

[0017] To open the sachets or packets of sugar or sweetener, the user must place the sachet in the housing provided for this purpose and operate a mechanism connected to at least one blade or cutting element of another type, wherein this operation can be fully performed with one hand only.

[0018] During said operation, the cut edges of the sachet, the grains of sugar or the sweetener powder, which can accidentally spill out of the sachets, fall automatically into the collecting container.

[0019] In this way, the grains of sugar and sweetener powder do not fall onto the counter, the tables or the floor.

[0020] The new dispenser can also comprise a further container for collection of empty sachets and any other small waste items.

[0021] A further advantage of the present invention consists in the fact that it does not require any electrical or pneumatic power supply, since it functions with mechanisms that can be operated manually.

[0022] The new dispenser therefore also guarantees maximum user safety in any operating condition.

[0023] The new invention can be installed on the floor or on counters or tables, in a fixed or removable manner.

[0024] As an alternative, said invention can also comprise a surface for resting cups, glasses etc.

[0025] The characteristics of the present invention will be better clarified by the following description with reference to the drawings attached by way of non-limiting example.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a lateral view of the new invention, while figures 2a and 2b show operation of the cutting device (J) for opening of the sachets or packets (B) of sugar, according to a first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 3 and figure 4 show respectively two possible embodiments of the new invention, in the column version with floor support (A1) in figure 3, and in the column version with supporting surface (V) in figure 4.

[0028] Figures 5a and 5b show a detail of the cutting device (K) according to a further embodiment.

[0029] The new dispenser comprises a supporting and containing frame (U), in turn comprising one or more pockets or housings (T) suitable for containing sachets or packets (B) of sugar and/or cane sugar and/or sweeteners of other types.

[0030] Said frame (U) also comprises a lower base (A) for resting on tables, counters, floors etc.

[0031] For example, in the solution shown in figure 1, the new dispenser is suitable for being rested on and/or fixed to tables or counters of commercial businesses such as bars, restaurants etc.

[0032] The new dispenser also comprises at least one cutting device (J, K) for opening said sachets or packets (B) of sugar.

[0033] In the specific case shown in figures 2a and 2b, said cutting device (J) comprises one or more blades or cutting elements (C1, C2), which move due to the operation, by the user, of at least one element or lever (L) rotating around a fixed point (L1) integral with said containing frame (U).

[0034] The downward rotation of said lever (L) causes simultaneous downward translation of a blade (C1) which moves adjacent to a further blade (C2), positioned below in a corresponding position.

[0035] The sachet or packet (B) to be opened, placed on a surface or housing (P) and partially inserted in said frame (U) via a slot (U1) and positioned between said blades (C1, C2), is cut and then opened.

[0036] Said supporting surface (P) can be conveniently slanted towards the user to reduce the possibility of spillage of the sugar.

[0037] Said blade (C1) and said lever (L) then return to their original position thanks to the presence of return springs (M).

[0038] The cut edges (B1) of said sachets or packets (B) drop down by gravity, where they are collected in a purposely provided container or box (D), preferably removable for emptying and cleaning.

[0039] It is envisaged that said containing frame (U) will also comprise at least one further aperture (R1), for example positioned on the upper part, for the introduction of other small waste items, such as the empty sachets (B), disposable paper napkins or other.

[0040] For said purpose, said aperture (R1) communicates with said pull-out container or box (D), so that said waste placed inside it drops by gravity into said container or box (D).

[0041] Said frame (U) can also comprise further apertures, for example closed by pivoting panels (S) with spring return, and positioned below said cutting devices (J), for the introduction of small waste items and communicating with said collecting box or container (D).

[0042] Said new invention can also comprise one or more paper napkin dispensers (G).

[0043] According to the embodiment shown in figures 3 and 4, the new dispenser is suitable for being rested on the floor, i.e. said container frame (U) has dimensions such that said pockets or housings (T) for accommodating sachets (B) or packets of sugar, said cutting devices (J, K) and said apertures (R1) for introduction of the waste are at a height that can be easily reached by the user.

[0044] For example, said pockets or housings (T) are at a height ranging from 120 to 150 cm, while said cutting devices (J, K) are positioned at a height preferably between 100 and 130 cm.

[0045] In the column solution, shown in figures 3 and 4, the new dispenser comprises a base (A1) resting on the floor.

[0046] In the lower part, said frame (U) comprises one or more apertures for the introduction of waste.

[0047] The new dispenser can also comprise at least one pull-out collecting container (E), with pivoting panels (E1) with spring return and handle (E2) for removal of the container (E).

[0048] In the solution shown in figure 4, said new dispenser also comprises at least one surface (V) for resting glasses, cups etc., positioned for example at a height of between 100 and 120 cm.

[0049] In the solutions previously proposed, said containing frame (U) of the new dispenser has a substantially cylindrical form, where said pockets or housings (T) for collecting the sachets (B), said cutting devices (J) and said napkin dispensers (G) are uniformly distributed.

[0050] Alternatively, said frame (U) can have a prismatic form, with square, rectangular or generally polygonal section.

[0051] Alternatively, said frame (U) can have a partially pyramidal or truncated cone-shaped form.

[0052] According to the solution shown in figures 5a and 5b, the cutting device (K) comprises a scissor wherein the lower blade (F2) is integral with said frame (U), while the upper blade (F1) is hinged to a fixed point (F3).

[0053] On said upper blade (F2) of the scissor there is at least one element or head (F4), preferably made of a material with high resistance to wear, such as TEFLON, in turn connected to a lever (L), accessible from the outside of the frame (U) via an aperture (U2).

[0054] When the lever (L) is lowered, said head (F4) moves down and said upper blade (F1) consequently rotates towards said fixed lower blade (F2), causing cutting of the edge of the sachet (B) positioned between said blades (F1, F2).

[0055] One or more return springs (M1, M2), provided on said lever (L) and on said upper blade (F1) respectively, cause return of the upper blade (F1) to the initial position.

[0056] Therefore with reference to the preceding description and the accompanying drawings the following claims are made.

Claims

1. New dispenser of sachets or packets (B) in general of sugar, sweetener or other, characterised in that it comprises:

- one or more pockets or housings (T) for containing said sachets or packets (B), which can be accessed by the user;

- at least one surface or housing (P) for positioning said sachet or packet (B) in the cutting phase;

- at least one cutting device (J, K) for opening said sachets or packets (B), comprising in turn one or more blades or cutting elements (C1, C2, F1, F2), at least one of which is movable, and at least one element (L), rotating and/or translating, resting on at least one of said movable blades or cutting elements (C1, F1)
and wherein the operation of said element (L) by the operator causes the movement of said blade or cutting element (C1, F1) which cuts said sachet or packet (B) positioned on said surface or housing (P), and causes the opening thereof, cutting at least one edge (B1) which drops into a collecting container (D).

2. New dispenser, according to claim 1, characterised in that said element (L) is a lever translating and/or rotating when a slight pressure is exerted.

3. New dispenser, according to claims 1, 2 characterised in that the cutting device (K) is a scissor element.

4. New dispenser, according to claims 1, 2, 3, characterised in that said surface or housing (P) for the positioning of said sachet or packet (B) in the cutting phase slants towards the user.

5. New dispenser, according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, characterised in that it comprises one or more apertures (R1, R2) for the introduction of waste into a collecting container (E, D).

6. New dispenser, according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, characterised in that said collecting containers (E, D) are removable.

7. New dispenser, according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, characterised in that it comprises at least one base (A) for resting and/or fixing to counters, tables or other support or to the floor.

8. New dispenser, according to the preceding claims, characterised in that it also comprises one or more surfaces (V) for resting glasses, cups etc.

9. New dispenser, according to the preceding claims, characterised in that it also comprises one or more disposable napkin dispensers (G).

10. New dispenser, according to the preceding claims, characterised in that it has a substantially cylindrical and/or prismatic and/or truncated cone-shaped and/or pyramidal form.

Drawing