Patent Publication Number: US-2020283199-A1

Title: Pasty food product dispensing and dosing device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the technical field of accessories for pasty food products. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the food service market, there are a large number of food establishments such as “cookies” industries, snack bars, restaurants, pizza stores and bakeries, that need to dispense gravies and/or fillings in controlled doses as a complement to other food products, for example, ready-made dishes, pizzas, sandwiches, chickendos, palmpanadas, and the like. 
     In addition to problems relating to the precise dosage of the pasty food products (so that the final product quality is maintained at a lower cost), there is an ongoing concern about food safety. Contamination of the dosing devices by the food product can occur while the product is being dispensed, which may result in the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, conditions that may lead to the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms must be avoided while the food product is being dispensed. 
     Presently, in this segment of the market, there are some forms of dosage that, according to the type of application, range from simple confectionery “sleeves” to equipment that uses a type of rigid packing with a moving cap that functions as a piston, thus allowing for the so-called controlled displacement dosing. In all these cases, however, the dosing process is either imprecise, unhygienic, or else requires packaging that is expensive compared to the price of the product. Oftentimes, it is a combination of such inconveniences. 
     Document BR202015019757-3, of the same applicant herein, published on Feb. 21, 2017, forms part of the state of the art. According to the abstract, “The present utility model is directed to a new constructive arrangement introduced in a pasty food dispenser, more particularly of pasty foods packed in sachets, pertaining to the technical sector of accessories for pasty food products, through which quite beneficial practical, safe and functional results are attained. The pasty food dispenser comprises a tubular body (1), whose front end is provided with a closure (2) and the closed end of which is closed by a trigger (3). Said closure (2) is formed by a ring-shaped body (21) that it is connected to the tubular body (1), provided with a joint (22) for the cap (23) and a lock (24) positioned opposite same. On the front face of the cap (23) are provided a slit (231), a triangular nozzle (232) and a retention valve (234) which, together with the triangular nozzle (232), holds the flattened tip (41) of the tubular sachet (4). Said trigger (3) is provided with a closing ring-shaped body (31) having a hole in the center thereof through which passes the rod (32) wherein there is a piston (33) that is moved by the action of the lever (34) and stopped by the lock (35)”. However, the prior art can be distinguished, as said device still presents some inconveniences. There is leakage of the food product after the dispensing action, which results in product losses in addition to contact with the device, making the device non-hygienic. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present patent application is directed to a new pasty food dispensing and dosing device which, contrary to the state of the art, is a lightweight, leak-proof device to be used manually for providing a precise dosage to the ends for which it was designed. This dispensing and dosing device is designed for pasty food products packed in sachets such as gravies, pasties and fillings of all sorts of non-solid food. These sachets contain small, ready-to-use solid pieces designed to be directly consumed in individual portions, or dosed as a complement to main dishes and/or sandwiches, which doses, in view of nutritional and/or sensorial reasons, shall have a precise weight or volume. The present device is manually driven without the need for a power source, and it is possible to use the device in a hygienic manner since the food product does not contact any part of the device. Therefore, not only does the device provide additional advantages, it also eliminates the above-mentioned inconveniences and quite beneficial practical, safe and functional results are attained. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 —a perspective view of the pasty food dispensing and dosing device, with the cap open. 
         FIG. 2 —a perspective view of the pasty food dispensing and dosing device and the sachet containing a pasty food product, separated from each other. 
         FIG. 3 —a perspective view of the pasty food dispensing and dosing device and the sachet containing a pasty food product inserted therein. 
         FIG. 4 —a detailed view of the front end of the device with the open cap holding the dispensing nozzle of the sachet. 
         FIG. 5 —a detailed view of the front end of the device with the closed cap and the dispensing nozzle of the sachet secured to the device. 
         FIG. 6 —a top view of the pasty food dispensing and dosing device, with the cap closed. 
         FIG. 7 —a front view of the pasty food dispensing and dosing device, with the cap open. 
         FIG. 8 —a back view of the pasty food dispensing and dosing device, with the cap open. 
         FIG. 9 —a back view of the pasty food dispensing and dosing device, with the cap closed and without the protection cap of the dosing system. 
         FIG. 10 —a back view of the device with the cap closed and with the protection cap of the dosing system. 
         FIG. 11 —a detailed perspective view of the system that secures and controls the opening of the dispensing nozzle, in its open state. 
         FIG. 12 —a second detailed perspective view of the system that secures and controls the opening of the dispensing nozzle, in its open state. 
         FIG. 13 —a detailed side view of the end of the system that secures and controls the opening of the dispensing nozzle. 
         FIG. 14 —a detailed top view of the back end of the device. 
         FIG. 15 —a detailed top view of the front end of the device. 
         FIG. 16 —a detailed perspective view of the piston of the device. 
         FIG. 17 —a detailed view of the housing of the spring for the system that secures and controls the opening of the dispensing nozzle. 
         FIG. 18 —an exploded side view of the pasty food dispensing and dosing device. 
         FIG. 19 —a perspective view of the base of the pasty food dispensing and dosing device. 
         FIG. 20 —a perspective view of the cap of the device. 
         FIG. 21 —a perspective view of the lock of the device. 
         FIG. 22 —a perspective view of the trigger lever. 
         FIG. 23 —a perspective view of the actuating rod. 
         FIG. 24 —a perspective view of the large gear of the dosing system of the device. 
         FIG. 25 —a perspective view of the trigger of the dosing system of the device. 
         FIG. 26 —a perspective view of one of the small gears of the dosing system of the device. 
         FIG. 27 —a perspective view of the central reversible ratchet of the dosing system of the device. 
         FIG. 28 —a perspective view of the protection cap of the dosing system of the device. 
         FIG. 29 —a perspective view of the dosing button of the dosing system of the device. 
         FIG. 30 —a perspective view of the piston of the device. 
         FIG. 31 —a perspective view of one of the spindles of the device. 
         FIG. 32 —a perspective view of the base of the tongs of the system that secures and controls the opening of the dispensing nozzle. 
         FIG. 33 —a perspective view of the lower part of the moving tongs of the system that secures and controls the opening of the dispensing nozzle. 
         FIG. 34 —a perspective view of the upper part of the fixed tongs of the system that secures and controls the opening of the dispensing nozzle. 
         FIG. 35 —a perspective view of the lower part of the fixed tongs of the system that secures and controls the opening of the dispensing nozzle. 
         FIG. 36 —a perspective view of the upper part of the moving tongs of the system that secures and controls the opening of the dispensing nozzle. 
         FIG. 37 —a perspective view of an optional cap of the device. 
         FIG. 38 —a detailed view of the front end of the device with the optional cap closed and the secured dispensing nozzle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the attached figures, the pasty food dispensing and dosing device for pasty food products packed in sachets (S) can be attached to some place or accommodated on a support base ( 9 ). The device comprises a base ( 1 ) with a cap ( 2 ) attached to one side. The cap ( 2 ) has a lock ( 3 ) that couples with the base ( 1 ). Connected to the lower face of the base ( 1 ) is a trigger lever ( 4 ) that activates a system ( 5 ) that secures and controls the opening of the dispensing nozzle (N) of the sachet, located on the front wall of the base ( 1 ). When activated, the system ( 5 ) opens the dispensing nozzle (N) to dispense the food product. When returned to the initial position, the system ( 5 ) stretches the dispensing nozzle (N) to prevent the food from exiting. The food dosage is regulated by the dosing system ( 6 ) provided on the back wall of the base ( 1 ). The dosing system ( 6 ) triggers two spindles ( 7 ) with helical grooves located inside the base ( 1 ) to rotate through the orifices ( 81 ) of the piston ( 8 ), thus displacing the piston ( 8 ) and compressing the sachet (S). 
     The base ( 1 ) is comprised of a first curved body that forms a first channel. A first set of tubular segments ( 11 ) are provided on the left side of the base ( 1 ) for pivoting the cap ( 2 ). The back wall ( 12 ) contains two holes ( 13 ) for coupling a first end of each of the spindles ( 7 ) to the base using bushings, while a second end of each of the spindles are coupled to two bearings attached to the housings provided on the inner face of the front wall ( 14 ). The front wall ( 14 ) has an undercut ( 15 ) to couple the system ( 5 ) that secures and controls the opening of the dispensing nozzle (N) of the sachet (S), a housing ( 16 ) for the return spring of the system ( 5 ), and a central hole ( 18 ) for pivoting the trigger lever ( 4 ). The right side of the base ( 1 ) has a curved region ( 17 ) for coupling the lock ( 3 ). 
     The cap ( 2 ) comprises a second curved body that forms a second channel ( 21 ). The cap ( 2 ) has a second set of tubular segments ( 22 ) on a first side, designed to complement the first set of tubular segments ( 11 ) of the base ( 1 ), and two tubular housings ( 23 ) on a second side of the cap ( 2 ) for pivoting the lock ( 3 ). The cap ( 2 ) also has a front wall ( 24 ) that fits onto the front wall ( 14 ) of the base ( 1 ) and is the free face thereof. 
     The lock ( 3 ) comprises a third curved body that forms a third channel ( 31 ). The lock ( 3 ) has a tubular region ( 32 ) on a first side that pivots in relation to the cap ( 2 ), and a flap ( 33 ) on a second side for coupling the curved region ( 17 ) of the base ( 1 ). 
     The trigger lever ( 4 ) is comprised of a handling region ( 41 ) and a flap ( 42 ), with an actuating rod ( 43 ) provided on the front end of the trigger lever ( 4 ), and a housing ( 44 ) for accommodating the trigger ( 65 ) of the dosing system ( 6 ) provided at the back end of the trigger lever ( 4 ). 
     The system ( 5 ) that secures and controls the opening of the dispensing nozzle (N) comprises a rectangular channel ( 50 ) with flaps ( 501 ) for coupling and sliding a moving tong ( 51 ) and a fixed tong ( 52 ), the moving tong ( 51 ) being formed by a first lower L-shaped body ( 511 ) and a first rectangular upper body ( 51 ′). A first triangular shoulder ( 512 ) extends from the bottom face of the first L-shaped body ( 511 ), while the upper face contains a first semicircular channel ( 513 ) having a first set of teeth ( 514 ) on the edge thereof for securing the dispensing nozzle (N). A first horizontal shoulder ( 515 ) extends from the upper face, which assists with opening the dispensing nozzle (N). A first orifice ( 517 ) is provided at a first end of the first L-shaped body to hold one end of the actuating rod ( 43 ) of the trigger lever ( 4 ). An inverted T-shaped shoulder ( 518 ) extends from the bottom face of the first L-shaped body ( 511 ), adjacent to the first triangular shoulder ( 512 ), and fits into the channel ( 50 ). Two ring-shaped bodies ( 519 ) are provided at a second end of the first L-shaped body ( 511 ) for pivoting the first rectangular upper body ( 51 ′), which has a first inclined upper face and a first cylindrical body ( 521 ′) on the lower face, with a first set of side teeth ( 522 ′) that fits into the semicircular channel ( 513 ) and a first tubular body ( 523 ′) for pivoting over the first L-shaped body ( 511 ). A first vertical shoulder ( 524 ′) and a second horizontal shoulder ( 525 ) are provided on the front face of the first rectangular upper body ( 51 ′) to better secure the dispensing nozzle (N). 
     The fixed tong ( 52 ) is comprised of a second lower L-shaped body ( 521 ) and a second rectangular upper body ( 52 ′). A second triangular shoulder ( 522 ) extends from the lower face of the second L-shaped body ( 521 ), while the upper face contains a second semicircular channel ( 523 ) having a second set of teeth ( 524 ) on the edge thereof for securing the dispensing nozzle (N). A third horizontal shoulder ( 525 ) extends from the upper face to assist with opening the dispensing nozzle (N). At a first end of the second L-shaped body, there are two rings ( 526 ) for pivoting the second rectangular upper body ( 52 ′). The second rectangular upper body ( 52 ′) has a second inclined upper face and a second cylindrical body ( 511 ′) on the lower face thereof with a second set of side teeth (not shown′) that fit into the second semicircular channel ( 523 ) and a second tubular body ( 512 ′) for pivoting the second L-shaped body ( 521 ). A second vertical shoulder ( 513 ′) and a fourth horizontal shoulder ( 514 ′) are provided on the front face of the rectangular upper body ( 52 ′) to better secure the dispensing nozzle (N). 
     The dosing system ( 6 ) comprises a large central gear ( 61 ) connected to other two small side gears ( 62 ,  62 ′), which are in turn connected to the ends of the spindles ( 7 ). The large central gear is also connected to a central reversible ratchet ( 63 ), which is provided with a direction inverting device ( 64 ) and a trigger ( 65 ) that fits into the housing ( 44 ) of the trigger lever ( 4 ). The movement of the trigger ( 65 ) is limited by pins ( 66 ,  66 ′) and the trigger ( 65 ) returns to an initial position through the action of springs ( 67 ,  67 ′). The dosage, that is, the time during which dispensing nozzle (N) remains open, is regulated by the dosing button ( 68 ) by virtue of the curved slit ( 701 ) in the protection cap ( 70 ) that also has a slit ( 702 ) for accessing the direction inverting device ( 64 ), The protection cap ( 70 ) has holes ( 703 ) to enable attachment to the dispensing and dosing device. 
     According to  FIGS. 37 and 38 , the cap ( 2 ) may, optionally, have two cylindrical shoulders ( 100 ) extending from the front wall ( 24 ) to facilitate the locking of the upper bodies ( 51 ′,  52 ′) of the tongs ( 51 ,  52 ). When the cap ( 2 ) is closed, the cylindrical shoulders ( 100 ) will compress the upper bodies ( 51 ′,  52 ′) to hold the sachet (S) more securely. 
     Using the new pasty food dispensing and dosing device is very simple, efficient and hygienic. To use the device, first unlock the lock ( 3 ), open the cap ( 2 ) and insert the sachet (S) into the base ( 1 ), with the dispensing nozzle (N) facing the side of the tongs ( 51 ,  52 ). The upper bodies ( 51 ′,  52 ′) of the respective tongs ( 51 ,  52 ) are turned upwards so that the edges of the dispensing nozzle (N) lie against the lower bodies ( 511 ,  521 ) of the tongs ( 51 ,  52 ). The upper bodies ( 51 ′,  52 ′) are then returned to their original positions to secure the dispensing nozzle (N). The cap ( 2 ) is closed by forcing the lock ( 3 ) against the side of the base ( 1 ). The dosing button ( 68 ) is suitably positioned according to the desired dose. At this point, the external part of the dispensing nozzle, already held by the tongs ( 51 ,  52 ), is cut to a suitable depth by an external device that is specially designed for cutting. 
     The operator of the pasty food dispensing and dosing device should preferably hold the device with both hands and activate the device by moving the lever of the trigger ( 4 ) with the right hand, pulling it against herself/himself in a single movement, as far as the end of the course that is determined by the dosing button ( 68 ). The end of the dispensing nozzle (N) is pointed at the product to be prepared (a sandwich, for example), to dispense the product being dosed. 
     When the trigger lever is pulled, the following events take place concurrently:
         a) the central reversible ratchet ( 63 ) of the dosing system ( 6 ) that operates only in the clockwise direction rotates the large gear ( 61 ) of the dosing system ( 6 );   b) the large gear ( 61 ) rotates the small gears ( 62 ,  62 ′) of the dosing system ( 6 ), at a peripheral speed and rotation relationship calculated for the correct displacement of the piston ( 8 );   c) the small gears ( 62 ,  62 ′), synchronically with the respective spindles ( 7 ), rotate;   d) the spindles ( 7 ) have helical grooves with suitably calculated inclinations and steps, the lower ends of which are supported by bearings. The spindles ( 7 ) pass through orifices ( 81 ) in the piston ( 8 ). When the spindles ( 7 ) rotate, the spindles ( 7 ) displace the piston ( 8 ), which remains in a horizontal position and moves in the direction of the dispensing nozzle (N);   e) the controlled displacement of the piston ( 8 ) compresses the sachet (S) that contains the pasty food product to be dosed and removes a certain volume of the product therefrom;   f) the tongs ( 51 ) of the system ( 5 ) that secures and controls the opening of the dispensing nozzle (N) are movable and can slide horizontally through the channel ( 50 ). The moving tongs ( 51 ) are usually kept open by the force of a return spring, so that the dispensing nozzle (N) is kept stretched before the trigger lever ( 4 ) is pulled. When the actuating rod ( 43 ) is activated, the actuating rod ( 43 ) compresses the return spring, thus loosening the dispensing nozzle (N) and allowing the expected dose of product to be dispensed;   g) the trigger ( 65 ) of the dosage system ( 6 ) simultaneously rotates the ratchet ( 63 ) and mechanically limits the displacement thereof, when a salience at one of the ends of the trigger ( 65 ) couples with the dosing button ( 68 ) that is positioned according to the required dose.       

     When all of the food product has been dispensed, the cap ( 2 ) is opened and the now empty sachet (S) is removed to be discarded. The direction of the rotation of the ratchet ( 63 ) is reversed by the direction inverting device ( 64 ) so that the piston ( 8 ) is repositioned next to the back wall ( 12 ) of the base ( 1 ) and the device is ready for a new operation, with no cleaning necessary. 
     The present pasty food dispensing and dosing device therefore provides several advantages over the devices known in the prior art:
         the food product does not need to be removed from its original packaging and placed in another suitable container prior to being dispensed, which is required for several existing alternatives. This prevents contamination of the device by pathogenic microorganisms and removes the need to wash the device, which is risky and uneconomical as it requires time;   it is fast and safe to load and discharge the product packaging;   the device is leak-proof and does not require power sources or batteries, since it was designed to be driven manually. Thus, it can be easily transported from one place to another;   the invention provides a precise dosage at the dispensing levels it is designed for;   the system of moving tongs and synchronized command between its movement and the movement of the propelling piston prevents the product from dripping or flowing;   the device is robust, has a compact design and is not provided with external rods, as in the case of all alternative products in the market;   the device is made of a non-toxic plastic material designed for food products, and is lightweight so that a product load on the order of 1 kg is allowed, without giving rise to ergonomic problems in the operators;   the device can receive simple plastic packaging shapes and structures common in the market, with a nozzle easily molded by mordant that can be adjusted to the packaging machines that exist in the market;   the device has a dosing bottom that is easily positioned with respect to the desired dose;   the device can efficiently dispense several types of pasty products that are widely used in the food market, such as: cheese gravies, mayonnaise, tomato-based gravies, ketchup, salad dressing, pasty fillings, even those that contain small solid pieces, creamy candies, and the like;   the device is easily maintained;   the device is ergonomic and can be used frequently and continuously in a comfortable and safe way;   the device exhibits an excellent cost/benefit relationship, since it is cheap and it can be used with common packaging without the need for special designs;   the device maximizes the use of the product, as there are minimal losses of the food product; and   the device was designed so that there is no risk of finding any foreign bodies such as screws, springs, plastics parts, and the like, in the dispensed product.