ITBO20110433A1 - CONTAINER WITH DIFFUSER CAP FOR AROMATIC HERBS. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to a patent application for INDUSTRIAL INVENTION having the title

"CONTAINER WITH DIFFUSER CAP FOR AROMATIC HERBS"

The present invention relates to a container with diffuser cap for aromatic herbs.

In particular, the invention refers to a container intended mainly for frozen vegetable products such as chopped basil or parsley, diced onion, mixed for sautéing, aromatic herbs and others. Containers for the preservation of frozen aromatic herbs are known which have a container having a substantially prismatic shape and a cap which allows the hermetic closure of the container itself once opened.

These containers generally contain a product, the consumption of which is delayed over time.

The hermetic closure therefore allows the product to be stored for subsequent withdrawals.

These containers, however, have the drawback of not being able to control the quantity of product withdrawn. In other words, it is not possible to accurately and practically dose the product being taken from the container.

These products are usually treated, before packaging, with nebulized oils in order to prevent dehydration.

At each opening, however, the humidity present in the environment penetrates inside the container causing the formation of ice particles on the product.

This ice formation consequently causes the formation of product agglomerates of more or less large dimensions.

During the withdrawal of the product it therefore happens that, instead of having single leaves or cubes of product come out, these whole agglomerates come out, which therefore do not allow a correct dosage of the product.

The purpose of the present invention is to make available a container with diffuser cap for aromatic herbs which overcomes the drawbacks of the known art mentioned above.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container capable of storing the contained product for long periods, also for subsequent dispensing thereof.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container which allows correct dosage of the product during dispensing.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container which is of practical use and which allows easy and easy dispensing of the product.

Said objects are fully achieved by a container with diffuser cap for aromatic herbs, object of the present invention, comprising a casing having a dispensing mouth, containing a product and a diffusing cap, which is placed in correspondence with the dispensing mouth; the diffuser cap comprising a support frame integral with the casing and equipped with an internal opening, a lid connected to the frame and movable between a first opening position of the dispensing spout and a second closing position of the spout, and clamping means of the cover in correspondence with the second closing position.

According to the invention, the container is characterized in that the clamping means allow a hermetic closure of the cap and the dispensing mouth. Furthermore, the container is characterized in that the diffuser cap comprises metering means for the controlled dosage of the product during dispensing. This and other characteristics will become more evident from the following description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawing tables, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates, in a simplified perspective view, a first operational configuration of a container, according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 in a second operating configuration;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 in a third operating configuration;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a detail of the container of Figure 1;

- figure 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the detail of figure 4.

According to what is represented in Figures 1 to 3, 1 indicates as a whole a container with diffuser cap for aromatics according to the present invention. The container 1 comprises a container 2 for containing a product, which envelope 2 has a dispensing mouth 4 for the product itself. The container 1 also comprises a diffuser cap 6, located in correspondence with the dispensing mouth 4. The cap 6 comprises a support frame 8 integral with the casing 2, which frame 8 has an internal opening 10 and is placed in correspondence with the spout 4; a lid 12, which is connected to the frame 8 and is movable between a first opening position of the dispensing spout 4 and a second closing position of the spout 4; means 14 for tightening the cover 12 in correspondence with the second closing position.

According to the embodiment shown, the casing 2 has a substantially prismatic shape.

Preferably, the envelope 2 is made of cardboard, internally coated with an impermeable plastic material for food.

In other embodiments, not shown, the envelope 2 is of the flexible type, such as, for example, a bag for food, made of waterproof material.

The delivery mouth 4 is formed in correspondence with a flat wall of the casing 2. Preferably, the delivery mouth 4 is formed on the upper flat wall 16 of the casing 2. The upper wall 16 is to be understood as that wall of the casing. 2 opposite the wall defining the support base of the container 1.

In further embodiments not shown, the dispensing mouth 4 and the relative diffuser cap 6 are defined in correspondence with other walls of the prismatic casing 2 or also in correspondence with the edges defined by the walls.

The frame 8 has an external profile 18 and an internal profile 20. The latter, in particular, defines the said internal opening 10.

The lid 12 has a profile 22 which fits with the external profile 18 of the support frame 8. In particular, the profile 22 of the lid 12 and the external profile 18 of the frame 12 are substantially quadrangular; more precisely, the profiles 18,22 are rectangular with rounded corners, developing along a longitudinal axis A.

The lid 12 is in the form of a substantially flat plate 24 defining an internal surface 26.

In correspondence with the internal surface 26, there is a reinforcement, indicated in the figure with 100, designed to give greater strength and flexural rigidity to the lid 12.

The internal surface 26 has a perimeter edge 28. A continuous closed appendage 30 develops from the perimeter edge 28, which internally defines an internal lateral surface 32.

The profile 22 of the lid 12 has larger dimensions than the external profile 18 of the frame 8. In this way the frame 8 is completely enclosed within the volume defined by the plate 24 and the continuous closed appendix 30, thus being protected from external agents when the cap 6 is brought to the closed position.

The spout 4 has a passage profile 34 defined by a perimeter lip 36. The internal profile 20 of the frame 8 fits into the passage profile 34 of the spout 4. In this way the dimensions of the spout are fully exploited 4 and at the same time it is completely covered by the lid 12, when in correspondence with the closed position.

Advantageously, greater conditions of hygiene, protection from possible external agents, and conservation of the contained product are thus guaranteed.

In the preferred embodiment, the lid 12 is connected to the frame 8 by means of a first hinge 38.

In particular, the cover 12 is hinged, at its first end 40, to a first portion 42 of the external profile 18 of the support frame 8.

This first hinge 38 is defined by a first weakening line 44 which is substantially straight.

The cap 6 has means for opening and / or closing 46 of the lid 12, to allow its movement from the second closing position to the first opening position, and vice versa.

Said opening and / or closing means 46 are defined by a first appendix 48 protruding from a second end 50 of the lid 12. In particular, the first appendix 48 protrudes from a second end 50 longitudinally opposite the first hinged end 40.

The clamping means 14 of the cover 12 are defined by at least one first tooth 52, located in correspondence with the internal lateral surface 30 of the cover 12, engageable with a respective first abutment 54 present on the support frame 8.

In particular, the clamping means 14 are defined by four first teeth 52 located in correspondence with the internal lateral surface 30 of the cover 12, each engageable with the first abutment 54.

Even more particularly, the clamping means 14 are defined by a first pair 56 of first teeth 52, spaced apart and located on a first portion 60 of the internal lateral surface 32, and by a second pair 58 of first teeth 52, between they are spaced apart and placed on a second portion 62 of the internal side surface 32.

Specifically, each first tooth 52 of each pair is symmetrically opposed, with respect to the longitudinal axis A, to a respective first tooth 52 of the other pair.

The first abutment 54 is obtained along the external profile 18 of the frame 8.

The first abutment 54, according to the preferred embodiment, is constituted by a second tooth 64 obtained on the external profile 18 of the support frame 8. In particular, the second teeth 64 are obtained on a second 66 and on a third 68 portion of the external profile 18 of the frame 8; the second 66 and the third 68 portions are symmetrically opposite with respect to the longitudinal axis A.

Advantageously, the clamping of the first teeth 52 with the second teeth 64 ensures the hermetic closure of the cap 6 and of the dispensing mouth 4.

The diffuser cap 6 has metering means 70 for controlling the dosage of the product during its dispensing.

The metering means 70 are defined by a diffuser element 72, which is active on the dispensing mouth 4, partially obstructing it.

The diffuser element 72 is placed in correspondence with the dispensing mouth 4 in such a way as to reduce the passage section of the latter. A lower passage section of the dispensing mouth 4 allows, in fact, to better control the dosage of the product, since the output flow rate is reduced during dispensing.

Also, the diffuser element 72 is movable from a first position, in which it partially obstructs the dispensing mouth 4, to a second position, in which it is moved away from the dispensing mouth 4, maximizing the passage section, and vice versa (figures 2 and 3).

The diffuser element 72 has dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the internal opening 10 of the support frame 8. Furthermore, the diffuser element 72 has a profile 74 which fits with the internal profile 20 of the support frame 8.

The profile 74 of the diffuser element 72 and the internal profile 20 of the frame 8 are substantially quadrangular. In particular, the profiles 20,74 are rectangular with rounded corners, developing along the longitudinal axis A.

The diffuser element 72 is in the form of a substantially flat plate 76.

The diffuser element 72 has a plurality of windows 78, obtained on the plate 76.

The windows 78 define, in correspondence with the position of partial obstruction of the dispensing mouth 4, a reduced passage section of the mouth 4 itself.

In this way, as already mentioned above, the flow rate of the outgoing product is limited and it is possible to better control the dosage of the product.

In a first embodiment, the windows 78 have a substantially quadrangular profile 80 (Figure 4). Precisely the profile 80 is rectangular with rounded corners.

In a second embodiment the windows 78 have a substantially circular profile 80 (Figure 5).

The diffuser element 72, according to the preferred embodiment, is connected to the support frame 8 by means of a second hinge 82.

In particular, the diffuser element 72 is hinged, at its first end 84, in correspondence with the internal opening 10 of the frame 8.

This second hinge 82 is defined by a second weakening line 86 substantially straight.

The diffuser element 72 also has means 88 for moving it from the first position of partial obstruction of the dispensing mouth 4 to the second position of maximum opening of the dispensing mouth 4, and vice versa.

These handling means 88, specifically, are defined by a second appendage 90, which extends from a second end 92 of the diffuser element 72. Specifically, the second appendage 90 extends from a second end 92 longitudinally opposite the first end 84 hinged.

Furthermore, the diffuser element 72 has at least one locking element 94 thereof in correspondence with the first position of partial obstruction of the dispensing mouth 4.

Said locking element 94 is preferably constituted by at least a third tooth 96, obtained on the diffuser element 72.

More precisely, according to the preferred embodiment, the diffuser element 72 has two third teeth 96, located at the second end 92.

In particular, the two third teeth 96 are each placed next to the second appendage 90. Even more particularly, the third teeth 96 are placed on the second end 92 of the diffuser element 72, symmetrically opposite with respect to the longitudinal axis A. The third teeth 96 extend towards the support frame 8 and are both engaged with a second stop 98 present on the frame 8. In particular, the second stop 98 is obtained in correspondence with the internal profile 20 of the frame 8.

According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, each third tooth 96 engages with a respective second abutment 98 obtained on the internal profile 20 of the frame 8.

With reference to said second appendix 90, this one advantageously has a shape such as to facilitate its grip by the user, allowing easy movement of the diffuser element 72 between the first and second position.

The appendix 90 allows to unlock the diffuser element 72 without difficulty when it is desired to have the dispensing spout 4 at the maximum opening, and vice versa to lock it, without the need to impart a high pressure, when it is desired to dose the product more accurately.

The container 1 as described has numerous advantages.

First of all, the container 1 allows to solve dosage problems due to the freezing of the contained product. In fact, the contained product can be grouped into agglomerates of more or less large dimensions due to freezing. The diffuser element 72 allows to easily "break" these agglomerates, allowing a more accurate dosage of the product at each delivery.

Another advantage is represented by the possibility of excluding the operation of the diffuser element 72 during the dispensing of the product. This takes place with extreme practicality thanks to the simple geometry of the locking element 94 with which it is equipped, moreover, the simple geometry of the locking element 94 just as easily allows the operation of the diffuser element 72 to be restored.

Furthermore, the container 1 is capable of hermetically storing the contained product, which, as already mentioned, is frozen. The possibility of hermetically closing the lid 12 guarantees not only that the formation of product agglomerates is avoided due to the humidity entering the container 1 from the outside, but also a greater hygienic protection of the product from external agents. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of evident industrial application; it can also be subject to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept. Furthermore, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims (15)

CLAIMS 1) Container with diffuser cap for aromatic herbs comprising a casing (2), having a spout (4) for containing a product and a diffuser cap (6), which is placed in correspondence with the spout (4 ); the diffuser cap (6) comprising a support frame (8) integral with the casing (2) and equipped with an internal opening (10), a lid (12) connected to the frame (8) and movable between a first opening of the dispensing mouth (4) and a second closing position of the mouth (4), and clamping means (14) of the lid (12) in correspondence with the second closing position; the container being characterized in that the diffuser cap (6) comprises metering means (70) for the controlled dosage of the product during dispensing. 2) Container according to claim 1 characterized in that the metering means (70) are defined by a diffuser element (72), active on the delivery mouth (4), partially obstructing it; the diffuser element (72) being movable between a first position of partial obstruction of the dispensing mouth (4) and a second position of maximum opening of the dispensing mouth (4). 3) Container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the diffuser element (72) is connected to the support frame (8) by means of a second hinge (82). 4) Container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the diffuser element (72) is hinged, at one of its first ends (84), in correspondence with the internal opening (10) of the frame (8). 5) Container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized by the fact that the second hinge (84) is defined by a second weakening line (86) substantially rectilinear. 6) Container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the diffuser element (72) has at least one locking element (94) thereof in correspondence with the first position of partial obstruction of the dispensing mouth (4). 7) Container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized by the fact that the locking element (94) is in the form of a third tooth (96), present on the diffuser element (72), which can be engaged with a second abutment (98) present on the support frame (8). 8) Container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the third teeth (96) are placed on a second end (92) of the diffuser element (72), symmetrically opposite with respect to a longitudinal axis (A). 9) Container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized by the fact that the diffuser element (72) has means for moving it (88) from the first position of partial obstruction of the dispensing spout (4) to the second position of maximum opening of the spout supply (4), and vice versa. 10) Container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the handling means (88) are defined by a second appendix (90), which extends from a second end (92) of the diffuser element (72). 11) Container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the diffuser element (72) is in the form of a substantially flat plate (76) provided with a plurality of windows (78). 12) Container according to claim 11 characterized in that the windows (78) have a substantially quadrangular profile (80). 13) Container according to claim 11 characterized in that the windows (78) have a substantially circular profile (80). 14) Container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the diffuser element (72) has a profile (74) which fits with the profile (20) of the internal opening (10) of the support frame (8); said profiles (74,20) being substantially quadrangular. 15) Container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the profile (74) of the diffuser element (72) and the profile (20) of the internal opening (10) of the support frame (8) are rectangular with rounded corners , developing along the longitudinal axis (A).