荷兰专利NL2021107A Tray assembly comprising a stackable tray and a slide

专利PDF首页>>荷兰专利

专利附录

专利说明

权利要求

类似技术

同族专利

引用文献

法律状态

优先权

专利摘要:
The invention relates to a tray assembly comprising a stackable tray and a slide. The slide of the tray assembly is arranged near a bottom panel of the tray. This bottom panel has a substantially rectangular circumferential edge. A dispensing opening of the bottom panel is substantially covered when the slide is arranged in a first slide position, and at least partially uncovered when the slide is arranged in a second slide position. In the second slide positions products are allowed to be dispensed from the interior space of the tray, through the dispensing opening in the bottom panel of the tray, out of the tray.
公开号:NL2021107A
申请号:NL2021107
申请日:2018-06-12
公开日:2018-12-17
发明作者:Frederik De Haan Jacco；Cornelis Van Scheppingen Martinus；Klaasjan Verbrugge Jeroen；Arnoldus Petrus Johannes Visker Gerardus；Van Antwerpen Philip；Nicolaas Keller Cornelis；Anna Marie Moors Eline；De Vries Robert
申请人:Harvest House B V；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

Octrooicentrum
Nederland
© 2021107 (21) Aanvraagnummer: 2021107 © Aanvraag ingediend: 12 juni 2018 © A OCTROOIAANVRAAG (51) Int. CL:
B65D 21/02 (2018.01)
© Voorrang:© Aanvrager(s):13 juni 2017 NL 2019064Harvest House B.V. te MAASDIJK.© Aanvraag ingeschreven:© Uitvinder(s):17 december 2018Jacco Frederik de Haan te ROTTERDAM. Martinus Cornells van Scheppingen© Aanvraag gepubliceerd:te HOOFDDORP.18 december 2018Cornells Nicolaas Keiler te ROTTERDAM. Gerardus Arnoldus Petrus Johannes Visker te ROCKANJE. Philip van Antwerpen te AMSTERDAM. Jeroen Klaasjan Verbrugge te HOEK VAN HOLLAND. Eline Anna Marie Moors te ZUID-BEIJERLAND. Robert de Vries te OOSTERHOUT. © Gemachtigde: ir. H.V. Mertens c.s. te Rijswijk.
TRAY ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A STACKABLE TRAY AND A SLIDE
The invention relates to a tray assembly comprising a stackable tray and a slide. The slide of the tray assembly is arranged near a bottom panel of the tray. This bottom panel has a substantially rectangular circumferential edge. A dispensing opening of the bottom panel is substantially covered when the slide is arranged in a first slide position, and at least partially uncovered when the slide is arranged in a second slide position. In the second slide positions products are allowed to be dispensed from the interior space of the tray, through the dispensing opening in the bottom panel of the tray, out of the tray.
NL A 2021107
Deze publicatie komt overeen met de oorspronkelijk ingediende stukken.
P32799NL02/MHR
TRAY ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A STACKABLE TRAY AND A SLIDE
The present invention relates to a tray assembly comprising a stackable tray and a slide.
Stackable trays for holding or storing products, such as agricultural products, are well known in the art and can be found in many embodiments. Such trays are usually made from plastic, cardboard. Especially cardboard trays may be used a single time only, having limited functionality. The trays may only be suited to store and protect products, while they allow for easy stacking; both on top and besides each other, such that they can be transported easily and efficiently. Most of these trays are only suited for storing products. Typically, such trays have an open top side. The open trays are used during harvest to place the products in through its open top side, fortransport ofthe products to a sales location, such as a supermarket, possibly via an auction house or another middleman. Due to the open top, products are visible and easy accessible. A simple cover, e.g. a paper sheet or plastic net, may be placed in or over the tray to provide some protection for the products, in particular to prevent other products or materials to fall into the tray during transport and/or storage and mix with the products. For some products, the trays may be used as a display, i.e. set up at a vending location to display the products, allowing customers to grab the products directly from the tray, through the open top side of the tray, e.g. in a grocery store.
It is an object ofthe invention to provide an improved tray. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a tray assembly, i.e. to provide a tray with additional and/or improved functionality, allowing the tray to be used more efficiently.
Therefore, a the invention provides a tray assembly comprising a stackable tray and a slide according to claim 1. A tray assembly according to the invention comprises a stackable tray and a slide, wherein the stackable tray comprises:
a bottom panel with a substantially rectangular circumferential edge;
a pair of first side panels, arranged opposite of each other, and a pair of second side panels, arranged opposite of each other, wherein the first pair of side panels and the second pair of side panels each adjoin the circumferential edge ofthe bottom panel;
wherein corners of the tray are formed by adjoining side panels of the first pair of side panels and the second pair of side panels, respectively, the tray
-2having a substantially rectangular outer circumference and an interior space defined by said side panels and said bottom panel, the interior space being arranged to store products, preferably agricultural products; and wherein the bottom panel of the tray comprises a dispensing opening, wherein the slide comprises:
a cover portion configured to substantially cover said dispensing opening; and a grip for manipulating the slide, i.e. for moving the slide between a first slide position and a second slide position;
wherein the slide is arranged near the bottom panel of the tray; and wherein the dispensing opening is substantially covered when the slide is arranged in said first slide position, and wherein the dispensing opening is at least partially uncovered when the slide is arranged in said second slide position, allowing products to be dispensed from the interior space of the tray, through the dispensing opening in the bottom panel of the tray, out of the tray.
The tray assembly according to the invention comprises a stackable tray. Hence, at least one other tray can be stacked on top of the tray when both trays are filled with products. Preferably, several trays, each filled with products, can be stored on top of each other. Preferably the tray is an open top stackable tray. It may be beneficial when the corners of the tray are reinforced, to increase the number of trays that can be stacked on top of the tray. Many different trays comprising reinforced corners are known in the art.
The stackable tray according to the invention comprises a first and a second pair of side panels. The first pair may comprise a left tray panel and a right tray panel, while the second pair may comprise a front tray panel and a rear tray panel. The front and rear tray panel may have a height that is larger than a height of the left and right side panel. Preferably, the top of the tray is substantially open, allowing for easy placement of products in the interior of the tray. Preferably, the panels are substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel.
According to the invention, the stackable tray comprises an interior space to store or hold products, preferably agricultural products, such as tomatoes, more preferably cherry tomatoes.
The bottom panel of the stackable tray according to the invention comprises a dispensing opening. This opening has a size that is larger than a cross-section of the products that are arranged inside the interior space of the tray, to allow the products to be dispensed through the dispensing opening. For example, when the tray is used for transporting agricultural
-3products in the form of cherry tomatoes, the dispensing opening may have a minimal diameter of at least 2 times the diameter of a cherry tomato, for example 3 times the diameter of a cherry tomato. Thus, for cherry tomatoes having a diameter of about 15-20 mm, the tray can be provided with a circular or oval dispensing opening having a minimal diameter of 60 mm, for example having a minimal diameter of 70 mm.
It is furthermore submitted that a tray according to the invention can be provided with multiple dispensing openings, for example a row of two or three dispensing openings, provided in the bottom panel of the tray, for example along a longitudinal axis of the bottom panel of the tray. Preferably, these multiple dispensing openings can be covered and uncovered by moving a single slide between a first slide position and a second slide position.
Notwithstanding the presence of a dispensing opening, it is well conceivable that there can be further, smaller, openings in the bottom of the tray, e.g. to provide drainage, or to allow easy stacking of the trays on top of each other. These other openings will however typically be smaller than a cross-section of the products stored inside the interior space of the tray.
The tray assembly according to the invention comprises a slide, arranged near the bottom panel of the tray, e.g. inside the interior of the tray on the bottom panel or outside of the tray, under the bottom panel, said slide comprising a handle that allows the slide to be moved between a first slide position, in which the dispensing opening is covered by the slide, such that the products remain in the interior space of the tray when the slide is in the first slide position, e.g. during transport and storage of products, and a second slide position, in which the dispensing opening is at least partially uncovered, for dispensing the products e.. into another tray, bag or a dispenser, and, preferably, any other position in between said first and second positions.
The slide may for example be guided along the bottom panel of the tray when it is moved from the first slide position to the second slide position, or vice versa.
The grip of the slide and the covering portion of the slide may be connected with a connecting portion. In an embodiment, the covering portion, the connecting portion and he handle are an integral part, i.e. are folded from a single blank. In an alternative embodiment one or more of the covering portion, the connecting portion and the grip are separate components which are combined during the manufacturing process, for example are each folded made out of a blank, and are glued together during the manufacturing process. In yet another embodiment, the slide may comprise components out of different materials. For example, the covering portion may be a plastic panel, connected via nylon wires with a cardboard grip. Many configurations are possible within the scope of the invention, however
-4in a preferred embodiment, the slide is folded from a single blank of cardboard, which allows for a low cost product with a simple manufacturing process.
A tray assembly according to the invention may be used during harvest of the products, for collecting the products in the interior space and subsequent storage of the products.
The tray assembly can be used for transport of the products to a sales location, and can be used in a traditional way for displaying products to consumers, for example by stacking the tray assembly on a rack in a store.
With the tray assembly according to the invention, when using it in the way as set out above, it is thus not needed to empty the tray, transferring the products from the tray in which they are harvested. As the products are directly sold from the tray in which they were harvested, this lowers the risk that the products are damaged during emptying the tray, and the sales process is more efficient for store employees, as the tray does not need to be emptied, and the tray needs to be lifted only for a relatively short amount of time when placing the tray on top of the rack.
However, according to the invention, the tray assembly also allows for easy transfer of the products from the interior space of the tray into another receptacle, for example a display container in a store, a dispenser device, or into bags for further distribution, by simply placing the tray assembly above the other receptacle and moving the slide into the second position.
In a preferred embodiment, the tray assembly is used for stacking a self-service dispenser. The products can for example be dispensed through the dispensing opening into a selfservice device for dispensing the products, the dispenser allowing customers can fill a holder, e.g. a paper bag or a plastic cup, with a desired amount of the products.
With the tray assembly according to the invention, when using it in the way as set out above, the tray products can be transferred, and the tray can be emptied in a simple and efficient manner.
In the prior art, products are preferably not transferred from the open top trays into other receptacles after transport, but are sold directly from the trays, to thus reduce the risk of damaging the products by the extra transfer step and/or spillage of the products. Typically, when the products are to be transferred from a prior art tray into another receptacle, they are scooped from the tray, e.g. by hand or using a scoop, which inherently has the risk of damaging the products. In addition, or as an alternative, the tray is tipped or turned on its side to move the products out of its interior space and into another receptacle, which type of
-5transfer is difficult to control and often leads to product spillage, i.e. for example products missing the other receptacle and ending up on the shop floor, etc.
The invention furthermore provides a system comprising a tray assembly according to the invention and a dispenser, preferably an in-store self-service dispenser to be operated by consumers, for dispensing agricultural products, e.g. cherry tomatoes and similar semi spherical food products, to consumers.
In an embodiment of a system according to the invention, the tray assembly is combined with an in-store self-service dispenser to be operated by consumers, for dispensing cherry tomatoes and similar semi spherical food products, wherein the dispenser comprises a filling opening for receiving products to be dispensed, and the dispenser is configured to support the tray with the dispensing opening ofthe tray aligned with the filling opening of the dispenser, to enable products to be dispensed from the interior space of the tray via the dispensing opening and into the dispenser via the filling opening.
In an embodiment of a system according to the invention the dispenser comprises a hopper, the hopper having a filling opening at its top, and wherein the hopper is configured for supporting the tray with its dispensing opening above the filling opening of the hopper.
In an embodiment of a system according to the invention, the dispenser comprises:
- a hopper, for holding multiple cherry tomatoes;
- a feeder plate;
- a driven dispensing conveyor, for dispensing the cherry tomatoes;
- an actuator, for actuating the driven dispensing conveyor;
- a chute, for guiding dispensed cherry tomatoes into a receptacle;
- a housing, which housing supports the hopper, the feeder plate, the driven dispensing conveyor; the actuator and the chute;
wherein the hopper, the feeder plate, the dispensing conveyor and the chute define a dispensing trajectory, the dispensing trajectory extending from the hopper to the chute, via the feeder surface and the dispensing conveyor, for transporting the cherry tomatoes from the hopper to the chute, wherein the hopper has a filling opening at its top, and is configured for supporting the tray with its dispensing opening aligned with and above that filling opening for the transfer of cherry tomatoes from the tray into the hopper, and
-6wherein the hopper is open at a bottom end for feeding the cherry tomatoes, along the dispensing trajectory, to the feeder plate, wherein the feeder plate is inclined downwards in a direction towards the dispensing conveyor, to gravity feed the cherry tomatoes along the dispensing trajectory towards the dispensing conveyor, wherein the feeder plate and the dispensing conveyor join at a transfer zone, from which transfer zone the dispensing conveyor picks up cherry tomatoes presented by the feeder plate, wherein the dispensing conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, which conveyor belt extends along the dispensing trajectory from a pick up end towards a dispensing end, at which dispensing end the cherry tomatoes are dropped from the conveyor belt into the chute, wherein the conveyor belt has a support surface for supporting the cherry tomatoes, and on said support surface is provided with a pattern of gripping members, which gripping members are dimensioned and distributed over the support surface for, in combination, entailing the cherry tomatoes supported on the support surface into the dispensing direction along the dispensing trajectory, and wherein the actuator is provided with an interface that enables a consumer to actuate the driven dispenser, i.e. to drive the conveyor belt of the dispensing conveyor, and to thus dispense the cherry tomatoes.
Preferably, the hopper and the tray assembly of a system according to the invention comprise coupling devices, e.g. positioning ribs, slots, and/or corresponding tabs, which coupling devices engage each other when the tray is mounted on top of the hopper to position and preferably secure the tray with the dispensing opening aligned with the filling opening of the dispenser. The tray may then be positioned with its dispensing opening above the hopper, and remain in such a position when the slide is moved.
According to an embodiment of a tray according to the invention, one of the side panels comprises a first passage, the cover portion of the slide is arranged inside the interior of the tray on the bottom panel thereof, and said grip at least partially extends from the interior of the tray, through the first passage in the side panel, out of the tray when the slide is in said first slide position. This allows easy handling of the handle by a user of the tray assembly when the interior space of the tray is filled with products. Preferably, the first passage is provided in the front panel of the tray, to enable easy access to the slide when said tray is placed in a rack or on top of a dispenser. Preferably, the first passage is arranged near the bottom panel of the tray.
-7According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover portion and the grip are separated by a grip hinge section, allowing the grip to be folded substantially parallel and adjacent to said side panel of the tray when the slide is in said first position. This allows the trays to be stored side by side in a more efficient manner, e.g. on a pallet, without risking to damage the grip of the slide.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the grip comprises a main part and a tip part, separated by a tip hinge section, said grip hinge section and said tip part hinge section enabling the tip part to be folded relative to the main part in a position substantially parallel to the cover portion; and said panel comprising a securing opening, for receiving the tip part, when the slide is in the first slide position. This provides a tray according to the invention with a compact configuration, i.e. with no protruding parts, and thus reduces the risk of damage to the tray, in particular to the grip when transporting the tray assemblies and/or when handling the tray assemblies during harvest and/or transport. Further, a tray assembly according to this embodiment can easily and efficiently be stored side by side.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover portion has a width similar to a width of the bottom panel, and the cover portion abuts with opposite edges against a left side panel and a right side panel of the tray. The left side panel and the right side panel may advantageously guide the cover portion parallel to said side panels, when the cover portion is moved from said first slide position towards said second slide position. This allows a smooth and unobstructed operation of the slide, leading to relatively little damage to the products inside the tray when operating the slide.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the tray may be provided with one or more, preferably two, guide panels, e.g. in the form of inlays, that center the cover portion of the slide above the dispensing opening when the slide is in the first slide position, and that guide the cover portion, preferably in a direction parallel to the left side panel and the right side panel, when the slide is moved from the first position towards the second position.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover portion has a width that is wider than said first passage. The cover portion can then advantageously not be pulled out of the tray through the first passage, or at least this is relatively difficult.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover portion has a front and a rear, the handle being located at the front of the cover portion, and the cover portion having a
-8rear edge at the rear, which rear edge abuts a rear panel of the tray, when the slide is in the first slide position. The rear panel may for example function as a stop for positioning the cover portion relative to the dispensing opening when the slide is in the first slide position. Preferably, the cover portion completely covers the dispensing opening when in said first slide position.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover portion has one or more tabs at the rear, which tabs are received in corresponding apertures provided in the rear panel or between the rear panel and the bottom panel when the slide is in the first position. The tabs and apertures may position the cover panel relative to the dispensing opening when the slide is in the first position. According to this embodiment, the rear edge of the cover portion may also abut the rear panel of the tray when the slides is in the first slide position, although this is not necessary.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover portion comprises a cut out, preferably along the rear edge of the cover portion, which cut out at least partially overlaps with the dispensing opening when the slide is in the second slide position. When the cut out overlaps with the dispensing opening, the dispensing opening is thus uncovered, allowing products to be dispensed from the interior of the tray, through the dispensing opening, out of the tray.
In a preferred embodiment, the cut out is combined with an edge and/or tabs that contact the rear panel, to thus position the slide, when the slide is in the first slide position. For example, the cut out can be shaped in as a semi-circle, flanked on opposite sides by the side portions that abut the rear panel when the slide is in the first slide position. In such an embodiment, the cut out can be used to limit the amount of travel needed for moving the slide between the first slide position and the second slide position.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the tray is provided with a cover panel, e.g. in the form of an inlay, which top bottom panel comprises a dispensing opening concentric with the dispensing opening in the bottom panel, and which top bottom panel is located on top of the slide, thus creating a double bottom. The top bottom panel may then be arranged on the bottom panel of the tray. According to this embodiment of the invention, the slide may advantageously be moved between the bottom panel and the top bottom panel when moved from the first position into the second position. When a top bottom panel is provided on top of the slide, the products in the tray may be stored on the top bottom panel. This may prevent damage to the products when the slide is moved between its first slide position and its second slide position.
-9According to a further embodiment of the invention, the top bottom panel comprises one or more sections that extend at an angle with the bottom panel. The top bottom panel may then form a chute for guiding products towards the dispensing opening. This makes it easier to fully empty the tray, in particular to remove the last products from the interior of the tray.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover portion of the slide has dimensions that are larger than the dimensions of the dispensing opening. This allows the dispensing opening to be fully covered by the cover portion ofthe slide when this slide is in its first slide position.
According to a further embodiment ofthe invention, the tray has a length, a width and a height, and wherein the length is larger than the width, and the width is larger than the height. Further, preferably, the height of the first pair of side panels, e.g. the front panel and the rear panel, is larger than the height of the second pair of side panels, e.g. the right side panel and the left side panel.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the tray is provided with reinforced corners, for supporting an additional tray that is filled with products stacked on top of it. Many different types of reinforced corners of stackable trays are already known in the art and can be utilized with a tray according to the invention.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the bottom panel of the tray is substantially flat. This makes it easy to stack multiple trays on top of each other, without damaging products contained in a lower tray or trays. Preferably, the corner sections of the tray, are at the top provided with taps, and at the bottom with openings for receiving similar tabs of another tray, to enable secure stacking of one tray on top of another tray. Such an embodiment is in particular beneficial when four or more trays are to be stacked on top of each other, for example on a pallet to facilitate transport of multiple trays together.
According to a further embodiment ofthe invention, the dispensing opening has an elongated shape, and the dispensing opening has a longitudinal axis that extends in a direction parallel to the left side panel and the right side panel. An elongated dispensing opening provides a relatively large opening, while the bottom panel can remain relatively strong, such that a relatively large amount of products, having a relatively large weight, can
- 10be stored in the tray, even when the bottom panel of the tray comprises a dispensing opening.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the dispensing opening is located at the centre of the bottom panel.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the maximum inner height of the tray is between 60 mm and 120 mm, and/or the maximum inner width of the tray is between 200 mm and 500 mm, and/or the maximum inner length of the tray is between 300 mm and 600 mm.
According to an embodiment, the tray comprises a front panel and rear panel having a height larger than the height of the side panels, and/or the side panels are provided with a lower midsection, such that, when another tray is stacked upon the tray, an opening is present between the top of the side panels, or at least the top of a midsection of the side panels, and the bottom panel of the other tray stacked on top of the tray, more in particular stacked on top of the front and rear panel and/or the corner sections of the tray.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the tray and/or the slide are folded out of a flat panel material, for example a cardboard blank.
The invention furthermore provides a blank for folding a tray of a tray assembly according to the invention.
The invention furthermore provides a blank for folding a slide of a tray assembly according to the invention.
The invention furthermore provides a method for dispensing agricultural product, preferably tomatoes, more preferably cherry tomatoes, wherein use is made of a system according to the invention, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning the tray, at least partially filled with products, on top of the dispenser;
- moving the slide from the first slide position towards the second slide position; and
- transferring products from the interior space of the tray via the dispensing opening in the bottom panel into the dispenser, preferably into a hopper of the dispenser.
A further method according to the invention comprising the steps of:
- filling the tray with cherry tomatoes, preferably at a location distant from the dispenser, and
- 11 - transporting the tray with cherry tomatoes to the dispenser, preferably by way of road travel
The invention furthermore relates to the use of tray assembly according to the invention for distributing agricultural products, preferably cherry tomatoes, preferably in combination with a dispenser device, e.g. as part of a system according to the invention.
Advantageously, the tray assembly according to the invention is an open top stackable tray to be used with agricultural products, preferably semi spherical food products that can be dispensed using a dispenser, for example tomatoes, e.g. cherry tomatoes, nuts, e.g. walnuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, berries, e.g. gooseberries, blueberries, blackberries, plums, apricots, cherries, etc.
It is submitted that cherry tomatoes are a specific variety of tomatoes. Although they can range in size from a berry size up to the size of a plum, they are typically produced having an average size in the range of 15-20 mm. Also, the shape of cherry tomatoes may range from being spherical to oblong, having a length of 20-30 mm and a diameter of 15-20 mm. However, they are typically produced with a semi spherical shape.
It is submitted that the tray assembly according to the invention can also be combined with a dispenser in advantageous embodiments. Based on the disclosure herein, such combinations, and the advantageous thereof, will be apparent to the skilled person. In an embodiment the invention provides a system comprising a tray assembly according to the invention and a dispenser, preferably an in-store self-service dispenser to be operated by consumers, for dispensing agricultural products, e.g. cherry tomatoes and similar semi spherical food products, to consumers.
Advantageous embodiments ofthe tray assembly according to the invention, the system according to the invention and the method and use according to the invention, are further illustrated and elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments, of which some are shown in the schematic drawing.
In the drawings,
Figure 1 schematically shows a top view of a first embodiment of a blank for folding a tray of the tray assembly according to the invention;
Figure 2 schematically shows a top view of a second embodiment of a blank for folding a tray ofthe tray assembly according to the invention;
- 12 Figure 3 schematically shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a tray of the tray assembly according to the invention;
Figure 4 schematically shows a top view of an embodiment of a blank for folding a slide of the tray assembly according to the invention;
Figure 5 schematically shown a top view of an embodiment of the tray assembly according to the invention, wherein the slide is in a first slide position;
Figure 6 schematically shown a top view of an embodiment of the tray assembly according to the invention, wherein the slide is in an intermediate slide position;
Figure 7 schematically shown a top view of an embodiment of the tray assembly according to the invention, wherein the slide is in a second slide position;
Figure 8 schematically shows a top view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a tray assembly according to the invention;
Figure 9 schematically shows a perspective view of the tray of figure 8;
Figure 10 schematically shows a side view of system according to the invention, the system comprising a tray assembly and a dispenser;
Fig 11 schematically shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a tray assembly according to the invention; and
Figure 12 schematically shows an exploded view of the tray assembly of figure 11.
Shown in figures 1 and 2 is a flat panel material, e.g. a cardboard blank 102, that can be folded into a stackable tray of the tray assembly according to the invention. An example of a folded tray 2 is shown in figure 3, wherein the particular tray 2 corresponds to the blank 102 shown in figure 2.
With reference to figures 1 and 2, it is visible that the stackable tray, once folded, comprises a bottom panel 21 with a substantially rectangular circumferential edge 4. The bottom panel 21 ofthe tray 2 comprises a dispensing opening 7. Preferably, the dispensing opening 7 is located at the centre ofthe bottom panel 21. Further preferably, the bottom panel 21 ofthe tray 2 is substantially flat once the blank 102 is folded into a tray.
Besides the dispensing opening 7, other openings 71, 72, 73, 74 to improve stacking ofthe trays are visible. These openings are configured to receive tabs from other trays, to thus secure a tray in its stacked position on top of another tray, and thus provide secure stacks of trays.
The tray furthermore comprises a pair of first side panels 22, 23, arranged opposite of each other, and a pair of second side panels 24, 25, arranged opposite of each other, wherein the
- 13first pair of side panels 22, 23 and the second pair of side panels 24, 25 each adjoin the circumferential edge 4 of the bottom panel 21. In the particular embodiment shown, the first pair of side panels 22, 23 comprises a left side panel 22 and a right side panel 23, while the second pair of side panels 24, 25 comprises a front panel 24 and a rear panel 25.
Preferably, the front panel 24 comprises a first passage 8.
As visible in figures 1 and 2, the dispensing opening 7 may have an elongated shape, and a longitudinal axis A that extends in a direction parallel to the left side panel 22 and the right side panel 23.
Corners 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d of the tray are formed by adjoining side panels of the first pair of side panels 22, 23 and the second pair of side panels 24, 25, respectively, the tray having a substantially rectangular outer circumference. As better visible in figure 3, the tray 2 comprises an interior space 6 defined by said side panels 22, 23, 24, 25 and the bottom panel 21, the interior space 6 being arranged to store products, preferably agricultural products (not shown).
Further visible in figure 3, the tray 2 has a length Lt, a width Wt and a height Ht. The length Lt may be larger than the width Wt, and the width Wt may be larger than the height Ht.
The maximum inner height Ht of the tray 2 may be between 60mm and 120mm, the maximum inner width Wt of the tray 2 may be between 200mm and 500mm, and/or the maximum inner length Lt of the tray 2 may be between 300mm and 600mm.
As visible in figure 3, the tray 2 may be provided with reinforced corners 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, for supporting an additional tray that is filled with products stacked on top of it.
Visible in figure 4 is a blank 103 for folding a slide 3 of the tray assembly according to the invention.
The slide 3 comprises a cover portion 31 configured to substantially cover said dispensing opening 7 and a grip 32 for manipulating the slide 3, i.e. for moving the slide 3 between a first slide position and a second slide position, as will be explained in more detail with reference to figures 5-7.
The cover portion 31 and the grip 33 may be separated by a grip hinge section 34, allowing the grip 33 to be folded in a direction upwards with respect to the bottom panel 21, parallel
- 14and adjacent to the front panel 24 of the tray when the slide 3 is in said first slide position P1.
The grip 32 may further comprise a main part 32a and a tip part 32b, separated by a tip hinge section 35. The said grip hinge section 34 and said tip part hinge section 35 may enable the tip part 32b to be folded inwards with respect to the outer side of the tray and relative to the main part 32a, into a position in which the tip part 32b is arranged substantially parallel to the cover portion 31. As visible in figure 1 and 2, the front panel 24 may comprise a securing opening 9, for receiving the tip part 32b, when the slide 3 is in the first slide position.
In assembled state, the dispensing opening 7 is substantially covered when the slide 3 is arranged in said first slide position P1, shown in figure 5, and the dispensing opening 7 is at least partially uncovered when the slide 3 is arranged in said second slide position P2, shown in figure 7, allowing products to be dispensed from the interior space of the tray, through the dispensing opening 7 in the bottom panel 21 ofthe tray, out ofthe tray.
The slide 3 is preferably arranged near the bottom panel 21 ofthe tray 2, e.g. in the interior space of the tray 2, on the bottom 21 thereof.
Further visible in figure 4, is that the cover portion 31 may have a front 31b and a rear 31a, where the grip 32 is located at the front 31 b of the cover portion 31, and the cover portion 31 has a rear edge at the rear 31a. The cover portion 31 may furthermore have one or more tabs 36 at the rear 31a, which tabs 36 may be received in corresponding apertures 26 provided in the rear panel 25, as shown in figure 1, when the slide 3 is in the first slide position P1. The tabs may help to position and secure the slide when in the first position, e.g. prevent the slide from falling out ofthe tray when the tray is for example turned upside down. The cover portion 31 may further comprise a cut out 37, here along the rear edge of the cover portion 31.
With respect to figures 5 - 7, it is visible that grip 32 may at least partially extend from the interior of the tray, through the first passage 8 in the front panel 24, out of the tray 2. Furthermore, the cover portion 31 may have a width similar to a width of the bottom panel 21, and the cover portion 31 may abut with opposite edges against a left side panel 22 and a right side panel 23 of the tray 2. As shown, the cover portion 31 may be wider than the first passage 8.
- 15Shown in figure 5, is that the rear edge at the rear 31a of the cover portion may abut a rear panel 25 of the tray 2, when the slide 3 is in the first position P1. Further, cover portion 31 may have dimensions that are larger than the dimensions of the dispensing opening 7.
Shown in figure 7, is that the cut out 37 in the cover portion at least partially overlaps with the dispensing opening 7 when the slide 3 is in the second position P2.
In use, with reference to figures 5 - 7, it is shown how the dispensing opening 7 is substantially covered when the slide 3 is arranged in said first slide position P1 (figure 5), and wherein the dispensing opening 7 is at least partially uncovered when the slide 3 is arranged in said second slide position P2 (figure 7), allowing products to be dispensed from the interior space 6 of the tray 2, through the dispensing opening 7 in the bottom panel 21 of the tray 2, out of the tray 2. An intermediate position P3 is shown in figure 6.
In a non-shown embodiment of the invention, the tray may be provided with a top bottom panel, e.g. in the form of an inlay, which top bottom panel comprises a dispensing opening concentric with the dispensing opening in the bottom panel, and which top bottom panel is located on top of the slide. Preferably, the top bottom panel comprises one or more sections that extend at an angle with the bottom panel. Thus, the slide can move below the inlay, and, except for the cover part covers the dispensing opening, does not come into contact with the products in the interior space. Thus, the risk that products block movement of the slide and/or that products get damaged by the slide being moved between the first and second position is reduced.
The invention further relates to a system comprising said tray assembly 1, and an in-store self-service dispenser to be operated by consumers, for dispensing cherry tomatoes and similar semi spherical food products, the dispenser comprising:
- a hopper, for holding multiple cherry tomatoes;
- a feeder plate;
- a driven dispensing conveyor, for dispensing the cherry tomatoes;
- an actuator, for actuating the driven dispensing conveyor;
- a chute, for guiding dispensed cherry tomatoes into a receptacle;
- a housing, which housing supports the hopper, the feeder plate, the driven dispensing conveyor; the actuator and the chute;
wherein the hopper, the feeder plate, the dispensing conveyor and the chute define a dispensing trajectory, the dispensing trajectory extending from the hopper to the chute, via
- 16the feeder surface and the dispensing conveyor, for transporting the cherry tomatoes from the hopper to the chute, wherein the hopper is open at a bottom end for feeding the cherry tomatoes, along the dispensing trajectory, to the feeder plate, wherein the feeder plate is inclined downwards in a direction towards the dispensing conveyor, to gravity feed the cherry tomatoes along the dispensing trajectory towards the dispensing conveyor, wherein the feeder plate and the dispensing conveyor join at a transfer zone, from which transfer zone the dispensing conveyor picks up cherry tomatoes presented by the feeder plate, wherein the dispensing conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, which conveyor belt extends along the dispensing trajectory from a pick up end towards a dispensing end, at which dispensing end the cherry tomatoes are dropped from the conveyor belt into the chute, wherein the conveyor belt has a support surface for supporting the cherry tomatoes, and on said support surface is provided with a pattern of gripping members, which gripping members are dimensioned and distributed over the support surface for, in combination, entailing the cherry tomatoes supported on the support surface into the dispensing direction along the dispensing trajectory, and wherein the actuator is provided with an interface that enables a consumer to actuate the driven dispenser, i.e. to drive the conveyor belt of the dispensing conveyor, and to thus dispense the cherry tomatoes.
Preferably, the hopper and the tray assembly 1 comprise coupling devices, e.g. positioning ribs, slots, and/or corresponding tabs, which coupling devices engage each other when the tray is mounted on top of the hopper.
The invention further relates to a method for dispensing agricultural product, preferably tomatoes, more preferably cherry tomatoes, wherein use is made of said system, the method comprising the steps of:
positioning the tray 2, at least partially filled with products, on top of the dispenser; and moving the slide 3 from the first slide position P1 towards the second slide position P2.
The invention further relates to the use of said system for dispensing agricultural product, preferably tomatoes, more preferably cherry tomatoes.
- 17Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment a tray assembly 201 according to the invention. Figure 9 shows a top view of the same tray assembly 201.
The tray assembly 201 comprises a stackable tray 202 and a slide 203. The tray 202 comprises four side panels, i.e. a left side panel 222, a right side panel 223, a front panel 224 and a rear panel 225, and a bottom panel 21. The side panels and bottom panel define an interior space 206 for holding products.
According to the invention, the bottom panel 221 is provided with a dispensing opening 207 for dispensing products held in the interior space, through the dispensing opening, at a bottom side of the tray 202.
In the embodiment shown, the slide 203 comprises a cover portion in the form of a cover panel 231, for covering the dispensing opening 207, and a grip 232, for manipulating the slide 203, i.e. for moving the cover panel 231 between a first and a second position. A connector part 230 is connecting the cover panel 331 with the grip part 232.
The cover panel 221 of the slide 203 is provided in the interior space 206 and on top of the bottom panel 221, such that the cover panel can slide along the bottom panel between a first position, in which it covers the dispensing opening in the bottom panel, and a second position, in which the dispensing opening is at least partially uncovered to enable products to be dispensed from the interior space through the dispensing opening and out of the tray.
In the preferred embodiment shown, the grip 232, connector part 230 and cover panel 231 are all part of a blank 229. In the embodiment shown are folded from a cardboard blank.
In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the components can be separate blanks, which are combined during production process, e.g. are folded, glued, or stitched together.
In yet another embodiment according to the invention, the components are made of different materials. For example, the cover panel can be a cardboard panel, the connector part may comprise one or more wires, and the grip may be a plastic grip.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in in figure 8 the tray 202 comprises first passage 208 in the front panel 224 of the tray 202. In an alternative embodiment of a tray assembly according to the invention, the first passage is provided between a side panel and the bottom panel.
In the preferred embodiment shown, the guide opening 208 is located near the bottom panel 221 of the tray, and the slide 203, more in particular the cover panel 231 and the connector part 230 of the slide, are located in the interior space 206, at least when the slide is in a first positon. The first passage 208 functions as a guide opening for guiding the slide 203, more
- 18in particular the connector part 230 ofthe slide 203, when the slide is moved from the first to the second position. In the embodiment shown, in the second position, only the cover panel 231 is located in the interior space 206, and the grip 232 and the connector part 229 are locate outside of the interior space 206.
By locating the grip outside the interior space, it is assured that the grip is available for a user to manipulate when the interior space is filled with products, e.g. cherry tomatoes or the like.
The stackable tray 202 is an open top tray provided with corner sections 205 configured for supporting a similar tray stacked on top of it. These type of stackable trays, folded cardboard material and provided with corner sections configured for supporting multiple trays stacked on top of it, are known from the prior art. These trays are standardised trays and are typically used for transport and storage of agricultural products, and are part of an infrastructure, comprising transport devices, storage facilities and store equipment.
It is submitted that the invention, i.e. providing a stackable tray with a dispensing opening in its bottom panel and a slide for covering that dispensing opening having a grip that allows for manipulating the slide while the tray is filled with products, can be combined with known tray designs. Thus, the invention provides a tray that can be integrate into known infrastructure.
In the exemplary embodiment shown, the slide 203, when in the first position, extends along a longitudinal axis ofthe tray 202, from the font panel 224 to the rear panel 225. The cover panel 231 of the slide 203 has a front side 211 and a rear side 212. The connector part 230 is located at the front side 211 of the cover panel 231.
In the embodiment shown, the cover panel 231 has a rear edge at the rear side 212, which rear edge abuts the rear panel of the tray 202, when the slide is in the first position. Thus, the rear functions as a stop for positioning the cover panel 231 relative to the dispensing opening 207 when the slide 202 is in the first position.
In the exemplary embodiment shown, the cover panel 231 has a tab 233 at the rear, which tab is received in a corresponding aperture or slot 234 provided in the rear panel ofthe tray, when the slide is in the first position. The tab and aperture position the cover panel relative to the dispensing opening when the slide is in the first position, and furthermore prevent the slide from falling out ofthe tray when it is turned upside down.
- 19In figure 8, the tray 203 is depicted with the slide 203 in an intermediate position, that is between the first positon and the second positon. The slide 203 has been pulled out of the first position but still covers the dispensing opening 207.
In the embodiment shown, the dispensing opening is located near the front of the tray, and the slide has to be pulled almost entirely from the tray to uncover the dispensing opening. In an alternative embodiment, the slide is provided with a cut out, preferably similar in shape and size to the dispensing opening provided in the bottom panel, which cut out is concentric with the dispensing opening when the slide is in the second position. Thus, the slide can still be positioned against the rear panel of the tray when in the first position, but does not need to be pulled from the tray to such an extend as the slide shown in figure 8 for uncovering the dispensing opening.
In a further preferred embodiment, the slide is configured to block movement beyond the second position. Thus, the cut out in the slide can not be moved beyond the dispensing opening, and the cut out and the dispensing opening are simply aligned with each other by pulling the slide into the second positon.
For example, in an embodiment, the slide comprises a cover panel that has a width which is wider than a guide opening in a front panel of the tray, such that the cover panel abuts the front panel when the slide is in the second position. Furthermore, in such an embodiment the slide can not by y accident be pulled out of the tray through the guide opening, which would make it difficult to move the panel back into the first position, in particular when the tray comprises products.
When the slide 203 is in the first positon, it covers the dispensing opening 207, and the grip part is folded alongside the front panel of the tray. Thus, the tray can be used for storing and transporting products. In this configuration the tray, which has an open top, can also be used in a display function, i.e. can be set up to provide consumers with the possibility to visually inspect the contents of the tray, and take products from the tray. It is submitted that stackable open top trays are used in supermarkets and the like for thus presenting products to consumers. The benefit being that there is no need for the products to be transferred from the transport tray into another container having a display function.
In the exemplary embodiment shown, the tray 202 furthermore is provided with inserts in the form of ramps 210. The ramps have a triangular shaped cross section, and when placed on the bottom panel the top surface of the ramps extends at an angle with the bottom panel. The top surface thus forms a ramp that, by way of gravity, guides products to the center of the tray, and thus towards the dispensing opening located on a central axis of the bottom
-20panel of the tray. Thus, the panels promote dispensing products through the dispensing opening when the slide is in the second position.
Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the dispensing opening is provided near the front of the bottom panel, to allow for products to be moved, by gravity, towards the dispensing opening by tilting the tray, more in particular by lifting the rear of the tray. In particular, in combination with the ramps discussed above, the tray is configured to guide products towards the dispensing opening.
Figure 10 shows a side view of a system for dispensing agricultural products 311 such as cherry tomatoes and similar semi spherical food products according to the invention. The system comprises the tray assembly 201 shown in figure 8 and an in-store self-service dispenser 301 to be operated by consumers, for dispensing cherry tomatoes and similar semi spherical food products.
The dispenser 301 comprises at its top side a filling opening 332 for receiving products to be dispensed from the tray assembly 202. The dispenser 301 is configured to support the tray 202 of the tray assembly 201 with the dispensing opening 207 of the tray 202 aligned with the filling opening 332 of the dispenser 301, to enable the products 311 to be dispensed from the interior space 206 of the tray 202 via the dispensing opening 207 and into the dispenser 301 via the filling opening 332.
The in-store self-service dispenser is configured to be operated by consumers, for dispensing cherry tomatoes and similar semi spherical food products.
It is submitted that self-service dispensers for dispensing cherry tomatoes are known from the prior art. Typically, these dispenser devices comprise a housing 302, a chute for dispensing products 311 and an actuator, in the embodiment shown in the form of handle 319, for actuating the dispenser, i.e. for dispensing products.
In the embodiment shown the housing 302 comprises a top compartment 321 and a bottom compartment 322, wherein the top compartment forms a hopper for storing products 311. In the embodiment shown, the hopper 303 is a transparent container mounted on the bottom compartment 322 of the housing. In an alternative embodiment, the hopper can be comprised in said housing, the hosing may define an interior space that functions as a hopper, etc.
-21 The hopper 303 has a filling opening 332 at its top, and is configured for supporting the tray 202 with its dispensing opening 207 above the filling opening 332 ofthe hopper 303, as shown in figure 10.
In the particular embodiment shown, the hopper 303 and the tray assembly 201 comprise coupling devices, in the particular embodiment shown embodied in corner tabs 213, which coupling devices engage the tray 202, more in particular the corner sections of the tray, when the tray is mounted on top of the hopper 303. The corner tabs 213 thus position and secure the tray 202 on top of the hopper 303, with the dispensing opening 207 of the tray 202 aligned with the filling opening 332 of the dispenser 301, in the embodiment shown being the filling opening of the hopper.
In the preferred embodiment shown, the tray 202 is provided with a slide 203 having a grip 232 located at the front of the tray. Thus, when the tray 202 is mounted on top of the dispenser, the grip is located at the front of the dispenser and easy is easy to operate.
The system shown in figure 10 thus enables a method for dispensing agricultural product, preferably tomatoes, more preferably cherry tomatoes, according to the invention, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning the tray 202, at least partially filled with products, on top of the dispenser 301;
- moving the slide 203 from the first slide position towards the second slide position, thus opening the dispensing opening 207 at the bottom ofthe tray 202; and
- transferring products 311 from the interior space 206 of the tray 202 via the dispensing opening 207 in the bottom panel 221 into the dispenser 301, in the embedment shown into the hopper 303 of the dispenser 301.
Once the products have been transferred into the dispenser, the dispenser can be used to dispense the products.
In an embodiment, after products have been transferred, the slide is moved into the first position and the tray is removed from the dispenser prior to the dispenser being used. The tray may still comprise products when being removed. For example, if the hopper already comprised products, i.e. was not empty, the tray may hold more products than can be dispensed into the hopper.
Thus, the invention does provide a tray assembly configured fortransporting and storing products, but also configured for easy transfer of products into another container, in particular into a device for dispensing products, in particular for dispensing agricultural products.
-22Furthermore, the invention can be implemented in with known tray designs. In particular, the invention allows for simply adding a dispensing opening and for example a guide opening to a blank of a prior art tray, and to combine that tray with a slide according to the invention, to thus provide a tray assembly according to the invention.
Also the invention can be incorporated with known tray designs without substantially changing the dimensions of those trays, thus enabling the use of prior art infrastructure, e.g. transport devices, storage devices, etc. designed for use with prior art stackable trays. Thus, a tray assembly according to the invention can be implemented with the need of rigorous changes to existing infrastructure.
It is submitted that in the embodiment shown, the tray is placed on top of the hopper to fill the hopper and is subsequently removed. Thus, the hopper comprises the products to be dispensed and the tray is as such not a functional component of the dispenser.
In an alternative embodiment, the dispenser may comprise a hopper with a limited volume, for example less than the volume of the tray, or the dispenser is provided with no hopper. In such an embodiment, the tray can function as a partial hopper, i.e. as an extension of the storage volume of the dispenser, or even as the hopper, i.e. form the storage of the dispenser. In the latter embodiment, the for example the products may be dispensed from the tray directly onto a conveyor for dispensing the products through the chute. In such an embodiment, the tray is a functional component of the dispenser.
In an embodiment, the filling opening is provided with closure means, e.g. a latch, slide or similar component, to close the filling opening when the filling opening is not being used for receiving products, e.g. when there is no tray stacked on top of the hopper.
Fig 11 schematically shows a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a tray assembly 401 according to the invention, and figure 12 schematically shows an exploded view of that tray assembly 401.
The tray assembly 401 comprises a stackable tray 402 and a slide 403. The tray 402 comprises four side panels, i.e. a left side panel 422, a right side panel 423, a front panel 424 and a rear panel 425, and a bottom panel 421. The side panels and bottom panel define an interior space 406 for holding products.
According to the invention, the bottom panel 421 is provided with a dispensing opening 407 for dispensing products held in the interior space, through the dispensing opening, at a bottom side of the tray 402.
-23In the embodiment shown, the slide 403 comprises a cover portion in the form of a cover panel 431, for covering the dispensing opening 407, and a double grip 432, i.e. one grip provided at the left side of the tray and one grip provided at the right side of the tray, for manipulating the slide 403, i.e. for moving the cover panel 431 between a first and a second position. A connector part 430 is connecting the cover panel 331 with the grip part 432, which connector part in the embodiment shown is the part of the slide extending along the inside of the side walls of the tray.
The cover panel 421 of the slide 403 is provided in the interior space 406 and on top of the bottom panel 421, such that the cover panel can slide along the bottom panel between a first position shown in figure 11, in which it covers the dispensing opening in the bottom panel, and a second position, in which the dispensing opening is at least partially uncovered to enable products to be dispensed from the interior space through the dispensing opening and out of the tray.
In the particular embodiment shown, the tray assembly 401 is furthermore provided with a top bottom panel 408, e.g. in the form of an inlay, which top bottom panel 408 comprises a dispensing opening concentric with the dispensing opening 407 in the bottom panel 421, and which top bottom panel 408 is located on top of the slide 403. According to this embodiment of the invention, the slide 403 may advantageously be moved between the bottom panel 421 and the top bottom panel 408 when moved from the first position into the second position. When a top bottom panel 408 is provided on top of the slide 403, the products in the tray are stored on the top bottom panel. This results in less damage to the products when the slide 403 is moved between its first slide position and its second slide position. Although an inlay makes the tray assembly more expensive, this may thus be beneficial.
Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, left side panel 422 and the right side panel 423 are provided with recess for receiving part of the grips 432 of the slide 403. Thus, with the grips received in said recesses, the slide is prevented from sliding out of the first position. Only after the grips have been folded out of the recesses, the slide can be moved, i.e. can be slid into the second position, the tray assembly is thus provided with a securing device for securing the slide in the first position, and thus preventing the slide from being moved out of the first position by accident, for example during transport of products. In the embodiment shown in figure 9 this is achieved by providing a securing opening 234.
In an alternative embodiment, the securing device comprises a glue, that attaches the slide preferably the grip of the slide, to the tray. Prior to using the slide, the glued section is torn loose. Such an embodiment has the drawback that is should be installed during manufacture, and allows for single use only. One undone, the securing device, i.e. the glue,
-24can not be used aging. Further alternatives are also possible, for example using a peg or tape, etc. for securing the slide in the first position. However, in a preferred embodiment, the slide is secured in the first position by folding part of the slide and/or inserting part of the slide in a slot, e.g. a securing opening. This provides a simple and robust securing device, that can be used multiple times and is easy to manufacture when the slide assembly is made out of blanks, for example out of blanks of cardboard material.
Reference signs tray assembly tray slide substantially rectangular circumferential edge
05a corner
05b corner
05c corner
05d corner interior space dispensing opening first passage securing opening bottom panel left side panel - front panel right side wall front panel rear panel apertures cover portion
31a rear
31b front grip
32a main part
32b tip part grip grip tip hinge section tabs cut out opening opening opening opening
102 carboard blank
103 blank for slide
Lt length
Wt width
Ht height
201 tray assembly
202 stackable tray
203 slide
205 corner sections
206 interior space
207 dispensing opening
210 ramps
211 front side cover panel
212 rear side cover panel
213 coupling devices
221 bottom panel
222 lefts die panel
223 right side panel
224 front panel
225 rear panel
229 blank
230 connector part
231 cover panel
232 grip
233 tab of slide
234 slot for receiving tab of slide
301 self-service dispenser
302 housing
303 hopper
311 semi spherical agricultural products
319 handle
321 top compartment
322 bottom compartment housing
332 filling opening
401 tray assembly
402 stackable tray
403 slide
405 corner sections
406 interior space
407 dispensing opening
408 top bottom panel
411 front side cover panel
412 rear side cover panel
413 coupling devices

权利要求:
Claims (22)
[1]
CONCLUSIONS
A container assembly (1) comprising a stackable container (
[2]
2) and a slider (3), the stackable holder (2) comprising:
- a bottom panel (21) with a substantially rectangular peripheral edge (4);
- a pair of first side panels (22, 23) arranged opposite each other, and a pair of second side panels (24, 25) arranged opposite each other, the first pair of side panels (22, 23) and the second pair of side panels (24, 25) each abut the peripheral edge (4) of the bottom panel (21);
wherein corners (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the holder (2) are formed by adjacent side panels of the first pair of side panels (22, 23) and the second pair of side panels (24, 25) respectively, the holder (2) has a substantially rectangular outer circumference and one defined by the side panels (22, 23, 24, 25) and the bottom panel (21)
Inner space (6), wherein the inner space (6) is adapted to store products, preferably agricultural products; and wherein the bottom panel (21) of the holder (2) comprises a dispensing opening (7);
20 wherein the slider (3) comprises:
- a cover portion (31) adapted to substantially cover the dispensing opening (7); and
- a handle (32) for manipulating the slide (3), i.e. for moving the slide (3) between a first slide position (P1) and a second slide position (P2);
wherein the slide (3) is provided near the bottom panel (21) of the tray (2); and wherein the dispensing opening (7) is substantially covered when the slider (3) is placed in the first sliding position (P1), and wherein the dispensing opening (7) is at least partially
30 when the slide (3) is placed in the second slide position (P2), thereby allowing products from the interior (6) of the container (2), through the dispensing opening (7) in the bottom panel (21) of the holder (2), the holder (2) to be issued.
2. Holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein one of the side panels (22, 23, 24,
25) comprises a first passage (8), wherein the cover portion (31) of the slide (3) is arranged in the inner space (8) of the holder (2) on the bottom panel (21) thereof, and wherein the handle (32) ) extends at least partially from the interior space (6) of the
Holder, through the first passage (8) in the side panel (22, 23, 24, 25), the holder (2) when the slider (3) is in the first slider position (P1).
[3]
The container assembly according to claim 2, wherein the cover portion (31) and the handle
5 (32) are separated from each other by a handle hinge section (34), which makes it possible to fold the handle (32) parallel and adjacent to the side panel (22, 23, 24, 25) of the holder (2) when the slider (3) is in the first slider position (P1).
[4]
The holder assembly of claim 3, wherein the handle (32) has a main portion
10 (32a) and a tip section (23b), separated from each other by a tip hinge section (35), and wherein the grip hinge section (34) and the tip hinge section (35) allow the tip section (32b) to be offset from the main section ( 32a) is folded in a position parallel to the cover portion (31);
And wherein the side panel (22, 23, 24, 25) includes a locking opening (9) for receiving the tip section (32b) when the slider (3) is in the first slider position (P1).
[5]
Holder assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the cover portion (31) has a width (Wc) corresponding to a width (Wb) of the
Has a bottom panel (21), and wherein the cover portion (31) with opposite edges connects to a left side panel (22) and a right side panel (23) of the holder (2).
[6]
Holder assembly according to one or more of claims 2-5, wherein the cover portion (31) has a width (Wc) that is larger than the width of the first
Passage (8).
[7]
Holder assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the cover portion (31) has a front (31b) and a rear (31a), the handle (32) being on the front (31b) of the cover portion (31) and the cover portion (31) on
The rear side (31a) has a rear edge, which rear edge abuts against a rear panel (25) of the holder (2) when the slide (3) is in the first slide position (P1).
[8]
A container assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the rear cover portion (31) has one or more tabs (36), which tabs (36)
35 are accommodated in corresponding openings (26) provided in the rear panel (25) or between the rear panel (25) and the bottom panel (21) when the slide is in the first slide position (P1).
[9]
Holder assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the cover portion (31) comprises a cut-out (37), preferably along the rear edge of the cover portion (31), which cut-out (37) at least partially overlaps with the dispensing opening (37) 7) when the slider (3) is in the second slider position (P2).
[10]
Holder assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the holder (2) is provided with a cover panel, e.g. and which cover panel is on top of the slider (3).
[11]
The container assembly of claim 10, wherein the cover panel comprises one or more sections that extend at an angle to the bottom panel (21).
[12]
12. Holder assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom panel (21) of the holder (2) is substantially flat.
[13]
A container assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the cover portion (31) has dimensions that are larger than the dimensions of the dispensing opening (7).
[14]
A container assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) has a length (Lt), a width (Wt) and a height (Ht), and wherein the length (Lt) is greater than the width ( Wt), and the width (Wt) is greater than the height (Ht).
15. Container assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) is provided with reinforced corners (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) for supporting an additional container stacked on top and filled with products.
The container assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the
The dispensing opening (7) has an elongated shape, and wherein the dispensing opening (7) has a longitudinal axis (A) extending in a direction parallel to the left-hand side panel (22) and the right-hand side panel (23).
17. Holder assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the
The dispensing opening (7) is located at the center of the bottom panel (21).
Holder assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum inner height (Ht) of the holder (2) is between 60 mm and 120 mm, and / or wherein a maximum inner width of the holder (2) is between 200 mm and 500 mm, and / or where a maximum inner length (Lt) of the holder (2) is between 300 mm and 600 mm.
19. Holder assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the
The holder (2) and / or the slider (3) are folded from a flat panel material, for example a board cardboard cutout.
A fold (102) for folding a holder (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims.
A recess (103) for folding a slider (3) according to one or more of claims 1-19.
A system comprising a container assembly according to one or more of the
[15]
Claims 1-19, and a consumer-operated in-store self-service dispenser, for dispensing food products, preferably agricultural food products, for example cherry tomatoes and similar semi-round food products,
[16]
20 wherein the dispensing device comprises a filling opening for receiving products to be dispensed, and wherein the dispensing device is adapted to support the holder with the dispensing opening of the holder aligned with the filling opening of the dispensing device, around the products
Make it possible to be dispensed from the inner space of the container via the dispensing opening and, preferably directly, via the filling opening into the dispensing device.
[17]
A system according to claim 22, wherein the dispensing device comprises a hopper, the hopper having a filling opening on its upper side, and wherein the dispensing device,
30, preferably the hopper of the dispensing device, is adapted to support the container with its dispensing opening above the filling opening of the hopper.
[18]
The system of claim 22, wherein the dispensing device comprises:
a hopper, for keeping agricultural food products, preferably semi-round
35 food products, for example several cherry tomatoes;
a supply plate;
a driven dispensing conveyor, for dispensing the food products, e.g., the cherry tomatoes;
an actuator, for driving the driven delivery conveyor;
a hopper for guiding the dispensed food products, e.g., the cherry tomatoes, into a container;
a housing, which housing the hopper, the supply plate, the driven
5 supports the delivery conveyor, the actuator and the hopper;
the hopper, the feed plate, the delivery conveyor and the hopper defining a delivery path, which delivery path extends from the hopper to the hopper, via the delivery surface and the delivery conveyor for conveying the
10 food products, for example the cherry tomatoes, from the hopper to the hopper, the hopper having a filling opening on its upper side, and adapted to support the container with its dispensing opening aligned with and above this filling opening for transferring the food products, for example the cherry tomatoes,
15 of the container into the hopper, and wherein the hopper is open at a lower end for supplying the food products, for example the cherry tomatoes, along the delivery path, to the supply plate, the supply plate being at a downward angle in a direction towards the delivery conveyor for gravitational feeding of the food products, for example the cherry tomatoes, along the dispensing path towards the dispensing conveyor, the feed plate and the dispensing conveyor coming together at a transfer zone, in which transfer zone the dispensing conveyor picks up the food products, for example the cherry tomatoes, which the supply plate are presented,
Wherein the dispensing conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, which conveyor belt extends along the dispensing path from a pick-up end towards a dispensing end, at which dispensing end the food products, for example the cherry tomatoes, of the conveyor fall into the hopper,
Wherein the conveyor belt has a supporting surface for supporting the food products, for example the cherry tomatoes, and on said supporting surface is provided with engaging means, which engaging means are dimensioned and distributed over the supporting surface for, in combination, in a dispensing direction along the
Take delivery route of the food products supported by the supporting surface, for example the cherry tomatoes, and wherein the actuator is provided with an interface that enables a consumer to
5 provides for driving the driven dispenser, i.e. for driving the conveyor belt of the conveyor, and thus for dispensing the food products, for example the cherry tomatoes.
[19]
25. System according to one or more of the preceding claims 20-22, wherein the
Hopper and holder assembly include coupling devices, for example positioning ribs, slots, and / or corresponding tabs, which coupling devices engage with each other when the holder is mounted on top of the hopper to position the holder with the dispensing opening aligned with the filling opening of the dispensing device and preferably to fix.
15
[20]
A method for dispensing agricultural food products, for example tomatoes, more preferably cherry tomatoes, wherein use is made of a system according to one or more of claims 22-25, the method comprising the steps of: positioning the, on top of the dispensing device, container (2) at least partially filled with products,
- moving the slider (3) from the first slider position (P1) towards the second slider position (P2); and transferring products from the inner space of the container through the dispensing opening in the bottom panel into the dispensing device, preferably a hopper of the dispensing device,
[21]
The method of claim 26, the method further comprising the steps of: filling the container with agricultural products, e.g., the cherry tomatoes, preferably at a remote location from the dispenser; and transporting the cherry tomatoes container to the dispensing device, preferably by road transport.
[22]
Use of the holder assembly according to one or more of claims 1-19, for spreading agricultural products, preferably cherry tomatoes, preferably in combination with a dispensing device, for example as part of a system according to one or more
35 more of claims 22-25.
O tn's
31a
230

类似技术:

公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题

CN106163341B|2019-09-17|The tableware distributor to advance forward

US7240789B2|2007-07-10|Carton with an interlocking separator pad and dispenser

KR20120116938A|2012-10-23|Dispensing system and package for use threrwith

US20100293891A1|2010-11-25|Device for Overpacking at Least One Object into a Batch

US5016572A|1991-05-21|Pet food package and dispenser

KR20030032974A|2003-04-26|Beverage and Food Carrier

US4519503A|1985-05-28|Nestable/stackable basket/tray combination for use in bakery goods distribution systems

US5040690A|1991-08-20|Rolling container

US20060180602A1|2006-08-17|Removal configuration

US20150320235A1|2015-11-12|Seed Container Rack System

US7520390B2|2009-04-21|Configurable display container

US6170702B1|2001-01-09|Beverage container vending machine

US4211343A|1980-07-08|Bulk dry food product storage, display and dispensing apparatus

NL2021107B1|2019-03-27|Tray assembly comprising a stackable tray and a slide

CA2856688C|2015-10-06|Compact stackable tray

CZ2000576A3|2001-11-14|Disposable package serving as a disposable dispensing box

EP3506804A1|2019-07-10|Dispenser for semi spherical food products and tray assembly

JP3219415U|2018-12-27|Mail sorting apparatus having an unstacker magazine that includes a portion that is formed to form a fork and move up and down

NL1018612C2|2003-01-27|Method and device for filling a container bin with bags filled with a liquid-like substance.

JP3219414U|2018-12-27|Mail sorting apparatus having a tray transfer machine for an inclined L-shaped shuttle tray

BE1024571B1|2018-04-11|Box or crate in which loose, more or less similar products are provided and dosing device that can cooperate with such a box or crate.

GB2394943A|2004-05-12|Container having foldable walls for stacking on a rack

JP3945851B2|2007-07-18|vending machine

US20210316898A1|2021-10-14|Convenient solid product dispensing package

US4573751A|1986-03-04|Combination multiple compartment storage bin and sorting tray

同族专利:

公开号 | 公开日

NL2021107B1|2019-03-27|

引用文献:

公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题

NL7313823A|1972-10-11|1974-04-16|

US20040129739A1|2003-01-06|2004-07-08|Timbrook Ronald D.|Hopper box|

EP2902979A1|2014-02-04|2015-08-05|Ducale Macchine da Caffe' di Sandei Ugo E.C. S.N.C.|Dispensing device of loose granular products, for example gumdrops or nuts, and dispensing method thereof|

法律状态:

优先权:

申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

NL2019064|2017-06-13|

[返回顶部]