U.S. patent application number 12/891296 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-26 for product dispensing system with anti-theft engagement.
Invention is credited to Aaron L. Bates, John Gelardi, Caleb S. Loftin, Laurel Thomas.
Application Number | 20110121011 12/891296 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44059988 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110121011 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gelardi; John ; et
al. |
May 26, 2011 |
Product Dispensing System With Anti-Theft Engagement
Abstract
A product dispensing system including a dispenser that includes
a frame having two opposed side walls and a support surface between
the opposed side walls, and a container positioned on the support
surface, the container being releasably engaged with the frame.
Inventors: |
Gelardi; John; (Midlothian,
VA) ; Bates; Aaron L.; (Moseley, VA) ; Thomas;
Laurel; (Richmond, VA) ; Loftin; Caleb S.;
(Richmond, VA) |
Family ID: |
44059988 |
Appl. No.: |
12/891296 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12777444 |
May 11, 2010 |
7922437 |
|
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12891296 |
|
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|
61263767 |
Nov 23, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
221/30 ;
221/285 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/08 20130101; B65D
21/0228 20130101; B65D 25/24 20130101; A47F 3/002 20130101; B65D
83/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/30 ;
221/285 |
International
Class: |
A47F 1/04 20060101
A47F001/04; B65D 83/00 20060101 B65D083/00; B65D 5/72 20060101
B65D005/72 |
Claims
1. A product dispensing system comprising: a dispenser comprising a
frame having two opposed side walls and a support surface between
said opposed side walls; and a container positioned on said support
surface, said container being releasably engaged with said
frame.
2. The product dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising a
plurality of products housed in said container.
3. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said container
comprises paperboard.
4. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said support
surface includes a front end and a rear end, said front end being
elevated relative to said rear end.
5. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said support
surface defines a plane, and wherein a first portion of said
container is positioned above said plane and a second portion of
said container is positioned below said plane.
6. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said support
surface defines an upper level and a lower level of said dispenser,
and wherein said frame defines an opening between said upper level
and said lower level.
7. The product dispensing system of claim 6 wherein a portion of
said container extends through said opening.
8. The product dispensing system of claim 6 wherein said container
defines a flap, and wherein said flap extends through said
opening.
9. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said dispenser
further comprises a cutting element extending at least partially
through said container.
10. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said dispenser
comprises a detent engaged with said container.
11. The product dispensing system of claim 10 wherein said
container defines a recess, and wherein said detent extends into
said recess.
12. The product dispensing system of claim 10 wherein said
dispenser further comprises a biasing element position to bias said
detent into engagement with said container.
13. A product dispensing system comprising: a dispenser comprising
a frame having a support surface that defines an upper level of
said dispenser and a lower level of said dispenser, said frame
defining an opening between said upper level and said lower level;
and a container positioned on said support surface, a portion of
said container extending through said opening.
14. The product dispensing system of claim 13 further comprising a
plurality of products housed in said container.
15. The product dispensing system of claim 13 wherein said support
surface includes a front end and a rear end, said front end being
elevated relative to said rear end.
16. The product dispensing system of claim 13 wherein said
container defines an internal volume, an opening into said internal
volume and a flap for sealing said opening of said container.
17. The product dispensing system of claim 16 wherein said flap
extends through said opening.
18. A product dispensing system comprising: a dispenser comprising
a frame having two opposed side walls and a support surface between
said opposed side walls; a container positioned on said support
surface; and a detent extending between said dispenser and said
container to retain said container relative to said dispenser.
19. The product dispensing system of claim 18 wherein said
container defines a recess, and wherein said detent extends from
said dispenser into said recess.
20. The product dispensing system of claim 19 wherein said detent
is biased into said recess.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/777,444 filed on May 11, 2010 (pending),
the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference,
which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/263,767 filed on Nov. 23, 2009 (expired), the entire contents of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] This application relates to the dispensing of products from
packaging containers and, more particularly, to product dispensing
systems having an engagement between the dispenser and the
container to impede removal of the container from the
dispenser.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Products are typically shipped to retailers in bulk by
enclosing multiple individual product units in a container, such as
a carton or box. For example, canned soup may be shipped to a
retailer in a box containing multiple cans. Then, a stock clerk
typically removes the individual product units from the container
and stacks them on a display unit, such as a shelf, thereby making
the products available to consumers.
[0004] The process of removing products from shipping containers
and stacking the products on a shelf can be quite time consuming.
Specifically, the traditional package-ship-unpack-display model
requires a stock clerk to obtain a package from the supplier, open
the package, remove all of the product units from the open package,
and stack each of the product units on a display unit. In the case
of small, high volume products, such as canned foods, the amount of
time required to neatly stock a display unit can become extensive,
thereby significantly increasing a stores overall operating
expenses.
[0005] Furthermore, products stacked on a shelf are more prone to
theft. For example, thieves have been known to steal large
quantities of product simply by sweeping the products off the shelf
into a bag.
[0006] Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue to seek
alternatives to the traditional package-ship-unpack-display model
in an effort to improve operating efficiency and minimize theft
loss.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system may
include a dispenser that includes a frame having two opposed side
walls and a support surface between the opposed side walls, and a
container positioned on the support surface, the container being
releasably engaged with the frame.
[0008] In another aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system
may include a dispenser including a frame having a support surface
that defines an upper level of the dispenser and a lower level of
the dispenser, the frame defining an opening between the upper
level and the lower level, and a container positioned on the
support surface, a portion of the container extending through the
opening.
[0009] In yet another aspect, the disclosed product dispensing
system may include a dispenser including a frame having two opposed
side walls and a support surface between the opposed side walls, a
container positioned on the support surface, and a detent extending
between the dispenser and the container to secure the container
relative to the dispenser.
[0010] Other aspects of the disclosed product dispensing system
with anti-theft engagement will become apparent from the following
detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one aspect of the
disclosed product dispensing system with anti-theft engagement,
shown in a disassembled and undeployed configuration;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the product dispensing
system with anti-theft engagement of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, in section, of the
product dispensing system with anti-theft engagement of FIG. 2,
shown in an assembled and deployed configuration
[0014] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the container of the
product dispensing system with anti-theft engagement of FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a bottom and end perspective view of a portion of
the container of FIG. 4, shown in a deployed configuration;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the container blank used to
form the container of FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 7A is a front elevational view, in section, of a
portion of the container and the dispenser shown in an engaged
configuration in accordance with another aspect of the disclosed
product dispensing system; and
[0018] FIG. 7B is a front elevational view, in section, of the
container and dispenser of FIG. 7A shown in a disengaged
configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, one aspect of the disclosed product
dispensing system with anti-theft engagement, generally designated
10, may include a dispenser 12 and a container 14. The container 14
may house multiple units of product 16 (FIGS. 2 and 3), such as
cans (e.g., canned soup), jars (e.g., jarred sauce) or bottles
(e.g., bottled soft drinks). Therefore, when the container 14 is
loaded onto the dispenser 12, as shown in FIG. 3, the dispenser 12
may open the container 14 to release the products 16 from the
container 14 into the dispenser 12 and an engagement between the
dispenser 12 and the container 14 may inhibit removal of the
container 14 from the dispenser 12.
[0020] The container 14 may be any container capable of housing
products 16 and establishing an engagement with the disclosed
dispenser 12, as disclosed herein. In one construction, the
container 14 may be a generally rectilinear container having six
walls 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 that define an internal volume 30, as
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Opposed walls 18 and 20 may define the
front and rear walls, respectively, of the container 14. Opposed
walls 22 and 24 may define the first (e.g., left) and second (e.g.,
right) side walls, respectively, of the container 14. Opposed walls
26 and 28 may define the upper and base walls, respectively, of the
container 14.
[0021] Optionally, the container 14 may include a partition 32
extending therethrough to divide the internal volume 30 into a
first chamber 34 and a second chamber 36. The partition 32 may be a
generally planar structure that is generally parallel with, but
spaced apart from, the first and second side walls 22, 24.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, a first quantity of product 16 may
be housed in the first chamber 34 and a second quantity of product
16 may be housing in the second chamber 36.
[0022] Still referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the base wall 28 of the
container 14 may define one or more door flaps 38, 40 that, when
opened as described below, pivot relative to the container 14 to
provide an opening 42 to the internal volume 30 of the container
14. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the door flaps
38, 40 may be pre-defined and/or may be formed as the container 14
is loaded onto the dispenser 12.
[0023] In one implementation, the door flaps 38, 40 may be defined
by a first row of perforations 44 extending laterally from the
first side wall 22 to the second side wall 24 and a second row of
perforations 46 extending longitudinally from the first row of
perforations 44 to the rear end 48 of the base wall 28. Therefore,
when the base wall 28 is cut along the first and second rows of
perforations 44, 46, the first door flap 38 is free to pivot along
the edge 50 between the first side wall 22 and the base wall 28 and
the second door flap 40 is free to pivot along the edge 52 between
the second side wall 24 and the base wall 28, thereby forming the
opening 42 in the container 14, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0024] Optionally, the base wall 28 of the container 14 may also
define an opening 54 positioned adjacent to the door flaps 38, 40.
The opening 54 may be longitudinally aligned with the second row of
perforations 46 and positioned immediately forward of the second
row of perforations 46 such that a cutting element (discussed
below) traveling along the second row of perforations 46 stops
cutting at the front end 56 of the second row of perforations
46.
[0025] The container 14 may be formed from a container blank, such
as the container blank 60 shown in FIG. 6. The container blank 60
may be pre-cut from a sheet of stock material to define an outer
periphery 61 of the container blank 60. In one particular aspect,
the stock material may be a paperboard-based material, such as C1S
paperboard, which may have a coating (e.g., clay) on a first major
surface thereof and an uncoated second major surface, or C2S
paperboard, which may have a coating (e.g., clay) on both major
surfaces thereof. Optionally, at least one major surface of the
container blank 60 (or at least a portion thereof) may be marked
with various indicia, such as printed text and graphics.
[0026] The container blank 60 may include a plurality of pre-formed
fold lines 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 that define wall
panels 82, 84, 86, 88, a transition panel 90, a partition panel 92,
first major 94, 96 and minor 98, 100 end flaps, second major 102,
104 and minor 106 end flaps and partition flaps 108, 110.
Specifically, wall panel 82 may be defined by the periphery 61 of
the blank 60 and fold lines 62, 74 and 76, and may form the upper
wall 26 of the assembled container 14 (FIG. 4). Wall panel 84 may
be defined by fold lines 62, 64, 74 and 76, and may form side wall
24 of the assembled container 14. Wall panel 86 may be defined by
the periphery 61 and fold lines 64, 66 and 74, and may form the
base wall 28 of the assembled container 14. Wall panel 88 may be
defined by fold lines 66, 68, 74 and 78, and may form the side wall
22 of the assembled container 14. Partition panel 92 may be defined
by the periphery 61 of the blank 60 and fold lines 70, 72 and 80,
and may form the partition 32 (FIG. 4) of the assembled container
14. Transition panel 90 may be defined by the periphery 61 of the
blank 60 and fold lines 68 and 70, and may function to space the
partition 32 between the side walls 22, 24 of the assembled
container 14. First major 94, 96 and minor 98, 100 end flaps may be
defined by the periphery 61 of the blank 60 and fold line 74, and
may form the front wall 18 of the assembled container 14. Second
major 102, 104 and minor 106 end flaps may be defined by the
periphery 61 of the blank 60 and fold lines 76 and 78, and may form
the rear wall 20 of the assembled container 14. Partition flaps
108, 110 may be defined by the periphery 61 of the blank 60 and the
fold lines 80 and 72, respectively, and may be used to secure the
partition 32 between the side walls 22, 24 of the assembled
container 14.
[0027] The container 8 may be assembled by folding the container
blank 60 along the longitudinal fold lines 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72
and connecting wall panel 82 to transition panel 90 to form the
three-dimensional body of the container 14. Additionally, partition
flap 110 may be connected to wall panel 86 to secure the partition
32 between the side walls 22, 24 of the container 14. Then, the
first major 94, 96 and minor 98, 100 end flaps may be assembled to
form the front wall 18 of the container 14 and the second major
102, 104 and minor 106 end flaps may be assembled to form the rear
wall 20 of the container 14.
[0028] While a specific container blank 60 is shown and described,
those skilled in the art will appreciate that various techniques
and materials may be used to form the container 14 of the disclosed
product dispensing system with anti-theft engagement 10. Folded
paperboard containers are only one specific and non-limiting
example of the container 14 of the disclosed product dispensing
system with anti-theft engagement 10.
[0029] Referring back to FIGS. 1-3, the dispenser 12 may include a
frame 120 for supporting the container 14 and the products 16 in a
desired configuration and a cutting element 122 for cutting the
container 14 as the container 14 is being loaded onto the dispenser
frame 120. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
dispenser 12 may include additional components and features, such
as the components and features of the dispensers disclosed in U.S.
Ser. No. 12/777,444, without departing from the scope of the
present disclosure.
[0030] The frame 120 may include a first side wall 124, a second
side wall 126, an upper support surface 128 and a lower support
surface 130. The first side wall 124 may be laterally spaced from
the second side wall 126, and may be generally parallel with the
second side wall 126.
[0031] The lower support surface 130 may extend longitudinally
between the first 124 and second 126 side walls, and may include a
front end 132 that extends to the front ends 134, 136 of the side
walls 124, 126, and a rear end 138 that extends to the rear ends
140, 142 of the side walls 124, 126. Therefore, the lower support
surface 130 and the side walls 124, 126 may define a lower level
144 of the frame 120.
[0032] As best shown in FIG. 3, the lower support surface 130 may
be inclined from the front end 132 to the rear end 138 (i.e., the
rear end 138 may be elevated relative to the front end 132) such
that products 16 deposited proximate (i.e., at or near) the rear
end 138 of the lower support surface 130 roll down to the front end
132 of the lower support surface 130 under the force of gravity.
The extent of the incline of the lower support surface 130 may be
dictated by, among other things, the coefficient of friction of the
material used to form the frame 120 and the shape of the products
16 to be dispensed by the dispenser 12.
[0033] One or more stops 146 may be positioned proximate the front
end 132 of the lower support surface 130 to prevent product 16 from
rolling beyond the front end 132 of the lower support surface 130.
For example, the stop 146 may be connected to (e.g., integral with)
the lower support surface 130, and may be an upward curve at the
front end 132 of the lower support surface 130. Therefore, the stop
146 may collect product 16 at the front end 132 of the lower
support surface 130, thereby establishing a product display area
148 at the front end 132 of the lower support surface 130.
[0034] In one particular implementation, the frame 120 may include
a divider 150 extending from the front end 132 of the lower support
surface 130 to the rear end 138 of the lower support surface 130 to
divide the lower level 144 into a first product channel 152 and a
second product channel 154. The first product channel 152 may be
defined by the lower support surface 130, the first side wall 124
and the divider 150, and may extend from proximate the rear end 138
of the lower support surface 130 to the front end 132 of the lower
support surface 130. The second product channel 154 may be defined
by the lower support surface 130, the second side wall 126 and the
divider 150, and may extend from proximate the rear end 138 of the
lower support surface 130 to the front end 132 of the lower support
surface 130. While two product channels 152, 154 are shown and
described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the frame
120 may be constructed to provide only one product channel or more
than two product channels, without departing from the scope of the
present disclosure.
[0035] The upper support surface 128 may extend longitudinally
between the first 124 and second 126 side walls, and may include a
front end 156 that extends to the front ends 134, 136 of the side
walls 124, 126, and a rear end 158 that extends toward, but not to,
the rear ends 140, 142 of the side walls 124, 126, thereby defining
an upper level 160 of the frame 120. The spacing between the rear
end 158 of the upper support surface 128 and the rear ends 140, 142
of the side walls 124, 126 may define an opening 162, which may
function as a chute to allow product 16 to move from the upper
level 160 to the lower level 144 of the frame 120.
[0036] As best shown in FIG. 3, the upper support surface 128 may
be declined from the front end 156 to the rear end 158 (i.e., the
front end 156 may be elevated relative to the rear end 158).
Therefore, product 16 supported by the upper support surface 128
may roll under the force of gravity to the rear end 158 of the
upper support surface 128, through the opening 162, down to the
rear end 138 of the lower support surface 130 and, ultimately, to
the product display area 148 of the lower level 144 of the frame
120.
[0037] The container 14 may be loaded onto, and supported by, the
upper support surface 128 of the frame 120 of the dispenser 12, as
shown in FIG. 3. As the container 14 is being urged toward the rear
end 158 of the upper support surface 128, the cutting element 122
may cut through the base wall 28 of the container 14 along the
second row of perforations 46, thereby separating the door flaps
38, 40 such that the door flaps 38, 40 may pivot along edges 50, 52
away from the container 14 and through the opening 162 in the frame
120, thereby releasing the product 16 therein to the dispenser 12
while simultaneously engaging the container 14 with the dispenser
12. Specifically, with the door flaps 38, 40 extending through the
opening 162 defined by the frame 120, interference between the door
flaps 38, 40 of the container 14 and the rear end 158 of the upper
support surface 128 of the frame 120 may resist withdrawal of the
container 14 from the dispenser 12 in the direction shown by arrow
A.
[0038] Prior to loading the container 14 onto the dispenser 12, a
user (e.g., a stock clerk), may pre-cut the base wall 28 of the
container 14 along the first row of perforations 44 to partially
define the door flaps 38, 40. As an example, the cut along the
first row of perforations 44 may be made with a cutting tool (e.g.,
a knife) or by pulling a rip-strip (not shown) incorporated into
the container 14 and extending along the first row of perforations
44. Alternatively, the first row of perforations 44 may be
sufficiently weak as to tear under the weight of the product 16 in
the container 14 once the second row of perforations 46 has been
severed, thereby avoiding the need for pre-cutting.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, another aspect of the
disclosed product dispensing system with anti-theft engagement,
generally designated 10', may include a dispenser 12' and a
container 14', similar to the system 10 described above. At least
one wall 24' of the container 14' may define a recess 200 therein.
The frame 120' (e.g., wall 124') of the dispenser 12' may include a
recess 202 and a detent 204 extending therethrough (or therefrom).
One or more biasing elements 206 (e.g., coil springs) may bias the
detent 204 into engagement with the recess 200 in the container
14', as shown in FIG. 7A
[0040] Thus, the detent 204 may provide an engagement between the
container 14' and the dispenser 12' when the container 14' is
supported on the dispenser 12'. To remove the container 14' from
the dispenser 12', a force (arrow F) sufficient to overcome the
biasing force of the biasing elements 206 may be applied to the
detent 204 to withdraw the detent 204 from the recess 200 in the
container 14', thereby freeing the container 14' from the dispenser
12'.
[0041] Accordingly, the engagement between the dispenser 12, 12'
and the container 14, 14' of the disclosed product dispensing
systems 10, 10' may impede removal of the container 14, 14' from
the dispenser 12, 12', thereby functioning as a theft
deterrent.
[0042] Although various aspects of the disclosed product dispensing
system with anti-theft engagement have been shown and described,
modifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading
the specification. The present application includes such
modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.
* * * * *