U.S. patent application number 13/453538 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-24 for product dispensing system with tapered catch element.
The applicant listed for this patent is Aaron L. Bates, Caleb S. Loftin, Matthew E. Zacherle. Invention is credited to Aaron L. Bates, Caleb S. Loftin, Matthew E. Zacherle.
Application Number | 20130277321 13/453538 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48325890 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130277321 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zacherle; Matthew E. ; et
al. |
October 24, 2013 |
Product Dispensing System with Tapered Catch Element
Abstract
A product dispensing system including a dispenser having a front
end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser including
a first support deck extending at least partially between the front
end and the rear end, a catch element connected proximate the first
support deck, the catch element including a front edge, wherein the
front edge is tapered to a forward-most end, and a second support
deck positioned below the first support deck, the second support
defining a product display area.
Inventors: |
Zacherle; Matthew E.;
(Richmond, VA) ; Bates; Aaron L.; (Moseley,
VA) ; Loftin; Caleb S.; (Richmond, VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Zacherle; Matthew E.
Bates; Aaron L.
Loftin; Caleb S. |
Richmond
Moseley
Richmond |
VA
VA
VA |
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48325890 |
Appl. No.: |
13/453538 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/59.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/087 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/59.2 |
International
Class: |
A47F 1/04 20060101
A47F001/04 |
Claims
1. A product dispensing system comprising: a dispenser having a
front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, said dispenser
comprising: a first support deck extending at least partially
between said front end and said rear end; an opening tool connected
proximate said first support deck, said opening tool comprising a
rear end and a forward-most end longitudinally opposed from said
rear end of said opening tool, wherein said rear end of said
opening tool has a first lateral width and said forward-most end
has a second lateral width, said second lateral width being less
than said first lateral width; and a second support deck positioned
below said first support deck, said second support deck defining a
product display area.
2. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said second
lateral width is at most 25 percent of said first lateral
width.
3. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said second
lateral width is at most 10 percent of said first lateral
width.
4. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said second
lateral width is at most 5 percent of said first lateral width.
5. A product dispensing system comprising: a dispenser having a
front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, said dispenser
comprising: a first support deck extending at least partially
between said front end and said rear end; an opening tool connected
proximate said first support deck, said opening tool comprising a
front edge, wherein said front edge is tapered to a forward-most
end; and a second support deck positioned below said first support
deck, said second support defining a product display area.
6. The product dispensing system of claim 5 wherein said first
support deck comprises a front end and a rear end, and wherein said
opening tool is connected to said first support deck proximate said
rear end of said first support deck and protrudes toward said front
end.
7. The product dispensing system of claim 5 wherein said
forward-most end is pointed or rounded.
8. The product dispensing system of claim 5 wherein dispenser
further comprises a first side wall and a second side wall, said
second side wall being laterally opposed from said first side
wall.
9. The product dispensing system of claim 8 wherein said opening
tool laterally extends between said first side wall and said second
side wall.
10. The product dispensing system of claim 8 wherein said
forward-most end is substantially centered between aid first side
wall and said second side wall.
11. The product dispensing system of claim 5 wherein said opening
tool defines a first upper surface and said first support deck
defines a second upper surface, and wherein said first upper
surface is substantially parallel to said second upper surface.
12. The product dispensing system of claim 5 further comprising a
container positioned on said first support deck.
13. The product dispensing system of claim 12 wherein said first
support deck defines an upper surface and a channel that extends
below said upper surface, said channel having an entrance opening
and an exit opening.
14. The product dispensing system of claim 13 wherein said exit
opening opens toward said front end.
15. The product dispensing system of claim 13 wherein a portion of
said container is received in said channel.
16. The product dispensing system of claim 12 further comprising a
plurality of products initially housed in said container.
17. The product dispensing system of claim 5 wherein said product
display area is proximate said front end.
18. The product dispensing system of claim 12 wherein said first
support deck defines an upper level of said dispenser and said
second support deck defines a lower level of said dispenser, and
wherein said first support deck further defines an opening between
said upper level and said lower level.
19. The product dispensing system of claim 18, wherein said
container defines an internal volume and an access opening into
said internal volume.
20. The product dispensing system of claim 19 wherein said access
opening is aligned with said opening defined by said first support
deck.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This application relates to the dispensing of products from
packaging containers and, more particularly, to product dispensers
configured to cooperate with packaging containers to dispense
products.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 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 foods may be shipped to a
retailer in a box containing twenty-four individual cans. Then, it
is typically the retailer's obligation to remove the individual
product units from the container and present them to consumers.
[0003] Alternatives to the traditional package-ship-unpack-display
model are being developed in an effort to improve operating
efficiency. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,437 to Loftin et al.
discloses a new system for dispensing and displaying products
packaged in a container. Specifically, the system includes a frame
having a support structure, a product display area and an opening
tool. The frame may be positioned on a retailer's shelf and loaded
with product simply by placing a container comprising multiple
units of product onto the support structure of the frame. As the
container is being placed onto the support structure, the opening
tool of the frame opens the container in such a manner that
products roll from the container and down to the product display
area of the frame under the force of gravity.
[0004] As another example, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/032,734 filed by Gelardi et al. discloses a product dispensing
system that utilizes an opening tool having a catch element that
engages and opens a container as the container is loaded onto the
dispenser, and then guides the container to avoid interference
between the dispensing products and the open container.
[0005] Despite advances already made in the field, those skilled in
the art continue with research and development efforts directed to
apparatus and systems for dispensing products from packaging
containers.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system may
include a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from
a rear end, the dispenser including a first support deck extending
at least partially between the front end and the rear end, a catch
element connected proximate the first support deck, the catch
element including a rear end and a forward-most end longitudinally
opposed from the rear end of the catch element, wherein the rear
end of the catch element has a first lateral width and the
forward-most end has a second lateral width, the second lateral
width being substantially less than the first lateral width, and a
second support deck positioned below the first support deck, the
second support defining a product display area.
[0007] In another aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system
may include a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed
from a rear end, the dispenser including a first support deck
extending at least partially between the front end and the rear
end, a catch element connected proximate the first support deck,
the catch element including a front edge, wherein the front edge is
tapered to a forward-most end, and a second support deck positioned
below the first support deck, the second support defining a product
display area
[0008] In another aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system
may include a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally
opposed from a rear end, the dispenser frame including a support
deck extending at least partially between the front end and the
rear end, the support deck having an upper surface and defining a
channel below the upper surface, the channel having an entrance
opening and an exit opening, a catch element connected to the
dispenser frame proximate the entrance opening, and a container
positioned on the support deck, wherein a portion of the container
is engaged with the catch element.
[0009] In another aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system
may include a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally
opposed from a rear end, the dispenser frame including an upper
support deck extending at least partially between the front and
rear ends and having an upper surface and defining a channel below
the upper surface, the channel having an entrance opening and an
exit opening, wherein the exit opening opens toward the rear end of
the dispenser frame, a lower support deck positioned below the
upper support deck, wherein the dispenser frame defines an opening
sized to allow product passage from the upper support deck down to
the lower support deck, a catch element connected to the dispenser
frame proximate the entrance opening of the channel, and a
container that defines a weakening feature, the container being
positioned on the upper support deck such that the catch element
engages the weakening feature, wherein the catch element pierces
and separates the weakening feature to define an opening into the
container.
[0010] In yet another aspect, disclosed is a method for dispensing
products from a container using a dispenser. The method may include
the steps of (1) providing a dispenser including a frame having a
front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the frame
including an upper support deck having an upper surface and
extending at least partially between the front end and the rear
end, and a lower support deck positioned below the upper support
deck, the lower support deck defining a product display area,
wherein the frame defines a first opening, and a catch element
connected to the frame; (2) providing a container that defines a
weakening feature and initially houses a plurality of products; (3)
urging the container along the upper support deck from the front
end toward the rear end such that the catch element engages the
weakening feature and separates an access panel from the container
to form a second opening, the separated access panel being directed
below the upper surface and toward the rear end; and (4) aligning
the second opening with the first opening such that at least one
product of the plurality of products moves from the container to
the product display area, wherein the product interacts with the
separated access panel as the product moves to the product display
area.
[0011] Other aspects of the disclosed product dispensing system
will become apparent from the following detailed description, the
accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front and side perspective view of one aspect of
the disclosed product dispensing system.
[0013] FIG. 2A is a bottom and side perspective view of the
container of the product dispensing system of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 2B is a bottom and side perspective view of the
container of FIG. 2A, shown with a force applied to pierce
perforations.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side and bottom perspective view of the
container of FIG. 2B, shown in an opened configuration.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a container blank that may be
used to form the container of FIG. 2A.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, in section, of the
dispenser of the product dispensing system of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 6A is a top plan view of the catch element of the
dispenser of FIG. 5.
[0019] FIG. 6B is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of
the disclosed catch element.
[0020] FIG. 7A is a side elevational view, in section, of an
alternative embodiment of the disclosed dispenser.
[0021] FIG. 7B is a detailed side elevational view, in section, of
a portion of the dispenser shown in FIG. 7A.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, in section, of the
dispenser of FIG. 5, shown with a container in a first, partially
loaded configuration.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, in section, of the
dispenser of FIG. 8, shown with the container in a second, fully
loaded configuration.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view, in section, of the
dispenser of FIG. 9, shown dispensing products.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, one aspect of the disclosed product
dispensing system, generally designated 10, may include a dispenser
12 and a container 14. The container 14 may house multiple units of
product 16. The container 14 may be loaded onto the dispenser 12 by
urging the container 14 generally horizontally along the dispenser
12. As the container 14 is urged along the dispenser 12, the
dispenser 12 may engage and open the container 14, thereby
releasing the products 16 from the container 14 to the dispenser 12
without the container 14 interfering with movement of the products
16 from the container 14 and through the dispenser 12.
[0026] The container 14 may be any container capable of housing
products 16 and beneficially interacting with the disclosed
dispenser 12. For example, the container 14 may be a paperboard
carton or a corrugated box.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 2A, the container 14 may be a generally
rectilinear container having six walls 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 that
define an internal volume 30 for receiving the products 16 (FIGS. 9
and 10). 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 base and upper walls, respectively, of the container
14.
[0028] A first weakening feature 34 may generally horizontally
extend from the edge 52 between the base wall 26 and the left side
wall 22 toward the edge 56 between the base wall 26 and the right
side wall 24 of the container 14. The first weakening feature 34
may be formed in the base wall 26 proximate the edge 44 between the
base wall 26 and the rear wall 20.
[0029] The first weakening feature 34 may facilitate the separation
of a portion of the base wall 26 from the rest of the container 14,
as shown in FIG. 3. In a first implementation, the first weakening
feature 34 may be formed as a row of perforations. For example, the
first weakening feature 34 may be formed as a row of standard
perforations, as a row of micro perforations or as a row of
zipper-like cuts. In a second implementation, the first weakening
feature 34 may be formed by scoring the container 14. In a third
implementation, the first weakening feature 34 may be formed by
creasing the container 14. Other techniques useful for forming the
second and third weakening features 50, 54 will become apparent to
those skilled in the art.
[0030] A second weakening feature 50 may generally longitudinally
extend from the first weakening feature 34 toward the front wall 18
of the container 14. The second weakening feature 50 may be formed
in the base wall 26 proximate the edge 52 between the base wall 26
and the left side wall 22.
[0031] A third weakening feature 54 may generally longitudinally
extend from the first weakening feature 34 toward the front wall 18
of the container 14, and may be laterally spaced from the second
weakening feature 50. The third weakening feature 54 may be formed
in the base wall 26 proximate the edge 56 between the base wall 26
and the right side wall 24.
[0032] The longitudinal length of the second and third weakening
features 50, 54 may be dictated by the size (e.g., the diameter) of
the products 16 housed in the container 14. As one example, the
second and third weakening features 50, 54 may extend along at
least 5 percent of the length of the edge 52. As another example,
the second and third weakening features 50, 54 may extend along at
least 10 percent of the length of the edge 52. As another example,
the second and third weakening features 50, 54 may extend along at
least 20 percent of the length of the edge 52. As yet another
example, the second and third weakening features 50, 54 may extend
along at least 30 percent of the length of the edge 52.
[0033] The second and third weakening features 50, 54 may
facilitate the separation of a portion of the base wall 26 from the
rest of the container 14, as shown in FIG. 3. In a first
implementation, the second and third weakening features 50, 54 may
be formed as rows of perforations. For example, the second and
third weakening features 50, 54 may be formed as rows of standard
perforations, as rows of micro perforations or as rows of
zipper-like cuts. In a second implementation, the second and third
weakening features 50, 54 may be formed by scoring the container
14. In a third implementation, the second and third weakening
features 50, 54 may be formed by creasing the container 14. Other
techniques useful for forming the second and third weakening
features 50, 54 will become apparent to those skilled in the
art.
[0034] Thus, a force F (FIG. 2B) applied to the base wall 26 at the
first weakening feature 34 may separate the base wall 26 along the
length of the weakening feature, and then partially separate a
portion of the base wall 26 from the container 14 along the second
and third weakening features 50, 54 to form an access panel 58, as
shown in FIG. 3. As the first weakening feature 34 facilitates the
separation of the access panel 58 from the remainder of the
container 14, the size of the access panel 58 may be significantly
increased, thereby forming an access opening 60 in the container
14. The access opening 60 may allow the products 16 housed in the
container 14 to be dispensed from the container 14 and, ultimately,
into the dispenser 12 when the container 14 is loaded on the
dispenser 12.
[0035] Optionally, one or more preformed fold lines 62 (FIG. 3) may
laterally extend across the base wall 26 to encourage the access
panel 58 to pivot relative to the base wall 26 of the container 14.
Preformed fold lines 62 may reduce or eliminate the possibility
that the access panel 58 will randomly fold or bunch-up as the
access panel 58 is formed.
[0036] The container 14 may be formed from a paperboard container
blank, such as the paperboard container blank 70 shown in FIG. 4.
The container blank 70 may include a plurality of pre-formed fold
lines 72, 73, 75, 77, 78, 79 that define the front wall 18
(comprised of front wall panels 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D), the rear
wall 20 (comprised of rear wall panels 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D), the
right side wall 22, the left side wall 24, the base wall 26, the
upper wall 28 and sealing panel 71.
[0037] The container 14 may be assembled by folding the container
blank 70 along the longitudinal fold lines 72, 73, 75, 78 and
connecting the upper wall 28 to the sealing panel 71 to form the
three-dimensional body of the container 14. Then, the front wall
panels 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D may be assembled to form the front wall
18 of the container 14. Finally, the rear wall panels 20A, 20B,
20C, 20D may be assembled to form the rear wall 20 of the container
14.
[0038] The container blank 70 may be formed from a paperboard-based
material, such as C1S paperboard, which may have a coating (e.g.,
clay) on a first major surface thereof, which may form the outer
surface 74 (FIG. 1) of the container 14, and an uncoated second
major surface. As another example, the paperboard-based material
may be 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 may be marked with various indicia 76 (FIG.
1), such as printed text and/or graphics.
[0039] While a specific paperboard container blank 70 is shown and
described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various
techniques and materials may be used to form the container 14.
Folded paperboard containers are only one specific and non-limiting
example of the disclosed container 14.
[0040] Various products 16 having various shapes and configurations
may be housed in the container 14 and dispensed by the disclosed
product dispensing system 10. Suitable products 16 include cans
(e.g., canned soup or pet food), jars (e.g., jarred sauce) or
bottles (e.g., bottled soft drinks)
[0041] Referring to FIG. 5, the dispenser 12 may include a frame 80
and a catch element 82. The frame 80 of the dispenser 12 may
support the container 14 in a desired configuration, such as a
slightly declined, but generally horizontal configuration, as shown
in FIGS. 1, 9 and 10. As the container 14 is generally horizontally
urged along the dispenser 12 to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1,
9 and 10, the catch element 82 may engage the first weakening
feature 34 (FIG. 2B) in the container 14 to separate the access
panel 58 (FIG. 3) from the container 14, as is described in greater
detail herein.
[0042] The frame 80 may include a first (e.g., right) side wall 84,
a second (e.g., left) side wall 86, a first (e.g., upper) support
deck 88 and a second (e.g., lower) support deck 90. The right side
wall 84 may be laterally spaced from the left side wall 86, and may
be generally parallel with the left side wall 86. The frame 80 may
include a first (e.g., front) end 92 and a second (e.g., rear) end
94 longitudinally opposed from the first end 92.
[0043] The lower support deck 90 may laterally extend between the
right 84 and left 86 side walls, and may include a front end 96
that longitudinally extends toward the front end 92 of the frame 80
and a rear end 98 that longitudinally extends toward the rear end
94 of the frame 80. Therefore, the lower support deck 90 and the
side walls 84, 86 may define a lower level 100 of the frame 80.
[0044] The lower support deck 90 may be inclined from the front end
96 to the rear end 98 (i.e., the rear end 98 may be elevated
relative to the front end 96) such that products 16 deposited
proximate the rear end 98 of the lower support deck 90 roll down to
the front end 96 of the lower support deck 90 under the force of
gravity. The extent of the incline of the lower support deck 90 may
be dictated by, among other things, the coefficient of friction of
the material used to form the frame 80 and the shape of the
products 16 to be dispensed by the dispenser 12.
[0045] A stop 102 may be positioned proximate the front end 96 of
the lower support deck 90 to prevent products 16 from rolling
beyond the front end 96 of the lower support deck 90. For example,
the stop 102 may be connected to (e.g., integral with) the lower
support deck 90, and may form an upward curve at the front end 96
of the lower support deck 90. Therefore, the stop 102 may collect
products 16 at the front end 96 of the lower support deck 90,
thereby defining a product display area 104 at the front end 96 of
the lower support deck 90.
[0046] The upper support deck 88 may laterally extend between the
right 84 and left 86 side walls, and may include a front end 106
that longitudinally extends toward the front end 92 of the frame 80
and a rear end 108 that longitudinally extends toward, but not to,
the rear end 94 of the frame 80. Therefore, the upper support deck
88 and the side walls 84, 86 may define an upper level 110 of the
frame 80.
[0047] The spacing between the rear end 108 of the upper support
deck 88 and the rear end 94 of the frame 80 may define an opening
112, which may function as a chute to allow products 16 to move
from the upper level 110 to the lower level 100 of the frame 80.
When the container 14 is in the fully loaded configuration on the
dispenser 12, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the access opening 60
(FIG. 3) in the container 14 may be aligned with the opening 112
(FIG. 5) defined by the frame 80.
[0048] The upper support deck 88 may be declined from the front end
106 to the rear end 108 (i.e., the front end 106 may be elevated
relative to the rear end 108). Therefore, products 16 supported on
the upper support deck 88 may roll under the force of gravity down
to the rear end 108 of the upper support deck 88, through the
opening 112, to the lower level 100 of the frame 80 and,
ultimately, to the product display area 104.
[0049] An optional rear wall 114 may be positioned proximate the
rear end 94 of the frame 80 between the right 84 and left 86 side
walls. The rear wall 114 may serve as a stop that inhibits rearward
horizontal movement of the container 14 (FIG. 1) along the upper
support deck 88 beyond the rear wall 114.
[0050] An optional guide 116 may be connected to the rear wall 114
of the frame 80, and may extend through the opening 112 in the
frame 80, from the upper level 110 to the lower level 100. The
guide 116 may be a ramp-like structure, and may be positioned to
receive products 16 exiting the container 14 and passing through
the opening 112 in the frame 80, and may guide the products 16 to
the rear end 98 of the lower support deck 90.
[0051] The catch element 82 may be positioned between the front end
106 and the rear end 108 of the upper support deck 88. For example,
the catch element 82 may be positioned proximate the rear end 108
of the upper support deck 88.
[0052] The catch element 82 may laterally extend between the side
walls 84, 86 of the frame 80, and may longitudinally protrude
toward the front end 92 of the frame 80. The specific size and
shape of the catch element 82 may depend on, among other things,
the size and shape of the first weakening feature 34 in the
container 14.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the catch element 82 may
include a rear end 83 and a forward-most end 85, and the
forward-most end 85 may be longitudinally spaced from the rear end
83. The rear end 83 of the catch element 82 may have a lateral
width W.sub.R, which may laterally extend between the side walls
84, 86 of the frame 80, and the forward-most end 85 may have a
lateral width W.sub.F (FIG. 6B), which may laterally extend between
the side walls 84, 86 of the frame 80. The lateral width W.sub.F of
the forward-most end 85 may be substantially less than the lateral
width W.sub.R of the rear end 83.
[0054] In one expression, the lateral width W.sub.F of the
forward-most end 85 may be at most 50 percent of the lateral width
W.sub.R of the rear end 83. In another expression, the lateral
width W.sub.F of the forward-most end 85 may be at most 25 percent
of the lateral width W.sub.R of the rear end 83. In another
expression, the lateral width W.sub.F of the forward-most end 85
may be at most 10 percent of the lateral width W.sub.R of the rear
end 83. In another expression, the lateral width W.sub.F of the
forward-most end 85 may be at most 5 percent of the lateral width
W.sub.R of the rear end 83. In yet another expression, the lateral
width W.sub.F of the forward-most end 85 may be at most 1 percent
of the lateral width W.sub.R of the rear end 83.
[0055] In one construction, shown in FIG. 6A, the catch element 82
may have a generally pentagonal (or, alternatively, a generally
triangular) shape in plan view, and may include the rear end 83 and
front edges 87, 89. The rear end 83 of the catch element 82 may be
positioned proximate the rear end 108 of the upper support deck 88,
as shown in FIG. 5. The front edges 87, 89 of the catch element 82
may be tapered from the rear end 83, and may terminate at a
generally pointed forward-most end 85 that longitudinally protrudes
toward the front end 92 of the frame 80 (FIG. 5).
[0056] The pointed forward-most end 85 may be generally sharp or
sufficiently pointed so as to pierce and separate the first
weakening feature 34 of the container 14 when it is positioned
according to FIGS. 1, 9 and 10, as described herein. Optionally,
the front edges 87, 89 may also be sharpened so as to facilitate
separation of the first weakening feature 34 of the container 14 as
it advances towards the rear end 94 of the frame 80, as described
in greater detail herein.
[0057] In an alternative construction, the forward-most end 85' of
the catch element 82' may be rounded, as shown in FIG. 6B.
[0058] While two specific catch elements 82, 82' (FIGS. 6A and 6B)
are shown and described as being tapered, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that various techniques may be used to provide the
catch element 82 with a laterally narrower forward-most end without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0059] Referring back to FIG. 5, in an effort to minimize
interference between the catch element 82 and the container 14
during loading, the catch element 82 may be substantially co-planar
with the upper surface 118 of the upper support deck 88. However,
those skilled in the art will appreciate that slight displacement
and/or a slight angle of the catch element 82 relative to the upper
surface 118 of the upper support deck 88 may encourage engagement
of the first weakening feature 34 in the container 14 by the catch
element 82 during loading of the container 14 onto the dispenser
12.
[0060] The upper support deck 88 may define a channel 120
positioned to guide the access panel 58 below the upper surface 118
of the upper support deck 88 as the access panel 58 is separated
from the container 14 by the catch element 82. The channel 120 may
extend from an entrance opening 122 proximate the catch element 82,
down below the catch element 82 and, ultimately, to an exit opening
124. The exit opening 124 may open toward the rear end 94 of the
frame 80. The channel 120 may laterally extend between the side
walls 84, 86 of the frame 80, and may have a lateral width
sufficient to allow the access panel 58 (FIG. 3) to pass
therethrough.
[0061] Thus, the catch element 82, particularly the forward-most
end 85 of the catch element 82, may pierce the first weakening
feature 34 (FIG. 2B) in the container 14 and may separate the
access panel 58 (FIG. 3) from the container 14 as the container 14
is moved horizontally along the upper support deck 88 toward the
rear end 94 of the frame 80.
[0062] The shape and position of the catch element 82 may be
configured such that a portion of the catch element 82 extends
through the first weakening feature 34 (FIG. 2B) in the container
14. Therefore, as the container 14 moves relative to the catch
element 82, the catch element 82 may urge the base wall 26 downward
through the opening 122 and into the channel 120, thereby causing
separating of the access panel 58 (FIG. 3) from the container 14
along the second and third weakening features 50, 54 (FIG. 2B) and,
ultimately, the formation of the access opening 60 (FIG. 3) in the
container 14.
[0063] FIGS. 7A and 7B depict an alternative embodiment of the
catch element 82''. As shown in FIG. 7A, the catch element 82'' may
have a forward-most end 85'' and may define an alternative opening
122' and channel 120'. The catch element may further be attached to
an access panel guide element 143 that defines a guide channel 154,
as described in greater detail herein.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 7B, the catch element 82'' may protrude a
distance D.sub.1 that is long enough to ensure that the access
panel 58 (FIG. 3) is capable of being separated before it is
redirected by a redirection channel 154 as discussed in more detail
herein. The distance D.sub.1 may generally be less than or equal to
0.25 inches, less than or equal to 0.5 inches, less than or equal
to 0.75 inches, or less than or equal to 1.0 inch.
[0065] In an effort to minimize interference between the catch
element 82'' and the container 14 during loading, the extended
distance D.sub.1 may allow for an engagement of the catch element
82'' with the initiation opening 34 when the container 14 is
inserted into the frame 80 as described herein may result in
engagement at a point that is sooner than engagement of the catch
element 82 described in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B. Those skilled in the
art will appreciate that the extended distance D.sub.1 may prevent
the access panel 58 from becoming crumpled and/or caught in the
catch element 82'' as the container 14 is inserted into the frame
80. This is due to the ability for the catch element 82'' to
interact with the container 14 in stages (i.e., as the container 14
generally longitudinally moves along the upper support deck 88,
initial separation of the access panel 58 may occur prior to the
redirection of the access panel 58 by the access panel guide
element 143), thereby providing the access panel 58 ample room to
move laterally through the opening 122' before being diverted
and/or redirected by the channel 120', as described in greater
detail herein.
[0066] The upper support deck 88 may define a guide channel 154
positioned to guide the access panel 58 below the upper support
deck 88 as the access panel 58 is separated from the container 14
by the catch element 82''. The guide channel 154 may extend from
the channel 120' proximate the catch element 82'', down below the
catch element 82'' and, ultimately, to an exit opening 124'. The
channel 120' may extend along a passage axis P that is generally
parallel with the longitudinal axis L of the upper support deck 88.
The guide channel 154 may be curved (e.g., generally C-shaped) from
the channel 120' such that the channel 120' opens toward the front
end 92 of the dispenser frame 80 above the upper support deck 88
and the exit opening 124' opens toward the front end 92 of the
dispenser frame 80 below the upper support deck 80. The guide
channel 154 may laterally extend between the side walls 84, 86 of
the dispenser frame 80, and may have a lateral width sufficient to
allow the access panel 58 (FIG. 3) to pass therethrough.
[0067] The access panel guide element 143 may laterally extend
between the right and left side walls 84, 86, and may include a
front end 145 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 92
of the dispenser frame 80. Therefore, the access panel guide
element 143 and the side walls 84, 86 may define the exit opening
124'. The exit opening 124' may laterally extend between the side
walls 84, 86 of the frame 80, and may have a lateral width
sufficient to allow the access panel 58 (FIG. 3) to pass from the
guide channel 154 therethrough.
[0068] The access panel guide element 143 may define the exit
opening 124' positioned to further guide the access panel 58 below
the upper support deck 88 as the access panel 58 is further
separated from the container 14 by the catch element 82'' and
passes through the guide channel 154. While the access panel guide
element 143 shown and described herein is a generally curved (e.g.,
C shaped), laterally elongated and forwardly extending protrusion,
those skilled in the art will appreciate that various alternative
structures may be used as the disclosed access panel guide element
143 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For
example, the access panel guide element 143 may extend in such a
way that it does not come into contact with products 16 moving
along the lower support deck 90 as described in more detail
herein.
[0069] Thus, the catch element 82'' may pierce the first weakening
feature 34 (FIG. 2B) in the container 14 and may separate the
access panel 58 (FIG. 3) from the container 14 as the container 14
is moved horizontally along the upper support deck 88 toward the
rear end 94 of the dispenser frame 80. The shape and position of
the catch element 82'' may be configured such that a portion of the
catch element 82'' extends through the initiation opening 34 (FIG.
2B) in the container 14, and extends further into a portion of the
container.
[0070] Therefore, as the container 14 moves relative to the catch
element 82'', the product 16 may urge the first weakening feature
34 downward so that the first weakening feature 34 is properly
caught by the catch element 82'', which then may urge the base wall
26 of the container 14 through the opening 122' thereby causing
separation of the first weakening feature 34 (FIG. 3) from the
container 14, and further along the second and third weakening
features 50, 54 (FIG. 2B) and, ultimately, the formation of the
access opening 60 (FIG. 3) in the container 14. As the container 14
is urged further, the access panel 58 may continue to
longitudinally extend through the opening 122' and the channel 120'
until it reaches the curved portion of the guide channel 154. The
curved shape of the guide channel 154 may direct the separated
access panel 58 backwards (i.e., a U-turn) into the exit opening
124' defined by the access panel guide element 143 such that the
separated access panel 58 does not interact with products 16 moving
along the lower support deck 90.
[0071] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the container 14 being loaded onto the
dispenser 12 such that the catch element 82 of the dispenser 12
engages and opens the container 14, thereby releasing the products
16 initially housed in the container 14 to the dispenser 12.
Specifically, FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the container 14 being urged
generally horizontally along the upper support deck 88 (i.e., along
the longitudinal axis A of the upper support deck 88) toward the
rear end 94 of the dispenser frame 80, thereby automatically
opening the container 14 and dispensing the products 16 from the
container 14 to the dispenser 12.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 8, as the first weakening feature 34 in the
container 14 approximates the catch element 82 of the dispenser 12,
the catch element 82 may pierce, separate and pass through the
first weakening feature 34. With the catch element 82 extending
through the first weakening feature 34, the rear edge 66 of the
base wall 26 of the container 14 may be directed downward through
the entrance opening 122 of the channel 120.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 9, as the container 14 continues to
longitudinally move along the upper support deck 88 toward the rear
end 94 of the dispenser 12, the base wall 26 of the container 14
may pass through the channel 120, thereby separating the access
panel 58 from the base wall 26. Since the exit opening 124 of the
channel 120 opens toward the rear end 94 of the dispenser 12, the
separated access panel 58 may be directed toward the rear end 94 of
the dispenser 12, thereby partially covering the access opening 60
that has been formed in the container 14.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 10, with the container 14 fully loaded onto
the dispenser 12, the access opening 60 formed in the container 14
may be aligned with the opening 112 between upper 110 and lower 100
levels of the frame 80. Therefore, the force of gravity may urge
the products 16 initially housed in the container 16 through the
access opening 60 in the container 14, through the opening 112 in
the frame 80, down to the lower support deck 90 and, ultimately, to
the product display area 104. The weight of the products 16 passing
through the openings 60, 112 may urge the access panel 58 from the
configuration shown in FIG. 9 to the configuration shown in FIG.
10.
[0075] As the products 16 exiting the container 14 interact with
the access panel 58, the access panel 58 may become "hooked" onto
the upper support deck 88 of the dispenser 12. Specifically, as the
products 16 exiting the container 14 interact with the access panel
58, a first portion of the access panel 58 (i.e., the portion of
the access panel 58 within the channel 120) may extend toward the
rear end 94 of the dispenser frame 80 while a second portion of the
access panel 58 (i.e., the portion of the access panel 58 that
includes the rear edge 66) may extend toward the front end 92 of
the dispenser frame 80, thereby inhibiting separation of the
container 14 from the dispenser 12.
[0076] Accordingly, the engagement between the products 16 and the
access panel 58 that facilitates "hooking" of the access panel 58
onto the dispenser 12 may function as a theft deterrent by
inhibiting the quick and easy separation of a loaded container 14
from the dispenser 12.
[0077] Although various aspects of the disclosed product dispensing
system 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.
* * * * *