U.S. patent application number 13/680153 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-28 for carton based product dispenser.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Coca-Cola Company. The applicant listed for this patent is The Coca-Cola Company. Invention is credited to Grayson Heyward Byrd, Noel Stewart.
Application Number | 20130313951 13/680153 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47279106 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130313951 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stewart; Noel ; et
al. |
November 28, 2013 |
CARTON BASED PRODUCT DISPENSER
Abstract
The present application provides a product dispenser for use
with a number of objects. The product dispenser may include a
loading shelf, a carton opening mechanism on the loading shelf, and
one or more dispensing shelves.
Inventors: |
Stewart; Noel; (Cumming,
GA) ; Byrd; Grayson Heyward; (Atlanta, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Coca-Cola Company; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
The Coca-Cola Company
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
47279106 |
Appl. No.: |
13/680153 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61562512 |
Nov 22, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/45 ; 206/427;
211/59.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/087 20130101;
A47F 1/04 20130101; B65D 85/72 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/45 ; 206/427;
211/59.2 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/72 20060101
B65D085/72; A47F 1/04 20060101 A47F001/04 |
Claims
1. A product dispenser for use with a number of objects,
comprising: a loading shelf; a carton opening mechanism on the
loading shelf; and one or more dispensing shelves.
2. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the loading shelf
comprises a rearward tilt.
3. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the one or more
dispensing shelves comprise a forward tilt.
4. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the one or more
dispensing shelves comprise a bottom dispensing shelf and one or
more upper dispensing shelves.
5. The product dispenser of claim 4, wherein the one or more upper
dispensing shelves comprise a dispensing shelf loading aperture
therein.
6. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the loading shelf
comprising a loading shelf loading aperture.
7. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the carton opening
mechanism comprises a pull catch.
8. The product dispenser of claim 7, wherein the pull catch
comprises a finger pull.
9. The product dispenser of claim 7, wherein the pull catch
comprises a raised tab.
10. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the carton opening
mechanism comprises a flap aperture.
11. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the loading shelf
comprises a tapered shape.
12. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the loading shelf
comprises a curved shape.
13. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the number of objects
is positioned within a carton and wherein the carton is positioned
on the loading shelf.
14. The product dispenser of claim 13, wherein the carton comprises
a bird hole thereon and wherein the bird hole is sized to cooperate
with the carton opening mechanism.
15. A variety station, comprising: a plurality of product
dispensers; the plurality of product dispensers comprising a carton
opening mechanism; and a plurality of cartons with a plurality of
objects therein; the plurality of cartons positioned in the
plurality of product dispensers.
16. The variety station of claim 15, wherein the plurality of
cartons comprises a plurality of brands.
17. The variety station of claim 15, wherein the plurality of
cartons comprises a bird hole thereon and wherein the bird hole is
sized to cooperate with the carton opening mechanism.
18. The variety station of claim 15, wherein the plurality of
product dispensers comprises a loading shelf and one or more
dispensing shelves.
19. The variety station of claim 18, wherein the carton opening
mechanism comprises a flap aperture positioned about the loading
shelf
20. A carton for use with a product dispenser, comprising: a first
wall with a product dispensing section or a portion thereof; a
front wall with a bird hole; and a bottom wall with a bottom flap.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a non-provisional application
claiming priority to provisional application Ser. No. 61/562,512,
filed on Nov. 22, 2011. Provisional application Ser. No. 61/562,512
is incorporated herein by reference in full.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present application and the resultant patent relate
generally to a product dispenser for cans and other objects and
more particularly relate to a carton based product dispenser and a
related carton design for gravity fed loading and dispensing
therefrom.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various types of cartons and other types of paperboard
containers are known for packaging different types of objects such
as cans, bottles, and the like. One popular type of carton
currently used in the beverage industry and in similar industries
is known as the "FRIDGE PACK.TM." carton. For example, various
types of "FRIDGE PACK.TM." cartons may be produced for and sold by
or under license to The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Ga. The well
known "FRIDGE PACK.TM." cartons thus promote the distribution and
sale of Coca-Cola brand products and similar items therein. Various
types of "FRIDGE PACK.TM." carton designs and the like may be known
in many different sizes, shapes, and configurations and for use
with many different types and sizes of objects.
[0004] The "FRIDGE PACK.TM." cartons generally have a two (2) by
six (6) product configuration with two (2) product columns in width
and six (6) product rows in length. One end of the carton generally
may be scored so as to permit the removal of a dispenser section.
Once the dispenser section is opened and/or removed, a consumer may
grasp and remove the products therein. The design of two (2)
product columns and six (6) product rows with a removable dispenser
section generally promotes the use of the carton within a standard
refrigerator shelf and the like. Other sizes, shapes, and
configurations also may be known. One drawback with known "FRIDGE
PACK.TM." designs, however, is that the end flaps generally are
glued together. As such, the flaps may become unattached if a
consumer, for example, attempts to pull a carton off of a shelf by
grasping only the end flaps.
[0005] A further development in the beverage industry as been the
development of "variety stations." These variety stations may be in
the form of an end cap and the like in a grocery store or other
type of retail outlet. The variety station may offer a number of
different beverages such as a number of different brands offered by
The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Ga. A consumer may be given a
basket or a "variety pack" and may be able to select any number of
different brands or flavors as opposed to selecting a carton
containing only one brand or flavor. One of the drawbacks with
known variety stations, however, is that the variety station must
be monitored on a regular basis to ensure that all brands or
flavors are available and in stock. A consumer may ignore the
variety station entirely if a given brand or flavor is out of
stock.
[0006] There is thus a desire for an improved carton design as well
as product dispensing systems and methods for operating a variety
station and the like so as to avoid out of stock issues while being
easy to use. Such product dispensing systems and methods may
provide for easy loading and dispensing of products in a quick and
efficient manner with little waste.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present application and the resultant patent thus
provide a product dispenser for use with a number of objects. The
product dispenser may include a loading shelf, a carton opening
mechanism on the loading shelf, and one or more dispensing
shelves.
[0008] The present application and the resultant patent further
provide a variety station. The variety station may include a number
of product dispensers with a number of cartons with objects
therein. The product dispensers may include a carton opening
mechanism.
[0009] The present application and the resultant patent further
provide a carton for use with a product dispenser. The carton may
include a first wall with a product dispensing section or a portion
thereof, a front wall with a bird hole, and a bottom wall with a
bottom flap.
[0010] These and other features and advantages of the present
application and the resultant patent will become apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the several drawings and
the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a variety
station with a number of product dispensers as may be described
herein.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a partial side cross-section view of the variety
station shown in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of a product
dispenser of the variety station of FIG. 1 with a number of objects
therein.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the
product dispenser of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a carton opening mechanism
as may be used with the product dispenser of FIG. 3.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the carton open mechanism of FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the carton open mechanism of FIG. 5.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of
FIG. 5 and a carton for use therewith.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of
FIG. 5 and a carton for use therewith.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of
FIG. 5 and a carton for use therewith.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a
carton opening mechanism as may be used with the product dispenser
of FIG. 3.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the carton open mechanism of FIG. 11.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the carton open mechanism of FIG. 11.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of
FIG. 11 and a carton for use therewith.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of
FIG. 11 and a carton for use therewith.
[0026] FIG. 16 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of
FIG. 11 and a carton for use therewith.
[0027] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of a carton opening mechanism as may be used with the product
dispenser of FIG. 3.
[0028] FIG. 18 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of
FIG. 17 and a carton for use therewith.
[0029] FIG. 19 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of
FIG. 17 and a carton for use therewith.
[0030] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a carton as may be
described herein that may be used with the product dispenser of
FIG. 3.
[0031] FIG. 21 is a further perspective view of the carton of FIG.
20 with a bottom flap extending therefrom.
[0032] FIG. 22 is a plan view of a blank that may be used to
construct the carton of FIG. 20.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The present application concerns the packaging and
dispensing of a number of objects 10. The objects 10 may be cans,
bottles, or other types of goods. In this example, the objects 10
may be a number of conventional beverage cans 20. The cans 20,
however, may have any size, shape, or configuration. The cans 20
may include a liquid, a flowable solid, a gas, and/or combinations
thereof. For example, the can 20 may include any type of beverage
therein. Other types of substances may be enclosed therein. Once
dispensed, the cans 20 may be assembled in a basket 30 or other
type of container.
[0034] Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer
to like elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2
show an example of a variety station 100 as may be described
herein. Generally described, the variety station 100 may include an
outer frame 110 with a number of shelves 120 or other types of
support structures therein. The outer frame 110 may have any size,
shape, or configuration and may be made out of any type of
materials. Likewise, the shelves 120 may have any size, shape, or
configuration and may be made out of any type of materials. Any
number of the shelves 120 may be used herein. A number of shelves
120 of differing sizes or configurations also may be used herein
together. Other components and other configurations may be used
herein.
[0035] The variety station 100 also may include one or more product
dispensers 130 positioned therein. In this example, a number of
product dispensers 130 may be positioned on one or more of the
shelves 120. A number of the cans 20 or other objects 10 may be
positioned within each of the product dispensers 130. A number of
different brands 140 of the cans 20 or other objects 10 may be in
each of the product dispenser 130. For example, a first product
dispenser 131 may include a first brand 141, a second product
dispenser 132 may include a second brand 142, a third product
dispenser 133 may include a third brand 143, and so on. Any number
of the product dispensers 130 and the brands 140 may be used
herein. The cans 20 or other objects 10 may be packaged in a carton
170. The carton 170 may include a bottom flap 175 as will be
described in more detail below.
[0036] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show an example of the product dispenser
130. The product dispenser 130 may have any size, shape, or
configuration and may be made out of any type of materials. The
product dispenser 130 may include a loading shelf 150 and one or
more dispensing shelves 160. The carton 170 may be positioned on
the loading shelf 150. The dispensing shelf 160 may have a rearward
tilt 180, i.e., the cans 20 or other objects 10 therein may be
gravity fed towards the rear of the product dispenser 130.
Likewise, the one or more dispensing shelves 160 may have a forward
tilt 190, i.e., the cans 20 or other objects 10 may be gravity fed
to a dispensing position towards the front of the product dispenser
130.
[0037] Although two (2) dispensing shelves 160 are shown, any
number of dispensing shelves 160 may be used herein. If more than
one dispensing shelf 160 is used, a bottom dispensing shelf 200 may
be largely continuous while the upper dispensing shelves 210 may
have a dispensing shelf loading aperture 220 therein. The
dispensing shelf loading aperture 220 may be sized such that a can
20 or other object 10 may drop therethrough such that the bottom
dispensing shelf 200 may be loaded first and then the upper
dispensing shelves 210 may be loaded once a can 20 or other objects
10 blocks the dispensing shelf loading aperture 220. Other
components and other configurations may be used herein.
[0038] The product dispenser 130 also may include a carton opening
mechanism 230 positioned about the loading shelf 150. The carton
opening mechanism 230 may include a pull catch 240 positioned about
the loading shelf 150. As will be described in more detail below,
the pull catch 240 may take many different configurations. The pull
catch 240 serves to catch a portion of the carton 170 so as to pull
the bottom flap 175 open. The carton opening mechanism 230 also may
include a flap aperture 250 in the loading shelf 150 just
downstream of the pull catch 240. The flap aperture 250 serves to
direct the bottom flap 175 or other portion of the carton 170
downward and away from the loading shelf 150. The flap aperture 250
may be sized to accommodate the bottom flap 175 but not so large so
as to allow a can 20 or other object 10 to pass therethrough. The
carton opening mechanism 230 also may include a loading shelf
loading aperture 260. As with the dispensing shelf loading aperture
220, the loading shelf loading aperture 260 may be sized such that
a can 20 or other object 10 may fall therethrough under the force
of gravity so as to load the dispensing shelves 160. Other
components and other configurations may be used herein.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows an example of the pull catch 240. In this
example, the pull catch 240 may take the form of a finger pull 270
as is shown. The finger pull 270 may pivot about an axis 280. The
finger pull 270 may be spring loaded and/or otherwise biased in a
forward direction. In this example, a two-layer loading shelf 290
may be used to catch the bottom flap 175 of the carton 170. Other
types of loading shelves 150 may be used. Other components and
other configurations also may be used herein.
[0040] As is shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the pull catch 240 may be
positioned anywhere along the loading shelf 150. Likewise, the
loading shelf 150 itself may have many variations such as a one or
more curved ends 292 or tapered ends 294. Other components and
other configurations may be used herein.
[0041] FIGS. 8-10 show the use of the product dispenser 130 with
the carton opening mechanism 230 using the finger pull 270 as the
pull catch 240. Specifically, the carton 170 may be positioned on
the loading shelf 150. As the carton 170 advances, the finger pull
270 engages the carton 170 such that the bottom flap 175 may be
dislodged. The finger pull 270 may engage a "bird hole" or other
portion of the carton 170 as will be described in more detail
below. The finger pull 270 may be forced downward, allowing the
bottom flap 175 to fall into the flap aperture 250 and between the
layers of the two-layer loading shelf 290 or elsewhere. The now
open carton 170 then may be pushed further such that the cans 20 or
other objects 10 therein may fall under the force of gravity
through the loading shelf loading aperture 260 and into the
dispensing shelves 160. Once the carton 170 is empty, the carton
170 may be removed in a reverse fashion. Other components and other
configurations may be used herein.
[0042] FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of a carton opening
mechanism 300. In this example, the carton opening mechanism 300
may include the pull catch 240 in the form of a raised tab 310. As
is shown in FIGS. 12-13, the pull catch 240 may be positioned
anywhere along the loading shelf 150. As is shown in FIGS. 14-16,
the raised tab 310 thus may catch a portion of the carton 170 and
open the bottom flap 175 while pulling the bottom flap 175
downward. The bottom flap 175 may be folded back under the carton
170 or elsewhere. The carton 170 itself may be raised somewhat off
of the loading shelf 150 as the carton 170 passes over the raised
tab 310. Other types of pull catches 240 may be used herein. Other
components and other configurations may be used herein.
[0043] FIG. 17 shows a further embodiment of a carton opening
mechanism 330. In this example, the carton opening mechanism 320
may include the pull catch 240 in the form of an extended tab 330
with a bottom catch 340. As described above, the pull catch 240 may
be positioned anywhere along the loading shelf 150. As is shown in
FIGS. 18-19, the extended tab 330 thus may catch a portion of the
carton 170 and open the bottom flap 175 while pulling the bottom
flap 175 downward. The bottom flap 175 may be folded back towards
the carton 170 or elsewhere by the bottom catch 340. The carton 170
itself may be raised somewhat off of the loading shelf 150 as the
carton 170 passes over the extended tab 330. Other types of pull
catches 240 may be used herein. Other components and other
configurations may be used herein.
[0044] FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 show an example of the carton 170 as may
be described herein. The carton 170 may be made out of cardboard,
paperboard, corrugated board, or other types of foldable sheet
materials and other types of substrates. Various types of polymers
and laminates also may be used. Specifically, the carton 170 may be
made out of coated unbleached paperboard. Other types of materials
and other types of construction techniques may be used herein. Any
type of graphics also may be used herein. The terms "lower",
"bottom", "upper", "top", and the like indicate relative
orientations as opposed to absolute positions.
[0045] Generally described, the carton 170 may include a top wall
350, a bottom wall 360, a first sidewall 370, a second sidewall
380, a front wall 390, and a back wall 400. The carton 170 may
include a two (2) by six (6) configuration with two (2) columns 410
and six (6) rows 420 similar to the "FRIDGE PACK.TM." cartons
described above and the like. The carton 170, however, may have any
size, shape, or configuration with any number of cans 20 or other
objects 10 therein. The carton 170 also may have a product
dispenser section 430. The product dispenser section 430 generally
extends across all or portions of the sidewalls 370, 380, the top
wall 350, and/or the front wall 390. Other positions and
orientations may be used herein. The product dispenser section 430
may have any size, shape, or configuration. Other components and
other configurations may be used herein.
[0046] The carton 170 also includes the bottom flap 175 extending
along the bottom wall 360. The carton 170 may include a "bird hole"
440 connected to the bottom flap 175 and extending into the front
wall 390. The bird hole 440 may be a relatively small section of
the front wall 350 surrounded by a series of small of perforations
so as to be easily removable. The bird hole 440 may be sized so as
to catch the pull catch 240, i.e., the pull catch 240 engages the
bird hole 440 so as to begin the opening of the bottom flap 175
and/or the bird hole 440 may be finger sized to assist in removing
the bottom flap 175. The bird hole 440 may be offset from the
product dispenser section 430 (and/or vice versa) on either side of
the carton 170. The bottom flap 175 may extend into the bottom wall
360 at any desired distance but at least more than one can length.
One and a half can lengths are shown. Other components and other
configurations may be used herein.
[0047] FIG. 22 shows a blank 450 that may be used to erect the
carton 170. The blank 450 may be die cut from a continuous sheet of
material or from individual sheets. The blank 450 may have a number
of fold lines and/or tear lines formed therein. The terms "fold"
line or "score" line may refer to any type of weakened line that
facilitates folding of the material along the length of the line.
Any reference to a fold line or any type of hinged connection
should not be construed as limited to a single fold line. The term
"tear" line may refer to a tear line of severance or other type of
weakened line that facilitates tearing or separation along the
length of the weakened line. The tear line may include, but is not
limited to, perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half
cuts, a combination of slits and score lines, and similar
arrangements. Moreover, a tear line may have different degrees of
weakness therealong.
[0048] The blank 450 may have a number of panels and flaps
separated by the fold lines and/or the tear lines. In this example,
a bottom panel 460 may be used to form the bottom wall 360 while a
first front flap 470 and a second front flap 480 may be used to
form the front wall 390. The bottom flap 175 may be formed by a
front wall tear line 490 and a sidewall tear line 500. Likewise,
the bottom flap 175 may either be hinged along a bottom wall tear
line 510 or a bottom wall fold line 520. One or more hook knife
slits 530 also may be used. The bird hole 440 may be formed by a
number of bird hole tear lines 540 along the first front flap 470.
As described above, the bird line tear lines 540 may be a series of
short or tight perforations so as to provide for ease of opening
while the tear lines 490, 500 for the body of the bottom flap 175
may be larger or further spread apart. These features may be
repeated in part on an associated bottom panel flap 550. Other
components and other configurations may be used herein.
[0049] The carton 170 thus may be similar to the "FRIDGE PACK.TM."
cartons described above with the addition of the bottom flap 175
and the bird hole 440. Other changes and modifications may be made
herein. Any number of the cartons 170 may be positioned within the
variety station 100. Specifically, each carton 170 may be loaded
into one of the product dispensers 130. The carton opening
mechanism 230 of the product dispenser 130 thus opens the bottom
flap 175 of the carton 170 via the bird hole 440 and the pull catch
240. The bird hole 440 acts as a finger assist or shelf removal
assist opening on either side of the carton 170. Once open, the
cans 20 or other objects 10 therein fall through the loading shelf
loading aperture 260 and into the dispensing shelves 160 under the
force of gravity. The cans 20 or other objects 10 then may be
individually selected by the consumer. A variety of brands 140 may
be used. The cans 20 or other objects 10 may be positioned within
the basket 30 for transport and purchase. Once the carton 170 is
empty, the carton 170 may be easily removed from the product
dispenser 130 and a new carton 170 may be positioned therein. The
product dispensers 130 thus ensure that the variety station 100 may
be easily reloaded by the consumer or an employee with a variety of
brands 140. Likewise, the cans 20 or the other objects 10 in a
carton 170 that has been previously opened may be positioned within
the product dispenser 130.
[0050] It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to
certain embodiments of the present application and the resultant
patent. Numerous changes and modifications may be made herein by
one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the general
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following
claims and the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *