U.S. patent application number 13/595316 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-27 for product dispensing system with door.
The applicant listed for this patent is Caleb Loftin. Invention is credited to Caleb Loftin.
Application Number | 20140054249 13/595316 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48951601 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140054249 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Loftin; Caleb |
February 27, 2014 |
Product Dispensing System with Door
Abstract
A product dispensing frame having a left side wall, a right side
wall, a front end, and a rear end, and including an upper support
deck extending between the front end and the rear end, a lower
support deck positioned below the upper support deck, the lower
support deck extending between the front end and the rear end and
defining a first product display area, and an upper support deck
door pivotably connected between the left and right side walls to
cover and enclose the upper support deck.
Inventors: |
Loftin; Caleb; (Richmond,
VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Loftin; Caleb |
Richmond |
VA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48951601 |
Appl. No.: |
13/595316 |
Filed: |
August 27, 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 frame having
a front end and a rear end, said dispenser frame comprising: an
upper support deck extending between said front end and said rear
end; and a lower support deck positioned below said upper support
deck, said lower support deck extending between said front end and
said rear end and defining a product display area; and a door
connected to said frame proximate said upper support deck, said
door comprising a handle frontwardly protruding from said door.
2. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said door
comprises a lower end pivotably connected to said frame by a hinge
feature proximate said upper support deck.
3. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said door
comprises an upper end releasably connected to said frame by a
retaining feature.
4. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said handle is
positioned proximate said upper end.
5. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said handle
comprises a lip.
6. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said door
comprises: a hinge feature positioned about a lower end of said
door and pivotably connected to said frame proximate said upper
support deck; and a retaining feature positioned about a rear side
of an upper end of said door and releasably connected to said
frame, wherein said handle is positioned about a front side of said
upper end of said door, and wherein said door is openable in
response to a force applied to said handle.
7. The product dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising: a
container on said upper support deck behind said door; and, a
plurality of products initially housed in said container.
8. The product dispensing system of claim 7 wherein at least one
product of said plurality of products is positioned in said product
display area.
9. The product dispensing system of claim 7 further comprising at
least one opening tool positioned to open said container and allow
at least one product of said plurality of products to move from
said container to said first product display area as said container
is moved along said upper support deck from said front end toward
said rear end.
10. A product dispensing system comprising: a container initially
housing a plurality of products; a frame having longitudinally
opposed front and rear ends, said frame comprising: an upper
support deck extending at least partially between said front end
and said rear end; and a lower support deck positioned below said
upper support deck, said lower support deck defining a product
display area; and a door connected to said frame proximate said
front end to access said upper support deck, said door comprising a
frontwardly protruding handle; and an opening tool associated with
said frame and arranged to open said container when said container
is moved longitudinally along said upper support deck and allow
said plurality of products to be at least partially dispensed from
said container to said product display area.
11. The product dispensing system of claim 10 wherein said product
display area is proximate said front end.
12. The product dispensing system of claim 10 wherein said door is
hingedly connected proximate said upper support deck.
13. The product dispensing system of claim 10 wherein said door
comprises a lower end, and wherein said lower end is hingedly
connected proximate said upper support deck.
14. The product dispensing system of claim 10 wherein said door
comprises an upper end releasably connected to said frame.
15. The product dispensing system of claim 14 wherein said upper
end is releasably connected to said frame by a retaining
feature.
16. The product dispensing system of claim 15 wherein said
retaining feature comprises a protrusion extending rearwardly from
said upper end of said frame.
17. The product dispensing system of claim 10 wherein said frame
includes first and second laterally opposed side walls.
18. The product dispensing system of claim 17 wherein said door
comprises: a lower end pivotably connected to said first and second
side walls by a hinge feature proximate said upper support deck; an
upper end releasably connected to said first and second side walls
by a retaining feature extending rearwardly from said upper end of
said frame; and a handle extending forwardly from said upper end of
said door, wherein said door is openable in response to a force
applied to said handle.
19. A method for dispensing a plurality of product initially
provided in a container, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a dispenser comprising: a frame having a front end and a
rear end, an upper support deck extending at least partially
between said front end and said rear end, and a lower support deck
positioned below said upper support deck, said lower support deck
defining a product display area; and a door pivotably connected to
said frame proximate said front end; and opening said door to
provide access to said upper support deck; and positioning said
container on said upper support deck behind said door.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein said container is automatically
opened during said positioning step.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This application relates to the dispensing of products from
packaging containers and, more particularly, to dispensers for
dispensing products initially provided in packaging containers.
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 beverages may be shipped to a
retailer in a carton containing twelve or more individual cans.
When the products are to be sold individually, the retailer must
remove the individual product units from the carton and stack them
on a display, such as a shelf.
[0003] Alternatives to the traditional package-ship-unpack-display
model have been developed in an effort to improve operating
efficiency. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,437 issued on Apr. 12,
2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference, discloses a 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
product rolls from the container and down to the product display
area of the frame under the force of gravity. When one product is
removed from the product display area, another product from within
the dispenser frame moves down to the product display area under
the force of gravity.
[0004] Furthermore, multiple product dispensers may be positioned
on a single display support surface, such as a store shelves. For
example, at least one dispenser may be supported on a lower shelf
and at least one other dispenser may be supported directly above on
an upper shelf. In another example, a plurality of dispensers may
be configured in a side-by-side orientation on a lower shelf and a
second plurality of dispensers may be configured in a side-by-side
orientation directly above on an upper shelf. Thus it may be
advantageous to optimize the space provided for the display area by
maximizing the number of shelves of a given shelving unit.
[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 initially provided in
packaging containers.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system may
include a dispensing frame having a front end and a rear end, and
including an upper support deck extending between the front end and
the rear end, a lower support deck positioned below the upper
support deck, the lower support deck extending between the front
end and the rear end and defining a first product display area, an
intermediate support deck positioned between the upper support deck
and the lower support deck, the intermediate support deck extending
between the front end and the rear end and defining a second
product display area, and a door connected to the frame proximate
the front end to access the upper support deck.
[0007] In another aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system
may include a container initially housing a plurality of products,
a frame having longitudinally opposed front and rear ends and
including an upper support deck extending at least partially
between the front and rear ends, a lower support deck positioned
below the upper support deck, the lower support deck defining a
first product display area, and an intermediate support deck
positioned between the upper support deck and the lower support
deck, the intermediate support deck defining a second product
display area, a door connected to the frame proximate the front end
to access the upper support deck, and an opening tool associated
with the frame and arranged to open the container when the
container is moved longitudinally along the upper support deck from
the front end toward the rear end and allow the products to be at
least partially dispensed from the container into the first and
second product display areas.
[0008] In yet another aspect, disclosed is a method for dispensing
a plurality of product initially provided in a container. The
method may include the steps of (1) providing a dispenser including
a frame having a front end and a rear end, the frame including an
upper support deck extending at least partially between the front
end and the rear end, a lower support deck positioned below the
upper support deck, the lower support deck defining a first product
display area, an intermediate support deck positioned between the
upper support deck and the lower support deck, the intermediate
support deck defining a second product display area, and a door
connected to the frame proximate the front end to access the upper
support deck (2) forming an opening in the container, and (3)
positioning the container on the upper support deck behind the door
such that a first quantity of products passes through the opening
and moves toward the first product display area and, when the lower
support deck is filled with the first quantity of products, a
second quantity of products passes through the opening and moves
toward the second product display area.
[0009] Other aspects of the disclosed product dispensing system and
method will become apparent from the following detailed
description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one aspect of a
disclosed product dispensing system with upper support deck
door;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the product dispensing
system of FIG. 1 depicted with the upper support deck door in an
open position;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view, in section, of the product
dispensing system of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a container of the
product dispensing system of FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the container of FIG.
4 shown in an open configuration
[0015] FIG. 6 is a partial exploded front perspective view of the
dispensing system of FIG. 1 illustrating one aspect of a dispenser
door;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a partial exploded front perspective view of the
dispensing system of FIG. 1 illustrating another aspect of the
dispenser door;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a partial exploded front perspective view of the
dispensing system of FIG. 1 illustrating another aspect of the
dispenser door;
[0018] FIG. 9 is an exploded front perspective view of another
aspect of the dispenser door;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view, in section, of another
aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system with upper
support deck door;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a portion of the upper support
deck of the dispenser of the product dispensing system of FIG.
9;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the container of the
product dispensing system of FIG. 9;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the container of FIG.
12 shown in an open configuration; and,
[0023] FIG. 14 is an environmental view of one implementation of a
plurality of product dispensing systems.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, one aspect of the disclosed
product dispensing system with dispenser door, generally designated
10, may include a dispenser 12, a dispenser door 13, and a
container 14. The container 14, as described in more detail herein,
may initially house multiple units of product 16, such as cans
(e.g., canned soft drinks), jars (e.g., jarred soup) or bottles
(e.g., bottled sauce). The products 16 may be released from the
container 14 into the dispenser 12 when the container 14 is opened
and loaded onto the dispenser 12.
[0025] Referring next to FIGS. 4 and 5, the container 14 may be any
container capable of initially housing the products 16 and
beneficially interacting with the dispenser 12. For example, the
container 14 may be a paperboard carton or a corrugated box having
six walls 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 that define an internal volume 30
for receiving the products 16. Opposed walls may define the front
wall 18 and the rear wall 20 of the container 14. Opposed walls may
define the left side wall 22 and the right side wall 24 of the
container 14. Opposed walls may define the lower base wall 26 and
the upper wall 28 of the container 14.
[0026] In accordance with well-established techniques, the
container 14 may be assembled on a container machine using a
container blank that has been pre-cut from a sheet of stock
material. As one example, 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, which may
form the outer surface of the container 14, and an uncoated second
major surface. As another example, the stock material may be C2S
paperboard, which may have a coating (e.g., clay) on both major
surfaces thereof. Optionally, the outer surface 32 (illustrated in
FIG. 2) of the container 14 may be marked with various container
indicia 34 (FIG. 2), such as printed text and graphics, for example
to identify the type of product 16 or the manufacturer of the
product 16.
[0027] Still referring to FIG. 4, the container 14 may include a
removable opening feature 36. The removable opening feature 36 may
be defined by weakened severance lines 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48
formed in the rear wall 20, left side wall 22, right side wall 24
and the base wall 26 of the container 14. The weakened severance
lines 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 may be formed by weakening the
container 14, such as with score lines, perforations or zipper-like
cuts, to facilitate tearing of the container 14 along the weakened
severance lines 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48.
[0028] Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the removable opening feature 36
may be removed from the container 14 to form an opening 50 to
access the internal volume 30 of the container 14. The opening 50
may extend generally laterally between the left side wall 22 and
the right side wall 24 of the container 14 and may be positioned
proximate the rear wall 20 of the container 14, such that the
products 16 (FIG. 1) may exit the container 14 through the opening
50. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the step of
removing the removable opening feature 36 from the container 14 may
be performed prior to loading the container 14 onto the dispenser
12.
[0029] Referring back to FIGS. 1 through 3, the dispenser 12 may
include a frame 60 that supports the container 14 in a desired
configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 (the container 14 is
shown in broken lines in FIG. 3). The frame 60 may include a first
(e.g., right) side wall 62, a second (e.g., left) side wall 64, an
upper support deck 66, a lower support deck 68 and one or more
intermediate support decks 70 (only one intermediate support deck
70 is shown by example in FIGS. 1 through 3). The right side wall
62 may be laterally spaced from the left side wall 64, and may be
generally parallel with the left side wall 64.
[0030] The lower support deck 68 may laterally extend between the
right side wall 62 and the left side wall 64 of the frame 60 and
may include a front end 72 that longitudinally extends toward the
front end 74 of the frame 60 and a rear end 76 that longitudinally
extends toward the rear end 78 of the frame 60. Therefore, the
lower support deck 68 and the side walls 62, 64 may define a lower
level 80 of the frame 60.
[0031] The lower support deck 68 may be inclined from the front end
72 to the rear end 76 (i.e., the rear end 76 may be elevated
relative to the front end 72) such that products 16 deposited
proximate the rear end 76 of the lower support deck 68 roll down to
the front end 72 of the lower support deck 68 under the force of
gravity. The extent of the incline of the lower support deck 68 may
be dictated by, among other things, the coefficient of friction of
the material used to form the frame 60 and the shape of the
products 16 to be dispensed by the dispenser 12.
[0032] A lower stop 82 may be positioned proximate the front end 72
of the lower support deck 68 to prevent products 16 from rolling
beyond the front end 72 of the lower support deck 68. Therefore,
the stop 82 may collect products 16 at the front end 72 of the
lower support deck 68, thereby defining a first product display
area 84 proximate the front end 72 of the lower support deck
68.
[0033] The intermediate support deck 70 may be positioned between
the upper support deck 66 and the lower support deck 68. The
intermediate support deck 70 may laterally extend between the right
side wall 62 and the left side wall 64 of the frame 60 and may
include a front end 86 that longitudinally extends toward the front
end 74 of the frame 60 and a rear end 88 that longitudinally
extends toward, but not to, the rear end 78 of the frame 60.
Therefore, the intermediate support deck 70 and the side walls 62,
64 may define an intermediate level 90 of the frame 60.
[0034] The spacing between the rear end 88 of the intermediate
support deck 70 and the rear end 78 of the frame 60 may define an
intermediate opening 89, which may function as a chute to allow
products 16 to move from the intermediate level 90 down to the
lower level 80 of the frame 60 under the force of gravity.
[0035] The intermediate support deck 70 may be inclined from the
front end 86 to the rear end 88 (i.e., the rear end 88 may be
elevated relative to the front end 86) such that products 16
deposited proximate the rear end 88 of the intermediate support
deck 70 roll down to the front end 86 of the intermediate support
deck 70 under the force of gravity. The extent of the incline of
the intermediate support deck 70 may be dictated by, among other
things, the coefficient of friction of the material used to form
the frame 60 and the shape of the products 16 to be dispensed by
the dispenser 12.
[0036] An intermediate stop 92 may be positioned proximate the
front end 86 of the intermediate support deck 70 to prevent
products 16 from rolling beyond the front end 86 of the
intermediate support deck 70. Therefore, the stop 92 may collect
products 16 at the front end 86 of the intermediate support deck
70, thereby defining a second product display area 94 proximate the
front end 86 of the intermediate support deck 70. The second
product display area 94 may be longitudinally displaced (e.g.,
inwardly) relative to the first product display area 84. The second
product display area 94 may also be vertically displaced (e.g.,
upwardly) relative to the first product display area 84.
[0037] The upper support deck 66 may laterally extend between the
right side wall 62 and the left side wall 64 of the frame 60 and
may include a front end 96 that longitudinally extends toward the
front end 74 of the frame 60 and a rear end 98 that longitudinally
extends toward, but not to, the rear end 78 of the frame 60.
Therefore, the upper support deck 66 and the side walls 62, 64 may
define an upper level 100 of the frame 60.
[0038] The spacing between the rear end 98 of the upper support
deck 66 and the rear end 78 of the frame 60 may define an upper
opening 102, which may function as a chute to allow products 16 to
move from the upper level 100 down to the intermediate 90 and lower
80 levels of the frame 60 under the force of gravity.
[0039] The upper support deck 66 may be declined from the front end
96 to the rear end 98 (i.e., the front end 96 may be elevated
relative to the rear end 98). Therefore, products 16 supported on
the upper support deck 66 may roll under the force of gravity down
to the rear end 98 of the upper support deck 66, through the
opening 102, to the lower and intermediate levels 80, 90 of the
frame 60 and, ultimately, to the first product display area 84 and
the second product display 94.
[0040] Optionally, a container stop 104 may be connected proximate
the rear end 78 of the frame 60. The stop 104 may laterally extend
between the right side wall 62 and the left side wall 64 of the
frame 60 proximate the upper level 100 of the frame 60 to inhibit
rearward horizontal movement of the container 14 along the upper
support deck 66 beyond the stop 104.
[0041] A guide 106 may be connected proximate the rear end 78 of
the frame 60. The guide may laterally extend between the right side
wall 62 and the left side wall 64 of the frame 60 and may include a
generally vertical upper end 108 that extends toward the upper
support deck 66 and a declined lower end 110 that extends toward
the rear end 76 of the lower support deck 68. The guide 106 may
extend from proximate the upper opening 102 in the upper level 100
defined by the upper support deck 66, down through the intermediate
opening 89 in the intermediate level 90 defined by the intermediate
support deck 70 and, ultimately, down to the lower level 80
proximate the rear end 76 of the lower support deck 68.
[0042] Thus, the guide 106 may receive products 16 exiting through
the opening 50 in the container 14 and may guide the products 16
down proximate the rear end 76 of the lower support deck 68,
thereby allowing the products 16 guided to the lower level 80 to
ultimately move to the first product display area 84. Once the
lower level 80 of the frame 60 has been filled with products 16
such that the opening 89 in the intermediate level 90 is bridged by
a product 16' (FIG. 3), the guide 106 may guide the products 16
down proximate the rear end 88 of the intermediate support deck 70,
thereby allowing the products 16 guided to the intermediate level
90 to ultimately move to the second product display area 94.
[0043] The product dispensing system 10 may be assembled by opening
the container 14 (e.g., tearing away the removable opening feature
36 at the severance lines 38, 40, 42, 46, 48) and urging the opened
container 14 along the upper support deck 66 of the frame 60 until
the rear wall 20 of the container 14 comes into abutting engagement
with the stop 104. With the opened container 14 loaded onto the
dispenser 12, the force of gravity may urge the products 16 housed
in the container 14 through the opening 50 in the container 14,
down through the opening 102 in the upper level 100 of the frame 60
and, ultimately, to the first and second product display areas 84,
94.
[0044] A dispenser door 13 may be connected to the frame 60
proximate the front end 74 to access the upper support deck 66. The
door 13 may laterally extend between the right side wall 62 and the
left side wall 64 of the frame 60 proximate the upper level 100 of
the frame 60 to close off the upper level 100 when in a closed
position (FIGS. 1 and 3). The door 13 may be pivotably opened about
a lower end to provide access to the upper support deck 66 for
loading the opened container 14 onto the dispenser 12.
[0045] The dispenser door 13 may include a generally flat upper
edge configured to be in a coplanar relationship with an upper edge
of the front end 74 of the frame 60 and at least extending to an
upper edge of the container 14 proximate the front end 74 of the
frame 60. A door handle 124 may protrude outwardly from the upper
edge of the door 13, as will be described in greater detail herein.
As illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 8, the door handle 124 may be
coplanar with the top surface of the door 13. Alternatively, the
door handle 124 may be positioned below the upper edge of the door
13. Thus, the position of the handle 124 relative to the upper edge
of the door 13 allows for manual opening and closing of the door 13
from the front and does not require engagement of the door 13 from
above or about the upper edge of the door 13. This arrangement may
allow for a minimal required offset distance between the upper edge
of the front end 74 of the frame 60 and the upper edge of the door
13 relative to another structure positioned directly above the
dispenser 12, such as an additional dispenser 12 or dispenser
support, as illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0046] Referring next to FIGS. 6 through 8, the door 13 may include
a door panel 122 and the door handle 124 connected to an upper end
126 of the door panel 122. A lower end 128 of the door panel 122
may be pivotably connected at opposing lateral sides to the right
side wall 62 and the left side wall 64, respectively. The upper end
126 of the door panel 122 may be releasably secured at opposing
lateral sides between the right side wall 62 and the left side wall
64, respectively.
[0047] The door panel 122 may have a flat or curved profile which
suitably matches an upper edge 65 of the front end 74 of the frame
60 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Optionally, the outer surface 130 (illustrated
in FIG. 1) of the door panel 122 may be marked with various door
panel indicia 132 (FIG. 1), such as printed text and graphics, for
example to identify the container 14, the type of product 16, or
the manufacturer of the product 16 loaded within the dispenser.
Alternatively, the door panel 122 may be transparent to provide
visual access to the container indicia 34 displayed on the
container outer surface 32.
[0048] The lower end 128 of the door panel 122 may be pivotably
connected between the right side wall 62 and the left side wall 64
of the frame 60 by a hinge feature 133, such that the door 13
pivots downwardly about the hinge feature 133 into the open
position (FIG. 2). The lower end 128 of the door panel 122 may
include a door hinge feature 134 pivotably connected to side wall
hinge features 136 disposed on oppositely facing interior surfaces
of the right side wall 62 and left side wall 64.
[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 6, in one aspect of dispenser door
13, the door hinge feature 134 may be a pair of apertures 138
formed through opposing outside edges of the lower end 128 of the
door panel 122. The side wall hinge features 136 may be
horizontally aligned protrusions 140 extending outwardly from the
interior surfaces of the right side wall 62 and left side wall 64.
The apertures 138 may receivably engage the protrusions 140 to
pivotably connect the door 13 to the frame 60.
[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 7, in another aspect of the door 13,
the door hinge feature 134 may be an integral tubular member 142
extending along an entire bottom edge of the lower end 128 of the
door panel 122. The side wall hinge features 136 may be
horizontally aligned side wall apertures 144 disposed completely
through the right side wall 62 and left side wall 64. When ends of
the tubular member 142 are aligned with the side wall apertures 144
between the side walls 62, 64, a pin 146 may extend laterally from
the aperture 144 of the right side wall 62 to the aperture 144 of
the left side wall 64 entirely through the tubular member 142 to
pivotably connect the door 13 to the frame 60.
[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 8, in another aspect of the door 13,
the door hinge feature 134 may be a pair of protrusions 148
extending outwardly from opposing sides of the lower end 128 of the
door panel 122. The side wall hinge features 136 may be
horizontally aligned side wall apertures 144 disposed partially
through oppositely facing interior surfaces of the right side wall
62 and the left side wall 64 or completely through the right side
wall 62 and left side wall 64. The apertures 144 of the side walls
62, 64 may receivably engage the protrusions 148 of the door panel
122 to pivotably connect the door 13 to the frame 60.
[0052] The upper end 126 of the door panel 122 may be operatively
connected between the right side wall 62 and the left side wall 64
of the frame 60 by an interference friction fit, a hook, a latch, a
pin or similar retaining feature 149 to releasably secure the door
13 in the closed position (FIGS. 1 and 3). The upper end 126 of the
door panel 122 may include a door retaining feature 150 operatively
connectable to side wall retaining features 152 disposed on
oppositely facing interior surfaces of the right side wall 62 and
the left side wall 64.
[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 6, in one aspect of the door 13, the
door retaining feature 150 may be a coiled spring 154 and the side
wall retaining features 152 may be a pair of horizontally aligned
grooves 156 disposed partially through oppositely facing interior
surfaced of the right side wall 62 and left side wall 64 (the
groove 156 of the right side wall 62 is hidden in the drawing view
and is thus shown with broken lines). The spring 154 may include at
least one elongated coil of resilient spring material protruding
outwardly from and extending along a rear side of the upper end 126
of the door panel 122. Alternatively, a pair of shortened coiled
springs 154 may extend outwardly from opposing ends of the rear
side of the upper end of the door panel 122 (not shown). The
grooves 156 may have a width slightly smaller than a diameter of
the coil of the spring 154 in an uncompressed condition. Upon
insertion of the spring 154 within the grooves 154, the spring 154
is slightly compressed such that the outer surface of the spring
154 is in contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the groove
154 to releasably retain the door 13 in the closed position.
[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 7, in another aspect of door 13, the
door retaining feature 150 may be a pair of recesses 158 formed
through opposing outside edges of the upper end 126 of the door
panel 122. The side wall retaining features 152 may be horizontally
aligned protrusions 160 extending outwardly from the interior
surfaces of the right side wall 62 and left side wall 64 of the
frame 60. The recesses 158 may receivably engage the protrusions
160 to releasably retain the door 13 in the closed position.
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 8, in another aspect of the door 13,
the door retaining feature 150 may be a pair of protrusions 162
extending outwardly from opposing sides of the upper end 128 of the
door panel 122. The side wall retaining feature 152 may be a pair
of horizontally aligned side wall recesses 164 disposed partially
through oppositely facing interior surfaces of the right side wall
62 and the left side wall 64 (the recess 164 of the right side wall
62 is hidden in the drawing view and is thus shown with broken
lines). The recesses 164 of the side walls 62, 64 may receivably
engage the protrusions 162 of the door panel 122 to releasably
retain the door 13 in the closed position.
[0056] In another aspect of the door 13, a spring hinge may be used
as the hinge feature 133 to provide the pivotal connection of the
door panel 122 to the frame 60 and as the retaining feature 149 to
releasably secure the door panel 122 in the closed position through
a spring-force bias (not shown).
[0057] At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
the various hinge features 133 and retaining features 149 of the
aspects of the door 13 illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 8 can be
implemented in any combination and as such, the combinations shown
are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It can
also be appreciated by one skilled in the art that various
alternative structural features may be utilized to form the pivotal
connection of the hinge feature 133 between the lower end 128 of
the door panel 122 and the side walls 62, 64 of the frame 60 and
the operative connection of the retaining feature 149 between the
upper end 126 of the door panel 122 and the side walls 62, 64 of
the frame 60 other than the aspects described herein, and as such,
the aspects described herein are not meant to limit the scope of
the present disclosure.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 9, the door panel 122 may be formed by a
transparent front panel wall 170 and a parallel rear panel wall 172
defining an internal slot 174. The slot 174 may be suitably sized
to insertably receive a product placard 176 or similar product
identifying card or sign. In accordance with well-established
techniques, the placard 176 may be formed from a sheet of stock
material or plastic and may be marked with various placard indicia
178, such as printed text and graphics, for example to identify the
container 14, the type of product 16, or the manufacturer of the
product 16 loaded within the dispenser 12.
[0059] Referring still to FIGS. 6-9, the handle 124 protrudes
outwardly from and extends along a front side of the upper end 126
of the door panel 122. The handle 124 may include a stand-off 180
disposed generally perpendicularly to the upper end 126 of the door
panel 122 and a lip 182 extending generally downwardly from an end
of the stand-off 180 opposite the door panel 122. The lip 182 may
be straight or curved to provide a grip recess suitably sized to
receive at least one human finger. An interior surface of the lip
182, facing the door panel 122 provides a contact surface in order
to manually pivot the door 13 into the open position. The interior
surface of the lip 182 may also include a textured, knurled, or
contoured surface to increase the coefficient of friction between
the lip 182 and the finger or fingers.
[0060] Referring again to FIGS. 6 and 9, in one aspect of the door
13, the handle 122 and the door retaining feature 150 may be a
unitary member 184 connected to a top edge of the upper end 126 of
the door panel 122. The top surfaces of the handle 122 and door
retaining feature 150 may form a coplanar unitary top surface and
the bottom surfaces of the handle 122 and door retaining feature
150 may form a coplanar unitary bottom surface. A channel 186 may
longitudinally extend along the unitary bottom surface to
receivably connect to the top edge of the upper end 126 of the door
panel 122. The unitary member 184 may be easily removed and
replaced if either the handle 122 or the door retaining feature 150
were to become damaged or otherwise fail without the need to
replace the entire door 13. The unitary member 184 may also be
removed to insert, remove, or replace the placard 176 (FIG. 9).
[0061] Referring to FIG. 10, another aspect of the disclosed
product dispensing system with upper support deck door, generally
designated 200, may include a dispenser 202, a dispenser door 203,
and a container 204. The container 204 may initially house multiple
units of product 206 and may be opened to release the products 206
into the dispenser 202 when the container 204 is loaded onto the
dispenser 202.
[0062] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the container 204 may have six
walls 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 that define an internal volume
220 for receiving the products 206 (FIG. 12). Opposed walls may
define the front wall 208 and the rear wall 210 of the container
204. Opposed walls may define the left side wall 212 and the right
side wall 214 of the container 204. Opposed walls may define the
lower base wall 216 and the upper wall 218 of the container
204.
[0063] The base wall 216 of the container 204 may define an access
panel 222 that is openable to release the products 206 (FIG. 13)
from the container 204. The access panel 222 may be defined by a
free edge 224, a pre-formed pivot line 226, a first severance line
228 and a second severance line 230.
[0064] The pre-formed pivot line 226 may laterally extend across
the base wall 216 (or the edge between the base wall 216 and the
rear wall 210) of the container 204 from proximate the left side
wall 212 to proximate the right side wall 214. The longitudinal
distance D between the pre-formed pivot line 226 and the free edge
224 may define the longitudinal length of the access panel 222, and
may be greater than the greatest diameter of the products 206
housed in the container 204.
[0065] The pre-formed pivot line 226 may be formed by weakening the
container 204 along the pre-formed pivot line 226. Examples of
weakening techniques useful in forming the pre-formed pivot line
226 include scoring the container 204, forming a crease in the
container 204 and forming perforations in the container 204.
[0066] The first severance line 228 may longitudinally extend from
the free edge 224 to the pre-formed pivot line 226. For example,
the first severance line 228 may extend from the free edge 224 to
the pre-formed pivot line 226 proximate the edge 232 between the
base wall 216 and the left side wall 212.
[0067] The second severance line 230 may longitudinally extend from
the free edge 224 to the pre-formed pivot line 226. For example,
the second severance line 230 may extend from the free edge 224 to
the pre-formed pivot line 226 proximate the edge 234 between the
base wall 216 and the right side wall 214.
[0068] The first and second severance lines 228, 230 may be
weakened to make it easier to sever the first and second severance
lines 228, 230. However, the first and second severance lines 228,
230 may have sufficient strength such that the first and second
severance lines 228, 230 are not severed merely due to the weight
of the products 206 housed in the container 204 acting on the
access panel 222. Several examples of techniques that may be used
to weaken the first and second severance lines 228, 230 include
forming perforations in the container 204 along the first and
second severance lines 228, 230, scoring the container 204 and
forming creases in the container 204.
[0069] The free edge 224 may laterally extend across the base wall
216 of the container 204 from proximate the left side wall 212 to
proximate the right side wall 214. The free edge 224 may be spaced
a longitudinal distance D from the pre-formed pivot line 226.
[0070] In one implementation, the free edge 224 may be defined by a
severance line that must be severed to free the free edge 224. In a
first expression, the free edge 224 may be freed by severing the
severance line defining the free edge 224 prior to loading the
container 204 onto the dispenser 202. For example, the free edge
224 may be freed by pulling a zipper strip from the container 204
prior to loading the container 204 onto the dispenser 202. In a
second expression, the free edge 224 may be freed by severing the
severance line defining the free edge 224 as the container 204 is
being loaded onto the dispenser 202.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 13, when the free edge 224 is free and the
first and second severance lines 228, 230 have been severed, the
access panel 222 may pivot relative to the base wall 216 about the
pre-formed pivot line 226 to form an opening 236. The opening 236
may be of a sufficient size and shape to allow products 206 (FIG.
10) to pass therethrough.
[0072] In one implementation, the first and second severance lines
228, 230 may be severed to release the access panel 222 as the
container 204 is loaded onto the dispenser 202, as described in
greater detail herein. In another implementation, the first and
second severance lines 228, 230 may be severed to release the
access panel 222 prior to loading the container 204 onto the
dispenser 202, such as by manually severing the first and second
severance lines 228, 230 (e.g., with a knife or box cutter).
[0073] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the dispenser 202 may include
a frame 240 and one or more opening tools 242, 244. The frame 240
may support the container 204 in a desired configuration, as shown
in FIG. 10. The opening tools 242, 244 may sever the first and
second severance lines 228, 230 (FIG. 12) to release the access
door 222 and form the opening 236 (FIG. 13) in the container 204 as
the container 204 is loaded onto the frame 240, thereby releasing
the products 206 from the container 204 to the dispenser 202.
[0074] The frame 240 may include left and right side walls 246,
248, an upper support deck 250, a lower support deck 252 and an
intermediate support deck 254 positioned between the upper support
deck 250 and the lower support deck 252. The right side wall 248
may be laterally spaced from the left side wall 246 and may be
generally parallel with the left side wall 246.
[0075] The lower support deck 252 may laterally extend between the
side walls 246, 248, and may include a front end 256 that
longitudinally extends toward the front end 258 of the frame 240
and a rear end 260 that longitudinally extends toward the rear end
262 of the frame 240. Therefore, the lower support deck 252 and the
side walls 246, 248 may define a lower level 264 of the frame
240.
[0076] The lower support deck 252 may be inclined from the front
end 256 to the rear end 260, and may include a lower stop 266
positioned proximate the front end 256 of the lower support deck
252, thereby defining a first product display area 268 proximate
the front end 256 of the lower support deck 252.
[0077] The intermediate support deck 254 may be positioned between
the upper support deck 250 and the lower support deck 252. The
intermediate support deck 254 may laterally extend between the side
walls 246, 248, and may include a front end 270 that longitudinally
extends toward the front end 258 of the frame 240 and a rear end
272 that longitudinally extends toward, but not to, the rear end
262 of the frame 240. Therefore, the intermediate support deck 254
and the side walls 246, 248 may define an intermediate level 274 of
the frame 60.
[0078] The spacing between the rear end 272 of the intermediate
support deck 254 and the rear end 262 of the frame 240 may define
an intermediate opening 276, which may function as a chute to allow
products 206 to move from the intermediate level 274 down to the
lower level 264 of the frame 240 under the force of gravity.
[0079] The intermediate support deck 254 may be inclined from the
front end 270 to the rear end 272, and may include an intermediate
stop 278 positioned proximate the front end 270 of the intermediate
support deck 254, thereby defining a second product display area
280 proximate the front end 270 of the intermediate support deck
254.
[0080] Additional intermediate support decks (not shown), which may
define additional intermediate levels and associated product
display areas, may be provided between the upper support deck 250
and the lower support deck 252 without departing from the scope of
the present disclosure.
[0081] The upper support deck 250 may laterally extend between the
side walls 246, 248, and may include a front end 282 that
longitudinally extends toward the front end 258 of the frame 240
and a rear end 284 that longitudinally extends toward, but not to,
the rear end 262 of the frame 240. Therefore, the upper support
deck 250 and the side walls 246, 248 may define an upper level 286
of the frame 240.
[0082] The spacing between the rear end 284 of the upper support
deck 250 and the rear end 262 of the frame 240 may define an upper
opening 288, which may function as a chute to allow products 206 to
move from the upper level 286 down to the intermediate 274 and
lower 264 levels of the frame 240 under the force of gravity.
[0083] The upper support deck 250 may be declined from the front
end 282 to the rear end 284 such that products 206 supported on the
upper support deck 250 may roll under the force of gravity down to
the rear end 284 of the upper support deck 250, through the upper
opening 288, to the lower and intermediate levels 264, 274,
respectively, of the frame 240 and, ultimately, to the first and
second product display areas 268, 280.
[0084] An optional container stop 290 may be disposed proximate the
rear end 262 of the frame 240. The stop 290 may laterally extend
between the side walls 246, 248 of the frame 60 proximate the upper
level 286 of the frame 240 to inhibit rearward horizontal movement
of the container 204 along the upper support deck 250 beyond the
stop 290.
[0085] A guide 292 may be connected proximate the rear end 262 of
the frame 240. The guide 292 may receive products 206 exiting
through the opening 236 (FIG. 13) in the container 204 and may
guide the products 206 down through the upper opening 288 in the
upper level 286, through the intermediate opening 276 in the
intermediate level 274 and, ultimately, proximate the rear end 260
of the lower support deck 252, thereby allowing the products 206 to
move to the first product display area 268 under the force of
gravity. Once the lower level 264 of the frame 240 has been filled
with products 206 such that the opening 276 in the intermediate
level 274 is bridged by a product 206' (FIG. 10), the products 206
guided through the opening 288 in the upper level 286 may
accumulate on the intermediate support deck 254, thereby allowing
the products 206 to move to the second product display area 280
under the force of gravity.
[0086] A dispenser door 203 may be connected to the frame 240
proximate the front end 258 to access the upper support deck 250.
The door 203 may laterally extend between the right side wall 248
and the left side wall 246 of the frame 240 proximate the upper
level 286 of the frame 240 to close off the upper level 286 when in
a closed position (FIG. 10). The door 203 may be pivotably opened
about a lower end to provide access to the upper support deck 250
for loading the opened container 204 onto the dispenser 202.
[0087] The dispenser door 203 may include a generally flat upper
edge configured to be in a coplanar relationship with an upper edge
of the front end 258 of the frame 240 and at least extending to an
upper edge of the container 204 proximate the front end 258 of the
frame 240. A door handle 298 may protrude outwardly from the upper
edge of the door 203, as will be described in greater detail
herein. As described previously herein, the door handle 298 may be
coplanar with the top surface of the door 203. Alternatively, the
door handle 298 may be positioned below the upper edge of the door
203. Thus, the position of the handle 298 relative to the upper
edge of the door 203 allows for manual opening and closing of the
door 203 from the front and does not require engagement of the door
203 from above or about the upper edge of the door 203. This
arrangement may allow for a minimal required offset distance
between the upper edge of the front end 258 of the frame 240 and
the upper edge of the door 203 relative to another structure
positioned directly above the dispenser 202, such as an additional
dispenser 202 or dispenser support, as illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0088] The door 203 may include a door panel 296 and the door
handle 298 connected to an upper end 300 of the door panel 296. A
lower end 302 of the door panel 296 may be pivotably connected at
opposing lateral sides to the right side wall 248 and the left side
wall 246, respectively. The upper end 300 of the door panel 296 may
be releasably secured at opposing lateral sides between the right
side wall 248 and the left side wall 246, respectively. The door
panel 296 may have a flat or curved profile which suitably matches
an upper edge of the front end 258 of the frame 240. The aspects of
the door 203 may include features substantially similar to those
described herein above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 6-9 for the
door 13.
[0089] The lower end 302 of the door panel 296 may be pivotably
connected between the right side wall 248 and the left side wall
246 of the frame 240 by a hinge feature 304, such that the upper
support deck door 294 pivots downwardly about the hinge feature 304
into the open position. The hinge feature 304 may be any suitable
pivotal connection as described herein above and illustrated in
FIGS. 6-8 for the hinge feature 133. The upper end 300 of the door
panel 296 may be operatively connected between the right side wall
248 and the left side wall 246 of the frame 240 by an interference
friction fit, a hook, a latch, a pin or similar retaining feature
306 to releasably secure the door 203 in the closed position. The
retaining feature 306 may be any suitable operative connection as
described herein above and illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 for the
retaining feature 149.
[0090] The handle 298 protrudes outwardly from and extends along a
front side of the upper end 300 of the door panel 296. The handle
298 may include a stand-off 310 disposed generally perpendicularly
to the door panel 296 and a lip 312 extending generally downwardly
from an end of the stand-off 310 opposite the door panel 296. The
lip 312 may be straight or curved to provide a grip recess suitably
sized to receive at least one human finger. An interior surface of
the lip 312, facing the door panel 296 provides a contact surface
in order to manually pivot the door 203 into the open position. The
interior surface of the lip 312 may also include a textured,
knurled, or contoured surface to increase the coefficient of
friction between the lip 312 and the finger or fingers.
[0091] In one aspect of the dispenser door 203, the handle 298 and
a door retaining feature 314 may be a unitary member 316 connected
to a top edge of the upper end 300 of the door panel 296. The top
surfaces of the handle 298 and door retaining feature 314 may form
a coplanar unitary top surface and the bottom surfaces of the
handle 298 and door retaining feature 316 may form a coplanar
unitary bottom surface. A channel 318 may longitudinally extend
along the unitary bottom surface to receivably connect to the top
edge of the upper end 300 of the door panel 296. The unitary member
316 may be easily removed and replaced if either the handle 298 or
the door retaining feature 314 were to become damaged or otherwise
fail without the need to replace the entire door 203. The unitary
member 316 may also be removed to insert, remove, or replace a
placard, similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0092] The opening tools 242, 244 may be positioned in the upper
level 286 of the frame 240 to sever the first and second severance
lines 228, 230 (FIG. 12), respectively, of the container 204 as the
container 204 is urged along the upper support deck 250 of the
frame 240. The type of opening tools 242, 244 used, as well as the
position of the opening tools 242, 244 relative to the frame 240,
may depend on the configuration of the access panel 222 (FIG. 13)
of the container 204, among other things.
[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 11, in one particular construction,
the opening tools 242, 244 may be cutting elements (e.g., knife
blades) that inwardly protrude from the side walls 246, 248
proximate the rear end 284 of the upper support deck 250. For
example, opening tool 242 may be connected to the left side wall
246 of the frame 240 and opening tool 244 may be connected to the
right side wall 248 of the frame 240. Therefore, the opening tools
242, 244 may sever the first and second severance lines 228, 230
(FIG. 12) as the container 204 is urged toward the stop 290 along
the upper support deck 250 of the frame 240, thereby allowing the
access panel 222 to pivot about the pre-formed pivot line 226 to
form the opening 236 (FIG. 13) in the container 204.
[0094] At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
opening tools 242, 244 are only one specific example of suitable
opening tools, and that various alternative opening tools may be
used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As
one example, the opening tool may include a cutting element
positioned to form access panels in the container 204 that open
laterally outward, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,437
(discussed above). As another example, the opening tool may include
a forward-protruding catch element, such as the forward-protruding
catch element disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 12/891,391 filed on Sep.
27, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference, or the forward-protruding catch element disclosed in
U.S. Ser. No. 13/032,734 filed on Feb. 23, 2011, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. As yet
another example, the opening tool may include a rear-protruding
catch element, such as the rear-protruding catch element disclosed
in U.S. Ser. No. 12/970,683 filed on Dec. 16, 2010, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0095] The product dispensing system 200 may be assembled to
dispense products 206 by positioning the container 204 onto the
front end 282 of the upper support deck 250 of the frame 240,
behind the door 203, and urging the container 204 along the upper
support deck 250 toward the stop 290 then closing the door 203. As
the container moves relative to the opening tools 242, 244, the
opening tools 242, 244 may sever the first and second severance
lines 228, 230, thereby allowing the access panel 222 to pivot
relative to the base wall 216 about the pre-formed pivot line 226.
As the container 204 continues to move rearward, the access panel
222 may drop through the opening 288 in the upper level 286 of the
frame 240 to form the opening 236 in the container 204, thereby
allowing the products 206 in the container 204 to exit the
container 204 through the opening 236 under the force of gravity.
As the products 206 exit the container 204, the guide 292 may guide
the products 206 down through the opening 288 in the upper level
286 of the frame 240 and, ultimately, to the first and second
product display areas 268, 280.
[0096] In use, a plurality of product dispensing systems 10 may be
positioned in a side-by-side orientation, a stacked orientation, or
both. It can be appreciated that the dispensing system 10 may be
positioned on and supported by any suitable generally horizontal
display support surface 17, such as a table top, a counter top, a
shelf, or a rack of shelves. As illustrated in FIG. 14, in one
implementation of a plurality of dispenser systems 10, the handle
124 allows for the door 13 to be easily opened manually
irrespective of the amount of space between the top of the
dispenser 12 of a lower dispenser system 10' supported on a lower
support surface 17' and the bottom edge of an upper support surface
17'' positioned directly above the lower support surface 17' to
support the dispenser 12 of an upper dispenser system 10''. The
minimal offset distance between the top of the lower dispenser
system 10' and the bottom of the upper support surface 17'' may
make it difficult to reach between the upper end of the dispenser
frame 60 of the lower dispenser system 10' and the bottom of the
upper support surface 17'' in order to open the door 13. As
described above, the frontward or coplanar position of the handle
124 relative to the upper edge of the door 13 and the rearward or
coplanar position of the retaining feature 149 relative to the
upper edge of the door 13 overcomes this problem.
[0097] In another implementation of a plurality of dispenser
systems 10, the handle 124 allows for the door 13 to be easily
opened manually irrespective of the amount of space between the top
of a dispenser 12 of a lower dispenser system 10 and the bottom of
the dispenser 12 of an upper dispenser system 10 which may be
stacked on top of the lower dispenser system 10.
[0098] Accordingly, the disclosed product dispensing systems may
employ multiple support decks with multiple product display areas,
thereby increasing the amount of product being displayed to
potential consumers and increasing the amount of product that may
be supported by a given dispenser. Furthermore, the disclosed
product dispensing systems may improve stocking efficiency by
optionally employing an opening tool configured to automatically
open a container as the container is loaded onto the dispenser.
Furthermore, the disclosed product dispensing system may enclose
and discreetly cover the loaded container and upper support deck
with a downwardly opening door having a handle the allows the door
to be opened given very little space between the top of the product
dispensing system and the bottom of an overhead dispenser support
surface.
[0099] Although various aspects of the disclosed product dispensing
system with upper support deck door 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.
* * * * *