TECHNICAL FIELD

[0101] 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

[0102] 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™" carton. For example, various types of "FRIDGE PACK™" cartons may be produced for and sold by or under license to The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia. The well known "FRIDGE PACK™" cartons thus promote the distribution and sale of Coca-Cola brand products and similar items therein. Various types of "FRIDGE PACK™" 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.

[0103] The "FRIDGE PACK™" 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™" 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.

[0104] 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, Georgia. 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.

[0105] 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

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0108] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a variety station with a number of product dispensers as may be described herein.

[0109] Fig. 2 is a partial side cross-section view of the variety station shown in Fig. 1.

[0110] 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.

[0111] Fig. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the product dispenser of Fig. 3.

[0112] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a carton opening mechanism as may be used with the product dispenser of Fig. 3.

[0113] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the carton open mechanism of Fig. 5.

[0114] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the carton open mechanism of Fig. 5.

[0115] Fig. 8 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of Fig. 5 and a carton for use therewith.

[0116] Fig. 9 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of Fig. 5 and a carton for use therewith.

[0117] Fig. 10 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of Fig. 5 and a carton for use therewith.

[0118] 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.

[0119] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the carton open mechanism of Fig. 11.

[0120] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the carton open mechanism of Fig. 11.

[0121] Fig. 14 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of Fig. 11 and a carton for use therewith. [0122] Fig. 15 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of Fig. 11 and a carton for use therewith.

[0123] Fig. 16 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of Fig. 11 and a carton for use therewith.

[0124] 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.

[0125] Fig. 18 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of Fig. 17 and a carton for use therewith.

[0126] Fig. 19 is a side view of the carton opening mechanism of Fig. 17 and a carton for use therewith.

[0127] 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.

[0128] Fig. 21 is a further perspective view of the carton of Fig. 20 with a bottom flap extending therefrom.

[0129] Fig. 22 is a plan view of a blank that may be used to construct the carton of Fig. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0130] 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.

[0131] 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.

[0132] 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.

[0133] 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.

[0134] 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.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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. [0137] 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.

[0138] 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.

[0139] 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.

[0140] 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.

[0141] 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.

[0142] 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™" 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.

[0143] 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.

[0144] 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.

[0145] 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.

[0146] The carton 170 thus may be similar to the "FRIDGE PACK™" 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.