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 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. Patent No. 7, 922 37 issued on April 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.

[0004] 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

[0005] 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, and 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.

[0006] 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, 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.

[0007] 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, 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, (2 ) forming an opening in the container, and (3) positioning the container on the upper support deck 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.

[0008] 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

[0009] Fig. 1 is a front and side perspective view of one aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system with multiple dispensing decks;

[0010] Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, in section, of the product dispensing system of Fig. 1 ;

[001 1] Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the container of the product dispensing system of Fig. 1 ;

[0012] Fig. is a front perspective view of the container of Fig. 3 shown in an open configuration

[0013] Fig. 5 is a side elevational view, in section, of another aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system with multiple dispensing decks;

[0014] Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a portion of the dispenser of the product dispensing system of Fig. 5;

[0015] Fig. 7 is a front perspective view of the container of the product dispensing system of Fig. 5; and

[0016] Fig. 8 is a front perspective view of the container of Fig. 7 shown in an open configuration.

Page k of 25 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, one aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system with multiple dispensing decks, generally designated 10, may include a dispenser 12 and a container 1 -. The container \ 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 1 6 may be released from the container \ into the dispenser 12 when the container \ is opened and loaded onto the dispenser 12.

[0018] The container \ may be any container capable of initially housing the products 1 6 and beneficially interacting with the dispenser 12. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the container \ may be a paperboard carton or a corrugated box having six walls 18, 20, 22, 2k, 26 , 28 that define an internal volume 30 for receiving the products 16 (Figs. 1 and 2 ). Opposed walls 18, 20 may define the front and rear walls, respectively, of the container 1 -. Opposed walls 22 , 2k may define the left and right side walls, respectively, of the container 1 -. Opposed walls 26 , 28 may define the base and upper walls, respectively, of the container 1 -.

[0019] In accordance with well-established techniques, the container \ k 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 C1 S paperboard, which may have a coating (e.g., clay) on a first major surface thereof, which may form the outer surface of the container \ k, 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 (Fig. 1 ) of the container \ may be marked with various indicia 3k (Fig. 1 ) , such as printed text and graphics.

[0020] Still referring to Fig. 3, the container \ may include a removable opening feature 36. The removable opening feature 36 may be defined by weakened severance lines 38, O, U2 , , k6 , US formed in the rear 20, side 22, 2k and base 26 walls of the container The weakened severance lines 38, kO, U2, , k6 , US may be formed by weakening the container \ , such as with score lines, perforations or zipper-like cuts, to facilitate tearing of the container \ along the weakened severance lines 38, hO, W2, , k6, US.

[0021] Thus, as shown in Fig. , the removable opening feature 36 may be removed from the container \ to form an opening 50 into the internal volume 30 of the container \ . The opening 50 may extend generally laterally between the side walls 22, 2 of the container \ , and may be positioned proximate the rear wall 20 of the container \ such that the products 1 6 (Fig. 1 ) may exit the container \ through the opening 50. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the step of removing the removable opening feature 36 from the container \ may be performed prior to loading the container \ onto the dispenser 12.

[0022] Referring back to Figs. 1 and 2, the dispenser 12 may include a frame 60 that supports the container \ in a desired configuration. The frame 60 may include a first (e.g., right) side wall 62, a second (e.g., left) side wall 6k, an upper support deck 66 , a lower support deck 68 and one or more intermediate support decks 70 (only one is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 ) positioned between the upper support deck 66 and the lower support deck 68. The right side wall 62 may be laterally spaced from the left side wall 6 k, and may be generally parallel with the left side wall 6k.

[0023] The lower support deck 68 may laterally extend between the right 62 and left 6k side walls, and may include a front end 72 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 7k 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, 6k may define a lower level 80 of the frame 60.

[0024] 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 1 6 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 1 6 to be dispensed by the dispenser 12.

[0025] A stop 82 may be positioned proximate the front end 72 of the lower support deck 68 to prevent products 1 6 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 8 k proximate the front end 72 of the lower support deck 68. [0026] 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 62 and left 6 k side walls, and may include a front end 86 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 7k 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, 6k may define an intermediate level 90 of the frame 60.

[0027] 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 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] A 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 9k proximate the front end 86 of the intermediate support deck 70. The second product display area 9k may be longitudinally displaced (e.g., inwardly) relative to the first product display area Sk.

[0030] The upper support deck 66 may laterally extend between the right 62 and left 6k side walls, and may include a front end 96 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 7k 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, 6k may define an upper level 100 of the frame 60.

[0031] 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 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.

[0032] 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 and second product display areas Sk, 9k.

[0033] Optionally, a stop ^' \0k may be connected proximate the rear end 78 of the frame 60. The stop ^' \0k may extend into the upper level 100 of the frame 60 to inhibit rearward horizontal movement of the container \ along the upper support deck 66 beyond the stop 10¾.

[0034] A guide 106 may be connected proximate the rear end 78 of the frame 60. The guide 106 may extend from proximate the opening 102 in the upper level 100 defined by the upper support deck 66, down through the 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.

[0035] Thus, the guide 106 may receive products 16 exiting through the opening 50 in the container \ 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 8k. 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. 2), 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 9k.

[0036] The product dispensing system 10 may be assembled by opening the container \ (e.g., tearing away the removable opening feature 36 ) and urging the opened container \ along the upper support deck 66 of the dispenser 12 until the rear wall 20 of the container \ comes into abutting engagement with the stop \0 . With the opened container \ loaded onto the dispenser 12, the force of gravity may urge the products 16 housed in the container \ through the opening 50 in the container \k, down through the opening 102 in the upper level 100 of the frame 60 and, ultimately, to the first and second product display areas Sk, 9k.

[0037] Referring to Fig. 5, another aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system with multiple dispensing decks, generally designated 200, may include a dispenser 202 and a container 20k. The container 20k may initially house multiple units of product 206 and may be opened to release the products 206 into the dispenser 202 when the container 20k is loaded onto the dispenser 202.

[0038] Referring to Figs.7 and 8 , the container 20k may have six walls 208 , 210, 21 2 , 2 ^' \k, 21 6 , 218 that define an internal volume 220 for receiving the products 206 (Fig. 5) . Opposed walls 208 , 210 may define the front and rear walls, respectively, of the container 20k. Opposed walls 21 2 , 21k may define the left and right side walls, respectively, of the container 20k. Opposed walls 21 6 , 21 8 may define the base and upper walls, respectively, of the container 20k.

[0039] The base wall 21 6 of the container 20k may define an access panel 222 that is openable to release the products 206 (Fig. 5) from the container 20k. The access panel 222 may be defined by a free edge 22k, a pre-formed pivot line 226 , a first severance line 228 and a second severance line 230.

[0040] The pre-formed pivot line 226 may laterally extend across the base wall 21 6 (or the edge between the base wall 21 6 and the rear wall 210) of the container 20k from proximate the left side wall 212 to proximate the right side wall 2 ^' \k. The longitudinal distance D between the pre-formed pivot line 226 and the free edge 22k 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 20k.

[0041] The pre-formed pivot line 226 may be formed by weakening the container 20k along the pre-formed pivot line 226. Examples of weakening techniques useful in forming the pre-formed pivot line 226 include scoring the container 20k, forming a crease in the container 20k and forming perforations in the container 20k.

[0042] The first severance line 228 may longitudinally extend from the free edge 22k to the pre-formed pivot line 226. For example, the first severance line 228 may extend from the free edge 22k to the pre-formed pivot line 226 proximate the edge 232 between the base wall 21 6 and the left side wall 212.

[0043] The second severance line 230 may longitudinally extend from the free edge 22k to the pre-formed pivot line 226. For example, the second severance line 230 may extend from the free edge 22k to the pre-formed pivot line 226 proximate the edge 23k between the base wall 21 6 and the right side wall 2 ^' \k.

[0044] 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 20k 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 20k along the first and second severance lines 228, 230, scoring the container 20k and forming creases in the container 20k.

[0045] The free edge 22k may laterally extend across the base wall 21 6 of the container 20k from proximate the left side wall 212 to proximate the right side wall 2 ^' \k. The free edge 22k may be spaced a longitudinal distance D from the pre-formed pivot line 226.

[0046] In one implementation, the free edge 22k may be defined by a severance line that must be severed to free the free edge 22k. In a first expression, the free edge 22k may be freed by severing the severance line defining the free edge 22k prior to loading the container 20k onto the dispenser 202. For example, the free edge 22k may be freed by pulling a zipper strip from the container 20k prior to loading the container 20k onto the dispenser 202. In a second expression, the free edge 22k may be freed by severing the severance line defining the free edge 22k as the container 20k is being loaded onto the dispenser 202.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 8, when the free edge 22k 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 21 6 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. 5) to pass therethrough.

[0048] In one implementation, the first and second severance lines 228, 230 may be severed to release the access panel 222 as the container 20k 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 20k 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).

[0049] Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the dispenser 202 may include a frame 2k0 and one or more opening tools 2k2, 2 . The frame 2 0 may support the container 20 in a desired configuration, as shown in Fig. 5. The opening tools 2 2, 2 may sever the first and second severance lines 228, 230 (Fig.7) to release the access door 222 and form the opening 236 (Fig. 8) in the container 20 as the container 20 is loaded onto the frame 2 0, thereby releasing the products 206 from the container 20 to the dispenser 202.

[0050] The frame 2 0 may include left and right side walls 2 -6, 2 -8, an upper support deck 250, a lower support deck 252 and an intermediate support deck 25 - positioned between the upper support deck 250 and the lower support deck 252. The right side wall 2 -8 may be laterally spaced from the left side wall 2 -6, and may be generally parallel with the left side wall 2 -6.

[0051] The lower support deck 252 may laterally extend between the side walls 2 -6, 2 -8, and may include a front end 250 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 252 of the frame 2 0 and a rear end 25 that longitudinally extends toward the rear end 256 of the frame 2 0. Therefore, the lower support deck 252 and the side walls 2 -6, 2 -8 may define a lower level 258 of the frame 2 0.

Page \ of 25 [0052] The lower support deck 252 may be inclined from the front end 250 to the rear end 25k, and may include a stop 260 positioned proximate the front end 250 of the lower support deck 252, thereby defining a first product display area 262 proximate the front end 250 of the lower support deck 252.

[0053] The intermediate support deck 25k may be positioned between the upper support deck 250 and the lower support deck 252. The intermediate support deck 25k may laterally extend between the side walls 2k6, 2kS, and may include a front end 26k that longitudinally extends toward the front end 252 of the frame 2k0 and a rear end 266 that longitudinally extends toward, but not to, the rear end 256 of the frame 2k0. Therefore, the intermediate support deck 25k and the side walls 2k6 , 2kS may define an intermediate level 268 of the frame 60.

[0054] The spacing between the rear end 266 of the intermediate support deck 25k and the rear end 256 of the frame 2k0 may define an opening 270, which may function as a chute to allow products 206 to move from the intermediate level 268 down to the lower level 258 of the frame 2k0 under the force of gravity.

[0055] The intermediate support deck 25k may be inclined from the front end 26k to the rear end 266 , and may include a stop 272 positioned proximate the front end 26k of the intermediate support deck 25k, thereby defining a second product display area 27k proximate the front end 26 k of the intermediate support deck 25k.

[0056] 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.

[0057] The upper support deck 250 may laterally extend between the side walls 2k6, 2kS, and may include a front end 276 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 252 of the frame 2kO and a rear end 278 that longitudinally extends toward, but not to, the rear end 256 of the frame 2kO. Therefore, the upper support deck 250 and the side walls 2k6, 2kS may define an upper level 280 of the frame 2k0.

[0058] The spacing between the rear end 278 of the upper support deck 250 and the rear end 256 of the frame 2k0 may define an opening 282 , which may function as a chute to allow products 206 to move from the upper level 280 down to the intermediate 268 and lower 258 levels of the frame 2k0 under the force of gravity.

[0059] The upper support deck 250 may be declined from the front end 276 to the rear end 278 such that products 206 supported on the upper support deck 250 may roll under the force of gravity down to the rear end 278 of the upper support deck 250, through the opening 282 , to the lower and intermediate levels 258 , 268 of the frame 2k0 and, ultimately, to the first and second product display areas 262 , 27 .

[0060] An optional stop 28 - may be disposed proximate the rear end 256 of the frame 2 0. The stop 28 may inhibit rearward horizontal movement of the container 20 along the upper support deck 250 beyond the stop 28 -.

[0061 ] A guide 286 may be connected proximate the rear end 256 of the frame 2 0. The guide 286 may receive products 206 exiting through the opening 236 ( Fig. 8 ) in the container 20k and may guide the products 206 down through the opening 282 in the upper level 280, through the opening 270 in the intermediate level 268 and, ultimately, proximate the rear end 256 of the lower support deck 252, thereby allowing the products 206 to move to the first product display area 262 under the force of gravity. Once the lower level 258 of the frame 2k0 has been filled with products 206 such that the opening 270 in the intermediate level 268 is bridged by a product 206 ^' (Fig. 5) , the products 206 guided through the opening 282 in the upper level 280 may accumulate on the

intermediate support deck 25k, thereby allowing the products 206 to move to the second product display area 27k under the force of gravity.

[0062] The opening tools 2k2 , 2kk may be positioned in the upper level 280 of the frame 2k0 to sever the first and second severance lines 228, 230 (Fig. 7), respectively, of the container 20k as the container 20k is urged along the upper support deck 250 of the frame 2k0. The type of opening tools 2k2, 2kk used, as well as the position of the opening tools 2k2, 2kk relative to the frame 2k0, may depend on the configuration of the access panel 222 (Fig. 7) of the container 20k, among other things.

[0063] In one particular construction, the opening tools 2k2, 2kk may be cutting elements (e.g., knife blades) that inwardly protrude from the side walls 2k6 , 2kS proximate the rear end 278 of the upper support deck 250. For example, opening tool 2k2 may be connected to the left side wall 2k2 of the frame 2k0 and opening tool 2kk may be connected to the right side wall 2kS of the frame 2k0. Therefore, the opening tools 2k2, 2kk may sever the first and second severance lines 228, 230 (Fig. 7 ) as the container 20k is urged toward the stop 28k along the upper support deck 250 of the frame 2kO, thereby allowing the access panel 222 to pivot about the pre-formed pivot line 226 to form the opening 236 in the container 20k.

[0064] At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that opening tools 2k2 , 2kk 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 20k that open laterally outward, as described in U.S. Patent No.

7, 922 37 (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. 1 2 / 891 , 391 filed on September 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 , 73k filed on February 23 , 201 1 , 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. 1 2 / 970, 683 filed on December 1 6 , 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0065] The product dispensing system 200 may be assembled to dispense products 206 by positioning the container 20k onto the front end 276 of the upper support deck 250 of the frame 2k0 and urging the container 20k along the upper support deck 250 toward the stop 28k. As the container moves relative to the opening tools 2k2 , 2kk, the opening tools 2k2, 2 may sever the first and second severance lines 228 , 230, thereby allowing the access panel 222 to pivot relative to the base wall 21 6 about the pre-formed pivot line 226. As the container 20 continues to move rearward, the access panel 222 may drop through the opening 282 in the upper level 280 of the frame 2 0 to form the opening 236 in the container 20 , thereby allowing the products 206 in the container 20 to exit the container 20 through the opening 236 under the force of gravity. As the products 206 exit the container 20 , the guide 286 may guide the products 206 down through the opening 282 in the upper level 280 of the frame 2 0 and, ultimately, to the first and second product display areas 262 , 27 .

[0066] Accordingly, the disclosed product dispensing systems employ multiple support decks with 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.

[0067] Although various aspects of the disclosed product dispensing system with multiple dispensing decks 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.