FIELD

[0001] This application relates to the dispensing of products from packaging containers and, more particularly, to product dispensers configured to cooperate with packaging containers to dispense products.

BACKGROU ND

[0002] Products are typically shipped to retailers in bulk by enclosing multiple individual product units in a container, such as a carton or box. For example, canned foods may be shipped to a retailer in a box containing twenty-four individual cans. Then, it is typically the retailer's obligation to remove the individual product units from the container and present them (e.g., on a shelf) to consumers.

[0003] Alternatives to the traditional package-ship-unpack-display model are being developed in an effort to improve operating efficiency. For example, U.S. Patent No.

7,922,437 discloses a new system for dispensing and displaying products packaged in a container. Specifically, the system includes a frame having a support structure, a product display area and an opening tool. The frame may be positioned on a retailer's shelf and loaded with product simply by placing a container comprising multiple units of product onto the support structure of the frame. As the container is being placed onto the support structure, the opening tool of the frame opens the container in such a manner that product rolls from the container and down to the product display area of the frame under the force of gravity. As another example, United States Patent Application No. 12/891,391 filed on September 27, 2010 discloses a product dispensing system that utilizes an opening tool having a catch element that engages and opens a container as the container is loaded onto the dispenser.

[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 from packaging containers. SU MMARY

[0005] In one aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system may include a container and a dispenser. The container may define an internal volume and an opening into the internal volume. The container may include a weakened severance line extending from the opening to define an access panel. The dispenser may include a frame and a catch element. The frame may include a support deck and may define a recess sized to receive the access panel. The catch element may be positioned to engage the opening in the container, separate the access panel from the container along the weakened severance line, and guide the separated access panel into the recess when the container is moved along the support deck.

[0006] In another aspect, the disclosed product dispenser may include a frame defining a recess and comprising a support deck having a front end and a rear end, the support deck defining an opening into the recess, and a catch element connected to the support deck proximate the opening, the catch element protruding toward the front end and including a guide configured to guide an access panel toward the opening and into the recess.

[0007] In yet another aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system may include: a container including a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, wherein a base wall of the plurality of walls defines an opening into the internal volume, and wherein the base wall includes at least two weakened severance lines extending from the opening to define an access panel; and a dispenser comprising a frame that includes a support deck having a front end and a rear end wherein the frame defines a recess sized to receive the access panel, and a catch element connected to the support deck proximate the rear end wherein the catch element protrudes toward the front end to engage the opening in the container, separate the access panel from the container along the weakened severance lines, and guide the separated access panel into the recess when the container is moved along the support deck from the front end toward the rear end.

[0008] Other aspects of the disclosed product dispensing system and associated product dispenser 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 side perspective view of one aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system with panel guide;

[0010] Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the container of the product dispensing system of Fig. 1;

[0011] Fig. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the container of Fig. 2, shown in a partially opened configuration;

[0012] Fig. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the container of Fig. 2, shown in a fully opened configuration;

[0013] Fig. 5 is front perspective view of the dispenser of the product dispensing system of Fig- 1;

[0014] Fig. 6 is a rear perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 5, shown with a side wall removed therefrom;

[0015] Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the dispenser of Fig. 6, shown with the container in a first, partially loaded configuration;

[0016] Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the dispenser of Fig. 7, shown with the container in a second, partially loaded configuration;

[0017] Fig. 9 is a side perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 8, shown with the container in a fully loaded configuration; and

[0018] Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of a second aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system with panel guide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Referring to Fig. 1, one aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system with panel guide, generally designated 10, may include a dispenser 12 and a container 14. The container 14 may house multiple units of product 16, such as cans (e.g., canned soup), jars (e.g., jarred sauce) or bottles (e.g., bottled soft drinks). Therefore, as the container 14 is loaded onto the dispenser 12 by urging the container 14 horizontally along the dispenser 12, the dispenser 12 may engage and open the container 14, thereby releasing the products 16 from the container 14 into the dispenser 12 without the container 14 interfering with movement of the products 16 from the container 14 and through the dispenser 12.

[0020] The container 14 may be any container capable of housing products 16 and beneficially interacting with the disclosed dispenser 12. For example, the container 14 may be a paperboard carton or a corrugated box.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, in one construction, the container 14 may be a generally rectilinear container having six walls 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 that define an internal volume 30 for receiving the products 16. Opposed walls 20 and 24 may define the front and rear walls, respectively, of the container 14. Opposed walls 26 and 28 may define the first (e.g., right) and second (e.g., left) side walls, respectively, of the container 14. Opposed walls 18 and 22 may define the base and upper walls, respectively, of the container 14.

[0022] 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 CIS 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, at least one major surface of the container blank may be marked with various indicia, such as printed text and graphics.

[0023] In one implementation, the base wall 18 of the container 14 may define a preformed opening 32 into the internal volume 30 of the container 14. For example, the opening 32 may be formed proximate (i.e., at or near) the rear wall 24 of the container 14, such as along the edge 34 between the base wall 18 and the rear wall 24.

[0024] In another implementation, the base wall 18 of the container 14 may include a removable feature that, when removed from the container 14, reveals an opening 32 into the internal volume 30 of the container 14. For example, the removable feature may be a zipper strip or a peelable label.

[0025] The opening 32 may extend generally laterally between the side walls 26, 28 of the container 14. For example, the opening 32 may include a first (e.g., right) end 36 positioned proximate the right side wall 26 of the container 14 and a second (e.g., left) end 38 positioned proximate the left side wall 28 of the container 14.

[0026] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the opening 32 may be positioned at various alternative locations and may have various alternative configurations, provided that the opening 32 is capable of being engaged by the dispenser 12 when the container 14 is being loaded onto the dispenser 12. As a first alternative implementation, the opening 32 may be formed in the rear wall 24 of the container 14. As a second alternative

implementation, the opening 32 may be formed in the base wall 26, between the front 20 and rear 24 walls of the container 14. Other implementations are also contemplated.

[0027] A first row of perforations 40 may extend generally longitudinally from the opening 32 toward the front wall 20 of the container 14. For example, the first row of perforations 40 may be formed in the base wall 18 proximate the edge 42 between the base wall 18 and the right side wall 26. The first row of perforations 40 may have a length L that is greater than the greatest diameter of the products 16 housed in the container 14, but less than the longitudinal length of the base wall 18 (i.e., the length of the base wall 18 along the longitudinal axis A of the container 14).

[0028] A second row of perforations 44 may also extend generally longitudinally from the opening 32 toward the front wall 20 of the container 14. For example, the second row of perforations 44 may be formed in the base wall 18 proximate the edge 46 between the base wall 18 and the left side wall 28. Like the first row of perforations 40, the second row of perforations 44 may have a length L that is greater than the greatest diameter of the products 16 housed in the container 14, but less than the longitudinal length of the base wall 18.

[0029] The first 40 and second 44 rows of perforations may be formed using various types of perforations. As a first example, the first 40 and second 44 rows of perforations may be formed as zipper-like cuts. As a second example, the first 40 and second 44 rows of perforations may be formed as standard perforations. As a third example, the first 40 and second 44 rows of perforations may be formed as micro perforations. While specific mention is made of perforations, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any technique or structure capable of forming weakened severance lines may be used in place of rows of perforations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, a pulling force F applied to the base wall 18 at the opening 32 may partially separate a portion of the base wall 18 from the container 14 along the first 40 and second 44 rows of perforations to form an access panel 48. As the access panel 48 is separated from the remainder of the container 14 and urged toward the front of the container 14 (i.e., toward the front wall 20), the size of the opening 32 may be significantly increased, thereby allowing the products 16 housed in the container 14 to be dispensed from the container 14 by way of the larger opening 32.

[0031] Optionally, a preformed fold line 50 may laterally extend across the access panel 48 to encourage the access panel 48 to fold as the access panel 48 is being urged toward the front of the container 14. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that providing a preformed fold line 50 may reduce or eliminate the possibility that the access panel 48 will randomly fold or bunch-up as the access panel 48 is formed and urged toward the front of the container 14.

[0032] Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the dispenser 12 may include a frame 60 and a catch element 62. The frame 60 of the dispenser 12 may support the container 14 in a desired configuration, as shown in Fig. 1. The catch element 62 may engage the opening 32 (Fig. 2) in the container 14 to separate the access panel 48 from the container 14 as the container 14 is loaded onto the frame 60, as is described in greater detail herein.

[0033] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the dispenser 12 may include additional components and features, such as one or more of the components and features of the dispensers disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,922,437, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. [0034] The frame 60 may include a first (e.g., right) side wall 64, a second (e.g., left) side wall 66, an upper support deck 68 and a lower support deck 70. The right side wall 64 may be laterally spaced from the left side wall 66, and may be generally parallel with the left side wall 66.

[0035] The lower support deck 70 may laterally extend between the right 64 and left 66 side walls, 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 70 and the side walls 64, 66 may define a lower level 80 of the frame 60.

[0036] The lower support deck 70 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 70 roll down to the front end 72 of the lower support deck 70 under the force of gravity. The extent of the incline of the lower 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.

[0037] One or more stops 82 may be positioned proximate the front end 72 of the lower support deck 70 to prevent products 16 from rolling beyond the front end 72 of the lower support deck 70. For example, the stops 82 may be connected to (e.g., integral with) the lower support deck 70, and may form an upward curve at the front end 72 of the lower support deck 70. Therefore, the stops 82 may collect products 16 at the front end 72 of the lower support deck 70, thereby defining a product display area 84 at the front end 72 of the lower support deck 70.

[0038] The upper support deck 68 may laterally extend between the right 64 and left 66 side walls, 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 upper support deck 68 and the side walls 64, 66 may define an upper level 90 of the frame 60. [0039] The spacing between the rear end 88 of the upper support deck 68 and the rear end 78 of the frame 60 may define an opening 92, which may function as a chute to allow products 16 to move from the upper level 90 to the lower level 80 of the frame 60.

[0040] The upper support deck 68 may be declined from the front end 86 to the rear end 88 (i.e., the front end 86 may be elevated relative to the rear end 88). Therefore, products 16 supported by the upper support deck 68 may roll under the force of gravity down to the rear end 88 of the upper support deck 68, through the opening 92, to the lower level 80 of the frame 60 and, ultimately, to the product display area 84.

[0041] Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, an optional rear wall 94 may be positioned at the rear end 78 of the frame 60 between the right 64 and left 66 side walls. The rear wall 94 may include a stop 96 that inhibits rearward horizontal movement of the container 14 (Fig. 1) along the upper support deck 68 beyond the stop 96.

[0042] A guide 98 may be connected to the rear wall 94 of the frame 60, and may extend through the opening 92 in the frame 60, from the upper level 90 to the lower level 80. The guide 98 may be positioned to receive products 16 exiting the container 14 and passing through the opening 92 in the frame 60, and may guide the products 16 to the rear end 76 of the lower support deck 70.

[0043] Optionally, the guide 98 may be springingly connected to the rear wall 94 of the frame 60 at a connection point 110, and may include a protrusion 112 extending toward the rear wall 94. As a product 16 drops into engagement with the receiving end 114 of the guide 98, the force of the product 16 acting on the guide 98 may urge the guide 98, and specifically the protrusion 112, into engagement with the rear wall 94. Therefore, as the guide 98 receives a product 16, the guide 98 may affect a "tapping" of the rear wall 94. The vibration of the "tapping" may be transferred throughout the system 10, including the products 16 remaining in the container 14, thereby encouraging products 16 to move from the container 14 to the dispenser 12. As the product 16 disengages the guide 98 and moves toward the product display area 84, the spring-loaded guide 98 may return to its original position (Fig. 7) to await another dispensing product 16. [0044] The catch element 62 may be position in the upper level 90 of the frame 60 to engage the opening 32 in the container 14 and separate the access panel 48 from the container 14 as the container 14 is moved horizontally along the upper support deck 68 toward the rear end 78 of the frame 60. The shape and position of the catch element 62 may be configured such that a portion of the catch element 62 may extend through the opening 32 in the container 14 to releasably engage the base wall 18 of the container 14 proximate the opening 32 as the container 14 is moved horizontally along the upper support deck 68, thereby facilitating the separation of the access panel 48 from the container 14 along the first 40 and second 44 rows of perforations and, ultimately, the formation of a larger opening 32 sufficient to release the products 16 from the container 14.

[0045] In one construction, the catch element 62 may be connected to the upper support deck 68 of the frame 60 proximate the rear end 88 of the upper support deck 68, and may laterally extend between the side walls 64, 66 of the frame 60. The catch element 62 may longitudinally protrude from the upper support deck 68 toward the front end 74 of the frame 60.

[0046] In an effort to minimize interference between the catch element 62 and the container 14 during loading, while still allowing the catch element 62 to engage the opening 32 of the container 14, the upper surface 100 of the catch element 62 may define a plane that is substantially co-planar with a plane defined by the upper surface 102 of the upper support deck 68. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that slight displacement and/or a slight angle of the plane defined by the upper surface 100 of the catch element 62 relative to the plane defined by the upper surface 102 of the upper support deck 68 may encourage engagement of the opening 32 in the container 14 by the catch element 62.

[0047] While the catch element 62 is shown and described as a generally flat, laterally elongated protrusion, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various alternative structures may be used as the disclosed catch element 62 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, suitable catch elements 62 may include various hooks, protrusions, flanges, detents and the like sufficient to engage the opening 32 in the container 14 and to peel back the access panel 48 of the container 14 while the container 14 is being loaded onto the dispenser 12. [0048] The upper support deck 68 may define a recess 104 and an opening 106 to the recess 104. The recess 104 may be positioned below the upper surface 102 of the upper support deck 68, and may extend from proximate the catch element 62 toward the rear end 88 of the upper support deck 68. The recess 104 may be sized and shaped to receive the entire access panel 48 of the container 14, or at least a significant portion (e.g., at least 70 percent or at least 80 percent) thereof. For example, the recess 104 may be an enclosed (or open) chamber or an open channel sized to receive the access panel 48. The opening 106 to the recess 104 may be positioned proximate the catch element 62, such as immediately below the catch element 62, and may be shaped to guide the access panel 48 to the recess 104. The catch element 62 may optionally include a guide 63 to guide the access panel 48 to the opening 106 and into the recess 104.

[0049] The container 14 may be loaded onto the dispenser 12 by horizontally urging the container 14 along the upper support deck 68 of the dispenser frame 60, as shown in Fig. 7. As the opening 32 in the container 14 approximates the catch element 62 of the dispenser 12, the catch element 62 may extend through the opening 32 and may begin to separate the access panel 48 from the base wall 18 of the container 14, as shown in Fig. 8. As the access panel 48 is separated from the base wall 18 of the container 14, the catch element 62 may guide the separated access panel 48 through the opening 106 in the upper support deck 68 and, ultimately, into the recess 104.

[0050] Referring to Fig. 9, once the container 14 has been fully loaded onto the dispenser 12, the access panel 48 may be sufficiently removed and received in the recess 104, thereby allowing the products 16 housed in the container 14 to exit the container 14 by way of the expanded opening 32 in the container 14, pass through the opening 92 in the frame 60 to the lower level 80 of the frame 60, and roll along the lower support deck 70 to the product display area 84.

[0051] Accordingly, by providing a recess 104 for receiving the access panel 48 as the access panel 48 is separated from the container 14 and guiding the access panel 48 into the recess 104, the disclosed product dispensing system 10 may prevent the separated access panel 48 from interfering with the operation of the system 10, such as by unintentionally engaging products 16 moving through the dispenser 12 or from altering the angle of the container 14 as is rests on the dispenser 12.

[0052] Referring to Fig. 10, another aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system with panel guide, generally designated 200, may include a dispenser 202 and a container 204. The container 204 may be the same as, or similar to, the container 14 shown in Fig. 2, and may include an access panel 206 that is at least partially separable from the container 204. Therefore, like dispenser 12, dispenser 202 may be configured to beneficially guide the access panel 206 during loading of the container 204 onto the dispenser 202 such that the access panel 206 does not interfere with the operation of the product dispensing system 200.

[0053] Specifically, the dispenser 202 may include a frame 208 and a catch element 210. The frame 208 may include an upper support deck 212, and may define a recess 214 for receiving the separated access panel 206 as the container 204 is loaded onto the dispenser 202. The recess 214 may be curved such that the access panel 206 is directed toward the front end 216 of the dispenser frame 208 as the container 204 is horizontally urged toward the rear end 218 of the dispenser frame 208.

[0054] Thus, the disclosed product dispensing system 200 may beneficially redirect the separated access panel 206 during loading of the container 204 onto the dispenser 202 such that the separated access panel 206 does not interfere with the dispensing of products.

[0055] Although various aspects of the disclosed product dispensing system with panel guide 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.

[0056] What is claimed is: