CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Applications Nos. 61 /875815 and 61/928699, filed September 10, 2013 and January 17, 2014, respectively, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for dispensing articles.

BACKGROUND

Various dispensing devices are used to dispense substantially cylindrical articles such as beverage cans or bottles. However, such dispensing devices are generally formed from rigid plastics, which are costly and most of them are not collapsible.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary dispensing device includes a front wall including a dispensing opening; a back wall; a first side wall; a second side wall; an upper floor slanted downwardly from the front wall to the back wall; and a lower floor slanted downwardly from the back wall to the front wall.

The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present disclosure, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding may be obtained by referring to the detailed

1

22572-WOORD description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a first blank and a second blank.

FIGs. 2-5 are plan views of the first blank of FIG. 1 as it is folded according to an exemplary method.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dispensing device formed from the blanks of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the dispensing device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the dispensing device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational schematic view of the dispensing device of

FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of the dispensing device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 1 1 is a side elevational schematic view of the dispensing device of

FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a first blank.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the first blank of FIG. 12 as it is folded according to an exemplary method.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a dispensing device formed from the blank of FIG. 12.

FIGs. 15-19 are perspective views of steps of an exemplary method of forming the dispensing device of FIG. 14 from the blank of FIG. 12.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a first blank and a second blank.

FIG. 21 is an exploded partial perspective view of a dispensing device that is formed from the first blank and the second blank of FIG. 20. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a

representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art.

Generally described, a dispensing device is formed from one or more blanks. A blank is a sheet of substrate. As used herein, the term "substrate" includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, and the like. In alternative embodiments, the dispensing material may be molded or otherwise formed fully of plastic or formed partially from one or more molded plastic pieces.

Exemplary embodiments of dispensing devices described herein are configured to dispense articles such as cans, bottles or other substantially cylindrical articles such as biscuit containers, chip containers, frozen juice containers, rolls of web material, cylindrical water filters, chapsticks, glue sticks, or the like in a discrete condition. Such articles may be referred to as primaries (i.e., the primary packaging). The term "discrete condition" used herein refers to the condition wherein the substantially cylindrical articles are not packaged in a carton or other secondary package/container, or otherwise not bundled or clustered into a single unit. However, dispensing devices may be configured to utilize cartons or other secondary packages/containers such that those cartons or other secondary packages/containers are directly placed on the dispensing devices, and that the substantially cylindrical articles are extracted from the respective cartons onto the devices to be dispensed one at a time from the devices. As used herein, the terms "fold line" and "severance line" refer to all manner of means for indicating optimal fold or cut locations, respectively, including frangible lines, weakened lines, perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a cut line, scored lines, slits, printed lines, any combination thereof, and the like.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments of a dispensing device that is configured to dispense articles.

Referring to FIG. 1 , blanks 100, 102 are formed from corrugated board.

The blanks 100, 102 are configured to be folded and secured to form a

dispensing device 104 that is described below with reference to FIGs. 6-11 .

Continuing with FIG. 1 , the blank 100 includes an edge flap 110, a first side panel 112, a front panel 114, a second side panel 116, and a back panel 1 18. The panels are hingedly connected one to the next along fold lines. Edge flap 110 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 112 along fold line 120, the first side panel 112 is hingedly connected to the front panel 114 along fold line 122, the front panel 114 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 116 along fold line 124, and the second side panel 116 is hingedly connected to the back panel 1 18 along fold line 126.

An aperture 130 is defined in the first side panel 112, the front panel 114, and the second side panel 116. The aperture 130 interrupts the fold line 122 and the fold line 124 and separates an upper front wall portion 132 of the front panel 114 from a lower front wall portion 134 of the front panel 114.

The lower front wall portion 134 includes an inner stop panel 140 and an outer stop panel 144. The inner stop panel 140 is hingedly connected to the outer stop panel 144 along a fold line 146. The lower front wall portion 134 includes an aperture 150 that interrupts fold line 146. The aperture 150 is offset from the center of the front panel 114, as described in further detail below. The inner stop panel 140 includes a tab 152. The tab 152 is distal with respect to the fold line 146.

The first side panel 112 includes a first set of top slots 160, 162, 164 and a set of bottom slots 166, 168, 170. The second side panel 116 includes a second set of top slots 172, 174, 176. The first set of top slots 160, 162, 164 is aligned along a first axis A1 ; the set of bottom slots 166, 168, 170 is aligned along a second axis A2; and the second set of top slots 172, 174, 176 is aligned along a third axis A3.

The blank 100 includes a first side support panel 182, a front support panel 184, and a second side support panel 186. The first side support panel 182 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 112 along a fold line 192; the front support panel 184 is hingedly connected to the front panel 1 14 along a fold line 194; and the second side support panel 186 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 116 along a fold line 196.

First side support panel 182 includes a third set of top slots 200, 202, 204 and the second side support panel 186 includes a fourth set of top slots 212, 214, 216. The first set of top slots 160, 162, 164 and the third set of top slots 200, 202, 204 are symmetric about the fold line 192. The second set of top slots 172, 174, 176 and the fourth set of top slots 212, 214, 216 are symmetric about the fold line 196.

The blank 100 includes elements that are configured to form a forward slanted lower floor of the dispensing device 104. The blank 100 includes a first wedge panel 230 and a first bottom panel 232. The first wedge panel 230 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 112 along a fold line 234 and the first bottom panel 232 is hingedly connected to the first wedge panel 230 along a fold line 236.

The blank 100 includes a front gusset panel 240 and a front glue panel 242. The front gusset panel 240 is hingedly connected to the front panel 114 along a fold line 244, and the front glue panel 242 is hingedly connected to the front gusset panel 240 along an angled fold line 246. The fold lines 244, 246 are at an angle with respect to one another. The front gusset panel 240 includes a slot 248 adjacent the fold line 244. The slot 248 is configured to receive the tab 152.

The blank 100 includes a second wedge panel 250 and a second bottom panel 252. The second wedge panel 250 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 116 along a fold line 254 and the second bottom panel 252 is hingedly connected to the second wedge panel 250 along a fold line 256. A distal side edge 258 of the second bottom panel 252 includes a set of bottom tabs 260, 262, 264. The set of bottom tabs 260, 262, 264 is configured to be received in the set of bottom slots 166, 168, 170. The second bottom panel 252 includes a front edge 266 and a back edge 268.

The blank 100 includes a back positioning panel 270 and a back guide flap 272. The back positioning panel 270 is hingedly connected to the back panel 118 along a fold line 274 and the back guide flap 272 is hingedly connected to the back positioning panel 270 along a fold line 276. The back guide flap 272 includes an angled distal edge 278.

In alternative embodiments, the back positioning panel 270 is integrated into the edge flap 110 and the back guide flap 272 is separable from the edge flap 1 10 along a severance line. The back guide flap 272 is positioned on the inside surface of the back panel 118 when the edge flap 110 is secured to the inside surface of the back panel 118. Further, the back positioning panel 270 can be hingedly connected to an edge of the back panel 1 18 opposite the fold line 126.

The axis A1 is at an angle B1 with respect to the fold line 234; the axis A2 is at an angle B2 with respect to the fold line 234; the axis A3 is at an angle B3 with respect to the fold line 254; and an axis A4 is at an angle B4 with respect to the fold line 254. The fold line 236 is at an angle B5 with respect to the fold line 234; and the fold line 256 is at an angle B6 with respect to the fold line 254. In this embodiment, each of the angles B1 , B2, B3, B4, B5, B6 are the same. For example each angle B1 , B2, B3, B4, B5, B6 may be approximately five degrees. The fold line 236 and the axis A2 are symmetric about fold line 234; and the fold line 256 and the axis A4 are symmetric about the fold line 254.

Each of the axes A1 , A2, A3, A4 is offset at a distance from the bottom edge of the blank 100 (e.g., a bottom edge as defined by fold lines 234, 244, 254). Referring momentarily to FIG. 9, the various offset distances of the axes A1 , A2, A3, A4 are illustrated. To further illustrate the relative distances between axes, additional axes are defined that extend across the front panel 114 and the back panel 118.

An axis A5 extends between a point P1 at which the axis A1 intersects the fold line 122 and a point P2 at which the axis A3 intersects the fold line 124. In this embodiment, the angle between the axis A5 and the fold line 244 is equal to the angle B1 ; thus, the axis A5 is aligned with the axis A1.

An axis A6 extends between a point P3 at which the axis A2 intersects the fold line 122 and a point P4 at which the axis A4 intersects the fold line 124. In this embodiment, the angle between the axis A6 and the fold line 244 is equal to the angle B4; thus, the axis A6 is aligned with the axis A4.

An axis A7 extends between a point P5 at which the axis A3 intersects the fold line 126 and a point P6 at which the axis A1 intersects the fold line 120

(here, fold line 120 is treated as connecting the back panel 1 18 and the first side panel 112 as occurs during construction of the dispensing device 104 - as such, point P6 is illustrated both on the fold line 120 and on the distal edge of the back panel 118). In this embodiment, the angle between the axis A7 and the fold line 274 is equal to the angle B3; thus, the axis A7 is aligned with the axis A3.

An axis A8 extends between a point P7 at which the axis A4 intersects the fold line 126 and a point P8 at which the axis A2 intersects the fold line 120

(here, fold line 120 is treated as connecting the back panel 1 18 and the first side panel 112 as occurs during construction of the dispensing device 104 - as such, point P8 is illustrated both on the fold line 120 and on the distal edge of the back panel 118). In this embodiment, the angle between the axis A8 and the fold line 274 is equal to the angle B2; thus, the axis A8 is aligned with the axis A2 (e.g., when back panel 118 is connected to first side panel 112 along the fold line 120).

Continuing with FIG. 1 , the blank 102 is configured to form a backward slanted upper floor of the dispensing device 104. The blank 102 includes a top panel 300 with a front edge 302, a back edge 304, a first side edge 306, and a second side edge 308. The first side edge 306 include a first set of top tabs 310, 312, 314 formed therealong and projecting therefrom and the second side edge 308 includes a second set of top tabs 322, 324, 326 formed therealong and projecting therefrom. Referring momentarily to FIG. 6, the dispensing device 104 includes a first side wall 412, a front wall 414, a second side wall 416, a back wall 418, a forward slanted lower floor 420, and a backward slanted upper floor 424. The upper floor 424 includes a top opening 440 adjacent the back wall 418. The front wall 414 and side walls 412, 416 include a dispensing opening 442.

Referring to FIGs. 1 -6, the dispensing device 104 can be erected from the blanks 100, 102 with folding and securing operations described below. The blank 100 can be folded and secured to form a collapsed tubular structure that can be stored in a collapsed condition and then erected and combined with the blank 102 to form the dispensing device 104. For reference, the outside surface of blank 100 is shown in FIGs. 1 and the inside surface of blank 100 (other than folded portions) is shown in FIG. 2.

The order of the steps can be altered according to manufacturing requirements, steps may be added or omitted, and the means for securing components to one another may vary. For example, the surfaces of sheet material may be secured together by means for securing including tape, staples, interlocking folds, hook and loop fasteners, glue or other adhesives, combinations thereof, and the like.

Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the first side support panel 182, the front support panel 184, and the second side support panel 186. The first side support panel 182 is folded along fold line 192 such that the inside surface of the first side support panel 182 is secured to the inside surface of the first side panel 112 and the slots 200, 202, 204 are aligned with respective ones of the slots 160, 162, 164. The front support panel 184 is folded along the fold line 194 such that the inside surface of the front support panel 184 is secured to the inside surface of the front panel 1 14. The second side support panel 186 is folded along the fold line 196 such that the inside surface of the second side support panel 186 is secured to the second side panel 116 and the slots 212, 214, 216 are aligned with the slots 172, 174, 176.

Referring to FIGs. 2 and 3, adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the first wedge panel 230, the second wedge panel 250, and the back positioning panel 270. The first wedge panel 230 and the first bottom panel 232 are folded as a unit along the fold line 234 such that each is in flat face contact with the inside surface of the first side panel 112. As such, the inside surface of the first wedge panel 230 is secured to the inside surface of the first side panel 112. The front gusset panel 240 and the front glue panel 242 are folded as a unit along the fold line 244 such that each is in flat face contact with the inside surface of the front panel 114. The second wedge panel 250 and the second bottom panel 252 are folded as a unit along the fold line 254 such that each is in flat face contact with the inside surface of the second side panel 116. As such, the inside surface of the second wedge panel 250 is secured to the inside surface of the second side panel 116. The back positioning panel 270 and the back guide flap 272 are folded as a unit along the fold line 274 such that each is in flat face contact with the inside surface of the back panel 118. As such, the back positioning panel 270 is secured to the inside surface of the back panel 1 18.

Continuing with FIGs. 3 and 4, the front glue panel 242 is folded along the fold line 246 such that the outside surface of the front glue panel 242 is in flat face contact with the outside surface of the front gusset panel 240. Adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the front glue panel 242. The blank 100 is folded along the fold line 122 such that the inside surface of the front glue panel 242 is secured to the outer surface of the first bottom panel 232.

Referring to FIGs. 4 and 5, adhesive is applied to the outside surface of the edge flap 110. The blank 100 is folded along the fold line 126 such that the inside surface of the back panel 118 is secured to the outside surface of the edge flap 1 10.

Referring to FIG. 5, the blank 100 is a folded and secured as a collapsed tubular structure that can be erected by folding along the fold lines 120, 122, 124, 126 such that the front panel 114 and the back panel 118 are perpendicular to the first side panel 112 and the second side panel 116. The erected panels 112, 114, 1 16, 118 form a rectangular tubular structure and are arranged as vertical walls.

Referring to FIGs. 5 and 6, the first side panel 1 12 is erected as the first side wall 412, front panel 114 is erected as the front wall 414, the second side panel 116 is erected as the second side wall 416, and the back panel 118 is erected as the back wall 418. The aperture 130 defines an edge of the dispensing opening 442 formed in the side walls 412, 416 and the front wall 414.

As the panels 112, 1 14, 116, 118 are pulled apart, the front gusset panel 240 pulls the first bottom panel 232 downward along the fold line 236. This "auto bottom" style fold sequence automatically occurs when the tubular structure is opened. The first bottom panel 232 folds in a way that creates a bottom shelf on which the second bottom panel 252 is supported as described below. This "auto bottom" uses a limited number of pieces, which makes the folding sequence robust and makes the setup time quick.

The back guide flap 272 is folded downward along the fold line 276 and the distal end of the back guide flap 272 is secured behind the back edge of the first bottom panel 232 (see FIGs. 10 and 1 1 ).

The second bottom panel 252 is folded downward along the fold line 256 to overlap the first bottom panel 232. The set of bottom tabs 260, 262, 264 is inserted into the set of bottom slots 170, 168, 166 to secure the second bottom panel 252 in a downward folded position. Thereafter, the lower floor 420 is formed. The lower floor 420 is forward slanted towards the front wall 414.

The tab and slot arrangement for securing the second bottom panel 252 can be relatively weaker than that of the top panel 300 because the second bottom panel 252 is supported by the first bottom panel 232. The hinged connection along the fold line 256 supports the first bottom panel 232 along the opposite side edge. The support of the second bottom panel 252 by the hinged connection along the fold line 256, the tabs and slots, and the first bottom panel 232 is such that the front gusset panel 240 is not required to support the front end of the second bottom panel 252. Rather, in an exemplary embodiment, the front gusset panel 240 is spaced apart from the second bottom panel 252. In addition, the gusset panel 240 is hingedly connected to the lower edge of the front wall, which allows for a reduced height of the dispensing device 104.

The inner stop panel 140 is folded along the fold line 146 and secured against the inside surface of the outer stop panel 144 as the tab 152 is inserted into the slot 248. Particularly, the inner stop panel 140 is folded along fold line 146 through the aperture 130 into the tubular structure and the tab 152 is inserted into the slot 248. Once the tab 152 is received in the slot 248, the inner stop panel 140 is held in position against the inside surface of the outer stop panel 144.

The aperture 150 defines a recess 450 in a retaining wall 452 and provides a wider part of the dispensing opening 442. The wider portion allows a hand to reach through the dispensing opening 442 and grasp a sidewall of an article. The dispensing opening 442 extends along the side walls 412, 416 to allow a hand to grasp ends of an article.

The upper floor 424 of the dispensing device 104 is formed from the blank 102. The blank 102 is inserted into the tubular structure to form the rearward- slanted upper floor 424. The blank 102 is inserted into the tubular structure; the tabs 310, 312, 314 are inserted into respective aligned slots 200/160, 202/162, 204/164; and the tabs 322, 324, 326 are inserted into respective aligned slots 212/172, 214/174, 216/176.

The dispensing device 104 is thereafter formed as shown in FIGs. 6-11 and is configured to receive and dispense substantially cylindrical articles. When the articles are loaded into the dispensing device 104, the backward slanted upper floor 424 supports the articles such that the articles are in rolling contact with the upper floor 424. This biases or directs the cylindrical articles toward a back end of the dispensing device 104 (e.g., back wall 418) where the articles can move through the top opening 440 and onto the forward slanted lower floor 420. As the articles drops onto the lower floor 420, they are supported by the lower floor in rolling contact therewith. Thus, the articles are biased or directed toward a front end of the dispensing device 104 (e.g., the front wall 414). The retaining wall 452 (lower portion of the front wall 414) stops a lower forwardmost article and positions the article next to the dispensing opening 442 where the article can be dispensed from the dispensing device 104 through the dispensing opening 442.

Referring to FIGs. 8 and 9, the lower floor 420 and the upper floor 424 are oriented at a compound angle. A compound angle includes an angle from front- to-back and an angle from side-to-side. The compound angle is configured to facilitate dispensing cylindrical articles, including those that are asymmetric, tapered, or have an uneven weight distribution. In the embodiment described above, the front-to-back angle and the side-to-side angle are the same. In alternative embodiments, the front-to-back and the side-to-side angle are different. For example, the front-to-back angle is six degrees and side-to-side angle is five degrees.

Referring to FIGs. 1 , 8 and 9, the axes A1 , A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8 represent the edges of the lower floor 420 and the upper floor 424. Axes A1 , A3, represent the side edges (e.g., side edges 306, 308 of top panel 300) of the upper floor 424; axes A5, A7 represent the respective front and back edges (e.g., edges 302, 304 of top panel 300) of the upper floor 424; axes A2, A4 represent the side edges (e.g., fold line 256 and side edge 258 of second bottom panel 252) of the lower floor 420; and axes A6, A8 represent the respective front and back edges (e.g., edges 266, 268 of second bottom panel 252) of the lower floor 420.

Although the back edge 304 of upper floor 424 does not extend all the way to the back wall 418, the axis A7 can still represent the back edge 304 because the back edge 304 and the axis A7 are coplanar and parallel, separated by a distance approximately equal to the width of the top opening 440.

Referring to FIG. 9, the upper floor 424 is angled downwardly (e.g. angle of axes A1 , A3) from front to back to move a cylindrical article toward the back wall 418 where it drops through the top opening 440 onto the lower floor 420. The lower floor 420 is angled downwardly (e.g., angle of axes A2, A4) from back to front to move a cylindrical article toward the front wall 414 where the article 462 can be dispensed through the dispensing opening 442.

Referring to FIG. 8, both the lower floor 420 and the upper floor 424 are angled downwardly (e.g., angle of axes A5, A6, A7, A8) from the first side wall 412 to the second side wall 416. The side-to-side angle keeps a cylindrical article against the second side wall 416, which acts as a guide wall and prevents a cylindrical article from spinning as it rolls. For example, the spinning is a result of uneven weight distribution. The side-to-side angle keeps a cylindrical article rolling consistently through the dispensing device 104 as the heavier bottom end is forced against the second side wall 416 (e.g., to one side of the dispensing device 104) and deterred from spinning up toward the side wall 412 (e.g., the other side of the device 104). The side-to-side angle is implemented throughout an article's path through the device 104 - along the upper floor 424 and the lower floor 420.

Articles with closures (e.g., bottles with caps) are an example of cylindrical article with uneven weight distribution. Other unevenly weighted articles include tapered articles such as sculpted bottles. Such primaries have a natural tendency to spin or turn as they roll down a slope. Such spinning or turning in a dispenser can cause jamming due to misaligned bottles.

Referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary cylindrical article 462 includes a body

464 with a circular cross section, a heel 466, and a shoulder 468. The article 462 further includes a neck 470 that tapers from the shoulder 468 to a cap 472.

The retaining wall 452 is configured to allow a consumer or user to easily view the adjacent article 462 and is configured to hold the weight of the articles 462 in the dispensing device 104. The retaining wall 452 is configured to support the heel 466 and shoulder 468 of the article 462 that rests against it (the

"forwardmost" article 462) and the recess 450 is positioned on the body 464 between the heel 466 and the shoulder 468 to allow the consumer/user to easily grab the article 462. The recess 450 is asymmetric to the front wall 414 of the dispensing device 104 and is positioned with respect to the location of the heel 466 and the location of the shoulder 468 as the article 462 rests against the retaining wall 452. Typically, the location of the heel and shoulder is planar.

If the recess 450 is centered on the front wall 414 or otherwise located at the shoulder 460, the shoulder 460 may not be supported by the retaining wall 452 and may be able to at least partially pop out of the dispensing device 104 through the recess 450. For example, if the size and location of the recess 450 is (e.g., centered) such that the shoulder 460 is aligned with or received in the recess 450 while its heel 466 remains in abutment with the full-height portion of the retaining wall 452, then a tubular axis 474 of the forwardmost article 462 takes a skewed orientation with respect to the plane of the front wall 414. This can cause at least some of the other articles 462 following the forwardmost article 462 to take a similarly skewed orientation, which can cause jamming of the articles 462 on the lower floor 420.

The size and location of the front wall recess 450 is adjusted such that the heel 466 and shoulder 468 of the forwardmost article 462 are brought into abutment with full-height portions 476, 478 of the retaining wall 452 that are on the opposite sides of the recess 450. Such an arrangement keeps the forwardmost article 462 in a right orientation in which the tubular axis 474 of the forwardmost article 462 is parallel to the front wall 414.

Referring to FIGs. 10 and 11 , articles 462 fall from the upper floor 424 onto the lower floor 420, and continue to feed to the front wall 414. During that transition, there is a likelihood of the bottles bridging, or binding upon one another, therefore jamming within the dispensing device 104.

For purposes of teaching, particular articles 462a, 462b, 462c are described in FIG. 1 1. Article 462a is a rearmost article on the lower floor 420; article 462b is an article in transition between the upper floor 424 and the lower floor 420; and article 462c is a forwardmost article on the upper floor 424. The articles 462a, 462b, 462c are in contact. Without the back guide flap 272, the article 462a can be positioned adjacent the back wall 418 and the article 462b can contact the front side of the article 462a (e.g., the side of the article 462a closer to the front wall 414) to apply a backward force. The backward force can counteract the forward gravitational force down the lower floor 420 such that the article 462a is held in place and not dispensed. When the articles hold one another in place, it is referred to as bridging.

To prevent bridging, the back guide flap 272 is configured to push the bottommost article 462a forward with respect to the next article 462b. As such, the article 462b is not able to contact the article 462a on the front side. The back guide flap 272 positions the center of the article 462a closer to the front wall 414 than the center of the article 462b. For example, a distance 482 between the center of the article 462a and the back wall 418 is greater than a distance 484 between the center of the article 462b and the back wall 418.

The back guide flap 272 is folded down and forms an angle 486 (e.g., ten degrees) with respect to the back wall 418. The distance between the back guide flap 272 and the back wall 418 increases moving towards the lower floor 420 to push the bottommost article 462a forward and allows the next article 462b to nest behind and above it. The upper floor 424 height and the width of the top opening 440 (e.g., position of the back edge of the upper floor 424) position the third article 462c in line above and in front of the second article 462b (e.g., an angle between an axis 480 bisecting the centers of the articles 462b, 462c an horizontal may be approximately 15 degrees). Particularly, the upper floor 424 is configured to move articles that come off the upper floor 424 against the upper part of the back guide flap 272. In addition, the back guide flap 272 prevents articles 462 from bouncing on the lower shelf as they fall off the upper floor 424, which can cause the article 462 to spin.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 12, a first blank 500 is configured to be folded and secured and combined with the second blank 102 of FIG. 1 to form a dispensing device 600 that is described with reference to FIGs. 14-19. The first blank 500 includes elements that are substantially similar to elements of the first blank 100. The elements of the first blank 500 that are substantially similar to elements of the first blank 100 have been labeled with the same numeral as the element of the first blank 100 and elements of the first blank 500 that have been described above with respect to the first blank 100 may not be described again in detail for purposes of clarity. In such instances, the description above for the first blank 100 is applicable to the elements below for the first blank 500.

Continuing with FIG. 12, the blank 500 includes an edge flap 110, a first side panel 112, a front panel 114, a second side panel 116, and a back panel 118. The panels are hingedly connected one to the next along fold lines 120, 122, 124, 126.

An aperture 130 is defined in the first side panel 112, the front panel 114, and the second side panel 116. The aperture 130 interrupts the fold line 122 and the fold line 124 and separates an upper front wall portion 132 of the front panel 114 from a lower front wall portion 134 of the front panel 114.

The lower front wall portion 134 includes an inner stop panel 140 and an outer stop panel 144. The inner stop panel 140 is hingedly connected to the outer stop panel 144 along a fold line 146. The lower front wall portion 134 includes an aperture 150 that interrupts fold line 146. The inner stop panel 140 includes a tab 152.

The first side panel 112 includes a first set of top slots 160, 162, 164 and a set of bottom slots 166, 168. The second side panel 116 includes a second set of top slots 172, 174, 176. The sets of slots are aligned along axes (e.g., axes A1 , A2, A3 shown and described above and not shown in FIG. 12 for purposes of clarity).

The blank 100 includes a first side support panel 182, a front support panel 184, and a second side support panel 186. The first side support panel 182 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 112 along a fold line 192; the front support panel 184 is hingedly connected to the front panel 1 14 along a fold line 194; and the second side support panel 186 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 116 along a fold line 196. First side support panel 182 includes a third set of top slots 200, 202, 204 and the second side support panel 186 includes a fourth set of top slots 212, 214, 216.

The blank 500 includes a first wedge panel 230 and a first bottom panel 232. The first wedge panel 230 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 112 along a fold line 234 and the first bottom panel 232 is hingedly connected to the first wedge panel 230 along a fold line 236. The first wedge panel 230 extends along the length of the first side panel 1 12 and is separable from the first bottom panel 232 along a severance line 502. An aperture 504 separates an end of the fold line 236 and an end of the severance line 502.

A brace panel 510 is hingedly connected to an edge of the first bottom panel 232 along a fold line 512. The fold line 512 and the fold line 236 at least partially define opposite edges of the first bottom panel 232. The brace panel 510 is tapered; for example, an angle between the fold line 512 and the opposite edge 514 of the brace panel 510 is substantially similar to an angle (e.g., see angle B5 in FIG. 1 ) between the fold line 234 and the fold line 236.

A locking tab 520 includes a bottom edge 522, a top edge 524, and a distal side edge 528 and is hingedly connected to the brace panel 510 along a fold line 526. The distal side edge 528 is substantially parallel to the fold line 526 and a width 530 is measured therebetween. The top edge 524 and the bottom edge 522 are arranged at an angle and a maximum height 532 is measured therebetween (e.g., as a length of the fold line 526).

The blank 500 includes a front gusset panel 240 and a front glue panel 242. The front gusset panel 240 is hingedly connected to the front panel 114 along a fold line 244, and the front glue panel 242 is hingedly connected to the front gusset panel 240 along an angled fold line 246. The front gusset panel 240 includes a slot 248 adjacent the fold line 244.

The blank 100 includes a second wedge panel 250 and a second bottom panel 252. The second wedge panel 250 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 116 along a fold line 254 and the second bottom panel 252 is hingedly connected to the second wedge panel 250 along a fold line 256. The second wedge panel 250 extends along the length of the second side panel 1 16 and is separable from the second bottom panel 252 along a severance line 536. An aperture 538 separates an end of the fold line 256 and the severance line 536.

A distal side edge 258 of the second bottom panel 252 includes a set of bottom tabs 260, 262. The set of bottom tabs 260, 262 is configured to be received in the set of bottom slots 166, 168. The second bottom panel 252 includes a front edge 266 and a back edge 268.

The blank 100 includes a back positioning panel 270 and a back guide flap

272. The back positioning panel 270 is hingedly connected to the back panel 118 along a fold line 274 and the back guide flap 272 is hingedly connected to the back positioning panel 270 along a fold line 276. The back guide flap 272 includes a stepped distal edge 278.

The back positioning panel 270 includes a cutout 540 that is configured to receive the locking tab 520. The cutout 540 includes a bottom edge 542, a top edge 544, a first side edge 546, and a second side edge 548. The bottom edge 542 is collinear with the fold line 274. The first side edge 546 is substantially parallel to the second side edge 548 and a width 550 is measured therebetween. The top edge 544 and the bottom edge 542 are arranged at an angle and a maximum height 552 is measured therebetween (e.g., as height of the first side edge 546). Referring momentarily to FIG. 1 , the blank 102 is configured to form a backward slanted upper floor of the dispensing device 600. The dispensing device 600 can be erected from the blanks 500, 102 with folding and securing operations described below. The blank 500 can be folded and secured to form a collapsed tubular structure that can be stored in a collapsed condition and then erected and combined with the blank 102 to form the dispensing device 600. For reference, the outside surface of blank 500 is shown in FIG. 12 and the inside surface of blank 500 (other than folded portions) is shown in FIG. 13.

The order of the steps can be altered according to manufacturing requirements, steps may be added or omitted, and the means for securing components to one another may vary. For example, the surfaces of sheet material may be secured together by means for securing including tape, staples, interlocking folds, hook and loop fasteners, glue or other adhesives, combinations thereof, and the like.

Referring to FIGs. 12 and 13 (similar to the steps illustrated in FIG. 2), adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the first side support panel 182, the front support panel 184, and the second side support panel 186. The first side support panel 182 is folded along fold line 192 such that the inside surface of the first side support panel 182 is secured to the inside surface of the first side panel 112 and the slots 200, 202, 204 are aligned with respective ones of the slots 160, 162, 164. The front support panel 184 is folded along the fold line 194 such that the inside surface of the front support panel 184 is secured to the inside surface of the front panel 114. The second side support panel 186 is folded along the fold line 196 such that the inside surface of the second side support panel 186 is secured to the second side panel 116 and the slots 212, 214, 216 are aligned with the slots 172, 174, 176.

Adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the first wedge panel 230, the second wedge panel 250, and the back positioning panel 270. The first wedge panel 230, the first bottom panel 232, the brace panel 510, and the tab 520 are folded as a unit along the fold line 234 to be in flat face contact with the inside surface of the first side panel 112 and the outside surface of the first side support panel 182. The inside surface of the first wedge panel 230 is secured to the inside surface of the first side panel 112. The front gusset panel 240 and the front glue panel 242 are folded as a unit along the fold line 244 such that each is in flat face contact with the inside surface of the front panel 114.

The second wedge panel 250 and the second bottom panel 252 are folded as a unit along the fold line 254 such that each is in flat face contact with the inside surface of the second side panel 1 16 and the outside surface of the second side support panel 186. The inside surface of the second wedge panel 250 is secured to the inside surface of the second side panel 116.

The back positioning panel 270 and the back guide flap 272 are folded as a unit along the fold line 274 such that each is in flat face contact with the inside surface of the back panel 118. As such, the back positioning panel 270 is secured to the inside surface of the back panel 118.

The front glue panel 242 is folded along the fold line 246 such that the outside surface of the front glue panel 242 is in flat face contact with the outside surface of the front gusset panel 240. Adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the front glue panel 242. The blank 100 is folded along the fold line 122 such that the inside surface of the front glue panel 242 is secured to the outer surface of the first bottom panel 232. For reference, these steps are similar to steps previously illustrated in FIGs. 3 and 4.

Adhesive is applied to the outside surface of the edge flap 1 10. The blank

100 is folded along the fold line 126 such that the inside surface of the back panel 118 is secured to the outside surface of the edge flap 110. For reference, these steps are similar to steps previously illustrated in FIGs. 4 and 5.

The first blank 500 is thereafter folded and secured as a collapsed tubular structure (similar to the first blank 100 as illustrated in FIG. 5) that can be erected by folding along the fold lines 120, 122, 124, 126 such that the front panel 114 and the back panel 118 are perpendicular to the first side panel 112 and the second side panel 116. The erected panels 112, 1 14, 116, 118 form a

rectangular tubular structure and are arranged as vertical walls.

Referring to FIG. 14, the first side panel 112 is erected as the first side wall

612, front panel 1 14 is erected as the front wall 614, the second side panel 116 is erected as the second side wall 616, and the back panel 118 is erected as the back wall 618. The aperture 130 defines an edge of the dispensing opening 642 formed in the side walls 612, 616 and the front wall 614.

Referring to FIG. 15, as the panels 112, 1 14, 116, 118 are pulled apart, the front gusset panel 240 pulls the first bottom panel 232 downward along the fold line 236. This "auto bottom" style fold sequence automatically occurs when the tubular structure is opened. The first bottom panel 232 folds down to create a bottom shelf on which the second bottom panel 252 is supported as described below. This "auto bottom" uses a limited number of pieces, which makes the folding sequence robust and makes the setup time quick.

The brace panel 510 and the tab 520 fold down with the first bottom panel

232. At the same time, the back panel 1 18, back positioning panel 270, and back guide flap 272 fold in toward the back edge of the first bottom panel 232. The back positioning panel 270 contacts the tab 520 and folds the tab 520 along the fold line 526. As the tubular structure is fully erected, the tab 520 is in flat face contact with the back positioning panel 270 as illustrated in FIG. 15.

Referring to FIGs. 15 and 16, the brace panel 510 is folded into a supporting position. The brace panel 510 is folded along the fold line 512 to be substantially perpendicular to the first bottom panel 232 and the tab 520 is received in a recess 644 that is defined by the back panel 1 18 and the cutout 540 in the back positioning panel 270. The recess 644 releasably secures the tab 520 to releasably secure the brace panel 510 and the first bottom panel 232 in position.

Because of the resiliency of the material of the blank 500, the tab 520 is biased toward an unfolded condition. This characteristic of the material keeps the tab 520 in flat face contact with the back panel 1 18 in the recess 644. In addition, edges of the tab 520 are adjacent edges of the cutout 540. The edges of the cutout 540 are configured to obstruct vertical and lateral movement of the tab 520 in the recess 644. Particularly, the edges of the cutout 540 obstruct vertical and lateral movement of the tab 520 to prevent rotation of the brace panel 510 along the fold line 512 and rotation of the first bottom panel 232 along the fold line 236. The edges of the cutout 540 also obstruct vertical movement of the tab 520 due to forces on the brace panel 510. For example, referring to FIG. 12, the side edge 528 contacts the second side edge 548 and the top edge 524 contacts the top edge 544.

Referring to FIGs. 16 and 17, the back guide flap 272 is folded downward along the fold line 276. The distal edge 278 includes a step or notch such that the back guide flap 272 is not obstructed by the first bottom panel 232 as it is folded and such that the distal end of the back guide flap 272 is configured to be secured behind the back edge of the second bottom panel 252. The back guide flap 272 serves to guide the articles falling from the upper floor 300 correctly onto the lower floor 252 to regulate the flow of the article from the upper floor 300 to the lower floor 252.

Referring to FIGs. 17-19, the second bottom panel 252 is folded downward along the fold line 256 to overlap the first bottom panel 232. The set of bottom tabs 260, 262 is inserted into the set of bottom slots 168, 166 to secure the second bottom panel 252 in a downward folded position. The second bottom panel 252 is supported by the first bottom panel 232 and the brace panel 510.

Thereafter, the lower floor 620 is formed. The lower floor 620 is forward slanted towards the front wall 614. Referring again to FIG. 14, the brace panel 510 provides a brace 650 for the lower floor 620 towards the back wall 618 of the dispensing device 600.

The inner stop panel 140 is folded along the fold line 146 and secured against the inside surface of the outer stop panel 144 as the tab 152 is inserted into the slot 248.

The upper floor 624 of the dispensing device 600 is formed from the blank 102 shown in FIG. 1 . The blank 102 is inserted into the tubular structure to form the rearward-slanted upper floor 624. The blank 102 is inserted into the tubular structure; the tabs 310, 312, 314 are inserted into respective aligned slots

200/160, 202/162, 204/164; and the tabs 322, 324, 326 are inserted into respective aligned slots 212/172, 214/174, 216/176. A top opening 640 is adjacent the back edge of the upper floor 624.

The dispensing device 600 is thereafter formed as shown in FIG. 14 and is configured to receive and dispense cylindrical articles as described above with respect to dispensing device 104. THIRD EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 20, blanks 700, 702 are configured to be folded and secured to form a dispensing device 800 that is described below with reference to FIG. 21. The first blank 700 includes elements that are substantially similar to elements of the first blank 100. The elements of the first blank 700 that are substantially similar to elements of the first blank 100 have been labeled with the same numeral as the element of the first blank 100 and elements of the first blank 700 that have been described above with respect to the first blank 100 may not be described again in detail for purposes of clarity. In such instances, the description above with respect to the first blank 100 is applicable to the elements below of the first blank 700.

Continuing with FIG. 20, the blank 100 includes an edge flap 110, a first side panel 112, a front panel 114, a second side panel 116, and a back panel 118. The panels are hingedly connected one to the next along fold lines 120, 122, 124, 126.

An aperture 130 is defined in the first side panel 112, the front panel 114, and the second side panel 116. The aperture 130 interrupts the fold line 122 and the fold line 124 and separates an upper front wall portion 132 of the front panel 114 from a lower front wall portion 134 of the front panel 114.

The lower front wall portion 134 includes an inner stop panel 140 and an outer stop panel 144. The inner stop panel 140 is hingedly connected to the outer stop panel 144 along a fold line 146. The lower front wall portion 134 includes an aperture 150 that interrupts fold line 146. The aperture 150 is off- centered on the front panel 1 14. The inner stop panel 140 includes a tab 152.

The first side panel 112 includes a set of bottom slots 166, 168.

The blank 100 includes a first side securing panel 704, a front support panel 184, and a second side securing panel 706. The first side securing panel 704 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 112 along a fold line 192; the front support panel 184 is hingedly connected to the front panel 1 14 along a fold line 194; and the second side securing panel 706 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 116 along a fold line 196. The first side securing panel 704 includes a first top wall securing edge 710 and a first wing securing edge 712; the second side securing panel 706 includes a second top wall securing edge 720 and a second wing securing edge 722. The top wall securing edges and the wing securing edges are described in further detail below with respect to elements of the blank 702.

The blank 700 includes elements that are configured to form a forward slanted lower floor of the dispensing device 800. The blank 700 includes a first wedge panel 230 and a first bottom panel 232. The first wedge panel 230 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 112 along a fold line 234 and the first bottom panel 232 is hingedly connected to the first wedge panel 230 along a fold line 236.

The blank 100 includes a front gusset panel 240 and a front glue panel 242. The front gusset panel 240 is hingedly connected to the front panel 114 along a fold line 244, and the front glue panel 242 is hingedly connected to the front gusset panel 240 along an angled fold line 246. The fold lines 244, 246 are at an angle with respect to one another. The front gusset panel 240 includes a slot 248 adjacent the fold line 244. The slot 248 is configured to receive the tab 152.

The blank 100 includes a second wedge panel 250 and a second bottom panel 252. The second wedge panel 250 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 116 along a fold line 254 and the second bottom panel 252 is hingedly connected to the second wedge panel 250 along a fold line 256. A distal side edge 258 of the second bottom panel 252 includes a set of bottom tabs 260, 262. The set of bottom tabs 260, 262 is configured to be received in the set of bottom slots 166, 168. The second bottom panel 252 includes a front edge 266 and a back edge 268.

The blank 100 includes a back support panel 730. The back support panel 730 is hingedly connected to the back panel 118 along a fold line 732.

The fold line 236 is at an angle with respect to the fold line 234; and the fold line 256 is at an angle with respect to the fold line 254. In this embodiment, each of the angles are the same and the first wedge panel 230 and the second wedge panel 250 are configured angle a bottom wall of the dispensing device 800 front to back but not side to side.

Continuing with FIG. 20, the blank 702 is configured to form a backward slanted upper floor of the dispensing device 800. The blank 702 includes a top panel 750, a first wing 752, and a second wing 754. The first wing 752 is hingedly connected to a first side edge along a fold line 762 and the second wing 754 is hingedly connected to a second side edge along a fold line 764. The top panel 750 further includes a front edge 766 and a back edge 768.

The first wing 752 includes a front edge 770 including a cutout 772; a bottom edge 774 including a first notch 776 and a second notch 778; a back edge 780; and an angled edge 782. The second wing 754 includes a front edge 790 including a cutout 792; a bottom edge 794; a back edge 796; and an angled edge 798.

The dispensing device 800 can be erected from the blanks 700, 702 with folding and securing operations described below. The blank 700 can be folded and secured to form a collapsed tubular structure that can be stored in a collapsed condition and then erected and combined with the blank 702 to form the dispensing device 800. For reference, the outside surface of blank 700 is shown in FIG. 20.

The order of the steps can be altered according to manufacturing requirements, steps may be added or omitted, and the means for securing components to one another may vary. For example, the surfaces of sheet material may be secured together by means for securing including tape, staples, interlocking folds, hook and loop fasteners, glue or other adhesives, combinations thereof, and the like.

Adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the first side securing panel 704, the front support panel 184, and the second side securing panel 706. The first side securing panel 704 is folded along fold line 192 such that the inside surface of the first side securing panel 704 is secured to the inside surface of the first side panel 112. The front support panel 184 is folded along the fold line 194 such that the inside surface of the front support panel 184 is secured to the inside surface of the front panel 114. The second side securing panel 706 is folded along the fold line 196 such that the inside surface of the second side securing panel 706 is secured to the second side panel 116.

Adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the first wedge panel 230, the second wedge panel 250, and the back support panel 730. The first wedge panel 230 and the first bottom panel 232 are folded as a unit along the fold line 234 such that each is in flat face contact with the inside surface of the first side panel 112. As such, the inside surface of the first wedge panel 230 is secured to the inside surface of the first side panel 112. The front gusset panel 240 and the front glue panel 242 are folded as a unit along the fold line 244 such that each is in flat face contact with the inside surface of the front panel 114. The second wedge panel 250 and the second bottom panel 252 are folded as a unit along the fold line 254 such that each is in flat face contact with the inside surface of the second side panel 116. As such, the inside surface of the second wedge panel 250 is secured to the inside surface of the second side panel 116. The back support panel 730 is folded along the fold line 732 to be in flat face contact with the inside surface of the back panel 118. As such, the back support panel 730 is secured to the inside surface of the back panel 118.

The front glue panel 242 is folded along the fold line 246 such that the outside surface of the front glue panel 242 is in flat face contact with the outside surface of the front gusset panel 240. Adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the front glue panel 242. The blank 700 is folded along the fold line 122 such that the inside surface of the front glue panel 242 is secured to the outer surface of the first bottom panel 232.

Adhesive is applied to the outside surface of the edge flap 1 10. The blank 700 is folded along the fold line 126 such that the inside surface of the back panel 118 is secured to the outside surface of the edge flap 110.

Thereafter, the blank 700 is a folded and secured as a collapsed tubular structure that can be erected by folding along the fold lines 120, 122, 124, 126 such that the front panel 114 and the back panel 118 are perpendicular to the first side panel 112 and the second side panel 116. The erected panels 112, 114, 116, 1 18 form a rectangular tubular structure and are arranged as vertical walls. The first side panel 112 is erected as a first side wall 812, front panel 114 is erected as a front wall 814, the second side panel 116 is erected as the second side wall 816, and the back panel 118 is erected as the back wall 818. The aperture 130 defines an edge of the dispensing opening 842 formed in the side walls 812, 816 and the front wall 814.

As the panels 112, 1 14, 116, 118 are pulled apart, the front gusset panel 240 pulls the first bottom panel 232 downward along the fold line 236. This "auto bottom" style fold sequence automatically occurs when the tubular structure is opened. The first bottom panel 232 folds in a way that creates a bottom shelf on which the second bottom panel 252 is supported.

The second bottom panel 252 is folded downward along the fold line 256 to overlap the first bottom panel 232. The set of bottom tabs 260, 262 is inserted into the set of bottom slots 168, 166 to secure the second bottom panel 252 in a downward folded position. Thereafter, a lower floor 820 is formed. The lower floor 820 is forward slanted towards the front wall 814.

The inner stop panel 140 is folded along the fold line 146 and secured against the inside surface of the outer stop panel 144 as the tab 152 is inserted into the slot 248. Particularly, the inner stop panel 140 is folded along fold line 146 through the aperture 130 into the tubular structure and the tab 152 is inserted into the slot 248. Once the tab 152 is received in the slot 248, the inner stop panel 140 is held in position against the inside surface of the outer stop panel 144.

An upper floor 824 of the dispensing device 104 is formed from the blank 702. The blank 702 is folded along the fold lines 762, 764 and inserted into the tubular structure (also referred to as an outer shell 700) to form the rearward- slanted upper floor 824. The folded blank 702 (also referred to as an insert 702) is inserted into the tubular structure such that the bottom tab 262 and the bottom tab 260 are received in the second notch 778 and the first notch 776,

respectively.

Once in the tubular structure (outer shell), the bottom edge 774 and the bottom edge 794 rest one the lower floor 820; the back edge 780 and the back edge 796 rest against or are adjacent the back wall 818; the front edge 770 and the front edge 790 rest against or are adjacent the front wall 814 with the cutout 772 and the cutout 792 aligned with the opening 842; the angled edge 782 is engaged by the first wing securing edge 712; the angled edge 798 is engaged by the second wing securing edge 722; and the top panel 750 is engaged by the first top wall securing edge 710 and by the second top wall securing edge 720.

The angles of each of the first top wall securing edge 710, the first wing securing edge 712, the second top wall securing edge 720, the second wing securing edge 722, the angled edge 782, and the angled edge 798 is configured to restrict vertical and lateral movement of the blank 702 when it is inserted in an erected tubular structure formed form the blank 700. The first wing securing edge 712 and the second wing securing edge 722 are angled downwardly from the back wall 818 to the front wall 814. The first top wall securing edge 710 and the second top wall securing edge 720 are angled downwardly from the front wall 814 to the back wall 818. The first top wall securing edge 710 and the first wing securing edge 712 are at an angle with respect to one another, sloping downwardly in opposite directions. Similarly, the second top wall securing edge 720 and the second wing securing edge 722 are at an angle with respect to one another, sloping downwardly in opposite directions.

Referring to FIG. 21 , contact between the second wing securing edge 722 and the angled edge 798 restricts upward and forward movement of the insert formed from the blank 702. As another example, contact between the second top wall securing edge 720 and the top panel 750 restricts upward and rearward movement of the insert formed from the blank 702. Although not shown, the same description is applicable to the first top wall securing edge 710, the first wing securing edge 712, the angled edge 782, and the top panel 750.

The dispensing device 800 is thereafter fully formed and is configured to receive and dispense cylindrical articles. The backward slanted upper floor 824 biases or directs the cylindrical articles toward a back end of the dispensing device 800 (e.g., back wall 818) where the articles can move through a top opening 840 and onto the forward slanted lower floor 820. The articles are then biased or directed toward a front end of the dispensing device 800 (e.g., the front wall 814). A lower forwardmost article article next to the dispensing opening 842 can be dispensed from the dispensing device 800 through the dispensing opening 842.

The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of principles. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described

embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.