CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application

No. 61/863,589 filed August 8, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

BACKGROUND

Various dispensing devices are used to support a carton and to dispense beverage cans from the carton. However, such dispensing devices are generally formed from rigid plastics, which are costly. Moreover, dispensing devices formed from rigid plastics are not collapsible so as to be difficult to transport and store. SUMMARY

Dispensing devices described below are formed from a substrate and can be transported and stored in a flattened state. The dispensing device is configured to receive a carton on a backward slanted upper deck of the dispensing device. The backward-slanted upper deck directs beverage cans toward a back end of the dispensing device and out of the carton onto a forward- slanted lower deck of the dispensing device. The forward slanted lower deck directs cans toward a front end of the dispensing device where a beverage can may be removed. As a beverage can is removed, gravity feeds any remaining cans backward along the backward-slanted upper deck and forward on the forward-slanted lower deck until another can is in position to be removed. In some embodiments, a stop at the base of the forward-slanted lower deck holds a beverage in position to be removed. According to an exemplary embodiment, a dispensing device includes an upper deck slanted downwardly towards a back end, a lower deck slanted downwardly towards a front end, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The upper deck is hingedly connected to an upper edge of at least one of the first side wall and second side wall.

The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. 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 of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention 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.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dispensing device formed from the blanks of FIG. 1 and a carton that can be supported on a top wall of the dispensing device.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side elevational view of the dispensing device of FIG. 2 and a cut away view of a carton supported on a top wall of the dispensing device.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional front elevational view of the dispensing device of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a third blank and a fourth blank.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dispensing device formed from the blanks of FIG. 5 and a carton that can be supported on a top wall of the dispensing device.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a fifth blank. FIGs. 8-10 are plan views of the blank of FIG. 7 as it is folded according to an exemplary method.

FIG. 1 1 is a cross sectional side elevational view of a dispensing device formed from the blank of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional bottom view of a dispensing device formed from the blank of FIG. 7.

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.

Exemplary embodiments of dispensing devices described herein are configured to dispense beverage cans from a carton. However, dispensing devices can be configured to dispense other articles and/or different

arrangements of articles that may be contained within a carton.

As used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom", "base", "front", "back", "rear", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not necessarily limit the respective panels to such orientation, but may merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another.

As used herein, the term "hingedly connect" refers to all manner of connecting two or more areas or portions of a blank of sheet material, that involves hinge features for facilitating folding the areas or portions of the blank with respect to one another, or otherwise involves structural features that indicate optimal panel folding locations for the blank. Each of such hinge features or structural features may include one or more fold lines.

As used herein, the term "fold line" may refer to one of the following: a scored line, an embossed line, a debossed line, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, an interrupted cut line, aligned slits, a line of scores and any combination of the aforesaid options. For ease of

distinguishing, fold lines are shown as dashed lines in illustrations of blanks.

As used herein, the term "severance line" refers to all manner of lines that facilitate separating portions of the substrate from one another or that indicate optimal separation locations. The term "severance line" may refer to one of the following: a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, an interrupted cut line, aligned slits, and any combination of the aforesaid options.

Those elements of a fold line or a severance line such as cuts, perforations and scores, can be dimensioned and arranged to provide a desired functionality. For example, a line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness to define a fold line and/or a severance line. For example, a line of perforations can be designed to facilitate folding and resist breaking in order to provide a fold line, to facilitate folding and facilitate breaking with more effort in order to provide a severance line that can function also as a fold line at least temporarily, or to facilitate breaking with little effort in order to provide a regular severance line.

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 from a carton that is supported on the dispensing device. Referring to FIG. 1 , blanks 100, 102 are configured to be folded and secured to form a dispensing device 104 that is described below with reference to FIG. 2. Continuing with FIG. 1 , the blank 100 includes an edge panel 1 10, 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. Edge panel 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 118 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 parallel fold lines 146, 148. The lower front wall portion 134 includes an aperture 150 that interrupts fold lines 146, 148.

The inner stop panel 140 includes a stepped edge 152. The stepped edge 152 includes a tab portion 154, a first recessed portion 156, a second recessed portion 158, a first medial portion 160, and a second medial portion 162. Using the fold line 146 as an exemplary reference point, the tab portion 154 is distal from the fold line 146 and the recessed portions 156, 158 are proximal to the fold line 146.

The blank 100 includes a first bottom panel 170, a first bottom flap 172, a second bottom panel 174, and a second bottom flap 176. The first bottom panel 170 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 112 along a fold line 180, the first bottom flap 172 is hingedly connected to the front panel 1 14 along a fold line 182, the second bottom panel 174 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 1 16 along a fold line 184, and the second bottom flap 176 is hingedly connected to the back panel 118 along a fold line 186.

The first bottom flap 172 includes a slot 190 adjacent the fold line 182. The slot 190 is configured to receive the tab portion 154 of the inner stop panel 140. For example, the slot 190 has a length and width that is configured to receive the length and thickness of the tab portion 154. The first bottom panel 170 includes a recessed edge 192 that is configured to allow the tab portion 154 to be received in the slot 190 when the first bottom flap 172 is folded over the outside of the first bottom panel 170 as described in further detail below.

The first bottom panel 170 includes a recess 188, the first bottom flap 172 includes a distal tab portion 194, the second bottom panel 174 includes a distal tab portion 196, and the second bottom flap 176 includes a distal tab portion 198.

The blank 100 includes a first top panel 200 and a second top panel 202. The first top panel 200 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 112 along a fold line 204 and separable in part from the first side panel 112 along a severance line 206. The second top panel 202 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 116 along a fold line 208 and separable in part from the second side panel 116 along a severance line 210.

An upper front wall support panel 212 includes an outer support panel 214 and an inner support panel 218. The outer support panel 214 is hingedly connected to a front edge of the second top panel 202 along a fold line 220, and the inner support panel 218 is hingedly connected to the outer support panel 214 along fold line 222, 224. The upper front wall support panel 212 includes an aperture 226 that interrupts fold lines 222, 224.

A distal edge 228 of the inner support panel 218 (e.g., distal with respect to the fold line 220) includes a tab 230 and a front edge of the first top panel 200 includes a recess 232. The tab 230 is configured to be received in the recess 232.

A side edge 234 of the second top panel 202 includes a tab 236 and the first side panel 112 includes a slot 238. The slot 238 is substantially parallel to and slightly offset from alignment with the fold line 204. The tab 236 is configured to be received in the slot 238 and is positioned toward a back edge 240 of the second top panel 202.

The severance lines 206, 210 define rail portions 244, 242 of the side panels 1 12, 116 and cutout portions 248, 246 of the top panels 200, 202. The tab 236 is formed near the rail portion 242 and the slot 238 is formed in the rail portion 244. The second blank 102 includes a ramp panel 250 and wings 252, 254. The wings 252, 254 are hingedly connected to side edges of the lower ramp panel 250 along fold lines 256, 258. The ramp panel 250 includes tabs 260, 262 at a front edge 264. The tabs 260, 262 are configured to be received in recesses defined by recessed portions 156, 158 of the stepped edge 152 of inner stop panel 140.

The wings 252, 254 include outer edges 266, 268. The fold lines 256, 258 and the outer edges 266, 268 are arranged at forward angles F1 , F2. Similarly, fold lines 204, 208 and fold lines 180, 184 are arranged at backward angles B1 , B2.

Referring to FIG. 2, the dispensing device 104 includes a first side wall 312, a front wall 314, a second side wall 316, a back wall 318, a bottom wall 320, a forward slanted ramp 322 or lower deck, and a backward slanted top wall 324 or upper deck. Rail portions 330, 332, 334 of the first side wall 312, the back wall 318, and the second side wall 316 extend above the top wall 324 and are configured to provide lateral support to a carton 360 (shown in dashed lines) that is supported on the top wall 324. The top wall 324 includes a top opening 340 adjacent the back wall 318 and the rail portions 330, 332, 334.

The front wall 314 and side walls 312, 316 include a dispensing opening 342. The dispensing opening 342 is wider at the middle of the front wall 314 to allow a hand to reach through the opening and grasp the sidewall of an article 362. The dispensing opening 342 extends along the side walls 312, 316 to allow a hand to grasp the ends of an article 362.

Referring to FIGs. 1 -4, the dispensing device 104 can be erected from the blanks 100, 102 with folding and securing operations described below. For reference, the inside surface of each of the blanks 100, 102 is shown in FIG. 1. 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. According to a first series of steps, the blank 100 is folded and secured into a collapsed tubular structure. The blank 100 is folded along fold line 122 such that the inside surface of first side panel 1 12 overlaps and is in flat face contact with the inside surface of the front panel 114 and part of the second side panel 116. Adhesive is applied to the outside surface of the edge panel 110. The blank 100 is folded along fold line 126 such that the inside surface of the back panel 118 overlaps and is secured to the outside surface of the edge panel 110. Thereafter, the panels 1 12, 114, 116, 1 18 form a collapsed tubular structure with the first side panel 112 hingedly connected to the back panel 1 18 along fold line 120.

The blank 100 is then erected as a tubular structure with the panels 112, 114, 1 16, 118 arranged as substantially vertical walls. The first side panel 112 is erected as the first side wall 312, front panel 114 is erected as the front wall 314, the second side panel 116 is erected as the second side wall 316, and the back panel 118 is erected as the back wall 318. The aperture 130 defines an edge of the dispensing opening 342 formed in the side walls 312, 316 and the front wall 314.

The bottom wall 320 is formed at a lower opening of the tubular structure by folding the first bottom panel 170 along the fold line 180 so as to be substantially perpendicular to the first side panel 112; folding the first bottom flap 172 and the second bottom flap 176 along fold lines 182, 186 to overlap the outside surface of the first bottom panel 170; and folding the second bottom panel 174 over the outside surface of each of the first bottom panel 170, the distal tab portion 194 of the first bottom flap 172, and the distal tab portion 198 of the second bottom flap 176. The second bottom panel 174 is further folded inwardly into the tubular structure, thereby folding the first bottom panel 170, the first bottom flap 172, and the second bottom panel 174 inwardly, until the distal tab portion 196 is received in the recess 188. Thereafter, the first bottom panel 170, the first bottom flap 172, the second bottom panel 174, and the second bottom flap 176 are folded outwardly until they are substantially perpendicular to the walls 312, 314, 316, 318.

Although the material of blank 100 is generally biased towards an initially unfolded position (e.g., outwardly), the bottom panels 170, 174 and bottom flaps 172, 176 resist outward folding of one another as the bottom flaps 172, 176 overlap the first bottom panel 170, the second bottom panel 174 overlaps the bottom flaps 172, 176 and the first bottom panel 170, and the first bottom panel 170 overlaps the second bottom panel 174.

Referring to FIGs. 3 and 4, the front wall 314 is further formed by folding the inner stop panel 140. The inner stop panel 140 is folded along fold lines 146, 148 through the aperture 130 into the tubular structure and the tab portion 154 is inserted into the slot 190. The use of two fold lines 146, 148 facilitates folding thicker material such as corrugated cardboard. Once the tab portion 154 is received in the slot 190, the inner stop panel 140 is held in position against the inside surface of the outer stop panel 144. The medial portions 160, 162 of the stepped edge 152 abut the inside surface of the bottom wall 320 (e.g., the first bottom panel 170 or the first bottom flap 172) and the recessed portions 156, 158 are offset from the bottom wall 320 to define recesses 350, 352 (see FIG. 4). The aperture 150 partially defines the edge of a wider middle part of the dispensing opening 342.

The blank 102 is folded and inserted into the tubular structure onto the bottom wall 320 to form the forward-slanted ramp 322 or lower deck. The wings 252, 254 are folded downwardly to be substantially perpendicular to the ramp panel 250. The blank 102 is inserted into the tubular structure such that the tabs 262, 260 are received in the recesses 350, 352, outer edges 266, 268 of the wings 252, 254 abut the bottom wall 320, and the outside surfaces of the wings 254, 252 are in flat face contact with the side walls 312, 316.

The front edge 264 is secured against the bottom wall 320 as the tabs 262, 260 are received in the recesses 350, 352. The wings 252, 254 flex outwardly against the side panels 112, 116 to frictionally secure the back end of the blank 102 in place. The front edge 264 abuts the inner stop panel 140 to additionally hold the inner stop panel 140 in place. The blank 102 also resists the inward folding of the bottom panels 170, 174 and bottom flaps 172, 176.

The top panels 200, 202 are folded and secured to form the backward slanted top wall 324 or upper deck. The first top panel 200 is folded inwardly along the fold line 204 so as to be substantially perpendicular to first side panel 112. The second top panel 202 is folded inwardly along the fold line 208 to overlap the outside surface of the first top panel 200. The tab 236 is inserted into the slot 238 and thereby secures the back end of the second top panel 202 in a folded position. The first top panel 200 is generally biased toward an unfolded position. As such, the first top panel 200 is biased against the inside surface of the second top panel 202 and the tab 236 and slot 238 secure both the top panels 200, 202 in a folded position.

Referring momentarily to FIGs. 2 and 3, when folded to overlap, the top panels 200, 202 close each other's cutout portion 246, 248, forming a single-layer portion of the top wall 324. This single-layer portion of the top wall 324 extends from front edges of the rail portions 330, 334 toward the back rail portion 332. Separation between back edges of the top panels 200, 202 and back edges of the side panels 112, 1 16 creates the top opening 340 in the top wall 324 adjacent the back wall 318. Referring to FIGs. 1 , 3, and 4, the front edge of the top wall 324 (second top panel 202) is additionally secured by folding and securing the upper front wall support panel 212. The upper front wall support panel 212 is folded downwardly along the fold line 220 such that the inside surface of the outer support panel 214 overlaps the outside surface of the upper front wall portion 132.

The upper front wall support panel 212 is then folded along the fold lines 222, 224 such that the inner support panel 218 is folded through the dispensing opening 342 and upwardly to be against the inside surface of the upper front wall portion 132. The tab 230 is inserted into the recess 232 to hold the upper front wall support panel 212 in a folded position. The upper front wall support panel 212 wraps around the upper front wall portion 132 to secure the front edge of the second top panel 202. The aperture 226 partially defines the wider middle part of the edge of the dispensing opening 342.

The dispensing device 104 is thereafter formed as shown in FIG. 2-4 and is configured to receive the carton 360 of cylindrical articles 362. The top wall 324 supports the carton 360 from below and rail portions 330, 332, 334 laterally support the carton 360. The backward slanted top wall 324 tilts the carton 360 toward the rail portions 330, 332, 334 and top opening 340.

The carton 360 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a first side wall 380, a front wall 382, a second side wall 384, a back wall 386, a bottom wall 388, and a top wall 390. The bottom wall 388 of the carton 360 rests on the top wall 324 of the dispensing device 104, the first side wall 380 is supported by the rail portion 330, the second side wall 384 is supported by the rail portion 334, and the back wall 386 is supported by the rail portion 332.

Referring to FIG. 3, the bottom wall 388 of the carton 360 includes a bottom opening 392. The bottom opening 392 is formed toward the back wall 386 such that, as the carton 360 is supported on the dispensing device 104, the bottom opening 392 aligns with the top opening 340 and articles 362 are allowed to move through both the bottom opening 392 and the top opening 340. The backward slanted top wall 324 has an angle 394 and the forward slanted ramp 322 has an angle 396. As the carton 360 rests on the backward slanted top wall 324, articles 362 in the carton 360 are biased or directed toward a back end of the dispensing device 104 (e.g., back wall 318) where the articles 362 can move through the aligned openings 392, 340 and onto the forward slanted ramp 322. The articles 362 are then biased or directed toward a front end of the dispensing device (e.g., the front wall 314). The lower portion of the front wall 314 stops an article 362 and positions the article 362 next to the dispensing opening 342 where the article 362 can be dispensed from the dispensing device 104 through the dispensing opening 342.

Another exemplary embodiment including blanks 400, 402 and a dispensing device 404 is illustrated in FIGs. 5 and 6. The dispensing device 404 includes elements that are similar to those of the dispensing device 104 and blanks 400, 402 include elements that are similar to those of blanks 100, 102. Such elements of blanks 400, 402 and dispensing device 404 are designated with the same last two numbers of the corresponding element of blanks 100, 102 or dispensing device 104 and a first number increased by three. For example, a first side panel 412 of blank 400 is substantially similar to a first side panel 112 of blank 100. For clarity, such elements are not again described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 5, the blank 400 includes an edge panel 410, a first side panel 412, a front panel 414, a second side panel 416, and a back panel 418. The panels are hingedly connected one to the next along fold lines 420, 422, 424, 426.

An aperture 430 is defined in the first side panel 412, the front panel 414, and the second side panel 416. The aperture 430 interrupts the fold lines 422, 424 and separates an upper front wall portion 432 of the front panel 414 from a lower front wall portion 434 of the front panel 414. The lower front wall portion 434 includes an inner stop panel 440 and an outer stop panel 444. The inner stop panel 440 is hingedly connected to the outer stop panel 444 along parallel fold lines 446, 448. The lower front wall portion 434 includes an aperture 450 that interrupts fold lines 446, 448.

The inner stop panel 140 includes a stepped edge 452. The stepped edge 452 includes a tab portion 454, a first recessed portion 456, a second recessed portion 458, a first medial portion 460, and a second medial portion 462. The blank 400 includes a first bottom panel 470, a first bottom flap 472, a second bottom panel 474, and a second bottom flap 476. The first bottom panel 470 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 412 along a fold line 480, the first bottom flap 472 is hingedly connected to the front panel 414 along a fold line 482, the second bottom panel 474 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 416 along a fold line 484, and the second bottom flap 476 is hingedly connected to the back panel 418 along a fold line 486. The first bottom flap 472 includes a slot 490 adjacent the fold line 482.

The first bottom panel 470 includes a recess 488, the first bottom flap 472 includes a distal tab portion 494, the second bottom panel 474 includes a distal tab portion 496, and the second bottom flap 476 includes a distal tab portion 498.

The blank 400 includes a first top panel 570 that is hingedly connected to the first side panel 412 along a fold line 572 and that is separable in part from the first side panel 412 along severance lines 574, 576. The severance line 574 defines a first back rail portion 578 of the first side panel 412 and a back edge of the first top panel 570 that is offset from a back edge (e.g., fold line 420) of the first side panel 412. The severance line 576 defines a first medial rail portion 580 of the first side panel 412 and a cutout portion 582 of the first top panel 570 that is formed when the first top panel 570 is separated from the first side panel 412 along the severance line 576. The first back rail portion 578 is spaced apart from the first medial rail portion 580. The blank 400 includes a second top panel 586 that is hingedly connected to the second side panel 416 along a fold line 588 and that is separable in part from the second side panel 416 along severance lines 590, 592. The severance line 592 defines a second back rail portion 598 of the second side panel 416 and a back edge of the second top panel 586 that is offset from a back edge (e.g., fold line 426) of the second side panel 416. The severance line 590 defines a second medial rail portion 594 of the second side panel 416 and a cutout portion 596 of the second top panel 586. The cutout portion 596 is formed when the second top panel 586 is separated from the second side panel 416 along the severance line 590. The second back rail portion 598 is spaced apart from the second medial rail portion 594.

The blank 400 further includes a tab 597 that is hingedly connected to the second top panel 586 along a fold line 599 at an edge of the second top panel 586 that is opposite fold line 588. The tab 597 is configured to be received and secured in cutout portion 582. For example, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the maximum width of the tab 597 is greater than the maximum width of the cutout portion 582 and the length of the fold line 599 is substantially equal to the linear distance between the ends of the severance line 576.

An upper front wall support panel 512 includes an outer support panel 514 and an inner support panel 518. The outer support panel 514 is hingedly connected to a front edge of the second top panel 586 along a fold line 520, and the inner support panel 518 is hingedly connected to the outer support panel 514 along fold lines 522, 524. The upper front wall support panel 512 includes an aperture 526 that interrupts fold lines 522, 524. A distal edge 528 of the inner support panel 518 includes a tab 530 and a front edge of the first top panel 570 includes a recess 532. The second blank 402 includes a ramp panel 550 and wings 552, 554. The wings 552, 554 are hingedly connected to side edges of the lower ramp panel 550 along fold lines 556, 558. The ramp panel 550 includes tabs 560, 562 at a front edge 564. The wings 552, 554 include outer edges 566, 568. The fold lines 556, 558 and the outer edges 566, 568 are arranged at forward angles F1 , F2. Similarly, fold lines 572, 588 and fold lines 480, 484 are arranged at backward angles B1 , B2.

Referring to FIG. 6, the dispensing device 404 includes a first side wall 612, a front wall 614, a second side wall 616, a back wall 618, a bottom wall 620, a forward slanted ramp 622 or lower deck, and a backward slanted top wall 624 or upper deck. Rail portions 630, 632, 634, 636, 638 of the first side wall 612, the back wall 618, and the second side wall 616 extend above the top wall 624 and are configured to provide lateral support to a carton 660 (shown in dashed lines) that is supported on the top wall 624. The top wall 624 includes a top opening 640 adjacent the back wall 618 and the rail portions 630, 632, 634. The rail portions 636, 638 are separated from rail portions 630, 632, 634 and provide additional support to the side walls of the carton 360 towards the front end or front wall 614 of the dispensing device 404. The front wall 614 and side walls 612, 616 include a dispensing opening 642.

The dispensing device 404 is formed similar to the way the dispensing device 104 is formed, as described above. For example, formation of the first side wall 612, the front wall 614, the second side wall 616, the back wall 618, the bottom wall 620, and the ramp 622 (or lower deck) is substantially the same as is described above with respect to dispensing device 104. For clarity, these steps are not again described in detail.

Referring to FIGs. 5 and 6, the top panels 570, 586 are folded and secured to form the backward slanted top wall 624 or upper deck. The first top panel 570 is folded inwardly along the fold line 572 so as to be substantially perpendicular to first side panel 412. The second top panel 586 is folded inwardly along the fold line 588 and the tab 597 is folded along fold line 599 and inserted into the cutout portion 582. The tab 597 is secured in the cutout portion 582 and thereby secures the second top panel 586 in a folded position, overlapping the outside surface of the first top panel 570. As such, the tab 597 secures both the top panels 570, 586 in a folded position to form the top wall 624.

Referring to FIG. 6, when folded to overlap, the top panels 570, 586 close each other's cutout portion 582, 596, forming a single-layer portion of the top wall 624 adjacent rail portions 636, 638. Separation between back edges of the top panels 570, 586 and back edges of the side panels 412, 416 creates the top opening 640 in the top wall 624 adjacent the back wall 618.

Another exemplary embodiment including a blank 700 and a dispensing device 1004 is illustrated in FIGs. 7-12. The dispensing device 1004 includes elements that are similar to those of the dispensing device 104 and blank 700 include elements that are similar to those of blank 100. Such elements of blank 700 and dispensing device 1004 are designated with the same last two numbers of the corresponding element of blank 100 or dispensing device 104 and a first number increased by six. For example, a first side panel 712 of blank 700 is substantially similar to a first side panel 112 of blank 100. For clarity, such elements are not again described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 7, the blank 700 includes an edge panel 710, a first side panel 712, a front panel 714, a second side panel 716, and a back panel 718. The panels are hingedly connected one to the next along fold lines 720, 722, 724, 726. In this embodiment, the back panel 718 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 712 along the double fold line 720 and the edge panel 710 is hingedly connected to the second side panel along a fold line 726.

An aperture 730 is defined in the first side panel 712, the front panel 714, and the second side panel 716. The aperture 730 interrupts the fold lines 722, 724 and separates an upper front wall portion 732 of the front panel 714 from a lower front wall portion 734 of the front panel 714. The lower front wall portion 734 includes an inner stop panel 740 and an outer stop panel 744. The inner stop panel 740 is hingedly connected to the outer stop panel 744 along parallel fold lines 746/748. The inner stop panel 740 includes a stepped edge 752 with a tab portion 754.

The blank 700 includes a first top panel 800 and a second top panel 802. The first top panel 800 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 712 along a fold line 804 and separable in part from the first side panel 712 along a severance line 806. The second top panel 802 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 716 along a fold line 808 and separable in part from the second side panel 716 along a severance line 810.

An upper front wall support panel 812 includes an outer support panel 814 and an inner support panel 818. The outer support panel 814 is hingedly connected to a front edge of the first top panel 800 along a fold line 820, and the inner support panel 818 is hingedly connected to the outer support panel 814 along fold lines 822, 824. A distal edge 828 of the inner support panel 818 includes a tab 830 and a front edge of the second top panel 802 includes a recess 832.

The first top panel 800 includes a tab 836 and the second side panel 716 includes a slot 838. The severance lines 806, 810 define rail portions 844, 842 of the side panels 712, 716 and cutout portions 848, 846 of the top panels 800, 802.

The blank 700 includes elements that are configured to form a forward slanted bottom wall or lower deck of the dispensing device 704. The blank 700 includes a back positioning panel 870, a back gusset panel 872, and a back glue panel 874. The back positioning panel 870 is hingedly connected to the back panel 718 along a double fold line 876, the back gusset panel 872 is hingedly connected to the back positioning panel 870 along a fold line 878, and the back glue panel 874 is hingedly connected to the back gusset panel 872 along a double fold line 880. The fold line 880 is formed at an angle with respect to the fold line 878.

The blank 700 includes a first wedge panel 882 and a second wedge panel 912 each of which is wedge shaped (e.g., triangular, trapezoidal or otherwise shaped substantially similarly so as to have a pair of divergently extending edges). The blank 700 also includes a first bottom panel 884 and a second bottom panel 914. The first wedge panel 882 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 712 along a double fold line 886 and the first bottom panel 884 is hingedly connected to the first wedge panel 882 along a fold line 888. The fold line 888 is at an angle with respect to the fold line 886. The first bottom panel 884 includes tabs 890, 892. The second side panel 716 includes slots 894, 896. The slots 894, 896 are configured to receive the tabs 890, 892 to releasably secure the first bottom panel 884 to the second side panel 716.

The blank 700 includes a front positioning panel 898, a front gusset panel 900, and a front glue panel 902. The front positioning panel 898 is hingedly connected to a front panel 714 (e.g., outer stop panel 744) lower along a fold line 904, the front gusset panel 900 is hingedly connected to the front positioning panel 898 along a fold line 906, and the front glue panel 902 is hingedly connected to the front gusset panel 900 along a double fold line 908. The fold lines 904, 906 are substantially parallel to one another and the fold line 908 is at an angle with respect to the fold line 906. The front gusset panel 900 includes a slot 910 adjacent the fold line 906. The slot 910 is configured to receive the tab portion 754.

The second wedge panel 912 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 716 along a double fold line 916 and the second bottom panel 914 is hingedly connected to the wedge panel 912 along a fold line 918. The fold line 916 is at an angle with respect to the fold line 918. For example, the angle of the taper of the wedge panels 882, 912 is similar to the angles F1 , F2 of the wings 252, 254 of the blank 102.

Referring momentarily to FIGs. 11 and 12, the dispensing device 1004 includes a first side wall 1012, a front wall 1014, a second side wall 1016, a back wall 1018, a forward slanted bottom wall 1020 or lower deck, and a backward slanted top wall 1024 or upper deck.

Referring to FIGs. 7-10, the blank 700 can be folded to form a collapsed tubular structure that can be stored in a collapsed condition and then erected to form the dispensing device. 704. The outside surface of blank 700 is shown in FIG. 7 and the inside surface of blank 700 (other than folded portions) is shown in FIG. 8. Referring to FIGs. 7 and 8, adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the back positioning panel 870. The back positioning panel 870, the back gusset panel 872, and the back glue panel 874 are folded as a unit along fold line 876 such that each is in flat face contact with the inside surface of back panel 718. As such, the inside surface of the back positioning panel 870 is secured to the inside surface of the back panel 718.

Adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the first wedge panel 882. The first wedge panel 882 and first bottom panel 884 are folded as a unit along the fold line 886 such that each is in flat face contact with the inside surface of first side panel 712. As such, the inside surface of the first wedge panel 882 is secured to the inside surface of the first side panel 712.

Adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the front positioning panel 898. The front positioning panel 898, the front gusset panel 900, and the front glue panel 902 are folded as a unit along fold line 904 such that each is in flat face contact with the inside surface of the front panel 714. As such, the inside surface of the front positioning panel 898 is secured to the inside surface of the front panel 714.

Adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the second wedge panel 912. The second wedge panel 912 and second bottom panel 914 are folded as a unit along the fold line 916 such that each is in flat face contact with the inside surface of second side panel 716. As such, the inside surface of the second wedge panel 912 is secured to the inside surface of the second side panel 716. Continuing with FIG. 8, the back glue panel 874 is folded along the fold line 880 such that the outside surface of the back glue panel 874 is in flat face contact with the outside surface of the back gusset panel 872. The front glue panel 902 is folded along the fold line 908 such that the outside surface of the front glue panel 902 is in flat face contact with the outside surface of the front gusset panel 900.

Referring to FIGs. 8 and 9, adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the front glue panel 902. The blank 700 is folded along the fold line 724 such that the inside surface of the front glue panel 902 is secured to the outer surface of the second bottom panel 914.

Referring to FIGs. 9 and 10, adhesive is applied to the outside surface of the edge panel 710 and the inside surface of the back glue panel 874. The blank 700 is folded along fold line 720 such that the inside surface of the back panel 718 is secured to the outside surface of the edge panel 710 and the outside surface of the first bottom panel 884 is secured to the inside surface of the back glue panel 874.

Referring to FIG. 10, the blank 700 is a collapsed tubular structure that can be erected by folding along the fold lines 720, 722, 724, 726 such that the front panel 714 and the back panel 718 are substantially perpendicular to the first side panel 712 and the second side panel 716, forming a substantially rectangular tubular structure including the first side wall 1012, the front wall 1014, the second side wall 1016, and the back wall 1018.

As the panels 712, 714, 716, 718 are pulled apart, the gusset panels 872, 900 pull the first bottom panel 884 and the second bottom panel 914 downward along fold lines 888, 918 to overlap and form the bottom wall 1020 or lower deck. When the panels 712, 714, 716, 718 are formed as a substantially rectangular tubular structure, the bottom panels 884, 914 overlap one another and are substantially perpendicular to the side panels 712, 716. Particularly, the first bottom panel 884 overlaps the second bottom panel 914. The tabs 890, 892 are inserted into the slots 894, 896 to secure the first bottom panel 884 in place. The first bottom panel 884 holds the second bottom panel 914 in a folded condition. In this embodiment, the bottom wall 1020 is forward slanted and functions as a ramp.

The inner stop panel 740 is folded along the fold line 746/748 and secured against the inside surface of the outer stop panel 744 as the tab 754 is inserted into the slot 910. The top wall or upper deck 1024 of the dispensing device 1004 is formed from the top panels 800, 802 as described above with respect to the top panels 200, 202 of blank 100.

Summarizing the device of Figs. 7-12, the front wall 744 and back wall 718 each is hingedly connected to the first and second side walls 716, 712 to form a collapsible tubular structure that is collapsible into a flat tubular form. The front gusset panel 900 is hingedly connected to the first bottom panel 914 and to the front wall 744 such that the first bottom panel 914 and the front gusset panel 900 are folded into a face contacting arrangement respectively with the first side wall 716 and the front wall 744 when the tubular structure is collapsed into the flat tubular form as shown in Fig. 10. The back gusset panel 872 is hingedly connected to the second bottom panel 884 and to the back wall 718 such that the second bottom panel 884 and the back gusset panel 872 are folded into a face contacting arrangement respectively with the second side wall 712 and the back wall 71 8 when the tubular structure is collapsed into the flat tubular form (Fig. 10)

The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. 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.