US20120318817A1 - Product Dispensing System with Tapered Opening Tool - Google Patents
Product Dispensing System with Tapered Opening Tool Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120318817A1 US20120318817A1 US13/591,337 US201213591337A US2012318817A1 US 20120318817 A1 US20120318817 A1 US 20120318817A1 US 201213591337 A US201213591337 A US 201213591337A US 2012318817 A1 US2012318817 A1 US 2012318817A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- support deck
- container
- dispensing system
- product dispensing
- frame
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/44—Integral, inserted or attached portions forming internal or external fittings
- B65D5/52—External stands or display elements for contents
- B65D5/5206—External stands for supporting the container in display position, e.g. easels, covers forming a support for the containers in the display position
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
- B65H3/46—Supplementary devices or measures to assist separation or prevent double feed
- B65H3/56—Elements, e.g. scrapers, fingers, needles, brushes, acting on separated article or on edge of the pile
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F1/00—Racks for dispensing merchandise; Containers for dispensing merchandise
- A47F1/04—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs
- A47F1/08—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from bottom
- A47F1/087—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from bottom the container having approximately horizontal tracks of the serpentine type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D25/20—External fittings
- B65D25/24—External fittings for spacing bases of containers from supporting surfaces, e.g. legs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/72—Contents-dispensing means
- B65D5/725—Incised or pre-scored openings or windows provided in the side wall of containers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
- B65D71/12—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank
- B65D71/36—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers, with end walls
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
- G07F11/28—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are inclined
- G07F11/32—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are inclined two or magazines having a common delivery chute
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00129—Wrapper locking means
- B65D2571/00135—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/00141—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper glued
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00555—Wrapper opening devices
- B65D2571/00561—Lines of weakness
- B65D2571/00617—Lines of weakness combined with means for assisting dispensing not made by the tearable dispensing part
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00648—Elements used to form the wrapper
- B65D2571/00654—Blanks
- B65D2571/0066—Blanks formed from one single sheet
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00709—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element
- B65D2571/00722—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface
- B65D2571/00728—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface the end walls being closed by gluing
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S83/00—Cutting
- Y10S83/929—Particular nature of work or product
- Y10S83/946—Container
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T83/00—Cutting
- Y10T83/929—Tool or tool with support
- Y10T83/9493—Stationary cutter
Definitions
- This application relates to the dispensing of products from packaging containers and, more particularly, to product dispensers configured to cooperate with packaging containers to dispense products.
- Products are typically shipped to retailers in bulk by enclosing multiple individual product units in a container, such as a carton or box.
- a container such as a carton or box.
- canned foods may be shipped to a retailer in a box containing twenty-four individual cans. Then, it is typically the retailer's obligation to remove the individual product units from the container and present them to consumers.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,437 to Loftin et al. discloses a new system for dispensing and displaying products packaged in a container.
- the system includes a frame having a support structure, a product display area and an opening tool.
- the frame may be positioned on a retailer's shelf and loaded with product simply by placing a container comprising multiple units of product onto the support structure of the frame.
- the opening tool of the frame opens the container in such a manner that products roll from the container and down to the product display area of the frame under the force of gravity.
- U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/032,734 filed by Gelardi et al. discloses a product dispensing system that utilizes an opening tool having a catch element that engages and opens a container as the container is loaded onto the dispenser, and then guides the container to avoid interference between the dispensing products and the open container.
- the disclosed product dispensing system may include a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser including a first support deck extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, an opening tool connected proximate the first support deck, the opening tool including a rear end and a forward-most end longitudinally opposed from the rear end of the opening tool, wherein the rear end of the opening tool has a first lateral width and the forward-most end has a second lateral width, the second lateral width being substantially less than the first lateral width, and a second support deck positioned below the first support deck, the second support defining a product display area.
- the disclosed product dispensing system may include a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser including a first support deck extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, an opening tool connected proximate the first support deck, the opening tool including a front edge, wherein the front edge is tapered to a forward-most end, and a second support deck positioned below the first support deck, the second support defining a product display area
- the disclosed product dispensing system may include a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser frame including a support deck extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, the support deck having an upper surface and defining a channel below the upper surface, the channel having an entrance opening and an exit opening, an opening tool connected to the dispenser frame proximate the entrance opening, and a container positioned on the support deck, wherein a portion of the container is engaged with the opening tool.
- the disclosed product dispensing system may include a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser frame including an upper support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear ends and having an upper surface and defining a channel below the upper surface, the channel having an entrance opening and an exit opening, wherein the exit opening opens toward the rear end of the dispenser frame, a lower support deck positioned below the upper support deck, wherein the dispenser frame defines an opening sized to allow product passage from the upper support deck down to the lower support deck, an opening tool connected to the dispenser frame proximate the entrance opening of the channel, and a container that defines a weakening feature, the container being positioned on the upper support deck such that the opening tool engages the weakening feature, wherein the opening tool pierces and separates the weakening feature to define an opening into the container.
- a method for dispensing products from a container using a dispenser may include the steps of (1) providing a dispenser including a frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the frame including an upper support deck having an upper surface and extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, and a lower support deck positioned below the upper support deck, the lower support deck defining a product display area, wherein the frame defines a first opening, and an opening tool connected to the frame; (2) providing a container that defines a weakening feature and initially houses a plurality of products; (3) urging the container along the upper support deck from the front end toward the rear end such that the opening tool engages the weakening feature and separates an access panel from the container to form a second opening, the separated access panel being directed below the upper surface and toward the rear end; and (4) aligning the second opening with the first opening such that at least one product of the plurality of products moves from the container to the product display area, wherein the product interacts with the separated access panel
- FIG. 1 is a front and side perspective view of one aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system.
- FIG. 2A is a bottom and side perspective view of the container of the product dispensing system of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 2B is a bottom and side perspective view of the container of FIG. 2A , shown with a force applied to pierce perforations.
- FIG. 3 is a side and bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 2B , shown in an opened configuration.
- FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a container blank that may be used to form the container of FIG. 2A .
- FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser of the product dispensing system of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 6A is a top plan view of the opening tool of the dispenser of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 6B is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosed opening tool.
- FIG. 7A is a side elevational view, in section, of an alternative embodiment of the disclosed dispenser.
- FIG. 7B is a detailed side elevational view, in section, of a portion of the dispenser shown in FIG. 7A .
- FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser of FIG. 5 , shown with a container in a first, partially loaded configuration.
- FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser of FIG. 8 , shown with the container in a second, fully loaded configuration.
- FIG. 10 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser of FIG. 9 , shown dispensing products.
- one aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system may include a dispenser 12 and a container 14 .
- the container 14 may house multiple units of product 16 .
- the container 14 may be loaded onto the dispenser 12 by urging the container 14 generally horizontally along the dispenser 12 .
- the dispenser 12 may engage and open the container 14 , thereby releasing the products 16 from the container 14 to the dispenser 12 without the container 14 interfering with movement of the products 16 from the container 14 and through the dispenser 12 .
- the container 14 may be any container capable of housing products 16 and beneficially interacting with the disclosed dispenser 12 .
- the container 14 may be a paperboard carton or a corrugated box.
- the container 14 may be a generally rectilinear container having six walls 18 , 20 , 22 , 24 , 26 , 28 that define an internal volume 30 for receiving the products 16 ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ).
- Opposed walls 18 and 20 may define the front and rear walls, respectively, of the container 14 .
- Opposed walls 22 and 24 may define the first (e.g., left) and second (e.g., right) side walls, respectively, of the container 14 .
- Opposed walls 26 and 28 may define the base and upper walls, respectively, of the container 14 .
- a first weakening feature 34 may generally horizontally extend from the edge 52 between the base wall 26 and the left side wall 22 toward the edge 56 between the base wall 26 and the right side wall 24 of the container 14 .
- the first weakening feature 34 may be formed in the base wall 26 proximate the edge 44 between the base wall 26 and the rear wall 20 .
- the first weakening feature 34 may facilitate the separation of a portion of the base wall 26 from the rest of the container 14 , as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the first weakening feature 34 may be formed as a row of perforations.
- the first weakening feature 34 may be formed as a row of standard perforations, as a row of micro perforations or as a row of zipper-like cuts.
- the first weakening feature 34 may be formed by scoring the container 14 .
- the first weakening feature 34 may be formed by creasing the container 14 . Other techniques useful for forming the second and third weakening features 50 , 54 will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
- a second weakening feature 50 may generally longitudinally extend from the first weakening feature 34 toward the front wall 18 of the container 14 .
- the second weakening feature 50 may be formed in the base wall 26 proximate the edge 52 between the base wall 26 and the left side wall 22 .
- a third weakening feature 54 may generally longitudinally extend from the first weakening feature 34 toward the front wall 18 of the container 14 , and may be laterally spaced from the second weakening feature 50 .
- the third weakening feature 54 may be formed in the base wall 26 proximate the edge 56 between the base wall 26 and the right side wall 24 .
- the longitudinal length of the second and third weakening features 50 , 54 may be dictated by the size (e.g., the diameter) of the products 16 housed in the container 14 .
- the second and third weakening features 50 , 54 may extend along at least 5 percent of the length of the edge 52 .
- the second and third weakening features 50 , 54 may extend along at least 10 percent of the length of the edge 52 .
- the second and third weakening features 50 , 54 may extend along at least 20 percent of the length of the edge 52 .
- the second and third weakening features 50 , 54 may extend along at least 30 percent of the length of the edge 52 .
- the second and third weakening features 50 , 54 may facilitate the separation of a portion of the base wall 26 from the rest of the container 14 , as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the second and third weakening features 50 , 54 may be formed as rows of perforations.
- the second and third weakening features 50 , 54 may be formed as rows of standard perforations, as rows of micro perforations or as rows of zipper-like cuts.
- the second and third weakening features 50 , 54 may be formed by scoring the container 14 .
- the second and third weakening features 50 , 54 may be formed by creasing the container 14 .
- Other techniques useful for forming the second and third weakening features 50 , 54 will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
- a force F ( FIG. 2B ) applied to the base wall 26 at the first weakening feature 34 may separate the base wall 26 along the length of the weakening feature, and then partially separate a portion of the base wall 26 from the container 14 along the second and third weakening features 50 , 54 to form an access panel 58 , as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the size of the access panel 58 may be significantly increased, thereby forming an access opening 60 in the container 14 .
- the access opening 60 may allow the products 16 housed in the container 14 to be dispensed from the container 14 and, ultimately, into the dispenser 12 when the container 14 is loaded on the dispenser 12 .
- one or more preformed fold lines 62 may laterally extend across the base wall 26 to encourage the access panel 58 to pivot relative to the base wall 26 of the container 14 .
- Preformed fold lines 62 may reduce or eliminate the possibility that the access panel 58 will randomly fold or bunch-up as the access panel 58 is formed.
- the container 14 may be formed from a paperboard container blank, such as the paperboard container blank 70 shown in FIG. 4 .
- the container blank 70 may include a plurality of pre-formed fold lines 72 , 73 , 75 , 77 , 78 , 79 that define the front wall 18 (comprised of front wall panels 18 A, 18 B, 18 C and 18 D), the rear wall 20 (comprised of rear wall panels 20 A, 20 B, 20 C and 20 D), the right side wall 22 , the left side wall 24 , the base wall 26 , the upper wall 28 and sealing panel 71 .
- the container 14 may be assembled by folding the container blank 70 along the longitudinal fold lines 72 , 73 , 75 , 78 and connecting the upper wall 28 to the sealing panel 71 to form the three-dimensional body of the container 14 . Then, the front wall panels 18 A, 18 B, 18 C, 18 D may be assembled to form the front wall 18 of the container 14 . Finally, the rear wall panels 20 A, 20 B, 20 C, 20 D may be assembled to form the rear wall 20 of the container 14 .
- the container blank 70 may be formed from a paperboard-based material, such as C1S paperboard, which may have a coating (e.g., clay) on a first major surface thereof, which may form the outer surface 74 ( FIG. 1 ) of the container 14 , and an uncoated second major surface.
- the paperboard-based material may be C2S paperboard, which may have a coating (e.g., clay) on both major surfaces thereof.
- at least one major surface of the container blank may be marked with various indicia 76 ( FIG. 1 ), such as printed text and/or graphics.
- Suitable products 16 having various shapes and configurations may be housed in the container 14 and dispensed by the disclosed product dispensing system 10 .
- Suitable products 16 include cans (e.g., canned soup or pet food), jars (e.g., jarred sauce) or bottles (e.g., bottled soft drinks).
- the dispenser 12 may include a frame 80 and an opening tool 82 .
- the frame 80 of the dispenser 12 may support the container 14 in a desired configuration, such as a slightly declined, but generally horizontal configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1 , 9 and 10 .
- the opening tool 82 may engage the first weakening feature 34 ( FIG. 2B ) in the container 14 to separate the access panel 58 ( FIG. 3 ) from the container 14 , as is described in greater detail herein.
- the frame 80 may include a first (e.g., right) side wall 84 , a second (e.g., left) side wall 86 , a first (e.g., upper) support deck 88 and a second (e.g., lower) support deck 90 .
- the right side wall 84 may be laterally spaced from the left side wall 86 , and may be generally parallel with the left side wall 86 .
- the frame 80 may include a first (e.g., front) end 92 and a second (e.g., rear) end 94 longitudinally opposed from the first end 92 .
- the lower support deck 90 may laterally extend between the right 84 and left 86 side walls, and may include a front end 96 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 92 of the frame 80 and a rear end 98 that longitudinally extends toward the rear end 94 of the frame 80 . Therefore, the lower support deck 90 and the side walls 84 , 86 may define a lower level 100 of the frame 80 .
- the lower support deck 90 may be inclined from the front end 96 to the rear end 98 (i.e., the rear end 98 may be elevated relative to the front end 96 ) such that products 16 deposited proximate the rear end 98 of the lower support deck 90 roll down to the front end 96 of the lower support deck 90 under the force of gravity.
- the extent of the incline of the lower support deck 90 may be dictated by, among other things, the coefficient of friction of the material used to form the frame 80 and the shape of the products 16 to be dispensed by the dispenser 12 .
- a stop 102 may be positioned proximate the front end 96 of the lower support deck 90 to prevent products 16 from rolling beyond the front end 96 of the lower support deck 90 .
- the stop 102 may be connected to (e.g., integral with) the lower support deck 90 , and may form an upward curve at the front end 96 of the lower support deck 90 . Therefore, the stop 102 may collect products 16 at the front end 96 of the lower support deck 90 , thereby defining a product display area 104 at the front end 96 of the lower support deck 90 .
- the upper support deck 88 may laterally extend between the right 84 and left 86 side walls, and may include a front end 106 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 92 of the frame 80 and a rear end 108 that longitudinally extends toward, but not to, the rear end 94 of the frame 80 . Therefore, the upper support deck 88 and the side walls 84 , 86 may define an upper level 110 of the frame 80 .
- the spacing between the rear end 108 of the upper support deck 88 and the rear end 94 of the frame 80 may define an opening 112 , which may function as a chute to allow products 16 to move from the upper level 110 to the lower level 100 of the frame 80 .
- the access opening 60 ( FIG. 3 ) in the container 14 may be aligned with the opening 112 ( FIG. 5 ) defined by the frame 80 .
- the upper support deck 88 may be declined from the front end 106 to the rear end 108 (i.e., the front end 106 may be elevated relative to the rear end 108 ). Therefore, products 16 supported on the upper support deck 88 may roll under the force of gravity down to the rear end 108 of the upper support deck 88 , through the opening 112 , to the lower level 100 of the frame 80 and, ultimately, to the product display area 104 .
- An optional rear wall 114 may be positioned proximate the rear end 94 of the frame 80 between the right 84 and left 86 side walls.
- the rear wall 114 may serve as a stop that inhibits rearward horizontal movement of the container 14 ( FIG. 1 ) along the upper support deck 88 beyond the rear wall 114 .
- An optional guide 116 may be connected to the rear wall 114 of the frame 80 , and may extend through the opening 112 in the frame 80 , from the upper level 110 to the lower level 100 .
- the guide 116 may be a ramp-like structure, and may be positioned to receive products 16 exiting the container 14 and passing through the opening 112 in the frame 80 , and may guide the products 16 to the rear end 98 of the lower support deck 90 .
- the opening tool 82 may be positioned between the front end 106 and the rear end 108 of the upper support deck 88 .
- the opening tool 82 may be positioned proximate the rear end 108 of the upper support deck 88 .
- the opening tool 82 may laterally extend between the side walls 84 , 86 of the frame 80 , and may longitudinally protrude toward the front end 92 of the frame 80 .
- the specific size and shape of the opening tool 82 may depend on, among other things, the size and shape of the first weakening feature 34 in the container 14 .
- the opening tool 82 may include a rear end 83 and a forward-most end 85 , and the forward-most end 85 may be longitudinally spaced from the rear end 83 .
- the rear end 83 of the opening tool 82 may have a lateral width W R , which may laterally extend between the side walls 84 , 86 of the frame 80
- the forward-most end 85 may have a lateral width W F ( FIG. 6B ), which may laterally extend between the side walls 84 , 86 of the frame 80 .
- the lateral width W F of the forward-most end 85 may be substantially less than the lateral width W R of the rear end 83 .
- the lateral width W F of the forward-most end 85 may be at most 50 percent of the lateral width W R of the rear end 83 . In another expression, the lateral width W F of the forward-most end 85 may be at most 25 percent of the lateral width W R of the rear end 83 . In another expression, the lateral width W F of the forward-most end 85 may be at most 10 percent of the lateral width W R of the rear end 83 . In another expression, the lateral width W F of the forward-most end 85 may be at most 5 percent of the lateral width W R of the rear end 83 . In yet another expression, the lateral width W F of the forward-most end 85 may be at most 1 percent of the lateral width W R of the rear end 83 .
- the opening tool 82 may have a generally pentagonal (or, alternatively, a generally triangular) shape in plan view, and may include the rear end 83 and front edges 87 , 89 .
- the rear end 83 of the opening tool 82 may be positioned proximate the rear end 108 of the upper support deck 88 , as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the front edges 87 , 89 of the opening tool 82 may be tapered from the rear end 83 , and may terminate at a generally pointed forward-most end 85 that longitudinally protrudes toward the front end 92 of the frame 80 ( FIG. 5 ).
- the pointed forward-most end 85 may be generally sharp or sufficiently pointed so as to pierce and separate the first weakening feature 34 of the container 14 when it is positioned according to FIGS. 1 , 9 and 10 , as described herein.
- the front edges 87 , 89 may also be sharpened so as to facilitate separation of the first weakening feature 34 of the container 14 as it advances towards the rear end 94 of the frame 80 , as described in greater detail herein.
- the forward-most end 85 ′ of the opening tool 82 ′ may be rounded, as shown in FIG. 6B .
- FIGS. 6A and 6B While two specific opening tools 82 , 82 ′ ( FIGS. 6A and 6B ) are shown and described as being tapered, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various techniques may be used to provide the opening tool 82 with a laterally narrower forward-most end without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
- the opening tool 82 may be substantially co-planar with the upper surface 118 of the upper support deck 88 .
- slight displacement and/or a slight angle of the opening tool 82 relative to the upper surface 118 of the upper support deck 88 may encourage engagement of the first weakening feature 34 in the container 14 by the opening tool 82 during loading of the container 14 onto the dispenser 12 .
- the upper support deck 88 may define a channel 120 positioned to guide the access panel 58 below the upper surface 118 of the upper support deck 88 as the access panel 58 is separated from the container 14 by the opening tool 82 .
- the channel 120 may extend from an entrance opening 122 proximate the opening tool 82 , down below the opening tool 82 and, ultimately, to an exit opening 124 .
- the exit opening 124 may open toward the rear end 94 of the frame 80 .
- the channel 120 may laterally extend between the side walls 84 , 86 of the frame 80 , and may have a lateral width sufficient to allow the access panel 58 ( FIG. 3 ) to pass therethrough.
- the opening tool 82 may pierce the first weakening feature 34 ( FIG. 2B ) in the container 14 and may separate the access panel 58 ( FIG. 3 ) from the container 14 as the container 14 is moved horizontally along the upper support deck 88 toward the rear end 94 of the frame 80 .
- the shape and position of the opening tool 82 may be configured such that a portion of the opening tool 82 extends through the first weakening feature 34 ( FIG. 2B ) in the container 14 . Therefore, as the container 14 moves relative to the opening tool 82 , the opening tool 82 may urge the base wall 26 downward through the opening 122 and into the channel 120 , thereby causing separating of the access panel 58 ( FIG. 3 ) from the container 14 along the second and third weakening features 50 , 54 ( FIG. 2B ) and, ultimately, the formation of the access opening 60 ( FIG. 3 ) in the container 14 .
- FIGS. 7A and 7B depict an alternative embodiment of the opening tool 82 ′′.
- the opening tool 82 ′′ may have a forward-most end 85 ′′ and may define an alternative opening 122 ′ and channel 120 ′.
- the opening tool may further be attached to an access panel guide element 143 that defines a guide channel 154 , as described in greater detail herein.
- the opening tool 82 ′′ may protrude a distance D 1 that is long enough to ensure that the access panel 58 ( FIG. 3 ) is capable of being separated before it is redirected by a redirection channel 154 as discussed in more detail herein.
- the distance D 1 may generally be less than or equal to 0.25 inches, less than or equal to 0.5 inches, less than or equal to 0.75 inches, or less than or equal to 1.0 inch.
- the extended distance D 1 may allow for an engagement of the opening tool 82 ′′ with the initiation opening 34 when the container 14 is inserted into the frame 80 as described herein may result in engagement at a point that is sooner than engagement of the opening tool 82 described in FIGS. 5 , 6 A and 6 B.
- the extended distance D 1 may prevent the access panel 58 from becoming crumpled and/or caught in the opening tool 82 ′′ as the container 14 is inserted into the frame 80 .
- the upper support deck 88 may define a guide channel 154 positioned to guide the access panel 58 below the upper support deck 88 as the access panel 58 is separated from the container 14 by the opening tool 82 ′′.
- the guide channel 154 may extend from the channel 120 ′ proximate the opening tool 82 ′′, down below the opening tool 82 ′′ and, ultimately, to an exit opening 124 ′.
- the channel 120 ′ may extend along a passage axis P that is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis L of the upper support deck 88 .
- the guide channel 154 may be curved (e.g., generally C-shaped) from the channel 120 ′ such that the channel 120 ′ opens toward the front end 92 of the dispenser frame 80 above the upper support deck 88 and the exit opening 124 ′ opens toward the front end 92 of the dispenser frame 80 below the upper support deck 80 .
- the guide channel 154 may laterally extend between the side walls 84 , 86 of the dispenser frame 80 , and may have a lateral width sufficient to allow the access panel 58 ( FIG. 3 ) to pass therethrough.
- the access panel guide element 143 may laterally extend between the right and left side walls 84 , 86 , and may include a front end 145 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 92 of the dispenser frame 80 . Therefore, the access panel guide element 143 and the side walls 84 , 86 may define the exit opening 124 ′.
- the exit opening 124 ′ may laterally extend between the side walls 84 , 86 of the frame 80 , and may have a lateral width sufficient to allow the access panel 58 ( FIG. 3 ) to pass from the guide channel 154 therethrough.
- the access panel guide element 143 may define the exit opening 124 ′ positioned to further guide the access panel 58 below the upper support deck 88 as the access panel 58 is further separated from the container 14 by the opening tool 82 ′′ and passes through the guide channel 154 .
- the access panel guide element 143 shown and described herein is a generally curved (e.g., C shaped), laterally elongated and forwardly extending protrusion, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various alternative structures may be used as the disclosed access panel guide element 143 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
- the access panel guide element 143 may extend in such a way that it does not come into contact with products 16 moving along the lower support deck 90 as described in more detail herein.
- the opening tool 82 ′′ may pierce the first weakening feature 34 ( FIG. 2B ) in the container 14 and may separate the access panel 58 ( FIG. 3 ) from the container 14 as the container 14 is moved horizontally along the upper support deck 88 toward the rear end 94 of the dispenser frame 80 .
- the shape and position of the opening tool 82 ′′ may be configured such that a portion of the opening tool 82 ′′ extends through the initiation opening 34 ( FIG. 2B ) in the container 14 , and extends further into a portion of the container.
- the product 16 may urge the first weakening feature 34 downward so that the first weakening feature 34 is properly caught by the opening tool 82 ′′, which then may urge the base wall 26 of the container 14 through the opening 122 ′ thereby causing separation of the first weakening feature 34 ( FIG. 3 ) from the container 14 , and further along the second and third weakening features 50 , 54 ( FIG. 2B ) and, ultimately, the formation of the access opening 60 ( FIG. 3 ) in the container 14 .
- the access panel 58 may continue to longitudinally extend through the opening 122 ′ and the channel 120 ′ until it reaches the curved portion of the guide channel 154 .
- the curved shape of the guide channel 154 may direct the separated access panel 58 backwards (i.e., a U-turn) into the exit opening 124 ′ defined by the access panel guide element 143 such that the separated access panel 58 does not interact with products 16 moving along the lower support deck 90 .
- FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the container 14 being loaded onto the dispenser 12 such that the opening tool 82 of the dispenser 12 engages and opens the container 14 , thereby releasing the products 16 initially housed in the container 14 to the dispenser 12 .
- FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the container 14 being urged generally horizontally along the upper support deck 88 (i.e., along the longitudinal axis A of the upper support deck 88 ) toward the rear end 94 of the dispenser frame 80 , thereby automatically opening the container 14 and dispensing the products 16 from the container 14 to the dispenser 12 .
- the opening tool 82 may pierce, separate and pass through the first weakening feature 34 .
- the rear edge 66 of the base wall 26 of the container 14 may be directed downward through the entrance opening 122 of the channel 120 .
- the base wall 26 of the container 14 may pass through the channel 120 , thereby separating the access panel 58 from the base wall 26 . Since the exit opening 124 of the channel 120 opens toward the rear end 94 of the dispenser 12 , the separated access panel 58 may be directed toward the rear end 94 of the dispenser 12 , thereby partially covering the access opening 60 that has been formed in the container 14 .
- the access opening 60 formed in the container 14 may be aligned with the opening 112 between upper 110 and lower 100 levels of the frame 80 . Therefore, the force of gravity may urge the products 16 initially housed in the container 16 through the access opening 60 in the container 14 , through the opening 112 in the frame 80 , down to the lower support deck 90 and, ultimately, to the product display area 104 . The weight of the products 16 passing through the openings 60 , 112 may urge the access panel 58 from the configuration shown in FIG. 9 to the configuration shown in FIG. 10 .
- the access panel 58 may become “hooked” onto the upper support deck 88 of the dispenser 12 .
- a first portion of the access panel 58 i.e., the portion of the access panel 58 within the channel 120
- a second portion of the access panel 58 i.e., the portion of the access panel 58 that includes the rear edge 66
- the front end 92 of the dispenser frame 80 may extend toward the front end 92 of the dispenser frame 80 , thereby inhibiting separation of the container 14 from the dispenser 12 .
- the engagement between the products 16 and the access panel 58 that facilitates “hooking” of the access panel 58 onto the dispenser 12 may function as a theft deterrent by inhibiting the quick and easy separation of a loaded container 14 from the dispenser 12 .
Abstract
A product dispensing system including a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser including a first support deck extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, an opening tool connected proximate the first support deck, the opening tool including a front edge, wherein the front edge is tapered to a forward-most end, and a second support deck positioned below the first support deck, the second support defining a product display area.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/453,538 (pending) filed on Apr. 23, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 12/985,658 (pending) filed on Jan. 6, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/777,444 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,437) filed on May 11, 2010, which is a non-provisional of U.S. Ser. No. 61/263,767 (expired) filed on Nov. 23, 2009. The entire contents of U.S. Ser. Nos. 13/453,538; 12/985,658; 12/777,444; and 61/263,767 are incorporated herein by reference.
- This application relates to the dispensing of products from packaging containers and, more particularly, to product dispensers configured to cooperate with packaging containers to dispense products.
- Products are typically shipped to retailers in bulk by enclosing multiple individual product units in a container, such as a carton or box. For example, canned foods may be shipped to a retailer in a box containing twenty-four individual cans. Then, it is typically the retailer's obligation to remove the individual product units from the container and present them to consumers.
- Alternatives to the traditional package-ship-unpack-display model are being developed in an effort to improve operating efficiency. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,437 to Loftin et al. discloses a new system for dispensing and displaying products packaged in a container. Specifically, the system includes a frame having a support structure, a product display area and an opening tool. The frame may be positioned on a retailer's shelf and loaded with product simply by placing a container comprising multiple units of product onto the support structure of the frame. As the container is being placed onto the support structure, the opening tool of the frame opens the container in such a manner that products roll from the container and down to the product display area of the frame under the force of gravity.
- As another example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/032,734 filed by Gelardi et al. discloses a product dispensing system that utilizes an opening tool having a catch element that engages and opens a container as the container is loaded onto the dispenser, and then guides the container to avoid interference between the dispensing products and the open container.
- Despite advances already made in the field, those skilled in the art continue with research and development efforts directed to apparatus and systems for dispensing products from packaging containers.
- In one aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system may include a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser including a first support deck extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, an opening tool connected proximate the first support deck, the opening tool including a rear end and a forward-most end longitudinally opposed from the rear end of the opening tool, wherein the rear end of the opening tool has a first lateral width and the forward-most end has a second lateral width, the second lateral width being substantially less than the first lateral width, and a second support deck positioned below the first support deck, the second support defining a product display area.
- In another aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system may include a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser including a first support deck extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, an opening tool connected proximate the first support deck, the opening tool including a front edge, wherein the front edge is tapered to a forward-most end, and a second support deck positioned below the first support deck, the second support defining a product display area
- In another aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system may include a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser frame including a support deck extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, the support deck having an upper surface and defining a channel below the upper surface, the channel having an entrance opening and an exit opening, an opening tool connected to the dispenser frame proximate the entrance opening, and a container positioned on the support deck, wherein a portion of the container is engaged with the opening tool.
- In another aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system may include a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser frame including an upper support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear ends and having an upper surface and defining a channel below the upper surface, the channel having an entrance opening and an exit opening, wherein the exit opening opens toward the rear end of the dispenser frame, a lower support deck positioned below the upper support deck, wherein the dispenser frame defines an opening sized to allow product passage from the upper support deck down to the lower support deck, an opening tool connected to the dispenser frame proximate the entrance opening of the channel, and a container that defines a weakening feature, the container being positioned on the upper support deck such that the opening tool engages the weakening feature, wherein the opening tool pierces and separates the weakening feature to define an opening into the container.
- In yet another aspect, disclosed is a method for dispensing products from a container using a dispenser. The method may include the steps of (1) providing a dispenser including a frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the frame including an upper support deck having an upper surface and extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, and a lower support deck positioned below the upper support deck, the lower support deck defining a product display area, wherein the frame defines a first opening, and an opening tool connected to the frame; (2) providing a container that defines a weakening feature and initially houses a plurality of products; (3) urging the container along the upper support deck from the front end toward the rear end such that the opening tool engages the weakening feature and separates an access panel from the container to form a second opening, the separated access panel being directed below the upper surface and toward the rear end; and (4) aligning the second opening with the first opening such that at least one product of the plurality of products moves from the container to the product display area, wherein the product interacts with the separated access panel as the product moves to the product display area.
- Other aspects of the disclosed product dispensing system will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a front and side perspective view of one aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system. -
FIG. 2A is a bottom and side perspective view of the container of the product dispensing system ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 2B is a bottom and side perspective view of the container ofFIG. 2A , shown with a force applied to pierce perforations. -
FIG. 3 is a side and bottom perspective view of the container ofFIG. 2B , shown in an opened configuration. -
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a container blank that may be used to form the container ofFIG. 2A . -
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser of the product dispensing system ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 6A is a top plan view of the opening tool of the dispenser ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 6B is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosed opening tool. -
FIG. 7A is a side elevational view, in section, of an alternative embodiment of the disclosed dispenser. -
FIG. 7B is a detailed side elevational view, in section, of a portion of the dispenser shown inFIG. 7A . -
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser ofFIG. 5 , shown with a container in a first, partially loaded configuration. -
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser ofFIG. 8 , shown with the container in a second, fully loaded configuration. -
FIG. 10 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser ofFIG. 9 , shown dispensing products. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , one aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system, generally designated 10, may include adispenser 12 and acontainer 14. Thecontainer 14 may house multiple units ofproduct 16. Thecontainer 14 may be loaded onto thedispenser 12 by urging thecontainer 14 generally horizontally along thedispenser 12. As thecontainer 14 is urged along thedispenser 12, thedispenser 12 may engage and open thecontainer 14, thereby releasing theproducts 16 from thecontainer 14 to thedispenser 12 without thecontainer 14 interfering with movement of theproducts 16 from thecontainer 14 and through thedispenser 12. - The
container 14 may be any container capable ofhousing products 16 and beneficially interacting with the discloseddispenser 12. For example, thecontainer 14 may be a paperboard carton or a corrugated box. - Referring to
FIG. 2A , thecontainer 14 may be a generally rectilinear container having sixwalls internal volume 30 for receiving the products 16 (FIGS. 9 and 10 ).Opposed walls container 14.Opposed walls container 14.Opposed walls container 14. - A
first weakening feature 34 may generally horizontally extend from theedge 52 between thebase wall 26 and theleft side wall 22 toward theedge 56 between thebase wall 26 and theright side wall 24 of thecontainer 14. Thefirst weakening feature 34 may be formed in thebase wall 26 proximate theedge 44 between thebase wall 26 and therear wall 20. - The
first weakening feature 34 may facilitate the separation of a portion of thebase wall 26 from the rest of thecontainer 14, as shown inFIG. 3 . In a first implementation, thefirst weakening feature 34 may be formed as a row of perforations. For example, thefirst weakening feature 34 may be formed as a row of standard perforations, as a row of micro perforations or as a row of zipper-like cuts. In a second implementation, thefirst weakening feature 34 may be formed by scoring thecontainer 14. In a third implementation, thefirst weakening feature 34 may be formed by creasing thecontainer 14. Other techniques useful for forming the second and third weakening features 50, 54 will become apparent to those skilled in the art. - A
second weakening feature 50 may generally longitudinally extend from thefirst weakening feature 34 toward thefront wall 18 of thecontainer 14. Thesecond weakening feature 50 may be formed in thebase wall 26 proximate theedge 52 between thebase wall 26 and theleft side wall 22. - A
third weakening feature 54 may generally longitudinally extend from thefirst weakening feature 34 toward thefront wall 18 of thecontainer 14, and may be laterally spaced from thesecond weakening feature 50. Thethird weakening feature 54 may be formed in thebase wall 26 proximate theedge 56 between thebase wall 26 and theright side wall 24. - The longitudinal length of the second and third weakening features 50, 54 may be dictated by the size (e.g., the diameter) of the
products 16 housed in thecontainer 14. As one example, the second and third weakening features 50, 54 may extend along at least 5 percent of the length of theedge 52. As another example, the second and third weakening features 50, 54 may extend along at least 10 percent of the length of theedge 52. As another example, the second and third weakening features 50, 54 may extend along at least 20 percent of the length of theedge 52. As yet another example, the second and third weakening features 50, 54 may extend along at least 30 percent of the length of theedge 52. - The second and third weakening features 50, 54 may facilitate the separation of a portion of the
base wall 26 from the rest of thecontainer 14, as shown inFIG. 3 . In a first implementation, the second and third weakening features 50, 54 may be formed as rows of perforations. For example, the second and third weakening features 50, 54 may be formed as rows of standard perforations, as rows of micro perforations or as rows of zipper-like cuts. In a second implementation, the second and third weakening features 50, 54 may be formed by scoring thecontainer 14. In a third implementation, the second and third weakening features 50, 54 may be formed by creasing thecontainer 14. Other techniques useful for forming the second and third weakening features 50, 54 will become apparent to those skilled in the art. - Thus, a force F (
FIG. 2B ) applied to thebase wall 26 at thefirst weakening feature 34 may separate thebase wall 26 along the length of the weakening feature, and then partially separate a portion of thebase wall 26 from thecontainer 14 along the second and third weakening features 50, 54 to form anaccess panel 58, as shown inFIG. 3 . As thefirst weakening feature 34 facilitates the separation of theaccess panel 58 from the remainder of thecontainer 14, the size of theaccess panel 58 may be significantly increased, thereby forming an access opening 60 in thecontainer 14. Theaccess opening 60 may allow theproducts 16 housed in thecontainer 14 to be dispensed from thecontainer 14 and, ultimately, into thedispenser 12 when thecontainer 14 is loaded on thedispenser 12. - Optionally, one or more preformed fold lines 62 (
FIG. 3 ) may laterally extend across thebase wall 26 to encourage theaccess panel 58 to pivot relative to thebase wall 26 of thecontainer 14.Preformed fold lines 62 may reduce or eliminate the possibility that theaccess panel 58 will randomly fold or bunch-up as theaccess panel 58 is formed. - The
container 14 may be formed from a paperboard container blank, such as the paperboard container blank 70 shown inFIG. 4 . The container blank 70 may include a plurality ofpre-formed fold lines front wall panels rear wall panels right side wall 22, theleft side wall 24, thebase wall 26, theupper wall 28 and sealingpanel 71. - The
container 14 may be assembled by folding the container blank 70 along thelongitudinal fold lines upper wall 28 to the sealingpanel 71 to form the three-dimensional body of thecontainer 14. Then, thefront wall panels front wall 18 of thecontainer 14. Finally, therear wall panels rear wall 20 of thecontainer 14. - The container blank 70 may be formed from a paperboard-based material, such as C1S paperboard, which may have a coating (e.g., clay) on a first major surface thereof, which may form the outer surface 74 (
FIG. 1 ) of thecontainer 14, and an uncoated second major surface. As another example, the paperboard-based material may be C2S paperboard, which may have a coating (e.g., clay) on both major surfaces thereof. Optionally, at least one major surface of the container blank may be marked with various indicia 76 (FIG. 1 ), such as printed text and/or graphics. - While a specific paperboard container blank 70 is shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various techniques and materials may be used to form the
container 14. Folded paperboard containers are only one specific and non-limiting example of the disclosedcontainer 14. -
Various products 16 having various shapes and configurations may be housed in thecontainer 14 and dispensed by the disclosedproduct dispensing system 10.Suitable products 16 include cans (e.g., canned soup or pet food), jars (e.g., jarred sauce) or bottles (e.g., bottled soft drinks). - Referring to
FIG. 5 , thedispenser 12 may include aframe 80 and anopening tool 82. Theframe 80 of thedispenser 12 may support thecontainer 14 in a desired configuration, such as a slightly declined, but generally horizontal configuration, as shown inFIGS. 1 , 9 and 10. As thecontainer 14 is generally horizontally urged along thedispenser 12 to the configuration shown inFIGS. 1 , 9 and 10, theopening tool 82 may engage the first weakening feature 34 (FIG. 2B ) in thecontainer 14 to separate the access panel 58 (FIG. 3 ) from thecontainer 14, as is described in greater detail herein. - The
frame 80 may include a first (e.g., right)side wall 84, a second (e.g., left)side wall 86, a first (e.g., upper)support deck 88 and a second (e.g., lower)support deck 90. Theright side wall 84 may be laterally spaced from theleft side wall 86, and may be generally parallel with theleft side wall 86. Theframe 80 may include a first (e.g., front)end 92 and a second (e.g., rear) end 94 longitudinally opposed from thefirst end 92. - The
lower support deck 90 may laterally extend between the right 84 and left 86 side walls, and may include afront end 96 that longitudinally extends toward thefront end 92 of theframe 80 and arear end 98 that longitudinally extends toward therear end 94 of theframe 80. Therefore, thelower support deck 90 and theside walls lower level 100 of theframe 80. - The
lower support deck 90 may be inclined from thefront end 96 to the rear end 98 (i.e., therear end 98 may be elevated relative to the front end 96) such thatproducts 16 deposited proximate therear end 98 of thelower support deck 90 roll down to thefront end 96 of thelower support deck 90 under the force of gravity. The extent of the incline of thelower support deck 90 may be dictated by, among other things, the coefficient of friction of the material used to form theframe 80 and the shape of theproducts 16 to be dispensed by thedispenser 12. - A
stop 102 may be positioned proximate thefront end 96 of thelower support deck 90 to preventproducts 16 from rolling beyond thefront end 96 of thelower support deck 90. For example, thestop 102 may be connected to (e.g., integral with) thelower support deck 90, and may form an upward curve at thefront end 96 of thelower support deck 90. Therefore, thestop 102 may collectproducts 16 at thefront end 96 of thelower support deck 90, thereby defining aproduct display area 104 at thefront end 96 of thelower support deck 90. - The
upper support deck 88 may laterally extend between the right 84 and left 86 side walls, and may include afront end 106 that longitudinally extends toward thefront end 92 of theframe 80 and arear end 108 that longitudinally extends toward, but not to, therear end 94 of theframe 80. Therefore, theupper support deck 88 and theside walls upper level 110 of theframe 80. - The spacing between the
rear end 108 of theupper support deck 88 and therear end 94 of theframe 80 may define anopening 112, which may function as a chute to allowproducts 16 to move from theupper level 110 to thelower level 100 of theframe 80. When thecontainer 14 is in the fully loaded configuration on thedispenser 12, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10 , the access opening 60 (FIG. 3 ) in thecontainer 14 may be aligned with the opening 112 (FIG. 5 ) defined by theframe 80. - The
upper support deck 88 may be declined from thefront end 106 to the rear end 108 (i.e., thefront end 106 may be elevated relative to the rear end 108). Therefore,products 16 supported on theupper support deck 88 may roll under the force of gravity down to therear end 108 of theupper support deck 88, through theopening 112, to thelower level 100 of theframe 80 and, ultimately, to theproduct display area 104. - An optional
rear wall 114 may be positioned proximate therear end 94 of theframe 80 between the right 84 and left 86 side walls. Therear wall 114 may serve as a stop that inhibits rearward horizontal movement of the container 14 (FIG. 1 ) along theupper support deck 88 beyond therear wall 114. - An
optional guide 116 may be connected to therear wall 114 of theframe 80, and may extend through theopening 112 in theframe 80, from theupper level 110 to thelower level 100. Theguide 116 may be a ramp-like structure, and may be positioned to receiveproducts 16 exiting thecontainer 14 and passing through theopening 112 in theframe 80, and may guide theproducts 16 to therear end 98 of thelower support deck 90. - The
opening tool 82 may be positioned between thefront end 106 and therear end 108 of theupper support deck 88. For example, theopening tool 82 may be positioned proximate therear end 108 of theupper support deck 88. - The
opening tool 82 may laterally extend between theside walls frame 80, and may longitudinally protrude toward thefront end 92 of theframe 80. The specific size and shape of theopening tool 82 may depend on, among other things, the size and shape of thefirst weakening feature 34 in thecontainer 14. - Referring to
FIGS. 6A and 6B , theopening tool 82 may include arear end 83 and aforward-most end 85, and theforward-most end 85 may be longitudinally spaced from therear end 83. Therear end 83 of theopening tool 82 may have a lateral width WR, which may laterally extend between theside walls frame 80, and theforward-most end 85 may have a lateral width WF (FIG. 6B ), which may laterally extend between theside walls frame 80. The lateral width WF of theforward-most end 85 may be substantially less than the lateral width WR of therear end 83. - In one expression, the lateral width WF of the
forward-most end 85 may be at most 50 percent of the lateral width WR of therear end 83. In another expression, the lateral width WF of theforward-most end 85 may be at most 25 percent of the lateral width WR of therear end 83. In another expression, the lateral width WF of theforward-most end 85 may be at most 10 percent of the lateral width WR of therear end 83. In another expression, the lateral width WF of theforward-most end 85 may be at most 5 percent of the lateral width WR of therear end 83. In yet another expression, the lateral width WF of theforward-most end 85 may be at most 1 percent of the lateral width WR of therear end 83. - In one construction, shown in
FIG. 6A , theopening tool 82 may have a generally pentagonal (or, alternatively, a generally triangular) shape in plan view, and may include therear end 83 andfront edges rear end 83 of theopening tool 82 may be positioned proximate therear end 108 of theupper support deck 88, as shown inFIG. 5 . The front edges 87, 89 of theopening tool 82 may be tapered from therear end 83, and may terminate at a generally pointedforward-most end 85 that longitudinally protrudes toward thefront end 92 of the frame 80 (FIG. 5 ). - The pointed
forward-most end 85 may be generally sharp or sufficiently pointed so as to pierce and separate thefirst weakening feature 34 of thecontainer 14 when it is positioned according toFIGS. 1 , 9 and 10, as described herein. Optionally, thefront edges first weakening feature 34 of thecontainer 14 as it advances towards therear end 94 of theframe 80, as described in greater detail herein. - In an alternative construction, the
forward-most end 85′ of theopening tool 82′ may be rounded, as shown inFIG. 6B . - While two
specific opening tools FIGS. 6A and 6B ) are shown and described as being tapered, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various techniques may be used to provide theopening tool 82 with a laterally narrower forward-most end without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. - Referring back to
FIG. 5 , in an effort to minimize interference between the openingtool 82 and thecontainer 14 during loading, theopening tool 82 may be substantially co-planar with theupper surface 118 of theupper support deck 88. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that slight displacement and/or a slight angle of theopening tool 82 relative to theupper surface 118 of theupper support deck 88 may encourage engagement of thefirst weakening feature 34 in thecontainer 14 by theopening tool 82 during loading of thecontainer 14 onto thedispenser 12. - The
upper support deck 88 may define achannel 120 positioned to guide theaccess panel 58 below theupper surface 118 of theupper support deck 88 as theaccess panel 58 is separated from thecontainer 14 by theopening tool 82. Thechannel 120 may extend from anentrance opening 122 proximate theopening tool 82, down below theopening tool 82 and, ultimately, to anexit opening 124. Theexit opening 124 may open toward therear end 94 of theframe 80. Thechannel 120 may laterally extend between theside walls frame 80, and may have a lateral width sufficient to allow the access panel 58 (FIG. 3 ) to pass therethrough. - Thus, the
opening tool 82, particularly theforward-most end 85 of theopening tool 82, may pierce the first weakening feature 34 (FIG. 2B ) in thecontainer 14 and may separate the access panel 58 (FIG. 3 ) from thecontainer 14 as thecontainer 14 is moved horizontally along theupper support deck 88 toward therear end 94 of theframe 80. - The shape and position of the
opening tool 82 may be configured such that a portion of theopening tool 82 extends through the first weakening feature 34 (FIG. 2B ) in thecontainer 14. Therefore, as thecontainer 14 moves relative to theopening tool 82, theopening tool 82 may urge thebase wall 26 downward through theopening 122 and into thechannel 120, thereby causing separating of the access panel 58 (FIG. 3 ) from thecontainer 14 along the second and third weakening features 50, 54 (FIG. 2B ) and, ultimately, the formation of the access opening 60 (FIG. 3 ) in thecontainer 14. -
FIGS. 7A and 7B depict an alternative embodiment of theopening tool 82″. As shown inFIG. 7A , theopening tool 82″ may have aforward-most end 85″ and may define analternative opening 122′ andchannel 120′. The opening tool may further be attached to an accesspanel guide element 143 that defines aguide channel 154, as described in greater detail herein. - As shown in
FIG. 7B , theopening tool 82″ may protrude a distance D1 that is long enough to ensure that the access panel 58 (FIG. 3 ) is capable of being separated before it is redirected by aredirection channel 154 as discussed in more detail herein. The distance D1 may generally be less than or equal to 0.25 inches, less than or equal to 0.5 inches, less than or equal to 0.75 inches, or less than or equal to 1.0 inch. - In an effort to minimize interference between the opening
tool 82″ and thecontainer 14 during loading, the extended distance D1 may allow for an engagement of theopening tool 82″ with theinitiation opening 34 when thecontainer 14 is inserted into theframe 80 as described herein may result in engagement at a point that is sooner than engagement of theopening tool 82 described inFIGS. 5 , 6A and 6B. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the extended distance D1 may prevent theaccess panel 58 from becoming crumpled and/or caught in theopening tool 82″ as thecontainer 14 is inserted into theframe 80. This is due to the ability for theopening tool 82″ to interact with thecontainer 14 in stages (i.e., as thecontainer 14 generally longitudinally moves along theupper support deck 88, initial separation of theaccess panel 58 may occur prior to the redirection of theaccess panel 58 by the access panel guide element 143), thereby providing theaccess panel 58 ample room to move laterally through theopening 122′ before being diverted and/or redirected by thechannel 120′, as described in greater detail herein. - The
upper support deck 88 may define aguide channel 154 positioned to guide theaccess panel 58 below theupper support deck 88 as theaccess panel 58 is separated from thecontainer 14 by theopening tool 82″. Theguide channel 154 may extend from thechannel 120′ proximate theopening tool 82″, down below theopening tool 82″ and, ultimately, to anexit opening 124′. Thechannel 120′ may extend along a passage axis P that is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis L of theupper support deck 88. Theguide channel 154 may be curved (e.g., generally C-shaped) from thechannel 120′ such that thechannel 120′ opens toward thefront end 92 of thedispenser frame 80 above theupper support deck 88 and the exit opening 124′ opens toward thefront end 92 of thedispenser frame 80 below theupper support deck 80. Theguide channel 154 may laterally extend between theside walls dispenser frame 80, and may have a lateral width sufficient to allow the access panel 58 (FIG. 3 ) to pass therethrough. - The access
panel guide element 143 may laterally extend between the right and leftside walls front end 145 that longitudinally extends toward thefront end 92 of thedispenser frame 80. Therefore, the accesspanel guide element 143 and theside walls exit opening 124′ may laterally extend between theside walls frame 80, and may have a lateral width sufficient to allow the access panel 58 (FIG. 3 ) to pass from theguide channel 154 therethrough. - The access
panel guide element 143 may define the exit opening 124′ positioned to further guide theaccess panel 58 below theupper support deck 88 as theaccess panel 58 is further separated from thecontainer 14 by theopening tool 82″ and passes through theguide channel 154. While the accesspanel guide element 143 shown and described herein is a generally curved (e.g., C shaped), laterally elongated and forwardly extending protrusion, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various alternative structures may be used as the disclosed accesspanel guide element 143 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the accesspanel guide element 143 may extend in such a way that it does not come into contact withproducts 16 moving along thelower support deck 90 as described in more detail herein. - Thus, the
opening tool 82″ may pierce the first weakening feature 34 (FIG. 2B ) in thecontainer 14 and may separate the access panel 58 (FIG. 3 ) from thecontainer 14 as thecontainer 14 is moved horizontally along theupper support deck 88 toward therear end 94 of thedispenser frame 80. The shape and position of theopening tool 82″ may be configured such that a portion of theopening tool 82″ extends through the initiation opening 34 (FIG. 2B ) in thecontainer 14, and extends further into a portion of the container. - Therefore, as the
container 14 moves relative to theopening tool 82″, theproduct 16 may urge thefirst weakening feature 34 downward so that thefirst weakening feature 34 is properly caught by theopening tool 82″, which then may urge thebase wall 26 of thecontainer 14 through theopening 122′ thereby causing separation of the first weakening feature 34 (FIG. 3 ) from thecontainer 14, and further along the second and third weakening features 50, 54 (FIG. 2B ) and, ultimately, the formation of the access opening 60 (FIG. 3 ) in thecontainer 14. As thecontainer 14 is urged further, theaccess panel 58 may continue to longitudinally extend through theopening 122′ and thechannel 120′ until it reaches the curved portion of theguide channel 154. The curved shape of theguide channel 154 may direct the separatedaccess panel 58 backwards (i.e., a U-turn) into the exit opening 124′ defined by the accesspanel guide element 143 such that the separatedaccess panel 58 does not interact withproducts 16 moving along thelower support deck 90. -
FIGS. 8-10 illustrate thecontainer 14 being loaded onto thedispenser 12 such that theopening tool 82 of thedispenser 12 engages and opens thecontainer 14, thereby releasing theproducts 16 initially housed in thecontainer 14 to thedispenser 12. Specifically,FIGS. 8-10 illustrate thecontainer 14 being urged generally horizontally along the upper support deck 88 (i.e., along the longitudinal axis A of the upper support deck 88) toward therear end 94 of thedispenser frame 80, thereby automatically opening thecontainer 14 and dispensing theproducts 16 from thecontainer 14 to thedispenser 12. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , as thefirst weakening feature 34 in thecontainer 14 approximates theopening tool 82 of thedispenser 12, theopening tool 82 may pierce, separate and pass through thefirst weakening feature 34. With theopening tool 82 extending through thefirst weakening feature 34, therear edge 66 of thebase wall 26 of thecontainer 14 may be directed downward through the entrance opening 122 of thechannel 120. - As shown in
FIG. 9 , as thecontainer 14 continues to longitudinally move along theupper support deck 88 toward therear end 94 of thedispenser 12, thebase wall 26 of thecontainer 14 may pass through thechannel 120, thereby separating theaccess panel 58 from thebase wall 26. Since the exit opening 124 of thechannel 120 opens toward therear end 94 of thedispenser 12, the separatedaccess panel 58 may be directed toward therear end 94 of thedispenser 12, thereby partially covering the access opening 60 that has been formed in thecontainer 14. - As shown in
FIG. 10 , with thecontainer 14 fully loaded onto thedispenser 12, the access opening 60 formed in thecontainer 14 may be aligned with theopening 112 between upper 110 and lower 100 levels of theframe 80. Therefore, the force of gravity may urge theproducts 16 initially housed in thecontainer 16 through the access opening 60 in thecontainer 14, through theopening 112 in theframe 80, down to thelower support deck 90 and, ultimately, to theproduct display area 104. The weight of theproducts 16 passing through theopenings access panel 58 from the configuration shown inFIG. 9 to the configuration shown inFIG. 10 . - As the
products 16 exiting thecontainer 14 interact with theaccess panel 58, theaccess panel 58 may become “hooked” onto theupper support deck 88 of thedispenser 12. Specifically, as theproducts 16 exiting thecontainer 14 interact with theaccess panel 58, a first portion of the access panel 58 (i.e., the portion of theaccess panel 58 within the channel 120) may extend toward therear end 94 of thedispenser frame 80 while a second portion of the access panel 58 (i.e., the portion of theaccess panel 58 that includes the rear edge 66) may extend toward thefront end 92 of thedispenser frame 80, thereby inhibiting separation of thecontainer 14 from thedispenser 12. - Accordingly, the engagement between the
products 16 and theaccess panel 58 that facilitates “hooking” of theaccess panel 58 onto thedispenser 12 may function as a theft deterrent by inhibiting the quick and easy separation of a loadedcontainer 14 from thedispenser 12. - Although various aspects of the disclosed product dispensing system have been shown and described, modifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.
Claims (20)
1. A product dispensing system comprising:
a frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, said frame comprising:
a first support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end; and
a second support deck positioned below said first support deck, said second support deck defining a product display area; and
an opening tool connected to said frame, said opening tool comprising a front edge that is tapered toward said front end of said frame.
2. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said opening tool comprises a substantially planar horizontal surface.
3. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said front edge terminates at a pointed forward-most end.
4. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said front edge terminates at a rounded forward-most end.
5. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said front edge comprises a first edge and a second edge, and wherein said first edge intersect said second edge at a forward-most end.
6. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said opening tool comprises a rear end and a forward-most end longitudinally opposed from said rear end, and wherein said rear end has a first lateral width and said forward-most end has a second lateral width, said second lateral width being less than said first lateral width.
7. The product dispensing system of claim 6 wherein said second lateral width is at most 25 percent of said first lateral width.
8. The product dispensing system of claim 6 wherein said second lateral width is at most 10 percent of said first lateral width.
9. The product dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising a container initially housing a plurality of products, wherein said opening tool opens said container when said container is urged along said first support deck from said front end toward said rear end.
10. A product dispensing system comprising:
a frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, said frame comprising:
a first support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end; and
a second support deck positioned below said first support deck, said second support defining a product display area;
an opening tool connected proximate said first support deck, said opening tool comprising a front edge that is tapered to a forward-most end; and
a container positioned on said first support deck.
11. The product dispensing system of claim 10 wherein said forward-most end is pointed or rounded.
12. The product dispensing system of claim 10 wherein said first support deck comprises a front end and a rear end, and wherein said opening tool is connected to said first support deck proximate said rear end of said first support deck and protrudes toward said front end of said first support deck.
13. The product dispensing system of claim 10 wherein frame further comprises a first side wall and a second side wall, said second side wall being laterally opposed from said first side wall.
14. The product dispensing system of claim 13 wherein said opening tool laterally extends between said first side wall and said second side wall.
15. The product dispensing system of claim 13 wherein said forward-most end is substantially centered between said first side wall and said second side wall.
16. The product dispensing system of claim 10 wherein said opening tool defines a first upper surface and said first support deck defines a second upper surface, and wherein said first upper surface is substantially parallel to said second upper surface.
17. The product dispensing system of claim 10 wherein said first support deck defines an upper surface and a channel that extends below said upper surface, said channel having an entrance opening, and wherein a portion of said container is received in said channel.
18. The product dispensing system of claim 17 wherein said opening tool is connected proximate said entrance opening.
19. The product dispensing system of claim 10 wherein said first support deck defines an upper level of said frame and said second support deck defines a lower level of said frame, and wherein said frame defines an opening between said upper level and said lower level.
20. The product dispensing system of claim 19 , wherein said container defines an internal volume and an access opening into said internal volume, and wherein said access opening is aligned with said opening defined by said frame.
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US13/591,337 US20120318817A1 (en) | 2009-11-23 | 2012-08-22 | Product Dispensing System with Tapered Opening Tool |
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US13/591,337 US20120318817A1 (en) | 2009-11-23 | 2012-08-22 | Product Dispensing System with Tapered Opening Tool |
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- 2010-11-12 RU RU2012126066/12A patent/RU2553010C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2010-11-12 WO PCT/US2010/056465 patent/WO2011062839A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-11-12 MX MX2012005869A patent/MX2012005869A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2010-11-12 CN CN201510485043.8A patent/CN105151461A/en active Pending
- 2010-11-12 JP JP2012541097A patent/JP5579867B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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- 2010-11-12 EP EP10779648A patent/EP2504247A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2010-11-12 AU AU2010322269A patent/AU2010322269B8/en not_active Ceased
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JP5579867B2 (en) | 2014-08-27 |
CN105151461A (en) | 2015-12-16 |
US20110121010A1 (en) | 2011-05-26 |
JP5934297B2 (en) | 2016-06-15 |
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AU2010322269B8 (en) | 2014-11-27 |
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RU2553010C2 (en) | 2015-06-10 |
EP2504247A1 (en) | 2012-10-03 |
BR112012011931A2 (en) | 2017-10-10 |
US20170240365A9 (en) | 2017-08-24 |
AU2010322269A1 (en) | 2012-06-07 |
CN102712382A (en) | 2012-10-03 |
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