US20130277385A1 - Container for Use in a Product Dispensing System - Google Patents
Container for Use in a Product Dispensing System Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130277385A1 US20130277385A1 US13/453,562 US201213453562A US2013277385A1 US 20130277385 A1 US20130277385 A1 US 20130277385A1 US 201213453562 A US201213453562 A US 201213453562A US 2013277385 A1 US2013277385 A1 US 2013277385A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- container
- wall
- side wall
- support deck
- products
- 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
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- 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
- B65D5/54—Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing
- B65D5/5405—Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing for opening containers formed by erecting a blank in tubular form
-
- 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
-
- 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
- B65D2571/00567—Lines of weakness defining a narrow removable strip
-
- 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
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 container comprises a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, the walls comprising a first side wall laterally opposed from a second side wall, a base wall laterally extending between the first and second side walls and a third wall laterally extending between the first and second side walls and vertically extending from the base wall, wherein the third wall comprises an upper portion connected to the first and second side walls and a lower portion being outwardly movable from the base wall and the first and second side walls to increase the internal volume.
- 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, a lower support deck positioned below the upper support deck, the lower support deck defining a product display area, wherein the dispenser frame defines an opening sized to allow product passage from the upper support deck down to the lower support deck, a catch element connected to the dispenser frame proximate the entrance opening of the channel, and a container that comprises a plurality of walls that define an internal volume and further comprise laterally opposing first and second side walls, a base wall laterally extending between the first and second side walls, and a third wall laterally extending between the first and second side walls and vertically extending from the base wall, wherein the third wall comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being connected to the first and second side walls, the lower portion being outwardly movable from the base wall and the side walls to increase the internal volume, and wherein the base wall defines an
- 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 a catch element connected to the frame; (2) providing a container that comprises a priming feature and initially houses a plurality of products; (3) removing the priming feature to form an initiation opening in the container; (4) urging the container along the upper support deck from the front end toward the rear end such that the catch element engages the initiation opening 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 (5) aligning the second opening with the first opening such that at least one product of the plurality of products moves from the container
- 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. 6 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser of the product dispensing system of FIG. 1 , shown with the container in a first, partially loaded configuration.
- FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser of the product dispensing system of FIG. 1 , shown with the container in a second, fully loaded configuration.
- FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser of the product dispensing system of FIG. 1 , shown with the container in a third dispensing configuration.
- one embodiment 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. 7 and 8 ).
- 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 20 and 18 may define the third (e.g., rear) and fourth (e.g., front) side walls, respectively, of the container 14 .
- Opposed walls 26 and 28 may define the base and upper walls, respectively, of the container 14 . While the container 14 disclosed herein is generally rectilinear, other shapes and configurations are also anticipated without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
- the base wall 26 may laterally extend between the left side wall 22 and the right side wall 24 . Additionally, the base wall 26 may laterally extend between the front wall 18 and the rear wall 20 . Likewise, the upper wall 28 may laterally extend between the left side wall 22 and the right side wall 24 . Additionally, the upper wall 28 may laterally extend between the front wall 18 and the rear wall 20 .
- the rear wall 20 may be comprised of an upper portion 21 and a lower portion 23 .
- the lower portion 23 of the rear wall 20 may be generally defined by a series of weakening features 33 , 37 such as cuts, perforations, creases and/or the like that are positioned along at least a portion of the edges between the rear wall 20 and the side walls 22 , 24 .
- the weakening features 33 , 37 may allow the lower portion 23 of the rear wall 20 to separate from the side walls 22 , 24 , while at the same time, the upper portion 21 remains attached to the side walls 22 , 24 .
- Such a partial separation of the rear wall 20 may allow the lower portion 23 to be pressed outward temporarily to increase the internal volume 30 of the container 14 , as described in more detail herein.
- the base wall 26 of the container 14 may include a removable priming feature 32 , as shown in FIG. 2A .
- the removable priming feature 32 may be removed from the container 14 to reveal an initiation opening 34 that opens into the internal volume 30 of the container 14 .
- the removable priming feature 32 may be positioned such that the initiation opening 34 is formed proximate (i.e., at or near) the rear wall 20 of the container 14 , such as along the edge 44 between the base wall 26 and the rear wall 20 .
- the weakening features 33 , 37 may define an extension of the removable priming feature 32 that extends the priming feature 32 into the side walls 22 , 24 .
- the removable priming feature 32 may be a zipper strip or the like, and may be defined by two parallel, laterally extending rows of perforations 36 , 38 on the base wall 26 that further extend as two parallel, laterally extending rows of perforations 35 , 37 on the left side wall 22 and two parallel, laterally extending rows of perforations 31 , 33 on the right side wall 24 .
- a longitudinally extending perforated row 40 may span between the perforations 35 , 37 on the left side wall 22
- a longitudinally extending perforated row 42 may span between the perforations 31 , 33 on the right side wall 24 .
- Weakening features other than perforations may also be used.
- a user may remove the removable priming feature 32 from the container 14 , such as by tearing the removable priming feature 32 from the container 14 along the rows of perforations 31 , 33 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 40 , 42 , thereby forming the initiation opening 34 , as shown in FIG. 2B .
- the initiation opening 34 may extend generally laterally between the side walls 22 , 24 of the container 14 and optionally along a portion of the height H of the side walls 22 , 24 .
- the initiation opening 34 may include a first (e.g., left) end 46 positioned at a location that is at least 25% of the height H of the left side wall 22 , at least 50% of the height H of the left side wall 22 or at least 75% of the height H of the left side wall 22 .
- the initiation opening 34 may further have a second (e.g., right) end 48 positioned at a location that is at least 25% of the height H of the right side wall 24 , at least 50% of the height H of the right side wall 24 or at least 75% of the height H of the right side wall 24 .
- a second (e.g., right) end 48 positioned at a location that is at least 25% of the height H of the right side wall 24 , at least 50% of the height H of the right side wall 24 or at least 75% of the height H of the right side wall 24 .
- the initiation opening 34 may optionally extend laterally along a height H of the left side wall 22 , such as, but not limited to, at least 25% of the height H of the left side wall 22 , at least 50% of the height H of the left side wall 22 or at least 75% of the height H of the left side wall 22 .
- the initiation opening 34 may also optionally laterally along the height H of the right side wall 24 , such as, but not limited to, at least 25% of the height H of the right side wall 24 , at least 50% of the height H of the right side wall 24 or at least 75% of the height H of the right side wall 24 .
- the initiation opening 34 may sufficiently extend a portion of the height H of the side walls 22 , 24 so as to allow the lower portion 23 of the rear wall 20 to temporarily move outwardly (e.g., towards the rear end 94 of the frame 80 ) under force from products 16 housed within the container 14 ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ).
- the outward movement of the rear wall 20 may provide additional room for the products 16 to be deposited unhindered into the frame 80 , as described in greater detail herein.
- the initiation opening 34 may be pre-formed in the base wall 26 of the container 14 .
- a peelable label or the like (not shown) may be applied to the container 14 over the pre-formed initiation opening 34 . Therefore, the initiation opening 34 may be revealed by peeling away the optional peelable label from the container 14 .
- the initiation opening 34 may be positioned at various alternative locations and may have various alternative configurations, provided that the initiation opening 34 is capable of being engaged by the dispenser 12 when the container 14 is being loaded onto the dispenser 12 .
- the initiation opening 34 may be formed in the rear wall 20 of the container 14 .
- the initiation opening 34 may be formed in the base wall 26 , between the front 18 and rear 20 walls of the container 14 .
- Other implementations are also contemplated.
- a first weakening feature 50 may generally longitudinally extend from the initiation opening 34 toward the front wall 18 of the container 14 .
- the first weakening feature 44 may be formed in the base wall 26 proximate the edge 52 between the base wall 26 and the left side wall 22 .
- a second weakening feature 54 may generally longitudinally extend from the initiation opening 34 toward the front wall 18 of the container 14 , and may be laterally spaced from the first weakening feature 50 .
- the second 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 first weakening feature 50 may be substantially equal to the longitudinal length of the second weakening feature 54 , may be longer or may be shorter.
- the longitudinal length of the first and second weakening features 50 , 54 may be dictated by the size (e.g., the diameter) of the products 16 housed in the container 14 .
- the first and second weakening features 50 , 54 may extend along at least 5 percent of the length of the edge 52 .
- the first and second weakening features 50 , 54 may extend along at least 10 percent of the length of the edge 52 .
- the first and second weakening features 50 , 54 may extend along at least 20 percent of the length of the edge 52 .
- the first and second weakening features 50 , 54 may extend along at least 30 percent of the length of the edge 52 .
- the first and second 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 first and second weakening features 50 , 54 may be formed as rows of perforations.
- the first and second 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 first and second weakening features 50 , 54 may be formed by scoring the container 14 .
- the first and second weakening features 50 , 54 may be formed by creasing the container 14 .
- Other techniques useful for forming the first and second 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 initiation opening 34 may partially separate a portion of the base wall 26 from the container 14 along the first and second weakening features 50 , 54 to form an access panel 58 , as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the size of the initiation opening 34 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 , 74 , 76 , 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 may include, for example, cans (e.g., canned soup or pet food), jars (e.g., jarred sauce) or bottles (e.g., bottled soft drinks).
- cans e.g., canned soup or pet food
- jars e.g., jarred sauce
- bottles e.g., bottled soft drinks
- the dispenser 12 may include a frame 80 and a catch element 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 , 7 and 8 .
- the catch element 82 may engage the initiation opening 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 or otherwise move 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 .
- An optional 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 .
- Functional equivalents of the stop 102 such as a lip or an upward curvature of an external object such as a store shelf upon which the frame 80 rests are also anticipated without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
- 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 .
- the size and position of the initiation opening 34 may be sufficient so as to allow a portion of the rear wall 20 of the container 14 to temporarily move outwardly (e.g., towards the rear end 94 of the frame 80 ) under force from the products 16 housed within the container 14 .
- the outward movement of the rear wall 20 may provide additional space for the products 16 to be deposited through the opening 112 .
- 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 partially inhibits rearward horizontal movement of the container 14 ( FIG. 1 ) along the upper support deck 88 beyond the rear wall 114 .
- the rear wall 114 may still allow minor rearward movement of the rear wall 20 of the container 14 , so as to allow the container 14 to move outward (e.g., towards the rear end 94 of the frame 80 ) to prevent bridging of the product 16 .
- 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 catch element 82 may be positioned between the front end 106 and the rear end 108 of the upper support deck 88 .
- the catch element 82 may be positioned proximate the rear end 108 of the upper support deck 88 .
- the catch element 82 may laterally extend between the side walls 84 , 86 of the frame 80 , and may longitudinally protrude toward the front end 82 of the frame 80 .
- the specific size and shape of the catch element 82 may depend on the size and shape of the initiation opening 34 in the container 14 .
- the catch element 82 may be substantially co-planar with the upper surface 118 of the upper support deck 88 .
- the catch element 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 catch element 82 relative to the upper surface 118 of the upper support deck 88 may encourage engagement of the initiation opening 34 in the container 14 by the catch element 82 during loading of the container 14 onto the dispenser 12 .
- catch element 82 is shown and described as a generally flat, laterally elongated and forwardly extending protrusion, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various alternative structures may be used as the disclosed catch element 82 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
- suitable catch elements may include various hooks, protrusions, flanges, detents and the like sufficient to engage the initiation opening 34 in the container 14 and separate the access panel 58 from the base wall 26 of the container 14 .
- 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 catch element 82 .
- the channel 120 may extend from an entrance opening 122 proximate the catch element 82 , down below the catch element 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 catch element 82 may engage the initiation opening 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 catch element 82 may be configured such that a portion of the catch element 82 extends through the initiation opening 34 ( FIG. 2B ) in the container 14 . Therefore, as the container 14 moves relative to the catch element 82 , the catch element 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 first and second weakening features 50 , 54 ( FIG. 2B ) and, ultimately, the formation of the access opening 60 ( FIG. 3 ) in the container 14 .
- FIGS. 6-8 illustrate the container 14 being loaded onto the dispenser 12 such that the catch element 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. 6-8 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 catch element 82 may pass through the initiation opening 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. 7 to the configuration shown in FIG. 8 .
- 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 .
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Cartons (AREA)
Abstract
A container comprising a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, the walls comprising a first side wall laterally opposed from a second side wall, a base wall laterally extending between the first and second side walls and a third wall laterally extending between the first and second side walls and vertically extending from the base wall, wherein the third wall comprises an upper portion connected to the first and second side walls and a lower portion being outwardly movable from the base wall and the first and second side walls to increase the internal volume.
Description
- 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 container comprises a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, the walls comprising a first side wall laterally opposed from a second side wall, a base wall laterally extending between the first and second side walls and a third wall laterally extending between the first and second side walls and vertically extending from the base wall, wherein the third wall comprises an upper portion connected to the first and second side walls and a lower portion being outwardly movable from the base wall and the first and second side walls to increase the internal volume.
- 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, a lower support deck positioned below the upper support deck, the lower support deck defining a product display area, wherein the dispenser frame defines an opening sized to allow product passage from the upper support deck down to the lower support deck, a catch element connected to the dispenser frame proximate the entrance opening of the channel, and a container that comprises a plurality of walls that define an internal volume and further comprise laterally opposing first and second side walls, a base wall laterally extending between the first and second side walls, and a third wall laterally extending between the first and second side walls and vertically extending from the base wall, wherein the third wall comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being connected to the first and second side walls, the lower portion being outwardly movable from the base wall and the side walls to increase the internal volume, and wherein the base wall defines an initiation opening. When the container is positioned on the upper support deck, the catch element engages the initiation opening to form an access panel, and wherein the access panel is aligned with the opening defined by the dispenser frame, and wherein a portion of the container extends through the channel.
- 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 a catch element connected to the frame; (2) providing a container that comprises a priming feature and initially houses a plurality of products; (3) removing the priming feature to form an initiation opening in the container; (4) urging the container along the upper support deck from the front end toward the rear end such that the catch element engages the initiation opening 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 (5) 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. 6 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser of the product dispensing system ofFIG. 1 , shown with the container in a first, partially loaded configuration. -
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser of the product dispensing system ofFIG. 1 , shown with the container in a second, fully loaded configuration. -
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser of the product dispensing system ofFIG. 1 , shown with the container in a third dispensing configuration. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , one embodiment 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. 7 and 8 ). Opposedwalls container 14. Opposedwalls container 14. Opposedwalls container 14. While thecontainer 14 disclosed herein is generally rectilinear, other shapes and configurations are also anticipated without departing from the scope of this disclosure. - The
base wall 26 may laterally extend between theleft side wall 22 and theright side wall 24. Additionally, thebase wall 26 may laterally extend between thefront wall 18 and therear wall 20. Likewise, theupper wall 28 may laterally extend between theleft side wall 22 and theright side wall 24. Additionally, theupper wall 28 may laterally extend between thefront wall 18 and therear wall 20. - The
rear wall 20 may be comprised of anupper portion 21 and alower portion 23. Thelower portion 23 of therear wall 20 may be generally defined by a series of weakeningfeatures rear wall 20 and theside walls lower portion 23 of therear wall 20 to separate from theside walls upper portion 21 remains attached to theside walls rear wall 20 may allow thelower portion 23 to be pressed outward temporarily to increase theinternal volume 30 of thecontainer 14, as described in more detail herein. - In a first construction, the
base wall 26 of thecontainer 14 may include aremovable priming feature 32, as shown inFIG. 2A . As shown inFIG. 2B , theremovable priming feature 32 may be removed from thecontainer 14 to reveal aninitiation opening 34 that opens into theinternal volume 30 of thecontainer 14. Theremovable priming feature 32 may be positioned such that theinitiation opening 34 is formed proximate (i.e., at or near) therear wall 20 of thecontainer 14, such as along the edge 44 between thebase wall 26 and therear wall 20. - The weakening features 33, 37, along with
additional weakening features removable priming feature 32 that extends thepriming feature 32 into theside walls - Referring to
FIG. 2A , the removable priming feature 32 (FIG. 2A ) may be a zipper strip or the like, and may be defined by two parallel, laterally extending rows ofperforations base wall 26 that further extend as two parallel, laterally extending rows ofperforations left side wall 22 and two parallel, laterally extending rows ofperforations right side wall 24. A longitudinally extending perforated row 40 may span between theperforations left side wall 22, and a longitudinally extending perforated row 42 may span between theperforations right side wall 24. Weakening features other than perforations may also be used. - Thus, prior to loading the
container 14 onto thedispenser 12, a user may remove the removable priming feature 32 from thecontainer 14, such as by tearing the removable priming feature 32 from thecontainer 14 along the rows ofperforations initiation opening 34, as shown inFIG. 2B . - Referring to
FIG. 2B , theinitiation opening 34 may extend generally laterally between theside walls container 14 and optionally along a portion of the height H of theside walls initiation opening 34 may include a first (e.g., left) end 46 positioned at a location that is at least 25% of the height H of theleft side wall 22, at least 50% of the height H of theleft side wall 22 or at least 75% of the height H of theleft side wall 22. Theinitiation opening 34 may further have a second (e.g., right) end 48 positioned at a location that is at least 25% of the height H of theright side wall 24, at least 50% of the height H of theright side wall 24 or at least 75% of the height H of theright side wall 24. - The
initiation opening 34 may optionally extend laterally along a height H of theleft side wall 22, such as, but not limited to, at least 25% of the height H of theleft side wall 22, at least 50% of the height H of theleft side wall 22 or at least 75% of the height H of theleft side wall 22. - The
initiation opening 34 may also optionally laterally along the height H of theright side wall 24, such as, but not limited to, at least 25% of the height H of theright side wall 24, at least 50% of the height H of theright side wall 24 or at least 75% of the height H of theright side wall 24. - In embodiments where the
initiation opening 34 extends a portion of theside walls initiation opening 34 may sufficiently extend a portion of the height H of theside walls lower portion 23 of therear wall 20 to temporarily move outwardly (e.g., towards therear end 94 of the frame 80) under force fromproducts 16 housed within the container 14 (FIGS. 7 and 8 ). The outward movement of therear wall 20 may provide additional room for theproducts 16 to be deposited unhindered into theframe 80, as described in greater detail herein. - In a second construction, the
initiation opening 34 may be pre-formed in thebase wall 26 of thecontainer 14. Optionally, a peelable label or the like (not shown) may be applied to thecontainer 14 over thepre-formed initiation opening 34. Therefore, theinitiation opening 34 may be revealed by peeling away the optional peelable label from thecontainer 14. - Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
initiation opening 34 may be positioned at various alternative locations and may have various alternative configurations, provided that theinitiation opening 34 is capable of being engaged by thedispenser 12 when thecontainer 14 is being loaded onto thedispenser 12. As a first alternative implementation, theinitiation opening 34 may be formed in therear wall 20 of thecontainer 14. As a second alternative implementation, theinitiation opening 34 may be formed in thebase wall 26, between the front 18 and rear 20 walls of thecontainer 14. Other implementations are also contemplated. - A
first weakening feature 50 may generally longitudinally extend from theinitiation opening 34 toward thefront wall 18 of thecontainer 14. The first weakening feature 44 may be formed in thebase wall 26 proximate theedge 52 between thebase wall 26 and theleft side wall 22. - A
second weakening feature 54 may generally longitudinally extend from theinitiation opening 34 toward thefront wall 18 of thecontainer 14, and may be laterally spaced from thefirst weakening feature 50. Thesecond 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
first weakening feature 50 may be substantially equal to the longitudinal length of thesecond weakening feature 54, may be longer or may be shorter. The longitudinal length of the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may be dictated by the size (e.g., the diameter) of theproducts 16 housed in thecontainer 14. As one example, the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may extend along at least 5 percent of the length of theedge 52. As another example, the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may extend along at least 10 percent of the length of theedge 52. As another example, the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may extend along at least 20 percent of the length of theedge 52. As yet another example, the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may extend along at least 30 percent of the length of theedge 52. - The first and second 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 first and second weakening features 50, 54 may be formed as rows of perforations. For example, the first and second 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 first and second weakening features 50, 54 may be formed by scoring thecontainer 14. In a third implementation, the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may be formed by creasing thecontainer 14. Other techniques useful for forming the first and second 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 theinitiation opening 34 may partially separate a portion of thebase wall 26 from thecontainer 14 along the first and second weakening features 50, 54 to form anaccess panel 58, as shown inFIG. 3 . As theaccess panel 58 is separated from the remainder of thecontainer 14, the size of theinitiation opening 34 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 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 may include, for example, 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 acatch element 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 , 7 and 8. As thecontainer 14 is generally horizontally urged along thedispenser 12 to the configuration shown inFIGS. 1 , 7 and 8, thecatch element 82 may engage the initiation opening 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 or otherwise move 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. - An
optional 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. Functional equivalents of thestop 102, such as a lip or an upward curvature of an external object such as a store shelf upon which theframe 80 rests are also anticipated without departing from the scope of this disclosure. - 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. 7 and 8 , 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. - At times,
multiple products 16 may become lodged or stuck over theopening 112 in instances where two ormore products 16 attempt to pass through theopening 112 at the same time, a phenomenon known as “bridging.” Thus, to avoid bridging, the size and position of the initiation opening 34 (FIG. 2B ) as discussed herein may be sufficient so as to allow a portion of therear wall 20 of thecontainer 14 to temporarily move outwardly (e.g., towards therear end 94 of the frame 80) under force from theproducts 16 housed within thecontainer 14. The outward movement of therear wall 20 may provide additional space for theproducts 16 to be deposited through theopening 112. - 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 partially inhibits rearward horizontal movement of the container 14 (FIG. 1 ) along theupper support deck 88 beyond therear wall 114. Therear wall 114 may still allow minor rearward movement of therear wall 20 of thecontainer 14, so as to allow thecontainer 14 to move outward (e.g., towards therear end 94 of the frame 80) to prevent bridging of theproduct 16. - 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
catch element 82 may be positioned between thefront end 106 and therear end 108 of theupper support deck 88. For example, thecatch element 82 may be positioned proximate therear end 108 of theupper support deck 88. - The
catch element 82 may laterally extend between theside walls frame 80, and may longitudinally protrude toward thefront end 82 of theframe 80. The specific size and shape of thecatch element 82 may depend on the size and shape of theinitiation opening 34 in thecontainer 14. - In an effort to minimize interference between the
catch element 82 and thecontainer 14 during loading, thecatch element 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 thecatch element 82 relative to theupper surface 118 of theupper support deck 88 may encourage engagement of theinitiation opening 34 in thecontainer 14 by thecatch element 82 during loading of thecontainer 14 onto thedispenser 12. - While the
catch element 82 is shown and described as a generally flat, laterally elongated and forwardly extending protrusion, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various alternative structures may be used as the disclosedcatch element 82 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, suitable catch elements may include various hooks, protrusions, flanges, detents and the like sufficient to engage theinitiation opening 34 in thecontainer 14 and separate theaccess panel 58 from thebase wall 26 of thecontainer 14. - 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 thecatch element 82. Thechannel 120 may extend from anentrance opening 122 proximate thecatch element 82, down below thecatch element 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
catch element 82 may engage the initiation opening 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 thecatch element 82 may be configured such that a portion of thecatch element 82 extends through the initiation opening 34 (FIG. 2B ) in thecontainer 14. Therefore, as thecontainer 14 moves relative to thecatch element 82, thecatch element 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 first and second weakening features 50, 54 (FIG. 2B ) and, ultimately, the formation of the access opening 60 (FIG. 3 ) in thecontainer 14. -
FIGS. 6-8 illustrate thecontainer 14 being loaded onto thedispenser 12 such that thecatch element 82 of thedispenser 12 engages and opens thecontainer 14, thereby releasing theproducts 16 initially housed in thecontainer 14 to thedispenser 12. Specifically,FIGS. 6-8 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. 6 , as theinitiation opening 34 in thecontainer 14 approximates thecatch element 82 of thedispenser 12, thecatch element 82 may pass through theinitiation opening 34. With thecatch element 82 extending through theinitiation opening 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. 7 , 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. 8 , 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. 7 to the configuration shown inFIG. 8 . - 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 (19)
1. A container comprising:
a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, said plurality of walls comprising:
a first side wall laterally opposed from a second side wall;
a base wall laterally extending between said first side wall and said second side wall; and
a third wall laterally extending between said first side wall and said second side wall and vertically extending from said base wall,
wherein said third wall comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion being connected to said first side wall and to said second side wall, said lower portion being movable outward from said base wall, said first side wall and said second side wall.
2. The container of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of walls define a plurality of weakening features.
3. The container of claim 2 , wherein a first portion of said plurality of weakening features are positioned between said first side wall and said third wall.
4. The container of claim 2 , wherein a second portion of said plurality of weakening features are positioned between said second side wall and said third wall.
5. The container of claim 2 , wherein a third portion of said plurality of weakening features are positioned between said base wall and said third wall.
6. The container of claim 2 , wherein said plurality of weakening features are positioned along an edge between said base wall and third wall.
7. The container of claim 1 , wherein said lower portion of said third wall is disconnected from said first side wall and said second side wall.
8. The container of claim 1 , wherein said container initially houses a plurality of products.
9. The container of claim 7 , wherein said lower portion of said third wall is outwardly movable under a force provided from said plurality of products.
10. The container of claim 1 , wherein said container comprises paperboard.
11. The container of claim 1 , wherein said container further comprises an upper wall laterally extending between said first side wall and said second side wall, and wherein said third wall vertically extends between said base wall and said upper wall.
12. A product dispensing system comprising:
a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, said dispenser frame comprising:
an upper support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end;
a lower support deck positioned below said upper support deck, said lower support deck defining a product display area,
wherein said dispenser frame defines an opening sized to allow product passage from said upper support deck down to said lower support deck;
a catch element connected to said dispenser frame; and
a container comprising:
a plurality of walls that define an internal volume and further comprise a first side wall laterally opposed from a second side wall, a base wall laterally extending between first side wall and said second side wall, and a third wall laterally extending between said first side wall and said second side wall and vertically extending from said base wall,
wherein said third wall comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion being connected to said first side wall and said second side wall, said lower portion being outwardly movable from said base wall, said first side wall and said second side wall to increase said internal volume, and
wherein said base wall defines an initiation opening;
wherein, when said container is urged along said upper support deck, said catch element engages said initiation opening to form an access opening in said container.
13. The product dispensing system of claim 12 wherein said container initially houses a plurality of products.
14. The product dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein said lower portion of said third wall is outwardly movable under a force provided from the plurality of products.
15. The product dispensing system of claim 14 , wherein said increased internal volume provides an additional space for said plurality of products to move through said access panel.
16. The product dispensing system of claim 13 wherein said plurality of products are at least partially dispensed from said container and supported on said lower support deck.
17. The product dispensing system of claim 14 wherein said portion of said container that extends through said channel is engaged with at least one product of said plurality of products supported on said lower support deck.
18. The product dispensing system of claim 12 , wherein said container comprises paperboard.
19. The product dispensing system of claim 12 , wherein said container further comprises an upper wall laterally extending between said first side wall and said second side wall, and wherein said third wall vertically extends between said base wall and said upper wall.
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/453,562 US20130277385A1 (en) | 2012-04-23 | 2012-04-23 | Container for Use in a Product Dispensing System |
PCT/US2013/036712 WO2013162942A1 (en) | 2012-04-23 | 2013-04-16 | Container for use in a product dispensing system |
TW102113585A TW201343507A (en) | 2012-04-23 | 2013-04-17 | Container for use in a product dispensing system |
ARP130101361A AR105145A1 (en) | 2012-04-23 | 2013-04-23 | CONTAINER FOR USE IN PRODUCT DISPENSING SYSTEMS |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/453,562 US20130277385A1 (en) | 2012-04-23 | 2012-04-23 | Container for Use in a Product Dispensing System |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130277385A1 true US20130277385A1 (en) | 2013-10-24 |
Family
ID=48471082
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/453,562 Abandoned US20130277385A1 (en) | 2012-04-23 | 2012-04-23 | Container for Use in a Product Dispensing System |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20130277385A1 (en) |
AR (1) | AR105145A1 (en) |
TW (1) | TW201343507A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2013162942A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120211522A1 (en) * | 2011-02-23 | 2012-08-23 | John Gelardi | Product Dispensing System with Panel Guide |
US20140076922A1 (en) * | 2012-09-20 | 2014-03-20 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Product Dispensing System with Increased Container and Dispenser Openings |
US20140103056A1 (en) * | 2010-09-25 | 2014-04-17 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Product Dispensing Container, System and Method with Priming Area |
US20150001244A1 (en) * | 2013-08-29 | 2015-01-01 | Giraffx Design, LLC | Dispenser with wedge for rolling products |
US8955695B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2015-02-17 | Giraffx Design, LLC | Serpentine dispenser with cartridges |
US20150053754A1 (en) * | 2013-08-22 | 2015-02-26 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Product Dispensing System with Reinforced Weakening Features |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10479549B2 (en) | 2015-07-31 | 2019-11-19 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton with dispenser |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH11171264A (en) * | 1997-12-12 | 1999-06-29 | Hiroyuki Nohara | Container storage box and container lead-out jig |
US7922437B1 (en) * | 2009-11-23 | 2011-04-12 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Display system, dispensing device and package for use therein |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2233488A (en) * | 1938-05-13 | 1941-03-04 | John N Powell | Box construction |
US3237837A (en) * | 1964-01-27 | 1966-03-01 | Raymond H Vizethann | Dispensing containers |
US3263861A (en) * | 1964-06-09 | 1966-08-02 | Lawless Bros Container Corp | Dispensing carton |
US3335940A (en) * | 1966-03-31 | 1967-08-15 | Container Corp | Reclosable carrier-dispensing container |
US4364509A (en) * | 1981-06-25 | 1982-12-21 | The Mead Corporation | Article carrier with dispensing feature |
US4396143A (en) * | 1981-08-31 | 1983-08-02 | Manville Service Corporation | Multiple article beverage package |
TW309000U (en) * | 1995-12-11 | 1997-06-21 | Riverwood Int Corp | Carrier with article dispenser |
US5878947A (en) * | 1997-06-19 | 1999-03-09 | Hoy; Richard W. | Multiple article beverage package |
US6176419B1 (en) * | 2000-02-29 | 2001-01-23 | The Mead Corporation | Carton with article dispensing feature |
US7000803B2 (en) * | 2003-12-02 | 2006-02-21 | The C.W. Zumbiel Company | Contoured carton with dispenser |
US20110121011A1 (en) * | 2009-11-23 | 2011-05-26 | John Gelardi | Product Dispensing System With Anti-Theft Engagement |
US8322543B2 (en) * | 2010-07-23 | 2012-12-04 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Product dispensing apparatus and system |
US8628003B2 (en) * | 2010-09-25 | 2014-01-14 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Product dispensing container, system and method with priming area |
-
2012
- 2012-04-23 US US13/453,562 patent/US20130277385A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2013
- 2013-04-16 WO PCT/US2013/036712 patent/WO2013162942A1/en active Application Filing
- 2013-04-17 TW TW102113585A patent/TW201343507A/en unknown
- 2013-04-23 AR ARP130101361A patent/AR105145A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH11171264A (en) * | 1997-12-12 | 1999-06-29 | Hiroyuki Nohara | Container storage box and container lead-out jig |
US7922437B1 (en) * | 2009-11-23 | 2011-04-12 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Display system, dispensing device and package for use therein |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9102456B2 (en) * | 2010-09-25 | 2015-08-11 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Product dispensing container, system and method with priming area |
US20140103056A1 (en) * | 2010-09-25 | 2014-04-17 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Product Dispensing Container, System and Method with Priming Area |
US20140102942A1 (en) * | 2010-09-25 | 2014-04-17 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Product Dispensing Container, System and Method with Priming Area |
US9096361B2 (en) * | 2010-09-25 | 2015-08-04 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Product dispensing container, system and method with priming area |
US9174785B2 (en) * | 2011-02-23 | 2015-11-03 | Westrock Mwv, Llc | Product dispensing system with panel guide |
US20120211522A1 (en) * | 2011-02-23 | 2012-08-23 | John Gelardi | Product Dispensing System with Panel Guide |
US20140076922A1 (en) * | 2012-09-20 | 2014-03-20 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Product Dispensing System with Increased Container and Dispenser Openings |
US8955695B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2015-02-17 | Giraffx Design, LLC | Serpentine dispenser with cartridges |
US9096345B2 (en) * | 2013-08-22 | 2015-08-04 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Product dispensing system with reinforced weakening features |
US20150053754A1 (en) * | 2013-08-22 | 2015-02-26 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Product Dispensing System with Reinforced Weakening Features |
US20150001244A1 (en) * | 2013-08-29 | 2015-01-01 | Giraffx Design, LLC | Dispenser with wedge for rolling products |
US9361747B2 (en) * | 2013-08-29 | 2016-06-07 | Giraffx Design, LLC | Dispenser with wedge for rolling products |
US9659426B2 (en) | 2013-08-29 | 2017-05-23 | Giraffx Design, LLC | Dispenser for rolling product and dispenser cartridges |
US10861277B2 (en) | 2013-08-29 | 2020-12-08 | Rtc Industries, Inc. | Product dispenser with an s-shaped down chute |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AR105145A1 (en) | 2017-09-13 |
WO2013162942A1 (en) | 2013-10-31 |
TW201343507A (en) | 2013-11-01 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20120285977A1 (en) | Product Dispensing System | |
US9174785B2 (en) | Product dispensing system with panel guide | |
US20120318817A1 (en) | Product Dispensing System with Tapered Opening Tool | |
US8302809B1 (en) | Product dispensing system with increased product-to-dispenser contact | |
US9090390B2 (en) | Product dispensing system | |
US8833601B2 (en) | Product dispensing system with staggered perforations | |
US20120152970A1 (en) | Product Dispensing System | |
US20130277385A1 (en) | Container for Use in a Product Dispensing System | |
US8851302B2 (en) | Product dispensing system with container-product interaction | |
US9096345B2 (en) | Product dispensing system with reinforced weakening features | |
US20130134177A1 (en) | Product Dispensing System with Container-Product Interaction | |
US20130277321A1 (en) | Product Dispensing System with Tapered Catch Element | |
US20130233813A1 (en) | Product Dispenser and System with Container Opening Feature | |
US20140076922A1 (en) | Product Dispensing System with Increased Container and Dispenser Openings | |
US20130221020A1 (en) | Product Dispensing System with Staged Container Opening |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION, VIRGINIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ZACHERLE, MATTHEW E.;REEL/FRAME:028137/0006 Effective date: 20120419 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION, VIRGINIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ZACHERLE, MATTHEW E.;REEL/FRAME:029125/0450 Effective date: 20121012 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |