DISPENSING SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a dispensing and display system for use in retail environment. The disclosed dispensing system includes a dispensing device configured to receive a carton or package containing a plurality of products on its upper deck and a mechanism for ensuring that tapered or unbalanced products roll linearly within the system. The disclosure also relates to a dispensing system, such as the aforementioned, that includes a mechanism for indicating when the system should be restocked. Still further, the disclosure also relates to a dispensing system, such as the aforementioned, that includes a mechanism for preventing the products which are dispensed from the carton from jamming. Additionally, the disclosure relates to a package or carton of articles which is specially adapted for use with the aforementioned dispensing system.

2. Background of the Disclosure

At point-of-sale (POS) or display units in retail outlets/locations, it is convenient to present articles and products in an eye-catching and easily accessible manner. These POS or display units also act as a storage area for articles and products. It is therefore beneficial to maximize the amount of storage space utilized, whilst at the same time enabling a customer to easily select and take products away for purchase. To achieve this, as articles are removed, it is desirable for the shelf to forward fill to present the next stored article for easy selection by a customer. Some dispensers have sprung-biased mechanisms that push articles forward; other known display devices use gravity feed mechanisms to cause articles to flow to the forward-most sale position. One such dispensing device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,997 to Johnson in which a dispensing device has upper and lower jar guides and a plurality of glass jar containers are loaded on their sides through a container loading area. The dispenser racks successively feed one container at a time to the container dispensing area to thereby provide a self-feeding and self-facing storage, dispensing and display system.

One drawback of systems, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,997 to Johnson, is that loading of the dispensing device is done manually and individually. In Johnson, a rotatable door panel is provided so that loading occurs through the openable upper jar guide. As such, articles are fed one at a time into the upper jar guide. Loading in this manner is slow and, therefore, time-consuming. Additionally, the products being displayed in the dispensing device are usually transported to a retail outlet in a carton or box containing a number of such articles. If the dispensing device is not capable of holding all of the articles contained in the delivered carton, the leftover articles must be stored elsewhere in the retail stores in a partially emptied carton until such time as the dispensing device can accommodate those articles.

A further drawback of such systems is that often the products being displayed are not symmetrical about their rolling axis; therefore, the articles do not roll in a straight line. This results in the article becoming jammed in the dispensing device and not being displayed or dispensed properly.

Accordingly, there is still a need to improve the manner in which the filling of the dispensing systems takes place. It is desirable that the filling is quick and enables full cartons of delivered goods to be accommodated in the dispensing device to eliminate the requirement for storing any extra articles that cannot be displayed.

Additionally, it is beneficial to have dispensing systems that include mechanisms to facilitate the dispensing and displaying of tapered or unbalanced articles, as well as to prevent the jamming of articles as they are dispensed from within the shipping carton or package.

Furthermore, it is desirable that such dispensing systems are made from a minimum amount of material and are eye-catching to customers.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A system for dispensing a plurality of products provided initially in a package is disclosed that includes a dispensing device having a lower deck and laterally opposed side walls secured to opposite sides of the lower deck. The opposed side walls extend longitudinally between front and rear end sections of the dispensing device and include upper deck upon which the package may be placed. The upper deck may be inclined at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the upper deck may be horizontal without departing from the inventive aspects of the present disclosure.

The lower deck includes a least one guide surface which may be a longitudinally extending groove or rail. The guide surface is configured to ensure that the plurality of products roll linearly from the rear end section to the front end section of the dispensing device.

The dispensing system may include an opening tool associated with the dispensing device and arranged to open the package when the package is moved relative to the opening tool such that the products may be at least partially dispensed from the package onto the lower deck. The opening tool may be removably or permanently connected to the dispensing device. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that an opening tool may not be required and that the carton may be opened prior to being placed on the upper deck or that the carton itself may include a mechanism for creating an access opening.

When desired, the dispensing device may include a rear wall which is configured to guide the products to the lower deck. The rear wall may be a separate element from the lower deck or side walls of the dispensing device. Alternatively, the rear wall may be formed as part of either or both of the lower deck and side walls.

Furthermore, the laterally opposed side walls of the dispensing device may be configured for guiding the package as it is moved longitudinally along or placed onto the upper deck.

The disclosed dispensing system may further include the package containing the plurality of products. In certain embodiments, the package may include a trap door defined by severance lines which may be severed by the opening tool when the package is moved longitudinally towards the opening tool to create an opening that allows the products to be at least partially dispensed from the package onto the lower deck of the dispensing device.

The present disclosure also relates to a system for dispensing a plurality of products provided initially in a package, wherein the system includes a dispensing device having a lower deck and laterally opposed side walls secured to opposite sides of the lower deck. The opposed side walls extend longitudinally between front and rear end sections of the dispensing device and include upper deck upon which the package may be placed. The lower deck includes a least one restocking indicator associated therewith that is configured to indicate when less than a predetermined amount of the plurality of products remain on the dispensing system. In certain embodiments, the restocking indicator may be adapted to restrict at least one of the plurality of products from rolling from the rear end section to the front end section of the dispensing device when less than a predetermined amount of the plurality of products remain on the dispensing system.

In one embodiment, the restocking indicator may include a protuberance formed on the lower deck.

In one embodiment, the restocking indicator may include a concave section formed on the lower deck.

In one embodiment, the dispensing system further includes an opening tool associated with the dispensing device and arranged to open the package when the package is moved relative to the opening tool and allows the products to be at least partially dispensed from the package onto the lower deck.

In one embodiment, the mechanism for facilitating the dispensing of products from the package includes at least one spring arm.

In one embodiment, the mechanism may include at least one finger element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a dispensing system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure: FIG. 1A for a side elevational view, FIG. 1B for a top view, FIG. 1C for a back view, FIG. 1D for a front view, FIGS. 1E and 1F for two cross-sectional views, and FIG. 1G for a perspective view;

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the opposed side panel of the dispensing device used in the dispensing system of FIG. 1: FIG. 2A for side elevated view, FIG. 2B for a cross-sectional view, FIG. 2C for a top view, FIG. 2D for a front view, and FIG. 2E for a perspective view;

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the lower deck of the dispensing device used in the dispensing system of FIG. 1: FIG. 3A for a side elevated view, FIG. 3B for a top view, FIGS. 3C and 3D for front views, FIG. 3E for a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 3F for a perspective view;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the opening device used in the dispensing system of FIG. 1: FIG. 4A for a bottom view, FIG. 4B for a side elevated view, FIG. 4C for a top view, FIG. 4D for a front view, and FIG. 4E for a perspective view;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view a dispensing device for use in a dispensing system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes protuberances formed on the lower deck;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a retail or POS display location which includes a plurality of the dispensing systems;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the dispensing system of FIG. 6 wherein the restocking indicator identifies that a new carton of articles should be loaded onto the dispensing device;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a dispensing device for use in a dispensing system in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure, with the left side wall removed for ease of illustration;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis of the dispensing device shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the rear end section of the dispensing device shown in FIG. 8, wherein the left side wall has been removed for ease of illustration;

FIGS. 11A-11E are cross-sectional views of the rear end section of the dispensing system of FIG. 8, illustrating the manner in which the spring arm and finger element prevents the jamming of articles during the dispensing process;

FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of carton blank for forming a carton or package suitable for use in the disclosed dispensing system;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the bottom of the carton or package constructed from the carton of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a close-up perspective view of the trap doors formed in the bottom of the package of FIG. 13, wherein the trap doors are shown in a close position;

FIG. 15 is a close-up perspective view of the trap doors formed in the bottom of the package of FIG. 13, wherein the trap doors are shown in an open position to create an opening; and

FIG. 16 shows one embodiment of the disclosed dispensing system (shown in a perspective view) that includes the dispensing device and the carton.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Disclosed herein are detailed descriptions of some embodiments of the dispensing systems, methods and package assemblies. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the disclosure can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the disclosure may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the systems, devices, methods and package assemblies described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods may not be necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the disclosed system. The dispensing system 100 comprises a dispensing device 12 and a package or carton 50 containing a plurality of articles A. In this example figure, the articles are cans which are arranged in two channels or lanes and each channel has two rows/tiers. Each can is disposed upon their sides with the lowermost row in rolling contact with a base 52 of the carton 50.

The dispensing device 10 comprises an upper deck 14, a lower deck 16, and opposed side walls 18A, 18B which define the lateral edges of the upper and lower decks 14/16. The opposed side walls 18A/18B guide the carton 50 along the upper deck 14. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side walls 18A/18B may be formed with railings 20A, 20B which support the carton 50 from its base 52.

As shown in FIG. 1A, articles A are released from the carton 50 via an access means or trap doors 54. When the trap doors 54 are in a closed position, articles A are securely retained within the carton 50. When the trap doors 54 are in an open position, they are moved out of the plane of the base 52 of the carton 50, thereby creating an access opening. As the trap doors 54 are moved from the closed position to the open position, articles A held within the carton fall free out of the carton 50 through the access opening onto the lower deck 16 where articles A are guided, one-by-one toward the front end of the dispensing device 12. In certain embodiments, the trap doors 54 are not moved into a fully open position until the carton 50 is fully installed or nearly fully installed on the upper deck 14 of the dispensing device 12.

In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1A, the access means/trap door includes two doors which are moved into the open position by an opening tool 40. FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the opening tool. Referring to FIG. 1A, the opening tool 40 is co-operable with the trap door 54 of the carton. When the carton 50 is installed by sliding movement along the supporting ledges/railings 20A/20B of the upper deck 14, the opening tool 40 engages the perforated portion of the carton which defines the trap doors 54. Once the carton 50 is so installed and the opening created, articles A are automatically released from the carton 50 and into the lower deck 16 of the dispensing device 12.

Articles A may be successively released from the carton 50 with assistance of gravity. As shown in FIG. 1F, the upper support railings 20A/20B and the lower deck 16 of the dispensing device 12 are arranged at an angle with respect to horizontal. There, the upper support railings 20A/20B slope in a downward direction from the front end to the rear end of the dispensing device 12, while the lower deck 16 slopes downward in an opposite direction. This arrangement allows gravity to move the articles from within the carton down into the lower deck and towards the front end of the dispensing device 12 where they can be accessed by consumers. In one embodiment, the inclination angle (a) of the upper support railings 20A/20B slope may be about 8 degrees. However, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the angle may vary without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the lower deck for the dispensing device. A scoop shaped or arcuate back element 60 is associated with the dispensing device 12 to prevent the articles from rolling out of the dispensing device 12 and to encourage the articles, by providing a path for them to follow, to roll around and down onto lower deck 70 of the dispensing device 12. The gravity feed mechanism causes articles A to be supplied automatically to the front of the lower deck 70 of the dispensing device 12. A stopping mechanism 72 formed as an upturned or radiused portion prevents the front-most article A, contained in dispensing position, from rolling completely out of the dispensing device 12. The stopping mechanism 72 acts to retain articles A within the lower deck of the dispensing device 12. (FIGS. 3A and 3F)

In one embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 3, the dispensing device 12 may further include a lane divider 74 which is formed as part of the back element 60 and/or the lower deck 70. The lane divider 74 creates two product distribution channels within the lower deck 70 of the dispensing device 12. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the back element, the lower deck and the lane divider may be formed as separate elements which are assembled into a unit or they may be manufactured as a unitary structure.

FIG. 3 provides a side view (FIG. 3A), a top view (FIG. 3B), front views (FIGS. 3C and 3D), a cross-sectional view (FIG. 3E), and a perspective view (FIG. 3F) of back element 60 and lower deck 70. As shown therein, the back element 60 of the dispensing device 12 includes a base portion 62 and lateral side walls 64A and 64B. Likewise, the lower deck 70 includes a base portion 76 and lateral side walls 78A/78B. The base portion 62 of the back element 60 and the base portion 76 of the lower deck 70 define two continuous outer grooves or channels 82 and one central groove or channel 84. The outer channels 82 are configured to ensure that the plurality of articles A roll linearly from the rear end section to the front end section of the dispensing device 12 for display. When being dispensed, articles A may have a tendency to roll in a non-linear manner due to for example an eccentricity in weight distribution. By providing a groove or channel, articles may roll linearly on the cylindrical base element. As such, any tendency of the articles to roll non-linearly is reduced because the vertical walls of the groove engage the rim of the articles and force the articles to roll longitudinally.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the shape, location and size of the groove or channel depends on the articles being dispensed and display. Moreover, a rail element may be used in lieu of a groove for articles that are tapered. Additionally, the rail element may include a circumferential channel or neck element.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the opening tool 40 suitable for use in the disclosed dispensing system. Opening tool 40 has an upwardly projecting cutting or severing panel 42 which extends from a mounting section 44. The mounting section 44 includes spaced apart mounting arms 46A/B which are configured for slidably receiving the back portion 75 of lane divider 74 (shown in FIG. 3F). The forward edge 48 of the severing panel 42 is adapted for cutting or severing a carton, when the carton is slid along the upper deck of the dispensing device 12. It is to be understood that although the exemplary dispensing system includes an opening tool for severing the product carton, the dispensing system of present disclosure may or may not include the opening tool.

FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of the blank for forming the carton suitable for use in the disclosed dispensing system. The carton blank 1830 includes a bottom panel 1836, a first side panel 1834, a second side panel 1838, an outer top panel 1840a, an inner top panel 1840b, a center panel 1850, and a glue flap 1871. These panels hinged together in series along fold lines 1852, 1853, 1854, 1856, 1858, and 1859. The carton blank 1830 also includes end flaps 1848a-b, 1842a-b, 1844, 1846a-b and 1872.

Bottom panel 1836 of the carton blank 1830 has a first longitudinally extending severance line 1862 positioned about its centerline which extends from a severance initiation notch 1868a to a second laterally extending severance line 1873. Moreover, fold lines 1874 and 1875 are provided on the lateral edges of the bottom panel 1836. Bottom panel 1836 further includes cutout 1876. The end closure flap 1842a includes a severance notch 1868. The center panel 1850 includes a notch 1877.

Blank 1830 is foldable along the lateral fold lines 1860a-b and along the longitudinal fold lines 1852, 1853, 1854, 1856, 1858, and 1859 into a carton 50 that has two longitudinally extending compartments separated by center panel 1850. The end closure flaps 1848a-b, 1842a-b, 1844, 1846a-b and 1872 are secured in overlapping, face contacting relationship using adhesive or other suitable securing techniques.

FIGS. 13 and 14 provide perspective views taken from below of the carton 50.

FIG. 15 shows the carton 50 after the severance lines 1862 and 1873 have been cut, so as to create access doors 54A/54B.

The carton 50 provides an ordered collection or a magazine of articles A that is easy to handle and manipulate. As discussed above, the carton 50 is loaded onto and guided by an upper deck of the dispensing device 12 and as such a full set of articles A is loaded in one single operation into the dispensing device. The opening tool 40 is operable in-conjunction with a complimentary formed access means or trap door 54 provided on the carton 50. As the carton is loaded onto the dispensing device, the opening tool engages the trap doors 54 of the carton 50 to create an access opening in the base 52 of the carton 50 through which the articles A may be released into the lower deck of the dispensing device 12. The dispensing device is thereby stocked, and articles A are either stored in the carton 50 for subsequent dispensing into the device or the articles A are displayed in the lower deck of the dispensing device for retrieval by a customer. Upon removal of the front most article A, a forward feed mechanism causes automatic replenishment of the lower deck wherein the front most position of the lower deck of the dispensing device is replenished with the supply of articles A contained in the carton 50. Once the carton 50 is empty, the empty carton 50 may be removed from the dispensing device, such as simply by lifting out or by sliding withdrawal along the upper deck 14. When the last article A drops out of the carton 50, the lower deck of the dispensing device may be full. This means that the front-most article location contains an article A, and therefore, the display and presentation of articles for being picked by a customer is in its optimum position.

Furthermore, the carton 50 may be left on the upper deck of the dispensing device even after it has been emptied to serve as a billboard panel. As such, the carton 50 or at least its front end wall may be printed with graphics including trademarks and/or any other advertising indicia.

Alternatively, the carton 50 may be replaced by a new one when it is emptied to mitigate the chance that article A will be taken from the lower deck of the dispensing device 12 before a fresh supply of articles is available to replenish the lower deck and the front-most position. The need for any secondary storage of articles contained in the carton but not displayed by the dispensing device is mitigated by the loading of only completely full cartons onto the dispensing device.

It should be noted that channels or rails for ensuring the products/article roll in a linear manner within the carton may also be incorporated into the carton or package. For example, a rail may be inserted into the package during the folding and gluing process for the carton or incorporated into the design of the carton itself, allowing the carton to be a one-piece construction.

The principle of operation of the dispensing systems of later embodiments is the same or similar to that of the dispensing systems described in the first embodiment above. Accordingly, only differences and additional technical features of later embodiments will be described in greater detail.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, which illustrate a further embodiment of the disclosed system for dispensing a plurality of products provided initially in a package or carton. The dispensing system 200 is similar in structure and operation to the system 100, but does vary in certain respects, some of which will be discussed in detail herein below.

Like system 100, system 200 includes: a dispensing device 212 having laterally opposed side walls which are secured to opposite sides of a lower deck 270. The laterally opposed side walls 218A/218B extend longitudinally between front and rear end sections of the dispensing device 212 and include upper support structure 220A/220B onto which an upper deck 221 is placed.

A scoop shaped or arcuate back element 260 may be associated with the dispensing device 212 to prevent the articles from rolling out of the dispensing device 212 and encourage the articles, by providing a path for them to follow, to roll around and down onto the lower deck 270 of the dispensing device 212. The gravity feed mechanism causes articles A to be supplied automatically to the front of the lower deck 270 of the dispensing device e 212. A stopping mechanism 272 formed as three separate upturned or radiused portions 273 preventd the front-most article A, contained in dispensing position, from rolling completely out of the dispensing device 212. The stopping mechanism 272 acts to retain articles A within the lower deck of the dispensing device 212.

The frame 212 may also include a lane divider 274 to establish product distribution channels within the lower display area of the frame 212. The lane divider may be formed as a part of the back element 260 and/or the lower display deck 270.

The lower deck 270 includes a base portion 276 and lateral side walls 278a/278b. The base portion 276 of the lower deck 270 defines two continuous outer grooves or channels 282 and one central groove or channel 284. The outer channels 282 may be configured to ensure that the plurality of articles A roll linearly from the rear end section to the front end section of the dispensing device 212 for display.

Each lane defined in the lower deck 270 may include a restocking indicator 290 associated therewith. The restocking indicator 290 may be used to alert store employees when the shelved inventory is low. When the plurality of articles A are dispensed from within the package/carton 250 onto the lower deck 270 (FIG. 6), the restocking indicator 290 may be configured to restrict at least one of the plurality of articles A from rolling from the rear end section to the front end section of the dispensing device (FIG. 7) when less than a predetermined amount of the plurality of products remain on display in a particular distribution channel/lane.

Referring to FIG. 5, the restocking indicator 290 may include a protuberance 292 formed on the lower deck 270. Alternatively, the restocking indicator may include a concave section formed on the lower deck.

The restocking indicator may further include a visual indicator associated with the front section 294 of the lower deck 270. The front section 294 may be colored differently than the remaining sections of the lower deck 270 in order to provide further visual indication of the need to restock the dispensing device. For example, when the carton is empty there is no longer enough back pressure to push the product over the restocking indicator or protuberance. The position and size of the protuberance 292 may be varied depending upon the angle of inclination for the lower deck 270 and based upon how many articles are desired to remain in the dispenser prior to refill. Moreover, the restocking indicator may be removably or permanently attached to the lower deck.

FIGS. 8-11E illustrate a further embodiment of the disclosed systems for dispensing a plurality of products provided initially in a package which has been designated as reference numeral 300.

Like system 100, system 300 includes, among other elements, a dispensing device 312 having laterally opposed side walls 318A, 318B which are secured to opposite sides of a lower deck 370. The laterally opposed side walls 318A/318B extend longitudinally between front and rear end sections of the dispensing device 312 and include upper support structure 320A/320B onto which an upper deck 321 is placed.

The dispensing device 312 may include a lane divider to establish product distribution channels within the lower deck of the dispensing device 312. The lane divider may be formed as part of the back element and/or the lower deck 370. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that product distribution channel is optional, and that any number of channels may be used in the dispensing device. The disclosed device may be provided with a single product distribution channel or more than two channels without departing from the inventive features of the present disclosure.

As showing in FIG. 8, the lower deck 370 includes a base portion 376 and lateral side walls 378A/378B. The base portion 376 of the lower deck 370 defines two continuous outer grooves or channels 382 and one central groove or channel 384. The outer channels 382 may be configured to ensure that the plurality of articles A roll linearly from the rear end section to the front end section of the dispensing device 312 for display.

Unlike the previously described system 100, system 300 may include a mechanism 390 for facilitating the dispensing of products from the package. As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the mechanism 390 includes spring arm 392 and finger element 394. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the mechanism 390 may alternatively include only the finger element 394 without any spring arm 392, or may include only the finger element 394 without any spring arm 392. Moreover, the number of finger elements and spring arms may be adjusted to suit the numbers of product distribution channels provided in the dispensing device.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the spring arm 392 defines the scoop shaped or arcuate back element to prevent the articles from rolling out of the dispensing device 312 and beneficially encourage the articles, by providing a path for them to follow, to roll around and down onto the lower deck 370 of the dispensing device 312. The scoop shaped or arcuate back element may be removably secured to the dispensing device 312. Alternatively, the back element may be removably secured to the dispensing device 312. The gravity feed mechanism causes articles A to be supplied automatically to the front of the lower deck 370 of the dispensing device 312.

Referring to FIG. 8, a stopping mechanism 372 may be formed as three separate upturned or radiused portions 373 to prevent the front-most article A, contained in dispensing position, from rolling completely out of the dispensing device 312. The stopping mechanism 372 acts to retain articles A within the lower level of the dispensing device 312. It is understood that other structure of the stopping mechanism may be used in the disclosed system.

In instances for example where the products are stacked in two tiers and in two lanes/channels, when the products are dispensed, the first four articles (two from each lane) will fall onto the lower deck of the dispensing system. The next two top articles, however, will get jammed on top of the next two bottom articles as they try to dispense. This jamming prevents any article from falling, thereby preventing articles in the dispensing system from flowing freely.

FIGS. 11A to 11E illustrate the operation of the spring arms 392 and fingers 394. There, the dispensing system 300 includes a dispensing device 312 and a carton 350 containing plurality of articles A. The spring arms 392 and fingers 394 may be configured to help reducing the jam of articles during dispensing by changing the moment of the top article as it falls in the dispensing device.

FIG. 11A illustrates the carton 350 being slid along the upper deck 321 of the dispensing device 312. In FIG. 11B, the carton 350 has been slid along the upper deck 321 until it makes initial contact with the finger element 394. The weight of the loaded carton 350 pushes on the finger element 394 and causes a support structure 396 for the finger element 394 to flex backwards (FIG. 11C). The finger element 394 works to hold the top article A momentarily to let the bottom article A roll into the bottom part of the dispensing device 312. (FIG. 11D). Also, since articles A are tapered and naturally shingle against one another, the finger 394 helps to bring articles A back to a straightened position.

In FIG. 11E, the dispensing articles causes a flexing of the spring arm 392, which results in a vibration effect that helps articles A to continue rolling as they move toward the front end of the dispensing device. This configuration may be created to solve problems around product stacking and multiple channels dispensing. However, the disclosed system is not be limited by any means to this configuration.

The spring arm may be shaped like a capital “A”. The cross section 393 of this “A” is a fulcrum point that is positioned midway in an angle of the spring arm 392. The area below the fulcrum point on the front section of the spring arm 392 acts as a spring board to add an extra “kick” to the cans as they roll through the back radius of the dispensing system. The spring arm 392 may also have a radius built into the bottom area to help pushing articles A forward.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the finger element 394 on the top of the front section of the “A” may be positioned below the central axis of the top article in order to help push the articles up and forward, as well as to assist in the straightening effect of the article. The spring arm 392 may be built to be symmetrical or asymmetrical depending on the opening feature of the cartridge and the orientation of the articles. The spring arm may also potentially be integrated into the back section of the dispenser or be individually inserted as separate components.

As the carton is nearly empty, mechanism 390 begins to flex forward towards its original position shown in FIG. 11A and pushes the carton 350 forward on the upper deck which functions to provide a visual indication to the stocking clerk that the carton needs to be replaced. At least one side panel of the carton may be colored in a way so that when it is urged forward, a stripe of color may be seen, differentiating it from the other cartons on the shelf and alerting the stock clerk that the particular carton needs to be restocked.

It is also envisioned that the cartons in other embodiments of present disclosure may be provided with an additional means/mechanisms for detecting when the carton is nearly empty in order to minimize or eliminate the needs for the store employees to lift the carton or inspect the carton closely. Such means for detecting when the carton is empty or nearly empty of articles may take the form of a window, such as an aperture or shaped cut-out in the carton. Such a window may be disposed close to the bottom of the carton so that the presence or not of articles in the lowermost tier of the carton may be detected by observation. In some embodiments, the window may be provided by piece, strip, or section of clear, transparent or translucent material, such as plastic sheet to enable the interior of the carton to be viewed, yet maintaining other desirable characteristics of the carton such as structural integrity and barrier to dust. Alternatively, an inspection hole or aperture may be provided into which a pen or other instrument may be inserted in order to feel for the presence of articles in the lowermost row.

As shown in FIG. 8, the dispensing device 312 may also be provided with removable wedges 398 (only one side shown) which operate to pinch the carton 350 as it is slid on the upper deck 321 and to assist the dispensing by urging the articles out of the carton 350. The wedges 398 may also be slidably engaged within slot in order to allow them to be relocated if necessary based on the carton dimensions and the products being dispensed.

Where advantage may not be taken of the gravity and rolling to provide the forward feed mechanism, other mechanisms may be provided to assist in dispensing the articles. Examples of such mechanisms include, but are not limited to, a sprung biased mechanism or other suitable means.

Any suitable foldable sheet material may be used as blank for forming the carton/package of the present disclosure. Examples include, but are not limited to, paperboard, cardboard, plastics material, and the like. Furthermore, the carton or package for articles may be formed as a reusable dispenser with a reusable opening mechanism.

A variety of materials may be used for the dispensing device of the present disclosure. The dispersing device may be formed from other materials or combinations of materials for example: metal, wood, fibre glass, glass-reinforced plastic.

Although the articles illustrated in the exemplary drawings as cans, the present disclosure is applicable to a wide variety of products contained in various types and shapes of containers. For example, in one embodiment, the containers may have at least a cylindrical portion to encourage rolling of the articles from the carton to the lower deck and toward the front end of the dispensing device. Those skilled in the art recognize that the dispensing devices and systems of the present disclosure are applicable to other types and/or shapes and/or sizes of articles.

It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper” and “lower” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection may be formed from one or more of the following, a short slit, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

DISPENSING SYSTEM

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