Display System, Dispensing Device and Package For Use Therein

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method for dispensing products provided initially in a package. The system includes a frame and an opening tool. The frame has longitudinally opposed front and rear end sections and includes an upper support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear end sections and below which a product display area is provided. The opening tool is associated with the frame and is arranged to open the package when the package is moved longitudinally on the upper support deck and relative to the opening tool thereby allowing the products to be at least partially dispensed from the package into the product display area.

1 . A system for dispensing a plurality of products provided initially in a package comprising:
 a) a frame having longitudinally opposed front and rear end sections and including an upper support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear end sections and below which a product display area is provided, the product display area being proximate the front end section;   b) an opening tool associated with the frame and arranged to open the package when the package is moved longitudinally along the upper support deck from the front end section to the rear end section and allow the products to be at least partially dispensed from the package into the product display area.   
     
     
         2 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a lower display deck. 
     
     
         3 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a rear wall which is configured to guide products to the product display area. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the upper support deck is inclined at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         5 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the opening tool is connected to the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes first and second laterally opposed side walls. 
     
     
         7 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the first and second laterally opposed side walls of the frame are adapted and configured for guiding the package as it is moved longitudinally along the upper support deck. 
     
     
         8 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the opening tool is attached to at least one of the first and second laterally opposed side walls of the frame. 
     
     
         9 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the opening tool includes a first cutting element attached to the first side wall of the frame and a second cutting element attached to the second side wall of the frame. 
     
     
         10 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the first and second cutting elements are removably attached to the first and second side walls of the frame, respectively. 
     
     
         11 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the upper support deck includes two longitudinally extending rails. 
     
     
         12 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the frame includes a rear wall, and wherein the opening tool is centered between the first and second side walls and includes a forward edge longitudinally spaced from the rear wall, the longitudinal spacing between the rear wall and the forward edge being sized such that a product of the plurality of products is positionable between the rear wall and the forward edge. 
     
     
         13 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes product related indicia. 
     
     
         14 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising the package containing the plurality of products. 
     
     
         15 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the package is a paperboard carton that includes a weakened severance line which is severed by the opening tool to define an access door when the package is moved longitudinally towards the opening tool, the access door being moveable toward one of the first and second side walls to allow the products to be at least partially dispensed from the package into the product display area. 
     
     
         16 . A system for dispensing and displaying a plurality of products provided initially in a package comprising:
 a) a frame having longitudinally opposed front and rear end sections and including:
 i. laterally opposed side walls extending between the front and rear end sections; 
 ii. an upper support shelf extending at least partially between the front and rear end sections; and 
 iii. a lower display deck for at least partially defining a product display area below the upper support shelf, the product display area being proximate the front end section; and 
   b) an opening tool associated with the frame and arranged to open the package when the package is moved longitudinally along the upper support deck of the frame from the front end section toward the rear end section and allow the products to be at least partially dispensed from the package into the product display area.   
     
     
         17 . The dispensing and display system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the opening tool is engaged with at least one of: the upper support deck, the first lateral side wall, the second lateral side wall or a rear wall of the frame. 
     
     
         18 . The dispensing and display system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the frame includes a lane divider to create two display channels within the product display area. 
     
     
         19 . The dispensing and display system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the opening tool is centered between the laterally opposed side walls and includes a forward edge longitudinally spaced from the rear end section. 
     
     
         20 . A method for dispensing a plurality of products comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a frame having longitudinally opposed front and rear end sections and including an upper support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear end sections and below which a product display area is provided, the product display area being proximate the front end section;   b) providing an opening tool associated with the frame; and   c) sliding a package containing the plurality of products longitudinally relative to the opening tool along the upper support deck from the front end section to the rear end section so as to open the package and allow the products to be at least partially dispensed from the package into the product display area.