Product Dispenser and System

Abstract

A product dispensing system including a support structure, a dispenser mounted on the support structure, the dispenser including a first rail member and a second rail member, and a product releasably engaged with the first rail member and the second rail member such that the product is suspended from the dispenser.

1 . A product dispensing system comprising:
 a dispenser comprising a first rail member and a second rail member; and   a product releasably engaged with said first rail member and said second rail member such that said product is suspended from said dispenser.   
     
     
         2 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  further comprising a support structure, wherein said dispenser is mounted on said support structure. 
     
     
         3 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said product comprises a pouch, and said pouch is releasably engaged with said first rail member and said second rail member. 
     
     
         4 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said first rail member defines a first sliding surface and said second rail member defines a second sliding surface, and wherein said product is in sliding engagement with said first sliding surface and said second sliding surface. 
     
     
         5 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said dispenser comprises paperboard. 
     
     
         6 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said dispenser further comprises a body panel that connects said first rail member to said second rail member. 
     
     
         7 . A product dispensing system comprising:
 a dispenser defining a longitudinal axis and comprising:
 a body panel having a front end portion and a rear end portion longitudinally opposed from said front end portion; 
 a first rail member connected to said body panel and extending from proximate said front end portion to proximate said rear end portion, said first rail member defining a first sliding surface; and 
 a second rail member connected to said body panel and extending from proximate said front end portion to proximate said rear end portion, said second rail member being laterally opposed from said first rail member and defining a second sliding surface; and 
   a product extending between said first rail member and said second rail member and including a first portion positioned between said body panel and said first sliding surface and a second portion positioned between said body panel and said second sliding surface.   
     
     
         8 . The product dispensing system of  claim 7  further comprising a support structure, wherein said dispenser is mounted on said support structure such that said product is suspended from said dispenser. 
     
     
         9 . The product dispensing system of  claim 8  wherein said support structure is configured to support said dispenser such that said longitudinal axis is generally horizontal. 
     
     
         10 . The product dispensing system of  claim 7  wherein said first portion of said product is in sliding engagement with said first sliding surface, and wherein said second portion of said product is in sliding engagement with said second sliding surface. 
     
     
         11 . The product dispensing system of  claim 7  wherein said body panel comprises a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, said second longitudinal edge being laterally opposed from said first longitudinal edge, and wherein said first rail member is connected to said first longitudinal edge and said second rail member is connected to said second longitudinal edge. 
     
     
         12 . The product dispensing system of  claim 7  wherein said body panel comprises a first major surface that defines a first plane and said first sliding surface defines a second plane, and wherein said first plane is generally parallel with said second plane. 
     
     
         13 . The product dispensing system of  claim 7  wherein said body panel, said first rail member and said second rail member are formed as a single monolithic body. 
     
     
         14 . The product dispensing system of  claim 7  wherein said dispenser comprises paperboard. 
     
     
         15 . The product dispensing system of  claim 7  wherein said product is biased toward said front end portion. 
     
     
         16 . The product dispensing system of  claim 7  wherein said dispenser further comprises a sealing panel extending from said body panel, and wherein said sealing panel is connected to said first and said second rail members. 
     
     
         17 . The product dispensing system of  claim 7  wherein said first rail member is generally rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         18 . The product dispensing system of  claim 7  wherein said first rail member is generally Z-shaped in cross-section. 
     
     
         19 . The product dispensing system of  claim 7  wherein said product is a flexible pouch. 
     
     
         20 . A product dispensing system comprising:
 a dispenser comprising:
 a body panel; 
 a first rail member connected to said body panel; and 
 a second rail member connected to said body panel; 
   a pouch including a pouch body and a seam, said pouch body extending between said first rail member and said second rail member, said seam comprising a first portion positioned between said body panel and said first rail member and a second portion positioned between said body panel and said second rail member; and   a support structure, wherein said dispenser is mounted on said support structure such that said pouch hangs from said dispenser.