Product Dispenser and System Configured for Reduced Shelf Height

Abstract

A product dispenser including a frame having a front end and a rear end, the frame including an upper support deck and a lower support deck, the lower support deck being positioned below the upper support deck and defining a product display area proximate the front end, the upper support deck defining a longitudinal axis that is declined from the front end to the rear end, the upper support deck including a front end portion that is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

1 . A product dispenser comprising a frame having a front end and a rear end, said frame comprising an upper support deck and a lower support deck, said lower support deck being positioned below said upper support deck and defining a product display area proximate said front end, said upper support deck defining a longitudinal axis that is declined from said front end to said rear end, said upper support deck comprising a front end portion that is disposed at an angle relative to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         2 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  wherein said longitudinal axis is declined at an angle ranging from about 2 to about 15 degrees relative to a horizontal axis of said frame. 
     
     
         3 . The product dispenser of  claim 2  wherein said angle of said longitudinal axis relative to said horizontal axis ranges from about 5 to about 10 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  wherein said front end portion is angled downward toward said lower support deck relative to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         5 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  wherein said angle of said front end portion relative to said longitudinal axis ranges from about 10 to about 45 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  wherein said angle of said front end portion relative to said longitudinal axis ranges from about 15 to about 30 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  wherein said angle of said front end portion relative to said longitudinal axis ranges from about 20 to about 25 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  wherein said front end portion has a first length and said upper support deck has a total length, and wherein said first length is about 10 to about 40 percent of said total length. 
     
     
         9 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  wherein said front end portion has a first length and said upper support deck has a total length, and wherein said first length is about 20 to about 30 percent of said total length. 
     
     
         10 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  wherein said lower support deck defines a second longitudinal axis, said second longitudinal axis being declined from said rear end to said front end. 
     
     
         11 . A product dispensing system comprising:
 a container;   a plurality of products housed in said container; and   a dispenser comprising:
 a frame having a front end and a rear end, said frame comprising an upper support deck and a lower support deck, said lower support deck being positioned below said upper support deck and defining a product display area proximate said front end, said upper support deck defining a longitudinal axis that is declined from said front end to said rear end, said upper support deck comprising a front end portion that is disposed at an angle relative to said longitudinal axis; and 
 an opening tool positioned to open said container as said container is moved along said upper support deck, thereby allowing said plurality of products to be at least partially dispensed from said container to said product display area. 
   
     
     
         12 . The product dispenser of  claim 11  wherein said longitudinal axis is declined at an angle ranging from about 2 to about 15 degrees relative to a horizontal axis of said frame. 
     
     
         13 . The product dispenser of  claim 11  wherein said front end portion is angled downward toward said lower support deck relative to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The product dispenser of  claim 11  wherein said angle of said front end portion relative to said longitudinal axis ranges from about 10 to about 45 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The product dispenser of  claim 11  wherein said front end portion has a first length and said upper support deck has a total length, and wherein said first length is about 10 to about 40 percent of said total length. 
     
     
         16 . The product dispenser of  claim 11  wherein said front end portion has a first length and said upper support deck has a total length, and wherein said first length is about 20 to about 30 percent of said total length. 
     
     
         17 . The product dispenser of  claim 11  wherein said lower support deck defines a second longitudinal axis, said second longitudinal axis being declined from said rear end to said front end. 
     
     
         18 . A method for dispensing products from a container comprising the steps of:
 providing a dispenser comprising a frame having a front end and a rear end, said frame comprising an upper support deck and a lower support deck, said lower support deck being positioned below said upper support deck and defining a product display area proximate said front end, said upper support deck defining a longitudinal axis that is declined from said front end to said rear end, said upper support deck comprising a front end portion that is disposed at a downward angle relative to said longitudinal axis, said front end portion comprising a front end and a rear end;   sliding said container along said angled front end portion of said upper support deck;   tilting said container upward when said container reaches said rear end of said angled front end portion; and   after said tilting step, continuing to slide said container along said upper support deck toward said rear end of said frame.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said angle of said front end portion relative to said longitudinal axis ranges from about 10 to about 45 degrees 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said angled front end portion has a first length and said upper support deck has a total length, and wherein said first length is about 10 to about 40 percent of said total length.