Product Dispensing Container and System with Pivoting Panel

Abstract

A product dispensing system including a container having a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, at least one of the walls defining a pivoting panel that is partially separable from the wall along a weakened severance line, and a dispenser frame having a front end and a rear end, the dispenser frame including a support deck extending between the front end and the rear end, and a stop positioned proximate the front or the rear end to engage the pivoting panel and urge the pivoting panel into the internal volume as the container is moved along the support deck into engagement with the stop.

1 . A product dispensing system comprising:
 a container comprising a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, at least one wall of said plurality of walls defining a panel; and   a dispenser frame having a front end and a rear end, said dispenser frame comprising:
 a support deck extending between said front end and said rear end; and 
 a stop assembly positioned proximate one of said front end and said rear end to engage said panel and urge said panel into said internal volume as said container is moved along said support deck into contact with said stop assembly. 
   
     
     
         2 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said panel is partially separable from said wall along a weakened severance line, and wherein said weakened severance line is severed when said stop assembly engages said panel. 
     
     
         3 . The product dispensing system of  claim 2  wherein said weakened severance line comprises perforations. 
     
     
         4 . The product dispensing system of  claim 2  wherein said panel is defined by said weakened severance line and a pre-formed pivot line, and wherein said panel pivots relative to said wall about said pre-formed pivot line when said weakened severance line has been severed. 
     
     
         5 . The product dispensing system of  claim 4  wherein said weakened severance line extends upward from said pre-formed pivot line. 
     
     
         6 . The product dispensing system of  claim 4  wherein said pre-formed pivot line comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein said weakened severance line extends from proximate said first end to proximate said second end. 
     
     
         7 . The product dispensing system of  claim 2  wherein said weakened severance line is comprised of multiple segments. 
     
     
         8 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of products positioned in said internal volume. 
     
     
         9 . The product dispensing system of  claim 8  wherein said container comprises an opening, and wherein said panel is positioned to guide said plurality of products to said opening when said panel has been urged into said internal volume. 
     
     
         10 . The product dispensing system of  claim 9  wherein said plurality of walls includes a base wall, and wherein said opening is formed in said base wall. 
     
     
         11 . The product dispensing system of  claim 8  further comprising an opening tool positioned to form an opening in said container as said container is moved along said support deck toward said stop assembly, wherein said panel is positioned to guide said plurality of products to said opening when said panel has been urged into said internal volume. 
     
     
         12 . The product dispensing system of  claim 11  wherein said plurality of walls includes a base wall that defines door flaps connected by a weakened severance line, and wherein said opening tool severs said weakened severance line of said base wall to form said opening as said container is moved along said support deck toward said stop assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The product dispensing system of  claim 8  wherein each product of said plurality of products is capable of rolling about a rolling axis. 
     
     
         14 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said container comprises paperboard 
     
     
         15 . A product dispensing system comprising:
 a container comprising a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, a first wall of said plurality of walls defining a panel that is partially separable from said first wall along a weakened severance line, a second wall of said plurality of walls defining an opening;   a plurality of products positioned in said internal volume; and   a dispenser frame having a front end and a rear end, said dispenser frame comprising:
 a support deck extending between said front end and said rear end; and 
 a stop assembly positioned proximate one of said front end and said rear end to contact said panel and sever said weakened severance line so as to urge said panel into said internal volume as said container is moved along said support deck into contact with said stop assembly. 
   
     
     
         16 . The product dispensing system of  claim 15  further comprising an opening tool positioned to form said opening in said container as said container is moved along said support deck toward said stop assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The product dispensing system of  claim 16  wherein said second wall defines door flaps connected by a weakened severance line, and wherein said opening tool severs said weakened severance line of said second wall to form said opening as said container is moved along said support deck toward said stop assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The product dispensing system of  claim 15  wherein said panel is defined by said weakened severance line and a pre-formed pivot line, and wherein said panel pivots relative to said first wall about said pre-formed pivot line when said weakened severance line has been severed. 
     
     
         19 . The product dispensing system of  claim 15  wherein said weakened severance line comprises perforations. 
     
     
         20 . A product dispensing container comprising:
 a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, at least one wall of said plurality of walls comprising a pre-formed pivot line and a weakened severance line that define a panel; and   a plurality of products positioned in said internal volume, wherein said weakened severance line is severed and said panel pivots about said pre-formed pivot line into said internal volume when a longitudinal force is applied to said panel.