Product Dispensing System with Tapered Opening Tool

Abstract

A product dispensing system including a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser including a first support deck extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, an opening tool connected proximate the first support deck, the opening tool including a front edge, wherein the front edge is tapered to a forward-most end, and a second support deck positioned below the first support deck, the second support defining a product display area.

1 . A product dispensing system comprising:
 a frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, said frame comprising:
 a first support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end; and 
 a second support deck positioned below said first support deck, said second support deck defining a product display area; and 
   an opening tool connected to said frame, said opening tool comprising a front edge that is tapered toward said front end of said frame.   
     
     
         2 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said opening tool comprises a substantially planar horizontal surface. 
     
     
         3 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said front edge terminates at a pointed forward-most end. 
     
     
         4 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said front edge terminates at a rounded forward-most end. 
     
     
         5 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said front edge comprises a first edge and a second edge, and wherein said first edge intersect said second edge at a forward-most end. 
     
     
         6 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said opening tool comprises a rear end and a forward-most end longitudinally opposed from said rear end, and wherein said rear end has a first lateral width and said forward-most end has a second lateral width, said second lateral width being less than said first lateral width. 
     
     
         7 . The product dispensing system of  claim 6  wherein said second lateral width is at most 25 percent of said first lateral width. 
     
     
         8 . The product dispensing system of  claim 6  wherein said second lateral width is at most 10 percent of said first lateral width. 
     
     
         9 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  further comprising a container initially housing a plurality of products, wherein said opening tool opens said container when said container is urged along said first support deck from said front end toward said rear end. 
     
     
         10 . A product dispensing system comprising:
 a frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, said frame comprising:
 a first support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end; and 
 a second support deck positioned below said first support deck, said second support defining a product display area; 
   an opening tool connected proximate said first support deck, said opening tool comprising a front edge that is tapered to a forward-most end; and   a container positioned on said first support deck.   
     
     
         11 . The product dispensing system of  claim 10  wherein said forward-most end is pointed or rounded. 
     
     
         12 . The product dispensing system of  claim 10  wherein said first support deck comprises a front end and a rear end, and wherein said opening tool is connected to said first support deck proximate said rear end of said first support deck and protrudes toward said front end of said first support deck. 
     
     
         13 . The product dispensing system of  claim 10  wherein frame further comprises a first side wall and a second side wall, said second side wall being laterally opposed from said first side wall. 
     
     
         14 . The product dispensing system of  claim 13  wherein said opening tool laterally extends between said first side wall and said second side wall. 
     
     
         15 . The product dispensing system of  claim 13  wherein said forward-most end is substantially centered between said first side wall and said second side wall. 
     
     
         16 . The product dispensing system of  claim 10  wherein said opening tool defines a first upper surface and said first support deck defines a second upper surface, and wherein said first upper surface is substantially parallel to said second upper surface. 
     
     
         17 . The product dispensing system of  claim 10  wherein said first support deck defines an upper surface and a channel that extends below said upper surface, said channel having an entrance opening, and wherein a portion of said container is received in said channel. 
     
     
         18 . The product dispensing system of  claim 17  wherein said opening tool is connected proximate said entrance opening. 
     
     
         19 . The product dispensing system of  claim 10  wherein said first support deck defines an upper level of said frame and said second support deck defines a lower level of said frame, and wherein said frame defines an opening between said upper level and said lower level. 
     
     
         20 . The product dispensing system of  claim 19 , wherein said container defines an internal volume and an access opening into said internal volume, and wherein said access opening is aligned with said opening defined by said frame.