Product Dispensing System with Tapered Catch Element

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, a catch element connected proximate the first support deck, the catch element 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.

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