Systems and methods for dispensing articles

Abstract

A device for dispensing articles includes an outer shell formed from a first blank and an insert formed from a second blank. The insert includes a backward slanted upper deck and a forward slanted lower deck. The insert is received in the outer shell and frictionally retained in its operative position wherein the upper deck directs cylindrical articles toward the back end of the dispensing device onto the lower deck. The lower deck directs the cylindrical articles toward the front end of the dispensing device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A supporting device, comprising:
 opposed ends;   a top panel slanted downwardly towards one of the opposed ends;   a bottom panel; and   a pair of first and second opposed side panels disposed between the top and bottom panels to form a tubular structure, at least one of the first and second side panels being hingedly connected to the top panel,   wherein the at least one of the first and second side panels comprises at least one guide that extends above the top panel.   
     
     
         2 . The supporting device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide is formed from part of the top panel. 
     
     
         3 . The supporting device of  claim 2 , wherein (Original) The supporting device is formed from a blank of foldable sheet material, and wherein the at least one guide is defined by a severance line in the top panel when (Original) The supporting device is in a form of the blank. 
     
     
         4 . The supporting device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the first and second side panels is connected to the top panel along a fold line, and wherein the at least one guide extends above the fold line. 
     
     
         5 . The supporting device of  claim 4 , wherein (Original) The supporting device is formed from a blank of foldable sheet material, and wherein the at least one guide extends across the fold line into the top panel when (Original) The supporting device is in a form of the blank. 
     
     
         6 . The supporting device of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one guide interrupts the fold line and divide the fold line into at least two fold line sections. 
     
     
         7 . The supporting device of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one guide is defined by a severance line in the top panel when (Original) The supporting device is in a form of the blank, the severance line extending between the at least two fold line sections. 
     
     
         8 . The supporting device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the first and second side panels is connected to the top panel along a fold line, the at least one guide comprises a plurality of guides, and the guides are disposed along the fold line. 
     
     
         9 . The supporting device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second side panels are hingedly connected to opposed side edges of the top panel respectively, and wherein the at least one guide comprises guide panels extending from the first and second side panels respectively. 
     
     
         10 . The supporting device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide is brought into contact with a carton when the carton is placed on the top panel so as to position and keep the carton straight. 
     
     
         11 . A dispensing device, comprising:
 an outer shell formed from a first blank; and
 an insert formed from a second blank separate from the first blank, the insert being received in the outer shell, the insert comprising: 
   an upper deck slanted downwardly towards a back end of (Original) The dispensing device; and   a lower deck slanted downwardly towards a front end of (Original) The dispensing device.   
     
     
         12 . The dispensing device of  claim 11 , wherein the insert further comprises a pair of first and second opposed side walls interconnecting the upper and lower decks to form a tubular structure. 
     
     
         13 . The dispensing device of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second side walls comprises a guide portion that extends above the upper deck. 
     
     
         14 . The dispensing device of  claim 12 , wherein the insert comprises a first foot that is hingedly connected to the lower deck. 
     
     
         15 . The dispensing device of  claim 14 , wherein the first foot at least partially defines the downward slanting angle of the lower deck. 
     
     
         16 . The dispensing device of  claim 15 , wherein one of the first side wall and the second side wall includes a second foot, the second foot at least partially defining the downward slanting angle of the lower deck. 
     
     
         17 . The dispensing device of  claim 14 , wherein the first foot comprises an engaging tab and one of the first and second side walls comprising a cutout, wherein the engaging tab is received in the cutout to connect the first foot to the one of the first and second side walls. 
     
     
         18 . The dispensing device of  claim 17 , wherein the tab is coplanar with the one of the first and second side walls. 
     
     
         19 . The dispensing device of  claim 17 , wherein the first foot and the one of the first and second side walls are disposed in flat face contacting relationship with a side wall of the outer shell such that the first foot and the one of the first and second side walls are substantially vertically aligned. 
     
     
         20 . The dispensing device of  claim 11 , wherein a back guide is hingedly connected to a back edge of the lower deck, wherein a distal edge of the back guide is in abutment on a back wall of the outer shell, and wherein the insert has an opening defined in part by a back edge of the upper deck, the opening being positioned above, and in substantial vertical alignment with, the back guide. 
     
     
         21 - 30 . (canceled)