Individual package dispenser

Abstract

A system for dispensing packages is provided. The system includes a dispensing container having a plurality of packages arranged vertically therein. The container has top and bottom panels and side panels extending upwardly between the top and bottom panels. The side panels have rear portions spaced apart from each other and converge forwardly towards a front apex. A dispensing opening is defined by an upper front portion of each of the side panels and a front portion of the top panel. Each of the packages has a height that is substantially larger than the package width and depth. The dispensing opening defines a mouth of the container sized to limit the number of packages that can be simultaneously withdrawn from the container.

1 . A system for dispensing loose packages comprising:
 a dispensing container having
 top and bottom panels, 
 first and second side panels, extending upwardly from the bottom panel to the top panel, each panel converging forwardly towards a front apex, and 
 a dispensing opening extending through an upper front portion of each of the side panels and a front portion of the top panel; and 
   a plurality of packages arranged vertically within the container, each having a package height that is substantially larger than the package width and depth; and   the dispensing opening defining a mouth of the container located at an upper front portion of the container and sized to limit the number of packages that can be simultaneously withdrawn from the container.   
   
   
       2 . The system for dispensing loose packages according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is tilted forwardly such that, upon the withdrawal of one package through the dispensing opening, packages stacked behind the removed package slide into place at the mouth of the container. 
   
   
       3 . The system for dispensing loose packages according to  claim 2 , further comprising a tilted base adapted to hold the container therein, in a forwardly tilted position on a horizontal surface. 
   
   
       4 . The system for dispensing loose packages according to  claim 2 , further comprising a rack releasably attachable to the rear panel and adapted to hold the container in the forwardly tilted position. 
   
   
       5 . The system for dispensing loose packages according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing opening extends rearwardly from the front apex a distance that is one to two times the depth of a package contained therein. 
   
   
       6 . The system for dispensing loose packages according to  claim 1 , wherein a widest part of the dispensing opening extends a distance between the side panels that is equal to about two to three times the width of an package contained therein. 
   
   
       7 . The system for dispensing loose packages according to  claim 1 , wherein a widest part of the dispensing opening extends a distance between the side panels that is less than about twice the width of an package contained therein. 
   
   
       8 . The system for dispensing loose packages according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing opening extends downwardly from the top panel a distance that is less than about one half the height of an package contained therein. 
   
   
       9 . The system for dispensing loose packages according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing opening has a generally U-shaped profile when viewed from the front. 
   
   
       10 . A container for dispensing packages vertically arranged therein, the container comprising:
 a top panel defining the upper terminus of the container,   a bottom panel defining the bottom of the container and sloping downwardly from the rear of the container towards a front portion of the container;   side panels extending between the top and bottom panels, the side panels joined at a front apex and extending away from each other and towards the rear of the container;   a dispensing opening defined by a portion of each of the side panels, the front apex and the top panel, the dispensing opening sized and shaped to facilitate the withdrawal of the packages therethrough.   
   
   
       11 . The container according to  claim 10 , the dispensing opening having a width equal to no more than three times the width of one of the packages and a depth equal to no more than twice the depth of one of the packages. 
   
   
       12 . The container according to  claim 10 , further comprising an angled base for holding the container in a tilted position, the angled base containing a bottom portion adapted to rest on a supporting surface and an upper portion adapted accommodate the container and maintain the container in a forwardly tilted position. 
   
   
       13 . The container according to  claim 12 , wherein the rear of the upper portion of the base member is disposed higher than the front of the upper portion when the base member rests on a supporting surface. 
   
   
       14 . The container according to  claim 10 , wherein the container is mounted on a rack adapted to maintain the container in a forwardly tilted position and suspended above a supporting surface. 
   
   
       15 . A container for dispensing packages, each package having a package height, width and depth, with the package height being at least twice the package width and depth, the container comprising:
 a top panel defining the upper terminus of the container,   a bottom panel defining the bottom of the container and sloping downwardly from the rear of the container towards a front portion of the container;   side panels extending between the top and bottom panels, the side panels joined at a front apex and extending away from each other and towards the rear of the container; and   a dispensing opening defined by each of the side panels, the front apex and top panel, the dispensing opening sized to have
 a width ranging from the width of one package to the width of three packages, 
 a depth ranging from one half of the depth of an package and twice the depth of an package, and 
 a height ranging from one tenth of the height of an package to one half of the height of an package. 
   
   
   
       16 . The container according to  claim 15 , further comprising an angled base for holding the container in a tilted position, the angled base containing a bottom portion adapted to rest on a supporting surface and an upper portion adapted accommodate the container and maintain the container in a forwardly tilted position. 
   
   
       17 . The container according to  claim 16 , wherein the rear of the upper portion of the base member is disposed higher than the front of the upper portion when the base member rests on a supporting surface. 
   
   
       18 . The container according to  claim 15 , wherein the container is mounted on a rack adapted to maintain the container in a forwardly tilted position and suspended above a supporting surface.