Product Dispensing System with Dispenser-Product Interaction

Abstract

A product dispensing system including a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser including a first side wall laterally opposed from a second side wall, a protuberance extending from the first side wall toward the second side wall, a container support deck positioned below the protuberance between the first and second side walls, the container support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear ends, and a lower support deck positioned below the container support deck, the lower support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear ends, and 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 side wall laterally opposed from a second side wall; 
 a protuberance extending from said first side wall toward said second side wall; 
 a container support deck positioned below said protuberance between said first and said second side walls, said container support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end; and 
 a lower support deck positioned below said container support deck, said lower support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end, and defining a product display area. 
   
     
     
         2 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said protuberance is connected to said first side wall. 
     
     
         3 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said protuberance and said first side wall are formed as a single, monolithic body. 
     
     
         4 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said protuberance is positioned between said front end and said rear end. 
     
     
         5 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said protuberance extends at least 0.125 inches from said first side wall. 
     
     
         6 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said protuberance extends at least 0.25 inches from said first side wall. 
     
     
         7 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said protuberance extends at least 0.375 inches from said first side wall. 
     
     
         8 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said protuberance extends at least 0.5 inches from said first side wall. 
     
     
         9 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said protuberance is formed as a bump on said first side wall. 
     
     
         10 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said protuberance comprises a detent, and wherein said detent is biased away from said first side wall. 
     
     
         11 . The product dispensing system of  claim 10  wherein said first side wall defines a recess, and wherein said detent is at least partially received in said recess. 
     
     
         12 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  further comprising a second protuberance, wherein said second protuberance extends from said second side wall toward said first side wall. 
     
     
         13 . The product dispensing system of  claim 12  wherein said first protuberance is laterally opposed from said second protuberance. 
     
     
         14 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein said product display area is positioned proximate said front end. 
     
     
         15 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1  further comprising a container positioned on said container support deck, wherein said container defines an engagement opening. 
     
     
         16 . The product dispensing system of  claim 15  wherein said engagement opening is positioned to receive said protuberance when said engagement opening is aligned with said protuberance. 
     
     
         17 . The product dispensing system of  claim 15  further comprising a plurality of products initially housed in said container. 
     
     
         18 . The product dispensing system of  claim 17  wherein said protuberance is engaged with at least one product of said plurality of products when said engagement opening is aligned with said protuberance. 
     
     
         19 . A product dispensing system comprising:
 a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, said dispenser comprising:
 a first side wall laterally opposed from a second side wall; 
 a protuberance extending from said first side wall toward said second side wall; 
 a container support deck positioned below said protuberance between said first and said second side walls, said container support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end; and 
 a lower support deck positioned below said container support deck, said lower support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end, and defining a product display area; 
   a container positioned on said container support deck, said container defining an engagement opening; and   a plurality of products initially housed in said container,   wherein said protuberance is engaged with at least one product of said plurality of products when said engagement opening is aligned with said protuberance.   
     
     
         20 . A method for dispensing products comprising the steps of:
 providing a dispenser comprising:
 a container support deck; and 
 a lower support deck positioned below said container support deck, said lower support deck defining a product display area; 
   providing a container initially housing a plurality of products;   forming an access opening in said container, said access opening being size to allow said plurality of products to pass therethrough;   positioning said container with said access opening on said container support deck such that at least one product of said plurality of products exits said container through said access opening and moves to said product display area; and   while said container is positioned on said container support deck, restricting movement toward said access opening of at least another product of said plurality of products.