Product Dispenser and Shelf Assembly

Abstract

A product dispenser and shelf assembly including a shelf having laterally opposed first and second side members and a number of lateral members extending between the first and second side members, and a product dispenser frame positioned on the shelf, the product dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the product dispenser frame having a 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, wherein at least one of the lateral members is positioned below the front end of the product dispenser frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A product dispenser and shelf assembly comprising:
 a shelf comprising:
 laterally opposed first and second side members; and 
 a plurality of lateral members extending between said first and second side members; and 
   a product dispenser frame positioned on at least a portion of said shelf, said product dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, wherein at least one lateral member of said plurality of lateral members is positioned below said front end of said product dispenser frame.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein another lateral member of said plurality of lateral members is engaged with said product dispenser frame to inhibit longitudinal movement of said product dispenser frame relative to said shelf. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein another lateral member of said plurality of lateral members is engaged with said product dispenser frame to inhibit vertical movement of said product dispenser frame relative to said shelf. 
     
     
         4 . A product dispenser and shelf assembly comprising:
 a shelf comprising:
 laterally opposed first and second side members; and 
 a plurality of lateral members extending between said first and second side members; and 
   a product dispenser frame positioned on at least a portion of said shelf, said product dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, said product dispenser frame comprising:
 a 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, 
   wherein at least one lateral member of said plurality of lateral members is positioned below said front end of said product dispenser frame.   
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein said plurality of lateral members comprises a first lateral member, a second lateral member and a third lateral member, wherein said third lateral member is positioned below said front end of said product dispenser frame. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5  wherein said product dispenser frame defines a shelf engagement notch, and wherein said second lateral member is at least partially received in said shelf engagement notch. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6  wherein said second lateral member inhibits longitudinal movement of said product dispenser frame relative to said shelf. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 5  wherein said product dispenser frame comprises a shelf engagement member comprising a first member and a second member, and wherein said first lateral member is positioned at least partially between said first member and said second member. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein said shelf engagement member inhibits vertical movement of said product dispenser frame relative to said shelf. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein said first member comprises a hooked portion. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 4  further comprising a product container positioned on said container support deck. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein said product container initially comprises a plurality of products, and wherein at least one product of said plurality of products is moved to said product display area when said container is positioned on said container support deck. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 11  further comprising an opening tool associated with said product dispenser frame. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13  wherein said opening tool is positioned to open said product container as said product container is moved longitudinally along said container support deck. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein each of said first and second side members of said shelf comprises a coupling member connected thereto. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein said shelf is connected to a support structure. 
     
     
         17 . A product dispenser and shelf assembly comprising:
 a shelf comprising:
 laterally opposed first and second side members; 
 a first lateral member extending between said first and second side members; 
 a third lateral member extending between said first and second side members, said third lateral member being substantially parallel with said first lateral member; and 
 a second lateral member positioned between said first lateral member and said third lateral member, said second lateral member extending between said first and second side members; and 
   a product dispenser frame positioned on at least a portion of said shelf, said product dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, wherein said third lateral member is positioned below said front end of said product dispenser frame.   
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein said first lateral member is engaged with said product dispenser frame to inhibit vertical movement of said product dispenser frame relative to said shelf. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein said second lateral member is engaged with said product dispenser frame to inhibit longitudinal movement of said product dispenser frame relative to said shelf. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein said product dispenser frame comprises:
 a 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.