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.

Description

FIELD

This application relates to the dispensing of products from packaging containers and, more particularly, to product dispensers configured to cooperate with packaging containers to dispense products.

BACKGROUND

Products are typically shipped to retailers in bulk by enclosing multiple individual product units in a container, such as a carton or box. For example, canned foods may be shipped to a retailer in a box containing twenty-four individual cans. Then, it is typically the retailer's obligation to remove the individual product units from the container and present them (e.g., on a shelf) to consumers.

Alternatives to the traditional package-ship-unpack-display model have been developed in an effort to improve operating efficiency. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,437 (issued on Apr. 12, 2011) discloses a product dispensing system that includes a dispenser having a support structure, a product display area and an opening tool. The dispenser may be positioned on a retailer's shelf and loaded with product simply by placing a container comprising multiple units of product onto the support structure of the dispenser. As the container is being placed onto the support structure, the opening tool of the dispenser opens the container in such a manner that product rolls from the container and down to the product display area of the dispenser under the force of gravity.

Unfortunately, product dispensing systems may experience product bridging that prevents products from properly exiting the container and moving through the dispenser. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when a container 2 is positioned on a dispenser 4, a product 6A may bridge the gap between the container 2 and product 6B, thereby preventing all of the products 6 from passing through the opening 8 in the container 2 and moving into the dispenser 4.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue with research and development efforts directed to product dispensing systems.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the disclosed product dispensing system may include 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.

In another embodiment, the disclosed product dispensing system may include 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, a container positioned on the container support deck, the container defining an engagement opening, and a plurality of products initially housed in the container, wherein the protuberance is engaged with at least one of the products when the engagement opening is aligned with the protuberance.

In yet another embodiment, disclosed is a method for dispensing products. The method may include the steps of (1) providing a dispenser including a container support deck and a lower support deck positioned below the container support deck, the lower support deck defining a product display area, (2) providing a container initially housing a plurality of products, (3) forming an access opening in the container, the access opening being size to allow the products to pass therethrough, (4) positioning the container with the access opening on the container support deck such that at least one product exits the container through the access opening and moves to the product display area and, while the container is positioned on the container support deck, restricting movement toward the access opening of another product within the container.

Other embodiments of the disclosed product dispensing system and method will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a prior art product dispensing system, shown with product bridging within the container;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a container configured in accordance with the present disclosure to avoid product bridging;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 2, shown with a product exiting the container;

FIG. 4 is a front and side perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed product dispensing system with dispenser-product interaction;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the container of the product dispensing system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front and side perspective view of the container of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a rear and bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser of the product dispensing system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view, in section, of a portion of the side wall of the dispenser of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view, in section, of a portion of the side wall of a dispenser in accordance with a first alternative embodiment of the disclosed product dispensing system;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view, in section, of a portion of the side wall of a dispenser in accordance with a second alternative embodiment of the disclosed product dispensing system;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view, in section, of a portion of the product dispensing system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view, in section, of the product dispensing system of FIG. 4, shown during one phase of dispensing; and

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view, in section, of the product dispensing system of FIG. 13, shown during another phase of dispensing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a container 10 suitable for use in connection with the disclosed product dispensing system may include an access opening 12, and may initially house a plurality of products 14. The container 10 may be arranged at a non-zero angle Θ relative to a horizontal plane P such that the force of gravity urges the products 14 toward the access opening 12.

In FIG. 2, the container 10 is shown after two products have exited the container 10 through the opening 12. Therefore, the next two products 14A, 14B in the container 10 have moved to a bridging configuration, wherein product 14A is wedged over the access opening 12 between product 14B and the rear wall 16 of the container 10.

It has now been discovered that the problem of product bridging within the container 10 may be overcome by restricting movement toward the access opening 12 of some of the products 14 within the container 10 until the initial products (e.g., products 14A, 14B) have exited the container 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when rearward movement (i.e., movement toward the access opening 12) of product 14C has been restricted, the weight of product 14A acting on product 14B may urge product 14B in the direction shown by arrow A, thereby allowing product 14A to pass through the opening 12. Once product 14A has passed through the opening 12, the remaining products 14 in the container 10 may exit the container 10 without bridging.

Accordingly, disclosed is a product dispensing system that may include a dispenser and a container that initially houses products intended to be dispensed by the dispenser. The dispenser and the container may be configured to facilitate beneficial interaction of the dispenser with the products housed in the container such that the occurrence of product bridging within the container may be reduced or eliminated.

Referring to FIG. 4, one embodiment of the disclosed product dispensing system with dispenser-product interaction, generally designated 100, may include a dispenser 102 and a container 104. The container 104 may initially house multiple units of product 106. When the container 104 is loaded onto the dispenser 102, the container 104 may release the products 106 from the container 104 to the dispenser 102.

The container 104 may be any container capable of initially housing products 106 and beneficially interacting with the disclosed dispenser 102 to release the products 106 to the dispenser 102. For example, the container 104 may be a paperboard carton or a corrugated box. Optionally, at least one major surface 108 of the container 104 may be marked with indicia 110, such as printed text and/or graphics.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the container 104 may be a generally rectilinear container having six walls 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 that define an internal volume 130 for receiving the products 106. Opposed walls 118 and 120 may define the front and rear walls, respectively, of the container 104. Opposed walls 122 and 124 may define the first (e.g., right) and second (e.g., left) side walls, respectively, of the container 104. Opposed walls 126 and 128 may define the base and upper walls, respectively, of the container 104. Containers of other shapes and configurations are also contemplated.

The base wall 126 of the container 104 may define an access opening 132, as shown in FIG. 7. The access opening 132 may be sized and shaped to allow the products 106 (FIGS. 5 and 6) initially housed in the container 104 to pass therethrough when the container 104 is mounted on the dispenser 102, as shown in FIG. 4.

The access opening 132 may be positioned proximate (i.e., at or near) the rear wall 120 of the container 104, and may extend generally laterally between the side walls 122, 124 of the container 104. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the location of the access opening 132 in the container 104 may depend on, among other things, the configuration of the dispenser 102.

Various techniques, including manual and automatic techniques, may be used to form the access opening 132 in the container 104.

In a first aspect, the access opening 132 may be pre-formed in the base wall 126 of the container 104, as shown in FIG. 7. Optionally, a peelable label or the like (not shown) may be applied to the container 104 over the pre-formed access opening 132. Therefore, the access opening 132 may be revealed by peeling away the optional peelable label from the container 104 prior to loading the container 104 onto the dispenser 102.

In a second aspect, the access opening 132 may be defined by pre-formed weakening features, such as perforations or zipper strips, in the base wall 126 of the container 104. Therefore, the access opening 132 may be formed by tearing a portion (e.g., a generally rectangular panel) of the base wall 126 away from the container 104 along the pre-formed weakening features prior to loading the container 104 onto the dispenser 102.

In a third aspect, the access opening 132 may be automatically formed in the container 104 as the container 104 is urged along the dispenser 102. In a first expression of the third aspect, an opening tool associated with the dispenser 102 may form the access opening 132 as the container 104 is urged along the dispenser 102, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,437 to Loftin et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In a second expression of the third aspect, a catch element associated with the dispenser 102 may form the access opening 132 as the container 104 is urged along the dispenser 102, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/032,734 filed by Gelardi et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The right side wall 122 of the container 104 may define a first container-product engagement opening 134 and the left side wall 124 may define a second container-product engagement opening 136. While the first engagement opening 134 is shown in FIG. 7 being laterally opposed from the second engagement opening 136, also contemplated are configurations in which the first engagement opening 134 is longitudinally displaced relative to the second engagement opening 136.

The engagement openings 134, 136 may be sized, shaped and positioned to allow protuberances (discussed below) associated with the dispenser 102 to pass therethrough and engage at least one product 106′ (FIG. 5) within the container 104. As is described in greater detail herein, the engagement between the dispenser 102 and the product(s) 106′ by way of the engagement openings 134, 136 may restrict movement of at least some of the products 106 within the container 104 when the products 106 are released from the container 104 to the dispenser 102, thereby reducing or eliminating the occurrence of product bridging within the container 104.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the engagement openings 134, 136 may have a longitudinal length B and a vertical height C. The length B and the height C may be sufficient to allow the protuberances (discussed below) to pass through the engagement openings 134, 136 and engage at least one product 106′ housed within the container 104. While the engagement openings 134, 136 are shown having an elongated rectangular shape, those skilled in the art will appreciate that engagement openings 134, 136 of various sizes and shapes may be used, and that the size and shape of the engagement openings 134, 136 may be dictated by, among other things, the size and shape of the protuberances (discussed below).

The engagement openings 134, 136 may be spaced a longitudinal distance D from the rear wall 126 of the container 104 and a vertical distance E from the base wall 126 of the container 104. The longitudinal distance D and the vertical distance E may be selected such that the engagement openings 134, 136 are positioned to align with the product(s) 106′ intended to be engaged by the protuberances (discussed below). For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the engagement openings 134, 136 are aligned with the product 106′ in the first row (i.e., the row adjacent to the base wall 126) and the third column from the rear wall 120. Therefore, the longitudinal distance D may be less than or equal to three times the greatest diameter of the products 106 and the vertical distance E may be less than the greatest diameter of the products 106.

The products 106 may be any products capable of moving from the container 104 to the dispenser 102 and, ultimately, being dispensed by the dispenser 102. In one particular implementation, the products 106 may have a generally cylindrical shape and may be capable of rolling about a rolling axis F (FIG. 6). For example, the products 106 may be cans (e.g., canned food), jars (e.g., jarred sauce) or bottles (e.g., bottled soft drinks).

Optionally, the products 106 may include a rim 138, as shown in FIG. 12, or other feature that may catch the protuberances (discussed below) associated with the dispenser 102. For example, the products 106 may be cans having a circumferential sealing rim at one end (or both ends).

As shown in FIG. 5, the products 106 may be initially arranged in longitudinal rows within the container 104 such that the rolling axis F (FIG. 6) of each product 106 is generally normal to the planes defined by the side walls 122, 124 of the container 104. One or more additional rows may be positioned over the first longitudinal row (i.e., the row adjacent to the base wall 126 of the container 104) of products 106. For example, two stacked longitudinal rows of products 106 are shown in the container 104 of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 8, the dispenser 102 may include a first (e.g., left) side wall 140, a second (e.g., right) side wall 142 (FIG. 4), a container support deck 144 and a lower support deck 146. The left side wall 140 may be laterally spaced from the right side wall 142, and may be generally parallel with the right side wall 142.

The lower support deck 146 may laterally extend between the left and right side walls 140, 142, and may include a front end 148 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 150 of the dispenser 102 and a rear end 152 that longitudinally extends toward the rear end 154 of the dispenser 102. Therefore, the lower support deck 146 and the side walls 140, 142 may define a lower level 156 of the dispenser 102.

The lower support deck 146 may be inclined from the front end 148 to the rear end 152 (i.e., the rear end 152 may be elevated relative to the front end 148) such that products 106 deposited proximate the rear end 152 of the lower support deck 146 roll down to the front end 148 of the lower support deck 146 under the force of gravity.

A stop 158 may be positioned proximate the front end 148 of the lower support deck 146 to prevent products 106 from rolling beyond the front end 148 of the lower support deck 146. Therefore, the stop 158 may collect products 106 at the front end 148 of the lower support deck 146, thereby defining a product display area 160 proximate the front end 148 of the lower support deck 146.

The container support deck 144 may laterally extend between the left and right side walls 140, 142, and may include a front end 162 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 150 of the dispenser 102 and a rear end 164 that longitudinally extends toward, but not to, the rear end 154 of the dispenser 102. Therefore, the container support deck 144 and the side walls 140, 142 may define an upper level 166 of the dispenser 102.

The spacing between the rear end 164 of the container support deck 144 and the rear end 154 of the dispenser 102 may define a dispenser opening 168, which may function as a chute to allow products 106 to move from the upper level 166 to the lower level 156 of the dispenser 102 under the force of gravity. The access opening 132 (FIG. 7) in the container 104 may be aligned with the dispenser opening 168 of the dispenser 102 when the container 104 is fully loaded onto the dispenser 102.

The container support deck 144 may be declined from the front end 162 to the rear end 164 (i.e., the front end 162 may be elevated relative to the rear end 164). Therefore, the force of gravity may urge products 106 supported on the container support deck 144 toward the rear end 164 of the container support deck 108 and, ultimately, toward the dispenser opening 168.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 9 and 12, the left side wall 140 of the dispenser 102 may include a first product engaging protuberance 170. The first protuberance 170 may be positioned in the upper level 166 of the dispenser 102, and may protrude inward from the left side wall 140 (i.e., toward the right side wall 142).

As shown in FIG. 12, the right side wall 142 of the dispenser 102 may include a second product engaging protuberance 172. The second protuberance 172 may be positioned in the upper level 166 of the dispenser 102, and may protrude inward from the right side wall 142 (i.e., toward the left side wall 140).

While the first protuberance 170 is shown in FIG. 12 being directly laterally opposed from the second protuberance 172, also contemplated are configurations in which the first protuberance 170 is longitudinally displaced relative to the second protuberance 172. At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the longitudinal position of the first protuberance 170 relative to the second protuberance 172 may depend on, among other things, the configuration of the engagement openings 134, 136 in the container 104.

The protuberances 170, 172 may be spaced a longitudinal distance F from the rear end 154 of the dispenser 102 and a vertical distance G from the container support deck 144 of the dispenser 102. The longitudinal distance F and the vertical distance G may be selected such that the protuberances 170, 172 align with the engagement openings 134, 136 in the container 104 when the container 104 is longitudinally urged along the container support deck 144 of the dispenser 102.

In a first construction, the protuberances 170, 172 may be positioned to align with the engagement openings 134, 136 in the container 104 when the container 104 is fully loaded on the dispenser 102 (i.e., when the container 104 is at its rearward most longitudinal position on the dispenser 102). Therefore, the longitudinal distance F shown in FIG. 8 may be substantially equal to the longitudinal distance D shown in FIG. 5.

In a second construction, the protuberances 170, 172 may be positioned to align with the engagement openings 134, 136 in the container 104 prior to the container 104 being fully loaded on the dispenser 102 (i.e., prior to the container 104 reaching its rearward most longitudinal position on the dispenser 102). Therefore, the longitudinal distance F shown in FIG. 8 may be greater than the longitudinal distance D shown in FIG. 5. In a first implementation of the second construction, the longitudinal distance D may be at most 97 percent of the longitudinal distance F. In a second implementation of the second construction, the longitudinal distance D may be at most 95 percent of the longitudinal distance F. In a third implementation of the second construction, the longitudinal distance D may be at most 90 percent of the longitudinal distance F.

The protuberances 170, 172 may be sized and shaped to pass through the engagement openings 134, 136 in the container 104 when the engagement openings 134, 136 are aligned with the protuberances 170, 172. Therefore, the size and shape of the protuberances 170, 172 may be dictated by, among other things, the size and shape of the engagement openings 134, 136.

Referring to FIG. 9, the protuberances 170, 172 may include a distal-most end 174, and the distal-most end 174 may protrude inward a distance H from the associated side wall 140, 142 of the dispenser 102. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the distance H may be of a magnitude sufficient to allow the protuberances 170, 172 to pass through the respective engagement openings 134, 136 and restrict movement of one or more products 106′ within the container 104, as shown in FIG. 12. Therefore, the distance H may be greater than the cross-sectional thickness of the material forming the side walls 122, 124 of the container 104. As one example, the distance H may be at least 0.125 inches. As another example, the distance H may be at least 0.25 inches. As another example, the distance H may be at least 0.375 inches. As yet another example, the distance H may be at least 0.5 inches.

The protuberance 170 shown in FIG. 9 may be formed as a curved bump on the side wall 140 of the dispenser 102. The protuberance 170 may include a body 176, which may be connected to the side wall 140 (e.g., with an adhesive) or which may be integral with the side wall 140 (i.e., the side wall 140 and the protuberance 170 may be formed as a single monolithic body). The body 176 of the protuberance 170 may include sloped regions 178, 180. The first sloped region 178 may provide a gradual transition from the side wall 140 to the distal-most end 174 of the protuberance 170 in the rearward longitudinal direction (i.e., from the front end 150 toward the rear end 154 of the dispenser 102). The second sloped region 180 may provide a gradual transition from the distal-most end 174 of the protuberance 170 back to the side wall 140 in the rearward longitudinal direction.

Alternatively, the protuberances 170, 172 may be constructed as spring-loaded detents.

Referring to FIG. 10, in a first alternative aspect, a protuberance 170′ may include a detent 182, such as a ball, and a biasing element 184, such as a coil spring. The side wall 140 of the dispenser 102 may define a recess 186, and the detent 182 and the biasing element 184 may be at least partially received in the recess 186. The biasing force of the biasing element 184 may urge the detent 182 out of the recess 186 in the direction shown by arrow I.

Thus, as the container 104 is urged relative to the protuberance 170′, the side wall 124 (FIG. 12) of the container 104 may urge the detent 182 into the recess 186 such that the protuberance 170′ does not obstruct movement of the container 104 relative to the dispenser 102. However, once the engagement opening 136 (FIG. 12) is aligned with the protuberance 170′, the biasing force of the biasing element 184 may urge the detent 182 through the engagement opening 136 and into engagement with the product 106′, thereby restricting movement of the product 106′ within the container 104.

Referring to FIG. 11, in a second alternative aspect, a protuberance 170″, may include a detent 190, such as a tab, and a biasing element 192, such as a leaf spring. The first end 194 of the biasing element 192 may be connected to the side wall 140 and the second 196 of the biasing element 192 may be connected to the detent 190. Therefore, the biasing element 192 may urge the detent 190 away from the side wall 140 in the direction shown by arrow J.

Thus, as the container 104 is urged relative to the protuberance 170″, the side wall 124 (FIG. 12) of the container 104 may urge the detent 190 against the side wall 140 of the dispenser 102 such that the protuberance 170″ does not obstruct movement of the container 104 relative to the dispenser 102. However, once the engagement opening 136 (FIG. 12) is aligned with the protuberance 170″, the biasing force of the biasing element 192 may urge the detent 190 through the engagement opening 136 and into engagement with the product 106′, thereby restricting movement of the product 106′ within the container 104.

At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that protuberances of various shapes and configurations may be used to pass through the engagement openings 134, 136 in the container 104 to restrict movement of one or more products 106′ within the container 104. The protuberances 170, 170′, 170″ shown in FIGS. 9-11 are only three specific, non-limiting examples.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the product dispensing system 100 may be assembled by positioning the container 104 onto the container support deck 144 of the dispenser 102 such that the access opening 132 of the container 104 is aligned with the dispenser opening 168 of the dispenser 102. For example, the container 104 may be longitudinally urged toward the rear end 154 of the dispenser 102 along the container support deck 144 until the access opening 132 is aligned with the dispenser opening 168. Optionally, as noted above, the access opening 132 may be formed during the step of longitudinally urging the container 104 along the container support deck 144 of the dispenser 102.

As the container 104 is urged along the container support deck 144 of the dispenser 102, the engagement openings 134, 136 in the container 104 may approximate the protuberances 170, 172 on the dispenser 102. Once the engagement openings 134, 136 are aligned with the protuberances 170, 172, the protuberances 170, 172 may protrude through the engagement openings 134, 136 and may engage the product(s) 106′ within the container 104 that are aligned with the engagement openings 134, 136, as shown in FIG. 12. The through-container engagement between the protuberances 170, 172 and the product(s) 106′ may restrict rearward movement (i.e., movement toward the access opening 132) of the product(s) 106′, as well as the products 106 behind product(s) 106′, as shown in FIG. 13.

Thus, when the access opening 132 of the container 104 is aligned with the dispenser opening 168 of the dispenser 102, the first two products 106A, 106B may exit the container 104 through the access opening 132 and may pass through the dispenser opening 168 down to the lower level 156 of the dispenser 102, as shown in FIG. 13. Furthermore, with rearward movement of product(s) 106′ restricted, the weight of product(s) 106′ may not act on product 106D. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the weight of product 106C acting on product 106D may urge product 106D in the direction shown by arrow A, thereby allowing product 106C to pass between product 106D and the rear wall 120 of the container 104 and, ultimately, pass through the access opening 132 down to the lower level 156 of the dispenser 102. Once product 106C has passed through the access opening 132, the remaining products 106 (including products 106D and 106′) in the container 10 may exit the container 104 without bridging.

Accordingly, the disclosed product dispensing system 100 may reduce or eliminate the occurrence of product bridging within the container 104 by facilitating through-container engagement between the 102 dispenser and the products 106 within the container 104 that at least temporarily restricts movement toward the access opening 132 of at least some of the products 106 within the container 104.

Although various embodiments of the disclosed product dispensing system have been shown and described, modifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Claims

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.