Abstract:
A serpentine dispenser and cartridge system provides simplified stocking and restocking of the dispenser, as well as jam-free dispenser feeding. Cartridge opening flaps allow a cartridge be inverted and inserted into a dispenser while products in the cartridge are prevented from falling out. A dispenser wedge applies pressure on rolling products as the cartridge is inserted into the dispenser, forcing a retaining flap open so that rolling products may exit the cartridge and enter the dispenser. The wedge may also constrain rolling products to exit the cartridge in an order that prevents jamming.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims one or more inventions which were disclosed in Provisional Application No. 61/871,705, filed Aug. 29, 2013, entitled “Product Dispenser With An S-Shaped Down Chute”; Provisional Application No. 61/871,692, filed Aug. 29, 2013, entitled “Dispenser For Rolling Product And Dispenser Cartridges”; and, Provisional Application No. 61/871,711, filed Aug. 29, 2013, entitled “Dispenser With Wedge For Rolling Products”. The benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of the United States provisional applications is hereby claimed, and the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention pertains to the field of product dispensers and bulk packed cartridges for stocking them. More particularly, the invention pertains to product dispensers that open bulk packed cartridges for rolling products during stocking. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A dispenser with a cartridge containing multiple rolling product packages, Bauer (U.S. Pat. No. 7,992,747, for example), accommodates a variety of different bulk packed product shipping cartons [henceforth referred to as “cartridge(s)”] with a variety of can counts or arrangements packed therein. As shown in prior art  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it is often desirable to stack cans two or more wide in the cartridge  10  in its shipping orientation (with the cans vertical therein), or one or more rows (lower row  1 , upper row  2 ) high in the “at use” position (when the cartridge  10  is inside the dispenser  20  as shown in prior art  FIGS. 4-18 ). In some prior art examples, a cartridge may contain a single row of rolling product packages. In some of these prior art examples, the row may comprise, for examples, a single row cartridge may comprise a single row of six individual rolling products. In other prior art examples, a cartridge may contain a single row of six stacks of rolling products, such that, for example a cartridge containing twenty-four rolling products may comprise six stacks wherein each stack comprises four rolling products that may be nested to act as a single rolling product. In other prior art examples, a cartridge may comprise two or more rows of products, with each row comprising a number of individual rolling products, or a number of stacks of rolling products and the stacks may be nested or unnested. 
     The configuration most commonly known to the public is a cartridge  10  for canned soda and other carbonated beverages comprising four rows of six cans each. Alternatively, for example, in cartridges  10  containing cat food cans known in the prior art, the cartridge may comprise a one or more rows of rolling products, with each row comprising nested stacks of two or more cat food cans. Generally almost any product packed in cans, bottles, or other configuration capable of rolling can be so packaged in one or more rows. This is also true for stacks of nested cans, as shown in prior art  FIG. 3 , where each nested stack (lower row  1  and upper row  2 ) functions the same as if it was a single can. 
     One skilled in the art of dispensers  20  and bulk shipping cartridges  10  will therefore appreciate that the operation of dispensers  20  and cartridges  10  described herein applies equally to one or more rows of single cans, stacks of nested cans, and any packaging configuration of one or more rows of product packages that are capable of rolling. 
     Henceforth, “can” or “cans” includes, but is not limited to, a conventional metal can or cans, a stack of nested cans, stacks of nested cans, and any other packaging form that is capable of rolling. Such bulk shipping cartridges  10  and associated dispensers  20  are more flexible for retailers or brand marketers and assist with the efficient management of their supply chains and sales. 
     Referring to prior art  FIGS. 4-11 , a dispenser  20  is shown with a cartridge  10  holding area  24 , an entry port  45  that is aligned with a cartridge dispensing port  20   a  (shown in  FIG. 5 ), a down chute  30 , a lower feed ramp  40 , and a cartridge loading ramp  35 . When a pre-filled bulk packed cartridge  10  is inserted into the cartridge holding area  24  ( FIG. 4 ) of completely empty matching dispenser  20 , such as shown in prior art  FIGS. 4-11 , products (cans in lower row  1  and upper row  2 ) generally load and feed through the dispenser  20 , and are dispensed to shoppers according to design expectations. Prior art  FIG. 4  shows a prior art cartridge  10  being loaded into a prior art dispenser  20  cartridge holding area  24  after a dispensing port (not shown in this figure, see  FIG. 5 , reference  20   a  has been made in the bottom of the cartridge  10  adjacent to the rear-most edge of the cartridge  10  to allow cans to exit the cartridge  10  through the dispensing port  20   a  and the entry port  45 . 
     A sequence of events after loading is shown in prior art  FIGS. 5-11  in detail. Starting with prior art  FIG. 5 , wherein the dispensing port 20   a  of a cartridge  20  that has been fully inserted into a dispenser  10  is aligned with the entry port  45 , the first four cans  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  that exit the cartridge  10  during feeding into the dispenser  20  are critical to the proper operation of the cartridge  10  and dispenser  20  system. It has been found that, after these first four cans  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , exit the cartridge  10  the balance of cans in the cartridge  10  have sufficient room to move inside the cartridge  10  so that no jamming occurs thereafter. The exiting of these first four cans  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , no matter the size or weight of the cans, therefore determines the efficient and reliable feeding of all the cans from the cartridge  10  through the dispensing port 20   a  and into and through the dispenser  20  to a product selection location  25  where they can be selected by the consumer. 
     Referring again to prior art  FIG. 5 , immediately after the cartridge  10  is loaded into the dispenser  20  and the dispensing port 20   a  is aligned with the entry port  45 , can  1  is free to exit the cartridge  10 , drop vertically downward through the dispensing port  20   a  and the entry port  45 , roll along the down chute  30 , and then roll along the lower feed ramp  40  to the product selection area  25 . Similarly, as shown in prior art  FIG. 6 , can  2  is generally free to also follow can  1 , falling vertically downward inside the cartridge  10 , through the dispensing port  20   a  and entry port  45 , into the dispenser  20 , and then rolling to the product selection area  25 . 
     However, experience has shown that successful feeding of cans  3 ,  4  is largely due to the impacts and vibrations caused by the first cans  1 ,  2  transiting the dispenser  20 . Impacts and vibrations dislodge products lodged in the cartridge  10  or stuck in between the dispenser down chute  30  and loading ramp  35 , or behind another can, as illustrated in prior art  FIGS. 7, 8, and 10  for example. Thus, reliable dispenser  20  feeding is more a matter of chance rather than a result of a truly functional dispenser  20 /cartridge  10 /can  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  interaction. 
     As shown in prior art  FIGS. 7-8 , after cans  1  and  2  exit the cartridge  10 , cans  3  and  4  may be positioned such that they cause a feed jam. While the impact of cans  1  and  2  with the down chute  30  (prior art  FIG. 7 ), or the product selection area  25  (prior art  FIG. 8 ) may cause sufficient vibration in the dispenser  20  to dislodge the feed jam, this is by no means guaranteed and is not always the case. However, assuming such impacts do occur and free can  4  (prior art  FIG. 9 ), can  4  is then free to roll along the down chute  30  to the product selection area  25 , and can  3  may follow suit (prior art  FIG. 10 ), followed by the rest of the cans in the cartridge  10  until the dispenser  20  is full of product (prior art  FIG. 11 ). 
     Prior art  FIGS. 12-18  show the partially filled dispenser  20  of prior art  FIGS. 4-11  during a restocking operation. When restocking the dispenser  20  by inserting a new cartridge  10  full of cans into the cartridge holding area  24  when the lower feed ramp  40  is not empty, there is insufficient can  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  movement to cause dislodging impacts and vibrations. The sequence of events in this circumstance is similar to the events, illustrated in prior art  FIGS. 5-8 , that occur when filling an empty dispenser  20 . 
     Prior art  FIG. 12  shows a full cartridge  10  being inserted into the cartridge holding area  24  of a dispenser  20  that remains partially filled with previously loaded cans. Immediately after inserting the cartridge  10  and the dispensing port  20   a  is aligned with the entry port  45  (prior art  FIG. 13 ), can  1  is free to move through dispensing port  20   a , through the entry port  45 , and roll along the down chute  30 , but only until it contacts the rearmost previously loaded can in the lower channel. As shown in prior art  FIG. 14 , can  2  drops immediately down behind can  1 , and can  4  is biased to roll over can  3 . This restocking situation thus shortens the distance cans  1  and  2  move in the dispenser, which significantly reduces the previously described impacts and vibrations. As shown in prior art  FIG. 15 , when a can is removed from the product selection area  25 , can  1  and can  2  move along the down chute  30 , with can  4  biased to follow by rolling over the top of can  3 . At this point, shown in prior art  FIGS. 15-16 , can  3  and can  4  are in a position that may potentially result in a jam. While the cans remaining in the dispenser  20  lower feed ramp  40  may still be selected, the jam (prior art  FIG. 17 ) prevents product movement from the cartridge  10  through the dispensing port  20   a  and entry port  45 . 
     As a result of this sequence of events, products tend to jam either inside the cartridge  10  prior to exiting the entry port  45 , as shown in prior art  FIGS. 12-17 , or within the down chute  30  of the dispenser (prior art  FIG. 18 ), depending on the various relationships between the entry port  45  size, the can diameter, the down chute  30  configuration, and other factors. Such jams are unacceptable because dispensing cans to shoppers becomes unreliable and increases, rather than decreases, the manual labor and time needed to maintain the system, as presently occurs with similar prior art dispensers in stores. 
     Additionally, for a dispenser which displays and dispenses rolling product packages to be stocked/loaded, or restocked/reloaded, using bulk packed cartridges  10  of generally cylindrical products, the cartridges  10  must be both easy and safe to open and load into the dispensers  20 . In order to effectively reduce stocking/restocking time and labor, this process must also be accomplished quickly. 
     Prior art cartridges  10  employ a simple tear tab and removable flap opening that is removed by the stocking person prior to define a dispensing port  20   a  prior to loading the cartridge  10  into the dispenser  20 . However, in order to load the cartridge  10  into the dispenser  20 , the cartridge  10  must be inverted after removing the flap, so that the open dispensing port  20   a  is in the downward and a rearward facing position. 
     When the opened cartridge  10  is in the inverted position, products simply fall out the dispensing port  20   a  if the stocking person does not hold their hand over the dispensing port  20   a  during cartridge  10  inversion and insertion. This necessary action by the stock person is clumsy, difficult, and danger prone in busy commercial environments. If the stock person forgets to cover the opening, or their hand slips off the opening, the least that may happen is that products will fall out of the cartridge  10  and onto the floor, denting them and rendering them unsalable. However, heavy canned products may also fall out of the cartridge  10  and hit the stock person, causing injury. This possibility is especially of concern if the cartridge  10  is being lifted into an overhead dispenser  20 , from which a falling can could hit the stock person in the head. Further, neat, rapid, and efficient displaying, dispensing, and restocking devices and methods encourage retailers to perform restocking during the business day. During business hours, when shoppers are present, stocking and restocking mishaps represent a hazard that could also endanger a shopper or child, which is a liability concern that retailers obviously desire to avoid. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A serpentine dispenser and rolling product cartridge system provides for simplified stocking and restocking of the dispenser, as well as jam-free feeding of rolling products (e.g., cans) from a cartridge through the dispenser. In various embodiments, a perforated opening flap and retaining flap allow a cartridge containing rolling products to be inverted and prepared for insertion into a dispenser while rolling products in the cartridge are prevented from falling out of the cartridge. A dispenser wedge is provided that enters a slot in the cartridge and applies downward pressure on rolling products in the cartridge, causing a perforated retaining flap in the cartridge bottom to open as the cartridge is pushed into the dispenser. 
     In some embodiments, the wedge also impedes movement of some rolling products in the cartridge until other rolling products have exited the cartridge in a dispensing order that prevents jamming. In still other embodiments, the dispenser wedge may include a channel along one side of the wedge to accept circumferential surface features, such as rims about the top of a can, to further guide nested cans in a single row, and more evenly apply pressure to multiple cans in a nested stack. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an open end view of a prior art double row product cartridge. 
         FIG. 2  shows an open side view of a prior art double row product cartridge. 
         FIG. 3  shows an open side view of a prior art stacked and nested double row product cartridge. 
         FIG. 4  shows an open side view of a prior art double row product cartridge partially inserted in a prior art product dispenser. 
         FIG. 5  shows an open side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in a prior art dispenser with a down chute prior to cans exiting from the cartridge. 
         FIG. 6  shows an open side view of a prior art double row product cartridge at the start of a typical dispensing sequence, with the first cans in each row of product moving toward the prior art dispenser down chute. 
         FIG. 7  shows an open side view of a prior art double row product cartridge after the first cans in each row of product have entered the prior art dispenser down chute, and the second can of the second row has started to move toward the down chute. 
         FIG. 8  shows an open side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in which the second can of the second row of product contained in the cartridge has encountered a feed jam inside the cartridge. 
         FIG. 9  shows an open side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in which the feed jam inside the cartridge has been cleared and the second can in the second row of product in the cartridge has moved into the prior art dispenser down chute. 
         FIG. 10  shows an open side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in which the feed jam inside the cartridge has been cleared and the second can and third can in the first row of product in the cartridge are free to feed normally into the prior art dispenser down chute. 
         FIG. 11  shows an open side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in which the lower feed ramp of the prior art dispenser has been filled with cans, and the cans remaining in the cartridge are free to feed normally. 
         FIG. 12  shows an open side view of a full prior art double row product cartridge partially inserted into a prior art dispenser that remains partially full. 
         FIG. 13  shows an open side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in a prior art dispenser with a down chute and a lower feed ramp partially full of cans prior to cans exiting from the cartridge. 
         FIG. 14  shows an open side view of a prior art double row product cartridge and partially full prior art dispenser, while the first cans in the first and second rows of product in the cartridge move toward and into the down chute. 
         FIG. 15  shows an open side view of a prior art double row product cartridge and partially full dispenser and the motion of cans in the cartridge when a can is removed from the product selection area of the prior art dispenser. 
         FIG. 16  shows an open side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in which the second can of the second row of product contained in the cartridge has encountered a feed jam inside the cartridge. 
         FIG. 17  shows an open side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in which the feed jam remains inside the cartridge even as product is dispensed from a product selection area. 
         FIG. 18  shows an open side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in which products cause a feed jam even when the size of the entry port and the down chute are increased. 
         FIG. 19  shows a perspective view of a modified dispenser with cartridge opening wedge. 
         FIG. 20  shows a partial cut away perspective of a dispenser having a cartridge opening wedge. 
         FIG. 21  shows a perspective detail of a cartridge opening wedge. 
         FIG. 22  shows a front view of a dispenser having a cartridge opening wedge. 
         FIG. 23  shows a radius of curvature of a cartridge opening wedge. 
         FIG. 24  shows an open side view of a cartridge having a perforated slot and bridge being inserted into a dispenser with a cartridge opening wedge. 
         FIG. 25  shows an open side view of a cartridge having a perforated slot and bridge being inserted into a dispenser with a cartridge opening wedge contacting an edge of the cartridge. 
         FIG. 26  shows an open side view of a cartridge having a perforated slot and bridge being inserted into a dispenser with a cartridge opening wedge pushing the bridge so that it starts to contact a first can in a second row of the cartridge and starts to push cans in the cartridge toward the a cartridge retaining flap and entry port as insertion of the cartridge continues. 
         FIG. 27  shows an open side view of cartridge having a perforated slot and bridge being inserted into a dispenser with a cartridge opening wedge and the opening wedge and bridge forcing cans in the cartridge to open the cartridge retaining flap. 
         FIG. 28  shows an open side view of cartridge having a perforated slot and bridge after being inserted into a dispenser with a cartridge opening wedge, an open retaining flap continuing to be forced open, and cans beginning to feed into the dispenser. 
         FIG. 29  shows an open side view of cartridge having a perforated slot and bridge after being fully inserted into a dispenser with a cartridge opening wedge, and the wedge and bridge impeding motion of a second can in an upper row in the cartridge until a first can in a first row of the cartridge has moved into a down chute and a first can in a second row of the cartridge have moved into the entry port. 
         FIG. 30  shows an open side view of cartridge having a perforated slot and bridge after being inserted into a dispenser with a cartridge opening wedge and cans in a lower row of the cartridge exiting the cartridge. 
         FIG. 31  shows an open side view of cartridge having a perforated slot and bridge after being inserted into a dispenser with a cartridge opening wedge and the first three cans in the cartridge have exited the cartridge. 
         FIG. 32  shows an open side view of cartridge having a perforated slot and bridge after being inserted into a dispenser with a cartridge opening wedge and the dispenser lower feed ramp and product selection area have been filled. 
         FIG. 33  shows an open side view of a cartridge having an always open or field openable slot that does not comprise a bridge after the cartridge has been inserted into a partially filled dispenser having a cartridge opening wedge and an S-shaped down ramp. 
         FIG. 34  shows the first two cans exiting a cartridge having an always open or field openable slot after the cartridge has been inserted into a partially filled dispenser having a cartridge opening wedge and an S-shaped down ramp. 
         FIG. 35  shows a movement pathway of a second can in the second row of a cartridge having an always open or field openable slot exiting the cartridge after the cartridge has been inserted into a partially filled dispenser having a cartridge opening wedge and an S-shaped down ramp. 
         FIG. 36  shows an open side view of a cartridge having an always open or field openable slot after the cartridge has been inserted into a partially filled dispenser having a cartridge opening wedge and an S-shaped down ramp and the first three cans in the cartridge have exited the cartridge in the order shown. 
         FIG. 37  shows a cartridge having an always open or field openable slot after it has been inserted into a partially filled dispenser having a cartridge opening wedge and an S-shaped down ramp and the first four cans in the cartridge have exited. 
         FIG. 38  shows a detail of a cartridge opening wedge interacting with a can in a cartridge having an always open or field openable slot. 
         FIG. 39  shows a cartridge having an always open or field openable slot after it has been inserted into a partially filled dispenser having a cartridge opening wedge and an arcuate down chute. 
         FIG. 40  shows the first two cans exiting a cartridge having an always open or field openable slot after it has been inserted into a partially filled dispenser having a cartridge opening wedge and an arcuate down chute. 
         FIG. 41  shows a third can exiting a cartridge having an always open or field openable slot after it has been inserted into a partially filled dispenser having a cartridge opening wedge and an arcuate down chute. 
         FIG. 42  shows a die cut flat blank lay out of a cartridge having a perforated slot and bridge, a perforated openable priming flap, and a perforated retaining flap. 
         FIG. 43  shows a die cut flat blank lay out of a cartridge having an always open slot, a perforated openable priming flap, and a perforated retaining flap. 
         FIG. 44  shows a perspective view of a cartridge with a perforated openable priming flap removed being opened. 
         FIG. 45  shows a perspective view of a cartridge with a perforated openable priming flap that is partially opened. 
         FIG. 46  shows a perspective view of a cartridge with a perforated openable priming flap that is fully opened and removed from the cartridge. 
         FIG. 47  shows a bottom view of a cartridge after removal of a perforated openable priming flap. 
         FIG. 48  shows a cartridge after removal of a perforated openable priming flap being inserted into a dispenser having a cartridge opening wedge and an S-shaped down chute. 
         FIG. 49  shows a perspective view of a cartridge with a perforated slot and bridge. 
         FIG. 50A  shows a side view of an opening wedge having a channel for receiving circumferential surface features of a rolling product. 
         FIG. 50B  shows a front view of an opening wedge having a channel for receiving circumferential surface features of a rolling product. 
         FIG. 50C  shows a bottom view of an opening wedge having a channel for receiving circumferential surface features of a rolling product. 
         FIG. 50D  shows a perspective view of an opening wedge having a channel for receiving circumferential surface features of a rolling product. 
         FIG. 51  shows a front view detail of an opening wedge having a channel for receiving circumferential surface features of a rolling product interacting with the rim of a can in a stack of nested cans. 
         FIG. 52  shows a side view of an opening wedge having a channel for receiving circumferential surface features of a rolling product interacting with the rim of a can in a stack of nested cans. 
         FIG. 53  shows an open side view of a cartridge containing one row of rolling products being inserted into the cartridge receiving area of a dispenser with an opening wedge. 
         FIG. 54  shows an open side view of a cartridge containing one row of rolling products after being inserted into the cartridge receiving area of a dispenser with an opening wedge. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Improved product dispensers and cartridges preferably provide a dispensing system that facilitates loading without danger of product prematurely exiting the cartridge thereby reducing risk to personnel, and simplifying the loading process thereby saving time and expense. Additionally, a preferred cartridge and dispenser system biases, or forces, cans contained in a cartridge to dispense in a natural or preferred sequence which will prevent jamming of the critical first four cans in the cartridge. 
     A preferred dispenser embodiment is now presented that also fulfills the goals of safety and rapidity previously described, and does so through a combination of dispenser improvements working in conjunction with various die-cut perforations in a cartridge as described herein. 
     Specifically, a combination of dispenser and cartridge embodiments, shown in  FIGS. 19-54 , provides a modified dispenser and a cartridge with specific types of die cut perimeters, perforations, folds, and assembly methods which, together, automatically actuates the quick, safe, easy opening of cartridges during their dispenser insertion operation. The dispenser  20  shown in these figures includes two sides  21 ,  23 , a resting ledge  34 , a cartridge loading ramp  32 , an entry port  45 , a lower feed ramp  40 , and a product selection area  25 . The dispenser also has a cartridge holding area  24  having a top  26  and a rear wall  22   FIGS. 19-20 ,  FIGS. 22-32 , and  FIGS. 39-41  show a dispenser  20  with a conventional arcuate down chute  30 , while  FIGS. 33-37  and  FIG. 48  show a dispenser  20  with an S-shaped down chute  50 . 
     The dispenser  20  of  FIGS. 19-20  and  FIG. 22  includes a generally wedge-shaped projection  200  centrally located at and affixed to both the top  26  and rear  22  of the cartridge holding area  24 , and is hereafter referred to as a “wedge”  200 . The wedge  200  may be an integral part of the dispenser  20 , or may be retrofitted to an existing dispenser  20  with screws, adhesives, or other similar robust attachment means. Although only one wedge  200  is shown, a plurality of identical wedges  200  spaced horizontally across the cartridge holding area top  26  and rear wall  22  may be alternatively used accordingly to, for example, distribute force against multiple cans in a row in a cartridge  92 ,  93  (see  FIGS. 42 and 43 ) by the plurality of wedges  200  rather than a single wedge  200 . 
     In one preferred embodiment, shown in  FIG. 21 , the wedge  200  is generally trapezoidal, having a base  205 , a first side  210  perpendicular to the base  205 , a top  230  parallel to the base  205  for a portion of the base  205  length, and a second side that connects the shorter top  230  and longer base  205 . This second side is generally formed by three arcuate sections  215 ,  220 ,  225 . A front-most arcuate section  215  forms a small convex, arcuate surface which begins approximately perpendicular to the base  205 , and ends approximately tangent to a central arcuate section  220 . 
     The central arcuate section  220  is a generally concave arcuate surface which, as shown in  FIG. 23 , is roughly concentric to the outermost circumference of can  3  when a cartridge is completely inserted into the dispenser  20 . In some preferred embodiments, the radius of curvature of the central arcuate section  220  is approximately 3 times the radius, “r”, of can  3 . In some preferred embodiments the origin of the central arcuate section  220  radius of curvature is located at a distance approximately “r” perpendicularly above the cartridge loading ramp  32 , and a distance approximately “3r” perpendicularly forward of the cartridge holding area rear wall  22 . Deviations from these dimensions are considered within the scope of this description, provided the function of the wedge  200  when interacting with the cartridge  92 ,  94  is maintained. 
     A third arcuate section  225  connects the central arcuate section  220  with the wedge  200  top  230  and forms a smooth transition between the two that will not dent or puncture cans as they move past the wedge  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 24-26 , the wedge  200  front-most arcuate section  215  preferably extends downward toward the entry port  45  so that it contacts the upper rear edge of the cartridge  92 ,  94  as the cartridge  92 ,  94  is pushed into the dispenser  20 . When the cartridge  92 ,  94  is inserted into the dispenser  20  sufficiently far to reach the wedge  200 , as shown in  FIG. 25 , the front-most arcuate section  215  contacts the upper rear edge of the cartridge  92 ,  94  and pushes a die cut bridge  105  (including  150   a ,  150   b ,  150   c ,  150   d ,  160   a  and  160   b  shown in  FIG. 42  to  FIG. 49 , inward and downward into the cartridge  92 ,  94 . As shown in  FIGS. 26-28 , as the cartridge  92 ,  94  moves further into the dispenser  20 , the die cut bridge  105  (including  150   a ,  150   b ,  150   c ,  150   d ), being trapped between the wedge  200  and can  2 , begins sliding along, and conforming to, the shape of the central arcuate section  220  of the wedge  200 . As the cartridge  92 ,  94  is pushed further into the dispenser  20 , as shown in  FIG. 27 , the wedge  200  translates the lateral rearward motion of the cartridge  92 ,  94  into a downward force and motion upon the cans  1 ,  2  contained in lower row  1  and upper row  2  of the cartridge  92 ,  94 . 
     The overall front to rear length of the wedge  200  should be sufficient to contact, and apply downward pressure on, the cartridge  92 ,  94  (see  FIG. 25 ) and against can  2  (see  FIGS. 26-27 ), so that can  2  and can  1  force open a retaining flap  300  below can  1  (see  FIGS. 27-29 ) as cans  2  and  1  are pushed down by the wedge  200 . The wedge  200  is preferably short enough (see  FIG. 28 ) that the front-most arcuate section  215  does not forcibly contact can  4  when the cartridge  92 ,  94  is completely inserted in the dispenser  20 , as it would dent can  4  during forcible cartridge  92 ,  94  insertion and possibly render can  4  unsalable. Similarly, if the wedge  200  front-most arcuate section  215  extends too far downward into the dispenser  20 , can  4  may also be dented. 
     If the wedge  200  is too short, or does not extend downwardly into the dispenser  20  far enough, the wedging action as the cartridge  92 ,  94  is inserted into the dispenser  20  can fail. If the wedge  200  does not extend far enough downwardly into the dispenser  20 , the wedge  200  may not create sufficient downward force on can  2  and can  1  to force the perforated retaining flap  300  (see  FIGS. 27-29 ) completely open. If the wedge  200  is too short, it will not extend far enough forward toward can  4  when the cartridge  92 ,  94  is fully inserted in the dispenser to cause the deflected die cut bridge  105  (including  150   a ,  150   b ,  150   c ,  150   d ) to impede movement of can  4 , as shown in  FIGS. 27-31 , so that can  3  exits the cartridge  92 ,  94  before can  4 . 
     The wedge  200  is preferably sufficiently wide to perform two functions. It should be thick enough to be both structurally stable and durable, as many cartridge  92 ,  94  insertions will occur during the dispenser  20  useful life cycle. It is also preferably sufficiently thick to distribute forces acting upon can  2  over a large enough surface area to prevent can  2  from being dented during forceful insertion of the cartridge  92 ,  94  into the dispenser  20 . If the wedge  200  is too narrow, can  2  will regularly be dented during insertion, possibly rendering that can  2  unsalable. However, the wedge  200  is preferably narrow enough so that the matching die cut slot  105  (including  150   a ,  150   b ,  150   c ,  150   d , see  FIG. 42 ) in the cartridge  92 ,  94  will not be so wide as to render the cartridge  92 ,  94  structurally unsound during shipment. 
     In some embodiments, shown in  FIGS. 50A-52 , multiple cans may be present in a single row of cans within a cartridge. Prior art cans in the nested configuration described here are shown in prior art  FIG. 3 . For example, when cans are nested and the bottom of one can is formed to fit neatly within the rim  203  of the top of the can below it, two or more cans may be packed in each row of a cartridge. In these embodiments, for example, a single wedge  200  may only contact one can in the stack to un-nest and thereby cause a feed jam. It may therefore be advantageous to use two or more wedges in the dispenser, located so that they apply pressure to the rims  203  of the cans where they nest together. Thus, the entire stack of nested cans will be more uniformly forced downwardly and a feed jam may be avoided. A channel  202  may also be provided along a side  215 ,  220 ,  225 ,  230  of the wedge  200  to accept a can rim  203 , or other circumferential surface features of cans in the cartridge, so that pressure is not applied only to the rim  203  of a can and more uniformly to the side of a can above the nesting rim  203  and the side of a can below the nesting rim. As shown in  FIG. 52 , the operation of a wedge  200  with a channel  202  is otherwise the same as the wedge  200  described herein, and a stack of nested cans will similarly be forced downwardly in unison. 
     The dispenser  20  and cartridge  92  embodiments shown in  FIGS. 19-32  may be implemented in alternate embodiments as well. If the cartridge  92  is die cut by perforations  151  with a slot and bridge  150   a ,  150   b ,  150   c ,  150   d  design, as shown in  FIG. 42  and  FIG. 49 , can  4  will be impeded, as shown in  FIGS. 28-29 , by the wedge  200  and die cut bridge  105  (including  150   a ,  150   b ,  150   c ,  150   d ) once the die cut bridge  105  is deflected downward by the wedge  200  during insertion of the cartridge  92 . Cans in the cartridge  92  are then forced to exit the cartridge in the one, two, three, four dispensing order, as shown sequentially in  FIGS. 28-32 . In this embodiment, a conventional dispenser  20 , simple arcuate down chute  30 , and cartridge loading ramp  32  design, as shown in  FIG. 20  and  FIGS. 22-32 , are used as the down chute  30  and cartridge loading ramp  32  are no longer determinative in the can  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  movements, or jams, in this embodiment. 
     In another cartridge  93  embodiment, shown in  FIG. 43 , the cartridge  93  has either an “always there” die cut opening  160   a ,  160   b , or may be field openable by tearing cartridge material out of the cartridge at the die cut opening  106   a ,  106   b . In either embodiment, the opening defined by die cuts at  160   a , and  160   b  aligns with the dispenser  20  wedge  200 . Alternatively, the cartridge  93  may have a die cut perforation score design which enables the dispenser  20  wedge  200  to tear open an area corresponding to the “always there” slot  160   a ,  160   b  during insertion. These cartridge  93  embodiments eliminate any cartridge  93  wall material from deflecting into the space between the wedge  200  and the cans  2 ,  4 . As a result, the space between the wedge  200  central arcuate section  230  and the cans  2 ,  4  will be empty during and after cartridge  93  insertion. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 33-37 , the cartridge  93  having an “always there” slot  106   a ,  106   b  (shown in  FIG. 43 ) provides can  4  with clearance between the wedge  200  and can  3 , and motion of can  4  is not impeded by the wedge  200  after cartridge  93  insertion. As a result, can  4  will exit the cartridge  93 ,  95  after can  2  and before can  3 . In this embodiment, a dispenser  20  with an S-curved down chute  50  (as shown in  FIGS. 33-37 , or other jam prevention improvement is preferably used. The critical first four cans  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  will then exit the cartridge  93 ,  95  through the entry port  45 , without jamming, in the one, two, four, three dispensing order. 
     In cartridge  93  embodiments with an “always-there” slot  106   a ,  106   b  (or a die cut that allows the wedge  200  to tear open a full slot  106   a ,  106   b  during insertion) there will be no cartridge  93  material in the space between the wedge  200  and the cans  2 ,  4  after insertion. However, the wedge  200  may also be modified to compensate for this difference. Accordingly, the wedge  200  overall length (front to rear) as defined by the base  205  may be increased, as may be the overall vertical extent of the wedge  200  first arcuate section  215 , such that wedge  200  first arcuate section  215 , as shown in  FIG. 38 , contacts can  4  upon complete insertion of the cartridge  93 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 38-41 , when the wedge  200  contacts can  4 , rearward and downward movement of can  4  is impeded and delayed until can  3  exits the cartridge  93  before it. Therefore, this combination of cartridge  93  and wedge  200  embodiments forces the cans  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  to exit the cartridge  93 , and be dispensed, in the one, two, three, four dispensing order without jamming Therefore, a conventional arcuate down chute  30  and loading ramp  32 , shown in  FIGS. 38-41 , may be used with this wedge  200  embodiment. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 42 , an inwardly and downwardly formable bridge  150   a ,  150   b ,  150   c ,  150   d  may be die cut, via perforation cuts and fold scores, into the cartridge  92  flat prior to assembly. The assembled cartridge  92  with a bridge  150   a ,  150   b ,  150   c ,  150   d  is shown in  FIG. 49 . When inserted into the dispenser  20 , the parallel perforations  151  on either side of the bridge  150   a ,  150   b ,  150   c ,  150   d , in the assembled and packed cartridge  92 , are separated by the dispenser  20  wedge  200  pressing forcefully against them during cartridge  92  insertion. The bridge  150   a ,  150   b ,  150   c ,  150   d  is thus forced inwardly and downwardly by the wedge  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 25-32 . When this cartridge  92  is inserted in the dispenser  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 25-32 , the paperboard bridge fills the space between the wedge  200  and can  4 , preventing can  4  from moving within the cartridge  92 , until after can  3  is able to roll rearward and exit the cartridge  92  ahead of can  4 .  FIG. 42  also shows other structures of the cartridge  92 , including flaps  11   a ,  11   b ,  11   c ,  11   d  and  16   a , and cartridge sides  15  and  16 . 
     A second cartridge  93  embodiment, shown in  FIG. 43 , includes an “always there” opening  160   a ,  160   b  through which the wedge  200  directly contacts can  2  and can  4 , instead of a perforated paperboard bridge  105 . When the cartridge  93  is assembled and packed at the point of manufacture, the die cut “always there” opening  160   a ,  160   b  creates a completely open or partially open L-shaped slot through the top rear edge of the cartridge  93  extending both forwardly along the top  17  of cartridge  93  and downwardly along the back  12  (including construction flaps  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  and  12   d ) of the cartridge  93 . It will also be appreciated that a full open slot may be created at the time of insertion by a stocking clerk pulling a tab and removing a perforated L-shaped tear away area, thus creating the slot. 
     During cartridge  93  insertion into the dispenser  20 , the wedge  200  is thus able to contact can  2  directly. Then, using sufficient additional clearance in the determination of “3r” (see  FIG. 23 ), can  4  will clear the wedge  200  and transit the cartridge  93  ahead of can  3 , as shown in  FIGS. 33-37 . 
     In various dispenser  20  and cartridge  92 ,  93 , combinations, shown in  FIGS. 24-37  for example, the cartridge retaining flap  300  partially covers the upper part of the down chute  30 ,  50  after the retaining flap  300  is pushed downward and open by can  1 . In these embodiments, extra clearance is preferably included in down chute  30 ,  50  dimensions to accommodate the thickness—“d”—(see  FIG. 27 ) of the paperboard so that down chute  30 ,  50  function is not compromised. A small clearance constant approximately equal to cartridge  92   b  paperboard thickness—“d”—is also preferably added in some embodiments to the wedge  200  central arcuate section  220  radius of curvature, shown in  FIG. 23 , to ensure proper wedge  200 /cartridge  93  operation. 
     The interaction of the wedge  200  with cartridges  93  having an “always there” slot (without bridge  105  disposed between the wedge  200  and the cans  2 ,  4 ) is substantially the same as when cartridges  92 ,  94  having a bridge  105  are employed. However, when no bridge  105  is present, can  4  exits the cartridge  93  ahead of can  3 , and therefore an S-shaped down chute  50 , or other method of controlling the dispensing order of the first four cans  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  is implemented to prevent the can  3  and can  4  jamming. 
     In some cartridge  92 ,  93  embodiments, alternative die cuts may be provided for the stocking person to partially open cartridges  92 ,  93  prior to insertion into a dispenser  20  that also prevent cans from prematurely falling out when the cartridge  92 ,  95  is inverted. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 42-43 , a cartridge  92 ,  93  includes an openable priming flap  140  which, when removed as shown in  FIGS. 44-46 , opens a large slot in the cartridge bottom  14 . The openable priming flap  140  (and opening created by its removal) is sized and positioned with two goals in mind. First, the openable priming flap  140  is preferably large enough to facilitate easy opening of the remaining retaining flap  300  by the wedge  200 . Minimizing the retaining flap  300  size reduces the wedge  200  force necessary to open retaining flap  300 . the openable priming flap  140  is also preferably sufficiently small so that after it is opened and the cartridge  92  is inverted, no cans will be able to fall out of the resulting opening. Second, the openable priming flap  140  is preferably positioned, as shown in  FIG. 47 , such that the front and rear edges of the opening defined by the removal of the openable priming flap  140  approximately coincide with the centerlines of can  1  and can  3 , creating an opening in the cartridge  92 ,  93  that is approximately one can diameter (2r) wide. The openable priming flap  140  front edge over can  3  may be generally coincident with the location of a forward most edge of the entry port  45 , as shown for example in  FIGS. 39-41 . 
     The openable priming flap  140  rear edge over the centerline of can  1  ensures the retaining flap  300  firmly holds can  1  (and thus all other cans) in the cartridge  92 ,  93  when inverted, and also reduces the size of the retaining flap  300 . In preferred embodiments, for a cartridge  92 ,  93  containing cans with a diameter—“2r” the openable priming flap  140  rear edge is located approximately one can radius—“r”—forward of the cartridge  92 ,  93  back wall  12 , and the openable priming flap  140  front edge is located a distance approximately 3r forward of the cartridge  92 ,  93  back wall  12 . Thus when the openable priming flap  140  is removed, an opening in the desired location with a width of 2r results, and the goals of minimizing the retaining flap  300  size and preventing cans from falling out of the cartridge  92 ,  93  when it is opened are achieved. Subsequent separation of the cartridge retaining flap  300  from the cartridge  92 ,  93  bottom  14  defines an opening between the back wall  12  of the cartridge  92 ,  93  and a forward location on the cartridge  92 ,  93  that acts as a dispensing port  20   a  through which cans  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  may exit the cartridge  92 ,  93 . 
     The left and right edges  141  of the retaining flap  300  rearward of the opening created by removing the the openable priming flap flap  140 , and coincident with the cartridge  92 ,  93  folded edges, may be cut scored perforations, as shown in  FIGS. 42-47 , to further facilitate the self-opening as described herein. 
     An additional benefit of this modification, as shown in  FIG. 48  is that, the stocker may use both hands to invert and position the cartridge  92 ,  93  for insertion into a dispenser  20 . Once positioned on the resting ledge  34 , the cartridge  92 ,  93  enables one handed insertion, which further eases and speeds the loading process. 
     It will be appreciated that the various wedge/slot, down chute, and opening flap embodiments described herein may be used interchangeably with each other in any useful combination, and all such combinations are within the scope of the various alternative dispenser and wedge embodiments described herein. It will also be appreciated that the embodiments described herein, while shown in relation to a cartridge  92 ,  93 , containing an upper row (Row  2 ) and a lower row (Row  1 ) of cans  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , are equally applicable to cartridges  92 ,  93  containing a single row of cans, as shown in  FIGS. 53-54 , and that the forces applied to the first can in a single row of cans will also be directly translated downward to force open the retaining flap  300  of a cartridge  92 ,  93 . Similarly, a cartridge  92 ,  93  may have additional rows of cans between the lower row (Row  1 ) and upper row (Row  2 ). In such embodiments, downward forces normally translated from a first can in the upper row (Row  2 ) directly to a first can in the lower row (Row  1 ), will be translated to the first can in the lower row (Row  1 ) through the first cans in the additional rows. 
     Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.