Patent Publication Number: US-7717838-B2

Title: Blank and methods and apparatus for forming a dispenser case from the blank

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to cases formed from sheet material, and more specifically to dispenser cases, blanks of sheet material for producing dispenser cases, and methods and apparatus for forming dispenser cases. 
     Paperboard dispensers are often used to dispense multiple individual articles, such as confectionary products (e.g., candy, gum, etc.), bulk products, food condiments (e.g., packets of sugar, salt, ketchup, mustard, etc.), or other dispensable articles. The dispenser is usually filled with the articles and closed for transportation to a home, restaurant, or retail store. Once at the home, restaurant, or store the dispenser is opened and the articles can be removed therefrom for purchase, consumption, etc. Dispensers therefore often include a dispenser panel that is movable (e.g., slidable or hinged) with respect to the dispenser such that an opening within the dispenser can be closed for transport and yet opened for access to the articles when desired. However, due to the complexity of the at least some known dispenser panels, such dispensers are difficult and time-consuming to manufacture. Accordingly, such dispensers are costly to manufacture and require more human attention in the forming of the dispenser, as well as a more sophisticated forming machine, than many non-dispenser cases. Moreover, because of the increased costs, at least some dispenser cases are simply designed in an effort to reduce costs, manufacturing time, and labor, which oftentimes results in reduced functionality of the dispenser. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present invention includes a machine for forming a case from a blank of sheet material. The machine includes a body, a mandrel mounted on the body and having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the case, a member mounted on the body adjacent the mandrel for applying a force to the blank for at least one of folding a portion of the blank around the mandrel, moving the blank, and securing portions of the blank together, and a servomechanism operatively connected to the member for driving and controlling movement of the member to apply the force to the blank. 
     In another aspect, the present invention includes a machine for forming a case from a blank of sheet material. The machine includes a body, a mandrel mounted on the body and having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the case, and a member mounted on the body adjacent the mandrel for applying a force to the blank. The member includes an arm, and a tool extending from the arm. The tool includes a first extension, a second extension extending at an angle greater than zero with respect to the first extension, and a shape complimentary to an external shape of the case. The arm is rotatably mounted on the body for rotation with respect to the body and the mandrel for moving the tool into contact with the blank for applying a force to the blank. 
     In another aspect, a method is provided for forming a case from a blank of sheet material using a machine including a mandrel having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the case. The method includes aligning the blank against a portion of the mandrel, folding a first panel over the mandrel, and folding a second panel over the first panel and applying pressure to the second panel using a single tool mounted on the machine, wherein the same movement of the tool folds the second panel over the first panel and applies pressure to the second panel. 
     In another aspect, a method is provided for forming a case from a blank of sheet material using a machine including a mandrel having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the case and a member rotatably mounted on a body of the machine. The method includes aligning the blank against a portion of the mandrel, wrapping a portion of the blank around the mandrel, and applying a force to the blank on two intersecting faces of the mandrel by rotating the member with respect to the body. 
     In another aspect, the present invention includes a machine for forming a case from a blank of sheet material. The machine includes a body, and a mandrel mounted on the body. The mandrel includes a cross section having exactly seven exterior sides and being complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the case. The machine also includes a member mounted on the body adjacent the mandrel for applying a force to the blank for at least one of folding a portion of the blank around the mandrel, moving the blank, and securing portions of the blank together. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a flat blank of sheet material. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of another exemplary embodiment of the flat blank of sheet material shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective of an exemplary embodiment of a dispenser case that may be formed from the blank shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective of an exemplary embodiment of a machine that may be used to form a case from the blank of sheet material shown in  FIG. 1  or  2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective of a portion of the machine shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the machine shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective of a portion of the machine shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is another perspective of a portion of the machine shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation of the machine shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross section of an exemplary embodiment of a mandrel of the machine shown in  FIG. 4  illustrating the blank shown in  FIG. 1  or  2  wrapped partially therearound. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic of a portion of the machine shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 12  is a cross section of the mandrel of the machine shown in  FIG. 4  illustrating the blank shown in  FIG. 1  or  2  wrapped partially therearound. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross section of the mandrel of the machine shown in  FIG. 4  illustrating the blank shown in  FIG. 1  or  2  wrapped partially therearound. 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevation of a portion of the machine shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 15  is a cross section of the mandrel of the machine shown in  FIG. 4  illustrating the blank shown in  FIG. 1  or  2  wrapped partially therearound. 
         FIG. 16  is a front elevation of a portion of the machine shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 17  is a front elevation of a portion of the machine shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 18  is a cross section of the mandrel of the machine shown in  FIG. 4  illustrating the blank shown in  FIG. 1  or  2  wrapped therearound. 
         FIG. 19  is a cross section of the mandrel of the machine shown in  FIG. 4  illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a tool for wrapping the blank shown in  FIG. 1  or  2  around the mandrel. 
         FIG. 20  is a cross section of the mandrel of the machine shown in  FIG. 4  illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a tool for wrapping the blank shown in  FIG. 1  or  2  around the mandrel. 
         FIG. 21  is a side elevation of a portion of the machine shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 22  is a side elevation of a portion of the machine shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 23  is a side elevation of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of a bottom presser member of the machine shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 24  is a side elevation of an exemplary embodiment of an ejection mechanism of the machine shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 25  is another side elevation of the ejection mechanism shown in  FIG. 24 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more specifically to  FIG. 1 , a blank of sheet material for forming a dispenser case is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral  20 . Although the blank may include any suitable material without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the blank includes cardboard, corrugated board, and/or plastic. 
     The blank includes a succession of seven aligned rectangular panels  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  that are connected together by a plurality of preformed, generally parallel, fold lines  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , respectively. Specifically, the seven aligned rectangular panels include a front panel  22 , a top panel  26 , a back panel  30 , a bottom panel  34 , and three intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32 . The intermediate panel  24  extends from the front panel  22  along the fold line  36 , the top panel  26  extends from the intermediate panel  24  along the fold line  38 , the intermediate panel  28  extends from the top panel  26  along the fold line  40 , the back panel  30  extends from the intermediate panel  28  along the fold line  42 , the intermediate panel  32  extends from the back panel  30  along the fold line  44 , and the bottom panel  34  extends from the intermediate panel  32  along the fold line  46 . Any of the intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  may be referred to herein as a first, a second, and/or a third intermediate panel. 
     The front panel  22  includes a pair of front flaps  48 ,  50  extending therefrom along a pair of opposite preformed fold lines  52 ,  54 , respectively. Similarly, the back panel  30  includes a pair of black flaps  56 ,  58  extending therefrom along a pair of opposite preformed fold lines  60 ,  62 , respectively. The fold lines  52 ,  54 ,  60 ,  62  are generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the fold lines  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , each of the front flaps  48 ,  50  has a length  64  taken along a longitudinal axis  66  of the blank  20  that is greater than a length  68  of the front panel  22  also taken along the longitudinal axis. Similarly, each of the back flaps  56 ,  58  has a length  70  taken along the longitudinal axis  66  that is greater than a length  72  of the back panel  30  also taken along the longitudinal axis. Specifically, each of the front flaps  48 ,  50  includes an outer edge (generally designated by  74 ,  76 , respectively) defining a perimeter of the flap. Similarly, each of the back flaps  56 ,  58  includes an outer edge (generally designated by  78 ,  80 , respectively) defining a perimeter of the flap. The outer edges  74 ,  76  each include a respective portion  82 ,  84  that is obliquely angled with respect to respective fold lines  52 ,  54 . Although other angles may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the portions  82 ,  84  are angled at about 45° with respect to the fold lines  52 ,  54 , respectively. Similarly, the outer edge  78  of the back flap  56  includes a pair of opposite portions  86 ,  88  that are each obliquely angled with respect to the fold line  60 , and the outer edge  80  of the back flap  58  includes a pair of opposite portions  90 ,  92  that are each obliquely angled with respect to the fold line  62 . Although other angles may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the portions  86 ,  88  are angled at about 45° with respect to the fold line  60 , and the portions  90 ,  92  are angled at about 45° with respect to the fold line  62 . 
     As will be described in more detail below, the shape, size, and arrangement of the front flaps  48 ,  50  and the back flaps  56 ,  58  as shown in  FIG. 1  and described above facilitates forming a case having angled corners, an example of which is shown in  FIG. 3 . More specifically, the shape, size, and arrangement of the front flaps  48 ,  50  and the back flaps  56 ,  58  facilitates forming a case having intermediate panels (e.g., the panels  24 ,  28 ,  32 ) that are obliquely angled with respect to, and interconnect, exterior panels (e.g., the front panel  22 , the top panel  26 , the back panel  30  and, the bottom panel  34 ) of the formed case. 
     Each of the front, top, back, and bottom panels  22 ,  26 ,  30 ,  34 , respectively, has a respective width  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100 . Although the front, top, back, and bottom panels  22 ,  26 ,  30 ,  34 , respectively, may have different widths without departing from the scope of the present invention, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  (and additionally the exemplary case  200  embodied in  FIG. 3 ), the widths  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100  are about equal. Additionally, each of the intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  has a respective width  102 ,  104 ,  106 . Although the intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  may have different widths without departing from the scope of the present invention, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  (and additionally the exemplary case  200  embodied in  FIG. 3 ) the widths  102 ,  104 ,  106  are about equal. Panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  may have any suitable size and/or shape. Although panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  are illustrate as being generally the same size and/or shape (e.g., width  102 ,  104 ,  106 , respectively, and/or a length), any of panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  may include a different size and/or shape than other panels  24 ,  28 ,  32 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the widths  102 ,  104 ,  106  are less than the widths  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100  to accommodate a thickness of the flaps  48 ,  50 ,  56 ,  58 , respectively, when the flaps are folded about the respective fold lines  52 ,  54 ,  60 ,  62  to form a case. As is described below, accommodating the thickness of the flaps  48 ,  50   56 ,  58  facilitates reducing gaps within an exterior of a formed case. Although the widths  102 ,  104 ,  106  may be less than the widths  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100  by any value without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment, the widths  102 ,  104 ,  106  are less than the widths  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100  by a value about equal to a thickness of the flaps  48 ,  50 ,  56 ,  68 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the widths  102 ,  104 ,  106  are generally equal to the widths  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100  and the edge portions  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  90 ,  88 ,  92  are offset from their respective intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  along the longitudinal axis  66  to accommodate a thickness of the intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  when the flaps are folded to form a case, as will also be described in more detail below. More specifically, and with reference to only the front flap  48 , the edge portion  82 , and the intermediate panel  24  as an example, the edge portion  82  intersects the front panel  22  at a location offset along the longitudinal axis  66  from an intersection  108  between the front panel and the intermediate panel  24 , and more specifically between the fold line  36  and the fold line  52 . Edge portions  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92  are offset similarly to edge portion  82  in the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  and therefore will not be described in more detail herein. Although edge portions  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92  may be offset along the longitudinal axis  66  by any distance without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment, the edge portions are offset by a distance about equal to a thickness of the intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32 . Of course, in another alternative embodiment (not shown) a combination of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be used to reduce gaps within an exterior of a formed case. 
     A dispenser panel  110  extends from the bottom panel  34  along a preformed fold line  112 . Additionally, a cover flap  114  extends from the front panel  22  along a preformed fold line  116 . The fold lines  112 ,  116  are generally parallel to the fold lines  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 . The front panel  22  includes a cover panel  118  at least partially defined by a frangible score line (generally designated by  120 ). Although the cover panel  118  may include any suitable shape without departing from the scope of the present, in one embodiment the cover panel includes a shape shown in  FIG. 1 . Specifically, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  the frangible score line  120  extends through the front panel between the fold lines  52 ,  54 , extends partially along each of the fold lines  52 ,  54 , and extends partially along the fold line  116 . The frangible score line  120  allows the cover panel  56  to be at least partially detached from a case formed from the blank  20 , as will be described in more detail below. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cover panel  118  may be detached from the front panel  22  to facilitate providing an opening (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) in a dispenser case formed from the blank  20  for dispensing articles contained within the case. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 1  and will be described in more detail below, in one embodiment the dispenser panel  110  includes a shape that is complimentarily shaped with respect to a shape of the cover panel  118 , and more specifically an opening (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) provided within the front panel when the cover panel has been at least partially detached from the front panel. 
     The top panel  26  includes a pair of top flaps  122 ,  124  extending therefrom along a pair of opposite preformed fold lines  126 ,  128 , respectively. Similarly, the bottom panel  34  includes a pair of bottom flaps  130 ,  132  extending therefrom along a pair of opposite preformed fold lines  134 ,  136 , respectively, and the dispenser panel  110  includes a pair of dispenser flaps  138 ,  140  extending therefrom along a pair of opposite preformed fold lines  142 ,  144 . The fold lines  126 ,  128 ,  134 ,  136 ,  142 ,  144  are generally parallel to each other and the fold lines  52 ,  54 ,  60 ,  62 , and are generally perpendicular to the fold lines  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  112 ,  116 . In one embodiment each of the dispenser flaps  138 ,  140  includes a portion (generally designated by  146 ,  148 , respectively) that is complimentarily shaped to a portion (generally designated by  150 ,  152 , and sometimes referred to herein as a slot) of the respective bottom flap  130 ,  132 . The complimentarily shaped portions  146 ,  148 ,  150 ,  152  facilitate movement of the dispenser flaps  138 ,  140  along a respective side (not shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of a dispenser case formed from the blank  20 . More specifically, flap portions  146 ,  148  are each at least partially received within slots  150 ,  152 , respectively. 
     In one embodiment, at least one of the dispenser flaps  138 ,  140  includes an extension  154 . The extension(s)  154  engages a portion of the front panel  22  of a case formed from the blank  20  to control movement of the dispenser panel  110  with respect to other portions of the formed case, as will be described in more detail below. 
     As will be described below in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 4-22 , the blank  20  is intended to form a dispensing case as shown in  FIG. 3  (designated in its entirety by  200 ) by wrapping and/or fastening the panels  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  110 ,  114  and the flaps  122 ,  124 ,  130 ,  132  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ),  48 ,  50 ,  56 ,  58 ,  138 ,  140 . Of course, blanks having shapes, sizes, and configurations different than the blank  20  described and illustrated herein may be used to form the dispensing case  200  shown in  FIG. 3  without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The front panel  22 , the top panel  26 , the back panel  30 , and the bottom panel  34  form exterior front, top, back, and bottom panels, respectively, of the case  200 . The intermediate panel  24  connects the front panel  22  to the top panel  26 , the intermediate panel  28  connects the top panel to the back panel  30 , and the intermediate panel  32  connects the back panel to the bottom panel  34 . The case  200  also includes a pair of opposite exterior sides (generally designated by  202 ,  204 ) which are formed from the front flaps  48 ,  50  and the back flaps  56 ,  58 . More specifically, the front flaps  48 ,  50  are each orientated generally perpendicular to the front panel  22  such that each of the front flaps form a portion of a respective side of the exterior sides  202 ,  204 . Similarly, the back flaps  56 ,  58  are each orientated generally perpendicular to the back panel  30  such that each of the back flaps  56 ,  58  form a portion of a respective side of the exterior sides  202 ,  204 . Accordingly, the case  200  has a height  206  measured between an exterior surface  208  of the top panel  26  and an exterior surface  210  of the bottom panel  34  that is about equal to the length  64  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the front flaps  48 ,  50  and the length  70  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the back flaps  56 ,  58 . Either of the sides  202 ,  204  of the case  200  may be referred to herein as a first and/or a second side. 
     The case has a width  212  measured between the exterior sides  202 ,  204 , and a depth  214  measured between an exterior surface  216  of the front panel  22  and an exterior surface  218  of the back panel  30 . The width  212  is substantially equal to the widths  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100  of the front, top, back, and bottom panels  22 ,  26 ,  30 ,  34 , respectively. Although the case  200  may have other orientations without departing from the scope of the present invention, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  the top and bottom panels  26 ,  30  are generally parallel with each other, and the front and back panels  22 ,  34  are generally parallel with each other. Moreover, the front and back panels  22 ,  34  are generally perpendicular to the top and bottom panels  26 ,  30 . The intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  each form the angled corners of the case  200 . Specifically, the intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  are obliquely angled with respect to the panels they interconnect. More specifically, the intermediate panel  24  is obliquely angled with respect to the front panel  22  and the top panel  26 , the intermediate panel  28  is obliquely angled with respect to the top panel  26  and the back panel  30 , and the intermediate panel  32  is obliquely angled with respect to the back panel  30  and the bottom panel  34 . Although other angles may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, in the embodiments illustrated herein, because each of the portions  86 ,  88  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) are angled at about 45° with respect to the fold line  60 , and additionally each of the portions  90 ,  92  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) are angled at about 45° with respect to the fold line  62 , each of the intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  are angled at about 135° with respect to each of the panels they interconnect ( 22 ,  26 ,  30 ,  34 , respectively). The oblique angle of the intermediate panel  32  with respect to the bottom and back panels  34 ,  30 , respectively, may facilitate dispensing articles from the case  200 . Specifically, the intermediate panel  32  may guide articles contained within the case  200  generally toward an opening (generally designated by  219 ) provided by hinging the cover panel  118  and the dispenser panel  110  away from the front panel  22 , as will be described below. Of course, any of the intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  may be sized differently than illustrated herein with respect to each other and/or the front, top, back, and bottom panels  22 ,  26 ,  30 ,  24 , respectively. For example, in one embodiment, the intermediate panel  24  is sized smaller than the intermediate panels  28 ,  32  to allow for more space on front panel  22  for branding/marketing graphics and/or text. 
     As briefly discussed above, the front, top, back, and bottom panels  22 ,  26 ,  30 ,  34 , respectively, each form a portion of an exterior (generally designated by  220 ) of the case  200 . Additionally, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  the intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  also each form a portion of the exterior  220 . However, any of the intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  may be interior panels of the case  200  without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The top flaps  122 ,  124  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) are each orientated generally perpendicular to the top panel  26  and are folded beneath the front and back flaps  48 ,  50 ,  56 ,  58 , respectively. Similarly, the bottom flaps  130 ,  132  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) are each orientated generally perpendicular to the bottom panel  34  and are folded beneath the front and back flaps  48 ,  50 ,  56 ,  58 , respectively. Although the case  200  may be secured together using any suitable fastener at any suitable location on the case without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment adhesive is applied to outer surfaces (not shown) of the top and bottom flaps  122 ,  124 ,  130 ,  132 , respectively, to secure the exterior sides  202 ,  204  of the case. As discussed above, to facilitate reducing gaps in the case  200  and to generally accommodate interconnection of the front and back flaps  48 ,  50 ,  56 ,  58  with the intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32 , the widths  102 ,  104 ,  106  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the intermediate panels may be less than the widths  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the front, top, back, and bottom panels  22 ,  26 ,  30 ,  32  to accommodate a thickness of the flaps  48 ,  50 ,  56 ,  58 . Accordingly, outer edges (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and designated by  222 ) of the intermediate panel  24  rest against interior surfaces (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and designated by  224 ) of each of the front flaps  48 ,  50 . Similarly, outer edges (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and designated by  226 ) of the intermediate panel  28  and outer edges (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and designated by  228 ) of the intermediate panel  32  rest against interior surfaces (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and designated by  230 ) of each of the back flaps  56 ,  58 . In one embodiment, adhesive may be applied to the outer edges  222 ,  226 ,  228  and/or the interior surfaces  224 ,  230  to secure the intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  to the front and back flaps  48 ,  50 ,  56 ,  58 . 
     As discussed above, in the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  the edge portions  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  90 ,  88 ,  92  are offset from their respective intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32  to accommodate a thickness of the intermediate panels  24 ,  28 ,  32 . Accordingly the edge portions  82 ,  84  will rest against an interior surface  221  of the intermediate panel  24 , the edge portions  86 ,  90  will rest against an interior surface  223  of the intermediate panel  28 , and the edge portions  88 ,  92  will rest against an interior surface  225  of the intermediate panel  32 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the case  200  includes a dispenser portion (generally designated by  232 ) for dispensing multiple individual articles, such as confectionary products (e.g., candy, gum, etc.), bulk products, food condiments (e.g., packets of sugar, salt, ketchup, mustard, etc.), or other dispensable articles contained by the case. The dispenser portion  232  includes, among other things, the cover panel  118  and the dispenser panel  110 . When the case  200  is formed, the dispenser panel  110  is oriented generally perpendicular to the bottom panel  34  and the dispenser flaps  138 ,  140  are oriented generally perpendicular to the dispenser flap. The front panel  22 , including the cover panel  118 , is parallel to and covers the dispenser panel  110 . The cover flap  114  is secured to a portion of the bottom panel  34 . Although the cover flap  114  may be secured to the bottom panel  34  using any suitable faster, in one embodiment the cover flap is secured to the bottom panel using an adhesive. 
     The opening  219  can be provided to dispense articles contained by the case  200 . For example, portions of the frangible score line  120  connecting the cover panel  118  to the front flaps  48 ,  50  and the front panel  22  can be broken so the cover panel can be partially removed by rotating generally away from the front panel about the portion of the frangible score line connecting the cover panel to the cover flap  114 . The cover panel  118  can also be completely removed by breaking the portion of the frangible score line  120  connecting the cover panel  118  to the cover flap  114 . In the embodiments illustrated herein, the dispenser panel  110  includes a shape that generally corresponds to a shape of the cover panel  118 . However, the dispenser panel  110  may include different shapes from the cover panel  118  without departing from the scope of the present invention. The dispenser panel  110  is hingedly connected to the bottom panel  34  along the fold line  112  and can be rotated away from the front panel  22  about the fold line  112  to provide the opening  219 . Specifically, the dispensing panel  110  includes a closed position (not shown) wherein the opening  219  is generally closed and an open position shown in  FIG. 3  wherein the opening  219  is generally open and articles can be removed from the case  200 . 
     The dispenser flaps  138 ,  140  extend through the opening  219  into an interior space of the case  200 . The flaps  138 ,  140  generally support the dispenser panel  110 , guide and control movement of the dispenser panel, and facilitate containing articles that are resting, directly or indirectly, on the dispenser panel. For example, as discussed above at least one of the dispensing flaps  138 ,  140  may include the extension  154  that engages a portion of the front panel  22 . The extensions  154  acts as a stop to limit further rotation of the dispenser panel  110  about the fold line  112  and away from the front panel  22 . Although other angles may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the extension  154  stop the dispenser panel from rotating past an angle of between about 30° and about 70° with respect to the front panel  22 . As also discussed above, portions  146 ,  148  of the dispenser flaps  138 ,  140  may be complimentarily shaped to portions  150 ,  152  of the respective bottom flap  130 ,  132 . The complimentarily shaped portions  146 ,  148 ,  150 ,  152  facilitate movement of the dispenser flaps  138 ,  140  along an interior surface (not shown) of the respective side  202 ,  204 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a machine (generally designated by  300 ) for forming a case (e.g., the dispenser case  200  shown in  FIG. 3 ) from a blank of sheet material (e.g., the blank  20  shown in  FIG. 1  or  2 ). The machine  300  will be discussed hereafter with reference to forming the dispenser case  200  from the blank  20 . However, the machine  300  may be used to form a case having any size, shape, or configuration from a blank having any size, shape, or configuration without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The machine  300  includes a loading section (generally designated by  302 ) for loading blanks into the machine for formation into cases. Specifically, a blank  20  is loaded into a loading frame  304  that supports the blank in a generally vertical position. A conveyor  306  moves the blank  20  into a transfer section (generally designated by  308 ) as the loading frame  304  supports the blank. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a gripping member (generally designated by  310 ) attaches to the blank  20  and lifts the blank out of the loading frame  304  and places the blank onto a support (generally designated by  312 ) in a generally horizontal position. Although any suitable gripping mechanism, structure, and/or means may be used to attach to the blank  20  and lift the blank out of the loading frame  304  and onto the support  312  without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the gripping member  310  includes a plurality of vacuum cups  314  connected to a rotating frame  316 . The vacuum cups  314  attach to the blank  20  and grip the blank as the rotating frame  316  positions the blank over the support  312  in front of a pusher assembly (shown in  FIG. 6  and generally designated by  318 ). The vacuum cups  312  then release their grip to place the blank onto the support  312 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the pusher assembly  316  pushes the blank  20  over three hot melt glue guns  320  where adhesive is applied to surfaces (not shown) of the top flap  122  and the bottom flap  130 , as well as a surface (not shown) of the bottom panel  34  that the cover flap  114  attaches to. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the pusher assembly  316  guides the blank  20  along the support  312  until the blank is underneath a mandrel (generally designated by  322 ) mounted on a body (generally designated by  324 ) of the machine  300 . The mandrel  322  has an external shape that is complimentary to at least a portion of an internal shape of the dispenser case  200  formed from the blank  20 . The pusher assembly  316  pushes the blank  20  along the support  312  such that the back panel  30  is positioned underneath the mandrel  322  and the fold lines  60 ,  62  are aligned with respective outer edges  326 ,  328  of the mandrel. As shown in  FIG. 9 , a lifting assembly (generally designated by  327 ) lifts the blank  20  off the support  312  (shown in  FIGS. 5-8 ) and pushes the back panel  30  tight against the mandrel  322 . More specifically, a member (generally designated by  329  and sometimes referred to as a pressure plate) of the lifting assembly  327  engages the back panel  30  and pushes the back panel tight against the mandrel  322 .  FIG. 10  generally illustrates the position of the blank  20  with respect to the mandrel  322  after the member  329  engages the back panel  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , a member  330  of machine  300  engages at least one of the top panel  26  and the front panel  22  and wraps the intermediate panel  28  and the top panel  26  around the mandrel. Although any suitably configured member may be used to wrap the intermediate panel  28  and the top panel  26  around the mandrel  322  without departing from the scope of the present invention, in the exemplary embodiment the member  330  is an arm rotatably mounted to machine body  324 . Additionally, a member (generally designated by  332 ) engages the bottom panel  34  and wraps the intermediate panel  32  and the bottom panel  34  around the mandrel  322 .  FIGS. 12 and 13  generally illustrate the blank  20  as wrapped around the mandrel  322  by the by members  329 ,  330 ,  332 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , a flap folder member (generally designated by  334 ) folds the top flap  122  and the bottom flap  130  tight against the mandrel  322 . More specifically, the flap folder member  334  is movably mounted to the body  324  and an end  336  of the flap folder engages the top flap  122  and the bottom flap  130  and folds the top flap along the fold line  126  and the bottom flap along the fold line  134  until the top and bottom flaps are tight against the mandrel  322 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the machine  300  includes a folder member (generally designated by  338 ) mounted on the body  324  for folding the dispenser panel  110  tight against a top surface  340  of the mandrel  322 . Specifically, the folder member  338  includes a first link  342  rotatably mounted on the body  324  for rotation with respect to the body, a second link  344  rotatably mounted to the first link for rotation with respect to the first link, and an extension  346  extending from the second link. The arrangement of the first and second links  342 ,  344  allow the extension  346  to be driven in a generally forward and a generally downward direction towards the dispenser panel  110  and the top surface  340  of the mandrel  322  to engage the dispenser panel  110  and fold the dispenser panel tight against the top surface  340  of the mandrel  322 . The machine  300  also includes a folding arm member (generally designated by  348 ) that is rotatably mounted on the body  324  for rotation with respect to the body. The folding arm member  348  engages the front panel  22  and wraps the intermediate panel  24  and the front panel  22  around the mandrel  322 . Specifically, the folding arm member  348  folds the intermediate panel  24  tight against the mandrel  322  and folds the front panel  22  over the dispenser panel  110  and the top surface  340  such that the front panel  22  is tight against the dispenser panel and the top surface.  FIG. 15  generally illustrates the blank  20  as wrapped around the mandrel by the folder member  338  and the folding arm member  348 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , in one embodiment a servomechanism (generally designated by  350 ) is operatively connected to the folding member  348  for driving and controlling movement of the folding member. Specifically, the servomechanism  350  facilitates controlling a speed and a position of the folding arm member more accurately and quickly than without the servomechanism. In one embodiment, the servomechanism  350  includes an electric motor (generally designated by  352 ) for driving rotation of the folding arm member  348  and at least one gear (not shown) for controlling an amount of torque output by the motor. In one embodiment, the folding arm member  348  rotates between about 150° and 210° with respect to the body  324  when folding the front panel  22  against the mandrel  322 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , a presser member (generally designated by  356 ) is rotatably mounted on the body  324  for rotation with respect to the body. The presser member  356  folds the cover flap  114  over a portion of the bottom panel  34  and compresses the adhesive applied to the cover flap  114  to secure the cover flap to the bottom panel. Specifically, the presser member  356  includes an arm  358  rotatably mounted on the body  324  for rotation with respect to the body, and a tool (generally designated by  360 ) extending from the arm for folding the cover flap and compressing the adhesive between the cover flap  114  and the bottom panel  34 . The tool  360  includes a portion (generally designated by  362 ) that is shaped complimentary to a shape of an external portion (generally designated by  364 ) of the case  200 . Specifically, the tool  360  includes a first extension  366  and a second extension  368 . The second extension  368  extends at an angle greater than zero with respect to the first extension  366  such that the first and second extensions are not parallel. Generally, the angle between the first and second extensions  366 ,  368  at least partially defines the portion  362  of the tool that is complimentary-shaped to the external portion  364  of the case  200 . Of course, the particular angle between the first and second extensions  366 ,  368  will depend upon the shape of the external portion  364  of the case  200 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the front panel  22  and the cover flap  114  are generally perpendicular to each other in the embodiments illustrated and described herein and so the first and second extensions  366 ,  368  (shown in  FIG. 17 ) are angled at about 90° with respect to each other. Of course, the first and second extensions  366 ,  368  may have other angles and/or shapes from those described and/or illustrated herein without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 17 , the tool  360  is generally fixedly mounted on the arm  358  such that the tool  360  generally does not move with respect to the arm  358 . However, in an alternative embodiment the tool  360  is rotatably mounted on the arm  358  for rotation with respect to the arm. For example, as shown in  FIG. 19 , as the tool  360  moves towards the mandrel  322  the second extension  368  contacts the front panel  22  over the top surface  340  of the mandrel causing the tool to rotate with respect to the arm  358  such that the first extension  366  is forced against the cover flap  114  to compress the adhesive between the cover flap  114  and the bottom panel  34 . The rotating tool  360  embodied in FIG.  19  may facilitate applying a greater compression force against the cover flap  114  than the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 17 . In another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 20 , another presser member (generally designated by  370 ) is used in combination with a tool  360  that is fixedly mounted to the arm  358 , similar to the tool  360  embodied in  FIG. 17 . The presser member  370  is movably mounted on the body  324  for movement with respect to the body and the mandrel  322 . The tool  360  folds the cover flap  114  over the bottom panel  34  and holds the cover flap in place as the presser member  370  moves to contact the cover flap and compress the adhesive between the cover flap and the bottom panel. Although the presser member  370  may include any suitable device for moving with respect to the body  324  and the mandrel  322  to compress the cover panel  114  without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the presser member  370  includes at least one of a hydraulic and a pneumatic cylinder. 
     As shown in  FIG. 21 , the machine  300  includes a flap folder member (generally designated by  372 ) for folding front flap  48  tight against the mandrel  322 . More specifically, the flap folder member  372  is movably mounted to the body  324  and an end  374  of the flap folder member  372  engages the front flap  48  and folds the front flap  48  along the fold line  52  until the front flap is tight against the mandrel  322 . As the front flap  48  is folded along fold line  52 , it engages dispenser flap  138  such that dispenser flap  138  is folded along fold line  142  and such that dispenser flap portion  146  is at least partially received within bottom flap slot  150 . 
     Once the front flap  48  has been folded tight against the mandrel  322 , the back flap  56  is folded tight and secured to the mandrel  322 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 22  the machine  300  includes a bottom presser member (generally designated by  376 ) mounted on the body  324  adjacent the mandrel  322  for folding the back flap  56  about the fold line  60 . The bottom presser member  376  includes a servomechanism (generally designated by  378 ) for driving and controlling movement of the member  376 . In one embodiment, the servomechanism  376  includes an electric motor (generally designated by  380 ) having an output shaft  382 . Bottom presser member  376  may have include suitable structure and/or arrangement and/or configuration of such structure for providing a pressing component  404  be selectively positionable, sometimes referred to as toggled, between a first position  406  and a second position  408 , as is described in more detail below. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, bottom presser member  376  includes a first link  384  connected to the output shaft  382  for rotation with the shaft, a second link  386 , a third link  388 , and a fourth link  390 . The second link  386  has a first end  392  rotatably connected to the first link  384  and a second end  394  opposite the first end. The third link  388  has a first end  396  rotatably mounted on the body  324  and a second end  398  opposite the first end. The second end  398  of the third link  388  is rotatably connected to the second end  394  of the second link  386 . The fourth link  390  has a first end  400  rotatably connected to the second end  394  of the second link  386  and the second end  398  of the third link  388 . A second end  402  of the fourth link  390  is connected to a pressing component (generally designated by  404 ). 
     The pressing component  404  is selectably positionable, sometimes referred to as toggled, between a first position (generally designated by  406  and shown in  FIG. 21 ) wherein the pressing component  404  not apply a force to the blank, and more specifically the back flap  56 , and a second position (generally designated by  408  and shown in  FIG. 23 ) wherein the pressing component applies a force to the back flap to compress adhesive between the back flap and the top and bottom flaps  122 ,  130 . Specifically, rotation of the output shaft  382  of the motor  380  causes relative movement between the first, second, third, and fourth links  384 ,  386 ,  388 ,  390 , respectively, to move the pressing component  404  between the first position  406  and the second position  408 . Although other ranges of movement may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the first and second positions  406 ,  408 , respectively, are separated by between about 70° and 90° of rotation. Moreover, although other ranges of movement may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment output shaft  382  of the electric motor  380  rotates between about 180° and 240° between the first position  406  of the pressing component and the second position  408 . 
     Once the front and back flaps  48 ,  56 , respectively, are secured to the top and bottom flaps  122 ,  130 , respectively, the case  200  is formed except for flaps  140 ,  132 ,  58 ,  124 ,  50 , which may be closed (and in some embodiments secured with an adhesive) after filling case  200  with a substance. Case  200  can then be ejected from mandrel  322  and machine  300 . Although case  200  may be ejected from mandrel  322  and machine  300  using any suitable mechanism, structure, and/or means, in the exemplary embodiment machine  300  includes an ejection plate mechanism (generally designated by  450 ) having an ejection plate  452  positioned at least partially between the mandrel  322  and the back flap  56 , the top flap  122 , and/or the bottom flap  130  that applies a force to an interior surface of the back flap  56 , top flap  122 , and/or bottom flap  130  to eject the case  200  from the mandrel  322 . More specifically, and as shown in  FIGS. 22 ,  23 , and  25 , the ejection plate  452  is movable along an axis  410  in a direction away from the mandrel  322  to eject the case  200  from the mandrel  322  and the machine  300 . Although the ejection plate  452  may move any distance along axis  410 , in some embodiments the ejection plate moves between about 10 and about 30 inches along axis  410  to eject the case  200  from the mandrel  322  and the machine  300 . In some embodiments, compression between the ejection plate and the bottom presser member pressing component  404  facilitates compressing adhesive between the back flap  56  and the top and bottom flaps  122 ,  130 , respectively. For example, in some embodiments the ejection plate applies a force to the back flap  56 , the top flap  122 , and/or the bottom flap  130  to facilitate compressing the adhesive. 
     In some embodiments, ejection mechanism  450  includes a servomechanism (generally designated by  454 ) for driving and controlling movement of the ejection plate  452 . Specifically, the servomechanism  454  may facilitate controlling a speed and a position of the ejection plate  452  more accurately and quickly than without the servomechanism  454 . In the exemplary embodiment, the servomechanism  454  includes an electric motor (generally designated by  456 ) that includes an output shaft (generally designated by  458 ) for driving rotation of a conveyor (generally designated by  460 ) coupled to the ejection plate  452 . 
     As used herein, any of the gripping member  310 , the pusher assembly  316 , the lifting assembly  326 , the flap folder member  334 , the folder member  338 , the folding arm member  348 , the presser member  356 , the flap folder member  372 , the bottom presser member  376 , any other member described and/or illustrated herein, and/or components thereof may be referred to herein as a member, a first member, a second member, and/or a third member. 
     When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.