Patent Publication Number: US-2013233813-A1

Title: Product Dispenser and System with Container Opening Feature

Description:
FIELD 
     This application relates to the dispensing of products from packaging containers and, more particularly, to product dispensers configured to cooperate with packaging containers to dispense products. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Products are typically shipped to retailers in bulk by enclosing multiple individual product units in a container, such as a carton or box. For example, canned foods may be shipped to a retailer in a box containing a number of individual cans. Then, it is typically the retailer&#39;s obligation to remove the individual product units from the container and present them to consumers. 
     Alternatives to the traditional package-ship-unpack-display model have been developed in an effort to improve operating efficiency. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,437 to Loftin et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses a new system for dispensing and displaying products packaged in a container. Specifically, the system includes a frame having a support structure, a product display area and an opening tool. The frame may be positioned on a retailer&#39;s shelf and loaded with product simply by placing a container comprising multiple units of product onto the support structure of the frame. As the container is being placed onto the support structure, the opening tool of the frame opens the container in such a manner that products roll from the container and down to the product display area of the frame under the force of gravity. 
     As another example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/032,734 filed by Gelardi et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses a product dispensing system that utilizes an opening tool having a catch element that engages and opens a container as the container is loaded onto the dispenser, and then guides the container to avoid interference between the dispensing products and the open container. 
     Despite advances already made in the field, those skilled in the art continue with research and development efforts directed to apparatus and systems for dispensing products from packaging containers. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system with container opening feature may include a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser frame including a first support deck longitudinally extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, and a second support deck positioned below the first support deck, the second support deck defining a product display area, and a catch element laterally extending at least partially across the first support deck, the catch element including a first end laterally opposed from a second end, wherein the first end includes a first cutting edge and the second end includes a second cutting edge. 
     In another aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system with container opening feature may include a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser frame including a first side wall, a second side wall laterally opposed from the first side wall, a first support deck positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall, the first support deck longitudinally extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, and a second support deck positioned below the first support deck, the second support deck defining a product display area proximate the front end, a catch element connected to the first support deck, the catch element extending lateral between the first side wall and the second side wall and comprising a first end proximate the first side wall and a second end proximate the second side wall, wherein the first end includes a first cutting edge and the second end includes a second cutting edge, and a container having a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, wherein the walls include at least a front wall and a rear wall and define a first weakening feature and a second weakening feature, the first and second weakening features longitudinally extending between the front and rear walls, wherein the first cutting edge is positioned to sever the first weakening feature and the second cutting edge is positioned to sever the second weakening feature when the container is longitudinally moved along the first support deck. 
     Other aspects of the disclosed product dispenser and system with container opening feature will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front and side perspective view of one aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system with container-product interaction; 
         FIG. 2A  is a bottom and side perspective view of the container of the product dispensing system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a bottom and side perspective view of the container of  FIG. 2A , shown with an initiation opening formed therein; 
         FIG. 3  is a side and bottom perspective view of the container of  FIG. 2B , shown in an opened configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a container blank that may be used to form the container of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser of the product dispensing system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of a portion of the upper support deck of the product dispensing system of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the upper support deck of the product dispensing system of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational view, in section, of the product dispensing system of  FIG. 1 , shown with the container in a partially loaded configuration; 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of a portion of the product dispensing system of  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevational view, in section, of the product dispensing system of  FIG. 8 , but shown with the container in a fully loaded configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , one aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system with container opening feature, generally designated  10 , may include a dispenser  12  and a container  14 . The container  14  may house multiple units of product  16 . The container  14  may be loaded onto the dispenser  12  by urging the container  14  generally horizontally along the dispenser  12 . As the container  14  is urged along the dispenser  12 , the dispenser  12  may engage and open the container  14 , thereby releasing the products  16  from the container  14  to the dispenser  12 . 
     The container  14  may be any container capable of initially housing products  16  and beneficially interacting with the disclosed dispenser  12 . For example, the container  14  may be a paperboard carton or a corrugated box. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A , the container  14  may be a generally rectilinear container having six walls  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  that define an internal volume  30  for receiving the products  16 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Opposed walls  18  and  20  may define the front and rear walls, respectively, of the container  14 . Opposed walls  22  and  24  may define the first (e.g., left) and second (e.g., right) side walls, respectively, of the container  14 . Opposed walls  26  and  28  may define the base and upper walls, respectively, of the container  14 . 
     In a first construction, the base wall  26  of the container  14  may include a removable priming feature  32 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . As shown in  FIG. 2B , the removable priming feature  32  may be removed from the container  14  to reveal an initiation opening  34  that opens into the internal volume  30  of the container  14 . The removable priming feature  32  may be positioned such that the initiation opening  34  is formed proximate (i.e., at or near) the rear wall  20  of the container  14 , such as along the edge  44  between the base wall  26  and the rear wall  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A , the removable priming feature  32  may be a zipper strip or the like, and may be defined by two parallel, laterally extending rows of perforations  36 ,  38  and two parallel, longitudinally extending rows of perforations  40 ,  42 . Weakening features other than perforations may also be used. 
     Thus, prior to loading the container  14  onto the dispenser  12 , a user may remove the removable priming feature  32  from the container  14 , such as by tearing the removable priming feature  32  from the container  14  along the rows of perforations  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 , thereby forming the initiation opening  34 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . 
     In a second construction, the initiation opening  34  may be pre-formed in the base wall  26  of the container  14 . Optionally, a peelable label or the like (not shown) may be applied to the container  14  over the pre-formed initiation opening  34 . Therefore, the initiation opening  34  may be revealed by peeling away the optional peelable label from the container  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , the initiation opening  34  may extend generally laterally between the side walls  22 ,  24  of the container  14 . For example, the initiation opening  34  may include a first (e.g., left) end  46  positioned proximate the left side wall  22  of the container  14  and a second (e.g., right) end  48  positioned proximate the right side wall  24  of the container  14 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the initiation opening  34  may be positioned at various alternative locations and may have various alternative configurations, provided that the initiation opening  34  is capable of being engaged by the dispenser  12  when the container  14  is being loaded onto the dispenser  12 . As a first alternative implementation, the initiation opening  34  may be formed in the rear wall  20  of the container  14 . As a second alternative implementation, the initiation opening  34  may be formed in the base wall  26 , between the front  18  and rear  20  walls of the container  14 . Other implementations are also contemplated. 
     A first weakening feature  50  may generally longitudinally extend from the initiation opening  34  toward the front wall  18  of the container  14 . As one example, the first weakening feature  50  may be formed in the base wall  26  proximate the edge  52  between the base wall  26  and the left side wall  22 . As another example, the first weakening feature  50  may extend along the edge  52  between the base wall  26  and the left side wall  22 . 
     A second weakening feature  54  may generally longitudinally extend from the initiation opening  34  toward the front wall  18  of the container  14 , and may be laterally spaced from the first weakening feature  50 . As one example, the second weakening feature  54  may be formed in the base wall  26  proximate the edge  56  between the base wall  26  and the right side wall  24 . As another example, the second weakening feature  54  may extend along the edge  56  between the base wall  26  and the right side wall  24 . 
     The longitudinal length of the first and second weakening features  50 ,  54  may be dictated by the size (e.g., the diameter) of the products  16  housed in the container  14 . As one example, the first and second weakening features  50 ,  54  may extend along at least 5 percent of the length of the edge  52 . As another example, the first and second weakening features  50 ,  54  may extend along at least 10 percent of the length of the edge  52 . As another example, the first and second weakening features  50 ,  54  may extend along at least 20 percent of the length of the edge  52 . As yet another example, the first and second weakening features  50 ,  54  may extend along at least 30 percent of the length of the edge  52 . 
     The first and second weakening features  50 ,  54  may facilitate the separation of a portion of the base wall  26  from the rest of the container  14 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . In a first implementation, the first and second weakening features  50 ,  54  may be formed as rows of perforations. For example, the first and second weakening features  50 ,  54  may be formed as rows of standard perforations, as rows of micro perforations or as rows of zipper-like cuts. In a second implementation, the first and second weakening features  50 ,  54  may be formed by scoring the container  14 . In a third implementation, the first and second weakening features  50 ,  54  may be formed by creasing the container  14 . In a fourth implementation, the first and second weakening features  50 ,  54  may be formed by folding the container  14 , such as by folding the container  14  to form the edges  52 ,  56 . Other techniques useful for forming the first and second weakening features  50 ,  54  will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     Thus, a force F ( FIG. 2B ) applied to the base wall  26  proximate the initiation opening  34  may partially separate a portion of the base wall  26  from the container  14  along the first and second weakening features  50 ,  54  to form an access panel  58 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . As the access panel  58  is separated from the remainder of the container  14 , the size of the initiation opening  34  may be significantly increased, thereby forming an access opening  60  in the container  14 . The access opening  60  may allow the products  16  housed in the container  14  to be dispensed from the container  14  and, ultimately, into the dispenser  12  when the container  14  is loaded on the dispenser  12 . 
     Optionally, one or more preformed fold lines  62  may laterally extend across the base wall  26  to encourage the access panel  58  to pivot relative to the base wall  26  of the container  14 . Preformed fold lines  62  may reduce or eliminate the possibility that the access panel  58  will randomly fold or bunch-up as the access panel  58  is formed. 
     The container  14  may be formed from a paperboard container blank, such as the paperboard container blank  70  shown in  FIG. 4 . The container blank  70  may include a plurality of pre-formed fold lines  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82  that define the front wall  18 , the rear wall  20 , the left side wall  22 , the right side wall  24 , the base wall  26 , the upper wall  28  and a sealing panel  72 . 
     The container  14  may be assembled by folding the container blank  70  along the longitudinal fold lines  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  and connecting the upper wall  28  to the sealing panel  72  to form the three-dimensional body of the container  14 . Then, the front wall panels  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D may be assembled to form the front wall  18  of the container  14 . Finally, the rear wall panels  20 A,  20 B,  20 D,  20 D may be assembled to form the rear wall  20  of the container  14 . 
     The container blank  70  may be formed from a paperboard-based material, such as C1S paperboard, which may have a coating (e.g., clay) on a first major surface thereof, which may form the outer surface  84  ( FIG. 1 ) of the container  14 , and an uncoated second major surface. As another example, the paperboard-based material may be C2S paperboard, which may have a coating (e.g., clay) on both major surfaces thereof Optionally, at least one major surface of the container blank may be marked with various indicia  86  ( FIG. 1 ), such as printed text and/or graphics. 
     While a specific paperboard container blank  70  is shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various techniques and materials may be used to form the container  14 . Folded paperboard containers are only one specific and non-limiting example of the disclosed container  14 . 
     Various products  16  having various shapes and configurations may be initially housed in the container  14 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , and may be dispensed from the container  14  to the dispenser  12 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . Suitable products  16  include cans (e.g., canned soup or pet food), jars (e.g., jarred sauce) or bottles (e.g., bottled soft drinks) 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the dispenser  12  may include a frame  100 , a catch element  102  and an access panel guide  143 . The frame  100  of the dispenser  12  may support the container  14  in a desired configuration, such as a slightly declined, but generally horizontal configuration, as shown in  FIG. 10 . As the container  14  is generally horizontally urged along the dispenser  12  to the configuration shown in  FIG. 10 , the catch element  102  may engage the initiation opening  34  ( FIG. 2B ) in the container  14  to separate the access panel  58  ( FIG. 3 ) from the container  14 , and guide the access panel  58  through a channel  154  defined by the guide element  143 , as is described in greater detail herein. 
     The frame  100  may include a first (e.g., right) side wall  104 , a second (e.g., left) side wall  106  ( FIG. 1 ), an upper support deck  108 , a lower support deck  110  and, optionally, one or more intermediate support decks  112  (only one is shown in  FIG. 5 ) positioned between the upper support deck  108  and the lower support deck  110 . The right side wall  104  may be laterally spaced from the left side wall  106 , and may be generally parallel with the left side wall  106 . 
     The lower support deck  110  may laterally extend between the right and left side walls  104 ,  106 , and may include a front end  114  that longitudinally extends toward the front end  116  of the frame  100  and a rear end  118  that longitudinally extends toward the rear end  120  of the frame  100 . Therefore, the lower support deck  110  and the side walls  104 ,  106  may define a lower level  122  of the frame  100 . 
     The lower support deck  110  may be inclined from the front end  114  to the rear end  118  (i.e., the rear end  118  may be elevated relative to the front end  114 ) such that products  16  deposited proximate the rear end  118  of the lower support deck  110  roll down to the front end  114  of the lower support deck  110  under the force of gravity. 
     A stop  124  may be positioned proximate the front end  114  of the lower support deck  110  to prevent products  16  from rolling beyond the front end  114  of the lower support deck  110 . Therefore, the stop  124  may collect products  16  at the front end  114  of the lower support deck  110 , thereby defining a first product display area  126  proximate the front end  114  of the lower support deck  110 . 
     The intermediate support deck  112  may be positioned between the upper support deck  108  and the lower support deck  110 . The intermediate support deck  112  may laterally extend between the right and left side walls  104 ,  106 , and may include a front end  128  that longitudinally extends toward the front end  116  of the frame  100  and a rear end  130  that longitudinally extends toward, but not to, the rear end  120  of the frame  100 . Therefore, the intermediate support deck  112  and the side walls  104 ,  106  may define an intermediate level  132  of the frame  100 . 
     The spacing between the rear end  130  of the intermediate support deck  112  and the rear end  120  of the frame  100  may define an opening  134 , which may function as a chute to allow products  16  to move from the intermediate level  132  down to the lower level  122  of the frame  100  under the force of gravity. 
     The intermediate support deck  112  may be inclined from the front end  128  to the rear end  130  (i.e., the rear end  130  may be elevated relative to the front end  128 ) such that products  16  deposited proximate the rear end  130  of the intermediate support deck  112  roll down to the front end  128  of the intermediate support deck  112  under the force of gravity. 
     A stop  136  may be positioned proximate the front end  128  of the intermediate support deck  112  to prevent products  16  from rolling beyond the front end  128  of the intermediate support deck  112 . Therefore, the stop  136  may collect products  16  at the front end  128  of the intermediate support deck  112 , thereby defining a second product display area  138  proximate the front end  128  of the intermediate support deck  112 . Optionally, the second product display area  138  may be longitudinally displaced (e.g., inwardly) relative to the first product display area  126 . 
     The upper support deck  108  may laterally extend between the right and left side walls  104 ,  106 , and may include a front end  140  that longitudinally extends toward the front end  116  of the frame  100  and a rear end  142  that longitudinally extends toward, but not to, the rear end  120  of the frame  100 . Therefore, the upper support deck  108  and the side walls  104 ,  106  may define an upper level  144  of the frame  100 . 
     The spacing between the rear end  142  of the upper support deck  108  and the rear end  120  of the frame  100  may define an opening  146 , which may function as a chute to allow products  16  to move from the upper level  144  down to the intermediate and lower levels  132 ,  122  of the frame  100  under the force of gravity. 
     The upper support deck  108  may be declined from the front end  140  to the rear end  142  (i.e., the front end  140  may be elevated relative to the rear end  142 ). Therefore, products  16  supported on the upper support deck  108  may roll under the force of gravity down toward the rear end  142  of the upper support deck  108 , through the opening  146 , to the lower and intermediate levels  132 ,  122  of the frame  100  and, ultimately, to the first and second product display areas  126 ,  138 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the upper support deck  108  may define a pre-engagement drop zone  155  proximate the rear end  142  of the upper support deck  108 . The drop zone  155  may be recessed relative to the upper surface  109  of the upper support deck  108  such that the upper surface  111  of the drop zone  155  is vertically displaced a distance D relative to the upper surface  109  of the upper support deck  108 . In one construction, the distance D may be at least 0.25 inches. In another construction, the distance D may be at least 0.5 inches. 
     The drop zone  155  may have a longitudinal length L, which may be measured from the forward-most tip  103  of the catch element  102  to the point P where the upper surface  109  of the upper support deck  108  transitions to the first end  157  of the drop zone  155 . In one implementation, the length L may be less than or equal to 125% of the diameter of a product  16  ( FIG. 8 ). In another implementation, the length L may be less than or equal to 100% of the diameter of a product  16 . In another implementation, the length L may be at least 75% of the diameter of a product  16 . In yet another implementation, the length L may be at least 50% of the diameter of a product  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the drop zone  155  may allow the weight of a product  16 ′ positioned in the container  14  and over the drop zone  155  to urge (under the force of gravity) the rear edge  66  of the base wall  26  of the container  14  downward into the drop zone  155 . With the rear edge  66  of the base wall  26  of the container  14  extending downward into the drop zone  155  as the container  14  is urged along the upper support deck  108  toward the rear end  120  of the frame  100 , the rear edge  66  of the base wall  26  may be more likely to extend below the catch element  102  such that the catch element  102  extends through the initiation opening  34  ( FIG. 2B ) in the container  14  and separates the access panel  58 . 
     Thus, the use of a drop zone  155  positioned proximate the catch element  102  may reduce or eliminate the risk that the catch element  102  will not properly engage the container  14  and effect separation of the access panel  58 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 5 , the frame  100  of the dispenser  12  may further include an optional rear wall  148 . The rear wall  148  may function as a stop proximate the rear end  120  of the frame  100 , thereby inhibiting rearward horizontal movement of the container  14  along the upper support deck  108  beyond the rear wall  148 . 
     A guide  150  may be connected to, or integral with, the rear wall  148 . The guide  150  may extend from proximate the opening  146  in the upper level  144  defined by the upper support deck  108 , down through the opening  134  in the intermediate level  132  defined by the intermediate support deck  112  and, ultimately, down to the lower level  122  proximate the rear end  118  of the lower support deck  110 . 
     Thus, the guide  150  may receive products  16  exiting through the access opening  60  ( FIG. 3 ) in the container  14  and may guide the products  16  down proximate the rear end  118  of the lower support deck  110 , thereby allowing the products  16  guided to the lower level  122  to ultimately move to the first product display area  126 . Once the lower level  122  of the frame  100  has been filled with products  16  such that the opening  134  in the intermediate level  132  is bridged by a product  16 B ( FIG. 10 ), the guide  150  may guide the products  16  down proximate the rear end  130  of the intermediate support deck  112 , thereby allowing the products  16  guided to the intermediate level  132  to ultimately move to the second product display area  138 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , the catch element  102  may be positioned between the front end  140  and the rear end  142  of the upper support deck  108 , and may longitudinally protrude toward the front end  116  of the frame  100 . For example, the catch element  102  may include a base portion  101  ( FIG. 6 ) connected proximate the rear end  142  of the upper support deck  108  and a body  113  ( FIG. 6 ) that may be longitudinally tapered from the base portion  101  to the forward-most tip  103  ( FIG. 6 ). The tip  103  may be formed at the intersection of the upper surface  115  and the lower surface  121  ( FIG. 9 ) of the catch element  102 , and may laterally extend across the catch element  102 . 
     In an effort to minimize interference between the catch element  102  and the container  14  during loading, the upper surface  115  of the catch element  102  may be substantially co-planar with the upper surface  109  of the upper support deck  108 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that slight displacement and/or a slight angle of the upper surface  115  of the catch element  102  relative to the upper surface  109  of the upper support deck  108  may encourage engagement of the initiation opening  34  ( FIG. 2B ) in the container  14  by the catch element  102  during loading of the container  14  onto the dispenser  12 . 
     The catch element  102  may laterally extend between the side walls  104 ,  106  of the frame  100 . Specifically, the catch element  102  may include a first (right) end  105  ( FIG. 7 ) that may extend toward the right side wall  104  and a second (left) end  107  ( FIG. 7 ) that may extend toward the left side wall  106 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the right end  105  of the catch element  102  may include a cutting surface  117  that is at a non-zero angle relative to the upper surface  115  of the catch element  102  and at a non-zero angle relative to the plane (e.g., vertical plane) defined by the right side wall  104 . Therefore, a cutting edge  119  may be defined between the cutting surface  117  and the lower surface  121  ( FIG. 9 ) of the catch element  102  proximate the right end  105  of the catch element  102 . While the cutting edge  119  is shown having some curvature, a substantially straight cutting edge  119  is also contemplated. 
     Like the right end  105 , the left end  107  of the catch element  102  may include a cutting surface  123  that is at a non-zero angle relative to the upper surface  115  of the catch element  102  and at a non-zero angle relative to the plane (e.g., vertical plane) defined by the left side wall  106 . Therefore, a cutting edge  125  may be defined between the cutting surface  123  and the lower surface  121  ( FIG. 9 ) of the catch element  102  proximate the left end  107  of the catch element  102 . While the cutting edge  125  is shown having some curvature, a substantially straight cutting edge  125  is also contemplated. 
     In end view ( FIG. 9 ), the cutting edges  119 ,  125  may be disposed at an angle T relative to a plane coincident with the upper surface  115  of the catch element  102  (or relative to a plane coincident with the upper surface  109  of the upper support deck  108 ). In one expression, the angle T may range from about 15 to about 75 degrees. In another expression, the angle T may range from about 25 to about 65 degrees. In yet another expression, the angle T may range from about 35 to about 55 degrees. As a specific example, the angle T may be about 45 degrees. 
     At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the sharpness (i.e., the cutting ability) of the cutting edges  119 ,  125  may depend on the extent of the weakness of the first and second weakening features  54 ,  50  ( FIG. 2B ) of the container  14  that will be severed by the cutting edges  119 ,  125 . For example, when the weakening features  54 ,  50  have introduced a relatively significant amount of weakening to the container (e.g., when the weakening features  54 ,  50  are perforations), the cutting edges  119 ,  125  may be relatively blunt but still capable of severing the weakening features  54 ,  50  with a minimum amount of force. However, when the weakening features  54 ,  50  have introduced relatively little weakening to the container (e.g., when the weakening features  54 ,  50  are light scores or creases), the cutting edges  119 ,  125  may be relatively sharp to ensure that the weakening features  54 ,  50  may be severed with a minimum amount of force. 
     The access panel guide  143  may be connected to the upper support deck  108 , and may define a guide channel  154  configured to guide the access panel  58  below the upper support deck  108  as the access panel  58  ( FIG. 3 ) is being separated from the container  14  by the catch element  102 . The guide channel  154  may laterally extend between the side walls  104 ,  106  of the frame  100 , and may have a lateral width sufficient to allow the access panel  58  to pass therethrough. The guide channel  154  may extend from an entrance passage  156 , to a curved portion  153  and, ultimately, down below the upper support deck  108 . 
     The entrance passage  156  may extend along a passage axis P ( FIG. 6 ) that is generally parallel with the upper surface  109  of the upper support deck  108 , and may open toward the front end  116  of the frame  100  (e.g., toward the drop zone  155 ). The entrance passage  156  may have a longitudinal length M measured from the forward-most tip  103  of the catch element  102  to the beginning of the curved portion  153  of the guide channel  154 . In one expression, the longitudinal length M of the entrance passage  156  may be at least 0.1 inches. In another expression, the longitudinal length M of the entrance passage  156  may be at least 0.2 inches. In another expression, the longitudinal length M of the entrance passage  156  may be at least 0.25 inches. In another expression, the longitudinal length M of the entrance passage  156  may be at least 0.3 inches. In another expression, the longitudinal length M of the entrance passage  156  may be at least 0.4 inches. In yet another expression, the longitudinal length M of the entrance passage  156  may be at least 0.5 inches. 
     Without being limited to any particular theory, it is believed that providing a guide channel  154  having a relatively longitudinally straight entrance passage  156  may facilitate separation of the access panel  58  ( FIG. 3 ) from the container  14  sufficiently prior to any redirection of the access panel  58  by the curved portion  153  of the guide channel  154 , thereby reducing (if not eliminating) the risk that the separated access panel  58  will become bunched-up in the guide channel  154 . Therefore, separation and redirection of the access panel  58  may occur in stages, with the first stage being separation. 
     The curved portion  153  of the guide channel  154  may have a curvature sufficient to redirect the separated access panel  58 . For example, the curved portion  153  of the guide channel  154  may be generally C-shaped, and may redirect the separated access panel  58  toward the front end  116  of the frame  100 . 
     Thus, as a container  14  is moved longitudinally along the upper support deck  108  toward the rear end  120  of the frame  100 , the catch element  102  may engage the initiation opening  34  ( FIG. 2B ) in the container  14  and may initiate separation of the access panel  58  ( FIG. 3 ) from the container  14 . With separation of the access panel  58  initiated, the access panel guide  143  may receive the separated access panel  58  and, after the separated access panel  58  has travelled through the entrance passage  156 , may redirect the separated access panel  58  such that the separated access panel  58  does not interfere with the products  16  exiting the container  14  and moving through the dispenser  12 . 
       FIGS. 8-10  illustrate the container  14  being loaded onto the dispenser  12  such that the catch element  102  of the dispenser  12  engages and opens the container  14 , thereby releasing the products  16  initially housed in the container  14  to the dispenser  12 . Specifically,  FIGS. 8-10  illustrate the container  14  being urged generally horizontally along the upper support deck  108  (i.e., along the longitudinal axis A ( FIG. 8 ) of the upper support deck  108 ) toward the rear end  120  of the dispenser frame  100 , thereby automatically opening the container  14  and dispensing the products  16  from the container  14  to the dispenser  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , as the initiation opening  34  ( FIG. 2B ) in the container  14  approximates the catch element  102  of the dispenser  12 , the catch element  102  may pass through the initiation opening  34 . With the catch element  102  extending through the initiation opening  34 , the rear edge  66  of the base wall  26  of the container  14  may be directed downward into the entrance passage  156  of the guide channel  154 . 
     When the dispenser  12  is provided with a drop zone  155 , the weight of a product  16 ′ ( FIG. 8 ) may urge the rear edge  66  of the base wall  26  of the container  14  downward into the drop zone  155  during loading, as shown in  FIG. 8 . Therefore, the drop zone  155  may ensure that the rear edge  66  of the container  14  is positioned below, and thus the initiation opening  34  is engaged by, the catch element  102 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , once the catch element  102  is engaged with the container  14 , the cutting edges  119 ,  125  of the catch element  102  may be aligned with the respective first and second weakening features  54 ,  50  ( FIG. 2B ) that extend along the edges  56 ,  52  of the container  14 . Therefore, as the container  14  is further urged generally horizontally along the upper support deck  108 , the cutting edges  119 ,  125  of the catch element  102  may sever the respective weakening features  54 ,  50  ( FIG. 2B ) of the container  14 , thereby causing separation of the access panel  58  ( FIG. 3 ) from the container  14  along the weakening features  50 ,  54  and, ultimately, the formation of the access opening  60  ( FIG. 3 ) in the container  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , as the container  14  is urged further along the dispenser  12 , the separated access panel  58  may continue to longitudinally extend through the entrance passage  156  until it reaches the curved portion  153  of the channel  154 . Thus, an initial separation stage may occur prior to the separated access panel  58  reaching the curved portion  153  of the guide channel  154 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , as the container  14  continues to longitudinally move along the upper support deck  108  toward the rear end  120  of the dispenser  12 , the separated access panel  58  extends through both the entrance passage  156  and the curved portion  153  of the guide channel  154 , thereby forming the access opening  60  ( FIG. 3 ) in the container  14 . Due to the curved (roundabout chicane) shape of the guide channel  154 , the separated access panel  58  may be directed toward the front end  116  of the dispenser  12  such that the separated access panel  58  does not interact with the products  16  supported on, and moving along, the intermediate support deck  112  of the frame  100 . 
     With the container  14  fully loaded onto the dispenser  12 , the access opening  60  ( FIG. 3 ) formed in the container  14  may be aligned with the openings  134 ,  146  of the frame  100 . Therefore, the force of gravity may urge the products  16  initially housed in the container  16  through the access opening  60  in the container  14 , through the openings  134 ,  146  in the frame  100 , and down to the lower support deck  110  and, ultimately, to the first product display area  126 . Once the lower level  122  of the frame  100  has been filled with products  16  such that the opening  134  in the intermediate level  132  is bridged by a product  16 ′, the remaining products  16  exiting the container  14  through the access opening  60  may move onto the intermediate support deck  112  and, ultimately, to the second product display area  138 . 
     Thus, the cutting edges  119 ,  125  positioned at the lateral ends  105 ,  107  of the catch element  102  may reduce the amount of force required to urge the container  14  along the upper support deck  108  of the dispenser  12  by reducing the amount of force required to sever the weakening features  54 ,  50  of the container  14 . As such, the cutting edges  119 ,  125  may simplify the process of loading a container  14  onto a dispenser  12 . 
     Although various aspects of the disclosed product dispenser and system with container opening feature have been shown and described, modifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.