GB2271559A - Dispenser with adjustable channel - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser comprises a first channel (31) arranged to receive a stack of articles such as packages of cigarettes and having two pairs of opposed side walls, at least one pair of opposed side walls (11, 4) of the first channel being adjustable to vary the distance therebetween to receive different sizes of articles. Adjustment of the wall 11 is permitted by series of fixing holes in side panels which are also adjustably spaced by selective utilisation of fixing bosses 42 - 45 or by slotted connecting means. <IMAGE>

Description

DISPENSERS This invention relates to dispensers and has particular, but not exclusive, reference to dispensers for articles packaged in boxes, such as cigarettes, for example.

There is a need for dispensers for articles which enable the articles to be dispensed one by one either by the customer, on a self-service basis, or by a sales person, whereby it is convenient to have the articles contained so that they do not become disarranged on being handled, and yet are readily available for dispensing. To this end, it is known to provide a dispenser which comprises a generally closed channel which is loaded with a stack of articles to be dispensed. Dispensing takes place by grasping the lowermost article and drawing it forward from the stack, whereupon the stack falls and the previous penultimate lowermost article now becomes the lowermost for being dispensed next, and so on.Also known are dispensers in which the channel is in the form of a chute arranged as such that as the lowermost article is drawn from the stack, the previous penultimate article is moved, as it drops, slightly forward for better presentation for dispensing.

These different types of known dispensers suffer from a number of disadvantages as follows:1) They are of fixed channel or chute construction so that they can only accommodate one size of article 2) They are often fixed to a mounting surface which can make replenishment difficult and/or resiting a major task. Replenishment may require the operator to have his back to the sales areas, possibly encouraging pilfering and/or attack.

The object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser which overcomes one or more of the above disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a dispenser comprising a first channel arranged to receive a stack of articles and having two pairs of opposed side walls, at least one pair of opposed side walls of the first channel being adjustable to vary the distance therebetween to receive different sizes of articles.

Preferably, both pairs of side walls are adjustable. The first channel may be in the form of a chute, whereby when the lowermost article in the stack is dispensed, the previous penultimate article is pushed forward as it drops to the lowermost position and is thus better presented for dispensing, i.e. for grasping top and bottom if side access is restricted.

With this arrangement, stop means may be provided for preventing the penultimate lowermost article being dispensed at the same time as the lowermost article as it is moved forward.

When the articles are in the form of relatively flat, rectangular packages, such as packets of cigarettes, they are conveniently stacked in the first channel with a surface of major area of one article in contact with a surface of major area of another article which means only one end of the article is likely to be visible from the front of the dispenser. According to a preferred feature of the invention, a second channel may be provided forwardly of the first channel and dimensioned to receive one or more articles preferably on end, whereby a face of major area of the article is forward facing, thus displaying articles which are contained in, and are obtainable from, the dispenser. The articles in this second channel thus provide a permanent display of the contents of the dispenser and conveniently conceal the stack of articles from which actual dispensing takes place.With a bank of such dispensers, this arrangement provides a pleasing permanent display which is not marred by stacks of different heights in the respective dispensers.

The dispenser may be provided with mounting means, such as a bracket, by which the dispenser can be removably mounted on a support surface, such as a pinboard, slat wall etc. Conveniently, the mounting means are adjustably mounted on the dispenser so that the height of the dispenser can be varied, even if the mounting point is fixed, whereby the dispenser can be arranged snugly with respect to similar or other display arrangements disposed above and below. Alternatively, the mounting point on the dispenser is fixed and mounting bracket means co-operable therewith may be adjustable. Preferably, the dispenser hooks on to the mounting means to provide ready mounting and demounting.

The dispenser may comprise two side panels and be injection moulded from a synthetic plastics material, preferably a transparent material. When a second channel is provided, this is conveniently formed from members moulded with each side panel. One side panel is the mirror image of the other.

The rear wall of the second channel conveniently forms the front wall of the first channel, and the rear wall of the first channel may be adjustably mounted on the side panel so as to vary the distance between the front and rear walls of the first channel.

The rear wall of the first channel may be made up of two parts provided on respective side panels. Thus, the two parts may be slidably engageable with each other as the dispenser is assembled, whereby the width of the second channel, when provided, can also be varied, together with the width of the first channel. Alternatively, the width of the first and second channels may be varied by employing different spacers between the side panels or, preferably, employing one or more fixed length spacers which are cooperable with respective bosses on the side panels, a series of bosses of differing lengths being provided.

Dispensers constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view, partly broken away, from the front and one side of one dispenser, Figure 2 is a similar view, to a smaller scale, of the assembled dispenser and as shown mounted on a slat wall type of mounting surface, Figure 3 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 4 is a section on the line IV-N of Figure 7, with a component added, Figure 5 is a front view of Figure 3, Figure 6 is a rear view of Figure 3, Figure 7 is a top view of Figure 3, Figure 8 is a rear view of a mounting bracket, and Figure 9 is a perspective view of an array of dispensers.

The dispensers illustrated will be described in relation to the dispensing of packets of cigarettes but is to be appreciated that they may be used to dispense other boxed articles.

The dispenser comprises two side panels which are identical except that one is the mirror image of the other, whereby like component parts of which will be referenced similarly. Each side panel is indicated at 1 and is conveniently injection moulded from a transparent synthetic plastics material, such as an acrylic material. The front bottom corner of each side panel 1 is cut away to provide an access aperture 2 and the shortened front edge of the panel is inturned to provide a wall 3. A further wall 4 is provided rearwardly of the wall 3, the wall 4 terminating short of the bottom of the wall 3 and being joined thereto by a bottom wall 5. The front bottom edge of each side panel 1 is provided with a support bracket 6 which may be moulded integrally therewith.Above the support bracket 6 and towards the front edge of each panel 1 there is provided a threaded aperture 7 for a purpose to be described. A series of further threaded apertures 8 is provided towards the rear of the top edge of each panel 1, and a pair of threaded apertures 9 is provided towards the rear edge of each panel, generally towards the top thereof. Again, the purpose of the threaded apertures 8 and 9 will be discussed hereinafter.

Each side panel 1 has adjustably mounted thereon an L-shaped component generally indicated at 11 and comprising a generally vertical wall 12 and a generally horizontal, forwardly-extending wall 13, these two walls being joined by an inclined transition wall 14. The transitional wall 14 is inclined at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal.

At the upper, inner edge of the vertical wall 12 there is provided a rearwardly-extending flange 15 and a downwardly-extending flange 16 is provided on the inner edge of the horizontal wall 13. The flange 15 is provided with an aperture 17 and the flange 16 is provided with a closed slot 18. The horizontal wall 13 of one component 11 is provided with a threaded aperture 19 and the horizontal wall 13 of the other component 11 is provided with an open ended slot 21 extending from its edge remote from the associated panel 1. Similarly, the vertical wall 12 of said one component 11 is provided with a threaded aperture 22 towards its upper end and the vertical wall 12 of the other component 11 is provided with an open-ended slot 23 extending from the edge remote from the associated panel 1.The aperture 19 and associated slot 21 are aligned for cooperation as will be described, as are the aperture 22 and the slot 23.

It will be seen that the upper outer edge of the vertical wall 12 provided with the slot 23 is cut back from the slot to the upper edge of the wall and this is to accommodate a screw or other threaded component which is received in the threaded aperture 17 of the flange 15 of the other component 11.

Each side panel 1 is provided with bracket means 24 comprising a panel 25 which can adjustably overlie part of the side panel 2, for which purpose it is provided with a closed slot 20, a strut 26 extending rearwardly from the panel 25, and a releasable attachment means 27 in the form of a hooked member attached to the upper end of the panel 25.

Each bracket means 24 may be moulded integrally. The support strut 26 of each bracket means 24 is provided with a resilient contact or buffer pad 28. Figure 1 shows one form of hook attachment 27 and Figure 2 a slight different form.

To assemble the dispenser, each side panel 1 first has attached thereto the associated component 11, this part of the assembly being achieved by passing a screw (such as that illustrated at 29 in Figure 1) through the aperture 17 in the flange 15 and screwing it into a selected one of the threaded apertures 8. Another screw is then passed through the slot 18 in the flange 16 and is received in the threaded aperture 7, the flanges 16 of the components 11 being supported on the brackets 6. The bracket means 24 are then assembled by passing screws through the slots 20 in the panels 25 and into the respective threaded apertures 9, adjusting the position of the bracket means and tightening the screws to provide the bracket means at the required height.Each half of the dispenser is now assembled and the final assembly is achieved by placing screws in the threaded holes 19 and 22 of the horizontal and vertical walls 13 and 12 of the one component 11 and then bringing the two halves of the dispenser together and engaging the slots 21 and 23 of the other component 11 with the respective threaded portions of the screws in the apertures 19 and 22, whereby the components 11 overlap, and then tightening those screws when the required separation of the two side panels has been achieved.

It will be understood that the separation of the side panels 1 is determined by the width of the cigarette packets to be accommodated in the dispenser, and the height of the packets determines which hole of the series 8 is selected to attach the components 11 to the respective side panels. In the assembled dispenser, there is provided a first, dispensing channel 31 for the packets of cigarettes and a second channel 32 disposed forwardly of the first channel and defined by the two sets of walls 3 and 4 on the respective side panels 1.The walls 3 and 4 of the one side panel do not meet the associated walls 3 and 4 of the other side panel, the respective channels formed by the walls 3 and 4 merely accommodating the edges of the packets of cigarettes 101 which are placed therein in a vertical orientation so that the front face thereof is visible from the front of the dispenser and identifies the product contained in the dispenser.

The cigarette packets 102 are loaded into the first, dispensing channel 31 face upwards, ie with a surface of major area disposed one adjacent another, whereby the bottom panels of the packets of cigarettes faced forwardly. The loading of a stack of packets of cigarettes, for example a stack of ten packets, is readily accomplished by taking the entire stack placing one hand on top of the stack, the other hand on the underside, offering the lowermost packet into the top of the first channel 31, and then sliding the stack into the channel, the space between the opposing walls 3 and 4 of the respective side panels 1 enabling the hand of the operator supporting the underside of the stack to pass between these walls, whilst still supporting the stack.The lowermost packet 103 of the stack will slide downwardly and forwardly as it engages the inclined wall 14 of the first channel 31, as will the penultimate lowermost packet 104 although this will not be displaced as far forwardly as the lowermost packet. When a packet of cigarettes is to be dispensed, the lowermost packet 103 is grasped on its side through the access apertures 2, or top-tobottom, and pulled forwardly, the frictional forces with respect to the penultimate lowermost packet 104 pulling the latter forward at the same time as it drops to the lowermost position under the weight of the stack thereabove. However, the bottom edges 31,41 of the respective walls 3 and 4 which are disposed below the bottom wall 5 act as a stop to ensure that the penultimate lowermost packet cannot be dispensed at the same time as the lowermost packet.

in order to show what articles are contained in the dispenser, one or more packets may be slid into the second channel 32 so as to be generally vertically oriented and visible from the front of the dispenser.

When it is required to change the size of the first channel of the dispenser to accommodate smaller or larger packets of cigarettes, or to accommodate other types of articles, this is readily accomplished by selecting a different hole 8, to mount the components 11 on the respective side panels 1, the slots 18 in the flanges 16 automatically accommodating the selection of the hole 8, if the depth of the channel 31 is to be changed.

It will of course be appreciated that instead of a series of holes 8, these could be replaced by a slot in conjunction with threaded apertures 17.

The disposition of the components 11 relative to the side panels 3 determines the front to rear dimension (depth) of the first channel 1 and the width of that channel is determined by the extent to which the components 11 are slidably engaged relative to each other, ie the extent to which the slots 21 and 23 are moved relative to the screws in the apertures 19 and 22. Thus, the adjustment of the dispenser to accommodate different sizes of articles to be dispensed is accomplished quickly and effectively.

The dispenser may be self-standing but when bracket means 24 are provided, these enable the dispenser to be suspended from a support member such as a slat wall which is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings as comprising a series of slotted members 334, of which only one is shown, the members having a T-shaped slot 34 into which fits a cranked bracket 35 provided with an upturned hook or channel member 36 over the front limb of which can be hooked the attachment means 27 of the bracket means 24, whereby the dispenser is detached from the slat wall. Figure 2 of the drawings illustrates separate brackets 35 but a single bracket could be employed.The hooks 27 of the dispenser are engaged with the bracket or brackets 32, the flexible pads 28 of the struts 26 engage the front face of the slat wall so that the dispenser is supported in a generally vertical position off the supporting wall. It will be appreciated that one slot 34 has to be selected to give the basic height of the dispenser but may not always be appropriate to the precise height required. If this is so, then the bracket means 24 can be adjusted by loosening the screws in the apertures 9 and sliding the bracket means relative to the side panels 1 (this movement being accommodated by the slots 20 in the panels 25), whereby a fine adjustment of the height of the dispenser can be achieved relative to similar or other display devices arranged above and below.

The fact that the dispenser is readily detached from the mounting means is a distinct advantage in that it is not always convenient to load a dispenser in situ and in any event is undesirable if this means having one's back to the sales area because pilfering and/or possible attack cannot be checked. Accordingly, a dispenser is easily detached from the mounting means and placed on a work surface, loaded and then re-hung.

Turning now to Figures 3 to 8, these illustrate a preferred embodiment of dispenser in accordance with the present invention. This preferred dispenser is similar in many respects to that of Figures 1 and 2 and like reference numerals will be used as appropriate.

The dispenser has first and second channels 31 and 32 as before, and two side panels 1 which are the mirror image of each other. The rear wall of the second channel 32 is again made up of the wall portions 4 moulded with the respective side panels 1 but in this embodiment, the bottom wall portions 5 incline downwardly to the respective front wall portions 3. This helps to urge any articles in the second channel towards the front of the dispenser.

The component 11 is again of Section but the two components on the respective side panels 1 do not overlap as in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. Thus the rear wall of the first channel 31 has a central slot or gap as do the front wall 4 of the first channel and the front wall 3 of the second channel 32. In addition, the upper end of the wall 12 of each component 11 inclines rearwardly to give a lead-in for articles to be loaded into the first channel 31.

The downwardly inclined lower end 14 of the wall 12 of each component 11 does not in this embodiment have a generally horizontal wall 13. This is provided by a bottom wall 13' moulded with each side panel 1.

As the walls 12 of the component 11 do not overlap in this embodiment (nor do the walls 13'), the width adjustability of the dispenser is provided for, in this preferred embodiment, by three sets of extensions or bosses indicated generally at 41 and each set comprising a series of four bosses 42,43,44 and 45 of different lengths. Each boss 42 is of minimal length and may in fact be flush with the side panel 1. Each boss 41 is apertured at 46 to accommodate a screw 47. Each of the bosses 43,44 and 45 are in the form of a cylinder open at one end and partly closed at the opposite end save for an aperture 46 as provided in the boss 42. Preferably, the bosses 43-45 are moulded from transparent plastics material, as are the other components of the dispenser, and to this end are slightly tapered and are attached to the side panels 1 in line with respective apertures 50 therein.The bosses in each series are numbered 1 to 4. A spacer 48 is provided for use with each series of bosses 42-45, the spacer being of a fixed length and being in the form of a rod having a tapped hole 49 at each end to receive the appropriate screw 47.

The front-to-rear adjustability of the first channel 31 is by virtue of an upper and lower series of three holes 49 in each side panel 1, these holes being designated R, K and S in this preferred embodiment. The components 11 are attached to the side panels 1 using the R holes when regular size cigarettes are to be dispensed from the dispenser, the K and S holes being used when kingsize and superking size cigarettes are to be dispensed, respectively. The selection of the bosses 42-25 for the required width of the dispenser depends on whether packets of 10, 20 or 25 cigarettes are to be dispensed. The user can be provided with a chart showing which hole 49 (R, S or K) is to be used with which boss 42-45 (1,2,3 or 4) according to the type of product to be dispensed. As will be appreciated, this will apply to any product for dispensing, not just cigarettes.

Each side panel 1 has a slot or cut-out 51 which helps reduce the amount of plastics material required as well as assists in loading of the dispenser as the loader can access the first channel 31 through cut-out(s) 51 if necessary.

The dispenser is assembled by screwing the components 11 to respective side panels 1 (for which purpose tapped holes 52 are provided in the limbs 15 of the components 11), having selected which of the holes R, S, K in the side panels are to be used as discussed above, Figures 3 to 8 showing the selection of the K holes. Then the side panels 1 are assembled together by screwing respective spacers 48 to the selected bosses 4245 in each series thereof. Figures 3 to 8 show the spacers associated with the bosses 43 to provide the next to smallest width of dispenser.

The dispenser is now complete and can be loaded with a stack of horizontally oriented articles in the first channel 31 and with vertically oriented articles in the second channel 32 as before. The loaded container may be free standing on a display surface but if it is to be hung from a display wall then preferably an adjustable bracket 53, as shown in Figures 4 and 8 is employed. The bracket 53 comprises a main panel 54 having a central, closed slot 55, the panel having graduations on each side of the slot to assist in selecting and implementing the required adjustment of the bracket as will be described. At the upper end of the panel there is provided an open-ended channel 56, and each side of the panel 54 has a flange 57. This part of the bracket 53 receives the dispenser as will be described.

The bracket also comprises a mounting member 58 comprising a plate 59 slightly wider than the panel 54 and having strengthening flanges 61 on three sides, a rearwardly-extending extension 62 on the top edge, a central forwardly-extend pip or extension 63 towards the bottom edge, and a central tapped hole 64 towards the top edge. The extension 61 is generally Shaped and is adapted to be received by a slot in a slot wall mounting surface. This part 58 of the bracket 53 can be adapted to any other type of mounting surface.

The mounting member 58 is slidably attached to the panel 53 by engaging the pip 63 in the slot 55 and passing the threaded shank of a screw 65 through the slot 55 from the front of the panel 54 and screwing it into the tapped hole 64 in the mounting member 58. The pip and slot arrangement serves to locate the two components in the required relative position. The graduations on the panel 56 help to select and implement the required relative positions of the components 54 and 58 according to the required position of the dispenser on the mounting surface, this being particularly helpful when dispensers are to be mounted side-by-side at the same height.

When the bracket 53 has been attached to the mounting surface, the dispenser is hung thereon using the bosses 45 of the top uppermost series of bosses 42-45. It will be seen that these bosses 45 are displaced more to the rear edge of the side panels for this purpose. If the bosses 45 are being used in conjunction with a spacer 48 to provide a dispenser of maximum width, then the spacer will also engage the channel 56. The flanges 57 of the panel 54 fit within the dispenser, adjacent the respective side panels 1 and the wider plate 59 engages the edges of the side panels 1 to help in the hanging of the dispenser generally parallel to the support surface.

In order to compensate for the thickness of the mounting bracket 53 and to assist in the correct hanging of the dispenser, the rear edge of each side panel 1 is formed with an extension or support strut 65.

When either the bosses 43 or 44 are used in conjunction with the spacer 48, the width of the dispenser relative to that of the bracket 53 (which must be dimensioned to fit within the smallest width of a given dispenser) is such that the dispenser may be a little unstable and may hang to one side if not supported between adjacent dispensers. In order to provide stability in this regard, ribs 66 are provided on the undersides of the uppermost bosses 45, between which ribs the channel 56 of the bracket 53 is locatable.

In order to maximise display space utility, the lower front corner of each side panel 1 is formed with a recess 67, to accommodate the tops of articles which may stand proud of the top edge of the dispenser disposed therebelow.

Adjacent each uppermost and lowermost bosses 45 in each side panel 1 there are provided apertures 68 which can be used to bolt or otherwise secure one dispenser to another if required.

Dispensers adjusted to various widths and depths of the first channel 31 can be mounted in an array of rows and columns as illustrated in Figure 9 Thus different products as well as different sizes of given product can be handled. If it is desired to display in the second channels the various articles to be dispensed, it may be desirable to align the top edges, rather than the bottom edges, of these articles. To this end, a removable and adjustable stop may be placed in the second channels 32.

This may be a bar alignable with corresponding holes in a series of holes provided in each side panel 1.

One or both side panels can display retailer/distributor information, for example, which information can be moulded with the side panel.

It will be appreciated that a given dispenser in accordance with the present invention affords advantages over known dispensers and when a bank of dispenses are employed, they are readily arranged on a display surface irrespective of any set mounting means on that surface (slots in slat wall, slots in slotted uprights, holes in peg board or pin board, etc) by virtue of the adjustable bracket.

In summary, the advantages which may be gained by the present invention are 1. Allows flexibility to suit type and shape of display area.

2. Brand positions in a given display are readily changed to suit sales and promotional activities.

3. Spare dispenser(s) can be loaded and stored ready for peak trading.

4. Price details can be placed on the front of the dispenser and are readily changed.

5. Readily removed from display area for re-loading and/or re siting.

Claims (29)

1. A dispenser comprising a first channel arranged to receive a stack of articles and having two pairs of opposed side walls, at least one pair of opposed side walls of the first channel being adjustable to vary the distance therebetween to receive different sizes of articles.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein both pairs of sides of the first channel are adjustable.

3. A dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first channel is in the form of a chute, whereby when the lowermost article in the stack is dispensed, the previous penultimate article is pushed forward as it drops to the lowermost position.

4. A dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the first channel has a rear wall comprising a first, generally vertical portion, and a downwardly inclined portion at the lower end of the vertical portion.

5. A dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the transitional portion is inclined at an angle of 45" to the horizontal.

6. A dispenser according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein stop means are provided to prevent the penultimate lowermost article from being dispensed at the same time as the lowermost article.

7. A dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a second channel is provided forwardly of the first channel and arranged to receive one or more articles as a display of articles which can be obtained from the dispenser.

8. A dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the first channel has a removable and adjustable stop provided therein for engagement by the lowermost article in the second channel.

9. A dispenser according to any of the preceding claims and further comprising mounting means by which the dispenser can be removably mounted on a support surface.

10. A dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the mounting means are adjustably attached to the dispenser.

11. A dispenser according to any of the preceding claims and comprising two side panels releasably attachable together.

12. A dispenser according to claim 11, wherein each side panel has adjustably mounted thereon a component, the two components cooperating in the assembled dispenser to provide in combination a rear wall for the first channel which can be adjusted relative to the opposite wall of the first channel to vary the depth of the first channel.

13. A dispenser according to claim 11 or 12, when appended to claim 7, wherein each side panel is provided with two spaced walls, the two spaced walls of each panel cooperating in the assembled dispenser to define the second channel.

14. A dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the two sets of two walls are, in the assembled dispenser, spaced from one another, whereby they define respective ends of the second channel, leaving open the intermediate portion of the second channel.

15. A dispenser according to any of claims 11 to 14, when appended to claims 9 or 10, wherein each side panel is provided with a component of the mounting means, the two mounting means cooperating in the assembled dispenser to provide in combination the mounting means by which the dispenser is removably mounted on a support surface.

16. A dispenser according to claim 15, wherein each component of the mounting means is adjustably mounted on the associated side panel.

17. A dispenser according to claim 15 or 16, wherein each component of the mounting means comprises a strut by which the dispenser is supported off the mounting surface.

18. A dispenser according to claim 17, wherein each strut is provided with a buffer pad for engagement with the mounting surface.

19. A dispenser according to any of claims 15 to 18, wherein each component of the mounting means has a hook member by which the dispenser can be hung on a support member.

20. A dispenser according to claim 11, and any of claims 12 to 19 when appended thereto, wherein the width of the first channel, and the second channel when present, is adjustable by providing on each side panel at least one series of adjustment means for attachment to a spacer, the adjustment means extending different distances from the side panel.

21. A dispenser according to claim 20, when appended to claim 9, wherein the, or at least one of the, series of adjustment means is disposed toward the upper rear corner of each side panel and the two longest adjustment means co-operate to form the mounting means by which the dispenser can be removably mounted on a support surface.

22. A dispenser according to claim 21, wherein the mounting means are co-operable with bracket means comprising a member which in use receives the longest mounting means of the dispenser and/or the spacer if the spacer is being used in conjunction with the longest mounting means.

23. A dispenser according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the bracket means comprises two components, one receiving the dispenser and the other being releasably attachable to the support surface, the two components being relatively adjustable to vary the position on the dispenser on the support surface.

24. A dispenser according to claim 23, wherein one component of the bracket means is provided with indicating means by which the required relative positions of the two components can be selected.

25. A dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the front lower corner has a first cut-away portion to provide side access to an article to be dispensed.

26. A dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the front lower corner has a second cut-away portion to accommodate articles in the second channel, when provided, which extend proud of the top edge of a dispenser located therebelow.

27. A dispenser according to claim 9, and any of claims 10 to 26 when appended thereto, wherein each side panel has a cut-out portion which provides side access to the first channel.

28. A dispenser according to claim 9, and any of claims 10 to 27 when appended thereto, wherein each side is provided with an insert which may carry retailer/distributor or other information.

29. A dispenser substantially as herein particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.