Dispenser for cutlery utensils

• US 20040089670A1
• Filed: 11/07/2002
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Fort James Corporation (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gonzalez, Ismael, Goeking, Harold J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,832,694 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/123
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/10 having mechanical dispensing means , e.g. with buttons or handles
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 2001/103 for cutlery

Abstract

The present invention provides a utensil dispenser for dispensing a utensil. The dispenser includes a base, which defines at least one dispensing opening. At least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of the base. The dispenser includes a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the at least one utensil. The utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the utensil to fall through the dispensing opening.

Claims

1. A utensil dispenser adapted for the dispensing of at least one utensil, comprising:

a housing having at least a bottom wall comprising a base, wherein the base defines at least one dispensing opening therein, wherein a plurality of inclined portions are formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base defining the dispensing opening, and wherein the inclined portions are inclined downward from a top surface of the base;

wherein at least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to the top surface of the base; and

a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the at least one utensil;

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening.

2. The utensil dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines an opening at a bottom end of the alignment guard member;

wherein the at least one utensil is capable of being aligned by the plurality of alignment members; and

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member and downward along the inclined portions to move through the alignment guard member opening to fall through the dispensing opening.

3. The utensil dispenser of claim 2, wherein the alignment guard member opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

4. The utensil dispenser of claim 1, wherein each inclined portion extends downward from the top surface of the base along a portion of an entire length of connecting edges of the dispensing opening, and wherein the connecting edges connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

5. The utensil dispenser of claim 1, wherein each inclined portion extends downward from the top surface of the base along an entire length of connecting edges of the dispensing opening, and wherein the connecting edges connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

6. The utensil dispenser of claim 1, wherein each inclined portion is provided as about 20% to about 25% of the thickness of the base.

7. The utensil dispenser of claim 1, wherein each inclined portion is provided along the entire thickness of the base.

8. The utensil dispenser of claim 1, wherein each inclined portion is inclined downward at an angle of about 1 degree to about 89 degrees relative to the top surface of the base.

9. The utensil dispenser of claim 8, wherein each inclined portion is inclined downward at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the top surface of the base.

10. The utensil dispenser of claim 1, wherein edges defining the dispensing opening on the top surface of the base from which the inclined portions incline are curved and are connecting edges that connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

11. The utensil dispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises at least one side wall;

wherein the dispensing mechanism includes an actuating member and a shaft portion, wherein the actuating member is provided outside of the at least one side wall of the housing, and wherein the shaft portion is connected with the actuating member and extends through an opening defined in the at least one side wall of the housing into an interior compartment of the housing; and

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening.

12. The utensil dispenser of claim 11, wherein the shaft portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

13. The utensil dispenser of claim 1, wherein a size and a shape of the dispensing opening is dependent on the type of utensil to be dispensed.

14. The utensil dispenser of claim 1, wherein a plurality of utensils are provided in a stack, and wherein a bottommost utensil in the stack is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the bottommost utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening.

15. The utensil dispenser of claim 14, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

16. The utensil dispenser of claim 14, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

17. The utensil dispenser of claim 14, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

18. The utensil dispenser of claim 14, wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

19. The utensil dispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing is mounted on a wall.

20. The utensil dispenser of claim 1, wherein a bin or tray is positioned under the housing so that a utensil dispensed from the housing falls into the bin or tray.

21. The utensil dispenser of claim 20, wherein the bin or tray is mounted on a wall.

22. The utensil dispenser of claim 1, wherein a slider member is provided under the housing so that a utensil is capable of sliding down the slider member after falling through the dispensing opening.

23. The utensil dispenser of claim 22, wherein the sliding member includes a stopping member, and wherein the utensil is stopped from sliding down the slider member by the stopping member.

24. The utensil dispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises at least one side wall, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

25. The utensil dispenser of claim 24, wherein the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

26. A utensil dispenser adapted for the dispensing of at least one utensil, comprising:

a housing having at least one wall, wherein the at least one wall defines an opening therein, and wherein the housing defines an interior compartment;

at least one cassette assembly provided in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the at least one cassette assembly includes a base, wherein the base defines a dispensing opening therein, wherein a plurality of inclined portions are formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base defining the dispensing opening, and wherein the inclined portions are inclined downward from a top surface of the base;

wherein at least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to the top surface of the base; and

a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the at least one utensil;

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

27. The utensil dispenser of claim 26, wherein the at least one cassette assembly further includes a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines an opening at a bottom end of the alignment guard member;

wherein the at least one utensil is capable of being aligned by the plurality of alignment members; and

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member and downward along the inclined portions to move through the alignment guard member opening to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

28. The utensil dispenser of claim 27, wherein the alignment guard member opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

29. The utensil dispenser of claim 26, wherein each inclined portion extends downward from the top surface of the cassette base along a portion of an entire length of connecting edges of the dispensing opening, and wherein the connecting edges connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

30. The utensil dispenser of claim 26, wherein each inclined portion extends downward from the top surface of the cassette base along an entire length of connecting edges of the dispensing opening, and wherein the connecting edges connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

31. The utensil dispenser of claim 26, wherein each inclined portion is provided as about 20% to about 25% of the thickness of the cassette base.

32. The utensil dispenser of claim 26, wherein each inclined portion is provided along the entire thickness of the cassette base.

33. The utensil dispenser of claim 26, wherein each inclined portion is inclined downward at an angle of about 1 degree to about 89 degrees relative to the top surface of the cassette base.

34. The utensil dispenser of claim 33, wherein each inclined portion is inclined downward at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the top surface of the cassette base.

35. The utensil dispenser of claim 26, wherein edges defining the dispensing opening on the top surface of the base from which the inclined portions incline are curved and are connecting edges that connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

36. The utensil dispenser of claim 26, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes an actuating member and a shaft portion, wherein the actuating member is provided outside of the at least one wall of the housing, and wherein the shaft portion is connected with the actuating member and extends through an opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing into the interior compartment of the housing.

37. The utensil dispenser of claim 36, wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

38. The utensil dispenser of claim 36, wherein the dispensing mechanism further includes a spring positioned around the shaft portion, wherein a first end of the spring contacts the actuating member and a second end of the spring contacts an outer edge of the base;

wherein, before dispensing, the actuating member is biased away from the at least one wall of the housing so that the shaft portion is biased away from the at least one utensil; and

wherein the user pushes the actuating member against the biasing force of the spring to dispense the at least one utensil.

39. The utensil dispenser of claim 36, wherein the shaft portion is configured to push only one utensil at a time.

40. The utensil dispenser of claim 26, wherein a size and a shape of the dispensing opening is dependent on the type of utensil to be dispensed.

41. The utensil dispenser of claim 26, wherein a plurality of utensils are provided in a stack, and wherein a bottommost utensil in the stack is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the bottommost utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening so that the utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

42. The utensil dispenser of claim 41, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

43. The utensil dispenser of claim 41, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

44. The utensil dispenser of claim 41, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

45. The utensil dispenser of claim 41, wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

46. The utensil dispenser of claim 26, further comprising a slider member provided in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the at least one cassette assembly, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the utensil is capable of sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

47. The utensil dispenser of claim 26, further comprising a holding member provided in the interior compartment of the housing to support the at least one cassette assembly in the housing, and wherein the holding member is spaced from a bottom of the housing.

48. The utensil dispenser of claim 47, further comprising a slider member provided in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the at least one cassette assembly, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the utensil is capable of sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

49. The utensil dispenser of claim 48, wherein a stopping member is provided that extends outward and upward from a bottom of the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein when the utensil slides down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing, the utensil is stopped from sliding by the stopping member.

50. The utensil dispenser of claim 26, wherein at least a portion of the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

51. The utensil dispenser of claim 50, wherein the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

52. The utensil dispenser of claim 26, wherein the at least one cassette assembly is capable of being replenished by providing at least one new utensil in the at least one cassette assembly.

53. The utensil dispenser of claim 26, wherein the at least one cassette assembly is capable of being removed from the housing and replaced with another cassette assembly.

314. The utensil dispenser of claim 31 wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

54. A utensil dispenser adapted for the dispensing of at least one utensil, comprising:

a housing having at least one wall, wherein the at least one wall defines an opening therein, and wherein the housing defines an interior compartment;

a plurality of cassette assemblies provided in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein each cassette assembly includes a base, and wherein each base defines a dispensing opening therein;

wherein, for at least one of the plurality of cassette assemblies, a plurality of inclined portions are formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base defining the dispensing opening, and wherein the inclined portions are inclined downward from a top surface of the base;

wherein, for the at least one cassette assembly, at least one utensil is capable of being positioned on or adjacent to the top surface of the base;

at least one dispensing mechanism, wherein the at least one dispensing mechanism is associated with the at least one cassette assembly; and

wherein, for the at least one cassette assembly, the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

55. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, wherein the at least one cassette assembly further includes a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, and wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines an opening at a bottom end of the alignment guard member;

wherein the at least one utensil is capable of being aligned by the plurality of alignment members; and

wherein the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member and downward along the inclined portions to move through the alignment guard member opening to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

56. The utensil dispenser of claim 55, wherein the alignment guard member opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

57. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, wherein, for the at least one cassette assembly, each inclined portion extends downward from the top surface of the cassette base along a portion of an entire length of connecting edges of the dispensing opening, and wherein the connecting edges connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

58. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, wherein, for the at least one cassette assembly, each inclined portion extends downward from the top surface of the cassette base along an entire length of connecting edges of the dispensing opening, and wherein the connecting edges connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

59. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, wherein, for the at least one cassette assembly, each inclined portion is provided as about 20% to about 25% of the thickness of the cassette base.

60. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, wherein, for the at least one cassette assembly, each inclined portion is provided along the entire thickness of the cassette base.

61. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, wherein, for the at least one cassette assembly, each inclined portion is inclined downward at an angle of about 1 degree to about 89 degrees relative to the top surface of the cassette base.

62. The utensil dispenser of claim 61, wherein each inclined portion is inclined downward at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the top surface of the cassette base.

63. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, wherein, for the at least one cassette assembly, edges defining the dispensing opening on the top surface of the base from which the inclined portions incline are curved and are connecting edges that connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

64. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, wherein, for the at least one cassette assembly, the at least one dispensing mechanism includes an actuating member and a shaft portion, wherein the actuating member is provided outside of the at least one wall of the housing, and wherein the shaft portion is connected with the actuating member and extends through an opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing into the interior compartment of the housing.

65. The utensil dispenser of claim 64, wherein, for the at least one cassette assembly, its at least one utensil is dispensed by a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

66. The utensil dispenser of claim 64, wherein, for the at least one cassette assembly, the at least one dispensing mechanism further includes a spring positioned around the shaft portion, wherein a first end of the spring contacts the actuating member and a second end of the spring contacts an outer edge of the base;

wherein, before dispensing, the actuating member is biased away from the at least one wall of the housing so that the shaft portion is biased away from the at least one utensil; and

wherein the user pushes the actuating member against the biasing force of the spring to dispense the at least one utensil from the at least one cassette assembly.

67. The utensil dispenser of claim 64, wherein, for the at least one cassette assembly, the shaft portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

68. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, wherein, for the at least one cassette assembly, a size and a shape of the dispensing opening is dependent on the type of utensil to be dispensed.

69. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, wherein, for the at least one cassette assembly, a plurality of utensils are provided in a stack, and wherein a bottommost utensil in the stack is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the bottommost utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening so that that utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

70. The utensil dispenser of claim 69, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

71. The utensil dispenser of claim 69, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

72. The utensil dispenser of claim 69, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

73. The utensil dispenser of claim 69, wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

74. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, wherein a plurality of utensils is provided in a stack in each cassette assembly;

wherein, for each cassette assembly, a plurality of inclined portions are formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base defining the dispensing opening, and wherein the inclined portions are inclined downward from a top surface of the base;

a plurality of dispensing mechanisms, each dispensing mechanism being associated with one of the plurality of cassette assemblies;

wherein, for each cassette assembly, a bottommost utensil in its stack is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism for that cassette assembly moving the bottommost utensil downward along the inclined portions of that cassette assembly to fall through the dispensing opening of that cassette assembly so that that utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

75. The utensil dispenser of claim 74, wherein each cassette assembly further includes a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, and wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines an opening at a bottom end of the alignment guard member;

wherein each of the utensils in each stack is capable of being aligned by the plurality of alignment members of its respective cassette assembly; and

wherein, for each cassette assembly, a bottommost utensil in its stack is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism for that cassette assembly moving the bottommost utensil toward the alignment guard member of that cassette assembly and downward along the inclined portions of that cassette assembly to move through the alignment guard member opening of that cassette assembly to fall through the dispensing opening of that cassette assembly so that that utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

76. The utensil dispenser of claim 75, wherein, for each cassette assembly, the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

77. The utensil dispenser of claim 75, wherein, for each cassette assembly, the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

78. The utensil dispenser of claim 75, wherein, for each cassette assembly, the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

79. The utensil dispenser of claim 75, wherein, for each cassette assembly, after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

80. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, further comprising a slider member provided in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the plurality of cassette assemblies, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein, for each cassette assembly, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the utensil is capable of sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

81. The utensil dispenser of claim 75, further comprising a slider member provided in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the plurality of cassette assemblies, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein, for each cassette assembly, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the utensil is capable of sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

82. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, further comprising a holding member provided in the interior compartment of the housing to support the plurality of cassette assemblies provided in the housing, and wherein the holding member is spaced from a bottom of the housing.

83. The utensil dispenser of claim 82, further comprising a slider member provided in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the plurality of cassette assemblies, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein, for each cassette assembly, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the utensil is capable of sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

84. The utensil dispenser of claim 83, wherein a stopping member is provided that extends outward and upward from a bottom of the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein when the utensil slides down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing, the utensil is stopped from sliding by the stopping member.

85. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, wherein at least a portion of the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

86. The utensil dispenser of claim 85, wherein the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

87. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, wherein at least one of the plurality of cassette assemblies is capable of being replenished by providing at least one new utensil in the at least one cassette assembly.

88. The utensil dispenser of claim 54, wherein at least one of the plurality of cassette assemblies is capable of being removed from the housing and replaced with another cassette assembly.

89. A method of dispensing a utensil, comprising:

providing a base, wherein at least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of the base, wherein the base defines a dispensing opening, and wherein the dispensing opening includes a plurality of inclined portions formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base that are inclined downward from the top surface of the base;

providing a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the at least one utensil; and

dispensing the at least one utensil by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening.

90. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 89, further comprising:

providing a housing, wherein the housing includes at least a bottom wall comprising the base; and

providing a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines an opening at a bottom end of the alignment guard member, and wherein the at least one utensil is capable of being aligned by the alignment members;

wherein dispensing the at least one utensil includes the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member and downward along the inclined portions to move through the alignment guard member opening to fall through the dispensing opening.

91. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 90, wherein the alignment guard member opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

92. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 89, wherein each inclined portion extends downward from the top surface of the base along a portion of an entire length of connecting edges of the dispensing opening, and wherein the connecting edges connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

93. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 89, wherein each inclined portion extends downward from the top surface of the base along an entire length of connecting edges of the dispensing opening, and wherein the connecting edges connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

94. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 89, wherein each inclined portion is provided as about 20% to about 25% of the thickness of the base.

95. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 89, wherein each inclined portion is provided along the entire thickness of the base.

96. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 89, wherein each inclined portion is inclined downward at an angle of about 1 degree to about 89 degrees relative to the top surface of the base.

97. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 96, wherein each inclined portion is inclined downward at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the top surface of the base.

98. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 89, wherein edges defining the dispensing opening on the top surface of the base from which the inclined portions incline are curved and are connecting edges that connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

99. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 89, further comprising providing a plurality of utensils in a stack on the base, and wherein dispensing includes dispensing a bottommost utensil in the stack.

100. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 99, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

101. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 99, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

102. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 99, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

103. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 99, wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

104. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 90, wherein the housing is mounted on a wall.

105. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 90, further comprising providing a bin or tray positioned under the housing so that a utensil dispensed from the housing falls into the bin or tray.

106. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 105, wherein the bin or tray is mounted on a wall.

107. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 90, further comprising providing a slider member under the housing so that a utensil is capable of sliding down the slider member after falling through the dispensing opening.

108. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 107, wherein the sliding member includes a stopping member, and wherein the utensil is stopped from sliding down the slider member by the stopping member.

109. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 90, wherein the housing comprises at least one side wall, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

110. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 109, wherein the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

111. A method of dispensing a utensil, comprising:

providing a housing, wherein the housing defines an interior compartment;

providing at least one base in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein at least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of the base, wherein the base defines a dispensing opening therein, and wherein the dispensing opening includes a plurality of inclined portions formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base that are inclined downward from the top surface of the base;

providing a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the at least one utensil; and

dispensing the at least one utensil by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening.

112. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 111, further comprising:

providing a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines an opening at a bottom end of the alignment guard member, and wherein the at least one utensil is capable of being aligned by the plurality of alignment members;

wherein dispensing the at least one utensil includes the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member and downward along the inclined portions to move through the alignment guard member opening to fall through the dispensing opening.

113. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 112, wherein the alignment guard member opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

114. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 111, wherein each inclined portion extends downward from the top surface of the base along a portion of an entire length of connecting edges of the dispensing opening, and wherein the connecting edges connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

115. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 111, wherein each inclined portion extends downward from the top surface of the base along an entire length of connecting edges of the dispensing opening, and wherein the connecting edges connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

116. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 111, wherein each inclined portion is provided as about 20% to about 25% of the thickness of the base.

117. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 111, wherein each inclined portion is provided along the entire thickness of base.

118. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 111, wherein each inclined portion is inclined downward at an angle of about 1 degree to about 89 degrees relative to the top surface of the base.

119. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 118, wherein each inclined portion is inclined downward at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the top surface of the base.

120. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 111, wherein edges defining the dispensing opening on the top surface of the base from which the inclined portions incline are curved and are connecting edges that connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

121. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 111, further comprising providing a plurality of utensils in a stack on the at least one base, and wherein dispensing includes dispensing a bottommost utensil in the stack.

122. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 121, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

123. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 121, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

124. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 121, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

125. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 121, wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

126. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 111, wherein the housing includes at least one side wall defining an opening, further comprising:

providing a slider member in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the at least one base, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the least one side wall of the housing; and

wherein dispensing further includes, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, that utensil sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one side wall of the housing.

127. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 111, further comprising providing a holding member in the interior compartment of the housing to support the at least one base in the housing, and wherein the holding member is spaced from a bottom of the housing.

128. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 127, wherein the housing includes at least one side wall defining an opening, further comprising:

providing a slider member in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the at least one base, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the least one side wall of the housing; and

wherein dispensing further includes, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, that utensil sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one side wall of the housing.

129. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 128, further comprising providing a stopping member that extends outward and upward from a bottom of the at least one side wall of the housing;

and

wherein dispensing further includes stopping the utensil from sliding on the slider member by the stopping member.

130. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 111, wherein at least a portion of the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

131. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 130, wherein the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

132. A method of dispensing a utensil, comprising:

providing a housing, wherein the housing defines an interior compartment;

providing a plurality of bases in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein at least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of at least one base;

wherein, for the at least one base, the base defines a dispensing opening therein, wherein a plurality of inclined portions are formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base defining the dispensing opening, and wherein the inclined portions are inclined downward from the top surface of the base;

providing at least one dispensing mechanism, wherein the at least one dispensing mechanism is associated with the at least one base; and

for the at least one base, dispensing the at least one utensil by the at least one dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening.

133. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 132, wherein the housing has at least one wall defining an opening therein, further comprising:

providing a plurality of cassette assemblies in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein each cassette assembly includes at least one base and a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from each base, wherein, for each cassette assembly, at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines an opening at a bottom end of the alignment guard member, and wherein, for at least one cassette assembly, at least one utensil is capable of being aligned by the plurality of alignment members; and

wherein dispensing the at least one utensil includes the at least one dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member and downward along the inclined portions to move through the alignment guard member opening to fall through the dispensing opening.

134. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 133, wherein the alignment guard member opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

135. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 132, wherein, for the at least one base, each inclined portion extends downward from the top surface of the base along a portion of an entire length of connecting edges of the dispensing opening, and wherein the connecting edges connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

136. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 132, wherein, for the at least one base, each inclined portion extends downward from the top surface of the base along an entire length of connecting edges of the dispensing opening, and wherein the connecting edges connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

137. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 132, wherein, for the at least one base, each inclined portion is provided as about 20% to about 25% of the thickness of the base.

138. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 132, wherein, for the at least one base, each inclined portion is provided along the entire thickness of the base.

139. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 132, wherein, for the at least one base, each inclined portion is inclined downward at an angle of about 1 degree to about 89 degrees relative to the top surface of the base.

140. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 139, wherein each inclined portion is inclined downward at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the top surface of the base.

141. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 132, wherein, for the at least one base, edges defining the dispensing opening on the top surface of the base from which the inclined portions incline are curved and are connecting edges that connect a narrower portion of the dispensing opening and a wider portion of the dispensing opening.

142. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 132, further comprising, for the at least one base, providing a plurality of utensils in a stack, and wherein dispensing includes dispensing a bottommost utensil in the stack.

143. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 142, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

144. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 142, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

145. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 142, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

146. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 142, wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

147. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 133, further comprising, for each cassette assembly, providing a plurality of utensils in a stack, wherein each of the utensils in each stack is capable of being aligned by the plurality of alignment members of its respective cassette assembly;

wherein, for each cassette assembly, a plurality of inclined portions are formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base defining the dispensing opening, and wherein the inclined portions are inclined downward from the top surface of the base; and

wherein, for each cassette assembly, dispensing includes dispensing a bottommost utensil in each stack by the dispensing mechanism moving the bottommost utensil toward the alignment guard member of that cassette assembly and downward along the inclined portions of that cassette assembly to move through the alignment guard member opening of that cassette assembly to fall through the dispensing opening of that cassette assembly.

148. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 147, wherein, for at least one cassette assembly, the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

149. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 147, wherein, for at least one cassette assembly, the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

150. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 147, wherein, for at least one cassette assembly, the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

151. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 147, wherein, for at least one cassette assembly, after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

152. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 132, wherein the housing includes at least one side wall defining an opening, further comprising:

providing a slider member in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the plurality of bases, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the at least one side wall of the housing; and

wherein dispensing further includes, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the utensil sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

153. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 132, further comprising providing a holding member in the interior compartment of the housing to support the plurality of bases provided in the housing, and wherein the holding member is spaced from a bottom of the housing.

154. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 153, wherein the housing includes at least one side wall defining an opening, further comprising:

providing a slider member in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the plurality of bases, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the at least one side wall of the housing; and

wherein dispensing further includes, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the utensil sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

155. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 154, further comprising providing a stopping member that extends outward and upward from a bottom of the at least one side wall of the housing;

and

wherein dispensing further includes stopping the utensil from sliding on the slider member by the stopping member.

156. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 132, wherein the housing includes at least one wall, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

157. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 156, wherein the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

158. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 133, further comprising replenishing at least one of the plurality of cassette assemblies by providing at least one new utensil in the at least one cassette assembly.

159. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 133, further comprising removing at least one of the plurality of cassette assemblies from the housing and replacing it with another cassette assembly.

160. A utensil dispenser adapted for dispensing of at least one utensil, comprising:

a housing having at least a bottom wall comprising a base having at least one dispensing opening defined therethrough, and wherein a plurality of downwardly inclined support surfaces are formed in the base adjacent the dispensing opening;

a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines a lateral opening extending generally perpendicularly away from the base at an end of the alignment guard member adjacent the base, and wherein the alignment members are configured and disposed to restrain a stack of a plurality of utensils resting on the base closely adjacent to the dispensing opening in a supported configuration and restraining all but a bottommost utensil of the stack of utensils from being moved out of the supported configuration;

wherein the bottommost utensil is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of the base and is capable of being moved through the lateral opening out of the supported configuration; and

a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the bottommost utensil through the lateral opening out of the supported configuration;

wherein the bottommost utensil of the stack of utensils is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the bottommost utensil toward the alignment guard member and downward along the inclined support surfaces to move through the lateral opening to fall through the dispensing opening without imparting substantial upward movement to any of the utensils stacked above the bottommost utensil.

161. The utensil dispenser of claim 160, wherein the housing comprises at least one side wall;

wherein the dispensing mechanism includes an actuating member and a shaft portion, wherein the actuating member is provided outside of the at least one side wall of the housing and wherein the shaft portion is connected with the actuating member and extends through an opening defined in the at least one side wall of the housing into an interior compartment of the housing; and

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member and downward along the inclined portions to move through the alignment guard member opening to fall through the dispensing opening.

162. The utensil dispenser of claim 161, wherein the shaft portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

163. The utensil dispenser of claim 160, wherein the lateral opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

164. The utensil dispenser of claim 160, wherein a size and a shape of the dispensing opening is dependent on the type of utensil to be dispensed.

165. The utensil dispenser of claim 160, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

166. The utensil dispenser of claim 160, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

167. The utensil dispenser of claim 160, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

168. The utensil dispenser of claim 160, wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

169. The utensil dispenser of claim 160, wherein the housing is mounted on a wall.

170. The utensil dispenser of claim 160, wherein a bin or tray is positioned under the housing so that a utensil dispensed from the housing falls into the bin or tray.

171. The utensil dispenser of claim 170, wherein the bin or tray is mounted on a wall.

172. The utensil dispenser of claim 160, wherein a slider member is provided under the housing so that a utensil is capable of sliding down the slider member after falling through the dispensing opening.

173. The utensil dispenser of claim 172, wherein the sliding member includes a stopping member, and wherein the utensil is stopped from sliding down the slider member by the stopping member.

174. The utensil dispenser of claim 160, wherein the housing comprises at least one side wall, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

175. The utensil dispenser of claim 174, wherein the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

176. A method of dispensing a utensil, comprising:

providing a housing having an interior compartment;

providing a base within the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the base has at least one dispensing opening defined therein, wherein a plurality of downwardly inclined support surfaces are formed in the base adjacent the dispensing opening, and wherein a bottommost utensil of a stack of utensils is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of the base;

providing a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the bottommost utensil; and

dispensing the bottommost utensil of the stack of utensils by the dispensing mechanism moving the bottommost utensil downward along the inclined support surfaces to fall through the dispensing opening without imparting substantial upward movement to any of the utensils stacked above the bottommost utensil.

177. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 176, further comprising:

providing a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines a lateral opening extending generally perpendicularly away from the base at an end of the alignment guard member adjacent the base, and wherein the alignment members are configured and disposed to restrain a stack of a plurality of utensils resting on the base closely adjacent to the dispensing opening in a supported configuration and restraining all but a bottommost utensil of the stack of utensils from being moved out of the supported configuration; and

wherein dispensing includes the dispensing mechanism moving the bottommost utensil toward the alignment guard member and downward along the inclined support surfaces to move through the lateral opening to fall through the dispensing opening without imparting substantial upward movement to any of the utensils stacked above the bottommost utensil.

178. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 176, wherein the housing comprises at least one side wall;

wherein the dispensing mechanism includes an actuating member and a shaft portion, wherein the actuating member is provided outside of the at least one side wall of the housing, and wherein the shaft portion is connected with the actuating member and extends through an opening defined in the at least one side wall of the housing into an interior compartment of the housing; and

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member and downward along the inclined support surfaces to move through the lateral opening to fall through the dispensing opening.

179. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 178, wherein the shaft portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

180. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 177, wherein the lateral opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

181. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 176, wherein a size and a shape of the dispensing opening is dependent on the type of utensil to be dispensed.

182. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 176, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

183. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 176, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

184. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 176, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

185. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 176, wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

186. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 176, wherein the housing is mounted on a wall.

187. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 176, wherein a bin or tray is positioned under the housing so that a utensil dispensed from the housing falls into the bin or tray.

188. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 187, wherein the bin or tray is mounted on a wall.

189. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 176, wherein a slider member is provided under the housing so that a utensil is capable of sliding down the slider member after failing through the dispensing opening.

190. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 189, wherein the sliding member includes a stopping member, and wherein the utensil is stopped from sliding down the slider member by the stopping member.

191. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 176, wherein the housing comprises at least one side wall, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

192. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 191, wherein the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

193. A utensil dispenser adapted for the dispensing of at lease one utensil, comprising:

a housing having at least a bottom wall comprising a base, wherein the base defines at least one dispensing opening therein, and wherein a length of the dispensing opening is greater than a length of a utensil to be dispensed from the utensil dispenser;

wherein at least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of the base and, before being dispensed, the at least one utensil partly lays over the dispensing opening; and

a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the at least one utensil;

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening.

194. The utensil dispenser of claim 193, further comprising a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines an opening at a bottom end of the alignment guard member;

wherein the at least one utensil is capable of being aligned by the plurality of alignment members; and

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member to move through the alignment guard member opening to fall through the dispensing opening.

195. The utensil dispenser of claim 194, wherein the alignment guard member opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

196. The utensil dispenser of claim 193, wherein the housing comprises at least one side wall;

wherein the dispensing mechanism includes an actuating member and a shaft portion, wherein the actuating member is provided outside of the at least one side wall of the housing and wherein the shaft portion is connected with the actuating member and extends through an opening defined in the at least one side wall of the housing into an interior compartment of the housing.

197. The utensil dispenser of claim 196, wherein a plurality of inclined portions are formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base defining the dispensing opening, wherein the inclined portions are inclined downward from the top surface of the base;

and

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening.

198. The utensil dispenser of claim 196, wherein the shaft portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

199. The utensil dispenser of claim 196, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a translating mechanism for translating a motion from a first direction to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;

wherein the translating mechanism includes a translating portion having a first end and a second end, and a pushing portion;

wherein the first end of the translating portion is connected with the shaft portion;

wherein the second end of the translating portion is connected with the pushing portion, wherein the second end of the translating portion and the pushing portion are connected together with the base at a pivot point; and

wherein the pushing portion is capable of moving the at least one utensil.

200. The utensil dispenser of claim 199, wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the translating portion, which causes the first end of the translating portion to move in the first direction and causes the second end of the translating portion to rotate at the pivot point, which causes the pushing portion to rotate toward the at least one utensil and then to move the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening.

201. The utensil dispenser of claim 199, wherein the pushing portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

202. The utensil dispenser of claim 196, wherein the dispensing mechanism further includes a spring positioned around the shaft portion, wherein a first end of the spring contacts the actuating member and a second end of the spring contacts an outer edge of the base;

wherein, before dispensing, the actuating member is biased away from the at least one side wall of the housing so that the shaft portion is biased away from the at least one utensil; and

wherein the user pushes the actuating member against the biasing force of the spring to dispense the at least one utensil.

203. The utensil dispenser of claim 193, wherein a plurality of utensils are provided in a stack, and wherein a bottommost utensil in the stack is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the bottommost utensil to fall through the dispensing opening.

204. The utensil dispenser of claim 203, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

205. The utensil dispenser of claim 203, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

206. The utensil dispenser of claim 203, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

207. The utensil dispenser of claim 203, wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

208. The utensil dispenser of claim 193, wherein the housing is mounted on a wall.

209. The utensil dispenser of claim 193, wherein a bin or tray is positioned under the housing so that a utensil dispensed from the housing falls into the bin or tray.

210. The utensil dispenser of claim 209, wherein the bin or tray is mounted on a wall.

211. The utensil dispenser of claim 193, wherein a slider member is provided under the housing so that a utensil is capable of sliding down the slider member after falling through the dispensing opening.

212. The utensil dispenser of claim 211, wherein the sliding member includes a stopping member, and wherein the utensil is stopped from sliding down the slider member by the stopping member.

213. The utensil dispenser of claim 193, wherein the housing comprises at least one side wall, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

214. The utensil dispenser of claim 213, wherein the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

215. A utensil dispenser adapted for the dispensing of at least one utensil, comprising:

a housing having at least one wall, wherein the at least one wall defines an opening therein, and wherein the housing defines an interior compartment;

at least one cassette assembly provided in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the at least one cassette assembly includes a base, wherein the base defines a dispensing opening therein, and wherein a length of the dispensing opening is greater than a length of a utensil to be dispensed from the utensil dispenser;

wherein at least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of the base and, before being dispensed, the at least one utensil partly lays over the dispensing opening; and

a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the at least one utensil;

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

216. The utensil dispenser of claim 215, wherein the at least one cassette assembly further includes a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines an opening at a bottom end of the alignment guard member;

wherein the at least one utensil is capable of being aligned by the plurality of alignment members; and

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member to move through the alignment guard member opening to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

217. The utensil dispenser of claim 216, wherein the alignment guard member opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

218. The utensil dispenser of claim 215, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes an actuating member and a shaft portion, wherein the actuating member is provided outside of the at least one wall of the housing and wherein the shaft portion is connected with the actuating member and extends through an opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing into the interior compartment of the housing.

219. The utensil dispenser of claim 218, wherein a plurality of inclined portions are formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base defining the dispensing opening, and wherein the inclined portions are inclined downward from the top surface of the base;

and

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening.

220. The utensil dispenser of claim 218, wherein the shaft portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

221. The utensil dispenser of claim 218, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a translating mechanism for translating a motion from a first direction to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;

wherein the translating mechanism includes a translating portion having a first end and a second end, and a pushing portion;

wherein the first end of the translating portion is connected with the shaft portion;

wherein the second end of the translating portion is connected with the pushing portion, wherein the second end of the translating portion and the pushing portion are connected together with the base at a pivot point; and

wherein the pushing portion is capable of moving the at least one utensil.

222. The utensil dispenser of claim 221, wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the translating portion, which causes the first end of the translating portion to move in the first direction and causes the second end of the translating portion to rotate at the pivot point, which causes the pushing portion to rotate toward the at least one utensil and then to move the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

223. The utensil dispenser of claim 221, wherein the pushing portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

224. The utensil dispenser of claim 218, wherein the dispensing mechanism further includes a spring positioned around the shaft portion, wherein a first end of the spring contacts the actuating member and a second end of the spring contacts an outer edge of the base;

wherein, before dispensing, the actuating member is biased away from the at least one wall of the housing so that the shaft portion is biased away from the at least one utensil; and

wherein the user pushes the actuating member against the biasing force of the spring to dispense the at least one utensil.

225. The utensil dispenser of claim 215, wherein a plurality of utensils are provided in a stack, and wherein a bottommost utensil in the stack is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the bottommost utensil to fall through the dispensing opening so that that utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

226. The utensil dispenser of claim 225, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

227. The utensil dispenser of claim 225, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

228. The utensil dispenser of claim 225, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

229. The utensil dispenser of claim 225, wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

230. The utensil dispenser of claim 215, further comprising a slider member provided in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the at least one cassette assembly, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the utensil is capable of sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

231. The utensil dispenser of claim 215, further comprising a holding member provided in the interior compartment of the housing to support the at least one cassette assembly in the housing, and wherein the holding member is spaced from a bottom of the housing.

232. The utensil dispenser of claim 231, further comprising a slider member provided in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the at least one cassette assembly, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the utensil is capable of sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

233. The utensil dispenser of claim 232, wherein a stopping member is provided that extends outward and upward from a bottom of the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein when the utensil slides down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing, the utensil is stopped from sliding by the stopping member.

234. The utensil dispenser of claim 215, wherein at least a portion of the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

235. The utensil dispenser of claim 234, wherein the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

236. The utensil dispenser of claim 215, wherein the at least one cassette assembly is capable of being replenished by providing at least one new utensil in the at least one cassette assembly.

237. The utensil dispenser of claim 215, wherein the at least one cassette assembly is capable of being removed from the housing and replaced with another cassette assembly.

238. A method of dispensing at least one utensil, comprising:

providing a housing having at least a bottom wall comprising a base, wherein the base defines at least one dispensing opening therein, and wherein a length of the dispensing opening is greater than a length of a utensil to be dispensed from the utensil dispenser;

wherein at least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of the base and, before being dispensed, the at least one utensil partly lays over the dispensing opening;

providing a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the at least one utensil; and

dispensing the at least one utensil by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening.

239. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 238, further comprising:

providing a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines an opening at a bottom end of the alignment guard member;

wherein the at least one utensil is capable of being aligned by the plurality of alignment members; and

wherein dispensing includes the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member to move through the alignment guard member opening to fall through the dispensing opening.

240. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 239, wherein the alignment guard member opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

241. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 238, wherein the housing comprises at least one side wall;

wherein the dispensing mechanism includes an actuating member and a shaft portion, wherein the actuating member is provided outside of the at least one side wall of the housing and wherein the shaft portion is connected with the actuating member and extends through an opening defined in the at least one side wall of the housing into an interior compartment of the housing.

242. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 241, wherein a plurality of inclined portions are formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base defining the dispensing opening, and wherein the inclined portions are inclined downward from the top surface of the base;

and

wherein dispensing includes a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening.

243. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 241, wherein the shaft portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

244. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 241, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a translating mechanism for translating a motion from a first direction to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;

wherein the translating mechanism includes a translating portion having a first end and a second end, and a pushing portion;

wherein the first end of the translating portion is connected with the shaft portion;

wherein the second end of the translating portion is connected with the pushing portion, wherein the second end of the translating portion and the pushing portion are connected together with the base at a pivot point; and

wherein the pushing portion is capable of moving the at least one utensil.

245. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 244, wherein the dispensing step comprises the at least one utensil being dispensed by a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the translating portion, which causes the first end of the translating portion to move in the first direction and causes the second end of the translating portion to rotate at the pivot point, which causes the pushing portion to rotate toward the at least one utensil and then to move the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening.

246. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 244, wherein the pushing portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

247. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 241, wherein the dispensing mechanism further includes a spring positioned around the shaft portion, wherein a first end of the spring contacts the actuating member and a second end of the spring contacts an outer edge of the base;

wherein, before dispensing, the actuating member is biased away from the at least one side wall of the housing so that the shaft portion is biased away from the at least one utensil; and

wherein the user pushes the actuating member against the biasing force of the spring to dispense the at least one utensil.

248. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 238, further comprising providing a plurality of utensils in a stack, and wherein dispensing includes dispensing a bottommost utensil in the stack by the dispensing mechanism moving the bottommost utensil to fall through the dispensing opening.

249. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 248, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

250. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 248, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

251. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 248, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

252. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 248, wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

253. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 238, wherein the housing is mounted on a wall.

254. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 238, wherein a bin or tray is positioned under the housing so that a utensil dispensed from the housing falls into the bin or tray.

255. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 254, wherein the bin or tray is mounted on a wall.

256. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 238, further comprising providing a slider member under the housing;

and

wherein dispensing further includes, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, that utensil sliding down the slider member.

257. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 256, further comprising providing the sliding member with a stopping member;

and

wherein dispensing further includes stopping the utensil from sliding on the slider member by the stopping member.

258. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 238, wherein the housing comprises at least one side wall, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

259. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 258, wherein the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

260. A method of dispensing at least one utensil, comprising:

providing a housing having at least one wall, wherein the at least one wall defines an opening therein, and wherein the housing defines an interior compartment;

providing at least one base in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the base defines a dispensing opening therein, and wherein a length of the dispensing opening is greater than a length of a utensil to be dispensed from the utensil dispenser;

wherein at least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of the base and, before being dispensed, the at least one utensil partly lays over the dispensing opening;

providing a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the at least one utensil; and

dispensing the at least one utensil by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

261. The method of dispensing of claim 260, further providing a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines an opening at a bottom end of the alignment guard member;

wherein the at least one utensil is capable of being aligned by the plurality of alignment members; and

wherein dispensing includes the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member to move through the alignment guard member opening to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

262. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 261, wherein the alignment guard member opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

263. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 260, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes an actuating member and a shaft portion, wherein the actuating member is provided outside of the at least one wall of the housing and wherein the shaft portion is connected with the actuating member and extends through an opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing into the interior compartment of the housing.

264. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 263, wherein a plurality of inclined portions are formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base defining the dispensing opening, and wherein the inclined portions are inclined downward from the top surface of the base;

and

wherein dispensing includes a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portions to fall through the dispensing opening.

265. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 263, wherein the shaft portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

266. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 263, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a translating mechanism for translating a motion from a first direction to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;

wherein the translating mechanism includes a translating portion having a first end and a second end, and a pushing portion;

wherein the first end of the translating portion is connected with the shaft portion;

wherein the second end of the translating portion is connected with the pushing portion, wherein the second end of the translating portion and the pushing portion are connected together with the base at a pivot point; and

wherein the pushing portion is capable of moving the at least one utensil.

267. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 266, wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the translating portion, which causes the first end of the translating portion to move in the first direction and causes the second end of the translating portion to rotate at the pivot point, which causes the pushing portion to rotate toward the at least one utensil and then to move the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

268. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 266, wherein the pushing portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

269. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 263, wherein the dispensing mechanism further includes a spring positioned around the shaft portion, wherein a first end of the spring contacts the actuating member and a second end of the spring contacts an outer edge of the base;

wherein, before dispensing, the actuating member is biased away from the at least one wall of the housing so that the shaft portion is biased away from the at least one utensil; and

wherein the user pushes the actuating member against the biasing force of the spring to dispense the at least one utensil.

270. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 260, further comprising providing a plurality of utensils in a stack;

and

wherein dispensing includes dispensing a bottommost utensil in the stack by the dispensing mechanism moving the bottommost utensil to fall through the dispensing opening so that that utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

271. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 270, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

272. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 270, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

273. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 270, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

274. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 270, wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

275. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 260, further comprising providing a slider member in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the at least one base, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein dispensing further includes, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the utensil sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

276. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 260, further comprising providing a holding member in the interior compartment of the housing to support the at least one base in the housing, and wherein the holding member is spaced from a bottom of the housing.

277. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 276, further comprising providing a slider member in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the at least one base, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein dispensing further includes, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the utensil sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

278. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 277, further comprising providing a stopping member that extends outward and upward from a bottom of the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein dispensing further includes stopping the utensil from sliding on the slider member by the stopping member.

279. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 260, wherein at least a portion of the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

280. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 279, wherein the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

281. A utensil dispenser adapted for the dispensing of at least one utensil, comprising:

a housing having at least a bottom wall comprising a base, wherein the base defines at least one dispensing opening therein;

wherein at least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of the base; and

a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the at least one utensil, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a translating mechanism for translating a motion from a first direction to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening.

282. The utensil dispenser of claim 281, further comprising a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines an opening at a bottom end of the alignment guard member;

wherein the at least one utensil is capable of being aligned by the plurality of alignment members; and

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member to move through the alignment guard member opening to fall through the dispensing opening.

283. The utensil dispenser of claim 282, wherein the alignment guard member opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

284. The utensil dispenser of claim 281, wherein the housing comprises at least one side wall;

wherein the dispensing mechanism includes an actuating member and a shaft portion, wherein the actuating member is provided outside of the at least one side wall of the housing and wherein the shaft portion is connected with the actuating member and extends through an opening defined in the at least one side wall of the housing into an interior compartment of the housing;

wherein the translating mechanism includes a translating portion having a first end and a second end, and a pushing portion;

wherein the first end of the translating portion is connected with the shaft portion;

wherein the second end of the translating portion is connected with the pushing portion, wherein the second end of the translating portion and the pushing portion are connected together with the base at a pivot point; and

wherein the pushing portion is capable of moving the at least one utensil.

285. The utensil dispenser of claim 284, wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the translating portion, which causes the first end of the translating portion to move in the first direction and causes the second end of the translating portion to rotate at the pivot point, which causes the pushing portion to rotate toward the at least one utensil and then to move the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening.

286. The utensil dispenser of claim 284, wherein the pushing portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

287. The utensil dispenser of claim 284, wherein the dispensing mechanism further includes a spring positioned around the shaft portion, wherein a first end of the spring contacts the actuating member and a second end of the spring contacts an outer edge of the base;

wherein, before dispensing, the actuating member is biased away from the at least one side wall of the housing so that the shaft portion is biased away from the at least one utensil; and

wherein the user pushes the actuating member against the biasing force of the spring to dispense the at least one utensil.

288. The utensil dispenser of claim 281, wherein a size and a shape of the dispensing opening is dependent on the type of utensil to be dispensed.

289. The utensil dispenser of claim 281, wherein a plurality of utensils are provided in a stack, and wherein a bottommost utensil in the stack is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the bottommost utensil to fall through the dispensing opening.

290. The utensil dispenser of claim 289, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

291. The utensil dispenser of claim 289, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

292. The utensil dispenser of claim 289, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

293. The utensil dispenser of claim 289, wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

294. The utensil dispenser of claim 281, wherein the housing is mounted on a wall.

295. The utensil dispenser of claim 281, wherein a bin or tray is positioned under the housing so that a utensil dispensed from the housing falls into the bin or tray.

296. The utensil dispenser of claim 295, wherein the bin or tray is mounted on a wall.

297. The utensil dispenser of claim 281, wherein a slider member is provided under the housing so that a utensil is capable of sliding down the slider member after falling through the dispensing opening.

298. The utensil dispenser of claim 297, wherein the sliding member includes a stopping member, and wherein the utensil is stopped from sliding down the slider member by the stopping member.

299. The utensil dispenser of claim 281, wherein the housing comprises at least one side wall, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

300. The utensil dispenser of claim 299, wherein the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

301. The utensil dispenser of claim 281, wherein at least one inclined portion is formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base defining the dispensing opening, and wherein the inclined portion is inclined downward from the top surface of the base;

and

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portion to fall through the dispensing opening.

302. A utensil dispenser adapted for the dispensing of at least one utensil, comprising:

a housing having at least one wall, wherein the at least one wall defines an opening therein, and wherein the housing defines an interior compartment;

at least one cassette assembly provided in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the at least one cassette assembly includes a base, wherein at least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of the base, and wherein the base defines a dispensing opening therein; and

a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the at least one utensil, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a translating mechanism for translating a motion from a first direction to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

303. The utensil dispenser of claim 302, wherein the at least one cassette assembly further includes a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines an opening at a bottom end of the alignment guard member;

wherein the at least one utensil is capable of being aligned by the plurality of alignment members; and

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member to move through the alignment guard member opening to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

304. The utensil dispenser of claim 303, wherein the alignment guard member opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

305. The utensil dispenser of claim 302, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes an actuating member and a shaft portion, wherein the actuating member is provided outside of the at least one wall of the housing and wherein the shaft portion is connected with the actuating member and extends through an opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing into the interior compartment of the housing;

wherein the translating mechanism includes a translating portion having a first end and a second end, and a pushing portion;

wherein the first end of the translating portion is connected with the shaft portion;

wherein the second end of the translating portion is connected with the pushing portion, wherein the second end of the translating portion and the pushing portion are connected together with the base at a pivot point; and

wherein the pushing portion is capable of moving the at least one utensil.

306. The utensil dispenser of claim 305, wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the translating portion, which causes the first end of the translating portion to move in the first direction and causes the second end of the translating portion to rotate at the pivot point, which causes the pushing portion to rotate toward the at least one utensil and then to move the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

307. The utensil dispenser of claim 305, wherein the pushing portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

308. The utensil dispenser of claim 305, wherein the dispensing mechanism further includes a spring positioned around the shaft portion, wherein a first end of the spring contacts the actuating member and a second end of the spring contacts an outer edge of the base;

wherein, before dispensing, the actuating member is biased away from the at least one wall of the housing so that the shaft portion is biased away from the at least one utensil; and

wherein the user pushes the actuating member against the biasing force of the spring to dispense the at least one utensil.

309. The utensil dispenser of claim 302, wherein a size and a shape of the dispensing opening is dependent on the type of utensil to be dispensed.

310. The utensil dispenser of claim 302, wherein a plurality of utensils is provided in a stack, and wherein a bottommost utensil in the stack is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the bottommost utensil to fall through the dispensing opening so that that utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

311. The utensil dispenser of claim 310, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

312. The utensil dispenser of claim 310, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

313. The utensil dispenser of claim 310, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

315. The utensil dispenser of claim 302, further comprising a slider member provided in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the at least one cassette assembly, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the utensil is capable of sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

316. The utensil dispenser of claim 302, further comprising a holding member provided in the interior compartment of the housing to support the at least one cassette assembly in the housing, and wherein the holding member is spaced from a bottom of the housing.

317. The utensil dispenser of claim 316, further comprising a slider member provided in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the at least one cassette assembly, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the utensil is capable of sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

318. The utensil dispenser of claim 317, wherein a stopping member is provided that extends outward and upward from a bottom of the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein when the utensil slides down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing, the utensil is stopped from sliding by the stopping member.

319. The utensil dispenser of claim 302, wherein at least a portion of the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

320. The utensil dispenser of claim 319, wherein the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

321. The utensil dispenser of claim 302, wherein the at least one cassette assembly is capable of being replenished by providing one or more new utensils in the at least one cassette assembly.

322. The utensil dispenser of claim 302, wherein the at least one cassette assembly is capable of being removed from the housing and replaced with another cassette assembly.

323. The utensil dispenser of claim 302, wherein at least one inclined portion is formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base defining the dispensing opening, and wherein the inclined portion is inclined downward from the top surface of the base;

and

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portion to fall through the dispensing opening.

324. A method of dispensing at least one utensil, comprising:

providing a housing having at least a bottom wall comprising a base, wherein the base defines at least one dispensing opening therein;

wherein at least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of the base;

providing a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the at least one utensil, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a translating mechanism for translating a motion from a first direction to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and

dispensing the at least one utensil by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening.

325. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 324, further comprising:

providing a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines an opening at a bottom end of the alignment guard member; and

wherein dispensing includes the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member to move through the alignment guard member opening to fall through the dispensing opening.

326. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 325, wherein the alignment guard member opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

327. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 324, wherein the housing comprises at least one side wall;

wherein the dispensing mechanism includes an actuating member and a shaft portion, wherein the actuating member is provided outside of the at least one side wall of the housing and wherein the shaft portion is connected with the actuating member and extends through an opening defined in the at least one side wall of the housing into an interior compartment of the housing;

wherein the translating mechanism includes a translating portion having a first end and a second end, and a pushing portion;

wherein the first end of the translating portion is connected with the shaft portion;

wherein the second end of the translating portion is connected with the pushing portion, wherein the second end of the translating portion and the pushing portion are connected together with the base at a pivot point; and

wherein the pushing portion is capable of moving the at least one utensil.

328. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 327, wherein dispensing includes the at least one utensil being dispensed by a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the translating portion, which causes the first end of the translating portion to move in the first direction and causes the second end of the translating portion to rotate at the pivot point, which causes the pushing portion to rotate toward the at least one utensil and then to move the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening.

329. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 327, wherein the pushing portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

330. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 327, wherein the dispensing mechanism further includes a spring positioned around the shaft portion, wherein a first end of the spring contacts the actuating member and a second end of the spring contacts an outer edge of the base;

wherein, before dispensing, the actuating member is biased away from the at least one side wall of the housing so that the shaft portion is biased away from the at least one utensil; and

wherein the user pushes the actuating member against the biasing force of the spring to dispense the at least one utensil.

331. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 324, wherein a size and a shape of the dispensing opening is dependent on the type of utensil to be dispensed.

332. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 324, further comprising providing a plurality of utensils in a stack, and wherein dispensing includes a bottommost utensil in the stack being dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the bottommost utensil to fall through the dispensing opening.

333. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 332, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

334. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 332, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

335. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 332, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

336. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 332, wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

337. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 324, wherein the housing is mounted on a wall.

338. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 324, wherein a bin or tray is positioned under the housing so that a utensil dispensed from the housing falls into the bin or tray.

339. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 338, wherein the bin or tray is mounted on a wall.

340. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 324, further comprising providing a slider member under the housing;

and

wherein dispensing further includes, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, that utensil sliding down the slider member.

341. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 340, further comprising providing the siding member with a stopping member;

and

wherein dispensing further includes stopping the utensil from sliding on the slider member by the stopping member.

342. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 324, wherein the housing comprises at least one side wall, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

343. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 342, wherein the at least one side wall of the housing is transparent.

344. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 324, wherein at least one inclined portion is formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base defining the dispensing opening, and wherein the inclined portion is inclined downward from the top surface of the base;

and

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portion to fall through the dispensing opening.

345. A method of dispensing at least one utensil, comprising:

providing a housing having at least one wall, wherein the at least one wall defines an opening therein, and wherein the housing defines an interior compartment;

providing at least one base in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the at least one base defines a dispensing opening therein, and wherein at least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of the at least one base;

providing a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the at least one utensil, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a translating mechanism for translating a motion from a first direction to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and

dispensing the at least one utensil by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

346. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 345, further providing a plurality of alignment members that extend generally perpendicularly from the base, wherein at least one of the alignment members is an alignment guard member that defines an opening at a bottom end of the alignment guard member;

wherein the at least one utensil is capable of being aligned by the plurality of alignment members; and

wherein dispensing includes the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil toward the alignment guard member to move through the alignment guard member opening to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

347. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 346, wherein the alignment guard member opening is configured to allow only one utensil to pass therethrough at a time.

348. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 345, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes an actuating member and a shaft portion, wherein the actuating member is provided outside of the at least one wall of the housing and wherein the shaft portion is connected with the actuating member and extends through an opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing into the interior compartment of the housing;

wherein the translating mechanism includes a translating portion having a first end and a second end, and a pushing portion;

wherein the first end of the translating portion is connected with the shaft portion;

wherein the second end of the translating portion is connected with the pushing portion, wherein the second end of the translating portion and the pushing portion are connected together with the base at a pivot point; and

wherein the pushing portion is capable of moving the at least one utensil.

349. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 348, wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by a user moving the actuating member which moves the shaft portion which moves the translating portion, which causes the first end of the translating portion to move in the first direction and causes the second end of the translating portion to rotate at the pivot point, which causes the pushing portion to rotate toward the at least one utensil and then to move the at least one utensil to fall through the dispensing opening so that the at least one utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

350. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 348, wherein the pushing portion is configured to move only one utensil at a time.

351. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 348, wherein the dispensing mechanism further includes a spring positioned around the shaft portion, wherein a first end of the spring contacts the actuating member and a second end of the spring contacts an outer edge of the base;

wherein, before dispensing, the actuating member is biased away from the at least one wall of the housing so that the shaft portion is biased away from the at least one utensil; and

wherein the user pushes the actuating member against the biasing force of the spring to dispense the at least one utensil.

352. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 345, wherein a size and a shape of the dispensing opening is dependent on the type of utensil to be dispensed.

353. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 345, further comprising providing a plurality of utensils in a stack;

and

wherein dispensing includes the dispensing mechanism moving the bottommost utensil of the stack to fall through the dispensing opening so that the bottommost utensil is capable of being dispensed through the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

354. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 353, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with no raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

355. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 353, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed with only incidental raising of any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil in the stack.

356. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 353, wherein the bottommost utensil is dispensed without substantially raising any of the utensils positioned above the bottommost utensil.

357. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 353, wherein after the bottommost utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the stack of utensils realigns so that a utensil that had been adjacently above the dispensed bottommost utensil becomes a new bottommost utensil that is capable of being dispensed.

358. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 345, further comprising providing a slider member in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the at least one base, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein dispensing includes, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the utensil sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

359. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 345, further comprising providing a holding member in the interior compartment of the housing to support the at least one base in the housing, and wherein the holding member is spaced from a bottom of the housing.

360. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 359, further comprising providing a slider member in the interior compartment of the housing, wherein the slider member is disposed under the at least one base, and wherein the slider member is inclined downward toward the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein dispensing includes, after the at least one utensil falls through the dispensing opening, the utensil sliding down the slider member to the opening defined in the at least one wall of the housing.

361. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 360, further comprising providing a stopping member that extends outward and upward from a bottom of the at least one wall of the housing;

and

wherein dispensing further includes stopping the utensil from sliding on the slider member by the stopping member.

362. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 345, wherein at least a portion of the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

363. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 362, wherein the at least one wall of the housing is transparent.

364. The method of dispensing a utensil of claim 345, wherein at least one inclined portion is formed in at least a portion of a thickness of the base defining the dispensing opening, and wherein the inclined portion is inclined downward from the top surface of the base;

and

wherein the at least one utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the at least one utensil downward along the inclined portion to fall through the dispensing opening.