Cutlery Dispenser and Methods of Use

• US 20150048108A1
• Filed: 08/19/2013
• Published: 02/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Borke, Brian Scott
• Granted Patent: US 9,332,861 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/195
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/10 having mechanical dispensing means , e.g. with buttons or handles
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 2001/103 for cutlery
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/06 Combined or separable sets of table-service utensils; Oyster knives with openers; Fish servers with means for removing bones kitchen equipment A47J
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 73/02 Articles, e.g. small electrical components, attached to webs
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/671 wound in flat spiral form

Abstract

A stack of disposable cutlery. The stack can include a plurality of disposable cutlery utensils disposed adjacent one another to provide a stack of the cutlery utensils. At least one elongated retaining mechanism can be adhered to the stack. The at least one elongated retaining mechanism can include at least one tail freely protruding beyond the stack.

Claims

1. A stack of disposable cutlery, comprising:

a plurality of disposable cutlery utensils disposed adjacent one another to provide a stack of the cutlery utensils; and

at least one elongated retaining mechanism adhered to the stack, wherein the at least one elongated retaining mechanism comprises at least one tail freely protruding beyond the stack.

2. The stack of claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated retaining mechanism comprises a first elongated retaining mechanism coupled to a first side of the stack and a second elongated retaining mechanism coupled to a second side of the stack.

3. The stack of claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated retaining mechanism comprises an adhesive disposed substantially along at least one side thereof.

4. The stack of claim 1, wherein the at least one tail comprises two tails configured to be moved in opposing directions to release one cutlery utensil at a time from the stack.

5. The stack of claim 1, wherein the cutlery utensils are selected from the group consisting of a fork, a knife, a spoon, a spork, and combinations thereof.

6. The stack of claim 1, wherein the stack is oriented in a spiral configuration.

7. The stack of claim 1, wherein the stack is oriented in a winding configuration.

8. The stack of claim 1, wherein a head portion of a first one of the cutlery utensils is axially aligned with a head portion of a second one of the cutlery utensils, wherein the head portions of the first and second cutlery utensils are oriented in the same direction, and wherein a back side of the first cutlery utensil is positioned adjacent to a front side of the second cutlery utensil.

9. The stack of claim 1, wherein a head portion of a first one of the cutlery utensils is axially opposed to a head portion of a second one of the cutlery utensils, wherein the head portions of the first and second cutlery utensils are oriented in the same direction, and wherein a first side of the first cutlery utensil is positioned adjacent to a second, opposing side of the second cutlery utensil.

10. The stack of claim 1, wherein a head portion of a first one of the cutlery utensils is axially opposed to a head portion of a second one of the cutlery utensils, wherein the head portions of the first and second cutlery utensils are oriented in opposing directions, and wherein a first side of the first cutlery utensil is positioned adjacent to a corresponding first side of the second cutlery utensil.

11. A cutlery dispenser, comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of disposable cutlery utensils disposed adjacent one another to provide a stack of the cutlery utensils;

at least one elongated retaining mechanism adhered to the stack, wherein the at least one elongated retaining mechanism comprises at least one tail freely protruding beyond the stack;

at least one advancing mechanism disposed within the housing, the at least one advancing mechanism being connected to the at least one elongated retaining mechanism and adapted to move the at least one elongated retaining mechanism within the housing, thereby releasing at least one of the cutlery utensils from the stack; and

an actuator connected to the at least one advancing mechanism and adapted to initiate the movement of the at least one advancing mechanism.

12. The cutlery dispenser of claim 11, wherein the tail is connected to the at least one advancing mechanism, and wherein the movement of the at least one advancing mechanism pulls the tail and wraps the tail thereabout.

13. The cutlery dispenser of claim 11, further comprising a separating device positioned adjacent the at least one advancing mechanism for separating the one of the cutlery utensils from the at least one elongated retaining mechanism.

14. The cutlery dispenser of claim 13, wherein the separating device comprises two axial protrusions defining a window therebetween.

15. The cutlery dispenser of claim 11, wherein the at least one elongated retaining mechanism comprises an adhesive disposed on at least one side thereof.

16. The cutlery dispenser of claim 11, wherein the cutlery utensils are selected from the group consisting of a fork, a knife, a spoon, a spork, and combinations thereof.

17. A cutlery dispenser, comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of disposable cutlery utensils disposed adjacent one another to provide a stack of the cutlery utensils;

at least one elongated retaining mechanism adhered to the stack, wherein the at least one elongated retaining mechanism comprises at least one tail freely protruding beyond the stack;

at least one advancing mechanism disposed within the housing, the at least one advancing mechanism being connected to the at least one elongated retaining mechanism and adapted to move the at least one elongated retaining mechanism within the housing, thereby releasing at least one of the cutlery utensils from the stack;

an actuator connected to the at least one advancing mechanism and adapted to initiate the movement of the at least one advancing mechanism; and

a differential device coupled to both the at least one advancing mechanism and the actuator, wherein the differential device comprises a plurality of rotating gears.

18. The cutlery dispenser of claim 17, wherein the tail is connected to the at least one advancing mechanism, and wherein the movement of the at least one advancing mechanism pulls the tail and wraps the tail thereabout.

19. The cutlery dispenser of claim 17, wherein the separating device comprises two axial protrusions defining a window therebetween.

20. The cutlery dispenser of claim 17, further comprising an adhesive disposed on at least one side of the at least one retaining mechanism.