Cutlery utensil dispenser

• US 8,360,273 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2008
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Reinsel, Christopher M., Durant, Brian, Drabant, Stephen J., Steimer, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kumar, Rakesh
• Application Number:
  US12/247,805
• Publication Number:
  US 20100084418A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,574 Days
• Field of Search: 221/129, 221/97, 221/131, 221/1, 221/133, 221/163, 221/124, 221/112, 221/258, 221/9, 211/70.1, 211/49.1
• US Class Current: 221/131
• 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

A cutlery utensil dispenser having at least one utensil compartment and a dispensing mechanism is disclosed. Each utensil compartment is so dimensioned and configured to house a stack of utensils. The dispensing mechanism includes a drive member in operable communication with at least one driven member, each driven member being associated with a respective one of the compartments. Actuation of the drive member causes simultaneous actuation of each driven member that causes a utensil to be dispensed from each compartment in repeatable succession one at a time. Also disclosed is a cutlery utensil dispenser having an electric motor in operable communication with the dispensing mechanism, and a controller in operable communication with the motor. The controller includes a processing circuit responsive to computer executable instructions which when executed on the processing circuit facilitates dispensing of a utensil from the utensil compartment by operation of the motor on command.

Claims

1. A cutlery utensil dispenser for dispensing cutlery utensils, comprising:

a plurality of utensil compartments, each compartment being so dimensioned and configured to house a stack of utensils, each compartment having a dispensing opening through which a dispensed utensil passes;

a dispensing mechanism comprising a drive member in operable communication with a plurality of driven members, each driven member being associated with a respective one of the compartments, each driven member in operable communication with a shaft having at least one cam surface disposed thereon, each cam surface comprising at least one dispensing arm that facilitates the dispensing of a utensil from its associated compartment; and

a plurality of trays, each tray being associated with a respective one of the compartments, each tray having a receiving end disposed to receive a dispensed utensil from only the associated compartment, and a dispensing end;

each tray having an angled dispensing surface such that a dispensed utensil slides under the influence of gravity from the receiving end being wider than the dispensing end with side walls that engage the dispensed utensil to cause the dispensed utensil to rotate from a first orientation to a second orientation as the dispensed utensil slides under the influence of gravity;

wherein actuation of the drive member causes actuation of the driven members, which causes at least one utensil to be dispensed from at least one compartment.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the plurality of driven members are gear-driven by the drive member.

3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein one revolution of the drive member causes (1/N)^x revolutions of each driven member, where x is an integer greater than zero and N is an integer from 2 to 5.

4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the dispensing arms of each cam surface are circumferentially displaced (1/N)^x intervals of revolution with respect to each other.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispensing arm is a spiral-like profile with a step that is engageable with a next-to-be-dispensed utensil located proximate the associated dispensing opening;

the spiral-like profile being configured to retain the next-in-line utensil to prevent out-of-sequence dispensing thereof.

6. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the plurality of utensil compartments are disposed one adjacent another such that the utensils within each stack of utensils are oriented longitudinally parallel with respect to each other.

7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of utensil compartments are so dimensioned and configured to house the same type of utensil.

8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of utensil compartments have side openings that provide access to the interior of each of the compartments.

9. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the actuation of the drive member causes actuation of the driven members, which causes one type of utensil to be dispensed from two or more compartments.

10. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the actuation of the drive member causes actuation of the driven members, which causes one or more types of utensils to be dispensed from two or more compartments.

11. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the actuation of the drive member causes actuation of at least one driven member that causes one type of utensil to be dispensed from its associated compartment.

12. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the actuation of the drive member causes actuation of two or more driven members that causes one type of utensil to be dispensed from two or more compartments either simultaneously or sequentially.

13. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the actuation of the drive member causes actuation of two or more driven members that causes two or more types of utensils to be dispensed from two or more compartments either simultaneously or sequentially.

18. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a manually actuatable lever in operable communication with the drive member, wherein repeated actuation of the lever causes a utensil to be dispensed from each of the plurality of compartments in succession one at a time.

19. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a motor in operable communication with the drive member, wherein repeated actuation of the motor causes a utensil to be dispensed from each of the plurality of compartments in succession one at a time.

20. The dispenser of claim 19, further comprising:

a sensor in operable communication with a controller;

wherein the controller is in operable communication with the motor to cause actuation of the drive member upon receipt of a signal from the sensor.

14. A cutlery utensil dispenser for dispensing cutlery utensils, comprising:

a plurality of utensil compartments, each compartment being so dimensioned and configured to house a stack of utensils therein, each compartment having a dispensing opening through which a dispensed utensil passes;

a dispensing mechanism comprising a drive member in operable communication with a plurality of driven members, each driven member being associated with at least one compartment, and each driven member in operable communication with a shaft having at least one cam surface disposed therein, each cam surface comprising at least one dispensing arm that facilitates the dispensing of a utensil from the associated compartment;

a plurality of trays, each tray being associated with a respective one of the compartments, each tray having a receiving end disposed to receive a dispensed utensil from only the associated compartment, and a dispensing end;

each tray having an angled dispensing surface such that a dispensed utensil slides under the influence of gravity from the receiving end to the dispensing end, the receiving end being wider than the dispensing end with side walls that engage the dispensed utensil to cause the dispensed utensil to rotate from a first orientation to a second orientation as the dispensed utensil slides under the influence of gravity;

wherein actuation of the drive member causes actuation of the driven members, which causes at least one utensil to be dispensed from at least one compartment;

wherein each of the utensils have a holding portion and a utility portion, and the second orientation is such that holding portion is presented to an end user.

15. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein the second orientation is 90-degrees rotated relative to the first orientation.

16. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein each tray further comprises a second dispensing surface proximate the dispensing end, the second dispensing surface having a flatter surface than the angled dispensing surface such that a dispensed utensil decelerates to a stop as it slides under the influence of gravity from the angled dispensing surface to the flatter surface.

17. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein each tray further comprises a ridge proximate the dispensing end such that a dispensed utensil stops sliding under the influence of gravity in response to impinging the ridge.

21. A cutlery utensil dispenser for dispensing cutlery utensils, comprising:

a plurality of utensil compartments, each compartment being so dimensioned and configured to house a stack of utensils therein, each compartment having a dispensing opening through which a dispensed utensil passes;

a dispensing mechanism comprising a drive member in operable communication with a plurality of driven members, each driven member being associated with at least one compartment, and each driven member in operable communication with a shaft having at least one cam surface disposed therein, each cam surface comprising at least one dispensing arm that facilitates the dispensing of a utensil from the associated compartment;

a dispensing tray having a receiving end disposed to receive a dispensed utensil from each of the compartments, and a dispensing end;

the tray having an angled dispensing surface such that a dispensed utensil slides under the influence of gravity from the receiving end to the dispensing end, the receiving end being wider than the dispensing end with side walls that engage a dispensed utensil to cause the dispensed utensil to rotate from a first orientation to a second orientation as the dispensed utensil slides under the influence of gravity,

wherein actuation of the drive member causes actuation of the driven members, which causes at least one utensil to be dispensed from at least one compartment.

22. The dispenser of claim 21, further comprising means for decelerating a sliding utensil such that the dispensed utensil stops sliding under the influence of gravity proximate the dispensing end.

23. A cutlery utensil dispenser for dispensing cutlery utensils, comprising:

a plurality of utensil compartments, each compartment being so dimensioned and configured to house a stack of utensils therein, each compartment having a dispensing opening through which a dispensed utensil passes;

a dispensing mechanism comprising a drive member in operable communication with a plurality of driven members, each driven member being associated with at least one compartment, and each driven member in operable communication with a shaft having at least one cam surface disposed therein, each cam surface comprising at least one dispensing arm that facilitates the dispensing of a utensil from the associated compartment;

a dispensing tray disposed to receive a dispensed utensil from each one of the plurality of utensil compartments;

the dispensing tray having a receiving end disposed to receive a dispensed utensil and a dispensing end disposed to present the dispensed utensil to a user;

the dispensing tray having a first region disposed to cooperate with a holding portion of the dispensed utensil, and a second region disposed to cooperate with a utility portion of the dispensed utensil;

the first region having a first dispensing surface, and the second region having a second dispensing surface, the first dispensing surface disposed so as to urge the holding portion of the dispensed utensil to slide under the influence of gravity toward the dispensing end while the second dispensing surface retards such sliding action, thereby causing the dispensed utensil to rotate from a first orientation to a second orientation as the dispensed utensil slides under the influence of gravity, the second orientation being such that holding portion is presented to the user;

wherein actuation of the drive member causes actuation of the driven members, which causes at least one utensil to be dispensed from at least one compartment.

24. The dispenser of claim 23, wherein:

the first dispensing surface comprises a slope that promotes sliding of the holding portion of the dispensed utensil from the receiving end toward the dispensing end;

the second dispensing surface comprises a slope that retards such sliding of the utility portion of the dispensed utensil from the receiving end toward the dispensing end.

25. The dispenser of claim 24, wherein:

the slope of the second dispensing surface is opposite in direction to the slope of the first dispensing surface.

26. The dispenser of claim 23, wherein:

the second region comprises a partial wall disposed at the dispensing end of the second region to capture the utility portion of the dispensed utensil as the holding portion of the dispensed utensil slides under the influence of gravity toward the dispensing end.

27. The dispenser of claim 26, wherein:

the second region comprises an opening disposed between the partial wall and the first region, the opening being so dimensioned as to permit the user to withdraw the dispensed utensil from the dispenser by interfacing with the holding portion of the dispensed utensil.

28. The dispenser of claim 26, wherein:

the opening comprises a V-type notch.

29. The dispenser of claim 23, wherein:

the first dispensing surface and the second dispensing surface are disposed such that a center of gravity of the dispensed utensil is positioned over the second dispensing surface such that the center of gravity falls in line with and towards the second dispensing surface under the influence of gravity.

30. A cutlery utensil dispenser for dispensing cutlery utensils, comprising:

a plurality of utensil compartments, each compartment being so dimensioned and configured to house a stack of utensils therein, each compartment having a dispensing opening through which a dispensed utensil passes;

a dispensing mechanism comprising a drive member in operable communication with a plurality of driven members, each driven member being associated with at least one compartment, and each driven member in operable communication with a shaft having at least one cam surface disposed therein, each cam surface comprising at least one dispensing aim that facilitates the dispensing of a utensil from the associated compartment;

a dispensing tray disposed to receive a dispensed utensil from each one of the plurality of utensil compartments;

the dispensing tray having a receiving end disposed to receive a dispensed utensil and a dispensing end disposed to present the dispensed utensil to a user;

the dispensing tray having a first region disposed to cooperate with a holding portion of the dispensed utensil, and a second region disposed to cooperate with a utility portion of the dispensed utensil;

the first and second regions comprising sliding surfaces that promote differing degrees of slippage of the dispensed utensil sliding under the influence of gravity, such that the differing degrees of slippage cause the dispensed utensil to rotate during dispensing to present the holding portion of the dispensed utensil to the end user;

wherein actuation of the drive member causes actuation of the driven members, which causes at least one utensil to be dispensed from at least one compartment.

31. A cutlery utensil dispenser for dispensing cutlery utensils, comprising:

a utensil compartment;

a dispensing mechanism in operable communication with the utensil compartment;

an electric motor in operable communication with the dispensing mechanism;

a controller in operable communication with the motor, the controller having a processing circuit responsive to computer executable instructions which when executed on the processing circuit facilitates dispensing of a utensil from the utensil compartment by operation of the motor and the dispensing mechanism on command;

a dispensing tray disposed to receive a dispensed utensil;

the dispensing tray having a receiving end disposed to receive a dispensed utensil from the utensil compartment, and a dispensing end;

the dispensing tray having an angled dispensing surface such that a dispensed utensil slides under the influence of gravity from the receiving end to the dispensing end, the receiving end being wider than the dispensing end with side walls that engage the dispensed utensil to cause the dispensed utensil to rotate from a first orientation to a second orientation as the dispensed utensil slides under the influence of gravity;

a sensor disposed and configured to sense a utensil at the dispensing tray and to generate the command to the controller to dispense a next-to-be-dispensed utensil upon removal of a utensil from the dispensing tray; and

wherein the controller dispenses a single piece of cutlery from the utensil compartment in response to a piece of cutlery not being available for a user at a dispensing tray of the dispenser.

32. A method of automatically dispensing a single piece of cutlery utensil from an electronically controlled and motor driven cutlery utensil dispenser, comprising:

using a sensor to sense a presence of a piece of cutlery at a dispensing tray of the dispenser and automatically dispensing a single piece of cutlery to the dispensing tray for subsequent removal by a user in response to a piece of cutlery not being present at the dispensing tray, wherein the tray has dispensing end and a receiving end disposed to receive the single piece of cutlery from a utensil compartment, and wherein the tray has an angled dispensing surface such that the dispensed single piece of cutlery slides under the influence of gravity from the receiving end to the dispensing end, the receiving end being wider than the dispensing end with side walls that engage the dispensed utensil to cause the dispensed single piece of cutlery to rotate from a first orientation to a second orientation as the dispensed single piece of cutlery slides under the influence of gravity;

using the sensor to sense a presence of the dispensed cutlery at the dispensing tray prior to removal by a user; and

in response to the sensor sensing removal of the dispensed cutlery from the dispensing tray, dispensing a next-to-be-dispensed single piece of cutlery to the dispensing tray for subsequent removal by a user.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

repeating, in order, the steps of;

using the sensor to sense a presence of the dispensed cutlery at the dispensing tray prior to removal by a user; and

in response to the sensor sensing removal of the dispensed cutlery from the dispensing tray, dispensing a next-to-be-dispensed single piece of cutlery to the dispensing tray for subsequent removal by a user.

34. A cutlery utensil dispenser for dispensing cutlery utensils, comprising:

a utensil compartment so dimensioned and configured to house a stack of cutlery utensils;

a dispensing mechanism disposed and configured to facilitate dispensing of a utensil from the utensil compartment on command;

means for providing electrical power, and an electric motor in operable communication with the means for providing electrical power and the dispensing mechanism;

a controller in operable communication with the motor, the controller having a processing circuit responsive to computer executable instructions which when executed by the processing circuit facilitates dispensing of a utensil from the utensil compartment by operation of the motor on command;

a dispensing tray disposed to receive a dispensed utensil;

the tray having a receiving end disposed to receive a dispensed utensil from the utensil compartment, and a dispensing end;

the tray having an angled dispensing surface such that a dispensed utensil slides under the influence of gravity from the receiving end to the dispensing end, the receiving end being wider than the dispensing end with side walls that engage the dispensed utensil to cause the dispensed utensil to rotate from a first orientation to a second orientation as the dispensed utensil slides under the influence of gravity;

a sensor disposed and configured to sense a utensil at the dispensing tray and to generate the command to the controller to dispense a next-to-be-dispensed utensil upon removal of a utensil from the dispensing tray;

wherein the controller dispenses a single piece of cutlery from the utensil compartment in response to a piece of cutlery not being available for a user at a dispensing tray of the dispenser.

35. The dispenser of claim 34, wherein:

the utensil compartment is one of a plurality of utensil compartments, each compartment being so dimensioned and configured to house a stack of utensils, each compartment having a dispensing opening through which a dispensed utensil passes;

the dispensing mechanism comprises a drive member in operable communication with a plurality of driven members, each driven member being associated with a respective one of the compartments, each driven member in operable communication with a shaft having at least one cam surface disposed therein, each cam surface comprising at least one dispensing arm that facilitates the dispensing of a utensil from the associated compartment;

actuation of the drive member by the motor causes actuation of the driven members which causes at least one utensil to be dispensed from at least one compartment.

36. The dispenser of claim 34, wherein:

the controller is further responsive to executable instructions which when executed on the processor iteratively repeats the sensing of a utensil at the dispensing tray and the dispensing of a next-to-be-dispensed utensil upon removal of a utensil from the dispensing tray.

37. The dispenser of claim 34, wherein:

prior to the dispensing of a single piece of cutlery, the sensor generates the command to the controller to dispense a utensil upon sensing an absence of a utensil at the dispensing tray.

38. The dispenser of claim 34, further comprising:

a sensor disposed and configured to sense a request from a user for a utensil and to send a command to the controller for dispensing of a utensil in response to the request, the processing circuit of the controller being responsive to the command to facilitate dispensing of a utensil from the utensil compartment.

39. The dispenser of claim 38, wherein the sensor comprises a capacitive sensor or an infrared sensor.

40. The dispenser of claim 34, wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor, an infrared sensor, or a mechanical switch.

41. The dispenser of claim 40, the sensor is disposed to sense a utensil at the dispensing end.

42. The dispenser of claim 41, wherein:

the dispensing tray comprises a first region disposed to cooperate with a holding portion of the dispensed utensil, and a second region disposed to cooperate with a utility portion of the dispensed utensil;

the second region comprises a partial wall disposed at the dispensing end of the second region to capture the utility portion of the dispensed utensil as the holding portion of the dispensed utensil moves under the influence of gravity toward the dispensing end;

the second region comprises an opening disposed between the partial wall and the first region, the opening being so dimensioned as to permit the user to withdraw the dispensed utensil from the dispenser by interfacing with the holding portion of the dispensed utensil;

the sensor is disposed to sense a utensil at the opening.

43. The dispenser of claim 42, wherein:

the opening comprises a V-type notch;

the sensor is disposed to sense a utensil resting at a bottom of the V-type notch.

44. The dispenser of claim 40, wherein:

the sensor is a mechanical switch disposed so as to cause a change of state of the switch in response removal of a utensil from the dispensing tray.

45. The dispenser of claim 40, wherein:

the sensor is an optical sensor disposed to direct a sensor signal in a direction substantially more toward a utensil at the dispensing tray than toward a user requesting a utensil from the dispenser.

46. The dispenser of claim 45, wherein:

the dispensing tray comprises a first region disposed to cooperate with a holding portion of the dispensed utensil, and a second region disposed to cooperate with a utility portion of the dispensed utensil;

the second region comprises a partial wall disposed at the dispensing end of the second region to capture the utility portion of the dispensed utensil as the holding portion of the dispensed utensil moves under the influence of gravity toward the dispensing end;

the second region comprises a V-type notch opening disposed between the partial wall and the first region, the opening being so dimensioned as to permit the user to withdraw the dispensed utensil from the dispenser by interfacing with the holding portion of the dispensed utensil;

the sensor is disposed to sense a utensil at the V-type notch opening.