Cutlery dispenser
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cutlery dispenser, comprising:
- (a) a housing comprising a pushing assembly comprising at least one biasing mechanism and a support member coupled to the at least one biasing mechanism, wherein the at least one biasing mechanism urges the support member toward a front of the dispenser; and
(b) a front cover coupled to the housing, the front cover comprising;
(i) a front surface comprising an opening;
(ii) a rear surface comprising the opening;
(iii) a trough;
(iv) a first protruding member extending a distance Z1 from the rear surface; and
(v) a second protruding member extending a distance Z2 from the rear surface or a base of the trough;
wherein distance Z1 and distance Z2 are different distances such that the first protruding member and second protruding member are configured to interact with a portion of a plurality of utensils housed within the trough to cause the plurality of utensils to pivotably rotate through the opening when a force is applied to the plurality of utensils by the support member such that a number of the plurality of utensils fan through the opening with at least one end in a spaced apart relationship.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cutlery dispenser comprising a front cover, a housing, and a pushing assembly. The front cover further includes an opening and at least stop. The at least one stop is configured to cause a utensil, such as a knife, fork, spork, or spoon, to fan through the opening for retrieval by a user. The pushing assembly urges the utensils forward in the dispenser toward the stop and toward the opening.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A cutlery dispenser, comprising:
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(a) a housing comprising a pushing assembly comprising at least one biasing mechanism and a support member coupled to the at least one biasing mechanism, wherein the at least one biasing mechanism urges the support member toward a front of the dispenser; and (b) a front cover coupled to the housing, the front cover comprising; (i) a front surface comprising an opening; (ii) a rear surface comprising the opening; (iii) a trough; (iv) a first protruding member extending a distance Z1 from the rear surface; and (v) a second protruding member extending a distance Z2 from the rear surface or a base of the trough; wherein distance Z1 and distance Z2 are different distances such that the first protruding member and second protruding member are configured to interact with a portion of a plurality of utensils housed within the trough to cause the plurality of utensils to pivotably rotate through the opening when a force is applied to the plurality of utensils by the support member such that a number of the plurality of utensils fan through the opening with at least one end in a spaced apart relationship. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 29)
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15. A cutlery dispenser, comprising:
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(a) a housing comprising; (i) at least one track; and (ii) a pushing assembly comprising at least one biasing mechanism and a support member coupled to the at least one biasing mechanism and slidably engaged with the at least one track, wherein the at least one biasing mechanism urges the support member toward a front of the dispenser; and (b) a front cover coupled to the housing, the front cover comprising; (i) a front surface comprising an opening; (ii) a rear surface comprising the opening; and (iii) a first protruding member extending a distance Z1 from the rear surface; and (c) a second protruding member extending a distance Z2 from the rear surface or the housing; wherein distance Z1 and distance Z2 are different distances such that the first protruding member and second protruding member are configured to interact with a portion of a plurality of utensils housed within the housing to cause the plurality of utensils to pivotably rotate through the opening when a force is applied to the plurality of utensils by the support member such that a number of the plurality of utensils fan through the opening with at least one end in a spaced apart relationship. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 30)
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21. A cutlery dispenser comprising:
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(a) a housing comprising; (i) at least one track; and (ii) a pushing assembly comprising at least one biasing mechanism and a support member coupled to the at least one biasing mechanism and slidably engaged with the at least one track, wherein the at least one biasing mechanism urges the support member toward a front of the dispenser; and (b) a front cover coupled to the housing, the front cover comprising; (i) a front surface comprising an opening; (ii) a rear surface comprising the opening; (iii) a trough; (iv) a first protruding member extending a distance Z1 from the rear surface; and (v) a second protruding member extending a distance Z2 from the rear surface or a base of the trough; distance Z1 and distance Z2 are different distances such that the first protruding member and second protruding member are configured to interact with a portion of a plurality of utensils housed within the trough to cause the plurality of utensils to pivotably rotate through the opening when a force is applied to the plurality of utensils by the support member such that a number of the plurality of utensils fan through the opening with at least one end in a spaced apart relationship. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31)
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Specification