U.S. patent application number 11/636562 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-14 for object dispenser.
Invention is credited to Arash Behravesh, Casey Barton Behravesh.
Application Number | 20070131705 11/636562 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38138261 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070131705 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Behravesh; Casey Barton ; et
al. |
June 14, 2007 |
Object dispenser
Abstract
A dispensing unit that includes a chamber capable of housing a
plurality of first objects having at least one of rigid,
semi-rigid, and flexible characteristics. The dispensing unit also
includes a sensor capable of detecting presence of a second object,
a dispensing mechanism capable of dispensing one of the plurality
of first objects in response to the sensor detecting the second
object, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the
dispensing mechanism. Preferably, the controller is capable of
activating the dispensing mechanism in response to receiving a
signal from the sensor. Additionally, the dispensing unit includes
at least one power source capable of providing power to at least
one of the sensor, the dispensing mechanism, and the
controller.
Inventors: |
Behravesh; Casey Barton;
(Decatur, GA) ; Behravesh; Arash; (Arlington,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARASH BEHRAVESH
3364 SOUTH SECOND ST.
ARLINGTON
VA
22204
US
|
Family ID: |
38138261 |
Appl. No.: |
11/636562 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60748597 |
Dec 9, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/130 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 21/12 20130101;
A47G 21/184 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/130 |
International
Class: |
B65H 3/44 20060101
B65H003/44 |
Claims
1. A dispensing unit comprising: at least one chamber capable of
housing a plurality of first objects having at least one of rigid,
semi-rigid, and flexible characteristics; at least one sensor
capable of detecting a presence of a second objects; at least one
dispensing mechanism capable of dispensing one of said plurality of
first objects in response to said sensor detecting said second
object; at least one controller in communication with said sensor
and said dispensing mechanism, wherein said at least one controller
is capable of activating said dispensing mechanism in response to
receiving a signal from said sensor; and at least one power source
capable of providing power to at least one of said sensor, said
dispensing mechanism, and said controller.
2. The dispensing unit of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a
motion detector, a light sensor, or a combination thereof.
3. The dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein said dispenser mechanism
comprises at least a motor.
4. The dispensing unit of claim 3, further comprising at least a
first moving mechanism, wherein said motor is capable of moving
said first moving mechanism.
5. The dispensing unit of claim 4, wherein said first moving
mechanism is a wheel.
6. The dispensing unit of claim 4, wherein said at least first
moving mechanism includes at least one of a gripping material and a
coating with gripping characteristics.
7. The dispensing unit of claim 6, wherein said at least gripping
material or coating comprises a polymer based material.
8. The dispensing unit of claim 6, wherein said at least gripping
material or coating comprises a sanitizing composition.
9. The dispensing unit of claim 4, wherein said at least first
moving mechanism comprises a sanitizing composition.
10. The dispensing unit of claim 4, further comprising at least a
second moving mechanism.
11. The dispensing unit of claim 7, wherein said second moving
mechanism is connected to a motor.
12. The dispensing unit of claim 7, further comprising a belt
positioned around said first moving mechanism and said second
moving mechanism.
13. The dispensing unit of claim 12, wherein said belt comprises at
least one of a gripping material and a coating with gripping
characteristics.
14. The dispensing unit of claim 12, wherein said belt comprises a
polymer.
15. The dispensing unit of claim 12, wherein said belt comprises a
sanitizing composition.
16. The dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein said power source is a
battery, solar panel, electrical power, or a combinations
thereof.
17. A dispensing unit comprising: at least one chamber capable of
housing a plurality of first objects, wherein each of said
plurality of first objects include a thickness of at least about
0.1 mm; at least one sensor capable of detecting presence of a
second object; at least one dispensing mechanism capable of
dispensing one of said plurality of first objects in response to
said sensor detecting said second object; at least one controller
in communication with said sensor and said dispensing mechanism,
wherein said at least one controller is capable of activating said
dispensing mechanism in response to receiving a signal from said
sensor; and at least one power source capable of providing power to
at least one of said sensor, said dispensing mechanism, and said
controller.
18. A dispensing unit comprising: at least one chamber capable of
housing a plurality of first objects, wherein said plurality of
first objects excludes towels; at least one sensor capable of
detecting a presence of a second object; at least one dispenser
mechanism capable of dispensing one of said plurality of first
objects in response to said sensor detecting said second object; at
least one controller in communication with said sensor and said
dispensing mechanism, wherein said at least one controller is
capable of activating said dispensing mechanism in response to
receiving a signal from said sensor; and at least one power source
capable of providing power to at least one of said sensor, said
dispensing mechanism, and said controller.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from the provisionally
filed U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/748,597, filed Dec. 9,
2005. That application is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present teachings relate to a device that is capable of
dispensing objects, without the need for an individual to come in
direct contact with the dispenser.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Generally, dispensers are of box type configuration where a
large number (usually between 50 to 200) of desired objects, such
as toothpicks, straws, coffee stir sticks, gum, serving utensils,
etc. are placed in a box and are presented individually. To obtain
one of the objects, a person must manually open or manipulate the
box and remove one of the objects. Generally, during this process,
when a person is trying to remove one of the objects, the person's
hand or fingers contacts one or more of the objects in or on the
dispenser box. A person can transmit infections to these objects
with their hands when they contact the object or dispenser box. The
action of opening the box causes the person's hand to become
contaminated (if not already) and the action of removing one of the
objects causes the remaining objects in the box to also become
contaminated. Accordingly, when the dispensed object is used, e.g.,
a toothpick placed in the mouth, the contaminated dispensed object
may lead to infections including bacterial, viral or parasitic
diseases. Also, dust or other environmental contaminants can enter
the box or attach to the dispending tray/arm to contaminate the
remaining toothpicks.
[0004] Other dispensers, such as presently used toothpick
dispensers and straw dispensers utilize a lever like mechanism to
dispense a single toothpick or straw. However, such dispensers
include the same disadvantages. Generally, the lever of such
dispensing units is dirty which causes the person's hand touching
the lever to become contaminated. The person having the
contaminated hand and fingers then picks-up the dispensed straw or
toothpick which causes the straw and/or toothpick to become
contaminated as well. Then the person places the toothpick or straw
in his or her mouth which can transmit diseases or infections.
Additionally, when picking up the object, the dispensing tray/arm
becomes contaminated and has the potential to harbor infections
thus transmitting them to all other objects ejected.
[0005] Thus, there exists a need to provide a disperser that does
not require the user to directly contact the dispenser to dispense
an object, such as a toothpick, straw, cup lid, or coffee stir
stick.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present teachings provide a dispensing unit that can
include at least one chamber capable of housing a plurality of
first objects, a sensor capable of detecting the presence of a
second object, and a dispensing mechanism capable of dispensing one
of the plurality of first objects in response to the sensor
detecting the second object. Furthermore, the present teachings
disclose a power source capable of providing power to the sensor
and the dispensing mechanism. Additionally, the dispensing unit
includes at least one controller in communication with the sensor
and the dispensing mechanism.
[0007] Additional features and advantages of various embodiments
will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows, and,
in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned
by practice of various embodiments. The objectives and other
advantages of various embodiments will be realized and attained by
means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in
the description herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a dispensing unit
according to various embodiments;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit
of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of another dispensing
unit according to various embodiments; and
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of another dispensing
unit according to various embodiments.
[0012] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only, and are intended to provide an explanation of
various embodiments of the present teachings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] The present teachings are directed to a dispensing unit that
does not require the user to directly contact the dispenser to
dispense one of plurality of objects, such as toothpicks, straws,
cup lids, or coffee stir sticks.
[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dispensing unit 10 having at
least one chamber 70 capable of housing a plurality of first
objects 60 is shown. The dispensing unit 10 can also include at
least one sensor 20 capable of detecting a presence of a second
object (not shown in the Figs.), such as a person or a moving hand
that is a predetermined distance away from the sensor 20.
Furthermore, the dispensing unit 10 can include at least one
dispensing mechanism 40 that is capable of dispensing one of the
plurality of first objects 60 in response to the sensor 20
detecting the second object. Preferably, the dispensing unit 10
also includes a controller 30 that is capable of controlling the
dispensing mechanism 40. A power source 90, such as a lithium
battery cell, can provide power to the sensor 20, the dispensing
mechanism 40, and/or the controller 30.
[0015] The plurality of first objects 60 can be any object. For
example, the plurality of first objects 60 can be any objects
having a thickness of at least about 0.1 mm or any objects that are
flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid in characteristics. Additionally,
the plurality of first objects 60 can be any objects that are not
tissues or garments. FIGS. 1-4 show the plurality of first objects
60 as being toothpicks; however other exemplary plurality of first
objects that can be dispensed using the dispensing unit 10 of the
present teachings can be cup-lids, straws, and utensils (e.g.,
forks, knifes, and/or spoons).
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sensor 20, which is capable
of detecting the presence of the second object, can be a motion
detector, a light sensor, or a heat sensor. Preferably, the sensor
20 is in communication with the controller 30 via wire 22. However,
the sensor 20 and the controller 30 can also be in communication
via other means, such as infrared or radio frequency.
[0017] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dispensing mechanism
40 can include a motor 45 that is in communication with the
controller 30 via wire 32. However, the motor 45 and the controller
30 can also be in communication via other means, such as infrared
or radio frequency. Additionally, the motor 45 is capable of
rotating a first moving mechanism 55, which can be a rotating
member, such as a wheel. Preferably, the first moving mechanism 55
is made of a material having gripping characteristics to grasp one
of the plurality of first objects 60 in contact with the first
moving mechanism 55. In one example, the motor 45 rotates the first
moving mechanism 55, which causes one of the plurality of first
objects 60 to dispense by at least partially exiting the opening
100. Alternatively, the first moving mechanism 55 includes a
coating 57 on its surface that has gripping characteristics. An
example of a gripping material includes any polymer based material,
such as a rubber or a plastic. Preferably, the first moving
mechanism 55 and/or the coating 57 includes a sanitizing
composition mixed therein to prevent contamination of one of the
plurality of first objects 60 in contact with the first moving
mechanism 55 or the coating 57.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of dispensing mechanism 40
of the present teachings. According to FIG. 3, the dispensing
mechanism 40 can include a motor 45, a first moving mechanism 55, a
second moving mechanism 65, and a belt 50 that is rotatably
positioned around the first and second moving mechanisms 55 and 65.
Preferably, at least a portion of belt 50 is in contact with at
least a portion of one of the plurality of first objects 60. As
shown in FIG. 3, the motor 45 is positioned to rotate the first
moving mechanism 55, which in turn causes the belt 50 and the
second moving mechanism 65 to move or turn. Accordingly, in this
embodiment, the first moving mechanism 55 is the master moving
mechanism and the second moving mechanism 65 is the slave moving
mechanism. In an alternative embodiment, the motor 45 is positioned
to rotate the second moving mechanism 65, which in turn causes the
belt 50 and the first moving mechanism 55 to move or turn.
Accordingly, in this alternative embodiment, the second moving
mechanism 65 is the master moving mechanism and the first moving
mechanism is the slave moving mechanism. Alternatively, the motor
45 is positioned to simultaneously rotate both the first and the
second moving mechanisms 55 and 65. In another exemplary
embodiment, the dispensing unit 40 can include two motors 45. A
first motor is position to rotate the first moving mechanism 55 and
the second motor is positioned to rotate the second moving
mechanism 65. In this alternative embodiment, it is preferable that
the two motors are synchronized so that they move the first and
second moving mechanisms 55 and 65 at the same time and at the same
speed to prevent the belt 50 from slipping.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, to ensure that one of the plurality
of first objects 60 is in contact with the first moving mechanism
55, the coating 57 (FIGS. 1 and 2), or the belt 50 (FIG. 3), the
chamber 70 can include a design to provide a force on the plurality
first objects 60. For example, the chamber 70 can include a movable
wall 72. Preferably, a spring 80 is in contact with the movable
wall 72 and is positioned to placing a sufficient force on the
movable wall 72 so that one of the plurality of first objects
housed in the chamber 70 comes in contact with the first moving
mechanism 55, the coating 57, or the belt 50.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative design for ensuring that
one of the plurality of first objects 60 is in contact with the
first moving mechanism 55, the coating 57, or the belt 50 is shown.
According to FIG. 4, the chamber 70 is designed such that the
weight of the plurality of first objects 60 housed in the chamber
70 can cause one of the plurality of first objects 60 come in
contact with the first moving mechanism 55, the coating 57, or the
belt 50. For example, the chamber 70 can include a slope with an
angle sufficient to position one of the plurality of first objects
60 in contact with the first moving mechanism 55, the coating 57,
or the belt 50.
[0021] In operation, when the sensor 20 detects the second object
(e.g., a moving hand), the sensor 20 can provide a signal to the
controller 30 via the wire 22. In response, to receiving the signal
from the sensor 20, the controller 30 can activate the dispensing
mechanism 40 to dispense one of the plurality of first objects 60.
Preferably, when the controller 30 receives a signal from the
sensor 20, the controller 30 activates the motor 45 for a
predetermined time. The activated motor 45 rotates the first moving
mechanism 55, which can include the coating 57 or the belt 50 for a
predetermined time and/or number of rotations and speed. The
rotation of the first moving mechanism 55 and/or the belt 50 can
cause one of the plurality of first objects 60 to move for a
distance to at least partially exit the opening 100 so that a
person in need of one of the plurality of first objects 60 can
secure the first object 60 without touching the remaining of the
plurality of first objects 60 that are housed in the chamber 70. In
the alternative embodiment, wherein each of the first moving
mechanism 55 and the second moving mechanism 65 is connected to a
motor, the controller 30 can active and synchronize both motors for
a predetermined time.
[0022] Those skilled in the art can appreciate from the foregoing
description that the present teachings can be implemented in a
variety of forms. Therefore, while these teachings have been
described in connection with particular embodiments and examples
thereof, the true scope of the present teachings should not be so
limited. Various changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the scope of the teachings herein.
* * * * *