U.S. patent application number 15/046599 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-18 for cup sleeve dispenser.
The applicant listed for this patent is San Jamar, Inc.. Invention is credited to Brian Albrecht.
Application Number | 20160236852 15/046599 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55450993 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160236852 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Albrecht; Brian |
August 18, 2016 |
Cup Sleeve Dispenser
Abstract
A dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of collapsed
cup insulator sleeves in manner that facilitates separation between
adjacent collapsed cup insulator sleeves during each extraction or
dispensing event. The dispenser includes a housing that defines a
discharge opening that is constructed to accommodate dispensing of
the collapsed cup sleeves from the dispenser in a singular and
sequential manner and a manner that facilitates presentation of a
subsequent single cup sleeve associated with a respective end of a
stack of cup sleeves for subsequent removal of the respective cup
sleeve from the dispenser.
Inventors: |
Albrecht; Brian; (Elkhorn,
WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
San Jamar, Inc. |
Elkhorn |
WI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55450993 |
Appl. No.: |
15/046599 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62117775 |
Feb 18, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/125 20130101;
A47F 1/10 20130101; B65D 83/0817 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/08 20060101
B65D083/08; A47F 1/10 20060101 A47F001/10 |
Claims
1. A cup sleeve dispenser comprising: a housing that is constructed
to receive a plurality of cup sleeves to be dispensed incrementally
at a point of use, the housing defined by a base and a cover that
movably cooperates with the base; a biasing mechanism disposed in
the housing, the biasing mechanism including a pressure plate
configured to bias the plurality of cup sleeves toward a discharge
opening defined by the housing; and the discharge opening being
defined by cooperation of an end portion of the base and an end
portion of the cover and configured to sequentially physically
interact with each of the plurality of cup sleeves such that the
cover does not interfere with lateral removal of a terminal one of
the plurality of cup sleeves and prevents removal of the other of
the plurality of cup sleeves from the housing during removal of the
terminal one of the plurality of cup sleeves.
2. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 1 wherein the end portion of
the cover proximate the discharge opening extends in an outward
longitudinal direction beyond an imaginary plane that contains the
end portion of the base which is aligned with a sleeve removal
direction.
3. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 2 wherein the end portion of
the cover further comprises a retainer that is further defined as
at least one of a finger and a first finger and a second finger
associated with a front facing surface of a cover and wherein each
of the first finger and the second finger includes a barb formed at
a distal end thereof that faces the plurality of cup sleeves.
4. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 3 further comprising a gap
formed between at least one of respective portions of the finger or
between the first finger and the second finger.
5. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 1 wherein a terminal edge of
the cover proximate the discharge opening extends beyond a terminal
edge of the base proximate the discharge opening such that the
terminal edge of the cover is offset from the terminal edge of the
base a distance that is between slightly larger than a thickness of
a single collapsed cup sleeve and less than a thickness of two
collapsed cup sleeves.
6. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 1 wherein the cover is
adjustably secured to the housing and adjustable to manipulate a
size of the discharge opening.
7. A method of forming a cup insulator sleeve dispenser, the method
comprising: providing a housing that includes a base and cover that
is connected to the base to define a cavity shaped to receive a
stack of cup insulator sleeves; defining a discharge opening at one
end of the housing, the discharge opening being shaped to
accommodate removal of cup insulator sleeves from the housing in a
sequential manner; and forming a separator proximate the discharge
opening that is supported by the housing and which extends beyond a
plane defined by a bottom of the cavity a distance that is at least
as great as a thickness of a collapsed cup sleeve and offset from a
rear surface of the cavity a distance sufficient to prevent
translation of a second to a last cup sleeve during manual
extraction of a last sleeve from the housing.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising providing a bias
mechanism disposed in the cavity and configured to bias the stack
of cup sleeves toward the discharge opening.
9. The method of claim 7 further comprising pivotably connecting
the cover to the base proximate a longitudinal end of the housing
such that a longitudinal cross section of the cavity can be exposed
when the cover is disposed in an open position relative to the
base.
10. The method of claim 7 further comprising connecting the
separator to the housing such that the separator is adjustable
relative to the cavity in a direction aligned with a longitudinal
axis of the cavity.
11. The method of claim 7 further comprising forming the separator
as at least one of a pair of fingers that are cantilevered from the
cover and define a thumb hole between the pair of fingers and a
terminal end of the cover which extends along a side portion and at
least a portion of a forward facing portion of the cover.
12. A cup sleeve dispenser comprising: a housing defined by a cover
and a base and a discharge opening formed proximate a longitudinal
end of the housing such that the housing defines a cavity shaped to
receive a stack of collapsed cup sleeves; a biasing mechanism
disposed in the cavity and configured to bias the stack of
collapsed cup sleeves toward the discharge opening; and a retainer
that is defined by a portion of the cover proximate the discharge
opening and extends in a longitudinal direction a distance beyond a
floor of the base sufficient to allow deflection of a pair of sides
of a collapsed single cup sleeve in the longitudinal direction such
that a subsequent collapsed cup sleeve cooperates with an interior
facing surface of the retainer to restrict lateral translation of
the subsequent collapsed cup sleeve during extraction of the
collapsed single cup sleeve from the cavity.
13. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 12 wherein the cup sleeves
are further defined as being disposable.
14. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 12 wherein the biasing
mechanism is further defined as a pressure plate that slideably
cooperates with a rail.
15. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 14 wherein the housing and
the rail are curved in a direction that is transverse to the
longitudinal direction.
16. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 15 further comprising a
spring having a first end secured to the rail proximate the
discharge opening and a second end secured to the pressure
plate.
17. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 14 further comprising a
plurality of rollers attached to the pressure plate and oriented to
cooperate with respective portions of the rail to maintain a
slidable cooperation of the pressure plate with the rail.
18. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 14 wherein the base further
comprises a channel constructed to receive the rail such that a
portion of the rail supports a center portion of the stack of
collapsed cup sleeves and a portion of the base supports opposite
end portions of the stack of collapsed cup sleeves.
19. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 12 further comprising a
finger slot centrally disposed on the cover proximate the
retainer.
20. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 12 wherein the dispenser is
operable to dispense the single collapsed cup sleeve per extraction
activity when positioned in either of a horizontal position and a
vertical position as defined by the longitudinal axis.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/117,775 filed on Feb. 18, 2015 titled "CUP
SLEEVE DISPENSER" and the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to an apparatus for use in
dispensing single use consumer products, and more specifically, to
a dispenser configured to dispense cup sleeves or cup insulators.
The dispenser is constructed to be deployed proximate a point of
use or point of sale and configured to present the cup sleeves in a
manner that accommodates sequential removal of a single sleeve
during each dispense event. Preferably, the cup sleeve dispenser is
constructed to present the sleeves in a sequential manner and such
that a single sleeve can be removed from the dispenser while
accommodating presentation of subsequent sleeves for subsequent
extraction and use.
[0003] Disposable cup sleeves or cup insulators are used in many
commercial environments such as fast food environments as well as
coffee shops and the like. Such sleeves generally slidably
cooperate with disposable cups and mitigate the transfer of heat
associated with the contents of the cup to the hand of the
consumer. Such sleeves are generally ill-suited to be dispensed
from other disposable paper product dispenser as many such sleeves
are formed of a somewhat more rigid material, are not interwoven
with one another, and are expandable between a storage or dispenser
configuration and an in-use or expanded position.
[0004] Although others provide "containers" associated with
presenting a plurality of cup sleeves proximate a point of use,
such containers are ill-suited to considered dispensers. One such
device defines an elongate tray configured to receive a stack of
cup sleeves and a cover that slidably cooperates with the tray. The
dispenser is incapable of providing any segregation or presentation
of the cup sleeves in a manner that facilitates the user's
interaction with the container to remove only a desired number or
even a single cup sleeve from the container during each interaction
with the container.
[0005] Surface friction between adjacent sleeves as well as close
spatial presentation of a plurality of cup sleeves commonly results
in removal of multiple sleeves each time a cup sleeve is removed
from such containers. The user or customer who inadvertently
removes excessive cup sleeves from the container must either return
excess sleeves to the container, leaving them presented in less
than a sanitary manner, or may discard excess sleeves thereby
generating excess process waste.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a cup sleeve dispenser that
can contain a plurality of sleeves, is convenient to reload, and
can accommodate presentation of individual sleeves in a manner
wherein successive sleeves can be sequentially removed from the
dispenser without adversely affecting the presentation or
sanitation of subsequent sleeves for use by subsequent user's or
subsequent removal of discrete sleeves from the dispenser.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to a cup sleeve or cup
insulator dispenser that resolves one or more of the drawbacks
disclosed above. One aspect of the invention discloses a cup sleeve
dispenser having a discharge opening that is constructed to
accommodate removal of cup sleeves from the dispenser in a singular
and sequential manner and a manner that facilitates presentation of
the single cup sleeve associated with a respective end of a stack
of cup sleeves for removal of the respective cup sleeve from the
dispenser.
[0008] Another aspect of the invention that can be combined or is
useable with one or more of the above aspects or features discloses
a cup sleeve dispenser that includes a housing that is constructed
to receive a plurality of cup sleeves to be dispensed incrementally
at a point of use. The housing is defined by a base and a cover
that movably cooperates with the base. A biasing mechanism is
disposed in the housing and includes a pressure plate that is
configured to bias the plurality of cup sleeves toward a discharge
opening defined by the housing. The discharge opening is defined by
cooperation of an end portion of the base and an end portion of the
cover and configured to sequentially physically interact with each
of the plurality of cup sleeves such that the cover does not
interfere with lateral removal of a terminal one of the plurality
of cup sleeves and prevents removal of the other of the plurality
of cup sleeves from the housing during removal of the terminal one
of the plurality of cup sleeves.
[0009] Another aspect of the invention that is usable or combinable
with one or more of the above features of aspects discloses a
method of forming a cup insulator sleeve dispenser that includes
providing a housing that includes a base and cover that is
connected to the base to define a cavity shaped to receive a stack
of cup insulator sleeves. The discharge opening is defined at one
end of the housing and is shaped to accommodate removal of cup
insulator sleeves from the housing in a sequential manner. A
separator is formed proximate the discharge opening and extends
beyond a plane defined by a bottom of the cavity defined by the
base a distance that is at least as great as a thickness of a
collapsed cup sleeve and offset from a rear surface of the cavity a
distance sufficient to prevent translation of a second to a last
cup sleeve during manual extraction of a last sleeve from the
housing.
[0010] A further aspect of the present application that is useable
or combinable with one or more of the above features or aspects
discloses a cup sleeve dispenser that includes a housing that is
defined by a cover, a base, and a discharge opening formed
proximate a longitudinal end of the housing such that the housing
defines a cavity shaped to receive a stack of collapsed cup
sleeves. A biasing mechanism is disposed in the cavity and is
configured to bias the stack of collapsed cup sleeves toward the
discharge opening. The dispenser includes a retainer that is
defined by a portion of the cover proximate the discharge opening.
The retainer extends in a longitudinal direction a distance beyond
a floor of the base that is sufficient to allow deflection of a
pair of sides of a collapsed single cup sleeve in the longitudinal
direction such that a subsequent collapsed cup sleeve cooperates
with an interior facing surface of the retainer to restrict lateral
translation of the subsequent collapsed cup sleeve during
extraction of the single collapsed cup sleeve from the cavity.
[0011] These and various other features, aspects, and advantages of
the present invention will be made apparent from the following
detailed description and the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment presently
contemplated for carrying out the invention and in the
drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 of a perspective view of a cup insulator sleeve
dispenser assembly according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective longitudinal cross section view of
the dispenser shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective partial exploded view of a base and
a biasing assembly of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1 with the cover
removed therefrom;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the cross section view
shown in FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a discharge end portion of the
dispenser assembly shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the discharge end portion
of the dispenser assembly shown in FIG. 5;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a cup insulator sleeve
dispenser assembly according to another embodiment of the
invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 is perspective view of a bottom portion of the
dispenser shown in FIG. 7;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the cover exploded
from the dispenser assembly;
[0022] FIG. 10. is a view similar to FIG. 9 with the cover removed
from the dispenser;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a biasing mechanism shown in
FIG. 9 removed from the housing of the dispenser;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the biasing mechanism
shown in FIG. 11;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the biasing
mechanism shown in FIG. 12;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the biasing mechanism
shown in FIG. 13;
[0027] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the base of the dispenser
shown in FIG. 7; and
[0028] FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the dispenser shown in
FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIGS. 1-6 show various views of a cup sleeve dispenser
assembly or simply a dispenser 30 according to one embodiment of
the present invention. While the invention may be susceptible to
embodiment in different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and
herein are described in detail, certain illustrative embodiments
with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be
considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention,
and is not intended to limit the invention to those specific
embodiments illustrated and described herein. Additionally,
features illustrated and described with respect to one embodiment
could be used in connection with other embodiments.
[0030] The present invention provides a cup sleeve dispenser 30
that is configured to dispense cup sleeves or cup insulator or
insulation sleeves commonly used in hot beverage retail
environments. Users and consumers of such insulation sleeves
readily appreciate that such sleeves are commonly provided in a
folded or collapsed configuration wherein opposite sides of the
sleeve overlap one another and, when deployed or placed in use,
form a generally frusto-conical shaped sleeve that slideably
cooperates with the exterior surface of a cup. Some such sleeves
commonly include a corrugated core that is captured between
opposing layers and/or otherwise constructed to mitigate thermal
transfer between the cup and the hand of the user. The
frusto-conical shape of the cup and the frusto-conical shape of the
insulator sleeve, when deployed, cooperate with one another such
that the sleeve can be slideably associated from the bottom of the
cup but the gradually increasing diameter of the cup in a direction
from the base toward the open end of the cup prevents translation
of the sleeve over the open end of the cup.
[0031] When in a stored or stowed configuration, the generally
opposite sides of the sleeves define a generally frusto-conical
planar shape wherein opposite circumferential sides of the sleeve
generally overlie one another. Such considerations generally
prevent the sleeves from being interwoven with one another and
require interaction with two generally planar and adjacent surfaces
to maintain the desired operative and structural integrity
associated with each sleeve. Failure to attend to such
considerations can result in damage to the discrete sleeves during
removal of the same.
[0032] It is appreciated that cup sleeve dispenser 30 could be
provided in a number of shapes intended to accommodate cup sleeves
of different shapes and/or be configured to be adjustable so as to
achieve the desired single sleeve per dispense activity operation
with sequential presentation of subsequent cup sleeves for removal
from the dispenser 30. Generally, a single dispenser cannot
dispense different sizes and types of cup sleeves without
substantial modifications or adjustment of a feed, capture, or
retention mechanism and/or adjustment of a discharge opening for
suitable cooperation with the sleeves being dispensed.
[0033] Cup sleeve or cup insulator sleeve dispenser assembly or
simply dispenser 30 includes a retainer 36 that is associated with
a discharge opening 37. As disclosed further below, it is
appreciated that retainer 36 could be integrally formed with a
cover 34 of dispenser 30, adjustably secured thereto, and/or be
provided so as to be interchangeable with dispenser 30 to
facilitate dispensing of cup sleeves having different geometric
requirements. Cup sleeve dispenser 30 includes a base or housing 32
and cover 34, which supports retainer 36, and is removably or
movably connected to housing 32.
[0034] Referring generally to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, dispenser 30 is
preferably curved to provide both aesthetic and functional
improvements over prior art cup sleeve presentation devices. As
shown in FIG. 4, a portion of dispenser 30 is preferably curved
upwardly at an angle .theta. from the longitudinal center line of
the dispenser (or backwardly from the perpendicular). Angle .theta.
is between about 10.degree. to about 40.degree., more preferably
between about 15.degree. and about 30.degree., and most preferably
about 21.degree.. Such a configuration presents cup sleeves in a
manner wherein the sleeves can be comfortably gripped or pinched by
a user whether dispenser 30 is deployed in a vertical, horizontal,
or other inclined orientations therebetween. Such a presentation of
the sleeves also mitigates contamination of the sleeves by
offsetting the user interaction with dispenser 30 to a location
that is spatially offset from the adjacent structures associated
with supporting dispenser 30. Preferably, as disclosed further
below, dispenser 150 also includes a similar curved upwardly at an
angle .theta. portion (FIG. 16).
[0035] Housing 32 and cover 34 may be formed of any suitable
material but are preferably formed of plastic or metal. An optional
faceplate or emblem 33 can be attached to the front of the housing
32. In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the
emblem 33 is formed by a portion of cover 34 of dispenser 30.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 2, cover 34 is pivotally connected to
housing 32 at a pair of connections 35. This connection methodology
permits ready access to the inside of the housing 32. Preferably,
the pivotal connection is constructed so that when the housing 32
is open, the cover 34 does not contact the surface upon which the
dispenser 30 is positioned when the cover 34 is fully opened,
regardless of the angle at which the dispenser 30 is positioned.
For example, cover 34 will not contact a countertop surface when
the dispenser 30 is positioned horizontally on a countertop and the
cover 34 is fully opened. Likewise, cover 34 will not contact a
wall surface when dispenser 30 is vertically positioned on a wall
or the like and the cover 34 is fully opened. The cover 34 may also
be connected to the base or housing 32 so that the cover 34 remains
selectively in an open position when the dispenser 30 is mounted to
a wall or placed on a stand or otherwise deployed in either of a
relatively vertical or relatively horizontal position. This
preferred construction also limits the point(s) at which the cover
34 may be removed from housing 32 of dispenser 30.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, housing 32 has a floor 41 and walls 39
that are oriented to extending in a crossing direction relative to
floor 41. Preferably, floor 41 and walls 39 cooperate with one
another to receive a biasing device or assembly and to capture a
plurality of cup sleeves within the boundary of dispenser 30 such
that the plurality of cup sleeves extend in a stacked orientation
along a longitudinal axis of dispenser 30.
[0038] Preferably, one or more latches receiving areas 60 and
related latches 62 are disposed between housing 32 and cover 34.
Latches 62 cooperate with a corresponding respective latch
receiving area 60 on the other of the housing 32 and cover 34 to
prevent the top surface of dispenser 30 defined by cover 34 from
being freely opened. Thus, in order to open the dispenser 30, the
one or more latches 62 must be released. The top portion or cover
34 may be biased so that releasing the top portion or cover 34
results in the top portion or cover 34 opening, either partially or
fully, without further significant effort from the user. Such
biasing may be provided by springs, pressure, gravity, or the
like.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, housing 32 can include an
integrally formed or separately attached base 68. The base 68
defines the footprint of the dispenser 30 on a flat surface and
provides support for the dispenser 30 when it is deployed in a
horizontal manner. As shown in FIG. 1, the base 68 preferably is of
a height H so that when the dispenser 30 is on a flat horizontal
surface, cup sleeves associated with dispensing opening 37 do not
touch the support surface. Preferably, base 68 is also configured
to cooperate with a shaped nesting space defined by cover 34 so
that multiple dispensers 30 may be stacked on top of one another
with the base 68 of one dispenser 30 self locating relative to the
cover associated with another dispenser 30.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, dispenser 30 includes an
optional track based biasing mechanism or track system 50 disposed
between housing 32 and cover 34 of cup sleeve dispenser 30. The
track system 50 is particularly useful when the dispenser 30 is
positioned relatively horizontally with respect to the surface upon
which it rests. Although helpful when vertically oriented, gravity
also biases a stack of sleeves associated with a vertically
oriented dispenser toward dispensing opening 37. The track system
50 urges cup sleeves towards the retainer 36 and dispense opening
37 so that individual cup sleeves may be easily removed from
dispenser 30. As disclosed further below, track system 50 is
preferably attached to housing 32 in a manner permitting it to be
removed from the housing 32 without the use of any tools. The track
system 50 preferably has one rail 52 and a pressure plate 54. The
pressure plate 54 rides or is guided on or slideably associated
with the rail 52. The pressure plate 54 is biased towards retainer
36 and discharge opening 37. In one embodiment, the pressure plate
54 is biased towards the discharge opening 37 by a constant load
spring (also sometimes called a constant force spring) that is
attached to the rail 52 or housing 32 and the pressure plate 54.
One such configuration is disclosed further below with respect to
FIG. 13.
[0041] In one embodiment, the track system 50, and specifically the
rail 52, is curved. In this embodiment, the track system is curved
to conform to the shape of the housing 32 of the dispenser 30. As
such, the track system 50 may be curved between about 10.degree. to
about 40.degree., preferably from about 15.degree. to about
30.degree., and most preferably about 21.degree. along its length
and preferably nearer one end of rail 52, and more preferably, the
end of rail 52 that is nearer discharge opening 37. It is
appreciated that other shapes and configurations of dispenser 30
are envisioned.
[0042] The pressure plate 54 is preferably positioned with respect
to the rail 52 so that the pressure plate 54 applies a generally
constant force to the cup sleeves. In one embodiment, the face 55
of the pressure plate 54 is at an angle Y with respect to normal
from the rail 52. Angle Y is between about 0.degree. and
20.degree., preferably between about 5.degree. and 15.degree., and
most preferably about 10.degree.. The shape of pressure plate 54
may be generally planar or otherwise contoured in one or more
directions to manipulate the interaction between the pressure plate
54 and the cup sleeves to manipulate the interaction between the
cup sleeves and retainer 36 to achieve the desired presentation of
a single cup sleeve for removal at discharge opening 37.
[0043] The position of the pressure plate 54 can optionally be
maintained in a retracted position by a retention mechanism. Such a
retention mechanism has at least one extension and the pressure
plate has at least one catch, or vise versa, to facilitate a
temporary retention of pressure plate 54 for loading of dispenser
30. The pressure plate 54 can be released from the retracted
position by depressing a trigger or other actuator that lowers an
extension, to allow the pressure plate 54 to slide free relative to
the rail 52. Of course, the extension and/or the trigger may be
provided on the pressure plate 54 and the catch on the retention
mechanism. When provided with such a retention mechanism, the cover
34 can include a finger such that closing the cover 34 causes the
finger to depress the trigger and release the pressure plate 54
from the retracted position.
[0044] As discussed above, the cup sleeve dispenser 30 has a
retainer 36 that is defined by cover 34. In one embodiment,
retainer 36 is movably or removably attachable to the cover 34 to
define a shape associated with dispensing opening 37. The retainer
36 of the dispenser 30 may be changed or covers with different
retainer configurations may be secured to housing 32 so that the
dispenser 30 can properly dispense multiple types and sizes of cup
insulator sleeves. Specifically, retainer 36 provides a retaining
of subsequent cup sleeves and accommodates removal of a terminal
cup sleeve through opening 37 of dispenser 30.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, retainer 36 is further
defined by a first finger 80 and a second finger 82 that extend in
a generally longitudinal direction 84 relative to dispenser 30.
Each finger 80, 82 extends in a cantilevered fashion such that a
distal end 86 of each finger 80, 82 is disposed in close proximity
to a bottom 89 defined by housing 32. As disclosed further below,
FIGS. 7-15 show a dispenser according to an alternate embodiment of
the present invention wherein each finger extends along a
substantial portion of the forward facing surface of cover so as to
define a substantially slot-shaped discharge opening associated
with removal of discrete cup insulator sleeves.
[0046] It should be appreciated that the embodiment shown in FIGS.
7-15 as disclosed further below defines a cup sleeve dispenser
wherein the distal ends of the fingers or respective portions of
the cover define a discharge opening that has a shape and dimension
that more closely resembles a forward facing vertical footprint of
a single respective cup sleeve. A pinch groove as explained further
below is formed between the respective fingers of the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 7-15 such that the user introduces a thumb or finger
into a groove and can manually deflect a respective cup sleeve into
cooperation with discharge opening. It is further appreciated that
the shape, or the extension of respective fingers and the generally
continuous shape of each finger relative to cover provides a robust
retainer arrangement wherein the respective fingers associated with
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-15 are far less, if not negligibly,
deflectable relative to the remainder of cover as compared to the
configuration and construction of fingers 80, 82 associated with
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6.
[0047] Referring to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, an optional
barb 88 is formed at a tip or distal end 86 of each finger 80, 82.
Each barb 88 extends in a direction that faces toward the cup
sleeves associated with discharge opening 37. Said in another way,
barbs 88 extend in a crossing direction relative to the
longitudinal axis of dispenser 30 and in a direction generally
aligned with, but generally opposite to, the direction of removal
of cup sleeves from dispenser 30. Fingers 80, 82 define a pair of
gaps 90 that extend between the respective finger 80 and adjacent
portions of cover 34 in a laterally outward direction and a pick
groove 94 formed between the adjacent fingers 80, 82.
[0048] Pick groove 94 is shaped to accommodate the introduction of
the user's finger along the portion of cup sleeves associated with
discharge end of dispenser 30. Referring briefly to the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 7-15, the pick groove associated with the assembly
disclosed therein functions in a similar manner. It should be
further appreciated that an interior facing surface of cover
proximate discharge opening functions to resist translation of the
second to last and other subsequently dispensed cup sleeves while
the lowermost cup sleeve is aligned with the discharge opening and
thereby being oriented to be removed from dispenser 150 shown in
FIGS. 7-15.
[0049] Still referring to FIGS. 1-6, fingers 80, 82 are preferably
constructed integrally with cover 34 and can include a living hinge
102 associated with each respective finger 80, 82 and/or be
constructed so as to be deformable or deflectable in a discharge
direction, indicated by arrow 106, during the removal of individual
cup sleeves. It is further appreciated that fingers 80, 82 could be
movably connected to cover 34 such that the user may manipulate the
specific construction associated with discharge opening 37 to
accommodate use of dispenser 30 with cup sleeves having different
geometric parameters. It is further appreciated that the cover 154
associated with dispenser 150 assembly shown in FIGS. 7-15 could be
provided in a two part or adjustable construction such that the
longitudinal position of respective fingers can be adjusted to
manipulate the vertical dimension associated with discharge opening
associated with dispenser and/or the proximity of the distal ends
of the fingers relative to a bottom surface associated with the
housing of the dispenser 150 shown in FIGS. 7-15.
[0050] Referring back to FIG. 6, distal ends 86 associated with
fingers 80, 82 of retainer 36 are disposed in generally close, but
not overlapping, alignment with an interior surface 108 of bottom
89 of housing 32. Preferably, distal ends 86 are oriented in a
spaced orientation relative to surface 108 relative to feed
direction 84 to accommodate the presentation of a single cup sleeve
at discharge end 100. Barbs 88 face the cup sleeves disposed in
dispenser 30 and preferably facilitate separation between adjacent
sleeves. Minimally, fingers 80, 82 prevent more than a selected
number, such as one, insulating cup sleeve from being removed from
dispenser 30 during each dispense event. That is, fingers 80, 82
prevent the second to last and subsequent cup sleeves from
translating in direction 106 during removal of a last or a being
dispensed cup sleeve.
[0051] As disclosed further below, the more rigid fingers
associated with the dispenser assembly or dispenser 150 shown in
FIGS. 7-15 perform in a similar manner but are less or
non-deflectable relative to the remainder of the cover of the
dispenser. As disclosed further below, the fingers associated with
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-15 extend beyond the bottom of the
respective housing such that the user can deflect the terminal one
of the cup sleeves for cooperation with discharge opening for
removal of discrete cup sleeves in a manner that assists with
separation between adjacent cup sleeves.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 6, surface 108 and pressure plate 54 can
be configured to cooperate with dispenser 30 to facilitate
presentation of cup sleeves in generally close proximity to distal
end 86 of fingers 80, 82, as indicated by line 110, or be oriented
to cooperate with the cup sleeves and/or constructed to provide a
more inclined orientation, as indicated by line 112, of cup sleeves
dispensed from dispenser 30 relative to distal ends 86 of fingers
80, 82. Preferably, a distance, indicated by dimension line 120 in
FIG. 6, between distal end 86 and surface 108 in a direction that
is transverse to discharge direction 106 is selected to be slightly
greater than the thickness of one cup sleeve associated with use of
dispenser 30. Such a construction allows for the incremental single
dispensing of the cup sleeves associated with dispenser 30.
[0053] It is further appreciated that dispenser 30 and dispenser
150 as disclosed below may be modified to facilitate improved cup
sleeve dispensing by locating one or more pressure focus devices or
features in juxtaposition with respect to respective pressure plate
54, 182 and/or the bottom 89, 178 defined by the respective base or
housing. It is further appreciated that insulating cup sleeves have
a more self supporting rigid construction so that greater force is
required to deform the cup sleeves but that the cup sleeves can
accommodate pressure focus features at different locations to
achieve the desired presentation of the cup sleeves at dispensing
opening 37, 160 to facilitate the sequential dispensing of
individual insulating cup sleeves while maintaining the orientation
of subsequent cup sleeves for presentation of the subsequent cup
sleeves at discharge opening 37, 160 for subsequent removal of
subsequent cup sleeves. Preferably, fingers 80, 82, 269, and the
inward facing surfaces associated floor or bottoms 108, 178 of
housings 32, 152, respectively, are constructed to sequentially
present each cup sleeve associated with a stack of cup sleeves in a
manner that facilitates sequential removal of each cup sleeve
associated with a stack of cup sleeves from dispenser 30, 150 in a
one-by-one manner.
[0054] In operation, a user removes cup sleeves from dispenser 30
by pulling on a forward facing edge of a lowermost cup sleeve whose
front facing edge is presented at opening 37, 160 and not otherwise
obstructed by the distal ends associated with fingers 80, 82, 269
of retainer 36, 270. Retainers 36, 269 prevent translation of the
second to last and subsequent cup sleeves during extraction of the
dispensing or the respective first cup sleeve associated with a
given stack of cup sleeves such that the cup insulator sleeves can
be dispensed in a single sequential manner.
[0055] As alluded to above, FIGS. 7-15 show various views of a cup
insulator sleeve dispenser assembly or simply dispenser 150
according to another embodiment of the invention. Dispenser 150
includes a base or a housing 152 and a cover 154 that movably
cooperates therewith. Housing 152 includes a pair of projections
156 that cooperate with a pair of respective openings 158 defined
by cover 154 and associated with alternate lateral sides of
dispenser 150 and provide a pivotable connection between cover 154
and housing 152. Dispenser 150 also includes respective latch 162
and latch receiving areas 164 disposed proximate dispensing opening
160 and which provide a secure "closed" configuration of dispenser
150.
[0056] A rearward facing surface 166 of housing 152 includes one or
more optional supports or feet 168 that support dispenser 150. It
is appreciated that feet 168 can be provided in a generally rigid
construction and/or provided in a deformable construction, such as
a suction cup or the like, configured to secure dispenser 150
relative to vertical and/or horizontal surfaces. It is further
appreciated that feet 168 can be constructed to removably cooperate
with housing 152 such that housing 152 is vertically stackable
relative to additional dispensers 150 in a manner similar to that
disclosed above with respect to dispenser 30. As shown in FIG. 8
and disclosed further below, housing 152 includes one or more
openings 170, 172, 174 that are constructed to cooperate with a
biasing mechanism disposed within dispenser 150 such that the
biasing mechanism can be secured relative thereto in a generally
snap-fit and tool-less manner.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, housing 152 and cover 154
cooperate with one another so as to generally define a volume 175
that extends between a rear or top wall 176 and a front or bottom
178 of housing 152 that is proximate dispensing opening 160. As
shown in FIGS. 9-14, dispenser 150 includes a biasing mechanism 180
that is disposed in volume 175 and includes a pressure plate 182
that slideably cooperates with a rail 184 to bias cup insulator
sleeves disposed between pressure plate 182 and bottom 178 of
housing 152 toward dispensing opening 160. Rail 184 extends in a
longitudinal direction, indicated by arrow 190, and is constructed
to cooperate with pressure plate 182 such that pressure plate 182
is translatable in a longitudinal direction 190, relative to rail
184 when rail 184 is secured to housing 152.
[0058] Rail 184 includes a first end portion 192 and a second end
portion 194 that are oriented at generally opposite longitudinal
ends thereof. First end portion 192 includes a pair of projections
196, 198 formed therein. Projections 196, 198 are constructed to
slideably cooperate with respective openings 170, 172 defined by
housing 152. Second end portion 194 of rail 184 is constructed to
be associated with housing 152 such that the second end portion 194
of rail 184 is disposed proximate discharging opening 160.
[0059] Second end portion 194 of rail 184 includes a projection 200
that has a barb 202 formed proximate a free end of the projection
200. As disclosed further below with respect to FIG. 15,
cooperation of projections 196, 198 of rail 184 with openings 170,
172 of housing 152 and cooperation of projection 200 and barb 202
with opening 174 allows rail 184 to be snap-fittingly secured to
housing 152. Rail 184 includes a pair of optional projections 204,
206 that are constructed to slideably cooperate with a pair of
openings, cavities, or pockets, 208, 210 associated with housing
152. Projections 204, 206 index projection 200, and the barb 202
associated therewith, relative to opening 174 during mounting of
rail 184 relative to housing 152.
[0060] A pair of flanges 212, 214 are oriented at generally
opposite lateral sides of rail 184. Flanges 212, 214 preferably
extend the longitudinal length of rail 184 and slideably cooperate
with a carriage 216 associated with pressure plate 182. Referring
to FIGS. 11 and 14, carriage 216 includes a pair of upper guides,
such as rollers 220, 222, that engage an upper surface 224 of rail
184 proximate flanges 212, 214. Carriage 216 includes a pair of
lower guides, such as rollers 226, 228, that are rotationally
supported by carriage 216 and cooperate with an underside or lower
side surface 230 of a respective flange 212, 214.
[0061] Upper rollers 220, 222 and lower rollers 226, 228 are
vertically offset from one another so as to cooperate with the
alternate upper and lower sides or surfaces 224, 230 associated
with flanges 212, 214 of rail 184. Roller pairs 220, 222 and 226,
228 and also offset in longitudinal direction 190 so as to maintain
a slideable interaction of carriage 216 with rail 184. A biasing
device, such as a coil spring 232, is supported by carriage 216 and
includes a distal end 234 (FIG. 13) that is secured to an underside
of rail 184 proximate discharge or second end portion 194 of rail
184 with a fastener, such as a rivet 240, such that biasing device
232 biases carriage 216 and pressure plate 182 toward the second
end portion 194 of rail 184 oriented proximate discharge opening
160.
[0062] Pressure plate 182 is preferably positioned with respect to
the rail 184 so that the pressure plate 182 applies a generally
constant force to the cup insulator sleeves during sequential
dispensing of each cup insulator sleeve associated with a stack of
similarly sized cup insulator sleeves disposed in dispenser 150. In
one embodiment, a face 183 of the pressure plate 182 is at an angle
Y with respect to normal from the rail 52. Angle Y is between about
0.degree. and 20.degree., preferably between about 5.degree. and
15.degree., and most preferably about 10.degree.
[0063] Like pressure plate 54, the shape of face 183 of pressure
plate 182 is generally planar but may be otherwise contoured in one
or more directions or include pressure focusing devices or features
to manipulate the interaction between the pressure plate 182 and
the cup insulator sleeves to manipulate the interaction between the
cup sleeves and a retainer such as the distal or terminal edge of
cover 154, as disclosed further below, to achieve the desired
presentation of a single cup sleeve for sequential removal at
discharge opening 160. It is further appreciated that pressure
plate 182 can be adjustably connected to carriage 216 to provide
various orientations of face 183 relative to the cup insulator
sleeves to achieve the desired sequential dispensing of the cup
sleeves.
[0064] Still referring to FIGS. 10-14, a pocket 244 is formed near
an upper portion 246 of pressure plate 182. Pocket 244 is shaped to
allow the user to manually interact with pressure plate 182 to bias
the pressure plate 182, and the carriage 216 associated therewith,
toward first end portion 192 of rail 184 during loading of
dispenser 150. That is, referring briefly to FIG. 10, user
interaction with pocket 244 when cover 154 is opened, allows the
user to manually translate pressure plate 182 in a rearward
longitudinal direction, indicated by arrow 250, relative to rail
184 and overcome the bias associated with biasing device 232, to
expand the coffee insulator sleeve containing portion or chamber
252 associated with volume 175 defined by dispenser 150.
[0065] It is further appreciated that the manual longitudinal
manipulation of biasing mechanism 180 can include a selectively or
automatically operable catch arrangement such as that described
above with respect to dispenser 30 so as to allow pressure plate
182 to be self-retained at a position nearer first end portion 192
of rail 184 during loading operations. Manually interaction with
the catch assembly, or operation of the same in response to other
operations, such as the closing of cover 154, can be utilized to
subsequently release the catch assembly thereby allowing pressure
plate 182 to bias coffee insulator sleeves disposed in sleeve
containing portion or chamber 252 of the cavity or volume 175
defined by dispenser 150 and toward discharge opening 160 for use
of dispenser 150.
[0066] As alluded to above, an interior facing surface of housing
152 includes a channel 256 associated with openings and/or pockets
170, 172, 174, 208, 210 and that is shaped to receive rail 184. One
or more openings 258 are formed in rear wall of housing 152 and are
oriented laterally outboard of channel 256. Openings 258 and
constructed to receive fasteners or the like for securing feet 168
relative to housing 152 and/or securing housing 152 relative to an
underlying support surface.
[0067] Referring to FIGS. 7, 9, and 15, during use of dispenser
150, a plurality of cup insulator sleeves 260 are disposed in
sleeve containing chamber 252 and biased toward a floor or bottom
178 of housing 152 by biasing mechanism 180 via cooperation of
pressure plate 182 with a terminal or last cup insulator sleeves
260 associated with a stack of cup insulator sleeves disposed in
chamber 252. A ready-to-be-dispensed cup insulator sleeve 280 is
biased into engagement with bottom 178 of housing 152 so as to be
disposed proximate discharge opening 160.
[0068] User interaction with a pick groove or finger channel 264,
or an outboard lateral edge 266, of a respective cup insulator
sleeve 260, facilitates downward deflection, indicated by arrow
268, of a respective cup insulator sleeve 260 beyond one or more
retention fingers 269 that are generally defined by a terminal edge
270 associated with dispensing opening 160. Once deflected in
direction 268, a discrete cup insulator sleeve 280 can be extracted
from dispenser 150 via translation of the discrete cup insulator
sleeve 260 in a generally forward direction, indicated by arrow
274, and past fingers 269 and terminal edge 270 associated with
cover 254. Cooperation of a next-to-be-dispensed cup insulator
sleeve 276 with an interior facing surface fingers 269 prevents the
next-to-be-dispensed or adjacent cup insulator sleeve 276 from
being extracted during dispensing of a ready-to-be-dispensed cup
insulator sleeve 280.
[0069] The floor or bottom 178 of housing 152, fingers 269, and
terminal edge 270 of cover 154 are oriented to accommodate the
slidable extraction of the ready-to-be-dispensed cup insulator
sleeve 280 relative to the adjacent or next-to-be-dispensed cup
insulator sleeve 276 during each extraction event and in a manner
similar to that described above with respect to dispenser 30. Upon
extraction or dispensing of cup insulator sleeve 280, the adjacent
insulator sleeve 276 is biased into engagement with bottom 178 of
housing 152 and achieves a ready-to-be-dispensed orientation
relative to dispenser 150 thereby allowing sequential dispensing of
a discrete cup insulator sleeves from a stack of similarly
constructed cup insulator sleeves.
[0070] The dispensers 30, 150 of the present invention may have
other applications aside from use in connection with cup insulation
or insulator sleeves but are each constructed to dispense generally
rigid stacked products that may or may not be interwoven or
presented in an overlapping orientation but are separable from one
another so as to be removable from the dispenser without adversely
affecting the presentation and/or removal of subsequent presented
cup insulator sleeves. Further, the invention may be implemented in
a variety of configurations, using certain features or aspects of
the several embodiments described herein and others known in the
art. Thus, although the invention has been herein shown and
described in what is perceived to be the most practical and
preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is
not intended to be limited to the specific features and embodiments
set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be
made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing
from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the
invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to
the subject matter of the claims.
* * * * *