Abstract:
A cup dispenser having a plurality of resilient adjustable clips for engaging and dispensing cups without marring the surface of the dispensed cups. The clips include a cup engagement portion that exceeds the deformed width of the portion of a cup with which the clips are engaged.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 60/946,984, filed Jun. 25, 2007; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to dispensers and more particularly to a cup dispenser that dispenses cups one at a time without causing damage to the cup as it is dispensed. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Dispensers are widely used to store and dispense beverage cups. Typically, a stack of nested cups is held by a dispenser so that a portion of the bottom-most cup is exposed. An individual desiring a cup simply pulls on the exposed portion of the cup, and removes the bottom-most cup from the dispenser. 
         [0004]    Currently, three types of cup dispensers are generally used in the commercial and industrial food markets. All three types of dispensers have an opening and generally use a spring biased platform to urge cups towards the opening. The three types of dispensers have different structures associated with the opening. One type of beverage cup dispenser has a fixed rim that is configured to dispense a single cup size. Fixed rim dispensers do not generally experience much wear from use. However, they cannot accommodate different cups sizes so that many different dispensers are required to meet all cup needs. In order to adjust for even the slightest variation in cup size, a customer must purchase or deploy a new dispenser at a substantial cost. 
         [0005]    Another type of dispenser is an adjustable dispenser. This type of dispenser uses spring clips or the like that can be adjusted to dispense multiple cup sizes. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,126,248 to House; 4,033,478 to House, and 4,658,983 to Suttles and United States Patent Application number 2007/0295746 to Gapp disclose a number of these adjustable dispensers. While these dispensers are adjustable to accommodate different cup sizes and do not exhibit much wear from use, these designs have a tendency to mar or crack certain types of cups, e.g., foam cups. 
         [0006]    The third type of dispenser employs a flexible diaphragm instead of a fixed rim. This type of dispenser has a removable flexible diaphragm through which cups are pulled. The flexible diaphragm has an opening that may be varied to accommodate cups of different sizes. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,709,316 to Jolly et al. and 6,199,723 to Collins et al. disclose cup dispensers with flexible diaphragms. Flexible diaphragms are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and can be readily shaped in accordance with the needs of a food service organization. As such, a dispenser can be fit with diaphragms having different sized and shaped openings at a relatively low expense. Flexible diaphragms, however, are subject to wear. As such, they need to be periodically replaced and thus, have ongoing costs associated with their use. 
         [0007]    The current dispensers suffer from certain drawbacks and limitations. Accordingly, a need exists for dispensers that are easy to use, are resistant to premature wear, are flexible to changing or multiple cup needs, do not mar or crack cups and solve other problems associated with the existing beverage cup dispensers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, a device is provided that employs multiple adjustable clips having a relatively wide line of contact with the bottom-most cup in a stack of cups. The width of the line of contact with the bottom-most cup spreads the retaining pressure on the cup out over a wider area than prior art devices, and when replicated among multiple clips, serves to minimize or eliminate the marring on the cup which would otherwise occur with the narrower lines of contact. 
         [0009]    The clip shape of the present invention also permits improved loading of a stack of cups. The adjustable clips preferably include lead-in ramps which, unlike the prior art, provide a gentle egress into the dispenser with little or no marring of any cups in the stack. 
         [0010]    The improvement in cup dispensing may be further enhanced by selecting materials that permit a balance between the rigidity and flexibility of the clip itself. Constructing the clips of the present invention with the appropriate flexibility permits the dispenser to dispense relatively efficiently despite minor misadjustments. It also contributes to the ability of the cup dispenser of the present invention to dispense cups without marring or cracking the cups. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the clips of the present invention are molded in such a way so as to avoid the presence of a raised center line along the line of contact with the cups. This line, which is present on all known prior art plastic clips dispensers, can mar cups on ingress into or egress from the dispenser. 
         [0012]    The clips of the present invention can be incorporated into a brand-new dispenser or used to replace existing clips in existing dispensers. In either case, the present invention yields an improvement over the prior art. 
         [0013]    Various other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawings, which together disclose the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , with the trim ring removed; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a one embodiment of a clip of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the clip shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the collar of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the cup support of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of one embodiment of the present invention showing the bottom-most cup of a stack of cups mounted in the cup storage tube; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a section view of that shown in  FIG. 8  taken along line  9 - 9  thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a dispenser  10  has a cup storage tube  12  for holding a stack of cups to be dispensed. The dispenser  10  preferably includes a biasing means such as a spring  11  that fits within the tube  12 , a cup support  14  and a cap  15 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the cup support  14  is in the shape of slightly flattened dome to center the stack of cups within the tube  12  and imparting appropriate pressure on the stack of cups toward the dispensing end of the tube  12  without breaking or otherwise damaging the cups. A collar  16  is fitted on the top of the tube  12  and has an outside diameter greater than the tube  12  and greater than the opening in a housing (not shown) into which the dispenser  10  is mounted. As such, the dispenser  10  can be placed in the housing and maintained in place by one or more fasteners (not shown) affixing the collar  16  to the housing. The collar is coaxial with the tube  12  and its front opening is preferably secured to the tube  12  by a plurality of studs  17  that fit through a plurality of corresponding holes in tube  12 . A trim ring  18  preferably fits over and connects to the collar  16  to provide a finished appearance when the dispenser  10  is mounted in a housing. 
         [0025]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , preferably at least three substantially identical resilient clips  20  are provided. When three clips are deployed, they are disposed approximately 120 degrees apart inside tube  12 , near its front opening. The number of such clips is preferably at least three, to insure that a cup stack is supported symmetrically with respect to the tube  12 . However, larger numbers of clips can be used if desired. 
         [0026]    Each clip  20  mounted in the dispenser  10  of the present invention is fit, at its distal end, into a slot  22  in the tube  12 . A first, outer end section  24  of the clip  20  extends a short distance along the outer wall of the tube  12  as it extends through the slot  22 . A second, inner end section  26  of the clip  20  extends a lesser distance than the end section  24  along the inner wall of the tube  12 . As best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , extending substantially straight up from the inner end section  26  is a relatively long leg section  28 . A first bent portion  30  extends out at an angle θ from the long leg section  28 . Preferably this angle is between 95 degrees and 180 degrees more preferably between 125 degrees and 160 degrees and most preferably 147 degrees. The first bent portion  30  meets a second bent portion  32  at a cup engagement portion  31  and extends back away from the first bent portion  30  at an angle α. Preferably this angle is between 65 degrees and 170 degrees, more preferably between 95 degrees and 140 degrees and most preferably 126 degrees. These angles are set to avoid interference with next to last cup in the cup stack (angle θ) and to permit the bottom-most cup to gently but quickly clear the clips  20  to permit ease of dispensing without cup damage (angle α). A final section  33 , extends away from the second bent portion  32  of each clip  20  at an angle γ. Preferably this angle is between 100 degrees and 140 degrees, more preferably between 110 degrees and 125 degrees and most preferably 117 degrees. Section  33  comprises three portions  34 ,  36  and  38 . Section  38  of each clip  20  includes a set of teeth  42  which, because of the resiliency of each clip  20 , removably engage a corresponding set of teeth in  44  in the collar  16  to prevent radial movement of the body of the clip  10 . This engagement, caused by the biased resiliency of each clip  20 , serves to maintain cup engagement portion  31  in a selected position relative to the tube  12 . A tab  40  extends up from section  33  and fits through a channel  46  in collar  16  which bifurcates each set of teeth  44 . Tab  40  provides means for adjusting the relative radial position of each clip  20  by permitting the teeth  42  and  44  to be disengaged when the tab  40  is pressed down and rotated along an arc within the channel  46 . 
         [0027]    When the clips  20  are mounted in the dispenser  10 , and engage a stack of cups, they undergo some deformation. In one embodiment of the present invention, the majority of the deformation is born by section  28  which bows out. However, angles γ and α generally undergo some slight deformation as well, typically decreasing on the order of approximately 0.5 degrees. Angle θ is largely unchanged under compression. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8-9 , in operation, the dispenser  10  is filled with a stack of cups  100  the bottom through the clips  20 . The clips  20  provide lead in ramps (section  32 ) to help a stack of cups load into the tube  12  without marring. The ramps function by virtue of the shape and angular relationships of each section  32  to the rest of the clip  20 . 
         [0029]    If necessary, the clips  20  may be adjusted by pressing down on one or more of the tabs  40  and rotating the clips along an arc within channel  46  to engage the bottom-most cup  102  in the stack  100 , center the cups within the tube  12  and selectively set the clips radially evenly with respect to the tube  12 . Preferably the collar  16  includes consistent markings  47  on each side of a channel  46  to provide a reference to a user to facilitate setting the clips radially evenly around the stack of cups. 
         [0030]    The cup stack  100  is held in place by the contact of the cup engagement portion  31  of each clip  20  with the side of the bottom-most cup  102 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the contact between the engagement portion  31  and the bottom-most cup  102  does not occur along the entire width of the cup engagement portion  31 . Rather, as shown in  FIG. 4 , only part of the engagement portion  31  is in contact with the side of the bottom-most cup. In other words, the width of the engagement portion  31  is wider than the curve of the cup when the curve is flattened or deformed by the engagement portion  31  as it holds the cup stack  100  in place. This extra width means that there will be no high pressure point where the edges of the clip  20  engage the sides of the bottom-most cup. This translates to minimal if any marring of the cups being dispensed. It also serves to cause the bottom-most cup to deform and separate from the next cup in the stack which is held back from dispensing, at least in part, by its ultimate interaction with section  30  of the clip  20 . 
         [0031]    The clips  20  of the present invention are preferably plastic, and more preferably are made of 0.80 inch thick polypropylene to provide good wear resistance and resilience. However, other materials with similar characteristics may be substituted. When the clips are made from plastic, they are preferably molded to avoid the presence of a raised mold parting line down the center of the engagement portion  31 . The absence of such a line diminishes still further, as compared to the prior art, the likelihood that the clips will mar any of the cups in the cup stack. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment of the present invention the cup engagement portion is at least one inch wide with a 0.10 inch radius. This width preferably corresponds to a maximum cup diameter (as measured across the mouth of a cup) of approximately 4.125 inches. This yields a ratio of cup diameter to engagement portion width of 4.125:1 or a preferred ratio of approximately 4:1. The ratio decreases as the size of the cups to be dispensed decreases. 
         [0033]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a gasket  104  is employed, in addition to clips  20  to aid in the smooth dispensing of the cups from the dispenser  10 . The gasket also provides a sanitary barrier, particularly when cups are dispensed upwardly from a counter (not shown). 
         [0034]    The dispenser  10  and clips  20  of the present invention may have other applications aside from use in connection with cups. 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 disclosed herein.