Adjustable dispenser for cups and other cup-shaped articles

A cup dispenser includes a body defining a storage region adapted for receiving for an associated stack of cup-shaped articles. The body includes an open end that provides access to the storage region. Multiple fingers are connected to the body for restricting the open end of the body. An adjustment ring is connected to the body and is movable relative to the body. Movement of the adjustment ring relative to the body alters a position of each of the fingers relative to the body. The adjustment ring includes a plurality of adjustment slots and the fingers each include an adjustment stud located in one of the adjustment slots. When the adjustment ring is rotated, the adjustment slots act as cams and the adjustment studs act as cam followers such that the fingers are simultaneously and uniformly adjusted in terms of their radial position relative to the body wall.

BACKGROUND

The present development is directed toward the art of dispensers for cups and other cup-shaped articles (e.g., french fry containers, soufflé cups, ice-cream cones, etc.) and, more particularly, to a new and unobvious cup dispenser assembly. The term “cup” as used herein is intended to encompass cups and any other cup-shaped article suitable for being dispensed one-at-a-time from an interfitted or nested stack. Dispensers of the type under consideration herein are commonly employed in restaurants and convenience stores to maintain a supply of paper, plastic, foam, and/or other disposable cups and/or cup-shaped articles near beverage or soft-serve frozen food dispensing equipment for use as required, and cups are dispensed one at a time from the dispenser with the closed ends of the cups in the nested stack of cups oriented outwardly toward the user.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present development, a cup dispenser comprises a body defining a storage region adapted for receiving for an associated stack of cup-shaped articles. The body includes an open end that provides access to the storage region. A plurality of fingers are connected to the body for restricting the open end of the body. An adjustment ring is connected to the body and is movable relative to the body. Movement of the adjustment ring relative to the body alters a position of each of the fingers relative to the body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An adjustable cup dispenser A constructed in accordance with the present invention is adapted for dispensing cups and other cup-shaped articles. As used herein, the term “cup dispenser” is intended to mean a dispenser for cups or other cup-shaped articles. In use, the cup dispenser A is mounted in a cabinet or other mounting structure B (FIG. 3) and is adapted to maintain a supply of cups or other cup-shaped articles in a readily available condition. The mounting structure B defines an opening into which the cup dispenser is A is inserted and, as is described in full detail below, the dispenser A is fixedly secured to the mounting structure B in an operative position.

The dispenser A comprises an elongated cup storage tube or body10including an inner surface12that defines a hollow cup storage space/region14adapted to receive a telescopically interfitted or nested stack of cups to be dispensed one-at-a-time. The body10is illustrated in the preferred, substantially cylindrical and/or polygonal cross-section conformation, but those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the body10can be defined in any of a wide variety of other configurations so that it defines an elongated hollow cup storage region14adapted to receive and confine a nested stack of cups.

The body10and cup storage region14are defined about a central longitudinal axis L, and the body comprises an open first end20that opens into the cup storage region14and a closed or restricted or partially closed second end22. The second end22is typically closed or at least restricted by an integral transverse end wall24. The body10can be defined from metal or plastic or any other suitable material as desired.

In the illustrated embodiment, the body10includes a plurality of lugs or bosses40(FIG. 4) defined therein near the open first end20(closer to the open end20than the closed end22). If the body is plastic, the bosses40are defined during the molding operation and project outwardly from the outer surface of the body. The illustrated body includes four bosses40defined symmetrically about the body, but those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any number of bosses can be defined, and that these can be arranged in any desired relationship relative to each other.

The cup dispenser assembly A further comprises an annular mounting collar50defined by a cylindrical portion52and a transverse flange54that projects radially outward from the cylindrical portion52. The cylindrical portion52includes or defines a plurality of apertures or other recesses56(FIG. 4) that open at least inwardly toward the center of the cylindrical portion52. These recesses56are dimensioned and arranged and otherwise adapted for respective receipt of and engagement with the bosses40when the collar50is coaxially fitted to upper end20of the body10. Alternatively, the collar50is secured to a cup storage body10via screws, rivets, or other fasteners, or by adhesive or welding, e.g., when the body10is defined from stainless steel. The collar50can also be defined as part of a one-piece construction including both the body10and the collar50. The collar flange54defines a plurality of mounting apertures58(FIG. 8). When the cup dispenser A is to be installed into a mounting structure B, the flange54is fixedly secured to the mounting structure B, preferably by use of fasteners that pass through mounting apertures58. An adjustment ring80that covers the flange54(described in detail below) is rotated to a select position where access openings88in the adjustment ring80become respectively registered with the mounting apertures58to allow installation of the fasteners through the access openings88. The collar can be defined from a metal or polymeric resin material.

The cup dispenser assembly A preferably comprises a spring or other means for biasing the stack of cups contained in the storage region14of the body10toward the open end20of the body10for being dispensed. In the illustrated embodiment, a coil spring60(FIG. 3) is disposed in the hollow cup storage region14coaxial with the central axis L, and a cup pusher or pushing member62is closely and slidably positioned within the hollow cup storage region14of the body10. A first end60aof the coil spring60is seated against the cup pushing member62, and a second end60bof the coil spring60is seated against the transverse end wall24of the body10. The pusher62moves along the axis L toward and away from the second end22of the body, and it is captured in the cup storage space14so that it cannot escape through the open end20(or closed end22) of the body10. In one embodiment, the dispenser A is secured or is adapted to be secured to a mounting structure B in an arrangement where the open first end20of the body10is placed at a lower elevation than the closed second end22. In this arrangement, the spring60(and pusher62) can be omitted and the cups are fed through the open first end20of the body10by gravity.

The cup dispenser A includes a plurality of fingers F connected to the body10and located adjacent the open first end20of the body to retain cups in the cup storage region14and control the dispensing of the cups one at a time. As shown herein, the fingers F also capture the pusher62in the cup storage space14. A portion of each finger F extends inward from the body inner surface12toward the center of the cup storage region14so that the fingers restrict the open end20of the body10. Each finger F includes a first or inner end F1that is fixedly secured or connected to the body10at a location spaced from the open first end20, a second or outer end F2that is movably engaged with the flange54of the mounting collar50or that is otherwise movably located adjacent the open end20of the body10, and a central ramped portion F3located between the first and second ends F1,F2. The ramped portion F3comprises a first ramp surface F3athat converges toward the center of the cup storage region14as it extends away from the open end20of the body10toward the opposite end22of the body, and includes a second ramp surface F3b, located between the first ramp surface and the inner end F1, that diverges away from the center of the cup storage region14as it extends away from the open end20of the body10toward the opposite end22of the body. The first and second ramp surfaces F3a,F3bintersect to define and are connected by a tip F3cof the ramped portion F3. The tip F3cis the most prominent portion of each finger F, in terms of the distance that the finger F projects into the cup storage space14from the inner wall surface12of the body10. It is preferred that each finger F be defined as a one-piece construction from a polymeric resin such that the finger is resiliently flexible and the ramp portion F3is resiliently movable toward and away from the inner surface12of the body when the first and second opposite ends F1,F2of the finger are restrained against any movement relative to the body10. The fingers F are circumferentially spaced-apart around the longitudinal axis L, preferably in a symmetrical arrangement as shown such that they provide a uniform and symmetrical gripping force on the cups or other cup-like articles being retained in the cup dispenser A.

As shown herein, the first end F1of each finger F is connected to the body10by engagement of the first end F1through a mating slot70defined in the body10. The first end F1of each finger includes a first or inner or mounting tab F1tthat lies adjacent an outer surface of the body10, and the first tab F1tprevents escape of the finger first end F1from the slot70unless the finger is moved to a position where the first tab F1tis aligned with the slot70, which cannot occur during normal use of the dispenser A.

Referring particularly now toFIGS. 6-8, the second end F2of each finger F is captured between an upper face of the flange54and an adjustment ring80that is movably secured adjacent the flange54. The second end F2of each finger F includes a second or outer or adjustment tab F2t(FIG. 8) that is arranged to lie adjacent and parallel with the flange54. The second tab F2tis connected to an outer end of the ramp portion F3, in particular to the first ramp surface F3a, by a living hinge or like flexible membrane FH that is part of the one-piece construction of each finger F. The upper face of the flange54preferably defines a plurality of open slots or open grooves54gthat extend radially and that closely and slidably receive respective second tabs F2tof the fingers F. The grooves54gare shaped and dimensioned relative to the second tabs F2tto allow sliding movement of the second tabs F2tonly in a radially outward direction R1or in a radially inward direction R2, without any circumferential or lateral movement transverse to inward and outward radial directions R1,R2. The living hinge FH allows the angle between the second tab F2tand the ramp portion F3of each finger to vary as the second tab F2tis moved radially inward or outward during adjustment of the position of the fingers F using the adjustment ring80as described below, which ensures that the second tab F2tremains parallel to the flange54and parallel to the slots/grooves54gto prevent binding when the adjustment ring80is used to change the operative position of the fingers F.

The adjustment ring80is defined from polymeric resin or metal and generally corresponds in size and shape to the flange54and is located adjacent an upper face of the flange54so as to overlie the flange54. The flange54comprises at least two and preferably at least three mounting studs55that project outwardly therefrom, and the adjustment ring80comprises at least a corresponding number of elongated circumferentially extending mounting recesses or mounting slots85through which the mounting studs55respectively extend when the adjustment ring is positioned to lie adjacent the upper surface of the flange54. The receipt of the mounting studs55through the mounting slots85serves to locate the adjustment ring80on the flange54and enables reciprocal circumferential movement of the adjustment ring80in a plane that lies parallel to the plane in which the mounting flange54lies. The extent of the elongated mounting slots85defines the limits of circumferential movement of the adjustment ring80relative to the flange54and mounting studs55. After the adjustment ring is installed adjacent the flange54, it is captured to the flange54so that it cannot move axially away from the flange. As shown herein, a keeper such as an enlarged head86is connected to each stud55by a screw or other fastener57engaged with the stud55, and the adjustment ring80is axially captured between the enlarged head86and the flange54, but with the adjustment ring still movable circumferentially relative to the flange54. The enlarged head86can be provided as part of the fastener57or separate as shown.

The second tab F2tof each finger F or other part of the second end F2of each finger F includes an adjustment stud FS that projects outwardly therefrom in direction extending transversely away from the collar flange54, e.g., normal to the flange54as shown herein. The adjustment ring80includes at least a corresponding number of adjustment slots AS that respectively receive the finger adjustment studs FS and through which the finger adjustment studs FS extend. The adjustment slots are elongated and include a first or outer end AS1located a first distance from the center of the cup storage space14(i.e., from the central longitudinal axis L) and include a second or inner end AS2located a second distance from the center of the cup storage space14that is less than the first distance. As shown herein, the adjustment slots AS are identical to each other and each is arcuate or otherwise curved between the first and second ends AS1,AS2. The adjustment slots AS could be partly or completely linear between their first and second ends AS1,AS2. It is preferred that the adjustment slots AS be identical to each other to ensure that the fingers F will always be symmetrically located relative to the central axis L.

Referring toFIG. 5, circumferential rotation of the adjustment ring80about the central axis L of the cup dispenser in a first direction as indicated by arrow D1(FIG. 5) results in the adjustment slots AS moving relative to the respective finger adjustment studs FS such that the finger adjustment studs FS are located closer to or are positioned completely in the first (outer) ends AS1of the respective adjustment slots AS. This change in relative position between each finger adjustment stud FS and its corresponding adjustment slot AS results in the finger adjustment studs FS (and the corresponding finger second ends F2to which the finger adjustment studs FS are respectively connected) being moved radially outward in the direction R1(shown in solid lines), which increases the distance of the finger tips F3cfrom the central axis L (and from each other) and increases the cup diameter that can be accommodated between and controlled by the tips F3cwith the proper and desired cup retaining force. Conversely, circumferential rotation of the adjustment ring80about the central axis L in a second direction as indicated by arrow D2results in the adjustment slots AS moving relative to the respective finger adjustment studs FS such that the finger adjustment studs FS are located closer to or are positioned completely in the second (inner) ends AS2of the respective adjustment slots AS. This change in relative position between each finger adjustment stud FS and its corresponding adjustment slot AS results in the finger adjustment studs FS (and the corresponding finger second ends F2to which the finger adjustment studs FS are respectively connected) being moved radially inward in the direction R2(shown in broken lines), which decreases the distance of the finger tips F3cfrom the central axis L (and from each other) and decreases the cup diameter that can be accommodated between and controlled by the tips F3cwith the proper and desired cup retaining force.FIG. 5Ais similar toFIG. 5, and shows the cup dispenser A adjusted so that the cup retaining fingers F are moved radially outward to the maximum possible extent to retain large cups. Similarly,FIG. 5Bshows the cup dispenser A adjusted so that the cup retaining fingers F are moved radially inward to the maximum possible extent to retain small diameter cups. As noted above, it is preferred that the length of the mounting slots85control the limits of circumferential movement of the adjustment ring80. Alternatively, the adjustment slots AS are dimensioned to limit circumferential movement of the adjustment ring80when the respective adjustment studs FS reach the opposite ends AS1,AS2thereof. As shown herein, the mounting slots85and the adjustment slots are dimensioned such that when the mounting studs55are located in one of the ends of the mounting slots85, the adjustment studs FS are located in a corresponding one of the ends AS1,AS2of the adjustment slots AS.

Each adjustment slot AS thus defines a cam and each finger adjustment stud FS located therein defines a follower. Accordingly, the adjustment ring80comprises a plurality of adjustment cams AS and each of said fingers F comprises a follower portion FS engaged with one of said adjustment cams AS such that movement of said adjustment ring80relative to the10body induces inward or outward radial movement of the fingers F relative to the body10, depending upon the direction in which the adjustment ring80is rotated relative to the body. Upon rotation of the adjustment ring80, the fingers F move simultaneously and uniformly, which eliminates the need for a user to adjust and gauge the radial position of each finger independently.

The adjustment ring80rotates about the central longitudinal axis L and can be restrained in its desired angular position by any suitable means such as frictional interference with the flange54or parts thereof. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 9, a lower surface80aof the adjustment ring80is oriented toward the flange54and includes at least one saw-tooth region82defined by a plurality of teeth or serrations that are positioned to engage corresponding respective locking tabs or other locking projections54p(FIG. 8) connected to the flange54, such that rotational/angular movement of the adjustment ring80relative to the flange54must be made with sufficient manual force to overcome the engagement of the projection54pwith the saw-tooth region82in a ratchet-like manner. Alternatively, the saw-tooth region82is located on the flange54and the locking projection(s)54pis (are) located on the adjustment ring80. In another embodiment, a fastener, clip, spring and/or other means are used to selectively prevent movement of the adjustment ring80relative to the flange, e.g., by using the enlarged heads86to clamp the adjustment ring80in a desired position. The illustrated dispenser assembly A includes at least one adjustment ring spring or other biasing means for resiliently urging the adjustment ring80into engagement with the flange54, to ensure that the saw-tooth regions82and projections54pare firmly engaged with each other while still allowing the adjustment ring80to be manually rotated about the axis L as needed. In one embodiment, as shown herein, such adjustment ring springs are provided by resilient elastomeric spring washers53mounted on the studs55between the adjustment ring80and the enlarged heads86. In one embodiment, the spring washers are provided by elastomeric O-rings or another annular elastomeric structure. Alternatively, a helical coil spring or other spring defined from metal or a polymer can be used and coaxially installed on each stud55. These elastomeric spring washers53resiliently bias the adjustment ring80into abutment with the flange54such that the saw-tooth regions82are firmly engaged with the respective projections54pto inhibit inadvertent rotation of the adjustment ring80. The elastomeric spring washers53are sufficiently resilient to allow rotation of the adjustment ring80about the axis L with ratchet-like relative movement between the saw-tooth regions82and the projections54p, without requiring the fasteners57to be loosened or removed. If needed, a low-friction metal or polymeric washer bearing53bis included between the elastomeric spring washer53and the adjustment ring80to ensure that friction between the adjustment ring80and the elastomeric spring washers53is not great enough to prevent purposeful rotation of the adjustment ring80. The washer bearing53bpreferably includes a tubular stepped shoulder portion53b1that is coaxially positioned on the stud55and a flange portion53b2that projects radially from the tubular portion53b1, and the spring washer53is coaxially positioned around the tubular portion53b1. The tubular portion53b1inhibits excessive movement or compression of the surrounding spring washer53due to contact between the tubular portion53b1and the associated enlarged head86.

As noted above, the adjustment ring80includes access openings88that can be selectively registered with the mounting apertures58of the flange54to allow installation of the fasteners required to secure the flange54to an associated cabinet or other mounting structure B.

The dispenser A further comprises a decorative clamp ring or cover ring90that is selectively secured in covering relation over the adjustment ring80to conceal and protect same and to discourage tampering with same. Typically the cover ring90is defined from a polymeric resin material, but it could be metal. The cover ring90includes internal notches or undercuts92dimensioned and positioned to engage the respective enlarged heads86with a snap-fit or friction-fit when the clamp-ring90is operatively connected to the mounting collar50as shown in the enlarged “Detail3A” portion ofFIG. 3. Suitable external markings or indicia93such as labels, ribs, indentations, colored markings and/or the like are provided on the cover ring90to assist a user in aligning the undercuts92with the enlarged heads86when installing the ring90. In one embodiment, the cover ring90is used to lock the adjustment ring80in position once the adjustment ring has been moved to its desired position.

The dispenser assembly A operates as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. A telescopically interfitted or nested stack of cups is inserted into the cup storage space14via body open end20with resulting resilient deflection of the fingers F (optionally the adjustment ring80can be positioned to spread the fingers F to facilitate insertion of the stack of cups). The cup stack is pushed into the cup storage space14with sufficient force to overcome the biasing force of the spring60so that the cup pushing member62moves inwardly toward the closed second end22of the body10. If required, before or after insertion of the cup stack, the cover ring90is removed and the position of the adjustment ring80is rotatably adjusted to set the desired position of the fingers F based upon the size and/or type of cups to be dispensed, and the cover ring90is then replaced. After the cup stack is loaded into the cup receiving region14, the cup pushing member62, in response to the biasing force of the spring60, urges the cup stack outwardly toward the open first end20of the body10so that the closed end or bottom of the outermost cup in the stack projects out through the open first end20between the fingers F. To dispense a single cup, a user manually pulls the outermost exposed cup so that the fingers deflect resiliently outward sufficiently to allow only the outermost cup to be released. The finger tips F3cengage the next outermost cup in the stack and prevents it from exiting the cup storage space14.

The development has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. It is not intended that the scope of the claims be limited to the preferred embodiments. Instead, it is intended that the claims be construed literally and/or according to the doctrine of equivalents as broadly as legally possible.