Methods and Apparatus for Cup Dispensing

A cup dispenser (10) and associated methods are provided in which the cup dispenser (10) is tiltable (including rotation) between a dispensing position and a loading position. In the loading position, cups are easily loaded into the cup dispenser (10). A rolling-element bearing (30) may, among other mechanisms, be employed to facilitate the movement.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to dispensing, and in particular to cup dispensers and associated methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many locations, such as, without limitation, quick service restaurants and convenience stores, beverages are dispensed from beverage dispensers into cups. The beverage dispensers may be operated by—and cups handled by—crew members or self-serve customers. In other instances, a beverage dispenser may automatically handle the cups (for example, an automatic dispenser may automatically dispense a cup and fill it with a beverage).

Cups are often made available from a stack of cups in a cup dispenser, with the bottom, closed end of the bottom cup of the stack presented to the user (or automatic system).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a cup dispenser and associated method are provided. In a particular embodiment, the cup dispenser comprises a plurality of cup housings each adapted to house a plurality of cups, each cup housing comprising a cup dispensing end and a cup loading end, and a tilting apparatus coupled to the cup housings operable to allow the cup housings to tilt between a cup dispensing position and a cup loading position, wherein in the cup loading position, the cup loading ends of the cup housings are accessible for cup loading. The tilting apparatus may include a coupling member coupled to each of the cup housings.

In one particular embodiment, the tilting apparatus may comprise a rolling-element bearing, and the rolling-element bearing may comprise a face-mount crossed-roller bearing. The tilting apparatus may further comprise a coupling member coupled to each of the cup housings and the rolling-element bearing.

The tilting apparatus may comprise one or more stops adapted to prevent tilting beyond the cup loading position or beyond the cup dispensing position.

In one particular embodiment, the tilting apparatus comprises a member comprising two ends, with one end coupled to the cup housings, and a pivot member coupled to the other end of the member.

The tilting apparatus may also comprise a holster adapted for coupling to a surface, and a pivot adapter adapted for engagement with the holster to couple the cup dispenser to the surface.

The tilting apparatus may also comprise a catch adapted to reduce the likelihood of unintended tilting away from the cup dispensing position.

Also provided is a cup dispenser that comprises a plurality of cup housings each adapted to house a plurality of cups, each cup housing comprising a cup dispensing end and a cup loading end, a coupling member coupled to the cup housings, and a rolling-element bearing coupled to the coupling member operable to allow the cup housings to tilt between a cup dispensing position and a cup loading position, wherein in the cup loading position, the cup loading ends of the cup housings are accessible for cup loading. This cup dispenser may also comprise a first stop adapted to prevent tilting beyond the cup dispensing position, and may also comprise a second stop adapted to prevent tilting beyond the cup loading position. The cup dispenser may also comprise a holster adapted for coupling to a surface and a pivot adapter coupled to the rolling-element bearing and adapted for engagement with the holster. A catch adapted to reduce the likelihood of unintended tilting away from the cup dispensing position may also be included.

Also provided is a method of operating a cup dispenser having a plurality of cup housings each adapted to house a plurality of cups, each cup housing comprising a cup dispensing end and a cup loading end, which comprises tilting the cup housings between a cup dispensing position and a cup loading position, wherein in the cup loading position, the cup loading ends of the cup housings are accessible for cup loading, and in the cup loading position, loading cups into one or more of the cup housings. Tilting may comprise rotation of a rolling-element bearing.

The method may also comprise engaging against one or more stops to prevent tilting beyond the cup loading position or beyond the cup dispensing position.

Tilting may comprise rotation about a pivot.

Important technical advantages are provided by the present invention. In particular, and without limitation, by providing a cup dispenser movable between a dispensing position and a loading position, cup loading is made more efficient, and valuable counter space may be conserved. Furthermore, without the present invention, cup loading may require a user to step on a ladder (or other surface) to load cups, which can be inefficient and dangerous. The present invention allows for moving the cup loading ends of the cup dispenser into a convenient position that allows efficient and safe cup loading.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS.1A and1Billustrate one embodiment of cup dispenser10according to the teachings of the present invention.FIG.1Ashows cup dispenser10in a cup dispensing position, andFIG.1Bshows cup dispenser10tilted into a cup loading position.

In the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS.1A and1B, cup dispenser10includes four cup housings12a-12d. Although four cup housings12are shown, fewer or more may be included. Indeed, only one cup housing12may be used. Each cup housing12has a cup loading end14and a cup dispensing end16(see also, e.g.,FIG.4).

Furthermore,FIGS.1A and1Billustrate an embodiment that includes an automation housing18, for housing features (not shown) associated with automatic cup handling, for example in an automated beverage dispenser. Cup dispenser10is shown mounted on a surface20, which may be any suitable surface, such as, without limitation, a wall, or a side of a beverage dispenser or other piece of equipment. However, cup dispenser10need not be mounted on a surface, and, for example and without limitation, may be integrated with a stand.

In a particular embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the cup housings12are aligned substantially in a single plane, although other embodiments may be used, for example, without limitation, with the cup housings12staggered or arranged in a turret configuration.

FIGS.2(partially exploded view) and3A illustrate a particular embodiment of a tilting apparatus that allows cup dispenser10to tilt, according to the teachings of the present invention. As shown, cup housings12are seated in or otherwise coupled to or formed with a cup housing base22. Base22may be one piece accommodating each cup housing12, or multiple pieces in a modular arrangement (separate base pieces for each cup housing12). The cup housing base22includes brackets24which are received in openings26of a coupling member28, although any suitable mechanism may be used to couple coupling member28to the base22or directly to the cup housings12.

Coupling member28is coupled to a rolling-element bearing30, which allows the cup housings12to tilt by rotation of the rolling-element bearing30. Rolling-element bearing30includes an inner ring32and an outer ring34in rotating engagement. In the illustrated embodiment, inner ring32is coupled (for example, without limitation, with screws36) to coupling member28, optionally through a spacer38. Outer ring34is coupled to any suitable surface20, optionally through a pivot adaptor40which engages with a holster42. Without limitation, screws44may be used to couple outer ring34to adaptor40. As shown inFIG.3A, holster42is suitably coupled to surface20(for example, without limitation, by welding or screws).FIG.3Ashows the cup dispenser10with the pivot adapter40disengaged from the holster42.

In operation of this embodiment, coupling member28and cup housings12tilt via rotation of inner ring32in relation to outer ring34, with outer ring34stationary with respect to the surface20. A handle46may be provided to facilitate tilting of the cup dispenser10.FIG.3Bis a side view of the cup dispenser ofFIG.3B(for reference, the handle46is in the front).FIG.3Bshows an example of cups47, which emerge from the dispensing ends16of the cup housings12. The cups may vary in size from cup housing to cup housing, or some cup housings may house the same size cups as housed in other cup housings.

The extent of rotation of the cup dispenser10may be limited in any suitable way. In the illustrated embodiment, coupling member28includes a lip48, and pivot adapter40includes stop edges50and52. Rotation beyond the cup loading position is limited by the contact of lip48with stop edge50, which is angled as desired for the cup loading position (for example, and without limitation, in the range of 30□ to 60□ from horizontal). Rotation beyond the cup dispensing position is limited by the contact of lip48with stop edge52. Stop edge52is generally horizontal, although it can be at any suitable angle.

Also, a friction catch54(or other suitable device) may be coupled to surface20for contact with coupling member28to reduce the likelihood of unintended tilting away from the cup dispensing position. A catch may also be used to reduce the likelihood of unintended tilting away from the cup loading position. Indeed, any suitable latch, lock, catch, magnet, spring-loaded ball and receiving socket, or other suitable device (any such device referred to herein as a catch) may be used to reduce the likelihood of undesired movement out of either or both of the cup dispensing or cup loading positions.

In a particular embodiment, rolling-element bearing30is a face-mount crossed-roller bearing from McMaster-Carr® (McMaster-Carr is registered trademark of the McMaster-Carr Supply Company).

The particular components shown inFIGS.2and3are for one particular embodiment, but other suitable mechanisms may be used. For example, and without limitation, as shown inFIG.4, cup housing base22may be eliminated, and coupling member28may be coupled directly, or though other components, to the cup housings12(other tilting apparatus components not shown). Furthermore, and without limitation, coupling member28may be any suitable member, with any suitable shape.FIG.4also shows an example of cups56at the dispensing ends16of cup housings12.

Besides a rolling-element bearing, any suitable mechanism may be used in the tilting apparatus to facilitate tilting of the cup housings12. For example, and without limitation, a member, such as a beam or lever, coupled to a pivot at one of its ends, and to the cup housings12(directly or through other coupling members) at the other end, may be used.

Furthermore, tilting may be accomplished manually, or automatically with any suitable drive mechanism.

As shown inFIG.2, a passageway58may be provided through various components to accommodate cables for electrical needs (for example, and without limitation, for automatic cup handling system power and control).

In operation, a user tilts (manually or automatically) the cup dispenser10from the cup dispensing position to the cup loading position. In the cup loading position, the cup loading end14of each cup housing12is presented closer to the user and is easily accessible for loading cups (which normally come in stacks). After loading, the cup dispenser10is tilted back to its cup dispensing position.

In many instances, counter space is limited, and the present invention allows for a cup dispenser to be located in positions that help maximize counter space. In one configuration, the cup dispenser10is mounted on the side of a beverage dispenser or other surface, with the longitudinal axes of the cup housings12aligned substantially in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the front edge of the counter. In this configuration, the cup dispenser10may be tilted toward the front of the counter for easy cup loading, then tilted back to the cup dispensing position.

Also, without the present invention, cup loading may require a user to step on a ladder (or other surface) to reach the cup loading ends14for loading cups, which can be inefficient and dangerous. The present invention allows for moving the cup loading ends14into a convenient position that allows efficient and safe cup loading.

As used herein, coupled or coupling includes direct connection or indirect connection through one or more intermediate members.

Particular features of the example embodiments may be used with, added to, or substituted in the other example embodiments.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, alterations, substitutions, additions, and modifications could be made without departing from the intended scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.