Cup dispenser for vending machines

The present invention provides an apparatus that dispenses a lowermost cup from a stack of nested cups. The cups are disposed within an opening formed through an annular housing, and a group of cam assemblies project inward from the housing to support and selectively dispense the cups. Alignment holes are formed through the housing and the cam assemblies to facilitate proper alignment of the cam assemblies relative to one another during assembly of the dispenser. The cam assemblies move inward and outward relative to the opening to accommodate cups of different under-rim diameters within a given range. In particular, the cam assemblies move in an arc and pivot relative to the housing and thereby remain satisfactorily aligned relative to the center of the opening over a wider range of under-rim cup diameters.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a lowermost cup 
from a nested stack of cups, such as those typically associated with 
vending machines. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,426,017 to Ficken et al. discloses an apparatus for 
dispensing containers from a stack of nested containers. The Ficken et al. 
device dispenses the lowermost cup from a stack of nested cups and is 
adjustable to accommodate a range of under-rim cup diameters. However, the 
range of accommodation provided by the Ficken et al. device is somewhat 
limited, at least to the extent that two embodiments are required to 
accommodate under-rim diameters ranging in size from 1.9375 to 3.6875 
inches. Accordingly, the need remains for a single cup dispenser that can 
accommodate essentially the entire range of cup diameters used in the 
vending industry. 
An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cup 
dispenser for vending machines and the like. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cup dispenser that 
can accommodate essentially the entire range of under-rim cup diameters 
encountered in the vending industry. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cup dispenser that 
is also cost effective to manufacture and maintain. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cup dispenser that 
is also reliable and durable in use. 
These objectives and others will become apparent upon a more detailed 
description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides an apparatus that dispenses a lowermost cup 
from a stack of nested cups. The cups are disposed within an opening 
formed through an annular housing, and a group of cam assemblies project 
inward from the housing to support and selectively dispense the cups. 
Alignment holes are formed through the housing and the cam assemblies to 
facilitate proper alignment of the cam assemblies relative to one another 
during assembly of the dispenser. The cam assemblies move inward and 
outward relative to the opening to accommodate cups of different under-rim 
diameters within a given range. In particular, the cam assemblies move in 
an arc and pivot relative to the housing and thereby remain satisfactorily 
aligned relative to the center of the opening over a wider range of 
under-rim cup diameters. In this regard, the preferred embodiment of the 
present invention functions with under-rim cup diameters ranging in size 
from 2.5 to 3.4375 inches, thereby accommodating over 95% of the cups used 
in the vending machine industry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
A preferred embodiment dispenser constructed according to the principles of 
the present invention is designated as 100 in the accompanying Figures. 
The dispenser 100 generally includes an upper housing member 120 and a 
lower housing member 130 which are secured to one another to form a 
housing 140. A ring 150 fits within and is free to rotate relative to the 
lower housing member 130. An upper case member 160 and a lower case member 
170 are secured to one another to form a case 180 that fits within and 
rotates relative to the housing 140. A plurality of cam assemblies 190 are 
pivotally mounted within the case 180 so as to accommodate different sizes 
of cups or other articles to be dispensed. 
In the interest of manufacturing efficiency, the upper and lower housing 
members 110 and 120 are identical to one another and hence, may be 
described with reference to the upper housing member 120 shown in FIG. 2. 
The upper housing member 120 includes a cylindrical wall 121 joined at one 
end to an annular end plate 122, which provides a circular or central 
opening 110 that is concentric with and smaller in diameter than the 
cylindrical wall 121. A plurality of posts 123 are disposed outside the 
cylindrical wall 121, and a hole 124 is formed through each of the posts 
123 to provide a means for connecting the two housing members together. 
The posts 123 may be said to be diametrically opposed to one another and 
circumferentially spaced at equal distances around the cylindrical wall 
121. 
A flange 125 extends radially outward from the cylindrical wall 121 at a 
discrete location, and an arcuate slot 126 is formed in the flange 125 for 
reasons that will become apparent below. The arcuate slot 126 and the 
cylindrical wall 121 may be said to be concentric. When the dispenser 100 
is assembled, the housing members are arranged to face one another and are 
rotated relative to one another so that the flange 125 on the upper 
housing member 120 is diametrically opposed to the flange 135 on the lower 
housing member 130. Screws 112 are threaded through the holes in the posts 
to secure the two housing members relative to one another. In particular, 
two screws 112 thread first into the posts 123 on the upper housing member 
120, and two screws 112 thread first into the posts 133 on the lower 
housing member 130. 
A plurality of arcuate slots 127 are formed in the end plate 122 for 
reasons that will become apparent below. The arcuate slots 127 may be said 
to be diametrically opposed to one another and circumferentially spaced at 
equal distances around the end plate 122. The arcuate slots 127 and the 
cylindrical wall 121 may be said to be concentric. A plurality of linear 
slots 128 are formed in the end plate 122 for reasons that will become 
apparent below. The linear slots 128 may be said to be diametrically 
opposed to one another and circumferentially spaced at equal distances 
around the end plate 122. The linear slots 128 may be said to be 
approximately tangentially oriented relative to the rim of a minimum 
diameter cup CS disposed within the central opening 110. A plurality of 
circular apertures 129 are formed through the end plate 122 for reasons 
that will become apparent below. The apertures 129 may be said to be 
diametrically opposed to one another and circumferentially spaced at equal 
distances around the end plate 122. 
As shown in FIG. 1, the ring 150 is disposed within the lower housing 
member 130 and may be said to be concentrically nested within the 
cylindrical wall 131 thereof. The ring 150 includes gear teeth 151 that 
extend radially inward toward the central opening 110 for reasons that 
will become apparent below. The ring 150 further includes a lever 155 that 
extends radially outward from the ring 150 and through an opening 105 in 
the cylindrical wall 131. Subject to the edges of the opening 105 
confining the lever 155, the ring 150 is otherwise free to rotate within 
the lower housing member 130. A hole 156 is formed through the lever 155 
to provide a means for connecting the lever 155 to an actuating mechanism. 
Contrary to the housing members, the upper and lower case members 160 and 
170 are not identical to one another. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper case 
member 160 includes a cylindrical wall 161 joined at one end to an annular 
end plate 162 which similarly defines or borders the central opening 110. 
A plurality of holes 163 are formed through the end plate 162 to provide a 
means for connecting the two case members together. The holes 163 may be 
said to be diametrically opposed to one another and circumferentially 
spaced at equal distances around the end plate 162. A tab 165 extends 
radially outward from the cylindrical wall 161 at a discrete location, and 
through an opening 106 in the cylindrical wall 121 of the upper housing 
member 120. For reasons that will become apparent below, a hole 166 is 
formed through the tab 165 to provide a means for securing the tab 165 in 
a desired position relative to the flange 125 on the upper housing member 
120. 
A plurality of relatively larger holes 167 are formed in the end plate 162 
for reasons that will become apparent below. The relatively larger holes 
167 may be said to be diametrically opposed to one another and 
circumferentially spaced at equal distances around the end plate 162. A 
plurality of arcuate slots 168 are formed in the end plate 162 for reasons 
that will become apparent below. The arcuate slots 168 may be said to be 
diametrically opposed to one another and circumferentially spaced at equal 
distances around the end plate 162. Each of the arcuate slots 168 is 
centered about a respective relatively larger hole 167. A plurality of 
circular apertures 169 are formed through the end plate 162 for reasons 
that will become apparent below. The apertures 169 may be said to be 
diametrically opposed to one another and circumferentially spaced at equal 
distances around the end plate 162. 
As shown in FIG. 5, the lower case member 170 includes a cylindrical wall 
171 joined at one end to an annular end plate 172 which similarly defines 
or borders the central opening 110. A plurality of holes 173 are formed 
through the end plate 172 to provide a means for connecting the two case 
members together. The holes 173 may be said to be diametrically opposed to 
one another and circumferentially spaced at equal distances around the end 
plate 172. A step or shoulder 174 is formed in the cylindrical wall 171, 
and a plurality of openings 175 are formed in the shoulder 174 and up 
toward the end plate 172 for reasons that will become apparent below. The 
openings 175 may be said to be diametrically opposed to one another and 
circumferentially spaced at equal distances around the cylindrical wall 
171. 
A plurality of circular holes 176 are formed in the end plate 172 for 
reasons that will become apparent below. The holes 176 may be said to be 
diametrically opposed to one another and circumferentially spaced at equal 
distances around the end plate 172. A plurality of nubs 177 extend outward 
from the end plate 172 for reasons that will become apparent below. The 
nubs 177 may be said to be diametrically opposed to one another and 
circumferentially spaced at equal distances around the end plate 172. When 
the cam assemblies 190 are properly disposed between the case members, 
screws are threaded through the holes 163 and 173 in the end plates 162 
and 172, respectively, to secure the two case members 160 and 170 relative 
to one another. 
As shown in FIG. 6, each of the cam assemblies 190 includes a first plate 
191 and a second plate 192 secured together by a pair of shafts 193 and 
194. A gear 195 is rotatably mounted on the first shaft 193 and maintained 
in proximity to the second plate 192 by a spacer 196 disposed between the 
gear 195 and the first plate 191. The teeth of the gear 195 extend beyond 
the perimeter of the second plate 192. A cam member 200 is rotatably 
mounted on the second shaft 194 in such a manner that teeth on a gear 
portion 201 of the cam member 200 engage the teeth on the gear 195. As a 
result, the gear 195 and the cam member 200 are constrained to rotate in 
opposite directions relative to one another. 
Each of the cam members 200 includes a ledge 202 that extends beneath and 
thereby supports a portion of the rim on the lowermost cup in a stack. As 
shown in FIG. 2, for example, the ledges 202 cooperate to support the 
stack of nested cups CS disposed within the central opening 110. Each 
ledge 202 terminates at one end in a wall 203. As shown in FIG. 1, for 
example, rotation of the cam members 200 in the direction of the arrows 
can continue only until the walls 203 contact the rim on the lowermost 
cup. Each ledge 202 terminates at an opposite end in a downwardly sloping 
ramp 204, which in turn, abruptly terminates altogether. As shown in FIG. 
2, for example, rotation of the cam members 200 in the direction of the 
arrows causes the rim of the lowermost cup to encounter the ramp 204 and 
thereby descend relative to the dispenser 100 and ultimately, to drop from 
the dispenser altogether. 
Each of the cam members 200 also includes a separating means, which is 
formed by an edge or knife 205 that continues as a wedge 206 disposed 
about the circumference of the cam member 200. The wedge 206 is bordered 
by a downwardly facing surface 207 that is disposed helically about the 
circumference of the cam member 200, and by an upwardly facing surface 208 
that extends radially from the circumference of the cam member 200. As 
shown in FIG. 2, when the cam member 200 rotates in the direction of the 
arrow, the knife 205 trails slightly behind the abrupt termination of the 
ramp 204 but nonetheless engages the rims of the next lowest cup and the 
lowermost cup before the latter completely clears the ramp 204. As shown 
in FIG. 8, the knife 205 inserts between the rim R1 of the lowermost cup 
C1 and the rim R2 of the next lowest cup C2, and the wedge 206 parts or 
separates the two cups. The downwardly facing surface 207 imparts a 
downwardly directed force on the rim R1 of the lowermost cup C1 to 
encourage the lowermost cup to drop from the dispenser, while the upwardly 
facing surface 208 engages and supports the rim R2 of the next lowest cup 
C2 to prevent it from dropping as well. 
An upper boss 197 extends from the first plate 191, and a lower boss 198 
extends from the second plate 192 to provide a means for pivotally 
mounting the cam assemblies 190 relative to the case 180. In particular, 
the upper boss 197 of each cam assembly 190 projects through a respective 
hole 167 in the upper case member 160, and the lower boss 198 projects 
into a respective hole 176 in the lower case member 170. The bosses 197 
and 198 are coaxially aligned with the shaft 193, so that each cam 
assembly 190 pivots about its respective first shaft 193. 
Each cam assembly 190 further includes a peg 199 that extends from the 
first plate 191, and projects through a respective arcuate slot 168 in the 
upper case member 160 and into a respective linear slot 128 in the upper 
housing member 120. Also, the upper boss 197 of each cam assembly 190 
projects beyond its respective hole 167 in the upper case member 160, and 
into a respective arcuate slot 127 in the upper housing member 120. As a 
result, pivoting of the cam assemblies 190 necessarily requires rotation 
of the case 180 relative to the housing 140, and vice versa. In addition 
to the upper bosses 197 that project into the arcuate slots 127, the case 
180 is rotatably mounted relative to the housing 140 by means of the nubs 
177 that extend from the end plate 172 (on the lower case member 170) and 
project into the arcuate slots 137 (in the lower housing member 130). The 
upper arcuate slots 127 align with the lower arcuate slots 137 when the 
housing is assembled, but the upper bosses 197 and the nubs 177 are offset 
relative to one another by the length of the arcuate slots 127 and 137. 
Movement of the tab 165 (on the upper case member 160) relative to the 
flange 125 (on the upper housing member 120) causes rotation of the case 
180 relative to the housing 140, and thereby adjusts the effective 
diameter of the cup dispenser 100 as defined by the positions of the cam 
assemblies 190 relative to one another. In this regard, the cam assemblies 
are adjustable to accommodate cup diameters ranging from 2.5 to 3.4375 
inches. When the cam assemblies 190 are suitably positioned for dispensing 
cups of a desired under-rim diameter, the tab 165 is secured relative to 
the flange 125 by means of a nut 102 which mates with a screw (not shown) 
extending through the slot 126 (in the flange 125) and the hole 166 (in 
the tab 165). 
When the cam assemblies 190 are pivotally mounted within the case 180, each 
of the cam members 200 must be properly aligned relative to the center of 
the opening 110 to ensure satisfactory operation of the dispenser 100. To 
this end, an aperture 209 is formed through the upper plate 191 and cam 
member 200 of each cam assembly 190. Proper alignment is assured by 
aligning each aperture 209 with a respective aperture 169 through the 
upper case member 160 and a respective aperture 129 through the upper 
housing member 120. This alignment feature facilitates proper assembly of 
the dispenser 100 and satisfactory performance over the entire range of 
under-rim cup diameters, particularly since the case 180 rotates relative 
to the housing 140 as the effective diameter of the dispenser is adjusted. 
When the case 180 is assembled, the teeth on each gear 195 project through 
the openings 175 (in the lower case member 170) and into engagement with 
the teeth 151 (on the ring 150). As a result, rotation of the ring 150 in 
a clockwise direction causes the gears 195 to rotate in a clockwise 
direction, and the cam members 200 to rotate in a counter-clockwise 
direction, as shown by arrows in FIG. 1. On the other hand, rotation of 
the ring 150 in a counter-clockwise direction causes the gears 195 to 
rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, and the cam members 200 to rotate 
in a clockwise direction, as shown by arrows in FIG. 2. Thus, movement of 
the lever 155 (on the ring 150) relative to the flange 135 (on the lower 
housing member 130), first in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 1 and 
then in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 2, causes the cam assemblies 
190 to lower and then dispense the lowermost cup. 
The present invention is described above with reference to a preferred 
embodiment and a specific application, but those skilled in the art will 
recognize additional embodiments and applications that fall within the 
scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention should 
be limited only by the following claims.