Abstract:
An apparatus for dispensing elongated articles such as straws, including: a container for holding the elongated articles; a hopper to receive some of the elongated articles, where the hopper is reversibly movable between a closed state and an open state; and a manipulator for performing a cycle to release a single elongated article by isolating a single article and then moving the hopper from the closed state to the open state, thereby releasing only the single elongated article.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of elongated articles dispensing devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing elongated articles such as pencils, chop sticks, cigarettes and the like, and more specifically, the present invention relates to an automatic sipping straw dispensing apparatus that can be operated independently or as part of a beverage or ice drink vending machine. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART 
     Sipping straws are commonly used to assist with beverage or ice drink consumption, when drinking from a glass, a cup or containers such as a bottle or a can. Specifically, when the drink is provided by a dispensing machine, many persons prefer to utilize straws for convenience and/or sanitary considerations. As a result, most commercial establishments make straws available to their consumers in order to satisfy their preferences. For example, sipping straws are available through mechanical dispensing devices such that an individual, merely by depressing a lever or turning a knob my effectively dispense a clean sipping straw for their consumption needs. An example of such mechanical dispensing device is provided by Roy William De Visser, in PCT application WO/2007/056814. Another John Merila example of a mechanical dispensing device is provided by Roy William in U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,787. 
     With regards to automatic dispensing machines, because such machines do not require an attendant be present, and are generally positioned outside or in a confined area, sipping straws are generally not made available. Accordingly, individuals receiving a beverage from an automatic dispenser are generally left to find their own straws. 
     Generally, most conventional sipping straw dispensing devices are manually actuated bins wherein an individual may pull/push on a lever or turn a knob in order to dispense a straw for their use. A consumer is able to take as many straws as they desire whenever they desire, and generally the bins are located on a counter top or other location such that an employee can ensure that the dispenser is not tampered with or unnecessarily emptied. Unfortunately, however, there is a substantial need in the art for a compact and conveniently useable dispensing assembly which can be implemented with an automatic beverage dispensing machine. Such a device should be able to fit conveniently within existing beverage dispensing machines without taking up substantial space, and be safe and efficient, ensuring that it cannot be un-necessarily emptied. 
     It is desirable that the device dispenses a single straw at a time and that the straws inside the bin do not clog and/or get stuck. 
     Attempts have been made in the past to develop automated dispensing machines to dispense sipping straws. U.S. Pat. No. 3,519,166, given to Yingst et al., discloses a sipping straw dispenser to be utilized with a vending machine. 
     There is a need, and it would be advantageous to have an automatic sipping straw dispensing device which can take up a relatively small space within an automatic dispensing machine, which is not prone to be clogged, and which repeatably dispenses a single straw to the consumer. Furthermore, such a device should be simple and inexpensive, and provide minimal risk of tampering with the straw. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for dispensing elongated articles, including: (a) a container for holding the elongated articles; (b) a hopper operationally coupled to the container to receive at least a portion of the elongated articles, wherein the hopper is reversibly movable between a closed state and an open state; and (c) a manipulator for performing a cycle to release a single one of the elongated articles, the cycle including the steps of: (i) isolating the single article and (ii) moving the hopper from the closed state to the open state, thereby releasing only the single elongated article. 
     According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention the container is shaped to retain the elongated articles in a mutually parallel orientation. 
     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the hopper is composed from an elastic material such that the hopper is configured to be bent from the closed state into the open state by an external force exerted by the manipulator, and elastically return to so the closed state when the external force is no longer exerted. 
     According to still further features the hopper is pivotally coupled to the bottom end of the container and pivotally biased in the closed state by a biasing member. 
     According to still further features the manipulator is actuated by a crank assembly where the crank assembly is rotatably activated by a motor or manually activated. 
     According to still further features the apparatus for dispensing the elongated articles is a gravity feed dispensing apparatus. 
     According to still further features the manipulator is a substantially L-shaped device including: (i) a body portion pivotally attached to the container; and (ii) an isolator, the isolator being substantially perpendicular to the body portion, wherein the isolator is oriented substantially perpendicular to a single layer of the elongated articles, when the elongated articles are at rest in the hopper, so that when actuated, the isolator comes to rest between a first elongated article and a second elongated article, thereby isolating the first elongated article.
 
According to still further features the apparatus is configured to move the manipulator cyclically through a sequence of states including: (i) an idle state, wherein the manipulator is positioned above a single layer of elongated articles resting on an inner surface of the hopper; (ii) an isolating state, wherein an isolating blade of the manipulator comes to rest on the inner surface of the hopper between a first elongated article and a second elongated article, thereby isolating the first elongated article; and (iii) a dispensing state, wherein the manipulator biases the hopper from the closed state to the open state, whereby a gravity force causes the isolated single elongated article to be dispensed from the apparatus.
 
According to still further features the cycle to release the single elongated article includes the steps of: (i) actuating the manipulator so as to move the isolator from the idle state to the isolating state; (ii) isolating the single elongated article in the isolating state; and (iii) biasing the hopper from the closed state in a manner sufficient so as to allow the isolated single elongated article to be dispensed from the apparatus; wherein the manipulator returns thereafter to the idle state and the hopper returns to the closed state.
 
     According to another embodiment a vending machine includes the apparatus for dispensing the elongated articles. 
     According to further features the vending machine is configured to dispense articles selected from the group including: fluid beverages, at least partially frozen fluid beverages, prepackaged meals, closed beverage containers. 
     According to still further features the vending machine is configured so that a dispensed single elongated article repeatably falls in a substantially similar position each time the article is dispensed. 
     According to still further features the vending machine is configured so that a dispensed single elongated article repeatably falls into a vessel prior to the vending machine dispensing a pre-selected product into the vessel which now contains an elongated article in a substantially vertical orientation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and thus not limitative of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view illustration of an apparatus for dispensing elongated articles, according to preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom-front perspective view illustration of the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3   a  is a bottom-front perspective view illustration of a moving and feeding member of the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3   b  is a side view illustration of the moving and feeding member of the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4   a  is a side view illustration of a first side of the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4   b  is a side view illustration of the second side of the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective, cross-section AA′ view of the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective, cross-section BB′ view of the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a magnified view of window “C” shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a magnified view of window “D” shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9   a  is a front perspective view illustration of a straw manipulator of the front wiggly wall of the straw container. 
         FIG. 9   b  is a bottom-rear perspective view illustration of a straw manipulator of the front wiggly wall of the straw container. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustration of a crank of the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustration of a portion of the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws shown in  FIG. 1 , which portion includes the moving parts of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a side, cross-section EE′ view of the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13  is a magnified view of window “F” shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  illustrates the front wiggly wall of the straw container of the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws shown in  FIG. 1 , including a straw leading member. 
         FIG. 15   a  is a magnified perspective view of the straw releasing mechanism, generally delimited by window “F” shown in  FIG. 12 , wherein the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws is in idle state. 
         FIG. 15   b  is a side view of the straw releasing mechanism, in the state as generally shown in  FIG. 15   a.    
         FIG. 16   a  is a magnified perspective view of the straw releasing mechanism, generally delimited by window “F” shown in  FIG. 12 , wherein the next single straw to be released is isolated. 
         FIG. 16   b  is a side view of the straw releasing mechanism, in the state as generally shown in  FIG. 16   a.    
         FIG. 17   a  is a magnified perspective view of the straw releasing mechanism, generally delimited by window “F” shown in  FIG. 12 , wherein the isolated straw has just been released. 
         FIG. 17   b  is a side view of the straw releasing mechanism, in the state as generally shown in  FIG. 17   a.    
         FIG. 18   a  is a magnified perspective view of the straw releasing mechanism, generally delimited by window “F” shown in  FIG. 12 , wherein the isolated straw is still dropping and the rest of the straws are set in position. 
         FIG. 18   b  is a side view of the straw releasing mechanism, in the state as generally shown in  FIG. 18   a.    
         FIG. 19   a  is a magnified perspective view of the straw releasing mechanism, generally delimited by window “F” shown in  FIG. 12 , wherein the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws returns to the idle state. 
         FIG. 19   b  is a side view of the straw releasing mechanism, in the state as generally shown in  FIG. 19   a.    
         FIG. 20   a  is a back isometric view of a vending machine incorporating the apparatus for dispensing elongated articles. 
         FIG. 20   b  is a back isometric view of a vending machine of  FIG. 20   a  with the back panel disappeared. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A principal intention of the present invention includes providing an automatic dispensing apparatus for dispensing elongated articles and in particular, sipping straw, which apparatus can take up a relatively small space within an automatic dispensing machine, which apparatus is not prone to be clogged, and which apparatus repeatably dispenses a single elongated article to the consumer. Furthermore, the apparatus is simple, inexpensive, and provides minimal risk of tampering with the elongated article. The dispensing apparatus for dispensing elongated articles will now be described, with no limitations, in terms of an apparatus for dispensing sipping straws, but the apparatus of the present invention is not limited to dispensing sipping straws and can be used for dispensing a variety of elongated articles. 
     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided, so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The methods and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. 
     Reference now made to the drawings.  FIG. 1  is a front perspective view illustration of an apparatus  100  for dispensing sipping straws, according to preferred embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a bottom-front perspective view illustration of apparatus  100 . Apparatus  100  includes a body  110 , a straw container  120 , a moving and feeding member/hopper  130 , a crank assembly  140  and a motor  150 . 
     Body  110  includes an external interface portion  112  for mounting apparatus  100  onto an inner wall of a drinks dispenser such as a vending machine, or for mounting elsewhere. Straw container  120  is formed by side walls  114  and  116 , rear wiggly wall  122  and front wiggly wall  124 . On the top end, straw container  120  is preferably enclosed by a lid  118 , which lid can be pivotely opened and closed to enable filling up straw container  120  with straws (or other thin and elongated articles such as pencils, chop sticks and the like). 
     On the bottom end, straw container  120  is enclosed by moving and feeding member/hopper  130 . Moving and feeding member  130  is illustrated, by way of example, in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b . Moving and feeding member  130  includes a curved wall  132  having a top end that is pivotely attached to the lower end of wall  122 . Moving and feeding member  130  further includes a side wall  136  and  138  which walls are preferably flush with side walls  114  and  116  of straw container  120 , respectively. It should be noted that walls  136  and  138  are designed such that even when moving and feeding member  130  is in the lowermost position, straws cannot drop out of straw container  120 , sideways. 
     Preferably, with no limitation, rear wiggly wall  122  and front wiggly wall  124  have a wave like form to keep the straws inside straw container  120  substantially (operatively) horizontal and thereby prevent clogging of the straws inside straw container  120 . The wave form prevents straws being dropped through lid  118 , to be vertically oriented or otherwise diagonally oriented, and forces the dropped elongated articles, such as sipping straws, to obtain a generally horizontal orientation. 
     Reference is also made to  FIG. 4   a , which is a side view illustration of a first side of apparatus  100  and to  FIG. 4   b , which is a side view illustration of the second side of the apparatus  100 . In  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , moving and feeding member  130  is shown partially open, wherein the top end  139  of side wall  138  is not adjacent to lower end  117  of side wall  116  of body  110 , and the top end  137  of side wall  136  is not adjacent to lower end  115  of side wall  114  of body  110 . The motion of moving and feeding member  130  in direction  162  forms an opening  160 , which opening facilitates the dropping of a straw for inside straw container  120 . 
     Reference is also made to  FIG. 5 , which illustrates a perspective, cross-section AA′ view of apparatus  100  for dispensing sipping straws, and to  FIG. 6 , which illustrates a perspective, cross-section BB′ view of apparatus  100 .  FIG. 7  is a magnified view of window “C” shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 8  is a magnified view of window “D” shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Straw container  120  is typically made of substantially rigid materials such as metal or plastic or other polymers or other materials. Reference is also made to  FIG. 9   a , which is a front perspective view illustration of a straw manipulator  180  of front wiggly wall  124  of the straw container  120  and  FIG. 9   b  is a bottom-rear perspective view illustration of straw manipulator  180  of front wiggly wall  124  the straw container  120 . On both sides of straw manipulator  180 , the front wiggly wall  124  of the straw container  120  extends in two strips  172  further beyond straw manipulator  180  and encloses by an end panel  174 , having a flat edge  179 , on which edge  179 , inner surface  134  of moving and feeding member  130  rests, when apparatus  100  is in idle state. The portion of rigid front wiggly wall  124 , containing strips  172 , and up to and including end panel  174 , is referred to as straw leading member  170 . For the sake of clarity, front wiggly wall  124  of the straw container  120  extends in two strips  172  further beyond straw manipulator  180  and encloses by an end panel  174 , having a flat edge  179 , on which edge  179 , inner surface  134  of moving and feeding member  130  rests, when apparatus  100  is in idle state. The portion of rigid front wiggly wall  124 , including straw leading member  170  are rigid, non-moving part. 
     Straw manipulator  180  forms an L-shaped device, having a body portion  182  that generally follows the local shape of front wiggly wall  124  and is pivotely attached to front wiggly wall  124 , and an isolator  184  that is generally perpendicular to body section  182 , and wherein the upper end  181  of body section  182  of straw manipulator  180  is pivotely attached to a lower portion of front wiggly wall  124  and the other three side edges of straw manipulator  180  remain unattached. When actuated, the L-shaped straw manipulator  180  is bent towards moving and feeding member  130 , wherein a blade  189  at the open end of isolator  184  of straw manipulator  180  is operatively coupled with inner surface  134  of moving and feeding member  130 . Two respective side walls  186  interconnect and re-enforce the body section  182  and isolator  184 . At the section  187  proximal to blade  189  of isolator  184  each side wall  186  has a predesigned form to facilitate a space that can accommodate just straw height between the wall section that is generally parallel to surface  134  of moving and feeding member  130 , and surface  134  of moving and feeding member  130 . 
     Optionally, the L-shaped straw manipulator  180  is made from elastic material such that straw manipulator  180  is able to return to its original shape after being bent. 
     Optionally, the L-shaped straw manipulator  180  is made from rigid material such that straw manipulator  180  is able to pivot on a hinge, for example, and return to its initial closed position by a biasing force such as a spring. 
     Optionally, moving and feeding member  130  is made from elastic material such that moving and feeding member  130  is able to return to its original shape after being bent by said L-shaped straw manipulator  180 . 
     Optionally, moving and feeding member  130  is made from rigid material such that moving and feeding member  130  is able to pivot on a hinge, for example, and return to its initial closed position by a biasing force such as a spring. 
     Crank assembly  140  is rotatably activated by motor  150  to perform a cycle for releasing a single sipping straw, upon request. Reference is also made to  FIG. 10 , which is a perspective view illustration of a crank assembly  140  of apparatus  100  for dispensing sipping straws. Crank assembly  140  includes crank  142  having rotating shafts  145  that operatively rotates about axis  143  and eccentric portion  144 , one or preferably a pair of connecting bars  146 , and a moving axis  148 . Motor  150  is operatively connected to a first shaft  145   a  and thereby, when activated, rotates crank  142  about shafts  145 . Eccentric portion  144  is rotatably connecting to a first end of bars  146 , and moving axis  148  is rotatably connecting to the second end of bars  146 . 
     Reference is also made to  FIG. 11 , which is a perspective view illustration of a portion of apparatus  100  for dispensing sipping straws, which portion includes the moving parts of the apparatus  100 . Moving axis  148  is mounted, readily pivotable, into fitted openings  185  (see  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b ) formed in a predesigned location in re-enforcing side walls  186 . Hence, when crank  142  rotates about shafts  145 , connecting bars  146 , pivotely mounted at a first end onto crank  142  and thereby, each respective first end of connecting bars  146  moves in a circle about the rotational axis of shafts  145 . The second end of each connecting bar  146  follows the motion of the respective first end, constrained by the fact that each respective second end of connecting bars  146  is pivotely mounted onto a respective end of moving axis  148 . Thereby, straw manipulator  180  is pushed and pulled back both inwardly and outwardly with respect to the inner space of straw container  120 , as well as remittently pushing along inner surface  134  of moving and feeding member  130 . The remittent pushing of inner surface  134  causes the back and forth motion of moving and feeding member  130 , in direction  162 . 
     Reference is also now made to  FIG. 12 , which illustrates a side, cross-section EE′ view of the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws  100 , and to  FIG. 13 , which is a magnified view of window F, as shown in  FIG. 12 . The dispensing of a single straw  20 , upon each such request, is facilitated by a predesigned geometry on synchronous motion of straw manipulator  180  and feeding member  130 , wherein straw manipulator  180  is configured to operatively pivot about axis  188  and feeding member  130  is configured to operatively pivot about axis  125 . 
     Reference is also now made to  FIG. 15   a , which is a magnified perspective view of the straw releasing mechanism of the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws  100 , generally delimited by window “F” shown in  FIG. 12 , wherein the straw releasing mechanism of apparatus for dispensing sipping straws  100  is in idle state; and to  FIG. 15   b , which is a side view of the straw releasing mechanism, in the state as generally shown in  FIG. 15   a . All moving parts are in idle state, being kept there by a biasing force (not shown), such as the elasticity of the materials from which the parts are made, a spring or any other conventional biasing force. 
     In an idle state, straw manipulator  180  is situated above the first layer of straws (including  20   a  and  20   b ), which layer is disposed on inner surface  134  of moving and feeding member  130 . Inner surface  134  of moving and feeding member  130  is kept, by the mentioned above biasing force, adjacent to flat edge  179  of end panel  174  of straw leading member  170 . Thereby, the first layer of straws is leaning against the inner surface  173  (see  FIG. 6 ) of end panel  174 , which panel  174  prevents from the straws from rolling out of straw container  120 . 
     Reference is also now made to  FIG. 14 , which illustrates front wiggly wall  124  of straw container  120 , including straw leading member  170 . The predesigned profile of straw hub  178  that forms a space between surface  134  and the inner surface wall  172 , that is generally parallel to surface  134  of moving and feeding member  130 , which space has a height that can accommodate a layer of straws including at least two straws that are disposed on surface  134 , having no other straws on top of them, and which first straw leans against inner surface  173  (see  FIG. 6 ) of end panel  174 . 
     Reference is made back to  FIGS. 15   a  and  15   b , showing dispensing sipping straws  100  in idle state. A layer of straws including straws  20   a  and  20   b  are disposed on surface  134 , having no other straws on top of them, and which first straw  20   a  leans against inner surface  173  (see  FIG. 6 ) of end panel  174 . Straw manipulator  180  is facilitated to pivot in direction  191 , when motor  150  is activated to move eccentric portion  144  of crank  142 . It should be noted that blade  189  of isolator  184  is situated above first straw  20   a  and second straw  20   b , and hence, when motor  150  is activated, blade  189  will move down between first straw  20   a  and second straw  20   b.    
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 16   a , which is a magnified perspective view of the straw releasing mechanism of dispensing sipping straws  100 , generally delimited by window “F” shown in  FIG. 12 , wherein the next single straw ( 20   a ) to be released is isolated; and to  FIG. 16   b , which is a side view of the straw releasing mechanism, in the state as generally shown in  FIG. 16   a . As shaft  145  rotates, eccentric portion  144  moves in direction having a downward vector, pushing connecting bars  146  and thereby moving axis  148  in a general downwardly direction  192 . Moving axis  148  then pushes isolator  184  of straw manipulator  180  in direction  192 , as straw manipulator  180  pivots about axis  188 , in direction  191 . As isolator  184  moves forcefully in direction  192 , blade  189  moves in between first straw  20   a  and second straw  20   b  to thereby isolate first straw  20   a  from the rest of the straws  20 , disposed inside straw container  120 . In  FIGS. 16   a  and  16   b , blade  189  is seen adjacent to inner surface  134  of moving and feeding member  130 , after isolating first straw  20   a  from the rest of the straws  20 . Isolated first straw  20   a  is now in position to be solely dispensed from apparatus for dispensing sipping straws  100 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 17   a , which is a magnified perspective view of the straw releasing mechanism of dispensing sipping straws  100 , generally delimited by window “F” shown in  FIG. 12 , wherein isolated straw  20   a  has just been released; and to  FIG. 17   b , which is a side view of the straw releasing mechanism, in the state as generally shown in  FIG. 17   a . As shaft  145  rotates further, eccentric portion  144  continues to moves in direction having a downwardly vector as well as a vector towards the inside of straw container  120 , pushing connecting bars  146  and thereby moving axis  148  in a general downwardly direction  193 . Moving axis  148  then pushes isolator  184  in direction  193 , as straw manipulator  180  pivots about axis  188 , in direction  191 . As isolator  184  moves forcefully in direction  193 , blade  189  forcefully pushes inner surface  134  of moving and feeding member  130  in direction  193 , thereby forming a gap  135  between flat edge  179  of end panel  174  of straw leading member  170  and inner surface  134 . When gap  135  is larger than the diameter of first straw  20   a , isolated straw  20   a  drops out of the straw releasing mechanism of the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws  100 , using gravity force. As isolator  184  moves also in the direction of the pushing vector directed towards the inside of straw container  120 , isolator  184  slides over inner surface  134  and shovels the rest of straws  20  towards the inside of straw container  120 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 18   a , which is a magnified perspective view of the straw releasing mechanism of dispensing sipping straws  100 , generally delimited by window “F” shown in  FIG. 12 , wherein isolated straw  20   a  is still dropping and the rest of the straws  20  are set in position; and to  FIG. 18   b , which is a side view of the straw releasing mechanism, in the state as generally shown in  FIG. 18   a . As shaft  145  rotates further, eccentric portion  144  continues to moves in direction having an upwardly vector as well as a vector away from the inside of straw container  120 , pushing connecting bars  146  and thereby moving axis  148  in a general upwardly direction  195 . A biasing force (not shown) returns isolator  184  in direction  195 , as straw manipulator  180  pivots about axis  188 , in direction  194 . As isolator  184  moves in direction  195 , blade  189  is pushed back by inner surface  134  of moving and feeding member  130  in direction  195 , thereby closing back gap  135  between flat edge  179  of end panel  174  of straw leading member  170  and inner surface  134 . As isolator  184  moves also in the direction away from the inside of straw container  120 , isolator  184  slides over inner surface  134  and the rest of straws  20 , leaning on inner surface  183  (see  FIG. 9   b ) of isolator  184  by the gravity force, roll back towards the inner surface  173  (see  FIG. 6 ) of end panel  174 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 19   a , which is a magnified perspective view of the straw releasing mechanism of the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws  100 , generally delimited by window “F” shown in  FIG. 12 , wherein the straw releasing mechanism of apparatus for dispensing sipping straws  100  returns to idle state; and to  FIG. 19   b , which is a side view of the straw releasing mechanism, in the state as generally shown in  FIG. 19   a . Straw manipulator  180  returns to a position above the first layer of straws (including  20   b  and  20   c ), which layer is disposed on inner surface  134  of moving and feeding member  130 . Inner surface  134  of moving and feeding member  130  remains adjacent to flat edge  179  of end panel  174  of straw leading member  170 . Thereby, the first layer of straws is leaning against the inner surface  173  (see  FIG. 6 ) of end panel  174 , which panel  174  prevents from the straws from rolling out of straw container  120 . 
     The straw dispensing cycle is now completed and the apparatus for dispensing sipping straws  100  returns to an idle state, waiting for the next request to dispense a single straw  20 , wherein the next straw to be dispensed is now straw  20   b.    
     Crank assembly  140  is designated to provide straw manipulator  180  with the powered pivotal motion. It should be noted that crank assembly  140  can be replaced by other powered motion providing mechanisms known in the art, such as pneumatic or hydraulic mechanisms based mechanism, a jackscrew based mechanism or any other such mechanism, all of which are within the scope of the present invention. 
     In variations of the present invention, the straw manipulator  180  does not include crank assembly  140 , but is operated manually by a user. Straw manipulator  180  is pushed down by the user, for example by using an external manual button (not shown), and returns by a biasing force such as a spring. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 20   a  and  20   b .  FIG. 20   a  is a back isometric view of a vending machine incorporating apparatus  100  for dispensing elongated articles according to some embodiments of the invention and  FIG. 20   b  is a back isometric view of the same vending machine with the back panel disappeared. Vending machine  200  may dispense articles such as, but not limited to: fluid beverages, at least partially frozen fluid beverages, liquids such as juice, fruit juice, milk, yogurt, alcoholic beverage or any other drinkable liquid, prepackaged meals, closed beverage containers. If vending machine  200  is a payment-operated vending machine, a containing vessel such as a cup is dropped at a predetermined location and the fluid beverages are dispensed into the cup. For viscous fluids such as yogurt or partially frozen beverages such frozen yogurt, ice coffee, Slurpees® and the like it is preferable to dispense a drinking straw together with the beverage. It is even more preferable that a sipping straw be dispensed into the cup prior to the beverage being dispensed into the cup so that the consumer is presented with a ready-to-consume product without the need for a separately dispensing a straw. The viscosity of the aforementioned beverages precludes the dispensing of a straw into the cup after the beverage has been added and therefore the straw must be dispensed first. Dispensing apparatus  100  can be seen in  FIG. 20   b . A cup is dispensed from vessel dispenser  204  to gravitationally land in cup station  206 , via cup chute  209 . When a straw is then dispensed from dispensing apparatus  100 , the single straw drops into chute  202  which has curved walls  208   a  and  208   b  that are designed to ensure that the horizontally dispensed straw falls substantially vertically into the dispensed cup. The structure of chute  202  ensures that each straw dispensed from dispensing apparatus  100  will land in the substantially same place in cup station  206  (i.e. in the cup) and will have substantially the same orientation (in the cup) each time. After the straw is dispensed, the selected contents can be added to the cup. 
     While the aforementioned vending machine has been described exemplarily with regards to dispensing a straw and a beverage, it is understood that the scope of the invention includes other dispensed contents and articles, such as, but not limited to, prepackaged meals such as Chinese take-out meals, dispensed synchronously with a single or pair of chopsticks, closed beverage containers such as soda cans, dispensed with a straw and the like. In other variations of the present invention, apparatus  100  for dispensing elongated articles is a standalone apparatus, and not part of a vending machine. 
     The invention being thus described in terms of embodiments and examples, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.