Patent Publication Number: US-2016236852-A1

Title: Cup Sleeve Dispenser

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/117,775 filed on Feb. 18, 2015 titled “CUP SLEEVE DISPENSER” and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to an apparatus for use in dispensing single use consumer products, and more specifically, to a dispenser configured to dispense cup sleeves or cup insulators. The dispenser is constructed to be deployed proximate a point of use or point of sale and configured to present the cup sleeves in a manner that accommodates sequential removal of a single sleeve during each dispense event. Preferably, the cup sleeve dispenser is constructed to present the sleeves in a sequential manner and such that a single sleeve can be removed from the dispenser while accommodating presentation of subsequent sleeves for subsequent extraction and use. 
     Disposable cup sleeves or cup insulators are used in many commercial environments such as fast food environments as well as coffee shops and the like. Such sleeves generally slidably cooperate with disposable cups and mitigate the transfer of heat associated with the contents of the cup to the hand of the consumer. Such sleeves are generally ill-suited to be dispensed from other disposable paper product dispenser as many such sleeves are formed of a somewhat more rigid material, are not interwoven with one another, and are expandable between a storage or dispenser configuration and an in-use or expanded position. 
     Although others provide “containers” associated with presenting a plurality of cup sleeves proximate a point of use, such containers are ill-suited to considered dispensers. One such device defines an elongate tray configured to receive a stack of cup sleeves and a cover that slidably cooperates with the tray. The dispenser is incapable of providing any segregation or presentation of the cup sleeves in a manner that facilitates the user&#39;s interaction with the container to remove only a desired number or even a single cup sleeve from the container during each interaction with the container. 
     Surface friction between adjacent sleeves as well as close spatial presentation of a plurality of cup sleeves commonly results in removal of multiple sleeves each time a cup sleeve is removed from such containers. The user or customer who inadvertently removes excessive cup sleeves from the container must either return excess sleeves to the container, leaving them presented in less than a sanitary manner, or may discard excess sleeves thereby generating excess process waste. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a cup sleeve dispenser that can contain a plurality of sleeves, is convenient to reload, and can accommodate presentation of individual sleeves in a manner wherein successive sleeves can be sequentially removed from the dispenser without adversely affecting the presentation or sanitation of subsequent sleeves for use by subsequent user&#39;s or subsequent removal of discrete sleeves from the dispenser. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a cup sleeve or cup insulator dispenser that resolves one or more of the drawbacks disclosed above. One aspect of the invention discloses a cup sleeve dispenser having a discharge opening that is constructed to accommodate removal of cup sleeves from the dispenser in a singular and sequential manner and a manner that facilitates presentation of the single cup sleeve associated with a respective end of a stack of cup sleeves for removal of the respective cup sleeve from the dispenser. 
     Another aspect of the invention that can be combined or is useable with one or more of the above aspects or features discloses a cup sleeve dispenser that includes a housing that is constructed to receive a plurality of cup sleeves to be dispensed incrementally at a point of use. The housing is defined by a base and a cover that movably cooperates with the base. A biasing mechanism is disposed in the housing and includes a pressure plate that is configured to bias the plurality of cup sleeves toward a discharge opening defined by the housing. The discharge opening is defined by cooperation of an end portion of the base and an end portion of the cover and configured to sequentially physically interact with each of the plurality of cup sleeves such that the cover does not interfere with lateral removal of a terminal one of the plurality of cup sleeves and prevents removal of the other of the plurality of cup sleeves from the housing during removal of the terminal one of the plurality of cup sleeves. 
     Another aspect of the invention that is usable or combinable with one or more of the above features of aspects discloses a method of forming a cup insulator sleeve dispenser that includes providing a housing that includes a base and cover that is connected to the base to define a cavity shaped to receive a stack of cup insulator sleeves. The discharge opening is defined at one end of the housing and is shaped to accommodate removal of cup insulator sleeves from the housing in a sequential manner. A separator is formed proximate the discharge opening and extends beyond a plane defined by a bottom of the cavity defined by the base a distance that is at least as great as a thickness of a collapsed cup sleeve and offset from a rear surface of the cavity a distance sufficient to prevent translation of a second to a last cup sleeve during manual extraction of a last sleeve from the housing. 
     A further aspect of the present application that is useable or combinable with one or more of the above features or aspects discloses a cup sleeve dispenser that includes a housing that is defined by a cover, a base, and a discharge opening formed proximate a longitudinal end of the housing such that the housing defines a cavity shaped to receive a stack of collapsed cup sleeves. A biasing mechanism is disposed in the cavity and is configured to bias the stack of collapsed cup sleeves toward the discharge opening. The dispenser includes a retainer that is defined by a portion of the cover proximate the discharge opening. The retainer extends in a longitudinal direction a distance beyond a floor of the base that is sufficient to allow deflection of a pair of sides of a collapsed single cup sleeve in the longitudinal direction such that a subsequent collapsed cup sleeve cooperates with an interior facing surface of the retainer to restrict lateral translation of the subsequent collapsed cup sleeve during extraction of the single collapsed cup sleeve from the cavity. 
     These and various other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment presently contemplated for carrying out the invention and in the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  of a perspective view of a cup insulator sleeve dispenser assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective longitudinal cross section view of the dispenser shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective partial exploded view of a base and a biasing assembly of the dispenser shown in  FIG. 1  with the cover removed therefrom; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the cross section view shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a discharge end portion of the dispenser assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the discharge end portion of the dispenser assembly shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  of a cup insulator sleeve dispenser assembly according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is perspective view of a bottom portion of the dispenser shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 7  with the cover exploded from the dispenser assembly; 
         FIG. 10 . is a view similar to  FIG. 9  with the cover removed from the dispenser; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of a biasing mechanism shown in  FIG. 9  removed from the housing of the dispenser; 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of the biasing mechanism shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom perspective view of the biasing mechanism shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a rear perspective view of the biasing mechanism shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the base of the dispenser shown in  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 16  is a side elevation view of the dispenser shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1-6  show various views of a cup sleeve dispenser assembly or simply a dispenser  30  according to one embodiment of the present invention. While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and herein are described in detail, certain illustrative embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to those specific embodiments illustrated and described herein. Additionally, features illustrated and described with respect to one embodiment could be used in connection with other embodiments. 
     The present invention provides a cup sleeve dispenser  30  that is configured to dispense cup sleeves or cup insulator or insulation sleeves commonly used in hot beverage retail environments. Users and consumers of such insulation sleeves readily appreciate that such sleeves are commonly provided in a folded or collapsed configuration wherein opposite sides of the sleeve overlap one another and, when deployed or placed in use, form a generally frusto-conical shaped sleeve that slideably cooperates with the exterior surface of a cup. Some such sleeves commonly include a corrugated core that is captured between opposing layers and/or otherwise constructed to mitigate thermal transfer between the cup and the hand of the user. The frusto-conical shape of the cup and the frusto-conical shape of the insulator sleeve, when deployed, cooperate with one another such that the sleeve can be slideably associated from the bottom of the cup but the gradually increasing diameter of the cup in a direction from the base toward the open end of the cup prevents translation of the sleeve over the open end of the cup. 
     When in a stored or stowed configuration, the generally opposite sides of the sleeves define a generally frusto-conical planar shape wherein opposite circumferential sides of the sleeve generally overlie one another. Such considerations generally prevent the sleeves from being interwoven with one another and require interaction with two generally planar and adjacent surfaces to maintain the desired operative and structural integrity associated with each sleeve. Failure to attend to such considerations can result in damage to the discrete sleeves during removal of the same. 
     It is appreciated that cup sleeve dispenser  30  could be provided in a number of shapes intended to accommodate cup sleeves of different shapes and/or be configured to be adjustable so as to achieve the desired single sleeve per dispense activity operation with sequential presentation of subsequent cup sleeves for removal from the dispenser  30 . Generally, a single dispenser cannot dispense different sizes and types of cup sleeves without substantial modifications or adjustment of a feed, capture, or retention mechanism and/or adjustment of a discharge opening for suitable cooperation with the sleeves being dispensed. 
     Cup sleeve or cup insulator sleeve dispenser assembly or simply dispenser  30  includes a retainer  36  that is associated with a discharge opening  37 . As disclosed further below, it is appreciated that retainer  36  could be integrally formed with a cover  34  of dispenser  30 , adjustably secured thereto, and/or be provided so as to be interchangeable with dispenser  30  to facilitate dispensing of cup sleeves having different geometric requirements. Cup sleeve dispenser  30  includes a base or housing  32  and cover  34 , which supports retainer  36 , and is removably or movably connected to housing  32 . 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 , dispenser  30  is preferably curved to provide both aesthetic and functional improvements over prior art cup sleeve presentation devices. As shown in  FIG. 4 , a portion of dispenser  30  is preferably curved upwardly at an angle θ from the longitudinal center line of the dispenser (or backwardly from the perpendicular). Angle θ is between about 10° to about 40°, more preferably between about 15° and about 30°, and most preferably about 21°. Such a configuration presents cup sleeves in a manner wherein the sleeves can be comfortably gripped or pinched by a user whether dispenser  30  is deployed in a vertical, horizontal, or other inclined orientations therebetween. Such a presentation of the sleeves also mitigates contamination of the sleeves by offsetting the user interaction with dispenser  30  to a location that is spatially offset from the adjacent structures associated with supporting dispenser  30 . Preferably, as disclosed further below, dispenser  150  also includes a similar curved upwardly at an angle θ portion ( FIG. 16 ). 
     Housing  32  and cover  34  may be formed of any suitable material but are preferably formed of plastic or metal. An optional faceplate or emblem  33  can be attached to the front of the housing  32 . In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the emblem  33  is formed by a portion of cover  34  of dispenser  30 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , cover  34  is pivotally connected to housing  32  at a pair of connections  35 . This connection methodology permits ready access to the inside of the housing  32 . Preferably, the pivotal connection is constructed so that when the housing  32  is open, the cover  34  does not contact the surface upon which the dispenser  30  is positioned when the cover  34  is fully opened, regardless of the angle at which the dispenser  30  is positioned. For example, cover  34  will not contact a countertop surface when the dispenser  30  is positioned horizontally on a countertop and the cover  34  is fully opened. Likewise, cover  34  will not contact a wall surface when dispenser  30  is vertically positioned on a wall or the like and the cover  34  is fully opened. The cover  34  may also be connected to the base or housing  32  so that the cover  34  remains selectively in an open position when the dispenser  30  is mounted to a wall or placed on a stand or otherwise deployed in either of a relatively vertical or relatively horizontal position. This preferred construction also limits the point(s) at which the cover  34  may be removed from housing  32  of dispenser  30 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , housing  32  has a floor  41  and walls  39  that are oriented to extending in a crossing direction relative to floor  41 . Preferably, floor  41  and walls  39  cooperate with one another to receive a biasing device or assembly and to capture a plurality of cup sleeves within the boundary of dispenser  30  such that the plurality of cup sleeves extend in a stacked orientation along a longitudinal axis of dispenser  30 . 
     Preferably, one or more latches receiving areas  60  and related latches  62  are disposed between housing  32  and cover  34 . Latches  62  cooperate with a corresponding respective latch receiving area  60  on the other of the housing  32  and cover  34  to prevent the top surface of dispenser  30  defined by cover  34  from being freely opened. Thus, in order to open the dispenser  30 , the one or more latches  62  must be released. The top portion or cover  34  may be biased so that releasing the top portion or cover  34  results in the top portion or cover  34  opening, either partially or fully, without further significant effort from the user. Such biasing may be provided by springs, pressure, gravity, or the like. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 , housing  32  can include an integrally formed or separately attached base  68 . The base  68  defines the footprint of the dispenser  30  on a flat surface and provides support for the dispenser  30  when it is deployed in a horizontal manner. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the base  68  preferably is of a height H so that when the dispenser  30  is on a flat horizontal surface, cup sleeves associated with dispensing opening  37  do not touch the support surface. Preferably, base  68  is also configured to cooperate with a shaped nesting space defined by cover  34  so that multiple dispensers  30  may be stacked on top of one another with the base  68  of one dispenser  30  self locating relative to the cover associated with another dispenser  30 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 , dispenser  30  includes an optional track based biasing mechanism or track system  50  disposed between housing  32  and cover  34  of cup sleeve dispenser  30 . The track system  50  is particularly useful when the dispenser  30  is positioned relatively horizontally with respect to the surface upon which it rests. Although helpful when vertically oriented, gravity also biases a stack of sleeves associated with a vertically oriented dispenser toward dispensing opening  37 . The track system  50  urges cup sleeves towards the retainer  36  and dispense opening  37  so that individual cup sleeves may be easily removed from dispenser  30 . As disclosed further below, track system  50  is preferably attached to housing  32  in a manner permitting it to be removed from the housing  32  without the use of any tools. The track system  50  preferably has one rail  52  and a pressure plate  54 . The pressure plate  54  rides or is guided on or slideably associated with the rail  52 . The pressure plate  54  is biased towards retainer  36  and discharge opening  37 . In one embodiment, the pressure plate  54  is biased towards the discharge opening  37  by a constant load spring (also sometimes called a constant force spring) that is attached to the rail  52  or housing  32  and the pressure plate  54 . One such configuration is disclosed further below with respect to  FIG. 13 . 
     In one embodiment, the track system  50 , and specifically the rail  52 , is curved. In this embodiment, the track system is curved to conform to the shape of the housing  32  of the dispenser  30 . As such, the track system  50  may be curved between about 10° to about 40°, preferably from about 15° to about 30°, and most preferably about 21° along its length and preferably nearer one end of rail  52 , and more preferably, the end of rail  52  that is nearer discharge opening  37 . It is appreciated that other shapes and configurations of dispenser  30  are envisioned. 
     The pressure plate  54  is preferably positioned with respect to the rail  52  so that the pressure plate  54  applies a generally constant force to the cup sleeves. In one embodiment, the face  55  of the pressure plate  54  is at an angle Y with respect to normal from the rail  52 . Angle Y is between about 0° and 20°, preferably between about 5° and 15°, and most preferably about 10°. The shape of pressure plate  54  may be generally planar or otherwise contoured in one or more directions to manipulate the interaction between the pressure plate  54  and the cup sleeves to manipulate the interaction between the cup sleeves and retainer  36  to achieve the desired presentation of a single cup sleeve for removal at discharge opening  37 . 
     The position of the pressure plate  54  can optionally be maintained in a retracted position by a retention mechanism. Such a retention mechanism has at least one extension and the pressure plate has at least one catch, or vise versa, to facilitate a temporary retention of pressure plate  54  for loading of dispenser  30 . The pressure plate  54  can be released from the retracted position by depressing a trigger or other actuator that lowers an extension, to allow the pressure plate  54  to slide free relative to the rail  52 . Of course, the extension and/or the trigger may be provided on the pressure plate  54  and the catch on the retention mechanism. When provided with such a retention mechanism, the cover  34  can include a finger such that closing the cover  34  causes the finger to depress the trigger and release the pressure plate  54  from the retracted position. 
     As discussed above, the cup sleeve dispenser  30  has a retainer  36  that is defined by cover  34 . In one embodiment, retainer  36  is movably or removably attachable to the cover  34  to define a shape associated with dispensing opening  37 . The retainer  36  of the dispenser  30  may be changed or covers with different retainer configurations may be secured to housing  32  so that the dispenser  30  can properly dispense multiple types and sizes of cup insulator sleeves. Specifically, retainer  36  provides a retaining of subsequent cup sleeves and accommodates removal of a terminal cup sleeve through opening  37  of dispenser  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 5, and 6 , retainer  36  is further defined by a first finger  80  and a second finger  82  that extend in a generally longitudinal direction  84  relative to dispenser  30 . Each finger  80 ,  82  extends in a cantilevered fashion such that a distal end  86  of each finger  80 ,  82  is disposed in close proximity to a bottom  89  defined by housing  32 . As disclosed further below,  FIGS. 7-15  show a dispenser according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein each finger extends along a substantial portion of the forward facing surface of cover so as to define a substantially slot-shaped discharge opening associated with removal of discrete cup insulator sleeves. 
     It should be appreciated that the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7-15  as disclosed further below defines a cup sleeve dispenser wherein the distal ends of the fingers or respective portions of the cover define a discharge opening that has a shape and dimension that more closely resembles a forward facing vertical footprint of a single respective cup sleeve. A pinch groove as explained further below is formed between the respective fingers of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7-15  such that the user introduces a thumb or finger into a groove and can manually deflect a respective cup sleeve into cooperation with discharge opening. It is further appreciated that the shape, or the extension of respective fingers and the generally continuous shape of each finger relative to cover provides a robust retainer arrangement wherein the respective fingers associated with the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7-15  are far less, if not negligibly, deflectable relative to the remainder of cover as compared to the configuration and construction of fingers  80 ,  82  associated with the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     Referring to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , an optional barb  88  is formed at a tip or distal end  86  of each finger  80 ,  82 . Each barb  88  extends in a direction that faces toward the cup sleeves associated with discharge opening  37 . Said in another way, barbs  88  extend in a crossing direction relative to the longitudinal axis of dispenser  30  and in a direction generally aligned with, but generally opposite to, the direction of removal of cup sleeves from dispenser  30 . Fingers  80 ,  82  define a pair of gaps  90  that extend between the respective finger  80  and adjacent portions of cover  34  in a laterally outward direction and a pick groove  94  formed between the adjacent fingers  80 ,  82 . 
     Pick groove  94  is shaped to accommodate the introduction of the user&#39;s finger along the portion of cup sleeves associated with discharge end of dispenser  30 . Referring briefly to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7-15 , the pick groove associated with the assembly disclosed therein functions in a similar manner. It should be further appreciated that an interior facing surface of cover proximate discharge opening functions to resist translation of the second to last and other subsequently dispensed cup sleeves while the lowermost cup sleeve is aligned with the discharge opening and thereby being oriented to be removed from dispenser  150  shown in  FIGS. 7-15 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , fingers  80 ,  82  are preferably constructed integrally with cover  34  and can include a living hinge  102  associated with each respective finger  80 ,  82  and/or be constructed so as to be deformable or deflectable in a discharge direction, indicated by arrow  106 , during the removal of individual cup sleeves. It is further appreciated that fingers  80 ,  82  could be movably connected to cover  34  such that the user may manipulate the specific construction associated with discharge opening  37  to accommodate use of dispenser  30  with cup sleeves having different geometric parameters. It is further appreciated that the cover  154  associated with dispenser  150  assembly shown in  FIGS. 7-15  could be provided in a two part or adjustable construction such that the longitudinal position of respective fingers can be adjusted to manipulate the vertical dimension associated with discharge opening associated with dispenser and/or the proximity of the distal ends of the fingers relative to a bottom surface associated with the housing of the dispenser  150  shown in  FIGS. 7-15 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 6 , distal ends  86  associated with fingers  80 ,  82  of retainer  36  are disposed in generally close, but not overlapping, alignment with an interior surface  108  of bottom  89  of housing  32 . Preferably, distal ends  86  are oriented in a spaced orientation relative to surface  108  relative to feed direction  84  to accommodate the presentation of a single cup sleeve at discharge end  100 . Barbs  88  face the cup sleeves disposed in dispenser  30  and preferably facilitate separation between adjacent sleeves. Minimally, fingers  80 ,  82  prevent more than a selected number, such as one, insulating cup sleeve from being removed from dispenser  30  during each dispense event. That is, fingers  80 ,  82  prevent the second to last and subsequent cup sleeves from translating in direction  106  during removal of a last or a being dispensed cup sleeve. 
     As disclosed further below, the more rigid fingers associated with the dispenser assembly or dispenser  150  shown in  FIGS. 7-15  perform in a similar manner but are less or non-deflectable relative to the remainder of the cover of the dispenser. As disclosed further below, the fingers associated with the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7-15  extend beyond the bottom of the respective housing such that the user can deflect the terminal one of the cup sleeves for cooperation with discharge opening for removal of discrete cup sleeves in a manner that assists with separation between adjacent cup sleeves. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , surface  108  and pressure plate  54  can be configured to cooperate with dispenser  30  to facilitate presentation of cup sleeves in generally close proximity to distal end  86  of fingers  80 ,  82 , as indicated by line  110 , or be oriented to cooperate with the cup sleeves and/or constructed to provide a more inclined orientation, as indicated by line  112 , of cup sleeves dispensed from dispenser  30  relative to distal ends  86  of fingers  80 ,  82 . Preferably, a distance, indicated by dimension line  120  in  FIG. 6 , between distal end  86  and surface  108  in a direction that is transverse to discharge direction  106  is selected to be slightly greater than the thickness of one cup sleeve associated with use of dispenser  30 . Such a construction allows for the incremental single dispensing of the cup sleeves associated with dispenser  30 . 
     It is further appreciated that dispenser  30  and dispenser  150  as disclosed below may be modified to facilitate improved cup sleeve dispensing by locating one or more pressure focus devices or features in juxtaposition with respect to respective pressure plate  54 ,  182  and/or the bottom  89 ,  178  defined by the respective base or housing. It is further appreciated that insulating cup sleeves have a more self supporting rigid construction so that greater force is required to deform the cup sleeves but that the cup sleeves can accommodate pressure focus features at different locations to achieve the desired presentation of the cup sleeves at dispensing opening  37 ,  160  to facilitate the sequential dispensing of individual insulating cup sleeves while maintaining the orientation of subsequent cup sleeves for presentation of the subsequent cup sleeves at discharge opening  37 ,  160  for subsequent removal of subsequent cup sleeves. Preferably, fingers  80 ,  82 ,  269 , and the inward facing surfaces associated floor or bottoms  108 ,  178  of housings  32 ,  152 , respectively, are constructed to sequentially present each cup sleeve associated with a stack of cup sleeves in a manner that facilitates sequential removal of each cup sleeve associated with a stack of cup sleeves from dispenser  30 ,  150  in a one-by-one manner. 
     In operation, a user removes cup sleeves from dispenser  30  by pulling on a forward facing edge of a lowermost cup sleeve whose front facing edge is presented at opening  37 ,  160  and not otherwise obstructed by the distal ends associated with fingers  80 ,  82 ,  269  of retainer  36 ,  270 . Retainers  36 ,  269  prevent translation of the second to last and subsequent cup sleeves during extraction of the dispensing or the respective first cup sleeve associated with a given stack of cup sleeves such that the cup insulator sleeves can be dispensed in a single sequential manner. 
     As alluded to above,  FIGS. 7-15  show various views of a cup insulator sleeve dispenser assembly or simply dispenser  150  according to another embodiment of the invention. Dispenser  150  includes a base or a housing  152  and a cover  154  that movably cooperates therewith. Housing  152  includes a pair of projections  156  that cooperate with a pair of respective openings  158  defined by cover  154  and associated with alternate lateral sides of dispenser  150  and provide a pivotable connection between cover  154  and housing  152 . Dispenser  150  also includes respective latch  162  and latch receiving areas  164  disposed proximate dispensing opening  160  and which provide a secure “closed” configuration of dispenser  150 . 
     A rearward facing surface  166  of housing  152  includes one or more optional supports or feet  168  that support dispenser  150 . It is appreciated that feet  168  can be provided in a generally rigid construction and/or provided in a deformable construction, such as a suction cup or the like, configured to secure dispenser  150  relative to vertical and/or horizontal surfaces. It is further appreciated that feet  168  can be constructed to removably cooperate with housing  152  such that housing  152  is vertically stackable relative to additional dispensers  150  in a manner similar to that disclosed above with respect to dispenser  30 . As shown in  FIG. 8  and disclosed further below, housing  152  includes one or more openings  170 ,  172 ,  174  that are constructed to cooperate with a biasing mechanism disposed within dispenser  150  such that the biasing mechanism can be secured relative thereto in a generally snap-fit and tool-less manner. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , housing  152  and cover  154  cooperate with one another so as to generally define a volume  175  that extends between a rear or top wall  176  and a front or bottom  178  of housing  152  that is proximate dispensing opening  160 . As shown in  FIGS. 9-14 , dispenser  150  includes a biasing mechanism  180  that is disposed in volume  175  and includes a pressure plate  182  that slideably cooperates with a rail  184  to bias cup insulator sleeves disposed between pressure plate  182  and bottom  178  of housing  152  toward dispensing opening  160 . Rail  184  extends in a longitudinal direction, indicated by arrow  190 , and is constructed to cooperate with pressure plate  182  such that pressure plate  182  is translatable in a longitudinal direction  190 , relative to rail  184  when rail  184  is secured to housing  152 . 
     Rail  184  includes a first end portion  192  and a second end portion  194  that are oriented at generally opposite longitudinal ends thereof. First end portion  192  includes a pair of projections  196 ,  198  formed therein. Projections  196 ,  198  are constructed to slideably cooperate with respective openings  170 ,  172  defined by housing  152 . Second end portion  194  of rail  184  is constructed to be associated with housing  152  such that the second end portion  194  of rail  184  is disposed proximate discharging opening  160 . 
     Second end portion  194  of rail  184  includes a projection  200  that has a barb  202  formed proximate a free end of the projection  200 . As disclosed further below with respect to  FIG. 15 , cooperation of projections  196 ,  198  of rail  184  with openings  170 ,  172  of housing  152  and cooperation of projection  200  and barb  202  with opening  174  allows rail  184  to be snap-fittingly secured to housing  152 . Rail  184  includes a pair of optional projections  204 ,  206  that are constructed to slideably cooperate with a pair of openings, cavities, or pockets,  208 ,  210  associated with housing  152 . Projections  204 ,  206  index projection  200 , and the barb  202  associated therewith, relative to opening  174  during mounting of rail  184  relative to housing  152 . 
     A pair of flanges  212 ,  214  are oriented at generally opposite lateral sides of rail  184 . Flanges  212 ,  214  preferably extend the longitudinal length of rail  184  and slideably cooperate with a carriage  216  associated with pressure plate  182 . Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 14 , carriage  216  includes a pair of upper guides, such as rollers  220 ,  222 , that engage an upper surface  224  of rail  184  proximate flanges  212 ,  214 . Carriage  216  includes a pair of lower guides, such as rollers  226 ,  228 , that are rotationally supported by carriage  216  and cooperate with an underside or lower side surface  230  of a respective flange  212 ,  214 . 
     Upper rollers  220 ,  222  and lower rollers  226 ,  228  are vertically offset from one another so as to cooperate with the alternate upper and lower sides or surfaces  224 ,  230  associated with flanges  212 ,  214  of rail  184 . Roller pairs  220 ,  222  and  226 ,  228  and also offset in longitudinal direction  190  so as to maintain a slideable interaction of carriage  216  with rail  184 . A biasing device, such as a coil spring  232 , is supported by carriage  216  and includes a distal end  234  ( FIG. 13 ) that is secured to an underside of rail  184  proximate discharge or second end portion  194  of rail  184  with a fastener, such as a rivet  240 , such that biasing device  232  biases carriage  216  and pressure plate  182  toward the second end portion  194  of rail  184  oriented proximate discharge opening  160 . 
     Pressure plate  182  is preferably positioned with respect to the rail  184  so that the pressure plate  182  applies a generally constant force to the cup insulator sleeves during sequential dispensing of each cup insulator sleeve associated with a stack of similarly sized cup insulator sleeves disposed in dispenser  150 . In one embodiment, a face  183  of the pressure plate  182  is at an angle Y with respect to normal from the rail  52 . Angle Y is between about 0° and 20°, preferably between about 5° and 15°, and most preferably about 10° 
     Like pressure plate  54 , the shape of face  183  of pressure plate  182  is generally planar but may be otherwise contoured in one or more directions or include pressure focusing devices or features to manipulate the interaction between the pressure plate  182  and the cup insulator sleeves to manipulate the interaction between the cup sleeves and a retainer such as the distal or terminal edge of cover  154 , as disclosed further below, to achieve the desired presentation of a single cup sleeve for sequential removal at discharge opening  160 . It is further appreciated that pressure plate  182  can be adjustably connected to carriage  216  to provide various orientations of face  183  relative to the cup insulator sleeves to achieve the desired sequential dispensing of the cup sleeves. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 10-14 , a pocket  244  is formed near an upper portion  246  of pressure plate  182 . Pocket  244  is shaped to allow the user to manually interact with pressure plate  182  to bias the pressure plate  182 , and the carriage  216  associated therewith, toward first end portion  192  of rail  184  during loading of dispenser  150 . That is, referring briefly to  FIG. 10 , user interaction with pocket  244  when cover  154  is opened, allows the user to manually translate pressure plate  182  in a rearward longitudinal direction, indicated by arrow  250 , relative to rail  184  and overcome the bias associated with biasing device  232 , to expand the coffee insulator sleeve containing portion or chamber  252  associated with volume  175  defined by dispenser  150 . 
     It is further appreciated that the manual longitudinal manipulation of biasing mechanism  180  can include a selectively or automatically operable catch arrangement such as that described above with respect to dispenser  30  so as to allow pressure plate  182  to be self-retained at a position nearer first end portion  192  of rail  184  during loading operations. Manually interaction with the catch assembly, or operation of the same in response to other operations, such as the closing of cover  154 , can be utilized to subsequently release the catch assembly thereby allowing pressure plate  182  to bias coffee insulator sleeves disposed in sleeve containing portion or chamber  252  of the cavity or volume  175  defined by dispenser  150  and toward discharge opening  160  for use of dispenser  150 . 
     As alluded to above, an interior facing surface of housing  152  includes a channel  256  associated with openings and/or pockets  170 ,  172 ,  174 ,  208 ,  210  and that is shaped to receive rail  184 . One or more openings  258  are formed in rear wall of housing  152  and are oriented laterally outboard of channel  256 . Openings  258  and constructed to receive fasteners or the like for securing feet  168  relative to housing  152  and/or securing housing  152  relative to an underlying support surface. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7, 9, and 15 , during use of dispenser  150 , a plurality of cup insulator sleeves  260  are disposed in sleeve containing chamber  252  and biased toward a floor or bottom  178  of housing  152  by biasing mechanism  180  via cooperation of pressure plate  182  with a terminal or last cup insulator sleeves  260  associated with a stack of cup insulator sleeves disposed in chamber  252 . A ready-to-be-dispensed cup insulator sleeve  280  is biased into engagement with bottom  178  of housing  152  so as to be disposed proximate discharge opening  160 . 
     User interaction with a pick groove or finger channel  264 , or an outboard lateral edge  266 , of a respective cup insulator sleeve  260 , facilitates downward deflection, indicated by arrow  268 , of a respective cup insulator sleeve  260  beyond one or more retention fingers  269  that are generally defined by a terminal edge  270  associated with dispensing opening  160 . Once deflected in direction  268 , a discrete cup insulator sleeve  280  can be extracted from dispenser  150  via translation of the discrete cup insulator sleeve  260  in a generally forward direction, indicated by arrow  274 , and past fingers  269  and terminal edge  270  associated with cover  254 . Cooperation of a next-to-be-dispensed cup insulator sleeve  276  with an interior facing surface fingers  269  prevents the next-to-be-dispensed or adjacent cup insulator sleeve  276  from being extracted during dispensing of a ready-to-be-dispensed cup insulator sleeve  280 . 
     The floor or bottom  178  of housing  152 , fingers  269 , and terminal edge  270  of cover  154  are oriented to accommodate the slidable extraction of the ready-to-be-dispensed cup insulator sleeve  280  relative to the adjacent or next-to-be-dispensed cup insulator sleeve  276  during each extraction event and in a manner similar to that described above with respect to dispenser  30 . Upon extraction or dispensing of cup insulator sleeve  280 , the adjacent insulator sleeve  276  is biased into engagement with bottom  178  of housing  152  and achieves a ready-to-be-dispensed orientation relative to dispenser  150  thereby allowing sequential dispensing of a discrete cup insulator sleeves from a stack of similarly constructed cup insulator sleeves. 
     The dispensers  30 ,  150  of the present invention may have other applications aside from use in connection with cup insulation or insulator sleeves but are each constructed to dispense generally rigid stacked products that may or may not be interwoven or presented in an overlapping orientation but are separable from one another so as to be removable from the dispenser without adversely affecting the presentation and/or removal of subsequent presented cup insulator sleeves. 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 of the claims.