Abstract:
Disclosed is a cup-supplying apparatus for supplying tapered cylindrical cups stored in a stack, which comprises cup dispensers each supplying lowest cup from cups stored in a stack; a unit generating a force for cup-supplying; force-transmitting members each transmitting the cup-supplying force to a corresponding cup dispenser; and means for selecting one of the force-transmitting members to be supplied with the cup-supplying force; whereby the cup-supplying force generated by the force-generating unit is transmitted to the selected force-transmitting member so that the lowest cup is supplied for use by the corresponding cup dispenser, wherein the cup dispenser may be provided with a lever, the force-generating unit may comprise a motor and a cam, the force-transmitting member may be a slider provided between the lever and the cam, and the selecting means may be a mechanism for moving the cam up and down to a position where the slider can transmit the cup-supplying force from the cam to the lever of the corresponding cup dispenser.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a cup-supplying apparatus, and more particularly, to a cup-supplying apparatus with improved interchangeability and operation accuracy of a cup dispenser separating each cup from a stack of cups so as to be supplied. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A conventional cup-type automatic beverage vendor is provided with a cup-supplying apparatus in which cups in different sizes are stored in a plurality of stacks each having cups of the same size stacked. When a cup of some beverage is demanded, a cup of the demanded beverage is separated from the corresponding stack by a cup-supplying unit and supplied to a cup-serving stage within the serving outlet. 
     FIG. 1 shows a cup separation unit in a conventional automatic vendor of cup-serving type. Cup separation unit  5  is provided with cup dispensers  5 A,  5 B and  5 C for dispensing cup  8  in accordance with rotation of top  51  having screw-shaped periphery, these cup dispensers being provided respectively for cupsizes “S”, “M” and “L”, lever  52  fixed integrally to a ring which drives top  51  to rotate (to be mentioned later), driving motors  22 A,  22 B and  22 C for driving lever  52 , torque transmitting members  20 A,  20 B and  20 C transmitting torque of driving motors  22 A,  22 B and  22 C, respectively, to rotating member  55 , and communicating member  54  for communicating lever  52  with rotating member  55  by way of link pin  53 . The rotation of rotating member  55  generated by rotation of driving motors  22 A,  22 B and  22 C is converted by eccentric rotation unit  55   a  to a reciprocating motion, which is transmitted to lever  52 . 
     FIG. 2 shows top  51 . Ring  52 A is rotated in the direction A′ by shifting in the direction A of communicating member  54  communicated through link pin  53  with lever  52  which is fixed to ring  52 A. Ring  52 A is provided, on its inner surface, with ring gear  52 B engaged with gear  51 A fixed on the axis of top  51 . The rotation of ring  52 A in the direction A′ allows top  51  to rotate in the direction of r 1 . When communicating member  54  shifts in the direction B, ring  52 A rotates in the direction B′ so as to rotate top  51  in the direction of r 2 . The rotation of top  51  in the direction of r 1  causes a stack of cups  8  (not shown) to fall by one step down the spiral portion. The rotation of top  51  in the direction of r 1  interposes the spiral portion between rim  8 A of a cup  8  in the lowest position of the stack and rim  8  of another cup in next to the lowest position so as to cause the lowest cup  8  to fall off the stack. 
     In such a conventional cup-supplying apparatus, however, changing a cup dispenser (such as  5 A) for changing, for example, cup size, requires the diameter of the ring ( 52 A) and thus, the rotating angle of the lever ( 52 ), to be changed so that the communicating member ( 54 ) has to be changed to one suited to the rotating angle of the lever. 
     This results in the necessity of preparing a multitude of parts such as communicating members in accordance with varied cup sizes. Moreover, a plurality of driving motors are required for operating respective cup dispensers in the conventional cup-supplying apparatus. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a cup-supplying apparatus free from the necessity of preparing a multiplicity of parts for varied cup sizes, thus permitting reduction of parts in number and advancing standardization of parts, thereby making parts-management more easy and decreasing costs for manufacturing and maintenance. 
     It is further object of the invention to provide a cup-supplying apparatus in which cup dispensers can be easily changed according to variation of cup size by a simple job and costs can be decreased. 
     According to the first feature of the invention, A cup-supplying apparatus for supplying tapered cylindrical cups stored in a stack, comprising: 
     a plurality of cup dispensers, each of which supplies a lowest cup from stacked cups to a predetermined position; 
     a unit for generating a cup-supplying force; 
     a plurality of members, each of which transmits said cup-supplying force to a corresponding one of said plurality of cup dispensers; and 
     means for selecting one member from said plurality of members to be supplied with said cup-supplying force from said cup-supplying force generating-unit; 
     wherein said cup-supplying force generating-unit generates said cup-supplying force which is then transmitted to said one member selected by said selecting means, so that said corresponding one among said plurality of cup dispensers supplies said lowest cup to said predetermined position. 
     According to the second feature of invention, a cup-supplying apparatus for supplying tapered cylindrical cups stored in a stack comprises: 
     a rotatable ring member having inside thereof a circular inner portion for supporting the stack of cups, the member being capable of rotating around an axis, diameter of the inner portion being varied in accordance with rotating of the member within a range predetermined according to the diameter of tapered cylindrical cups; 
     means for separating a tapered cylindrical cup in lowest position in the stack from others stored in the stack and allowing the tapered cylindrical cup in the lowest position to drop, according to rotating of the rotatable ring member; 
     means for rotating the rotatable ring member, including a lever attached to and rotatable together with the rotatable ring member around the axis of rotating thereof and a pin fixed to the lever in rotatable end portion thereof; 
     a reciprocally-moving member capable of reciprocal movement in a first direction and in a second direction with a predetermined stroke, being driven by a driving force supplied by a source thereof; and 
     movement-transmitting means for transmitting the reciprocal movement of the reciprocally-moving member to the rotatable ring member to cause the rotatable ring member to rotate clockwise and anti-clockwise, 
     the movement-transmitting means comprising pin-engaging means for engaging the pin with the reciprocally-moving member, whereby the reciprocally-moving member is engaged with the means for rotating the rotatable ring member by way of the pin fixed to the lever and the pin-engaging means, wherein: 
     the pin-engaging means comprises range-varying means which allows the range of rotating of the lever corresponding to the predetermined stroke of the reciprocal movement of the reciprocally-moving member transmitting means to be varied, whereby the range of rotating of the rotatable ring member being determined by the range-varying means. 
     It is preferred that the pin-engaging means includes a fork member having a recess in distal end portion. The fork member preferably comprises a first recess for accepting the pin with a first margin and a second recess for accepting the pin with a second margin broader than the first margin, whereby the first recess allows the lever having the pin to rotate within a first range and the second recess allows the lever to rotate within a second range smaller than the first range, either according to the predetermined stroke of reciprocally-moving member. It is preferred that the first recess is formed adjacent to bottom portion of the second recess. The rotatable ring member, the means for separating a tapered cylindrical cup and the means for rotating the rotatable ring member may be integrated in a unit. 
     The cup-supplying apparatus may comprise a plurality of the units, a plurality of the reciprocally-moving member and a plurality of the movement-transmitting means, equal in numbers, wherein the reciprocally-moving members are driven by a source in common. Then, the reciprocally-moving members may be conjugated, being permitted to move independently. Preferably, the movement-transmitting means each comprise pin-engaging means in the same form, respectively, and the pin-engaging means are connected respectively with the reciprocally-moving members conjugated to be capable of moving independently. 
     The reciprocally-moving member may include a rotating motor as the source of driving force and a cam unit for converting rotation of the rotating motor to reciprocal movement to be transmitted to the reciprocally-moving member. Then, the reciprocally-moving member preferably comprises means for preventing the cam unit from accidental discontinuing of the transmission of movement. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be explained in more detail in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional cup-supplying apparatus; 
     FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a part of the system for supplying and separation of cups in the conventional cup-supplying apparatus in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cup-supplying apparatus in a first preferred embodiment according to the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cup separation unit in the cup-supplying apparatus in the first preferred embodiment of the invention, including a partial cross-sectional view; 
     FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the lever and fork member in the cup-supplying apparatus in the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIGS.  6 ( a ) and  6 ( b ) are explanatory views of the cup-supplying apparatus in the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the arrangement of the fork member and link pin in the cup-supplying apparatus in the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the cam-driving unit for selecting the position to drive in the cup-supplying apparatus in the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the cup-supplying operation of cam-driving unit in the cup-supplying apparatus in the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a portion of the slider in contact with cam portion in the cup-supplying apparatus in the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing another construction of a portion of the slider in contact with cam portion in the cup-supplying apparatus in the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a exploded perspective view of the cam-driving unit in the cup-supplying apparatus in the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the cam-driving unit in the cup-supplying apparatus in the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG.  14 ( a ) is a plan view of a cup dispenser, including a partial cross-section, in the cup-supplying apparatus in the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG.  14 ( b ) is a side view of a cup dispenser, including a partial cross-section, in the cup-supplying apparatus in the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG.  15 ( a ) is a side view showing a cup dispenser just before it is in position; 
     FIG.  15 ( b ) is a side view showing a cup dispenser when it is fixed in position; 
     FIGS.  16 ( a ) through  16 ( d ) are explanatory views showing the cup-separating operation of cup dispensers in the cup-supplying apparatus in the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIGS.  17 ( a ) through  17 ( f ) are explanatory views showing the cup-separating operation of another cup dispenser in the cup-supplying apparatus in the first preferred embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG. 18 is a plan view of a cup separation unit in the second preferred embodiment according to the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A cup-supplying apparatus in the first preferred embodiment of the invention will be explained below. 
     FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a cup-supplying apparatus according to the invention for a cup-type vending machine. The cup-supplying apparatus is provided, in the upper part of main body  1 , with cup storage unit  2  in which cups  8  are stored in separate stacks according to the cup sizes, “S”, “M” and “L”. Cup storage unit  2  is provided with cup-dispensing outlets  2 A,  2 B and  2 C corresponding to cup sizes, “S”, “M” and “L”, respectively, in the lower part thereof. The cup-supplying apparatus is provided also with cup separation unit  5  arranged in accordance with cup-dispensing outlets  2 A,  2 B and  2 C for supplying cups  8  stored in cup storage unit  2  in separate stacks according to the cup sizes, one by one into one of cup-dispensing outlets  2 A,  2 B and  2 C, cup shoot  3  shaped like a compressed hopper elongated in alignment with cup-dispensing outlets  2 A,  2 B and  2 C, cup stage  4  for placing cup  8  supplied by way of cup shoot  3 , and drain vessel  7  for receiving the beverage etc. spilt from cup  8 . 
     FIG. 4 shows cup separation unit  5  in cup storage unit  2  of the cup-supplying apparatus according to the invention. Cup separation unit  5  is provided with cup dispensers  5 A,  5 B and  5 C for dispensing cup  8  of cup sizes “S”, “M” and “L”, respectively, based on the rotation of top (spinning top)  51  having a screw-shaped surface, lever  52  fixed integrally with a ring (not shown) for rotating top  51 , torque transmission unit  20  for transmitting the rotating torque of driving motor  22 , and cam driving-unit  10  having top  17  allowed to rotate by the rotating torque transmitted by torque transmission unit  20 . Cup separation unit  5  including cup dispensers  5 A,  5 B and  5 C, top  51  and lever  52  is basically similar to that shown in FIG.  2 . 
     Cam-driving unit  10  is provided with top  16  having cam portion  16 B which is shifted to level H, M or L based on the rotation of top  17  in direction “a” and rotated together with top  17  according to the rotation of top  17  in direction “b”. Sliders  6 A,  6 B and  6 C come into contact with cam portion  16 B, converting the rotation of top  17  to a reciprocal movement respectively. The positions of sliders  6 A,  6 B and  6 C correspond to levels H, M and L, respectively, mentioned above. Cam-driving unit  10 , torque transmission unit  20  and driving motor  22  are united integrally by means of frame  24 . Cam driving unit  10  drives cup dispensers  5 A,  5 B and  5 C by way of sliders  6 A,  6 B and  6 C which come into contact with cam portion  16 B so as to convert rotation of top  16  to reciprocal motion. Driving motor  22  is a DC motor which can rotate in a predetermined direction by selecting the direction of current. 
     While cup  8  of sizes “S”, “M” and “L” may be stored in cup dispensers  5 A,  5 B and  5 C, respectively, in cup separation unit  5  mentioned above, cups stored in cup dispensers  5 A and  5 C, for example, may be equal in sizes but different in printed pictures or materials. 
     Sliders  6 A,  6 B and  6 C are formed of planar members stacked together and provided with fork members  60   a ,  60   b  and  60   c , respectively, for handling link pin  53  fixed to lever  52 . Sliders  6 A,  6 B and  6 C are urged toward cam portion  16 B by means of a spring (not shown). Sliders  6 A,  6 B and  6 C have different lengths so as to communicate with cam portion  16 B. Any of sliders  6 A,  6 B and  6 C, however, may consist of fork member  60   a ,  60   b  and  60   c  in same shape and equal size (thus recited simply as fork member  60  in FIG.  5  and following drawings) and extension member  6 D connected with a fork member in the longitudinal direction. In FIG. 4, two extension members  6 D,  6 D are connected to slider  6 A and single extension member  6 D is connected to slider  6 B to obtain the required lengths to communicate with cam portion  16 B. 
     FIG. 5 shows an important portion of lever  52  and fork member  60  shown in FIG.  4 . Fork member  60  in each of sliders  6 A,  6 B and  6 C has broad opening  60 A and narrow opening  60 B. Narrow opening  60 B is slightly larger in breadth than the diameter of link pin  53  so as to allow link pin  53  to enter (to accept the pin) and broad opening  60 A is larger in breadth than narrow opening  60 B providing link pin  53  with a margin of movement within the opening. Broad opening  60 A and narrow opening  60 B allows some shift of link pin  53  in the longitudinal direction of fork member  60  owing to the relative movement of link pin  53  (moving in a circle) with respect to fork member  60  (moving linearly) according to the reciprocal movement of slider  6 A,  6 B or  6 C. 
     FIG.  6 ( a ) and FIG.  6 ( b ) shows cup dispensers  5 A,  5 B and  5 C in more detail. Top  51  is rotated clockwise by about 270 degrees in response to the movement of lever  52  in direction “a”. Cups stored in cup dispensers  5 A and  5 C are assumed to be equal in dimensions, i.e., having size “L”. Either of cup dispensers  5 A and  5 C is different from  5 B in the length, R 2  and R 1 , from axis of rotation O to link pin  53 , so that horizontal movements L 2  and L 1  required for rotation of top  51  differ from each other (see FIG.  7 ). 
     FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of fork member  60  and link pin  53 . The distance from axis of rotation O of lever  52  to link pin  53  is R 2  with respect to the rotation of link pin  53  for cup dispensers  5 A and  5 C by means of fork member  60 . In this case, link pin  53  is allowed to enter into narrow opening  60 B. When fork member  60  is moved in amount d, link pin  53  is shifted horizontally by an amount L 2  to the position indicated by a broken line. Narrow opening  60 B has a depth D 1  from the bottom of broad opening  60 A in order to allow vertical movement of link pin  53  due to the rotation of lever  52 . 
     The distance from axis of rotation O of lever  52  to link pin  53  is R 1  with respect to the rotation of link pin  53  for cup dispenser  5 B due to the linear movement of fork member  60 . In this case, link pin  53  enters into broad opening  60 A, but not into narrow opening  60 B. When fork member  60  is moved in amount d, link pin  53  is shifted horizontally in amount L 1  to the position indicated by a broken line. Amount of movement L 1  of link pin  53  is equal to d−L A . Broad opening  60 A has depth D 2  from the distal end of fork member  60  in order to allow vertical movement of link pin  53  according to the rotation of lever  52 . 
     FIG. 8 shows the operation of cam-driving unit  10  for selecting the position to drive. Top  16  moves vertically as top  17  turns in direction “a” by rotational torque transmitted through torque transmission unit  20 . Top  16  stops in levels L, M and H if it is free from driving at these positions. Cam portion  16 B of top  16  is positioned in level H. Top  17  falls from level H, after staying there, to level L. 
     FIG. 9 shows the operation of cam-driving unit  10  with respect to cup supplying function. Top  16  moves vertically as top  17  turns in direction “a” by rotating torque transmitted through torque transmission unit  20 . As shown in FIG. 9, cam portion  16 B of top  16  pushes slider  6 C staying at position H to cause the movement d which is determined by the amount of projection of cam portion  16 B. 
     FIG. 10 shows the portion of slider  6 C in contact with cam portion  16 B in detail. Recess  6   a  having curved surface is formed on the side of slider  6 C while projection  16   a  having curved surface is formed on cam portion  16 B. Recess  6   a  of slider  6 C is engaged with projection  16   a  of cam portion  16 B when slider  6 C comes into contact with cam portion  16 B. According to this construction, projection  16   a  is held in the middle in the thickness of recess  6   a  of slider  6 C, so that cam portion  16 B is prevented from escaping from slider  6 C in driving operation so that transmission of the torque from cam portion  16 B of top  16  to slider  6 C is ensured. Sliders  6 A and  6 B are constructed in a similar manner. 
     FIG. 11 shows another construction of the portion of slider  6 C in contact with cam portion  16 B. Slider  6 C and cam portion  16 B are provided with recess  6   b  and projection  16   b , respectively, both of which are in rectangular form. Recess  6   b  of slider  6 C and projection  16   b  of cam portion  16 B are engaged with each other. 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded view of cam-driving unit  10 . Cam-driving unit  10  is provided with stopper  11 , top  12 , spring  13 , spring  14 , top  15 , top  16 , top  17 , rotating axis  21 A and switches  23 A,  23 B and  23 C. Engaging projection  11 A shaped like a saw and having vertical and horizontal surfaces is formed in the lower part of stopper  11  in a circular form. Top  12  has engaging projection  12 A to be engaged with engaging projection  11 A of stopper  11 . Top  15  has teeth  15 A formed on the outer edge, circular comb-like projection  15 B and engaging projection  15 C having circular edge which is formed in the lower part of top  15 . Projection  15 B can be engaged with circular comb-like projection  12 B (explained later). Spring  14  is held by top  12  and top  15  between them. Top  16  has projection  16 A, cam portion  16 B and teeth  16 C. Top  16  is urged downward by spring  13  interposed between top  12  and top  16 . Top  17  is provided with projections  17 A,  17 B and  17 C for switching, located on the outer surface at a predetermined positions, respectively. Top  17  is provided also with projection  17 D on the outer surface thereof, for engagement with projection  16 A of top  16 , which is to be contained therein. Rotating axis  21 A is engaged with pin-engagement member (not shown) of top  17  by way of engaging pin  21 B so as to rotate top  17  by transmitting rotating torque of driving motor  22 . Switches  23 A,  23 B and  23 C are provided with switching plates  23   a ,  23   b  and  23   c , respectively, which can come into contact with projections  17 A,  17 B and  17 C, respectively, to generate power-off signals for driving motor  22 . An alternative means for switches  23 A,  23 B and  23 C is, for example, a rotary encoder which detects the amount of rotation of top  17  and generates a power-off signal when the detected amount reaches a predetermined value. 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of cam-driving unit  10  including top  15 , top  16  and top  17 , in which frame  24 , torque transmission unit  20 , rotation axis  21 A and engagement pin  21 B are omitted. Top  15  functions as a one-way clutch based on engagement of engaging projection  15 C disposed in the lower part with engaging projection  17 E formed inside top  17 . The one-way clutch formed of top  15  is activated (transmitting the torque) or inactivated (not transmitting the torque) depending on the rotating direction of top  17 . Top  15  is allowed to shift vertically while top  17  is inactive, circular projection  15 B shaped like a comb being engaged with circular projection  12 B of similar shape formed on top  12 . Top  16  can move vertically, sliding along teeth  16 C. As top  16  is urged downward by spring  13  disposed between top  12  and top  16 , projection  16 A on top  16  (see FIG. 11) comes into contact with projection  17 D formed inside of top  17  (see FIG.  11 ), bringing cam portion  16 B to a predetermined height (vertical position). But further movement of top  15  relative to top  16  is prevented by means of stopper  16 D provided in the lower part thereof which prevents top  15  from escaping therefrom. 
     Driving motor  22  causes rotating axis  21 A to rotate clockwise (in direction “a”) or anti-clockwise (in direction “b”). Top  17  engaged with engaging pin  21 B fixed to rotating axis  21 A is rotated in direction “a” or “b” in accordance with the rotation of rotating axis  21 A. When projections  17 A,  17 B and  17 C, during the rotation of top  17 , press switching plates  23   a ,  23   b  and  23   c , respectively, driving motor  22  stops its rotation so that top  16  engaged with top  17  stays in the corresponding positions. Rotation of driving motor  22  is restored when another supply of beverage is demanded. Top  16  is allowed to rotate according to the rotation of top  17  in direction “b” because top  17  causes to rotate top  15  engaged with the former by means of projection  15 C and projection  17 D in engagement (as shown in FIG. 13) and the rotation of top  15  is transmitted to top  16  having teeth  16 C engaged with teeth  15 A so as to rotate top  16  in direction “b”. When top  17  rotates in direction “a”, engagement of projection  15 C with projection  17 D is not effective so that top  15 , thus top  16 , is freed from rotation of top  17  in direction “a”. While top  17  turns in direction “a”, top  16  being free from rotation can ascend and descend relative to top  17  and top  15 , as teeth  15 A can slide in teeth  16 C vertically (in the longitudinal direction of top  15  and top  16 ) in spite of engagement with respect to their rotation. As top  16  ascends and descends according to the rotation of top  17  turns in direction a, top  16  can take positions (levels) H, M and L corresponding to the levels of sliders  6 C,  6 B and  6 A, respectively (see FIG. 4, FIG.  8  and FIG.  9 ). At these points, driving motor  22  stops because of switches  23 A,  23 B and  23 C being off, respectively, and thus, top  16  having cam portion  16 B to be engaged with sliders  6 C,  6 B and  6 A, respectively, stays in level H, M or L. 
     FIGS.  14 ( a ) and  14 ( b ) show the cup dispenser which contains cups. FIG.  14 ( a ) is a plan view and FIG.  14 ( b ) is a side view. Partial cross-section shown in FIG.  14 ( b ) is a cross-section along O-A in FIG.  14 ( a ). Top  16  is provided with gear  51 A, screw portion  51 B and step portion  51 C. Gear  51 A can be engaged with ring gear  52 B. Screw portion  51 B can be inserted between flanges of neighboring cups in a stack by rotating anti-clockwise before the lowest cup in a stack is dropped separately from the next one. Step portion  51 C has a height lower than the upper end of screw portion  51 B. The diameter of ring  52 A depends on the diameter of flange of cup  8 . 
     FIGS.  15 ( a ) and  15 ( b ) show cup dispenser  5 A before and when it is in position. FIG.  15 ( a ) shows cup dispenser  5 A just before it is in position. FIG.  15 ( b ) shows cup dispenser  5 A when it is fixed in position. Cup dispenser  5 A is mounted on mounting member  30  which is then fixed at the predetermined position in cup storage unit  2 , whereby cup dispenser  5 A takes up its position. Cup storage unit  2  is provided with supporting member  2 D for supporting slider  6 A slidably and with fixing hole  2 E for positioning of mounting member  30 . Fork member  60  of slider  6 A is projected out of supporting member  2 D by way of through hole  2 F formed through supporting member  2 D. For mounting cup dispenser  5 A, one end portion of mounting member  30  is inserted into fixing hole  2 E and, then, the other end portion (not shown) of mounting member  30  is fixed by means of a locking member (not shown). It is required that lever  52  is arranged at the position where link pin  53  enters into the narrow opening (not shown in FIGS.  15 ( a ) and  15 ( b )) of fork member  60  in case where lever  52  has diameter R 2  and link pin  53  has to move with stroke L 2  (refer to FIGS. 6 and 7. Similar is the case for cup dispensers  5 B and  5 C though they are not shown. 
     FIGS.  16 ( a ) through  16 ( d ) show cup-separating operation of cup dispensers  5 A and  5 C for cups of size L”. 
     FIG.  16 ( a ) shows cup dispenser  5 A in the state of standing-by (after cup separation). The edge of cup  6  in the bottom of stack is supported by the upper end of screw portion  51 B disposed on top  51 . FIG.  16 ( b ) shows the first stage of cup separation. Lever  52  is shifted to the indicated position according to a shift of slider  6 A or  6 C to the corresponding position. Top  51  is allowed to turn clockwise as ring  52 A fixed to lever  52  turns clockwise. Thereby the edge of cup  8  in the bottom of stack is supported between screw portion  51 B and step portion  51 C. 
     FIG.  16 ( c ) shows the second stage of cup separation. Lever  52  is moved to the indicated position, allowing ring  52 A to turn clockwise, as slider  6 A or  6 C moves to the corresponding position. Thereby, top  51  engaged with ring  52 A is allowed to turn clockwise, so that the edge of cup  8  in the bottom of stack descends from the upper end of screw portion  51 B to step portion  51 C, where it is supported now. Thus, the stack of cup  8  descends downward in the distance corresponding to the height of step portion  51 C. 
     FIG.  16 ( d ) shows the third stage of cup separation. Lever  52  is moved to the indicated position, allowing ring  52 A to turn anti-clockwise, as slider  6 A or  6 C moves to the corresponding position. Thereby, top  51  engaged with ring  52 A is allowed to turn anti-clockwise so that screw portion  51 B is interposed between the edge of cup  8  in the bottom of stack supported by step portion  51 C and cup  8  next thereto. Simultaneously, cup  8  in the bottom of stack is released from step portion  51 C so as to fall down. 
     FIGS.  17 ( a ) through  17 ( f ) show cup-separating operation of cup dispenser  5 B for cups of size M. The operation and function of top  51  are similar to those of cup dispensers  5 A and  5 C for cups of size L. Thus, only the operation of fork member  60  will be explained. 
     FIG.  17 ( a ) shows cup dispenser  5 B in the state of standing-by (after preceding cup separation). Link pin  53  is located to the left within broad opening  60 A of fork member  60 . 
     FIG.  17 ( b ) shows the first stage of cup separation. As slider  6 B is shifted to the left in the drawing in a distance equal to the margin of engagement (allowance of transmission) and located at the indicated position, link pin  53  takes its position on the right side within broad opening  60 A. 
     FIG.  17 ( c ) shows the second stage of cup separation. Slider  6 B has moved further (to the left in the drawing) until slider  6 B takes the indicated position. Fork member  60  comes into contact with link pin  53  fixed to lever  52  and allows lever  52  and ring  52 A to turn clockwise. This rotation of ring  52 A causes top  51  to turn clockwise. 
     FIG.  17 ( d ) shows the third stage of cup separation. Slider  6 B has moved further to the left in the drawing until slider  6 B takes the indicated position. Though broad opening  60 A provides link pin  53  with a room (margin) for moving clockwise further, link pin  53  is moved no more because slider  6 B begins to move in the reverse direction. 
     FIG.  17 ( e ) shows the fourth stage of cup separation. Slider  6 B moves to the right in the drawing until slider  6 B takes the indicated position. Then link pin  53  is located on the left side within broad opening  60 A, staying there. Lever  52  and ring  52 A are ready to turn anti-clockwise as fork member  60  for slider  6 B comes into contact with link pin  53  on the left side within broad opening  60 A. The rotation of ring  52 A causes top  51  to turn anti-clockwise. 
     FIG.  17 ( f ) shows the fifth stage of cup separation. Slider  6 B has moved further to the right in the drawing until slider  6 B takes the standing-by position. 
     By virtue of the construction described above, a cup dispenser can be easily and simply attached to and separated from a slider when the cup dispenser has to be renewed because sliders  6 A,  6 B and  6 C are each provided with fork member  60  communicating with link pin  53  which is fixed to lever  52  for ring  52 A in cup dispensers  5 A,  5 B and  5 C. 
     For removing a cup dispenser, such as  5 A, what is required is only removing cup dispenser  5 A from cup storage unit  2  together with mounting member  30 , as shown in FIGS.  15 ( a ) and ( b ). For mounting cup dispenser  5 A, what is required is only rotating lever  52  for ring  52 A previously so that link pin  53  may be taken into fork member  60 . In cup dispenser  5 A or  5 C, stroke d of the reciprocal movement of slider  6 A or  6 C brings moving range L 1  of link pin  53  held at narrow opening  60 B of fork member  60 . In cup dispenser  5 B, fixed stroke d of the reciprocal movement of slider  6 B causes only smaller moving range L 2  of link pin  53  because link pin  53  is held in broad opening  60 A of fork member  60  with margin of movement LA. Cup dispensers  5 A,  5 B and  5 C can, thus, be driven by fork members  60  in the same form each having two openings in the terminal portion and can be operated in common by slider unit consisting of sliders  6 A,  6 B and  6 C. 
     Cam portion  16 B is prevented from escaping from each of sliders  6 A,  6 B and  6 C in driving operation because recess  6   a  is formed on the edge of each slider in the terminal portion so as to be engaged with projection  16   a  on the edge of cam portion  16 B. Thus, transmission of the torque from cam portion  16 B to sliders  6 A,  6 B and  6 C is ensured. 
     In the aforesaid embodiment, the driving force of cam portion  16 B is transmitted through linear reciprocating movement of sliders,  6 A,  6 B and  6 C, respectively, each having fork member  60  engaged with link pin  53  on lever  52 , so as to move the end of lever  52  in a circular arc. The reciprocating movement of sliders  6 A,  6 B and  6 C may be movement in a circular arc like that of lever  52 , in place of movement in a straight line. 
     FIG. 18 shows a cup supplying apparatus according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the movement of cam portion  16 B is transmitted indirectly to slider  6 C via lever  25  and further to sliders  6 B and  6 A in sequence. Lever  25  rotatable around point OL is engaged with cam portion  16 B of top  16  in the middle portion and with slider  6 C at the distal end. Slider  6 C is connected to slider  6 A through slider  6 B. As distal end portion  25 A of lever  25  pushes the distal end of slider  6 C in accordance with the rotation of cam portion  16 B, slider  6 C and sliders  6 B and  6 A connected thereto are allowed to shift in the longitudinal direction so that corresponding cup dispensers  5 A,  5 B and  5 C, respectively, are operated. Lever  25  is formed of three sheets stacked in parallel to sliders  6 A,  6 B and  6 C. Top  16  is brought to a vertical position complying with one of the sliders, being driven by the position-selecting operation of a cam-driving unit such as described in the first preferred embodiment. As cam portion  16 B of top  16  is rotated, distal end portion  25 A of lever  25  pushes the end of slider. 
     Owing to use of lever  25  in the apparatus above, the amount of horizontal movement of the sliders can be increased because the tangential movement in the middle of lever  25  according to eccentric cam portion  16 B is magnified in distal end portion  25 A and transmitted to the sliders. For the equal amount of horizontal movement, cam portion  16 B smaller in diameter can be used compared with the case without lever  25 , thereby space saving is accomplished. 
     As described above, the job for renewing the cup dispenser is simplified, parts management is more easy and the costs thus can be decreased in the cup supplying apparatus according to the invention because the communicating members similar in the form can be used in common for varied cup sizes in the cup-supplying apparatus in which the means for reciprocal movement and that for circular movement are involved and communicating means formed of a pin and a recess fitting thereto is used for transmitting driving force of a reciprocally moving member to a rotatable ring member which regulates the cup-supplying. 
     Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art which fairly fall within the basic teaching set forth herein.