Patent Description:
Restaurants and other types of retail outlets often provide disposable cutlery utensils in open self-serve dispensing bins. In this manner, consumers may retrieve a cutlery utensil, such as a fork, a spoon, a knife, a spork, and the like, directly from a dispensing bin. Such open dispensing bins, however, may have at least the appearance of being somewhat unhygienic because the cutlery utensils may not be enclosed or wrapped. As a result, consumers may react negatively because the remaining cutlery utensils may be touched or otherwise contacted while a selected cutlery utensil is being removed from the dispensing bin.

To address these concerns relating to cutlery utensils, enclosed cutlery dispensers have been used. Cutlery utensils may be placed and stored in a utensil compartment of the dispenser and may be dispensed therefrom one at a time on command. Generally described, such cutlery dispensers may operate via gravity or via a dispensing lever, a rotating belt, and/or other types of dispensing mechanisms. The mechanics of such dispensing mechanisms, however, may be complex and hence may be subject to malfunction. Further, such cutlery dispensers typically may be somewhat bulky and may occupy a significant footprint on an already crowded countertop and the like.

There is thus a desire for an improved cutlery dispenser for cutlery utensils. Preferably, such an improved cutlery dispenser may be easy and hygienic to load and to dispense the cutlery utensils therefrom and may provide a reduced overall footprint and simplified dispensing mechanics. Further cutlery dispensers are disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT>.

For solving the aforementioned problem, it is provided a cutlery dispenser having the features defined in claim <NUM>. In the following there are described some cutlery dispensers, however the scope of protection is defined by the claims. The cutlery dispenser may include a housing and a cover for dispensing the loaded cutlery utensils from the interior space and an open position for loading the cutlery utensils into the interior space. The cover may include a slot or other opening configured to receive a skewer to facilitate loading of the cutlery utensils into the interior space.

These and other aspects and improvements of the present disclosure will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the several drawings and the appended claims.

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating example embodiments of the disclosure, in which use of the same reference numerals indicates similar or identical features or components. Certain embodiments may include features and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some features and/or components may not be present in certain embodiments.

The present disclosure includes example embodiments of cutlery dispensers and related methods for dispensing cutlery utensils to address one or more of the concerns discussed above. Reference is made herein to the accompanying drawings illustrating the example embodiments of the disclosure, in which use of the same reference numerals indicates similar or identical features or components. Throughout the disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.

Referring now to the drawings, <FIG> show an example embodiment of a cutlery dispenser <NUM> as may be described herein. The cutlery dispenser <NUM> may have a generally rectangular shape configured to be oriented in an upright manner, as shown in <FIG>, although other suitable shapes and configurations of the cutlery dispenser <NUM> may be used in other embodiments. During use, the cutlery dispenser <NUM> may be oriented in the upright manner and positioned on a countertop or other support surface in a particular working environment, such as a restaurant, although other suitable orientations and positions of the cutlery dispenser <NUM> may be used. In certain embodiments, the cutlery dispenser <NUM> may be configured to be free-standing and portable, such that the cutlery dispenser <NUM> may be placed on any countertop or other support surface and may be easily moved from one position to another position thereon. In other embodiments, the cutlery dispenser <NUM> may be configured to be temporarily or permanently mounted and fixed to a countertop or other support surface. For example, the cutlery dispenser <NUM> may be mounted to a base or other support structure to securely maintain a desired orientation and position of the cutlery dispenser <NUM> with respect to the countertop or other support structure.

As described in detail below, the cutlery dispenser <NUM> may be configured to dispense a number of cutlery utensils <NUM> therefrom one at a time on demand. <FIG> show an example cutlery utensil <NUM> that may be used with the cutlery dispenser <NUM>. Although the cutlery utensil <NUM> is shown as a fork in <FIG>, the utensil <NUM> may be any type of cutlery utensil, including, for example, a fork, a spoon, a knife, or a spork. In certain embodiments, the cutlery utensil <NUM> may be disposable and may be constructed of a moldable material, although other suitable materials may be used. The moldable material may include a plastic, a combination of plastics, or other materials suitable for use in forming cutlery utensils. For example, the moldable material may include one or more of polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene. For instance, in certain embodiments, the cutlery utensil <NUM> may be constructed of recyclable and/or compostable materials.

As shown in <FIG>, the cutlery utensil <NUM> may include a functional head <NUM>, a handle <NUM>, and a neck <NUM>. The functional head <NUM> may extend from a first end of the cutlery utensil <NUM> and may be configured to perform a function to assist a user in the consumption of food. For example, the functional head <NUM> may be configured to cut, pierce, and/or scoop certain types of food for consumption. The handle <NUM> may extend from an opposite second end of the cutlery utensil <NUM> and may be configured to be grasped by the user for holding and/or manipulating the utensil <NUM>. The neck <NUM> may be positioned between and connect the functional head <NUM> and the handle <NUM> and may provide a smooth transition therebetween. In certain embodiments, the cutlery utensil <NUM> may not include the neck <NUM>, such that the handle <NUM> is connected to and extends directly from the functional head <NUM>. The cutlery utensil <NUM> may be shaped and contoured as shown in <FIG>, although other shapes and contours of the utensil <NUM> may be used.

As shown, the cutlery utensil <NUM> may include a skewer aperture <NUM> extending therethrough from a front surface <NUM> to a back surface <NUM> of the utensil <NUM>. The skewer aperture <NUM> may be configured to receive a skewer <NUM> or other type of joinder member or loading member therethrough to facilitate loading of a number of the cutlery utensils <NUM> into the cutlery dispenser <NUM>, as described below. In certain embodiments, as shown, the skewer aperture <NUM> may be defined in the handle <NUM> of the cutlery utensil <NUM> and spaced apart from the second end of the utensil <NUM>, although other suitable locations of the skewer aperture <NUM> may be used. The skewer aperture <NUM> may have an elongated shape having a length extending along the length of the cutlery utensil <NUM> and a width extending along the width of the cutlery utensil <NUM>. In certain embodiments, as shown, the skewer aperture <NUM> may have an elongated racetrack shape having rounded ends, although other shapes of the skewer aperture <NUM> may be used.

As shown in <FIG>, a thickness T of the handle <NUM> of the cutlery utensil <NUM> may vary along the length of the handle <NUM>. The handle <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM> having a constant or substantially constant thickness T along the length of the first portion <NUM>, and a second portion <NUM> having a varying thickness T along the length of the second portion <NUM>. In certain embodiments, as shown, the front and back surfaces of the handle <NUM> may be parallel or substantially parallel to one another along the length of the first portion <NUM>, and the front and back surfaces of the handle <NUM> may be oriented at an acute angle α relative to one another along the length of the second portion <NUM>. As described in detail below, the angled shape of the second portion <NUM> may assist in allowing a number of the cutlery utensils <NUM> to be fanned when positioned within the cutlery dispenser <NUM>, which may allow a user to easily grasp and dispense a leading cutlery utensil <NUM>. The acute angle α between the front and back surfaces of the handle <NUM> along the second portion may be between one (<NUM>) degree and forty-five (<NUM>) degrees, between one (<NUM>) degree and thirty (<NUM>) degrees, between one (<NUM>) degree and twenty (<NUM>) degrees, between one (<NUM>) degree and ten (<NUM>) degrees, or between one (<NUM>) degree and six (<NUM>) degrees, depending on the degree of fanning desired, although other values of the acute angle α may be used. It will be appreciated that various types and configurations of cutlery utensils other than the type and configuration of the cutlery utensil <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be used with the cutlery dispenser <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, a wrapper <NUM> may enclose at least a portion of the cutlery utensil <NUM>. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, the wrapper <NUM> may enclose the functional head <NUM> and at least a portion of the neck <NUM> of the cutlery utensil <NUM>. In other embodiments, the wrapper <NUM> may enclose only the functional head <NUM> or at least an end portion thereof. In still other embodiments, the wrapper <NUM> may enclose the entire cutlery utensil <NUM>. By enclosing a portion of the cutlery utensil <NUM>, the wrapper <NUM> may protect the enclosed portion of the utensil <NUM> from contamination prior to and during dispensing of the utensil <NUM> from the cutlery dispenser <NUM>. It will be appreciated that in those embodiments in which the wrapper <NUM> encloses the entire cutlery utensil <NUM> or at least covers the portion about the skewer aperture <NUM>, the wrapper <NUM> will include a corresponding aperture (not shown) therein so as to allow a skewer or the like to pass therethrough. The wrapper <NUM> may be constructed of a thin layer of disposable packaging material, which may be at least substantially sealed to contain the enclosed portion of the cutlery utensil <NUM> therein. In certain embodiments, the wrapper <NUM> may be constructed of a plastic, including, for example, polyethylene, and the sealed portions of the wrapper <NUM> may be formed by heat sealing or glue sealing the plastic around the enclosed portion of the cutlery utensil <NUM>. Other suitable materials of construction may be used to form the wrapper <NUM>, and other suitable methods of forming the sealed regions may be used. It is also contemplated that each of the cutlery utensil embodiments contemplated by the present invention may be wrapper free. In other words, the cutlery dispenser <NUM> may be used to dispense a cutlery utensil <NUM> that does not have a wrapper <NUM> enclosing any portion of the utensil <NUM>.

<FIG> show an example skewer <NUM> that may be used with a number of the cutlery utensils <NUM> and the cutlery dispenser <NUM> to facilitate loading of the utensils <NUM> into the dispenser <NUM> and/or unloading of the utensils <NUM> from the dispenser <NUM>. As shown, the skewer <NUM> may have an elongated shape and may include a retainer head <NUM>, a handle <NUM>, and a shank <NUM>. The retainer head <NUM> may extend from a first end of the skewer <NUM> and may be configured to be inserted through the skewer apertures <NUM> of the cutlery utensils <NUM> and to releasably retain the utensils <NUM> on the skewer <NUM>. In certain embodiments, as shown, the retainer head <NUM> may include a pair of retainer arms <NUM> spaced apart from one another and configured to deflect towards one another when the retainer head <NUM> is inserted through the skewer aperture <NUM> of the cutlery utensil <NUM>. Each retainer arm <NUM> may include a barb <NUM> positioned at or near the free end of the retainer arm <NUM> and configured to releasably retain the cutlery utensil <NUM> on the skewer <NUM> when the retainer head <NUM> is inserted within the skewer aperture <NUM> of the utensil <NUM>. The handle <NUM> may extend from an opposite second end of the skewer <NUM> and may be configured to be grasped by a user for holding and/or manipulating the skewer <NUM>. As shown, the cross-sectional shape of the handle <NUM> may be larger than the cross-sectional shape of the skewer aperture <NUM> of the cutlery utensil <NUM>, such that the handle <NUM> is prevented from being inserted into the skewer aperture <NUM>. The shank <NUM> may be positioned between and connect the retainer head <NUM> and the handle <NUM> and may be configured to be inserted through the skewer apertures <NUM> of the cutlery utensils <NUM>. The skewer <NUM> may be shaped and contoured as shown in <FIG>, although other shapes and contours of the utensil <NUM> may be used. It will be appreciated that various configurations of the skewer <NUM> or other joinder members may be used with the cutlery utensils <NUM> and the cutlery dispenser <NUM>. For example, the skewer <NUM> may have a more complex configuration than the illustrated embodiment and/or may include multiple components configured to interact with the cutlery utensils <NUM> and the cutlery dispenser <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the skewer <NUM> with a number of the cutlery utensils <NUM> positioned thereon in a stack, such that the utensils <NUM> are arranged in a nested manner. Although twenty (<NUM>) cutlery utensils <NUM> are shown positioned on the skewer <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment, the skewer <NUM> may be configured to retain any suitable number of cutlery utensils <NUM>. As shown, the skewer <NUM> may be inserted through the skewer apertures <NUM> of the cutlery utensils <NUM>, such that the shank <NUM> and at least a portion of the retainer head <NUM> are positioned therethrough and the retainer arms <NUM> retain the cutlery utensils <NUM> on the skewer <NUM>. The corresponding cross-sectional shapes of the shank <NUM> and the skewer apertures <NUM> may prevent or restrict the cutlery utensils <NUM> from rotating relative to the skewer <NUM>, such that all of the cutlery utensils <NUM> are retained in a common orientation. The cutlery utensils <NUM> may be loaded onto the skewer <NUM> by inserting the retainer head <NUM> through the skewer apertures <NUM> of the utensils <NUM> and advancing the utensils along the shank <NUM> toward the handle <NUM>. As the barbs <NUM> pass through each skewer aperture <NUM>, the retainer arms <NUM> may deflect towards one another and then assume their relaxed state after the barbs <NUM> pass through the skewer aperture <NUM>. In this manner, the cutlery utensils <NUM> may be retained on the shank <NUM> and/or the retainer head <NUM> of the skewer <NUM>. The cutlery utensils <NUM> may be removed from the skewer <NUM> by restraining the relative position of the utensils <NUM>, for example by one or more components of the cutlery dispenser <NUM> contacting one or more of the utensils <NUM>, and pulling the handle <NUM> of the skewer <NUM> away from the utensils <NUM>. In particular, the handle <NUM> may be pulled with sufficient force to cause the retainer arms <NUM> to deflect towards one another such that the barbs <NUM> may pass through the skewer apertures <NUM> of the utensils <NUM>. In this manner, the cutlery utensils <NUM> may be removed from the shank <NUM> and the retainer head <NUM> of the skewer <NUM>. As described in detail below, the skewer <NUM> may be used to load the stack of the cutlery utensils <NUM> into the cutlery dispenser <NUM> in an easy and efficient manner. The skewer <NUM> also may be used to unload a number of the cutlery utensils <NUM> from the cutlery dispenser <NUM> in an opposite manner, as described below.

Referring back to <FIG>, the cutlery dispenser <NUM> may have a front <NUM>, a back <NUM>, a top <NUM>, a bottom <NUM>, a first side <NUM>, and a second side <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the nomenclature associated with these sides of the cutlery dispenser <NUM> are with respect to the upright orientation shown in <FIG>, and that the dispenser <NUM> may be used in other orientations. As shown, the cutlery dispenser <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> that includes a number of walls and defines an interior space <NUM> therein, inward from the walls of the housing <NUM>. The interior space <NUM> may be configured to receive a number of the cutlery utensils <NUM> therein and to contain various components of the cutlery dispenser <NUM> therein. In certain embodiments, as shown, the housing <NUM> may include a number of portions that are separately formed and attached to one another. For example, the housing <NUM> may include a first housing portion <NUM>, a second housing portion <NUM>, and a top cover <NUM> that are separately formed and attached to one another. In certain embodiments, the first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> may be mirror images or substantially mirror images of one another. As shown, the first housing portion <NUM> may define at least a portion of each of the front <NUM>, the back <NUM>, the top <NUM>, the bottom <NUM>, and the first side <NUM> of the cutlery dispenser <NUM>, and the second housing portion <NUM> may define at least a portion of each of the front <NUM>, the back <NUM>, the top <NUM>, the bottom <NUM>, and the second side <NUM> of the cutlery dispenser <NUM>. The first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> each may include one or more feet <NUM> or other leveling features positioned along the bottom thereof and configured to support the cutlery dispenser <NUM> on a countertop or other support surface in the upright orientation. Additionally or alternatively, the first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> each may include one or more mounting tabs <NUM> positioned along the bottom surface thereof and configured to securely engage mating receptacles of a base or platform on which the cutlery dispenser <NUM> may be mounted. For example, the mounting tabs <NUM> may be configured to form a snap fit with the mating receptacles to securely mount the cutlery dispenser <NUM> to the base or platform. In certain embodiments, as shown, the first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> may be securely attached to one another by one or more fasteners <NUM>, such as screws, although other attachment mechanisms may be used. The top cover <NUM> may be positioned over and attached to each of the first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM>. As shown, the top cover <NUM> may define at least a portion of each of the front <NUM>, the back <NUM>, the top <NUM>, the first side <NUM>, and the second side <NUM> of the cutlery dispenser <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may be constructed of any suitable type of substantially rigid material including thermoplastics, such as polypropylene, metals, such as aluminum, composite materials, or other suitable materials. It will be appreciated that various shapes and configurations of the housing <NUM> may be used with the cutlery dispenser <NUM>.

The cutlery dispenser <NUM> also may include a front cover <NUM> and a trough <NUM> attached to the front cover <NUM>. In some embodiments, as shown, the front cover <NUM> and the trough <NUM> may be separately formed and attached to one another. For example, the front cover <NUM> and the trough <NUM> may be attached to one another by one or more fasteners <NUM>, such as screws, although other attachment mechanisms may be used. In other embodiments, the front cover <NUM> and the trough <NUM> may be integrally formed with one another as a single component. The front cover <NUM> and the trough <NUM> may be configured to move relative to the housing <NUM> between a closed position, as shown in <FIG>, for dispensing of the cutlery utensils <NUM> from the cutlery dispenser <NUM>, and an open position, as shown in <FIG>, for loading the cutlery utensils <NUM> into the interior space <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>. In particular, the front cover <NUM> and the trough <NUM> may be configured to slide or translate relative to the housing <NUM> between the closed position and an open position. It will be appreciated that the front cover <NUM> and the trough <NUM> may have a number of open positions, depending on the extent to which the front cover <NUM> and the trough <NUM> are moved relative to the housing <NUM>. When the front cover <NUM> and the trough <NUM> are in the closed position, the front cover <NUM> may partially enclose the interior space <NUM>, such that a dispensing opening <NUM> of the cutlery dispenser <NUM> is defined between respective portions of the front cover <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. As described below, a leading cutlery utensil <NUM> (i.e., the cutlery utensil <NUM> positioned closest to the dispensing opening <NUM> and within the interior space <NUM> of the housing <NUM>) may extend through the dispensing opening <NUM>, such that a user may grasp and remove the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> through the dispensing opening <NUM>. As shown and according to the invention, front cover <NUM> is positioned along a bottom portion of the front <NUM> of the cutlery dispenser <NUM>, and the dispensing opening <NUM> is positioned along a top portion of the front <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, as shown, the front cover <NUM> may include an indicator portion <NUM> positioned along the front of the cover <NUM> and visible to a user. The indicator portion <NUM> may include an indicator, such as a symbol, a word, or a braille pattern, which indicates the type of cutlery utensil <NUM> contained within the cutlery dispenser <NUM> and/or provides a decorative feature for branding or marketing purposes. In certain embodiments, as shown, the indicator portion <NUM> may be removably attached to a remainder of the front cover <NUM>, for example by a snap-fit connection. In this manner, the indicator portion <NUM> may be removed and replaced with a different indicator portion <NUM> when the type of cutlery utensil <NUM> to be dispensed from the dispenser <NUM> is changed. As shown, the front cover <NUM> may include a locking tab <NUM>, which may be positioned along the bottom of the front cover <NUM> and may be configured to releasably engage a locking receptacle <NUM> defined in the housing <NUM> when the front cover <NUM> is in the closed position. In this manner, the locking tab <NUM> and the locking receptacle <NUM> may form a releasable lock to prevent the front cover <NUM> from inadvertently moving from the closed position to an open position. The locking tab <NUM> may be disengaged from the locking receptacle <NUM> by deflecting the locking tab <NUM> away from the locking receptacle <NUM>, thereby allowing the front cover <NUM> to be moved to an open position. The front cover <NUM> according to the invention includes a skewer slot <NUM> defined therein and configured to allow a portion of the skewer <NUM> to be received within the slot <NUM>. According to the invention the skewer slot <NUM> facilitates alignment of the skewer <NUM> relative to the front cover <NUM> and the overall cutlery dispenser <NUM> during loading of the cutlery utensils <NUM> into the dispenser <NUM> via the skewer <NUM>. In certain embodiments, as shown, the skewer slot <NUM> may extend vertically from the top of the front cover <NUM>, although other orientations and positions of the skewer slot <NUM> may be used.

The front cover <NUM> also may include a wedge protrusion <NUM> positioned along the vertical interior surface of the front cover <NUM> and extending inward therefrom. As described in detail below, the wedge protrusion <NUM> may be configured to engage a portion of the leading cutlery utensil <NUM>, such as a portion of the handle <NUM> of the leading cutlery utensil <NUM>, such that the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> is tilted forward (i.e., toward the front <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>) from an upright position to a tilted position and a portion of the leading cutlery utensil <NUM>, such as the functional head <NUM> of the leading cutlery utensil <NUM>, extends at least partially through the dispensing opening <NUM> and outside of the interior space <NUM>. In this manner, the wedge protrusion <NUM> may cause the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> and a number of subsequent cutlery utensils <NUM> (i.e., cutlery utensils <NUM> positioned further from the dispensing opening <NUM> than the leading cutlery utensil <NUM>) to assume a fanned arrangement, with the functional heads <NUM> of these utensils <NUM> spaced apart from one another to facilitate dispensing. As shown, the wedge protrusion <NUM> may include one or more contact surfaces <NUM> configured to engage the front surface of the handle <NUM> of the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> such that the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> is tilted from the upright position to the tilted position. According to the illustrated embodiment, the wedge protrusion <NUM> may include three (<NUM>) contact surfaces <NUM>, although any suitable number of contact surfaces <NUM> may be used. In particular, the wedge protrusion <NUM> may include a bottom contact surface 144a, an intermediate contact surface 144b, and a top contact surface 144c. As shown, each of the contact surfaces <NUM> may be oriented at an acute angle relative to the vertical interior surface of the front cover <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the acute angle of the bottom contact surface 144a may be less than the acute angle of the intermediate contact surface 144b, and the acute angle of the intermediate contact surface 144b may be less than the acute angle of the top contact surface 144c, although other configurations of the contact surfaces <NUM> may be used. According to the illustrated embodiment, each of the contact surfaces <NUM> may be a planar surface. In other embodiments, one or more of the contact surfaces <NUM> may be a curved surface or otherwise may be contoured to have a non-planar shape. Although the wedge protrusion <NUM> is shown as being part of the front cover <NUM>, the wedge protrusion <NUM> alternatively may be part of the trough <NUM>.

As shown, the trough <NUM> may extend inward from the front cover <NUM> and may move therewith when the front cover <NUM> is moved between the closed position and an open position. The trough <NUM> may have an elongated shape and may include a base <NUM> having a U-shaped cross-sectional shape, and a pair of flanges <NUM> extending laterally from the base <NUM>. The base <NUM> may be configured to receive a portion of each of the cutlery utensils <NUM> in the cutlery dispenser <NUM>. In particular, according to the illustrated embodiment, the base <NUM> may be configured to receive a portion of the handle <NUM> of each of the cutlery utensils <NUM> therein. In other embodiments, the base <NUM> may be configured to receive a portion of the functional head <NUM> of each of the cutlery utensils <NUM> therein. As shown, each of the flanges <NUM> may be movably received between a pair of guide rails <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In this manner, the guide rails <NUM> may guide the sliding horizontal movement of the trough <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM> and may prevent or restrict vertical movement of the trough <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the trough <NUM> may include a stop tab <NUM> configured to engage a stop protrusion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to limit the sliding movement of the trough <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the stop tab <NUM> may be positioned on one of the flanges <NUM> of the trough <NUM>, although other positions of the stop tab <NUM> may be used. The stop tab <NUM> effectively may define a fully open position of the front cover <NUM> and the trough <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>. In this manner, the stop tab <NUM> may prevent or restrict the trough <NUM> from being completely removed from the interior space <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. As shown, the trough <NUM> also may include a stop wall <NUM> positioned at or near the end of the trough <NUM> opposite the front cover <NUM> and extending vertically along the height of the base <NUM>. The stop wall <NUM> effectively may limit the number of the cutlery utensils <NUM> that may be positioned within the trough <NUM>. In particular, the stop wall <NUM> may be configured to engage a trailing cutlery utensil <NUM> (i.e., the cutlery utensil <NUM> positioned furthest from the dispensing opening <NUM>) when the cutlery dispenser <NUM> is at a maximum fill level. In this manner, the stop wall <NUM> may prevent overloading of cutlery utensils <NUM> in the cutlery dispenser <NUM>, which might otherwise result in jamming of the dispenser <NUM> and/or subjecting one or more components of the dispenser <NUM> to undesirable stresses.

The cutlery dispenser <NUM> also may include a pushing assembly <NUM> movably positioned within the interior space <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> and configured to push or advance the cutlery utensils <NUM> toward the front <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the pusher assembly <NUM> may include a support member <NUM> and one or more biasing members <NUM>. The support member <NUM> may be configured to translate or slide relative to the housing <NUM> in a direction extending from the front <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> to the back <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>, and the biasing member <NUM> may be configured to bias the support member <NUM> toward the front <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> and into engagement with the trailing cutlery utensil <NUM> loaded in the dispenser <NUM>. As shown, the support member <NUM> may include a contact surface <NUM> positioned along the front of the support member <NUM> and configured to engage the back surface of the trailing cutlery utensil <NUM>. The support member <NUM> also may include a number of arms <NUM> extending laterally and configured to movably engage respective guide rails <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In this manner, the guide rails <NUM> may guide the sliding horizontal movement of the support member <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM> and may prevent or restrict vertical movement of the support member <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>. The support member <NUM> also may include a guide post <NUM> extending vertically upward and configured to movably engage a follower arm <NUM> of the cutlery dispenser <NUM>. As shown, the support member <NUM> may include a skewer opening <NUM> defined in the front of the support member <NUM> and configured to receive a portion of the skewer <NUM> therein during loading of the cutlery utensils <NUM> into the dispenser <NUM>. In particular, the skewer opening <NUM> may facilitate alignment of the skewer <NUM> and the cutlery utensils <NUM> positioned thereon with respect to the dispenser <NUM> during loading the utensils <NUM>, as described below. The biasing member <NUM> may be securely attached to the housing <NUM>, for example by a fastener <NUM>, such as a screw, and may be configured to engage a back surface of the support member <NUM>. In this manner, the biasing member <NUM> may bias the support member <NUM> toward the front <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> and into engagement with the trailing cutlery utensil <NUM>. In certain embodiments, as shown, the biasing member <NUM> may be a constant force spring, although other types of springs or biasing members may be used.

As shown, the follower arm <NUM> may positioned within a top portion of the interior space <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and may be pivotally attached to the housing <NUM>. In this manner, the follower arm <NUM> may pivot relative to the housing <NUM> during use of the dispenser <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the follower arm <NUM> may include a contact surface <NUM> positioned along the bottom of the follower arm <NUM> and configured to engage the guide post <NUM> of the support member <NUM>. The contact surface <NUM> may be contoured as shown, such that the follower arm <NUM> pivots relative to the housing <NUM> when the support member <NUM> translates relative to the housing <NUM>. In particular, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the follower arm <NUM> may pivot upward relative to the housing <NUM> when the support member <NUM> translates toward the front <NUM> of the cutlery dispenser <NUM>. As shown, the follower arm <NUM> may include a pair of guide ribs <NUM> extending along the contact surface <NUM> and spaced apart from one another to guide the support member <NUM> as the follower arm <NUM> and the support member <NUM> move relative to the housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the follower arm <NUM> may include a number of indicators <NUM> configured to indicate a fill level of the cutlery utensils <NUM> loaded within the interior space <NUM> of the cutlery dispenser <NUM> and/or to indicate whether additional cutlery utensils <NUM> may be loaded into the interior space <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>. In certain embodiments, as shown, the follower arm <NUM> may include three (<NUM>) indicators <NUM>, although any number of the indicators <NUM> may be used. A first indicator 178a may indicate that the dispenser <NUM> is full or nearly full, a second indicator 178b may indicate that the dispenser <NUM> is partially full, and a third indicator 178c may indicate that the dispenser <NUM> is empty or nearly empty. In certain embodiments, the indicators <NUM> may be colored-coded, with each indicator <NUM> being a different color. For example, the first indicator 178a may be green, the second indicator 178b may be yellow, and the third indicator 178c may be red, although other colors may be used for the indicators <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the indicators <NUM> may indicate whether an additional stack of the cutlery utensils <NUM> (i.e., the number of the cutlery utensils <NUM> that may be loaded on the skewer <NUM> at once) may be loaded into the dispenser <NUM>. For example, the first indicator 178a may indicate that no additional full stacks of the utensils <NUM> may be loaded into the dispenser <NUM>, the second indicator 178b may indicate that one additional stack of the utensils <NUM> may be loaded into the dispenser <NUM>, and the third indicator 178c may indicate that two additional stacks of the utensils <NUM> may be loaded into the dispenser <NUM>. It will be understood that the indicators <NUM> may provide any type of visual indication, such as colors, symbols, numbers, or words. During use of the cutlery dispenser <NUM>, one of the indicators <NUM> may be visible through an indicator window <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, while the remaining indicators <NUM> are hidden from view. Other configurations may allow for a transition between two of the indicators <NUM>. In certain embodiments, as shown, the indicator window <NUM> may be positioned along the front <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>, although other positions of the indicator window <NUM>, such as along the top <NUM> or one of the sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>, may be used. As the follower arm <NUM> pivots relative to the housing <NUM>, the indicator <NUM> that is visible through the indicator window <NUM> may allow a user to determine the fill level of the cutlery utensils <NUM> loaded within the interior space <NUM> of the cutlery dispenser <NUM> and/or whether additional utensils <NUM> may be loaded into the interior space <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>. Although the indicators <NUM> are shown as being part of the follower arm <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment, the indicators <NUM> alternatively may be part of the support member <NUM>, and the indicator window <NUM> may be configured to allow the different indicators <NUM> to be viewed as the support member <NUM> translates relative to the housing <NUM>.

The cutlery dispenser <NUM> also may include a pair of sweeper arms <NUM> securely attached to the housing <NUM> and configured to retain the cutlery utensils <NUM> within the interior space <NUM> of the housing <NUM> as the cutlery utensils <NUM> are loaded into the dispenser <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the sweeper arms <NUM> may be attached to the housing <NUM> by one or more of the fasteners <NUM>, although other attachment mechanisms may be used. The sweeper arms <NUM> may be spaced apart from and positioned opposite one another, such that the cutlery utensils <NUM> may be inserted therebetween. As shown in <FIG>, each sweeper arm <NUM> may include a barb <NUM> positioned along a front end of the sweeper arm <NUM> and configured to engage the cutlery utensils <NUM>. In particular, the barb <NUM> may include a lead-in surface <NUM> configured to engage the back surface of a cutlery utensil <NUM> as the utensil <NUM> is inserted between the sweeper arms <NUM>, and a contact surface <NUM> configured to engage the front surface of the cutlery utensil <NUM> after the utensil <NUM> is inserted past the barb <NUM>. The sweeper arms <NUM> may be spaced apart and configured to deflect away from one another when the cutlery utensil <NUM> engages the lead-in surfaces <NUM> and then return to their original, relaxed position after the utensil <NUM> is inserted past the barb <NUM>. The cutlery utensil <NUM> subsequently may be biased into engagement with the contact surfaces <NUM> by the pushing assembly <NUM>. As described below, the sweeper arms <NUM> may engage the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> and maintain the loaded cutlery utensils <NUM> within the interior space <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> when the front cover <NUM> is in an open position and may disengage (i.e., be spaced apart from and not in contact with) the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> when the front cover <NUM> is in the closed position.

<FIG> illustrate an example method of loading a number of the cutlery utensils <NUM> into the cutlery dispenser <NUM> and dispensing the loaded cutlery utensils <NUM> (i.e., the utensils <NUM> positioned within the interior space <NUM> of the housing <NUM>) from the cutlery dispenser <NUM>. The front cover <NUM> may be moved relative to the housing <NUM> from the closed position to an open position, as shown in <FIG>. In particular, the locking tab <NUM> of the front cover <NUM> may be depressed to disengage the locking receptacle <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and the front cover <NUM> may be pulled away from the front of the housing <NUM> along with the trough <NUM>. As described above, the front cover <NUM> may be pulled until the stop tab <NUM> of the trough <NUM> engages the stop protrusion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, such that the front cover <NUM> and the trough <NUM> are in the fully open position, as shown. A number of the cutlery utensils <NUM>, previously loaded on the skewer <NUM>, then may be inserted between the front cover <NUM> and the pushing assembly <NUM> via the skewer <NUM> while the skewer <NUM> is received within and extends through the skewer slot <NUM> and the handle <NUM> of the skewer <NUM> remains at least partially in front of the front cover <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In particular, the handles <NUM> of the cutlery utensils <NUM> may be inserted into the base <NUM> of the trough <NUM>, as shown. In this manner, the cutlery utensils <NUM> may be oriented in an upright or substantially upright manner with the functional heads <NUM> of the utensils <NUM> positioned above the handles <NUM> of the utensils <NUM>. This orientation of the cutlery utensils <NUM> advantageously may allow the cutlery dispenser <NUM> to receive and dispense any suitable type of utensil <NUM> (e.g., forks, spoons, knives, sporks, etc.) having a handle <NUM> configured to be received within the trough <NUM> and a body that is sized to functionally fit within the dispenser <NUM>.

After inserting the handles <NUM> of the cutlery utensils <NUM> into the trough <NUM>, the front cover <NUM> and the trough <NUM> may be moved relative to the housing <NUM> from the open position to the closed position, as shown in <FIG>. As the front cover <NUM> is closed, the cutlery utensils <NUM> may pass between the sweeper arms <NUM> and into the interior space <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>, each utensil <NUM> engaging the lead-in surfaces <NUM> of the barbs <NUM> and deflecting the sweeper arms <NUM> away from one another as the utensil <NUM> is inserted therebetween. Additionally, as the front cover <NUM> is closed, the trailing cutlery utensil <NUM> should engage the contact surface <NUM> of the support member <NUM>, thereby moving the support member <NUM> toward the back <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> and unfurling the biasing member <NUM> toward the back <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>. The biasing member <NUM> may bias the support member <NUM> toward the front <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> such that the contact surface <NUM> maintains engagement with the back surface of the trailing cutlery utensil <NUM>. As the support member <NUM> moves toward the back <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>, the guide post <NUM> of the support member <NUM> may move along the contoured contact surface <NUM> of the follower arm <NUM> such that the follower arm <NUM> pivots upward relative to the housing <NUM> and the visible indicator <NUM> indicates the fill level of the cutlery utensils <NUM> loaded in the dispenser <NUM> or available capacity of the dispenser <NUM>. When the front cover <NUM> and the trough <NUM> reach the closed position, the locking tab <NUM> of the front cover <NUM> may engage the locking receptacle <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, thereby preventing the front cover <NUM> from being inadvertently moved toward an open position.

After moving the front cover <NUM> and the trough <NUM> to the closed position, the skewer <NUM> may be removed from the skewer apertures <NUM> of the cutlery utensils <NUM>, via the skewer slot <NUM> of the front cover <NUM>, and from the overall cutlery dispenser <NUM>. In particular, the skewer <NUM> may be removed from the skewer apertures <NUM> and the skewer slot <NUM> by pulling the skewer <NUM> away from the front cover <NUM>, via the handle <NUM>, while the cutlery utensils <NUM> are restrained by the sweeper arms <NUM> and/or the front cover <NUM>. When the cover <NUM> is in the closed position and the skewer <NUM> is removed from the skewer apertures <NUM> and the skewer slot <NUM>, the pushing assembly <NUM> may move the cutlery utensils <NUM> toward the front <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> and into engagement with the wedge protrusion <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In particular, the biasing member <NUM> is shown biasing the support member <NUM> against the trailing cutlery utensil <NUM> such that the cutlery utensils <NUM> are compressed together and the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> engages the wedge protrusion <NUM>. As shown, the front surface of the handle <NUM> of the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> engages the wedge protrusion <NUM> such that the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> is tilted toward the front <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> and at least a portion of the functional head <NUM> of the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> extends through the dispensing opening <NUM> and out of the dispenser <NUM>. As shown, when the handle <NUM> of the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> engages the wedge protrusion <NUM>, the handle <NUM> desirably is disengaged and spaced apart from the sweeper arms <NUM>. In this manner, the handle <NUM> of the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> no longer engages the contact surfaces <NUM> of the sweeper arms <NUM> when the front cover <NUM> is closed. The angled shape of the wedge protrusion <NUM> and the angled shape of the second portions <NUM> of the cutlery utensils <NUM> may cause the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> and a number of the subsequent cutlery utensils <NUM> to assume a fanned arrangement, as shown in <FIG>, with portions of the handles <NUM> of such utensils <NUM> abutting one another and the functional heads <NUM> of such utensils <NUM> spaced apart from one another.

The fanned arrangement of the cutlery utensils <NUM> may allow a user to easily grasp and pull the functional head <NUM> of the leading cutlery utensil <NUM>, such that the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> may be removed from the cutlery dispenser <NUM>. When the leading cutlery utensil <NUM> is removed from the dispenser <NUM>, the biasing member <NUM> may move the support member <NUM> toward the front <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> such that the contact surface <NUM> of the support member <NUM> maintains engagement with the back surface of the trailing cutlery utensil <NUM> and all of the cutlery utensils <NUM> move into position for a subsequent dispense.

Claim 1:
A cutlery dispenser (<NUM>) for dispensing cutlery utensils (<NUM>), the dispenser (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) comprising an interior space (<NUM>) configured to receive a plurality of cutlery utensils (<NUM>) loaded therein;
a front cover (<NUM>) enclosing a portion of the interior space (<NUM>) and configured to translate relative to the housing (<NUM>) between a closed position for dispensing the loaded cutlery utensils (<NUM>) from the interior space (<NUM>) and an open position for loading the cutlery utensils (<NUM>) into the interior space (<NUM>);
and a dispensing opening defined by the housing (<NUM>) and the front cover (<NUM>) and configured to allow the loaded cutlery utensils (<NUM>) to be dispensed therethrough,
wherein the front cover (<NUM>) is positioned along a bottom portion of a front (<NUM>) of the cutlery dispenser (<NUM>), and the dispensing opening (<NUM>) is positioned along a top portion of the front (<NUM>) of the cutlery dispenser (<NUM>),
wherein the cover (<NUM>) comprises a skewer slot (<NUM>) extending from a top of the front cover (<NUM>) and configured to receive a skewer (<NUM>) to facilitate loading of the cutlery utensils (<NUM>) into the interior space (<NUM>), wherein the skewer slot (<NUM>) is adapted to facilitate alignment of a skewer (<NUM>) relative to the front cover (<NUM>) and the cutlery dispenser (<NUM>) during loading of the cutlery utensils (<NUM>) into the cutlery dispenser (<NUM>) via the skewer (<NUM>).