Patent ID: 8701932

Claim:
A cutlery dispenser comprising: (a) a housing for storing one or more stacks of utensils in a first orientation; (b) a tray located below the one or more stacks of utensils and configured to receive a piece of cutlery from the one more stacks of utensils, the tray further comprising: (i) a front and at least one side; (ii) a presentation area positioned along the front of the tray; (iii) a drop area for receiving a utility end of the piece of cutlery, wherein the drop area is not in the same plane as the presentation area; (iv) a channel connecting the drop area and the presentation area; (v) an angled receiving surface for receiving the piece of cutlery, the angled receiving surface located on the at least one side of the tray, wherein a handle end of the piece of cutlery contacts the angled receiving surface and is adapted to move ahead of the utility end of the piece of cutlery; and (vi) a ledge for preventing over-rotation of the piece of cutlery as it rotates into a second orientation after contacting the angled receiving surface, the ledge promoting correct positioning of the piece of cutlery within the presentation area of the tray; and (c) a presentation opening that is at least partially aligned with the presentation area of the tray.