Patent ID: 7882980

Claim:
A sanitary lid dispensing device to provide a dispensing of a single sanitary lid for a beverage container from a plurality of stacked sanitary lids without direct contact by a person serving a beverage, comprising: a frame structure defining a rear controller enclosure containing operational electronic components required to operate said device and a front service enclosure, an internal frame member within said front service enclosure having a lower end defining a lower flange, an upper frame structure support including an upper surface having a motor cage and an upper flange, a two-directional motor located within said motor cage having an upper spindle extending above said motor cage, a threaded drive shaft defining an outer thread and rotatable secured between said upper flange at an upper end and at a lower end by said lower flange, said upper end terminating into an upper pulley connected to said upper spindle by a drive belt, said motor and said drive belt providing incremental rotation to said threaded drive shaft, a stationary retaining rod having an upper end welded to lower surface of said upper frame structure support and defining a lower end having at least one spaced indentation, said stationary retaining rod being directed through a central bore in each sanitary lid comprising said plurality of stacked sanitary lids, with said central bore of a lowest sanitary lid being engaged within said at least one spaced indentation until dispensed, a press plate providing a lower surface, engaging said outer threads of said threaded drive shaft, wherein rotation of said threaded drive shaft elevates and lowers said press plate within said internal frame member, said press plate having a central hole allowing said stationary retaining rod to pass as said press plate moves within said internal frame member, said press plate applying a downward force upon said plurality of stacked sanitary lids to dispense said lowest sanitary lid from said lower end of said stationary retaining rod, and a presence sensor located within service compartment below said internal frame member which, when activated, activates said operational electronic components to cause said motor to rotate said threaded drive shaft in a programmed incremental amount, urging said press plate downward against said plurality of stacked sanitary lids, forcing said plurality of stacked lids downward along said retaining rod, expelling said lowest lid in from said lower end of said retaining rod within said service compartment.