Object dispenser

Abstract

A dispensing unit that includes a chamber capable of housing a plurality of first objects having at least one of rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible characteristics. The dispensing unit also includes a sensor capable of detecting presence of a second object, a dispensing mechanism capable of dispensing one of the plurality of first objects in response to the sensor detecting the second object, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the dispensing mechanism. Preferably, the controller is capable of activating the dispensing mechanism in response to receiving a signal from the sensor. Additionally, the dispensing unit includes at least one power source capable of providing power to at least one of the sensor, the dispensing mechanism, and the controller.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from the provisionally filed U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/748,597, filed Dec. 9, 2005. That application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present teachings relate to a device that is capable of dispensing objects, without the need for an individual to come in direct contact with the dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, dispensers are of box type configuration where a large number (usually between 50 to 200) of desired objects, such as toothpicks, straws, coffee stir sticks, gum, serving utensils, etc. are placed in a box and are presented individually. To obtain one of the objects, a person must manually open or manipulate the box and remove one of the objects. Generally, during this process, when a person is trying to remove one of the objects, the person's hand or fingers contacts one or more of the objects in or on the dispenser box. A person can transmit infections to these objects with their hands when they contact the object or dispenser box. The action of opening the box causes the person's hand to become contaminated (if not already) and the action of removing one of the objects causes the remaining objects in the box to also become contaminated. Accordingly, when the dispensed object is used, e.g., a toothpick placed in the mouth, the contaminated dispensed object may lead to infections including bacterial, viral or parasitic diseases. Also, dust or other environmental contaminants can enter the box or attach to the dispending tray/arm to contaminate the remaining toothpicks.

Other dispensers, such as presently used toothpick dispensers and straw dispensers utilize a lever like mechanism to dispense a single toothpick or straw. However, such dispensers include the same disadvantages. Generally, the lever of such dispensing units is dirty which causes the person's hand touching the lever to become contaminated. The person having the contaminated hand and fingers then picks-up the dispensed straw or toothpick which causes the straw and/or toothpick to become contaminated as well. Then the person places the toothpick or straw in his or her mouth which can transmit diseases or infections. Additionally, when picking up the object, the dispensing tray/arm becomes contaminated and has the potential to harbor infections thus transmitting them to all other objects ejected.

Thus, there exists a need to provide a disperser that does not require the user to directly contact the dispenser to dispense an object, such as a toothpick, straw, cup lid, or coffee stir stick.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present teachings provide a dispensing unit that can include at least one chamber capable of housing a plurality of first objects, a sensor capable of detecting the presence of a second object, and a dispensing mechanism capable of dispensing one of the plurality of first objects in response to the sensor detecting the second object. Furthermore, the present teachings disclose a power source capable of providing power to the sensor and the dispensing mechanism. Additionally, the dispensing unit includes at least one controller in communication with the sensor and the dispensing mechanism.

Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows, and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of various embodiments. The objectives and other advantages of various embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the description herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a dispensing unit according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of another dispensing unit according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of another dispensing unit according to various embodiments.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are intended to provide an explanation of various embodiments of the present teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present teachings are directed to a dispensing unit that does not require the user to directly contact the dispenser to dispense one of plurality of objects, such as toothpicks, straws, cup lids, or coffee stir sticks.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dispensing unit 10 having at least one chamber 70 capable of housing a plurality of first objects 60 is shown. The dispensing unit 10 can also include at least one sensor 20 capable of detecting a presence of a second object (not shown in the Figs.), such as a person or a moving hand that is a predetermined distance away from the sensor 20. Furthermore, the dispensing unit 10 can include at least one dispensing mechanism 40 that is capable of dispensing one of the plurality of first objects 60 in response to the sensor 20 detecting the second object. Preferably, the dispensing unit 10 also includes a controller 30 that is capable of controlling the dispensing mechanism 40. A power source 90, such as a lithium battery cell, can provide power to the sensor 20, the dispensing mechanism 40, and/or the controller 30.

The plurality of first objects 60 can be any object. For example, the plurality of first objects 60 can be any objects having a thickness of at least about 0.1 mm or any objects that are flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid in characteristics. Additionally, the plurality of first objects 60 can be any objects that are not tissues or garments. FIGS. 1-4 show the plurality of first objects 60 as being toothpicks; however other exemplary plurality of first objects that can be dispensed using the dispensing unit 10 of the present teachings can be cup-lids, straws, and utensils (e.g., forks, knifes, and/or spoons).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sensor 20, which is capable of detecting the presence of the second object, can be a motion detector, a light sensor, or a heat sensor. Preferably, the sensor 20 is in communication with the controller 30 via wire 22. However, the sensor 20 and the controller 30 can also be in communication via other means, such as infrared or radio frequency.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dispensing mechanism 40 can include a motor 45 that is in communication with the controller 30 via wire 32. However, the motor 45 and the controller 30 can also be in communication via other means, such as infrared or radio frequency. Additionally, the motor 45 is capable of rotating a first moving mechanism 55, which can be a rotating member, such as a wheel. Preferably, the first moving mechanism 55 is made of a material having gripping characteristics to grasp one of the plurality of first objects 60 in contact with the first moving mechanism 55. In one example, the motor 45 rotates the first moving mechanism 55, which causes one of the plurality of first objects 60 to dispense by at least partially exiting the opening 100. Alternatively, the first moving mechanism 55 includes a coating 57 on its surface that has gripping characteristics. An example of a gripping material includes any polymer based material, such as a rubber or a plastic. Preferably, the first moving mechanism 55 and/or the coating 57 includes a sanitizing composition mixed therein to prevent contamination of one of the plurality of first objects 60 in contact with the first moving mechanism 55 or the coating 57.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of dispensing mechanism 40 of the present teachings. According to FIG. 3, the dispensing mechanism 40 can include a motor 45, a first moving mechanism 55, a second moving mechanism 65, and a belt 50 that is rotatably positioned around the first and second moving mechanisms 55 and 65. Preferably, at least a portion of belt 50 is in contact with at least a portion of one of the plurality of first objects 60. As shown in FIG. 3, the motor 45 is positioned to rotate the first moving mechanism 55, which in turn causes the belt 50 and the second moving mechanism 65 to move or turn. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the first moving mechanism 55 is the master moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism 65 is the slave moving mechanism. In an alternative embodiment, the motor 45 is positioned to rotate the second moving mechanism 65, which in turn causes the belt 50 and the first moving mechanism 55 to move or turn. Accordingly, in this alternative embodiment, the second moving mechanism 65 is the master moving mechanism and the first moving mechanism is the slave moving mechanism. Alternatively, the motor 45 is positioned to simultaneously rotate both the first and the second moving mechanisms 55 and 65. In another exemplary embodiment, the dispensing unit 40 can include two motors 45. A first motor is position to rotate the first moving mechanism 55 and the second motor is positioned to rotate the second moving mechanism 65. In this alternative embodiment, it is preferable that the two motors are synchronized so that they move the first and second moving mechanisms 55 and 65 at the same time and at the same speed to prevent the belt 50 from slipping.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, to ensure that one of the plurality of first objects 60 is in contact with the first moving mechanism 55, the coating 57 (FIGS. 1 and 2), or the belt 50 (FIG. 3), the chamber 70 can include a design to provide a force on the plurality first objects 60. For example, the chamber 70 can include a movable wall 72. Preferably, a spring 80 is in contact with the movable wall 72 and is positioned to placing a sufficient force on the movable wall 72 so that one of the plurality of first objects housed in the chamber 70 comes in contact with the first moving mechanism 55, the coating 57, or the belt 50.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative design for ensuring that one of the plurality of first objects 60 is in contact with the first moving mechanism 55, the coating 57, or the belt 50 is shown. According to FIG. 4, the chamber 70 is designed such that the weight of the plurality of first objects 60 housed in the chamber 70 can cause one of the plurality of first objects 60 come in contact with the first moving mechanism 55, the coating 57, or the belt 50. For example, the chamber 70 can include a slope with an angle sufficient to position one of the plurality of first objects 60 in contact with the first moving mechanism 55, the coating 57, or the belt 50.

In operation, when the sensor 20 detects the second object (e.g., a moving hand), the sensor 20 can provide a signal to the controller 30 via the wire 22. In response, to receiving the signal from the sensor 20, the controller 30 can activate the dispensing mechanism 40 to dispense one of the plurality of first objects 60. Preferably, when the controller 30 receives a signal from the sensor 20, the controller 30 activates the motor 45 for a predetermined time. The activated motor 45 rotates the first moving mechanism 55, which can include the coating 57 or the belt 50 for a predetermined time and/or number of rotations and speed. The rotation of the first moving mechanism 55 and/or the belt 50 can cause one of the plurality of first objects 60 to move for a distance to at least partially exit the opening 100 so that a person in need of one of the plurality of first objects 60 can secure the first object 60 without touching the remaining of the plurality of first objects 60 that are housed in the chamber 70. In the alternative embodiment, wherein each of the first moving mechanism 55 and the second moving mechanism 65 is connected to a motor, the controller 30 can active and synchronize both motors for a predetermined time.

Those skilled in the art can appreciate from the foregoing description that the present teachings can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while these teachings have been described in connection with particular embodiments and examples thereof, the true scope of the present teachings should not be so limited. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein.

Claims

1. A dispensing unit comprising:

at least one chamber capable of housing a plurality of first objects having at least one of rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible characteristics;

at least one sensor capable of detecting a presence of a second objects;

at least one dispensing mechanism capable of dispensing one of said plurality of first objects in response to said sensor detecting said second object;

at least one controller in communication with said sensor and said dispensing mechanism, wherein said at least one controller is capable of activating said dispensing mechanism in response to receiving a signal from said sensor; and

at least one power source capable of providing power to at least one of said sensor, said dispensing mechanism, and said controller.

2. The dispensing unit of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a motion detector, a light sensor, or a combination thereof.

3. The dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein said dispenser mechanism comprises at least a motor.

4. The dispensing unit of claim 3, further comprising at least a first moving mechanism, wherein said motor is capable of moving said first moving mechanism.

5. The dispensing unit of claim 4, wherein said first moving mechanism is a wheel.

6. The dispensing unit of claim 4, wherein said at least first moving mechanism includes at least one of a gripping material and a coating with gripping characteristics.

7. The dispensing unit of claim 6, wherein said at least gripping material or coating comprises a polymer based material.

8. The dispensing unit of claim 6, wherein said at least gripping material or coating comprises a sanitizing composition.

9. The dispensing unit of claim 4, wherein said at least first moving mechanism comprises a sanitizing composition.

10. The dispensing unit of claim 4, further comprising at least a second moving mechanism.

11. The dispensing unit of claim 7, wherein said second moving mechanism is connected to a motor.

12. The dispensing unit of claim 7, further comprising a belt positioned around said first moving mechanism and said second moving mechanism.

13. The dispensing unit of claim 12, wherein said belt comprises at least one of a gripping material and a coating with gripping characteristics.

14. The dispensing unit of claim 12, wherein said belt comprises a polymer.

15. The dispensing unit of claim 12, wherein said belt comprises a sanitizing composition.

16. The dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein said power source is a battery, solar panel, electrical power, or a combinations thereof.

17. A dispensing unit comprising:

at least one chamber capable of housing a plurality of first objects, wherein each of said plurality of first objects include a thickness of at least about 0.1 mm;

at least one sensor capable of detecting presence of a second object;

at least one dispensing mechanism capable of dispensing one of said plurality of first objects in response to said sensor detecting said second object;

at least one controller in communication with said sensor and said dispensing mechanism, wherein said at least one controller is capable of activating said dispensing mechanism in response to receiving a signal from said sensor; and

at least one power source capable of providing power to at least one of said sensor, said dispensing mechanism, and said controller.

18. A dispensing unit comprising:

at least one chamber capable of housing a plurality of first objects, wherein said plurality of first objects excludes towels;

at least one sensor capable of detecting a presence of a second object;

at least one dispenser mechanism capable of dispensing one of said plurality of first objects in response to said sensor detecting said second object;

at least one controller in communication with said sensor and said dispensing mechanism, wherein said at least one controller is capable of activating said dispensing mechanism in response to receiving a signal from said sensor; and

at least one power source capable of providing power to at least one of said sensor, said dispensing mechanism, and said controller.