Abstract: Utensil dispensers and methods for making and using same. The utensil dispensers can include a housing configured to contain a stack of utensils. The stack of the utensils comprises at least one utensil in addition to a next utensil. At least one generally vertical guide rail can be disposed within the housing, and can be configured to receive a first portion of each utensil having a contoured projection extending outwardly from each utensil to maintain the stack of the utensils in a stacked orientation. A front pedestal can be disposed inside the housing and beneath the generally vertical guide rail. The front pedestal can be configured to contact the first portion of the next utensil, and a rear pedestal can be disposed inside the housing and beneath the generally vertical guide rail. The rear pedestal can be configured to contact a second portion of the next utensil.

Abstract: Utensil dispensers and methods for making and using same. In some examples, the utensil dispensers can include a housing configured to contain a stack of utensils. A stack gauge comprising a gauge arm can be configured to indicate a quantity of utensils in the stack of the utensils in the housing and is visible from outside the housing and the dispenser.

Abstract: Utensil dispensers and methods for making and using same. The utensil dispensers can include a housing configured to contain a stack of utensils. The stack of the utensils comprises at least one utensil in addition to a next utensil. At least one generally vertical guide rail can be disposed within the housing, and can be configured to receive a first portion of each utensil having a contoured projection extending outwardly from each utensil to maintain the stack of the utensils in a stacked orientation. A front pedestal can be disposed inside the housing and beneath the generally vertical guide rail. The front pedestal can be configured to contact the first portion of the next utensil, and a rear pedestal can be disposed inside the housing and beneath the generally vertical guide rail. The rear pedestal can be configured to contact a second portion of the next utensil.

Abstract: Utensil dispensers and methods for making and using same. In some examples, the utensil dispensers can include a housing configured to contain a stack of utensils. A stack gauge comprising a gauge arm can be configured to indicate a quantity of utensils in the stack of the utensils in the housing and is visible from outside the housing and the dispenser.

Abstract: A control system for a child swing that comprises a drive mechanism that includes a motor configured to impart torque to the at least one swing arm so that a child seat moves in an arcuate path. A phase control subsystem generates a motor drive signal configured to maintain a desired lead angle between a phase of the drive mechanism and a phase of the swing arm. An amplitude control subsystem configured to steer the phase control subsystem based on a correlation of an actual height of the child seat to a selected height of the child seat.

Abstract: A control system for a child swing that comprises an amplitude control subsystem configured to use one or more electrical signals from a swing sensor to compare an actual amplitude of the child swing to a pre-set amplitude of the child swing to generate an adjustment signal representing a desired adjustment to the phase of the drive mechanism. The child swing also comprises a phase control subsystem configured to use an electrical signal representative of a phase of the drive mechanism and the adjustment signal to generate a motor drive signal configured to cause the desired adjustment to the phase of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A control system for a child swing that comprises an amplitude control subsystem configured to use one or more electrical signals from a swing sensor to compare an actual amplitude of the child swing to a pre-set amplitude of the child swing to generate an adjustment signal representing a desired adjustment to the phase of the drive mechanism. The child swing also comprises a phase control subsystem configured to use an electrical signal representative of a phase of the drive mechanism and the adjustment signal to generate a motor drive signal configured to cause the desired adjustment to the phase of the drive mechanism.