DISPENSER FOR LIDS

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus, kit and method for dispensing lids one at a time in a sanitary and effective manner. A stack of lids is placed inside a tube and substantially held in the tube by a cover piece. Preferably the cover piece is concave in shape and is opposed by a concave platform that biases the stack of lids towards said cover piece. The bottommost lid of the stack is available for dispensing while the next lid in the stack is restrained in place, preferably by elements associated with the cover piece.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to dispensers for food service and fast food operations. More particularly, it relates to an improved dispenser for dispensing beverage cup lids. The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/660,910 filed on Mar. 11, 2005 and PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US06/08697 filed on Mar. 9, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Organizers for lids have been employed for a great many years. Such organizers are widely used in food service and fast food operations. Typically, a stack of lids is supported inside a shaped holder. This basic concept has taken many forms. In most, lids are substantially exposed to the environment in either a vertical or substantially horizontal arrangement. Such configurations include vertically oriented partitioned boxes having open or see through fronts into which one or more stacks of lids are placed. When more than one stack is supported, each stack is typically partitioned off from the other such that a plurality of stacks is displayed in side-by-side relation. In this configuration there is normally a wide slot that runs along the longitudinal axis of the stack to permit a user's fingers to grasp a lid and either an open top or an enlarged mouth near the top to permit a grasped lid to be withdrawn. In other embodiments of this configuration, there are merely bars or corner pieces that restrain the stack of lids from tipping over, but otherwise provide no environmental protection for the lids.

Another common prior art configuration is an arrangement of one or more vertically oriented tubes each having a wide elongated opening running along the longitudinal axis of a stack of cups positioned in the tube. These tubes are most often formed from thin pieces of metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, but can also be formed from a wire mesh material. In such configurations, the elongated slot is generally quite wide such that a lid can be pulled straight out of the tube with some slight flexure or such that a lid can be rotated slightly and removed. Tube configurations of this type often have platforms at various heights along the inside of the vertical length of the tube so that multiple sizes and/or types of lids can be dispensed from a single tube.

Lids are also sometimes organized horizontally or at a 30-45 degree angle. In such cases the lids usually rest in a trough with access to the front or back of a stack. Often there is an access opening for the lids that is substantially as wide as the lids' diameter, but is restricted by two or more tabs. In such cases a user simply grasps the exposed lid and pulls it. The lid then flexes to allow the lid to be pulled oust past the restriction imposed by the tabs.

Most of the above-described lid dispensing solutions fail to protect the lids from contamination and from being knocked over. Recently, in order to provide more sanitary conditions and to improve the dispensing of lids, two dispensers have been developed that seek to address these issues. The first is a dispenser sold by Acry Fab that appears to be the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,989. (A prior version of this dispenser was sold by Libby under the name “Lid Pro”). This dispenser houses the lids completely in sealed tubes with dispensing “units” at one end. The dispensing unit comprises a hinged receiver that engages the bottommost lid in a lid stack and then presents that single lid to the user when the hinged receiver is rotated away from the tube mouth. (“Bottommost” as used herein is not intended to be limiting in terms of orientation. Rather, it is merely intended to identify the first (or last) lid in a stack of lids). This device is complicated and expensive and does not appear to have garnered substantial sales.

The second dispenser to address these issues has been developed by Diversified Metal Products, sold under the designation “LID Series” and the apparent subject of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20050247724. This dispenser takes a somewhat different approach. As shown in FIG. 1, the LID Series dispensers 10 comprise a fully enclosed tube 12 inside of which is spring-biased pusher platform (not shown). At the mouth of the tube a partial cover assembly is affixed. This assembly includes a transparent cover portion 14 made from Plexiglas or other thick plastic material that is connected to a trim ring 16 attached the bottom of the tube. The transparent cover portion is attached to the trim ring at three points. A hinge clip 20 is attached to the trim ring 16 and the cover portion 14 at the apex of the cover portion. Two screw knobs 18 extend removably through the cover portion 14 into the trim ring 16.

Filling the dispenser involves removing the two screw knobs 18 and swinging the cover portion 14 away from the bottom of the tube 12 about the axis of the hinge 20. A stack of lids is slid into the tube 12 and the cover portion 14 closed against the trim ring 16. The screw knobs 18 are then threaded through the cover portion and used to lock down the cover portion. Lids are then extracted by grasping the front edge of the bottommost lid and placing a thumb or a finger on the lid in the notch 22.

While this lid dispenser provides certain advantages over other prior art lid dispensers, it suffers from several significant drawbacks. First, the partial cover assembly is cumbersome and expensive to manufacture. Second, the design of the partial cover assembly will not permit the use of a strong spring. This means that the LID Series dispensers cannot be effectively mounted into a counter to dispense lids upwardly. In fact, these dispensers are specifically intended only for horizontal dispensing. Third, tools such as a wrench and/or a screwdriver are required to replace the lid or hinge of the LID Series dispensers. Finally, the size of the opening defined by the partial cover assembly is relatively large. As a result, the LID Series dispensers will not always reliably function to properly to dispense lids one at a time. Additionally, the large size of the opening means that lids are still exposed to the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides numerous advantages over the prior art. First, the present invention permits the storage and dispensing of lids such that the lids are substantially shielded from the environment. This results in a marked improvement in the preservation of the overall sanitary condition of the lids. Second, the present invention incorporates a unique dispensing assembly that permits more effective dispensing. This particular design permits the use of a spring biasing mechanism that is relatively robust such that the dispenser can be mounted in any position while still providing adequate spring strength to effectively bias a full stack of lids without spillage of lids or loss of dispensing ability. Third, the present invention can be accomplished with inexpensive materials so as to be cost effective in price to the marketplace. Fourth, the present invention is minimalist in structure as compared to the LID Series dispensers. Finally, in one aspect of the present invention the lid dispenser mechanism can be provided as a kit and used to retrofit existing cup dispensers.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art lid dispenser from the LID Series by Diversified Metals;

FIG. 2 is a perspective cross sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a close-up, perspective, cross sectional view of one portion of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial rear perspective view of one embodiment of the dispensing collar and trim ring of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the trim ring, dispensing collar and cover piece of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is perspective view of the trim ring, dispensing collar and cover piece of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective cross sectional view of the trim ring, dispensing collar and cover piece of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the dispensing collar and cover piece of one embodiment of the present invention in their closed position;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the dispensing collar and cover piece of one embodiment of the present invention in their closed position; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the trim ring, dispensing collar and cover piece of one embodiment of the present invention with a stack of lids staged therein for dispensing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides an apparatus, kit and method for dispensing lids in a sanitary and effective manner. As shown in FIG. 2, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a tube 32 for receiving a stack of lids 34 (see FIG. 10), a pusher platform 36, a biasing spring 38, a trim ring 40, a dispensing collar 42 and a cover piece 44.

Tube 32 can be any size tube sufficient to accommodate the size of lids to be dispensed. Preferably the tube is completely closed at one end with a removable end closure (not shown). However, it need not be so configured. Tube 32 can be a standard tube used to dispense cups. In such case, the need for a manufacturer, distributor or user to carry multiple tubes is eliminated and significant savings can be realized.

Preferably tube 32 is provided with a biasing means such as spring 38 that provides a biasing force to a pusher platform 36. When the lid dispenser of the present invention is mounted so that the lids are dispensed downwardly in a gravity biased manner, the spring 38 can be omitted. However, where a more positive force is desired, or where the lid dispenser of the present invention is mounted into a counter vertically or horizontally, spring 38 or some other biasing means is most preferably employed.

As shown in FIG. 2, pusher platform 36 preferably is non-planar with a radius of curvature. Most preferably it is concave in shape. This particular configuration imparts a slight flexure to the lids that assists in their separation when dispensed. This configuration, in combination with a cooperative shape in the cover piece 44, also serves to provide additional space in the center portion of the lid stack 34. By providing this increased space, the present invention discourages the lids in the stack from nesting too tightly so as to be more difficult to dispense by relieving pressure near the center lid area, particularly when lids include nesting features or fins located concentrically near the center of the lids

In one embodiment of the present invention, mount ring 39 and trim ring 40 provide means by which the present invention can be adapted to fit virtually any tube. More specifically, the mount ring 39 and trim ring 40 can be made in any diameter and can include any attachment structure necessary to affix it to the particular tube. Alternatively, the dispenser of the present invention can be directly mounted on a wall, in a counter or in a cabinet. Still further, the mount ring 39 and the trim ring 40 can be made into a single unitary piece or combined with other pieces of the present invention such as the cover piece 44 to minimize parts and maintain appearance.

As shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3, mount ring 39 has an annular lip 41 that fits over the open end of the tube 32. Preferably the top of the annular lip 41 has ridges 80 or other similar structure to insure a tight fit when the pieces of the operational portion of the dispenser 30 are assembled. The mount ring 39 preferably comprises a tubular body 82 that fits over the tube 32 to provide greater rigidity when the lid dispenser 30 is assembled and deployed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, Trim ring 40 fits over mount ring 39 sandwiching the annular extension 52 of a dispensing collar 42 in between. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, one embodiment of the trim ring 40 includes tabs 48 that permit the trim ring 40 to be fit onto the mount ring 39. The trim ring 40 preferably also includes guide posts 50 or an annular ring (not shown) to maintain the trim ring 40 in concentric relation with the dispensing collar 42 after installation.

As noted above, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the trim ring 40 interacts with and locks in place a dispensing collar 42. Dispensing collar 42 is mounted on trim ring 40 by fitting slots 43 over each of the extended arms 47 of tabs 48. See FIGS. 4 and 7. Once so mounted, it remains on trim ring 40, held by shoulders 49 of tabs 48. This permits the dispensing collar 42 to rotate in place, restrained by guide posts 50 and shoulders 49. This ability to rotate is very useful when the lid dispenser 30 is mounted in a cabinet or the like in a predetermined fixed position that may or may not be the position in which the lid dispenser attachment 70 was placed on the tube 32 during assembly. Thus, the dispensing collar 42 (and the cover piece 44) can be rotated to an appropriate dispensing position regardless of the limitations in the orientation of the tube when mounted and the initial position of the lid dispense attachment 70 that resulted from assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 5, 6 and 7, the dispensing collar 42 essentially extends the tube 32 sidewalls above the trim ring 40 (and, indeed, the tube could be constructed to include the trim ring structure). The dispensing collar does not pinch or otherwise impede the dispensing of the lids. Rather, it serves to stabilize and guide the lids to their ultimate dispensing position.

As shown best in FIGS. 5-7, a cover piece 44 is preferably pivotally attached to the dispensing collar 42 via a pin 56 located on the cover piece's back portion and a C-slot 58 molded into dispensing collar 42. The cover piece 44 latches into place on dispensing collar 42 via a tab interlock mechanism 60. The mechanism 60 is designed such that the direction of the force required to unlatch the cover piece is opposite to the direction of the force required during a normal dispensing operation. This prevents the cover piece 44 from swinging open during the dispensing operation. Preferably the tab interlock mechanism 60 is comprised of materials having a measure of resiliency such that the outer walls of the cover flex to permit the mechanism 60 to unlatch.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the cover piece 44 is substantially circular in shape, but is truncated at one end. This truncation facilitates user access to the lids for dispensing purposes. The truncated portion also preferably includes a finger cut out portion 64 that permits a user to more readily grasp a portion of the bottommost lid to flex and remove it from the dispenser.

The cover piece 44 also includes a partial circumferential sidewall portion 62 that extends above the dispensing collar 42. This sidewall is not uniform in height. Instead, there is a lower portion 54 that facilitates finger access to and dispensing of the lids. The raised portions 66 of the sidewall 62 serves to restrain the “next” lid in the stack when the bottommost lid 84 is dispensed thus promoting one-by-one dispensing. Without this restraint, there would be an increased risk that more than one lid would be removed at once. This potential problem is largely dependent on the tightness and manner of the nesting of the particular stack of lids involved.

As shown best in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cover piece 44 is preferably not flat (i.e., non-planar). Instead, it has a radius of curvature. Preferably the cover piece 44 is concave. This concavity cooperates with the concavity of the pusher platform 36 to both hold the lids in place and facilitate their removal. It does this by creating a clamshell type restraint on the edges of the lids, while providing a more open central area to permit the lids to more readily un-nest by relieving pressure near the center lid area, as discussed above. The extra central space also permits users more ready access to the lids.

There are several manners of use of the present invention. Ordinarily, the present invention will be provided as a fully assembled dispenser. In such case, the dispenser is simply mounted in place and put in use as described below. Loading the dispenser and making changes or adjustments can generally be done simply, without the use of tools. Examples of changes and adjustments include but are not limited to rotating the dispensing collar and cover piece to the dispensing position, installing a different trim ring and even replacing the dispensing collar and cover piece to provide to insure proper dispensing of lids.

As noted above, the present invention can also be provided as a kit to retrofit a cup dispenser. In such case, a user is provided with an appropriately shaped mount ring 39, trim ring 40, dispensing collar 42 and cover piece 44. Alternatively, the mount ring 39, trim ring 40 and dispensing collar 42, and even cover piece 44 can be provided as single piece or in various multiple piece combinations. Preferably the kit also includes a pusher platform 36 and an appropriately strong spring. However, these latter two elements may not be necessary to achieve sufficient lid dispensing.

Once the kit has been received, it is a relatively simple process to remove any existing mount ring and trim ring, interleave the new mount ring 39, trim ring 40, and dispensing collar 42 (or combination(s) thereof) and affix all to the tube 32, without the use of tools. If the kit includes a new pusher platform 36 and/or spring 38, those elements are installed first in the place of any existing mechanisms. After the mount ring 39, trim ring 40 and dispensing collar 42 are installed, the cover piece 44 is snap fit into the dispensing collar 42. This involves seating the pin 56 in the C-slot 58. Depending on space and other limitations, the cover piece 44 can be snap fit into the dispensing collar 42 before the dispensing collar 42 is interleaved with the trim ring 40 or affixed to the tube 32. As noted above, the kit can be provided in substantially preassembled form comprising only one or two pieces—depending on whether or not a spring and pusher platform are included.

Once the mount ring 39, trim ring 40, dispensing collar 42 and cover piece 44 are in place (as is the case when the dispenser is acquired in fully assembled form), the dispenser 30 can be mounted in a counter (not shown) so that lids feed up, in a cabinet (not shown) so that lids feed horizontally or at any desired angle, or on wall or other support (not shown) such that lids feed down or sideways. The present invention's ability to permit the use of a robust biasing means allows lid dispensing in any direction, from any angle.

Once the assembled dispenser 30 is mounted, it is filled with a stack of lids 34. If the dispenser is mounted vertically, and gravity is used to bias the lids, the stack of lids 34 can be staged in the dispenser through the top of the dispenser tube 32, if the tube is configured with a removable end cover. More typically however, the stack of lids 34 is staged in the tube 32 through the dispensing assembly 70. In so doing, a user unlatches the locking tab 60 and pivots the cover piece 44 about the axis of pin or hinge 56 to its loading position out of way of the center line of the tube 32. The lids are then inserted into the tube 32 against the pusher platform 36 with sufficient pressure applied to overcome the bias of spring 38. While the lid stack 34 is being held in place in the tube 32, the cover piece 44 is swung back into its operative position where it engages the bottommost lid principally along the lid's edge. The cover piece 44 is then latched into place through the use of tab interlock mechanism 60. Thereafter, or at any time in the process, the dispensing collar 42 and attached cover piece 44 are rotated to the appropriate position for dispensing.

A user desiring a lid inserts a thumb and forefinger into the space between the cover piece 44 and the bottommost lid in the lid stack 34. Normally, one of the user's fingers engages the bottommost lid through the finger cut out 64. The user's other finger grabs the leading edge of the bottommost lid. By then pulling outwardly and along the tube's longitudinal axis away from the stack of lids, the user flexes and separates the bottommost lid from the remaining lids in the stack and withdraws a single lid through the opening between the cover piece 44 and the lid stack 34 (and the dispensing collar 40 and sidewall 62). The next lid in the stack is restrained in place initially by the restraining portion 66 of sidewall 62 and then by the interaction between the lid stack 34 and the cover piece 44.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter set forth herein.

Claims

1. A lid dispensing system for dispensing the bottommost lid from a stack of lids comprising:

a tube for holding a stack of lids;

a cover piece having a radius of curvature, wherein said cover piece interacts with the stack of lids to confine the stack of lids substantially in said tube.

2. A lid dispensing system according to claim 1, further including a platform for supporting the stack of lids in said tube.

3. A lid dispensing system according to claim 2, wherein said platform is concave.

4. (canceled)

5. A lid dispensing system according to claim 1, further comprising a collar extending said tube and, together with said cover piece, defining an opening through which lids are dispensed.

6. A lid dispensing system according to claim 5, wherein said collar includes at least one portion for substantially maintaining at least the next lid in the stack of lids when the bottommost lid is dispensed.

7. (canceled)

8. A lid dispensing system according to claim 76, wherein said cover piece is connected to said collar.

9. A lid dispensing system according to claim 8, wherein said cover piece is connected to said collar by a hinge.

10. A lid dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said cover piece is concave in shape.

11. A lid dispensing system according to claim 10, wherein said cover piece is in the shape of a clam shell.

12. A lid dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said cover piece is rotationally movable in a horizontal plane with respect to said tube to facilitate dispensing of lids in multiple directions.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. A lid dispensing system for dispensing the bottommost lid from a stack of lids comprising:

a tube for holding a stack of lids;

a platform located in said tube for supporting the stack of lids in said tube; and

a cover piece having a non-planar shape interacting with the stack of lids such that the stack of lids is interjacent said platform and said cover piece to confine the stack of lids substantially in said tube.

16. A lid dispensing system according to claim 15, wherein said platform is non-planar in shape.

17. A lid dispensing system according to claim 16, wherein said cover piece is concave in shape.

18. A lid dispensing system according to claim 17, wherein said platform is concave in shape.

19. A lid dispensing system according to claim 18, wherein the concavity of said cover piece and the concavity of said platform oppose one another other.

20. A lid dispensing system according to claim 15, wherein said platform and said cover piece are concave in shape and the concavity of said platform and said cover oppose one another.

21. A lid dispensing system according to claim 15, wherein said cover piece is rotationally movable relative to said tube to facilitate dispensing of lids in multiple directions.

22. A kit for retrofitting a cup dispenser having a storage tube to dispense lids comprising:

a cover piece for substantially confining a stack of lids in said tube, wherein said cover piece has a radius of curvature; and

means for connecting said cover piece to said tube.

23. A kit according to claim 22, wherein said cover piece is concave in shape.

24. A kit according to claim 23, wherein said cover piece is in the shape of a clam shell.

25. (canceled)

26. A kit according to claim 22, further comprising a platform for supporting a stack of lids in said tube.

27. A kit according to claim 26, wherein said platform has a radius of curvature.

28. (canceled)

29. A method of dispensing lids one at a time comprising:

providing a tube for holding a stack of lids;

providing a non-planar cover piece for maintaining a stack of lids in said tube;

filling said tube with a stack of lids;

securing said cover piece in place to maintain the stack of lids in said tube;

grasping the bottommost lid in the stack of lids maintained in said tube; and

pulling said bottommost lid out of the stack of lids through a dispensing area defined at least in part by said cover piece.

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. A method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of orienting said dispensing area in a predetermined dispensing position.

33. A lid dispensing system for dispensing the bottommost lid from a stack of lids comprising:

a tube for holding a stack of lids;

a platform having a radius of curvature, wherein said platform supports a stack of lids in said tube; and

a cover piece interacting with the stack of lids to confine the stack of lids substantially in said tube.