Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02766554 2012-01-31
Cutlery Dispenser Trays
Related Fields
[0001] Cutlery utensil dispensers, and more particularly, dispenser trays for
use in
cutlery utensil dispensers.
Background
[0002] Eating facilities often provide cutlery utensils in dispensing bins,
where all
customers place their hands into the bins to retrieve a fork, spoon, knife, or
spork. Open
air bins are relatively unhygienic and can spread hand-carried bacteria and
the like to
other utensils in the bin or to another customer.
[0003] To address concerns relating to dispensing of hygienic cutlery
utensils,
enclosed dispensers have been used where a stack of cutlery utensils is placed
in a utensil
compartment and dispensed one at a time on command by operation of a
dispensing
lever. As described in U.S. Patent Application No. 12/247,805, which was filed
October
8, 2008, and titled "Cutlery Utensil Dispenser", the dispenser includes a
dispensing tray
that engages a dispensed utensil and causes the dispensed utensil to rotate
from a first
orientation to a second orientation as the dispensed utensil slides down the
tray.
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Summary
[0004] Disclosed are improved trays for use in cutlery utensil dispensers.
[0005] According to some versions, there is provided 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.
[0006] Additional or alternate versions provide a cutlery dispenser wherein
the
housing of the dispenser stores two stacks of utensils.
[0007] Additional or alternate versions provide a cutlery dispenser wherein
the
channel is shaped to receive one of a fork, a spoon, a knife or a spork.
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[0008] Additional or alternate versions provide a cutlery dispenser further
comprising an anti jam surface, at least a portion of the anti jam surface
located behind
and positioned higher than the angled receiving surface.
[0009] Additional or alternate versions provide a cutlery dispenser wherein
the
slope of the angled receiving surface is between approximately 10 degrees and
approximately 60 degrees.
[0010] Additional or alternate versions provide a cutlery dispenser further
comprising a second sloped surface connecting the anti-jam surface with the
ledge.
[0011] Additional or alternate versions provide a cutlery dispenser further
comprising one or more tabs for properly aligning the tray within the
dispenser.
[0012] Additional or alternate versions provide a cutlery dispenser further
comprising a generally planar ledge that extends from the second sloped
surface, the
generally planar ledge adapted to maintain the utility end of a dispensed
piece of cutlery
lower than the handle end of the cutlery as the dispensed piece of cutlery
rotates toward
the presentation area into the second orientation.
[0013] Additional or alternate versions provide a cutlery dispenser wherein
the
dispenser further comprises a sensor and wherein the presentation area of the
tray further
comprises an aperture through which a beam associated with the sensor passes.
[0014] Additional or alternate versions provide a cutlery dispenser wherein a
slope
of the anti jam surface is between approximately 45 degrees and approximately
90
degrees.
[0015] Additional or alternate versions provide a cutlery dispenser further
comprising one or more ribs on the at least one side of the tray, the one or
more ribs
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adapted to contact the handle end of the piece of cutlery, wherein a dimension
of the one
or more ribs is generally inversely related to a length of the piece of
cutlery.
[0016] Also provided is a tray for use within a cutlery dispenser for
receiving and
presenting single utensils, the tray comprising: (a) a front, a back, and two
sides; (b) a
presentation area positioned along the front of the tray; (c) a drop area for
receiving a
utility end of one of the single utensils, the drop area positioned in a plane
lower than a
plane of the presentation area; (d) a channel connecting the drop area and the
presentation
area, wherein the channel receives a mid-section of the utensil; (e) an angled
utensil
receiving surface located on one of the two sides of the tray such that when a
handle end
of the utensil contacts the angled receiving surface, the handle end is
adapted to move
toward the presentation area ahead of the utility end of the utensil; and (f)
a ledge adapted
to prevent rotation of the utensil.beyond about 45 degrees after the utensil
contacts the
angled receiving surface.
[0017] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray wherein the
presentation area
further comprises an aperture that corresponds to a sensing beam.
[0018] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising an
anti-
jam surface, at least a portion of the anti jam surface located behind and
positioned
higher than the angled receiving surface.
[0019] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray wherein a slope of the
anti-.
jam surface is between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees.
[0020] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising ribs
on a
side of the tray, the ribs adapted to contact the handle of the utensil,
wherein the
dimension of the ribs is generally inversely related to a length of the
utensil.
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[0021] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising tabs
for
aligning the tray within the dispenser.
[0022] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray wherein the slope of
the
angled utensil receiving surface is between approximately 10 degrees and
approximately
60 degrees.
[0023] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising a
second
sloped surface connecting the anti jam surface with the ledge.
[0024] Also provided is a tray for use within a cutlery dispenser for
receiving and
presenting utensils, the tray comprising: (a) a front, a back, and two sides;
(b) a
presentation area positioned along the front of the tray; (c) a drop area for
receiving a
utility end of one of the utensils, the drop area positioned in a plane lower
than a plane of
the presentation area; (d) a channel connecting the drop area and the
presentation area,
wherein the channel receives a mid-section of the utensil; and (e) an angled
utensil
receiving surface located on one of the two sides of the tray, wherein a
handle of the
utensil contacts the angled utensil receiving surface and is adapted to move
toward the
presentation area ahead of the utility end of the utensil.
[0025] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray wherein the
presentation area
further comprises an aperture that corresponds to a sensing beam.
[0026] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising an
anti-
jam surface, at least a portion of the anti jam surface located behind and
positioned
higher than the angled receiving surface.
[0027] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray wherein a slope of the
anti-
jam surface is between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees.
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[0028] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising ribs
on at
least one of the sides of the tray, the ribs adapted to contact the handle of
the utensil,
wherein the dimension of the ribs is generally inversely related to a length
of the utensil.
[0029] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising tabs
for
aligning the tray within the dispenser.
[0030] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray wherein the slope of
the
angled utensil receiving surface is between approximately 10 degrees and
approximately
60 degrees.
[0031] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising a
ledge for
preventing rotation of the utensil beyond about 45 degrees after the utensil
contacts the
angled utensil receiving surface.
[0032] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising a
second
sloped surface connecting the anti jam surface with the ledge.
[0033] Also provided is a tray for use within a cutlery dispenser for
receiving and
presenting forks, the tray comprising: (a) a front, a back, and two sides; (b)
a presentation
area positioned along the front of the tray; (c) a drop area for receiving a
utility end of
one of the forks, the drop area positioned in a plane below a plane of the
presentation
area; (d) a channel connecting the drop area and the presentation area, the
channel for
receiving a mid-section of the fork; and (e) an angled fork receiving surface
located on
one of the two sides of the tray, wherein a handle of the fork contacts the
angled fork
receiving surface and is adapted to move toward the presentation area ahead of
the utility
end of the fork.
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[0034] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray wherein the
presentation area
further comprises an aperture that corresponds to a sensing beam.
[0035] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising an
anti-
jam surface, at least a portion of the anti jam surface located behind and
positioned
higher than the angled receiving surface.
[0036] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray wherein a slope of the
anti-
jam surface is between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees.
[0037] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising ribs
on a
right side of the tray, the ribs adapted to contact the handle of the fork,
wherein the
dimension of the ribs is generally inversely related to a length of the fork.
[0038] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising tabs
for
aligning the tray within the dispenser.
[0039] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray wherein the slope of
the
angled fork receiving surface is between approximately 10 degrees and
approximately 60
degrees.
[0040] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising a
first
ledge adapted to prevent rotation of the fork beyond about 45 degrees after
the fork
contacts the angled fork receiving surface.
[0041] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising a
second
sloped surface connecting the anti jam surface with the first ledge.
[0042] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising a
generally planar ledge that extends from the second sloped surface, the
generally planar
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ledge positioned to maintain the utility end of the fork lower than the handle
end of the
fork as the fork rotates toward the presentation area.
[0043] Additional or alternate versions provide a tray further comprising a
guide
surface that projects from the presentation area toward the back of the tray
to help
prevent the fork from balancing on one of its sides.
[0044] Applicants do not wish to be bound by the forgoing or any other
understanding of how their invention or any of the prior art works.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0045] A full and enabling disclosure including the best mode of practicing
the
appended claims and directed to one of ordinary skill in the art is set forth
more
particularly in the remainder of the specification. The specification makes
reference to
the following appended figures, in which use of like reference numerals in
different
figures is intended to illustrate like or analogous components.
[0046] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a knife dispenser according to
one
embodiment.
[0047] Figure 2 is a top view of a knife tray of the knife dispenser of Figure
1.
[0048] Figure 3 is a front top perspective view of the knife tray of Figure 2.
[0049] Figure 4 is a rear top perspective view of the knife tray of Figure 2.
[0050] Figure 5 is a side top perspective view of the knife tray of Figure 2.
[0051] Figure 6 is a right side perspective view of the knife tray of Figure
2.
[0052] Figure 7 is a front view of the knife tray of Figure 2.
[0053] Figure 8 is a rear view of the knife tray of Figure 2.
[0054] Figure 9 is a left side view of the knife tray of Figure 2.
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[0055] Figure 10 is a bottom perspective view of the knife tray of Figure 2.
[0056] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the knife tray of Figure 2,
taken along
the line A-A of Figure 7.
[0057] Figure 12 is a front perspective view of a fork dispenser according to
one
embodiment.
[0058] Figure 13 is a top view of a fork tray to be used with the fork
dispenser of
Figure 12.
[0059] Figure 14 is a front top perspective view of the fork tray of Figure
13.
[0060] Figure 15 is a rear top perspective view of the fork tray of Figure 13.
[0061] Figure 16 is a side top perspective view of the fork tray of Figure 13.
[0062] Figure 17 is a right side perspective view of the fork tray of Figure
13.
[0063] Figure 18 is a front view of the fork tray of Figure 13.
[0064] Figure 19 is a rear view of the fork tray of Figure 13.
[0065] Figure 20 is a left side view of the fork tray of Figure 13.
[0066] Figure 21 is a bottom perspective view of the fork tray of Figure 13.
[0067] Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of the fork tray of Figure 13,
taken along
the line B-B of Figure 18.
[0068] Figure 23 is a front perspective view of a spoon dispenser according to
one
embodiment.
[0069] Figure 24 is a top view of a spoon tray to be used with the spoon
dispenser
of Figure 23.
[0070] Figure 25 is a front top perspective view of the spoon tray of Figure
24.
[0071] Figure 26 is a rear top perspective view of the spoon tray of Figure
24.
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[0072] Figure 27 is a side top perspective view of the spoon tray of Figure
24.
[0073] Figure 28 is a right side perspective view of the spoon tray of Figure
24.
[0074] Figure 29 is a front view of the spoon tray of Figure 24.
[0075] Figure 30 is a rear view of the spoon tray of Figure 24.
[0076] Figure 31 is a left side view of the spoon tray of Figure 24.
[0077] Figure 32 is a bottom perspective view of the spoon tray of Figure 24.
[0078] Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view of the spoon tray of Figure 24,
taken
along the line C-C of Figure 29.
Detailed Description
[0079] Figure 1 illustrates a dispenser 8, such as a knife dispenser, that is
configured to house one or more stacks of utensils, such as one or more stacks
of knives,
spoons, forks, or sporks. As is known, utensils, including knives, have a
handle end and
a utility end. The dispenser has a drive member that is associated with each
stack of
utensils and that causes a utensil to be dispensed from that particular stack,
such as is
disclosed in U.S. Serial No. 12/247,805 filed on October 8, 2008, the contents
of which
have been incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, if two stacks
of
knives are housed within dispenser 8, a first stack is positioned closer to
the front 50 of
the dispenser 8 and a second stack is positioned behind the first stack closer
to the back
48 of the dispenser 8. Directional terms used herein such as "front," "right,"
"middle,"
"back," "left," etc. are all relative terms in reference to the Figures.
[0080] Dispenser 8 also houses a utensil tray, such as knife tray 10 shown in
Figures 2-11, located below the one or more stacks of utensils. Knife tray 10
is
positioned to receive a utensil after the utensil has been dispensed from the
stack. In
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some embodiments, dispenser 8 is configured so that each of the knives in a
stack is
stored in a first orientation above tray 10. In the first orientation, the
knife is generally
oriented in a left-to-right direction so that the handle end of the knife is
positioned toward
the right side 44 of the dispenser 8 and the utility end of the knife is
positioned toward the
left side 46 of the dispenser 8. When a consumer activates dispenser 8, the
knife is
dropped in any suitable manner into tray 10. In some embodiments, the knife
falls by
gravity after the drive member dispenses the knife from the stack.
[0081] As shown in Figure 1, knife dispenser 8 includes an opening 6 into
which a
portion of the handle end of a knife is designed to come to rest after it is
dispensed from
the stack into the tray 10 so that a user may access the dispensed knife.
Opening 6 should
at least partially align with a presentation area 24 of knife tray 10 (Figures
3 and 7).
[0082] In some embodiments, presentation area 24 is positioned along the front
40
of the. tray 10 and is generally V-shaped so that the handle end of the
utensil rests in a
particular location within presentation area 24 after the utensil is
dispensed. The V-shape
helps prevent the utensil from resting on its side. In some embodiments,
presentation
area 24 is shaped so that the handle end of the knife rests centrally within
presentation
area 24.
[0083] Specifically, in some embodiments, after dispensing, the handle end of
the
knife comes to rest so that it blocks an aperture 34 (Figure 2) through which
an infrared
beam shines by means of an infrared emitter. In such embodiments, the light
beam
serves as a sensor that senses whether a knife is present in presentation area
24. The
sensor, and thus the presentation area 24, can be positioned in various
locations about
tray 10. Alternatively, the sensor could be positioned along the base of the
tray 10 or
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within the drop area 12, described below. Other suitable sensor mechanisms may
be used
instead of an aperture in the tray. For example, the tray may be formed from
translucent
material, or the sensor could be weight activated.
[0084] In the illustrated embodiment, if a knife has been removed from the
presentation area 24, the dispenser 8 dispenses another knife. In other
embodiments of
dispenser 8, the dispensing of the utensil is not automated. In these and
other instances,
the presentation area 24 may be oriented and configured differently. For
example,
presentation area 24 can have other shapes besides a general V-shape.
[0085] In addition to presentation area 24, knife tray 10 includes several
features
that aid in consistent dispensing of each knife from the one or more stacks -
that is, the
tray 10 includes one or more features to help ensure that as a knife is
dispensed from a
stack into the dispensing tray 10, the knife consistently lands in a desired
position and
orientation within the tray. In some embodiments, it is desirable for the
handle end of the
knife to rest within presentation area 24 so that it projects out of opening 6
so that a user
can readily access the handle end of the dispensed knife. As mentioned above,
in some
embodiments, it may be desired that the handle end of the knife also lands
within
presentation area 24 so that the dispenser is able to sense the presence of
the knife.' In
some embodiments, it is desirable for the utility end of the knife to come to
rest within a
drop area 12 of knife tray 10 (Figure 2). Drop area 12 can have various shapes
and sizes,
and in some embodiments may be shaped and sized to correspond to the utility
end of the
utensil to be received within tray 10.
[0086] In some embodiments, drop area 12 is the lowest point on the tray 10.
In
other words, the drop area 12 is positioned lower than the presentation area
24, causing
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the knife to rest at an angle within tray 10. In these embodiments, the handle
end of the
knife is positioned higher than the utility end of the knife when the knife is
presented
within tray 10. The portion of the knife is received within channel 32, which
extends
between the drop area 12 and the presentation area 24.
[0087] As shown in Figure 2, the width of the channel 32 may vary depending on
the shape of the utensil to be received within channel 32. For example,
channel 32 may
be tapered to correspond to the shape of a knife or other utensil.
[0088] As discussed above, the stacks of knives may be positioned within the
dispenser. 8 in a first orientation so that each knife extends in a generally
left-to-right
direction along dispenser 8. As the knife drops into knife tray 10, the knife
rotates into a
second orientation such that the handle end of the knife lands in presentation
area 24.
More specifically, the handle end of the knife moves from the right 44 of the
dispenser
and also rotates toward the front 50 of the dispenser. In such embodiments, as
the knife
moves from its first orientation into its second orientation, the knife
clockwise rotates
approximately 45 .
[0089] As shown in Figure 2, an angled receiving surface 18 is positioned on
the
right side 38 of the tray 10. Because the knife is oriented in a first
orientation in which
the handle end of the knife is positioned on the right 44 of the dispenser 8,
when the knife
drops from the stack into tray 10, the handle end of the knife contacts angled
receiving
surface 18. Angled receiving surface 18 is downwardly sloped toward the front
40 of the
tray so that the surface facilitates rotation of the knife as the handle end
of the knife
contacts the receiving surface 18. Specifically, angled receiving surface 18
is configured
so that the handle end of the knife rotates from the right side 38 of the tray
10 toward the
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front 40 of the tray 10 after contacting angled receiving surface 18. Angled
receiving
surface 18 is configured to promote movement of the handle end down the
surface 18.
The desired degree of the slope of the angled receiving surface 18 is related
to the height
from which the knife drops from the stack onto the tray 10. In this way, the
degree of the
slope of the angled receiving surface 18 is negatively correlated with the
drop height of
the knife. The correlation also depends at least in part on the material of
the tray, the
material of the utensil, the surface roughness of the tray, the drop position
(i.e.,
frontiback), the angle of the slope of the angled receiving surface 18, and
the geometry of
the utensil. In some embodiments, the degree of the slope of the angled
receiving surface
18 is in a range of about 10-60 degrees when associated with a drop height of
about 1-6
inches. In some embodiments, the degree of the slope of angled receiving
surface 18 is
around 20 degrees for a drop height of about 2-4 inches, and more
specifically, about 3
inches. Other suitable degrees of slope may be used depending on the height
from which
the knife drops, and depending on the number of stacks of utensils stored
within the
dispenser. In general, the greater the drop height, the more kinetic energy
the utensil has
when it reaches the tray 10 and therefore less of an angle is required for
angled receiving
surface 18.
[0090] In embodiments where the dispenser 8 includes two stacks of knives such
that one stack is positioned closer to the front 50 of the dispenser and the
other stack is
positioned closer to the back 48 of the dispenser, tray 10 optionally may
include an anti-
jam surface 20. Anti jam surface 20 is located behind angled surface 18 so
that it is
positioned more toward the back 42 of the tray 10. In this way, the handle
ends of knives
that are dispensed from the stack located closer to the. back 48 of the
dispenser first
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contact anti jam surface 20, which is positioned higher than the angled
receiving surface
18, before moving by gravity onto angled receiving surface 18. The handle ends
of
knives that are dispensed from the stack located closer to the front 50 of the
dispenser are
dispensed so that they contact angled receiving surface 18 without contacting
anti jam
surface 20.
[0091] Anti jam surface 20 is sloped downwardly toward the front 40 of the
tray 10
at an angle that is different from the degree of slope of angled receiving
surface 18. In
some embodiments, the degree of slope of the anti jam surface is in the range
of
approximately 45 -90 , but other suitable angles may be used depending on the
height
from which the knife drops. In some embodiments, the slope of the anti jam
surface 20 is
greater than the slope of the angled receiving surface 18 to help generate
forward
movement of the utensil and avoid an undesired hang-up of the utensil. This
can be
beneficial because knives that are dropped from the stack located more toward
the back
48 of the dispenser do not fall as far as knives that are dropped from the
stack located
more toward the front 50 of the dispenser (because the contact surface is
angled
downwardly toward the front of the tray 40). Thus, knives that are dropped
from the
stack positioned closer to the front 50 of the dispenser have less room to
rotate before
landing in presentation area 24. On the other hand, knives that are dropped
from the
stack positioned closer to the back 48 of the dispenser have more room to
rotate before
landing in presentation area 24. Anti jam surface 20 is configured interrupt
the drop and
promote movement to the angled surface 18, thus increasing the chance that the
knife
rotates properly into the second orientation and comes to rest properly in
presentation
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area 24. If dispenser 8 includes only one stack of knives, anti jam surface 20
may not be
necessary if the stack is properly positioned within the dispenser.
[0092] In some embodiments, tray 10 also includes a ledge 14 (Figures 2 and 5)
that helps stop the rotation of the knife at about 45 degrees, or other
suitable degree, so
that the knife comes to rest on tray 10 in the desired second orientation.
Specifically,
ledge 14 is configured to curb the rotation of the knife that was imparted by
angled
receiving surface 18. Curbing the rotation avoids unwanted over-rotation that
could
cause the knife to fall out of dispensing tray 10. In this way, ledge 14 helps
maintain the
center of gravity of the knife within the tray 10 so that the knife comes to
rest correctly
within the presentation area 24. In particular, the knife has a tendency to
flip out of the
tray 10 as the knife rotates due to the center of gravity of the knife. The
specific design
of ledge 14 can be modified depending on the shape and/or size of the utensil
being
dispensed and thus on the center of gravity of the utensil to, be dispensed.
In the
embodiment shown in Figure 2, ledge 14 extends upwardly from drop area 12 at
an angle
of approximately 85-90 degrees, but other suitable angles may be used.
[0093] Tray 10 may also include a second sloped surface 16 (Figure 2) that
connects the anti jam surface 20 with the ledge 14. In the embodiment shown in
Figures
2-11, the second sloped surface 16 is sloped at approximately 30 degrees, but
other
suitable angles may be used. In some embodiments, the slope of surface 16 is
such that it
returns the utensil to the drop area 12 if the utensil over-rotates.
[0094] In some embodiments, tray 10 also includes one or more ribs 22 (Figure
11)
located along the right side 38 of tray 10. In other embodiments, ribs 22 are
not
necessary. Ribs 22 are configured to slow the speed at which the handle end of
the knife
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moves toward the front 40 of the tray 10 and also prevent the handle end of
the knife
from riding too high on the wall 52 of the tray 10 (Figure 3). The dimensions
of the ribs
22 may be influenced by the length of the utensil. In particular, width W
(Figure 11) of
the ribs 22 is generally inversely related to the length of the utensil (for
example, the
shorter the utensil is, the wider the ribs 22 are). This relationship ensures
that the handle
end of the knife makes contact with the ribs 22 if the knife is riding too
high along the
wall 52 of the tray 10 and has the potential to travel too fast.
[0095] In some embodiments, tray 10 includes one or more optional tabs 26,
which
help orient tray 10 properly within the dispenser 8, along the left and right
sides 36, 38 of
the tray 10. In embodiments where the dispensing of the knives is automated,
the tabs 26
align the infrared emitter, the receiver, and the aperture 34. If tabs 26 are
not used, there
are many other suitable ways for aligning tray 10 within dispenser 8.
[0096] Figure 12 illustrates a fork dispenser 108 that is similar in design
and
operation to knife dispenser except that it houses forks instead of knives.
Fork tray 110,
shown in Figures 13-22, is configured to be received within fork dispenser
108, and
shares many of the features discussed above with respect to knife tray 10,
with some of
the similarities and differences addressed below.
[0097] Like knife tray 10, fork tray 110 includes a presentation area 124
located
along a front 140 of the tray 110. Presentation area 124 as shown in Figures
12-18 is
similar to presentation area 24 discussed above, but like presentation area
24, could have
different configurations in other embodiments. Fork tray 110 also includes a
drop area
112, which is similar to drop area 12, except drop area 112 is larger to
accommodate the
dimensions of the utility end of the fork. Fork tray 110 also includes a
channel 132 that
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connects the drop area 112 with the presentation area 124. Like channel 32,
channel 132
may be tapered to correspond to the shape of the utensil (fork) to be received
within
channel 132.
[0098] Fork tray 110 also includes an angled receiving surface 118 that
induces
rotation of the fork from its first orientation to its second orientation as
it drops into fork
tray 110. Angled receiving surface 118 is similar to angled surface 18
discussed above.
In some embodiments, the angled receiving surface 118 of the fork tray 110 may
have an
angle of between around 10 to around 60 degrees when associated with a drop
height of
1-6 inches, but other suitable angles may be used. Like knife tray 10, fork
tray 110 may
also include an optional anti jam surface 120. In some embodiments, however,
the slope
of the anti jam surface 120 is greater than the slope of anti jam surface 20,
although that
need not be the case. Anti jam surface 120 may have a slope of between
approximately
450-900.
[0099] Fork tray .110 may also include an optional ledge 114 to help curb the
rotation of the fork imparted by angled receiving surface 118. If included,
ledge 114 may
extend upwardly from drop area 112 at an angle of approximately 85-90 degrees,
but
other suitable angles may be used. Like ledge 14, the design of ledge 114 can
be
modified depending on the shape and/or size of the fork being dispensed and
the center of
gravity of the fork to be dispensed. In embodiments where the ledge 114 is
used, ledge
114 may be lower and smaller than ledge 14 because a fork has a tendency to
spin less
than a knife due to the greater weight associated with the utility end of the
fork. In other
embodiments, ledge 114 is not necessary because of the configuration
(including the
22196847.2 18
CA 02766554 2012-01-31
center of gravity) of a fork. Namely, a fork does not have as great of a
tendency as a
knife to become balanced on its side and/or flip out.
[00100] Fork tray 110 may also include a second sloped surface 116 (Figure 13)
that
connects the anti jam surface 120 with the ledge 114, and also may include one
or more
optional ribs 122 located along the right side 138 of the tray 110. Like ribs
22, the width
W of the ribs 122 may be influenced by the length of the utensil to be
dispensed. In other
embodiments, the width W is not correlated with the length of the utensil.
Fork tray 110
may also include optional assembly tabs 126, which are similar to tabs 26
discussed
above.
[00101] In addition, in some embodiments, fork tray 110 includes an optional
generally planar ledge 160 that extends from second sloped surface 116 and
that helps
prevent the fork from rolling on its side (as opposed to the bottom of the
fork) and
balancing on one of its side due to the center of. gravity of the fork. In
some
embodiments, planar ledge 160 is substantially flat.
[00102] Fork tray 110 also may include an optional guide surface 162 that, in
addition to planar ledge 160, helps prevent the fork from balancing on its
side instead of
landing within tray 110 in a flat position. Guide surface 162 projects from
the
presentation area 124 generally toward the back 142 of the tray 110.
[00103] Figure 23 illustrates a spoon dispenser 208 that is similar in design
and
operation to the knife and fork dispensers described above except that it
houses spoons
instead of knives or forks. Spoon tray 210, shown in Figures 24-33, is
configured to be
received within spoon dispenser 208, and shares many of the features discussed
above
with respect to knife tray 10.
22196847.2 19
CA 02766554 2012-01-31
[00104] Like knife tray 10, spoon tray 210 includes a presentation area 224
located
along a front 240 of the tray 210. Presentation area 224 as shown in Figures
24-27 is
similar to presentation area 24 discussed above, but, like presentation area
24, could have
other configurations. Spoon tray 210 also includes a drop area 212, which is
similar to
drop areas 12 and 112, except drop area 212 is larger than drop areas 12 and
112 to
accommodate the larger dimensions of the utility end of a spoon. Spoon tray
210 also
includes a channel 232 that connects the drop area 212 with the presentation
area 224.
Like channels 32 and 132, channel 232 may be tapered to correspond to the
shape of the
utensil (spoon) to be received within channel 232.
[00105] Spoon tray 210 also includes an angled receiving surface 218 that
helps
rotate the spoon from a first orientation to a second orientation as it drops
into spoon tray
210. Angled receiving surface 218 is similar to angled receiving surface 18
discussed
above. In some embodiments, the angled receiving surface 218 of the spoon tray
210
may have an angle of between around 10 to around 60 degrees when associated
with a
drop height of 1-6 inches, but other suitable angles may be used. Like knife
tray 10,
spoon tray 210 may also include an optional anti-jam surface 220. Anti-jam
surface 220
generally has a slope of between approximately 45 -90 .
[00106] Spoon tray 210 may also include a ledge 214 to help curb the rotation
of the
spoon imparted by angled receiving surface 218. If included, ledge 214 extends
upwardly from drop area 212 at an angle of approximately 85-90 degrees, but
other
suitable angles may be used. Specifically, like ledge 14, the design of ledge
214 can be
modified depending on the shape and/or size of the spoon being dispensed and
the center
of gravity of the spoon to be dispensed. In some embodiments, ledge 214 is not
22196847.2 20
CA 02766554 2012-01-31
necessary for use with spoon tray 210 because of the configuration (including
the center
of gravity) of a spoon.
[00107] Spoon tray 210 may also include a second sloped surface 216 (Figure
24)
that connects the anti jam surface 220 with the ledge 214, and also may
include one or
more optional ribs 222 located along the right side 238 of the tray 210. Like
ribs 22, the
width W of the ribs 222 may be influenced by the length of the utensil to be
dispensed.
In other embodiments, the width W is not correlated with the length of the
utensil. Spoon
tray 210 may also include optional assembly tabs 226, which are similar to
tabs 26
discussed above. As shown in Figures 24-25, tab 226 may be wider on the left
side 236
of the tray 210 than the right side 238 in some embodiments as dictated by the
dimensions of the tray 210.
[00108] The dimensions of the trays 10, 110, and 210, as well as the
dimensions of
the various features discussed above and the location of these. features
within the trays,
may vary depending on the dimensions of and the materials used to form the
utensils to
be received within the trays.
[00109] Similarly, Trays 10, 110, and 210 are formed of any suitable material.
In
the embodiment shown in the Figures, the trays are formed from thermoplastic
materials,
but any suitable materials, such as urethane may be used. Trays 10, 110, and
210 may be
formed from molds, such as vacuum formed molds, or by any other suitable
method.
[00110] Numerous modifications of this invention may be made in the
composition,
application, manufacturing process and other aspects of this invention without
departing
from the objectives and spirit of the description above and in the Figures.
22196847.2 21
