Utensil dispenser
US9049948B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63F2300/5573
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A utensil dispenser including a reservoir that stores utensils and front and rear pedestals in contact with a next utensil. The pedestals contain a plurality of utensils within the reservoir. A gravity feed ramp moves the next utensil to an access port of the utensil dispenser. The utensil dispenser includes an actuator operably connected to a drive pin or other drive mechanism. The actuator is configured to halt a dispensing utensil at a ready position based upon contact between the dispensing utensil and the actuator. In the ready position, a handle portion of the dispensing utensil is accessible via the access port. The drive mechanism is configured to contact the next utensil. The actuator is configured to move the drive mechanism to move the next utensil to clear the front pedestal to release the next utensil from the reservoir onto the gravity feed ramp when the dispensing utensil is dispensed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.