US1358884A - Straw-dispenser - Google Patents

Description

C. H. SHELTON.

STRAW DISPENSER- APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13. I920.

1 ,355 ,s 4 Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

WITNESSES INVENTOH CZGA/QZa/Ad .5:

A TTOR/VEYS CLEVELAND HENDRIX SHELTON, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

STRAW-DISPENSER.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

Application filed January 13, 1920. Serial No. 351,088.

T 0 all whom itmay concern;

Be it known that I, CLEVELAND IIENDRIX SHELTON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Straw-Dispensers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a device for the dispensing of drinking straws at soda fountains, and the purpose of my invention is the provision of such a device which automatically delivers the straws singly to a convenient position for withdrawal, the remaining straws being housed and protected against dust and other foreign matter accumulating thereon.

I will describe one form of dispensing device and two forms of brackets for supporting the same, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view showing in perspective one form of bracket embodying my invention and having applied thereto one form of dispensing device embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view showing an end elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view showing in side elevation another form of bracket embodying my invention to which is applied the dispensing device shown in the preceding views.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring specifically to the drawings, G designates a container or magazine in which the supply of straws is adapted to be housed. This container C is preferably formed of glass and, as shown in Fig. 2, is of substantial diamond shape in cross section to provide oppositely inclined walls 15 which coact to effect a downward feeding of the straws to a slot formed in the lower edge of the container. This slot is designated at 16 and as shown in Fig. 2 is coextensive in length with the container C. Intermediate its ends, the walls of the slot 16 are provided and spanned by a substan tially semi-circular tray 17 into which is adapted to be deposited singly, the straws in the container. As shown in Fig. 1, the tray 17 is shorter than the length of the average drinking straw, so that portions of the straw project beyond the opposite ends of the tray. These portions are adapted to be gripped by the user in withdrawing the straw from the tray.

As shown in Fig. 2, the container 0 is provided with an open upper side which is adapted to be closed by a cover plate P having end flanges 18 and a top side flange 19 formed with openings 20 through which extend supporting cars 21 formed on the upper edge of the container C. By this arrangement it will be seen that as the cover plate P normally assumes an inclined position, the flanges 18 and 19 embracing the container to prevent accidental displacement of the plate. The cars 21 form an additional means for confining the plate upon the container but are primarily designed for hingedly supporting the device as a whole upon a suitable frame or bracket. As shown in Fig. 3, this bracket comprises in the present instance an L-shaped arm 22, the lower end of the vertical portion of which is provided with a U-shaped yoke 23 and a set screw 24: which is threadedly mounted within the yoke so as to cause the latter to firmly grip a counter 25 or other suitable support and to thereby rigidly support the bracket in the position above the counter. The horizontal portion of the bracket 22 carries extensions 22 which are adapted to be hingedly connected to the ears 21 through the medium of links 26 and to thereby hingedly support the dispensing device in a horizontal position upon the bracket. In this position of the dispensing device, the straws can be readily removed from either end of the container, it being understood that the container may be swung to one side or the other of the bracket when it is desired to remove the straws.

In Fig. 1, I have shown another form of bracket which is similar in construction to a saw horse, the same comprising pairs of intersecting members 27 which are rigidly connected at the points of intersection by a rod 28. As vshownin the drawing, the dispensing device is supported between the members 27 in such manner that the end portions of each straw as it is delivered to the tray are exposed so that the straw may be readily withdrawn from either end of the device.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of the dispensing device and two forms of brackets, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made herein Without departing from the spirit of the invention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A straw dispensing device comprising a container of substantially diamond shaped formation in cross section and having an open side, a cover plate adapted to close the open side, flanges formed on the cover plate and embracing said container, ears formed on the upper edge of said container and extending through said cover plate, a slot formed in the lower edge of said container, and a tray disposed below said slot.

2. In combination, a supporting bracket, a straw dispensing device comprising a container having oppositely inclined walls and a slot at the lower edges of said walls, a tray disposed below said slot, ears formed on said container and links connected to said ears and to said bracket for hingedly supporting the device upon the bracket.

CLEVELAND HENDRIX SHELTON.

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