US2374168A - Cup-dispensing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

April24, 1945. W- Wi BOWMAN 2,374,168v

CUP-DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed June 22, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l W 94a V926 275 u fj/ 730 -a VENTOR MMM- AT fORNEY April 24, 1945. w. w. BowMAN GUP-DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed June 22, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 VENTOR ATTORNEY April 24, 1945. w. w. BowMAN CUP-DISPENSING MECHANISM I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 22, 1942 Patented Apr. 24, 1945 2,374,168 cUr-nlsrliNsrNG MEcnaNrsM Wade W. Bowman, New York, N. Y., assignor to Frostidrink Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 22, 1942, Serial No. 447,913

(Cl. S12- 44) 12 claims.

'attained by means of'the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in theappendedclaims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one .embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings: Fig. 1 is a detailed fragmentary view in vertical section of a cup supply and dispensing mechanism of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1; o

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 of l Fig. 1 with a diagrammatic showing of the operating circuits therefor;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail in elevation of the op part of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of a modiiied form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary'side elevation of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a, fragmentary vertical section through the lower portion of the cup-supporting mechanism designed to cooperate with the moded actuating mechanism of Figs. 5 and 6.

The present application is a continuation-inpart of my copending application Serial No. 426,822, led January 15, 1942.

. Objects of the invention are to provide a new and useful article dispensing mechanism more particularly designed for dispensing paper cups or similarly shaped containers nested in vertical columns, wherein the lowermost unit of a column of cups is extracted or separated from the column of cups above it. The invention .is primarily directed to providing means for automatically maintaining a supply of such cups in position for f dispensing and periodically replenishing such supply from rauxiliary stacks of cups as the initial stack thereof is depleted. More particularly the invention provides novel means for operating a multiple column cup supply mechanism by electric or solenoid control means linked to and cooperating with the cup release mechanism. In this respect the invention provides a very positive yetsimple means for insuring constant supply of cups to be dispensed so that a very large quantity thereof may be kept on hand in a relatively small space and renewal of the depleted column by a fresh one automatically and eiliciently performed when needed. The mechanism is singuarly free from jamming or other defects of prior devices for the same general purpose and also, while being very positive in its action, is designed to handle large quantities of cups without damaging, jamming, displacing or disturbing them in their normal columnar positions.

While the invention as disclosed in the parent.

application, Serial No. 426,822, referred to above, is adapted for use-with automatic beverage dispensing means, it will be understood that it is also adapted for use for independent and general use with any and all equipment requiring the dispensing of a large number of cups or containers rapidly, efllciently and witha minimum of replacement or servicing .of the device.

It will be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description as well are exemplary and explanatory but are not restrictive of the invention. Referring now iny detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in accordance with one feature of the invention means are provided for automatically positioning a paper cup or the like C below the end of a beverage delivery nozzle or-the like in position to receive liquid therefrom. Said cups, as shown,. are preferably of the conventional tapered, nesting, paper construction, although other types of receptacles may be used so far as many features of the invention are concerned. As hereinafter set forth, I provide a new and highly efflcient mechanism for automatically supplying such cups from a large-quantity, renewable supply.

As shown, the cup dispensing mechanism basically comprises means for downwardly delivering 'the bottom unit of a, vertical stack of nested paper cups C into an inclined trough 90| along which y said cup slides for ultimate positioning or delivery. Conventional means actuated by a lever S03 are provided for separating the lowermost cup C from its stack and for forcing same downwardly to fall into the chute Sill. Said means may be of the usual iris cam type in common use and are not shown inasmuch as they constitute Vno essential part of ymy invention. The means for actuating said cup ejecting lever 903 comprises a bar 904 pivoted at one end to the outwardly extending end of lever 903 and aillxed at its opposite end to travel in line with the armature 905 of an actuating solenoid 906. When said solenoid is in its idle or non-energized condition the armature 905 is largely withdrawn therefrom by means of a spring 901 one end of which is fixedr to the bar 909 on rod 904 and the opposite end to a pin 909 at the base of the cup extracting casing 9|0. Whenthe solenoid is energized` by the closing of its control circuit the amature 905 will move to the right pulling the -rod 904 and lever 903 against the tension of spring 901 to actuate the mechanlsm in the casing 9|0 for ejection of the lowermost cup C in the stack.

Coin control means are provided for energizingthe solenoid 906, saidl particular means, however, constituting no necessary part of the present invention. As shown, a coin chute |009 is provided at coin-arresting station |020 with a switch arm |022 adapted to be depressed by the weight of the coin. With switch |022 thus closed, current will flow from a power source over line |025, across switch |022 and along leads |026 and |021 to solenoid 906. The return line |028 leads from the opposite end of the solenoid coil to the power line. Thus actuation of the cup release solenoid is effected by presence of a coin at the station |020 thereby causing rod 904 to be retracted as described above. As shown in Fig. 1, rod 904 is provided with a depending trigger 990 which is adapted to trip pivoted lever 99| which lies in its path. Said lever is connected by suitable linkage (not shown) to means (likewise not shown) for releasing the coin being held at station |020 in the coin chute. Hence actuation of the cup release rod 904 causes the coin to fall from its station |020 and thereby reopens the circuit which had been closed by the presence of the coin at switch |022.

In accordance with the invention means are provided for maintaining multiple auxiliary columns of cups to be dispensed into the chute 90| and cooperating therewith automatic mechanism for advancing an auxiliary column of cups into operative relation with the cup ejecting mechanism when the column previously in that position has been depleted to a predetermined level.

One feature of my said mechanism comprises the provision of a plurality of columns of cups located and' housed in a relatively small space both horizontally and vertically thereby to accommodate the greatest possible number of cups in the smallest and most conveniently located space in the apparatus.

As embodied, the cup ejecting mechanism 9|0 comprises a cylindrical casing through which extend the cups forming the lower end of the column C being dispensed. The upper end of the cup ejecting apparatus 9|0 is provided with a top plate 9|5 which is rectangular in plan and extends to overlie the solenoid 906, thus forming a general supporting base for the super-structure of the cup supply mechanism. Said plate 9 5 is apertured at 9| 6 toprovide an opening adequate for the downward flow of cups C in the active column. A cylindrical casing 920 is mounted to extend above the base plate 9| 5 and to house four vertical columns of cups. Said casing 920 is xedly supported from the base plate 9|5 by a flat circular bottom plate 92| which is spaced a short distance above and parallel to the plate 9|5 by riveted brackets 922. The casing 920 is split vertically into segments at the hinge point 923 so that the segmental door 924 is pivoted for opening and closing with respect to the ilxed part 920, thereby providing a door for opening the casing and permitting replenishment of its contents. The closing edge of the door portion 924 is provided with a latch 925 to cooperate with the adjoining edge of the flxed part 920 (Figs. 2 and 3). The upper end of the casing 920 is sealed by a circular top plate 925. An opening 921 is provided in the bottom plate 92 l, said opening being in vertical alignment with and having the same diameter as the opening 9|6 in the lower plate.

Means are provided for controlling the angular movement of four vertical stacks of cups C, C1, C, C3 within the casing 920 (Fig. 3). Aa embodied said means comprise four vertically disposed curved vales 930 which sub-divide the space within the cylinder 920 into quadrants. These vanes are attached to a square central axle 93| which extends vertically the length of the casing 920. The lower end of the axle is rotatably mounted on the bottom plate 92| by a bearing plate 932 fixed to said lower end of the axle. A pivot pin 933 ilxed to plate 932 extends downwardly therefrom through an opening in the plate 92| and a suitable bushing 934 which is llxed in the main base plate 9I5. The upper end of said axle 93| is rotatably held with respect to the top plate 926 of the casing. For this purpose the reduced cylindrical stem 935 of the axle extends through a suitable bushing 936 at the top center of the casing and projects a suitable distance thereabove for cooperation with the feed mechanism as hereafter described. As will be clear from Fig. 1 the vanes 930 terminate a short distance above the bottom plate 92| of the casing and also terminate a somewhat greater distance below the top plate 926 and it will be clear that rotation of the shaft 93| in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 3) will cause an angular movement of the stacks of cups C--C3 around the interior of the casing and over the fixed plate 92|.

Means are provided for imparting such angular movement to the shaft 93| to feed a new stack of cups into position when the stack of cups in the active column C has reached a predetermined low level, As embodied in a grooved pulley 940 is fixed to rotate with the upper end 935 of the axle 93|, being rotatable on the upper face of the bushing 936. A pull cord 94| is partly wrapped about the grooved perimeter of the pulley and one end of the cord is i'lxed to the pulley as by a pin 942. The cord 94| extends from the pulley over a sheave 943 at the edge of the plate 926 and downwardly along the casing to connect with the upper end of a tension spring 944. The lower end of said spring is fixed to a projection 945 and said spring normally exerts a pull on the cord tending to unwind the cord and rotate the pulley 940 and shaft 93| in counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 2).

Means are provided for controlling the rotationof shaft 93| so as to rotate saine one quadrant at a time, thereby to move the next column of cups C1 into position for delivery when the first column C has been depleted to below the level of the plate 92|. As embodied, a ratchet or escapement plate 950 is xed at the top of the pulley 940 to turn therewith. Said plate 950 has four projections having radial edges 95| which terminate at the circular periphery 952 on the one side and on the other extend as a flat edge 953 to the next projection. Said projections 95| are designed to cooperate with a pivoted latch and stop member comprising stop 954 projecting vertically fro'm one end of a bell crank 955 which will be a remainder of 'a plurality -of cups in the arm 955 is connected to tension spring 99|, the

one end of which is fixed to the top plate 929 of the casing by bracket 962. Thus when the solenoid 980 is in its normally de-energized condition,

Momentary The invention provides means for automatically closing the circuit to solenoid 960 when the stack of cups C has been depleted to below the level of plate 9|5. For this purpose a normally open micro-switch 910 is in the circuit 91| for the solenoid. Said switch is adapted to be closed by movement of a feeler arm 915. Said arm is pivotally mounted for horizontal movement about a vertical axis 916 on the base plate 9|5 and as positioned is adapted to swing into the space between the plates 9|5 and 92| and against the edges of the stack of cups C being fed into the chute 90|'. Inward movement of said feeler arm (i. e., to the right in Fig, 3) is automatically imparted thereto by actuation of the solenoid 906, that is simultaneously with actuation of the cup-release lever 903. For this purpose arm 915 I is connected near its pivot point to spring 918 which is fixed to the bracket 908 on link A904. Another lighter spring 980 is attached to the oppo site side of arm 915 and is fixed to the base plate 9| 5 all as shown in Fig. 3. As indicated in the drawing, spring 910 is without tension in the normal or inactive position of arm 915-that is, when the solenoid 906 is de-energized; while the tension on spring 980 is just sufficient to hold arm 915 out of contact with the cups. This arrangement provides a very gentle floating action for the movement of the arm 915 against the edges of the cups C and avoids any injury or displacement thereof when said arm is caused to move inwardly upon each actuation of the cup-release mechanism.

It will be clear that 'inward movement of the arm 915 will cease when same encounters the edge of any cup or cups C in the space between i the plates 92| and 9|5. However, when the cups have become depleted so that the uppermost cup in stack C lies below the surface of plate 9|5 when it will be possible for the arm 915 to travel inwardly for the full limit of its stroke and thereupon its upwardly extending terminal 98| will come into contact with the depending leaf spring 992 of the micro-switch, thereby to close said switch and momentarily energize solenoid 990.,

Said solenoid will be energized only momentarily to release the latch 95d as hereinbefore described. Because of the fact that the .inward movement of arm 915 is itself only momentary, it returns to its original position upon each stroke of the solenoid armature 905. From the foregoing it will be clear that shaft 93| will be rotated one quadrant to lbring a fresh stack C1 into position for feeding into the remaining cups of the original stack Cv only whensaid original stack has been reduced below the upper surface of plate lll. In that operation it will be clear that there original stack C at the time that the new stack Cl is brought into position thereabove.- Hence ample provision is made for replenishing the active stack before it is exhausted. In similar mannereach of the auxiliary stacks C2 and C3 will be brought into active position, thereby re.

quirin'g replenishment of the cup magazine at relatively long' intervals.

It ,will be noted that the construction of spring 9 for the pull c ord 94| is such that the tension of said spring diminishes as' the shaft 93| turns in the counter-clockwise direction. Consequently. the maximumtension of said spring is exerted when the stacks of cups C1, C2 and C3 are full and all are to be moved through one quadrant. Hence, the maximum tension of said spring is exerted when the maximum weight of cups 1s to be moved and as the spare stacks of cup's are used, the tension in the spring'diminishes proportionately with the weight-of the cups to be moved.

A modified form of some features of th invention is shown in Figs; 5 to 7. In'this for-m thc.

actuating mechanism and controls for rotating the stacks of cups in theI supply magazine are mounted at the bottom of the device, that "is, between the platform 9|5 and the bottom plate 92| of the casing 920.; This arrangement is somewhat more compact than that shown in the preceding figures and the operating mechanism therefor is of somewhat different design. Said design lends itself to cooperation with signalling means for indicating the condition of supply as to the various stacks of cups in the magazine as hereinbefore described. As embodied, the bottom of the central shaft 93|' of casing 920 is provided with two drive holes :on whicnare adapted to nt over two drive pins |0| in a drive pinion |02. Said pinion is rotatably mounted on a vertical axle fixed in and extending upwardly from the top face of base plate 9|5'. The pinion is adapted to be rotated by a large gear |05 mounted on a vertical shaft similarly fixed to the base plate 9| 5.

Rotary movement is imparted to the large gear |05 through the medium of a toothed plate |06 mounted on the top surface of the gear, said plate being xed to the gear by screws as shown. Rotary motion in the clockwise directionV is imparted to the plate and gear by means of a coil spring |01, one end of which is xed at pin |09 and the opposite end fixed to eccentric pin |09 on the upper surface ofthe plate. Rotation of the plate is controlled by a solenoid-operated escapement mechanism comprising a two-pronged pawl lever ||0, the forked end of which is pivotally ^mounted at for angular movement between two stop pins ||2. The free end of said lever is pivotally connected to an actuating arm H3, one end of which is connected to a spring |14 and the other end to the armature I5 of the solenoid 960'. The periphery of the plate |06 is provided with four escapement or ratchet teeth |20 which are adapted to cooperate with the projecting prongs of the pawl lever 0 so as to control the clockwise movement o f the plate and gear. The rear edges of said ratchet teeth are beveled so that on the return or 'counter-clockwise movement of the plate they will move past the prongs of the pawl.

Means are provided for causing the solenoid 960" to be energized to operate the pawl and ratchet escapement mechanism when the stack of cups aligned with the cup-dispensing opening 921 is below the required level. AAs embodied a scribed and are similarly numbered and need not be described here in detail except insofar as they diifer materially from the form previously shown. As will be clear from the drawings, actuation of the cup-dispensing mechanism bymeans of the solenoid S will cause feeler arm 915 to swing toward the stack of cups C in the active column. For this purpose the cup-dispensing lever 003 is provided with a plvotally connected pull rod $04 which has an upstanding end portion |30 to the upper end of which is attached a projecting hook member I3| which is pivotally connected to the free end of ieeler arm 915'. The upper end of member |30 is apertured to slide on a springsupporting rod |32 having spring |33 thereon one end of which is seated against the stop nut |34 on the rod and the other end of which bears against member |30 so that movement of the ,feeler arm is cushioned against said spring and regulably adjustable by means of the stop nut |34. The opposite end of arm 915 is adapted to swing against the operating lever of micro-switch 910 so as to close said switch whenever vabsence of cups in the active column C permits such full swinging movement. Thereupon the circuit for solenoid 960' is closed and the pawl lever ||0 moved to advance the plate |06^and gear |05 to the next tooth |20-a distance equivalent to one quadrant of rotation for the shaft 93| Means are provided for causing a warning signal light |40 to be lighted when the last full stack of cups has been moved into the active position. The circuit for said light is in parallel with the circuit for the solenoid 960' and the light is normally out by means of the normally open switch |15. Means for closing said switch to energize the light |40 comprises the final tooth |46 on plate |05, said tooth being longer than any of the four teeth |20. As will be clear from the drawings when the last or fourth tooth |20 has rotated to be held by the prong of pawl ||0, then the longer tooth |46 will be moved to contact with the actuating arm |41 of switch |45 thereby to close said switch and thus to turn on the signal light |40 and keep same lighted throughout the time that the last column of cups is being used. Thus warning is given to the machine operator so that he may replenish the supply of cups at any time during the use of the last stack thereof.

Means are provided also for giving an additional signal when the last column of cups has been exhausted. As embodied, a second signal light |50 is provided with a micro-switch |55 be lighted thus indicating to the operator that all the cups in all stacks of the magazine have been exhausted.

Means are provided, operating simultaneously with the foregoing, to cause coins dropped into thecoin chute to be diverted from the coin box and returned to the user of the mechanism. For this purpose a conventional coin diverting relay mechanisml30 is positioned adjacent the' coin selector mechanism for the machine and is adapted to be operated by the circuit of switch |55. Thus when all the stacks of cups are exhausted said coin diverting mechanism is actuated to prevent coins from falling into the coin box and machine operating devices, the coins being diverted to return to the customer who, by virtue oi the signal light |50, is informed that there are no more cups available.

` The invention in its broader aspects is not lim ited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:

1. A cup-dispensing mechanism for beverage vending machines including in combination a magazine for holdig a plurality of spaced-apart, vertical stacks of cups, means for removing a cup from the bottom of a stack in alignment with said means, electrically controlled means for moving the stacks of cups in the kmagazine successively into alignment with said cup-removing means when the previously aligned stack has been depleted, and a switch-operating member for said electrical control means, said member being movable to operate the switch when the aligned stack of--cups has been depleted to a predetermined 4Q level.

which alsol lies in the path of movement of the |45 and rests against the prong of the pawl, whilethe leading tooth 20 has moved sumciently in the clockwise direction to come in contact with the actuating arm |56 of switch |55. Actuation of said switch thereby causes the signal light |50 toA 2. A cup-dispensing mechanism for beverage vending machines including in combination a support for a plurality of vertical stacks of cups arranged about a common axis, rotatable means for revolving said stacks about said axis. cupremoving means below and aligned with the path of revolution of said stacks, switch-controlled means for rotating said stacks of cups on their support, a switch-operating member movable to ward and away from one of said stacks said member being moved toward said stack of cups by operation of said cup-removing means.

3. A cup-dispensing mechanism for beverage vending machines including in combination a support for a plurality of vertical stacks of cups arranged about a common axis, rotatable means for revolving said stacks about said axis,cupre moving means below and aligned with the path of revolution of said stacks, switch-controlled means for rotating said stacks of cups on their support, a switch-operating member movable toward and away from one of said stacks, said member being moved toward said stack of cups by operation of means connected to said cup-removing means, the power of the means for moving said switch-operating member toward said stack being insufiicient to overcome the resistance imparted to further movement of said member by the presence thereagainst of a cup in said stack.

4. A cup-dispensing mechanism for beverage vending machines including in combination means for supporting a plurality of vertical stacks of cups, a rotatable member centrally-disposed with respect to said stacks and having radiallydisposed vanes for imparting rotary movement to said stacks, an opening in one sector o! said suD- port and means cooperating therewith i'or removing cups .from the bottom of the stack of cups aligned with said opening, solenoid-operated means for actuating said cup removal means, switch-operated means for controlling' the rotation of said vanes, a switch-operating member actuated bv said solenoid for closing said switch to effect rotational feeding movement of the auxiliary stacks" of cups toward the cup-delivery opening. said switch-operating member being restrained from switch-closing movement by the presence of cups in the stack aligned with the cup delivery opening.

5. In a cup-dispensing mechanism in combination means for moving stacks of cups toward a cup-dispensing outlet, means for normally restraining movement of said stacks thereby, electrically-operated means i'or releasing said restrainingr means to permit movement of said stacks. a switch control therefor, an arm for operating said switch, means for normally maintaining said arm out of operating contact with the switch and means operated by a cup-dispensing device for moving the arm toward suoporting means for a stack of cups to close the switch. the path of movement of said arm lying above the top'of the lowermost cup in said stack so that the arm is movable to close the switch only when the cups in said stack have been depleted below said path of movement.

6. In a cup-dispensing mechanism in combination means for moving stacks of cups toward a cup-dispensing outlet, means for normally re-v straining movement of said stacks thereby, electrically-operated means i'or releasing said restraining means to permit movement oi said stacks. a switch control therefor, an arm for operating said switch. means i'r normally maintaining said arm out oi' operating contact with the switch and means for moving the arm toward supporting means for a stack of cups to close the switch. said arm being restrained from engagement with the switch by the presence of cups in its path of movement.

7. A cup-dispensing mechanism including combination. means for delivering a cup from the bottom of a stack thereof, means for holding an auxiliary stack oi' cups, a member moved by said delivery means transversely toward the ilrst-mentioned stack and into contact with the side walls of cups therein, said member being restrained from further movement by said side walls but being movable a greater distance in the absence of such cups; means for moving the auxiliary stack of cups into the delivery position heretofore occupied by said first-mentioned stack, means for normally restraining such movement oi' the auxiliary stack, electrically controlled means for releasing said restraining means to permit said movement of the auxiliary stack, said electrically controlled means being energized to operate upon movement of the cupcontacting member beyond the side walls'of the ilrst stack of cups.

8. A cup-dispensing mechanism for beverage vending machines including in combination, means for holding a plurality o! stacks of cups, means for removing and delivering cups from the bottom of one of said stacks, a switch-operating member movable to contact with the cups in said stack upon each cup-removing operation o! the second means. said switch-operating memberbeing restrained from full movement by the presence of cups in said stack, a switch operated by said member upon full movement thereof. and means controlled by said switch for moving said stacks successively toward the cup removal and delivery means and signal means for indicating when next to the last stack oi' cups has been substantially exhausted.

9. A cup-dispensing mechanism for beverage vending machines including in combination, means for holding a plurality o! stacks o! cups, means for removing and delivering cups from the bottom of one of said stacks, a switch-oper-l ating member movable to contact with the cups in said stack upon each cup-removing operation of the second means, said switch-operating member being restrained from full movement by the presence of cups in said stack, a switch operated by said member upon full movement thereof, and means controlled by said switch for moving said stacks successively toward the cup removal and delivery means, and signal means for indicating when the last of said stacks of cups has been substantially exhausted.

`in, y

10. A cup-dispensing mechanism for beverage vending machines including in combination, means for holding a plurality of stacks of cups, means for removing and delivering cups from the bottom of one of said stacks, a switch-operating member movable to contact with the'cups in said stack upon each cup-removing operation oi the second means, said switch-operating member being restrained from full movement by the presence of cups in said stack, a switch operated by said member upon full movement thereof, and means controlled by said switch for moving said stacks successively `toward the cup removal and delivery means, signal means operable to indicate the exhaustion of cups in next to the last of said stacks and additional signal means for indicating the substantial exhaustion ofthe cups from all said stacks.

1l. A cup-dispensing mechanism including in combination, means for holding a plurality of stacks Vof cups, means for removing and delivering cups from the bottom of one of said stacks, an electrical switch, means controlled by said switch for moving said stacks successively toward.l the cup removal and delivery means, and a member movable to actuate said switch, said member befing restrained from reaching said switch by the presence of cups above a predetermined level in one stack being dispensed.

12.-A cup-dispensing mechanism for beverage vending machines including in combination, a support for a plurality of vertical stacks of cups arranged about a common axis, rotatable means in turn is adapted to be aligned, means for urgv ing said stacks of cups torevolve about their com..

mon axis, a detent for normally restraining said stacks from so revolving, electrical means for withdrawing the detent to permit such revolving movement, a switch for eiecting energizetion of said electrical means, and a member movable to actuate the switch, said member being prevented from making actuating contact with the switch by the presence of cups above a predetermined level in the stack at said. cup-remove ing station.

WADE W. BOWMAN. Y

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