WO2004028309A1

WO2004028309A1 - Method of disposable cutlery dispensing, stack of cutlery and dispenser therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2004028309A1
Application number: PCT/PL2003/000096
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antoni Zielinski; Benedykt Prusecki
Original assignee: Antoni Zielinski; Benedykt Prusecki
Priority date: 2002-09-26
Filing date: 2003-09-24
Publication date: 2004-04-08
Also published as: AU2003272162A1

Abstract

A method of disposable cutlery dosing from a stack of cutlery, and a dispenser making use of said method in which a stack of cutlery (1) is clamped by a clamping member (4) and placed into a chamber (6) of a dispenser (7), from where a piece of cutlery (2) is dosed by the controlled movement of a slide (15) of a dosing mechanism (10) of the dispenser, resulting in its falling out onto a slanted bottom (16), and the gravitations downward movement of the stack of cutlery (2) such that the next piece of cutlery is ready for ejection.

Description

METHOD OF DISPOSABLE CUTLERY DISPENSING, STACK OF CUTLERY AND DISPENSER THEREFOR

Description Technical Field

The subject matter of the invention is the method of disposable cutlery dispensing, designed mainly to fast-foods and the stack of cutlery allowing for stacking according to its important features, as well as a dispenser for the method of dispensing. Background Art

The method of disposable cutlery dosing is known from the patent description US No 6336568 and the Polish patent application No P 356312. The method presented in these descriptions consists in the fact, that cutlery of one kind, for instance spoons or knives are arranged first in stacks, that next are placed in a cartridge (just like described in patent US 6336568) or without a cartridge (just like described in P 356312) is fixed inside the dispenser's compartment, comprising the cutlery dispensing mechanism operating under the influence of manual lever or knob activating, that via the exit opening from the dispenser sticks out a piece of cutlery being at the bottom of the stack, that may be taken by a user - consumer.

The basic feature of the known methods is arrangement of cutlery in stacks, and then placing them in the dispenser's compartments. It turns out, that stacks' forming is labour-intensive, for example in the quoted patent US they hale to be placed in a special cartridge, what raises the costs of stacks' preparation in order to be able to place them in a dispenser. Apart from this, manual dispenser's launching may in a fast-food create unnec- essary waiting lines to a dispenser in case when there shall be necessary to take different pieces of cutlery by a bigger number of consumers. Also dosing by a dispenser of a piece of cutlery in a position parallel to the stack, just as presented in the quoted patent description US, makes it possible that a part of a cutlery provided for contact with a dish shall be touched with hand.

However, the disposable cutlery stacks are known from the patent description PL 174701, presenting the construction of such a stack, in which cutlery of the same kind, just like spoons, knives or forks, are arranged one on another into a stack, which consists of several dozen pieces of cutlery, where such a stack is not too high. The construction of such a stack is possible due to the fact, that each stack's element have a U-shaped cross section, both arms of which constitute an obtuse angle with the web profile in such a way, that while arranging of cutlery in a stack, single pieces of cutlery step one into another. Such shaping of disposable cutlery that generally is formed from thermoplastic material facilitates their packing and transport as well as manufacturing in an automatic process. However, it is not an optimum solution as far as stacks' adjustment to cutlery dosing.

Known dispensers for disposable cutlery dosing are generally equipped with a container with a cover where there are compartments for appropriate stacks of cutlery, having also the base, where each cutlery stack's compartment is equipped with a mechanism of cutlery ejection, including an external element for its operating with a hand.

The aim of this patent is to eliminate all the described inconveniences by creation of a- more economical method of disposable cutlery dosing, allowing also for more hygienic picking them up with the use of a hand button or in an automatic mode, as well as a construction of a stable stack of cutlery, fitting this method, that could at the same time eliminate previous defects. The aim of this invention is also the construction of a dispenser adjusted for application of the new method of dosing and the stack. Summary of the invention

The essence of the invention within the scope of the method in which disposable cutlery are arranger in stacks, outsider part up one on another, comprising cutlery of the same kind just like for example spoons, knives or forks, is characterized with this, that each stack including advantageously several dozen pieces of cutlery, is clamped throughout with a camping member, building a stable stack of cutlery, that is next placed with the side having operative cutlery parts in the direction of a dispensing mechanism, in a dispenser compartment, having in its bottom cutlery ejector area, with exit opening and webs on side walls limiting side cutlery slides, next it is undone by the removal of a clamping member, and then, via a controlled slide with a zip of a dosing mechanism of a dispenser, it moves a piece of cutlery being on the bottom of the stack along its axis in the direction of exit opening, what results in its automatic falling out via the exit opening on the slant bottom of the dispenser and shunting on this bottom with the operative part till the movement limiter and the stack of cutlery gravitationally shifts down, resulting in launching the next piece of cutlery to the cutlery ejector area.

The manner is also characterized by this, that stretching of the stack of cutlery is obtained by a stronger pulling of the camping member up.

The next, very important feature of this method is, that cutlery dosing is obtained after activation of a hand operable ejector connected with the dosing mechanism or cutlery dosing is achieved automatically after the ejection of the last cutlery from the stack, that after falling on the slant bottom, covers the sensor, advantageously optical, with the operative part giving a signal for activating of the dosing mechanism, be taken cutlery by a consumer.

However, the essence of the invention pertaining to the stack including cutlery of the same kind, stacked one on another and composed advantageously of several dozen of pieces, each of which has a U-shaped cross section, both webs create an obtuse angle with the web's profile in such a way, that each piece of cutlery has a formed in the part constituting a web, a shaped transfer opening_s via which a clamping member is threaded in a stack, including in its lower end a shaped blocking tap, and in the upper part a stabilizing holder that clamps the stack into a packet rendering its scattering impossible.

Further on, the solution applied in the stack is characterized with the thing, that the clamping rod is advantageously in the form of a flat, while the blocking tap is formed in the shape of a spring tap, including two-sided elastic blocking taps, which after passing via the shaped opening constitute a blockade for the stack from the lower part.

Further on, the solution applied for the stack is characterized with the thing, that the shaped transfer opening is formed in each piece of cutlery at the same distance from the end of cutlery, such, that after arrangement in stacks, these openings are placed on one vertical axis, where advantageously each opening has an oblong shape placed along the symmetry axis of a piece of cutlery.

An essential feature of the stack is also that the stabilizing holder has, in its advantageous form of manufacture, a form of a flat rectangular connecting with the camping member , where there are blocking settings formed in the place of connection.

In the solution of the stack, elastic blocking ledges in the cap member are susceptible to deformations with the application of force applied also reversely to the direction of clamping.

The invention within the scope of a dispenser for cutlery dosing, that is equipped with a container with a cover, including compartments for appropriate cutlery stacks and a base, where each compartment of the cutlery stack comprises a cutlery ejection mechanism and has an external element for its operating with a hand, is , according to the essential features of the invention, characterized by that, that in each compartment the cutlery ejec- tion area is created by the exit opening in the compartment's bottom, box formed in the lower part of the front separating wall of the compartment and slant bottom formed over the base, where the dosing mechanism is equipped with a slid, with a slide, thickness of which, in the part touching with the cutlery is smaller than dimension, constituting a vertical space between the edges of cutlery in a stack, operating along the cutlery's axis.

The dispenser is also characterized by the thin, that the sidle in a dosing mechanism is fixed horizontally and movably in the clasp connected with the side container's wall, where its front part, opposite to the part touching with cutlery is formed obliquely and touches an identically obliquely formed lower wall of a hand button used for dispenser's activating, where the hand button is fixed vertically and movably in the clasp, and the slide formed under the front part has a ledge, between which and the opening in the clasp there is fixed a tense spring.

Apart from this, the dispenser is characterized by the thing, that the dosing mechanism is controlled automatically via a sensor located in the slant bottom close to the movement limiter.

Crucial advantages resulting from the features of the method and the stack, render it possible to construct disposable cutlery stacks that allow for their exploitation in an economical manner without stacking expensive cartridges, and apart from this, cutlery are dosed automatically, without the necessity of manual operating of the dispenser with full hygiene preservation, as a piece of cutlery is ejected from the dispenser with the part provided for to be clasped with a hand, without possibility of touching of its operative part designed for contact with food. According to this invention, a technical solution of a stack, means obtaining a stack relatively easy for cutlery packing into stable stacks, allowing for their adjustment to dispensers', compartments, as well as their adjustment to automatic packing in the process of production. These advantages result mainly from the features already known - application of a new constructional feature - the U-shaped cross section and a new feature - forming of a transfer opening in the part constituting a web, as well as application of a cap member clamping the stack, that after threading throughout connects all the cutlery of the stack.

However, the technical advantage of the dispenser is its simple construction allowing for long durability and cutlery protection against dust, insects and their unintentional touching. Brief description of the drawings

The example of a handy application of crucial features of the invention as far as the method, construction of a stack of cutlery and the dispenser, is presented generally on a sketch that presents important phases of the mode and the construction of cutlery as well as their connection into a stack and a dispenser's construction, on which on Fig. 1 the first phase of the method, i.e. cutlery clamping through via openings shaped in cutlery is presented, Fig. 2 - second phase of the method in which after threading a clamping member there takes place an automatic stack's stiffening, Fig. 3 - ejection of the clamped stack in a dispenser's compartment and then its unfastening is the next phase, then removal of a clamping member, Fig. 4 - method of cutlery dosing with the use of a dispenser activated manually, Fig. 5 - method of cutlery dosing automatically with the use of a dispenser automatically controlled via a sensor, Fig. 6 - view from of a disposable piece of cutlery in the form of a spoon adjusted to be stacked, Fig. 7 - cross-section A-A via a spoon from Fig. 6, Fig. 8 - view of a stack of spoons from the top, Fig. 9 - cross-section A-A through a stack from Fig. 8, Fig. 10 - cross-section B-B through a stack from Fig. 8, Fig. 11 to Fig. 16 - view of a clamping member in three different modes of manufacturing in a side projection and longitudinal cross-section, Fig. 17 - detail X from Fig. 9 in the stadium of stack's unfastening, Fig. 18 - view of a dispenser from the top without a cover, Fig. 19 - view of a dispenser from the lateral side, Fig. 20 - detail XI from Fig. 3 - crosswise cross- section C-C through a dispenser's mechanism and Fig. 21 - longitudinal cross-section D- D via a dispenser's mechanism from Fig. 20. Description of the preferred embodiments

The example of a handy method according to the crucial features of the invention, presented on Fig. 1- 5, consists in the fact, that stack 1 comprising several dozen pieces of cutlery 2 is clamped throughout via openings 1, shaped in each piece of cutlery 2 - with a clamping member 4.

After camping, a stable packet is formed 5 of cutlery 2, that next, just like show on sketch 3, is placed in a dispenser 7 compartment 6, with the side 8, of operative handles 9, in the direction of the dosing mechanism 10. The compartment 6 has area for cutlery ejection 1L, exit opening 12 and webs 13 on side walls 14 limiting side slides of cutlery 2.

The next phase in the method consists in stretching of the packet 5, what is obtained by removal of a camping member 4 by its stronger pulling up with stretching force F.

In the further stage, by a controlled slide movement 15 of a dosing mechanism 10 a piece of cutlery 2 being on the bottom of the stack . mores along its axis in the direction of the exit opening 12, what results in its automatic falling out through the exit opening on a slant bottom 16 of a dispenser 7 and its moving on this bottom until it touches the operative handle 9 with slide limiter 17.

After falling out of cutlery 2 the stack of cutlery 1, gravitationally mores down, resulting in simultaneous ejection of the next piece of cutlery 2 to the ejection area 1L

Cutlery dosing 2 takes place after activating of the hand operable ejector 18 connected with the dosing mechanism 10 -just like show on sketch 4 or is obtained by auto- matic 2 dosing after ejection of the last piece of cutlery 2, that after falling out on a slant bottom 16 of the dispenser 7, with its operative handle 9 covers the optical sensor 19, giving a signal for dosing mechanism's activating 10¹. be taken cutlery {2} by a consumer.

However, the stack of cutlery 2, constituting the subject master of the invention show on Fig. 8 to 10, includes cutlery of the same kind, stacked one on another consist of several dozen of pieces. Each of them has in its cross-section a profile in the shape of U- letter, both mars of which 20 constitute an obtuse angle with a web 21 in such a way, that individual pieces of cutlery 2 are arranged one in another - what reduces its height. Each piece of cutlery 2 (on Fig. 6 to 10 a spoon is shown) has a formed in the part constituting a web 21, a shaped, transfer opening 3, through which in a stack 1 a clamping member is threaded 4 having at its lower end 22 a shaped blocking tap 2 , and in the upper part 24 a stabilizing holder 25, that clamps the stack 1 in a packet S, not allowing for its unfastening.

Clamping member 4. shown on sketch 11 to 16 in three variations of manufacture, has in two variations of manufacture (presented on Fig. 13 to 16) a form of a flat 4_\, and in the variation of manufacture shown on Fig. 11 and 12, a form of a round bar 4_i The blocking tap 23, in two variations of manufacture Gust like show on Fig. 11 to 14), is in a form of two-sides' elastic blocking ledges 26 separated with a break 27, that after passing through the shaped opening 3 constitutes a blockade from the bottom side 28 for the stack 1, after its camping into a packet 5. In another solution show on Fig. 15 and 16 the blocking tap 23 is in a form of a flat ledge at an acute angle 29.

The stabilizing holder 25, being at the top of a camping member 4 has a different form depending on the variation of manufacture: flat rectangular with opening 30; round box 31 or a flat rectangular with circular finishing 32. Each of the presented stabilizing holders 25 has formed in the lower part 33 blocking settings 34, that in the process of clamping of a stack 1. after turning the stabilizing holder 25 for 90°, tightening the upper cutlery surface 2 being at the top of the stack 1, causing at the same time obtaining of a stable packet 5, suitable for being ejected in the dispenser 7.

Elastic, blocking ledges 26 or 29 of the blocking tap 23 are susceptible to deformations with the application of force, what allows for stack's I_ unfastening „

In order to obtain a stable packet 5 the shaped transfer opening 3 is formed in each piece of cutlery 2, at the same distance a from the end of a piece of cutlery 35. This opening has a rectangular shape, situated along the symmetry axis of a piece of cutlery 2.

In the process of a packet's 5_ unfolding, show as an example by a detail X on the sketch, the unfolding force F, acting in the axis direction upwards, results in elastic deformation of blocking ledges 26 by bringing them nearer what renders it possible for the clamping member 4 to pull out through the shaped opening 3. This deformation is facilitated by shaping of the lower edge 36 of the shaped opening 3_ of the ledge 37 of a rounded shape, touching in the unfolding process with the upper surface 38 of blocking ledges 26.

The dispenser 7 according to the crucial features of the invention, is presented in an advantageous example of a useful manufacture on the drawing, Fig. 3 to 5 and on Fig. 18 to 20. This dispenser is in the form of a container 39 with a cover 40 and a base 41, in which there are compartments 6 for appropriate stacks of cutlery 2, where each dosing compartment 6 of the cutlery stack 2 is equipped with a dosing mechanism JjO for ejecting single pieces of cutlery 2. In the bottom 42 of each dosing compartment 6 there is formed an exit opening 12 for cutlery taking out. In each compartment 7 the cutlery (2) ejector area H is formed by exit opening 12 in the bottom 42 of a compartment 7, box 43 formed in the lower part 44 of the front separating wall 45 of the compartment 7 and slant bottom 16 formed over the base 41. Each dispenser mechanism 10 is equipped with a slide 15, thickness of which g, in the part touching cutlery 2 is smaller than dimension h, constituting a vertical space between the edges 35 of cutlery 2 in a stack 1, operating along the cutlery's 2 axis. The slide 15 is fixed horizontally movably in a clasp 46 connected with the side wall 47 of the container 39, where his front part 48_.. opposite to the part touching cutlery 2, is formed slant and touches an identically slant formed lower wall 49. of a hand operative ejector 18 used for dosing activation. The hand operative ejector 18 is fixed vertically movably in a clasp 46. The slide 15 under the front part 48 has a formed area 50, between which and the opening 51 in the clasp 46 a tense spring is fixed 5 ,

By pressing a hand operative ejector 18 the slide moves 15 in the direction of the stack of cutlery 2 arranged in the dosing compartment 6, what causes, that a piece of cutlery 2 being at the bottom of the stack 1 is axially moved and after its entering the front part in the box 43 of the front separating wall 45 a piece of cutlery falls out through the exit opening 12 on the slant bottom 16 and may be taken by a consumer.

A hand operative ejector 18 has on its slide part formed 53 a tap 54. limiting slide in the upper direction.

The presented example of a handy use of a dispenser, constitutes on of the variations of its manufacturing in which, as presented on the sketch 18 it has four dosing compartments 6, each of them equipped with a dispenser mechanism 10_ and is designed for a different type of a disposable cutlery.

In another version of manufacture , instead of a hand operative ejector 18, what is shown on sketch 5, an automatic dispenser mechanism 10^_. is used, in which electromagnetic device is applied 55, moving the slide 15 through impulse from optical sensor 19 after taking a piece of cutlery 2, that uncovers the optical sensor 19. Such a solution results in the fact, that a piece of cutlery 2_is always ready to be taken away by a consumer without the need to press the button.

Claims

1. Method of disposable cutlery dispensing, where disposable pieces of cutlery are arranged in a stack, upper part up, one on another, including cutlery of the same kind just like for example spoons, knives or forks, and then are placed in dispenser's chambers, where each of them has a dispenser mechanism and area for cutlery ejection, characteristic that that each stack (1), comprising favorably several dozen pieces of cutlery (2), is clamped throughout with a camping member (4), constituting a stable pack (5) of cutlery (2), that is next placed with the side with working handles (9) cutlery(2) dispenser mechanism' s (10) oriented, in the compartment (6) of a dispenser (7), comprising in its bottom (42) area for cutlery ejection (H) with exit opening (12) and ribs (13) on its side walls (14) limiting side movements of cutlery (2), and stretches it be removal of a clamping member (4), and next, via a controlled slider movement (15) of the dispenser mechanism (10) of a dispenser (7), one piece of cutlery moves (2), being at the bottom of the stack (1) along its axis in the direction of the exit opening (12), what results in its automatic falling out through the exit opening (12) on a slant bottom (16) of the dispenser (7) and moving on this bottom with the working handle (9) till the movement limiter (17), and the stack 0} of cutlery gravitationally moves down, at the same time causing introduction of the next piece of cutlery (2) to the area for cutlery ejection (11).

2. Method according to claiml, characteristic that , stretching of the stack (1) is obtained by stronger pulling of the camping member (4) up.

3. Method according to claim 1, characteristic that cutlery (2) dosing is obtained after activation of a hand operable ejector (18) connected with the dispenser mechanism

(10).

4. Method according to claim 1, characteristic that cutlery dosing is obtained automatically after the last piece of cutlery (2) is pulled out of the stack (1), that after falling down on the slant bottom (16) of the dispenser (7), covers the sensor (19) with the working handle (9_), advantageously optical, giving a signal for activating of the dispenser mechanism (IP¹)., be taken cutlery {2} by a consumer

5. The stack of dispensable cutlery, comprising pieces of cutlery of the same type, stacked one on another and consisting of several dozen of pieces, from which each of the cross-section in the shape of U-letter , both arms of which form a blunt angle with the profile web in such a way, that separate pieces of cutlery are one in another, characteristic that, each piece of cutlery (2) has in the part forming a web (21), a formed shaped transfer opening (3χ via which in a stack 0) there is unblocked a clamping member (4)t, including in its lower end (22) a shaped blocking tap (23). and in the upper part (24) a stabilizing holder (25). that clamps the stack (1) into a packet {5J, rendering it impossible to be scattered.

6. The cutlery stack, according to claim 5, characteristic that, the clamping member {4) has an advantageous form of a flat, while the camping member (23) is formed in the shape of a spring tap, including two-sided elastic blocking ledges (26)_α that after coming via the shaped opening (3) constitute a blockade from the lower part for the stack 0).

7. The cutlery stack, according to claim 5, characteristic that, the shaped transfer opening (3) formed in each piece of cutlery {2} at the same distance {a) from the end (35) of a piece of cutlery £2) ^{m sucn a wa}Y_> that ^aft^er the arrangement in the stack the shaped openings 0} are situated on one vertical axis, while advantageously the opening 0} has an oblong shape situated along the symmetry axis of the piece of cutlery (2).

8. The cutlery stack, according to claim 5, characteristic that, the stabilizing holder (25) has a form, in the advantageous form of manufacture, of a flat rectangle connected with the clamping member {4), but in the place of the connection, blocking settings are formed (34).

9. The cutlery stack, according to claim 6, characteristic that, the elastic, blocking ledges (26) are susceptible to deformations with the use of force directed also in reverse to the clamping direction.

10. Dispenser for disposable cutlery dispensing, having a form of a container with a cover and base, in which there are compartments for appropriate stacks of cutlery, provided that each compartment of the cutlery stack is equipped with a dispenser mechanism for cutlery placing and in the bottom, in the exit opening it is connected with the exit opening for delivery of a piece of cutlery, that create space for cutlery introducing, where the dispenser mechanism comprises and external element for operating it with a hand, characteristic that, in each compartment (6), area for cutlery ejection (11) of a piece of cutlery (2} is formed by an exit opening (12) in the bottom (42) of a compartment (6), box (43) formed in the lower part (44) of front separating wall (45) of a compartment (6) and slant bottom (16) formed over the base (41). where the dispenser mechanism (10) is equipped with a slide (15). thickness of which (g), in the part touching with the cutlery is smaller than dimension (h), constituting a vertical space between the edges (35) of cutlery (2) in a stack 0), operating along the cutlery's (2) axis.

11. The dispenser according to claimlO, characteristic that . the slide (15) in dispenser mechanism (10) is fixed movable and horizontally in a clasp (46) and your lower wall (48). touching with a piece of cutlery ) is formed at a slant and touches the identically formed at a slant lower wall (49) of a hand operable ejector (18) used for operation to dispense, where the hand operable ejector (18) is movable and vertically in a clasp (46). and the slide (15) under the front part (48) formed has a ledge (50). between which and the opening (51) in the clasp (46) there is fixed a spring (52).

12. The dispenser according to reservation 10, characteristic that, the dispenser mechanism (10¹) is controlled automatically via a sensor 09) located in a slant bottom 06), near the movement limiter 07).