Cup Sleeve Dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of collapsed cup insulator sleeves in manner that facilitates separation between adjacent collapsed cup insulator sleeves during each extraction or dispensing event. The dispenser includes a housing that defines a discharge opening that is constructed to accommodate dispensing of the collapsed cup sleeves from the dispenser in a singular and sequential manner and a manner that facilitates presentation of a subsequent single cup sleeve associated with a respective end of a stack of cup sleeves for subsequent removal of the respective cup sleeve from the dispenser.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for use in dispensing single use consumer products, and more specifically, to a dispenser configured to dispense cup sleeves or cup insulators. The dispenser is constructed to be deployed proximate a point of use or point of sale and configured to present the cup sleeves in a manner that accommodates sequential removal of a single sleeve during each dispense event. Preferably, the cup sleeve dispenser is constructed to present the sleeves in a sequential manner and such that a single sleeve can be removed from the dispenser while accommodating presentation of subsequent sleeves for subsequent extraction and use.

Disposable cup sleeves or cup insulators are used in many commercial environments such as fast food environments as well as coffee shops and the like. Such sleeves generally slidably cooperate with disposable cups and mitigate the transfer of heat associated with the contents of the cup to the hand of the consumer. Such sleeves are generally ill-suited to be dispensed from other disposable paper product dispenser as many such sleeves are formed of a somewhat more rigid material, are not interwoven with one another, and are expandable between a storage or dispenser configuration and an in-use or expanded position.

Although others provide “containers” associated with presenting a plurality of cup sleeves proximate a point of use, such containers are ill-suited to considered dispensers. One such device defines an elongate tray configured to receive a stack of cup sleeves and a cover that slidably cooperates with the tray. The dispenser is incapable of providing any segregation or presentation of the cup sleeves in a manner that facilitates the user's interaction with the container to remove only a desired number or even a single cup sleeve from the container during each interaction with the container.

Surface friction between adjacent sleeves as well as close spatial presentation of a plurality of cup sleeves commonly results in removal of multiple sleeves each time a cup sleeve is removed from such containers. The user or customer who inadvertently removes excessive cup sleeves from the container must either return excess sleeves to the container, leaving them presented in less than a sanitary manner, or may discard excess sleeves thereby generating excess process waste.

Accordingly, there is a need for a cup sleeve dispenser that can contain a plurality of sleeves, is convenient to reload, and can accommodate presentation of individual sleeves in a manner wherein successive sleeves can be sequentially removed from the dispenser without adversely affecting the presentation or sanitation of subsequent sleeves for use by subsequent user's or subsequent removal of discrete sleeves from the dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a cup sleeve or cup insulator dispenser that resolves one or more of the drawbacks disclosed above. One aspect of the invention discloses a cup sleeve dispenser having a discharge opening that is constructed to accommodate removal of cup sleeves from the dispenser in a singular and sequential manner and a manner that facilitates presentation of the single cup sleeve associated with a respective end of a stack of cup sleeves for removal of the respective cup sleeve from the dispenser.

Another aspect of the invention that can be combined or is useable with one or more of the above aspects or features discloses a cup sleeve dispenser that includes a housing that is constructed to receive a plurality of cup sleeves to be dispensed incrementally at a point of use. The housing is defined by a base and a cover that movably cooperates with the base. A biasing mechanism is disposed in the housing and includes a pressure plate that is configured to bias the plurality of cup sleeves toward a discharge opening defined by the housing. The discharge opening is defined by cooperation of an end portion of the base and an end portion of the cover and configured to sequentially physically interact with each of the plurality of cup sleeves such that the cover does not interfere with lateral removal of a terminal one of the plurality of cup sleeves and prevents removal of the other of the plurality of cup sleeves from the housing during removal of the terminal one of the plurality of cup sleeves.

Another aspect of the invention that is usable or combinable with one or more of the above features of aspects discloses a method of forming a cup insulator sleeve dispenser that includes providing a housing that includes a base and cover that is connected to the base to define a cavity shaped to receive a stack of cup insulator sleeves. The discharge opening is defined at one end of the housing and is shaped to accommodate removal of cup insulator sleeves from the housing in a sequential manner. A separator is formed proximate the discharge opening and extends beyond a plane defined by a bottom of the cavity defined by the base a distance that is at least as great as a thickness of a collapsed cup sleeve and offset from a rear surface of the cavity a distance sufficient to prevent translation of a second to a last cup sleeve during manual extraction of a last sleeve from the housing.

A further aspect of the present application that is useable or combinable with one or more of the above features or aspects discloses a cup sleeve dispenser that includes a housing that is defined by a cover, a base, and a discharge opening formed proximate a longitudinal end of the housing such that the housing defines a cavity shaped to receive a stack of collapsed cup sleeves. A biasing mechanism is disposed in the cavity and is configured to bias the stack of collapsed cup sleeves toward the discharge opening. The dispenser includes a retainer that is defined by a portion of the cover proximate the discharge opening. The retainer extends in a longitudinal direction a distance beyond a floor of the base that is sufficient to allow deflection of a pair of sides of a collapsed single cup sleeve in the longitudinal direction such that a subsequent collapsed cup sleeve cooperates with an interior facing surface of the retainer to restrict lateral translation of the subsequent collapsed cup sleeve during extraction of the single collapsed cup sleeve from the cavity.

These and various other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment presently contemplated for carrying out the invention and in the drawings:

FIG. 1 of a perspective view of a cup insulator sleeve dispenser assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective longitudinal cross section view of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective partial exploded view of a base and a biasing assembly of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1 with the cover removed therefrom;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the cross section view shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a discharge end portion of the dispenser assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the discharge end portion of the dispenser assembly shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a cup insulator sleeve dispenser assembly according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is perspective view of a bottom portion of the dispenser shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the cover exploded from the dispenser assembly;

FIG. 10. is a view similar to FIG. 9 with the cover removed from the dispenser;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a biasing mechanism shown in FIG. 9 removed from the housing of the dispenser;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the biasing mechanism shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the biasing mechanism shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the biasing mechanism shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the base of the dispenser shown in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the dispenser shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-6 show various views of a cup sleeve dispenser assembly or simply a dispenser 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention. While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and herein are described in detail, certain illustrative embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to those specific embodiments illustrated and described herein. Additionally, features illustrated and described with respect to one embodiment could be used in connection with other embodiments.

The present invention provides a cup sleeve dispenser 30 that is configured to dispense cup sleeves or cup insulator or insulation sleeves commonly used in hot beverage retail environments. Users and consumers of such insulation sleeves readily appreciate that such sleeves are commonly provided in a folded or collapsed configuration wherein opposite sides of the sleeve overlap one another and, when deployed or placed in use, form a generally frusto-conical shaped sleeve that slideably cooperates with the exterior surface of a cup. Some such sleeves commonly include a corrugated core that is captured between opposing layers and/or otherwise constructed to mitigate thermal transfer between the cup and the hand of the user. The frusto-conical shape of the cup and the frusto-conical shape of the insulator sleeve, when deployed, cooperate with one another such that the sleeve can be slideably associated from the bottom of the cup but the gradually increasing diameter of the cup in a direction from the base toward the open end of the cup prevents translation of the sleeve over the open end of the cup.

When in a stored or stowed configuration, the generally opposite sides of the sleeves define a generally frusto-conical planar shape wherein opposite circumferential sides of the sleeve generally overlie one another. Such considerations generally prevent the sleeves from being interwoven with one another and require interaction with two generally planar and adjacent surfaces to maintain the desired operative and structural integrity associated with each sleeve. Failure to attend to such considerations can result in damage to the discrete sleeves during removal of the same.

It is appreciated that cup sleeve dispenser 30 could be provided in a number of shapes intended to accommodate cup sleeves of different shapes and/or be configured to be adjustable so as to achieve the desired single sleeve per dispense activity operation with sequential presentation of subsequent cup sleeves for removal from the dispenser 30. Generally, a single dispenser cannot dispense different sizes and types of cup sleeves without substantial modifications or adjustment of a feed, capture, or retention mechanism and/or adjustment of a discharge opening for suitable cooperation with the sleeves being dispensed.

Cup sleeve or cup insulator sleeve dispenser assembly or simply dispenser 30 includes a retainer 36 that is associated with a discharge opening 37. As disclosed further below, it is appreciated that retainer 36 could be integrally formed with a cover 34 of dispenser 30, adjustably secured thereto, and/or be provided so as to be interchangeable with dispenser 30 to facilitate dispensing of cup sleeves having different geometric requirements. Cup sleeve dispenser 30 includes a base or housing 32 and cover 34, which supports retainer 36, and is removably or movably connected to housing 32.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, dispenser 30 is preferably curved to provide both aesthetic and functional improvements over prior art cup sleeve presentation devices. As shown in FIG. 4, a portion of dispenser 30 is preferably curved upwardly at an angle θ from the longitudinal center line of the dispenser (or backwardly from the perpendicular). Angle θ is between about 10° to about 40°, more preferably between about 15° and about 30°, and most preferably about 21°. Such a configuration presents cup sleeves in a manner wherein the sleeves can be comfortably gripped or pinched by a user whether dispenser 30 is deployed in a vertical, horizontal, or other inclined orientations therebetween. Such a presentation of the sleeves also mitigates contamination of the sleeves by offsetting the user interaction with dispenser 30 to a location that is spatially offset from the adjacent structures associated with supporting dispenser 30. Preferably, as disclosed further below, dispenser 150 also includes a similar curved upwardly at an angle θ portion (FIG. 16).

Housing 32 and cover 34 may be formed of any suitable material but are preferably formed of plastic or metal. An optional faceplate or emblem 33 can be attached to the front of the housing 32. In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the emblem 33 is formed by a portion of cover 34 of dispenser 30.

Referring to FIG. 2, cover 34 is pivotally connected to housing 32 at a pair of connections 35. This connection methodology permits ready access to the inside of the housing 32. Preferably, the pivotal connection is constructed so that when the housing 32 is open, the cover 34 does not contact the surface upon which the dispenser 30 is positioned when the cover 34 is fully opened, regardless of the angle at which the dispenser 30 is positioned. For example, cover 34 will not contact a countertop surface when the dispenser 30 is positioned horizontally on a countertop and the cover 34 is fully opened. Likewise, cover 34 will not contact a wall surface when dispenser 30 is vertically positioned on a wall or the like and the cover 34 is fully opened. The cover 34 may also be connected to the base or housing 32 so that the cover 34 remains selectively in an open position when the dispenser 30 is mounted to a wall or placed on a stand or otherwise deployed in either of a relatively vertical or relatively horizontal position. This preferred construction also limits the point(s) at which the cover 34 may be removed from housing 32 of dispenser 30.

Referring to FIG. 3, housing 32 has a floor 41 and walls 39 that are oriented to extending in a crossing direction relative to floor 41. Preferably, floor 41 and walls 39 cooperate with one another to receive a biasing device or assembly and to capture a plurality of cup sleeves within the boundary of dispenser 30 such that the plurality of cup sleeves extend in a stacked orientation along a longitudinal axis of dispenser 30.

Preferably, one or more latches receiving areas 60 and related latches 62 are disposed between housing 32 and cover 34. Latches 62 cooperate with a corresponding respective latch receiving area 60 on the other of the housing 32 and cover 34 to prevent the top surface of dispenser 30 defined by cover 34 from being freely opened. Thus, in order to open the dispenser 30, the one or more latches 62 must be released. The top portion or cover 34 may be biased so that releasing the top portion or cover 34 results in the top portion or cover 34 opening, either partially or fully, without further significant effort from the user. Such biasing may be provided by springs, pressure, gravity, or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, housing 32 can include an integrally formed or separately attached base 68. The base 68 defines the footprint of the dispenser 30 on a flat surface and provides support for the dispenser 30 when it is deployed in a horizontal manner. As shown in FIG. 1, the base 68 preferably is of a height H so that when the dispenser 30 is on a flat horizontal surface, cup sleeves associated with dispensing opening 37 do not touch the support surface. Preferably, base 68 is also configured to cooperate with a shaped nesting space defined by cover 34 so that multiple dispensers 30 may be stacked on top of one another with the base 68 of one dispenser 30 self locating relative to the cover associated with another dispenser 30.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, dispenser 30 includes an optional track based biasing mechanism or track system 50 disposed between housing 32 and cover 34 of cup sleeve dispenser 30. The track system 50 is particularly useful when the dispenser 30 is positioned relatively horizontally with respect to the surface upon which it rests. Although helpful when vertically oriented, gravity also biases a stack of sleeves associated with a vertically oriented dispenser toward dispensing opening 37. The track system 50 urges cup sleeves towards the retainer 36 and dispense opening 37 so that individual cup sleeves may be easily removed from dispenser 30. As disclosed further below, track system 50 is preferably attached to housing 32 in a manner permitting it to be removed from the housing 32 without the use of any tools. The track system 50 preferably has one rail 52 and a pressure plate 54. The pressure plate 54 rides or is guided on or slideably associated with the rail 52. The pressure plate 54 is biased towards retainer 36 and discharge opening 37. In one embodiment, the pressure plate 54 is biased towards the discharge opening 37 by a constant load spring (also sometimes called a constant force spring) that is attached to the rail 52 or housing 32 and the pressure plate 54. One such configuration is disclosed further below with respect to FIG. 13.

In one embodiment, the track system 50, and specifically the rail 52, is curved. In this embodiment, the track system is curved to conform to the shape of the housing 32 of the dispenser 30. As such, the track system 50 may be curved between about 10° to about 40°, preferably from about 15° to about 30°, and most preferably about 21° along its length and preferably nearer one end of rail 52, and more preferably, the end of rail 52 that is nearer discharge opening 37. It is appreciated that other shapes and configurations of dispenser 30 are envisioned.

The pressure plate 54 is preferably positioned with respect to the rail 52 so that the pressure plate 54 applies a generally constant force to the cup sleeves. In one embodiment, the face 55 of the pressure plate 54 is at an angle Y with respect to normal from the rail 52. Angle Y is between about 0° and 20°, preferably between about 5° and 15°, and most preferably about 10°. The shape of pressure plate 54 may be generally planar or otherwise contoured in one or more directions to manipulate the interaction between the pressure plate 54 and the cup sleeves to manipulate the interaction between the cup sleeves and retainer 36 to achieve the desired presentation of a single cup sleeve for removal at discharge opening 37.

The position of the pressure plate 54 can optionally be maintained in a retracted position by a retention mechanism. Such a retention mechanism has at least one extension and the pressure plate has at least one catch, or vise versa, to facilitate a temporary retention of pressure plate 54 for loading of dispenser 30. The pressure plate 54 can be released from the retracted position by depressing a trigger or other actuator that lowers an extension, to allow the pressure plate 54 to slide free relative to the rail 52. Of course, the extension and/or the trigger may be provided on the pressure plate 54 and the catch on the retention mechanism. When provided with such a retention mechanism, the cover 34 can include a finger such that closing the cover 34 causes the finger to depress the trigger and release the pressure plate 54 from the retracted position.

As discussed above, the cup sleeve dispenser 30 has a retainer 36 that is defined by cover 34. In one embodiment, retainer 36 is movably or removably attachable to the cover 34 to define a shape associated with dispensing opening 37. The retainer 36 of the dispenser 30 may be changed or covers with different retainer configurations may be secured to housing 32 so that the dispenser 30 can properly dispense multiple types and sizes of cup insulator sleeves. Specifically, retainer 36 provides a retaining of subsequent cup sleeves and accommodates removal of a terminal cup sleeve through opening 37 of dispenser 30.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, retainer 36 is further defined by a first finger 80 and a second finger 82 that extend in a generally longitudinal direction 84 relative to dispenser 30. Each finger 80, 82 extends in a cantilevered fashion such that a distal end 86 of each finger 80, 82 is disposed in close proximity to a bottom 89 defined by housing 32. As disclosed further below, FIGS. 7-15 show a dispenser according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein each finger extends along a substantial portion of the forward facing surface of cover so as to define a substantially slot-shaped discharge opening associated with removal of discrete cup insulator sleeves.

It should be appreciated that the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-15 as disclosed further below defines a cup sleeve dispenser wherein the distal ends of the fingers or respective portions of the cover define a discharge opening that has a shape and dimension that more closely resembles a forward facing vertical footprint of a single respective cup sleeve. A pinch groove as explained further below is formed between the respective fingers of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-15 such that the user introduces a thumb or finger into a groove and can manually deflect a respective cup sleeve into cooperation with discharge opening. It is further appreciated that the shape, or the extension of respective fingers and the generally continuous shape of each finger relative to cover provides a robust retainer arrangement wherein the respective fingers associated with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-15 are far less, if not negligibly, deflectable relative to the remainder of cover as compared to the configuration and construction of fingers 80, 82 associated with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6.

Referring to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, an optional barb 88 is formed at a tip or distal end 86 of each finger 80, 82. Each barb 88 extends in a direction that faces toward the cup sleeves associated with discharge opening 37. Said in another way, barbs 88 extend in a crossing direction relative to the longitudinal axis of dispenser 30 and in a direction generally aligned with, but generally opposite to, the direction of removal of cup sleeves from dispenser 30. Fingers 80, 82 define a pair of gaps 90 that extend between the respective finger 80 and adjacent portions of cover 34 in a laterally outward direction and a pick groove 94 formed between the adjacent fingers 80, 82.

Pick groove 94 is shaped to accommodate the introduction of the user's finger along the portion of cup sleeves associated with discharge end of dispenser 30. Referring briefly to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-15, the pick groove associated with the assembly disclosed therein functions in a similar manner. It should be further appreciated that an interior facing surface of cover proximate discharge opening functions to resist translation of the second to last and other subsequently dispensed cup sleeves while the lowermost cup sleeve is aligned with the discharge opening and thereby being oriented to be removed from dispenser 150 shown in FIGS. 7-15.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-6, fingers 80, 82 are preferably constructed integrally with cover 34 and can include a living hinge 102 associated with each respective finger 80, 82 and/or be constructed so as to be deformable or deflectable in a discharge direction, indicated by arrow 106, during the removal of individual cup sleeves. It is further appreciated that fingers 80, 82 could be movably connected to cover 34 such that the user may manipulate the specific construction associated with discharge opening 37 to accommodate use of dispenser 30 with cup sleeves having different geometric parameters. It is further appreciated that the cover 154 associated with dispenser 150 assembly shown in FIGS. 7-15 could be provided in a two part or adjustable construction such that the longitudinal position of respective fingers can be adjusted to manipulate the vertical dimension associated with discharge opening associated with dispenser and/or the proximity of the distal ends of the fingers relative to a bottom surface associated with the housing of the dispenser 150 shown in FIGS. 7-15.

Referring back to FIG. 6, distal ends 86 associated with fingers 80, 82 of retainer 36 are disposed in generally close, but not overlapping, alignment with an interior surface 108 of bottom 89 of housing 32. Preferably, distal ends 86 are oriented in a spaced orientation relative to surface 108 relative to feed direction 84 to accommodate the presentation of a single cup sleeve at discharge end 100. Barbs 88 face the cup sleeves disposed in dispenser 30 and preferably facilitate separation between adjacent sleeves. Minimally, fingers 80, 82 prevent more than a selected number, such as one, insulating cup sleeve from being removed from dispenser 30 during each dispense event. That is, fingers 80, 82 prevent the second to last and subsequent cup sleeves from translating in direction 106 during removal of a last or a being dispensed cup sleeve.

As disclosed further below, the more rigid fingers associated with the dispenser assembly or dispenser 150 shown in FIGS. 7-15 perform in a similar manner but are less or non-deflectable relative to the remainder of the cover of the dispenser. As disclosed further below, the fingers associated with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-15 extend beyond the bottom of the respective housing such that the user can deflect the terminal one of the cup sleeves for cooperation with discharge opening for removal of discrete cup sleeves in a manner that assists with separation between adjacent cup sleeves.

Referring to FIG. 6, surface 108 and pressure plate 54 can be configured to cooperate with dispenser 30 to facilitate presentation of cup sleeves in generally close proximity to distal end 86 of fingers 80, 82, as indicated by line 110, or be oriented to cooperate with the cup sleeves and/or constructed to provide a more inclined orientation, as indicated by line 112, of cup sleeves dispensed from dispenser 30 relative to distal ends 86 of fingers 80, 82. Preferably, a distance, indicated by dimension line 120 in FIG. 6, between distal end 86 and surface 108 in a direction that is transverse to discharge direction 106 is selected to be slightly greater than the thickness of one cup sleeve associated with use of dispenser 30. Such a construction allows for the incremental single dispensing of the cup sleeves associated with dispenser 30.

It is further appreciated that dispenser 30 and dispenser 150 as disclosed below may be modified to facilitate improved cup sleeve dispensing by locating one or more pressure focus devices or features in juxtaposition with respect to respective pressure plate 54, 182 and/or the bottom 89, 178 defined by the respective base or housing. It is further appreciated that insulating cup sleeves have a more self supporting rigid construction so that greater force is required to deform the cup sleeves but that the cup sleeves can accommodate pressure focus features at different locations to achieve the desired presentation of the cup sleeves at dispensing opening 37, 160 to facilitate the sequential dispensing of individual insulating cup sleeves while maintaining the orientation of subsequent cup sleeves for presentation of the subsequent cup sleeves at discharge opening 37, 160 for subsequent removal of subsequent cup sleeves. Preferably, fingers 80, 82, 269, and the inward facing surfaces associated floor or bottoms 108, 178 of housings 32, 152, respectively, are constructed to sequentially present each cup sleeve associated with a stack of cup sleeves in a manner that facilitates sequential removal of each cup sleeve associated with a stack of cup sleeves from dispenser 30, 150 in a one-by-one manner.

In operation, a user removes cup sleeves from dispenser 30 by pulling on a forward facing edge of a lowermost cup sleeve whose front facing edge is presented at opening 37, 160 and not otherwise obstructed by the distal ends associated with fingers 80, 82, 269 of retainer 36, 270. Retainers 36, 269 prevent translation of the second to last and subsequent cup sleeves during extraction of the dispensing or the respective first cup sleeve associated with a given stack of cup sleeves such that the cup insulator sleeves can be dispensed in a single sequential manner.

As alluded to above, FIGS. 7-15 show various views of a cup insulator sleeve dispenser assembly or simply dispenser 150 according to another embodiment of the invention. Dispenser 150 includes a base or a housing 152 and a cover 154 that movably cooperates therewith. Housing 152 includes a pair of projections 156 that cooperate with a pair of respective openings 158 defined by cover 154 and associated with alternate lateral sides of dispenser 150 and provide a pivotable connection between cover 154 and housing 152. Dispenser 150 also includes respective latch 162 and latch receiving areas 164 disposed proximate dispensing opening 160 and which provide a secure “closed” configuration of dispenser 150.

A rearward facing surface 166 of housing 152 includes one or more optional supports or feet 168 that support dispenser 150. It is appreciated that feet 168 can be provided in a generally rigid construction and/or provided in a deformable construction, such as a suction cup or the like, configured to secure dispenser 150 relative to vertical and/or horizontal surfaces. It is further appreciated that feet 168 can be constructed to removably cooperate with housing 152 such that housing 152 is vertically stackable relative to additional dispensers 150 in a manner similar to that disclosed above with respect to dispenser 30. As shown in FIG. 8 and disclosed further below, housing 152 includes one or more openings 170, 172, 174 that are constructed to cooperate with a biasing mechanism disposed within dispenser 150 such that the biasing mechanism can be secured relative thereto in a generally snap-fit and tool-less manner.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, housing 152 and cover 154 cooperate with one another so as to generally define a volume 175 that extends between a rear or top wall 176 and a front or bottom 178 of housing 152 that is proximate dispensing opening 160. As shown in FIGS. 9-14, dispenser 150 includes a biasing mechanism 180 that is disposed in volume 175 and includes a pressure plate 182 that slideably cooperates with a rail 184 to bias cup insulator sleeves disposed between pressure plate 182 and bottom 178 of housing 152 toward dispensing opening 160. Rail 184 extends in a longitudinal direction, indicated by arrow 190, and is constructed to cooperate with pressure plate 182 such that pressure plate 182 is translatable in a longitudinal direction 190, relative to rail 184 when rail 184 is secured to housing 152.

Rail 184 includes a first end portion 192 and a second end portion 194 that are oriented at generally opposite longitudinal ends thereof. First end portion 192 includes a pair of projections 196, 198 formed therein. Projections 196, 198 are constructed to slideably cooperate with respective openings 170, 172 defined by housing 152. Second end portion 194 of rail 184 is constructed to be associated with housing 152 such that the second end portion 194 of rail 184 is disposed proximate discharging opening 160.

Second end portion 194 of rail 184 includes a projection 200 that has a barb 202 formed proximate a free end of the projection 200. As disclosed further below with respect to FIG. 15, cooperation of projections 196, 198 of rail 184 with openings 170, 172 of housing 152 and cooperation of projection 200 and barb 202 with opening 174 allows rail 184 to be snap-fittingly secured to housing 152. Rail 184 includes a pair of optional projections 204, 206 that are constructed to slideably cooperate with a pair of openings, cavities, or pockets, 208, 210 associated with housing 152. Projections 204, 206 index projection 200, and the barb 202 associated therewith, relative to opening 174 during mounting of rail 184 relative to housing 152.

A pair of flanges 212, 214 are oriented at generally opposite lateral sides of rail 184. Flanges 212, 214 preferably extend the longitudinal length of rail 184 and slideably cooperate with a carriage 216 associated with pressure plate 182. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 14, carriage 216 includes a pair of upper guides, such as rollers 220, 222, that engage an upper surface 224 of rail 184 proximate flanges 212, 214. Carriage 216 includes a pair of lower guides, such as rollers 226, 228, that are rotationally supported by carriage 216 and cooperate with an underside or lower side surface 230 of a respective flange 212, 214.

Upper rollers 220, 222 and lower rollers 226, 228 are vertically offset from one another so as to cooperate with the alternate upper and lower sides or surfaces 224, 230 associated with flanges 212, 214 of rail 184. Roller pairs 220, 222 and 226, 228 and also offset in longitudinal direction 190 so as to maintain a slideable interaction of carriage 216 with rail 184. A biasing device, such as a coil spring 232, is supported by carriage 216 and includes a distal end 234 (FIG. 13) that is secured to an underside of rail 184 proximate discharge or second end portion 194 of rail 184 with a fastener, such as a rivet 240, such that biasing device 232 biases carriage 216 and pressure plate 182 toward the second end portion 194 of rail 184 oriented proximate discharge opening 160.

Pressure plate 182 is preferably positioned with respect to the rail 184 so that the pressure plate 182 applies a generally constant force to the cup insulator sleeves during sequential dispensing of each cup insulator sleeve associated with a stack of similarly sized cup insulator sleeves disposed in dispenser 150. In one embodiment, a face 183 of the pressure plate 182 is at an angle Y with respect to normal from the rail 52. Angle Y is between about 0° and 20°, preferably between about 5° and 15°, and most preferably about 10°

Like pressure plate 54, the shape of face 183 of pressure plate 182 is generally planar but may be otherwise contoured in one or more directions or include pressure focusing devices or features to manipulate the interaction between the pressure plate 182 and the cup insulator sleeves to manipulate the interaction between the cup sleeves and a retainer such as the distal or terminal edge of cover 154, as disclosed further below, to achieve the desired presentation of a single cup sleeve for sequential removal at discharge opening 160. It is further appreciated that pressure plate 182 can be adjustably connected to carriage 216 to provide various orientations of face 183 relative to the cup insulator sleeves to achieve the desired sequential dispensing of the cup sleeves.

Still referring to FIGS. 10-14, a pocket 244 is formed near an upper portion 246 of pressure plate 182. Pocket 244 is shaped to allow the user to manually interact with pressure plate 182 to bias the pressure plate 182, and the carriage 216 associated therewith, toward first end portion 192 of rail 184 during loading of dispenser 150. That is, referring briefly to FIG. 10, user interaction with pocket 244 when cover 154 is opened, allows the user to manually translate pressure plate 182 in a rearward longitudinal direction, indicated by arrow 250, relative to rail 184 and overcome the bias associated with biasing device 232, to expand the coffee insulator sleeve containing portion or chamber 252 associated with volume 175 defined by dispenser 150.

It is further appreciated that the manual longitudinal manipulation of biasing mechanism 180 can include a selectively or automatically operable catch arrangement such as that described above with respect to dispenser 30 so as to allow pressure plate 182 to be self-retained at a position nearer first end portion 192 of rail 184 during loading operations. Manually interaction with the catch assembly, or operation of the same in response to other operations, such as the closing of cover 154, can be utilized to subsequently release the catch assembly thereby allowing pressure plate 182 to bias coffee insulator sleeves disposed in sleeve containing portion or chamber 252 of the cavity or volume 175 defined by dispenser 150 and toward discharge opening 160 for use of dispenser 150.

As alluded to above, an interior facing surface of housing 152 includes a channel 256 associated with openings and/or pockets 170, 172, 174, 208, 210 and that is shaped to receive rail 184. One or more openings 258 are formed in rear wall of housing 152 and are oriented laterally outboard of channel 256. Openings 258 and constructed to receive fasteners or the like for securing feet 168 relative to housing 152 and/or securing housing 152 relative to an underlying support surface.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 9, and 15, during use of dispenser 150, a plurality of cup insulator sleeves 260 are disposed in sleeve containing chamber 252 and biased toward a floor or bottom 178 of housing 152 by biasing mechanism 180 via cooperation of pressure plate 182 with a terminal or last cup insulator sleeves 260 associated with a stack of cup insulator sleeves disposed in chamber 252. A ready-to-be-dispensed cup insulator sleeve 280 is biased into engagement with bottom 178 of housing 152 so as to be disposed proximate discharge opening 160.

User interaction with a pick groove or finger channel 264, or an outboard lateral edge 266, of a respective cup insulator sleeve 260, facilitates downward deflection, indicated by arrow 268, of a respective cup insulator sleeve 260 beyond one or more retention fingers 269 that are generally defined by a terminal edge 270 associated with dispensing opening 160. Once deflected in direction 268, a discrete cup insulator sleeve 280 can be extracted from dispenser 150 via translation of the discrete cup insulator sleeve 260 in a generally forward direction, indicated by arrow 274, and past fingers 269 and terminal edge 270 associated with cover 254. Cooperation of a next-to-be-dispensed cup insulator sleeve 276 with an interior facing surface fingers 269 prevents the next-to-be-dispensed or adjacent cup insulator sleeve 276 from being extracted during dispensing of a ready-to-be-dispensed cup insulator sleeve 280.

The floor or bottom 178 of housing 152, fingers 269, and terminal edge 270 of cover 154 are oriented to accommodate the slidable extraction of the ready-to-be-dispensed cup insulator sleeve 280 relative to the adjacent or next-to-be-dispensed cup insulator sleeve 276 during each extraction event and in a manner similar to that described above with respect to dispenser 30. Upon extraction or dispensing of cup insulator sleeve 280, the adjacent insulator sleeve 276 is biased into engagement with bottom 178 of housing 152 and achieves a ready-to-be-dispensed orientation relative to dispenser 150 thereby allowing sequential dispensing of a discrete cup insulator sleeves from a stack of similarly constructed cup insulator sleeves.

The dispensers 30, 150 of the present invention may have other applications aside from use in connection with cup insulation or insulator sleeves but are each constructed to dispense generally rigid stacked products that may or may not be interwoven or presented in an overlapping orientation but are separable from one another so as to be removable from the dispenser without adversely affecting the presentation and/or removal of subsequent presented cup insulator sleeves. Further, the invention may be implemented in a variety of configurations, using certain features or aspects of the several embodiments described herein and others known in the art. Thus, although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific features and embodiments set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the claims.

Claims

1. A cup sleeve dispenser comprising: a housing that is constructed to receive a plurality of cup sleeves to be dispensed incrementally at a point of use, the housing defined by a base and a cover that movably cooperates with the base;a biasing mechanism disposed in the housing, the biasing mechanism including a pressure plate configured to bias the plurality of cup sleeves toward a discharge opening defined by the housing; andthe discharge opening being defined by cooperation of an end portion of the base and an end portion of the cover and configured to sequentially physically interact with each of the plurality of cup sleeves such that the cover does not interfere with lateral removal of a terminal one of the plurality of cup sleeves and prevents removal of the other of the plurality of cup sleeves from the housing during removal of the terminal one of the plurality of cup sleeves.

2. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 1 wherein the end portion of the cover proximate the discharge opening extends in an outward longitudinal direction beyond an imaginary plane that contains the end portion of the base which is aligned with a sleeve removal direction.

3. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 2 wherein the end portion of the cover further comprises a retainer that is further defined as at least one of a finger and a first finger and a second finger associated with a front facing surface of a cover and wherein each of the first finger and the second finger includes a barb formed at a distal end thereof that faces the plurality of cup sleeves.

4. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 3 further comprising a gap formed between at least one of respective portions of the finger or between the first finger and the second finger.

5. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 1 wherein a terminal edge of the cover proximate the discharge opening extends beyond a terminal edge of the base proximate the discharge opening such that the terminal edge of the cover is offset from the terminal edge of the base a distance that is between slightly larger than a thickness of a single collapsed cup sleeve and less than a thickness of two collapsed cup sleeves.

6. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 1 wherein the cover is adjustably secured to the housing and adjustable to manipulate a size of the discharge opening.

7. A method of forming a cup insulator sleeve dispenser, the method comprising: providing a housing that includes a base and cover that is connected to the base to define a cavity shaped to receive a stack of cup insulator sleeves;defining a discharge opening at one end of the housing, the discharge opening being shaped to accommodate removal of cup insulator sleeves from the housing in a sequential manner; andforming a separator proximate the discharge opening that is supported by the housing and which extends beyond a plane defined by a bottom of the cavity a distance that is at least as great as a thickness of a collapsed cup sleeve and offset from a rear surface of the cavity a distance sufficient to prevent translation of a second to a last cup sleeve during manual extraction of a last sleeve from the housing.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising providing a bias mechanism disposed in the cavity and configured to bias the stack of cup sleeves toward the discharge opening.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising pivotably connecting the cover to the base proximate a longitudinal end of the housing such that a longitudinal cross section of the cavity can be exposed when the cover is disposed in an open position relative to the base.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising connecting the separator to the housing such that the separator is adjustable relative to the cavity in a direction aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cavity.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising forming the separator as at least one of a pair of fingers that are cantilevered from the cover and define a thumb hole between the pair of fingers and a terminal end of the cover which extends along a side portion and at least a portion of a forward facing portion of the cover.

12. A cup sleeve dispenser comprising: a housing defined by a cover and a base and a discharge opening formed proximate a longitudinal end of the housing such that the housing defines a cavity shaped to receive a stack of collapsed cup sleeves;a biasing mechanism disposed in the cavity and configured to bias the stack of collapsed cup sleeves toward the discharge opening; anda retainer that is defined by a portion of the cover proximate the discharge opening and extends in a longitudinal direction a distance beyond a floor of the base sufficient to allow deflection of a pair of sides of a collapsed single cup sleeve in the longitudinal direction such that a subsequent collapsed cup sleeve cooperates with an interior facing surface of the retainer to restrict lateral translation of the subsequent collapsed cup sleeve during extraction of the collapsed single cup sleeve from the cavity.

13. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 12 wherein the cup sleeves are further defined as being disposable.

14. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 12 wherein the biasing mechanism is further defined as a pressure plate that slideably cooperates with a rail.

15. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 14 wherein the housing and the rail are curved in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction.

16. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 15 further comprising a spring having a first end secured to the rail proximate the discharge opening and a second end secured to the pressure plate.

17. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of rollers attached to the pressure plate and oriented to cooperate with respective portions of the rail to maintain a slidable cooperation of the pressure plate with the rail.

18. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 14 wherein the base further comprises a channel constructed to receive the rail such that a portion of the rail supports a center portion of the stack of collapsed cup sleeves and a portion of the base supports opposite end portions of the stack of collapsed cup sleeves.

19. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 12 further comprising a finger slot centrally disposed on the cover proximate the retainer.

20. The cup sleeve dispenser of claim 12 wherein the dispenser is operable to dispense the single collapsed cup sleeve per extraction activity when positioned in either of a horizontal position and a vertical position as defined by the longitudinal axis.