I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to devices that dispense lids for drink cups and containers without the user touching the lids in the storage container. The invention uses an electronic “eye” to sense a user's hand and sends a signal to a microprocessor that actuates fingers to dispense the lid to a holding tray.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art inventions typically use mechanically activated systems to dispense lids. This is accomplished by a user activating a lever system that displaces a lid. When the lever is released, the lid is dispensed into a “catch chute” where a user will receive the lid for use. The use of a mechanical lever to dislocate the lid has some disadvantages based upon the current pandemic. The lever must be constantly sanitized to prevent the possibility of the spread of any contagion or disease from bacteria or viruses. The current invention eliminates the users need to touch the device and only need pick up the lid from the catch chute, preventing the spread of germs.
Other devices use a blade-like mechanism that moves in a direction transverse to a stack of lids to separate a single lid from the bottom of a stack of lids and move it outwardly for retrieval by the user.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved dispenser that minimizes the touching from customers and/or servers to allow a more sanitary method to provide clean and sanitary method to obtain container lids.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The current state of the art for automatic lid dispensers shows that there is a need for a more sanitary and effective product that will dispense lids without a user contaminating the lid as is currently done throughout the country, and the world.
In the food and beverage industry, there is a heightened potential for contamination of foods and beverages by food handlers and ordinary persons. Pathogens such as bacteria and viruses and sometimes just plain dirt may be passed onto a customer by a food handler or by a customer. as the recent pandemic has shown everyone, illness and sickness can result. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has shown everyone that it is imperative to reduce the level of human contact with food and/or beverages and their service containers in order to minimize the risk of inadvertently passing on any contagion.
Currently, commercially available beverage and food containers are presented as a cup or bowl which has a plastic lid that engages the perimeter of the cup or bowl. Conventional lid organizers typically require a server or customer to obtain a desired lid out of an open organizer, which forces the customer or server to contact not only the selected lid, but often actually causes contact with adjacent lids or covers in the organizer in order to find the correct size or shape. It is likely that any lid in this type of organizer could have been touched by more than one person whose cleanliness or hygiene may be less than desired by the end user. It is conceivable that what a server or user thinks is a clean or sanitary lid or cover is in actuality less than desired.
This current problem, and current state of the art, shows us the need for a lid or cover dispenser that minimizes the requirement for a server or customer to touch the lids in an organizer, and ultimately provide a lid for a container in a more sanitary and clean method than touching the adjacent lids in a typical organizer.
The disclosed invention uses a refillable hopper that stacks the lids vertically. A user does not touch the lids, but removes one (1) end of the product packaging and slides the package containing the lids into the hopper. A holding rod is inserted to keep the stack of lids in a pre-stage position utilizing an end cap. This achieves product loading with no product contact. The hopper is placed into position and the holding rod is removed to allow the lids to be stacked in a staging position.
The disclosed invention uses a pressurized air source such as an air cylinder or compressor with a smaller pressurized air cylinder. When the user breaks the proximity sensor, a signal is sent to a micro-chip that sends a timed sequential signal to three timed solenoid operated valves.
A separation pin isolates an individual beverage lid, a blast of air assists in isolating the lowermost beverage lid from the stack of beverage lids, A staging (ejecting) finger that is operated by an air actuated piston causes the staging fingers to pivot downwards and mechanically drives the beverage lid towards the dispensing tray. The pin plungers are timed and extend to prevent more than one lid from being dispensed per actuation. The staging and ejection finger pivots back to prepare another lid for dispensing.
The ejection sequence is as follows:
- a) Separation Pin Activation;
- b) Air Blast;
- c) Ejection Finger Activation.
The Reset sequence is as follows:
- a) Air Blast suspended;
- b) Ejection Finger retract;
- c) Separation Pin Retract.
The primary objective of the disclosed invention is to provide a device which dispenses a single sanitary beverage or bowl lid to a customer or worker by minimizing contact with potentially non-sanitary people. A second objective is to provide the device with a proximity (trip) sensor that causes the dispensing of a single stacked lid without requiring human contact with the single lid until after being dispensed. A third objective is to allow the device to be refilled with a stacked plurality of sanitary lids within a central hopper with pin plungers that maintain the location of the lid stack until a single lid is ready to be forced to the dispenser tray. A fourth objective is to provide a device that has all controllers and sensors within an integrated circuitry area segregated from a drive and dispensing area containing the drive mechanisms, moving parts, sanitary lids and other mechanical hardware.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims that follow.
III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1. Shows an Isometric side view of the Sanitary Hands-Free Lid Dispenser.
FIG. 2. Shows a side view of the Sanitary Hands-Free Lid Dispenser with the side cover removed.
FIG. 3. Shows a cross-sectional view of the Sanitary Hands-Free Lid Dispenser.
FIG. 4. Shows a cross-sectional view of the Sanitary Hands-Free Lid Dispenser and the side cover.
FIG. 5. Shows rear quarter view of the Sanitary Hands-Free Lid Dispenser.
FIG. 6. Shows a right quartering view of the Sanitary Hands-Free Lid Dispenser without the mechanical sub-assembly.
FIG. 7. Shows the mechanical subassembly, which contains the major mechanical components that deposits a cup/bowl lid.
FIG. 8. Shows an exploded view of the mechanical subassembly
FIG. 9. Shows an exploded view of the major components of the mechanical subassembly.
FIG. 10. Shows a cross-sectional view of the mechanical subassembly.
FIG. 11. Shows a perspective top view of the mechanical subassembly.
FIG. 12. Shows a perspective top view of the mechanical subassembly with the loading tube flange removed showing the top view of the air manifold cap.
FIG. 13. Shows a perspective bottom view of the air manifold cap.
FIG. 14. Shows a perspective top view of the air distribution manifold assembled on the mechanical subassembly
FIG. 15. Shows a bottom view of the air distribution manifold assembled on the mechanical subassembly.
FIG. 16. Shows a perspective top view of the main piston bore housing assembled on the mechanical subassembly.
FIG. 17. Shows a bottom view of the main piston bore housing.
FIG. 18. Shows a top view of the air piston with the main piston seal.
FIG. 19. Shows a perspective bottom view of the air piston.
FIG. 20. Shows a perspective top view of the staging housing extension mounted on the staging housing.
FIG. 21. Shows a side view of the finger pivot assembly with two (2) typical stacked beverage lids as reference.
FIG. 22. Shows a side view of the separation pin assembly.
FIG. 23. Shows a cross-sectional view of the separation pin assembly.
FIG. 24. Shows a left quartering view of the solenoids and air manifold.
IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows, an isometric side view of the sanitary hands-free lid dispenser (10). In this overall side view, we show a loading tube cap (12), that is frictionally secured or may be permanently attached to the top of the loading tube (14). The loading tube (14) is fitted into a cylindrical hole (16) centrally located in the loading tube flange (18). The dispenser (10) has a top cover (20), where the top cover has down-turned flanges (22) that have at least two (2) holes (24) to allow fasteners (not shown) for attachment.
Continuing with FIG. 1, we have an end cover (26) located in the rear of the dispenser (10). The end cover (26) has forward-facing flanges (28) (left hand and right hand) that has holes (30) to support a front skin (32) using fasteners (not shown). The front skin (32) has holes (34) common to the forward-facing flanges (28) of the end cover (26) providing means to secure the front skin (32) to the end cover (26) using fasteners (not shown). A catch tray (36) has upturned flanges (38) and is positioned with a slope to allow a cup lid to slide towards the end where a pair of end flanges (40), which are angled towards each other, stop the movement of the cup lid. The upturned flanges (38) of the catch tray (36) that is shown, has at least two (2) holes (42) that match to corresponding holes (44) on the front skin (32) and use fasteners (not shown) to attach the catch tray (36) to the front skin (32).
In order to support the hands-free lid dispenser (10) we show a first support bracket (292) a second support bracket (294) (not shown in this view), and a stand (296). The stand (296) has a first vertical portion (302) and a second vertical portion (304) that are connected to each other with a base (306) where the base (306) may be circular or rectangular in shape. The first and second support brackets (292, 294) are mounted on opposing sides of the end cover (26). The first and second support brackets (292, 294) are rectangular in shape and have holes on a top surface (298) and a bottom surface (300) that are adapted to receive the vertical portions of the stand (296).
The hands-free lid dispenser (10) further has a first sensor (308) and a second sensor (310), where the first sensor (308) has a first sensor housing (312) and the second sensor (310) has a second sensor housing (314). The first sensor housing (312) and the second sensor housing (314) are positioned opposing each other and fastened onto the front skin (32) of the hands-free lid dispenser (10). The first and second sensor (308, 310) are aligned and provide a cycle trip beam (318) that when interrupted by an opaque object, activates the mechanism to dispense a single lid into the catch tray (36). The hands-free sanitary lid dispenser (10) is provided with a low product indicator (316) that when tripped, visually indicates to the users that the loading tube (14) needs refilling.
FIG. 2 shows, a side view of the sanitary hands-free lid dispenser (10) without the front skin (32). In this side view, we can see some of the internal mechanical and electronic components. As in FIG. 1, we show a loading tube cap (12), frictionally secured onto the top of the loading tube (14). The loading tube (14) is fitted into a cylindrical hole (16) centrally located in the loading tube flange (18). The dispenser (10) has a top cover (20), where the top cover has down-turned flanges (22) that have holes (24) to allow fasteners (not shown) for attachment.
Continuing with FIG. 2, we see the end cover (26) located in the rear of the dispenser (10). The end cover (26) has forward-facing flanges (28) (left hand and right hand) that has holes (30) to support a front skin (32). The catch tray (36) has upturned flanges (38) and is positioned with a slope to allow a cup lid to slide towards the end where a pair of end flanges (40), which are angled towards each other, stop the movement of the cup lid. The upturned flanges (38) of the catch tray (36) shows the two (2) holes (42) that are matched to the corresponding holes (44) on the front skin (32). A mechanical subassembly (46) is shown which comprises the mechanical and pneumatic components of the dispenser (10). A splash guard (252) is shown surrounding the bottom of the mechanical sub-assembly (46). The splash guard (252) is semicircular ins overall shape and is sized to surround half of the outer diameter of the mechanical sub-assembly (46) and is trimmed to provide minimal gap to the catch tray (36). The splash guard (252) prevents liquid from contaminating and damaging the electronics of the sanitary hands-free lid dispenser (10).
With FIG. 3 thru FIG. 9, we get a better understanding of how the novel invention is assembled. FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of an assembled dispenser (10). The loading tube cap (12) is on top of the loading tube (14). The loading tube flange (18) is defined as a L-shaped cylinder of revolution that has a centrally located cylindrical hole (16). The loading tube flange (18) has a ledge (46) which provides support for the loading tube (14). The loading tube flange (18) has an externally extending flange (50) that rests upon the mechanical subassembly (46). The loading tube flange (18) has an upstanding leg (370) where a semi-circular trim (364) is provided and provides clearance to a circular rod (368) that us used to temporarily secure the beverage lids when they are in the loading tube (14). The loading tube (14) has a pair of thru holes (366) that are adapted to allow the circular rod (368) to be slidably inserted and removed. The pair of thru holes (366) are positioned on an opposite end (372) of the loading tube cap (12) but are positioned so as to not support the loading tube (14) when the loading tube (14) is resting on the ledge (18) of the loading tube flange (18). When needed, the loading tube (14) is removed from the loading tube flange (18). A user will take a package of beverage lids still in the plastic container and place the beverage lids and container into the loading tube (14). The user will then remove the plastic covering and insert the circular rod (368) into the thru holes (366) preventing the beverage lids from dropping out from the loading tube (14). The loading tube (14) will then be placed into the loading tube flange (18) where the user will then remove the circular rod (368) allowing the beverage lids to be re-stacked.
The mechanical subassembly (46) is comprised of many components. The loading tube flange (18) rests upon a top surface (52) of an air manifold cap (54). The air manifold cap (54) is defined as a cylinder of revolution, and has a central hole (58) defined therein. The air manifold cap (54) rests upon the top surface (62) of an air manifold (56). The air manifold (56) is defined as a cylinder of revolution and also has a central hole (60) defined therein.
A sleeve (64) is shown, the sleeve having a “L” shaped cross section cylinder of revolution having a centrally positioned cylinder (66), an outward extending flange (68), The sleeve (64) has a central through hole (70) defined therethrough. Situated around the centrally positioned cylinder (66) are a plurality of slots (72), the slots allowing an ejecting finger (74) to pivot through, where the slots (72) extend through the through hole (70). The plurality of slots (72), herein shown as 8 slots, but may be greater or fewer as required by the inventor, and are equally circumferentially positioned. Interspaced and equally circumferentially located between the plurality of slots (72) are separation pin assembly holes (76).
Resting on a top surface (78) of the outward extending flange (68) of the sleeve (64) is a staging housing extension (80). The staging housing extension (80) is defined as a cylinder of revolution an has a central hole (82) defined therein. The staging housing extension (80) has cutouts (192) to allow a plurality of finger pivot assemblies (84), in this embodiment, shown as eight finger pivot assemblies (84), but may be greater of fewer as required by the inventor, to have clearance to allow the ejecting finger (74) to easily rotate and translate. The finger pivot assemblies (84) are situated to allow each of the ejecting finger (74) to pass through the slots (72) located in the sleeve (64).
A staging housing (88) having a top surface (90), a bottom surface (92), an exterior surface (94) is shown. The staging housing (88) is defined as a cylinder of revolution, and has a through hole (96) centrally located penetrating through the top and bottom surfaces (90, 92). A series of eight (8) clearance slots (98) are provided to allow the staging housing (88) to be mounted onto the top surface (86) of the staging housing extension (80). The clearance slots (98) penetrate from the exterior surface (94) to the through hole (96) of the staging housing (88). The clearance slots (98) may be stepped to provide adequate clearance to a finger pivot anchor (100) which is part of the finger pivot assemblies (84). The staging housing (88) further has through holes (102) herein shown as eight (8) through holes (102), that accommodate all the separation pin assemblies (200) and are positionally in line with the separation pin assembly holes (76) in the sleeve (64). The staging housing (88) further has a plurality of counterbores (104) herein shown as eight (8) counterbores (104), that are located on the top surface (86) and are designed to accommodate a plurality of piston springs (106) herein shown as eight piston springs (106). The piston springs (106) protrude beyond the top surface (90) of the staging housing (88).
The finger pivot assemblies (84) further have an shoulder cap screw (108) and a spring (110) where the shoulder cap screw (108) slideably penetrate through the staging housing (88) through a plurality of screw holes (112). The shoulder cap screw (108) is threadably inserted into the finger drive shaft (230).
A main piston bore housing (124) is provided to house a main piston (114). The piston bore housing (124) is defined as a modified “C” shaped cylinder of revolution having an internal gap (196) to house the main piston (114)
A main piston (114) is provided, where the main piston (114) is driven by a pneumatic burst of air. The piston (114) is an “L” shaped cylinder of revolution and has a top surface (116) a bottom surface (118), a thru hole (120). The thru hole (120) is adapted to slidably move along the outer surface (122) of the sleeve (64). Also located on the bottom surface (118) are a plurality of counterbores (198), where each of the counterbores (198) are adapted to receive the spring (110) and are in line with the counterbores (104) in the staging housing (88). When assembled, the piston springs (106) maintain a gap between the top surface (90) of the staging housing (88) and the bottom surface (114) of the main piston (114). The piston slideably fits in a piston bore housing (124). The top surface (116) of the main piston (114) is adapted to receive a main piston seal (194). The main piston seal (194) is adhered to the top surface (116) of the main piston (114) and prevents a loss of pressurized air necessary to activate the main piston (114).
FIG. 4 shows, a side view of the sanitary hands-free lid dispenser (10) with the front skin (32) shifted away from the sanitary hands-free lid dispenser (10). In this side view, we can see some of the internal mechanical and electronic components. As in FIG. 1, we show a loading tube cap (12), frictionally secured, or may be permanently attached to the top of the loading tube (14). The loading tube (14) is fitted into a cylindrical hole (16) centrally located in the loading tube flange (18). The dispenser (10) has a top cover (20), where the top cover has down-turned flanges (22) that have holes (24) to allow fasteners (not shown) for attachment. The end cover (26) located in the rear of the dispenser (10). The end cover (26) has forward-facing flanges (28) (left hand and right hand) that has holes (30) to support a front skin (32). The catch tray (36) has upturned flanges (38) and is positioned with a slope to allow a cup lid to slide towards the end where a pair of end flanges (40), which are angled towards each other, stop the movement of the cup lid. The upturned flanges (38) of the catch tray (36) shows the two (2) holes (42) that are matched to the corresponding holes (44) on the front skin (32). A mechanical subassembly (46) is shown which comprises the mechanical and pneumatic components of the dispenser (10).
FIG. 5 shows a rear quartering view of the sanitary hands-free lid dispenser (10). We show the first and second support bracket (292, 294) which is attached to the end cover (26), and the stand (296) supporting the sanitary hands-free lid dispenser (10). A fuse and connector or input (320) is located towards the bottom of the end cover (26) and provides between 5 volts and 24 volts, 3-amp power to the electrical system. A fuse (322) and cover (324) is shown towards the middle portion of the end cover (26). Towards the middle top of the end cover (26) an input supply air fitting (326) is shown. In order for the system to actuate correctly the input pressure was tested and determined to be 30 psi to 35 psi. the input supply air fitting (326) communicates with an air manifold (328) which supplies air to a first solenoid (330), a second solenoid (332), and a third solenoid (334). The air manifold is positioned towards the top of the end cover (26) or the component mounting board (390). A first low product sensor (336) and a second low product sensor (338) are shown facing each other and providing a beam between the first low product sensor (336) and the second low product sensor (338) where an uninterrupted beam provides a signal to illuminate the low product indicator (316). Conversely, when the beam between the first low product sensor (336) and the second low product sensor (338) is interrupted because enough product are in the loading tube (14), the low product indicator (316) will remain off.
FIG. 6 shows a right quarter view of the component mounting board (390). The component mounting board (390) is attached to the end cover (26). The first and second solenoids (330, 332) are three-way solenoids which initially provide pressurized air to activate the mechanisms and where they also allow pressure relief after the activation of the sanitary hands-free lid dispenser (10). The third solenoid (334) is a two-way solenoid as there would be no requirement to relieve the air pressure since it vents to the atmosphere. The air manifold (328) is shown centrally positioned towards the top of the component mounting board (390).
FIG. 9 shows how the mechanical subassembly (46) is assembled. We show the sleeve (64) the centrally positioned cylinder (66), and the outward extending flange (68). The staging housing extension (80) is shown and the central hole (82) is sized to slip fit over the centrally positioned cylinder (66) of the sleeve (64). The finger pivot assemblies (84) are shown fitting in the cutouts (192) of the staging housing extension (80). We next show the staging housing (88) with its central through hole (96). The central through hole (96) of the staging housing (88) is sized to slip fit over the centrally positioned cylinder (66) of the sleeve (64). The clearance slots (98) are shown and allow the finger pivot assemblies (84) to be mounted onto the Staging housing (88) and be positioned coincident with the cutouts (192) in the staging housing extension (80). The thru holes (102) in the staging housing (88) are sized for the separation pin assemblies (200). The piston springs (106) are shown and are positioned in the counterbore (104) located in the top surface (88) of the staging housing (80).
With respect to FIG. 10, we show a detailed cross section that depicts the mechanical subassembly (46) in detail aiding in understanding the invention. The loading tube flange (18) is shown having a clearance trim (126) that clears a set of 3 threaded fittings (128) (see FIGS. 11 and 12) not shown for clarity. The threaded fittings (128) are threadably inserted into a first (130), a second (132), and a third (134) threaded holes in the air manifold cap (54). The loading tube flange (18) has a ledge (48) to support the loading tube (14) when inserted into the loading tube flange (18).
FIG. 10 continues to show that the bottom side of the air manifold cap (54) which bears against a top side (160) of the air manifold (56).
FIG. 10 shows a cross section of the piston bore housing (124) and the relationship of the piston (114). The piston bore housing (124) has an external flange (184) and an internal flange (186), where the external flange (186) has an outer surface (188), and the internal flange (186) has an inner surface (190). The outer surface (188) of the external flange (186) generally aligns with the exterior surface (94) of the staging housing (88). The inner surface (190) of the piston bore housing (124) (internal flange (190)) slidably adapted to fit over the centrally positioned cylinder (66) of the sleeve (64). The piston bore housing (124) shows that there is a gap (196) between the external flange (184) and the internal flange (186) to allow the piston (114) to slidably translate within the gap (196).
FIG. 11 shows a perspective top-down view of the invention. We show the loading tube flange (18) located with the clearance trim (126) allowing access to the threaded fittings (128).
FIG. 12 shows the perspective top-down view of the invention with the loading tube flange (18) removed. As can be seen, the threaded fittings (128) are shown threadably inserted into the top surface (52) of the air manifold cap (54).
FIG. 13 shows the bottom view of the air manifold cap (54). The air manifold cap (54) is a thin cylinder that has a first (136), a second (138), a third (140), and a fourth (142) groove machined into the bottom side (144) of the air manifold cap (54). As previously described, the air manifold cap (54) is shown with a central hole (58). The bottom side (144) of the air manifold cap (54) shows that the corresponding threaded holes (130, 132, 134) have a first (146), a second (148), and a third (150), airhole, where each airhole (146, 148, 150) communicates with the corresponding threaded fittings (128) and provide pressurized air to activate the invention. Positioned in the first groove (136) is a first “O” ring (152), positioned in the second groove (138) is a second “O” ring (154), positioned in the third groove (140) is a third “O” ring (156) and positioned in the fourth groove (142) is a fourth “O” ring (158). The first, second third, and fourth “O” rings (152, 154, 156, 158) provide a seal to prevent any loss of pressurized air to actuate and isolate from cross-activation of functions of the invention.
FIG. 14 is a perspective top view of the air manifold (56) and gives us a more detailed understanding of the air manifold (56). The top side (160) of the air manifold has a first ledge (162), a second ledge (164), a third ledge (166), and a fourth ledge (168) defined thereon creating a first groove (170), a second groove (172), and a third groove (174). The first, second, third, and fourth ledge (162, 164, 166, 168) provide a flat surface for the First, second, third, and fourth “O” rings (152, 154, 156, 158) to compress against and provide the full seal for the pressurized air to be transmitted fully to the first, second, and third grooves (170, 172, 174) in the air manifold (56). It is critical the first groove (170) in the air manifold (56) aligns with the first airhole (146) in the air manifold cap (54) the second groove (172) in the air manifold (56) aligns with the second airhole (148) in the air manifold cap (54), and the third groove (174) in the air manifold (56) aligns with the third airhole (150) in the air manifold cap (54). Moving to FIG. 15, we show the bottom side (176) of the air manifold (56). The air manifold (56) has a first series of air holes (178), where the first series of airholes (178) are used to actuate the main piston (114). The first series of airholes (178) are concentrically located within the third groove (174) in the air manifold (56). A second series of air holes (180) is concentrically located within the second groove (172) of the air manifold (56). The second series of air holes provided compressed air to actuate the separation pin assemblies (200). A third series of air holes (182) is concentrically located within the first groove (170). The third series of air holes (182) provides air to “fluff” the lids for dispensing.
FIG. 15 shows us the bottom side (176) of the air manifold (56). A first series of air holes (178) is shown concentrically located and positioned within the third groove (174) of the air manifold (56). The first series of air holes (178) penetrate through the third groove (174) and provide pressurized air to activate the main piston (114). The second series of air holes (180) are shown concentrically located and positioned within the second groove (172) in the air manifold (56). The second series of air holes (180) penetrate through the second grove (172) and provide pressurized air for the separation pin assemblies (200). The third series of air holes (182) are shown concentrically located and positioned within the first groove (170) and provide pressurized air to “fluff” the stack of lids.
FIG. 16 shows the perspective top side view of the piston bore housing (124). A top surface (202) is shown. A central hole (210) is shown to allow a stack of lids to be positioned. A first series of air thru holes (204) is shown where the first series of air thru holes (204) are concentrically located and positioned within the gap (196) as described in FIG. 10 and FIG. 17. The first series of air thru holes (204) provide the pressurized air to activate the main piston (114). A second series of air thru holes (206) is shown where the second series of air thru holes (206) are concentrically located and on the top surface (202) of the piston bore housing (124) as described in FIG. 10 and FIG. 17. The second series of air thru holes (206) provide the pressurized air to activate the separation pin assemblies (200). A third series of air thru holes (208) is shown where the third series of air thru holes (208) are concentrically located and on the top surface (202) of the piston bore housing (124) as described in FIG. 10 and FIG. 17. The third series of air thru holes (208) provide the pressurized air to fluff the lids. The second and third series of air thru holes (206, 208) penetrate the top and bottom surfaces (202, 212) of the piston bore housing (124). The first, second and third series of air thru holes (204, 206, 208) located on the top surface (202) of the piston bore housing (124) are slightly counterbored to provide accommodation for a first, second and third series of o-rings (392, 394, 396) to be placed therein providing a seal between the main piston bore housing (124) and the bottom side (176) of the air manifold (56).
FIG. 17 shows the bottom side of the piston bore housing (124). A bottom surface (212) is shown. The central hole (210) is shown which allow a stack of lids to be positioned. the first series of air thru holes (204) is shown, where the first series of air thru holes (204) are concentrically located and positioned within the gap (196) as described in FIG. 10. As previously described the first series of air thru holes (204) provide the pressurized air to activate the main piston (114). The second series of air thru holes (206) is shown, where the second series of air thru holes (206) are concentrically located and positioned on the bottom surface (212) of the piston bore housing (124) as described in FIG. 10. The second series of air thru holes (206) provide the pressurized air to activate the separation pin assemblies (200). A third series of air thru holes (208) is shown where the third series of air thru holes (208) are concentrically located and on the bottom surface (212) of the piston bore housing (124) as described in FIG. 10. The third series of air thru holes (208) provide the pressurized air to fluff the lids. The second and third series of airholes (206, 208) penetrate the top and bottom surfaces (202, 212) of the piston bore housing (124).
FIG. 18 shows the top surface (116) of the main piston (114). As previously disclosed, the main piston (114) has a thru hole (120) defined therein. The outer surface (122) of the main piston (114) would slideably bear against an inner surface (214) of the external flange (184) of the piston bore housing (124) (see FIG. 10). Adhered to the main piston (114) is a main piston seal (194). In this embodiment, the main piston seal (194) is essentially u-shaped where the base (216) of the main piston seal (194) is adhered to the top surface (116) of the main piston (114). The main piston seal (194) bears against the inner surface (214) and external surface (218) defined by the gap (196) in the main piston seal (194).
Continuing with FIG. 19, we show the bottom surface (212) of the main piston (114). The bottom surface (212) of the main piston (114) shows a series of counterbores (198) to provide positional location and recesses for the main piston (114) and the piston springs (106).
FIG. 20 shows the top surface (90) of the staging housing (88). The thru-hole (96) is clearly shown. The top surface (90) of the staging housing (88) shows a series of counterbores (104) where the counterbores are deep enough to allow the piston springs (106) to slip fit and allow the piston springs to protrude above the top surface (90) of the staging housing (88). A first series of air-ports (220) is shown on the top surface (90) of the staging housing (88). The first series of air-ports (220) are in line and directly communicate with the second series of thru-holes (206) located in the piston bore housing (124). The first series of air-ports are slightly counterbored and accommodate a first series of o-rings (398). These first series of air-ports (220) penetrate thru and allow compressed air to communicate with the thru-holes (102) located in the staging housing (88) providing compressed air to actuate the separation pin assemblies (200) (see FIGS. 9 and 10). Also shown is a second series of air-ports (222) is shown on the top surface (90) of the staging housing (88). The second series of air-ports (222) are slightly counterbored to accommodate a second series of o-rings (400). The second series of air-ports (222) penetrate through the staging housing is shown on the top surface (90) of the staging housing (88) and exit into the thru-hole (96) via a plurality of exit ports (224). The first and second o-rings (398, 400), seal the top surface (212) of the main piston housing (124) to the top surface (90) of the staging housing (88).
FIG. 21 shows the finger pivot assembly (84). The finger pivot assembly (84) comprises a finger pivot anchor (100). The finger pivot anchor (100) is essentially a rectangular shape that has a protruding boss (234) that has two threaded holes (236) that threadably attach two screws (238). The two screws (238) are used to prevent any dislocation of the finger pivot anchor (100) when activated. The two screws (238) secure the finger pivot assembly (84) in the staging housing (88).
Continuing with FIG. 21, the finger pivot anchor (100) further has an ejecting finger or staging finger (74) that is pivotably attached to through a first hole (228) and has a first press fit pin (226) to allow easy rotation and translate. The finger pivot assemblies (84) further have a shoulder cap screw (108) and a spring (110) attached to a finger drive shaft (230). The finger drive shaft (230) is essentially cylindrical in shape. The finger drive shaft (230) has a top (232) that has a threaded hole (234) to allow the shoulder cap screw (108) to be threadably attached. Towards the bottom of the finger drive shaft (230), a thru slot (240) is provided. The thru slot (240) allows a second press fit pin (242) to be slideably and translatably positioned and secured in a second hole (244) (not shown) in the staging finger (74). The staging finger (74) has a length, where it terminates into a support (246). The support (246) allows beverage lids to rest upon it. The staging finger (74) further has a projection, or thumb (248) that snares the edge of a lid when the finger pivot assembly (84) is activated. As shown by FIG. 21, the dashed lines show that when the main piston (114) has been actuated, it is forced down onto the shoulder cap screw (108), which then forces the finger drive shaft (230) downward, forcing the staging finger (74) to rotate about the first press fit pin (226) and translate and pivot along the thru slot (240) in the finger drive shaft (230). The thumb (248) catches the edge of the beverage lid, and forces it through the thru hole (96) in the staging housing (88) and the thru hole (82) in the staging housing extension (80) and then to be collected in the catch tray (36).
FIG. 22 shows an overall view of the separation pin assembly (200). The separation pin assembly (200) has a separation pin body (250) which has an exterior surface (352), a first groove (254), a second groove (256), and a third groove (258). The separation pin body (250) has a front surface (260), where the front surface (260) of the separation pin body (250) has a central hole (262) that permits the separation pin (278) to separate one beverage lid from the stack of lids. The separation pin assembly (200) has a first O-ring (264) positioned in the first groove (254) and a second O-ring (266) positioned in the third groove (258) in the separation pin body (250).
FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional view of the separation pin assembly (200) showing how the internal components interact. The separation pin body (250) has an internal cavity (274). The internal cavity (274) is sized to allow a separation pin piston (270) to slidably translate through the internal cavity (274). The separation pin piston (270) has provisions to fix the separation pin (278) centrally in the separation pin piston (270). A separation pin spring (or spring) (272) is positioned in a counterbored portion of the separation pin piston (270) and around the separation pin (278). A counterbored recess (276) provides a positional location for the spring (272). A separation pin air-port (or air-port) (280) is provided that communicates with the internal cavity (274) of the separation pin body (250). The air-port (280) in the separation pin body (250) communicates with the first series of air-ports (220) in the staging housing (88) providing compressed air to actuate the separation pin piston (270) and extend the separation pin (278). When the compressed air pressure is reduced, the spring (272) returns the separation pin piston (270) and the separation pin (278) to rest against a separation pin end cap (268). The separation pin end cap (268) is positioned at an end opposing the separation pin (278) and seals the separation pin body (250) to allow the compressed air to actuate the separation pin piston (270). A groove (354) is provided in the separation pin end cap (268) that accommodates an o-ring (356) and is positionally biased towards the separation pin piston (270). In order to prevent any pressure leakage, the separation pin piston (270) has a groove (358) medially positioned on the separation pin piston (270), and accommodates an o-ring (360) positioned within the groove (358). The separation pin end cap (268) may be threadably attached to the separation pin body (250).
In order to assure correct alignment between the sleeve (64), the staging housing extension (80), and the staging housing (88), a series of clocking holes and clocking pins are added. FIG. 9 shows that the upper surface (78) of the sleeve (64) has a first clocking hole (282) and a second clocking hole (284). The first and second clocking hole (282, 284) are actually counterbores that permit a corresponding first and second clocking pin (not shown) located on the bottom surface (286) of the staging housing extension (80). The top surface (86) of the staging housing extension (80) has a third clocking hole (288) and a fourth clocking hole (290). The third and fourth clocking hole (288, 290) are actually counterbores that permit a corresponding third and fourth clocking pin (not shown) located on the bottom surface (92) of the staging housing (88).
The clocking pins (not shown) and the clocking holes are critical locating features on the sleeve (64), the staging housing extension (80), and the staging housing (88) as they permit complete alignment of the slots (72) in the sleeve (64) to align with the cutouts for the finger assemblies (192) located in the extension housing (80) and the clearance slots (98) located in the staging housing (88) to be aligned and allow the finger pivot assemblies (84) to move without interference. It should also be noted that the thru holes (102) in the extension housing (88) will have concentricity to the separation pin assembly holes (76) located in the sleeve (64) allowing the separation pin assemblies (200) to have direct communication with the thru hole (70) in the sleeve (64). When assembled, the mechanical subassembly (46) slip fits over the sleeve (64) and is aligned with the clocking pins (not shown) and the first and second clocking holes (282, 284).
To further allow for proper airflow from the air source to the respective components, fasteners (not shown) are provided to secure the respective components together.
- a. The loading tube flange (18) has a series of four (4) thru holes (374) located on the externally extending flange (50) of the loading tube flange (18).
- b. The air manifold cap (54) top surface (52) has a series of four (4) threaded holes (376) that are coordinated with the four thru holes (374) in the loading tube flange (18). The air manifold cap additionally (54) has a series of eight (8) counterbored thru holes (378) that penetrate from the top surface (52) to the bottom side (144) of the air manifold cap (54). The counterbores being deep enough to allow a cap screw (not shown) to be slightly sub-flush to the top surface (52).
- c. The air manifold (56) has a series of eight (8) thru holes (380) that penetrate from the top side (56) to the bottom side (176) and communicate with the counterbored thru holes (378) of the air manifold cap (54).
- d. The piston bore housing (124) has a series of eight (8) threaded holes (382) that are coaxially positioned common to the eight (8) thru holes (380) in the air manifold (56). Cap screws (not shown) would be inserted into the counterbored thru holes (378) in the air manifold gap (54) and penetrate the eight (8) thru holes (380) in the air manifold (56) and threadably attach in the piston bore housing (124). This secures the air manifold cap (54), the air manifold (56), and the piston bore housing (124) together assuring an airtight seal.
FIG. 24 shows the plumbing between the air manifold (328) and the first second and third solenoids (330, 332, 334), and the first second and third solenoids (330, 332, 334) and the threaded fittings (128). Each of the first second and third solenoids (330, 332, 334) have a pair of air tubes attached as described. The first solenoid (330) has a first input air tube (340) connecting to the air manifold (328) and has a first output air tube (350) connecting the first solenoid (330) to a first air fitting (128A) which provides compressed air to the main piston (114) and activate the finger pivot assemblies (84). The second solenoid (332) has a second input air tube (344) connecting to the air manifold (328) and has a second output air tube (346) connecting to a second air fitting (128B) which provides compressed air to the separation pin assemblies (200). The Third solenoid (334) has a third input air tube (340) connecting to the air manifold (328) and has a third output air tube (342) connecting to a third air fitting (128C) which provides compressed air to “fluff” the lids to assist in dispensing. To assure that the first, second and third solenoids (330, 332, 334) are activated in the correct sequence, a first, second, and third timers (384, 386, 388) are presented. The first solenoid (330) is electrically connected to the first timer (384), the second solenoid (332) is electrically connected to the second timer (386), and the third solenoid (334) is electrically connected to the third timer (388). The first, second, and third timers (384, 386, 388) are mounted onto the component mounting board (390) and is provided power by the power supply input (320).
An alternative method to dispense the lids would be the use of electro-mechanical devices which would replace the air system in the dispenser.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the disclosed embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. Each component of the apparatus' embodiment described herein has numerous equivalents that may be used to provide the same scope as the invention.
Patent Application
20240122373
