Electronic article dispenser
AssigneeMetro Bay Products, Inc.
InventorsJAMES G. HORIAN, JOSEPH SANDOR
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatic sensing article/toothpick dispenser with sanitizing capability. The dispenser is configured to store a plurality of toothpicks in a hygienic storage compartment specifically designed to prevent contaminants from entering the storage compartment. The dispenser is further configured to automatically dispense the toothpicks individually in an unwrapped, ready-to-use configuration, wherein the dispenser is configured and adapted to mitigate contact between the user and the dispenser so as to reduce the likelihood that contaminants may be transferred from the user to the dispenser.
Claims20
A hygienic toothpick dispenser comprising:
- a storage container having an inner storage compartment configured for storing a plurality of toothpicks, the storage container having an external dispensing slot formed therein and in communication with the inner storage compartment;
- and
- a dispensing element operatively coupled to the storage container, the dispensing element having a toothpick engagement portion defining an engagement cavity configured to be engageable with a single toothpick;
- the dispensing element being translatable relative to the storage container to transition between retracted and dispensing positions, as the dispensing element translates from the retracted position to the dispensing position, the dispensing element passes through the inner storage compartment, engages with a single toothpick, and extends through the external dispensing slot to dispense the toothpick.
A straw dispenser comprising:
- a storage container having an inner storage compartment configured for storing a plurality of straws, the storage container having an external dispensing slot formed therein and in communication with the inner storage compartment;
- and
- a dispensing element operatively coupled to the storage container, the dispensing element having a straw engagement portion defining an engagement cavity configured to be engageable with a single straw;
- the dispensing element being translatable relative to the storage container to transition between retracted and dispensing positions, as the dispensing element translates from the retracted position to the dispensing position, the dispensing element passes through the inner storage compartment, engages with a single straw, and extends through the external dispensing slot to dispense the straw.
A hygienic candy dispenser comprising:
- a storage container having an inner storage compartment configured for storing a plurality of candy pieces, the storage container having an external dispensing opening formed therein and in communication with the inner storage compartment;
- and
- a dispensing element operatively coupled to the storage container, the dispensing element having a candy engagement portion defining an engagement cavity configured to be engageable with a single candy piece;
- the dispensing element being translatable relative to the storage container to transition between retracted and dispensing positions, as the dispensing element translates from the retracted position to the dispensing position, the dispensing element passes through the inner storage compartment, engages with a single candy piece, and extends through the external dispensing opening to dispense the candy piece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.