Lid dispenser
AssigneeConnecticut Innovations, Inc.
InventorsRichard J. Casler, Jr., Kenneth E. Daggett, Jeffrey R. Davis, George E. Riehm
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-axis motion controller includes a digital signal processor operable in a standalone mode to run a motion control application program for controlling motion along multiple axes is organized in a shared memory architecture and includes a serial I/O data system with DMA access to the memory for repeatedly moving input and output data directly between the memory and a serial data line. The motion controller may be utilized in connection with a cup lid dispenser for an automated drinkmaker having a pivotable shuttle arrangement for dispensing the bottommost lid in a stack, and a double lid sensor for determining if more than one lid has been dispensed.
Claims6
A lid dispensing and application arrangement for separating lids from a stack of lids and applying the separated lids onto cups, comprising:
- a lid dispenser supporting a stack of lids to be dispensed;
- and
- a lid shuttle positioned near the bottom of the lid dispenser and supported for substantially linear translating and reciprocating movement between retracted and extended positions relative to the lid dispenser, said lid shuttle having a shuttle frame and a lid engaging member designed to engage a first bottommost lid of the stack of lids and to retain the first bottommost lid in a first intermediate position in the shuttle frame while the lid shuttle is moved in translation to said extended position, said lid dispenser having a fixed wall blocking direct translational movement of the bottommost lid of the stack of lids, said shuttle frame and said lid engaging member being independently moveable to permit passage of said first bottommost lid beneath said wall, said wall being adapted to contact and move the first lid in translation within the lid shuttle toward a loaded position for application to a cup as the lid shuttle is moved in translation to said retracted position.
A lid dispensing and application arrangement for separating lids from a stack of lids and applying the separated lids onto cups, comprising:
- a lid dispenser supporting a stack of lids to be dispensed;
- and
- a lid shuttle positioned near the bottom of the lid dispenser and supported for substantially linear translating and reciprocating movement between retracted and extended positions relative to the lid dispenser, said lid shuttle having a shuttle frame and a lid engaging member designed to engage a first bottommost lid of the stack of lids and to retain the first bottommost lid in a first intermediate position in the shuttle frame while the lid shuttle is moved in translation to said extended position, said lid dispenser having a fixed wall blocking direct translational movement of the bottommost lid of the stack of lids, said shuttle frame being moveable to permit passage of said first bottommost lid beneath said wall.
A lid dispensing and application arrangement for separating lids from a stack of lids and applying the separated lids onto cups, comprising:
- a lid dispenser supporting a stack of lids to be dispensed;
- and
- a lid shuttle positioned near the bottom of the lid dispenser and supported for substantially linear translating and reciprocating movement between retracted and extended positions relative to the lid dispenser, said lid shuttle supporting a lid engaging member designed to engage a first bottommost lid of the stack of lids and to retain the first bottommost lid in a first intermediate position in the lid shuttle while the lid shuttle is moved in translation to said extended position, the lid shuttle further supporting a lid applicator comprising an angled member and an underlying leaf spring for holding the first lid beneath and against the angled member in a second loaded position for application to a cup beneath the lid applicator as the lid shuttle is moved in translation to said retracted position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.