Article dispenser

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispenser for a plurality of articles, such as lids, for preferably dispensing the endmost article from a stack of articles.

1 . A lid dispenser comprising at least one gear to at least partially assist in driving the dispensing of a lid.  
     
     
         2 . A dispenser for an article from a plurality of articles comprising: 
 a drive system comprising at least one gear.    
     
     
         3 . The dispenser according to  claim 2 , further comprises: 
 a track member at least partially surrounding the plurality of articles; and    an ejection assembly comprising an ejection arm;    wherein the drive system comprises a plurality of gears arranged in at least one cluster gear for driving the track member and ejection assembly.    
     
     
         4 . The dispenser according to  claim 2 , wherein the article is a lid.  
     
     
         5 . The dispenser according to  claim 2 , further comprising a motor to power the drive system.  
     
     
         6 . The dispenser according to  claim 3 , wherein the track member forms teeth and a first cluster gear communicates with the teeth, the ejection assembly further comprises a shaft with an ejection arm gear mounted on one end and the ejection arm mounted on an another end, and the drive system comprises a motor cluster gear communicating with the first cluster gear and the ejection arm gear wherein a motor drives the motor cluster gear for rotating the track member and pivoting the ejection arm.  
     
     
         7 . A dispenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the motor is an electric motor, a gasoline motor, or a diesel motor.  
     
     
         8 . A dispenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the motor is an electric motor.  
     
     
         9 . A dispenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the motor is reversible.  
     
     
         10 . A dispenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the motor is mono-directional.  
     
     
         11 . A dispenser comprising a tube at least partially surrounding a plurality of articles; wherein the tube forms at least one triangular hole corresponding to a respective at least one isolating member for isolating an endmost article from at least one adjacent article.  
     
     
         12 . The dispenser according to  claim 11 , further forming at least one other hole for preventing the creation of a suction to aid the separation of an endmost article during dispensing.  
     
     
         13 . The dispenser according to  claim 11 , further forming at least one slot for permitting the insertion of a ledge of a release.  
     
     
         14 . A dispenser comprising: 
 an arm comprising a body formed integrally with a first post on a first side and a second post on an opposite side wherein the body forms a slot for receiving an isolating member.    
     
     
         15 . A dispenser comprising: 
 a release comprising a body formed integrally with a first post on a first side, a second post on an opposite side, and a ledge for releasing an article for dispensing.    
     
     
         16 . The dispenser according to  claim 14 , further comprising a coverplate forming apertures for receiving the second post of the arm.  
     
     
         17 . The dispenser according to  claim 15 , further comprising a coverplate forming apertures for receiving the second post of the arm.  
     
     
         18 . A lid dispensing method, comprising sequential steps: 
 supporting vertically from underneath bottommost lid, a stack of cup lids and, wedging-supporting vertically, first lid overlaying bottommost lid;    removing said underlying support therefrom said bottommost lid in the stack, allowing said bottommost cup lid to drop free, below the stack;    restoring underlying support, meanwhile unwedging-unsupporting said overlaying lid thus, allowing said overlaying lid and all remaining stack of lids lying thereon to drop down supported underneath, thus completing one lid dispensing cycle.