Single Stack Wafer Dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser ( 10 ) having a housing ( 20 ), a peripheral annular shoulder ( 30 ), a wafer package ( 60 ), and a lever ( 70 ). The housing ( 20 ) defines a longitudinal axis and a retention chamber ( 23 ) with a dispensing orifice ( 25 ) proximate the periphery of the base ( 21 ). The peripheral annular shoulder ( 30 ) is proximate the base ( 21 ) and spaced above the base ( 21 ) in the first longitudinal direction X 1 to define a gap ( 40 ) between the base ( 21 ) and the shoulder ( 30 ). The wafer package ( 60 ) is configured and arranged to fit completely within the retention chamber ( 23 ) of the housing ( 20 ). The lever ( 70 ) is pivotally attached to the housing ( 20 ) and has an arm ( 71 ) and a push rod ( 72 ). The push rod ( 72 ) is attached to the distal end ( 71 a ) of the arm ( 71 ) wherein the distal end ( 72 a ) of the push rod ( 72 ) radially extends into the gap ( 40 ).

1 . A dispenser, comprising:
 (a) a housing with a base and sidewalls extending longitudinally upward from the base to define a longitudinal axis and a retention chamber with a dispensing orifice proximate the periphery of the base;   (b) a peripheral annular shoulder proximate the base and spaced above the base in the first longitudinal direction to define a gap between the base and the shoulder wherein the shoulder is discontinued at the dispensing orifice so as to create a wafer drop zone within the gap;   (c) a wafer package with a closed end, an open end, and sidewalls extending longitudinally downward from the closed end and configured and arranged to fit completely within the retention chamber of the housing and the open end to be supported by the shoulder to define a storage chamber wherein the storage chamber is configured and arranged to hold a plurality of wafers in a longitudinally stacked fashion therein; and,   (d) a lever pivotally attached to the housing having an arm and a push rod wherein (i) a distal end of the arm is attached to the push rod and (ii) a distal end of the push rod radially extends into the gap.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the wafer package is transparent. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein (i) the distal end of the push rod has an upper corner extending in the first longitudinal direction and (ii) the upper corner is beveled.