Object dispenser apparatus

Abstract

An object dispenser apparatus for dispensing individual products for use without users touching products to be used by others. The object dispenser apparatus includes a housing including an elongated container having an open top and adapted to store lids therein and also having a tray in communication with the container for dispensing lids from the container; and an actuator assembly disposed in the housing for dispensing the lids one-at-a-time from the container to the tray.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An object dispenser apparatus comprising:
 a housing has a top wall and including an elongated container having, an open top and adapted to store objects such as lids therein and also having a tray in communication with the container for dispensing the objects from the container; and   an actuator assembly disposed in the housing for dispensing the objects one-at-a-time from the container to the tray.   
     
     
         2 . The object dispenser apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the tray is attached to and extends outwardly from the container and is slanted downwardly from the open top of the container to facilitate sliding of the lids for access by a user. 
     
     
         3 . The object dispenser apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the actuator assembly includes a biased element disposed in the container for biasing the lids to the open top of the container and also includes an elongated object engagement member adapted to engage and move the lids to the tray. 
     
     
         4 . The object dispenser apparatus as described in  claim 3 , wherein the actuator assembly further includes an actuator disposed upon the housing for actuating the object engagement member to engage and move the lids to the tray. 
     
     
         5 . The object dispenser apparatus as described in  claim 4 , wherein the actuator is a motion sensor, wherein the actuator assembly also, includes a controller in communication with the motion sensor and with the object engagement member for controlling the object engagement member. 
     
     
         6 . The object dispenser apparatus as described in  claim 5 , wherein the actuator assembly further includes a track member attached to and depending from the top wall in the housing and disposed perpendicular to the container, and also includes an object engagement motor in communication with the controller and connected to the object engagement member and having a rotatable shaft with a cogged wheel, mounted to the rotatable shaft and movable upon the track member to linearly move the object engagement member, whereupon detection of motion by the motion sensor, a signal is sent to the controller which actuates the object engagement motor effecting engagement of the object engagement member with the lid at the open top of the container and moving the lid onto the tray. 
     
     
         7 . The object dispenser apparatus as described in  claim 6 , wherein the object engagement member has a proximate end connected to the object engagement motor and has a distal end with a suction cup attached thereto. 
     
     
         8 . The object dispenser apparatus as described in  claim 7 , wherein the actuator assembly also includes an air pump disposed in the housing and being in communication with the controller and further includes an air conduit interconnecting the air pump to the suction cup to pump air from the suction cup so that the suction cup engages the lid at the open top of the container.