A use-activated cup dispenser capable of sensing the manual removal of individual cups therefrom is provided. Manual removal is understood to include physical contact between a hand and a cup and extraction of the cup from the cup dispenser by the user. The invention includes a decorative cover incl
A use-activated cup dispenser capable of sensing the manual removal of individual cups therefrom is provided. Manual removal is understood to include physical contact between a hand and a cup and extraction of the cup from the cup dispenser by the user. The invention includes a decorative cover including a housing disposed between first and second covers, at least one switch mechanism, a control circuit, and at least one active element including light elements, motor elements, scent dispensers, and/or audio elements. The decorative cover further includes an opening along one end. One or more switch mechanisms are provided along the first cover adjacent to the opening. The functionality of switch mechanisms includes direct contact, indirect contact, and non-contact between the cup and an optical or mechanical switch. The control circuit could be disposed on a circuit board and controls the functionality of the active elements. Active elements are attached to the decorative cover and are actuated when a cup interacts with at least one switch mechanism. Active elements enhance the entertainment and interactive properties of the cup dispenser.
대표청구항▼
1. A manual cup dispenser comprising: (a) a decorative cover including an opening at one end for a manual removal of at least one of a plurality of cups stacked within said decorative cover;(b) at least one switch mechanism disposed adjacent to said opening;(c) at least one active element disposed a
1. A manual cup dispenser comprising: (a) a decorative cover including an opening at one end for a manual removal of at least one of a plurality of cups stacked within said decorative cover;(b) at least one switch mechanism disposed adjacent to said opening;(c) at least one active element disposed along said decorative cover, said at least one active element producing light, sound, scent, and/or motion for a finite period after at least one said cup is manually and completely removed by a user from said manual cup dispenser so as to turn ON said at least one active element, said at least one active element having a form and/or a function that enhances an entertainment value of said manual cup dispenser, a duration of said finite period based on a time or an event independent of said manual removal of said cup, said at least one active element turned OFF after said finite period; and(d) a control circuit which communicates with said at least one switch mechanism and/or said at least one active element to control a functionality of said at least one active element. 2. The manual cup dispenser of claim 1, wherein said at least one switch mechanism directly contacts at least one said cup. 3. The manual cup dispenser of claim 2, wherein said at least one switch mechanism is vibration, tilt, lever, or momentary activated. 4. The manual cup dispenser of claim 1, wherein said at least one switch mechanism does not contact said plurality of cups. 5. The manual cup dispenser of claim 4, wherein said at least one switch mechanism is activated via an interrupt of visible or invisible light. 6. The manual cup dispenser of claim 4, wherein said at least one switch mechanism is activated via a reflection of visible or invisible light. 7. The manual cup dispenser of claim 1, wherein said at least one switch mechanism communicates contact with at least one said cup to a switch. 8. The manual cup dispenser of claim 7, wherein said at least one switch mechanism includes an expansion ring which activates said at least one active element when at least one said cup is removed from said manual cup dispenser and said switch is either mechanical or optical. 9. The manual cup dispenser of claim 7, wherein said at least one switch mechanism includes a rocker element which activates said at least one active element when at least one said cup is removed from said manual cup dispenser and said switch is either mechanical or optical. 10. The manual cup dispenser of claim 7, wherein said at least one switch mechanism includes a roller element which activates said at least one active element when at least one said cup is removed from said manual cup dispenser and said switch is either mechanical or optical. 11. The manual cup dispenser of claim 10, wherein said roller element has a plurality of fingers extending therefrom which contact at least one said cup so as to activate said at least one active element. 12. The manual cup dispenser of claim 1, wherein said at least one active element illuminates said decorative cover. 13. The manual cup dispenser of claim 1, further comprising: (e) a spring mechanism disposed within said decorative cover so as to assist said manual removal of at least one said cup. 14. The manual cup dispenser of claim 1, further comprising: (e) a secondary switch disposed along said decorative cover and capable of activating and/or deactivating said at least one active element separate from or independent of said manual removal of at least one said cup. 15. The manual cup dispenser of claim 1, further comprising: (e) at least one contact element disposed along an exterior of said manual cup dispenser for securing said manual cup dispenser along a support surface. 16. The manual cup dispenser of claim 1, wherein said at least one active element is a light emitting diode, a socket-bulb assembly, or a fiber optical element. 17. The manual cup dispenser of claim 1, wherein said at least one active element is a piezo buzzer, a speaker, or an audio device. 18. The manual cup dispenser of claim 1, wherein said at least one active element produces scent via atomization, heating, evaporation, airflow, pressure, or vibration. 19. The manual cup dispenser of claim 1, wherein said at least one active element is a motor, a solenoid, a bimetal, or a piezoelectric device. 20. The manual cup dispenser of claim 1, wherein said at least one active element is not activated when said cups are loaded into said manual cup dispenser and activated when at least one of said cups is removed from said manual cup dispenser. 21. The manual cup dispenser of claim 1, wherein one said switch mechanism is activatable when at least one said cup is loaded into and removed from said manual cup dispenser. 22. The manual cup dispenser of claim 1, wherein one said switch mechanism is activatable when at least one said cup is placed into said manual cup dispenser and another said switch mechanism is activatable when at least one said cup is removed from said manual cup dispenser. 23. The manual cup dispenser of claim 22, wherein said functionality of said at least one active element differs between loading and removal.
Brogna Salvatore J. (Southbury CT) Casler Richard J. (Newtown CT) Meadows John W. (Los Altos Hills CA) Lynders Joseph F. (Ansonia CT) Shulman Burt (Poughkeepsie NY), Automated drinkmaker system.
Mootz, Frederick E.; Gebauer, Carl R.; Bakonyi, Frank; Dumitrescu, Nicolae, Cup handling subsystem for an automated clinical chemistry analyzer system.
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