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Title:
STRAW DISPENSER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2007/030867
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A straw dispenser including a body portion for holding a plurality of straws, said body portion having a movable carriage plate, a dispensing mechanism, and an activation means whereby the dispenser is adapted to dispense a straw without a user having to touch any component of the dispenser which a straw contacts.

Inventors:
BRETT ALLISTER (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/AU2006/001330
Publication Date:
March 22, 2007
Filing Date:
September 12, 2006
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
FSM PTY LTD (AU)
BRETT ALLISTER (AU)
International Classes:
A47F1/10; A47F1/12
Foreign References:
US5381925A1995-01-17
US5743430A1998-04-28
US4219130A1980-08-26
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
ACTUATE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (13-25 Church Street Hawthorn, VIC 3122, AU)
Download PDF:
Claims:
We claim:

1. A straw dispenser including: a body portion for holding a plurality of straws, said body portion having a movable carriage plate; a dispensing mechanism; and an activation means whereby the dispenser is adapted to dispense a straw without a user having to touch any component of the dispenser which a straw contacts.

2. A straw dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body portion is integrally formed from a piece of stainless steel sheet material having two side walls which are adapted to provide a sealed enclosure for the straws located within the body portion .

3. A straw dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the body portion has provided at least one aperture.

4. A straw dispenser as claimed in claim 3 wherein a first aperture is a top opening which is adapted to provide access to the interior of the body portion of the straw dispenser.

5. A straw dispenser as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein a second aperture provides an opening for a sensor means at the front of the body portion.

6. A straw dispenser as claimed in claim 3 to claim 5 wherein a third aperture is provided at the bottom of the body portion to provide an exit means for the straws to leave the dispenser.

7. A straw dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the body portion has provided a lid member which is adapted to be hingedly connected to the outer surface of the body portion over the top opening to prevent exposure of the straws to the surrounding atmosphere.

8. A straw dispenser as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the carriage plate has provided a longitudinal aperture which is adapted to hold one or more straws therein which are to be dispensed.

9. A straw dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the straw dispenser further comprises a base plate which is adapted to be located directly under the carriage plate.

10. A straw dispenser as claimed in any one of the above claims where the dispensing means includes a drive mechanism operated by a power source which is adapted to control movement of the carriage plate.

11. A straw dispenser as claimed in claim 10 wherein the drive mechanism has a rod which is connected to the carriage plate and is adapted to pull the carriage plate in a forward direction upon activation of the drive mechanism.

12. A straw dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the activation means is a sensor which is adapted to detect an object placed and/or moved in front of the sensor in order to activate the dispensing means.

13. A straw dispenser as claimed in any one of the above claims which further comprises a catcher member that is designed to receive a straw once it has been dispensed from the body portion.

14. A straw dispenser as claimed in claim 13 wherein the catcher member has sloped side walls having a stop wall positioned on either side of the catcher member so that a straw can be retrieved by its mid-section.

15. A straw dispenser as substantially described herein with reference to the above examples and drawing figures.

Description:

STRAW DISPENSER

Technical Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the area of dispensers and in particular, to a sanitised straw dispenser which provides a means for enabling a user to retrieve a straw without having to touch the actual dispenser with their hands.

Whilst the invention can be applied to various dispensers for different types of elongated articles such as coffee stirrers and the like, for convenience sake it shall be described herein in terms of a dispenser for straws.

Background to the Invention

In the hospitality industry, many commercial establishments particularly fast-food venues and eat-in or take-away restaurants or shops will provide drinking straws for customers purchasing beverages who may not want to drink straight out of a glass, cup or bottle. The drinking straws are usually held in an upright, inclined position in an open-ended vessel from which a customer can select a straw. The problem with this type of device is that it is very unhygienic as all of the drinking straws are exposed to contamination which may occur via contaminants in the surrounding air and/or customers touching and handling several straws at the same time.

In order to overcome this problem, a number of devices have been developed to store the straws so that that they remain unexposed to the environment until a person is ready to retrieve one. Such devices include a cylindrical container having a moveable support carrying the straws which is preferably connected to the lid of the container and is adapted to raise the straws upwardly for selection by a user upon lifting of the lid. Another known device comprises a rectangular container which is adapted to store the straws horizontally and dispense one straw at a time. The rectangular container has provided an aperture at the bottom of the container through which a straw can roll onto a resting ledge for collection by a user upon depression of the ledge by the user.

Whilst these devices minimize the exposure of the drinking straws to the surrounding atmosphere and human touch, the disadvantage of the prior art is that a user is still

able to touch the ends of several straws in the cylindrical device when the lid is lifted, and the user will still contact the resting ledge in the rectangular device onto which the next straw will fall upon depression of the ledge. These days it is further possible to have wrapped straws such that only the user will open and contact the straw however, most establishments do not like having wrapped straws as customers will often open the packaging and discard the wrapper onto the floor or table leaving it behind for members of staff to clean.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a sanitised straw dispenser which is adapted to provide a means for enabling a user to retrieve a straw without having to touch the dispenser with their hands.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a straw dispenser including: a body portion for holding a plurality of straws, said body portion having a movable carriage plate; a dispensing mechanism; and an activation means whereby the dispenser is adapted to dispense a straw without a user having to touch any component of the dispenser which a straw contacts.

The body portion of the straw dispenser is preferably integrally formed from a piece of stainless steel sheet material having two side walls which are adapted to provide a sealed enclosure for the straws located within the body portion .

The body portion preferably has provided at least one aperture. A first aperture is a top opening which is adapted to provide access to the interior of the body portion of the straw dispenser. A second aperture provides an opening for a sensor means at the front of the body portion. A third aperture is provided at the bottom of the body portion to provide an exit means for the straws to leave the dispenser.

The body portion has provided a lid member which is adapted to be hingedly connected to the outer surface of the body portion and is preferably positioned over the top opening to prevent exposure of the straws to the surrounding atmosphere.

The carriage plate of the straw dispenser preferably has provided a longitudinal aperture which is adapted to hold one or more straws therein which are to be dispensed. Movement of the carriage plate is preferably controlled via a dispensing means which includes a drive mechanism operated by a power source which is adapted to control movement of the carriage plate. The drive mechanism preferably has a rod which is connected to the carriage plate and is adapted to pull the carriage plate in a forward direction upon activation of the drive mechanism.

The activation means is preferably a sensor which is adapted to detect an object placed and/or moved in front of the sensor in order to activate the dispensing means.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood we will describe by way of non-limiting examples specific embodiments thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the straw dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a top perspective view of the straw dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the inside of the body portion.

Figure 3 shows the inside of the body portion of the straw dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the dispensing means according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Description of an Embodiment of the Invention

Figures 1 to 4 show the straw dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In this preferred embodiment, the invention provides a straw dispenser 1 which is adapted to accommodate a plurality of straws 2 therein. The straw dispenser 1 is preferably made of a food grade stainless steel material or any other suitable

material which conforms to the relevant food, health and hygiene regulations and meets the requirements of the invention. The straw dispenser 1 is preferably cylindrical in shape. However, it is envisaged that the shape, style and dimensions of the straw dispenser 1 may vary as required.

The straw dispenser 1 has provided a body portion 3. The dimensions of the body portion 3 are preferably such that the length of the body portion 3 is slightly larger than the length of a straw 2 so that the straws 2 can be stored in a substantially horizontal position therein.

The body portion 3 of the straw dispenser 1 is integrally formed from a piece of stainless steel sheet material that is rolled to provide a cylindrical body portion 3. The straw dispenser 1 has provided two side walls 4 which are adapted to provide a sealed enclosure for the straws 2 located within the body portion 3. The side walls are preferably integrally formed or welded together. However, it is envisaged that the side walls 4 could also have provided a flange portion (not shown) extending along the perimeter of an outer edge of the side wall 4 to enable a side wall 4 to be secured to the body portion 3 at each side via a securing means such as a screw or bolt or the like.

The body portion 3 of the straw dispenser 1 has provided at least one aperture 5. A first aperture 5 is preferably provided at the top of the body portion 3 and is adapted to form the top opening 5 and provide access to the interior of the body portion 3 for the filling and re-filling of straws 2 into the body portion 3. A second aperture 6 is provided at the front of the body portion 3 and is adapted to provide an opening for a sensor means 10 positioned within the body portion 3 of the straw dispenser 1. A third aperture 7 is preferably provided toward the bottom of the body portion 3 of the straw dispenser 1 and is adapted to provide an exit means for the straws 2 to leave the straw dispenser 1.

Provided at the top of the straw dispenser 1 is a lid member 20 which is adapted to be disposed over the outer surface of the body portion 3 of the straw dispenser 1. The lid member 20 is preferably adapted to directly abut the top surface of the body portion 3 in order to provide an adequate seal for the straw dispenser 1 to prevent the straws 2 from being exposed to the surrounding atmosphere and human touch. The lid portion 2 is preferably attached to the surface of the body portion 3 via a hinged bracket 21 which is adapted to extend along the entire length of the lid

member 20 and/or body portion 3 so that the weight of the lid member 20 is evenly distributed when it is raised. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that one or more hinge brackets could be utilised to attach the lid member 20 to the body portion 3 of the straw dispenser 1. In addition, the lid member 20 may have provided a handle portion (not shown) which is adapted to assist a user in raising and/or lowering the lid member 20. In a further embodiment, it is envisaged that the lid member 20 could be integrally formed with the body portion 3 of the straw dispenser 1.

The straw dispenser 1 has provided a carriage plate 30 in the form of a movable, flat plate which is adapted to be positioned within the body portion 3 so that it is in line with the bottom aperture 7 of the body portion 3. The carriage plate 30 may preferably have the same dimensions as that of the body portion 3 or be larger to extend outwardly from the back of the body portion 3 of the dispenser 1. The carriage plate 30 is positioned such that it divides the body portion 3 of the straw dispenser 1 into two compartments (not shown). The first compartment located above the carriage plate 30 is adapted to hold a plurality of straws 2 therein, whilst the second compartment located beneath the carriage plate 30 is preferably adapted to house the components for the driving mechanism of the carriage plate 30.

The carriage plate 30 has provided a longitudinal aperture 31 which is adapted to hold one or more straws 2 therein to be dispensed to a user. Accordingly, the aperture should have suitable dimensions and thickness to accomodate one or more straws 2 therein for dispensing with the remainder of the straws 2 sitting above the aperture and carriage plate 30 so that the aperture is continuously refilled with additional straws 2 to be dispensed. The carriage plate 30 is adapted to be horizontally displaced in order to dispense one straw at a time. Movement of the plate 30 is further adapted to agitate the straws 2 and ensure that a straw 2 will fall into the aperture 31 for dispensing of the straws 2.

The straw dispenser 1 has provided a base plate 32 which is adapted to be located directly under the carriage plate 30 in order to provide support to the carriage plate 30 and allow the carriage plate 30 and straws 2 to be moveable thereover. The base plate 32 is preferably integrally formed with or welded to the body portion 3, or have provided a flange or the like at each side to enable it to be secured to the body portion via a screw or bolt or the like.

Mounted in association with the base plate 32 and/or carriage plate 30 of the straw dispenser 1 is a dispensing mechanism which is adapted to control movement of the carriage plate 30 in order to dispense the straws 2 from within the body portion 2 of the straw dispenser 1. The dispensing mechanism includes a drive mechanism 33 which is adapted to be connected to the carriage plate 30 and move the plate 30 in a forward direction upon activation of the drive mechanism 33. When the drive mechanism 33 is activated and electrical current is supplied to the drive mechanism 33, the rod (not shown) of the drive mechanism 33 which is connected to the carriage plate 30, pulls the carriage plate 30 forward from a normal position to a dispensing position. De-activation of the drive mechanism 33 then returns the carriage plate 30 to its normal position. Return movement of the carriage plate 30 is controlled via a spring-loaded mechanism (not shown) to ensure that the movement is steady and does not damage the dispenser 1. The dispensing mechanism is powered by a power source which can be a battery or wiring connected to a direct current power supply. In an alternate embodiment, it is envisaged that a hydraulic means may be used to push the rod and provide movement of the carriage plate 30 of the straw dispenser 1.

The straw dispenser 1 preferably has provided an activation means in the form of a sensor 10 which is adapted to activate the drive mechanism 33 of the dispensing mechanism. The sensor 10 is preferably located at the front of the body portion behind the aperture 6 provided at the front of the body portion 3 of the straw dispenser 1. The sensor is designed to detect an object in front of the sensor and/or dispenser 1 , such as a hand, and order the drive mechanism 33 to move the carriage plate 30 to dispense the straw(s) 2. The straw dispenser 1 is adapted to only dispense a single straw at a time therefore, in order to obtain a second straw 2, the object will need to be removed from the sensor 10 and then placed in front of the sensor 10 a second time.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, activation of the dispensing mechanism may occur via a number of different methods including foot activation whereby a user presses a button or lever with their foot to activate the solenoid of the dispensing mechanism, or audio activated whereby a user says a specific word or phrase that can be recognizable by the straw dispenser to initiate activation of the solenoid.

In practice, when a user initiates the activation means 10 for example, by holding their hand in front of the sensor 10, current will be supplied from the power source to

the drive mechanism 33 causing the rod of the drive mechanism 33 to be pulled consequently pulling the carriage plate 30 forward from its normal position to a dispensing position. When in the dispensing position, the aperture 31 provided on the carriage plate 30 will be brought forward from the body portion 3 of the straw dispenser 1 to expose the aperture 31 and the straw being temporarily held in the aperture. Once the aperture 31 is brought forward beyond the end of the base plate 32, the straw will fall onto a catcher member 8.

The catcher member 8 is adapted to be placed under the body portion 3 of the straw dispenser 1 to catch a straw 2. Each side of the catcher device may be provided with sloped edges 9 such and a stop wall 10 such that the straw will slide down the sloped edge until it hits the stop wall 10 for collection by a user. Unlike previous straw dispensers, there is no horizontal ledge provided between each side wall such that, a person can retrieve the straw 2 by picking the straw up from its mid-region and not touching the catcher member 8 of the straw dispenser 1.

It is envisaged that one or more components of the straw dispenser may be coated with an anti-microbial or saniguard substance which is adapted to inhibit bacteria growth that may arise from accidental touching of any one of the straw dispenser components or atmospheric contamination such as someone sneezing or breathing on the dispenser. The components may also be made with silver ions which act to further inhibit bacterial growth should any surface of the components become contaminated.

While we have described herein particular embodiments of the straw dispenser 1 , it is further envisaged that other embodiments of the invention could exhibit any number and combination of any one of the features previously described. However, it is to be understood that any variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.