Recyclable and dispensable hygienic cutlery utensil. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a handle portion and head portion. The handle portion provides suitable area for gripping and includes a chamfer on its outer edge for facilitating a predictable release from a utensil dispenser. The head portion is formed into the shape of a common cutlery utensil such as: knife with large radius, tapered knife with large radius, spoon, set of tines (fork), and spoon-fork combination, to name a few. The head portion also includes an escapement feature in its outer edge for facilitating controlled release from the bottom of a stack of utensils. The escapement feature can include a notch or predetermined release radius. Typically in use, a set of utensils is stacked, forming a cartridge which is then inserted into an automated dispensing system.

The invention provides an apparatus for separating a cone sleeve (4) from a nested stack of cone sleeves (1) the apparatus comprising a chamber (2) having an upper (7) and a lower (8) surface connected by a wall or walls (6), the upper surface (7) having an upper circular opening (3) and the lower surface (8) having a lower circular opening (5) characterized in that the upper circular opening (3) has a circumference of from 100-135% of the maximum circumference of the cone sleeve (4), the lower circular opening (5) has a circumference of from 95-99.5% of the maximum circumference of the cone sleeve (4), and the chamber (2) has inlets (9) connectable to a pressurized gas supply. The invention also provides process that employs the apparatus, the process comprising the steps of providing a stack of nested cone sleeves (1); placing the lowermost end of the stack into the chamber (2) from above the chamber (2); and allowing the lowermost cone sleeve (4) to sit within the lower circular opening (5) and allowing the cone sleeves above the lower-most cone sleeve (4) to protrude from the top of the chamber (2) characterized in that pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber via the inlets (9) thereby to create an elevated pressure within the chamber (2).

A self-service device for taking tableware is provided, comprising a housing body in which a magazine for accommodating a plurality of tableware is arranged, and a support assembly for supporting the plurality of tableware arranged under the magazine, wherein the plurality of tableware are sequentially stacked on the support assembly. A pushing member is arranged at a side of the support assembly for pushing the tableware in a bottommost layer to displace relative to the support assembly for falling, wherein the pushing member is further provided with a reset member for resetting itself after its pushing. Moreover, an inclined chute is arranged in the housing body for receiving the tableware falling from the support assembly and guiding the same to slide out. The self-service device for taking tableware has a neat appearance, can be operated and taken out in a hermetically sealed environment, so the tableware is clean and hygienic.

A self-service device for taking tableware is provided, comprising a housing body in which a magazine for accommodating a plurality of tableware is arranged, and a support assembly for supporting the plurality of tableware arranged under the magazine, wherein the plurality of tableware are sequentially stacked on the support assembly. A pushing member is arranged at a side of the support assembly for pushing the tableware in a bottommost layer to displace relative to the support assembly for falling, wherein the pushing member is further provided with a reset member for resetting itself after its pushing. Moreover, an inclined chute is arranged in the housing body for receiving the tableware falling from the support assembly and guiding the same to slide out. The self-service device for taking tableware has a neat appearance, can be operated and taken out in a hermetically sealed environment, so the tableware is clean and hygienic.

A self-service device for taking tableware is provided, comprising a housing body in which a magazine for accommodating a plurality of tableware is arranged, and a support assembly for supporting the plurality of tableware arranged under the magazine, wherein the plurality of tableware are sequentially stacked on the support assembly. A pushing member is arranged at a side of the support assembly for pushing the tableware in a bottommost layer to displace relative to the support assembly for falling, wherein the pushing member is further provided with a reset member for resetting itself after its pushing. Moreover, an inclined chute is arranged in the housing body for receiving the tableware falling from the support assembly and guiding the same to slide out. The self-service device for taking tableware has a neat appearance, can be operated and taken out in a hermetically sealed environment, so the tableware is clean and hygienic.

A self-service device for taking tableware is provided, comprising a housing body in which a magazine for accommodating a plurality of tableware is arranged, and a support assembly for supporting the plurality of tableware arranged under the magazine, wherein the plurality of tableware are sequentially stacked on the support assembly. A pushing member is arranged at a side of the support assembly for pushing the tableware in a bottommost layer to displace relative to the support assembly for falling, wherein the pushing member is further provided with a reset member for resetting itself after its pushing. Moreover, an inclined chute is arranged in the housing body for receiving the tableware falling from the support assembly and guiding the same to slide out. The self-service device for taking tableware has a neat appearance, can be operated and taken out in a hermetically sealed environment, so the tableware is clean and hygienic.

A tableware taking device is provided, which comprising a base and a tableware taking apparatus arranged on the base. The tableware taking apparatus is further provided with a button and a connecting rod with a first end connecting the button; the base is provided with a positioning hole in which a second end of the connecting rod is inserted for fixing the tableware taking apparatus on the base. When the button is pressed downward, the second end of the connecting rod moves away from the positioning hole for detaching the tableware taking apparatus from the base; thus the tableware taking apparatus can be placed in a better way for preventing itself from turning over. In additional, the connecting rod can be controlled by the button on the tableware taking apparatus to move away from the positioning hole in the base for detaching the tableware taking apparatus from the base.

A tableware taking device is provided, which comprising a base and a tableware taking apparatus arranged on the base. The tableware taking apparatus is further provided with a button and a connecting rod with a first end connecting the button; the base is provided with a positioning hole in which a second end of the connecting rod is inserted for fixing the tableware taking apparatus on the base. When the button is pressed downward, the second end of the connecting rod moves away from the positioning hole for detaching the tableware taking apparatus from the base; thus the tableware taking apparatus can be placed in a better way for preventing itself from turning over. In additional, the connecting rod can be controlled by the button on the tableware taking apparatus to move away from the positioning hole in the base for detaching the tableware taking apparatus from the base.

A utensil dispenser comprises a housing, a utensil support assembly and a utensil dispensing actuator. The utensil support assembly comprises a skewer for retaining a stack of utensils to be dispensed. The actuator provides for sequential dispensing of the utensils. The utensils are held in alignment on the skewer until they are sequentially dispensed. Dispensing occurs as the utensils are individually removed by the actuator from the skewer where the utensil falls by gravity to an opening at the bottom of the housing for presentation to a user. A retainer member keeps the utensils stored on the skewer until the utensil support assembly is mounted in the housing and the utensils are ready for dispensing.

A utensil dispenser comprises a housing, a utensil support assembly and a utensil dispensing actuator. The utensil support assembly comprises a skewer for retaining a stack of utensils to be dispensed. The actuator provides for sequential dispensing of the utensils. The utensils are held in alignment on the skewer until they are sequentially dispensed. Dispensing occurs as the utensils are individually removed by the actuator from the skewer where the utensil falls by gravity to an opening at the bottom of the housing for presentation to a user. A retainer member keeps the utensils stored on the skewer until the utensil support assembly is mounted in the housing and the utensils are ready for dispensing.