A screw denester for isolated dispensing of trays, comprising a frame for arrangement on a motor-driven transport device and multiple force-driven dispensing screws for isolating and dropping of trays. The screw denester is characterized in that it has a trigger plate that is provided loosely on the frame below the dispensing screws, wherein at least one sensor is provided that records a position change of the trigger plate in relation to the frame.

A cup dispenser for a beverage vending machine and comprising a magazine rotatably mounted about a rotation axis and provided with a plurality of columns arranged around the rotation axis and each adapted to store a respective stack of cups and provided with a respective release device operable to dispense individual cups. The cup dispenser further comprises a first actuator to rotate the magazine about the rotation axis and selectively bring the columns in a fixed cup dispensing station, a second actuator to operate the release device of the column in the dispensing station, a power takeoff powered by the second actuator, and a third actuator operable to selectively move the power takeoff to and from an engagement position, in which the power takeoff is kinematically coupled with a power input of the release device in the dispensing station.

The invention relates to a container separator apparatus for automatically separating stacked rimmed containers. The container separator apparatus utilizes at least one spindle comprising a rotation cylinder, a screw-toothed cylinder, and a semi-circular wedge that are arranged to operate synchronously as the spindle rotates. The stacked rimmed containers can be placed in a rack, which can be inverted and placed against the rotation cylinders. As the at least one spindle rotates the rims of the containers engage with the thread of the screw-toothed cylinder, which carries the containers downward towards the semi-circular wedge. As the containers pass the rotating semi-circular wedge, the narrow end of the wedge inserts between the rims of two adjacent containers and gradually separates the containers to the bottom container can fall off the stack of containers in an upright position.

Various embodiments of flanged containers that can be stacked in a nested relationship are disclosed so as to provide uniform spacing between the containers to facilitate reliable denesting thereof. The flanges and/or sidewalls of the containers may be provided with features that facilitate alignment and uniform spacing of the nested containers so that a denesting apparatus can reliably denest the containers. Other containers include sidewalls divided into two sections that serve to stabilize stacked container.

A screw denester for isolated dispensing of trays, comprising a frame for arrangement on a motor-driven transport device and multiple force-driven dispensing screws for isolating and dropping of trays. The screw denester is characterized in that it has a trigger plate that is provided loosely on the frame below the dispensing screws, wherein at least one sensor is provided that records a position change of the trigger plate in relation to the frame.

A dispensing device that comprises vertical guidings for receiving a stack of a plurality of trays, a separating device for dispensing individual trays in a downward direction and a tray discharge device that has multiple rotating lifting elements. The dispensing device includes lifting elements that are formed cylindrically and have a comb structure with at least two immersing protrusions that extend in parallel to one another.

A cup dispensing apparatus comprising at least one magazine adapted to accommodate a stack of cups, and a releasing device, which has a vertical channel designed to be engaged by the stack, is configured to support the stack and release, when operated, the last cup, and is equipped with at least three releasing elements movable on a horizontal plane in respective directions substantially tangential to said channel, between a rest position, in which they define a horizontal first support plane designed to be engaged by the last cup to support the stack, and a release position, in which they define a second support plane at a higher level than the first support plane and designed to be engaged by the penultimate cup to support the rest of the stack; each releasing device has an associated separating device adapted to impart a downward detaching thrust on the last cup when the respective releasing element reaches the release position.

A packaging dispenser, for dispensing stacks of nested trays to a packing device, has a frame, a first conveyor for conveying and supporting a first plurality of stacks of nested trays in a first level, and a second conveyor downstream of the first conveyor for receiving stacks of nested trays from the first conveyor. The packaging dispenser also includes a vertical chute underneath the second conveyor for dispensing stacks of nested trays to a packing device. The second conveyor has a pair of laterally spaced conveyor elements for supporting only lateral edge regions of a stack of nested trays. The laterally spaced conveyor elements are retractable to allow a stack of nested trays, supported thereon, to be released into the chute. The packaging dispenser can further be provided with a tray separator upstream of the chute for loosening individual trays of a stack, while keeping the trays in a stacked and nested arrangement.

A packaging dispenser, for dispensing stacks of nested trays to a packing device, has a frame, a first conveyor for conveying and supporting a first plurality of stacks of nested trays in a first level, and a second conveyor downstream of the first conveyor for receiving stacks of nested trays from the first conveyor. The packaging dispenser also includes a vertical chute underneath the second conveyor for dispensing stacks of nested trays to a packing device. The second conveyor has a pair of laterally spaced conveyor elements for supporting only lateral edge regions of a stack of nested trays. The laterally spaced conveyor elements are retractable to allow a stack of nested trays, supported thereon, to be released into the chute. The packaging dispenser can further be provided with a tray separator upstream of the chute for loosening individual trays of a stack, while keeping the trays in a stacked and nested arrangement.

The invention relates to denester for use with a tray sealer. The denester includes a magazine for accommodating at least one stack of trays. The magazine includes a first vertical guide and a second guide, the second guide capable of being inclined at an inclination relative to the first guide. The inclination of the second guide is adjustable to accommodate destacking of the trays in the stack of trays.