This disclosure relates to an improvement to vending machines and particularly gumball machines, and is equally applicable to vending machines of like design. A system and method are disclosed to convert a conventional gumball vending machine to a solar light fixture using an inner rod nut. A system and method are disclosed to convert a conventional vending machine to contain a rotary turntable.

This disclosure relates to an improvement to vending machines and particularly gumball machines, and is equally applicable to vending machines of like design. A system and method are disclosed to convert a conventional gumball vending machine to a solar light fixture using an inner rod nut. A system and method are disclosed to convert a conventional vending machine to contain a rotary turntable.

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.

An escapement mechanism of a cutlery dispenser causes a cutlery article to fall from a vertical stack onto a slide track that guides it to a dispensing position. A slide channel and head channel of the slide track can laterally confine the cutlery article. A dampening surface can reduce cutlery bouncing and skewing. The escapement mechanism can include at least three pivots and/or a coil return spring. Dispensers can be installed in a base in any desired combination and retained therein by compatible features such as flanges and slots that prevent dispenser tipping. In embodiments, individual dispensers can be horizontally slid part-way out of the base to access side features that would otherwise be obscured by a neighboring dispenser. A cutlery quantity indicator can laterally contact the cutlery stack and can pivot to display a low-cutlery signal when the cutlery stack falls below an indicator height.

An escapement mechanism of a cutlery dispenser causes a cutlery article to fall from a vertical stack onto a slide track that guides it to a dispensing position. A slide channel and head channel of the slide track can laterally confine the cutlery article. A dampening surface can reduce cutlery bouncing and skewing. The escapement mechanism can include at least three pivots and/or a coil return spring. Dispensers can be installed in a base in any desired combination and retained therein by compatible features such as flanges and slots that prevent dispenser tipping. In embodiments, individual dispensers can be horizontally slid part-way out of the base to access side features that would otherwise be obscured by a neighboring dispenser. A cutlery quantity indicator can laterally contact the cutlery stack and can pivot to display a low-cutlery signal when the cutlery stack falls below an indicator height.

A cutlery dispensing system includes a base having a plurality of base compartments with identical retaining features and a plurality of dispensers having compatible retaining features allowing them to be installed in the base in any desired order and combination. In embodiments, individual dispensers remain vertically supported when they are horizontally slid part-way out of the base to access side features that enable cutlery refilling. The base can comprise a plurality of interlocking compartment base units, each of which having one or more base compartments, to allow flexible configuration and expansion of the base. End caps can be used to terminate the sides of the base. Compartment base units with only one base compartment can be less than six inches wide.

A cutlery dispensing system includes a base having a plurality of base compartments with identical retaining features and a plurality of dispensers having compatible retaining features allowing them to be installed in the base in any desired order and combination. In embodiments, individual dispensers remain vertically supported when they are horizontally slid part-way out of the base to access side features that enable cutlery refilling. The base can comprise a plurality of interlocking compartment base units, each of which having one or more base compartments, to allow flexible configuration and expansion of the base. End caps can be used to terminate the sides of the base. Compartment base units with only one base compartment can be less than six inches wide.

An assembly and method of forming a dispenser assembly that is constructed to sequentially dispense respective container lids from a stack of container lids housed in the dispenser assembly. The dispenser assembly includes a housing that is generally defined by a base, a cover, a top, and a lid. A guide tube depends from the top and generally overlies a trap door that is operationally connected to an actuator assembly and a drive assembly. A separator assembly is connected to the drive assembly and operative to effectuate separation of discrete lids from an end of the stack of lids during operation of the trap door during each dispense event.

The present disclosure provides a cutlery dispenser for dispensing cutlery utensils. The cutlery dispenser may include a housing, a cover, a wedge protrusion, and a pair of sweeper arms. The housing may include an interior space and be configured to receive a number of cutlery utensils loaded therein. The cover may enclose a portion of the interior space and be configured to move between a closed position for dispensing the loaded cutlery utensils from the interior space and an open position for loading the cutlery utensils into the interior space. The wedge protrusion may be configured to engage a leading one of the loaded cutlery utensils when the cover is in the closed position and to disengage the leading one of the loaded cutlery utensils when the cover is in an open position. The sweeper arms may be configured to engage the leading one of the loaded cutlery utensils when the cover is in an open position and to disengage the leading one of the loaded cutlery utensils when the cover is in the closed position.