WO2007030867A1 - Straw dispenser - Google Patents
Straw dispenser Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2007030867A1 WO2007030867A1 PCT/AU2006/001330 AU2006001330W WO2007030867A1 WO 2007030867 A1 WO2007030867 A1 WO 2007030867A1 AU 2006001330 W AU2006001330 W AU 2006001330W WO 2007030867 A1 WO2007030867 A1 WO 2007030867A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- straw
- dispenser
- body portion
- straw dispenser
- straws
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F1/00—Racks for dispensing merchandise; Containers for dispensing merchandise
- A47F1/04—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs
- A47F1/08—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from bottom
- A47F1/10—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from bottom having mechanical dispensing means, e.g. with buttons or handles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G21/00—Table-ware
- A47G21/18—Drinking straws or the like
- A47G21/184—Dispensers therefor
Definitions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Figures 1 to 4 show the straw dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- one or more hinge brackets could be utilised to attach the lid member 20 to the body portion 3 of the straw dispenser 1.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Landscapes
- Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
- Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2006292018A AU2006292018A1 (en) | 2005-09-12 | 2006-09-12 | Straw dispenser |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2005904992A AU2005904992A0 (en) | 2005-09-12 | Straw dispenser | |
AU2005904992 | 2005-09-12 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2007030867A1 true WO2007030867A1 (en) | 2007-03-22 |
Family
ID=37864551
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AU2006/001330 WO2007030867A1 (en) | 2005-09-12 | 2006-09-12 | Straw dispenser |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (2) | AU2006292018A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007030867A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR101379496B1 (en) | 2014-02-14 | 2014-04-04 | 황규희 | Dispenser for a straw can be sterilized |
US8960495B2 (en) | 2011-05-25 | 2015-02-24 | Antonio Domit | Soda straw dispenser |
US10366560B2 (en) | 2014-07-17 | 2019-07-30 | Dan & O'B Enterprises, LLC | Touchless lid dispenser apparatus and method |
USD921396S1 (en) | 2019-03-28 | 2021-06-08 | Dan & O'B Enterprises, LLC | Touchless lid dispenser apparatus |
KR102527264B1 (en) * | 2022-08-05 | 2023-05-02 | 주식회사 에코아미가 | Dispenser for straw |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4219130A (en) * | 1979-01-02 | 1980-08-26 | Traex Corporation | Dispensing unit for elongated articles |
US5381925A (en) * | 1993-07-22 | 1995-01-17 | Cervantes; Pat | Stirrer/straw dispenser |
US5743430A (en) * | 1996-03-07 | 1998-04-28 | Freixas; Oscar | Automatic drinking straw dispensing device |
-
2006
- 2006-09-12 WO PCT/AU2006/001330 patent/WO2007030867A1/en active Application Filing
- 2006-09-12 AU AU2006292018A patent/AU2006292018A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2009
- 2009-06-25 AU AU2009100616A patent/AU2009100616B4/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4219130A (en) * | 1979-01-02 | 1980-08-26 | Traex Corporation | Dispensing unit for elongated articles |
US5381925A (en) * | 1993-07-22 | 1995-01-17 | Cervantes; Pat | Stirrer/straw dispenser |
US5743430A (en) * | 1996-03-07 | 1998-04-28 | Freixas; Oscar | Automatic drinking straw dispensing device |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8960495B2 (en) | 2011-05-25 | 2015-02-24 | Antonio Domit | Soda straw dispenser |
KR101379496B1 (en) | 2014-02-14 | 2014-04-04 | 황규희 | Dispenser for a straw can be sterilized |
US10366560B2 (en) | 2014-07-17 | 2019-07-30 | Dan & O'B Enterprises, LLC | Touchless lid dispenser apparatus and method |
USD921396S1 (en) | 2019-03-28 | 2021-06-08 | Dan & O'B Enterprises, LLC | Touchless lid dispenser apparatus |
KR102527264B1 (en) * | 2022-08-05 | 2023-05-02 | 주식회사 에코아미가 | Dispenser for straw |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2006292018A1 (en) | 2007-03-22 |
AU2009100616A4 (en) | 2009-07-30 |
AU2009100616B4 (en) | 2009-08-06 |
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