Patent attributes
The present invention relates to a more robust article dispensing apparatus that is relatively simple in construction and usage for dispensing articles in a clean and protective environment. More specifically, the apparatus accepts, separates, and dispenses articles from a nested stack of articles such as beverage cup lids one at a time. In one embodiment, a dispensing apparatus for dispensing an article from a stack of articles each having a periphery comprises an isolating device including one or more isolating members which are movable between a hold position spaced from the stack of articles, and a dispense position contacting the periphery of one or more articles in the stack and supporting the one or more articles including an adjacent article which is adjacent an endmost article while not contacting the periphery of the endmost article by the one or more isolating members, to isolate the endmost article from the other articles in the stack to permit the endmost article to be separated from the other articles and be dispensed.
