US 12,433,427 B2
System with multiple cutlery dispensers interchangeable between identical base retaining features
Ashish K Mithal, Chelmsford, MA (US); and William A Gallop, Westminster, MA (US)
Assigned to Waddington North America, Inc., Chelmsford, MA (US)
Filed by Waddington North America, Inc., Chelmsford, MA (US)
Filed on Oct. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/974,761.
Application 17/974,761 is a continuation of application No. 17/461,376, filed on Aug. 30, 2021, granted, now 11,503,924.
Application 17/974,761 is a continuation of application No. 17/461,129, filed on Aug. 30, 2021, granted, now 11,529,003.
Application 17/461,376 is a continuation of application No. 16/831,510, filed on Mar. 26, 2020, granted, now 11,134,796, issued on Oct. 5, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/824,002, filed on Mar. 26, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0046486 A1, Feb. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. A47F 1/10 (2006.01); A47F 10/06 (2006.01)
CPC A47F 1/10 (2013.01) [A47F 10/06 (2013.01); A47F 2001/103 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cutlery dispensing system comprising:
a base, said base comprising a base front, a base rear, left and right base sides, and a plurality of base compartments, wherein each of the base compartments comprises a first retaining feature, all of the first retaining features being identical to each other; and
a plurality of cutlery dispensers, each of said cutlery dispensers having a dispenser front, a dispenser rear, a dispenser first side, a dispenser second side, a dispenser top, a dispenser bottom, and a second retaining feature proximate said dispenser bottom, all of the second retaining features in said plurality of cutlery dispensers being identical to each other, each of said cutlery dispensers being configured to serially dispense said plurality of cutlery articles from said dispenser front;
each of said cutlery dispensers being configured for installation in any of said base compartments by a mutual engagement of said first and second retaining features as said dispenser is inserted into said base compartment in said base, wherein said mutual engagement of said first and second retaining features prevents tipping of the cutlery dispenser after said installation of the cutlery dispenser in said base;
wherein the plurality of cutlery dispensers can be installed in the base in any order of positioning in the plurality of base compartments, and
wherein the first and second retaining features are configured to allow said cutlery dispensers to be slidingly inserted into the base horizontally during said installations.