Dixie Cup dispensers. How does this machine work?

[EngrDelaCruz]

Dixie Cup dispensers. How does this machine work?!?

Ok, it's definitely not magical (just wrote that to get your attention), but checkout this machine:



How does this machine separate one cup from the rest of the stack?

Can you think of a simple mechanism to do the same thing?

I'm very curious and I have been thinking about it :/

Thanks for the help!

 

[Bobbywhy]

EngrDelaCruz, Welcome to Physics Forums!

Dixie Cup dispensers allow one cup to be removed at a time. I recommend you check the patents for this mechanism. Here's one to get you started:
http://books.google.com/books?id=fP...page&q=dixie cup dispensing mechanism&f=false

Cheers,
Bobbywhy

 

[Mordred]

Judging from the airlines I'd say suction.

 

[EngrDelaCruz]

EngrDelaCruz, Welcome to Physics Forums!

Dixie Cup dispensers allow one cup to be removed at a time. I recommend you check the patents for this mechanism. Here's one to get you started:
http://books.google.com/books?id=fP...page&q=dixie cup dispensing mechanism&f=false

Cheers,
Bobbywhy

If the concept in the patent was used in a university project wherein we have to build a cup vending machine, will that be legal?

 

[Bobbywhy]

I am not qualified to advise you on Patent Law. Normally a patent-holder's monopoly expires after 20 years. You may get some background information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Term_of_patent_in_the_United_States

But your University advisor should check on the legal ramifications.

Cheers,
Bobbywhy

 

[russ_watters]

Welcome to PF!

How does this machine separate one cup from the rest of the stack?

Can you think of a simple mechanism to do the same thing?

You can see in the video a grooved cylinder on each side of the cup grabs the lip and pulls the cup down and away from the cup above it.

 

[AlephZero]

If you don't want to just copy somebody else's idea from a patent, look at the way the "escapement" works on a mechanical clock or watch to let the gears turn one tooth at a time.

Then figure out how to do something similar with a stack of cups, and gravity.