Other

U.S. Controls Corporation

Ronald J Janz

Spencer C Schantz

Gary Christiansen

Steven Sager

A cup dispenser for accommodating conically shaped cups of different diameters includes a discharge unit having multiple diaphragms. An outer diaphragm has a series of inwardly extending circumferentially spaced flat fingers for gripping the outer surface of the cup. An inner diaphragm is similarly constructed. The circumferentially spaced flat fingers of the inner diaphragm differ in length one from the other, all of the inner diaphragm fingers being shorter than the outer diaphragm fingers. Preferably, the inner diaphragm is constructed to provide a series of fingers having a first length arranged alternately with a series of fingers having a second, shorter length. The outer diaphragm fingers resiliently grip the outermost cup to require positive pulling of the cup from the dispenser. The inner diaphragm fingers engage the larger end of the stacked cups as the outermost cup is pulled therefrom, to retain the stack within a tubular cup support.

Flexible cup dispensing apparatus

An interlock device for preventing access to a moving part of an appliance, such as the spin drying basket of a washing machine, until the basket has coasted to a stop during a spin drying cycle. A switch lever is actuated by closing the closure lid of the machine. This closes a switch in series with a bimetal and the basket drive motor. Motor current heats the bimetal which deflects and drives a dual purpose actuator which drives a lid locking lever to engage a latch and also closes a switch connected in shunt with the bimetal so as to bypass the bimetal momentarily and then conduct alternately through it so it does not overheat. The switch and lid lock assembly features a dual purpose actuator, special seal elements for the actuator shaft, a combination torsion and compression spring to put pressure on the seal elements and resiliently position the locking lever, actuator shaft bearings that slide in place, bendable tabs for prepositioning the bimetal to correct for variations in straightness, and a binding free connection between bimetal and actuator.

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Milwaukee, WI, United States of America

Ronald J Janz