Modular cabinet-mounted dispensing system

Abstract

A molded plastic housing is mounted within an opening of predetermined size in the front wall of a cabinet beneath a counter top. Evenly spaced parallel grooves in the top wall of the housing receive dispensing modules constructed with peripheral pairs of upwardly protruding fins which are spaced distances which are multiples of the spacing between the parallel grooves. Each module, be it a napkin dispenser, a straw or stir stick dispenser, other box-like unit, may be inserted at any location within the housing. The volume within a single housing may thus be occupied by many different dispensing modules, or by multiple modules of the same type. Differentiated dispensing cavities may be formed by one or more dividers having a single upwardly extending fin which engages within a housing groove, and a lower base which engages the housing lower wall. A transparent face plate has two rearwardly extending ears which are flexible to extend into the housing on either side of the dispensing modules. The face plate snaps into place on the housing, and retains the modules and the contents of the dispensing cavities within the housing. Not only are the modules easily removed for cleaning, but should it become necessary to modify or rearrange the self-serve dispensing station, the face plate is easily removed without tools, and the modules may be replaced or repositioned.