US Patent:
20200283043, Sep 10, 2020
Inventors:
- San Carlos CA, US
Jacob Conor Dooris - East Palo Alto CA, US
Kent Michael Anderson - Emerald Hills CA, US
Abigail Elizabeth Soong - San Francisco CA, US
Edward Joseph Menard - San Carlos CA, US
Thomas Ettore De Candia - San Carlos CA, US
Michael William Tschudy - Palo Alto CA, US
Paul Michael Birkmeyer - San Carlos CA, US
Katrina Bell Sheehy - Redwood City CA, US
Taylor Joseph Cone - Belmont CA, US
International Classification:
B62B 3/00
B65H 31/30
Abstract:
A dish cart includes a top with a slot for receiving a lift arm that may be lifted up through the slot to raise or lower dishes. Lobe openings emanating from the slot receive lobes of a lift paddle secured to the lift arm. The cart may define a gap below the top for permitting insertion of the lift paddle and the lift arm. The cart may be adjusted to receive differently sized dishes by means of rails of different sizes or adjustable vanes. A dish drop station includes the lift arm and lift paddle and a lift mechanism for raising and lower the lift arm. The dish drop station may include a cart present sensor and include a lock for retaining the cart. The controller may be programmed to the lower the lift arm to an unlock position that disengages the cart lock.