APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING DISHWARE

1 . An apparatus comprising:

a frame that defines an opening through which stacked dishware can pass; and

a plurality of assemblies connected to the frame and positioned around the opening, wherein each assembly includes;

a base; and

a plurality of fingers having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the plurality of fingers are rotatably coupled to the base and extend from the base towards the opening, wherein each finger tapers towards the distal end.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fingers are vertically offset from each other.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fingers are vertically stacked relative to each other.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tapering towards the distal end of each finger is configured to enable insertion between articles of dishware.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fingers are rotatably coupled to the base at a pivot that permits rotation of the fingers relative to the base.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fingers are rotatably coupled to the base such that the fingers rotate independently of each other.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each finger is rotatably coupled to the base by a tensioned pivot mechanism.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fingers are rotatably coupled to the base at respective pivots that permit independent rotation of the fingers in two different directions relative to the base.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the assemblies include tension mechanisms configured to provide a return force independently to each finger in the plurality of fingers.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the assemblies are connected to respective robotic arms that are configured to move the assemblies relative to the opening that is defined by the frame.

11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a first set of the plurality of fingers is angled to fit between stacked bowls and a second set of the plurality of fingers is angled to fit between stacked plates.

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first set is vertically stacked above the second set.

13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fingers includes:

a first set of fingers having a configuration; and

a second set of fingers having a configuration;

wherein the configuration of the first set of fingers is different from the configuration of the second set of fingers.

14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fingers includes:

upper fingers having a configuration; and

lower fingers having a configuration;

wherein the configuration of the upper fingers is different from the configuration of the lower fingers.

15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein:

the configuration of the upper fingers includes a length dimension;

the configuration of the lower fingers includes a length dimension; and

wherein the length dimension of the upper fingers is larger/longer than the length dimension of the lower fingers.

16 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein:

the configuration of the upper fingers includes an angular position at rest relative to a plane;

the configuration of the lower fingers includes an angular position at rest relative to the plane; and

wherein the angular position at rest of the upper fingers is greater than the angular position at rest of the lower fingers.

17 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein:

the configuration of the upper fingers includes a length dimension and an angular position at rest relative to a plane;

the configuration of the lower fingers includes a length dimension and an angular position at rest relative to the plane; and

wherein the length dimension of the upper fingers is larger than the length dimension of the lower fingers and wherein the angular position at rest of the upper fingers is greater than the angular position at rest of the lower fingers.

18 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the plurality of fingers are rotatably coupled to the base at respective pivot points that permit independent rotation of the fingers in two different directions relative to the base; and

the assemblies include a compliant insert configured to provide a return force independently to each finger in the plurality of fingers.

19 . A method for separating stacked dishware, the method comprising:

actuating robotic arms to bring fingers of a plurality of assemblies to a stack of dishware that is located in an opening that is defined by a frame; and

causing the fingers to penetrate between two pieces of dishware in the stack of dishware.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein each assembly includes a base and wherein the fingers are rotatably coupled to a respective base, and further comprising allowing the fingers to rotate about the respective bases as the fingers penetrate between two pieces of dishware in the stack of dishware.

21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein each assembly includes a plurality of vertically offset fingers.

22 . The method of claim 19 , wherein causing the fingers to penetrate between two pieces of dishware in the stack of dishware involves moving the dishware relative to the assemblies.

23 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the stack of dishware is a stack of bowls and wherein causing the fingers to penetrate between two pieces of dishware in the stack of dishware involves moving the stack of bowls towards the assemblies such that at least some of the fingers penetrate between two of the stacked bowls.

24 . The method of claim 19 , wherein causing the fingers to penetrate between two pieces of dishware in the stack of dishware involves moving the assemblies relative to the dishware.

25 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the stack of dishware is a stack of plates and wherein causing the fingers to penetrate between two pieces of dishware in the stack of dishware involves moving the assemblies towards the stack of plates such that at least some of the fingers penetrate between two of the stacked plates.

26 . The method of claim 19 , wherein causing the fingers to penetrate between two pieces of dishware in the stack of dishware involves 1) moving the stack of dishware towards the assemblies such that at least some of the fingers penetrate between two pieces of dishware when the stack of dishware is a stack of bowls, and 2) moving the assemblies towards the stack of dishware such that at least some of the fingers penetrate between two pieces of dishware when the stack of dishware is a stack of plates.

27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein 1) moving the stack of dishware towards the assemblies when the stack of dishware is a stack of bowls causes an upper set of fingers of each assembly to penetrate between at least two bowls in the stack of bowls, and 2) moving the assemblies towards the stack of dishware when the stack of dishware is a stack of plates causes a lower set of fingers of each assembly to penetrate between at least two plates in the stack of plates.