EP1192599A1

EP1192599A1 - Device feeding tickets in continuous strip for ticket processing device, in particular transport tickets comprising magnetic data

Info

Publication number: EP1192599A1
Application number: EP99928046A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Glize; Richard Giromella
Original assignee: Hypercom France SA
Current assignee: IER Impression Enregistrement des Resultats SA
Priority date: 1999-06-17
Filing date: 1999-06-30
Publication date: 2002-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-30
Also published as: DE69907976D1; ES2204137T3; WO2000079490A1; EP1192599B1; WO2000079487A1; DE69907976T2; EP1194900A1; DK1192599T3; PT1192599E; ATE240565T1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device feeding tickets in continuous strip for a ticket processing device, comprising at least a first tray (BA1) arranged substantially horizontally and containing a first continuous strip of tickets (BN1), each defined by perforated lines, and fan folded in said first tray (BA1), and a first output (S1) designed to feed the ticket processing device (DIS). The feeding device comprises at least a first return and guide member (OR1), for defining a first substantially vertical path (CV1) starting from the first tray (BA1) up to the first member (OR1) and a first substantially horizontal path (CH1) starting from the first member (OR1) up to the first output (S1), the first vertical and horizontal paths forming between them a substantially right angle at one first site (E1), and the first strip (BN1) is folded in the proximity of the first site (E1) along the perforated lines of two adjacent tickets, when said first strip (BN1) is at rest.

Description

Continuous-band ticket feeding device for a ticket processing device, in particular a transport ticket comprising magnetic information.

The present invention relates to a device for feeding tickets into a continuous strip for a device for processing tickets, in particular a ticket containing magnetic information.

It finds a general application in the supply of continuous band tickets, and more particularly of air or rail tickets, comprising in particular magnetic information. It also applies to flexible strips (paper or the like) without a magnetic strip.

In Patents FR 88 00733 and FR 88 00734, the Applicant has already described a device for processing titles comprising an introduction station, a delivery station, a magnetic reading / writing station, and a recording station. thermal printing.

For the feeding of the titles in continuous band, two or three bins are provided to supply the introduction station with band. Each tray contains a continuous stock of ^'Band titles. The titles are each delimited by weakening lines. Each bin is associated with an output intended to supply the ticket processing device.

In practice, deflector means make it possible to guide each strip of its tray towards its associated outlet and vice versa.

In practice, the tanks are arranged in the horizontal plane, one beside the other, and the outlets are aligned and superimposed in a vertical plane. The deflector means define a path having at least one curved part by with respect to the horizontal and vertical planes to convey a strip from its bin to its associated outlet and vice versa.

The disadvantage of this kind of deflection lies in the fact that the strip is capable of being folded at the level of the curved part of the deflection, which can irreversibly deform the flexible strip, in particular when the strip is held for a long time at resting or waiting in this bent position.

The present invention overcomes this drawback.

It relates to a device for feeding securities into a continuous strip for a title processing device, of the type comprising at least a first bin arranged substantially horizontally and containing a first continuous strip of titles, each delimited by lines of weakness, and stored in a screen in said first bin, and a first outlet disposed above the first bin and intended to supply the ticket processing device.

According to a general definition of the invention, the supply device comprises at least a first deflection and guide member, capable of defining a first substantially vertical path, going from the first tank to the first member and a first path substantially horizontal, going from the first member to the first outlet, the first vertical and horizontal paths forming between them a substantially right angle at a first location, and the first strip is folded in the vicinity of the first location, along the lines of weakness of two adjacent titles, when said first strip is at rest.

In practice, the first guide deflection member is an idler, cylindrical roller, of width substantially greater than that of the first strip, and of substantially horizontal axis of rotation. Advantageously, the first horizontal and vertical paths are also at least partially delimited by first deflector means, of width less than that of the first strip of titles, and having two parts substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from one other from a chosen distance, the first deflector means having a shape adapted to guide the first strip in the direction from the first bin to the first outlet, as well as in the direction from the first outlet to the first bin, and the first member also playing the role of deflector in the vicinity of the first location.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the feed device comprises at least one second bin arranged substantially horizontally, near the first bin and containing a second continuous strip of titles, each delimited by lines of weakness, and arranged in a screen in said second bin, a second outlet disposed above the second bin, close to and in the same vertical plane as the first outlet, and intended to supply the ticket processing device, a second return and guide, suitable for defining a second substantially vertical path, going from the second tank to the second member and a second substantially horizontal path, going from the second member to the second outlet, the second vertical and horizontal paths forming between them a substantially angle right to a second location, and the second strip is folded near the second location along the lines of weakening of two tracks adjacent, when the second strip is at rest.

In practice, the second deflection and guide member is an idler, cylindrical roller, of width substantially greater than that of the second strip, and of substantially horizontal axis of rotation.

In practice, the first and second locations are not coplanar horizontally. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the feed device comprises at least a third bin, arranged substantially horizontally, near the first and second bins, and containing a third continuous strip of titles, each delimited by weakening lines, and arranged as a screen in said third bin, and a third outlet arranged in the same vertical plane as that of the first and second outlets, and intended to supply the ticket processing device, a third return and guide, suitable for defining a third substantially vertical path, going from the third tank to the third member and a third substantially horizontal path, going from the third member to the third outlet, the third vertical and horizontal paths forming between them a substantially angle right to a third location, and the third strip is folded in the vicinity of the third emp lacing, along the weakening lines of two adjacent titles, when said third band is at rest.

In practice, the third guide deflection member is an idler roller, cylindrical, of width substantially greater than that of the third strip, and of substantially horizontal axis of rotation.

In practice, the first, second, and third locations are not horizontally coplanar.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the supply device further comprises a fourth deflection and guide member, capable of defining a fourth substantially vertical path, going from the third tank to the fourth member, and a fourth substantially horizontal path, going from the fourth organ to the third organ, the fourth vertical path and the fourth horizontal path forming a substantially right angle at a fourth location, and the third strip is folded in the vicinity of the fourth location, along the lines of business blurring of two adjacent titles, when said third strip is at rest.

Such an arrangement makes it possible to optimally use the volume located under the ticket processing device, by operating a longitudinal translation of the third strip.

Advantageously, a deflection structure substantially similar to that of the first vertical and horizontal paths, is provided for the second, third and / or fourth horizontal and vertical paths.

The present invention also relates to a feed device in which said feed device is movable in translation and in which the ticket processing device is integral with said feed device. In this configuration, the supply device further comprises a mechanism for tensioning and storing at least one electrical supply and / or communication cable having one end intended to be connected to a fixed point and another end intended to be connected to the ticket processing device, the mechanism comprising elastic return means, one end of which is attached to the cable and the other end of which is secured to the feed device and suitable for relax in response to a movement away from the supply device with respect to the fixed point and capable of tightening in response to a movement of approach of the supply device with respect to the fixed point.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the light of the detailed description below, of the drawings in which:

- Figure 1 schematically shows a triple power supply device according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is an exploded view of the supply device of Figure 1; - Figure 3 schematically shows the tensioning and cable storage mechanism for the ticket processing device according to the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a variant of the tensioning and storage mechanism of FIG. 3.

The designs contain elements of a certain character. As such, they can not only serve to better understand the description of the invention, but also contribute where appropriate to the definition thereof.

By way of illustration, but not limitation, the feed device according to the invention feeds the securities processing device with securities, described in the International Application, filed on June 17, 1999, under the number PCT / FR99 / 01465, in the name of the Applicant, and whose title is "Device for processing titles, with thermal printing and magnetic writing / reading, according to an internal path in a closed circuit". For all intents and purposes, this International Application forms an integral part of this description.

With reference to FIG. 2, we have defined a horizontal plane H and two vertical planes VI and V2, orthogonal to each other. In the following description, in the absence of contrary provisions, "vertical" corresponds to the vertical plane VI.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown (in dashed lines) a device for processing titles with a magnetic strip DIS, making use of a triple strip feed, conditioned in a screen.

A CT carriage supports on its upper part the DIS ticket processing device. Inside the carriage, BA trays, individualized in BAI to BA3, are provided to supply the introduction station (not shown) with the DIS ticket processing device with tape. Each BA bin contains a continuous stock of BN band titles, individualized into BAI, BA2, and BA3. TI titles are each delimited by AF weakening lines. Each bin BA is associated with an output S, individualized respectively in SI to S3. Each output is intended to supply the DIS ticket processing device with tape.

Each output S is defined by rollers and against rollers making it possible to introduce a strip towards the ticket processing device DIS.

In practice, the output SI is defined by two rollers 2 and 4 which are mounted idly in order to avoid any friction between any fixed parts and the moving band. The rollers 2 and 4 are spaced from each other by a distance substantially greater than the thickness of the strip, that is to say a few mm.

The output S2 is defined by the rollers 4 and 6, and the output S3 is defined by the rollers 6 and 8.

The outputs SI to S3 are aligned and superimposed on each other in the vertical plane VI.

Referring to Figure 2, the ticket distribution device comprises a carriage CT capable of sliding in horizontal slides GL1 and GL2.

The CT carriage forms a parallelepiped box, with two vertical cheeks 10 and 12, parallel to the vertical plane VI, two horizontal plates 14 and 16, parallel to the horizontal plane H, and a vertical bottom 18, parallel to the vertical plane V2.

The box-forming carriage is capable of being closed by a vertical cover 20, parallel to the vertical plane V2.

The DIS ticket processing device is intended to be placed on the horizontal upper part 16 of the box. Each BN band can contain 1000 TI titles, delimited by AF weakening lines. A TI ticket has a length of around 203 mm and a width of 82.5 mm. A magnetic strip with a width of 16 mm can extend longitudinally on either side of the ticket.

The BAI, BA2 and BA3 tanks can be arranged on the horizontal plate 14, one beside the other with respect to said horizontal plane H, and inside the carriage CT.

A vertical partition 19 is provided to delimit a waste bin RB between the partition 19 and the vertical cheek 12.

Reference is again made to Figure 1.

According to the invention, a return and guide member OR1 defines a substantially vertical path CVl, going from the tank BAI, to the member ORl and a first substantially horizontal path CHl going from the first member ORl to the first outlet. IF.

The vertical path CVl and the horizontal path CHl form between them a substantially right angle at a location El. The first strip BNl is folded in the vicinity of the first location El, along the lines of weakening AF1 of two adjacent titles TI11 and TI12 , when the strip BN1 is at rest, that is to say when it is not driven by drive means of the ticket processing device.

Likewise, a second return and guide member OR2 is provided to define a second substantially vertical path CV2, going from the second tank BA2 to the second organ OR2 and a second substantially horizontal path CH2, going from the second organ OR2 to the second S2 output.

The second vertical path CV2 and the second horizontal path CH2 form between them a substantially right angle at a second location E2. The second band BN2 is folded in the vicinity of the second location E2, along the lines of weakening AF2 of two adjacent titles TI21 and TI22, when the second band BN2 is at rest.

A third return and guide member OR3 can also be provided for the third tray BA3. This third return member can be arranged similarly to those described with reference to FIG. 1 for the organs OR1 and OR2.

In a more compact variant represented with reference to FIG. 1, provision is made to associate with the third strip BN3, a mechanism with two return and guide members OR3 and OR4 which define a vertical path CV4 going from the tray BA3 to to the organ OR4, a substantially horizontal path comprising first and second sections CH4 and CH3, going from the organ 0R4 to the organ OR3, and another vertical path CV3, going from the organ OR3 to the output S3.

The vertical path CV4 and the horizontal section CH4 form between them a substantially right angle at a location E4.

The vertical path CV3 and the horizontal section CH3 form between them a substantially right angle at a location E3.

The organs OR3 and OR4 are arranged with respect to each other, so that the third strip BA3 is folded in the vicinity of the locations E3 and E4 along the weakening lines of two adjacent titles when said third strip is at rest.

Thus, the organ OR3 makes it possible to fold the titles TI31 and TI32 at the level of the lines of weakening AF3. Likewise, the organ OR4 allows the BN3 band to be folded at the level of the AF4 weakening lines of the titles TI32 and TI33.

In practice, the return and guide members OR1 to OR4 are idle, cylindrical rollers, of width substantially greater than those of the bands, and of respective axes of rotation XI to X4, substantially parallel horizontally.

The organs OR1 to OR4 are coplanar with respect to a plane V2 and with an axis of rotation X which are not coplanar horizontally.

For example, the width of the OR rollers is of the order of 90 mm for titles with a width of the order of 82.5 mm.

According to the invention, each idler roller allows correct deflection of the strip when it must have a curved bifurcation between a vertical path and a horizontal path, even if the latter is not centered on the idler roller.

In practice, the paths of each strip BN are at least partially delimited by deflector means, of width substantially less (60 mm for example) than that (82.5 mm for example) of the title strip and having two substantially parallel parts and spaced from each other by a chosen distance (15 mm for example).

The deflector means have a shape adapted to guide the strip in the direction from the tray to the outlet and as well as in the direction from the outlet to the tray.

It should be noted that the return and guide member OR1 also plays the role of deflector for the BAI strip.

For example, the deflector means associated with the horizontal path CHl comprise two flat barriers 30 and 32 arranged horizontally and substantially facing the output SI. The deflector means associated with the vertical path CVl comprise a curved barrier 34, substantially parallel to the roller ORl, at a chosen distance from the latter. When the BAI strip is driven from the output SI towards the BAI tank, it can be guided by the flat parts 30 and 32 as well as the curved part 34, in order to be brought back into the BAI tank.

The deflector means associated with the horizontal path CH2 comprise two plane barriers 32 and 36, arranged horizontally and substantially facing the outlet S2. The deflector means associated with the vertical path CV2 comprise a curved barrier 36, substantially parallel to the roller OR2, at a chosen distance from the latter.

When the strip BA2 is driven from the outlet S2 towards the tray BA2, it can be guided by the flat parts 32 and 36, as well as the curved part 38, in order to be guided and brought back into the tray BA2.

For example, the deflector means associated with the vertical path CV3 comprise a curved barrier 40, one of the ends of which is disposed substantially facing the roller 6 of the outlet S3. The curved barrier 40 is substantially parallel to the roller OR3, at a chosen distance from the latter.

The deflector means associated with the horizontal path CH3 comprise an oblique barrier 42 followed by a horizontal barrier 44, substantially parallel to the roller OR3, at a chosen distance from the latter.

The deflector means associated with the horizontal path CH4 comprise an oblique barrier 46, substantially parallel to the roller OR4, at a chosen distance from the latter.

The deflector means associated with the vertical path CV4 comprise a horizontal planar barrier 48, substantially parallel to the roller OR4, at a chosen distance from the latter.

When the strip BA3 is driven from the outlet S3 towards the tray BA3, it can be guided by the barriers 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48, in order to be brought back into the tray BA3. In practice, the distance separating the edges of the horizontal paths CH1, CH2, CH3 and CH4 as well as of the vertical path CV3 is of the order of 15mm. The diameter of the rollers OR1 to OR4 is of the order of 60mm. The distance separating the axes XI and X2 is of the order of 120mm in the plane V2, and of the order of 20mm vertically. The distance separating the axes X2 and X3 is of the order of 100 mm in the plane V2, and of the order of 35 mm vertically. The distance separating the axes X3 and X4 is of the order of 120 mm in the plane V2, and of the order of 20 mm vertically VI. The distance between the axis X4 and the flat part 48 is of the order of 60 mm vertically. The distance between the axis X4 and the tray BA3, vertically is of the order of 400 mm.

Obviously, other shapes and arrangements of deflectors and idle rollers can be put in place in order to guide a strip from its tray towards its exit and vice versa.

For example, in a more compact variant, the bins BAI to BA3 are placed in staggered rows under the ticket processing device. In this variant, the member OR1 is arranged so that it operates a change in orientation of the strip BN1, made necessary by the change in arrangement of the tanks. This arrangement consists in tilting the axis of rotation XI vertically, and in placing the BAI tank horizontally and parallel to the BA2 and BA3 tanks, instead of being aligned horizontally in the same plane V2, as with reference to FIG. 1.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the device for feeding strip titles is movable in translation.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the translation of the carriage takes place in slides GL1 and GL2 arranged in the lower part 20 forming the cover of the carriage.

As a variant, with reference to FIG. 4, the carriage is movable in translation on RO rollers. The DIS ticket processing device is integral with the CT feeding device. In practice, the DIS ticket processing device is arranged on the upper part of the carriage CT according to the invention.

According to the invention, there is provided a mechanism for tensioning and storing at least one electrical supply and / or communication cable 101 having one end 100, intended to be connected to a fixed point 102 and another end 104 intended to be connected to the ticket processing device.

Cable 101 can be the power supply cable and / or a communication cable intended to convey communication information between the ticket processing device and a remote workstation.

The tensioning and storage mechanism comprises elastic return means 110, of the spring type, one of the ends 112 of which is integral with the supply device and the other end of which is hooked to the cable 101.

The elastic return 110 is able to relax in response to a translation away from the supply device with respect to the fixed point 102 and suitable for tightening in response to a movement of approach of the supply device with respect to the fixed point 102.

In practice, two pulleys 120 and 122 allow the spring 110 to have two horizontal paths and a vertical path, to allow the cable to travel and be stored along a great length.

Claims

Claims.

1. Device for feeding securities into a continuous strip for a title processing device, of the type comprising at least a first tray (BAI) disposed substantially horizontally and containing a first continuous strip of securities (BNl), each delimited by lines d weakening, and arranged in a screen in said first bin (BAI), and a first output (SI) intended to supply the ticket processing device (DIS),

characterized in that it comprises at least a first deflection and guide member (ORl), suitable for defining a first substantially vertical path (CVl) going from the first tank (BAI) to the first member (ORl) and a first substantially horizontal path (CHl) going from the first member (ORl) to the first outlet (SI), the first vertical and horizontal paths forming between them a substantially right angle at a first location (El), and in that the first strip (BNl) is folded in the vicinity of the first location (El) along the weakening lines of two adjacent titles, when said first strip (BNl) is at rest.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first deflection and guide member (ORl) is an idler roller, cylindrical, of width substantially greater than that of the first strip (BNl), and of axis of rotation (XI) substantially horizontal.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first horizontal and vertical paths (CHl and CVl) are also at least partially delimited by first deflector means (30,32,34) of width less than that of the first strip of titles (BNl) and having two substantially parallel parts spaced from each other by a chosen distance, the first deflector means having a shape adapted to guide the first strip (BNl) in the direction going from the first 13 tray (BAI) to the first outlet (SI) as well as in the direction from the first outlet (SI) to the first tray (BAI), and in that the first member (ORl) also plays the role of deflector at first location (El).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a second bin (BA2) disposed substantially horizontally, near the first bin, and containing a second continuous strip of titles (BN2), delimited each by lines of weakness (AF), and arranged in a screen in said second tank (BA2), a second outlet (S2) disposed above the second tank (BA2), close to and in the same vertical plane (VI) as the first output (SI), and intended to supply the ticket processing device (DIS), a second return and guide member (OR2), capable of defining a second substantially vertical path (CV2), going from the second bin (BA2) to the second member (OR2) and a second substantially horizontal path (CH2), going from the second member (OR2) to the second outlet (S2), the second vertical (CV2) and horizontal (CH2) paths forming between them a substantially right angle at a second location (E2), and at c e that the second strip (BN2) is folded in the vicinity of the second location (E2) along the weakening lines of two adjacent titles, when the second strip (BN2) is at rest.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the second deflection and guide member (OR2) is an idler roller, cylindrical, of width substantially greater than that of the second strip (BN2) and of axis of rotation ( X2) substantially horizontal.

6. Device according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the first and second locations (El and E2) are not coplanar horizontally.

7. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the second horizontal and vertical paths (CH2 and CV2) are also at least partially delimited by second deflector means (32, 36, 38), of width less than that of the second strip of titles (BN2) and having two parts which are substantially parallel and spaced apart from each other by a chosen distance, the second deflector means having a shape adapted to guide the second strip (BN2) in the direction from the second bin (BA2) to the second outlet (S2) as well as in the direction from the second outlet (S2) to the second bin (BA2), and in that the second member (OR2) also plays the role of deflector at the second location (E2).

8. Device according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that it comprises at least a third tank (BA3), arranged substantially horizontally near the first and second tanks (BA2 and BA3) and containing a third strip (BN3) in continuous of titles, each delimited by lines of weakening, and arranged as a screen in said third bin (BA3), and a third outlet (S3) arranged in the same vertical plane (VI) as that of the first and second outlets (SI and S2), and intended to supply the ticket processing device (DIS), a third deflection and guiding member (OR3), capable of defining a third substantially vertical path (CV3), going from the third bin (BA3 ) up to the third member (OR3) and a third substantially horizontal path (CH3), going from the third member (OR3) to the third outlet (S3), the third vertical and horizontal paths forming between them a substantially right angle to a third me location (E3), and in that the third strip (BN3) is folded in the vicinity of the third location (E3), along the lines of weakening of two adjacent titles, when said third strip (BN3) is at rest.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the third deflection and guide member (OR3) is an idler roller, cylindrical, of width substantially greater than that of the third strip (BN3), and of axis of rotation (X3) substantially horizontal.

10. Device according to claims 1, 4 and 8, characterized in that the first, second, and third locations (El, E2, E3) are not coplanar horizontally.

11. Device according to claims 8, characterized in that it further comprises a fourth deflection and guide member (OR4), capable of defining a fourth substantially vertical path (CV4) going from the third tank (BA3) to fourth member (OR4) and a fourth substantially horizontal path (CH4) going from the fourth member (OR4) to the third member (OR3, the fourth vertical and horizontal paths (CV4 and CH4) forming a substantially right angle at a fourth location E4 , and in that the third strip (BA3) is folded in the vicinity of the fourth location (E4) along the weakening lines of two adjacent titles, when said third strip (BN3) is at rest.

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the third horizontal and vertical paths (CH3 and CV3) as well as the fourth horizontal and vertical paths (CH4 and CV4) are also at least partially delimited by third and fourth deflector means planes, of width less than that of the third strip of titles (BN3) and having two parts substantially parallel and spaced from each other by a chosen distance, the third and fourth deflector means having a shape adapted to guide the third strip ( BN3) in the direction from the third bin (BA3) to the third outlet (S3) as well as in the direction from the third outlet (S3) to the third bin (BA3), and in that the third and fourth members ( OR3 and OR4) also play the role of deflector at the third and fourth locations (E3 and E4).

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the feed device is movable in translation and in which the tire processing device (DIS) is integral with the dispensing device, characterized in that it comprises a mechanism tensioning and storing at least one power cable electrical and / or communication (101) having one end (100) intended to be connected to a fixed point (102) and another end (104) intended to be connected to the ticket processing device (DIS), the mechanism comprising elastic return means (110) one end of which (114) is attached to the cable (101) and the other end of which (112) is integral with the supply device and capable of relaxing in response to translation away from the supply device relative to the fixed point (102) and capable of tightening in response to a movement of approach of the supply device relative to the fixed point (102).