FR2609700A1 - Postage-stamp dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rechargeable postage-stamp dispenser in which are stored, in the form of a continuous roll, a number of stamps which may be extracted therefrom, one after the other or in groups depending on the requirements of the user. This dispenser is presented in the form of a compact loader of small overall size and of particularly simple and practical operation. Each dispensing channel includes a plate 3 onto which a roll 1 of stamps is unwound on its support spindle 2, passing via a guide chamber 4 towards a channel 8 and a gripping zone. Printed circuits, optical fibres, a control circuit, motors and a cutting device complete this assembly. This dispenser can also be used for other purposes.

Description

The present invention relates to a rechargeable postage stamp dispenser, which can deliver stamps per unit or per group according to the needs of the user and without the intervention of a third party. This dispenser is in the form of a compact footprint loader. Reduced and easy to use
The term "postage stamps" must be taken in its broadest sense and therefore designates any element of paper or other accompanying a dispatch by post and signifying that the shipping costs have been paid to the administration of the PTT.

 There is no similar device on the market allowing unitary distribution or a few units of postage stamps, without the intervention of a third person. Currently, such distribution is done manually through an agent, either in postal centers or in qualified pharmacies, therefore during slots of specific hours of service and with a more or less long wait.

 The apparatus according to the present invention overcomes these disadvantages.

 The invention is shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings.

 Figure I shows the storage and distribution devices.

 Figure 2 shows schematically the drive and counting mechanism.

 Figure 3 shows a side view of the device.

 Figure 4 shows a continuous set of postage stamps.

 The apparatus described can debit stamps of different values.

The continuous sets of postage stamps are distributed by equivalent value in different stores. For the sake of clarity, we will limit ourselves to L the description of the storage and distribution elements of a single continuous assembly.

 According to one embodiment of the invention and according to Figures I to 4, a continuous set of postage stamps (I) is in the form of a strip of flexible material in one piece wound on a coil, the moving water around an axis (2) integral with a plate (3), On one of its faces, this plate (3) which can be made of electro-galvanized sheet metal and of rectangular shape, receives a guide chamber (4) which includes lights (5), drive rollers (6), a blade (7), a distribution chute (8) and a gripping area (9) On its other face, this plate (3) receives circuits printed matter, optical fibers (po), a control circuit (II), a drive motor (I2), a cutting device comprising a motor (I3) integral with an eccentric device w (I4) which transforms the movement of rotation of the motor (I3) in a translational movement. The blade (7) is fixed to the end of the blade holder (I5) which slides in the water slide (16). When the ribbon runs (I), perforations (I7) provided between the stamps on the continuous assembly (I) allow the passage of the light flux conducted by the optical fibers (in). A unit is determined by the passage of the luminous flux in the transverse perforations (I7) of the ribbon (I), hence the possibility of counting.

Operation
The different components of the system are started up by traditional contactors, which are therefore neither described nor shown in the attached figures. The coin or token introduced into the device triggers a contactor which starts the ribbon scrolling motor (12). The latter, driven by the rollers (6) which carry out a rotary movement, passes through the guide chamber (4). Depending on the number of tokens or coins introduced, the unit counting of stamps is carried out when the light flux conducted by the optical fibers (IO) can pass through the transverse perforations (I) of the stamp ribbon (I) At the end counting, the blade (7), driven by the motor (I3) cuts the ribbon (I) The stamps debited are evacuated by the chute (8) towards the gripping area (9)
It should be noted that this device can also be used for other uses than that specified here.

Claims (4)

 I) Distributor of postage stamps or other refillable, characterized in that it makes it possible to charge 8 per unit and therefore a specific group of stamps or other appearing in the form of a continuous assembly (I) on which transverse perforations (I) are provided; by means of storage and distribution devices (2), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (they), (l6), and '' drive and counting (IO), (il), (12), (I3), (I4), integral with a plate (3)  2) Distributor of postage stamps or other rechargeable, according to claim I, characterized in that the continuous assembly (I) takes place on a support axis (2) passing through a guide chamber (4) which includes lights ( 5) letting the optical fibers (IO) pass, by drive rollers (6), towards a chute (8) and a gripping area (9)  3) Distributor of postage stamps or other rechargeable, according to claim I or claim 2, characterized in that the counting of the units is ensured by a system of optical fibers (IO) through the lights (5) of the guide chamber (4) and by means of the perforations (I7) of the continuous assembly (I)  4) Postage stamp dispenser or other rechargeable, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting of the continuous assembly (I) is ensured by means of a device composed of a motor (I3) integral an eccentric device 8 (I4), driving a blade (7) fixed at the end of a blade holder (I5) which slides in a slide (I6)