IE921030A1 - Dispenser device for portable objects and method of¹installing a container device in such a dispenser device - Google Patents

Abstract

The automatic dispenser device for portable objects comprises, in a cabinet (10)/ at least one dispenser unit (24) capable of dispensing portable objects one by one to the exterior of the cabinet. The dispenser unit (24) is intended to house a container 10 device in which is stacked a stack of portable objects. The container device is formed from two shells assembled together according to an assembly which cannot be dismantled without breakage, defining at one of the ends of the container device a transverse outlet slot for the 15 portable objects which is normally obstructed by means forming a breakable indicator. The container device is installed in the dispenser unit (24) only in the case in which the said container device complies with a predetermined condition relating to the completeness of the 20 assembly and of the means forming an indicator, which allows a high degree of security to be conferred on the installation of the said container device in the dispenser unit.

Description

The automatic dispenser device for portable objects comprises, in a cabinet (10)/ at least one dispenser unit (24) capable of dispensing portable objects one by one to the exterior of the cabinet. The dispenser unit (24) is intended to house a container device in which is stacked a stack of portable objects. The container device is formed from two shells assembled together according to an assembly which cannot be dismantled without breakage, defining at one of the ends of the container device a transverse outlet slot for the portable objects which is normally obstructed by means forming a breakable indicator. The container device is installed in the dispenser unit (24) only in the case in which the said container device complies with a predetermined condition relating to the completeness of the assembly and of the means forming an indicator, which allows a high degree of security to be conferred on the installation of the said container device in the dispenser unit.

(Figure 2) TRUt CORY PATENTS ACT 1QR4 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION LODGED OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UN us ,-s SECTION 28 AND RULE 23 JNL. No...37.(OF INT GL unjun ucvitb ___ ....'.''MU·. VOUCH3 AINU METHOD OF INSTALLING A CONTAINER DEVICE IN SUCH A DISPENSER Sr LC i's UAbSAULT AUTOMATISMES ET TELECOMMUNICATT Triolet, Z.I. Les Gatines, F-78370 Plaisir, Frai of 9, rue Elsa 5015 Dispenser device for portable objects and method of installing a container device in such a dispenser device The invention relates to the field of portable objects used for the payment of a transaction or for access to a service.

In his French patent H* 86 00511/ published under the reference N* 2 592 975, the Applicant proposed an automatic dispenser in which phonecards are connected to each other by a flexible packing strip stored like a screen by folding along transverse lines of weakening disposed respectively between two consecutive cards contained in the packing strip. A cutting device is provided to cut the packing strip along a line of weaken15 ing and to allow, after the cutting, the transfer, to an outlet slot, of the section of strip thus cut containing the card to be dispensed. The transfer is provided by superimposed toothed belts each rolling in a closed circuit over two end rollers.

The packing of phonecards confers an initial protection from the fraudulent sale of non-authentic phonecards insofar as the user is recommended to buy only packaged phonecards.

However, the packing of phonecards does not provide a satisfactory solution to the problem of the theft of phonecards during their transport from the manufacturer to the dispenser device and during their installation in the said dispenser. In fact, packaged phonecards which are stolen during these operations can still be used by the thieves without danger of prosecution.

Furthermore, the use of this type of dispenser has the disadvantage of being heavy and expensive because of the maintenance of operations necessary for its functioning, particularly the packaging of phonecards in the packing strip, the installation of the packing strip in the dispenser, the cutting of the packing strip and the transfer of the sections of the packing strip containing the cards to be dispensed.

The invention overcomes these disadvantages A first purpose of the invention is to confer a high degree of security on the installation of containers of portable objects in the dispenser device.

A second purpose of the invention is to provide an automatic dispenser device for portable objects, whose operation is simple and inexpensive.

Another purpose of the invention is to confer a high degree of security against the theft of portable objects during the operation of the dispenser device.

Another purpose of the invention is to supply a dispenser device for portable objects which benefits from protection from attack of all types and from vandalism.

Finally, another purpose of the invention is 15 provide a dispenser device capable of dispensing several types of portable objects.

The invention relates to an automatic dispenser device for portable objects comprising, in a cabinet, at least one dispenser unit capable of dispensing portable objects one by one to the exterior of the cabinet.

According to a general definition of the invention, the dispenser unit is intended to house a container device in which is stacked a stack of portable objects, the said container device being formed from two shells, assembled together according to an assembly which cannot be dismantled without breakage, defining at one of the ends of the container device a transverse outlet slot for the portable objects which is normally obstructed by means forming a breakable indicator, the container device being installed in the dispenser unit only in the case in which the said container device complies with a predetermined condition relating to the completeness of the assembly and of the means forming an indicator, which allows a high degree of security to be conferred on the installation of the said container device in the dispenser unit.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispenser unit comprises: a support plate capable of supporting, >E 921030 - 3 substantially vertically, the container device in which is stacked, substantially vertically, the stack of portable objects; - fixing means capable of fixing on the support 5 plate, in a locked manner, the slotted end of the container device; - means of breakage capable of breaking the means forming an indicator when the said slotted end of the container device is fixed on the said support plate; and - means of extraction, movable in substantially horizontal translation, capable of penetrating into the transverse outlet slot in order to unstack the portable objects one by one substantially horizontally and bring them to the exterior of the cabinet.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispenser unit furthermore comprises: means of detection capable of detecting the absence of portable objects in the container device; and - means of unlocking capable of unlocking the means of fixing in the absence of portable objects in the said container, which allows the container device to be released from the support plate only when the said container device is empty.

In practice, the fixing means comprise a plurality of lugs in the form of protruding hooks disposed on the container device in the immediate vicinity of the transverse outlet slot, the part forming a hook of the lugs being capable of penetrating into openings produced in the support plate in order to fix the container device in a locked manner on the support plate.

Advantageously, the unlocking means comprise a removable plate, disposed under the support plate, the part forming a hook of the lugs being capable of pen35 etrating into openings produced in the unlocking plate in order to fix the container device in a locked manner on the support plate and the unlocking plate, and in the absence of portable objects detected by the detection means, the unlocking plate being capable of being pulled ® *1030 substantially horizontally in order to disengage the part forming a hook of the lugs from the openings formed in the unlocking plate and the support plate, which releases the container device from the support plate and from the unlocking plate.

In practice, the detection means comprise a free feeder housed inside the container device at the opposite end from the slotted end of the said container device and a lever with elastic return integral with the unlocking plate and capable of blocking the horizontal translation of the unlocking plate and, in the absence of portable objects in the container device, the feeder being capable of cooperating with the lever, which allows the unblocking of the horizontal translation of the unlocking plate.

Advantageously means of guidance are provided which are capable of guiding the fixing of the end of the container device defining the transverse outlet slot on the support plate.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the extraction means comprise a drawer which is movable in substantially horizontal translation and provided at its free end with upwardly bent edges, the drawer being capable of penetrating into the transverse outlet slot in order to unstack the portable objects one by one substantially horizontally, the bent edges bearing on the edge8 of the portable object in order to allow the extraction of the said portable object from the container device.

According to another aspect of the invention, the dispenser device comprises i - a part allowing the insertion of a means of payment into the cabinet; - a central control unit allowing the checking and recognition of the means of payment; - means of input/output of information with respect to the user, such as selection buttons and a display part; the central control unit being capable of checking the payment of an amount chosen by the user, in IE 921030 s order to then have delivered to the latter a corresponding portable object by the said dispenser unit.

Advantageously, the part for insertion of payment means is a part for insertion of electronic payment means, in particular by means of bank cards or similar.

The subject of the invention is also a method for the installation of a container device for portable objects in an automatic dispenser device.

According to a general definition of the method 10 according to the invention, the said method comprises the following steps: - a) providing a container device formed from two shells, in which is stacked a stack of portable objects, the two shells being assembled together accord15 ing to an assembly which cannot be dismantled without breakage, defining at one of the ends of the container device a transverse outlet slot for the portable objects which is normally obstructed by means forming a breakable indie ator; and - b) installing the container device in the dispenser device only in the case in which the said container device complies with a predetermined condition relating to the completeness of the assembly and of the means forming an indicator, which allows a high degree of security to be conferred on the installation of the said container device in the dispenser device. in order to confer an additional degree of security against the theft of the portable objects thus installed in the dispenser device, the method according to the invention furthermore comprises the following steps: - c) dispensing the first portable object from the container device which has just been installed in the dispenser device, - d) inserting this first portable object into the dispenser device in order to store identification data relating to the batch of portable objects contained in the container device, - e, taking into account the identification data ,E 921030 of the portable objects thus stored in order to render unusable the portable objects stolen from the dispenser device.

Other characteristics and advantages of the 5 invention will become apparent in the light of the following detailed description and of the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 is the block diagram of an automatic dispenser device according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the front face of a dispenser device according to the invention; - Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the two non-assembled shells of the container device; - Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the two 15 assembled shells of the container device; Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of means allowing the installation of the container device in the dispenser device according to the invention; - Figure 5B is a plan view of the feeder; - Figure 6 is a view from below of the unlocking means and of the means of detection of absence of portable objects according to the invention; and Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of the means of extraction according to the invention.

The device shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises, in a cabinet 10, a central control unit 12 capable of controlling the various elements of the device by the intermediary of appropriate connections. The device firstly comprises a part 14 allowing the insertion of an electronic payment means into the cabinet 10.

For example, the means of insertion of electronic payment 14 is a memory card reader provided with an insertion slot behind which a connector assembly ensures contact with the card. The card reader advantageously has protection against rough insertion of the card.

The card reader 14 ie coupled to the central unit on the one hand and to a banking centre by telephonic link (not shown) on the other hand.

The card reader 14 thus allows a user to insert - 7 a bank card into the cabinet 10 according to the value of the phonecard which he wishes to purchase.

The device furthermore comprises a manual magnetic track reader 16. For example the manual track reader is of the ISO 2 type. It is also coupled to the central control unit 12.

The device furthermore comprises input-output means for information with respect to the user, for example like a display panel 18 of the LCD type with two lines of twenty characters. This display panel 18 is provided to display appropriate information, for example information relating to the functioning of the device itself or to the use of phonecards as well as the balance to be paid.

Advantageously, this display panel is protected by a polycarbonate window providing high shock resistance. Two push buttons 20 and 22 are provided respectively to allow the selection of a foreign language and the cancellation of the transaction.

Furthermore, the device comprises four dispenser units 24, 26, 28 and 30, also coupled to the central unit 12 and capable of dispensing payment cards one by one to the exterior of the cabinet.

More precisely, each dispenser unit comprises a selection button 32, a slot 34 through which the phonecard emerges, a window 36 through which can be seen the effigy of the phonecard stuck on the container device which will be described in more detail hereafter.

The operating or maintenance agent has at his disposal a keyboard 38 with twenty keys and a display 40 of two lines of sixteen characters in order to carry out self-test and parameter setting functions.

The display 40 of information intended for the operator and the display 18 of the balance to be paid can be combined in a single display.

The user wishing to make use of the device of the invention uses the selection buttons to select the phonecard which he wishes to purchase, for example the purchase of a phonecard known as a 40-unit phonecard.

It suffices for that user then to insert a bank card, according to the information displayed by the display panel 18, into the memory card reader 14. The central unit checks the payment made by the user and then delivers to that user a corresponding card by means of the selected dispenser unit.

The cabinet 10 is intended to be placed in a public place and must therefore form a safe to resist attempts at theft or burglary of any kind. This cabinet houses all of the various component elements of the automatic dispenser device and in particular the dispenser units 24 to 30. These units which themselves contain payment cards can in fact represent large commercial values.

The central control unit 12 is constructed around a micro-controller, two memories of the REPROM type and two memories of the RAM type.

The micro-controller is provided with a built-in serial link reserved for the dialogue with the memory payment card.

Reference is now made to Figure 3, which shows the dispenser unit 24, noting that the dispenser units 26, 28 and 30 are identical to the dispenser unit 34 but are filled, for example, with phonecards having different commercial values.

Each dispenser unit comprises a container device 50 of rectangular parallelepipedic shape in which is stacked in a substantially vertical manner a stack of phonecards of rectangular shape (not shown).

In practice, the container device 50 firstly comprises a first shell 52 of elongated shape constituted from a bottom 56 of rectangular shape, two longitudinal walls 58 and 60 and two lateral walls 62 and 64.

The container device 50 furthermore comprises a second shell 54 of elongated shape, symmetrical with the shell 52 and constituted from a bottom 66, two longitudinal walls 68 and 70 and two lateral walls 71 and 73.

The edges of the lateral and longitudinal walls of the shell 52 are paired with the edges of the lateral IE 921030 9 and longitudinal walls of the shell 54.

An assembly mechanism ensures an assembly, which cannot be dismantled without breakage, of the edges of the shell 52 and the edges of the shell 54.

In practice, the assembly means comprise six protruding tabs 72-1 to 72-6 disposed on the longitudinal walls 58 and 60 of the shell 52.

Opposite the tabs 72-1 to 72-6 housings forming mortices 74-1 to 74-6 are disposed on the longitudinal walls 68 and 70 of the shell 54.

Reference is now made to Figure 4.

The semi-elastic pawl-like engagement of the tabs in the corresponding housings forming mortices 74 ensures a hermetic assembly, which cannot be dismantled without breakage, of the two shells 52 and 54.

The protruding ends of the tabs 72 are each constituted from two semi-elastic fingers capable of engaging in a pawl-like manner in the mortices 74.

It should be noted that it is this pawl-like engagement which ensures an assembly which cannot be dismantled without breakage.

The assembly of the two shells 52 and 54 defines a transverse outlet slot 80 at one of the ends of the container device.

The lateral wall 64 of the shell 52 and the lateral wall 73 of the shell 54, and the longitudinal walls 58, 60, 68 and 70 in the immediate vicinity of the said lateral walls, are cut out in order to define a transverse outlet slot 80 whose dimensions are substan30 tially those of a phonecard. A cover 85 forming a breakable indicator normally obstructs the transverse outlet slot 75. The cover 85 is, for example, of rectangular shape.

In practice, the shells 52 and 54 are constituted from a material made from reinforced plastic substance.

The tabs 72 are constituted from a material made from semi-elastic plastic substance.

With regard to the breakable cover 85, this is constituted from a material made from light plastic IE 921°30 - 10 substance. It is, fox example, heat-welded to the longitudinal wall 58.

As described in greater detail hereafter, the assembly device which cannot be dismantled without breakage and the breakable cover will make it possible to check that the container has not been opened during the transport of the latter from the place of manufacture to the place of use and that no card has been fraudulently or accidentally removed from it during the said trans10 port.

The result of this is that the container device ensures a securitised transport of phonecards from their place of manufacture to their place of automatic dispensing.

IS On the inside of the lateral walls 62 and 74 Figure 3) there is provided a housing 77 allowing the reception of a foam or a spring (not shown) pressing on the phonecards in a downward direction and preventing unwanted movements of the phonecards during their trans20 port.

Two positioning tabs 91 and 93 without claws and protruding with respect to the slotted end of the container favour the positioning of the container device on the support plate which will be described hereafter.

A fixing mechanism ensures the fixing of the container device on the support plate.

In practice, the fixing mechanism comprises four lugs (110-1 to 110-4) in the form of protruding claws or hooks. The four lugs 110 are disposed in the vicinity of the 8lotted end of the container device in pairs, on the bottoms 56 and 66 of the shells. The protruding end of the lugs 110 is constituted from a hook or claw. For example, the positioning tabs 91 and 93 are interposed between the pairs of lugs 110.

Reference is now made to Figures 5A, SB and 6 which show the installation of the container device in the dispenser unit according to the invention.

The dispenser unit 24 comprises, in addition to the container device, a support plate 100 capable of supporting the container device substantially vertically.

The part forming a hook or claw of the lugs 110 penetrates into openings 112 formed in the support plate 100 in order to fix the container device in a locked manner onto the support plate.

The locking/unlocking of the fixing of the container device on the support plate is advantageously controlled by a system for detecting the absence of phonecards in the container.

In practice, the locking/unlocking means 120 comprise a removable plate disposed under the support plate 100. The part forming a hook of the lugs 110 penetrates into openings 125 produced in the removable plate 120.

IS A lever 130 with elastic return and integral with the removable plate is formed of two elbows 132-1 and 132-2 capable of blocking the horizontal translation of the removable plate.

More precisely, it is the vertical branches 134-1 and 134-2 of the elbows which block the translation of the removable plate 120.

Thus, when the container device contains more than one phonecard, the fixing of the said container device on the support plate is locked by the lever 130 which blocks the horizontal translation of the removable plate 120.

The result of this is that the non-empty container device can only be removed from the support plate 100 by breaking the hooks of the claws 110-1 to 110-4.

A free feeder 140 disposed inside the container device opposite the transverse outlet slot will allow the control of the unlocking of the fixing in the absence of phonecards in the container.

The free feeder 140 has at one of its lateral ends an appendage 136-0 delimited by two cut-outs 136-1 and 136-2.

Thus, in the absence of phonecards, the elbows 132-1 and 132-2 rise upwards until they engage in the cut-outs 136-1 and 136-2, which allows a horizontal - 12 translation of the removable plate 120 in order to disengage the part forming a hook of the luge and thus to release the container device from the support plate and from the removable plate.

In practice, the horizontal translation of the removable plate (in the direction of the arrow FI) is made by the using operator.

Reference is now made to Figure 7 which shows the extraction means.

The extraction means con^rise a drawer ISO which is movable in substantially horizontal translation and comprises at its free end upwardly bent edges 152. A . motor reduction gear (not shown) controls the substantially horizontal movement of translation of the drawer such that the latter penetrates into the transverse outlet slot, the bent edges of the drawer cooperating with the edges of the phonecard 160 (Figure 5) to allow the extraction of the latter from the container device towards the exterior in the direction of the arrow F2 (Figure 5).

In practice the motor reduction gear is provided with an endless screw whose axis is orthogonal with respect to the substantially horizontal displacement of the drawer.

Advantageously, the unlocking system described with reference to Figure 6 is hidden by a protective cover which prevents any non-authorised person from extracting a non-empty container of phonecards without tearing the claws 110-1 to 110-4.

Withdrawing the protective cover requires the use of a mechanical key held by an authorised agent.

In practice, the motor reduction gears of the dispenser units are controlled in the forward and reverse direction by a transistor power circuit.

An optoelectronic sensor system informs the central control unit 12 of the correct dispensing of the phonecard, of the stoppage of the dispensing motor and of the withdrawal of the phonecard by the user.

The coefficient of friction of the extraction drawer is such that it makes it possible to prevent any damage to the phonecaxds, particularly from scratching and marking the said phonecards.

In the case of dispensing the phonecard 160, the bent edges of the drawer 152 drive the card 160 towards the transverse outlet slot 75 of the container device. It should be noted that the thickness of the transverse outlet 8lot 75 is such that it prevents the simultaneous output of two phonecards.

The resetting of the dispenser device is carried out by returning the means of extraction to their original position. During this return, the bent edges 152 of the free end of the drawer 150 retract in order not to damage the phonecards.

Advantageously, means of protection can protect the dispenser from the production (sic) of foreign bodies in the dispensing slot.

The functioning of the dispenser device and the installation of the container device in the dispenser device according the invention is as follows.

Firstly, the cards or phonecards are stacked in a container device such as described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. This stacking is carried out at the phonecard manufacturer's premises, the feeder 140 being placed above the last phonecard.

It should be noted that the phonecards are not in this case bagged in a packing strip as in the prior structures.

For example, the container device contains 200 phonecards.

Advantageously, the phonecards bear a number. In this case, the phonecards are stacked such that the continuity of the numbers of the phonecards in the container is guaranteed by the manufacturer. The con35 tainer device also bears a specific number. The manufacturer can thus record the data relating to the batch of cards stacked in the container device and can mark this data on the container device.

The container device is closed and sealed at the 92103ο manufacturer's premises according to the assembly* device such as described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. This assembly guarantees the completeness of the content of the container device. The cover forming an indicator 85 guarantees the non-opening of the container device.

Tn practice, the containers are sent directly to dispensing centres formed by the dispenser devices described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

The operator who has the function of installing 10 the container device in the dispenser device checks that the assembly and the means forming an indicator are still complete and in position. This check allows the operator to determine if there has been any opening of the container device during the transport of the latter from the manufacturer to the operator.

When -the assembly and the means forming an indicator comply with a pre-determined condition, that is to say not damaged, of the tabs or of the cover, the operator knows that the container device contains a complete and entire set of phonecards of the type shown by the illustration placed on the container and whose amount is identical to that marked on the label of the container device.

The using operator then enters a service card in the memory card reader 14 and then enters his service code on the keyboard.

The central control unit 12 finally checks that the service code thus entered authorises the service card holder to open the door of the cabinet with a mechanical key.

After positive verification, the using operator ie authorised to replace the empty container device or devices with full container devices.

For example, it is means of optoelectronic type 35 or the counting of the phonecards dispensed by the control unit which detect the absence of phonecards in one of the dispenser devices. In response to this detection, the central control unit warns the operating centre via the telephone link that it is necessary to replace an - 15 empty device.

For security reasons, the using operator is only authorised to replace empty containers.

In practice, it is the mechanical security device 5 constituted by the removable plate 120 and the lever 130 such as described with reference to Figure 5 which allows the replacement of the empty containers and prevents the withdrawal of the non-empty container devices.

After the replacement of the empty container 10 device, the using operator closes the cabinet again.

Advantageously, there is also provided a handshake protocol between the using operator and the central control unit in order to confer an additional degree of security against the theft of phonecards from the dis15 penser device described above.

According to this security protocol, the using operator selects the dispenser unit which he has just replaced in order that the first phonecard from the container device which he has just replaced will be dispensed to him. This selection is validated by electronic payment, for example by bank card.

The using operator enters this first phonecard in the memory card reader of the device in order to transfer the identification data of the batch of cards stored in the container device thus replaced into the central control unit. For example, the identification data of the said batch comprise the serial number of the phonecards, the number of phonecards together with the type: 40 , 80 or 120 units.

Finally, the using operator retrieves the phonecard and returns it to the operator's accounting centre.

It should be noted that this first phonecard can be coded according to the service card of the using operator for control purposes.

Very advantageously, the identification data of the batch of phonecards will be taken into account by the central control unit and by a host computer via the telephone link.

In the case of a theft of a full container, after 92103° its installation in the dispenser device, it is possible because of the identification data of the batch of phonecards according to the security protocol mentioned above to place the phonecards thus stolen on a so-called black list, enabling them to be rendered unusable.

As the security protocol also allows the number of phonecards already dispensed to be known and as the serial numbers of the phonecards follow each other in the container/ the result is that, in the case of a theft of a non-full container, it is possible to deduce the numbers of the phonecards thus stolen and to place these numbers on a so-called opposition list, allowing them to be rendered unusable.

The security protocol which consists in having the first phonecard taken out of the container by the using operator and in having this card read by the control unit furthermore allows the checking of the correct installation of the container device in the dispenser device and the verification of the correct functioning of the dispenser device.

The dispenser device furthermore knows that a certain dispenser unit houses a card container device of a certain type and that the said container device has been installed by a certain using operator.

Sven though the invention has been described with particular reference to phonecards, it is obvious that it applies to portable objects in general, whatever their nature.

Claims (13)

1. Automatic dispenser device for portable objects comprising, in a cabinet (10), at least one dispenser unit (24) capable of dispensing portable objects one by 5 one to the exterior of the cabinet, characterised in that the said dispenser unit (24) is intended to house a container device (50) in which is stacked a stack of portable objects (160), the said container device (50) being formed from two shells (52 and 54), assembled 10 together according to an assembly (72 and 74) which cannot be dismantled without breakage, defining at one of the ends of the container device a transverse outlet slot (75) for the portable objects which is normally obstructed by means (85) forming a breakable indicator, 15 the container device (50) being installed in the dispenser unit (24) only in the case in which the said container device complies with a predetermined condition relating to the completeness of the assembly (72 and 74) and of the means (85) forming an indicator, which allows 20 a high degree of security to be conferred on the installation of the said container device in the dispenser unit.

2. Dispenser device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the dispenser unit (24) comprises: 25 - a support plate (100) capable of supporting, substantially vertically, the container device (50) in which is stacked, substantially vertically, the stack of portable objects; - fixing means (110) capable of fixing on the 30 support plate (100), in a locked manner, the slotted end of the container device; means of breakage capable of breaking the means forming an indicator (85) when the said slotted end is fixed on the said support plate; and - means of extraction (150), movable in substantially horizontal translation, capable of cooperating with the transverse outlet slot (85) in order to unstack the portable objects substantially horizontally and bring them to the exterior of the cabinet (10). 18 IE 92*1030 λ . Device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the fixing means (110) comprise a plurality of lugs (110-1 to 110-4) in the form of protruding hooks disposed on the container device in the immediate vicinity of the

3. 5 transverse outlet slot (85), the part forming a hook of the lugs being capable of penetrating into openings (112) produced in the support plate (100) in order to fix the container device (50) in a locked manner on the support plate (100). 10 4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dispenser unit (24) furthermore comprises means of detection (140, 130) capable of detecting the absence of portable objects in the con15 tainer device; - means of unlocking (120) capable of unlocking the means of fixing in the absence of portable objects in the said container, which allows the container device to be released from the support plate only when the said 20 container device is empty. 5. Device according to Claim 4, characterised in that the unlocking means (120) comprise a removable plate, disposed under the support plate (100), the part forming a hook of the lugs (110) being capable of pen25 etrating into openings (125) produced in the removable plate in order to fix the container device in a locked manner on the support plate and the removable plate (120), and in that in the absence of portable objects in the container device, the removable plate is capable of 30 being pulled substantially horizontally towards the exterior of the cabinet in order to disengage the part forming a hook of the lugs (110) from the openings (125 and 112), which releases the container device from the support plate and from the removable plate (120). 35

4. 6. Device according to Claim 5, characterised in that the detection means comprise a free feeder (140) housed inside the container device at the opposite end from the slotted end of the container device and a lever (130) with elastic return integral with the unlocking - 19 plate (120) and capable of blocking the horizontal translation of the unlocking plate (120), the feeder (140) being capable of cooperating with the lever (130) with elastic return when the container device is empty, 5 which allows the unblocking of the horizontal translation of the unlocking plate.

5. 7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises means of guidance (91, 93) which are capable of guiding the fixing 10 of the slotted end of the container device on the support plate.

6. 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the extraction means (150) comprise a drawer which is movable in substantially 15 horizontal translation comprising bent edges (152) at its free end, the drawer being capable of penetrating into the transverse outlet slot in order to unstack the portable objects one by one substantially horizontally, the bent edges (152) cooperating with the edges of the 20 portable object in order to allow the extraction of the said portable object from the container device.

7. 9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it furthermore comprises: - a part (14) allowing the insertion of a means 25 of payment into the cabinet; - a central control unit (12) allowing the checking and recognition of the means of payment; means of input/output of information with respect to the user, such as selection buttons (32) and 30 a display part (18); - the central control unit (12) being capable of checking the payment of an amount chosen by the user, in order to then have delivered to the latter a corresponding portable object by the said dispenser unit. 35 10. Dispenser device according to Claim 9, characterised in that the part for insertion of payment means (14) is a part for insertion of electronic payment means, in particular by means of bank cards or similar. 11. Method for the installation of a container device - 20 for portable objects in an automatic dispenser device, characterised in that it comprises the following steps: - a) providing a device containing a container device (50) formed from two shells, in which is stacked 5 a βtack of portable objects in a predetermined arrangement, the two shells being assembled together according to an assembly which cannot be dismantled without breakage, defining at one of the ends of the container device a transverse outlet slot for the portable objects which

8. 10 is normally obstructed by means forming a breakable indicator (85); - b) installing the container device (50) in the dispenser device only in the case in which the said container device (SO) complies with a predetermined

9. 15 condition relating to the completeness of the assembly (72 and 74) and of the means forming an indicator (85), which allows a high degree of security to be conferred on the installation of the said container device in the dispenser device.

10. 20 12. Method according to Claim 11, characterised in that it furthermore comprises the following steps: - c) dispensing the first portable object from the container device which has just been installed in the dispenser device,

11. 25 - d) inserting the first portable object thus dispensed into the dispenser device in order to store identification data relating to the batch of portable objects contained in the container device, - e) taking into account the identification data

12. 30 of the portable objects thus stored in order to render unusable the portable objects stolen from the dispenser device. - 21

13. Dispenser device substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in any one or more of the accompanying drawings.