WO1998008762A1 - Distributeur de billets - Google Patents

Distributeur de billets Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998008762A1
WO1998008762A1 PCT/CA1997/000618 CA9700618W WO9808762A1 WO 1998008762 A1 WO1998008762 A1 WO 1998008762A1 CA 9700618 W CA9700618 W CA 9700618W WO 9808762 A1 WO9808762 A1 WO 9808762A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tickets
dispenser
roller
ticket
hopper
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA1997/000618
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Philip B. Kamin
Kenneth E. Stapleton
Original Assignee
Kamin Philip B
Stapleton Kenneth E
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB9618103.7A external-priority patent/GB9618103D0/en
Application filed by Kamin Philip B, Stapleton Kenneth E filed Critical Kamin Philip B
Priority to AU41074/97A priority Critical patent/AU4107497A/en
Priority to GB9904457A priority patent/GB2332194A/en
Publication of WO1998008762A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998008762A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B3/00—Machines for issuing preprinted tickets
    • G07B3/04—Machines for issuing preprinted tickets from a stack
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
    • B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
    • B65H3/063—Rollers or like rotary separators separating from the bottom of pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/30—Numbers, e.g. of windings or rotations

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to automatic dispensers for tickets.
  • the invention is particularly suitable for dispensing tickets of the break open type.
  • the present invention overcomes the deficiencies in the prior art devices by providing an automatic break open ticket dispenser having a high vend rate and a simple and efficient mechanism that is not prone to the problems associated with known devices.
  • a ticket dispenser comprising: a hopper, having a front wall and a rear wall, for receiving a stack of tickets and for feeding the tickets to a dispensing unit adapted to receive the hopper; the dispensing unit having: a first roller, rotatably supported on the dispensing unit, for contacting the bottom ticket in the stack; a second roller, rotatably supported on the dispensing unit and spaced from the first roller, for receiving tickets from the first roller; a counter supported on the dispensing unit for counting the number of tickets being dispensed; wherein the second roller is adapted to rotate at a speed greater than that of the first roller whereby a gap is created between a trailing edge of the bottom ticket and a leading edge of the next ticket from the stack.
  • Figure 1 is a side cross sectional view of the dispenser in accordance with one embodiment.
  • Figure 2 is a diagram of the motor drive circuit for the embodiment of Figure 1.
  • Figures 3 to 5 are side cross sectional views of the dispenser of Figure 1 illustrating the various steps in the path of a ticket.
  • Figure 6 is a side cross sectional view of the dispenser of the invention in accordance with another embodiment.
  • Figures 7 to 10 are side cross sectional views of the dispenser of Figure 6 illustrating various steps in the path of a ticket.
  • Figure 11 is a front elevation of an embodiment comprising a cabinet containing a plurality of dispensers.
  • Figure 12 is a side elevation of the cabinet of Figure 11.
  • Figure 13 is a front elevation of the cabinet of Figure 11 in a closed position.
  • the dispenser 10 has a housing
  • the rear wall 18 of the hopper 14 can be adjusted so that the space within the hopper can be increased or reduced to accommodate a variety of ticket lengths.
  • the rear wall 18 has hooks (not shown) which engage slots (also not shown) on the housing thereby allowing the rear wall 18 to be moveable relative to the front wall 13.
  • the lower portion 20 of rear wall 18 is curved so as to provide support of only the trailing edge 22 of the bottom ticket 24 in the feed hopper 14.
  • the housing 12 is preferably formed of metal.
  • the front wall 13 includes a longitudinal slot to facilitate the manual stacking of tickets in the hopper. The slot is seen in the view provided in Figure 1 1 and is indicated at 72.
  • the feed mechanism comprises a drive roller 26 and an accelerator roller 28.
  • the rollers can be made of a variety of materials with the provision that their outer surfaces have a coefficient of friction that is sufficient to grip and move the tickets being dispensed.
  • the rollers are made of a rubber material such as urethane.
  • the durometer hardness of such rubber materials should preferably be between 70 and 90. This is in order to avoid excessive compression of the rollers and to ensure adequate gripping of the tickets.
  • the rollers preferably have a rough "saw cut" finish on the outer surface to aid in producing the necessary friction to move the tickets 16 through the dispenser.
  • the rollers are mounted on metal cores 30 and 32 and are driven by a single motor (not shown).
  • the rollers are driven by gears and the gear ratio is set to allow the accelerator roller 28 to rotate at slightly less than double the speed of the drive roller 26.
  • the rollers 26 and 28 are mounted on a chassis 34, which is preferably made of a fiberglass material, or resin compounds, although several types of plastic and metals will be equally suitable.
  • the main function of the chassis 34 is to provide accurate alignment of the bushings and bearings in which the drive mechanism's rollers, 26 and 28, motor and gears are mounted.
  • the chassis 34 also prevents tickets from falling below the rollers 26 and 28 and helps to guide tickets from the drive roller 26 to the accelerator roller 28.
  • a guide 36 restricts the transfer of tickets from the feed hopper 14 to the dispensing rollers 26 and 28.
  • the guide 36 is adjustable and is set above the drive roller 26 and adjusted to allow only the ticket 24 having contact with the drive roller 26 to be driven ahead to the accelerator roller 28.
  • the guide 36 is preferably made of thick metal such as 0.125" stainless steel and may be formed or machined. After the guide 36 is adjusted to the required restriction height, it is locked in place by nuts 38 that secure the guide 36 to the housing 12.
  • An infrared sensor electronically qualifies the presence or absence of a ticket beneath it.
  • the infrared sensor 40 is preferably mounted so that the infrared beam is directed downwards so as to avoid disruption of the beam by dust and other such debris which may settle thereon. Although a reflective infrared device is preferred, it is also possible to use a discreet type as well.
  • the guide 36 has an extended portion 42, which ensures that tickets will not come into contact with the infrared sensor 40.
  • An accelerator shoe 44 is mounted above the accelerator roller 28 and consists of a pad 46 and two pins 48 extending from one side of the pad 46 and through retainers 52 in the housing 12.
  • a spring 50 on each pin 48 is biased against the retainers 52 and the pad 46 thereby forcing the pad 46 towards the accelerator roller 28.
  • the distance of the retainers 52 from the accelerator roller 28 sets the degree of tension between the accelerator shoe 44 and the accelerator roller 28. In this manner, as a ticket passes under the accelerator shoe 44, the pad 46 biases the ticket against the accelerator roller 28.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the motor drive circuit 100 for the dispenser.
  • Diode Dl and capacitor Cl provide a means of supplying the integrated circuit IC1 with clean 12 V DC supply voltage which is derived from a 12 V DC supply line. Cl minimizes the effects of detrimental voltage dips caused by the subsequent on off actions of the motor and associated circuitry components which interface directly to the 12 V DC supply line.
  • IC1 a LM324N quad operational amplifier
  • a reference voltage (Vref) of approximately 3.0 V is derived from the resistive ladder Rl and R15. This voltage is applied to the non- inverting inputs of IC1A, IC1B, IC1C and the inverting input of IC1D.
  • Vref reference voltage
  • the motor control section is in an idle state.
  • the output of IC1B is high and remains high until the voltage at CONTROL IN exceeds Vref.
  • transistor Ql is biased OFF and Q2 is biased ON, which effectively places a short circuit condition across the motor leads of M 1.
  • CONTROL IN pin the output of IC1B toggles from OFF (12 V DC) to ON (0 V DC). This action biases Ql to its ON state and turns on Ml .
  • Q2 is biased ON in turn shutting down the motor and Ql is biased OFF.
  • the motor acts as a DC generator and is expected to deliver any current produced as a result of its remaining inertia to the short circuit introduced across its armature windings by Q2.
  • the resulting loading effect of the short circuit causes the motor's armature to come to a very abrupt stop.
  • IC1 C handles level sensing and output signal current buffering for the ticket count signal.
  • IRD1 's transmitter projects infrared light onto the ticket surface. The resultant reflection of this infrared light to IRD1 's receiver transistor indicates the presence of a ticket.
  • IRD1 's receiver When no ticket is present, as in the case of a gap, IRD1 's receiver is considered to be in the OFF state and does not conduct.
  • the voltage level at the inverting input of IC1C is in a low state.
  • the receiver As a ticket passes under IRD1 the receiver is biased ON by the reflected infrared light and in turn conducts current through its emitter resistor developing voltage across this resistor. This voltage is presented to IClC's non-inverting input and as the voltage increases in amplitude higher than that of its inverting input's voltage (Vref) IClC's output toggles to a high or ON state.
  • Vref inverting input's voltage
  • the output signal is further conditioned by limiting its amplitude to standard 5V DC TTL logic level with a zener diode D4.
  • the signal produced is the COUNT OUT signal and this signal is presented to the control circuitry for further processing.
  • 5 V DC at the COUNT OUT terminal indicates the presence of a ticket
  • OV DC indicates the presence of a gap.
  • D3, Q3, ICID and IC1A form the means by which low inventory in the dispenser's feed hopper 14 may be sensed.
  • the components D3 and Ql a discreet infrared transmitter/receiver pair, are attached to the sides of the feed hopper and infrared light is transmitted from D3 to Q3.
  • the infrared light is blocked to Q3, which biases the transistor OFF. No current is drawn through its emitter resistor R12 and consequently no voltage is developed across the resistor.
  • the level is below Vref and ICID is in an OFF state as Q3's output is tied to IClD's non-inverting input and referenced to its inverting input's voltage Vref.
  • ICID is further limited to TTL level by diode D5 and passed to the control circuit at LOW STACK OUT for further processing. It is also presented to IC1 A, which acts as a non-inverting buffer and controls current flow through LED1 located at the side of the feed hopper 14. LED1 gives a visual indication of the inventory level by emitting light when the inventory level is satisfactory and extinguishing when the inventory level drops below the physical level as sensed by D3 and Q3.
  • the printed circuit assembly is mounted to the side of the dispenser and provides the means of interfacing to a main 12 volt direct current power supply, microprocessor counting circuit, microprocessor low ticket flag line and the microprocessor start/stop line.
  • the restriction posed by the guide 36 prevents the next ticket above ticket 24 from being pulled through by ticket 24.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a further preferred embodiment of the invention where like elements are indicated with like reference numerals and the letter "a" is used for clarity.
  • the rear wall 18 is adjustable as with the embodiment shown in Figure 1, so that it can be moved relative to the front wall 1 of the housing. In such manner, the rear wall 18 can be moved to accommodate various lengths of tickets 16.
  • the lower portion 20a of the rear wall 18 is not curved as in the previous embodiment but is co-linear with the rest of the rear wall.
  • the rear wall 18 is positioned so that the distance from such wall to the front wall 13 is less than the length of the tickets 16. Therefore, as illustrated, when the tickets 16 are placed in the hopper 14, they are forced into a more acute angle than in the previous embodiment.
  • the guide 36a is substantially parallel to the rear wall 20a in order to ensure that all the tickets in the hopper 14 assume a consistent angle.
  • the pad 46a of the accelerator shoe 44 includes an extended portion 47 downstream of the ticket path A which is substantially parallel to the upper surface 29 of the chassis 34.
  • the extended portion 47 of the pad 46a ensures that the tickets are dispensed parallel to the upper surface 29.
  • Retainer 52a consists of a plate having two holes to accommodate pins 48 on the accelerator shoe 44.
  • the holes in the retainer 52a are of sufficient size to enable the pins 48 to be freely slidable therein. Larger holes are preferred in order to accommodate pins that are not parallel or which would otherwise lead to such pins binding within such holes.
  • Figures 7 to 10 illustrate the operation of the dispenser shown in Figure 6.
  • the tickets are inserted into the hopper 14, the rear wall of which is adjusted so that the distance from such wall to the front wall 13 is less than the length L of the tickets to be dispensed.
  • the tickets are placed in the hopper with the leading edges being lower than the trailing edges.
  • the motor is started which causes the drive and accelerator rollers, 26 and 28, respectively, to rotate.
  • the leading edge 23 of the first ticket is forced against the drive roller due to the weight of the tickets above and due to the guide 36a.
  • the trailing edge 22 is rendered free without contact with either the rear wall 18 or the remaining tickets in the hopper. Accordingly, the weight of the tickets in the hopper is applied to the ticket 24 over the drive roller 26 thereby ensuring adequate contact between such roller and the ticket.24.
  • the ticket is advanced where it interrupts the beam generated by the reflective infrared sensor 40.
  • the leading edge 23 of the ticket 24 is then directed to the accelerator roller 28 by means of the pad 46a of the accelerator shoe 44.
  • the ticket lifts the pad 46a in the direction B as it is advanced by the drive roller 26.
  • the springs 50 in turn bias the pad 46a against the ticket 24 thereby ensuring firm contact with the accelerator roller 28.
  • the accelerator roller 28 conveys the ticket 24 at a faster speed than the drive roller due to the accelerator roller rotating at almost twice the speed as the drive roller. This difference in speed causes a gap 56 to form between the first ticket 24 and the next ticket 27.
  • the gap allows the beam from the infrared sensor 40 to resume its normal course which, in turn, causes the circuitry to register the passage of one ticket.
  • the first ticket 24 is then expelled from the dispenser through an opening in the housing (not shown).
  • the extended portion 47 of the pad 46a ensures that the ticket passes through such opening.
  • the motor is shut off.
  • the feed hopper 14 can be of any size depending upon the quantity of tickets that are to be stored. In the preferred embodiment, the feed hopper 14 is dimensioned to have a capacity of 1000 tickets where such tickets have a thickness of 0.024".
  • the dispenser includes a sensor for signaling when the stack of tickets contained in the hopper reaches a predetermined minimum height.
  • a sensor for signaling when the stack of tickets contained in the hopper reaches a predetermined minimum height.
  • Such sensor comprises an infrared transmitter and receiver combination located at a set distance from the bottom of the hopper. The beam from the transmitter to the receiver travels through diametrically opposed holes (not shown) in the side walls of the hopper.
  • the stack of cards interrupts the transmission of the beam to the receiver.
  • the lack of disruption of the infrared beam causes an LED indicator to turn off thereby signaling the operator that the hopper requires filling.
  • the transmission of the beam to the receiver results in a low voltage at junction R16, D5, ICIA (pin 2) which is the processor flag signal which indicates a low level of the ticket stack.
  • a bank of dispensers can be attached together and controlled by a single processor thereby resulting in a dispenser capable of carrying a variety of tickets or a greater number of one type of ticket.
  • a plurality of dispensers as described above are contained within a cabinet as shown in Figures 12 to 14.
  • a cabinet 70 contains a number of dispensers 10.
  • each dispenser includes a hopper 14 having a front wall 13 and a rear wall 18.
  • the front wall includes a slot 72 which, as mentioned previously, facilitates the loading of the tickets in the hopper.
  • the cabinet includes a door 74, mounted to the cabinet by means of a hinge 75, the door having a series of slots 76 through which the tickets are expelled after exiting the dispenser.
  • the door 74 also, preferably includes a transparent face 78 through which the dispensers can be observed in order to monitor the inventory levels in the dispenser and/or the low level LED indicator.
  • the door 74 is comprised of upper section 80 and lower section 82.
  • a switch 84 is provided to signal to the microcontroller that the door is open.
  • the lower section 82 of the door 74 is of a larger depth in order to provide a bin for collecting the tickets that are dispensed. Such bin can be divided to separate tickets dispensed by the respective dispensers.
  • Power to the unit is supplied through a power jack 84.
  • a remote control jack 86 connects the operator interface (not shown) to the dispensers whereby the various commands are provided to the control circuit.
  • the operator interface may also include a means for directly purchasing tickets wherein the interface accepts cash, debit or credit cards etc.
  • Figure 13 illustrates the cabinet with the door 74 closed.
  • the lower section 82 of the door is provided with a transparent cover 88 and a flap 90 that can be opened to remove the dispensed tickets.
  • the dispenser also includes adjustable legs 92 on which the cabinet rests and by which the cabinet can be leveled.
  • the door 74 also includes latches 94 which engage slots 96 on the cabinet for securing the door in a closed position. Key holes 98 are provided on the front face of the door for releasing the latches.
  • a further embodiment comprises a portable dispenser having a battery power source.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ticket-Dispensing Machines (AREA)

Abstract

Un distributeur de billets comprend une trémie d'alimentation et un mécanisme d'entraînement à grande vitesse. Les billets sont distribués par la trémie au moyen d'un éjecteur comprenant un rouleau d'entraînement et un rouleau d'accélération. Les rouleaux sont entraînés par un moteur ayant une capacité de freinage dynamique, et disposés de manière à fonctionner à des vitesses variables. Le distributeur comprend en outre un capteur infrarouge qui compte au fur et à mesure le nombre de billets délivré. Le distributeur permet de vendre des billets avec une grande précision et rapidité. Un circuit de microprocesseur est utilisé pour commander le moteur d'entraînement et les signaux de traitement émanant du capteur et pour surveiller le niveau d'inventaire dans la trémie d'alimentation.
PCT/CA1997/000618 1996-08-30 1997-08-27 Distributeur de billets WO1998008762A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU41074/97A AU4107497A (en) 1996-08-30 1997-08-27 Ticket dispenser
GB9904457A GB2332194A (en) 1996-08-30 1997-08-27 Ticket dispenser

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9618103.7A GB9618103D0 (en) 1996-08-30 1996-08-30 Break open ticket dispenser
GB9618103.7 1996-08-30
CA002211565A CA2211565A1 (fr) 1996-08-30 1997-07-31 Distributrice de billets
CA2,211,565 1997-07-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998008762A1 true WO1998008762A1 (fr) 1998-03-05

Family

ID=25679503

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA1997/000618 WO1998008762A1 (fr) 1996-08-30 1997-08-27 Distributeur de billets

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4107497A (fr)
WO (1) WO1998008762A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3790161A (en) * 1971-05-12 1974-02-05 Arbman Dev Ab Apparatus for individually feeding sheets, cards, banknotes and the like
US4565361A (en) * 1983-04-11 1986-01-21 Fuji Giken Kabushiki Kaisha Bank note dispenser
US4717043A (en) * 1984-06-21 1988-01-05 The Coca-Cola Company Vendor coupon dispenser
FR2627763A1 (fr) * 1988-02-29 1989-09-01 Sercem Dispositif pour prelever a l'unite des elements en feuille, notamment des documents, a partir d'une pile

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3790161A (en) * 1971-05-12 1974-02-05 Arbman Dev Ab Apparatus for individually feeding sheets, cards, banknotes and the like
US4565361A (en) * 1983-04-11 1986-01-21 Fuji Giken Kabushiki Kaisha Bank note dispenser
US4717043A (en) * 1984-06-21 1988-01-05 The Coca-Cola Company Vendor coupon dispenser
FR2627763A1 (fr) * 1988-02-29 1989-09-01 Sercem Dispositif pour prelever a l'unite des elements en feuille, notamment des documents, a partir d'une pile

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4107497A (en) 1998-03-19

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