Patent ID: 6257475
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: B26F,B65H,G07B,Y10T

Abstract:
In combination with a ticket sheet containing a plurality of tickets, an apparatus for separating a ticket from the ticket sheet, each of said tickets being separated from an adjacent ticket by a line of perforations, comprising:first and second spaced feed rollers for conducting said ticket sheet along a feed passage;a cutting roller positioned between said first and second feed rollers for cutting said ticket sheet at said line of perforations, said cutting roller including an axle, and a surface having first and second ends surrounding a length of said axle, the surface of said cutting roller includinga central portion having a first diameter, said central portion forming a first cutting edge on a circumference thereof, said first cutting edge being formed so that said first cutting edge cuts into said line of perforations to make a first opening in the center of said line of perforations when said line of perforations faces the cutting roller; andfirst and second outer portions, said first portion being located between the first end of said surface and said central portion and said second portion being located between the second end of said surface and said central portion, each of said first and second outer portions having a second diameter which is less than said first diameter and which forms a second cutting edge which is smaller than said first cutting edge, said second cutting edges being formed so that said second cutting edges cut into said line of perforations to make second openings on both sides of said first opening when said line of perforations faces the cutting roller;drive means for driving said first and second feed rollers at predetermined speeds to bring a line of perforations on said ticket sheet into engagement with the cutting edges of said cutting roller; anda controller coupled to said drive means for controlling the speed at which each of said feed rollers is driven, said feed rollers being driven at different speeds so that parts of said ticket sheet on opposite sides of said line of perforations are pulled in opposite directions while said first cutting edge of said cutting roller first cuts into said line of perforations to make said first opening in the center of said line of perforations, and then said second cutting edges of said cutting roller cut into said line of perforations to make said second openings on both sides of said first opening in the center of the line of perforations, thereby separating said ticket from said ticket sheet.