Patent ID: 8985434
Filing Date: 2015-03-24
Classification: G07C

Abstract:
1. A ballot box for collecting ballot envelopes, the ballot box comprising: a horizontal bottom wall; vertical walls fastened to the horizontal bottom wall; a horizontal top wall forming a lid, which is provided with a passage configured to receive a ballot envelope into an internal space, the passage forming a vertical guiding passage having a rectangular cross-section, delimited by two large parallel surfaces and two side surfaces, the passage having a trap door received therein, driven by a motor, the trap door configured to move between one of a position of obstructing the passage and a position of disengagement; and means for checking one or more physical parameters of the ballot envelope, the one or more physical parameters including the weight of the ballot envelope, the means for checking being configured to control the motor of the trap door to clear the passage when the ballot envelope is acceptable and to block the passage when the ballot envelope is unacceptable, the checking means comprising a command and control unit, the motor being connected and controlled by the command and control unit, wherein the trap door is disposed at the lower end of the passage, a portion of the passage away from and above the trap door being equipped with a detector configured to detect the presence of the ballot envelope in the passage, the detector being connected to the command and control unit, wherein a radial opening is provided in relation to the passage perpendicular to the direction of entry of the ballot envelope, the radial opening being formed above the trap door and below the detector, wherein the checking means further comprises a weight detector that comprises, above and away from the trap door, a paddle blade configured to be engaged in the passage by passing through the radial opening, said paddle blade being configured to receive and support the ballot envelope for weighing, the paddle blade is carried by a pivoting arm that is hinged away from the passage with a horizontal pin, and by pivoting the arm, the paddle blade occupies a position of clearing the passage, or a position of obstructing the passage, the arm works with a balancing element and is driven while pivoting to the position of clearing the passage by a motor element controlled by the command and control unit.