Abstract:
An automatic dispensing machine of substantially flat goods is provided which detects the over-dispensing of goods while accommodating for varying thickness of the substantially flat goods. The automatic dispensing machine includes a table which supports goods such as cards, a suctioning device which pulls the cards, a transporting device which transports the cards after they are pulled by the suctioning device, a position-control device which controls the distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device. The position-control device is configured to increase the distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device based on a dispensing signal. The distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device is then decreased until a predetermined distance is reached.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATONS  
         [0001]    This non-provisional United States (U.S.) patent application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application Number 2002-064796, filed on Mar. 11, 2002, by inventor Takahito Yamamiya, and also claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application Number 2003-029006, filed on Feb. 6, 2003, by inventors Takahito Yamamiya and Akira Okuyama, both of which are to be assigned to Asahi Seiko Corp., Ltd. of Japan.  
         FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Various embodiments of the invention are related to an automatic dispensing device. More particularly, at least one embodiment of the invention relates to an automatic dispensing device for dispensing substantially flat enclosures made of a thin film or plastic material and goods therein. More specially, one embodiment of the invention relates to an automatic dispensing device for dispensing substantially flat goods, such as packaged cards.  
         DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART  
         [0003]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,867 and Japanese Patent Publication 2001-118137, by Takahito Yamamiya, and assigned to Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd., automatic dispensing devices are disclosed for some types of flat goods, such as cards, envelops, packaged or wrapped cards, etc. These references disclose a dispensing device in which an uppermost card is pulled up by a suctioning device and then transported by a transporting device to be dispensed. For purposes of illustration, the term ‘card’ is used herein, but any other type of substantially flat good or enclosure with goods therein may also be used.  
           [0004]    After the uppermost card is dispensed, the other remaining cards are lifted upwards in the dispensing bin and towards the suctioning device. When the next uppermost card is detected by a sensor, the upward lifting is stopped and the distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device is driven to a predetermined distance.  
           [0005]    The reason why the distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device is kept at a predetermined distance is to prevent the next card from being dispensed at the same time as the uppermost card. When the next dispensing signal is received, the uppermost card is pulled by the suctioning device and is dispensed by the transporting device as previously described.  
           [0006]    As temperature in the environment in which the dispensing machine operates changes, the air inside the flat enclosures expands or contracts the flat enclosure due to this change in temperature. Also, some cards or goods also tend to expand or contract as a result of temperature variations.  
           [0007]    For example, in some implementations, the cards are enclosed in packages having a plurality of vent holes to prevent expanding or contracting of the package.  
           [0008]    However, many packaged cards do not come in enclosures having vent holes and the enclosures are made of air-impermeable material. When the surrounding temperature of the dispensing machine increases, the air in the inside the non-venting enclosure expands and the enclosure and/or good, e.g., card, become thicker.  
           [0009]    As a result of the increased thickness, the uppermost card is pushed up, and the distance between the card and the suctioning device becomes smaller than the predetermined right distance.  
           [0010]    When the next dispensing signal is received, the uppermost card is dispensed as previously described.  
           [0011]    However, the newest uppermost flat packaged card of increased thickness, is pushed upwards toward the suctioning device. Therefore, the distance between the newest uppermost packaged card and the suctioning device is smaller than the right distance.  
           [0012]    Accordingly, the uppermost card is pulled upward by the suctioning device and then transported by the transporting device to be dispensed.  
           [0013]    A sensor is located along the dispensing path which functions to prevent more than one card or good from being erroneously dispensed at one time. When an increase in temperature has caused the stack of packaged cards in the dispenser to expand, their distance to the suction device is greatly reduced. This causes the cards to be much closer to the transport device than is otherwise desired. This increased thickness of the packaged cards may cause two or more cards to be picked up by the transport device. When, instead of a single card, additional cards are also transported along the dispensing path, these additional cards are detected the sensor and the automatic dispensing machine is stopped. That is, when the sensor detects that more than one card or good is being erroneously dispensed the machine is stopped. Accordingly, this is a problem which reduces the capacity usage ratio of automatic dispensing machine.  
           [0014]    This problem becomes more frequent as the coefficient of expansion of the packaged cards or goods becomes larger.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    According to one embodiment of the invention an automatic dispensing machine of substantially flat packaged goods is provided which detects the over-dispensing of goods while accommodating for varying thickness of the substantially flat goods. The automatic dispensing machine includes a table which supports goods such as cards, a suctioning device which pulls the cards, a transporting device which transports the cards after they are pulled by the suctioning device, a position-control device which controls the distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device. The position-control device is driven to increase the distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device based on a dispensing signal. The distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device is then decreased until a predetermined distance is reached.  
           [0016]    In one embodiment of the invention, the uppermost packaged good, e.g., card, is pulled by the suctioning device and dispensed by the transporting device. Before the next card is dispensed, the distance between the card and the suctioning device is reset by increasing the distance between the next card and the suctioning device and then decreasing said distance until it reaches a predetermined distance. Accordingly, only the uppermost card is pulled by the suctioning device and dispensed by the transporting device.  
           [0017]    The position-control device controls the distance between the uppermost packaged card and the suctioning device. In one implementation of the invention, when a dispensing signal is received, the position-control device first increases the distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device. Then it decreases the distance between the uppermost card to be a predetermined or desired distance. The suctioning device then pulls up the uppermost card.  
           [0018]    Before the next card is dispensed, the distance between the next card and the suctioning device is reset by first separating the next card or stack of cards from the suctioning device and then bringing them together to a predetermined distance. The next card may then be pulled by the suctioning device and dispensed. This process is continued for each packaged card dispensed.  
           [0019]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the suctioning device and the transporting device are located in a fixed location while a moving device moves the table, which supports the packaged cards, to and from the suctioning device. Thus, the suctioning device and the transporting device remain fixed and the packaged cards are kept a predetermined distance by the moving device. Accordingly, the suctioning device and the transporting device, which have complicated mechanism, are not moved. This reduces accidents or problems with the dispensing device.  
           [0020]    One embodiment of the invention provides a position-control device which includes a table to hold the stack of packaged cards or goods and a moving device for moving the table. The moving device serves to change the distance between the table, which is moved by the moving device, and the suctioning device to position the uppermost card or good to a desired distance. Accordingly, the distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device is controlled by moving table up or down.  
           [0021]    The moving device may also include an electric motor which is operated by the position-control device. The moving device controls the position of the stack of cards or packaged goods. The moving device may change the distance between the uppermost card or packaged good and the suctioning device by rotating direction of the motor in a forward direction or a reverse direction. In other words, the distance between the card and the suctioning device is changed by the rotating direction of the motor.  
           [0022]    In one implementation of the invention, moving the card up or down requires moving the supporting table up or down. Thus, the suctioning device is located above the table and suctions the uppermost card. The transporting device then transports the suctioned card in the lateral direction to the dispensing point.  
           [0023]    In one embodiment of the invention, the distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device is controlled by the movement of the table. The table is first moved away from the suctioning device. Then the table is moved towards the suctioning device until it reaches the predetermined distance. That is, the supporting table is moved towards the suctioning device until the uppermost card reaches a predetermined or desired distance. The card is then pulled by the suctioning device and is transported sideways by the transporting device and dispensed.  
           [0024]    The position-control device may also include a hoisting device which moves the table up and/or down. The position-control device may first operate the hoisting device to move table down, away from the suctioning device, and then move the table upwards to a predetermined position. The packaged cards or goods may be stacked up from top to bottom. When the table is moved downwards, the cards on the table are moved downwards, away from the suctioning device which is fixed. The table is then moved upwards towards the suctioning device and stopped when the uppermost card or good is at a predetermined distance from the suctioning device. The uppermost card is then pulled by the suctioning device and is dispensed by the transporting device.  
           [0025]    In one embodiment of the invention, the hoisting device drives the table by rotating an electric motor. The distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device is changed by operating the electric motor in the forward and/or reverse direction.  
           [0026]    The position-control device may also include a position sensor which detects the position of the uppermost card on the table. When the cards are lifted by the supporting table, the uppermost card is detected by the sensor, and the table is stopped. The position of the uppermost card is controlled by the output of the sensor. Accordingly, the stopped position is the substantially the same every time. As a result, the distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device is substantially the same every time.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic dispensing machine of the cards and goods according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the automatic dispensing machine in FIG. 1 with a cover removed.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of part of the automatic dispensing machine in FIG. 1.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a controller for an automatic dispensing machine according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of an automatic dispensing machine according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 6 and 7 are flow charts illustrating the operation of an automatic dispensing machine according to a second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 illustrates a packaged card that may be dispensed by an automatic dispensing machine according to one embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0034]    In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, one skilled in the art would recognize that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention.  
         [0035]    In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of the invention. For instance, the terms “enclosure” and/or “packaging” are generically used to refer to any substantially flat bag, envelop, container, sack, wrapper, etc., which may be used to hold or secure one or more goods such as cards or other substantially flat items. The enclosure and/or package may be made from numerous materials, including resin, aluminum film, paper, plastic, etc. In some cases, the enclosure material is selected to be impermeable to air while in other implementations it may be permeable. Additionally, the term “card” includes a telephone card, pre-paid card, character card, smartcards and/or an IC card. Note that throughout this description, the terms “flat enclosure,” “card”, “packaged card”, “packaged goods”, “goods” and “items” may be interchangeably used to refer to substantially flat packages and/or goods such as cards, sheets, phone cards, as well as other goods that may be packaged in a substantially flat container or package.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an automatic dispensing device according to one embodiment of the invention. The automatic dispensing device  10  for cards  1  (FIG. 8) includes a dispensing section  11  and a storing section  12 . The dispensing section  11  includes a dispensing unit  13  and a duplicate-detecting device  14  as shown in FIG. 3. The dispensing unit  13  includes a suctioning device  15  and a transporting device  16 .  
         [0037]    The suctioning device  15  serves the function of pulling up the card  1  (FIG. 8). The suctioning device  15  includes a suction-generating device  18  and a guide tube  17  to channel the suction stream. In one embodiment of the invention, the guide tube  17  has a rectangular cross-section and is fixed to side frame  19 . A suction opening  20  is defined by the lower end of guide tube  17  opposite the suction-generating device  18 . When activated, the suction-generating device  18  causes a suction stream to be present at the opening  20 . The suctioning power of the stream may be selected to be strong enough to lift the packaged card  1 , and/or other goods being dispensed.  
         [0038]    In one embodiment of the invention, the suction-generating device  18  includes an electric motor  21  with a fan that is fixed at the shaft of the electric motor  21  with the guide tube  17  coupled to the suctioning end of the electric motor  21 . When the electric motor  21  rotates, the fan pulls air from the opening  20 , creating an upward suctioning stream within the guide tube  17 . In other embodiments of the invention, different suction-generating device may be employed without deviating from the invention. For example, the suction-generating device  18  may be a vacuum blower or an air-driven motor with a fan.  
         [0039]    The transporting device  16  serves to transport the packaged card  1  (FIG. 8), or other substantially flat packaged good, that are pulled up by suctioning device  15  towards in lateral direction. In one embodiment of the invention, the transporting device  16  includes a first transporting device  22  which is located in the path of the suction stream in the guide tube  17  and a second transporting device  23  which is located adjacent to the guide tube  17 .  
         [0040]    The gripping surface of first transporting device  22  slightly protrudes downwards from suction opening  20  for transporting the card  1  which is pulled by to the suction opening  20  to second transporting device  23 . In this embodiment, first transporting device  22  is a first roller  26  which is fixed on rotating shaft  25 . In one embodiment of the invention, the rotating shaft  25  may be attached to the side wall of guiding tube  17 .  
         [0041]    The first roller  26  may be covered with a rubber for reducing slip of cards  1  and/or goods to be dispensed. In one embodiment of the invention, the first transporting device  22  may be replace by a belt  33  which moves towards the second transporting device  23 .  
         [0042]    The second transporting device  23  transports a card  1  (FIG. 8) from the first transporting device  22  towards a dispensing slot  24 . In this embodiment, the second transporting device  23  includes a pair of rollers  28 ,  29 . A second roller  28  is fixed on second rotating shaft  27  which is attached to side frame  19  and is located parallel to rotating shaft  25 . The second roller  28  may be covered with a rubber for reducing slip of the card  1  or other goods to be dispensed.  
         [0043]    A third roller  29  is located below the second roller  28 . The third roller  29  is attached to shaft  32  which is supported by lever  31 . Lever  31  is rotationally fixed to shaft  30  which is fixed to side frame  19 . Lever  31  pivots by a spring (not shown) to bring the third roller  29  into contact with the second roller  28 . A second electric motor  32  is located above the rotating shaft  25  and the second rotating shaft  27  and is fixed to side frame  19 .  
         [0044]    In one embodiment of the invention, belt  33  goes around a pulley on the output shaft of the second electric motor  32 , and pulleys on the rotating shaft  25  and second rotating shaft  27 . In FIG. 3, belt  33  turns in a counterclockwise direction in order to transport cards  1  or other goods toward the dispensing slot  24 .  
         [0045]    A dispense detection sensor  34  may be attached adjacent to the second roller  28 . The dispense detection sensor  34  may include a contact trigger  35  located between the transporting passageways of card  1  or goods being dispensed.  
         [0046]    When lever  31  is located at a predetermined position, a duplicate detection sensor  14  outputs a duplicate signal indicating that two or more cards  1  or goods are being erroneously dispensed. When two cards  1  or goods are pinched between the first roller  28  and the third roller  29  at the same time, lever  31  pivots in the clockwise direction further than usual. A sensor (not shown) detects that lever  31  has moved beyond it usual range and outputs a duplicate signal.  
         [0047]    Shutter  37  is rotationally coupled to a second fixed shaft  36 . The shutter  37  is located along the transporting passageway between the second transporting device  23  and the dispensing slot  24 . Shutter  37  pivots in the counterclockwise direction by a spring shown in FIG. 3 and is located on the transporting passageway. When a card  1  moves on the transporting passageway, shutter  37  is pushed by card  1  and pivots in the clockwise direction, away from the transporting passageway. The card  1 , or goods being dispensed, then reaches the dispensing opening  24 .  
         [0048]    Storing section  12  is used store cards  1  or other goods being dispensed. Storing section  12  includes a storing space  40  which extends vertically, a table  41  which supports and moves the cards  1  up and down, and a moving device  42  for move table  41  up and down. Storing space  40  is enclosed by side frames and extends vertically. The storing space is located below suctioning device  15  and is a rectangular column space. The lower section of lid  43  is pivotably attached to side frame  19 . The upper section of lid  43  may be locked or secured to side frame  19  by a locking device  44 . Lid  43  is detachable from side frame  19  and the cards  1  or goods may be stacked on table  41 .  
         [0049]    Table  41  is a rectangular plate is located below guiding tube  17  in storing space  40  and can move towards or away from guiding tube  17 . In other words, table  41  can move up and down. Cards  1  on table  41  are move to and from guiding tube  17  by the moving of table  41  up or down. Accordingly, table  41  can be changed or modified to other device for lifting and lowering the goods to be dispensed, without departing from the invention.  
         [0050]    Moving device  42  includes a driving device  45  and a transmitting device  46 . Driving device  45  is located in the proximity of the suctioning device  15 . Driving device  45  includes a reducer  47  which is rotationally fixed to side frame  19 , the third electric motor  48  which is fixed to reducer  47  and drives the reducer  47 , a driving gear (not shown) which is fixed on the output shaft of reducer  47 , rotating shaft  49  which is rotationally coupled to side frame  19 , drive gear  50  which is engaged to the driving gear  50  and gear  51  which is fixed on the right end section of rotating shaft  49 .  
         [0051]    Driving device  45  serves the function of lifting and lowering table  41  to and from the suctioning device  15 . Accordingly, driving device  45  can be changed to other mechanisms that serve the same function.  
         [0052]    Transmitting device  46  is explained as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Lifting device  46  is located at the left and right sides of side frame  19  as the same as structure. The lower end of lifting supports  53  is attached at the sidewalls  52  of table  41  which protrude in the lateral direction away from table  41 .  
         [0053]    Lifting supports  53  maybe made of a flexible resin and can be bent. The middle of lifting support  53  engages with gear  51 . The end of lifting support  53  is pushed by pinch roller  55  which rotates on fixed shaft  54  protruding from side frame  19 . Accordingly, lifting support  53  has contact with gear  51 . The end of lifting support  53  is inserted into a pipe  56  which is an inverted J and is fixed at the side of side frame  19 . This pipe  56  serves to hide the lifting support and reduce the overall size of the dispensing mechanism.  
         [0054]    In one embodiment of the invention, moving device  42  includes a hoisting device  57  to move the table  41  up and down. Moving device  42  serves the function of changing the distance between suctioning device  15  and cards  1  or good being dispensed.  
         [0055]    In one embodiment of the invention, the driving device  45  and the lifting device  46  may be integrated. For example, a magnetic plate of linear motor are coupled to side frame  19 , and the table  41  is connected with a coil plate to the linear motor.  
         [0056]    Position sensor  60  is fixed to the upper side of baseboard  62 , located horizontally between side frames  19 . Position sensor  60  is located at the upper space of storing section  40 , and includes a detector  61  located below suctioning opening  20 . When contactor  61  is slightly pushed up by a card  1  or good being dispensed, position sensor  60  outputs a signal of “ON”.  
         [0057]    In this situation, contactor  61  is located at a predetermined position which is a predetermined distance between the uppermost card  1  and the suctioning opening  20 . This distance is selected so that once the uppermost card  1  is dispensed the next card in the stack is not automatically pulled by the suctioning device  15 . Accordingly, the attached position of position sensor  60  is variable. Position sensor  60  can be changed to a photo-electrical sensor etc. in other implementations. However, using a mechanical sensor with contactor  61 , is inexpensive and reduces the need for periodic maintenance.  
         [0058]    In one embodiment of the invention, the position-control device  63  may be implemented wholly or partially as software. FIG. 4 illustrates a controller for an automatic dispensing machine according to one embodiment of the invention. Main control circuit  70  is a microprocessor unit which processes instructions in of a program stored in ROM  71  and communicates with RAM  73 . Accordingly, electric motor  21 , second electric motor  32  and third electric motor  48  may all be controlled based on dispensing indication signal P, dispensing signal F from dispensing detecting sensor  34 , duplicate signal D from duplicating sensor  14 , upper position signal U from position sensor  60 .  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of an automatic dispensing machine controller according to one embodiment of the invention. In step  1 , dispensing indication signal P from the vending machine is detected. When there is a dispensing indication signal P, the program goes to step S 2 , and the third motor  48  of moving device  42  is put in reverse. This causes gear  51  to rotate in the clockwise direction through reducer  47 , drive gear  50  and rotating shaft  49 , shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0060]    Accordingly, lifting supports  53  are moved downwards, and the table  41  with the cards  1 , or goods being dispensed, are also moved downwards. Contactor  61  which was pushed up by the uppermost card  1  moves downwards, and position sensor  60  outputs signal “OFF”. In step S 3 , when the OFF signal is detected, the program goes to step S 4 , and the third motor  48  is stopped and then rotated in the forward direction.  
         [0061]    The forward rotation of the third motor  48  causes gear  51  to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, relative to FIG. 3, and lifting support  53  moves upwards along with table  41 . By the upward movement of table  41 , the cards  1  are lifted upwards. When the uppermost card presses on or pushes contactor  61 , position sensor  60  becomes “ON”, and an upper position signal U is outputted.  
         [0062]    In step S 5 , when upper position signal U is detected, the program goes to step S 6 , and the third motor  48  is stopped. At this time, the uppermost card  1  is at the predetermined or desired position. In this situation, the uppermost card  1 , or packaged good to be dispensed, is in contact with at least part of the rim of suctioning opening  20 .  
         [0063]    In step S 7 , electric motor  21  of the suction-generating device  18  and the second motor  32  of the transporting device  16  are energized to rotate. By the rotation of motor  21 , a fan is rotated which causes a suctioning stream at opening  20 .  
         [0064]    By the rotation of the second motor  32 , roller  26  of first transporting device  22  and second roller  28  of second transporting device  23  are rotated, through belt  33 , in the counterclockwise direction relative to FIG. 3. The uppermost card  1  is pulled up, by the suctioning stream, to suctioning opening  20 . The lifted card  1  is transported towards the second transporting device  23  by roller  26 .  
         [0065]    The transported card  1  is moved between second roller  28  and third roller  29  of second transporting device  23  and is transported towards dispensing slot  24  by second roller  28 . When the card  1  is located between second roller  28  and third roller  29 , the third roller  29  moves downwards depending on the thickness of the card  1 . Accordingly, lever  31  is rotated in the clockwise direction relative to FIG. 3.  
         [0066]    When just a single card  1  has been lifted and transported, the pivot angle of lever  31  is smaller than a predetermined angle or threshold. When two or more cards have been erroneously lifted and transported, the pivot angle of lever  31  is larger than the predetermined angle or threshold. Accordingly, when the pivot angle is greater than a predetermined angle, this is considered duplicate dispensing, and duplicate signal D is outputted. Main control circuit  70  outputs stop dispensing signal S and alarm signal A based on the abnormal signal. By these signals, automatic dispensing device  10  is stopped, and an alarm is caused.  
         [0067]    Also, when card  1  passes through the second transporting device  23 , contact trigger  35  is pushed up, and dispensing sensor  24  outputs dispensing signal F. When card  1  passes through the second transporting device  23 , contact trigger  35  moves downwards, and dispensing sensor  34  outputs the signal “OFF”. In step S 8 , when the signal of “OFF” is detected, the program goes to step S 9 , and motors  21  and  32  are stopped. Accordingly, suction-generating device  18  is stopped, and the suctioning function of suctioning device  15  is stopped. Also, the rotations of first roller  26  and second roller  28  are stopped. In other words, the transporting function of transporting device  16  is stopped.  
         [0068]    In step S 10 , signal of “OFF” from position sensor  60  is detected. Accordingly contactor  61 , which is pushed up by the uppermost card  1 , is detected. When position sensor  60  outputs upper position signal F, the program goes to step S 11 , and third motor  48  is reversed.  
         [0069]    Accordingly, table  41  is moved downwards by lifting supports  53  as previously described. In other words, once the uppermost card  1  is lifted by the suction device  15 , the remaining cards are moved downwards by the controller to prevent other cards from being erroneously pulled up by the suctioning device  15  and prevented erroneous dispensing.  
         [0070]    Next in step S 12 , the third motor  48  rotates normal, and table  41  is lifted up and the program goes to step S 13 . In step S 13 , contactor  61  is pushed up by the uppermost card  1 , position sensor  60  outputs upper position signal U, and when the upper position signal U is detected, and the program goes to step S 14 . In step S 14 , third motor  48  is stopped, and the uppermost card  1  is kept in the most desirable or predetermined distance from the suctioning device  15 . The program goes into the standby position until the next dispense signal is received.  
         [0071]    As has been previously described, from step S 2  to step S 6  correspond to the position-control device  63 . In other words, position-control device  63  serves the function of decreasing the distance between a card  1  and the suctioning device  15 , and, after a card has been lifted by the suctioning device  15 , increasing the distance between the card stack and the suctioning device. When the position-control device  63  is controlled by software, it doesn&#39;t need new parts, and is therefore inexpensive. Also, position-control system includes the position-control device  63 , table  41  and moving device  42 .  
         [0072]    [0072]FIGS. 6 and 7 are flow charts illustrating the operation of an automatic dispensing machine according to a second embodiment of the invention. The second embodiment is of a second position adjusting system  64 . Step SI through to step S 7  are the same as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and described above. In addition, in step S 5 , the card  1  makes contact with the round rim of suctioning opening  20  at a slanted position. When the card  1  makes with the all round suctioning opening  20 , the position of contactor  61  is triggered and th position sensor  60  outputs “ON”.  
         [0073]    Next, in step S 21 , the length of time to suction or lift the uppermost card  1  is clocked or determined. In step S 22 , the third motor  48  rotates in the reverse. Accordingly, gear  51  rotates in the clockwise direction, relative to FIG. 3, through reducer  47 , drive gear  50  and rotating shaft  49 .  
         [0074]    Therefore, the remaining cards  1  on table  41  move downwards slowly because table  41  moves downwards slowly. By this downwards motion, cards  1  on table  41  are at a greater distance from card  1  which was pulled to be dispensed. This prevents extra cards from being pulled by the suctioning device  15 . Accordingly the pulled card  1  is pulled continuously by suctioning device  15 . The distance to which the remaining cards are lowered is a distance sufficient to prevent the suctioning device  15  from pulling additional cards from the stack.  
         [0075]    In step S 23 , the length of time to dispense the uppermost card  1  is clocked. In step S 24 , the third motor  48  stops. Therefore, there is enough space for the pulled card  1  and the remaining card  1 . In step S 25 , motor  32  rotates in the forward direction. Accordingly, card  1  is dispensed. Next, step S 8  through to S 14  operate as previously described. As previously described, steps S 2  to step S 24  correspond to a second position-control device  64 . This embodiment is desirable because when the cards  1  are slanted, the uppermost card can be more easily pulled by suctioning device  15 .  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 8 illustrates a packaged card that may be dispensed by an automatic dispensing machine according to one embodiment of the invention. The packaging, wrapping, and/or enclosure material may be made from numerous materials, including resin, aluminum film, paper, plastic, etc. In some implementations the packaging material is selected to be impermeable to air. Note that in other implementations, the automatic dispensing machine may be used with other types of substantially flat packaging and/or enclosures. In yet other implementations, an automatic dispensing machine according to the invention may be used without any type of packaging, enclosure, and/or wrapper.  
         [0077]    Accordingly, this present invention isn&#39;t limited by their words. While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications are possible. Those skilled, in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.