Abstract:
A multi-channel separation mechanism assembly for a lottery or other ticket dispensing machine includes a separate detachable feed mechanism associated with each separate feed channel, such that the feed mechanism for a single channel can be removed and replaced without replacing the entire assembly. Each such detachable feed mechanism includes a compact transmission wherein drive is efficiently transferred from a vertically-oriented feed motor to horizontally-oriented feed rollers. Each feed channel is additionally equipped with a bidirectional mechanical flag which triggers an optical sensor to detect presence of a ticket strip in the channel while still allowing appropriate reverse motion of the ticket strip within the associated channel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/013,686, filed Dec. 14, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to item dispensers and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for dispensing tickets from strips of tickets. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Various types of machines have been developed for dispensing and vending lottery tickets that are printed in long strips, wherein each ticket is separable from another ticket by a perforation line. The tickets are generally stored in a fan-fold form in a vending machine and are dispensed upon the customer paying for the tickets. The tickets are printed on a relatively heavy stock and hence, have some stiffness but are flexible. The tickets can vary substantially in size and thickness depending on the lottery game, the design by the issuer of the ticket, etc. Examples of such machines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,982,337; 5,160,076; 5,222,624; 6,726,077; 6,886,728; 6,932,258; 7,032,793 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0000572. Each of these patent properties is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0004]    Ticket dispensers such as lottery ticket dispensers are often distributed throughout a wide geographic area within which the tickets are sold, and the ticket dispensers are located in a wide range of retail environments. Further, the ticket dispensers may be stand-alone machines with little or no supervision. Therefore, it is important that the ticket dispensers operate very reliably over extended periods of time. A total failure of a ticket dispenser preventing it from dispensing tickets results in a substantial loss of revenue; and in addition, such a failure incurs a substantial cost in having to service the ticket dispenser in the field. 
         [0005]    However, partial failures of a ticket dispenser can also be costly. For example, if the vending machine has multiple channels to dispense a variety of tickets, failure of a ticket separation mechanism that services all of the channels requires servicing and/or replacement of the entire mechanism. Needless to say, such a situation is very problematic to the issuer of the lottery ticket as well as the customer. 
         [0006]    Another potential cause of improper ticket dispenser operation is the transmission driven mechanism feeding the supply of tickets to the separation mechanism for discharge to the customer. The arrangement of the ticket feed mechanism in many known systems is generally not optimized for compactness because of mechanical difficulties and expense involved in the axis of drive rotation. 
         [0007]    Another problem with known ticket dispensers is the difficulty in unloading the last ticket in a strip of tickets. Some prior ticket dispensers include a ticket detection flag that will block the ticket and prevent unloading of the ticket channel. In such a situation, the removal of the last ticket can become time-consuming and mechanically involved. 
         [0008]    Thus, there is a need for a ticket dispenser that is not only more reliable in operation but also easier to service when needed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    These and other disadvantages with prior art lottery ticket dispensers have been addressed with this invention, which includes a multi-channel ticket separation mechanism. The multi-channel separation mechanism assembly according to one embodiment of this invention includes a separate detachable feed mechanism associated with each separate ticket feed channel, such that the feed mechanism for a single channel can be removed and replaced without replacing an assembly servicing all of the ticket channels. 
         [0010]    The feed mechanism according to another embodiment of this invention includes a compact transmission wherein drive is efficiently transferred from a vertically-oriented feed motor to horizontally-oriented feed rollers, providing efficient power transfer, a compact geometry, and flexible placement of drive train components. 
         [0011]    Each ticket feed channel according to another embodiment of this invention is equipped with a bidirectional mechanical flag, which triggers an optical sensor to detect presence of a ticket in the channel while still allowing appropriate reverse motion of the ticket. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The objectives and features of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an isometric front view of a multi-channel separation mechanism assembly with phantom lines to show a ticket dispensing machine according to one embodiment of this invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an isometric front view of the multi-channel separation mechanism assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an isometric front view of an individual modular feed mechanism of the assembly of  FIG. 1  including a portion of its mounting plate; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an isometric rear view of the individual modular feed mechanism of  FIG. 3  including a portion of its mounting plate; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an isometric front view of the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism, partially disassembled; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a schematic side cross sectional view of the individual modular feed mechanism, mounting plate, back cover plate, and top cover plate of  FIG. 5  with phantom lines to show the rest of the multi-channel separation mechanism; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  showing the elements of the ticket separation mechanism being disassembled for access to the individual modular feed mechanism; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a schematic side cross sectional view of the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism of  FIG. 5  taken through the center of an individual modular feed mechanism feed motor transmission; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a schematic side cross sectional view of the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism of  FIG. 8  taken through the center of a bi-directionally capable ticket present sensor flag with the front end of a ticket beginning to feed there through; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 9  with tickets fed completely through and showing the ticket present sensor flag rotated forward to indicate the presence of a ticket; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  shows the view of  FIG. 10 , further including a tearing bar and tearing bar drive motor assembly; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a view similar to  FIG. 9  with the rear end of a ticket beginning to feed there through; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a view similar to  FIG. 12  with tickets fed completely through and showing the ticket present sensor flag rotated backward to allow for the unloading of a ticket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    A ticket separation mechanism for lottery ticket dispensers operates by the use of two sets of feed rollers: bin rollers and exit rollers. Each of the sets of rollers may have a separate motor associated with it. Strips of lottery or other types of serially connected tickets feed into the bin rollers and past a separation zone. A separation mechanism separates the ticket strip at a perforation joining adjacent tickets such that the tickets in front of the separation zone can be dispensed while the strip behind the separation zone remains within the machine. The separation mechanism may be a burster such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,337, a cutter or other device known in the art. The exit rollers, on the other side of the separation zone, feed the tickets out to the ticket dispensing area to be received by the customer. In a multi-channel assembly, each of the multiple channels may include its own set of bin rollers and exit rollers to feed the ticket strip associated with that channel. 
         [0027]    Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a multi-channel separation mechanism  1  placed within a lottery ticket dispenser or vending machine M as shown by the broken lines in  FIG. 1 . As shown, the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism  1  may be housed within a long, rectangular metal housing structure including front, rear, and top housing plates  3 ,  5 , and  6 , and may be positioned proximate to a ticket dispensing area on the machine that includes external slots where the customer can retrieve their tickets. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism  1  may include five different ticket channels A-E for dispensing a ticket, the channels located side-by-side and feeding strips of serially connected tickets substantially in parallel. Each ticket dispensing channel A-E may include its own slot in the front plate  3 , as well as including its own bin and exit feed mechanism  10 . The multi-channel ticket separation mechanism  1  may be significantly longer than it is wide, such that each ticket channel feeds across the relatively short width of the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism  1  while the mechanism  1  can accommodate each of the multiple dispensing channels A-E. Although the exemplary embodiments herein show five channels, more or fewer channels could be accommodated without departing from this invention. A printed circuit board  4  may be found within the housing for the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism  1 , and may run the length of the mechanism  1  so as to control each of the feed mechanisms  10 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows the modular feed mechanism  10  along with a small portion of its associated mounting plate  2 . Bin feed rollers  12  are connected to gears that form a transmission  20 . The feed mechanism  10  is mounted to the mounting plate  2  at least in part by use of a fastener  7 , which may be a screw or other appropriate fastener. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  shows the modular feed mechanism  10  including a drive motor  30  which may be positioned at the bottom of the feed mechanism  10 . The drive motor  30  may be a stepper motor with a substantially vertical axis of rotation including a drive shaft  32  extending vertically upward and into the plane of a remainder of the feed mechanism  10  and positioned in back of the bin feed rollers  12 . A transmission  20  is connected to the drive shaft  32  and provides substantially horizontal drive to the bin feed rollers  12 . The transmission  20  is designed to provide drive to the rollers  12  in either a forward or reverse direction. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of some of the components of the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism  1 . In accordance with this invention, the feed mechanism  10  including the bin feed rollers  12 , drive motor  30 , and associated transmission  20  is modular so as to be easily separable from the remainder of the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism  1 . The elongated mounting plate  2  runs the full length of the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism  1 , providing a mounting surface for each of the individual feed mechanisms  10  associated with each ticket dispensing channel A-E. Located on an opposite side of the feed mechanisms  10  is a printed circuit board  4  which extends the length of the assembly  4  and is mounted to the rear housing plate  5  that forms the outer housing of the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism  1 . 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the mounting plate  2 , printed circuit board  4 , and rear plate  5  sit on either side the modular feed mechanism  10  with a top plate  6  located there above. Although the modular feed mechanism  10  is attached to the mounting plate  2 , in one embodiment, no fasteners extend from either the top plate  6  or the rear plate  5  in order to engage the modular feed mechanism  10 . Thus, the modular feed mechanism  10  is secured to the housing with the benefit of the fasteners  7  associated with the mounting plate  2 . The circuit board  4  is connected to various sensors and other electronic components of the mechanism  10  as known in the art. The top and rear plates, which extend the length of the assembly  1 , are fastened to the ends of the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism  1 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  shows the ease with which the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism  1  of this invention may be assembled, disassembled and re-assembled as needed according to one embodiment of this invention. The top and rear plates  5  and  6  are moved outward from the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism  1  in the top and rear directions, respectively, to provide access to the feed mechanism  10 . The fasteners  7  are removed (in  FIG. 7 , unscrewed) in order to detach the modular feed mechanism  10  from the mounting plate  2 . An individual feed mechanism  10  can be removed and, if necessary, replaced, all without disturbing the other modular feed mechanisms  10  associated with each of the other channels in the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism  1 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 8  shows a cross-section of the transmission  20  according to one embodiment of this invention. The vertically-extending drive shaft  32  includes a worm gear  34 . A standard pinion gear  22  is located forward of the drive shaft  32  with a horizontal axis of rotation. The gear  22  meshes with the worm gear  34  to change the direction of drive rotation and convey the drive torque as part of the transmission  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the drive force is conveyed from the drive motor  30  via the drive shaft  32 , through the worm gear  34 , and into the gear  22  with a horizontal axis of rotation. The gear  22  is mounted on a shaft oriented parallel to the axis of the bin feed rollers  12 . The gear  22  shares a shaft with a gear  24 , which couples with a gear  26 , which shares a shaft with the lower roller of the bin feed rollers  12 . The worm-and-gear set of the transmission  20  allows for the feed mechanism  10  to be contained in a compact structure as required for the modular nature of the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism  1 . 
         [0035]    The feed mechanism  10  also includes a detection flag  40 , which is a pivoting element that extends into the dispensing path for the ticket strip  42  located in the channel A-E. The detection flag  40  is biased by gravity to hang directly downward into a neutral position such that it will be contacted by a ticket strip  42  moving across the dispensing channel A-E in either direction, as shown in  FIG. 9 . When a ticket strip  42  is fed in the forward direction F within the channel A-E to be dispensed by the individual modular feed mechanism  10  as shown in  FIG. 9 , the ticket strip  42  feeds past the location of the detection flag  40  and moves the flag  40  into a forward position as shown in  FIG. 10 . An optical sensor  41  sits adjacent the flag  40  such that when the flag  40  hangs down into its neutral position it does not extend into a field of view of the optical sensor  41  and, therefore, does not trigger the optical sensor  41  from such a neutral position. However, once the flag  40  is moved into an offset or angled position as a result of contact by the ticket strip  42 , the optical sensor  41  is triggered by the presence of the flag  40 . This provides a signal that indicates that the channel associated with the mechanism  10  is occupied. 
         [0036]    If the end of the ticket strip  42  moves past the detection flag  40 , as would occur near the end of the ticket strip  42  when all but the final tickets in the strip have been dispensed, the detection flag  40  will return to its neutral position and out of the field of view of the optical sensor so as not to trigger the optical sensor  41 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . In accordance with this invention, the detection flag  40  is further made to accommodate if the one or more remaining tickets of the ticket strip  42  are fed in the rearward direction R past the detection flag  40 . The detection flag  40  is bidirectional, such that it will accommodate the tickets and move into a rearward position as shown in  FIG. 13 . As shown, the detection flag  40  triggers the optical sensor  41  when angled into the rearward position, the same as it does in the forward position. In another embodiment, the detection flag  40  triggers a different signal in the rearward position as differentiated when the detection flag  40  is in the forward position. In another embodiment, the detection flag  40  accommodates a rearward feed as disclosed, but does not trigger a sensor or result in a signal from its rearward position. 
         [0037]      FIG. 11  shows the ticket separation mechanism in one embodiment according to this invention as a burster mechanism  50  associated with separating one or more tickets from the strip  42  by bursting the ticket strip  42  along a perforation (not shown) as known in the art. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the burster mechanism  50  may extend along the length of the multi-channel ticket separation mechanism  1  such that a single burster mechanism  50  is used for multiple ticket channels A-E. As shown, the burster mechanism  50  sits below the ticket dispensing channel paths and includes a set of protrusions that extend up into the plane of the ticket dispensing channel paths. When the burster  50  is not active, the protrusions are located to the side of the channel path such that they do not obstruct the path of the ticket strips  42 . The burster mechanism  50  is configured to move along the length of the mechanism in order to separate tickets along a perforation in the strip  42  which is fed into the separation zone where the burster  50  is located. In one embodiment, the burster mechanism  50  may include a separate drive motor  52  as shown in  FIG. 11 . Alternatively, other ticket separation mechanisms may be employed within the scope of this invention. 
         [0038]    In operation, the exit motor (not shown) driving the exit rollers  60  and bin motor  30  driving the bin feed rollers  12  are ramped up in tandem. It is anticipated that the two drive system velocities are matched, and so a fixed ratio is maintained between the two motors during the initial portion of the dispensing phase. This starts the ticket strip  42  moving in a forward direction F. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 8 , a bin motor encoder disk  36  is coupled to the bin motor drive shaft  32 . An optical sensor  38  is coupled to the encoder disk  36  to track the movement of the bin motor  30  drive system. At the exit rollers  60 , an optical sensor (not shown) detects the leading edge of the ticket strip  42 . Once this is detected, an additional set distance is dispensed as detected by the sensor  38  coupled to the encoder disk  36 . In one embodiment, the motors continue at a full velocity until a distance less than the set distance is detected as dispensed, then continue at a reduced velocity until the set distance is dispensed. Once the set distance is dispensed and the motors associated with the rollers  12 ,  60  have stopped, the bin motor  30  may be activated alone (not in tandem with the exit motor) in the rearward direction for a small, predetermined number of encoder counts before shutting off in order to make sure that the ticket strip  42  is separated along the designated perforation between adjacent tickets. 
         [0040]    The motor  52  associated with the burster mechanism  50  is then initiated to separate the tickets to be dispensed from the remainder of the ticket strip  42 . The bin motor  30  is then operated in reverse for a small number of counts to pull the ticket strip  42  back from the burster mechanism  50 , while the exit motor is operated in a forward direction at full speed until the tickets to be dispensed clear the optical sensor before shutting off. 
         [0041]    This multi-channel separation mechanism with compact, modular feed mechanisms associated with different channels allows for a more reliable and convenient ticket dispensing operation. 
         [0042]    From the above disclosure of the general principles of this invention and the preceding detailed description of a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which this invention is susceptible. Therefore, we desire to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.