Abstract:
Dispensing more than one card or card like good is prevented to prevent issuing a duplicate with an automatic dispensing machine of card or card like good having a table which supports the piled up card or card like good. A sucking device is located over the table and pulls the card or card like good. A transporting device transports the card or card like good which is pulled by the sucking device. A moving device drives to change the distance between the table and the sucking device. A duplicate detecting device is located at a card transporting passageway which is located downstream the transporting device. A vibrator imparts a vibration to the card or card like good on the table. A separating device acts when the duplicate detecting device detects the duplicate of the goods. The separating device and the transporting device reverses, and the goods of card like is returned on the table. Afterwards the sucking device is stopped, then the vibrator is vibrated.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Japan Application No. 2003-423847 filed Dec. 19, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention is related generally to a device for automatically dispensing a card or card like good one by one and a method for such automatically dispensing and more particularly to a device or a method which automatically dispenses the card or card like good which is enclosed in a section like sheet which is made of a thin film.  
         [0003]     In this specification, “card or card like good” is a generic name which may include a card which is enclosed in a bag or only a card. The term “bag like sheet” is a reference to a sheet made from resin, aluminum film, paper or etc, which is in some cases air-proof though however in some cases it does allow a small amount of air to penetrate. The term “card” includes telephone cards, pre-paid cards, character cards, bromides and IC cards etc.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The applicant of the present invention proposed an apparatus where the accumulated card or card like good are not scratched and are dispensed one by one. In the apparatus, the piled up card or card like good on a table is pulled, afterwards the table goes downwards. Therefore the uppermost card or card like good is only pulled, afterwards the pulled card is dispensed by a transporting unit as disclosed in JP2003-261236 (FIGS. 1-6, Pages 4-6)  
         [0005]     In this prior art, the card or card like good is on rare occasions dispensed in duplicate. This inventor made sure the cause which is explained in detail as follows. When there is condensed dew from high humidity and this is evaporated between the card or card like good, the impurities have an adhering function. Accordingly, the lower card or card like good adheres to the uppermost card or card like good. This is just as if the card or card like good are adhered by an adhesive.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The first object of this invention is to prevent the over dispensing of the card or card like good. The second object of this invention is to prevent the duplication and the dispensing of the card or card like good in a simple manner. The third object of this invention is to provide an in-expensive device which can prevent the over dispensing of the card or card like good.  
         [0007]     According to the invention to provide a solution of the problem, an automatic dispensing machine of card or card like good is provided. The machine includes a table which supports the piled up card or card like good. A sucking device is located over the table and pulls the card or card like good. A transporting device transports the card or card like good which is pulled by the sucking device. A moving device drives to change the distance between the table and the sucking device. A duplicate detecting device is located at a card transporting passageway which is located downstream the transporting device. A vibrator is provided which imparts a vibration to the card or card like good on the table. A separating device is provided. When the duplicate detecting device detects the duplicate of the goods, the separating device and the transporting device reverse. The card or card like good is returned on the table, afterwards the sucking device is stopped, then the vibrator is vibrated.  
         [0008]     In the machine of the invention, when a dispensing signal is output, the card or card like good is pulled by the sucking device, and it is dispensed by the transporting device. In this process, when the card or card like good is duplicate, it is detected by the duplicate detecting device. The separating device operates. By this, the card or card like good is returned over the table by the transporting device. Afterwards the sucking device is stopped, and the card or card like good falls down on the table. Afterwards the fallen card or card like good is vibrated by the vibrator. As above-mentioned, the adhesive force is very little. Accordingly, the adhered card or card like good is separated by the vibration. Afterwards the sucking device and the transporting device are operated. By this, the uppermost card or card like good is pulled and is transported. As a result, when duplicated cards or card like goods are dispensed, the cards or card like goods are automatically separated, afterwards only one of the separated cards or card like goods is dispensed again.  
         [0009]     According to another aspect of the invention the transporting device includes a pair of pinching rollers which is located between the sucking device and the duplicate detecting device. In this component, the dispensed duplicated card or card like goods are pinched between a pair of pinching rollers. In this pinched situation, the upper card or card like good and the lower card or card like good are in contact with different rollers. Accordingly the upper card or card like good and the lower card or card like good move at different speeds. Also, when the adhered section between the upper card or card like good and the lower card or card like good is pinched, sometimes the adhered section moves as to its position. The adhered section receives a shearing force based on the different speeds or it moves its position. In other words, the adhered cards or card like goods are separated by a pair of pinching rollers which join in the vibration. As a result, the duplicated dispensing is cancelled.  
         [0010]     According to another aspect of the invention the automatic dispensing method of dispensing a card or card like good comprises a pulling step where the piled up card or card like good is pulled up by sucking device, a transporting step where the pulled up card or card like good is transported by a transporting device, a duplicate detecting step where the duplicated card or card like good are detected by the duplicate detecting device in the transporting process. A returning step is provided where the cards or card like goods are returned to a position which is located over the table by the transporting device based on a detected duplicate set of cards or card like goods. Afterwards a stopping step where the sucking device stops is followed by a vibrating step for imparting a vibration to the cards or card like goods on the table using the vibrating device. Afterwards a sucking step is provided for pulling by the sucking device, and a transporting step is provided where the sucked good is transported by the transporting device.  
         [0011]     In this method, when operating in the dispensing direction, the uppermost card or card like good on the table is pulled up by the sucking device. Afterwards the pulled card or card like good is transported by the transporting device. When the card or card like good is duplicated, it is detected by the duplicate detecting device. The duplicated cards or card like goods are returned over the table based on the detecting. Afterwards the sucking device is stopped, the duplicate cards or card like goods fall down onto the table. Afterwards the vibrating device is operated. Accordingly, the cards or card like goods are vibrated. The adhered cards or card like goods receive the vibration. The adhering force is very small as above-mentioned. As a result, the adhered card or card like good is separated by the vibration. Afterwards the sucking device and the transporting device is operated. Therefore the uppermost card or card like good is pulled, and transported. In brief, when the duplicate card or card like good is dispensed, the duplicated card or card like good is separated automatically, afterwards only one card or card like good is dispensed.  
         [0012]     An automatic dispensing machine of card or card like good comprises a table which supports the piled up cards or card like goods, a sucking device which is located over the table and pulls the card or card like good, a transporting device which transports the card or card like good which is pulled by the sucking device, a moving device which drives to change the distance between the table and the sucking device, a duplicate detecting device which is located at card transporting passageway which is located downstream at the transporting device, a vibrator which gives the vibration to the card or card like good on the table, a separating device. When the duplicate detecting device detects the duplicate of the goods, the separating device and the transporting device reverse. The card or cards like goods are returned on the table, afterwards the sucking device is stopped, then the vibrator is vibrated.  
         [0013]     The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the automatic dispensing machine of the card or card like good of an embodiment according to the invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is an explanatory schematic view of the automatic dispensing machine of the card or card like good of the embodiment according to  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is an explanatory schematic view of the automatic dispensing machine of the card or card like good of the embodiment according to  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is an explanatory schematic view of the automatic dispensing machine of the card or card like good of the embodiment according to  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is an explanatory schematic view of the automatic dispensing machine of the card or card like good of the embodiment according to  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is an explanatory schematic view of the automatic dispensing machine of the card or card like good of the embodiment according to  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is an explanatory schematic view of the automatic dispensing machine of the card or card like good of the embodiment according to  FIG. 1 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is an explanatory schematic view of the automatic dispensing machine of the card or card like good of the embodiment according to  FIG. 1 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is an explanatory schematic view of the automatic dispensing machine of the card or card like good of the embodiment according to  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart to explain the operation of the embodiment according to  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0024]     Referring to the drawings in particular,  FIG. 1  shows the automatic dispensing machine of the card or card like good of a preferred embodiment according to the invention schematically.  FIGS. 2-9  present views similar to  FIG. 1  explaining the automatic dispensing machine of the card or card like good of the preferred embodiment.  FIG. 10  shows the operation of the embodiment as a flow diagram.  
         [0025]     In  FIG. 1 , the card or card like good  100  is piled up on the table  102 . In this embodiment, the card or card like good  100  is a bag which encloses two cards  104 . In other words, top end  106  and rear end  108  are thinner than the middle section which is located at the cards, because there are no cards at both of the ends. Firstly table  102  is explained. Table  102  is moved up and down by moving device  114  in the storing section  112 . The storing section  112  is rectangular in shape and is enclosed by card case  110  on all side. Moving device  114  has a function where the table  102  is moved up and down. Therefore the moving device  114  can be changed to or replaced by another device which has the same function.  
         [0026]     Next sucking device  116  is explained. The suction device or sucking device  116  is located over the table  102 . Sucking device  116  has a function that pulls the card or card like good  100  by a sucking stream. Therefore the sucking device  116  can be changed to another device which has the same function. However when an electric fan is used, it is the best mode, because it is miniature and does not need an incidental equipment. Sucking device  116  includes frame  118  which is tube like in shape for guiding the stream and a miniature electric fan  120 . The electric fan  120  has a structure where the fan part  124  is fixed on the drive shaft or output shaft of the motor  122 . The frame of the electric fan  120  is fixed at the upper side of the frame  118 . Therefore when the electric fan  120  is operated, a sucking gas stream is generated. The sucking stream flows upwards from lower opening  126 .  
         [0027]     Next the transporting device  130  is explained. The transporting device  130  has a function which is to transport a card or card like good  100  which is pulled by the sucking device  116  towards the lateral direction. The transporting device  130  includes a transporting roller  132  and a dispensing device  134 . The transporting roller  132  has a function which is to transport a card or a card like good  100 , which is pulled at lower opening  126  by sucking device  116 , towards the lateral direction.  
         [0028]     The shaft of the transporting roller  132  is attached at a frame  118 , and the roller  132  is almost located in the frame  118 . The surrounding surface of the transporting roller  132  slightly protrudes downwards from lower opening  126 . The transporting roller  132  is for transporting the card or the card like good  100 , which is pulled or suctioned by lower opening  126 . Shaft  136  is connected to motor  138  through a reducer (not shown) and is rotatable into the clockwise direction or the counter clockwise direction. In other words, transporting roller  132  is selectively rotated into the transporting direction of the card or the card like good  100  or the returning direction.  
         [0029]     The dispensing device  134  has a function where it receives the card or card like good  100  from transporting roller  132 . Afterwards it transports the card or card like good  100  to a dispensing slot (not shown). The dispensing device  134  includes a driving roller  140  and a pressing roller  144  which is urged to the driving roller  140  by spring  142 . The driving roller  140  and the pressing roller  144  are a pair of pinching rollers and are located beside the transporting roller  132 . The driving roller  140  is rotated so as to be synchronized with the transporting roller  132 , rotating in the same direction as the transporting roller  132  by motor  138  through a reducer (not shown). The driving roller  140  and the transporting roller  132  are the same diameter. When the card or the card like good  100  is transported by the rollers, the card or the card like good  100  is not damaged, because the card or the card like good  100  is transported at the same speed by the rollers.  
         [0030]     The pressing roller  144  is located below driving roller  140 . The pressing roller  144  is urged towards the driving roller  140  by a spring  142 . When there are no cards or card like goods  100 , the pressing roller  144  is in contact with the driving roller  140  at a predetermined force or is slightly spaced away from the driving roller  140 . The transporting roller  132  and the driving roller  140  can be unified using a transmission belt. Also, the invention can be provided with an embodiment in which there is not a dispensing device  134 .  
         [0031]     Next, the duplicate detecting device  150  is explained. The duplicate detecting device  150  has the function of detecting the situation where more than two cards or card like goods  100  are transported from the transporting device  130 . The duplicate detecting device  150  includes a guiding roller  151 , a driven body  154  and a sensor  156 . The guiding roller  151 , the driven body  154  and the sensor  156  are located at a transporting passageway  152  of the card or the card like good  100  which is located between the transporting device  130  and the dispensing slot (not shown). The guiding roller  151  is attached on the fixing shaft and is rotatable. The driven body  154  is a roller  162  which is attached at the end of a L-lever  160  which is rotatable on a fixed shaft  158 , and is located over a guiding roller  151 . Therefore, the transporting passageway  152  is located between the guiding roller  151  and the roller  162 .  
         [0032]     There is an operating piece  164  at the other end of the L lever  160 . The roller  162  is urged toward a contact direction with the guiding roller  151  based on the L lever  160  being urged by the spring  166 . The operating piece  164  of another end of the lever  160  can be operatively connected to or positioned to face a sensor  156 , which is fixed, to detect duplication. In other words, when the card or the card like good  100  is duplicated, the roller  162  is moved by the thickness of the card or the card like good  100  and the position of the operating piece  164  is sensed by sensor  156 . Therefore when the roller  162  is moved, the operating piece  164  moves into the detecting area of the sensor  156 , which results in the duplicated cards or card like goods being detected. When the lever  160 , which pivots on fixed shaft  158 , is used, the expanding mechanism for moving can be made up easily.  
         [0033]     In other words, the thickness of the card or the card like good  100  is thinner. Therefore the moving quantity of roller  162  is smaller. When the small moving quantity is detected, the detecting device has to use a highly accurate sensor, as a result, the sensor is expensive. When the expanding mechanism is used, the moving quantity is larger, as a result the sensor can use a low-accuracy sensor. Therefore duplicate detecting device  150  can use a low-accuracy sensor which is inexpensive. However the duplicate detecting device  150  can use another type of sensor which detects such a duplicate of the card or the card like good  100 .  
         [0034]     Next the vibration device  170  is explained. The vibration device  170  has a function where the adhered card or card like goods  100  are separated by the vibration. The vibration device  170  in the embodiment includes a beating lever  174  and a solenoid  176 . The beating lever  174  is pivotable on a fixed shaft  172  of a frame  118  and is pivoted by a solenoid  176 . A pin (not shown) which protrudes in the lateral direction from the end of a plunger  178  of the solenoid  176  is inserted into an elongate hole (not shown) which is located at the beating lever  174 .  
         [0035]     The plunger  178  is always urged in the protruding direction by a spring  180 . Accordingly the beating lever  174  is kept at a standby position which does not obstruct the movement of the card or the card like good  100 . When the solenoid  176  is excited, the beating lever  174  pivots in the counter clockwise direction in  FIG. 1 , and it hits the uppermost card or card like good  100  on the table  102 . Therefore the adhered card or card like good  100  receives the vibration by the hit, as a result, the cards or the card like goods  100  are separated. The vibrating device  170  can be changed to another device which can separate the adhered card or card like good  100 , for example the card case  110  is vibrated and the card or the card like good  100  is vibrated.  
         [0036]     Next, the position sensor  182  for the card or the card like good  100  is explained. The position sensor  182  has a function where the best position of uppermost card or card like good  100  on the table  102  relative to sucking device  116  is detected. A micro switch  184  is fixed at the frame  118 , and the contactor  186  is located below the lower opening  126 . The uppermost card or card like good  100  pushes up the contactor  186 , then when the micro switch  184  is turned from OFF to ON, the distance between the lower opening  126  and the uppermost card or card like good  100  is the best or preferred distance. The position sensor  182  can be changed to another sensor which has the same function.  
         [0037]     Next, separating device  188  is explained. The separating device  188  has the function in which when the duplicate detecting device  150  detects the duplication, the vibrating device  170 , the moving device  114 , the transporting device  130  and the sucking device  116  are operated as the adhered card or card like good  100  is separated. The separating control device of separating device  188  is for example a micro-processor. A passing sensor  190  is located at the transporting passageway  152  between the transporting roller  132  and the dispensing device  134 . The passing sensor  190  has the function in which it detects and passes the card or the card like good  100 . This sensor can also be changed to another device which has the same function. When the contactor is pushed up by the card or the card like good  100 , the passing sensor  190  is turned from OFF to ON and when there are no cards or card like goods  100 , the contactor is no longer pushed up therefore the passing sensor  190  continues in the OFF position.  
         [0038]     Next, the operation is explained referring to the flow chart shown in  FIG. 10 . In step S 1 , when the dispensing indication signal is distinguished, the program goes to step S 2 . In step S 2 , the position sensor  182  is “ON”, in other words, when contactor  186  is pushed up by the card or the card like good  100 , the program goes to step S 3 , and the moving device  114  moves downwards, afterwards the program goes to step S 4 . In step S 2 , when the position sensor  182  is “OFF”, the program goes to the after-mentioned step S 6 . In step S 4 , when the position sensor  182  is “OFF”, in other words, when uppermost card or card like good  100  on the table  102  is away from the sucking device  116  at a predetermined distance, the program goes to step S 5 .  
         [0039]     In step S 5 , the moving device  114  is stopped (the situation in  FIG. 2 ), then the program goes to step S 6 . In step S 6 , the moving device  114  is operated, and the table  102  is moved upwards. Accordingly the card or the card like good  100  comes close to the sucking device  116 . Next in step S 7 , when the position sensor  182  goes “ON”, the program goes to step S 8 . In step S 8 , the moving device  114  is stopped (the situation in  FIG. 3 ), then the program goes to step S 9 . In the process from step S 2  to S 8 , the position of the uppermost good like card  100  is reset. In other words, the distance between the uppermost card or card like good  100  and lower opening  126  of sucking device  116  is adjusted in the desirable distance.  
         [0040]     In step S 9 , the electric motor  122  is operated, and the fan  124  rotates, accordingly the air is sucked from the lower opening  126  of frame  118 , and therefore a sucking stream flows upwards. By this, the uppermost card or card like good  100  is sucked by the sucking device  116 , and the card or card like good  100  contacts the lower opening  126 . In step S 10 , the moving device  114  is operated at a predetermined time, and the table  102  moves downwards. Therefore the card or the card like good  100  which is sucked by the sucking device  116  and the card or card like good  100  on the table  102  are spaced away at a distance (the situation in  FIG. 4 ). By this downwards moving, card or card like good  100  on table  102  and sucked card or card like good  100  are separated to perfection. Therefore the duplicate card or card like goods are not dispensed. Also, when the card or card like good  100  is heavy, steps S 9  and S 10  have enough time for sucking the card or card like good  100 . Therefore a timer step is inserted between step S 9  and step S 10 .  
         [0041]     In step S 11 , the motor  138  is operated. Accordingly the transporting device  130  transports the card or the card like good  100 . In other words, the transporting roller  132  and the driving roller  140  rotate in the counter clockwise direction. Therefore the sucked card or card like good  100  which is pulled at the lower opening  126  and has contact with the transporting roller  132  is moved to the right direction in FIGS.  1  to  9 . In the moving process of the card or the card like good  100  at the transporting passageway  152 , the passing sensor  190  is pushed up by the card or the card like good  100 , and the sensor  190  goes “ON”. In step S 12 , when the “ON” signal is distinguished, the program goes to step S 13 . In step S 13 , the sucking device  116  and the transporting device  130  are stopped, then the program goes to step S 14 .  
         [0042]     In step S 14 , the program clocks a predetermined time, then the program goes to step S 15 . In step S 13 , when the transporting device  130  stops, the card or the card like good  100  is slightly moved by the inertia. The card or the card like good  100  stops in a situation which is pinched by the driving roller  140  and the pushing roller  144  (the situation which is shown in solid line in  FIG. 5 ). When the situation shown in  FIG. 5  is continued at a predetermined time in step S 14 , it prevents the dispensing of a next card or card like good  100 . In other words, the dispensing of two cards or card like goods  100  is continually prevented. Next in step S 15 , the transporting device  130  is operated, the card or the card like good  100  is moved to the dispensing slot in the transporting passageway  152 . In this process, the card or the card like good  100  arrives at duplicate detecting device  150 .  
         [0043]     In other words, the card or the card like good is pinched between the guiding roller  151  and the roller  162 . When the card or the card like good  100  is only one in number, the L-lever  160  pivots at a small angle on the shaft  158 . Therefore the operating piece  164  is not detected by the sensor  156 . In other words, the duplicate detecting device  150  distinguishes a normal dispensing. In step S 16 , the duplicate signal is not distinguished, the program goes to step S 17 . In step S 17 , when the passing sensor  190  is “OFF”, in other words, when the card or the card like good  100  passes through the passing sensor  190 , the program goes to step S 18 . In step S 18 , transporting device  130  is stopped, and the dispensing process finishes. Therefore the card or the card like good  100  stops at a situation which is projected from the dispensing slot.  
         [0044]     When duplicate cards or card like goods  100  are dispensed, the roller  162  of the duplicate detecting device  150  is pivoted by a larger degree in the clockwise direction. Therefore the operating piece  164  is moved into the detecting area of the sensor  156  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). By this, the sensor  156  provides a duplicate signal output, and the program goes to step S 16  to S 19 . In step S 19 , the transporting device  130  is stopped, afterwards the program goes to step S 20 . In step S 20 , the transporting device  130  transports the card or the card like good  100  in the opposite direction. Afterwards, the sucking device  116  is operated. In other words, the transporting roller  130  and the driving roller  140  are rotated in the clockwise direction. Therefore the card or the card like good  100  is transported to the left direction, and the returned card or the card like good  100  is pulled by the sucking device  116 .  
         [0045]     In step S 21 , a predetermined time is clocked. By this, the returned cycle is executed at a predetermined time. Accordingly the card or the card like good  100  is returned onto the table  102  at the storing section  112 . In this case, the rear end  108  of the card or the card like good  100  is stopped by a section of the card case  110 , and it is kept at the storing section  112 . Next in step S 22 , the transporting device  130  and the sucking device  116  are stopped, and the card or the card like good  100  is given free access from the sucking device  116 . Therefore, the adhered card or the card like good  100  falls down onto the table  102 .  
         [0046]     Next in step S 23 , moving device  114  is operated, the table  102  is moved upwards. Therefore the position sensor  182  is pushed up by the uppermost card or card like good  100 . In step S 24 , when the position sensor  182  distinguishes “ON”, the program goes to step S 25 . In step S 25 , the moving device  114  is stopped. In other words, the uppermost card or card like good  100  is moved near the vibration unit  170 . Next in step S 26 , the solenoid  176  is turned “ON” or “OFF” at a predetermined time. By this, the beating lever  174  hits the uppermost card or the card like good  100  on the table  102  at a predetermined time. The card or the card like goods  100  receive a vibration. Therefore the adhered cards or card like goods  100  are separated. Next, the program returns to step S 2 , then uppermost card or card like good is pulled by the sucking device  116  again as the above-mentioned, afterwards the card or card like good  100  is dispensed by the transporting device  130 .  
         [0047]     Also, the process from step S 19  to step can be executed plural times. In this case, the adhered card or card like good  100  receives many hits from the vibrating lever  174 , therefore the adhered card or card like good gets fully separated. Also, when dispensing device  134  is structured by a pair of rollers which pinches the card or the card like good  100 , the adhered section receives the power to remove and separate the card or card like good. Therefore the adhered card or card like goods  100  is separated more.  
         [0048]     While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.