Patent Publication Number: US-6712253-B2

Title: Apparatus and method for dispensing tickets

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a ticket vending machine for dispensing tickets, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an apparatus and method for vending and dispensing tickets from a strip of tickets having perforated joints. 
     Consumer demand for tickets, such as lottery tickets, has risen dramatically in recent years. This demand has been met with a variety new and exciting games involving lottery tickets. The new breed of lottery ticket games has placed additional demands on the machines that dispense these lottery tickets since the new lottery tickets come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. 
     The tremendous demand has produced lower quality lottery tickets causing tickets to be printed out of registration, perforations to be non-uniform or not completely punctured, and a variety of other printing imperfections and errors. Access to lottery tickets at a variety of convenient locations such as grocery stores, convenience stores, and other locations frequented by consumers has attempted to satisfy this demand. New machines for dispensing the new lottery tickets must be more flexible and intuitive than their predecessors. 
     These new machines, however, have failed dramatically in addressing these demands since the ticket machines must be capable of instant ticket vending by the consumer. Also, modern ticket dispensing machines are inadequate for handling mass-produced lottery tickets that are printed out of registration or have other imperfections. For this reason, modern ticket vending machines inevitably rip or tear tickets, or begin cutting the tickets at a predetermined length assuming the tickets are printed correctly which leads to tickets being cut improperly or in half which voids or ruins the tickets and aggravates the consumers and the vendors. 
     For this reason, a new and improved ticketing vending machine operable for dispensing tickets from a strip of tickets which overcomes these disadvantages is needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a ticket machine for dispensing tickets from a strip of tickets having perforated joints. The ticket machine includes a roller assembly, a detection mechanism and a bursting blade. The roller assembly is adapted to communicate a portion of the strip of tickets along a ticket path. The detection mechanism is disposed adjacent the ticket path and adapted to determine the position of at least a leading ticket of the strip of tickets along the ticket path. The bursting blade is adjacent the ticket path adapted to floatably strike the strip of tickets adjacent the perforated joints to separate at least the leading ticket from the strip of tickets. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides a ticket dispenser for dispensing tickets from a strip of tickets connected along perforated joints. The ticket dispenser has a first and second stage rollers, a bursting blade and a positioning mechanism. The first stage rollers have a set of pinch rollers adapted to communicate the strip of tickets along a ticket path. The second stage rollers having a set of pinch rollers positioned along the ticket path and adapted to receive at least a first ticket of the strip of tickets communicated from the first stage rollers. 
     The bursting blade positioned adjacent the ticket path and adapted to strike the strip of tickets adjacent the perforated joints to break the perforated joints connecting at least the first ticket to the strip of tickets. The positioning mechanism is adapted to determine the position of the strip of tickets along the ticket path. The positioning mechanism is further adapted to communicate with the first and second stage rollers for positioning a perforated joint of the strip of tickets adjacent the bursting blade for separating at least the first ticket from the strip of tickets. 
     In yet another aspect, the present invention provides an instant ticket vending machine for dispensing tickets. The instant ticket vending machine includes a housing, a plurality of bins and a hopper. The housing is substantially rigid and has a door connected thereto the housing for providing access to an inner housing area of the housing. The housing is provided with an opening for retrieving dispensed tickets. 
     The plurality of bins are retained within the inner housing area of the housing and are adapted to dispense tickets from a strip of tickets connected by perforated joints. Each of the bins are provided with a first and second stage rollers, an optical sensor, an encoder and a bursting blade. The first stage rollers have at least a first shaft and a set of pinch rollers. The first stage rollers are adapted to communicate the strip of tickets along a ticket path. 
     The second stage rollers have a set of pinch rollers and is positioned along the ticket path. The second stage rollers are adapted to receive at least a first ticket of the strip of tickets communicated from the first stage rollers. The optical sensor is disposed adjacent the ticket path and adapted to sense the leading edge of at least the first ticket of the strip of tickets. The encoder is adapted to sense the rotation of the first shaft of the first stage rollers thereby determining a length of travel along the ticket path of at least the first ticket of the strip of tickets. 
     The bursting blade is disposed adjacent the ticket path and operable to float about a direction of travel of the strip of tickets along the ticket path. The bursting blade is adapted to floatably strike the strip of tickets adjacent the perforated joints to break the perforated joint connecting at least the leading ticket from the strip of tickets. The hopper is in communication with the opening in the housing and the plurality of bins such that the hopper is operative to receive tickets dispensed from the bins. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for separating tickets from a strip of tickets connected along perforated joints. The method includes advancing the strip of tickets along a ticket path to an optical sensor and detecting, via the optical sensor, a leading edge of a first ticket of the strip of tickets. The method further provides for striking the strip of tickets along the ticket path near the perforated joint connecting the first ticket to the strip of tickets to breakingly separate the first ticket from the strip of tickets. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for separating tickets from a strip of tickets connected along perforated joints. The method includes advancing the strip of tickets along a ticket path and detecting the leading edge of at least the first ticket of the strip of tickets. The method includes determining a ticket size of at least the first ticket of the strip of tickets and providing a tensioning mechanism operative to tension at least a portion of the ticket path at a perforated joint connecting at least the first ticket to the strip of tickets. 
     The method further includes providing a bursting blade adapted to float relative to a direction of travel of the strip of tickets along the path and positioning the strip of tickets relative to the bursting blade for separation. The method also provides for striking, via the bursting blade, the strip of tickets adjacent the tensioned portion of the ticket path adjacent the perforated joint connecting at least the first ticket to the strip of tickets to separate the first ticket from the strip of tickets. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a ticket dispensing machine constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the ticket dispensing machine provided with a strip of tickets in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway representation of the ticket dispensing machine showing a bursting blade for separating tickets constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the bursting blade and drive assembly for driving the bursting blade constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the bursting blade shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the bursting blade and ticket dispensing machine substantially as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective representation of an encoder connected to the ticket dispensing machine constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective representation of the encoder shown in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a side perspective representation of the drive mechanism for driving a first and second stage rollers of the ticket dispensing machine constructed in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a side perspective representation of a second drive mechanism for driving a third stage rollers of the ticket dispensing machine constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective representation of an instant ticket vending machine for receiving a plurality of ticket dispensing machines in accordance with one aspect of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a central processing unit of the instant ticket vending machine and a control board of the ticket dispensing machine constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a flow chart describing a method of separating tickets from strip of tickets connected along perforated joints provided in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It should be understood at the outset that although an exemplary implementation of the present invention is illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present invention should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective representation of a ticket dispensing machine  10  constructed in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. The ticket dispensing machine  10  of the present invention can be used for a variety of purposes to automatically dispense tickets  12 , such as lottery and other tickets, to customers and patrons. 
     The ticket dispensing machine  10  is adapted to dispense tickets  12  from a strip of tickets  14  connected along a plurality of perforated joints  16 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the ticket dispensing machine  10  includes a roller assembly  20  adapted to communicate a portion of the strip of tickets  14  along a ticket path  22  through the roller assembly  20 . 
     The ticket machine  10  is further provided with a detection mechanism  24  disposed adjacent the ticket path  22  and adapted to determine the position of at least a leading ticket  26  of the strip of tickets  14  along the ticket path  22 . The ticket machine further includes a bursting blade  30  disposed adjacent the ticket path  22  and adapted to floatably strike the strip of tickets  14  adjacent the perforated joints  16  so as to separate at least the leading ticket  26  from the strip of tickets  14 . 
     In another embodiment, the ticket dispensing machine  10  is provided for dispensing tickets  12  from a strip of tickets  14  connected along perforated joints  16 . The roller assembly  20 , in the present embodiment, may include a first and second stage rollers  32  and  34 . The first stage rollers  32  are provided with a set of pinch rollers  36  adapted to communicate the strip of tickets  14  along the ticket path  22 . The pinch rollers  36  are disposed on an upper and lower shafts  38  and  40  of the first stage rollers  32 . 
     The upper and lower shafts  38  and  40  are substantially cylindrical bars which may be constructed from a variety of materials, such as rigid polymeric or metallic materials and are operable for use for the purposes shown and disclosed herein. The pinch rollers  36  are standard rollers adapted to communicate materials, such as the strip of tickets  14  therebetween. The pinch rollers  36  may be constructed of rubber, polymeric or other materials well known in the art and used for such purposes. 
     The upper and lower shafts  38  and  40  may be provided with a plurality of grooves not shown for frictionally receiving the pinch rollers  36  about the upper and lower shafts  38  and  40 . Additionally, the first stage rollers  32  may be provided with a second set of pinch rollers  42  oppositely disposed about the upper and lower shafts  38  and  40 . The second set of pinch rollers  42  are substantially similar in construction and function to the pinch rollers  36  previously discussed. 
     The second stage rollers  34  are similarly provided with an upper and lower shafts  50  and  52  that are similarly provided with a set of pinch rollers  54  similar in construction and function to the pinch rollers  36  of the first stage rollers  32 . In one embodiment, the pinch rollers  54  may include an upper roller  57  and a lower roller  58 . In this embodiment, the upper roller  57  of the pinch rollers  54  may be advantageously adapted to idle along the upper shaft  50  while adapting the lower pinch roller  58  with one-way bearings (not shown) for one-way engagement with the strip of tickets  14 . The second stage rollers  34  may further be provided with a second set of pinch rollers  56  to advantageously communicate the strip of tickets  14  along the ticket path  22 . 
     In one embodiment, the pinch rollers  54  or the second set of pinch rollers  56  may be provided with one-way bearings as discussed above, not shown, to inhibit reverse travel of the strip of tickets  14  along a travel direction  60  along the ticket path  22 . The one-way bearings are advantageous since frequently it is difficult to synchronize sets of rollers, such as the pinch rollers  36  and  42  of the first stage rollers  32  with the pinch rollers  54  and  56  of the second stage rollers  34 . It will be appreciated that only the pinch rollers  54 , an in one embodiment only the lower roller  58  are provided with one-way bearings for these purposes. 
     Furthermore, the use of one-way bearings in this manner is useful to account for varying motor speeds, roller or sprocket diameters, pulley sizes, and to prevent the strip of tickets  14  from jamming, buckling or otherwise undesirably moving along the ticket path  22 . 
     The addition of one-way bearings in one or more of the pinch rollers  54  and  56  of the second-stage rollers  34  prevents synchronization errors between the first and second stage rollers  32  and  34  overcoming this problem. Furthermore, pinch rollers  54  and  56  of the second stage rollers  34  that are provided with one-way bearings provide the additional advantage of generating tension along the ticket path  22  of the strip of tickets  14  disposed between the first stage rollers  32  and the second stage rollers  34 . 
     It should be understood that a variety of approaches in addition to the use of one-way bearings may be implemented and are well known in the art to achieve one-way rotation of any of the pinch rollers, such as pinch rollers  36 . 
     It will be appreciated that the ticket dispensing machine  10  is provided with a housing  62  which may be constructed from a variety of materials, such as plastic or polymeric materials, steel, aluminum or other metals, which may be used for such purposes. In this manner, the roller assembly  20 , which may include the first and second stage rollers  32  and  34 , may be mounted to an interior area  64  near the front of the housing  62 . 
     In other embodiments, the ticket dispensing machine  10  may be provided with a third-stage rollers  70  positioned down the ticket path  22  from the second-stage rollers  34  and operable for receiving the ticket  12  from the second stage rollers  34  and ejecting tickets  12 . The third stage rollers  70  are substantially similar in construction and function to the second stage rollers  34  in that the third stage rollers  70  are provided with pinch rollers  72  disposed on an upper and lower shafts  74  and  76 . The third stage rollers  70  may further be provided with a second set of pinch rollers  78  oppositely disposed from the pinch rollers  72 . 
     One or more of the pinch rollers  72  and  78  of the third stage rollers  70  may be provided with one-way bearings not shown, which inhibit the strip of tickets  14  from reversing travel along the direction of travel  60  of the ticket path  22 . In this manner, the third stage rollers  70  are advantageously adapted to receive one or more of the tickets  12  of the strip of tickets  14  and to eject the tickets  12  from the ticket dispensing machine  10 . The one-way bearings eliminate, as previously discussed, synchronization problems between the second and third stage rollers  34  and  70 , as well as, providing tension on the strip of tickets  14  along the ticket path  22 . 
     The ticket dispensing machine  10 , in one embodiment, may be provided with a tray  90  adapted to retain a plurality of tickets  12 , such as the strip of tickets  14  which are commonly produced and distributed in an accordion-folded manner substantially as shown. The tray  90  of the ticket dispensing machine  10  may be provided with a roller  92  which may be constructed from nylon, polymeric, or other materials. The nylon roller  92  is operable to assist the unfolding and advancing of the strip of tickets  14  as it is advanced toward the roller assembly  20 . 
     FIG. 2 shows the strip of tickets  14  advancing about the roller  92  and therethrough the roller assembly  20  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the detection mechanism  24 , as shown in FIG. 1, is an optical sensor  94  having a first portion  96  disposed above the strip of tickets  14  and a second portion  98  disposed below the strip of tickets  14 . In this manner, the optical sensor  94  is adapted to sense the strip of tickets  14  as it passes beyond the second stage rollers  34 . 
     The optical sensor  94  may be provided, in one embodiment, with a light emitting diode, not shown, on the first portion  96  and a photo receptor, not shown, on the second portion  98 , such that when the strip of tickets  14  interrupts the light emitting from the light emitting diode on the first portion  96 , this interruption is detected by the photo receptor provided on the second portion  98 . In this manner, the optical sensor  94  is adopted to detect, for example, the leading ticket  26  of the strip of tickets  14 . 
     In operation, the strip of tickets  14  is passed over the roller  92  and is fed into the first stage rollers  32 . The first stage rollers  32  pull the strip of tickets  14  from the tray  90  and advance the strip of tickets  14  toward the second stage rollers  34 . As previously discussed, the strip of tickets  14  disposed between the first and second stage rollers  32  and  34  is substantially tensioned between the first stage rollers  32  and the second stage rollers  34  which have pinch rollers  54  and  56  provided with one-way bearings. 
     The strip of tickets  14  is then advanced through the first stage rollers  32  toward the second stage rollers  34  until the leading edge  110  of the leading ticket  26  is detected by the detection mechanism  24 , or in this embodiment the optical sensor  94 . In one embodiment, it may be beneficial to reverse the direction of travel  60  of the strip of tickets  14  once the leading edge  110  of the leading ticket  26  has been detected by the optical sensor  94  for repositioning purposes. After reversing a direction of travel  60  for a determinable distance, the strip of tickets  14  may be, again, advanced along the direction of travel  60  to more accurately align the leading edge  110  of the leading ticket  26  with the optical sensor  94 . In this manner, the perforated joints  16  connecting the leading ticket  26  to the strip of tickets  14  may be more accurately positioned by the ticket dispensing machine  10  for severing one or more of the tickets  12  of the strip of tickets  14 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal view of the ticket dispensing machine  10  with the second stage rollers  34  shown in phantom to more accurately view the bursting blade  30  of the ticket dispensing machine  10 . The bursting blade  30  may be constructed from a substantially rigid material, such as a polymeric or metallic material which is operable for striking the strip of tickets  14  along the perforated joints  16  to separate at the leading ticket  26  from the strip of tickets  14 . 
     In one embodiment, the bursting blade  30  is a substantially flat metallic blade provided with a substantially straight lower end  112  and a bursting edge  114  that is angulated substantially so as to be pointed about the center of the bursting edge  114 . A first and second sides  116  and  118  of the bursting blade  30 , in one embodiment, may be disposed in a first and second groove  120  and  122 , respectively, in the sides of the housing  62  of the ticket dispensing machine  10 . In this manner, the bursting blade  30  is disposed within the interior area  64  of the housing  62  and is operable to travel in a direction  124  vertically up and down within the interior area  64  of the housing  62 . 
     FIG. 4 shows the bursting blade  30 , a drive assembly  130  adapted to drive the bursting blade  30 , and a gauge bar  132 . The gauge bar  132  is positioned above the bursting blade  30  so that the strip of tickets  14  passes below the gauge bar  132  and above the bursting blade  30  such that the bursting blade  30  is operable to travel vertically upward toward the gauge bar  132  thereby burstingly separating tickets  12  from the strip of tickets  14 . The gauge bar  132  is a substantially rigid cross member extending across the interior area  64  of the housing  62  (see FIG. 3) and acts as a retaining surface for the strip of tickets  14  to prevent the strip of tickets  14  from extending upwardly when contacted by the bursting blade  30  during its vertical travel in the direction  24  toward the strip of tickets  14 . 
     The bursting blade  30  is provided with a first and second slots  140  and  142  defining openings extending through the bursting blade  30  near the first and second sides  116  and  118 , respectively, of the bursting blade  30 . The bursting blade  30  may be connected to a portion of the housing  62  within the interior area  64  of the housing  62  in a non-rigid fashion via the first and second slots  140  and  142  of the bursting blade  30 . 
     In one embodiment, a pair of shaft members  146  may be connected to the housing  62  within the interior area  64  so as to extend through the slots  140  and  142  and be terminated with a shoulder bolt  144  operable for non-rigid engagement by the shoulder bolt  144  with the bursting blade  30 . The bursting blade  30  is thus allowed to travel for bursting engagement with the strip of tickets  14  while the pair of shaft members  146  and shoulder bolts  144  act as a guide for the bursting blade  30  along the first and second slots  140  and  142  of the bursting blade  30  enabling the bursting blade  30  to floatably travel along the direction of travel  204  of the strip of tickets  14 . 
     Referring also to FIG. 5, a side view of the bursting blade  30  is shown with the shaft member  146  connected to a portion  147  of the housing  62  within the interior area  64  of the housing  62 . The shaft member  146  extendable through the first or second slots  140  and  142  of the bursting blade  30 . The shoulder bolt  144  non-rigidly connecting the shaft member  146  to the bursting blade  30 . It can be seen that this connection provides for gaps  148  along the shaft member  146  between the portion  147  of the housing  62  and the bursting blade  30  as well as between the bursting blade  30  and the shoulder bolt  144 . In this manner, the bursting blade  30  is allowed to float about the shaft  146  within the gaps  148  provided therebetween the portion  147  of the housing  62  and the shoulder bolt  144 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 4, the drive assembly  130  includes a cam shaft  150  which is a substantially rigid member having a first end  152  and a second end  154 . The second end  154  of the cam shaft  150  is non-rigidly connected, via connector  156 , to the bursting blade  30 . The first end  152  of the cam shaft  150  is non-rigidly connected, via a connector  158 , to a cylindrical member  160 . The first end  152  of the cam shaft  150  is connected to the cylindrical member  160  in an off-center fashion providing an eccentric link. A motor  162  (shown in phantom) is connected to the cylindrical member  160  and rotatingly drives the cylindrical member  160  exerts movement upon the cam shaft  150  and the bursting blade  30 . 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the ticket dispensing machine  10  illustrating the first side  116  of the bursting blade  30  disposed along the first groove  120  of the housing  62 . It can be seen that the first groove  120  provides a gap  202  between the first groove  120  and the bursting blade  30 . In one embodiment, the gap  202  between the sides of the first groove  120  and the bursting blade  30  is sufficient to allow the bursting blade  30  to float laterally about a direction of travel  204  of the strip of tickets  14 . 
     The advantage of the bursting blade  30  mounted substantially as shown in FIG. 5 and 6, and disposed such that the edges of the bursting blade travel in the non-restrictive first and second grooves  120  and  122  of the housing  62  allows the bursting blade  30  to floatably sense the perforated joints  16  connecting the strip of tickets  14 . In this manner, the bursting blade  30  travels in the vertical direction  124  substantially perpendicular to the direct of travel  204  of the strip of tickets  14 . The fluid mounting of the bursting blade  30  allows a bursting edge  114 , to seek-out the weakest point between two tickets  12  of the strip of tickets  14  such as grooved points along the strip of tickets  14  which typically will be the perforated joint  16  connecting the strip of tickets  14 . 
     Thus, by accurately positioning the perforated joint  16  of the strip of tickets  14  adjacent the bursting blade  30 , the advantageous construction and floatable, non-fixed, mounting of the bursting blade  30 , as shown in the present embodiment, provides the optimum configuration for accurately separating at least a leading ticket  26  from the strip of tickets  14  along the perforated joints  16  connected therebetween even when the strip of tickets  14  is improperly printed, for example, out of registration. 
     In one embodiment, the bursting blade  30  may be adapted to cut and sever a leading ticket  26  from the strip of tickets  14  along the perforated joints  16  when ticket printing errors are not a concern. However, in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the bursting blade  30  strikes the strip of tickets  14  adjacent the perforated joints  16  causing a breaking separation of at least the leading ticket  26  from the strip of tickets  14 . Referring also to FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that the function and disposition of the first stage rollers  32  relative to the second stage rollers  34  provides tension along the strip of tickets  14  which promotes a breaking separation of the perforated joint  16  connecting the strip of tickets  14  when the bursting edge  114  portion of the bursting blade  30  impacts the strip tickets  14  adjacent the perforated joint  16 . 
     In one embodiment, to achieve the floatable disposition of the bursting blade  30  for optimal sensing of the weakest point in the strip of tickets  14 , the bursting blade  30  should have one-tenth of an inch ({fraction (1/10)}″) or less floatably about the shoulder bolts  144  and first and second groves  120  and  122  in the side of the housing  62  of the ticket dispensing machine  10 . In other embodiments, the floatably may be optimally one-hundredth of an inch ({fraction (1/100)}″) or less. 
     This advantageous construction and function overcomes the problem of tickets which are frequently printed out of registration, or the perforations are imperfect, or improperly aligned or scored. Furthermore, the floating disposition of the bursting blade  30  and breaking separation capabilities of the ticket dispensing machine  10  of the present embodiment, by not cutting or severing tickets  12 , overcomes the problems incurred where tickets are incorrectly printed or sized in accordance with their generally accepted dimensions. 
     The bursting blade  30 , as shown in FIG. 6, is shown with the bursting edge  114  which is substantially beveled. In one embodiment, the bursting blade  30  is provided with the bursting edge  114  with a first substantially beveled side  212  and a second substantially straight side  214 . Such construction of the bursting edge  114  of the bursting blade  30  further assists the bursting blade  30  to floatably sense the perforated joint  16  connecting the strip of tickets  14 . This construction allows the bursting edge  114  to sense the weakest point between the tensioned strip of tickets  14  to promote ready separation since the one-way bearing provided in the second stage rollers  34  allow the separated ticket  12  to advance slightly along the ticket path  22  when the bursting edge  114  passes between the tickets  12  while the first stage rollers  32  retain the remaining strip of tickets  14 . 
     However, in other embodiments (not shown) the bursting edge  114  of the bursting blade  30  is provided with both sides being substantially beveled. In some instances, it may be advantageous to have a non-sharp or blunt bursting edge  114  for non-cuttably impacting or striking the strip of tickets  14  for a breaking separation. In other embodiments (not shown), the bursting blade  30  may be disposed so as to impact the strip of tickets  14  at an angulated, non-perpendicular, disposition. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of an encoder  220  which may be mounted to the lower shaft  40  of the first stage rollers  32  and adapted to sense the rotation of the lower shaft  40 . In this manner, the lower shaft  40  of the first stage rollers  32  extends from one side of the housing  62  of the ticket dispensing machine  10 . 
     Referring also to FIG. 8, the encoder  220  is provided with a disk  222  which may be a substantially flat circular metallic or polymeric member provided with detection points such as a plurality of openings  224  extending from a first side  226  through to a second side  228  of the disk  222 . The encoder  220  is provided with a photo eye  230  having a first side  232  provided with, for example, a light emitting diode  234 . The photo eye  230  has a second side  236  provided with a photoreceptor  238  operable for detecting light emitting from the light emitting diode  234 . 
     In this manner it is readily apparent that as the disk  222  rotates correspondingly with the lower shaft  40  of the first stage rollers  32 , light is periodically shown through the openings  224  in the disk  222 . As the light emits from the light emitting diode  234  through the openings  224  of the disk  222 , the photoreceptor  238  is adapted to detect the light shown through the openings  224  and thereby detect an incremental rotation in the first stage rollers  32 . 
     The photo eye  230  operably counts the pulses for the received light. Computation for determining ticket  12  travel distance must account for variables such as, for example, roller size. In one of embodiment, the disk may be provided with approximately ninety (90) openings  224  while in other embodiments more openings  224  may be advantageous for more exactly sensing the rotation of the first stage rollers  32 . While in other embodiments fewer openings  224  in the disk  222  may be satisfactory for such sensing purposes. The photo eye  230  is provided with communication wires  240  operable for communicating information indicating the rotation sensed on the first stage rollers  32 . 
     It will be appreciated that the combination of the encoder  220  and optical sensor  94  provide the ticket dispensing machine  10  with detection mechanisms  24  operable for detecting and, when communicating with the roller assembly  20 , positioning the strip of tickets  14  along the ticket path  22  for positioning the perforated joints  16  of the strip of tickets  12  adjacent the bursting blade  30  for separating at least the leading ticket  26  from the strip of tickets  14 . 
     In other embodiments the encoder  220  may be provided to detect the rotation along either the upper or lower shafts  38  and  40  of the first stage rollers  32 , as well as, the rotation of the second and third stage rollers  34  and  70 . Similarly, while the optical sensor  94  is shown disposed between the second and third stage rollers  34  and  70 , it will be appreciated that in some instances it may be advantageous to have additional optical sensors  94  disposed at various points so as to detect the strip of tickets  14  along the ticket path  22 . Other placements of the encoder  220  and the optical sensor  94  will readily suggest themselves to one of ordinary skill in the art when provided with the invention as shown and disclosed herein and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Furthermore, other methods of detecting the rotation of the first, second and third stage rollers  32 ,  34  and  70  may be provided to obtain some of the functional advantages disclosed herein and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention and may include, for example, but not limited to, optical, electrical, mechanical or magnetic rotating detection devices and systems adaptable to detect the rotation of a shaft, such as the lower shaft  40  of the first stage rollers  32 . 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the ticket dispensing machine  10  showing the drive mechanism  300  operable for driving the first and second stage rollers  32  and  34 . The lower shaft  40  of the first stage rollers  32  extends through the side of the housing  62  of the ticket dispensing machine  10  and is provided with a sprocket  302  rotatably connected thereto the lower shaft  40 . The sprocket  302  is a substantially cylindrical gearing mechanism which may be provided with a plurality of teeth operable for drivable rotation of the sprockets  302  and connected to impart a rotation to the lower shaft  40 . 
     The sprocket  302  may be constructed from plastic or polymeric material or steel or other metallic materials and may be connected to the lower shaft  40  with a variety of connectors such as a nut and bolt configuration or other connectors that are well known in the art. The drive mechanism  300  is further provided with a second sprocket  304  connected to the lower shaft  52  of the second stage rollers  34 . The second sprocket  304  is similar in construction function to the sprocket  302  and operable to rotatably drive the lower shaft  52  of the second stage rollers  34 . 
     The drive mechanism  300  further includes a motor  306  (shown in phantom) which is connected to a drive sprocket  308  and adapted to rotatably drive the drive sprocket  308 . The drive sprocket  308  is similar in construction and function to the sprocket  302 , however, the drive sprocket  308  may be advantageously provided with a slightly larger diameter than the sprocket  302 . 
     The drive mechanism  300  further includes a belt  310  operably connected to the sprocket  302 , the second sprocket  304  and the drive sprocket  308  such that when the motor  306  drives the drive sprocket  308 , the belt  310  imparts the rotation on the sprockets  302  and  304  to rotate the first and second stage rollers  32  and  34 . 
     FIG. 10 illustrates a second drive mechanism  320  operably connected to an adjacent side of the housing  62  relative to the drive mechanism  300 . The second drive mechanism  320  includes a sprocket  322  operably connected to the lower shaft  76  of the third stage roller  70  for imparting a rotation on the third stage roller  70 . The sprocket  322  is substantially similar in construction and function to the sprocket  302  of the drive mechanism  300 . 
     The second drive mechanism  320  is provided with a motor  324  (shown in phantom) operably connected to a drive sprocket  326  for rotatingly driving the drive sprocket  326 . The drive sprocket  326  is substantially similar in function and construction to the drive sprocket  308  with reference to the drive mechanism  300 . The second drive mechanism  320  further includes a belt  328  that straps and connects to the sprocket  322  and the drive sprocket  326  such that when the motor  324  imparts a rotation on the drive sprocket  326 , it causes the belt  328  to impart a similar rotation on the sprocket  322  for driving the third stage rollers  70 . 
     FIG. 11 illustrates an instant ticket vending machine  400  operable for dispensing tickets  12 , such as lottery tickets. The instant ticket vending machine  400 , including a substantially rigid housing  402 , having a door  404  connected to the housing  402 . The connection of the door  404  to the housing  402  may be accomplished using standard hinges  406  or a variety of other hingeable coupling devices which are well known in the art for connecting doors to housings. 
     The housing  402  is provided with an inner housing area  406  provided with a plurality of openings  408  adapted to receive the ticket dispensing machine  10  (see FIG.  1 ). The door  404  of the instant ticket vending machine  400  is provided with a hopper  410  which communicates with an opening  412  in the door  404  of the instant ticket vending machine  400 . It is apparent that as the ticket dispensing machine  10 , which is operably positioned within one of the openings  408  in the housing  402 , dispenses a ticket out of the third stage rollers  70  of the ticket dispensing machine  10 , the ticket  12  is ejected into the hopper  410  and may be retrieved when the door  404  is closed through the opening  412  in the door  404 . 
     The instant ticket vending machine  400  is provided with a control panel  420  provided with a display  422  and a variety of selectors  424  such that an individual may select, via the selectors  424 , a particular type of ticket  12  contained in a particular ticket dispensing machine  10  retained within the housing  402  of the instant ticket vending machine  400 . The control panel  420  and selectors  424  may include additional capabilities such as, for example, a keypad, card-reader or other input capabilities and money receiver and changers. 
     Referring also to FIG. 12, the control panel  420  is in communication with a CPU (central processing unit)  426  of the instant ticket vending machine  400 . The CPU  426  of the instant ticket vending machine  400  is in communication with a control board  450  (see FIG. 1) provided on the bottom, or underside, of the ticket dispensing machine  10 . In this manner, when the CPU  426  receives input from the control panel, for example, as a keypad input indicative of a user selecting a specific ticket type, the CPU  426  communicates with the appropriate ticket vending machine  10 , via the control board  450  of the particular ticket dispensing machine  10 . 
     The CPU  426  of the instant ticket vending machine  400  communicates with the control board  450  of the ticket dispensing machine  10  via a communication line  452 . The communication line  452  may be a RS485 connection or other communication lines adapted for providing communication signals for these purposes. The control board  450  further communicates with the motor  162  of the drive assembly  130  operable for driving the bursting blade  30 . The control board  450  further communicates with the motor  306  of the drive mechanism  300  operable for driving the first and second stage rollers  32  and  34 . The control board  450  further communicates with the motor  324  of the second drive mechanism  320  operable for driving the third stage rollers  70 . 
     The control board  450  further communicates with the detection mechanism  24  which may include the optical sensor  94  and the encoder  220 . The control board  450  of the ticket dispensing machine  10  further includes a dip switch (not shown) indicating a unique address or location within the instant ticket vending machine  400  of each particular ticket dispensing machine  10  relative to other ticket dispensing machines  10  disposed in the openings  408  of the instant ticket vending machine  400 . 
     The CPU  426  of the instant ticket vending machine  400  contains information relative to the ticket length and size of the tickets  12  of the strip of tickets  14  loaded within the tray  90  of the ticket dispensing machine  10 . In this manner, the strip of tickets  14  is loaded into the first stage rollers  32  and there through the second stage rollers  34  until the optical sensor  94  detects the leading edge  110  of the leading ticket  26  of the strip of tickets  14 . The optical sensor  94  communicates with the control board  450  which obtains ticket length information from the CPU  426  and communicates with the motor  306  to stop, reverse and then re-advance the strip of tickets  14  along the ticket path  22  for positioning. 
     In one embodiment, the reversal and re-advancement of the strip of tickets  14  is only accomplished during the initial loading for accurately and consistently positioning the strip of tickets  14 . Thereafter, the strip of tickets  14  are advanced until detected by the optical sensor  94 , with the assistance of the encoder  220 , for proper positioning without the need to reverse and re-advance the strip of tickets  14 . 
     As the motor  306  rotates the first stage rollers  32 , the encoder  220  measures the amount of rotation of the first stage rollers  34  and, based upon the ticket length information obtained from the CPU  426 , the motor  306  receives a signal from the control board  450 . The motor  306  then drives the first and second stage rollers  32  and  34  which advance the strip of tickets  14  wherein the perforated joints  16  of the strip of tickets  14  are adjacent the bursting blade  30  for separation. Once the strip of tickets  14  have been properly aligned, the control board  450  sends a signal to the motor  162  which causes the bursting blade  30  to strike the strip of tickets  14  adjacent the perforated joints  16  to break the perforated joints  16  connecting at least the leading ticket  26  to the strip of tickets  14 . 
     The control board  450  sends a signal to the motor  306  to advance the first and second stage rollers  32  and  34  causing the separated ticket  12  to advance to the third stage rollers  70 . The control board  450  then sends a signal to the motor  324  which drives the third stage rollers  70  causing the separated ticket  12  to be ejected therefrom the ticket dispensing machine  10  and into the hopper  410  of the instant ticket vending machine  400 . 
     In one embodiment, once the strip of tickets  14  has been cut by the bursting blade  30 , a trailing edge (not shown) of the ticket  12  is detected by the optical sensor  94 . The optical sensor  94  communicates such information to the control board  450 . The control board  450  communicates with the motor  306  to stop the second stage rollers  34  and then communicates with the motor  324  to drive the third stage rollers  70  causing the ticket to eject. In this manner, the motors are driven individually for optimum performance and control. 
     In one embodiment, when the door  404  of the instant ticket vending machine  400  is opened, the CPU  426  initiates a service mode operable for a user to communicate information about the of tickets  12  being loaded. In this manner, the control panel  420  operably provides the user with a menu for entering information such as ticket length, ticket price and the quantity of tickets loaded in a particular ticket dispensing machine  10  disposed within the opening  408  of the instant ticket vending machine  400 . Additionally, the user may obtain information and reports of ticket dispensing activities, including security features. 
     Information such as the cost of tickets, charge for tickets and other general information for the consumer or user of the instant ticket vending machine  400  may be displayed on the display  422  of the control panel  420 . Additionally, it may be advantageous to display information on the ticket dispensing machine  10 , including the cost of tickets, the number of tickets remaining or vended in a particular ticket vending machine  10  and, in such event, a display  475  (see FIG. 1) may be provided on the front of the ticket dispensing machine  10  adapted for such purposes. 
     In other embodiments, the ticket vending machine  10  is provided with a load switch  480  (see FIG. 1) mounted on the housing  62  of the ticket vending machine  10 . The load switch  480  communicates with the control board  450  for manually initiating at least the motor  306  for driving the first and second stage rollers  32  and  34  to initially load or, by reversing the motor  306 , unload the strip of tickets  14 . 
     It will be appreciated that the use of rollers having one-way bearings, such as the pinch rollers  36  of the first stage rollers  32 , is useful for vending tickets of varying lengths to allow motors  306  and  324  to be driven at different times to dispense tickets  12  of different sizes, such as tickets  12  having lengths of up to twelve inches (12″). 
     FIG. 13 illustrates a flow-chart of a method  500  of separating tickets  12  from a strip of tickets  14  connected along perforated joints  16 . The method provides, at a block  502  for advancing the strip of tickets  14  along the ticket path  22 . At a block  504 , the method provides for detecting the leading edge  110  of at least the leading ticket  26  of the strip of tickets  14 . At a block  506 , the method provides for determining the ticket size of at least the leading ticket  26  of the strip of tickets  14 . At a block  508 , the method provides a tensioning mechanism operative to tension at least a portion of the ticket path  22  at a perforated joint  16  connecting at least a leading ticket  26  to the strip of tickets  14 . 
     At a block  510 , the method includes providing a bursting blade  30  adapted to float relative to the direction of travel of the strip of tickets  14  along the ticket path  22 . At a block  512 , the method includes positioning the strip of tickets  14  relative to the bursting blade  30  for separation. At a block  514 , the method includes striking, via the bursting blade  30 , the strip of tickets  14  adjacent the tension portion of the ticket path  22  adjacent the perforated joints  16  connecting at least the leading ticket  26  to the strip of tickets  14  to separate the leading ticket  26  from the strip of tickets  14 . The severed ticket  12  may then be advanced, in another embodiment, from the second stage rollers  34  to the third stage rollers  70  which eject the ticket  12  into the hopper  410  of the instant ticket vending machine  400 . 
     Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method for dispensing tickets that satisfies one or more of the advantages set forth above. Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of the present invention, even if all of the advantages identified above are not present. For example, the various embodiments shown in the drawings herein illustrate that the present invention may be implemented and embodied in a variety of different ways that still fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     Also, the techniques, designs, elements, and methods described and illustrated in the preferred embodiment as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other techniques, designs, elements, or methods without departing from the scope of the present invention. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are readily ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.