US 12,741,194 B1Granted

Adjustment mechanism for roller scraper configured to scrape physical media elements

AssigneeJackpocket LLC

InventorsEric Parker, James Mansour, Redza Shah

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Abstract

Systems and methods for mechanically processing physical media elements, e.g., automatically scratching scratch-off lottery tickets, may include receiving a batch of tickets at an input chute of a scratching system. Tickets may be serially fed through the scratching system that includes a series of roller scratching mechanisms. Pressure rollers may be individually adjustable to set a pressure of the scratching mechanisms. One or more scanners may obtain information from the tickets before and/or after scratching. A pair of parallel plates may be used to form a feed path to guide tickets through the system. A vacuum manifold may isolate some elements of the system from debris, and remove the debris from the system via negative pressure. One or more presence sensor may detect presence of a current ticket to control operation of feed motors. Various functions or elements of the system may be distributed over a plurality of removable modules.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A scraper system for scraping an input media, the scraper system comprising:

two or more adjustable roller mechanisms operatively connected in series, each adjustable roller mechanism respectively including:
a stationary roller including a scraper;
a first adjustment mechanism;
a second adjustment mechanism;
and
an adjustable roller operatively engaged with the stationary roller and configured to press an input media against the scraper, the adjustable roller including:
a first end operatively connected to the first adjustment mechanism;
and
a second end operatively connected to the second adjustment mechanism;
wherein the first adjustment mechanism is operable to independently adjust a first height of the first end of the adjustable roller relative to a first end of the stationary roller, thereby adjusting a first pressure applied by the adjustable roller to the input media;
wherein, the second adjustment mechanism is operable to independently adjust a second height of the second end of the adjustable roller relative to a second end of the stationary roller, thereby adjusting a second pressure applied by the adjustable roller to the input media,
wherein, each stationary roller is operatively connected to a respective motor,
wherein at least one respective motor separates two or more of the adjustment roller mechanisms, and
wherein each of the first and second adjustment mechanisms is configured to be automatically operated based on feedback from the respective motor driving the stationary roller.

11 more elements

An adjustable roller system comprising:

an adjustment mechanism;
and
an adjustable roller;
wherein the adjustment mechanism is operable to independently adjust a height of the adjustable roller;
wherein the adjustment mechanism includes:
an adjustment block having a cavity, a slot, and a vertical channel extending from the slot to the cavity;
a mounting block received in the cavity such that rotation of the mounting block is inhibited by the adjustment block, the mounting block configured to rotationally support a respective end of the adjustable roller;
a pin positioned in the vertical channel and engaged with the mounting block via a threaded connection;
and
a knob comprising a collar, the knob being configured to receive a top portion of the pin such that the collar encompasses the pin, the collar being retained within the slot of the adjustment block so that the collar is held vertically captive in the adjustment block, such that the threaded connection between the pin and the mounting block is configured to translate rotation of the pin into vertical motion of the mounting block to adjust a height of the adjustable roller.

7 more elements

A scraper system for scraping an input media, the scraper system comprising:

two or more adjustable roller mechanisms operatively connected in series, each adjustable roller mechanism respectively including:
a stationary roller including a scraper;
a first adjustment mechanism;
a second adjustment mechanism;
and
an adjustable roller operatively engaged with the stationary roller and configured to press an input media against the scraper, the adjustable roller including:
a first end operatively connected to the first adjustment mechanism;
and
a second end operatively connected to the second adjustment mechanism;
wherein the first adjustment mechanism is operable to independently adjust a first height of the first end of the adjustable roller relative to a first end of the stationary roller, thereby adjusting a first pressure applied by the adjustable roller to the input media,
wherein, the second adjustment mechanism is operable to independently adjust a second height of the second end of the adjustable roller relative to a second end of the stationary roller, thereby adjusting a second pressure applied by the adjustable roller to the input media,
wherein, each stationary roller is operatively connected to a respective motor,
wherein at least one respective motor separates two or more of the adjustment roller mechanisms,
wherein each of the first and second adjustment mechanisms includes:
an adjustment block having a cavity, a slot, and a vertical channel extending from the slot to the cavity;
a mounting block received in the cavity such that rotation of the mounting block is inhibited by the adjustment block, the mounting block configured to rotationally support a respective end of the adjustable roller;
a pin positioned in the vertical channel and engaged with the mounting block via a threaded connection;
and
a knob operationally engaged to a top end of the pin, wherein rotation of the knob causes rotation of the pin, and rotation of the pin causes vertical motion of the mounting block;
wherein each mounting block includes a notch between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, and wherein each of the stationary rollers is connected to a motor mounted adjacent to the notch of at least one of the mounting blocks.

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.