Apparatus and method for dispensing tickets

A ticket dispenser for dispensing tickets from a strip of tickets connected along perforated joints, the ticket dispenser comprising:

• a first stage rollers having a set of pinch rollers adapted to communicate the strip of tickets along a ticket path;
• a 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;
• a bursting blade adjacent the ticket path 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;
• and
• a positioning mechanism adapted determine the position of the strip of tickets along the ticket path, the positioning mechanism 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.

A ticket machine for dispensing tickets from a strip of tickets having perforated joints, the ticket machine comprising;

• a first stage rollers having at least a first shaft and a set of pinch rollers, the first stage rollers adapted to communicate the strip of tickets along a ticket path;
• a 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;
• an optical sensor disposed adjacent the ticket path, the optical sensor adapted to sense the leading edge of at least the first ticket of the strip of tickets;
• an encoder 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;
• and
• a bursting blade 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 adapted to floatably strike the strip of tickets adjacent the perforated joints to break the perforated joint connecting at least the first ticket from the strip of tickets.

An instant ticket vending machine for dispensing tickets, the instant ticket vending machine comprising;

• a substantially rigid housing having a door connected thereto the housing for providing access to an inner housing area of the housing, the housing provided with an opening for retrieving dispensed tickets;
• a plurality of bins retained within the inner housing area of the housing, the bins adapted to dispense tickets from a strip of tickets connected by perforated joints, each bin comprising:
• a first stage rollers having at least a first shaft and a set of pinch rollers, the first stage rollers adapted to communicate the strip of tickets along a ticket path,
• a 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,
• an optical sensor disposed adjacent the ticket path, the optical sensor adapted to sense the leading edge of at least the first ticket of the strip of tickets,
• an encoder 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,
• a bursting blade 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 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;
• and
• a hopper communicating with the opening in the housing and the plurality of bins, the hopper adapted to receive tickets dispensed from the bins.

A method for separating tickets from a strip of tickets connected along perforated joints, the method comprising:

• advancing the strip of tickets along a ticket path;
• detecting the leading edge of at least the first ticket of the strip of tickets;
• determining a ticket size of at least the first ticket of the strip of tickets;
• 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;
• providing a bursting blade adapted to float relative to a direction of travel of the strip of tickets along the ticket path;
• positioning the strip of tickets relative to the bursting blade for separation;
• and
• 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.

A method for separating tickets from a strip of tickets connected along perforated joints, the method comprising:

• advancing the strip of tickets along a ticket path to an optical sensor;
• detecting, via the optical sensor, a leading edge of a first ticket of the strip of tickets;
• and
• 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.