Card dispenser
AssigneeUltra Electronics Limited
InventorRaymond Coles
Life of this patent
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Abstract
There is provided apparatus for dispensing a card or other substantially planar substrate therefrom, the apparatus comprising a base (2) in engagement with a cover (3), the cover being arranged to house a plurality of cards (6) therein, the cover and base being arranged to be movable with respect to one another such that on relative motion of the base and cover one of the plurality of cards is removable from the apparatus, wherein the cover includes an outwardly protruding ledge (19) such that, when the apparatus is in a configuration allowing removal of a card, the ledge is configured and/or dimensioned to prohibit the grasping of the top surface of the card by a user.
Claims28
Apparatus for dispensing a card or other substantially planar substrate therefrom, the apparatus comprising a base in engagement with a cover, the cover being arranged to house a plurality of cards therein, the cover and base being arranged to be movable with respect to one another such that on relative motion of the base and cover one of the plurality of cards is removable from the apparatus, wherein the cover includes an outwardly protruding ledge such that, when the apparatus is in a configuration allowing removal of a card, the ledge is configured and/or dimensioned to prohibit the grasping of the top surface of the card by a user.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the relative motion between the cover and base is a linear motion.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the relative motion between the base and cover is a reciprocating motion.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the cover is urged back towards an initial rest position by a suitable resilient member.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the motion of the cover is controlled by a motor.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the base additionally has at least one wall portion that is arranged to be in engagement with a side surface of the lowermost card, wherein the wall portion maintains the lowermost card substantially stationary with respect to the base during the relative motion of the cover and base.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim which includes card gripping means arranged to grip the lowermost card and impart relative motion between the card and the base.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover and base are fastened to one another by means of at least one retaining element, the retaining element being arranged to fracture on removal from the apparatus.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the apparatus comprises a resilient member arranged to urge the plurality of cards towards the base.
Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying FIGS. 1-9.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.