Ticket Dispensing Apparatus

A method for separating at least one ticket from a continuous strip of perforated tickets, the strip of tickets having a series of spaced perforation lines parallel to one another for defining separate ones of the tickets, the method comprising:

• a) advancing the strip of tickets along a path of travel in a first direction of movement using a pair of spaced drive rollers;
• b) engaging a deflector plate with the strip of tickets such that the strip of tickets bends against a cutting blade;
• c) reversing the direction of movement of the strip of tickets along the path of travel to a second direction of movement using the drive rollers;
• d) engaging a clutch assembly coupled to the drive rollers as the strip of tickets is moved in the second direction, the clutch assembly being coupled to the deflector plate;
• e) the clutch assembly moving the deflector plate from a first position to a second position to bend the strip of tickets against the cutting blade;
• and
• f) engaging a cutting blade with the strip of tickets at one of the perforation lines to separate at least one ticket from the strip of tickets.