Multi-channel perforated ticket separation mechanism
AssigneeIntralot, Inc.
InventorsZoran Mirkovic, Joseph C. Perin, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-channel separation mechanism assembly for a lottery or other ticket dispensing machine includes a separate detachable feed mechanism associated with each separate feed channel, such that the feed mechanism for a single channel can be removed and replaced without replacing the entire assembly. Each such detachable feed mechanism includes a compact transmission wherein drive is efficiently transferred from a vertically-oriented feed motor to horizontally-oriented feed rollers. Each feed channel is additionally equipped with a bidirectional mechanical flag which triggers an optical sensor to detect presence of a ticket strip in the channel while still allowing appropriate reverse motion of the ticket strip within the associated channel.
Claims8
A ticket dispensing apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of modular parallel feed mechanisms arranged to feed tickets from the respective feed mechanism in parallel with each of the other feed mechanisms, each feed mechanism including a separate drive motor and feed rollers, each mechanism being individually detachable from the ticket dispensing apparatus without detaching any other of the plurality of feed mechanisms;
- each modular feed mechanism including a flag coupled to a sensor, the flag being configured to trigger the sensor only when a ticket is present within the feed mechanism;
- wherein the flag is mounted to move about a pivot axis to a first position when a ticket strip is fed into the mechanism from a first direction and to move about the pivot axis to a second position distinct from the first position when a ticket strip is fed into the mechanism from a second direction in opposition to the first direction such that the flag permits movement of a ticket strip in each of the first and second directions;
- and
- a ticket separation mechanism operable to separate tickets dispensed by the ticket apparatus, the ticket separation mechanism including a separate drive motor, the ticket separation mechanism being configured to separate designated tickets serviced by each of the plurality of modular feed mechanisms.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.