Ballot box for collecting ballot envelopes and comprising a means for checking the physical acceptability of each ballot envelope

A ballot box for collecting ballot envelopes, the ballot box comprising:

• a horizontal bottom wall;
• vertical walls fastened to the horizontal bottom wall;
• a horizontal top wall forming a lid, which is provided with a passage configured to receive a ballot envelope into an internal space, the passage forming a vertical guiding passage having a rectangular cross-section, delimited by two large parallel surfaces and two side surfaces, the passage having a trap door received therein, driven by a motor, the trap door configured to move between one of a position of obstructing the passage and a position of disengagement;
• a detector disposed adjacent the passage and configured to detect the presence of the ballot envelope in the passage;
• and
• means for checking one or more physical parameters of the ballot envelope, the one or more physical parameters including the degree of opaqueness of the ballot envelope, the means for checking being configured to control the motor of the trap door to clear the passage when the ballot envelope is acceptable and to block the passage when the ballot envelope is unacceptable, the checking means comprising
• a command and control unit, the motor being connected and controlled by the command and control unit, the detector being electrically connected to the command and control unit,
• a light emitter disposed in the passage above the trap door and below the detector, the light emitter defining a light path that is perpendicular to the two large surfaces of the passage, and
• a receiver disposed in the passage above the trap door and below the detector, the receiver being sensitive to the light emitted by the emitter, the receiver being connected to the command and control unit that is configured to compare a value delivered by the receiver to a value entered in a memory and to act on the motor of the trap door when the delivered value is compatible with the value entered in memory,
• wherein a radial opening is provided in the passage above the trap door and below the detector,
• one of the emitter and the receiver is fastened to the passage and the other of the emitter and the receiver is carried by a tip mounted at the end of a hinged arm that is mobile between a waiting position in which the tip is outside of the passage and a measuring position in which the tip is inserted radially into the passage by passing through the radial opening, the arm being equipped with a return element to be pulled to the waiting position and driven to the measuring position by a motor element connected to the command and control unit.

A ballot box for collecting ballot envelopes, the ballot box comprising:

• a horizontal bottom wall;
• vertical walls fastened to the horizontal bottom wall;
• a horizontal top wall forming a lid, which is provided with a passage configured to receive a ballot envelope into an internal space, the passage forming a vertical guiding passage having a rectangular cross-section, delimited by two large parallel surfaces and two side surfaces, the passage having a trap door received therein, driven by a motor, the trap door configured to move between one of a position of obstructing the passage and a position of disengagement;
• a detector disposed adjacent the passage and configured to detect the presence of the ballot envelope in the passage;
• and
• means for checking one or more physical parameters of the ballot envelope, the one or more physical parameters including the thickness of the ballot envelope, the means for checking being configured to control the motor of the trap door to clear the passage when the ballot envelope is acceptable and to block the passage when the ballot envelope is unacceptable, the checking means comprising
• a command and control unit, the motor being connected and controlled by the command and control unit, the detector being electrically connected to the command and control unit, and
• an ultrasonic sensor disposed in the passage above the trap door and below the detector, the ultrasonic sensor being connected electrically to the command and control unit, the command and control unit being configured to compare a value delivered by the ultrasonic sensor to a value entered in memory, and when the delivered value is compatible with the value entered in memory, the command and control unit being configured to act on the motor of the trap door so that the trap door is driven in the direction to open the passage,
• wherein a radial opening is provided in the passage above the trap door and below the detector, and
• the ultrasonic sensor is carried by a tip mounted at the end of a hinged arm that is mobile between a waiting position in which the tip is outside of the passage and a measuring position in which the tip is inserted radially into the passage by passing through the radial opening, the arm being equipped with a return element to be pulled to the waiting position and driven to the measuring position by a motor element connected to the command and control unit.