EP0339059A1

EP0339059A1 - Apparatus for automatically distributing objects

Info

Publication number: EP0339059A1
Application number: EP88908652A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roger Cattin
Original assignee: SADAMEL APPAREILS DE MESURE ET DE LABORATOIRE SA
Current assignee: SADAMEL APPAREILS DE MESURE ET DE LABORATOIRE SA
Priority date: 1987-10-27
Filing date: 1988-10-17
Publication date: 1989-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2008-10-17
Also published as: EP0339059B1; ATE78450T1; DE3873075T2; FR2622182A1; CA1307546C; DE3873075D1; WO1989003798A1; FR2622182B1; JPH02501919A; AU613679B2; US5044622A; AU2534388A

Abstract

L'appareil selon l'invention comporte essentiellement un conteneur (10) dans lequel est disposée une pile (11) d'ob jets (12) à distribuer. Une roue d'entraínement à friction (13) est montée à l'extrémité d'un levier (14) pivotant autour d'un axe (15). Une rampe inclinée (21) est disposée en aval des objets à distribuer. La partie supérieure de cette rampe est pour vue d'un évidement (26) en forme d'escalier et prolongée par une surface plane (22) qui définit, avec une surface plane (23) parallèle à la précédente, un couloir de guidage (25) des objets (12). L'appareil est prévu distribuer des cartes, des tickets, des billets, des plaquettes etc. The apparatus according to the invention essentially comprises a container (10) in which is disposed a stack (11) of ob jets (12) to be dispensed. A friction drive wheel (13) is mounted at the end of a lever (14) pivoting around a axis (15). An inclined ramp (21) is arranged downstream of the objects to be distributed. The upper part of this ramp is for view of a recess (26) in the form of a staircase and extended by a planar surface (22) which defines, with a planar surface (23) parallel to the previous one, a guide corridor (25) for the objects (12). The device is intended to distribute cards, tickets, tickets, brochures etc.

Abstract

The apparatus, according to the invention, comprises essentially a container (10) wherein is arranged a pile (11) of objects (12) to be distributed. A friction drive wheel (13) is mounted at the extremity of a lever (14) pivoting about an axis (15). An inclined ramp (21) is arranged downstream of the objects to be distributed. The upper part of said ramp is pro vided with a staircase-shaped recess (26) and is prolonged by a plane surface (22) which defines with a plane surface (23) parallel therewith a guiding channel (25) for guiding the objects (12). The apparatus is provided to distribute cards, tickets, bank notes, plates, etc. The apparatus, according to the invention, understood essentially a container (10) where is arranged a pile (11) of objects (12) to be distributed. A friction drive wheel (13) is mounted at the extremity of a lever (14) pivoting about an axis (15). An inclined ramp (21) is arranged downstream of the objects to be distributed. The upper part of said ramp is pro vided with a staircase-shaped recess (26) and is prolonged by a plane surface (22) which defines with a plane surface (23) parallel therewith a guiding channel (25) for guiding the objects (12). The apparatus is provided to distribute cards, tickets, bank notes, plates, etc.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY DELIVERING OB3ETS

The present invention relates to a method for automatically dispensing objects, in particular relatively flexible objects, of small thickness compared to their other dimensions, such as for example cards, tickets, tickets, plates, stored in stack. free or arranged in a stack inside a suitable container, from which the object located at the top of the stack is removed by means of a separating member constituted by a rotary friction drive member.

It also relates to an automatic dispensing device for these objects, for implementing the above method.

Various devices are already known for ensuring the automatic distribution of tickets, tickets or other objects as specified above. These devices usually include relatively complex push systems whose purpose is to isolate one of the objects and bring it to a position in which it can be removed by the user.

The present invention proposes to produce a simple device, operating according to a particularly reliable process which makes it possible to ensure the selective distribution of lotto game cards, lottery tickets, public transport tickets etc. The characteristics of these distributed objects are on the one hand a relative flexibility due in particular to the nature of the materials used which are paper, cardboard, synthetic material or composite materials, and on the other hand the relatively low value of the ratio between the thickness of the object and its other dimensions.

For this purpose, the method according to the invention is characterized in that at during a first phase of the process, a constant predetermined pressure is exerted on the object to be removed by pressing the rotary friction drive member with a predetermined force on the free surface of said object, in that during a second phase of the process, the rotary friction drive member is pressed against said object to be removed and this object is pushed against an inclined ramp so that its front edge is raised, and in that during in a third phase of the process, the rotary friction friction drive is continued to operate and said front edge is engaged inside a guide passage.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, means are provided for stopping at the entrance to said guide corridor of other objects initially placed below said object to be removed, and possibly driven during the first two phases of the process.

The apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises means for lifting the front edge of said object, means for engaging this front edge of this object in a guide passage and means for stopping, before entry from this corridor, any other objects entrained simultaneously with the object to be sampled.

According to a preferred embodiment, said rotary friction drive member consists of at least one friction wheel driven in rotation by a drive member, this wheel being mounted at the free end of a lever pivoting around of a fixed axis.

Said means for lifting the front edge of the upper object advantageously comprise an inclined ramp, the base of which is situated at or below the level of the object to be removed and the upper part of which is situated above this level.

The guide corridor preferably comprises a first surface which joins the upper part of the inclined ramp and a second surface disposed substantially parallel to this first surface, at a predetermined distance from the latter. This distance separating the two surfaces is slightly greater than the thickness of an object and less than the thickness of two objects.

The means for stopping any objects other than the upper object of the stack preferably comprise at least one staircase recess formed between the upper part of the ramp and said first surface. This staircase recess preferably comprises two successive stops offset in height.

According to another particularly advantageous embodiment, the apparatus according to the invention may include means for lifting the objects in such a way that the first object in the stack remains substantially constantly at the same level, these means comprising a mobile platform in height, associated with a rotary screw. Preferably, the mobile platform is pivotable about a horizontal axis and urged by a spring bearing against the base of the stack of objects.

The present invention will be better understood with reference to the description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawing in which:

_ fig. 1 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention,

fig. 2 schematically represents the first phase of the process according to the invention,

fig. 3 schematically represents the second phase of the process according to the invention,

fig. _ represents a third phase of the process according to the invention,

fig. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the ramp and of the guide corridor of the device according to the invention,

fig. 6 illustrates a particular embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, and FIG. 7 illustrates a variant of the apparatus represented by FIG. 6.

With reference to the figures and more particularly to FIG. 1, the device shown essentially comprises a container 10 in which there is a stack 11 of cards, tickets, sheets, plates etc. 12 which are intended to be distributed successively. The container 10 of suitable shape can of course be replaced by a cassette or by any other device known per se. In general, this container can be equipped with means which automatically supply the stack in height, that is to say which automatically raise the stack 11 as and when objects 12 are distributed. Such means are illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 6 and 7. The object 12 to be taken from the top of the stack is constantly brought to the same level, preferably in a substantially horizontal plane

The apparatus also comprises a rotary friction drive member which essentially consists of one or more friction wheels 13 consisting for example of rollers provided with one or more peripheral grooves, on which are mounted for example one or more O-rings. This friction wheel is mounted at one end of a bent lever ï _, articulated around a pivot 15 mounted on a fixed support 16 and engaged inside a slot 17 which allows the adjustment in position of the lever 1 _. The wheel 13 is driven by a belt 18 passing over a drive wheel 19 secured to a drive motor (not shown).

According to another embodiment, the rotary friction drive member can be replaced by a pusher (not shown).

The apparatus also comprises a block 20 provided with a ramp 21 inclined with respect to the surface of the object 12 disposed at the upper part of the stack 11. This part is provided with a flat upper surface 22 which defines, with the flat lower surface 23 of a guide element 2 _, a guide passage 25 which is intended to be crossed by the objects 12 at the time of dispensing. Room 20 is furthermore provided with a staircase-shaped clearance 26 which defines the junction of the upper part of the ramp 21 and the flat upper surface 22 of the part 20.

To distribute objects 12, the apparatus operates as follows. The rotary friction drive member 13 exerts a predetermined pressure on the upper surface of the object 12 which defines the head of the stack. Under the effect of this predetermined pressure, the object which generally exhibits a certain flexibility rises slightly at its anterior end.

During the second phase of the process, which is illustrated in FIG. 2, the object 12, driven by the friction wheel 13, is pushed against the inclined ramp 21 and its front edge is raised, guided by this ramp.

As this figure clearly shows, firstly the front edge of the object 12 abuts against the guide plate 2 _, then deforms and is deflected so as to engage in the guide passage 25.

Fig. 3 illustrates the case where two objects 12 are driven simultaneously by the friction wheel 13. The height of the guide passage 25 is determined in such a way that two objects cannot pass through it simultaneously. The staircase-shaped clearance 26 constitutes a stop intended to stop another object accidentally driven with the object 12 which occupies the upper position of the stack and which must be distributed. The position of the guide plate 2. relative to the upper surface 22 of the part 20 is decisive as a function of the thickness of the objects to repel, when an object 12 is in abutment against the surface 23, a second object against the abutment formed by the clearance 26 and prevent this second object to be trained simultaneously with the first.

Furthermore, the inclined ramp 21 makes an angle which is substantially between 20 and 70 ° with the surface of the objects 12.

As shown in fig. . , when a first object 12 is engaged in the guide passage 25, the next object 12a is brought into a waiting position. During its displacement towards this waiting position, the object 12a slides on the ramp 21 and its downstream end abuts against the lower surface of the first object 12. The displacement in translation of this object generates a deformation of this end downstream which curves slightly and abuts against the vertical flank of the clearance 26. As soon as the first object 12 is evacuated, pulled manually from the outside of the distributor, the downstream end of the next object 12a straightens up to engage in the guide lane 25 following the first object.

Fig. 5 illustrates a variant in which the clearance 26 is replaced by two recesses 30 and 31 forming two successive staircases whose vertical sides 32 and 33 constitute stops for objects possibly driven at the same time as the object to be removed from the battery.

The apparatus shown in fig. 6 is similar to that of FIG. 1. The bent lever l _, which carries the friction wheel 13, is biased downwards by a leaf spring 50 or any other equivalent means, fixed by a screw 51 to the fixed support 16. The stack of objects 12 to distribute is stored in the container 10, on a platform 52 which is mounted on a threaded block 53 engaged in a screw 5k. The latter can be rotated, by means not shown, which has the effect of moving the platform and keeping the top of the stack of objects 12 constantly at the same level. A detector 55 makes it possible to detect the level of the battery and, if necessary, to transmit a control signal to the drive means of the screw 5k. This detector can be a mechanical contact, a capacitive sensor, etc., known per se. It is mounted on a fixed support 56.

Fig. 7 illustrates another device for raising objects 12 which differs from the system described above and illustrated by FIG. 6 in that it is intended to maintain at constant level objects 12 having uneven thicknesses on one side and the other. This is the case, for example, for linked or bundled bundles whose location results in a arrangement as shown. The platform 52 is in this case inclined and pivoting, mounted on a support 57 carried by a block 53 which cooperates with the rotary screw 54. A spring 58 acts on the platform 52 and keeps it in contact with the object lowest in the stack of objects 12.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described but could undergo different modifications and come in various variants obvious to those skilled in the art. In particular, if the objects were rigid, it would suffice to have a very slightly inclined ramp and a friction wheel exerting a sufficiently low pressure to avoid deterioration of the objects, so that the device can ensure their distribution.

Claims

claims

1. Method for automatically dispensing objects, in particular relatively flexible objects, of small thickness compared to their other dimensions, such as for example cards, tickets, tickets, plates, stored in free stack or arranged in stack inside a suitable container, from which the object from the top of the pile is removed by means of a separating member consisting of a rotary friction drive member, characterized in that during from a first phase of the process, a predetermined pressure is exerted on the object (12) to be removed by pressing the rotary friction drive member (13) with a constant predetermined force on the free surface of said object, in that '' during a second phase of the process, the rotary friction drive member (13) is pressed on said object to be removed (12) and this object is pushed against an inclined ramp (21) in such a way that so n front edge is raised, and in that during a third phase of the process continues to actuate the rotary friction drive member (13) and engages said front edge inside a guide passage (25).

2. Method according to claim I, characterized in that means are provided (26) for stopping at the entrance of said guide passage (25) other objects initially arranged below said object to be removed, possibly driven to during the first two phases of the process.

3. Apparatus for automatically dispensing objects, in particular relatively flexible objects, of small thickness compared to their other dimensions, such as for example cards, tickets, tickets, plates, stored in free stack or arranged in stack inside a suitable container, comprising at least one rotary friction drive member placed above the stack of objects to be dispensed, means for exerting a predetermined pressure on the top object of the stack, characterized in that it comprises means for lifting the front edge of said object (12), means for engage this anterior edge of this object in a guide passage (25) and means (26) for stopping, before entering this passage, any other objects entrained simultaneously with the object to be taken.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said rotary friction drive member consists of at least one friction wheel (13) driven in rotation by a drive member, this wheel being mounted to the free end of a lever (14) pivoting about a fixed axis (15).

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said means for lifting the front edge of the object to be taken comprises an inclined ramp (21) whose base is located at or below the upper object and whose upper part is located above this upper level.

6. Apparatus according to claims 3 and 5, characterized in that the guide passage (25) has a first surface (22) which joins the upper part of the inclined ramp and a second surface (23) disposed substantially parallel to this first surface, at a predetermined distance from it.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the distance separating the two surfaces (22 and 23) is slightly greater than the thickness of an object (12) and less than the thickness of two objects.

8. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for stopping any objects other than the object to be taken from the stack (1 1) comprise at least one recess (26) in staircase formed between the upper part of the ramp and said first surface.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the recess (26) in staircase comprises two successive stops (32, 33) offset in height.

10. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises means for lifting the objects (12) in such a way that the first object in the stack remains substantially constantly at the same level, these means comprising a platform movable in height, associated with a rotary screw.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the mobile platform is pivotable about a horizontal axis and biased by a spring bearing against the base of the stack of objects (12.)