Background of the Invention Consumer demand for tickets, such as lottery tickets, has risen dramatically in recent years. This demand has been met with a variety new and exciting games involving lottery tickets. The new breed of lottery ticket games has placed additional demands on the machines that dispense these lottery tickets since the new lottery tickets come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

The tremendous demand has produced lower quality lottery tickets causing tickets to be printed out of registration, perforations to be non-uniform or not completely punctured, and a variety of other printing imperfections and errors. Access to lottery tickets at a variety of convenient locations such as grocery stores, convenience stores, and other locations frequented by consumers has attempted to satisfy this demand. New machines for dispensing the new lottery tickets must be more flexible and intuitive than their predecessors.

Also, modern ticket dispensing machines have difficulties in handling mass- produced lottery tickets that are regularly printed out of registration or have other imperfections, even when applying careful attention to the printing process. For this reason, modern ticket vending machines sometimes rip or tear tickets, or begin cutting the tickets at a predetermined length assuming the tickets are printed correctly which leads to tickets being cut improperly or in half which voids or ruins the tickets and aggravates the consumers and the vendors.

Examples of ticket vending machines are shown in the following US Patents: 3, 978,958 (Zandstra) issued September 7 il 1976 and assigned to Rowe International.

4,094,451 (Wescoat) issued June 13'"1978 and assigned to Granite State Machine.

4,140,259 (Kostka) issued February 20th 1979.

4,157,670 (Herring) issued June 12'h-1979 and assigned Rowe International.

4,688,708 (Irving) issued August 25th 1987 and assigned Pitney Bowes.

4,716,799 (Hartmann) issued January 5th 1988 and assigned Syntech International.

4,982,337 (Burr) issued January 1st 1991 and assigned Interlott Technologies.

5,836,498 (Turek) issued November 17 Ih 1998 and assigned Interlott Technologies.

5,950,898 (Menna) issued September 14 th 1999 and assigned Instant Technologies.

The patents to Burr and Turek have lead to a commercially successful machine manufactured by Interlott and use two sets of rollers independently driven in conjunction with an optical detector for locating the line of perforations at a bursting position and a transversely driven bursting wheel which moves across the line of perforations to effect a bursting action.

The patents to Zandstra, Wescoat, Kostka andHerring disclose bursting blades with edges which are arranged across the line of weakness or perforations and moves generally at right angles to the plane of the tickets to effect a bursting action across the full width in one stroke. While this type of bursting action is theoretically more effective than the wheel type above, the arrangements shown have problems in providing a clean bursting action when the tickets are of varying length and varying quality of perforation.

Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention therefore to provide an arrangement which provides an improved bursting action by better control and locating of the tickets relative to the bursting blade.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a ticket machine for dispensing tickets from a strip of tickets having perforated lines of weakness between adjacent tickets, the ticket machine comprising; a roller assembly adapted to drive a portion of the strip of tickets along a ticket path; a detection mechanism disposed adjacent the ticket path and adapted to determine a position of the strip of tickets along the ticket path; the roller assembly being arranged to be driven in response to the detection mechanism to locate a line of weakness substantially at a bursting position; a bursting blade having a bursting edge located at the bursting position adjacent the ticket path with the bursting edge extending across the path of the tickets; the bursting blade being mounted for movement of the edge toward the tickets in a bursting action through the line of weakness to separate a ticket on one side of the line of weakness from a ticket on the other side of the line of weakness; the bursting blade being mounted for limited floating movement of the edge in a direction forwardly and rearwardly along the path of the tickets so as to allow movement of the edge to the line of weakness when misaligned with the bursting position.

Preferably the roller assembly includes a first set of pinch rollers upstream of the bursting position and a second set of pinch rollers downstream of the bursting position arranged to hold the tickets tensioned across the bursting position.

Preferably the first and second set of pinch rollers are driven by a common motor at common speed so that there is no differential in speed to provide tensioning and the rollers can be driven by a simple drive arrangement without need for synchronization.

Preferably the second set of pinch rollers are provided with one-way bearings operable to inhibit a ticket pinched therein from a reverse travel direction along the ticket path while allowing the ticket pinched therein to travel forwardly along the ticket path to allow relief of the pressure generated by the presence of the blade between the tickets.

The term"one way bearings"used herein is intended to include any technique which allows a shaft to rotate in one direction but to be locked against reverse rotation. One way bearings or clutch bearings are commercially available and conveniently provide both functions of one way clutch and bearings, but other arrangements can also be used.

Preferably the first set of pinch rollers include a rotatable drive shaft driven by a motor and wherein the positioning mechanism includes an encoder adapted to sense the rotation of the drive shaft.

Preferably there is provided a third set of pinch rollers along the ticket path downstream from the second pinch rollers.

Preferably the detection mechanism is adapted to sense a leading edge of the leading ticket of the strip of tickets and is positioned along the ticket path downstream of the second set of pinch rollers and upstream of the third set of pinch rollers.

Preferably the third set of pinch rollers are driven by a motor separately from the first and second sets of pinch rollers and include one way bearings arranged to allow forward rotation of the third set of pinch rollers.

Preferably the bursting blade has a flat surface on the upstream side and a beveled bursting edge on the downstream side.

Preferably there is provided a gauge bar on a side of the tickets opposite to the bursting blade edge, the gauge bar being located upstream of the bursting blade edge.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a ticket machine for dispensing tickets from a strip of tickets having perforated lines of weakness between adjacent tickets, the ticket machine comprising; a roller assembly adapted to drive a portion of the strip of tickets along a ticket path; a detection mechanism disposed adjacent the ticket path and adapted to determine a position of the strip of tickets along the ticket path; the roller assembly being arranged to be driven in response to the detection mechanism to locate a line of weakness substantially at a bursting position; wherein the roller assembly includes a first set of pinch rollers upstream of the bursting position and a second set of pinch rollers downstream of the bursting position arranged to hold the tickets tensioned across the bursting position; a bursting blade having a bursting edge located at the bursting position adjacent the ticket path and arranged for operation in a bursting action; wherein the second set of pinch rollers is provided with one-way bearings operable to inhibit a ticket pinched therein from a reverse travel direction along the ticket path while allowing the ticket pinched therein to travel forwardly along the ticket path.

Thus in this aspect, the floating action of the blade edge is not essential and a key point relates to the ability of the second set of bearings to take up the forward movement of the leading ticket caused by the intervention of the thickness of the blade.

Preferably the first and second set of pinch rollers are driven by a common motor at common speed. This avoids the necessity for synchronous drives. It also avoids the necessity for tensioning of the strip of tickets by slippage between driven rollers and the ticket.

Preferably the first set of pinch rollers include a rotatable shaft driven by a motor and wherein the positioning mechanism includes an encoder adapted to sense the rotation of the drive shaft rather than the idler shaft.. The use of an arrangement which avoids the necessity for slippage for tensioning allows a roller arrangement which accurately controls and locates the tickets without the possibility for slippage.

Preferably there is a third set of pinch rollers along the ticket path downstream from the second pinch rollers.

Preferably the detection mechanism is adapted to sense a leading edge of the leading ticket of the strip of tickets and is positioned along the ticket path downstream of the second set of pinch rollers and upstream of the third set of pinch rollers.

Preferably the third set of pinch rollers are driven by a motor separately from the first and second sets of pinch rollers and include one way bearings arranged to allow forward rotation of the third set of pinch rollers.

Preferably the bursting blade has a flat surface on the upstream side and a beveled bursting edge on the downstream side acting to push the leading ticket forwardly into the nip of the second set of rollers and possibly into the nip of the third set of rollers as the bursting occurs.

Preferably there is provided a gauge bar on a side of the tickets opposite to the bursting blade edge, the gauge bar being located upstream of the bursting blade edge.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a ticket machine for dispensing tickets from a strip of tickets having perforated lines of weakness between adjacent tickets, the ticket machine comprising; a roller assembly adapted to drive a portion of the strip of tickets along a ticket path; a detection mechanism disposed adjacent the ticket path and adapted to determine a position of the strip of tickets along the ticket path; the roller assembly being arranged to be driven in response to the detection mechanism to locate a line of weakness substantially at a bursting position; a bursting blade having a bursting edge located at the bursting position adjacent the ticket path and arranged for operation in a bursting action; wherein the roller assembly includes a first set of pinch rollers upstream of the bursting position and a second set of pinch rollers downstream of the bursting position arranged to hold the tickets tensioned across the bursting position; wherein the first and second set of pinch rollers are driven by a common motor at common speed and wherein the roller assembly includes a third set of pinch rollers along the ticket path downstream from the second pinch rollers driven by a motor separately from the first and second set of pinch rollers.

Preferably the second set of pinch rollers is provided with one-way bearings operable to inhibit a ticket pinched therein from a reverse travel direction along the ticket path while allowing the ticket pinched therein to travel forwardly along the ticket path.

Preferably the first set of pinch rollers include a rotatable drive shaft driven by a motor and wherein the positioning mechanism includes an encoder adapted to sense the rotation of the drive shaft.

Preferably the detection mechanism is adapted to sense a leading edge of the leading ticket of the strip of tickets and is positioned along the ticket path downstream of the second set of pinch rollers and upstream of the third set of pinch rollers.

Preferably the bursting blade has a flat surface on the upstream side and a beveled bursting edge on the downstream side.

Preferably there is provided a gauge bar on a side of the tickets opposite to the bursting blade edge, the gauge bar being located upstream of the bursting blade edge.

Preferably there is defined a stop position at or adjacent the detection mechanism and wherein the distance from the stop position to the third set of nip rollers is no greater than the distance from the bursting blade to the stop position.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective representation of a ticket dispensing machine constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a top perspective view of the ticket dispensing machine provided with a strip of tickets in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 3 is a partial cutaway representation of the ticket dispensing machine showing a bursting blade for separating tickets constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 4 is a side view of the bursting blade and drive assembly for driving the bursting blade constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 5 is a side view of the bursting blade shown in Figure 4; FIGURE 6 is a side view of the bursting blade and ticket dispensing machine substantially as shown in Figures 3 and 4; FIGURE 7 is a perspective representation of an encoder connected to the ticket dispensing machine constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 8 is a perspective representation of the encoder shown in Figure 7; FIGURE 9 is a side perspective representation of the drive mechanism for driving a first and second stage rollers of the ticket dispensing machine constructed in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention; FIGURE 10 is a side perspective representation of a second drive mechanism for driving a third stage rollers of the ticket dispensing machine constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 11 is a perspective representation of an instant ticket vending machine for receiving a plurality of ticket dispensing machines in accordance with one aspect of the present invention; FIGURE 12 is a block diagram showing a central processing unit of the instant ticket vending machine and a control board of the ticket dispensing machine constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 13 is schematic side elevational view of the components of the dispensing machine for use in explanation of the method of operation.

Detailed Description of the Invention It should be understood at the outset that although an exemplary implementation of the present invention is illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence.

The present invention should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a perspective representation of a ticket dispensing machine 10 constructed in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. The ticket dispensing machine 10 of the present invention can be used for a variety of purposes to automatically dispense tickets 12, such as lottery and other tickets, to customers and patrons.

The ticket dispensing machine 10 is adapted to dispense tickets 12 from a strip of tickets 14 connected along a plurality of perforated joints 16. In one embodiment of the present invention, the ticket dispensing machine 10 includes a roller assembly 20 adapted to communicate a portion of the strip of tickets 14 along a ticket path 22 through the roller assembly 20.

The ticket machine 10 is further provided with a detection mechanism 24 disposed adjacent the ticket path 22 and adapted to determine the position of at least a leading ticket 26 of the strip of tickets 14 along the ticket path 22. The ticket machine further includes a bursting blade 30 disposed adjacent the ticket path 22 and adapted to strike the strip of tickets 14 adjacent the perforated joints 16 so as to separate the leading ticket 26 from the strip of tickets 14, while having some freedom to float forwardly or rearwardly along the line of the tickets to more accurately locate the bursting edge at the perforation line.

In another embodiment, the ticket dispensing machine 10 is provided for dispensing tickets 12 from a strip of tickets 14 connected along perforated joints 16. The roller assembly 20, in the present embodiment, may include a first and second stage rollers 32 and 34. The first stage rollers 32 are provided with a set of pinch rollers 36 adapted to communicate the strip of tickets 14 along the ticket path 22. The pinch rollers 36 are disposed on an upper and lower shafts 38 and 40 of the first stage rollers 32.

The upper and lower shafts 38 and 40 are substantially cylindrical bars which may be constructed from a variety of materials, such as rigid polymeric or metallic materials and are operable for use for the purposes shown and disclosed herein. The pinch rollers 36 are standard rollers adapted to communicate materials, such as the strip of tickets 14 therebetween. The pinch rollers 36 may be constructed of rubber, polymeric or other materials well known in the art and used for such purposes.

The upper and lower shafts 38 and 40 may be provided with a plurality of grooves not shown for frictionally receiving the pinch rollers 36 about the upper and lower shafts 38 and 40. Additionally, the first stage rollers 32 may be provided with a second set of pinch rollers 42 oppositely disposed about the upper and lower shafts 38 and 40. The second set of pinch rollers 42 are substantially similar in construction and function to the pinch rollers 36 previously discussed.

The second stage rollers 34 are similarly provided with an upper and lower shafts 50 and 52 that are similarly provided with a set of pinch rollers 54 similar in construction and function to the pinch rollers 36 of the first stage rollers 32. In one embodiment, the pinch rollers 54 may include an upper roller 57 and a lower roller 58. In this embodiment, the upper roller 57 of the pinch rollers 54 may be advantageously adapted to idle along the upper shaft 50 while adapting the lower pinch roller 58 with one- way bearings (not shown) for one-way engagement with the strip of tickets 14. The second stage rollers 34 may further be provided with a second set of pinch rollers 56 to advantageously communicate the strip of tickets 14 along the ticket path 22.

In one embodiment, the pinch rollers 54 or the second set of pinch rollers 56 may be provided with one-way bearings as discussed above, not shown, to inhibit reverse travel of the strip of tickets 14 along a travel direction 60 along the ticket path 22.

The one-way bearings are advantageous since frequently it is difficult to synchronize sets of rollers, such as the pinch rollers 36 and 42 of the first stage rollers 32 with the pinch rollers 54 and 56 of the second stage rollers 34. It will be appreciated that only the pinch rollers 54, an in one embodiment only the lower roller 58 are provided with one-way bearings for these purposes since the upper rollers are idler rollers.

Furthermore, the use of one-way bearings in this manner is useful to account for varying motor speeds, roller or sprocket diameters, pulley sizes, and to prevent the strip of tickets 14 from jamming, buckling or otherwise undesirably moving along the ticket path 22.

The addition of one-way bearings in one or more of the pinch rollers 54 and 56 of the second-stage rollers 34 prevents synchronization errors between the first and second stage rollers 32 and 34 overcoming this problem..

It should be understood that a variety of approaches in addition to the use of one-way bearings may be implemented and are well known in the art to achieve one- way rotation of any of the pinch rollers, such as pinch rollers 36.

It will be appreciated that the ticket dispensing machine 10 is provided with a housing 62 which may be constructed from a variety of materials, such as plastic or polymeric materials, steel, aluminum or other metals, which may be used for such purposes. In this manner, the roller assembly 20, which may include the first and second stage rollers 32 and 34, may be mounted to an interior area 64 near the front of the housing 62.

In other embodiments, the ticket dispensing machine 10 may be provided with a third-stage rollers 70 positioned down the ticket path 22 from the second-stage rollers 34 and operable for receiving the ticket 12 from the second stage rollers 34 and ejecting tickets 12. The third stage rollers 70 are substantially similar in construction and function to the second stage rollers 34 in that the third stage rollers 70 are provided with pinch rollers 72 disposed on an upper and lower shafts 74 and 76. The third stage rollers 70 may further be provided with a second set of pinch rollers 78 oppositely disposed from the pinch rollers 72.

One or more of the pinch rollers 72 and 78 of the third stage rollers 70 may be provided with one-way bearings not shown, which inhibit the strip of tickets 14 from reversing travel along the direction of travel 60 of the ticket path 22 while allowing free forward movement. In this manner, the third stage rollers 70 are advantageously adapted to receive one or more of the tickets 12 of the strip of tickets 14 and to eject the tickets 12 from the ticket dispensing machine 10. The one-way bearings eliminate, as previously discussed, synchronization problems between the second and third stage rollers 34 and 70.

The ticket dispensing machine 10, in one embodiment, may be provided with a tray 90 adapted to retain a plurality of tickets 12, such as the strip of tickets 14 which are commonly produced and distributed in an accordion-folded manner substantially as shown. The tray 90 of the ticket dispensing machine 10 may be provided with a roller 92 which may be constructed from nylon, polymeric, or other materials. The nylon roller 92 is operable to assist the unfolding and advancing of the strip of tickets 14 as it is advanced toward the roller assembly 20.

FIGURE 2 shows the strip of tickets 14 advancing about the roller 92 and therethrough the roller assembly 20 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the detection mechanism 24, as shown in FIGURE 1, is an optical sensor 94 having a first portion 96 disposed above the strip of tickets 14 and a second portion 98 disposed below the strip of tickets 14. In this manner, the optical sensor 94 is adapted to sense the strip of tickets 14 as it passes beyond the second stage rollers 34.

The optical sensor 94 may be provided, in one embodiment, with a light emitting diode, not shown, on the first portion 96 and a photo receptor, not shown, on the second portion 98, such that when the strip of tickets 14 interrupts the light emitting from the light emitting diode on the first portion 96, this interruption is detected by the photo receptor provided on the second portion 98. In this manner, the optical sensor 94 is adopted to detect, for example, the leading ticket 26 of the strip of tickets 14.

In operation, the strip of tickets 14 is passed over the roller 92 and is fed into the first stage rollers 32. The first stage rollers 32 pull the strip of tickets 14 from the tray 90 and advance the strip of tickets 14 toward the second stage rollers 34. As previously discussed, the strip of tickets 14 disposed between the first and second stage rollers 32 and 34 is substantially tensioned between the first stage rollers 32 and the second stage rollers 34 which have pinch rollers 54 and 56 provided with one-way bearings.

The strip of tickets 14 is then advanced through the first stage rollers 32 toward the second stage rollers 34 until the leading edge 110 of the leading ticket 26 is detected by the detection mechanism 24, or in this embodiment the optical sensor 94. In one embodiment, it may be beneficial to reverse the direction of travel 60 of the strip of tickets 14 once the leading edge 110 of the leading ticket 26 has been detected by the optical sensor 94 for repositioning purposes. After reversing a direction of travel 60 for a determinable distance, the strip of tickets 14 may be, again, advanced along the direction of travel 60 to more accurately align the leading edge 110 of the leading ticket 26 with the optical sensor 94. In this manner, the perforated joints 16 connecting the leading ticket 26 to the strip of tickets 14 may be more accurately positioned by the ticket dispensing machine 10 for severing one or more of the tickets 12 of the strip of tickets 14.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a frontal view of the ticket dispensing machine 10 with the second stage rollers 34 shown in phantom to more accurately view the bursting blade 30 of the ticket dispensing machine 10. The bursting blade 30 may be constructed from a substantially rigid material, such as a polymeric or metallic material which is operable for striking the strip of tickets 14 along the perforated joints 16 to separate at the leading ticket 26 from the strip of tickets 14.

In one embodiment, the bursting blade 30 is a substantially flat metallic blade provided with a substantially straight lower end 112 and a bursting edge 114 that is generally A-shaped so as to define a central apex and declined downwardly and outwardly therefrom to respective sides. A first and second sides 116 and 118 of the bursting blade 30, in one embodiment, may be disposed in a first and second groove 120 and 122, respectively, in the sides of the housing 62 of the ticket dispensing machine 10. In this manner, the bursting blade 30 is disposed within the interior area 64 of the housing 62 and is operable to travel in a direction 124 vertically up and down within the interior area 64 of the housing 62.

FIGURE 4 shows the bursting blade 30, a drive assembly 130 adapted to drive the bursting blade 30, and a gauge bar 132. The gauge bar 132 is positioned above the bursting blade 30 so that the strip of tickets 14 passes below the gauge bar 132 and above the bursting blade 30 such that the bursting blade 30 is operable to travel vertically upward toward the gauge bar 132 thereby bursting separating tickets 12 from the strip of tickets 14. The gauge bar 132 is a substantially rigid cross member extending across the interior area 64 of the housing 62 (see FIGURE 3) and acts as a retaining surface for the strip of tickets 14 to prevent the strip of tickets 14 from moving upwardly when contacted by the bursting blade 30 during its vertical travel in the direction 24 toward the strip of tickets 14.

The bursting blade 30 is provided with a first and second slots 140 and 142 defining openings extending through the bursting blade 30 near the first and second sides 116 and 118, respectively, of the bursting blade 30. The bursting blade 30 may be connected to a portion of the housing 62 within the interior area 64 of the housing 62 in a non-rigid fashion via the first and second slots 140 and 142 of the bursting blade 30.

In one embodiment, a pair of shaft members 146 may be connected to the housing 62 within the interior area 64 so as to extend through the slots 140 and 142 and be terminated with a shoulder bolt 144 operable for non-rigid engagement by the shoulder bolt 144 with the bursting blade 30. The bursting blade 30 is thus allowed to travel for bursting engagement with the strip of tickets 14 while the pair of shaft members 146 and shoulder bolts 144 act as a guide for the bursting blade 30 along the first and second slots 140 and 142 of the bursting blade 30 enabling the bursting blade 30 to floatably travel along the direction of travel 204 of the strip of tickets 14.

Referring also to FIGURE 5, a side view of the bursting blade 30 is shown with the shaft member 146 connected to a portion 147 of the housing 62 within the interior area 64 of the housing 62. The shaft member 146 extendable through the first or second slots 140 and 142 of the bursting blade 30. The shoulder bolt 144 non-rigidly connecting the shaft member 146 to the bursting blade 30. It can be seen that this connection provides for gaps 148 along the shaft member 146 between the portion 147 of the housing 62 and the bursting blade 30 as well as between the bursting blade 30 and the shoulder bolt 144. In this manner, the bursting blade 30 is allowed to float slightly along the shaft 146 within the gaps 148 provided therebetween the portion 147 of the housing 62 and the shoulder bolt 144.

Referring again to FIGURE 4, the drive assembly 130 includes a cam shaft 150 which is a substantially rigid member having a first end 152 and a second end 154.

The second end 154 of the cam shaft 150 is non-rigidly connected, via connector 156, to the bursting blade 30. The first end 152 of the cam shaft 150 is non-rigidly connected, via a connector 158, to a cylindrical member 160. The first end 152 of the cam shaft 150 is connected to the cylindrical member 160 in an off-center fashion providing an eccentric link. A motor 162 (shown in phantom) is connected to the cylindrical member 160 and rotatingly drives the cylindrical member 160 which exerts movement upon the cam shaft 150 and the bursting blade 30.

FIGURE 6 is a side view of the ticket dispensing machine 10 illustrating the first side 116 of the bursting blade 30 disposed along the first groove 120 of the housing 62. It can be seen that the first groove 120 provides a gap 202 between the first groove 120 and the bursting blade 30. In one embodiment, the gap 202 between the sides of the first groove 120 and the bursting blade 30 is sufficient to allow the bursting blade 30 to float slightly along a direction of travel 204 of the strip of tickets 14 forwardly or rearwardly as required.

The advantage of the bursting blade 30 mounted substantially as shown in FIGURE 5 and 6, and disposed such that the edges of the bursting blade travel in the non- restrictive first and second grooves 120 and 122 of the housing 62 allows the bursting blade 30 to floatably sense the perforated joints 16 connecting the strip of tickets 14. In this manner, the bursting blade 30 travels in the vertical direction 124 substantially perpendicular to the direct of travel 204 of the strip of tickets 14. The mounting of the bursting blade 30 allows a bursting edge 114, to seek-out the weakest point between two tickets 12 of the strip of tickets 14 such as grooved points along the strip of tickets 14 which typically will be the perforated joint 16 connecting the strip of tickets 14.

Thus, by accurately positioning the perforated joint 16 of the strip of tickets 14 adjacent the bursting blade 30, the advantageous construction and floatable, non-fixed, mounting of the bursting blade 30, as shown in the present embodiment, provides the optimum configuration for accurately separating at least a leading ticket 26 from the strip of tickets 14 along the perforated joints 16 connected therebetween even when the strip of tickets 14 is improperly printed, for example, out of registration.

In one embodiment, the bursting blade 30 may be adapted to cut and sever a leading ticket 26 from the strip of tickets 14 along the perforated joints 16 when ticket printing errors are not a concern. However, in one embodiment, as shown in FIGURE 6, the bursting blade 30 strikes the strip of tickets 14 adjacent the perforated joints 16 causing a breaking separation of the leading ticket 26 from the strip of tickets 14.

Referring also to FIGURE 1, it will be appreciated that the function and disposition of the first stage rollers 32 relative to the second stage rollers 34 holds the tickets on either side of the perforation line in stationary position so as to provide some tension along the strip of tickets 14 which promotes a breaking separation of the perforated joint 16 connecting the strip of tickets 14 when the bursting edge 114 portion of the bursting blade 30 impacts the strip tickets 14 adjacent the perforated joint 16.

In one embodiment, to achieve the floatable disposition of the bursting blade 30 for optimal sensing of the weakest point in the strip of tickets 14, the bursting blade 30 should have one-tenth of an inch (1/10") or less floatably about the shoulder bolts 144 and first and second groves 120 and 122 in the side of the housing 62 of the ticket dispensing machine 10. In other embodiments, the floatably may be optimally one- hundredth of an inch (1/100") or less.

This advantageous construction and function overcomes the problem of tickets which are frequently printed out of registration, or the perforations are imperfect, or improperly aligned or scored. Furthermore, the floating disposition of the bursting blade 30 and breaking separation capabilities of the ticket dispensing machine 10 of the present embodiment, by not cutting or severing tickets 12, overcomes the problems incurred where tickets are incorrectly printed or sized in accordance with their generally accepted dimensions.

The bursting blade 30, as shown in FIGURE 6, is shown with the bursting edge 114 which is substantially beveled. In one embodiment, the bursting blade 30 is provided with the bursting edge 114 with a first substantially beveled side 212 and a second substantially straight side 214 thus defining an edge on the upstream side adjacent the gauge bar 132. Such construction of the bursting edge 114 of the bursting blade 30 further assists the bursting blade 30 to floatably sense the perforated joint 16 connecting the strip of tickets 14. This construction allows the bursting edge 114 to sense the weakest point between the tensioned strip of tickets 14 to promote ready separation since the one-way bearing provided in the second stage rollers 34 allow the separated ticket 12 to advance slightly along the ticket path 22 when the bursting edge 114 passes between the tickets 12 while the first stage rollers 32 retain the remaining strip of tickets 14.

However, in other embodiments (not shown) the bursting edge 114 of the bursting blade 30 is provided with both sides being substantially beveled. In some instances, it may be advantageous to have a non-sharp or blunt bursting edge 114 for non-cuttably impacting or striking the strip of tickets 14 for a breaking separation. As shown the blade is located in and moves in a plane at right angles to the plane of the tickets. In other embodiments (not shown), the bursting blade 30 may be disposed with its plane at an angle less than ninety degrees to the plane of the tickets so as to impact the strip of tickets 14 at an angle thereto.

FIGURE 7 illustrates one embodiment of an encoder 220 which may be mounted to the lower shaft 40 of the first stage rollers 32 and adapted to sense the rotation of the lower shaft 40. In this manner, the lower shaft 40 of the first stage rollers 32 extends from one side of the housing 62 of the ticket dispensing machine 10.

Referring also to FIGURE 8, the encoder 220 is provided with a disk 222 which may be a substantially flat circular metallic or polymeric member provided with detection points such as a plurality of openings 224 extending from a first side 226 through to a second side 228 of the disk 222. The encoder 220 is provided with a photo eye 230 having a first side 232 provided with, for example, a light emitting diode 234. The photo eye 230 has a second side 236 provided with a photoreceptor 238 operable for detecting light emitting from the light emitting diode 234.

In this manner it is readily apparent that as the disk 222 rotates correspondingly with the lower shaft 40 of the first stage rollers 32, light is periodically shone through the openings 224 in the disk 222. As the light emits from the light emitting diode 234 through the openings 224 of the disk 222, the photoreceptor 238 is adapted to detect the light shown through the openings 224 and thereby detect an incremental rotation in the first stage rollers 32.

The photo eye 230 operably counts the pulses for the received light.

Computation for determining ticket 12 travel distance must account for variables such as, for example, roller size. In one of embodiment, the disk may be provided with approximately ninety (90) openings 224 while in other embodiments more openings 224 may be advantageous for more exactly sensing the rotation of the first stage rollers 32.

While in other embodiments fewer openings 224 in the disk 222 may be satisfactory for such sensing purposes. The photo eye 230 is provided with communication wires 240 operable for communicating information indicating the rotation sensed on the first stage rollers 32.

It will be appreciated that the combination of the encoder 220 and optical sensor 94 provide the ticket dispensing machine 10 with detection mechanisms 24 operable for detecting and, when communicating with the roller assembly 20, positioning the strip of tickets 14 along the ticket path 22 for positioning the perforated joints 16 of the strip of tickets 12 adjacent the bursting blade 30 for separating the leading ticket 26 from the strip of tickets 14. Thus the encoder is located on the lower drive shaft only of the first set of rollers 32.

In other less preferred embodiments the encoder 220 may be provided to detect the rotation of the upper of the first stage rollers 32. In another less preferred embodiment, additional encoders may be provided to detect the rotation of the second and third stage rollers 34 and 70. Similarly, while the optical sensor 94 is shown disposed between the second and third stage rollers 34 and 70, it will be appreciated that in some instances it may be advantageous to have additional optical sensors 94 disposed at various points so as to detect the strip of tickets 14 along the ticket path 22. Other placements of the encoder 220 and the optical sensor 94 will readily suggest themselves to one of ordinary skill in the art when provided with the invention as shown and disclosed herein and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, other methods of detecting the rotation of the first, second and third stage rollers 32,34 and 70 may be provided to obtain some of the functional advantages disclosed herein and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention and may include, for example, but not limited to, optical, electrical, mechanical or magnetic rotating detection devices and systems adaptable to detect the rotation of a shaft, such as the lower shaft 40 of the first stage rollers 32.

FIGURE 9 illustrates a side view of the ticket dispensing machine 10 showing the drive mechanism 300 operable for driving the first and second stage rollers 32 and 34. The lower shaft 40 of the first stage rollers 32 extends through the side of the housing 62 of the ticket dispensing machine 10 and is provided with a sprocket 302 rotatably connected thereto the lower shaft 40. The sprocket 302 is a substantially cylindrical gearing mechanism which may be provided with a plurality of teeth operable for drivable rotation of the sprockets 302 and connected to impart a rotation to the lower shaft 40.

The sprocket 302 may be constructed from plastic or polymeric material or steel or other metallic materials and may be connected to the lower shaft 40 with a variety of connectors such as a nut and bolt configuration or other connectors that are well known in the art. The drive mechanism 300 is further provided with a second sprocket 304 connected to the lower shaft 52 of the second stage rollers 34. The second sprocket 304 is similar in construction function to the sprocket 302 and operable to rotatably drive the lower shaft 52 of the second stage rollers 34.

The drive mechanism 300 further includes a motor 306 (shown in phantom) which is connected to a drive sprocket 308 and adapted to rotatably drive the drive sprocket 308. The drive sprocket 308 is similar in construction and function to the sprocket 302, however, the drive sprocket 308 may be advantageously provided with a slightly larger diameter than the sprocket 302.

The drive mechanism 300 further includes a belt 310 operably connected to the sprocket 302, the second sprocket 304 and the drive sprocket 308 such that when the motor 306 drives the drive sprocket 308, the belt 310 imparts the rotation on the sprockets 302 and 304 to rotate the first and second stage rollers 32 and 34.

FIGURE 10 illustrates a second drive mechanism 320 operably connected to an adjacent side of the housing 62 relative to the drive mechanism 300. The second drive mechanism 320 includes a sprocket 322 operably connected to the lower shaft 76 of the third stage roller 70 for imparting a rotation on the third stage roller 70. The sprocket 322 is substantially similar in construction and function to the sprocket 302 of the drive mechanism 300.

The second drive mechanism 320 is provided with a motor 324 (shown in phantom) operably connected to a drive sprocket 326 for rotatingly driving the drive sprocket 326. The drive sprocket 326 is substantially similar in function and construction to the drive sprocket 308 with reference to the drive mechanism 300. The second drive mechanism 320 further includes a belt 328 that straps and connects to the sprocket 322 and the drive sprocket 326 such that when the motor 324 imparts a rotation on the drive sprocket 326, it causes the belt 328 to impart a similar rotation on the sprocket 322 for driving the third stage rollers 70.

FIGURE 11 illustrates an instant ticket vending machine 400 operable for dispensing tickets 12, such as lottery tickets. The instant ticket vending machine 400, including a substantially rigid housing 402, having a door 404 connected to the housing 402. The connection of the door 404 to the housing 402 may be accomplished using standard hinges 406 or a variety of other hingeable coupling devices which are well known in the art for connecting doors to housings.

The housing 402 is provided with an inner housing area 406 provided with a plurality of openings 408 adapted to receive the ticket dispensing machine 10 (see FIGURE 1). The door 404 of the instant ticket vending machine 400 is provided with a hopper 410 which communicates with an opening 412 in the door 404 of the instant ticket vending machine 400. It is apparent that as the ticket dispensing machine 10, which is operably positioned within one of the openings 408 in the housing 402, dispenses a ticket out of the third stage rollers 70 of the ticket dispensing machine 10, the ticket 12 is ejected into the hopper 410 and may be retrieved when the door 404 is closed through the opening 412 in the door 404.

The instant ticket vending machine 400 is provided with a control panel 420 provided with a display 422 and a variety of selectors 424 such that an individual may select, via the selectors 424, a particular type of ticket 12 contained in a particular ticket dispensing machine 10 retained within the housing 402 of the instant ticket vending machine 400. The control panel 420 and selectors 424 may include additional capabilities such as, for example, a keypad, card-reader or other input capabilities and money receiver and changers.

Referring also to FIGURE 12, the control panel 420 is in communication with a CPU (central processing unit) 426 of the instant ticket vending machine 400. The CPU 426 of the instant ticket vending machine 400 is in communication with a control board 450 (see FIGURE 1) provided on the bottom, or underside, of the ticket dispensing machine 10. In this manner, when the CPU 426 receives input from the control panel, for example, as a keypad input indicative of a user selecting a specific ticket type, the CPU 426 communicates with the appropriate ticket vending machine 10, via the control board 450 of the particular ticket dispensing machine 10.

The CPU 426 of the instant ticket vending machine 400 communicates with the control board 450 of the ticket dispensing machine 10 via a communication line 452.

The communication line 452 may be a RS485 connection or other communication lines adapted for providing communication signals for these purposes. The control board 450 further communicates with the motor 162 of the drive assembly 130 operable for driving the bursting blade 30. The control board 450 further communicates with the motor 306 of the drive mechanism 300 operable for driving the first and second stage rollers 32 and 34.

The control board 450 further communicates with the motor 324 of the second drive mechanism 320 operable for driving the third stage rollers 70.

The control board 450 further communicates with the detection mechanism 24 which may include the optical sensor 94 and the encoder 220. The control board 450 of the ticket dispensing machine 10 further includes a dip switch (not shown) indicating a unique address or location within the instant ticket vending machine 400 of each particular ticket dispensing machine 10 relative to other ticket dispensing machines 10 disposed in the openings 408 of the instant ticket vending machine 400.

The CPU 426 of the instant ticket vending machine 400 contains information relative to the ticket length and size of the tickets 12 of the strip of tickets 14 loaded within the tray 90 of the ticket dispensing machine 10. In this manner, the strip of tickets 14 is loaded into the first stage rollers 32 and there through the second stage rollers 34 until the optical sensor 94 detects the leading edge 110 of the leading ticket 26 of the strip of tickets 14. The optical sensor 94 communicates with the control board 450 which obtains ticket length information from the CPU 426 and communicates with the motor 306 to stop, reverse and then re-advance the strip of tickets 14 along the ticket path 22 for positioning.

In one embodiment, the reversal and re-advancement of the strip of tickets 14 is only accomplished during the initial loading for accurately and consistently positioning the strip of tickets 14. Thereafter, the strip of tickets 14 are advanced until detected by the optical sensor 94, with the assistance of the encoder 220, for proper positioning without the need to reverse and re-advance the strip of tickets 14, as explained in more detail hereinafter.

In one embodiment, when the door 404 of the instant ticket vending machine 400 is opened, the CPU 426 initiates a service mode operable for a user to communicate information about the type of tickets 12 being loaded. In this manner, the control panel 420 operably provides the user with a menu for entering information such as ticket length, ticket price and the quantity of tickets loaded in a particular ticket dispensing machine 10 disposed within the opening 408 of the instant ticket vending machine 400.

Additionally, the user may obtain information and reports of ticket dispensing activities, including security features.

Information such as the cost of tickets, charge for tickets and other general information for the consumer or user of the instant ticket vending machine 400 may be displayed on the display 422 of the control panel 420. Additionally, it may be advantageous to display information on the ticket dispensing machine 10, including the cost of tickets, the number of tickets remaining or vended in a particular ticket vending machine 10 and, in such event, a display 475 (see FIGURE 1) may be provided on the front of the ticket dispensing machine 10 adapted for such purposes.

In other embodiments, the ticket vending machine 10 is provided with a load switch 480 (see Figure 1) mounted on the housing 62 of the ticket vending machine 10. The load switch 480 communicates with the control board 450 for manually initiating at least the motor 306 for driving the first and second stage rollers 32 and 34 to initially load or, by reversing the motor 306, unload the strip of tickets 14.

It will be appreciated that the use of rollers having one-way bearings, such as the pinch rollers 36 of the first stage rollers 32, is useful for vending tickets of varying lengths to allow motors 306 and 324 to be driven at different times to dispense tickets 12 of different sizes, such as tickets 12 having lengths of up to twelve inches (12").

The machine comprises three sets of rollers including the rear set 32, the center set 34 and the front set 70. The rear and center rollers are driven by the same drive system 300 so as to be driven basically at common speed. The drive system 300 includes a shaft encoder 220 on the opposite end of the drive shaft of the rollers 32 for controlling the amount of movement of the driven system 300.

The rollers 70 are driven by the drive system 320 which does not include an encoder since the drive system 320 is controlled by timing rather than distance moved.

The shafts of the center set of rollers 34 and the front set 70 include one way bearings which basically allow the rollers 34 and 70 to move ahead when driven forwardly by the movement of the ticket between the rollers. However the rollers cannot move in the rearward direction and are driven in the forward direction at a rate governed by the drive system to the rollers but can run faster than the drive system but not slower.

The bursting system comprises the blade 30 and the guide bar 132. The guide bar 132 is rectangular in cross-section with a flat horizontal ticket engaging bottom surface and a vertical front surface lying in a plane parallel to the vertical burster blade.

The guide bar is just above the plane of the tickets and extends across the tickets. The burster blade 30 is located downstream of or in front of the guide bar sufficiently so that there is no contact between the rear edge of the blade 30 and the front surface of the guide bar 132 in a scissors action. However the bottom surface of the guide bar holds the ticket downwardly to prevent its upward movement beyond the bottom surface of the guide bar.

The electric eye or optical detector 24 is located immediately downstream of the center rollers 34 so that its slot is as close to the nip line of the rollers 34 as possible to insure that the ticket enters the slot.

The system is programmed to define a stop position P just downstream of the electric eye 24. The distance from the eye to the stop position P is of course a set number of encoder steps or"ticks". The burster blade 30 also defines a burst position B at the blade edge and just in front of the gauge bar 132. The distance between the nip of the rollers 70 and the position P is less than the length of the minimum ticket which is less than 2.0 inches.

The eye 24 is positioned on a mounting device carried on the side wall of the dispensing container which allows the eye to be moved forwardly and rearwardly along the lines of the ticket relative to the nip of the rollers 34. This adjustment is set up by the technician so that the distance of the eye from the burst position B is exactly equal to 2.0 inches minus the programmed distance between the position P and the eye 24.

When programmed to operate with a ticket of 2.0 inches in length, which is a commonly used length, the distance between the positions P and B is programmed, by setting the distance of the point P in front of the eye 24, so as to be exactly equal to the length of the ticket so this distance is 2.0 inches. Thus, with the leading edge of a ticket stopped at the point P, the perforation line between the first ticket and the next ticket is arranged at the burst position B.

Where the selected ticket has a length greater than the minimum length of 2.0 inches such as 2.25 or up to 2.5 inches, as controlled movement over a distance less than 0.5 inches is difficult to achieve, the arrangement is programmed to define a position P1 forwardly of the position P so the distance between position P1 and position B is exactly equal to the length of the selected ticket programmed.

When a longer ticket, for example longer than 2.5 inches such as 3.0 or 4.0 inches, is programmed, the distance between the position P and the position B is set to the minimum position of 2.0 inches and not to the length of the ticket.

In operation, when the system is programmed for a short ticket which is thus less than 2.5 inches, then ticket is first manually brought to the nip of the rollers 32 and the drive system 300 operated by a manually operable switch so as to grasp the leading edge of the ticket and to carry that leading edge and the tickets trailing the leading edge forwardly through the nip of the roller 34 to the electric eye 24. The system is then programmed to stop forward movement of the tickets so the leading edge is located at the position P or P1, depending upon the length of the ticket. The system is then arranged to reverse the drive system 300 so as to move the leading edge back to the eye 24 and then to move the leading edge forwardly again to the position P or P1. The double movement acts to reduce the possibility of error from detection of the leading edge so as to more accurately ensure that the leading edge is located at the position P or P1. The system is then halted awaiting a dispense command.

As set forth above, when programmed to dispense a ticket of the short length that is between 2.0 and 2.5 inches, the position P or P1 is programmed to be located at a distance exactly equal to the length of the ticket from position B. thus with the leading edge of the position P or P1 the perforation line is arranged at the position B.

On receipt of a dispense command, the blade 30 is moved vertically upwardly in front of the gauge bar 132. The gauge bar is located at a position so that it is rearward of the perforation line thus exposing the perforation line in front of the forward edge of the gauge bar. As set forth before, the perforation line may be offset from the burst position B due to inaccuracies in the manufacture of the strip of tickets. The rollers 32 and 34 are stationary at this time and are held stationary by the fixed position of the motor drive system 300. The one way bearings of the rollers 34 allow the rollers 34 to move forwardly but not rearwardly. The tickets are therefore held stationary between the rollers 32 and 34 the gauge bar allows the tickets to move slightly upwardly so as to form a very shallow A-shape with the perforation at the apex of the A. In the event therefore that the edge 114 of the blade 30 is not directly at the perforation line, The edge 114 can float forwardly or rearwardly along the line of the tickets so as to bring the edge 114 of the blade to the perforation line to effect a bursting at the perforation line. The presence of the gauge bar 132 significantly increases the angle at the apex since the ticket extending from the nip of the roller 32 to the gauge bar 132 extends substantially horizontally and any distortion or stretching of the ticket occurs between the gauge bar and the edge 114 of the blade so that the angle at this point is significantly increased. This angle of the ticket at the apex is sufficient to cause a forwards or rearwards force on the blade which moves the blade in the floating action either forwards or rearwards along the ticket as required to move the blade edge up to or closer to the perforation line.

The use of a blade 30 which moves through the line of the tickets across the full width of the ticket and past the bottom surface of the gauge bar ensures that a bursting action across the full width occurs without the possibility of any parts of perforation line remaining unbroken. The forward and rearward floating action reduces the possibility of the ticket being torn at a position slightly spaced from the line of perforations forming so called"flags"on the end of the ticket. Such flags, if aligned with the eye 24 can interfere with the proper location of the leading edge of the ticket when it is moved to the eye thus compounding the error since the perforation line is not properly moved to the bursting position B.

As the bursting action occurs and the blade 30 is forced between the trailing edge of the leading ticket and the leading edge of the next ticket, the trailing edge of the leading ticket is pushed forwardly by the thickness of the blade and by the chamfer at the edge of the blade which extends forwardly and downwardly from the edge. Thus the ticket is pushed forwardly by a distance equal to the thickness of the blade. The one way bearings in the rollers 34 allow the forward movement of the ticket to push the ticket through the nip of the rollers 34 without distorting or creasing the ticket. While the thickness of the blade may be only of the order of 0.1 to 0.2 inches, this forward movement, unless it were taken up by forward movement of the rollers 34 could cause distortion of the ticket which would interfere with its proper positioning or interfere with its flat shape.

After the bursting action is complete and the blade retracted, the drive system 300 is moved forwardly a distance equal to the distance between the point P and the nip of the rollers 70 so as to feed the burst leading ticket by the rollers 34 to the nip of the rollers 70 and simultaneously to move the next ticket from the burst position to a position rearward of the eye 24. Thus the trailing end of the leading ticket remains in the eye 94 and the leading end of the burst ticket is arranged in the nip of the rollers 70. The use of the one way bearings on the rollers 70 allows the leading ticket to be pushed into the nip.

The drive system 300 is then halted at this position and the drive system 320 is actuated for a period of time sufficient to discharge the burst leading ticket through the rollers 70 into the discharge chute. As this occurs, the trailing edge of the burst leading ticket passes through the eye 24 and this trailing edge is detected to ensure that the burst leading ticket is properly dispensed into the chute.

After the eye 24 detects the dispensing of the burst leading ticket, the drive system 300 in actuated to move the leading edge of the next ticket through the eye and then forwardly from the eye the predetermined distance to the position P or P1. This resets the system for a further dispense command with the leading edge of the ticket at the point P or P1 and the perforation line at the burst position B.

When dispensing tickets of a greater length than the minimum length of 2.0 to 2.5 inches such as tickets of 4.0 to 6.0 or even longer length, the process is basically as described above. The load cycle is as previously described. The system is programmed with the length of the ticket. The initial position provides the positioning of the leading edge of the leading ticket at the position P, which is exactly 2.0 inches from the position B.

However, since the ticket is longer than the difference between the positions P and the position B, the perforation line is spaced rearwardly from the position B by a distance depending upon the length of the ticket relative to the minimum length of 2.0 inches.

With the leading edge of the leading ticket at the position P, on receipt of a dispense command, the first action of the system is to drive the drive motor 300 forwardly so as to drive the stream of tickets forwardly from the position P. The amount of movement is equal to the length of the ticket minus two inches so as to bring the perforation line to the position B and to move the leading edge forwardly of the position P.

In the event that the amount of forward movement is greater than the distance between the nip of rollers 70 and the position P, the ticket is forced into the nip of the rollers 70 and pushed into that nip by the rotation of the rollers 70 on the one way bearings. In the event that the forward movement is less than the distance between the nip of the rollers 70 and the position P, the leading edge is positioned rearwardly of the nip of the rollers 70.

With the perforation line at the burst position B, the bursting action as previously described is effected.

In the event that the length of the ticket is sufficient that the leading edge has entered the nip of the rollers 70, as determined by the programmed length of the ticket, the drive system 320 is operated to dispense the ticket through the rollers 70, pulling the rear part of the ticket through the nip of the roller 34 using the one way bearings of those rollers.

In the event that the leading edge of the leading burst ticket, because of the length of the ticket, has not reached the nip of the rollers 70, the drive system 300 is actuated, as previously described, so as to move the leading edge to the nip of the rollers 70 while moving the leading edge of the next ticket to a position rearward of the eye 94.

After this movement the drive system 300 is halted holding the next ticket with its leading edge rearward of the eye 94 while the rollers 70 are driven by the drive system 320 to dispense the leading ticket.

After the leading ticket is dispensed, with the leading edge of the next ticket rearward of the eye 94, the next ticket is moved forwardly by driving the system 300 to the position P as previously described.

The use of the three roller system together with the one way bearings avoids the necessity for synchronous timing of the drive motors 300 and 320.

The use of the bursting blade and the gauge bar provides a system which effects tensioning of the tickets to be burst without the necessity for providing tension by driving the rollers in a slipping action. Such a slipping action, which can be provided by reversing the rollers 32 or forwarding the rollers 34, requires slippage between the roller and the ticket which can increase wear and requires an arrangement which will tolerate slippage. The present system therefore can use loadings of the rollers which provide a more accurate and effective drive of the tickets without the necessity or allowance of any slippage between the surface of the roller and the. ticket itself.

The bursting action using the gauge bar which holds the tickets down while the blade passes through the whole of the perforation line, ensures that a complete separation occurs across the full width of the ticket. This complete separation avoids any possibility of the tickets remaining unseparated and reduces the possibility of the generation of"flags"at the leading or trailing ends of the tickets.

The adjustment of the eye so as to accurately set the distance between the eye and the burst position B avoids the necessity for calibration of the system.

The use of an A-shaped blade with a central apex ensures that there are no side to side forces on the tickets as they are burst which could interfere with the proper alignment of the tickets in the rollers.

Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method for dispensing tickets that satisfies one or more of the advantages set forth above. Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of the present invention, even if all of the advantages identified above are not present. For example, the various embodiments shown in the drawings herein illustrate that the present invention may be implemented and embodied in a variety of different ways that still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Also, the techniques, designs, elements, and methods described and illustrated in the preferred embodiment as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other techniques, designs, elements, or methods without departing from the scope of the present invention. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are readily ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.