This invention relates to ticket dispensers and methods, and particularly to dispensers and methods for dispensing tickets such as lottery tickets from continuous strips ("perforated strips") in which the tickets are delineated from one another by perforation lines.

The dispensing of tickets from perforated strips is prcolematic, primarily because the perforations tend to vary widely in quality.

Accordingly, some prior dispensers have cutting devices which cut each and every ticket from the strip as it is dispensed. These devices suffer from the problems that the cut is not always accurately located at the perforation line, with the result that tickets are cut in two. Also, the cutting devices often are relatively complicated, expensive, bulky and subject to excessive wear. Further, many customers like to buy strips of connected tickets, and they cannot do so using such cutting dispensers.

Non-cutting dispensers such as that shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,160,076 solved many of the problems with the cutting dispensers. The dispenser shown in that patent is much simpler, more compact, and less expensive that the cutting dispensers. In addition, it dispenses tickets in the strips which most customers prefer. The tickets usually are easy to tear off along perforation lines. However, sometimes the perforations are so poor that cutting the tickets would be highly beneficial. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ticket dispenser and method which solves or alleviates the foregoing problems.

In particular, it is an object to provide a dispenser and method which will cut tickets apart, is simple to use, is relatively simple, compact and inexpensive in construction, and issues tickets in strips, at the choice of the operator.

Another object is to provide such a dispenser which cuts the tickets accurately along the perforation lines.

Another problem with prior dispensers is in the loading of a new batch of tickets. Loading often has been a cumbersome, time-consuming task, especially when the machine has windows past which the tickets pass during the dispensing operation.

Accordingly, it is another object of the invention to provide a dispenser and method in which tickets can be loaded quickly and easily, with automatic feeding and positioning, but with a minimum of added cost.

In accordance with the present invention, these objects are met by the provision of a ticket dispenser and dispensing method in which the ticket strip can be cut on demand so that the tickets can be issued in a strip which is cut off after being issued, or, the tickets can be cut individually, if that is the operator's preference.

A cutting demand signal is given by the operator to initiate cutting. In one embodiment this is done by simply pulling on the end of the ticket or ticket strip which extends from the dispenser. Pulling on the end of the ticket strip operates a switch which enables a cutting device to cut on the next perforation line.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cutting demand signal is given by simply releasing the selector switch button. Pulling on the ticket strip is not required.

The ticket purchaser can hold down a selector button to cause the dispensing of tickets in a connected strip or cause each ticket to be cut, as desired. The ticket strip is cut automatically when the credit remaining has been exhausted, regardless of whether the selector button has been released.

This feature of the invention has the advantages that it does not require a separate mechanical switch to develop the cutting demand signal. also, it is relatively easy to use because it only requires release of the selector switch to generate the cutting demand signal.

An additional advantage lies in the automatic cutting of the ticket strip when the purchaser's credit has been used up. This prevents the purchaser from subsequently pulling out additional tickets for which he or she has not paid.

The auto-load feature uses a first detector to detect the insertion of the leading edge of a new ticket strip, and a second detector to detect the leading edge when it reaches the desired dispensing location. The first detector activates the ticket drive, and the second one turns it off.

Preferably, the second detector, which does double-duty as a leading edge detector, both for the auto-load function, and for the dispensing operation. The leading edge is detected to ensure that the next ticket is properly positioned before dispensing is started.

The perforation detector also is used to detect the leading edge of the strip while it is being "jogged" at periodic intervals to enhance its attraction to buyers.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a rotary scissor-like cutter is used tt αut the ticket strip on the perforation lines. The cutter is spring- driven. This has the advantage of being relatively fast and reliable in operation. Also, there is relatively little dust created by the cutting operation.

Preferably, the rotary cutter is used together with an electro-mechanical perforation detector of the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,160,076 to ensure the

detection of the perforation lines accurately in ticket strips made of virtually any type of material.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in or apparent from the following drawings and description.

IN THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple- ticket lottery ticket vending machine constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 1A is a plan view of a portion of a perforated strip of lottery tickets dispensed by the dispenser shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of one of the ticket dispensing mechanisms in the vending machine shown in Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are, respectively, front and side elevation views of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is partially schematic enlarged cross- t sectional view of a portion of the mechanism of the dispenser structure shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the operating circuitry of the vending machine shown in

Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation view, partially schematic, showing the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 8 and 9 are side elevation views, partially schematic, of the operating mechanism of the cutter of the dispenser shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is a side elevation view of the cutter blade of the rotary cutter of Figs. 7-9;

Fig. 11 is a perspective, broken-away view of the blade of Fig. 13;

Figs. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views taken along lines 12-12 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 14 is a broken-away view of the left end of the blade shown in Fig. 11.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 shows a lottery ticket vending machine 20 utilizing the present invention. The machine 20 includes a housing 22, two rows 24 and 26 of windows displaying different lottery tickets, a bill acceptor 28, and a message display 30.

The top row 24 of windows includes four windows 32-35,- four corresponding pushbuttons 36-39 mounted in a distinctive "pushbutton pyramid" panel 40, and four corresponding dispensing openings or slots 42-44. Two instant-winner type lottery tickets 68 and 70 are shown issuing from the slot 44.

The bottom row 26 of windows includes four windows 45-48, four pushbuttons 50-53, a pushbutton pyramid panel 49, and four dispensing slots 54-57.

When purchasing tickets from the machine 20, the purchaser can see each of the eight arrays of tickets through the windows and can read the legends and the prize information on the tickets. When the purchaser has selected the ticket to purchase, he or she inserts a $1, $5, $10, or $20 bill in the bill acceptor 28 and pushes the appropriate one of the eight buttons to select which type of ticket is to be dispensed. The tickets then are issued from the slot for the selected ticket. In one embodiment of the invention, the selector button must be pushed once for each ticket to be dispensed. If a customer desires to purchase several tickets of the same type, they can be issued in a connected group if the customer desires, and the machine will cut off the group of tickets upon demand. If the customer wishes, he or she can cause each ticket to be cut off.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a strip of connected tickets can be issued simply by holding a push-button down until the desired number of tickets has been issued. When the push-button is released, or when the credit for funds inserted into the

machine has been exhausted, the ticket strip is cut automatically at the next perforation line.

If the customer then wishes to select a different ticket, the same procedure is repeated for the different ticket and a different push-button is pushed to select the desired tickets.

As the tickets are being dispensed, the ticket panels move downwardly past the windows so that the customer can see the tickets moving. It should be understood that a vending machine constructed in accordance with the present invention can have any number of dispensing windows and dispensing mechanisms desired, such as one, two, four, six, or eight or more. The front panel of the housing of the vending machine 20 shown in Fig. 1 is broken away at the top of the window 32 in the upper left hand corner of Fig. 1 to show two lamps 58 and 59 which are positioned in the housing above the array of tickets so as to illuminate the tickets and make them easy to read.

The push button 36 for the window 32 also is shown broken away to illustrate a lamp 61 which is housed inside the push button. The push button material preferably is translucent so that when the bulb is lighted within in, the button will be clearly visible. Similarly, there are two bulbs like bulbs 58 and 59 and a push button bulb like the bulb 61 for each of the other windows in the dispensing machine 20. These bulbs are not shown, for the sake of simplicity of the drawings.

Still referring to Fig. 1, an additional slot 29 is provided immediately below the bill acceptor 28 for receiving winning tickets. By inserting the tickets through the slot 29, they are inserted into a bar code reader and printer (not shown) which will read the bar code and print a verification marking on the winning ticket, and will convert the winnings into extra tickets.

if desired, all as more fully described in U.S. patent application Serial No. 025,268, filed on March 2, 1993, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. DISPENSING MECHANISM

Fig. 2 is an elevation view, partially schematic, of one of the dispensing mechanisms 80 used in the dispenser 20 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a side- elevaticn view of the mechanism 80 with the left side plate 82 shown, and with the right side plate removed. The front plate of the dispenser mechanism is shown at 84. The pushbutton pyramid 40 and the pushbutton 39 of the dispenser mechanism are shown in the upper right hand corner of the dispenser array of Fig. 1. The window in the front of this mechanism is shown at 35.

A pair of ticket edge guides 86 is mounted at the side walls of the dispenser mechanism, as it is more fully described in application Serial No. 025,268 identified above. Each of the guides has a curved and flared inlet at 88, and a slightly curved outlet at 90. An upper drive roller 92 mates with an idler roller 94, and a lower drive roller 96 mates with another idler roller 98. The drive rollers 92 and 96 are driven by means of a drive motor 100 mounted on a mounting plate 102 on the outside of the mechanism, with a toothed drive wheel 104 which drives the drive rollers 92 and 96 through a toothed drive belt 106 shown as a dashed line. The drive belt 106, the toothed drive pulleys 104 and mating toothed wheels for the drive rollers 92 and 96 (not shown) also are on the outside of the housing, behind the side plate 82.

The drive roller 96 is the prime means for drivi* ' a strip 112 of tickets through the guides 86 and out oi the machine. Accordingly, it bears against its idler 98 with considerable pressure to grip the ticket strip tightly. The pressure of the roller 92 is much

lighter so that it will slip if there is a difference between the drive speeds of the two drive rollers.

The very strong grip of the rollers 96 and 98 also helps prevent a person from pulling a strip of tickets through the outlet without paying for them.

The ticket strip 112 is stored elsewhere in the machine in the form of a fan-fold stock of tickets (not shown) , such as scratch-off instant winner lottery tickets. Each of the strips 112 has the form shown in Fig. 1A with perforation lines 113 separating individual tickets from one another.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the ticket strip 112 is fed through an "anvil" structure 108 which forms an outlet opening through which the lower end 114 of the lead ticket or ticket strip extends.

CUTTING ASSEMBLY A cutting assembly is provided. It includes a cutting motor 116 mounted on a bracket 118 and having an output shaft 120. Secured to the output shaft 120 is a crank arm 122 with a projection 124 extending from the end of the crank arm. The projection 124 extends into a elongated slot 126 in a blade support block 128 to which is secured a thin cutting blade 130. The ends of the block 128 are mounted to slide between two ridges 129 and 131 in brackets mounted on opposite side plates of the dispenser mechanism 80.

A small magnet 134 is embedded in the end of the crank arm 122, and a Hall-effect detector 132 is mounted in the housing to detect the magnet 132 when it returns to a "home" or starting position where the blade is retracted and ready to move upwardly and to the left to sever one or a group of tickets from the remaining tickets in the strip 112. When a cutting signal is given by the electrical circuitry of the dispenser mechanism, the motor 116 rotates the crank arm 122 through one

revolution. This causes the blade 130 to move upwardly and to the left through a slot in the anvil structure 108 to cut the tickets apart, and then retracts to its starting position. PERFORATION DETECTOR

In accordance with another feature of the invention, a perforation detector is provided comprising an infrared emitter or transmitter 138, and an infrared detecting diode 136. The emitter and detector are mounted in the anvil structure so that the emitter shines its light towards the detector 136 (also see Fig. 5) and the detector will detect radiation passing through the material of the ticket strip.

The cross-section shown in Fig. 5 is somewhat schematic so as to illustrate the passageway existing in the anvil structure to pass radiation from the emitter to the detector.

CUT- N-DEMAND SWITCH In accordance with another feature of the present invention, a microswitch 140 is mounted in the housing in and adjacent the anvil structure 108 (also see Fig. 5) . The actuating arm 141 of the microswitch 140 has a relatively large roller 142 attached at one end so that it normally hangs a short distance away from the ticket strip 112 as the strip is passing through the anvil structure 108.

As it is shown in particular detail in Fig. 5, when the end 114 of the ticket strip is grasped by the operator and pulled upwardly to the position shown by dashed line 143, the roller 142 is contacted by the strip. This sends a signal to the actuating circuitry of the dispenser mechanism to enable the ticket cutting drive motor 116. When a perforation detection signal also is received by that circuitry, the cutting drive motor 116 will be actuated to cut the tickets apart along the next perforation line behind the last ticket extending from the outlet of the machine.

As it is shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the blade 130 moves in the direction of the arrow 145 through the opening 154, into an opening 152 in the opposite side of the anvil structure 108 and back again to cut the tickets apart along a perforation line.

CUTTING BLADE ASSEMBLY The cutting blade assembly is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of the cutting blade 130 and the support 128. The blade 130 has a V- shaped upper edge with rounded points formed at 162 and 166, with the bottom of the V at 164.

The plastic support structure 128 is secured to the blade by means of bosses 158 and 160. The slot 126 is formed in both blades and the support structure 128. The blade 130 is relatively thin and preferably is made of stainless steel. Its thickness is approximately a little more than .01 inch. Such a thin blade makes a relatively good cutting instrument which does not need to be sharpened. The V-shape of the blade is highly advantageous. The points 162 and 166 strike the ticket strip first and start the cut at the edges of the strip. The cut is finished at the center of the strip. This helps cut the tickets apart cleanly and evenly with a minimum amount of power from the cutting motor.

The structure 128 provides rigidity for the blade 130, and provides a cam surface for the projection 124 from the arm 22 (Fig. 2) to bear against. As it can be seen in Fig. 4, the blade 130 is fitted into a slight recess in the surface of the member 128.

The right and left edges of the support block 128, as shown in Fig. 3, are adapted to fit between the projections 129 and 131 in the guides shown in Fig. 2 so that the blade will slide upwardly and downwardly in those guides during its cutting movement.

CONTROL CIRCUIT

Fig. 6 shows a control circuit 170 which is used to control the drive of the ticket strip and cutting of the tickets. The ticket motor 100 preferably is a DC motor with a conventional tachometer attachment. This consists of a disk having four magnetized spots or poles 172 whose passage is detected by a detector 174. The signals produced by the detector 174 are sent to a control circuit board 176 for use in detecting the present position of the ticket strip. Alternatively, the ticket motor 100 can be a synchronous AC motor, and the present position of the ticket strip can be indicated by counting pulses from a clock source synchronized with the AC signal to the motor while the drive motor is turned on. The blade motor 116 also is preferably a DC motor. The "blade down" sensor 132 also is shown in Fig. 6. The signal from the sensor 132 turns off the motor 116 after it has completed one revolution, and signals the microprocessor 200 that the cutting cycle is complete. Both the blade motor and the sensor 132 also are connected to the control circuit board 176. The perforation sensor and the infrared transmitter 138 also are connected to the circuit board 176.

The various elements shown in Fig. 6 are connected to the board by means of connectors 178, 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, and 190.

Mounted on the circuit board 176 is a microprocessor 200 of a conventional type which is used to control the movement and cutting of the tickets. Each of the ticket and blade motors 100 and 116 is driven through a ticket motor driver circuit, which is a conventional chip which is provider for the purpose. Each chip provides speed control, forward and reverse direction control, voltage spike control, temperature sensing, and other known functions.

The ticket motor 100 is a gear motor with approximately 60:1 speed reduction. The net result is

that each pulse of the ticket motor tachometer corresponds to .01 inch of ticket movement.

The signal from the perforation detector 136 is conducted through an operational amplifier 198 to an analog-to-digital converter 202 in the microprocessor 200. By converting the analog signals from the perforation sensor into digital signals, digital signal processing routines can be used to better detect the signals produced by a perforation, as it will be explained in greater detail below, and other signal processing advantages are obtained.

Also shown in both FIGS. 2 and 6 at 168 is a sensor which is used in the autoloading feature of the present invention. The signal from the autoload sensor 168 is delivered through a connector 169 to the microprocessor 200.

POSITION DETECTION The tachometer operates as follows. Its output pulses are delivered to a digital counter formed in the microprocessor 200 which is zeroed at the start of a new strip, and then is zeroed every time thereafter that a perforation actually is detected. If a perforation is missed, the counter keeps counting until finally a perforation is detected. Because actual perforations are being detected and are used to control the cutting of tickets, and since, even with the worst perforations, the reliable detection of perforations can be expected most of the time there is an absolute reference developed by the device to correctly control the cutting of the tickets. This is in contrast to some prior devices in which every ticket is cut automatically, and the location of the next cut line is determined by detecting the cut leading edge of the strip. In such a prior system, if there is slippage in the drive mechanism or other malfunction which causes a ticket to be cut at a location other than along a perforation, the error will be

perpetuated indefinitely until a service representative adjusts and corrects the malfunction.

In contrast, in the present invention, such an error will be corrected very quickly, either by the time the next perforation line arrives, or at least within a few tickets thereafter, even when the perforations are extremely poor. Therefore, the ticket cutting in the present device is automatically self-correcting, without need for a service call. JOGGING

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the perforation detector is made to serve triple duty — it is used to control "jogging" of the ticket strip in the dispenser in order to attract the attention of prospective buyers.

When the leading edge of the ticket strip comes to rest, it is slightly upstream from the perforation detector, about 1/4" from the cutting location.

The microprocessor 200 is programmed so that when the dispenser is idle, at regularly-timed intervals, the ticket motor 100 is energized to move the ticket strip backwardly by 1/4", and then forwardly by 1/2", and then back 1/4" to the starting point. Further details of this jogging process are set forth in application Serial No. 025,268 mentioned above.

AUTOLOADING The autoload feature of the invention includes the autoload sensor 168 shown in Figs. 2 and 6. This feature enables the automatic loading of a strip of tickets in the following manner.

As the leading edge of a new ticket strip is inserted into the ticket guides, it reaches the autoload sensor 168. The sensor 168 is a reflective type infrared detector which sends a detection signal to the microprocessor 200 (Fig. 6) when it detects the leading edge of the strip. This causes the feed motor 100 to start and pull the ticket along down the ticket guides

until the leading edge of the strip reaches the detector formed by the transmitter 138 and receiver 136. When this happens, the ticket strip stops and the circuit waits for further instructions. During the first excursion of the strip as it is inserted into the machine, the current characteristics of the infrared drive pulses shown in Fig. 7 are established.

This autoload feature is highly advantageous in that it does not require manual insertion of the ticket strip through the ticket guide and allows the service representative to load the tickets quickly and easily.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment of the invention is the same as that described above, with the exception of features shown in Fig. 7 and described below.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation, partially-schematic view of dispensing mechanism 230. Shown in Fig. 7 are the front panel 232 of the dispensing machine, a window 234, and a front projection 236 on which push-buttons

(not shown in Fig. 7) are mounted in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 2. A ticket tray 38 is provided at the ticket exit 248 to catch cut tickets as they fall from the outlet of the dispenser. Tickets are stored in panels connected to one another in a stack 240 and travel through an inlet guide 88 past the window 234 and through drive rollers 241 to a gate 242 and a perforation detector 244. The gate and the perforation detector operate in the manner shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,160,076 to detect each perforation in the ticket string as it passes downwardly through the dispenser. In effect, the bend in the ticket panel is detected by a detector. When the ticket bends more because a perforation has been reached, this bend is identified as the perforation.

The ticket string then passes through a rotary cutter 246 and out of the ticket exit 248.

AUTO-CUT FEATURE In accorance with one of the features of the invention, the microprocessor 200 is programmed so as to keep track of the money inserted into the machine, the amount of credit remaining after dispensing a certain number of tickets, and when the credit has been exhausted.

As a ticket string is being dispensed, just before the ticket string reaches a position relative to the cutter mechanism in which the cutter will be actuated, the microprocessor monitors the amount of credit left in the machine. If the user depresses one of the push-buttons to dispense a ticket, whenever it is detected that the credit has been used up, the machine automatically sends a cutting demand signal to the cutter 246 which then cuts the ticket string on the next available perforation line. Thus, when the last ticket for which the customer has paid has been dispensed, the machine automatically cuts the ticket string. This has the advantages of speeding the dispensing of the tickets, and of protecting the machine against fraudulent removal of tickets for which payment has not been made.

The cut-on-demand feature of the invention is implemented in the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 by programming the microprocessor so that it senses the signal generated when one of the dispenser buttons is depressed. As long as the button remains depressed, the machine will continue to dispense tickets in a connected string, for as many tickets as the customer desires, up to the credit limit.

The microprocessor is programmed so as to det σt the condition in which the dispensing signal from depressing one of the push-buttons is eliminated when the customer releases the push-button he has been pushing to dispense tickets.

At a predetermined time relative to the position of each perforation on the ticket string, a

cutting-enabling time period is set. This time period is relatively short, e.g., approximately two micro seconds. If the cutting demand signal has been given by the releasing of one of the push-buttons, or by the previously detected condition in which the user's credit has run out, then the computer generates a cutting signal which causes the rotary cutter 246 to cut the tickets apart along the next perforation line.

The cutting demand signal generated by the exhaustion of credit precedes and takes precedent over the cutting demand signal generated by releasing one of the push-buttons so that the tickets always will be cut when credit has been exhausted.

Thus, the user can allow a long string of tickets to be dispensed, if he or she wishes, simply by pushing and holding down on one of the dispensing buttons, or the customer can cause each of the tickets to be cut apart from the others, if he or she so desires.

ROTARY CUTTER The rotary cutter 246 shown in Figs. 8-14 consists of a rotary blade 254 which meshes with a stationary blade 256 (Figs. 8 and 9) with a spring 274 and a cam drive.

Secured to one end of the cutter blade 254 is an actuating arm 258. Rotatably mounted near the outer end of the arm 258 is a roller 260. The spring 274 is attached at one end through a hole 268 in the arm, and at the other end through a hole 270 in the left side wall 271 of the dispensing mechanism. A cam 264 shaped like the sector of a circle is attached to the drive shaft 266 of a cutter motor 262, which is mounted on the inner side of the side wall 271. The path which the cam describes during its movement is indicated by the dashed line 272. A stop member 276 also is mounted on the outer surface of the side wall 271.

The mechanism is shown in Fig. 8 in its stand¬ by position with the motor awaiting the receipt of a

cutting demand signal. The spring 274 is stretched out to a considerable degree and pulls on the arm 258 to urge it in a counterclockwise direction. The roller 260 makes contact with the outer edge of the cam 264 at a location very near the trailing edge 265 of the cam.

When a cutting demand signal is received by the motor, the cam 264 is driven in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 9 and 9. This causes the roller 260 to suddenly lose contact with the cam surface and rotate, under the pull of the spring 274, downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 9 where the arm 258 abuts against the stop member 276. This motion causes the blades 254 and 256 to quickly cut the ticket strip 252 with a scissors-like action. When the arm 258 is in the up position shown in

Fig. 8, ticket stock 252 can pass underneath the surface of the rotary blade 254 and through the outlet of t . dispenser. When the cutting demand signal is receive-.,!, the cutting edge of the rotary blade rotates against the fixed blade 256 and cuts the ticket stock and the ticket 252 falls out of the dispenser and into the tray shown in Fig. 7.

The cam 264 continues to rotate in a clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 9 where the leading edge 267 of the cam engages the roller 260 and carries the arm 258 back to its upper-most position shown in Fig. 8, where it stops and awaits another cutting demand signal. The spring 274 still is stretched some in the position shown in Fig. 12 so as to hold the arm 258 against the stop 276 until the arm is carried back up to its upper most position.

The rotary cutting blade 254 is shown in detail in Figs. 10 through 14. The blade 254 consists of a length of round steel which is ground to form a cutting edge 284. Two ground flats 286 and 282 are formed. The flat 282 is formed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the cutting blade so as to form a cutting edge 284

which engages the straight stationery blade 256 (Figs. 8 and 9) at points which progress longitudinally as the rotary blade rotates. This simulates the action of a pair of scissors, and makes a clean, straight cut through the ticket material. The flat 286 is formed so as to give clearance for ticket strips to pass through the cutter when it is not cutting.

A flat 280 is formed on the left end of the blade shaft. The arm 258 is secured to the flat 280. A bearing 288 is provided at the other end 290 of the blade shaft.

This cutter is highly advantageous. First, it is reliable and makes clean cuts. Secondly, it creates very little dust from torn ticket material and thus prevents the dust from interfering with the proper operation of the photoelectric sensors and moving parts of the dispenser mechanism. Moreover, because it operates by spring loading and sudden release, its cutting action is very fast. The above description of the invention is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes or modifications in the embodiments described may occur to those skilled in the art. These can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.