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Title:
TICKET GLUER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/102796
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A ticket gluing method and apparatus for receiving and counting tickets, where single tickets are discarded after being counted and slips of at least two tickets are joined to a ream of tickets. The ream of tickets is stacked in layers for reuse.

Inventors:
AMIR ALEXANDER (IL)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2012/050019
Publication Date:
July 11, 2013
Filing Date:
January 03, 2012
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
AMIR ALEXANDER (IL)
International Classes:
B29C65/00
Foreign References:
US20070209752A12007-09-13
US6346163B12002-02-12
US20080190563A12008-08-14
US2559828A1951-07-10
US2739431A1956-03-27
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
DR. MARK FRIEDMAN LTD. (54F 7 Jabotinsky, Ramat Gan, IL)
Download PDF:
Claims:
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS

1. A ticket gluer apparatus, comprising:

(a) a ticket guide, adapted to receive at least one ticket; and

(b) a ticket labeler assembly, configured to couple a first ticket of a ticket slip, received by said ticket guide, to a last ticket of a ticket ream, wherein said ticket slip includes at least to tickets.

2. The ticket gluer apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

(c) a storage assembly, configured to stack and store said ticket ream; wherein said ticket guide is further operative to convey said ticket ream to said storage assembly.

3. The ticket gluer apparatus of claim 1, further including a mechanism configured to count each said ticket received by said ticket guide.

4. The ticket gluer apparatus of claim 1, wherein said ticket guide is configured to discard a single ticket.

5. The ticket gluer apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said ticket labeler assembly includes:

(i) a ticket labeler;

(ii) a label dispensing assembly; and

(iii) a charger assembly for causing said ticket labeler to dispense a ticket label received from said label dispensing assembly.

6. The ticket gluer apparatus of claim 5, wherein said ticket labeler is configured to dispense a ticket label on adjacent edges of said first ticket of said ticket slip and said last ticket of said ticket ream.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said ticket label is a pricing label.

8. The ticket gluer apparatus of claim 1, wherein said storage assembly includes:

(i) a lift shelf; and

(ii) a layering arm configured to stack said ticket ream in layers of tickets on said lift shelf.

9. The ticket gluer apparatus of claim 8, wherein each said layer of tickets includes five tickets.

10. The ticket gluer apparatus of claim 8, wherein said storage assembly further includes: (iii) a flattening mechanism configured to cause said layers to lay substantially fiat.

1 1. The ticket gluer apparatus of claim 10} wherein said flattening mechanism includes a blowers assembly, including at least one blower configured to expel air onto said layers of tickets.

12. The ticket gluer apparatus of claim 10, wherein said flattening mechanism includes at least one solenoid assembly including a solenoid actuator, a flange and an elongated member, wherein said flange is operationally coupled to said solenoid actuator via a biasing element and said elongated member is operationally coupled to said flange, wherein said solenoid actuator is adapted to cause said elongated member to rest on said layers of tickets.

13. A method for recycling tickets, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a ticket slip in a ticket guide assembly;

(b) coupling a first ticket of said ticket slip to a last ticket of a ream of tickets; and

(c) stacking and storing said ream of ticket.

14 The method of claim 13, wherein said first ticket of said ticket slip is coupled to said last ticket of said ream of tickets with a ticket label.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said stacking and storing is effected by a stacking said ticket ream in layers.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of flattening said layers.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said flattening is effected at least in part by blowing air on said layers. 19- The method of claim 17, wherein said flattening is effected, at least in part by resting an elongated member on said layers.

Description:
TICKET GLUER

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for joining ticket slips and, more particularly, to an apparatus for receiving ticket slips and outputting a continuous ticket ream.

Paper tickets are commonly used in amusement arcades, video arcades, movie theatres, hotels, airports, and other facilities. Tickets must often be redeemed at a specified price for a given number of tickets, or for a prize in a given price range. It is therefore necessary to count the tickets presented. Currently, the convention in ticket counting is to destroy the tickets after counting, so that they cannot be improperly re-used.

Redemption games are typically arcade games of skill that reward the player proportionally to their score in the game. The reward most often comes in the form of tickets, with more tickets being awarded for higher scores. These tickets can then be redeemed (hence the name) at a central location for prizes.

Tearing tickets by hand or cutting them with hand-operated cutting devices is tedious, inconvenient, wasteful, time consuming and not at all practical for destroying large numbers of ticket in long strips. Also, the residue of the torn tickets is bulky, and requires storage space before being thrown away, not to mention the impact on the environment when the waste lands in a garbage landfill, especially if the torn tickets are not recycled. The great amount of harm brought to the environment from ticket waste product and the deforestation caused in order to produce the tickets in the first place can be greatly reduced, the world over, by recycling the tickets.

Various automated devices have been proposed to destroy the tickets after counting. One such mechanized device cuts a strip of tickets longitudinally in half. The device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,093, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. This device is efficient in invalidating the tickets, but the resulting wastage, both financial and environmental, are great. Unsubstantiated sources claim that a medium sized amusement arcade, which dispenses tickets that can be exchanged for prizes, can use up to one eight-foot long container of tickets in a year. If true, or even partially true, the financial expense as well as the environmental impact, is indeed great. Some amusement parks even purchase a container (which is a great expense) to store the tickets in bulk, due to the great number of tickets used and discarded at these parks.

It would be highly advantageous to have an apparatus for receiving strips of tickets, counting the tickets and rejoining the ticket strips to ticket strips subsequently fed into the apparatus. With such an apparatus, ticket wastage is minimized and the tickets are recycled for subsequent reuse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a ticket joining apparatus, including: (a) a ticket guide, adapted to receive at least one ticket; and (b) a ticket labeier assembly, configured to couple a first ticket of a ticket slip, received by the ticket guide, to a last ticket of a ticket ream, wherein the ticket slip includes at least to tickets.

According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention described below the apparatus further includes: (c) a storage assembly, configured to stack and store the ticket ream; wherein the ticket guide is further operative to convey the ticket ream to the storage assembly.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the apparatus further includes a mechanism configured to count each ticket received by the ticket guide.

According to still further features the ticket guide is configured to discard a single ticket.

According to still further features the ticket labeier assembly includes: (i) a ticket labeier; (ii) a label dispensing assembly; and (iii) a charger assembly for causing the ticket labeier to dispense a ticket label received from the label dispensing assembly.

According to still further features the ticket labeier is configured to dispense a ticket label on adjacent edges of the first ticket of the ticket slip and the last ticket of the ticket ream. According to still further features the ticket label is a pricing label.

According to still further features the storage assembly includes: (i) a lift shelf; and (ii) a layering arm configured to stack the ticket ream in layers of tickets on the lift shelf. According to still further features each layer of tickets includes five tickets.

According to still further features the storage assembly further includes: (iii) a flattening mechanism configured to cause the layers to lay substantially flat.

According to still further features the flattening mechanism includes a blowers assembly, including at least one blower configured to expel air onto the layers of tickets.

According to still further features the flattening mechanism includes at least one solenoid assembly including a solenoid actuator, a flange and an elongated member, wherein the flange is operationally coupled to the solenoid actuator via a biasing element and the elongated member is operationally coupled to the flange, wherein the solenoid actuator is adapted to cause the elongated member to rest on the layers of tickets. According to the present invention there is provided a method for recycling tickets, including the steps of: (a) receiving a ticket slip in a ticket guide assembly; (b) coupling a first ticket of the ticket sl ip to a last ticket of a ream of tickets; and (c) stacking and storing the ream of ticket.

According to still further features the first ticket of the ticket slip is coupled to the last ticket of the ream of tickets with a ticket label. According to still further features the stacking and storing is effected by a stacking said ticket ream in layers.

According to still further features the method further includes the step of flattening the layers. According to still further features the flattening is effected at least in part by blowing air on the layers. According to still further features the flattening is effected at least in part by resting an elongated member on the layers.

The present invention discloses an innovative ticket joiner apparatus for joining strips of tickets into a continuous ream of tickets and organizing the ream of tickets according to the packaging standard by which tickets are distributed to redemption machines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a front isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a ticket gluer apparatus 10 of the current invention;

FIG. IB is a side view of the invention of Figure 1 A with the walls deleted;

FIG. 1C is a right isometric view of the invention of Figure IB;

FIG. ID is a left isometric view of the invention of Figure IB;

FIG. 2A is a partial top view of a preferred embodiment of ticket guide 100 of the current invention with ticket labeler assembly 300 partially deleted;

FIG. 2B is a is a bottom view of Figure 2A with ticket labeler assembly partially viewable;

FIGs. 2C-2D are isometric distal views of ticket gluing assembly 32;

FIG. 2E is a schematic plan of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 A is a right side view of a ticket labeler, proximal view of ticket guide;

FIG. 3B is a left side view of a ticket labeler and distal view of ticket guide;

FIG. 3C is a front view of ticket labeler and a side view of ticket guide;

FIG. 3D is a magnified view of a selected section of Figure 3C;

FIG. 3E is a side view of a schematic representation of ticket labeler and label dispensing assembly; FIG. 3 F is an isometric view of label dispenser;

FIG. 3 G is an isometric view of a ticket collector;

FIG. 3H is an exploded view of Figure 3G;

FIG. 4A is a view of storage assembly 200;

FIG. 433 is a back view of storage assembly 200;

FIG. 4C is a back view of a top section of storage assembly 200;

FIG. 4D is an isometric view of Figure 4C with the partition removed;

FIG. 4E is a schematic representation of the motion of a step motor 7 M7;

FIG. 4F is an isometric view of a layering arm 202;

FIG. 4G is an exploded view of Figure 4F;

FIG. 4H is an isometric view of an assembly of blowers 208;

FIG. 41 is an exploded view of storage assembly 200.

FIG. 5 A is a front drive roller assembly;

FIG. 5B depicts rear drive roller assembly;

FIG. 5C is an isometric view of front top roller 108.

FIG. 5D is a partially exploded view of Figure 5C;

FIG. 5E is an isometric view of rear top roller 114;

FIG. 5 F is an isometric view of "L" shaped charger 35;

FIG. 5G is an isometric view of charger rod 346.

FIG. 6 is a preferred embodiment of a basic program for the ticket joining apparatus of the current invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In general, the ticket coupling apparatus, of the current invention works as follows: A slip of tickets is fed into the feeder. The apparatus counts the tickets that are fed and advances the tickets through the feeder until the entire slip of tickets has been counted. Additional ticket slips can be fed into the apparatus. The new tickets will be counted and a "labeler" will join the new ticket slip to the last ticket slip that was fed into the machine with the aid of a sticker of the type usually used to label products with a price. Once the two slips have been coupled together the latest slip of tickets becomes part of the ream of tickets already stored in the machine. The ticket ream is fed. via a guide shaft into a "cabinet" for organization and storage. A layering arm swings like a pendulum laying the tickets in layers. Three air blowers and two solenoid driven arms assist in the layering process. As the number of layers increases, the shelf upon which the tickets lie is lowered. A warning light flashes when the storage cabinet is nearly full and all operations are stopped when the cabinet is full. An attendant can then open the service door and remove the layered tickets and reload the ticket dispensers with the used tickets, thereby recycling the tickets. Testing of the preferred embodiment of the current invention detailed herein has shown that standard tickets can be recycled at least fifteen times.

The principles and operation of an apparatus for coupling tickets slips according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

HOUSING

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1A is a front isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a ticket gluer apparatus 10 of the current invention with the door 12 open and the lid 16 raised. Figure IB a side view of the invention of Figure 1A with the walls deleted. Figure 1C is a right isometric view of the invention of Figure 1A with slight elevation, where the walls have been deleted. Figure ID is a left isometric view of the invention of Figure 1A, where the walls have been deleted. Referring to all Figures 1, ticket gluer apparatus 10 includes two main compartments: a top compartment 30 and a cabinet 20. Top compartment 30 houses the machinery and controllers for connecting the ticket slips into a continuous ream. Cabinet 20, located beneath top compartment 30 houses a storage assembly 200 which contains the machinery for stacking the tickets which have been connected together and for storing the stacked tickets. In the current embodiment, 12,000 tickets can be stored in the depicted storage assembly 200. Storage assembly 200 stacks the ticket in layers, where each layer includes five tickets. Conventional ticket redemption machines, such as those found in amusement arcades and video arcades, are generally stocked with tickets in layers of five tickets across (usually in groups of 400 layers of five tickets equaling two thousand tickets). The tickets stacked in the storage assembly 200 can be easily removed by an operator and loaded into a ticket redemption machine for reuse. The environmentally friendly recycling process for used tickets is also user- friendly, making the recycling of tickets easy and straightforward. A disposal area 40 is located on the left side of storage assembly 200. This area is adapted to receive single tickets which are discarded via an ejection chute 120 once counted. Other waste products may also be stored in this area.

In top compartment 30 three main components are visible: a ticket guide-labeler assembly 32, a power unit 34 and a controller unit 150. Ticket guide-labeler assembly 32 includes: a ticket guide 1.00 and a ticket Sabeler assembly 300. Figure 6 is a preferred embodiment of a basic program for the ticket joining apparatus of the current invention. Figure 6 describes a number of scenarios according to the motor activity and state of sensors for each scenario. The program of Figure 6 will be referred to throughout the disclosure.

Numerous sensors are described herein. A sensor has two states 'open' i.e. not blocked, and 'closed' i.e. blocked. For micro switches a 'closed' switch means that the switch is in contact with another component and 'open' means that the switch is not in contact with any other element. In the current disclosure the annotation NO=open and NC=closed. TICKET GUIDE

Figure 2 A is a partial top view of a preferred embodiment of ticket guide 100 of the current invention with ticket labeler assembly 300 partially deleted. Figure 2B is a bottom view of Figure 2A with ticket labeler assembly 300 partially visible. Figure 2C is an isometric distal view of ticket gluing assembly 32. Figure 2D is another isometric distal view of ticket gluing assembly 32. Figure 2E is a schematic plan of the preferred embodiment of the ticket guide 100 and storage assembly 200 of the current invention. Referring now at least to Figures 2, guide insert shelf 102 (see a! so Figure 1A) extends beyond the front panel of the apparatus and includes a feeder mouth for receiving tickets 90 which are fed into the device.

There are two general states for feeding tickets: a new ream state and an existing ream state. A new ream state is when the ticket gluer is empty. The existing ream state is when there already exists a ream of tickets in the device. Referring now to the new ream state: When a sensor 1 SI is blocked, sensor Sl-NC and the sensor registers that a ticket 90 has entered the feedway of ticket guide 100. Sensor SI sends a pulse to a controller 150 which activates a motor Ml (scenario 2 in Figure 6), which in turn actuates ring belt and pulley arrangement 104 which is coupled to front drive roller 106 (see Figure 2B). Front drive roller 106 advances a ticket 90 (Fig 2), but in order to prevent slippage and increase traction between ticket 90 and front drive roller 106, a second, weighted, front top roller 108 lies on top of the ticket, exerting gravitational/weighted force on the ticket and thereby enhancing the efficiency of front drive roller 106 in controlling the movement of the ticket through the guide. When more than one ticket is fed into the feeder then the ticket slip (at least two tickets are called a 'ticket slip') advances to block a sensor 2 S2 (i.e. S2=NC) and then to block a sensor 3 S3 (i.e. S3=NC) then two pulses are sent(scenario 2 in Figure 6) to controller 150 which advances a counter (not shown) by two points (for the two tickets) and. sends the counter information to a display (n.ot shown). When S1=NC and S2=NC and S3-NC then an electrical pulse is sent to controller ISO and the controller activates a step motor M3. Once motor M3 is activated, motor Ml ceases activity. Step motor M3 is a much more powerful motor and better adapted for controlling the feed of tickets. Step motor M3 has a further feature whereby the motor is adapted to work at two separate speeds. Step motor M3 works at an initial slow speed for 3 seconds thereafter moving at a higher speed. See the section below 'Motors, Sensors And Miscellaneous Parts' for additional technical details regarding the motors and sensors mentioned herein. Motor M3 is coupled to a timing belt and pulley arrangement 110 which controls the movement of a rear drive roller 112 (see Figure 2B). Rear drive roller 112 now controls the movement of the ticket ream. A top rear roller 114 lies atop the ticket ream improving traction with rear drive roller 1.12. Top rear roller 114 is not weighted, rather two angled flanges 116 depress top rear roller 114, ensuring a continual downward pressure on the ticket ream. As long as sensor 2 S2=NC, the rollers (106 or 112) keep the ticket slip/ream moving through the ticket guide. Tickets move through a curved guide assembly 118 down into cabinet 20 for layering and storage (more on this below). Rear drive roller 112 continues to advance tickets in ticket guide 100 until reaching a state where Sensor SI-NO indicating the end of a ticket slip. At this point motor M3 slows down and when sensor 2 S2=NO and sensor 3 S3 ~ NC motor M3 stops completely. Ticket gluer is now is on Standby waiting for a new ticket slip to be entered.

At this stage, there is now a ticket ream in the device and the apparatus moves to existing ream state. When a new ticket slip is fed into apparatus 10, ticket labeler assembly 300 couples the new ticket slip to the existing ticket ream by means of applying a sticky label to the adjacent edges of the first ticket in the new ticket slip and the last ticket of the ticket ream. Once the labeling cycle is complete, motor M3 is restarted. The ticket labeling process is described in fuller detail below. In order to clarify some of terminology used herein, a 'ticket slip' generally refers to a set of at least two tickets joined together and situated in ticket guide 100 before sensor 3 S3. Tickets situated beyond sensors 3 S3 are generally considered to be part of a 'ticket ream' .

Each ticket 90 has specific ridges and indentations along the edges of the ticket including quarter-moon indentations on the corners of tickets 90. Two tickets joined together create a half-moon indentation from the quarter moon indentation on the top left-hand corner of the first ticket and the top right-hand corner of the second ticket. When motor M3 is ON and feeding tickets through the guide then a sensor 4 S4 is initially open (before the arrival of a 0rst ticket or between two tickets) and then closed (i.e. S4 ~ NC) when the sensor registers a/another ticket. As sensor 4 S4 registers a ticket one pulse is sent to the counter, advancing the counter by one point, and another pulse is sent to a step motor M7 which controls a layering arm. When motor M7 receives the pulse, the motor is advanced one increment. The layering process is discussed in further detail below.

SINGLE TICKET

When a single ticket is fed into ticket gluer 10, the single ticket must be counted, but for the sake of proficiency, single tickets, at least in the current embodiment of the invention, are not joined to the ticket ream. When a single ticket is entered, sensor 1 S1=NC and motor Ml is activated to advance the ticket. The distance between sensor 1 SI and sensor 2 S2 is larger than the length of a ticket 90. Therefore sensor 1 SI will be open when sensor 2 S2=NC, so that at this point motor Ml is halted and a motor 2 M2 is activated in the opposite direction, reversing the direction of ring belt and pulley arrangement 104 and hence the direction of roller 106, thereby sending the single ticket back in the direction of the ticket guide insert shelf 102. The single ticket is prevented from exiting through the ticket insert guide shelf 102 by a unidirectional flange (not shown) which instead channels the single ticket through an ejection chute 120 to disposal area 40 which is positioned beneath gluer 100. When motor 2 M2 is activated, a pulse is sent to the counter, advancing the counter by one point (scenarios 6, 7a and 7b). In some embodiments of the invention, motor Ml fulfills the function of motor M2 by reversing motor Ml.

The counter can be reset by pushing a reset button 14. Alternatively, once a ticket holder has finished feeding all the slips in his possession into ticket gluer 10, a Print and Reset button 13 can be pushed, resulting in a summary of the amount of tickets inserted into the device being printed on a paper ticket for the ticket holder to use in place of the tickets now inserted into the device. When Print and Reset button 13 is pushed, the counter is reset. TICKET LABELER

Referring now to Figures 3, Figure 3 A is a right side view of a ticket labeler 302 and proximal view of ticket guide 100. Figure 3B is a left side view of a ticket labeler 302 and distal view of ticket guide 100. Figure 3C is a front view of ticket labeler 302 and a side view of ticket guide 100. Figure 3D is a magnified view of a selected section of Figure 3C. Figure 3E is a side view of a schematic representation of ticket labeler 302 and a label dispensing assembly 310. Figure 3F is an isometric view of a label dispenser 322. Figure 3G is an isometric view of a ticket collector 328. Figure 3H is an exploded view of Figure 3G. Reference is now made to Figures 3A-3G. Ticket labeler assembly 300 includes three main sections: ticket labeler 302, label dispensing assembly 320 and a charger assembly 340. Ticket labeler assembly 300 is configured to apply a label (such as a price marking label) to two adjacent ticket edges, thereby joining a new ticket slip to an existing ticket ream. Ticket labeler 302 is mounted on ticket guide 100, having a transverse orientation to ticket guide 100. Ticket labeler 302 is constructed from a semi-deconstructed pricing gun such as an Activa® K.48 Hand Labeler manufactured by Activa Labeler Industries Ltd. Kfar Saba, Israel. Ticket labeler 302 applies labels lifted from a roll of labels 324 which is loaded on a label dispenser 322. Label dispenser 322 is mounted on a bracket 326, and is configured to hold the labels which are dispensed by ticket labeler 302. A sensor 6 S6 is also mounted on bracket 326. The ream of ticket labels 324 is threaded from dispenser 322 over two nylon spacer pipes 327 and into ticket labeler 302. Sensor 6 S6=NC as long as the ticket label ream has not ended. When the ticket label ream 324 comes to an end, sensor S6-NO and sends a pulse to controller 150 to register an error indicating that the ticket label ream 324 must be replace with a new ream. Referring back to the threaded ream 324, the ream is inserted in ticket labeler 302 through entry area 306 and threaded over a sprocket 308, over, around the edge and back under a printing plate 310 and fed along bottom cover 312 and out exit area 314. Sticking roller 316 lifts a label from label ream 324, when actuated, and propels the label onto a surface. In place, ticket labeler 302 propels/dispenses a label onto the two adjacent ticket edges in ticket guide 100, joining a ticket slip to the ticket ream. Following the progress of the label ream, the now label-less ream, after exiting exit area 314 is threaded through an opening in the floor of top compartment 30 and onto ticket collector 328 for later disposal. Ticket collector 328 is coupled to a motor M6 and both ticket collect 328 and motor M6 are mounted on either side of a bracket 330. Bracket 330 is mounted on the underside of the floor of top compartment 30. Motor M6 rotates ticket collector 328 in order to collect up the spent ream of label ream 324. Ticket collector 328 includes a gear 332, a rubber bracket 334, a ring tape 336 and a disk 338.

Ticket labeler 302 is actuated by charger assembly 340. Charger assembly 340 includes a motor MS mounted on a bracket 342, a sensor 5 S5 also mounted on bracket 342, a flange 344 coupled to motor M5, a charger rod 346 coupled to a U-profile 348, a spring 350 connecting said flange 344 to said U-profile 348 and a charger 352 attached to the left side of ticket guide 100. Charger 352 is "L" shaped and non-moving. As motor M5 performs a complete revolution, flange 344 rotates in a cyclic pattern, exerting a cyclic force on U-profile 348 pulling labeler 302 in the direction of charger 352 the bottom leg of which extend into the body of labeler 302. Charger 352 simulates the loading action of squeezing the lever of a labeler gun. When charged, a ticket label is partially dispensed ready to be stuck down. The cyclic motion of ticket labeler 302 brings the exposed label into contact with the ticket edges and movement of two return springs 354 causes ticket labeler 302, to continue to perform the sticking motion (similar to the sticking movement a shop attendant uses to stick a price tag on a product). During the last part of the cyclic movement, flange 344, rod 346 and spring 350 pull ticket labeler 302 back to the initial state of readiness. A sensor 5 S5 stops motor M5 when SS^NC after a revolution. Motor M5 is synchronized with motor M6 so that when motor MS is actuated, motor M6 is also actuated to collect the spent ticket label ream. After completing a labeling cycle, motor M3 is activated to progress the ticket ream into storage assembly 200.

STORAGE ASSEMBLY

Referring now to Figures 4, Figure 4 A is a front view of storage assembly 200. Figure

4B is a back view of storage assembly 200. Figure 4C is a back view of a top section of storage assembly 200. Figure 4D is an isometric view of Figure 4C with the partition (storage assembly 200) removed. Figure 4E is a schematic representation of the motion of a step motor 7 M7. Figure 4F is an isometric view of a layering arm 202. Figure 4G is an exploded view of Figure 4F. Figure 4H is an isometric view of an assembly of blowers 208. Figure 41 is an exploded view of storage assembly 200.

Tickets progressed by roller 112 enter into cabinet 20 via curved guide shaft 118 for the purposes of layering and storage. Storage assembly 200 resides inside cabinet 20 and is secured to the underside of the floor of top compartment 30. AH of the moving parts in cabinet 20 are mounted on storage assembly 200. A layering arm 202 stacks the tickets in layers. Each layer consists of five tickets. Conventionally, tickets for ticket redemption machines are sold in stacks of two thousand tickets, which include a single ream of tickets stacked in four hundred layers with five tickets per layer. In a likewise manner, a ticket ream is stacked, in a preferred embodiment of the current invention, in layers of five tickets per layer. Layering arm 202 is coupled to step motor 7 M7. An isometric view of layering arm 202 assembly is depicted in Figure 4F and an exploded view is depicted in Figure 4G. Referring to Figures 4F-4G, a timing pulley 230 is coupled to a ticket layer 232 which includes two parallel arms. An angled spring sheet 234 is coupled to one arm of ticket layer 232 and a spring sheet 236 is coupled to the other arm of ticket layer 232 defining a channel 238 therebetween. A ticket ream is fed through channel 238. Timing pulley 230 is coupled to step motor 7 M7 5 the latter controlling the movement of the timing pulley and thereby the movement of layering arm 202.

The operation of step motor 7 M7 is schematically depicted in Figure 4E. Referring now to Figure 4E, when sensor S4 registers that a ticket has passed, the sensor sends a pulse to step motor 7 M7. Controller 150 sends a command to a step driver of motor M7. Each pulse from sensor 4 S4 turns stepping motor one increment (each step of the motor equals a 1.8 degree rotation, therefore each increment equals 10 steps of the motor). One increment of motor M7 equals a rotation of 18 degrees. Every sixth pulse starts to move the motor in reverse. Stepping motor 7 M7 rotates layering arm 202 in a pendulum movement traversing a total of 90 degrees before the motor reverses direction. Sensor 15 S15 is a side sensor which initially resets/recalibrates layering arm 202 to a start position by sensor 15 S15. Furthermore, each time layering arm 202 passes sensor 15 S15 stepping motor 7 M7 resets/recalibrates in case the motor has gone out of synchronization and reverses direction. On the other end of the 90 degree rotation, a pin stopper 204 stops layering arm 202, preventing the arm from continuing to rotate in the same direction (e.g. if some increments contained more than 10 steps, the motor would continue to rotate the layering arm for the remainder of the steps, which is prevented by pin stopper 204). When layering arm 202 reaches pin stopper 204 motor M7 reverses direction. Layering arm 202 rotates across the area in five incremental movements in each direction, laying the first five tickets on an elevator shelf 206 and thereafter laying the next five tickets on top of the first five by folding the sixth ticket back over the fifth ticket and continuing to lay down four more tickets until the eleventh ticket is likewise folded back onto the tenth ticket and so on.

In order to ensure that the tickets lay flat in an orderly fashion an assembly of three blowers 208 (Figure 4H) blow air on the stacked tickets in order to cause the tickets to lie substantially flat. Blowers 208 are mounted on a bracket 209 which, in turn, is mounted on the underside of the floor of top compartment 30. When motor M3 is ON then blowers 208 are activated. An additional mechanism is also employed to ensure that the tickets fold properly and lay flat. Two solenoid actuator assemblies SoL13 and SoL14 are operationally coupled to two flanges 216 by biasing elements such as spring arrangements 218. Near the external edge of each of flanges 216 a screw 220 (such as a pan head cross recess screw) or some other similar elongated element, is coupled to each flange 216. After motor M7 has reversed direction and folded a ticket 5*n+l back over a ticket 5*n, solenoid actuator SoL13 or SoL14 (depending which side has been folded) contracts, pulling the coupled flange 216 down on the folded ticket so that the shaft of screw 220 flattens the just-now-folded ticket against the existing layer(s) of tickets. Solenoid SoL13/SoL14 remains in place until the second solenoid assembly is actuated, at which time the first solenoid SoL13/SoL14 releases spring arrangement 218 which expands while a return spring 222 (one for each flange 216), which was previously expanded, now contracts, pulling flange 216 back into the initial, elevated, idle position. The solenoid assemblies work like a see-saw so that when one is up the other is down. But, when motor M3 is inactive, both solenoid assemblies return to the initial, elevated, idle position.

The tickets are stacked on elevator shelf 206. Once the stack of tickets reaches a sufficient height so as to obscure a sensor 8 S8 (i.e. SS^NC), Sensor 8 S8 sends a pulse to controller 150 which then activates a motor 10 M10 which is coupled to a ball screw 210. Elevator shelf 206 is coupled to a nut arrangement 212. Nut arrangement 212 is operationally coupled to bail screw 210. Motor 10 M10 causes ball screw 210 to revolve, thereby causing nut arrangement 212 and elevator shelf 206 to descend down the shaft of ball screw 210. Elevator shelf 206 descends until a sensor 7 S7 is cleared i.e. S7=NO. When Sensor 7 S7 ~ NO, the sensor sends a pulse to controller 150 which then deactivates motor 10 M10 causing elevator shelf 206 to stop descending. As this cycle is repeated storage assembly 200 Fills up. When storage area 224 is close to being full, elevator shelf 206 comes into contact with a Micro Switch N10 (i.e. N10=NC) activating an LED which starts to blink to notify the operator that the cabinet is nearly full. As storage area 224 fills to capacity, elevator shelf 206 activates a Micro Switch Nil (i.e. Nll-NC) causing all motors to stop as the storage cabinet is full. The operator is alerted with an audio signal that the cabinet must be emptied. When a door 226 is opened, a door Micro Switch N12 registers this fact (i.e. N12 ~ NO) and prevents the apparatus from being stalled. Door 226 must be closed for operation to continue/restart. Once door 226 has been, closed, the elevator/lift resets, activating a motor 11 Mil (which may be motor 10 M10 which can function in reverse) which causes the elevator to rise as long sensor 8 S8-NO. Once sensor 8 S8=NC or switch N12=NO (i.e. door 226 is open) then motor 11 Mil ceases activity. If storage area 224 has been emptied then elevator 206 will return to the original elevated position. MOTORS, SENSORS AND MISCELLANEOUS PARTS

Various motors, sensors and parts are mentioned in the disclosure and are listed here with preferred technical specifications.

M1/2, M5, MlO/11 - 12V DC Gear Motor ser. no. AB35100PH-291260

M3, M7 - Stepping Motor model 57H5605 with miniature integrated stepper motor controller UIM24002

M6 - Carbon-brush motor ser. no. RS-365SH manufactured by Mabuchi

Motor, Japan.

SoL 13 / 14 - Industrial Solenoids, item number SH-1253 manufactured by Shin Shin Technology, Taiwan. SI, S2, S3, S6, S7, S8 - Reflective Optoswitch. Sensor VTR17D1 combines an infrared emitting diode (IRED) with an NPN phototransistor (VTR17D1) in a one piece, sealed, IR transmitting plastic case. The sealed construction improves resistance to moisture and debris.

S4 - Black Sensor OPB828B - is a Slotted Optical Switch. The OPB828 sensor consists of an infrared emitting diode and an NPN silicon phototransistor mounted on opposite sides of a 0.125" (3.18 mm) wide slot. OPB828B has an IR transmissive housing with an 0.010" (0.25 mm) aperture located in front of the phototransistor. Phototransistor switching takes place whenever an opaque object passes through the slot. Two OPB828B sensors S4 are mounted side by side on a bracket.

S5, S15 - Sensor OPB742 - is a Reflective Object Sensor. The sensor consists of an infrared emitting diode and an NPN silicon phototransistor mounted side by side on converging optical axes in a black plastic housing. The phototransistor responds to radiation from the emitter only when a reflective object passes within the field of view.

N10 - Micro Switch KW3 series manufactured by KLS Electronic, China

N11, N12 - Micro Switch MN series

Controller 150 - a Programmable Logic Controller, serial no. DVP ES2 manufactured by Delta Electronics Inc., Taiwan.

Schurter Filter 36 (see Fig. 1C) - a Power Entry Module serial no. FKSB2-55-10- M5 is an IEC Appliance Inlet C14 with Filter, Fuseholder, Line Switch and Voltage Selector, manufactured by Schurter Electronic Components, headquarters in Luzern, Switzerland.

Various parts/components are mentioned above and detailed further here. Figures 5 depict the detailed components. Figure 5A depicts a front drive roller assembly including belt pulley 104, front drive roller 106 and connecting pieces. Figure 5B depicts rear drive roller assembly including timing pulley 110, rear drive roller 112 and connecting pieces. Figure 5C is an isometric view of front top roller 108. Figure 5D is a partially exploded view of Figure 5C with a plurality of washers 109 stacked on front top roller 108 for added weight. Figure 5E is an isometric view of rear top roller 114. Figure 5F is an isometric view of "L" shaped charger 352. Figure 5 G is an isometric view of charger rod 346.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. Therefore, the claimed invention as recited in the claims that follow is not limited to the embodiments described herein.