Article dispensing – With supply cartridge or container removable from enclosing...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-30
2001-03-06
Noland, Kenneth W. (Department: 3651)
Article dispensing
With supply cartridge or container removable from enclosing...
C221S282000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196416
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to devices for dispensing articles of value such as cash or value cards, including prepaid telephone cards, and to magazines for holding a number of such articles for dispensing thereof.
BACKGROUND
Devices for dispensing articles of value are generally known. Articles of value can be cash, value script, value credit cards, prepaid telephone calling cards and the like. One such device for dispensing credit and telephone cards is described in Abe, U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,587, disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. These devices include a dispensing mechanism adapted to move a card from a receptacle containing a plurality of cards retained in a stacked relationship. When the individual has paid for the card, or otherwise activated the mechanism, the dispensing mechanism removes a card from the receptacle and dispenses it. The dispensing mechanism is adapted to dispense one card at a time.
It is also known to provide such devices where they can receive and mount a magazine pre-loaded by the vendor with the value cards or other articles of value. A route operator mounts the magazine in the dispensing device and the articles are dispensed. One such magazine is as described in Kasper, U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,507. The pre-loaded magazine is loaded with cards and the magazine is locked closed. The locked and loaded magazine is mounted and secured to the dispensing mechanism. A catch is operated to latch the mechanism to the device. In response to operation of the catch, a gate on the magazine is opened to permit the cards to be dispensed.
A drawback of using pre-loaded magazines is that the route operator may surreptitiously remove cards or the other articles of value stored therein by either opening the gate, removing cards from the magazine and closing the gate prior to mounting the magazine at the dispensing mechanism or removing a magazine from the mechanism still loaded with cards, opening the gate to remove cards and closing the gate. The thief then sells or uses the stolen cards, thus depriving the route owner of the revenues. There is, accordingly, a need for a device and magazine which overcomes the drawbacks of prior devices by preventing such theft or by providing an indication of when such theft has occurred.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is, therefore, set forth according to the present invention a device for dispensing articles of value and a magazine therefor which provides for a one-cycle gate operating mechanism by which the gate for the magazine may be opened once when the magazine is latched to the dispensing mechanism, closed when the magazine is uncoupled from the dispensing mechanism, and thereafter may not be opened again. The foregoing prevents route operators from opening the gate and surreptitiously removing cards. If the gate is opened prior to mounting the magazine to remove articles, the gate may not be opened again when latched to the dispensing device indicating theft of articles of value from the magazine. If the gate is closed to remove the magazine from the dispenser it may not be opened again preventing theft.
Toward this end, a device for dispensing articles of value is set forth which includes a dispensing mechanism for dispensing articles and a magazine for holding a plurality of the articles. The magazine includes a gate moveable from a closed position to an open position, the gate in the open position permitting an article to be moved by the dispensing mechanism from the magazine for dispensing thereof. The gate, when the magazine is initially loaded with articles is disposed in the closed position. A one-cycle gate operating mechanism is provided including a moveable actuator moveable from a first position to a second position to latch and couple the magazine to the dispensing mechanism and move the gate from the initial closed position to the open position for dispensing of articles by the dispensing mechanism. The actuator is moveable back to the first position to release the mechanism from the dispensing mechanism and close the gate. Means are provided for locking the gate in the closed position after one cycle of the actuator from the first to the second and back to the first position.
In a preferred embodiment, the one-cycle locking mechanism includes a cam and follower disposed between the gate and the actuator to displace the gate between the closed to the open position in response to rotation of the actuator. When the actuator is operated in a reverse direction to close the gate, the gate is closed and a pin inserted through an opening in the gate to secure the gate in a closed position.
Also set forth is a magazine including the one-cycle gate operating mechanism of the type described above. The magazine is well suited to be retrofit onto existing dispensing mechanisms.
Accordingly, the device and magazine according to the present invention provides for a secure magazine to hold articles of value prior to dispensing thereof. Should a route operator, upon receiving a loaded magazine, manipulate the gate to an open position to remove articles of value therefrom and close the gate, the magazine will not be able to be mounted to the dispensing mechanism. The inability to mount the magazine will provide indication of theft. Further, when the magazine actuator has been manipulated to unlatch the magazine from the dispensing mechanism for removal thereof, the gate is closed and may not be opened again by virtue of the one-cycle gate operating mechanism according to the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6050448 (2000-04-01), Willis
Asahi Seiko USA Inc.
Noland Kenneth W.
Quirk & Tratos
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