Work-parting Pullers (bursters) Patents (Class 225/100)
  • Patent number: 7032793
    Abstract: Lottery ticket dispensing housings are provided with a hinged, transparent rear and top cover, a hinged front wall, and a powered ticket drive and separator module. A relatively tall embodiment of the dispenser with a small footprint is fitted onto the countertop of a check-out counter of a retail store. The top of the housing is flat so as to provide a convenient place for customers to write checks with the tickets being displayed immediately below being highly visible to the customer. A display of relatively flat and short dispensers is provided wherein a rack or housing supports the dispensers one a top of the other in a vertical array. The dispensers are shifted laterally with respect to one another to as to give greater viewability of the contents of each of the dispensers to a customer. The length of each dispenser can be decreased with the increasing elevation of the dispenser so as to provide a vertical alignment of the front sides of the dispensers, the side through which tickets are dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: GTech Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Roberts, David B. Petch
  • Patent number: 6932258
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided for playing several types of games. The winnings from one gave can be used to create credits in the machine for buying tickets in a different game from the same machine. A separator/drive module has a rotary helical separator member which spans multiple channels to separate tickets in any of the channels. A single drive source is the housing rotates the separate drives in each channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: GTech Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Roberts, David B. Petch
  • Patent number: 6915568
    Abstract: A streamlined method for the mass production of connecting rods is disclosed, with particular applicability for anticipated in the production of rods made from powdered metal materials. The method contemplates the rough grinding of a work piece, followed by the use of a single, flexibly tooled boring machine to create crank and pin bores. The work piece is then fracture split, subjected to a final grinding process and honed to specific tolerances without the need for final boring. The entire inventive process may be implemented on a five work station assembly line, thereby reducing the capital investment in machinery and space required by previously known methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Metaldyne Company LLC
    Inventor: Michael Haehnel
  • Patent number: 6905054
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for fracturing, into a bearing cap and a connecting rod, an integral preform which defines a cylindrical aperture and two spaced-apart bolt seat shoulders. A guide member defines a first guideway along which moves a first slide member, the latter in turn defining a second guideway parallel to the first, along which a second slide member moves. A split mandrel has an upper part fixed with respect to the first slide member and a lower part fixed with respect to the guide member. The split mandrel halves define an internal tapered passageway for receiving a wedge capable of forcing the mandrel halves apart. Projections on the second slide member contact the bolt seat shoulders when the cylindrical aperture of the preform receives the split mandrel, and means are provided for urging the second slide member toward the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Tri-Way Manufacturing Technologies
    Inventors: Joel W. Jones, David R. Prince
  • Patent number: 6886728
    Abstract: The dispenser dispenses tickets such as instant-winner lottery tickets from a strip in which the individual tickets are delineated by perforation lines. The dispenser includes a separator to tear the tickets apart before issuing them from the machine. The mechanism is simplified by using a separator member and transport drive structures which span a plurality of different channels or bins of a multi-channel dispenser. This provides a very compact, simple, secure and low-cost mechanism which is used both in stand-alone ticket vending machines, and in counter-top attended dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: GTECH Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Roberts, David B. Petch
  • Patent number: 6820869
    Abstract: In order to provide a variable folder which allows smearing-free operation, the cutting blade of an upstream cross-cutting arrangement is provided with recesses, which leave behind residual crosspieces in the strand which is to be cut, and arranged in the product-directing region, between the cross-cutting arrangement and a collecting cylinder, are accelerating and tearing-off cams which grip the incoming product and tear it off from the strand at the residual crosspieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Ulrich Lange, Helmut Schnell
  • Publication number: 20040211807
    Abstract: Tear-off device for sections (48) of a continuous sheet (18) with a pullout mechanism (10) for the transport of the continuous material (18) and with a tear-off mechanism (12), which has at least two pressure-applying elements (26; 56), which are disposed on opposite sides of the continuous material (18) and of which at least one can be engaged against the continuous material (18) by means of a positioning device, with the engagable pressure-applying elements (26; 56) being constructed as eccentric rollers and can be driven individually or jointly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Maschinenbau Wilhelm Kochsiek GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Kolbe, Reinhold Hindemith, Andreas Kuckelmann, Wolfgang Brusdeilins
  • Patent number: 6799412
    Abstract: A cottoner having a wadding section forming station, the station having: a carrier, a holder, and a feed mechanism mounted on a base in series. Moving means on the base reciprocate the a carrier toward and away from the feed mechanism. An operating controller on the base open and close the holder. The carrier has a gripper for gripping a length of wadding material to carry it from the holding means toward the feeding means when the carrier is moved toward the feed mechanism while the holder is open. The carrier releases the length of wadding material when moved away from the feed mechanism while the holder is closed to hold the length of wadding material. The cottoner includes an inserting station for inserting each section of wadding material formed at the wadding section forming station into a container. The cottoner also has a sensing station for sensing if the wadding material has been inserted, and inserted properly, into the container at the inserting station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: NJM/CLI Packaging Systems International
    Inventors: Luc Jalbert, Bruno Jalbert
  • Patent number: 6782609
    Abstract: A connecting rod is cracked by mounting it on a fixture having a split mandrel and driving a pair of opposed wedges between the mandrel halves. The fixture is mounted on a support and is transported by a conveyor through a series of stations where the rod is split, separated into two pieces, the crack zone is cleaned, and the pieces are reunited along the crack lines. The use of two opposed wedges cancels out the horizontal forces of the wedges and results in a vertical force that cracks the rod. The fixture floats relative to the support allowing the connecting rod to be centered relative to the wedges. A break limiter limits the displacement of the first side of the rod to crack to prevent distortion of the second side before it cracks. In the event the fixture malfunctions, the entire fixture is removed from the conveyor and replaced by another fixture, thus reducing downtime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Unova IP Corp.
    Inventor: Orrin P. Beggs
  • Patent number: 6726077
    Abstract: The dispenser dispenses tickets from a strip where tickets are delineated by perforation lines. The dispenser includes a separator to tear the tickets apart before issuing them from the machine. The separator preferably is rotary and has a dull helical blade to tear the tickets apart along the perforation line. Preferably, a bar code reader is provided for reading codes on tickets in order to initialize the dispenser control system, to account for ticket sales, and to verify the sale of winning tickets. A game is provided where a jackpot is built up using the detection of each ticket sold. The mechanism is simplified by using a separator member and transport drive structures that span a plurality of different channels or bins of a multi-channel dispenser. This provides a very compact, simple, secure and low-cost mechanism that is used both in stand-alone ticket vending machines, and in counter-top attended dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: GTECH Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Roberts, David B. Petch
  • Patent number: 6712253
    Abstract: A ticket machine for dispensing tickets from a strip of tickets having perforated joints is provided. The ticket machine includes a roller assembly, a detection mechanism and a bursting blade. The roller assembly adapted to communicate a portion of the strip of tickets along a ticket path. The detection mechanism is disposed adjacent the ticket path and adapted to determine the position of at least a leading ticket of the strip of tickets along the ticket path. The bursting blade is adjacent the ticket path and adapted to floatably strike the strip of tickets adjacent the perforated joints to separate at least the leading ticket from the strip of tickets. A method for separating tickets from a strip of tickets connected along perforated joints is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: American Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack F. Hargrave, Terry L. Poffenbarger, Benny D. Childers, Marty E. Johnson, Michael T. Templeman
  • Publication number: 20040000572
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing tickets from strips of tickets, wherein each ticket is separable from a respective strip of tickets along a separation line. The apparatus has infeed drive rollers rotatably mounted adjacent respective infeed idler rollers, and infeed drive motors are connected to respective infeed drive rollers. A separator shaft having helical blades mounted thereon is rotatably supported adjacent the infeed drive rollers, and a separator motor is connected to the separator shaft for rotating the helical blades. Exit drive rollers are rotatably mounted adjacent respective exit idler rollers; and an exit drive motor connected to the exit drive rollers and operable to rotate the exit drive rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: Interlott Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Engelhardt, Curtis Woods
  • Patent number: 6599384
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for separating a discrete element from a first substrate web, moving at a first speed, and placing the discrete element on a second substrate web, moving at a second speed. The apparatus includes a first station, wherein perforations are made in the first substrate web, and a second station, wherein the discrete element is separated from the first substrate web at a line of perforations and the discrete element is transferred to a positioned on the second substrate web. The first station includes a perforation cutter assembly and conveyer assembly. The perforation cutter assembly includes first and second rollers with a cutting blade, with a discontinuous edge, and an anvil surface, respectively, to make perforations in the first substrate web. The second station includes a separation and transfer mechanism having separation and transfer segments for separating and transferring the discrete element from the first substrate web to the second substrate web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dell Milner, Robert Herrick Collins, James Grant Lee, David Allen Palzewicz
  • Patent number: 6598774
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fiber cutting device in which a scratch is formed in an outer peripheral surface of a clamped optical fiber, and the optical fiber is broken along the scratch by applying a tension force or bending stress to the optical fiber so that a cut surface becomes a mirror surface, the optical fiber cutting device comprising a collecting container capable of containing a waste fiber obtained by the cuffing, pinch rollers for conveying and collecting the waste fiber into the collecting container, and a drive mechanism for rotatingly driving the pinch rollers in response to a movement of a portion movable when cutting the optical fiber. The collecting container can be mounted and dismounted with respect to the outer container integrally formed with a device body. A slit through for setting the optical fiber is formed in the collecting container. Guide surfaces for guiding the optical fiber are formed on both outer sides of the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.,
    Inventors: Junichi Kazama, Reiji Oshima
  • Patent number: 6578748
    Abstract: A device for breaking and dividing an enlarged bearing portion of a connecting rod into a main body portion and a bearing cap portion includes a split mold which is insertable into an aperture in the enlarged bearing portion. A pressing mechanism includes pressure caps engaging dramatically opposite points on the outer surface of the enlarged bearing portion at locations where the beating portion is to be broken and divided when a wedge is forced into the split mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsuoka, Toshio Watanabe, Katsuaki Aihara, Hirotsugu Zushi
  • Publication number: 20030089754
    Abstract: The present invention is a laminate media, in the form of a continuous strip of carrier-less, pre-cut plastic patch protections, connected by perforations. The invention further describes both a method for separating the patches from each other by stressing the perforated patch area without stopping the driving process and a cassette within which the separation process occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: ZIH Corp., A Delware Corporation
    Inventor: Stephane Mabit
  • Publication number: 20030085249
    Abstract: The present invention is a laminate media, in the form of a continuous strip of carrier-less, pre-cut plastic patch protections, connected by perforations. The invention further describes both a method for separating the patches from each other by stressing the perforated patch area without stopping the driving process and a cassette within which the separation process occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: ZIH Corp., A Delware Corporation
    Inventor: Stephane Mabit
  • Publication number: 20030085248
    Abstract: The present invention is a laminate media, in the form of a continuous strip of carrier-less, pre-cut plastic patch protections, connected by perforations. The invention further describes both a method for separating the patches from each other by stressing the perforated patch area without stopping the driving process and a cassette within which the separation process occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: ZIH Corp., A Delaware Corporation
    Inventor: Stephane Mabit
  • Patent number: 6523595
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for separating a discrete element from a first substrate web, moving at a first speed, and placing the discrete element on a second substrate web, moving at a second speed. The apparatus includes a first station, wherein perforations are made in the first substrate web, and a second station, wherein the discrete element is separated from the first substrate web at a line of perforations and the discrete element is transferred to a positioned on the second substrate web. The first station includes a perforation cutter assembly and conveyer assembly. The perforation cutter assembly includes first and second rollers with a cutting blade, with a discontinuous edge, and an anvil surface, respectively, to make perforations in the first substrate web. The second station includes a separation and transfer mechanism having separation and transfer segments for separating and transferring the discrete element from the first substrate web to the second substrate web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dell Milner, Robert Herrick Collins, James Grant Lee, David Allen Palzewicz
  • Publication number: 20020179668
    Abstract: A ticket machine for dispensing tickets from a strip of tickets having perforated joints is provided. The ticket machine includes a roller assembly, a detection mechanism and a bursting blade. The roller assembly adapted to communicate a portion of the strip of tickets along a ticket path. The detection mechanism is disposed adjacent the ticket path and adapted to determine the position of at least a leading ticket of the strip of tickets along the ticket path. The bursting blade is adjacent the ticket path and adapted to floatably strike the strip of tickets adjacent the perforated joints to separate at least the leading ticket from the strip of tickets. A method for separating tickets from a strip of tickets connected along perforated joints is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Jack F. Hargrave, Terry L. Poffenbarger, Benny D. Childers, Marty E. Johnson, Michael T. Templeman
  • Patent number: 6485010
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for separating one or more endless streams of pages into corresponding staggered stacks of reports for further processing. Each page of a first report is taken from the endless stream and moved into a first position on a first stack of reports, and each page of the next subsequent report is moved onto a second stack staggered from the first. This process is continued indefinitely. Alternatively, more than two stacks can be provided for. Also, numerous endless streams of pages, in side-by-side relation, can be stacked into a plurality of stacks of reports in side-by-side relation so as to be conveniently assembled for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Energy Saving Products and Sales Corporation
    Inventor: Richard P. Lamothe
  • Publication number: 20020166882
    Abstract: The dispenser dispenses tickets such as instant-winner lottery tickets from a strip in which the individual tickets are delineated by perforation lines. The dispenser includes a separator to tear the tickets apart before issuing them from the machine. The separator preferably is rotary and has a dull helical blade which rotates to contact the ticket strip adjacent a perforation line, and presses against the strip to tear the tickets apart along the perforation line at a point which progresses across the strip along the perforation line. Preferably, a bar code reader is provided for reading codes on tickets in the dispensing machine. The bar code reader is used in reading information from the tickets to initialize the dispenser control system and in accounting for the sale of tickets, and in the verification of winning tickets being sold. A game is provided in which the concept is that a jackpot is built up using the detection of each ticket sold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Brian J. Roberts, David B. Petch
  • Patent number: 6474526
    Abstract: An apparatus fracture-separates an annular piece, such as a connecting rod. The apparatus includes one stationary and one mobile expandable jaw for insertion into a bore hole in the annular piece. An expanding device separates the expandable jaws. The fracture behavior of the annular piece can be influenced. To this effect, the peripheral surface of the expandable jaws is so configured that the expandable jaws engage in the inner surface of the bore hole only via a region of reference surfaces or lines which is defined locally with precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Alfing Kessler Sondermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hähnel, Horst Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 6457621
    Abstract: A device for separating the rod and cap of a connecting rod by breaking includes a fixed expansion mandrel half on a fixed device part a mobile expansion mandrel half on a device part which moves in the direction of expansion, and support elements for the rod and the cap. The device has a long service life without operational problems and can separate the rod and cap of a connecting rod from each other with a high degree of precision. To this end, the adjustable support elements are arranged on the fixed device part and the fixed support elements are arranged on the mobile device part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Alfing Kessler Sondermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hähnel, Horst Wisniewski
  • Publication number: 20020125286
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for fracturing, into a bearing cap and a connecting rod, an integral preform which defines a cylindrical aperture and two spaced-apart bolt seat shoulders. A guide member defines a first guideway along which moves a first slide member, the latter in turn defining a second guideway parallel to the first, along which a second slide member moves. A split mandrel has an upper part fixed with respect to the first slide member and a lower part fixed with respect to the guide member. The split mandrel halves define an internal tapered passageway for receiving a wedge capable of forcing the mandrel halves apart. Projections on the second slide member contact the bolt seat shoulders when the cylindrical aperture of the preform receives the split mandrel, and means are provided for urging the second slide member toward the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Joel W. Jones, David R. Prince
  • Publication number: 20020117528
    Abstract: An improved arrangement for a lottery ticket or other article dispenser system includes a direct drive coupled to a drive mechanism such as a motor and feed and discharge rollers. The feed and discharge rollers transport a stream of articles such as lottery tickets which are serially joined together along lines of weakness such as perforations or the like. Coupling the feed and discharge rollers to the common drive mechanism reduces and minimizes the need for calibration and setup for the operation of the dispenser system. Additional features of the invention include a rack and spur gear arrangement for movement of the burster wheel across the path of the tickets and platens arranged and configured in the burster system to improve the bursting quality and operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Interlott Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Edmund F. Turek
  • Publication number: 20020100785
    Abstract: The dispenser dispenses tickets such as instant-winner lottery tickets from a strip in which the individual tickets are delineated by perforation lines. The dispenser includes a separator to tear the tickets apart before issuing them from the machine. The separator preferably is rotary and has a dull helical blade which rotates to contact the ticket strip adjacent a perforation line, and presses against the strip to tear the tickets apart along the perforation line at a point which progresses across the strip along the perforation line. Preferably, a bar code reader is provided for reading codes on tickets in the dispensing machine. The bar code reader is used in reading information from the tickets to initialize the dispenser control system and in accounting for the sale of tickets, and in the verification of winning tickets being sold. A game is provided in which the concept is that a jackpot is built up using the detection of each ticket sold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Interlott Technologies,Inc.
    Inventors: BRIAN J. ROBERTS, DAVID B. PETCH
  • Patent number: 6419217
    Abstract: A paper web is drawn into a printing and can be guided along a selected one of several paths. The paper web is weakened along a line of separation and is then held by a retaining system that can move the web in a conveying direction along a first path. The web is fed to a different conveying path and is separated ot torn along the line of separation. This line of separation or weakening is formed at an angle to the production direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Wolfgang Hartmann, Horst Bernhard Michalik
  • Patent number: 6386417
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for fracturing, into a bearing cap and a connecting rod, an integral preform which defines a cylindrical aperture and two spaced-apart bolt seat shoulders. A guide member defines a first guideway along which moves a first slide member, the latter in turn defining a second guideway parallel to the first, along which a second slide member moves. A split mandrel has an upper part fixed with respect to the first slide member and a lower part fixed with respect to the guide member. The split mandrel halves define an internal tapered passageway for receiving a wedge capable of forcing the mandrel halves apart. Projections on the second slide member contact the bolt seat shoulders when the cylindrical aperture of the preform receives the split mandrel, and means are provided for urging the second slide member toward the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Tri-Way Manufacturing Technologies
    Inventors: Joel W. Jones, David R. Prince
  • Publication number: 20020043546
    Abstract: A printer tear bar and presenter system for printing on a strip of media and presenting a portion of the media to a user. The media comprises a plurality of perforations and a plurality of bridges of connecting material separating the perforations. The tear bar comprises first and second side portions and a center portion. The side portions and the center portions are adapted to abut the surface of the media so that friction creates stress on the bridges of connecting material. The first and second side portions are preferably tapered to concentrate tearing stress on corresponding bridges of connecting material. The printer and control circuitry are adapted to advance the media rapidly after the printer has finished printing to prevent users from pulling on the media prematurely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 1999
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: ROBERT A. LUCIANO, RAYMOND G. BRYAN
  • Publication number: 20010048013
    Abstract: Lottery ticket dispensing housings are provided with a hinged, transparent rear and top cover, a hinged front wall, and a powered ticket drive and separator module. A relatively tall embodiment of the dispenser with a small footprint is fitted onto the countertop of a check-out counter of a retail store. The top of the housing is flat so as to provide a convenient place for customers to write checks with the tickets being displayed immediately below being highly visible to the customer. A display of relatively flat and short dispensers is provided wherein a rack or housing supports the dispensers one a top of the other in a vertical array. In such a rack or housing the units are connected together electrically in a daisy-chain manner and one control device (point-of-sale terminal, computer or on-line terminal) operates all connected dispensers. The dispensers are shifted laterally with respect to one another to as to give greater viewability of the contents of each of the dispensers to a customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: BRIAN J. ROBERTS, DAVID B. PETCH
  • Patent number: 6257475
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a ticket from a ticket sheet containing a plurality of tickets, each of the tickets being separated from an adjacent ticket by a line of perforations. The apparatus includes a cutting part having a feed passage, first and second spaced feed rollers positioned within the cutting part for conducting the ticket sheet along the feed passage, and a cutting roller positioned within the cutting part between the first and second feed rollers for cutting a ticket sheet at the line of perforations. The cutting roller includes an axle and a surface having first and second ends surrounding a length of the axle. The surface of the cutting roller includes a central portion having a first diameter forming a first cutting edge on a circumference thereof, and further includes first and second outer portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuji Ishii, Sadao Sone, Ikuo Suto
  • Publication number: 20010006181
    Abstract: Lottery ticket dispensing housings are provided with a hinged, transparent rear and top cover, a hinged front wall, and a powered ticket drive and separator module. A relatively tall embodiment of the dispenser with a small footprint is fitted onto the countertop of a check-out counter of a retail store. The top of the housing is flat so as to provide a convenient place for customers to write checks with the tickets being displayed immediately below being highly visible to the customer. A display of relatively flat and short dispensers is provided wherein a rack or housing supports the dispensers one a top of the other in a vertical array. In such a rack or housing the units are connected together electrically in a daisy-chain manner and one control device (point-of-sale terminal, computer or on-line terminal) operates all connected dispensers. The dispensers are shifted laterally with respect to one another to as to give greater viewability of the contents of each of the dispensers to a customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Applicant: On Point Technology Systems
    Inventors: Brian J. Roberts, David B. Petch
  • Patent number: 6230926
    Abstract: A storage, display and dispensing apparatus for tickets of various sizes. The dispensing apparatus includes a bin housing for storing a pack of tickets, a ticket dispensing assembly through which the tickets are dispensed and a piezo electric sensing element employed to sense perforations between the tickets as they pass through the dispensing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Schafer Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Schafer, Ryan B. Gruhn
  • Publication number: 20010000612
    Abstract: Apparatus uses a burster method to bow a continuous web of inserts and thereafter separates the forwardmost insert from the continuous web. A pair of feed rollers advances the forwardmost insert along a predetermined path toward a pair of burst rollers. Upon receipt of the forwardmost insert, the burst rollers first operate at a decreased relative speed with respect to the advancing speed of the web, thereby bowing the continuous web of inserts. The burst rollers then operate at an increased relative speed with respect to the feed rollers, thereby separating the forwardmost insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: May 3, 2001
    Inventor: Anthony J. Nowakowski
  • Patent number: 6206262
    Abstract: A separating device for severing perforated tube sections includes an advancing mechanism and a tearing mechanism which respectively include opposing rollers or cylinders which are situated on both sides of the tubular web to be separated and over which endless transport bands are guided. The rollers or cylinders of the tearing mechanism can be moved in the direction toward the tubular web by a control element. The opposing rollers or cylinders in the tearing mechanism are respectively situated in swivel arms that are arranged such that they swivel around swiveling axes that oppose one another in the transport direction of the tubular web and the swivel arms swivel apart in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: WindMöller & Hölscher
    Inventors: Fritz Achelpohl, Richard Feldkamper, Friedhelm Brinkmeier, Ulrich Eckelt
  • Patent number: 6131509
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of use is disclosed for a machine used for perforating and flattening or crushing containers of varying sizes and materials. The disclosed machine has a frame having an input opening and a discharge opening. A first plurality of shafts and second plurality of shafts are rotatably supported by the firame. The first plurality of shafts are disposed in a first plane and the second plurality of shafts are disposed in a second plane. The second plane is acutely angled with respect to the first plane. One or more motors rotate the first and second plurality of shafts, each shaft having perforating elements positioned along them. The perforating elements are offset between adjacent performing shafts such that adjacent perforating elements overlap but do not touch the adjacent shaft. The perforating elements have a plurality of spikes capable of perforating the container being perforated and crushed. In use, containers are introduced into the frame through the input opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: CP Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Davis
  • Patent number: 6061905
    Abstract: The slow production rates associated with cutting machines for cutting extruded metal tubing to length are avoided in an apparatus that continually cuts extruded metal tubing (46) and which include a reel (44) for providing a coil of (42) of metal tubing (46) to a cutting nip defined by rollers (66) carrying scoring knives (68). The tubing is continuously moved through the nip by a continuously operated set of feeding rolls (70) and then passed to a set of pull rolls (74) which are driven at a more rapid rate to place the tubing (46) in tension to cause it to be severed where scored. Also disclosed is a method of continuously cutting extruded metal tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Jeff Logic
  • Patent number: 6006669
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for automatically affixing notes to a moving printed web which has a plurality of repeat lengths, each of the notes being automatically applied at the same relative location in each of a plurality of repeat lengths of the printed web. The apparatus includes a note feed device adapted to receive a note web consisting of a carrier web and a plurality of removable notes disposed on the carrier web. The apparatus also includes a note handler operatively coupled to separate the notes from the carrier web and cause them to be applied to the printed web and a controller adapted to control the note feed device so as to cause each of the notes to be applied to the printed web in a predetermined position in each of the repeat lengths of the printed web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Hurletron, Incorporated
    Inventors: David M. Klein, Steven J. Siler
  • Patent number: 5976430
    Abstract: There are disclosed a method and an apparatus for removing a cover from a golf ball. There is used a pair of geared rolls in an engaged manner, each geared roll comprising a cylindrical shaft on which teeth are axially formed and are circumferentially arranged at predetermined pitches. After the pair of geared rolls are rotated, the golf ball is placed on the upstream side of rotation of the geared rolls, so that part of the cover of the golf ball is bitten between the geared rolls. The cover bitten between the geared rolls is advanced by a rotational force of the geared rolls and is drawn out to the downstream side of rotation of the geared rolls. In this way, the core and cover of the golf ball are separated from each other. Accordingly, the cover can be mechanically removed from the golf ball with improved efficiency, so that the efficiency of work for recycling golf balls can be improved, and the amount of golf balls disposed as industrial waste can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kataoka, Yoshihiko Fujii
  • Patent number: 5967011
    Abstract: A device for removal of slips from a continuously transported slip web is composed of an advancement roll pair which continuously advances and holds the slip web. A blade cylinder pushes a respective lead end of a slip into an open gripper of a gripper cylinder. A device is arranged between the advancement roll pair and the blade cylinder and provides transverse perforated lines. A rotating tear-off segment cooperates with the blade cylinder. In order to enable a simple and rapid adaptation to different slip formats, the advancement speed of the advancement rolls, the transverse perforating device and the angle of action of the tear-off segment are correspondingly changed relative to the blade cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Windmoller & Holscher
    Inventors: Richard Feldkamper, Rudiger Duwendag
  • Patent number: 5966906
    Abstract: A coupon inserter assembly receives a continuous supply of coupons in the form of a web where the forwardmost coupon is attached to the following coupon along a weakened web portion. The inserter assembly includes a pair of intermittently rotating feed rollers and a pair of continuously rotating delivery rollers. An activation sensor is located at a dispensing location or a conveyor carrying receiving products for receiving coupons. When the activation sensor senses a receiving product, a signal is sent to a clutch-brake to activate the feed rollers. The feed rollers then feed the web into the delivery rollers. When a deactivation sensor located beyond the delivery rollers senses the presence of the forwardmost coupon, a signal is sent to the clutch-brake which stops the rotation of the feed rollers. Because the delivery rollers continue to pull the forwardmost coupon, the two coupons separate along the weakened web portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Northfield Corporation
    Inventors: Craig M. Kuehl, Michael Boehm
  • Patent number: 5941053
    Abstract: Apparatus that uses the burster method for positioning coupons from a continuous web at a predetermined time at a predetermined location for insertion is disclosed. Positioning rolls define a bight to receive the leading edge of a coupon and are driven by positioning drive assembly. A feed drive assembly advances coupons to the positioning rolls. Sensors actuate and deactuate the feed drive assembly in response to the presence of a container at a selected position and the presence of a coupon at another sensing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Carol Joyce Witt
    Inventor: Thomas George Kotsiopoulos
  • Patent number: 5927583
    Abstract: A device that mechanically separates continuous edge tied automated ticket and boarding pass (ATB) coupons (22) by pulling the coupon to coupon perforations past a stationary tapered edge (50). The existing coupon transport drive provides the energy for coupon separation. Compared to existing methods, this design is low cost, quiet, and forgiving of coupon perforation registration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Kyle
  • Patent number: 5862754
    Abstract: A card insertion system (10) and method in which a free standing inserter module (12) for inserting cards into carriers has a carrier inlet (14) at a preselected elevation (14') for selectively, alternatively interfacing with, and receiving carrier forms (15) from, a free standing in-line carrier form printer module (20) with a carrier form outlet (22) at the preselected elevation (22') to feed in-line carrier forms to the printer inlet when the burster module (32) and printer module (20) are positioned in relative cooperate adjacent alignment and in which a free standing burster (32) for separating preprinted continuous carrier form stock into bursted separate carriers with a bursted carrier form outlet (38) at a preselected elevation (38') substantially the same as that of the carrier inlet (14) of the inserter (12) to enable direct insertion of the preprinted forms ejected from the burster outlet (38) into the carrier inlet (14) of the inserter module (12) when the inserter module (12) and printer module (
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Dynetics Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery L. Hill, Gregory S. Hill
  • Patent number: 5862968
    Abstract: Linerless labels are cut or burst from a web by passing the web through infeed and outfeed pairs of rolls with a separator device located therebetween. Each roll pair includes a friction surface for engaging the slick smooth surface of the web and another roll with a silicone elastomeric or plasma-coated surface for engaging substantially without gripping the exposed adhesive side of the linerless label web. In the cutting mode, a rotary blade severs the web against a fixed blade to form the label. The infeed rolls are backed up after each cut to break the adhesive bond between the web and the fixed blade and then reverse to advance the web through the cutting position and into the outfeed rolls for a subsequent cutting operation. The outfeed rolls continue to advance the cut linerless label to a receiving station. In a bursting mode, the web is perforated and a roller breaker bar is disposed between the infeed and outfeed rolls to break the web along the perforations to form the linerless label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Moore Business Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Traise
  • Patent number: 5853117
    Abstract: Linerless labels are cut or burst from a web by passing the web through infeed and outfeed pairs of rolls with a separator device located therebetween. Each roll pair includes a friction surface for engaging the slick smooth surface of the web and another roll with a silicone elastomeric or plasma-coated surface for engaging substantially without gripping the exposed adhesive side of the linerless label web. In the cutting mode, a rotary blade severs the web against a fixed blade to form the label. The infeed rolls are backed up after each cut to break the adhesive bond between the web and the fixed blade and then reverse to advance the web through the cutting position and into the outfeed rolls for a subsequent cutting operation. The outfeed rolls continue to advance the cut linerless label to a receiving station. In a bursting mode, the web is perforated and a roller breaker bar is disposed between the infeed and outfeed rolls to break the web along the perforations to form the linerless label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Moore Business Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Traise
  • Patent number: 5836498
    Abstract: An improved lottery ticket dispenser includes a burster wheel having a cylindrical contact surface. The improved burster wheel provides for an increased range of operation so that greater misalignment between the perforation or line of weakness between adjacent tickets in a fanfold stream and the path of the burster wheel can be accommodated while still providing a reliable and effective separation of the adjacent tickets along the line of weakness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Interlott Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Edmund F. Turek
  • Patent number: 5785224
    Abstract: Apparatus uses a burster method to bow a continuous web of inserts and thereafter separates the forwardmost insert from the continuous web. A pair of feed rollers advances the forwardmost insert along a predetermined path toward a pair of burst rollers. Upon receipt of the forwardmost insert, the burst rollers first operate at a decreased relative speed with respect to the advancing speed of the web, thereby bowing the continuous web of inserts. The burst rollers then operate at an increased relative speed with respect to the feed rollers, thereby separating the forwardmost insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Carol Joyce Witt
    Inventor: Anthony J. Nowakowski
  • Patent number: 5784861
    Abstract: Apparatus that uses the burster method for positioning coupons from a continuous web at a predetermined time at a predetermined location for insertion is disclosed. Positioning roll means define a bight to receive the leading edge of a coupon and are driven by positioning drive means at a continuous predetermined speed. Feeding roll means located upstream of the positioning roll means in the excess of one coupon length are driven by intermittent feeding drive means at a speed substantially less than the speed of the positioning roll means. Controlling means actuate and deactuate the feeding drive means in response to timing means related to container position and coupon sensing means at a sensing position between the positioning roll means and the feeding roll means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: C. Joyce Witt
    Inventor: Thomas George Kotsiopoulos