GB2261097A

GB2261097A - Raffle ticket dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2261097A
Application number: GB9222606A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Murphy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-11-02
Filing date: 1992-10-28
Publication date: 1993-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2012-10-28
Also published as: GB2261097B; GB9222606D0

Abstract

Coin operated dispensing apparatus comprises means 58 for dispensing a raffle ticket upon insertion of a coin or coins and means 40, 42 for displaying the lowest and highest number of tickets issued. The apparatus may also comprise a random selector assembly 48 for selecting a winning ticket number which may be shown on a display 50. The apparatus may comprise means 32 for printing the number and other information on the ticket. <IMAGE>

Description

Dispensing Apparatus This invention concerns dispensing apparatus and particularly but not exclusively coin operated dispensing apparatus for dispensing numbered tickets for lotteries and the like.

In lotteries or raffles numbered tickets are sold often in aid of charities or for the funds of a club or society. A number or numbers corresponding to the numbers on the tickets are subsequently drawn at random and the person with the ticket bearing that number receives a prize. Difficulties are often encountered in selling such tickets particularly for example in clubs where raffles or lotteries are regularly held and thus ticket selling is a frequent task which can often become a chore.

According to the present invention there is provided coin operated dispensing apparatus comprising means for issuing a ticket bearing a number, means for recording the lowest numbered ticket issued and means for automatically recording the highest numbered ticket issued.

Means are preferably provided for displaying said lowest and highest numbers.

The numbered tickets may be sequentially issued.

The apparatus may comprise winning number display means which randomly selects and displays a winning number between said highest and lowest numbers.

The apparatus preferably includes means for printing the ticket number on the ticket prior to issue.

The apparatus also preferably comprises means for locating a roll of tickets therein and removing a required number of tickets from the roll and dispensing same in response to insertion of a coin or coins into the apparatus.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the apparatus comprises means for randomly selecting a number within a preselected range and printing the number on the tickets prior to dispensing, such that each ticket bears a different number.

Means may be provided to enable selection and/or display of the preselected range of numbers.

The printing means is preferably programmable to print preselected material on the tickets in addition to the number.

The winning number display means preferably only selects a number which has been printed on an issued ticket.

The apparatus may comprise a plurality of dispensing means for dispensing tickets at a plurality of remote locations, the dispensing means being connected together such that a different number is printed on each ticket issued.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a display panel of apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of apparatus according to the invention; and Fig. 3 is a similar view to fig. 2 of a further apparatus according to the invention.

The drawings show coin operated apparatus for dispensing raffle tickets. The dispensing apparatus 10 of fig. 2 comprises a roll 12 of preprinted tickets rotatably mounted on a central spindle 14. The tickets 12 can be printed with the location at which they are being sold and/or the concern for which they are being sold, or any other information, and are numbered for example from 1 to 10,000. The free end of the roll 12 extends into a dispenser and guillotine 16.

The dispenser 16 is operably connected to a coin receiving mechanism 18. The mechanism 18 comprises a slot 20 (fig. 1) which leads into a coin recognition assembly 22. The assembly 22 checks that an inserted coin is a valid coin and sends a signal to the guillotine and dispenser 16 to issue a required number of tickets.

After the assembly 22 a coin passes through a counter 24 into a cash box 26. The counter 24 records the number of the tickets issued as will be explained in greater detail below.

Fig. 3 shows a somewhat similar dispensing apparatus 28. In the apparatus 28 a roll 30 of blank tickets is provided. The free end of the roll 30 extends through a combined printer and dispenser/guillotine 32.

Prior to dispensing of a ticket the printer 32 prints a required indication on the ticket 32 of for example the location where tickets are being sold or any charity for which the tickets are being sold and a number as instructed by the counter 24. The indication provided by the printer 32 may be amended as and when required.

Fig. 1 shows a display panel assembly 34 usable with either of the apparatus 10, 28. As indicated above the panel assembly 34 includes a slot 20 for coins to be inserted. A display 36 is provided beneath the slot 20 and is illuminated to indicate when money has been inserted into the assembly 34. "A reject coin" opening 38 is provided towards a lower part of the assembly 34.

Between the display 36 and opening 38 are provided two six figure numeric displays 40, 42 for indicating respectively the lowest and highest number of tickets issued. Control buttons 44, 46 are provided adjacent respectively the displays 40, 42 to permit a number to be entered on the respective display 40, 42 or to enable resetting thereof.

With the apparatus 28 as shown in fig. 3 the counter 24 may be programmed to randomly select a different number for each ticket 30. In this instance the displays 40, 42 indicate the lower and upper limits of numbers which may be printed on the tickets.

Obviously, prior to operation these numbers will be set using the buttons 44, 46 as required.

To the right of the assembly 44 is provided a random selector assembly 48. The assembly 48 comprises a six figure numeric display 50 and two six figure numeric thumb wheel 52, 54. The thumb wheels 52, 54 are used to enter respectively the numbers shown on the display 40, 42. The assembly 34 may be constructed such that the thumb wheels 52, 54 can be omitted and the readings in the displays 40, 42 are communicated automatically to the assembly 48.

A button 56 is provided adjacent the display 50 which when pressed actuates the assembly 48 to produce a random number in the display 50. The assembly 48 is connected such that when, as in the example of the apparatus 28 randomly selected numbers have been printed on the tickets 30, the assembly 48 will only select a number which has already been issued on a ticket. On the right hand bottom corner of the assembly 34 is provided a slot 58 through which tickets are dispensed.

It is possible for a number of dispensing apparatus to be provided for example in a single building or club.

With apparatus where the numbered tickets are dispensed in sequence, obviously rolls of tickets with different ranges of numbers would be provided in each apparatus.

The displays 40, 42 on each apparatus could be respectively operably connected to a single assembly 48 to ensure that the number selected is one that has been issued. In a similar way, with tickets where the numbers are randomly selected, the counters 24 on each apparatus can be operably connected to ensure that numbers selected, by the assembly 48 are only those which have already been printed on issued tickets.

There is thus described apparatus which permits raffle and lottery tickets to be automatically dispensed, thus alleviating the requirement for persons to sell such tickets. The apparatus is of relatively simple construction and can thus be inexpensively manufactured and maintained. The provision in some of the apparatus according to the invention of a printer permits different logos or messages to be readily printed on tickets, and the added interest feature of printing random numbers on the tickets. The random number selector, especially when automatically connected to the dispensing apparatus, provides for an exciting draw of a winning person or persons without the requirement for duplicate copies of tickets to be drawn.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, as indicated above, the counters and random selector can be operably connected thereby alleviating the requirement for the thumb wheels. Alternatively, control buttons could be provided in place of the thumb wheels. It may not be necessary to provide a random selector in which case double tickets could be issued, half of which would be retained by the purchaser with the other half put into the draw. The displays of the number of tickets issued may be provided internally of the machine or may be provided at a different location, indicating when a winner should be drawn.

Claims

Claims:

1. Coin operated dispensing apparatus comprising means for issuing a ticket bearing a number, means for recording the lowest numbered ticket issued and means for automatically recording the highest numbered ticket issued.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which means are provided for displaying said lowest and highest numbers.

3. Apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, in which means are provided for sequentially issuing the numbered tickets.

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus comprises winning number display means which randomly selects and displays a winning number between said highest and lowest numbers.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes means for printing the ticket number on the ticket prior to issue.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the apparatus comprises means for randomly selecting a number within a preselected range and printing the number on the tickets prior to dispensing, such that each ticket bears a different number.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which means are provided to enable selection and/or display of the preselected range of numbers.

8. Apparatus according to claims 6 or 7, in which the apparatus comprises winning number display means which randomly selects and displays a winning number which has been printed on an issued ticket.

9. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 8, in which the printing means is programmable to print preselected material on the tickets in addition to the number.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus comprises means for locating a roll of tickets therein and removing a required number of tickets from the roll and dispensing same in response to insertion of a coin or coins into the apparatus.

11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus comprises a plurality of dispensing means for dispensing tickets at a plurality of remote locations, the dispensing means being connected together such that a different number is printed on each ticket issued.

12. Coin operated dispensing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

13. Coin operated dispensing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.

14. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing specification or claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.