Automatic coupon dispenser and raffler for use in connection with promotional campaigns

Abstract

 The automatic coupon dispenser comprises a bearing structure (1) for a displaceable deck (2) pushed by elastic means (10) or the like against at least one opening (13) of the box which contains the mechanism and presents the operation of the electric motor (7) commanded by means of a button (12) that can be acted from the outside of the box and said displaceable deck can move in normal direction according to the roller axis for a remarkable distance (3. 4) in order to contain a great amount of coupons. The roller comprises a deck divided into two mobile parts (26) carrying a coupon stamping member (19, 20) for the stamping of the introduced coupon; said members are acted by two protuberances (17, 18) divided by a rotating roll for the selection.

Description

Field of application

[0001] This invention relates to an automatic coupon dispenser and raffler designed for unattended operation in connection with promotional campaigns. The apparatus comprises a first unit arranged to dispense prize-drawing coupons, tickets or cards, and a second unit for checking off wins randomly.

Prior art

[0002] The state of the art in current sales promotion devices includes electric or electronic random-calculation devices that communicate with the user public by the intermediary of electronic random-calculation cards, whereby options are either submitted essentially in a logical way or randomly, the apparatus response being a pure chance one related to a program which is stored in the device. Furthermore, the answer is given either by means of indicator lights variously displayed on the promotional device, or manually operated selectors whereinto a coupon is to be inserted by the user or an operator for confirmation. Usually, said coupons are handed out by specially appointed personnel, since the public interest in a promotional campaign is unlikely to be aroused by stacks of such coupons merely left for the picking up at the site.

[0003] Moreover, handing out the coupons through charged personnel represents an elevated cost in prevision of calculating the costs of a promotional campaign. Furthermore, the presence of a charged person during the control of the possible win represents all the same an elevated cost, though necessary in case of advertising setups that hinge on visual displays, that, due to the direct participation of the person whom the advertising campaign is addressed to, reveals itself as appealing, interesting and enthralling.

[0004] The state of the art as outlined above is open to improvement, especially in respect of an apparatus for dispensing coupons and confirming wins which could be operated in an unattended fashion.

[0005] Given the above, the technical problem to be solved is one of providing a self-operating device which is simple, can dispense coupons and confirm wins in a reliable way, even without supervision for a long time.

[0006] This invention solves the above technical problem by providing an automatic coupon dispenser for use in connection with promotional campaigns, which dispenser comprises a bearing structure for a displaceable deck against the bias from an elastic or the like means toward at least one powered roller, whereby a coupon held in contact with the roller will be urged toward an opening in a casing for the mechanism, characterized in that the electric motor is operated from a pushbutton placed on the casing outside, and that said displaceable deck can be moved a substantial distance along a normal direction to the roller axis for the purpose of accommodating large numbers of the coupons.

[0007] In another embodiment, an automatic coupon raffler for installation at sales promotion/advertising stalls comprises a bearing structure for a displaceable deck under the bias of an elastic or the like means, and is characterized in that said deck is split into two parts, each for displacement against the bias from one elastic means and carrying a coupon stamping member for stamping the coupons as they are introduced into said structure; and that said stamping members are urged toward a coupon by a roller having two protuberances set side-by-side along the pivot axis of a power-driven shaft, said roller being rotated in a predetermined direction for actuating either one of said stamping members.

[0008] In a further embodiment, a raffler and a dispenser, automatically operated as above, are combined within a common sales promotion/advertising structure.

[0009] One example of how this invention can be implemented is illustrated, by pure mean of example, by the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic rear view of the coupon dispenser device; Figure 2 is a schematic front elevation view; Figure 3 is a schematic longitudinal section view of the dispenser shown in the preceding Figures; Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the dispenser; Figure 5 is a schematic front elevation view of the raffler device according to this invention; Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of the raffler; and Figure 7 is a schematic longitudinal section view of the raffler shown in the preceding Figures.

[0010] Shown in Figures 1 to 4 is an apparatus main frame 1 including a displaceable deck 2 adapted to be displaced between a lower position 3 and an upper position 4 against a roller pair 5 of which the forward one is driven by an electric motor 7 through a drive 6. The displaceable deck runs in vertical grooves 8 through the main frame 1, it being guided by stub shafts 9 acted upon by spring devices 10. A control pushbutton 12 and a coupon passing slot 13 are provided on the front portion 11, in full view from outside. The front portion further includes a jogger 14 effectively allowing the coupons to be released one at a time while the rest are held back onto the displaceable deck. The electric motor would be a battery-powered one (not shown).

[0011] Figures 5 to 7 show a main frame 15 of the raffler, bearing a rotary shaft 16 which has two protuberances 17 and 18 for alternatively actuating the right stamping member 19 or the left one 20. The shaft 16 is rotated by a drive 21 off an electric motor 22. The front wall 23 is slotted to receive a coupon 24, and includes a sensor 25 to time the stamping process. The stampers are connected to and moveable with stamper sheet holders 26 against bias springs 27 for the sheet/stamper assemblies.

[0012] The dispenser device is actuated by pressing the pushbutton to operate the electric motor 7 via a timing device, whereupon the rollers 5, advantageously rubber coated rollers, will force one coupon, ticket or card out through the slot 13. Said operation can take place unattended and is prompted by the user public being invited to press the pushbutton by means of attention catchers and advertisements as well as suitable audio messages and/or music. Thus, personnel are no longer needed for handing out the coupons, with the dispenser enabled to deliver the coupons only to people entertaining a genuine interest in the aforesaid promotional campaign.

[0013] The raffler would be deliberately actuated by people who, having been prompted to engage in the campaign by the prospect of economic or other material benefits, will introduce said coupon, ticket or card - optionally as procured by means other than said dispenser - through the slot 24 and control the electronic selector device to cause the shaft 16 to perform a half turn in either direction and select for application the right stamper 19 or the left one 20, respectively. Upon extracting the coupon, the user is at once acquainted with the issue of the selection and directed to report to a prize counter for drawing a win as prearranged by the sponsor in the campaign. The person at the prize counter may be shop personnel, i.e. not purposely hired for the campaign, so that the sales promotion stall may be left unattended by any personnel in charge of the campaign.

[0014] This invention affords advantages as follows: the personnel involved in the campaign are relieved of the obligation to attend the dispensation of coupons, tickets or cards and the drawing of lots at the raffle station. This lowers the cost of a promotional campaign materially. In addition, the electronic cards for controlling said dispenser and raffler may be associated to electronic circuitry adapted to simulate the human voice and draw the attention of the public on the promotion/advertising campaign. Lastly, by having the aforesaid devices battery-powered, the promotional stalls can be arranged to have long-term self-supporting capabilities.

[0015] In actual practice, the materials, dimensions and construction details may be other than, though technically equivalent to, those specified hereinabove, without departing from the juridical domain of this invention. Thus, although less conveniently, the dispenser and raffler devices could be used disjointedly in a variety of differently aimed promotional campaigns, or used in combination at separate areas of a store where the campaign is carried out.

Claims

1. An automatic coupon dispenser for use in connection with sales promotion/advertising campaigns, which dispenser comprises a bearing structure (1) for a displaceable deck (2) against the bias from an elastic or the like means (10) toward at least one powered roller (5), whereby a coupon held in contact with the roller will be urged toward an opening (13) in a casing for the mechanism, characterized in that the electric motor (7) is operated from a pushbutton placed on the casing outside, and that said displaceable deck can be moved a substantial distance (3,4) along a normal direction to the roller axis for the purpose of accommodating large numbers of the coupons.

2. A dispenser according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it includes at least a second roller (5) having a parallel axis to the first roller, with the distance between centres lying parallel to the direction of said displaceable deck.

3. A dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic means comprises springs (10) stretched between the stub shafts (9) of the displaceable deck (2) and said casing, outboards of the latter.

4. A dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a jogger (14) placed proximate to said opening (13) intervenes between the coupons laid on the displaceable deck while the first coupon is being released.

5. A dispenser according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the electric motor (7) and the control circuitry are battery-powered.

6. An automatic coupon raffler for installation at sales promotion/advertising stalls, which raffler comprises a bearing structure (15) for a displaceable deck under the bias of an elastic or the like means (27), characterized in that said deck is split into two parts (26), each for displacement against the bias from one elastic means (27) and carrying a coupon stamping member (19,20) for stamping the coupons as they are introduced into said structure; and that said stamping members are urged toward a coupon by a roller having two protuberances (17,18) set side-by-side along the pivot axis of a power-driven shaft (16), said roller being rotated in a predetermined direction for actuating either one of said stamping members (19,20).

7. A raffler according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it includes a proximity sensor (25) for introducing the coupons.

8. A raffler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a programmed or programmable electronic circuit for selecting the direction of rotation of said power-driven shaft (16) and the actuation of either one of said stamping members (19,20).

9. A raffler, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it presents the electric motor (22) and the electronic circuit of control and command powered by batteries.

10. Automatic dispenser and raffler according to any of Claims 1 to 9, when jointly installed in a common promotion/advertising structure.

Drawing