Trading stamp invalidating apparatus and method of using

Claim 1

An apparatus for invalidating certificates and trading stamps at a redemption center after the latter have been affixed to paper pages of disposable books, each of said trading stamps when affixed to said pages having a visable external surface on which an insignia is defined by a temperature sensitive material that remains a first color at ambient temperature but which changes permanently to a second color that is distinct from said first color when said stamps are subjected to a predetermined second temperature for not less than a predetermined length of time, said certificates of substantially the same structure as said stamps, with said predetermined second temperature being such as to not appreciably damage the paper defining said pages, stamps and certificates, said apparatus including: a. a portable redeemed certificate and trading stamp book receiver that includes a rectangular bottom that has a pair of apertured side pieces and end pieces extending upwardly therefrom; b. a cover operatively associated with the upper edges of said end pieces and side pieces, said cover capable of occupying either a first or second position, said cover when in said first position closing the top of said receiver, and said cover when in said second position permitting access to the interior of said receiver to remove said trading stamps and certificates therefrom; c. first means for locking said cover in said first position; d. second means for introducing redeemed certificates and books of stamps into the confines of said receiver when said cover is in said first position; e. an electric oven structure that includes a bottom; f. a first end wall extending upwardly from said bottom; g. two laterally spaced side walls extending upwardly from said bottom; h. a top connecting the upper portion of said side walls and end wall; i. a vertically positioned door hingedly supported from the free end of one of said side walls; j. rail means disposed inside said structure and supported therefrom and on which rail means said receiver may rest; k. a layer of heat insulating material covering substantially the entire interior surface of said oven structure; l. electrical resistance heating means disposed inside said oven structure interiorly from said heat insulating layer; m. an electrically operated lock mounted on said door, for holding said door in a closed position; n. an electrically operated timer that permits said electrically operated lock to be moved from a door locking position only after said door has remained in said position for a predetermined length of time; o. a normally closed, electrically operated thermostat that opens when a predetermined temperature is reached, said thermostat being in communication with the interior of said oven; and p. electric circuit means for supplying electrical energy to said resistance element, timer and thermostat, for heating the interior of said oven to not greater than a predetermined temperature for not less than a predetermined length of time b. assure that the heat sensitive ink insignias on said stamps in said books in said receiver are permanently transformed to said second color, prior to said timer permitting said lock to assume a position where said door may be opened and said receiver and redeemed stamp books removed from said ovEn.

Claim 2

An apparatus for invalidating certificates and trading stamps at a redemption center after the latter have been affixed to paper pages of disposable books, each of said trading stamps when affixed to said pages having a visable external surface on which an insignia is defined by a temperature sensitive material that remains a first color at ambient temperature but which changes permanently to a second color that is distinct from said first color when said stamps are subjected to a predetermined second temperature for not less than a predetermined length of time, said certificates of substantially the same structure as said stamps, with said predetermined second temperature being such as to not appreciably damage the paper defining said pages, stamps and certificates, said apparatus including: a. a portable redeemed certificate and trading stamp book receiver that includes a rectangular bottom that has a pair of apertured side pieces and end pieces extending upwardly therefrom; b. a cover operatively associated with the upper edges of said end pieces and side pieces, said cover capable of occupying either a first or second position, said cover when in said first position closing the top of said receiver, and said cover when in said second position permitting access to the interior of said receiver to remove said trading stamps and certificates therefrom; c. first means for locking said cover in said first position; d. second means for introducing redeemed certificates and books of stamps into the confines of said receiver when said cover is in said first position; e. an electric oven structure that includes a bottom; f. a first end wall extending upwardly from said bottom; g. two laterally spaced side walls extending upwardly from said bottom; h. a top connecting the upper portion of said side walls and end wall; i. a vertically positioned door hingedly supported from the free end of one of said side walls; j. rail means disposed inside said structure and supported therefrom and on which rail means said receiver may rest; k. a layer of heat insulating material covering substantially the entire interior surface of said oven structure; l. electrical resistance heating means disposed inside said oven structure interiorly from said heat insulating layer; m. an electrically operated lock mounted on said door, for holding said door in a closed position; n. an electrically operated timer that permits said electrically operated lock to be moved from a door locking position only after said door has remained in said position for a predetermined length of time; o. a normally closed, electrically operated thermostat that opens when a predetermined temperature is reached, said thermostat being in communication with the interior of said oven; and p. electric circuit means for supplying electrical energy to said resistance element, timer and thermostat, for heating the interior of said oven to not greater than a predetermined temperature for not less than a predetermined length of time b. assure that the heat sensitive ink insignias on said stamps in said books in said receiver are permanently transformed to said second color, prior to said timer permitting said lock to assume a position where said door may be opened and said receiver and redeemed stamp books removed from said ovEn.