Methods and apparatus for performing a function relative to a card

Claim 2

In a method of performing a function relative to a card, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: bending the card into a curved shape with the aid of an applied force; generating motive power with part of said applied force and storing said generated motive power; performing said function relative to said bent card; unbending said bent card with the aid of said stored motive power; and regulating the unbending of said bent card in relationship to the performance of said function relative to said card.

Claim 3

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said stored motive power is released in a controlled manner; said bent card is unbent with the aid of said motive power released in a controlled manner; and said function is performed relative to said card after initiation of said release of the motive power and prior to completed unbending of said card.

Claim 4

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: an additional function is performed relative to the card while the card is being bent into a curved shape.

Claim 5

In a method of performing a function relative to card, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: advancing the card from a first position to a spaced region; bending the card in said spaced region into a curved shape with the aid of an applied force; generating motive power with part of said applied force and storing said generated motive power; performing said function relative to said bent card; unbending said bent card and advancing said unbent card at least partially from said spaced region to a second location; regulating the unbendiNg of said bent card in relationship to the performance of said function relative to said card; and removing the card from said second location.

Claim 6

In a method of performing a function relative to card, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: advancing the card from a first position to a spaced region; bending the card in said spaced region into a curved shape with the aid of an applied force; generating motive power with part of said applied force and storing said generated motive power; performing said function relative to said bent card; unbending said bent card and advancing said unbent card at least partially from said spaced region to a second location; regulating the unbendiNg of said bent card in relationship to the performance of said function relative to said card; and removing the card from said second location.

Claim 7

A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein: said stored motive power is released in a controlled manner; said bent card is unbent with the aid of said motive power released in a controlled manner; and said function is performed relative to said card after initiation of said release of the motive power and prior to completed unbending of said card.

Claim 8

A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein: an additional function is performed relative to the card while the card is being bent into a curved shape.

Claim 9

In apparatus for performing a function relative to a card, the improvement comprising in combination: means for bending the card into a curved shape; means connected to said bending means for generating and storing motive power; means for performing said function relative to said bent card; and means coupled to said motive power generating and storing means for unbending said bent card with the aid of said motive power, said means for unbending said bent card include means for regulating the unbending of the bent card in relationship to the performance of said function relative to the card.

Claim 10

In apparatus for performing a function relative to a card, the improvement comprising in combination: means for bending the card into a curved shape; means connected to said bending means for generating and storing motive power; means for performing said function relative to said bent card; and means coupled to said motive power generating and storing means for unbending said bent card with the aid of said motive power, said means for unbending said bent card include means for regulating the unbending of the bent card in relationship to the performance of said function relative to the card.

Claim 11

An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said means for unbending said bent card include means for initiating a release of said stored motive power, and means for unbending said bent card with said released motive power; and said function performing means include means for performing said function relative to said card after initiation of said release and prior to completed unbending of said card.

Claim 12

An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, including: means for performing an additional function relative to the card while the card is being bent into a curved shape.

Claim 13

An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said bending means include a rotary body having a curved surface, means coupled to said rotary body for rotating said body in a first sense, and means for wrapping the card on said curved surface of the rotating body; said generating and storing means include means coupled to said body for generating motive power upon said rotation in a first sense, and for storing said generated motive power; and said unbending means include means coupled to said motive power generating and storing means for rotating said body in a second sense with said stored motive power, and means for guiding the card away from said body.

Claim 14

An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein: said function performing means include means for performing said function relative to the card after commencement of said body rotation in said second sense and prior to a completion of said guiding away of the card from said body.

Claim 15

In apparatus for performing a function relative to a card, the improvement comprising in combination: means for advancing the card from a first position to a spaced region; means for bending the card in said spaced region into a curved shape; means connected to said bending means for generating and storing motive power; means for performing said function relative to said bent card; means coupled to said motive power generating and storing means for unbending said bent card with the aid of said motive power, said means for unbending said bent card include means for regulating the unbending of the bent card in relationship to the performance of said function relative to the card; and means for advancing said unbent card to a second position spaced from said spaced region.

Claim 16

In apparatus for performing a function relative to a card, the improvement comprising in combination: means for advancing the card from a first position to a spaced region; means for bending the card in said spaced region into a curved shape; means connected to said bending means for generating and storing motive power; means for performing said function relative to said bent card; means coupled to said motive power generating and storing means for unbending said bent card with the aid of said motive power, said means for unbending said bent card include means for regulating the unbending of the bent card in relationship to the performance of said function relative to the card; and means for advancing said unbent card to a second position spaced from said spaced region.

Claim 17

An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, including: means for performing an additional function relative to the card while the card is being bent into a curved shape.

Claim 18

An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein: said bending means include a rotary body having a curved surface, means coupled to said rotary body For rotating said body in a first sense, and means for wrapping the card on said curved surface of the rotating body; said generating and storing means include means coupled to said body for generating motive power upon said rotation in a first sense, and for storing said generated motive power; and said unbending means include means coupled to said motive power generating and storing means for rotating said body in a second sense with said stored motive power, and means for guiding the card away from said body.

Claim 19

An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein: said function performing means include means for performing said function relative to the card after commencement of said body rotation in said second sense and prior to a completion of said guiding away of the card from said body.