Card advancing and function performing methods and apparatus

Claim 2

In a method of performing a function relative to a card, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: placing said card in a first region; advancing said card from said first region by way of a first path to a second region, whereby a first edge portion of the card leads an opposite second edge portion of the card; performing said function relative to said card in said second region; providing a second path different from said first path and leading from said second region to said first region, and locating said second path between said first path and said second region; making said second edge portion lead said first edge portion of the card; depressing said leading second edge portion into said second path; and returning said card from said second region to said first region by way of said second path different from said first path with said second edge portion continuing to lead said first edge portion of the card.

Claim 3

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said first region is compartmentalized; said card is positioned in a first compartment in said first region; said card is advanced from said first compartment in said first region by way of a first path leading from said first compartment to said second region; and said card is moved from said second region to a second compartment in said first region by way of a second path leading from said second region to said second compartment in said first region.

Claim 4

A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said card is first moved in said second region in a first direction away from said first path and is then moved in said second region in a second direction opposite to said first direction to said second path.

Claim 5

A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said card is first rotated in said second region in a first sense away from said first path and is then rotated in said second region in a second sense toward said second path.

Claim 6

In a method of performing a function relative to a number of cards, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: placing said cards in the form of a stack of cards in a first compartment of a first region; advancing said cards one by one from said stack of cards in said first compartment to a second region by way of a first path leading from said first compartment to said second region, whereby a first edge portion of each card leads an opposite second edge portion of that card; performing said function relative to each card in said second region; providing a second path different from said first path and leading from said second region to said first region, and locating said second path between said first path and said second region; and making said second edge portion of each card lead said first edge portion of that card and moving each card from said second region to a second compartment in said first region before said function is performed relative to the next card in said stack, the cards being moved from said second region to said second compartment in said first region by depressing said leading second edge portion of each card into said second path and advancing each card by way of said second path, the latter advanced cards being stacked in said second compartment in said first region.

Claim 7

In a method of performing a function relative to a number of cards, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: placing said cards in the form of a stack of cards in a first compartment of a first region; advancing said cards one by one from said stack of cards in said first compartment to a second region by way of a first path leading from said first compartment to said second region, whereby a first edge portion of each card leads an opposite second edge portion of that card; performing said function relative to each card in said second region; providing a second path different from said first path and leading from said second region to said first region, and locating said second path between said first path and said second region; and making said second edge portion of each card lead said first edge portion of that card and moving each card from said second region to a second compartment in said first region before said function is performed relative to the next card in said stack, the cards being moved from said second region to said second compartment in said first region by depressing said leading second edge portion of each card into said second path and advancing each card by way of said second path, the latter advanced cards being stacked in said second compartment in said first region.

Claim 8

A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein: each card is first moved in said second region in a first direction away from said first path and is then moved in said second region in a second direction opposite to said first direction to said second path.

Claim 9

A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein: each card is first rotated in said second region in a first sense away from said first path and is then rotated in said second region in a secOnd sense toward said second path.

Claim 10

In apparatus for performing a function relative to a card, the improvement comprising in combination: means for storing said card in a first region of said apparatus; means defining a first channel between said first region and a second region of said apparatus; means for advancing said card from said first region by way of said first channel to said second region, whereby a first edge portion of the card leads an opposite second edge portion of the card; means for performing said function relative to said card in said second region; means defining a second channel extending between said second region and said first region and being located between said first channel and said second region; means for reversing the direction of movement of said card whereby said second edge portion leads said first edge portion; and means for depressing said leading second edge portion into said second channel, said reversing means including means for returning said card from said second region to said first region at said reversed direction of movement and by way of said second channel.

Claim 11

In apparatus for performing a function relative to a card, the improvement comprising in combination: means for storing said card in a first region of said apparatus; means defining a first channel between said first region and a second region of said apparatus; means for advancing said card from said first region by way of said first channel to said second region, whereby a first edge portion of the card leads an opposite second edge portion of the card; means for performing said function relative to said card in said second region; means defining a second channel extending between said second region and said first region and being located between said first channel and said second region; means for reversing the direction of movement of said card whereby said second edge portion leads said first edge portion; and means for depressing said leading second edge portion into said second channel, said reversing means including means for returning said card from said second region to said first region at said reversed direction of movement and by way of said second channel.

Claim 12

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein: said apparatus includes means for defining distinct first and second compartments in said first region; said storing means include means for storing said card in said first compartment; said first channel defining means include means for defining said first channel between said first compartment and said second region; said card advancing means including means for advancing said card from said first compartment by way of said first channel to said second region; said second channel defining means include means for defining said second channel between said second region and said second compartment; and said card returning means include means for returning said card from said second region to said second compartment by way of said second channel.

Claim 13

Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, including: means for moving said card in said second compartment from said second channel to a rest position in said second compartment spaced from said first compartment.

Claim 14

Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, including: means in said second region for moving said card, said moving means including means for first moving said card in said second region in a first direction away from said first channel and means for then moving said card in said second region in a second direction opposite to said first direction and toward said second channel.

Claim 15

Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, including: rotary means in said second region; means for wrapping said card about said rotary means in said second region; and means for rotating said rotary means with said card in said second region, said rotating means including means for rotating said rotary means with said card in a first sense away from said first channel, and means for rotating said rotary means with said card alternatively in a second sense toward said second channel.

Claim 16

In apparatus for performing a function relative to a number of cards, the improvement comprising in combination: means for defining a first compartment; means for receiving said cards in the form of a stack of cards in said first compartment; means for providing a first channel between said first compartment and a predetermined region of said apparatus; means for advancing said cards one by one from said stack of cards in said first compartment to said predetermined region by way of said first channel, whereby a first edge portion of each card leads an opposite second edge portion of that card; means for performing said function relative to each card in said predetermined region; means for defining a second compartment; means for providing a second channel extending between said predetermined region and said second compartment and being located between said first channel and said pRedetermined region; means for reversing the direction of movement of each card in said predetermined region whereby said second edge portion of each card leads said first edge portion of that card; and means for depressing said leading second edge portion of each card into said second channel, said reversing means include means for moving each card from said predetermined region to said second compartment before said function is performed relative to the next card in said stack, and for so moving each card in said reversed direction of movement from said predetermined region to said second compartment by way of said second channel; and means for stacking said moved cards in said second compartment.

Claim 17

In apparatus for performing a function relative to a number of cards, the improvement comprising in combination: means for defining a first compartment; means for receiving said cards in the form of a stack of cards in said first compartment; means for providing a first channel between said first compartment and a predetermined region of said apparatus; means for advancing said cards one by one from said stack of cards in said first compartment to said predetermined region by way of said first channel, whereby a first edge portion of each card leads an opposite second edge portion of that card; means for performing said function relative to each card in said predetermined region; means for defining a second compartment; means for providing a second channel extending between said predetermined region and said second compartment and being located between said first channel and said pRedetermined region; means for reversing the direction of movement of each card in said predetermined region whereby said second edge portion of each card leads said first edge portion of that card; and means for depressing said leading second edge portion of each card into said second channel, said reversing means include means for moving each card from said predetermined region to said second compartment before said function is performed relative to the next card in said stack, and for so moving each card in said reversed direction of movement from said predetermined region to said second compartment by way of said second channel; and means for stacking said moved cards in said second compartment.

Claim 18

An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, including: means in said predetermined region for moving said card, said moving means including means for first moving said card in said predetermined region in a first direction away from said first channel and means for then moving said card in said predetermined region in a second direction opposite to said first direction and toward said second channel.

Claim 19

An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, including: rotary means in said predetermined region; means for wrapping said card about said rotary means in said predetermined region; and means for rotating said rotary means with said card in said predetermined region, said rotating means including means for rotating said rotary means with said card in a first sense away from said first channel, and means for rotating said rotary means with said card alternatively in a second sense toward said second channel.

Claim 20

In apparatus for performing a function relative to a card, the improvement comprising in combination: means for storing said card in a first region of said apparatus; means defining a first channel between said first region and a second region of said apparatus; means defining a second channel extending between said second region and said first region and being located between said first channel and said second region; means for advancing said card from said first region by way of said first channel to said second region, whereby a first edge portion of the card leads an opposite second edge portion of the card; means in said second region for moving said card in a first direction wherein said first edge portion leads said second edge portion, and alternatively in a second direction wherein said second edge portion leads said first edge portion; means for performing said function relative to said card in said second region; means at said second region for positioning said leading first edge portion of said card into engagement with said card moving means in said second region and for alternatively depressing said leading second edge portion of said card into said second channel; and means for returning said card from said second region to said first region by way of said second channel with said second end portion leading said returning card through said second channel.

Claim 21

In apparatus for performing a function relative to a card, the improvement comprising in combination: means for storing said card in a first region of said apparatus; means defining a first channel between said first region and a second region of said apparatus; means defining a second channel extending between said second region and said first region and being located between said first channel and said second region; means for advancing said card from said first region by way of said first channel to said second region, whereby a first edge portion of the card leads an opposite second edge portion of the card; means in said second region for moving said card in a first direction wherein said first edge portion leads said second edge portion, and alternatively in a second direction wherein said second edge portion leads said first edge portion; means for performing said function relative to said card in said second region; means at said second region for positioning said leading first edge portion of said card into engagement with said card moving means in said second region and for alternatively depressing said leading second edge portion of said card into said second channel; and means for returning said card from said second region to said first region by way of said second channel with said second end portion leading said returning card through said second channel.

Claim 22

An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said card moving means in said second region include rotary means, means for wrapping said card about said rotary means in said second region, and means for rotating said rotary means with said card in said second region, said rotating means including means for rotating said rotary means with said card in a first sense away from said first channel, and means for rotating said rotary means with said card alternatively in a second sense toward said second channel; and said edge positioning and depressing means include means for positioning said leading first edge portion of said card into engagement with said rotary and wrapping means, and for alternatively depressing said leading second edge portion of said card into said second channel upon rotation of said rotary means with said card in said second sense toward said second channel.