Apparatus for dispensing money orders

Claim 1

An automatic money order dispenser for printing and dispensing money orders of the type having relatively long top and bottom edges and relatively short left and right side edges, and having alphanumeric indicia pre-printed thereon along lines extending substantially parallel to the top and bottom edges comprising: a digital processor for controlling the operation of said dispenser; a money order issuing path along which pre-printed money order forms travel with one of the side edges of each form positioned as a leading edge as the forms travel along the issuing path through the dispenser; printing means extending entirely transversely across the money order issuing path and perpendicular to the top and bottom edges of the pre-printed money order forms for simultaneously printing variable alphanumeric indicia on the pre-printed money order forms on a plurality of lines extending substantially parallel to the top and bottom edges of the forms thereby forming completed money orders to be issued; means for insuring the pre-printed money order forms are not counterfeit including means sensing at least one code mark on each pre-printed form, said means for insuring further including means determining whether the forms are properly located in the printing means before actuating the printing means; an external housing enclosing the money order issuing path, the printing means and a compartment for storing pre-printed money order forms; and an opening in the housing for emitting completed money orders from the housing following printing by the printing means.

Claim 4

A system for printing and dispensing money orders of the type having relatively long top and bottom edges and relatively short left and right side edges, and having alphanumeric indicia pre-printed thereon along lines extending substantially parallel to the top and bottom edges at one or more retail establishments, including a data collector, comprising: a plurality of money order dispensers each including: a digital processor for controlling the operation of said dispenser; a money order issuing path along which pre-printed money order forms travel with one of the side edges of each form positioned as a leading edge as the forms travel along the issuing path through the dispenser; printing means extending entirely transversely across the money order issuing path and perpendicular to the top and bottom edges of the pre-printed money order forms for simultaneously printing variable alphanumeric indicia on the pre-printed money order forms on a plurality of lines extending substantially parallel to the top and bottom edges of the forms thereby forming completed money orders to be issued; means for insuring the pre-printed money order forms are not counterfeit including means sensing at least one code mark on each pre-printed form, said means for insuring further including means determining whether the forms are properly located in the printing means before actuating the printing means; an external housing enclosing the money order issuing path, the printing means and a compartment for storing pre-printed money order forms; and an opening in the housing for emitting completed money orders from the housing following printing by the printing means; a digital processor for controlling the operation of said dispenser; means for connecting said plurality of money order dispensers to said data collector.

Claim 5

A system for printing and dispensing money orders of the type having relatively long top and bottom edges and relatively short left and right side edges, and having alphanumeric indicia pre-printed thereon along lines extending substantially parallel to the top and bottom edges at one or more retail establishments, including a data collector, comprising: a plurality of money order dispensers each including: a digital processor for controlling the operation of said dispenser; a money order issuing path along which pre-printed money order forms travel with one of the side edges of each form positioned as a leading edge as the forms travel along the issuing path through the dispenser; printing means extending entirely transversely across the money order issuing path and perpendicular to the top and bottom edges of the pre-printed money order forms for simultaneously printing variable alphanumeric indicia on the pre-printed money order forms on a plurality of lines extending substantially parallel to the top and bottom edges of the forms thereby forming completed money orders to be issued; means for insuring the pre-printed money order forms are not counterfeit including means sensing at least one code mark on each pre-printed form, said means for insuring further including means determining whether the forms are properly located in the printing means before actuating the printing means; an external housing enclosing the money order issuing path, the printing means and a compartment for storing pre-printed money order forms; and an opening in the housing for emitting completed money orders from the housing following printing by the printing means; a digital processor for controlling the operation of said dispenser; means for connecting said plurality of money order dispensers to said data collector.