Apparatus for dispensing fragrance samples, printed cards, and coupons

Abstract

A printed card dispensing assembly is provided wherein the dispensing mechanism is a self-contained lower unit and the printed cards are self-contained in an upper unit. The dispensing mechanism is a battery operated motor, gear train and friction wheel drive wherein the rotation of friction wheel is controlled by an optical sensor with a time delay that reads the reflection off a printed strip on the underside of the printed card. The entire apparatus is housed in a printed carton that incorporates a graphic identification and/or trademark.

1 . An apparatus for dispensing cards one at a time, comprising:
 a housing defining an interior storage space and a slot in communication with said interior storage space;   a stack of cards contained in said interior storage space with one of said cards adjacent said slot;   a friction wheel arranged adjacent to and frictionally engaging said one of said cards adjacent said slot;   an electric motor coupled to said friction wheel in a manner such that operation of said motor causes said friction wheel to rotate and move said one of said cards adjacent said slot out of said slot;   a sensor electrically coupled to said motor;   a power source electrically coupled to said sensor;   said sensor being adapted to sense when said one of said cards adjacent said slot is not extending out through said slot and to couple said power source to said motor; and   said sensor being adapted to sense when said one of said cards adjacent said slot is extending partially out through said slot and to decouple said power source from said motor.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sensor is an optical sensor and said cards are imprinted with indicia which is detectable by said optical sensor.   
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 said sensor is a reflective sensor and said indicia are arranged so that part of each card is reflective and part of each card is non-reflective.   
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a microcontroller electrically coupled to said sensor, said power source and said motor.   
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 said microcontroller is programmed to wait a period of time between said sensor sensing when said one of said cards adjacent said slot is not extending out through said slot and coupling said power source to said motor.   
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  1 , wherein:
 said cards are imprinted with indicia conveying a message to a consumer.   
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said cards carry a perfume sample.   
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 said cards carry a perfume sample.   
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said cards are discount coupons.   
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said cards are business cards.