Brochure Dispenser

The solution may be the envelope dispenser used by cash machines for cash deposit. They never jam.

Ha!ha! You've nailed it. I called it a brochure holder, but it's actually for remote bank machine envelopes- In Canada, the dispensers incorporated into the machine work well EXCEPT have no volume- Unless topped up daily, they soon run out.

I am grateful for all the input- The responses have been truly useful.

Don't use a photocell to detect removal. It would require constant power to detect. Use a simple switch like a micro-switch. It has a lever action and can be very sensitive requiring low activation force. Use it to "wake up" your idle control circuit to process the event and go back to sleep.

Pondman-go to your local supermarket. They have those coupon-dispensing machines about eye level on about every isle on what to buy with that coupon. (I see kids playing with them all the time) At least you could get the name of the manufacturer of the machine off of it. They might have a bigger machine offered.

You will find that the majority of people will pick up a brochure, have a quick glance then return it to the stand. As a result you are likely to have jams caused by people trying to return brochures.

There are two options, firstly design the system so that it is impossible to return a brochure or secondly design it so that it can accommodate a brochure being returned. I would suggest that the second option is the way to go as it will not waste brochures and you would probably be surprised how many people will try and return a brochure.

(Quote)"Pondman-go to your local supermarket. They have those coupon-dispensing machines about eye level on about every isle on what to buy with that coupon. (I see kids playing with them all the time) At least you could get the name of the manufacturer of the machine off of it. They might have a bigger machine offered."

Hire some thug to go rip one of those suckers off. With one of those in-hand--a little dissection could be in order

You can avoid the hiring of thugs by a simple wrist capture device. After the client takes the brochure he is trapped and he must read the brochure and answer a question or two by pressing the appropriate button to get released. Make it robust to discourage the lazt who wish to avoid the response sequence. Do not place two machines close together lest a client try to select two at the same time and become fully trapped.

In the unlikely event that this brilliant idea is not well received by clients, I suggest you dispense brochures from your competitor, initially, as a trial, after all, why have your shop torched.

I love It! Make 'em Pay! As an old employer of mine used to say all the time.

Aurizon- I love your approach- We use to do computerized telemarking that would ask questions and "state your answer after the tone" and I always marvelled by the number of "dumb" questions that would get answered. "Can you hear this message OK? beep!" "Are you now in your home? beep", " Do you now subscribe to this Newspaper? Beep"....

I like the wrist capture concept and if they struggle, a little electric shock up the sleeve. God! we could rule the world from cheap brochure/envelope dispensers.

Sorry, I get lost in the possibilities.

The ticket dispensers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike operate in this fashion I'll try and find out who makes them for you.

Having been involved in the design of a supermarket coupon dispenser some years back, and been involved in many paper-feeding assemblies I can say that any machine can be jammed by simply loading it wrong, or doing any number of things improperly. The more these things can be tolerated , the better the feeder/dispenser but you can never make such a machine jamproof in the general sense.

Are you feeding small coupons, larger single sheets or a folded or multiple sheet brochure? If a single coupon or sheet, will it be sheet fed or roll fed?

Do your best to research dispensers that are currently marketed and see how they are doing it. You may want to purchase one or more of them to examine closely before you go off into uncharted (for you) territory, or re-invent the wheel. You can learn much by reading the advertising literature / descriptions of units on the market. Many features they will highlight as being "solved" on their product, will be an indication of areas where problems can occur.

Know or define exactly what it is you intend to dispense, where, and when, and what variations may occur then start your design around those parameters especially regarding the specs on the "brochures".

Pondman, if they're free brochures why do you need a dispenser??

Just have the brochures stacked in a see through pespex container so people can reach in and take one if needed...

Or am I missing something here?

John.