Ballot secrecy sleeve
US6817516B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 16, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07C13/02
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A ballot secrecy sleeve is presented which is used to cover a ballot once it has been marked by the voter. The secrecy sleeve has a top and a bottom and a narrow shoulder at one end as well as a slot for pushing the ballot once it has been inserted into the ballot scanning machine. The ballot secrecy sleeve covers the entire ballot except for a small portion of the ballot that protrudes out of the secrecy sleeve. The ballot is placed within the sleeve. The ballot and sleeve are then placed into the scanning machine ballot slot. Once the ballot and sleeve are in place, the voter pushes the upper end of the ballot using the cutout so that the ballot is fed onto the receiving and advancing rollers of the machine. The ballot is then fed into the scanning and tabulating portion of the machine while it is completely hidden by either the ballot machine slot cover or the ballot secrecy sleeve. The secrecy sleeve is made of thick paper or light cardboard and preferably has a slick surface to facilitate the ballot slipping out of the sleeve as it is being advanced by the roller.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.