CA2171543C - Brake for pressureless exit channel, coin sorter - Google Patents
Brake for pressureless exit channel, coin sorterInfo
- Publication number
- CA2171543C CA2171543C CA002171543A CA2171543A CA2171543C CA 2171543 C CA2171543 C CA 2171543C CA 002171543 A CA002171543 A CA 002171543A CA 2171543 A CA2171543 A CA 2171543A CA 2171543 C CA2171543 C CA 2171543C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- coins
- exit
- sorting
- denomination
- disc
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
- G07D3/00—Sorting a mixed bulk of coins into denominations
- G07D3/12—Sorting coins by means of stepped deflectors
- G07D3/128—Rotary devices
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Testing Of Coins (AREA)
- Chutes (AREA)
- Discharge Of Articles From Conveyors (AREA)
- Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention is a coin sorter apparatus for sorting a group of mixed coins by denomination and immediately terminating the sorting process in response to a predetermined operating condition, such as the filing of a coin receptacle with a predetermined number of coins.
Sorting is provided by a stationary sorting head and a rotatable disc positioned sufficiently proximate to one another so that when the group of mixed coins are dropped into the center opening of the stationary sorting head, they are rotated by the rotating disc and guided by the sorting head on an outward spiral sorting path to exit channels along the periphery of the stationary sorting head. Each of the exit channels acts as an exit chute for a particular coin denomination by releasing pressure on that particular coin and freeing the coin to move outwardly along the exit channel and exit in to a coin receptacle. At the moment of the predetermined operating condition, a braking mechanism immediately stops the rotation of the rotatable disc, and the coins within an exit channel exit through the exit channel due to the inertia of the coins.
Sorting is provided by a stationary sorting head and a rotatable disc positioned sufficiently proximate to one another so that when the group of mixed coins are dropped into the center opening of the stationary sorting head, they are rotated by the rotating disc and guided by the sorting head on an outward spiral sorting path to exit channels along the periphery of the stationary sorting head. Each of the exit channels acts as an exit chute for a particular coin denomination by releasing pressure on that particular coin and freeing the coin to move outwardly along the exit channel and exit in to a coin receptacle. At the moment of the predetermined operating condition, a braking mechanism immediately stops the rotation of the rotatable disc, and the coins within an exit channel exit through the exit channel due to the inertia of the coins.
Description
wo ss/os406 2 1 7 1 ~ ~ 3 PcrluS94/10291 Brake for Pressureless Exit Channel, Coin Sorter Fleld Of The In~ention The present ..,~er,lion ~nPr~qlly rela~es to an ~ -,s and method for sorting coins of dirr~l ~nr"~ nc. More particularly, the present invention relates to an app~uS and method for sorting coins of dirr~ n~....;n ~;nn~ that utilizes p,~,~ s exit cl~annF1C and ;~ s~p~g when apred~ .l.n~ n.. her Of coins of a s~ ~d ~nl...n~;nn have been ejec~d from the sorter.
R-rl~ ,..nd Of The Invention Today, coin sorters eMr~ ~r the problem of "overage." Overage occurs when a coin sorter e~r~c a pred~t~ll.ined r~Jlllb~--r of coins of a certain d~nominq~inn to be sorted. For ifi~ c~, it is de~ for coin sorters to fill coin pt ^les with a ~ t~.lllined r.ulllb~ of coins of a particular de no~n;n51;nn to make the CO~J~ of coins less laborious. The coin sorter should stop the sor~ng process once a coin rec~ept~^le is filled with the proper llUlllbel' of coins.
Unfo,tul~a~ly, coin sorters will fi~uenl eject nd~itinn~l coins before the sorting l"ocess is ~,.~ ~, leading to coin "overage." Various techniques have been developed to tackle the "overage" problem, but these techniques ir,l,~luce ~AitionAl costs. Thus, a simple and i.~ e yet ~ A~ coin sorting appdlalus is r~quired that reduces coin "O-e~dge," to a tolerable level.
S~."".ar~ Of The Invention It is the ~,il-~)~ object of the present invention to provide a relatively simple and in~X~n~ive coin sorter --~h~nicm which is capable of A~U~A~PIY sor~ng and counting coins at a high speed without excessive coin overage by immPAiAtely ~l~)p~,ng the rotating disk when a prede~.-- ined number of coins of a certain denomination have been ejected from the coin sorter al)l)~d~s and ~IIlilling coins within ~r~u~eless exit chAnl-~l~ to exit the coin sorting lle~l~Ani~m as a result of the inertia on those coins.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a coin sorter ~P1!A-~I~JS
which can be safely left ~m~ttPn~lPd without any danger of excessive coin overage.
WO 95/09406 ~ 1 7 1 5 ~ 3 PCI'IUS94/10291 It is another object of the present invention to provide a coin sorter apparatusthat reduces wear and the in~ l~riPs and potential for missorts introduced by coin sorters utili7ing p~ d exit Ch~I~nF1C
It is still anolll. l object of the present invention to provide a coin sorter S ~ JS which ;~ P.l;~t. l~y stops the ru~lg disc in a simple and reliable l"am~Pr in r~nse to a p~ d con~litiQn that can be lepl~ ted by an elp~tr signal.
Other objects and adv~ a~es of the present invention will be app~-uen~ from the following ~et~ilp~ .;p~;- n Accoldingly, the foleg~ing objectives are realiz_d by providing a coin sorter which inc1ud~Ps a rotatable disc, a drive motor for rota~ing the disc, and a stationary sorting head having a lower surf~e parallel to the upper surface of the rotatable disc and spaced slightly t~ rlu"-. When a group of mixed coins is dlul~d into a central op~n;-~g of the ~ nA-,~ sorting head, the coins are carried by the ~ling15 disc and guided by the S~ 5~y sorting head on a outward spi~l sorting path to exit Ann~lC along the penrh~Pry of the st~tion~ry sorting head. Each of the exit rh~nnplc acts as an e~cit chute for a particular coin denomin~tion by rplp~cin~ ~Ule on that particular coin and fre_ing the coin to move oulwaldly within the e~cit cl~ n?l to exit into a coin .~ le The use of pr~aureless exit çh~nnPlc reduces the po~r,tial for20 missorts present in coin sorters utili7ing ~l~c~...;~ exit ch~nnp-lc and r~luees wear on ~e lo~Ling disc and the exit ~l~annrlc of the st~ti~1n~ry disc. At the moment of a ~e~ ~ o~ - ~;ng ~n~litinn, such as the filling of a coin rer~pt~rl~P with a predeL~"~ ed llwllber of coins, a braking l. erh~--icm immPAi~tPly stops the rotation of the rotating disc, and some of the coins within an exit r.h~nnPl are discharg ed from 25 the exit çh~nnPl due to the inertia on those coins, preventing an un~ccept~hle nu,l,ber of coin t~lluns.
In a p,e~e,.ed em~imPnt of the present invention, a series of sensors are preferably pociti~nPd at the ~ ;phP - y of the st~til n~ry sorting head p~ tP, to the opPning for each exit ch~nnPI for s~ncing coins leaving the exit r-h~nnPlc Co~-ntPrs, 30 Q~nai~e to the sensors, keep accurate count of the sorted coins in each receptacle.
The cou,l~ls along with ~ itinn~l.sPncing ~P~h~nicmc provide signals intlir~ting the presence of a predetermined con~ition, such as the filling of a coin receptacle with. a WO 95/09406 ~ 5 4 3 PCI/US94110291 p~ ;lP~ in~A nllmh~ of coins. A braking mP~h~nicm imm~Ai~t~.ly StOpS the rotating disc in response to these sig~1c Thus, the pre ent invention prevents excessive ov..luns by i~ e1y ~topl.ing the rotating disc and ~,~ Ling the coins withinthe yr~kss exit ch~nF1c to exit the coin sorter ~l~p~ s due to the inertia of the S coins and helps to pr~ l certain i- ~r~ f5 and wear present in coin sorters using pl~ J-;~-~ e~cit cl~Ann~lc~
Brief Descri~tion Of The Dl~.;.,cc The ad~ l~es of the present invention will becQm~ app~nl upon reading the following ~e~i10- d~ ;ld;on and upon ~fe,~nce to the ac~,.lp~lying dlawil~gs, lO in which:
FIG. 1 is pe. ;,~ e view of a coin sorter embodying the present invention, with portions thereof broken away to show the int~n~l sLIu~;tur~;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the sorting head or guide plate in the coin sorter of FIG. l;
FIG. 3 shows the sl~l;nn~ sorting head of FIG. 2 with a stream of coins of the same d~no .~;n~ n in the sorting path and exiting through an exit çh~nnel;
FIG. 4 shows the ~ sorting head of FIG. 3 at the time that a pled~",l,ned con~litiQl~ exists, and the b~ ng ~ h~ni.cm stops the rotating disc;
FIG. 5 shows the ~;Qn~.~ sorting head of FIG. 4 after the coins are 20 li~h~ d from the e~cit ch~ l as a result of inertia; and FIG. 6 is a cross ~1;~n~1 view of the coin sorting ~l p~ Js taken along line 6-6 of I:IG. 3.
While the invention is s-~pl;hle to various mo lific~tionc and ~lt~ tive forms, s~ifi~ embo~;..-- nl<i thereof have been shown by way of t;~n~ in the 25 drawings and will herein be de~ ed in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not int~nd~ to limit the invention to the particular forms di~1osed~ On the contlal~, the int~ntir n is to cover all mo 1ific~tions, equivalents, and ~ltprn~tives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
2171~3 Detailed D~;~tiG~I Of The Preferred Embodi~ t Turning now to the drawings and ler~lling first to FIG. l, a hopper lO
receives coins of mi~ced denominqtionc and feeds them through a central feed aperture or opening in an annular sorting head or guide plate 12. As the coins pass through 5 the central op~;~, they are deposited on the top surface of a rot~t~'~hP disc 13. This disc 13 is ~ n~ J~ for rotation on a stub shaft (not shown) and driven by an electric AC or DC motor 14 vqtt~hP~ to a .-.-,~ ;~ plate lS. The disc 13 co~ a resilient pad 16, p~f~.ably made of a resilient rubber or polymeric mqtPri~1, bonded to the top surface of a solid metal disc 17.
As the disc 13 is rotated, the coins deposited on the top surface thereof tend to slide oul~d,dly over the surface of the pad 16 due to centlirugal and frictional forces.
As the coins move oulw~lly, those coins which are lying flat on the pad 16 enter the gap ~l~ the pad surface and the sorting head 12 because the underside of the inner p~ . ;pk. . ~ of the sorting head is spaced above the pad 16 by a ~ict~nc~ which is 15 a~ ply as great as the thi~knPsc of the thi~Pst coin. As further ~ecf~
below, the coins are sorted into their ,~ e denomin~tionc~ and the coins for each denomin~tion issue from a leiyecti-/e exit ch~nnP1, such as the çh~nnP1c 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 of FIG. 2. The particular em~lim~Pnt i11--ct~ted in FIG. 2 was~ecifir~lly ~e~ P~ for h~n-lling Six Uni~d States coins, i.e., dimes, pennies, 20 ni-~Plc, ~lu~Ll~, dollars and half-dollars, lespe.~ ely.
In general, the coins for any given Cu~ ~ are sorted by the v~ri-qtion in iqmPtPr for the various ~enQmin~tirmc qlthQu~h in many cases it is desirable or n~cc~ to also sort by vqri~tion in thir~nPcc The coins circulate bel~o~n the sorting head and the rotating disc until a single-file strPam of coins is ob~il,ed. One 25 edge of the coins in this stream of coins is ~lignpfl~ and possibly adjusted, so that the other edge of the coins is subsequently gaged against gaging surfaces for directing the coins to the exit ch-qnne1c 20-25 for the ~ e denominqtionc.
As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 2, the outwardly moving coins initially enter the entry chqnnPI 30 formed in the undP-rside of the sorting head 12 from the 30 central opening 40. It should be kept in mind that the circulation of the coins, which is clockwise in FIG. l, a~ counter-clockwise in FIG. 2 because FIG. 2 is a bottom view. A stripping notch 34 is illustrated for stripping "shin~1~" or "double"
wo ssto~oc ~ 1 7 1 ~i 4 3 PCTtUS94/10291 coins. The outer wall 31 of the entry rl-~nnel 30 extends downwardly to the lowermost surface 32 of the sorting head 12, which is preferably spac~d from the top surface of the pad 16 by a ~ tqnc~ which is slightly less than the thickness of the ~h;nnest coins. Con~u~y, the initial o~llw~d movement of the coins is te~ n~
when they engage the wall 31 of the entry ~h~nnPl 30, though the coins COn~ 4e to movec~;ul,,r~,liallyalongthewall31 bythe l~tt~ n~l mo e "cntofthepad 16.
As the disc 13 rotates, coins in the entry cl~nn~l 30 that are close enough to the wall 31 engage a ramp 36 leading down to surface 36a. A wall 36b defines an inner border for the surface 36a and e~ten-l~ in an inward arc to a ramp 42 leading down to the lc~ o~l surface 32. The wall 36b tends to strip "shingl~" or "double" coins. ~ef~.~bly, the wall 36b sep~ s the top coin of a pair of "shingl~" or "double~ coqns and guides the top coin t~walds the ramp 42 for recircn1-q-~;on l~icqligr~ed coins that miss the ramp 36 also require recircnlqtion The ~i~li~ed or .,h;l.pcd top coins eng ge the wall 36b, and the wall 36b guides these coins to the ramp 42. These coins move down the ramp 42 to the lowermost surface32, and, .s the coins move down the ramp 42, the coins are plessed into the pad 16.
Once in a l.lessed eng~ement with the pad 16, these coins remain in the same radial position but move cii~;u"lr~ lly along the surface 32 until e ~gil.g recirc~lq-tiQr ramp 44. The recirclll-qtion ramp 44 leads back up into the entry chqnnpl 30 andrecirculates the mi~qligll~ or strip~d coins back into the entry ch~nn-~l 30.
Those coins that reach the surface 36a move c,l~;u-"f~ ially on the surface 36a, and, similqrly~ those coins close enough to the wall 31 engage a ramp 38 lf qrling down to a surface 38a. A wall 38b defines the inner border of the surface 38a and e~t~n~s in an inward arc to the ramp 42. The wall 38b provides another coin ~l.ip~,hlg m~hqni~m to reduce ttching]~tt or ttdoublet' coins. As describedabove for the wall 36b, mi~q~lign~ or sLliylled coins engage the wall 38b, and the wall 38b guides these coins to the ramp 42 for recirculation.
The coins that reach the surface 38a continue moving circumferentially along the surface 38a due to the rotation of the rotating disc 13 and enco.-n~r a ramp 46 leading up to a queuing ch~nnlo,J 48. An outer wall 50 of the queuing ch~nn~-l 48 eYt~n-l~ duwllw~ly to the lowermost surface 32 of the sorting head 12. An inner wall 51 of the queuing ch~nn~l 48 tends to reduce "shingled" or "double" coins 21715~3 within the queuing ch~nn~-l 48. The inner wall 51 extends downward less than thethickness of the ~ nP,~ coin to engage the top coin of "shingled" or "double" coins.
For example, in the ~luwing rhqnnPI 48, "double" or ~shingled" coins are under pad pr~x,~ and tend to remain in their ~adial po~iliQn. As such, as the "double" or S "shingW" coins move cilculllfe~ y and ~ n their radial position, the inner wall 51 en.~os the top coin of the "shir~l~" or "double" coins, ~n~1ing to SC~)~ildle the coins. While the inner wall 51 s.~S~es the coins, the lower coin engages a beveled surf~ce Sla, and, once s p~ d, the lower coin is still under pad pr~s~ul~
with the ~eled surface 51a. Cons~uenlly, the lower coin retains its radial position 10 while moving c.l.;ulllfe.~,llially with the pad 16 and passes under the beveled surface Sla to the 10W~.IIIG~l surface 32 for recirculqtion In the queuing chqnnel 48, the coins can be pressed into engagement with the sorting head 12. This pad pr~ul~ on the coins is so...~1;...fs r~f~,led to as positive control. If the coins . re free from positive control, the coins are free to move outwardly until the coins engage the wall 50 of the queuing chqnnel 48 as the coins corltinue to move cil~;uluf. l~ nlially due to the roPtinnql movement of the pad 16. If the coins are under positive control, however, the coins .~ in their radial position while c~r.~ ;n~ to move cilculllr~.~i.llially along the queuing ch~nnçl 48 due to the rot~tion~l mo~e.l.enl of the pad 16.
As the coins move cil~ulllf~ ially along the queuing ch~nnpl 48, the coins under positive control in the ~u~ ~;ng cl ~ fJ 48 enco~n~ a ramp 52 leading up into a deep c~n- fl 54. The deep ch~f~n~l 54 releases positive control on any thick coins that were under positive control in the quel-ing ch~nn~.l 48 and, thereby, unable to move oulw~-lly to engage the wall 50 of the queuing ch~nntol 48. Th~rul~, as these coins enter the deep ç~nn~l 54, the coins are pe~ il~d to move outwardly and desirably engage an outside wall 54a of the de~p çh~nnel 54. The wall 50 of the queuing ch~nn~.l 48 blends into the wall 54a of the deep ch~nnpl 54. After the coins enter the deep ch~nnel 54, the coins are desirably in a single-file stream of coins dir~d against the outer wall 54a of the deep ch~nn~l 54.
The outer wall 54a guides the stream of coins to a narrow ramp 56. As the coins move c~u,llf~nlially along the outer wall 54a, the coins engage the narrowramp 56 leading down to the lowermost surface 32 of the sorting head 12. At the 2 1 7 1 5 4 ~ PCT/US94/10291 ~l,ninal end of the ramp 56, the coins are firrnly pressed into the pdd 16. As such, the coins are under positive control. Therefore, the radial position of the coins is ,,.q;..l~ined as the coins move ci~.;wllfc.~ nLially towards a gaging ~ nn~l 58.If any coins in the stream of coins leading up to the narrow ramp 56 is not 5 sllffiriently close to the wall 54a so as to engage the narrow ramp 56, then the mi~qli~ coins engage an outer wall 60 of a recirclllsting ch~nnPl 61. The reurclllsting ch~nnel 61 inrl~ld~s a ~led surface 62 that is slightly angled (e.g., 5 1/4 d~l~s) with respect to the pad sll~^P Such a beveled surface 62 allows mi~qlign~ coins to ramp away from prcssed engagement with the pad 16. When the 10 leading edges of the mi~li~ll~ coins hit wall 60, the wall 60 guides the mis,qlig coins back to the entry chqnnel 30 for recirculation.
It can occur that col~ lg aligned coins passing under the recirculqting chqnnPl 61 as the coins move cilrul~lr~.enlially towards the g. ging ch~nnF,l 58 can be slightly shifted in their radial po~;l;on. To corrcct this, coins which pass under the recircvl~ting ch~nnFl 61 encollnt~. a ramp 66 leading into the gaging ch~nnfl 58.
The coins remain under IJ~C in the gaging chqnnp~l 58, but the gaging ch~nn~l 58tends to urge the coins to be re-qli~e~ against an outer gaging wall 64 of the gaging ch~nnFl 58. The gaging Cl~qnnFl 58 and the gaging wall 64 allow the coins in thesorting path an o~pollullil~ to re. lign their outer edges at the radial position Ic~lu~d 20 for correct sorting. To ensure that every coin engages the wall 64, the radius of the gaging wall 64 from the center of the disc is gradually decredsed along the length of the gaging ch-qnnpl 58.
The gaging c~ n~l 58 l l~,f~,.dbly includes a beveled surface 68 that angles upward with respect to the pad surface and towards the gaging wall 64 and a deep25 surface 70. The coins moving into the gaging ch~nnPl 58 remain under p~ le from the sorting head 12, but the beveled surface 68 applies a variable amount of JleS~Ul~ on the coins with a greater amount of plcs~.lre on the inside edges of the coins. In this way, the beveled surface 68 helps to prevent the coins from bouncing off the wall 64 as the radial pO~itil n of the coins is gr~u~lly decreased along the 30 length of the gaging ch~nnel 58.
As the coins move along the gaging wall 64 of the gaging rh~nnPl 58, the coins engage a gaging ramp 72 leading down to the lowermost surface 32. The WO95~'~,Y~6 217i5q3 PCTIUS94110291 gaging ramp 72 causes the coins to be firmly pressed into the pad 16 with their outermost edges aligned with the gaging radius provided by the gaging wall 64. At the terminal end of the gaging ramp 72, the coins are under the positive control of the sorting head 12. Illis ensures that the coins are held securely in the proper radial S p~ n ~ ;n~d by the gaging wall 64 as the coins a~proach the series of exit chqnnplc 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25.
Beyond the gaging chAn--Pl 58, the sorting head 12 forms the series of exit chqnnPlc 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 which function as sPle~ting means to discl~gecoins of dirr~ren~ d~o....~ ;onc at dirL~.~I cir~ul..f~ntil 1- eqti~mC around the p~ hP . ~ of the sorting head 12. Thus, the e~it cl~nn~lc 20-25 are spaced circumferentially around the outer pe ;phr.y of the sorting head 12, with the inn~l~lG~l edges of sUcc~-c~ e rhAnn~lc located pf~g~i.rely farther away from the cG~ ol~ radial l~qti~ n of the outer edges of all coins for receiving and ejecting coins in order of increasing ~ (. In the particular embo~lim~nt ill~ .l~, the six çhqnnPlc 2~25 are positi~nPd to eject ~uc~ c~ ely dimes (çhsnn~l 20), penniPS
(-~hqnn~l 21), nickels (rhqnnPl 22), qu~.~ (chqnn~Pl 23), Susan B. Anthony dollar (çhqnnP~ 24) and half-doLlars (rh-q-nnPl 25). The nn~,lllG ,l edges of tne exit ch~nnPlc 2~25 are pos;l;~ nPd so that the inner edge of a coin of only one particular denG...in~ n can enter each chqnnPl; the coins of all other dei~G-~;n~l;onc re-q-~hing a 20 given exit ch~nnpl extend inwardly beyond the innr....os~ edge of that particular chann~l so that those coins cannot enter the chqnnpl and, ~ fo.e, c4nl;.-ue on to the next exit channFl.
Typically, coin sorters operate by e~certing pad ~ Ul~ onto coins while those coins are within the exit ~ nni~15 of the coin sorter. Pad pr~s~ule is obtained 25 ber~lcP the exit chann~l is shallower than the thi~ness of the denomin~tiQn co.lesl)onding to the exit chqnnPl. While in the exit chqnnPl, a coin under pad ~ ~aure is e~pose~ to forces tending to ...~;nt~;n the radial position of the coin and urging the coin to move ci(~;ulll~cl~tially along with the resilient pad. As such, coin sorters that apply pad pl~a~ to coins within the exit ch~nn~l~ can force coins from .-30 the proper exit ch~nn~l, leading to a missort. Moreover, if the pad p-esaurc on the coin forces the coin into the pad, the pad exerts a strong force in the direction of rotation onto the coin, not only tending to increase the possibility of the coin being wo 9si~Js ~c- 2 1 7 1 5 4 ~ PCTi'US94/10291 forced under the wall of the e~cit ch~nnPl, but also re~iucin~ the "overlap" between the edge of the coin and the exit çh~nnPl wall further increasing the rate of missort due to the pad forcing a pad-plf~u.~xl coin under the exit eh~nnf~l wall. Thus, pOt ina~w~cies are inl~luc~ into the sorting pr~cess by ~ the coins to pad 5 prf~ul~ while the ooins are within the e~cit cl.~n~rlc 1' dA;I;nn~lly~ a~)pl~ing pad ~Jl~;~Ul~ to those coins within the exit r-h~ f~C inclf~ses the wear on the pad as well as the sorting head.
Accor~ingl~, in the present invention, each of the exit c~ nflC 20-25 acts as an exit chute for a particular coin deno...;~ n by ~i~n~ing that particular coin10 from ~lcssod e~g~ l with the pad 16 and ~-le~c;l~ any p~s;,ule on the coin from contact with the sor~ng head 12. The.~rol~, each exit rh~nnf~ 2~25 is c~d from the lu..~ o ,l surface 32 by a ~ ~nc~ greater than the thi~ n.occ of the coin d~no...;~ n col~ g to the particular exit chqnnel. After the coinshave been ~l~d from pad pl~Ul~, against the sorting head 12, the coins are free 15 to move oulw~ily along the e~cit rhannl-l and exit into a coin rerPpt-q-~hP due to the cer.l,irugal and fri~tionql forces acting on the coin. ~iditi~nqlly~ in the case of an l"~.~;AtP stop from a pl~d~te.~ d number of coins of a certain ~enorninqtiol~
being sorted, the coins within the exit rl~nnfl 20-25 cQI.l;..ue moving oul~v~.l along the exit CI~A~ and some of the coins exit the exit ch~nn~ as a result of the inertia 20 of the coins. l....n~ e St~lg ~ S coin "overage," and the coins within the exit chAnn~lc at the time of ~in~ t an ~ e level of coin "overage. "
In order to sense the coins leaving the exit cl~Annf~c 20-25, conV~Pntionql sensors 80-85, such as a ~lu- ncl rd os ill-q-tor, are pocitiorlpd at the p~. ;ph.~l ~ of the sorting head 12 and plol;...atP to exit openings 2~a-25a for the exit ch~nnPl~ 2~25.
25 Each sensor 80-85 provides an exit signal upon the discharge of a coin from the col,~ndJng exit c~nl~el for the sensor. A series of coun~ls 9~95 are responsive to these exit signals and thereby keep an ~c~-~te count of the sorted coins discllalged from each exit ch~nnP~ F~Ch counter 90-95 may consist of a well-known counting device. When one of the co~ 90-95 has ~e~d a predetermined nu-n~e of 30 coins exiting lhlough the exit opening of the exit ch~nnel col,~nding to thatparticular count~r, a predet~.,n.ned con-lition exists, and the pl~de~l"~ih~ed condition (i.e. a predetermined llu~ber of coins of a certain denomination has filled a coin wo gs~ 10~ 2 ~ 7 1 ~ ~ 3 PCI'IUS94/10291 re~ep~clP) triggers the immPAiq~e stopping of the rotating disc 16. Upon immPAiqtely stopping, at least some of the coins entirely within an exit ~hqnn~l 2~25 are P.pP]lPA from the e~cit chqnnP,l by the inertia of the coins. In ~ 1ition, any coins within the gaging ~hqnnPl 58 or not en~ within an exit rh-q-nnPl 2~25 after 5 leaving the gaging cl~q ~n~l 58 .-.~if l~in their position b~a~se those coins are under positive control.
FIGs. 3~ ~...1~h~ e the o~ti-~n of the coin sorter a~ c of FIG. 1 utili7.i~ pl~ less e~it ~h~n~f]c 2~25 and i...,..~ ~ stoppi~ in l~ponse to a p~ Cd co--.1;1;. n such as a ~ A~f-....in~l number of coins of a certain 10 d~no. ~;n~ n being sorted. In FIG. 3, a stream of coins 8&-88m of the same de.lo...in~l;on is passing t}~ough the coin sorter app~lus. The coin 88a has just entered the gaging çhqnnPl 58 following coins 88b-88d in the gaging c~qnnPl 58. As previously ~ ~pd~ the gaging ch~nnfl 58 allows the coins to move against the gaging wall 64 of the gaging çh~nn~l 58. In this way, the gaging cl~nnPl 58 and the 15 gaging wall 64 re~ign the coins in the sorting path and position the outer edges of the coins at the proper radial position ~u~ed for correct sorting.
The C~ ly radially aligned coin 8& follows the previously aligned coins 88f-88m from the gaging c~-~nnel 58 to the ~ . ;l)h. . Al area of the st-q-tionqry disc 12 which has the exit channflc 20-25. The coin 88e is eng~;ng the ramp 72 which 20 presses the coin 88e into a pressed engagement with the pad 16 to .~ ;n the coin's correct radial ~ even if the coin sorter app~lus is stoppe~d and l~L~d. The coins 88f-88h bypass the exit el-~nl-&.l 20 bec~ the diz...- ~. of the coins 88f-88h is hrger than the width of the exit eh~nn&~l 20. As such, a portion of the coins 88f-88h l~ ma,ns under positive control b~--c~ the coins 88f-88h remain in a pressed Png~rn.&.-t b~l~n the pad 16 and the lowermost surface 32. Therefore, the radialposition of the coins 88f-88h is .~.~inli~in~ until these coins reach the exit çh~nnP] 21.
The exit ch~nnpl 21 acts as an exit chute for the coin ~enomin~tion of the coins 88a-88m. The coins 88i-88m have entirely entered the exit ch~nnPl 21 and are ~li~n~ from pressed en~gern~nt with the pad 16, rf~ ing any yç~S~ul~ on the coins 88i-88m from the sorting head 12. After the coins have been released from the pad 16, they are no longer under positive control. Cons~u&~ , the coins freely move outw~,dly along the exit ch~nn~ol 21 and exit through the exit opening 21a into WO 5S~'~g ~^6 2~ 17 1 a ~ 3 PCT/US94/10291 a coin receptacle as a result of the centrifugal and frictional forces acting on the coins.
FIG. 6 shows a cross-s~inn~l view of the sorting path ta~en along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3. As il1~ ed, the coin 88g is in pressed en~e ~ nt ~weell the pad 16 and the lowermost surface 32. ~n~, of this ~ d eng,agement with the pad 16, the coin 88g le.llains at the same radial position until it c nl,'4VQ~ :~ the e~it c~ n~l 21. The coin 88h has e~ n~ered an exit ramp 21b. Each recess 2~25 is ~ with a c~ ~nd;ng e~cit ramp 20b-25b. The exit ramp 21b bridges the lo. ~ .O~ surfaee 32 and the exit cl~annf,l 21 to gradually release the pad pl~u.~ on the coin 88h as it begins ~nt~ring the exit ch~nn~ql 21. This gradual release ofp~ulc ~le~ the coin from bo~n~-;ng within the exit ch~nn~ 21. As illustrated, a portion of the coin 88h l~l.,a.ns in a ,~ ,s~d eng_ge~ with the resilient pad 16 and the lu. ~ G;~l surface 32. The coins 88i-88k precede the coin 88h in the sorting path. The coins 88i-88k are entirely within the exit chAnnfl 21 and are ~ ,.-g~
from a pressed engagcll,enL with the sorting head 12. The coins 88i-88k are free to move oulwa~ly and exit the exit ch~nnPl 21 due to the ~ ifugal and frictional forces acting on the coins 88i-88k. After a predete.l,-incd n~ of coins is d by the coun~, 91 coll~n~ing to the exit ch~nn~l 21, a pred~el"lined c~ tiQn e~cists lC~lUiling the i~ P~ tP ~k~p~g of the lolaling disc 13 to stop the sorting y~w~s. As shown in FIG. 1, the C4~J~ s 90-95 respond to exit signals from the sensors 80-85 and are cou~ to a braking ~..~h~ni~m 98a. The br~king , .P~h~ . 98a inrll~d~s control ci..;uilly lOOa responsive to a signal from the cow~ 90-95 triggering ~e braking ~ hAni~m 98a to i"~".~;;.lely stop the rotatingdisc 13. The iTnm~i~te ~l~pp,ng of the lUt~lling disc 13 can be acco...~ hed in a 25 .,u...b~r of ways hlown to someone skilled in the art. For example, the bral~ng h~ni~... 98a can int~ e a brake ~ pmbly 102 coupled to the electric motor 14.
Upon receiving the im.--PA;~IP stopping signal from one of the counters 90-95, the control cir ;uilly lOOa of the bral~ng mP~h~ni~m 98a can imm~ tPly stop the rotating disc 13 by triggering the imm~i~te application of the brake assembly 102 to 30 the electric motor 14. P~Ç~ably, the control cil~;uill.y lOOa also signals a motor control circuit 101 to trigger the ~imult~n~us de-energiLing or ~lo~ing of the electric motor 14.
~17~ ~i 3 WO 9S~ PCTIUS94110291 ,~ltPrn~tively, the imm~ te stopping of the rotating disc 13 can involve a braking m~h~ni~m (not shown) that incll~des a brake assembly (not shown) and a clutch assembly (not shown). The coin sorter appaldlus of the present invention has a drive ,,.Prl~q~ rn (not shown), inrlu~ g the stub shaft, that is morh~ni~lly coupled S to both the electric motor 14 and the rotating disc 13 to enable the electric motor 14 to rotate the lV~,aLing, disc 13. Upon receiving the signal from one of the Cuun~a 9 95 that a p.~d~ fA nun.lxl of coins of a particular denominati~n have been sorted, control c~cuill~y 100c for the ~lt,v~ e br~king m~h~ni~m (not shown) i"....P~ y stops the lVtdt~g disc 13 by triggering the imm~li~ application of the 10 ~ltf ..~ e b~ake ~.--bly (not shown), such as a convention~l disc brake assembly, to the drive ~ hanlcl., Sim~llt~n~l-s to the triggering of the brake assembly, the control ci,~ 100c can also trigger the clutch assembly (not shown) that is enga~ed to the drive ,..~ .," Once triggered, the clutch assembly ~i~ng~ges the drive .~.Pch~ cl.~ from the electric motor 14 to f~ili~te the i"l,..f.1;~1e stopping of 15 the l~ling disc 13 by the brake assembly.
Another ~lt~rn~tive for i~ lPly stopping the rotating disc 13 has a braking m~h~ni~m 98b inrlu-ling control and drive cireuiLIy 100b coupled to the electricmotor 14. Upon receiving the signal from one of the COIInte~a 9~95 that a predete...~ ed nli---~, of coins of a particular ~enG.I~inAl;on have been sortcd, the control and drive c~-iuill~ 100b for the braking ~Ile~h~ni~m 98b can reverse bias the electric motor 14 to ;Il~ ly stop the rotating disc.
FIG. 4 shows the coins 88a-88i of FIG. 3 further along in the sorting path at the mom.ont when the COullt~. 91 detects that a prede~~ ned n~ of coins has e~cited through the e~cit op~ning 21a of the exit r-h~nn~l 21. The coins 88h-88i have already exited the exit çh~nnPl 21 Illrougll the exit opening 21a. The coins 88j-88m of FIG. 3 do not appear in FIG. 4 because those coins have exited into the coin receptacle.
In res~on~ to the signal from the counter 91 that a predetermined number of coins of the ~Pno.n;~l;on coIl~a~nding to exit ch~nn~l 21 has been sorted, the b aking ~ 3~ni~m imm~ t~ly stops the rotation of the rotating disc 13. At that time, the coins 88f-88g are within the exit ch~nn~l 21 and free from any pressedengagement with the sorting head 12. These coins 88f-88g therefore are free to WO 95/09406 2 1 7 1 5 ~ 3 PCTIUS94/10291 move Oulw~ y along the exit eh~nnPl 21 and, as shown in FIG 5, have exited the exit recess 21 as a result of the inertia of each coin 88f-88i. Meanwhile, the coins 88b-88e remain in a pressed Png~mPnt with the sorting head 12 and, thus, ~ inlain their pocition in the sorting path. At the time of stopping, the coin 8& is within the 5 gaging c~ n~l 58 and under positive controI. As such, the coin 8& also tends to remain in its ~ within the gaging cl~ l-Pl 58.
The coin sorter ~ us of the present invention has been ~ifirslly d~ d with the sorting head 12. The st~ti~nn~ry sor~ng head of the present invention, h~ r, can take a variety of difÇ~ t forrns. For example, the present 10 invention can indude a sorting head that guides coins towards the exit ~h~nnPlc at the ~f.;ph~ y of the sor~ng head utili7ing ch~nntolc with converging walls to guide the coins to the exit cl~nn~lC AdAition~lly, many al.p~ c and methQAc for ;q~ly stopping the rv~Ling disc 13 are known in the field, and ~AAiti~n~l mP~h~s and -q~ Js for the ;..~ ;q'e s~.pping of the rotating disc 13 are 15 available in ~AAiti-)n to the three ~ /e blaking mf~h~ni.~mc cper.ifi-~lly mPnti~rlP~ A major inventive aspect of the present invention being the utili7~tinn of exit ch~nnrlc that do not apply ~Jr~ to the coins within and, upon the occullence of a p~Aet~ ined C~nAitinll~ the i~ n~l;æ~e ~lul.~ih~g of the rotating disc such that ~e coins within the e~cit ch~nn~lc are discl~ed from the coin sorter due to the 20 inertia of the coins.
Thus, the coin sOr~ a~ utili~in~ pl~uleless exit recesses 20-25 t~g~l-~ with ;~ t' St'.~ ;~ provides a simpler coin sorting ~l~p;.~ that is easier to .-.~n.-r-- t --~ and more ;~ e than other m~thQAc of ~ .;n~ g thesor~ng l,rocess. The present invention ~colnpli~h~Ps this with an acceptable level of 2~ overage of sorted coins and reduces inaccuracies and missorts present in coin sorters lltili7ing pl~ ll;7~d exit ch~nn~
R-rl~ ,..nd Of The Invention Today, coin sorters eMr~ ~r the problem of "overage." Overage occurs when a coin sorter e~r~c a pred~t~ll.ined r~Jlllb~--r of coins of a certain d~nominq~inn to be sorted. For ifi~ c~, it is de~ for coin sorters to fill coin pt ^les with a ~ t~.lllined r.ulllb~ of coins of a particular de no~n;n51;nn to make the CO~J~ of coins less laborious. The coin sorter should stop the sor~ng process once a coin rec~ept~^le is filled with the proper llUlllbel' of coins.
Unfo,tul~a~ly, coin sorters will fi~uenl eject nd~itinn~l coins before the sorting l"ocess is ~,.~ ~, leading to coin "overage." Various techniques have been developed to tackle the "overage" problem, but these techniques ir,l,~luce ~AitionAl costs. Thus, a simple and i.~ e yet ~ A~ coin sorting appdlalus is r~quired that reduces coin "O-e~dge," to a tolerable level.
S~."".ar~ Of The Invention It is the ~,il-~)~ object of the present invention to provide a relatively simple and in~X~n~ive coin sorter --~h~nicm which is capable of A~U~A~PIY sor~ng and counting coins at a high speed without excessive coin overage by immPAiAtely ~l~)p~,ng the rotating disk when a prede~.-- ined number of coins of a certain denomination have been ejected from the coin sorter al)l)~d~s and ~IIlilling coins within ~r~u~eless exit chAnl-~l~ to exit the coin sorting lle~l~Ani~m as a result of the inertia on those coins.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a coin sorter ~P1!A-~I~JS
which can be safely left ~m~ttPn~lPd without any danger of excessive coin overage.
WO 95/09406 ~ 1 7 1 5 ~ 3 PCI'IUS94/10291 It is another object of the present invention to provide a coin sorter apparatusthat reduces wear and the in~ l~riPs and potential for missorts introduced by coin sorters utili7ing p~ d exit Ch~I~nF1C
It is still anolll. l object of the present invention to provide a coin sorter S ~ JS which ;~ P.l;~t. l~y stops the ru~lg disc in a simple and reliable l"am~Pr in r~nse to a p~ d con~litiQn that can be lepl~ ted by an elp~tr signal.
Other objects and adv~ a~es of the present invention will be app~-uen~ from the following ~et~ilp~ .;p~;- n Accoldingly, the foleg~ing objectives are realiz_d by providing a coin sorter which inc1ud~Ps a rotatable disc, a drive motor for rota~ing the disc, and a stationary sorting head having a lower surf~e parallel to the upper surface of the rotatable disc and spaced slightly t~ rlu"-. When a group of mixed coins is dlul~d into a central op~n;-~g of the ~ nA-,~ sorting head, the coins are carried by the ~ling15 disc and guided by the S~ 5~y sorting head on a outward spi~l sorting path to exit Ann~lC along the penrh~Pry of the st~tion~ry sorting head. Each of the exit rh~nnplc acts as an e~cit chute for a particular coin denomin~tion by rplp~cin~ ~Ule on that particular coin and fre_ing the coin to move oulwaldly within the e~cit cl~ n?l to exit into a coin .~ le The use of pr~aureless exit çh~nnPlc reduces the po~r,tial for20 missorts present in coin sorters utili7ing ~l~c~...;~ exit ch~nnp-lc and r~luees wear on ~e lo~Ling disc and the exit ~l~annrlc of the st~ti~1n~ry disc. At the moment of a ~e~ ~ o~ - ~;ng ~n~litinn, such as the filling of a coin rer~pt~rl~P with a predeL~"~ ed llwllber of coins, a braking l. erh~--icm immPAi~tPly stops the rotation of the rotating disc, and some of the coins within an exit r.h~nnPl are discharg ed from 25 the exit çh~nnPl due to the inertia on those coins, preventing an un~ccept~hle nu,l,ber of coin t~lluns.
In a p,e~e,.ed em~imPnt of the present invention, a series of sensors are preferably pociti~nPd at the ~ ;phP - y of the st~til n~ry sorting head p~ tP, to the opPning for each exit ch~nnPI for s~ncing coins leaving the exit r-h~nnPlc Co~-ntPrs, 30 Q~nai~e to the sensors, keep accurate count of the sorted coins in each receptacle.
The cou,l~ls along with ~ itinn~l.sPncing ~P~h~nicmc provide signals intlir~ting the presence of a predetermined con~ition, such as the filling of a coin receptacle with. a WO 95/09406 ~ 5 4 3 PCI/US94110291 p~ ;lP~ in~A nllmh~ of coins. A braking mP~h~nicm imm~Ai~t~.ly StOpS the rotating disc in response to these sig~1c Thus, the pre ent invention prevents excessive ov..luns by i~ e1y ~topl.ing the rotating disc and ~,~ Ling the coins withinthe yr~kss exit ch~nF1c to exit the coin sorter ~l~p~ s due to the inertia of the S coins and helps to pr~ l certain i- ~r~ f5 and wear present in coin sorters using pl~ J-;~-~ e~cit cl~Ann~lc~
Brief Descri~tion Of The Dl~.;.,cc The ad~ l~es of the present invention will becQm~ app~nl upon reading the following ~e~i10- d~ ;ld;on and upon ~fe,~nce to the ac~,.lp~lying dlawil~gs, lO in which:
FIG. 1 is pe. ;,~ e view of a coin sorter embodying the present invention, with portions thereof broken away to show the int~n~l sLIu~;tur~;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the sorting head or guide plate in the coin sorter of FIG. l;
FIG. 3 shows the sl~l;nn~ sorting head of FIG. 2 with a stream of coins of the same d~no .~;n~ n in the sorting path and exiting through an exit çh~nnel;
FIG. 4 shows the ~ sorting head of FIG. 3 at the time that a pled~",l,ned con~litiQl~ exists, and the b~ ng ~ h~ni.cm stops the rotating disc;
FIG. 5 shows the ~;Qn~.~ sorting head of FIG. 4 after the coins are 20 li~h~ d from the e~cit ch~ l as a result of inertia; and FIG. 6 is a cross ~1;~n~1 view of the coin sorting ~l p~ Js taken along line 6-6 of I:IG. 3.
While the invention is s-~pl;hle to various mo lific~tionc and ~lt~ tive forms, s~ifi~ embo~;..-- nl<i thereof have been shown by way of t;~n~ in the 25 drawings and will herein be de~ ed in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not int~nd~ to limit the invention to the particular forms di~1osed~ On the contlal~, the int~ntir n is to cover all mo 1ific~tions, equivalents, and ~ltprn~tives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
2171~3 Detailed D~;~tiG~I Of The Preferred Embodi~ t Turning now to the drawings and ler~lling first to FIG. l, a hopper lO
receives coins of mi~ced denominqtionc and feeds them through a central feed aperture or opening in an annular sorting head or guide plate 12. As the coins pass through 5 the central op~;~, they are deposited on the top surface of a rot~t~'~hP disc 13. This disc 13 is ~ n~ J~ for rotation on a stub shaft (not shown) and driven by an electric AC or DC motor 14 vqtt~hP~ to a .-.-,~ ;~ plate lS. The disc 13 co~ a resilient pad 16, p~f~.ably made of a resilient rubber or polymeric mqtPri~1, bonded to the top surface of a solid metal disc 17.
As the disc 13 is rotated, the coins deposited on the top surface thereof tend to slide oul~d,dly over the surface of the pad 16 due to centlirugal and frictional forces.
As the coins move oulw~lly, those coins which are lying flat on the pad 16 enter the gap ~l~ the pad surface and the sorting head 12 because the underside of the inner p~ . ;pk. . ~ of the sorting head is spaced above the pad 16 by a ~ict~nc~ which is 15 a~ ply as great as the thi~knPsc of the thi~Pst coin. As further ~ecf~
below, the coins are sorted into their ,~ e denomin~tionc~ and the coins for each denomin~tion issue from a leiyecti-/e exit ch~nnP1, such as the çh~nnP1c 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 of FIG. 2. The particular em~lim~Pnt i11--ct~ted in FIG. 2 was~ecifir~lly ~e~ P~ for h~n-lling Six Uni~d States coins, i.e., dimes, pennies, 20 ni-~Plc, ~lu~Ll~, dollars and half-dollars, lespe.~ ely.
In general, the coins for any given Cu~ ~ are sorted by the v~ri-qtion in iqmPtPr for the various ~enQmin~tirmc qlthQu~h in many cases it is desirable or n~cc~ to also sort by vqri~tion in thir~nPcc The coins circulate bel~o~n the sorting head and the rotating disc until a single-file strPam of coins is ob~il,ed. One 25 edge of the coins in this stream of coins is ~lignpfl~ and possibly adjusted, so that the other edge of the coins is subsequently gaged against gaging surfaces for directing the coins to the exit ch-qnne1c 20-25 for the ~ e denominqtionc.
As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 2, the outwardly moving coins initially enter the entry chqnnPI 30 formed in the undP-rside of the sorting head 12 from the 30 central opening 40. It should be kept in mind that the circulation of the coins, which is clockwise in FIG. l, a~ counter-clockwise in FIG. 2 because FIG. 2 is a bottom view. A stripping notch 34 is illustrated for stripping "shin~1~" or "double"
wo ssto~oc ~ 1 7 1 ~i 4 3 PCTtUS94/10291 coins. The outer wall 31 of the entry rl-~nnel 30 extends downwardly to the lowermost surface 32 of the sorting head 12, which is preferably spac~d from the top surface of the pad 16 by a ~ tqnc~ which is slightly less than the thickness of the ~h;nnest coins. Con~u~y, the initial o~llw~d movement of the coins is te~ n~
when they engage the wall 31 of the entry ~h~nnPl 30, though the coins COn~ 4e to movec~;ul,,r~,liallyalongthewall31 bythe l~tt~ n~l mo e "cntofthepad 16.
As the disc 13 rotates, coins in the entry cl~nn~l 30 that are close enough to the wall 31 engage a ramp 36 leading down to surface 36a. A wall 36b defines an inner border for the surface 36a and e~ten-l~ in an inward arc to a ramp 42 leading down to the lc~ o~l surface 32. The wall 36b tends to strip "shingl~" or "double" coins. ~ef~.~bly, the wall 36b sep~ s the top coin of a pair of "shingl~" or "double~ coqns and guides the top coin t~walds the ramp 42 for recircn1-q-~;on l~icqligr~ed coins that miss the ramp 36 also require recircnlqtion The ~i~li~ed or .,h;l.pcd top coins eng ge the wall 36b, and the wall 36b guides these coins to the ramp 42. These coins move down the ramp 42 to the lowermost surface32, and, .s the coins move down the ramp 42, the coins are plessed into the pad 16.
Once in a l.lessed eng~ement with the pad 16, these coins remain in the same radial position but move cii~;u"lr~ lly along the surface 32 until e ~gil.g recirc~lq-tiQr ramp 44. The recirclll-qtion ramp 44 leads back up into the entry chqnnpl 30 andrecirculates the mi~qligll~ or strip~d coins back into the entry ch~nn-~l 30.
Those coins that reach the surface 36a move c,l~;u-"f~ ially on the surface 36a, and, similqrly~ those coins close enough to the wall 31 engage a ramp 38 lf qrling down to a surface 38a. A wall 38b defines the inner border of the surface 38a and e~t~n~s in an inward arc to the ramp 42. The wall 38b provides another coin ~l.ip~,hlg m~hqni~m to reduce ttching]~tt or ttdoublet' coins. As describedabove for the wall 36b, mi~q~lign~ or sLliylled coins engage the wall 38b, and the wall 38b guides these coins to the ramp 42 for recirculation.
The coins that reach the surface 38a continue moving circumferentially along the surface 38a due to the rotation of the rotating disc 13 and enco.-n~r a ramp 46 leading up to a queuing ch~nnlo,J 48. An outer wall 50 of the queuing ch~nn~-l 48 eYt~n-l~ duwllw~ly to the lowermost surface 32 of the sorting head 12. An inner wall 51 of the queuing ch~nn~l 48 tends to reduce "shingled" or "double" coins 21715~3 within the queuing ch~nn~-l 48. The inner wall 51 extends downward less than thethickness of the ~ nP,~ coin to engage the top coin of "shingled" or "double" coins.
For example, in the ~luwing rhqnnPI 48, "double" or ~shingled" coins are under pad pr~x,~ and tend to remain in their ~adial po~iliQn. As such, as the "double" or S "shingW" coins move cilculllfe~ y and ~ n their radial position, the inner wall 51 en.~os the top coin of the "shir~l~" or "double" coins, ~n~1ing to SC~)~ildle the coins. While the inner wall 51 s.~S~es the coins, the lower coin engages a beveled surf~ce Sla, and, once s p~ d, the lower coin is still under pad pr~s~ul~
with the ~eled surface 51a. Cons~uenlly, the lower coin retains its radial position 10 while moving c.l.;ulllfe.~,llially with the pad 16 and passes under the beveled surface Sla to the 10W~.IIIG~l surface 32 for recirculqtion In the queuing chqnnel 48, the coins can be pressed into engagement with the sorting head 12. This pad pr~ul~ on the coins is so...~1;...fs r~f~,led to as positive control. If the coins . re free from positive control, the coins are free to move outwardly until the coins engage the wall 50 of the queuing chqnnel 48 as the coins corltinue to move cil~;uluf. l~ nlially due to the roPtinnql movement of the pad 16. If the coins are under positive control, however, the coins .~ in their radial position while c~r.~ ;n~ to move cilculllr~.~i.llially along the queuing ch~nnçl 48 due to the rot~tion~l mo~e.l.enl of the pad 16.
As the coins move cil~ulllf~ ially along the queuing ch~nnpl 48, the coins under positive control in the ~u~ ~;ng cl ~ fJ 48 enco~n~ a ramp 52 leading up into a deep c~n- fl 54. The deep ch~f~n~l 54 releases positive control on any thick coins that were under positive control in the quel-ing ch~nn~.l 48 and, thereby, unable to move oulw~-lly to engage the wall 50 of the queuing ch~nntol 48. Th~rul~, as these coins enter the deep ç~nn~l 54, the coins are pe~ il~d to move outwardly and desirably engage an outside wall 54a of the de~p çh~nnel 54. The wall 50 of the queuing ch~nn~.l 48 blends into the wall 54a of the deep ch~nnpl 54. After the coins enter the deep ch~nnel 54, the coins are desirably in a single-file stream of coins dir~d against the outer wall 54a of the deep ch~nn~l 54.
The outer wall 54a guides the stream of coins to a narrow ramp 56. As the coins move c~u,llf~nlially along the outer wall 54a, the coins engage the narrowramp 56 leading down to the lowermost surface 32 of the sorting head 12. At the 2 1 7 1 5 4 ~ PCT/US94/10291 ~l,ninal end of the ramp 56, the coins are firrnly pressed into the pdd 16. As such, the coins are under positive control. Therefore, the radial position of the coins is ,,.q;..l~ined as the coins move ci~.;wllfc.~ nLially towards a gaging ~ nn~l 58.If any coins in the stream of coins leading up to the narrow ramp 56 is not 5 sllffiriently close to the wall 54a so as to engage the narrow ramp 56, then the mi~qli~ coins engage an outer wall 60 of a recirclllsting ch~nnPl 61. The reurclllsting ch~nnel 61 inrl~ld~s a ~led surface 62 that is slightly angled (e.g., 5 1/4 d~l~s) with respect to the pad sll~^P Such a beveled surface 62 allows mi~qlign~ coins to ramp away from prcssed engagement with the pad 16. When the 10 leading edges of the mi~li~ll~ coins hit wall 60, the wall 60 guides the mis,qlig coins back to the entry chqnnel 30 for recirculation.
It can occur that col~ lg aligned coins passing under the recirculqting chqnnPl 61 as the coins move cilrul~lr~.enlially towards the g. ging ch~nnF,l 58 can be slightly shifted in their radial po~;l;on. To corrcct this, coins which pass under the recircvl~ting ch~nnFl 61 encollnt~. a ramp 66 leading into the gaging ch~nnfl 58.
The coins remain under IJ~C in the gaging chqnnp~l 58, but the gaging ch~nn~l 58tends to urge the coins to be re-qli~e~ against an outer gaging wall 64 of the gaging ch~nnFl 58. The gaging Cl~qnnFl 58 and the gaging wall 64 allow the coins in thesorting path an o~pollullil~ to re. lign their outer edges at the radial position Ic~lu~d 20 for correct sorting. To ensure that every coin engages the wall 64, the radius of the gaging wall 64 from the center of the disc is gradually decredsed along the length of the gaging ch-qnnpl 58.
The gaging c~ n~l 58 l l~,f~,.dbly includes a beveled surface 68 that angles upward with respect to the pad surface and towards the gaging wall 64 and a deep25 surface 70. The coins moving into the gaging ch~nnPl 58 remain under p~ le from the sorting head 12, but the beveled surface 68 applies a variable amount of JleS~Ul~ on the coins with a greater amount of plcs~.lre on the inside edges of the coins. In this way, the beveled surface 68 helps to prevent the coins from bouncing off the wall 64 as the radial pO~itil n of the coins is gr~u~lly decreased along the 30 length of the gaging ch~nnel 58.
As the coins move along the gaging wall 64 of the gaging rh~nnPl 58, the coins engage a gaging ramp 72 leading down to the lowermost surface 32. The WO95~'~,Y~6 217i5q3 PCTIUS94110291 gaging ramp 72 causes the coins to be firmly pressed into the pad 16 with their outermost edges aligned with the gaging radius provided by the gaging wall 64. At the terminal end of the gaging ramp 72, the coins are under the positive control of the sorting head 12. Illis ensures that the coins are held securely in the proper radial S p~ n ~ ;n~d by the gaging wall 64 as the coins a~proach the series of exit chqnnplc 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25.
Beyond the gaging chAn--Pl 58, the sorting head 12 forms the series of exit chqnnPlc 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 which function as sPle~ting means to discl~gecoins of dirr~ren~ d~o....~ ;onc at dirL~.~I cir~ul..f~ntil 1- eqti~mC around the p~ hP . ~ of the sorting head 12. Thus, the e~it cl~nn~lc 20-25 are spaced circumferentially around the outer pe ;phr.y of the sorting head 12, with the inn~l~lG~l edges of sUcc~-c~ e rhAnn~lc located pf~g~i.rely farther away from the cG~ ol~ radial l~qti~ n of the outer edges of all coins for receiving and ejecting coins in order of increasing ~ (. In the particular embo~lim~nt ill~ .l~, the six çhqnnPlc 2~25 are positi~nPd to eject ~uc~ c~ ely dimes (çhsnn~l 20), penniPS
(-~hqnn~l 21), nickels (rhqnnPl 22), qu~.~ (chqnn~Pl 23), Susan B. Anthony dollar (çhqnnP~ 24) and half-doLlars (rh-q-nnPl 25). The nn~,lllG ,l edges of tne exit ch~nnPlc 2~25 are pos;l;~ nPd so that the inner edge of a coin of only one particular denG...in~ n can enter each chqnnPl; the coins of all other dei~G-~;n~l;onc re-q-~hing a 20 given exit ch~nnpl extend inwardly beyond the innr....os~ edge of that particular chann~l so that those coins cannot enter the chqnnpl and, ~ fo.e, c4nl;.-ue on to the next exit channFl.
Typically, coin sorters operate by e~certing pad ~ Ul~ onto coins while those coins are within the exit ~ nni~15 of the coin sorter. Pad pr~s~ule is obtained 25 ber~lcP the exit chann~l is shallower than the thi~ness of the denomin~tiQn co.lesl)onding to the exit chqnnPl. While in the exit chqnnPl, a coin under pad ~ ~aure is e~pose~ to forces tending to ...~;nt~;n the radial position of the coin and urging the coin to move ci(~;ulll~cl~tially along with the resilient pad. As such, coin sorters that apply pad pl~a~ to coins within the exit ch~nn~l~ can force coins from .-30 the proper exit ch~nn~l, leading to a missort. Moreover, if the pad p-esaurc on the coin forces the coin into the pad, the pad exerts a strong force in the direction of rotation onto the coin, not only tending to increase the possibility of the coin being wo 9si~Js ~c- 2 1 7 1 5 4 ~ PCTi'US94/10291 forced under the wall of the e~cit ch~nnPl, but also re~iucin~ the "overlap" between the edge of the coin and the exit çh~nnPl wall further increasing the rate of missort due to the pad forcing a pad-plf~u.~xl coin under the exit eh~nnf~l wall. Thus, pOt ina~w~cies are inl~luc~ into the sorting pr~cess by ~ the coins to pad 5 prf~ul~ while the ooins are within the e~cit cl.~n~rlc 1' dA;I;nn~lly~ a~)pl~ing pad ~Jl~;~Ul~ to those coins within the exit r-h~ f~C inclf~ses the wear on the pad as well as the sorting head.
Accor~ingl~, in the present invention, each of the exit c~ nflC 20-25 acts as an exit chute for a particular coin deno...;~ n by ~i~n~ing that particular coin10 from ~lcssod e~g~ l with the pad 16 and ~-le~c;l~ any p~s;,ule on the coin from contact with the sor~ng head 12. The.~rol~, each exit rh~nnf~ 2~25 is c~d from the lu..~ o ,l surface 32 by a ~ ~nc~ greater than the thi~ n.occ of the coin d~no...;~ n col~ g to the particular exit chqnnel. After the coinshave been ~l~d from pad pl~Ul~, against the sorting head 12, the coins are free 15 to move oulw~ily along the e~cit rhannl-l and exit into a coin rerPpt-q-~hP due to the cer.l,irugal and fri~tionql forces acting on the coin. ~iditi~nqlly~ in the case of an l"~.~;AtP stop from a pl~d~te.~ d number of coins of a certain ~enorninqtiol~
being sorted, the coins within the exit rl~nnfl 20-25 cQI.l;..ue moving oul~v~.l along the exit CI~A~ and some of the coins exit the exit ch~nn~ as a result of the inertia 20 of the coins. l....n~ e St~lg ~ S coin "overage," and the coins within the exit chAnn~lc at the time of ~in~ t an ~ e level of coin "overage. "
In order to sense the coins leaving the exit cl~Annf~c 20-25, conV~Pntionql sensors 80-85, such as a ~lu- ncl rd os ill-q-tor, are pocitiorlpd at the p~. ;ph.~l ~ of the sorting head 12 and plol;...atP to exit openings 2~a-25a for the exit ch~nnPl~ 2~25.
25 Each sensor 80-85 provides an exit signal upon the discharge of a coin from the col,~ndJng exit c~nl~el for the sensor. A series of coun~ls 9~95 are responsive to these exit signals and thereby keep an ~c~-~te count of the sorted coins discllalged from each exit ch~nnP~ F~Ch counter 90-95 may consist of a well-known counting device. When one of the co~ 90-95 has ~e~d a predetermined nu-n~e of 30 coins exiting lhlough the exit opening of the exit ch~nnel col,~nding to thatparticular count~r, a predet~.,n.ned con-lition exists, and the pl~de~l"~ih~ed condition (i.e. a predetermined llu~ber of coins of a certain denomination has filled a coin wo gs~ 10~ 2 ~ 7 1 ~ ~ 3 PCI'IUS94/10291 re~ep~clP) triggers the immPAiq~e stopping of the rotating disc 16. Upon immPAiqtely stopping, at least some of the coins entirely within an exit ~hqnn~l 2~25 are P.pP]lPA from the e~cit chqnnP,l by the inertia of the coins. In ~ 1ition, any coins within the gaging ~hqnnPl 58 or not en~ within an exit rh-q-nnPl 2~25 after 5 leaving the gaging cl~q ~n~l 58 .-.~if l~in their position b~a~se those coins are under positive control.
FIGs. 3~ ~...1~h~ e the o~ti-~n of the coin sorter a~ c of FIG. 1 utili7.i~ pl~ less e~it ~h~n~f]c 2~25 and i...,..~ ~ stoppi~ in l~ponse to a p~ Cd co--.1;1;. n such as a ~ A~f-....in~l number of coins of a certain 10 d~no. ~;n~ n being sorted. In FIG. 3, a stream of coins 8&-88m of the same de.lo...in~l;on is passing t}~ough the coin sorter app~lus. The coin 88a has just entered the gaging çhqnnPl 58 following coins 88b-88d in the gaging c~qnnPl 58. As previously ~ ~pd~ the gaging ch~nnfl 58 allows the coins to move against the gaging wall 64 of the gaging çh~nn~l 58. In this way, the gaging cl~nnPl 58 and the 15 gaging wall 64 re~ign the coins in the sorting path and position the outer edges of the coins at the proper radial position ~u~ed for correct sorting.
The C~ ly radially aligned coin 8& follows the previously aligned coins 88f-88m from the gaging c~-~nnel 58 to the ~ . ;l)h. . Al area of the st-q-tionqry disc 12 which has the exit channflc 20-25. The coin 88e is eng~;ng the ramp 72 which 20 presses the coin 88e into a pressed engagement with the pad 16 to .~ ;n the coin's correct radial ~ even if the coin sorter app~lus is stoppe~d and l~L~d. The coins 88f-88h bypass the exit el-~nl-&.l 20 bec~ the diz...- ~. of the coins 88f-88h is hrger than the width of the exit eh~nn&~l 20. As such, a portion of the coins 88f-88h l~ ma,ns under positive control b~--c~ the coins 88f-88h remain in a pressed Png~rn.&.-t b~l~n the pad 16 and the lowermost surface 32. Therefore, the radialposition of the coins 88f-88h is .~.~inli~in~ until these coins reach the exit çh~nnP] 21.
The exit ch~nnpl 21 acts as an exit chute for the coin ~enomin~tion of the coins 88a-88m. The coins 88i-88m have entirely entered the exit ch~nnPl 21 and are ~li~n~ from pressed en~gern~nt with the pad 16, rf~ ing any yç~S~ul~ on the coins 88i-88m from the sorting head 12. After the coins have been released from the pad 16, they are no longer under positive control. Cons~u&~ , the coins freely move outw~,dly along the exit ch~nn~ol 21 and exit through the exit opening 21a into WO 5S~'~g ~^6 2~ 17 1 a ~ 3 PCT/US94/10291 a coin receptacle as a result of the centrifugal and frictional forces acting on the coins.
FIG. 6 shows a cross-s~inn~l view of the sorting path ta~en along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3. As il1~ ed, the coin 88g is in pressed en~e ~ nt ~weell the pad 16 and the lowermost surface 32. ~n~, of this ~ d eng,agement with the pad 16, the coin 88g le.llains at the same radial position until it c nl,'4VQ~ :~ the e~it c~ n~l 21. The coin 88h has e~ n~ered an exit ramp 21b. Each recess 2~25 is ~ with a c~ ~nd;ng e~cit ramp 20b-25b. The exit ramp 21b bridges the lo. ~ .O~ surfaee 32 and the exit cl~annf,l 21 to gradually release the pad pl~u.~ on the coin 88h as it begins ~nt~ring the exit ch~nn~ql 21. This gradual release ofp~ulc ~le~ the coin from bo~n~-;ng within the exit ch~nn~ 21. As illustrated, a portion of the coin 88h l~l.,a.ns in a ,~ ,s~d eng_ge~ with the resilient pad 16 and the lu. ~ G;~l surface 32. The coins 88i-88k precede the coin 88h in the sorting path. The coins 88i-88k are entirely within the exit chAnnfl 21 and are ~ ,.-g~
from a pressed engagcll,enL with the sorting head 12. The coins 88i-88k are free to move oulwa~ly and exit the exit ch~nnPl 21 due to the ~ ifugal and frictional forces acting on the coins 88i-88k. After a predete.l,-incd n~ of coins is d by the coun~, 91 coll~n~ing to the exit ch~nn~l 21, a pred~el"lined c~ tiQn e~cists lC~lUiling the i~ P~ tP ~k~p~g of the lolaling disc 13 to stop the sorting y~w~s. As shown in FIG. 1, the C4~J~ s 90-95 respond to exit signals from the sensors 80-85 and are cou~ to a braking ~..~h~ni~m 98a. The br~king , .P~h~ . 98a inrll~d~s control ci..;uilly lOOa responsive to a signal from the cow~ 90-95 triggering ~e braking ~ hAni~m 98a to i"~".~;;.lely stop the rotatingdisc 13. The iTnm~i~te ~l~pp,ng of the lUt~lling disc 13 can be acco...~ hed in a 25 .,u...b~r of ways hlown to someone skilled in the art. For example, the bral~ng h~ni~... 98a can int~ e a brake ~ pmbly 102 coupled to the electric motor 14.
Upon receiving the im.--PA;~IP stopping signal from one of the counters 90-95, the control cir ;uilly lOOa of the bral~ng mP~h~ni~m 98a can imm~ tPly stop the rotating disc 13 by triggering the imm~i~te application of the brake assembly 102 to 30 the electric motor 14. P~Ç~ably, the control cil~;uill.y lOOa also signals a motor control circuit 101 to trigger the ~imult~n~us de-energiLing or ~lo~ing of the electric motor 14.
~17~ ~i 3 WO 9S~ PCTIUS94110291 ,~ltPrn~tively, the imm~ te stopping of the rotating disc 13 can involve a braking m~h~ni~m (not shown) that incll~des a brake assembly (not shown) and a clutch assembly (not shown). The coin sorter appaldlus of the present invention has a drive ,,.Prl~q~ rn (not shown), inrlu~ g the stub shaft, that is morh~ni~lly coupled S to both the electric motor 14 and the rotating disc 13 to enable the electric motor 14 to rotate the lV~,aLing, disc 13. Upon receiving the signal from one of the Cuun~a 9 95 that a p.~d~ fA nun.lxl of coins of a particular denominati~n have been sorted, control c~cuill~y 100c for the ~lt,v~ e br~king m~h~ni~m (not shown) i"....P~ y stops the lVtdt~g disc 13 by triggering the imm~li~ application of the 10 ~ltf ..~ e b~ake ~.--bly (not shown), such as a convention~l disc brake assembly, to the drive ~ hanlcl., Sim~llt~n~l-s to the triggering of the brake assembly, the control ci,~ 100c can also trigger the clutch assembly (not shown) that is enga~ed to the drive ,..~ .," Once triggered, the clutch assembly ~i~ng~ges the drive .~.Pch~ cl.~ from the electric motor 14 to f~ili~te the i"l,..f.1;~1e stopping of 15 the l~ling disc 13 by the brake assembly.
Another ~lt~rn~tive for i~ lPly stopping the rotating disc 13 has a braking m~h~ni~m 98b inrlu-ling control and drive cireuiLIy 100b coupled to the electricmotor 14. Upon receiving the signal from one of the COIInte~a 9~95 that a predete...~ ed nli---~, of coins of a particular ~enG.I~inAl;on have been sortcd, the control and drive c~-iuill~ 100b for the braking ~Ile~h~ni~m 98b can reverse bias the electric motor 14 to ;Il~ ly stop the rotating disc.
FIG. 4 shows the coins 88a-88i of FIG. 3 further along in the sorting path at the mom.ont when the COullt~. 91 detects that a prede~~ ned n~ of coins has e~cited through the e~cit op~ning 21a of the exit r-h~nn~l 21. The coins 88h-88i have already exited the exit çh~nnPl 21 Illrougll the exit opening 21a. The coins 88j-88m of FIG. 3 do not appear in FIG. 4 because those coins have exited into the coin receptacle.
In res~on~ to the signal from the counter 91 that a predetermined number of coins of the ~Pno.n;~l;on coIl~a~nding to exit ch~nn~l 21 has been sorted, the b aking ~ 3~ni~m imm~ t~ly stops the rotation of the rotating disc 13. At that time, the coins 88f-88g are within the exit ch~nn~l 21 and free from any pressedengagement with the sorting head 12. These coins 88f-88g therefore are free to WO 95/09406 2 1 7 1 5 ~ 3 PCTIUS94/10291 move Oulw~ y along the exit eh~nnPl 21 and, as shown in FIG 5, have exited the exit recess 21 as a result of the inertia of each coin 88f-88i. Meanwhile, the coins 88b-88e remain in a pressed Png~mPnt with the sorting head 12 and, thus, ~ inlain their pocition in the sorting path. At the time of stopping, the coin 8& is within the 5 gaging c~ n~l 58 and under positive controI. As such, the coin 8& also tends to remain in its ~ within the gaging cl~ l-Pl 58.
The coin sorter ~ us of the present invention has been ~ifirslly d~ d with the sorting head 12. The st~ti~nn~ry sor~ng head of the present invention, h~ r, can take a variety of difÇ~ t forrns. For example, the present 10 invention can indude a sorting head that guides coins towards the exit ~h~nnPlc at the ~f.;ph~ y of the sor~ng head utili7ing ch~nntolc with converging walls to guide the coins to the exit cl~nn~lC AdAition~lly, many al.p~ c and methQAc for ;q~ly stopping the rv~Ling disc 13 are known in the field, and ~AAiti~n~l mP~h~s and -q~ Js for the ;..~ ;q'e s~.pping of the rotating disc 13 are 15 available in ~AAiti-)n to the three ~ /e blaking mf~h~ni.~mc cper.ifi-~lly mPnti~rlP~ A major inventive aspect of the present invention being the utili7~tinn of exit ch~nnrlc that do not apply ~Jr~ to the coins within and, upon the occullence of a p~Aet~ ined C~nAitinll~ the i~ n~l;æ~e ~lul.~ih~g of the rotating disc such that ~e coins within the e~cit ch~nn~lc are discl~ed from the coin sorter due to the 20 inertia of the coins.
Thus, the coin sOr~ a~ utili~in~ pl~uleless exit recesses 20-25 t~g~l-~ with ;~ t' St'.~ ;~ provides a simpler coin sorting ~l~p;.~ that is easier to .-.~n.-r-- t --~ and more ;~ e than other m~thQAc of ~ .;n~ g thesor~ng l,rocess. The present invention ~colnpli~h~Ps this with an acceptable level of 2~ overage of sorted coins and reduces inaccuracies and missorts present in coin sorters lltili7ing pl~ ll;7~d exit ch~nn~
Claims (12)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A coin sorter apparatus for sorting a group of mixed coins by denomination and immediately terminating; the sorting process, said apparatus comprising:
a rotatable disc having a first surface for receiving said mixed coins;
means for rotating said disc;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface parallel to said first surface of said rotatable disc and spaced slightly therefrom for guiding said mixed coins along a sorting path within the region between the underside of said sorting head and said first surface of said rotatable disc;
a central opening of said sorting head for allowing coins to be received onto said first surface of said rotatable disc;
a queuing area on the underside of said sorting head including a queuing channelfor selectively directing the rotating mixed coins into a sorting path, said queuing area allowing continued rotation of the mixed coins on the first surface of said rotatable disc;
a gaging area on the underside of said sorting head including a gaging channel for receiving said coins from said queuing area in a single file configuration and manipulating the radial position of each denomination of said coins;
an exit area on the underside of said sorting head including a plurality of exitchannels and an exit opening for each of said exit channels, said exit channels receiving coins of a certain denomination from said gaging area and allowing rotating coins positioned at radial positions determined by said gaging channel to exit said coin sorter apparatus at said exit openings along the periphery of the sorting head, each of said exit channels releasing coins entering said exit channel from pressure and thereby permitting outward movement of said coins within said exit channel due to the inertia of said coins;
a plurality of sensors located on said coin sorter apparatus for sensing predetermined conditions, said plurality of sensors including exit sensors located at said exit openings of said exit channels, said exit sensors being responsive to the exiting of coins through said exit openings and providing exit signals in response to the exiting of coins, said exit sensors being coupled to counters, said counters being responsive to said exit signals for keeping accurate count of coins leaving the sorter apparatus at each exit opening, each of said counters providing a counter signal upon reaching a predetermined number; and a braking mechanism responsive to said counter signals for immediately stopping said rotatable disc, causing coins within each of said exit channels to exit said exit channel through said exit opening due to the inertia of said coins.
a rotatable disc having a first surface for receiving said mixed coins;
means for rotating said disc;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface parallel to said first surface of said rotatable disc and spaced slightly therefrom for guiding said mixed coins along a sorting path within the region between the underside of said sorting head and said first surface of said rotatable disc;
a central opening of said sorting head for allowing coins to be received onto said first surface of said rotatable disc;
a queuing area on the underside of said sorting head including a queuing channelfor selectively directing the rotating mixed coins into a sorting path, said queuing area allowing continued rotation of the mixed coins on the first surface of said rotatable disc;
a gaging area on the underside of said sorting head including a gaging channel for receiving said coins from said queuing area in a single file configuration and manipulating the radial position of each denomination of said coins;
an exit area on the underside of said sorting head including a plurality of exitchannels and an exit opening for each of said exit channels, said exit channels receiving coins of a certain denomination from said gaging area and allowing rotating coins positioned at radial positions determined by said gaging channel to exit said coin sorter apparatus at said exit openings along the periphery of the sorting head, each of said exit channels releasing coins entering said exit channel from pressure and thereby permitting outward movement of said coins within said exit channel due to the inertia of said coins;
a plurality of sensors located on said coin sorter apparatus for sensing predetermined conditions, said plurality of sensors including exit sensors located at said exit openings of said exit channels, said exit sensors being responsive to the exiting of coins through said exit openings and providing exit signals in response to the exiting of coins, said exit sensors being coupled to counters, said counters being responsive to said exit signals for keeping accurate count of coins leaving the sorter apparatus at each exit opening, each of said counters providing a counter signal upon reaching a predetermined number; and a braking mechanism responsive to said counter signals for immediately stopping said rotatable disc, causing coins within each of said exit channels to exit said exit channel through said exit opening due to the inertia of said coins.
2. The coin sorter apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said disc including a motor coupled to said rotatable disc.
3. The coin sorter apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coins within said gaging channel being under pressure from said underside of said sorting head such that the position of said coins within said gaging area is maintained upon the immediate stopping of the rotatable disc.
4. A coin sorter apparatus for sorting a group of mixed coins by denomination and immediately terminating the sorting process, said apparatus comprising:
a rotatable disc having a first surface for receiving said mixed coins;
means for rotating said disc;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface parallel to said first surface of said rotatable disc and spaced slightly therefrom for guiding said mixed coins along a sorting path;
a central opening of said stationary sorting head for allowing coins to be received onto said first surface of said rotatable disc;
a queuing area on the underside of said sorting head including a queuing channelfor selectively directing the rotating mixed coins into a sorting path, said queuing area allowing continued rotation of the mixed coins on the first surface of said rotating disc;
a gaging area on the underside of said stationary sorting head including a gaging channel for receiving coins from said queuing area in a single file configuration and manipulating the radial position of each denomination of said coins;
an exit area on the underside of said stationary sorting head including a plurality of exit channels for receiving said coins from said gaging area and allowing rotating coins positioned at radial positions determined by said gaging channel to exit said coin sorter apparatus through an exit opening for each of said exit channels along the periphery of said stationary sorting head, each said exit channels releasing any coins entering said exit channel from the pressure of said underside of said sorting head and thereby permitting outward movement of coins within said exit channels;
a plurality of exit sensors located at said exit openings of said exit channels, said exit sensors being responsive to the exiting of coins through said exit openings and providing exit signals in response to the exiting of coins, said exit sensors being coupled to counters, said counters being responsive to said exit signals for keeping accurate count of coins leaving the sorter apparatus at each of said exit openings, each of said counters providing a counter signal upon reaching a predetermined number; and a braking mechanism responsive to said counter signal for immediately stopping the rotatable disc, causing coins within said exit channels to exit said coin sorter apparatus due to the inertia of said coins.
a rotatable disc having a first surface for receiving said mixed coins;
means for rotating said disc;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface parallel to said first surface of said rotatable disc and spaced slightly therefrom for guiding said mixed coins along a sorting path;
a central opening of said stationary sorting head for allowing coins to be received onto said first surface of said rotatable disc;
a queuing area on the underside of said sorting head including a queuing channelfor selectively directing the rotating mixed coins into a sorting path, said queuing area allowing continued rotation of the mixed coins on the first surface of said rotating disc;
a gaging area on the underside of said stationary sorting head including a gaging channel for receiving coins from said queuing area in a single file configuration and manipulating the radial position of each denomination of said coins;
an exit area on the underside of said stationary sorting head including a plurality of exit channels for receiving said coins from said gaging area and allowing rotating coins positioned at radial positions determined by said gaging channel to exit said coin sorter apparatus through an exit opening for each of said exit channels along the periphery of said stationary sorting head, each said exit channels releasing any coins entering said exit channel from the pressure of said underside of said sorting head and thereby permitting outward movement of coins within said exit channels;
a plurality of exit sensors located at said exit openings of said exit channels, said exit sensors being responsive to the exiting of coins through said exit openings and providing exit signals in response to the exiting of coins, said exit sensors being coupled to counters, said counters being responsive to said exit signals for keeping accurate count of coins leaving the sorter apparatus at each of said exit openings, each of said counters providing a counter signal upon reaching a predetermined number; and a braking mechanism responsive to said counter signal for immediately stopping the rotatable disc, causing coins within said exit channels to exit said coin sorter apparatus due to the inertia of said coins.
5. The coin sorter apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for rotating said disc including a motor coupled to said rotatable disc.
6. The coin sorter apparatus of claim 4 wherein said coins within said gaging channel being under pressure from said underside of said sorting head such that the position of said coins within said gaging area is maintained upon the immediate stopping of said rotatable disc.
7. A coin sorter apparatus for sorting a group of mixed coins by denomination and immediately terminating the sorting process, said apparatus comprising:
a rotatable disc having a first surface for receiving said mixed coins;
means for rotating said disc;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface parallel to said first surface of said rotatable disc and spaced slightly therefrom for guiding said mixed coins along a sorting path;
a central opening of said stationary sorting head for allowing coins to be received onto said first surface of said rotatable disc;
a queuing area on the underside of said sorting head including a queuing channelfor selectively directing the rotating mixed coins into a sorting path, said queuing area allowing continued rotation of the mixed coins on the first surface of said rotating disc;
a gaging area on the underside of said stationary sorting head including a gaging channel for receiving coins from said queuing area in a single file configuration and manipulating the radial position of each denomination of said coins;
an exit area on the underside of said stationary sorting head including a plurality of exit channels for receiving said coins from said gaging area and allowing rotating coins positioned at radial positions determined by said gaging channel to exit said coin sorter apparatus through an exit opening for each of said exit channels along the periphery of said stationary sorting head, each said exit channels releasing any coins entering said exit channel from the pressure of said underside of said sorting head and thereby permitting outward movement of coins within said exit channels;
a plurality of exit sensors located at said exit openings of said exit channels, said exit sensors being responsive to the exiting of coins through said exit openings and providing exit signals in response to the exiting of coins, said exit sensors being coupled to counters, said counters being responsive to said exit signals for keeping accurate count of coins leaving the sorter apparatus at each of said exit openings, each of said counters providing a counter signal upon reaching a predetermined number; and a stopping mechanism responsive to said counter signal for immediately stopping the rotation of the rotatable disc while continuing the movement of coins along said sorting path and said channels during the stopping of said disc.
a rotatable disc having a first surface for receiving said mixed coins;
means for rotating said disc;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface parallel to said first surface of said rotatable disc and spaced slightly therefrom for guiding said mixed coins along a sorting path;
a central opening of said stationary sorting head for allowing coins to be received onto said first surface of said rotatable disc;
a queuing area on the underside of said sorting head including a queuing channelfor selectively directing the rotating mixed coins into a sorting path, said queuing area allowing continued rotation of the mixed coins on the first surface of said rotating disc;
a gaging area on the underside of said stationary sorting head including a gaging channel for receiving coins from said queuing area in a single file configuration and manipulating the radial position of each denomination of said coins;
an exit area on the underside of said stationary sorting head including a plurality of exit channels for receiving said coins from said gaging area and allowing rotating coins positioned at radial positions determined by said gaging channel to exit said coin sorter apparatus through an exit opening for each of said exit channels along the periphery of said stationary sorting head, each said exit channels releasing any coins entering said exit channel from the pressure of said underside of said sorting head and thereby permitting outward movement of coins within said exit channels;
a plurality of exit sensors located at said exit openings of said exit channels, said exit sensors being responsive to the exiting of coins through said exit openings and providing exit signals in response to the exiting of coins, said exit sensors being coupled to counters, said counters being responsive to said exit signals for keeping accurate count of coins leaving the sorter apparatus at each of said exit openings, each of said counters providing a counter signal upon reaching a predetermined number; and a stopping mechanism responsive to said counter signal for immediately stopping the rotation of the rotatable disc while continuing the movement of coins along said sorting path and said channels during the stopping of said disc.
8. A coin sorter apparatus for sorting a group of mixed coins by denomination and immediately terminating the sorting process, said apparatus comprising:
a rotatable disc having a first surface for receiving said mixed coins;
means for rotating said disc;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface parallel to said first surface of said rotatable disc and spaced slightly therefrom for guiding said mixed coins along a sorting path;
a central opening of said stationary sorting head for allowing coins to be received onto said first surface of said rotatable disc;
a queuing area on the underside of said sorting head including a queuing channelfor selectively directing the rotating mixed coins into a sorting path, said queuing area allowing continued rotation of the mixed coins on the first surface of said rotating disc;
a gaging area on the underside of said stationary sorting head including a gaging channel for receiving coins from said queuing area in a single file configuration and manipulating the radial position of each denomination of said coins;
an exit area on the underside of said stationary sorting head including a plurality of exit channels for receiving said coins from said gaging area and allowing rotating coins positioned at radial positions determined by said gaging channel to exit said coin sorter apparatus through an exit opening for each of said exit channels along the periphery of said stationary sorting head, each said exit channels releasing any coins entering said exit channel from the pressure of said underside of said sorting head and thereby permitting outward movement of coins within said exit channels;
a plurality of exit sensors located at said exit openings of said exit channels, said exit sensors being responsive to the exiting of coins through said exit openings and providing exit signals in response to the exiting of coins, said exit sensors being coupled to counters, said counters being responsive to said exit signals for keeping accurate count of coins leaving the sorter apparatus at each of said exit openings, each of said counters providing a counter signal upon reaching a predetermined number; and a stopping mechanism responsive to said counter signal for immediately stopping the rotation of the rotatable disc without interrupting the movement of coins along said sorting path and said exit channels during the stopping of said disc.
a rotatable disc having a first surface for receiving said mixed coins;
means for rotating said disc;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface parallel to said first surface of said rotatable disc and spaced slightly therefrom for guiding said mixed coins along a sorting path;
a central opening of said stationary sorting head for allowing coins to be received onto said first surface of said rotatable disc;
a queuing area on the underside of said sorting head including a queuing channelfor selectively directing the rotating mixed coins into a sorting path, said queuing area allowing continued rotation of the mixed coins on the first surface of said rotating disc;
a gaging area on the underside of said stationary sorting head including a gaging channel for receiving coins from said queuing area in a single file configuration and manipulating the radial position of each denomination of said coins;
an exit area on the underside of said stationary sorting head including a plurality of exit channels for receiving said coins from said gaging area and allowing rotating coins positioned at radial positions determined by said gaging channel to exit said coin sorter apparatus through an exit opening for each of said exit channels along the periphery of said stationary sorting head, each said exit channels releasing any coins entering said exit channel from the pressure of said underside of said sorting head and thereby permitting outward movement of coins within said exit channels;
a plurality of exit sensors located at said exit openings of said exit channels, said exit sensors being responsive to the exiting of coins through said exit openings and providing exit signals in response to the exiting of coins, said exit sensors being coupled to counters, said counters being responsive to said exit signals for keeping accurate count of coins leaving the sorter apparatus at each of said exit openings, each of said counters providing a counter signal upon reaching a predetermined number; and a stopping mechanism responsive to said counter signal for immediately stopping the rotation of the rotatable disc without interrupting the movement of coins along said sorting path and said exit channels during the stopping of said disc.
9. A method for terminating the sorting of coins by a stationary sorting head having a lower surface and a rotatable disc having a first surface, said sorting head and said rotatable disc mounted with their surfaces parallel to and in close proximity with one another, said method comprising the steps of:
rotating said coins on said rotatable disc;
outwardly guiding the coins along a single file circumferential sorting path in the region between said sorting head and said rotating disc so as to position the inner edge of each coin denomination at a unique radial position in said region;
intercepting each denomination at its unique radial position and releasing each denomination from a pressure engagement within an exit channel for each denomination to permit each coin to move outwardly within said exit channel and discharging that denomination from said region through said exit channel located along the periphery of the stationary disc for each denomination;
sensing and separately counting the coins of each denomination as they are discharged from said exit channels to determine when a predetermined count of a selected coin denomination is reached; and immediately stopping the rotation of the rotating disc in response to said predetermined count and permitting coins within said exit channels to exit said region due to the inertia of said coins.
rotating said coins on said rotatable disc;
outwardly guiding the coins along a single file circumferential sorting path in the region between said sorting head and said rotating disc so as to position the inner edge of each coin denomination at a unique radial position in said region;
intercepting each denomination at its unique radial position and releasing each denomination from a pressure engagement within an exit channel for each denomination to permit each coin to move outwardly within said exit channel and discharging that denomination from said region through said exit channel located along the periphery of the stationary disc for each denomination;
sensing and separately counting the coins of each denomination as they are discharged from said exit channels to determine when a predetermined count of a selected coin denomination is reached; and immediately stopping the rotation of the rotating disc in response to said predetermined count and permitting coins within said exit channels to exit said region due to the inertia of said coins.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of stopping further including the step of maintaining the position of said coins within a gaging region of said sorting head.
11. A method for terminating the sorting of coins by a stationary sorting head having a lower surface and a rotatable disc having a first surface, said sorting head and said rotatable disc mounted with their surfaces parallel to and in close proximity with one another, said method comprising the steps of:
rotating said coins on said rotatable disc;
outwardly guiding the coins along a single file circumferential sorting path in the region between said sorting head and said rotating disc so as to position the inner edge of each coin denomination at a unique radial position in said region;
intercepting each denomination at its unique radial position and releasing each denomination from a pressure engagement within an exit channel for each denomination to permit each coin to move outwardly within said exit channel and discharging that denomination from said region through said exit channel located along the periphery of the stationary disc for each denomination;
sensing and separately counting the coins of each denomination as they are discharged from said exit channels to determine when a predetermined count of a selected coin denomination is reached; and;
immediately stopping the rotation of the rotating disc in response to said predetermined count while continuing the movement of coins along said sorting path and said exit channels during the stopping of said disc.
rotating said coins on said rotatable disc;
outwardly guiding the coins along a single file circumferential sorting path in the region between said sorting head and said rotating disc so as to position the inner edge of each coin denomination at a unique radial position in said region;
intercepting each denomination at its unique radial position and releasing each denomination from a pressure engagement within an exit channel for each denomination to permit each coin to move outwardly within said exit channel and discharging that denomination from said region through said exit channel located along the periphery of the stationary disc for each denomination;
sensing and separately counting the coins of each denomination as they are discharged from said exit channels to determine when a predetermined count of a selected coin denomination is reached; and;
immediately stopping the rotation of the rotating disc in response to said predetermined count while continuing the movement of coins along said sorting path and said exit channels during the stopping of said disc.
12. A method for terminating the sorting of coins by a stationary sorting head having a lower surface and a rotatable disc having a first surface, said sorting head and said rotatable disc mounted with their surfaces parallel to and in close proximity with one another, said method comprising the steps of:
rotating said coins on said rotatable disc;
outwardly guiding the coins along a single file circumferential sorting path in the region between said sorting head and said rotating disc so as to position the inner edge of each coin denomination at a unique radial position in said region;
intercepting each denomination at its unique radial position and releasing each denomination from a pressure engagement within an exit channel for each denomination to permit each coin to move outwardly within said exit channel and discharging that denomination from said region through said exit channel located along the periphery of the stationary disc for each denomination;
sensing and separately counting the coins of each denomination as they are discharged from said exit channels to determine when a predetermined count of a selected coin denomination is reached; and;
immediately stopping the rotation of the rotating disc in response to said predetermined count without interrupting the movement of coins along said sorting path and said exit channels during the stopping of said disc.
rotating said coins on said rotatable disc;
outwardly guiding the coins along a single file circumferential sorting path in the region between said sorting head and said rotating disc so as to position the inner edge of each coin denomination at a unique radial position in said region;
intercepting each denomination at its unique radial position and releasing each denomination from a pressure engagement within an exit channel for each denomination to permit each coin to move outwardly within said exit channel and discharging that denomination from said region through said exit channel located along the periphery of the stationary disc for each denomination;
sensing and separately counting the coins of each denomination as they are discharged from said exit channels to determine when a predetermined count of a selected coin denomination is reached; and;
immediately stopping the rotation of the rotating disc in response to said predetermined count without interrupting the movement of coins along said sorting path and said exit channels during the stopping of said disc.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/127,791 US5514034A (en) | 1993-09-28 | 1993-09-28 | Apparatus and method for terminating coin sorting using pressureless exit channels and immediate stopping |
| US08/127,791 | 1993-09-28 | ||
| PCT/US1994/010291 WO1995009406A1 (en) | 1993-09-28 | 1994-09-13 | Brake for pressureless exit channel, coin sorter |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2171543A1 CA2171543A1 (en) | 1995-04-06 |
| CA2171543C true CA2171543C (en) | 1999-05-11 |
Family
ID=22431967
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002171543A Expired - Fee Related CA2171543C (en) | 1993-09-28 | 1994-09-13 | Brake for pressureless exit channel, coin sorter |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (3) | US5514034A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0728346B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU676609B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2171543C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69416002T2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995009406A1 (en) |
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-
1993
- 1993-09-28 US US08/127,791 patent/US5514034A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1994
- 1994-09-13 DE DE69416002T patent/DE69416002T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-09-13 AU AU76862/94A patent/AU676609B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1994-09-13 CA CA002171543A patent/CA2171543C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-09-13 EP EP94927405A patent/EP0728346B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-09-13 WO PCT/US1994/010291 patent/WO1995009406A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1994-11-09 US US08/336,416 patent/US5474497A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1995
- 1995-10-13 US US08/542,960 patent/US5564978A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU676609B2 (en) | 1997-03-13 |
| US5514034A (en) | 1996-05-07 |
| EP0728346A1 (en) | 1996-08-28 |
| US5564978A (en) | 1996-10-15 |
| EP0728346A4 (en) | 1997-01-29 |
| EP0728346B1 (en) | 1999-01-13 |
| AU7686294A (en) | 1995-04-18 |
| WO1995009406A1 (en) | 1995-04-06 |
| DE69416002T2 (en) | 1999-05-27 |
| US5474497A (en) | 1995-12-12 |
| CA2171543A1 (en) | 1995-04-06 |
| DE69416002D1 (en) | 1999-02-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |