U.S. patent number 3,851,755 [Application Number 05/263,313] was granted by the patent office on 1974-12-03 for heat shrinkable coin package.
This patent grant is currently assigned to AFL Machine Corporation. Invention is credited to Gerry G. Hull, Eugene B. Morris, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,851,755 |
Hull , et al. |
December 3, 1974 |
HEAT SHRINKABLE COIN PACKAGE
Abstract
A package of coins is disclosed that includes a transparent open
ended tubular wrapper of thermoplastic material applied to a stack
of coins. Each end of the wrapper is drawn inwardly about the
periphery of the external surfaces of the end coins of the stack
with the end portions of the wrapper being flared outwardly from
its end openings in a generally semi-hemispherical shape. Also, the
intermediate product utilized in the manufacture of the coin
package is shown which includes a package of an alternating
sequence of stacks of coins and balls of a diameter approximately
the same as the diameter of the coins.
Inventors: |
Hull; Gerry G. (Atlanta,
GA), Morris, Jr.; Eugene B. (Atlanta, GA) |
Assignee: |
AFL Machine Corporation
(Atlanta, GA)
|
Family
ID: |
26725759 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/263,313 |
Filed: |
June 15, 1972 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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48077 |
Jun 22, 1970 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/.82; 206/497;
229/87.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07D
9/065 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07D
9/06 (20060101); A45c 011/28 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/.8,.82-.84,65S,8A,46MY ;229/87.2,DIG.12 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Price; William I.
Assistant Examiner: Lipman; Steven E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jones, Thomas & Askew
Parent Case Text
This patent is a division of application Ser. No. 48,077, filed
June 22, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,707,244.
Claims
We claim:
1. A package of coins or the like comprising a plurality of coins
positioned in flat overlying abutting relationship to form a stack
of coins, a transparent open ended tube surrounding said stack of
coins with the end portions of said tube drawn in at the ends of
the stack of coins uniformly about the periphery of the outside
surface of each end coin to a diameter less than the diameter of
the coins in the stack of coins to confine the end coins about
their peripheries in said stack and flared out from the drawn in
portions and terminating with a diameter approximately as large as
the diameter of the coins in the stack of coins.
2. A package of coins or the like comprising a plurality of stacked
coins, a transparent open ended seamless tubular wrapper of
thermoplastic polymeric material applied to said plurality of
stacked coins and comprising a cylindrical portion generally
conforming to the shapes of the edges of the coins in the plurality
of stacked coins and end portions at each end of the cylindrical
portion being drawn inwardly about the periphery of the external
surfaces of the end coins in the plurality of stacked coins to hold
the end coins about their edges inside the cylindrical portion of
the wrapper and forming approximately circular end openings at each
end of the wrapper with the wrapper end openings being drawn
inwardly to a diameter less than the diameter of the coins in said
wrapper and the end portions of said wrapper flaring outwardly from
its end openings in a generally semi-hemispherical shape and
terminating in a diameter approximately as large as the diameter of
the coins in said wrapper.
3. A package of coins or the like comprising an alternating
sequence of coins stacked together in overlying relationship with
the stacks of coins arranged in spaced end-to-end relationship and
separating objects sized and shaped differently from the size and
shape of the coins positioned between the ends of the stacks of
coins, and a continuous wrapper covering the alternating sequence
of stacks of coins and separating objects and substantially
conforming to the outside shape of the alternating sequence of
stacked coins and separating objects.
4. A package of coins or the like comprising an alternating
sequence of coins stacked together in overlying relationship and
balls of a diameter approximately the same as the diameter of the
coins, and a continuous wrapper covering said coins and said balls.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When coins are counted and packaged, the coins usually are taken
from a random mass of coins and sorted in accordance with their
physical characteristics which correspond to their denomination.
The coins are stacked or placed in overlying abutment with one
another until a predetermined number of coins has been accumulated,
and the coins are then packaged in a wrapper which usually
comprises a paper wrapper.
While various mechanical devices have been developed and used to
some success to sort coins in accordance with their physical
characteristics, the mechanical devices developed so far have been
largely unsuccessful since they tend to become clogged with trash
and debris and they fail to detect the difference in legitimate
coins and slugs. Moreover, damaged coins usually tend to be
processed by the prior art machinery. The remaining steps of
counting and packaging in a typical coin processing system usually
have been performed by hand because of the lack of reliable
automatic equipment to perform these functions.
In addition to the problems encountered in the steps of coin
separation, counting and packaging, the typical package of coins
resulting from these steps comprises an opaque cover which hides
the coins from view and prevents a person from detecting the value
of the coins in the package or detecting any abnormality in the
stacked coins of a package.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, the present invention comprises a novel coin
package and a novel coin processing method and apparatus. A mass of
coins is placed in a coin receiving drum which is rotatable about a
lateral axis. A lattice of bores is defined in the inside surface
of the wall of the drum, and the bores conform in size and shape to
the size and shape of the coins to be separated from the mass of
coins. Coins are lifted in the bores of the drum with the movement
of the bores in an upward direction, and the coins are discharged
from the bores to a receptacle in the upper portion of the drum.
The coins flow from the receptacle in a downward direction through
a plurality of coin conduits to a coin shelf where the coins are
arranged in stacks. The stacks of coins are moved in sequence over
a discharge opening and spherical balls are placed between the
stacks of coins as the stacks move through the discharge opening. A
continuous film of transparent plastic is applied to the stacks of
coins to form a continuous package of coins and balls, and the
continuous package is opened at the balls to separate the stacks of
coins into a plurality of individual packages of coins and to
release the balls from the continuous package. The individual
packages are transparent so that the nature and quality of the
coins can be detected by visual inspection of the packages.
Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a method and
apparatus for processing coins which reliably separates coins of
predetermined physical characteristics from a mass of coins,
accumulates the coins, and applies a transparent cover about the
accumulated coins.
Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for
expediently forming coins of like characteristics in a stacked
relationship with a transparent cover applied to the outside of the
stack.
Another object of this invention is to provide a stack of coins
having a predetermined number of coins in the stack and packaged in
a transparent cover.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent upon reading the following specification when
taken into conjunction with the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration, with parts broken away, of the
upper portion of the coin processing apparatus.
FIG. 1B is a continuation of FIG. 1A and shows the lower portion of
the coin processing apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a detailed showing of the upper portion of the coin
receiving drum and its housing and related apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the coin stacker with parts broken
away for clarity.
FIG. 4 is a detailed showing of the stacked coins and the packaging
device illustrating the manner in which the transparent wrapper is
applied to the coins.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the ball masher.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a package of coins.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in more detail to the drawing, in which like numerals
indicate like parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1A and 1B
show an overall schematic illustration of the coin processing
apparatus 10 which includes sorting drum assembly 11, coin conduits
12, conduit terminal block 13, dogleg conduits 14, revolving feeder
assembly 15, rotatable platform 16, packaging assembly 18, cooler
19, guide 20 and ball masher 21.
Sorting drum assembly 11 includes a sorting drum or cylinder 24
fabricated of a non-conducting material, such as nylon, teflon or
any of the conventional dielectric materials and is positioned with
its longitudinal axis disposed in an approximately horizontal
attitude, and which is rotatable about is longitudinal axis.
Sorting drum 24 includes a lattice or plurality of coin receiving
recesses 25 in the internal surface of its wall. Recesses 25 extend
along the length of and about the circumference of sorting drum 24,
with the recesses being placed in annular alignment about the
circumference of the drum. As is best illustrated in FIG. 2, coin
receiving recesses 25 are substantially identical in shape and each
includes outer bore 26, inner counter bore 28, aperture 29 and
tapered or scalloped surface 30. Outer and inner bores 26 and 28
and apertures 29 for each recess 25 are disposed concentrically
with respect to each other. Outer bores 26 are of a diameter and
depth which corresponds to the diameter and thickness of the coins
which are to be received in the coin receiving recesses. Inner
counter bore 28 is slightly smaller than the smallest standard coin
normally used in the coin currency being processed, so that the
smallest coins will not enter inner counter bore 28.
Sorting drum assembly 11 also includes housing 31 which surrounds
sorting drum 24. Annular air flow chamber 32 is defined between
housing 31 and sorting drum 24. Baffles 34 and 35 extend along the
length of housing 31 and project inwardly toward sorting drum 24
and terminate just short of sorting drum 24. Baffles 34 and 35
divide annular air flow chamber 32 into first zone 36 below baffles
34 and 35 and second zone 38 generally above sorting drum 24. An
opening is defined in the upper portion of housing 31, and air
exhaust conduit 39 is connected to the opening and functions to
draw air from annular air flow chamber 32. Since coin receiving
recesses 25 include apertures 29, air will flow from within sorting
drum 24 through the apertures 29 to the annular air flow chamber 32
and then through exhaust conduit 39. Baffles 34 and 35 tend to
create a lower pressure zone within second zone 38 of annular air
flow chamber 32.
Coin receptacle 40 is positioned within the confines of sorting
drum 24 and includes a plurality of spaced coin receiving hoppers
41 which face in an upward direction and are spaced along the
length of sorting drum 24 at distances which correspond to the
spacing of the annular rows of coin receiving recesses 25. Coin
conduits 12 are connected to coin receiving hoppers 41. While only
a few of the coin receiving hoppers 41 and coin conduits 12 are
illustrated for the purpose of clarity, it will be understood that
10 coin receiving hoppers 41 and coin conduits 12 have been used in
the machines developed and it is anticipated that virtually any
number of hoppers and conduits can be utilized as may be
desired.
A plurality of proximity sensors or metal detectors 44 are
supported by housing 31 and are spaced along the length of the
housing at distances corresponding to the spacing of the annular
rows of coin receiving recesses 25. When a coin receiving recess 25
carries a coin with it upon the rotation of sorting drum 24, its
proximity sensor 44 will detect the presence of the coin. Solenoid
controlled air valves are also positioned along the length of
sorting drum 24 at intervals corresponding to the spacing of the
coin receiving recesses 25. An air valve 45 is located closely
adjacent each proximity sensor 44 and controls the flow of air
through conduit 47, and each air valve is controlled by its
adjacent proximity sensor 44. Thus, when a proximity sensor 44
detects a coin in a recess 25, it actuates its air valve 45. Each
air valve is connected to a source of air pressure so that when the
air valve is opened by a proximity sensor, it functions to flow a
stream of air through its conduit 47 toward the aperture 29 of a
coin receiving recess 25.
The arrangement of sorting drum assembly 11 is such that when a
mass of coins is fed to the sorting drum 24 through one of its open
ends, the rotation of the sorting drum 24 will tend to tumble the
coins as the coins fall from the rising portion of the drum under
the influence of gravity. The coins tend to fall down the tapered
surfaces 30 into the coin receiving recesses 25 of drum 24. If a
coin corresponds in diameter to the diameter of outer bore 26 of a
recess, it will tend to be seated in the recess. The reduced air
pressure in annular air flow chamber 32 tends to hold each coin in
a bore 26, if the coin fits the bore. If the coin is smaller than
the bore 26, it will tend to slide to the lower portion of the bore
26 as the recess 25 moves up into an upright attitude as the
sorting drum 24 rotates, so that the coin does not completely cover
inner counter bore 28. The reduced air pressure in annular flow
chamber 32 will then cause the stream of air to flow about the edge
of the coin and through the aperture 29 behind the coin and the
coin will not be held in the recess. As the recess moves beyond an
upright attitude and into a generally downwardly facing attitude,
the smaller coin will fall from the recess. If the coin is larger
than outer bore 26, it will not become seated in the outer bore and
when the coin receiving recess 25 moves beyond an upright attitude,
the coin will slide out over the tapered surface 30 of the recess
and fall back into the mass of coins in sorting drum 24.
Those coins that are properly sized and are received in a recess 25
will pass with its recess toward the upper portion of housing 31.
First zone 36 of annular air flow chamber 32 tends to hold or lock
the coins in a recess with a light force. As the recesses pass
baffle 34, the locking force on the coins is increased because of
the increased pressure differential across drum 24 so that the
coins will not tend to fall from the recesses as the recesses
approach a downward facing attitude.
When a coin passes a proximity sensor 44, it is detected by the
proximity sensor and the proximity sensor actuates its solenoid
controlled air valve 45, which causes a flow of air through its
conduit 47 to impinge the aperture 29 of the coin receiving recess
25, thus breaking the vacuum lock applied to the coin and urging
the coin from the recess. This causes the coin to fall from the
recess toward coin receptacle 40. Coin receptacle 40 is positioned
so that its coin receiving hoppers 41 are located in the normal
path of travel of a coin being discharged by an air valve 45. Thus,
the coins will fall into a coin receiving hopper 41 and will pass
through one of the conduits 12 out of housing 31 and in a downward
direction through the conduit.
If the coin passing with a coin receiving recess 25 is bent or has
chewing gum stuck to it, or if its surfaces are otherwise malformed
or improperly sized, the shape of the coin will prevent the coin
from becoming held or locked in a coin receiving recess 25 and the
coin will not be lifted toward coin receptacle 40. Moreover, if the
coin is a slug, or is fabricated from a metal not compatible with
proximity sensors 44, the proximity sensor will not be actuated by
the passing of the coin with sorting drum 24 so that the solenoid
controlled air valve will not be actuated and the coin will not be
ejected or discharged toward receptacle 40.
Terminal block 13 defines a plurality of vertically extending
openings 50 that are arranged in a circle, and the lower ends of
coin conduits 12 are connected to openings 50. In addition, central
opening 51 is defined in terminal block 13, and the transparent
tube 52 is connected to the upper end thereof. Transparent tube 52
can terminate a short distance above terminal block 13 as shown or
can be connected to a ball supply hopper (not shown). Transparent
tube 52 is loaded with a plurality of stainless steel spacer balls
54, either by hand or by a supply from a hopper.
Dogleg conduits 14 extend between terminal block 13 and revolving
feeder assembly 15. The upper ends of the dogleg conduits
communicate with the lower ends of openings 50 in a circular
arrangement, and a center dogleg 55 communicates with the lower end
of central opening 51 of transparent tube 52.
Revolving feeder assembly 15 is mounted on rotatable platform 16.
Discharge opening 58 (FIG. 3) is defined in rotating platform 16 at
its center of rotation, and guide block 59 is rigidly connected to
rotating platform 16 so that it rotates with the platform. Guide
block 59 is offset from the center of rotating platform 16 and
includes a semi-cylindrical discharge groove 60 which is
coextensive with the curvature of discharge opening 58. Guide block
59 is generally of flat, circular configuration and includes
centrally positioned upwardly extending circular boss 61. Boss 61
defines a vertical central cylindrical opening 62 that extends from
its upper end down into the center portion of guide block 69 and
then turns laterally and opens through the side surface 64 of the
guide block. Center dogleg 55 which communicates at its upper end
with transparent tube 52 is connected to the upper end of opening
62 of guide block 59. Lateral groove 65 in the periphery of guide
block 59 connects the lower end of opening 62 with discharge groove
60.
Annular revolving skirt 66 surrounds the lower portion of guide
block 59 and includes a series of spaced, inwardly facing
semi-cylindrical vertical grooves 68. The upper surface of
revolving skirt 66 is generally coextensive with the upper surface
of guide block 59 so that these surfaces together from a coin
shelf. If desired, a split annular ring 67 can be rigidly fastened
to the upper surface of guide block 59 to cover the upper ends of
inwardly facing grooves 68 of the annular revolving skirt, with the
opening of the split ring positioned above discharge 60. This tends
to prevent a possible binding of the apparatus in the event a coin
falls in one of the grooves 68.
Revolving coin stacker block 70 defines a central opening 71 and
lower counter bore 72. Counter bore 72 fits about circular boss 61
of guide block 59, and opening 71 accommodates center dogleg 55. A
plurality of vertical openings 74 are positioned in a circular
arrangement at spaced intervals throughout stacker block 70, and
the lower ends of dogleg conduits 14 are connected to these
openings. Openings 74 are coextensive with inwardly facing grooves
68 of revolving skirt 66.
The arrangement of revolving feeder assembly 15 is such that when
the coins from dogleg conduits 14 fall into the vertical openings
74 of revolving coin stacker block 70, the coins form a stack of
coins on the coin shelf formed by annular split ring 67 covering
inwardly facing grooves 68 of revolving skirt 66. The rotation of
rotatable platform 16 causes guide block 59 to rotate in unison
therewith; however, the offset lower ends of dogleg conduits 14
prevent revolving coin stacker block 70 and annular revolving skirt
66 from rotating. Thus, skirt 66 and stacker block 70 will revolve
but not rotate about the center discharge opening 58 of rotatable
platform 16. As revolving feeder assembly 15 revolves, the spaced
inwardly facing grooves 68 of skirt 66 and the vertical openings 74
of coin stacker block 70 move about guide block 59 so that they
sequentially register with discharge groove 60 and discharge
opening 58. As rotatable platform 16 moves in the direction as
indicated by arrow 75, each inwardly facing groove 68 will
sequentially pass the lower end of openings 62 of guide block 59
and then discharge opening 58. As each groove 68 passes the lower
end of openings 62, a spacer ball 54 will move into the groove 68
and pass with revolving skirt 66 through lateral groove 65 of guide
block 59 until the inwardly facing groove 68 registers with
discharge opening 58, whereupon the ball will fall through the
discharge opening. In the meantime, the vertical openings 74 of
stacker block 70 will have accumulated and stacked coins, so that
when an opening 74 registers with discharge groove 60, the stack of
coins will follow the spacer ball 54 through the mating inwardly
facing groove 68 and discharge groove 60, and then through
discharge opening 58 in platform 16. Thus, a line of alternating
stacks of coins and spacer balls will pass through discharge
opening 58.
Packaging assembly 18 is positioned below rotatable platform 16 and
includes receiving conduit 76 which communicates at its upper end
with discharge opening 58. The lower end of receiving conduit
communicates with packaging header 78 (FIG. 4). A supply 79 of
thermoplastic polymeric material, such as polyethylene,
polypropylene or polyvinylchloride, communicates with heated auger
80, and the material is heated to a plastic state and is urged in a
hot condition toward header 78. Header 78 includes concentric tubes
81 and 82. Inner tube 81 receives the line of stacks of coins 84
and spacer balls 54. Heated auger 80 communicates at its discharge
end with outer tube 82 and forces the hot plastic material into the
annular chamber 85 defined between the tubes. The hot plastic
material then flows in a downward direction to the lower end of
inner tube 81 where it is urged into engagement with the series of
coin stacks 84 and spacer balls 54. Air exhaust conduit 86
communicates with the passage 88 through packaging header 78 and
functions to apply a low pressure to the passage. Thus, when the
plastic material 79 emerges from annular chamber 85, the low
pressure zone within passage 88 tends to draw the plastic material
on the stacks of coins and spacer balls, so that a continuous
wrapper is formed on the lines of coins and balls which conforms to
the shape of their external surfaces and forms a continuous
coin-ball package 91.
Air cooler 19 is located below packaging header 78 and includes
central vertical opening 90 which is sized to receive the
continuous package 91 from packaging assembly 18. An air conduit 92
communicates with opening 90 through the side wall of cooler 19 and
functions to flow air into the cooler and into opening 90. The
flowing air tends to pass both in upward and downward directions
and about the continuous package 91 to cool the package, which
results in hardening the plastic material of the package.
Guide wheels 94 of guide 20 are spring urged into engagement with
opposite sides of the continuous package 91 and each guide wheel
includes a concave periphery 95 which generally conforms to the
shape of continuous package 91.
Ball masher 21 is positioned below guide 20 and receives the
continuous package 91. Ball masher 21 includes three ball mashing
rollers 96a, 96b, and 96c which are spaced about the path of
continuous package 91. Each ball mashing roller 96a-c comprises
center bushing 98 and rotatable sleeve 99. Each bushing 98 is
freely rotatable about offset stem 100, and each bushing 98 is
movably connected to the other bushings 98 by turnbuckles 101. When
the turnbuckles 101 are manipulated to become longer or shorter,
the bushings 98 will tend to rotate about their offset stems 100
and move closer together or further apart. The lower ends of the
rotatable sleeves 99 each define internal teeth which mesh with a
small gear (not shown), and the small gear is rigidly connected to
a planetary gear 102, and the bushings, sleeves and planetary gears
of each set are mounted upon a support block 104 that is supported
from rotatable center platform 105. Stationary stem 106 is rigidly
connected to platform 108 and extends in an upward direction
through belt-driven drive sprocket 109, concentric rotatable tube
110, and rotatable center platform 105. Stationary stem 106
terminates at its upper end in stationary sun gear 111. Sun gear
111 and stationary stem 106 define an opening 112 for the passage
of the coin packages. When drive sprocket 109 is rotated, it
rotates concentric rotatable tube 110, center platform 105, and
support blocks 104. The planetary gears 102 of each rotatable
sleeve 99 mesh with stationary sun gear 111 so that rotatable
sleeves 99 tend to walk around the continuous package passing down
between the rotatable sleeves 99 and through the opening of
stationary stem 106. The turnbuckles 101 are adjusted so that
rotatable sleeves 99 engage the spacer balls 54 with enough force
to sever the continuous wrapper at the diameter of the spacer balls
54. As is illustrated in FIG. 5, the rotatable sleeves have a
curved external surface so that they are of smaller diameter at
their central portions than at their ends and as a result the
spacer balls 54 will be engaged by substantially the entire
vertical length of the rotatable sleeves 99 of the ball masher 21
as the ball masher 21 walks around the spacer balls.
When the individual coin packages are separated from the continuous
package of coins and spacer balls, the individual packages 115 will
drop from ball masher 21 to a waiting receptacle (not shown) where
the spacer balls and individual packages 115 will be separated.
As is illustrated in FIG. 6, the wrapper 79 of the individual coin
package 115 is transparent, and the wrapper or plastic material 79
conforms to the external surfaces of the stacked coins along the
sides of the stacked coins and is necked inwardly over the end
coins to form a neck 116, and then is flared out again at 118 where
it was severed from the spacer ball. Thus, a generally bell-shaped
selvage is formed at the ends of the coin packages to prevent the
end coins from falling from the packages. Since the selvage at the
ends of the coin packages are flexible, the coin packages can be
stacked adjacent each other with virtually no interference from the
selvage. Moreover, when a person desires to open a coin package,
the selvage can be grasped and torn.
The transparent wrapper of the package enables a person to visually
inspect the stacked coins and determine if all the coins are of the
denomination desired. Of course, the color and thickness of the
coins can be detected through the package, and if the coins are of
the type with a corrugated edge, this can also be detected.
In order that the proper number of coins be present between each
spacer ball, and in order for rotation of the revolving feeder
assembly 15 to function without binding, it is necessary to
terminate the flow of coins from sorting drum assembly 11 to the
vertical openings 74 of stacker block 70 just as an opening 74 is
about to register with discharge opening 58 of rotatable platform
16. To accomplish this function, rotatable platform 16 includes a
downwardly extending skirt 120 that defines a series of variable
spaced openings 121 therethrough at intervals about the skirt which
corresponds to the spacing of the openings 74 in stacker block 70.
A light source (not shown) is positioned inside the confines of
skirt 120 and detectors 122 and 124 are positioned on the outside
of skirt 120 to detect the light as the coded openings 121 pass
between the light and the detectors. Moreover, an inner detector
126 is spaced across from a light source (not shown) on the other
side of the path of the continuous line of stacked coins and spacer
balls passing from discharge opening 58 in the rotatable platform
16. When detector 124 senses light, it stops the rotation of
rotatable platform 16 for a short time, long enough for the
detector 126 beneath discharge opening 58 to have light blocked by
a column of coins passing through the discharge opening. After this
short time delay, detector 124 is reset and able to begin the
rotation of rotatable platform 116. In the meantime, if the light
to detector 126 at the center of platform 16 is blocked by coins
passing through discharge opening 158, platform 16 will not be
allowed to rotate. After the column of coins clears detector 126,
it allows platform 16 to be rotated.
A counter (not shown) is provided for each proximity sensor 44 of
sorting drum assembly 11 and counts the number of indications
received by its proximity sensor. When the count detected by the
counter reaches the desired number of coins for each individual
package, which for example may be fifty, the counter causes its
proximity sensor to be deactuated so that no more coins will be
discharged or dispensed to its coin receiving hopper 41 and the
corresponding conduit. With this arrangement, coins will flow
through the coin conduits 12 toward revolving feeder assembly 15
until fifty coins have been accumulated in each opening 74 of the
revolving coin stacker block 70.
When a vertical opening 74 of the stacker block 70 is about to
register with discharge opening 58, the detector 122 checks the
corresponding counter for the particular opening 74 of the stacker
block to determine if fifty coins have been dropped to the opening.
If 50 coins have been dropped, detector 122 causes no function in
the system. If less than 50 coins have been dropped, detector 122
actuates an alarm (not shown), and causes the counter to total to
the number 50 (or the desired number of coins for each package)
which cuts off the corresponding proximity sensor 44 and terminates
the flow of coins to the particular opening 74. The termination of
the flow of coins to the opening 74 about to register with the
discharge opening 58 reduces the probability of a coin becoming
wedged between the moving parts of the system so that the column of
coins will drop in an orderly manner to discharge opening 58.
Moreover, when the alarm is actuated, the machine operator will
receive an indication that the coin package will not contain a full
50 coins.
The alarm of the system can include a light, bell, dye marker or
various other devices. Under normal circumstances, the machine
operator will know to inspect the sorting drum 24 to see if enough
coins are present in the sorting drum or to inspect the coin
receiving recesses 25 to determine if some of the recesses have
become blocked, or to make the various normal inspections of the
apparatus to identify the cause of the short package.
While the sorting drum assembly and the various other components of
the system have been illustrated so that they appear to package
coins of one denomination, it should be understood that the coin
receiving recesses of the sorting drum can be made of different
sizes to sort different coins. For instance, one annular ring of
coin recesses can be sized for pennies, the next sized for nickles,
the next sized for dimes, and so on. Since one flow channel
extending between the sorting drum assembly 11 and the revolving
feeder assembly 15 receives coins only from one annular line of
clin receiving recesses in sorting drum 24, only coins of like
physical characteristics will be stacked together. When the coins
are moved by the revolving feeder assembly into registration with
the discharge opening 58, the line of coin stacks and spacer balls
will be formed with alternating stacks of coin denominations.
While an air jet has been disclosed for discharging the coins from
the coin receiving recesses of the sorting drum, it will be
understood that various other ejecting devices can be utilized,
such as probes, levers, etc. Moreover, while proximity sensors 44
have been disclosed to determine the presence or absence and
quality of the coins in the recesses of the sorting drum, various
other devices can be utilized to perform the same or similar
function. For instance, a light sensor or air flow sensor can be
utilized for this purpose.
While spacer balls 54 have been illustrated for the purpose of
separating the coin stacks from each other, various other devices
might be utilized. Virtually any separating object which is not
shaped like a coin can be inserted between the stacks of coins to
form a spacer, and the device utilized to separate the individual
coin packages from the continuous package merely has to detect the
presence of a spacer object and cut the continuous package at that
point. While a transparent thermo plastic polymeric material has
been disclosed as being applied to the line of coins and spacer
balls in a continuous manner, it will be understood that the
operation of the package applicator can be made to function
intermittently so as to apply the material only to the coins. With
this arrangement, there will be no requirement of separating the
individual packages from one another. Moreover, various other
wrappers can be formed, both transparent and opaque and in various
colors for quick visual recognition of coin value.
While this invention has been described in detail with particular
reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood
that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit
and scope of the invention as described hereinbefore and as defined
in the appended claims.
* * * * *