U.S. patent number 3,886,957 [Application Number 05/430,516] was granted by the patent office on 1975-06-03 for coin packaging apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Glory Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Masatoshi Ushio.
United States Patent |
3,886,957 |
Ushio |
June 3, 1975 |
Coin packaging apparatus
Abstract
A plurality of, usually three, wrapping rolls are arranged
annularly in parallel, spaced relationship to receive a neat stack
of coins in a central position therebetween and to wind a strip of
wrapper around the circumference of the coin stack as it is caused
frictionally to rotate by the wrapping rolls. For simultaneously
moving these wrapping rolls toward and away from the central point
therebetween, an arm rotatably supported at one end thereof is
connected to the wrapping rolls by linkage means such that each of
the wrapping rolls is thereby caused to move a distance determined
by the angle of rotation of the arm. This arm is operated by first
and second cam means in such a fashion that the wrapping rolls are
first caused to move from their most spaced-apart to intermediate
positions over a variable distance in accordance with the kind
(diameter) of the coins of the stack to be packaged and, as this
stack is placed in the central position therebetween, to their
least spaced-apart positions over a predetermined distance, thereby
tightly holding the stack for the succeeding packaging
operation.
Inventors: |
Ushio; Masatoshi (Himeji,
JA) |
Assignee: |
Glory Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
(Hyogo, JA)
|
Family
ID: |
11637867 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/430,516 |
Filed: |
January 3, 1974 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 12, 1973 [JA] |
|
|
48-6420 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
453/31;
53/212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07D
9/065 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07D
9/06 (20060101); G07d 009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;133/1A,8R
;53/211,212,64,77 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Kocovsky; Thomas E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a coin packaging apparatus of the type including coin
stacking means for arranging a predetermined number of coins of the
same diameter into a neat stack, a plurality of wrapping rolls
including at least one movable roll, said rolls arranged annularly
in parallel spaced relationship to each other, means operatively
positioned for directing the stack of coins to a wrapping position
between said wrapping rolls, means operatively coupled to said
wrapping rolls for imparting rotation to at least some of said
wrapping rolls and hence to the stack of coins held therebetween,
and means operatively positioned for supplying a wrapper to be
wound around the stack of coins as said coin stack rotates together
with said wrapping rolls, the improvements comprising:
transferring means operatively coupled to said movable wrapping
roll for moving the movable wrapping roll toward the other wrapping
rolls from a predetermined position irrespective of the diameter of
coins to be wrapped and prior to movement of the stack of coins to
the wrapping position thereof;
stopping means operatively positioned for stopping the movement of
said movable wrapping roll at a position corresponding to the
diameter of the stack of coins and spaced by a distance from the
periphery of said stack of coins, said stop being made prior to
wrapping operation and in the midst of the movement of said movable
wrapping roll;
releasing means operatively coupled for releasing said stop means
for continuing movement of the movable wrapping roll until said
movable roll is brought into contact with the periphery of the coin
stack to be wrapped; and
restoring means operatively coupled to said movable wrapping roll
for restoring said movable wrapping roll to said predetermined
position irrespective of the diameter of coins after the wrapper is
supplied to the wrapping position and is wound around the coin
stack by the plurality of wrapping rolls.
2. An improved coin packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1
wherein said transferring means comprises an arm supported
rotatably at one end thereof, first cam means operatively
positioned for causing rotary motion of said arm through a
predetermiend angle regardless of the diameter of the stack of
coins, whereby said at least some wrapping rolls are first caused
to move from the most spaced-apart position to intermediate
positions over a variable range in accordance with the diameter of
the stack of coins; linkage means connecting said arm at least to
one of said wrapping rolls for converting the rotary motion of said
first cam means to the motion of said arm toward and away from
substantially a central axis between the annularly arranged
wrapping rolls, each of said at least one wrapping roll being thus
caused to move by a distance determined by the angle of rotation of
said arm; said stopping means comprising second cam means for
causing the rotary motion of said arm through a variable angle in
accordance with the diameter of the stack of coins to be packaged;
and a lever rotatably coupled at a point intermediate between the
two ends thereof to said arm of the axis of rotation thereof, said
lever being operated by said first and second cam means to cause
the rotary motion of said arm through angles as dictated by said
first and second cam means.
3. The improvement as recited in claim 2 wherein said first cam
means comprises first and second rotary cam members arranged in
substantially coaxial relationship to each other, said second
rotary cam member being adapted to make circumferential contact
with said lever at one end thereof, and said first rotary cam
member being adapted to make circumferential contact with said arm
at the free end thereof.
4. The improvement as recited in claim 3, wherein said second
rotary cam member has a first circumferential portion adapted to
cause said wrapping rolls to be located in said intermediate
positions and a second circumferential portion adapted to cause
said wrapping rolls to be located in said least spaced-apart
positions, and wherein said first rotary cam member has a
circumferential portion adapted to cause said wrapping rolls to be
located in said most spaced-apart positions.
5. The improvement as recited in claim 3, wherein said first and
second rotary cam means are synchronously caused to make one
complete revolution on their common axis for each cycle of coin
packaging operation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to coin handling or processing
apparatus and particularly to coin packaging apparatus. More
specifically, the invention is directed to improvements in a coin
packaging apparatus of the type comprising means for arranging a
prescribed number of coins of the same denomination into a neat
stack and a plurality of rotatable wrapping rolls arranged
annularly in parallel spaced relationship to each other. Each time
the stack of coins is carried to a central position between the
wrapping rolls, these rolls are displaced sideways into
circumferential contact with the stack of coins and are then set in
rotation therewith to wind a strip of wrapper around its
circumference. The lateral edges of the thus wound wrapper strip,
still projecting beyond the ends of the stack of coins, are
fold-crimped as by a pair of folding hooks for completely packaging
the coins.
According to the prior art coin packaging apparatus of the type
described, each stack of coins to be packaged is carried to the
central positon between the wrapping rolls while they are located
in their predetermined most spaced-apart positions regardless of
the diameter of the coins, and the wrapping rolls are successively
moved into circumferential contact with the stack of coins. Thus,
in case the coins to be packaged are of considerably smaller
diameter than those of the denominations to be ordinarily handled
by the apparatus, the stack of such coins may become disarranged in
the central position between the wrapping rolls before the rolls
are moved into contact therewith from their most spaced-apart
positions.
Further, according to the prior art coin packaging apparatus, the
wrapping rolls are forced with constant force into contact with
each stack of coins from their predetermined most spaced-apart
positions without regard to the diameter of the coins. It will
therefore be apparent that the tightness with which the wrapping
rolls hold the stack of coins therebetween is subject to change
considerably depending upon the diameter of the coins. This
presents a serious problem especially where coins of widely varying
diameters must be handled by one and the same apparatus, because a
stack of coins when held too loosely or too tightly by the wrapping
rolls cannot possibly be packaged in the correct manner.
There is a further disadvantage with the prior art coin packaging
apparatus in that when coins of a small diameter are to be
packaged, the wrapping rolls are each required to travel an
unnecessarily long distance from the most spaced-apart positions
into contact with the stack of such coins placed centrally
therebetween, with the possible result that the coins may become
upset in the meantime.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the listed disadvantages of the prior art, it is an
object of this invention to provide an improved coin packaging
apparatus including a plurality of wrapping rolls which are moved
from their predetermined most spaced-apart positions to
intermediate positions before each stack of coins to be packaged is
carried to a specified position therebetween and which are further
moved from the intermediate to least spaced-apart positions, where
the wrapping rolls are to come into circumferential contact with
the stack of coins, only after the coins have actually been brought
to the specified position. The stack of coins can thus be securely
held by the wrapping rolls with substantially no possibility of
disarrangement because the wrapping rolls are required to travel a
minimum distance from their intermediate to least spaced-apart
positions.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein
the intermediate and least spaced-apart positions of the wrapping
rolls are variable in accordance with the diameters of coins of
various denominations to be handled by the apparatus, in such a
manner that the wrapping rolls are required to travel an unvarying
minimum distance from their intermediate to least spaced-apart
positions no matter which denomination of coins are to be
packaged.
A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus
including cam means for causing the motion of the wrapping rolls
between their most spaced-apart, intermediate and least
spaced-apart positions, so that no pressure is normally exerted on
the wrapping rolls.
A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus so
constructed that each stack of coins can be held by the wrapping
rolls under equally appropriate pressure regardless of their
diameter.
With these objects in view and the other objects hereinafter set
forth, this invention provides, in a coin packaging apparatus of
the type above stated, the improvement including an arm rotatably
supported at one end thereof, and linkage means for connecting the
arm at least to some of the wrapping rolls to translate the rotary
motion of the former into the linear motion of the latter toward
and away from substantially the central axis between the wrapping
rolls which are arranged annularly, in such a manner that each of
the wrapping rolls is caused to move a distance determined by the
angle of rotation of the arm. The arm is operated by first cam
means adapted to cause the rotary motion of the arm through a
variable angle in accordance with the diameter of the stack of
coins to be packaged, and by second cam means adapted to cause the
rotary motion of the arm through a predetermined angle regardless
of the diameter of the stack of coins. Hence, the wrapping rolls
are first caused to move from their most spaced-apart to
intermediate positions over a variable distance determined in
accordance with the diameter of the stack of coins and thence to
their least spaced-apart positions over a predetermined distance
regardless of the diameter of the stack of coins.
The features which are believed to be novel and characteristic of
this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended
claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction
and mode of operation, together with the further objects and
advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following
description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters
denote like parts throughout the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of coin packaging
apparatus to which this invention is directed, the casing of the
apparatus being shown partly broken away to illustrate the inner
details;
FIG. 2 is a relatively enlarged perspective view schematically
illustrating some essential components in the apparatus of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the invention;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic top plan view of a cam mechanism
incorporated in the embodiment of FIG. 3;
FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are schematic top plan views explanatory of
the operation of the cam mechanism of FIG. 4; and
FIGS. 5 and 6 are also schematic top plan views explanatory of the
motion of wrapping rolls in response to the operation of the cam
mechanism as illustrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As conducive to a full appreciation of the features and advantages
of this invention, the general organization of a typical coin
packaging apparatus to which the invention is directed will first
be described. Referring therefore to FIG. 1, the illustrated coin
packaging apparatus 1 is broadly composed of a coin charging
section 2 through which coins to be packaged in neat stacks are
introduced into the apparatus, a coin stacking section 3 where each
prescribed number of the coins are stacked up, a coin wrapping
section 4 where each stack of the coins is packaged with a wrapper,
a coin stack transferring mechanism 5 for directing each stack of
the coins from the coin stacking section 3 to the coin wrapping
section 4, a wrapper supplying section 6 for supplying the wrapper
to the coin wrapping section 4, and a control section 7 for
controlling the operation of the coin wrapping section 4.
More specifically, the coin charging section 2 includes a hopper 10
through which the coins to be packaged are loaded onto a revolving
disc 12. As this disc 12 revolves at a suitable speed, the coins
are centrifugally sent out one by one into a linear passageway 11,
FIG. 2, along which the successive coins are frictionally caused to
advance by means of an endless belt 13. Also as indicated in FIG.
2, the passageway 11 is provided with means 14 for sorting out
those coins whose diameter is smaller than that of the coins of a
preselected denomination. Counting means including a sprocket wheel
15 is further provided at the exit end of the passageway 11, the
sprocket wheel 15 being caused to rotate through a predetermined
angle by each coin of the proper denomination traveling therepast.
Hence, each time a predetermined number of coins are fed out of the
exit end of the passageway 11, the sprocket wheel 15 is is
temporarily rendered nonrotatable to prevent any further coins from
being fed out of the passageway.
Each predetermined number of coins thus delivered out of the
passageway 11 are directed through a chute 16 into a stacking
cylinder 17 of the aforesaid coin stacking section 3, which section
further comprises means 18 for imparting vibrations to the stacking
cylinder 17 to rearrange the coins contained therein into a neat
stack and shutter means 19 openably closing the bottom end of the
stacking cylinder 17.
The coin wrapping section 4 comprises a plurality of (three in the
illustrated example) wrapping rolls 20, 21, and 22 disposed
vertically in annular arrangement, and a pair of crimping hooks 23
and 24. Each stack of coins delivered from the coin stacking
section 3 in a manner hereinafter set forth is placed vertically
between these wrapping rolls, 20, 21 and 22, whereupon all or some
of the wrapping rolls are displaced horizontally toward the stack
of coins to hold the same tightly therebetween. The stack of coins
is further caused to rotate on its own axis as the wrapping rolls
start winding a strip of wrapper 25 around its circumference.
As will be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the aforesaid coin guide
mechanism 5 is located below the shutter means 19 openably closing
the bottom end of the stacking cylinder 17. The coin guide
mechanism 5 includes a vertically movable guide tube 28 having a
flanged top 27 for guiding each stack of coins from the stacking
cylinder 17 down to the spacing between the wrapping rolls 20, and
22 as the bottom end of the stacking cylinder is opened by the
action of a pair of arms 26 of the shutter means 19. A support rod
29 is telescopically received in the guide tube 28 to support the
stack of coins between the wrapping rolls 20 to 22. As will be seen
from FIG. 1, the entire coin guide mechanism 5 swings out of
vertical alignment with the coin wrapping section 4 each time the
packaged stack of coins is to be discharged therefrom.
The wrapper supplying section 6 comprises holding means 30 for
holding a roll of the strip of wrapper 25, feed roll means 33
consisting of drive roll 31 and idler roll 32 which cooperate to
feed out the strip of wrapper 25, and cutter means 34 for cutting
the strip of wrapper 25 into a length sufficient to package the
stack of coins held between the wrapping rolls 20 to 22. The
reference numeral 8 in FIGS. 1 and 2 designates a chute through
which the packaged stack of coins is to be dispensed out of the
apparatus.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with
reference to FIG. 3 as adapted specifically for use in the coin
wrapping apparatus of the above described general organization. It
will be noted in FIG. 3 that bores formed in some parts are
hatched, and those formed in other parts unhatched. This is to
indicate the fact that the parts having hatched bores are to be
fixedly mounted on shafts or pins received in such bores, and the
parts having unhatched bores to be revolvably or loosely mounted on
shafts or pins received in such bores, thereby facilitating the
succeeding description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention.
A knob 35 to be turned in accordance with the denomination of coins
to be packaged is coupled to a shaft 36 either directly or via a
rotary switch, motor, cam or like means not shown in the drawing. A
gear 37 fixedly mounted on the shaft 36 is in mesh with a gear 39
loosely mounted on a shaft 38, on which shaft is further securely
mounted a cam 40 adapted to determine the distances the wrapping
rolls 20, 21 and 22 are to be moved. As illustrated in more detail
in FIG. 4, the cam 40 has a stepped configuration on its
circumference in accordance with the diameter of coins of various
denominations to be packaged. Further fixedly mounted on the shaft
38 are arms 41 and 42 and a sector gear 43, and a shaft 44 loosely
extends approximately centrally through the arm 41. The shaft 44
also loosely extends approximately centrally through a lever 45 to
turnably support the same above the arm 41. The lever 45 carries a
roller 46 on one end thereof which is yieldably urged against the
stepped circumference of the cam 40 as by a spring 47.
As seen in both FIGS. 3 and 4, cams 49 and 50 are fixedly mounted a
shaft 48 which is caused to make one complete revolution for each
cycle of wrapping operation. The cam 49 has formed on its
circumference an arcuate edge 51 of a smaller radius adapted to
cause the wrapping rolls 20, 21, and 22 to be located in their
least spaced-apart positions, and another arcuate edge 52 of a
greater radius adapted to cause the wrapping rolls to be located in
their intermediate positions, as hereinafter set forth in further
detail. The other cam 50 has a protuberant circumferential edge 53
adapted to cause the wrapping rolls 20, 21 and 22 to be located in
their most spaced-apart positions. The cam 49 has its circumference
of the above configuration maintained in contact with a roller 54
mounted on the other end of the aforesaid lever 45, whereas the cam
50 is to make contact only at its protuberant circumferential edge
53 with a roller 55 mounted on the corresponding end of the arm
41.
The aforesaid sector gear 43 fixedly mounted on the shaft 38 is in
mesh with another sector gear 57 similarly fixedly mounted on a
shaft 56. Further mounted on this shaft 56 are arms 58, 59 and 60
and a gear 61, which gear is adapted to convey the rotation of a
motor, not shown, to the wrapping roll 20. The arms 58 and 59 are
interconnected at their respective intermediate points by a pin or
rod 62 extending vertically therebetween, and the wrapping roll 20
is rotatably supported between the free ends of the arms 58 and 59
via shafts 63 and 64 extending axially outwardly from both ends of
the wrapping roll. A pinion 65 mounted on the shaft 64 is in mesh
with the gear 61 to receive therethrough the rotation of the above
mentioned motor.
The arm 42 on the shaft 38 has its free end turnably coupled to one
end of a link 66 and further to a spring 67 capable of providing a
constant load, and the other end of the link 66 is turnably coupled
to one end of an arm 69 the other end of which is secured to a
shaft 68. Also fixedly mounted on this shaft 68 are a cooperative
pair of arms 70 and 71 rotatably supporting the wrapping roll 21
between the free ends thereof via shafts 73 and 74 extending
axially outwardly from both ends of the wrapping roll. A gear 72
loosely mounted on the shaft 68 is in mesh with a pinion 75 on the
shaft 74 of the wrapping roll 21 via an intermediate gear 77
loosely mounted on a shaft 76 extending vertically through the arms
70 and 71, so that the wrapping roll 21 is caused to rotate by the
same motor as the wrapping roll 20.
The arm 60 on the shaft 56 has its free end turnably coupled to one
end of a link 78 the other end of which is turnably coupled to an
arm 80 fixedly mounted on a shaft 79. Further fixedly mounted on
this shaft 79 is a cooperative pair of arms 81 and 82, each
substantially in the shape of a C, rotatably supporting the
wrapping roll 22 between the free ends thereof via shafts 83 and 84
extending axially outwardly from both ends of the wrapping
roll.
Proceeding to the description of this preferred embodiment of the
invention, the knob 35 is first turned selectively to a specified
angular position in accordance with the denomination, or diameter,
of the coins to be packaged in order to preset the speed of the
motor for driving the wrapping rolls 20, 21, and 22 and the wrapper
feed rolls 31 and 32 at a value suitable for handling such coins.
Since the shaft 36 rotates with the turn of the knob 35, the cam 40
is caused to turn to the desired angular position via the
intermeshing gears 37 and 38. It is assumed that as illustrated in
FIG. 7A, the roller 55 on the arm 41 is now in contact with the
protuberant circumferential edge 53 of the cam 50 and, therefore,
that the roll 54 on the lever 45 is urged by the spring 47 into
contact with the arcuate edge 52 of the cam 49. Hence, the other
roll 46 on the lever 45 is held out of contact with the stepped
circumference of the cam 40, so that the wrapping rolls 20 to 21
are held in their most spaced-apart positions regardless of the
diameter of the coins to be packaged, as indicated by the solid
lines in FIGS. 5 and 6.
As the shaft 48 turns counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 4, in
step with the cams 49 and 50, with the relative angular positions
of these cams unchanged, the roller 55 on the arm 41 moves out of
the protuberant circumferential edge 53 of the cam 50 and thus
becomes out of contact with the cam 50, while the roller 54 on the
lever 45 is still held in contact with the arcuate edge 52 of the
cam 49, as illustrated in FIG. 7B. It will be understood from FIG.
3 in particular that the lever 45 is now pulled by the spring 47 in
such a manner that the roller 46 thereon comes into contact with
the cam 40 at its desired circumferential point. With this motion
of the lever 45, the arm 41 is caused turn around the shaft 38
through an angle which is determined only by the distance the lever
45 moves until its roller 46 comes into contact with the
circumference of the cam 40.
The arm 42 and the sector gear 43 fixedly mounted on the shaft 38
are likewise caused to rotate through a predetermined angle by the
constant load spring 67. This rotation of the arm 42 around the
shaft 38 results in the rotation of the shaft 68 through a
corresponding angle via the link 66 and the arm 69, so that the
pair of arms 70 and 71 fixedly mounted on this shaft 68 are caused
to turn correspondingly, thereby carrying the wrapping roll 21 a
step closer to the central axis of the annularly arranged wrapping
rolls 20, 21 and 22.
The rotation of the shaft 38 is further transmitted via the
intermeshing sector gears 43 and 57 to the shaft 56, with the
result that the wrapping roll 20 is caused to move a step closer to
the central axis of the annularly arranged wrapping rolls 20, 21
and 22 by the pair of arms 58 and 59 secured to the shaft 56.
Furthermore, the rotation of the shaft 56 is conveyed to the shaft
79 via the arm 60, the link 78 and the arm 80, and the pair of arms
81 and 82 secured to this shaft 79 causes the wrapping roll 22 also
to move a step closer to the central axis.
It is to be noted that the distances the wrapping rolls 20, 21 and
22 are thus caused to move toward the axis therebetween are
determined by the working position of the stepped circumference of
the cam 40 with which the roller 46 on the lever 45 comes into
contact as previously mentioned. Thus, in the case where the stack
of coins A to be packaged is of relatively small diameter as shown
in FIG. 5, each of the wrapping rolls 20, 21 and 22 will move a
distance d1 to the intermediate position indicated by the lines
consisting of alternating dashes and two consecutive dots. If the
stack of coins A is of relatively large diameter as shown in FIG.
6, on the other hand, then each of the wrapping rolls will move a
smaller distance d2 to the intermediate position also indicated by
the lines consisting of alternating dashes and two consecutive
dots. This difference between the distances d1 and d2 arises from
the corresponding difference of the working positions of the
circumference of the cam 40 relative to the roller 46 on the lever
45.
As all the wrapping rolls 20, 21, and 22 have moved to the
intermediate positions determined in accordance with the diameter
of the coins to be packaged as above stated, the guide tube 28 of
the coin guide mechanism 5 set forth in connection with FIG. 1 is
caused to rise, as by means of a cam mounted on the shaft 48, up to
a position immediately below the bottom of the stacking cylinder 17
by passing through the central axis of the annularly arranged
wrapping rolls 20, 21 and 22, as will be best understood from FIG.
2. As the shutter means 19 succeedingly operates in accordance with
the prior art to open the bottom end of the stacking cylinder 17,
the coins which have been arranged into a neat stack therein are
deposited by gravity on the guide tube 28, which is then caused to
descend to carry the stack of coins down to the central position
between the wrapping rolls 20, 21, and 22.
Since the shaft 48 is in constant rotation with the cams 49 and 50
as aforesaid, the roller 54 on the lever 45 rides on the arcuate
edge 51 of the cam 49 when the stack of coins has been brought down
to the central position between the wrapping rolls 20, 21, and 22
in the above described manner. This state is illustrated in FIG.
7C. Then, as will be seen from the foregoing description, each of
the wrapping rolls 20, 21 and 22 is caused to move a predetermined
distance l toward the central axis therebetween regardless of the
diameter of the stack of coins A, as indicated by the dot-and-dash
lines in FIGS. 5 and 6, so that the coins are now held securely by
the wrapping rolls. Since this motion of the wrapping rolls to
their least spaced-apart positions is caused by the cam 49 only, it
will be apparent that each wrapping roll moves the predetermined
distance l irrespective of the diameter of the coins to be
packaged.
As the stack of coins A becomes thus held securely between the
wrapping rolls 20 to 22 as illustrated in FIG. 5 or 6, the guide
tube 28 of the coin stack transferring mechanism 5 is caused to
swing sideways out of alignment with the central axis of the
wrapping rolls in accordance with the prior art. The wrapping roll
20 is then set in rotation via the gear 61 and the pinion 65, and
the wrapping roll 21 is also simultaneously set in rotation via the
gears 72, 77 and 75. The wrapper feed roll means 33, comprising the
drive roll 31 and the idler roll 32, also becomes operative as
rotation is imparted in a known manner to the drive roll 31. The
strip of wrapper 25 with its loose end held between the feed rolls
31 and 32 is thereby frictionally fed forwardly, and due to the
tension thus exerted, the strip of wrapper is cut into a suitable
length by the cutter means 34. The piece of wrapper thus separated
from the rest of its continuous strip has then its leading end
caught between one of the wrapping rolls 20, 21 and 22 and the
stack of coins and is succeedingly wound around its circumference
as these coins are caused to rotate on their axis by the wrapping
rolls.
Upon complete winding of the wrapper piece around the circumference
of the stack of coins, the pair of crimping hooks 23 and 24 shown
in FIG. 2, approach the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the
stack of coins by the action of the cam, not shown, which may be
mounted on the shaft 48. The folding hooks 23 and 24 operate to
fold crimp the loose lateral edges of the wrapper piece inwardly
over both ends of the stack of coins and are then turned away
therefrom by the action of the same cam.
As the packaging of the stack of coins is thus completed, the cams
49 and 50 still rotate with the shaft 48 until the roller 54 on the
lever 45 rides again over the arcuate edge 52 of the cam 49, and
the roller 55 on the arm 41 over the protuberant circumferential
edge 53 of the cam 50. As a consequence, the wrapping rolls 20, 21,
and 22 are caused to move back to their most spaced-apart positions
in the manner previously set forth, so that the packaged stack of
coins is released and falls by gravity into the chute 8 for
dispensation out of the apparatus. Thus, one complete cycle of coin
packaging operation comes to an end as the roller 55 on the arm 41
rides completely over the protuberant circumferential edge 53 of
the cam 50. The rotation of the motor is suspended pending the
initiation of the next cycle of packaging operation.
While in the above described embodiment of the invention, all the
wrapping rolls 20 to 22 are made movable toward and away from the
central axis therebetween, it is possible that at least one of the
wrapping rolls be made stationary while the others are made movable
toward and away from the stationary wrapping roll. Moreover, the
wrapping rolls 20 to 22 can be caused to move only between their
most spaced-apart and least spaced-apart positions instead of
stopping over at the intermediate positions as in the foregoing
disclosure. It is also possible that the distances the respective
wrapping rolls are caused to move from their most spaced-apart to
intermediate or least spaced-apart positions be changed not for
each denomination or diameter of coins to be packaged but for each
of several groups of coins of different denominations into which
the coins are previously classified according to their
diameters.
Thus, while the preferred embodiment herein disclosed is well
calculated to accomplish the objects above stated, it will be easy
for those skilled in the art to devise many modifications,
substitutions or changes within their usual knowledge, and in some
instances some features of the invention may be employed without
the corresponding use of other features. It is therefore
appropriate that the invention be construed broadly and in a manner
consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *