Systems, methods and devices for processing coins utilizing a multi-material coin sorting disk

• US 10,089,812 B1
• Filed: 11/10/2015
• Issued: 10/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corporation (Crane Company)
• Original Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corporation (Crane Company)
• Inventors: Blake, John R., Mennie, Douglas U., Wendell, David J., Newsom, Ricky, Rasmussen, James M., Krbec, Marianne L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shapiro, Jeffrey A
• Application Number:
  US14/936,829
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 453 6, 453 10, 453 12, 453 13, 453 33, 453 34, 453 35, 453 49, 453 57, 453 11, 220217, 220221, 220222, 220224, 220234-237, 220295, 220304, 220795, 2203101, 2203456, 220803, 220804, 220806, 220378, 194206, 194207, 194350, 209534, 235379, 382135, 382136, 361825
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 1/00 Coin dispensers devices delivering paper currency G07D11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 3/00 Sorting a mixed bulk of coins into denominations
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 3/06 arranged along a circular path
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 3/128 Rotary devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 9/008 Feeding coins from bulk

Abstract

Currency processing systems, coin processing machines, and methods of sorting coins with disk-type sorters are presented herein. A currency processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with an input area for receiving coins and receptacles for stowing processed coins. A disk-type coin processing unit is coupled to the coin input area and coin receptacles. The coin processing unit includes a rotatable disk for imparting motion to coins, and a sorting head adjacent the rotatable disk with shaped regions for guiding moving coins to exit channels which sort and discharge coins through exit stations to the coin receptacles. The sorting head includes a plurality of localized inserts that are fabricated from a material or materials which is/are distinct from the material of the sorting head. Each localized insert has a distinct shape and is readily removably attached at a distinct one of various predetermined locations on the sorting head.

Claims

1. A currency processing system comprising:

a housing with a coin input area configured to receive a batch of coins;

one or more coin receptacles operatively coupled to the housing; and

a disk-type coin processing unit operatively coupled to the coin input area and the one or more coin receptacles to transfer coins therebetween, the coin processing unit including;

a rotatable disk configured to impart motion to a plurality of the coins, and

a stationary multi-part sorting head assembly with an annular sorting disk of a first rigid material attached to an annular backing plate of a second rigid material distinct from the first rigid material, the annular sorting disk having a lower surface generally parallel to and at least partially spaced from the rotatable disk, the lower surface forming a plurality of shaped regions configured to guide the coins, under the motion imparted by the rotatable disk, to a plurality of exit channels configured to sort and discharge the coins through a plurality of exit stations to the one or more coin receptacles;

the annular sorting disk completely encircling a sorting disk central opening;

the annular backing plate completely encircling a backing plate central opening.

2. The currency processing system of claim 1, wherein the first rigid material of the annular sorting disk includes a polymeric material and the second rigid material of the annular backing plate includes a metallic material.

3. The currency processing system of claim 1, wherein the first rigid material of the annular sorting disk is a first polymeric material, and wherein the second rigid material of the annular backing plate is a second polymeric material distinct from the first polymeric material.

4. The currency processing system of claim 1, wherein the annular sorting disk is overmolded onto the annular backing plate.

5. The currency processing system of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of fasteners to mechanically couple the annular sorting disk to the annular backing plate.

6. The currency processing system of claim 1, wherein the annular sorting disk has a first inner diameter and the annular backing plate has a second inner diameter equal to or substantially equal to the first inner diameter.

7. The currency processing system of claim 1, wherein the annular sorting disk has a first outer diameter and the annular backing plate has a second outer diameter equal to or substantially equal to the first outer diameter.

8. The currency processing system of claim 1, wherein the annular sorting disk and the annular backing plate is each fabricated as a single-piece unitary structure.

9. The currency processing system of claim 1, wherein the annular sorting disk is fabricated from a high-load, high-speed, abrasion-resistant and wear-resistant polyethylene polymer.

10. The currency processing system of claim 9, wherein the annular backing plate is fabricated from cast aluminum or work-hardened steel.

11. The currency processing system of claim 1, wherein the annular backing plate includes a plurality of radially projecting latch platforms and the annular sorting disk includes a plurality of radially projecting latch arms, each of the latch platforms being configured to mate with a corresponding one of the latch arms to thereby operatively align and attach the annular backing plate to the annular sorting disk.

12. The currency processing system of claim 11, wherein the latch platforms are integrally formed with and spaced circumferentially about the outer periphery of the annular backing plate, and the latch arms are integrally formed with and spaced circumferentially about the outer periphery of the annular sorting disk.

13. The currency processing system of claim 11, wherein each of the latch platforms includes a pin or screw projecting therefrom, and each of the latch arms defines a slot into which is seated and coupled a respective one of the pins or screws.

21. The currency processing system of claim 1, wherein the annular sorting disk has a circular inner circumference having a first inner diameter and the annular backing plate has a circular inner circumference having a second inner diameter equal to or substantially equal to the first inner diameter.

22. The currency processing system of claim 21, wherein the annular sorting disk has a generally circular outer circumference having a first outer diameter and the annular backing plate has a generally circular outer circumference having a second outer diameter equal to or substantially equal to the first outer diameter.

23. The currency processing system of claim 1, wherein the annular sorting disk has a generally circular outer circumference having a first outer diameter and the annular backing plate has a generally circular outer circumference having a second outer diameter equal to or substantially equal to the first outer diameter.

24. The currency processing system of claim 1, wherein the annular sorting disk has an outer circumference which is circular over a majority portion of its length, the circular portion of the outer circumference of the annular sorting disk having a first outer diameter, and wherein the annular backing plate has an outer circumference which is circular over a majority portion of its length, the circular portion of the outer circumference of the annular backing plate having a second outer diameter equal to or substantially equal to the first outer diameter.

25. The currency processing system of claim 24, wherein the annular sorting disk has a circular inner circumference having a first inner diameter and the annular backing plate has a circular inner circumference having a second inner diameter equal to or substantially equal to the first inner diameter.

26. The currency processing system of claim 1, wherein the annular backing plate has a lower surface and wherein the annular sorting disk covers all or substantially all of the lower surface of the annular backing plate.

14. A coin processing machine comprising:

a housing with an input area configured to receive therethrough a batch of coins;

a plurality of coin receptacles stowed inside the housing;

a processor stored inside the housing; and

a disk-type coin processing unit disposed at least partially inside the housing and operatively coupled to the coin input area and the plurality of coin receptacles to transfer coins therebetween, the coin processing unit including;

a rotatable disk configured to support on an upper surface thereof and impart motion to a plurality of coins received from the coin input area; and

a bipartite stationary sorting head assembly with a single-piece annular sorting disk fabricated from a first rigid or substantially rigid material of a first hardness and overmolded onto a single-piece annular backing plate fabricated from a second rigid or substantially rigid material of a second hardness, the annular sorting disk having a lower surface generally parallel to and at least partially spaced from the rotatable disk, the lower surface forming a plurality of shaped regions configured to guide the coins, under the motion imparted by the rotatable disk, to a plurality of exit channels configured to sort and discharge the coins through a plurality of exit stations to the one or more coin receptacles;

the annular sorting disk completely encircling a sorting disk central opening;

the annular backing plate completely encircling a backing plate central opening.

27. The coin processing module of claim 14, wherein the annular backing plate has a lower surface and wherein the annular sorting disk covers all or substantially all of the lower surface of the annular backing plate.

15. A disk-type coin processing unit for a currency processing apparatus, the currency processing apparatus including a housing with an input area for receiving coins, and one or more coin receptacles for stowing processed coins, the disk-type coin processing unit comprising:

a rotatable disk configured to impart motion to a plurality of the coins; and

a multi-part stationary sorting head assembly with an annular sorting disk of a first rigid material attached to an annular backing plate of a second rigid material distinct from the first rigid material, the annular sorting disk having a lower surface generally parallel to and at least partially spaced from the rotatable disk, the lower surface forming a plurality of shaped regions configured to guide the coins, under the motion imparted by the rotatable disk, to a plurality of exit channels configured to sort and discharge the coins through a plurality of exit stations to the one or more coin receptacles;

the annular sorting disk completely encircling a sorting disk central opening;

the annular backing plate completely encircling a backing plate central opening.

16. The disk-type coin processing unit of claim 15, wherein the first rigid material of the annular sorting disk includes a polymeric material having a first hardness, and the second rigid material of the annular backing plate includes a metallic material having a second hardness greater than the first hardness.

17. The disk-type coin processing unit of claim 15, wherein the annular sorting disk is overmolded onto the annular backing plate.

18. The disk-type coin processing unit of claim 15, wherein the annular sorting disk has a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter, and the annular backing plate has a second inner diameter, which is equal to or substantially equal to the first inner diameter, and a second outer diameter, which is equal to or substantially equal to the first outer diameter.

19. The disk-type coin processing unit of claim 15, wherein the annular sorting disk and the annular backing plate is each fabricated as a single-piece unitary structure.

20. The disk-type coin processing unit of claim 15, wherein the annular backing plate includes a plurality of radially projecting latch platforms and the annular sorting disk includes a plurality of radially projecting latch arms, each of the latch platforms being configured to mate with a corresponding one of the latch arms to thereby operatively align and attach the annular backing plate to the annular sorting disk.

28. The disk-type coin processing unit of claim 15, wherein the annular backing plate has a lower surface and wherein the annular sorting disk covers all or substantially all of the lower surface of the annular backing plate.