Coin counter/sorter and coupon/voucher dispensing machine and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- coin-counting means for determining a total amount of said coins;
means for receiving a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from a user, said means for receiving including a first tray pivotable from a first holding position to a second delivery position for delivering said plurality of coins to said coin-counting means;
means, coupled to said means for receiving, for removing waste included among said plurality of coins;
means, coupled to said coin-counting means, for dispensing a cash voucher for a value related to said total amount;
wherein said means for receiving comprises a transport tray for conveying coins from said first tray toward said coin-counting means;
wherein said first tray is pivotable about an axis located between said first tray and said transport tray;
wherein said first tray has a bottom surface and wherein said bottom surface of said first tray, when in said first configuration, slopes downwardly at a first angle, with respect to horizontal, in a direction away from said transport tray.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coin sorting and counting machine and a method for operating it to automatically dispense cash vouchers based on the value of the counted coins, manufacturers'"'"' coupons and store coupons. Coins are placed in a hopper tray angled downward from the horizontal. When the hinged tray is lifted, the coins travel over a peak structure, through a waste management system and into the coin sorting and counting apparatus. The value of the coins and the number of coins within each denomination are displayed as the coins are counted. The coins fall into a storage area and the user is issued a cash voucher and a series of manufacturer coupons.
522 Citations
39 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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coin-counting means for determining a total amount of said coins; means for receiving a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from a user, said means for receiving including a first tray pivotable from a first holding position to a second delivery position for delivering said plurality of coins to said coin-counting means; means, coupled to said means for receiving, for removing waste included among said plurality of coins; means, coupled to said coin-counting means, for dispensing a cash voucher for a value related to said total amount; wherein said means for receiving comprises a transport tray for conveying coins from said first tray toward said coin-counting means; wherein said first tray is pivotable about an axis located between said first tray and said transport tray; wherein said first tray has a bottom surface and wherein said bottom surface of said first tray, when in said first configuration, slopes downwardly at a first angle, with respect to horizontal, in a direction away from said transport tray. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus comprising:
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coin-counting means for determining a total amount of said coins; means for receiving a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from a user, said means for receiving including a first tray pivotable from a first holding position to a second delivery position for delivering said plurality of coins to said coin-counting means; means, coupled to said means for receiving, for removing waste included among said plurality of coins; means, coupled to said coin-counting means, for dispensing a cash voucher for a value related to said total amount; coin-sorting means for depositing different denominations of said coins into different containers; at least one removable trolley for holding a plurality of said containers; wherein said trolley includes tapered bag receptacles.
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26. A method for dispensing a cash voucher, comprising:
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providing a first tray, having a bottom surface, configured to receive a plurality of coins, said first tray positionable in a first holding position wherein said bottom surface defines a first angle with respect to horizontal; moving said first tray from said first holding position through an intermediate position to a second position for moving said coins out of said first tray, said bottom surface, in said intermediate position, defining a second angle with respect to horizontal, which is shallower than said first angle; removing debris from said plurality of coins; transferring said coins to a coin-counting mechanism; determining a value of said coins, using said coin-counting mechanism; providing a controllable voucher dispenser; providing a computer, coupled to said coin-counting mechanism and to said controllable voucher dispenser; transmitting an indication of said value from said coin-counting mechanism to said computer; transmitting a command sequence from said computer to said controllable voucher dispenser to cause said voucher dispenser to dispense a cash voucher for a value related to a total amount of said coins. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. An apparatus for allowing untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising:
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coin-counting means for discriminating among coin denominations and determining a total mount of said coins; means for receiving in a first location, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from said untrained user, said means for receiving including a first tray pivotable from a first holding position to a second delivery position for delivering said plurality of coins to said coin-counting means said means for receiving further comprising a transport tray for conveying coins from said first tray toward said coin-counting means wherein said first tray is pivotable about an axis located between said first tray and said transport tray and wherein a peak is defined between said first tray and said transfer tray while said coins are being transferred from said first tray and wherein said peak defines an angle greater than about 135°
;means, coupled to said means for receiving, for removing waste included among said plurality of coins; and means, coupled to said coin-counting means, for dispensing a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value relate to said total amount wherein said value is determined only after said coin-counting means has determined said total amount.
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Specification