Coin counter and voucher dispensing machine and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for discriminating coins, the apparatus comprising:
- coin input region;
a coin discriminator;
a transport that facilitates coin movement along a path from the coin input region to the coin discriminator; and
moveable opening positioned along the path between the coin input region and the coin discriminator, the moveable opening being moveable between a dosed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the moveable opening prevents passage of coins when the moveable opening is in the closed configuration, and wherein the moveable opening permits passage of a stream of coins when the moveable opening is in the open configuration, the stream of coins being limited to a thickness of about the thickness of a single layer of coins.
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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.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An apparatus for discriminating coins, the apparatus comprising:
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coin input region;
a coin discriminator;
a transport that facilitates coin movement along a path from the coin input region to the coin discriminator; and
moveable opening positioned along the path between the coin input region and the coin discriminator, the moveable opening being moveable between a dosed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the moveable opening prevents passage of coins when the moveable opening is in the closed configuration, and wherein the moveable opening permits passage of a stream of coins when the moveable opening is in the open configuration, the stream of coins being limited to a thickness of about the thickness of a single layer of coins. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for discriminating coins comprising:
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an input region;
a coin discriminator;
means for facilitating coin movement from the input region along a path to the coin discriminator; and
moveable gate means for limiting a flow of coins, moving under force of gravity, to a thickness no greater than about a single layer of coins, when the moveable gate means are in a fully-open position. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for discriminating coins, the method comprising:
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receiving a plurality of coins in an input region;
moving the coins from the input region along a path to a coin discriminator;
passing the coins through moveable opening, both separate from and spaced from the input region, wherein the moveable opening prevents passage of a train of coins having a thickness greater than about the thickness of a single layer of coins when the moveable opening is in its fully-open position; and
discriminating coins in the coin discriminator. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. An apparatus that receives desired coins and other items, the apparatus comprising:
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a coin input region;
at least a first separator in which one or more of the other items are separated from at least some of the desired coins;
a moveable opening, both separate from and spaced from the coin input region, that prevents passage of coins, after leaving the coin input region, greater than a predetermined thickness of about the thickness of a single layer of coins, when the moveable opening is in its fully-open position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus that receives desired coins and other items, comprising:
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coin input means;
at least first means for separating one or more of the other items from at least some the desired coins; and
moveable gate means for preventing passage of coins, after leaving the coin input means, greater than a predetermined thickness of about the thickness of a single layer of coins, when the moveable pate means are in a fully-open position. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for use in connection with coin discrimination, the method comprising:
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receiving a plurality of desired coins and other items in a first region;
passing at least some of the desired coins, after leaving the first region, through a moveable opening, both separate from and spaced from the first region, which prevents passage of coins greater than a predetermined thickness, wherein coins are presented to the opening at substantially a same time and are moving under force of gravity, and wherein the predetermined thickness is about the thickness of a single layer of coins when the moveable opening is in its fully-open position. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An apparatus for discriminating coins comprising:
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a coin input region;
a coin discriminator;
a transport that facilitates coin movement from the input region along a path that directs the coins to the coin discriminator; and
a moveable gate positioned along the path separate from both the input region and the coin discriminator, the gate being moveable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the gate prevents passage of coins past the gate when the gate is in the closed configuration, and wherein the gate permits passage of a stream of coins when the gate is in the open configuration but limits the stream of coins to a thickness of about the thickness of a single layer of coins. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification