Coin counting and/or sorting machines and associated systems and methods

• US 9,022,841 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2013
• Issued: 05/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Coinstar Asset Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Outerwall Inc.
• Inventors: Martin, Douglas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAPIRO, JEFFREY ALAN
• Application Number:
  US13/906,126
• Publication Number:
  US 20140335770A1
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 453/7, 453/11, 453/56, 198/867.11, 198/803.14, 198/397.01, 198/477.1, 198/396, 198/550.01, 221/253, 221/254
• US Class Current: 453/7
• 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 3/14 Apparatus driven under control of coin-sensing elements
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 3/16 in combination with coin-counting
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 9/008 Feeding coins from bulk

Abstract

Coin processing apparatuses, such as consumer or commercial coin processing apparatuses for counting and/or sorting coins, are described herein. The apparatuses can include coin conveyors having a plurality of individual coin carriers linked together to form a chain. In some embodiments, each of the coin carriers includes a corresponding pocket that is configured to receive a coin from a coin hopper as the carrier chain passes through the coin hopper during its cycle. The coin carriers can carry the coins past one or more sensors for identification or “discrimination” of the coin denomination. After discrimination, the coins can be knocked from the carrier pockets and into, e.g., a selected coin chute for transfer to a collection bin.

Claims

1. A coin processing machine comprising:

a coin hopper configured to receive a plurality of coins of random denominations; and

a plurality of coin carriers linked together in an endless chain, wherein the endless chain is configured to circulate through the coin hopper, wherein each of the coin carriers is configured to receive a coin from the coin hopper and carry the coin away from the coin hopper, wherein the plurality of coin carriers includes a first coin carrier pivotally linked to a second coin carrier about an axis extending through the first coin carrier and the second coin carrier, and wherein the first coin carrier includes a coin mover configured to operate along the axis to displace coins from the first coin carrier.

2. The coin processing machine of claim 1 wherein the axis is a first axis, wherein the first coin carriers has a first end portion pivotally linked to the second coin carriers about the first axis and a second end portion pivotally linked to a third coin carriers about a second axis.

3. The coin processing machine of claim 1 wherein each of the coin carriers includes a coin pocket configured to receive a coin from the coin hopper and carry the coin away from the hopper.

4. The coin processing machine of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member operably disposed between the first coin carriers and the coin mover, wherein the biasing member is configured to return the coin mover toward the first coin carrier after displacing coins from the first coin carrier.

5. The coin processing machine of claim 1 wherein each of the coin carriers includes:

a coin pocket configured to receive a coin from the coin hopper and carry the coin away from the coin hopper; and

a coin mover configured to push coins from the coin pocket.

6. The coin processing machine of claim 1 wherein the endless chain is configured to circulate in a plane inclined at an angle relative to a horizontal plane.

7. The coin processing machine of claim 1 wherein the endless chain is configured to circulate in a plane inclined at an angle of from 15 degrees to 80 degrees relative to a horizontal plane.

8. The coin processing machine of claim 1, further comprising a wheel, wherein the endless chain operably extends around at least a portion of the wheel.

9. The coin processing machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a first wheel assembly; and

a second wheel assembly, wherein the endless chain operably extends around a portion of the first wheel assembly and a portion of the second wheel assembly.

10. The coin processing machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a first sprocket; and

a second sprocket, wherein the endless chain operably extends around a portion of the first sprocket and a portion of the second sprocket, and wherein one of the first and second sprockets is a drive sprocket configured to move the endless chain.

11. The coin processing machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a coin sensor, wherein the plurality of coin carriers are configured to carry the coins received from the coin hopper past the coin sensor, and wherein the coin sensor is configured to sense at least one coin characteristic as the coins move past the coin sensor.

27. The coin processing machine of claim 2 wherein the coin mover is a first coin mover, and wherein the third coin carrier includes a second coin mover configured to operate along the second axis to displace coins from the third coin carrier.

28. The coin processing machine of claim 3 wherein the coin mover is concentrically aligned with the coin pocket of the first coin carrier.

29. The coin processing machine of claim 3 wherein the axis is located at the center of the coin pocket of the first coin carrier.

12. A system for counting and/or sorting coins, the system comprising:

a first wheel;

a second wheel spaced apart from the first wheel;

a plurality of coin carriers, wherein each of the coin carriers is pivotally coupled to two other of the coin carriers in end-to-end relationships, the plurality of coin carriers forming a continuous chain that operably extends around the first and second wheels, and wherein each of the coin carriers includes a corresponding coin mover configured to displace coins from the coin carrier, the coin mover operating along a pivot axis extending through at least two adjacent coin carriers; and

a coin hopper configured to receive a plurality of coins of random denominations, wherein rotation of at least one of the first and second wheels moves the coin carriers adjacent to the coin hopper, and wherein the coin carriers are configured to receive coins from the hopper and move the coins away from the coin hopper.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the first and second wheels are coplanar, wherein the continuous chain extends in a path around the first and second wheels, and wherein the path has a lower segment that extends between the first and second wheels proximate a lower portion of the coin hopper.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the first and second wheels are spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction, wherein the continuous chain extends in an oval path around the first and second wheels, the oval path having a lower segment that extends adjacent to the coin hopper and an upper segment positioned above the lower segment, wherein the coin machine further comprises:

at least one coin chute, the coin chute having an inlet positioned to receive coins from the coin carriers as the coin carriers move along the upper segment of the oval path.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the continuous chain circulates in a path around the first and second wheels, and wherein the system further comprises:

a coin sensor positioned adjacent to the path, wherein the coin sensor is configured to sense at least one property of the coins as they move past the coin sensor in the individual coin carriers; and

an actuator positioned adjacent to the path, wherein the actuator is configured to cause the coin movers to displace the coins from the individual carriers based at least in part on the property sensed by the coin sensor.

16. The system of claim 12, further comprising means for selectively displacing coins from the coin carriers.

17. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a coin bin;

means for discriminating acceptable coins from unacceptable coins while the coins are being carried by the coin carriers; and

means for moving the acceptable coins from the coin carriers and into the coin bin.

18. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a first coin bin;

a second coin bin;

means for discriminating coins of a first denomination from coins of a second denomination while the coins are being carried by the coin carriers;

means for moving coins of the first denomination from the coin carriers to the first coin bin; and

means for moving coins of the second denomination from the coin carriers to the second coin bin.

19. A coin conveyor comprising:

a plurality of links pivotally coupled together to form a continuous chain, wherein each of the links includes a coin pocket configured to support a coin lying flatwise in the pocket; and

a plurality of plungers. wherein each of the plungers is operably coupled to at least one of the links and centered with respect to the coin pocket thereof, and wherein each of the plungers is movable between a first position in which the associated coin pocket can carry an individual coin and a second position in which the individual coin is displaced from the associated coin pocket.

20. The coin conveyor of claim 19 wherein each of the links is substantially identical to the other links.

21. The coin conveyor of claim 19 wherein each of the links is pivotally coupled to another one of the links about an axis, and wherein each of the plungers is aligned with a corresponding one of the axes.

22. The coin conveyor of claim 19 wherein the coin pocket includes a coin stabilizing feature configured to prevent a coin lying flatwise therein from rocking on an edge portion of the coin.

23. The coin conveyor of claim 19 wherein the coin pocket has a round shape.

24. The coin conveyor of claim 19 wherein the coin pocket has an outer wall, the outer wall having a round shape and a ridge configured to prevent a coin supported edgewise by the wall from rocking.

25. The coin conveyor of claim 19

wherein each of the plungers includes a circular head portion and each of the associated coin pockets includes a seat, wherein each of the head portions is positioned against the seat of the associated coin pocket when the corresponding plungers is in the first position, and wherein each of the head portions moves away from the seat to displace the individual coin from the associated coin pocket when the corresponding plunger is in the second position.

26. The coin conveyor of claim 19, further comprising:

a plurality of biasing members, wherein each of the biasing members is operably coupled to a corresponding one of the plungers, and wherein the biasing members bias the plungers toward the first position.