Patent ID: 6174230
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: B07B,B08B,G07D,G07F

Abstract:
In a coin discriminating device, an apparatus for cleaning a mass of items, including a plurality of desired coins of various diameters, prior to conveyance to a coin discriminator, wherein none of said desired coins is smaller than a predetermined smallest desired coin, to define a minimum coin diameter, and none of said desired coins is larger than a predetermined largest desired coin, to define a maximum coin diameter, the apparatus comprising:a container having at least a first opening, larger than said maximum coin diameter, for admitting a first plurality of said mass of items and a plurality of second openings, smaller than said first opening, for permitting exit of dirt from said container without having first passed through a container opening smaller than said maximum coin diameter, each of said second openings being smaller than said minimum diameter to prevent passage of an of said plurality of desired coins through any of said plurality of second openings, wherein said container does not discriminate between said various diameters of said desired coins;a driver, coupled to said container, so as to move said container and agitate said first plurality of said mass of items wherein, following agitating said first plurality of said mass of items, said plurality of desired coins is conveyed from said container to said coin discriminator for discriminating said desired coins of various diameters;a third opening, larger than said second opening, permitting coins to exit said container;a first endpiece coupled to said container adjacent said first opening and defining a coin entry opening, wherein said first endpiece is manually removable from said container, without the use of tools; anda second endpiece coupled to said container adjacent said third opening and defining a coin exit opening, wherein said second endpiece is manually removable from said container, without the use of tools.