Abstract:
A coin separating unit of a compact configuration for separating coins of different thicknesses from a bulk supply includes a coin transporting unit such as a rotating belt having a support surface of a predetermined flexibility and friction characteristic. A separating roller unit is positioned above a support surface and rotates in a direction opposite to the movement of the belt. A supporter unit is operatively located upstream of the separating roller unit and can displace coins that are overlaid with each other. The belt has sufficient flexibility so that a gap between the surface of the belt and a separating roller unit can be increased to accommodate a particular thickness of coin as it passes beneath the separating roller unit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention is directed to the separation of coins fed in bulk and more particularly to a relatively efficient and inexpensive separation of relatively small amounts of coins of different sizes presented in a bulk condition for transportation by a belt.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     There are various examples in the industry of distributing coins, medallions, tokens, and various forms of monetary coins of separating such items. For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2002-99939 teaches a transporting belt that can transport bulk coins on the belt to a roller positioned at a distance which is slightly greater than the thickness of the bigger coins to be separated and slightly thinner than two relatively thin coins that can be overlaid. The roller can rotate in an opposite direction or a counter direction to the transporting direction of the belt. If coins become stuck between the transporting belt and the roller, the transporting belt will be stopped and rotated in an opposite direction and at the same time that the roller will also rotate in the same direction to provide an effect of dislocating the jammed coins.  
         [0005]     The prior art has experienced problems with smaller sized coins that could pass through such a space, and attempts have been made to narrow the gap between the belt and the roller. However, this solution sometimes has difficulty if thicker coins are utilized. Thus, there is still a need in the prior art to improve the separation of coins that are being transported on a belt.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention provides a relatively inexpensive and compact coin separating unit which can separate coins stored in bulk which are released onto a lower transporting belt while preventing jamming effects despite the varying thicknesses of the coins. The coin separating unit can separate the bulk coins one by one despite various thickness differences between different types of coins.  
         [0007]     The present invention provides a coin separating unit of a relatively inexpensive configuration which includes a coin transporting unit that can operatively interact with a hopper or bulk coin dispenser. The coin transporting unit receives the coins and transports them for subsequent processing. A separating roller unit can be provided above the coin transporting unit and set, for example, to provide a gap space of approximately two times the thinnest of the coins that it will process. The roller&#39;s surface can move in an opposite or counter-direction to the coin supporting surface of the transporting belt. The belt and the separating roller, however, are also designed to move relative to each other for increasing the gap space under certain circumstances. A supporting unit such as a roller can be located upstream from the separating roller and is also spaced above the coin supporting surface of the belt at a distance which is approximately the thickness of the thinnest coins to be processed. The supporting roller can move relative to the coin transporting unit when contacted by a coin on the belt.  
         [0008]     In this structure, bulk coins are transported by the transporting unit and arrive at the supporter unit. When the coins are not piled up, a coin lifts up the supporter unit so that it arrives at the separating roller unit to be sandwiched between the coin transporting unit and the supporter unit. The separating roller is located above the coin transporting unit at a distance which is, at most, two times the thickness of the thinnest coin or less. Therefore, the thinnest coin does not have contact with the separating roller or only slight contact with the separating roller. As a result, the thinnest coin does not receive or slightly receives a moving resistance.  
         [0009]     When the distance is thinner than the thinnest coin, the coins on the coin transporting unit have contact with the separating roller which rotates in an opposite direction from the moving direction of the coin transporting unit. Therefore, the coins receive a resistance opposite to the transporting direction. However, the coin is still transported towards the transporting direction by the transporting unit, because the contacting area between the coin transporting unit and the coin is larger than the contacting area between the coin and the separating roller. When the coin is located between the coin transporting unit and the separating roller, the distance between the coin transporting unit and separating roller becomes the thickness of the coin. As a result, the coin passes between the coin transporting unit and the separating roller.  
         [0010]     If two coins are piled up, the upper coin is stopped by the supporter unit. The lower coin moves together with the coin transporting unit, because the lower coin has contact with the relatively high-friction coin transporting unit. Therefore, the lower coin lifts the supporter unit and goes forward to the separating roller. The separating roller is located at a distance, which is, at most, two times the thickness of the thinnest coin or less from the coin transporting unit. The lower coin does not have contact with the separating roller or it receives a small resistance. Accordingly, the lower coin is transported in the transporting direction by the friction. However, when the upper coin lifts the supporter and arrives at the separating roller, it is stopped by the separating roller and it is displaced from the lower coin.  
         [0011]     When a coin, which has contact with the coin transporting unit, passes between the supporter and the separating roller, the upper piled-up coin moves backward onto the transporting unit. In this case, when the thickest coin is used, the thickness of the coin is thicker than the distance between the transporting unit and the separating roller, such a coin will lift up the supporter unit. In other words, the coins are pushed into coin transporting unit by the weight of the supporter unit. In this situation, when the end of a coin goes to the separating roller, the surface of the separating roller which rotates in a counter direction stops the coin.  
         [0012]     However, the coin is pushed into the coin transporting unit by the supporter unit. Therefore, the friction between the coin and the transporting unit is larger. Accordingly, the coin transporting unit is bent downward by the coin, and the coin is drawn between the coin transporting unit and the separating unit. A coin which is stuck between the transporting unit and the separating unit receives a force which is returned in a counter direction by the separating roller. However, the contacting area which is between the transporting unit and the coin is larger than the contacting area which is between the coin and the separating roller. Therefore, the coin moves together with the transporting unit, and it passes between the separating roller and the coin transporting unit. Accordingly, even when the coin thickness is large, the piled-up coins are separated one by one.  
         [0013]     The present invention is desirable, because the coin transporting unit can resiliently bend the coin supporting surface in a traverse direction to the coin moving direction, and the position of the separating roller is fixed at a predetermined position. In this structure, the separating roller rotates. Therefore, the driving mechanism can be made both relatively uncomplicated and inexpensively. Also, the transporting unit can bend based on a predetermined self-elasticity to alter the distance through which a coin can pass. This function occurs based on a tension control feature of the transporting unit. Therefore, the unit is inexpensive and rarely breaks down, because the structure is simple.  
         [0014]     This present invention is further desirable, because the supporter unit is a roller. In this structure, the supporter unit pushes the coin into the coin transporting unit and is rotated by the movement of the coin. Therefore, when the supporter unit runs up onto the coin, the supporter unit does not substantially provide a large resistance to the coin, because the supporter rotates. Also, the breaking up of the piled-up coins is smooth.  
         [0015]     This present invention is desirable, because a coin drawing auxiliary unit is located downstream of the separating roller unit. In this structure, a coin which passed between the separating roller and the transporting unit is drawn by the coin drawing auxiliary unit. Therefore, the coin passes between the separating roller and the transporting unit faster, because the coin is drawn by a rather larger force. As a result, piled-up coins are broken down faster, because the coin speed is not reduced between the separating roller and the coin transporting unit.  
         [0016]     The separating roller rotates in the same direction as the coin transporting unit, but its relative position provides an opposed movement to the coin support surface of the coin transporting unit. In this structure, when the coin transporting unit is relatively moved in a counter direction for cancelling a coin jamming, the separating roller rotates in the normal direction. In other words, the coin transporting unit moves in a returning direction to the coin; also the separating roller rotates in the returning direction to the coin. Therefore, the jammed coins are transported in the returning direction by the transporting unit. As a result, the jammed coins are canceled quickly.  
         [0017]     This present invention is desirable, because the supporting roller is rotatable on a lever which is pivotable and is coaxially to the separating roller; also it is urged towards the coin transporting unit by a predetermined force.  
         [0018]     This present invention is further desirable, because the supporting roller has contact with the transporting unit and is rotated by the coin transporting unit. In this structure, when there are no coins, the supporting roller rotates when it has contact with the coin transporting unit. When the piled-up coins arrive, the supporter unit contacts the piled-up coins by self-rotation. Therefore, the coins are pushed to the coin transporting unit by the supporter unit. In other words, the coins go between the supporting roller and the coin transporting unit easier. Therefore, the separation of coins is achieved faster, because the coins move together with the coin transporting unit.  
         [0019]     This present invention is desirable, because a second coin transporting unit is located downstream of the coin transporting unit and moves faster than the coin transporting unit. In this structure, a coin has contact with the second transporting unit in a situation where the coin is held between the coin transporting unit and the separating roller. Also, the coin is drawn faster by the speed of the second transporting unit. Therefore, the coin is drawn positively from the coin transporting unit and the separating roller. As a result, the separation of the coins is achieved faster.  
         [0020]     This present invention is desirable, because a drawing auxiliary unit is a roller which is located downstream from the separating roller and has a distance which is thinner than the thinnest coin and is located away from the second coin transporting unit. In this structure, the coin is held between the drawing auxiliary unit and the transporting unit in the situation where the coin is held between the coin transporting unit and the separating roller. The drawing auxiliary unit is a roller. Therefore, the coin is pushed into the coin transporting unit by the roller; also it does not approximately slip relative to the coin transporting unit. As a result, the separation for the coins is achieved faster, because the coin is drawn positively from the coin transporting unit and the separating unit. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view from over front and left side where the coin separating unit of the embodiment is attached.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a plane view of the coin receiving unit which is attached to the coin separating unit of the embodiment.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of the X-X line in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the separating unit of the embodiment.  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is an explaining view for the operation of the embodiment where one thinnest coin is used.  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is an explaining view for the operation of the embodiment where thickest coin is used.  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is an explaining view for the operation of the embodiment where the thinnest coins are piled up.  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is an explaining view for the operation of the embodiment where the thickest coins are piled up.  
         [0030]      FIG. 9  is an explaining view for the operation of the embodiment where the thinnest coins are piled up in wedge shape.  
         [0031]      FIG. 10  is a view for explaining the operation of an embodiment where the thickest coins are piled up in wedge shape. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention which set forth the best modes contemplated to carry out the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.  
         [0033]     Coin separating unit  10  can be used in a coin receiving unit  12 , for example, an automatic receiving and dispensing machine for coins. Also, it can be used to receive coins in a receiving opening or hopper  14  in a bulk coin situation and the coins can be separated one by one, and afterwards the coins are transported to a denomination distinguishing section  16 . The distinguished coins are transported for subsequent processing; for example, the coins can be transported to a dispensing section and can be stored in separate denominations; also the coins can be dispensed based on a dispensing signal.  
         [0034]     Coin separating unit  10  further includes a coin transporting unit  18 , a separating roller unit  20 , a supporter unit  22  and drawing auxiliary unit  24 . However, drawing auxiliary unit  24  is only used as occasion demands.  
         [0035]     First, coin transporting unit  18  is explained. Coin transporting unit  18  includes a pair of pulleys  26 ,  28 , and a belt  30  which is operatively located around the pulleys. Belt  30  has a function that when a coin C is held between the separating roller unit  20  and transporting unit  18 , the transporting unit  18  is bent by a predetermined elasticity. Belt  30  is a plane belt which can be made of a urethane rubber with a reinforcing core which can be made of polyamide. The material of belt  30  is made up of a rubber hardness that can equal 76 HS, the Young ratio can be equal to 1000 gf/cm width (in 10% extends), and it is used to normally extend 8% as a desirable range. The belt provides a relatively high friction surface compared to a metal coin.  
         [0036]     For example, a Hopina belt F which is made by the Hokushin Industry Co., Ltd. can be used. However, when belt  30  does not have sufficient stretchability, either pulley  26  or  28  can be mounted to more freely and with some resilient effect. Also, when a belt  30  which does not have stretchability is used, the belt  30  can be further supported by a tension roller which is supported to move freely and resiliently. Plural round belts or plural narrow belts can be located in parallel, and they can make up substantially the plane belt. Therefore, coin transporting unit  18  can change the distance between the after-mentioned separating roller  20  by a relative movement of the belt.  
         [0037]     Belt  30  is slightly wider than the diameter of the largest coin to be used and is narrower than the double diameter of the smallest coin to be transported. Accordingly, the parallel or overlaid coins cannot pass through or between separating roller  20  and belt  30 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , pulley  26  is fixed at shaft  36  which is located parallel to frames  32 ,  34  and is rotatable. As shown in  FIG. 1 , pulley  28  is fixed at shaft  40  which is attached to frames  32 ,  34  through a bearing  38 , and is accordingly rotatable.  
         [0038]     Pulley  26  is located above pulley  28 , so that belt  30  will receive coins from the bottom of the hopper  14  in the transporting direction (the storing direction). In such a structure, any piled-up coins in the hopper  14  can fall down naturally by gravity feed. Therefore, this structure is desirable; however, belt  30  can be located in a level or horizontal position. Lower opening  41  of hopper  14  is located over pulley  28  for the belt  30 , and received coins are released on the belt  30  at this position.  
         [0039]     Next the separating roller  20  is explained. Separating roller  20  has a function of dispensing coins where the coins which are transported by coin transporting unit  18  become piled up. Separating roller  20  is located between frames  32  and  34  and is located at a predetermined distance from the coin transporting surface  44  of belt  30  near pulley  26 . When coins of different thicknesses are processed, the predetermined distance is thinner than double the thickness of the thinnest coin, a distance which is set by only the thinnest coin, and the double thinnest coin size is desirable. Therefore, when the thickness of the thickest coin is thicker than double the thinnest coin, the distance is thinner than the thickness of the thickest coin. In other words, when the thickest coin passes between belt  30  and separating roller  20 , belt  30  is bent elastically, because the position of separating roller  20  is fixed. However, when the thinnest coin passes through, belt  30  can slightly bend.  
         [0040]     Separating roller  20  is a ring roller  46  which is made of urethane rubber and is fixed at rotating shaft  50 . Rotating shaft  50  is supported on frames  32  and  42  and is rotatable. Therefore, separating roller  20  rotates at a fixed position to coin transporting unit  18 . Gear  54  is fixed at the protruding end of rotating shaft  50  from frame  42  through a one-way clutch  48  as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0041]     When gear  54  rotates in a counterclockwise direction as shown in  FIG. 1 , one-way clutch  48  rotates. When gear  54  rotates in a clockwise direction, one-way clutch  48  does not transmit the rotating force to the separating roller  20 . Gear  54  is engaged with gear  58  which in turn is fixed at rotating shaft  36  which is rotatably supported by frames  42  and  32 . Gear  58  engages with gear  60 . Gear  60  is rotated by motor a  62  which is located below coin separating unit  10  through a reducer assembly.  
         [0042]     Pulley  26  is fixed at shaft  36 . Pulley  56  is fixed at the protruding end of rotating shaft  36  outward from frame  32 . Pulley  57  is attached at the end of rotating shaft  50  which protrudes outwards from frame  32  through a one-way clutch (not shown). Belt  59  is located around pulleys  56  and  57 . When pulley  57  rotates in the counterclockwise direction as shown in  FIG. 1 , the one-way clutch rotates when pulley  57  rotates in the counterclockwise direction; rotating shaft  50  is not driven by pulley  57 . In other words, when pulley  57  rotates in the counterclockwise direction, rotating shaft  50  rotates in the same direction; when it rotates in the clockwise direction, rotating shaft  50  is not driven by pulley  57 .  
         [0043]     Therefore, when pulley  26  rotates in the counterclockwise direction shown in  FIG. 3 , separating roller  20  rotates in the counterclockwise direction. Thus, coin supporting surface  44  of belt  30  moves in the left direction as shown in  FIG. 3 ; separating roller  20  rotates in the counterclockwise direction through pulley  26 , belt  59 , pulley  57  and the one-way clutch (not shown). Therefore, the facing surface to coin supporting surface  44  to separating roller  20  moves in the right direction which is the counter direction. Also, when belt  30  moves in the right direction, separating roller  20  rotates in the counterclockwise direction shown in  FIG. 3  through gears  54 ,  58  and one-way clutch  48 . However, a one-way clutch does not rotate in separating roller unit  20 .  
         [0044]     Separating roller unit  20  is a pair of rollers  47 ,  49  which are of the same diameter and are located away from each other by a small distance as shown in  FIG. 4 . However, both the supporting structure of supporter unit  22  and a drawing auxiliary unit  24  could be modified for use as a unified roller with a predetermined width. Also, a large diameter for separating roller  20  is desirable; however, when the maximum diameter of the coins is approximately 30 mm, a diameter which is approximately 20 mm is also desirable.  
         [0045]     Next, supporter unit  22  is explained. Supporter unit  22  has a function when coins are piled up and the upper coins are stopped. Also, supporter unit  22  has another function where a coin C is held between separating roller  20  and is pushed into belt  30 . Therefore, supporter unit  22  is a roller in an after-mentioned embodiment; however, it can also provide additional weight.  
         [0046]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , supporting lever  64  is attached at rotating shaft  50  between rollers  47  and  49  and is rotatable. It extends in the upstream side of the transporting direction of coin transporting unit  18 . A pair of rollers  68  and  70  are rotatable on shaft  66  which is fixed at the end of lever  64  and is parallel to rotating shaft  50 , and they are located at both sides of lever  64 . In other words, supporting rollers  68  and  70  are located relating to rollers  47  and  49 . However, either of the rollers  68  and  70  can be attached to each other. Rollers  68  and  70  are made from urethane rubber; however, they can be made from other materials, for example, a metal.  
         [0047]     Lever  64  can provide a moment force which rotates in the clockwise direction based on the weight of shaft  66  and rollers  68  and  70 . When the moment force is insufficient, a spring force can be further provided. Therefore, supporting rollers  68  and  70  are located at the upper portion of coin transporting unit  18  which is located near separating roller  20 . In a normal situation, supporting rollers  68  and  70  have contact with the coin surface  44  of belt  30  and are rotated. However, supporting rollers  68  and  70  can be located at a small distance above surface  44 . The small distance should be thinner than the thinnest coin.  
         [0048]     The diameters of supporting rollers  68  and  70  are smaller than the diameter of separating roller  20 . Optimally, the diameter is approximately half the size of separating roller  20  as shown in  FIG. 3 . In the specifics, the radius of rollers  68  and  70  is larger than the thickness of the thickest coin so that coin C which has contact with belt  30  can lift the supporter unit  22 . In other words, the end of coin C has contact with the downward arc surface of supporting rollers  68  and  70 ; also it lifts the supporter unit  22  by a wedge effect. When supporting rollers  68  and  70  are located away from belt  30  and are lifted by the coin, the diameter of supporting rollers  68  and  70  can be made smaller than the maximum thickness.  
         [0049]     Also, the center of rollers  68  and  70  can be located away from coin surface  44  of belt  30  at a distance which is the double thickness of the thickest coin. Because, supporter unit  22  is lifted up by the thickest coin, piled-up coins will not lift supporter unit  22 , and the overlaid coins will be pushed back. When supporter unit  22  is not rotated, a slanting surface (which includes an arc surface) is formed at the upper section of transporting belt  30  to supporter unit  22 .  
         [0050]     Next, belt supporter  72  is explained. Belt supporter  72  has a function when the belt  30  is not bent at a predetermined volume. Belt supporter  72  is a rectangular plate and is located between the upper belt and the lower belt of coin transporting unit  18 , and is rotatable on the end of shaft  73  which is fixed at frames  32  and  34 , and the other end  74  is located below separating roller  20 . Also, supporting coin putting surface  76  has contact resiliently with the reverse of upper belt  30  in a tensioned situation of belt  30 , and it supports upper belt  30 .  
         [0051]     In other words, when belt  30  is pushed downwards over a predetermined amount, belt supporter  72  moves downwards to a predetermined distance. The end of belt supporter  72 , below separating roller  20 , slants relative to belt  30  and surface  44  for the coins. Accordingly, when belt  30  moves in the counter direction to the transporting direction, belt  30  is not stopped by belt supporter  72 . Belt supporter  72  has a function for controlling the amount of the bend of belt  30 ; however, it can be removed when belt  30  is sufficiently strong.  
         [0052]     Next drawing auxiliary unit  24  is explained. Drawing auxiliary unit  24  has a function of moving a coin which is held between separating roller  20  and coin transporting unit  18  in the coin transporting direction quickly. In this embodiment, drawing auxiliary unit  24  is disclosed in three different types. First, first auxiliary drawing unit  77  is explained. Auxiliary drawing unit  77  is roller  78  which is located at a downstream side near the separating roller  20  and is located above coin transporting unit  18 .  
         [0053]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , roller  78  includes a pair of rollers  84  and  86  which are attached on shaft  82  which is located parallel to rotating shaft  50  and is fixed at lever  80  which is rotatable on rotating shaft  50  and located at the left and the right of the lever  80 . Rollers  84  and  86  face separating roller  20  and have contact with coin putting surface  44  of belt  30  by the moment force adding to lever  80 . Rollers  84  and  86  are made from the same material as supporting rollers  68  and  70  and have the same diameter.  
         [0054]     Next a second drawing auxiliary unit  88  is explained. Second drawing auxiliary unit  88  is a second coin transporting unit  90  which is located downstream of coin transporting unit  18 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , second transporting unit  90  is second belt  100  which is a plane belt and is positioned between pulley  94  which is fixed at shaft  92  and pulley  98  which is fixed at rotating shaft  96 . However, second coin transporting unit  90  could be changed to a plurality of circle belts which are located in parallel.  
         [0055]     Belt  100  slants, where a second coin putting surface  102  is located, on the same extending line of coin supporting surface  44 . When coin supporting surface  44  of belt  30  moves in the left direction shown in  FIG. 3 , second coin putting surface  102  moves in the same direction, also the moving velocity is approximately 20% faster than the velocity of belt  30 . Therefore, when the coin which is put on belt  30  has contact with second belt  100 , the coin is drawn forward by second coin transporting unit  90 . Shaft  92  is driven by motor  93  through a reducer unit (not shown). When motor  62  transports the coins to the side of second coin transporting unit  90 , motor  93  relatively rotates; however, when motor  62  rotates in the clockwise direction, unit  90  is not rotated.  
         [0056]     Next the third drawing auxiliary unit  104  is explained. Third drawing auxiliary unit  104  is roller  106  which is rotatable and located above second transporting unit  90 . Roller  106  is rotatable on a shaft  108  which is fixed at lever  80  parallel to shaft  82  and includes a pair of rollers  110  and  112  which are located on the left and the right of lever  80 .  
         [0057]     Rollers  110  and  112  are made from the same material and size as rollers  68  and  70 . When supporter unit  22 , first drawing auxiliary unit  77  and third drawing auxiliary unit  104  use the same rollers, they are less inexpensive. Also, a coin distinguishing section  16  to separate different denominations is located at the upper part of second transporting unit  90 .  
         [0058]     Next the operation of this embodiment is explained. The coins entering into receiving slot  14  are detected by a sensor (not shown), motor  62  rotates and gear  60  rotates in the clockwise direction shown in  FIG. 1 ; also gear  58  and rotating shaft  36  rotate in the counterclockwise direction. Pulley  26  rotates in the counterclockwise direction shown in  FIG. 3 ; coin surface  44  of belt  30  moves in the left direction (towards the side of second transporting unit  90 ). On the one hand, gear  54  rotates in the clockwise direction by gear  58 , and rotating shaft  50  is not rotated by one-way clutch  48 .  
         [0059]     The rotation of rotating shaft  36  is transmitted to a pulley (not shown) and belt  59  and pulley  57 . Also, rotating shaft  50  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction shown in  FIG. 3  through an unshown one-way clutch. Therefore, the surface which faces the coin supporting surface  44  of separating roller  20  moves to the right. Supporter unit  22  which is structured by rollers  68  and  70  and first drawing auxiliary unit  77  which is structured by rollers  84  and  86  rotate in the clockwise direction by friction-contact to belt  30  shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0060]     Motor  93  rotates relative to the rotation of motor  62 . Shaft  92  rotates in the counterclockwise direction shown in  FIG. 3 . Second coin putting surface  102  of second belt  100  moves in the left direction faster through pulley  94 . Accordingly, rollers  110  and  112  of third drawing auxiliary unit  104  rotate in the clockwise direction shown in  FIG. 3  by the contact to second belt  100 . When the coins C are not piled up, the coins move together with belt  30 , and it lifts supporter unit  22  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Accordingly, coin C is pushed downward into belt  30  by the moment force of supporter unit  22  and travels to separating roller  20 .  
         [0061]     When the thinnest coins C are received, coins C do not have contact with separating roller  20  or at least receive only a small resistance from separating roller  20 . Therefore, the thinnest coins C move together with belt  30 . When coins C are located between separating roller  20  and belt  30 , they are not pushed into belt  30  by supporter unit  22 ; however, the coins C move together with belt  30 , because the coins C have not received any counter-resistance.  
         [0062]     The end of coin C which passed under separating roller  20  lifts rollers  84  and  86 . In this situation, the rear end of coin C is located between belt  30  and separating roller  20 . Therefore, coin C is pushed into belt  30  again, and also moves together with the belt  30 . Next, coin C is pushed to second belt  100  which is the second drawing auxiliary unit  88  by rollers  110  and  112  which are third auxiliary drawing unit  104 , and also move together with second belt  100 , and pass through the denomination distinguishing section  16  to be transported to the next processing unit.  
         [0063]     When the thickest coins C are received, these coins C are pushed into belt  30  by supporter unit  22  as shown in  FIG. 6 ; afterwards they go to separating roller  20 . In this situation, the distance between coin supporting surface  44  of belt  30  and the lower surface of separating roller  20  is smaller than the thickness of the thickest coin. However, the friction force between coin C and belt  30  is large, because coin C is pushed into belt  30  by supporter unit  22 . Also, the coins C receive a moving resistance in a counter direction to the transporting direction of belt  30  by the rotation of separating roller  20 ; however, the contacting area between separating roller  20  and coin C is small.  
         [0064]     Therefore, coin C moves or slips in the same direction together with the belt  30 , and is drawn into the space between separating roller  20  and belt  30 , because belt  30  can bend resiliently. In other words, coin supporting surface  44  and separating roller  20  are separated by a thickness of the coin C, because belt  30  can bend resiliently. In this situation, belt supporter  72  beneath belt  30  can also move together with belt  30 , and pivots in the counterclockwise direction at shaft  73 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . When coin C is held by belt  30  and separating roller  20 , the coin C receives the moving resistance by the counterclockwise rotation of separating roller  20 ; however, the coin C is transported to the side of second coin transporting unit  90  by belt  30 , because the contacting area between belt  30  and coin C is larger.  
         [0065]     When the end of coin C is pushed into belt  30  by rollers  84  and  86  which are the first auxiliary drawing unit  77 , the coin C is pushed into belt  30  by a larger force. Therefore, the friction force between coin C and belt  30  increases, and coin C can pass through smoothly between belt  30  and the separating roller  20 . Afterwards, coin C is held between rollers  110 ,  112  which are the third drawing auxiliary unit  104  and second belt  100  which is second drawing auxiliary unit  88 , and it is drawn faster than belt  30 ; also it is transported by second transporting unit  90  as above-mentioned. When the coin has a large diameter, the coin is pushed to belt  30  by rollers  84  and  86 , and it is pushed into second belt  100  by rollers  110  and  112  at the same time.  
         [0066]     When a thicker coin is held by the coin transporting unit  18 , and separating roller  20  is in the bending situation of coin transporting unit  18 , drawing auxiliary unit  24  draws positively the held coin C; also the coin C can move quickly. Therefore, when coin C is transported quickly, first drawing auxiliary unit  77  and third drawing auxiliary unit  104  are not used. In other words, only first drawing auxiliary unit  77  is used in such a situation.  
         [0067]     Next, a case where the thinnest coins are piled up on belt  30  is explained with reference to  FIG. 7 . When piled-up coins C contact supporter unit  22 , lower coin CL and upper coin CU are stopped by supporter unit  22 . The lower coin CL moves together with belt  30  (with slipping), because the lower coin C has a large friction force contact with belt  30 . Also, lower coin CL lifts the supporter unit  22  by a wedge effect by the arc surface of supporter unit  22 , and is held between the belt  30  and supporter unit  22  (see dotted line).  
         [0068]     Upper coin CL is stopped continually by supporter unit  22 , because the friction force between metal coin CL and metal coin CU is smaller. Therefore, lower coin CL passes between separating roller  20  and belt  30 , and it is transported to the next process. Upper coin CU is moved relative to the lower coin CL by supporter  20  and falls down from lower coin CU (see dotted line). Then when the upper coin CU has direct contact with belt, it can lift up supporter unit  22  as above-mentioned and is also transported beneath the separating roller  20  to the next process.  
         [0069]     Next, a case where the thickest coins C are piled up is explained by referring to  FIG. 8 . When coins C contact supporter unit  22 , lower coin CL and upper coin CU are stopped by supporter unit  22 . However, lower coin CL moves forward together with belt  30 ; also the coin CL lifts supporter unit  22  by the wedge effect, because the friction between belt  30  and coin CL is larger. Therefore, the coin CL is held by belt  30  and supporter unit  22  (see dotted line).  
         [0070]     Upper coin CU is stopped continuously by supporter unit  22 , because the friction force between lower coin CL and upper coin CU is smaller, and the wedge effect does not occur, because the diameter sections of rollers  68 ,  70  have contact with the peripheral surface of upper coin CU. Therefore, belt  30  is bent by lower coin CL as above mentioned; also the lower coin CL is transported to next process through the space between separating roller  20  and belt  30 . Upper coin CL slides off of lower coin CL (see dotted line). Therefore, the upper coin CU has contact with belt  30 . Then the upper coin CL is transported to the next process in the same manner as the above-mentioned case.  
         [0071]     Next, a case where the thinnest coins C are piled up in a wedge shape (the situation where the upper coin CU slants) is explained by referring to  FIG. 9 . When the piled-up coins C arrive at supporter unit  22 , upper coin CU is stopped by supporter unit  22 . However, the edge of upper coin CU has contact with belt  30  and a part of coin CU is supported by lower coin CL; therefore, the friction between upper coin CU and belt  30  is small. On the other hand, lower coin CL has contact with belt  30  in face; therefore, the friction between the lower coin CL and belt  30  is large. As a result, lower coin CL moves together with belt  30 .  
         [0072]     Upper coin CU is stopped by supporter unit  22 , and lower coin CL moves together with belt  30 . Therefore, lower coin CL moves under upper coin CU; in other words, upper coin CU moves onto and across lower coin CL (see dotted line). Afterwards, lower coin CL and upper coin CU pass through between supporter unit  22 , separating roller  20  and belt  30  as explained by referring to  FIG. 7 , and they are transported to the next process. When upper coin CU lifts up the supporter unit  22  in the wedge-shape configuration, the end of upper coin CU has contact with separating roller  20 , and it is stopped by separating roller  20 .  
         [0073]     Lower coin CL moves together with belt  30 , because the friction between coin CL and belt  30  is large. Upper coin CU is stopped continuously by separating roller  20 , because the contacting area between lower coin CL and belt  30  is small; however, upper coin CU is pushed to lower coin CL by supporter unit  22 . Therefore, the lower coin CL goes under upper coin CU as above-mentioned. Also, only lower coin CL is initially passed through separating roller  20  and belt  30 , and is transported to the next process.  
         [0074]     Next, a case where the thickest coins C are piled up in a wedge-like shape (the situation where upper coin CU slants) is explained by referring to  FIG. 10 . When the piled-up coins C arrive at supporter unit  22 , upper coin CU is stopped by supporter unit  22 . However, the edge of upper coin CU has contact with belt  30  and a part of coin CU is supported by lower coin CL; therefore, the friction between upper coin CU and belt  30  is small. As a result, upper coin CU is stopped by supporter  30 , and the lower coin CL slides underneath since the lower coin CL has contact with belt  30 ; therefore, the friction between the lower coin CL and belt  30  is large. As a result, lower coin CL moves together with belt  30 . Therefore, lower coin CL moves under upper coin CU; upper coin CU moves onto and across lower coin CL (see dotted line). Afterwards, lower coin CL and upper coin CU pass through the space between supporter unit  22 , separating roller  20  and belt  30  as explained by referring to  FIG. 8 , and they are transported to the next process.  
         [0075]     When upper coin CU lies on belt  30 , it lifts up supporter unit  22  in the wedge shape; also it goes into the space between belt  30  and separating roller  20 ; it is accordingly separated one by one and is transported to the next process, the same as the above-mentioned case of the thinnest coins.  
         [0076]     If the upper coin CU isn&#39;t stopped by separating roller  20 , and it goes into the space between separating roller  20  and belt  30  in the wedge shape, the coins CU and CL can jam the space. Therefore, belt  30  and separating roller  20  stop, because belt  30  cannot bend enough. Accordingly, motor  62  is stopped by this jamming force, and it is placed in an overload situation.  
         [0077]     A sensor (not shown) detects the overload, motor  62  is stopped based on this detection, and subsequently motor  62  is reversed for a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period is sufficient enough for removal of the jam. Therefore, gear  60  rotates in the counterclockwise direction; also pulley  26  rotates in the clockwise direction through gear  58  and rotating shaft  36  shown in  FIG. 3 . Accordingly, belt  30  moves to the right which is the counter direction of the transporting direction. Gear  58  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction by gear  60 , and separating roller  20  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction through one-way clutch  48 .  
         [0078]     In this process, pulley  57  is rotated by rotating shaft  36  through the pulley (not shown) and belt  59 ; however, rotating shaft  50  does not rotate by the one-way clutch (not shown). Therefore, the jamming is cancelled, because belt  30  and separating roller  20  move in the counter direction for canceling the jam. Afterwards, motor  62  rotates in the transporting direction for the coins. In other words, the above-mentioned separating process is executed again.  
         [0079]     In this present invention, when the thicknesses of the coins differ drastically, the supporter unit and the separating roller separate the piled-up coins one by one; also the separated coins are aligned on the transporting unit. Also, the supporter unit and the separating roller are inexpensive, because they are simple.  
         [0080]     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the amended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.