Patent Publication Number: US-8522950-B2

Title: Debris diverter for coin counting machine and associated method of manufacture and operation

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The following disclosure relates generally to systems, apparatuses and methods for preventing debris from entering a coin counting machine. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A variety of machines that sort coins have been patented. One such machine, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,848 to David Goh, uses two methods to sort coins, both methods based on the diameter of the coins. In this machine the coins are loaded into a hopper. A rotating wheel feeds the coins individually onto an inclined ramp. The coins roll down the ramp with their rear surfaces resting against a support surface. Specific denominations are selected when they fall through slots of varying size located in the support surface. Specific denominations are also selected using peeler knives that are arranged at different distances from the ramp surface. These knives topple the coins from the ramp into bins. Using both techniques allows a short ramp to be employed. Another type of machine, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,122 to Yoshio Kinoshita, counts the number of coins according to denomination after sorting the coins. 
     A number of counting and sorting devices are deficient for various reasons. Many devices, while having some form of waste control device, have been unsuccessful in completely controlling waste that may be mixed in with the coins. As a result, many previous devices are only suitable for operation by an experienced or skilled operator and are not suitable for use by members of the general public, who may be less careful about including foreign or waste material among the coins. In particular, many previous devices were designed to admit coins into the counting device at such a rate that it was not possible for each coin to be individually exposed to the waste control device, i.e., such that some coins may block others from the waste control system. 
     Some counting/sorting devices have a complicated or ineffective mechanism to control the flow of coins so that it is difficult or expensive to prevent unacceptably high surges of coin flow from jamming or otherwise overwhelming the sorting/counting mechanism. Some devices were designed to permit only a slow entry of coins into the counting/sorting mechanism, but in some cases, this was done at the expense of the ability to accommodate a high volume of coins and/or resulted in unacceptably slow operation. 
     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a device that receives an arbitrary number of coins, i.e., that does not require insertion of an exact minimum amount, and that converts the value of the coins from the inconvenient medium of coins to a more convenient medium. It would be further advantageous to provide a device that provides for effective and efficient waste management such that the device can be used by the ordinary consumer without jamming or damaging the machine. It would also be advantageous to provide for a device which accommodates a high volume or flow of coins without permitting surges of coin flow that can interfere with the counting/sorting and/or waste management systems, that does not have complicated electro/mechanical machinery and, preferably, that takes advantage of a gravity mechanism. It would also be useful to provide a device that efficiently and conveniently delivers the sorted coins in a standard sized coin bag that is conveniently accessible. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a coin counter/sorter and coupon/voucher dispensing device configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a coin sorting assembly including a debris diverter configured according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an end view of a debris diverter and coin track configured according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  are isometric views of bobbins and vanes configured according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following disclosure describes apparatuses, systems, and methods for separating coins from unwanted debris. In particular embodiments, a vane is spaced apart from a portion of a coin track by a predetermined distance. The vane will strike debris larger than the predetermined distance to remove it from the track and will permit coins thinner than the predetermined distance to pass along the track for further handling. 
     Certain details are set forth in the following description and in  FIGS. 1-4C  to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate, however, that the technology disclosed herein can have additional embodiments that may be practiced without several of the details described below and/or with additional features not described below. In addition, some well-known structures and systems often associated with coin sorting apparatuses and methods have not been shown or described in detail below to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments of the disclosure. The dimensions, angles, and other specifications shown in the figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other dimensions, angles, and specifications without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify identical, or at least generally similar, elements. To facilitate the discussion of any particular element, the most significant digit or digits in any reference number refers to the figure in which that element is first introduced. For example, element  210  is first introduced and discussed with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a coin counter/sorter and coupon/voucher dispensing device  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The device  100  can include a coin counting/sorting portion  102  and a coupon dispensing portion  104 . In one embodiment, these portions can operate independently in the sense that it is possible for the coin counting portion  102  to be counting one customer&#39;s coins while the dispensing portion  104  is dispensing coupons and/or vouchers to another customer. In the depicted embodiment, the coin counting portion  102  includes an input tray or hopper  106 , a voucher dispensing slot  108 , a coin return slot  110 , a sorting/counting mechanism  112 , and customer I/O devices, including a keyboard  114 , additional keys  115 , a speaker  116  and a video screen  118 . The coupon dispensing portion  104  includes an activating device  120  (such as a button), and a coupon receptacle  122 . The device  100  can include various indicia, signs, displays, advertisement and the like on its external surfaces. In the depicted embodiment, portions of the counting/sorting mechanism are visible through a window  126 . A power cord  128  provides power to the mechanism as described below. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a coin sorting assembly  200  according to embodiments of the present disclosure that can be used within a coin sorting and counting device such as the device  100  of  FIG. 1 . The assembly  200  includes a support  208 , a hopper  210  mounted relative to the support  208 , and a wheel  212  mounted to the support  208  and positioned at least partially in the hopper  210 . The wheel  212  includes a paddle  214 , and the wheel  212  and paddle  214  are positioned relative to a sloped track  218 . Coins  225  received by the coin sorting device  200  are directed to the hopper  210 . The wheel  212  can rotate within the hopper  210  to cause the paddle  214  to engage coins  225  within the hopper  210  and lift the coins onto the track  218 . Once the coins  225  are on the track  218 , they slide or roll along the track  218  for further processing. Other suitable mechanisms for placing the coins  225  on the track  218  are also compatible with the present disclosure. In addition to the slight downward slope of the track  218 , the support  208  can also be inclined backward at a slight angle, such as about 20°, so that the coins  225  will rest against a rear surface  219  of the track  218 . The slight angle of the support  208  keeps the coins  225  in place, and keeps them from tipping and falling back down into the hopper  210 . 
     The coin sorting assembly  200  can also include a debris diverter  250 . In particular embodiments, the debris diverter  250  includes a motor  252 , a mounting bracket  254 , a bobbin  258 , and a plurality of vanes  260  extending from the bobbin  258 . The mounting bracket  254  can hold the debris diverter  250  in position relative to a portion of the track  218 . The bobbin  258  and vanes  260  can move relative to the track  218  to permit coins  225  to pass along the track  218  and to prevent other objects from moving along the track  218  in a manner described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an end view of the debris diverter  250  and track  218  of  FIG. 2  according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The debris diverter  250  can be positioned relative to the track  218  with the vanes  260  spaced apart from a portion of the track  218  (e.g., the rear surface  219 ) by a predetermined distance d approximately equal to the thickness of the thickest expected coin  225 . The track  218  can have a first surface  220   a  for engaging the edge of the coins  225 , and a second surface  220   b  generally orthogonal to the first surface  220   a  for engaging the face of the coins  225 . The debris diverter  250  shown is positioned opposite the second surface  220   b  of the track  218 , and is configured to pass over the face of the coins  225  to prevent objects thicker than the predetermined distance d from passing. In other embodiments, the debris diverter  250  can be positioned opposite the first surface  220   a  of the track  218  and can prevent coins or other objects having a larger diameter than a predetermined diameter from passing. The predetermined distance d can be slightly larger than a dimension (e.g., thickness or diameter) of the coins  225  so that the coins  225  can pass by the debris diverter  250  unhindered. For example, in the United States the thickest coin in circulation is the fifty-cent piece which is approximately 0.086 inches thick. The predetermined distance d can therefore be slightly larger than 0.086 inches. The vanes  260  will strike debris thicker than the predetermined distance d, therefore removing the debris from the track  218 . If the coins  225  are misaligned or stacked, it is possible for coins  225  to be knocked from the track  218 . The debris diverter  250  can be positioned over the hopper  210  (see  FIG. 2 ) so all objects deflected from the track  218 —both coins  225  and debris—fall back into the hopper  210 . Some coins  225  or debris may be placed on the track  218  more than once, but eventually the debris diverter  250  will permit the coins  225  to pass while preventing debris from passing. The coins  225  can then proceed onward toward a counting and/or sorting station or any other desired processing mechanism. The debris left in the hopper  210  can then be flushed from the hopper  210  and disposed of. 
     The bobbin  258  can be driven by the motor  252 . The motor  252  can be any of a variety of suitable types of motors, including a DC electric motor. With the bobbin  258  and the vanes  260  in position relative to the track  218 , the motor  252  can be activated when the assembly  200  is in operation and when coins  225  are moving along the track  218  to rotate the vanes  260  relative to the coins  225  and to the track  218 . For example, the debris diverter  250  can be part of a coin sorting assembly  200  ( FIG. 2 ), and a controller (not shown) within the coin sorting assembly  200  can operate the debris diverter  250  when the coin sorting assembly  200  is operated. In contrast to a static gate, which may become jammed and prevent the sorting assembly  200  from operating as desired, the movement of the bobbin  258  and vanes  260  relative to the track  218  can cause the vanes  260  to strike debris and remove the debris from the track  218 . The debris diverter  250  can also include a finger guard  340  to promote safety and to prevent other objects from striking the bobbin  258  and the vanes  260  and interfering with operation. 
     In some embodiments, the motor  252  rotates the bobbin  258  at such a rate that at least one vane  260  will strike each coin  225  passing along the track  218  at an assumed maximum coin rate. In other embodiments, the rotational speed of the bobbin  258  is such that two or more vanes  260  pass over each coin  225  moving along the track  218  at an assumed maximum coin rate. In any of these embodiments, the coin rate and the dimensions of the bobbin  258  and of the vanes  260  can factor into the design of the bobbin  258 . For example, a larger bobbin  258  diameter will typically require a lower rotational speed. The number of vanes  260  and the pitch and spacing of the vanes  260  can also factor into the determination of rotational speed. 
     The predetermined distance d between the vanes  260  and the portion of the track  218  is generally defined by a minimum distance between the vanes  260  and the rear surface  219  of the track  218 . For example, in embodiments in which the vanes  260  move in a circular path, the distance d can be expressed as a difference between the radius of the circular path and the distance between a central axis of the bobbin  258  and the rear surface  219  of the portion of the track  218 . In other embodiments in which the vanes  260  have a different movement pattern, the distance d can be measured differently. The distance d can be adjusted by moving the mounting bracket  254  relative to the track  218 . This allows the debris diverter  250  to accept coins  225  having different thicknesses, such as in countries with different currencies, or for sorting other objects (e.g., bottle caps). 
     The bobbin  258  can rotate with the vanes  260  passing counter to the flow of coins  225  along the track  218  (which is into the page). In other embodiments, the bobbin  258  can rotate in the opposite direction. In some embodiments, the bobbin  258  has a cylindrical shape and the vanes  260  are helical vanes extending along the length of the bobbin  258  and at least partially encircling the bobbin  258 . The helical vanes  260  can have a pitch  8  of approximately 30°. The vanes  260  can have an upward-facing surface  331  and an opposing downward-facing surface  332 . The bobbin  258  and vanes  260  can move with the upward-facing surface  331  leading and the downward-facing surface  332  trailing. When oriented as shown, the upward-facing surface  331  of the vanes  260  lifts debris upward and out of the track  218 . 
     The illustrated embodiment includes a cylindrical bobbin  258  that moves the vanes  260  in a circular path. In other embodiments, the debris diverter  250  includes other bobbin shapes and motor configurations that move the vanes  260  differently. For example, the bobbin  258  can be shaped to move the vanes  260  in a linear path or an elliptical path. The vanes  260  can move relative to the track  218  so that periodically the vanes  260  pass over the track  218  while spaced from the portion of the track  218  by the predetermined distance d. 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate other embodiments of the bobbin  258  and the vanes  260 , configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 4A  shows a bobbin  258   a  having vanes  260   a  with a triangular cross-section, forming a “squeegee” shape.  FIG. 4B  illustrates a bobbin  258   b  with vanes  260   b  having a rectangular cross-section. In yet other embodiments, the vanes can have an asymmetric cross-sectional shape in which the leading edge is sloped, similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 4A , and the trailing edge is flat, similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 4B .  FIG. 4C  illustrates an embodiment in which the bobbin  258   c  has vanes  260   c  that are generally straight and parallel with a central axis of the bobbin  258 . In other words, the bobbin  258   c  and vanes  260   c  have a constant cross-section along their length. The bobbin  258  can be oriented with a distal end  344  tilted slightly toward the upstream direction relative to the track  218  and a proximal end  346  tilted slightly toward the downstream direction. The vanes  260  can therefore still have an upward-facing surface  331  that leads as the bobbin  258  rotates and a downward-facing surface  332  that trails. Other configurations of the vanes  260  are also possible. In still further embodiments, the vanes  260  are not solid, e.g., the vanes  260  include bristles. In yet further embodiments, the vanes  260  can be either flexible or rigid. The bobbin  258  and vanes  260  can be injection-molded using a flexible plastic material to permit a tight fit over a drum that is attached to the motor  252 . 
     In other embodiments, the bobbin  258  has other shapes. For example, in some embodiments the bobbin  258  has a triangular, square, hexagonal, or other polygonal cross-sectional shape. The corners of the polygonal shapes can form vanes and operate to divert debris similar to the vanes  260  discussed above. The polygonal shape of the bobbin  258  can be helical or not. In still further embodiments, more than one bobbin  258  can be used. For example, a second bobbin (not shown) can be positioned with a central axis perpendicular to the first bobbin  258  and can stop debris taller than a predetermined height from passing along the track  218  while allowing coins smaller than the predetermined height to pass. In other embodiments, a second bobbin can have the same orientation as the first bobbin  258  and can accordingly provide redundancy with the first bobbin  258 . 
     The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed technology to the precise embodiments disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize. For example, although certain functions may be described in the present disclosure in a particular order, in alternate embodiments these functions can be performed in a different order or substantially concurrently, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the teachings of the present disclosure can be applied to other systems, not only the representative coin sorting systems described herein. Further, various aspects of the invention described herein can be combined to provide yet other embodiments. 
     All of the references cited herein are incorporated in their entireties by reference. Accordingly, aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary or desirable, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the cited references to provide yet further embodiments of the invention. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above-detailed description. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above-detailed description explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses the disclosed embodiments and all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims. 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the disclosed technology have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the invention. For example, the vanes can be integral with the bobbin, or can be initially separate and joined to the bobbin. The vanes can be formed of multiple individual projections, rather than single continuous projections. Alternatively, the vanes and bobbin can be any suitable shape that, as the bobbin and vanes rotate, a distance between the outermost extent of the vanes and bobbin varies between a predetermined distance and a larger distance. More particularly, the predetermined distance is approximately equal to a largest acceptable size, such as a largest expected coin for a coin counting and sorting machine. Certain aspects of the invention described in the context of particular embodiments may be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Further, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of the disclosed technology have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the disclosed technology. Accordingly, the disclosure and associated technology can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.