Patent Publication Number: US-8992292-B2

Title: Coin processing device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a coin processing device, and more specifically relates to a coin processing device that conveys coins and ejects the coins through predetermined ejection apertures. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Coin processing devices that manage coins are used in, for example, cash registers installed in stores and the like. A coin processing device, after receiving coins, carries out coin verification and identifies the denominations of the coins. The coin processing device separates the coins in accordance with the identification results and ejects the coins through predetermined ejection apertures. 
     In order to selectively eject coins, the above-mentioned coin processing device includes, for example: a rotary member that conveys coins along a conveyance path by rotating; ejection apertures provided on the conveyance path, through which the coins drop; and opening-and-closing members that open and close the ejection apertures. A coin conveyed by the rotary member drops and is ejected in a state in which an ejection aperture is opened up by the opening-and-closing member (for example, see Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2011-108100)). 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In recent years, coin processing devices have been required to process large quantities of coins. As a consequence, there are calls for coins to be conveyed more quickly by the rotary member and for the coins to be more rapidly ejected through the ejection apertures. 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made in consideration of the situation described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved coin processing device that is capable of rapidly ejecting coins conveyed by a rotary member through ejection apertures during rotation of the rotary member. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to solve the problem described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, a coin processing device is provided that includes: a rotary member that conveys a coin along a conveyance path by rotating; an ejection aperture disposed at the conveyance path, through which the coin being conveyed by the rotary member drops; and an opening-and-closing member that turns about a turning shaft between a closed position, at which the opening-and-closing member closes the ejection aperture, and an open position, at which the ejection aperture is opened up such that the coin drops therein, the turning shaft being disposed at a conveyance direction downstream side of the ejection aperture, wherein the rotary member includes an annular rib that is disposed in an annular shape along a circumferential direction at an outer periphery portion of the rotary member, the coin being conveyed along the conveyance path by an indentation portion formed in a floor portion of the annular rib, the open position is a position at which the opening-and-closing member crosses the annular rib, and when the opening-and-closing member is disposed at the open position, the opening-and-closing member is disposed in a vicinity of the annular rib in the radial direction of the rotary member and the opening-and-closing member allows rotation of the rotary member. 
     In this coin processing device, the opening-and-closing member turns about the turning shaft at the conveyance direction downstream side of the ejection aperture, and is disposed at the open position crossing the annular rib. Therefore, it is easy for a coin to drop into the ejection aperture even while the opening-and-closing member is turning from the closed position to the open position. Furthermore, when disposed in the open position, the opening-and-closing member is disposed adjacent to the annular rib in the radial direction of the rotary member and allows the rotation of the rotary member. Therefore, because the rotation of the rotary member may continue even when the opening-and-closing member is disposed at the open position, a coin may be dropped through the ejection aperture while the rotary member is rotating. Thus, according to the coin processing device described above, coins being conveyed by the rotary member may be rapidly ejected through the ejection apertures during rotation of the rotary member. 
     The opening-and-closing member may include: a first opening-and-closing plate that is disposed at the center side in the radial direction of the rotary member relative to the annular rib; and a second opening-and-closing plate that is disposed at the outer side in the radial direction relative to the annular rib, wherein, when the first opening-and-closing plate and the second opening-and-closing plate are at the open position, the first opening-and-closing plate and the second opening-and-closing plate cross the annular rib. 
     The indentation portion may include: a coin conveyance portion that is indented to a predetermined depth and conveys the coin; and a release portion at a portion of the coin conveyance portion at the conveyance direction upstream side thereof, the release portion being indented more deeply than the coin conveyance portion, and it being possible for a portion of the coin to enter the release portion when the coin is tipping and dropping at the ejection aperture. 
     The indentation portion may be plurally provided in the annular rib at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction, and the annular rib may further include a second indentation portion disposed between neighboring the indentation portions in the circumferential direction, an indentation amount of the second indentation portion being smaller than the indentation amount of the indentation portions. 
     The ejection aperture may be a first ejection aperture at which authentic coins are ejected, and the coin processing device may further include: a second ejection aperture that is disposed at the conveyance direction upstream side in the circumferential direction relative to the first ejection aperture, at least one of reject coins and foreign bodies being ejected at the second ejection aperture; and a third ejection aperture that is disposed at the conveyance direction downstream side in the circumferential direction relative to the first ejection aperture, coins that have not been ejected at the first ejection aperture being ejected at the third ejection aperture. 
     The coin processing device may further include: an optical sensor disposed between the second ejection aperture and the first ejection aperture in the circumferential direction, the optical sensor being capable of detecting at least one of reject coins and foreign bodies intended to be ejected at the second ejection aperture; and a magnetic sensor disposed between the first ejection aperture and the third ejection aperture in the circumferential direction, the magnetic sensor being capable of detecting authentic coins intended to be ejected at the first ejection aperture. 
     The coin processing device may further include an adhesive member in which an adhesive layer is formed on a base material, wherein the adhesive member is adhered to the annular rib, via the adhesive layer, so as to cover an outer periphery of the annular rib. 
     The rotary member, the ejection aperture and the opening-and-closing member may structure a portion of a separation unit that separates coins, the coin processing device may further include a verification unit that verifies the coins to be separated by the separation unit, and the separation unit may further include a feed-in aperture through which the coins verified by the verification unit are fed in. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     As described hereabove, according to the present invention, coins conveyed by a rotary member may be rapidly ejected through ejection apertures during rotation of the rotary member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic sectional diagram in which a coin processing device  10  in accordance with a first embodiment is seen in a front view. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic sectional diagram in which the coin processing device  10  in accordance with the first embodiment is seen in a side view. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic plan diagram showing a coin feeding section  20 , a coin verification section  30  and a coin separation section  40  in accordance with the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic sectional diagram showing the coin feeding section  20 , coin verification section  30  and coin separation section  40  in accordance with the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view in which a rotary disc  420  in accordance with the first embodiment is seen from an upper side. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view in which the rotary disc  420  in accordance with the first embodiment is seen from the lower side. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram in which area A in  FIG. 6  is magnified. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view in which a rotary disc  520  in accordance with a variant example is seen from the upper side. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram for describing positional relationships between coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f , a first reject aperture  461  and a second reject aperture  462 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing an ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  and surrounding structures. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram showing open and closed positions of the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a.    
         FIG. 12  is a diagram showing a reject aperture guide  476  and surrounding structures. 
         FIG. 13A  to  FIG. 13E  are diagrams showing a flow of processing in which, after a coin has been verified at the coin verification section  30 , the coin is fed into the coin separation section  40 . 
         FIG. 14A  to  FIG. 14C  are diagrams describing the flow of a coin passing the first reject aperture  461 . 
         FIG. 15A  to  FIG. 15C  are diagrams describing the flow of a coin being ejected through the coin ejection aperture  450   a.    
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view in which a rotary disc  620  in accordance with a second embodiment is seen from an upper side. 
         FIG. 17A  and  FIG. 17B  are diagrams showing a film member  630 . 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Herebelow, preferable embodiments of the present invention are described in detail while referring to the attached drawings. In the present specification and drawings, structural elements with substantially the same functional structures are assigned the same reference symbols, and duplicative descriptions thereof are omitted accordingly. 
     1. First Embodiment 
     1-1. Structure of the Coin Processing Device 
     The structure of a coin processing device  10  according to a first embodiment is described referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 1  is a schematic sectional diagram in which the coin processing device  10  in accordance with the first embodiment is seen in a front view.  FIG. 2  is a schematic sectional diagram in which the coin processing device  10  in accordance with the first embodiment is seen in a side view. 
     The coin processing device  10  manages coins that are being administered by, for example, a cash register installed in a shop or the like. After receiving a batch of coins, the coin processing device  10  performs coin verification of the coins and identifies the denominations thereof. Thereafter, the coin processing device  10  separates the coins into the respective denominations in accordance with the identification results, and pays out separated coins. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the coin processing device  10  includes: a coin feeding section  20 ; a coin verification section  30 , which is an example of a verification unit; a coin separation section  40 , which is an example of a separation unit; a reject coin accommodation section  50 ; a denomination separation hopper  60 ; a conveyance gate  70 ; a coin payout box  80 ; a coin recovery vault  84 ; and a control unit  90 . 
     The coin feeding section  20  receives and temporarily accommodates an inserted batch of coins C. The coin feeding section  20  feeds the accommodated coins C to the coin verification section  30  one at a time. Detailed structure of the coin feeding section  20  is described below. 
     The coin verification section  30  performs verifications of the coins C that have been fed from the coin feeding section  20 . For example, the coin verification section  30  identifies whether the coins are authentic or counterfeit, denominations of the coins, and the like. The coin verification section  30  conveys the verified coins C to the coin separation section  40 . Detailed structure of the coin verification section  30  is described below. 
     The coin separation section  40 , while conveying the coins C, separates and ejects the coins C on the basis of the verification results from the coin verification section  30 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the coin separation section  40  includes a reject aperture  461  and coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f . The reject aperture  461  is an ejection aperture that ejects reject coins verified as being counterfeit, foreign bodies such as trash and the like, and suchlike. The coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  are ejection apertures that eject normal coins verified as authentic, in their respective denominations. The meaning of the term “denominations” is, as an example, the six denominations of Japanese coins: 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen and 500 yen. Detailed structure of the coin separation section  40  is described below. 
     The reject coin accommodation section  50  accommodates the reject coins and foreign bodies such as trash and the like that have passed through the reject aperture  461 . The reject coin accommodation section  50  includes a door  51 , which can be opened and closed, in a front face of the coin processing device  10 . An operator opens the door  51  to collect the reject coins and the like accommodated inside the reject coin accommodation section  50 . 
     The denomination separation hopper  60  accommodates the normal coins that have passed through the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f , separated by denomination. Six hoppers (denomination hoppers  61   a  to  61   f ) are provided in the present embodiment to serve as the denomination separation hopper  60 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the respective denomination hoppers  61   a  to  61   f  are arranged in a row below the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  of the corresponding denominations. The denomination hoppers  61   a  to  61   f  include feeding units that feed the coins C to the conveyance gate  70  one coin at a time. 
     The conveyance gate  70  is provided in correspondence with each of the denomination hoppers  61   a  to  61   f . Conveyance destinations of the coins C fed from the denomination hoppers  61   a  to  61   f  branch from the conveyance gate  70 . The conveyance destinations between which the conveyance gate  70  branches are the route marked with arrow T and the route marked with arrow U in  FIG. 1 . 
     The coin payout box  80  accommodates coins to be paid out. Coins that are conveyed along the route of arrow T by the conveyance gate  70  are accommodated in the coin payout box  80 . The coin payout box  80  may include plural smaller boxes that accommodate coins of the different denominations. 
     The coin recovery vault  84  accommodates coins to be recovered. Coins conveyed along the route of arrow U by the conveyance gate  70  are accommodated in the coin recovery vault  84 . 
     The control unit  90  controls overall operations of the coin processing device  10 . The control unit  90  includes a control section (not shown in the drawings) that controls operations of the respective structural elements described above, and a storage section (not shown in the drawings) that stores programs to be executed by the control section, various kinds of data and so forth. 
     1-2. Detailed Structure of the Coin Feeding Section  20   
     Detailed structure of the coin feeding section  20  according to the first embodiment is described referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 3  is a schematic plan diagram showing the coin feeding section  20 , coin verification section  30  and coin separation section  40  in accordance with the first embodiment.  FIG. 4  is a schematic sectional diagram showing the coin feeding section  20 , coin verification section  30  and coin separation section  40  in accordance with the first embodiment. 
     The coin feeding section  20  receives the coins C that are inputted as a batch, and feeds the coins one at a time to the coin verification section  30 . As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the coin feeding section  20  includes a coin receiving portion  210 , an accommodation portion  220 , a turning disc  230  and a disc driving section  240 . 
     The coin receiving portion  210  is a portion that accepts the coins C inputted to the coin feeding section  20 . The coin receiving portion  210  includes an insertion aperture  212  at which the coins C are inserted. The coins C inserted through the insertion aperture  212  drop into the accommodation portion  220  under gravity. The insertion aperture  212  opens widely such that a large quantity of coins C may be easily inserted as a batch. 
     The accommodation portion  220  is a portion that accommodates the coins C that have dropped through the coin receiving portion  210 . The turning disc  230  is disposed inside the accommodation portion  220  (in an accommodation space). An inner periphery face of the accommodation portion  220  is formed in a shape that runs along the outer periphery of the turning disc  230 , such that the turning disc  230  may be turned. The accommodation portion  220  is capable of accommodating a predetermined quantity of coins C. A passage aperture  222  is provided in a side face of the accommodation portion  220 , so as to direct the coins C to the coin verification section  30 . The passage aperture  222  is formed with a width and height such that the coins C may pass therethrough one at a time. 
     The turning disc  230  is a member with a circular shape that is disposed inside the accommodation portion  220 . The turning disc  230  introduces the coins to the coin verification section  30  by rotating. The turning disc  230  is disposed directly below the coin receiving portion  210 , and the coins in the coin receiving portion  210  fall onto the turning disc  230 . The turning disc  230  receives a rotary driving force from the disc driving section  240  and turns in a predetermined rotation direction. The coins on the turning disc  230  are subject to a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the turning disc  230 , move toward the side wall face of the accommodation portion  220  (the outer periphery side of the turning disc  230 ), and pass through the passage aperture  222 . 
     The disc driving section  240  is a driving section that causes the turning disc  230  to rotate in the predetermined rotation direction. The disc driving section  240  includes a disc motor  242  and a gear train  244 . The disc motor  242  transmits rotary driving force through the gear train  244 , causing a rotary shaft  232  that is attached to the turning disc  230  to rotate. Hence, the turning disc  230  rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the rotary shaft  232 . 
     1-3. Detailed Structure of the Coin Verification Section  30   
     Detailed structure of the coin verification section  30  according to the first embodiment is described referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . 
     The coin verification section  30  performs verifications of the coins C that have been fed from the coin feeding section  20 . As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the coin verification section  30  includes a conveyance path  310 , feeding rollers  320 , a conveyance belt  330  and a verification sensor  340 . 
     The conveyance path  310  is disposed between the coin feeding section  20  and the coin separation section  40 , and is a path along which the coins C are conveyed. The conveyance path  310  is, for example, a plate-shaped conveyance plate, and includes a conveyance surface that conveys the coins C. 
     The feeding rollers  320  are a pair of rollers that feed the coins C that have passed through the passage aperture  222  of the coin feeding section  20  toward the conveyance belt  330 . The feeding rollers  320  receive driving force from a feeding driving section  322 , and nip and convey the coins C one at a time. 
     The conveyance belt  330  conveys the coins C by turning in a state in which a coin C fed by the feeding rollers  320  is sandwiched against the conveyance surface of the conveyance path  310 . The conveyance belt  330  is tensed between a pair of pulleys  332 . The pulleys  332  receive driving force from a belt driving section  334  and rotate, and the conveyance belt  330  turns in conjunction with the rotation of the pulleys  332 . 
     The verification sensor  340  verifies the authenticity and denomination of each coin C during the conveyance thereof by the conveyance belt  330 . In concrete terms, the verification sensor  340  verifies whether a coin C is authentic or counterfeit by identifying the diameter, material and thickness of the coin C, whether or not there is a hole in the middle of the coin C, and so forth. The verification sensor  340  is, for example, an optical sensor. As well as denominations of the coins C, the verification sensor  340  identifies foreign bodies such as trash and the like. 
     The verification sensor  340  outputs the verification results to the control unit  90 . On the basis of the verification results from the verification sensor  340 , the control unit  90  performs control to separate verified coins at the coin separation section  40  and eject the coins through the reject aperture and the coin ejection apertures. 
     1-4. Detailed Structure of the Coin Separation Section  40   
     Detailed structure of the coin separation section  40  according to the first embodiment is described referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . 
     The coin separation section  40 , while conveying the coins C, separates and ejects the coins C on the basis of the verification results from the coin verification section  30 . As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the coin separation section  40  includes: a separation housing  410 ; a rotary disc  420 , which is an example of a rotary member; a disc driving section  430 ; a position detection section  440 ; the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f , which are examples of a first ejection aperture; the first reject aperture  461 , which is an example of a second ejection aperture; and a second reject aperture  462 , which is an example of a third ejection aperture. The coin separation section  40  further includes: ejection aperture opening-and-closing plates  470   a  to  470   f , which are examples of an opening-and-closing member; a reject aperture opening-and-closing plate  474 ; a reject aperture guide  476 ; a feed-in detection sensor  480 ; a foreign body detection sensor  482 ; and coin detection sensors  484   a  to  484   f.    
     The Separation Housing  410   
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the separation housing  410  is a circular tube-shaped member. The separation housing  410  is structured by a housing floor face  412  and a side wall  414 . The housing floor face  412  is specified to be at substantially the same position as the conveyance surface of the conveyance path  310  of the coin verification section  30 . Therefore, coins that have been conveyed along the conveyance path  310  can be easily fed in to the separation housing  410 . 
     A feed-in aperture  415  is formed in the side wall  414 . After the verification by the verification sensor  340 , a coin that has been conveyed by the conveyance belt  330  is fed in through the feed-in aperture  415 . As is described in more detail below, the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f , the first reject aperture  461 , and the second reject aperture  462  are formed in the housing floor face  412 . 
     The Rotary Disc  420   
     The rotary disc  420  is a circular disc-shaped member fabricated of resin. The rotary disc  420  conveys coins in the separation housing  410  by rotating. The rotary disc  420  is disposed inside the separation housing  410  and rotates horizontally over the housing floor face  412 . The rotary disc  420  receives rotary driving force from the disc driving section  430 , and rotates in a predetermined rotation direction with the rotation centered on a rotary shaft  426  that is fixed to the rotary disc  420 . 
     Now, detailed structure of the rotary disc  420  is described referring to  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 5  is a perspective view in which the rotary disc  420  in accordance with the first embodiment is seen from the upper side.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view in which the rotary disc  420  in accordance with the first embodiment is seen from the lower side.  FIG. 7  is a diagram in which area A in  FIG. 6  is magnified, showing a conveyance indentation portion  424 . 
     By rotating, the rotary disc  420  conveys a coin over a conveyance path  418  of the housing floor face  412  (see  FIG. 9 ). As shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , the rotary disc  420  includes a disc portion  421 , an annular rib  422 , linking portions  423 , the conveyance indentation portions  424 , and weight reduction cutaway portions  425 . 
     The disc portion  421  is a flat plate-shaped portion that is disposed at the center side of the rotary disc  420 . The disc portion  421  is disposed inside the separation housing  410  so as to be parallel with the housing floor face  412 . A fitting portion  421   a  that fits onto the rotary shaft  426  is provided at the center of the disc portion  421 . 
     The annular rib  422  is a rib that is provided at an outer periphery portion of the rotary disc  420  in an annular shape in the circumferential direction. The annular rib  422  is provided to be separated from the disc portion  421  in the radial direction of the rotary disc  420  by a predetermined spacing. A width of the annular rib  422  in the axial direction of the rotary disc  420  is greater than a width (thickness) thereof in the radial direction of the rotary disc  420 . 
     The linking portions  423  are plate-shaped portions that link side faces of the disc portion  421  with the annular rib  422 . The linking portions  423  are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotary disc  420 . That is, the linking portions  423  are arranged in a radial pattern as viewed from the center of the rotary disc  420 . 
     The conveyance indentation portions  424  are indentation portions formed in a floor portion of the annular rib  422 . As shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , the conveyance indentation portions  424  are plurally provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. As the rotary disc  420  rotates, the conveyance indentation portions  424  convey coins one by one while retaining the coins. As shown in  FIG. 7 , each conveyance indentation portion  424  includes a retention portion  424   a , which is an example of a coin conveyance portion, a conveyance wall  424   b  and a release portion  424   c.    
     The retention portion  424   a  is a portion that is indented in a rectangular shape. As the rotary disc  420  rotates, the retention portion  424   a  conveys a coin while constraining movements of the coin. A circumferential direction width of the retention portion  424   a  is specified to be slightly larger than the diameter of the coin with the largest diameter among the plural coins with different diameters. A depth of the retention portion  424   a  is specified to be substantially the same as a thickness of the coins. 
     During the rotation of the rotary disc  420 , the conveyance wall  424   b  conveys the coin by touching the coin and pushing the coin. The conveyance wall  424   b  is a wall of the conveyance indentation portion  424  at the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the rotary disc  420 . 
     The release portion  424   c  is a portion of the retention portion  424   a  that is indented more deeply, at a portion at the conveyance direction upstream side of the retention portion  424   a . That is, the conveyance indentation portion  424  is formed in a stepped shape as shown in  FIG. 7 . When a coin conveyed by the conveyance wall  424   b  is tipping diagonally into one of the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  (or the first reject aperture  461  or second reject aperture  462 ), a portion of the coin may enter into the release portion  424   c . As a result, incidences of a coin being gripped between walls at the two sides of the conveyance indentation portion  424  and locking when the coin is dropping into an ejection aperture may be prevented. 
     The weight reduction cutaway portions  425  are portions that are cut away to reduce the weight of the rotary disc  420 . Incision amounts of the weight reduction cutaway portions  425  are smaller than incision amounts of the conveyance indentation portions  424 . Each of the weight reduction cutaway portions  425  is formed between two of the conveyance indentation portions  424  that neighbor one another in the circumferential direction. That is, the weight reduction cutaway portions  425  and the conveyance indentation portions  424  are provided alternately in the circumferential direction. The effects of inertia due to the weight of the rotary disc  420  are suppressed by reducing the weight of the rotary disc  420 . Thus, a stopping time of the intermittently rotating rotary disc  420  may be shortened. 
     The form of the rotary disc  420  is not limited to the structure described above. For example, a form as illustrated in  FIG. 8  is possible.  FIG. 8  is a perspective view in which a rotary disc  520  in accordance with a variant example is seen from the upper side. The structure of the rotary disc  520  according to the variant example differs from the structures of the above-described rotary disc  420  and disc portion  421 , whereas other structures are similar. Now, the structure of a disc portion  521  of the rotary disc  520  according to the variant example is described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , numerous holes  521   b  and reinforcing ribs  521   c  are formed in the disc portion  521  according to the variant example. The holes  521   b  are formed in a radial pattern as seen from the center of the disc portion  521  (a fitting portion  521   a ), with sets of four of the holes  521   b  being formed in the radial direction. The reinforcing ribs  521   c  are formed in the radial direction. Because the numerous holes  521   b  are provided, the rotary disc  520  may be reduced in weight, and because the rotary disc  520  is reduced in weight, stopping positions of the rotary disc  520  may be more easily controlled. 
     The size of each hole  521   b  is specified to be smaller than the diameter of the coin with the smallest expected diameter. Therefore, even if a coin accidentally falls onto the rotary disc  520  from above in the coin processing device  10 , the coin stays on the rotary disc  520 . Consequently, the removal of accidentally dropped coins is easy. 
     The Disc Driving Section  430   
     The disc driving section  430  is a driving section that drives the rotary disc  420  to rotate. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the disc driving section  430  includes a disc motor  432  and a gear train  434 . The disc motor  432  transmits rotary driving force through the gear train  434 , rotating the rotary shaft  426 . Hence, the rotary disc  420  to which the rotary shaft is fixed rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the rotary shaft  426 . Herein, the disc driving section  430  transmits the rotary driving force such that the rotary disc  420  rotates intermittently. 
     The Position Detection Section  440   
     The position detection section  440  is a member for detecting rotation positions of the rotary disc  420 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the position detection section  440  includes a tube member  442  and a detection sensor  444 . 
     The tube member  442  is disposed to be coaxial with the rotary disc  420 . Plural slits  443  are formed at a predetermined angular pitch in an upper face of the tube member  442 . The detection sensor  444  is a sensor that detects passage of the slits  443  when the rotary disc  420  is rotating. As an example, the detection sensor  444  is an optical sensor that includes a light-emitting portion and a light-detecting portion that are opposingly disposed so as to sandwich the tube member  442 . 
     The Coin Ejection Apertures  450   a  to  450   f    
     The coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  are ejection apertures formed in the housing floor face  412  of the separation housing  410 . During the rotation of the rotary disc  420 , coins of respectively different denominations drop into the six coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  (for example, authentic 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen and 500 yen coins). Hence, the coins may be paid out in the respective denominations. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram for describing positional relationships between the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f , the first reject aperture  461  and the second reject aperture  462 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  are formed in the conveyance path  418  of the housing floor face  412  at predetermined intervals in the conveyance direction of the rotary disc  420 . The openings of the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  are specified to be larger than the coin with the largest diameter. The center of each coin ejection aperture and the annular rib  422  are disposed at substantially the same position in the radial direction of the rotary disc  420 . As a result, it is easier for coins being conveyed by the annular rib  422  to drop into the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f.    
     As an example, guides are provided at both sides of the conveyance path  418  and the coins are conveyed along the conveyance path  418  as the rotary disc  420  rotates. While there are six of the coin ejection apertures in the above description, this is not a limitation; there may be five or less. 
     The First Reject Aperture  461   
     The first reject aperture  461  is an ejection aperture formed in the conveyance path  418  of the separation housing  410 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the first reject aperture  461  is disposed at the upstream side of the six coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  in the conveyance direction of the rotary disc  420  (the circumferential direction). 
     The first reject aperture  461  is an ejection aperture that ejects reject coins verified as being counterfeit by the coin verification section  30 , foreign bodies such as trash and the like, and so forth. Because reject coins and foreign bodies are ejected at the first reject aperture  461  that is disposed at the conveyance direction upstream side relative to the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f , incidences of reject coins and foreign bodies being accidentally ejected through the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  may be prevented. 
     The Second Reject Aperture  462   
     The second reject aperture  462  is an ejection aperture formed in the conveyance path  418  of the separation housing  410 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the second reject aperture  462  is disposed at the downstream side of the six coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  in the conveyance direction of the rotary disc  420  (the circumferential direction). 
     The second reject aperture  462  is an ejection aperture that, when a coin that should be ejected through one of the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  is not ejected through the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f , ejects the coin that has passed the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f . Blocking (“jamming”) of the coin separation section  40  by coins that have not been ejected at the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  may be prevented by the provision of the second reject aperture  462 . 
     The Ejection Aperture Opening-And-Closing Plates  470   a  to  470   f    
     Each of the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plates  470   a  to  470   f  opens and closes the respectively corresponding one of the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  by turning about a turning shaft  471   d  (see  FIG. 11 ). Each of the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plates  470   a  to  470   f  turns between a closed position, at which that one of the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plates  470   a  to  470   f  closes off the corresponding one of the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f , and an open position, at which the corresponding one of the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  is opened up. 
     The six ejection aperture opening-and-closing plates  470   a  to  470   f  have matching structures. Herebelow, the structure of the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  is described referring to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  and surrounding structures.  FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram showing the open and closed positions of the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a.    
     The ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  is formed in a bifurcated shape as shown in  FIG. 10 , with a first plate portion  471   a , which is an example of a second opening-and-closing plate, and a second plate portion  471   b , which is an example of a first opening-and-closing plate. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the first plate portion  471   a  is disposed at the outer side in the radial direction relative to the annular rib  422 , and the second plate portion  471   b  is disposed at the center side in the radial direction relative to the annular rib  422 . To prevent interference between the second plate portion  471   b  and the rotary disc  420 , a spacing between the disc portion  421  and the annular rib  422  is a little larger than the width of the second plate portion  471   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  (the first plate portion  471   a  and the second plate portion  471   b ) turns about the turning shaft  471   d  that is disposed at the conveyance direction downstream side of the coin ejection aperture  450   a . By turning, the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  is disposed at the closed position at which the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  closes off the coin ejection aperture  450   a  (the position shown by broken lines in  FIG. 11 ) and the open position at which the coin ejection aperture  450   a  is opened up (the position shown by solid lines in  FIG. 11 ). 
     When the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  is disposed at the closed position, because the first plate portion  471   a  and the second plate portion  471   b  cover the coin ejection aperture  450   a , coins are not ejected through the coin ejection aperture  450   a  but pass over the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a . On the other hand, when the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  is disposed at the open position, the first plate portion  471   a  and the second plate portion  471   b  leave the coin ejection aperture  450   a  open, so coins drop into the coin ejection aperture  450   a  and are ejected. When at the open position, the first plate portion  471   a  and second plate portion  471   b  cross the annular rib  422 . The ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  includes the function of guiding a coin to drop into the coin ejection aperture  450   a.    
     When the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  is disposed at the open position, distal end portions of the first plate portion  471   a  and second plate portion  471   b  (i.e., portions at the opposite sides thereof from the turning shaft  471   d ) are disposed higher than the annular rib  422  in the up-and-down direction, as shown in  FIG. 11 . Hence, because the above-described first plate portion  471   a  and second plate portion  471   b  are disposed at (in the vicinities of) the two sides of the annular rib  422  in the radial direction, the rotary disc  420  may continue rotating even in the state in which the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  is disposed at the open position. Therefore, a coin may be ejected into the coin ejection aperture  450   a  while the rotary disc  420  is rotating, and coin separation and ejection processing may be made quicker. 
     The Reject Aperture Opening-And-Closing Plate  474   
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the reject aperture opening-and-closing plate  474  opens and closes the first reject aperture  461  by turning. The reject aperture opening-and-closing plate  474  turns between a closed position at which the reject aperture opening-and-closing plate  474  closes off the first reject aperture  461  and an open position at which the first reject aperture  461  is opened up. The structures and operation of the reject aperture opening-and-closing plate  474  are the same as the structure and operation of the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  described above, so are not described in detail here. 
     When the reject aperture opening-and-closing plate  474  is disposed at the closed position, coins being conveyed by the rotary disc  420  pass over the reject aperture opening-and-closing plate  474 . When the reject aperture opening-and-closing plate  474  is disposed at the open position, a reject coin or foreign body being conveyed by the rotary disc  420  is guided by the reject aperture opening-and-closing plate  474 , and thus drops into the first reject aperture  461  and is ejected. 
     The Reject Aperture Guide  476   
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the reject aperture guide  476  guides coins to drop into the second reject aperture  462 . Unlike the reject aperture opening-and-closing plate  474  that opens and closes, the reject aperture guide  476  is a fixed guide. The reason for the reject aperture guide  476  being a fixed guide is that all coins reaching the second reject aperture  462  are to be ejected, so there is no need for a structure that closes off the second reject aperture  462 .  FIG. 12  is a diagram showing the reject aperture guide  476  and surrounding structures. 
     The Feed-in Detection Sensor  480   
     The feed-in detection sensor  480  is disposed in the vicinity of the feed-in aperture  415  shown in  FIG. 4 , and detects coins C that are conveyed into the coin separation section  40  through the feed-in aperture  415 . The feed-in detection sensor  480  is, as an example, a magnetic sensor. 
     The Foreign Body Detection Sensor  482   
     The foreign body detection sensor  482  detects whether or not a reject coin, foreign body or the like that was intended to be ejected through the first reject aperture  461  actually has been ejected through the first reject aperture  461 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the foreign body detection sensor  482  is disposed between the first reject aperture  461  and the coin ejection aperture  450   a  in the coin conveyance direction of the rotary disc  420 . 
     The foreign body detection sensor  482  is, as an example, an optical sensor. Therefore, foreign bodies such as trash and the like may be detected as well as reject coins. When a reject coin, foreign body or the like has been ejected through the first reject aperture  461 , the foreign body detection sensor  482  does not detect that reject coin, foreign body or the like. On the other hand, when a reject coin, foreign body or the like has not been ejected through the first reject aperture  461 , the foreign body detection sensor  482  detects that the reject coin, foreign body or the like has passed the first reject aperture  461 . 
     No foreign body detection sensor is provided at the conveyance direction downstream side of the second reject aperture  462 . This is because, in contrast with the first reject aperture  461 , all coins and the like reaching the second reject aperture  462  are ejected through the second reject aperture  462 , and there are no coins or the like that pass the second reject aperture  462 . 
     The Coin Detection Sensors  484   a  to  484   f    
     The coin detection sensors  484   a  to  484   f  detect whether or not coins that should be ejected through the corresponding coin ejection apertures among the six coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  are actually ejected through these coin ejection apertures. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the six coin detection sensors  484   a  to  484   f  are disposed at the conveyance direction downstream sides of the corresponding coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f . For example, the coin detection sensor  484   a  is disposed between the coin ejection aperture  450   a  and the coin ejection aperture  450   b  in the conveyance direction of the rotary disc  420 . 
     In contrast to the foreign body detection sensor  482  that is an optical sensor, the coin detection sensors  484   a  to  484   f  are, as an example, magnetic sensors. When a coin has been ejected from a corresponding coin ejection aperture, the coin detection sensor disposed at the conveyance direction downstream side of that coin ejection aperture does not detect that coin. On the other hand, in a case in which the coin is not ejected from that one of the coin ejection apertures, that coin detection sensor detects that the coin has passed the coin ejection aperture. Because a variety of sensors in accordance with detection targets are used as the above described foreign body detection sensor  482  and coin detection sensors  484   a  to  484   f , a high detection accuracy is possible. 
     1-5. Operations of the Coin Processing Device 
     Now, an operation example of the coin processing device  10  with the structure described above is described. Herebelow, an operation example of the coin processing device  10  from coins being inserted to the coins being separated and ejected is described. The operation of the coin processing device  10  is implemented by the control section of the control unit  90 . That is, the control section implements the operations described below by executing a program stored in the storage section. 
     First, a batch of coins are inserted into the coin receiving portion  210  of the coin feeding section  20 , and the inserted coins are stacked on the turning disc  230 . Then, when the turning disc  230  rotates, the coins on the turning disc  230  are subjected to centrifugal force due to the rotation and move along the inner periphery face of the accommodation portion  220 , and are pushed out through the passage aperture  222  to the conveyance path  310  of the coin verification section  30  one at a time. 
       FIG. 13A  to  FIG. 13E  are diagrams showing a flow of processing in which, after a coin has been verified at the coin verification section  30 , the coin is fed into the coin separation section  40 . A coin pushed out to the conveyance path  310  is conveyed by the conveyance belt  330 , and the authenticity, denomination and the like of the coin are verified by the verification sensor  340 , as shown in  FIG. 13A . The verification sensor  340  outputs the verification results to the control unit  90 . On the basis of the received verification results, the control unit  90  determines which coin ejection aperture of the six coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  the verified coin is to be ejected through. 
     After the verification, as shown in  FIG. 13B , the coin is conveyed further by the conveyance belt  330 , and is conveyed through the feed-in aperture  415  of the coin separation section  40  into the separation housing  410 . At this time, the rotation of the rotary disc  420  of the coin separation section  40  is paused. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13C , the feeding in of the coin that has been fed into the separation housing  410  is detected by the feed-in detection sensor  480 . When the coin is detected by the feed-in detection sensor  480 , as shown in  FIG. 13D  and  FIG. 13E , the rotary disc  420  resumes rotation. Accordingly, the annular rib  422  of the rotary disc  420  conveys the coin. 
     The coin being conveyed by the rotary disc  420  is ejected through the coin ejection aperture determined by the control unit  90 . Herein, as described above, the coin verification section  30  and the coin separation section  40  of the present embodiment are separately arranged. Therefore, even if time is required for processing by the verification sensor  340 , the ejection destination coin ejection aperture may be determined before the coin is fed into the coin separation section  40 . Accordingly, the coin ejection apertures may be disposed closer to the feed-in aperture than in a case in which a verification sensor is disposed in a coin separation section. Hence, the coin separation section may be reduced in size. 
     Herebelow, a flow of coin ejection processing is described, in which a coin passes the first reject aperture  461  and is ejected through the coin ejection aperture  450   a.    
       FIG. 14A  to  FIG. 14C  are diagrams describing the flow of the coin passing the first reject aperture  461 . Because the coin is not to be ejected through the first reject aperture  461 , as shown in  FIG. 14A , the reject aperture opening-and-closing plate  474  is disposed at the closed position, closing the first reject aperture  461 . As shown in  FIG. 14B , the coin being conveyed by the rotary disc  420  passes over the reject aperture opening-and-closing plate  474  that is disposed in the closed position. Thereafter, the coin passes over the foreign body detection sensor  482 . While the coin is disposed above the foreign body detection sensor  482 , rotation of the rotary disc  420  pauses. A succeeding coin is fed in during this pause of the rotary disc  420 . 
       FIG. 15A  to  FIG. 15C  are diagrams describing the flow of a coin being ejected through the coin ejection aperture  450   a . Because the coin is to be ejected through the coin ejection aperture  450   a , as shown in  FIG. 15A , the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  is disposed at the open position, opening up the coin ejection aperture  450   a . As shown in  FIG. 15B , the coin being conveyed by the rotary disc  420  starts to drop into the coin ejection aperture  450   a  while the rotary disc  420  is rotating. At this time, a portion of the coin temporarily enters the release portion  424   c , after which the coin drops into the coin ejection aperture  450   a.    
     Thereafter, as shown in  FIG. 15C , the coin falls into the coin ejection aperture  450   a  and is ejected. When the coin has been ejected through the coin ejection aperture  450   a , the coin is not detected by the coin detection sensor  484   a . Thus, the control unit  90  detects that the coin has been ejected through the coin ejection aperture  450   a.    
     In a case in which the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  is not disposed at the open position, due to mis-operation or the like, and the coin does not drop into the coin ejection aperture  450   a , the coin is detected by the coin detection sensor  484   a . When the coin detection sensor  484   a  detects the coin, this detection result is outputted to the control unit  90 . The coin that has not been ejected through the coin ejection aperture  450   a  is subsequently conveyed by the rotary disc  420  and ejected through the second reject aperture  462 . 
     In the above description, a case is described in which an authentic coin is verified by the verification sensor  340 . However, when a reject coin, a foreign body or the like is verified, the following operation is executed. When the reject coin, foreign body or the like is verified by the verification sensor  340 , the reject aperture opening-and-closing plate  474  is disposed at the open position and the reject coin, foreign body or the like is ejected through the first reject aperture  461  during the rotation of the rotary disc  420 . 
     The coin processing device  10  carries out the processing described above for all of the inserted coins. When the verification and separation of the coins inputted in the batch has been completed, the present operation ends. 
     1-6. Effectiveness of the Coin Processing Device 
     As described hereabove, in the coin processing device  10 , the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plates  470   a  to  470   f  turn about the turning shafts  471   d  at the conveyance direction downstream sides of the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f , to be disposed at the open positions crossing the annular rib  422 . Therefore, a coin may easily drop into one of the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  even during turning of that ejection aperture opening-and-closing plate  470   a  to  470   f  from the closed position to the open position. Thus, even if the rotation speed of the rotary disc  420  is fast and the opening and closing operations of the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plates  470   a  to  470   f  are slow, the coins may be appropriately ejected. 
     When the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plates  470   a  to  470   f  are disposed at the open positions, the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plates  470   a  to  470   f  are disposed in the vicinity of the annular rib  422  in the radial direction of the rotary disc  420 , and allow rotation of the rotary disc  420 . Therefore, the rotation of the rotary disc  420  may continue even when the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plates  470   a  to  470   f  are disposed at the open positions. Thus, coins may be dropped through the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  while the rotary disc  420  is rotating. 
     The reject aperture opening-and-closing plate  474  that opens and closes the first reject aperture  461  exhibits the same operations and effects. That is, a reject coin, foreign body or the like drops through the first reject aperture  461  during the rotation of the rotary disc  420 . Thus, according to the coin processing device  10  described above, coins being conveyed by the rotary disc  420  may be rapidly ejected through the coin ejection apertures  450   a  to  450   f  and the first reject aperture  461  during the rotation of the rotary disc  420 . 
     2. Second Embodiment 
     The structure of a rotary disc  620  according to a second embodiment is described referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17 .  FIG. 16  is a perspective view in which the rotary disc  620  in accordance with the second embodiment is seen from the upper side.  FIG. 17A  and  FIG. 17B  are diagrams showing a film member  630 . 
     The structure of the rotary disc  620  according to the second embodiment differs from the rotary disc  520  according to the variant example of the first embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8 , in that the film member  630 , which is an example of an adhesive member, is wound and adhered onto an outermost periphery of the rotary disc  620 . Other structures of the rotary disc  620  are the same as in the rotary disc  520 , so the other structures are not described in detail here. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the film member  630  covers the outer periphery of the annular rib  422  of the rotary disc  620  along the circumferential direction of the rotary disc  620 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the film member  630  includes a base material  631  and an adhesive layer  633 . The base material  631  is formed of a resin film, for example, a polyethylene terephthalate film or the like. The adhesive layer  633  is formed of, for example, double-sided tape. The adhesive layer  633  is formed over substantially the whole area of the base material  631 . 
     The film member  630  and the annular rib  422  are adhered together by the adhesive layer  633 . In addition to the function of adhering the film member  630  to the annular rib  422 , the adhesive layer  633  features the following function: if a portion of the annular rib  422  becomes broken, the adhesive layer  633  retains the broken portion, and thus separation of the broken portion from the annular rib  422  may be suppressed. Hence, the coin conveyance performance of the annular rib  422  may be maintained. A rotary disc  620  of which a portion of the annular rib  422  has broken can be replaced in periodic maintenance of the coin processing device  10 . 
     The rotary disc  620  is fabricated of, for example, polycarbonate (PC). Thus, breakages of the rotary disc  620  may be suppressed. As a result, operational failures of the rotary disc  620  resulting from breakages of the disc may be prevented. 
     Preferable embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail while referring to the attached drawings, but the present invention is not limited by these examples. It will be clear to the practitioner having ordinary skill in the field of art to which the present invention belongs that numerous modifications and improvements are possible within the scope of the technical gist recited in the attached claims, and it should be understood that these modifications and improvements are to be encompassed by the technical scope of the invention. 
     In the above descriptions, each of the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plates  470   a  to  470   f  includes the first plate portion  471   a  and the second plate portion  471   b  that are disposed in the two vicinities of the annular rib  422  in the radial direction of the rotary disc  420 , but this is not limiting. For example, the ejection aperture opening-and-closing plates  470   a  to  470   f  may include only one or other of the first plate portion  471   a  and the second plate portion  471   b.    
     EXPLANATION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           10  Coin processing device 
           20  Coin feeding section 
           30  Coin verification section 
           40  Coin separation section 
           90  Control unit 
           330  Conveyance belt 
           340  Verification sensor 
           410  Separation housing 
           415  Feed-in aperture 
           418  Conveyance path 
           420  Rotary disc 
           421  Disc portion 
           422  Annular rib 
           423  Linking portions 
           424  Conveyance indentation portion 
           424   a  Retention portion 
           424   b  Conveyance wall 
           424   c  Release portion 
           425  Weight reduction cutaway portions 
           430  Disc driving section 
           440  Position detection section 
           450   a - 450   f  Coin ejection apertures 
           461  First reject aperture 
           462  Second reject aperture 
           470   a - 470   f  Ejection aperture opening-and-closing plates 
           471   a  First plate portion 
           471   b  Second plate portion 
           471   d  Turning shaft 
           474  Reject aperture opening-and-closing plate 
           476  Reject aperture guide 
           480  Feed-in detection sensor 
           482  Foreign body detection sensor 
           484   a - 484   f  Coin detection sensors 
           520  Rotary disc 
           521  Disc portion 
           521   b  Holes 
           521   c  Reinforcing ribs 
           620  Rotary disc 
           630  Film member 
           631  Base material 
           633  Adhesive layer