Patent Abstract:
A device for sorting disks or disk-like members of different identities (e.g., roulette chips) that ejects the disks from a receptacle by means of a rotating wheel with numerous wells, such as multi-chip storage compartments. Ejection of an article from the numerous wells is achieved by an ejector lever making contact with an activated solenoid thus forcing the article at the bottom of the well, in conjunction with the momentum of the rotating wheel, into a receiving space. The disks in the receiving spaces are continually replaced by newly arriving disks, which force the previously positioned disks upwards into a column.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/069,426, which was filed on Mar. 1, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,268, issued Apr. 10, 2007, which is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/742,722, filed Dec. 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,589, issued Dec. 20, 2005, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/444,178, filed Feb. 3, 2003. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to sorting articles, and more particularly, to an apparatus for sorting disk-shaped articles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Sorting devices of this general type exist in many different embodiments and may be used for sorting disks of widely different kinds. A common field of application is coin sorting. In this field of application, the disks are constituted by coins and their identities are represented by their denomination and may be separated by dimension, weight, electrical properties, radio-frequency identification (RFID) or any other characteristic of the coins by which they differ from the others. There are also fields of application other than coin sorting such as sorting tokens, labeling disks, electrical and optical filter disks, coil cores, and so on. 
     Still another field of application is the sorting of gaming chips and the like, and the invention will be illustrated by the description of the embodiment which is particularly adapted for the sorting of gaming chips. However, the applicability of the invention is not limited to the sorting of gaming chips, but also embraces sorting of other disks or disk-like articles. 
     Another apparatus for sorting and/or handling of disk-like members was invented in 1979, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,157,139 assigned to Bertil Knutsson. This device is called the “Chipper Champ.” The device described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,157,139, however, uses a conveyor belt to separate and distribute the articles. The apparatus is rather complex as it uses a lot of mechanical parts to separate, transport and stack the disk-like articles. In addition, after having identified the unique characteristics of the any one of the articles, the apparatus is only capable of stacking one article at any one given time. Furthermore, the device is very large and, when using the apparatus for sorting gaming chips, the device interferes with the operator as it not only reduces the available working space of the apron on a roulette table, it also impedes the movement of the dealer on the floor. 
     After separation, the gaming chips are stacked into a rack in which ten columns are placed in a horizontal plane at 45 degrees, one next to the other. With this device, the dealer is only able to stand to one side of the device, and not directly behind it, as the distance to the roulette table is too far to reach. This necessitates, on occasion, the dealer having to extend his arm and body laterally to retrieve chips from the farthest columns. This creates an uncomfortable and unnatural working condition. 
     Due to the internal mechanical design of the Chipper Champ, the device can jam, and break or damage the gaming chips. 
     Besides the abovementioned apparatus, other devices have been produced specifically for use within the gaming industry. One of these is called the “ChipMaster” from CARD (Casino Austria Research and Development), the “Chameleon” and the “Chipper 2000” (U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,217). The ChipMaster is only used by CARD and is a mechanically very complex device. Its operation is unique in that it pushes the gaming chips through the table but this requires substantial modification to the gaming table for it to be fitted. In addition, the device is substantial in size and is specifically designed for a roulette table. The Chameleon has been withdrawn from the market due to operational flaws and the Chipper 2000 is an exact copy of the Chipper Champ mentioned above. 
     The present invention is aimed at one or more of the problems identified above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for receiving and sorting disks having a parameter is provided. The parameter of each disk has one of a plurality of values. The apparatus includes a frame, a wheel, a motor, a disk sensor, a collecting device, and an ejector. The wheel has at least one hole forming a well for receiving a disk. The motor is coupled to the frame and the wheel for controllably rotating the wheel about an axis. The disk sensor is coupled to the frame and positioned relative to the well. The sensor senses the value of the parameter of the disk and responsively generates a parameter value signal as a function of the value. The collecting device is coupled to the frame and positioned relative to the wheel. The collecting device has at least first and second collectors for receiving disks. The ejector is coupled to the frame and positioned relative to the well. The ejector ejects the disk from the well in response to receiving an eject signal. The apparatus further includes a controller coupled to the disk sensor and the ejector. The controller receives the parameter value signal and responsively sends an eject signal to the ejector to eject the disk from the well into the first collector when the parameter value signal has a first value and sends an eject signal to the ejector to eject the disk from the well into the second collector when the parameter value signal has a second value. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for receiving and sorting disks having a parameter is provided. The parameter of each disk has one of a plurality of values. The apparatus includes a frame, a wheel, a motor, a disk sensor, a collecting device, and a plurality of ejectors. The wheel has a plurality of holes forming a plurality of wells. Each well receives a disk and is rotatably coupled to the frame. The motor is coupled to the frame and the wheel and controllably rotates the wheel about an axis. The disk sensor is coupled to the frame and positioned relative to the well. The sensor senses the value of the parameter of the disk and responsively generates a parameter value signal. The collecting device is coupled to the frame and positioned relative to the wheel. The collecting device has a plurality of collectors for receiving disks. Each collector is associated with one of the values of the parameter. The plurality of ejectors are coupled to the frame and positioned relative to the plurality of wells. Each ejector ejects a disk from the well in response to receiving an eject signal. A controller is coupled to the disk sensor and the plurality of ejectors. The controller receives the parameter value signal and responsively sends an eject signal to at least one of the ejectors to eject the disk from at least one of the wells into a respective collector as a function of the parameter value signal. 
     In still another aspect of the present invention, a collecting device assembly for use with an apparatus for sorting disks has a first end and a second end and a plurality of collectors. Each collector has first and second ends. The first ends of the collectors are aligned with the first end of the collecting device assembly. The second ends of the collectors are aligned with the second end of the collecting device assembly. The first ends of the collectors are arranged in a semi-circle and have a first radius. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for receiving and sorting disks having a parameter is provided. The parameter of each disk has one of a plurality of values. The apparatus includes a rotating wheel. The wheel has at least one well for receiving a disk. The wheel receives a first disk in a first well. The method includes the steps of sensing the value of the parameter of the first disk and ejecting the first disk into one of a plurality of collectors when the first well is aligned with the one collector and the value of the parameter of the first disk is equal to a value associated with the one collector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an apparatus for receiving and sorting disks; 
         FIG. 2  is a first diagrammatic illustration of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a second diagrammatic illustration of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top diagrammatic illustration of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a portion of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic illustration of a bottom view of a wheel of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic illustration of a base plate of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic illustration of a well of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic illustration of an ejector of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic illustration of a side view of the ejector of the apparatus of  FIG. 9 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic illustration of a side view of the base plate side of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic illustration of an exploded view of a solenoid of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagrammatic illustration of the solenoid of the apparatus of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a diagrammatic illustration of a collector of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagrammatic illustration of a guide of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a diagrammatic illustration of a receptor of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a diagrammatic illustration of a rack for use with the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 18  is a second diagrammatic illustration of the rack of  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1  and in operation, the present invention provides an apparatus or sorting device  10  for receiving and sorting disks  12 . The disks  12  have a parameter. The disks  12  may be differentiated by the value of the parameter. For example, the disks  12  may be gaming chips, which typically have different colors representing different monetary values. It should be noted, however, that the present invention is not limited to the parameter being color. Any type of parameter that may be sensed or detected to distinguish and separate disks may be used. For example, the parameter may be, but is not limited to, one of color, an image, bar code (or other discernible pattern), or RFID created by an embedded integrated circuit (IC) chip. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the apparatus  10  includes a housing  14  which in the illustrated embodiment, includes a frame  16  having a circular cross-section. The frame  16  may be covered by a flexible protective cover  18 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  10  also includes a wheel  20  and a motor  22  coupled to the frame  16  and the wheel  20 . The wheel  20  includes at least one hole forming a well (see below) for receiving one of the disks  12 . The wheel  20  is rotatably coupled to the frame  16  and is rotated about an axis  24  (see  FIG. 2 ) by the motor  22 . 
     A disk parameter sensor  26  is coupled to the frame  16  and positioned relative to the well. The sensor  26  senses a value of the parameter of the disk  12  in one of the wells and responsively generates a parameter value signal as a function of the value. The sensor  26  is dependent upon the nature of the parameter. For example, in one embodiment, the parameter is color and the sensor  26  is a color sensor. It should be noted, however, the sensor  26  may be a digital image sensor, a bar code reader, or RFID detector, or any other suitable sensor for sensing, detecting or reading the value of the parameter. In the embodiment, discussed below, the sensor  26  is a color sensor, but the present invention is not limited to such. 
     The apparatus  10  further includes a collecting device  28  coupled to the frame  16  and positioned relative to the wheel  20 . The collecting device  28  includes a collecting device assembly  29  having a first end  29 A and a second end  29 B. 
     The collecting device  28  includes a plurality of collectors  30  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     In one embodiment, each collector  30  has first and second ends. The first ends of the plurality of collectors  30  are aligned with the first ends  29 A of the collecting device assembly  29 . The second ends of the plurality of collectors  30  are aligned with the second ends  29 B of the collecting device assembly  29 . The first ends of the plurality of collectors  30  are arranged in a semi-circle having a first radius. In the illustrated embodiment, the collecting device  28  is a rack  32  and the plurality of collectors  30  are column assemblies  34 . The rack  32  is described more fully below. 
     In another embodiment, the plurality of collectors  30  may be individual bags (not shown) connected to the frame  16  which are positioned relative to the wheel  20  for collecting the disks  12  as the disks  12  are ejected (see below). 
     At least one ejector  36  is coupled to the frame  16  and positioned relative to the well (see below). The ejector  36  ejects the disk  12  from the well in response to receiving an eject signal. 
     A controller  38  is coupled to the disk parameter sensor  26  and the ejector  36 . The controller  38  receives the parameter value signal and responsively sends an eject signal to the ejector  36  to eject the disk  12  from the well into the first collector  30  when the parameter value signal has a first value and for sending an eject signal to the ejector  36  to eject the disk  12  from the well into the second collector  30  when the parameter value signal has a second value. The plurality of collectors  30  are spaced apart at a predetermined angle, e.g., 15 degrees. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus  10  may include a position sensor  40 . The position sensor  40  is coupled to the frame  16  and senses the relative position of the wheel  20  as it rotates. The position sensor  40  generates a position signal, which is delivered to the controller  38  (see below). In still another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus  10  may include a motor position sensor  22 A for sensing a position of the motor  22  (see below). 
     With specific reference to  FIGS. 2-16 , an exemplary sorting device  50  for the sorting of gaming chips  52 , according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The gaming chips  52  are flat disks, which only differ from one another by their color and/or value. 
     The sorting device  50  is built in such a way that it may be positioned next to the dealer at the gaming table (not shown). This allows the dealer to rake or move the gaming chips  52  into a storage compartment  54  and pick up stacks of sorted chips  52  in batches of twenty or other pre-determined amounts, and place them onto the table before handing them out to the players. The sorting device  50  has a feed  56  into the storage compartment  54  that may also serve as a cover. 
     A wheel  58  rotates inside the storage compartment  54 . The wheel  58  has a plurality of holes  60  spaced apart. In the illustrated embodiment, the wheel  58  has eighteen holes  60  spaced 20 degrees apart. 
     Underneath each of the holes  60  in the wheel  58 , a well  62  is attached. The wells  62  immediately absorb or accept the chips  52  dropped from the storage compartment  54 . Each well  62  has an ejector compartment  104 . 
     The wheel  58  may also include a plurality of studs  64  located adjacent the plurality of holes  60  on the wheel  58 . The plurality of studs  64  on the wheel  58  assist in evenly distributing the chips  52  on the wheel  58 . 
     In addition, one or more chip reflector plates  66  may be mounted to the edge of the wheel  58 . The straight corners of the chip reflector plate  66  assist in the distribution of the chips  52  and avoid endless “running” of the chips  52  along the edge of the wheel  58 . 
     With specific reference to  FIG. 6 , the bottom of the wheel  58  shows the eighteen attached wells  62 . Each well  62  has an associated ejector lever  68 , which is movable between first and second positions. The first position is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 9  is the default position, i.e., pointing towards the center of the wheel  58 . 
     With specific reference to  FIG. 9 , each ejector lever  68  pivots about a pivot point  68 A. The ejector lever  68  is shown in the first or default position. As described below, the ejector lever  68  may be pivoted about the pivot point  68 A in a counter-clockwise direction towards the second position to eject a chip  52  in the associated well  62 . 
     The wheel  58  has an upper surface  58 A and a bottom surface  58 B. A large sprocket wheel  70  is mounted to the bottom surface  58 B of the wheel  58 . An axle  72  is mounted at the center of the wheel  58 . 
     With specific reference to  FIG. 7 , the apparatus or sorting device  10  may also include a base plate  74  mounted to the frame  16 . The base plate  74  has an aperture  76 . A shaft  78  is disposed within the aperture  76  and has an inner bore  80 . 
     The axle  72  slides into the inner bore  80  of the shaft  78  at the base plate  74  so that the wheel  58  may rotate. The sprocket wheel  70  is used to drive the wheel  58  forward by a drive gear  82  of a motor  83 , such as a stepper motor, fixed to the base plate  74 . 
     At various points, metal reference pins  84  (see  FIG. 9 ) are placed at the bottom of the wheel  58  to monitor the position of the wells  62  relative to the collecting device  28  (see below), which are placed at fixed positions on the base plate  74 , outside the circumference of the wheel  58 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, each well or ejector compartment  62  has an associated metal reference pin  84  mounted thereto as a reference. The metal reference pins  84  are spaced 20 degrees apart since the wells  62  are spaced 20 degrees apart. The metal reference pins  84  are detected by a synchronization sensor  94  such as a hall effect sensor, as the wheel  58  rotates. 
     In addition, the motor position sensor  22 A may be an encoder mounted adjacent the motor  83 ,  22 . In one embodiment, 1-degree reference points are measured directly from the motor position sensor  22 A or encoder. The data collected from these reference points is used to determine when an ejector compartment  104  is aligned with a collector  30  of the collecting device  28  (which is every five degrees) so that, when needed, a chip  52  can be ejected from the well  62  into a collector  30 . 
     Each well  62  includes a bottom plate  88 . Each bottom plate  88  includes a small slotted cutout  90 . A color sensor  92  is mounted to the base plate  74  and reads the chip  52  when it passes the color sensor  92 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the color sensor  92  and the synchronization sensor  94  is mounted to the bottom surface  58 B of the base plate  74  adjacent an associated aperture  96 ,  98 . The motor position sensor  22 A senses each 1-degree of movement of the motor  22 ,  83  and generates 1-degree reference point signals. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , the shape of the wells  62  is such that the diameter at the top  100  (the part of the well  62  attached to the wheel  58 ), is larger then the diameter at the bottom  102 . This creates a funnel that facilitates the collection of the chips into a stack in the well  62 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the ejector compartment  104  can just hold one chip  52  and is located at the bottom of each well  62 . As discussed below, chips  52  are ejected from the ejector compartment  104 . When chips  52  drop from the storage compartment  54  and onto the wheel  58 , the chips  52  will, after a few turns of the wheel  58 , fill up the wells  62 . Since the wheel  58  rotates constantly, the plurality of studs  64  assist with the distribution of the chips  52 . The first chip  52  that falls into an empty well  62  will land at the bottom part of the well, i.e., the ejector compartment  104 . With reference to  FIGS. 6 ,  9 , and  10 , each ejector compartment  104  has an associated ejector lever  68 . A spring  106  biases the ejector lever  68  to the default position. A retention clip  108 , second spring  110 , and a rubber stop  112  are arranged to absorb the sound of the returning ejector lever  68 . The retention clip  108  retains the chip  52  from falling out of the ejector compartment  104  as the wheel  58  is rotating. 
     With specific reference to  FIGS. 2-5  and  7 , in the illustrated embodiment the collecting device  28  is a rack  32  which includes a rack assembly  116 . The rack assembly  116  includes a plurality of column assemblies  118  and a rack base portion  120 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rack assembly  116  has nine column assemblies  118 . 
     In operation, the ejector lever  68  pushes the chip  52  out of the ejector compartment  104  into one of the nine column assemblies  118 , which are mounted at a fixed position on the base plate  74  via the rack base portion  120 . As the chip  52  pushed out more than 50%, a flattened edge  122  of the ejector compartment  104  (see  FIG. 10 ) forces the chip  52  into one of the column assemblies  118 . 
     The base plate  74  is placed at an angle to allow the chips  52  in the storage compartment  54  to drop directly onto the rotating wheel  58 . The shaft  78  in the center of the base plate  74  will accept the wheel axle  72 . 
     With specific reference to  FIG. 11 , nine push-type solenoids  124  (only three of which are visible) are mounted to the base plate  74 . Also mounted to the base plate  74  are the rack assembly  116 , the motor  22 , the synchronization sensor  94 , the color sensor  92  and the motor position sensor  22 A. An empty well sensor (not shown) may also be mounted to the base plate  74 . 
     With specific reference to  FIGS. 14-16 , the rack base portion  120  forms nine receptors  126 . The centers of the nine receptors  126  are 15 degrees apart in the bottom half of the wheel  58 . Such spacing allows the column assemblies  118  which are mounted on top of the receptors  126 , to be placed as close together as possible, limiting the circular arm motion of the dealer when he needs to remove chips  52  from the column assemblies  118 . The solenoids  124  are also placed 15 degrees apart in a direct line with the receptors  126 . The drive gear  82  drives the large sprocket wheel  70 . While the wheel  58  and the attached wells  62  are continuously rotating, the base plate  74  and the affixed solenoids  124 , receptors  126  and sensors  92 ,  94  and  22 A remain in their fixed position. 
     The nine push-type solenoids  124  are fixed to the base plate  74  in line with the receptors  126 . With reference to  FIGS. 7 ,  12  and  13 , each solenoid  124  is mounted on a bracket  128  by an appropriate fastener (not shown). A shaft  130  of the push-type solenoid  124  is extended with a small plunger  132 . Two nuts  134  on the shaft  130  allow for adjustment of the stroke length. A nylon washer  136  is also mounted on the solenoid shaft  130  on which a spring  138  rests. The spring  138  will accelerate the plunger  132  in moving back to its default position when the solenoid  124  is deactivated. The plunger  132  moves through a shaft nut  140  which is screwed into the base plate  74 . 
     The shaft nut  140  provides operational stability. The shaft nut  140  includes a head portion  140 A and a threaded portion  140 B. The threaded portion  140 B is threaded through an aperture in the base plate  74  (not shown) and an aperture  128 A in the bracket  128 , such that the head portion  140 A is on an upper surface of the base plate  74  (see  FIG. 7 ). When the solenoid  124  is assembled and activated, the plunger  132  extends through a bore  140 C of the shaft nut  140 , past the base plate  74  and the head  140 A of the shaft nut  140 . 
     A solenoid  124  is activated only when there is a space in between any two ejector levers  68  that are in rotation above it. As the wheel  58  rotates, when a solenoid  124  is activated, the ejector lever  68  makes contact with the plunger  132  of the solenoid  124 , which causes the ejector lever  68  to move to its outermost pivotal point (the second position) thereby simultaneously forcing the chip  52  out of the ejector compartment  104 . The timing of the ejection of the chip  52  is determined by the synchronization sensor  94 , and the controller  38  (see below). 
     With specific reference to  FIGS. 14-16 , in one embodiment each column assembly  118  includes one of the receptors  126 , a chip guide  142 , a column  144 , and an end cap  146 . The receptors  126  and chip guides  142  form the rack base portion  120 . Each column  144  is made from three column rods  148  as shown. 
     In another embodiment, the rack  32  is unitarily formed (see  FIGS. 17 and 18 ). 
     The bottom of the receptor  126  is level with the bottom of the ejector compartment  104 . With specific reference to  FIG. 16 , the receptor  126  has a flange  150  at the bottom that forces a chip  52  to become wedged under the other chips  52  that are stored above it in the chip guide  142  and the column  144 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 15  (which shows the chip guide  142  in an upside down position), the inside  142 B of the chip guide  142  is shaped like a funnel to assist in the alignment of the chips  52  into the column  144 . The bottom  142 A of the chip guide  142  is larger in diameter than the top  142 D of the chip guide  142 . A cut-out  142 C at the bottom  142 A of the chip guide  142  and the top of a reflector  126 A is required to allow a cam  152  to pass. The chip guide  142  also has a cut-out at the top  142 D to allow the chip reflector plates  66  to pass. 
     Returning to  FIG. 14 , the end cap  146  not only contains the column rods  148  which form the column  144 , but may also contain a small Hall effect sensor built in that is used to sense a “column full” condition. When the wheel  58  is in motion, the chip color or value sensor  92 , which is mounted to the base plate  74 , determines the chip&#39;s identity through the small cutout  79  in the bottom plate  88  of the ejector compartment  104 . All data from the sensors  92 ,  94 ,  22 A is processed by the controller  38 , which, based upon the color value read, activates the appropriate solenoid  124  to discharge and consequently eject the chip  52  into the corresponding column assembly  118 . A small additional sensor (see above) may be used to monitor the empty status of all the wells  62 . No ejection will take place if the well  62  is empty. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the synchronization sensor  94  is mounted at the base plate  74  (the “Sync A” sensor) and the motor position sensor  22 A is mounted at the stepper motor  83  (the “Sync B” sensor). The Sync A sensor  94  monitors the metal reference pins  84  mounted to the ejector compartment  104 . Every 20 degrees a metal reference pin  84  passes the sensor  94  and a Sync A pulse is generated. The Sync B sensor  22 A generates a pulse for every 1 degree rotation of the wheel. 
     The plurality of holes  60  on the wheel  58  are placed 20 degrees apart and the receptors  126  are placed 15 degrees apart. Columns are numbered column  1  through column  9 . Column  1  is the left-most column and the Sync A sensor  94  is placed at 20 degrees forward of column  1 . When the hole  60  (n) is positioned in front of the receptor  126  at column  1 , hole (n+3)  60  will be positioned in front of the receptor  126  at column  5  and hole (n+6)  60  will be positioned in front of the receptor  126  at column  9 . Every 20 degrees (Sync A signal) that the wheel rotates, the next hole (n+1)  60  will be positioned in front of the receptor  126  at position  1 , and so on. The alignment of a hole  60  in front of ejector column  1  happens with the Sync A signal. The Sync A sensor  94  is positioned exactly at that point that the solenoid  124  needs to be activated so that the ejector lever  68  will push the chip  52  into the receptor  126  of column  1 . When the wheel  58  moves 5 degrees forward (counting five Sync B signals), hole (n+1)  60  is now aligned with the receptor  126  of column  2  and at the same time hole (n+4)  60  is aligned with the receptor  126  of column  6 . When the wheel  58  moves forward another 5 degrees, hole (n+2)  60  is now aligned with the receptor  126  of column  3  and at the same time hole (n+5)  60  is now aligned with the receptor  126  of column  7 . When the wheel moves 5 degrees forward, hole (n+3)  60  is now aligned with the receptor  126  of column  4  and at the same time hole (n+6) is aligned with the receptor  126  of position  8 . When the wheel  58  moves forward another 5 degrees the wheel  58  has moved 20 degrees ahead and now hole (n+1)  60  is aligned with the receptor of column  1  while at the same time, hole (n+4)  60  is aligned with the receptor  126  of column  5  and hole (n+7)  60  is aligned with the receptor  126  at column  9 . 
     In other words, since holes  1 ,  5 , and  9  are separated by a multiple of 20 degrees, at any time hole  1  is aligned with a receptor  126 , holes  5  and  9  are also aligned with a receptor  126 . Likewise, since holes  2  and  6  are separated by a multiple of 20 degrees, at any time, hole  2  is aligned with a receptor  126 , hole  6  is also aligned with a receptor  126 . The same is true for holes  3  and  7  and for holes  4  and  8 . 
     Whenever the plurality of holes  60  match receptor  126  positions, the respective solenoids  124  are activated when the respective chip color of a chip  52  in the respective ejector compartment  104  matches a pre-assigned color of the destination column assembly  118 . This assists in increasing the sorting efficiency. When the hole  60  (and ejector compartment  104 ) and receptor  126  are aligned, the solenoid  124  will be activated if the color of the chip  52  in the ejector compartment  104  matches the pre-assigned color of a destination column assembly  118 , which will result in its plunger  132  moving upwards from the base plate  74 . The solenoid  124  is activated by the controller  38  at a point in time when the next-arriving ejector compartment  104  contains the appropriate-colored chip  52 . Since the wheel  58  is continuously moving, the result is that the ejector lever  68  will be hit by the top of the plunger  132  of the solenoid  124  and will continue to extend outwards from its pivot point  68 A for the duration of contact with the plunger  132 . The ejector lever  68  is curved in such a way that the chip  52  will be pushed out as fast as possible. When the solenoid  124  is deactivated its plunger  132  drops back down rapidly. The ejector lever  68  will then move back to its default position by means of the spring  138 , ready for the next ejection action. The ejector lever  68  will push the chip  52  more than 50% out of the ejector compartment  104  into the receptor  126 . Since the wheel  58  is still turning, and the chip  52  is already more than 50% out of the ejector compartment  104  into the receptor  126 , the momentum of the wheel  58  will push the chip  52  into the receptor  126 , aided by the flattened edge  122  of the ejector compartment  104 . The shape of the flange  150  forces the chip  52  to become wedged underneath the stack of chips  52  already in place. This in turn forces the previously positioned chips  52  upwards. However, when the chip  52  is coming out of the ejector compartment  104  and onto the wedged bottom of the receptor  126 , the chip  52  is inclined upwards. Therefore the exit section  154  of the ejector compartment  104  is taller then the thickness of the chip  52  to allow the chip  52  to move sufficiently upwards without jamming the wheel  58  (see  FIG. 10 ). The number of chips  52  that can be pushed up is limited by the power that the driving mechanism can provide, relative to the weight of the chips  52  in the column assembly  118 . The sprocket wheel  70  to motor sprocket wheel ratio of 17.14/1 provides the necessary force to push the column of chips  52  up without any difficulties. A practical limit of 100 chips  52  per column has been chosen, but the design allows for easy extension of the columns. 
     The chip guide  142  assists with the alignment of the chips  52  into the column assemblies  118 . The small cam  152  is mounted at the outside of each well  62  on the chip reflector plates  66  in order to assist with the alignment of the stacked chips  52  in the bottom of the receptor  126 . 
     While the wheel  58  turns, the color sensor  92  reads the value of the gaming chip  52  and determines into which of the nine column assemblies  118 , the chip  52  needs to be ejected. The color associated with a column assembly  118  is determined by placing the sorting device  50  in a “training mode.” The wheel  58  needs to be empty before the training mode is started. Once in the training mode, the color of the first chip  52  that is dropped into the sorting device  50  will be stored as the associated or pre-defined color assigned to column  1 . After that, the second chip  52  is dropped into the device  10 . The color of the second chip  52  is read and assigned to the second column assembly  118 , and so on. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method for receiving and sorting disks  12  having a parameter is provided. The parameter of each disk  12  has one of a plurality of values. The method includes the steps of rotating the wheel  20 . The wheel  20  includes at least one well  62  for receiving a disk  12 . The method also includes the steps of receiving a first disk  12  in a first well  62  and sensing the value of the parameter of the first disk  12 . The method further includes the step of ejecting the first disk  12  into one of a plurality of collectors  30  when the first well  62  is aligned with the one collector  30  and the value of the parameter of the first disk  12  is equal to a value associated with the one collector  30 . 
     The wheel  20  may include additional wells  62  for receiving additional disks  12 . The value of the parameter of the disks  12  received in the additional wells  62  are sensed and the disks  12  are ejected into a collector  30  based on color. 
     Disks  12  in different wells  62  may be ejected into a respective collector  30  substantially simultaneously. 
     For example, in the illustrated embodiment discussed above, there are eighteen wells  62  spaced along the wheel  58  at 15 degree intervals. Disks  12  are sorted and ejected into nine column assemblies  118  spaced at 20 degree intervals. Furthermore, as discussed above, whenever the first column assembly  118 , i.e., column  1 , is aligned with a well  62 , so are columns  5  and  9 . Likewise, columns  2  and  6 , columns  3  and  7 , and columns  5  and  9  are aligned with wells  62  at the same time. Thus, if any set or subset of wells  62  are aligned with column assemblies  118  and contain a chip whose parameter has a value equal to the value associated with the column assembly  118  to which it is aligned, the chips  52  in the set or sets of wells  62  may be ejected at the same time. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The sorting device according to this invention is compact, as it is designed using a rotating circular plate placed at an angle. This plate contains eighteen holes which are slightly larger than a chip, and each hole has a well or reservoir attached to it in the shape of a funnel to efficiently absorb the influx of gaming chips. The funnel allows the chips to align themselves easily. The advantage of the wells is that it pre-stores the chips and hence allows the device to be more compact and efficient. There is no practical limit to the size of the wells or the number of chips it can store. As can be seen in the existing chip sorting devices, sorting of chips is accomplished by the use of a plunger that pushes the gaming chips from a conveyor belt upwards in order to stack them into their appropriate column. The first problem with this method is that knives are used to separate the chips from the conveyor belt in order to be pushed up into the column. These knives need to be frequently replaced. This invention accomplishes the sorting and stacking with one single movement, which dramatically reduces the complexity and size of the device. This is to the benefit of the operator. 
     The second problem with previous devices is that the gaming chips fall initially into a chamber or receptacle before they come into contact with the “transporting” device (i.e., the conveyer belt). This causes the chips to get stuck between the immobile chamber and the moving belt and jam the machine. With the new invention, all the chips fall directly onto the moving part (i.e., the rotating disk), so there is no possibility of interference from being transferred to an additional mechanism. 
     In addition, while other devices separate gaming chips one by one, this invention allows for simultaneous separation from multiple wells. 
     Besides the motor, there are only two moving parts required to separate and stack the gaming chips. The number of receptors is configurable and can be equal to the number of wells in the wheel. Due to the fact that the receptors are positioned around and outside the disk, and the disk may be suspended with a minimal footprint, ergonomic advantages, from an operational perspective, are dramatically increased. The 135 degree circle allows the dealer to stand either to the side, or directly behind the machine, to reach the gaming chips and also the table simultaneously. 
     Because the column array is positioned along the lower half of the wheel&#39;s circumference, any chip entering any column is subject to gravitational force, thus allowing the radius of the entire column array to be spread along a more lateral and flatter plane than the semi-circular shape of the wheel (in a smooth V-shape rather than a conventional U-shape). This option permits easier access to the individual columns, and reduces the distance between the bottom-most column and the table edge, by allowing the machine to be placed further under the table than would be allowed with a perfect semi-circular shape. 
     The invention also allows for separation by either directly stacking the disk-like articles in columns in an upward motion or directly dropping them into any form of receptacle using gravity. An example of this is a coin-sorting device by which coins are separated and dispensed appropriately. 
     In addition to casinos, the device may be used in card rooms, for sorting chips into bags, boxes or other receptacles. 
     The following are considered the core elements of the invention: 
     a. Rotational momentum of the wheel 
     The device uses the natural inertia of the wheel to complete the ejection of a chip outside its original trajectory (unlike the Chipper Champ—above its original trajectory). 
     b. Ejection lever method 
     The lateral ejection method applies pressure along the entire half-circumference of the chip, thereby ensuring contact with the chip&#39;s most solid surface (unlike the Chipper Champ which applies pressure at vulnerable underside of chip). 
     c. Transfer mechanism eliminated 
     The chips fall directly onto the rotating surface of the sorting apparatus (unlike the Chipper Champ which contains incoming chips into a hopper before transferring them to the ejecting device—their conveyor belt). 
     d. Solid one-piece wheel 
     Because the wheel is a one-piece-manufactured body, it is impossible for any movement or space differential between the wells, thus eliminating any potential timing errors (unlike the Chipper Champ, where there are continual spacing and consequential timing differentials between cups and segments). 
     e. Arm movement 
     The circular shape and the outward angle of the column array allows the dealer&#39;s arm access to all the columns in the same plane (unlike the Chipper Champ where the dealer must physically reposition his body to access the outermost columns). 
     f. Footprint 
     Because the main body of the machine is located directly under the table, and does not extend downwards to the floor, the footprint is small, and thus there is no impediment to the dealer&#39;s feet (unlike the Chipper Champ, where the machine sits on the floor and occupies dealer foot space). 
     g. Apron Space 
     Because the machine is compact, it can be located entirely under the table without the need for a section to be cut out (unlike the Chipper Champ where the bulkiness of the machine necessitates a cut-out in the table to maintain proximity). 
     h. Dispensing Method 
     The dealer only has to rotate the chips through approximately 90 degrees to grasp a stack of chips (unlike the Chipper Champ—approximately 180 degrees). 
     i. Weight 
     ChipperWheel weighs about half of Chipper Champ. 
     j. Size/Mass 
     ChipperWheel is about half the mass of Chipper Champ. 
     k. Lateral Ejection method 
     Because the ChipperWheel ejects chips laterally from the wheel to the column base, there is no need for an ancillary device between the two elements (unlike the Chipper Champ which necessitates knives). 
     l. Gravity Option 
     As well as upward-stacking capability, ChipperWheel chips can be gravity-stacked downwards (unlike Chipper Champ which only has an upward option). 
     m. Wells 
     The ChipperWheel wells have multi-chip capacity (unlike the Chipper Champ-single chip capability only). 
     n. Chip Dispersion/Absorption 
     Because of the multi-chip well capability, the incoming chips are dispersed and absorbed quicker than the Chipper Champ. 
     o. Angle of Operation 
     The ChipperWheel can be rotated on differing horizontal angles, allowing greater operational flexibility (unlike the Chipper Champ which has a fixed angle). 
     p. Security 
     Any chips that are dropped by the dealer when retrieving stacks from columns will fall safely to the base of the column array (unlike the Chipper Champ where dropped chips often fall down behind the machine onto the floor and get lost). 
     q. Service Accessibility 
     Technician has easy access to the ChipperWheel, even if a live game is in play (unlike the Chipper Champ). 
     r. Single shaft 
     The ChipperWheel uses only one shaft, unlike the Chipper Champ, whose belt revolves around three separate shafts. 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6