Patent Document

FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The invention relates to money item dispensing apparatus, a money item acceptor, a money item conveyor, a method of purging the money items in a money item dispensing apparatus, a method of filling a money item dispensing apparatus, filling apparatus for filling a money item dispensing apparatus. More specifically, this invention relates to apparatus for use with amusement machines, vending machines or other such coin or token operated machines for receiving, accepting, storing and dispensing coins and tokens, a method of purging money items in a money item dispensing apparatus, a conveyor and an apparatus and method for filling money item dispensing apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Money item operated machines such as vending and amusement machines that are required to pay-out and receive money items conventionally comprise an internal acceptor unit as well as an internal hopper unit. Inserted money items such as coins and tokens enter the acceptor which verifies their authenticity and if accepted, may then be directed to a hopper for storage and subsequent payout. The hopper is activated to dispense money items when a payout to a user is required, such as in the case that a user has won a cash or token prize, or as change if, for instance, the user has inserted too much money. 
     Conventional money item acceptors include a rundown path down which money items travel edgewise through a sensing station having a plurality of sensors. These sensors detect characteristics of an inputted money item, a corresponding signal being provided to a processor that determines the authenticity of the money item. Examples of such acceptors are provided in our GB-A-0 307 880, GB-A-2 169 429 and WO99/23615. 
     Hoppers for receiving, storing and ejecting coins are well known, an example being described in our EP-A-0080842. This relates to a hopper arrangement referred to as the Universal Hopper, which is manufactured by Money Controls Limited. This device overcomes some of the problems associated with previous hopper designs by employing a conveyor housed within the hopper to transport money items to an outlet. The conveyor comprises a plurality of hingedly interconnected portions, each having a lip designed to form a coin receptacle on the conveyor surface. Normally, the conveyor is stationary, but, when someone playing the machine to which the coin handling mechanism is fitted achieves a winning line requiring a payout to be made, an appropriate signal is generated to start a conveyor motor and drive the conveyor. This results in the conveyor being driven through the coins stored in the hopper so that some coins drop into spaces on the conveyor between to adjacent lips. The coins are thus entrained upwardly towards an exit point, desirably with one coin resting on each lip, to be paid out through an outlet as a prize. 
     Despite the benefits afforded by the Universal Hopper arrangement, there remain a number of shortcomings when such units are installed in machines with conventional acceptor units. One shortcoming is the size of the gap between the acceptor money item input point and the money item return tray to which coins are directed having left either the acceptor or the hopper. The fact that the acceptor must generally be positioned above the hopper within the machine, and that both units should be manufactured to be secure and relatively impregnable and are therefore quite large, results in a relatively large gap between the user money item input point and return trays. This means that the machine may need to be provided with an area accessible by a user that is large enough to accommodate the relatively widely spaced input point and return tray. The gap between the input point and return tray can also be inconvenient for the user, particularly for gaming machines installed in dimly-lit areas, where the output tray can be difficult to locate. 
     A further shortcoming of currently used devices is that the acceptor and hopper units must be installed such that there is a continuous coin path between the acceptor coin outlet and the hopper coin inlet. This can prove inconvenient in some vending or gaming machines, particularly when there is a lack of space within the machine. It also makes installing the device complicated and therefore costly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention seeks to overcome these problems. In a first aspect the invention provides money item dispensing apparatus comprising a housing within which is included a money item acceptor, a selectably drivable loop conveyor whose path includes a money item receiving portion, and a money item store for receiving money items from the money item acceptor and for sequentially feeding a supply of money items to be dispensed into said money item receiving portion, the conveyor having a plurality of receptacles thereon, each of which is adapted to entrain, in use, a money item to be dispensed as the conveyor passes through the supply thereof in the money item receiving portion and transport it to an exit point. 
     There is further provided money item dispensing apparatus comprising a housing within which is included a money item acceptor, a selectably drivable rotary member being substantially disc-shaped and having a plurality of money item receptacles disposed annularly, a money item store for receiving money items from the money item acceptor and for continuously feeding a supply of money items to be dispensed into said plurality of money item receptacles, and a motor for selectably driving the rotary member to transport money items to an exit point. 
     Such apparatus overcome previous limitations by providing apparatus having a housing within which is included both an acceptor and a hopper. Accordingly the apparatus can have better security, compactness and ease of installation than previously known apparatus. 
     The payout speed of current hoppers is limited by factors such as the maximum speed at which the conveyor can be driven. It is often beneficial for hoppers to be able to pay out money more quickly, but without detriment to payout accuracy. Larger capacity hoppers are also advantageous, enabling greater maximum payouts for devices such as slot machines in casinos. 
     To address these limitations, in a further aspect the invention provides money item dispensing apparatus comprising a first selectably drivable endless loop conveyor whose path includes a first money item receiving portion, a first money item store for sequentially feeding a first supply of money items to be dispensed into said first money item receiving portion, the first conveyor having a plurality of receptacles thereon, each of which is adapted to entrain, in use, a money item to be dispensed as the first conveyor passes through the first supply thereof in the first money item receiving portion and transport it to a first exit point, a second selectably drivable endless loop conveyor whose path includes a second money item receiving portion, and a second money item store for sequentially feeding a second supply of money items to be dispensed into said second money item receiving portion, the second conveyor having a plurality of receptacles thereon, each of which is adapted to entrain, in use, a money item to be dispensed as the second conveyor passes through the second supply thereof in the second money item receiving portion and transport it to a second exit point. 
     Such a device having two hopper arrangements increases the storage capacity and payout speed of the device in comparison with conventional single hopper devices. A further advantage of the twin hopper could be that, should one hopper become defective during use, coins can still be returned to a user through operation of the other hopper arrangement. This is in contrast to the limitations of single hopper apparatus. 
     In a further aspect the invention provides money item dispensing apparatus comprising a first hopper arrangement having a first selectably drivable endless loop conveyor whose path includes a first money item receiving portion, and a first money item store for sequentially feeding a first supply of money items to be dispensed into said first money item receiving portion, the first conveyor having a plurality of receptacles thereon, each of which is adapted to entrain, in use, a money item to be dispensed as the first conveyor passes through the first supply thereof in the first money item receiving portion and transport it to a first exit point, wherein the money item dispensing apparatus comprises sorting means operable to receive a money item and to selectively direct the money item to the first money item store, and wherein said sorting means is further operable to selectively direct the money item to a second money item store associated with a second hopper arrangement. This apparatus comprising a single hopper arrangement can therefore be capable of being ‘upgraded’ to an apparatus comprising two hopper arrangements. According benefits are that the manufacturing procedure for twin-hopper devices is greatly simplified since a large component of their design is the singe hopper apparatus. This has obvious cost benefits. An operator of the device also has the additional flexibility of being able to switch between a device having a single hopper arrangement and a device having two hopper arrangements. 
     Occasionally, money items with an unwanted sticky coating on them are inserted into the acceptor and stick in the acceptor mechanism. Conventionally in such instances, upon realising that the machine has neither accepted nor returned their money item, a user presses a button on the front of the machine that activates an acceptor clearing procedure. This system has the drawback that it relies on a user realising that a money item has become stuck in the mechanism and understanding the steps they must take to free the money item. 
     The invention seeks to overcome this problem. According to the invention from a further aspect there is provided a money item acceptor comprising a money item rundown path, sensing means for sensing a money item and for providing at least one sensor output signal, motor means for performing a clearance procedure of the rundown path, and processing means operable to determine when the sensor output signal adopts a predetermined value relationship and in response thereto, to provide the first processor output signal to initiate the clearance procedure. 
     Such a money item acceptor can have the advantage of automatically freeing money items jammed within the device without action being required by a user. 
     The money item acceptor can further comprise a first sensor for sensing a money item at a first position along the rundown path and for providing a first output signal and a second sensor for sensing a money item at a second position along the rundown path and for providing a second output signal, wherein the processing means determines when the first and second output signals adopt a predetermined value relationship and in response thereto, provides a control signal to initiate the clearance procedure. 
     According to the invention from a further aspect there is provided a money item conveyor for use in a money item dispensing apparatus, wherein said conveyor is substantially formed in a single moulding. 
     Forming the conveyor in a single moulding reduces manufacturing costs and minimises the number of components required to form the conveyor thus simplifying the design and minimising the risk of faults occurring in the conveyor mechanism. 
     In certain circumstances it is required to empty the hopper of all of its contents, for instance at the end of the day when staff are collecting takings. In this case, appropriate signals are provided to a microprocessor in the device to drive the conveyor motor to continually eject money items from the hopper to the money item return tray. 
     When purging the contents of conventional hoppers, money items are returned to the return tray and a person collecting the contents of the hopper must position a bag or other such container under the return tray to collect the items. This can prove difficult and time consuming and increases the risk of robbery and fraud since, at the time of leaving the machine, money items are not in a secure container. The current invention seeks to overcome this problem. 
     According to the invention from a further aspect there is provided a method of purging the money items in a money item dispensing apparatus in a money item-operated machine, the method comprising feeding a money item from a money item source associated with the dispensing apparatus into a receptacle, moving the money item in the receptacle to a position associated with an outlet of the dispensing apparatus, and ejecting the money item through the outlet into a cashbox housed within the machine. 
     There is further provided money item dispensing apparatus for a money item-operated machine, the apparatus comprising a money item source, a money item receptacle, means for feeding a money item from the money item source into the receptacle, motor means for moving the money item in the receptacle to a position associated with an outlet, means for ejecting the money item from the receptacle through the outlet and via a first path to a money item return tray for a user to collect, and means for ejecting the money item from the receptacle through the outlet and via a second path into a cashbox. 
     Ejecting money items to a cashbox means that the money items can enter a secure container before leaving the machine. Accordingly, the security risks and hindrance associated with collecting purged money items from the money item return tray of the machine can be overcome. 
     Filling hopper devices is generally done manually through a money item entry point in the hopper apparatus. This is a time consuming and therefore costly method of filling the hopper, since even when a funnelling device is used, there is a limit to the speed of entry of money items to the hopper, for instance due to the coins jamming in the output of the funnelling device. 
     According to the invention from a further aspect there is provided filling apparatus for filling a money item dispensing apparatus, the device comprising a money item source, a money item receptacle, means for feeding a money item from the money item source into the receptacle, a money item outlet, motor means for moving the money item in the receptacle to a position associated with the outlet, and ejecting means for ejecting the money item from the receptacle through the outlet, wherein the filling apparatus is adapted to allow a continuous money item path to be formed between the outlet and a money item inlet of the money item dispensing apparatus. 
     There is further provided a method of filing a money item dispensing apparatus, the method comprising positioning a money item dispensing apparatus filing apparatus in a position associated with the money item dispensing apparatus such that a continuous money item path is formed between a money item outlet of the filling apparatus and a money item inlet of the money item dispensing apparatus, and activating the filling apparatus to refill the money item dispensing apparatus. 
     There is further provided money item dispensing apparatus comprising means for locating a filling apparatus with said dispensing apparatus to allow a continuous money item path to be formed between a money item outlet of said filling apparatus and a money item inlet of the money item dispensing apparatus. 
     There is further provided money item dispensing apparatus comprising means for electrically connecting the apparatus to a filling apparatus. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an external view of a unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an internal view of a portion of a unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus according to the invention, the view taken from the direction of arrow ‘A’ in  FIG. 1 . The Figure is also an internal view of a unified acceptor and twin hopper according to the invention, the view taken from the direction of the arrow ‘F’ in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the mechanism of  FIG. 4  taken along the line I-I thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus according to the invention taken along the line II-II of  FIG. 3 , and viewed from the direction of arrow B in  FIG. 1 . The Figure is also a cross-sectional view of a first portion of a unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus according to the invention, the view taken from the direction of arrow ‘G’ in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of a money item acceptor according to the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram of the circuitry of a unified hopper and acceptor according to the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of a solenoid activated accept gate, the solenoid illustrated being activated to cause a money item to be directed to a return path; 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of a solenoid activated accept gate, the solenoid illustrated being activated to cause a money item to be directed to an accept path; 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of a sorter having first and second sorter solenoid activated gates, the solenoids illustrated being activated to direct a money item via a first cashbox chute to a cashbox; 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of sorter having first and second sorter solenoid activated gates, the solenoids illustrated being activated to direct a money item via a second cashbox chute to a cashbox; 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration of a sorter having first and second sorter solenoid activated gates, the solenoids illustrated being activated to direct a money item via a first hopper chute to a hopper arrangement; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of the track-side of segments of a conveyor; 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of the lip-side of a section of a conveyor; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of a section of a conveyor; 
         FIG. 15  is an end view of a section of the conveyor of  FIG. 14 , the view being from the direction of arrow ‘C’ in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a sensing device and an outlet gate for apparatus according to the invention; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an ejecting finger for apparatus according to the invention; 
         FIG. 18   a  is a first view of a central portion of a unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus according to the invention, highlighting first and second cashbox chutes within the apparatus and also illustrating a cashbox arrangement. The Figure is also a first view of a first central portion of a unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus according to the invention; 
         FIG. 18   b  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 18   a , the view taken from the direction of arrow ‘D’ in  FIG. 18   a;    
         FIG. 18   c  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 18   a , the view taken from the direction of arrow ‘E’ in  FIG. 18   a;    
         FIG. 19  illustrates a unified acceptor and rotary-disc hopper according to the invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a first external view of a twin-hopper apparatus according to the invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a second external view of a twin-hopper apparatus according to the invention; 
         FIG. 22  is an illustration of a sorter having first and second sorter solenoid activated gates, the solenoids illustrated being activated to direct a money item via a second hopper chute to a hopper arrangement; 
         FIG. 23  is an internal view of a second portion of a twin hopper apparatus according to the invention, the view taken from the direction of the arrow ‘F’ of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a conveyor according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a hopper-filling device according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an external view of a unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1  according to the invention is illustrated. In this example, the housing of the apparatus  1  is substantially formed in the shape of an irregular pentagonal prism and has a number of external openings, including a money item entry opening  2  and a money item return opening  3 . The apparatus  1  has further openings  4 ,  5  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) through which money items can be ejected to one or more cashboxes (not shown) as well as an opening  6  ( FIG. 2 ) into which external data lines can enter the apparatus  1  for connection to the apparatus  1 . The mechanism of the apparatus  1  is held within a central portion  7  having a first cover  8  and a second cover  9 . 
       FIGS. 2 to 18  illustrate the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1  in more detail. The apparatus  1  illustrated in these Figures is also a base component of a unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus, the twin-hopper apparatus being further illustrated in  FIGS. 20 to 23 . The single hopper apparatus  1  in the illustrated embodiment can be ‘upgraded’ to a twin hopper apparatus by the attachment of a single additional component to the single hopper apparatus  1 . However, a result is that some of the features of the single hopper apparatus  1  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 18  are solely for use in the twin-hopper version and are therefore redundant in the single hopper version  1 . In embodiments of the invention wherein the single hopper apparatus  1  does not have the ‘upgrade’ feature, these redundant features can be omitted. This will be explained in more detail with reference to the particular features to which it applies. 
     A side view of the central portion  7  of the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the view taken from the direction of the arrow marked ‘A’ in  FIG. 1 . In this example, the central portion  7  includes an acceptor  10 , an accept gate  11  operable to direct a money item  12  to an accept path  13  or a return path  14 , a sorter  15  including a first sorter gate  16  and a second sorter gate  17 , first and second cash box chutes  18 ,  19 , a printed circuit board  20  having a cover  21  and a connector port  22  and a hopper arrangement  23  (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     In use, a money item  12  enters the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1  via the money item entry opening  2 . Once through the entry opening  2  the money item  12  enters the money item acceptor  10 . The money item acceptor  10  comprises a microcontroller which determines from the output of a plurality of sensors within the acceptor  10  whether the entered money item  12  is likely to be counterfeit. If so, a signal is provided to an accept gate solenoid driver to cause the accept gate  11  to direct the money item  12  via the return path  14  to the money item return opening  3 , following ejection of the money item  12  from the acceptor  10 . Conversely, if the money item  12  is found to be genuine, a signal is provided to the accept gate solenoid driver to cause the accept gate  11  to direct the money item  12  via the accept path  13  into the sorter  15 . 
     The unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1  comprises processing means operable to determine whether the entered money item  12  is to be directed from the sorter  15  to the hopper arrangement  23  or to one of first and second cashboxes  24 ,  25  (illustrated in  FIGS. 18   a  and  18   b ), via the first or second cash box chutes  18 ,  19  respectively. In this example, the processing means receives a signal from a sensor in the hopper arrangement  23  indicating the number of money items  12  in the hopper  23 . An inputted money item  12  is directed to one of the first and second cashboxes  24 ,  25  in the case that the hopper arrangement  23  is full, but otherwise the money item  12  is directed to the hopper arrangement  23 . Once the destination of the money item  12  has been determined, appropriate signals are provided to control the first and second sorter gates  16 ,  17  such as to direct the money item  12  to one of the first and second cashboxes  24 ,  25  via one of the first and second cashbox chutes  18 ,  19  respectively, or to the hopper arrangement  23 . In this example, if it is determined that money items  12  should be directed to a cashbox, they are primarily directed to the first cashbox  24 . However, once a certain predetermined number of money items  12  have been directed to the first cashbox  24  following emptying of the first cashbox  24 , subsequent money items will be directed to the second cashbox  25 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the central portion  7  of the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1  of  FIG. 1 , the view taken through line I-I of  FIG. 4  and the view being from the direction of the arrow marked ‘B’ in  FIG. 1 . This side of the central portion  7  comprises a hopper arrangement  23  including a hopper inlet  26 , a hopper store  27 , a conveyor  28 , a conveyor motor  29  having conveyor gearing means  30  and a money item outlet  31 . The hopper operates generally as that described in EP-A-0080842. An accepted money item  12  passes through the gate arrangements  16 ,  17  shown in  FIG. 2 , and enters the hopper via the money item inlet  26  shown in  FIG. 3 . The money item  12  then drops into the hopper store  27 . The hopper store  27  has a base  32  that is downwardly inclined such that money items  12  in the hopper store  27  tend to move due to gravity towards inner side  33  of the conveyor  28 . The conveyor  28  is selectably driven in the direction ‘Q’ by the conveyor motor  29 . The conveyor  28  comprises on its inner surface a plurality of lips  34  (see  FIG. 4 ) which are arranged to form money item receptacles. If payout of one or more money items  12  is required, the conveyor  28  is driven. Money items  12  move from the store  27  towards a portion of the inner side of the conveyor  28 , this being a money item receiving portion  33  of the conveyor  28 , and are held in receptacles formed by the lips  34  on the conveyor surface. A money item  12  to be paid to a user is therefore entrained towards the money item outlet  31  on the conveyor  28  and upon reaching the money item outlet  31  the money item  12  is ejected through the outlet  31 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the money item  12  ejected from a receptacle of the conveyor  28  emerges through the hopper outlet  31  and joins the return path  14  leading to the money item return opening  3  and to a money item collection tray (not shown) for a user to collect. 
     Operation 
     The operation of the unified acceptor and hopper apparatus  1 , following insertion of a coin  12  into the opening  2 , will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 19 . 
     The coin  12  passes from the opening  2  to the money item acceptor  10 , which is illustrated in more detail in  FIG. 5 . The acceptor  10  comprises a generally plate-like main body  35  that is positioned adjacent to a surface  36  of the central portion  7  of the apparatus  1 . The main body  35  is connected to the surface  36  by hinging means  37  and is also held at a point on the main body  35  diagonally opposite the hinging means  37  by an arm  38  connected to an acceptor clearance solenoid (not shown). The main body  35  includes a shelf  39  that protrudes from the main body in the direction of the surface  36  such that it substantially abuts the surface  36 . This results in a gap between the main body  35  and the surface  36  and a money item run-down path  40  is formed along which money items  12  under test pass edgewise from an inlet  41  of the acceptor  10  along the shelf  39  which leads the coin through a money item sensing station  42  and then to an outlet  43 . 
     The money item acceptor  10  is capable of validating a number of money items of different denominations, including bimet coins, for example the Euro coin set and the UK coin set including the bimet £2.00 coin. A test is performed on each money item as it passes through the sensing station  42 . The money item sensing station  42  includes four money item sensing coil units S 1 , S 2 , S 3  and S 4 , which are energised in order to produce an inductive coupling with the coin  12 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of the circuitry of a unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1 . The components circumscribed by a dotted box  44  are associated with the acceptor  10 . The coils S 1  to S 4  of the acceptor  10  are energised at different frequencies by a drive and interface circuit  45 . Eddy currents are induced in the money item under test by the coil units. The different inductive couplings between the four coils S 1  to S 4  characterise the money item substantially uniquely. The drive and interface circuit  45  produces corresponding digital money item parameter data signals x 1 , x 2 , x 3 , x 4 , as a function of the different inductive couplings between the money item and the coil units S 1 , S 2 , S 3  and S 4 . The coil units S have a small diameter in relation to the diameter of money items under test in order to detect the inductive characteristics of individual chordal regions of the money item. Improved discrimination can be achieved by making the area A of the coil unit S which faces the money item, such as the coil S 1 , smaller than 72 mm 2 , which permits the inductive characteristics of individual regions of the money item&#39;s face to be sensed. However, the invention is not restricted to any particular coil size and larger coils may be used to couple with the entire surface of the money item. 
     The sensor coil units S each include one or more inductor coils connected in an individual oscillatory circuit and the coil drive and interface circuit  45  includes a multiplexer (not shown) to scan outputs from the coil units sequentially, so as to provide data to an acceptor microcontroller  46 . Each circuit typically oscillates at a frequency in a range of 50-150 kHz and the circuit components are selected so that each sensor coil S 1 -S 4  has a different natural resonant frequency in order to avoid cross-coupling between them. 
     As a money item under test passes the sensor coil unit S 1 , its impedance is altered by the presence of the coin over a period of ˜100 milliseconds. As a result, the amplitude of the oscillations through the coil is modified over the period that the coin passes and also the oscillation frequency is altered. The variation in amplitude and frequency resulting from the modulation produced by the coin is used to produce the money item parameter signals x 1 ,-x 4  representative of characteristics of the coin. 
     In order to determine money item authenticity, the money item parameter signals produced by a money item under test are fed to the acceptor microcontroller  46  which is coupled to a memory  47 . The microcontroller  46  processes the money item parameter signals x 1 ,-x 4  derived from the money item under test and compares the outcome with corresponding stored values held in the memory  47 . According, if the coin  12  under test is indicated to be acceptable a signal is provided to an accept gate solenoid drive circuit  48  which operates the accept gate  11  shown in  FIG. 2  so as to allow the money item to pass to the accept path  13 . Otherwise, the accept gate solenoid drive circuit  48  is provided with a signal causing the accept gate  11  to direct the coin  12  to the return path  14 . 
     Jam Releasing Mechanism 
     Sensing means can be provided within the acceptor  10  to determine when a money item has jammed within the mechanism of the acceptor  10 . Jamming may occur when a money item having an unwanted sticky coating on it, for instance beer, is inputted and sticks in the acceptor mechanism. The sensing means could comprise the coils S 1  to S 4 , their outputs being used to determine when a coin has become stationary and hence jammed in the acceptor  10 . Alternatively, one or more sensors may be incorporated into the acceptor  10  for the purpose of detecting jammed money items. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 5 , sensors C 1  and C 2  coupled to the acceptor microcontroller  46  (see  FIG. 6 ) are located at positions along the money item rundown path  40  and are used to sense money items entering and leaving the acceptor  10  so as to determine whether a money item has become jammed in the acceptor  10 . Sensor C 1  detects money items entering the acceptor  10 . If sensor C 2  does not detect a money item leaving the acceptor  10  within a period of, for instance, 5 seconds from it being detected entering the acceptor  10 , an acceptor clearing procedure is activated. In this example, the acceptor clearing procedure involves the microcontroller  46  determining that the money item has not been sensed by coil C 2 , in which case the microcontroller  46  produces a jam clearance signal, which activates an acceptor clearance solenoid driver  49  (see  FIG. 6 ). In response to the signal the solenoid driver  49  drives a servomotor  50  (see  FIG. 3 ) to move the arm  38  to pivot the main body  35  of the acceptor  10  about the hinge  37  so as to widen the money item rundown path  40 . This is done to free the jammed money item from the acceptor so that it may fall out of the acceptor  10  and enter the money item return path  14 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , if the coin  12  becomes jammed in the acceptor  10  it is released automatically through initiation of the acceptance clearance procedure and is returned to the user via the money item return path  14 . Alternatively, if the coin  12  does not jam in the acceptor  10 , it leaves the acceptor  10  via the acceptor outlet  43  and is directed by the accept gate  11  to the accept path  13  or return path  14 , in accordance with whether or not the coin  12  was found to be genuine by the acceptor microcontroller  46 . 
     Accept Gate 
       FIG. 7  is an illustration of the accept gate  11  from the rear as compared with  FIG. 2 . The accept gate  11  comprises an accept gate solenoid  51  coupled via an acceptor gate arm  52  to a channelling member  53  including an accept channel  54  and a return channel  55  to be coupled to the accept path  14  and the reject path  13  respectively. The coin  12  passes down the coin rundown path  40  of the acceptor  10  and enters one of the accept channel  54  and return channel  55 . To determine which channel the coin  12  enters, the acceptor gate arm  52  is operable to move the channelling member  53  under the control of the accept gate solenoid  51  back and fourth in the direction of the dotted arrows  56  such as to align the accept channel  54  with the coin rundown path  40  in the case that the coin  12  is found to be genuine, or to align the return channel  55  with the coin rundown path  40  in the case that the coin  12  is found to be counterfeit.  FIG. 7  illustrates the acceptor gate arm  52  in its extended position which aligns the coin rundown path  40  with the return channel  55  and the coin  12  is channelled out of the channelling member  53  in the direction of the return path  14  from which it exits the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1  via the money item return opening  3  and is returned to a user via a return tray (not shown).  FIG. 8  illustrates the alternative situation in which the acceptor gate arm  52  is retracted and thus the accept channel  54  is aligned with the coin rundown path  40  and hence the coin  12  is channelled out of the channelling member  53  in the direction of the accept path  13 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in the situation in which the coin  12  is found to be genuine, the acceptor microcontroller  46  provides an appropriate signal to the accept gate solenoid driver  48  which drives the accept gate solenoid  51  to retract the acceptor gate arm  52  and hence move the channelling member  53  so as to direct the coin  12  via the accept path  13  to the sorter  15 . 
     Sorter Gates 
     A first illustration of the first and second sorter gates  16 ,  17  of the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1  is depicted in  FIG. 9  and comprises first and second sorter gate solenoids  57 ,  58  connected to the first and second sorter gates  16 ,  17  via first and second sorter arms  59  (shown in  FIG. 11 ),  60  respectively. The first sorter gate  16  comprises a cashbox channel  61  and a hopper channel  62 . The second sorter gate  17  comprises a first channelling face  63  and a second channelling face  64 . A chuting member  65  comprises four sorter chutes, these being first and second hopper chutes  66 ,  67  and first and second cashbox chutes  18 ,  19  (which may alternatively be a single cashbox chute) into which money items may be directed depending on the position of the first and second sorter gates  16 ,  17 . However, the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1 , having only one hopper arrangement  23  does not in this example make use of the second hopper chute  67 , which is for use in the twin hopper apparatus further illustrated in  FIGS. 20 to 23 . The second hopper chute  67  may be omitted entirely. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the apparatus  1  has a microprocessor  68  operable to determine to which sorter chute  66 ,  67 ,  18 ,  19  the coin  12  should be directed. In this example, the microprocessor  68  receives a signal from a sensor  69  in the hopper store  27  providing an indication of the number of money items  12  in the hopper store  27 . The microprocessor  68  is operable to determine from the received signal whether or not the hopper store  27  is full and to provide appropriate signals to the first and second sorter gate solenoid drivers  70 ,  71  to drive the first and second sorter gate solenoids  57 ,  58  respectively in a manner to be described and to direct the coin  12  accordingly. If the hopper store  27  is full, the coin  12  is directed to the first or second cashbox chutes  18 ,  19 . In the case that the hopper store  27  is not full, the coin  12  is directed to the first hopper chute  66  (as depicted in  FIG. 11 ) leading to the hopper arrangement  23 . 
     In an alternative embodiment the hopper arrangement  23  is used to receive, store and return two denominations of coins and the first and second cashbox chutes  18 ,  19  are therefore used so that, when the hopper store  27  is full, entered coins may be directed via either of the first  18  and second  19  cashbox chutes to one of first and second cashboxes  24 ,  25  respectively according to their denomination, which in this example is determined by the acceptor microcontroller  46  and indicated to the microprocessor  68 . In alternative embodiments both cashbox chutes  18 ,  19  may lead to the same cashbox for receiving a single or multiple denominations of coin, or one or other of the first and second cashbox chutes  18 ,  19  may be omitted entirely. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the first sorter gate  16  is operable to move in the direction of the arrow  72  under the control of the first sorter gate solenoid  57 . The cashbox channel  61  is defined by a first shelf  73  protruding from the plane of the first sorter gate  16  on the side of the gate comprising the cashbox channel  61 , along which money items pass edgewise so as to bypass the first and second hopper chutes  66 ,  67 . When coins reach the end of the shelf  73  they drop, in this example due to gravity, down one of the first and second cashbox chutes  18 ,  19  depending on the position of the second sorter gate  17 .  FIG. 9  illustrates the sorter arrangement  15  wherein the first sorter gate solenoid  57  has been activated such that the first sorter arm  59  is retracted in order to cause the cashbox channel  61  of the first sorter gate  16  to be aligned with the accept path  13  from the accept gate  11 . The cashbox channel  61  directs money items to one of the first and second cashbox chutes  18 ,  19  according to the position of the second sorter gate  17 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the second sorter gate  17  is formed by two substantially rectangular plates  74 ,  75  aligned side-by-side, connected to and separated by a dividing plate  76 , the three plates being disposed in a cruciform arrangement. The second sorter gate  17  is pivoted about first and second lugs  77 ,  78 , held in receiving sockets (not shown) in the apparatus  1 . Referring to the expanded illustration of the circumscribed portion in  FIG. 10 , the second solenoid arm  60  is hingedly connected to a translational member  79 . The translational member  79  comprises a vertically pivoted shaft  80 , a flag portion  81  and an actuating lever  82 . The flag portion  81  is a rectangular plate connected along a first side to a portion of the length of the shaft  80 . The flag portion  81  extends in a direction perpendicular to the turning axis  83  of the shaft  80  and is hingedly connected at a second side opposite to the first side to the second solenoid arm  60  by a pin  84 . The actuating lever  82  also connects to the shaft  80  and extends in a direction perpendicular to the turning axis  83  of the shaft  80  and opposite to the direction in which the flag portion  81  extends. The actuating lever  82  engages with a hole  85  in the dividing plate  76 . The translational member  79  thus converts the movement of the second sorter arm  60  to a rotational movement about the turning axis  83  of the shaft  80 . This rotational movement is used, via the actuating lever  82 , to move the second sorter gate  17  to one of its two respective positions. The second sorter gate  17  is weighted such that it reverts to a position in which it directs money items to the first hopper chute  66  or first cashbox chute  18  in the case that the second sorter gate solenoid  58  fails. 
     In the example of  FIG. 9 , the second sorter gate solenoid  58  is activated so that the second sorter arm  60  is extended in order to cause the first channelling face  63  of the second sorter gate  17  to be aligned with the cashbox channel  61  of the first sorter gate  16  and therefore with the accept path  13 . This causes the inserted coin  12  to be directed to the first cashbox chute  18 . 
     An alternative situation is depicted in  FIG. 10  wherein the second sorter gate solenoid  58  is activated such that the second sorter arm  60  is retracted in order to cause the second channelling face  64  of the second sorter gate  17  to be aligned with the cashbox channel  61  of the first sorter gate  16  and therefore with the accept path  13 . This causes the inserted coin  12  to be directed to the second cashbox chute  19 . 
     Another alternative situation is depicted in  FIG. 11  wherein the first sorter gate solenoid  57  is activated such that the first sorter arm  59  is extended in order to cause the hopper channel  62  of the first sorter gate  16  to be aligned with the accept path  13  from the accept gate  11 . The hopper channel  62  is defined by a second shelf  86  protruding perpendicularly from the plane of the first sorter gate  16  on the side of the gate comprising the hopper channel  62 , to direct money items down to the first or second hopper chutes  66 ,  67  according to the position of the second sorter gate  17 . The second shelf  86  in this example also provides means for connecting the first sorter arm  59  to the first sorter gate  16  (as illustrated in  FIG. 22 ). In the example depicted in  FIG. 11 , the second sorter gate solenoid  58  is activated such that the second sorter arm  60  is extended in order to cause the first channelling face  63  of the second sorter gate  17  to be aligned with the hopper channel  62  of the first sorter gate  16  and therefore with the accept path  13 . This causes the inserted coin  12  to be directed via the first hopper chute  66  into the hopper arrangement  23 . 
     In the hopper arrangement  23  (depicted in  FIG. 3 ) the coin  12  enters the hopper store  27  and if payout of one or more money items is required, the conveyor  28  is driven in the direction ‘Q’. The conveyor is driven by the conveyor motor  29  which is driven by a conveyor motor driver  87  controlled by the microprocessor  68  within the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1  (see  FIG. 6 ). The coin  12  to be paid to a user is held in a receptacle formed by a lip  34  on the surface of the conveyor  28  and is entrained towards the money item outlet  31  on the conveyor  28  and ejected through the outlet  31 . 
     The Conveyor 
     The operation of the conveyor  28  will now be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 12 to 15 . The conveyor  28  is formed by a plurality of hingedly connected segments  88 . Referring firstly to  FIG. 14 , the segments  88  are connected together by means of pivot pins  89  and each comprises a money item pick-up lip  34 , which is arranged to form a receptacle to receive a money item and thus entrain the money item towards the hopper outlet  31 . Each pick-up lip  34  extends obliquely across the width of the segment  88  from one corner thereof to a point approximately midway along the opposite side of the segment  88 . An upstanding projection  90  which acts, in use, as a stirrer in a manner to be described is formed at one end of each lip  34  and a recess  91  is formed in the upper surface of the conveyor segment  88  adjacent the lip  34 , a chamfered edge  92  being formed at the junction between the bottom of the recess  91  and the lip  34 . As can be seen from the drawings, the lips  34  extend parallel to each other. The underside of each conveyor segment  88  is formed with a plurality of downwardly projecting teeth  93  which mesh with a drive wheel driven by the motor. 
     The conveyor segments  88  are connected together by means of the hinge pins  89  to form an endless loop. The pins are fitted in and slide along a track formed in a pair of spaced side plates, the conveyor being driven round said track by the engagement of the gear wheel with the teeth  93  on the outside of the loop conveyor. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the mouth of the hopper bottom  32  opens directly onto a money item receiving portion  33  of constant radius at the bottom of the conveyor loop so it can be seen that coins in the hopper store  27  will automatically fall under gravity down the inclined hopper bottom  32  and on to the inside surface of the conveyor  28 . The advantage of this arrangement, i.e. feeding to the inside of a closed loop conveyor  28 , is that all the area along-side the conveyor  28  and more importantly, most of the area inside it, can be utilised to house coins. Thus a very large capacity coin store is provided in a very compact space. 
     Due to the distance between the conveyor lips  34  being less than the sum of the diameters of two coins and because of the stirrer  90 , even if 2 coins are resting on each other in the lower corner of a conveyor segment  88  as it starts its upward travel, within a very short space of time, the top coin is forced to roll sideways initially and thereafter slides off the lip  34  leaving only one coin thereon as desired. 
     Chamfered edge  92  is used to unstick any coins from the conveyor  28  should they have become attached thereto due to them being soaked in beer for instance. As the conveyor  28  starts to rise, a coin will tend to slide down onto the lip  34  and as it does so, it will be pushed outwardly by the chamfered edge  92 . This also serves to push outwardly any other coin resting on top of the coin to be paid out whereby it falls off the lip onto the next available lip beneath it. 
     The action of the stirrers  90  is to prevent groups of random coins in the money item receiving portion  33  from forming into ‘rolls’ extending across the width of the conveyor  28 . This ‘rolling’ is a very common phenomenon in coin handling and it should be avoided because it means that the coins end up vertically aligned and therefore they tend to roll along the conveyor  28  instead of falling over and dropping into the spaces between the lips  34 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, all the corner radii of the conveyor track are the same which means that at no point on its path can the conveyor  28  grip and retain a coin between two adjacent lips  34  thereby forming a pinch point. If this were to happen, the conveyor  28  might jam and the motor  29  might burn out. Whilst the avoidance of pinch points in the money item receiving portion  33  is of importance, it is also necessary that there is no risk of the conveyor  28  jamming on the uppermost part of its path after the coins have been fed off via exit  31 . If the upper radii were not appropriately dimensioned to avoid jamming, a sticky coin could attach itself to the conveyor  28  and therefore not be able to roll off into the exit  31 . It would then continue round with the conveyor  28  until it reached the first upper band and jamming would occur. With the illustrated arrangement, this is prevented since, as the conveyor goes round the upper bend, its segments articulate, thereby unsticking the coin which is free to drop back into the money item store  27 . 
     The illustrated embodiment can handle tokens as well as single or multiple denomination coins. In other words, it can either pay out coins from the hopper which are all of the same denomination e.g. 10 p or it can handle multiple coins where 1 p, 5 p, 10 p and 50 p pieces are all mixed together in the hopper. With the former single coin handling, a simple hopper output sensor  94  (see  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  6 ), e.g. an electrical device such as a photoelectric detector or an inductive proximity device is fitted at the exit  31  and connected to the microprocessor  68 , operable so that when the desired number of coins have been dispensed, the motor  29  is switched off. Preferably, the motor  29  is fitted with a brake to prevent inertia induced over-run so that extra coins cannot be paid out after the power supply to the motor  29  has been switched off. If a multi-coin payout is required, then a sophisticated first hopper output sensor  95  is needed operable for instance in conjunction with a solenoid actuated hopper output gate  96 . Such an arrangement is illustrated in  FIG. 16 . The output sensor  95  in this case could be an array of photo-cells at different heights which identify the denomination and count the coins required for the payout until the last coin is due. If the last coin is of too high a denomination, the hopper output gate  96  will be actuated. The hopper output gate  96  is operable to move in the direction of the arrow  97 , driven by a motor shaft  98  connected to a hopper output gate solenoid (not shown) which is controlled by the microprocessor  68 . The microprocessor  68  provides an appropriate signal to a hopper output gate solenoid driver  99  (see  FIG. 6 ) which drives the hopper output gate solenoid to move the hopper output gate  96  to block the outlet  31 . Thus if a coin is not to be ejected, the hopper output gate  96  is driven to a position covering the hopper outlet  31  and the coin will be directed back into the hopper store  27 . This will continue until the correct coin, i.e. a coin of an appropriate denomination to complete the payout, arrives when the gate  96  will revert to its alternative position (as shown in  FIG. 16 ) and the correct coin will be paid out and the conveyor motor  29  switched off. 
     Upon reaching the outlet  31 , the coin  12  is ejected through the outlet, in this example due to the force of gravity. However,  FIG. 17  illustrates a spring-loaded money item ejector  100  operable to provide an additional force to eject money items through the outlet  31 . The ejector  100  is positioned so that it is moved from a money item engaging position against the force of a spring  101  to a discharge position so as to eject the coin  12  through the outlet  31  and thence to the money item engaging position for the next approaching coin to be ejected. The ejector  100  is controlled by the microprocessor  68  such that it is operable to be activated when a money item ejection is required. 
     In addition to the simple first hopper output sensor  94  or sophisticated first hopper output sensor  95  positioned at the hopper outlet  31 , a second hopper output sensor  102  (illustrated schematically in  FIG. 6 ) may also be used, associated with the money item ejector  100 . This could be a device such as a mechanically activated or optical counter to act as a further security measure against the risk of the first sensor  94  or  95  being disabled by a fraudster. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the coin  12 , once ejected from a receptacle of the conveyor  28 , emerges through the hopper outlet  31  and joins the return path  14  leading to a money item collection tray (not shown) for a user to collect. 
     Emptying the Hopper 
     In certain circumstances it is required to empty the hopper of all of its contents, for instance at the end of the day when staff are collecting takings. In this case, appropriate signals are provided by the microprocessor  68  to the conveyor motor driver  87  to drive the conveyor motor  29  to continually eject money items from the hopper outlet  31 . Conventionally in this circumstance money items are ejected in the normal way from the hopper outlet  31 , via the return path  14 , to a money item return tray. However, a feature of the invention is that a purge chute cover  103  (see  FIG. 2 ) may be opened to direct money items from the hopper outlet  31 , via first or second purge chutes  104 ,  105 , to third or fourth cashboxes  106 ,  107 . The cover  103  is substantially rectangular and pivoted along one side by a first pin  108  connected to and rotatably driven by a purge chute cover solenoid (not shown) driven by a purge chute cover solenoid driver  109  (see  FIG. 6 ) controlled by appropriate signals provided by the microprocessor  68 . A purge chute gate  110  is also provided at the entrance to the first and second purge chutes  104 ,  105  to direct coins from the outlet  31  to one of the third and fourth cashboxes  106 ,  107  via one of first and second purge chutes  104 ,  105  respectively.  FIG. 18   c  is a cross-sectional view of the central portion  7  of the unified money item acceptor and hopper  1  taken from the direction of arrow ‘E’ in  FIG. 18   a . The purge chute gate  110  is pivoted about a second pin  111  connected via a driving shaft  112  to a purge chute gate solenoid  113  shown in  FIG. 2 , which controls the position of the gate  110 . The purge chute gate  110  is operable to rotate reciprocally as illustrated by the arrow in  FIG. 18   c  to direct coins  12  to either the first  104  or second  105  purge chutes. The purge chute gate solenoid  113  is driven by a purge chute gate solenoid driver  114  controlled by the microprocessor  68  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     The Cashboxes 
     Referring to  FIGS. 18   a  to  18   c , these illustrate the central portion  7  of the unified money item acceptor and hopper  1 , highlighting the first and second cashbox chutes  18 ,  19  and the first and second purge chutes  104 ,  105 . Also illustrated are first, second, third and fourth cashboxes  24 ,  25 ,  106 ,  107  for collecting money items from the first and second cashbox chutes  24 ,  25  and the first and second purge chutes  104 ,  105  respectively.  FIG. 18   b  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the central portion  7  illustrated in  FIG. 18   a  taken from the direction of arrow ‘D’ in  FIG. 18   a .  FIG. 18   c  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the central portion  7  illustrated in  FIGS. 18   a  and  18   b  taken from the direction of arrow ‘E’ in  FIG. 18   a . The cashboxes  24 ,  25 ,  106 ,  107  may be completely independent boxes, may be housed within the same box with any number of first, second or third dividing portions  115 ,  116 ,  117 , or may be unified to form a single cashbox by the removal of the dividing portions  115 ,  116  and  117 . 
     The lower region of  FIG. 6  outside the dotted box  44  illustrates circuitry within a unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1  other than that within the acceptor  10 . In addition to the components previously described this also comprises a memory device  118  associated with the microprocessor  68 , a power supply unit  119  and external connection means  120 . 
     The microprocessor  68  may perform the functions that would otherwise be performed by the acceptor microcontroller  46 . In this case, the acceptor  10  would not comprise a microcontroller  46  itself and instead one single processor circumscribed by the dashed box  121  would be used in the apparatus  1 . Furthermore, the memory  118  associated with the microprocessor  68  may store data that would otherwise be held in the acceptor memory  47 . The acceptor  10  would not then comprise an individual memory device  47 , but one single memory as circumscribed within the dashed box  122  would be used in the apparatus  1 . 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a unified rotary acceptor and hopper apparatus  123  according to the invention. This comprises an acceptor  124 , an accept gate  125  and a hopper arrangement  126 . A money item  127  enters the acceptor  124  via an input opening  128 . The acceptor  124  of the unified rotary acceptor and hopper apparatus  123  operates in a similar manner to the acceptor  10  of the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1  previously described. The acceptor  124  illustrated comprises a microcontroller operable to determine the authenticity of an inserted money item and to provide a corresponding signal to cause the accept gate  125  to channel the money item to an accept path  129  or a return path  130 . If the money item  127  is found to be unacceptable by the acceptor  124 , the money item  127  is directed via the return path  130  to a return tray (not shown) for a user to collect. Alternatively, if found acceptable, the money item  127  is directed to the hopper arrangement  126 . 
     The hopper arrangement  126  comprises a body member  131 , a hopper store  132  and a disc-like rotary member  133  mounted on the body member  131 . The rotary member  133  is rotated in the direction of arrows ‘R’ by an electric motor (not shown) mounted within the body member  131 , through a reduction gear train (not shown). 
     In use, the hopper store  132  acts as a money item source and feeds money items into receptacles  134  formed by lips  135  on the surface of the rotary member  133 . A coin outlet  136  is provided in the side wall  137  adjacent to a money item ejector device  138 . A money item  127  fed into the hopper store  132  from the accept gate  125  is thus fed into a receptacle  134  and, as the rotary member  133  is rotated by the electric motor, it is transported in an annular path until it reaches a position in which it abuts the ejector device  138 . The ejector device  138  forces the money item  127  through the outlet  136  and the money item  127  is thus directed to a return tray for a user to collect. 
     Counting means (not shown) may be incorporated within the device  123  to count money items as they are ejected. 
     A sorter arrangement similar to that depicted in  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11  incorporated in the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1 , may be incorporated in the apparatus  123 . This would be operable to selectably direct money items to one or more cashboxes via cashbox chutes similar to those described, according, for instance, to the money item denomination or the fill level of the hopper store  132 . The apparatus  123  can further comprise the money item purge gate and associated mechanisms and circuitry as described for the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1 . 
     Unified Acceptor and Twin Hopper Embodiment 
       FIG. 20  is a first external view of a unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus  139  according to the invention, the apparatus comprising an acceptor unit and first and second hoppers. The unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus  139  comprises a first central portion  140  and a second central portion  141 . In a similar manner to the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1 , first and second covers  142 ,  143  are also provided. The first central portion  140  of the unified acceptor and twin-hopper apparatus  139  also comprises a money item entry opening  144  and a money item return opening  145 . Further openings  146 ,  147  for money items to exit to one or more cashboxes are also provided in the first central portion as illustrated in  FIG. 21 . Furthermore, an opening  148  for external connections is provided as well as a printed circuit board cover  149 . 
     The unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus  139  is the same as the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , but with the addition of the second central portion  141 , which contains the second hopper arrangement. Referring to  FIG. 2 , this therefore illustrates a side view of the first central portion  140  of the unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus  139 , the view taken from the direction of the arrow labelled ‘F’ in  FIG. 20 . 
     The second hopper chute  67  leading to the second hopper, unused in the apparatus  1 , is used in the unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus  139  to channel money items to the second hopper located in the second central portion  141  as described in more detail below. 
     The operation of the unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus  139 , following the insertion into the apparatus  139  of a coin  12 , will now be described in detail with reference to the Figures. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a coin  12  entering the unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus  139  will enter the acceptor  10  and be analysed in a similar manner to that previously described with reference to the single hopper apparatus  1 . If the coin  12  becomes jammed in the acceptor  10  it is released automatically through initiation of an acceptance clearance procedure as previously described and is returned to the user via the money item return path  14 . Alternatively, if the coin  12  does not jam in the acceptor  10 , it leaves the acceptor  10  via the acceptor outlet  43  and is directed by an accept gate  11  to an accept path  13  or return path  14 , in accordance with whether or not the coin was found to be genuine by the acceptor microcontroller  46 . In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the accept gate  11  of the unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus  139  operates in the same manner as the accept gate  11  of the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1  illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The coin  12  is therefore directed to the exit opening  145  via the return path  14  or to the sorter  15  via the accept path  13 . 
     An illustration of the sorter arrangement  15  of the unified acceptor and twin hopper  139  is depicted in  FIG. 22  and is the same as the sorter arrangement  15  described for the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1  with reference to  FIGS. 9 to 11 . Reference numerals depicted in  FIG. 22  follow the same numbering as used in  FIGS. 9 to 11 . 
       FIG. 22  illustrates the sorter arrangement wherein the first sorter gate solenoid  57  is activated such that the first sorter arm  59  is extended in order to cause the hopper channel  62  of the first sorter gate  16  to be aligned with the accept path  13  from the accept gate  11 . The hopper channel  62  directs money items to one of the first and second hopper chutes  66 ,  67  according to the position of the second sorter gate  17 . In this example the first hopper is used to receive, store and return a first denomination of coins and the second hopper is used to receive, store and return a second denomination of coins. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 22 , the second sorter gate solenoid  58  is activated such that the second sorter arm  60  is retracted in order to cause the second channelling face  64  of the second sorter gate  17  to be aligned with the hopper channel  62  of the first sorter gate  16  and therefore with the accept path  13 . This causes the inserted coin  12  to be directed to the second hopper chute  67  and into the second hopper. 
     First and second cashbox chutes  18 ,  19  may be used in the unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus  139  so that, when either or both of the hoppers are full, entered coins may be directed to one of first and second cashboxes  24 ,  25  (see  FIG. 18   b ) according to their denomination. Alternatively, both of the first and second cashbox chutes  18 ,  19  may be used for the same denomination of coins or may lead to the same cashbox for receiving a single or multiple denominations of coin, or one or other of the first and second cashbox chutes  18 ,  19  may be omitted entirely. 
     The sorter arrangement is operable to direct an inserted coin to the first or to the second hopper arrangements as well as to one or more cashboxes. The first hopper within the twin hopper apparatus  139  is located in the first central portion  140  and according to one aspect of the invention is identical to the hopper of the unified acceptor and hopper  1 , which is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  FIG. 3  accordingly illustrates a cross-sectional view of the first central portion  140  of a twin hopper apparatus according to the invention, the view taken from the direction of arrow ‘G’ in  FIG. 20 .  FIG. 3  is a side elevation of the mechanism of  FIG. 4  taken along the line I-I thereof. The first hopper works in a similar manner to that previously described with reference to the unified acceptor and hopper apparatus  1 . A sprung ejector  100  such as that illustrated in  FIG. 17  may be used to increase the payout speed of the first hopper. Also, the sophisticated hopper output sensor  95  and hopper outlet gate  96  as illustrated in  FIG. 16  may be incorporated in the first hopper, for instance where the hopper is to be used for multi-denominations of coins. 
     The second hopper of the twin hopper apparatus is located in the second central portion  141 . A cross sectional view of this portion  141  of the apparatus  139  is illustrated in  FIG. 23 . This, in a similar manner to the first hopper, comprises a hopper arrangement  150  including a hopper inlet  151 , a hopper store  152 , a conveyor  153 , a conveyor motor  154  having conveyor gearing means  155  and a money item outlet  156 . Coins entering the second hopper do so via the money item inlet  151 , which is the end of the second hopper chute  67  as depicted in  FIG. 22 . Inserted coins then drop into the second hopper store  152 . The store  152  has a base  157  that is downwardly inclined such that coins tend to move due to gravity towards the inner side  158  of the conveyor  153 . The conveyor  153  is selectably driven in the direction ‘S’ by the conveyor motor  154  to eject money items through the outlet  156 . A sprung ejector  100  such as that illustrated in  FIG. 17  may be used to enable the payout speed of the second hopper to be increased. Also, the sophisticated hopper output sensor  95  and hopper outlet gate  96  as illustrated in  FIG. 16  may be incorporated in the second hopper, for instance where the second hopper arrangement  150  is to be used for multi-denominations of coins. 
     From the hopper outlet  156  the coin  12  is ejected via the return path  14  to a tray for a user to collect. The unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus  139  may further comprise the money item purge gate and associated mechanisms and circuitry as described for the unified money item acceptor and hopper apparatus  1 . 
       FIGS. 18   a  to  18   c , due to the similarities between the unified acceptor and hopper apparatus  1  and unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus, illustrate equally the first central portion  140  of the unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus  139 .  FIG. 18   c  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the central portion  140  illustrated in  FIGS. 18   a  and  18   b  taken from the direction of arrow ‘E’ in  FIG. 18   a .  FIG. 18   c  illustrates the first and second purge chutes  104 ,  105  leading to the third and fourth cashboxes  106 ,  107  respectively. The second purge chute  105  was unused in the unified acceptor and hopper apparatus  1 , however, in the unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus  139  the second purge chute  105  is used to direct money items from the second hopper to the fourth cashbox  107 . In this manner the first and second hoppers, if used for separate money item denominations or currencies, may have their contents emptied at the end of the day via the first and second purge chutes  104 ,  105  respectively. Alternatively, a single purge chute may be used to direct money items purged from both the first and second hopper arrangements to a single cashbox. 
     Twin Hopper Arrangement 
     In an alternative embodiment the acceptor  10  and accept gate  11  may be omitted from the unified acceptor and twin hopper apparatus  139 , which is otherwise as described, making the apparatus simply a twin hopper apparatus. Referring to  FIG. 2  and using the reference numerals depicted there, the acceptor  10  and accept gate  11  may be replaced by a money item chute (not shown) extending from the money item input opening  2  to the money item sorter  15  and the electrical circuitry of the device would be adjusted accordingly. This may involve the addition of money item denomination sensing means located, for instance, in the money item chute, to determine the denomination of inputted money items and provide this information to the processor  68 . The vending or other machine in which the twin hopper apparatus is installed may also have installed within it an individual acceptor to accept money items inserted into the machine and to feed money items into the twin hopper apparatus entry opening  144 . The twin hopper apparatus may in this case receive signals from the individual acceptor indicating the denomination of an inputted money item. 
     Loop Conveyor 
       FIG. 24  illustrates an embodiment in accordance with the invention of a loop conveyor  160  for a hopper according to the invention. The loop conveyor  160  illustrated is formed in a single moulding from plastic and comprises a plurality of rigid rectangular portions  161  interconnected by a plurality of flexible regions  162  formed by regions of plastic that are thinner than that of the rigid portions  161 . Each rigid portion  161  comprises on its inner surface a raised portion forming a lip  163  that extends across the width of each rigid portion  161 . At one side of each lip is an upstanding projection  164  that acts as a stirrer as previously described when the loop conveyor  160  is in use. Each rigid portion  161  further comprises first and second lugs  165 ,  166  extending from the first and second longer edges  167 ,  168  of the rigid portion  161  respectively. These lugs  165 ,  166 , when in use, slide in a track (not shown) within a hopper. The track guides the loop conveyor  160  in an annular path. The rectangular rigid portions  161  also comprise a plurality of teeth  169  on their outer surfaces, which in use mesh with a drive wheel driven by a conveyor motor. 
     The entire loop conveyor  161  may be formed in a single moulding or alternatively a single moulding could be used to form the basic frame of the loop conveyor  160  with features such as the lips  163 , runners  165 ,  166  and teeth  169  being subsequently welded onto the basic frame of the loop conveyor  160  using a conventional technique. 
     Hopper Filling Device 
       FIG. 25  illustrates a hopper filling device  170  according to the invention. This comprises a body member  171 , a hopper store  172  and a disc-like rotary member  173  mounted on the body member  171 . The rotary member  173  is rotated in the direction of arrow ‘T’ by an electric motor (not shown) mounted within the body member  171 , through a reduction gear train (not shown). 
     The filling device  170  generally operates in a similar fashion to a money item dispensing apparatus manufactured by Money Controls Limited referred to as the Compact Hopper. Reference is also directed to EP-A-0266021 in relation to the operation of such devices. 
     In use, coins are fed into the hopper  172  so that the hopper acts as a coin source and feeds coins into circular apertures  174  in the rotary member  173 . The coins slide on an inclined side wall  175  of the body member  171  which has an annular upper surface bounded by a circular side wall  176  around the circular edge of the rotary member  173 . A coin outlet  177  is provided in the side wall  176 , leading via a short coin chute to a coin exit opening  178 . A coin ejector device  179  in the form of a pivoted fork member has first and second coin engaging members protruding through openings in the inclined wall  175  of the body member  171 . 
     The filling device  170  is located in a position associated with a coin dispensing device  180  to be filled such that a continuous money item path is created between the coin exit opening  178  and a coin input  181  of the dispensing device  180 . Locating members  182  can be provided to aid the positioning of the filling device  170 . These can be located on a surface of the dispensing apparatus as illustrated or alternatively may be located on the filling device  170 . 
     A money item fed into the hopper  172  is thus fed into a circular aperture  175  and, as the rotary member  173  is rotated by the electric motor, it is transported in an annular path until it reaches a position in which it abuts the ejector device  179 . The ejector device  179  ejects the money item through the outlet  177  and the money item is thus directed to the coin exit opening  178 . From this opening  178 , by virtue of the continuous money item path between the coin exit opening  178  and a coin input  181  of the dispensing apparatus  180 , the coin is directed into the dispensing apparatus  180 . 
     Counting means (not shown) may be incorporated within the filling device  170  to count money items as they are ejected. The number of money items ejected may be displayed on an LCD or other form of display (not shown) on the filling device  170 . The filling device may also comprise connecting means  183  that locate with connecting means associated with the dispensing apparatus  180 . In this way, one or more electrical connections  184  are made between the filling device  170  and the money item dispensing apparatus  180 . The filling device  170  may accordingly receive power and command signals from the money item dispensing apparatus. The filling device  170  may provide one or more signals to the dispensing apparatus  180  indicating, for instance, the number of coins that have been ejected from the filling device  170 . In the example illustrated, the fling device  170  is provided with a switch  185  for initiating and terminating operation of the device  170 . 
     As used herein the term “money item” includes coins, tokens and other similar items having an attributable monetary value. 
     The acceptors described herein do not necessarily have sensors formed by inductor coils. Other sensing means such as optical sensors may alternatively be used in the acceptor. In this circumstance the acceptor circuitry would be adjusted accordingly, this, for instance, involving alterations to the coil drive and interface circuitry  45  and the operation of the acceptor microcontroller  46 .

Technology Category: 3