EP1020819B1 - Coin distributor for coin actuated machines - Google Patents

Coin distributor for coin actuated machines Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1020819B1
EP1020819B1 EP99929338A EP99929338A EP1020819B1 EP 1020819 B1 EP1020819 B1 EP 1020819B1 EP 99929338 A EP99929338 A EP 99929338A EP 99929338 A EP99929338 A EP 99929338A EP 1020819 B1 EP1020819 B1 EP 1020819B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coin
coins
returner
outlet
belt
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99929338A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Spanish (es)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1020819A1 (en
Inventor
Eugenio Guelbenzu Michelena
José Luis Pina Insausti
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Azkoyen Medios de Pago SA
Original Assignee
Azkoyen Medios de Pago SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Azkoyen Medios de Pago SA filed Critical Azkoyen Medios de Pago SA
Publication of EP1020819A1 publication Critical patent/EP1020819A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1020819B1 publication Critical patent/EP1020819B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D3/00—Sorting a mixed bulk of coins into denominations
    • G07D3/14—Apparatus driven under control of coin-sensing elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D9/00—Counting coins; Handling of coins not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • G07D9/008—Feeding coins from bulk

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a coin returner for coin-operated machines, such as game machines and/or vending machines.
  • returners which include a coin elevator consisting of a rising chute with a cross-section approximately equal to that of the coins in the container, with a lower inlet and an upper outlet located in the smaller walls.
  • a coin elevator consisting of a rising chute with a cross-section approximately equal to that of the coins in the container, with a lower inlet and an upper outlet located in the smaller walls.
  • a returner which includes an endless belt inclined upwards, which the coin returner outlet faces directly.
  • the belt is provided with transverse ribs which simplify coin transport.
  • the coin container is provided with a mechanism which carries the coins towards the belt at a certain position. When the coins reach the upper end of the belt they pass to a second horizontal transporter.
  • the returner of the described Japanese patent requires a special mechanism at the outlet of the coin returner to supply such coins to the belt in the correct position.
  • the object of the present invention is a coin returner consisting of an endless belt which occupies a small space and allows to raise coins with respect to the outlet point of the returner.
  • the returner of the invention also has the advantage that it can be applied to traditional construction coin returners or containers.
  • a further advantage of the returner of the invention is that the coins supplied by the container can return to the container or delivered for a second use.
  • Another advantage of the returner of the invention is that it can include means for determining the value of the different coins which may be carried by the belt as well as their position, selecting those which are to be returned and those which must return to the container, so that it can be applied to a coin container which receives and stores coins of different value.
  • the returner of the invention consists of an endless belt with transverse transport blades whose belt connects two points located at different heights, a lower one corresponding to the coin returner outlet and a higher one corresponding to the outlet to the collection tray.
  • the belt has its rising segment bordered by a screen consisting of a front wall next to the longitudinal free edge of the blades and side walls next to the adjacent belt edges.
  • This screen is provided with a bottom or lower opening and at least one more upper opening consituting a coin return outlet.
  • the bottom opening is located in one of the side walls while the upper opening or openings can be on the side walls or on the front wall.
  • the bottom opening is placed opposite the coin returner outlet in order to receive coins one by one parallel to the belt. It shall be provided at least with one outlet opening on top which will be opposite the collection tray.
  • the rising path of the coins is intercepted by a trapdoor placed even with the top opening which reroutes the coins towards the coin return outlet opening. The trapdoor is retracted by the blades as these pass.
  • the space it occupies is minimised and it can reach a height equal to the length of the belt.
  • the screen which encloses the rising segment of the belt on the front and sides prevents the coins from falling, ensuring that they are carried from the inlet opening to the outlet.
  • the belt can be placed vertically, at least in its rising segment, which may even have a negative slope, and thus the space occupied by the belt is minimised and a height can be reached equal to the length of said belt.
  • the belt may include means for identifying the value of coins carried by the blades as well as means for detecting the position of these blades, so that at all times the coins in the different position are identified by their value. In this way, as the coins reach the upper section of the belt they are re-routed towards the collection tray, returned to the coin container or sent for a second use, depending on whether or not their value agrees with that of the coins that must be returned.
  • the screen shall be provided with at least two upper openings, and the coins carried by the belt will be selectively re-routed towards one or another of these openings.
  • the positional control of the transportation blades and of the coins can be obtained by using optical, magnetic, capacitance, etc. sensors.
  • the belt drive motor may include a Gray code reader to control the revolutions of this motor.
  • the length of the belt will depend on the number of coins which must be carried and on the height which must be attained with respect to the coin returner outlet.
  • the conveyor belt will be capable of moving in either direction. By controlling the position of the coins and the motor we will know whether we need the system to turn in one sense or another, so that the system delivers the exact coins which must be returned or paid to the user.
  • the returner will preferably have a coin inlet detector and an outlet detector. The returner will stop when the coin outlet detector has counted the pre-set number of outlets.
  • Figure 1 is a side elevation of a coin returner constructed according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a front elevation of the returner of figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a view similar to figure 1 of a returner with a coin identification element.
  • Figure 4 is a view similar to figure 3 of a returner with two upper outlets.
  • Figure 5 is a front elevation of the returner of figure 4.
  • FIGS 6 and 7 are views similar to figures 1 and 2 showing an alternative construction.
  • Figures 8 and 9 correspond to area A of figure 6 enlarged with the trapdoor in the retracted and re-routing positions respectively.
  • the returner shown in figures 1 and 2 consists of an endless belt, labelled 1, mounted between a driving roller 2 and direction changing rollers labelled 3 and 4. Endless belt 1 is provided in its transportation surface with transverse transportation blades labelled as 5.
  • the endless belt at least in its rising section, is bordered by a screen consisting of a front wall 7 and side walls 8 which are next to free longitudinal edge and the transverse edges respectively of transportation blades 5.
  • the described screen is provided with a lower opening placed on one of the side walls facing a lower coin return outlet associated with a coin container labelled 11 in figure 5, in this case by means of the chute 11a.
  • This lower opening is labelled as 9 in figure 5 where receipt of coins 10 from coin container 11 is shown.
  • the screen which surrounds the rising segment of belt 1 is also provided with at least one upper outlet opening or coin return outlet labelled as 12.
  • a trapdoor 13 which can intercept the rising path of the coins and re-route these towards outlet 12. Trapdoor 13 is retractable so that it can adopt position 13' of figure 1 where it allows blades 5 to pass freely.
  • rising segment 6 of the belt can be placed vertically as shown in figure 1 and labelled 14, or even with a negative slope as labelled 15 in said figure.
  • Figure 3 shows a construction similar to the one described with reference to figures 1 and 2 but including a coin identifying element 16 as well as an impulse generator 17 in drive roller 2 and an impulse reader 18.
  • identifying element 16 By means of identifying element 16 the value of coin 10 carried by each blade 5 may be known, while by means of the impulse generator 17 and reader 18 the position of blades 5 can be known.
  • Drive roller 2 is driven by a micro-engine 19.
  • the screen surrounding the rising segment of the belt will preferably have two upper outlets which in the example shown in figures 4 and 5 are placed at different heights and labelled 20 and 21.
  • a trapdoor 22-23 Directly above each of these openings is a trapdoor 22-23, similar to trapdoor 13 described with reference to figures 1 and 2.
  • trapdoors shall also be retractable to allow blades 5 to pass.
  • trapdoor 23 shall be activated depending on the value of coins 10 carried by the different blades 5.
  • trapdoor 23 may or may not intercept the coin which reaches outlet 20 depending on whether said coin must be directed to the collection tray through outlet 20 or not, as a function of the information provided by identification element 16 and impulse generator 17 and reader 18.
  • trapdoor 23 In the event that the coin must be paid, that is, sent to the collection tray, trapdoor 23 shall intercept it and it is re-routed towards outlet 20 which leads to the collection chute or tray. If the coin reaching the position of outlet 20 must not be paid trapdoor 23 is retracted and the coin continues to rise carried by the corresponding blade until trapdoor 22 is reached, which reroutes such coin towards outlet 21 leading to the coin container for its recovery. The coin could also be directed towards a second use or application.
  • the returner may be installed in containers 11 holding coins of several values, the returner identifying and selecting the coins which must be paid.
  • a belt 1 may be used which can move in both directions.
  • the returner may also be provided with a coin entry detector near inlet opening 9 and an outlet detector near coin return outlet 20, so that the returner stops when the outlet detector counts the pre-set number of coins as decided by their value.
  • Figures 6 to 9 show an alternative construction wherein the trapdoor which can intercept the rising path of the coins, labelled as 25, moves linearly and is controlled by an electromagnet 26.
  • Figure 8 shows trapdoor 25 in its retracted position while in figure 9 trapdoor 25' intercepts the path of the coins and reroutes them towards the outlet as shown in figure 7.
  • blades 5 may have an inclined surface 5' for the coins to rest on, which facilitates their exit when trapdoor 25' intercepts their path and ensures a position of the coins which allows mounting detectors which identify their value, for example as a function of their diameter. Otherwise, this embodiment is equivalent to the one described with reference to figures 1 to 4.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
  • Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
  • Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
  • Structure Of Belt Conveyors (AREA)
  • Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)
  • Belt Conveyors (AREA)
  • Branching, Merging, And Special Transfer Between Conveyors (AREA)
EP99929338A 1998-07-31 1999-07-16 Coin distributor for coin actuated machines Expired - Lifetime EP1020819B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES009801634A ES2144963B1 (es) 1998-07-31 1998-07-31 Pagador de monedas para maquinas accionadas por monedas.
ES9801634 1998-07-31
PCT/ES1999/000228 WO2000008608A1 (es) 1998-07-31 1999-07-16 Pagador de monedas para maquinas accionadas por monedas

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1020819A1 EP1020819A1 (en) 2000-07-19
EP1020819B1 true EP1020819B1 (en) 2002-11-06

Family

ID=8304725

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99929338A Expired - Lifetime EP1020819B1 (en) 1998-07-31 1999-07-16 Coin distributor for coin actuated machines

Country Status (12)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1020819B1 (no)
AR (1) AR019966A1 (no)
AT (1) ATE227451T1 (no)
AU (1) AU753528B2 (no)
BR (1) BR9906643A (no)
DE (1) DE69903788T2 (no)
ES (1) ES2144963B1 (no)
HU (1) HUP0004399A3 (no)
NO (1) NO20001661L (no)
PE (1) PE20001010A1 (no)
WO (1) WO2000008608A1 (no)
ZA (1) ZA994888B (no)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4960690B2 (ja) * 2006-12-08 2012-06-27 グローリー株式会社 硬貨入出金機
DE102009048582A1 (de) * 2009-10-07 2011-04-28 Höft & Wessel Aktiengesellschaft Verkaufsautomat mit Münzverarbeitungsvorrichtung
DE102011001870A1 (de) 2011-04-07 2012-10-11 Wincor Nixdorf International Gmbh Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Sortieren von Münzen
DE102011054167A1 (de) * 2011-04-07 2012-10-11 Wincor Nixdorf International Gmbh Vorrichtung zur Handhabung von Münzen
DE102011050528A1 (de) * 2011-05-20 2012-11-22 Wincor Nixdorf International Gmbh Vorrichtung zur Handhabung von Münzen mit einer Sortiereinheit zum seitlichen Aussortieren der Münzen
DE102011054532A1 (de) * 2011-10-17 2013-04-18 Wincor Nixdorf International Gmbh Vorrichtung zur Handhabung von Münzen mit einem Linearspeicher
DE102012100309A1 (de) * 2012-01-13 2013-07-18 Wincor Nixdorf International Gmbh Vorrichtung zur Handhabung von Münzen mit beidseitig angeordneten Münzaufnahmebehältern
CN102708619B (zh) * 2012-06-12 2014-02-05 上海华铭智能终端设备股份有限公司 用于自动售票装置的硬币传送处理机构
CN105009176B (zh) * 2013-02-04 2018-03-27 克瑞支付创新有限公司 输送金钱物项
GB2514156A (en) * 2013-05-15 2014-11-19 Crane Payment Solutions Ltd Money item dispensing

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3229806A (en) * 1963-06-19 1966-01-18 Brandt Automatic Cashier Co Coin feeder
GB1386304A (en) * 1972-04-17 1975-03-05 Bell Punch Co Ltd Coin processing machines
US3910295A (en) * 1974-01-07 1975-10-07 Rowe International Inc Bulk-loading coin hopper having endless pin chain pickup
DE2746635A1 (de) * 1977-10-17 1979-04-26 Krauth App Gmbh Alfred Muenzsortiervorrichtung
US4416299A (en) * 1981-08-13 1983-11-22 Brandt, Inc. Coin loader
JP2988004B2 (ja) * 1991-05-29 1999-12-06 松下電器産業株式会社 硬貨搬送装置
DE4308725C2 (de) * 1993-03-15 1996-12-19 Zimmermann & Co F Münzprüf- und Münzsortiereinrichtung mit Vertikalförderung flachliegender Münzen
JPH06301841A (ja) * 1993-04-14 1994-10-28 Zetsutaa Kogyo Kk コインのリフト装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2144963A1 (es) 2000-06-16
NO20001661L (no) 2000-05-24
AR019966A1 (es) 2002-03-27
HUP0004399A2 (hu) 2001-04-28
AU4617699A (en) 2000-02-28
AU753528B2 (en) 2002-10-17
HUP0004399A3 (en) 2001-05-28
ES2144963B1 (es) 2001-01-01
ATE227451T1 (de) 2002-11-15
ZA994888B (en) 2000-02-29
NO20001661D0 (no) 2000-03-30
PE20001010A1 (es) 2000-10-17
EP1020819A1 (en) 2000-07-19
BR9906643A (pt) 2002-01-15
DE69903788D1 (de) 2002-12-12
WO2000008608A1 (es) 2000-02-17
DE69903788T2 (de) 2003-09-18

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