EP1717765A1 - Token accepting mechanism for vending machine, tokens and the combination of tokens and token accepting mechanism and vending machine equipped with such token accepting machine - Google Patents

Token accepting mechanism for vending machine, tokens and the combination of tokens and token accepting mechanism and vending machine equipped with such token accepting machine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1717765A1
EP1717765A1 EP05076052A EP05076052A EP1717765A1 EP 1717765 A1 EP1717765 A1 EP 1717765A1 EP 05076052 A EP05076052 A EP 05076052A EP 05076052 A EP05076052 A EP 05076052A EP 1717765 A1 EP1717765 A1 EP 1717765A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
token
recess
accepting mechanism
mechanism according
rotatable body
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05076052A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Bartholomeus J. A. Unilever R&D Vlaa van Haperen
Taede Franciscus Unilever R&D Vlaardingen Kroon
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.)
Unilever NV
Original Assignee
Unilever NV
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 Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever NV
Priority to EP05076052A priority Critical patent/EP1717765A1/en
Publication of EP1717765A1 publication Critical patent/EP1717765A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F5/00—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks
    • G07F5/02—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks actuated mechanically by coins, e.g. by a single coin

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a token accepting mechanism.
  • the invention further relates to tokens, and to the combination of said token accepting mechanism and tokens, as well as a vending machine equipped with such token accepting mechanism.
  • the present invention relates to a token accepting mechanism comprising a frame or housing which comprises:
  • the above can be achieved suitably by designing the recess such that coin-shaped tokens either sit too deep in the recess, or coin-shaped tokens stick out of the recess (beyond the circular circumference of the rotatable body).
  • the first can engage the locking means, as can the second sitiation: engaging the same or alternative locking means.
  • the latter, alternative locking means can be a simple pin or other stationary part of the frame or housing, allowing the rotatable body filled with the correct token to slide (just) past, but to prevent the rotatable body filled with a token sticking out too much.
  • the circumference of the rotatable body is completed in a non-circular way or is not fully completed when a coin-shaped token is fully inserted in the recess.
  • a locking mechanism is engaged upon rotation of the rotatable body preventing full (360°) rotation.
  • the rotation may be blocked much earlier (e.g. after only 10° rotation), as long as full rotation is not possible when a coin-shaped token is employed.
  • the recess of the token accepting mechanism as shaped according to the present invention, it was found that when instead of the correct token, circular, disc-shaped tokens are used (e.g. coin of lower value than the correct token), the disc-shaped token either cannot fully enter the recess and thus is sticking out to a large extent, or can be inserted in the recess such that the recess is not fully closed up.
  • the locking means can be designed easily such that in both cases the lock blocks rotation (in at least one direction, beyond a certain extent). The lock can also block rotation when the recess is empty.
  • the locking means can comprise a hinged lever or sliding bolt. Typically, such locking means can be continuously pressing or leaning against the circumference of the rotatable body (e.g.
  • such second lock may be a stationary part of the frame or housing.
  • the above can be conveniently achieved in the token accepting mechanism when the depth of the recess is not equal to the width of the recess, when the width is measured at half the depth. It can be preferred that the width of the recess when the width is measured at half the depth of the recess is at least 5%, preferably at least 10% larger or smaller than the width of the recess. I.e. small differences in width and depth of the recess may exist: the larger the difference however, the more effective it is against counterfeit tokens and the more simple the construction can be.
  • the rotatable body comprises a rotatable disc. It is also preferred that the rotatable body with the recess is covered on both planes of rotation: either fixed to the rotatable body (and thus closing the recess to the sides and rotation with it), or fixed to the frame or housing (and thus closing the recess on the sides and the the rotatable body sliding between such covering).
  • the recess and token are shaped such that when the recess contains the token fully inserted, the rotatable disc (when the rotatable body is a rotatable disc) is a closed circle when the correct token is in place in the recess.
  • the recess may be of different shape than the token, as long as when the correct token is in place, the circumference of the rotating body is closed at the recess (preferably as a closed circle), thus preventing the locking means from blocking rotation.
  • the present invention further relates to a substantially non-disc-shaped token and token accepting mechanism, the token accepting mechanism comprising a frame or housing which comprises:
  • the correct token for the present invention can have various sizes and shapes, but not the shape of a conventional disc-shaped coin, as it will leave space for the locking means to engage and block rotation or block rotation as it (the incorrect token) sticks out too much.
  • This provides a further advantage in that tokens can be made that stand out against most conventional tokens, as they have an unusual shape. It also allows tokens in the shape of known objects, brands or logo's.
  • the token can have the shape of a truncated cone.
  • Such truncated cone-shaped token can have a curved end at the non-truncated side of the cone. This curved end is preferably convex of shape, and more preferably the curve of the convex side has the same radius as the rotatable disc.
  • the token can be made of plastic or metal, and is preferably a flat object of 1-5 mm thickness.
  • the token accepting mechanism according to the present invention is well suited to be part of a vending machine (preferably manually operated to keep it simple and cheap) equipped with a helical transport means (e.g. a coil of metal), wherein the goods to be vended are kept in the vending machine between the windings of the helical transport means (and preferably supported by a tray), and wherein the rotatable body (of the token accepting means) is connected to the helical transport means.
  • a helical transport means e.g. a coil of metal
  • FIG. 1 An example of a lock disc according to the invention is shown in fig. 1: the top figure shows that a simple disc-like object (e.g. coin of cheaper value than the token) leaves space between the inserted "token” and the rotating lock disc, allowing the locking lever to block rotating in one direction.
  • the bottom figure shows the same lock disc, now containing the proper token, and thus leaving no space for the lever to block rotation of the disc, and thus allowing rotation and liberation of the vended goods.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A token accepting mechanism and tokens, which comprises a rotatable body, said body having a recess extending from the circumference inwards allowing a token to be inserted, locking means capable of blocking rotation of the rotatable body in at least one direction, wherein coin-shaped tokens either sit too deep in the recess thus engaging the locking means or coin-shaped tokens stick out of the recess too much thus engaging the same or alternative locking means. Said token accepting mechanism can be part of a vending machine.

Description

    Field of the invention
  • The present invention relates to a token accepting mechanism. The invention further relates to tokens, and to the combination of said token accepting mechanism and tokens, as well as a vending machine equipped with such token accepting mechanism.
    • Background of the invention
  • A multitude of tokens and token accepting mechanisms have been developed in the past, as alternative for vending machines that work on coins of a specific currency. The most simple tokens are disc-shaped tokens. However, such tokens can easily be counterfeited. Thus, developers of vending machines usually have a common task in developing a mechanism that does not accept counterfeit tokens.
  • A system aiming to provide a solution to said counterfeit-problem is disclosed in US 4,421,220 . In this document disc-like tokens are presented having a notched periphery. An alternative solution is proposed in US 2,957,258 : a box-like token which appears homogeneous, but which token is composed of two elements having a different specific gravity. A further alternative is proposed in GB 1342993 in which the tokens are discs with an indent, which need to fit a specific-shaped slot. A similar system is disclosed in US 1,795,739 . Yet a further alternative is disclosed in US 2,836,911 which has disc-shaped coins which have excentrically disposed openings.
  • Although the above systems may be satisfactory to some extent, there is a need for a simple, cheap to manufacture token accepting means that provides good resistance to counterfeit tokens and does not allow the use of normal coins (as such coin may have a lower value than the token).
    • Summary of the invention
  • The present invention relates to a token accepting mechanism comprising a frame or housing which comprises:
    • a rotatable body,
    • said body having a recess extending from the circumference inwards allowing a token to be inserted,
    • locking means capable of blocking rotation of the rotatable body in at least one direction,
    wherein a coin-shaped token, when fully inserted in the recess, either leaves part of the recess exposed or said coin-shaped token extends beyond the circular circumference of the rotatable body. In this, with "part of the recess exposed" is meant not the sides of the recess (in the plane of rotation of the rotatable body) but that part of the recess is exposed towards the circumference of the rotatable body.
  • The above can be achieved suitably by designing the recess such that coin-shaped tokens either sit too deep in the recess, or coin-shaped tokens stick out of the recess (beyond the circular circumference of the rotatable body). The first can engage the locking means, as can the second sitiation: engaging the same or alternative locking means. The latter, alternative locking means can be a simple pin or other stationary part of the frame or housing, allowing the rotatable body filled with the correct token to slide (just) past, but to prevent the rotatable body filled with a token sticking out too much.
  • In alternative wording: it is preferred that the circumference of the rotatable body is completed in a non-circular way or is not fully completed when a coin-shaped token is fully inserted in the recess.
  • Thus, it is preferred that when a coin-shaped token is inserted a locking mechanism is engaged upon rotation of the rotatable body preventing full (360°) rotation. The rotation may be blocked much earlier (e.g. after only 10° rotation), as long as full rotation is not possible when a coin-shaped token is employed.
    • Detailed description of the invention
  • With the recess of the token accepting mechanism as shaped according to the present invention, it was found that when instead of the correct token, circular, disc-shaped tokens are used (e.g. coin of lower value than the correct token), the disc-shaped token either cannot fully enter the recess and thus is sticking out to a large extent, or can be inserted in the recess such that the recess is not fully closed up. The locking means can be designed easily such that in both cases the lock blocks rotation (in at least one direction, beyond a certain extent). The lock can also block rotation when the recess is empty. The locking means can comprise a hinged lever or sliding bolt. Typically, such locking means can be continuously pressing or leaning against the circumference of the rotatable body (e.g. by gravity or spring load), and when the rotatable body is turned such that the recess meets the locking means, the locking means jumps in the space left over of the recess when the recess is empty or a too small (incorrect) token is inserted, thus blocking further rotation. A too large token will have it sticking out of the recess, and the same or other locking means may also prevent blocking further rotation in such case. In case of a disc-shaped rotatable body such second lock may be a stationary part of the frame or housing.
  • The above can be conveniently achieved in the token accepting mechanism when the depth of the recess is not equal to the width of the recess, when the width is measured at half the depth. It can be preferred that the width of the recess when the width is measured at half the depth of the recess is at least 5%, preferably at least 10% larger or smaller than the width of the recess. I.e. small differences in width and depth of the recess may exist: the larger the difference however, the more effective it is against counterfeit tokens and the more simple the construction can be.
  • It can be preferred for ease of operation and manufacturing that the rotatable body comprises a rotatable disc. It is also preferred that the rotatable body with the recess is covered on both planes of rotation: either fixed to the rotatable body (and thus closing the recess to the sides and rotation with it), or fixed to the frame or housing (and thus closing the recess on the sides and the the rotatable body sliding between such covering).
  • Preferably, the recess and token are shaped such that when the recess contains the token fully inserted, the rotatable disc (when the rotatable body is a rotatable disc) is a closed circle when the correct token is in place in the recess. The recess may be of different shape than the token, as long as when the correct token is in place, the circumference of the rotating body is closed at the recess (preferably as a closed circle), thus preventing the locking means from blocking rotation.
  • Thus, the present invention further relates to a substantially non-disc-shaped token and token accepting mechanism, the token accepting mechanism comprising a frame or housing which comprises:
    • a rotatable body in disc shape
    • said body having a recess extending from the circumference inwards allowing a token to be inserted
    • locking means capable of blocking rotation of the rotatable body in at least one direction,
    wherein the substantially non-disc-shaped token, when inserted in the recess, completes the circumferentially extending surface at the location of the recess in a substantially circular way.
  • The correct token for the present invention can have various sizes and shapes, but not the shape of a conventional disc-shaped coin, as it will leave space for the locking means to engage and block rotation or block rotation as it (the incorrect token) sticks out too much. This provides a further advantage in that tokens can be made that stand out against most conventional tokens, as they have an unusual shape. It also allows tokens in the shape of known objects, brands or logo's.
  • For example, the token can have the shape of a truncated cone. Such truncated cone-shaped token can have a curved end at the non-truncated side of the cone. This curved end is preferably convex of shape, and more preferably the curve of the convex side has the same radius as the rotatable disc.
  • Typically, the token can be made of plastic or metal, and is preferably a flat object of 1-5 mm thickness.
  • The token accepting mechanism according to the present invention is well suited to be part of a vending machine (preferably manually operated to keep it simple and cheap) equipped with a helical transport means (e.g. a coil of metal), wherein the goods to be vended are kept in the vending machine between the windings of the helical transport means (and preferably supported by a tray), and wherein the rotatable body (of the token accepting means) is connected to the helical transport means. This would allow (when a correct token is inserted) turning of the rotatable body, past the lock, wherein the helical transport means is turned at the same time, eventually displacing (and if correctly engineered liberating) one vendable item. The mechanism can be equipped with means preventing counter-rotating the token accepting means.
    • EXAMPLE
  • An example of a lock disc according to the invention is shown in fig. 1: the top figure shows that a simple disc-like object (e.g. coin of cheaper value than the token) leaves space between the inserted "token" and the rotating lock disc, allowing the locking lever to block rotating in one direction. The bottom figure shows the same lock disc, now containing the proper token, and thus leaving no space for the lever to block rotation of the disc, and thus allowing rotation and liberation of the vended goods.

Claims (14)

  1. Token accepting mechanism comprising a frame or housing which comprises:
    - a rotatable body
    - said body having a recess extending from the circumference inwards allowing a token to be inserted
    - locking means capable of blocking rotation of the rotatable body in at least one direction,
    wherein a coin-shaped token, when fully inserted in the recess, either leaves part of the recess exposed or said coin-shaped token extends beyond the circular circumference of the rotatable body.
  2. Token accepting mechanism according to claim 1, characterised in that when a coin-shaped token is inserted a locking mechanism is engaged upon rotation of the rotatable body preventing full (360°) rotation.
  3. Token accepting mechanism according to claim 1-2, wherein the depth of the recess is not equal to the width of the recess, when the width is measured at half the depth.
  4. Token accepting mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the width of the recess when the width is measured at half the depth of the recess is at least 5%, preferably at least 10% larger or smaller than the width of the recess.
  5. Token accepting mechanism according to claim 1-3, wherein the rotatable body comprises a rotatable disc.
  6. Token accepting mechanism according to claim 1-4, wherein the locking means comprises a hinged lever or sliding bolt.
  7. Token accepting mechanism according to claim 4-5, further containing a token, wherein the rotatable disc is a closed circle when the correct token is in place in the recess.
  8. Token accepting mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the token is a flat object of 1-5 mm thickness.
  9. Token accepting mechanism according to claim 6-7, wherein the token is a truncated cone.
  10. Token accepting mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the truncated cone-shaped token has a curved end at the non-truncated side of the cone.
  11. Token accepting mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the curved end has a convex shape.
  12. Token accepting mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the curve of the convex part has the same radius as the rotatable disc.
  13. Token accepting mechanism according to claim 1-11, wherein the token accepting mechanism is part of a vending machine equipped with a helical transport means, wherein the goods to be vended are kept in the vending machine between the windings of the helical transport means, and wherein the rotatable body is connected to the helical transport means.
  14. A substantially non-disc-shaped token and token accepting mechanism, the token accepting mechanism comprising a frame or housing which comprises:
    - a rotatable body in disc shape
    - said body having a recess extending from the circumference inwards allowing a token to be inserted
    - locking means capable of blocking rotation of the rotatable body in at least one direction,
    wherein the substantially non-disc-shaped token, when inserted in the recess, completes the circumferentially extending surface at the location of the recess in a substantially circular way.
EP05076052A 2005-04-28 2005-04-28 Token accepting mechanism for vending machine, tokens and the combination of tokens and token accepting mechanism and vending machine equipped with such token accepting machine Withdrawn EP1717765A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05076052A EP1717765A1 (en) 2005-04-28 2005-04-28 Token accepting mechanism for vending machine, tokens and the combination of tokens and token accepting mechanism and vending machine equipped with such token accepting machine

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05076052A EP1717765A1 (en) 2005-04-28 2005-04-28 Token accepting mechanism for vending machine, tokens and the combination of tokens and token accepting mechanism and vending machine equipped with such token accepting machine

Publications (1)

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EP1717765A1 true EP1717765A1 (en) 2006-11-02

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EP05076052A Withdrawn EP1717765A1 (en) 2005-04-28 2005-04-28 Token accepting mechanism for vending machine, tokens and the combination of tokens and token accepting mechanism and vending machine equipped with such token accepting machine

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2410845A (en) * 1944-07-20 1946-11-12 Snell Token
US5383545A (en) * 1988-03-10 1995-01-24 Machine-O-Matic Limited Coin mechanism
EP0851395A1 (en) * 1996-12-09 1998-07-01 Machine-O-Matic Limited Rotary coin mechanism and token therefor
US20040188222A1 (en) * 2003-03-31 2004-09-30 Richard Bolen Coin mechanism

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2410845A (en) * 1944-07-20 1946-11-12 Snell Token
US5383545A (en) * 1988-03-10 1995-01-24 Machine-O-Matic Limited Coin mechanism
EP0851395A1 (en) * 1996-12-09 1998-07-01 Machine-O-Matic Limited Rotary coin mechanism and token therefor
US20040188222A1 (en) * 2003-03-31 2004-09-30 Richard Bolen Coin mechanism

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
IVARS PETERSON - THE MATHEMATICAL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA: "From Counting to Writing", INTERNET ARTICLE, 24 February 1997 (1997-02-24), XP002341288, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:http://www.maa.org/mathland/mathland_2_24.html> [retrieved on 20050818] *

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