EP2525331B1 - Device for handling coins with a sorting unit for lateral sorting of coins - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a coin handling apparatus comprising a sorting unit for selectively feeding the coins to a first and at least a second receiving container for storing coins. The sorting unit has a driven in a direction of rotation transport element having a plurality of receiving areas for receiving at least one coin.

In particular, the device is used in coin deposit and disbursement machines, whereby the coins entered via an input unit of such a device are first singulated and, once their authenticity has been checked, sorted according to their denomination. The deposited coins can be returned through an output tray, so that a coin recycling is possible and thus the intervals for filling and / or emptying the device can be extended with coins.

In known sorting units for sorting the coins, two circumferentially arranged, circulating belts are provided on which a plurality of pins are arranged, are formed by the receiving areas for receiving the coins. To remove a coin from such a receiving area is An armature of a lifting magnet is moved between the belts into the receiving area so that the coin is ejected. The sorting unit comprises a plurality of such lifting magnets, which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of rotation of the belts. Depending on the hub magnet over which a coin is ejected, it is collected by different catch elements, which are each connected to different coin receiving containers. Thus, the sorting of the coins is done according to their denomination.

The problem with such known sorting units is that the coin, at least temporarily, moves freely in the air after ejection via the lifting magnet. During this free movement, the coin is not guided, so that it can easily happen that it does not land as intended on the collecting elements and it can lead to errors in the sorting of coins and / or malfunctions of the device.

From the document FR 2 650 417 A1 a device for sorting coins is known in which the coins are transported on an inclined support surface adjacent to an edge in which a plurality of closable closure elements via closable openings are provided.

Other devices for sorting coins are from the documents DE 1 499 551 A1 . DE 1 524 684 A1 and EP 2 226 769 A1 known.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for handling coins, with the help of a sorting of the coins according to their denominations in a simple manner is reliably possible.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the sorting unit has a guide unit extending along a sorting path in the direction of rotation, wherein the transport element transports the coins, with their edges, adjacent to a contact surface of this guide unit in the direction of circulation. The contact surface has at least one opening through which the coins to be supplied to the first receptacle can be fed to the first receptacle. Furthermore, the guide unit has a closure element which, in a closed position, at least closes the opening to such an extent that the coins transported along the contact surface move further in the direction of circulation over the opening. In contrast, in an open position, the closure element is arranged such that the opening is open at least so far that the transported along the contact surface, the first receptacle to be supplied to move coins out of the receiving area through the opening.

Thus, the coins to be supplied to the first receptacle are sorted out through the opening and thus supplied to the first receptacle. By sorting out these coins to be supplied to the first receptacle through an opening of the abutment surface, it is achieved that the coins are always guided during their removal from the receiving areas, so that disturbances are avoided and a simple sorting of the coins can take place. Furthermore, a high rotational speed of the transport element can still be achieved with high sorting accuracy by this sorting principle.

The sorting path is understood in particular to mean that route along which the coins to be sorted can be transported during the sorting process. The edge of a coin is understood to mean, in particular, the peripheral surface of the coin. The coins not to be supplied through the opening to the first receptacle remain in particular in their receiving area while being transported past the opening.

The device comprises, in particular, a sensor unit arranged upstream of the sorting unit, by means of which the denomination of the coins conveyed past it can be determined. A control unit controls the closure element in particular such that it is arranged as a function of the determined denomination of a coin in the closed position or the open position. In particular, the control unit activates the closure element such that it is arranged in the open position for coins of a first denomination and in the closed position for coins of a denomination deviating from the first denomination. Thus, it is achieved that only coins of the first denomination are stored sorted in the first receptacle.

In a preferred embodiment, the opening is a first opening and the closure element is a first closure element. The contact surface has at least one second opening through which coins the second receptacle can be fed. The guide unit further comprises a second closure element which, in a closed position, at least closes the second opening to such an extent that the coins transported along the contact surface move further in the direction of circulation over the second opening. By contrast, in the case of an open position, the second closure element is arranged such that the second opening is open at least to the extent that the coins transported along the contact surface move out of the respective receiving area in which they are received, passing through the second opening, to be supplied to the second receptacle , Thus, the coins are fed through the second opening to the second receptacle. In particular, the control unit in turn also controls the second closure element as a function of the denomination of the respective coin.

The second opening is in particular arranged downstream of the first opening, so that the coins are first transported by the transport element to the first opening and, when the first closure element is arranged in the closed position, being transported past this first opening in the direction of the second opening. If the second closure element is arranged in the closed position, the coins are also transported across the second opening. If, on the other hand, the second closure element is arranged in the open position, the coins are fed through the second opening to the second receptacle. If, however, the first closure element already arranged in the open position, the coin is through taken from the first opening and thus sorted out and fed to the first receptacle.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the contact surface may not include a second opening, but the second receptacle be arranged such that all coins that have not been sorted through the first opening are automatically directed at the end of the contact surface in the second receptacle, in particular fall into the second receptacle. In this way it is ensured that all coins that have not been sorted out through the first opening are received in the second receptacle.

In a preferred embodiment, a first and at least a second receptacle for storing coins are arranged in the device. The first receptacle is connected via a first transport path to the first opening and the second transport container via a second transport path to the second opening. The coins to be supplied to the first receptacle are supplied from the first opening along this first transport path to the first receptacle and, correspondingly, to the coins to be supplied to the second receptacle from the second opening via the second transport path to the second receptacle. The openings are each connected in particular via a channel with the receptacles, wherein the coins removed through an opening are respectively supplied through the corresponding channel to the receptacle. Alternatively, slip-like elements be provided, along which the withdrawn through the respective opening coins are supplied to the opening associated with this transport container. Furthermore, it is alternatively possible that the coin sorted out through an opening falls into a receptacle arranged inside the opening due to its gravity, without the need for any guide elements. As a result, a particularly simple cost-effective construction is achieved.

It is advantageous if the first closure element completely closes the first opening in the closed position, so that snagging and / or misalignment of coins transported past the first closure element arranged in the closed position is avoided in the first opening.

The first closure element is pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation and pivoted in the open position relative to the closed position by a preset angle about this axis of rotation. Thus, a simple, space-saving and reliable construction is achieved. The default angle is between 70 ° and 90 °.

The sorting unit preferably comprises a drive unit for adjusting the first closure unit between the opened and the closed position and the closed one and the open position. The control unit controls the drive unit, in particular as a function of the determined denomination of a coin transported past the opening. The drive unit is designed in particular in the form of a stepper motor, so that a simple construction is achieved. Alternatively, the drive unit may also comprise a lifting magnet, which moves the closure element according to its anchor position between the two positions.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first closure element can not be moved by the drive unit in both directions between the positions, but be held in one of the two positions via an elastic element, such as a spring. In this case, the first closure element is moved by the drive unit only from the biased position to the non-biased position and automatically returned by the elastic member due to the restoring force back to the biased position when the closure member by the drive unit is no longer in the unbiased position is held. It is particularly advantageous if the closure element is held in the closed position, so that it is ensured that it is only arranged in the open position, and thus coins are supplied in the first receptacle only if it is so intentionally driven.

In particular, the first closure element has a contact surface with the aid of which the coins are guided, when the first closure element of the closed position is located. The contact surface forms a partial region of the contact surface when the first closure element is arranged in the closed position.

The first opening has, in particular in the direction of rotation, a width which corresponds at least to the diameter of coins of a first denomination to be stored in the first receptacle. This ensures that the coins to be added to the first receptacle actually pass through the opening. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the width of the first opening is selected such that it corresponds at least to the diameter of the largest coin to be sorted, so that all coins are movable through the first opening regardless of their denomination, provided that the first closure element of the open position is arranged. Thus, the configuration of the sorting unit, that is, which denomination is to be accommodated in the first receptacle, can be readily changed as desired without requiring structural changes, particularly without having to change the size of the opening.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the width of the first opening may also be preset such that it corresponds at least to the diameter of coins of a first denomination and that this is smaller than the diameter of coins of a second denomination. In particular, the width is smaller than the diameter all coins whose denomination deviates from the first denomination. Thus, it is ensured that, even if the first closure element is inadvertently located in the open position, only coins of the first denomination can fall through the first opening, because coins of other denominations do not fit through the first opening due to their larger diameter.

The second closure element and the second opening can be developed in accordance with the features listed above for the first closure element or the first opening.

In particular, the transport element comprises a support surface on which the coins to be transported each rest with their front or rear side. Thus, the coins are guided on the one hand by the support surface and on the other by the contact surface.

The transport element is in particular arranged such that the support surface is inclined towards the guide unit, at least in the region of the sorting path, so that it is ensured that the coins to be transported rest with their edge against the contact surface of the guide unit. Thus, it is also ensured that the coins are transported through one of the openings, provided that the corresponding closure element of this opening is arranged in the open position.

Additionally or alternatively, the transport element may comprise a plurality of receiving area limiting elements, which are arranged on the support surface. By means of these receiving area limiting elements, the individual receiving areas are delimited, the coins bearing in particular with their edge against the receiving area in which they are accommodated, limiting the receiving area limiting element. Thus, the coins are securely held in the respective receiving area.

In a preferred embodiment, the transport element is arranged in a concrete mounting position such that the bearing surfaces in the range of the sorting path in the direction of rotation is directed upward, so that the coins resting with their edges on the receiving area boundary elements are transported upwards. In this case, the receiving area limiting elements are arranged such that a first end area of each receiving area limiting element facing the contact surface of the guide unit is arranged in the circumferential direction upstream of a second end area of this receiving area limiting element opposite the first end area. The second end region is thus that end region of the receiving region limiting element which faces away from the guide unit and thus has the greater distance of the two end regions from the contact surface. This ensures that the coins through these obliquely directed receiving area limiting elements during their transport along the sorting path on the contact surface abut, since they are due to their gravity on the receiving area limiting element rolling in the direction of the contact surface until they abut against this contact surface and held on the receiving area limiting element in this orientation in the receiving area further transported in the direction of rotation.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, in a concrete installation position, the transport element can also be arranged such that the support surface in the region of the sorting path in the direction of rotation is directed downwards, so that the coins rest against the front receiving area limiting element of the respective receiving area viewed in the circumferential direction, and not in the other embodiment, at the rear seen in the circumferential direction, the receiving area bounding receiving area limiting element rest. In this case, the receiving area limiting elements are arranged in such a way that a first end area of each receiving area limiting element facing the contact surface is arranged in the circumferential direction before, ie downstream, a second end area of this receiving area limiting element opposite the first end area. In this case, too, it is achieved that, due to the obliquely arranged receiving area limiting elements with respect to the direction of rotation, the coins rest on the contact surface due to their gravitational force, so that they can be reliably sorted out through the openings.

Under the installation position is particularly understood that position of the sorting unit, in which it is installed in the device for handling coins and for which their function is designed.

The receiving area limiting elements are in particular designed as arcuate elements projecting from the supporting surface. Thus, it is achieved that the coins abut due to this arch shape on the contact surface and are held on the opposite side of the contact surface by the receiving area limiting element in the receiving area, so that they can not fall out of the receiving areas on the opposite side of the contact surface. The arcuate exception area limiting elements are in particular each formed in the form of a segment of a hollow cylinder, which is fastened with its cross-sectional area on the support surface.

Alternatively, the recording limiting elements may also be formed as linear, obliquely directed to the direction of rotation elements. The bow shape has the advantage that it optimally adapts to the circular shape of the transporting coins, so that they can be reliably and trouble-free recorded in the receiving area.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the receiving area limiting element may also comprise at least two pins arranged offset from one another, wherein the pin which is the smaller distance transversely to the direction of rotation seen to the contact surface with an upward band upstream of the other pin and a downstream band downstream of the other pin is arranged.

The transport element comprises, in particular, a circulating endless belt on which, in particular, the receiving area limiting elements are arranged. Alternatively, instead of a belt, the transport element may also comprise a circulating, endless chain. The chain is formed in particular in the form of a scale chain, wherein the individual scales are preferably formed such that connecting region, via which the scales are interconnected, have the shape of the receiving area limiting elements, in particular the receiving area limiting elements form themselves. Thus, a particularly favorable structure is achieved.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the guide unit has a plurality of openings arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction in the contact surface. Each of these openings is in particular closable via a closure element and connected to a separate receptacle via a respective transport path for the transport of coins. The number of openings of the guide unit corresponds in particular to the number of denominations of a predetermined currency rate, so that a sorted storage of the coins of this currency rate, at least without special coins, is possible. Alternatively, a mixed storage can take place, ie that in at least one Receptacle coins of different denominations are kept.

The device has, in particular, an input unit for simultaneously inputting a coin quantity of coins and a separating unit for separating the coins entered. Furthermore, the device may comprise a conveying unit for conveying the coins from the separating unit on the sensor unit to the sorting unit.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the sensor unit not only determines the denomination of the coins transported past it, but also their authenticity. In particular, coins classified as suspected of forgery are sorted out before the coins not classified as suspect of forgery are fed to the sorting unit. Thus, it is avoided that foreign objects are supplied to the sorting unit, which could possibly lead to disturbances in the sorting unit.

The conveying unit transfers the coins separated with the aid of the separating unit in a transfer area to the sorting unit such that the singling is maintained, so that in each case at most one coin is received in a receiving area of the transport element of the sorting unit. Thus, it is not necessary to recycle the coins, which have already been used once for coin validation and denominational determination, for sorting.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which illustrates the invention with reference to embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Handhabung von Münzen;

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht eines Ausschnitts der Vorrichtung nach Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine Draufsicht des Ausschnitts nach Figur 2 in einem ersten Betriebszustand; und

Figur 4

eine Draufsicht des Ausschnitts nach den Figuren 2 und 3 in einem zweiten Betriebszustand.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of a device for handling coins;

FIG. 2

a side view of a section of the device according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3

a top view of the clipping behind FIG. 2 in a first operating state; and

FIG. 4

a plan view of the detail of Figures 2 and 3 in a second operating state.

In FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a device 10 for handling coins 12 is shown. The device 10 is in particular a device 10, in which coins 12 can both be entered and reissued. In particular, coins 12 previously entered may also be reissued by the device 10. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the device 10 may also be a device 10 into which only coins 12 are entered but not returned to an operator.

The device 10 comprises an input unit 14, via which the coins 12 in the form of a coin quantity are simultaneously entered into the device 10 by an operator. From the input unit 14, the coins 12 are transferred in a transfer area 16 to a conveyor unit 18. This conveyor unit 18 transports the coins 12 in a conveying direction P1 past a sensor unit 20, with the help of which the denomination of each coin 12 passed to it is determined. Furthermore, the sensor unit 20 checks the authenticity of the coins 12 transported past it. For this purpose, the sensor unit 20 preferably determines the diameter of the coins 12 conveyed past it and / or a material property of the coins. The sensor unit 20 comprises, for example, an image acquisition unit for acquiring at least one image of the coin, the diameter of the coins 12 preferably being determined from this image by means of corresponding image processing algorithms by a control unit 22. Furthermore, the control unit 22 in particular has an inductive sensor, with the aid of which a material property of the coins 12 is determined.

The conveyor unit 18 conveys the coins 12 in the direction of a sorting unit 24, by means of which the coins 12 can be supplied to receiving containers 26. For this purpose, the control unit 22 controls the sorting unit 24 in particular in such a way that the coins 12 are supplied as a function of their denomination different receptacles 26. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the number of receptacles 26 corresponds to the number of different denominations of a preset currency rate, and the control unit 22 controls the sorting unit 24 to supply the coins 12 to a denomination receptacle 26 associated with that denomination so that a single-variety storage the coins 12 takes place in the receptacles 26. For the sorting of euro coins 12, in particular, seven receptacles 26 are provided for a sorted storage of EURO standard coins, i. without special coins, provided.

Alternatively, a mixed storage can take place, ie, coins 12 of different denominations are received in at least one receptacle 26. Furthermore, it is alternatively possible that a plurality of receptacles 26 are provided for a denomination. In particular, a plurality of receptacles 26 are arranged for denominations, which are frequently entered by experience.

Furthermore, the device 10 has a removal unit 28, with the help of the receiving containers 26 coins 12 can be removed. The withdrawn coins 12 are transported for payment to an operator of the device 10 to an output tray 30 from which the operator removes the coins 12. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the coins 12 are summarized before output via the output tray 30 by means of the extraction unit 28 to a coin package. In particular, the coins 12 are summarized in plastic bags, so-called sachets, so that the operator has to remove only a single container from the output compartment 30. Alternatively, the coins 12 can be issued via the output tray 30 also loose as a coin.

In an alternative embodiment, the input unit 14 and the output tray 30 may also be integrally formed as a common input and output tray. In the case that the device 10 is a pure deposit device, the device 10 does not comprise a removal unit 28 and also no output compartment 30.

FIG. 2 shows a side view and FIG. 3 a plan view of a section of the device 10 according to FIG. 1 , The conveying unit 18 comprises two circulating belts 34, 36 which are driven in the conveying direction P1 and which are guided via two driven deflecting rollers 38, 40. Alternatively, only one of the two deflection rollers 38, 40 may be driven.

On the belts 34, 36 are each a plurality of pins 42 are arranged, whose longitudinal axes are directed transversely to the conveying direction P1 and on the surface of the belt 34, 36, on which the coins 12, rest, are orthogonal. Here, the pins 42 are arranged on the belt 34, 36 such that adjacent pin 42 of the two belts 34, 36 are arranged parallel to each other, d. H. that a line connecting these two pins 42 is directed perpendicular to the conveying direction P1.

By four of these pins 42, a receiving compartment 44 of the conveyor unit 18 is limited, which serves to receive a coin 12. For this purpose, the distance between the belts 34, 36 to each other and thus the distance of the adjacent pins 42 is preset such that it is less than the diameter of the smallest coin to be conveyed 12, so that the coin 12 does not slip between the pins 42 against the conveying direction P1 therethrough can.

The coins 12 are, as already described, supplied in the transfer area 16 of the conveyor unit 18 so that they rest on the belt 34, 36 and are held by the pins 42 in the receiving compartments 44. In this case, it may happen that more than one coin 12 is arranged in a receiving compartment 44. Therefore, a separating unit 32 is arranged downstream of the transfer area 16, which separates the coins 12 in such a way that at most one coin 12 is accommodated in a receiving compartment 44. Includes the singulation unit 32 has an elevation element 46 which protrudes transversely to the conveying direction P1 from the plane defined by the belts 34, 36. Via this elevating element 46, the coins 12 transported along the elevating element 46 via the conveying unit 18 are lifted relative to the belts 34, 36, so that when several coins 12 lie on top of each other, only the coin 12 which contacts the elevating element 46 passes through the pins 42 is held in the receptacle 44 and the other 12 resting on this coin coin 12 on the pins 42 away from the receiving tray 44 are transported.

Downstream of the elevation element 46, a sensor 48 is arranged, with the aid of which it can be determined whether more than one coin 12 is arranged in the receptacle 44. Should this be the case, the control unit 22 controls an ejection element 50 in such a way that it removes all the coins 12 accommodated in this receptacle 44 or at least all but one coin 12 from the receptacle 44. This ensures that only isolated coins 12 are guided past the sensor unit 20, ie. H. that in a receiving compartment 44, when this moves past the sensor unit 20, at most one coin 12 is received.

Downstream of the sensor unit 20, a further ejection element 52 is arranged such that those coins 12 which have been classified by the sensor unit 20 as suspected of being forged and / or foreign bodies, ie objects which are not coins 12, are removed from the receiving compartments 44 removes the conveyor unit 18 and in particular feeds a container, not shown.

Downstream of the ejection element 52, the coins 12 accommodated in the receiving compartments 44 of the conveyor unit 18 are transferred from the conveyor unit 18 to the sorting unit 24 in a transfer region 54, in particular in a deflection region in which the belts 34, 36 are deflected via the deflecting roller 38. In this case, the coins 12 are in particular transferred in such a way that the separation of the coins 12 is maintained, i. that in the receiving areas 56 of the sorting unit 24 only one coin 12 is received in each case. For this purpose, in each case a respective coin 12 is transferred from a receiving compartment 44 of the conveyor unit 18 into a receiving area 56 of the sorting unit 54. For this purpose, the receiving compartments 44 and the receiving areas 56 are in particular aligned during the transfer of the coin 12.

The sorting unit 24 comprises a transport element 58 driven in a direction of rotation P2 and comprising a circulating belt P2 driven in the direction of rotation P2, on which a plurality of receiving area limiting elements 62 are arranged, by which the receiving areas 56 of the sorting unit 24 are limited. The band 60 is in particular guided over deflection rollers, not shown, wherein at least one of these deflection rollers, preferably all deflection rollers, are driven so that the band 60 is moved in the direction of rotation P2. The rotational speed of the belt 60 of the sorting unit 24 and the conveying speed, with the belts 34, 36 are driven in the conveying direction P1, in particular the same size, so that the transfer of a coin 12 from a receiving compartment 44 of the conveyor unit 18 in a receiving area 56 of the transport element 58 can be done reliably. Alternatively, the rotational speed of the belt 60 may also be an integer multiple of the rotational speed of the belts 34, 36.

The sorting unit 24 further comprises a guide unit 64, which is arranged laterally alongside the belt 60 and extends in the direction of rotation P2. The coins 12 received in the receiving areas 56 abut with their edges against a contact surface 66 of the guide unit 64 and abut against this contact surface 66 be transported in the direction of rotation P2. In the in the FIGS. 2 to 4 In the embodiment shown, the sorting unit 24 is designed in such a way that the belt 60 is directed upwards, at least in the region of the sorting path, ie the path over which coins 12 are sorted. The receiving area limiting elements 62 are formed as arcuate webs which protrude perpendicularly on a support surface 67 of the belt 60, on which the coins 12 rest with their front or rear side. In this case, that end region 68 of each receiving region limiting element 62, which faces the guide unit 64, is arranged upstream of that end region 70 of this receiving region limiting element 62, facing away from the guide unit 64. Thus, it is achieved that the coins 12 on the receiving area limiting element 62, the receiving area 56, in which the Coin 12 is first received, limited, abut with its edge and due to the arcuate inclined to the direction of rotation P2 receiving area limiting element 62 is moved in the direction of the contact surface 66 due to their respective gravity and thus automatically and reliably rests against the contact surface 66.

In an alternative embodiment, the receiving area limiting element 62 may also be formed not arcuate but linear. The receiving area limiting elements 62 are also in this case in turn inclined in particular, d. H. the one end region of each receiving area limiting element 62 facing away from the guide unit 64, d. H. that end region which has the greater distance of the guide unit 64 from the two end regions of the receiving region delimiting element 62, is arranged in the direction of rotation P2 in front of the end region facing the guide unit 64.

Alternatively or additionally, the band 60 can also be arranged inclined to the contact surface 66, so that the coins 12 reliably abut against the contact surface 66 due to this inclination.

In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the belt 60 can also be directed downwards, viewed in the direction of rotation P2, so that the coins 12 are transported downwards. In this case, the recording area boundary elements are 62 formed such that each of the guide unit 64 facing end portions are arranged downstream of the guide unit 64 facing away from end regions, so that in turn ensures that the coins 12 reliably abut against the contact surface 66.

In the contact surface 66, a plurality of openings 72 is provided, one of which is designated by the reference numeral 72 by way of example. Each of these openings 72 is closable by a closure element 74, wherein the closure elements 74 are each mounted pivotably about an axis of rotation 76 and are arranged in an open position such that coins 12 are movable through the opening 72 and arranged in a closed position are that no coins 12 are movable through the opening 72 therethrough. In FIG. 3 is the second closure element 74 seen in the direction of rotation P2 in the open position, whereas in FIG. 4 this closure element 74 is shown in the closed position.

Each opening 72 is associated, in particular, with a receptacle 26, in which the coins 12 taken from the receiving area 56 through the corresponding opening 72 and moved through this opening 72 are received. For this purpose, the openings 72 can each be connected, in particular via a channel or a slide-shaped element, to the receptacle 26 assigned to the respective opening 72. Alternatively, the receptacle 26 may also be below the openings 72 may be arranged such that the coins 12 moving through the opening 72 automatically fall into the corresponding receptacle 26 associated with this opening 72 due to their gravitational force.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the number of openings 72 corresponds to the number of different denominations of a preset currency rate, so that with the aid of the sorting unit 24 a sorted storage of coins 12 of this currency rate is achieved in the receptacle 26. For this purpose, the control unit 22 controls the closure elements 74 in response to the determined denomination of a coin 12 such that the closure element 74, which closes the opening 72 which is associated with the receptacle 26 by the coins 12 of this denomination to be recorded, then in the has arrived in the open position when this coin 12 is arranged in the region of this opening 72, so that the coin 12 slips through this opening 72 and thus the intended receptacle 26 is supplied.

The shutter members 74 disposed upstream of this opening 72 are disposed in the closed position as the coin 12 is conveyed past them, so that they are further transported adjacent the closed shutter members 74 in the direction of rotation P2 until they reach that opening 72 whose shutter member 74 is disposed in the open position.

The circumferential direction P2 directed width of the openings 72 is in particular designed such that it is at least as large as the diameter of the largest coin to be sorted 12, so that through all openings 72 to the sorting unit 24 all coins 12 are moved through, if the corresponding this opening 72 occlusive Closure element 74 is arranged in the open position. Alternatively, the widths of the openings 72 may also be different so that only coins 12 of a diameter corresponding to at most the width of the opening 72 are movable therethrough.

The closure elements 74 are adjusted in particular by means of a drive unit, not shown, for example, a stepping motor or a lifting magnet, between the two positions. Alternatively, in each case a drive unit for each closure element 74 may be provided.

In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, instead of a belt 60, a chain can also be used which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is driven in rotation in the direction of rotation P2 and on which the receiving area limiting elements 62 are fixedly arranged. This chain is designed in particular in the form of a dandruff chain, the individual dandruff of this dandruff chain being designed in such a way that the transitional area between two scales forms the receiving area limiting elements 62.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

contraption

12

coins

14

input unit

16, 54

Transfer area

18

delivery unit

20

sensor unit

22

control unit

26

receptacle

28

withdrawal unit

30

output tray

32

separation unit

34, 36

belt

38, 40

idler pulley

42

pen

44

receiving compartment

46

increasing element

48

sensor

50, 52

ejection member

56

reception area

58

transport element

60

tape

62

Pickup area limiting element

64

Guide unit

66

contact surface

67

bearing surface

68, 70

end

72

opening

74

closure element

76

axis of rotation

P1

conveying direction

P2

direction of rotation

Claims (14)

1. Device for handling coins,
   having a sorting unit (24) for feeding the coins (12) to a first receiving container (26) for storing coins (12), and to at least one second receiving container (26) for storing coins (12), wherein the sorting unit (24) comprises a transport element (58) driven in a direction of circulation (P2), said transport element having a multiplicity of receiving regions (56) for receiving in each case at least one coin (12),
   the sorting unit (24) comprises a guide unit (64) extending along a sorting section of the sorting unit (24) in the direction of circulation (P2), the transport element (58) transports the coins in the direction of circulation (P2) with their edges resting against a bearing surface (66) of the guide unit (64),
   the bearing surface (66) has at least one opening (72) through which the coins (12) to be fed to the first receiving container (26) are able to be fed to the first receiving container (26), and
   wherein the guide unit (64) comprises a first closure element (74) which, in a closed position, closes the opening (72) at least far enough for the coins (12) transported along the bearing surface (66) to move over the opening (72) and onwards in the direction of circulation (P2), and which, in an open position, is arranged such that the coins (12) that are transported along the bearing surface (66) and are intended to be fed to the first receiving container (26) move out of the particular receiving region (56) through the opening (72),
   and wherein the first closure element (74) is mounted so as to be pivotable about an axis of rotation (76),
   characterized in that, in the open position, the first closure element (74) has been pivoted through a preset angle of between 70° and 90° relative to the closed position.
2. Device (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the opening (72) is a first opening, in that the bearing surface (66) has at least one second opening (72) which is arranged downstream of the first opening (72) and through which coins (12) are able to be fed to the second receiving container (26), and in that the guide unit (64) comprises a second closure element (74) which, in a closed position, closes the second opening (72) at least far enough for the coins (12) transported along the bearing surface (66) to move over the second opening (72) and onwards in the direction of circulation (P2), and which, in an open position, is arranged such that the coins (12) that are transported along the bearing surface (66) and are intended to be fed to the second receiving container (26) move out of the particular receiving region (56) through the second opening (72).
3. Device (10) according to Claim 2, characterized in that a first receiving container (26) and at least one second receiving container (26) for storing coins (12) are provided, in that the first opening (72) is connected to the first receiving container (26) via a first transport path, and in that the second opening (72) is connected to the second receiving container (26) via a second transport path.
4. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first closure element (74) closes the first opening (72) completely in the closed position.
5. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sorting unit (24) comprises a drive unit, preferably a stepper motor and/or a solenoid, for adjusting the first closure element (74) between the open and the closed position and/or the closed and the open position, and a control unit (22) for controlling the drive unit.
6. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first closure element (74) comprises a contact surface for guiding the coins (12) in the closed position, and in that, when the first closure element (74) is arranged in the closed position, this contact surface forms a portion of the bearing surface (66).
7. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width, in the direction of circulation (P2), of the first opening (72) corresponds at least to the diameter of coins (12) of a first denomination to be stored in the first receiving container (26), preferably to the diameter of the largest coin (12) to be sorted.
8. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport element (58) comprises a supporting surface (67) on which the coins (12) to be transported each rest with their front or rear side.
9. Device (10) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the transport element (58) is arranged such that the supporting surface (67) is inclined towards the guide unit (64) at least in the region of the sorting section.
10. Device (10) according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a multiplicity of receiving-region boundary elements (62) are arranged on the supporting surface (67) of the transport element (58), in that the transport element (58) is arranged such that the supporting surface (67) is directed upwards, as seen in the direction of circulation (P2), in the region of the sorting section, and in that, when they move along the sorting section, the receiving-region boundary elements (62) are arranged such that a first end region (68), facing the bearing surface (66), of each receiving-region boundary element (62) is arranged upstream, as seen in the direction of circulation (P2), of a second end region (70), located at the opposite end from the first end region (68), of this receiving-region boundary element (62).
11. Device (10) according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a multiplicity of receiving-region boundary elements (62) are arranged on the supporting surface (67) of the transport element (58), in that the transport element (58) is arranged such that the supporting surface (67) is directed downwards, as seen in the direction of circulation (P2), in the region of the sorting section, and in that, when they move along the sorting section, the receiving-region boundary elements (62) are arranged such that a first end region (68), facing the bearing surface (66), of each receiving-region boundary element (62) is arranged downstream, as seen in the direction of circulation (P2), of a second end region (70), located at the opposite end from the first end region (68), of this receiving-region boundary element (62).
12. Device (10) according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the receiving-region boundary elements are configured as arcuate elements that protrude from the supporting surface (67).
13. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport element (58) comprises a circulating endless belt (60) and/or a circulating endless chain (60).
14. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide unit (64) has a multiplicity of openings (72), arranged one after another as seen in the direction of circulation (P2), in the bearing surface (66), in that each opening (72) is closable via in each case one closure element (74), and in that each opening (72) is connected to a separate receiving container (26), assigned thereto, via in each case one transport path for transporting coins (12).

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