FR3104302A3 - COIN SORTER - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin sorter (1) is provided; the coins (10) have a plurality of coin denominations (10) each of which is characterized by a footprint section; the sorter (1) comprises, for each denomination, a hollow body (2) capable of collecting the coins and defining a compartment (2a) for collecting the coins (10); a bottom (2b) on which the coins (10) rest by gravity; and at least one passage hole (10) for coins (10) having a passage section smaller than the bulk section of the coins (10). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

COIN SORTER

The present invention relates to a coin sorter.

Sorting devices are known, that is to say machines for classifying coins according to their shape / weight, provided with a facade - strongly inclined with respect to the horizontal - with a hopper to receive coins of different values and a collecting element, usually a rotating disc with indentations to receive only one coin at a time and thus feed it into a sorting unit. The latter is equipped with a spontaneous winding channel in which the coins roll by gravity; the coins are directed on a supporting and rolling edge and on a specific measuring plate, or "profile" with a gradient edge on which the coins fall and slide while rolling; the coins selectively fall into areas distinct from each other based on their diameter in order to follow channels transporting the coins to collection compartments.

These compartments can be equipped with counters which count the coins passing through each channel.

The known technique described has certain significant drawbacks.

In particular, since the known sorters must provide a specific area for each type of part to be selected with corresponding paths and containers, as well as any counters, they are relatively heavy and bulky (in addition to being expensive) and are rather poorly. suitable, when it comes to transporting and using them in the many structures in which coins need to be counted quickly (for example, vending machines or other outlets for small items such as cigarettes, drinks, comfort items, etc.).

These devices, which have a complex mechanism and work at relatively high speeds and with objects of a good degree of hardness, are moreover subject to rapid wear which can reduce their correct functioning to the point of losing the ability to select. coins and / or even run at all.

In this situation, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to design a coin sorter capable of at least partially remedying the aforementioned drawbacks.

Within the scope of this technical problem, an important object of the invention is to provide a coin sorter of simple manufacture and use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coin sorter which is easy to transport and at low cost.

To this end, the invention relates to a coin sorter; said coins defining a plurality of denominations of said coins each of which is characterized by a footprint section; said sorter being characterized in that it comprises, for each of said denominations of coins to be selected, at least one hollow body capable of collecting said coins of said denomination; and in that the hollow body defines:
a collection compartment able to receive said coins;
a bottom on which said coins in the compartment can rest by gravity; and
at least one passage hole for said coins made in said bottom in question and having a passage section substantially smaller than said bulk section so as to allow only coins of the corresponding denomination to remain in said compartment.

Advantageously, the sorter comprises a plurality of said hollow bodies having holes having different passage sections; the hollow bodies being stackable on top of each other by arranging the hollow body with the major passage section up and in decreasing order with respect to said passage section.

Advantageously, said hollow bodies have at least one support shoulder for the hollow bodies when the latter are stacked on top of each other.

Advantageously, said hollow bodies are stacked one on top of the other by fitting.

Advantageously, said hollow body has a longitudinal axis capable of being placed, during use, essentially parallel to the gravitational gradient and a tapered extension along said longitudinal axis.

Advantageously, the hollow body has a minimum zone in correspondence of said bottom.

Advantageously, said hollow body has a plurality of said holes having the same passage section; and wherein said holes are spaced apart from each other by at least 3mm.

Advantageously, the distance between the holes is essentially between 3 mm and 10 mm.

Advantageously, the hollow body has a base wall defining said bottom and side walls closing said compartment on the sides and defining an inlet section able to allow access of said coins to said compartment by gravity.

Advantageously, the walls have a thickness essentially between 1 mm and 5 mm

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is given below, by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

presents, to scale, a set of coin sorter according to the invention;

shows, to scale, a section of the coin sorter according to the invention;

is a section, to scale, of the sorter being used;

shows, to scale, a top view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

shows, to scale, a top view of another assembly of FIG. 1 according to the invention.

In this document, measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism) when combined with terms such as "about" or other terms such as "approximately" or "essentially" are to be considered as taking into account measurement errors or inaccuracies resulting from errors in production and / or manufacture and, above all, to a slight deviation from the value, the measurement, the shape or the geometric reference to which they are associated. For example, these terms, if associated with a value, indicate if possible a deviation of no more than 10% of the same value.

Moreover, when used, terms such as "first", "second", "superior", "inferior", "principal" or "secondary" do not necessarily denote an order, a relation of priority or a relative position. , but they can simply be used to distinguish the different components more clearly from one another.

The measurements and data reported in this text are to be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as carried out in an ICAO international standard atmosphere (ISO 2533).

Unless otherwise indicated, as follows from the following discussions, terms such as "processing", "computing", "determination", "calculation" or the like or the like are to be considered as referring to the action and / or processes of 'a computer or similar electronic computing device manipulating and / or transforming data represented as physical, for example the electronic quantities of the registers of a computer system and / or memories, into other data represented in a similar manner as physical quantities within computer systems, registers or other devices for storing, transmitting or displaying information.

With reference to the Figures, the coin sorter according to the find is generally indicated by the number 1.

The coins 10 refer to a plurality of denominations, each of which is characterized by a bulk section and, more particularly, by its own value. For example, for euros, the denominations available are as follows: € 2.00, € 1.00, € 0.50, € 0.20, € 0.10, € 0.05 and, in some countries, 0 , 02 € and 0.01 €.

Each denomination 10 is characterized by its own shape. For example, the cuts are circular and differ from each other by their diameter. In the case of euros, the diameters are as follows: for € 2.00, diameter 25.75mm; for € 1.00, diameter 23.25 mm; for € 0.50, diameter of 24.25 mm; for € 0.20, diameter 22.25 mm; for 0.10 €, diameter of 19.75 mm; for € 0.05, diameter of 21.25mm; for € 0.02, diameter of 18.75 mm; for € 0.01, diameter 16.25 mm.

The sorter 1 is able to sort the coins according to the denomination.

The sorter 1 comprises, for one or more of the denominations to be sorted, at least one hollow body 2 able to select and, therefore, to contain a denomination 10.

Each hollow body 2 defines in use, that is to say when it is used for the distribution of coins 10 according to their denomination, a collection compartment 2a able to receive the coins 10 ; a bottom 2b on which the coins placed in the compartment 2a are able to rest by gravity; and at least one hole 2c, if possible a plurality, made on the bottom 2b.

Each hole 2c allows the passage of coins not selected by the hollow body 2. It thus defines a passage section (for example, the diameter in the case of circular coins) approximately smaller than the section of. size of the denomination 10 to be selected in the hollow body 2 so as to allow only the coins 10 of the denomination in question to remain in the compartment 2a and, therefore, in the hollow body 2.

For example, in the case of euro sorting hollow body 2, the passage section has a diameter which, for coins 10 of € 2.00, is substantially less than 25.75 mm and, for example, equal to at 25.00 mm; for € 1.00 coins it is substantially less than 23.25 mm and, for example, equal to 22.80 mm; for € 0.50 coins it is substantially less than 24.25 mm and, for example, equal to 23.80 mm; for € 0.20 coins it is substantially less than 22.25 mm and, for example, equal to 21.80 mm; for € 0.10 coins it is substantially less than 19.75 mm and, for example, equal to 19.00 mm; for € 0.05 coins it is substantially less than 21.25 mm and, for example, equal to 20.00 mm; for € 0.02 coins it is substantially less than 18.75 mm and, for example, equal to 18.00 mm.

A hollow body 2 has a plurality of holes 2b having the same passage section.

The holes 2c are spaced between them at least 3 mm. If possible, the distance between the holes 2c is substantially between 3 mm and 10 mm, more precisely between 5 mm and 8 mm, and more precisely still between 6 mm and 7 mm.

A hollow body 2 has a base wall which defines said bottom 2b and the side walls closing the compartment 2a on the sides and defining an inlet section able to allow the coins 10 to access the compartment 2a by gravity.

The walls have a thickness essentially between 1 mm and 5 mm, more precisely between 2 mm and 5 mm, and more precisely still equal to 3 mm.

If possible, the sorter 1 comprises several hollow bodies 2 having passage holes having different passage sections so that each hollow body 2 can receive only one of the denominations 10.

The hollow bodies 2 of a sorter 1 may have a different number of holes, suitably between 12 and 20.

Preferably, the sorter 1 comprises at least one hollow body 2 and an additional hollow body 3 capable of accommodating the denomination 10 with a minimum size section, that is to say at the outlet of said at least one hollow body 2. .

Said additional hollow body 3 is essentially identical to a hollow body 2, but without passage holes for coins. It can therefore include a collection compartment 3a able to receive the coins 10; and a bottom 3b on which the coins placed in the compartment 2a can rest by gravity.

The hollow bodies 2 and, if present, 3 can be stacked on top of each other by placing the hollow body 2 with the major passage section at the top (that is to say at the point of highest gravitational potential by compared to the other hollow bodies 2) and in decreasing order with respect to the passage section so as to have the hollow body 2 and, if present, 3, with the smallest passage section at the bottom (i.e. say at the point of minimum gravitational potential with respect to other hollow bodies 2).

The hollow bodies 2 and, if present, 3, can be stacked on top of each other at least partially by inserting a hollow body 2 into a second hollow body 2 and / or 3.

To this end, each hollow body 2 and / or 3 has at least one support shoulder 4 for the hollow body 2 partially inserted inside as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Preferably, the hollow bodies 2 and, if present, 3 can be stacked on top of each other by fitting of the suitably soluble type.

Each hollow body 2 and, if present, 3 has a longitudinal axis essentially perpendicular to the relative bottom and suitable for being placed, during use, essentially parallel to the gravitational gradient.

Each hollow body 2 and, if present, 3 has a tapered development along said longitudinal axis. The minimum space of each hollow body 2 and, if present, 3 must be suitably identified at the bottom.

The hollow bodies 2 and / or can be made of a polymer material.

In certain cases, the sorter 1 can include (not shown in the figure) an oscillator able to vibrate one or more hollow bodies 2 and / or 3 and control means of said oscillator able to allow an operator to control the vibrations. .

Finally, the sorter 1 can include a scale for weighing a hollow body 2 and / or 3.

This operation, if the weight of a coin and the empty hollow body 2 and / or 3 is known, makes it possible to record the total value of the coins 10 in the hollow body 2 and / or 3.

The operation of the sorter 1 previously described in terms of structure is as follows.

Initially, the user assembles the sorter 1 by assembling the hollow bodies 2 and / or 3 and, in particular, inserts a hollow body 2 into the hollow body 2 and / or 3 having holes 2c with a lower passage section in resting it on a shoulder 4.

After the hollow bodies are stacked on top of each other, the user places all of the coins 10 in the apical container, that is, arranged high on the point with a higher gravitational potential. Then the user (manually or by means of the oscillator) vibrates the sorter 1 so that, by oscillating, the coins 10 can be placed in correspondence with the holes 2c. At this point, 10 coins can pass, if their footprint is smaller than the passing ones, so that only coins of a certain denomination remain in the hollow body.

The sorter 1 according to the invention makes it possible to obtain significant advantages.

In fact, the sorter 1, consisting of stackable hollow bodies 2 and / or 3, can be easily dismantled and transported.

Another advantage is represented by the fact that the sorter 1, being essentially made up of hollow bodies 2 and / or 3, and exploiting gravity in order to select the coins, is extremely easy to use and build and, therefore, has a low production cost and offers high resistance to wear.

The invention is susceptible of variants which may be included within the scope of the invention.

In this context, all the details can be replaced by equivalent elements while the materials, shapes and dimensions can be any.

Claims (10)

Coin sorter (1); said coins (10) defining a plurality of denominations of said coins (10) each of which is characterized by a footprint section; said sorter (1) being characterized in that it comprises, for each of said denominations of coins (10) to be selected, at least one hollow body (2) able to collect said coins (10) from said denomination; and in that the hollow body (2) defines
a collecting compartment (2a) able to receive said coins (10);
a bottom (2b) on which said coins (10) in the compartment (2a) can rest by gravity; and
at least one hole (2c) for the passage of said coins (10) made in said bottom (2b) in question and having a passage section substantially smaller than said bulk section so as to allow only coins to be currency (10) of the corresponding denomination to remain in said compartment (2a). A sorter (1) according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of said hollow bodies (2) having holes (2c) having different passage sections; wherein the hollow bodies (2) can be stacked on top of each other by arranging the hollow body with the major passage section up and in descending order with respect to said passage section. Sorter (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said hollow bodies (2) have at least one support shoulder (4) for the hollow bodies (2) when the latter are stacked on top of each other. Sorter (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said hollow bodies (2) are stacked on top of each other by fitting. A sorter (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said hollow body (2) has a longitudinal axis able to lie, in use, substantially parallel to the gravitational gradient and a tapered extension along of said longitudinal axis. Sorter (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the hollow body (2) has a minimum area in correspondence of said bottom (2b). A sorter (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said hollow body (2) has a plurality of said holes having the same passage section; and wherein said holes are spaced apart from each other by at least 3mm. Sorter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the distance between the holes (2c) is essentially between 3 mm and 10 mm. Sorter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the hollow body (2) has a base wall defining said bottom and side walls closing said compartment at the sides and defining an inlet section capable of allowing access of said coins (10) to said compartment (2) by gravity. Sorter (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the walls have a thickness essentially between 1 mm and 5 mm