GB2134296A

GB2134296A - Tokens for automatic machines

Info

Publication number: GB2134296A
Application number: GB08401873A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aldo Maggi
Original assignee: Maggi Coniature SRL
Current assignee: Maggi Coniature SRL
Priority date: 1983-01-25
Filing date: 1984-01-25
Publication date: 1984-08-08
Also published as: IT8319263A0; GB8401873D0

Abstract

The tokens and openings have grooves parallel to one another. Such grooves may be located on one or both faces of the token A and sides of the opening. Each of the grooves has an allotted width and comprises defining walls none of which form a right angle with the face of the token or opening. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Counters for automatic machines and openings for said counter This invention relates to counters to be used instead of metal coins to obtain articles or services from an apparatus or machine, and openings for receiving said counters.

In order to distinguish counters designed for a certain apparatus or machine from those intended for another apparatus or machine, counters have been usually provided with grooves parallel to one another. The number, location and shape of the grooves distinguish one type of counter from another and exclude the use of a counter in an apparatus or machine provided with an opening not matching the counter shape.

It is an object of the present invention to provide counters which are distinguishable from one another to a substantially unlimited extent.

According to the present invention there is provided a counter for automatic machines used in the distribution of articles or services, the counter being provided with at least one groove on at least one of the majorfacesthereof, wherein the groove is defined by flat walls inclined to one another and forming with such a face an angle different from 90 and is selected among a group of n different grooves, each of which has a cross-section which is not contained within the cross-section of the other n-i grooves.

The counters are preferably reversible, that is insertable in the respective opening at two positions rotated through 180' from each other about an axis parallel to that of the grooves.

In one embodiment of the invention the counters are provided with parallel grooves selected from a restricted number of predetermined types of grooves, each of which has an alpha-numeric reference corresponding thereto, so that both the production and purchase order of a particular counter can be simplied.

Each groove occupies, in cross-section, a predetermined width on the counter. The use of walls inclined relative to the counter faces at an angle differing from 90 aids in insertion and movement of the counter in the respective opening and reduces wear of the latter which, as well known, occurs more rapidly at the corners of surfaces at 90 .

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the group comprises 10 grooves, all of which have the same depth and are contained in a transverse length of the counter of about 5mm or more.

The term "grooves" as herein used also includes grooves having in cross-section more than one depression.

The invention is further described below by way of some preferred embodiments thereof, shown in the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a view showing ten different groove profiles, each of which is associated with a number 0 to 9, thereby to form a "decimal" code enabling an easy specification of the counter by the customer and supply to the customer, by the simple indication of a number; Figure2 is a cross-sectional view of a counter reproducing with its grooves the code number 110; and Figure 3 is a front view of an opening which accepts the counter shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1 shows the cross-sections of ten different non-superimposable grooves, i.e. the section of any of such grooves is not contained in any section of the other grooves. Such grooves have been designated by the numbers 1, 2,3,4, 5, 6,7,8, 9 and 0 and these are the numbers identifying each type of groove.

Thus, a biunivocal correspondence is created between groove number and shape, thereby facilitating for the manufacturer the customer specification and his counter "shape", and avoiding the possibility that two different customers have counters of identical shape.

Further, when a customer has to order another lot of counters of the same type, the customer has only to indicate to the supplier the "number" marking the grooves on the counter. For instance, in the case of counter "A" shown in cross-sectional view in Figure 2, each of the three width lengths e, preferably of about 5mm or more, contains a groove corresponding respectively to the numbers 1, 1 and 0, so that the code number identifying the counter, and in fact the customer, is the number "110", to which of course will correspond an opening, denoted at B in Figure 3, of conjugated or matched shape.

The number of grooves that may be provided on a counter will depend on the counter width, or, in the case of circular counters, on the diameter thereof.

These may involve one or both of the opposite faces of the counter, either partially or totally. In order to immediately identify the combination given by the number and type of grooves on the counter, there may be provided on the latter the corresponding number which, in this example, is "110".

The number of combinations obtainable can be increased, not only by providing a different number of grooves but also by varying the distance or spacing between one groove and the next.

The counter may be made of metal or of plastics according to well known coinage or moulding techniques.

1. A counter for automatic machines used in the distribution of articles or services, the counter being provided with at least one groove on at least one of the major faces thereof, wherein the groove is defined by flat walls inclined to one another and forming with such a face an angle different from 90 and is selected among a group of n different grooves, each of which has a cross-section which is not contained within the cross-section of the other n-i grooves.

2. A counter as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said group comprises ten different grooves.

3. A counter as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said grooves are associated with a numerical specification of Oto9.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Counters for automatic machines and openings for said counter This invention relates to counters to be used instead of metal coins to obtain articles or services from an apparatus or machine, and openings for receiving said counters. In order to distinguish counters designed for a certain apparatus or machine from those intended for another apparatus or machine, counters have been usually provided with grooves parallel to one another. The number, location and shape of the grooves distinguish one type of counter from another and exclude the use of a counter in an apparatus or machine provided with an opening not matching the counter shape. It is an object of the present invention to provide counters which are distinguishable from one another to a substantially unlimited extent. According to the present invention there is provided a counter for automatic machines used in the distribution of articles or services, the counter being provided with at least one groove on at least one of the majorfacesthereof, wherein the groove is defined by flat walls inclined to one another and forming with such a face an angle different from 90 and is selected among a group of n different grooves, each of which has a cross-section which is not contained within the cross-section of the other n-i grooves. The counters are preferably reversible, that is insertable in the respective opening at two positions rotated through 180' from each other about an axis parallel to that of the grooves. In one embodiment of the invention the counters are provided with parallel grooves selected from a restricted number of predetermined types of grooves, each of which has an alpha-numeric reference corresponding thereto, so that both the production and purchase order of a particular counter can be simplied. Each groove occupies, in cross-section, a predetermined width on the counter. The use of walls inclined relative to the counter faces at an angle differing from 90 aids in insertion and movement of the counter in the respective opening and reduces wear of the latter which, as well known, occurs more rapidly at the corners of surfaces at 90 . According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the group comprises 10 grooves, all of which have the same depth and are contained in a transverse length of the counter of about 5mm or more. The term "grooves" as herein used also includes grooves having in cross-section more than one depression. The invention is further described below by way of some preferred embodiments thereof, shown in the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a view showing ten different groove profiles, each of which is associated with a number 0 to 9, thereby to form a "decimal" code enabling an easy specification of the counter by the customer and supply to the customer, by the simple indication of a number; Figure2 is a cross-sectional view of a counter reproducing with its grooves the code number 110; and Figure 3 is a front view of an opening which accepts the counter shown in Figure 2. Figure 1 shows the cross-sections of ten different non-superimposable grooves, i.e. the section of any of such grooves is not contained in any section of the other grooves. Such grooves have been designated by the numbers 1, 2,3,4, 5, 6,7,8, 9 and 0 and these are the numbers identifying each type of groove. Thus, a biunivocal correspondence is created between groove number and shape, thereby facilitating for the manufacturer the customer specification and his counter "shape", and avoiding the possibility that two different customers have counters of identical shape. Further, when a customer has to order another lot of counters of the same type, the customer has only to indicate to the supplier the "number" marking the grooves on the counter. For instance, in the case of counter "A" shown in cross-sectional view in Figure 2, each of the three width lengths e, preferably of about 5mm or more, contains a groove corresponding respectively to the numbers 1, 1 and 0, so that the code number identifying the counter, and in fact the customer, is the number "110", to which of course will correspond an opening, denoted at B in Figure 3, of conjugated or matched shape. The number of grooves that may be provided on a counter will depend on the counter width, or, in the case of circular counters, on the diameter thereof. These may involve one or both of the opposite faces of the counter, either partially or totally. In order to immediately identify the combination given by the number and type of grooves on the counter, there may be provided on the latter the corresponding number which, in this example, is "110". The number of combinations obtainable can be increased, not only by providing a different number of grooves but also by varying the distance or spacing between one groove and the next. The counter may be made of metal or of plastics according to well known coinage or moulding techniques. CLAIMS

4. A counter as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the counter cross-section is contained within a width of the counter not less than about 5mm.

5. A counter as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said grooves have the same maximum depth.

6. A counter as claimed in any preceding Claim, having at least one groove on each face, which grooves can be the same or different.

7. A counter as claimed in Claim 6, which possesses 1800 rotational symmetry about an axis parallel to the grooves.

8. A counter for automatic machines, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

9. An automatic machine for use in the distribution of articles or services, which has an opening adapted to receive counters according to any one of the preceding claims.