US3886957A

US3886957A - Coin packaging apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3886957A
Application number: US430516A
Authority: US
Inventors: Masatoshi Ushio
Original assignee: Glory Ltd
Current assignee: Glory Ltd
Priority date: 1973-01-12
Filing date: 1974-01-03
Publication date: 1975-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 1992-06-03
Also published as: DE2401340A1; DE2401340B2; GB1454664A; FR2324522A1; DE2401340C3; JPS4994491A

Abstract

A plurality of, usually three, wrapping rolls are arranged annularly in parallel, spaced relationship to receive a neat stack of coins in a central position therebetween and to wind a strip of wrapper around the circumference of the coin stack as it is caused frictionally to rotate by the wrapping rolls. For simultaneously moving these wrapping rolls toward and away from the central point therebetween, an arm rotatably supported at one end thereof is connected to the wrapping rolls by linkage means such that each of the wrapping rolls is thereby caused to move a distance determined by the angle of rotation of the arm. This arm is operated by first and second cam means in such a fashion that the wrapping rolls are first caused to move from their most spaced-apart to intermediate positions over a variable distance in accordance with the kind (diameter) of the coins of the stack to be packaged and, as this stack is placed in the central position therebetween, to their least spaced-apart positions over a predetermined distance, thereby tightly holding the stack for the succeeding packaging operation.

Description

United States Patent 1 1 Ushio 1 COIN PACKAGING APPARATUS [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Glory Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, l-lyogo, Japan 22 Filed: Jan. 3, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 430,516

Masatoshi Ushio, Himeji. Japan Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky Attorney, Agent, or FirmWenderoth, Lind & Ponack 1 June 3, 1975 1 1 ABSTRACT A plurality of, usually three, wrapping rolls are arranged annularly in parallel spaced relationship to receive a neat stack of coins in a central position therebetween and to wind a strip of wrapper around the circumference of the coin stack as it is caused frictionally to rotate by the wrapping rolls. For simultaneously moving these wrapping rolls toward and away from the central point therebetween, an arm rotatably supported at one end thereof is connected to the wrapping rolls by linkage ineans such that each of the wrapping rolls is thereby caused to move a distance determined by the angle of rotation of the arm. This arm is operated by first and second cam means in such a fashion that the wrapping rolls are first caused to move from their most spaced-apart to intermediate positions over a variable distance in accordance with the kind (diameter) of the coins of the stack to be packaged and, as this stack is placed in the central position therebetween, to their least spaced-apart positions over a predetermined distance, thereby tightly holding the stack for the succeeding packaging operation.

5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTMH: 3 ms SHEET FIG.

PATEVTEDJUH 3 I975 SHEET FIG.2

PATENTEDJUH 3 I975 SHEET FIG.4

a mzwm 31915 3.88635? SHEET 5 PATENTED-Jm 1975 3.886557 SHEET 6 cons PACKAGING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to coin handling or processing apparatus and particularly to coin packaging apparatus. More specifically, the invention is directed to improvements in a coin packaging apparatus of the type comprising means for arranging a prescribed number of coins of the same denomination into a neat stack and a plurality of rotatable wrapping rolls arranged annularly in parallel spaced relationship to each other. Each time the stack of coins is carried to a central position between the wrapping rolls, these rolls are displaced sideways into circumferential contact with the stack of coins and are then set in rotation therewith to wind a strip of wrapper around its cir cumference. The lateral edges of the thus wound wrapper strip, still projecting beyond the ends of the stack of coins, are fold-crimped as by apair of folding hooks for completely packaging the coins.

According to the prior art coin packaging apparatus of the type described. each stack of coins to be packaged is carried to the central positon between the wrapping rolls while they are located in their predetermined most spaced-apart positions regardless of the diameter of the coins, and the wrapping rolls are successively moved into circumferential contact with the stack of coins. Thus, in case the coins to be packaged are of considerably smaller diameter than those of the denominations to be ordinarily handled by the apparatus, the stack of such coins may become disarranged in the central position between the wrapping rolls before the rolls are moved into contact therewith from their most spaced-apart positions.

Further, according to the prior art coin packaging apparatus, the wrapping rolls are forced with constant force into contact with each stack of coins from their predetermined most spaced-apart positions without regard to the diameter of the coins. It will therefore be apparent that the tightness with which the wrapping rolls hold the stack of coins therebetween is subject to change considerably depending upon the diameter of the coins. This presents a serious problem especially where coins of widely varying diameters must be handled by one and the same apparatus, because a stack of coins when held too loosely or too tightly by the wrapping rolls cannot possibly be packaged in the correct manner.

There is a further disadvantage with the prior art coin packaging apparatus in that when coins of a small diameter are to be packaged, the wrapping rolls are each required to travel an unnecessarily long distance from the most spaced-apart positions into contact with the stack of such coins placed centrally therebetween, with the possible result that the coins may become upset in the meantime.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the listed disadvantages of the prior art, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved coin packaging apparatus including a plurality of wrapping rolls which are moved from their predetermined most spaced-apart positions to intermediate positions before each stack of coins to be packaged is carried to a specified position therebetween and which are further moved from the intermediate to least spaced-apart positions. where the wrapping rolls are to come into circumferential contact with the stack of coins. only after the coins have actually been brought to the specified position. The stack of coins can thus be securely held by the wrapping rolls with substantially no possibility of disarrangement because the wrapping rolls are required to travel a minimum distance from their intermediate to least spaced-apart positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus, wherein the intermediate and least spacedapart positions of the wrapping rolls are variable in accordance with the diameters of coins of various denominations to be handled by the apparatus. in such a manner that the wrapping rolls are required to travel an unvarying minimum distance from their intermediate to least spaced-apart positions no matter which denomi nation of coins are to be packaged.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus including cam means for causing the motion of the wrapping rolls between their most spacedapart. intermediate and least spaced-apart positions, so that no pressure is normally exerted on the wrapping rolls.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus so constructed that each stack of coins can be held by the wrapping rolls under equally appropriate pressure regardless of their diameter.

With these objects in view and the other objects hereinafter set forth, this invention provides, in a coin packaging apparatus of the type above stated, the improvement including an arm rotatably supported at one end thereof, and linkage means for connecting the arm at least to some of the wrapping rolls to translate the rotary motion of the former into the linear motion of the latter toward and away from substantially the central axis between the wrapping rolls which are arranged annularly, in such a manner that each of the wrapping rolls is caused to move a distance determined by the angle of rotation of the arm. The arm is operated by first cam means adapted to cause the rotary motion of the arm through a variable angle in accordance with the diameter of the stack of coins to be packaged, and by second cam means adapted to cause the rotary mo tion of the arm through a predetermined angle regardless of the diameter of the stack of coins. Hence, the wrapping rolls are first caused to move from their most spaced-apart to intermediate positions over a variable distance determined in accordance with the diameter of the stack of coins and thence to their least spacedapart positions over a predetermined distance regardless of the diameter of the stack of coins.

The features which are believed to be novel and characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its construction and mode of operation, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters denote like parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of coin packaging apparatus to which this invention is directed, the casing of the apparatus being shown partly broken away to illustrate the .inner details;

FIG. 2 is a relatively enlarged perspective view schematically illustrating some essential components in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic top plan view of a cam mechanism incorporated in the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are schematic top plan views explanatory of the operation of the cam mechanism of FIG. 4; and

FIGS. and 6 are also schematic top plan views explanatory of the motion of wrapping rolls in response to the operation of the cam mechanism as illustrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As conducive to a full appreciation of the features and advantages of this invention, the general organization of a typical coin packaging apparatus to which the invention is directed will first be described. Referring therefore to FIG. 1, the illustrated coin packaging apparatus 1 is broadly composed of a coin charging section 2 through which coins to be packaged in neat stacks are introduced into the apparatus, a coin stacking section 3 where each prescribed number of the coins are stacked up, a coin wrapping section 4 where each stack of the coins is packaged with a wrapper, a coin stack transferring mechanism 5 for directing each stack of the coins from the coin stacking section 3 to the coin wrapping section 4, a wrapper supplying section 6 for supplying the wrapper to the coin wrapping section 4, and a control section 7 for controlling the operation of the coin wrapping section 4.

More specifically, the coin charging section 2 includes a hopper 10 through which the coins to be packaged are loaded onto a revolving disc 12. As this disc 12 revolves at a suitable speed, the coins are centrifugally sent out one by one into a linear passageway 11, FIG. 2, along which the successive coins are frictionally caused to advance by means of an endless belt 13. Also as indicated in FIG. 2, the passageway 11 is provided with means 14 for sorting out those coins whose diameter is smaller than that of the coins of a preselected denomination. Counting means including a sprocket wheel 15 is further provided at the exit end of the passageway 11, the sprocket wheel 15 being caused to rotate through a predetermined angle by each coin of the proper denomination traveling therepast. Hence, each time a predetermined number of coins are fed out of the exit end of the passageway 11, the sprocket wheel 15 is is temporarily rendered nonrotatable to prevent any further coins from being fed out of the passageway.

Each predetermined number of coins thus delivered out of the passageway 11 are directed through a chute 16 into a stacking cylinder 17 of the aforesaid coin stacking section 3, which section further comprises means 18 for imparting vibrations to the stacking cylinder 17 to rearrange the coins contained therein into a neat stack and shutter means 19 openably closing the bottom end of the stacking cylinder 17.

The coin wrapping section 4 comprises a plurality of (three in the illustrated example)

wrapping rolls

20, 21, and 22 disposed vertically in annular arrangement, and a pair of

crimping hooks

23 and 24. Each stack of coins delivered from the coin stacking section 3 in a manner hereinafter set forth is placed vertically between these wrapping rolls, 20, 21 and 22, whereupon all or some of the wrapping rolls are displaced horizontally toward the stack of coins to hold the same tightly therebetween. The stack of coins is further caused to rotate on its own axis as the wrapping rolls start winding a strip of wrapper 25 around its circumference.

As will be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the aforesaid coin guide mechanism 5 is located below the shutter means 19 openably closing the bottom end of the stacking cylinder 17. The coin guide mechanism 5 includes a vertically movable guide tube 28 having a flanged top 27 for guiding each stack of coins from the stacking cylinder 17 down to the spacing between the

wrapping rolls

20, and 22 as the bottom end of the stacking cylinder is opened by the action of a pair of arms 26 of the shutter means 19. A support rod 29 is telescopically received in the guide tube 28 to support the stack of coins between the wrapping rolls 20 to 22. As will be seen from FIG. 1, the entire coin guide mechanism 5 swings out of vertical alignment with the coin wrapping section 4 each time the packaged stack of coins is to be discharged therefrom.

The wrapper supplying section 6 comprises holding means 30 for holding a roll of the strip of wrapper 25, feed roll means 33 consisting of drive roll 31 and idler roll 32 which cooperate to feed out the strip of wrapper 25, and cutter means 34 for cutting the strip of wrapper 25 into a length sufficient to package the stack of coins held between the wrapping rolls 20 to 22. The reference numeral 8 in FIGS. 1 and 2 designates a chute through which the packaged stack of coins is to be dispensed out of the apparatus.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 3 as adapted specifically for use in the coin wrapping apparatus of the above described general organization. It will be noted in FIG. 3 that bores formed in some parts are hatched, and those formed in other parts unhatched. This is to indicate the fact that the parts having hatched bores are to be fixedly mounted on shafts or pins received in such bores, and the parts having unhatched bores to be revolvably or loosely mounted on shafts or pins received in such bores. thereby facilitating the succeeding description of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

A knob 35 to be turned in accordance with the denomination of coins to be packaged is coupled to a shaft 36 either directly or via a rotary switch, motor, cam or like means not shown in the drawing. A gear 37 fixedly mounted on the shaft 36 is in mesh with a gear 39 loosely mounted on a shaft 38, on which shaft is further securely mounted a cam 40 adapted to determine the distances the wrapping rolls 20, 21 and 22 are to be moved. As illustrated in more detail in FIG. 4, the cam 40 has a stepped configuration on its circumference in accordance with the diameter of coins of various denominations to be packaged. Further fixedly mounted on the shaft 38 are

arms

41 and 42 and a sector gear 43, and a shaft 44 loosely extends approximately centrally through the arm 41. The shaft 44 also loosely extends approximately centrally through a lever 45 to turnably support the same above the arm 41. The lever 45 carries a roller 46 on one end thereof which is yieldably urged against the stepped circumference of the cam 40 as by a spring 47.

As seen in both FIGS. 3 and 4,

cams

49 and 50 are fixedly mounted a shaft 48 which is caused to make one complete revolution for each cycle of wrapping operation. The cam 49 has formed on its circumference an arcuate edge 51 of a smaller radius adapted to cause the wrapping rolls 20, 21, and 22 to be located in their least spaced-apart positions. and another arcuate edge 52 of a greater radius adapted to cause the wrapping rolls to be located in their intermediate positions, as hereinafter set forth in further detail. The other cam has a protuberant circumferential edge 53 adapted to cause the wrapping rolls 20, 21 and 22 to be located in their most spaced-apart positions The cam 49 has its circumference of the above configuration maintained in contact with a roller 54 mounted on the other end of the aforesaid lever 45, whereas the cam 50 is to make contact only at its protuberant circumferential edge 53 with a roller 55 mounted on the corresponding end of the arm 41.

The aforesaid sector gear 43 fixedly mounted on the shaft 38 is in mesh with another sector gear 57 similarly fixedly mounted on a shaft 56. Further mounted on this shaft 56 are

arms

58, 59 and 60 and a gear 61, which gear is adapted to convey the rotation of a motor, not shown, to the wrapping roll 20. The

arms

58 and 59 are interconnected at their respective intermediate points by a pin or rod 62 extending vertically therebetween, and the wrapping roll 20 is rotatably supported between the free ends of the

arms

58 and 59 via

shafts

63 and 64 extending axially outwardly from both ends of the wrapping roll. A pinion 65 mounted on the shaft 64 is in mesh with the gear 61 to receive therethrough the rotation of the above mentioned motor.

The arm 42 on the shaft 38 has its free end turnably coupled to one end of a link 66 and further to a spring 67 capable of providing a constant load, and the other end of the link 66 is turnably coupled to one end of an arm 69 the other end of which is secured to a shaft 68. Also fixedly mounted on this shaft 68 are a cooperative pair of

arms

70 and 71 rotatably supporting the wrapping roll 21 between the free ends thereof via

shafts

73 and 74 extending axially outwardly from both ends of the wrapping roll. A gear 72 loosely mounted on the shaft 68 is in mesh with a pinion 75 on the shaft 74 of the wrapping roll 21 via an intermediate gear 77 loosely mounted on a shaft 76 extending vertically through the

arms

70 and 71, so that the wrapping roll 21 is caused to rotate by the same motor as the wrapping roll 20.

The arm 60 on the shaft 56 has its free end turnably coupled to one end of a link 78 the other end of which is turnably coupled to an arm 80 fixedly mounted on a shaft 79. Further fixedly mounted on this shaft 79 is a cooperative pair of

arms

81 and 82, each substantially in the shape of a C, rotatably supporting the Wrapping roll 22 between the free ends thereof via

shafts

83 and 84 extending axially outwardly from both ends of the wrapping roll.

Proceeding to the description of this preferred embodiment of the invention, the knob 35 is first turned selectively to a specified angular position in accor dance with the denomination, or diameter, of the coins to be packaged in order to preset the speed of the motor for driving the wrapping rolls 20, 21, and 22 and the wrapper feed rolls 31 and 32 at a value suitable for handling such coins. Since the shaft 36 rotates with the turn of the knob 35, the cam 40 is caused to turn to the desired angular position via the intermeshing gears 37 and 38. It is assumed that as illustrated in FIGv 7A, the roller 55 on the arm 41 is now in contact with the protuberant circumferential edge 53 of the cam 50 and,

therefore, that the roll 54 on the le er 45 is urged by the spring 47 into contact with the arcuate edge 52 of the cam 49. Hence, the other roll 46 on the lever 45 is held out of contact with the stepped circumference of the cam 40, so that the wrapping rolls 20 to 21 are held in their most spacedapart positions regardless of the diameter of the coins to be packaged, as indicated by the solid lines in FIGS. 5 and 6.

As the shaft 48 turns counterclockwise, as vieved in FIG. 4, in step with the

cams

49 and 50, with the relative angular positions of these cams unchanged, the roller 55 on the arm 41 moves out of the protuberant circumferential edge 53 of the cam 51) and thus becomes out of contact with the cam 5-0, while the roller 54 on the lever 45 is still-held in contact with the arcuate edge 52 of the cam 49, as illustrated in FIG. 73. it will be understood from FIG. 3 in particular that the lever 45 is now pulled by the spring 47 in such a manner that the roller 46 thereon comes into contact with the cam 40 at its desired circumferential point With this motion of the lever 45, the arm 41 is caused turn around the shaft 38 through an angle which is determined only by the distance the lever 45 moves until its roller 46 comes into contact with the circumference of the cam 49.

The arm 42 and the sector gear 43 fixedly mounted on the shaft 38 are likewise caused to rotate through a predetermined angle by the constant load spring 67. This rotation of the arm 42 around the shaft 38 results in the rotation of the shaft 68 through a corresponding angle via the link 66 and the arm 69, so that the pair of

arms

70 and 71 fixedly mounted on this shaft 68 are caused to turn correspondingly, thereby carrying the wrapping roll 21 a step closer to the central axis of the annularly arranged wrapping rolls 20, 21 and 22.

The rotation of the shaft 38 is further transmitted via the intermeshing sector gears 43 and 57 to the shaft 56, with the result that the wrapping roll 20 is caused to move a step closer to the central axis of the annularly arranged wrapping rolls 2t), 21 and 22 by the pair of

arms

58 and 59 secured to the shaft 56. Furthermore, the rotation of the shaft 56 is conveyed to the shaft 79 via the arm 60, the link 78 and the arm 80, and the pair of

arms

81 and 82 secured to this shaft 79 causes the wrapping roll 22 also to move a step closer to the central axis.

It is to be noted that the distances the wrapping rolls 20, 21 and 22 are thus caused to'rnove toward. the axis therebetwecn are determined by the working position of the stepped circumference of the cam 40 with which the roller 46 on the lever 45 comes into contact as previously mentioned. Thus, in the case Where the stack of coins A to be packaged is of relatively small diameter as shown in FIG. 5, each of the wrapping rolls 20, 21 and 22 will move a distance d1 to the intermediate position indicated by the lines consisting of alternating dashes and two consecutive dots. if the stack of coins A is of relatively large diameter as shown in FIG. 6, on the other hand, then each of the wrapping rolls will move a smaller distance d2 to the intermediate position also indicated by the lines consisting of alternating dashes and two consecutive dots. This difference between the distances 411 and d2 arises from the corresponding difference of the working positions of the circumference of the cam 31 relative to the roller 46 on the lever 45.

As all the wrapping rolls 20, 21, and 22 have moved to the intermediate positions determined in accordance with the diameter of the coins to be packaged as above stated, the guide tube 28 of the coin guide mechanism set forth in connection with FIG. 1 is caused to rise, as by means of a cam mounted on the shaft 48, up to a position immediately below the bottom of the stacking cylinder 17 by passing through the central axis of the annularly arranged wrapping rolls 20, 21 and 22, as will be best understood from FIG. 2. As the shutter means 19 succeedingly operates in accordance with the prior art to open the bottom end of the stacking cylinder 17, the coins which have been arranged into a neat stack therein are deposited by gravity on the guide tube 28, which is thencaused to descend to carry the stack of coins down to the central position between the wrapping rolls 20, 21, and 22.

Since the shaft 48 is in constant rotation with the

cams

49 and 50 as aforesaid, the roller 54 on the lever 45 rides on the arcuate edge 51 of the cam 49 when the stack of coins has been brought down to the central position between the wrapping rolls 20, 21, and 22 in the above described manner. This state is illustrated in FIG. 7C. Then, as will be seen from the foregoing description, each of the wrapping rolls 20, 21 and 22 is caused to move a predetermined distance 1 toward the central axis therebetween regardless of the diameter of the stack of coins A, as indicated by the dot-and-dash lines in FIGS. 5 and 6, so that the coins are now held securely by the wrapping rolls. Since this motion of the wrapping rolls to their least spaced-apart positions is caused by the cam 49 only, it will be apparent that each wrapping roll moves the predetermined distance I irrespective of the diameter of the coins to be packaged.

As the stack of coins A becomes thus held securely between the wrapping rolls 20 to 22 as illustrated in FIG. 5 or 6, the guide tube 28 of the coin stack transferring mechanism 5 is caused to swing sideways out of alignment with the central axis of the wrapping rolls in accordance with the prior art. The wrapping roll 20 is then set in rotation via the gear 61 and the pinion 65, and the wrapping roll 21 is also simultaneously set in rotation via the

gears

72, 77 and 75. The wrapper feed roll means 33, comprising the drive roll 31 and the idler roll 32, also becomes operative as rotation is imparted in a known manner to the drive roll 31. The strip of wrapper with its loose end held between the feed rolls 31 and 32 is thereby frictionally fed forwardly, and due to the tension thus exerted, the strip of wrapper is cut into a suitable length by the cutter means 34. The piece of wrapper thus separated from the rest of its continuous strip has then its leading end caught between one of the wrapping rolls 20, 21 and 22 and the stack of coins and is succeedingly wound around its circumference as these coins are caused to rotate on their axis by the wrapping rolls.

Upon complete winding of the wrapper piece around the circumference of the stack of coins, the pair of crimping

hooks

23 and 24 shown in FIG. 2, approach the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the stack of coins by the action of the cam, not shown, which may be mounted on the shaft 48. The folding hooks 23 and 24 operate to fold crimp the loose lateral edges of the wrapper piece inwardly over both ends of the stack of coins and are then turned away therefrom by the action of the same cam.

As the packaging of the stack of coins is thus completed, the earns 49 and 50 still rotate with the shaft 48 until the roller 54 on the lever 45 rides again over the arcuate edge 52 of the cam 49, and the roller 55 on the arm 41 over the protuberant circumferential edge 53 of the cam 50. As a consequence, the wrapping rolls 20, 2l. and 22 are caused to move back to their most spaced-apart positions in the manner previously set forth, so that the packaged stack of coins is released and falls by gravity into the chute 8 for dispensation out of the apparatus. Thus, one complete cycle of coin packaging operation comes to an end as the roller 55 on the arm 41 rides completely over the protuberant circumferential edge 53 ofthe cam 50. The rotation of the motor is suspended pending the initiation of the next cycle of packaging operation.

While in the above described embodiment of the invention, all the wrapping rolls 20 to 22 are made movable toward and away from the central axis therebetween, it is possible that at least one of the wrapping rolls be made stationary while the others are made movable toward and away from the stationary wrapping roll. Moreover, the wrapping rolls 20 to 22 can be caused to move only between their most spaced-apart and least spaced-apart positions instead of stopping over at the intermediate positions as in the foregoing disclosure. It is also possible that the distances the respective wrapping rolls are caused to move from their most spaced-apart to intermediate or least spacedapart positions be changed not for each denomination or diameter of coins to be packaged but for each of several groups of coins of different denominations into which the coins are previously classified according to their diameters.

Thus, while the preferred embodiment herein disclosed is well calculated to accomplish the objects above stated, it will be easy for those skilled in the art to devise many modifications, substitutions or changes within their usual knowledge, and in some instances some features of the invention may be employed without the corresponding use of other features. It is therefore appropriate that the invention be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a coin packaging apparatus of the type including coin stacking means for arranging a predetermined number of coins of the same diameter into a neat stack, a plurality of wrapping rolls including at least one movable roll, said rolls arranged annularly in parallel spaced relationship to each other, means operatively positioned for directing the stack of coins to a wrapping position between said wrapping rolls, means operatively coupled to said wrapping rolls for imparting rotation to at least some of said wrapping rolls and hence to the stack of coins held therebetween, and means operatively positioned for supplying a wrapper to be wound around the stack of coins as said coin stack rotates together with said wrapping rolls, the improvements comprising:

transferring means operatively coupled to said movable wrapping roll for moving the movable wrapping roll toward the other wrapping rolls from a predetermined position irrespective of the diameter of coins to be wrapped and prior to movement of the stack of coins to the wrapping position thereof;

stopping means operatively positioned for stopping the movement of said movable wrapping roll at a position corresponding to the diameter of the stack 9 of coins and spaced by a distance from the periphery of said stack of coins, said stop being made prior to wrapping operation and in the midst of the movement of said movable wrapping roll; releasing means operatively coupled for releasing said stop means for continuing movement of the movable wrapping roll until said movable roll is brought into contact with the periphery of the coin stack to be wrapped; and

restoring means operatively coupled to said movable wrapping roll for restoring said movable wrapping roll to said predetermined position irrespective of the diameter of coins after the wrapper is supplied to the wrapping position and is wound around the coin stack by the plurality of wrapping rolls.

2. An improved coin packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transferring means comprises an arm supported rotatably at one end thereof. first cam means operatively positioned for causing rotary motion of said arm through a predetermiend angle regardless of the diameter of the stack of coins, whereby said at least some wrapping rolls are first caused to move from the most spaced-apart position to interme diate positions over a variable range in accordance with the diameter of the stack of coins; linkage means connecting said arm at least to one of said wrapping rolls for converting the rotary motion of said first cam means to the motion of said arm toward and away from substantially a central axis between the annularly arranged wrapping rolls, each of said at least one wrapping roll being thus caused to move by a distance deter mined by the angle of rotation of said arm; said stopping means comprising second cam means for causing the rotary motion of said arm through a variable angle in accordance with the diameter of the stack of coins to be packaged; and a lever rotatably coupled at a point intermediate between the two ends thereof to said arm of the axis of rotation thereof. said lever being operated by said first and second cam means to cause the rotary motion of said arm through angles as dictated by said first and second cam means.

3. The improvement as recited in claim 2 wherein said first cam means comprises first and second rotary cam members arranged in substantially coaxial relationship to each other, said second rotary cam member being adapted to make circumferential contact with said lever at one end thereof. and said first rotary cam member being adapted to make circumferential contact with said arm at the free end thereof.

4. The improvement as recited in claim 3, wherein said second rotary cam member has a first circumferential portion adapted to cause said wrapping rolls to be located in said intermediate positions and a second circumferential portion adapted to cause said wrapping rolls to be located in said least spaced-apart positions, and wherein said first rotary cam member has a circumferential portion adapted to cause said wrapping rolls to be located in said most spaced-apart positions.

5. The improvement as recited in claim 3, wherein said first and second rotary cam means are synchronously caused to make one complete revolution on their common axis for each cycle of coin packaging op-

Claims

1. In a coin packaging apparatus of the Type including coin stacking means for arranging a predetermined number of coins of the same diameter into a neat stack, a plurality of wrapping rolls including at least one movable roll, said rolls arranged annularly in parallel spaced relationship to each other, means operatively positioned for directing the stack of coins to a wrapping position between said wrapping rolls, means operatively coupled to said wrapping rolls for imparting rotation to at least some of said wrapping rolls and hence to the stack of coins held therebetween, and means operatively positioned for supplying a wrapper to be wound around the stack of coins as said coin stack rotates together with said wrapping rolls, the improvements comprising: transferring means operatively coupled to said movable wrapping roll for moving the movable wrapping roll toward the other wrapping rolls from a predetermined position irrespective of the diameter of coins to be wrapped and prior to movement of the stack of coins to the wrapping position thereof; stopping means operatively positioned for stopping the movement of said movable wrapping roll at a position corresponding to the diameter of the stack of coins and spaced by a distance from the periphery of said stack of coins, said stop being made prior to wrapping operation and in the midst of the movement of said movable wrapping roll; releasing means operatively coupled for releasing said stop means for continuing movement of the movable wrapping roll until said movable roll is brought into contact with the periphery of the coin stack to be wrapped; and restoring means operatively coupled to said movable wrapping roll for restoring said movable wrapping roll to said predetermined position irrespective of the diameter of coins after the wrapper is supplied to the wrapping position and is wound around the coin stack by the plurality of wrapping rolls.

2. An improved coin packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transferring means comprises an arm supported rotatably at one end thereof, first cam means operatively positioned for causing rotary motion of said arm through a predetermiend angle regardless of the diameter of the stack of coins, whereby said at least some wrapping rolls are first caused to move from the most spaced-apart position to intermediate positions over a variable range in accordance with the diameter of the stack of coins; linkage means connecting said arm at least to one of said wrapping rolls for converting the rotary motion of said first cam means to the motion of said arm toward and away from substantially a central axis between the annularly arranged wrapping rolls, each of said at least one wrapping roll being thus caused to move by a distance determined by the angle of rotation of said arm; said stopping means comprising second cam means for causing the rotary motion of said arm through a variable angle in accordance with the diameter of the stack of coins to be packaged; and a lever rotatably coupled at a point intermediate between the two ends thereof to said arm of the axis of rotation thereof, said lever being operated by said first and second cam means to cause the rotary motion of said arm through angles as dictated by said first and second cam means.

3. The improvement as recited in claim 2 wherein said first cam means comprises first and second rotary cam members arranged in substantially coaxial relationship to each other, said second rotary cam member being adapted to make circumferential contact with said lever at one end thereof, and said first rotary cam member being adapted to make circumferential contact with said arm at the free end thereof.