Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Article handling
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-20
2001-03-13
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Article handling
C221S197000, C221S198000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202006
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to an apparatus for high volume dispensing of coins with improved reliability. In particular, the present invention pertains to a dispensing apparatus which receives cassettes pre-loaded with coins. The dispensing apparatus includes rotary cassette-holding wheels that bring a cassette with coins of a desired denomination into position, and a driven pushing mechanism for dispensing a desired number of coins from the cassette.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional coin dispensing machines have relied upon gravity as the mechanism for coin feeding. Many conventional machines operate with loose coins. Such conventional arrangements have been subject to jamming, in particular such machines are subject to what is known as the “log jam effect” to those in the art. This slows operation and requires frequent servicing in order to correct jam conditions. It also necessitates close monitoring of the machine. Further, loose coin machines must be loaded at the site of the machine. This requires rather long periods during which service personnel must be present at the coin machine site.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a rotary rolled coin dispenser, as well as a method of dispensing rolled coins with the inventive apparatus. The rolled coin dispenser according to the present invention operates at a high dispensing speed with great reliability. A commercial embodiment dispenses coin rolls at a rate of one roll per second, per wheel.
The dispensing apparatus includes at least one rotatable dispenser wheel that holds cassettes loaded with coin rolls. The cassettes are insertable into slots provided around the dispensing wheel. The cassettes are pre-loaded with rolled coins before they are inserted into the dispensing wheel. As such, the cassettes may be loaded with coin rolls at a site different from where the rolled coin dispenser is located. This vastly reduces the time necessary for loading of the inventive apparatus with coin rolls by service personnel. Such time reduction also increases the efficiency of the service personnel as well as their security.
Coin rolls dispensed from the cassettes by the dispensing apparatus preferably are provided from the top of the dispenser. A pushing mechanism ejects a desired number of coin rolls from the selected cassette under power of a precisely controlled motor. By this arrangement, the rolled coin dispenser according to the present invention avoids reliance upon gravity for dispensing coin rolls and this avoids jams which hamper conventional machines.
Preferably, both the rotary dispensing wheel and the pusher or ejector mechanism are driven by a pulse width motor (PWM). An encoder is provided with each rotor for motor control. A dedicated processor or computer provides overall control of the coin dispenser. The computer counts encoder pulses in order to control each motor for precise positioning of the dispensing cassette wheel and the ejector mechanism corresponding to each wheel. Further, provision of PWM motors with their respective encoders provides for “zero” setting of the rotary axis for each cassette wheel and the linear position for each pusher mechanism. This zeroing capability, in turn, provides the rolled coin dispenser apparatus in accordance with the present invention to perform self-inventory procedures. The self-inventory can be performed on-site or under computer control at an off-site location.
In a preferred implementation, a touch screen is provided for user interface with the rolled coin dispenser. The touch screen permits the user to enter instructions and request status indications and reports from the apparatus. The touch screen provides the use with the status of the system, for example, whether the system is available for customer usage or is out of service for restocking. The screen also provides an inventory report of coins, and if also desired, cash within the system. It provides instructions for restocking, reports for, example, reconciliation of transactions, and where necessary, test screens.
As will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the coin roll dispensing apparatus in accordance with the present invention is equipped with cassette wheels wherein each of the wheels if capable of holding and dispensing any denomination of coins. As such, the rolled coin dispensing apparatus of the present invention is suitable for dispensing U.S. coinage as well as that of other countries. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the dispensing apparatus of the present invention is suitable for dispensing or vending of objects other than rolled coins. Such apparatus is suitable for vending any goods for which dispensing under power, rather than by gravity, is desired.
In summary, a dispensing apparatus in accordance with the present insertion comprises a rotatable dispensing wheel adapted to hold objects to be dispensed; rotary drive means for rotating the dispensing wheel to a dispense position; and ejecting means for ejecting a predetermined number of objects from the dispensing wheel when the wheel attains the dispense position. In a preferred form, the dispensing wheel is adapted to hold coin cassettes containing coin rolls therein, the dispensing wheel including means for receiving coin cassettes; and the ejecting means ejects a predetermined number of coin rolls from a selected cassette.
Also, a method of dispensing coin rolls by means of such a dispensing apparatus including a rotary dispensing wheel that holds the coin rolls, and an ejecting means for ejecting a predetermined number of coin rolls from the dispensing wheel comprises the steps of: rotating the dispensing wheel until a coin roll held by the wheel is positioned at a dispensing position; halting rotation of the dispensing wheel; and causing the ejecting means to push coin rolls out of the dispensing wheel.
On the other hand, a system for dispensing cash and rolled coins in accordance with the present invention comprises: a cash dispensing apparatus; a coin roll dispensing apparatus; information input means for receiving user authorization information and user requests information; information output means; and control means for controlling the cash dispensing apparatus and the coin roll dispensing apparatus in response to user information received at the input means and for communicating responses to received user information by the dispensing system over the output means. The coin roll dispensing apparatus includes a rotatable dispensing wheel adapted to hold coin rolls; rotary drive means for rotating the dispensing wheel to a dispense position; and ejecting means for ejecting a predetermined number of coin rolls from the dispensing wheel when the wheel attains the dispense position.
Also, in accordance with the present invention, a coin roll cassette for use in a coin roll dispensing apparatus including at least one rotatable dispensing wheel which has means for engaging cassettes therein to retain the cassettes within the wheel, rotary drive means for rotating the dispensing wheel to a dispensing position, and pusher arm means defining a longitudinal axis along which the pusher arm means moves reciprocally to enter the cassette to eject a predetermined number of coin rolls from the cassette when the dispensing wheel is rotated by the drive means to place the cassette in the dispense position comprises a tubular body open at a top portion and a bottom portion thereof; retainer means on the body for engaging with the engaging means of the dispensing wheel; and means for arranging coin rolls within the cassette to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pusher arm means, whereby the pusher arm means enters the open bottom portion of the cassette to eject coin rolls from the open top portion thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 954873 (1910-04-01), Moulton
patent: 3162287 (1964-12-01), Lupovici
patent: 3934753 (1976-01-01), Curtiss
patent: 4159783 (1979-07-01), Crasnianski
patent: 4185646 (1980-01-01), Woods et al.
patent: 4188962 (1980-02-01), On
Ellis Christopher P.
Hamilton Safe Company, Inc.
Mackey Patrick
Smith , Gambrell & Russell, LLP
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