Check-actuated control mechanisms – Including specific check passageway – Having means to divert spurious matter
Reexamination Certificate
2006-03-28
2006-03-28
Walsh, Donald P. (Department: 3653)
Check-actuated control mechanisms
Including specific check passageway
Having means to divert spurious matter
C194S216000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07017729
ABSTRACT:
A coin conditioner is provided for cleaning or otherwise conditioning coins in a coin discriminator apparatus prior to transfer to a coin sensor. Coins enter through a feed tray and move down the length of a perforated tumbler, preferably without the use of gravity, such as under screw force, mechanical or centrifugal force. The spinning tumbler is preferably rotated about its longitudinal axis by a motor. In one embodiment, a blower or vacuum draws or moves air from one area to another, with the air preferably being filtered. As coins move through and down a tumbler, projections such as vanes, fins, ridges, dimples, spines or other raised features cause mechanical agitation and/or abrasion as coins are lifted and dropped while passing longitudinally through the tumbler. The coins are conditioned and non-coin matter is collected as it is separated and/or abraded from the coin surfaces. Tumbler perforations permit non-coin matter to pass through the perforations into a collection tray or other apparatus and/or are collected into filter media as a result of the air flow. In one embodiment, the air pressure system eliminates or reduces the occurrence of low density or light non-coin matter, such as hair or dust, and prevents these materials from settling or being carried through downstream portions of the coin processing system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2398955 (1946-04-01), O'Toole
patent: 3048251 (1962-08-01), Bower
patent: 3121435 (1964-02-01), White
patent: 3147839 (1964-09-01), White, Jr.
patent: 3196887 (1965-07-01), White, Jr.
patent: 3763871 (1973-10-01), Jobst
patent: 3788440 (1974-01-01), Propice et al.
patent: 3791574 (1974-02-01), Picquot
patent: 4083776 (1978-04-01), Shimoiizaka et al.
patent: 4092990 (1978-06-01), Bayne
patent: 4360034 (1982-11-01), Davila et al.
patent: 4376442 (1983-03-01), Gomez et al.
patent: 4383540 (1983-05-01), De Meyer et al.
patent: 4436103 (1984-03-01), Dick
patent: 4964495 (1990-10-01), Rasmussen
patent: 5100367 (1992-03-01), Abe
patent: 5429551 (1995-07-01), Uecker et al.
patent: 5564546 (1996-10-01), Molbak et al.
patent: 5620079 (1997-04-01), Molbak
patent: 5842916 (1998-12-01), Gerrity et al.
patent: 6021883 (2000-02-01), Casanova et al.
patent: 6071187 (2000-06-01), Knutsson et al.
patent: 6093094 (2000-07-01), Uecker et al.
patent: 6174230 (2001-01-01), Gerrity et al.
patent: 6179703 (2001-01-01), Knutsson et al.
patent: 6318536 (2001-11-01), Korman et al.
patent: 6484884 (2002-11-01), Gerrity et al.
patent: 6666318 (2003-12-01), Gerrity et al.
patent: 6736251 (2004-05-01), Molbak
patent: 6863168 (2005-03-01), Gerrity et al.
patent: 5-200364 (1993-08-01), None
patent: WO96/30877 (1996-10-01), None
Cannon Larry D.
Ferguson Chris
Finch Aaron
Gerrity Dan
Riday Rick
Coinstar Inc.
Perkins Coie LLP
Shapiro Jeffrey A.
Walsh Donald P.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for conditioning coins prior to... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for conditioning coins prior to..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for conditioning coins prior to... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3614216