US3707244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coin processing method and apparatus
Assignee: ATL MACHINE CORP
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Filing: 1970-06-22
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Granted: 1972-12-26
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Expires: 1990-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A coin processing method and apparatus in which coins of predetermined physical characteristics are lifted from a mass of coins, dropped into a plurality of coin hoppers and moved through individual conduits down to a coin shelf. A predetermined number of coins from the hoppers are allowed to accumulate and form stacks on the coin shelf and the stacks of coins are passed in sequence over a discharge opening in the coin shelf. Balls of a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the coins are inserted between the coin stacks at the coin shelf discharge opening, and a transparent plastic material is applied to the line of coin stacks and balls to form a continuous tubular wrapper about the coins and balls. The continuous wrapper is opened at the balls and the balls are separated from the coin stacks, leaving separate packages of coins.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerry G Hull
- 👤 Eugene B Morris Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:07
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D9/00; G07D9/06; G07D9/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
Apparatus for processing coins or the like comprising a generally cylindrical drum rotatable about its horizontally extending longitudinal axis, a lattice of perforations formed in the curved wall of said drum with the perforations arranged in a plurality of annular rows about the circumference of said drum, the inside surface of the curved wall of said drum defining a counterbore imposed over each perforation of a diameter and depth corresponding to the diameter and thickness of the coins to be processed, air flow means arranged to continuously flow air from within said drum through said perforations to hold any coins fitting in Said counterbores bottomed in said counterbores, a receptacle within said drum and including a coin receiving hopper in alignment with each annular row of perforations, coin conduits each connected at one of its ends to each hopper and all extending out of said drum for separately dispensing coins from each hopper to a collection point, a coin detector positioned in alignment with each annular row of perforations at the upper portion of said drum for detecting coins in said counterbores, intermittent air flow means positioned in alignment with each annular row of perforations and responsive to a coin detector in alignment with the same annular row of perforations for urging the coins out of said counterbores into its hopper, and means for disabling each intermittent air flow means after a predetermined number of coins has been dispensed through its hopper.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
Apparatus for processing coins or the like comprising a generally cylindrical drum rotatable about its horizontally extending longitudinal axis, a lattice of perforations formed in the curved wall of said drum with the perforations arranged in a plurality of annular rows about the circumference of said drum, the inside surface of the curved wall of said drum defining a counterbore imposed over each perforation of a diameter and depth corresponding to the diameter and thickness of the coins to be processed, air flow means arranged to continuously flow air from within said drum through said perforations to hold any coins fitting in Said counterbores bottomed in said counterbores, a receptacle within said drum and including a coin receiving hopper in alignment with each annular row of perforations, coin conduits each connected at one of its ends to each hopper and all extending out of said drum for separately dispensing coins from each hopper to a collection point, a coin detector positioned in alignment with each annular row of perforations at the upper portion of said drum for detecting coins in said counterbores, intermittent air flow means positioned in alignment with each annular row of perforations and responsive to a coin detector in alignment with the same annular row of perforations for urging the coins out of said counterbores into its hopper, and means for disabling each intermittent air flow means after a predetermined number of coins has been dispensed through its hopper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein said drum is fabricated of a non-metallic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for processing coins or the like comprising a coin receiving drum rotatable about its horizontally extending longitudinal axis, a lattice of coin receiving bores arranged in annular rows formed in the inner surface of the wall of said drum, means for urging coins into and holding coins in said bores, detecting means for each row of bores for sequentially detecting the presence of coins in the bores of each row of bores as each bore passes with the rotation of said drum in an upward direction past a predetermined position, ejecting means responsive to said detecting means for ejecting the coins from said bores inwardly of said drum, means for deactivating said ejecting means after a predetermined number of coins have been ejected, a coin receiving receptacle positioned in said drum and including hopper means for each row of bores for receiving the coins, and conduit means connected to each hopper means and extending out of said drum for separately dispensing the coins from each hopper means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for processing coins or the like comprising a coin receiving drum rotatable about its horizontally extending longitudinal axis, a lattice of coin receiving bores arranged in annular rows formed in the inner surface of the wall of said drum, means for urging coins into and holding coins in said bores, detecting means for each row of bores for sequentially detecting the presence of coins in the bores of each row of bores as each bore passes with the rotation of said drum in an upward direction past a predetermined position, ejecting means responsive to said detecting means for ejecting the coins from said bores inwardly of said drum, means for deactivating said ejecting means after a predetermined number of coins have been ejected, a coin receiving receptacle positioned in said drum and including hopper means for each row of bores for receiving the coins, and conduit means connected to each hopper means and extending out of said drum for separately dispensing the coins from each hopper means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 3 and further including means for receiving the predetermined number of coins from each conduit means in sequence.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 3 and further including receiving means for receiving the predetermined number of coins from each conduit means in sequence and for placing separating objects between the coins received from each conduit means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus of claim 3 and wherein said drum is constructed primarily of a non-metallic material, said means for urging coins into and holding coins in said bores comprises an opening in each bore through the wall of said drum and means for reducing air pressure externally of said drum, said detecting means comprises metal detecting means arranged to detect metal coins in said bores, and said ejecting means comprises means for impinging a flow of air through the openings in the wall of said drum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
113 words
The apparatus of claim 3 and wherein said means for urging coins into said bores comprises a housing extending about the wall of said drum and defining a generally annular header with respect to said drum, an air exhaust conduit connected to said housing for flowing air from said annular header, spaced apart baffle members extending generally longitudinally of said drum between said drum and said housing to divide said annular header into zones of low and lower air pressure, and an opening in the wall of said drum in each bore, whereby air flows from within said drum through said openings to said annular header and out of said air exhaust conduit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-26 | 1976-06-26 | 1976-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-26 | 1980-06-26 | 1980-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-26 | 1984-06-26 | 1984-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |