Patent US5620079A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5620079A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Coin counter/sorter and coupon/voucher dispensing machine and method
Assignee: Coinstar LLC
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Filing: 1994-05-03
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Granted: 1997-04-15
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Expires: 2014-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A coin sorting and counting machine and a method for operating it to automatically dispense cash vouchers based on the value of the counted coins, manufacturers' coupons and store coupons. Coins are placed in a hopper tray angled downward from the horizontal. When the hinged tray is lifted, the coins travel over a peak structure, through a waste management system and into the coin sorting and counting apparatus. The value of the coins and the number of coins within each denomination are displayed as the coins are counted. The coins fall into a storage area and the user is issued a cash voucher and a series of manufacturer coupons.
Inventors
- 👤 Jens H. Molbak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:01
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07G; G07G5/00; G07D; G07D1/00; G07D1/02; G07D1/04; G07D3/00; G07D3/16; G07D9/00; G07D9/008; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/42; G07F19/00; G07F19/20; G07F19/202; G07F5/00; G07F5/18; G07F9/00; G07F9/002; G07F9/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
An apparatus comprising: coin-counting means for determining a total amount of said coins; means for receiving a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from a user, said means for receiving including a first tray pivotable from a first holding position to a second delivery position for delivering said plurality of coins to said coin-counting means; means, coupled to said means for receiving, for removing waste included among said plurality of coins; means, coupled to said coin-counting means, for dispensing a cash voucher for a value related to said total amount; wherein said means for receiving comprises a transport tray for conveying coins from said first tray toward said coin-counting means; wherein said first tray is pivotable about an axis located between said first tray and said transport tray; wherein said first tray has a bottom surface and wherein said bottom surface of said first tray, when in said first configuration, slopes downwardly at a first angle, with respect to horizontal, in a direction away from said transport tray.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
168 words
An apparatus comprising: coin-counting means for determining a total amount of said coins; means for receiving a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from a user, said means for receiving including a first tray pivotable from a first holding position to a second delivery position for delivering said plurality of coins to said coin-counting means; means, coupled to said means for receiving, for removing waste included among said plurality of coins; means, coupled to said coin-counting means, for dispensing a cash voucher for a value related to said total amount; wherein said means for receiving comprises a transport tray for conveying coins from said first tray toward said coin-counting means; wherein said first tray is pivotable about an axis located between said first tray and said transport tray; wherein said first tray has a bottom surface and wherein said bottom surface of said first tray, when in said first configuration, slopes downwardly at a first angle, with respect to horizontal, in a direction away from said transport tray.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transport tray includes a plurality of holes for removing waste material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least some of said holes are tapered in a direction toward said first tray.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said coins is substantially planar and wherein the plane of each coin, when traveling from said first tray to said transport tray, remains substantially perpendicular to an imaginary plane normal to said axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first angle is between about 11° and about 12°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising control and I/O means for receiving user input and, in response, controlling at least said coin-counting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said control and I/O means includes a computer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a modem, coupled to said computer, for transmitting data to and from said computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a gate means, movable under control of said control and I/O means, for controlling flow of coins to said coin-counting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for removing waste includes at least a first fan configured to cause a flow of air in a direction away from said coin-counting means and toward said means for receiving.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for removing waste includes a means for causing a flow of air above said axis so as to flow over coins which pass over said axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 11, further comprising means for causing a convergence of said flow of air prior to passage over said axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for removing waste includes at least a first magnet positioned between said means for receiving and said coin-counting means, wherein substantially all coins are exposed to the field of said magnet while traveling from said means for receiving to said coin-counting means without being blocked by other coins.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising coin-sorting means for depositing different denominations of said coins into different containers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 14, wherein said containers comprise standard-sized coin bags.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 14, further comprising at least one removable trolley for holding a plurality of said containers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for supplying power from an ordinary AC power supply.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 17, further comprising means for providing power to said apparatus for at least a minimum amount of time following a failure of said ordinary AC power supply.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for dispensing a plurality of coupons.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 19, wherein said means for dispensing coupons is capable of operating independently from said means for dispensing a cash voucher.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coin-counting means, said means for receiving, said means for removing waste and said means for dispensing a cash voucher are positioned in a doored cabinet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 21, wherein said cabinet is provided in the absence of bracing members positioned so as to obstruct access to said coin-counting means when the doors of said doored cabinet are open.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 21, wherein at least said coin-counting means is mounted in said cabinet on rails to permit at least partial withdrawal therefrom.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for dispensing a cash voucher comprises a first printer.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus comprising: coin-counting means for determining a total amount of said coins; means for receiving a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from a user, said means for receiving including a first tray pivotable from a first holding position to a second delivery position for delivering said plurality of coins to said coin-counting means; means, coupled to said means for receiving, for removing waste included among said plurality of coins; means, coupled to said coin-counting means, for dispensing a cash voucher for a value related to said total amount; coin-sorting means for depositing different denominations of said coins into different containers; at least one removable trolley for holding a plurality of said containers; wherein said trolley includes tapered bag receptacles.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus comprising: coin-counting means for determining a total amount of said coins; means for receiving a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from a user, said means for receiving including a first tray pivotable from a first holding position to a second delivery position for delivering said plurality of coins to said coin-counting means; means, coupled to said means for receiving, for removing waste included among said plurality of coins; means, coupled to said coin-counting means, for dispensing a cash voucher for a value related to said total amount; coin-sorting means for depositing different denominations of said coins into different containers; at least one removable trolley for holding a plurality of said containers; wherein said trolley includes tapered bag receptacles.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for dispensing a cash voucher, comprising: providing a first tray, having a bottom surface, configured to receive a plurality of coins, said first tray positionable in a first holding position wherein said bottom surface defines a first angle with respect to horizontal; moving said first tray from said first holding position through an intermediate position to a second position for moving said coins out of said first tray, said bottom surface, in said intermediate position, defining a second angle with respect to horizontal, which is shallower than said first angle; removing debris from said plurality of coins; transferring said coins to a coin-counting mechanism; determining a value of said coins, using said coin-counting mechanism; providing a controllable voucher dispenser; providing a computer, coupled to said coin-counting mechanism and to said controllable voucher dispenser; transmitting an indication of said value from said coin-counting mechanism to said computer; transmitting a command sequence from said computer to said controllable voucher dispenser to cause said voucher dispenser to dispense a cash voucher for a value related to a total amount of said coins.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for dispensing a cash voucher, comprising: providing a first tray, having a bottom surface, configured to receive a plurality of coins, said first tray positionable in a first holding position wherein said bottom surface defines a first angle with respect to horizontal; moving said first tray from said first holding position through an intermediate position to a second position for moving said coins out of said first tray, said bottom surface, in said intermediate position, defining a second angle with respect to horizontal, which is shallower than said first angle; removing debris from said plurality of coins; transferring said coins to a coin-counting mechanism; determining a value of said coins, using said coin-counting mechanism; providing a controllable voucher dispenser; providing a computer, coupled to said coin-counting mechanism and to said controllable voucher dispenser; transmitting an indication of said value from said coin-counting mechanism to said computer; transmitting a command sequence from said computer to said controllable voucher dispenser to cause said voucher dispenser to dispense a cash voucher for a value related to a total amount of said coins.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method, as claimed in claim 26, further comprising providing a transport tray for conveying coins from said first tray toward said coin-counting mechanism.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method, as claimed in claim 27, wherein said step of moving comprises pivoting said first tray about an axis located between said first tray and said transport tray.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method, as claimed in claim 26, further comprising providing a communications line coupled to said computer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method, as claimed in claim 29, further comprising transmitting data and programming to said computer, using said communications line.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method, as claimed in claim 26, further comprising printing a document, separate from said voucher, related to said total amount.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method, as claimed in claim 31, wherein said document comprises at least one of a bank deposit slip; a coin bag tag; an armored car carrier receipt.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method, as claimed in claim 29, further comprising: determining additional information, said additional information including at least one of the number of each denomination of said coins the time of each counting step; and transmitting said additional information to a central computing facility, using said communications line.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method, as claimed in claim 33, further comprising storing said total amount in a memory, prior to transmitting to said central computing facility.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method, as claimed in claim 34, wherein said memory is non-volatile memory.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method, as claimed in claim 26 wherein a peak is defined between said first tray and said coin-counting mechanism during said step of transferring said coins.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method, as claimed in claim 36 wherein said coins travel over said peak in a single layer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method, as claimed in claim 36, wherein said coins travel over said peak substantially without overlap among the coins.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus for allowing untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising: coin-counting means for discriminating among coin denominations and determining a total mount of said coins; means for receiving in a first location, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from said untrained user, said means for receiving including a first tray pivotable from a first holding position to a second delivery position for delivering said plurality of coins to said coin-counting means said means for receiving further comprising a transport tray for conveying coins from said first tray toward said coin-counting means wherein said first tray is pivotable about an axis located between said first tray and said transport tray and wherein a peak is defined between said first tray and said transfer tray while said coins are being transferred from said first tray and wherein said peak defines an angle greater than about 135°; means, coupled to said means for receiving, for removing waste included among said plurality of coins; and means, coupled to said coin-counting means, for dispensing a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value relate to said total amount wherein said value is determined only after said coin-counting means has determined said total amount.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus for allowing untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising: coin-counting means for discriminating among coin denominations and determining a total mount of said coins; means for receiving in a first location, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from said untrained user, said means for receiving including a first tray pivotable from a first holding position to a second delivery position for delivering said plurality of coins to said coin-counting means said means for receiving further comprising a transport tray for conveying coins from said first tray toward said coin-counting means wherein said first tray is pivotable about an axis located between said first tray and said transport tray and wherein a peak is defined between said first tray and said transfer tray while said coins are being transferred from said first tray and wherein said peak defines an angle greater than about 135°; means, coupled to said means for receiving, for removing waste included among said plurality of coins; and means, coupled to said coin-counting means, for dispensing a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value relate to said total amount wherein said value is determined only after said coin-counting means has determined said total amount.
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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) | 2000-04-14 | 2000-10-14 | 2001-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-04-14 | 2004-10-14 | 2005-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-04-14 | 2008-10-14 | 2009-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |