US5799767A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cleaning apparatus and method for a coin counter and voucher dispenser
Assignee: Coinstar LLC
•
Filing: 1997-04-07
•
Granted: 1998-09-01
•
Expires: 2017-04-07
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
2026-11-09 19:32
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: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising the steps of: providing a kiosk having first means for discriminating among coin denominations; receiving, from said untrained user, in a receiving location of said kiosk, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denominations; performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in a first cleaning location; moving at least some of said coins from said first location to a second location in said kiosk; performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location; discriminating, in said kiosk, said denominations of coins, using said first means, after said steps of performing a first step of cleaning and performing a second step of cleaning; determining a total amount of said coins; and dispensing, from said kiosk, a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount wherein said value is determined only after said steps of receiving and determining.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising the steps of: providing a kiosk having first means for discriminating among coin denominations; receiving, from said untrained user, in a receiving location of said kiosk, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denominations; performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in a first cleaning location; moving at least some of said coins from said first location to a second location in said kiosk; performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location; discriminating, in said kiosk, said denominations of coins, using said first means, after said steps of performing a first step of cleaning and performing a second step of cleaning; determining a total amount of said coins; and dispensing, from said kiosk, a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount wherein said value is determined only after said steps of receiving and determining.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising performing a third step of cleaning said plurality of coins, different from said first and second steps.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first location is said receiving location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said receiving location has a bottom and said first location is said bottom of said receiving location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said receiving location has an end and said first location is said end of said receiving location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said receiving location has an end and said second location is said end of said receiving location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising providing a receiving tray defining an exit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first location is said exit of said receiving tray.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said second location is said exit of said receiving tray.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising providing a chute.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said first location is at said chute.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said second location is at said chute.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of performing a first step of cleaning uses at least one of an opening; holes; a spout; a perforation; a chute; grooves; a porous member; a magnet; and a fan.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of performing a second step of cleaning uses at least one of an opening; holes; a spout; a perforation; a chute; grooves; a porous member; a magnet; and a fan.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first location is located within said kiosk.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second location is located within said kiosk.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method, as claimed in claim 2 wherein said third cleaning step uses at least one of an opening; holes; a spout; a perforation; a chute; grooves; a porous member; a magnet; and a fan.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method, as claimed in claim 2 wherein said third cleaning step is performed in said kiosk.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising the steps of: providing a kiosk having first means for discriminating among coin denominations; receiving, from said untrained user, in a first receiving location of said kiosk, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination; performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in a first cleaning location; moving at least some of said coins from said first cleaning location to a second location in said kiosk; performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location; discriminating, in said kiosk, said denominations of coins, using said first means; determining a total amount of said coins; and outputting, from said kiosk, a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising the steps of: providing a kiosk having first means for discriminating among coin denominations; receiving, from said untrained user, in a first receiving location of said kiosk, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination; performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in a first cleaning location; moving at least some of said coins from said first cleaning location to a second location in said kiosk; performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location; discriminating, in said kiosk, said denominations of coins, using said first means; determining a total amount of said coins; and outputting, from said kiosk, a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein said first cleaning location is said receiving location.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein said first receiving location has a bottom and said first cleaning location is said bottom of said first receiving location.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein said first receiving location has an end and said first cleaning location is said end of said first receiving location.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein said first receiving location has an end and said second cleaning location is said end of said first receiving location.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 19 further comprising providing a receiving tray defining an exit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein said first cleaning location is said exit of said receiving tray.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein said second cleaning location is said exit of said receiving tray.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as claimed in claim 19 further comprising providing a chute.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 27 wherein said first cleaning location is at said chute.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 27 wherein said second cleaning location is at said chute.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein said step of performing a first step of cleaning uses at least one of an opening; holes; a spout; a perforation; a chute; grooves; a porous member; a magnet; and a fan.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein said step of performing a second step of cleaning uses at least one of an opening; holes; a spout; a perforation; a chute; grooves; a porous member; a magnet; and a fan.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method, as claimed in claim 19, wherein said first cleaning location is located within said kiosk.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method, as claimed in claim 19, wherein said second cleaning location is located within said kiosk.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for allowing untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising: a kiosk, having means for discriminating among coin denominations; means for receiving, from said untrained user, in a first receiving location of said kiosk, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from a user; means, coupled to said means for receiving, for performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in a first cleaning location; means for moving at least some of said coins from said first cleaning location to a second location in said kiosk; means for performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location; means, coupled to said second location, for determining a total amount of said coins; and means, coupled to said means for determining, for outputting, from said kiosk, a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount; wherein said value is determined only after said means for determining has determined said total amount.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for allowing untrained users to obtain a voucher for coins comprising: a kiosk, having means for discriminating among coin denominations; means for receiving, from said untrained user, in a first receiving location of said kiosk, a plurality of coins of arbitrary denomination from a user; means, coupled to said means for receiving, for performing a first step of cleaning said plurality of coins while said coins are in a first cleaning location; means for moving at least some of said coins from said first cleaning location to a second location in said kiosk; means for performing a second step of cleaning said coins, different from said first step of cleaning, while said coins are in said second location; means, coupled to said second location, for determining a total amount of said coins; and means, coupled to said means for determining, for outputting, from said kiosk, a voucher redeemable in cash or merchandise for a value related to said total amount; wherein said value is determined only after said means for determining has determined said total amount.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
A apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein said first cleaning location is said first receiving location.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
A apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein said first receiving location has a bottom and said first cleaning location is said bottom of said first receiving location.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
A apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein said first receiving location has an end and said first cleaning location is said end of said first receiving location.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein said first receiving location has an end and said second cleaning location is said end of said first receiving location.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
A apparatus as claimed in claim 34 further comprising a receiving tray defining an exit.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
A apparatus as claimed in claim 39 wherein said first cleaning location is said exit of said receiving tray.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
11 words
A apparatus as claimed in claim 34 further comprising a chute.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
A apparatus as claimed in claim 41 wherein said first cleaning location is at said chute.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 41 wherein said second cleaning location is at said chute.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein said means for performing a first step of cleaning includes at least one of an opening; holes; a spout; a perforation; a chute; grooves; a porous member; a magnet; and a fan.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein said means for performing a second step of cleaning includes at least one of an opening; holes; a spout; a perforation; a chute; grooves; a porous member; a magnet; and a fan.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 34 wherein said first cleaning location is located within said kiosk.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 34 wherein said second cleaning location is located within said kiosk.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein said means for moving includes at least one of a chute; and a funnel.
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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) | 2001-08-31 | 2002-03-02 | 2002-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-31 | 2006-03-02 | 2006-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-31 | 2010-03-02 | 2010-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |