Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
  • G07D3/00—Sorting a mixed bulk of coins into denominations
  • G07D3/02—Sorting coins by means of graded apertures
  • G07D3/08—Sorting coins by means of graded apertures arranged on a helix
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
  • G07D9/00—Counting coins; Handling of coins not provided for in the other groups of this subclass

Definitions

• This invention relates to an automatic power-free coinage sorter.
• a compact, lightweight, portable, automatic power-free coinage sorter capable of sorting mixed coin, requiring neither electrical power nor manual agitation.
• the sorter comprises catchment containers for the various denominations, means of guiding sorted coins thereinto, means for effectively sorting the various denominations, means for achieveing a steady flow and preventing unintentional clogging using self-agitation, and means of adapting the system to accommodate varying volumes of mixed coin, and indeed different currencies.
• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the automatic power-free coinage sorter which uses four radially parallel quadrature helical runner tracks.
• Figure 2 shows a vertical cross-section through the hopper and feedback mechanism.
• Figure 3 shows a plan (top) view of the quadrature smoothing distributor/weight sensor (bottom part of the feedback mechanism)
• Figure 4 is an inner view of the discrimination region of the quadrature helical runner tracks, showing the operation of the discrimination apertures.
• the sorter comprises a hopper (1), a quadrature smoothing distributor/weight sensor (2), a flow regulator (3) positioned in the mouth of the hopper aperture (5), quadrature helical runner tracks (4), means of discrimination and separation of coins according to denomination using different sized apertures (8), catchment containers for the various denominations of coinage (7), and means of guiding sorted coins thereinto using guide tubes (6).
• a quantity of coins is dropped into the hopper (1), the sorter generally being in an upright position.
• the coins Due to the internal shape of the hopper (1) the coins have a tendency to align themselves circularly around the flow regulator (3), which is firmly attached to the quadrature smoothing distributor/weight sensor (2), the coins laying as flat as the hopper floor will allow. The coins fall through the hopper aperture (5) onto the quadrature smoothing distributor/weight sensor (2), one of the purposes of which is to rarify the stream of coins into single file before it enters the quadrature helical runner tracks (4).
• negative feedback is applied from the quadrature smoothing distributor/weight sensor (2) to the flow regulator (3) in the hopper, in order to provide a deliberate, controllable "clog" when the weight of coins on the quadrature smoothing distributor/weight sensor (2) becomes excessive.
• the feedback mechanism (3) and (2) is supported on springs (9).
• the flow regulator (3) is caused to rise, freeing the deliberate clog of coins in the hopper and allowing more coins to flow through the hopper aperture (5) and onto the quadrature smoothing distributor/weight sensor (2).
• four smooth streams of single-file coins are allowed to flow onto the quadrature helical runner tracks (4) for sorting.
• the quadrature smoothing distributor/weight sensor (2) has four degrees of rotational symmetry. Coins fall onto the central region, and are encouraged outwards by a continuous, constant scalar gradient. As they travel outwards along the four curved channels (12), the stream of coins has a natural tendency to become become rarefied by the effects of surface friction of the quadrature smoothing distributor/weight sensor (2) on those coins which may be underneath others, slowing them and allowing those coins on top to pass.
• the scalar gradient of the four curved channels must be large enough to prevent the "complete stalling" of coins (this can be found by experimentation to be of the order of 15 to 25 degrees from horizontal for a smooth plastic part).
• the four streams of coins enter the quadrature helical runner tracks (4), and are accelerated down the inner surface of the tracks by gravity, being held gently against the inner surface by the centripetal force which is a result of the constant radial curvature of the helical shape.
• the scalar gradient of the runner tracks should be steep enough to allow a general acceleration of the coins, but not so steep as to accelerate coins to a velocity whereby irregular coins may have a tendency to "bounce"".
• the optimum scalar gradient for a smooth plastic runner lies within the range 11 to 18 degrees.
• apertures (8) are provided to discriminate between the various denominations of coin, allowing the coins to leave the runner tracks due to their own linear momentum, causing different denominations to leave the channel at their respective points.
• the apertures (8) must be arranged along the runner tracks in ascending order of height, so that the smallest coins leave the track first.
• a shallow step (11) may be provided on the runner track along the length of the first of the two respective apertures, in order to provide further discrimination according to the thickness of the two coins, by raising the thickest coin as it passes the first aperture.
• each denomination has its respective aperture (8) positioned vertically above and/or below the corresponding aperture for the same denomination on the adjacent runner track(s), so allowing external vertical guide tubes (6) to marshal the sorted coins into the respective catchment containers (7).
• the whole assembly is mounted on elastic feet (10), which reduce vibrations imparted to the table or desk on which the invention is used and so reduce noise levels, and also to maximise the internal vibrational agitation.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Testing Of Coins (AREA)
• Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=10847647

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (5)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 1999
  • 1999-02-15 GB GBGB9903209.6A patent/GB9903209D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2000
  • 2000-02-14 EP EP00902801A patent/EP1153370A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2000-02-14 WO PCT/GB2000/000470 patent/WO2000048136A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2000-02-14 AU AU24540/00A patent/AU2454000A/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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