Patents by Inventor John R. Blake

John R. Blake has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230419762
    Abstract: A resilient coin sorting pad for imparting motion to a plurality of coins is provided, the resilient coin sorting pad designed to be coupled to a rotatable disc of a coin sorter, the resilient coin sorting pad being generally circular and having an outer periphery edge. The resilient coin sorting pad comprises a lower foam layer having a top surface, an upper skin layer coupled to the top surface of the foam layer, and a layer of mesh material. According to some embodiments, the upper skin layer comprises at least one layer of nitrile rubber and the layer of mesh material is nylon fiber mesh. According to some embodiments, the upper skin layer comprises at least two layers of nitrile rubber and the layer of mesh material is positioned between the at least two layers of nitrile rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Douglas U. MENNIE, John R. BLAKE, Ricky NEWSOM, James M. RASMUSSEN, Kevin M. CARRARA, Glenn S. GORDON
  • Patent number: 11776345
    Abstract: A resilient coin sorting pad for imparting motion to a plurality of coins is provided, the resilient coin sorting pad designed to be coupled to a rotatable disc of a coin sorter, the resilient coin sorting pad being generally circular and having an outer periphery edge. The resilient coin sorting pad comprises a lower foam layer having a top surface, an upper skin layer coupled to the top surface of the foam layer, and a layer of mesh material. According to some embodiments, the upper skin layer comprises at least one layer of nitrile rubber and the layer of mesh material is nylon fiber mesh. According to some embodiments, the upper skin layer comprises at least two layers of nitrile rubber and the layer of mesh material is positioned between the at least two layers of nitrile rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, John R. Blake, Ricky Newsom, James M. Rasmussen, Kevin M. Carrara, Glenn S. Gordon
  • Publication number: 20220383684
    Abstract: A resilient coin sorting pad for imparting motion to a plurality of coins is provided, the resilient coin sorting pad designed to be coupled to a rotatable disc of a coin sorter, the resilient coin sorting pad being generally circular and having an outer periphery edge. The resilient coin sorting pad comprises a lower foam layer having a top surface, an upper skin layer coupled to the top surface of the foam layer, and a layer of mesh material. According to some embodiments, the upper skin layer comprises at least one layer of nitrile rubber and the layer of mesh material is nylon fiber mesh. According to some embodiments, the upper skin layer comprises at least two layers of nitrile rubber and the layer of mesh material is positioned between the at least two layers of nitrile rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Douglas U. MENNIE, John R. BLAKE, Ricky NEWSOM, James M. RASMUSSEN, Kevin M. CARRARA, Glenn S. GORDON
  • Patent number: 11514743
    Abstract: Currency processing systems, coin processing machines, coin sorting and recycling assemblies, and methods of making and methods of using the same are presented herein. A currency processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with a coin input area for receiving coins and coin receptacles for stowing processed coins. A disk-type coin processing unit includes a rotatable disk for imparting motion to input coins, and a sorting head for separating and discharging coins from exit stations. An automated coin chute receives coins from one of the exit stations. The automated coin chute includes a movable diverter plate that selectively transitions between a first position, whereby coins received from the exit station of the disk-type coin processing unit are redirected through a coin-recycling output passage to a coin-recycling receptacle, and a second position, whereby coins received from the exit station are redirected through a coin-depositing output passage to a coin-depositing receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Adams, Glenn S. Gordon, Matthew J. Bochnak, Curtis W. Hallowell, John R. Blake, Mikhail B. Sobolevsky
  • Patent number: 11443581
    Abstract: According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a resilient coin sorting pad for imparting motion to a plurality of coins is provided, the resilient pad designed to be coupled to a rotatable disc of a coin sorter, the resilient pad being generally circular and having an outer periphery edge. The resilient pad comprises a lower foam layer having a top surface, an upper skin layer coupled to the top surface of the foam layer, and a layer of mesh material. According to some embodiments, the upper skin layer comprises at least one layer of nitrile rubber and the layer of mesh material is nylon fiber mesh. According to some embodiments, the upper skin layer comprises at least two layers of nitrile rubber and the layer of mesh material is positioned between the at least two layers of nitrile rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, John R. Blake, Ricky Newsom, James M. Rasmussen, Kevin M. Carrara, Glenn S. Gordon
  • Patent number: 11232668
    Abstract: A coin processing device, comprising a coin processing module including an inlet for receiving coins to be processed and at least one coin output location, including an elongated sleeve for receiving the coins from the at least one outlet, wherein the elongated sleeve is operable to receive, in a first mode of operation of the coin processing device, a first flexible walled coin receptacle about the elongated sleeve, and wherein, in the first mode of operation, the coins are delivered by the elongated sleeve into the first flexible walled coin receptacle, and receive, in a second mode of operation of the coin processing device, a second coin receptacle within the elongated sleeve, wherein the second coin receptacle is a generally rigid container, and wherein, in the second mode of operation, the coins are delivered from the at least one outlet into the second coin receptacle positioned within the elongated sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John R. Blake, Frank J. Janezic, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Patent number: 10964148
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a coin chute for receiving coins exiting from a coin sorting system comprising a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins, a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced slightly away from the resilient pad, the lower surface forming a coin path for directing the movement of each of the coins, and a reject slot, wherein coins exiting the reject slot travel in a first generally horizontal direction is provided. The coin chute comprises a lower tapered surface having a generally funnel shape having a larger perimeter at its top than near its bottom; and an upper generally vertical wall having an angled portion at an angle from the first horizontal direction coins exit the reject slot, the portion being positioned such that coins exiting the reject slot contact the angled portion and are directed in a generally horizontal second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, John R. Blake, David J. Wendell
  • Publication number: 20210012604
    Abstract: A coin processing device, comprising a coin processing module including an inlet for receiving coins to be processed and at least one coin output location, including an elongated sleeve for receiving the coins from the at least one outlet, wherein the elongated sleeve is operable to receive, in a first mode of operation of the coin processing device, a first flexible walled coin receptacle about the elongated sleeve, and wherein, in the first mode of operation, the coins are delivered by the elongated sleeve into the first flexible walled coin receptacle, and receive, in a second mode of operation of the coin processing device, a second coin receptacle within the elongated sleeve, wherein the second coin receptacle is a generally rigid container, and wherein, in the second mode of operation, the coins are delivered from the at least one outlet into the second coin receptacle positioned within the elongated sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: John R. Blake, Frank J. Janezic, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Publication number: 20200250914
    Abstract: Currency processing systems, coin processing machines, coin sorting and recycling assemblies, and methods of making and methods of using the same are presented herein. A currency processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with a coin input area for receiving coins and coin receptacles for stowing processed coins. A disk-type coin processing unit includes a rotatable disk for imparting motion to input coins, and a sorting head for separating and discharging coins from exit stations. An automated coin chute receives coins from one of the exit stations. The automated coin chute includes a movable diverter plate that selectively transitions between a first position, whereby coins received from the exit station of the disk-type coin processing unit are redirected through a coin-recycling output passage to a coin-recycling receptacle, and a second position, whereby coins received from the exit station are redirected through a coin-depositing output passage to a coin-depositing receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas P. Adams, Glenn S. Gordon, Matthew J. Bochnak, Curtis W. Hallowell, John R. Blake, Mikhail B. Sobolevsky
  • Publication number: 20200219352
    Abstract: According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a resilient coin sorting pad for imparting motion to a plurality of coins is provided, the resilient pad designed to be coupled to a rotatable disc of a coin sorter, the resilient pad being generally circular and having an outer periphery edge. The resilient pad comprises a lower foam layer having a top surface, an upper skin layer coupled to the top surface of the foam layer, and a layer of mesh material. According to some embodiments, the upper skin layer comprises at least one layer of nitrile rubber and the layer of mesh material is nylon fiber mesh. According to some embodiments, the upper skin layer comprises at least two layers of nitrile rubber and the layer of mesh material is positioned between the at least two layers of nitrile rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Douglas U. MENNIE, John R. BLAKE, Ricky NEWSOM, James M. RASMUSSEN, Kevin M. CARRARA, Glenn S. GORDON
  • Patent number: 10629020
    Abstract: Currency processing systems, coin processing machines, coin sorting and recycling assemblies, and methods of making and methods of using the same are presented herein. A currency processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with a coin input area for receiving coins and coin receptacles for stowing processed coins. A disk-type coin processing unit includes a rotatable disk for imparting motion to input coins, and a sorting head for separating and discharging coins from exit stations. An automated coin chute receives coins from one of the exit stations. The automated coin chute includes a movable diverter plate that selectively transitions between a first position, whereby coins received from the exit station of the disk-type coin processing unit are redirected through a coin-recycling output passage to a coin-recycling receptacle, and a second position, whereby coins received from the exit station are redirected through a coin-depositing output passage to a coin-depositing receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Adams, Glenn S. Gordon, Matthew J. Bochnak, Curtis W. Hallowell, John R. Blake, Mikhail B. Sobolevsky
  • Publication number: 20190139348
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a coin chute for receiving coins exiting from a coin sorting system comprising a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins, a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced slightly away from the resilient pad, the lower surface forming a coin path for directing the movement of each of the coins, and a reject slot, wherein coins exiting the reject slot travel in a first generally horizontal direction is provided. The coin chute comprises a lower tapered surface having a generally funnel shape having a larger perimeter at its top than near its bottom; and an upper generally vertical wall having an angled portion at an angle from the first horizontal direction coins exit the reject slot, the portion being positioned such that coins exiting the reject slot contact the angled portion and are directed in a generally horizontal second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, John R. Blake, David J. Wendell
  • Patent number: 10181234
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins, comprises a rotatable disc having a resilient pad coupled thereto for imparting motion to the plurality of coins, the resilient pad being generally circular and having an outer periphery edge. The system further comprises a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced slightly away from the resilient pad, the lower surface forming a coin path for directing the movement of each of the coins and a coin reject region for discharging coins. The reject region comprises a diverter pin. A coin to be rejected coin travels toward the diverter pin in a radial outward downward tilted manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, John R. Blake, David J. Wendell
  • Patent number: 10089812
    Abstract: Currency processing systems, coin processing machines, and methods of sorting coins with disk-type sorters are presented herein. A currency processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with an input area for receiving coins and receptacles for stowing processed coins. A disk-type coin processing unit is coupled to the coin input area and coin receptacles. The coin processing unit includes a rotatable disk for imparting motion to coins, and a sorting head adjacent the rotatable disk with shaped regions for guiding moving coins to exit channels which sort and discharge coins through exit stations to the coin receptacles. The sorting head includes a plurality of localized inserts that are fabricated from a material or materials which is/are distinct from the material of the sorting head. Each localized insert has a distinct shape and is readily removably attached at a distinct one of various predetermined locations on the sorting head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John R. Blake, Douglas U. Mennie, David J. Wendell, Ricky Newsom, James M. Rasmussen, Marianne L. Krbec
  • Patent number: 10049521
    Abstract: Currency processing systems, coin processing machines, computer-readable storage media, and methods of managing processed coins are presented herein. A method is presented for managing coins processed by a currency processing system. The method includes: receiving a batch of coins by the currency processing system; feeding the coins into a coin processing unit which includes one or more coin discriminating sensors; sorting the batch of coins into genuine fit target coins and reject coins; sorting the reject coins into a plurality of reject groups, each of which corresponds to a respective category of rejected coins; analyzing at least one of the reject groups to determine if any genuine target coins were mischaracterized and erroneously sorted into that reject group; and, crediting a user of the currency processing system for any genuine target coins in the reject group determined to have been mischaracterized and erroneously sorted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John R. Blake, Curtis W. Hallowell, Tomasz M. Jagielinski
  • Patent number: 10043333
    Abstract: Currency processing systems, coin processing machines, coin sorting and recycling assemblies, and methods of making and methods of using the same are presented herein. A currency processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with a coin input area for receiving coins and coin receptacles for stowing processed coins. A disk-type coin processing unit includes a rotatable disk for imparting motion to input coins, and a sorting head for separating and discharging coins from exit stations. An automated coin chute receives coins from one of the exit stations. The automated coin chute includes a movable diverter plate that selectively transitions between a first position, whereby coins received from the exit station of the disk-type coin processing unit are redirected through a coin-recycling output passage to a coin-recycling receptacle, and a second position, whereby coins received from the exit station are redirected through a coin-depositing output passage to a coin-depositing receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Adams, Glenn S. Gordon, Matthew J. Bochnak, Curtis W. Hallowell, John R. Blake, Mikhail B. Sobelevsky
  • Publication number: 20180108199
    Abstract: A method of repurposing coins includes the acts of discharging processed mixed coins into a coin bin, receiving a first request for a number of or value of coins of a first denomination from an authorized person, outputting the mixed coins from the coin bin onto a coin conveyor responsive to the received first request, conveying the mixed coins output from the coin bin, using the coin conveyor, to the coin processing machine for repurposing, and discharging the coins of the first denomination from the coin processing machine to a secure coin cassette and discharging coins of a denomination other than the first denomination back to the coin bin. These acts of outputting, conveying and discharging are continued until the number of or value of coins of the first denomination have been discharged to the secure coin cassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: John R. Blake, Curtis Hallowell, WIlliam Jones, Marianne Krbec
  • Patent number: 9934640
    Abstract: A method of repurposing coins includes the acts of discharging processed mixed coins into a coin bin, receiving a first request for a number of or value of coins of a first denomination from an authorized person, outputting the mixed coins from the coin bin onto a coin conveyor responsive to the received first request, conveying the mixed coins output from the coin bin, using the coin conveyor, to the coin processing machine for repurposing, and discharging the coins of the first denomination from the coin processing machine to a secure coin cassette and discharging coins of a denomination other than the first denomination back to the coin bin. These acts of outputting, conveying and discharging are continued until the number of or value of coins of the first denomination have been discharged to the secure coin cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John R. Blake, Curtis Hallowell, William Jones, Marianne Krbec
  • Patent number: 9875593
    Abstract: Currency processing systems, coin processing machines, coin sorting and recycling assemblies, and methods of making and methods of using the same are presented herein. A currency processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with a coin input area for receiving coins and coin receptacles for stowing processed coins. A disk-type coin processing unit includes a rotatable disk for imparting motion to input coins, and a sorting head for separating and discharging coins from exit stations. An automated coin chute receives coins from one of the exit stations. The automated coin chute includes a movable diverter plate that selectively transitions between a first position, whereby coins received from the exit station of the disk-type coin processing unit are redirected through a coin-recycling output passage to a coin-recycling receptacle, and a second position, whereby coins received from the exit station are redirected through a coin-depositing output passage to a coin-depositing receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Adams, Glenn S. Gordon, Matthew J. Bochnak, Curtis W. Hallowell, John R. Blake, Mikhail B. Sobelevsky
  • Patent number: 9830762
    Abstract: The method according to some embodiments comprises a coin processing machine depositing a plurality of the coins from the coin processing machine through an upper opening of a generally rigid and elongated tubular body of a coin receptacle sleeve and into the coin sleeve until a top level of coins within the sleeve is adjacent to a top of a coin bag; and continuing to deposit additional coins through the upper opening and into the sleeve until a top level of coins within the sleeve is adjacent a full coin height level and above the top of the coin bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John R. Blake, Curtis W. Hallowell, Marianne Krbec, William J. Jones, Thomas P. Adams, Glenn S. Gordon