Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting coins of mixed diameters is set forth. The sorter includes a coin-driving member and a coin-guiding member. The lower surface of the coin-guiding member forms a plurality of exit channels for guiding coins of different diameters to different exit stations along the periphery of the coin-guiding member. The coin sorter includes a brake mechanism which permits stopping of the coin-driving member at high speeds such that an invalid coin is retained or for ensuring the correct amount of coins is sent to the coin-collecting receptacle. The coin sorter also includes an operator interface panel for easy operator inputs. Operator inputs allow the operator to adjust the movement of the coin-driving member after encountering a stop and for adjusting the amount of lubrication sent to the coin-guiding member.

Abstract: A funds discrimination and sorting system comprises an acceptor for accepting mixed currency from a customer. A sorter and discriminator sorts and discriminates the funds by denomination, the sorter and discriminator are coupled to the acceptor. An interface is coupled to the sorter and discriminator for accepting instructions from a customer, the instructions causing the actuation of the system; and an attendant control panel allows an attendant to operate the system in a plurality of modes, the attendant control panel is positioned opposite and is inaccessible from said customer interface.

Abstract: A reduced-size coin sorter for sorting coins of mixed diameters is set forth. The sorter includes a coin-driving member and a coin-guiding member. The lower surface of the coin-guiding member forms a plurality of exit channels for guiding coins of different diameters to different exit stations along the periphery of the coin-guiding member. The coin sorter includes an integral base member which concentrically and circumferentially mounts both the rotatable disc and the sorting head. The unitary base member also provides a mounting structure for the electronics and the motor.

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting coins of mixed diameters is set forth. The sorter includes a coin-driving member and a coin-guiding member. The lower surface of the coin-guiding member forms a plurality of exit channels for guiding coins of different diameters to different exit stations along the periphery of the coin-guiding member. The coin sorter includes a brake mechanism which permits stopping of the coin-driving member at high speeds such that an invalid coin is retained or for ensuring the correct amount of coins is sent to the coin-collecting receptacle. The coin sorter also includes an operator interface panel for easy operator inputs. Operator inputs allow the operator to adjust the movement of the coin-driving member after encountering a stop and for adjusting the amount of lubrication sent to the coin-guiding member.

Abstract: A disc-type coin sorter for sorting coins of mixed diameters having improved exit slots is set forth. The sorter includes a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface and a stationary sorting head having a lower surface positioned parallel to the upper surface of the disc and spaced slightly therefrom. The lower surface of the sorting head forms a plurality of exit channels for guiding coins of different diameters to different exit stations along the periphery of the sorting head. Each of the plurality of exit channels has two side walls between which the coins are guided and a base across which the coins pass. Each exit channel has a slot in the base and the coin engages a region of the base outside of the slot.

Abstract: A disc-type coin sorter for sorting coin mixtures which include coin denominations of substantially similar diameters, the sorter has a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface, a drive motor for rotating the disc, a stationary sorting head having a lower surface positioned over and closely adjacent to the upper surface of the disc and having an opening in the central region thereof for feeding coins between the opposed surfaces of the disc and sorting head, the lower surface of the sorting head is contoured to align the coins in a single file and single layer, the contoured lower surface extends downwardly between exit channels at a common radial position providing a positive guide wall which maintains the radial alignment of coins as they pass between exit channels and tapers upwardly in a radial direction from the area traversed by the inner edges of the largest-diameter coins, to the top edge of the guide wall that extends between adjacent exit channels.

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting mixed coins by denomination includes a rotatable disc, a drive motor for rotating the disc, and a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to the upper surface of the rotatable disc and spaced slightly therefrom. The lower surface of the sorting head forms a plurality of exit channels for guiding coins of different denominations to different exit locations around the periphery of the disc. Shunting mechanisms are disposed in one or more of the exit channels or are disposed outside the periphery of the disc adjacent one or more of the exit locations. These shunting mechanisms are used to separate coins into two or more batches for the purpose of either discriminating between valid coins and invalid coins or for the purpose of accumulating a predetermined number of coins in one batch and then accumulating additional coins in another batch.

Abstract: A disc-type coin sorter comprises a rotatable disc with a resilient top surface. A stationary sorting head forms a queuing region to align the outer edges of the coins at a desired common radius, and a plurality of exit channels receive the queued coins and guide coins of different diameters to different exit stations along the periphery of the sorting head. The lower surface of the sorting head is positioned parallel to the upper surface of the disc and spaced slightly therefrom, to press coins of all denominations downwardly into the resilient top surface at predetermined sections thereof. A pair of recycle channels recirculates coins in the queuing region if the outer edges of these coins are located inwardly of the desired common radius.

Abstract: A coin handling system comprises a coin-driving member having a resilient surface and a stationary coin-guiding member having a coin-guiding surface opposing the resilient surface of the coin-driving member. The coin-guiding surface is positioned generally parallel to the resilient surface and spaced slightly therefrom. The resilient surface of the coin-driving member moves coins along the coin-guiding surface of the coin-guiding member. The coin handling system uses a lubrication distribution system to reduce friction between the coins and the coin-guiding surface of the coin-guiding member. The lubrication distribution system includes at least one cavity formed in the coin-guiding surface of the coin-guiding member. A reservoir stores a lubrication fluid, and a supply tubing is used to convey the lubrication fluid from the reservoir to the cavity. A control system regulates the flow of the lubrication fluid from the reservoir to the cavity via the supply tubing.

Abstract: A coin queuing and sorting arrangement comprises a coin queuing device and a coin sorting device. The queuing device receives coins of the same or mixed denominations and delivers the coins to an outlet of the queuing device in single file, in a single layer, and with a radially inner edge of each coin positioned at a common reference location. The queuing device includes a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface, and a stationary queuing head having a lower surface positioned parallel to the top surface of the disc and spaced slightly therefrom. The lower surface of the queuing head forms a queuing region for aligning the radially outer edges of coins of all denominations at a common radius, and an exit channel for receiving the queued coins. The exit channel includes a radially inner wall spiralling outwardly relative to the center of rotation of the disc to engage the radially inner edges of the queued coins.

Abstract: A coin handling device for handling a plurality of coins comprises a coin-driving member having a resilient surface and a stationary coin-guiding member having a coin-guiding surface opposing the resilient surface of the coin-driving member. The coin-guiding surface is positioned generally parallel to the resilient surface and spaced slightly therefrom. The resilient surface of the coin-driving member is constructed and arranged to move the coins along the coin-guiding surface of the coin-guiding member. The coin-guiding member includes lubricant-filled cavities, self-lubricating inserts, or a gall-resistant coating to reduce friction between the coins and the coin-guiding surface of the coin-guiding member.

Abstract: A disc-type coin sorter for sorting coin mixtures which include coin denominations of substantially similar diameters, the sorter has a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface, a motor for rotating the disc, a stationary sorting head having a lower surface positioned over and closely adjacent to the upper surface of the disc and having an opening in the central region thereof for feeding coins between the opposed surfaces of the disc and sorting head, the lower surface of the sorting head being contoured to align the coins in a single file and single layer of coins, the contoured lower surface extending downwardly between exit channels at a common radial position providing a positive guide wall which maintains the radial alignment of coins as they pass between exit channels. The lower surface also has an adjustable insert forming an inboard wall of a radially innermost end of at least one of the exit channels.

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting mixed coins by denomination. The apparatus comprises a rotatable disc which has a resilient surface for receiving coins and imparting rotational movement to the coins. A stationary sorting head has a contoured surface spaced slightly away from and generally parallel to the resilient surface of the rotatable disc. The stationary sorting head sorts and discharges coins of different denominations at different exits around the periphery of the stationary sorting head. The sorting head includes a separate exit channel for each denomination of coin, and a sensor for each coin denomination within the exit channel for that denomination. An encoder monitors the movement of a sensed coin on the rotating disc downstream of the sensors by monitoring the angular movement of the disc.

Abstract: A coin queuing and sorting arrangement comprises a coin queuing device and a coin sorting device. The queuing device receives coins of the same or mixed denominations and delivers the coins to an outlet of the queuing device in single file, in a single layer, and with a radially inner edge of each coin positioned at a common reference location. The queuing device includes a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface, and a stationary queuing head having a lower surface positioned parallel to the top surface of the disc and spaced slightly therefrom. The lower surface of the queuing head forms a queuing region for aligning the radially outer edges of coins of all denominations at a common radius, and an exit channel for receiving the queued coins. The exit channel includes a radially inner wall spiralling outwardly relative to the center of rotation of the disc to engage the radially inner edges of the queued coins.

Abstract: A disc-type coin sorter for sorting coin mixtures which include coin denominations of substantially similar diameters, the sorter has a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface, disc rotator, a stationary sorting head having a lower surface positioned over and closely adjacent to the upper surface of the disc and having an opening in the central region thereof for feeding coins between the opposed surfaces of the disc and sorting head, the lower surface of the sorting head being contoured to align the coins in a single file and single layer of coins, the contoured lower surface extending downwardly between exit channels at a common radial position providing a positive guide wall which maintains the radial alignment of coins as they pass between exit channels.

Abstract: A disc-type coin sorter for sorting coin mixtures which include at least one coin denominations of a range of thicknesses, the sorter has a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface, means for rotating the disc, a stationary sorting head having a lower surface positioned over and closely adjacent to the upper surface of the disc and having an opening in the central region thereof for feeding coins between the opposed surfaces of the disc and sorting head, the lower surface of the sorting head being contoured to align the coins in a single file and single layer of coins, and then sorting the coins according to their respective sizes, the contoured lower surface having at least one exit channel where the downstream guiding wall has a lower portion which is closer to the opposed, upstream wall of the channel than the upper portion of the downstream wall.

Abstract: A disc-type coin sorter comprises a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface and a stationary sorting head having a lower surface positioned parallel to the upper surface of the disc and spaced slightly therefrom. The lower surface presses coins of all denominations downwardly into the resilient top surface at predetermined sections thereof. These predetermined sections include a multiplicity of dimples filled with a solid lubricant for preventing the coins from galling the lower surface of the sorting head at the predetermined sections.

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting mixed coins by denomination. The apparatus comprises a rotatable disc which has a resilient surface for receiving coins and imparting rotational movement to the coins. A stationary sorting head has a contoured surface spaced slightly away from and generally parallel to the resilient surface of the rotatable disc. The stationary sorting head sorts and discharges coins of different denominations at different exits around the periphery of the stationary sorting head. The sorting head includes a separate exit channel for each denomination of coin, and a sensor for each coin denomination within the exit channel for that denomination. An encoder monitors the movement of a sensed coin on the rotating disc downstream of the sensors by monitoring the angular movement of the disc.

Abstract: An improved coin sorter sorts coins of at least a first and second denomination according to their denominations. The first coin denomination defines coins which are thicker and wider than the coins of the second denomination. The coin sorter includes a rotatably mounted coin carrying disk having a resilient surface onto which coins may be fed, a mechanism for rotating the coin carrying disk, and a guideplate having a central opening in a configured surface positioned closely adjacent to the disk and over the resilient surface. The configured surface includes an inner recess area for receiving coins of all denominations from the central opening and for allowing those coins to move radially outward.

Abstract: An improved feed arrangement is provided for use with currency handling apparatus in which cooperating action of an actively-driven drum roller is used for feeding bills stacked in an input bin along the bill transport path. The picker roller is rotationally driven, not by direct contact with the drum roller, but by contact with a pressure roller which is driven by the drum roll. In effect, the picker roller is rotated in a direction counter to the direction of the bill flow so that bills other than the bottom bill in a given stack are effectively pushed away from the direction of bill flow. The picker roller is, consequently, activated to function as a retard roller, as opposed to the conventional feeding action provided by picker rollers which are in counter-rotating contact with the drum roller about the direction of bill flow.