Abstract: A coin collection apparatus for use with self-service car washing equipment includes a coin meter located in each of one or more car wash bays, a coin collection box located remote therefrom which is inaccessible to the public, and a vacuum providing device remote from both the coin meters and the coin collection box. A conduit extends generally between each of the coin meters and collection box. A vacuum supply intersects each of these conduits along the mid-section of the conduit between the coin meter and the coin collection box. A pump motor is remote from the coin meter, coin collection box, and conduit therebetween, and applies a vacuum to the vacuum supply for conveying coins deposited in the meter toward the collection box. The vacuum supply intersects the conduit at such an acute angle that, although the air is suctioned toward the pump motor, the coins continue along the path of the conduit as the coins cannot make the acute turn.

Abstract: A computerized delivery-acceptance system has a delivery container (1) with a computer-control input door (4) and an outlet door (18). The input door has a lock (5) that can be unlocked by computer-controlled recognition of access authorization for placing delivery items (2) in the delivery container. After the delivery items are placed in the delivery container, the input door is closed and locks automatically. Then the outlet can be opened separately for receiving the delivery items. Computerized recognition (40, 13, 42, 43, 14, 44, 45, 11, 10), delivery-arrival indicia (16), memory backup (58), power backup (57), operational alarm (15), misuse alarm, compartmental containment, freezer containment (19), delivery records (16) and all-weather protection are provided as options.

Abstract: A coin collection apparatus for use with self-service car washing equipment includes a coin meter located in each of one or more car wash bays, a coin collection box located remote therefrom which is inaccessible to the public, and a vacuum providing device remote from both the coin meters and the coin collection box. A conduit extends generally between each of the coin meters and collection box. A vacuum supply intersects each of these conduits along the mid-section of the conduit between the coin meter and the coin collection box. A pump motor is remote from the coin meter, coin collection box, and conduit therebetween, and applies a vacuum to the vacuum supply for conveying coins deposited in the meter toward the collection box. The vacuum supply intersects the conduit at such an acute angle that, although the air is suctioned toward the pump motor, the coins continue along the path of the conduit as the coins cannot make the acute turn.

Abstract: A method and device for storing and sorting laundry is disclosed comprising one or more elevated laundry bins each with a top end opening and a normally-closed drop bottom. The bins are elevated above a laundry work area so that laundry contained within each bin is released to the laundry work area upon opening the drop bottom. One or more laundry bins can be combined adjacent to each other to form a multiple bin unit which sorts laundry by receiving laundry within the separate laundry bins. The method includes storing the laundry until the volume of a bin is filled whereupon it is released to a laundry machine having a load volume equal to the bin volume.

Abstract: There is provided a free-standing portable cartridge brass collector which includes a container having two side walls, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and an open end. The top wall includes an overhang portion defining a firing space for a brass ejecting weapon. A baffle is received within the container for segregating the inside of the container into two sections. The top wall guides the ejected brass into one of the sections within the container as determined by the baffle.

Abstract: The battery disposal and collection apparatus includes a terminal connection having a terminal electrode pressed by a pressing structure on an upper cover, a battery guide case having a battery container to which the terminal electrode is inserted when the upper cover is closed, and which contains batteries, a rotary plate having an electrode terminal and a battery dropping hole on the plane of a rotary plate under the battery guide case. The electrode terminal contacts the terminal of a battery at the side opposite to the one at the terminal electrode when the terminal of the battery contained in the battery container contacts the terminal electrode. A battery discharger discharges current flowing between the terminal electrode contacting the terminal of the battery contained in the battery container and the electrode terminal. A battery receiver stores the battery which is discharged by the battery discharger and dropped through the battery dropping hole of the rotary plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving packages in absentia using a receptacle which is temporarily attached to the door of an apartment or house. A second embodiment uses a bracket for securing a sack or chain to a door, which in combination with a lock can be used to receive packages. Both the receptacle and the bracket can only be removed from the door when it is first unlocked and opened. A combination lock permits the mail carrier to open and deposit packages in the receptacle or attach them to the bracket. The combination is provided to the mail carrier on the address label of the package, and is provided to the sender of the package by telephone or written correspondence. A sack or chain can also be used with the receptacle to receive packages which are larger than the receptacle. The method provides equal access to both U.S. mail carriers and private carriers.

Abstract: A retrofit, automatic audit system for a door-access, coin-operated newspaper rack machine is disclosed. The system operates in conjunction with the standard door-lock mechanism and includes a retrofit purchase-mechanism mounted on the machine. The purchase-mechanism includes an electromechanical audit structure which is operatively connected to the purchase-mechanism and door-lock mechanism and monitors and records service and transaction audit data involving the purchase-mechanism. A portable data transfer unit is proximity coupleable with the audit structure for acquiring audit data therefrom. The system includes proximity activation through magnetic structure which causes the audit structure to shift from a data acquisition mode to an automatic data transfer mode when a data transfer unit is proximity coupled thereto. Communication means between the audit structure and the data transfer unit includes an optical structure providing communication therebetween.

Abstract: A self-closing container top adapted to be used in conjunction with a container having an upper rim defining an opening. The invention includes two generally horizontal top panels supportively held for rotation about opposing coaxial mounting shafts each having a horizontal axis therethrough. These top panels are arranged in opposing side-by-side arrangement wherein their center margins form a common parting line. Each axis of top panel rotation is positioned between the center margin and the outer panel margin such that self-righting means returns the top panels to a generally horizontal closed position over the container opening and against stops. The stops prevent the panels from rotating beyond a point where the top panel center margins, moving upwardly, begin to diverge. The self-righting means may be a counterweight connected near or at each outer margin, or spring bias means mounted about at least one mounting shaft.

Abstract: A lockbox is provided for a word processor printer output bin attached to a printer. The lockbox, which is insertable and removable from the output bin, is locked in the bin upon insertion, and can only be removed by disengagement of a first locking means. The lockbox has a security door which is positioned in a paper receiving position upon insertion into the output bin and which must be closed in order to remove the lockbox from the output bin.

Abstract: A cash box for paper currency has an opening therein through which a bill can be introduced into that cash box to form part of a stack of paper currency within that cash box. A closure is movable away from that opening to an open position to permit a bill to be introduced through that opening and stacked; and that closure is movable to a closed position adjacent that opening to prevent the removal of paper currency from that stack of paper currency. A latch for the closure permits the closure to be moved between the open and the closed positions; and the latch will, whenever that closure has been moved to open position and then to closed position, thereafter automatically prevent unauthorized movement of that closure out of closed position.

Abstract: A mail message unit of multi compartment type for commercial use; including an elongated case divided into a row of compartments by partitions therebetween, an individually locked, pivotable front door for each compartment, and an elongated, single top cover hinged in an inclined position across a top of the case; the cover being multi-slotted for placement of mail in any of the compartments, and being transparent so as to allow observation therethrough into the compartments.

Abstract: Apparatus for catching cartridges automatically ejected from a firearm without attaching or otherwise physically associating any structure with the firearms itself. A free-standing receptacle, comprising a resilient material having an open end supported in a vertical plane, is positioned laterally adjacent the firing position of the firearm such that the trajectory of the ejected cartridges carries them through the opening and into the receptacle. An arm supports the resilient material horizontally outward from the open end with sufficient slack to avoid rebounding of the cartridges out of the receptacle.

Abstract: A cassette for banknotes and like valuable articles is provided with a displaceable lid (6) and locking means (10) for latching the lid of the cassette when the cassette is located outside a housing (25) in which it is intended to be placed. An operating means (8) is arranged to co-act with the locking means and with a latching element (15). The latching element is arranged to be released in dependence upon a pre-set program. A signal circuit is arranged to send a code signal to a detector circuit (23) when electrical contact elements on the cassette and the housing co-act with one another, which detector circuit, when the signal coincides with the signal program in the detector circuit, causes a signal to be sent for moving the latching means to a non-latching position.

Abstract: A combined trash receptacle is proposed to be used on dining tables in public restaurants, or at home for the ready disposal of paper and plastic items provided for sanitary reasons, which would otherwise tend to clutter the table top in an unsightly manner. The trash receptacle is provided with one or more openings on the side thereof for the insertion and disposal of trash, and is moreover combined with either an accompanying ashtray, lamp stand, candle holder or flower vase, which in each case preferably serves additionally as the lid or cover for the trash receptacle.

Abstract: A cylindrical money box assembly that is received in a housing through a generally circular opening thereof and has a locking mechanism with a plate that is rotatable to position projecting portions in relation to a set of parts of the housing. In one position of the plate, corresponding to an unlocked state, the projecting portions are located to clear the set of housing parts allowing insertion of the money box assembly into the housing, and removal therefrom. In another position of the plate, corresponding to a locked state, the projecting portions engage and interfere with the set of housing parts to securely lock the money box assembly to the housing.

Abstract: A coin collection apparatus includes a collection chamber and a vacuum mechanism for applying a vacuum to the collection chamber. A plurality of inlet holes are formed through a top wall of the chamber and a conduit connects each of the inlet holes to a separate and discrete source of coins. A discrete stopper is located at each inlet hole and is biased to a blocking position for individually blocking each of the inlet holes. A solenoid is connected to each of the stoppers for moving the stopper against the bias force to allow communication between the conduit and the collection chamber. Timing mechanisms periodically activate the vacuum mechanism and the solenoids.