Abstract: The adherence of coatings to frozen fat-based confections can be improved by applying a composition which includes a polysaccharide and a suitable carrier as an interface layer between a frozen fat-based confection and a coating.

Abstract: An apparatus for the optical recognition of documents (1) extends over the entire width of a transfer plane (3). Regularly disposed photoelectric elements (4), whose optical axes Create a single sensor plane (5) that is perpendicular to transfer plane (3), receive light (7) as altered by document (1). Photoelectric elements (4) are regularly disposed in a manner in which their optical axes are contained in a sensor plane (5) perpendicular to transfer plane (3). A region (8) of document (1), determined by sensor plane (5), is illuminated by at least one light line (9 or 10) which is inclined with respect to sensor plane 5. The light modified by document (1) is received by photoelectric elements (4). The adjacent light sources in each light line (9,10) are separated by a uniform source distance (A), which is smaller than the sensor distance (B) between two adjacent photoelectric elements (4). The light sources emit light within a narrow spectral width in pulses of short duration.

Abstract: A coin validator has a sensing arrangement disposed after an accept gate for detecting when a valid coin has moved past, and thus causing the triggering of the accumulation of credit. The sensing arrangement comprises a flap which is moved away from its normal position by the coin. If the coin is suspended on a string, the flap cannot move back to its normal position and therefore no credit is accumulated.

Abstract: An ice cream, confection comprising a frozen composition containing particles having a sweetener core encapsulated in a butterfat coating.A process of producing a frozen ice cream confection comprising mixing together a solid or semi-solid aerated composition comprising non-fat milk protein and ice crystals and particles having a sweetener core encapsulated in a butterfat coating at a temperature wherein there is substantially no melting of the ice crystals.

Abstract: A transaction system comprises a plurality of components each performing a respective function, the components being interconnected by a serial data bus. Each component can initiate an information exchange operation with any other component. A component may transmit a message consisting of either a general instruction for causing the component receiving the message to carry out one of a plurality of different types of operations depending upon the nature of the instruction, or a message in the form of a direct memory access request identifying a specific location in a memory of the receiving component to which data is to be written or from which data is to be read.

Abstract: A coin validator checks the measured properties of a tested item against stored ranges to determine whether the tested item is acceptable. Individual sets of ranges can be enabled and disabled, and switched between narrow and wide ranges, in a teach mode of the validator. Selection of the ranges to be enabled, disabled or switched is accomplished by causing the validator to test an item to determine its type.

Abstract: A system for validating coins comprises a transmitter coil for transmitting low-frequency electromagnetic radiation through a coin to be validated and a receiver coil for receiving radiation having passed through the coin. An inverting amplifier is provided in a feedback path between the receiver coil and the transmitter coil thereby providing a 180.degree. phase shift. Thus, for the unique frequency which causes a 180.degree. phase shift within the coin, there is provided positive feedback, and a resonance condition occurs at that frequency. By measuring the frequency of this resonance and comparing it with a reference value, the coin can be validated.

Abstract: A process and a system for combining and physically working chocolate-making ingredients are provided. A variable frequency drive controls the motor of a conching device to increase the efficiency by which energy is imparted to chocolate ingredients during conching. This automatic variable speed approach permits the power to be maintained at a relatively constant and maximum rate, with the speed being determined by the consistency of the ingredients themselves. Feedback associated with the automatic speed variation can be used in order to reduce conching times and vary the quantity of certain ingredients and the timing of and location of their introduction. By the invention, it is possible to standardize the chocolate product during the conching operation and thereby avoid a post-conching standardization procedure with respect to characteristics such as viscosity and fat content.

Abstract: A coin mechanism having a plurality of coin storage and dispensing assemblies (2, 4; 2', 4'), each one of the assemblies being provided with a plurality of detectors (6, 8; 10; 12, 14) each for detecting a respective parameter of that assembly, characterized by a plurality of output lines (01, 02) one for each assembly, each of which output lines is coupled to all the detectors of its assembly, a plurality of activation lines (A1, A2, A3), each of which is coupled to a group of said detectors comprising a detector for each assembly, and control circuitry connected to the activation lines, wherein the control circuitry drives the activation lines one at a time to activate the detector groups one at a time, whereby to produce sequentially on the single output line of each assembly signals indicative of all the parameters for that assembly as its detectors are sequentially activated by the driving of the activation lines.

Abstract: A coin testing device comprising two parts carrying coin sensor elements, the two parts being capable of relative movement apart from each other for access to the space between them. When the parts are closed, their relative positioning is defined by features at four positions. At three of those positions the features are such as to determine the spacing between the two parts and at two of those positions the features are such as to prevent relative translational and rotational movement of the two parts in their own plane. A loose hinging arrangement is provided so that only the features of those four positions, and not features of the lid, determine the relative position of the two closed parts.

Abstract: Methods and validation apparatus for achieving improved acceptance and rejection for coins, bills and other currency items. One aspect includes modifying item acceptance criteria by creating and defining three-dimensional acceptance clusters, the data for which are stored in look-up tables in memory associated with a microprocessor. A second aspect involves fraud prevention by temporarily tightening or readjusting item acceptance criteria when a potential fraud attempt is detected. A third aspect relates to minimizing the effects of counterfeit items such as slugs on the self-adjustment process for the item acceptance criteria. A final aspect relates to calculation of a relative value of the acceptance criteria in order to conserve memory space and minimize computation time.

Abstract: A coin mechanism comprising a testing mechanism for testing coins as to their acceptability and denomination, an accept/reject gate which is normally in a reject position but is electrically powered to an accept position in response to the testing mechanism determining that a coin is acceptable, and an electrically-actuated coin separator adapted to receive the acceptable coins from the accept/reject gate and direct them selectively towards different destinations in dependence upon their denominations as determined by the testing mechanism, characterised by mechanism adapted to provide power for electrical actuation of the coin separator, following failure of electrical power for the accept/reject gate, for a period sufficient to allow the coin separator to complete the direction towards its correct destination of a coin which has passed the accept/reject gate in its accept position.

Abstract: A coin guiding device comprises a surface disposed normally in use in the path of a coin, and inclined downwardly toward one side of the path to cause coins which have engaged the surface to tend to move toward that side. The surface is moveable under the weight of the coin in a direction out of the plane of the coin to permit the coin to pass, and is so arranged that the effective leverage caused by the coin increases as the coin moves toward the side of the path.

Abstract: An improved modular currency validator and stacker with a removable currency cassette and a removable currency validator and transport unit is described. The cassette and the validator and transport unit are slidably guided into their operating positions using guides in the chassis, and a currency transport extends from an entry in the validator and transport unit to a prestacking position in the removable cassette. Engagement of a transfer gear in the chassis with gears in the validator and transport unit and the cassette is enhanced by offsetting the gear center lines in a direction perpendicular to the guides, and by enlarging the operating pitch of the gears.

Abstract: A coin store comprising a helical structure for receiving coins and storing them between turns so that they can be moved in either of two directions by rotation of the structure, drive for rotating the structure in either of two corresponding directions, and an access enabling gate which is operable to selectively enable a cash access point of the store in response to operation of the drive.

Abstract: An apparatus end method of validating coins involves taking two independent measurements of the tested item, and determining whether both measurements lie within respective ranges for a particular coin type, the range for at least one of the measurements being dependent upon at least one other measurement.

Abstract: An improved currency validation and storage arrangement is described including a currency validation and transport unit and a currency storage cassette which are slidably removable from a chassis. An improved stacking and sensing arrangement for a currency validator is disclosed including a cam driven actuating fork and interrupt arm which push currency from a prestacking to a stacked position and to sense both a stacking operation and the removal or presence of the removable currency cassette. The arrangement eliminates the need for any electrical or electronic components in the removable currency cassette for purposes of sensing its presence or absence. The arrangement also provides a simple and robust mechanical pusher arrangement.

Abstract: A coin testing mechanism of the kind provided with a removable and replaceable cassette is described. The coin testing mechanism includes a plurality of coin storage tubes and means for dispensing coins from the storage tubes, and the removable cassette is an assembly which comprises a plurality of storage tube modules. Each of the modules comprises at least one storage tube, and the modules are retained in the assembly by releasable and reusable retaining means to enable exchanging one module of the cassette for another.

Abstract: A device for selectively routing coins moving edgewise on to either of two paths is described. The device contains a flap lying generally in the plane of movement of a coin, the flap being pivoted such that its upstream end is selectively movable between two positions to cause the coin to go either to one side or to the other side of the flap depending upon the position of the flap, a coin support arranged to support a coin going to the one side of the flap, so that the coin continues edgewise past the flap, and an opening into which a coin going to the other side of the flap will fall edgewise.

Abstract: A coin routing gate is formed by a solenoid, the armature of which is, or is directly coupled to, a resilient flexible member. Upon energization of the solenoid, the member is attracted to a yoke, and flexes during the course of its movement so that the path of movement is increased. The inherent resilience of the member shifts it back to its original position upon deenergization of the solenoid. The flexible member has a coin-directing surface, or is coupled to a coin-directing member.