Abstract: A miniaturized coin hopper device is provided so as to have a lower height. The device has an electric motor which is arranged such that the projection end of a rotated axis thereof is located at a lower side. A first gear is fixed on this projection end of rotated axis. A disk for discharging coins one by one is provided at the bottom of a hopper which stores the coins. A second gear rotates this disk. A gear train connects this second gear and the first gear. The problem of a true coin being disbursed when a pseudo-coin was stored in a hopper device and the return button was pushed is also addressed. A distinguishing element checks the money kind of a deposited coin. A reserve temporarily holds the coin distinguished by this distinction element. A storage for coins of same money kind and a disbursing element is provided for the the coin in this storage to return the coin reserved in the temporary reservation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for orienting a container, or plurality thereof, incident to a packaging operation by engaging the container with an elongate driven member travelling at a different speed than the container along a conveyor or assembly line. In particular, the containers may have the shape of a petaloid bottle, for beverages and the like, and the bottles are rotated into a common position to conform to requirements of the carton, carrier or other packaging material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for turning flat shipments, which are delivered in succession standing on their short sides by a conveyor system, into a recumbent position, without interrupting the conveying. According to the invention, the apparatus has a driven under-floor belt (1) with a low coefficient of friction, which on one side has a projection (5) with a higher coefficient of friction. Located next to the under-floor belt (1) on the side without a projection is a side belt (2), which is positioned obliquely outward and is driven at the same speed as the under-floor belt (1) and likewise has a low coefficient of friction. Downstream thereof in the conveying direction is a conveyor belt (3), whose bearing face together with the bearing face of the under-floor belt (1) defines a plane; the under-floor belt (1) and the conveyor belt (3) are disposed and/or embodied such that the air cushion that forms when the shipments drop is quickly dissipated.

Abstract: A mechanism for reorienting an article moving along a conveyor assembly. Articles such as video cassette containers, compact disc containers, or audio cassettes, enter an article reorientation mechanism on their face surface. The face surface of each article is supported by a conveyor belt of a primary conveyor assembly. The primary conveyor assembly moves the article from an upstream location toward a downstream location. A guide assembly forces the article toward a lateral edge of the conveyor belt of the primary conveyor assembly. A transfer conveyor assembly extends upwardly at an angle from the lateral edge of the primary conveyor assembly to receive the article as it is pushed off the primary conveyor assembly by the guide assembly. A twist guide plate is positioned downstream from the transfer conveyor assembly for receiving the article from the transfer conveyor assembly and tipping the article upright onto its side surface.

Abstract: A device is used to separate foreign objects from a mass of coins between a coin intake and a coin lifting device in a coin sorting and/or counting machine. The device has a perforated drum (13; 33), which is rotatable around its longitudinal axis, is open at its respective ends and is connected at a first end to the coin intake and at a second end to the coin lifting device. The machine also has a driving device (15, 16:35) for rotating drum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for deterring gaming machine theft and fraud by weighing the number of coins accumulated in a gaming machine hopper assembly (9). In one preferred embodiment, a coin weighing apparatus (12) consisting of a load cell (13) and internal strain gauge (18) is constructed integrally with the coin hopper assembly and fits between the coin hopper (10) and its base plate (14). In other preferred embodiments, the coin weighing apparatus (22, 43, 50) is constructed separately from the coin hopper assembly. In these other preferred embodiments, the weighing apparatus includes upper (24, 46, 52) and lower plates (26, 48, 60) which are separated by one or more load cell weighing instruments (28, 45, 56). In operation, the lower plate of this stand-alone weighing apparatus is typically placed against the bottom (8) of the slot machine and the hopper is then simply placed on top of the weighing apparatus' upper plate.

Abstract: The conveyor chain, shown in the figure, has links interconnected by pivot pins, each passing through legs of one link and through generally C-shaped annular portion of an adjacent link said portion being seated between the legs. The pivot pin passes through part-cylindrical core seated with annular portion. Each C-shaped portion has integral legs. Each core is integrally formed with disc element seated in a curved stepped guide recess of the adjacent link. The upper surface of each disc element is arranged in the same plane as the upper surface of the adjacent link. As the chain travels on a flat surface the upper surface of the chain is flat with disc element covering the gaps.

Abstract: A device for validating a coin comprises an electro-magnetic sensor, means for monitoring a first signal generated by the sensor and means for deriving a measurement from a second signal generated by the sensor. The event of the first signal taking a predetermined threshold value is used to derive a measurement from the second signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating rectangular flat articles that have been accumulated in an imbricated formation on and are moving in a conveying direction along a belt conveyor. A stop is arranged in the movement path of the products, on one side relative to the central axis of the incoming imbricated formation. A roller is located on the other side relative to the central axis, the axis of rotation for which extends at a right angle to the conveying direction of the product and is tangent to the stop. The apparatus prevents damage to the products and insures rotation of the products that have been accumulated in imbricated formation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article feeding apparatus for arraying and feeding articles having nearly spherical shape or nearly elliptical shape such as fruits and balls for sports, and more particularly to an article feeding apparatus comprising support rollers arranged in a conveying direction, with the support rollers being arranged at an angle of a nearly V form large in the opening angle as seen from the plane toward said conveying direction, and rotating means for rotating the support rollers in an article transferring direction, in which the articles are centered in the central part of the conveying route, the articles conveyed in overlaid or gathered state are dispersed back and forth, a transfer force is applied in a direction moving toward the central part of the conveying route, and the articles are transferred to next process accurately and securely one by one while maintaining the centered state of the articles.

Abstract: A zero back-pressure conveyor system of the type having a continuous transport element for urging articles along a predetermined conveyor path employs a frame that supports the continuous transport element and is formed of first and second side on opposite sides of the continuous transport element. Articles being transported along the conveyor system are supported on wear strips that are fashioned as segments along the conveyor path and are each individually actuatable between distal and proximal positions with respect to the continuous transport element. Preferably, the wear strips are actuated in pairs by operation of an articulated mechanism that precludes tilting of the articles during coupling and decoupling with respect to the continuous transport element. The articulated motion is achieved by operation of a support bar coupled to the associated wear strip, the support bar having at least one pair of pivotally coupled coupling arms.

Abstract: An apparatus for the linear positioning and for the position recognition of a substrate, comprising a linear transport for conveying the substrate, a sensor whose sensor field is set to a freely selectable braking position along the conveying path of a substrate feature of the substrate, and a controller connected to the linear transport and to the sensor for decelerating and stopping the linear transport, so that the substrate feature comes to rest in an onserting position.

Abstract: A coin mechanism includes a cashbox which is arranged above the coin dispensers of the coin mechanism.

Abstract: The products (12) are delivered in a plurality of columns (11) to a conveyor wheel (15) which has pivotably articulated carriers (26, 27). An axially stationary carrier (26) and an axially displaceable carrier (27) are alternately coordinated with every two input columns (11) in the direction of conveyance (A). Said two columns (11) are delivered at different heights according to the carrier distance. During conveyance into the output station (16), the displaceable carriers (27) are moved into the trajectory plane of the others with the result that common groups (18) of products (12) lying to be flat on each other are formed from two input columns (11). The device substantially avoids relative motion between products (12) and guides with the result that the products (12) are handled carefully.

Abstract: A coin jam detection system for detecting a coin jammed in a coin runway of vending machines, or other coin operated machines is described. The system includes a coin runway sensor attached to a coin runway, a coin sensor and a microprocessor. A timer in the microprocessor is used to measure the time elapsed between when a coin is sensed by the coin runway sensor and by the coin sensor in the coin mechanism. If the timer exceeds a certain predetermined time limit, a jam condition is assumed and a repair signal may be generated.

Abstract: A system to effect coin discrimination and rejection comprises an arcuate control element pivotably disposed in a coin race with respect to a rejection body. The downstream end of the element is biased across the coin race. A coin passing through the race engages the downstream end of the element, thereby pivoting the element so as to prevent the passage of additional coins down the coin race.

Abstract: A method of coin testing is provided in which a laser beam (13) is directed onto a face of a coin (4) and a laser detector (3) is used to detect where the laser beam is intercepted by the coin and where the laser beam is not intercepted by the coin, so as to obtain an indication of a characteristic of the face of the coin. The characteristic of the coin is used to identify the coin. The invention also relates to an apparatus for coin testing, which comprises a laser source (11) to direct a laser beam (13) on a face of a coin (4), a laser detector (3) for detecting where the laser is intercepted by the coin and where the laser is not intercepted by the coin, and a signal-processor (14) which obtains an indication, from an output of the laser detector (3), of a characteristic of the face of the coin which is used to identify the coin.

Abstract: An acceptor for evaluating banknotes, or other paper forms of payment, that includes a replaceable sensor module which communicates in a standardized manner with a central processing unit. The sensor module includes a series of sensors and the signals of the sensors under go primary processing by the sensor module to correct for at least individual characteristics of the sensor module. The central processing unit can be updated if required for different applications. This arrangement adds considerable flexibility in maintenance of the acceptor as well as changing the application of the acceptor.

Abstract: A coin storage and dispensing apparatus for storing and dispensing coins from a gaming machine includes a frame member for mounting in the gaming machine and for positioning a respective first container device and a second container device at a diagonal angle to support a surface. The first and second container devices store loose bulk coins with a coin transporting device rotably mounted in the second container device to pick up coins and to drop them in the first container device. A transitional groove structure is provided for aligning coins with the coin transporting device. A pivotable support plate is directly mounted to the first container device to support its weight and a sensor can monitor the presence of coins in the first container device and activate the coin transporting device when a predetermined presence of coins is sensed.

Abstract: A coin mechanism includes a piezoelectric film sensor in contact with a coin debounce device. When a coin is inserted into the coin mechanism, the coin strikes the coin debounce device as it travels along a coin path. Micro-movement of the coin debounce device is sensed with the piezoelectric film sensor. The coin mechanism changes from a quiescent mode of operation to an active mode of operation in response to sensing the presence of the coin in the coin path. Coin recognition can then be performed. Overall power consumption of the coin mechanism can be reduced.