Abstract: A coin operated machine having a removably insertable coin box for receiving and storing coins inserted into the coin operated machine. The coin operated machine includes a coin accepting apparatus, a first memory device and first circuitry for transmitting communication signals from the first memory device and receiving structure for removably receiving a coin box within the coin operated machine. The coin box has a receptacle partially defined by opposed side walls for receiving and storing coins inserted into the coin operated machine and guiding structure for guiding the coin box into a predetermined position within the receiving structure of the coin operated machine. The coin box also includes a second memory device and second circuitry for transmitting communication signals between the second memory device and the first circuitry.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant door for a vending machine includes a conventionally-positioned product delivery port, a cash box vault positioned adjacent the delivery port for receiving a cash box, a coin return chute positioned at an upper corner of the delivery port, and a coin changer of conventional design positioned over the delivery port and the cash box. A changer vault partially encloses the coin changer. The cash box vault (and the cash box placed therein) are relocated away from their conventional position on the non-hinged side of the main door to a location adjacent the product delivery port on the hinged side of the door, while the coin changer is relocated away from its prior art position adjacent the non-hinged side of the main door to a central location above the product delivery port and the cash box vault. An elongated coin chute connects the coin return slot with the coin inlet of the coin changer. A first section of the coin chute is in communication with the coin slot.

Abstract: Coin dispensing apparatus is provided comprising a bed (13), a coin holder (14) movable relative to the bed (13) and spaced from the bed by a gap, the coin holder having at least one coin reservoir (15) capable of holding a stack of at least two coins with the lowermost coin in contact with the bed, means (18) to eject the lowermost coin from the apparatus through the gap between the bed and the coin holder, and support means (21) to prevent or restrict tilting of the coin above the lowermost coin as the lowermost coin is ejected. The provision of a support means has the advantage that dispensing apparatus can be arranged such that the lowermost coin lies within the said gap to a much greater extent than with prior art devices. This provides greater control over the coin and therefore makes it less critical for the size of the gap to be very closely matched to the thickness of the coin to be handled.

Abstract: A coin storage and changing mechanism having a front panel with a message screen thereon and coin changing mechanism mounted to telescoping supports that allow the coin changing mechanism and front panel to be moved out of the cabinet. The coin mechanism and front panel are connected by a hinge to the telescoping supports so that the panel can be pivoted to the side adjacent a coin mechanism control panel so that the serviceman can see the control panel and message screen side-by-side. A coin storage tray is provided in the bottom of the cabinet and has an arcuate deflector for receiving coins from the coin mechanism and directing them toward the back of the tray for storage.

Abstract: A coin discrimination apparatus and method is provided. Coins, preferably after cleaning, e.g. using a trommel, are singulated by a coin pickup assembly configured to reduce jamming. A coin rail assists in providing separation between coins as they travel past a sensor. The sensor provides an oscillating electromagnetic field generated on a single sensing core. The oscillating electromagnetic field is composed of one or more frequency components. The electromagnetic field interacts with a coin, and these interactions are monitored and used to classify the coin according to its physical properties. All frequency components of the magnetic field are phase-locked to a common reference frequency. The phase relationships between the various frequencies are fixed, and the interaction of each frequency component with the coin can be accurately determined without the need for complicated electrical filters.

Abstract: A simplified coin hopper structure which facilitates coin size changes. The coin hopper equipment is easily applied to various coin sizes by simple adjustments. The device includes a tank for storing coins in a loose loading condition and a disk arranged rotatably at the inside bottom of the tank. One or more hole, for passage of coins, is provided through the disk. An adjustment element is provided on this disk to open and close the hole and to form an adjustable opening for different coin sizes. A base for the disk is arranged below the disk. A rotating element turns the disk. A gear train is provided at the base connecting a drive to the rotating element.

Abstract: A coin discharged apparatus includes a pipe assembly for holding a plurality of coins, a base plate having a discharging chute for discharging the coins from the pipe assembly, a coin counter for counting coins being discharged through the discharging chute, a motor having an output shaft for providing rotating torque, a rotatable arm engaged with the output shaft for transferring the rotating torque, a first rod engaged with the rotatable arm for actuating the coin counter, a second rod engaged with the first rod for pushing the coins from the pipe assembly into the discharging chute, an engaging coupling for engaging the first rod with the second rod, the base plate having an elongate hole for converting a rotating motion of the engaging coupling into a reciprocating motion to cause the first rod and the second rod to reciprocate, a guide plate having an opening corresponding with the discharging chute for discharging coins and having a slit communicating with the opening for providing a guiding passage for

Abstract: A coin escrow apparatus for use with pay telephones including side members at least partially defining a coin hopper, a door mounted between the side members for selective movement between an escrow position for supporting coins in the hopper, an acceptance position for releasing coins from the hopper in a first direction, and a return position for releasing coins from the hopper in a second direction. The door has an underside portion and one or more guides associated with the door for guiding the door for pivotal movement between the escrow, acceptance and return positions. A support member is pivotally positioned below the door and has an upper portion. The support member is capable of pivoting about a pivot axis below the door. One or more roller bearings is attached to the upper portion of the support member for engaging the underside of the door. An actuator for pivoting the support member is also provided.

Abstract: A coin discriminating device for discriminating put-in coins into a normal coin and a smaller coin, in which the maximum number of normal coins to be put-in can be easily changed. The coin discriminating device includes a turn plate having a cut-out portion and a coin discriminating pawl portion on a periphery thereof. A plurality of coin discriminating levers, each of which has an engaging portion able to engage with the coin discriminating pawl portion, abut against a periphery of corresponding received put-in coins in the cut-out portion, respectively. A biasing member biases a free end of the coin discriminating levers to a side of the turn plate, and a handle is provided for rotating the turn plate. A regulating member regulates a number of normal coins to be put in the cut-out portion of the turn plate, and a setting member is provided for setting the number of normal coins to be put-in.

Abstract: A reverse vending machine is configured to selectively accept bulk fed containers, the machine including an in-feed station with an in-feed door and a hopper accessible via the in-feed door, the hopper having a first mouth which is open when the in-feed door is in an open orientation and closed when the in-feed door is in a closed orientation. The in-feed door has a second mouth, which is smaller than the first mouth, and which remains open regardless of in-feed door orientation. The in-feed station thus is configured to simultaneously freely receive multiple disarrayed containers through the first mouth when the in-feed door is in the open orientation and is configured to receive containers through the second mouth when the in-feed door is in the closed orientation.

Abstract: A sheets handling apparatus efficiently handles inserted sheets. The sheets handling apparatus includes an inserting unit into which the sheets are inserted and a discriminating unit for discriminating among the sheets inserted into the inserting unit. The sheets handling apparatus further includes a mechanism for returning, to the inserting unit, the sheets (which have, e.g., no thread and are an inappropriate size exhibiting predetermined characteristics among the sheets inserted in the inserting unit without being supplied to the discriminating unit. According to this sheets handling apparatus, no time is consumed when the discriminating unit discriminates among the sheets to easily recognize inappropriateness thereof. Such sheets are not carried to the discriminating unit, and hence a probability of causing a jam decreases.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention relates to a method of selling merchandise, particularly clothing fashions and accessories, to customers at locations convenient to the customer. Initially, potential customers are identified and contacted by direct telemarketing. If a customer is interested in purchasing merchandise, an appointment is scheduled at a location convenient to the customer. At the appointed time, a mobile store vehicle is driven to the appointed location. A customer can enter the vehicle. The fashion coordinator can present a brief fashion show. The customer can browse through the inventory displayed within the vehicle. A salesperson can merchandise the inventory and provide fashion suggestions to the customer. The customer can try on the merchandise within the vehicle. The customer can purchase the fashions within the vehicle.

Abstract: A coin escrow device has a coin jam detection mechanism that uses a magnetic switch. Magnets are connected to supports which move close to and away from the magnetic switch as a result of a coin deposit and the movement of the escrow device's gates. When a coin jam occurs, the magnets are positioned such that the magnetic switch is on.

Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus having a storage member for holding bulk coins that are introduced through an opening of the top of a storage member as provided with a detector assembly to determine any intrusion into the storage member. Detector assembly can create a grid pattern of radiation, such as light or infrared light that can be monitored by a computer system to determine if the object intruding into the storage base warrants the activation of an alarm.

Abstract: A bill validator is provided which comprises a rotator with a slit and being rotatably attached to the bill validator, the slit being capable of aligning with a passageway when the rotator is in an initial position; a driving device for rotating the rotator; and a validator control circuit for judging authenticity of the bill by outputs of detective sensors and for controlling the driving device. The validator control circuit produces outputs to operate the driving device and thereby to rotate the rotator so as to wind some pulling string connected to the bill around the rotator after the bill passes the slit of the rotator, and the circuit evaluates the rotation rate of the rotator, and detects the unauthorized pulling string.

Abstract: Dining service is provided at locations surrounding a plurality of watercourse loops which are linked by shunts, allowing travel of sushi boats from one watercourse to another. This allows sushi chefs to be stationed within each watercourse loop preparing food at separate locations, yet allowing the food to circulate among all diners. Selectively movable gates may be used to close off watercourse loops or to divert boats in a manner such that either a single loop trip is made or a trip over extended loops is made. Watercourses are fabricated by joining modular sections of fiberglass liner, including straight sections, curved sections and Y-shaped sections. The food preparation region of each loop may be accessed by a tunnel beneath the loops, particularly useful for persons in wheelchairs.

Abstract: A coin elevating device for elevating a stream of coins from a coin collecting reservoir to a delivery location. The device includes a coin elevating channel which has an elongated base plate with two sidewall plates extending therefrom which are spaced apart a distance substantially corresponding to the diameter of a coin. Flexible bristle elements extend into the coin elevating channel so as to engage coins sliding therethrough and to maintain the coins in sliding contact with the base plate.

Abstract: Coin dispenser, wherein a change slide (31) for controlling the dispensation and non-dispensation of coins is turned when the coins are dispensed, and then stored in a change slide storage hole (4f) formed inside a payout link (4), whereby depthwise length of the coin dispenser is reduced to the smallest possible level.

Abstract: A coin conditioner is provided for cleaning or otherwise conditioning coins in a coin discriminator apparatus prior to transfer to a coin sensor. Coins enter through a feed tray and move down the length of a perforated tumbler, preferably without the use of gravity, such as under screw force, mechanical or centrifuigal force. The spinning tumbler is preferably rotated about its longitudinal axis by a motor. In one embodiment, a blower or vacuum draws or moves air from one area to another, with the air preferably being filtered. As coins move through and down a tumbler, projections such as vanes, fins, ridges, dimples, spines or other raised features cause mechanical agitation and/or abrasion as coins are lifted and dropped while passing longitudinally through the tumbler. The coins are conditioned and non-coin matter is collected as it is separated and/or abraded from the coin surfaces.

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.