Abstract: A coin checking device is provided in a coin handling machine for discriminating genuine coins from counterfeit. The coin checking device includes detection coils comprising a transmitting coil for generating an exciting voltage and a receiving coil for generating an induced voltage. The detection coils detect the passage of each coin and sequentially issue signals. The coin checking device also includes a controller which may be a computer. The controller receives signals from the detection coils and makes calculations on the basis of the values of the signals in accordance with a stored program to obtain a reference value. In the controller, the reference value is then compared with a predetermined acceptable value and the degree of any difference in the value thus obtained determines whether the coin is genuine or counterfeit. The reference value in the controller is constantly renewed on the basis of new signal inputs into the controller.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing cups one by one from a stack comprising a plurality of cams spaced about a first axis, coaxial with the axis of the stack of cups when present, drive means for rotating the cams together, each about an associated axis parallel with the first axis, each of the cams having a cam face which is a helix about its axis and is arranged to engage the rim of the end cup of a stack of cups located in the dispenser so that rotation of the cams in one direction pushes the end cup away from the remainder of the stack to dispense it, the spiral angle of the helix of the cam being in the range of about 8 degrees to about 14 degrees, and in which the cam face of each cam is chamfered with respect to any diameter of the cam, with the angle of chamfer of the cam face through its entire length in the range of substantially 22 degrees to substantially 28 degrees.

Abstract: A storeroom for transport carts, particularly supermarket shopping carts and the like, having removal and return passage barriers, a money collection point for the opening of the passage barrier and a money return point upon the return of the transport cart into the storeroom, a data support associated with the transport cart and a reader for the data in the region of the removal and return passage barriers. Each cart carries its own data code and the reader of the removal passage barrier is coupled with the reader of the return passage barrier such that the reader of the removal passage barrier transmits the individual code of the cart which it has read to the reader of the return passage barrier. The latter releases the return of the money only upon the passage of that transport cart which is provided with that individual code.

Abstract: A coin counting apparatus having a resiliently deformable frame adapted to carry a plurality of stacked coins. The apparatus includes a support for the frame and an abutment for causing resilient deformation of the frame so as to carry the coins upon relative movement of the frame and the abutment.

Abstract: A dispersing feeder for dispersively feeding articles, supplied by a supply device, to a plurality of weighing machines where the articles are weighed. The feeder includes a turntable or conical projection for receiving and temporarily retaining the articles supplied by the supply device, a dispersing bowl disposed concentrically with respect to the turntable or conical projection and having a number of exits on its outer circumferential portion, and an electromagnetic vibrator for subjecting the dispersing bowl to torsional reciprocative oscillation. The surface of the turntable and/or dispersing bowl is provided with a multiplicity of raised and recessed portions to minimize the contact area between the surface and the articles so that the articles may be transferred without adhering to the surface.

Abstract: A coin operated newspaper and like article vending system for dispensing articles on a one-at-a-time basis wherein a housing forms a cabinet for containing newspapers and like articles to be vended, a door is hinged on one side of the cabinet, a coin operated lock mechanism releasably locks the door to the cabinet, a partition is incorporated with the housing as a wall thereof situated behind the door and provides a dispensing slot behind the door for passing one article at a time, an elevator assures the delivery of newspapers successively to a location opposite the dispensing slot, a newspaper dispensing element is actuable to engage and move the newspaper partly out the opening, linkage mechanism connects the door and dispensing element to move the newspaper at least partly out of the opening when the door is moved and mechanism delays the return of the dispensing element to full dispensing position pending locking of the door.

Abstract: A pump for dispensing fluids and like media, having a pump casing including structure forming a counter locking means, a pusher for operating the pump, movable from a rest position into the pump casing to deliver a pumping stroke responsive to manual depression of an operating surface formed in an end face of the pusher, a locking mechanism for the pusher formed by the operating surface and a locking portion rigidly affixed to the operating surface, the locking mechanism being pivotally attached to the pusher to enable movement of the locking portion into and inwardly of a locking position relative to the counter locking means of the pump casing, whereby each pumping stroke must be preceded by pivotal movement of the locking mechanism, and, resilient structure for automatically urging the locking portion outwardly, into the locking position, after each pumping stroke, whereby pressure exerted upon any portion of the end face other than the operating surface will be ineffective for accidentally operating the p

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting discharge flow in bins for flowable materials includes an elongated tubular, bag-shaped, inflatable membrane suspended from near the top of the bin and extending to just above a discharge opening in the bin. The membrane is inflated prior to filling the bin with material which has a tendency to cake or agglomerate. The material will set up around the inflated bag, and when the bag is deflated the material will flow out the opening of the bin, with an assist, if necessary, from a bin liner or the like.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser and collapsible bag, the bag preferably having a self-sealing valve inherently formed from the sides of the bag, the bag being equipped with clips to engage clip receiving structure on the dispenser. The dispenser having a frame, with a bag support structure, a pump structure, and a clip receiving structure to engage the bag clips for the opening and closing of the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying gas to a liquid in a container (2) having a gas pipe (6) discharging thereinto, the apparatus being particularly intended for preparing aerated beverages. The container comprises an orifice (8) for introducing liquid into the container, an orifice (19) for emptying liquid therefrom, and a gas-venting orifice (13). From a security point of view the apparatus is provided with structure preventing a gas pressure to be built up in the container (2) unless it is filled with liquid to a given level.

Abstract: Beverage dispensing system having a single source of pressure for a plurality of containers of a particular beverage and a dispensing line for each container communicating with a separate tap. Pressure regulating means can be present to accommodate the type of beverage being dispensed from each tap so that beverages having different characteristics can each be dispensed optimally. The taps for a particular beverage are mounted together, and each is provided with a lock, allowing the operator to select which tap will operate at a given time and disable the other taps.

Abstract: A coin sorter and counter comprising a sloped combination of a pick-up plate and a selecting plate rotating in unison and forming a sandwich with a separator, such separator having a window therein for permitting coins to pass, one-at-a-time, from the pick-up plate, through the separator, into one of a series of coin entrances along the periphery of the selecting plate, each such coin entrance leading into a boomerang-shaped, angulated coin selecting slot or guide which is tapered downwardly in size from its entrance to its terminus, the selecting plate passing over a selecting base in which there is a series of openings spaced angularly about the axis of rotation of the selecting plate, such openings being graduated in size to correspond to the diameter of coins to be sorted, the smaller the opening, the shorter the radial distance of that opening from the axis of rotation of the selecting plate, the direction of angulation of the coin-selecting slots being in the direction of rotation of the selecting plate

Abstract: An apparatus for storing coins is provided with slot-like openings for the insertion and dispensing thereof, as well as for the removal of the overflow. The coins are stored between two concentric rings, each of which has a helical slot on the facing faces thereof. The individual coins are held by the limiting surfaces of these slots. The gap between the two rings is subdivided into individual compartments by the vanes of a rotary impeller and the length thereof corresponds roughly to a coin diameter. As a result of this arrangement, the coins are stored in succession and also in juxtaposed manner. The insertion and dispensing of coins takes place by a corresponding controlled rotation of the impeller, the rotation for insertion taking place in one direction and that for dispensing in the other direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for the receipt of a recyclable container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a manually rotatable carrier having a container receiving station. The recyclable container is inserted into the receiving station where the presence or absence of a container having a metallic sidewall is determined prior to any movement apparent to the user. If the object inserted into the receiving station is determined to be a container having a metallic sidewall, rotation of the carrier for further processing of the recyclable container is permitted. The initial passive screening may include detecting the orientation of the container, detection for the type of metal sidewall, and may also include optical scanning of the container for reading a product code thereon.

Abstract: A coin operated vending machine delivers single newspapers and/or similar articles from the upper end of a stack of articles out a vending slot. A roller engages the article and moves it part of the way out the slot so that it can be grasped by the customer and pulled the remaining distance. An actuator, such as the access door used on vending machines currently in the field, is linked with the roller to revolve it in a dispensing direction, but the motion transmission mechanism for the roller does not transmit rotation in the opposite direction and permits the roller to revolve independently of the motion transmission mechanism.

Abstract: In a coin processing apparatus, coins are inserted in a lump in a coin receiving unit, and are transferred through a conveyor section to a temporary retainer section, while the identifying unit identifies the coins when they are successively conveyed, and data concerning the coins identified are produced. After all the coins have been transferred out of the coin receiving unit, the coins are transferred from the temporary retainer section back to the coin receiving unit. When an accept command is inputted by an operator the coins having been transferred to the coin receiving unit are transferred again to the conveyor section, and the identifying unit identifies the coins as to denomination, and the separating devices selectively separate the coins from the conveyor path of the conveyor section in accordance with the result of the identification. The coins separated are led to containers respectively associated with the separating devices.

Abstract: A lock unit for a coin operated locker cabinet or the like incorporates an improved arrangement for permitting a custodian to selectively, releasably retain the lock unit within a cabinet mounting post and to control a patron lock for cabinet door unlocking/locking purposes, while a patron key is removed from the patron lock. The lock unit additionally incorporates an improved coin gauging and counting mechanism adapted to selectively accommodate the lock unit for operation by one or more coins of a given denomination and improved construction for adapting a coin chute to coins of different diameters.

Abstract: A hopper feed apparatus for the powder hopper of a powder reinforcing machine, to keep the hopper and its supply conduit free of clogged powder, the apparatus comprising of an arrangement of springs attached to the top of the hopper on the inside thereof, which springs extend downwardly to a common point near the discharge orifice, to where they are attached to a line which extends through the conduit. The lower end of the conduit is secured to a movable dispensing apparatus, which when it moves, pulls on the line and biases the springs, all of which agitate any powder within the hopper and the conduit, preventing it from caking and otherwise clogging the system.

Abstract: A feeder for finely divided solids from atmospheric pressure into a high pressure atmosphere. It has a chute to hold the solids at atmospheric pressure, and a valve with seals to deliver the solids into a loading chamber. There is an arrangement for pressurizing the loading chamber, and the chamber is oriented so that the solids will discharge through another valve by gravity flow into the high pressure atmosphere after pressurization of the chamber. There is also an arrangement for displacing the high pressure atmosphere from the chamber after discharge of the solids and before the next delivery of another charge from the chute.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discriminating coins or bank notes, in which sensors measure characteristics of coins or bank notes. Processing control apparatus provides a reference value setting mode and a discrimination mode. In the reference value setting mode, data of sample coins or bank notes obtained from the sensors are statistically processed to calculate minimum and maximum reference values, and these values are stored in a memory. In the discimination mode, a coin or bank note to be authenticated is checked as to whether its characteristics are within the range of minimum and maximum reference values. Genuine coins or bank notes are automatically separated from counterfeit.