Abstract: A count mechanism for a dispensing machine which delivers coins in a single file along a track has a star wheel in the path of travel of the coins. The star wheel is indexed one point for each coin which passes it. The star wheel can be locked against rotation by a latch which engages a point on the wheel and which is held disengaged by a first solenoid. A second solenoid assists in disengaging the latch from the star wheel. A spring biased pawl rides the periphery of the star wheel between points to prevent free rotation. The star wheel is provided with spaced reflective areas on its top surface and a pair of spaced optical sensors detect the presence and absence of reflective surfaces as the reflective areas pass beneath the sensors. The optical sensors generate a pair of out-of-phase pulses which are employed to count the coins. A mechanism is also provided to test for dirty conditions of the star wheel or optical sensors.

Abstract: An automatic coin wrapping machine has a coin dispenser which forms coins into a single file and moves them along a track past a counting star wheel to a downwardly curved discharged chute. Coins leaving the discharge chute enter a stacking tube where they are formed into a stack. The bottom of the tube is closed by a movable gate which is vibrated to assist stacking. The formation of a proper stack is sensed by an optical sensor that checks the height of the stack. When a proper stack is formed, the gate is removed and the stack of coins is lowered on a rod to a wrapping section in which three wrapping rollers engage a web of paper and wrap the paper about the stack. Crimping hooks fold over the extending ends of the wrapper and the completed roll is discharged.The width of the track and discharge chute are adjustable for different denominations of coins. One side of the adjustable track and chute is formed on a plate which is pivotally mounted at the rear of the frame of the machine.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coin wrapper discharge assembly for use with a coin wrapping apparatus that momentarily stops a coin roll to change its direction, and senses the presence of loose coins. The assembly includes a chute disposed beneath a coin wrapping apparatus that accepts coin rolls falling downwardly after being wrapped. The chute directs a coin roll laterally from its original downward direction into a V-shaped trap. The trap is formed by an inclined floor and a swingable door. A solenoid is provided to hold the door in its normally closed position until actuated by a paper feed mechanism in the coin wrapping apparatus. When actuated, the solenoid releases the door to allow a trapped coin roll to fall onto a conveyor for removal to a packaging point. In addition, the door is electrically insulated from the floor and chute to provide a pair of electrical contacts that are bridged by loose coins to complete an electric circuit that disables the coin wrapping apparatus.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coin wrapping machine in which coins of a particular denomination are fed into a hopper from which they are conveyed to a coin count module. The coin count module ejects the coins one at a time, counting them as they are ejected, until a predetermined quantity has been reached. The ejected coins are directed to a stationary, removable coin tube having a central bore whose diameter is sized for the particular denomination of coins. Paper from a roll is fed to the coin tube to surround the stack of coins formed in the tube and a wrapping roller is brought to bear to wrap the paper about the coin stack. Crimper blades are extended into the coin tube and actuated to crimp the ends of the paper tube formed about the coin stack. The completed coin roll is dropped through an opening in a floor upon which the coin tube is seated, and the discharge of a roll is sensed by a door in a discharge chute.