Abstract: A system for evaluating currency bills with currency evaluation machines and recording information associated with the evaluated currency bills. The currency evaluation machines utilize sensors to obtain information from the evaluated bills, and comparison tests are performed in which the sensor information is compared to master information in order to identify the denomination, series and authenticity of the currency bills being evaluated. A reviewable record of the comparison tests is maintained for each individual currency evaluation machine. After performing the comparison tests, evaluated bills are identified as either no call bills, suspect documents or genuine bills. Information associated with respective no call bills, suspect documents or genuine bills, including times of occurrence or quantities of no call bills, suspect documents or genuine bills, and/or denomination of suspect documents or genuine bills is recorded in the reviewable record.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for currency discrimination comprises first and second stationary scanheads, disposed on opposite sides of a bill transport path, for scanning respective first and second opposing surfaces of a bill traveling along the bill transport path and for producing respective output signals. The bill travels along the transport path in the direction of a predetermined dimension of the bill. A memory stores master characteristic patterns corresponding to associated predetermined surfaces of a plurality of denominations of genuine bills. Sampling circuitry samples the output signals associated with the respective first and second opposing surfaces of the scanned bill. A signal processor is programmed to determine which one of the first and second opposing surfaces corresponds to the associated predetermined surfaces of the plurality of denominations of genuine bills.

Abstract: Two molded case electrical switches such as circuit breakers, network protectors, disconnect switches and transfer switches, are secured together side-by-side by joining blocks having tongues extending along their sidewalls which engage undercutting grooves undercutting the irregular surfaces of the confronting sidewalls of the switch molded casings with an interference fit. Separate joining blocks for the front and rear sections of the molded casing are driven into place and retained by bolts engaging flanges on the molded casing. The poles are paralleled by external conductors in any desired configuration so that the standard switches can be used without customization.

Abstract: A funds discrimination and sorting system comprises an acceptor for accepting mixed currency from a customer. A sorter and discriminator sorts and discriminates the funds by denomination, the sorter and discriminator are coupled to the acceptor. An interface is coupled to the sorter and discriminator for accepting instructions from a customer, the instructions causing the actuation of the system; and an attendant control panel allows an attendant to operate the system in a plurality of modes, the attendant control panel is positioned opposite and is inaccessible from said customer interface.

Abstract: A currency discriminating apparatus comprising an input receptacle for receiving a stack of currency bills and a transport mechanism for transporting the bills, one at a time, past a discriminating unit to at least one output receptacle. Each of the bills has a denomination associated therewith. The discriminating unit discriminates the denomination of the currency bills using a plurality of magnetoresistive sensors. Alternatively, a currency evaluation system that discriminates and authenticates bills based on a plurality of retrieved characteristics.

Abstract: A funds processing system receives, dispenses, and sorts currency and substantially immediately furnishes an associated accounting system with data, including the value of the currency processed, in a single transaction. The system determines the denomination of the received currency, sorts the received currency, generates electrical signals representing the amount of received currency in each denomination in each batch of currency received, has a memory for receiving data representing the amount of each denomination of currency received. The system also contains a controller for transferring data from the memory to the associated cash accounting system so that deposits and withdrawals executed at the funds processing system are entered in the accounting system substantially immediately after the execution of the deposits and withdrawals. The system dispenses currency based upon the amount of received currency and the amount deposited into the accounting system.

Abstract: An integral stationary arcing contact and arc runner for electrical switching apparatus is formed by an electrically conductive member secured to the line conductor adjacent the stationary main contact thereby providing a joint free path for the arc to pass from the arcing contact to the arc runner. Preferably, the electrically conductive member is a sheet metal member having a base section secured to the line conductor, an arcing contact section adjacent the stationary main contact and extending generally perpendicular to the line conductor and a runner section extending at an obtuse angle to the arcing contact section toward the arc chute. A support member between the arcing contact section and the housing transmits reaction forces imposed by the moving conductor assembly on the sheet metal member into the housing.

Abstract: A currency evaluating device for receiving a stack of currency bills, rapidly discriminating the bills in the stack and then re-stacking the bills which comprises an input receptacle, a transport mechanism for transporting in the direction of the narrow dimension of the bills from the input receptacle to one of a plurality of output receptacles, at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute, and a discriminating unit for determining the denomination of each bill. The device may also include an authenticating unit for determining the genuineness of the bills. The authenticating unit may detect by use of a plurality of magnetoresistive sensors or may detect by ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A system for authenticating documents comprises in one embodiment an ultraviolet light source illuminating a document to be tested, an ultraviolet light detector for detecting the ultraviolet light reflected by the document and a signal processor for determining the authenticity of the document based upon an output signal of the ultraviolet light detector representing the amount of detected ultraviolet light. The document is considered genuine if the output signal is within a predetermined range of an expected value. In another embodiment, the system combines the ultraviolet light source and ultraviolet light detector with a visible light detector for detecting visible light emitted by the document. The signal processor receives signals from both the ultraviolet detector and the visible light detector and determines the authenticity of the document based upon signals representing the reflected ultraviolet light and detected visible light.

Abstract: A currency counting and discrimination device comprises an input receptacle for receiving a stack of currency bills to be discriminated, a discriminating unit for discriminating the denomination of the currency bills, and one or more output receptacles for receiving the currency bills after being discriminated by the discriminating unit. The device further comprises a transport mechanism for transporting the currency bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle past a sensor of the discriminating unit and to the one or more output receptacles.

Abstract: A currency authenticator having a plurality of sensitivity settings comprising a first characteristic detector. The first characteristic detector retrieves first characteristic information from a bill to be authenticated and generates an output signal. The currency authenticator further comprises a unit for selecting one of a plurality of sensitivity settings, a unit for storing reference information associated with each of the sensitivity settings, and a unit for comparing the output signal to the reference information associated with the one of the plurality of sensitivity settings selected by the unit for selecting. The unit for comparing indicates that the bill is counterfeit if the output signal does not satisfactorily compare with the reference information. The unit for storing reference information stores reference information for a plurality of denominations of bills.

Abstract: An apparatus for currency discrimination comprises first and second stationary scanheads, disposed on opposite sides of a bill transport path, for scanning respective first and second opposing surfaces of a bill traveling along the bill transport path and for producing respective output signals. The bill travels along the transport path in the direction of a predetermined dimension of the bill. A memory stores master characteristic patterns corresponding to associated predetermined surfaces of a plurality of denominations of genuine bills. Sampling circuitry samples the output signals associated with the respective first and second opposing surfaces of the scanned bill. A signal processor is programmed to determine which one of the first and second opposing surfaces corresponds to the associated predetermined surfaces of the plurality of denominations of genuine bills.

Abstract: A method of detecting counterfeit bills includes the steps of determining the denomination of the bill being evaluated, generating data corresponding to the concentration of magnetic ink on the bill and comparing this data to the expected concentration of magnetic ink on a genuine bill of the same denomination. The bill is considered genuine if the data is within an acceptable range of the expected value. An apparatus for detecting counterfeit currency employs a microprocessor to control an optical scanning operation of the bill being evaluated and to generate image data that is compared to stored images corresponding to genuine denominations of currency. The denomination of the bill is determined by evaluating the correspondence between the image data and the stored images.

Abstract: A currency counting and discrimination device for receiving a stack of currency bills, rapidly counting and discriminating the bills in the stack, and then re-stacking the bills. The device comprises an input receptacle for receiving a stack of currency bills to be discriminated, a discriminating unit for discriminating the denomination of the currency bills, and one or more output receptacles for receiving the currency bills after being discriminated by the discriminating unit. The device further comprises a transport mechanism for transporting the currency bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle past a sensor of the discriminating unit and to the one or more output receptacles. One or more counters keep track of the value of bills that are discriminated.

Abstract: A system for sealing a large diameter tube under vacuum including: a tube having a diameter greater than about 20 mm, a disk operatively positioned inside the tube and having a smaller diameter than the tube, a vacuum operatively connected to the tube, heating means, operatively positioned on the outside of the tube, for heating the tube to a temperature sufficient to collapse the tube onto the disk, means for positioning the disk inside the tube proximate the position of the heating means on the outside of the tube and means for cooling the tube proximate the disk sufficiently to formulate a seal between the tube and the disk where the disk collapsed onto the disk is disclosed.

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.

Abstract: Fiberballs have been prepared from mechanically-crimped fibers having both a primary crimp and a secondary crimp with specific configurations, especially amplitudes and frequencies. The fiberballs may contain a proportion of other fibers, particularly binder fibers, and used for making molded structures.

Abstract: Pillows and other filled articles are filled with bicomponent polyester fibers that have "spiral crimp" on account of a difference in chain-branched content of the polyester polymers of the components. Such bicomponent fibers are preferably novel hollow "spiral crimp" bicomponent fibers.

Abstract: Fiberballs are prepared from mechanically-crimped fibers having both a primary crimp and a secondary crimp with specific configurations, especially amplitudes and frequencies. The fiberballs may contain a proportion of other fibers, particularly binder fibers.