Money tube and associated dispensing units
View Patent ↗A first embodiment of a money tube includes a centrally divided tube body having a first end, a second end, and a central portion. The tube body is composed of a first body portion and a second body portion. The first body portion includes the first end and defines a first central connector. The second body portion includes a second end and defines a second central connector. The first and second central connectors engage each other at the tube body central portion when connected to each other to hold the first body portion and the second body portion together.
1. A money tube for use in a money dispensing unit, the money tube comprising:
a centrally divided tube body having a first end, a second end, and a central portion, the tube body being composed of a first body portion and a second body portion, the first body portion including the first end and defining a first central connector, the second body portion including the second end and defining a second central connector, the first and second central connectors engaging each other at the tube body central portion when connected to each other to hold the first body portion and the second body portion together, wherein the first and second body portions connect and the first and second ends contain money in the tube body.
2. The money tube of claim 1 wherein the first central connector is a female type connector and the second central connector is a male type connector such that overlapping engagement of the female type connector and the male type connector holds the first body portion and the second body portion together.
3. The money tube of claim 2 wherein the overlapping engagement is an interference fit.
4. The money tube of claim 2 wherein the male type connector includes an outwardly extending post, and wherein the female type connector includes an L-shaped slot receiving the post during the overlapping engagement.
5. The money tube of claim 2 wherein the tube body first end is a closed end.
6. The money tube of claim 2 wherein the tube body second end is a closed end.
7. The money tube of claim 1 wherein the tube body is generally cylindrical with a circular cross-section.
8. The money tube of claim 1 wherein the first body portion and the second body portion are formed of molded plastic.
9. In combination with a money dispensing unit having a housing including a set of openings in the housing arranged to be loaded with money tubes each containing money of a predetermined value, and a separate opening and dispensing tray in the housing to dispense money tubes for removal from the dispensing unit, a money tube comprising:
a centrally divided tube body having a first end, a second end, and a central portion, the tube body being composed of a first body portion and a second body portion, the first body portion including the first end and defining a first central connector, the second body portion including the second end and defining a second central connector, the first and second central connectors engaging each other at the tube body central portion when connected to each other to hold the first body portion and the second body portion together, wherein the first and second body portions connect and the first and second ends contain money in the tube body.
10. The combination of claim 9 wherein the first central connector is a female type connector and the second central connector is a male type connector such that overlapping engagement of the female type connector and the male type connector holds the first body portion and the second body portion together.
11. The combination of claim 10 wherein the overlapping engagement is an interference fit.
12. The combination of claim 10 wherein the male type connector includes an outwardly extending post, and wherein the female type connector includes an L-shaped slot receiving the post during the overlapping engagement.
13. The combination of claim 10 wherein the tube body first end is a closed end.
14. The combination of claim 10 wherein the tube body second end is a closed end.
15. The combination of claim 9 wherein the tube body is generally cylindrical with a circular cross-section.
16. The combination of claim 9 wherein the first body portion and the second body portion are formed of molded plastic.
17. A money tube for use in a money dispensing system, the money tube comprising:
a centrally divided tube body having a first end, a second end, and a central portion, the tube body being composed of a first body end portion, a second body end portion, and a body middle portion, the first body end portion including the first end and defining a first central connector, the second body end portion including the second end and defining a second central connector, the first and second central connectors engaging the body middle portion at the tube body central portion to hold the first body end portion and the second body end portion to the body middle portion, wherein the first and second ends contain money in the tube body.
18. The money tube of claim 17 wherein the first and second central connectors engage each other at the tube body central portion.
19. In combination with a money dispensing unit having a housing including a set of openings in the housing arranged to be loaded with money tubes each containing money of a predetermined value, and a separate opening and dispensing tray in the housing to dispense money tubes for removal from the dispensing unit, a money tube comprising:
a centrally divided tube body having a first end, a second end, and a central portion, the tube body being composed of a first body end portion, a second body end portion, and a body middle portion, the first body end portion including the first end and defining a first central connector, the second body end portion including the second end and defining a second central connector, the first and second central connectors engaging the body middle portion at the tube body central portion to hold the first body end portion and the second body end portion to the body middle portion, wherein the first and second ends contain money in the tube body.
20. The combination of claim 19 wherein the first and second central connectors engage each other at the tube body central portion.