Method and apparatus for conditioning coins prior to discrimination
View Patent ↗Methods and systems for cleaning coins and issuing a redeemable voucher for same. In one embodiment, an apparatus for issuing a redeemable voucher includes a coin input region configured to receive a plurality of coins, and a user interface configured to receive a request for a redeemable voucher. The apparatus can further include a debris separation device having a first opening configured to receive the plurality of coins from the coin input region, and at least a first wall forming an interior surface and an exterior surface. The first wall of the debris separation device includes at least one second opening smaller than the first opening and sized to prevent passage therethrough of the smallest coin of the plurality of coins. A driver can be configured to move the debris separation device and agitate the plurality of coins.
1. An apparatus for issuing a redeemable voucher, the apparatus comprising:
a user interface configured to receive a request for a redeemable voucher;
a coin input region configured to receive a plurality of coins in random orientation;
a debris separation device having a first opening configured to receive the plurality of coins from the coin input region, the debris separation device further having at least a first wall forming an interior surface and an exterior surface, the first wall having at least one second opening smaller than the first opening and sized to prevent passage therethrough of the smallest coin of the plurality of coins;
a driver operably coupled to the debris separation device and configured to move the debris separation device and agitate the plurality of coins; and
a coin discriminator configured to receive the plurality of coins from the debris separation device, the coin discriminator including at least one coin sensor configured to discriminate at least one coin denomination.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the debris separation device further includes a third opening, the third opening being larger than the second opening and configured to permit at least a portion of the plurality of coins to exit the debris separation device.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the first wall forms at least a portion of a circular cylinder.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the first wall is at least generally flat.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the debris separation device further includes at least second and third walls extending adjacent to the first wall, the first wall having a first shape, the second wall having a second shape, and the third wall having a third shape, and wherein the second and third shapes are at least generally the same as the first shape.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wall further includes a plurality of dimples protruding at least partially inwardly relative to the debris separation device.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the coin input region includes a tray that is upwardly pivotable about a pivot axis to move the plurality of coins from the tray and into the debris separation device.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the driver is operably coupled to the debris separation device to rotate the debris separation device about at least a first axis.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the driver is operably coupled to the debris separation device to pivot the debris separation device about at least a first axis.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the debris separation device is configured to rotate about an axis and the first wall further includes means for urging the plurality of coins in a direction at least generally parallel to the axis as the debris separation device rotates about the axis.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the debris separation device is configured to rotate about a non-horizontal axis.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the debris separation device includes a plurality of openings including the second opening configured to permit dirt to exit the debris separation device.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least a first vane protruding inwardly from the interior surface of the debris separation device.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first vane contacts the interior surface of the debris separation device in a first region defining at least a first plane tangent to the interior surface in the first region, and wherein at least a portion of the first vane is non-orthogonal to the first plane.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first vane contacts the interior surface of the debris separation device in a first region defining at least a first plane tangent to the interior surface in the first region, and wherein at least a first portion of the first vane is non-orthogonal to the first plane and a second portion of the first vane is orthogonal to the first plane.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the debris separation device defines a first longitudinal axis, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least a first vane protruding inwardly from the interior surface of the debris separation device and defining a second longitudinal axis, and wherein the second longitudinal axis is non-parallel to the first longitudinal axis.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interior surface of the debris separation device includes substantially flat walls.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a debris tray positioned at least generally below the debris separation device, the debris tray being configured to receive dirt and other non-coin items passing through the at least one second opening in the first wall of the debris separation device.
19. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a signaling device configured to indicate when additional coins may be moved from the coin input region along a path toward the debris separation device.
20. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a voucher dispenser configured to dispense a voucher for at least a portion of the discriminated coins, wherein the voucher is redeemable at a point of sale in a non-bank retail location in exchange for products sold at the retail location.
21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the user interface includes a depressible button.
22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the debris separation device further includes a second wall and a third wall extending upwardly from opposing edges of the first wall.
23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the debris separation device is at least generally U-shaped.
24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the driver is configured to vibrate the debris separation device in the absence of rotation to agitate the plurality of coins.
25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the user interface includes a touch screen.
26. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the debris separation device further includes a second wall and a third wall extending upwardly from opposing edges of the first wall to provide the debris separation device with an at least generally U-shaped cross-section, and wherein the driver is configured to vibrate the debris separation device in the absence of rotation to agitate the plurality of coins.
27. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wall of the debris separation device is inclined from horizontal and further includes a second wall and a third wall extending upwardly from opposing edges of the first wall to provide the debris separation device with an at least generally U-shaped cross-section, and wherein the driver is configured to vibrate the debris separation device to agitate the plurality of coins.
28. An apparatus for issuing a redeemable voucher, the apparatus comprising:
means for receiving a user request for a redeemable voucher
input means for receiving a plurality of randomly oriented coins from a user;
means for separating debris from the plurality of coins received from the user, the means for separating defining an interior space having at least a first opening sized to let dirt and other non-coin items exit the means for separating to the exclusion of any one of the plurality of coins;
motive means operably coupled to the means for separating and configured to move the means for separating to cause at least some of the plurality of coins to exit the interior space; and
coin discriminator means configured to receive the plurality of coins from the means for separating, the coin discriminator means including at least one coin sensor configured to discriminate at least one coin denomination.
29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the means for separating further includes means for preventing face-to-face contact between an entire face of any one of the plurality of coins and an interior surface of the means for separating.
30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the means for preventing face-to-face contact includes protrusions extending inwardly from the interior surface of the means for separating.
31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the means for preventing face-to-face contact includes an interior surface curvature of the means for separating.
32. The apparatus of claim 28 , further comprising means for preventing rigid elongate objects from entering the means for separating.
33. The apparatus of claim 32 , further comprising means for reversing the means for separating in response to sensing a slowing or halting of movement of the means for separating.
34. The apparatus of claim 28 , further comprising means for flowing air through the means for separating.
35. The apparatus of claim 28 , further comprising means for dispensing a redeemable voucher for at least a portion of the discriminated coins, wherein the voucher is redeemable at a point of sale in a non-bank retail location in exchange for products sold at the retail location.
36. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the motive means includes means for vibrating the debris separation device in the absence of rotation.
37. A method for issuing a redeemable voucher, the method comprising:
receiving a randomly oriented plurality of coins in a coin input region;
receiving a user request for a redeemable voucher;
transferring the plurality of coins from the coin input region to a debris separation device positioned to receive coins from the coin input region, the debris separation device having a plurality of holes sized to prevent passage therethrough of the smallest coin of the plurality of coins;
moving the debris separation device to agitate the plurality of coins and permit non-coin matter within the debris separation device to pass through one or more of the plurality of holes and exit the debris separation device; and
transferring the plurality of coins from the debris separation device to a coin discriminator, the coin discriminator including at least one coin sensor configured to discriminate at least one coin denomination.
38. The method of claim 37 wherein moving the debris separation device includes rotating the debris separation device about an axis to agitate the plurality of coins.
39. The method of claim 37 , further comprising providing at least a first vane adjacent an interior surface of the debris separation device to assist in moving the plurality of coins through the debris separation device.
40. The method of claim 37 wherein transferring the plurality of coins to the debris separation device includes pivoting a coin tray upwardly to move the plurality of coins from the coin input region.
41. The method of claim 37 , further comprising dispensing a redeemable voucher for at least a portion of the discriminated coins, wherein the voucher is redeemable at a point of sale in a non-bank retail location in exchange for products sold at the retail location.
42. The method of claim 37 wherein moving the debris separation device to agitate the plurality of coins includes vibrating the debris separation device in the absence of rotation.
43. An apparatus for cleaning coins, the apparatus comprising:
a coin input receptacle configured to receive a plurality of coins in random orientation;
a debris separation device having an at least generally U-shaped cross-section and having a first opening configured to receive the plurality of coins from the coin input receptacle, the debris separation device further having at least a first wall forming an interior surface and an exterior surface, the first wall having at least one second opening smaller than the first opening and sized to prevent passage therethrough of the smallest coin of the plurality of coins; and
a driver operably coupled to the debris separation device and configured to move the debris separation device and agitate the plurality of coins.
44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the first wall is a bottom wall, and wherein the debris separation device further includes a second wall and a third wall extending upwardly from opposing edges of the first wall.
45. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the driver is configured to vibrate the debris separation device in the absence of rotation to agitate the plurality of coins.
46. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the first wall of the debris separation device is inclined from horizontal.
47. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the coin input receptacle is upwardly pivotable about a pivot axis to move the plurality of coins from the coin input receptacle and into the debris separation device.
48. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the driver is operably coupled to the debris separation device to rotate the debris separation device about at least a first axis.
49. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the driver is operably coupled to the debris separation device to pivot the debris separation device about at least a first axis.
50. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the debris separation device includes a plurality of openings including the second opening configured to permit dirt to exit the debris separation device.
51. The apparatus of claim 43 , further comprising a debris tray positioned at least generally below the debris separation device, the debris tray being configured to receive dirt and other non-coin items passing through the at least one second opening in the first wall of the debris separation device.
52. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the first wall is a bottom wall, and wherein at least a portion of the first wall is at least generally flat.