IP Library Granted Patent US 11,715,353
Granted Patent B1
US 11,715,353 · App. 17/732,388 · Granted Aug 1, 2023

Security flaps for use with cash trays and cash trays including such security flaps

Inventor: Timothy Patrick Mueller (Grayslake, IL)
Assignee: WALGREEN CO.
G07G1/0027
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,715,353
App. No.
17/732,388
Granted
Aug 1, 2023
Kind
B1
Abstract

Security flaps for use with cash trays and cash trays including such security flaps are disclosed. An apparatus includes a cash tray having a base and a plurality of walls that extend from the base and define a plurality of paper-currency compartments. A plurality of distal edges of the walls define openings of the paper-currency compartments. A spring-biased security flap is coupled to the cash tray and adapted to engage or be immediately adjacent the distal edges of the walls of at least one of the paper-currency compartments to cover the corresponding opening.

Claims (27)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a cash tray having a base and a plurality of walls that extend from the base and define a plurality of currency compartments, a plurality of distal edges of the walls define openings of the currency compartments; and

a spring-biased security flap directly including: (i) a first panel coupled to a rear or side wall of the cash tray, and (ii) a second panel adapted to engage or be immediately adjacent the distal edges of the walls of at least two of the currency compartments to cover the corresponding openings and the corresponding distal edges, wherein the first panel is coupled to the second panel via a hinge.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spring-biased security flap comprises a spring.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spring-biased security flap comprises a pair of springs.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first panel is fixed to the cash tray, and wherein the second panel is movably coupled to the first panel.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the walls of the cash tray comprise exterior walls and wherein the first panel and the second panel fully extend between at least two of the exterior walls.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the security flap is adapted not to extend into a dimensional envelope of the at least two of the currency compartments.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the walls of the cash tray comprise exterior walls and wherein the security flap is adapted to engage or be immediately adjacent the distal edges of at least two of the exterior walls.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the walls of the cash tray comprise exterior walls and wherein the security flap is adapted to engage or be immediately adjacent the distal edges of at least one of the exterior walls.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hinge comprises a living hinge.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the walls further define coin compartments and wherein the security flap is adapted to cover one or more of the coin compartments.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a lock to secure the security flap relative to the cash tray.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the lock comprises a protrusion and a latch that interacts with the protrusion.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the latch is carried by the security flap.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the security flap is adapted to fully cover the corresponding opening.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

a cash tray having a plurality of walls, the walls define compartments having corresponding openings, the cash tray comprises a spring-biased security flap including (i) a first panel coupled to a rear or side wall of the cash tray, and (ii) a second panel adapted to engage or be immediately adjacent distal edges of the walls of at least two of the compartments and to cover the corresponding openings and the corresponding distal edges, wherein the first panel is coupled to the second panel via a hinge.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a register drawer adapted to carry the cash tray and a register housing adapted to receive the register drawer and the cash tray.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the hinge comprises a living hinge.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the security flap is adapted to fully cover the corresponding openings.

19. A method of operating a cash register, comprising:

moving a cash tray a first distance from a register housing, the cash tray having a base and a plurality of walls that extend from the base and define a plurality of currency compartments, wherein a plurality of distal edges of the walls define openings of the currency compartments;

enabling a spring-biased security flap including a first panel couple to a rear or side wall of the cash tray to interact with an interior surface of the register housing to enable a second panel the security flap to engage or be immediately adjacent the distal edges of at least two of the currency compartments and to cover the corresponding openings and the corresponding distal edges, wherein the first panel is coupled to the second panel via a hinge;

moving the cash tray a second distance from the register housing; and

enabling the second panel to move from covering the corresponding openings to provide visual access thereto.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising removing the cash tray from a register drawer of the register housing and securing the security flap relative to the cash tray via a lock.

Assignments (3)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2025
From: WALGREEN CO.
To: SIXTH STREET LENDING PARTNERS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072606/0878 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2025
From: WALGREEN CO.; DUANE READE; WALGREENS SPECIALTY PHARMACY LLC; WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072679/0926 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2022
From: MUELLER, TIMOTHY PATRICK
To: WALGREEN CO.
Reel/Frame 060655/0088 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17185958 · Feb 25, 2021
Continuation 16547115 · Aug 21, 2019
Continuation 15980424 · May 15, 2018