Transparent scaled coins container
View Patent ↗A reusable coin holder, counter and sorter, known as COINSMETER™ utilizes inexpensive semi-disposable packaging technology. In each half of a semi-elastic plastic material, at least one grove is provided in the shape of half cylinder. When the two halves are closed, a cylinder or a number of cylinders are created. Each cylinder has a scaled line(s) for indicating the amount of coins vertically stacked in the cylindrical columns. Coins may be inserted through a slot at the top of each cylinder. The diameter of the cylindrical columns may be slightly bigger than the diameter of the coins. The two meeting sections may be connected from a solid base portion of the article. The present invention also includes a handle and stand for supporting the coin holder. In another embodiment, a carrying case for multiple coin holders may be provided to store and carry coins in a secure manner.
1. A coin storage device, comprising:
a substantially planar sheet material having a first half and a second half, where of the first half and the second half each have at least one substantially half-cylinder recessed portion formed on the surface of the substantially planar sheet material such that when the first half and second half of the substantially planar sheet material are folded and mated, the at least one substantially half-cylinder recessed portion mate form at least one cylinder and the first half and the second half of the substantially planar sheet material lie flat against one another; and
at least one slot, corresponding to each said at least one cylinder each slot formed in a top portion of one said at least one cylinder for accepting coins; and
means for joining the mated first and second halves together so as to maintain the formation of said at least one cylinder.
2. The coin storage device of claim 1 , wherein the means for joining comprises a plurality of grooves and mating flanges formed opposite to one another on corresponding portions of the first half and second half of the substantially planar sheet material, such that each of the plurality of grooves mates with a corresponding flange when the first half and second half are mated to form the at least one cylinder.
3. The coin storage device of claim 1 , wherein the means for joining comprises a plurality of buttons and cavities formed opposite to one another on corresponding portions of the first half and second half of the substantially planar sheet material, such that each of the plurality of buttons mates with a corresponding cavity when the first half and second half are mated to form the at least one cylinder.
4. The coin storage device of claim 1 , further comprising:
indicia, on the side of said at least one cylinder, for indicating a number of coins in the at least one cylinder.
5. The coin storage device of claim 4 , wherein the indicia comprises a fill line indicating when a predetermined number of coins has been inserted into the at least one cylinder.
6. The coin storage device of claim 4 , wherein the indicia comprises a plurality of lines and corresponding numbers for measuring the number of coins inserted into the at least one cylinder.
7. The coin storage device of claim 1 , wherein said at least one cylinder is provided with a sufficient height to hold a predetermined number of coins and also provide a sufficient additional space to allow coins to be inserted through the at least one slot so as to allow the coins to fall flat parallel to the bottom of the at least one cylinder and also to allow the coins to be lain at an angle in the at least one cylinder so that the coins may be visually inspected.
8. The coin storage device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one cylinder comprises a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder having a diameter corresponding to a predetermined denomination of coin.
9. The coin storage device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one cylinder has a diameter slightly larger than a predetermined denomination of coin so as to allow such denomination of coin to slide down the at least one cylinder.
10. The coin storage device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a handle, formed at a top portion of the coin storage device, for carrying the coin storage device.
11. The coin storage device of claim 10 , further comprising:
at least one support stand, gripping an edge portion of the substantially planar sheet material, for supporting the coin storage device in an upright position.
12. The coin storage device of claim 11 , wherein the substantially planar sheet material comprises a substantially transparent material.
13. The coin storage device of claim 1 , wherein the substantially planar sheet material comprises any one of polyvinylchloride (PVC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
14. The coin storage device of claim 13 , wherein the substantially planar sheet material comprises a substantially translucent material.
15. The coin storage device of claim 1 , where in the substantially planar sheet material has a thickness from 0.5 mm to 2 mm.
16. A coin storage device comprising:
a substantially planar sheet material having a first half and a second half, where the first half and the second half each have at least one substantially half-cylinder recessed portion formed on the surface of the substantially planar sheet material such that when the first half and second half are folded and mated, the at least one substantially half-cylinder recessed portions mate to form at least one cylinder;
at least one slot, corresponding to each said at least one cylinder each slot and formed in a top portion of one said at least one cylinder for accepting coins; and
means for joining the mated first and second halves together so as to maintain the formation of said at least one cylinder
wherein the at least one cylinder has a diameter slightly larger than a predetermined denomination of coin so as to allow such denomination of coin to slide down the at least one cylinder, and
wherein said at least one slot is formed on the top surface of a corresponding said at least one cylinder such that the at least one slot is oriented substantially perpendicular from the plane of the substantially planar sheet material such that coins inserted into the at least one slot are not caught by a seam between the first half and the second half of the substantially planar material.
17. An apparatus for storing coins comprising:
a container for accepting at least coin storage device, the container comprising a cavity for accepting the at least one of the coin storage device in an upright position; and
at least one coin storage device, each at least one said coin storage device comprising:
a substantially planar sheet material having a first half and a second half, where each of the first half and the second half each have at least one substantially half-cylinder recessed portion formed on the surface of the substantially planar sheet material such that when the first half and second half of the substantially planar sheet material are folded and mated, the at least one substantially half-cylinder recessed portions mate to form at least one cylinder and the first half and the second half of the substantially planar sheet material lie flat against one another; and,
at least one slot, corresponding to each said at least one cylinder each slot formed in a top portion of one said at least one cylinder for accepting coins, and
means for joining the first and second half of the planar sheet material together so as to maintain the formation of the at least one cylinder.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the container further comprises:
plurality of vertical grooves formed in a side portion of the cavity, for accepting edges of the substantially planar sheet material so as to hold said at least one coin storage device in an upright position.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the container further comprises:
a cover, securably lockable over the cavity.