GB2326261A - Coin dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin dispenser for use in counting coins comprises a body 10 having a plurality of elongate axially extending channels 20 of varying lengths and widths and discs 11,12 mounted at each end of the body 10 for selectively closing and opening an end of the respective channels. The discs 11,12 may be rotatably mounted and have a cut out (13) to allow the dispenser to be loaded or emptied. The container may also be loaded by inserting coins sideways into channels 20. In use, each channel 20 holds a predetermined number of coins of a certain value and may be disposed at opposite ends of the container. Thus, once a channel 20 is full, the total value of the coins therein will be known. The known quantity of coins may be emptied into a bag for banking via nozzle 16.

Description

Coin dispenser This invention relates to a coin dispenser.

It is difficult and tedious to count large amounts of cash in coin, especially when there are quite a number of different coins of various denominations. It is well known to determine the value of coins of one type by weighing the coins using scales. However, a disadvantage of this is that the scales need to be very accurate and are thus inaffordable to all except banks and large businesses.

It is usual to put the coins of each denomination into respective bags after they have been counted for banking purposes. The number of coins that are required to fill each bag is dependent upon the denomination of the coin. However, it is difficult to make sure that each bag contains exactly the right number of coins. Furthermore, it is laborious to repeatedly count coins into bags, especially where there are a lot of coins.

I have now devised a coin dispenser which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a coin dispenser comprising a container having a plurality of elongate compartments of varying lengths and/or widths, the compartments being arranged to confine a respective predetermined number of coins of a particular value in a stack and means for selectively closing and opening an end of each compartment for release of the coins therein.

Each compartment holds a predetermined number of coins of a certain value. Thus, once a compartment is full the total value of the coins therein will be known. The known quantity of coins can then be emptied into a bag for banking. The user therefore does not have to count the coins.

The compartments may comprise elongate tubes, the compartments being filled by inserting coins from one end.

However, preferably the compartments are open-sided, so that they can be filled one at a time by moving the coins sideways, transverse the axis of the compartment being filled.

Preferably the container is cylindrical, the compartments extending axially of the cylindrical container.

Preferably the means for selectively, closing and opening the compartments comprises a disc rotatably mounted at an end of the container and having an opening located radially outwards from its axis of rotation. In use, the disc is rotated to bring the opening therein into registry with the compartment to be emptied, whereupon the compartment is emptied by tipping the container up on end, so that the coins slide axially of the compartment through the opening.

Preferably the disc comprises a nozzle in registration with said opening. The nozzle can be inserted into the neck of a bag, so that coins can be dispensed directly into the bag.

Preferably the nozzle is detachable from the disc.

Preferably at least two of said compartments are arranged end-to-end, said opening and closing means being disposed at opposite ends of the container.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a coin dispenser in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line III-III of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the dispenser of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the dispenser when in use.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is shown a coin dispenser comprising a one-piece cylindrical body 10 of moulded plastics material and closure discs 11, 12 rotatably mounted to respective opposite ends of the body 10.

In the United Kingdom, there are currently seven different denominations of coin in use, namely ip, 2p, 5p, lop, 20p, 50p and 1. Accordingly, the body 10 comprises seven separate channels 20 for receiving the respective denominations of coin. Each channel extends along the surface of the body 10 and comprises parallel side walls and a semi-circular bottom wall. The width of each channel 20 is slightly greater than the diameter of the coin which it is arranged to receive.

In the United Kingdom coins are generally collected in small plastics bags for banking purposes. Such bags are arranged to hold 1.00 worth of bronze-coloured coins (i.e. Ip and 2p) or 5.00 worth of silver-coloured coins (i.e. 5p, lOp, 20p, 5p and 1.00.) Thus, preferably the length of each channel 20 is exactly equal to the height of a stack of the appropriate number of coins of the determination that they are arranged to receive. Preferably an indication is given on or adjacent each channel 20 of the coin denomination which it holds, preferably together with the total value of the coins which it holds.

Some channels, such as those for 50p and 1 coins will obviously be shorter than those for ip and 5p coins, and those shorter ones can be aligned end-to-end with other channels 20, in order to reduce the diameter of the body 10. Each channel 20 is open to one end of the body or the other.

The discs 11, 12 at opposite ends of the body 10 each comprise a cut-out 13 in their peripheries, which can be selectively aligned with the ends of the channels 20 at their respective ends by rotating the discs 11, 12. Detents may be provided, so that the discs 11, 12 are locked against rotation at the selected angular points where their cut-outs 13 are aligned with the channels 20. The cut-outs 13 are wider than the widest channel 20 and thus an opening can be formed in one end of one of the channels 20 by rotating the disc 11 or 12 until its cut-out is in register with the end of the channel 20..

An attachment is arranged to fit onto either of the discs 11, 12. The attachment 15 comprises a circular plate having a projecting lip on its underside, which is arranged to snap-engage with formations 25 on the sides of the discs 11, 12 and a nozzle 16 on its opposite side, which is arranged to register with the cut-out 13 in the disc to which it is attached. The periphery of the attachment 15 may be knurled to provide a grip for rotating the disc to which it is attached.

Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings, in use the dispenser is held horizontally and rotated until the channel 20 for receiving the denomination of coin to be bagged is uppermost, whereupon the disc 11 or 12 associated with that channel 20 is rotated to make sure that the channel is closed.

The attachment is preferably also attached to that disc 11 or 12. The channel 20 is then completely filled by inserting coins of the appropriate denomination sideways into the channel to form a stack, which extends axially of the body 10.

Once the channel 20 is filled, its associated disc 11 or 12 is rotated until the cut-out therein is in register with the end of the channel 20. The nozzle 16 is then inserted into a coin bag B, whereupon the dispenser is turned on end, so that the coins fall axially down the channel into the bag B, through the nozzle 16.

The need to count the coins is alleviated because the channels hold exactly the right quantity to fill the coin bags.

Thus, the dispenser helps save time and reduce the number of errors.

In the U.S.A. coins are collected in paper tubes rather than bags, and in an alternative embodiment the nozzle 16 may be adapted so that these coin tubes can be filled.

Claims (9)

Claims

1) A coin dispenser comprising a container having a plurality of elongate compartments of varying lengths and/or widths, the compartments being arranged to confine a respective predetermined number of coins of a particular value in a stack and means for selectively closing and opening an end of each compartment for release of the coins therein.

2) A coin dispenser as claimed in claim 1, in which the compartments comprise elongate tubes, the compartments being filled by inserting coins from one end.

3) A coin dispenser as claimed in claim 1, in which the compartments are open-sided, so that they can be filled one at a time by moving the coins sideways, transverse the axis of the compartment being filled.

4) A coin dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the container is cylindrical, the compartments extending axially of the cylindrical container.

5) A coin dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the means for selectively, closing and opening the compartments comprises a disc rotatably mounted at an end of the container and having an opening located radially outwards from its axis of rotation.

6) A coin dispenser as claimed in claim 5, in which the disc comprises a nozzle in registration with said opening.

7) A coin dispenser as claimed in claim 6, in which the nozzle is detachable from the disc.

8) A coin dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least two of said compartments are arranged end-toend, said opening and closing means being disposed at opposite ends of the container.

9) A coin dispenser substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.