SPIRAL COIN-QUEUEING HEAD FOR HIGH-SPEED COIN-SORTING AND COUNTING APPARATUS

摘要

A coin-queueing head for use in a high-speed coin-sorting and counting apparatus is provided using a spiral coin-processing channel. Coins are fed from a central loading area through an infeed opening into an infeed area having a height permitting unrestricted outward travel of the coins to a peripheral limit having a generally helical shape. The coins are then fed into a coin-processing channel having a first portion for partially separating face-stacked coins. The coins then pass to a second ramped channel portion providing a gradual depessing of the coins and a sudden release into a third channel portion. An inwardly positioned camming lobe and an outwardly positioned expanded area are provided to facilitate lateral separation of the coins upon their release from the second channel portion. The trailing end portion of the third channel portion has a height to relieve the coins of all restriction and the peripheral limit is sloped upward to provide a smooth transition of the coins from their helical path to the circumferential peripheral rim of the disc. Recirculation is provided into the infeed area of coins positioned too far inward at the entry into the first channel portion.