US3382647A - Coin wrapping machine - Google Patents

Description

May 14, 1968 s. M. DAVEY ET AL 3,382,647

COIN WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. 5287776? Mfldl e 2( y 1968 I s. M. DAVEY ET AL 3,382,647

COIN WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. Jz'Z/m 2% J4 we? I 20%??? $122? f7 TdFNK/S.

May 14, 1968 s. M. DAVEY ET AL 3,382,647

COIN WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet z INVENTORS.

May 14, 1968 s. M. DAVEY ET AL 3,382,647

COIN WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1965 s Sheets-Sheet 4 v INVENTORS (F426 2 J1 ZZZ er g; /M ayzzd May 14, 1968 s. M. DAVEY ET AL COIN WRAPPING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 20, 1965 we w wf E i .4 fi W United States Patent 3,382,647 COIN WRAPPING MACHINE Sidney M. Davey, Ferndale, and Robert J. Ebbert and Wiliiam R. McBride, Rochester, Mich., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Deering Milliken, Inc., New

York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 20, 1965, Ser. No. 457,307 7 Claims. (Cl. 53159) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A coin wrapping machine in which coins are deposited in a tube at one station and are transferred from the one station to a wrapping station where a pre-cut length of paper is wrapped around the coins and the end of the wrapped coin package is automatically crimped.

This invention relates to coin wrapping machines, and more particularly to .a mechanism for wrapping stacks of a predetermined number of coins in a continuous and high speed manner.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved coin wrapping machine which permits quick release of each package of coins without the necessity of a complicated paper wrapping mechanism in the vicinity of the wrapping station.

It is another object to provide an improved coin wrapping mechanism of this nature in which each stack of coins is precounted before its delivery to the wrapping station, but in such a manner as to greatly minimize the possibility of disorientation of the coins in each stack.

It is also an object to provide an improved coin wrapping machine of this character in which a new stack of coins may be counted while a previously counted stack is being transported to the wrapping station, this greatly increasing the wrapping rate.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic elevational view of a portion of the invention, showing a stack of coins in the counting tube bein supported by the primary pallet;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, omitting the wrapping tube and showing the stack in the transfer tube, having dropped by virtue of primary pallet withdrawal;

FIGURE 3 is similar to FIGURE 2 but showing the primary pallet as having been advanced to support the next stack of coins to be counted;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan schematic view showing the arms supporting the transfer tube deflector and upper crimper as well as the arm supporting the secondary pallet, and also showing the wrapper feeding and Wrapping rolls; the upper crimper being shown at the'wrapping station;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 but with the deflector at the wrapping station;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic elevational view showing the transfer tube at the wrapping station with the ejector rod in its upper position;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 but with the ejector rod retracted downwardly and the stack in the wrapping tube;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of a portion of an actual embodiment of the invention, which is similar to schematic FIGURE 4 and shows the upper crimper at the wrapping station;

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional View in elevation taken along the line 99 of FIGURE 8 and showing constructional details of various components of the mechanism;

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of the wrapping station and the paper feed track, the wrapping rolls being shown in their releasing position, and

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view in elevation taken along the line 1111 of FIGURE 10 and showing the relative disposition of the wrapping rollers and package clamps.

Briefly, the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a counting station and a wrapping station, the counting station being provided with a counting tube into which a predetermined number of coins may be counted so as to form a stack. A reciprocable member referred to as a primary pallet is disposed at the bottom of this counting tube, and when withdrawn permits the stack to drop into a transfer tube aligned with and below the counting tube. A secondary pallet is disposed below the transfer tube, and is carried by an arm which is pivotally supported on the same axis .as an arm which carries the transfer tube. The latter arm forms part of a multiple-armed member, second and third arms on this member carrying a deflector member for use durin ejection of the wrapped package from the wrapping station, and an upper crimper for the package.

During operation, the primary pallet is withdrawn from its stack-supporting position as the last one or-two coins of the counted number are being dropped into the counting tube. It has been found that this substantially avoids a problem which would occur if the coins are dropped directly into the transfer tube as they are counted. This problem is the fact that the last coin dropped will often bounce in the tube and come to rest standing on its end.

After the transfer tube has received the stack of coins, the arm which supports it is swung, together with the other arms attached to it. This withdraws the upper crimper from the wrapping station and places the ejector in line with the wrapping station. An ejector rod coaxially mounted within the wrapping station will then rise and push a previously wrapped stack of coins out of the wrapping station.

The rotation of the arm carrying the transfer tube will continue until it is aligned with the wrapping station. The secondary pallet will move along with the transfer tube until it engages the stationary tube at the wrapping station.

It will then stop, while the transfer tube continues into alignment with the wrapping tube.

The ejector rod will then lower, permitting the stacked coins to enter the wrapping tube. Three pairs of wrapping rollers are disposed in circumferentially spaced relation around the wrapping tube and clearance slots are provided in the wrapping tube for receiving these rollers. The wrapping rollers are made of rubber or similar material and are adapted to move a sheet of paper fed tangentially into the wrapping tube around its inner surface so as to wrap the stack of coins. The rollers are all provided with fiats which are so arranged as to be simultaneously disposable within clearance slots. The flats are such as to permit a wrapped stack of coins to be released from the frictional engagement with which the rollers hold it during the major portion of their rotation.

When the stack has first entered the wrapping station, the wrapping rollers will first rotate about 270 so as to feed the paper sheet around the roll. Upper and lower crimpers will then be advanced against the edges of the paper so as to crimp the ends over the stack of coins. For this purpose, the multiple-armed member will be rotated so as to bring the upper crimping head into alignment with the wrapping tube. A pair of clamps are provided for holding the wrapped stack against rotation during this crimping operation, thus permitting the crimping heads to roll the paper eflectively and preventing abrasive action of the paper on the rollers which could create undesired flats on their curved surfaces. The clamping means comprises a pair of pivoted levers having clamping surfaces which enter clearance openings in the wrapping tube.

After the crimping has been completed, the clamps are released and the flattened rollers are turned approximately 90 to present their flat surfaces to the wrapped stack. The ejector rod is then advanced to eject the package, and for this purpose, the multiple-armed member will be rotated to bring the deflector into alignment with the wrapping tube. While the package is being crimped, a new stack of coins may be counted into the counting tube, with the primary pallet being withdrawn as the last one or two coins are counted, in a manner previously described.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the device comprises a mounting station generally indicated at 21 and a wrapping station generally indicated at 22. A counting tube 23 is stationarily mounted at counting station 21, the tube being vertically disposed and having a flared entrance mouth 24 at its upper end. Coin counting and delivering means indicated partially at 25 is disposed adjacent entrance mouth 24, and is adapted to periodically deliver a predetermined number of coins 26 to the counting tu'be entrance so that they will drop into the tube to form a stack. The counting and delivering means may be of any conventional construction and in itself does not form part of the invention.

A primary pallet 27 is mounted at the lower end of counting tube 23.This pallet is of flat shape and is reciprocable in a horizontal direction. When in its advanced position, as seen in FIGURE 1, it will support a stack of coins 26 in counting tube 23. A solenoid 28 is provided for retracting pallet 27, the solenoid being connected to the pallet by a linkage 29. When withdrawn horizontally to its FIGURE 2 position, 27 will permit the stack of coins 26 to drop through the lower end of counting tube 23. A helical coil tension spring 31 is provided for urging pallet 27 to its advanced or retaining position. Pallet 27 is also provided with a cam actuator 32 for a limit switch 33 used in sequencing the movement of the various system components. A probe 34 is also carried by pallet 27, this probe being adapted to pass through a clearance aperture 35 in a transfer tube 36 when pallet 27 is in its advanced position, for purposes of sensing the presence of proper stack height. Elements 33 and 34 are not described in detail, however, since in themselves they do not form part of the present invention.

Transfer tube 36 is carried by one arm 37 of a multiplearmed member generally indicated at 38. As seen in schematic FIGURES 4 and 5 and in somewhat greater detail in FIGURE 8, member 38 has three arms 37, 39 and 41, and is pivotally supported by a stationary post 42, as seen in FIGURE 9. Transfer tube 36 is of cylindrical shape throughout its entire extent, its upper end being immediately below pallet 27 and its lower end immediately above a secondary pallet generally indicated at 43. A portion 44 of pallet 43 is of flat shape and will support a stack of coins 26 within tube 36. Pallet 43 is supported by an arm 45 pivoted on post 42, as seen in FIGURE 9, so that transfer tube 36 may move with respect to pallet 43. An arcuate recess 46 is formed in pallet 43, so that when transfer tube 36 is moved clockwise with respect to pallet 43, the stack of coins 26 in the transfer tube will drop through the recess. A helical coil tension spring 47 connects arm 37 to an arm 48 fixed to arm 45, thus urging tube 36 counterclockwise with respect to the secondary pallet. This position is limited by an arcuate shoulder 49 at the left hand end of pallet surface 24, as seen in FIGURE 8. When in this position, the coins in tube 36 will be supported by the secondary pallet.

Arm 41 supports an upper spinning or crimping head generally indicated at 51. This head is adapted to be disposed above and in alignment with the wrapping station so that the upper edge of the paper surrounding the stack of coins at the wrapping station may be crimped downwardly around the uppermost coin. Crimping head 51 is of conventional construction and is secured to the lower end of a shaft 52 rotatably supported by bearings 53 at the outer end of arm 41. A sprocket 54 is non-rotatably but slidably connected to shaft 52 above bearings 53, this connection being through a sleeve 55 to which sprocket 54 is secured and which is keyed to post 52. A helical coil compression spring 56 is disposed between sprocket 54 and a member 57 secured to the upper end of shaft 52. This upper end is rotatably connected to an anrn 58 secured to the upper end of post 42 by means of a combined radial and thrust bearing 59. A driving sprocket 61 is rotatably mounted on post 42. This is a double sprocket driven by means not shown, and driving sprocket 54 through a chain 62, seen in FIGURE 8, tensioning idler sprocket 63 being carried by arm 58 and engaging the chain. The arrangement is such that post 42 may be raised and lowered, for example, by an actuator 60, so as to raise or lower upper crimping head 51 with respect to the wrapping station.

Arm 39 is disposed between arms 37 and 41 and carries a deflector 64 at its outer end. This deflector has a sloping portion which will deflect a wrapped roll of coins 65, indicated in FIGURE 5, ejected upwardly from wrapping station 22 onto an exit chute 66.

Wrapping station 22 is best seen in FIGURES 9, 10 and 11. The wrapping station comprises a wrapping tube 67 and an ejecting rod 68 coaxially mounted below the Wrapping tube for reciprocating movement into and out of the tube. A lower crimping head 69 is slidably mounted on rod 68 and is supported by a shaft 71 which is slidably but non-rotatably mounted in a sleeve 72. A sprocket 73 is carried by sleeve 72 and is driven by means (not shown) so as to rotate crimping head 69. Sleeve 72 is supported by bearings 74, and the lower end of the sleeve carries a bearing 75 with an outer race 76 which is vertically movable by means (not shown). A helical coil compression spring 77 is disposed between sprocket 73 and a member 78 carried by sleeve 72. The arrangement is such that crimping head 69 may be advanced toward or retracted from wrapping tube 67 and may be rotated when in its crimping position to roll the lower edge of the wrapping paper around the lowermost coin in the stack.

The paper is fed to wrapping station 22 by rollers 79 which are disposed on either side of a track 81, as seen in FIGURE 10. A knife 82 is movably mounted some distance from wrapping station 22, this distance being sufficient to sever a length of wrapping paper during each stroke of knife 82, which will adequately wrap the stack.

Wrapping tube 67 has six openings 83 in the walls thereof, two of these apertures being visible in FIGURE 11. More particularly, there are three apertures 83 adjacent the upper end of tube 67 and three adjacent the lower end. The apertures in each set are circumferentially spaced apart by approximately equal angles. Six wrapping rollers 84 are provided adjacent tube 67. These rollers are in three pairs, each pair being mounted on a shaft 85 which extends parallel to tube 67 and is driven by a sprocket 86 mounted at the lower end thereof. The three upper rollers 84, as well as the three lower rollers, are spaced apart by equal angular distances, as seen in FIG- URE 10.

Rollers 84 are made of rubber or material having similar properties, and their diameter is such that their surface, when unstressed, will extend radially slightly inwardly from the inner surface of tube 67. However, one portion 87 of each roller 84 is flattened, as seen in FIGURE 10. When flattened portions 87 are disposed within slots 83, the rollers will no longer extend through the apertures but will be spaced a slight distance outwardly from the inner surface of tube 67.

Sprockets 86 are driven by a chain 88, and the angular orientation of the rollers is such that their flat portions 87 will simultaneously enter apertures 83. When the cylindrical surfaces of roller 84 are within apertures 83, the rollers will engage a sheet of paper 89 (FIGURE 4) which enters tube 67 through a tangential slot 91. This will cause the paper to be wrapped around the coins in the wrapping tube. When the flat portions 87 face tube 67, however, the wrapped stack of coins will be released for ejection "by ejector rod 68.

A pair of brake or clamping shoes 92 are also provided, as shown in FIGURE 11, these shoes being disposed within apertured portions 93 of tube 67. Clamp shoes 92 are carried by arms 94, seen in FIGURE 10, these arms being pivoted at 95 on an axis parallel to that of the wrapping station. Linkage means 96 is provided for actuating clamping shoes 92. When actuated, the clamping shoes will engage the wrapped stack of coins. This will prevent rotation of the package during the spinning or crimping operation, thus permitting the crimping heads to roll properly. The clamping action will also prevent the possibility of abrasive action from the paper on rollers 84 which could create second flats or wear in a fixed spot.

In operation, assuming an initial condition as shown in FIGURE 1, the coins 26 will be counted into counting tube 23 until a predetermined number is counted. Primary pallet 27 will be in its advanced position at this time, although it has been found that withdrawal of the primary pallet as the last one or two coins are being dropped into transfer tube 36 will permit the stack to drop uniformly and without the topmost coin bouncing and landing on its edge.

After the stack has been dropped into the transfer tube, aligned with the counting tube at this time, as seen in FIGURE 2, pallet 27 will again advance, as seen in FIG- URE 3, in-readiness for another count. Meanwhile, trans fer tube 36, resting on portion 44 of secondary pallet 43, will swing with the secondary pallet toward station 22. Actuating means 97, 98 (FIGURE 8) is provided for moving member 38. When deflector 64 reaches station 22, the swinging of member 38 will halt, and rod 68 will rise, ejecting a wrapped package of coins from station 22 onto chute 66. Member 38 will then again advance, along with pallet 43, until portion 46 of the pallet engages wrapping tube 67 The pallet will then cease its rocking, but transfer tube 36 will continue to advance until it is coaxial with tube 67. The stack of coins 26 will then drop into tube 67, rod 68 having been dropped from the position in FIGURE 6 to that of FIGURE 7.

At this time rollers 84 will be in their FIGURE 10 position, that is, with flats 87 facing tube 67. Clamping shoes 92 will be in their retracted position. Paper 89 will be fed into tube 67, and rollers 84 will rotate approximately 270, causing the paper to surround the stack of Meanwhile, member 38 will swing counterclockwise, returning to its FIGURE 4 position. This will bring upper crimping head 51 into alignment with the wrapping station, and lower crimping head 69 as well as upper crimping head 51 will be advanced toward this station. The upper and lower edges of the paper which extend beyond the ends of tube 67 will be crimped over the end coins, forming a coin package. During this portion of the operation, clamping shoes 92 will be in advanced to their clamping position, rollers 84 having stopped in an engaging position with respect to the paper.

Meanwhile, transfer tube 36 will have returned to a position beneath counting tube 23, and a new stack of coins 26 may be counted into the counting tube and then dropped into the transfer tube.

When the crimping has been completed, the crimping heads will be withdrawn, clamping shoes 92 retracted and rollers 84 rotated to approximately another 90 to their initial position with fiats 87 facing the wrapping station. This will release the package so that rod 68 may eject it 'by upward movement when ejector 64 is again aligned with the wrapping station.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a coin wrapping machine, a counting station, a wrapping station spaced horizontally from said counting station, a vertically disposed counting tube at said counting station adapted to receive a predetermined number of coins, a primary pallet at the lower end of said counting tube, means for moving said pallet between a first position supporting a stack of coins in the counting tube and a second position permitting said stack of coins to drop from the counting tube, a wrapping tube at said wrapping station, a vertically disposed transfer tube, a secondary pallet at the lower end of said transfer tube, said transfer tube and secondary pallet being movable together between said counting station and said wrapping station, the transfer tube having a first position in alignment with and below said counting tube and a second position in alignment with and above said wrapping tube, said secondary pallet having a first position relative to said transfer tube in supporting relation with a stack of coins therein and a second position relative to said transfer tube in non-supporting relation with such stack of coins, and means interconnecting said transfer tube and secondary pallet, so that the secondary pallet will normally be in said first position but being shiftable to its second position in response to arrival of said transfer tube at its second position, whereby a stack of coins in said transfer tube will drop into said wrapping tube.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said interconnecting means includes a pivoted first arm supporting said transfer tube for movement between its positions, and a second pivoted arm supporting said secondary pallet, said arms being on a common pivot axis.

3. The combination according to claim 2, said first arm forming part of a multiple-armed member, second and third arms on said member, a crimping head carried by said second arm, and a coin package deflector carried by said third arm and disposed between said first and second arms.

4. The combination according to claim 1, further provided with means for feeding wrapping paper tangentially into said wrapping tube, a plurality of rubber rollers in circumferentially spaced relation around said wrapping tube, apertured portions in said wrapping tube for receiving said rollers, flattened portions on said rollers, the diameters of said rollers being such that they will project a slight distance into said wrapping tube except when said flattened portions are within said apertured portions of the wrapping tube, and means interconnecting said rollers for movement of the flattened portions thereof simultaneously into their respective apertured wrapping tube portions.

5. In a coin wrapping machine, a vertically disposed wrapping tube, means for dropping a stack of coins into said wrapping tube, means for tangentially feeding a strip of wrapping paper into said wrapping tube, a plurality of rubber rollers in circumferentially spaced relation around said wrapping tube, apertured portions in said wrapping tube for receiving said rollers, flattened portions on said rollers, the diameters of said rollers being such that they will project a slight distance into said wrapping tube except when said flattened portions are within said apertured portions of the wrapping tube, and means interconnecting said rollers for movement of the flattened portions thereof simultaneously into their respective apertured wrapping tube portions.

6. The combination according to claim 5, said rollers being provided in coaxial pairs, the rollers of each pair 7 being adjacent the upper and lower ends of said Wrapping tube.

7. The combination according to claim 5, further provided with upper and lower crimping heads adjacent said wrapping tube, a clamping member movably mounted adjacent said wrapping tube, an apertured portion in said wrapping tube for receiving said clamping member, and means for moving said clamping member between a retracted position and an advanced position frictionally gripping a wrapped package therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM W. DYER, 111., Primary Examiner.

GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, Examiner.

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