A COIN FEEDING UNIT, A MODULE COMPRISING SAID COIN FEEDING UNIT, AND A COIN HANDLING MACHINE

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a coin feeding unit for a coin handling machine, the coin feeding unit comprising: a coin guiding arrangement, and a coin transport arrangement defining a movable transport surface, wherein said coin guiding arrangement is configured to receive coins and to guide said received coins to an inner coin arrival surface of the coin guiding arrangement, wherein the coin transport arrangement is configured to move said coins, on the movable transport surface, from the coin arrival surface to a coin output position, wherein a discharge gate is provided in the coin guiding arrangement, at the coin arrival surface, for discharging unwanted objects residing thereon, wherein the discharge gate is slidably arranged in the coin guiding arrangement so as to be displaceable, between a closed position and an open position.

Claims

1. A coin feeding unit for feeding a mass of coins to an output position at which individual coins of said mass of coins exit the coin feeding unit one by one, the coin feeding unit comprising: a coin guiding arrangement, and a coin transport arrangement defining a movable transport surface, wherein said coin guiding arrangement is configured to receive coins and to guide said received coins, by means of gravity, to an inner coin arrival surface of the coin guiding arrangement, said coin arrival surface connecting to the coin transport arrangement and being structured and arranged such that the coins guided to the coin arrival surface will contact the movable transport surface, wherein the coin transport arrangement is configured to move said coins, on the movable transport surface, from the coin arrival surface to a coin output position for allowing said coins being output from the coin feeding unit, wherein a discharge gate is provided in the coin guiding arrangement, at the coin arrival surface, for discharging unwanted objects residing thereon, wherein the discharge gate is slidably arranged in the coin guiding arrangement so as to be displaceable, between a closed position and an open position.

2. The coin feeding unit according to claim 1, wherein the coin guiding arrangement comprises a coin hopper, and wherein the discharge gate is provided in said coin hopper.

3. The coin feeding unit according to claim 1, wherein the transport surface is an inclined surface.

4. The coin feeding unit according to claim 3, wherein the coin transport arrangement comprises a rotatable disc which defines said movable transport surface.

5. The coin feeding unit according to claim 1, wherein the discharge gate is displaceable along a displacement path defined substantially along the coin arrival surface of the coin guiding arrangement.

6. The coin feeding unit according to claim 5, wherein the discharge gate is slidably arranged in the coin guiding arrangement in a pair of opposed elongated grooves.

7. The coin feeding unit according to claim 1, wherein the coin feeding unit further comprises a drive unit configured to provide kinetic energy to the discharge gate for displacing the discharge gate between the closed position and the open position.

8. The coin feeding unit according to claim 7, wherein the drive unit is an electric motor.

9. The coin feeding unit according to claim 7, wherein the coin feeding unit further comprises a transmission mechanism configured to transfer said kinetic energy from the drive unit to the discharge gate, wherein the transmission mechanism comprises: a first element arranged to swing around a first pivot axis in response to being supplied with kinetic energy from the drive unit, said first element presenting a second pivot axis radially distanced from the first pivot axis, and a second element pivotally connecting said first element at said second pivot axis with said discharge gate at a third pivot axis thereof.

10. The coin feeding unit according to claim 9, when dependent on claim 8, wherein the first element is engaged by an engagement element which is attached to a rotational drive shaft of the electric motor.

11. The coin feeding unit according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the transmission mechanism is configured such that, during a displacement of the discharge gate from the open position to the closed position along a closing direction of the displacement path, the discharge gate passes a maximum displacement position being distanced from the closed position in the closing direction.

12. The coin feeding unit according to claim 9, wherein the transmission mechanism is biased such that the discharge gate is biased towards the closed position.

13. The coin feeding unit according to claim 9, wherein the discharge gate has a lateral extension which is defined transverse to the displacement path, and wherein the drive unit is configured to provide kinetic energy to the discharge gate by applying a force along the lateral end such that said force is symmetrically distributed along, and covers at least 50% of, the lateral extension.

14. A coin handling module for use in a coin handling machine, said coin handling module comprising: a coin feeding unit according to claim 1, a coin discriminating unit configured to detect coins received from the coin feeding unit, and, dependent on the result of said detection, output detected coins in one from at least two different output paths, and a coin transport arrangement arranged to receive coins output from the coin feeding unit at the coin output position, and transport said coins to the coin discriminating unit.

15. A coin handing machine comprising a feeding unit according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] The invention will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, which shows presently preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0062] FIG. 1A to 1B show an upper perspective view and a front perspective view of the coin feeding unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] FIG. 2A to 2B show a bottom view of the coin feeding unit, with the discharge gate in the closed and open positions, according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and B.

[0064] FIG. 3A to 3D schematically illustrate four steps in the sequence of closing the discharge gate and how the lock function may work, according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and B.

[0065] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a bottom view of the coin feeding unit, the transmission mechanism, the electric motor, and a sensor system, according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and B.

[0066] FIG. 5A shows a coin handling module, comprising a coin feeding unit, a transport rail, and a discrimination unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] FIG. 5B shows a coin handling module, comprising a coin feeding unit, a transport rail, a discrimination unit, and a coin sorting unit, according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0068] FIG. 6 shows a coin handling machine comprising a coin feeding unit, a transport rail, and a discrimination unit, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

[0070] FIG. 1A illustrates an upper perspective view of a coin feeding unit 100 according to an example embodiment. The coin feeding unit 100 is suitable for feeding a mass of coins received thereto in a disarray fashion, one by one, so as to form an array of coins, to an output position 130. At the coin output position 130, the coins are guided away from the coin feeding unit 100 by means of a separating knife 205. Typically, the coin feeding unit 100 is part of a coin handling machine. Such machines are discussed more in detail later.

[0071] The coin feeding unit 100 is equipped with a coin guiding arrangement 110 comprising a coin hopper 112 for receiving a mass of coins. It is understood that, for the present example embodiment, the coin hopper 112 defines the coin guiding arrangement 110. Thus, from hereon, the term “coin hopper 112” will be used when referring to the coin guiding arrangement 110.

[0072] A coin transport arrangement 120 is provided on a rear side of the coin hopper 112 and connects thereto. In the disclosed embodiment the coin transport arrangement 120 comprises a rotatable disc 121 arranged to rotate around its central axis while the coin feeding unit 100 is in use. The surface of the rotatable disc 121 facing inwards in the coin hopper 112 defines a movable transport surface 122. The movable transport surface 122 is provided with a number of pickup members 123, in order for the rotatable disc 121 to be able to pick up coins. In the present embodiment, the movable transport surface 122 is an inclined surface. The movable transport surface 122 together with a portion of the inner surfaces of the coin hopper 112 walls, defines a bowl in which the received mass of coins is held. The bottom surface of the coin hopper 112, where the received coins arrive and encounter the movable transport surface 122, is here referred to as the coin arrival surface 111. While the coin feeding unit 100 is in use, the rotatable disc 120 rotates such that the pickup members 123 pickup coins, one by one, from the disarray of coins at the coin arrival surface 111. Due to the inclined angle of the transport surface 122, the picked up coins remain on the surface by assistance of gravity, as opposed to a vertical surface from which the coins are likely to fall off. The transport surface 122 transport the coins up to a coin output position 130, where the coins, one by one, disengage the transport surface 122. Here, the coins are fed, one by one, as a singular line of coins through the output position 130 of the coin feeding unit 100. The coins are disengaged by engaging a coin separating knife 205, which deflect the coins from the transport surface 122. The deflected coins may then travel along a transport rail 210 to other parts of the coin handling machine.

[0073] FIG. 1B illustrates a front perspective view of the coin feeding unit 100 shown in FIG. 1A. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, but also in FIGS. 2A and B, the coin hopper 112 is provided with a discharge gate 140 at a bottom surface 114 of the coin hopper 112. The discharge gate 140 is mechanically connected to a transmission mechanism 160. The coin hopper 112 is also provided with a drive unit in the form of an electric motor 150, on the bottom surface 114 of the coin hopper 112. The electric motor 150 comprises a rotational drive shaft 151 that extends outwards from a side of the electric motor 150. In the present embodiment, the rotational drive shaft 151 is in mechanical contact with the transmission mechanism 160, although not fixedly connected to it. When the electric motor 150 is activated, the rotational drive shaft 151 starts to rotate and the torque from the rotational drive shaft 151 is transferred via the transmission mechanism 160 to the discharge gate 140. The discharge gate 140 is slidably arranged in the coin hopper 112 in a pair of opposed elongated grooves 141. The discharge gate 140 will, as a result from the torque transferred thereto, start sliding along the bottom surface 114 of the coin hopper 112, guided by the elongated grooves 141, so as to expose an associated through-opening 113 provided in the coin hopper 112. Thus the discharge gate 140 is opened.

[0074] The purpose of opening the discharge gate 140 in the coin hopper 112 is to empty the coin hopper 112 from any unwanted objects. Such unwanted objects may be, for example stones, rings, buttons, etc. which, often accidentally, was input to the coin feeding unit together with the coins. Whereas the coins are shaped so as to be transportable by the coin transport unit 120, the unwanted objects cannot be collected to be transported by the coin transport unit 120 due to their unsuitable shape. By means of the discharge gate 140, unwanted objects residing in the coin hopper 112 may fall out upon opening of the discharge gate 140. In the disclosed embodiment, such unwanted object may fall into a collection tray 115 arranged underneath the opening in the coin hopper 112. However, other solutions so as to how the unwanted objects are collected may occur in alternative embodiments. By way of example, the unwanted objects may fall into a funnel or in an inclining tray, leading the unwanted objects elsewhere.

[0075] FIG. 2A illustrates the coin feeding unit 100 viewed from below when the discharge gate 140 is in a closed position 171 (see also FIG. 3D). FIG. 2A shows in more detail how the discharge gate 140, the transmission mechanism 160, and the electric motor 150 are interconnected.

[0076] According to the disclosed embodiment, the drive unit in the form of the electric motor 150 is arranged on a side of a bottom surface 114 of the coin hopper 112. The rotational drive shaft 151 extends out from a side of the electric motor 150 and a rotational centre axis in alignment with a first pivot axis 162 of the transmission mechanism 160. An engagement element 169 is attached to the rotational drive shaft 151. The engagement element 169 rotates along with the rotational drive shaft 151 about the first pivot axis 162.

[0077] The engagement element 169 has an engaging portion 169a extending transverse out from the rotational axis of the rotational drive shaft 151, such that when the rotational drive shaft 151 rotates, the engaging portion 169a swings around the rotational drive shaft 151.

[0078] A first element 161 of the transmission mechanism 160 extends between two brackets 167a and 167b, and is pivotally connected thereto so as to be rotatable around the first pivot axis 162. The first element 161 of the transmission mechanism 160 is, however, not attached to the rotational drive shaft 151 of the electric motor 150. Instead, the first element 161 is arranged to swing around the first pivot axis 162 in response to being supplied with kinetic energy from the electric motor 150 by means of the engaging portion 169a of the engagement element 169 (not shown in FIG. 2A), as will be discussed in more detail later.

[0079] The first element 161 extends radially in one direction from the first pivot axis 162, and at a radial distance from the first pivot axis 162, the first element 161 presents a second pivot axis 163. The second pivot axis 163 is parallel to the first pivot axis 162. At the second pivot axis 163, the second element 164 of the transmission mechanism 160 is pivotally connected to the first element 161.

[0080] On a bottom side 145 of the discharge gate 140, two protrusions 144a and 144b project outwards at opposed lateral ends of the discharge gate 140. In the two protrusions 144a-b, the discharge gate 140 is pivotally connected to the second element 164 of the transmission mechanism 160, at a third pivot axis 165.

[0081] Around the second pivot axis 163 a spring 166 is arranged such that the second pivot axis 163 is pushed upwards towards the bottom surface 114 of the coin hopper 114. Alternatively, for other example embodiments, the second pivot axis 163 may be pushed upwards towards the bottom side 145 of the discharge gate 140 instead, depending on the length of the discharge gate 140 in relation to the length of the transmission mechanism 160. In either case, if the electric motor 150 is not activated to open the discharge gate 140, the spring 166 will ensure to keep the discharge gate 140 in the closed position 171, as shown in FIG. 2A. An advantage of biasing the transmission mechanism 160 by means of the spring 166 is that the electric motor 150 may return the engagement element 169 to a rest position, whereby the transmission mechanism 160 will be allowed to move, as a result from the biasing, towards the closed position 171. Should a jam occur, the discharge gate 140 and the transmission mechanism 160 would be forced to stop somewhere in between the open position 172 and the closed position 171. As the engagement element 169 and the first element 161 is not attached to each other, the occurrence of this unexpected stop in between the positions 172,171 will not affect the electric motor 150.

[0082] FIG. 2B illustrates the coin feeding unit 100 viewed from below when the discharge gate 140 is in an open position 172 (see also FIG. 3A). When being in the open position 172, the electric motor 150 supplies a torque, by means of the engagement element 169 to balance the biasing force of the spring 166. When the discharge gate 140 is to be closed, the electric motor 150 is instructed to rotate the engagement element 169 in a clockwise direction as seen from the current viewing angle in FIG. 2B. The first element 161 will swing around the first pivot axis 162. The second pivot axis 163 will swing along with it, and thus be moved to the opposite side of the first pivot axis 162. Consequently, the second element 164 will be pushed by first element 161. The second element 164 will in turn move the third pivot axis 165 along with it, whereby the discharge gate 140 will be slidably pulled to the open position along a displacement path 176 defined by the elongated grooves 141.

[0083] FIG. 3A-D schematically illustrate four steps in the sequence of closing the discharge gate 140, and how the lock function may work, according to the example embodiment of FIGS. 2A and B.

[0084] FIG. 3A schematically illustrates the discharge gate 140 and the elements of the transmission mechanism 160 when the discharge gate 140 is in the open position 172. When the discharge gate 140 is in the open position 172, the through-opening 113 in the coin hopper 112 is uncovered. The electric motor 150 is actively supplying kinetic energy to the transmission mechanism 160 in order to counteract the torque from the spring 166. This is achieved by the engaging portion 169a of the engagement element 169, which actively forces the first element 161 to stay in the open position 172.

[0085] FIG. 3B illustrates the discharge gate 140 and the elements in the transmission mechanism 160 when the discharge gate 140 has started to close. The electric motor 150 has started to turn the rotational drive shaft 151, and thus the engaging portion 169a of the engagement element 169 attached thereto, releasing the torque supplied to the first element 161. In the present embodiment, the electric motor 150 does not provide force on the transmission mechanism 160 to move the discharge gate 140 in the closing direction 178. As illustrated in FIG. 3B as an example, the rotational drive shaft 151 can quickly turn all the way back, and thus quickly move the engaging portion 169a to the opposite side of the drive shaft 151, whereas the spring-loaded transmission mechanism 160 may return in its own pace, possibly slower than for the drive shaft 151. The force on the transmission mechanism 160 to move the discharge gate 140 in the closing direction 178 is instead achieved by the spring 166 at the second pivot axis 163. The spring 166 exerts torque at the second pivot axis 163 so as to increase the angle defined between the first element 161 and the second element 164. During this closing procedure, the first element 161 and the second element 164 are in motion such that the second pivot axis 163, at which the two elements are connected, is displaced in a circular motion around the first pivot axis 162. As a result, the discharge gate 140 starts sliding along the displacement path 176 in the closing direction 178.

[0086] FIG. 3C illustrates the discharge gate 140 and the elements in the transmission mechanism 160 when the discharge gate 140 has reached the maximum displacement position 174. When the discharge gate 140 is closing, it moves in the closing direction 178 away from the open position 172. When the first element 161 and the second element 164 form a straight line, i.e. when the transmission mechanism 160 is fully extended, the discharge gate 140 reaches the maximum displacement position 174.

[0087] FIG. 3D illustrates the discharge gate 140 and the elements in the transmission mechanism 160 when the discharge gate 140 has reached the closed position 171. Subsequent to the discharge gate 140 reaching the maximum displacement position 174, the second pivot axis 163 continues its circular motion around the first pivot axis 162. Consequently, the discharge gate 140 starts to move in the opposite direction, i.e. in the opening direction 179. The motion continues until either the first element 161 or the second element 164 around the second pivot axis 163, meets a part of the coin feeding unit 100, such as e.g. the bottom surface 114 of the coin hopper 112 or the brackets 167a,167b, and can no longer continue. The motion is stopped and the discharge gate 140 has reached the closed position 178. From FIG. 3D it is clear that, if a force were applied on the discharge door 140 in the closed position 171, attempting to push it in the opening direction 179, the first element 161 and second element 164 will be pushed towards the bottom surface 114 of the coin hopper 112, resulting in a counter force preventing the discharge gate 140 from opening. This essentially provides a lock function for the discharge gate 140.

[0088] FIG. 4A illustrates a bottom view of a coin feeding unit 100 showing the transmission mechanism 160, the electric motor 150, and a sensor system 180, according to an embodiment of the invention. The first element 161 and the second element 164 are shown, as well as how they are interconnected at the second pivot axis 163, and how they connect to the rotational drive shaft 151 at the first pivot axis 162 and to the discharge gate 140 at the third pivot axis 165, respectively. As previously mentioned, the first element 161 is freely pivotable around the rotational drive shaft 151. From one of the lateral sides of the first element 161, a receiving portion 168 extends towards the electrical motor 150. When the discharge gate 140 is in the closed position, the receiving portion 168 covers the engaging portion 169a of the engagement element 169, which is attached to the rotational drive shaft 151. As the rotational drive shaft 151 starts turning, the engaging portion 169a will engage the receiving portion 168 of the first element 161, and thereby push the first element 161 along with it in the rotational motion of the rotational drive shaft 151. When returning from the open position 172 to the closed position 171, the engaging portion 169a and the rotational drive shaft 151 of the electric motor 150 turns in the opposite direction. Neither the engagement element 169 nor the rotational drive shaft 151 pulls the transmission mechanism 160 to return the discharge gate to the closed position. As previously mentioned, this is accomplished by the spring 166 exerting torque around the second pivot axis 163 on the first element 161 and the second element 164. By the present arrangement, should the discharge gate 140 be jammed for example by foreign object or coins, such that the discharge gate 140 and the transmission mechanism 160 are prevented from returning to the closed position 171, the electric motor 150 is still able to freely return to its rest position. This will avoid causing unnecessary stress to the electric motor 150 that could otherwise cause damages to the electric motor 150.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 4B, the coin feeding unit 100 further comprises a sensor system 180 for detecting gate jam. The positions of the engagement element 169 and the first element 161 can be determined individually by the sensor system 180, and based on the result a control unit (not shown) may determine whether the discharge gate 140 is jammed or not.

[0090] In the present example embodiment, the position of the engagement element 169 is determined using two optical sensors; a motor closed sensor 181 and a motor open sensor 182. Each sensor comprises a transmitter and a receiver, between which an optical signal in sent. The sensors of the example are fork sensors. The engagement element 169 comprises a motor sensor blocking element 185 which extends radially out from the drive shaft 151, said motor sensor blocking element 185 being arranged to block an optical signal transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver of either the motor closed sensor 181, or the motor open sensor 182. Thus, the control unit may know if the engaging portion 169a of the engagement element 169 is in the closed or open position, based on whether the motor closed sensor 181 or the motor open sensor 182 is blocked.

[0091] Further, the position of the first element 161 is determined using another two optical sensors; a gate closed sensor 183 and a gate open sensor 184. The first element 161 comprises a gate sensor blocking element 186 extending out from the receiving portion 168 traverse to the first pivot axis 162. The gate sensor blocking element 186 is arranged to block the signal transmitted the transmitter and receiver of either the gate closed sensor 183 or the gate open sensor 184 depending other whether the discharge gate 140 is open or closed. The gate closed sensor 183 will detect that the transmitted signal is blocked when the discharge gate 140 is in the closed position 178, and the gate open sensor 184 will detect that the transmitted signal is blocked when the discharge gate 140 is in the open position 172.

[0092] If the electric motor 150 returns to the closed position 178, the motor sensor blocking element 185 will be detected by motor closed sensor 181. If, at the same time, the gate sensor blocking element 186 is detected by gate closed sensor 183, the discharge gate 140 is considered closed. If, however, the discharge gate 140 is prevented from closing, e.g. by a jam from foreign objects and/or coins, the gate sensor blocking element 185 may not be detected by the gate closed sensor 183. In such a case, the control unit will conclude that the discharge gate 140 is jammed, and may initiate for example an opening of the discharge gate 140 using the electric motor 150 in attempt to remove the jammed object from the discharge gate 140.

[0093] FIG. 5A discloses a coin handling module 200 according to an example embodiment. The present embodiment is a coin handling module 200 in the form of a coin acceptance module, CAM, comprising a coin feeding unit 100 according to what has been previously described, a transport rail 210, and a discrimination unit 300. The coin handling module 200 is configured to be operated independently within a coin handling machine, potentially aided by control means of said machine. Thus, the coin handling module 200 may be removed, or replaced, for example when servicing the machine. Coins received in the coin guiding arrangement 110 (in the example: the coin hopper 112), are picked up by the rotatable disc 121, one by one, and transported to the coin output position 130 of the coin feeding unit 100. At the output position 130 the coins disengage the movable transport surface 122 of the rotatable disc 121, after which the coins may travel as a singular line of coins along a transport rail 210 out of the coin feeding unit 100. The transport rail 210 may guide the coins to the discrimination unit 300. The discrimination unit 300 comprises a discrimination sensor 301 configured to determine if a coin which is transported thereto from the coin feeding unit 100 is an acceptable coin or a coin to be rejected. Depending on the result of the detection, the coin discriminating unit 300 may guide coins differently. For example, if a coin is determined to be an acceptable coin, it may be allowed to continue traveling along the transport rail 210, whereas if the coin is determined to be an unacceptable coin it is to be rejected, and may therefore be taken off the transport rail 210 and being discharged through a discharge funnel 302. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the coin handling unit 200 further comprises a cover 116 for covering the discharge gate 140 and the previously discussed mechanical and electrical components associated therewith.

[0094] FIG. 5B discloses a coin handling module 400 according to an alternative example embodiment. The present embodiment is a coin handling module 400 in the form of a coin acceptance module, CAM, comprising a coin feeding unit 100 according to what has been previously described, a transport rail 210, a discrimination unit 300, and a coin sorting unit 500. The part previously described in FIG. 5A may function in the same manner also for the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 5B. The addition of a coin sorting unit 500, allows the coin handling module 400 to sort coins determined by the discrimination unit 300 to be acceptable, into different denominations.

[0095] If the coin is determined to be an unacceptable coin, it may be taken off the transport rail 210 and being discharged through a discharge funnel 302. Some embodiments may comprise a collection tray, collecting coins discharged by the discrimination unit 300 through the discharge funnel 302. The collection tray may be a part of the coin feeding unit 100. In such a case, the collection tray for discharged coins may be the same as the collection tray 115 for collecting discharged unwanted objects, or it may be a separate collection tray. The collection tray may alternatively be a part of a coin handling module.

[0096] As illustrated in FIG. 5B, some embodiments may comprise a receiving guide conduit 402, arranged to receive discharged coins from the discrimination unit 300 through the discharge funnel 302, guiding the coins to another part of the machine in which the coin handling module is installed, or to an output of the machine. The receiving guide conduit 402 may be arranged to also receive unwanted objects being discharged from the coin guiding arrangement 110 when the discharge gate 140 is opened.

[0097] Accepted coins may continue through the discrimination unit 300 and travel down to the coin sorting unit 500. Although not illustrated in FIG. 5B the coin sorting unit typically comprises a carrier disc which transports valid coins along a circular sorting path across a series of openings in the front plate. The openings are of increasing size, such that coins of the smallest diameter will fall through the first opening, whereas coins of the second smallest opening are separated through the next opening, etc. By the present arrangement, the coins are sorted by size in the coin handling module 400.

[0098] FIG. 6 discloses an embodiment of a coin handling machine 600 according to the third aspect of the invention. The coin handling machine 600 in the example is a coin depositing and dispensing machine typically located in banks and large financial institutions. It allows customers, such a store owners and merchants, to deposit a mass of coins into the machine. The mass of coins will then be counted, analysed and, if deemed accepted by the machine, the amount corresponding to the coins will be deposited on a bank account of the customer. The coin handling machine 600 also allows for dispensing coins, which will mean withdrawal of the corresponding amount from the bank account of the customer.

[0099] The coin handling machine 600 is provided here by way of example only. Thus, although not illustrated here, it is conceivable that coin handling machines of the disclosure are different from the coin handling machine 600. For example, the coin handling machine may only be a coin depositing machine. Such machines generally do not allow dispensing of coins, unless they are found to be not acceptable by the machine. Coin handling machines of the disclosure may alternatively perform other tasks, such as coin counting, coin sorting or the like.

[0100] The coin handling machine 600 comprises a coin deposit position 601 at which a user of the coin handling machine 600 can deposit coins. The deposited coins are transported to a coin handling module 200 according to what has been previously described. There are numerous solutions known in the art as to how to transport the coins to the coin handling module 200. Transportation may be achieved passively, such as for example by building the coins in a coin guiding channel, or an active transportation means. Deposited coins first reach a coin feeding unit 100 at which the coins are picked up one by one and transported to an output position 130 of the coin feeding unit 100. From here, the coins may travel as a singular line of coins along the transport rail 210 out of the coin feeding unit 100 to the discrimination unit 300. At the discrimination unit 300, coins determined to be acceptable are guided to a storage (not shown) in the coin handling machine 600. Also here, there are numerous ways known in the art of how to guide, or transport the accepted coins to the storage. Coins determined to be unacceptable, are rejected from the transport rail 210 and discharged through the discharge funnel 302. Discharged coins may be received by the receiving guide conduit 402. The receiving guide conduit 402 may be configured to guide discharged coins to an escrow position 610 of the coin handling machine 600 at which the user may collect them. In the present embodiment, also unwanted objects discharged from the coin hopper 112 though the discharge gate 140 may be received by the receiving guide conduit 402, which then guides the unwanted objects to the same escrow position 610. It is also conceivable that the unwanted object may be guided to a separate collection unit.

[0101] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

[0102] Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.