Hobart Corporation

Qonaar Corporation

Andrew L Pester

Carl M Stern

Govind Shah

A low power coin discriminator detects and identifies the denomination of a coin to activate a parking meter, telephone, or vending machine device. Initially the device is in a low power, dormant state. Insertion of a coin into the discrimator trips a switch which produces a wake-up pulse which turns on a microprocessor. The coin falls upon a piezoelectric element, a signal from which causes the microprocessor to activate a photoelectric sensor. The coin moves through the photoelectric sensor which determines the net cross-sectional area of the coin. The microprocessor samples the output of the photoelectric sensor to detect the minimum light incident upon the sensor at the point of maximum eclipse of the light beam. The microprocessor also samples the output of an integrator which integrates the output of the piezoelectric element to produce a numerical value proportional to the mass of the coin. If the output of the photoelectric sensor indicates that the coin is within acceptable limits then the measured mass of the coin is also compared to the corresponding limits. If the coin is deemed to be valid, its denomination is recorded in a conventional manner. Once the discrimination process is complete the circuit automatically returns to its original low power, domant state.

Low power coin discrimination apparatus

A package is conveyed to a package elevator which elevates it into a film sheet stretched above the elevator. Side folding levers and a coordinated rear folder fold three sides of the film sheet about the package such that edges of first and second opposed sides of the film sheet are overlapped by edges of a third or rear side of the film sheet. The infolding of the third side of the film sheet by the side underfolders is delayed at the rear edge of the package by expanding the opening between the side underfolders in that area. Thus, the rear underfolding of the third side commences substantially at the rear corners of the package to expand the underfolded third side and ensure film overlap. The package is then pushed onto a conveyor to underfold the fourth side of the film and entirely cover the underside of the package by overlapping edges of the folded sides of the film sheet. The infolding is delayed by an improved side folding lever having a curvilinear folding edge with a notch formed at its inner end in substantial alignment with the rear edge of the largest packages to be wrapped using the folding lever. Preferably, the notches comprise curvilinear trailing edges which serve to tuck and roll the edges or infolded portions of the third or rear side of the film sheet as it is rear underfolded.

Growing community of inventors

Belle Mead, NJ, United States of America

Andrew L Pester