Coin processor

Abstract

To provide a new coin processor that can save labor against coin conveyance errors.SOLUTION: A coin processor 1 includes: a conveying path 31 which is formed between a first guide and a second guide; a first conveying unit 34 in which a first belt 61 is stretched over a first pulley 60; and a second conveying unit 35 in which a second belt 71 is stretched over a second pulley 70. Coins conveyed by the first belt 61 along the conveyor path 31 continue to be conveyed in the same direction by the second belt 71.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a coin processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, at a store at a cash register and at a financial institution at a teller window or the like, in order to accurately and quickly conduct cash transactions with customers, they are electrically connected to cash handling devices such as a POS register, an electronic cash register, and a deposit and withdrawal management machine, and coins can be automatically deposited or withdrawn by an electrical signal output from these cash handling devices. A coin deposit and withdrawal machine has been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1, etc.).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Currently, many coin processing machines adopt a belt conveyance method in which coins are conveyed by a single belt as a coin conveyance method. Here, when coins are conveyed by a single belt, if an error occurs on the upstream side where the coins are conveyed, the drive of the belt stops. At this time, although the conveyance of the coins in the sorting section on the downstream side also stops, it becomes unclear whether the coins are properly stored, and the in-stock level inside the coin processing machine may become unclear. Further, if a separate coin holding section is provided to avoid such problems, it may lead to an increase in the size of the coin processing machine.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such points, and an object thereof is to provide a new coin processing apparatus capable of saving labor for coin conveyance errors.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The coin processing device of the present disclosure has a conveyance path formed between a first guide and a second guide, a first conveyance unit in which a first belt is wound around a first pulley, and a second conveyance unit in which a second belt is wound around a second pulley, and coins conveyed by the first belt along the conveyance path are subsequently conveyed in the same direction by the second belt.

[0007] In the coin processing device of the present disclosure, a part of the first belt and a part of the second belt may each pass through a substantially center line of the conveyance path.

[0008] In the coin processing device of the present disclosure, the rotation axis of the first pulley may be on the first guide side, and the rotation axis of the second pulley may be on the second guide side.

[0009] In the coin processing device of the present disclosure, the first belt may include a plurality of first protrusions that push out the coins, and the second belt may include a plurality of second protrusions that push out the coins.

[0010] In the coin processing device of the present disclosure, a first passage portion for the first protrusions to pass through is formed in the first guide, a second passage portion for the second protrusions to pass through is formed in the second guide, and the first passage portion may be formed downstream of the second passage portion in the coin conveyance direction in the conveyance path.

[0011] In the coin processing device of the present disclosure, the distance between the first belt and the second belt may be smaller than the diameter of the smallest-diameter coin to be processed.

[0012] In the coin processing device of the present disclosure, The first belt may be driven by a first driving unit, and the second belt may be driven by a second driving unit different from the first driving unit.

[0013] In the coin processing apparatus of the present disclosure, The moving speeds of the first belt and the second belt may be substantially the same.

[0014] In the coin processing apparatus of the present disclosure, The intervals between the first protrusions and the intervals between the second protrusions may be substantially the same.

[0015] In the coin processing apparatus of the present disclosure, The driving of the first belt and the second belt may be respectively controlled such that the phases of the first protrusions on the first belt and the phases of the second protrusions on the second belt have a predetermined relationship so that the coins pushed out by the first protrusions on the conveying path can be continuously pushed out by the second protrusions.

[0016] In the coin processing apparatus of the present disclosure, The first belt may pass through a first conveying area that conveys the coins from the deposit slot to the discrimination unit.

[0017] In the coin processing apparatus of the present disclosure, The second belt may pass through a second conveying area through which the coins pass for the distribution unit that distributes the coins to each storage unit.

[0018] In the coin processing apparatus of the present disclosure, The first belt may pass through a third conveying area that conveys the coins from the discrimination unit to the deposit reject unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to the coin processing apparatus of the present disclosure, labor saving for coin conveyance errors can be achieved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 4 are diagrams showing a coin processing apparatus according to this embodiment. Among these, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the coin processing apparatus according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the coin delivery location of the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. Further, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the processing flow of the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

[0022] First, the overall configuration of the coin processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the coin processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a depositing unit (not shown), an identifying unit 10 that identifies coins deposited inside the coin processing apparatus 1, a depositing reject unit 20 for discharging coins detected as abnormal by the identifying unit 10 outside the apparatus, a conveying unit 30 that conveys coins inside the coin processing apparatus 1, a distributing unit 40 that distributes the coins conveyed by the conveying unit 30 to the storage unit 50, and a storage unit 50 that stores the coins distributed by the distributing unit 40.

[0023] The coin insertion unit is a member into which coins are inserted. Coins are carried into the coin processing apparatus 1 through a coin insertion opening formed in the coin insertion unit. The coins carried into the coin processing apparatus 1 are conveyed one by one to the coin processing apparatus 1 in a single-layer and single-row state. More specifically, a feeding belt (not shown) is provided in the coin insertion unit, and when a coin inserted into the coin insertion opening is detected, this feeding belt is driven, so that the feeding belt feeds the coins one by one into the interior of the coin processing apparatus 1. Further, a shutter for opening and closing the coin insertion opening is provided at the coin insertion opening of the coin insertion unit, and coins can be inserted into the coin insertion unit when the shutter is opened. Also, a conveying unit 30 for conveying the coins taken into the interior of the coin processing apparatus 1 from the coin insertion unit is connected to the coin insertion unit.

[0024] The discrimination unit 10 discriminates the coins deposited from the coin insertion unit into the interior of the coin processing apparatus 1 and discriminates whether there is any abnormality in the coins. Also, based on the discrimination result of the coins, the discrimination unit 10 differentiates between the coins to be discharged outside the machine (coins discriminated as having an abnormality: reject coins) and the coins to be stored inside the machine (coins not discriminated as having an abnormality: normal coins). Further, the discrimination unit 10 distributes the coins discriminated as reject coins and normal coins to the respective paths (conveying unit 30) for conveying them. For example, the discrimination unit 10 distributes the reject coins to the path for conveying them to the coin insertion reject unit 20. Also, the discrimination unit 10 distributes the normal coins to the path for conveying them to the storage unit 50.

[0025] The coin insertion reject unit 20 diverts the coins (reject coins) that cannot be discriminated by the discrimination unit 10 from the conveying unit 30. Among the coins taken into the machine, the reject coins that cannot be discriminated by the discrimination unit 10 due to dirt or the like are returned to the coin payout unit 80.

[0026] The conveying unit 30 is a path for conveying coins inside the coin processing apparatus 1. The conveying unit 30 is connected to the depositing unit, the identifying unit 10, the deposit rejection unit 20, and the storage unit 50 respectively, and is a member for conveying coins to each unit. Further, the conveying unit 30 is formed by a conveying path 31 having a width larger than the diameter of the coin to be conveyed, a first guide 32 erected at one side end of the conveying path 31, and a second guide 33 erected on the side opposite to one side end of the conveying path 31. Further, the conveying unit 30 is formed by a first conveying unit 34 that forms an annular path through the deposit rejection unit 20 via the identifying unit 10 from the depositing unit, and a second conveying unit 35 through which the coins that have passed through the first conveying unit 34 are conveyed and that forms an annular path via the storage unit 50. Note that the first conveying unit 34 and the second conveying unit 35 are circulated and driven inside the coin processing apparatus 1 to convey coins. Also, in the first conveying unit 34, the first belt 61 passes through a first conveying area 90 which is an area for conveying coins from the deposit inlet to the identifying unit 10. Also, in the second conveying unit 35, the second belt 71 passes through a second conveying area 92 which is an area through which the coins pass through the distributing unit 40 for distributing coins to each storage unit 50. Then, in the first conveying unit 34, the first belt 61 passes through a third conveying area 94 which is an area for conveying coins from the identifying unit 10 to the deposit rejection unit 20.

[0027] The first conveying unit 34 is a conveying mechanism formed by hanging a first pin belt (first belt 61) on four pulleys (first pulley 60) of the same size arranged horizontally with respect to the grounding surface of the coin processing apparatus 1. Each pulley constituting the first pulley 60 is arranged near the depositing unit, between the identifying unit 10 and the deposit rejection unit 20, near the deposit rejection unit 20, and at the location where the coins are conveyed to the second conveying unit 35, respectively. Thus, the first belt 61 passes through the first conveying unit 34 that conveys coins from the deposit inlet to the identifying unit 10. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, at the location of the first guide 32 where the first belt 61 can come into contact with the rotation of the pulley arranged at the location where the coins are conveyed to the second conveying unit 35, a first passing portion 37 is formed as a hole provided to extend in the standing direction of the first guide 32.

[0028] The first belt 61 is a pin belt, and a plurality of first protrusions 62 for pushing out and conveying coins are provided in a plurality of holes formed at equal or substantially equal intervals in the first belt 61. The first protrusions 62 contact the rear (downstream side) of the coin in the coin conveying direction and push and convey the coin. Further, after conveying the coin, the first protrusions 62 pass through the first passing portion 37. Further, a plurality of convex portions are formed at equal intervals along the width direction of the belt on the first belt 61.

[0029] The second conveying unit 35 is a conveying mechanism formed by stretching a second pin belt (second belt 71) over two pulleys (second pulleys 70) of the same size arranged horizontally with respect to the ground surface of the coin processing apparatus 1 and of the same size as the first pulley 60, and is a conveying mechanism for storing the coins conveyed from the first conveying unit 34 in the storage unit 50. Each pulley constituting the second pulley 70 is arranged at a position where the coins are conveyed from the first conveying unit 34 and at an end along the arrangement direction of the storage units 50. Thus, the second belt 71 passes through the second conveying unit 35 through which the coins pass via the distributing unit 40 for distributing the coins to the respective storage units 50. Further, at a position of the second guide 33 where the second belt 71 can contact with the rotation of the pulley arranged at the position where the coins are conveyed from the first conveying unit 34, a second passing portion 38 which is a hole provided to extend in the standing direction of the second guide 33 is formed.

[0030] Two types of large and small concave portions are formed in the first pulley 60 and the second pulley 70, respectively. The first protrusions 62 and the second protrusions 72 are accommodated and engaged with the large concave portions as the first pulley 60 and the second pulley 70 rotate. In FIG. 3, four large concave portions are formed in the first pulley 60 and the second pulley 70 in a 90-degree rotational symmetry. Further, a plurality of convex portions formed at equal intervals along the width direction of the first belt 61 and the second belt 71 are accommodated and engaged with the small concave portions.

[0031] Further, the first pulley 60 disposed at the location where the coin is conveyed by the second conveying unit 35 and the second pulley 70 disposed at the location where the coin is conveyed from the first conveying unit 34 rotate in opposite directions with respect to the rotation axis of each pulley. Further, these pulleys rotate in the direction from the upstream side to the downstream side (rotate in the coin conveying direction).

[0032] The first belt 61 is driven by a first driving unit (not shown). The second belt 71 is also driven by a second driving unit (not shown). More specifically, when the first driving unit drives, the first pulley 60 around which the first belt 61 is wound rotates about the rotation axis, and thereby the first belt 61 is driven. Further, when the second driving unit drives, the second pulley 70 around which the second belt 71 is wound rotates about the rotation axis, and thereby the second belt 71 is driven. Note that the first driving unit and the second driving unit are separate members from each other.

[0033] Also, the moving speeds of the first belt 61 and the second belt 71, in other words, the rotation speeds of the first pulley 60 and the second pulley 70 respectively driven by the first driving unit and the second driving unit are the same speed or substantially the same.

[0034] The driving of the first belt 61 and the second belt 71 is controlled by the first driving unit and the second driving unit such that the phase of the first protrusion 62 on the first belt 61 and the phase of the second protrusion 72 on the second belt 71 have a predetermined relationship. For example, in FIG. 3, when the first pulley 60 disposed at the location where the coin is conveyed by the second conveying unit 35 makes a uniform circular motion counterclockwise, the phase when the first protrusion 62 is located directly below the first pulley 60 is set to 0, and when the second pulley 70 disposed at the location where the coin is conveyed from the first conveying unit 34 makes a uniform circular motion clockwise, the phase when the second protrusion 72 is located directly below the second pulley 70 is set to 0, the phase of the first protrusion 62 can be in a relationship of being equal to or greater than the initial phase (φ), and the phase of the second protrusion 72 can be in a relationship of being equal to or greater than 1 / 2π. Thereby, the coin pushed out by the first protrusion 62 on the conveying path 31 can be continuously pushed out by the second protrusion 72.

[0035] Also, when the coin conveyance direction in the conveyance path 31 is defined such that the deposit section side is the upstream side and the storage section 50 side is the downstream side, the first passage section 37 is formed on the downstream side of the second passage section 38. In other words, the central axes of the pulleys (one of the first pulleys 60) arranged at the location where the coins are conveyed to the second conveyance section 35 and the pulleys (one of the second pulleys 70) arranged at the location where the coins are conveyed from the first conveyance section 34 do not overlap with each other in the coin conveyance direction.

[0036] The second belt 71 is a pin belt, and is provided with a plurality of second protrusions 72 for pushing and conveying coins in a plurality of holes formed at equal or substantially equal intervals in the second belt 71. The second protrusions 72 contact the rear (downstream side) of the coin in the coin conveyance direction and push and convey the coin. After conveying the coin, the second protrusions 72 pass through the second passage section 38. Further, a plurality of convex portions are formed at equal intervals along the width direction of the belt on the second belt 71.

[0037] With such a configuration, the coins conveyed by the first belt 61 along the conveyance path 31 are subsequently conveyed in the same direction by the second belt 71.

[0038] Also, the intervals between the first protrusions 62 and the intervals between the second protrusions 72 are substantially the same. In other words, the intervals between the plurality of first protrusions 62 attached to the first belt 61 and the intervals between the plurality of second protrusions 72 attached to the second belt 71 are substantially the same.

[0039] Also, the rotation axis of the first pulley 60 is placed on the first guide 32 side, and the rotation axis of the second pulley 70 is placed on the second guide 33 side. Thus, at least a part of the first belt 61 and the second belt 71 in the thickness direction of the first belt 61 and the second belt 71 are overlapped and arranged on the substantially center line of the conveyance path 31. With such an arrangement of each member, a form is formed in which a part of the first belt 61 and a part of the second belt 71 pass through the substantially center line of the conveyance path 31. In this specification, the substantially center line includes the center line and a line located at a position separated from the center line by a predetermined distance from the center line.

[0040] Also, the distance between the first belt 61 and the second belt 71 (in the plane shown in FIG. 3, at the location where the coin is transferred from the first transport unit 34 to the second transport unit 35, when the normal lines of the first belt 61 and the second belt 71 overlap (when the lengths of their normal lines are minimized), the lengths of both normal lines) is smaller than the diameter of the smallest-diameter coin to be processed. For example, in the case of Japan, this distance is a value smaller than 20 mm, which is the diameter of a 1-yen coin.

[0041] The sorting unit 40 sorts the coins transported from the first transport unit 34 to the second transport unit 35 to the storage unit 50 described later. Also, the sorting unit 40 performs coin type discrimination for discriminating the coin type in order to sort the coins by coin type.

[0042] The storage unit 50 is a member that stores the coins sorted by coin type by the sorting unit 40 for each coin type. For example, six storage units 50 are provided corresponding to the six coin types of coins in circulation in Japan (500-yen coin, 100-yen coin, 50-yen coin, 10-yen coin, 5-yen coin, and 1-yen coin), and the coins are stored in each storage unit 50 by coin type in ascending order of denomination from the upstream side of the second transport unit 35. Also, the storage unit 50 is provided with a feeding mechanism (not shown) for feeding out the coins stored in the storage unit 50 one by one to a coin dispensing transport unit (not shown).

[0043] The coin dispensing transport unit (not shown) is a member that transports the coins fed out from the storage unit 50 to the coin dispensing unit 80. Also, by the coin rejection unit 20, the coins branched from the transport unit 30 fall by their own weight and are placed on the coin dispensing transport unit, and are transported to the coin dispensing unit 80 by the coin dispensing transport unit.

[0044] The coin dispensing unit 80 is provided with a coin residue detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the coins sent from the coin dispensing transport unit to the coin dispensing unit 80 and accumulated in the coin dispensing unit 80. By such a coin residue detection sensor, it is possible to detect when all the coins sent from the coin dispensing transport unit to the coin dispensing unit 80 have been completely removed by the operator from the coin dispensing unit 80.

[0045] Next, the flow of coin conveyance in the coin processing apparatus 1 will be described.

[0046] First, the coins inserted into the coin processing apparatus 1 from the coin insertion slot of the depositing section are fed one by one into the interior of the coin processing apparatus 1 by the extraction belt.

[0047] The coins fed into the interior of the coin processing apparatus 1 are first conveyed to the first conveyance section 34. The coins conveyed to the first conveyance section 34 are pushed out one by one by the first protrusions 62 of the first belt 61 and sequentially conveyed. The coins being conveyed are first distinguished by the discrimination section 10 into normal coins and reject coins. Further, the discrimination section 10 diverts the reject coins from the conveyance section 30 via the deposit reject section 20 and sends them to the payout conveyance section, and also distributes them to the path for conveying the normal coins to the storage section 50.

[0048] The coins discriminated as normal coins by the discrimination section 10 continue to be conveyed by the first conveyance section 34. Thereafter, the normal coins are conveyed from the first conveyance section 34 to the second conveyance section 35 at the location where the first conveyance section 34 is closest to the second conveyance section 35.

[0049] Here, as shown in FIG. 4(A), the coins conveyed while being pushed by the first protrusions 62 of the first belt 61 that are hung on the pulley of the first conveyance section 34 at the location where the coins are conveyed to the second conveyance section 35 are, at the above-described location of the first conveyance section 34, as the first protrusions 62 of the first belt 61 accompanying the rotation of the pulley are received and engaged in the large recess formed in the first pulley 60 and circulate through the first conveyance section 34 via the first passage section 37, are pushed out from the first protrusions 62 and the conveyance by the first conveyance section 34 is completed.

[0050] At this time, in the coin processing device 1, the second protrusion 72 of the second belt 71 accompanying the rotation of the pulley is housed and engaged in a large recess formed in the second pulley 70 and circulates through the second conveyance unit 35 via the second passage portion 38. As shown in FIG. 4(B), the coin that has been conveyed by the first conveyance unit 34 is pushed out by the second protrusion 72 that has entered the second conveyance unit 35 at the location where the coin is conveyed from the first conveyance unit 34, and as shown in FIG. 4(C), the conveyance of the coin by the second conveyance unit 35 in the same direction as the conveyance direction in the first conveyance unit 34 is started.

[0051] The coins conveyed by the second conveyance unit 35 are distributed to the respective storage units 50 for each coin type by the distribution unit 40.

[0052] The coins distributed to the respective storage units 50 by the distribution unit 40 are respectively stored in the storage units 50. Then, the coins stored in the storage units 50 are fed out to the coin payout conveyance unit as necessary, and are paid out of the machine by being conveyed to the coin payout unit 80.

[0053] According to the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, there are provided a conveyance path 31 formed between a first guide 32 and a second guide 33, a first conveyance unit 34 in which a first belt 61 is wound around a first pulley 60, and a second conveyance unit 35 in which a second belt 71 is wound around a second pulley 70. Coins conveyed by the first belt 61 along the conveyance path 31 are subsequently conveyed in the same direction by the second belt 71. More specifically, in the prior art, in many coin processing machines, a belt conveyance method in which coins are conveyed by one belt is adopted as the coin conveyance method. Here, when coins are conveyed by one belt, if an error occurs upstream of the belt that conveys the coins, the drive of the belt stops. At this time, although the conveyance of the coins in the downstream sorting unit also stops, it becomes unclear whether the coins are properly stored, and the inventory inside the coin processing machine may become unclear. Further, if a separate coin holding unit is provided to avoid such problems, it may lead to an increase in the size of the coin processing machine. In contrast, in the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, by having the above-described configuration, even when an error occurs upstream, it is not necessary to stop the drive of all the belts without unduly increasing the size of the coin processing apparatus 1, and it is possible to ensure the storage of the coins downstream, so that labor saving for coin conveyance errors can be achieved.

[0054] Further, in the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, a part of the first belt 61 and a part of the second belt 71 may each pass through the approximate center line of the conveyance path 31. In this case, the coins can be smoothly transferred from the first belt 61 to the second belt 71 in the conveyance path 31.

[0055] Further, in the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the rotation axis of the first pulley 60 may be on the side of the first guide 32, and the rotation axis of the second pulley 70 may be on the side of the second guide 33. In this case, since the first pulley 60 and the second pulley 70 at the coin transfer location are not arranged opposite to each other, it is possible to avoid poor coin transfer in the conveyance path 31.

[0056] Further, in the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the first belt 61 may include a plurality of first protrusions 62 that push out coins, and the second belt 71 may include a plurality of second protrusions 72 that push out coins. In this case, the coins conveyed by the first protrusions 62 can be continuously conveyed by the second protrusions 72.

[0057] Further, in the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the first guide 32 is formed with a first passage portion 37 for the first protrusions 62 to pass through, and the second guide 33 is formed with a second passage portion 38 for the second protrusions 72 to pass through. The first passage portion 37 may be formed on the downstream side of the second passage portion 38 in the coin conveyance direction in the conveyance path 31. In this case, the first protrusions 62 and the second protrusions 72 can circulate in the conveyance path 31, and reliable conveyance of the coins conveyed by the first protrusions 62 by the second protrusions 72 becomes possible.

[0058] Further, in the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the distance between the first belt 61 and the second belt 71 may be smaller than the diameter of the coin with the smallest diameter to be processed. In this case, coins can be smoothly conveyed from the first conveyance unit 34 to the second conveyance unit 35.

[0059] Further, in the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the first belt 61 may be driven by a first drive unit, and the second belt 71 may be driven by a second drive unit different from the first drive unit. In this case, even when the first drive unit or the second drive unit stops, it is possible to avoid stopping the drive of the entire coin processing apparatus 1 by driving either drive unit.

[0060] Further, in the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the moving speeds of the first belt 61 and the second belt 71 may be substantially the same. In this case, it is possible to avoid the retention of coins in any of the conveyance paths.

[0061] Also, in the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the intervals between the first protrusions 62 and the intervals between the second protrusions 72 may be substantially the same. In this case, it is possible to convey the coins at equal intervals.

[0062] Further, in the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the driving of the first belt 61 and the second belt 71 may be controlled such that the phases of the first protrusions 62 on the first belt 61 and the phases of the second protrusions 72 on the second belt 71 have a predetermined relationship so that the coins pushed out by the first protrusions 62 on the conveyance path 31 can be continuously pushed out by the second protrusions 72. In this case, the coins pushed out by the first protrusions 62 on the conveyance path 31 can be continuously pushed out by the second protrusions 72.

[0063] Also, in the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the first belt 61 may pass through the first conveyance area 90 that conveys coins from the coin insertion slot to the discrimination unit 10. In this case, the first belt 61 can surely convey the coins inside the machine to the discrimination unit 10.

[0064] Further, in the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the second belt 71 may pass through the second conveyance area 92 through which the coins pass through the distribution unit 40 for distributing the coins to the respective storage units 50. In this case, the second belt 71 can surely convey the coins to the distribution unit 40.

[0065] Also, in the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the first belt 61 may pass through the third conveyance area 94 that conveys coins from the discrimination unit 10 to the coin insertion reject unit 20. In this case, the first belt 61 can surely convey the coins from the discrimination unit 10 to the coin insertion reject unit 20.

[0066] Note that the coin processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described mode, and various modifications can be made.

[0067] In this embodiment, each pulley has been described as having the same size. However, as long as the coin processing apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure can achieve its effects, pulleys of different sizes may also be used.

[0068] Also, in the coin processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, although an example has been described in which the large recesses formed in the first pulley 60 and the second pulley 70 are formed to be rotationally symmetric by 45 degrees, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0069] Also, the coin processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment may be systematized so as to cooperate with a banknote processing apparatus and a POS register (not shown) and be driven.

[0070] Also, in the coin processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, an example has been described in which the first belt 61 includes a plurality of first protrusions 62 that push out coins, and the second belt 71 includes a plurality of second protrusions 72 that push out coins. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the first belt 61 may include one first protrusion 62, and the second belt 71 may include one second protrusion 72.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0071] 1: Coin processing apparatus 10: Identification unit 20: Deposit rejection unit 30: Conveying unit 31: Conveying path 32: First guide 33: Second guide 34: First conveying unit 35: Second conveying unit 37: First passing unit 38: Second passing unit 40: Distributing unit 50: Storage unit 60: First pulley 61: First belt 62: First protrusion 70: Second pulley 71: Second belt 72: Second protrusion 80: Coin dispensing unit 90: First transport area 92: Second transport area 94: Third transport area

Claims

1. A conveyance path formed between a first guide and a second guide, A first conveyance unit in which a first belt is wound around a first pulley, A second conveyance unit in which a second belt is wound around a second pulley, and A coin processing apparatus in which coins conveyed by the first belt along the conveyance path are subsequently conveyed in the same direction by the second belt.

2. A part of the first belt and a part of the second belt each pass through a substantially center line of the conveyance path, The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The rotation axis of the first pulley is on the first guide side, and the rotation axis of the second pulley is on the second guide side, The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first belt includes a plurality of first protrusions that push out the coins, The second belt includes a plurality of second protrusions that push out the coins, The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A first passage portion for the first protrusion to pass through is formed in the first guide, A second passage portion for the second protrusion to pass through is formed in the second guide, and In the conveyance direction of the coins in the conveyance path, the first passage portion is formed on the downstream side of the second passage portion, The coin processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The distance between the first belt and the second belt is smaller than the diameter of the coin having the smallest diameter to be processed, The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The first belt is driven by a first drive unit, and the second belt is driven by a second drive unit different from the first drive unit, The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The moving speeds of the first belt and the second belt are substantially the same, The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The intervals between the first protrusions and the intervals between the second protrusions are substantially the same, The coin processing apparatus according to claim 4.

10. The driving of the first belt and the second belt is respectively controlled so that the second protrusion can subsequently push out the coin pushed out by the first protrusion on the conveyance path, and the phases of the first protrusions on the first belt and the phases of the second protrusions on the second belt are in a predetermined relationship, The coin processing apparatus according to claim 4.

11. The first belt passes through a first conveyance area that conveys the coins from the deposit slot to the discrimination unit, The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The second belt passes through a second conveyance area through which the coins pass, and has a distribution section for distributing the coins to the respective storage sections. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

13. The first belt passes through a third conveyance area for conveying the coins from the identification section to the deposit rejection section. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 11.

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