Rod bar storage device

Abstract

To reduce a width dimension and a depth dimension.SOLUTION: The present invention is a rod bar storage device 20 including: a rectangular parallelepiped housing 30 having a front opening 31a on a front surface; and a storage tray 40 having a storage portion for storing rod bars in which a predetermined number of coins of the same denomination are stacked and packaged in a rod shape, the storage tray 40 being stored in the housing 30 so as to be slidable in a front-rear direction through the front opening 31a. The storage tray 40 is configured such that a first storage tray 40a, which stores only rod bars of 5-series coins in which one digit is carried over by two sheets, is arranged in a lower stage, and a second storage tray 40b, which stores rod bars other than those stored in the first storage tray 40a, is arranged in an upper stage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coin roll storage device, and more particularly to a coin roll storage device for storing coin rolls in which a predetermined number of coins of the same denomination are stacked and packaged in a rod shape. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, among automatic change dispensers, there is known a currency processing device that is equipped with a coin roll storage device. The coin roll storage device stores coin rolls in which a predetermined number of coins of the same denomination are stacked and packaged in a rod shape, and when the currency processing device runs out of coins to be dispensed, a coin roll of the same denomination as the missing coins can be taken out and replenished into the currency processing device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-293422 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the coin roll storage device described above, a storage section for storing coin rolls is provided for each denomination. Therefore, when handling six denominations, the storage sections for the coin rolls of each denomination must be arranged side by side on the same plane, resulting in a problem that the width and depth dimensions of the coin roll storage device become large.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has as its object to provide a coin roll storage device that can be made smaller in width and depth. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The coin roll storage device of the present invention is a coin roll storage device comprising a rectangular housing with a front opening on the front, a storage section for storing coin rolls packaged in the form of a rod consisting of a predetermined number of stacked coins of the same denomination, and a storage tray that is stored in the housing and can slide in the front-to-back direction through the front opening, and is characterized in that the storage tray is configured so that a first storage tray is on the lower level, which stores only coin rolls of 5 series coins that carry over one digit when two coins are used, and a second storage tray is on the upper level, which stores coin rolls other than those stored in the first storage tray. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the storage tray is configured so that the first storage tray, which stores only 5-series coin rolls that carry over one digit when two coins are used, is located on the lower level, and the second storage tray, which stores coin rolls other than those stored in the first storage tray, is located on the upper level, thereby achieving the effect of reducing the width and depth dimensions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a money handling machine to which an article storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of a money handling machine to which an article storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the coin roll storage device shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the coin roll storage device shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the coin roll storage device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the base of the housing shown in FIG. 4 and other figures. [Figure 7] 7 is a bottom view schematically showing the main part of the first locking mechanism shown in FIG. 6 from below. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a bottom view schematically showing the main part of the first locking mechanism shown in FIG. 6 from below. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a bottom view schematically showing the main part of the second locking mechanism shown in FIG. 6 from below. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a bottom view schematically showing the main part of the second locking mechanism shown in FIG. 6 from below. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the storage pocket. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the storage pocket. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a modified example of the storage pocket. [Figure 14-1] FIG. 14-1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which coin rolls are stored in the storage pockets shown in FIGS. [Figure 14-2] FIG. 14-2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which coin rolls are stored in the storage pockets shown in FIGS. [Figure 14-3] FIG. 14-3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which coin rolls are stored in the storage pockets shown in FIGS. [Figure 14-4] FIG. 14-4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which coin rolls are stored in the storage pockets shown in FIGS. [Figure 14-5] FIG. 14-5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which coin rolls are stored in the storage pockets shown in FIGS. [Figure 14-6] FIG. 14-6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which coin rolls are stored in the storage pockets shown in FIGS. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a coin roll storage device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] 1 and 2 show a money handling machine to which an article storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, with FIG. 1 being a perspective view showing the exterior configuration and FIG. 2 being a perspective view showing the internal configuration.

[0011] The money handling machine 1 illustrated here is adapted to be used as an automatic change dispenser connected to a POS (Point Of Sales) register device as a higher-level device in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, and is equipped with a processing machine main body 10.

[0012] The processing machine main body 10 is a rectangular housing having a front opening 10a at the front and a top opening (not shown) at the top, and is movable with multiple casters 11a (four in the illustrated example) provided on the bottom 11.

[0013] The processing machine body 10 has a front opening 10 a that can be opened and closed by a door body 12 , and a top opening that can be opened and closed by a top plate portion 13 .

[0014] The door body 12 includes a front cover 121 and a front door 122. The front cover 121 is pivotally supported on a part of the reinforcing metal 14 forward of the top opening so as to be able to swing about the central axis of a cover shaft 121a extending in the left-right direction. The front cover 121 opens the upper part of the front opening 10a by swinging upward, and closes the upper part of the front opening 10a by swinging downward.

[0015] The front door 122 is pivotally supported around the central axis of a door axis 122a extending in the vertical direction at the front end portion of the left edge of the processing machine body 10. When the front door 122 pivots forward, it opens the lower portion of the front opening 10a, i.e., the portion that cannot be closed by the front cover 121, and when it pivots backward, it closes the lower portion of the front opening 10a.

[0016] The front door 122 is provided with a locking mechanism 123, and when this locking mechanism 123 is in a locked state, the front door 122 is kept in a state in which the lower part of the front opening 10a is blocked, while when the locking mechanism 123 is in an unlocked state, the front door 122 becomes able to swing forward.

[0017] Moreover, the front door 122 has a function of pressing a part of the front cover 121 in the closed state, and when the locking mechanism 123 is in the locked state, the front cover 121 is maintained in the closed state.

[0018] Inside such a processing machine main body 10, a coin processing unit 2 for handling coins, a banknote processing unit 3 for handling banknotes, and a coin roll storage device 20 are also provided.

[0019] 3 to 5 are perspective views of the coin roll storage device 20 shown in FIG. 2. The coin roll storage device 20 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 stores coin rolls as reserves to be replenished in the coin processing unit 2. Here, a coin roll is a predetermined number of coins of the same denomination stacked and packaged in a rod shape, configured as a single handling unit. The coin roll storage device 20 is intended to store coin rolls (1 yen coin roll, 5 yen coin roll, 10 yen coin roll, 50 yen coin roll, 100 yen coin roll, 500 yen coin roll) each of which is a predetermined number (for example, 50 coins) of 1 yen coins, 5 yen coins, 10 yen coins, 50 yen coins, 100 yen coins, and 500 yen coins stacked and packaged in a rod shape.

[0020] Such a coin roll storage device 20 is configured to include a housing 30 and a storage tray 40. The housing 30 includes a box-shaped base 31 with openings on the front and top, and a cover 32 (see FIG. 2) formed to cover the opening on the top of the base 31 (hereinafter also referred to as the top opening). By covering the top opening of the base 31 with this cover 32, a rectangular housing 30 is formed with an opening on the front (hereinafter also referred to as the front opening) 31a.

[0021] The storage tray 40 includes a first storage tray 40a and a second storage tray 40b. The first storage tray 40a is a box-shaped body configured to be large enough to enter the interior of the housing 30 through the front opening 31a. The first storage tray 40a is attached to the housing 30 via a conventionally known rail mechanism (not shown), and is slidable in the front-rear direction through the front opening 31a of the housing 30.

[0022] The first storage tray 40a includes a first storage section 41. The first storage section 41 stores only 5-series coin rolls, which carry over one digit when two coins are used, in a predetermined position, and six storage pockets 41a-41f capable of storing coin rolls are provided from left to right. In this embodiment, the two leftmost storage pockets 41a and 41b are capable of storing 500-yen coin rolls, and the two central storage pockets 41c and 41d are capable of storing 50-yen coin rolls. The two rightmost storage pockets 41e and 41f are capable of storing 5-yen coin rolls.

[0023] The second storage tray 40b is a box-shaped body configured in an area above the first storage tray 40a, sized to be able to enter the interior of the housing 30 through the front opening 31a. The second storage tray 40b is attached to the housing 30 via a conventionally known rail mechanism (not shown), and is slidable in the front-rear direction through the front opening 31a of the housing 30.

[0024] The second storage tray 40b is formed to have a larger front-to-rear dimension than the first storage tray 40a, and is provided with a second storage section 42. The second storage section 42 stores, in a predetermined position, coin rolls other than those stored in the first storage tray 40a, i.e., 1-series coin rolls that carry over one digit for every 10 coins, and 5-series coin rolls that are not stored in the first storage tray 40a, and is composed of a combination of multiple units 421 to 423.

[0025] The second storage section 42 includes, in order from the front to the rear in the sliding direction of the second storage tray 40b, a first unit 421 in the front row and a second unit 422 and a third unit 423 in the rear row. The second unit 422 and the third unit 423 are arranged side by side on the left and right in the rear row.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 4 etc., first unit 421 is provided with four storage pockets 421a-421d arranged front to back, left to right, capable of storing coin rolls, and in this embodiment, four storage pockets 421a-421d are provided that can store, for example, 1 yen coin rolls and 5 yen coin rolls. Second unit 422 is provided with four storage pockets 422a-422d arranged front to back, capable of storing coin rolls, and in this embodiment, four storage pockets 422a-422d are provided that can store, for example, 100 yen coin rolls. Third unit 423 is provided with four storage pockets 423a-423d arranged front to back, capable of storing coin rolls, and in this embodiment, four storage pockets 423a-423d are provided that can store, for example, 10 yen coin rolls.

[0027] In other words, the storage tray 40 is configured so that the first storage tray 40a, which stores only 5-series coin rolls that advance by one digit when two coins are used, is located on the lower level, and the second storage tray 40b, which stores coin rolls other than those stored in the first storage tray 40a, is located on the upper level.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 6, the housing 30 is provided with a first locking mechanism 50 and a second locking mechanism 60.

[0029] The first locking mechanism 50 is provided on the left side near the rear of the bottom surface of the base 31. As shown in FIG. 7, the first locking mechanism 50 includes a latch 51 and a ratchet 52. The latch 51 is a member rotatable about a latch rotation shaft 511 provided in the center, and is provided with a locking groove 512 that allows the insertion of the locked portion 43 provided on the first storage tray 40a. The ratchet 52 is located to the right of the latch 51 and extends rearward from a ratchet rotation shaft 521 provided in the front. The ratchet 52 is rotatable about the ratchet rotation shaft 521. The ratchet 52 is constantly biased by a ratchet spring (not shown) to rotate leftward in FIG. 7, and a portion of the ratchet 52 is engageable with the latch 51.

[0030] In this first locking mechanism 50, when the first storage tray 40a slides rearward, the locked portion 43 enters and presses the locking groove 512, causing the latch 51 to rotate clockwise in FIG. 7 and engage with the ratchet 52, thereby entering a locked state. This prevents the first storage tray 40a stored in the housing 30 from sliding forward. When the first locking mechanism 50 enters a locked state, the tip of the sensing member 53 attached to the ratchet 52 is interposed between the light-emitting element 541 and the light-receiving element 542 of the optical sensor 54, blocking the light emitted from the light-emitting element 541 and turning off the optical sensor 54. As a result, the optical sensor 54 sends an OFF signal to a control unit (not shown) to indicate that the optical sensor 54 is in a locked state.

[0031] When an open command is given from the POS register, the first locking mechanism 50 drives an actuator 55 such as a solenoid. As a result, in the first locking mechanism 50, as shown in FIG. 8, the ratchet 52 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 8 against the biasing force of the ratchet spring, disengaging the latch 51 and the ratchet 52 and setting the mechanism in an unlocked state. In this case, the tip of the sensing member 53 is released from between the light-emitting element 541 and the light-receiving element 542 of the optical sensor 54, allowing the light-receiving element 542 to receive the light emitted from the light-emitting element 541, turning the optical sensor 54 on. As a result, the optical sensor 54 sends an on signal to the control unit to indicate that the mechanism is in an unlocked state.

[0032] With the first locking mechanism 50 in the unlocked state in this way, the first storage tray 40a can be slid forward. When the first storage tray 40a is slid forward, the latch 51 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 8, and the open end 512a of the locking groove 512 assumes a position facing forward. Although not shown in the figure, when the actuator 55 subsequently stops driving, the ratchet 52 rotates clockwise in FIG. 8 due to the ratchet spring, but the open end 512a of the locking groove 512 engages with the latch 51, which is in a position facing forward, so that the tip of the sensing member 53 is held in a position disengaged from the optical sensor 54. In other words, with the first locking mechanism 50, the optical sensor 54 can be turned off only when the first locking mechanism 50 is in the locked state.

[0033] The second locking mechanism 60 is provided on the right side of the rear surface of the base 31, above the first locking mechanism 50. As shown in FIG. 9, the second locking mechanism 60 includes a latch 61 and a ratchet 62. The latch 61 is a member rotatable about a latch rotation shaft 611 provided in the center, and is provided with a locking groove 612 that allows the insertion of the locked portion 44 provided on the second storage tray 40b. The ratchet 62 is located to the right of the latch 61 and extends rearward from a ratchet rotation shaft 621 provided in front. The ratchet 62 is rotatable about the ratchet rotation shaft 621. The ratchet 62 is constantly biased by a ratchet spring (not shown) to rotate leftward in FIG. 9, and a portion of the ratchet 62 is engageable with the latch 61.

[0034] In this second locking mechanism 60, when the second storage tray 40b slides rearward, the locked portion 44 enters and presses the locking groove 612, causing the latch 61 to rotate clockwise in FIG. 9 and engage with the ratchet 62, thereby entering a locked state. This prevents the second storage tray 40b stored in the housing 30 from sliding forward. When the second locking mechanism 60 enters a locked state, the tip of the sensing member 63 attached to the ratchet 62 is interposed between the light-emitting element 641 and the light-receiving element 642 of the optical sensor 64, blocking the light emitted from the light-emitting element 641 and turning off the optical sensor 64. As a result, the optical sensor 64 sends an OFF signal to a control unit (not shown) to indicate that the device is locked.

[0035] When an open command is given from the POS register, the second locking mechanism 60 drives an actuator 65 such as a solenoid. As a result, in the second locking mechanism 60, as shown in FIG. 10, the ratchet 62 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 10 against the biasing force of the ratchet spring, disengaging the latch 61 and the ratchet 62 and setting the mechanism in an unlocked state. In this case, the tip of the sensing member 63 is released from between the light-emitting element 641 and the light-receiving element 642 of the optical sensor 64, allowing the light-receiving element 642 to receive the light emitted from the light-emitting element 641, turning the optical sensor 64 on. As a result, the optical sensor 64 sends an on signal to the control unit to indicate that the mechanism is in an unlocked state.

[0036] With the second locking mechanism 60 in the unlocked state in this way, the second storage tray 40b can be slid forward. When the second storage tray 40b is slid forward, the latch 61 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 10, and the open end 612a of the locking groove 612 assumes a position facing forward. Although not shown in the figure, when the actuator 65 subsequently stops driving, the ratchet 62 rotates clockwise in FIG. 10 due to the ratchet spring, but the open end 612a of the locking groove 612 engages with the latch 61, which is in a position facing forward, so that the tip of the sensing member 63 is held in a position disengaged from the optical sensor 64. In other words, the second locking mechanism 60 can turn off the optical sensor 64 only when the second locking mechanism 60 is in the locked state.

[0037] According to the coin roll storage device 20 having the above-described configuration, the storage trays 40 stored in the housing 30 are slidable in the front-to-back direction through the front opening 31a, and are configured so that the first storage tray 40a, which stores only coin rolls of 5-series coins that advance by one digit when two coins are used, is on the lower level, and the second storage tray 40b, which stores coin rolls other than those stored in the first storage tray 40a, is on the upper level, thereby making it possible to reduce the width (left-to-right dimension) and depth (front-to-back dimension) dimensions.

[0038] In particular, the second storage tray 40b, which is the upper tier, mainly stores 1-series coin rolls, so that the most frequently used 1-series coin rolls are stored in the upper tier, thereby improving convenience for users.

[0039] The storage pockets 41a etc. in the storage tray 40 described above have an inner diameter that allows them to store coin rolls of the corresponding denomination, but in the present invention, the following general-purpose storage pockets may also be used.

[0040] 11 to 13 show modified examples of storage pocket 41a etc., with Fig. 11 being a perspective view, Fig. 12 being a cross-sectional view, and Fig. 13 being a plan view. As shown in Figs. 11 to 13, storage pocket 70 is configured to have side wall portion 71 extending in the vertical direction, and bottom wall portion 72 extending from the lower end portion of side wall portion 71 and gradually sloping upward as it moves away from side wall portion 71. A material identification sensor 73 for identifying the material of the coin is provided below bottom wall portion 72, and a hole identification sensor 75 for identifying the presence or absence of a hole and an outer diameter sensor 76 for detecting the outer diameter are provided on front wall portion 74 connected to the front end portion of side wall portion 71.

[0041] In such a storage pocket 70, as shown in Figures 14-1 to 14-6, each coin roll can be stored in a state where it is in contact with the side wall portion 71 and the bottom wall portion 72. Note that Figure 14-1 shows a state where a 1-yen coin roll is stored, Figure 14-2 shows a state where a 5-yen coin roll is stored, Figure 14-3 shows a state where a 10-yen coin roll is stored, Figure 14-4 shows a state where a 50-yen coin roll is stored, Figure 14-5 shows a state where a 100-yen coin roll is stored, and Figure 14-6 shows a state where a 500-yen coin roll is stored.

[0042] By utilizing such storage pockets 70, the flexibility of storing coin rolls in the storage tray 40 can be improved, and convenience can be improved.

[0043] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this and various modifications can be made.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, the coin roll storage device 20 was arranged inside the processing machine main body 10 together with the coin processing unit 2 and the banknote processing unit 3, but in the present invention, the coin roll storage device may not be arranged inside the processing machine main body, but may be arranged so that the coin processing units are stacked. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1...cash handling machine, 2...coin handling unit, 3...banknote handling unit, 20...coin roll storage device, 30...housing, 31...base, 31a...front opening, 32...cover, 40...storage tray, 40a...first storage tray, 40b...second storage tray, 41...first storage section, 42...second storage section, 50...first locking mechanism, 60...second locking mechanism.

Claims

[Claim 1] a rectangular parallelepiped housing having a front opening on its front surface; a storage tray having a storage section for storing coin bars each having a predetermined number of stacked coins of the same denomination packaged in a bar shape, the storage tray being stored in the housing so as to be slidable along the front and rear directions through the front opening; A coin roll storage device comprising: The storage tray is This coin roll storage device is configured such that a first storage tray for storing only coin rolls of 5-series coins that carry over one digit when two coins are used is located at the bottom, and a second storage tray for storing coin rolls other than those stored in the first storage tray is located at the top.

Images