Coin testing and sorting apparatus

Coin apparatus for use in a vendor for handling acceptable coins and rejecting unacceptable items inserted in the coin slot of the vendor and for making change, comprising:

• a plurality of change tubes, one for each of a plurality of denominations of acceptable coins that may be inserted in the coin slot of the vendor, each of said tubes being adapted to hold a stack of coins of a respective denomination, and being open at the top for being filled with coins from the top;
• a plurality of sensors. one for each change tube, for sensing the filling of each tube with coins of the respective denomination to a predetermined level in the tube;
• coin sorting means for sorting coins of said denominations and delivering to each change tube coins of the denomination for that tube, said sorting having an entrance for coins of the different denominations to be sorted;
• means for effecting delivery of coins of each of said denominations inserted in the coin slot of the vendor to the coin sorting means as long as the change tube for coins of that denomination is not filled to the respective predetermined level, for effecting delivery of coins of each of said denominations inserted in the coin slot of the vendor to an accept system when the change tube for coins of that denomination is filled with coins to the respective predetermined level, and for effecting delivery of unacceptable items inserted in the coin slot of the vendor to a return system of the vendor, said delivery means comprising:
• guide means movable between a first position for effecting travel of unacceptable items to the return system of the vendor and a second position for effecting travel of acceptable coins to the accept system, said guide means normally occupying its first position;
• passage means for travel of acceptable coins and unacceptable items inserted in the coin slot of the vendor to said guide means;
• means along said passage means for detecting whether an item travelling therein is an acceptable coin or an unacceptable item and, if it is an acceptable coin, detecting its denomination;
• means between said detecting means and said guide means for exit of coins from said passage means to said coin sorting means, said exit means being normally closed;
• means responsive to the sensor of a change tube detecting the level of coins therein as below the respective predetermined level and to the detecting means detecting the passage of a coin of the respective denomination in said passage means for opening said exit means for delivery of the coin to the coin sorting means;
• and
• means responsive to the sensor of a change tube detecting the level of coins in the tube as above the respective predetermined level and to the detecting means detecting the passage of a coin of the respective denomination in said passage means for moving said guide means to its second position for delivery of the coin to the accept system.