Modular bulk coin dispenser with hopper removal from drive and control mechanism

A bulk coin dispenser, comprising:

• a base containing drive and control electronics;
• and
• a coin bin mounted on and removable from the base, the coin bin configured to:
• hold nonaligned coins and urge the coins toward an outlet, the coin bin including a rotor assembly secured to the coin bin at the outlet and remaining secured to the coin bin when the coin bin is removed from the base, the rotor assembly configured to selectively pass coins from the coin bin through a coin discharge slot by rotation of a member within the rotor assembly,
• wherein the coin bin may be removed from the base while retaining coins therein,
• wherein the member within the rotor assembly comprises a rotor having cutouts configured to accept coins from the coin bin and is configured to pass coins through the discharge slot by rotational movement of the rotor,
• wherein the cutouts within the rotor are specific to a coin size of coins held within the coin bin,
• wherein the base includes a movable element adjustable for operation of the base with a coin size specific to the rotor, and
• wherein a portion of the base defines the coin discharge slot, and wherein the coin bin outlet is received by the base with an exit area for coins within the rotor cutouts aligned with portion of the base defining the discharge slot.

A method of operating a bulk coin dispenser, comprising:

• mounting a coin bin on a base containing drive and control electronics in a removable fashion, the coin bin configured to hold nonaligned coins and urge the coins toward an outlet, the coin bin including a rotor assembly remaining secured to the coin bin when the coin bin is removed from the base;
• and
• rotating a member within the rotor assembly secured to the coin bin at the outlet to selectively pass coins from the coin bin through a coin discharge slot by rotation of the member, the coin discharge slot formed by a portion of the base and a portion of the rotor assembly,
• in response to changing an angular position of the rotor assembly relative to the base, changing a size of the coin discharge slot, and
• wherein the coin bin may be removed from the base while retaining coins therein.

A method of operating a bulk coin dispenser, comprising:

• mounting a coin bin on a base containing drive and control electronics in a removable fashion, the coin bin configured to hold nonaligned coins and urge the coins toward an outlet, the coin bin including a rotor assembly remaining secured to the coin bin when the coin bin is removed from the base;
• rotating a member within the rotor assembly secured to the coin bin at the outlet to selectively pass coins from the coin bin through a coin discharge slot by rotation of the member, wherein the member within the rotor assembly comprises a rotor having cutouts configured to accept coins from the coin bin and is configured to pass coins through the discharge slot by rotational movement of the rotor, wherein the cutouts within the rotor are specific to a coin size of coins held within the coin bin;
• and
• adjusting a movable element within the base to adjust the base for operation with a coin size specific to the rotor,
• wherein the coin bin may be removed from the base while retaining coins therein, and
• wherein a portion of the base defines the coin discharge slot, and wherein the coin bin outlet is received by the base with an exit area for coins within the rotor cutouts aligned with portion of the base defining the discharge slot.