Method and system for dust prevention in a coin handling machine

A method of dust prevention for a coin sensor for detecting a size of individual ones of a plurality of coins being moved within a coin handling machine, the method comprising:

• providing a stationary coin track having an inside edge that is elevated above a lower optical element and above a transparent cover for the lower optical element for receiving coins in a single file with the coin track being narrower than a width of the coins so that portions of the coins extend beyond the inside edge of the coin track;
• pressing down on outside portions of the coins to cantilever the coins including portions of the coins extending beyond the inside edge of the coin track;
• illuminating a portion of each coin extending beyond the inside edge of the coin track as the coins move along the coin track;
• and
• blowing off dust that tends to accumulate on the transparent cover for the lower optical element, wherein said transparent cover is spaced below the coin track, wherein said lower optical element includes an optical detector for detecting a size of a coin moving along the coin track past the optical detector.

A coin handling machine incorporating a dust prevention system for a coin sensor for detecting a size of individual ones of a plurality of coins being moved within the coin handling machine, the coin handling machine comprising:

• a stationary and substantially horizontal coin track;
• an upper optical element and a lower optical element that are spaced apart for illuminating a portion of a coin as a plurality of coins move along said coin track in single file, the coin track having an inside edge over which portions of the coins passing over the coin track are cantilevered for illumination and detection;
• wherein the lower optical element has a transparent cover;
• and
• wherein the inside edge of the coin track is spaced above the transparent cover for the lower optical element and is spaced below the upper optical element to prevent accumulation of dust on the upper optical element and on the transparent cover for the lower optical element.