The present invention relates generally to accessories for the cash till or coin tray of a cash register, and more specifically to a device for safely, easily, and efficiently opening coin wrappers prior to transferring coins from the coin wrapper to the cash till or coin tray of a cash register without using a cutting blade or damaging the cash till or coin tray of the cash register.
There is a need for easy, efficient openers for coin rolls, and methods of using the same.
One objective of the present invention is to provide a coin-roll opener such as a sleeve or the like to safely, easily, and efficiently open coin wrappers prior to transferring coins from the coin-roll to the cash till or coin tray of a cash register without using a cutting blade or damaging the cash till or coin tray of the cash register.
A second objective is to open rolls of coins without compromising the integrity of the cash till or coin tray.
A third objective is to use the frictional force of the coin-roll opener, to hold the coin-roll opener in place.
A fourth objective is to have the coin-roll opener remain on the cash till or coin tray and be functional at all times.
A first aspect of the present invention provides a coin-roll opener, e.g. a sleeve or the like, for opening a roll of coins, where the coin-roll opener is adapted for operable coupling to a divider of a cash till or coin tray. The cash till or coin tray comprises first and second sides and a transverse connector between them. The divider extends through a gap between distal edges of the first and second sides of the coin-roll opener. A width of the transverse connector is wider than a width of the gap between proximal edges of the first and second sides of the coin-roll opener, and the transverse connector lies in a transverse plane between the proximal edges of the first and second sides of the coin roll opener.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a kit for depositing a roll of coins into a cash till or coin tray. The kit comprises a cash register having a cash till or coin tray, where the cash till or coin tray comprises dividers that form compartments into which coins are deposited, a coin-roll opener, e.g. a sleeve or the like, where the coin-roll opener fits over at least one divider in the cash till or coin tray of the cash register, where a top surface of the transverse connector of the coin-roll opener lies in a plane parallel to the transverse plane between the proximal edges of the first and second sides of the coin-roll opener, and where the transverse plane does not have an arcuate shape.
A third aspect of the present invention provides a method for opening a roll of coins in a coin wrapper and depositing the coins into a cash register. The method comprises providing a cash register having a cash till or coin tray, where the cash till or coin tray comprises dividers that form compartments into which coins are deposited, providing a coin-roll opener, e.g. a sleeve or the like, and fitting the coin-roll opener over at least one divider in the cash till or coin tray of the cash register, where a top surface of the transverse connector of the coin-roll opener lies in a plane parallel to the transverse plane between the proximal edges of the first and second sides of the coin-roll opener, and where the transverse plane does not have an arcuate shape.
The features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
a depicts an a side elevation view of the coin-roll opener shown in
b depicts the coin-roll opener shown in
Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either both of those included limits are also included in the invention.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.
It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “and,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Referring to
As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the term “coin-roll wrapper” refers to a paper or plastic sleeve, encompassing a coin-roll, to contain a roll of coins and maintain the typically cylindrical shape of a coin-roll.
As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the term “coin-roll” refers to a roll of metallic coins used as monetary currency.
As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the term “operably coupled” when referring to the coin-roll opener 4, e.g. a sleeve or the like being removed from or applied to the lateral bin dividers 9, means releasably joining, coupling, or attaching by physical or mechanical means by inserting the top edge 59 of the lateral bin dividers 9 into the gap 19 of the coin-roll opener 4.
As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the term “acute angle” when referring to the angles 35, 33, means angles at the junctions of the first and second sides 13, 15 of the coin-roll opener 4 and the transverse connector 17 being less than 90°.
As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the term “not arcuate” when referring to the transverse connector 17 means not having the form of a bow shape; e.g., curved shape.
The coin-roll opener 4 may be made from glass filled nylon, metal, or plastic. The coin-roll opener 4, e.g. a coin-roll opener or the like, may be made from any material which enables the coin-roll opener 4 to return to its original shape after the stress that caused its deformation is no longer applied.
The coin-roll opener 4, e.g. a sleeve or the like is used for opening the coin wrapper 49 of the roll of coins 6 so that the operator does not have to open a folded end 47 of the package via a closing flap 45, which is vastly inefficient. Instead, the coin-roll opener 4 is used in a downward striking motion 50, striking the coin wrapper 49 against the coin-roll opener 4, and then allowing the coins 1 to drop into their assigned bin.
In an embodiment an angle 33 between the first side 13 and the transverse connector 17 forms an acute angle, e.g. an angle 35 between the second side 15 and the transverse connector 17. The angles 35, 33 function as cutting edges of the transverse connector 17. The sides of the coin-roll opener 4, e.g. a sleeve or the like are joined to the transverse connector 17 at an acute angle 35, 33, granting an easy “cutting edge”. This edge allows for the rapid, directed application of force to the coin-roll 6, allowing it to be easily opened.
In an embodiment the width of the transverse connector 17 between the distal edges 23, 21 of the first side 13 and second side 15 is wider than a width of gap 19, so that the coin-roll opener 4, e.g. a sleeve or the like, operably couples to the divider 9 using frictional force between the distal edges 23, 21 of the first side 13 and the second side 15, not grippers. The gap 19 is narrower when the coin-roll opener 4 is not operably coupled to the divider 9, as shown in
In an embodiment the coin-roll opener 4 is adapted for operably coupling to a divider 9 of a cash till or coin tray 12. The coin-roll opener 4 first within the opening 39 within the confines of the inside of the drawer 16 when it operably couples to the divider 9, so the coin-roll opener 4 does not have to be detached from the divider 9 when the drawer is opened or closed.
In an embodiment the distal corners 52 of the first and second sides 13, 15 may be rounded.
One objective of the invention is to open rolls of coins 6 without compromising the integrity of the cash till or the coin tray 12. The coin-roll opener 4 does this by providing proximal edges 31, 29 of first and second sides 13, 15, e.g., a cutting edge, of the transverse connector 17 of the coin-roll opener 4 that are not integral to the cash till or coin tray 12. This allows for rolls of coins 6 in coin wrapper 49 to be opened without directly hitting (and thus damaging) the cash till or coin tray 12.
Referring to
Referring to
The coin-roll opener 4, e.g. a sleeve or the like, fits within the opening 39 within the confines of the inside of the drawer 16 when the coin-roll opener 4 releasably couples to the divider 9, so that the coin-roll opener 4 does not have to be detached from the divider 9 when the drawer 16 is opened or closed. Hereinafter, unless otherwise defined, the term “opened” or “closed” when referring to the drawer 16 means the drawer 16 has been removed from or inserted into the opening within the frame 43 of the cash register 60, so that the coin-roll opener 4 does not have to be detached from the divider 9 when the drawer 16 is opened or closed.
In an embodiment, the coin-roll opener 4, e.g. a sleeve or the like, fits in the opening within the confines of the frame 43 of the cash register 60 when it operably couples to the divider 9, so that the coin-roll opener 4 does not have to be detached from the divider 9 when the drawer 16 is opened or closed, enabling the objective allowing the coin-roll opener 4 to remain on the cash till or coin tray 12 even when the drawer 16 in the frame 43 of the cash register 60 is closed. This is done by having the transverse connector 17 of the coin-roll opener 4 lie below a plane defined by the upper surface 3 of the drawer 16 of the frame 43 of the cash register 60, depicted in
a depicts a side elevation view of the coin-roll opener 4, e.g. a sleeve or the like, shown in
A third objective is to use the frictional force of the coin-roll opener 4 to hold the coin-roll opener 4 in place on the divider 9. The coin-roll opener 4 may be made from glass filled nylon, metal, or plastic. A width of the gap 19 between the distal edges 23, 21 of the first and second sides 13, 15 of the coin-roll opener 4 is less than the width of the divider 9. When the coin-roll opener 4 is inserted over the top 59 of the divider 9, the resistance of the material out of which the coin-roll opener 4 is made to expand the width of the gap 19 creates a frictional force along the inner surfaces of the sides 13, 15 of the coin-roll opener 4, holding the coin-roll opener 4 in place. This eliminates the need for any stoppers or grippers to hold the coin-roll opener 4 in place.
In an embodiment, the first and second sides 13, 15 may terminate in nibs 41, i.e., protuberances at the edge of the first and second sides 13, 15. The coefficient of friction has been increased through texturing, increasing the strength of the frictional forces holding the coin-roll opener 4 in place. This allows the coin-roll opener 4 to releasably couple more securely.
b depicts the coin-roll opener 4 shown in
In an embodiment, the distal corners 52 of the coin-roll opener 4, e.g. a sleeve or the like, may be rounded because it is less costly to make the distal corners 52 rounded, and because the coin roll opener 4 may more easily slide over the divider 9 if the distal corners 52 are rounded.
In one embodiment,
While exemplary embodiments have been specifically disclosed, it should be understood that the practice of this invention is not limited to those embodiments. Modifications and variations falling within the spirit of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be determined by the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but rather should be determined by the breadth of the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61798464 | Mar 2013 | US |