AU748127B2 - Large-volume-type apparatus for ejecting circular plate bodies - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s) ASAHI SEIKO KABUSHIKI KAISHA Invention Title: LARGE-VOLUME-TYPE APPARATUS FOR EJECTING CIRCULAR PLATE BODIES The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: Title of the invention Large-volume-type apparatus for ejecting circular plate bodies S" [001ooo Technical field which the invention belongs to This invention relates to an apparatus for ejecting and sending out one by one circular plate bodies which are thrown into at loose loading conditions.

Especially, this invention relates to an ejecting apparatus for forcibly sending out circular plate bodies one by one which are thrown into at loose loading conditions in a huge amount.

This invention concretely relates to a large-volume-type ejecting apparatus which can forcibly and one by one send out circular plate bodies, such as coins with circular plate forms which are money or medals with circular plate forms which are used for games and so on, which are thrown into at loose loading conditions.

-3- This invention more concretely relates to an apparatus for ejecting circular plate bodies which is suitable for game machines which uses a great amount of medals or coins or tokens.

[0002] Prior art In the past, many kinds of apparatus fbr ejecting coins which are circular plate bodies are well-known.

For example, there is an apparatus for forcibly send out coins one by one, by rotating a coin sending disk within a pipe-shaped tank for receiving a stack of coins in loose loading conditions.

In concrete, the disk for sending coins which is set approximately upright in this tank is rotated to send out coins which are picked up one by one from the inside of said tank.

This type apparatus for ejecting circular plate bodies is disclosed in the gazette of Japanese Patent Publication 6-44305 or Application 2-152852 or United States Patent Number 5,122,094 corresponding thereto.

[0003 A perspective view of the coin sending-out apparatus which is disclosed in this publication is shown in Fig.5 and a side section view thereof is shown in Fig.6.

Using Figs.5 and 6, the operation of said coin sending-out apparatus is summarily explained here.

First, by means of an electric motor (not shown), a coin sending disk 2 with a deep plate form is rotated in the clockwise direction in a big pan form tank 1 about a center rotating axis 12.

By the rotating of this disk 2, the coins in the drum-shaped disk 2 receives the agitating effects by the projections 6 which are formed inside of the surrounding wall 4 of the disk 2.

[0004] As a result, the coin in the disk 2 goes into holes 5 for receiving coins which are opened in the bottom of disk 2 circumferential ly.

The coins which went into the receiving holes 5 go through the receiving holes 5 and are slidably held on the surface of big square support plate 11.

After this, the sliding coin is forcibly sent out by a coin outlet 23 which is shown in Fig.5 left.

[0005] Namely, the coin is guided to the outlet 23 and sent out, by means of coin sending nails (not shown) formed on the lower surface of disk 2, a guiding plate 15 formed on the surface of support plate 11, and a flange of surrounding wall 22 for attaching the tank 1.

In other words, the coin which is moved by the sending nail is guided by the flange surrounding wall 22 of tank 1 and the guiding plate 6 4 Then, finally, said coin is guided by a fixed guide roller (not shown) and a movable guide roller 26, and pumped out from the coin outlet 23.

[0006] Problem which the invention tries to solve However, in the above-mentioned apparatus for ejecting a circular plate body, there was a problem that the payout operation of coins were at high speed and ended immediately, because the tank has a small capacity.

Especially, in a case of game apparatus using a great amount of tokens, there was a problem that a coin shortage occurred and damaged the attractive game on the way of 1 game playing.

.This invention was developed at an object to supply an 15 apparatus for ejecting circular plate bodies, of which the receiving capacity of circular plate bodies such as coins paid out is greatly improved.

In addition, the invention was developed at another object to supply an apparatus for ejecting circular plate bodies, 20 which can dispense all of circular plate bodies without leaving.

[0007] Means to solve problems According to the present invention there is provided a high-capacity apparatus for ejecting circular plate bodies, the apparatus including: first tank means which is in the form of a tube having openings at its upper and lower ends and being provided inclined; an outlet for the circular plate bodies formed at the lower opening of the first tank means; ejecting means for ejecting a circular plate body ich is rotatable and provided slantingly within the H:\HelenF\Keep\speci\85190.98. doc 19/03/02 4a first tank means; second tank means which is at least partly in a large tubular form and arranged to substantially communicate with the upper opening of the first tank means; and conveying means for conveying the circular plate bodies from the second tank means to the first tank means wherein the conveying means has the form of a big ring and is provided rotatably at the upper opening of the first tank means, and in that a groove is formed along the inside of the lower opening of the second tank means.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a storage and dispensing apparatus for coins, 15 the apparatus including: a first storage member; a first coin transport assembly operatively mounted to the first storage member for selectively removing coins from the first storage member; 20 a second storage member rotatable and mounted above 0 the first storage member to rotate about a first axis and having a transition groove for causing a face of a coin to be aligned traverse to the axis; a second coin transport assembly operatively mounted to the second storage member and positioned within the transition groove for selectively removing coins from the second storage member and transporting the coins by dropping the coins into the first storage member; support means for movably mounting the first and second storage members so that their positions, relative to the support means, can depend on the weight of the coins in the respective storage members; sensor means for monitoring the relative movement of H:\HelenF\Keep\speci\85190.98.doc 19/03/02 4b the first and second storage members and providing a signal; and drive means for rotating the second coin transport assembly when the sensor means provides a signal whereby the coins stored in the second storage member can be transferred to the first storage member.

[0008] Further, this invention is an apparatus for ejecting a circular plate body characterized in that a groove is formed along the inside of lower opening edge of said second tank means.

In addition, this invention is an apparatus for ejecting a circular plate body characterized in that said means for conveying circular plate bodies is provided with means for 15 holding a circular plate body in the surface thereof.

Embodying form of the invention This invention is explained below, referring to the attached drawing of the embodying.

S" Fig. 1 is a summarized side view which shows one 20 embodiment according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a section end view of a subject portion which is seen from the diagonal top of Fig. 1 front.

H:\HelenF\Keep\speci\85190.98.doc 19/03/02 [0009] Fig.3 is a side view which shows the subject portion of Fig.1.

Fig.4 is a front view which shows a subject portion of another embodiment according to this present invention.

A symbol 31 which is shown in the lower portion of Fig.1 is a big rectangular base plate, and this base plate 31 is horizontally installed within a game machine which uses coins, tokens and so on.

A thing with a triangle form which is shown in the left of Fig.1 is one of a pair of frames 32 which are fixed in the setting-up state at each end of the base plate 31, respectively.

33 which is shown in the central portion of Fig.1 is a rectangular fixation plate, and the plate 33 is inclined and fixed on the pair of frames 32 in setting up condition.

[00 1 0] Further, in the both ends at the upper edge of fixation plate 33, hinges 34 and 34 are formed respectively.

35 stacked on the fixation plate 33 is a rectangular movable plate, and the both ends at the upper edge of this movable plate 35 are pivoted respectively by the hinges 34 and 34 so that the movable plate becomes rotatably.

36 shown on the lower portion of fixation plate 33 is a coil-shaped spring, and this spring 36 is provided between the both ends of lower edge of fixation plate 33 and the both ends of lower edge of movable plate 35, being slidably without loosing.

Concretely, a hole with bottom is formed in the surface of the fixation plate 33 which faces the movable plate 35, and the spring 36 is slidably inserted and projected in the hole.

[0011 Therefore, when the movable plate 35 becomes light weight, the movable plate 35 can be slightly rotated upward about the hinge 34 under the action of spring 36.

A thing with a small box form which is shown on the lower portion of fixation plate 33 is a switch 37 such as a limit switch, and this switch 37 is turned on or off by the approaching or leaving of movable plate 41 which is shown on the upper portion of movable plate 35 is a short tubular tank. On the first tank 41, a flange 42 which protrudes outside is formed at the opening edge of the lower portion.

Through this first flange 42, the tank 41 is fixed on the movable plate Further, an outlet 43 for the circular plate body is formed at a part of flange 42.

[00 1 2] A second flange 44 which protrudes outside is formed at the upper opening edge on the tank 41. The lower portion of this flange 44 is mainly formed for the outside (see Fig.2).

46 within the tank 41 is a disk with deep plate form, and this disk 46 is rotated by an electric motor 39, a deceleration apparatus (not shown) and a rotating axis 38.

In addition, as clear from the drawing, the rotating axis 38 is on the central axis line of the disk 46 and the first tank 41.

Also, 47 shown on Fig. 2 is a pierced hole, and a plurality of pierced holes 47 are opened in the circumference of disk 46 and at regular intervals/ [001 3] These pierced holes pile and stores circular plate bodies.

A plurality of small gears 51 are provided on the upper portion of the second flange 44, these gears 51 for three-point support are circumferentially provided in regular intervals and moreover rotatably.

A big ring 52 is provided on these gears 51, and on the underside of this ring, a big gear 53 is formed and engaged with three gears 51.

Further, this big ring 52 is a means for conveying circular plate bodies C (see Fig.2).

Also, in the upper surface of ring 52, a large number of approximately U-shaped recesses 54 are formed circumferentially and at equal intervals (see Fig.2).

S[0014] A symbol 55 which is shown in the lower portion of second flange 44 is an electric motor (see Fig.1), and this electric motor 55 is a means for rotating the big ring 52 by means of the small gears 51 and large gear 53.

56 which is shown in the right of Fig.1 is a second tank with big tubular form, and on the opening edge of the lower portion of this tank 56, a flange 57 is outwardly formed.

Further, this flange 57 is mounted on the second flange 44 intervening the three gears 51 by means of bolts and nuts or clamps (not shown).

[00 1 Also, as clear from Fig.1, the central axis line 59 of second tank 56 is situated on a lower portion than the rotating axis 38 as the central axis line of the first tank 41.

Further, the whole wall of lower opening of second tank 56 is projected outwardly, and in the inside thereof, a groove 61 with ring form is formed (see Fig. 3).

This groove 61 is used for conveying circular plate bodies into the first tank 41 without leaving, when a number of circular plate bodies in the second tank 56 becomes small.

-7- In other words, making the circular plate bodies which slipped out from the inner bottom of second tank 56 fall into the groove 61, and filliping the circular plate bodies in the groove 61 by the standing pins 58, as the result, the circular plate bodies are received in the recesses 54.

[00 16] Therefore, it is desirable that the width W in the opening of groove 61, i.e. the distance between the surface of ring 52 and the inner bottom of second tank 56 is bigger than the radius of circular plate body C.

Embodiment In operation of this embodiment having the above-mentioned constitution, firstly, a lot of circular plate bodies are thrown into the first tank 41 and the second tank 56 and are stored in loose loading conditions (not shown).

When the disk 46 is rotated by the electric motor 47 in this condition, :the disk 46 is rotated in the clockwise direction, for instance.

[0017] Thus, the circular plate bodies which are in loose loading conditions in the first tank 41 are piled into the pierced holes 47 of turning disk 46.

The circular plate body which is situated on the lowest portion in said pierced hole 47 is slidably moved on the upper surface of movable plate 35, and by means of the projection arm (not shown), the circular plate bodies are forcibly sent out one by one to the outlet 43.

Further, in other words, by the rotation of disk 46 with a deep plate form, the circular plate bodies are agitated with the projections (not shown) which are formed inside of the surrounding wall 48 of disk 46.

(0018] As the result, the circular plate bodies in the disk 46 are stored into the pierced holes 47 in the bottom of disk 46.

The circular plate bodies which went into the pierced holes 47 go through the pierced holes 47 and is slidably held on the surface of big rectangular movable plate The circular plate bodies are ejected to the outlet 23, by means of the sending nails (not shown) which are formed on the underside of disk 46, a guidance plate (not shown) which is formed in the surface of movable plate 35, and the flange 42 for mounting the tank 41.

00 1 9] Like mentioning above, most of the circular plate bodies in the first tank 41 are eject-ed from the outlet 43.

However, at the lower portion of second tank 56, the circular plate bodies are leaved.

When the circular plate bodies in the first tank 41 becomes little in the weight, the load of movable plate 35 is reduced and the elasticity power in spring 36 acts.

As the result, the switch 37 is turned on, the electrical motor 55 is driven, and the ring 52 turns.

When the ring 52 is turned counterclockwise for example, the circular plate bodies C (see Fig.2) which are in the lower portion of second tank 56 are fitted into a numerous number of recesses 54 to be held and are upwardly conveyed.

[0020] The upwardly conveyed circular plate bodies C fall below, because of the self-weight of circular plate body C, against the centrifugal force by the rotation of ring 52 (see Fig.2).

Falling circular plate bodies C go through the opening 50 of ring 52 and fall to the lower portion of first tank 41., as shown at the arrow in Fig.3.

0*0:0. Thus, a lot of circular plate bodies are stored up into the first tank 41 and the ejecting of the circular plate bodies which depends on the disk 46 is continued.

When the circular plate bodies in the first tank 56 becomes many, the movable plate 35 turns off the switch 37 by the weight thereof and the S.0 rotation of motor 55 is stopped.

[002 1] Of course, the electric motor 55 may be made the stop some later, after the switch 37 is turned on.

Also, the disk 41 is explained as a deep plate form. However, a disk with a thin disk form may be used of course, as described in the specification of United States Patent 4,589,433 or Japanese Application 59-22825 (Japanese Patent Publication 62-45586) corresponding thereto.

In this case, a plurality of pins with circular axis form are planted at equal intervals on the limb part of the thin circular disk. These pins hitch to hold circular plate bodies and convey them.

[0022] Also, it is good of course that a pin with small strip form or a square axis-shaped pin and so on may come across the replacement of said circular axis-shaped pin.

Further, it is of course enough that the depth of the recess in ring 52 is equal to or more than one thickness of the circular plate body C.

In addition, the size of opening 50 of ring 52 and the size of opening in the first tank 41 (that is, the size of opening 40 in the disk 46) are decided, considering the inclined angle of ring 52 and the direction of the fall of circular plate body C and so on.

(0023] -9- Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a lot of recesses 54 are formed in the surface of large-sized ring 52. However, as shown in Fig.4, pins 17 with circular axis-shaped form or small strip-shaped pins or square axis-shaped pins, etc. may be used of course.

In Fig.2, the pins 58 are planted in the suitable peripheral portion of large ring 52. However, as shown in Fig.4, step portions 72 with small recess or projection may be used of course.

In other words, circular plate bodies C are flicked from the groove 61 by means of the step potions 72. As the result, the circular plate bodies C can be put among a plurality of pins 71 or in recesses 54.

[0024] Moreover, replacing the combination of spring 36 and switch 37, a sensor such as a pressure sensitive element or a strain detective element, etc. (not shown) are of course permitted.

In this case, for example, the movable plate 35 is removed, the pressure sensitive element is provided on the proper place on the surface of fixation plate 33, and the flange 42 of first tank 41 is directly contacted to the pressure sensitive element.

In addition, a belt apparatus for the replacement of the small gear and large-sized gear is permitted to be used of course.

Also, combining a gear apparatus and a belt apparatus is permitted to be used of course.

[0025] Effect of the invention As above mentioned, this invention adds the second tank to the first tank and also disposes the conveying means from the second tank to the first tank.

Therefore, the circular plate bodies can be housed in the communicated first and second tank at large quantities.

Further, every circular plate bodies which are left at the lower portion of second tank can be transferred to the first tank by the conveying means.

Therefore, this present invention gets a big effect that all of a great amount of disk bodies can be perfectly used.

Accordingly, as for the game apparatus which huge medals are especially used for, this invention gets a big advantage that the attractiveness of the game is maintained without medal shortage occurring.

Brief description of the drawing Fig. 1 Fig.1 is a summarized side view which shows one embodiment according to this invention.

Fig.2 I Fig.2 is a section end view of the subject portion which is seen from *5 S S

S

S.

*5 S S S. a diagonal top of the front of Fig.1 Fig.3 Fig.3 is a side view which shows the subject portion of Fig.1.

Fig.4 Fig.4 is a front view which shows a subject portion of another embodiment according to this present invention.

Fig.5 is a perspective view which shows a prior art.

Fig.6 Fig.6 is a section view from the side of Explanation of the symbol C: circular plate body, First tank means 41: first tank, 44: flange, Means for ejecting a circular plate body 43: outlet, 46: disk, Means for conveying circular plate bodies 52: ring, 54: recess, Second tank means 56: second tank, 57: flange, and 61: groove.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (22)

1. A high-capacity apparatus for ejecting circular plate bodies, the apparatus including: first tank means which is in the form of a tube having openings at its upper and lower ends and being provided inclined; an outlet for the circular plate bodies formed at the lower opening of the first tank means; ejecting means for ejecting a circular plate body which is rotatable and provided slantingly within the first tank means; second tank means which is at least partly in a large .tubular form and arranged to substantially communicate 15 with the upper opening of the first tank means; and conveying means for conveying the circular plate Sbodies from the second tank means to the first tank means wherein the conveying means has the form of a big ring and is provided rotatably at the upper opening of the first 20 tank means, and in that a groove is formed alo0ng the inside of the lower opening of the second tank means.

2. The apparatus according to dlaiml, wherein the conveying means is provided with means for holding a circular plate body in the surface thereof.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveying means is provided with means for removing circular plate bodies from the groove.

4. A storage and dispensing apparatus for coins, the g apparatus including: H:\HelenF\Keep\speci\85190.98.doc 19/03/02 12 a first storage member; a first coin transport assembly operatively mounted to the first storage member for selectively removing coins from the first storage member; a second storage member rotatable and mounted above the first storage member to rotate about a first axis and having a transition groove for causing a face of a coin to be aligned traverse to the axis; a second coin transport assembly operatively mounted to the second storage member and positioned within the transition groove for selectively removing coins from the second storage member and transporting the coins by 1 dropping the coins into the first storage member; support means for movably mounting the first and second storage members so that their positions, relative to the support means, can depend on the weight of the coins in the respective storage members; sensor means for monitoring the relative movement of S.° the first and second storage members and providing a 20 signal; and drive means for rotating the second coin transport e• assembly when the sensor means provides a signal whereby the coins stored in the second storage member can be transferred to the first storage member. The storage and dispensing apparatus of claim 4 wherein the support means includes a frame member and a pivotably mounted support plate attached to the frame member.

6. The storage and dispensing apparatus of claim 4 or wherein the support means includes a spring mounted between the frame member and the pivotably mounted support DT plate to bias the support plate away from the frame member H:\HelenF\Keep\speci\85190.98.doc 19/03/02 13 at a predetermined force.

7. The storage and dispensing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the sensor means is mounted for operative contact with the pivotably mounted support plate.

8. The storage and dispensing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the transition structure includes a groove formed along an inside portion of a lower opening of the second storage member and the second o0 coin transport assembly includes means for removing coins from the groove.

9. The storage and dispensing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 8 further including a flange on the first storage member wherein the second coin transport assembly is rotably mounted on the flange of the first o storage member and a motor is mounted on the flange for 20 driving the second coin transport assembly. o* A large capacity ejection device for objects in a disk form, the device including: a first cylindrical container device diagonally extending from a support surface and formed with an ejection opening for objects in disk form with an opening at a bottom edge; an ejection device for objects in disk form arranged within the first container device so that it can rotate freely; a conveying device arranged at an opening upper edge of the first cylindrical container device so that it can H:\HelenF\Keep\speci\85190.98.doc 19/03/02 14 rotate freely to pick up the objects in disk form and drop them into the first cylindrical container; and a second cylindrical container device having an enlarged annular groove arranged so that it is positioned adjacent the conveying device for aligning objects in disk form from the second container device with the conveying device for transporting the objects to the first container device wherein the annular groove has a diameter larger than a diameter of the second cylindrical container and the conveying device includes means for preventing coins from jamming in the annular groove. S11. The ejection device of claim 10, wherein the annular groove includes an inclined flange and the conveying o• device includes a contact member that is positioned adjacent the inclined flange to agitate the objects in disk form supported by the inclined flange. S

12. The ejection device of claim 10 or 11 wherein the 20 conveying device is equipped with a holding device for 6*9000 supporting objects in disk form at its upper surface. S

13. The ejection device of claim 12 wherein the holding device consists of a rotatable member with a series of indentations of a configuration complimentarily to the disks.

14. The ejection device of claim 12 wherein the holding device consists of a rotatable member with a series of pins positioned to engage and support the disks. The ejection device according to any one of claims to 14 wherein a sensor member detects the weight of the H:\HelenF\Keep\speci\85190.98.doc 19/03/02 15 first and second containers and activates the conveying device at a predetermined weight to transfer coins.

16. The ejection device according to any one of claims to 15 wherein the width of the groove is larger than a radius of the objects in disk form.

17. A coin storage and dispensing apparatus for storing and dispensing coins from a gaming machine, the apparatus 10 including: a frame member for mounting in a gaming machine; a first container device operatively mounted on the frame member for storing and ejecting coins; a second container device operatively mounted to the 15 first container device with an aperture centrally arranged between the first and second containers and having a .0 flared flange for providing a groove whereby coins stored 9 in the second container device can pass through the aperture to the first container device; .*00 20 a coin transporting device rotatably mounted in the S" second container device about the aperture and adjacent the groove whereby coins that are stored in the second container device can be aligned by the groove so that they are releaseably secured to the coin transporting device to be dropped through the aperture into the first container device, the coin transporting device includes contact members positioned in the groove for contacting the coins and agitating the coins to facilitate the releasable securement; and a sensor member monitoring the presence of coins in the first container device and activating the coin transporting device to transfer coins from the second H:\HelenF\Keep\speci\85190.98.doc 19/03/02 16 container device to the first container device when a predetermined presence of coins is sensed.

18. The coin storage and dispensing apparatus of claim 17 further including a support member pivotally connected to the frame member, the support member supports the weight of the first and second container devices.

19. The coin storage and dispensing apparatus of claim 17 10 or 18 wherein the sensor means is mounted between the frame member and the support member. a. o

20. The coin storage and dispensing apparatus according to any of claims 17 to 19 further including a spring 15 member operatively positioned between the support member and the frame member and bracing the support member away from the frame member. *o

21. The coin storage and dispensing apparatus according 20 to any one of claims 17 to 20 wherein the contact members include one of a projection and a recess on the surface of the coin transporting device.

22. The coin storage and dispensing apparatus of claim 18 wherein the coin transporting device includes a rotable apertured plate with indentations of a configuration to receive and support a coin.

23. The coin storage and dispensing apparatus of claim 18 wherein the coin transporting device includes a rotable apertured plate with a plurality of pins arranged to receive and support a coin. H:\Helen\Keep\speci\85190.98.doc 19/03/02 17

24. A high capacity storage and dispensing apparatus for ejecting circular plate bodies, the apparatus including: a first storage member having openings at its upper and lower ends and operatively positioned to be inclined relative to a support surface, the lower end having an outlet for the circular plate bodies at the opening of the first storage member; an ejecting device for ejecting a circular plate body which is rotatable and provided within the first storage member; a second storage member positioned to substantially communicate with the upper opening of the first storage •member, the second storage member having a groove formed along a lower opening of the second storage member .15 adjacent the upper opening of the first storage member; and conveying means including a ring member, positioned within the groove, for conveying the circular plate bodies 04 from the second storage member to the first storage member 20 by rotating adjacent the upper opening of the first storage member. °4 The high capacity storage and dispensing apparatus of claim 24, wherein the groove can align circular plate bodies stored in the second storage member so that they are releasably secured to the conveying means, the ring member further includes one of recesses and projections that are aligned with the groove to agitate circular plate bodies in the groove, the ring member can releasably secure the circular plate bodies and gravity drops them into the first storage member. T 26. The high capacity storage and dispensing apparatus of H:\HelenF\Keep\speci\85190.98.doc 19/03/02 18 claim 24, wherein the groove includes an inclined flange and the ring member includes a contact member that is positioned adjacent the inclined flange to agitate the circular plate bodies supported by the inclined flange.

27. A storage and dispensing apparatus for storing and dispensing disk bodies, the apparatus including: a first container device having a cylindrical configuration with an opening at an upper end and a lower end for receiving disk bodies, a central axis extends through the cylindrical configuration and is inclined relative to a support surface; ejecting means connected to the lower end of the first container device and rotatable within a lower end o 15 opening of the first container device for ejecting disk bodies from the first container device; a second container device which stores disk bodies is 0.000 positioned adjacent the upper end of the first container device and includes an annular groove adjacent the upper oooeO 20 end opening of the first container device; and 0 conveying means for conveying the disk bodies from 0 0 the second container device to the first container device including a flat ring member, the flat ring member is rotatably mounted adjacent the upper end opening to transport disk bodies from the second container device to the first container device by picking up disk bodies and dropping them into the first container device through the opening at the upper end. H:\HelenF\Keep\speci\85190.98.doc 19/03/02 19

28. A storage and dispensing apparatus for coins substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures. Dated this 19th day of March 2002 ASAHI SEIKO CO., LTD By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia a HA\HelenF\Keep\speci\85190.98 .doc 19/03/02