TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to coin operated devices, such as pay telephones and more particularly relates to a coin validation apparatus for use with pay telephones.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Coin operated devices have become very popular. Some examples of such are coin operated pay telephones, coin operated laundry machines, vending machines, parking meters, etc. One problem associated with such coin operated machines is that a wide variety of slugs have been developed in order to try to obtain products or services fraudulently from these coin operated machines without having to pay for the products or services. In the past, it has been common to provide a coin validator for sorting and discriminating coins deposited in the coin operated device and for rejecting slugs.

It frequently occurs that wet coins are placed into the coin operated device. Also, many coin operated devices are located outside where they may be subjected to wet weather. These circumstances can lead to water being inside the prior art coin validators. Known prior art devices generally do not include effective mechanisms for evacuating liquid that accumulates within the coin validation apparatus. It has been known to direct liquid that accumulates within a coin validation apparatus along an angular coin track. Typically, the angular coin track enables easy transport of the liquid to an open receptacle. Though this arrangement results in some liquid evacuation, its use of the coin track for liquid evacuation creates several disadvantages. Transporting liquid along a coin track can result in coin jams as the liquid adheres to the walls of the coin track. As coins jam, this can create other problems such as inoperability and

detection failure. Detection failure can create customer frustration because of the customer's inability to make a phone call, for example.

Accordingly, it is to the provision of a coin validation apparatus which overcomes these problems of the known prior art by effectively eliminating (removing) liquid to which the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention meets the needs described above in a coin validation apparatus with liquid evacuation, such as for use with a pay telephone, that effectively evaluates an inserted coin. The invention more accurately evaluates a coin by separating liquid from the coin and transporting liquid away from a coin path before evaluating the coin.

Briefly described, a first form of the present invention comprises a coin validation apparatus having a coin path for receiving the coin. The invention also includes a liquid separator positioned along the coin path and operative to separate liquid from the coin as the coin advances within the coin path. The invention further comprises a plurality of liquid channels operative to transport liquid from the coin path and a sensor array assembly positioned to evaluate the coin after the coin has passed the liquid separator.

The invention also comprises at least one drain in fluid communication with the plurality of liquid channels and operative to transport liquid from the coin validation apparatus.

According to a second form of the invention, a coin validation apparatus comprises a coin path for receiving the coin and a first liquid separator positioned along the coin path and operative to separate a substantial portion of liquid from the coin as the coin advances within the coin path. The invention further comprises a second liquid separator positioned to separate a substantial portion of remaining liquid from the coin after the coin has passed the first liquid separator. In addition, the invention includes a plurality of liquid channels operative to transport liquid from the coin path. The invention also includes a sensor array assembly positioned to evaluate the coin after the coin has passed the liquid separators and at least one drain in fluid communication with the plurality of liquid channels. The drain is operative to transport liquid from the coin validation apparatus.

According to a third form of the invention, a method of evaluating a coin inserted in a coin operated apparatus includes the steps of separating a liquid from the coin as the coin advances along a coin path, transporting liquid away from the coin path, and evaluating the coin after separating liquid from the coin. Optionally, the method can also include the step of transporting liquid away from the coin operated device. The method can also include repeating the step of separating a liquid after the step of transporting liquid.

The method and apparatus according to the present invention have numerous advantages. The present invention improves the reliability of a coin validation apparatus by reducing the number of coin jams. In addition, the present invention enables more accurate and reliable evaluation of inserted coins by removing a substantial portion of liquid before evaluation. The present invention also effectively reduces the liquid removal time by incorporating multiple drains positioned at varying places along the device.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES Fig. 1 is a front view of a coin validation apparatus with liquid evacuation illustrating a front view of the coin path.

Fig. 2A is a rear view of the rubbish flap portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1 illustrating the relation of a dampening wedge to channels.

Fig. 2B is a cross sectional view of a channel portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3A is a side perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 illustrating the relation of a sensor array assembly to the coin path.

Fig. 3B is a rear view of the sensor array assembly of Fig. 3A.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view illustrating a plurality of drains that extend along the bottom of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in detail to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, Figures 1 through 4 illustrate a coin validation apparatus that includes a liquid evacuation assembly. This assembly cooperates, for example, with a sensor array assembly to evaluate a coin inserted in a pay telephone after separating liquid from the coin. Figure 1 is a front view of a coin validation apparatus 100 with liquid evacuation that can be used with a coin operated device, such as a pay telephone (or other coin operated device). If a user of a pay telephone deposits a coin 105 in a coin deposit slot, other components within the pay

telephone can direct the inserted coin 105 to the coin validation apparatus 100. Liquid, such as water, could also enter a pay telephone through a coin deposit slot. This liquid could also be transported to the coin validation apparatus 100. Consequently, liquid could attach to the coin 105.

Generally, the coin 105 enters the coin validation apparatus 100 through the coin entrance 107. A coin path 110 connected to this entrance transports the coin 105 throughout the coin validation apparatus 100. Fig. 1 reveals the coin path 110 by illustrating a rubbish flap 115 in a non-operative position. The coin path 110 generally refers to surfaces within the coin validation apparatus 100 defined by a coin chute. An angular coin track 120 generally refers to a portion of the coin path 110 upon which the coin 105 rolls. The remainder of the coin path 110 extends behind the sensor array assembly 125 and is described with reference to Fig. 3 A.

As the coin 105 advances within the coin path 110, it engages a liquid separator, or dampening wedge 130. A fastener, such as a screw, can removably secure this dampening wedge to the coin path 110 and enable pivotal movement. The dampening wedge 130 can extend vertically or horizontal along the coin path 110. Contact between the coin 105 and this dampening wedge punctures the meniscus of liquid attached to this coin. Consequently, a substantial portion of liquid separates from the coin 105.

Placing the rubbish flap 115 in an operative position covers the portion of the coin path illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 2A is a rear view of the rubbish flap 115 that illustrates the relation between the dampening wedge 130 and the channels 135. The narrowness of the coin path 110 puts the channels 135 in close proximity to the dampening wedge 130. Hence, the channels 135 receive liquid as it separates from the coin 105. The design of these channels aids in effectively transporting liquid away from the coin path 110. Fig. 2B is a cross sectional view of a channel. As indicated in Fig. 2A by the arrow, liquid progresses downward in the channels 135 towards to the bottom of the coin validation apparatus 100.

As the coin 105 continues moving, it advances past the dampening wedge 125 and contacts the coin track 120 (see Figure 1). This contact changes the coin's direction from primarily vertical to primarily horizontal. Consequently, the coin 105 rolls along the portion of the coin track 120 that extends behind the sensor array assembly

125. Figure 3A is a side perspective view of the coin validation apparatus 100 illustrating the relation of the sensor array assembly 125 to the coin path 110. Like the rubbish flap 115, fasteners can removably mount the sensor array assembly 125 to the coin validation apparatus 100 and enable pivotal movement.

Placing the sensor array assembly 125 in the operative position covers the portion of the coin path 110 illustrated in Fig. 3A. Fig. 3B is a rear view of the sensor array assembly 125. This sensor array assembly includes a second liquid separator, or leading edge scraper 140. When the sensor array assembly 125 is in the operative position, the coin 105 engages this leading edge scraper shortly after it changes direction. If some liquid remained attached to the coin 105 after it passed the dampening wedge 130, the leading edge scraper 140 removes a substantial portion of this liquid.

As the coin 105 advances past the leading edge scraper 140, this coin contacts a third liquid separator, or angular scraper 145. If some liquid remained attached to the coin 105 after it passed the leading edge scraper 140, the angular scraper 145 removes a substantial portion of this liquid. In addition, the sensor array assembly 125 may include a second angular scraper 147 that functions similarly to the angular scraper 145.

While the leading edge scraper 140 and angular scrapers 145,147 are positioned along the coin path 110 when the sensor array assembly 125 is in the operative position, numerous alternative embodiments could result from fixedly attaching these scrapers such that they at least partially extend into the coin path 110.

As the leading edge scraper 140, angular scraper 145 and angular scraper 147 separate liquid from the coin 105, a plurality of channels 150 are positioned to receive the separated liquid. These channels function similarly to the channels 135 and transport liquid away from the coin path 110. Drains 155 associated with the channels 150 and the channels 135 minimize liquid collection within the coin validation apparatus 100. The drains 155 transport liquid away from these channels to a location outside of the coin validation apparatus 100. Fig. 4 is a bottom view illustrating the drains 155 that extend along the bottom of the coin validation apparatus 100.

After the coin 105 advances past the three liquid separators, it approaches a sensing region 160 (see Fig. 3B). Because a considerable amount of liquid is removed from the coin 105 before it reaches the sensing region 160, the sensor array assembly

125 can evaluate the coin more accurately and more reliably. Hence, the sensor array assembly 125 is positioned to evaluate the coin 105 after this coin passes all of the liquid separators. To evaluate the coin 105, the sensor array assembly 125 could include a light source, sensor, as well as an electronic means for evaluating whether the coin 105 is valid. After this coin is evaluated, other components within a pay telephone may transport the coin 105 to the next appropriate location, such as a coin return chute.

The present invention also includes a method of evaluating a coin inserted in a coin operated device, such as a pay telephone. The method includes separating liquid from a coin as a coin advances along a coin path. A liquid separator positioned along the coin path, as previously described, could be used in accomplishing this step. The method also includes transporting liquid away from the coin path. A plurality of channels, as described above, could transport liquid away from the coin path.

A method, in accordance with the invention, further includes the step of evaluating the coin after separating the liquid. A sensor array assembly, as explained with reference to Fig. 3B, could complete this step. The method could also include a step of transporting liquid from the coin operated device. A plurality of drains in fluid communication with liquid channels, for example, could accomplish this step. The method could also include repeating the step of separating a liquid after the step of transporting liquid to remove additional liquid. In addition, the method could also include repeating the step of transporting liquid discard the removed liquid. Moreover, the step of evaluating could be completed after repeating the step transporting liquid.

A coin validation apparatus with liquid evacuation and related method according to the present invention effectively evaluates a coin. Together the liquid separators (dampening wedge 130, leading edge scraper 140, angular scraper 145 and angular scraper 147) remove a considerable portion of liquid from the coin 105. A plurality of channels minimize accumulation of liquid by transporting liquid away from the coin path.

By minimizing the accumulation of liquid, the present invention significantly reduces the number of coin jams. Because coin jams can make a coin validation apparatus inoperative, reducing coin jams increases the reliability of the this device. In addition, the inclusion of multiple drains extending throughout the device substantially reduces the liquid evacuation time. Moreover, the liquid evacuation assembly included in the coin validation apparatus 100 is equally applicable to various types of coin validation apparatuses.