Coin Bank
Cardboard coin banks are a type of sealed paper tube or cylinder which are constructed with a slot in one end and are used to collect change and cash. A common use for cardboard coin banks is to gather donations for charities and non-profit causes by placing the coin banks at prominent locations within stores or at an event. Other uses include piggy banks, children’s savings banks and special funds savings containers.
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Design of Coin Banks
Typically, coin banks are semi-strong and made using the same process as other tubes such as mailing tubes or shipping tubes using wood pulp and cardboard, adhesives and caps/plugs. The cardboard is cut into ribbons and then wrapped around a mandrel, typically using a strengthening adhesive of sorts and dried into the desired size of coin bank. The tubes are often covered in kraft paper, or another type of printed paper; the cardboard itself, or labels are able to be custom designed according to the use and purpose of the tube. Metal or plastic plugs or caps are used to seal the end of the tubes, and the top plug has a slot cut into it that is wide enough and long enough for change and paper money to be pushed through. Some tubes will have removable plugs while other tubes may have a more permanent seal at the ends, especially for tamper-proof purposes.
Materials for Coin Banks
While coin collecting tubes are also often made of plastic, cardboard offers a highly versatile material for this purpose. The tubes are able to be pre-printed with labels and logos or designs, therefore allowing the tubes to have a potential dual purpose of collecting money and advertising for a cause or organization. The coin banks are not made too big, and typically have a diameter of about 3 inches with a height around 5 inches. Money, especially coins, can be very heavy, and the semi-strong cardboard walling can only hold so much weight. Therefore, the size is restricted to ensure the tube does not break. Some coin banks can be shipped flat with the plugs and assembled as and when needed. These are not likely to be the most durable tubes as the cardboard will be thinner, but can be useful for short term use. When tubes are no longer being used either because they have been damaged in some way, or because a permanently sealed tube has been opened, they are able to be recycled in the same manner as other cardboard items. The relatively low costs of manufacturing and labeling cardboard coin tubes make them an excellent solution for community, church or office charity drives.