CA1219609A - Paper sheet processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the disclosure An apparatus for processing paper sheets comprises a judgment unit for judging paper sheets picked up by a batch takeout device, whereby the paper sheets are classified into two groups, a first group fit for reuse, and a second group unfit for reuse, a first collecting device for collecting the first group of paper sheets, a second collecting device for collecting the second group of paper sheets. The second collecting device includes therein a batch half-wrapping device for half-wrapping and banding the second group of paper sheets collected in the second collecting device, and a destroying unit for preventing the second group of paper sheets collected in the second collecting device from being reused. The apparatus further comprises a conveyor device provided between the batch takeout device and the second collecting device and adapted to deliver the second group of paper sheets, selectively, to the batch half-wrapping device or the destroying unit.

Description

To attain the above object, a paper sheet process-in apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a batch half wrapping device and a destroy-in means which are operated selectively.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for processing paper sheets for general use, said sheets being withdrawn as required and being classified into at least two categories including those fit for reuse and those unfit for reuse, said apparatus comprising carrying means for carrying said paper sheets; pickup means for individually picking up said paper sheets from said carrying means; judgment means for judging said paper sheets picked up by said pickup means, and for classifying said paper sheets into at least two group types including a first group type fit for reuse, and a second group type unfit for reuse;
first conveying means for conveying sheets away from said judgment means; first collecting means for collect-in a plurality of sheets classified as said first group type of paper sheets from said first conveying means;
second collecting means for collecting a prescribed numb bier of sheets classified as said second group type of paper sheets from said conveying means so that a convey-ante of the paper sheets is interrupted thus reducing a possibility of an erroneous further operation thereupon;
batch half wrapping means, for selectively half wrapping and banding paper sheets collected in said second collect-in means; destroying means for selectively destroying ~!~

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paper sheets collected in said second collecting means;
and second conveying means, coupled to said second got-looting means and to said batch half wrapping means and said destroying means for selectively delivering said second group type of paper sheets from said second got-looting means to one of (a) said batch half wrapping means, and (b) said destroying means.
This invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunct lion with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figs. lay lo and lo are a plan view, a vertical side sectional view, and a front view, respectively, of a bank note processing apparatus as one embodiment of the paper sheet processing apparatus according to the present in-mention;
Figs. I and 2B are front and rear perspective views of the bank note processing apparatus, respectively;
Fig. 2C is a perspective view showing a modification of a batch feeder;
fugue. 3 is a perspective view of a batch feeder of one embodiment;
Fig. is a vertical side sectional view of a batch feeding stand;
Fig. 5 is a vertical side sectional view of a batch extruding section;
Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of an unmachin-able batch removing section;

- pa -Fig. 7 is a side view of a rocking mechanism for rollers;
Figs. PA and 8B are a vertical front sectional view and a vertical side sectional view of a band cutting sea-lion, respectively;

Lo I

Figs. PA, loan lea, AYE, AYE and AYE are vertical front sectional views for schematically illustrating the band cutting/removing operation;
Figs. 98, lob lob, 12B, 13B, 14B and 15 are vertical side sectional views for schematically illustrating the band cutting/removing operation;
Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a rejected note collecting section;
Figs. AYE and 17B are side views for schematically illustrating the bundle packaging operation;
Fig. 17C is a perspective view of a packaged bundle; and Fig. 18 is a front view showing an example of an indication mode on a CRT of an external operating device.
There will now be described in detail a bank note processing apparatus as one embodiment of the paper sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, which processes bank notes as paper sheets.
Figs. lo to lo schematically show the bank note processing apparatus, in which Fig. lo is a plan view of the apparatus, Fig lo is a vertical side sectional view, and Fix. lo is a front view. The bank note processing apparatus, which is installed in a bank note issuing agency, classifies circulating bank notes withdrawn from city banks into four categories, i.e., correct notes, unfit notes, counterfeit notes, and unmachinable notes, and bundles only the correct notes so that they are returned to the city banks for recirculation. The bank note processing apparatus comprises a batch feeder 1, a takeout device 2, a conveyor/sorter 3, a judgment unit 4, a sorter/collectar 5, a batch ilalf-wrapping device 6, a bundle half-wrapping device PA, a bundle packaging device 7B, a destroying device 8, a control unit 9, and an operating panel section 10.
In one embodiment, a "batch" P consists of 100 banded notes, while a "bundle" includes 10 banded batches. The "correct notes" are defined as notes which are judged normal and valid and are to be returned from the issuing agent for reuse. The "unfit notes" are defined as notes which, although judged normal and valid, are unfit for reuse and are to be destroyed at the issuing agency. The "counterfeit notes" are defined as notes which are judged neither normal nor valid (unidentifiable notes are regarded as invalid). The "unmachinable notes" are defined as notes which cannot be judged due to superposition, skew or short pitch (too short a distance between two adjacent notes in a conveyor path for the following note to be processed with ease). The "counterfeit notes" and "unmachinable notes" are also referred to as "ejectable (or rejected) notes", since they are to be rejected from the bank note processing apparatus. "Fine notes" are defined as those "correct notes" which are relatively fine and clean.
The sorter/collector 5 comprises a rejected note collecting section PA, different sheet collecting sea-lion 5B, a fine note collecting section 5C, a correct note collecting section ED, and an unfit note collecting --section YE. The conveyor/sorter 3 comprises five conveyor/sorter sections PA to YE in the conveyor path, corresponding to the collecting sections PA to YE of the sorter/collector 5, respectively. Gates GUT are provided at the respective diverging portions of the conveyor/sorter sections PA to YE. The collecting sea-lions PA to YE are provided with conventional recovery wheels Fly to FOE, respectively, which take out fed bank notes one by one to collect them in their corresponding collecting boxes (Bins). Among these collecting boxes (Bins), a counterfeit note collecting box Bin and an unmachinable note collecting box BIN are disposed independently at the rejected note collecting section PA, lying one upon the other. Collecting boxes BIN to BIN are arranged at the other collecting sections 5B to YE, respectively.
The batch half-wrapping device 6 is provided with batch half-wrapping sections PA to ED arranged under the collecting boxes BIN to BIN, respectively. The bundle half-wrapping device PA is disposed under the batch half-wrapping section 6C which underlies the correct note collecting section ED. The bundle half-wrapping I

unit PA has a window Sal through which the bank notes are delivered to the bundle packaging device 7B at the back of the bundle half-wrapping device PA.
The takeout device 2 comprises a collecting section PA in which are collected a plurality of loose bank --, notes, a delivery roller 2B for picking up one by one the bank notes collected in the collecting section PA, a group of conveyor rollers 2C for transferring the bank notes picked up by the delivery roller 2B, and an inspection section ED provided in the conveyor path for inspecting the bank notes for unmachinable kirk-teristics (erg., superposition, skew, short pitch, etc.). The takeout device 2 is prevented from picking up the individual bank notes of a subsequent batch before the processing of a preceding batch is completed.
As shown in Fig. lo, the operating panel section 10 is provided with an inlet portion lo for fed batches, an operating portion lob including a tunics unit above the inlet portion loan a monitoring CRT lock and a cassette outlet opening lode The bundle packaging device 7B has an outlet opening blue.
The sections containing the aforementioned devices are formed into individual modules. As shown in Fig. lay a feeding module Ml detachably fitted with a feeding stand 11, a judgment module My, first and second collecting modules My and My, scrapping module My, and the bundle packaging device 7B are arranged so that they I

can be attached to or detached from one another. Thus, these modules can optionally be increased or decreased in number depending on applications and functions required. As shown in Fig. lo, the feeding module Ml contains therein the rejected note collecting section !
PA and the takeout device 2 arranged vertically, and the control unit 9 behind them. The judgment module My contains the judgment unit 4 and the first and second conveyor/sorter sections PA and 3B. The first collecting module My contains the different sheet collecting section 5B, the fine note collecting section 5C, the batch half-wrapping sections PA and 6B, and the third and fourth conveyor/sorter sections 3C and ED.
The second collecting module I contains the correct note collecting section ED, the unfit note collecting section YE, the batch half-wrapping sections 6C and ED, the fifth conveyor/sorter section YE, and the shredders PA and 8B as first and second destroying devices. The scrapping module My contains a scrap box 8C, Fig. PA is a partially disassembled perspective view of the bank note processing apparatus, Fig. 2B is a rear perspective view of the apparatus, and Fig. 2C
is a perspective view showing the principal part of a modification of the batch feeder. As shown in Fig. PA, the modules Ml to My have their respective doors. For example, the first and second shredders PA and 8B and the bundle half-wrapping device PA can be connected and .. . . .

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9 _ contained in the module My with its door open. Disposed near the bank note processing apparatus is an external operating device 100, whereby a rejected note cassette CYST containing rejected notes processed at the rejected note collecting section PA is taken out in order to - -inspect the rejected notes for the cause of rejection.
The external operating device 100 comprises a desk AYE, an input unit loo including a ten-key unit, a CRT loo, a printer loud, and a keyboard love, the units loo to love being set on the desk loo. A cover lo for loose note insertion is provided on the flank of the module Ml. The bank note processing apparatus is adapted to be in a loose note processing mode when the cover lo is open. As shown in Fig. 2B, a pipe containing portion 101 containing a cooling pipe, etc., is attached to the back of the bank note processing apparatus.
Fig. 2C shows the modification of one embodiment, in which the batch feeding stand 11 is replaced by a feeding stand 11' which is provided with a belt conveyor capable of longitudinally feeding a plurality of batches at a time. In this modification, a lid lea' on the top of the feeding stand 11' is lifted when batches or bundles of bank notes are fed manually. In this case, the batches or bundles of bank notes auto-magically transferred flow in the direction of arrow A to be fed into the bank note processing apparatus.
After the processing, the bundles of bank notes are carried in the direction of arrow B to be discharged to the outside through an outlet opening lye at the lower portion of the module Ml.
The construction of various parts of the bank note processing apparatus will now be described in detail. --As shown in Fig. 3, the batch feeder 1 comprises the batch feeding stand 11, a batch extruding section 12, an unmachinable batch removing section 13, and a band cutting section 14. The batch feeding stand 11 and the batch extruding section 12 constitute an example of batch takeout means for taking out and feeding one by one those batches which are each formed of a pro-determined number of (e.g., 100) banded bank notes. The band cutting section 14 is an example of band cutting means for cutting bands wound around the batches taken out by the batch takeout means.
As shown in Fig. 4, the batch feeding stand 11 comprises a frame lea having a slanted top surface and a groove thereon, a first belt lob adapted to transfer the batches in the longitudinal direction (at right angles to the drawing plane) along the slanted top surface, a second belt llC extending at right angles to one end portion of the first belt lob for regulating the batches in position, rollers lid and lye wound with the belts lob and llC, respectively, and a drive belt elf, a set of gears lug and a motor elf for driving the rollers lid and lye.

As shown in Fig. 5, the batch extruding section 12 comprises a slanted floor AYE on the extension of the belt lob, a backup plate 12B capable of moving from the lower end portion of the floor AYE along the slope, a ball screw shaft 12C attached to the backup plate 12B, a motor 12D for driving the ball screw shaft 12C, a guide EYE for downwardly guiding the batches P of bank notes forced out from the forward end portion of the floor AYE, belts 12F and 12G carrying the batches dropped thereon, and a screening plate 12H attached to the rear end portion of the ball screw shaft 12C. The batch extruding section 12 further comprises a first sensor So for detecting a position of the screening plate 12H
to determine the initial position of the backup plate 12B, a second sensor So for detecting a passage of the screening plate 12H to determine the terminal end pus-lion of the backup plate 12B, a third sensor So adapted to be actuated by an actuator AT which rocks as the batches are forced out and which derives a stop signal for the motor 12D, a fourth sensor So adapted to be actuated as a light beam from a light source LO is intercepted by the dropped batch and to deliver an output signal for determining the timing for the start of the drive for the conveyor belts 12F and 12G, and a fifth sensor So adapted to detect the existence of the batches over the backup plate 12B and to deliver an output signal to determine the timing for stopping the motor 12D.
According to the batch feeder 11 constructed in this manner, 10 batches placed on the batch feeding stand 11 are carried onto the backup plate 12B as -the belts lob and llC are driven by the rotation of the driving rollers lid and lye. The moment the batches cross the sensor So the driving rollers lid and lye and the belts lob and llC are stopped, and the transfer of the batches is stopped. Then, as the backup plate 12B
is actuated to push the batches obliquely upward, the uppermost batch slides down the guide EYE on the other side of the floor AYE. Thus, the batches are fed one by one. As the motor 12D rotates, the shaft 12C moves forward to cause the backup plate 12B to force out each batch. When the batch moves forward and the light-receiving portion of the sensor So is darkened, the motor 12D stops. Thereafter, the motor 12D rotates intermittently, so that the batches fall one after another from the floor AYE onto the belts 12F and 12G.
The moment each dropped batch screens the sensor So, the motor 12D stops, and the belts 12F and 12G start to move. Thus, the motor 12D rotates intermittently at regular time intervals to feed the batches one by one.
The sensor Skis located in a position such that all the 10 batches can be fed. Thus, the motor 12D rotates as the screening plate 12H at the rear end portion of the shaft 12C crosses the sensor So, end stops when the 9~;~9 plate 12H crosses the sensor Sly The moment the motor 12D stops, the rollers lid and lye of the feeding stand 11 start to rotate, and another ten batches P are carried onto the backup plate 12B by running of the belts lob and llC. This cycle of operation is repeated.
If no batch is detected by the sensor So near the backup plate 12B within a given time, the belts lob and llC go on moving, and the CRT or a buzzer makes an indication to urge an operator to place batches on the feeding stand 11.
Referring now to Fig. 6, the construction of the unmachinable batch removing section 13 and the band cutting section 14 will be described in detail. The unmachinable batch removing section 13 comprises a delivery table AYE for delivering the extruded batches, a set of guide rollers 13B for guiding the batches, a metal piece detecting member 13C in the middle of the conveyor path, a rocking mechanism 13D for rocking the guide rollers 13B, a rotary solenoid 13K over the guide rollers 13B, a lever 13L nested with the guide rollers 13B and adapted to strike down to the side of an outlet opening 13N the batches rocked by the rotary solenoid 13K and delivered, a basket 13M set under the outlet opening 13N, and an obverse/reverse detector 13R for detecting the obverse or reverse of the delivered batch of bank notes.
The rocking mechanism 13D for the guide rollers 13B

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is constructed as shown in fig. 7. Namely, the rocking mechanism 13D comprises a frame EYE rotatable supporting the guide rollers 13s, a rotating shaft 13S mounted on the frame EYE by means of one-way clutches 13P and rotatable supporting the frame EYE, a group of gears 13Q including one set of bevel gears fixed to one ends of the guide rollers 13B and the other set of bevel gears fixed to the middle portion of the shaft 13S, meshing with the gears of the first mentioned set, a pulley 13F attached to one end of the shaft 13S, a drive motor 13H, a belt 13G passed around the pulley 13F and the pulley of the motor 13H, a stopper 13I for deter-mining the initial position of the frame EYE, and a plunger solenoid 13J for rocking the stopper 13I to release the frame EYE. When -the rocking mechanism 13D
is in operation, the stopper 13I is removed from the frame EYE by the energization of a plunger solenoid 13J, so that the guide rollers 13B rock in the counter-clockwise direction of Fig. 6 by gravity. In returning the guide rollers 13B to the initial position, they are rocked clockwise by the drive of the motor 13H.
According to the unmachinable batch removing sea-lion 13, the batch on the belts 12F and 12G of the batch feeder 1 is checked for the existence of clips, setting pins or other metal pieces therein by the metal piece detector 13C as it passes through the detector 13C.
Then, the batch is delivered from the belts 12F and 12G

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to the rollers 13B. The belts 12F and 12G and the rollers 13B stop when the movement of the batch to a predetermined position is detected by a sensor (not shown). If a metal piece or pieces are found in the batch by the metal piece detector 13C, the rotary solenoid 13K is excited after the belts 12F and 12G and the rollers 13B are stopped. As a result, the batch is discharged into the basket 13M outside the apparatus by the lever 13L. The moment the solenoid 13K is excited the next batch is fed onto the belts 12F and 12G. The discharged batch is checked by the operator, and is fed again into the apparatus to be processed thereby. The batch undergoes the same processing if it is found to be reversed by the obverse/reverse detector 13R.
In the present embodiment, as described above, the unmachinable batch is defined as a batch which is accompanied with a metal piece or pieces or is fed reversed. The metal piece detecting member 13C and the obverse/reverse detector 13R constitute an example of unmachinable batch detecting means. Those batches which are judged free from any metal piece by the metal piece detector 13C are delivered to the band cutting section 14.
As shown in Figs. PA and 8B, the band cutting section 14 comprises an upper conveyor section AYE
including a plurality of rollers AYE, a driving roller Allah, a moving roller AYE attached to a rocking lever I

AYE, and a belt AYE; a lower conveyor section 14B
including a plurality of rollers 14B3, a driving roller blue, a moving roller 14B2 attached to a rocking lever 14B4, and a belt 14B5; upper and lower squeezers 14C and 5 14D arranged in the middle of a conveyor path defined between the upper and lower conveyor sections AYE and 14B at right angles thereto so that the two squeezers 14C and 14D can approach and move away from each other, a band catch lever EYE attached to the upper squeezer 14C, a cutter guide 14F formed along the lower squeezer 14D, a band catch pin 14G capable of moving horizontally under the band catch lever EYE, a cutter 14H movable along the cutter guide 14F, and a backup plate 14I for carrying out the unbended bank notes.
As shown in Fig. PA, the upper and lower squeezers 14C and 14D are arranged so that they hold there between the other portions of the fed batch P than that portion which is wound with a band Pa. The upper squeezer 14C
consists of a pair of rods clue and 14C2. The band catch lever EYE is rock ably attached to the one rod clue, and is urged in the clockwise direction of Fig. PA
by an urging member (not shown). The position shown in Fig. PA is defined as a regulated position of the lever EYE. The band catch pin 14G is movably held in a groove formed in the bottom portion of the rod clue. The lower squeezer 14D consists of a pair of rods 14Dl and 14D2, and the cutter guide 14F is provided between the two I. Ed Al 9 rods 14D1 and 14D2. The cutter 14H is movably contained in one rod 14Dl. The backup plate 14I is nested with the belt 14s5 and can move vertically.
The band cutting section 14 of this construction is 5 operated as shown in Figs. PA to 15. A batch P supplied _, from the batch feeder 1 stops at the position sandwiched between the upper and lower squeezers 14C and 14D in the middle of the conveyor path between the upper and lower conveyor sections AYE and 14B, as shown in Fig. 9B. As shown in Fig. PA, the hatch P is held between the rods clue, 14C2, 14Dl and 14D2 at those portions thereof which are free from the wrapping band Pa. Then, as shown in Figs. lo and lob the upper and lower squeezers 14C and 14D both move down so that the batch P is curved to project downward. As a result, a gap is formed between the upper surface of the batch P and the top portion of the wrapping band Pa, and the band Pa touches the bottom face of the band catch lever EYE.
At the same time, the rocking levers AYE and 14B4 of the upper and lower conveyor sections AYE and 14B rock counterclockwise as indicated by the arrows of Fig. lob to facilitate the shift of the belts AYE and 14B5, and promote smooth squeezing action.
Thereafter, as shown in Figs. lea and lob, the band catch pin 14G, contained in one rod clue of the upper squeezer 14C, advances to the right as indicated by the arrow of Fig. lea and locates under the top TV

portion of the wrapping band Pa. Thus, the top portion of the wrapping band Pa is nipped by the band catch lever EYE and the band catch pin 14G. Then, as shown in Figs. AYE and 12B, the upper and lower squeezers 14C
and 14D both move up so that the batch P is curved to ;
project upward. At this time, the top portion of the wrapping band Pa is held between the band catch lever EYE and the band catch pin 14G, and its bottom portion abuts against the cutter guide 14F causing the wrapping band Pa to be strained. At this point, as shown in Figs. AYE and 13B, the cutter 14H, contained in one rod 14D1 of the lower squeezer 14D, advances to the right as indicated by the arrow of Fig. AYE along the groove of the cutter guide 14F, and touches and cuts the bottom portion of the wrapping band Pa engaging the upper surface of the cutter guide 14F.
Thereafter, as shown in Figs. AYE and 14B, only the lower squeezer 14D moves down to resume its initial position. The cut wrapping band Pa is left held between the band catch lever EYE and the band catch pin 14G
attached to one rod clue of the upper squeezer 14C.
At this time, the rocking levers AYE and 14B4 of the upper and lower conveyor sections AYE and 14B rock clockwise as indicated by the arrows of Fig. 14B to resume the original state. Finally, as shown in Fig. 15, the upper and lower conveyor sections AYE and 14B are driven to convey the unbended bank notes, and - lug -the awaiting backup plate 14I enters the conveyor path to receive the bank notes delivered thereto. The bank notes received by the backup plate 14I are transferred as the backup plate 14I moves up, and are delivered to 5 the collecting section of the takeout device 2. The cut wrapping band Pa is carried into the rejected note collecting section PA, which will be described in de-tail below.
As shown in Fig. 16, the rejected note collecting section PA comprises an unmachinable note collector 50 including the unmachinable note collecting box BIN, a counterfeit note collector 51 including the counterfeit note collecting box Bin, a classification card issuing unit 52, and a cassettes collector 53. In the unmachinable note collector 50, unmachinable notes Pi delivered by the conveyor are collected in piles.
The unmachinable note collector 50 comprises a conveyor belt 50B having a plurality of upright partition plates AYE and moving horizontally at right angles to the course of the unmachinable notes Pi, and a conveyor belt driving motor 50C. The unmachinable notes Pi collected on the conveyor belt 50B are moved to a predetermined position with the aid of a sensor (not shown) for detecting the movement of the conveyor belt 50B and a positioning sensor So which detects preformations bored through one side edge portion of the conveyor belt 50B at regular intervals. The upright partition plates I

AYE on the conveyor belt 50B are arranged at regular intervals. Each two adjacent partition plates AYE may define two walls of the unmachinable note collecting box sin extending along the course of the unmachinable notes Pi. The conveyor belt 50B moves at predetermined --, pitches. After the conveyor belt 50s is moved by a pitch, the two walls of the unmachinable collecting box BIN are defined by another adjacent pair of upright partition plates AYE.
The counterfeit note collector 51 is constructed so that counterfeit notes Pi delivered by the conveyor belts are received for deceleration by curved grooves defined between the adjacent vanes of the recovery wheel Fowl rotating at low speed in the same direction as the course of the counterfeit notes Pi, and are then collected in piles. In the counterfeit note collector 51, as in the correct and unfit note collecting sections ED and YE, the curved grooves of the recovery wheel Fowl rotate in synchronism with the counterfeit notes Pi delivered to the recovery wheel Fowl so that the counterfeit notes Pi can securely enter the individual curved grooves of the wheel Phyla The counterfeit notes Pi in the curved grooves of the recovery wheel Fowl are turned at about 180. Thus, the notes Pi are pro-vented from advancing by a fixed plate AYE facing the forward ends of the notes Pi. As the recovery wheel Fowl rotates, therefore, the counterfeit notes Pi it are gradually drawn out from the curved grooves to be collected uniformly in the counterfeit note collecting box Bin.
A bottom plate 51B of the counterfeit note collecting box Bin can move horizontally. As a motor 51C is rotated, the bottom plate 51s is moved to the outside of the counterfeit note collecting box Bin with the aid of an arm 51D so that the collected counterfeit notes Pi can be discharged into the unmachinable note collecting box BIN which is located under the counter-left note collecting box Bin. Thus, the counterfeit notes Pi collected in the counterfeit note collecting box Bin are stacked on the unmachinable notes Pi collected in the unmachinable note collecting box sin.
The wrapping band Pa cut by the band cutting section 14 is placed in the counterfeit note collecting box Bin for each corresponding batch being processed currently. Namely, the wrapping band Pa is put on the bottom plate 51B of the counterfeit note collecting box Bin before the first counterfeit note Pi of the processed batch is collected. Thus, the wrapping band Pa is first placed in the counterfeit note collecting box Bin, and the counterfeit notes Pi are then stacked on the wrapping band Pa.
The classification card issuing unit 52 is intended to discharge one by one classification cards CAD piled vertically in a card magazine AYE onto the collected it counterfeit notes Pi. The classification cards CAD have their respective identification numbers thereon. As a takeout roller 52B disposed under the classification cards CAD makes one revolution, the forward end of a classification card CAD reaches discharge rollers 52C.
The classification card CAD is discharged as the discharge rollers 52C rotate. While the classification card CAD is being discharged, the identification number on the classification card CAD is read by a reading head (not shown) and stored in a magnetic disk in the control unit 9. The discharged classification card CAD is collected in the counterfeit note collecting box Bin.
The cassette collector 53 is intended to collect the unmachinable notes Pi, wrapping bands Pa, counter-left notes Pi, and classification cards CAD on the conveyor belt 50B in a cassette. The cassette collector 53 comprises first and second cassettes Shuttle and SHUT
arranged side by side, an extruding plate AYE for pushing the bank notes and other sheets on the conveyor belt 50B into the cassette Shuttle or SHUT, and two pressure plates 53 for thrusting the sheets into their corresponding cassette Shuttle or SHUT. The use of the paired cassettes Shuttle and SHUT and pressure plates 53B
enables one to employ the second cassette SHUT when the first cassette Shuttle is filled up. Thus, the time required for cassette replacement is eliminated.
The cassette collector 53 is further provided with ..

a ball screw shaft 53D which is moved longitudinally as a motor 53C is rotated. As the ball screw shaft 53D
moves in this manner, the extruding plate AYE fixed to the forward end of the shaft 53D moves in the same direction to force out the bank notes and other sheets.
The extruded sheets are positioned by a plate 53H on the cassettes Shuttle and SHUT. The extruding plate AYE and the cassettes Shuttle and SHUT face one another with the conveyor belt 50B between them. Thus, the single extruding plate AYE serves the two cassettes Shuttle and SHUT.
Each pressure plate 53B is coupled to a motor 53G
by means of an arm EYE and a moving plate 53F. The pressure plate 53s is normally on stand-by over the cassettes Shuttle or SHUT. As the motor 53G rotates, the pressure plate 53s is moved down through the medium of a chain to thrust the bank notes and other sheets into the cassette Shuttle or SHUT.
The cassettes Shuttle and SHUT are each formed of an open-topped box containing therein a backup plate (not shown) which can stop at any position inside the box by friction. The backup plate is pressed downward as required by the pressure plate 53B due to the bank notes and other sheets contained in the cassette. When the backup plate reaches its lowermost position, it is detected by a sensor So through a hole Hi formed in the first cassette Shuttle. Thereupon, the sensor So delivers Q5~

a full-up signal. In response to the full-up signal, the other cassette gets ready to receive the sheets.
The operation of the rejected note collecting sea-lion PA will now be described in detail. First, when the wrapping band Pa is cut and removed from the batch P
by the batch feeder 1, it is immediately carried into the counterfeit note collecting box Bin. The batch feeder 1 operates irrespectively of the transfer of the wrapping band Pa, and the 100 bank notes constituting the bath P are taken out one after another by the takeout device 2. Now assume that the batch P includes one counterfeit note and one unmachinable note, and that these ejectable notes are collected in their core-sponging collecting boxes Bin and BIN after judgment.
Then, the counterfeit note Pi is placed on the aforesaid wrapping band Pa in the counterfeit note collecting box Bin. When the last or Thea bank note is judged, or when its rear end passes a sensor (not shown) at the entrance of the counterfeit note collecting box Bin, the classification card takeout roller 52B of the classification card issuing unit 52 starts to rotate, thereby discharging a classification card CAD onto the counterfeit note Pi. Thereafter, the motor 51C for driving the bottom plate 51B of the counterfeit note collecting box Bin rotates, so that the bottom plate 51B is moved to the outside of the counterfeit note collecting box Bin by means of the arm 51D. Thus, the wrapping band Pa, the counterfeit note Pi, and the classification card CAD are stacked on the unmachinable note Pi in the order named.
Then, the conveyor belt driving motor 50C of the unmachinable note collector 50 rotates to actuate the conveyor belt 50B, and the upright partition plates AYE
move one pitch. hereupon, the perforations in the conveyor belt 50B are detected by the sensor So, and the motor 50C and the belt 50B are stopped. At the same time, the motor 53C for the extruding plate AYE starts to rotate, so that the sheets piled on the conveyor belt, the unmachinable note Pi, the wrapping band Pa, the counterfeit note Pi, and the classification card CAD (in that order) are pushed out over the first cassette Shuttle by the extruding plate AYE. Thereupon, a sensor trot shown) detects that the extruding plate AYE
has reached its front position, delivering a detection signal. In response to this detection signal, the motor 53G for the pressure plate 53B starts to rotate. At the same time, the motor 53C for the extruding plate AYE
is reversed to restore the extruding plate AYE to its original position, and then stops. When the pressure plate 53B is moved a predetermined stroke, the motor 53G
is reversed to restore the pressure plate 53B to its original position, and then stops.
This cycle of operation is repeated, and thus batches and wrapping bands can be classified by the use of classification cards CAD.
When the cassette Shuttle is filled up with the bank notes and other sheets, the conveyor belt 50B moves two pitches so that subsequent sheets are collected in the other cassette SHUT. The takeout of the next batch can be started after the detection of the movement of the conveyor belt 50B without waiting until the aforesaid processing cycle is ended. Naturally, the introduction of the wrapping band Pa into the counterfeit note collecting box Bin must be completed by this time.
The conveyor path for the unmachinable notes Pi is longer than that for the counterfeit notes Pi.
If neither unmachinable notes nor counterfeit notes are found in a batch, only the wrapping band Pa and classification card CAD are placed in the cassette Shuttle.
Hereupon, the classification card CAD may be put directly into the cassette first or last without loosing its effect. The following effect may be obtained by interposing the wrapping band Pa between the counterfeit notes and unmachinable notes. Even if many counterfeit notes are found, they need not be counted anew, since they have already been counted by the processing appear-tusk The unmachinable notes have not, however, been counted yet. Thus, it is necessary only that only the unmachinable notes Pi sorted by the wrapping band Pa be counted anew, so that the cassette processing can be speeded up. The wrapping band Pa can be put directly into -the cassette disregarding the speed of the cassette processing.
The batch half wrapping device 6 is intended to half wrap in 100 sheet batches the notes which are deli-vexed to the individual collecting sections 5B to YE and collected in the collecting boxes. For example, a bun-tiny device previously proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Published Patent Application No. 153546/82, filed on March 31, 1982, ma be used for the batch half wrapping device 6. According to this bundling device, 100 paper sheets collected on the backup plate of each collecting box are transferred to a carrier by way of the recovery wheels FOE to FOE, and the carrier is led to a bundling section. Then, a thermal tape is wound around the batch on the carrier, and both ends of the tape are welded together by heat to seal the batch. Thereafter, the carrier is turned and located on the conveyor path, and is tilted so that the sealed batch slides down to the position for the next process.
In the batch half wrapping section 6C of the batch half wrapping device 6 right under the correct note got-looting section ED, half wrapped or banded batches can be fed to the bundle half wrapping device PA under the . batch half wrapping section 6C. The batch half wrapping ~L9~6~

section ED corresponding to -the unfit note collecting section YE over the destroying device 8 has two selective operation modes. In one of these modes, the batch half wrapping section ED makes a batch. In the other mode, 100 sheets collected in the section ED are transferred to the conveyor path to be delivered to the destroying device 8 without being half wrapped.
The bundle half wrapping device PA is intended to half wrap or band 10 batches of correct notes processed at the batch half wrapping section 6C. For example, a bundling device previously proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Published Patent Application No.
158531/80, filed on November 11, 1980, may be used for the bundle half wrapping device PA. According to this bundling device, batches delivered from the batch half wrapping section 6C are placed on a carrier with a high profile. When 10 batches are stacked on the carrier, the carrier is led to a bundling section, where it is turned for crossed banding. A bundle made in this man-nor is transferred to the bundle packaging device 7Bthrough the rear window Sal.
The bundle packaging device 7B is intended to package the bundle half wrapped by the bundle half wrap-ping device PA. For example, a conventional shrink I.

- 2g -wrapping device may be used for the bundle packaging device 7B. In this shrink wrapping device, as shown in Fig. AYE, one end portion of a heat-contractile film F
supplied from a roll R is hung down between a facing S pair of conveyors Cal and CAY, and the bundle P is placed on the conveyor Cal to be fed thereby in the direction of the arrow of Fig. AYE. After the bundle P touches the film F, it is transferred to the other conveyor CAY to be further advanced thereby, as shown in Fig. 17B. When three faces of the bundle P are covered with the film F, the bundle P is stopped. Then, the film F is put on the uncovered portion of the bundle P
from both upper and lower sides. In this state, the contact portions are fused by heat and joined together.
Then, the fused portion is quotes indicated by two-dot chain line in Fig. 17C. Thereafter, the corner portions are folded in to complete a packaged bundle POX, as shown in Fig. 17C.
As shown in Fig. lo, the destroying device 8 comprises the two shredders PA and 8B and the scrap box 8C. The first shredder PA cuts unfit notes into small pieces, while the second shredder 8B pulverizes the pieces. The pulverized pieces of unfit notes are discharged into the scrap box 8C by, for example, blast.
The control unit 9 comprises a storage device (not shown in detail) such as a magnetic disk for storing the results of inspection and judgment by the inspection ;09 section ED in the takeout device 2 and the judgment unit 4 for each processed batch, a control circuit for controlling the various sections on the basis of outputs from the individual sensors, and a central processing unit (CPU) for timing the control of the individual sections and delivering processing instructions.
Now the operation of the bank note processing apparatus as a whole will be described.
The operator supplies the batch feeder 11 with 10 batches as a unit. The supplied batches are taken out one by one and fed by the batch conveyor belts lob and llC. The metal piece detector 13C, which is provided in the middle of the conveyor path, detects clips, setting pins or other metal pieces, if any, in a batch or batches. The batch or batches involving such metal pieces are rejected in advance, since the metal pieces may damage the takeout device or conveyor. The batches P passed through the metal piece detector 13C are bonded upward or downward to squeeze individual bank notes in order to prevent defective takeout by the takeout device

2 caused by skew, superposition, etc.
The moment the bank notes are squeezed, the wrapping band Pa is cut and removed from the batch P.
Thereafter, the 100 untied bank notes are fed to the takeout device 2. Then, the takeout device 2 takes out the bank notes one by one. In doing this, the takeout device 2 is prevented from taking out the individual I

I I

bank notes of a subsequent batch P before processing of a preceding batch P is completed.
Preferably, the batch feeder l is supplied with the bank notes is banded lO0-sheet batches. However, loose bank notes unbounded notes, such as reprocessed jammed notes) may also be supplied to the batch feeder l. In supplying the loose notes, the cover lo in front of the takeout device 2 is removed. By dozing this, the operation mode of the bank note processing apparatus is lo automatically switched to a loose note feeding mode.
The takeout of the loose notes is started by placing the loose notes on a backup plate under the takeout device serving also to supply and takeout batches, putting on the cover loft and depressing a feed start switch. If the feed start switch is depressed without putting on the cover loft it will not be activated. The backup , plate is automatically checked for the existence of bank note(s) thereon by depressing the feed start switch. If there is any bank note or notes on the backup plate, the apparatus goes or. operating in the loose note feeding mode. If there is no bank note on the backup plate, then the loose note feeding mode is automatically switched to the normal operation mode. The loose notes can naturally be fed from the batch feeding stand if if they are previously half-wrapped or banded by the operator.
Directly after the bank notes are taken out, the I

inspection section ED inspects the bank notes for skew, superposition and damage. Those notes which are found to be skewed, superposed or damaged as a result of the inspection are collected as unmachinable notes Pi in the unmachinable note collecting box sin without being -!
delivered to the judgment unit 4 for denomination detection, fit/unfit detection, etc. All the bank notes other than the unmachinable notes Pi are passed through the judgment unit 4, and are collected in the counter-left note collecting box Bin, the different sheet collecting box BIN, the fine note collecting box BIN, the correct note collecting box BIN, and the unfit note collecting box sin, depending on the results of judgment.
The collecting boxes BIN to BIN are in the form of individual modules which can be increased or decreased in number. For example, the different sheet collecting box BIN may be eliminated to reduce the size of the apparatus by collecting the different sheets and counterfeit notes together. Alternatively, a collecting box for special application may be added to the modular structure. If there is an automated teller machine (AT) which is liable to be jammed by ordinary correct notes, it may, for example, be provided with the fine note collecting section SC for collecting only relatively fine, jam-free notes among other correct notes, or an additional collecting section for do Al it 0 I

collecting only former notes out of a mixture of newly introduced notes and the former notes, or a collecting section for collecting only dog-erased notes to be straightened for reprocessing.
If the bank note processing apparatus jams or experiences other trouble while processing a batch of bank nuts, the accuracy of batch counting can not be maintained. In this case, therefore, the bank notes must be removed from the collecting boxes or conveyor 10 path for reprocessing. Accordingly, the different sheet collecting box BIN and the fine note collecting box BIN are each provided with batch dividing means which can discriminate between individual batches so that the notes to be reprocessed are identified and minimized in 15 number. The batch dividing means may be used as a 100-sheet divider if the bank notes need be divided by hundreds.
Jammed and crumpled notes cannot be resupplied to the apparatus until they are smoothed by hand. For 20 higher processing efficiency, a jammed batch is not resupplied directly after it is removed from the appear-tusk and another batch is fed ahead of it. After the crumpled notes are smoothed, the removed batch is fed again into the apparatus. In this case, those notes 25 which remain in the takeout section at the time of jamming are naturally resupplied. At the point of time when the jam is caused, however, the unmachinable - I -note(s) Pi and counterfeit note(s) Pi in the collecting boxes BIN and Bin, along with a classification card and a wrapping band, are put into the cassette CYST as if processing of a batch were completed.
The magnetic disk of the control unit stores data on jams and the existence of bank notes to be resupplied. When the jammed batch is resupplied, unmachinable note(s) Pi and/or counterfeit note(s) Pi involved therein are collected together with a classification card CAD in the cassette CYST, as usual.
Hereupon, the batch number of the identification number on the classification card CAD used for jammed batch is automatically used for the resupplied batch. Accord-tingly, at the time of later cassette processing, both the jammed and resupplied batches can simultaneously be examined, by displaying the batch number or classification card number for the jammed batch on the CRT. Thus, band information can be keyed in for a count check or counterfeit note processing.
The correct notes or unfit notes are sorted by the sorter/collector 5 when they reach 100 in number, and are then half-wrapped or banded into a batch by the batch half-wrapping device 6. At the same time, the date of processing, operator's name and other par-ticklers are put on the batch. A predetermined number of banded batches, e.g., 10 batches, are collected and half-wrapped into a bundle by the bundle half-wrapping I

device PA. The aforesaid particulars are also put on the bundle. The bundle is packaged by the bundle packaging device us, and is discharged onto the conveyor to be transferred thereby to a predetermined position.
Two or more of such bundle packaging devices us may be connected at the back of the conveyor.
Besides the batch half-wrapping section ED, destroying devices or shredders PA and 8B are provided at the counterfeit note collecting section YE. Thus, lo bank notes sorted and collected in the counterfeit note collecting section YE may be either half-wrapped by the half-wrapping device 6 or delivered to the shredders, depending on the designated operation mode.
The bank notes or sheets processed by the shredders PA
and 8B are pulverized and pneumatically discharged to some external place. Exhaust gas from a pneumatic system for cooling the apparatus may be utilized for the pneumatic discharge. To reduce to noise produced by the pneumatic feed of the pieces cut by the shredders and the pulverization process, a spiral rotating member may be used for the feed of -the pieces.
The operating panel section 10 is provided with switches for operating the apparatus, a ten-key unit for inputting an operator's identification number, and a CRT
display for indicating the operating conditions of the apparatus, operating instructions, location of jam, etc.
The operating panel section lo is separated from the mechanical section by partition walls. All the devices or units other than the operating panel section 10 and the batch feeding stand 11 are located inside the partition walls. Accordingly, the noise heard by the S operator can be reduced. If you open a door to enter the space inside the partition walls, then a monitoring device will be actuated automatically. Thus, the state of the internal space may be monitored, to improve the security of the apparatus.
Now the processing operation related to the cassettes CYST in the rejected note collecting section SPA will be described as follows. The magnetic disk of the control unit stores all data on the results of counting and detection for each batch of bank notes, such as the numbers of correct notes, unfit notes, unmachinable notes, and counterfeit notes. For the unmachinable notes, the magnetic disk further stores the result of detection or the cause of rejection, such as superposition, skew or short pitch, for each individual note in each batch. For the counterfeit notes, the magnetic disk stores the result of detection, such as wrong pattern or absence of magnetism, water-marks, security thread or fluorescence, for each note.
The stored data is matched to the identification number of the classification card.
At least two cassettes CYST are set in the bank note processing apparatus. One of the cassettes is for I

normal use, while the other cassette(s) is are add-tonally used when the first cassette is full or is removed for any reason. In processing the notes in one cassette while the apparatus is in operation, a cassette processing button is depressed to turn on a -I
lamp corresponding to the cassette in service. At this moment, the scene of processing is automatically shifted to the other cassette, so that the first cassette is allowed to be removed. When an apparatus processing stop button is depressed, a lamp corresponding to the cassette having been used so far glows, indicating that the cassette is ready to be removed. The lamp is put out by depressing an apparatus processing button.
When the cassette is full, the lamp corresponding to this cassette glows. Then, the scene of processing is shifted to the other cassette, and the first cassette is allowed to be removed. If the cassette is not removed after a predetermined number of bank notes are processed after the cassette processing button is depressed or after the cassette is filled, then the lamp flickers to urge the operator to remove the cassette. , If the cassette is not removed even after that, the lamp corresponding to the currently used cassette glows after a predetermined number of additional bank notes are processed. This is a final alarm. In this case, both lamps are put out by removing the cassette corresponding to the flickering lamp and setting in an empty cassette.

- I -If the empty cassette is not installed after the final alarm or the removal of the first cassette, the lamp flickers and the apparatus processing is stopped, when the cassette is full. When the lamp is on or flickering, an alarm may be given to accelerate the cassette processing. The bank notes in the removed cassette are counted and manually judged by another operator at an independent cassette processing table, which operation is different from the apparatus opera-ion. The removed cassette is processed by the external operating device 100.
The external operating device 100 is provided with a keyboard love for inputting the identification number of a classification card and the number of bank notes, a CRT loo for indicating processing data on the batch corresponding to the classification card number, and a printer loud for printing out the processing data on each batch indicated on the CRT, as required, all of these units love, loo, loud being on-line connected to the bank note processing apparatus.
In processing the cassette CRT, the cassette is first uncovered and the identification number of the uppermost classification card CAD is keyed in.
Count data and detection data corresponding to the identification number of the classification card CAD
are indicated on the CRT loo. Fig. 18 shows an example of a data indication mode, which contains the ~23L9~(3~3 identification number of classification card, 1234, date, 1982/10/1, time, AM 11:02, operator's number, OP;567, apparatus number, M/C No. 3, total number of batches processed after power is turned on, 100, denomination, 1,000, number of rejected notes R, 2 (counterfeit note, 1), number of correct notes F, 80, and number of unfit notes US, 18. "M" indicates absence of magnetism as the cause of rejection of the counterfeit note out of the two rejected notes, while "SK" indicates skew as the cause of rejection of the unmachinable note. If there are a plurality of rejected notes, data is successively indicated on the CRT in such a manner that data on the note fed last is indicated first. Thus, each rejected note may be matched to the indication on the CRT. The number of rejected notes R, 2 is obtained by subtracting the sum of the number of legitimate notes F, 80 and the number of unfit notes US, 18 from the total number of bank notes contained in one batch, i.e., by subtracting this sum from 100. Thus, the cassette is actually checked for the number of rejected notes therein. If two rejected notes are detected, a clear button on the keyboard love is depressed to discard the band on the unmachinable notes Pi, and the rejected notes ens stored in a reprocessing box.
When the Thea. bath is collated at this point of time, the CRT 100C automatically displays data on the next, or the Thea batch. The data on the Thea batch are indicated first because the bank notes in the cassette are taken out in the order reverse to the order of collection. Accordingly, in starting the processing with the first batch, by turning the cassette upside down, the CRT loo must be rearranged for the core-sponging order of indication.
If the actual number of rejected notes differs from the indicated number, the code number of a half-wrapper's name, which appears on the wrapping band of the unmachinable note, is keyed in; a mark "R"
representing the rejected note and the correct number are keyed in after the code number; and the clear button its depressed twice If the actual number of counterfeit notes is different from the indicated number, a band code number is keyed in, and a mark "C" representing the counterfeit note and the correct number are keyed in after the code number. If the actual number of both rejected notes and counterfeit notes detected by manual counting differ from the numbers indicate on the CRT, code "R2Cl" is keyed in for the two rejected notes, including one counterfeit note, after the band code number is keyed in, and the clear button is then depressed twice. Counterfeit notes, along with bands, are stored separately from unmachinable notes, for ease of later prejudgment. The CRT indication for the counterfeit notes may be made prominent by the use of a bright color (e.g., red), which color differs from those used for other indications.
The identification numbers of individual classification cards are automatically indicated in due order on the CRT, by merely keying in the number for the uppermost classification card. The external operating device 100 can be coupled to a plurality of apparatuses. All data, including the count number and the results of detection for each batch, may be stored in the classification cards, so that the collation of counting and data correction can be executed as a card reader reads the classification card, after the rejecting operation. Thus, on-line processing is permitted.

-

Claims (5)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An apparatus for processing paper sheets for general use, said sheets being withdrawn as required and being classified into at least two categories including those fit for re-use and those unfit for re-use, said apparatus comprising:
carrying means for carrying said paper sheets;
pickup means for individually picking up said paper sheets from said carrying means;
judgment means for judging said paper sheets picked up by said pickup means, and for classifying said paper sheets into at least two group types including a first group type fit for re-use, and a second group type unfit for re-use;
first conveying means for conveying sheets away from said judgment means;
first collecting means for collecting a plurality of sheets classified as said first group type of paper sheets from said first conveying means;
second collecting means for collecting a prescribed number of sheets classified as said second group type of paper sheets from said conveying means so that a convey-ance of the paper sheets is interrupted thus reducing a possibility of an erroneous further operation thereupon;
batch half wrapping means, for selectively half wrapping and banding paper sheets collected in said second collecting means;

destroying means for selectively destroying paper sheets collected in said second collecting means; and second conveying means, coupled to said second collecting means and to said batch half wrapping means and said destroying means for selectively delivering said second group type of paper sheets from said second col-lecting means to one of (a) said batch half wrapping means, and (b) said destroying means.

2. The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said destroying means includes a first destroying device for cutting the paper sheets into pieces of a predeter-mined size, and a second destroying means for cutting the pieces of predetermined size into smaller pieces.

3. The apparatus according to Claim 1, comprising a second batch half wrapping means for selectively half wrapping and banding paper sheets collected in the first collecting means.

4. The apparatus according to Claim 3, comprising a bundle packaging means for collectively packaging a plurality of batches half wrapped by the second batch half wrapping means to form a bundle.

5. The apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein said bundle packaging means wraps the bundle formed from said plurality of stacked batches.