EP0543559B1 - Apparat zum Ausgeben von flachen Gegenständen - Google Patents

Apparat zum Ausgeben von flachen Gegenständen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0543559B1
EP0543559B1 EP92310290A EP92310290A EP0543559B1 EP 0543559 B1 EP0543559 B1 EP 0543559B1 EP 92310290 A EP92310290 A EP 92310290A EP 92310290 A EP92310290 A EP 92310290A EP 0543559 B1 EP0543559 B1 EP 0543559B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
article
envelope
roller
feed path
feeding
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92310290A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0543559A1 (de
Inventor
Adam James Crighton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NCR International Inc
Original Assignee
AT&T Global Information Solutions Co
AT&T Global Information Solutions International Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by AT&T Global Information Solutions Co, AT&T Global Information Solutions International Inc filed Critical AT&T Global Information Solutions Co
Publication of EP0543559A1 publication Critical patent/EP0543559A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0543559B1 publication Critical patent/EP0543559B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
    • B65H3/04—Endless-belt separators
    • B65H3/042—Endless-belt separators separating from the bottom of the pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/46—Supplementary devices or measures to assist separation or prevent double feed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H7/00—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles
    • B65H7/02—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H7/00—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles
    • B65H7/02—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors
    • B65H7/04—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to absence of articles, e.g. exhaustion of pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H7/00—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles
    • B65H7/02—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors
    • B65H7/06—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to presence of faulty articles or incorrect separation or feed
    • B65H7/12—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to presence of faulty articles or incorrect separation or feed responsive to double feed or separation
    • B65H7/125—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to presence of faulty articles or incorrect separation or feed responsive to double feed or separation sensing the double feed or separation without contacting the articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
    • B65H2511/15—Height, e.g. of stack
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/30—Numbers, e.g. of windings or rotations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/50—Occurence
    • B65H2511/51—Presence
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/50—Occurence
    • B65H2511/51—Presence
    • B65H2511/514—Particular portion of element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2513/00—Dynamic entities; Timing aspects
    • B65H2513/50—Timing
    • B65H2513/512—Starting; Stopping
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2557/00—Means for control not provided for in groups B65H2551/00 - B65H2555/00
    • B65H2557/30—Control systems architecture or components, e.g. electronic or pneumatic modules; Details thereof
    • B65H2557/33—Control systems architecture or components, e.g. electronic or pneumatic modules; Details thereof for digital control, e.g. for generating, counting or comparing pulses
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
    • B65H2701/13—Parts concerned of the handled material
    • B65H2701/131—Edges
    • B65H2701/1311—Edges leading edge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
    • B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
    • B65H2701/1916—Envelopes and articles of mail

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing flat articles such as envelopes.
  • the invention has application, for example, to a depository apparatus included in an automated teller machine (ATM) of the kind which is arranged to dispense currency notes, or accept a deposit of money, as may be required by a customer.
  • ATM automated teller machine
  • a user inserts a customer identifying card into the machine and then enters certain data (such as a personal identification number, type of transaction, and quantity of money required or to be paid in) on one or more keyboards included in a user console of the machine. The machine will then process the transaction, dispense currency notes or accept a money deposit as may be requested, and return the card to the user as part of a routine operation.
  • the user typically inserts an envelope containing the money (cash and/or cheques) through a deposit entry slot in the user console, and the depository apparatus of the ATM transports the envelope to, and deposits it in, a portable container included in the apparatus.
  • the depository apparatus of the ATM transports the envelope to, and deposits it in, a portable container included in the apparatus.
  • a depository apparatus including an envelope dispenser for dispensing envelopes to customers for their use in making money deposits, the dispenser including feeding means for feeding envelopes one by one along a feed path from an internal magazine to a slot in a front panel of the apparatus.
  • the dispenser includes first and second sensors which are positioned adjacent the front panel and which are spaced apart along the feed path. Each sensor is obscured and then again illuminated as the envelope moves by and then past the sensor. When the sensor further from the front panel is again illuminated with the other sensor still obscured, the motor driving the feeding means is deactivated and the envelope is in the correct position for collection by a customer.
  • This known envelope dispenser has the disadvantage that, if incorrect feeding of one or more envelopes takes place, there may be insufficient information available to enable the nature of the fault to be determined. For example, if two overlapping envelopes are fed to the slot in the front panel, the apparatus has no means for providing an indication that an incorrect double feed has taken place.
  • a sheet dispensing apparatus including feeding means for feeding sheets one by one along a feed path to an outlet slot, an upwardly biased wheel whose periphery is arranged to be engaged by a sheet as the sheet is fed along the feed path whereby rotation of the wheel is brought about, pulse generating means including the wheel and arranged to generate a series of pulses in response to rotation of the wheel, successive pulses being spaced apart by a time substantially equal to a predetermined angular rotation of the wheel, sensing means arranged to sense the passage of the leading edge of the sheet past a predetermined location, and control means arranged to stop the feeding movement of the sheet in response to the generation of a predetermined number of pulses subsequent to the sensing of the leading edge, the sheet at this time projecting from the outlet slot.
  • feeding means for feeding sheets one by one along a feed path to an outlet slot
  • an upwardly biased wheel whose periphery is arranged to be engaged by a sheet as the sheet is fed along the feed path whereby rotation of the wheel is brought about
  • FR-A-2354273 discloses a sheet feeding device including a pair of endless feed belts arranged to engage the lowermost sheet of a stack of sheets and to feed this lowermost sheet along a feed path.
  • the device further includes a roller arranged to rotate in opposed cooperative relationship with respect to the upper portions of the feed belts for the purpose of inhibiting the simultaneous passage of more than one sheet past the roller.
  • an apparatus for dispensing flat articles including feeding means for feeding said articles one by one along a feed path to an exit location, roller means whose periphery is arranged to be engaged by an article as said article is fed along said feed path whereby rotation of said roller means is brought about, pulse generating means including said roller means and arranged to generate a series of pulses in response to rotation of said roller means, successive pulses being spaced apart by a time substantially equal to a predetermined angular rotation of said roller means, sensing means arranged to sense the passage of the leading edge of said article past a predetermined location, and control means arranged to stop the feeding movement of said article in response to the generation by said generating means of a predetermined number of pulses subsequent to the sensing of said leading edge by said sensing means, characterized in that said feeding means are arranged to operate, under the control of said control means, in a reverse sense for the purpose of withdrawing back into said apparatus along said feed path any article that has been fed to said exit location and has not been removed from said apparatus
  • the envelope dispensing module 10 shown therein forms part of an envelope depository (not otherwise shown) of an ATM having a user console 11 (not shown in Fig. 2), the module 10 being removably mounted in the ATM by means not shown.
  • the module 10 includes a supporting framework 12 which has vertical side walls 14 and 15 and which incorporates a receptacle 16 for holding a stack of empty envelopes 18 (not shown in Fig. 2).
  • the receptacle 16 is bounded by the side walls 14 and 15 and by vertical front and rear walls 20 and 22 extending between the side walls 14 and 15.
  • the envelopes 18 are between 203 millimetres and 254 millimetres in length and between 99 millimetres and 111 millimetres in width, and are held loosely between the side walls 14 and 15 and between the front and rear walls 20 and 22 with the long dimension of each envelope extending parallel to the side walls 14 and 15.
  • the stack of envelopes 18 is supported by a horizontal support plate 24 secured to the framework 12 and by the upper, horizontally extending portions of a pair of endless feed belts 26, these portions being positioned approximately 0.5 millimetre above a further horizontal plate 28 which is also secured to the framework 12. As seen in Fig.
  • the upper portions of the belts 26 are slightly higher than the support plate 24 so that the weight of the stack of envelopes 18 is mainly supported by the belts 26.
  • Two inclined fingers 30 are resiliently attached to the front wall 20 and project forwardly and downwardly from the lower edge of the wall 20 for a purpose which will be described later, the fingers 30 being respectively mounted adjacent the two belts 26 with the free ends of the fingers 30 being disposed between the upper portions of the belts 26 when the spring fingers 30 are in their untensioned state.
  • the belts 26 respectively pass around two front pulleys 32 and around two rear pulleys 34.
  • the front pulleys 32 are secured on a drive shaft 36 extending between, and rotatably mounted with respect to, the side walls 14 and 15, and the rear pulleys 34 are mounted on a further shaft 38 extending between, and rotatably mounted with respect to, the side walls 14 and 15.
  • One of the rear pulleys 34 is secured to the shaft 38 so that when the feed belts 26 are driven the shaft 38 is caused to rotate.
  • a silicone rubber roller 39 having a coefficient of friction greater than that of the feed belts 26 is secured on the shaft 38 between the belts 26.
  • the roller 39 has a diameter slightly greater than that of the pulleys 34, the periphery of the roller 39 projecting slightly above the upper surfaces of the belts 26 so as to engage with the lowermost envelope 18' in the stack.
  • the drive shaft 36 is driven via a gear train 40 (Fig. 2) by a bidirectional electric motor 42 mounted on the framework 12.
  • the gear train 40 is also arranged to drive a further drive shaft 44 which is positioned immediately above the drive shaft 36 and which also extends between, and is rotatably mounted with respect to, the side walls 14 and 15.
  • a rubber separation roller 46 whose function will be described later is secured on a central portion of the drive shaft 44 between the feed belts 26.
  • the periphery of the separation roller 46 is spaced approximately 2 or 3 millimetres above a support strip 48 which is integral with and projects forwardly from, the plate 28, the strip 48 being disposed between the belts 26 and extending a short distance beyond the front ends of the belts 26.
  • the lowermost envelope 18' in the stack is fed by the feed belts 26 over the support strip 48 along a feed path 49 until the leading edge of the envelope 18' projects through an exit slot 50 formed in the user console 11 as shown in Fig.3, the leading edge of the envelope 18' being guided into the slot 50 by moulded guide means 52 provided on the inner surface of the console 11.
  • the envelope dispensing module 10 includes a pulse generating mechanism 54.
  • the mechanism 54 includes a support arm 56 pivotably mounted on a shaft 58 which extends between the side walls 14 and 15 with the shaft 58 passing between the upper and lower portions of the belts 26.
  • a roller assembly 60 is rotatably mounted on a stud 61 secured to a front end portion of the arm 56.
  • the roller assembly 60 includes a neoprene roller 62 and an opaque plastic timing disc 64 which rotates together with the roller 62, the timing disc 64 being provided with a series of notches 66 disposed at equal intervals around the periphery of the disc 64.
  • An optical sensor 68 is mounted on a bracket 69 formed integral with the arm 56.
  • the sensor 68 is mounted in cooperative relationship with respect to the timing disc 64 such that, in operation, as the roller assembly 60 rotates, the sensor 68 generates a series of pulses, successive pulses being spaced apart by a time equal to a fixed angular rotation of the roller assembly 60.
  • the support arm 56 is biased to rotate in an anticlockwise direction with reference to Fig. 3 by means of a tension spring 70 the ends of which are respectively attached to a lug 72 on the rear end of the arm 56 and to a post 74 secured to the underside of the plate 28.
  • the periphery of the roller 62 projects through a slot 76 (Fig.4) in the plate 28 so that, in operation, as shown in Fig.
  • the roller 62 is urged by the spring 70 into engagement with the underside of the lowermost envelope 18' after the envelope 18' has been moved partially out of the receptacle 16.
  • movement of the envelope 18' along the feed path 49 (Fig.1) brings about a rotation of the roller assembly 60 which in turn causes a series of pulses to be generated by the sensor 68.
  • Further optical sensing means 78 are mounted in the framework 12 between the end of the support strip 48 and the user console 11, the sensing means 78 being centrally located with respect to the side walls 14 and 15.
  • the sensing means 78 serve to sense whether or not the envelope 18' is blocking the sensor line of sight 80.
  • the sensing means 78 sense in operation the movement of the leading edge of the envelope 18' past a predetermined location represented by the line of sight 80.
  • Third optical sensing means 82 are mounted on the side walls 14 and 15 of the receptacle 16.
  • the line of sight 84 of the optical sensing means 82 passes through slots 86 in the side walls 14 and 15.
  • the sensing means 82 provide a signal indicative that the number of envelopes 18 in the receptacle 16 has fallen to a predetermined low level (typically less than 50 envelopes) and that therefore the module 10 requires replenishment with a further supply of blank envelopes.
  • the operation of the envelope dispensing module 10 will now be described with additional reference to Fig. 5.
  • the dispensing of an envelope by the module 10 takes place as part of a money deposit operation in which an envelope is first dispensed to a customer via the exit slot 50 and then, after the customer has placed money inside the envelope, the envelope is inserted by the customer into a separate slot (not shown) in the user console 11 from where the envelope is conveyed to a deposited envelope container (not shown) in the depository.
  • the motor 42 Prior to the money deposit operation being initiated, the motor 42 is in a deactivated condition.
  • the money deposit operation is initiated by the customer inserting a customer identifying card into a card entry slot (not shown) in the user console 11 and entering appropriate data upon keyboard means (not shown) also included in the user console 11.
  • the control means 88 send an enabling signal to electronic control means 90 included in the depository, the depository control means 90 thereupon causing the motor 42 to become activated.
  • Activation of the motor 42 causes the drive shaft 36 to be rotated in a clockwise direction (with reference to Fig. 1) so as to bring about feeding movement of the feed belts 26 which in turn brings about clockwise rotation of the silicone rubber roller 39 mounted on the rear shaft 38.
  • the gear train 40 brings about clockwise rotation of the separation roller 46. Since the separation roller 46 is disposed above the plane containing the uppermost surfaces of the feed belts 26, the lowermost part of the periphery of the roller 46 moves in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the uppermost surfaces of the belts 26.
  • the resiliently mounted fingers 30 help to prevent any envelope other than the lowermost envelope 18' from reaching the separation roller 46, and also assist in the feeding movement of the lowermost envelope 18' towards the exit slot 50 by resiliently pressing this envelope 18' against the uppermost surfaces of the feed belts 26. Also, the fingers 30 act in opposed relationship with respect to the roller 62 so as to press the envelope 18' resiliently against the roller 62 and thereby ensure that the roller 62 is caused to rotate by the feeding movement of the envelope 18'. If more than one envelope should reach the separation roller 46, then normally the reverse movement of the lowermost part of the periphery of the roller 46 will serve to prevent any envelope other than the lowermost envelope 18' being fed past the roller 46 towards the exit slot 50.
  • the sensing means 78 Upon the leading edge of the envelope 18' intercepting the line of sight 80 of the sensing means 78, the sensing means 78 send a signal to the electronic control means 90 which cause a counter 92 included in the control means 90 to commence counting the pulses applied to the control means 90 by the timing disc sensor 68. Immediately the counter 92 has counted a predetermined number of pulses from the sensor 68, the control means 90 deactivate the motor 42 so as to stop the feeding movement of the envelope 18' brought about by the feed belts 26. The envelope 18' now projects partly through the exit slot 50, as shown in Fig. 3, and is in the correct position for removal by the customer. With the envelope 18' in its correctly presented position ready for removal by the customer, the envelope 18' continues to block the line of sight 80.
  • the line of sight 80 Upon the customer removing the envelope 18', the line of sight 80 becomes unblocked and the sensing means 78 send a signal to the control means 90 indicative of the fact that the envelope 18' has been removed. Also, the act of withdrawing the envelope 18' by the customer causes further pulses to be generated by the timing disc sensor 68 and to be applied to the control means 90, these further pulses serving a useful purpose as will be explained later. If the customer fails to remove the envelope within a predetermined time (typically 15 seconds) so that the line of sight 80 remains blocked, then the control means 90 activate the motor 42 in the reverse sense so as to cause the feed belts 26 to withdraw the envelope 18' back into its original position inside the receptacle 16. The control means 90 deactivate the motor 42, so as to stop the reverse operation of the feed belts 26, when the counter 92 has counted a predetermined number of pulses after the envelope 18' has ceased to block the line of sight 80.
  • a predetermined time typically 15 seconds
  • the dispensing module 10 described above enables the ATM to recognize different types of envelope misfeed situations. For example, two overlapping envelopes may be fed partly out of the receptacle 16 towards the exit slot 50 such that when the lowermost envelope 18' is stopped in its correctly presented position the other envelope has not reached the exit slot 50 but is blocking the line of sight 80. Such a misfeed is referred to as a short double feed. In the event of a short double feed occurring, after the customer has removed the correctly presented envelope 18' the line of sight 80 remains blocked.
  • the control means 90 recognize that the envelope 18' has been removed by the customer and further recognize that a double feed has taken place because the line of sight 80 remains blocked. Accordingly, a predetermined time after the generation of pulses by the sensor 68 has ceased, the control means 90 activate the motor 42 in the reverse sense so as to cause the other one of the overlapping envelopes to be returned to the receptacle 16. At the same time, the control means 90 send a signal to the main control means 88 of the ATM indicative of the fact that a short double feed has taken place.
  • main control means 88 are advised that a short double feed has taken place since a high incidence of such misfeeds could indicate that the feed belts 26 are worn and require replacement. If the main control means 88 ascertain that there is a high incidence of short double feeds, then the control means 88 provide an indication to the financial institution where the ATM is located that appropriate maintenance action needs to be taken.
  • Another type of misfeed which may occur is a long double feed in which two overlapping envelopes are fed partly out of the receptacle 16 so that they both project through the exit slot 50.
  • the counter 92 counts the number of further pulses which are generated by the timing disc sensor 68 during the removal of the presented envelope or envelopes from the slot 50 by the customer.
  • the control means 90 activate the motor 42 in the reverse sense so as to cause both envelopes to be withdrawn back into their original positions in the receptacle 16.
  • the control means 90 are able to distinguish between a situation where a long double feed has taken place and one only of the presented envelopes is removed, the other envelope being withdrawn back into the receptacle 16, and a situation where a single envelope is presented and then withdrawn following failure of the customer to remove this envelope.
  • control means 90 are able to distinguish between the situations where an envelope is withdrawn back into the receptacle 16 following a long double feed or following a short double feed by counting, during the reverse operation of the motor 42, the number of pulses generated by the timing disc sensor 68 before the line of sight 80 becomes unblocked.
  • the control means 90 send an appropriate signal to the main ATM control means 88.
  • the data provided to the control means 88 is analysed therein and, when necessary, the control means 88 provide an indication to the financial institution that appropriate maintenance action is required.
  • the envelope dispensing module 10 described above is reliable in operation, and also provides a means of recognizing that different types of misfeed have taken place. Further, the module 10 is of simple construction. For example, the module 10 requires only one sensing means (the sensing means 78) between the receptacle 16 and the exit slot 50.
  • the sensing means 82 associated with the receptacle 16 are arranged to provide a signal indicative that the number of envelopes 18 in the receptacle 16 has fallen to a predetermined low level, such signal being applied to the depository control means 90.
  • the control means 90 Upon receipt of such signal, the control means 90 send an appropriate signal to the main ATM control means 88 which provide an indication to the financial institution that the envelope dispensing module 10 requires replenishment.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Apparat zum Ausgeben von flachen Gegenständen (18), mit Vorschubeinrichtungen (26) zum Fördern der Gegenstände einzeln nacheinander längs eines Förderweges (49) zu einer Auslaßstelle (50), Walzenmitteln (62), deren Außenumfang so angeordnet ist, daß ein Gegenstand (18') damit in Eingriff geht, wenn der Gegenstand (18') entlang des Förderweges (49) gefördert wird, wodurch eine Drehung der Walzenmittel herbeigeführt wird, einer Impulserzeugungsvorrichtung (54), die die Walzenmittel (62) aufweist und angeordnet ist, um unter Ansprechen auf die Drehung der Walzenmittel eine Reihe von Impulsen zu erzeugen, wobei der zeitliche Abstand aufeinanderfolgender Impulse im wesentlichen gleich einer vorbestimmten Winkeldrehung der Walzenmittel ist, Abtasteinrichtungen (78), die angeordnet sind, um das Passieren der Führungskante des Gegenstands (18') an einer vorbestimmten Stelle (80) vorbei abzutasten und Steuervorrichtungen (90), die angeordnet sind, um unter Ansprechen auf eine auf die Abtastung der Führungskante durch die Abtasteinrichtungen (78) folgende Erzeugung einer vorbestimmten Anzahl von Impulsen von der Erzeugungsvorrichtung (54) die Vorschubbewegung des Gegenstands zu stoppen,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
    die Vorschubeinrichtungen (26) so angeordnet sind, daß sie unter Steuerung der Steuervorrichtungen (90) in umgekehrter Richtung arbeiten, um jeden Gegenstand, der zu der Auslaßstelle (50) gefördert und nicht aus dem Apparat entfernt worden ist, entlang des Förderweges (49) in den Apparat zurückzuziehen, und daß die Steuervorrichtungen (90) Zählermittel (92) umfassen, die angeordnet sind, um Impulse zu zählen, die von der Impulserzeugungsvorrichtung (54) unter Ansprechen auf die Bewegung eines Gegenstands in eine der beiden Richtungen entlang des Förderweges (49) erzeugt werden.
  2. Apparat nach Anspruch 1, gekennzeichnet durch Federmittel (70), die angeordnet sind, um die Walzenmittel (62) in Eingriff mit einer nach unten weisenden Fläche des Gegenstands (18') zu drücken, wenn der Gegenstand entlang des Förderweges (49) vorgeschoben wird.
  3. Apparat nach Anspruch 2, gekennzeichnet durch Eingriffsvorrichtungen (30), die angeordnet sind, um federnd mit einer nach oben weisenden Fläche des Gegenstands (18') in Anlage zu gehen, wenn der Gegenstand entlang des Förderweges (49) vorgeschoben wird, wobei die nachgiebigen Eingriffsvorrichtungen im Hinblick auf die Walzenmittel (62) in entgegengesetzter Beziehung wirken.
  4. Apparat nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Vorschubeinrichtungen einen ersten und zweiten Endlos-Vorschubriemen (26) aufweisen, deren obere Abschnitte so angeordnet sind, daß sie mit der nach unten weisenden Fläche des Gegenstands (18') in Anlage gehen, wenn der Gegenstand entlang des Förderweges (49) vorgeschoben wird, wobei die Walzenmittel (62) so angeordnet sind, daß sie zwischen den oberen Abschnitten des ersten und zweiten Vorschubriemens (26) mit der nach unten weisenden Fläche in Anlage gehen.
  5. Apparat nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Vorschubriemen (26) so angeordnet sind, daß sie sich unterhalb eines Behälters (16) zur Aufnahme eines Stapels der Gegenstände (18) erstrecken und mit dem untersten Gegenstand (18') in dem Stapel in Anlage gehen, um den untersten Gegenstand entlang des Förderweges (49) durch eine Öffnung (29) in einer Wand (20) des Behälters zu der Auslaßstelle (50) vorzuschieben.
  6. Apparat nach Anspruch 5, gekennzeichnet durch zweite Walzenmittel (39) aus Reibungsmaterial, die zum Drehen zusammen mit Riemenscheibenvorrichtungen (34) befestigt sind, um die der erste und zweite Vorschubriemen (26) führen, wobei die zweiten Walzenvorrichtung so angeordnet sind, daß sie mit dem untersten Gegenstand (18') in Anlage gehen, um das Vorschieben des untersten Gegenstands entlang des Förderweges (49) zu unterstützen.
  7. Apparat nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, gekennzeichnet durch weitere Abtasteinrichtungen (82), die zur Erzeugung eines Signals angeordnet sind, das anzeigt, daß die Gegenstände (18) in dem Behälter (16) auf einen vorbestimmten Niedrigstand gefallen sind.
  8. Apparat nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 7, gekennzeichnet durch dritte Walzenmittel (46), die zwischen dem Behälter (16) und der Auslaßstelle (50) positioniert und so angeordnet sind, daß sie sich im Hinblick auf die oberen Abschnitte der Vorschubriemen (26) in entgegengesetzter Gemeinschaftsbeziehung drehen, um das gleichzeitige Passieren von mehr als einem Gegenstand an dem dritten Walzenmittel vorbei zu der Auslaßstelle (50) zu verhindern.
EP92310290A 1991-11-14 1992-11-11 Apparat zum Ausgeben von flachen Gegenständen Expired - Lifetime EP0543559B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9124171 1991-11-14
GB919124171A GB9124171D0 (en) 1991-11-14 1991-11-14 Apparatus for dispensing flat articles

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EP0543559A1 EP0543559A1 (de) 1993-05-26
EP0543559B1 true EP0543559B1 (de) 1995-03-29

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE69417752T2 (de) * 1994-11-29 1999-11-11 Maurice Engelmann Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Ausgeben von Gegenständer
DE10137390B4 (de) * 2001-07-31 2013-06-13 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung für die Vereinzelung von Blattgut
FR2833934B1 (fr) * 2001-12-24 2004-07-09 Neopost Ind Dispositif selecteur d'articles de courrier
US20040206767A1 (en) 2003-03-10 2004-10-21 Diebold Self-Service Systems Division Of Diebold, Incorporated Cash dispensing automated banking machine deposit accepting system and method
US7331576B2 (en) 2004-05-03 2008-02-19 Zih Corp. Feeder device having increased media capacity and multiple media thickness feed capability and associated method
US8152155B1 (en) 2011-03-07 2012-04-10 Xerox Corporation Envelope feed apparatus
EP3050831B1 (de) * 2015-01-28 2017-09-20 Neopost Technologies Verbesserter Mischpostzuführer

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS52152077A (en) * 1976-06-12 1977-12-17 Glory Kogyo Kk Machine for processing paper sheet and similars
IT1130118B (it) * 1980-04-16 1986-06-11 Olivetti & Co Spa Apparecchiatura di deposito di valori in busta con dispensazione automatica delle buste
DE3133446C2 (de) * 1981-08-24 1987-01-15 Glory Kogyo K.K., Himeji, Hyogo Vorrichtung zur Feststellung einer überlappenden Förderung für eine Maschine zur Verarbeitung von Blättern
JPS5964443A (ja) * 1982-09-30 1984-04-12 Konishiroku Photo Ind Co Ltd 給紙装置
AU580299B2 (en) * 1984-06-21 1989-01-12 Coca-Cola Company, The Vendor coupon dispenser

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GB9124171D0 (en) 1992-01-08
JPH05306028A (ja) 1993-11-19
DE69201855T2 (de) 1995-11-23
EP0543559A1 (de) 1993-05-26
DE69201855D1 (de) 1995-05-04

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