EP1429987B1 - Stacker belt with engageable deposit boxes - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for depositing notes, which comprises a plurality of storage compartments (14) for depositing the notes, means for transporting the notes to the storage compartments (14) and for the organized deposit of the same on stacks disposed in the storage compartments. The inventive device comprises one or more parallel revolving belts (18) on which fingers (28) are successively disposed in the longitudinal direction which cooperate with the belts to give receiving pockets for the notes. Every storage compartment (14) is associated with a respective stripping element (34) interposed between the storage compartment (14) and the belts (18). For depositing a note (12) in the storage compartment (14) the belts (18) and/or the corresponding stripping element (34) can be adjusted relative each other in such a manner that the stripping element (34) projects into the path of a note (12) that is displaced by means of the belt (18).

Description

The invention relates to a device for depositing notes of value, comprising a plurality of memories for storing the notes of value and means for conveying the notes of value to the stores and for the orderly depositing thereof on stacks located in the stores.

Devices of this type are known, for example, from customer terminals for depositing banknotes or checks, such as those provided by credit institutions. For the operator of such customer terminals, it is extremely advantageous if the deposited banknotes are automatically distributed by type to the various stores and stored there in ordered stacks. An orderly and sorted filing is particularly necessary when the paid-in notes are further processed by machine, for example, counted or paid again. In addition, a storage on stacks has the advantage that the deposited notes of value require less space than uncontrolled dropped notes of value and thus the memory can be kept smaller or have to be emptied less frequently.

The GB-A-1 174 457 describes a device for sorting and stacking flat substantially rectangular shaped sheets by means of a transport belt provided with receiving pockets in different memory, wherein the sheets are removed by means disposed between the storable deflectable stripping elements from the conveyor belt and fed to the individual memories.

A stacker for banknotes is off DE 197 57 421 A1 known. This comprises a rotatable stacking wheel with a plurality of fingers, one end of which is fixed to the periphery of the stacking wheel and between each of which a receiving pocket for notes of value is formed. Depending on Angular position of the stacking wheel, this receiving pocket is open or closed. Thus, notes of value can be introduced into the stacking wheel in an angular range with an opened receiving pocket, be moved by an angular range with a closed receiving pocket with the stacking wheel and finally stored in a wider angle range with open receiving pocket on a stack.

Such a stacking wheel deposits all imported notes of value on the same stack. For the device of the type mentioned you would need for each memory an associated stacking wheel, to a transport mechanism with switches or the like, with which the paid-value is supplied to the corresponding stacking wheel. Such a structure would be complicated, expensive and would also take up a lot of space.

The invention has for its object to provide a device of the type mentioned above, which accomplishes the targeted transport to one of several available for selection storage and the orderly depositing on stacks in a simple, inexpensive and space-saving manner.

This object is achieved in a device of the type mentioned above in that it has one or more parallel rotating belt, which are arranged in the belt longitudinal direction one behind the other fingers, which form with the belt receiving pockets for the notes that each memory is associated with a stripping element, which is respectively arranged between the memory and belt, and that for depositing a banknote in a selected memory belt and / or the corresponding stripping element relative to each other are adjustable so that the stripping protrudes into the path of a moved with the belt banknote. The value moved with the belt in a receiving pocket value is guided by the scraper in the cassette and comes in a manner described in more detail below in front of a stack in the store to a standstill.

Thus, in the device according to the invention, notes of value can be transported from a single or a set of parallel circulating belts to any number of stores, and stored there in each case with the aid of a stripping element in a stack.

The wiping member may preferably be a stripper plate having a number of slots corresponding to the number of belts through which the belts may pass as the wiping member projects into the path of a bill of exchange moved with the belts.

Preferably, the fingers are attached at one end to the respective strap so that they lie against the straps when stretched and form a closed receiving pocket therewith, but with a suitable curvature of the strap, protrude therefrom and form an open receiving pocket therewith. In this respect, such a belt is similar to the mentioned stacking wheel, and in particular notes of value can be introduced into its receiving pockets in a manner known per se.

In a preferred embodiment, said belt is a toothed belt.

The reservoirs preferably abut the scraper element with an open or openable side and are such that the banknotes may stand upright in them in a stack that extends just before the scraper element.

Preferably, there is a switchable deflecting device for each accumulator for deflecting the belt in the direction of the store such that the stripping element protrudes into the path of a bill of exchange moving in a receiving pocket with the belt. In this case, the belt is preferably such deflected that the fingers forming the receiving pocket push the value in the memory stack in memory, and a value in the receiving pocket value from the scraper is led into the memory, gets stuck at the bottom of the memory and comes to a standstill in front of the stack.

Further, the deflecting device is preferably formed and arranged so that the receiving pocket is opened when passing through the scraper by the curvature thereof when deflecting the belt. As a result, the value certificate is released and can be braked in a gentle manner.

In a preferred embodiment, the deflection device has a number of deflection rollers corresponding to the number of pulleys, which are arranged opposite the stripping element on the other side of the belt and are adjustable for deflection in the direction of the stripping element.

In a further preferred embodiment, the deflection device includes guide elements by means of which sliding elements fastened to the belt can be guided for deflecting the belt. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the guide elements are formed by the longitudinal edges of the slots in the respective stripper plate and there are sliding elements on the strap end of each finger two sliding blocks mounted on opposite finger sides, formed on the respective side facing away from the finger a receptacle for the longitudinal edge is that the sliding blocks can be guided along the longitudinal edges sliding. Such a deflection device is particularly simple in construction.

In a further preferred embodiment, the stripper plate is adjustable in the direction of the belt so far that it projects into the path of a value moved with the belt banknote.

Figur 1

die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung in vereinfachter Darstellung in Seitenansicht,

Figur 2a

eine perspektivische Zeichnung eines Wertscheins in einer von zwei parallelen Riemen und zwei darauf angespritzten Fingern gebildeten Aufnahmetasche,

Figur 2b

Eine Befestigungsvorrichtung für separat hergestellte Finger auf dem Riemen

Figur 3

eine Seitenansicht einer Speicherkassette mit zugehörigem Abstreifelement und Auslenkvorrichtung beim Ablegen eines Wertscheines,

Figur 4a

eine perspektivische Zeichnung von Finger, Riemen und Kulissenstein,

Figur 4b

eine perspektivische Zeichnung von Abstreifplatte und Boden einer Speicherkassette,

Figur 4c,4d

Zwei aufeinanderfolgende Momentaufnahmen eines Ausschnittes der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung bei der Ablage eines Wertscheines, bei der die Riemen mit Hilfe von Füh rungs- und Gleitelementen ausgelenkt werden.

Figuren 5a,5b

zwei aufeinanderfolgende Momentaufnahmen eines Ausschnittes der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung bei der Ablage eines Wertscheines mit Hilfe einer verstellbaren Abstreifplatte.

Further advantages and features of the solution according to the invention will become apparent from the following description, which explains the invention with reference to an embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It shows:

FIG. 1

the device according to the invention in a simplified representation in side view,

FIG. 2a

a perspective drawing of a note in one of two parallel straps and two molded-on fingers receiving pocket,

FIG. 2b

A fastening device for separately manufactured fingers on the belt

FIG. 3

a side view of a storage cartridge with associated stripping and deflecting device when depositing a bank note,

FIG. 4a

a perspective drawing of finger, belt and sliding block,

FIG. 4b

a perspective drawing of stripper plate and bottom of a storage cartridge,

Figure 4c, 4d

Two successive snapshots of a section of the device according to the invention in the storage of a bill of exchange, in which the belt by means of Füh be deflected ing and sliding elements.

FIGS. 5a, 5b

two successive snapshots of a section of the device according to the invention in the storage of a bill of exchange with the aid of an adjustable stripper plate.

Fig. 1 shows a device 10 according to the invention for depositing bank notes, in which a paid-in banknote 12 can be stored in one of several available memories 14 ordered. The memory 14 are formed as vertically stackable removable storage cartridges in which already deposited notes of value in stacks 16 are upright.

The device according to the invention comprises two mutually parallel circumferential toothed belts 18, which in the perspective of FIG. 1 lie on top of each other, so that only one of them can be seen. The revolving belt pair 18 is stretched between an upper gear 20 and a lower gear 22. In this case, the pair of belts 18 is guided with its outside on all memory cartridges 14 with the same distance. The upper 20 or lower gear 22 is driven by a motor 24 and thereby rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow 26 direction.

On the outer sides of the belt 18, a plurality of fingers 28 are arranged one behind the other in the belt longitudinal direction. The fingers 28 are attached to the belt 18 in such a way that, when the belt is stretched, they rest against the latter and form with them a closed pocket for notes of value. Such a closed receiving bag is in Fig. 2a shown.

In 2a are the fingers of the same material as the belt and sprayed on this. Thus, the belt and fingers form a single part. Alternatively, however, the fingers may be pivotally attached to the belt at one end via a mandrel 50 and tensioned by the shape of the mandrel holders 52 or a spring (not shown) so as to rest against the belt when the belt is extended.

With a suitable curvature of the belt in the area of the finger, however, this protrudes from the belt and forms with it an open receiving pocket. Two such open receiving pockets 30 are in Fig. 1 to see where the belt pair 18 is deflected by the gears 20 and 22 and thereby curved. In such an opened receiving pocket 30, a paid-in banknote 12 can be introduced in a known per se, for example, by the fact that the note 12 as in Fig. 1 represented by known transport belt 32 is shot into the open receiving pocket 30. After the belt portion forming the receiving pocket has passed through the upper gear 20, the receiving pocket closes and the banknote is securely transported in the closed receiving pocket to the designated memory.

The storage cartridges 14 are in Fig. 1 opened on its side facing the belt. On each storage cartridge 14, a stripping element 34 is mounted, which is arranged between the belt pair 18 and the storage cartridge 14. Furthermore, each storage cassette 14 is assigned a deflection device 36, which is located opposite the wiping element 34 on the other side of the belt pair 18. Stripping element 34 and deflection device 36 are used for the orderly storage of the notes of value in the associated memory 14, and their function will be explained in more detail below.

The device according to the invention is thus constructed so that a single pair of belts passes the paid-in banknote 12 in a closed receiving pocket at all available stores 14, and the banknote at the selected memory using the stripping element 34 and the deflecting device 36 removed from the receiving pocket and in Memory 14 is stored in an orderly manner. This construction saves space and is simple in comparison to a conventional structure in which there is an individual transport path to each storage.

With reference to Fig. 3 It will be explained how the device according to the invention can remove the note of value 12 from a receiving pocket and place it on the stack 16 in the storage cassette 14 selected for the note of value 12. Fig. 3 shows this storage cartridge 14 and the associated switchable deflection device 36, with a Umlenkrollenpaar 37, which is adjusted by means of an adjusting device 35 in the direction of the stripping element 34 and thereby deflects the belt pair 18. This corresponds to the activated state of the deflection device. The actuator 35 may be operated by a stepper motor or a solenoid (both not shown). The plane in which the stretched belt 18 is in the non-activated deflection device is in Fig. 3 indicated by the dashed line.

The stripping element 34 is here as a stripping plate with two (in the view of Fig. 3 not visible) parallel slots 19 formed through the belt pair 18 and Auslenkrollenpaar 37 at the deflection shown. A stripper plate 34 with slots 19 is in Fig. 4b shown.

The deflection of the belt pair 18 in the region of the storage cartridge 14 has two consequences. First, thereby protrudes the stripper plate 34 in the way of the belt moved with the note of value 12, so that it is guided by the stripper plate 34 in the storage cartridge 14. Secondly, the pair of belts is curved by the deflection such that the fingers 28 forming the receiving pocket protrude from the pair of belts 18, thereby pushing the stack 16 into the storage cassette 14 and at the same time releasing the attached banknote 12. The released banknote 12 remains hanging on the bottom 15 of the storage cartridge 14 and comes to a halt in front of the stack 16 of upstanding banknotes.

By the mechanism described, the stack 16 grows in Fig. 3 to the left. Therefore, a wall 38 bounding the stack 16 on the left must be successively shifted to the left as the notes of value are deposited in the memory. Serves an adjusting mechanism 40, which may be formed, for example, as a screw which is rotated by a stepping motor, not shown, and thereby shifts the left side wall 38 to the left.

In an alternative embodiment, the belt pair 18 is deflected by slidably guided sliding elements 60 on guide members 21 along the fingers 28. In the following embodiment, the sliding elements 60 are sliding blocks, two of which are associated with each finger, and the guide elements 21 are formed by the longitudinal edges of the slots 19 of the stripper plate 34 (see Fig. 4a and 4b ).

As in Fig. 4a can be seen, the sliding blocks 60 on opposite sides of the finger 18 by means of the extended mandrel 50 of Fig. 2b attached, which is inserted into a bore 62 in the sliding block 60. The coolies Senstein has on its side facing away from the finger a receptacle 64 for the longitudinal edge 21. To deflect the belt 18, the two longitudinal edges 21 of a slot 19 are inserted into the respective receptacles 64 two belonging to a finger 28 sliding blocks 60, and the sliding blocks slide to the Long edges 21 along. Due to the shape of the stripper plate 34 while the deflection of the belt is specified.

To introduce the longitudinal edges 21 in the receptacles 64, for example, the belt 18 are deflected so far that the sliding blocks 60 just meet the upper edge of the stripper plate 34. Such a case is in 4c shown. As in Figure 3 For this purpose, the belt pair 18 can be deflected by a deflecting roller pair 37 adjusted in the direction of the stripping plate 34, but this deflection is initially much smaller than the deflection in Fig. 3 , In this case, the longitudinal edges 21 thread into the recesses 64 of the sliding blocks 60, and this slides along the longitudinal edges 21 along.

By the sliding blocks 60 follow the longitudinal edges 21, the belt pair 18 is then deflected as far as in Fig. 3 in which, as there, the fingers 28 protrude from the belt 18 so that a receiving pocket with value note 12 contained therein opens and the value-dept stack 16 in the storage cassette 14 is pressed by the projecting finger into the storage cassette ( Fig. 4d ). The deposit of the value certificate takes place as in connection with Fig. 3 described.

Immediately above the bottom 15 of the storage cartridge 14, the slots 19 go over into wider sections 23. Upon reaching the wide section 23 leave the coolies 60 sen the leadership of the longitudinal edges 21, so that the belt 18 again assume the extended position.

A deflection device with guide and sliding elements has the advantage that a small adjustment of belt 18 and / or stripper plate 34 is sufficient to bring guiding and sliding elements into engagement with each other and thus to initiate the deflection. Therefore, relatively small actuators 35 can be used which are less expensive and require less space. In addition, the deflection can be optimized by the shape of the stripper plate 34 in view of a reliable orderly storage of the bill of exchange 12.

Fig. 5a and 5b show a further embodiment in which a stripper plate 34 'is pivotable about an axis 42 in the direction of the pair of belts 18 so far that it projects into the path of a value moved with the belt note. This case is in Fig. 5a shown in which the belt pair 18 is not deflected. The stripper plate 34 'also has two parallel slots through which the pair of belts 18 in Fig. 5a goes through while the bill of exchange 12 stuck to the stripper plate 34 '. As a result, the note 12 is removed from the receiving pocket. Subsequently, the stripper plate 34 'can be pivoted about the axis 42 in the direction of the stack 16, whereby the withdrawn note 12 is placed on the stack 16 ( Fig. 5b ).

In the in Fig. 5a and 5b As illustrated, the adjustable stripper plate 34 'eliminates the need for a deflecting device. However, it is also a structure possible in which a pivotable stripper plate and a deflection device are used in combination.

In particular, a pivotable stripper plate 34 'can advantageously be combined with a deflection device with guiding and sliding elements. Instead of as in Fig. 4c For example, a pivotable stripper plate 34 'can be moved toward the belt pair 18 so far that the sliding blocks 60 hit the top edge of the stripper plate 34' and thereby engage the longitudinal edges 21 of their slots 19 in the recesses 64 of the sliding blocks are introduced.

Claims (11)

1. Device (10) for depositing notes, which comprises

   - a plurality of storage compartments (14) for depositing the notes, and means for conveying the notes to the storage compartments (14) and for the organized depositing of the same on stacks situated in the storage compartments, wherein

   - the transporting means have one or more parallel, revolving belts (18) on which fingers (28) are arranged successively in the longitudinal direction of the belts, said fingers cooperating with the belts to form receiving pockets for the notes,

   - each storage compartment (14) is assigned a stripping element (34) which is arranged in each case between the storage compartment (14) and belt (18), and wherein

   - to deposit a note (12) in a selected storage compartment (14) the belt (18) and/or the corresponding stripping element (34) can be adjusted relative to one another, characterized in that it has, for each of the storage compartments (14), a switchable deflecting device (36) for deflecting the belt (18) in such a. manner that the stripping element (34) projects into the path of a note (12) moved by the belt.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the deflecting device (36) is designed and arranged in such a manner that the fingers (28) forming the receiving pocket, when they are deflected, push the stack (16) of notes situated in the associated storage compartment (14) into the storage compartment, and a note (12) situated in the receiving pocket is guided by the stripping element (34) into the storage compartment (14), adheres to the floor (15) of the storage compartment (14) and comes to a standstill in front of the stack (16).
3. Device according to Claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the deflecting device (36) is designed and arranged in such a manner that the receiving pocket is opened as it passes the stripping element by virtue of the curvature of the belt (18) caused when the latter is deflected.
4. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the deflecting device (36) has a number of deflection rollers (37) corresponding to the number of belts, said deflection rollers being arranged opposite the stripping element (34) on the other side of the belt (18) and being adjustable for deflection in the direction of the stripping element (34).
5. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the deflecting device (36) contains guide elements (21) with the aid of which sliding elements (60) fastened to the belt (18) can be guided in order to deflect the belt.
6. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the stripping element (34) is a stripping plate which has a number of slots (19) corresponding to the number of belts, through which the belts (18) can pass when the stripping element projects into the path of a note moved by the belts.
7. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fingers (28) are attached at one end to the respective belt (18) in such a manner that, when the belt (18) is stretched out, they bear against the latter and cooperate with it to form a closed receiving pocket, but when the belt (18) is appropriately curved, they protrude from the same and cooperate with it to form an open receiving pocket.
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the belt (18) is a toothed belt.
9. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage compartments (14) abut against the stripping element (34) with a side which is open or is to be opened and are provided in such a manner that the notes can stand upright in them in a stack (16) which extends until immediately in front of the stripping element (34).
10. Device according to Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the guide elements are formed by the longitudinal edges (21) of the slots (19) of the stripping plate (34), and in that as sliding elements at that end of each finger (28) which is fixed on the belt two sliding blocks (60) are attached on opposite sides of the finger, and on their respective side which faces away from the finger a receptacle (64) for the longitudinal edge (21) is formed in such a manner that the sliding blocks (60) can be guided in a sliding manner along the longitudinal edges (21).
11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stripping plate (34) can be adjusted in the direction of the belts (18) until it projects into the path of a note moved by the belt.

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