CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
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This application is based upon and claims the benefit
of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No.
2003-330268 filed on September 22, 2003; the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
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The present invention relates to a banknotes
processing apparatus in which a banding device for banding
paper-like materials such as banknotes with a tape and a
printer for printing attributes of banknotes of the note
kind to be banded on the concerned tape are arranged and a
banknotes processing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
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Conventionally, a processing apparatus for processing
paper-like materials to be conveyed such as banknotes
takes out a plurality of paper-like materials in different
dimensions inputted in a random state of "front and back"
and "top and bottom" one by one on a conveying path and
the note kind and the direction of banknotes to be conveyed
(hereinafter, referred to as the conveying direction) are
discriminated by a detector installed on the conveying path.
On the basis of the discrimination results, a plurality of
gates installed on the conveying path are switched and
furthermore, for example, paper-like materials of the note
kind designated so as to be banded are arranged properly
in the conveying direction by a switchback reversing
mechanism or a front/back reversing mechanism and are
conveyed to an online banding device. And, by this online
banding device, banknotes are banded using a tape in a
different color for each note kind.
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Namely, the online banding device is composed of a
stacker for counting and stacking paper-like materials to
be supplied to the banding device up to the designated
number of notes (generally 100 notes) and a banding
portion for conveying the stacked paper-like materials and
automatically banding them with a tape in the color
designated beforehand for the concerned paper-like
materials to be banded.
-
Therefore, as described in Japanese Patent
Application 5-6478, for example, when banding banknotes
of two note kinds, two sets of banding devices (one set is
composed of a stacker and a banding portion) are
incorporated, and tapes corresponding to the note kind to
be banded are set in each of the banding devices, and
banknotes are banded by the respective banding devices.
Further, when a set of banding device is used, tapes
corresponding to one note kind are incorporated into the
banding device, and the concerned banknotes are banded
with the predetermined tape, and then the tapes of the
banding device are exchanged with tapes of the other note
kind, and banknotes of the concerned other note kind are
conveyed and banded.
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However, in such a conventional constitution,
whenever the note kind to be banded is to be changed, an
operation of exchanging the previous tapes with tapes
printed in the color of the note kind to be banded
(hereinafter, referred to as the banding note kind) must be
performed by an operator, thus a great deal of time is
required for the operator, and a problem arises that due to
a mistake of the operator, tapes in a different color are
incorrectly used for the banding note kind.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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An object of the present invention is to provide a
banknotes processing apparatus and a banknotes
processing method in which a tape printer is installed in a
banding device, and various information (note kind, sum of
money, bank name, etc.) concerning banknotes of the
banding note kind is printed on tapes in color, thus the
labor of an operator to exchange tapes for each note kind
can be saved, and the operator is prevented from a failure
of use of wrong tapes, and banknotes of a plurality of note
kinds can be banded flexibly by one banding device without
fixing the note kind and exchanging tapes for each banding
device, and the operation rate is improved, and cut-down of
cost and space saving are realized, and tapes are
standardized to one kind of solid color, and cost reduction,
inventory, and ordering management of expendables can be
executed easily.
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According to the embodiments of the present
invention, a banknotes processing apparatus is provided,
which comprises a stacker configured to stack banknotes
arranged properly by unifying a note kind, a front and back,
and a direction; a printer configured to print attribute
information of the stacked banknotes on a tape in color;
and a banding portion configured to band the banknotes
stacked on the stacker with the tape.
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Further, according to the embodiments of the present
invention, a banknotes processing method is provided,
which comprises supplying a plurality of banknotes in a
batch; conveying the banknotes to be supplied;
discriminating a note kind and a conveying direction of the
banknotes to be conveyed; changing the conveying
directions of the banknotes to be conveyed so as to properly
arrange them in the same conveying direction on the basis
of the discrimination results; stacking the banknotes
arranged properly in the same direction; printing attribute
information including the note kind of the banknotes on a
tape in color on the basis of the discrimination results; and
banding the stacked banknotes with the color-printed tape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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- FIG. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view showing an
embodiment of the banknotes processing apparatus of the
present invention,
- FIG. 2 is block diagram showing the constitution of
the banknotes discriminating device and main controller of
the banknotes processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1,
- FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the
banding operation of the banknotes processing apparatus
shown in FIG. 1,
- FIG. 4 is a front/back and forward/reverse arranging
subroutine of the flow chart showing the procedure of the
banding operation,
- FIG. 5 is a table for explaining changes in the
conveying direction by the switchback reversing process
and front/back reversing process,
- FIG. 6 is a schematic view for explaining the
operation of the banding portion, and
- FIGS. 7A to 7G are plan views showing an example of
color-printed tapes used to band banknotes.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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The embodiment of the present invention will be
explained below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
-
Fig. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view of the
banknotes processing apparatus of the present invention.
The banknotes processing apparatus is composed of
banknote processing unit 1 and main controller 51.
Banknote processing unit 1, for a plurality of banknotes B
of a plurality of note kinds and of different dimensions
which are mixed and inputted in a batch, on the basis of
the note kind discrimination result by the detector and the
designation from main controller 51, properly arranges the
conveying direction of all banknotes B, for example, in the
upright state on the front and classifies them for each note
kind.
-
At this time, banknotes of the note kind designated by
main controller 51 are banded by banding portion 4 and
banknotes of the other note kinds are stacked in storages
60 to 65.
-
Next, the conveying direction of banknotes B will be
explained. Banknotes B are composed of four kinds of
front (F: the state that the front is up), back (B: the state
that the back is up), forward (F: the state that the print on
the front or back of banknotes is upright), and reverse (R:
the state that the print on the front or back of banknotes is
upside down) and four kinds of conveying directions
composed of front and forward FF, front and reverse FR,
back and forward BF, and back and reverse BR in
combination of the aforementioned four kinds are formed.
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Banknote processing unit 1 is composed of supply
portion 10 for supplying banknotes B, conveying path 16 for
conveying banknotes B supplied from supply portion 10,
conveying pitch correction portion 2 for correcting the
conveying pitch of banknotes B to be conveyed, banknote
discriminating device 19 for discriminating banknotes B
conveyed in this way one by one, switchback reversing
portion 3 reversing to properly arrange the conveying
directions of the banknotes on the basis of the
discrimination results of banknote discriminating device 19,
front/back reversing portion 45, banding portion 4 for
banding the arranged banknotes, and storages 60 to 65 for
storing the arranged banknotes for each note kind.
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Further, banknote processing unit 1 is connected to
main controller 51 via interface 50.
-
Supply portion 10 is composed of stage 11 for making
contact with and arranging banknotes B in which the four
kinds of conveying directions coexist and backup plate 12
installed upright perpendicularly to stage 11. Further,
backup plate 12 can move to the left along stage 11 by the
pressing force of spring 13. Banknotes B supplied in this
way are pressed on the side of take-out rollers 14 by
backup plate 12.
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Take-out rollers 14 take out pressed banknotes B one
by one by rotating and supplies them to conveying path 16.
Supplied banknotes B are fetched by conveying rollers 15
and are supplied to conveying pitch correction portion 2.
-
Conveying pitch correction portion 2 is composed of
timing sensor SC1 installed in the neighborhood of the
downstream side of conveying rollers 15 in the conveying
direction for detecting banknotes, conveyor roller 201
capable of changing the rotational speed by the driving
force from conveyor roller driving motor 202, pinch roller
200 arranged opposite to conveyor roller 201, and a
conveying pitch controller (not shown in the drawing) for
controlling conveyor roller driving motor 202.
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FIG. 2 is block diagram showing the constitution of
banknote discriminating device 19 and main controller 51.
Banknote discriminating device 19 is composed of banknote
discriminator 20 for discriminating banknotes B and
conveyor controller 30 for deciding the destination of
banknotes B to be conveyed.
-
Banknote discriminator 20 is composed of a plurality
of sensors 1 to n for detecting optical characteristics and
magnetic characteristics concerning the material of
banknotes B, amplifier circuits 1 to n for amplifying output
signals of sensors 1 to n, and processors 26 for processing
output signals of amplifier circuits 1 to n. Processor 26 is
composed of A-D converter 24 for executing A-D conversion,
logical circuit 23 for performing logical operations for data
which is A-D converted by A-D converter 24, CPU 21 for
discriminating truth or falsehood (true or false) and normal
or damage (normal notes or damaged notes) from an output
signal of logical circuit 23 and also controlling whole
banknote discriminator 20, memory 25 accessed by CPU 21,
and interface portion 22 for communicating results
discriminated by CPU 21 and data to and from main
controller 51.
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Further, conveyor controller 30 is composed of CPU 31
for deciding the destination of banknotes B to be conveyed
and controlling conveying of banknotes B by discrimination
results of banknote discriminator 20, memory 33 accessed
by CPU 31, and interface portion 32 installed between
interface portion 22 of banknote discriminator 20 and CPU
31.
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Sorting gate G1 shown in FIG. 1 is a gate, for example,
for sorting into rejected notes and process notes. Rejected
notes mean "undiscriminatable notes" which cannot be
discriminated because banknotes B discriminated by
banknote discriminator 20 are false, folded, broken, or
skewed and when conveyor controller 30 receives a
discrimination signal thereof, sorting gate G1 rotates
clockwise, thus undiscriminatable notes are stacked in
rejected notes stacker.
-
Further, process notes mean that banknotes B
discriminated by banknote discriminator 20 are true notes
and normal notes (re-circulatable notes) or true notes and
damaged notes (uncirculatable notes) and when conveyor
controller 30 receives a discrimination signal thereof,
sorting gate G1 rotates counterclockwise.
-
The reversion processing unit is composed of
switchback reversing portion 3 and front/back reversing
portion 45 and depending on the arranging direction, one or
both of reversing portions 3 and 45 are used.
-
Switchback reversing portion 3 is composed of timing
sensor SC2 installed in the neighborhood of the
downstream side of paired conveyor rollers 300 and 301 in
the conveying direction for detecting banknotes B, sorting
gates G10 and G11 installed in the neighborhood of the
downstream side of timing sensor SC2 in the conveying
direction, and take-in rollers 302 and 303 and banknotes B
are taken in by reversing portion 311.
-
Reversing portion 311 is composed of forward/reverse
rotation roller 304 and pickup roller 305 normally rotating
to convey taken-in banknotes B in the direction of arrow
A31 shown in the drawing, driving roller 310 for driving
forward/reverse rotation roller 304, and conveyor rollers
306 and 307.
-
Further, to reverse banknotes B taken in by reversing
portion 311, conveyor rollers 308 and 309 for conveying in
the direction of arrow A32 shown in the drawing and
ejecting from switchback reversing portion 3 are installed.
-
Here, forward/reverse rotation roller 304, when
conveying banknotes B in the direction of arrow A31 shown
in the drawing, rotates normally and when conveying
banknotes B in the direction of arrow A32 shown in the
drawing, rotates reversely.
-
Sorting gate G2 is a front/back and forward/reverse
sorting gate. On the basis of the result of the conveying
direction of banknotes B discriminated by banknotes
discriminator 20, when front and back reverse is required,
sorting gate G2 is rotated clockwise and banknotes B pass
front/back reversing portion 45 indicated by arrow A6 in
the drawing. Further, when front and back reverse is not
required, sorting gate G2 is rotated counterclockwise and
banknotes B are conveyed in the direction indicated by
arrow A4 shown in the drawing.
-
Front/back reversing portion 45 reverses the front and
back of banknotes B discriminated by banknote
discriminator 20 of banknote discriminating device 19 in
the conveying direction. For example, when banknotes B
in the conveying direction are back and reverse (BF),
banknotes B are changed to front and forward (FF) by
front/back reversing portion 45.
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Sorting gate G3 operates so as to sort banknotes B to
be conveyed to banding portion 4 and storages 60 to 65. In
a case of the note kind that banknotes B to be conveyed are
designated so as to be banded by main controller 51,
conveyor controller 30 rotates sorting gate G3 clockwise
and banknotes B are conveyed in the direction of arrow A40
shown in the drawing where banding portion 4 is installed.
Further, banknotes B of the other note kinds are sorted so
as to be stored in storages 60 to 65 from gate G3 via gates
G4 to G8.
-
Banding portion 4 is composed of a stacker for
stacking banknotes B, a conveying portion for conveying
stacked banknotes, and a taping portion for banding
conveyed banknotes with a printed tape. Hereunder, by
referring to FIG. 6, the constitution of each unit of banding
portion 4 will be explained.
-
The stacker is composed of first stacker 401 and
second stacker 404 for counting conveyed banknotes B and
sorting and stacking them every 100 notes.
-
The conveying portion is composed of a vertical
conveying path, conveyor carrier 407, and horizontal
conveying path 411. The vertical conveying path is
composed of first vertical conveying path 402 and second
vertical conveying path 405 for moving up or down 100
banknotes 412 received by backup plates 403 and 406.
Further, conveyor carrier 407 is structured so as to receive
100 banknotes 412 from backup plates 403 and 406 at the
stop position of first vertical conveying path 402 and to
deliver them to receiving tray 413, move back and forth on
horizontal conveying path 411.
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The taping portion is composed of tape 408 for
banding 100 banknotes 412 stacked on receiving stray 413,
printer 409 for printing on tape 408 in color, tape winding
portion 410 for banding 100 banknotes 412 with a printed
tape, and banding controller 400 (FIG. 1) for controlling
banding portion 4.
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Next, the procedure of the banding operation will be
explained. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure of
the banding operation of the present invention. In the
flow chart, the part for controlling the conveyance of
banknotes B is processed by conveyor controller 30 shown
in FIG. 2 and the part for controlling banding portion 4 is
processed by banding controller 400 shown in FIG. 1.
-
In this case, the note kind designated by main
controller 51 so as to be banded after banknotes B are
supplied to the banknote processing apparatus is conveyed
to banding portion 4 and the other note kinds are stored in
rejected note stacker 80 or storages 60 to 65. Further, the
conveying process for banknotes B is controlled by conveyor
controller 30, though banknotes B conveyed to banding
portion 4 by clockwise rotation of sorting gate G3 are
controlled by banding controller 400. These procedures
will be explained below.
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When banknotes B including a plurality of note kinds
are supplied to supply portion 10 by an operator, supplied
banknotes B are taken out one by one by take-out rollers 14
and are supplied to conveying path 16. Supplied
banknotes B are conveyed to conveying pitch correction
portion 2 (Step S1).
-
Conveying pitch correction portion 2 executes the
conveying pitch correction. The conveying pitch correction,
to keep the interval of banknotes B conveyed continuously
below a predetermined value, when the interval between
the leading edge of banknote B conveyed earlier and the
leading edge of banknote B conveyed immediately after
exceeds a specified value, the interval is corrected.
-
Namely, the conveying pitch between banknote B and
banknote B taken out next is measured using timing sensor
SC1, and when pitch shortening or pitch delay exceeding a
set value occurs, according to a conveying pitch controller
(not shown in the drawing), the rotational speed of
conveyor roller 201 is changed by conveyor roller driving
motor 202 and the pitch shortening or pitch delay of
banknote B taken out next is corrected (Step S2).
Banknote B whose conveying pitch is corrected is sent to
banknote discriminating device 19.
-
The note kind, conveying direction, truth or falsehood,
and normal or damage of banknotes B to be conveyed are
discriminated by banknote discriminator 20 of banknote
discriminating device 19 (Step S3).
-
Conveyor controller 30, when as a result of banknote
discrimination, banknotes B are discriminated as false
notes or damaged notes, to stack rejected banknotes B in
rejected note stacker 80, rotates sorting gate G1 clockwise
(Step S4). As a result, rejected banknotes B pass sorting
gate G1 and are stacked in rejected banknote stacker 80
(Step S5).
-
Further, when as a result of banknote discrimination,
banknotes B are discriminated as true notes (normal notes
or damaged notes), a "front/back and forward/reverse
arranging" subroutine process of properly arranging the
front and back or forward and reverse of banknotes B in
the conveying direction designated by main controller 51 is
performed (Step S6).
-
FIG. 4 shows the "front/back and forward/reverse
arranging" subroutine. The subroutine discriminates
whether the conveying direction designation by main
controller 51 at the time of stacking or storing is
one-direction arranging designation or front and back
arranging designation (Step S23).
-
In a case of one-direction arranging designation,
depending on the banknote discrimination result of
concerned banknotes B by banknote discriminating device
19, the subroutine operates switchback reversing portion 3
and front/back reversing portion 45 and performs the
switchback reversing process and front/back reversing
process based on the table shown in FIG. 5 (Step S24).
-
For example, when properly arranging banknotes B in
the direction of front and forward FF, the conveying
direction is converted as indicated below.
- Conveying direction to be supplied: Front and forward
FF → nothing done
- Conveying direction to be supplied: Front and reverse
FR → process A + process B
- Conveying direction to be supplied: Back and forward
BF → process B
- Conveying direction to be supplied: Back and reverse
BR → process A
- Process A: Switchback reversing process by
switchback reversing portion 3
- Process B: Front/back reversing process by front/back
reversing portion 45
- Process A + process B: Both processes A and B are
performed.
-
-
Further, in a case of front and back arranging
designation, when the banknote discrimination result of
concerned banknotes B by
banknote discriminating device
19 is front conveyance (front and forward FF, front and
reverse FR), no processes are performed and the process is
finished (Yes at Step S25). On the other hand, when the
banknote discrimination result is back conveyance (back
and forward BF, back and reverse BR), the front/back
reversing process (process B) for passing banknotes
through front/
back reversing portion 45 and reversing the
front and back of banknotes B is performed (Step S26). In
this case, the conveying direction is converted as indicated
below.
- (Front/back reversing process by front/back reversing
portion 45)
- Conveying direction to be supplied: Front and forward
FF → nothing done
- Conveying direction to be supplied: Front and reverse
FR → nothing done
- Conveying direction to be supplied: Back and forward
BF → front and forward FF
- Conveying direction to be supplied: Back and reverse
BR → front and reverse FR
-
-
By the aforementioned process, banknotes B whose
conveying direction is properly arranged are returned to
FIG. 3 and the banding process at Step S7 and the
subsequent steps is performed.
-
The "front/back and forward/reverse arranging"
subroutine process is finished and whether banknotes B
whose conveying direction is properly arranged are of the
banding note kind or not is discriminated (Step S7).
-
When the discrimination result at Step S7 shows
other than the banding note kind, conveyor controller 30
rotates sorting gate G3 counterclockwise, furthermore
rotates sorting gates G4 to G8, thereby stores banknotes B
in any of storages 60 to 65 designated for each note kind
(Steps S8 and S9).
-
When the discrimination result at Step S7 shows the
banding note kind, conveyor controller 30, to perform the
banding process, sets sorting gates G3 and G12 in the
initial state. Namely, conveyor controller 30 rotates
sorting gate G3 clockwise, sets so as to convey banknotes B
to banding portion 4, rotates sorting gate G12
counterclockwise, and sets so as to stack banknotes B in
first stacker 401 of banding portion 4 (Step S10). Further,
in parallel with this process, tape printing of the banding
note kind is started (Step S11).
-
Next, tape 408 will be explained. Tape 408 can be
printed on its surface in color, and the back thereof is
composed of roll paper which can be thermally adhered, and
tape 408 is set in rotatable roll paper holder 408a shown in
FIG. 6.
-
When the banding note kind is detected at Step S7,
printer 409, to distinguish the note kind, prints the
attributes of the banding note kind (items for
discriminating banknotes in the banded state) such as
pattern, note kind, normal note/damaged note, sum of
money, and bank name on tape 408 by example an ink jet
method etc. and prints whole tape 408 in a color
corresponding to the note kind. Or the attributes of the
banding note kind of the pattern etc. are printed on tape
408 in a color corresponding to the note kind.
-
In FIGS. 7A to 7G, 7 kinds of samples of tape 408
printed in colors are shown. Namely, as shown in FIG. 7A,
a pair of blue stripes corresponding to 1$ note are printed
at both ends in the longitudinal direction of tape 408 and
reversed characters of "ONES" are printed on both stripes.
Namely, it indicates that the note kind of the banknote is a
one-dollar banknote by information printed on tape 408 and
the color. Between the pair of blue stripes, blue
characters of "$100" are printed and since 100 banknotes
are banded, it indicates a total of 100 dollars.
-
As shown in FIG. 7B, a pair of green stripes
corresponding to 2$ note are printed at both ends in the
longitudinal direction of tape 408 and reversed characters
of "TWOS" are printed on both stripes. Namely, it
indicates that the note kind of the banknote is a two-dollar
banknote by information printed on tape 408 and the color.
Between the pair of green stripes, green characters of
"$200" are printed and since 100 banknotes are banded, it
indicates a total of 200 dollars.
-
As shown in FIG. 7C, a pair of red stripes
corresponding to 5$ note are printed at both ends in the
longitudinal direction of tape 408 and reversed characters
of "FIVES" are printed on both stripes. Namely, it
indicates that the note kind of the banknote is a five-dollar
banknote by information printed on tape 408 and the color.
Between the pair of red stripes, red characters of "$500"
are printed and since 100 banknotes are banded, it
indicates a total of 500 dollars.
-
As shown in FIG. 7D, a pair of yellow stripes
corresponding to 10$ note are printed at both ends in the
longitudinal direction of tape 408 and reversed characters
of "TENS" are printed on both stripes. Namely, it
indicates that the note kind of the banknote is a ten-dollar
banknote by information printed on tape 408 and the color.
Between the pair of yellow stripes, yellow characters of
"$1,000" are printed and since 100 banknotes are banded, it
indicates a total of 1,000 dollars.
-
As shown in FIG. 7E, a pair of purple stripes
corresponding to 20$ note are printed at both ends in the
longitudinal direction of tape 408 and reversed characters
of "TWENTIES" are printed on both stripes. Namely, it
indicates that the note kind of the banknote is a
twenty-dollar banknote by information printed on tape 408
and the color. Between the pair of purple stripes, purple
characters of "$2,000" are printed and since 100 banknotes
are banded, it indicates a total of 2,000 dollars.
-
As shown in FIG. 7F, a pair of brown stripes
corresponding to 50$ note are printed at both ends in the
longitudinal direction of tape 408 and reversed characters
of "FIFTIES" are printed on both stripes. Namely, it
indicates that the note kind of the banknote is a
fifty-dollar banknote by information printed on tape 408
and the color. Between the pair of brown stripes, brown
characters of "$5,000" are printed and since 100 banknotes
are banded, it indicates a total of 5,000 dollars.
-
As shown in FIG. 7G, pair of ocher stripes
corresponding to 100$ note are printed at both ends in the
longitudinal direction of tape 408 and reversed characters
of "HUNDREDS" are printed on both stripes. Namely, it
indicates that the note kind of the banknote is a
hundred-dollar banknote by information printed on tape
408 and the color. Between the pair of ocher stripes, ocher
characters of "$10,000" are printed and since 100
banknotes are banded, it indicates a total of 10,000 dollars.
-
Further, the material of tape 408 is paper or polyvinyl
chloride.
-
FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the operation of the
banding portion. At the following steps, by referring to
FIG. 6, the operation of banding portion 4 will be
explained.
-
Banding controller 400 discriminates whether the
number of banknotes B stacked on first stacker 401 of
banding portion 4 reaches 100 sheets or not (Step S12).
When the discrimination result at Step S12 shows smaller
than 100 sheets, banding controller 400 waits until the
number thereof reaches 100 sheets (No at Step S12).
-
When the number of banknotes B in first stacker 401
reaches 100 sheets in this way, to stack banknotes B
continuously conveyed in second stacker 404, banding
controller 400 rotates sorting gate G12 clockwise (Step
S16). Further, banknotes B in first stacker 401 whose
number reaches 100 sheets are banded according to the
tape winding process routine (Steps S13 to S15).
-
Namely, the tape winding process routine holds the
banknotes whose number reaches 100 sheets (100
banknotes 412) between backup plate 403 and a paper
holder (not shown in the drawing) (a banknote holding
mechanism) and moves first vertical conveying path 402
down to the lower stop position in the direction of arrow
A41 shown in the drawing (Step S13).
-
Next, the tape winding process routine moves 100
banknotes 412, which are held between backup plate 403
and the paper holder and are moved down to the stop
position of first vertical conveying path 402, to conveyor
carrier 407.
-
Furthermore, conveyor carrier 407 with 100 banknotes
412 stacked is conveyed on horizontal conveying path 411
in the direction of arrow A44 shown in the drawing and
transfers 100 banknotes 412 to receiving tray 413 (Step
S14).
-
Empty conveyor carrier 407, to convey the next 100
banknotes, for example, waits at the lower stop position of
second vertical conveying path 405.
-
Next, 100 banknotes 412 in receiving tray 413 are
formed in a mass by tape winding portion 410 and then are
banded with tape 408 printed at Step S11 (Step S15). 100
banknotes 412 banded with a color-printed tape in this way
are ejected from banding portion 4 (Step S22).
-
Next, the operation of second stacker 404 will be
explained.
-
Banding controller 400, similarly to Step S12,
discriminates whether the number of banknotes B in first
stacker 401 of banding portion 4 reaches 100 sheets or not
(Step S17). When the discrimination result at Step S17
shows smaller than 100 sheets, banding controller 400
waits until the number thereof reaches 100 sheets (No at
Step S17).
-
When the number of banknotes B in second stacker
404 reaches 100 sheets in this way, to stack banknotes B
continuously conveyed in first stacker 401, banding
controller 400 rotates sorting gate G12 counterclockwise
(Step S21). Further, banknotes B in second stacker 404
whose number reaches 100 sheets are banded according to
the tape winding process routine (Steps S18 to S20).
-
The tape winding process routine, similarly to Step
S13, holds banknotes 412, whose number reaches 100
sheets, between backup plate 406 and a paper holder (not
shown in the drawing) and moves second vertical conveying
path 405 down to the stop position in the direction of arrow
A43 shown in the drawing (Step S18).
-
Next, the tape winding process routine, similarly to
Step S14, moves 100 banknotes 412, which are held
between backup plate 406 and the paper holder (banknote
holding mechanism) and are moved down to the stop
position of second vertical conveying path 405, to conveyor
carrier 407.
-
Furthermore, conveyor carrier 407 with 100 banknotes
412 stacked is conveyed on horizontal conveying path 411
in the direction of arrow A44 shown in the drawing and
transfers 100 banknotes 412 to receiving tray 413 (Step
S19).
-
Empty conveyor carrier 407, to convey the next 100
banknotes, for example, waits at the lower stop position of
first vertical conveying path 402.
-
Next, similarly to Step S15, 100 banknotes 412 in
receiving tray 413 are formed in a mass by tape winding
portion 410 and then are banded with tape 408 printed at
Step S11.
-
100 banknotes 412 banded with a color-printed tape in
this way are ejected from banding portion 4 (Step S22).
-
In the aforementioned embodiment, as a printing
method of printer 409, the ink jet method is used.
However, the printing method is not limited to the ink jet
method and other heat transfer methods can be applied.
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As explained above, according to the aforementioned
embodiment, banknotes sorted for each designated number
of sheets are automatically banded with a tape with the
attributes of the note kind printed on the basis of the note
kind discrimination result by the detector, so that a
banknote processing apparatus in which there is no
troublesomeness of setting a tape depending on the note
kind to be handled, and a tape is not incorrectly set, and a
plurality of note kinds can be banded flexibly by one
banding device without exchanging tapes, thus the
operation rate is improved, and cut-down of cost and space
saving (miniaturization) can be realized can be provided.
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According to the present invention, a banknotes
processing apparatus in which a tape printer is installed in
a banding device, and various information (note kind, sum
of money, bank name, etc.) concerning the banding note
kind designated so as to be banded and a color according to
each banding note kind are automatically printed on tapes
in color by the banding device on the basis of the note kind
discrimination result by the detector, thus the labor of an
operator to exchange the tapes for each note kind to be
banded is saved, and the operator is prevented from setting
a wrong tape kind, and a plurality of note kinds can be
banded flexibly without exchanging the note kind and
exchanging the tape for each banding device, so that the
operation rate of the banding device is improved, and
cut-down of cost and miniaturization (space saving by
reduction in the number of banding devices) can be realized
can be provided.
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Further, due to the mass production effect by unifying
and standardizing banding tapes conventionally different
in color, design, and printing for each note kind between
countries, financial institutions, and cash transport
companies to pain tapes, cost reduction of tapes which are
expendables can be expected and the running cost of the
banding device can be reduced. Furthermore, by
standardization of tapes which are expendables to one kind,
the inventory cost and ordering cost can be reduced.
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It is explicitly stated that all features disclosed in the description and/or the claims are
intended to be disclosed separately and independently from each other for the purpose of
original disclosure as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed invention independent
of the composition of the features in the embodiments and/or the claims. It is explicitly stated
that all value ranges or indications of groups of entities disclose every possible intermediate
value or intermediate entity for the purpose of original disclosure as well as for the purpose of
restricting the claimed invention, in particular as limits of value ranges.