EP1644277B1 - Continuous separation of loose sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for automated, continuous singling of loose sheet material, by the steps of feeding a stack of loose sheet material to be singled located on a first feeding element from a deposit position to a position in which the uppermost sheet of the stack can be grasped by the singling unit, sheet-by-sheet singling of the fed stack by the singling unit, the stack being fed by the feeding element such that the particular uppermost sheet of the stack can be grasped by the singling unit, feeding a further stack of loose sheet material to be fed located on a second feeding element from the deposit position to a position in which the uppermost sheet of the stack to be fed is located below the first feeding element, and uniting the stack to be singled and the fed stack by drawing the first feeding element out of the feeding path.

Description

The invention relates to the automatic, continuous separation of stacks of loose sheet material. It relates in particular to a separating process, a separating device and the use of the separating device.

Such methods and devices are used in particular for separating banknote stacks in order to individually check them for authenticity and / or status in a fully automatic process.

The present invention is based on the general problem of being able to achieve uninterrupted operation and the highest possible throughput in a separating station to which the sheet material to be separated is supplied in the form of possibly irregularly arriving packets. Obviously little suitable for this are transport systems that only transport a stack to be separated to the separation unit when it has finished the separation of a current stack. Although such solutions are cost-effective to realize due to the simple coordination of the package logistics, but in practice they have a considerably limited throughput, which is limited by the Nachführzeit a batch to be separated to the separation unit. Although further developments of this principle reduce the interruption times due to the accelerated tracking of further stacks, they are also satisfied with only suboptimal throughput rates dependent on the tracking speed and due to the increased transport speed - possibly due to displacements of stacks - additional downtime, resulting in increased maintenance.

The DE 19512 505 A1 The applicant describes a method for the continuous separation of stacks of sheets, which avoids the mentioned disadvantages of the clocked solutions. In this case, during the separation of a stack of loose sheet material, a further stack is tracked so that it can be grasped and separated without interruption after the processing of the first stack by the separation unit. Since the separation now does not have to be interrupted to provide the next batch, an uninterrupted operation is made possible.

The continuous supply of sheet stacks to the singulation unit is ensured by the interaction of two rake-shaped feed elements, each alternately take over a stack of a likewise rake-shaped tray and transport it from a storage position on a feed path in a singulation position, where it can be separated from the singulation unit , After a stack has been separated from the singulation unit sheet by sheet, the corresponding feed element for receiving a waiting already on the tray further stack from the singling position must be returned to the storage position. Since the other feed element is already in the singling position for ensuring the continuous singulation, the first feed element can not be returned on the feed path, but the return must be on a parallel path outside the feed path. For this purpose, the rake-shaped feed element is pulled out of the feed path and guided parallel to it in a position adjacent to the rake-shaped tray. Since the tines of the feed with such interacting with the tines of the tray, that the feeding element from the adjacent position can be inserted laterally into the tray, the attributable feeding element is finally brought by insertion into the storage position, where it takes over by re-movement on the feed path on the tray stack and the separating unit feeds.

The transport system of DE 195 12 505 A1 So essentially requires three elements, the immovable storage and two similar, vertically and horizontally movable feed elements that change permanently by an uninterrupted loop movement between the storage position and the separation position. Drawbacks to this concept include the complex design principle which requires the use of a plurality of position sensors and control electronics to coordinate the multiaxial motion of the two feed elements in coordination with the position of the other feed element, coordinating the loop movements of the feed elements. The complex design increases manufacturing costs and results in increased maintenance and thereby increased operating costs and possibly downtime. In addition, replenishment problems are conceivable in the case of faster singulation units or small stack sizes since, in order to maintain continuous singulation, the long trajectories of the feed elements have to be handled in less time than the singling unit requires to singulate a stack.

In EP 0 535 361 A2 is a sheet feeder for sheet-processing machines, in particular sheet-fed printing machines, described, the one liftable by means of a main lift or lowerable stacking table for receiving a main stack and a non-stop device with at least one, preferably two laterally opposite, by means of a Rechenantriebseinrichtung and extendable, recordable in grooves of the stacking table, liftable by means of an auxiliary lift or lowerable rake for taking a remainder of the pile stack stack on which then a new stack is receivable, on which the remainder stack is deductible, has. A high reliability and freedom from interference can be achieved by providing at least two casserole sensors arranged in the region of at least one rake bar, one of which points upwards and one downwards and with the aid of which the takeover of the rest stack by the nonstop device and the provision of a new stack below the remainder of the stack are detectable.

In US 5 011126 there is described an automatic sheet stacking loading apparatus for a paper sheet feeding apparatus having a main elevator for receiving a sheet stack to be conveyed thereon. The main elevator is incrementally moved up to bring the top sheet of the stack to a predetermined height position with respect to a sheet separator disposed above the stack and removes the sheets one at a time from the stack. When the stack of sheets is substantially depleted, parallel horizontal skewers are inserted below the stack from both lateral sides of the stack to pick up the load of the stack and lower the main elevator for receiving a new stack of sheets. The insertion of the skewers in the transverse direction of the stack is advantageous in that the central part of the sheets of the stack in the conveying direction of the leaves kept at a constant height, independently of the downward deflection of the skewers so that adjustment to the position of the sheet separator is not required.

Starting from the DE 195 12 505 A1 The invention is based on the object, a method for the continuous separation of sheet material to propose, which is based on a simple design principle, and allows a fast tracking of stacks to be separated.

The object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments.

According to the invention, a multiaxially movable first feed element and a uniaxially movable second feed element are used as feed device for ensuring the continuous singulation by a singulation unit.

Preferably, the feed elements are used in such a way that the first feed element receives a first stack of loose sheet material to be separated in the storage position and guides it by a uniaxial movement on the feed path to a position in which the topmost sheet of the stack is detected by the singulation unit can. In the process, it leads continuously to the stacks which become smaller in the course of the sheet-wise separation, so that the respective uppermost sheet of the stack can be grasped by the singling unit and singulated. The second only uniaxially movable feeding member is meanwhile in the storage position and takes during the separation of the first stack a nachzuführenden, also to be separated stack and this on the feed path from the storage position to a position in which the top sheet of the stack directly below the first feeding element comes to rest. Thereupon, the first stack to be separated and the second stack are brought together by pulling out the first feed element now positioned between the two stacks from the feed path. Subsequently, the first feeding member on a loop path at the position of the second feeding member in the Feed track introduced and thus takes over the united stack of the second feed element. The second feed element can now return to the storage position by a renewed uniaxial movement on the feed path to receive the next stack to be separated.

The invention offers the advantage of a considerably simpler construction, since it can ensure the continuous separation of stacks of loose sheet material by the use of only two elements, namely a multiaxially movable first feeding element and a uniaxially movable second feeding element. The simplification consists primarily in the fact that now only one feed element is required, which performs a complex to be controlled, multi-axis loop movement, while the other feed element performs a simple uniaxial movement on the feed path. The simpler control and mechanics of such a design leads to higher reliability over the prior art due to increased reliability and due to fewer malfunctions also higher productivity and throughput. Another important advantage is the maintenance of a continuous singulation, especially in very fast singulation units or small stacks, since the multiaxially movable first feed element describes only a short and fast trajectory when adopting the unified stack. As a result, the uniaxially movable second feeding element can more quickly track further stacks from the depositing position than comparable feeding elements with more complex trajectories. The invention can thus increase the throughput and the reliability of a singling unit with a simpler design.

The multiaxial trajectory of the first feed element can be traversed in various ways. One embodiment is, for example, to perform only vertical movements and parallel to the feed path. In this case, the feed element is pulled out vertically when unifying the stack from the feed path, then brought by a movement parallel to this in a position adjacent to the second feed element, and finally brought in taking over the unified stack by a movement perpendicular to the feed path to the position of the second feed element , In addition, other trajectories are conceivable, such as an ellipsoidal trajectory.

The introduction of the first feed element from outside the feed path to the location of the second feed element in the feed path can take place in various ways. Thus, in one embodiment, it is possible to provide the support surface of the first delivery member with an outwardly tapered rim for insertion into the supply path between the top of the second delivery member and the lowermost sheet of the unified stack to take over the unified stack ,

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the feed elements are realized as rake-shaped gripper so that their tines fit into each other, when in the acquisition of the unified stack by the first feed element both feeders are located at the same position in the feed path. In this situation, immediately after the insertion of the first feed element into the feed path, the united stack of two feed elements pushed one inside the other is carried simultaneously before the second feed element moves again to the storage position to receive another stack. The decisive advantage of this rake-shaped embodiment of Feeding elements is the possibility of easy adoption of the united stack by the first feed element. Instead of the exact introduction of the first feed element into the second feed element, it is also possible to insert the first feed element below the second feed element into the feed path and then push it through to transfer the unified stack through the second feed element. In other words, the second feeding member will preferably have recesses and the first feeding member will be shaped complementarily so that it can at least partially engage in the recesses.

A further advantageous embodiment provides a second feed element as a shelf with numerous parallel rectilinear depressions, which are recognizable when feeding a stack as lateral openings in the second feed element. When adopting the united stack by the rake-shaped first feed element, its prongs can retract laterally into the recesses of the second feed element and take over the stack by returning the second feed element to the storage position.

It is also possible to advantageously realize the extraction of the first feed element from the feed path and its introduction into the feed path by means of a rotatable arrangement of the feed element. Thus, the first feed element unites the two stacks out of the feed path by a pivoting movement about an axis of rotation parallel to the feed path, then moves into a position adjacent to the second feed element and finally takes over the unified stack by a pivoting movement about the same axis of rotation into the feed track. The advantage of this variant is its simple mechanical realizability.

To optimize the stack logistics and the coordination of the feed elements, it is expedient to provide various sensors. Thus, it is advantageous to use a sensor that detects the presence of a tracked by the second feed element to be separated stack, directly below the first feed element. By means of an electromechanical control, the combination of the two stacks and the transfer of the united stack by the first supply element can thus be promptly initiated. It is also advantageous to provide a sensor for detecting the last sheet of a stack to be separated, so that subsequently the feed elements can be returned to the starting position. Furthermore, sensors can advantageously be used to detect a stack to be separated located in the storage position in order to cause it to be guided by the second supply element and to take over the stack to be united by the first supply element.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the second feed element has a storage surface with holes and a plurality of counter-elements, which can reach through the holes. The support surface and the counter-elements can be adjusted relative to one another in order to be able to hold a stack of sheet material to be separated at a distance from the support surface. In addition, the counter-elements can preferably engage as far into the holes of the second feed element, that a substantially closed storage surface is provided for the subsequent application of a loose stack of Blattguteln to be separated.

• Figur 1 den schematischen Aufbau einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• Figuren 2a-f die Funktionsweise einer weiteren Ausführungsform in mehreren unterschiedlichen Betriebszuständen, wobei die Fig. 2a, b, c, e, f Ansichten von vorne sind und Figur 2d eine Ansicht von der Seite ist;
• Figuren 3 a, b die Funktionsweise noch einer weiteren Ausführungsform in zwei unterschiedlichen Betriebszuständen in einer Ansicht von vorne;
• Figuren 4 a, b die Funktionsweise noch einer weiteren Ausführungsform in zwei unterschiedlichen Betriebszuständen in einer Ansicht von vorne;
• Figuren 5 a, b die Funktionsweise noch einer weiteren Ausführungsform in zwei unterschiedlichen Betriebszuständen in einer Ansicht von der Seite;
• Figuren 6 a, b die Funktionsweise noch einer weiteren Ausführungsform in zwei unterschiedlichen Betriebszuständen in einer Ansicht von der Seite;
• Figur 7 eine Ansicht von oben auf ein Zuführelement der Ausführungsform nach den Figuren 8a-g;
• Figuren 8a-g die Funktionsweise einer weiteren Ausführungsform in mehreren unterschiedlichen Betriebszuständen, wobei die Fig. 8a, b, c, f, g Ansichten von vorne und Figur 8d und e Ansichten von der Seite sind und
• Figur 9 eine schematische Ansicht auf das Antriebssystem der Zuführelemente nach Figur 2 oder 8.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent in the following description of the construction and operation of an embodiment of the invention. Show

• FIG. 1 the schematic structure of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
• FIGS. 2a-f the operation of another embodiment in several different operating conditions, wherein the Fig. 2a, b, c, e, f Views are from the front and Figure 2d is a view from the side;
• FIGS. 3 a, b the operation of yet another embodiment in two different operating states in a view from the front;
• FIGS. 4 a, b the operation of yet another embodiment in two different operating states in a view from the front;
• FIGS. 5 a, b the operation of yet another embodiment in two different operating states in a view from the side;
• FIGS. 6 a, b the operation of yet another embodiment in two different operating states in a view from the side;
• FIG. 7 a view from above of a feed element of the embodiment according to the Figures 8a-g ;
• Figures 8a-g the operation of another embodiment in several different operating conditions, wherein the Fig. 8a, b, c, f, g Views from the front and FIGS. 8d and e Views from the side are and
• FIG. 9 a schematic view of the drive system of the feed after FIG. 2 or 8th ,

FIG. 1 shows the schematic structure of a separator according to the invention. It comprises a multiaxially movable first feeding element 2 which carries a stack 1 of loose banknotes to be singled and feeds them to the singling unit 5 in such a way that the first banknote of the stack 1 can be picked up and separated by the singling roller of the singling unit 5. A uniaxially movable second feed element 3 is located in a lower storage position and receives from the Stapeleinschuß 6 another to the separation unit 5 nachzuführenden banknote stack 4. The second feed element 3 performs only uniaxial movements on the feed path 8 by the nachzuführenden banknote stack 4 from the storage position moved in the dotted position shown directly below the first feed element 2 and returns after its adoption by the first feed element 2 back into the storage position. During the singulation, the first feed element 2 feeds the stack 1 to be separated by a uniaxial movement on the feed path 8 so that the uppermost banknote can be detected by the singling unit 5. As soon as the second feed element 3 has tracked a further stack to be separated (indicated by dotted lines), the first feed element 2 completes a loop movement 10 in order to combine the fed stack with the stack 1 to be separated and then take over the combined stack from the second feed element 3 , This is done by the first feeding element 2, the second feeding element 3, the loop track 10 following, replaced at its position in the feed path 8. The positions of the first feeding element 2 on its loop path 10 occupies are in FIG. 1 each shown in dashed lines. The loop movement 10 begins with the first feed element 2 performing a lateral rotational movement about a rotation axis 9 lying parallel to the feed path 8 and thereby moving vertically out of the feed path and thus uniting the banknote stack 1 to be singled and the tracking stack indicated. By a parallel to and outside the feed path downward movement, as well as by turning back of the first feed element 2 about the axis of rotation 9 in the feed path 8, the loop movement 10 is completed and the first feed element 2 is located at its new position between banknote stack. 1 and the second feed element 3. The second feed element 3 can then be replaced in the in FIG. 1 shown lower position to record a next stack 4.

FIG. 2 illustrates the principle of stack tracking according to the invention for ensuring a continuous separation of bank note stacks according to a further embodiment. FIG. 2a shows in front view a banknote stack 1 which, held and tracked by the rake-shaped first feeding element 2, is separated by the separating roller of the separating unit 5. Meanwhile, the second feeding member 3 provided with a plurality of parallel rectilinear recesses for receiving the prongs of the rake-shaped first feeding member 2 is in the depositing position. There it takes a stack of items 6 transported in the storage position, to be fed bank note stack 4 ( Fig. 2b ). The supplied banknote stacks 1, 4 may, for example, have been previously entangled automatically. The second feed element 3 feeds the stack 4 to be fed for singling, by moving on the feed path 8 in the direction of the singling unit 5 until the to be fed bank note stack 4 directly below the first feed element 2 comes to rest ( Fig. 2c ). The first feeding element 2 now lies between the stack 1 to be separated and the fed stack 4.

Figure 2d shows in a 90 ° compared to the FIGS. 2a, b, c, e, f rotated side view joining the stack by embracing the rake-shaped first feed element 2 on the loop path 10. This is pulled out of its position parallel to its tines to the rear from the feed path 8 in the position shown in dashed lines, whereby the located above the first feed element 2 to singulating stacks 1 and located below the first feed element 2 nachzuführende bank note stack 4 are combined. Thereafter, the first feed element 2 is guided parallel to the feed path 8 to the height of the second feed element 3 (shown in phantom) and pushed by a movement forward at the position of the second feed element 3 back into the feed path 8. The tines of the rake-shaped first feed element 2 slide into the depressions of the second feed element 3.

FIG. 2e shows in side view that in this situation both feed elements carry the combined banknote stack 7 equally. At the same time, the next stack 4 to be fed is already being guided through the stacked portion 6. By returning the now vacant second feed element 3 in the storage position by a uniaxial movement along the feed path 8, the initial situation of FIG. 2a restored. In that the second feed element 3 is now ready to receive another banknote stack 4 to be fed ( Fig. 2f ) and the process starts again.

It should be noted that according to a further idea of the present invention, the singler may be designed so that either the banknotes to be separated automatically, for example, by the stacking shot 6, fed, as well as manually inserted, for example in the systems according to FIG. 2a an operator places a loose stack of banknotes on the second delivery element 3. Thus, while the automatic feed, for example, from the side, the manual input can be done from the front. Likewise, it can be provided that there are different Zuführwege for automatic feeding of banknotes. Thus, in addition to the stack item 6 for supplying banknotes automatically entangled in the feed path, there can also be an additional feed for the automatic feeding of banknote packets already loosely inputted from the side.

Particularly in the case of bad banknote quality, a problem of the second feeding element 3 may be that the bottommost banknotes of the stack 4 fed in through the stacking insert 6 accumulate in the depressions of the feeding element 3. To prevent this, preferably a substantially closed and contiguous storage surface of the second feed element 3 will be realized.

As it is in the FIG. 3 is shown, which is a front view, for example, according to FIG. 2e shows, the second feed element 3, for example, have a lamellar structure having, for example, surface elements 11 which are each mounted rotatably about an associated axis 10 with a respective web 12 of the feed element 3. As in FIG. 3a As illustrated, these can be rotatable Surface elements 11 slightly overlap, so that a storage surface is formed to facilitate the sliding of the supplied stack 4.

If in an operating condition accordingly FIG. 2f the second feed element 3 is moved down again to accommodate a new stack, the rotatable surface elements 11 are actively driven or passively caused only by the downward sliding of the feed element 3, and its axis of rotation 10 is rotated in an unfolded position, as it in FIG. 3b is illustrated. As a result, the second feed element 3 can slide past the rake-shaped first feed element 2 downwards. The folding back of the surface elements 11 in the overlapping arrangement after FIG. 3a In turn, it can be activated or passive.

The FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment, which differs from that of FIG. 3 differs in that the lamellae, ie the surface elements 11 are constructed in two parts.

According to yet another embodiment according to FIG. 5 a view from the side eg according to the Figure 2d shows, the second feed element 3 on a storage surface 14 which can be pushed out by combing the rake 2 in the recesses of the feeding element 3 from (see Fig. 5b ) and when moving the rake 2 back into the previous position (see Fig. 5a ). The storage surface 14 for fed banknote stack 4 is connected, for example by means of a longitudinal guide with the remaining components of the feed element 3. The displacement of the support surface 14, as in the other cases, in turn, either actively driven by a motor or passively done, for example by means of a spring preload.

In comparison to FIG. 5 can continue according to FIG. 6 the storage surface 14 also rotatable about an axis 15 and preferably also be mounted vertically displaceable. By combing the rake 2 into the recesses of the feeding element 3, the depositing surface 14 is then both rotated and pressed down (see Fig. 6b ).

In order to realize a substantially closed and contiguous storage surface of the second feed element 3, this can continue to be realized as it in the FIGS. 7 and 8th is shown. In this case, the second feed element 3 also has a substantially flat storage surface 14. The storage surface 14 has a plurality of holes 15 distributed over the surface, can pass through the complementarily arranged and existing on a base plate 18 rods 17. Between the bars 17, the individual parallel tines of the rake-shaped first feeding element 2 can engage.

In the FIGS. 8a to 8g Different operating states of an associated separator are shown. In a first phase ( Fig. 8a ), the rake-shaped first feeding element 2 carries banknotes of the stack 1 stored above in accordance with the singling speed in the direction of an air guiding plate 9 of the singler. The second feeder element 3 as a lower banknote depository is in waiting position and ready for insertion of the next banknote stack 4. The bars 17 are either downwardly in a retracted position relative to the depositing surface 14 or alternatively engage, as shown in FIG FIG. 8a is shown against an active spring 16 preferably adjusted so far into the holes 15, that the storage surface 14 forms a largely flat and closed bank note shelf with the retracted rods 17.

In a second phase ( Fig. 8b ) the package is inserted. The separation process continues while the rake 2 continues to move in the direction of the air guide plate 9. It should be emphasized that, of course, other types of separation units can be used without baffles.

Subsequently, the support surface 14 moves in the direction of the rake 2 until, for example, a sensor attached to the rake side recognizes the touch of the rake bottom through the top banknote of the stack 4 resting on the support surface 14 ( Fig. 8c ). The movements of rake 2 and storage surface 14 are synchronized from then on, ie the shift is carried out at the same speed up against the air baffle. 9

The rake 2 is then withdrawn from the stack area, whereby the bank notes located on and under the rake 2 combine to form a total stack. The rake 2 then moves downwards ( Fig. 8d ). During the downward movement of the rake 2 this takes over a mechanical coupling the shelf 14 with down. The BN stack 1, 4 thus lies only on the bars 17, which are performed through the holes 15 of the shelf. As a result, the space for combing the rake 2 between the bars 17 is free below the stack 1, 4, and the rake 2 is then moved between the bars 17 (FIG. Fig. 8e, f ). Subsequently, the rake 2 takes over again the tracking of the united by pulling out of the rake 2 banknote stack 1, 4th

Thereafter, the support surface 14 moves again by downward movement in the waiting position. In this case, shelf 14 and rods 17 are shifted relative to each other so far that the rods 17 and the storage surface 14 again form a flat, closed surface, which is a trouble-free lateral Einschießen the next banknote stack 4 allows. Meanwhile, the rake 2 continues to feed the (upper) banknote stack 1. By this arrangement is thus also possible in a particularly secure manner, a continuous separation of banknotes.

Based on FIG. 9 An example of a drive system for the feed elements 2, 3 will now be described, as in the embodiments of FIGS Figures 2 and 8th can be used. For this purpose, it is preferable to provide in each case a separate motor drive for the vertical movement of the feed elements 2, 3 and additionally a motor drive for horizontal movement of the first feed element, ie the rake 2. However, it should be avoided that the motor for horizontal displacement of the rake 2 is directly connected to this and also moved with this in height, since it would come due to the mass and the inertia of the motor to be traversed to performance degradation. Therefore, all three motors will preferably be stationary. According to FIG. 9 For example, in such a case, preferably three endless belts 20, 22, 27 will be present, with three motors, not shown, the axes 21, 23 and 28 of these endless belts can actively turn in both directions in a predeterminable manner.

The first endless belt 20 is connected to the second feed element 3, so that the second feed element 3 can be adjusted in height by motor-controlled rotation of the axis 21. Another endless belt 27 is connected via a connecting plate 29 with the first feed element 2 in order to adjust this in height can. In order to realize the horizontal movement of the first feed element 2, this is also connected to a horizontally displaceable slide 24, which in a region 25 with the third endless belt 22nd connected is. If only the endless belt 27 were actively rotated, this would lead to a simultaneous horizontal and vertical displacement of the rake 2 due to the coupling of the endless belts 22, 27. By independent active control of the other endless belt 22 can be achieved, however, that the carriage 24 and thus the rake 2 is not simultaneously moved undesirable horizontal vertical adjustment.

Claims (24)

1. An apparatus for continuously singling loose bank notes, having a singling unit (5) for singling a stack (1) of loose bank notes and a feeding device (2, 3) for bringing a stack (1) of loose bank notes to be singled from a deposit position along a feeding path (8) to a position in which the particular uppermost bank note of the stack is graspable by the singling unit (5), wherein the feeding device (2, 3) has a first multiaxially movable feeding element (2) which carries the stack to be singled and feeds it to the singling unit, characterized in that the feeding device (2, 3) has a second only uniaxially moved feeding element (3) which brings a stack (4) to be fed to the singling unit (5) from the deposit position to a position in which the uppermost sheet of the stack (4) to be fed comes to lie below the first feeding element (2) in order to unite the fed stack (4) with the stack (1) to be singled.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first feeding element (2) by a uniaxial feeding motion brings the stack of loose bank notes to be singled from the deposit position to the position in which the uppermost bank note of the stack can be grasped by the singling unit (5) and which by an extraction from the feeding path (8) unites the stack (1) to be singled with a stack (4) to be fed located below the first feeding element (2).
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second feeding element (3) by a uniaxial motion on the feeding path (8) brings the stack (4) to be fed from the deposit position to a position in which the uppermost bank note of the stack (4) to be fed comes to lie below the first feeding element (2).
4. The apparatus according to at least one of the above claims, characterized in that the first feeding element (2) assumes the position of the second feeding element (3) by traversal of a loop-shaped motion path (10) and insertion into the feeding path (8), and the second feeding element (3) returns to the deposit position for receiving a stack (4) to be fed on the feeding path (8).
5. The apparatus according to at least one of the above claims, characterized in that the second feeding element (3) has depressions, and the first feeding element (2) is formed so as to be complementary such that it can engage the depressions at least partly.
6. The apparatus according to at least one of the above claims, characterized in that the first feeding element (2) is moved into the feeding path (8) below the stack (1) of loose bank notes carried by the second feeding element (3).
7. The apparatus according to at least one of the above claims, characterized in that the second feeding element (3) has a deposit surface (11, 14) which can be rotated and/or opened and/or horizontally and/or vertically shifted with respect to other components of the second feeding element (3).
8. The apparatus according to at least one of the above claims, characterized in that the second feeding element (3) has a deposit surface (14) with holes (15), and a plurality of opposing elements (17) which can reach through the holes (15).
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the deposit surface (14) with holes (15) and the opposing elements (17) are to be shifted relative to each other to be able to hold a stack (4) of bank notes to be singled spaced from the deposit surface, and/or the opposing elements (17) can engage the holes of the second feeding element (2) to such an extent as to provide a substantially closed deposit surface (14) for subsequent application of a loose stack of bank notes to be singled.
10. The apparatus according to at least one of the above claims, characterized in that the apparatus has one or more sensors which detect the presence of a stack (4) fed by the second feeding element (3) below the first feeding element (2), and/or detect the last bank note of a stack to be singled, and/or detect a stack (4) to be fed located in the deposit position.
11. The apparatus according to at least one of the above claims, characterized in that the first and second feeding elements (2, 3) are driven by stationary motors.
12. The apparatus according to at least one of the above claims, characterized in that bank-note stacks to be singled can be fed to the feeding device alternatively automatically or manually.
13. A method for continuously singling loose bank notes, characterized in that by means of a feeding device (2, 3) having a first multiaxially movable feeding element (2) and a second only uniaxially moved feeding element (3), a stack (1) of loose bank notes to be singled is brought from a deposit position along a feeding path (8) to a position from which the particular uppermost bank note of the stack is grasped and singled by a singling unit (5), wherein the first feeding element carries the stack to be singled and feeds it to the singling unit (5), and a stack (4) located on the second feeding element (3) is fed to singling by motion of the second feeding element out of the deposit position to a position in which the uppermost bank note of the stack (4) to be fed is located below the first feeding element (2) in order to unite the fed stack (4) with the stack (1) to be singled.
14. The method according to claim 13, characterized by the following steps:

    (a) feeding a stack (1) of loose bank notes to be singled located on the first feeding element (2) to the singling unit (5), by a feeding motion of the first feeding element (2) on a feeding path (8), from a deposit position to a position in which the uppermost bank note of the stack (1) can be grasped by the singling unit (5),

    (b) singling of the fed stack (1) sheet by sheet by the singling unit (5), the stack (1) being fed by the feeding element such that the particular uppermost bank note of the stack (1) can be grasped by the singling unit (5),

    (c) feeding a stack (4) of loose bank notes to be fed located on the second feeding element (3) to singling, by moving the second feeding element (3), from the deposit position to a position in which the uppermost bank note of the stack (4) to be fed is located below the first feeding element (2), and

    (d) uniting the stack (1) to be singled and the fed stack (4) by extracting the first feeding element (2) from the feeding path (8).
15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that after the step of uniting the stacks the following further steps are carried out:

    (e) taking over of the united stack (7) of loose bank notes by the first feeding element (2), the first feeding element (2) assuming the position of the second feeding element (3) by traversal of a loop-shaped motion path (10) and insertion into the feeding path (8), and

    (f) returning the second feeding element (3) to the deposit position,

    (g) depositing a further stack (4) of loose bank notes on the returned second feeding element (3) and then feeding said further stack (4).
16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the traversal of the loop-shaped motion path (10) of the first feeding element (2) consists of the following steps:

    (h) perpendicular motion leading away from the feeding path (8),

    (i) motion parallel to the feeding path (8) in the direction of the deposit position to a position adjacent the second feeding element (3), and

    (k) perpendicular motion leading to the feeding path (8).
17. The method according to at least one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the first feeding element (2) engages depressions of the second feeding element (3) upon insertion into the feeding path (8).
18. The method according to at least one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the first feeding element (2) is inserted into the feeding path (8) below the stack (1) of loose bank notes carried by the second feeding element (3).
19. The method according to at least one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that a deposit surface (11, 14) of the second feeding element (3) is rotated and/or opened and/or horizontally and/or vertically shifted with respect to other components of the second feeding element (3).
20. The method according to at least one of claims 13 to 19, characterized in that a plurality of opposing elements (17) of the second feeding element (3) reach through holes (15) of a deposit surface (14) of the second feeding element (3) to hold a stack (4) of bank notes to be singled.
21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the opposing elements (17) engage the holes of the second feeding element (3) to such an extent as to provide a substantially closed deposit surface (14) for subsequent application of a loose stack of bank notes to be singled.
22. The method according to at least one of claims 13 to 21, characterized in that the presence of a fed stack (4) below the stack (1) to be singled is recognized automatically, and thereupon the uniting of the two stacks is initiated.
23. The method according to at least one of claims 13 to 22, characterized in that a stack (4) of loose bank notes to be fed located in the deposit position is recognized automatically, and/or the last bank note to be singled in a stack (1) to be singled is recognized automatically.
24. Use of the apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 12 for continuous sheet-by-sheet singling of stacks of loose bank notes in a bank-note processing apparatus in which the singled bank notes are automatically checked and deposited.

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