EP2400468B1 - Dispositif destiné à compter des feuilles de papier ou similaire - Google Patents

Dispositif destiné à compter des feuilles de papier ou similaire Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2400468B1
EP2400468B1 EP09840342.1A EP09840342A EP2400468B1 EP 2400468 B1 EP2400468 B1 EP 2400468B1 EP 09840342 A EP09840342 A EP 09840342A EP 2400468 B1 EP2400468 B1 EP 2400468B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
unit
paper
shutter
sheet
paper sheets
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Application number
EP09840342.1A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP2400468A4 (fr
EP2400468A1 (fr
Inventor
Manabu Hirano
Fumiaki Koga
Tomoyasu Sato
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Glory Ltd
Original Assignee
Glory Ltd
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Publication date
Application filed by Glory Ltd filed Critical Glory Ltd
Priority to EP16186744.5A priority Critical patent/EP3136355B1/fr
Publication of EP2400468A1 publication Critical patent/EP2400468A1/fr
Publication of EP2400468A4 publication Critical patent/EP2400468A4/fr
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Publication of EP2400468B1 publication Critical patent/EP2400468B1/fr
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06M—COUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06M7/00—Counting of objects carried by a conveyor
    • G06M7/02—Counting of objects carried by a conveyor wherein objects ahead of the sensing element are separated to produce a distinct gap between successive objects
    • G06M7/06—Counting of flat articles, e.g. of sheets of paper
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D11/00—Devices accepting coins; Devices accepting, dispensing, sorting or counting valuable papers
    • G07D11/10—Mechanical details
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D11/00—Devices accepting coins; Devices accepting, dispensing, sorting or counting valuable papers
    • G07D11/50—Sorting or counting valuable papers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a paper-sheet counting machine adapted for counting paper sheets, such as banknotes, checks and the like.
  • the paper-sheet counting machine adapted for counting the paper sheets, such as the banknotes, checks and the like.
  • a banknote counting machine disclosed in JP2600100Y2 is provided for setting a plurality of banknotes in a stacked condition on a placing unit (e.g., a hopper), then feeding and inserting each banknote located at the lowest position of the banknotes into a space between a pair of gate units, one by one, by using a feeding unit, such as a feed roller or the like, provided at a bottom part of the placing unit, thereby separating such banknotes, one by one, and feeding each separated banknote downward, via a passage, and further feeding it into a space between two vanes of a stacking wheel located in the middle of the passage.
  • a placing unit e.g., a hopper
  • each banknote received between the two vanes is thrown off therefrom, downward onto a stacking unit, while being turned round with rotation of the stacking wheel, and then arranged in the stacking unit.
  • a sensor is provided for counting the number of the banknotes passing through this sensor, before such banknotes reach the stacking wheel.
  • JP3537697B and JP3741893B a banknote processing machine provided for recognizing each banknote and then sorting the recognized banknote, based on each recognition result thereof, is disclosed.
  • a plurality of stacking units are provided for respectively receiving the banknotes that have been respectively sorted for each corresponding denomination of money and then fed to the stacking units.
  • a shutter is provided to each stacker. This shutter serves to selectively close an opening of each stacking unit, in order to prevent access of an operator to the stacking unit.
  • EP1035521 on which the pre-characterising portion of claim 1 is based, discloses a bill arranger.
  • US4277119 discloses a cover for a counting zone in a note counter.
  • US4677682 discloses a bill counting machine.
  • each banknote is stacked, with the rotation of the stacking wheel, while falling down forward from the back.
  • the shutter is provided to each stacking unit in the banknote processing machine.
  • the opening is provided at an upper part of each stacking unit, and the shutter is designed for opening and closing such an opening provided at the upper part of each stacking unit.
  • this shutter is not directly intended for a dustproof application.
  • each stacking unit serves to allow the banknotes stacked in this stacking unit to be respectively taken out therefrom.
  • this shutter serves to prevent any banknote from being taken out from the corresponding stacking unit.
  • this shutter is intended only for providing the so-called locking function.
  • the present invention was made in view of the above problems.
  • a paper-sheet counting machine of the present invention is as defined in claim 1.
  • the opening and closing operation for the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit can be performed by the shutter driven by the shutter drive unit controlled by the control unit. Therefore, the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit can be selectively closed by the shutter.
  • the shutter closes the opening the blowing out of the dust accumulated in the casing of the paper-sheet counting machine and/or dust attached to each paper sheet, toward the operator, can be successfully prevented.
  • the unwanted leakage of the sound generated in the interior of the paper-sheet counting machine to the outside can be effectively prevented during the operation of the machine.
  • the paper-sheet counting machine further comprises a third paper-sheet detection unit provided between the placing unit and the stacking unit and configured to detect each paper sheet when the paper sheet fed to the stacking unit from the placing unit passes through the third paper-sheet detection unit, and during the process for the paper sheets in the batch process mode performed by the control unit, until the third paper-sheet detection unit detects the last paper sheet of the batch number, the control unit serves to drive the shutter to keep closing the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit.
  • a third paper-sheet detection unit provided between the placing unit and the stacking unit and configured to detect each paper sheet when the paper sheet fed to the stacking unit from the placing unit passes through the third paper-sheet detection unit, and during the process for the paper sheets in the batch process mode performed by the control unit, until the third paper-sheet detection unit detects the last paper sheet of the batch number, the control unit serves to drive the shutter to keep closing the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit.
  • interval of time between the time the third paper-sheet detection unit detects the last paper sheet of the batch number and the time the control unit controls the shutter drive unit to retreat the shutter from the opening is capable of being altered by settings.
  • Figs. 1 through 8 are respectively provided for illustrating the paper-sheet counting machine related to the embodiment. More specifically, Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively provided for schematically illustrating the internal construction of the paper-sheet counting machine related to the embodiment. Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively provided for illustrating the details of the construction of the shutter, shutter support unit for supporting the shutter, shutter drive unit and the like, respectively provided in the paper-sheet counting machine shown in Fig. 1 and the like.
  • the block diagram of Fig. 5 is provided for illustrating one exemplary control system of the paper-sheet counting machine shown in Fig. 1 and the like.
  • FIG. 6 through 8 illustrates the series of operations, respectively performed by the paper-sheet counting machine shown in Fig. 1 and the like. It is noted that the paper-sheet counting machine related to this embodiment is intended for counting the number of the paper sheets, such as the banknotes, checks and the like.
  • a paper-sheet counting machine 10 includes a casing 12 and a placing unit 14 adapted for placing thereon a plurality of paper sheets P to be respectively counted, in a stacked condition. Further, this paper-sheet counting machine 10 includes a feeding unit 16 adapted for feeding each paper sheet P located at the lowermost layer of the paper sheets P placed on the placing unit 14 in the stacked condition, one by one, into the casing 12, and a transport unit 22 adapted for transporting the paper sheets P, respectively fed into the casing 12 by the feeding unit 16, one by one.
  • the right side face of the casing 12 is depicted as the front face thereof, while the left side face of the casing 12 shows the back face thereof.
  • a recognition and counting unit 24 adapted for recognizing and counting the paper sheets P respectively fed into the casing 12 from the placing unit 14 is provided to the transport unit 22.
  • the recognition and counting unit 24 is composed of a line sensor.
  • the feeding unit 16 includes a kicker roller 16a provided to be in contact with the surface of one paper sheet P located at the lowermost layer of the paper sheets P placed on the placing unit 14 in the stacked condition, and a feed roller 16b located on the downstream side, in the feeding direction of the paper sheets P, relative to the kicker roller 16a and adapted for feeding the paper sheets P, respectively kicked out by the kicker roller 16a, into the casing 12. Further, a gate roller (or reverse rotation roller) 16c is provided to be opposed to the feed roller 16b, with a gate part provided between the feed roller 16b and the gate roller 16c. Thus, each paper sheet P kicked out by the kicker roller 16a is passed through the gate part and then fed out, one by one, toward the transport unit 22 in the casing 12.
  • the transport unit 22 is bifurcated into two transport paths at a point located on the downstream side relative to the recognition and counting unit 24, and one of the two bifurcated transport paths is connected with a stacking unit 26, while the other transport path is connected with a reject unit 30.
  • a stacking unit 26 To the stacking unit 26, each paper sheet P that has been recognized as a normal paper sheet by the recognition and counting unit 24 is fed.
  • An opening is provided in the front face of the stacking unit 26 (i.e., the face of the stacking unit 26 depicted on the right side in Figs. 1 and 2 ), such that the operator can take out the paper sheets P respectively stacked in the stacking unit 26, via this opening.
  • each paper sheet that is not recognized as the normal paper sheet by the recognition and counting unit 24 and each paper sheet that cannot be recognized by the recognition and counting unit 24 are respectively fed to a reject unit 30, as reject paper sheets P', by the transport unit 22.
  • a reject unit 30 as reject paper sheets P', by the transport unit 22.
  • one opening is provided in the front face of the reject unit 30, such that the operator can take out the reject paper sheets P' respectively stacked in the reject unit 30, via this opening.
  • a diverter 32 is provided at the same point where the transport unit 22 is bifurcated into the two transport paths. Due to this diverter 32, each paper sheet that has been fed from the upstream side of the diverter 32 can be selectively fed to either one of the two bifurcated transport paths.
  • a stacking wheel 28 is provided on the back face side (i.e., in a position located on the left side shown in Figs. 1 and 2 ) of the stacking unit 26 in the casing 12.
  • This stacking wheel 28 is configured to be rotated in a clockwise direction in Fig. 1 and the like (i.e., the direction indicated by an arrow depicted in Figs. 1 and 2 ) about a shaft extending in a substantially horizontal direction orthogonal to the sheet of Fig. 1 and the like.
  • the rotational operation of the stacking wheel 28 is performed by a stacking-wheel drive unit 29 (not shown in Figs. 1 and 2 ) that will be described later.
  • vanes 28a are provided to extend outward, from an outer circumferential face of the wheel 28, in a direction reverse to the rotation direction of the wheel 28 (i.e., the anticlockwise direction in Fig. 1 and the like). More specifically, such vanes 28a are provided to the outer circumferential face of the stacking wheel 28, at an equal interval, as shown in Fig. 1 and the like.
  • the stacking wheel 28 is configured to be constantly rotated in the clockwise direction in Fig. 1 and the like, by the stacking-wheel drive unit 29, during the operation of the paper-sheet counting machine 10, thereby to receive the paper sheets P, respectively fed from the transport unit 22, one by one. Then, the stacking wheel 28 receives each paper sheet P fed from the transport unit 22, between the two vanes 28a thereof, and then feeds the paper sheet P received between the two vanes 28a into the stacking unit 26. In this way, the paper sheets P can be fed to the stacking unit 26, one by one, from the stacking wheel 28, as such the plurality of paper sheets P can be stacked in the stacking unit 26.
  • a shutter 40 is provided to close the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit 26.
  • the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 can be selectively closed by the shutter 40.
  • a shutter drive unit 50 (not shown in Figs. 1 and 2 ) that will be described later and is composed of, for example, a motor, the shutter 40 is moved, between the closing position, as depicted in Fig. 1 , in which the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is closed, and the opening position, as depicted in Fig. 2 , in which the shutter 40 is retreated from the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 to open the opening.
  • each paper sheet P is stacked in the stacking unit 26, while falling down forward from the back (or rightward from the left as shown in Fig. 1 and the like). Therefore, there is a risk that the dust accumulated in the stacking unit 26 and the like and/or dust attached to each paper sheet P may be blown out toward the operator, via the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26.
  • this shutter 40 can serve to suppress the blowing out of the dust toward the operator with rotation of the stacking wheel 28.
  • the unwanted leakage of the sound generated in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 to the outside, can be prevented during the operation of the machine 10.
  • the shutter 40 may be composed of a transparent material, such as a plastic material or the like. In this case, even in the case the shutter 40 is located in the closing position in which the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is closed as depicted in Fig. 1 , the operator can confirm, with eyes, the stacked condition of the paper sheets P in the stacking unit 26, via the shutter 40 formed of a proper transparent material.
  • Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively provided for illustrating the details of the construction of the shutter 40, shutter support unit 42 for supporting the shutter 40, shutter drive unit 50 and the like, respectively provided in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 shown in Fig. 1 and the like. More specifically, Fig. 3 is provided for illustrating one operational state corresponding to Fig. 1 , in which the shutter 40 closes the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit 26. Meanwhile, Fig. 4 is provide for illustrating another operational state corresponding to Fig. 2 , in which the shutter 40 is retreated from the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit 26 to open the opening.
  • the shutter 40 is supported by the shutter support unit 42, and a substantially rectangular plate member 44 is attached to the shutter support unit 42.
  • a shaft 44a is provided to a central part of the plate member 44, such that the plate member 44 is reciprocated about this shaft 44a.
  • the shutter 40 supported by the shutter support unit 42 is also reciprocated about the shaft 44a.
  • a circular linking member 44b is attached to one end of the plate member 44 on the opposite side of the shutter 40, such that this linking member 44b can be optionally rotated relative to the plate member 44.
  • an elastic member more specifically, one end 46b of a spring 46, is attached to the end of the plate member 44 opposite to the end thereof to which the linking member 44b is provided.
  • the other end 46a of the spring 46 opposite to the one end 46b thereof attached to the plate member 44 is fixed to an inner face of the casing 12. Namely, the other end 46a of the spring 46 is fixed in position, while the position of the one end 46b of the spring 46 attached to the end of the plate member 44 is changed, with the reciprocation movement of the plate member 44 about the shaft 44a.
  • the shutter 40 due to contraction force of the spring 46, the shutter 40 is constantly biased from the opening position thereof as depicted in Fig. 4 toward the closing position thereof as depicted in Fig. 3 .
  • a cam 52 is provided to be in contact with the outer circumferential face of the circular linking member 44b rotatably provided relative to the plate member 44.
  • This cam 52 has a rotation shaft 51 attached thereto and located in a point eccentric to the central part of the cam 52.
  • This rotation shaft 51 is rotated in the anticlockwise direction in Fig. 3 and the like (as indicated by an arrow), by the shutter drive unit 50 composed of, for example, the motor or the like.
  • the cam 52 is also rotated in the anticlockwise direction in Fig. 3 and the like (as indicated by the arrow), about the rotation shaft 51.
  • the shutter 40 is returned to the closing position as shown in Fig. 1 , from the opening position as shown in Fig. 2 .
  • the spring 46 is contracted into the state shown in Fig. 3 , from the state shown in Fig. 4 .
  • the shutter 40 is reciprocated about the shaft 44a by the shutter drive unit 50, between the closing position (see Figs. 1 and 3 ), in which the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is closed, and the opening position (see Figs. 2 and 4 ), in which the shutter 40 is retreated from the opening to open this opening.
  • the opening position as shown in Fig. 2 and the like, the shutter 40 is located below the stacking wheel 28.
  • the time required for the shutter 40 to be moved from the closing position shown in Fig. 1 to the opening position shown in Fig. 2 and the time required for the shutter 40 to be moved from the opening position shown in Fig. 2 to the closing position shown in Fig. 1 are set at 0.5 seconds, respectively.
  • the shutter 40 since the shutter 40 is biased, toward the closing position as depicted in Fig. 3 from the opening position as depicted in Fig. 4 , by the contraction force of the spring 46, this shutter 46 can be moved downward, by hand, from the closing position shown in Fig. 3 , against the contraction force of the spring 40. Therefore, the shutter 40 can be retreated, as needed, by hand, from the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26, even in a period of time during which the shutter 40 is located in the closing position shown in Fig. 3 and the paper sheets P are counted by the recognition and counting unit 24. In this way, the paper sheets P can be taken out from the stacking unit 26.
  • the spring 46 is provided to the shutter 40, and the cam 52 is provided to the shutter drive unit 50, while being engaged with the linking member 44b of the plate member 44.
  • the shutter 40 can be biased toward the closing position (as shown in Fig. 3 ) in which the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is closed, by the contraction force of the spring 46, as well as can be retreated from the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 toward the opening position (as shown in Fig. 4 ) to open the opening, by the cam 52 provided to the shutter drive unit 50.
  • this configuration can successfully prevent the finger or the like of the operator from being accidentally nipped and injured by the shutter 40, during the period of time in which the shutter 40 is moved from the opening position shown in Fig. 2 to the closing position shown in Fig. 1 .
  • the force used for pressing and moving the shutter 40 toward the closing position is not the driving force exerted from the shutter drive unit 50, but the contraction force of the spring 46.
  • a shutter-closing detection sensor 54a and a shutter-opening detection sensor 54b are respectively fixed in position in the vicinity of the cam 52.
  • Each of the shutter-closing detection sensor 54a and shutter-opening detection sensor 54b is composed of an optical sensor.
  • a detection target member 53 to be detected by each of the shutter-opening detection sensor 54a and shutter-opening detection sensor 54b is provided to one side face of the cam 52.
  • the shutter-closing detection sensor 54a detects the detection target member 53
  • the shutter 40 is detected to be in the closing position.
  • the cam 52 is rotated in the anticlockwise direction about the rotation shaft 51, from the state shown in Fig. 3 to the state shown in Fig. 4 , the shutter-opening detection sensor 54b detects the detection target member 53.
  • the shutter 40 is detected to be in the opening position.
  • a placing-unit-residue detection sensor (or first paper-sheet detection unit) 60 is provided for detecting whether or not there are some paper sheets P remaining on the placing unit 14.
  • a reject-unit paper-sheet detection sensor (or second paper-sheet detection unit) 62 is provided for detecting whether or not there are some reject paper sheets P' remaining in the reject unit 30.
  • a paper-sheet tracking detection sensor 64 is provided for detecting each paper sheet P when the paper sheet P transported by the transport unit 22 passes through this paper-sheet tracking detection sensor 64.
  • this paper-sheet tracking detection sensor 64 may be located on the downstream side relative to the recognition and counting unit 24.
  • this paper-sheet tracking detection sensor 64 is provided to the transport unit 22, in such a position that interval of time between the time one paper sheet P is detected by the paper-sheet tracking detection sensor 64 and the time this paper sheet P is fed to the stacking unit 26, is substantially matched with the time required for the shutter 40 to be moved from the closing position (see Fig. 1 ) in which the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is closed to the opening position (see Fig. 2 ) in which the opening is opened (e.g., 0.5 seconds).
  • a diversion timing sensor 66 is provided on the upstream side relative to the diverter 32 in the transport unit 22.
  • the diverter 32 is optionally moved to either one of a first position for feeding each paper sheet P to the stacking unit 26 and a second position for feeding the paper sheet P to the reject unit 30, at each timing on which the paper sheet P is detected by the diversion timing sensor 66 (e.g., in Figs. 1 and 2 , the diverter 32 is shown to be located in the position for feeding the paper sheet P to the stacking unit 26).
  • each paper sheet P that has been transported by the transport unit 22 and detected by the diversion timing sensor 66 is selectively fed, by the diverter 32, to either one of the two transport paths.
  • a stacking-unit paper-sheet detection sensor 68 is provided on a downstream-side end of the transport unit 22 extending toward the stacking unit 26.
  • This stacking-unit paper-sheet detection sensor 68 serves to detect each paper sheet P when the paper sheet P is fed to the stacking wheel 28 from the transport unit 22. With the provision of this stacking-unit paper-sheet detection sensor 68, the number of the paper sheets P respectively fed to the stacking unit 26 can be counted.
  • the paper-sheet counting machine 10 includes a control unit 70.
  • This control unit 70 serves to control each component of the paper-sheet counting machine 10. More specifically, this control unit 70 is connected with each of the feeding unit 16, transport unit 22, recognition and counting unit 24, stacking-wheel drive unit 29 for driving the stacking wheel 28, diverter 32 and shutter drive unit 50 for driving the shutter 40.
  • the recognition and counting result on each paper sheet P recognized by the recognition and counting unit 24 is sent to the control unit 70, while the control unit 70 sends a command signal to each of the feeding unit 16, transport unit 22, stacking-wheel drive unit 29, diverter 32, shutter drive unit 50 and the like, in order to control such components.
  • control unit 70 is connected with each of the placing-unit-residue detection sensor 60, reject-unit paper-sheet detection sensor 62, paper-sheet tracking detection sensor 64, diversion timing sensor 66 and stacking-unit paper-sheet detection sensor 68, in order to receive each detection result from such sensors.
  • control unit 70 is connected with the shutter-closing detection sensor 54a and shutter-opening detection sensor 54b.
  • the control unit 70 receives information that the shutter 40 is located in the closing position shown in Fig. 3 or information that the shutter 40 is located in the opening position shown in Fig. 4 , from the shutter-closing detection sensor 54a or shutter-opening detection sensor 54b.
  • control unit 70 is connected with a display unit 72 and an operation unit 74.
  • the display unit 72 and operation unit 74 are respectively provided to a front face of the casing 12.
  • the condition under which the paper sheets P are handled by the paper-sheet counting machine 10, more specifically the information on the number or the like of the paper sheets P counted by the recognition and counting unit 24, is displayed on the display unit 72. Further, the operator can input various commands to the control unit 70 via the operation unit 74.
  • the operator places the paper sheets P to be counted, on the placing unit 14, in the stacked condition.
  • the with-shutter-operation mode means a mode in which the control unit 70 controls the shutter drive unit 50, in order to open and close the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 by using the shutter 40.
  • the without-shutter-operation mode means a mode in which the control unit 70 does not control the shutter drive unit 50 and thus the opening and closing operation for the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is not performed by the shutter 40.
  • the paper sheets P placed on the placing unit 14 are counted and the so-counted paper sheets P are fed to the stacking unit 26, in a state in which the shutter 40 is kept located in the opening position shown in Fig. 2 , or in a state in which the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is kept opened.
  • the operation shown in the flow charts of Figs. 6 through 8 is performed. Namely, in an initial state of this operation, the shutter 40 is retreated from the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 (i.e., the shutter 40 is located in the opening position shown in Fig. 2 ), and thus the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is opened (STEP 1 of Fig. 6 ).
  • control unit 70 serves to selectively perform a batch process mode, in which the counting unit 24 counts paper sheets P by the batch number, the batch number being instructed to the control unit 70 via the operation unit 74. Then, as shown in STEP 2 of Fig. 6 , whether or not the batch process mode is performed is selected by the operator via the operation unit 74. If the batch process mode is selected to be performed by the operator, the operation, as is shown in the flow charts of Figs. 7 and 8 described later, is performed. The operation of the paper-sheet counting machine 10 associated with this batch process mode will be described later. Meanwhile, if the batch process mode is not selected to be performed, the counting process for the paper sheets P, as will be described below, is performed in accordance with the flow chart of Fig. 6 .
  • the control unit 70 controls the shutter drive unit 50 to drive the shutter 40 to close the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 (STEP 3 of Fig. 6 ). More specifically, the shutter drive unit 50 rotates the rotation shaft 51 in the anticlockwise direction in Fig. 4 (i.e., in the direction indicated by the arrow), from the state shown in Fig. 4 . As a result, the circular linking member 44b provided to the plate member 44 is no longer pressed upward in Fig. 4 by the cam 52. Thus, the plate member 44 is rotated, by the contraction force of the spring 46, in the anticlockwise direction in Fig. 4 , about the shaft 44a, from the state shown in Fig.
  • the shutter support unit 42 attached to the plate member 44 is also rotated in the anticlockwise direction in Fig. 4 , about the shaft 44a, from the state shown in Fig. 4 .
  • the shutter support unit 42 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 3 .
  • the shutter 40 is moved from the opening position as shown in Fig. 2 to the closing position as shown in Fig. 1 , thus closing the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26.
  • the timing on which the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is closed by the shutter 40 is set, as the timing before the counting process for the paper sheets P by the recognition and counting unit 24 is started, i.e., the timing before the counting process for the paper sheets P is started or timing substantially the same as the start of the counting process for the paper sheets P. If the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is closed by the shutter 40 at substantially the same timing as the start of the counting process for the paper sheets P, the time required for the entire process for the paper sheets P in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 can be reduced.
  • the control unit 70 may control the shutter drive unit 50 to drive the shutter 40 to start closing the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26, at the same time as the start of the counting process for the paper sheets P by the recognition and counting unit 24, thereby to close the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26, while counting the paper sheets P.
  • the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is closed, in a period of time during which the paper sheets P are counted. Therefore, the time required for the entire process for the paper sheets P in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 can be reduced, as compared with the case in which the paper sheets P are counted after the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is closed.
  • the paper sheets P are fed to the transport unit 22 in the casing 12, one by one, by the feeding unit 16, successively, from the paper sheet P located at the lowermost layer, and then transported by the transport unit 22.
  • the recognition and counting process for the paper sheets P is performed by the recognition and counting unit 24.
  • each paper sheet P recognized, as the normal paper sheet, by the recognition and counting unit 24 is fed to the stacking unit 26 via the diverter 32. More specifically, the paper sheets P are fed, one by one, from the transport unit 22 to the stacking wheel 28. Then, the stacking wheel 28 receives each paper sheet P fed from the transport unit 22, between the two vanes 28a thereof.
  • each paper sheet P received between the two vanes 28a is fed into the stacking unit 26.
  • the paper sheets P can be arranged in the stacking unit 26, by the stacking wheel 28.
  • the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is closed by the shutter 40, the operator cannot take out the paper sheets P stacked in the stacking unit 26.
  • each paper sheet that is not recognized as the normal paper sheet by the recognition and counting unit 24 and each paper sheet that cannot be recognized by the recognition and counting unit 24 are respectively fed, as the reject paper sheets P', to the reject unit 30, by the diverter 32. Since the opening is provided in the front face of the reject unit 30, the operator can take out the reject paper sheets P' stacked in the reject unit 30, via this opening.
  • the paper-sheet counting machine 10 may be configured to restart the counting process for the paper sheets P, automatically, therein, once the operator places the reject paper sheets P', respectively taken out form the reject unit 30, on the placing unit 14.
  • the control unit 70 controls the shutter drive unit 50 to move the shutter 40 to the opening position shown in Fig. 2 from the closing position shown in Fig. 1 .
  • the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is opened (STEP 8 of Fig. 6 ).
  • the operator takes out the paper sheets P stacked in the stacking unit 26 via the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 (STEP 9 of Fig. 6 ), and then starts again the counting process for the paper sheet P, via the operation unit 74 (STEP 10 of Fig. 6 ). In this way, the counting process for the paper sheets P in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 is started again.
  • the paper-sheet counting machine 10 may be configured to restart the counting process for the paper sheets P, automatically, therein, once the operator takes out the paper sheets P form the stacking unit 26.
  • the control unit 70 controls the shutter drive unit 50 to drive the shutter 40 to close the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 (STEP 3 of Fig. 6 ).
  • the placing-unit-residue detection sensor 60 detects whether or not there are some paper sheets P remaining on the placing unit 14 (STEP 11 of Fig. 6 ).
  • the placing-unit-residue detection sensor 60 detects that there is no paper sheet P remaining on the placing unit 14, this detection result is displayed on the display unit 72.
  • the reject-unit paper-sheet detection sensor 62 detects whether or not there are some reject paper sheets P' remaining in the reject unit 30 (STEP 12 of Fig. 6 ).
  • the reject-unit paper-sheet detection sensor 62 detects that there are some reject paper sheets P' remaining in the reject unit 30, this detection result is displayed on the display unit 72. Thereafter, the operator takes out the reject paper sheets P' from the reject unit 30 (STEP 15 of Fig. 6 ), sets again such paper sheets P' on the placing unit 14, and then starts again the counting process for the paper sheets P, via the operation unit 74 (STEP 16 of Fig. 6 ). In this way, the counting process for the paper sheets P in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 is started again.
  • the paper-sheet counting machine 10 may be configured to restart the counting process for the paper sheets P, automatically, therein, once the operator places the reject paper sheets P', respectively taken out form the reject unit 30, on the placing unit 14.
  • the counting process for the paper sheets P in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 is ended (STEP 13 of Fig. 6 ).
  • the control unit 70 controls the shutter drive unit 50 to move the shutter 40 to the opening position shown in Fig. 2 from the closing position shown in Fig. 1 .
  • the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is opened (STEP 14 of Fig. 6 ).
  • the operator takes out the paper sheets P stacked in the stacking unit 26, via the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26. In this way, the operation of the paper-sheet counting machine 10, in the case of not performing the batch process mode, is completed.
  • the control unit 70 controls the shutter drive unit 50 to drive the shutter 40 to close the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit 26, before the counting process for the paper sheets P is started by the recognition and counting unit 24. Therefore, the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is closed by the shutter 40, during the period of time in which the counting process for the paper sheets P is performed by the recognition and counting unit 24, thereby preventing the dust accumulated in the casing 12 of the paper-sheet counting machine 10 and/or dust attached to each paper sheet from being blown out toward the operator.
  • the control unit 70 controls the shutter drive unit 50 to retreat the shutter 40 from the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit 26 to open the opening.
  • the control unit 70 controls the shutter drive unit 50 to retreat the shutter 40 from the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit 26 to open the opening.
  • control unit 70 may serve to open the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26, once the placing-unit-residue detection sensor 60 detects that there is no paper sheet P remaining on the placing unit 14, irrespectively of whether or not there are some reject paper sheets P' remaining in the reject unit 30.
  • interval of time between the time the placing-unit-residue detection sensor 60 detects that there is no paper sheet P remaining on the placing unit 14 and the time the control unit 70 controls the shutter drive unit 50 to retreat the shutter 40 from the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26, may be optionally altered, by the operator, with appropriate settings via the operation unit 74. In this case, the operator can optionally select the order of priority, between the dustproof and/or soundproofing in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 and the reduction of the time required for handling the paper sheets P.
  • the control unit 70 serves to drive the shutter 40 to keep closing the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit 26.
  • the control unit 70 may control the shutter drive unit 50 to retreat the shutter 40 from the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 to open the opening.
  • the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 can be opened more rapidly, thereby to substantially reduce the time required for the entire process for the paper sheets P.
  • interval of time between the time the paper-sheet tracking detection sensor 64 detects the paper sheet P, with which the stacking unit 26 will be full up upon receiving thereof, and the time the control unit 70 controls the shutter drive unit 50 to retreat the shutter 40 from the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26, may be optionally altered, by the operator, with proper settings via the operation unit 74.
  • the operator can optionally select the order of priority, between the dustproof or soundproofing in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 and the reduction of the time required for handling the paper sheets P.
  • the paper-sheet tracking detection sensor 64 is provided in such a position that interval of time between the time one paper sheet P is detected by the paper-sheet tracking detection sensor 64 and the time this paper sheet P is fed to the stacking unit 26, is substantially matched with the time required for the shutter 40 to be moved from the closing position (see Fig. 1 ) in which the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is closed to the opening position (see Fig. 2 ) in which the opening is opened. Therefore, when the paper-sheet tracking detection sensor 64 detects a certain paper sheet, with which the stacking unit 26 will be full up upon receiving this paper sheet P fed thereto, and then this paper sheet P actually reaches the stacking unit 26, the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is just opened. Thus, the operator can take out a batch of the paper sheets P stacked in the stacking unit 26, just after the certain paper sheet P reaches the stacking unit 26.
  • the control unit 70 compares the batch number inputted to the control 70 via the operation unit 74 with a preset number (e.g., ten) of the paper sheets (STEP 21 of Fig. 7 ). If the batch number inputted to the control unit 70 is equal to or greater than the preset number, the operation, shown in the flow chart of Fig. 8 described later, is performed. The operation of the paper-sheet counting machine 10 in the batch process mode will be described later.
  • a preset number e.g., ten
  • control unit 70 serves to keep the shutter 40 retreated from the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26, thereby to keep this opening opened. Thereafter, the counting process for the paper sheets P is performed, as will be described below.
  • the paper sheets P respectively placed, in the stacked condition, on the placing unit 14 are fed, one by one, to the transport unit 22 in the casing 12, by the feeding unit 16, successively, from the paper sheet P located at the lowermost layer, and then transported by the transport unit 22.
  • the paper sheets P are recognized and counted by the recognition and counting unit 24.
  • each paper sheet P recognized as the normal paper sheet by the recognition and counting unit 24 is fed to the stacking unit 26 by the diverter 32.
  • the paper sheets P are arranged in the stacking unit 26 by the stacking wheel 28.
  • each paper sheet that is not recognized as the normal paper sheet by the recognition and counting unit 24 and each paper sheet that cannot be recognized by the recognition and counting unit 24 are respectively fed, as the reject paper sheets P', to the reject unit 30, by the diverter 32. Since the opening is provided in the front face of the reject unit 30, the operator can take out such reject paper sheets P' stacked in the reject unit 30, via this opening.
  • the maximum number of the reject paper sheets P' that can be stored in the reject unit 30 is set, in advance. In this case, when the number of the reject paper sheets P' fed to the reject unit 30 reaches the preset maximum number of the reject paper sheets P' that can be stored therein, or when the reject unit 30 is full up with the reject paper sheets P', during the counting process for the paper sheets P in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 (STEP 22 of Fig. 7 ), this condition of the reject unit 30 is displayed on the display unit 72, and the counting process for the paper sheets P in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 is once stopped. Thereafter, the operator takes out the reject paper sheets P' from the reject unit 30 (STEP 23 of Fig.
  • the paper-sheet counting machine 10 may be configured to restart the counting process for the paper sheets P, automatically, therein, once the operator places the reject paper sheets P', respectively taken out form the reject unit 30, on the placing unit 14.
  • the operator takes out the reject paper sheets P' from the reject unit 30 (STEP 29 of Fig. 7 ), sets again such reject paper sheets P' on the placing unit 14, and then starts again the counting process for the paper sheets P, via the operation unit 74 (STEP 30 of Fig. 7 ).
  • the counting process for the paper sheets P in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 is started again.
  • the paper-sheet counting machine 10 may be configured to restart the counting process for the paper sheets P, automatically, therein, once the operator places the reject paper sheets P', respectively taken out form the reject unit 30, on the placing unit 14.
  • the placing-unit-residue detection sensor 60 detects that there is no paper sheet P remaining on the placing unit 14, and when the reject-unit paper-sheet detection sensor 62 detects that there is no reject paper sheet P' remaining in the reject unit 30, if the operator inputs a command for terminating the counting process for the paper sheets P, to the control unit 70, via the operation unit 74 (STEP 31 of Fig. 7 ), the counting process for the paper sheets P in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 is ended (STEP 26 of Fig. 7 ). At this time, since the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is kept opened, the operator can take out the paper sheets P stacked in the stacking unit 26, via the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26.
  • the placing-unit-residue detection sensor 60 detects that there is no paper sheet P remaining on the placing unit 14, and when the reject-unit paper-sheet detection sensor 62 detects that there is no reject paper sheet P' remaining in the reject unit 30, if the operator places additional paper sheets P on the placing unit 14 (STEP 32 of Fig. 7 ), and then starts again the counting process for the paper sheets P, via the operation unit 74 (STEP 33 of Fig. 7 ), the counting process for the paper sheets P in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 is restarted. In place of the operator starting again the counting process for the paper sheets, via the operation unit 74, the paper-sheet counting machine 10 may be configured to restart the counting process for the paper sheets P, automatically, therein, once the operator places the additional paper sheets P on the placing unit 14.
  • the control unit 70 when the control unit 70 performs the counting process for the paper sheets P in the batch process mode, and when the batch number of the paper sheets P inputted to the control unit 70 is smaller than the preset number, the control unit 70 serves to retreat the shutter 40 from the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit 26 to open this opening. Namely, in the case the batch number inputted to the control unit 70 is relatively small, if the opening and closing operation of the shutter 40 is performed for each batch process, the time required for the entire process for the paper sheets P becomes considerably long. Therefore, in this case, by keeping the opening opened in the front face of the stacking unit 26, the time required for the entire process for the paper sheets P can be reduced.
  • control unit 70 controls the shutter drive unit 50 to drive the shutter 40 to close the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 (STEP 41 of Fig. 8 ). Then, the counting process for the paper sheets P is performed, as will be described below.
  • the paper sheets P are fed to the transport unit 22 in the casing 12, one by one, by the feeding unit 16, successively, from the paper sheet P located at the lowermost layer, and then transported by the transport unit 22.
  • the recognition and counting process for the paper sheets P is performed by the recognition and counting unit 24.
  • each paper sheet P recognized, as the normal paper sheet, by the recognition and counting unit 24 is fed to the stacking unit 26 via the diverter 32.
  • the paper sheets P are arranged in the stacking unit 26, by the stacking wheel 28. At this time, since the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is closed by the shutter 40, the operator cannot take out the paper sheets P stacked in the stacking unit 26.
  • each paper sheet that is not recognized as the normal paper sheet by the recognition and counting unit 24, and each paper sheet that cannot be recognized by the recognition and counting unit 24 are respectively fed, as the reject paper sheets P' , to the reject unit 30, via the diverter 32.
  • the opening is provided in the front face of the reject unit 30, the operator can take out the reject paper sheets P' stacked in the reject unit 30, via the opening.
  • the paper-sheet counting machine 10 may be configured to restart the counting process for the paper sheets P, automatically, therein, once the operator places the reject paper sheets P', respectively taken out form the reject unit 30, on the placing unit 14.
  • the control unit 70 controls the shutter drive unit 50 to move the shutter 40 to the opening position shown in Fig. 2 form the closing position shown in Fig. 1 .
  • the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is opened (STEP 47 of Fig.
  • the paper-sheet counting machine 10 may be configured to restart the counting process for the paper sheets P, automatically, therein, once the operator places the reject paper sheets P', respectively taken out form the reject unit 30, on the placing unit 14.
  • the placing-unit-residue detection sensor 60 detects that there is no paper sheet P remaining on the placing unit 14, and when the reject-unit paper-sheet detection sensor 62 detects that there is no reject paper sheet P' remaining in the reject unit 30
  • the control unit 70 controls the shutter drive unit 50 to move the shutter 40 to the opening position shown in Fig. 2 from the closing position shown in Fig. 1 .
  • the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is opened (STEP 47 of Fig. 8 ).
  • the operator takes out the paper sheets P stacked in the stacking unit 26, via the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26.
  • the placing-unit-residue detection sensor 60 detects that there is no paper sheet P remaining on the placing unit 14, and when the reject-unit paper-sheet detection sensor 62 detects that there is no reject paper sheet P' remaining in the reject unit 30, if the operator places the additional paper sheets P on the placing unit 14 (STEP 53 of Fig. 8 ), and starts again the counting process for the paper sheets P, via the operation unit 74 (STEP 54 of Fig. 8 ), the counting process for the paper sheets P in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 is restarted. In place of the operator starting again the counting process for the paper sheets, via the operation unit 74, the paper-sheet counting machine 10 may be configured to restart the counting process for the paper sheets P, automatically, therein, once the operator places the additional paper sheets P on the placing unit 14.
  • the control unit 70 controls the shutter drive unit 50 to drive the shutter 40 to keep closing the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit 26. Namely, in this case, as shown in the STEP 53 and STEP 54 of Fig.
  • this paper-sheet counting machine 10 can prevent the operator from misunderstanding that the batch process has been properly performed and thus the number of the paper sheets P stacked in the stacking unit 26, at this point of time, is correctly corresponding to the batch number. Accordingly, this paper-sheet counting machine 10 can securely prevent the operator from mistakenly taking out the paper sheets P from the stacking unit 26.
  • control unit 70 may control the shutter drive unit 50 to retreat the shutter 40 from the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 to open this opening, at a point of time that the paper-sheet tracking detection sensor 64 provided to the transport unit 22 detects the last paper sheet P of the batch number.
  • the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 can be opened more rapidly, thereby to reduce the time required for the entire process for the paper sheets P.
  • interval of time between the time the paper-sheet tracking detection sensor 64 detects the last paper sheet P of the batch number and the time the control unit 70 controls the shutter drive unit 50 to retreat the shutter 40 from the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26, may be optionally altered, by the operator, with appropriate settings, via the operation unit 74. In this case, the operator can optionally select the order of priority, between the dustproof or soundproofing in the paper-sheet counting machine 10 and the reduction of the time required for handling the paper sheets P.
  • the paper-sheet tracking detection sensor 64 is provided to the transport unit 22, in such a position that interval of time between the time one paper sheet P is detected by the paper-sheet tracking detection sensor 64 and the time this paper sheet P is fed to the stacking unit 26, is substantially matched with the time required for the shutter 40 to be moved from the closing position (see Fig. 1 ) in which the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 is closed to the opening position (see Fig. 2 ) in which the opening is opened.
  • the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 can be just opened at the time the last paper sheet P of the batch number actually reaches the stacking unit 26 after this paper sheet P is detected by the paper-sheet tracking detection sensor 64.
  • the operator can take out one batch of the paper sheets P stacked in the stacking unit 26, just after the last paper sheet P of the batch number reaches the stacking unit 26.
  • the opening and closing operation for the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit 26 can be optionally performed by the shutter 40 driven by the shutter drive unit 50 controlled by the control unit 70. Therefore, the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit 26 can be selectively closed by the shutter 40.
  • the shutter 40 closes the opening, the blowing out of the dust accumulated in the casing 12 of the paper-sheet counting machine 10 and/or dust attached to each paper sheet, toward the operator, can be successfully prevented.
  • the shutter 40 closes the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 26 the unwanted leakage of the sound generated in the interior of the paper-sheet counting machine 10 to the outside can be effectively prevented during the operation of the machine 10.
  • paper-sheet counting machine is not limited to such an aspect as described above.
  • any suitable variations or modifications can be made to the mechanism for driving the aforementioned shutter of the paper-sheet counting machine shown in Figs. 3 and 4 .
  • Figs. 9 and 10 respectively show one variation of the driving mechanism for driving the shutter in the paper-sheet counting machine of the present invention.
  • Fig. 9 shows one side view for illustrating the construction of the shutter, shutter support unit for supporting the shutter, shutter drive unit, a plurality of gears, torque limiter and the like, respectively provided in the paper-sheet counting machine related to one variation of the present invention.
  • Fig. 10 shows one top view for illustrating the shutter, shutter support unit for supporting the shutter, shutter drive unit, a plurality of gears, torque limiter and the like, respectively shown in Fig. 9 , when such units or parts are respectively seen from above. It is noted that Fig. 9 is provided for illustrating the construction of the shutter and the like when the shutter closes the opening provided in the front face of the stacking unit.
  • a first gear 80 is attached to the shutter drive unit 50 composed of the motor, such that this first gear 80 is rotated by the shutter drive unit 50 in both of the clockwise and anticlockwise directions in Fig. 9 .
  • a second gear 81 substantially larger, in size, than the first gear 80 is provided in the vicinity of the first gear 80.
  • the first and second gears 80 and 81 are meshed with each other. Thus, the rotation force is transmitted from the first gear 80 to the second gear 81.
  • a third gear 82 substantially smaller, in size, than the second gear 81 is attached on one side face of the second gear 81 (more specifically, on an upper side face of the second gear 81 in Fig. 10 ).
  • the second and third gears 81 and 82 respectively have the same rotation shaft extending in one straight line.
  • a fourth gear 83 substantially larger, in size, than the third gear 82 is provided in the vicinity of the third gear 82.
  • Such third and fourth gears 82 and 83 are meshed with each other.
  • the rotation force is transmitted from the third gear 82 to the fourth gear 83.
  • a fifth gear 85 substantially smaller, in size, than the fourth gear 83 is attached, via a torque limiter 84.
  • Such fourth and fifth gears 83 and 85 have the same rotation shaft extending in one straight line.
  • the fifth gear 85 is rotated in synchronism with the forth gear 83.
  • the rotation force greater than a preset torque is applied to the torque limiter 84 provided between the fourth gear 83 and the fifth gear 85, the connection between the fourth gear 83 and the fifth gear 85 is released, and then the fifth gear 85 will be rotated freely relative to the fourth gear 83.
  • a sixth gear 86 substantially larger, in size, than the fifth gear 85 is provided in the vicinity of the fifth gear 85.
  • Such fifth and sixth gears 85 and 86 are meshed with each other.
  • the rotation force is transmitted from the fifth gear 85 to the sixth gear 86.
  • the sixth gear 86 is attached to the shutter support unit 42 for supporting the shutter 40. Therefore, the sixth gear 86 is rotated integrally with the shutter support unit 42 about a shaft 86a.
  • a first notched portion 86b and a second notched portion 86c are respectively provided to the sixth gear 86. Additionally, the shutter-closing detection sensor 54a and shutter-opening detection sensor 54b are respectively fixed in position, in the vicinity of the sixth gear 86. Each of such shutter-closing detection sensor 54a and shutter-opening detection sensor 54b is composed of the optical sensor. In this case, when the shutter 40 is located in the closing position, the position of the first notched portion 86b of the sixth gear 86 is substantially matched with the position of the shutter-closing detection sensor 54a. Therefore, the detection of the first notched portion 86b of the sixth gear 86 by the shutter-closing detection sensor 54a indicates the detection of the shutter 40 located in the closing position.
  • the position of the second notched portion 86c of the sixth gear 86 is substantially matched with the position of the shutter-opening detection sensor 54b. Therefore, the detection of the second notched portion 86c of the sixth gear 86 by the shutter-opening detection sensor 54b indicates the detection of the shutter 40 located in the opening position.
  • the shutter drive unit 50 composed of the motor serves to rotate the first gear 80 in the clockwise direction in Fig. 9 .
  • the driving force exerted from the shutter drive unit 50 is transmitted, from the first gear 80, through the second gear 81, third gear 82, fourth gear 83, torque limiter 84 and fifth gear 85, up to the sixth gear 86, as such the sixth gear 86 is rotated in the clockwise direction in Fig. 9 about the shaft 86a. Therefore, the shutter support unit 42 attached to the sixth gear 86 is also rotated in the clockwise direction in Fig. 9 about the shaft 86a.
  • the shutter 40 is moved from the closing position as shown in Fig. 1 to the opening position as shown in Fig. 2 .
  • the shutter drive unit 50 composed of the motor serves to rotate the first gear 80 in the anticlockwise direction in Fig. 9 .
  • the driving force exerted from the shutter drive unit 50 is transmitted, from the first gear 80, through the second gear 81, third gear 82, fourth gear 83, torque limiter 84 and fifth gear 85, up to the sixth gear 86, as such the sixth gear 86 is rotated in the anticlockwise direction in Fig. 9 about the shaft 86a.
  • the shutter support unit 42 attached to the sixth gear 86 is also rotated in the anticlockwise direction in Fig. 9 about the shaft 86a.
  • the shutter 40 is moved from the opening position as shown in Fig. 2 to the closing position as shown in Fig. 1 .
  • the torque limiter 84 is provide between the shutter support unit 42 for supporting the shutter 40 and the shutter drive unit 50. Therefore, in the case the operator moves the shutter 40 downward, by hand, from the closing position shown in Fig. 1 , when the force applied from the operator to the torque limiter 84 is greater than the preset torque, the torque limiter 84 releases the connection between the fourth gear 83 and the fifth gear 85. As such, the fifth gear 85 can be rotated freely relative to the fourth gear 83. Namely, in this case, the torque limiter 84 serves to block the driving force of the shutter drive unit 50 to be transmitted to the shutter 40.
  • the operator can move the shutter 40 downward, by hand, from the closing position shown in Fig. 1 , thereby to take out the paper sheets P from the stacking unit 26.
  • the torque limiter 84 releases the connection between the fourth gear 83 and the fifth gear 85, thus allowing the fifth gear 85 to be rotated freely relative to the fourth gear 83.
  • the torque limiter 84 serves to block the driving force of the shutter drive unit 50 to be transmitted to the shutter 40.

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Claims (3)

  1. Machine (10) servant à compter les feuilles de papier comportant:
    une unité de comptage (24) configurée de manière à compter les feuilles de papier;
    une unité d'empilage (26) configurée de manière à y empiler les feuilles de papier qui ont été comptées par l'unité de comptage (24), une ouverture étant prévue dans une face à l'avant de l'unité d'empilage;
    une unité-guide rotative (28) prévue pour l'unité d'empilage (26) et configurée de manière à permettre d'empiler dans l'unité d'empilage (26) les feuilles de papier qui ont été comptées par l'unité de comptage (24);
    un obturateur (40) configuré de manière à obturer l'ouverture qui est prévue dans la face à l'avant de l'unité d'empilage (26);
    une unité de commande d'obturateur (50) configurée de manière à commander l'obturateur (40) qui détermine l'ouverture et la fermeture de l'ouverture prévue dans la face à l'avant de l'unité d'empilage (26);
    une unité de contrôle (70) configurée de manière à contrôler l'unité de commande d'obturateur (50);
    une unité de mise en place (14) configurée de manière à y placer les feuilles de papier qui vont être comptées par l'unité de comptage (24);
    une première unité de détection (60) de feuilles de papier configurée de manière à détecter si les feuilles de papier sont placées ou non sur l'unité de mise en place (14);
    caractérisée en ce que l'unité de contrôle (70) sert à exécuter sélectivement un mode de prise en charge par lots, grâce auquel l'unité de comptage (24) compte le nombre de feuilles de papier par le numéro du lot, ce dernier étant communiqué par l'unité de contrôle (70), et lorsque l'unité de détection (60) de la première feuille de papier détermine qu'il ne reste plus de feuille de papier sur l'unité de mise en place (14), et lorsque le nombre de feuilles de papier envoyées à l'unité d'empilage (26) n'atteint pas le nombre prévu pour le lot pendant le processus de prise en charge des feuilles par lots, l'unité de contrôle (70) se met alors en oeuvre pour commander d'obturateur (40) afin de continuer à fermer l'ouverture prévue dans la face à l'avant de l'unité d'empilage (26).
  2. Machine (10) servant à compter les feuilles de papier selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que
    la machine (10) qui sert à compter les feuilles de papier comporte par ailleurs une troisième unité de détection de feuilles de papier (64) prévue entre l'unité de mise en place (14) et l'unité d'empilage (26) et configurée de manière à détecter chaque feuille de papier lorsque cette feuille de papier envoyée à l'unité d'empilage (26) à partir de l'unité de mise en place (14), passe par la troisième unité de détection de feuilles de papier (64), et
    pendant le processus adopté pour les feuilles de papier dans le mode de prise en charge des lots qui est exécuté par I ;unité de contrôle (70), et jusqu'à ce que la troisième unité de détection de feuilles de papier (64) détecte la dernière feuille de papier dans le lot, l'unité de contrôle (70) sert à commander l'obturateur (40) afin de continuer à fermer l'ouverture prévue dans la face à l'avant de l'unité d'empilage (26).
  3. Machine (10) servant à compter les feuilles de papier selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce qu'il est possible de modifier, au moyen de réglages déterminés, l'intervalle de temps qui sépare le moment où la troisième unité de détection de feuilles de papier (64) détecte la dernière feuille de papier du lot et le moment où l'unité de contrôle (70) met en oeuvre l'unité de commande d'obturateur (50) pour retirer l'obturateur (40) de l'orifice
EP09840342.1A 2009-02-19 2009-02-19 Dispositif destiné à compter des feuilles de papier ou similaire Active EP2400468B1 (fr)

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EP16186744.5A Division-Into EP3136355B1 (fr) 2009-02-19 2009-02-19 Machine de comptage de feuilles de papier

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EP2400468A1 EP2400468A1 (fr) 2011-12-28
EP2400468A4 EP2400468A4 (fr) 2012-11-14
EP2400468B1 true EP2400468B1 (fr) 2016-10-12

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EP16186744.5A Active EP3136355B1 (fr) 2009-02-19 2009-02-19 Machine de comptage de feuilles de papier

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EP (2) EP2400468B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP5341169B2 (fr)
KR (1) KR101322376B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN102405486A (fr)
WO (1) WO2010095235A1 (fr)

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US8528741B2 (en) * 2011-02-23 2013-09-10 Glory Ltd. Paper sheet counting system and paper sheet counting method
CN103426022B (zh) * 2012-05-25 2017-07-07 光荣株式会社 纸张计数机以及纸张的计数方法
JP6000669B2 (ja) * 2012-06-08 2016-10-05 グローリー株式会社 紙葉類繰出装置
JP5904048B2 (ja) * 2012-07-27 2016-04-13 沖電気工業株式会社 紙幣処理装置、及び紙幣処理方法
JP5978864B2 (ja) * 2012-09-03 2016-08-24 沖電気工業株式会社 媒体集積装置及び媒体処理装置
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CN102405486A (zh) 2012-04-04
EP3136355A1 (fr) 2017-03-01
EP2400468A4 (fr) 2012-11-14
EP3136355B1 (fr) 2018-12-05
WO2010095235A1 (fr) 2010-08-26
KR101322376B1 (ko) 2013-10-28
US20110304091A1 (en) 2011-12-15
JPWO2010095235A1 (ja) 2012-08-16
JP5341169B2 (ja) 2013-11-13
EP2400468A1 (fr) 2011-12-28

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