EP3424025A1 - Apparatus for handling cash - Google Patents

Apparatus for handling cash

Info

Publication number
EP3424025A1
EP3424025A1 EP17760404.8A EP17760404A EP3424025A1 EP 3424025 A1 EP3424025 A1 EP 3424025A1 EP 17760404 A EP17760404 A EP 17760404A EP 3424025 A1 EP3424025 A1 EP 3424025A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bag
notes
container
acceptance
storage unit
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP17760404.8A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3424025A4 (en
Inventor
Anders Sjöström
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.)
Scan Coin AB
Original Assignee
Scan Coin AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Scan Coin AB filed Critical Scan Coin AB
Publication of EP3424025A1 publication Critical patent/EP3424025A1/en
Publication of EP3424025A4 publication Critical patent/EP3424025A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F19/00—Complete banking systems; Coded card-freed arrangements adapted for dispensing or receiving monies or the like and posting such transactions to existing accounts, e.g. automatic teller machines
    • G07F19/20—Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
    • G07F19/202—Depositing operations within ATMs
    • 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
    • G07D11/009—Depositing devices
    • 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
    • G07D11/12—Containers for valuable papers
    • 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
    • G07D11/16—Handling of valuable papers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D9/00—Counting coins; Handling of coins not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F19/00—Complete banking systems; Coded card-freed arrangements adapted for dispensing or receiving monies or the like and posting such transactions to existing accounts, e.g. automatic teller machines
    • G07F19/20—Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
    • G07F19/203—Dispensing operations within ATMs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/06—Coin boxes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for handling cash allowing deposit of cash, and possibly also dispensing of cash.
  • Automatic cash handling machines are often placed at various locations for providing a possibility to deposit and/or dispense cash at the location. Such machines may be advantageously placed in banks, stores or public locations.
  • the automatic cash handling machines allow users to deposit cash, e.g. for placing cash into a bank account or for making a payment, or withdraw cash from a bank account.
  • the cash handling machines may eventually be filled up with cash or may be emptied, such that personnel need to travel to the location of the cash handling machine to either empty the machine on superfluous cash or fill the machine with new cash.
  • CIT Cash-in-transit
  • a stop cash-in-transit personnel make at a cash handling machine is very short, so as to reduce the exposure to robberies. Therefore, the cash handling machine should be easy to empty and fill so that the CIT personnel can perform their duties quickly.
  • the cash can be easily handled when the CIT personnel move between a vehicle and a cash handling machine.
  • the cash should be provided in such manner as to be easily carried and not providing too heavy loads on the CIT personnel.
  • an apparatus for handling cash comprising: a note storage unit for storing notes in the apparatus; a note supply unit for allowing deposit of notes into the note storage unit; a note validation unit for validating deposited notes and determining a value of deposited notes; a control unit for controlling transport of notes through the note storage unit; wherein the note storage unit comprises: at least one acceptance container, which is arranged to receive and store notes; wherein the at least one acceptance container is configured for mounting of a bag in the acceptance container, wherein the acceptance container comprises a bag holding device, which is arranged to provide a fixating position of an opening of the bag at an input opening of the
  • acceptance container for receiving notes, wherein notes received into the acceptance container are stored in the bag in the acceptance container.
  • the acceptance container is configured such that a bag may be mounted in the acceptance container. This implies that notes may be directly input into a bag in the acceptance container and that the CIT personnel may remove the bag from the acceptance container for easily carrying cash from the apparatus. Thus, the apparatus may be emptied quickly and the cash is provided in a manner to facilitate carrying by the CIT personnel.
  • the bag holding device is arranged to be movable in relation to the acceptance container between a mounting position for mounting a bag to the bag holding device and a bag fixating position, wherein the bag holding device is arranged to provide a fixating position of an opening of the bag at an input opening of the acceptance container.
  • the bag holding device may be moved to a mounting position for facilitating mounting of a bag and also emptying of the acceptance container by removing a bag when the bag holding device is in the mounting position.
  • the apparatus may be arranged for not only depositing cash, but also for dispensing cash.
  • the note supply unit may thus be a note supply and output unit for allowing deposit of notes into the note storage unit and dispensing of notes from the note storage unit.
  • the control unit may control transport of notes in and out of the note storage unit.
  • the note storage unit may further comprise at least one recycling container, which is arranged to receive notes deposited into the apparatus and output notes to be dispensed from the apparatus, wherein the control unit is arranged to control each of the at least one recycling container to receive notes of a specific value.
  • the apparatus may further be arranged to dispense notes only from the at least one recycling container.
  • the apparatus may thus comprise at least one recycling container and at least one acceptance container. Hence, transactions of notes in and out of the recycling containers may occur during use of the apparatus.
  • the apparatus further comprises a coin storage unit for storing coins in the apparatus, a coin supply unit and a coin output unit for allowing deposit of coins into the coin storage unit and dispensing of coins from the coin storage unit; a coin validation unit for validating deposited coins and determining a value of deposited coins;
  • control unit is arranged to further control transport of coins in and out of the coin storage unit.
  • the control unit may control both the handling of coins and notes in the apparatus.
  • the coins and notes may be handled by completely separate mechanics.
  • the note handling may be performed in a first unit arranged in a first housing and the coin handling may be performed in a second unit arranged in a second housing.
  • the first and second housings may be arranged in close relation to each other for providing a user simultaneous access to both note and coin handling.
  • the control unit may be arranged in one of the housings or partly in both housings, and an electric connection may be provided between the housings such that the control provided by the control unit may affect the respective transport of notes and coins.
  • the control unit may also keep track of transactions of cash, including notes and coins, such that the control unit may ensure that a user interacting with the apparatus may receive a single receipt of a transaction that includes handling of both notes and coins.
  • the note storage unit is arranged in a cabinet, the cabinet comprising shelves for providing surfaces on which the at least one recycling container and the at least one acceptance container may be arranged.
  • the cabinet may comprise
  • the at least one recycling container and the at least one acceptance container comprise outer support surfaces at respective sides such that the at least one recycling container and the at least one acceptance container may be arranged in the cabinet supported by the supporting elements on the opposite inner walls.
  • the at least one recycling container and the at least one acceptance container may be mounted on top of each other in the cabinet, extending between the opposite inner walls of the cabinet. This implies that the cabinet provides an organized arrangement of containers in the
  • the cabinet further comprises a door, wherein the at least one acceptance container is arranged in the cabinet, so as to be completely retractable from the cabinet through the door when the door is open.
  • the CIT personnel may have authority to open the door, by means of a key to a mechanical lock or an electronic identifier that may allow the control unit to open a lock.
  • the at least one acceptance container may be completely retracted from the cabinet, and then a filled bag may be easily removed from the acceptance container, and the acceptance container may be provided with a new bag before the acceptance container is put back into the cabinet.
  • the bag holding device comprises an elongate wedge such that a first portion of the opening of the bag is foldable over an edge of the wedge. This implies that an edge of the bag at the opening may be folded over the wedge, such that the edge of the bag is not presented towards the notes being input into the bag holding device. Thus, the edge of the bag will not interfere with notes being filled into the bag.
  • the bag holding device further comprises legs attached to respective sides of the elongate wedge, wherein each leg is turnably attached to an inner wall of the acceptance container between a bag fixating position and a bag mounting position.
  • each leg is turnably attached to an inner wall of the acceptance container between a bag fixating position and a bag mounting position.
  • the wedge in the bag fixating position is arranged against a bottom wall of the acceptance container for fixating the bag between the bottom wall of the acceptance container and the wedge.
  • the bag holding device further comprises a locking mechanism for locking the wedge in the bag fixating position.
  • the bag holding device further comprises a bag closing element, which is arranged to hold a second portion of the opening of the bag, and which is movable in relation to the wedge between an open position, wherein the opening of the bag mounted to the bag closing element and the wedge is held open, and a closed position, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the opening of the bag are brought in close relation to each other for closing the bag.
  • a first portion of the opening of the bag may be held by the wedge against the bottom wall of the acceptance container and a second portion of the opening of the bag may be held by the bag closing element.
  • the bag closing element When the bag is mounted in the acceptance container, the bag closing element may be held in the open position for allowing notes to be input into the bag. Further, when the acceptance container is to be emptied, the bag closing element may further be brought to the closed position before the bag holding device can be brought to the bag mounting position, so as to close the bag before the bag can be removed from the acceptance container.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for handling cash according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a note storage unit of the apparatus of
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a bag holding device of an acceptance container of the note storage unit in a bag mounting position.
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the bag mounting position of the bag holding device illustrating mounting of the bag.
  • Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a bag fixating position of the bag holding device when a bag closing element is in an open position.
  • Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a bag fixating position of the bag holding device when a bag closing element is in a closed position.
  • FIG. 1 an apparatus 10 for handling cash is
  • the apparatus 10 comprises a first part 12 for handling notes and a second part 14 for handling coins.
  • the first part 12 and the second part 14 are illustrated as arranged in two separate housings, which may be arranged side-by-side. However, the first and second parts 12, 14 may alternatively be arranged in a common housing.
  • the first part 12 comprises a note supply and output unit 20.
  • the note supply and output unit 20 allows a user to deposit notes into the apparatus 10 and to receive notes dispensed by the apparatus 10.
  • the note supply and output unit 20 may provide a shape for depositing and dispensing a stack of notes. Alternatively, single notes are deposited and dispensed at a time.
  • the note supply and output unit 20 may comprise two separate slots, such that notes may be deposited into the apparatus 10 through a first slot and that notes may be dispensed from the apparatus 10 through a second slot.
  • the note supply and output unit 20 may be connected to a transport device for transporting the notes to and from the note supply and output unit 20.
  • the transport device may comprise a transport belt for carrying notes.
  • the transport device may carry the notes through a note validation unit 22.
  • the note validation unit 22 may comprise a plurality of sensors for measuring characteristics of the notes. The measurements performed by the sensors may be analyzed by the note validation unit 22 or sent to another unit within the apparatus 10 for analysis. The analysis of the notes may validate that the note is not a forgery and may also determine a value of the note.
  • the apparatus 10 may further comprise a control unit 16, which may control transport of coins and notes through the apparatus 10.
  • the control unit 16 may comprise a processing unit.
  • the control unit 16 may receive input from sensors in the apparatus 10 and may execute processing instructions for determining how coins and notes are to be handled in view of the sensed input.
  • the processing unit of the control unit 16 may be implemented as a microprocessor, which may be programmable for controlling operation of the microprocessor.
  • the processing unit may be a central processing unit (CPU).
  • the processing unit may alternatively be a special- purpose circuitry for providing only specific logical operations.
  • the processing unit may be provided in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an application-specific instruction-set processor (ASIP) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).
  • ASIC application-specific integrated circuit
  • ASIP application-specific instruction-set processor
  • FPGA field-programmable gate array
  • the control unit 16 may further comprise a non-volatile memory for storing information, such as instructions for controlling operation of the processing unit, and log data of transactions performed by the apparatus 10.
  • the control unit 16 may further comprise a communication unit for sending control signals, in order to control functionality of other components of the apparatus 10.
  • the control signals may for instance control a transport device how to transport coins or notes.
  • the apparatus 10 may further comprise a user interface, which may allow a user to input information to the control unit 16 in connection to performing a transaction at the apparatus 10.
  • the user may for instance provide an identifier such that the control unit 16 may associate the user with a bank account.
  • the control unit 16 may record an amount deposited by a user or dispensed to a user and may associate such a transaction with the user.
  • the control unit 16 may store the transaction in the memory.
  • the control unit 16 may also or alternatively send information about the transaction to an external unit, such as a bank system, for recording the transaction in relation to a bank account of the user.
  • the control unit 16 may comprise a plurality of parts, which may be distributed in the apparatus 10. Each part of the control unit 16 may be arranged in connection to a component of the apparatus 10 which it is arranged to control. The parts of the control unit 16 may be connected by cables extending through the apparatus 10.
  • the control unit 16 may in one embodiment comprise a first processing unit arranged in the first part 12 of the apparatus 10 for controlling transport of notes and a second processing unit arranged in the second part 14 of the apparatus 10 for controlling transport of coins.
  • the control unit 16 may thus receive input from the note validation unit 22 and may analyze the input to determine where a deposited note is to be transported.
  • the first part 12 may further comprise a note storage unit 24.
  • the deposited notes are transported to the note storage unit 24 for storage in the apparatus 10.
  • the note storage unit 24 may comprise two types of containers for storage of notes, recycling containers 26 and acceptance containers 28.
  • the note storage unit 24 may comprise at least one container of each type.
  • the recycling container 26 may be arranged to store notes of a specific value. Thus, the recycling container 26 may only store notes of the specific value.
  • the recycling container 26 may be connected to a transport device such that notes may be input into the recycling container 26 and may also be output from the recycling container 26. Thus, when notes are to be dispensed from the apparatus 10, notes may be output from the recycling container 26 through the transport device to the note supply and output unit 20.
  • An action of dispensing notes from the apparatus 10 may include the control unit 16 sending control signals to mechanics controlling output from respective recycling containers 26 so as to activate output of a desired set of notes of different values. Since each recycling container 26 stores notes of only one specific value, the control unit 16 may easily know which recycling container 26 to activate depending on the amount to be dispensed.
  • the acceptance container 28 may store notes that are to be emptied from the apparatus 10 by CIT personnel.
  • the acceptance container 28 may store notes of a plurality of values or of any specific value. Since no output of notes is necessary from the acceptance container 28 in a dispensing action, advantages of separating notes of different values into different acceptance containers 28 may not be as clear. However, it should be realized that notes may be stored in separate acceptance containers 28 depending on their value and that it may facilitate handling of the notes when the apparatus is emptied by CIT personnel.
  • the control unit 16 may store information of how many notes are stored in each recycling container 26 so as to be able to determine whether a deposited note is to be transported to the recycling container 26 or to the acceptance container 28.
  • the deposited note may be transported to the
  • control unit 16 may alternatively control transport of notes based on other criteria, such as to keep a number of notes in the recycling container 26 within a desired range.
  • the control unit 16 may also determine when a number of notes stored in an acceptance container 28 is above a threshold value and may provide an alert signal to an external unit based on such determination.
  • the alert signal may thus be provided to CIT personnel to provide information that there may be a need for emptying the apparatus 10.
  • control unit 16 may determine when a number of notes in a recycling container 26 is below a threshold value and may provide an alert signal to an external unit based on such determination.
  • the alert signal may thus be provided to CIT personnel to provide information that there may be a need for filling the apparatus 10 with notes of the specific value stored in the recycling container 26.
  • the second part 14 of the apparatus 10 may comprise a coin supply unit 30 allowing a user to deposit coins into the apparatus 10.
  • the coin supply unit 30 may receive coins and transport coins to a coin validation unit 32.
  • the coin validation unit 32 may comprise a plurality of sensors for measuring characteristics of deposited coins. The coin validation unit 32 and/or the control unit 16 may thus, based on the measured characteristics validate that the coin is not a forgery and may also determine a value of the coin.
  • the coin validation unit 32 may further be arranged to sort coins according to denomination.
  • the coin validation unit 32 may comprise a transport device for transporting coins over a plurality of openings for sorting coins based on size.
  • coins may also be sorted in other ways, e.g. by controlling transport of coins based on a determined value of the coin in view of measured characteristics.
  • the deposited coins may be transported to a coin storage unit 34 which may comprise a plurality of storage compartments, each storing a specific coin denomination.
  • the storage compartments may further comprise output openings for dispensing of coins to a coin output unit 36.
  • the coin output unit 36 may be arranged below the coin storage unit 34 such that coins may fall from the storage compartments into the coin output unit 36.
  • a user may open a drawer for arranging a cash till in the coin output unit 36, such that coins are directly output into the cash till.
  • Deposited coins may alternatively be transported to a coin transport unit 38.
  • the coin transport unit 38 may store coins in a manner suitable for emptying the apparatus 10 by CIT personnel.
  • the coin transport unit 38 may provide a box that may be simply replaced by CIT personnel with an empty box when the coin transport unit 38 is removed by CIT personnel.
  • the control unit 16 may control transport of coins through the second part 14 of the apparatus 10.
  • the control unit 16 may thus control when coins are to be deposited to the coin storage unit 34 or transported into the coin transport unit 38. Further, when a storage compartment in the coin storage unit 34 becomes full, the control unit 16 may control the storage compartment to output coins into the coin transport unit 38.
  • the first part 12 of the apparatus 10 may comprise a cabinet 40, in which the note storage unit 24 is arranged.
  • the cabinet 40 may be provided with a door 42, for allowing access to the recycling containers 26 and acceptance containers 28 of the note storage unit 24.
  • the door 42 may be locked and may only be opened by authorized personnel, having a key or an identifier which may be presented to a user interface for providing input to the control unit 16 for allowing the door 42 to be opened.
  • the cabinet 40 may be provided with a number of shelves 44 for providing support to a respective container.
  • the recycling containers 26 and acceptance containers 28 may thus be easily withdrawn from the cabinet 40 by pulling out the container from the shelf 44 through the opened door 42.
  • the cabinet 40 may be provided with supporting elements along opposite inner walls of the cabinet 40.
  • the recycling containers 26 and the acceptance containers 28 may then be provided with corresponding outer support surfaces, which may be arranged in contact with the supporting elements for mounting the containers 26, 28 in the cabinet 40.
  • the acceptance container 28 may be configured for mounting of a bag therein.
  • the notes input into the acceptance container 28 may thus be arranged in the bag.
  • CIT personnel may open a lid in the acceptance container 28 to access the bag therein and may simply remove the bag.
  • the CIT personnel may simply replace a bag in the acceptance container 28.
  • a bag holding device 50 of the acceptance container 28 will be described.
  • the acceptance container 28 is shown with the bag holding device 50 arranged in a bag mounting position.
  • the acceptance container 28 may comprise an opening and a lid 29.
  • the lid 29 may cover the opening and may be opened in the bag mounting position such as to allow the bag holding device 50 to extend through the opening and provide access to the bag holding device 50.
  • the bag holding device 50 may comprise an elongate wedge 54.
  • the bag holding device 50 may further comprise legs 56, 58 which are attached to respective sides of the elongate wedge 54.
  • the legs 56, 58 are attached in a joint 60, 62 to an inner wall of the acceptance container 28.
  • the legs 56, 58 may be arranged to turn about the joint 60, 62, such that the bag holding device 50 may be brought between the bag mounting position as illustrated in Figs 3-4, and a bag fixating position, as illustrated in Figs 5-6.
  • the bag holding device 50 may further comprise a bag closing element 64, which is movable in relation to the wedge 54.
  • the bag closing element 64 may be rotatably attached to the legs 56, 58.
  • the bag closing element 64 may further comprise an elongate plate 65.
  • the bag closing element 64 may be rotated in relation to the wedge 54 between a closed position and an open position, wherein the elongate plate 65 in the closed position is close to an edge of the wedge 54 and extending along the elongate wedge 54 and wherein the elongate plate 65 in the open position is distanced from the wedge 54.
  • the bag holding device 50 is shown in the bag mounting position with the bag closing element 64 in the open position.
  • the bag 70 is mounted with a first portion 72 of an opening of the bag 70 being folded over an edge of the wedge 54.
  • the bag 70 may further be attached to hooks or pins 71 extending from a bottom surface of the wedge 54.
  • the bag 70 is further mounted with a second portion 74 of an opening of the bag 70 being folded over the elongate plate 65.
  • the bag 70 may further be attached to hooks 66 extending from an upper surface of the elongate plate 65.
  • the bag 70 may be provided with an adhesive for allowing the bag 70 to be further attached to the wedge 54 on a bottom side of the wedge 54 and/or to the elongate plate 65 on an upper surface of the elongate plate 65.
  • the bag holding device 50 with a mounted bag 70 may be moved from the bag mounting position to the bag fixating position. As shown in Fig. 5, the wedge 54 may thus be arranged in contact with a bottom wall of the acceptance container 28. The edge of the opening of the bag 70 may thus be pinched between the wedge 54 and a bottom wall of the acceptance container 28. Further, with the lid 29 closed, the opening of the bag 70 may be pinched between the elongate plate 65 and an inner surface of the lid 29.
  • the acceptance container 28 comprises an input opening 52 through which notes are transported into the acceptance container 28.
  • the input opening 52 may be arranged in a short side of the acceptance container 28.
  • the bag holding device 50 may be arranged in the bag fixating position in close relation to the input opening 52 of the acceptance container 28 such that notes transported into the acceptance container 28 are transported into the bag 70.
  • the bag 70 is mounted in the bag fixating position such that an edge of the bag is not facing the input opening 52 even though the opening of the bag 70 is arranged at the input opening 52. Thus, the edge of the bag 70 will not interfere with notes being filled into the bag 70.
  • the bag holding device 50 may further comprise a locking mechanism for locking the bag holding device 50 in the bag fixating position.
  • the locking mechanism may comprise pins, which may be inserted into the joints 60, 62 for preventing the bag holding device 50 to turn about the joints 60, 62.
  • the bag 70 may first be closed before the lid 29 may be opened.
  • the lid 29 may be locked such that access to the bag 70 is not possible before the bag 70 has been closed.
  • the bag closing element 64 may be rotated about a connection of the bag closing element 64 to the legs 56, 58.
  • the elongate plate 65 may thus be moved towards the elongate wedge 54 for bringing the first and the second portions of the opening of the bag 70 close to each other.
  • the bag 70 may also be sealed in this position, e.g. by means of adhesive on an inner surface of the bag 70, such that the bag 70 may not be opened without tampering of the bag 70.
  • the bag 70 may thus first be sealed before the lid 29 may be opened and the legs 56, 58 may be turned to move the bag holding device 50 into the bag mounting position.
  • the bag closing element 64 may then be moved to the open position allowing the bag 70 to be removed and allowing mounting of a new bag 70.
  • the bag closing element 64 may be biased towards the closed position, e.g. by the connection of the bag closing element 64 to the legs 56, 58 being spring-loaded.
  • the bag holding device 50 may further comprise at least one locking element 80, 82, which may engage a portion of the bag closing element 64 for preventing movement of the bag closing element 64 from the open position.
  • the locking element(s) 80, 82 and the bag closing element 64 may comprise complementary hooks and recesses for providing a strong engagement between the locking element(s) 80, 82 and the bag closing element 64 in the open position.
  • the acceptance container 28 may further be arranged such that the lid 29 may not be opened unless the at least one locking element 80, 82 is released from engagement with the bag closing element 64 and the bag closing element 64 thus have been brought to the closed position.
  • the locking elements 80, 82 may be hinged to the legs 56, 58.
  • the locking elements 80, 82 may further comprise an engagement portion, which engages the bag closing element 64 on one side of the hinge, and an activation portion, which extends on an opposited side of the hinge to the engagement portion.
  • the lid 29 may further comprise protrusions 84, which are arranged to engage with the activation portions of the respective locking elements 80, 82.
  • the protrusions 84 may first be pushed down, thereby pushing down the activation portions of the locking elements 80, 82 causing the locking elements to rotate around the hinges.
  • the engagement portions of the locking elements 80, 82 are lifted such that the engagement of the locking elements 80, 82 to the bag closing element 64 is released.
  • the bag closing element 64 is brought to the closed position by the bias towards the closed position.
  • the acceptance container 28 may alternatively comprise one or more motors and corresponding actuators for causing rotations for moving the bag closing element 64 between the open and closed positions in the acceptance container 28.
  • the acceptance container 28 may also or alternatively comprise one or more motors and corresponding actuators for moving the bag holding device 50 between the bag fixating position and the bag mounting position. However, it should also be realized that such movements may be manually controlled.
  • the bag closing element 64 may be arranged in the bag fixating position to be arranged at a bottom wall of the acceptance container 28, whereas the wedge 54 may be arranged to be arranged close to a top wall or an inner surface of the lid 29.
  • the apparatus 10 has mainly been described herein as a cash deposit and dispensing apparatus, the apparatus 10 may merely be arranged for deposit of cash and the note storage unit 24 need not necessarily comprise any recycling container.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
  • Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus for handling cash, said apparatus (10) comprising: a note storage unit (24) for storing notes in the apparatus (10); the note storage unit (24) comprising: at least one recycling container (26), which is arranged to receive notes deposited into the apparatus (10) and output notes to be dispensed from the apparatus (10); and at least one acceptance container (28), which is arranged to receive and store notes. The at least one acceptance container (28) is configured for mounting of a bag (70) in the acceptance container (28), wherein the acceptance container (28) comprises a bag holding device (50), which is arranged to provide a fixating position of an opening of the bag (70) at an input opening (52) of the acceptance container (28) for receiving notes, wherein notes received into the acceptance container (28) are stored in the bag (70) in the acceptance container (28).

Description

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CASH
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus for handling cash allowing deposit of cash, and possibly also dispensing of cash.
Background
Automatic cash handling machines are often placed at various locations for providing a possibility to deposit and/or dispense cash at the location. Such machines may be advantageously placed in banks, stores or public locations.
The automatic cash handling machines allow users to deposit cash, e.g. for placing cash into a bank account or for making a payment, or withdraw cash from a bank account. The cash handling machines may eventually be filled up with cash or may be emptied, such that personnel need to travel to the location of the cash handling machine to either empty the machine on superfluous cash or fill the machine with new cash.
Cash-in-transit (CIT) companies provide services for filling and emptying of cash handling machines. However, CIT personnel are in an exposed position, since they handle large amounts of cash, and there is therefore a risk of robbery.
Hence, it is desirable that a stop cash-in-transit personnel make at a cash handling machine is very short, so as to reduce the exposure to robberies. Therefore, the cash handling machine should be easy to empty and fill so that the CIT personnel can perform their duties quickly.
Also, it is desirable that the cash can be easily handled when the CIT personnel move between a vehicle and a cash handling machine. Hence, the cash should be provided in such manner as to be easily carried and not providing too heavy loads on the CIT personnel. Summary of the Invention
It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for handling cash which may be quickly emptied. It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus for handling cash, which may provide cash, when being emptied by CIT personnel, in a form that is easy to carry.
These and other objects of the invention are at least partly met by the apparatus according to the independent claim. Preferred embodiments are provided by the dependent claims.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for handling cash, said apparatus comprising: a note storage unit for storing notes in the apparatus; a note supply unit for allowing deposit of notes into the note storage unit; a note validation unit for validating deposited notes and determining a value of deposited notes; a control unit for controlling transport of notes through the note storage unit; wherein the note storage unit comprises: at least one acceptance container, which is arranged to receive and store notes; wherein the at least one acceptance container is configured for mounting of a bag in the acceptance container, wherein the acceptance container comprises a bag holding device, which is arranged to provide a fixating position of an opening of the bag at an input opening of the
acceptance container for receiving notes, wherein notes received into the acceptance container are stored in the bag in the acceptance container.
Thanks to the invention, the acceptance container is configured such that a bag may be mounted in the acceptance container. This implies that notes may be directly input into a bag in the acceptance container and that the CIT personnel may remove the bag from the acceptance container for easily carrying cash from the apparatus. Thus, the apparatus may be emptied quickly and the cash is provided in a manner to facilitate carrying by the CIT personnel.
According to an embodiment, the bag holding device is arranged to be movable in relation to the acceptance container between a mounting position for mounting a bag to the bag holding device and a bag fixating position, wherein the bag holding device is arranged to provide a fixating position of an opening of the bag at an input opening of the acceptance container. This implies that the bag holding device may be moved to a mounting position for facilitating mounting of a bag and also emptying of the acceptance container by removing a bag when the bag holding device is in the mounting position.
According to an embodiment, the apparatus may be arranged for not only depositing cash, but also for dispensing cash. The note supply unit may thus be a note supply and output unit for allowing deposit of notes into the note storage unit and dispensing of notes from the note storage unit. Further, the control unit may control transport of notes in and out of the note storage unit. Also, the note storage unit may further comprise at least one recycling container, which is arranged to receive notes deposited into the apparatus and output notes to be dispensed from the apparatus, wherein the control unit is arranged to control each of the at least one recycling container to receive notes of a specific value. The apparatus may further be arranged to dispense notes only from the at least one recycling container.
The apparatus may thus comprise at least one recycling container and at least one acceptance container. Hence, transactions of notes in and out of the recycling containers may occur during use of the apparatus. CIT
personnel may normally not need to empty the recycling containers, since notes may be controlled to be transported to the at least one acceptance container, if the recycling containers are full. Thus, it is only necessary to empty the acceptance container, which does not need to be associated with mechanics that enable both input and output of notes to the acceptance container.
According to an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a coin storage unit for storing coins in the apparatus, a coin supply unit and a coin output unit for allowing deposit of coins into the coin storage unit and dispensing of coins from the coin storage unit; a coin validation unit for validating deposited coins and determining a value of deposited coins;
wherein the control unit is arranged to further control transport of coins in and out of the coin storage unit.
This implies that the apparatus may handle both coins and notes. The control unit may control both the handling of coins and notes in the apparatus. However, the coins and notes may be handled by completely separate mechanics. In one embodiment, the note handling may be performed in a first unit arranged in a first housing and the coin handling may be performed in a second unit arranged in a second housing. The first and second housings may be arranged in close relation to each other for providing a user simultaneous access to both note and coin handling. The control unit may be arranged in one of the housings or partly in both housings, and an electric connection may be provided between the housings such that the control provided by the control unit may affect the respective transport of notes and coins.
The control unit may also keep track of transactions of cash, including notes and coins, such that the control unit may ensure that a user interacting with the apparatus may receive a single receipt of a transaction that includes handling of both notes and coins.
According to an embodiment, the note storage unit is arranged in a cabinet, the cabinet comprising shelves for providing surfaces on which the at least one recycling container and the at least one acceptance container may be arranged. According to an alternative, the cabinet may comprise
supporting elements along opposite inner walls of the cabinet, wherein the at least one recycling container and the at least one acceptance container comprise outer support surfaces at respective sides such that the at least one recycling container and the at least one acceptance container may be arranged in the cabinet supported by the supporting elements on the opposite inner walls. Thus, the at least one recycling container and the at least one acceptance container may be mounted on top of each other in the cabinet, extending between the opposite inner walls of the cabinet. This implies that the cabinet provides an organized arrangement of containers in the
apparatus, which facilitates transport of notes and also access to containers for CIT personnel.
According to an embodiment, the cabinet further comprises a door, wherein the at least one acceptance container is arranged in the cabinet, so as to be completely retractable from the cabinet through the door when the door is open. The CIT personnel may have authority to open the door, by means of a key to a mechanical lock or an electronic identifier that may allow the control unit to open a lock. When the door is opened by the CIT
personnel, direct access may be provided to any container inside the door. The at least one acceptance container may be completely retracted from the cabinet, and then a filled bag may be easily removed from the acceptance container, and the acceptance container may be provided with a new bag before the acceptance container is put back into the cabinet.
According to an embodiment, the bag holding device comprises an elongate wedge such that a first portion of the opening of the bag is foldable over an edge of the wedge. This implies that an edge of the bag at the opening may be folded over the wedge, such that the edge of the bag is not presented towards the notes being input into the bag holding device. Thus, the edge of the bag will not interfere with notes being filled into the bag.
According to an embodiment, the bag holding device further comprises legs attached to respective sides of the elongate wedge, wherein each leg is turnably attached to an inner wall of the acceptance container between a bag fixating position and a bag mounting position. This implies that the bag holding device may be moved between a bag mounting position, wherein mounting of the bag is facilitated and, when the bag is mounted to the bag holding device, the bag holding device may be moved to the bag fixating position, wherein the position of the bag is fixed at the input opening of the acceptance container.
According to an embodiment, the wedge in the bag fixating position is arranged against a bottom wall of the acceptance container for fixating the bag between the bottom wall of the acceptance container and the wedge.
According to an embodiment, the bag holding device further comprises a locking mechanism for locking the wedge in the bag fixating position.
According to an embodiment, the bag holding device further comprises a bag closing element, which is arranged to hold a second portion of the opening of the bag, and which is movable in relation to the wedge between an open position, wherein the opening of the bag mounted to the bag closing element and the wedge is held open, and a closed position, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the opening of the bag are brought in close relation to each other for closing the bag. Thus, a first portion of the opening of the bag may be held by the wedge against the bottom wall of the acceptance container and a second portion of the opening of the bag may be held by the bag closing element. When the bag is mounted in the acceptance container, the bag closing element may be held in the open position for allowing notes to be input into the bag. Further, when the acceptance container is to be emptied, the bag closing element may further be brought to the closed position before the bag holding device can be brought to the bag mounting position, so as to close the bag before the bag can be removed from the acceptance container.
Brief Description of Drawings
The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present inventive concept, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings. In the drawings like reference numerals will be used for like elements unless stated otherwise.
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for handling cash according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a note storage unit of the apparatus of
Fig. 1 .
Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a bag holding device of an acceptance container of the note storage unit in a bag mounting position.
Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the bag mounting position of the bag holding device illustrating mounting of the bag.
Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a bag fixating position of the bag holding device when a bag closing element is in an open position.
Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a bag fixating position of the bag holding device when a bag closing element is in a closed position.
Detailed Description
Detailed embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Referring now to Fig. 1 , an apparatus 10 for handling cash is
described. The apparatus 10 comprises a first part 12 for handling notes and a second part 14 for handling coins. The first part 12 and the second part 14 are illustrated as arranged in two separate housings, which may be arranged side-by-side. However, the first and second parts 12, 14 may alternatively be arranged in a common housing.
The first part 12 comprises a note supply and output unit 20. The note supply and output unit 20 allows a user to deposit notes into the apparatus 10 and to receive notes dispensed by the apparatus 10. The note supply and output unit 20 may provide a shape for depositing and dispensing a stack of notes. Alternatively, single notes are deposited and dispensed at a time.
According to a further alternative, the note supply and output unit 20 may comprise two separate slots, such that notes may be deposited into the apparatus 10 through a first slot and that notes may be dispensed from the apparatus 10 through a second slot.
The note supply and output unit 20 may be connected to a transport device for transporting the notes to and from the note supply and output unit 20. The transport device may comprise a transport belt for carrying notes.
The transport device may carry the notes through a note validation unit 22. The note validation unit 22 may comprise a plurality of sensors for measuring characteristics of the notes. The measurements performed by the sensors may be analyzed by the note validation unit 22 or sent to another unit within the apparatus 10 for analysis. The analysis of the notes may validate that the note is not a forgery and may also determine a value of the note.
The apparatus 10 may further comprise a control unit 16, which may control transport of coins and notes through the apparatus 10. The control unit 16 may comprise a processing unit. The control unit 16 may receive input from sensors in the apparatus 10 and may execute processing instructions for determining how coins and notes are to be handled in view of the sensed input.
The processing unit of the control unit 16 may be implemented as a microprocessor, which may be programmable for controlling operation of the microprocessor. For instance, the processing unit may be a central processing unit (CPU). The processing unit may alternatively be a special- purpose circuitry for providing only specific logical operations. Thus, the processing unit may be provided in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an application-specific instruction-set processor (ASIP) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).
The control unit 16 may further comprise a non-volatile memory for storing information, such as instructions for controlling operation of the processing unit, and log data of transactions performed by the apparatus 10.
The control unit 16 may further comprise a communication unit for sending control signals, in order to control functionality of other components of the apparatus 10. The control signals may for instance control a transport device how to transport coins or notes.
The apparatus 10 may further comprise a user interface, which may allow a user to input information to the control unit 16 in connection to performing a transaction at the apparatus 10. The user may for instance provide an identifier such that the control unit 16 may associate the user with a bank account.
The control unit 16 may record an amount deposited by a user or dispensed to a user and may associate such a transaction with the user. The control unit 16 may store the transaction in the memory. The control unit 16 may also or alternatively send information about the transaction to an external unit, such as a bank system, for recording the transaction in relation to a bank account of the user.
The control unit 16 may comprise a plurality of parts, which may be distributed in the apparatus 10. Each part of the control unit 16 may be arranged in connection to a component of the apparatus 10 which it is arranged to control. The parts of the control unit 16 may be connected by cables extending through the apparatus 10. For instance, the control unit 16 may in one embodiment comprise a first processing unit arranged in the first part 12 of the apparatus 10 for controlling transport of notes and a second processing unit arranged in the second part 14 of the apparatus 10 for controlling transport of coins. The control unit 16 may thus receive input from the note validation unit 22 and may analyze the input to determine where a deposited note is to be transported.
The first part 12 may further comprise a note storage unit 24. The deposited notes are transported to the note storage unit 24 for storage in the apparatus 10.
The note storage unit 24 may comprise two types of containers for storage of notes, recycling containers 26 and acceptance containers 28. The note storage unit 24 may comprise at least one container of each type.
The recycling container 26 may be arranged to store notes of a specific value. Thus, the recycling container 26 may only store notes of the specific value. The recycling container 26 may be connected to a transport device such that notes may be input into the recycling container 26 and may also be output from the recycling container 26. Thus, when notes are to be dispensed from the apparatus 10, notes may be output from the recycling container 26 through the transport device to the note supply and output unit 20.
An action of dispensing notes from the apparatus 10 may include the control unit 16 sending control signals to mechanics controlling output from respective recycling containers 26 so as to activate output of a desired set of notes of different values. Since each recycling container 26 stores notes of only one specific value, the control unit 16 may easily know which recycling container 26 to activate depending on the amount to be dispensed.
When a recycling container 26 is full, notes may instead be deposited to an acceptance container 28. The acceptance container 28 may store notes that are to be emptied from the apparatus 10 by CIT personnel.
The acceptance container 28 may store notes of a plurality of values or of any specific value. Since no output of notes is necessary from the acceptance container 28 in a dispensing action, advantages of separating notes of different values into different acceptance containers 28 may not be as clear. However, it should be realized that notes may be stored in separate acceptance containers 28 depending on their value and that it may facilitate handling of the notes when the apparatus is emptied by CIT personnel. The control unit 16 may store information of how many notes are stored in each recycling container 26 so as to be able to determine whether a deposited note is to be transported to the recycling container 26 or to the acceptance container 28.
As mentioned, the deposited note may be transported to the
acceptance container 28 when the recycling container 26 is full. However, the control unit 16 may alternatively control transport of notes based on other criteria, such as to keep a number of notes in the recycling container 26 within a desired range.
The control unit 16 may also determine when a number of notes stored in an acceptance container 28 is above a threshold value and may provide an alert signal to an external unit based on such determination. The alert signal may thus be provided to CIT personnel to provide information that there may be a need for emptying the apparatus 10.
Likewise, the control unit 16 may determine when a number of notes in a recycling container 26 is below a threshold value and may provide an alert signal to an external unit based on such determination. The alert signal may thus be provided to CIT personnel to provide information that there may be a need for filling the apparatus 10 with notes of the specific value stored in the recycling container 26.
The second part 14 of the apparatus 10 may comprise a coin supply unit 30 allowing a user to deposit coins into the apparatus 10. The coin supply unit 30 may receive coins and transport coins to a coin validation unit 32. The coin validation unit 32 may comprise a plurality of sensors for measuring characteristics of deposited coins. The coin validation unit 32 and/or the control unit 16 may thus, based on the measured characteristics validate that the coin is not a forgery and may also determine a value of the coin.
The coin validation unit 32 may further be arranged to sort coins according to denomination. In this regard, the coin validation unit 32 may comprise a transport device for transporting coins over a plurality of openings for sorting coins based on size. However, it should be realized that coins may also be sorted in other ways, e.g. by controlling transport of coins based on a determined value of the coin in view of measured characteristics. The deposited coins may be transported to a coin storage unit 34 which may comprise a plurality of storage compartments, each storing a specific coin denomination.
The storage compartments may further comprise output openings for dispensing of coins to a coin output unit 36. The coin output unit 36 may be arranged below the coin storage unit 34 such that coins may fall from the storage compartments into the coin output unit 36. A user may open a drawer for arranging a cash till in the coin output unit 36, such that coins are directly output into the cash till.
Deposited coins may alternatively be transported to a coin transport unit 38. The coin transport unit 38 may store coins in a manner suitable for emptying the apparatus 10 by CIT personnel. The coin transport unit 38 may provide a box that may be simply replaced by CIT personnel with an empty box when the coin transport unit 38 is removed by CIT personnel.
The control unit 16 may control transport of coins through the second part 14 of the apparatus 10. The control unit 16 may thus control when coins are to be deposited to the coin storage unit 34 or transported into the coin transport unit 38. Further, when a storage compartment in the coin storage unit 34 becomes full, the control unit 16 may control the storage compartment to output coins into the coin transport unit 38.
Referring now to Fig. 2, the note storage unit 24 will be further described. The first part 12 of the apparatus 10 may comprise a cabinet 40, in which the note storage unit 24 is arranged.
The cabinet 40 may be provided with a door 42, for allowing access to the recycling containers 26 and acceptance containers 28 of the note storage unit 24. The door 42 may be locked and may only be opened by authorized personnel, having a key or an identifier which may be presented to a user interface for providing input to the control unit 16 for allowing the door 42 to be opened.
The cabinet 40 may be provided with a number of shelves 44 for providing support to a respective container. The recycling containers 26 and acceptance containers 28 may thus be easily withdrawn from the cabinet 40 by pulling out the container from the shelf 44 through the opened door 42. As an alternative, the cabinet 40 may be provided with supporting elements along opposite inner walls of the cabinet 40. The recycling containers 26 and the acceptance containers 28 may then be provided with corresponding outer support surfaces, which may be arranged in contact with the supporting elements for mounting the containers 26, 28 in the cabinet 40.
The acceptance container 28 may be configured for mounting of a bag therein. The notes input into the acceptance container 28 may thus be arranged in the bag. When the acceptance container 28 is to be emptied, CIT personnel may open a lid in the acceptance container 28 to access the bag therein and may simply remove the bag.
Thus, instead of bringing an empty acceptance container 28, which may be quite heavy and cumbersome to carry, to the apparatus 10, the CIT personnel may simply replace a bag in the acceptance container 28.
Referring now to Figs 3-6, a bag holding device 50 of the acceptance container 28 will be described.
In Fig. 3, the acceptance container 28 is shown with the bag holding device 50 arranged in a bag mounting position. The acceptance container 28 may comprise an opening and a lid 29. The lid 29 may cover the opening and may be opened in the bag mounting position such as to allow the bag holding device 50 to extend through the opening and provide access to the bag holding device 50.
The bag holding device 50 may comprise an elongate wedge 54. The bag holding device 50 may further comprise legs 56, 58 which are attached to respective sides of the elongate wedge 54. The legs 56, 58 are attached in a joint 60, 62 to an inner wall of the acceptance container 28. The legs 56, 58 may be arranged to turn about the joint 60, 62, such that the bag holding device 50 may be brought between the bag mounting position as illustrated in Figs 3-4, and a bag fixating position, as illustrated in Figs 5-6.
The bag holding device 50 may further comprise a bag closing element 64, which is movable in relation to the wedge 54. The bag closing element 64 may be rotatably attached to the legs 56, 58.
The bag closing element 64 may further comprise an elongate plate 65. The bag closing element 64 may be rotated in relation to the wedge 54 between a closed position and an open position, wherein the elongate plate 65 in the closed position is close to an edge of the wedge 54 and extending along the elongate wedge 54 and wherein the elongate plate 65 in the open position is distanced from the wedge 54.
In Figs 3-4, the bag holding device 50 is shown in the bag mounting position with the bag closing element 64 in the open position. The bag 70 is mounted with a first portion 72 of an opening of the bag 70 being folded over an edge of the wedge 54. As shown in Fig. 4, the bag 70 may further be attached to hooks or pins 71 extending from a bottom surface of the wedge 54. The bag 70 is further mounted with a second portion 74 of an opening of the bag 70 being folded over the elongate plate 65. As shown in Fig. 3, the bag 70 may further be attached to hooks 66 extending from an upper surface of the elongate plate 65. The bag 70 may be provided with an adhesive for allowing the bag 70 to be further attached to the wedge 54 on a bottom side of the wedge 54 and/or to the elongate plate 65 on an upper surface of the elongate plate 65.
The bag holding device 50 with a mounted bag 70 may be moved from the bag mounting position to the bag fixating position. As shown in Fig. 5, the wedge 54 may thus be arranged in contact with a bottom wall of the acceptance container 28. The edge of the opening of the bag 70 may thus be pinched between the wedge 54 and a bottom wall of the acceptance container 28. Further, with the lid 29 closed, the opening of the bag 70 may be pinched between the elongate plate 65 and an inner surface of the lid 29.
The acceptance container 28 comprises an input opening 52 through which notes are transported into the acceptance container 28. The input opening 52 may be arranged in a short side of the acceptance container 28. The bag holding device 50 may be arranged in the bag fixating position in close relation to the input opening 52 of the acceptance container 28 such that notes transported into the acceptance container 28 are transported into the bag 70.
Further, the bag 70 is mounted in the bag fixating position such that an edge of the bag is not facing the input opening 52 even though the opening of the bag 70 is arranged at the input opening 52. Thus, the edge of the bag 70 will not interfere with notes being filled into the bag 70.
The bag holding device 50 may further comprise a locking mechanism for locking the bag holding device 50 in the bag fixating position. For instance, the locking mechanism may comprise pins, which may be inserted into the joints 60, 62 for preventing the bag holding device 50 to turn about the joints 60, 62.
When a bag 70 in the acceptance container 28 is full or when it is for some reason desired to remove the bag 70 with the stored notes, the bag 70 may first be closed before the lid 29 may be opened. The lid 29 may be locked such that access to the bag 70 is not possible before the bag 70 has been closed.
As shown in Fig. 6, the bag closing element 64 may be rotated about a connection of the bag closing element 64 to the legs 56, 58. The elongate plate 65 may thus be moved towards the elongate wedge 54 for bringing the first and the second portions of the opening of the bag 70 close to each other. The bag 70 may also be sealed in this position, e.g. by means of adhesive on an inner surface of the bag 70, such that the bag 70 may not be opened without tampering of the bag 70.
When the acceptance container 28 is to be emptied, the bag 70 may thus first be sealed before the lid 29 may be opened and the legs 56, 58 may be turned to move the bag holding device 50 into the bag mounting position. The bag closing element 64 may then be moved to the open position allowing the bag 70 to be removed and allowing mounting of a new bag 70.
The bag closing element 64 may be biased towards the closed position, e.g. by the connection of the bag closing element 64 to the legs 56, 58 being spring-loaded. The bag holding device 50 may further comprise at least one locking element 80, 82, which may engage a portion of the bag closing element 64 for preventing movement of the bag closing element 64 from the open position. For instance, the locking element(s) 80, 82 and the bag closing element 64 may comprise complementary hooks and recesses for providing a strong engagement between the locking element(s) 80, 82 and the bag closing element 64 in the open position. The acceptance container 28 may further be arranged such that the lid 29 may not be opened unless the at least one locking element 80, 82 is released from engagement with the bag closing element 64 and the bag closing element 64 thus have been brought to the closed position.
According to an embodiment, the locking elements 80, 82 may be hinged to the legs 56, 58. The locking elements 80, 82 may further comprise an engagement portion, which engages the bag closing element 64 on one side of the hinge, and an activation portion, which extends on an opposited side of the hinge to the engagement portion. The lid 29 may further comprise protrusions 84, which are arranged to engage with the activation portions of the respective locking elements 80, 82. When the lid 29 is to be opened, the protrusions 84 may first be pushed down, thereby pushing down the activation portions of the locking elements 80, 82 causing the locking elements to rotate around the hinges. Thus, the engagement portions of the locking elements 80, 82 are lifted such that the engagement of the locking elements 80, 82 to the bag closing element 64 is released. Then, the bag closing element 64 is brought to the closed position by the bias towards the closed position.
The acceptance container 28 may alternatively comprise one or more motors and corresponding actuators for causing rotations for moving the bag closing element 64 between the open and closed positions in the acceptance container 28.
The acceptance container 28 may also or alternatively comprise one or more motors and corresponding actuators for moving the bag holding device 50 between the bag fixating position and the bag mounting position. However, it should also be realized that such movements may be manually controlled.
In the above the invention has mainly been described with reference to a limited number of embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.
For instance, the bag closing element 64 may be arranged in the bag fixating position to be arranged at a bottom wall of the acceptance container 28, whereas the wedge 54 may be arranged to be arranged close to a top wall or an inner surface of the lid 29.
Also, it should be realized that, although the apparatus 10 has mainly been described herein as a cash deposit and dispensing apparatus, the apparatus 10 may merely be arranged for deposit of cash and the note storage unit 24 need not necessarily comprise any recycling container.

Claims

1 . An apparatus for handling cash, said apparatus (10) comprising:
a note storage unit (24) for storing notes in the apparatus (10);
a note supply and output unit (20) for allowing deposit of notes into the note storage unit (24) and dispensing of notes from the note storage unit (24); a note validation unit (22) for validating deposited notes and
determining a value of deposited notes;
a control unit (16) for controlling transport of notes in and out of the note storage unit (24);
wherein the note storage unit (24) comprises:
at least one recycling container (26), which is arranged to receive notes deposited into the apparatus (10) and output notes to be dispensed from the apparatus (10), wherein the control unit (16) is arranged to control each of the at least one recycling container (26) to receive notes of a specific value; and
at least one acceptance container (28), which is arranged to receive and store notes;
wherein the apparatus (10) is arranged to dispense notes only from the at least one recycling container (26),
characterized in that
the at least one acceptance container (28) is configured for mounting of a bag (70) in the acceptance container (28), wherein the acceptance container (28) comprises a bag holding device (50), which is arranged to be movable in relation to the acceptance container (28) between a mounting position for mounting a bag (70) to the bag holding device (50) and a bag fixating position, wherein the bag holding device (50) is arranged to provide a fixating position of an opening of the bag (70) at an input opening (52) of the acceptance container (28) for receiving notes, wherein notes received into the acceptance container (28) are stored in the bag (70) in the acceptance container (28).
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a coin storage unit (34) for storing coins in the apparatus (10), a coin supply unit (30) and a coin output unit (36) for allowing deposit of coins into the coin storage unit (34) and dispensing of coins from the coin storage unit (34); a coin validation unit (32) for validating deposited coins and determining a value of deposited coins; wherein the control unit (16) is arranged to further control transport of coins in and out of the coin storage unit (34).
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the note storage unit (24) is arranged in a cabinet (40), the cabinet (40) comprising shelves (44) for providing surfaces on which the at least one recycling container (26) and the at least one acceptance container (28) may be arranged.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cabinet (40) further comprises a door (42), wherein the at least one acceptance container (28) is arranged in the cabinet (40), so as to be completely retractable from the cabinet (40) through the door (42) when the door (42) is open.
5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bag holding device (50) comprises an elongate wedge (54) such that a first portion (72) of the opening of the bag (70) is foldable over an edge of the wedge (54).
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the bag holding device (50) further comprises legs (56, 58) attached to respective sides of the elongate wedge (54), wherein each leg (56, 58) is turnably attached to an inner wall of the acceptance container (28) between a bag fixating position and a bag mounting position.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the wedge (54) in the bag fixating position is arranged against a bottom wall of the acceptance container (28) for fixating the bag between the bottom wall of the acceptance container (28) and the wedge (54).
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the bag holding device (50) further comprises a locking mechanism for locking the wedge (54) in the bag fixating position.
9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 5-8, wherein the bag holding device (50) further comprises a bag closing element (64), which is arranged to hold a second portion (74) of the opening of the bag (70), and which is movable in relation to the wedge (54) between an open position, wherein the opening of the bag (70) mounted to the bag closing element (64) and the wedge (54) is held open, and a closed position, wherein the first portion (72) and the second portion (74) of the opening of the bag (70) are brought in close relation to each other for closing the bag (70).
EP17760404.8A 2016-03-04 2017-03-02 Apparatus for handling cash Withdrawn EP3424025A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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SE1650289A SE1650289A1 (en) 2016-03-04 2016-03-04 Apparatus for action cash
PCT/SE2017/050198 WO2017151049A1 (en) 2016-03-04 2017-03-02 Apparatus for handling cash

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EP3424025A4 EP3424025A4 (en) 2019-11-06

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AU4679400A (en) * 1999-04-28 2000-11-10 Cummins-Allison Corp. Currency processing machine with multiple coin receptacles
JP4362339B2 (en) * 2003-09-16 2009-11-11 日立オムロンターミナルソリューションズ株式会社 Banknote handling equipment
AU2006340804B2 (en) * 2005-12-27 2012-01-12 Mei, Inc. Secure bag assembly for a lockable removable cassette
DE102009015047A1 (en) * 2009-03-26 2010-09-30 Wincor Nixdorf International Gmbh Device for filling a thin-walled transport container with notes of value
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