GB2247879A

GB2247879A - Method and apparatus for separating sheets

Info

Publication number: GB2247879A
Application number: GB9020078A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Ronald Morgans; Roger John Phillips; John Gerwyn Price
Original assignee: De la Rue Systems Ltd
Current assignee: De la Rue Systems Ltd
Priority date: 1990-09-14
Filing date: 1990-09-14
Publication date: 1992-03-18
Also published as: GB9020078D0

Abstract

Apparatus for removing single shoots from a stack within a container (12) comprises a pusher member (5) movable into contact with the loading sheet of the stack to reduce any convex bowing in the loading sheet, and a withdrawal member (8) to withdraw the leading sheet in the container while the pusher member (5) contacts the sheet stack. <IMAGE>

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING SHEETS This invention relates to methods and apparatus for dispensing sheets, for example currency note dispensing machines, in which individual notes are removed from the front of a cassette by a vacuum pick system or some other note removal system.

In existing dispensing machines currency notes are loaded into the cassette in a predefined manner in a bank strongroom or some other secure area and the cassette is then transported to the cash dispensing machine. WEen the cassette is inserted into the dispensing machine a door at the front of the cassette opens automatically to enable the cash dispensing machine to remove currency notes from the cassette.

It is well known that with a vacuum pick or some similar note removal system, permanent folds can be induced in the note as it is removed from the cassette.

Such folds are not desirable and are not required for aesthetic and other reasons.

In an effort to prevent the induction of permanent folds in the notes during the note removal process from the cassette, guides known as note separators are fitted to the cassette which interact with the sides and lower edge of the notes in the cassette. This is not entirely successful.

It is also well known that the way in which notes are loaded into the cassette affects the number and degree of note folding which occurs during the note removal process. It is desirable, in order to minimise the note folding, that notes are loaded into the cassette with the bow in the notes towards the packer plate. This packer plate pushes the notes towards the front of the cassette by means of springs and ensures that notes are in a suitable position whereby they can be removed from the cassette by the cash dispensing machine. Notes which are loaded into the cassette so that the bow in the notes is towards the front door end of the cassette will be subject to induced note folds almost every time a note is removed from the cassette.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention apparatus for removing single sheets from a stack within a container comprises a pusher member movable into contact with the leading sheet of the stack to reduce any convex bowing in the leading sheet, and a withdrawal member to withdraw the leading sheet in the container while the pusher member contacts the sheet stack.

This apparatus allows sheets to be loaded into a cassette with the bow in the sheets towards the packer plate or towards the front (or door end) of the cassette, whilst still enabling sheets to be removed from the cassette without the formation of induced folds.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a method of removing a sheet from a container containing a stack of sheets comprises urging a pusher member against the leading end of the stack of sheets to reduce any convex bowing in the leading sheet, and withdrawing a sheet from the stack with a withdrawal member while the pusher member contacts the sheet stack.

The adverse bow in the sheet is removed immediately prior to the vacuum pick system or some other sheet removal system removing the sheet from the cassette.

The proposed way to remove the sheet bow is to employ a pusher member which will strike the sheets in the cassette so as to remove the bow in the sheet and, simultaneously, provide a surface about which the sheet can bend as it is removed from the cassette. The pusher member, which may be straight, or curved, will be freely mounted and shorter than, equal to, or longer than the maximum width of the note. The pusher member may be profiled to produce a surface which contacts the note intermittently along its length. Actuation of the pusher member against the sheets in the cassette may be by the withdrawal member or in the case of a vacuum pick system, by the picker arm shaft so that the pusher member is pushed against the sheets as the suction pads of the vacuum pick system locate against the leading sheets.

Alternatively, the pusher member may be pushed against the sheets in the cassette by means of a separate linkage system from a dispensing mechanism. The pusher member may also be constructed as part of a dispensing mechanism as an alternative to it being fitted in the cassette.

An example of apparatus for removing sheets in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a section through the front of a cassette; Figure 2 shows a plan of a loaded cassette; Figure 3 shows an alternative surface profile of a pusher member from above; and Figure 4 shows an alternative surface profile of a pusher member from one side.

The cassette shown in Figure 1 comprises a lid 1, a body 12, and an internal floor 11 on which notes 4 are stacked vertically on their long edge. The tops of the notes 4 are prevented from falling forward by a bridge 3 and a pusher member 5 which extends across the front of the cassette. The pusher member suspends freely from a hinge attached to the bridge 3. Alternative mounting positions may be used. The bottoms of the notes 4 are in contact with the floor 11 of the cassette and are prevented from sliding forward by a separator 9.

Notes 4 are removed from the cassette one at a time by suction pads 14 attached to the end of a picker arm 8.

In operation, the picker arm swings around to the initial pick position to enable the suction pads 14 to secure a note. Simultaneously, the picker arm shaft 15 pushes the lower edge of the pusher member 5 into the bowed notes 4 so straightening the notes 4 at the line of contact between the pusher member 5 and the notes 4. As the picker arm 8 rotates from the initial pick position to the delivery position 7, the pusher member 5 comes away from the notes 4 to a rest position 6 and the lower edge of the leading note 4 is pulled over the floor separators 9 through the front of the cassette 13 to deliver the note to the transport system of the dispensing mechanism (not shown).

Convexly bowed notes are shown in Figure 2. The cassette 18 has a front opening 13 through which notes 4 can be removed. A bridge 19 at the front of the cassette contains the notes 4 within the cassette. It will be seen that the notes 4 shown are bowed towards the front of the cassette 18. To keep the notes against the bridge 19, the packer plate 16 pushes against the back of the notes 4 the pressure being maintained by springs acting on the packer plate 16 from beneath the floor 11. Side guides 17 prevent the notes 4 moving laterally.

The profile of the pusher member 5 may be varied as shown in Figure 3. Ridges 20 may be formed along the length of the pusher member to contact the surface of the note while the indentations 21 of the surface do not. An alternative (Figure 4) is to form the ridges 22 across the width of the pusher member rather than along its length.

Claims

1. Apparatus for removing single sheets from a stack within a container the apparatus comprising a pusher member movable into contact with the leading sheet of the stack to reduce any convex bowing in the leading sheet, and a withdrawal member to withdraw the leading sheet in the container while the pusher member contacts the sheet stack.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pusher member is curved.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pusher member forms part of a dispensing mechanism separate from the container.

4. A method of removing a sheet from a container containing a stack of sheets the method comprising urging a pusher member against the leading end of the stack of sheets to reduce any convex bowing in the leading sheet, and withdrawing a sheet from the stack with a withdrawal member while the pusher member contacts the sheet stack.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the pusher member is pushed against the leading sheet in the cassette by the withdrawal member.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the pusher member is pushed against the leading sheet in the cassette by a linkage system from a separate dispensing mechanism.

7. Apparatus for removing single sheets from a stack within a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of removing single sheets from a stack within a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.