GB2293368A

GB2293368A - Aligning bank notes

Info

Publication number: GB2293368A
Application number: GB9419247A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andre Gerlier
Original assignee: Mars Inc
Current assignee: Mars Inc
Priority date: 1994-09-23
Filing date: 1994-09-23
Publication date: 1996-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-23
Also published as: GB2317881A; GB9723048D0; DE19534966A1; GB2293368B; GB2317881B; GB9419247D0

Description

2293368 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING A BANK NOTE The present

invention relates to a method and apparatus for aligning a bank note.

In apparatus for handling bank notes of different sizes, it is usually necessary to align bank notes as they are received, for example in order to stack the bank notes or align them with a device for testing their authenticity or fitness for recirculation. A common method of aligning bank notes is to push the notes up against a fixed lateral guide, so that the bank notes are aligned at one side. In this method, the notes are not aligned symmetrically in the transport path.

As a result, transport belts for transporting the bank notes along the transport path do not always grip the note symmetrically. In particular, wider notes are not held by the transport belts at the opposite side to the guide and may not therefore remain in alignment as they are transported.

In a are held pushed by transport them, the distance transport stacking apparatus in which the bank notes by two pairs of transport belts and are a piston passing between the pairs of belts into a magazine in order to stack piston must travel a substantially greater in order to disengage the notes from the belts if the notes are not symmetrically 1 a 2 aligned with the pairs of transport belts.

In apparatus in which the notes are examined for authenticity or fitness, the measurement device should preferably be aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the notes.

The document DE-A-4001716 discloses a device for centring bank notes in a transport path. The device has a pair of alignment guides positioned on either side of the transport path. The alignment guides are normally held apart so that a note can be inserted between them. When the presence of a bank note is detected in the transport path, the alignment guides are biased towards the centre of the path by a spring until the alignment guides contact the edges of the bank note. Thus, the bank note is centred in the transport path. The width of the bank note is measured by determining the distance travelled by the alignment guides until they contact the edges of the bank note.

This device depends on the lateral rigidity of the bank note to hold the alignment guides apart. However, a bank note is intrinsically a flexible item, particularly when previously used. Thus, the bank note is likely to crumple if subjected to forces on its opposite edges. This may be prevented to some degree by the shape of the alignment guides, which are 3 U-shaped in cross-section with horizontal slots facing towards the bank note so that the edges of the bank note are received and supported within the slots. However, the bank note is still free to crumple at its centre, and the inward extension of the guides then limits the minimum width of notes which can be centred.

A further problem associated with devices having movable guides is that the movement of the guides is visible through the aperture through which the bank note is fed. As well as being undesirable for aesthetic reasons, this arrangement is a particular problem when the device is accessible to members of the public. The sight of moving parts through the aperture may excite the curiosity of users and tempt them to poke items into the aperture to jam the moving parts. However, it is undesirable to place the guide sufficiently far from the aperture so as not to be visible or accessible, since this wastes space.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of aligning a bank note, comprising measuring the width of the note and moving a guide member against the edge of the document by a distance determined according to the measured width of the document, so as to align it.

The above method steps may be repeated as the 1 4 note becomes progressively straighter on the transport path and the measured width therefore becomes progressively smaller, until the note is satisfactorily aligned.

The guide may be movable between a tapered and a parallel configuration, with the guide adopting initially a tapered configuration with its widest point as wide as the transport path and its narrowest point at a width intermediate between the broadest and narrowest widths of the range of bank notes that are to be accepted. When a bank note is introduced onto the transport path, an initial measurement is taken of the width of the note and the narrowest part of the tapered configuration is adjusted to the measured width. Once the bank note has reached the narrowest point of the taper, the guide is moved to a parallel configuration having the width of the last measured width of the document. The width of the document is measured again, and the width of the parallel guide is adjusted to that measured width. Thus, the bank note may be swiftly and accurately aligned. Furthermore, a wide range of widths of bank note can be aligned by this method.

Preferably, the guide consists of a pair of guide members positioned either side of the transport path. Each guide member may be pivotally mounted on a carriage which moves the pivoted ends of the guide members in opposite directions into or out of the document path. The free ends of the guide members are initially held at the maximum width of the transport path but are configuration.

biased to assume a parallel When the bank note reaches the narrowest part of the taper, the f ree ends of the guide members are released and spring into the parallel configuration, thus straightening the bank note.

Alternatively, the guide may consist of a single guide member located on only one side of the transport path. In that case, the note is pushed sideways so that its edge rests against the guide. The width of the note is then measured and the guide is moved laterally into the transport path so as to align the note on the basis of the measured width of the note.

To allow the bank note to rotate so as to be straightened with respect to the transport path, the means for driving the note along the transport path grips the note only intermittently. When the note is not gripped, it only rests on a moving belt and is therefore free to rotate as it is transported along the path.

In a method according to an alternative aspect of the present invention, a bank note is received through 6 an aperture and the aperture is blocked when the document has passed through it. A guide is provided behind the aperture, but the portion of the guide visible through the aperture is stationary until the aperture is blocked. Thus, users of the device can neither see any moving parts nor introduce anything into the aperture so as to jam the guide. Nevertheless, to ensure swift alignment, the guide may include a portion which is not visible through or is remote from the aperture and which moves while the note is inserted through the aperture. Preferably, the guide comprises a pivotable member which is pivoted about its visible portion when the aperture is open, so that the amount of visible movement is minimised.

In a method according to another aspect of the present invention, a bank note is aligned by moving a guide towards a bank note until it is detected that the note is close to part of the guide. In this way, alignment may be achieved without buckling the note.

Further preferred features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of specific embodiments, in which:-

Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of alignment apparatus according to a first embodiment; 7 Figure 2 shows a cross-section of part of the apparatus of Figure 1 along the line II-II; Figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the alignment apparatus of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows a simplified cross-section of the apparatus in the plane IV-IV of Figure 1; Figures Sa to 5g show schematic plan views of the apparatus of the first embodiment illustrating the method used to align a bank note; Figures 6a and 6b show an alternative guide member for use with the first embodiment; Figure 7 shows a plan view of an alignment apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 shows a vertical cross-section of an alignment apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figures 9a and 9b show a plan view of an alignment apparatus of the first or third embodiment, including a pivotable barrier; and Figure 10 shows an underside view of an alternative drive mechanism for the carriages of the first or third embodiment.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the alignment apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention has an aperture 2 through which bank 1 8 notes may be inserted. The presence of a bank note in the aperture is detected by a photosensor 4 connected to a control circuit 6. In response to detection of a bank note, the control circuit sends a command signal to a flap driver 8 which opens a flap 10 which normally blocks the aperture. The flap 10 serves to protect the interior of the alignment apparatus from dust and tampering. When a bank note passes the flap 10, it passes over a pair of arrays of light sensitive elements 12 which measure the width of the bank note according to the number of light sensitive elements 12 which are occluded by the bank note. This number is detected by the control circuit 6 which evaluates the measured width.

The alignment apparatus has a pair of guide members 14 which are mounted on pivot pins 16 to a respective pair of carriages 18 positioned beneath the transport path. The carriages 18 are movable apart and together symmetrically about a vertical plane intersecting the centre line of the transport path by means of a threaded rod 20 which passes through both the carriages and is connected to a stepping motor 22 which is driven by the control circuit 6. The threaded portions of the threaded rod 20 which pass through each of the carriages are threaded in opposite senses such that rotation of the threaded rod 20 moves 9 the carriages 18 in opposite directions. The ends of the carriages 18 are guided by a fixed rod 24 located within slots 26 in the carriages 18. Thus, the carriages 18 can be driven together or apart according to the direction of rotation of the stepping motor 22 controlled by the control circuit 6.

As is best shown in Figure 3, the guide members 14 are supported at their ends downstream of the transport path by the pins 16 on the respective carriages 18 which fit into holes 28 in the guide members. Upstream of the holes 28, the guide members 14 have pins 30 which are connected to pins 32 on the respective carriages by springs 34, so that the upstream ends of the guide members 14 are biased inwardly toward the carriages 18. The inward motion of the free ends of the guide members 14 is limited by abutment of the pins 30 against indented portion 36 of the carriages 18.

However, the free ends of the guide members 14 may be held at a laterally fixed position by a latching mechanism 38 which engages pins 40 formed on the upper surfaces of the guide members 14. The latching mechanisms 38 are in the form of a pair of Lshaped latches 41 mounted for rotation on a horizontal axle 42. The latches 41 are actuated by a suitable drive means such as a solenoid 43 connected to the control circuit 6 so as to lift the latches 41 (as shown in dotted outline) and release the pins 40.

An alternative latching mechanism 38a is also shown in Figure 3, which comprises a pair of hooks 41a which engage the pins 40 and are each mounted for rotation on a respective vertical axle 42a. Rotation of the hooks 41a releases the pins 40.

The mechanism for driving the bank note 1 through the alignment apparatus is best shown in Figure 2. The drive mechanism comprises an upper belt 44 and a lower belt 46 supported and driven by respective drive pulleys 48 and 50, which are connected to the respective drive shafts 49 and 51, and idler pulleys 52 and 54. The upper and lower belts 44 and 46 are positioned respectively above and below the centre portion of the transport path with a spacing d between them as shown in Figure 4. Below the lower belt 46 is positioned an eccentric wheel 56 mounted on an axle 58 which passes through the carriages 18. As the eccentric wheel 56 rotates, it periodically presses against the lower belt 46 and reduces the spacing d between the upper and lower belts 44, 46 so as to pinch the note 1 between them. Thus, the note 1 is impelled along the transport path but is periodically released to allow the note 1 to rotate into alignment. Preferably, the eccentric wheel 56 and the drive 11 pulleys 48 and 50 are connected to a common drive motor (not shown) which may be switched on by the control circuit 6.

The operation of the alignment mechanism will now be described with reference to Figure 5a to 5g.

In the position shown in Figure 5a the carriages 18 are driven together so that the minimum separation Sa of the guide members 14 is the median width of the notes which are to be accepted. On average, this reduces the time needed to drive the carriages 18 to their correct positions when a note is inserted, since the maximum distance required is only half the maximum total travel of the carriages 18. The flap 10 is closed in this position. When a bank note 1 is introduced into the aperture 2 and is detected by the photosensor 4, the f lap 10 is opened and the note passes over the light sensitive elements 12, as shown in Figure 5b. The bank note 1 need not be inserted straight but may be skewed. Thus, the width Wb of the note 1 as measured by the light sensitive elements 12 is greater than the actual width of the note 1. The control circuit 6 evaluates the measured width and drives the stepping motor 22 to move the carriages 18 inwardly so that the minimum separation 5b of the guide members 14 is slightly greater than the measured width Wb of the note 1, to avoid jamming. However, is the auide members 14 12 the free ends of the guide members 14 are held by the engagement of the pins 40 with the latch mechanism 38 and are therefore held at maximum separation.

Next, the note 1 is gripped by the upper and lower belts 44, 46 by the action of the eccentric wheel 56 on the lower belt 46 and is driven between as shown in Figure 5c. The separation of the guide members 14 may remain fixed at this stage, or the control circuit 6 may continuously measure the width of the note 1 by means of the light sensitive elements 12 and drives the carriages 18 so that the minimum separation Sc of the guide members 14 corresponds to the measured width Wc of the note 1. To avoid jamming of the note 1 the minimum separation Sc is again set to be slightly larger than the measured width Wc of the note 1.

In this way, the note 1 is gradually rotated by the edges of the note 1 being driven against the tapered guide members 14. Then, the leading edge of the note 1 passes over one of a pair of sensors 60 located at either side of the transport path just past the inner ends of the guide members 14, as shown in Figure 5d. The minimum separation Sd may continuously be adjusted according to the measured width.

At this point, the control circuit 16 receives a signal from the sensors 60 and responds by sending a is 13 control signal to the solenoid 43. Thus, the latches 41 are rotated upwardly and release the pins 40, so that the free ends of the guide members 14 are pulled inwardly by the springs 34 until they abut the indented portion 36 of the carriages 18. The guide members 14 have now assumed a parallel configuration with a separation Se equal to the previous minimum separation Sd. In this way, the note 1 is rotated with its edges parallel to the direction of transport, as shown in Figure 5e.

The control circuit 6 then takes a final measurement of the width Wf of the note 1 and drives the carriages 18 together so that the separation Sf of the passages between the guides is exactly, or only very little greater than, the actual width of the note 1, as shown in Figure 5f. In order to calculate the correct separation Sf, the central circuit 6 may include a table of the accurate widths of the set of bank notes to be handled. The width measurement Wf is used to identify which note is present and the accurate width is read from the table, thereby overcoming any limitations in the accuracy of the arrays of light-sensitive elements 12. Thus, the note 1 is accurately centred in the transport path.

The guide members 14 are maintained in their final configuration until the note 1 has been driven 14 completely past the sensors 60. At guide members 14 are driven to separation Sg as shown in Figure 5g. In this position, the guide members 14 are laterally apart from the upper and lower belts 44 and 46. It is therefore possible to pivot the upper part of the transport mechanism, including the upper belt 44 and the idler pulley 52, about the drive shaft 49 of the drive pulley 48 in order to free a jammed note, or for servicing. The pins 40 ride under the latches 41 until they are positioned outside the latches 41 which then fall so as to engage the pins 40. If no further notes are detected by the photosensor 4, the flap 10 is closed. In any event, the apparatus then again assumes the position shown in Figure 5a.

An alternative guide member 141 for use in the first embodiment is shown in Figures 6a and 6b. The guide member 141 has a pair of LEDs 80, 82 set into its upper inner surface a small distance 8 away from its side wall. The LEDs 80, 82 are positioned towards respectively the downstream and upstream ends of the guide member 141. Photodiodes 84 and 86 are set into the lower inner surface of the guide member 141 in positions opposite the respective LEDs 80, 82 and are connected to the control circuit 6.

In a variant of the final adjustment described that point, the their maximum above with reference to Figure 5f, using the alternative guide members 141, the guide members 141 are driven together until the sides of the note 1 pass between each of the LEDs 80, 82 and the corresponding photodiodes 84 and 86, so interrupting the light falling on the photodiodes 84, 86. In response to this interruption, the control circuit 6 drives the carriages apart by a small distance until the photodiodes 84 and 86 are no longer occluded. In this way, a small clearance is automatically left between the sides of the guide members 141 and the note 1 so that the note 1 can be driven onwards without jamming. Also, the risk of crushing the note 1 between the guide members 141 is reduced since the photodiodes 84, 86 detect the proximity of the note 1 to the sides of the guide members 141.

As shown in Figure 6a, both the leading and trailing edges of the internal side wall of the guide member are chamfered. The trailing edges are chamfered so that, when the guide member 141 is in its tapered position (as for example in Figures 5a and 5d), the corners of the trailing edges do not snag the note 1.

In an alternative embodiment, the light sensitive elements 12 are dispensed with and the LEDs 80, 82 and photodiodes 84, 86 are used as the sole means for 16 measuring width. The guide members 141 are maintained in their position of maximum separation (as in Figure 5g) until at least one of the sensors 60 detects the note 1, signifying that the front edge of the note is beyond the guide members 141. The trailing edges of the guide members 141 are driven together until the photodiodes 84 on each side are occluded. Then the leading edges of the guide members 141 are released by the latch mechanism 38 and the final adjustment is carried out as described above. Alternatively the guide members 1411 may be permanently mounted in a parallel configuration on the carriages 18 without the latch mechanism 38, and the guide members 14f may be driven together until the photodiodes 84, 86 are both occluded, before the final adjustment is carried out.

In a variant of the first embodiment, only one of the guide members 14 may be pivotally mounted, while the other guide member 14 is fixed to the carriage 18 in a position parallel to the transport path.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 7. In this embodiment, like parts to those of the first embodiment are referred to using the same reference numerals. However, in this embodiment, the guide members 14 and carriages 18 are replaced by a single guide member 70 which is mounted only for lateral movement perpendicular to the 17 direction of transport of the note. Moreover, the upper belt 44 is replaced by an eccentrically mounted rubber wheel 72 which is rotatable about an axis 74 at an angle 0 relative to the lateral direction 76, 0 being between about 50 and 850 but preferably between 100 and 300. The eccentrically mounted rubber wheel 72 periodically forces the note 1 against the lower belt 46 and drives the note against the guide member 70 so that the note is aligned parallel to the direction of transport. Then, the width of the note 1 is measured by the light sensitive elements 12, which in this embodiment are preferably positioned downstream of the guide member 70. Finally, the guide member 70 is moved laterally inwardly to centre the note 1 in the document path.

The leading edges of the guide members 14 and 70 may be chamfered to facilitate the passage of the note. In an alternative to the second embodiment, the wheel 72 is mounted on the guide member 70. Preferably, the initial positions of the guide members 14, 70 are positioned laterally beyond the sides of the aperture 2 to avoid snagging the note 1 as it is inserted and to render them invisible to the user.

A third embodiment, which incorporates some features of the first and second embodiments, will now be described with reference to Figure 8.

18 In this embodiment, guide members 14a and 14b are pivotally mounted on carriages 18 as in the first embodiment. The left-hand guide member 14a carries an eccentrically mounted wheel 72 having an axis of rotation offset by a small angle 0 relative to the perpendicular width of the guide member 14a, as in the variant of the second embodiment described above. The wheel 72 is driven in antiphase to the eccentric wheel 56 so that the belts 44 and 46 are pressed together and the note 1 is driven against the guide member 14a alternately. The same motor is used to drive the eccentric wheels 56, 72 and the drive pulleys 48, 50 with the eccentric wheel 72 being connected to the motor by a drive belt. In this way, a motor need not be mounted on the guide member 14a and the inertia thereof is reduced.

The internal height of the guide member 14a tapers towards the side wall, so that the left side of the bill is prevented from crumpling when it abuts the guide member 14a. The guide member 14a has a pair of LEDs 80, 82 and photodiodes 84, 86 positioned as in the alternative guide member 141 described above. The guide member 14b has only one LED 88 and oppositely positioned photodiode 90, located approximately halfway along the guide member 14b in the direction of transport. During final alignment, the guide members 19 14a, 14b are moved together until the photodiodes 84, 86 and 90 are all occluded, and the guide members 14a, 14b are then moved apart until the photodiode 90 is just uncovered. The eccentric wheel 72 continues to drive the note 1 against the side of the guide member 14a, so that the photodiodes 84, 86 are still occluded. In this way, some separation is achieved between the note 1 and the guide member 14b, while the note 1 is positioned against the guide member 14a. In a variant of the third embodiment, the guide member 14b is dispensed with and the light sensitive elements 12 are used to judge when the bill is centred.

An additional feature which may be applied to any of the above embodiments is shown in Figures 9a and 9b. A pivotable barrier 94, which is rotatable about a vertical axis P perpendicular to the transport path, is provided downstream from the guide members 14. In Figure 9a, the note 1 is skewed and is prevented from passing too far out of the guide members 14 by the barrier 94. If a further drive mechanism is positioned just downstream of the centring device, there is a risk that the leading corner of the note 1 may be seized by the further drive mechanism before the note is aligned. The barrier 94 prevents this from occurring. Once the note is aligned, as shown in Figure 9b, the barrier 94 is then retracted below the 1 transport path and the note 1 is driven out from the guide members 14 to the further drive mechanism.

Figure 10 shows an alternative means for driving the carriages 18 of the first or third embodiments in opposite directions.

The undersides of the carriages 18 are fixed to respective points 98, 99 on opposite sides of a belt 97 or cord which is mounted on a pair of pulleys 95, 96 having vertical axes of rotation. One of the pulleys 95 is driven by a stepper motor 100 so as to drive the carriages 18 apart or together. The stepper motor 100 is controlled by the control circuit 6.

In the alternative embodiment described above in which the guide members 141 are perman ently mounted in a parallel configuration, the guide members 141 may be fixed directly to the belt 97.

The skilled person will be aware of mechanical and electronic equivalents to the parts used in the specific embodiments. Such equivalents are nevertheless considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

Although some of the above features are described in relation to a specific one of the embodiments, it will be apparent to the skilled person that compatible features from different embodiments may be used in combination.

Claims

CLAIMS:

A method of aligning a bank note, comprising: measuring a distance across the bank note; and moving a guide against the bank note by a variable distance corresponding to the measured distance so as to align the bank note.

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2. A method comprising repeating the method steps of claim 1 to achieve progressive alignment of the bank note.
3. A method of aligning a bank note, comprising:

taking a first width measurement of the bank note; moving a guide against the bank note by a variable distance according to the first width measurement so as partially to align the bank note; is rotating the guide so as to straighten the bank note; and taking a second width measurement of the bank note and moving the guide against the bank note by a variable distance according to the second width measurement so as substantially to align the bank note.
4. A method of aligning a bank note on a transport path, comprising: positioning a guide to form a tapered passage along 22 the transport path; propelling the bank note into the tapered passage; positioning the guide to form a substantially parallel passage along the bank note path; measuring a width of the bank note; and reducing the width of the substantially parallel passage to substantially the width of the bank note.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the step of positioning the guide to form a tapered passage comprises:

measuring a distance across the bank note; and positioning the guide such that the narrowest part of the tapered passage is wider than the measured distance across the bank note.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5, including, before the step of measuring the distance across the bank note, positioning the guide to form an initial tapered passage having a widest part substantially as wide as the transport path.
7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising: driving the bank note against the guide.

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8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising: detecting the proximity of the bank note to the guide and interrupting the movement of the guide in response to the proximity detection.
9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising:

after the bank note is aligned, moving the guide away from the bank note by a small distance such that the note does not contact the guide.
10. A method of aligning a bank note, comprising:

moving a guide towards the bank note so as to align the note, detecting the proximity of the bank note to a portion of the guide and interrupting the movement of the guide in response to the proximity detection.
11. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising: blocking the passage of the note past the guide until the note is aligned.
12. Apparatus for aligning a bank note on a transport path, comprising:

means for measuring a width of the bank note; 1 24 a guide for aligning the bank note; and means for moving the guide against the bank note by a variable distance according to the measured width of the bank note.
13. Apparatus for aligning a bank note on a transport path, comprising: means for propelling the note along the transport path; a guide mounted for pivotal and translational movement; means for pivoting the guide to form a tapered passage along the transport path; means for pivoting the guide to form a substantially parallel passage along the transport path; means for measuring a width of the note; and means for translating the guide to reduce the width of the substantially parallel passage to substantially the width of the note.
14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the pivoting means pivots the guide to form a tapered passage having a narrowest part wider than a measured width of the note.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the guide includes a guide member positioned on one side of the transport path, and pivotally mounted on a carriage movable laterally with respect to the transport path.
16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the guide member is elongate and has a first end upstream on the transport path and a second end downstream on the transport path and is pivotally mounted adjacent said second end.
17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first end of the guide member is biased to a position substantially parallel to the transport path, and the apparatus includes latch means for holding the first end of the guide member against the biasing force to form the tapered passage.
18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first end of the guide member is connected to the carriage by a resilient member and includes abutment means for abutting the carriage when the guide member is substantially parallel to the transport path.
19. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein the guide comprises a pair of said guide members positioned on opposite sides of the transport path, the 26 carriages being movable in respectively opposite lateral directions.
20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, including a threaded rod which engages corresponding portions of the carriages with respectively opposite threads, such that rotation of said rod moves the carriages in respectively opposite lateral directions.
21. Appartus as claimed in claim 19, including a flexible endless member extending between a pair of pulleys, the carriages being connected to respectively opposite sides of the endless member, such that the carriages are moved in respectively opposite lateral directions when the endless member is driven around the pair of pulleys.
22. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 21, including sensing means for sensing when the note is positioned within the guide, the pivoting means being operable to pivot the guide to form the substantially parallel passage in response to the sensing means.
23. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 22, wherein the guide includes means for detecting the proximity of the note to the guide and means for a is 27 interrupting the movement of the guide in response to the proximity detecting means.
24. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 23, wherein the guide includes a longitudinal recess having a tapered cross-section arranged to receive a side of the note.
25. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein the propelling means is arranged intermittently to grip the note so as to propel the note along the transport path.
26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the propelling means comprises an upper and a lower belt and means for urging the upper and lower belts together intermittently to grip the note.
27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the urging means comprises an eccentrically mounted rotatable member arranged intermittently to abut one of the upper and lower belts.
28. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 27, further comprising:

means for driving the note against the guide.

1 28
29. Apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein the driving means comprises a rotatable member which is eccentrically mounted so as intermittently to contact the note.
30. Apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the rotatable member is mounted on the guide.
31. Apparatus as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30, wherein the rotatable member is rotatable about an axis disposed at an angle to the lateral direction of the transport path.
32. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 31 when dependent on claim 13, wherein the propelling means and the driving means have a common motor.
33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 32 when dependent on claim 25, wherein the propelling means is arranged to grip the note and the driving means is arranged to drive the note alternately.
34. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 33, further including a retractable barrier positioned beyond the guide on the transport path, and means for retracting the barrier when the note is aligned.

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35. Apparatus as claimed in claim 34, wherein the retractable barrier is pivotally mounted about an axis substantially perpendicular to the transport path.
36. Apparatus for aligning a bank note comprising:

guide arranged to align the bank note; retractable barrier arranged to prevent the bank note from being transported from the guide; and means for retracting the barrier when the bank note is aligned.
37. Apparatus as claimed in claim 36, wherein the retractable barrier is pivotally mounted about an axis substantially perpendicular to a path along which the note is transported.
38. Apparatus for aligning a bank note, comprising: a guide having a proximity detector arranged to detect the proximity of the note to the guide; and means for moving the guide towards the note until the proximity detector detects the proximity of the note.
39. Apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein the moving means is arranged subsequently to move the guide away from the note until the proximity thereof is no 1 longer detected.
40. A method of aligning a bank note, comprising: receiving the note through an aperture; blocking the aperture when the note has passed through the aperture; and moving a guide so as to align the note; wherein the guide includes a first portion adjacent the aperture, said first portion being moved only when the aperture is blocked.
41. A method as claimed in claim 40, wherein the guide includes a second portion remote from the aperture and wherein the second portion is moved partially to align the note while the note is received through the aperture.
42. A method as claimed in claim 41, wherein the guide comprises a pivotally mounted elongate guide member having opposite ends comprising said first and second portions, and the step of moving the guide member comprises rotating the second portion about the first portion when the aperture is open and rotating the first portion about the second portion when the aperture is blocked.

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43. Apparatus for aligning a bank note, comprising an aperture for receiving the note; a guide positioned behind the aperture and having a portion adjacent the aperture; a barrier movable to block the aperture; means for moving the barrier to block the aperture when the note is located past the barrier, and means for actuating at least the portion of the guide adjacent the aperture only when the aperture is blocked.
44. Apparatus as claimed in claim 43, wherein the guide includes an elongate guide member having a first end adjacent to the aperture and a second end remote from and substantially not visible through the aperture, the guide member being pivotally mounted such that the is second end is laterally movable while the first end is laterally fixed.
45. Apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein the first end is laterally movable when the aperture is blocked.
46. A method substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 5a to 5g of the accompanying drawings.
47. A method substantially as herein described with 1 32 reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.
48. A method substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 9a and 9b of the accompanying drawings.
49. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
50. A device substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 6a and 6b of the accompanying drawings.
51. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.
52. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.
53. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 49, 51 and 52, substantially as further herein described with reference to Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.
54. An apparatus as claimed in claim 49 or claim 52, substantially as further herein described with reference 33 to Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.