U.S. patent application number 12/733335 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-19 for paper sheet handling machine.
Invention is credited to Manabu Hirano, Fumiaki Koga, Tomoyasu Sato, Toshihiko Suzuki.
Application Number | 20100207319 12/733335 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40386816 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100207319 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sato; Tomoyasu ; et
al. |
August 19, 2010 |
PAPER SHEET HANDLING MACHINE
Abstract
The present invention provides a paper sheet handling machine 1
configured to take therein paper sheets from the exterior and then
storing the paper sheets in the interior thereof. This paper sheet
handling machine 1 includes storage spaces 30p, 40p respectively
provided therein. Each storage space 30p, 40p is configured to
store therein the paper sheets taken in the machine 1 from the
exterior, in a stacked condition. Further, the paper sheet handling
machine 1 includes stacking units 30, 40, each having an opening
provided in one side face thereof for allowing the paper sheets
stored in each storage space 30p, 40p to be taken out, and a
transport unit 20 configured to transport the paper sheets taken in
the machine 1 from the exterior, toward each of the stacking units
30, 40. In addition, pushing units, each configured to push the
paper sheets stored in each storage space 30p, 40p of the stacking
unit 30 or 40 toward the opening, are provided to the paper sheet
handling machine 1.
Inventors: |
Sato; Tomoyasu; (Tokyo-To,
JP) ; Suzuki; Toshihiko; (Tokyo-To, JP) ;
Koga; Fumiaki; (Tokyo-To, JP) ; Hirano; Manabu;
(Saitama-Ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RENNER KENNER GREIVE BOBAK TAYLOR & WEBER
FIRST NATIONAL TOWER, SUITE 400, 106 SOUTH MAIN STREET
AKRON
OH
44308-1412
US
|
Family ID: |
40386816 |
Appl. No.: |
12/733335 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
August 30, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2007/066916 |
371 Date: |
February 24, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/145 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2301/4213 20130101;
B65H 29/40 20130101; B65H 33/08 20130101; B65H 2301/42264 20130101;
G07D 11/50 20190101; B65H 31/3081 20130101; B65H 31/02 20130101;
B65H 2701/1912 20130101; B65H 2301/4212 20130101; B65H 2405/11151
20130101; B65H 2301/4219 20130101; B65H 2601/2611 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/145 |
International
Class: |
B65H 1/00 20060101
B65H001/00 |
Claims
1. A paper sheet handling machine, which is configured to take
paper sheets therein from the exterior and then store the paper
sheets in the interior thereof, and comprises: a stacking unit
having a storage space provided therein and an opening formed in a
side face thereof, the storage space being configured to store
therein the paper sheets taken in the machine from the exterior,
while the opening is configured to allow the paper sheets stored in
the storage space to be taken out therethrough; a transport unit
configured to transport the paper sheets taken in the machine from
the exterior, toward the stacking unit; and a pushing unit
configured to push the paper sheets stored in the storage space of
the stacking unit, toward the opening.
2. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 1, wherein
the stacking units are provided in a plural number, while the
pushing units are also provided in the plural number, corresponding
to the respective stacking units.
3. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 1, further
comprising: a first detector provided to the transport unit and
configured to detect each paper sheet transported by the transport
unit; and a control unit configured to control the pushing unit,
wherein the control unit controls the pushing unit to push the
paper sheets stored in the storage space of the stacking unit
toward the opening, in the case the first detector detects that a
predetermined number of paper sheets are fed to the stacking
unit.
4. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 1, further
comprising the control unit configured to control the pushing unit,
wherein the control unit controls the pushing unit to push the
paper sheets stored in the storage space of the stacking unit
toward the opening, in the case the number of the paper sheets
stored in the stacking unit reaches a predetermined maximum storage
number assigned to the stacking unit.
5. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 3, further
comprising a second detector provided to the stacking unit and
configured to detect whether or not the paper sheets are stored in
the storage space of the stacking unit, wherein the control unit is
configured to control the pushing unit as well as control the
transport unit, and wherein the control unit controls the pushing
unit and transport unit to interrupt the transportation of the
paper sheets by the transport unit, in the case the first detector
detects that the predetermined number of paper sheets are fed to
the stacking unit, while controlling the pushing unit and transport
unit to restart the transportation of the paper sheets by the
transport unit, in the case the second detector detects that the
paper sheets, which have been pushed toward the opening by the
pushing unit in the stacking unit, are taken out from the stacking
unit.
6. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 3, wherein
the control unit is configured to control the pushing unit as well
as control the transport unit, and wherein the control unit
controls the pushing unit and transport unit to interrupt the
transportation of the paper sheets by the transport unit, in the
case the first detector detects that the predetermined number of
paper sheets are fed to the stacking unit, while controlling the
pushing unit and transport unit to restart the transportation of
the paper sheets by the transport unit, after the paper sheets are
pushed toward the opening by the pushing unit in the stacking unit,
thereby newly feeding the paper sheets onto a top face of the paper
sheets that have been pushed toward the opening.
7. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 1, further
comprising the control unit configured to control the pushing unit,
wherein the control unit controls the pushing unit to push the
paper sheets stored in the storage space of the stacking unit
toward the opening, in the case the transportation of the paper
sheets to the stacking unit by the transport unit is ended.
8. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 1, wherein
the storage space provided in the stacking unit is composed of a
space surrounded by a bottom face and one or more side faces of the
stacking unit, wherein one of the side faces has a stacking wheel
attached thereto, the stacking wheel being configured to stack each
paper sheet fed to the stacking unit from the transport unit, in
the storage space, and wherein the bottom face constituting the
storage space is downwardly inclined toward the one side face
having the stacking wheel attached thereto.
9. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 1, wherein
the storage space provided in the stacking unit is composed of the
space surrounded by the bottom face and one or more side faces of
the stacking unit, and wherein a cut-out portion is formed in the
bottom face, at one edge thereof on the side of the opening of the
stacking unit.
10. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 1, wherein
the pushing unit includes a pushing member configured to contact
with the paper sheets stored in the storage space of the stacking
unit and then push the paper sheets toward the opening, and a
pushing member driving mechanism configured to drive the pushing
member toward the opening.
11. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 10, wherein
the pushing member can be reciprocated between a retracted position
in which the pushing member is evacuated from the paper sheets
while the paper sheets are stacked in the storage space and a
pushing position in which the pushing member approaches the opening
from the retracted position, and wherein the pushing member waits
in the retracted position during a period of time in which the
paper sheets are stacked in the stacking unit, while pushing the
paper sheets stored in the storage space toward the opening, when
the pushing member is moved from the retracted position to the
pushing position.
12. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 11, wherein
when in the retracted position, the pushing member constitutes a
rear side face of the storage space of the stacking unit, and
wherein the pushing member is comb-shaped to be meshed with the
other side face and bottom face constituting together the storage
space of the stacking unit.
13. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 10, wherein
the pushing member is configured so that the paper sheets can be
stacked on a top face of the pushing member, and the paper sheets
stacked on the pushing member can be moved together with the
pushing member, and wherein the pushing member is comb-shaped to be
meshed with the side face constituting the storage space of the
stacking unit.
14. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 13, wherein
the pushing unit includes a plurality of third detectors, each
configured to detect the position of the pushing member, and
wherein the pushing member driving mechanism can stop the pushing
member in a plurality of positions, based on each detection
information obtained from the third detectors.
15. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 1, wherein
the opening of the stacking unit is provided, such that the
direction in which the paper sheets are taken out from the opening
can be substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the paper
sheets are fed to the stacking unit from the transport unit.
16. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 15, wherein
the direction in which the paper sheets are fed to the stacking
unit from the transport unit corresponds to the short-edge
direction of each paper sheet.
17. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 15, wherein
the direction in which the paper sheets are fed to the stacking
unit from the transport unit corresponds to the long-edge direction
of each paper sheet.
18. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 1, wherein
the stacking unit further includes a paper sheet arranging member
configured to contact with each edge of the paper sheets pushed
toward the opening by the pushing member, thereby arranging the
edges of the respective paper sheets.
19. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 18, wherein
the paper sheet arranging member can be moved in the direction in
which the paper sheets are taken out from the stacking unit.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a paper sheet handling
machine which can take paper sheets therein from the exterior and
then store them in the interior thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the past, a banknote handling machine, which can store
therein banknotes deposited from a customer, while sorting them,
for each denomination of banknotes, has been known. In the banknote
handling machine of this type, the banknotes are first received in
a hopper upon a deposit operation for the banknotes, and then the
banknotes received in the hopper are fed into the banknote handling
machine, one by one, by a banknote feeding unit.
[0003] Thereafter, the banknotes fed in the banknote handling
machine are detected, respectively, by a recognition unit provided
to a transport path, in regard to the fitness, authenticity,
denomination, orientation, face/back, transported condition and the
like. Then, the banknotes that cannot be recognized by the
recognition unit (e.g., damaged unfit banknotes or the like) and/or
banknotes that have been excluded from the banknotes to be stored
in each stacking unit, because of their abnormal transported
condition (e.g., an obliquely transported condition or the like),
even after they have been sufficiently recognized, will be fed to a
reject unit provided in the banknote handling machine.
[0004] Meanwhile, the banknotes judged to be stored in the banknote
handling machine by the recognition unit are sorted, for example,
for each denomination thereof, based on each recognition result of
the recognition unit, and then fed selectively to each stacking
unit corresponding to the denomination. As a result, the banknotes
are stored in each stacking unit in a stacked state. In this way,
the banknotes received in the hopper of the banknote handling
machine can be sorted for each denomination thereof and then stored
in the banknote handling machine.
[0005] For instance, the banknote handling machine as described
above is disclosed in JP2002-74464A.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0006] However, in the case of the conventional banknote handling
machine as disclosed in JP2002-74464A, the banknotes fed into each
stacking unit from the transport path are stacked in a relatively
rearward portion of the stacking unit. Therefore, an operator
cannot readily take out such banknotes stacked in the stacking
unit. In particular, in the case the banknotes, each having a
relatively small long-edge size, such as euro banknotes or the
like, are stored in the banknote handling machine, it is rather
difficult for the operator to confirm the stacked condition of such
banknotes with eyes. Therefore, in such a case, some banknotes may
be left in the stacking unit, without being taken out by the
operator.
[0007] Additionally, in the aforementioned conventional banknote
handling machine, when a portion of the banknotes are stored in one
stacking unit in an abnormal stacked condition, more specifically,
when a portion of the banknotes are stored in the stacking unit in
a standing state, there is a risk that only a batch of the
banknotes in the normal stacked condition may be taken out, while
the portion of the banknotes stored in such an abnormal condition
are still left in the stacking unit.
[0008] The present invention was made in light of the above
problem. Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide the
paper sheet handling machine, which can facilitate to take out the
paper sheets by pushing the paper sheets stored in the rearward
portion of each stacking unit toward an opening of the stacking
unit, as well as can prevent the paper sheets stored in the
stacking unit in the abnormal stacked condition from being left in
the stacking unit, without being taken out therefrom, by also
pushing such paper sheets stored in the abnormal stacked condition
in the stacking unit toward the opening thereof.
[0009] A paper sheet handling machine of the present invention,
which is configured to take paper sheets therein from the exterior
and then store the paper sheets in the interior thereof, and
comprises: a stacking unit having a storage space provided therein
and an opening formed in a side face thereof, the storage space
being configured to store therein the paper sheets taken in the
machine from the exterior, while the opening being configured to
allow the paper sheets stored in the storage space to be taken out
therethrough; a transport unit configured to transport the paper
sheets taken in the machine from the exterior, toward the stacking
unit; and a pushing unit configured to push the paper sheets stored
in the storage space of the stacking unit, toward the opening.
[0010] According to the above paper sheet handling machine, the
paper sheets stored in the relatively rearward portion of the
storage space of the stacking unit in a stacked state or standing
state can be pushed toward the opening of the stacking unit (or
pushed forward when seen on the operator side) by the pushing unit.
Therefore, the operator can readily take out the paper sheets
stored in the storage space of the stacking unit. Please note that
the direction in which the paper sheets are pushed by the pushing
unit may be substantially horizontal direction, obliquely upward or
obliquely downward. Furthermore, the paper sheets stored in the
stacking unit in the abnormal stacked condition, more specifically,
the paper sheets stored in the stacking unit in the standing state,
can also be pushed toward the opening of the stacking unit. Thus,
the above paper sheet handling machine can securely prevent the
paper sheets stored in the abnormal stacked condition from being
left in the stacking unit, without being taken out by the
operator.
[0011] In the paper sheet handling machine of the present
invention, it is preferred that the stacking units are provided in
a plural number, while the pushing units are also provided in the
plural number, corresponding to the respective stacking units.
According to this paper sheet handling machine, the paper sheets
can be stored in the respective stacking units, while being sorted
for each kind thereof, e.g., for each denomination thereof.
[0012] In the paper sheet handling machine of the present
invention, it is preferred that the paper sheet handling machine
further comprises a first detector provided to the transport unit
and configured to detect each paper sheet transported by the
transport unit; and a control unit configured to control the
pushing unit, and the control unit controls the pushing unit to
push the paper sheets stored in the storage space of the stacking
unit toward the opening, in the case the first detector detects
that a predetermined number of paper sheets are fed to the stacking
unit. According to this paper sheet handling machine, the operator
can take out the paper sheets from the storage unit, for each batch
of the predetermined number of paper sheets.
[0013] In the paper sheet handling machine of the present
invention, it is preferred that the paper sheet handling machine
further comprises the control unit configured to control the
pushing unit, and the control unit controls the pushing unit to
push the paper sheets stored in the storage space of the stacking
unit toward the opening, in the case the number of the paper sheets
stored in the stacking unit reaches a predetermined maximum storage
number assigned to the stacking unit. According to this paper sheet
handling machine, when the paper sheets can no longer be stored in
the stacking unit, the paper sheets stored in the storage space are
pushed toward the opening of the stacking unit. Thus, the operator
can take out the batch of paper sheets corresponding to the maximum
storage number assigned to the storage unit.
[0014] In the paper sheet handling machine of the present
invention, it is preferred that the paper sheet handling machine
further comprises a second detector provided to the stacking unit
and configured to detect whether or not the paper sheets are stored
in the storage space of the stacking unit, the control unit is
configured to control the pushing unit as well as control the
transport unit, and the control unit controls the pushing unit and
transport unit to interrupt the transportation of the paper sheets
by the transport unit, in the case the first detector detects that
the predetermined number of paper sheets is fed to the stacking
unit, while controlling the pushing unit and transport unit to
restart the transportation of the paper sheets by the transport
unit, in the case the second detector detects that the paper
sheets, which have been pushed toward the opening by the pushing
unit in the stacking unit, are taken out from the stacking unit.
According to this paper sheet handling machine, the operator can
take out the paper sheets from the stacking unit, for each batch of
the predetermined number of paper sheets. Besides, the storage of
the paper sheets into the stacking unit can be automatically
restarted, after the operator takes out the batch of paper sheets
from the stacking unit.
[0015] In the paper sheet handling machine of the present
invention, it is preferred that the control unit is configured to
control the pushing unit as well as control the transport unit, and
the control unit controls the pushing unit and transport unit to
interrupt the transportation of the paper sheets by the transport
unit, in the case the first detector detects that the predetermined
number of paper sheets are fed to the stacking unit, while
controlling the pushing unit and transport unit to restart the
transportation of the paper sheets by the transport unit, after the
paper sheets are pushed toward the opening by the pushing unit in
the stacking unit, thereby newly feeding the paper sheets onto a
top face of the paper sheets that have been pushed toward the
opening. According to this paper sheet handling machine, the paper
sheets can be shifted in position, in the stacking unit, for each
batch of the predetermined number of paper sheets. Therefore, the
operator can take out the paper sheets from the stacking unit, for
each batch of the predetermined number of paper sheets.
[0016] In the paper sheet handling machine of the present
invention, it is preferred that the paper sheet handling machine
further comprises the control unit configured to control the
pushing unit, and the control unit controls the pushing unit to
push the paper sheets stored in the storage space of the stacking
unit toward the opening, in the case the transportation of the
paper sheets to the stacking unit by the transport unit is ended.
According to this paper sheet handling machine, the operator can
take out the batch of paper sheets from the stacking unit, after
the completion of the transportation of the paper sheets to the
stacking unit.
[0017] In the paper sheet handling machine of the present
invention, it is preferred that the storage space provided in the
stacking unit is composed of a space surrounded by a bottom face
and one or more side faces of the stacking unit, one of the side
faces has a stacking wheel attached thereto, the stacking wheel
being configured to stack each paper sheet fed to the stacking unit
from the transport unit, in the storage space, and the bottom face
constituting the storage space is downwardly inclined toward the
one side face having the stacking wheel attached thereto. According
to this paper sheet handling machine, since the bottom face
constituting the storage space is inclined, the batch of the paper
sheets can be stacked in the stacking unit in the situation that
the paper sheets are inclined on the bottom face. Thus, each edge
of the paper sheets can be well arranged along one side face to
which the stacking unit is attached.
[0018] In the paper sheet handling machine of the present
invention, it is preferred that the storage space provided in the
stacking unit is composed of the space surrounded by the bottom
face and one or more side faces of the stacking unit, and a cut-out
portion is formed in the bottom face, at one edge thereof on the
side of the opening of the stacking unit. According to this paper
sheet handling machine, the batch of the paper sheets pushed toward
the opening by the pushing unit can be readily taken out by the
operator, while the fingers or the like of the operator are
inserted in the cut-out portion provided at the edge formed in the
bottom face and provided on the side of the opening of the stacking
unit.
[0019] In the paper sheet handling machine of the present
invention, it is preferred that the pushing unit includes a pushing
member configured to contact with the paper sheets stored in the
storage space of the stacking unit and then push the paper sheets
toward the opening, and a pushing member driving mechanism
configured to drive the pushing member toward the opening.
[0020] In this case, it is further preferred that the pushing
member can be reciprocated between a retracted position in which
the pushing member is evacuated from the paper sheets while the
paper sheets are stacked in the storage space and a pushing
position in which the pushing member approaches the opening from
the retracted position, and the pushing member waits in the
retracted position during a period of time in which the paper
sheets are stacked in the stacking unit, while pushing the paper
sheets stored in the storage space toward the opening, when the
pushing member is moved from the retracted position to the pushing
position. According to this paper sheet handling machine, due to
the movement of the pushing member from the retracted position to
the pushing position, the paper sheets stored in the storage space
of the stacking unit can be pushed toward the opening.
[0021] In the paper sheet handling machine of the present
invention, it is preferred that when in the retracted position, the
pushing member constitutes a rear side face of the storage space of
the stacking unit, and the pushing member is comb-shaped to be
meshed with the other side face and bottom face constituting
together the storage space of the stacking unit. According to this
paper sheet handling machine, it is possible to securely prevent
the paper sheets stored in the storage space from getting into a
gap between the side face or bottom face constituting the storage
space, and the pushing member, thus avoiding occurrence of jam of
such paper sheets and other like trouble in the stacking unit.
[0022] In the paper sheet handling machine of the present
invention, it is preferred that the pushing member is configured so
that the paper sheets can be stacked on a top face of the pushing
member, and the paper sheets stacked on the pushing-member can be
moved together with the pushing member, and the pushing member is
comb-shaped to be meshed with the side face constituting the
storage space of the stacking unit. According to this paper sheet
handling machine, when the paper sheets are stacked on the top face
of the pushing member, these paper sheets can be moved toward the
opening. In addition, it is possible to securely prevent the paper
sheets stored in the storage space from getting into a gap between
the side face constituting the storage space and the pushing
member, thus avoiding occurrence of jam of such paper sheets and
other like trouble in the stacking unit.
[0023] In the paper sheet handling machine of the present
invention, it is preferred that the pushing unit includes a
plurality of third detectors, each configured to detect the
position of the pushing member, and the pushing member driving
mechanism can stop the pushing member in a plurality of positions,
based on each detection information obtained from the third
detectors. In this case, the pushing member can be stopped in the
plurality of positions. Thus, the paper sheets stacked on the
pushing member can also be stopped in the plurality of positions.
Therefore, the paper sheets can be shifted in position, for each
batch of the predetermined number of paper sheets, thus enabling
the operator to take out the paper sheets, for each batch of the
predetermined number of paper sheets, from the stacking unit.
[0024] In the paper sheet handling machine of the present
invention, it is preferred that the opening of the stacking unit is
provided, such that the direction in which the paper sheets are
taken out from the opening can be substantially orthogonal to the
direction in which the paper sheets are fed to the stacking unit
from the transport unit.
[0025] In this case, the direction in which the paper sheets are
fed to the stacking unit from the transport unit may correspond to
the short-edge direction of each paper sheet.
[0026] Otherwise, the direction in which the paper sheets are fed
to the stacking unit from the transport unit may correspond to the
long-edge direction of each paper sheet.
[0027] In the paper sheet handling machine of the present
invention, it is preferred that the stacking unit further includes
a paper sheet arranging member configured to contact with each edge
of the paper sheets pushed toward the opening by the pushing
member, thereby arranging the edges of the respective paper sheets.
According to this paper sheet handling machine, the paper sheet
arranging member can readily arrange the edge of each paper sheet
pushed toward the opening of the stacking unit by the pushing
unit.
[0028] In the above paper sheet handling machine, it is further
preferred that the paper sheet arranging member can be moved in the
direction in which the paper sheets are taken out from the stacking
unit. According to this paper sheet handling machine, the operator
can readily take out each batch of the paper sheets forward from
the stacking unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing external appearance of
the banknote handling machine (or paper sheet handling machine)
related to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a front view of the banknote handling machine
shown in FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a cross section of the banknote handling machine,
the cross section being taken along a line A-A depicted in FIG. 2
and illustrating the pushing member of the pushing unit located in
the retracted position.
[0032] FIG. 4 is another cross section of the paper sheet handling
machine, the cross section being also taken along the line A-A
depicted in FIG. 2 and illustrating the pushing member of the
pushing unit located in the pushing position.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing internal construction of
the banknote handling machine shown in FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the construction of one
stacking unit of the banknote handling machine shown in FIG. 1, in
which the pushing member of the pushing unit is in the retracted
position (i.e., this drawing is related to FIG. 3).
[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the construction of one
stacking unit of the banknote handling machine shown in FIG. 1, in
which the pushing member of the pushing unit is in the pushing
position (i.e., this drawing is related to FIG. 4).
[0036] FIG. 8 is a top view showing the construction of one pushing
unit when the pushing member of the pushing unit is in the
retracted position as shown in FIG. 6.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a top view showing the construction of one pushing
unit when the pushing member of the pushing unit is in the pushing
position as shown in FIG. 7.
[0038] FIG. 10 is an illustration showing a series of operations
when the banknotes are stored in one stacking unit.
[0039] FIG. 11 is an illustration of the banknote handling machine
related to one variation of the present invention, the illustration
showing another series of operations when the banknotes are stored
in one stacking unit.
[0040] FIG. 12 is an illustration showing the construction of one
stacking unit of the banknote handling machine related to another
variation of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 13 is an illustration showing the construction of the
banknote handling machine related to still another variation
provided with a dust collector.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, one
example, in which the paper sheet handling machine of this
invention is used as the banknote handling machine adapted for
handling the banknotes, is described. However, it should be
appreciated that paper sheets (e.g., checks) other than the
banknotes can also be applied to the object handled by the paper
sheet handling machine of this invention.
[0043] First of all, the general construction of the banknote
handling machine of this embodiment will be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 through 5, especially FIGS. 1 and 5.
[0044] The perspective view of FIG. 1 shows the external appearance
of the banknote handling machine 1 of this embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 1, the banknote handling machine 1 comprises a casing 92
having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, a hopper
11, a first stacking unit (or first stacker) 30, a second stacking
unit (or second stacker) 40 and a reject unit 50.
[0045] FIG. 5 schematically shows the internal construction of the
banknote handling machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, and particularly
illustrates a transport system and a sensor system of the banknote
handling machine 1. As shown in FIG. 5, a transport unit 20 is
provided in the casing 92 of the banknote handling machine 1. In
this case, the transport unit 20 can serve to successively
transport the banknotes, one by one, in the casing 92. In addition,
a control unit 90 is provided in the banknote handling machine 1,
wherein this control unit 90 can serve to control the transport
unit 20, pushing member driving mechanism 45 that will be described
later, diverters 60, 62 and the like.
[0046] Now, each component of the banknote handling machine 1 as
constructed above will be described in more detail.
[0047] The hopper 11 is configured, such that a plurality of
banknotes can be placed thereon, in the stacked condition, by the
operator. In this case, the banknotes stored in the hopper 11 can
be fed into the casing 92 of the banknote handling machine 1, one
by one, by a banknote feeding unit 10.
[0048] The banknote feeding unit 10 includes a feed roller 12
adapted for feeding out each banknote, a gate roller (or
reverse-rotation roller) 14 provided to be opposed to the feed
roller 12 and configured to form a gate part between the feed
roller 12 and this gate roller 14, and kicker rollers 16, 18, each
adapted for kicking out the banknotes stored in the hopper 11
toward the feed roller 12. While FIG. 5 shows one example, in which
the kicker rollers 16, 18 are arranged in two in a longitudinal
direction, the arrangement of the kicker roller is not limited to
this example. For instance, only one kicker roller (e.g., only the
kicker roller 16) may be provided in the banknote handling machine
1. In either case, the banknotes taken in the casing 92 by the
banknote feeding unit 10 can be transported by the transport unit
20.
[0049] The transport unit 20 includes an upper transport mechanism
22 extending in a substantially horizontal direction, a lower
transport mechanism 24 extending in the substantially horizontal
direction below the upper transport mechanism 22, and an
intermediate transport mechanism 26 provided between the upper
transport mechanism 22 and the lower transport mechanism 24. As
shown in FIG. 5, the transport unit 20 composed of the respective
transport mechanisms 22, 24, 26 has a substantially U-like shape on
the whole. In this case, the banknotes taken in the casing 92 by
the banknote feeding unit 10 can be transported, one by one, by the
upper transport mechanism 22, intermediate transport mechanism 26
and lower transport mechanism 24, in this order. The upper
transport mechanism 22, intermediate transport mechanism 26 and
lower transport mechanism 24 are respectively composed of a
combination of belt transport mechanisms. Specifically, each belt
transport mechanism is composed of a pair of or three or more
rollers and a belt, e.g., a rubber belt, provided over the
rollers.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, a recognition unit 28 is provided along
the upper transport mechanism 22 of the transport unit 20. The
recognition unit 28 can serve to detect the fitness, authenticity,
denomination, orientation, face/back, transported condition and the
like of each banknote transported by the upper transport mechanism
22. As used herein, the term "detect the transported condition"
means to detect "whether or not the banknotes are transported
obliquely," "whether or not the banknotes are transported in an
overlapped condition," "whether or not the banknotes are
transported in a chained condition" or the like. Each recognition
result of the recognition unit 28 can be transmitted to the control
unit 90.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, two stacking units 30, 40 are further
arranged, in parallel with each other, below the lower transport
mechanism 24 of the transport unit 20. Each of the stacking units
30, 40 is configured to store therein, in the stacked condition,
the banknotes that have been taken in the casing 92 and then judged
to be normal ones by the recognition unit 28. As shown in FIG. 1,
the banknotes stacked in each stacking unit 30, 40 can be
optionally taken out by the operator. It is noted that the
construction of each stacking unit 30, 40 will be detailed
later.
[0052] In this embodiment, rotary stacking wheels 32, 42 are
provided to the first and second stacking units 30, 40,
respectively. Each stacking wheel 32, 42 has a function for first
receiving each banknote released from each diversion line 33, 43
toward each stacking unit 30, 40, in a space provided between each
adjacent pair of vanes 32a or 42a of the wheel 32, 42, then
rotating to allow the banknote to be stored in each stacking unit
30, 40, with the orientation and/or position of the banknote
appropriately arranged. Each stacking wheel 32, 42 is attached to a
side wall 30a, 40a of each stacking unit 30, 40 that will be
described later, and configured to be rotated in an
counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 2 and 5, about a shaft
extending in a direction in which the banknotes are taken out from
the stacking unit 30 or 40 (direction orthogonal to the sheet of
FIG. 2 or 5).
[0053] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, two diverters 60, 62 are
provided, in series, along the lower transport mechanism 24. Each
diverter 60, 62 has, for example, a nail-like shape, and serves to
divert a portion of the banknotes transported by the lower
transport mechanism 24, from the lower transport mechanism 24
toward each diversion line 33, 43. The diversion lines 33, 43 are
connected with the first and second stacking units 30, 40,
respectively. Thus, the banknotes diverted from the lower transport
mechanism 24 by the diverters 60, 62 can be fed into the first and
second stacking units 30, 40, via the diversion lines 33, 43,
respectively.
[0054] At a downstream end of the lower transport mechanism 24, a
release roller 54 for feeding out each banknote and an opposite
roller 56 positioned to be opposed to the release roller 54 are
provided. With this configuration, each banknote fed to the
downstream end of the lower transport mechanism 24 can be released
from a gap between the release roller 54 and the opposite roller
56. Thereafter, each banknote released by the two rollers 54, 56
can be stacked, one on another, in the reject unit 50, by a rotary
rubber vane wheel 55 provided in the vicinity of the release roller
54 and adapted for beating the banknote. This configuration can
facilitate the stacking operation for the rejected banknotes in the
reject unit 50, because a rear edge of each banknote released from
the gap between the release roller 54 and the opposite roller 56
can be properly beaten by the rotary rubber vane wheel 55
configured for beating the banknote.
[0055] Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a stopper 52 is provided
to the reject unit 50. This stopper 52 can serve to prevent each
banknote, which has been released from the gap between the release
roller 54 and the opposite roller 56, from getting out from the
reject unit 50 to the outside of the casing 92. This stopper 52 can
be rotated by hand in a clockwise direction in FIG. 5. Therefore,
by rotating the stopper 52 by hand in the clockwise direction in
FIG. 5, the operator can optionally take out the banknotes stored
in the reject unit 50.
[0056] Next, the sensor system of the banknote handling machine 1
will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, a sensor 70 for detecting
whether or not the banknotes are placed on the hopper 11 is
provided to the banknote feeding unit 10. Further, another sensor
71 is provided to an inlet of the upper transport mechanism 22 in
the transport unit 20. This sensor 71 can serve to detect that the
respective banknotes are securely taken in the casing 92. Still
another sensor 72 is composed of a transparent sensor constituting
a part of the recognition unit 28. This sensor 72 can serve to
detect the denomination, authenticity or the like of each banknote,
based on the light transmittance.
[0057] Sensors 73, 74, 75 are arranged in series along the lower
transport mechanism 24 in the transport unit 20, respectively,
while the diverters 60, 62 are located between the sensors 73, 74
and between the sensors 74, 75, respectively. The sensor 73 is
located on the upstream side relative to the diverter 60 and serves
to detect all of the banknotes transported by the lower transport
mechanism 24. Meanwhile, the sensor 74 is located on the downstream
side relative to the diverter 60 and serves to detect only the
banknotes that are not diverted by the diverter 60, from among the
banknotes transported by the lower transport mechanism 24. The
sensor 75 is located on the downstream side relative to the
diverter 62, and serves to detect only the banknotes that are not
diverted by the diverter 62, from among the banknotes transported
by the lower transport mechanism 24.
[0058] Furthermore, sensors 76, 77 are provided to the diversion
lines 33, 43, respectively. These sensors 76, 77 can serve to
detect the banknotes respectively diverted from the lower transport
mechanism 24 and fed to the diversion lines 33, 43,
respectively.
[0059] Additionally, sensors 78, 79 are provided to middle parts of
the first and second stacking units 30, 40, respectively. These
sensors 78, 79 can serve to detect that the banknotes are stacked
in each stacking unit 30, 40, in an abnormal state, such as a
standing state or the like, respectively. Furthermore, sensors 80,
81 are provided to lower parts of the first and second stacking
units 30, 40, respectively. These sensors 80, 81 can serve to
detect whether or not the banknotes are stored in the stacking
units 30, 40, respectively. In addition, a sensor 82 is provided to
the reject unit 50. This sensor 82 can serve to detect whether or
not the banknotes are stored in the reject unit 50.
[0060] Each of the above sensors 70 to 82 is connected with the
control unit 90, so that detection results of these sensors 70 to
can be directly transmitted to the control unit 90,
respectively.
[0061] The control unit 90 can serve to control the banknote
feeding unit 10, respective transport mechanisms 22, 24, 26 of the
transport unit 20, pushing member driving mechanism 45 that will be
described later, respective diverters 60, 62 and the like, based on
the detection result about each banknote transmitted from the
respective sensors 70 to 82 as well as on each recognition result
about the banknote obtained from the recognition unit 28. More
specifically, the control unit 90 can control each diverter 60, 62
to divert the banknotes judged to be the normal ones from the lower
transport mechanism 24 and then feed them to either one of the
stacking units 30, 40, based on each recognition result of the
banknotes transmitted from the recognition unit 28. It is noted
that the operation by this control unit 90 will be detailed
later.
[0062] Now, referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, the construction of
each stacking unit 30, 40 will be described in more detail. In
addition, the pushing unit provided to each stacking unit 30, 40
will be detailed. Especially, the pushing unit provided to the
second stacking unit 40 will be detailed, by way of example, with
reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 through 10, and other related
drawings.
[0063] In each of the stacking unit 30, 40, a storage space 30p or
40p for storing therein the banknotes in the stacked condition is
provided. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, each front
portion of the casing 92 corresponding to the stacking units 30, 40
is opened forward. Thus, the operator can optionally take out the
banknotes stored in the respective storage spaces 30p, 40p through
such openings of the casing 92. As shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, each
storage space 30p, 40p is composed of a space surrounded by one
side wall 30a or 40a to which the stacking wheel 32 or 42 is
attached, a bottom plate 30b or 40b, a ceiling 30e or 40e, the
other side wall 30d or 40d opposite to the side wall 30a or 40a and
a rear side wall 30c or 40c opposite to each opening.
[0064] In this embodiment, the direction in which the opening of
each stacking unit 30, 40 is opened (i.e., the direction in which
the banknotes are taken out through the opening) is orthogonal to
the sheet of FIG. 5. Namely, the opening direction of each stacking
unit 30, 40 is orthogonal to the direction in which the banknotes
are fed from the lower transport mechanism 24 to the stacking unit
30 or 40 via each diversion line 33, 43 (i.e., along the sheet of
FIG. 5). In this case, the direction, in which the banknotes are
fed from the lower transport mechanism 24 toward each stacking unit
30, 40, corresponds to the short-edge direction of each banknote.
Therefore, the operator can take out the banknotes from each
stacking unit 30, 40 in the long-edge direction of each banknote.
Alternatively, the direction, in which the banknotes are fed from
the lower transport mechanism 24 toward each stacking unit 30, 40,
may correspond to the long-edge direction of each banknote. Of
course, in this case, the operator can take out the banknotes from
each stacking unit 30, 40 in the short-edge direction of each
banknote.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 2 and other related drawings, each bottom
plate 30b, 40b is downwardly inclined toward each side wall 30a,
40a to which the stacking wheel 32 or 42 is provided. Therefore, as
shown in FIG. 2 and other related drawings, each stacking unit 30,
40 can store therein the banknotes in an inclined state. With this
configuration of each bottom plate 30b, 40b downwardly inclined
toward each side wall 30a, 40a, each batch of the banknotes can be
stacked in each stacking unit 30, 40, while also being downwardly
inclined toward the side wall 30a or 40a. Thus, the batch of the
banknotes can be taken out from each stacking unit 30, 40, with
each edge of the banknotes well arranged along each side wall 30a,
40a of the stacking unit.
[0066] Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a cut-out portion
(designated by reference numeral 40g in FIGS. 6 and 7) is provided
to each bottom plate 30b, 40b, at an edge thereof on the opening
side (or left lower side in FIGS. 6 and 7) of each stacking unit
30, 40. With this configuration, the batch of the banknotes stacked
on the bottom plate 40b and then pushed toward the opening by each
pushing member 44 that will be described below can be readily taken
out by the operator, while the fingers or the like of the operator
are inserted in the cut-out portion 40g provided at the edge on the
opening side of the bottom plate 40b.
[0067] Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pushing unit
configured for pushing the banknotes stored in each storage space
30p, 40p of the stacking unit 30 or 40 toward the opening is
provided to the stacking unit 30 or 40. Now, in regard to the
pushing units respectively provided to the stacking units 30, 40,
the pushing unit provided to the second stacking unit 40 will be
described by way of example. The pushing unit provided to the
second stacking unit 40 is composed of the pushing member 44
adapted for contacting with the banknotes stored in the storage
space 40p of the second stacking unit 40 and then pushing the
banknotes toward the opening (rightward in FIGS. 3 and 4), and the
pushing member driving mechanism 45 adapted for driving the pushing
member 44 toward the opening.
[0068] Now, referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 through 10, the pushing
member 44 and pushing member driving mechanism 45 constituting
together the pushing unit will be described in more detail.
[0069] When driven by the pushing member driving mechanism 45, the
pushing member 44 can be reciprocated, forward and rearward (or in
the direction orthogonal to the sheet of FIG. 2 or leftward and
rightward in FIGS. 3 and 4), in the stacking unit 40. More
specifically, the pushing member 44 can be reciprocated between a
retracted position (see FIG. 3) in which the pushing member 44 is
evacuated from the banknotes while the banknotes are stacked in the
storage space 40p of the stacking unit 40 and a pushing position
(see FIG. 4) located nearer to the opening of the stacking unit 40
relative to the retracted position. Namely, as shown in FIG. 3, the
pushing member 44 waits in the retracted position, while the
banknotes are stacked in the stacking unit 40. Meanwhile, once the
banknotes are stored in the storage space 40p of the stacking unit
40, the pushing member 44 is moved from the retracted position to
the pushing position, as shown in FIG. 4, while pushing the
banknotes stored in the storage space 40p toward the opening.
Thereafter, the pushing member 44 is returned from the pushing
position (see FIG. 4) to the retracted position (see FIG. 3). This
reciprocation of the pushing member 44 is performed by the
aforementioned pushing member driving mechanism 45.
[0070] As shown in FIGS. 6 through 10, the pushing member 44 is
composed of a front-stage portion 44a bent by approximately
120.degree. and formed of a plate-like member, and a rear-stage
portion 44b fixedly attached to the front-stage portion 44a. The
rear-stage portion 44b has a pushing face 44c provided for
contacting with the banknotes stored in the storage space 40p and
pushing the banknotes toward the opening. When in the retracted
position, as shown in FIG. 6, the front-stage portion 44a
constitutes a part of a bottom face and a side face of the storage
space 40p. However, when moved to the pushing position, as shown in
FIG. 7, the front-stage portion 44a will be hidden under each back
side of the bottom plate 40b and side wall 40d. More specifically,
as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the front-stage portion 44a has a
comb-like shape that can be meshed with the back face of the bottom
plate 40b. This configuration can securely prevent the banknotes
stored in the storage space 40p from getting into a gap between the
bottom plate 40b constituting the storage space 40p and the
front-stage portion 44a, thus avoiding occurrence of jam of such
banknotes and other like trouble in the second stacking unit
40.
[0071] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the rear-stage portion 44b of the
pushing member 44 is fixed to a rear part of the front-stage
portion 44a. When in the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 6,
the pushing face 44c of the rear-stage portion 44b constitutes a
part of a rear face of the storage space 40p. Meanwhile, when moved
to the pushing position, as shown in FIG. 7, the rear-stage portion
44b will be advanced into the storage space 40p. In this case, as
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the rear-stage portion 44b is also
comb-shaped to be meshed with the rear side wall 40c. This
configuration can securely prevent the banknotes stored in the
storage space 40p from getting into a gap between the rear side
wall 40c constituting the storage space 40p and the rear-stage
portion 44b, thus positively avoiding occurrence of the jam of such
banknotes and other like trouble in the second stacking unit
40.
[0072] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the pushing member driving
mechanism 45 is composed of, for example, a motor, which can rotate
a substantially rectangular first cam 46 about an axis 46a. A
projection 46b is provided to the first cam 46. Further, a
substantially rod-like second cam 47 is provided to connect the
first cam 46 with the front-stage portion 44a of the pushing member
44. This second cam 47 can be rotated about an axis 47a located at
a central portion of the cam 47. One end 47c of the second cam 47
is rotatably attached to a back face of the front-stage portion
44a, while the other end of the second cam 47 is provided with an
elongated through-hole 47b extending along the second cam 47. In
this through-hole 47b, the aforementioned projection 46b of the
first cam 46 is fitted. Thus, when the first cam 46 is rotated
about the axis 46a, the projection 46b of the first cam 46 will be
reciprocated in the elongated through-hole 47b, thereby swaying the
second cam 47 about the axis 47a. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and
9, a guide rail 48 configured for guiding the front-stage portion
44a and rear-stage portion 44b of the pushing member 44 in a fixed
direction (i.e., leftward and rightward in FIGS. 8 and 9) is
provided to the second stacking unit 40.
[0073] With the provision of the aforementioned cams 46, 47 between
the pushing member driving mechanism 45 and the pushing member 44,
when the pushing member driving mechanism 45 drives the first cam
46 to be rotated about the axis 46a in the clockwise direction in
FIG. 8, the second cam 47 can be swayed about the axis 47a, between
a position shown in FIG. 8 and a position shown in FIG. 9. As a
result, the pushing member 44 attached to the one end 47c of the
second cam 47 can be reciprocated, between the position as depicted
in FIGS. 6 and 8 (i.e., the retracted position) and the position as
depicted in FIGS. 7 and 9 (i.e., the pushing position), along the
guide rail 48.
[0074] Even in the case the operation of the pushing member 44 is
stopped because the banknotes are jammed between the bottom plate
40b and/or side wall 40d constituting the storage space 40p and the
pushing member 44, during a period of time, in which the pushing
member 44 is moved from the retracted position to the pushing
position, and the like, the operator can take out such jammed
banknotes by returning, by hand, the pushing member 44 from the
pushing position to the retracted position.
[0075] Now, the operation of the banknote handling machine 1 as
constructed above will be discussed.
[0076] First, the plurality of banknotes are placed on the hopper
11 in the stacked condition by the operator. Then, the banknotes
stored in the hopper 11 are fed into the casing 92 of the banknote
handling machine 1, one by one, by the banknote feeding unit 10.
Thereafter, the banknotes taken in the casing 92 are transported by
the transport unit 20. Specifically, the banknotes respectively
taken in the casing 92 are transported, by the upper transport
mechanism 22, intermediate transport mechanism 26 and lower
transport mechanism 24, in this order.
[0077] While the banknotes are transported by the transport unit
22, each banknote is detected by the recognition unit 28, regarding
the fitness, authenticity, denomination, orientation, face/back,
transported condition and the like thereof. In this case, the
banknotes that cannot be recognized by the recognition unit 28
(e.g., the damaged unfit banknotes or the like) and/or banknotes
that have been excluded from the banknotes to be stored in each
stacking unit 30, 40, because of their abnormal transported
condition (e.g., the obliquely transported condition or the like),
even after they have been sufficiently recognized, are judged to be
the "rejected banknotes" to be fed to the reject unit 50,
respectively. Meanwhile, the banknotes that have satisfied
predetermined conditions and thus been judged to be the normal
banknotes by the recognition unit 28 are recognized as the
banknotes to be stored in either one of the stacking units 30, 40,
respectively.
[0078] Thereafter, the banknotes are fed to the lower transport
mechanism 24 from the upper transport mechanism 22 via the
intermediate transport mechanism 26. From among the banknotes
transported by the lower transport mechanism 24, the normal
banknotes will be diverted from the lower transport mechanism 24
and fed to each of the stacking units 30, 40, by actuation of the
diverters 60, 62, respectively. Meanwhile, if some of the banknotes
transported by the upper transport mechanism 22 are judged to be
the "rejected banknotes" by the recognition unit 28, such rejected
banknotes are directly fed to the reject unit 50.
[0079] In this way, the banknotes fed to each stacking unit 30, 40
from the lower transport mechanism 24 will be stored in the
corresponding storage space 30p or 40p, in the stacked
condition.
[0080] Then, the batch of the banknotes stored in each storage
space 30p, 40p of the stacking units 30, 40 is pushed toward the
opening of each stacking unit 30, 40 by the pushing member 44. More
specifically, the control unit 90 controls the pushing member
driving mechanism 45 to reciprocate the pushing member 44 between
the retracted position as shown in FIG. 3 and the pushing position
as shown in FIG. 4, thus performing the pushing operation for the
batch of the banknotes by using the pushing member 44.
[0081] As the method for controlling the pushing member driving
mechanism 45 by using the control unit 90, various methods can be
mentioned. Now, such control methods will be described.
[0082] In a first control method, for example, in the case the
sensor 77 detects that a predetermined number of banknotes are fed
to the second stacking unit 40, the control unit 90 controls the
pushing member driving mechanism 45 to drive the pushing member 44
of the second stacking unit 40, such that the banknotes stored in
the storage space 40p can be pushed toward the opening of the
stacking unit 40. According to this first control method, the
banknotes stored in the storage space 40p can be pushed toward the
opening, for each batch of the predetermined number of banknotes.
Therefore, the operator can take out the banknotes from the second
storage unit 40, for each batch of the predetermined number of
banknotes. It is noted that the control operation for the pushing
member can also be performed, in the same manner, in accordance
with this first control method, in the case such a predetermined
number of banknotes are not fed to the second stacking unit 40, but
fed to the first stacking unit 30 and then the sensor 76 detects
the predetermined number of banknotes fed in the first stacking
unit 30.
[0083] In this case, if the first stacking unit 30 and second
stacking unit 40 are respectively configured to store therein the
banknotes of the same denomination and when the number of the
banknotes stored in either one of the first or second stacking unit
30 or 40 reaches the maximum storage number thereof before all of
the predetermined number of banknotes are fed to this first or
second stacking unit 30 or 40, the remaining banknotes may be
continuously fed to the other stacking unit in which the number of
banknotes stored therein has not yet reached the maximum storage
number. Further, in this case, when the sensors 76, 77 respectively
detect that the predetermined number of banknotes have been fed
into the first and second stacking units 30, 40, while being
appropriately divided thereto, the pushing members of the stacking
units 30, 40 will be controlled to push such banknotes stored in
the storage spaces 30p, 40p toward the openings thereof,
respectively.
[0084] In a second control method, for example, in the case the
number of banknotes stored in the second stacking unit 40 reaches
the predetermined maximum storage number assigned to this second
stacking unit 40, the control unit 90 controls the pushing member
driving mechanism 45 to drive the pushing member 44 of the second
stacking unit 40, such that the banknotes stored in the storage
space 40p can be pushed toward the opening of the stacking unit 40.
According to this second control method, when the banknotes can no
longer be stored in the second stacking unit 40, the banknotes
stored in the storage space 40p are pushed toward the opening of
the second stacking unit 40. Thus, the operator can take out the
batch of banknotes corresponding to the maximum storage number
assigned to the second storage unit 40. Again, it is noted that the
control operation for the pushing member can also be performed, in
the same manner, in accordance with this second control method, in
the case the maximum storage number of banknotes are not fed to the
second stacking unit 40, but fed to the first stacking unit 30.
[0085] In a third control method, for example, in the case the
sensor 77 detects that the predetermined number of banknotes are
fed to the second stacking unit 40, the control unit 90 interrupts
the transportation of the banknotes due to the transport unit 20.
Then, the control unit 90 controls the pushing member driving
mechanism 45 to drive the pushing member 44 of the second stacking
unit 40, such that the banknotes stored in the storage space 40p
can be pushed toward the opening of the stacking unit 40.
Thereafter, when the sensor 81 detects that the banknotes once
pushed toward the opening by the pushing member 44 in the second
stacking unit 40 have been taken out from the stacking unit 40, the
control unit 90 will restart the transportation of the banknotes by
using the transport unit 20. With this third control method, the
operator can take out the banknotes from the second stacking unit
40, for each batch of the predetermined number of banknotes.
Besides, the storage of the banknotes into each stacking unit 30,
40 can be automatically restarted, after the operator takes out the
batch of banknotes from the second stacking unit 40. Again, it is
noted that the control operation for the pushing member can also be
performed, in the same manner, in accordance with this third
control method, in the case the predetermined number of banknotes
are not fed to the second stacking unit 40, but fed to the first
stacking unit 30. Further, in this case, it is noted that the
transportation of the banknotes by the transport unit 20 is
interrupted until the banknotes are taken out from the first
stacking unit 30.
[0086] Further, in a fourth control method, for example, in the
case the sensor 77 detects that the predetermined number of
banknotes are fed to the second stacking unit 40 (see FIG. 10(a)),
the control unit 90 interrupts the transportation of the banknotes
by the transport unit 20. Then, the control unit 90 controls the
pushing member driving mechanism 45 to drive the pushing member 44
of the second stacking unit 40, such that the banknotes stored in
the storage space 40p can be pushed toward the opening of the
stacking unit 40 (see FIG. 10(b)). Once the banknotes are pushed
toward the opening by the pushing member 44 in the second stacking
unit 40, the control unit 90 will restart the transportation of the
banknotes by using the transport unit 20. As a result, the
banknotes will be newly fed over the top face of the banknotes
already pushed toward the opening in the second stacking unit 40
(see FIG. 10(c)). With this fourth method, the banknotes can be
shifted in position, in the second stacking unit 40, for each batch
of the predetermined number of banknotes, as shown in FIG. 10(c).
Therefore, the operator can take out the banknotes from the second
stacking unit 40, for each batch of the predetermined number of
banknotes. Again, it is noted that the control operation for the
pushing member can also be performed, in the same manner, in
accordance with this fourth control method, in the case the
predetermined number of banknotes are not fed to the second
stacking unit 40, but fed to the first stacking unit 30. In
addition, it is noted that the banknotes can also be shifted in
position, in the first stacking unit 30, for each batch of the
predetermined number of banknotes.
[0087] In a fifth control method, when the transportation of the
banknotes to the respective stacking units 30, 40 by the transport
unit 20 is ended, the control unit 90 controls the respective
pushing members of the first and second stacking units 30, 40, such
that the banknotes stored in the respective storage spaces 30p, 40p
can be pushed toward the openings of the stacking units 30, 40,
respectively. According to this fifth control method, the operator
can take out the batch of banknotes from each stacking unit 30, 40,
after the completion of the transportation of the banknotes to each
stacking unit 30, 40.
[0088] By employing any one of the above first to fifth control
methods, or otherwise by utilizing any other suitable control
method, the banknotes stored in each storage space 30p, 40p of the
stacking units 30, 40 can be pushed toward the opening of each
stacking unit 30, 40 with desired timing.
[0089] As described above, according to the banknote handling
machine 1 of this embodiment, the banknotes stored in the
relatively rearward portion of each storage space (e.g., the
storage space 40p) of the stacking units (e.g., the second stacking
unit 40) can be pushed toward the opening of the stacking unit 40
(or pushed forward when seen on the operator side) by the pushing
member 44. Therefore, the operator can readily take out the
banknotes stored in the storage space 40p of the second stacking
unit 40. Furthermore, the banknotes stored in the second stacking
unit 40 in the abnormal stacked condition, more specifically, the
banknotes stored in the second stacking unit 40 in the standing
state, can also be pushed toward the opening of the stacking unit
40. Thus, the banknote handling machine 1 of this embodiment can
securely prevent the banknotes stored in the abnormal stacked
condition from being left in the stacking unit (e.g., the second
stacking unit 40), without being taken out by the operator.
[0090] As described above, the plurality of stacking units are
provided in the banknote handling machine 1, and the pushing
members are provided, corresponding to the number of the stacking
units (i.e., the stacking units 30, 40 in the above embodiment).
Therefore, the banknotes can be stored in the respective stacking
units 30, 40, while being sorted for each kind thereof, e.g., for
each denomination thereof.
[0091] It should be noted that the banknote handling machine 1 of
this invention is not limited to the aspects as described above,
but various alterations and modifications can be made thereto
without departing from the scope of this invention.
[0092] For instance, the number of the stacking units provided to
the banknote handling machine 1 is not limited to two, but may be
three or more. In this case, the pushing units respectively
composed of the pushing members and pushing member driving
mechanisms are provided, corresponding to the number of the
stacking units.
[0093] In addition, each stacking unit is not limited to one
configured for storing therein the banknotes in the stacked
condition. For instance, each stacking unit may be provided for
storing therein the banknotes in the standing state.
[0094] Further, the control method provided by the control unit 90
for controlling the pushing member driving mechanism 45 is not
limited to those described above. For instance, the control unit 90
may control the pushing members of the respective stacking units
30, 40 to push the banknotes, in the case the unit 90 confirms the
completion of the recognition for the banknotes performed by the
recognition unit 28 as well as the completion of the transportation
of the banknotes into the stacking units 30, 40 performed by the
transport unit 20, while controlling the pushing members of the
respective stacking units 30, 40 not to push the banknotes, in the
case the unit 90 does not confirm the completion of the recognition
for the banknotes and/or completion of the transportation of the
banknotes.
[0095] In one variation, as shown in FIG. 11, the pushing member 49
can be moved, with the banknotes stacked on a top face thereof.
Further, the banknotes stacked on the pushing member 49 can be
moved, together with the pushing member 49. In this case, as shown
in FIG. 11, sensors 83, 84, 85, each adapted for detecting the
position of the pushing member 49, are provided to the pushing
unit. With this configuration, the pushing member driving mechanism
45 can stop the pushing member 49 in a plurality of positions,
based on each detection information on the pushing member 49
obtained from the respective sensors 83, 84, 85. Again, the pushing
member 49 is comb-shaped to be meshed with each side wall 40a, 40d
constituting the storage space 40p in the stacking unit 40.
[0096] Now, this variation will be further described with reference
to FIG. 11. First, as shown in FIG. 11(a), the banknotes are
stacked on the top face of the pushing member 49, while a rear end
(i.e., a left end in FIG. 11) of the pushing member 49 is detected
by the first sensor 83. Next, the pushing member 49 is moved
forward (or rightward in FIG. 11) (see FIG. 11(b)), and thereafter
the banknotes are newly stacked on the pushing member 49, while the
rear end of the pushing member 49 is detected by the second sensor
84 (see FIG. 11(c)). Then, the pushing member 49 is further moved
forward (see FIG. 11(d)), and thereafter the banknotes are further
stacked on the pushing member 49, while the rear end of the pushing
member 49 is detected by the third sensor 85 (see FIG. 11(e)). In
this way, as shown in FIG. 11(e), the banknotes can be shifted in
position, for each batch of the predetermined number of banknotes,
on the pushing member 49.
[0097] As described above, according to the aforementioned
variation as shown in FIG. 11, the pushing member 49 can be stopped
in the plurality of positions. Thus, the banknotes stacked on the
pushing member 49 can also be stopped in the plurality of
positions. Therefore, the banknotes can be shifted in position, for
each batch of the predetermined number of banknotes, thus enabling
the operator to take out the banknotes, for each batch of the
predetermined number of banknotes, from the stacking unit.
[0098] In another variation, as shown in FIGS. 12(a), 12(b), each
stacking unit (e.g., the second stacking unit 40) may further
include a banknote arranging member 40f adapted for contacting with
and arranging one edge of each banknote pushed toward the opening
of the stacking unit 40 (or rightward in FIG. 12) by the pushing
member 44. This banknote arranging member 40f is provided to
usually extend upward, at one end of the bottom plate 40b of the
stacking unit 40. With this configuration, the banknote arranging
member 40f can readily arrange the edge of each banknote pushed
toward the opening of the stacking unit 40 by the pushing member
44.
[0099] Further, as depicted by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 12(b),
the banknote arranging member 40f may be inclined forward and
downward (or rightward and downward as shown in FIG. 12) in a
direction in which the banknotes are taken out from the stacking
unit 40. With such configuration for allowing the banknote
arranging member 40f to be inclined from the position depicted by a
solid line to the position depicted by the two-dot chain line as
shown in FIG. 12(b), the operator can readily take out each batch
of the banknotes forward from the stacking unit 40.
[0100] In still another variation, as shown in FIG. 13, a dust
collector may be provided to each stacking unit 30, 40 of the
banknote handling machine 1.
[0101] More specifically, the dust collector is composed of a duct
94 communicated with each storage space 30p, 40p via each opening
30h, 40h formed in the rear side wall 30c or 40c of the stacking
unit 30 or 40, a fan 96 provided on the downstream side of the duct
94, and a filter 98 connected with the fan 96. Thus, when the fan
96 is actuated, dust or the like matter present in each storage
space 30p, 40p of each stacking unit 30, 40 can be drawn by the
duct 94 via each opening 30h, 40h provided in each rear side wall
30c, 40c. Then, the dust drawn into the duct 94 is fed to the
filter 98 due to the actuation of the fan 96. As a result, such
dust or the like can be collected in the filter 98, while the air,
from which the dust or the like is removed, can be released to the
outside of the casing 92 from the fan 96.
[0102] This configuration of the banknote handling machine 1 as
shown in FIG. 13 can prevent the dust or the like matter from being
accumulated on and around the sensors 78, 79, 80, 81 and the like
respectively provided to each stacking unit 30, 40, thereby
successfully avoiding occurrence of errors due to failures and/or
malfunctions of such sensors. Further, this configuration can
positively prevent the operator from inadvertently inhaling the
dust or the like accumulated in each stacking unit 30, 40. In
addition, since the dust or the like matter can be collected in the
filter 98, the operator can readily remove such dust or the like,
which would be otherwise accumulated in each stacking unit 30, 40,
by cleaning the filter 98.
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